I found in my small town (Lafayette) newspaper yesterday three separate articles regarding polls about three subjects. I love polls. They tell me where we are, and where we're going. Sometimes they are surprising (and appalling).

Here they are (Americans).

> Why do college students drop out? (Half do)
70% for financial reasons. (58% said they did not receive any financial help from parents or relatives; 69% had no scholarships or financial aid. (Wow))
No percentage given, but other reasons included "needing a break, classes not useful, and needing more time to spend with family".

> "A smorgasbord of beliefs"
Ever had a moment of sudden religious insight or awakening? 49% said yes, up from 20% in 1962.
29% have been in touch with the dead.
15% have consulted a psychic
Believe spiritual energy in trees, etc. 26%; astrology 25%;
reincarnation 24%; evil eye (casting of curses) 16%
(There's more, but you get the drift.)

> Decline in supporting the arts.
35% in 2008, down from 41% in 1992.
Between 2002 and 2008, percentages fell for moviegoing
60 to 53.3, for jazz from 10.8 to 7.8, for museums/galleries from 26.5 to 22.7. Declines include every other art forms except "reading of literature" (credited to online reading).

Also in the NEA report:
-Most popular form of music at 48% was "classic/rock oldies", followed up by country/Western, at 36%.
-Most popular book genre--mysteries (32.5%), follwoed by
health/fitness/self-improvement and religious works.
-Visits to parks/monuments/historical buildings fell from 31.6% in '02 to 25% last year.

So, what do you think?