# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=54 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 55 --- ## ["Do trees ever die of old age?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-trees-ever-die-of-old-age/635469)
**Author:** [@ErgoSum88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ErgoSum88)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2012, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-trees-ever-die-of-old-age/635469 "2012-09-22T17:07:44Z")
What about clonal trees and plants such as Pando, King Clone, Mount Read Huon Pines, and Old Tjikko? I would say eighty thousand years old is pretty immortal. --- ## [50 foot woman](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/50-foot-woman/634682)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2012, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/50-foot-woman/634682 "2012-09-21T22:09:34Z")
\[URL=“Could an attacking 50-foot woman actually exist? - The Straight Dope”\] Just wanted to say that once again, Slug Signorino’s tasteful and understated illustrations are an inspiration to us all. --- ## [Lifespan of trees](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lifespan-of-trees/634699)
**Author:** [@GRobLewis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GRobLewis)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2012, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lifespan-of-trees/634699 "2012-09-21T17:10:51Z")
Here in the Pacific Northwest, newly logged or burned forest sites are usually colonized by fast-growing Red Alder, which reportedly replenish soil nutrients. The common wisdom seems to be that these trees live for 60-80… --- ## [Absolute zero and beyond](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolute-zero-and-beyond/635070)
**Author:** [@Dult](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dult)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2012, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolute-zero-and-beyond/635070 "2012-09-18T21:07:00Z")
So if movement virtually stops at absolute zero, when does it really stop? --- ## [Good day everyone. I have a question about hoop snakes. This is important.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-day-everyone-i-have-a-question-about-hoop-snakes-this-is-important/634858)
**Author:** [@hotdog\_messenger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hotdog_messenger)\ **Replies:** 181\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2012, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-day-everyone-i-have-a-question-about-hoop-snakes-this-is-important/634858 "2012-09-18T19:40:06Z")
It’s my first time to post a question here. I honestly have no idea about what to do. Anyway please read this excerpt i got from wikipedia. (pardon my english, it’s not my native tongue. I’m a Filipino from Philippines) … --- ## [What is the opposite of absolute zero?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-opposite-of-absolute-zero/634731)
**Author:** [@grumpy44134](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grumpy44134)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2012, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-opposite-of-absolute-zero/634731 "2012-09-17T01:52:56Z")
Absolute hot --- ## [Why do stars twinkle? (another factor)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-stars-twinkle-another-factor/634072)
**Author:** [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2012, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-stars-twinkle-another-factor/634072 "2012-09-17T01:15:11Z")
column Why do stars twinkle? - The Straight Dope There’s another factor in the twinkling of stars. Because the path of the light from a star is slightly different for each eye, the star also twinkles differently as seen… --- ## [Re: Martian Canals](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-martian-canals/634671)
**Author:** [@Andy\_A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_A)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2012, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-martian-canals/634671 "2012-09-14T18:37:57Z")
I remember that when I was in the 5th grade we had a book in the school about the solar system and explained that very thing about the canals on Mars and that the canals were seasonal and it even gave illustrations of th… --- ## [Is the earth getting heavier or lighter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-earth-getting-heavier-or-lighter/630951)
**Author:** [@Bakhesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bakhesh)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2012, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-earth-getting-heavier-or-lighter/630951 "2012-09-14T17:56:09Z")
Ok, so Earth is getting heavier by up to 100,000 tonnes per year. My follow up question is, does this affect the rotation of the planet? I seem to remember from high school physics that linear momentum is worked out by … --- ## [Degrees Kelvin](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/degrees-kelvin/634673)
**Author:** [@GSnyder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GSnyder)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2012, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/degrees-kelvin/634673 "2012-09-14T15:15:16Z")
With reference to the What is the Opposite of Absolute Zero? article, I believe it’s actually “kelvins” with a lowercase “k” and no “degrees” (although the abbreviation is K, and the name of the temperature scale is the … --- ## [Which of Cecil's columns has the most Facebook likes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-cecils-columns-has-the-most-facebook-likes/634643)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2012, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-cecils-columns-has-the-most-facebook-likes/634643 "2012-09-13T23:52:29Z")
