# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1109 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1110 --- ## [John Nash obit: How is one "thrown from a \[non convertible\] car?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-nash-obit-how-is-one-thrown-from-a-non-convertible-car/720806)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2015, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-nash-obit-how-is-one-thrown-from-a-non-convertible-car/720806 "2015-05-26T16:53:20Z")
The mathematician and his wife died yesterday, and the reason in all the obits is “thrown from an out of control car.” Huh? Allow me to the first to mention the loss of equilibrium. --- ## [Why does a rock band tour need 20 trailor trucks of gear?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-a-rock-band-tour-need-20-trailor-trucks-of-gear/485788)
**Author:** [@iwakura43](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iwakura43)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2015, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-a-rock-band-tour-need-20-trailor-trucks-of-gear/485788 "2015-05-26T16:24:03Z")
On the streets outside Madison Square Garden yesterday, where the band Rascal Flatts was playing, you could see a huge number of semi-trailor trucks decorated with the band’s name and Tour 2009. I don’t know anything abo… --- ## [The Spanish Suckjunctive: Alternatives?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-spanish-suckjunctive-alternatives/720630)
**Author:** [@funky\_little\_lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/funky_little_lee)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2015, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-spanish-suckjunctive-alternatives/720630 "2015-05-26T16:09:39Z")
First, a rant, because I’m feeling a bit frustrated right now. I’ve been working to speak better Spanish for several years now. Not intensively, but I do keep up with it. I’m at the point (finally) where I can not only … --- ## [How accurate is 'Law and Order'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-accurate-is-law-and-order/315078)
**Author:** [@ShortBus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShortBus)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2015, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-accurate-is-law-and-order/315078 "2015-05-26T15:23:01Z")
I’m a computer geek who enjoys watching all the Law & Order reruns I can get. I once remember hearing that it’s more close to reality than other, similar shows. However, the blatent use of computers and the Internet as a… --- ## [What can you do if the police clearly violated your rights but also did you no harm?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-do-if-the-police-clearly-violated-your-rights-but-also-did-you-no-harm/720850)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2015, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-do-if-the-police-clearly-violated-your-rights-but-also-did-you-no-harm/720850 "2015-05-26T12:01:28Z")
Let’s say you’re walking down the street and a policeman stops you and clearly detains you. You ask what their reasonable suspicion is and they refuse to give one to you. They ask if they can search your backpack and you… --- ## [A question about the Medal of Honor](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-the-medal-of-honor/720839)
**Author:** [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2015, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-the-medal-of-honor/720839 "2015-05-26T02:08:30Z")
What is the middle object in this photo? --- ## [Are Those HUGE old CINZANO Ashtrays worth Anything?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-those-huge-old-cinzano-ashtrays-worth-anything/439589)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2015, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-those-huge-old-cinzano-ashtrays-worth-anything/439589 "2015-05-26T01:59:56Z")
I was cleaning out the cellar, and came upon an unexpected treasure trove-a box full of brand new white glass CINZANO ashtrays. These are probably 25 years old-and are subtantial-you could probably use them as a weapon.… --- ## [So, if I used antimicrobial hand soap to kill mold.....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-if-i-used-antimicrobial-hand-soap-to-kill-mold/720767)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2015, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-if-i-used-antimicrobial-hand-soap-to-kill-mold/720767 "2015-05-26T01:12:12Z")
So, if I used antimicrobial hand soap to kill mold that’s on the interior of the water-gathering bucket of a dehumidifier machine, and then rinsed out the bucket, would the bucket still be suitable for machine use? --- ## [is there any way to search the entire history of a wiki page?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-to-search-the-entire-history-of-a-wiki-page/720782)
**Author:** [@Mr\_Shine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Shine)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2015, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-to-search-the-entire-history-of-a-wiki-page/720782 "2015-05-25T22:09:40Z")
Say I want some information about a particular short story from one author. Their current Wikipedia page has no such information, but they have a history thousands of edits long. I figure it’s likely at some point in the… --- ## [Math question for my shed roof](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/math-question-for-my-shed-roof/720657)
**Author:** [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2015, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/math-question-for-my-shed-roof/720657 "2015-05-25T21:12:23Z")
I’m building a shed out of 2 inch schedule 80 PVC. It has an angled “lean-to” type roof so it can be placed up against the house. The high end is a ten foot tall PVC pipe. On top off the pipe is a 90 degree elbow. Immed… --- ## [Netflix once gave me lists, now I get screens of thumbnails (?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-once-gave-me-lists-now-i-get-screens-of-thumbnails/720757)
