# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=1 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 2 --- ## [Straight Dope 2/10/2023: Are billionaires bad for democracy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-2-10-2023-are-billionaires-bad-for-democracy/979580)
**Author:** [@Cecil\_Adams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cecil_Adams)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2024, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-2-10-2023-are-billionaires-bad-for-democracy/979580 "2024-05-25T00:25:59Z")
Are billionaires bad for democracy? Recent history hasn’t been reassuring, has it? But the question is more complicated than you might think. Let’s break it down. Are billionaires bad, period? There’s a sizable constit… --- ## [Did cecils comeback fade away?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-cecils-comeback-fade-away/994501)
**Author:** [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2024, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-cecils-comeback-fade-away/994501 "2024-04-11T13:00:48Z")
hi, I was wondering because I haven’t seen anything new or an announcement … --- ## [FYI: Google translate produces something for Lorem Ipsum](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fyi-google-translate-produces-something-for-lorem-ipsum/997342)
**Author:** [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2024, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fyi-google-translate-produces-something-for-lorem-ipsum/997342 "2024-02-14T12:51:57Z")
Cecil explained the origins of the Lorem ipsum filler text in a 2001 column: It contains the a link to further research by Rosie Cima from 2015. The consensus is that it’s gibberish derived from a passage from Cicero. … --- ## [Pulp Fiction Briefcase MacGuffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pulp-fiction-briefcase-macguffin/750463)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2024, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pulp-fiction-briefcase-macguffin/750463 "2024-02-03T17:02:44Z")
The hypothesis that the briefcase contains Marcellus’ soul seems reminiscent to me of the Harlan Ellison short story “Grail”: A man spends much of his life, including bargaining with a demon, to gain the mysterious art… --- ## [Straight Dope 2/24/2023: What are the chances artificial intelligence will destroy humanity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-2-24-2023-what-are-the-chances-artificial-intelligence-will-destroy-humanity/980302)
**Author:** [@Cecil\_Adams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cecil_Adams)\ **Replies:** 137\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2023, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-2-24-2023-what-are-the-chances-artificial-intelligence-will-destroy-humanity/980302 "2023-12-30T20:22:36Z")
What are the chances artificial intelligence will destroy humanity? What, you thought the worst that could happen was a search engine declares its love for you? Then you haven’t been following the AI news very closely –… --- ## [Single Combat](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/single-combat/641893)
**Author:** [@blindboyard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blindboyard)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2023, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/single-combat/641893 "2023-12-23T06:06:10Z")
Relating to this thread: Has an important battle ever been decided by single combat? - The Straight Dope I just thought I’d point out another example of a duel not taking place, although offered by one side: BBC NEWS | … --- ## [Cecil on heroin in lethal injections](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-on-heroin-in-lethal-injections/738461)
**Author:** [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2023, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-on-heroin-in-lethal-injections/738461 "2023-11-06T23:28:45Z")
Cecil missed a couple of points in his somewhat recent article Why isn’t heroin used for lethal injections? regarding why opiates in general and heroin in specific aren’t used in lethal injection, chief among which is th… --- ## [What's the big deal about offshore banks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-deal-about-offshore-banks/747329)
**Author:** [@sudont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sudont)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2023, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-deal-about-offshore-banks/747329 "2023-11-06T04:37:53Z")
“But when you factor in postage and bank fees, the tax savings may not do much more than buy you two six-packs instead of one.” Pfft, the ten G’s in my savings account haven’t earned enough interest to buy a candy bar, … --- ## [Dental fear](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dental-fear/766564)
**Author:** [@Diaboli226868](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diaboli226868)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2023, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dental-fear/766564 "2023-11-05T21:53:45Z")
In the classic coloumn Can someone be literally scared to death? - The Straight Dope from 2006 there’s a reference to a British four-year old child being scared to death at dentist visit. Is there an online reference fo… --- ## [Have humans been raped by dolphins?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-humans-been-raped-by-dolphins/694046)
**Author:** [@grue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grue)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2023, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-humans-been-raped-by-dolphins/694046 "2023-11-05T20:55:53Z")
The last bit reminds me of this video: --- ## [Penis enlargement column](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/penis-enlargement-column/992426)
**Author:** [@Loopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopus)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2023, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/penis-enlargement-column/992426 "2023-11-04T02:54:24Z")
Fun fact, the line “if nature has equipped us with a ding instead of a dong, well, we must just learn to live with it” is quoted in The Language Construction Kit by Mark Rosenfelder as an example of how certain sounds ca… --- ## [The hamster ball guy is at it again](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hamster-ball-guy-is-at-it-again/989769)
