# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=108 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 109 --- ## [To be an officer in the US military will any 4-year degree suffice?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-be-an-officer-in-the-us-military-will-any-4-year-degree-suffice/994856)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2023, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-be-an-officer-in-the-us-military-will-any-4-year-degree-suffice/994856 "2023-12-29T04:00:39Z")
My understanding is a 4-year degree is necessary to become an officer in the US military. As the subject line says, will any 4-year degree do? Does it matter what college/university you went to? Does your major matter… --- ## [Dead Russian soldiers and canon fodder--which ethnic groups are they?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dead-russian-soldiers-and-canon-fodder-which-ethnic-groups-are-they/995241)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2023, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dead-russian-soldiers-and-canon-fodder-which-ethnic-groups-are-they/995241 "2023-12-29T01:58:11Z")
Russia has lost 315,000 casualties so far in this war. My question is Are those fallen soldiers “pure” Russians ? Or are they mostly other ethnic groups? Russia’s population contains a half dozen ethnic groups, whic… --- ## [Hyperloop : pie in the sky or is it time?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hyperloop-pie-in-the-sky-or-is-it-time/666116)
**Author:** [@Habeed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Habeed)\ **Replies:** 332\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2023, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hyperloop-pie-in-the-sky-or-is-it-time/666116 "2023-12-28T23:30:42Z")
I’d appreciate commentators glance at the original source before commenting : link to pdf. To summarize : the tunnels are sections of 0.8inch thick steel tubes, polished on the inside and welded together using friction-… --- ## [How do I erase a website address from my IPhone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-erase-a-website-address-from-my-iphone/995265)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2023, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-erase-a-website-address-from-my-iphone/995265 "2023-12-28T16:52:19Z")
Somehow I pressed an ad for the US Coast Guard (go coast guard.com) and now if I type G for google that’s the first suggestion I get. It’s minorly irritating but I just wasn’t sure how to look up the right question. --- ## [Is this usage correct? "Same Old (sic) Lang Syne."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-usage-correct-same-old-sic-lang-syne/994947)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2023, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-usage-correct-same-old-sic-lang-syne/994947 "2023-12-27T22:48:01Z")
Typically, “sic” is used in print to denote that an error is being shown as it originally was written. In this case, “Same Old Lang Syne” is the actual name of a Dan Fogelberg song instead of “Same Auld Lang Syne.” If … --- ## [What is the longest lasting power supply we can practically make for an interstellar space probe?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-longest-lasting-power-supply-we-can-practically-make-for-an-interstellar-space-probe/994992)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2023, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-longest-lasting-power-supply-we-can-practically-make-for-an-interstellar-space-probe/994992 "2023-12-27T16:36:27Z")
RTG or solar or other? What are the practical limits of how long we can expect we could make it last. I’m talking about power supply only. If we needed one to last 400-500 years is that remotely possible? Also regard… --- ## [Switching from natural gas dryer to electric dryer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/switching-from-natural-gas-dryer-to-electric-dryer/994849)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2023, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/switching-from-natural-gas-dryer-to-electric-dryer/994849 "2023-12-26T21:08:36Z")
I know there have been threads about this before, but they all seem to focus on costs – startup costs for switching, and long-term costs for using. I don’t care about those things so much. Which is environmentally bet… --- ## [AC Motor and Fluorescent Lights](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ac-motor-and-fluorescent-lights/995125)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2023, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ac-motor-and-fluorescent-lights/995125 "2023-12-26T15:05:36Z")
We put a new fridge / freezer unit on the same outlet with a washing machine and a fluorescent light. The fluorescent light (a conventional bulb, low end fixure that is not hard wired - just to add more light in our base… --- ## [Scanning the images from those old plastic 'slide viewers'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scanning-the-images-from-those-old-plastic-slide-viewers/995133)
**Author:** [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2023, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scanning-the-images-from-those-old-plastic-slide-viewers/995133 "2023-12-26T04:18:52Z")
During some recent cleaning, I found some of those little, single-pic, ‘slide viewers’. (I think that’s what they’re called. Googling that term turns up mostly larger systems that can be loaded with multiple slides which… --- ## [Our "lizard brain"--any factual basis to this phrase?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-lizard-brain-any-factual-basis-to-this-phrase/994946)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2023, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-lizard-brain-any-factual-basis-to-this-phrase/994946 "2023-12-24T17:00:17Z")
