# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=13 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 14 --- ## [The invention of bread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-invention-of-bread/791238)
**Author:** [@Kavaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kavaj)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2017, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-invention-of-bread/791238 "2017-07-24T19:40:09Z")
I was excited to see today’s column title, How did bread get invented?, as it is a question I’ve been pondering for years, along with other “how did prehistorical humans figure out X” questions. The column left me disapp… --- ## [World-wide causes of death](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-wide-causes-of-death/791878)
**Author:** [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2017, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-wide-causes-of-death/791878 "2017-07-24T04:18:49Z")
May we have the cite for this, please? Thank you. --- ## [antidisestablishmentarianism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antidisestablishmentarianism/791204)
**Author:** [@Mr\_write](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_write)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2017, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antidisestablishmentarianism/791204 "2017-07-22T22:08:32Z")
I find 1,942 characters for the long chemical name. The article has this: \[I copied the word and plugged it into a text editor which counts visible characters, and it shows 1942 as the total.\] The word should actuall… --- ## [RE: Vegetarian flatulence](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-vegetarian-flatulence/791579)
**Author:** [@mbrice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbrice)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2017, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-vegetarian-flatulence/791579 "2017-07-18T23:45:04Z")
FYI, the methane that cows emit is coming from the upper end of the GI tract, not the lower. “Bovine flatulence” certainly must exist–I assume–but it’s not the source of methane that climatologists are concerned about. --- ## [Islamic hostility to the west works both ways.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/islamic-hostility-to-the-west-works-both-ways/790793)
**Author:** [@Balanced999](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balanced999)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2017, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/islamic-hostility-to-the-west-works-both-ways/790793 "2017-07-15T19:43:23Z")
If, I can add to Cecil’s answer to why the Islamic world is hostile, there is another factor. Much of Islamic ideation is to convert or conquer people and countries that are not Muslim. You forget the Muslim invasions al… --- ## [Do lobsters feel pain when they're boiled alive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-lobsters-feel-pain-when-theyre-boiled-alive/790947)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2017, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-lobsters-feel-pain-when-theyre-boiled-alive/790947 "2017-07-14T14:37:22Z")
Link to Gfactor’s Staff Report. Gfactor concludes (rightly in my opinion) that as things stand at present this question cannot be resolved. I haven’t a clue whether scientists of the future will be able to definitively … --- ## [How does a caterpillar morph into a butterfly](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-caterpillar-morph-into-a-butterfly/791202)
**Author:** [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2017, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-caterpillar-morph-into-a-butterfly/791202 "2017-07-14T00:02:00Z")
Just wanted to say this is one of my favorite SD articles. In fact, I read it to my daughter when she asked this question a few years ago when she was starting to get into biology. Even re-reading it now inspires wonder … --- ## [Pressure from corn growers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pressure-from-corn-growers/791057)
**Author:** [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2017, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pressure-from-corn-growers/791057 "2017-07-12T13:17:35Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2561/is-the-increased-use-of-high-fructose-corn-syrup-responsible-for-the-rise-in-obesity In a question about HFCS and obesity. the suggestion is made (and rejected) that use of … --- ## [What did the West do to provoke Islamic hostility?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-the-west-do-to-provoke-islamic-hostility/790364)
**Author:** [@spodvoll](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spodvoll)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2017, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-the-west-do-to-provoke-islamic-hostility/790364 "2017-07-11T21:50:06Z")
With all respect, Cecil, you mention but don’t sufficiently emphasize the significance to this day of Britain and France toppling the the Ottoman Empire. The structure they imposed in place of Ottoman rule, engineered i… --- ## [OdorEliminators and what really works](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odoreliminators-and-what-really-works/790939)
**Author:** [@DickNRody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DickNRody)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2017, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odoreliminators-and-what-really-works/790939 "2017-07-10T18:26:09Z")
;););)The most unpleasant odor that we have to smell, is of course, that which emanates from our own farts and feces. I learned how to eliminate those odors as a child. A friend of my mother’s had an intestinal operat… --- ## [Avian heart attacks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avian-heart-attacks/790857)
