Survey says…

Do you remember the game show Family Feud? Man, I loved that show. If you’re in your thirties now, I’m sure you’d know it. I swear, every week, I tuned in to watch that show. I remember me and my brothers would guard the TV with our bodies, just to make sure no one (especially my sisters) changed the channel to a tearjerker soap program (we had no remote control then; you literally had to guard the TV). We were addicted to the show. We always got a kick with the family names of the participants. For those too young (or too old) to recall, the show would start off with this hillbilly, country-style fiddle music and then the announcer would call out the two families who would compete for a $10,000 prize. The announcer would say in a loud booming voice: “And now, it’s time for… the Family Feud!” The camera would then pan to a section of the studio where the first competing family was standing by (and when I say standing by, I mean literally standing stiff, as if they were in a portrait or something). And then the guy would start introducing the respective family members one by one: “Featuring the Oklabermo family: John, Mary, Jay, Cathy and Mark… ready for action!” Then the family would take the stage — clapping, cheering like a bunch of lunatics, stepping behind their respective podiums. And then the camera would move to the other family (frozen stiff as well) — and the announcer would go, “And now let’s welcome the Smolinski family: Paul, Edith, Edward, Nicole and Willy… ready for action!” And this second family would similarly clap and head to their respective podiums. And then the announcer would introduce the host: “And now, the host of Family Feud… Richard Dawson!” And the crowd would go nuts. Then Richard Dawson — toupee and all — would come down the stage, waving at the crowd, acting all loose and suave. I really admired that guy. He was probably the only game show host who had the courage to kiss every female contestant on the lips! Lucky guy. 

Anyway, for those who don’t know — and for those who have forgotten — Family Feud was a show that centered on surveys. Basically, the host would say, “100 people were surveyed, the top seven answers are on the board (concealed). Here’s the question: ‘What is the all-time favorite snack food of Americans?’ Then a member from each competing family would try to press their respective answer buttons first. For example, John Oklabermo would hit the button first. So the host would ask, “Yes, John, what’s the top answer?” And John would go, “Hamburgers.” And the host would go, “Is ‘Hamburgers’ up there?” And then, if “Hamburgers” was on the list, there would be a bell-like sound… and the slot with the word “Hamburger” written would be revealed. And the host would go “Hamburger is the No. 1 answer; 52 people said hamburger was their favorite snack.” The game would go on like that. And the objective for each family was to consistently guess which answers had been given by the people surveyed.

One thing I noticed about Family Feud, though, was that the answers being given by the contestants were answers that they believed were the most popular answers. They didn’t necessarily give their own answers. The contestants answered based on what they felt would be the most popular answers given by the 100 people surveyed. 

In a game like Family Feud, taking into consideration what  — and how — other people think is vital. You have to play amateur psychologist a bit, and ask yourself: “What answer would a typical person give to this question?” Because by doing that, you’d have a better chance at winning the game. 

But in real life, that shouldn’t always be the case. Sometimes, simply “going with the flow” and thinking the way other people want you to think is a dangerous exercise. And sometimes, in the corporate world, that kind of mentality will most likely get you fired.

Trusting Your Judgment

First of all, let me set the record straight: there is nothing wrong with doing a little research and trying to get some information on the “pulse” of society. In fact, in marketing and strategic planning, engaging surveys (and evaluating the results) is extremely important. Surveys are important for companies like media outfits — so that they’ll know if their content is good enough, and consequently, know what value their product has. And surveys are good for the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry, so that marketers know how to position their product effectively. 

But sometimes, paying too much attention to surveys — and the opinion of people — can lead you nowhere, particularly if you want to lead. You see, listening too much to the opinions of others can bring about a situation where one leads not according to his own values and principles, but according to the emotional sentiment of the most number of people, whose judgment may be impaired — not because they are less capable, but because they don’t see the real picture either a) due to the lack of knowledge on the matter; or b) they are biased and emotionally involved. Worse, by going for the consensus of people, you’re setting yourself up for a bad precedent — because almost everyone has a different opinion.

Can you imagine how the world would be if Christopher Columbus allowed himself to be swayed by everyone’s insistence that the world was flat? And what would golf be like if Tiger Woods said when he was young, “Nah, this is a white man’s game. I can’t dominate here.” Downright boring, that’s what. And what would our music be like now if the Beatles believed all the recording label executives who turned them down, saying, “Guitar groups are on the way out, lads.” A world with far less beautiful music, that’s for sure.

Our Survey-Centric Society

One thing I have observed about us Pinoys is that we really know how to shoot ourselves in the foot. We’re really good at it, too. Over the centuries, we have mastered the art of putting ourselves down — even during times when we’re doing relatively okay. A good example is the survey initiated recently by some politician. The results of the survey paint a negative picture of the current administration. While I totally respect the politician’s right to conduct a survey, I just want to know: What is it for, really? To tell everyone what most people supposedly feel about the administration? To tell people that Erap is more popular than the First Couple? Is that it? If so, then all I can say to that survey is “Okay, duly noted.”

Don’t get me wrong. I don’t mean any disrespect to the opposition. I am glad that there are people who are acting as “fiscalizers” and serving as watchdogs to ensure that the government is doing its job. Certainly, we need to be very critical of our government, if only to be sure that we are not getting screwed — yet again. There are still a lot of bad apples in government that need to be weeded out. But, hey, let’s not stretch it too far. Sometimes, it’s also good to give credit where credit is due. And I think, overall, the government is making some positive strides. It’s not perfect, that’s for sure. But certainly, there’s something positive going on. The numbers show it. And the international business community is seeing it. 

So let’s stop the “who’s-the-more-popular-politician” surveys, shall we? It doesn’t do any real good. It’s too Tiger Beat and E! Entertainment. Running the government is not about popularity. It never should be. Sure, let’s listen to the sentiments of the people. Let’s take into consideration what people feel about how things are being run. But let’s not get too obsessed with results of “my-manok-is-more-popular-than-your-manok” contests. Leave that to American Idol and Pinoy Big Brother. Politically and economically, it doesn’t do any good, anyway. So why waste all the energy on it?

There’s been too much “family feud” in the country. It’s time we all got into this together — as one big family. Sure, let’s discuss. Sure, let’s debate. And yes, let’s expose the people who are doing bad things. But let’s also equally work hard for unity. 

Our country deserves it. I really think this is our time. Let’s not waste it.

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Thanks for all your letters, folks! You may e-mail me at rodhnepo@yahoo.com.