# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=5 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 6 --- ## [Gratitide](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gratitide/840164)
**Author:** [@MemphisBelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MemphisBelle)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2019, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gratitide/840164 "2019-09-13T16:12:08Z")
Uncle Cecil: You can do no wrong, and the uninformed masses appreciate the edification. --- ## [1832/whats-the-verdict-on-the-loch-ness-monster](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1832-whats-the-verdict-on-the-loch-ness-monster/773019)
**Author:** [@HenryG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HenryG)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2019, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1832-whats-the-verdict-on-the-loch-ness-monster/773019 "2019-09-13T12:15:08Z")
Some people believe in it, and some do not. Some accept the “evidence” and some do not Some attempt to explain away the “evidence” and point out inconsistencies You could make the same three observations about the exi… --- ## [What's the story with the Taos hum?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-story-with-the-taos-hum/700038)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2019, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-story-with-the-taos-hum/700038 "2019-09-12T06:11:55Z")
Cecil’s 1998 column: Two brief earlier threads: Wikipedia says (as Cecil noted) that Taos ain’t alone in claiming a hum: Looks like, as of 2014, it’s still unexplained, but hey, at least it made it on The X-Fil… --- ## [corporate Personhood?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corporate-personhood/768659)
**Author:** [@LBinNJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LBinNJ)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2019, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corporate-personhood/768659 "2019-09-09T06:01:12Z")
Too bad the Supreme Court didn’t read your column before it issued its Citizens United decision! --- ## [What’s so bad about processed foods?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-so-bad-about-processed-foods/811489)
**Author:** [@jprokos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jprokos)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2019, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-so-bad-about-processed-foods/811489 "2019-08-31T07:25:08Z")
The term “processed foods” reminds me of the BPA issue. BPA is just one of many chemical additives that have similar negative effects on human hormone levels. Instead of talking about the root of the problem, the estrog… --- ## [Victorian Vibrators](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/victorian-vibrators/838889)
**Author:** [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2019, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/victorian-vibrators/838889 "2019-08-28T18:01:15Z")
In his Dec 7, 2007 overview of Rachel Maines’ The Technology of Orgasm, Cecil repeats Maines’ speculation that Victorian-era physicians and their subordinates used vibrators to induce orgasm as a hysteria treatment. The … --- ## [Do Most Women Hover Over Public Toilets?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-most-women-hover-over-public-toilets/645984)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2019, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-most-women-hover-over-public-toilets/645984 "2019-08-17T01:38:23Z")
There is a typo in the fourth paragraph (that begins with “This is bad.”) The word “evaluation” should be “evacuation”, unless we are suppose to be rating our urinary experiences. --- ## [Ketchup on Hot Dogs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ketchup-on-hot-dogs/838207)
**Author:** [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2019, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ketchup-on-hot-dogs/838207 "2019-08-14T22:22:21Z")
Originally published August 30, 1991. I know that snark and condescension are part of the Cecil brand. But I’ve always been a bit irked by the “no ketchup” purists. Who gives a flying fig what anybody else prefers on … --- ## [Star-Spangled Banner](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-spangled-banner/836311)
**Author:** [@glowacks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glowacks)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2019, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-spangled-banner/836311 "2019-08-01T00:22:04Z")
While looking up someone singing the original “To Anacreon in Heaven” on YouTube, there were some suggested videos about the Star-Spangled Banner that suggested it was hard to sing mainly because of the melody. But that… --- ## [Force fields](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/force-fields/837916)
**Author:** [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2019, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/force-fields/837916 "2019-07-31T04:41:48Z")
I just noticed: no mention of optical tweezers or laser cooling? Not sufficiently sci-fi? --- ## [How much energy is expended to physically flip a light switch?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-energy-is-expended-to-physically-flip-a-light-switch/837477)
