# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1103 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1104 --- ## [The mystery of the gigantic Popeye forearms](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mystery-of-the-gigantic-popeye-forearms/431722)
**Author:** [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2015, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mystery-of-the-gigantic-popeye-forearms/431722 "2015-06-04T18:47:12Z")
Once upon a time in Toronto I was apartment-hunting. I had an appointment to see a room near the top of a high-rise on Bay Street. As I entered the elevator, I was joined by a man in a T-shirt who looked to be in his l… --- ## [Chrome no longer shows thread preview on hover](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chrome-no-longer-shows-thread-preview-on-hover/721646)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2015, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chrome-no-longer-shows-thread-preview-on-hover/721646 "2015-06-04T18:38:02Z")
At first I thought this was just SDMB but it is happening on other boards too. That’s why I posted GQ instead of ATMB. If you mouseover a thread title, normally you get a little pop-up with the first few lines of the pos… --- ## [New hair dryer emits PTFE fumes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-hair-dryer-emits-ptfe-fumes/721614)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2015, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-hair-dryer-emits-ptfe-fumes/721614 "2015-06-04T16:53:31Z")
Bought a new hair dryer, and it smells pretty chemical-ish. Like the smell of a new car. Surely it can’t be healthy fume stuff when used, especially with the high temperatures of hair drying? PTFE (Teflon) material fum… --- ## [Are anime and Japanese pop culture becoming popular in China?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-anime-and-japanese-pop-culture-becoming-popular-in-china/721568)
**Author:** [@protoboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/protoboard)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2015, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-anime-and-japanese-pop-culture-becoming-popular-in-china/721568 "2015-06-04T16:35:04Z")
I know the Chinese still hate almost anything Japanese, but are the younger ones at least a little bit more open-minded? And do even the Chinese people who don’t think much of Japan like some of their pop culture? --- ## [Question regarding concepts in Plato's works](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-concepts-in-platos-works/721641)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2015, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-concepts-in-platos-works/721641 "2015-06-04T16:25:06Z")
Hi Is it correct to say that Plato used the following processes of: reasoning, intuition, \*a priori, \*Triadic interpretation and \*Dyadic Intuitionism in his works e.g… Phaedrus, and can anyone tell me if \*a priori is an… --- ## [The global consumption of oil is now about 3% of global GDP. I would like to fact-check this.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-global-consumption-of-oil-is-now-about-3-of-global-gdp-i-would-like-to-fact-check-this/721290)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2015, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-global-consumption-of-oil-is-now-about-3-of-global-gdp-i-would-like-to-fact-check-this/721290 "2015-06-04T16:06:31Z")
Hi “The global consumption of oil is now about 3% of global GDP”. I cannot find any reference to this particular figure. I would like to fact-check this assertion. My interest is oil shocks. How relevant is oil in econo… --- ## [How to search "This PC" in Win 8.1?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-search-this-pc-in-win-8-1/721005)
**Author:** [@GameHat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GameHat)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2015, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-search-this-pc-in-win-8-1/721005 "2015-06-04T15:40:50Z")
This one is freaking stumping me, and it’s driving me nuts. I’ve been jumping back and forth between Win 7 and Win 8.1, depending on my mood and how often I feel like a clean format. I’ve gotten to a point where I’m j… --- ## [What prevents endless stimulus-response "loops" in the body (like infinite do-while loops in code)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prevents-endless-stimulus-response-loops-in-the-body-like-infinite-do-while-loops-in-code/721562)
**Author:** [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2015, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prevents-endless-stimulus-response-loops-in-the-body-like-infinite-do-while-loops-in-code/721562 "2015-06-04T14:50:04Z")
I originally posted this on Reddit AskScience, but it didn’t garner a single comment, much less an upvote. I thought it was a very interesting question, so maybe the SDMB will be more responsive. I’ve been battling a na… --- ## [Why can't you hear stuff at the peak of a deep yawn?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-you-hear-stuff-at-the-peak-of-a-deep-yawn/721538)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2015, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-you-hear-stuff-at-the-peak-of-a-deep-yawn/721538 "2015-06-04T14:41:07Z")
See subject. Just missed my favorite bit of Baby I Love You. --- ## [Excel: How to sort?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-how-to-sort/721542)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2015, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-how-to-sort/721542 "2015-06-04T14:29:23Z")
