# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=156 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 157 --- ## [Bathrooms in outer space](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathrooms-in-outer-space/343315)
**Author:** [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2006, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathrooms-in-outer-space/343315 "2006-02-13T19:54:03Z")
In this column , Cecil states: Man. This means the shit really IS supposed to hit the fan… :smiley: --- ## [Baby Pigeons (a golden oldie)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baby-pigeons-a-golden-oldie/344322)
**Author:** [@photopat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/photopat)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2006, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baby-pigeons-a-golden-oldie/344322 "2006-02-13T19:42:15Z")
In response to this old, old column I’m pleased to report that after many years of searching(…well a few years…well, okay, I never really thought about it, I just remember the column), I saw a baby pigeon this weekend on… --- ## [Cat poop and schizophrenic rats](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-poop-and-schizophrenic-rats/343923)
**Author:** [@ryukami](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ryukami)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 12, 2006, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-poop-and-schizophrenic-rats/343923 "2006-02-12T17:08:19Z")
Following on from the ‘Can cat poop cause schizophrenia ?’ question, New Scientist magazine just published the following article about the links between toxoplasmosis and schizophrenic behaivour. It may actually be an e… --- ## [Why did Christianity become so popular?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-christianity-become-so-popular/343886)
**Author:** [@amanwithdaanswers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanwithdaanswers)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2006, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-christianity-become-so-popular/343886 "2006-02-11T13:25:53Z")
Cecil claims in this question: Jesus did not find Christianity as Jesus was a Jewish Teacher–a rabbi. Christianity was not founded until roughly 33-40 years after his death by Peter and Paul, and they werent called Ch… --- ## [Implanting brain chips](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/implanting-brain-chips/342880)
**Author:** [@GlacialMaximum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GlacialMaximum)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2006, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/implanting-brain-chips/342880 "2006-02-11T05:06:51Z")
Way back in 1998, a reader asked, Is it possible to implant a microchip in somebody’s brain?. Cecil’s answer was more or less “no”. It should have been, “no problem!” The New York Times reported that Jose Delgado stop… --- ## [Chef's Hats](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chefs-hats/342997)
**Author:** [@bananabrains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bananabrains)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2006, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chefs-hats/342997 "2006-02-11T04:27:15Z")
Following Cecil’s answer at http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3\_025.html, I thought the teeming millions may be interested to know that, although the actual origin of the chef’s hat is not truly known, there are seve… --- ## [Why talking on cell phones are dangerous](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-talking-on-cell-phones-are-dangerous/343957)
**Author:** [@oleel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oleel)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2006, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-talking-on-cell-phones-are-dangerous/343957 "2006-02-11T02:32:04Z")
Quick comment on Cecil’s answer to Is cell phone use in cars really dangerous?, I actually asked my sister (who works at the institute of transport economics, Norway) why it presumably was dangerous to use hands-free pho… --- ## [Poisonous spider](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poisonous-spider/337144)
**Author:** [@Tenebrosus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tenebrosus)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2006, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poisonous-spider/337144 "2006-02-10T07:40:27Z")
RE: your article on poisonous spiders. I’m a biologist that happens to study spiders. I applaud your article for stating what arachnologists have said for years, namely that most bumps, red spots, etc. are likely NOT t… --- ## [organin farming](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/organin-farming/343467)
**Author:** [@copperwindow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/copperwindow)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2006, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/organin-farming/343467 "2006-02-09T20:18:04Z")
Several years ago when Cecil was answering a question about organic farming, Cecil said “organically grown produce isn’t necessary better for you”, but I disagree. Organically grown produce is better for the planet, and… --- ## [First Marylin bust](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-marylin-bust/343411)
**Author:** [@Phatman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phatman)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2006, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-marylin-bust/343411 "2006-02-08T12:13:42Z")
What waw the first Marilyn von Sand bust? --- ## [WOW! SO WRONG. Totally wrong. Whew...Wrongo Cecil.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-so-wrong-totally-wrong-whew-wrongo-cecil/343362)