I frequently hear primitive human brain functions referred to as our “lizard brain.” I’m not sure who used said this, but is this is just baseless hyperbole? How far back do you have to go before lizards and homo sapiens… --- ## [Are my ancient ancestors considered extinct?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-my-ancient-ancestors-considered-extinct/991062)
**Author:** [@Saffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saffer)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2023, 8:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-my-ancient-ancestors-considered-extinct/991062 "2023-12-24T08:33:32Z")
If you go back far enough, some of my ancestors are fish. Are the species those fish belong to considered to be an extinct species? On the one hand, nothing that looks like those fish are around today. On the other hand… --- ## [Solar Energy question?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solar-energy-question/994914)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2023, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solar-energy-question/994914 "2023-12-23T23:04:37Z")
If a skyscraper were built to generate its own power and hopefully more would it be best at this time to simply cover it in solar panels, or could a different system possibly be incorporated such as an out shell that col… --- ## [Origin of "Ignore alien orders" phrase](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-ignore-alien-orders-phrase/212389)
**Author:** [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2023, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-ignore-alien-orders-phrase/212389 "2023-12-23T22:51:27Z")
Just what the subject says. I’ve Googled my butt off, but I can’t track down the origin of this phrase. Does anyone have the answer? --- ## [Billionaire income tax?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billionaire-income-tax/994864)
**Author:** [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2023, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billionaire-income-tax/994864 "2023-12-23T18:26:34Z")
For anyone who knows about economics maybe you can explain something for me? There’s a lot of criticism of billionaires not paying taxes lately for good reasons, but the typical response is often something like, well th… --- ## [Why is VPN so heavily advertised on YouTube?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-vpn-so-heavily-advertised-on-youtube/994845)
**Author:** [@Danger\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danger_Man)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2023, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-vpn-so-heavily-advertised-on-youtube/994845 "2023-12-23T12:33:49Z")
Is the market really so big for VPN services? Or is it because it’s something that is easier to sell than other products? --- ## [Relativity/though experiment question (hypothetical)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relativity-though-experiment-question-hypothetical/994642)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2023, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relativity-though-experiment-question-hypothetical/994642 "2023-12-23T05:39:24Z")
A question posed on another forum asked, “If two spaceships were travelling side by side, 100 yards apart going 99% of the speed of light, would they be able to look through the portholes and see each other?” It was ans… --- ## [What happened to the lakes at what is now Mexico City?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-lakes-at-what-is-now-mexico-city/994338)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2023, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-lakes-at-what-is-now-mexico-city/994338 "2023-12-23T01:11:08Z")
I recently read Conquistador, about Cortes’ conquest of the Aztec empire. I hadn’t realised that the Aztec cities were built on and around a major lake system. So what happened to the lakes? Mexico City isn’t on lakes … --- ## [What would it take to increase the federal minimum wage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-it-take-to-increase-the-federal-minimum-wage/994971)
**Author:** [@CuckerTarlson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CuckerTarlson)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2023, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-it-take-to-increase-the-federal-minimum-wage/994971 "2023-12-22T15:13:36Z")
In the United States of America, it is $7.25 an hour, and has been since 2007. Minimum wage can be set by states individually, but those that don’t have their own opt for the federal minimum. Such a wage was already to… --- ## [Odd electrical breaker problem, multiple sections of house on multiple breakers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-electrical-breaker-problem-multiple-sections-of-house-on-multiple-breakers/994899)
**Author:** [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2023, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-electrical-breaker-problem-multiple-sections-of-house-on-multiple-breakers/994899 "2023-12-22T15:03:54Z")
Quick background, I’ve owned my house for 18 years, it was built in 1971. I recently had some lights added to my basement and also had some new breakers added to rewire the basement outlets, first floor lights, and the b… --- ## [Legal Q: How is the value of a thing stolen determined? (current case raises an interesting question)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-q-how-is-the-value-of-a-thing-stolen-determined-current-case-raises-an-interesting-question/994697)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2023, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-q-how-is-the-value-of-a-thing-stolen-determined-current-case-raises-an-interesting-question/994697 "2023-12-22T00:46:24Z")
Mods: Not sure if this should be FQ or IMHO or GD…please move if I got it wrong. I was reading this article recently: Full Title: Thieves argued they should face lesser charge because their stolen goods were on sale … --- ## [You have 70,000 tons of iridium--what do you do with it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-70-000-tons-of-iridium-what-do-you-do-with-it/994313)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2023, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-70-000-tons-of-iridium-what-do-you-do-with-it/994313 "2023-12-22T00:25:32Z")
