# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=107 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 108 --- ## [Why do houses explode?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-houses-explode/995491)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2024, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-houses-explode/995491 "2024-01-04T15:32:27Z")
The obvious answer to the subject line involves the ignition of flammable material, almost always an accumulation of natural gas or propane inside the home. But is there a common point of failure that is frequently poin… --- ## [Can I sell my cable box?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-sell-my-cable-box/995465)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2024, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-sell-my-cable-box/995465 "2024-01-04T14:15:33Z")
Not that I’m going to. Just wondering. One of my U-verse boxes went to shit and A.T.&T. is shipping me a new one. I got an email that said " Your new equipment is on the way and should be arriving soon. There’s no need… --- ## [Are the rules for introducing defensive evidence more lenient than for introducing prosecutorial evidence?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-rules-for-introducing-defensive-evidence-more-lenient-than-for-introducing-prosecutorial-evidence/988488)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2024, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-rules-for-introducing-defensive-evidence-more-lenient-than-for-introducing-prosecutorial-evidence/988488 "2024-01-04T11:24:16Z")
AIUI, the defense has significant advantages in any criminal case, due to the presumption of innocence and burden being on the prosecution. One factor is that the prosecution has tough rules to meet in terms of evidence… --- ## [Do you need to replace brake rotors when replacing brake pads?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-need-to-replace-brake-rotors-when-replacing-brake-pads/989380)
**Author:** [@jebert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jebert)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2024, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-need-to-replace-brake-rotors-when-replacing-brake-pads/989380 "2024-01-04T11:13:42Z")
It’s been a number of years since I installed new brake pads on a car as a do-it-yourselfer, and I always just used new pads and didn’t do anything with the rotors. I just had a safety inspection, and they told me the br… --- ## [Are zoot suits still banned in Los Angeles?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-zoot-suits-still-banned-in-los-angeles/994948)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2024, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-zoot-suits-still-banned-in-los-angeles/994948 "2024-01-04T10:49:08Z")
‘It is illegal to wear a zoot suit in Los Angeles.’ (Unless you’re a performer.) This has been claimed on several ‘weird laws that still exist’ sites. Question: Is the zoot suit ban still on the books? If not, when w… --- ## [Have we tested the creativity of AI, and would these examples be good tests?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-we-tested-the-creativity-of-ai-and-would-these-examples-be-good-tests/995376)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2024, 9:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-we-tested-the-creativity-of-ai-and-would-these-examples-be-good-tests/995376 "2024-01-04T09:31:52Z")
Tangentially inspired by the pit thread regarding AI generated responses in FQ. Has anyone tested the capacity of AI to think up new scientific ideas? Let’s say we let the AI train only on material that was available a… --- ## [Applauding By Smacking The Back Of The Right Hand Against The Palm Of The Left](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/applauding-by-smacking-the-back-of-the-right-hand-against-the-palm-of-the-left/995453)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2024, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/applauding-by-smacking-the-back-of-the-right-hand-against-the-palm-of-the-left/995453 "2024-01-03T21:09:13Z")
On a TV show I watch, one of the characters is a foppish, somewhat-pompous American male who served in the Revolutionary War. When he applauds, he does so by smacking the back of his right hand into the palm of his left,… --- ## [No video files will play on ANY player on my Windows 7 computer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-video-files-will-play-on-any-player-on-my-windows-7-computer/995458)
**Author:** [@ranwill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ranwill)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2024, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-video-files-will-play-on-any-player-on-my-windows-7-computer/995458 "2024-01-03T18:37:39Z")
This is an issue with my Windows 7 computer. No locally stored videos or DVDs will play using either Windows Media Player, Media Player Classic, ALShow or VLC. When I try to play a video or DVD I get the error message: … --- ## [Uncommonly Tall African Slaves](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uncommonly-tall-african-slaves/995320)
**Author:** [@Caribbean\_cruiser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caribbean_cruiser)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2024, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uncommonly-tall-african-slaves/995320 "2024-01-03T16:35:01Z")
I’ve read a great deal about the Africa-to-Americas slave trade, yet have never seen a single historical account about uncommonly tall African slaves among the estimated 12 million Africans shipped to North and South Ame… --- ## [De Beers, Monopoly, and Diamond Prices](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/de-beers-monopoly-and-diamond-prices/990777)
**Author:** [@Hermitian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hermitian)\ **Replies:** 146\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2024, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/de-beers-monopoly-and-diamond-prices/990777 "2024-01-02T23:12:31Z")
So it seems like the standard explanation on the internet for decades has been “diamonds are not rare, it is just that De Beers keeps prices high by artificially restricting the market.” This always had me scratching m… --- ## [Every Atom in Your Body Is Replaced every 5 Years](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/every-atom-in-your-body-is-replaced-every-5-years/994147)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2024, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/every-atom-in-your-body-is-replaced-every-5-years/994147 "2024-01-02T23:10:50Z")
