# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=55 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 56 --- ## [Energy requirements for transmutation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-requirements-for-transmutation/632605)
**Author:** [@waddlingeagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waddlingeagle)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2012, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-requirements-for-transmutation/632605 "2012-08-28T22:05:56Z")
I am surprised that Cecil did not mention how much energy is required to transmute base materials into gold. I remember reading a few years back (well, quite a few years back) that transmuting elements might become more… --- ## [zero-gee flame snuffing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zero-gee-flame-snuffing/632891)
**Author:** [@schitlman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/schitlman)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2012, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zero-gee-flame-snuffing/632891 "2012-08-28T11:40:30Z")
Aside from your well-wrought answer to the question, your penultimate statement put my teeth on edge. For your team to question the worth of the space program while enjoying its benefits in practically every waking mome… --- ## [Did medieval lords have "right of the first night" with the local brides?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-medieval-lords-have-right-of-the-first-night-with-the-local-brides/631977)
**Author:** [@hazmatdance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hazmatdance)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2012, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-medieval-lords-have-right-of-the-first-night-with-the-local-brides/631977 "2012-08-27T16:44:56Z")
When I was working in Boston, a colleague told me that his country had a traditional custom where the bride’s first night was spent with her FATHER IN LAW. Specifically, that he had the duty of deflowering her. My collea… --- ## [Hit by more raindrops running or standing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hit-by-more-raindrops-running-or-standing/631888)
**Author:** [@Michael\_Stephensen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael_Stephensen)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2012, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hit-by-more-raindrops-running-or-standing/631888 "2012-08-27T14:03:46Z")
Cecil, An easier way to perform your research would be to get two subjects, have them traverse the same parking lot in the rain at the same time, wearing the same clothing. You would like them both (especially the runn… --- ## [Regarding: What does "SOS" mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regarding-what-does-sos-mean/632702)
**Author:** [@Kaulbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaulbach)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2012, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regarding-what-does-sos-mean/632702 "2012-08-26T15:30:31Z")
Referencing What does "SOS" mean? - The Straight Dope I offer an alternative theory. Prior to telegraphs, trains used a system of whistle signals consisting of short or long blasts. Three long - Danger … three short - … --- ## [Where Does The Candle Wax Go?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-the-candle-wax-go/632375)
**Author:** [@scottybuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scottybuck)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2012, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-the-candle-wax-go/632375 "2012-08-25T12:29:34Z")
Cecil said: \>\>“Many people find the fact that burning produces water surprising. They shouldn’t. The great British scientist Michael Faraday used to do an annual lecture on the “chemical history of a candle” in which he… --- ## [union stations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/union-stations/632573)
**Author:** [@mike\_g](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mike_g)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2012, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/union-stations/632573 "2012-08-25T08:53:43Z")
you should have gone to a rail fan for advise on this first what you said is mostly true about most union stations except you ignored the big lake next to Chicago first all trains going east from Chicago have to go sou… --- ## ["Radioactive Boy Scout" line](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/radioactive-boy-scout-line/632492)
**Author:** [@chorpler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chorpler)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2012, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/radioactive-boy-scout-line/632492 "2012-08-24T23:00:36Z")
Regarding the lines at the end of today’s column about transmuting base metals into gold (link to column), about David Hahn getting radiation poisoning … the photos of David Hahn that made the news back in 2007 when he w… --- ## [Is there a God? I'm still not sure, Cecil.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-god-im-still-not-sure-cecil/630399)
**Author:** [@Legault](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Legault)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2012, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-god-im-still-not-sure-cecil/630399 "2012-08-24T19:20:09Z")
I may or may not be an atheist- still in the decision making process, as I have been for the past ten years- but I hold no prejudice when I say that the Great Cecil’s column on the existence of God left me deeply wanting… --- ## [Lynch mob mentality](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lynch-mob-mentality/632489)
