Character, competence, policy or party: what matters most?
July 1, 2020
Good Wednesday Morning.
As we begin the 2nd half of 2020, a message from one Tina user to another:
A for the user who suggested the fries question. The only reason it was held back from an A+ is that I immediately got hungry and started snacking.
And a message from another user:
This is just to say thank you for posting the question about seeing psychology professionals. I am starting therapy for the first time today and seeing that question asked on this platform and answered by all the users helped me normalize this experience (even if most people said they don’t get therapy). Thanks.
Good luck, friend.
Today, we’ve got some questions on Canada (July 1 is Canada Day), the traits we look for in elected officials, a fun follow-up from yesterday’s question about fries and COVID vaccines. We’ll end on a far more serious and important note. Click on the Let’s Talk button to get started.
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Results from June 29, 2020
Question 1: The Indian government recently banned TikTok, citing privacy and national security concerns. Do you believe the United States should ban China-based mobile apps like TikTok?
TikTok is essentially a data collection apparatus disguised as a social media app maintained by Chinese intelligence organizations. Why we ever allowed it in the first place is beyond me.
But some didn’t leave the banning to just TikTok and other China-based apps…
Here's a joke: What's the difference between Chinese and American spyware? American spyware exists to sell you stuff. Chinese spyware exists to damage US national security. Turns out the joke wasn't very funny. Yes, delete TikTok but delete facebook too.
Question 2: Have you seen or heard an unusually high number of fireworks in your community?
This is pretty significant, actually. Some of you have pointed out that there are some conspiracy theories that try to explain the sudden influx of fireworks. We can explore this further, particularly as we approach the 4th of July.
Question 3: America is...
Regarding US exceptionalism, I chose the first option because it was the one I disagreed with the least. I took "exceptional" in the most literal way as in "an exception to the rule". The US is a one of a kind nation for some good reasons, and many bad reasons...
(And to the anonymous user who answered this question by quoting the entire monologue from the pilot of the The Newsroom… Wow. I love your passion.)
But the melodramatic Aaron Sorkin monologue aside, some of you who believe America is not exceptional do not believe that was always the case.
There was a time when I felt that our nation was exceptional or at least striving for it. Under the current administration, I don't see any examples set forth that would make us exceptional. At the moment, I think we are the exact opposite. So much has happened within the last year. Let's not forget about the detention camps as well. When a nation separates and detains children and parents seeking refuge from the constant threats of gang violence (which we play a hand in), corrupt governments, and overall poor living conditions that not exceptional. If we want to be exceptional, we need to take a real hard look at ourselves, own up to the mistakes that were made, do the work to fix our issues, and that starts with voting Trump out of the White House...in my opinion. Those that feel Trump has us in his best interest. Need to take a closer look at his actions. He is for himself. He is not for us.
I don’t think I can bear hearing that America is anything less than exceptional. This is a great nation that is founded on freedom and liberty. Any snot-nosed, entitled [****] that answers that America is not a great nation on a forum that illustrates American greatness deserves to be canceled. Oh never mind, we are in America and you get to express your opinion.
Question 4: One of our users wants to know if you agree or disagree with the following statement: The United States is well-positioned to lead the world in the next wave of innovative technologies like artificial intelligence.
We have been falling behind in technology for some time now. It all comes down to educational resources. This country is so individualistic that it would rather fall behind the rest of the world than give equitable education to all children and free higher education to all qualifying adults. What a shame. We have brilliant minds in this country who never have the opportunity of higher education.
Question 5: Which fast food restaurant has the best french fries?
America is exceptional because of McDonald's fries.
If >10% of Tina users chose something other than McDonald's fries, I might never open another one of your emails. An easier question has never been asked on this survey. It's gut check time.
Uh oh…
The fast food fry question is inherently flawed, because fast food fries have been in a continuous decline for many years now and they are all terrible. Honestly, the few times I order fast food, I don't get fries. That being said, I'd like to put in a good word for Burger King's onion rings, which have remained solid all these years. Good on ya, BK.
Do waffle fries and curly fries count? Cause they shouldn't.
I don’t think so.
Other favorites include Chick-Fil-A, 5 Guys, Shake Shack, Checker’s, Culver’s and “In n Out—love watching them slice ACTUAL POTATOES in front of customers. 😊”
As a side point, 50% of users who favor Wendy’s fries dip those fries in their Frosty.
As an aside, this has felt like the longest 6 month stretch ever with everything that is going on. Remember when the Australian wildfires were the biggest news story? While the individual months have gone much faster the last few months after a snail-like March, overall it seems like 2020 has lasted forever. Here's to a good 2nd half of the year!
Amen to that. Click on the Let’s Talk button below to get started.