With a surfeit of worthy contenders, it would be difficult to single out one Age Reader's Poll for an inanity award. However the question posed on 9th January would certainly be right up there. "Is the lack of iodine to blame for Australian children underperforming academically?" Quite a question, when on the facing opinion page a world leading authority on iodine deficiency can only suggest it might be one factor. On the assumption that the majority of readers don't hold doctoral research qualifications in both medical science and education, how on earth would we know, and what intelligent use can the poll possibly serve? Leave the cryptic teasers on the puzzle page.