**Author:** [@jhirsch1942](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jhirsch1942)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2017, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avian-heart-attacks/790857 "2017-07-10T17:16:02Z")
Yesterday I was observing an adult house sparrow at the birdbath having a drink. Then he appeared to want a bath, flapping his wings, dipping them into the water, then stood on the edge making jerky motions, leaned over… --- ## [Australian Aboriginals - whence and who](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/australian-aboriginals-whence-and-who/790569)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2017, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/australian-aboriginals-whence-and-who/790569 "2017-07-07T03:57:47Z")
Today’s repeat column from 1999. There has been a boatload of new information since then. PBS recently broadcast a series called First Peoples, and the segment on Australian Aboriginal people was very interesting. Curre… --- ## [Passive smoking](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passive-smoking/789104)
**Author:** [@bertzpoet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bertzpoet)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2017, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passive-smoking/789104 "2017-07-06T04:14:07Z")
Dear Cecil, Your article on the subject is dated in 2000. Since then many articles and studies from all over the world show breathing in side-stream smoke (the stuff that comes out the end of a cigarette) is truly pois… --- ## [Has IBM discovered a way to teleport objects?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-ibm-discovered-a-way-to-teleport-objects/789632)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2017, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-ibm-discovered-a-way-to-teleport-objects/789632 "2017-06-30T15:05:26Z")
Cecil’s 1996 column on teleportation, back on the front page of the Straight Dope: Has IBM discovered a way to teleport objects? - The Straight Dope Some interesting research since then: --- ## [This URL has been excluded from the Wayback Machine.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-url-has-been-excluded-from-the-wayback-machine/790023)
**Author:** [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2017, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-url-has-been-excluded-from-the-wayback-machine/790023 "2017-06-28T17:26:25Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2555/do-tinfoil-helmets-provide-adequate-protection-against-mind-control-rays References a web site and says " (Site is now defunct and cannot be accessed.)". And indeed, no cop… --- ## [re: Who came up with our popular image of Jesus?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-who-came-up-with-our-popular-image-of-jesus/787006)
**Author:** [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2017, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-who-came-up-with-our-popular-image-of-jesus/787006 "2017-06-27T17:47:11Z")
I’ve always wondered if the Byzantine version of Jesus, as seen in countless mosaics, was derived at all from imagery of Alexander the Great. Is there any likely connection? --- ## [Global Warming And Ruined Florida Wells](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-warming-and-ruined-florida-wells/789245)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2017, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-warming-and-ruined-florida-wells/789245 "2017-06-27T16:11:22Z")
Cecil discusses global warming in this column. My follow-up question–will rising sea levels, combined with drought (brought on by climate change), cause Florida water wells to be contaminated with seawater? If so, how … --- ## [What's up with the Amazons?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-amazons/789108)
**Author:** [@Lucy\_Harper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucy_Harper)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2017, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-amazons/789108 "2017-06-17T12:24:02Z")
good support and comfortable to read as well…and in total agreement…painted amphoras are some really nice jugs! --- ## [Buster Brown Shoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buster-brown-shoes/788395)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2017, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buster-brown-shoes/788395 "2017-06-16T02:57:54Z")
Just an additional comment to this column: Buster Brown shoes were the primary sponsor of Andy’s Gang, a kids’ show hosted by Andy Devine from 1955-1960, and one that featured the most sexually ambiguous catch-phrase of … --- ## [Can some people have orgasms without genital stimulation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-some-people-have-orgasms-without-genital-stimulation/788286)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2017, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-some-people-have-orgasms-without-genital-stimulation/788286 "2017-06-15T01:34:58Z")
Thought we had a thread on this awhile back, but couldn’t find it. I’ve posted this because the May 2000 column is back on the front page. And why didn’t I ever meet one of these women in my college days…? I noticed… --- ## [666](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/666/787704)
