Why do I hate the census so much?

[Donald Ian Rankin]

I've just filled in the UK's 2011 census.

Rationally, I am mostly in favour of the census. I think that a government definately *ought* to inform itself about the number and sorts of people it rules over, so as to inform its policy making. Most of the questions asked were sensible ones, and most of the potentially intrusive questions had a "Do not wish to declare" option. It didn't take long to fill in, and was as easy and convenient as such a thing can be; the website was well-designed and clear. So the rational side of my brain is largely satisfied.

But still, something about people setting letters to my home and forcing me to answer questions makes me snarl with rage...

[slackmaster]

1. Perhaps you feel ashamed of who you are

Is it your ancestry, or some kind of personal failure to meet an arbitrary standard that you set for yourself?

[hedgehog]

2. Leftover resentment from the Domesday Book?