# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=207 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 208 --- ## [Health hazards of photocopiers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-hazards-of-photocopiers/203290)
**Author:** [@Roches](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roches)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2003, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-hazards-of-photocopiers/203290 "2003-09-23T20:45:10Z")
In the column Do photocopy machines emit radiation?, from 1977, it’s said that photocopiers are essentially harmless. This isn’t true. Photocopiers emit large amounts of ozone – in fact, you can often smell the ozone if… --- ## [CorporNation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corpornation/202693)
**Author:** [@Assad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Assad)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2003, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corpornation/202693 "2003-09-23T15:43:31Z")
If in the 1886 Supreme Court Decision" artificial persons were held to have exactly the same legal rights as we natural folk" wouldn’t this give corporations the right to vote and be elected to office? Could an IBM Mach… --- ## [Space: out of range of "MOST nations' guns"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/space-out-of-range-of-most-nations-guns/203156)
**Author:** [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2003, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/space-out-of-range-of-most-nations-guns/203156 "2003-09-23T12:31:41Z")
In the Classic column Can I declare a no-flight zone over my house, The Great One states that national airspace is officially declared to end at, and outer space is officially declared to begin at, around 90 km of height… --- ## [Kilroy Was Here: Alternate Urban Legend Version](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kilroy-was-here-alternate-urban-legend-version/201484)
**Author:** [@triolamj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/triolamj)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2003, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kilroy-was-here-alternate-urban-legend-version/201484 "2003-09-23T03:18:13Z")
Dear Cecil, About 20 years ago or more I read another version of the Kilroy origin, and I’ve seen a similar but shorter version in print years later. The general outline of the story is this: A steel fabricating compa… --- ## [who to trust Cecil or a physics teacher...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-to-trust-cecil-or-a-physics-teacher/103533)
**Author:** [@cvandy3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cvandy3)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2003, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-to-trust-cecil-or-a-physics-teacher/103533 "2003-09-23T02:00:14Z")
ok well my family has been arguing about whether or not a ducks quack echos. bro #1 says that according to cecil and snopes a quack echos. bro #2 says that according to a physics teacher at his school, it is a known fact… --- ## [More Freud-bashing by Cecil](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-freud-bashing-by-cecil/201170)
**Author:** [@Twin\_Tattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Twin_Tattoo)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2003, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-freud-bashing-by-cecil/201170 "2003-09-23T00:49:30Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/030912.html It’s rather sad whenever I read Cecil’s rants against Freud. His complete misunderstanding of Freud’s place in and contributions to the field of psychology. His ever ins… --- ## [Xerox machines and Brownies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xerox-machines-and-brownies/203186)
**Author:** [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2003, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xerox-machines-and-brownies/203186 "2003-09-22T22:01:50Z")
In the 1977 Cecil Adams article prominently displayed today, http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_235a.html, ol’ Unca Cece quips: I assume the kind of “Brownie” being referenced here is not:\[list=A\]\[li\]the fudge-bas… --- ## [Why do men's suits have buttons on the sleeves?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-mens-suits-have-buttons-on-the-sleeves/200975)
**Author:** [@zlm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zlm)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2003, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-mens-suits-have-buttons-on-the-sleeves/200975 "2003-09-22T19:12:32Z")
This is one of the shittiest answers ever! This MUST be crap! Came on, we want the straight dope, not a good story. Just looking at the cover of the book I’m reading now (Penguin’s really cheap edition of Samuel Richard… --- ## [Explaining the DH?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explaining-the-dh/199750)
**Author:** [@White\_Lightning](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/White_Lightning)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2003, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explaining-the-dh/199750 "2003-09-20T19:39:36Z")
I’m sad to say that I was very disappointed with today’s column (What is the “Designated Hitter” rule in baseball?). I really don’t want to see Cecil wasting his time on questions that I could answer myself. I do have … --- ## [Why is the Latvian lat worth more...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-latvian-lat-worth-more/202273)
**Author:** [@bromells](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bromells)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2003, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-latvian-lat-worth-more/202273 "2003-09-20T14:02:21Z")
I found the staff report very informative. An issue was touched on that has always puzzled me. I’ve wondered, and been asked, why countries with foundering currencies don’t just “peg” their currency to the US dollar. … --- ## ["But it'd be nice..."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-itd-be-nice/202766)
