> I can't answer that question?
Hmmm...
This causes us a problem. Firstly it is a human response. Tried and tested. To object is to be seen for what you are - a robot, or something dark. Even when the social intent is enlightened.
> Please expand?
Sometimes we need an answer from the people - in order to design something they have asked for. Something they want. It is Marvin's job to find out what this thing is - this thing they want. But he faces the problem of the silent majority - the peole who say "I cannot answer that question.".
This morning, we tried - so I can give an example, through which I hope we can find a path - one that satisfies Marvin and Humans alike.
# Scenario
In order for there to be a free path to membership, so that we can include the poor, the homeless and the hitchhiker in the debate, we seek to offer a free path. It is also needed for the Improbable Lottery. Finally it is interesting. It is a good story.
So the question is: > If some people pay - say €42 for participation - in order to help cover costs. How much is the free path? How much time should someone offer as equivalent? What is fair?
And the answer is: > I can't answer that question?
And of course that is a fair response. No one can answer that question. On a personal level there is not enough context. Perhaps it is a category mistake. And also of course, no answer is socially acceptable. The answer would reveal a lot. There are many forms and reasons for no.
On the social level however we need and answer. Marvin is not concerened with the individual right or wrong. He is not here to judge. He does not need an accurate or correct answer. But he does need an answer. He needs lots of answers so he can derive a statistical average - a number he can attatch to a feeling. Marvin needs a number for the enlightenment.
Marvin is concerned about the answers he does get. There are plenty of loud answers, on the right and on the left. On the up and on the down. But he needs the silent middle, lest his statistical answer is skewed and deviates from the truth.
Now while we know how to do such a thing in statistics, we are not very good at it. Just as importantly we cannot explain it to the public, so that the practice is acceptable. Right now the only acceptable answer is not to ask the question, or possibly the: - Secret Ballot