**Author:** [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2019, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-energy-is-expended-to-physically-flip-a-light-switch/837477 "2019-07-29T17:42:05Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/222/to-save-energy-should-you-turn-lights-off-or-leave-them-on/ Coincidentally, the point about saving money/energy by turning off lights came up in conversation a couple weeks a… --- ## [Bolivian skunk ranch or bunk?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bolivian-skunk-ranch-or-bunk/837141)
**Author:** [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2019, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bolivian-skunk-ranch-or-bunk/837141 "2019-07-20T16:02:48Z")
Cecil once mentioned a “Bolivian skunk ranch” in what I assume was hyperbole (Adams, 1988). But is there really such a thing as a Bolivian skunk ranch? There are two ways to read this question, depending on how we distr… --- ## [What's the point of truck weigh stations?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-truck-weigh-stations/836913)
**Author:** [@pieceoftheuniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pieceoftheuniverse)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2019, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-truck-weigh-stations/836913 "2019-07-15T13:37:49Z")
I’m with Elizabeth on this one, albeit for completely different reasons: OK, so the truck and/or cargo are fined if the trailer is found to be overweight. But the fines are laughably, hilariously low, to the point wher… --- ## [Is it possible to build a machine that generates more power than it uses?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-build-a-machine-that-generates-more-power-than-it-uses/805975)
**Author:** [@Vinyasi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vinyasi)\ **Replies:** 203\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2019, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-build-a-machine-that-generates-more-power-than-it-uses/805975 "2019-07-01T19:50:22Z")
Regarding Cecil’s :dubious:coverage of Joseph Newman’s energy machine… Simulation of the Newman motor in LTSpice verifies to my satisfaction that his motor is not an overunity device. It merely makes use of a very small… --- ## [RE: Interstate Highways in Hawaii](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-interstate-highways-in-hawaii/832335)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2019, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-interstate-highways-in-hawaii/832335 "2019-06-29T12:47:04Z")
In the 1988 column entitled, “How can there be interstate highways… in Hawaii?”, Cecil says there are no interstate highways in Alaska. According to the website of the Federal Highway Administration, there are four desi… --- ## [What do they do if you don't have enough skin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-they-do-if-you-dont-have-enough-skin/835834)
**Author:** [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2019, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-they-do-if-you-dont-have-enough-skin/835834 "2019-06-23T23:52:06Z")
No breakthroughs since year 2000, but its worth mentioning skin mesh – the skin is cut like a chain link fence, so that it can be spread out over a larger area – and skin mince – the skin is minced up, then spread ‘lik… --- ## [The whole nine yards](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-whole-nine-yards/834387)
**Author:** [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2019, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-whole-nine-yards/834387 "2019-06-17T13:13:06Z")
There has been a lot of discussion on the SDMB over the years about the phrase “the whole nine yards”. Here are two threads on it with links to other threads in them: If anyone can link to a more complete set of SD… --- ## [A Piss-Poor Explanation of the "Piss Shivers"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-piss-poor-explanation-of-the-piss-shivers/136245)
**Author:** [@cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cynic)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [June 13, 2019, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-piss-poor-explanation-of-the-piss-shivers/136245 "2019-06-13T13:07:16Z")
In his column “What causes ‘piss shiver’?”, “Cecil Adams” completely dismisses the most prosaic explanation of the post-micturition convulsion syndrome (PMCS) phenomenon in favor of some rather absurd speculations. I fi… --- ## [Favorite outdated columns](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-outdated-columns/835250)
**Author:** [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 11, 2019, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-outdated-columns/835250 "2019-06-11T20:23:08Z")
Last week there was a column on the front page that mentioned the electron gun at the back of your TV or computer monitor. Not mine! But how about a whole column that is hoplessly out of date? I was searching for whate… --- ## [Are poor spellers stupid?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-poor-spellers-stupid/834475)
**Author:** [@hairog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hairog)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2019, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-poor-spellers-stupid/834475 "2019-06-06T22:00:51Z")
Are people who don’t do math, stupid? The answer to both questions is, of course not, their brains just work differently. I have trouble memorizing anything that is not logical. Spelling, grammar, learning a new languag… --- ## [Are there \*new\* SD columns?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-new-sd-columns/834041)
