# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=32 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 33 --- ## [Cand one side of a duck's brain sleep while the other half remains awake?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cand-one-side-of-a-ducks-brain-sleep-while-the-other-half-remains-awake/706122)
**Author:** [@qazwart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/qazwart)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2014, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cand-one-side-of-a-ducks-brain-sleep-while-the-other-half-remains-awake/706122 "2014-12-02T18:14:06Z")
Your link… Ah, but could he record their echo? --- ## [Links in column not working](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/links-in-column-not-working/705968)
**Author:** [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2014, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/links-in-column-not-working/705968 "2014-11-30T20:05:31Z")
An example, this answer contains two links to tree planting sights The links are http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2431/www.futureforests.com/acatalog/index\_shop\_calculator.asp and http://www.straightdope.com/… --- ## [Cecil vampire article](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-vampire-article/558056)
**Author:** [@frustratedmike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/frustratedmike)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2014, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-vampire-article/558056 "2014-11-29T18:20:24Z")
I would like to thank him for even writing about porphyria it is so rare our goverment does not want to be bothered by it. I would like to correct some things in his article. the treatment he talked about is called heme… --- ## [Why should taxpayers pick up the tab when some daredevil gets in trouble?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-taxpayers-pick-up-the-tab-when-some-daredevil-gets-in-trouble/703979)
**Author:** [@planeman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/planeman)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2014, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-taxpayers-pick-up-the-tab-when-some-daredevil-gets-in-trouble/703979 "2014-11-29T03:06:52Z")
The cost of the rescues for obvious risky ventures like mountain climbing annoys me too. It seems to me that a requirement for attempting these risky ventures on government property should be proof of insurance by the in… --- ## [Yams vs. sweet potatoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yams-vs-sweet-potatoes/705186)
**Author:** [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2014, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yams-vs-sweet-potatoes/705186 "2014-11-28T17:14:30Z")
What’s The Difference Between Yams and Sweet Potatoes? Cecil remarks that yams are rarely seen in North America. This leads me to wonder if I know what a yam is, or a sweet potato for that matter. Sweet potatoes, as I… --- ## [Common Sense: a normal human being learns it all effortlessly in childhood](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-sense-a-normal-human-being-learns-it-all-effortlessly-in-childhood/705240)
**Author:** [@bowlweevils](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bowlweevils)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2014, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-sense-a-normal-human-being-learns-it-all-effortlessly-in-childhood/705240 "2014-11-25T20:24:15Z")
I am going to pretend Cecil just didn’t say that. Not only are there plenty of people who learn many things that are “common sense” the hard way, such as “wear your seatbelt” being scoffed at until after laws were passe… --- ## [RE: Whose face is on the $1000 bill?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-whose-face-is-on-the-1000-bill/316092)
**Author:** [@celine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/celine)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2014, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-whose-face-is-on-the-1000-bill/316092 "2014-11-25T00:24:45Z")
Your response was very informative. However, I noticed that while you listed even larger denominations (and their accompanying faces) you neglected the $100,000 bill, which shows the face of Woodrow Wilson. I only knew … --- ## [Awareness under anesthesia](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/awareness-under-anesthesia/705036)
**Author:** [@sallypursell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sallypursell)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2014, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/awareness-under-anesthesia/705036 "2014-11-23T20:18:00Z")
The difficulty with this is that these are all subjective accounts. I would think that if one were awake and feeling the surgery there would be obvious effects in the vital signs that are monitored very closely during su… --- ## [White Slavery Also Ancient](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-slavery-also-ancient/704153)
**Author:** [@CleanCut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CleanCut)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2014, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-slavery-also-ancient/704153 "2014-11-22T14:21:31Z")
Viewing the text of the Christian Bible and the Jewish Torah as a historical record one can deduce that the it is probably true that the ancient Hebrews were slaves to the Egyptian Pharos before that long 40 year migrati… --- ## [11/21/2014 column](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/11-21-2014-column/705243)