**Author:** [@jamesbanville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jamesbanville)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2012, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lynch-mob-mentality/632489 "2012-08-24T14:48:22Z")
I never cease to be amazed and dismayed when people cheer and applaud prospective political candidates when they make speeches declaring what they are going to do for the community or for the country, or both. I’ve seen … --- ## [xkcd takes "What if everyone jumped" to new heights of speculation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-takes-what-if-everyone-jumped-to-new-heights-of-speculation/632158)
**Author:** [@RiverRunner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RiverRunner)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2012, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-takes-what-if-everyone-jumped-to-new-heights-of-speculation/632158 "2012-08-23T19:51:41Z")
I don’t see that this has been posted already, so I figured I would draw your attention to this xkcd blog post wherein Randall takes on the old chestnut What would happen if everyone on earth jumped at the same time. (H… --- ## [Star Registries Have Improved](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-registries-have-improved/632270)
**Author:** [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2012, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-registries-have-improved/632270 "2012-08-23T12:28:30Z")
Today’s column reported that offers to name stars for you are a scam. I would like to report that the scam has recently become sugar-coated. When my kids named a star for me for my birthday, a few years back, it came w… --- ## [Z for snoring, and Japan](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/z-for-snoring-and-japan/632315)
**Author:** [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2012, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/z-for-snoring-and-japan/632315 "2012-08-22T21:50:43Z")
In Cecil’s article at Why is the letter Z associated with sleep? - The Straight Dope , when describing how other cultures depict sleep or snoring in print or comics, he writes: " The Japanese use characters that transli… --- ## [Update on Can I Become a Scottish Laird for £30](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/update-on-can-i-become-a-scottish-laird-for-30/631986)
**Author:** [@Inchtalla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inchtalla)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2012, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/update-on-can-i-become-a-scottish-laird-for-30/631986 "2012-08-21T13:29:45Z")
Excellent article. However, since it was written the Lord Lyon has given his official view (which may be found under “Lairds” on the Lyon Court website. In it he affirms that Laird and Lord are not interchangeable and … --- ## [Slow vs Fast Boat to china](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slow-vs-fast-boat-to-china/630823)
**Author:** [@Blackspur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackspur)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2012, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slow-vs-fast-boat-to-china/630823 "2012-08-19T12:04:27Z")
You need to dig deeper. The Chinese did and still do talk about slow and fast boats between destinations. This got picked up in American listings for transits in newspapers and travel agencies. This was particularly r… --- ## [Evolutionary fitness and attractiveness](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evolutionary-fitness-and-attractiveness/630296)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2012, 8:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evolutionary-fitness-and-attractiveness/630296 "2012-08-18T08:20:50Z")
If evolution is all about survival of the fittest, why are we attracted to the cutest? Cecil’s column fixated mostly on male attraction to females based on hip ratios and body mass indexes, which misses out on most of a… --- ## [thou, thee, thine](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thou-thee-thine/627240)
**Author:** [@vowlshift](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vowlshift)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2012, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thou-thee-thine/627240 "2012-08-17T20:38:29Z")
I have read somewhere that the big reason for the loss of the familiar form of pronouns was due to the need to differentiate the state-sanctioned relionists from the rebel faction known as the Religious Society of Friend… --- ## [So what happened to Staff reports?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-happened-to-staff-reports/631788)
**Author:** [@Vicullum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vicullum)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2012, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-happened-to-staff-reports/631788 "2012-08-17T18:34:19Z")
There hasn’t been one in over a year now. Did they just decide to abandon the whole concept? --- ## [Why do so many cities have a union station?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-cities-have-a-union-station/631765)
**Author:** [@Marc\_Xenos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marc_Xenos)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2012, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-cities-have-a-union-station/631765 "2012-08-17T17:08:09Z")
I notice that Dallas is not one of those that has a “union” station. http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/828/why-do-so-many-cities-have-a-union-station In fact, it has a RE-union station. I thought it might be be… --- ## [Treating kidney stones with high explosives](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/treating-kidney-stones-with-high-explosives/628857)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2012, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/treating-kidney-stones-with-high-explosives/628857 "2012-08-16T19:22:30Z")