**Author:** [@janeslogin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janeslogin)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2015, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-once-gave-me-lists-now-i-get-screens-of-thumbnails/720757 "2015-05-25T20:50:23Z")
Netflix once gave me lists, now I get screens of ‘‘thumbnails (?)’’. Did I inadvertently turn list off? Does someone have a add-on that converts thumbnails to lists? Wouldn’t Movies Featuring a Strong Female Leadbe frie… --- ## [Can you break the connection between YouTube and your google mail account?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-break-the-connection-between-youtube-and-your-google-mail-account/720188)
**Author:** [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2015, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-break-the-connection-between-youtube-and-your-google-mail-account/720188 "2015-05-25T17:29:26Z")
Google owns YouTube. (i think) I was trying to connect YouTube to watch through my TV. As I was going through the directions, I had to set up a YouTube account. Instead of creating a dummy email address, I used one I … --- ## [What's with the PayPal pay later thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-paypal-pay-later-thing/695408)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2015, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-paypal-pay-later-thing/695408 "2015-05-25T16:27:43Z")
I don’t use PayPal all that often, but today I ordered something from someplace where I didn’t want to open an account. With the checking account withdrawal option (as opposed to the credit card option) the only choice w… --- ## [Noble titles in the age of same sex marriage and gender reassignment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/noble-titles-in-the-age-of-same-sex-marriage-and-gender-reassignment/720573)
**Author:** [@Garula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Garula)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2015, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/noble-titles-in-the-age-of-same-sex-marriage-and-gender-reassignment/720573 "2015-05-25T13:39:34Z")
I don’t know much about how noble titles work. I do know, however, that to a lot of people those silly things are extremely important and that a huge amount of effort has gone into recording and codifying who should be c… --- ## [How to not allow comments on facebook profile picture?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-not-allow-comments-on-facebook-profile-picture/720774)
**Author:** [@Pauly01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pauly01)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2015, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-not-allow-comments-on-facebook-profile-picture/720774 "2015-05-25T13:15:37Z")
I like to post a picture on facebook but i want it to be not possible for others to like or post any comments on it. Is this possible and if so how? --- ## [How do I get rid of the sidebar on my Android phone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-rid-of-the-sidebar-on-my-android-phone/720763)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2015, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-rid-of-the-sidebar-on-my-android-phone/720763 "2015-05-25T12:34:45Z")
Hello Everyone, My Android phone must have done a system update a few weeks ago because I now have a sidebar on the screen that I really diddle. It is a small white tab with an arrow that clings to the left side of the… --- ## [Pool (Swimming) People - Leaky Suction Line - Does it Hurt Anything?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pool-swimming-people-leaky-suction-line-does-it-hurt-anything/633392)
**Author:** [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2012, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pool-swimming-people-leaky-suction-line-does-it-hurt-anything/633392 "2012-09-02T17:02:36Z")
Yes, I have tried a pool-specific board. The “you must fix it” response does not help. You folks are usually more flexible, I have an old, neglected in-ground (plaster). The killer here is that the equipment is 40’ from… --- ## [Religion of culture where you're supposed to reflect every 29 years?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religion-of-culture-where-youre-supposed-to-reflect-every-29-years/720537)
**Author:** [@The\_Bith\_Shuffle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Bith_Shuffle)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2015, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religion-of-culture-where-youre-supposed-to-reflect-every-29-years/720537 "2015-05-25T09:33:42Z")
I remember my dad, a long time ago, telling me about some religion, or culture, or tradition, I forget which, where, every 29th year (so, at 29, 58, and, if you make it that long, 87) you’re supposed to engage in deep re… --- ## [Looking for a simple free WMA to MP3 converter](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-simple-free-wma-to-mp3-converter/720575)
**Author:** [@bessdana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bessdana)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2015, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-simple-free-wma-to-mp3-converter/720575 "2015-05-25T08:31:40Z")
Can anyone recommend a good, simple & free utility that can convert DRM protected WMA files to MP3? I have found a few, but they are all trial versions & will only convert the first few mins of a track. I am looking to … --- ## [Why do animals get cancer at a young age relative to humans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-animals-get-cancer-at-a-young-age-relative-to-humans/720522)
**Author:** [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2015, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-animals-get-cancer-at-a-young-age-relative-to-humans/720522 "2015-05-25T07:50:15Z")
I was thinking back about the pets I’ve lost and realized that almost all were from cancer. They may have only be 10 or 12-years old at the time. But we don’t see that kind of cancer incidence in humans. Although some… --- ## [Facebook Birthday Profile Posts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-birthday-profile-posts/702659)
