# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=316 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 317 --- ## [Glass not a liquid?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/glass-not-a-liquid/1080)
**Author:** [@Greg\_Charles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greg_Charles)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 1999, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/glass-not-a-liquid/1080 "1999-08-22T11:28:00Z")
(Referring to article www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mglass.html ) David claims that glass isn’t a liquid, but an amorphous solid, and that we should deal with it. I’m perfectly willing to so deal, but you are at odds wi… --- ## [Up&Down: Not quite spherical Earth](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/up-down-not-quite-spherical-earth/1078)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 1999, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/up-down-not-quite-spherical-earth/1078 "1999-08-21T20:41:00Z")
In the recent mailbag column on how up and down are defined with relation to the Earth’s surface http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mdownup.html , it was said in part: However, there is one case in which the oblatene… --- ## [Police pursuits across state lines](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-pursuits-across-state-lines/173)
**Author:** [@mconrad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mconrad)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 1999, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-pursuits-across-state-lines/173 "1999-08-21T19:12:00Z")
In the first Straight Dope book, Cecil writes: “Although Illinois cops, for instance, can chase you all over the Land of Lincoln, they can’t pursue you into adjoining states.” However, I’m sitting here watching one of … --- ## [Can you sing two notes at once?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sing-two-notes-at-once/172)
**Author:** [@RomaStar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RomaStar)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 1999, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sing-two-notes-at-once/172 "1999-08-19T23:04:00Z")
The answer is yes. Check out the recent documentary, “Ghenghis Blues,” for a demonstration of what is called Tuvan singing or throatsinging. It is also possible to find recordings of this technique on CD. --- ## [Okanagana Cicada Life-Cycle](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okanagana-cicada-life-cycle/1076)
**Author:** [@srubin63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/srubin63)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 1999, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okanagana-cicada-life-cycle/1076 "1999-08-19T18:45:00Z")
I found the following on a “CICADAS” web-page that represents itself as being from the University of Connecticut Dept. of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Spa/6208): “Soper et al (… --- ## [Continents: Europe and Asia](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/continents-europe-and-asia/1075)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 1999, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/continents-europe-and-asia/1075 "1999-08-19T14:53:00Z")
The Straight Dope’s answer to the question “Why are Europe and Asia considered separate continents” seemed well-researched and accurate, but at the same time, seemed to pull its punches. Historical and cultural considera… --- ## [Do people weigh less during high tide?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-weigh-less-during-high-tide/171)
**Author:** [@Buff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buff)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 1999, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-weigh-less-during-high-tide/171 "1999-08-18T14:01:00Z")
If the gravitational attraction of the moon is strong enough to draw countless tons of seawater to one side of the earth, then why don’t people weigh significantly less during high tide? --- ## [Continents](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/continents/1074)
**Author:** [@gadge47](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gadge47)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 1999, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/continents/1074 "1999-08-17T14:29:00Z")
Citing Webster’s definition for what constitutes an island I think doesn’t quite do justice to the question as to why Greenland is considered an island (in fact the term ‘Greenland’ is a bit outdated but not many people … --- ## [Consciousness](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consciousness/170)
**Author:** [@Happy\_Dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Dog)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 1999, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consciousness/170 "1999-08-17T07:46:00Z")
The first step to understanding the modern scientific view of conciousness is to understand the role of memory. Our “stream of conciousness” is created by our perception of present consciousness (right fuckin’ now) an… --- ## [down and up](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-and-up/1068)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 1999, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-and-up/1068 "1999-08-16T14:55:00Z")
I must point out a slight error in the mailbag answer by Karen to “How are ‘down’ and ‘up’ defined?” ( http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mdownup.html ). The answer is correct, except that it ignores the effects of the… --- ## [Do old or cheap sunglasses increase the risk of eye damage from ultraviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-old-or-cheap-sunglasses-increase-the-risk-of-eye-damage-from-ultraviolet/169)
**Author:** [@Mr\_Thin\_Skin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Thin_Skin)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 1999, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-old-or-cheap-sunglasses-increase-the-risk-of-eye-damage-from-ultraviolet/169 "1999-08-16T05:58:00Z")
I have no problem with Cecil’s column www.straightdope.com/columns/990806.html It’s Slug’s artwork I don’t understand. What are the round things the fellow is spreading lotion on. The woman’s giant … posterior? Are my… --- ## [Scheduled maintenance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scheduled-maintenance/1067)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 1999, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scheduled-maintenance/1067 "1999-08-16T00:45:00Z")
The Reader technical staff has told us this board will be down for a couple of hours tomorrow morning (Thursday, August 5) for scheduled maintenance. If you sign on while the board is not operational, you should get a m… --- ## [Administrative Request](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/administrative-request/1066)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 1999, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/administrative-request/1066 "1999-08-15T12:41:00Z")
Sunbear has suggested the first post of a new topic in this forum should contain a link (or the url) for the Mailbag item that it refers to. I think that’s a great idea, and would like to encourage everyone to do that… m… --- ## [OBEs not granted by the Queen](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obes-not-granted-by-the-queen/1063)
**Author:** [@Cap\_n\_Crude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cap_n_Crude)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 1999, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obes-not-granted-by-the-queen/1063 "1999-08-15T03:28:00Z")
SDStaff Doug – Very interesting response on out-of-body experiences. One slight error on your part, if I may be so bold – REM sleep is stage 1, not stage 4. This isn’t important to the meat of your answer, but I thought… --- ## [Brown dirt and ... other stuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brown-dirt-and-other-stuff/1061)
