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There are cases where surveys are useful, but none of them hinge on getting accurate results. The two that come to mind: push polls, and exploiting sample bias to make yourself look good.

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I've enjoyed the recent 5-hour ENERGY ad about how many doctors approve of their product. A whopping 73% of doctors recommend low calorie energy products... when measuring the percent of those who recommend energy products.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCqT3fdAAHQ

While there are abusive uses like push polls and leading questions, there are legitimate uses too.

That example is even worse; 73% of doctors recommend that if you must use an energy product, you should use a low-calorie one.

I always forget how sarcasm is lost online. I meant that as an example of a misleading, bad poll.

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