**Author:** [@Pauly01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pauly01)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2015, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-birthday-profile-posts/702659 "2015-05-25T07:24:37Z")
I have a lot of old friends on facebook. When its someones birthday, it would have the update on the top right corner on the friend birthday. So usually when i click on their profile, there would be lot of their friend… --- ## [How do you solve this problem?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-solve-this-problem/720412)
**Author:** [@cjackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjackson)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2015, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-solve-this-problem/720412 "2015-05-25T04:24:47Z")
2x^2 - 12 = 2x I can’t figure it out. --- ## [What is this gizmo that someone left on top of my telephone box?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-gizmo-that-someone-left-on-top-of-my-telephone-box/720742)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2015, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-gizmo-that-someone-left-on-top-of-my-telephone-box/720742 "2015-05-25T03:16:19Z")
Found this plastic thing on top of the box outside where my phone line connects to the house system. The row of holes on the rear look to have electrical contact points of some sort inside, like a female plug. Any ideas? … --- ## [Is The MBTI Copyrighted?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mbti-copyrighted/720727)
**Author:** [@Chicago\_Faucet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chicago_Faucet)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2015, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mbti-copyrighted/720727 "2015-05-24T23:06:03Z")
I’m thinking of using the Myers-Briggs Personality Type assessment in a public project. Can anyone who is familiar with copyrights, psychology, or intellectual property tell me if the MBTI is copyrighted, and if so, poi… --- ## [Why do Americans celebrate Cinco de Mayo?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-americans-celebrate-cinco-de-mayo/719309)
**Author:** [@Hershele\_Ostropoler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hershele_Ostropoler)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2015, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-americans-celebrate-cinco-de-mayo/719309 "2015-05-24T18:49:04Z")
¿Por que celebran los estadounidenses el Cinco de Mayo? More precisely, why is Cinco de Mayo celebrated by white people in the United States (not all white people, but enough that it’s visible), and other foreign nation… --- ## [In World War 2 how did the Germans and the Japanese ambassadors get to their posts ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-world-war-2-how-did-the-germans-and-the-japanese-ambassadors-get-to-their-posts/720577)
**Author:** [@davida03801](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davida03801)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2015, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-world-war-2-how-did-the-germans-and-the-japanese-ambassadors-get-to-their-posts/720577 "2015-05-24T16:42:57Z")
I watched an old episode of Battlefield Detectives (about the Battle of the Bulge) and it stated that Hitler told the Japanese Ambassador an outline of this campaign several months prior to the start of the battle. Thi… --- ## [how do I make an email hyperlink in excel - with sublect line and content?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-make-an-email-hyperlink-in-excel-with-sublect-line-and-content/720563)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2015, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-make-an-email-hyperlink-in-excel-with-sublect-line-and-content/720563 "2015-05-24T16:34:52Z")
I have someone’s email address in an Excel spreadsheet cell, an email subject line in a second cell, and email content in a third cell. How can I combine them all into one cell as a hyperlink that will, when clicked, op… --- ## [Quick Excel 2003 question.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-excel-2003-question/720635)
**Author:** [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2015, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-excel-2003-question/720635 "2015-05-24T15:07:19Z")
I have a list in alphanumeric format. Excel sort follows the alpha part just fine but not the numeric. a1 a2 a11 a12 a33 a44 a103 The above is what I want. What I get is: a1 a11 a12 a103 a2 a33 a44 Is the… --- ## [What math is on this huge blackboard, and is the setup just a joke?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-math-is-on-this-huge-blackboard-and-is-the-setup-just-a-joke/720589)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2015, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-math-is-on-this-huge-blackboard-and-is-the-setup-just-a-joke/720589 "2015-05-24T15:00:01Z")
See subject. Assuming someone had such a big blackboard and felt it was pedagogically necessary they could dragoon some students, I suppose. Does this ever happen in real life? --- ## [Surface area of a triangular prism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surface-area-of-a-triangular-prism/720350)
**Author:** [@Contemplation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contemplation)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2015, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surface-area-of-a-triangular-prism/720350 "2015-05-24T04:38:21Z")
What is the surface area of a triangular prism if… the height of the triangle is 6 feet. the base of the triangle is 5 feet. the length of the pyramid is 14 feet. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1108) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1110)