**Author:** [@torq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/torq)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 1999, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brown-dirt-and-other-stuff/1061 "1999-08-12T21:10:00Z")
www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mdirtbrown.html The last statement in the answer is at least misleading. The brown color of feces is largely due to certain pigmented compounds found in bile. --- ## [SDStaff Ken is a retard: Water and Rust](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdstaff-ken-is-a-retard-water-and-rust/1058)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 1999, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdstaff-ken-is-a-retard-water-and-rust/1058 "1999-08-11T03:01:00Z")
He was right about the galvanic cell stuff. Sort of, but not really. The rest was COMPLETELY wrong Water does NOT dissociate into O2 and H2. Never has, never will. Water dissociates into H+ and OH- (hydrogen and hyd… --- ## [Sleepwalking](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleepwalking/1056)
**Author:** [@frogger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/frogger)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 1999, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleepwalking/1056 "1999-08-10T23:34:00Z")
I enjoyed Doug’s relation of his out-of-body experiences and found his explanation very interesting and informative. I must call him on his explanation of sleepwalking, though. Many people believe it is caused, as he sai… --- ## [rear-view mirrors have TWO "night" positions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rear-view-mirrors-have-two-night-positions/167)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 1999, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rear-view-mirrors-have-two-night-positions/167 "1999-08-10T18:15:00Z")
Today’s classic article, http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4\_015b.html , says that the low-light-level reflection off of the center rear-view mirror is a reflection off the front of the glass. This would mean there … --- ## [13-sided coins](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/13-sided-coins/1052)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 1999, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/13-sided-coins/1052 "1999-08-10T18:00:00Z")
Maybe the 13 sided coin originated with The Governments obsession with the no. 13, check out the presedential seal, 13 feathers on each wing, 13 arrows, 13 branches 13 berries…etc. probably to do with the 13 original … --- ## [Genetically Engineered Food - Part 2](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genetically-engineered-food-part-2/166)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 1999, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genetically-engineered-food-part-2/166 "1999-08-10T06:18:00Z")
This is a continuation from the very long thread: Genetically Engineered Food. Last post from that one follows: DanSpillane Member posted 07-13-99 01:39 AM \>\>\> EUROPEAN COVER-UP REVEALED \<\<\< \[Transcript of letters … --- ## [Water in Arizona/desalination](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-in-arizona-desalination/163)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 1999, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-in-arizona-desalination/163 "1999-08-10T05:07:00Z")
Uncle Cecil: The problem in Arizona (and many other western states) is not the lack of fresh water but the use of fresh water–irrigation for crops such as cotton, alfalfa and letttuce, all water intensive crops that sho… --- ## [Old News Reels](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-news-reels/164)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 1999, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-news-reels/164 "1999-08-09T19:20:00Z")
From TyperTrphy: Dear Cecil, It is possible that there is nobody who hold you in higher esteem than I. Having said, that, I must take serious umbrage with your answers on P.67-68 of “Straight Dope Tells All”. Your reas… --- ## [Herod's Evil](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herods-evil/162)
**Author:** [@Jorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jorge)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 1999, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herods-evil/162 "1999-08-08T20:01:00Z")
In Cecil’s first tome (p. 216 in my copy), he tackles an educated guess as to the identity of “Herod’s Evil”, a disgusting-sounding disease. CA reports the likely diagnoses as \[severe, advanced\] arteriosclerosis or diabe… --- ## [Soup to nuts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soup-to-nuts/1049)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 1999, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soup-to-nuts/1049 "1999-08-07T08:13:00Z")
The Latin expression meaning “from soup to nuts” was ab ovo usque ad mala, “from eggs to apples”. { Edit by Board Moderator: the link to the original Mailbag article is http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/msoupnut.html … --- ## ["Mountain" versus "hill"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mountain-versus-hill/161)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 1999, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mountain-versus-hill/161 "1999-08-05T02:49:00Z")
In one of his columns, Cecil wonders on why Mt. Carmel in Israel is called a mountain, considering it’s under 2000 feet. The answer is simple. The Jewish definition of a mountain (“har”) is that it’s 500 Jewish cubits or… --- ## [Quack Echos Revisited](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quack-echos-revisited/160)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 1999, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quack-echos-revisited/160 "1999-08-04T05:14:00Z")
Hello Cecil: I was busy enjoying your website and came across the column asking about whether quacks echo. The experiment done in Lansing, MI pretty much settled the question. But, I have a hypothesis which might expl… --- ## [The Cat in the Hat Comes Back](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cat-in-the-hat-comes-back/1047)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 1999, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cat-in-the-hat-comes-back/1047 "1999-08-02T19:12:00Z")
This week’s mailbag article about pink snow, http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mpinksnow.html , states: Cake frosting? I could’ve sworn it was the Cat’s bathtub ring. --- ## [Eyes changing color/multicolored eyes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eyes-changing-color-multicolored-eyes/159)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 1999, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eyes-changing-color-multicolored-eyes/159 "1999-08-02T05:42:00Z")
I was reading an old column describing the occurances on heterochromia and hypo/hyperchromia. I have a pair unusual samples that seem to provide even more peculiar and unexplained info. Now Cecil basically responded to t… --- ## [Joyce](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joyce/1045)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 1999, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joyce/1045 "1999-08-01T20:11:00Z")
In the start of Finnegans Wake, The places he mentions is a description of the coastline of Dublin, running from wicklow (Adam and Eves) Bray Head (Swerve of Shore), Dunleary (bend of bay), and so on… so maybe he wasnt … --- ## [Cecil needs to adress this](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-needs-to-adress-this/157)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 1999, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-needs-to-adress-this/157 "1999-07-31T05:26:00Z")
Ok, here is the hypothetical: If the hunger center of your brain was theoretically attached to the brain of another; who would feel hunger? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=315) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=317)