**Author:** [@JillGat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillGat)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2019, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-new-sd-columns/834041 "2019-05-26T01:09:36Z")
I saw in the text here somewhere that you can submit questions for Cecil/Ed to consider answering I didn’t think he did that any more. Are there still SD staff answering questions? --- ## [re Deadly Australia](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-deadly-australia/833037)
**Author:** [@dhricenak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dhricenak)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2019, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-deadly-australia/833037 "2019-05-18T02:08:01Z")
I would just like to point out that Australian plants can be lethal too. There is a giant stinging nettle that has killed people and horses and the iconic Eucalyptus trees can do you in in at least two ways. First they… --- ## [Fido as a Dog's Name](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fido-as-a-dogs-name/833356)
**Author:** [@GMANCANADA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GMANCANADA)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2019, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fido-as-a-dogs-name/833356 "2019-05-08T10:54:58Z")
I was disappointed by this one. Am I the only one who noticed that the question was not answered by Cecil? The question was not what’s the latin root and why is that appropriate? Has anyone answered the question of why … --- ## [Regarding the article on Vaping](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regarding-the-article-on-vaping/833494)
**Author:** [@Haldurson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Haldurson)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2019, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regarding-the-article-on-vaping/833494 "2019-05-06T14:28:07Z")
I understand that the research is not all there currently regarding Vaping. But I found this article interesting. It’s from the Mayo Clinic and they postulate that Vaping is a gateway drug for smoking tobacco: Mayo Clini… --- ## [Summer in Ireland](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-in-ireland/833011)
**Author:** [@zuer-coli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zuer-coli)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2019, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-in-ireland/833011 "2019-05-02T18:39:19Z")
in this Colum, Is it true summer in Ireland starts May 1? - The Straight Dope Cecil expounds on the start of summer the basic message seems: It depends, that and it seems there is no uniformity as to how or when or why o… --- ## [Dingoes Ate My Baby](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dingoes-ate-my-baby/664886)
**Author:** [@davidmarzec](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmarzec)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2019, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dingoes-ate-my-baby/664886 "2019-04-22T20:20:44Z")
Dear Sir, You noted in your column “In Australia do dingoes really eat babies” 22 September 2000 that the final couse of death for Azarea Chaberlain was not known. By way of update, on 12 June 2012 the Coroners Court of… --- ## [Update on the speed of gravity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/update-on-the-speed-of-gravity/832282)
**Author:** [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2019, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/update-on-the-speed-of-gravity/832282 "2019-04-20T00:18:21Z")
My staff report from 2003 on the speed of gravity is now on the front page again, but there are a few important updates to it. In particular, I mention LIGO and LISA, two instruments which might eventually detect gravit… --- ## [oak island treasure](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oak-island-treasure/971)
**Author:** [@donhsf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/donhsf)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2019, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oak-island-treasure/971 "2019-04-18T17:07:01Z")
The march april issue of skeptical inquirer has a detailed article by joe nickell, whose analysis of spontaneous human combustion is featured in an update on that topic. nickell shows evidence that the pit is a natural s… --- ## [Is road salt worth it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-road-salt-worth-it/809417)
**Author:** [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2019, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-road-salt-worth-it/809417 "2019-04-16T13:56:16Z")
Has there ever been a study about how many lives a year road salt saves? --- ## [New car smell](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-car-smell/832440)
**Author:** [@phs3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phs3)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2019, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-car-smell/832440 "2019-04-15T14:43:53Z")
Gotta love “That isn’t a scent, it’s a smell”. Doh. Meanwhile, presumably Cecil already knows that when you buy a Tesla, you don’t get new car smell – you get Elon Musk. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=6)