I noticed the columns now include links for Facebook likes, and the number of likes for each column. Is there any way to search the columns on the number of likes? Maybe from within FB? Just curious if there is a way to … --- ## [Converting Celsius to Fahrenheit](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-celsius-to-fahrenheit/633998)
**Author:** [@GRobLewis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GRobLewis)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2012, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-celsius-to-fahrenheit/633998 "2012-09-13T19:57:05Z")
“At what temperature are the Fahrenheit and Celsius readings the same? People will look at you with newfound respect when you reveal the astonishing answer: minus 40.” Which explains why the easiest way to convert betwe… --- ## [asteroid mining](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asteroid-mining/634113)
**Author:** [@sheehanja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sheehanja)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2012, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asteroid-mining/634113 "2012-09-13T19:02:32Z")
Hi Cecil, sorry partner you blew it on asteroid mining. The problem is getting up there. Once your out in space you have the advantages of zero gravity, the most fantastic source of free energy(THE SUN), with very close … --- ## [Fahrenheit - Cecil missed something](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fahrenheit-cecil-missed-something/434839)
**Author:** [@GreenWyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenWyvern)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2012, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fahrenheit-cecil-missed-something/434839 "2012-09-13T15:52:42Z")
Please note that 212 - 32 = 180 The number of degrees from freezing point to boiling point on the fahrenheit scale is exactly 180 degrees, a fairly reasonable round number. This shows that Fahrenheit did in fact take … --- ## [Salty Seas](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salty-seas/633646)
**Author:** [@Mr.Fantastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Fantastic)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2012, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salty-seas/633646 "2012-09-10T08:40:23Z")
re: Why is the sea salty? - The Straight Dope How much of an impact do dead bodies contribute to the sea’s salt? Creatures have been dying and falling to the bottom of the ocean for billions of years. Surely the salt … --- ## [Addition to original question on methane from cows causing global warming](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/addition-to-original-question-on-methane-from-cows-causing-global-warming/633678)
**Author:** [@Rich0292](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rich0292)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2012, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/addition-to-original-question-on-methane-from-cows-causing-global-warming/633678 "2012-09-07T11:09:58Z")
It was answered that methane (gut bacteria working on cellulose) from cows does add towards greenhouse gases. However I want to know if it causes a net increase to the greenhouse effect or not. Grass must balence it’s r… --- ## [Moon Illusion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moon-illusion/633898)
**Author:** [@GregB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GregB)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2012, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moon-illusion/633898 "2012-09-07T05:37:02Z")
When the moon is on the horizon, stand with your back to the moon, bend forward and look at it upside down through your legs. The illusion vanishes! GregB --- ## [Mind Your P's and Q's](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mind-your-ps-and-qs/624344)
**Author:** [@cynyc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cynyc)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2012, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mind-your-ps-and-qs/624344 "2012-09-06T23:42:00Z")
I wouldn’t ask Cecil. I’d ask Pat: --- ## [The shape of a football](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shape-of-a-football/632479)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2012, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shape-of-a-football/632479 "2012-09-06T23:30:09Z")
Link to Cecil’s column: Why is a football called a pigskin On the origin of the shape of the football Cecil says: Bot didn’t American football simply adopt the shape of the rugby football? Or did they really both bec… --- ## [wasted water](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wasted-water/633597)
**Author:** [@J\_E\_Heyl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/J_E_Heyl)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2012, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wasted-water/633597 "2012-09-06T04:48:04Z")
Cecil, I must admit I am puzzled. It seems to me your recent most informative post was the answer a question that wasn’t asked. Arguably the Earth represents a closed system. I don’t imagine much water is being lost to… --- ## [Running from zombies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-from-zombies/633204)