A recent episode of a science fiction series introduced the discovery of an asteroid containing around 70,000 tons of iridium. Currently global iridium production is around 7 tons per year, so that’s around 10,000 years … --- ## [Was the sun's gravity a factor in the Apollo missions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-suns-gravity-a-factor-in-the-apollo-missions/994937)
**Author:** [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2023, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-suns-gravity-a-factor-in-the-apollo-missions/994937 "2023-12-21T21:33:36Z")
When running the calculations for Apollo missions to sling shot out of earth orbit and then get caught in the moon orbit did the gravitational pull of the sun have to be factored in? Or was it pretty much negligible? D… --- ## [Is blue ink easier to copy/forge from a signature?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-blue-ink-easier-to-copy-forge-from-a-signature/994832)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2023, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-blue-ink-easier-to-copy-forge-from-a-signature/994832 "2023-12-21T18:19:10Z")
Actors and celebrities sometimes refuse to sign items with a blue pen because they’ve been warned that it’s easier to replicate than black. Is this true about the ink? --- ## [Bluetooth randomly shuts down](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bluetooth-randomly-shuts-down/994911)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2023, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bluetooth-randomly-shuts-down/994911 "2023-12-21T18:05:06Z")
I have a Lenovo laptop, IdeaPad S145, using Win-10. I use a Bluetooth mouse and also use Bluetooth to connect to my Stereo tuner for better sound. Randomly, the Bluetooth and I have only one way to get it back, which i… --- ## [What was the original local indigenous name for the 'old Indian camp' L'Anse Aux Meadows?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-original-local-indigenous-name-for-the-old-indian-camp-lanse-aux-meadows/994878)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2023, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-original-local-indigenous-name-for-the-old-indian-camp-lanse-aux-meadows/994878 "2023-12-21T15:49:57Z")
What was the original local indigenous name for the ‘old Indian camp’ L’Anse Aux Meadows? --- ## [FBI investigates couple for racial discrimination](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-investigates-couple-for-racial-discrimination/994931)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2023, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-investigates-couple-for-racial-discrimination/994931 "2023-12-21T13:45:11Z")
Here is the article: FBI investigating after South Carolina couple accused of harassing Black neighbors - ABC News THe couple has been charged with misdemeanors from the state. I don’t understand how or why the feds wo… --- ## [Can I Shoot the Earth with a Gun While on the Moon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-shoot-the-earth-with-a-gun-while-on-the-moon/994877)
**Author:** [@Ynnad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ynnad)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2023, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-shoot-the-earth-with-a-gun-while-on-the-moon/994877 "2023-12-20T18:18:54Z")
I guess I could do the math myself but what fun would that be when I can get the great minds of this message board to do it for me. Using a gun and ammunition that is commercially available in the United States, can I h… --- ## [Cat overgrooming: how quickly will it stop?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-overgrooming-how-quickly-will-it-stop/994618)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2023, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-overgrooming-how-quickly-will-it-stop/994618 "2023-12-20T07:49:03Z")
One of my cats is overgrooming. I know the source of the stress and have removed it. How quickly will she stop? For those who need the entire story: the stress was caused by two other cats introduced to the house recent… --- ## [Better to use old or new prescription glasses as spares?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-to-use-old-or-new-prescription-glasses-as-spares/994814)
**Author:** [@curwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curwin)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2023, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-to-use-old-or-new-prescription-glasses-as-spares/994814 "2023-12-20T01:02:38Z")
I’ve been wearing the same set of multifocal glasses for around five years. I can see fine with them. Recently, I realized I should have spare pair (which I had put off because they’re so expensive). I got checked out, … --- ## [Will a fish at depth in oxygen-deficient water experience more or less hypoxia (oxygen stress) than at the surface?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-a-fish-at-depth-in-oxygen-deficient-water-experience-more-or-less-hypoxia-oxygen-stress-than-at-the-surface/994847)
**Author:** [@StanDoubt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StanDoubt)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2023, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-a-fish-at-depth-in-oxygen-deficient-water-experience-more-or-less-hypoxia-oxygen-stress-than-at-the-surface/994847 "2023-12-20T00:12:46Z")
Title pretty much sums it up. Assuming a well-mixed body of water with homogeneous, but low oxygen concentration, would a fish at, say 50 ft, experience more or less oxygen stress due to the increased pressure? This seem… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=107) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=109)