# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1058 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1059 --- ## [Dumb iPhone Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-iphone-question/728344)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2015, 9:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-iphone-question/728344 "2015-08-21T09:01:30Z")
My iPhone 4s has conked out, and I need to buy a new-to-me one. I use an AT&T pre-paid plan, so all I want to do is take the SIM card out of my dead iPhone and put it into a living one, and resume life as an AT&T smartph… --- ## [PVC fumes when heated](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pvc-fumes-when-heated/728175)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2015, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pvc-fumes-when-heated/728175 "2015-08-21T07:26:18Z")
PVC products like new shower curtains are known to emit toxic fumes, but is heat - say, 120 Celsius - likely to neutralize the fumes, or change them into something even worse? (I mean the fumes alone, not the PVC; imagi… --- ## [Do fire department captains report unruly drivers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-fire-department-captains-report-unruly-drivers/728284)
**Author:** [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2015, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-fire-department-captains-report-unruly-drivers/728284 "2015-08-21T05:27:24Z")
A few years ago I was riding in the car of Sheila, whom I have mentioned a number of times on this board. We were on an arterial street; she was behind the wheel, and I heard a siren–a fire engine was approaching from be… --- ## [Recorded Voice vs. Live Voice Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recorded-voice-vs-live-voice-question/728283)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2015, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recorded-voice-vs-live-voice-question/728283 "2015-08-21T05:16:19Z")
I know from experience that hearing a recording of my voice sounds odd to me, and it doesn’t matter if it’s a digital or analog recording. The reason, I believe, is because how I hear, e.g. using my two ears, is very dif… --- ## [Are treaty negotiations normally done in secret?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-treaty-negotiations-normally-done-in-secret/728111)
**Author:** [@Malden\_Capell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malden_Capell)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2015, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-treaty-negotiations-normally-done-in-secret/728111 "2015-08-21T05:10:41Z")
A few of my friends are very vocal of the dangers of the proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership deal (TTIP) currently being negotiated between the US and the EU. Merits of the proposed treaty aside, they… --- ## [Putative self-defense against police officer under U.S. law?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putative-self-defense-against-police-officer-under-u-s-law/728185)
**Author:** [@Donnerwetter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donnerwetter)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2015, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putative-self-defense-against-police-officer-under-u-s-law/728185 "2015-08-21T05:04:52Z")
This controversial case happened in Germany in 2010 and I’m interested to know (hypothetically) what the legal situation would have been in the United States, had it occurred there: \*A member of the Hells Angels motorcy… --- ## [Can drinking parsley and/or ginger tea coax your period on?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-drinking-parsley-and-or-ginger-tea-coax-your-period-on/557105)
**Author:** [@Gestalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gestalt)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2015, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-drinking-parsley-and-or-ginger-tea-coax-your-period-on/557105 "2015-08-21T03:14:02Z")
Warning: TMI first part: So, I’m a tad late, and a tad sexually active, and a tad careless with my pill takeage (often end up taking two pills one day and zero the day before and after). But, we are always super careful… --- ## [Deer droppings as vegetable garden fertilizer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deer-droppings-as-vegetable-garden-fertilizer/728393)
**Author:** [@steatopygia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steatopygia)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2015, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deer-droppings-as-vegetable-garden-fertilizer/728393 "2015-08-21T02:19:36Z")
Lots of deer droppings around this year, including 2 big females who put my 100 lb dog to shame. Can I skip the drive to my friends place where I collect her horse manure? Google gives conflicting answers and of course … --- ## [How come creationists believe the earth is 6 000 years old?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-creationists-believe-the-earth-is-6-000-years-old/572748)
**Author:** [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2015, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-creationists-believe-the-earth-is-6-000-years-old/572748 "2015-08-21T02:07:38Z")
I was chatting with some guys at a café and somehow we ended up talking about creationism in the USA. I mentioned “young earth” creationists who state that the world is 6 000 years old. Another guy, who happens to be J… --- ## [The Uncertainy Principle](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-uncertainy-principle/728258)
