2/8: Holy Super Powers, Batman! Mind Reading and Time Travel Top List

Superman, Spider-Man, and Wonder Woman step aside!  Americans have their own super hero dreams!  The Marist Poll asked which super power U.S. residents would like to have, and they answered.  More than a quarter — 28% — report they would like to have the ability to read people’s minds, and the same proportion — 28% — say they would like to be able to time travel.  The ability to fly is the preference of 16% while 11% say they wish they could teleport.  10% pick invisibility, and 8% are unsure.

Mind reading tops the list of those in Gen X — 36% — and Americans in the Silent-Greatest generation — 28%.  The number one pick of Baby Boomers — 33% — is time travel.  Time travel and reading minds are closely matched among Millennials, receiving 26% and 25%, respectively.

35% of men wish they could travel through time while 30% of women would like to read people’s minds.

Table: Super Power Preference

Marist Poll Methodology

1/25: President Outshines Athletes, Celebs as Most Wanted Autograph

Presidents have been known to sign an autograph or two as they leave the House Chamber following their State of the Union addresses, but members of the U.S. Congress aren’t the only ones who want the president’s signature.  The Commander in Chief’s John Hancock is the autograph most desired by Americans.

When asked from whom they would prefer to receive an autograph, a majority of U.S. residents — 52% — say they would like to get one from the president.  A professional athlete comes in a distant second with 18%.  And, while this year’s Academy Award nominees were just announced, expect only one in ten Americans to clamor for an autograph from an actor or actress.  Eight percent say they would value an autograph from a rock star, and 4% would cherish the signature of a newscaster.  Eight percent are unsure.

Although a plurality of younger Americans would most appreciate the president’s autograph, more older Americans have this view.  57% of those 45 or older would want the president’s autograph while 45% of those younger than 45 agree.  Slightly more women — 56% — than men — 48%– share this opinion.

Table: Autograph Preference

Marist Poll Methodology

1/20: Boomers Expect Less Comfortable Retirement

2011 marks a milestone for one of the most discussed generations — the Baby Boomers.  This year, the Boomers began turning 65 years old.  As they enter this golden stage of life, how optimistic are they about their future?

Click Here for Complete January 20, 2011 USA Marist Poll Release and Tables

When it comes to their retirement years, a majority of Baby Boomers — 54% — believe they will be less comfortable than other generations before them.  In fact, Boomers are the generation who is least optimistic about post retirement life.  Nearly half — 48% — of Millennials and a plurality — 44% — of Gen Xers believe retirement will be more difficult compared with previous generations.  Only the Silent-Greatest generation has a more positive outlook.  Nearly four in ten in this group — 39% — say they are more comfortable than generations who preceded them. 37% say they are about as comfortable.

Among Americans overall — 44% — report their retirement years will be more trying compared with about one-third — 33% — who say they anticipate those years will be about as comfortable as those who retired before them.  22% believe they will have it easier than their predecessors.

Table: Life Post Retirement

Looking Back to the Future: Hope for a Cure

When they were teenagers, four in ten Baby Boomers — 40% — thought a cure for cancer would be discovered by the time they were 65.  21% thought poverty or hunger would be ended, 18% believed there would be an end to war, and an additional 12% predicted a clean environment around the globe. 10% were unsure.

Hope for a cure for cancer spans the generations.  52% of Gen Xers, 51% of Millennials, and 31% of those in the Silent-Greatest generation report they, as teens, thought a cure for the disease would be found by the time they turned 65.

Among adults as a whole, 43% of Americans believed, as teens, a cure for cancer would be discovered by the time they reached retirement age.

Table: Goal Accomplished by the Age of 65

Visions of Innovations: Driving Sky-High

As for the innovation that Boomers thought would most likely be invented by the time they reached 65, three in ten — 30% — believed, as teenagers, there would be flying cars.  35% of Gen Xers agree.  Millennials divide with 28% predicting, as teenagers, that flying cars would enter the transportation landscape by the time they reach retirement age and 25% anticipating human robots.  There is little consensus among those in the Silent-Greatest generation.  Among this group, 17% envisioned flying cars, 16% thought people from earth would be living on other planets, and 14% believed there would be a technological way to make us smarter.  12% thought human robots would be commonplace.  Four percent believed there would be no need for sleep, and nearly four in ten — 38% — were unsure.

Among adults nationally, as teens, 28% reported flying cars and 21% believed human robots would be invented by the time they reach 65.

Table: Innovation Invented by the Age of 65

Boomers: Burden or Benefit?

Most Americans — 80% — acknowledge the contributions Baby Boomers, as a generation, have made to society.  This includes 87% of Boomers, 79% of those in Gen X, 77% of Millennials, and 75% of those in the Silent-Greatest generation who believe Boomers have been more of a benefit than a burden to American life.  However, a greater proportion of Millennials -than any other generation — 19% — consider Boomers to be more of a burden than a benefit.

Table: Boomer Generation -– Societal Burden or Benefit?

Marist Poll Methodology

Related Stories:

Baby Boomers’ Reality: An Interview

Blog: Boom or Bust?

