# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=63 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 64 --- ## [Re: Malt Liquor](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-malt-liquor/613238)
**Author:** [@Ken\_Carman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ken_Carman)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2012, 9:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-malt-liquor/613238 "2012-02-18T09:50:03Z")
The column on malt liquor misses a few items: historical and otherwise. Malt liquor, unlike say a Barleywine or a Russian Imperial for just two examples, tends to have less body because they often use various means to pu… --- ## [Loose lips sink ships - Falklands?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/loose-lips-sink-ships-falklands/612523)
**Author:** [@Hagen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hagen)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2012, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/loose-lips-sink-ships-falklands/612523 "2012-02-17T16:22:48Z")
With the Falklands’ diplomatic situation in the news again, I decided that it was time to look up the 80s conflict. In it I discovered that the BBC broadcast news about the argentine bombs not fusing correctly prompting … --- ## [Peanut Shell Eschewers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peanut-shell-eschewers/612228)
**Author:** [@TheVicar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheVicar)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2012, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peanut-shell-eschewers/612228 "2012-02-17T15:30:40Z")
I have been eating peanuts, shells and all, for decades. After all, that’s where the salt, and/or fiber, and/or flavors (particularly with respect Hampton Farms’ “Hot Nuts”) mostly reside. Also have challenged shocked o… --- ## [Consciousness](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consciousness/137)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2012, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consciousness/137 "2012-02-17T04:28:14Z")
And just so with chimpanzees and sign language. They can memorize the rule book and the signs, but they don’t understand the abstract ideas behind the signs. Hence no language and no intellect, something only humans (so… --- ## [incandescent bulbs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incandescent-bulbs/611645)
**Author:** [@dangab](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dangab)\ **Replies:** 112\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2012, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incandescent-bulbs/611645 "2012-02-15T20:39:49Z")
I wonder whether the following factors are taken into account when drawing the energy balance between incandescent bulbs and CFL bulbs: Under continental climate you heat your house half the year, so no heat goes to wa… --- ## [Large Animals In Alaska You Could Survive Inside Of!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-animals-in-alaska-you-could-survive-inside-of/612513)
**Author:** [@ZEEMADMAN](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZEEMADMAN)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2012, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-animals-in-alaska-you-could-survive-inside-of/612513 "2012-02-15T02:12:53Z")
Sir, I have lived in Alaska since March of 1993. You overlooked Bears, (both Black Bears & Polar Bears) but I think more Importantly Moose. They are just about Everywhere Here, & I’ve seen one in My Yard that My 16# C… --- ## [Did Eskimos put their elderly on ice floes to die?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-eskimos-put-their-elderly-on-ice-floes-to-die/612741)
**Author:** [@davidleewilson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidleewilson)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2012, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-eskimos-put-their-elderly-on-ice-floes-to-die/612741 "2012-02-13T22:25:24Z")
fyi - the OED has ‘senicide’ but not ‘senilicide’ --- ## [(Un)Lucky 13](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/un-lucky-13/612449)
**Author:** [@MadScientist267](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadScientist267)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2012, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/un-lucky-13/612449 "2012-02-13T13:21:19Z")
After reading the article, I felt compelled to point out that the superstition runs deep - while there are many things where items appear in 13’s, there are a few where normal math indicates it should be used, and it isn… --- ## [Ketchup, it's what's for breakfast!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ketchup-its-whats-for-breakfast/610602)
**Author:** [@qazwart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/qazwart)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2012, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ketchup-its-whats-for-breakfast/610602 "2012-02-11T21:31:57Z")
Why is there no ketchup on a properly made hotdog? The real question is why is there only one style of ketchup. If I want mustard, there’s Dijon, Brown, Spicy, Yellow, honey, stone ground, Chinese, and shelf after shelf… --- ## [omni-, heba-, carni- vours](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omni-heba-carni-vours/612081)
**Author:** [@jabbas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jabbas)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2012, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omni-heba-carni-vours/612081 "2012-02-08T23:03:54Z")
As an amateur in most areas, it does not prevent me stirring the pot a bit; Man is an opportunism and when as a race did not have choices as we do now would eat most anything available. Meat contains the most nutrients … --- ## [Conservatives hate ambiguity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conservatives-hate-ambiguity/611462)