**Author:** [@2nd\_Law](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2nd_Law)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2014, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/11-21-2014-column/705243 "2014-11-21T16:40:20Z")
I’m not seing a new column this week on the main page. Is Cecil on holiday? --- ## [Is chlorine a threat to the environment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chlorine-a-threat-to-the-environment/705037)
**Author:** [@grue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grue)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2014, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chlorine-a-threat-to-the-environment/705037 "2014-11-21T07:51:05Z")
From Is chlorine — in any form — a threat to the environment? - The Straight Dope Yes, I do believe that was the point. --- ## [What's the difference between a street, a road, an avenue, a boulevard, etc.?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-a-street-a-road-an-avenue-a-boulevard-etc/703999)
**Author:** [@David\_Ehrlich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Ehrlich)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2014, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-a-street-a-road-an-avenue-a-boulevard-etc/703999 "2014-11-20T17:00:39Z")
Significantly, you left out Yard, as in Scotland Yard. --- ## [Wartime Scrap drives](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wartime-scrap-drives/704848)
**Author:** [@mudrake2\_hotmail.com](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mudrake2_hotmail.com)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2014, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wartime-scrap-drives/704848 "2014-11-19T18:46:24Z")
Most War Time Scrap drives were merely a ploy to get civilians involved in the war effort. It is more expensive to process alloyed metals into raw material, than it is to process new metal from ore. Much of the metals … --- ## [Feelling groggy after sleeping longer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feelling-groggy-after-sleeping-longer/705032)
**Author:** [@sallypursell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sallypursell)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2014, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feelling-groggy-after-sleeping-longer/705032 "2014-11-19T02:07:02Z")
I have always assumed that the phenomenon reflects what stage of sleep was ongoing when the sleeper awoke, but I have no evidence for this. In some of the deeper stages of sleep awakening can cause people to be groggy, b… --- ## [Nutritional value of Carob vs Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nutritional-value-of-carob-vs-chocolate/705002)
**Author:** [@JHuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JHuff)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2014, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nutritional-value-of-carob-vs-chocolate/705002 "2014-11-19T00:46:58Z")
As usual, I was getting my daily dose of Straight Dope today, running through random articles, and I happened upon this one about carob and its nutritional value as compared to chocolate. http://www.straightdope.com/col… --- ## [re: cholera belts -- should asked me](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-cholera-belts-should-asked-me/704709)
**Author:** [@victoriahal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/victoriahal)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2014, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-cholera-belts-should-asked-me/704709 "2014-11-15T21:14:51Z")
The belt, made of red flannel and wrapped around the belly of the victim, was referenced in one of Elizabeth Peters’ Amelia Peabody mysteries. In her early days Ms Peabody believed n many of the common myths of the time,… --- ## [Toilet bowl Plume](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-bowl-plume/704254)
**Author:** [@westie\_lover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/westie_lover)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2014, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-bowl-plume/704254 "2014-11-11T01:55:44Z")
Cecil, I’ve heard for years about the spread of germs through toilets with lids up. However, I’ve never heard any hard science about the spread of germs with the lids down. How do the two compare? Do the ladies have a… --- ## [Pop goes the Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pop-goes-the-weasel/703623)
**Author:** [@MacLir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacLir)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2014, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pop-goes-the-weasel/703623 "2014-11-07T02:40:57Z")
Link An anecdote of possible relevance - weasels really do go “pop” :rolleyes: Back in college, a friend called me up and said there was a ferret in his yard, that had gone up a tree, and would I come over and help him… --- ## [Girls named after their mothers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/girls-named-after-their-mothers/701581)
**Author:** [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2014, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/girls-named-after-their-mothers/701581 "2014-11-04T16:43:54Z")
We read The Crucible in high school. IIRC, There was a girl named after her mother. Sarah Junior or Ann Junior or something like that. --- ## ["Earth less than 10,000 years old" column](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earth-less-than-10-000-years-old-column/380501)
**Author:** [@Bob55](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bob55)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2014, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earth-less-than-10-000-years-old-column/380501 "2014-11-04T13:51:01Z")
Article can be found here. I don’t personally believe the earth or humanity are less than 10,000 years old but you cannot prove this either way. I can prove the earth is round, or it revolves around the sun, or the cor… --- ## [sex slavery update](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-slavery-update/701914)