Or so I heard Michael from Vsauce say. Checking around it seems to be true: “Studies at the Oak Ridge Atomic Research Center have revealed that about 98 percent of all the atoms in a human body are replaced every year. … --- ## [Marxist labor theory of value](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marxist-labor-theory-of-value/995430)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2024, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marxist-labor-theory-of-value/995430 "2024-01-02T20:40:47Z")
How did proponents of this theory counter the obvious objection that work can be squandered? --- ## [Why do old book bindings mostly appear red?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-old-book-bindings-mostly-appear-red/995311)
**Author:** [@Hermitian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hermitian)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2024, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-old-book-bindings-mostly-appear-red/995311 "2024-01-02T15:54:21Z")
So we went on a tour of the Library of Congress and in one wing they had Thomas Jefferson’s old library. From their website: "By 1814 when the British burned the nation’s Capitol and the Library of Congress, Jefferson … --- ## [Was the other driver in Rick Allen's 1984 car crash ever caught?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-other-driver-in-rick-allens-1984-car-crash-ever-caught/995322)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2024, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-other-driver-in-rick-allens-1984-car-crash-ever-caught/995322 "2024-01-02T15:25:43Z")
Some background: Rick Allen (drummer) - Wikipedia And see: Def Leppard’s Rick Allen On The 1984 Corvette Accident That Took His Arm Google has failed me. Anyone know? --- ## [Middle aged male, top speed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-aged-male-top-speed/994420)
**Author:** [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2024, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-aged-male-top-speed/994420 "2024-01-02T11:12:05Z")
I wasn’t sure if this should be in FQ or IMHO. If it should be moved, that’s fine by me. I have a new watch that tracks my workouts, including speed and top speed. Two weeks in a row, it showed a top speed of around 2… --- ## [Guards supervising imates of the opposite sex](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guards-supervising-imates-of-the-opposite-sex/271550)
**Author:** [@Hadrian0117](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hadrian0117)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2004, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guards-supervising-imates-of-the-opposite-sex/271550 "2004-10-28T21:13:59Z")
Why are female guards allowed to supervise male inmates (or vice versa) while they’re showering, using the toilet, during cavity searchs etc. I know sex discrimination is illegal but don’t those laws not apply when one’s… --- ## [Cars up on blocks -- why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cars-up-on-blocks-why/8270)
**Author:** [@davidw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidw)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2000, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cars-up-on-blocks-why/8270 "2000-03-07T23:55:00Z")
We’ve all seen the front yards with the broken down cars up on cinder blocks. But why remove the tires and put the cars on blocks? I never understood that. --- ## [Wax museums - what about the bodies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wax-museums-what-about-the-bodies/995421)
**Author:** [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2023, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wax-museums-what-about-the-bodies/995421 "2023-12-31T21:34:17Z")
Wax museums date back at least until to the 18th century, where famous people, often criminals, were often the subjects. Nowadays, they make the bodies of the wax figures from fiberglass and aluminum, two substances tha… --- ## [Energy needs of UNIVAC type computers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-needs-of-univac-type-computers/993501)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 125\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2023, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-needs-of-univac-type-computers/993501 "2023-12-31T21:02:09Z")
What are/were the energy needs of the old UNIVAC type computers verses, say, a new iMac? If the difference is a lot, how much less energy will future computers need? --- ## [Fouled spark plug in engine with 10 minutes total run time?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fouled-spark-plug-in-engine-with-10-minutes-total-run-time/995363)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2023, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fouled-spark-plug-in-engine-with-10-minutes-total-run-time/995363 "2023-12-31T20:27:10Z")
My new leaf blower died after 10 minutes of use and I took it to the warranty service place. They found the spark plug was blackened and fouled and would not ignite the fuel. They replaced it, and now it seems to work OK… --- ## [How does the President have the power to veto a trade commission ruling?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-president-have-the-power-to-veto-a-trade-commission-ruling/995183)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2023, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-president-have-the-power-to-veto-a-trade-commission-ruling/995183 "2023-12-31T20:05:27Z")
This refers to the Apple watch ban the ITC put into affect on patent infringement grounds. FIrst, I’ll avoid the fact that I don’t understand why this is in the executive branch, where I thought, patent infringement cas… --- ## [Are car dealers incentivized by the date the deal is signed or the date the car is delivered (need answer fast)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-car-dealers-incentivized-by-the-date-the-deal-is-signed-or-the-date-the-car-is-delivered-need-answer-fast/995369)