**Author:** [@JHuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JHuff)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2023, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hamster-ball-guy-is-at-it-again/989769 "2023-11-04T01:58:52Z")
Cecil answered this question some years ago now. And it may be of interest that our hamster wheeling friend is once again in the news for having cost each of us another 1.2 cents. As it turns out, the coast guard and… --- ## [Otzi the Gay Caveman](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/otzi-the-gay-caveman/653392)
**Author:** [@grue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grue)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2023, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/otzi-the-gay-caveman/653392 "2023-09-03T11:10:53Z")
Regarding What’s the story with Otzi the gay caveman? - The Straight Dope For what it’s worth, it actually is possible to determine age to absurd accuracy, at least with modern techniques (I don’t know if this was the … --- ## [Good Article on Benedict Arnold!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-article-on-benedict-arnold/734704)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2023, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-article-on-benedict-arnold/734704 "2023-07-28T01:15:45Z")
Enjoyed reading the article by Elendil’s Heir: What was the deal with Benedict Arnold? And by an odd coincidence, I’ve seen his Continental uniform coat. There are some descendants of Arnold here in Canada, and the co… --- ## [Blue Light. ( A question for Cecil)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-light-a-question-for-cecil/987467)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2023, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-light-a-question-for-cecil/987467 "2023-07-24T12:27:17Z")
Dear @Cecil\_Adams … Not the police. I didn’t break the law. But the blue light from screens. I have a screen in my face far too much. Cel phone, tablet, laptop, fire reader, TV, ATM, CGM reader, that screen in the car… --- ## [Straight Dope 6/6/2023 - What did Johnny Appleseed actually do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-6-6-2023-what-did-johnny-appleseed-actually-do/985098)
**Author:** [@Cecil\_Adams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cecil_Adams)\ **Replies:** 149\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2023, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-6-6-2023-what-did-johnny-appleseed-actually-do/985098 "2023-07-13T00:35:29Z")
What did Johnny Appleseed actually do? I know what you’re thinking. In an age of global upheaval, existential threats, and outrageously overpriced Taylor Swift tickets, why is your columnist writing about a guy who’s be… --- ## [Great & Mighty Cecil--my question is about King Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-mighty-cecil-my-question-is-about-king-kong/984306)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2023, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-mighty-cecil-my-question-is-about-king-kong/984306 "2023-07-06T17:38:53Z")
Kong–not the remake. The Original. 1933. I was re-watching it. The story & the concept was, and is, extraordinary. This film captured the world’s imagination, & showed the amazing breadth of what Cinema could do. Bot… --- ## [Dollar Bills, Drugs, and Anime. An appeal to Cecil](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dollar-bills-drugs-and-anime-an-appeal-to-cecil/985220)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 13, 2023, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dollar-bills-drugs-and-anime-an-appeal-to-cecil/985220 "2023-06-13T19:44:51Z")
A lot of currency contains trace amounts of cocaine and other illegal drugs. . People use bills in order to snort cocaine and heroin. In 1994, it was claimed (my memory fails me as to where) that a large percentage of d… --- ## [Column ideas 4/6/23](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/column-ideas-4-6-23/982266)
**Author:** [@Cecil\_Adams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cecil_Adams)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2023, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/column-ideas-4-6-23/982266 "2023-06-02T17:18:56Z")
It occurs to me it may be helpful to post new column ideas here in case anyone has relevant expertise, suggestions for worthwhile lines of inquiry, or other comments. I’m also interested in any new column ideas - the bac… --- ## [Straight Dope 5/5/2023: What's the difference between a cafe latte, a cappuccino, and a flat white?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-5-5-2023-whats-the-difference-between-a-cafe-latte-a-cappuccino-and-a-flat-white/983617)
**Author:** [@Cecil\_Adams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cecil_Adams)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2023, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-5-5-2023-whats-the-difference-between-a-cafe-latte-a-cappuccino-and-a-flat-white/983617 "2023-05-29T23:58:48Z")
What’s the difference between a café latte, a cappuccino, and a flat white? Looking at the situation from a global perspective, not much. I may get an argument on this point – in the coffee business, I’ve come to reali… --- ## [Straight Dope 5/19/2023: What are people celebrating on Cinco de Mayo?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-5-19-2023-what-are-people-celebrating-on-cinco-de-mayo/984302)
**Author:** [@Cecil\_Adams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cecil_Adams)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2023, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-5-19-2023-what-are-people-celebrating-on-cinco-de-mayo/984302 "2023-05-23T22:14:07Z")
Why do people celebrate Cinco de Mayo? They’re not doing it because it’s the Mexican Fourth of July, as you may already know, since U.S. news media have made it their mission in recent years to dispel this common miscon… --- ## [Straight Dope 4/21/2023: Is Canada poised for world domination due to climate change?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-4-21-2023-is-canada-poised-for-world-domination-due-to-climate-change/983027)