Sorting on an address field, I get this: 940 MARKET ST -940 N CAMPBELL 940 NORTH STATE ST See the dash? ISTM that a dash is not the same as a nine, and so it appears to me to be out of order. How do I make Excel so… --- ## [phone with text only?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phone-with-text-only/721339)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2015, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phone-with-text-only/721339 "2015-06-04T14:14:49Z")
I’m dealing with someone who claims to be poor and cannot afford much. Latest deal is that they can’t afford their cell phone, but can still get texts. Is this anyway possible? Can someone have a plan that only allows … --- ## [Why does a German airline have a name in English?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-a-german-airline-have-a-name-in-english/716699)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2015, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-a-german-airline-have-a-name-in-english/716699 "2015-06-04T12:33:07Z")
Germanwings. Seems weird. Does English have a certain cachet in aviation circles to the German culture nowadays? --- ## [strange dog behavior](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-dog-behavior/721510)
**Author:** [@Whatha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whatha)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2015, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-dog-behavior/721510 "2015-06-04T11:41:29Z")
I own a 10 month old intact female chihuahua named Penny and a 1 year old female cat named Cheeto. Cheeto had 5 kittens 3 weeks ago. She seems to be a good mother and takes good care of them. For the last few days Penny … --- ## [Spanish equivalent of "What are you gonna do?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spanish-equivalent-of-what-are-you-gonna-do/721556)
**Author:** [@funky\_little\_lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/funky_little_lee)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2015, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spanish-equivalent-of-what-are-you-gonna-do/721556 "2015-06-04T11:13:57Z")
When “What are you gonna do?” means, “That’s just how it is, so just accept it.” Example sentence: “We have too many items for the express lane, so we have to get in line behind 10 people in the regular lane. (Shrug) We… --- ## [Pierre Cedric-Bonin, Air France 447, and career implications](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pierre-cedric-bonin-air-france-447-and-career-implications/721572)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2015, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pierre-cedric-bonin-air-france-447-and-career-implications/721572 "2015-06-04T05:29:02Z")
I’m a bit fascinated by Air France 447. I’m wondering: Had the other crewmembers managed to save the plummeting Airbus and 228 lives from death just barely in the nick of time - Bonin had been pulling back on the stick,… --- ## [Any Possibility of Landing on Mercury?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-possibility-of-landing-on-mercury/721589)
**Author:** [@ssgenius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ssgenius)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2015, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-possibility-of-landing-on-mercury/721589 "2015-06-04T05:10:52Z")
Inspired by the Mars and Venus threads Would it even be feasible to land a manned mission on Mercury or would this be like Venus and too difficult to obtain ? Of note there has only been 2 probes to Mercury and the las… --- ## [Car question re: suspension](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-re-suspension/721018)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2015, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-re-suspension/721018 "2015-06-04T05:08:09Z")
About a year ago, I was told my shocks were going out based on cupping on my two front tires. Fast forward to today. My Jeep is very squirrely on the road, especially when the freeway is concrete rather than asphalt. … --- ## [Was Margaret Sanger a racist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-margaret-sanger-a-racist/721415)
**Author:** [@Clu-Me-In](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clu-Me-In)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2015, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-margaret-sanger-a-racist/721415 "2015-06-04T03:36:19Z")
Was Margaret Sanger really a racist who wanted to reduce the population of Blacks via Abortion rights? --- ## [Will an unlocked GSM phone that is blacklisted work on any US cellular service?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-an-unlocked-gsm-phone-that-is-blacklisted-work-on-any-us-cellular-service/721437)
**Author:** [@Linden\_Arden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linden_Arden)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2015, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-an-unlocked-gsm-phone-that-is-blacklisted-work-on-any-us-cellular-service/721437 "2015-06-04T00:32:03Z")
4G LTE of course. Will it at least work on a GSM network? --- ## [Converting DVDs by Region](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-dvds-by-region/721404)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2015, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-dvds-by-region/721404 "2015-06-03T22:27:19Z")
There are several films I want to own, that I can get on non-Region 1 (US/Canada) DVDs. Is there a way to convert from one Region to another, cheaply? Is this legal? Answer the second question first, with the assumpti… --- ## [why does our military not use fmj 223 ammo?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-our-military-not-use-fmj-223-ammo/721381)
