# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=96 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 97 --- ## [what do deaf people dream?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-deaf-people-dream/520130)
**Author:** [@kimj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kimj)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2009, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-deaf-people-dream/520130 "2009-12-11T15:01:31Z")
You write of pre-linguistic deaf people: “Often they were considered retarded, and in a sense they were: they’d never learned language, a process that primes the pump for much later development. The critical age range se… --- ## [large numbers of 2](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-numbers-of-2/519183)
**Author:** [@penitentserf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penitentserf)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2009, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-numbers-of-2/519183 "2009-12-10T16:58:29Z")
I disagree with the answer listed here: I propose the following alternative answer: So when, “2” is the set {2.0 \<= R \< 3.0}, then for large values of “2” it’s double is equal to the set “5”. That is to say, there ex… --- ## [Propylene glycol alginate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propylene-glycol-alginate/520622)
**Author:** [@Powers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Powers)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2009, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propylene-glycol-alginate/520622 "2009-12-10T04:55:57Z")
\[QUOTE=Gary K.\] “It sounds suspiciously similar to a famous antifreeze.” \[/QUOTE\] What’s suspicious about it? Sodium chloride is an antifreezing agent, too, but we need that just to live. (And of course, propylene… --- ## [What's new in black hole theory?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-new-in-black-hole-theory/515689)
**Author:** [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2009, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-new-in-black-hole-theory/515689 "2009-12-09T19:32:41Z")
Just wondering how this column holds up to current theory. Note added by Moderator: Cecil has responded to this post with a new column: What would happen if you were swallowed by a black hole (revisited)? - The Straig… --- ## [Truth Serums](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truth-serums/520058)
**Author:** [@JillGat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillGat)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2009, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truth-serums/520058 "2009-12-07T04:04:29Z")
In this column: http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2911/do-truth-serums-work, “Cecil” says, “Nothing so far suggests American authorities tried it (truth serums or other drugs), although it’s possible we turned sus… --- ## [A nitpick](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-nitpick/520247)
**Author:** [@Tyche](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tyche)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2009, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-nitpick/520247 "2009-12-07T03:47:33Z")
Cecil gives a full discussion of “exceptio probat regulam,” and (in response to Hugh) he mentions Cicero, in which he is absolutely correct. The man he was defending was from modern-day Cadiz in Spain, and there was an a… --- ## [Water Witching](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-witching/509722)
**Author:** [@Santa\_Cruz\_n](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Santa_Cruz_n)\ **Replies:** 283\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2009, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-witching/509722 "2009-12-05T13:24:41Z")
Thanks, Cecil. It’s nice to read a reasonable, skeptical explanation for this supposedly paranormal behavior. I’m a retired science teacher and in my science classes I would demonstrate this by using two welding rods b… --- ## [States and Straight Lines](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/states-and-straight-lines/517444)
**Author:** [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2009, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/states-and-straight-lines/517444 "2009-12-05T02:34:11Z")
On Cecil’s column How did the states establish long straight borders before GPS? Two critical books. Measuring America: How the United States Was Shaped By the Greatest Land Sale in History, by Andro Linklater. How th… --- ## [Truth and Goat Staring](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truth-and-goat-staring/520007)
**Author:** [@qazwart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/qazwart)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2009, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truth-and-goat-staring/520007 "2009-12-04T22:24:38Z")
I read The Men Who Stared at Goats a few years ago. Cecil’s mention of the one man who jumped out a hotel window during LSD testing reminded me that this episode is mentioned in the book. The man in question was Frank … --- ## [Klan Membership](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/klan-membership/519975)
**Author:** [@Celtic\_Druid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celtic_Druid)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2009, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/klan-membership/519975 "2009-12-04T21:36:51Z")
Klan Menbership \*\*They say the klan was made up from white anglo saxon folk.Many of the founders and indeed members were ashamedly of Scottish/Irish presbyterian decent who are not anglo saxon but of Celtic/gaelic sto… --- ## [The Holy Grail](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-holy-grail/519477)
