Goanetters annual year-end meet is on Dec 27, 2010 (Monday) from 4-6 pm at Institute Piedade (near Hotel Mandovi, opp Bread & More) in Panjim. Do come along. RSVP via SMS 9822122436, [email protected] or 2409490 (after 2 pm).
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Dear Nascy, Your reservations seem to be on the identity part, which are quite understandable and reasonable. But for understanding public pulse of a billion Indians, individual opinions (except when opinion weights are significantly high like those of Arvind Kejriwal, Anna Hazare, Kiran Bedi etc who are unbiased, down to earth and in constant contact with masses) is an inferior option compared to collective wisdom (culminating from many opinions – more the better). The worry on the identity part is taken care by the large number of comments and votes. On Times of India opinion site, I have experienced that votes get updated on-line without any manual intervention. So anyone should be able to vote and without any filter. The online program also does not accept a second vote. I have also experienced that the hits on ToI on sensitive topics range between 2000 (state specific issues) and 50000 (national issues). Such large sample sizes are not seen on any other site and it is this large sample size that alleviates the worries on the identity part. Mathematicians say: As n tends to infinity, bias tends to zero. Philosophers say: When bias is of many, bias is the virtue. The principle of democracy is built on this. Statistically however, these numbers are still low for a representative sample for 100 crore population. Hopefully, the hits may increase as more people get familiarized. The lacuna: the pulse is of only the net users and not the masses. But on the net, that is all we can get. Goanet has a niche of its own and cannot be compared with a national opinion site. Almost all the topics and posts on goanet are of relevance to its users. It also touches Goan pride and identity. But for a few egoistic posts by a few, most goa-netters are concerned Goans. I therefore find no alternative to goanet in the specific niche. Meanwhile, a lot of cakes and bibinca have flooded at my place from friends. Pitty, we cannot share them on net. Let me atleast share greetings: MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL Rajendra In response to Nascy’s post: The better option is, in sites like Goanet and like sites where all are known and their ID cannot be easily concealed do U not agree? Online sites should at least display the correct name ID, so that way biases and schemes are known and or easily discovered. Rajendra’s previos post: Times of India allegiances/tilts are wellknown. Please go more into the details, so that you find the answer yourself. There is no better education than laughing at oneself, when one discovers his ignorance.I am still exploring other options to understand the public pulse in Indian context. Till date ToI is the most user-friendly and with more people hits. If Nascy or anyone shows a better option I shall thank him. Some examples:Chandrababu Naidu's Hunger strike: Read comment and votes in favor/against. You can also comment and vote. Try yourself, experience and then post feedback on goanet.http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/opinions/7151296.cms?commenttype=disagree&sorttype=bycount Pranab wants apology from opposition: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/opinions/7150542.cms?commenttype=disagree&sorttype=bycount First Time in India: Goa governor summoned under RTI: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/opinions/7148054.cms?commenttype=agree&sorttype=bycount PM offers to depose for inquiry: Here is a post from Goa with 32 votes for and 1 against: faleiro.ivooscar (Margao - Goa, INDIA.) 21 Dec, 2010 08:52 AMDr. Manmohan Singh is it a ploy? Why offer to face a Public Accounts Committee and why NOT a Joint Parliamentary Committee??? - Ivo Oscar Faleiro. Former General Secretary, South Goa District Congress (I) Committee, Margao - Goa, INDIA.http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/opinions/7135139.cms?commenttype=agree&sorttype=bycount Nascy’s previous post: I have gone into the site, and find it is an all out, saffron controlled site, and the respondents are almost all the types. Rajendra’s Previous Post: When all fail, highest scorer even with 25% marks is the best student in a class and is the mascot of the class. ToI comments option may not be the best or may be even fail class. But it is so far the best option I have come across to understand the public pulse in Indian context. It is more user-friendly and has more people hits (700 comments each with average 70 votes makes it 50000 hits). If anyone shows a better option I shall thank him. Secondly about TRUTH. I do not think that I know the truth in any matter. If any goanet contributor thinks that he knows the truth than he must be Gandhi, Buddha or Christ. Since I do not know the truth, for me the view of a larger group is the TRUTH till the time an even larger group says otherwise. I consider collective wisdom to be far superior than individual wisdom. Soter’s previous post: If for Rajendra kakodkar the 'Truth' is going to be determined by polls conducted by media houses set up by India's exploitative class then God save this country. Rajendra’s Orinal post: In the ToI poll 26% agree with Rahul but 71% disagree. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Rahul-Gandhi-told-US-Hindu-extremists-are-a-bigger-threat-to-India/articleshow/7115703.cms?There are also over 700 comments on this topic. The ToI comments option gives a better picture of public pulse amongst the net users. What is more interesting is that readers can give feedback whether they agree to each comment or not. The votes polled by each comment can also be seen. The comments could also be Sorted by: Newest,Oldest,recommended , Most Discussed,Agree, Disagree Peruse: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/opinions/7115703.cms?commenttype=agree&sorttype=bycountRajendra