**Author:** [@drewder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewder)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2012, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-from-zombies/633204 "2012-09-05T20:59:16Z")
In the article How long will electricity last during the zombie apocalypse the staff explored the idea of how long we would have before we ran out of power in the grid. My question is if you’re running from the zombie on… --- ## [Herpes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herpes/633110)
**Author:** [@pplepic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pplepic)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2012, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herpes/633110 "2012-09-05T20:35:26Z")
I’m not sure this would apply to every case of herpes and to get the medication I’m going to mention means getting a doctor’s prescription, but many years ago, --- ## [10,000 Women a year died from illegal abortions.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-000-women-a-year-died-from-illegal-abortions/633586)
**Author:** [@wissdok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wissdok)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2012, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-000-women-a-year-died-from-illegal-abortions/633586 "2012-09-05T04:01:18Z")
To start with, I am pro-choice and don’t have a direct reason to give the other-side free help, but I do have a question from one of the earlier columns. Over the weekend I was discussing abortion rights with a group of… --- ## [Cow tipping verdict?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cow-tipping-verdict/630779)
**Author:** [@PaterDeus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PaterDeus)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2012, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cow-tipping-verdict/630779 "2012-09-02T18:59:45Z")
Link to original article from 1990: Is there really such a thing as cow tipping? - The Straight Dope I think this one’s definitely false. Seems to me that if it truly were possible, some clown with a camera would’ve pu… --- ## [smartest? really?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smartest-really/583601)
**Author:** [@schitlman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/schitlman)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2012, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smartest-really/583601 "2012-08-31T19:42:49Z")
I am convinced that Isaac Asimov was in fact smarter than the amalgam (literally, a gold-mercury alloy) known as Cecil Adams. After reading a few hundred columns, I grudgingly admit that the Hydra - oops, I meant Cecil … --- ## [Hannibal wasn't black...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hannibal-wasnt-black/633232)
**Author:** [@blondesareeasy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondesareeasy)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2012, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hannibal-wasnt-black/633232 "2012-08-31T14:01:57Z")
He was coloured. And he was a she. So there. --- ## [Moon Illusion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moon-illusion/309652)
**Author:** [@Wallenstein](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallenstein)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2012, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moon-illusion/309652 "2012-08-31T01:10:15Z")
Why does the moon always look bigger at the horizon? This topic has been in the UK press over the last couple of days, as the angle of the moon this week made it appear vast on the horizon. Nice to see that the physics… --- ## [Did astronaut Neil Armstrong muff his historic "one small step" line?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-astronaut-neil-armstrong-muff-his-historic-one-small-step-line/632607)
**Author:** [@miltone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/miltone)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2012, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-astronaut-neil-armstrong-muff-his-historic-one-small-step-line/632607 "2012-08-30T18:33:10Z")
I heard (somewhere) that Neil was using a voice activated microphone. If so, then the sound of the letter “a” would have activated the mic but would not have been transmitted. I think those microphones work best for pe… --- ## [Rocket Man & Space Oddity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocket-man-space-oddity/491179)
**Author:** [@schitlman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/schitlman)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2012, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocket-man-space-oddity/491179 "2012-08-29T18:11:45Z")
I acknowledge that John & Taupin drew their inspiration from Bradbury. However, I suggest Bowie’s inspiration may have arisen from a story that appeared in Harlan Ellison’s ‘Dangerous Visions’ anthology. In that story,… --- ## ['Can we now transmute base substances into gold' And My Post...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-now-transmute-base-substances-into-gold-and-my-post/632536)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2012, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-now-transmute-base-substances-into-gold-and-my-post/632536 "2012-08-29T18:07:35Z")
Concerning this Cecil column about transmuting base substances into gold, I actually already explored this very topic in this thread not too long ago. I’m not bitter or anything. But I just thought I should point this o… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=53) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=55)