# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=67 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 68 --- ## [Life after death.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-after-death/602271)
**Author:** [@Indian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indian)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2011, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-after-death/602271 "2011-11-08T16:15:53Z")
Column. Whatever happened to an experiment in a NY hospital emergency room, where they painted some patterns on the floor, to check if patients with NDEs could remember those patterns later? --- ## [Has Cecil ever addressed the question of god?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-cecil-ever-addressed-the-question-of-god/596494)
**Author:** [@bldysabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bldysabba)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2011, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-cecil-ever-addressed-the-question-of-god/596494 "2011-11-06T18:00:35Z")
It would seem like a fairly important question in the fight against ignorance, yet I couldn’t find the equivalent of “Does god exist?” in the archives. Was there ever an article about this or equivalent topic? --- ## [Notional meaning of "God"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/notional-meaning-of-god/601974)
**Author:** [@PATRICK2106](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PATRICK2106)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2011, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/notional-meaning-of-god/601974 "2011-11-05T20:34:09Z")
God is a word we use as a placeholder or name for an ultimate intellectual schema. That is also Thomas Aquinas’ effort in distilling “proof” for God’s existence. The question is not really one of God’s existence or non-… --- ## [Excessive body hair](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excessive-body-hair/601551)
**Author:** [@Phea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phea)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2011, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excessive-body-hair/601551 "2011-11-04T14:06:22Z")
Cyclists, at least male cyclists, often get a bad rap because they shave their arms and legs. Most people assume it’s to give them some sort of silly aerodynamic edge. The real reason it’s done, is they all realize that… --- ## [The Statue of Liberty's arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-statue-of-libertys-arm/601843)
**Author:** [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2011, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-statue-of-libertys-arm/601843 "2011-11-04T13:44:35Z")
In this recently run classic column the question “Could you go into the Statue of Liberty’s arm” was answered in 1987 by the Perfect Master, “Once but not any more.” Thanks to our modern technical age, the answer is now… --- ## ["zombies are imaginary"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zombies-are-imaginary/601074)
**Author:** [@whitetho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whitetho)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2011, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zombies-are-imaginary/601074 "2011-11-02T14:59:30Z")
In Is the stench of massed zombies toxic? our all-too-confident seer proclaims: \[QUOTE=Unca Cece italics added\] We don’t know for certain that’s the case, and since zombies are imaginary, we won’t soon find out. \[/quo… --- ## [Gladiator's thumb down](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gladiators-thumb-down/600838)
**Author:** [@Momotaro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Momotaro)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2011, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gladiators-thumb-down/600838 "2011-11-02T14:56:21Z")
I saw a documentary many years ago that had an interesting and very plausible explanation of the thumbs down gesture. What prompted this theory was the discovery of several gladiator skeletons that, naturally enough, sh… --- ## [Buying a star](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-star/453119)
**Author:** [@Catpawmistress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catpawmistress)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2011, 9:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-star/453119 "2011-11-02T09:32:12Z")
Since starlight could continue to travel to earth long after the star has died, isn’t it possible that when you purchase a star, it might not be there and could have died out millions of years ago? :dubious: --- ## [F\*\*\*in A](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/f-in-a/85990)
**Author:** [@epraz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epraz)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2011, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/f-in-a/85990 "2011-10-31T16:55:10Z")
OK…so what does the A in “f\*\*\*in A” stand for? NOTE ADDED BY CKDH (28-Oct-2011): This thread was originally posted in General Questions Forum, back in 2001. In 2003, the question was answered by a Staff Report, found h… --- ## [Phil Collins/ In the air Tonight](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phil-collins-in-the-air-tonight/601051)
**Author:** [@ROCKNROLLJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ROCKNROLLJ)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2011, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phil-collins-in-the-air-tonight/601051 "2011-10-30T19:42:01Z")
TESTAMENT…It did happen…!! 1979 Huntington Beach Ca…I was there…A church group of college age kids…about 12 guys and girls…temp of the water was about 52 degrees…A young Phil Collins ran up to our group yelling he’s dro… --- ## [ECT- Living Better Electrically](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ect-living-better-electrically/272)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2011, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ect-living-better-electrically/272 "2011-10-29T20:19:26Z")