**Author:** [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2015, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-uncertainy-principle/728258 "2015-08-21T02:07:24Z")
Pulling a tangent from the Ex Machina thread in Cafe Society over to here, since it’s more of a General Questions type discussion. For background, here’s the jumping off point: A full understanding of quantum laws w… --- ## [Public Accommodation applicability question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-accommodation-applicability-question/728326)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2015, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-accommodation-applicability-question/728326 "2015-08-20T22:38:23Z")
A FB friend of my brother-in-law has just posted an argument that (boiled down to its essence), the 14th Amendment notwithstanding, the 9th and 10th Amendments render unconstitutional any attempts to apply any “places of… --- ## [Bible question: The rich man and Lazarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bible-question-the-rich-man-and-lazarus/728058)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2015, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bible-question-the-rich-man-and-lazarus/728058 "2015-08-20T22:04:00Z")
Back in my Bible story days, I read and heard the parable that Jesus told about the rich man and the beggar named Lazarus. I’ll asssume that everyone who might respond is familiar enough with the story to not require a c… --- ## [Excel question - sorting data from one worksheet into multiple worksheets](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-question-sorting-data-from-one-worksheet-into-multiple-worksheets/728264)
**Author:** [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2015, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-question-sorting-data-from-one-worksheet-into-multiple-worksheets/728264 "2015-08-20T20:12:20Z")
Is there a way to do a slicer or a sort to take a spreadsheet that contains sales data for multiple accounts and copy each account’s data onto a separate tab? Thanks! StG --- ## [Does this Scot Walker picture exist? Can you help me find it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-scot-walker-picture-exist-can-you-help-me-find-it/728362)
**Author:** [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2015, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-scot-walker-picture-exist-can-you-help-me-find-it/728362 "2015-08-20T20:04:02Z")
Somewhere in Iowa in the past few days, Walker was heckled by a Wisconsin group who held up protest signs during his rally. This is one picture of it. I’ve heard it reported that at some point Walker lost his temper an… --- ## [Marijuana black market suppression by legalization](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marijuana-black-market-suppression-by-legalization/725496)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2015, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marijuana-black-market-suppression-by-legalization/725496 "2015-08-20T19:12:22Z")
One of the advantages of legalizing mj is that it will suppress the black market. There’s been legalization in two states for a couple years now. Has anyone studied how much, if at all, the black market has been suppress… --- ## [Letting others hear your voice the way that you hear it.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/letting-others-hear-your-voice-the-way-that-you-hear-it/728345)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2015, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/letting-others-hear-your-voice-the-way-that-you-hear-it/728345 "2015-08-20T16:54:21Z")
Is there any device or app that distorts your voice so that people can hear your voice the way that you hear it when speaking? People tell me that I have a nice voice but I can’t stand it and I know that this is a commo… --- ## [Help figuring out a replacement video card](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-figuring-out-a-replacement-video-card/728140)
**Author:** [@rainy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rainy)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2015, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-figuring-out-a-replacement-video-card/728140 "2015-08-20T14:35:08Z")
Apparently I can’t figure this out myself…grrrrr. Computer is an HP Slimline Desktop Model no. s5603w Product No. BT434AA#ABA Serial No. 3CR0430KQG I thought this card would work based on Googling around MSI ATI … --- ## [Question about spray painting cars in 1960s "Detroit"...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-spray-painting-cars-in-1960s-detroit/728130)
**Author:** [@SirRay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SirRay)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2015, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-spray-painting-cars-in-1960s-detroit/728130 "2015-08-20T13:17:43Z")
Now, before the mods punt this to Café society, let me state why I think this is a general question. Also, take ‘Detroit’ as a stand in for US domestic automobile manufacturers. Coming across this rather cool Martha & T… --- ## [Computer problem: CD-ROM not running](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-problem-cd-rom-not-running/728181)
**Author:** [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2015, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-problem-cd-rom-not-running/728181 "2015-08-20T11:52:29Z")
I have a Dell Inspiron 570 Desktop, with a built-in DVD/CD-ROM. I went to use it yesterday, and after I put the CD in and closed the tray, nothing happened. I noticed the desktop icon for the D: drive is absent from the… --- ## [Open-air theater](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/open-air-theater/728033)
**Author:** [@Anduril](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anduril)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2015, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/open-air-theater/728033 "2015-08-20T11:12:33Z")
Are opera performances in open-air theaters unamplified? Just curious how the acoustics would be if unamplified? --- ## [ffolkes and ffrench](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ffolkes-and-ffrench/728293)