**Author:** [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [June 9, 2017, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/666/787704 "2017-06-09T05:39:27Z")
Perhaps this has been mentioned before, but 664 :Neighbour of the Beast. --- ## [On Cecil's comments about singers' accents.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-cecils-comments-about-singers-accents/786478)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [June 8, 2017, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-cecils-comments-about-singers-accents/786478 "2017-06-08T12:05:28Z")
In today’s column, Why don’t British singers sound British when they sing? - The Straight Dope, I would like to correct Cecil on one minor point. Americans don’t say “liddle” for “little”. If there were a word “liddle”… --- ## [Why is the sound of fingernails scraping a blackboard so annoying?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-sound-of-fingernails-scraping-a-blackboard-so-annoying/788302)
**Author:** [@a\_skeptical\_one](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a_skeptical_one)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2017, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-sound-of-fingernails-scraping-a-blackboard-so-annoying/788302 "2017-06-06T22:51:30Z")
Cecil have overlooked something in his answer to this question, although his answer has merit. Our sensitivity to this sound is biologically based. This sound is one of a large group of kinds of sounds (and other stimu… --- ## [Income Tax outside US](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/income-tax-outside-us/785898)
**Author:** [@constanze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/constanze)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2017, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/income-tax-outside-us/785898 "2017-06-02T14:11:44Z")
In this column Is a border adjustment tax really just a plain old tariff? - The Straight Dope about border tax and tariffs, Cecil says I think something got lost there in editing, because nations particularly in Europe… --- ## [How powerful are presidential executive orders?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-powerful-are-presidential-executive-orders/787502)
**Author:** [@eric29210](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eric29210)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 31, 2017, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-powerful-are-presidential-executive-orders/787502 "2017-05-31T03:09:27Z")
I noted that in your discussion of Executive Orders that you artfully skirted the issue of Executive Memorandum, which have come into vogue in recent years as a means to “seemingly” cut back on the number Executive Order… --- ## [Does giving blood reduce your chances of getting heart disease?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-giving-blood-reduce-your-chances-of-getting-heart-disease/787719)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 31, 2017, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-giving-blood-reduce-your-chances-of-getting-heart-disease/787719 "2017-05-31T02:46:02Z")
Couldn’t find any earlier thread on this 2000 Cecil column. Any good research on the question since then? --- ## [Is PTSD more common among soldiers now than in the past?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ptsd-more-common-among-soldiers-now-than-in-the-past/778892)
**Author:** [@Scarecrow1969](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarecrow1969)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2017, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ptsd-more-common-among-soldiers-now-than-in-the-past/778892 "2017-05-25T18:57:26Z")
As someone who suffers from PTSD after a deployment to Afghanistan, I found this article very interesting. This is anecdotal, but while I was talking to the psychologist about my PTSD, I mentioned having doubts about th… --- ## [Who Came Up With Our Popular Image of Jesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-came-up-with-our-popular-image-of-jesus/787295)
**Author:** [@egnewlin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/egnewlin)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2017, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-came-up-with-our-popular-image-of-jesus/787295 "2017-05-23T23:36:48Z")
Jesus was born in the Middle East, so he could not have had white skin and an overall Euro appearance. He looked like everyone else born there. In the Gospels of Matthew (Matthew 26:48) and Mark (Mark 14:44) in Garden … --- ## [How does the Queen answer the phone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-queen-answer-the-phone/643073)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2017, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-queen-answer-the-phone/643073 "2017-05-23T18:41:16Z")
The Staff Report: How does the Queen answer the phone? - The Straight Dope The GQ thread that inspired it (discussion of the Staff Report begins at post 77): http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=515170&h… --- ## [Jesus' Brothers and Sisters](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-brothers-and-sisters/435284)
**Author:** [@JohnTheEVangelist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnTheEVangelist)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2017, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-brothers-and-sisters/435284 "2017-05-21T20:11:55Z")
Read Cecil’s explanation but it seemed plain that the most common-sense interpretation of the Bible was set aside because of the dogma of the Catholic church which in this case has no scriptural support. While Mary was… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=14)