AH, Cecil. Finally a topic I have more than a modicum of information about. As a healthcare provider (ghastly euphemism) I’ve assisted in administering Electro-Convulsive Therapy (ECT) to at least 60 patients in the pas… --- ## [Was the melody of "The Star Spangled Banner" taken from an old drinking song?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-melody-of-the-star-spangled-banner-taken-from-an-old-drinking-song/601068)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2011, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-melody-of-the-star-spangled-banner-taken-from-an-old-drinking-song/601068 "2011-10-28T15:12:00Z")
Link to Cecil’s column Cecil says in his column, “Amazingly, the Anacreontic Society still exists in England.” No, it doesn’t. What exists is a modern Scottish re-creation, which is a very different kettle of fish. The … --- ## [Why do pigeons bob their heads?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-pigeons-bob-their-heads/600718)
**Author:** [@klaudiazinc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/klaudiazinc)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2011, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-pigeons-bob-their-heads/600718 "2011-10-27T22:10:37Z")
I must say you really don’t need to correct this Cecil person so much as I am now thoroughly confused as to why pigeons bob their heads.:confused: Sincerely, Anonymous. --- ## [Lightening during snowstorms](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lightening-during-snowstorms/596915)
**Author:** [@Schyler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schyler)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2011, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lightening-during-snowstorms/596915 "2011-10-27T16:43:06Z")
My husband is a 4th generation farmer. Here in Nebraska there IS lightening during snowstorms. But according to info handed down to him from his Grandfather lightening in December predicts destructive hail in the same … --- ## [Maybe sleeping in a closed room with an electric fan DOES cause death?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maybe-sleeping-in-a-closed-room-with-an-electric-fan-does-cause-death/600409)
**Author:** [@anyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyi)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2011, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maybe-sleeping-in-a-closed-room-with-an-electric-fan-does-cause-death/600409 "2011-10-26T12:18:02Z")
I always thought fan death was silly after Cecil’s article: Will sleeping in a closed room with an electric fan cause death? Then I stumbled across this article today, by Ask a Korean!, one of my favorite blogs: Fan D… --- ## [Square trees?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/square-trees/599632)
**Author:** [@david\_42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/david_42)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2011, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/square-trees/599632 "2011-10-25T15:23:53Z")
A bit of an update on the idea of wasted wood. I live near the largest softwood mill in the USA and believe me, nothing gets thrown away. Here’s how it works: Log gets debarked -\> produces: landscaping bark, large, medi… --- ## [Just to clarify: dysphonetics indicates dyslexia?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-to-clarify-dysphonetics-indicates-dyslexia/600635)
**Author:** [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2011, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-to-clarify-dysphonetics-indicates-dyslexia/600635 "2011-10-25T00:53:57Z")
So frequent switching around or missing syllables indicates dyslexia? Even if the person really enjoys reading and generally does well in school? (And how’s this for irony: on my first reading I saw that as “dysphonic… --- ## [Article in need of some italicising.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/article-in-need-of-some-italicising/600233)
**Author:** [@gamerunknown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gamerunknown)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2011, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/article-in-need-of-some-italicising/600233 "2011-10-23T12:56:38Z")
(Camels and eyes of needles). Would be worth pointing out that Jesus also said to give one’s coat to anyone that asked, along with considering the naked lilies of the field. I’m not sure how often those passages are br… --- ## [WWIII: Why fire pre-emptively?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwiii-why-fire-pre-emptively/599412)
**Author:** [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2011, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwiii-why-fire-pre-emptively/599412 "2011-10-21T23:09:50Z")
Reading this column on WWIII potentially being started by a flock of geese made me think about an implicit assumption often made in these scenarios. Basically the reasoning seems to be, that if we had reasonable confide… --- ## [English Spelling and Grammar](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-spelling-and-grammar/600361)
**Author:** [@Temugen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Temugen)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2011, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-spelling-and-grammar/600361 "2011-10-21T15:03:51Z")
“you friended a bunch of jerks” should be “you befriended a bunch of jerks”. And, yes, I would hate to be someone learning English as a second language—especially regarding spelling. I think poor spelling is due to car… --- ## [New, maybe, idea for faggot to homosexual](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-maybe-idea-for-faggot-to-homosexual/600102)