**Author:** [@THE\_IRON\_HAMMER](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/THE_IRON_HAMMER)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2006, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-so-wrong-totally-wrong-whew-wrongo-cecil/343362 "2006-02-07T11:11:38Z")
OK. sooooo wrong… or at least not nearly specific enough. Since Gustave Whitehead flew the first recorded powered western civilization flight in 1901 (two years before the plagiarizing thieving war profiteering Wright … --- ## [On Paisley](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-paisley/339950)
**Author:** [@strathclyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/strathclyde)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2006, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-paisley/339950 "2006-02-06T21:56:22Z")
The recently-featured classic article on the origin of the Paisley pattern is everything we’ve come to expect from a Straight Dope column, but it neglected to mention one thing. Paisley is, apparently, EVIL: http://www.d… --- ## [What about circumcision?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-about-circumcision/341799)
**Author:** [@Jon\_Swift](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jon_Swift)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2006, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-about-circumcision/341799 "2006-02-05T07:45:47Z")
Hi Cecil, Since you mentioned in a recent column that it’s always risky to give infants anesthesia during surgery, and since the circumcision of a baby boy ALWAYS involves either anesthesia or excruciating pain for the … --- ## [Is it still possible to send a telegram? No.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-still-possible-to-send-a-telegram-no/342549)
**Author:** [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2006, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-still-possible-to-send-a-telegram-no/342549 "2006-02-04T13:43:39Z")
TO ED ZOTTI C/O CHICAGO READER CHICAGO ILL IN 2001 STRAIGHT DOPE STAFF RESEARCH MEMBER KEN ANSWERED QUESTION “IS IT STILL POSSIBLE TO SEND A TELEGRAM” STOP AT THE TIME WESTERN UNION STILL ALLOWED INDIVIDUALS TO SEND TEL… --- ## [Dewey Decimal System](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dewey-decimal-system/341849)
**Author:** [@633squadron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/633squadron)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2006, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dewey-decimal-system/341849 "2006-02-04T07:39:33Z")
In reference to the recent staff report about the Dewey Decimal System : My father was an information scientist (which includes a lot of study of libraries, book classification systems, etc.) and I’ve followed in the fa… --- ## [Near-Death Experiences](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/near-death-experiences/341839)
**Author:** [@iceworld00](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iceworld00)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2006, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/near-death-experiences/341839 "2006-02-04T02:35:53Z")
comments on: \[\[\[\[Professor Blackmore doesn’t specifically address the issue of meeting dead relatives, but I don’t see that it presents any great challenge to the it’s-all-in-your-head theory. People occasionally dream … --- ## [Oh no, you mentioned the goats...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-no-you-mentioned-the-goats/342838)
**Author:** [@da6dg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/da6dg)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2006, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-no-you-mentioned-the-goats/342838 "2006-02-03T22:04:00Z")
I spent a lot of time worrying about the goats, and you have made the same error with the plane puzzle. The solution to the 3 door/goat problem is simplified if you simply name the goats: NO NAME solution: Door 1: pic… --- ## [Could the Dewey Decimal System be used for the internet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-dewey-decimal-system-be-used-for-the-internet/342516)
**Author:** [@Stentor\_2.5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stentor_2.5)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2006, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-dewey-decimal-system-be-used-for-the-internet/342516 "2006-02-02T10:33:56Z")
So I do a search on google for Yann Tiersen. I want to legally download one of his songs, and it’s not on iTunes or Buymusic. I can enter “music download” and end up with a million news articles about pirated music. I… --- ## [Uncle Cecil: Thirty-three Years of Adventures](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uncle-cecil-thirty-three-years-of-adventures/342658)
**Author:** [@whitetho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whitetho)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2006, 9:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uncle-cecil-thirty-three-years-of-adventures/342658 "2006-02-02T09:23:37Z")
Thirty-three years ago this day, Cecil Adams was loosed upon a grateful world by his original editor, one Mike Lenehan, in a column dated February 2, 1973 – a landmark event fully as historic as the opening of Pandora’s … --- ## [Re: Do the French really love Jerry Lewis?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-do-the-french-really-love-jerry-lewis/342352)
**Author:** [@tlegall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tlegall)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2006, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-do-the-french-really-love-jerry-lewis/342352 "2006-02-01T14:38:47Z")
I found this article on here (http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a991001.html) through a link on the Ask Yahoo website, and I was absolutily horrified by what I read. It is a total myth that French people like Jerry L… --- ## [Lifting Cars off Kids et al.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lifting-cars-off-kids-et-al/340816)
