MadMup.com

It might not seem like much to you, but polls like my last one are quite intriguing to me. As of this writing, the results sit at 43% set radio favorites the way I do, 46% set stations in numerical order of preference, 4% don’t set favorites, and 7% don’t listen to the radio.

While I realize the poll has a margin of error and also cannot be used to determine the preferences of the nation or world at large, it’s still a good reminder to me.

See, while it’s logical to think “Not everyone thinks the same way I do,” I don’t tend to act on that assumption. I tend to think my way is the only way (or the right way) and when I’m faced with a different outlook, it boggles my mind. Even a silly little poll about how people set their radio favorites can help me remember that kind of thing. If I’m reminded enough, I might eventually take it to heart and start operating under that ruleset.

The sooner the better, right?

I ran across this joke recently and it reminded me how much I’ve always enjoyed it.

Two hunters are out in the woods when one of them collapses. He doesn’t seem to be breathing and his eyes are glazed. The other guy takes out his phone and calls the emergency services.

He gasps: “My friend is dead! What can I do?”

The operator says: “Calm down, I can help. First, let’s make sure he’s dead.”

There is a silence, then a gunshot is heard. Back on the phone, the guy says: “OK, now what?”

 

I was riding in the car with a coworker the other day and I found out something that blew my mind.

On most car radios, there are six buttons that you can program to automatically go to your favorite radio stations. Some have more than that, but six is a sorta-standard. The FM band on radios goes from 87.8 to 108.0 here in the US, from left to right like you’d normally read ascending numbers.

Logically, then, if you’ve got six favorite stations, it makes complete sense to put them from left to right on your favorite buttons, lowest number on the far left, highest number on the far right. Right?

Apparently not to everyone. My coworker said, “Nuh uh. Your favorite station goes on the first button because it’s #1! Also, it’s closer to you [as the driver], so it’s easier to push.”

I could never bring myself to function in that way, but it got me wondering how many other people think like him. You know what that means… Poll time!

Please answer honestly, as this seemingly-simple poll could be the basis of someone’s life’s work on how people think.