**Author:** [@Cecil\_Adams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cecil_Adams)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2023, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-4-21-2023-is-canada-poised-for-world-domination-due-to-climate-change/983027 "2023-05-08T13:40:28Z")
Is Canada poised for world domination due to climate change? You think this is a joke, don’t you? That’s what the Canadians want you to think. But make no mistake. Someday they’ll run it all. Well, maybe not all. But t… --- ## [Straight Dope 3/3/23: Followup - What are the chances artificial intelligence will destroy humanity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-3-3-23-followup-what-are-the-chances-artificial-intelligence-will-destroy-humanity/980665)
**Author:** [@Cecil\_Adams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cecil_Adams)\ **Replies:** 186\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2023, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-3-3-23-followup-what-are-the-chances-artificial-intelligence-will-destroy-humanity/980665 "2023-05-08T03:12:14Z")
FOLLOWUP: What are the chances artificial intelligence will destroy humanity? \[Regarding your column on artificial intelligence,\] there’s no way you can just dismiss Cohen’s predictions (or any other prediction about AI… --- ## [Bad Iv insert](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-iv-insert/983556)
**Author:** [@Redd1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Redd1)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2023, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-iv-insert/983556 "2023-05-04T12:36:04Z")
I was released from the hospital and my arm is so sore and it wont lay flat. I believe they damaged a vein or something what should i do --- ## [So what is the ideal source of protein?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-the-ideal-source-of-protein/922145)
**Author:** [@DoctorPurple](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorPurple)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2023, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-the-ideal-source-of-protein/922145 "2023-05-01T00:36:32Z")
According to “Are humans meat eaters or vegetarians by nature?” (Are humans meat eaters or vegetarians by nature? - The Straight Dope) Cecil says, “I won’t claim meat is the ideal source of protein, but on the whole it… --- ## [Did Jesus really exist? And what's with the Shroud of Turin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-jesus-really-exist-and-whats-with-the-shroud-of-turin/686353)
**Author:** [@humorme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/humorme)\ **Replies:** 205\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2023, 9:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-jesus-really-exist-and-whats-with-the-shroud-of-turin/686353 "2023-04-13T09:08:20Z")
I just read this older article in search for myself why there are no records of the Christ, you would think there would be hundreds of ancient writings and records for someone who claimed to be the son of God. its so … --- ## [Straight Dope 4/7/2023: Followup - What was neoliberalism, is it dead, and was it really so bad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-4-7-2023-followup-what-was-neoliberalism-is-it-dead-and-was-it-really-so-bad/982315)
**Author:** [@Cecil\_Adams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cecil_Adams)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2023, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-4-7-2023-followup-what-was-neoliberalism-is-it-dead-and-was-it-really-so-bad/982315 "2023-04-08T18:18:55Z")
Many have taken issue with your columnist’s contention that Trump’s election could be blamed on neoliberalism and offered their own explanations. Clearly a followup column is called for. Short version: Economic insecurit… --- ## [Straight Dope 3/24/2023: What was neoliberalism, is it dead, and was it really so bad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-3-24-2023-what-was-neoliberalism-is-it-dead-and-was-it-really-so-bad/981595)
**Author:** [@Cecil\_Adams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cecil_Adams)\ **Replies:** 128\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2023, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-3-24-2023-what-was-neoliberalism-is-it-dead-and-was-it-really-so-bad/981595 "2023-04-07T00:51:09Z")
What was neoliberalism, is it dead, and was it really so bad? I’ll answer these questions in reverse order: Of course neoliberalism was bad. It’s what gave us Donald Trump. Some people think so. We shall see. I… --- ## [Rocket Man, Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocket-man-again/973)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2023, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocket-man-again/973 "2023-03-25T00:28:00Z")
Although the references to the Ray Bradbury story seem feasible, I had always assumed the Elton John song “Rocket Man” was influenced by the Thomas Pynchon novel “Gravity’s Rainbow”. In this novel the main character (uh,… --- ## [Straight Dope 3/10/2023: Will Elon Musk's Starlink satellites ruin space travel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-3-10-2023-will-elon-musks-starlink-satellites-ruin-space-travel/980983)
**Author:** [@Cecil\_Adams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cecil_Adams)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2023, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-3-10-2023-will-elon-musks-starlink-satellites-ruin-space-travel/980983 "2023-03-20T12:06:57Z")
Will Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites ruin space travel? I’ve been meaning to talk with Elon about this. “Elon,” I’ll say, or perhaps “Mr. Musk” – titans of industry always like it when you suck up – “you know that tech … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=2)