**Author:** [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2006, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lifting-cars-off-kids-et-al/340816 "2006-01-31T21:46:07Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/060120.html I have to admit, I’m getting tired of Straight Dopes that aren’t - this one’s a perfect example, and we’re getting plenty of this kind these days. Can a mom lift a car? C… --- ## [Libraries -- some quibbles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libraries-some-quibbles/339981)
**Author:** [@japastor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/japastor)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2006, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libraries-some-quibbles/339981 "2006-01-31T16:07:19Z")
A couple of quibbles about Dex’s piece (1/13/2006) on libraries. “We’re not sure what role Franklin had in this venture; his own writings are boastful and probably overstate his contribution.” Um, and you say this why?… --- ## [Roman mile nine-tenths the length of our mile](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roman-mile-nine-tenths-the-length-of-our-mile/340852)
**Author:** [@BabyDoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BabyDoc)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2006, 9:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roman-mile-nine-tenths-the-length-of-our-mile/340852 "2006-01-31T09:04:52Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3\_024.html Cecil said that the Roman Mile was about 9/10 the size of our mile, because the Romans’ feet were smaller. I don’t get it. I think the length of stride is related to le… --- ## [Re: Only using 10% of our brains.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-only-using-10-of-our-brains/341727)
**Author:** [@doctor-g](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doctor-g)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2006, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-only-using-10-of-our-brains/341727 "2006-01-30T23:11:04Z")
Dear Cecil et al., I regret to inform you that, based on what I was taught in medical school 4 years ago, humans do use only 10% of our brain. This fact is not due to some lack of total enlightenment or accumulation of… --- ## [Genetics and disease: Why didn't Cecil mention...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genetics-and-disease-why-didnt-cecil-mention/341840)
**Author:** [@saoirse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saoirse)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2006, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genetics-and-disease-why-didnt-cecil-mention/341840 "2006-01-30T04:44:32Z")
…how silly it is to say something like “the disease is so debilitating that it is unlikely schizophrenics would ever reproduce” in his column on .toxoplasmosis. After all, there were not a lot of Cystic Fibrosis patien… --- ## [Poisoning roaches \[edited title\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poisoning-roaches-edited-title/342055)
**Author:** [@online148474\_telkomsa.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/online148474_telkomsa.net)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2006, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poisoning-roaches-edited-title/342055 "2006-01-30T00:07:13Z")
Dear Cecil, I dont know why it is always dear Cecil, why not just JIS-JA Cecil,only a joke,.As for your “now bull” dope for a total cockroach wipe out I will go for the borax and flour mix.For my mother in law I wil doub… --- ## [Why do photographers ask you to say "cheese"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-photographers-ask-you-to-say-cheese/341145)
**Author:** [@Expaticus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Expaticus)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2006, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-photographers-ask-you-to-say-cheese/341145 "2006-01-29T22:43:50Z")
Re: Straight Dope Staff Report: Why do photographers ask you to say “cheese”? 20-Sep-2005 http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/msaycheese.html My father was a professional photographer for a number of years, and found… --- ## [In the song "Hotel California," what does "colitas" mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-song-hotel-california-what-does-colitas-mean/342008)
**Author:** [@HolyDoom\_Witch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HolyDoom_Witch)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2006, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-song-hotel-california-what-does-colitas-mean/342008 "2006-01-29T22:26:12Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5\_001 JBTW (Just By The Way) I also thought that colitas must be some kind of flower, and can’t say when I had in mind that I even saw it in a dictionary. But that was some false m… --- ## [This 'n That \[Barrie / Peter Pan\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-n-that-barrie-peter-pan/342004)
**Author:** [@Mother-Margaret](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mother-Margaret)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2006, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-n-that-barrie-peter-pan/342004 "2006-01-28T23:00:23Z")
I appreciate Cecil’s comments on the question about JM Barrie - author of Peter Pan Barrie was given as an example on PBS … of social situations shaping the brain response. He was VERY short The topic on PBS was that… --- ## [RE: Is there really a race of blue people?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-is-there-really-a-race-of-blue-people/341114)
**Author:** [@riana\_dzasta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/riana_dzasta)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2006, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-is-there-really-a-race-of-blue-people/341114 "2006-01-27T19:40:23Z")
In answer to a person claiming that Krishna’s blue colour can be explained by consuming a large amount of cyanide dumped in the rivers, Cecil says that "Another take on this I’ve heard is that blue is the standard depict… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=155) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=157)