**Author:** [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2012, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conservatives-hate-ambiguity/611462 "2012-02-08T03:50:09Z")
In Cecil’s article Are blue states smarter than red states?, the Master states: \[underlining mine\] I’m not a conservative myself, but I absolutely hate ambiguity. For example, it riles me that there are no less than … --- ## [Non-lethal laser weapons](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-lethal-laser-weapons/608635)
**Author:** [@Strassia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Strassia)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2012, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-lethal-laser-weapons/608635 "2012-02-06T08:51:12Z")
Link to column. As someone who uses lasers all the time. I can say with certainty that a 100mw 488nm wavelength (blue) laser with a small beam size will sting like hell after about 3-5 seconds of exposure. I would gu… --- ## [Are video games good for you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-video-games-good-for-you/610907)
**Author:** [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2012, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-video-games-good-for-you/610907 "2012-02-05T18:16:13Z")
Column in question (emphasis added) Excellent point - especially novels. Early novels are filled with characters who deride novels as silly and intellectually damaging. --- ## [how and when did Margaret become peggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-and-when-did-margaret-become-peggy/565826)
**Author:** [@bubba51](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bubba51)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2012, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-and-when-did-margaret-become-peggy/565826 "2012-02-05T13:37:29Z")
I have read the how of why Margaret became Peggy but find it lacking. Can someone please tell me in terms I can really understand --- ## [Cecil - you posted a question back in 2006](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-you-posted-a-question-back-in-2006/611466)
**Author:** [@ChiefSadler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChiefSadler)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2012, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-you-posted-a-question-back-in-2006/611466 "2012-02-05T13:34:22Z")
A related question: what’s meant by the “knowledge of good and evil”? Ethical discrimination, knowing right from wrong. One problem with this interpretation: if Adam and Eve had no knowledge of right and wrong before ea… --- ## [Wilhelm Reich](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wilhelm-reich/611647)
**Author:** [@Da\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Da_Ghost)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2012, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wilhelm-reich/611647 "2012-02-03T14:27:07Z")
Let’s not ignore Reich’s contributions to psychology and the incredible influence it has had in developing the mind-body connection. --- ## [Straight Dope now the same age as Jack Benny (39)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-now-the-same-age-as-jack-benny-39/611529)
**Author:** [@whitetho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whitetho)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2012, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-now-the-same-age-as-jack-benny-39/611529 "2012-02-03T01:22:57Z")
Jack Benny (the FAMOUS mid-20th century comedian, for all you young whippersnappers) was famous in part for limiting his age to being 39. Today the Straight Dope, born 02-Feb-1973, celebrates the 39th anniversary of its … --- ## [Rise of Nations is obsolete](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rise-of-nations-is-obsolete/610891)
**Author:** [@lesizz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lesizz)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2012, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rise-of-nations-is-obsolete/610891 "2012-01-31T23:17:08Z")
The Rise of Nations video game mentioned in todays article is not compatible with win 7; it’s compatability goes only to XP. The game supposed to help “older adults” with certain brain functions. Hopefully it will help … --- ## [Eyeballs melted by atom bomb explosion's heat](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eyeballs-melted-by-atom-bomb-explosions-heat/611141)
**Author:** [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2012, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eyeballs-melted-by-atom-bomb-explosions-heat/611141 "2012-01-31T21:14:47Z")
Cecil is asked if a bright light can cause instant blindness, and offers this off-the-wall answer: And they were alive? It’s unclear here. I mean, that’s a high temperature, to pop eyeballs. Was it fatal, as one migh… --- ## [on the raisins in rasin bran](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-raisins-in-rasin-bran/611229)
**Author:** [@Jerry\_in\_Canada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jerry_in_Canada)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2012, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-raisins-in-rasin-bran/611229 "2012-01-31T16:10:28Z")
I suspect that in your answer to this question you may also have explained why farmers find new stones in their fields every spring. The movement of stones and small particles in the freeze thaw cycle also makes stones s… --- ## [partial hydrogenation of vegetable oils](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/partial-hydrogenation-of-vegetable-oils/610948)
