# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=256 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 257 --- ## [Aimee Semple McPherson](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aimee-semple-mcpherson/82884)
**Author:** [@kyrasdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kyrasdad)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2001, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aimee-semple-mcpherson/82884 "2001-09-21T16:42:19Z")
I just read an enlightening Straight Dope column that talked about the mysterious disappearance of Aimee Semple McPherson. I’ve only heard that name once before, and it was associated with another odd story. Back when I… --- ## [If everyone in China.......](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-everyone-in-china/82853)
**Author:** [@Arwen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arwen)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2001, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-everyone-in-china/82853 "2001-09-20T20:41:43Z")
Remember the question “if everyone in China jumped off of a chair at once, what would happen?” I just came across an interesting article on a study in the UK that may answer the question…look here for the answer…I think … --- ## [The word "data"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-word-data/81973)
**Author:** [@HammHawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HammHawk)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2001, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-word-data/81973 "2001-09-20T05:48:19Z")
Just wanted to point out that you sometimes refer to “data” in the singular (e.g., “the data is lacking” in the Stupidest President column http://www.straightdope.com/columns/010622.html ). Actually, it should be “data a… --- ## [Who "REALLY" wrote...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-really-wrote/59017)
**Author:** [@Marvel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvel)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2001, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-really-wrote/59017 "2001-09-18T18:33:55Z")
I’ve never heard the rumor that Mary Shelly didn’t really write “Frankenstein,” (sp?) but I did read that some (male) contemporaries claimed “Wuthering Heights” couldn’t possibly have been composed by Emily Bronte or any… --- ## [An actuary speaks...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-actuary-speaks/81294)
**Author:** [@kabbes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kabbes)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2001, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-actuary-speaks/81294 "2001-09-18T16:28:03Z")
Dex - you missed the accident hump in your reply!How could you? You see folks, the force of mortality (i.e. the instantaneous equivalent of the annual rate) starts high at birth and reduces to about age 11 or 12, as Dex … --- ## [frostbitten doggie feet](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frostbitten-doggie-feet/81804)
**Author:** [@groendog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/groendog)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2001, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frostbitten-doggie-feet/81804 "2001-09-18T07:40:58Z")
Given that dogs may not get frostbite on their feet please note this does not mean you can let your pal stand out in the snow and cold all day. Despite what some think domestic dogs are so far removed from their wolfie a… --- ## [Too much sleep](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/too-much-sleep/78753)
**Author:** [@Civil\_Defense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Civil_Defense)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2001, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/too-much-sleep/78753 "2001-09-17T06:44:56Z")
Hmm… Cecil’s question of Feb 5, 1999 left much to be desired in terms of an actual answer. All Cecil did was restate what the author did- that people are either groggy after sleeping too much, or they’re not. And that t… --- ## [mailbag question: why don't spiders get stuck in their own webs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mailbag-question-why-dont-spiders-get-stuck-in-their-own-webs/81387)
**Author:** [@breaknrun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/breaknrun)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2001, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mailbag-question-why-dont-spiders-get-stuck-in-their-own-webs/81387 "2001-09-15T23:58:14Z")
In today’s question, SDStaff Doug answered the the question but I felt his answer lacked the completeness I had come to expect from the Straight Dope. The following link answers the question a little better in that it … --- ## [How much money is there?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-money-is-there/81297)
**Author:** [@sirjamesp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sirjamesp)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2001, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-money-is-there/81297 "2001-09-15T19:36:03Z")
Firstly, I feel bad about being one of the first back on this board after Tuesday’s events, but as your President and other leaders said, the world will carry on rather than letting the terrorists win, right? Initial wa… --- ## [Candiru Revisited](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/candiru-revisited/80132)
**Author:** [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2001, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/candiru-revisited/80132 "2001-09-15T13:33:03Z")
Ay caramba. Remember Cecil’s original candiru thread? http://www.straightdope.com/columns/000519.html He expressed what I felt, skepticism that the candiru could actually swim out of the water up a urine stream and int… --- ## [Bees Committing Suicide](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bees-committing-suicide/79164)
**Author:** [@jmalin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jmalin)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2001, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bees-committing-suicide/79164 "2001-09-14T21:42:45Z")
In regard to the article on bees committing suicide: http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mbeesuicide.html I think another way to look at it is to consider the hive as the true organism, and the workers as only a part … --- ## [Cecil the Prophet](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-the-prophet/81655)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2001, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-the-prophet/81655 "2001-09-14T18:53:48Z")
Yes, he is the Perfect Master. But he’s also apparently a prophet, since in the linked column dated 26-Apr-1991, he foresaw Al Yankovic’s “It’s All About the Pentiums,” which is pretty impressive since Intel didn’t relea… --- ## [how to stop telemarketers column](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-stop-telemarketers-column/79310)
**Author:** [@zoogirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoogirl)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2001, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-stop-telemarketers-column/79310 "2001-09-14T10:04:06Z")
I am a member of that dreaded species, Telus Marketus Persona Non Grata. (See, I do also work in a zoo!) Anyway, I have a few tips for actually turning us off. I’m lucky, all I have to do is call repeat customers for a w… --- ## [Do some people remain alert--but paralyzed--under anesthesia?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-some-people-remain-alert-but-paralyzed-under-anesthesia/80687)
**Author:** [@Pedro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pedro)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2001, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-some-people-remain-alert-but-paralyzed-under-anesthesia/80687 "2001-09-13T20:34:18Z")
Here is what the master had to say about it - Cecil’s Article. This happened to me the only time I underwent surgery. Same thing with me. I was complaining to the nurse who had to stick me three times to find a vein … --- ## [Additional data for death stats](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/additional-data-for-death-stats/81162)