12/14: “Whatever” Retains Title of “Most Annoying Word or Phrase”

It’s “like” “whatever!”

According to The Marist Poll, “whatever” remains the most annoying word or phrase in conversation today.  39% of Americans despise the often tossed about term.  The uber-filler “like” is deemed the most irritating by 28%.  “You know what I mean” is considered the biggest verbal gaffe by 15% of the population.  “To tell you the truth” grates the most on 10% while “actually” receives the dubious distinction from 5%.  Three percent are unsure.

In October 2009, “whatever” was crowned king with 47%.  Other annoying words and phrases included in that survey were: “you know” (25%), “it is what it is” (11%), “anyway” (7%), and “at the end of the day” (2%).  Eight percent were unsure.

Younger Americans, those 18 to 29, currently have a different take.  44% of these residents wouldn’t mind if “like” is abolished in everyday conversation.  Their older counterparts disagree.  Among those 30 to 44, 37% say “whatever” gets on their nerves the most.  46% of Americans 45 to 59 and 40% of those 60 and older agree.

Table: Most Annoying Conversational Word or Phrase

Marist Poll Methodology

The Marist Poll’s Mary Azzoli discusses our latest “annoying words” poll:

12/7: The Infamous Day: Most Identify Japan as Pearl Harbor Bombers

Today we mark Pearl Harbor Day.  But, do Americans know which country bombed the United States and prompted its entry into World War II?  Most do.

Nearly nine in ten United States residents — 89% — correctly identify Japan as the nation who attacked the U.S. on December 7, 1941.  Four percent believe another nation carried out the attack, and 7% are unsure.

Men (94%), Americans earning $50,000 or more annually (93%), and those 45 years of age and older (92%), are more likely to know the assailants in that infamous attack than are women (85%), residents making less than $50,000 a year (84%), and those under 45 years old (85%).

Table: Pearl Harbor Attackers

Marist Poll Methodology

9/13: WSJ/Marist Poll: MTA Responsible for Service Cuts and Fare Hikes

Who do New York City residents hold responsible for the MTA’s service cuts and fare hikes?  How have these changes impacted how MTA users get around town?  Find out in a Marist Poll conducted exclusively for The Wall Street Journal.  To read the full Wall Street Journal article, click here.

Tables for The Marist Poll Conducted Exclusively for the Wall Street Journal:

Responsibility for MTA Service Cuts and Fire Hikes

Frequency of Using MTA’s Subways, Buses, or Trains Since the Service Cuts and Fare Hikes

Impact of Cuts: Travel

Impact of Cuts: Walking

Marist Poll Methodology

9/13: Daily News/Marist Poll: Islamic Center Controversy

With which politician do New York City residents most agree when it comes to the proposed Islamic community center near Ground Zero?  And, if two blocks is too close to the site of the World Trade Center, what is the appropriate distance?

New York City residents have their say in the latest NY Daily News/Marist Poll.  To read the full Daily News article, click here.

Tables for the Marist Poll Conducted for the Daily News:

Politician with Whom Most NYC Residents Agree Regarding the Proposed Islamic Community Center

Proximity of Islamic Community Center from Ground Zero

Marist Poll Methodology

9/11: Daily News/Marist Poll: The Effects of 9/11

What kind of long-term impact have the September 11th attacks had on the personal relationships of New York City residents?  And, how often do they think about that tragic day?  Find out the answers in the latest NY Daily News/Marist Poll.  Click here to read the full Daily News article.

Tables for the Marist Poll Conducted for the Daily News:

Long-term Impact of the 9/11 Attacks
Frequency of 9/11 Thoughts

Marist Poll Methodology

8/24: Impact of MTA Cutbacks

It’s been nearly two months since the MTA’s service cuts took effect.  Are New York City straphangers experiencing a decline in service?  Find out the answer in a Marist Poll conducted for the NY Daily News.  Plus, MTA riders may face sticker shock next year.  Read more about the surprise option in a related Daily News article.

Tables for the the Marist Poll Conducted for the Daily News:

Favor or Oppose Cuts to Customer Service and Token Booth Clerks

Impact of Cuts on Service

Marist Poll Methodology

8/23: Acting Most Popular “Dream Job” Among Americans

If Americans could ignore the daily grind of the work day and do a job relatively few people get to do, which profession would they call their “dream job?”  Nearly one-third of U.S. residents — 32% — say they would like to be an actor or an actress.  Following closely behind are 29% who dream of becoming a professional athlete.  13% report they would like to list 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue as their working address and be President of the United States.  An additional 13% say they could see themselves as a rock star.  13% are unsure.

Those in the Northeast and South are among those most likely to want to take to the stage or screen.  Acting is also the most popular dream job among those who earn less than $50,000 annually, Americans 18 to 29, those 45 to 59, and women.

Professional sports top the list for those in the Midwest and West, Americans who make $50,000 or more a year, residents 30 to 44, those 60 and older, and men.

Table: Dream Job

Marist Poll Methodology

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