**Author:** [@megavolts61](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/megavolts61)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2012, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/partial-hydrogenation-of-vegetable-oils/610948 "2012-01-30T18:48:44Z")
Hi Cecil, I don’t disagree with your explanation of hydrogenation of vegetable oils, but it could be said that a catalyst such as palladium or platinum is required to lower the activation energy required to break the do… --- ## [meaning of Yellowbellies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaning-of-yellowbellies/610971)
**Author:** [@bigben47](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bigben47)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2012, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaning-of-yellowbellies/610971 "2012-01-29T03:50:16Z")
I was born and raised in Lincolnshire UK and all of that time there were two origins of the term Yellow belly for folk coming from this City one is that the EELS not FROGS here in East Anglia have Yellow Bellies, as … --- ## [With 40 years of enlightenment, has Cecil...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-40-years-of-enlightenment-has-cecil/610581)
**Author:** [@RufusButterworth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RufusButterworth)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2012, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-40-years-of-enlightenment-has-cecil/610581 "2012-01-28T04:39:29Z")
. . .ever said “That’s the stupidest question I ever heard!” Or is this the first? --- ## [Dec, 1988 column on AIDS](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dec-1988-column-on-aids/610915)
**Author:** [@Claire\_Beauchamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claire_Beauchamp)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2012, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dec-1988-column-on-aids/610915 "2012-01-28T01:27:00Z")
A looney tunes state legislature here in TN is using this column as back-up for some outdated notions regarding AIDS. (See http://www.nashvillescene.com/pitw/archives/2012/01/26/stacey-campfield-on-the-origins-of-aids-i… --- ## [Superheating water](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superheating-water/610877)
**Author:** [@psythe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psythe)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2012, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superheating-water/610877 "2012-01-27T17:06:14Z")
From this article I believe that one can increase the effect by reducing the number of small cracks that occur in the recepticle in which you’re doing the microwaving. I forget how this was done in the article I got it… --- ## [668 Pull tabs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/668-pull-tabs/608617)
**Author:** [@agessn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/agessn)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2012, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/668-pull-tabs/608617 "2012-01-27T14:30:04Z")
Hi Cecil, Your answer that saving pull tabs is a waste is incorrect. The Shriners in Massachusetts collect tabs which are sold as scrap providing a fair amount of money to help pay for transportation of patients in the … --- ## [Could I take down a T. rex with my Beretta 9mm pistol?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-take-down-a-t-rex-with-my-beretta-9mm-pistol/598169)
**Author:** [@Capitalist\_Carter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capitalist_Carter)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2012, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-take-down-a-t-rex-with-my-beretta-9mm-pistol/598169 "2012-01-25T19:20:23Z")
The newer 50 caliber sniper rifles, exemplified by the Barrett light 50 is likely the best choice. Since its introduction in 1982 several competitors have made similar models. The light 50 would allow Jeramie Powers to… --- ## [Small nitpick about astrology...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-nitpick-about-astrology/610194)
**Author:** [@TheWerewolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheWerewolf)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2012, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-nitpick-about-astrology/610194 "2012-01-25T03:08:50Z")
While Cecil’s post about why astrology is bunk is correct in conclusion, he does make one small error about how astrology ‘works’. There are several different models, but most of them argue not that the planets directly… --- ## [Does Acupuncture really work (Article](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-acupuncture-really-work-article/609225)
**Author:** [@ericwnyc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ericwnyc)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2012, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-acupuncture-really-work-article/609225 "2012-01-24T15:20:04Z")
I came upon this Straight Dope article from 2000 about whether acupunture really works: The article concludes that there is NO evidence it works. Since it is so old, i am not sure this is the last word from Cecil, but … --- ## [Astrology in My Opinion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/astrology-in-my-opinion/609451)
**Author:** [@Liltees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liltees)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2012, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/astrology-in-my-opinion/609451 "2012-01-24T13:27:21Z")
I felt I had to respond with my opinion about astrology since your answer to whether astrology is real was little more than your opinion. Take a couple minutes to consider: if the way the Earth is positioned with the mo… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=62) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=64)