**Author:** [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2023, 9:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-car-dealers-incentivized-by-the-date-the-deal-is-signed-or-the-date-the-car-is-delivered-need-answer-fast/995369 "2023-12-31T09:49:12Z")
Is there any incentive for a new car dealer to cut a deal before the end of the calendar year for a car which has not arrived on the lot yet (and might not arrive for a month or so)? Mrs. Martian is convinced that astoun… --- ## [Small propane tank storage rules](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-propane-tank-storage-rules/995370)
**Author:** [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2023, 9:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-propane-tank-storage-rules/995370 "2023-12-31T09:45:52Z")
In the below video of a teardrop trailer, the front storage box has both the battery and the propane tank. I do not know if the compartment is vented. Is there some DOT or other rule that would apply here? (OSHA rules… --- ## [Why do some champagne bottles explode/shatter in your hands?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-champagne-bottles-explode-shatter-in-your-hands/543047)
**Author:** [@Logical\_Phallacy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Logical_Phallacy)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2023, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-champagne-bottles-explode-shatter-in-your-hands/543047 "2023-12-30T22:14:01Z")
I’ve recently become interested in the art of sabrage, that is, opening champagne (or beer, if you must) with a sabre or chef’s knife. Essentially, the technique involves applying a buncha pressure to the point of stres… --- ## [Buy, Rent, or Online: How do today's college students acquire their textbooks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buy-rent-or-online-how-do-todays-college-students-acquire-their-textbooks/994950)
**Author:** [@Caribbean\_cruiser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caribbean_cruiser)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2023, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buy-rent-or-online-how-do-todays-college-students-acquire-their-textbooks/994950 "2023-12-30T21:35:40Z")
I just read about the ever-increasing cost of college textbooks as some STEM texts are now priced well north of 400 USD. Questions: I know students can purchase texts from the campus bookstore and e-stores, but genera… --- ## [If super-strong acids like sulfuric acid could be ingested without harm, would they taste extremely sour?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-super-strong-acids-like-sulfuric-acid-could-be-ingested-without-harm-would-they-taste-extremely-sour/995295)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2023, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-super-strong-acids-like-sulfuric-acid-could-be-ingested-without-harm-would-they-taste-extremely-sour/995295 "2023-12-30T17:30:05Z")
I’m assuming that the more intense an acid is, the sourer it tastes, such that lemon juice doesn’t burn our mouths but already registers as pretty strong on the sour-o-meter. What would things like nitric acid, sulfuric … --- ## ["Short Cord Instructions": Do extension cords exist that are safe to use with high wattage appliances (e.g., a microwave)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-cord-instructions-do-extension-cords-exist-that-are-safe-to-use-with-high-wattage-appliances-e-g-a-microwave/995076)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2023, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-cord-instructions-do-extension-cords-exist-that-are-safe-to-use-with-high-wattage-appliances-e-g-a-microwave/995076 "2023-12-30T14:12:53Z")
I’ve always heard that it’s risky to use extension cords with high wattage appliances like vacuum cleaners, space heaters, and microwave ovens. But does this conventional wisdom apply to all extension cords, or only th… --- ## [Do Doctoral Math Students Primarily Learn from Journal Articles, Monographs, and Seminars?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-doctoral-math-students-primarily-learn-from-journal-articles-monographs-and-seminars/994834)
**Author:** [@Caribbean\_cruiser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caribbean_cruiser)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2023, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-doctoral-math-students-primarily-learn-from-journal-articles-monographs-and-seminars/994834 "2023-12-29T22:38:54Z")
What is the primary means of education for doctoral students of mathematics? I’m guessing it’s seminars, not lectures – and monographs and journal articles, not textbooks. Is that correct? Are there many textbooks for do… --- ## [Safe to drink out of a rough brass laundry faucet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safe-to-drink-out-of-a-rough-brass-laundry-faucet/995240)
**Author:** [@LivingGhost371](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LivingGhost371)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2023, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safe-to-drink-out-of-a-rough-brass-laundry-faucet/995240 "2023-12-29T19:46:50Z")
The dirty and nasty brass laundry faucet in my basement that’s original to my house leaks and needs to be replaced. I’m not about to drink water from that thing, but I’d like to be able to with the replacement faucet sin… --- ## [What are these markings on the Apollo Command Module hatch window for?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-markings-on-the-apollo-command-module-hatch-window-for/974515)
**Author:** [@brossa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brossa)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2023, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-markings-on-the-apollo-command-module-hatch-window-for/974515 "2023-12-29T12:07:37Z")
There’s a company selling reproductions of the hatch window from the Apollo command module: here’s a link. The window appears to have a rotatable bezel with some markings on it - 0° ROLL, 55°R/L, 90°R/L. What would the … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=106) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=108)