# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=11 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 12 --- ## [Input On Straight Dope/Cecil's Columns.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/input-on-straight-dope-cecils-columns/804685)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2017, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/input-on-straight-dope-cecils-columns/804685 "2017-12-17T18:18:13Z")
There doesn’t seem to be a Search Function for the archive of The Master’s past columns. --- ## [Farming Venison](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/farming-venison/803906)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2017, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/farming-venison/803906 "2017-12-14T04:43:54Z")
Link to Cecil’s column on farming venison. One thing Cecil missed is this: deer tastes like SHIT. I’ve tried to eat it five or six times, each time I thought I was eating a hobo’s shoe. Please don’t tell me it wasn’t p… --- ## [Origin of "Lurgy Fever"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-lurgy-fever/803252)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2017, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-lurgy-fever/803252 "2017-12-10T06:12:25Z")
In today’s column concerning versions of “tag”, Cecil brings up the English version, where the person tagged has caught “lurgy fever” and gets rid of it by touching the next target. According to WordOrigins, --- ## [On the "best toothpaste" column from 2005.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-best-toothpaste-column-from-2005/803665)
**Author:** [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2017, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-best-toothpaste-column-from-2005/803665 "2017-12-10T00:49:10Z")
The 12 year old column on toothpastes hit the front page again. One thing that seems out of date is the issue of triclosan, the antibiotic thrown in to “help protect” against gum disease. If you start with the Wikipedia… --- ## [Did soldiers really frag officers in Vietnam?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-soldiers-really-frag-officers-in-vietnam/501779)
**Author:** [@Aimew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aimew)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2017, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-soldiers-really-frag-officers-in-vietnam/501779 "2017-12-08T01:49:04Z")
Being a Vietnam Veteran (in country 11/67-9/68) I heard a lot about fragging but had no close experiences with it; however I do have an alternate possibility for the disparity between the numbers from Vietnam and other w… --- ## [Electric eels?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-eels/802954)
**Author:** [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2017, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-eels/802954 "2017-12-07T00:43:06Z")
This week’s column: Can we harvest electricity from electric eels? - The Straight Dope I’ve been asked how do electric eels keep from shocking one another? And I have to admit, I have no clue. (What I don’t know abou… --- ## [Contagion Tag](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/contagion-tag/803302)
**Author:** [@AWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AWB)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2017, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/contagion-tag/803302 "2017-12-06T16:46:03Z")
in today’s column Why does everybody in the world play tag?, Cecil mentions that “In some variants the children pretend that the touch carries some form of contagion.” This sound like what we used to play growing up in … --- ## [Games People Play](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-people-play/803277)
**Author:** [@Little\_Brother\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Brother_1)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2017, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-people-play/803277 "2017-12-01T22:30:23Z")
Re: Why does everybody in the world play tag? http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/3371/why-does-everybody-in-the-world-play-tag “What with the torrent of discouraging stories that’ve come pouring out since the Har… --- ## [Time to Update Cancer Rate Column](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-to-update-cancer-rate-column/803212)
**Author:** [@GMANCANADA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GMANCANADA)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2017, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-to-update-cancer-rate-column/803212 "2017-12-01T02:12:54Z")
Regarding the column: I appreciate you don’t have the resources to update all your columns, but according to the CDC cancer rates among men and women are now declining. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/dcpc/research/article… --- ## [What happened to all the supergeniuses?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-all-the-supergeniuses/801219)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2017, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-all-the-supergeniuses/801219 "2017-11-23T00:23:41Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/3366/what-happened-to-all-the-supergeniuses The only people that are famous today have publicity agents. Ability is largely ignored–witness Paris Hilton. So, there are super-ge… --- ## [Hitler and gun laws](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitler-and-gun-laws/802083)
**Author:** [@Brayne\_Ded](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brayne_Ded)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2017, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitler-and-gun-laws/802083 "2017-11-21T15:35:35Z")
I await with interest possible developments in US politics; will the enraged citizenry take to the streets, armed not with pitchforks but barely street-legal tuned-down assault rifles from Bud’s Gun Shop? Given the amoun… --- ## [Artificial Sweeteners](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-sweeteners/801874)
**Author:** [@glowacks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glowacks)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2017, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-sweeteners/801874 "2017-11-19T07:42:41Z")
I recall reading somewhere the hypothesis that artificial sweeteners caused weight gain by prompting a mismatch between what the brain tasted as sweet and what actually happens to blood sugar levels. The brain feels a… --- ## [Daddy Long Legs Spider](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daddy-long-legs-spider/801991)
**Author:** [@f.coli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/f.coli)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2017, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daddy-long-legs-spider/801991 "2017-11-18T17:31:14Z")
The Daddy Long Legs myth (Is a Daddy Long Legs the most poisonous spider? - The Straight Dope) was emphatically busted by the Mythbusters, who showed that the spider could indeed penetrate human skin with their fangs, an… --- ## [Human evolution from apes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-evolution-from-apes/800942)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2017, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-evolution-from-apes/800942 "2017-11-17T16:01:50Z")
Hello Everyone, The thinking goes is that we humans evolved from apes. Why are there still apes around then? In other words, why didn’t all apes evolve into humans? --- ## [The US is trending towards its own Gloucesters](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-trending-towards-its-own-gloucesters/800601)
**Author:** [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2017, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-trending-towards-its-own-gloucesters/800601 "2017-11-16T00:37:44Z")
What’s with the weird British pronunciation of words like Gloucester? I live near Lancaster, SC. I grew up near Lancaster, CA. I lived near Lancaster, OH. Each of these is pronounced differently. Here in the South, … --- ## [Why has no animal species ever evolved wheels?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-has-no-animal-species-ever-evolved-wheels/462176)