**Author:** [@ufel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ufel)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2015, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-our-military-not-use-fmj-223-ammo/721381 "2015-06-03T20:02:00Z")
we never signed the Hague Convention about “dumdum” bullets, and the Geneva protocols don’t mention any such things. Neither one of those treaties applies to non-declared wars, nor to nations that are not signatories to … --- ## [Is there an accounting/business term for this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-accounting-business-term-for-this/721245)
**Author:** [@LynnM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LynnM)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2015, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-accounting-business-term-for-this/721245 "2015-06-03T19:48:58Z")
Hypothetical situation: You’ve been renting the same apartment for ten years. Your landlord says to you: “For the past ten years, you’ve been a perfect tenant. So next month, the 10th anniversary of your move-in, no re… --- ## [Can anybody identify the name of this style of coat (cosplay/steampunk/theater/etsey-etc.)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anybody-identify-the-name-of-this-style-of-coat-cosplay-steampunk-theater-etsey-etc/721285)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2015, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anybody-identify-the-name-of-this-style-of-coat-cosplay-steampunk-theater-etsey-etc/721285 "2015-06-03T19:44:15Z")
This is the opening number of a 2010 steampunk production of the musical PIPPIN. Does anybody know the name of the style of coat the Leading Player is wearing? You get a great look at it around 4:00- it’s the ankle leng… --- ## [Why are second-quintile college grads so financially successful after graduation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-second-quintile-college-grads-so-financially-successful-after-graduation/721501)
**Author:** [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2015, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-second-quintile-college-grads-so-financially-successful-after-graduation/721501 "2015-06-03T19:17:59Z")
Go to page 25 and look at figure 18 of this Pew report. I heard about this from a source that was focusing on the (IMO less surprising) fact that while only ten percent of college graduates who came from families in the… --- ## [I Need A Tree.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-tree/720743)
**Author:** [@Chicago\_Faucet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chicago_Faucet)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2015, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-tree/720743 "2015-06-03T18:45:58Z")
Can someone offer a type of tree that has a deep root system, but not wide - as it will be planted near a patio and building. And also one that offers nice privacy and shade, but which does not produce too much litter? --- ## [Why don't our troops insist on having silencers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-our-troops-insist-on-having-silencers/721395)
**Author:** [@ufel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ufel)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2015, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-our-troops-insist-on-having-silencers/721395 "2015-06-03T18:04:33Z")
A sound suppressor on your fighting rifle cuts down on hearling-loss, on "callling’ to more enemies, it helps you not flinch/miss, it eliminates flash at night Your muzzleflash helps the enemy hit you with their rifles,… --- ## [12 volt car accessory power ports](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-volt-car-accessory-power-ports/721443)
**Author:** [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2015, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-volt-car-accessory-power-ports/721443 "2015-06-03T17:46:15Z")
Are the 12 volt accessory power ports in the passenger compartment of cars directly wired to the battery (through a fuse or breaker)? My question comes down to is there any difference between using the accessory plug in … --- ## [One morning you wake up without your head. Pulse, BP, respiration normal. What happens then?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-morning-you-wake-up-without-your-head-pulse-bp-respiration-normal-what-happens-then/721268)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2015, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-morning-you-wake-up-without-your-head-pulse-bp-respiration-normal-what-happens-then/721268 "2015-06-03T16:13:34Z")
See subject. “One morning, after troubled dreams…” if you prefer. Yes, you have no face and you can’t scream, even if you think you must. Can’t smell the coffee, or, getting closer to full OP, if there’s poison gas seep… --- ## [Is there any reason to send a manned mission to Mars?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-reason-to-send-a-manned-mission-to-mars/721194)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2015, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-reason-to-send-a-manned-mission-to-mars/721194 "2015-06-03T16:09:29Z")
…rather than probes? From a strictly practical and scientific standpoint; let’s take as read that the feat and accomplishment of sending men over a machine is the biggest point in its favour. But is there anything a tea… --- ## [Phatom Phone Calls on a Cheap cellphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phatom-phone-calls-on-a-cheap-cellphone/721525)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2015, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phatom-phone-calls-on-a-cheap-cellphone/721525 "2015-06-03T15:57:01Z")
I bought a pay by month 3rd Generation cellphone. I don’t use it for anything beyond receiving and making a few calls per week. That is OK with me, because I don’t want the expense of a a full 4th Generation phone. Now i… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1102) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1104)