**Author:** [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2015, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ffolkes-and-ffrench/728293 "2015-08-20T07:08:40Z")
Not capitalized. Why? --- ## [Galaxies and Big Bang and So Forth](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/galaxies-and-big-bang-and-so-forth/728131)
**Author:** [@UncleFred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleFred)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2015, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/galaxies-and-big-bang-and-so-forth/728131 "2015-08-20T04:49:10Z")
Please excuse and correct any errors in the following, but I’ve come up with this question after cobbling together info from various sources. Galaxies are accelerating their separation from each other, possibly due to a… --- ## [How much will water expand as it gets colder?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-will-water-expand-as-it-gets-colder/728297)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2015, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-will-water-expand-as-it-gets-colder/728297 "2015-08-20T04:29:56Z")
I know that water will contract as it cools until it gets to about 4 degrees celsius and then as it cools it begins to expand again. After it freezes, how long does it continue to expand as it gets colder? Does it get … --- ## [Do bodies today need less embalming fluid.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-bodies-today-need-less-embalming-fluid/355686)
**Author:** [@solkoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solkoe)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2015, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-bodies-today-need-less-embalming-fluid/355686 "2015-08-20T03:45:48Z")
There is a myth out there (at least I think its bogus) that people who die in modern times, particularly elderly people, need less embalming fluid because the toxins accumulated in their bodies from living in an industr… --- ## [What, exactly, does the British monarch do for the Commonwealth?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-does-the-british-monarch-do-for-the-commonwealth/726707)
**Author:** [@NinjaChick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinjaChick)\ **Replies:** 118\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2015, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-does-the-british-monarch-do-for-the-commonwealth/726707 "2015-08-20T00:34:21Z")
I went on a tour of New Zealand’s parliament today and learned that the Prime Minister appoints the Governor General. The Governor General in turn is the individual who provides “royal” assent to passing legislation. I a… --- ## [Italian Tanks of WWII-Why So Bad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/italian-tanks-of-wwii-why-so-bad/727833)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2015, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/italian-tanks-of-wwii-why-so-bad/727833 "2015-08-20T00:23:47Z")
I was looking at a few Youtube videos, of WWII tanks. The Italians seem to have built some of the worse tanks of WWII-underpowered, thin armor, small guns. they were so weak that they were no match for even older allie… --- ## [Water bottle safe?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-bottle-safe/728272)
**Author:** [@Kbot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kbot)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2015, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-bottle-safe/728272 "2015-08-19T22:23:51Z")
The bottled water our company uses has the number 8 on the bottom of the bottle. It’s a stand alone 8 without the recycling symbol. I know the numerical range is 1 to 7 for plastics. If anyone has information about the … --- ## [Email campaign software?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/email-campaign-software/728269)
**Author:** [@amaguri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amaguri)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2015, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/email-campaign-software/728269 "2015-08-19T22:05:47Z")
I want to initiate an email campaign to all new hires that sends them various information on a daily basis over the span of a couple weeks. It seems like a relatively simple thing to do, but I can’t find a reasonable so… --- ## [Obtaining An Interim Security Clearance!! (HELP!)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obtaining-an-interim-security-clearance-help/622460)
**Author:** [@BCP10](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BCP10)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2015, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obtaining-an-interim-security-clearance-help/622460 "2015-08-19T19:21:01Z")
I was recently offered a position with a private company that produces a product for the US Navy. The position requires that I obtain and maintain a DOD interim security clearance (and then a secret Security clearance). … --- ## [has Anyone Invented Riskless Investing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-invented-riskless-investing/728069)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2015, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-invented-riskless-investing/728069 "2015-08-19T17:29:53Z")
The “Holy Grail” of investments would be one where you would get a high return, regardless of market/world conditions. this was tries years ago (Long term capital Management), wherein every investment with a positive Bet… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1057) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1059)