**Author:** [@Bill\_H](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_H)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2001, 8:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/additional-data-for-death-stats/81162 "2001-09-13T08:58:57Z")
Dex, enjoyed the “age of death likelyhood” column (despite the obviously tragic deaths of late). Do you have cites for additional data? Or could you post a scan of the complete “1994 Group Annuity Mortality Table” you re… --- ## [Death likelihood comment...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-likelihood-comment/80870)
**Author:** [@HannibalV](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HannibalV)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2001, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-likelihood-comment/80870 "2001-09-12T05:10:08Z")
In light of the events this morning in New York, Washington, Northern Virginia, Pennsylvania and anyplace else things may have happened, it seems adviseable that Dex’s comment of “not engaged in terrorist activites” in t… --- ## [Candiru revisited](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/candiru-revisited/80639)
**Author:** [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2001, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/candiru-revisited/80639 "2001-09-11T10:16:30Z")
Candiru. Candiru photos. I have got to stop checking this site while eating. --- ## [Did one 60's superhero get his power from ...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-one-60s-superhero-get-his-power-from/76715)
**Author:** [@Oldmaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oldmaven)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2001, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-one-60s-superhero-get-his-power-from/76715 "2001-09-11T07:25:56Z")
You mentioned that Henry Cabot Henhouse III became SuperChicken after drinking his Souper Sauce. But you forgot to mention that the sauce was a clear liquid, served in a martini glass with a toothpick and an olive. --- ## [Gravity on Planet Donut](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gravity-on-planet-donut/67974)
**Author:** [@Dave1701e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dave1701e)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2001, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gravity-on-planet-donut/67974 "2001-09-11T07:03:36Z")
What’s gravity like on a planet shaped like a donut? Assuming the donut is perfectly round and has uniform density, I’m pretty sure the same case applies as for the hollow spherical planet, so the person on the inner ri… --- ## [Ivy League](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ivy-league/80791)
**Author:** [@leander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leander)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2001, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ivy-league/80791 "2001-09-11T06:16:16Z")
RE: http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mivyleague.html Ken, You have failed to answer the question, “Why do they call it the Ivy League?”. There is no “obvious conclusion” from the article, nor is there even a vague r… --- ## [Say "CHEESE!" :D](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-cheese-d/78964)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2001, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-cheese-d/78964 "2001-09-11T04:25:39Z")
This thread— http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mcheese.html The “why” of cheese was, say, touched on lightly in this otherwise fine report. The purpose of cheese was as a way of preserving easily perishable milk in … --- ## [Anesthesia and me](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anesthesia-and-me/80676)
**Author:** [@bungie\_us](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bungie_us)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2001, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anesthesia-and-me/80676 "2001-09-11T03:32:22Z")
Ah, what was I thinking? I soon go in to have my gallbladder removed. And yet I read the column anyway. Sigh. --- ## ["Goodbye Angie" thread moved to MPSIMS](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-angie-thread-moved-to-mpsims/80804)
**Author:** [@JillGat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillGat)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2001, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-angie-thread-moved-to-mpsims/80804 "2001-09-11T03:06:12Z")
Goodbye Angie - Long and Personal Moved to MPSIMS forum --- ## [baby birds column](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baby-birds-column/79191)
**Author:** [@dujo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dujo)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2001, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baby-birds-column/79191 "2001-09-10T15:56:58Z")
Cecil got scooped on this one. This was just addressed at snopes.com, the Urban Legends Reference Pages. Both articles are good, but you seem to have ommited one point, namely don’t mess with fledglings. I’ll excerpt the… --- ## [Suicidal Bees](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suicidal-bees/79898)
**Author:** [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2001, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suicidal-bees/79898 "2001-09-09T16:43:19Z")
Not disputing anything in today’s answer re: bees committing suicide by stinging; and I definitely don’t want to get into an evolution/creationism thing: But why would barbed stingers be a trait selected as an advantage… --- ## [Dread-ed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dread-ed/80046)
**Author:** [@malaka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/malaka)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2001, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dread-ed/80046 "2001-09-08T21:49:38Z")
In Cecil’s latest column, he uses the word “dread” as an adjective (in the sentence “Leprosy, one of history’s most dread diseases, has been around since ancient times.”. Sure enough, http://www.m-w.com/ says that “dread… --- ## [Korean trivia, including death by electric fan](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/korean-trivia-including-death-by-electric-fan/79508)
**Author:** [@gump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gump)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2001, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/korean-trivia-including-death-by-electric-fan/79508 "2001-09-08T12:45:12Z")
I’m currently in Korea on business…and the Teeming will want to know that: –the Korean Times last week contained an article warning about the danger of leaving an electric fan on while sleeping, thus confirming a recent… --- ## [You're wrong.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-wrong/80095)
**Author:** [@Lycor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lycor)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2001, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-wrong/80095 "2001-09-07T17:38:37Z")
There is a certain species of fruit bat, called Dayak, where the males lactate for their young. Leon Trotsky was also reputed to lactate for his young. The debate over its appropriateness supposedly caused his fall from… --- ## [Where to read Staff Reports](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-read-staff-reports/80195)
**Author:** [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2001, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-read-staff-reports/80195 "2001-09-07T14:33:43Z")
I always read the links to the staff reports but where does one read them in the first place. I get the Chicago Reader and I see the SD column but I almost never see a SD Staff Column. Are these on line somewhere? Does… --- ## [Why do men's and women's shirts button on different sides?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-mens-and-womens-shirts-button-on-different-sides/77593)
**Author:** [@Patgo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patgo)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2001, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-mens-and-womens-shirts-button-on-different-sides/77593 "2001-09-06T18:26:49Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3\_023a.html There are no practical reasons. Putting buttons on different sides make sure that your shirt is either “man’s shirt” or a “woman’s shirt”. This is important for religi… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=255) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=257)