**Author:** [@Jake4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake4)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2003, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-itd-be-nice/202766 "2003-09-20T05:42:42Z")
“But it’d be nice to have a clear-cut ruling, say, that limiting campaign contributions by big businesses doesn’t mean you’re restricting their First Amendment rights.” Word. Cece 4 Prez! I’ll make the stickers if you… --- ## [history of corperations and stock market](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-of-corperations-and-stock-market/198515)
**Author:** [@bex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bex)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2003, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-of-corperations-and-stock-market/198515 "2003-09-19T11:56:32Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mstockmarket.html Not to nitpick, but contrary to popular belief, the Supreme Court never “established the personhood” of corperations in 1886 with the 14th Amendment. The case in qu… --- ## [Should You Sign the Backs of your credit cards?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-you-sign-the-backs-of-your-credit-cards/198571)
**Author:** [@JerSLingsTheBooze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JerSLingsTheBooze)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2003, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-you-sign-the-backs-of-your-credit-cards/198571 "2003-09-18T22:02:19Z")
Interesting. I was at the post office the other day and I noticed that they had a big sign that said “Your Credit/Debit cards with not be accepted if unsigned.” Finding this preposterous, I asked about it. The joyful … --- ## [Deja-vu... or; Is Cecil's brain being kept in a mayo jar on Funk & Wagnall's porch?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deja-vu-or-is-cecils-brain-being-kept-in-a-mayo-jar-on-funk-wagnalls-porch/202138)
**Author:** [@gluteus\_maximus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gluteus_maximus)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2003, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deja-vu-or-is-cecils-brain-being-kept-in-a-mayo-jar-on-funk-wagnalls-porch/202138 "2003-09-18T14:34:35Z")
I’m absolutely positive that this column was featured on The Straight Dope Front Page within the past few weeks… yet, here it is again today, headlining as “Today’s Question”. The original publishing date is listed as 2… --- ## [Heart Rate and Caffeine](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heart-rate-and-caffeine/201721)
**Author:** [@floydpink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/floydpink)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2003, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heart-rate-and-caffeine/201721 "2003-09-18T10:25:43Z")
I find it disappointing that Cecil’s language skills are so limited that he feels the need to use slurs like lardbucket. I strongly doubt he would use words like “bitch” to describe a woman, or “moneylender” to describe… --- ## [Exchange rates? Now we're talkin'... but where do I get a BigMac?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exchange-rates-now-were-talkin-but-where-do-i-get-a-bigmac/201182)
**Author:** [@Infamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infamia)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2003, 10:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exchange-rates-now-were-talkin-but-where-do-i-get-a-bigmac/201182 "2003-09-18T10:11:48Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mexchangerates.html Finally, a topic that I’ve longed to hear about. Actually, I just woke up this morning wondering about how the hell does one figure out the “purchasing power”. W… --- ## [Foreign Exchange Rates](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-exchange-rates/201940)
**Author:** [@SlickRoenick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlickRoenick)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2003, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-exchange-rates/201940 "2003-09-18T03:23:11Z")
Foreign Exchange Rates At the bottom i clicked “Comment on this answer” and i only have 1 comment: Too long. I like Dex, but he reminds me of several priests i have listened to over the years in church giving homilies… --- ## [Toaster electrocution](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toaster-electrocution/200544)
**Author:** [@blahedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blahedo)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2003, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toaster-electrocution/200544 "2003-09-16T21:15:23Z")
On Q.E.D.'s toaster answer: sure, but as long as you aren’t jamming the knife around in the toaster, you should be fine. I frequently will use a knife to pick up the edge of the hot toast that is sticking out the top of… --- ## [There is another reason for a punt!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-another-reason-for-a-punt/201363)
**Author:** [@erth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erth)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2003, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-another-reason-for-a-punt/201363 "2003-09-16T17:00:51Z")
Hi. Just read the reason that cecil gave for a punt on the bottom of a bottle of wine, that is, to give the impression that you are getting more of the good stuff than you really are. I work in a winery, and Ive discove… --- ## [Hair loss more common?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-loss-more-common/200929)
**Author:** [@dubikan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dubikan)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2003, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-loss-more-common/200929 "2003-09-16T07:51:48Z")
re: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_269.html OK, so this is an old column, but I was wondering - around me here in Israel I can see tons of young people balding. What is young? in their 20s. I’m 24 and am seriou… --- ## [aerobatic 747's and DC-10's](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aerobatic-747s-and-dc-10s/198519)
