rwsh@hound.UUCP (R.STUBBLEFIELD) (12/27/83)
Robert Ringer has a new book out called "How You Can Find Happiness During The Collapse Of Western Civilization." He takes the "Collapse" as self-evident. I wonder how widely that view is shared. Do you? If so, participate in this poll and I will send you the tabulated results (unless the response is so overwhelming that I decide to post them). Please answer as many of the following questions as you care to. 1. The potential decline of Western Civilization is uninteresting(_), moderately interesting(_), very interesting(_) to me. 2. In general, I think that Western Civilization is collapsing(_), declining(_), stable(_), advancing(_). This question is too vague to be answered(_). 3. Mark with "D" "S" or "A" as evidence for decline(D), stability(S), or advance(A) for the following areas: standard of living(_) life span(_) environment(_) taxes(_) law(_) science(_) books(_) movies(_) art(_) technology(_) media(_) education(_) government(_) culture(_) economics(_) morality(_) religion(_) philosophy(_) 4. How do you feel about the general trend of Western Civilization? (X all that apply.) sad(_) indifferent(_) elated(_) other(______________) fearful(_) contented(_) optimistic(_) 5. Which of the following are the fundamental reasons for the general trend? (X all that apply.) A. Conspiracy(_) B. Communists(_) C. Too much government(_) D. Education(_) E. Laws(_) F. Too little government(_) G. Economics(_) H. Politics(_) I. Morality(_) J. Religion(_) K. Philosophy(_) L. Other(_______________) 6. Changes to which of the above (A - L) would be the most effective way to change the general trend of Western Civilization?______________________ 7. If you don't think Western Civilization is declining, why do you think others do? (X all that apply.) They lack historical perspective(_). They are just being pretentious(_). Their method of thinking is to prefer simplistic views(_). They improperly generalize from some personally interesting areas(_). Other(___________________________________________________________________) 8. Are your views on the general trend correlated with your political views? A. I am not at all(N), somewhat(S), or very (V) sympathetic with the political views of communists(_) socialists(_) totalitarians(_) democrats(_) republicans(_) conservatives(_) liberals(_) marxists(_) independents(_) libertarians(_) anarchists(_) other(____________) B. I think the proper function of a government is (X all that apply.) to protect individual rights(_), to provide the greatest good for the greatest number(_), to provide for the welfare of its citizens(_), to promote equality of results as well as of opportunity(_). 9. Is your view correlated with your wealth? I am on welfare(_), as poor as a typical grad student(_), struggling(_), comfortable(_), wealthy(_). 10. With age? I am < 20(_), in my twenties(_), in my thirties(_), older than 40(_). 11. With sex? I am M(_) F(_). 12. With belief in God? I believe God is important in my daily life(_). I often(_), sometimes(_), rarely(_) go to church. I am an agnostic(_). I am an atheist(_). 13. With profession? engineer(_) scientist(_) teacher(_) mathematician(_) lawyer(_) journalist(_) artist(_) homemaker(_) programmer(_) other(_)_______________ 14. With philosophical views? None(_) Aristotelian(_) Existentialist(_) Kantian(_) Platonist(_) Linguistic Analyst(_) Pragmatist(_) Objectivist(_) Logical Positivist(_) Other(_)_______________________ Send responses to ihnp4!hound!rwsh Bob Stubblefield HO2J611, AT&T Bell Labs, Holmdel,NJ 07733 201-949-2846 Thank you.