Question: They had an instinct that it would be mere waste of breath.
They had a feeling it'd be a waste of time.

Answer: yes

Question: and that's it gets too long and then it uh starts bunching up underneath the lawn mower and i can't get it out and and it's uh it it turns out to be a real mess so i've got to do it uh uh no later than once a week
It doesn't get long at all, so I only do it about once every few months.

Answer: no

Question: More and more, the work that federal agencies do requires a knowledgebased workforce that is sophisticated in new technologies, flexible, and open to continuous learning.
Federal agencies have a historical perception of being resistant to technology.

Answer:
it is not possible to tell