**Author:** [@Holger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Holger)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2017, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-has-no-animal-species-ever-evolved-wheels/462176 "2017-11-15T06:33:07Z")
Anyone else who is reminded of the Mulefa from the book The Amber Spyglass (3rd in the series His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman)? Especially with regard to Cecil’s ultimate reason for not evolving wheels: “no inters… --- ## [Magdalene Sisters](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magdalene-sisters/799931)
**Author:** [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2017, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magdalene-sisters/799931 "2017-11-07T07:01:30Z")
I’ve heard conflicting stories on the Magdalene institution in Melbourne. The official line is that it was horrible and abusive. But the older working class man from the slums across the river, that I used to work with… --- ## [Is glass a liquid, or a solid?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-glass-a-liquid-or-a-solid/453996)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2017, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-glass-a-liquid-or-a-solid/453996 "2017-11-07T05:25:10Z")
Cecil’s column An article on MSNBC today: --- ## [Altering Hurricane Strength](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/altering-hurricane-strength/799993)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2017, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/altering-hurricane-strength/799993 "2017-11-06T20:51:32Z")
Artificially altering the strength of hurricanes. I don’t have anything to say about Cecil’s column specifically, but it’s indescribably cool to have a question I wrote on GQ turn up as a regular column! Cecil even ment… --- ## [What’s so awful about nails on a chalkboard?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-so-awful-about-nails-on-a-chalkboard/799379)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2017, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-so-awful-about-nails-on-a-chalkboard/799379 "2017-10-25T00:17:02Z")
Cecil’s latest: What’s so awful about nails on a chalkboard? - The Straight Dope Couldn’t help but be reminded of this scene from The Pink Panther Strikes Again: Gauntlets on Chalk-Board, The Pink Panther Strikes Back, … --- ## [Does PCP turn people into cannibals?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pcp-turn-people-into-cannibals/799661)
**Author:** [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2017, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pcp-turn-people-into-cannibals/799661 "2017-10-26T14:34:04Z")
Given the article “Does PCP turn people into cannibals?” just ran as a classic column, and with the recent spate of activities from “bath salts”, is it time for an update? --- ## [Church of the Sub-Genius](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/church-of-the-sub-genius/799648)
**Author:** [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2017, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/church-of-the-sub-genius/799648 "2017-10-24T19:17:03Z")
Nothing much to say, but an observation. I used to come rolling in from the disco in the early 80’s when I had a little flat, and put on ‘Night Flight’ - a music and oddities show. They would show the fast-talking Bob D… --- ## [Why do people get car sick?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-car-sick/799080)
**Author:** [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2017, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-car-sick/799080 "2017-10-23T20:24:04Z")
In response to this article: I found that the original question wasn’t answered. The article does say what triggers motion sickness but not why it occurs. Clearly your body is deciding to empty your stomach when gett… --- ## [Surviving a fall from a tall building - should the Master update his column?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surviving-a-fall-from-a-tall-building-should-the-master-update-his-column/432395)
**Author:** [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2017, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surviving-a-fall-from-a-tall-building-should-the-master-update-his-column/432395 "2017-10-14T18:34:05Z")
In the Straight Dope column “Could you jump off a bridge or a tall building and survive the fall? (11-Mar-2005)”, Cecil Adams says Well, we may have a new record. From the Daily News (New York City, NY, USA) Window w… --- ## [Dyslexia](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dyslexia/798796)
**Author:** [@tavaritz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tavaritz)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2017, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dyslexia/798796 "2017-10-14T07:36:45Z")
In a column Cecil talks about dyslexia in english and chinese: I’m dyslexic in finnish but not in english. Even though we use mostly the same alphabet I have no problems when reading or writing english except my abysm… --- ## [Is brainwashing possible](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-brainwashing-possible/798170)
**Author:** [@tavaritz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tavaritz)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2017, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-brainwashing-possible/798170 "2017-10-13T03:50:11Z")
Hello. In the article: Cecil totally forgot that brainwashing of people is quite possible if you start from young age. Like they remind you today: No-one is born a racist. To become racist one needs carefull brainwa… --- ## [Missing Matter](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/missing-matter/781549)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2017, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/missing-matter/781549 "2017-10-09T20:58:50Z")
What’s up with all the Missing Matter in the Universe? Since this is dated 2000 I thought I’d add a few updates: For a long time the favorite theory of astrophysicists was “WIMPs”: Weakly-Interacting Massive Particles.… --- ## [Will Starling At A Solar Eclipse Make You Go Blind?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-starling-at-a-solar-eclipse-make-you-go-blind/291880)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2017, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-starling-at-a-solar-eclipse-make-you-go-blind/291880 "2017-10-07T02:19:22Z")
LINK to the Wisdom Of Cecil It all depends on what you are doing with your hands whilst you are looking at the Sun. :smiley: --- ## [Flying Chickens](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-chickens/796291)
**Author:** [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2017, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-chickens/796291 "2017-10-05T05:25:44Z")
Why can’t chickens fly? and Followup: Chickens can so fly! From the second link: “… chickens are ‘spurt flyers,’ that is, they will flap up to a low tree or fence post to roost for the night or when they feel in dang… --- ## [Hoisting oneself by petard... Literally...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hoisting-oneself-by-petard-literally/534479)
**Author:** [@kfraser34](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kfraser34)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2017, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hoisting-oneself-by-petard-literally/534479 "2017-10-04T23:54:43Z")
The last paragraph of that column really made me think… What kind of PSI are we talking about to lift oneself off the ground with flatulence… Assuming that you had the precision of Le Petomane… and could make a “seal” … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=12)