A method, medium and implementing computer system are provided in which the aggregate preferences of a gathered group of individuals in a certain proximity and with respect to a predetermined perceivable and controllable function are ascertained. Individual preferences are processed to obtain a group preference and if the group preference meets predetermined criteria, the group preference is implemented with respect to the controllable function. In a specific example, movie preview playlists are modified by a control server according to the ascertained preferences of the particular group to whom the movie previews are being presented. In another example, the ambient temperature of a room in which a group of individuals is gathered is adjusted by a temperature-control server in response to the polled and ascertained preferences of each of the individuals.