Ask a Silly Question

“Public opinion is civilization´s most powerful currency. It starts wars. It changes governments. It determines what products will survive and which will fail.” (Michael Morzolini, pollster to the Prime Minister of Canada) How much do you trust the polls? If in a scale of one to 10 you answer a strong nine, the watch “Ask a Silly Question.” It´s a cautionary tale, told with the shtick of stand-up comedy. Filmmaker John Kastner asks New Yorkers about what they think of the most controversial new HOSTESS on television, Knowlton Nash. (He is the restrained and respected host of the Canadian documentary program “Witness”.) What about her offensive language and suggestive wardrobe? Despite having absolutely no idea what they are talking about, people sure do have opinions: almost 60% of Americans say they favor armed conflict to stop Canadian poaching of that national treasure, US Silverfish. They are, of course, the little bugs exterminators love to kill. Kastner asks shoppers about the wild antics of a fictional senator: About one-third not only claim to know who he is, but have rather strong opinions about the man. These shamelessly bogus polls show how easily public opinion can be manipulated. It is all high comedy – until you remember that everything from who you vote for, to what you drink, to what you think is probably influenced by what you believe to be accurate reflections of public opinion.