**Author:** [@E\_C\_Coleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E_C_Coleman)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2009, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-holy-grail/519477 "2009-12-04T10:23:35Z")
Sir, I read Cecil’s answer to the question regarding the Holy Grail with great interest as he wrote exactly what I would have written - up until about a year ago. Since that time I have - almost by accident - discovere… --- ## [Aluminum Alzheimers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aluminum-alzheimers/518699)
**Author:** [@eightoh9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eightoh9)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2009, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aluminum-alzheimers/518699 "2009-12-04T01:45:50Z")
Cece! I know you wrote that classic gem about aluminum and Alzheimers more than a quarter of a century ago. Don’t you, in your omniscience, know when it’s going to be reposted and filter out dated stuff like this? The Al… --- ## [Guantanamo Base](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guantanamo-base/519526)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2009, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guantanamo-base/519526 "2009-12-03T20:08:51Z")
Cuba Base Column This column may deserve an update. Obviously a lots changed with Gitmo since June 17, 1994. I’ve been very surprised Castro hasn’t used current events as an excuse to raise heck about getting the base b… --- ## [How Public Libraries Got Started](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-public-libraries-got-started/519334)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2009, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-public-libraries-got-started/519334 "2009-12-03T15:04:15Z")
I found this article very interesting. It’s the first time I had read about the various approaches (Social Libraries, Circulating libraries etc.). I noticed private law libraries weren’t mentioned. I’ve read that lawye… --- ## [Surviving the electric chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surviving-the-electric-chair/519622)
**Author:** [@Pascal666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pascal666)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2009, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surviving-the-electric-chair/519622 "2009-12-03T02:13:20Z")
Link to column: What physically happens to someone electrocuted in the electric chair? - The Straight Dope --- ## [Reason for A paper size width/height ratio](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reason-for-a-paper-size-width-height-ratio/518436)
**Author:** [@Ermel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ermel)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2009, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reason-for-a-paper-size-width-height-ratio/518436 "2009-12-02T16:01:29Z")
Dear Straight Dope, in How did 8-1/2×11 and 8-1/2×14 become the standard paper sizes? - The Straight Dope Cecil writes: “All A sizes are in the proportion 1 wide by the square root of 2 deep (1:1.414…). It’s a bit comp… --- ## [What's the purpose of the pitcher's mound in baseball?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-purpose-of-the-pitchers-mound-in-baseball/519605)
**Author:** [@cctx62](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cctx62)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2009, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-purpose-of-the-pitchers-mound-in-baseball/519605 "2009-12-01T19:38:43Z")
Hi Cecil, Just a clarification regarding the most recent mound height change: the mound was changed to 10" after the 1968 “Year of the Pitcher” season (McClain, Gibson, etc.). Keep up the good work! Terry --- ## [elovultion question for dummies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elovultion-question-for-dummies/519480)
**Author:** [@myangela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/myangela)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2009, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elovultion-question-for-dummies/519480 "2009-11-30T19:32:20Z")
Please do not respond to this if you are looking for a reply from me. While I understand people are constantly looking for a way to debunk other peoples view on God and faith, I do have one simple food for thought. If we… --- ## [Black Holes, Spaghettification, and Quarks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-holes-spaghettification-and-quarks/519312)
**Author:** [@MeDrewNotYou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeDrewNotYou)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2009, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-holes-spaghettification-and-quarks/519312 "2009-11-30T00:40:16Z")
In Cecil’s latest column, he says the following: Is being torn to quarks possible? I thought that because of color confinement, the worst that could happen was being torn to protons/neutrons/electrons. Can we not sep… --- ## [King Herod's Loathsome Disease...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/king-herods-loathsome-disease/518356)
**Author:** [@emilswift](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emilswift)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2009, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/king-herods-loathsome-disease/518356 "2009-11-29T19:55:42Z")
I’d like to toss Fournier’s Gangrene into the mix. If you google that disease w/ K. Herod’s name, you’ll get LOTS of responses (doctors’ papers, NatGeo, etc.) arguing for Fournier’s. Personally, I’m inclined to accept th… --- ## [Need anal information quiiick!!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-anal-information-quiiick/517043)