**Author:** [@timmerov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/timmerov)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2003, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aerobatic-747s-and-dc-10s/198519 "2003-09-15T21:27:52Z")
man, this article http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_262.html left me a bit floozled. my boy cecil usually does a better job than leaving the reader with some misconceptions. in order to do aerobatics safely in any… --- ## [Cecil article about caffine and yadda ya](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-article-about-caffine-and-yadda-ya/201752)
**Author:** [@buckminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buckminster)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2003, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-article-about-caffine-and-yadda-ya/201752 "2003-09-15T20:58:13Z")
:smack: Cecil may harbor some misconceptions as illustrated in the above quotation. Instead, I’ figure he was just pulling that woman’s chain, but just in case… “nonlinear” - the term is used in hacker culture to desc… --- ## [Microwaves -- Congrats, QED](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microwaves-congrats-qed/197723)
**Author:** [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2003, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microwaves-congrats-qed/197723 "2003-09-15T16:30:01Z")
Today’s Staff Report “How are the microwaves in ovens different from those in cell phones?” is written by our own Q.E.D. … who is now a full-fledged member of the Straight Dope Science Advisory Board. We’re delighted and… --- ## [Heart Rate and Caffeine](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heart-rate-and-caffeine/201719)
**Author:** [@floydpink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/floydpink)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2003, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heart-rate-and-caffeine/201719 "2003-09-15T14:34:09Z")
I find it disappointing that Cecil’s language skills are so limited that he feels the need to use slurs like lardbucket. I strongly doubt he would use words like “bitch” to describe a woman, or “moneylender” to describe… --- ## [Why did Christianity become so popular?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-christianity-become-so-popular/199701)
**Author:** [@biqu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/biqu)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2003, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-christianity-become-so-popular/199701 "2003-09-15T01:26:22Z")
In this classic column from August 1995, Cecil writes In answer to the last question, I believe David Hume fits that description. In the introduction to the Penguin Classics edition of Hume’s Dialogues Concerning Natu… --- ## [Nose picking = Instant death](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nose-picking-instant-death/200351)
**Author:** [@Mighty\_LoPan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_LoPan)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2003, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nose-picking-instant-death/200351 "2003-09-14T23:45:33Z")
Concerning the column about the dangers of picking one’s nose, I remember hearing a news story 10 or 15 years ago about a man who died from picking his nose. He was driving in his car, with his finger way up in there, a… --- ## [Alternative to nose-picking](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternative-to-nose-picking/201054)
**Author:** [@DeepField](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeepField)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2003, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternative-to-nose-picking/201054 "2003-09-13T13:57:31Z")
After reading the column on nose-picking I wonder what is the recommended practice for cleaning your nose. I am not admitting anything here, but sometimes the snot gets so hard and sticky and abundant, that picking it ou… --- ## [Sing a Song of Sixpence. Reply to T.S.D.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sing-a-song-of-sixpence-reply-to-t-s-d/200950)
**Author:** [@Vincent\_Wadsworth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vincent_Wadsworth)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2003, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sing-a-song-of-sixpence-reply-to-t-s-d/200950 "2003-09-12T17:54:30Z")
Having come from racheal.cranetripod.com/pix/blackbird.html were she shows her designs around nursery rhymes, the number 24 comes up again in a rhyme called Captain Duck. May be incidental, may be not! A comment on the… --- ## [Who Killed Jesus?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-killed-jesus/199027)
**Author:** [@BenAvraham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BenAvraham)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2003, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-killed-jesus/199027 "2003-09-11T13:07:38Z")
Thank you for your insightful, thorough, and straightforward treatment of this subject. I think it is the most complete explanation I have ever seen. I’m going to put http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mjesuskill.html … --- ## [The calorie content of sperm.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-calorie-content-of-sperm/199506)
**Author:** [@Jennyrosity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennyrosity)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2003, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-calorie-content-of-sperm/199506 "2003-09-10T14:15:12Z")
Hey Cecil, in your column on the calorie content of male ejaculation you say it has a high energy content. Does that mean it’d be possibe to survive on it, should it be necessary? I realise it would involve a phenomenal … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=206) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=208)