Inspired by today’s column: Years ago, I saw a show where a urologist was surgically treating kidney stones using a catheter tipped with a minute amount of PETN or something similar, and using a scope, placed it next to… --- ## [11-digit postal codes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/11-digit-postal-codes/631558)
**Author:** [@david\_42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/david_42)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2012, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/11-digit-postal-codes/631558 "2012-08-15T22:22:32Z")
I think the USPS has been adding these to everything lately, so they can hire people further down on the list. My carrier got extremely upset when I put up a new delivery box, because it changed the order of the boxes al… --- ## [French police](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-police/631503)
**Author:** [@Vladwriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vladwriter)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2012, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-police/631503 "2012-08-15T15:22:45Z")
Gens d’arme is more correctly translated as ‘men at arms’, a term which was used in English. A squire was an apprentice knight, not merely a man at arms. --- ## [The 17/23 correlation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-17-23-correlation/631426)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2012, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-17-23-correlation/631426 "2012-08-14T23:48:40Z")
Could he have meant the 17/29 correlation? That is, 1729 is the Hardy–Ramanujan number. --- ## [Vaginal Lubrication?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vaginal-lubrication/631385)
**Author:** [@wwwquestion1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wwwquestion1)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2012, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vaginal-lubrication/631385 "2012-08-14T15:57:51Z")
I was reading Mojave66’s staff Report (How do men get sexually transmitted diseases?) and I encountered a statement that didn’t make any sense to me. “Female arousal includes a lubrication phase that squeezes water out … --- ## [Official message board thread of the Olympic Games](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-message-board-thread-of-the-olympic-games/434907)
**Author:** [@Powers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Powers)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2012, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-message-board-thread-of-the-olympic-games/434907 "2012-08-14T15:51:04Z")
Classics: Is there an official Olympic everything? Sadly, Eastman Kodak last year announced that they would no longer be a worldwide sponsor for the Olympic games, effective after the 2008 summer games. As a Rochesteri… --- ## [Wasting water](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wasting-water/631075)
**Author:** [@david\_42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/david_42)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2012, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wasting-water/631075 "2012-08-14T02:19:22Z")
You failed to address, except in passing, the core of the problem. The amount of fresh, potable water is limited in almost all areas of the world. Above ground sources, in most parts of the USA, are being used at the max… --- ## [Southpaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/southpaw/631421)
**Author:** [@Beruang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beruang)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2012, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/southpaw/631421 "2012-08-14T00:18:15Z")
Regarding the origin of this term as applied to baseball: Cecil notes, correctly, that the term first appears in print in 1848, in reference to boxing. And he is of course correct in noting that baseball’s antecedents … --- ## [where do the solids go?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-the-solids-go/630561)
**Author:** [@grempa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grempa)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2012, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-the-solids-go/630561 "2012-08-13T20:55:36Z")
the answer re candle wax does not explain where the solids in the candle wax go. Put differently: weigh 100 sq.ft. by 12 in of soil = weight A Plant a tree and let it grow to maturity. Dig up the tree and burn it, root… --- ## [How come archaeological ruins are always underground?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-archaeological-ruins-are-always-underground/631309)
**Author:** [@racunniff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racunniff)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2012, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-archaeological-ruins-are-always-underground/631309 "2012-08-12T22:26:49Z")
Link to original article: How come archaeological ruins are always underground? - The Straight Dope Seems to me, another plausible reason would be selection bias. Ruins / artifacts which are not buried get eroded away,… --- ## [Is head-butting for real?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-head-butting-for-real/630625)
**Author:** [@shawnj72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shawnj72)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2012, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-head-butting-for-real/630625 "2012-08-11T01:02:49Z")
In this column, the soccer player Zidane’s headbutt to the chest was used as an example, but here’s a much better example. A sore-loser high school wrestler headbutts the ref in the side of the face, knocking him uncons… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=54) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=56)