**Author:** [@ritagmiller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ritagmiller)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2014, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-slavery-update/701914 "2014-11-04T00:39:33Z")
The latest news on the white slavery front: The Rotherham case made a huge splash, and the consensus is that it isn’t an isolated town involved in this. The white sex slave traffic (as well as for every other group),… --- ## [Can a snake tie itself into a knot it can’t get out of?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-snake-tie-itself-into-a-knot-it-can-t-get-out-of/703174)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2014, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-snake-tie-itself-into-a-knot-it-can-t-get-out-of/703174 "2014-11-03T18:11:39Z")
The column: Can a snake tie itself into a knot it can’t get out of? - The Straight Dope A related thread on hagfish: Hagfish - Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports - Straight Dope Message Board Very interesting column - I lea… --- ## [Is food irradiation safe?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-food-irradiation-safe/703495)
**Author:** [@TariqShafiq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TariqShafiq)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2014, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-food-irradiation-safe/703495 "2014-11-03T15:20:02Z")
Dear Cecil, Your answer to above was about 19 yrs before (1995) wherein you talked about adoption of technology maybe in 20 yrs. Almost 19 yrs have passed. Any update? With regards Tariq Shafiq New Delhi, India --- ## [Indentations in the bottoms of wine bottles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/indentations-in-the-bottoms-of-wine-bottles/703162)
**Author:** [@minturn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minturn)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2014, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/indentations-in-the-bottoms-of-wine-bottles/703162 "2014-10-31T20:25:12Z")
There’s a much simpler, and more-widely-applicable, answer: it’s to make the bottles stand up straight without wobbling. A little thought will make it obvious that in order to stand steady on a flat surface, a bottle ha… --- ## [Hagfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hagfish/703109)
**Author:** [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2014, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hagfish/703109 "2014-10-31T20:14:43Z")
In his knot-tying snakes column, the Perfect Master mentions the self-knotting champion, the hagfish. Something he doesn’t mention is that those eel skin wallets that were all the rage some years ago were in reality hag… --- ## [Kidney harvesting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kidney-harvesting/688047)
**Author:** [@psythe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psythe)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2014, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kidney-harvesting/688047 "2014-10-30T04:27:24Z")
Original post \[Disclaimer: Bit gory\] Cecil notes that kidney removal normally takes a surgical team, lots of bulky equipment and 5 hours. This might be the case when things are done by the book - although I can’t unde… --- ## [Lip Balm Addiction](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lip-balm-addiction/702685)
**Author:** [@Laplante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laplante)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2014, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lip-balm-addiction/702685 "2014-10-28T11:31:42Z")
Interesting, but I am more addicted to “The Straight Dope” & Cecil’s answers! Keep 'em coming! --- ## [Magician crossing bridge.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magician-crossing-bridge/692335)
**Author:** [@psythe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psythe)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2014, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magician-crossing-bridge/692335 "2014-10-27T02:36:50Z")
Original Thread Two options spring to mind. 1.) Take the gold coins over one at a time. No-one said you couldn’t do that. 2.) Cast a spell to make the gold weightless. He’s a goddamn magician, after all. --- ## [what convinced the Chinese to UNbind their feet is the real question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-convinced-the-chinese-to-unbind-their-feet-is-the-real-question/700215)
**Author:** [@analogqueen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/analogqueen)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2014, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-convinced-the-chinese-to-unbind-their-feet-is-the-real-question/700215 "2014-10-26T02:36:25Z")
We all know that the Chinese bound women’s feet- starting from almost birth- but the real question is, why did they stop? Being an avid reader, and me really enjoying reading yet not able to afford buying books whenever… --- ## [Why did the Magi consider frankincense and myrrh such valuable gifts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-magi-consider-frankincense-and-myrrh-such-valuable-gifts/701545)
**Author:** [@Copperleaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Copperleaf)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2014, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-magi-consider-frankincense-and-myrrh-such-valuable-gifts/701545 "2014-10-24T05:41:34Z")
From “Today’s Question” on the main page (can’t get it to let me respond and I’m not smart enough to figure it out right now) The reason these items were brought to Mary & Joseph - for baby Jesus is that they were rare … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=31) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=33)