**Author:** [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2011, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-maybe-idea-for-faggot-to-homosexual/600102 "2011-10-19T18:51:39Z")
I did a couple of searches without hitting anything so here goes, I’m reading Life on the Mississippi, by\*\* Mark Twain\*\*, originally published in 1883 and I came across an interesting use of fag on the last page of chap… --- ## [Smokes vs Bacon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smokes-vs-bacon/595700)
**Author:** [@Manduck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manduck)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2011, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smokes-vs-bacon/595700 "2011-10-14T23:22:38Z")
Here’s the link: http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/3013/whats-worse-for-your-health-bacon-or-cigarettes This column says that a smoking pack a day of cigarettes increases your risk of death by 202 percent. That … --- ## [Is the government spraying stuff into the atmosphere to protect us?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-government-spraying-stuff-into-the-atmosphere-to-protect-us/598886)
**Author:** [@waynemcdougall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waynemcdougall)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2011, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-government-spraying-stuff-into-the-atmosphere-to-protect-us/598886 "2011-10-19T13:50:48Z")
Link to column: Is the government spraying stuff into the atmosphere to protect us? Mr C. Adams writes: Now I know he is not claiming this the first book to mention the notion, and nor am I. But one I clearly remember… --- ## [Dr. Henry Holmes's bizarre "castle"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-henry-holmess-bizarre-castle/600030)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2011, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-henry-holmess-bizarre-castle/600030 "2011-10-18T14:55:19Z")
From here: Did Dr. Henry Holmes kill 200 people at a bizarre “castle” in 1890s Chicago? - The Straight Dope Dr. Holmes’s grisly tale was later, of course, the subject of Erik Larson’s 2003 bestseller The Devil in the Wh… --- ## [Those Big Telescopes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-big-telescopes/599872)
**Author:** [@Dave\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dave_L)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2011, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-big-telescopes/599872 "2011-10-17T19:16:32Z")
I might need up to be updated on the lastest on spy scopes because the last answer I read was posted in 1987, (archives).If we can see the deepest regions of the universe, like all the way across almost, why shouldn’t w… --- ## [Lilith](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lilith/599916)
**Author:** [@ARIGG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ARIGG)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2011, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lilith/599916 "2011-10-17T19:08:11Z")
:cool:I was commenting to my man that Lilith supposedly is a she-demon who kills babies and he replied she probably was just a midwife … --- ## [Oak Island](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oak-island/599484)
**Author:** [@Professor\_Longnose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Professor_Longnose)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2011, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oak-island/599484 "2011-10-14T16:51:31Z")
Cecil’s column on Oak Island (What’s the scoop on the mysterious buried treasure at Oak Island? - The Straight Dope) was posted as the daily Straight Dope column, which reminded me that I read a Skeptical Inquirer articl… --- ## [Rice-burner?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rice-burner/598381)
**Author:** [@Spankenstein89](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spankenstein89)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2011, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rice-burner/598381 "2011-10-13T22:01:47Z")
Rice-burner? Don’t be racist Cecil. I’m surprised at you. --- ## [reply to "What's the best way to kill cockroaches?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reply-to-whats-the-best-way-to-kill-cockroaches/583737)
**Author:** [@its4enjoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/its4enjoy)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2011, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reply-to-whats-the-best-way-to-kill-cockroaches/583737 "2011-10-12T18:03:39Z")
Below is a small experiment that i am thinking, for killing cockroaches almost no mess in kitchen I guess there should be someway to create a small box (death home) for cockroaches, where we should place lavish food for… --- ## [Does Acupuncture Work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-acupuncture-work/597031)
**Author:** [@qazwart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/qazwart)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2011, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-acupuncture-work/597031 "2011-10-12T00:55:39Z")
I’ll start the thread for this column. I don’t know if acupuncture works or not. However, a friend of mine was going to her acupuncturist and told me to come along to see about my allergies. I came, but I wasn’t really … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=66) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=68)