**Author:** [@cescoto1010](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cescoto1010)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2009, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-anal-information-quiiick/517043 "2009-11-29T04:41:05Z")
Hello, I was just wondering if you could lead me in the right direction when it comes to looking up stats on Latin heterosexual anal sex. Its my last year at Hopkins, I have a huge presentation on this subject and can ba… --- ## [Resurrection of an old post \[victim living after beheading\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resurrection-of-an-old-post-victim-living-after-beheading/360389)
**Author:** [@enedra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enedra)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2009, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resurrection-of-an-old-post-victim-living-after-beheading/360389 "2009-11-28T13:36:19Z")
I was searching for a news story and tripped over a question about whether decapitated heads remain conscious. Cecil I don’t know how many beheadings you’ve seen but I’ve seen three. There is never a time when one is mor… --- ## [Babies in microwaves](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/babies-in-microwaves/518194)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2009, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/babies-in-microwaves/518194 "2009-11-27T18:53:17Z")
The column: Did a stoned babysitter once microwave a baby? - The Straight Dope It happened in Ohio four years ago, too, alas: 404 Not Found | wkyc.com --- ## [A 10 billion light year wide Black Hole? Huh?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-10-billion-light-year-wide-black-hole-huh/517969)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2009, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-10-billion-light-year-wide-black-hole-huh/517969 "2009-11-26T21:15:57Z")
From the article What would happen if you were swallowed by a black hole? Cecil says: That is a new one on me. How is that supposed to work? That would make the black hole a substantial part of the entire universe. N… --- ## [Hemp as alternative to cotton: less water](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hemp-as-alternative-to-cotton-less-water/517951)
**Author:** [@constanze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/constanze)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2009, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hemp-as-alternative-to-cotton-less-water/517951 "2009-11-26T02:09:53Z")
In a 1997 column,, Cecil adressed several aspects of the use of hemp today (and the not-existing conspiracy that supposedly killed it). He says among other things and Now, obviously the situation is different in Euro… --- ## [Relaxing Nicotine](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relaxing-nicotine/514071)
**Author:** [@Scantzen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scantzen)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2009, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relaxing-nicotine/514071 "2009-11-25T22:54:28Z")
Regarding the relaxing effects of the stimulant Nicotine (If nicotine is a stimulant, why does it seem to calm people? - The Straight Dope), I just wanted to mention a short film I saw about 30 years ago in JHS about cig… --- ## [INCORRECT: can-a-90-lb-chimp-clobber-a-full-grown-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incorrect-can-a-90-lb-chimp-clobber-a-full-grown-man/517411)
**Author:** [@volatileacid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/volatileacid)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2009, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incorrect-can-a-90-lb-chimp-clobber-a-full-grown-man/517411 "2009-11-25T20:11:41Z")
Your article cites a study that was reviewed and considered to be grossly exaggerated by the scientist who conducted the test back in the early 1900’s. On a review of strength, it was found that they in fact have twice … --- ## [Loud Car Stereo](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/loud-car-stereo/518311)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2009, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/loud-car-stereo/518311 "2009-11-25T14:54:33Z")
I know the keyword is permanently silence. How about discussing temporary measures? For example, my neighbors ham radio often came in though our tv. Back in the early 1980’s, our church’s PA system would pick up CB rad… --- ## [In a coon's age](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-a-coons-age/518696)
**Author:** [@dragonease](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dragonease)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2009, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-a-coons-age/518696 "2009-11-23T21:28:08Z")
could say when Hector was a pup --- ## [cyanogenic, not cyanogenetic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyanogenic-not-cyanogenetic/518383)
**Author:** [@WWoodland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WWoodland)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2009, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyanogenic-not-cyanogenetic/518383 "2009-11-22T20:49:45Z")
hi, in the answer about apricot pits, you used the term cyanogenetic; what you mean is cyanogenic -Woody [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=95) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=97)