"Polls are frequently taken to try to tease out or determine likely directions and trends, but once taken, they belong to the past, requiring that new polls be taken"

This quote by Alan Dundes is referring to the use of polls in order to acquire insight into popular opinion. Surveys are frequently utilized to attempt to forecast the instructions of a certain concern or pattern, but once the survey has actually been taken, the results are no longer appropriate. This is since the viewpoints of the public can change quickly, and so new surveys must be taken in order to precisely show the current viewpoint. This quote is highlighting the significance of regularly taking surveys in order to stay up to date with popular opinion. It also highlights the reality that polls are only useful in today, and that counting on old polls can lead to inaccurate forecasts.