# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1116 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1117 --- ## [Are there any concepts in mainstream economics today that can be said to have come from Karl Marx?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-concepts-in-mainstream-economics-today-that-can-be-said-to-have-come-from-karl-marx/719607)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2015, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-concepts-in-mainstream-economics-today-that-can-be-said-to-have-come-from-karl-marx/719607 "2015-05-13T05:01:11Z")
Hi Are there any concepts in mainstream economics today that can be said to have come from Karl Marx directly? I look forward to your feedback. davidmich --- ## [What is the cause of "alcohol burn" in beverages?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-cause-of-alcohol-burn-in-beverages/719751)
**Author:** [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2015, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-cause-of-alcohol-burn-in-beverages/719751 "2015-05-13T00:10:06Z")
OK, I write this as someone who regularly drinks high-proof spirits, including cask strength/barrel proof whiskies. To an experienced drinker such as I, there is definitely a difference in burn that is correlated with, b… --- ## [Shutting down gasoline portable generator - run carburetor dry?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shutting-down-gasoline-portable-generator-run-carburetor-dry/719622)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2015, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shutting-down-gasoline-portable-generator-run-carburetor-dry/719622 "2015-05-12T23:24:44Z")
Storing a gasoline powered generator can allow parts of the fuel system to gel up and clog. Perhaps turning the fuel valve off and letting the running engine run itself dry would fix this. But the manual just says stop t… --- ## [Why hold general elections (UK Parliament)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hold-general-elections-uk-parliament/716009)
**Author:** [@dofe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dofe)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2015, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hold-general-elections-uk-parliament/716009 "2015-05-12T22:02:26Z")
I recently read an article that discussed Gordon Brown’s decision to not call an election during the early months of his premiership, when he was most popular with the electorate. Can anyone explain to this ignorant Amer… --- ## [Power Load of Cell Phones](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/power-load-of-cell-phones/719886)
**Author:** [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2015, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/power-load-of-cell-phones/719886 "2015-05-12T21:32:03Z")
What percentage of the US power consumption is from cell phones? All the data I found was per capita consumption. What I’m wondering is how much we use daily as a country, both in absolute numbers and as a percentage o… --- ## [How seriously should picture studies in psychology and sociology be taken?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-seriously-should-picture-studies-in-psychology-and-sociology-be-taken/719887)
**Author:** [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2015, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-seriously-should-picture-studies-in-psychology-and-sociology-be-taken/719887 "2015-05-12T21:23:45Z")
These studies are done usually by flashing pictures and then asking the subjects questions, sometimes the images are flashed subliminally etc. Then the media will trumpet “science proves X!”, and cracked.com gets fodder… --- ## [How is overnighting handled in mutli-day rally races?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-overnighting-handled-in-mutli-day-rally-races/719837)
**Author:** [@dstarfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dstarfire)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2015, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-overnighting-handled-in-mutli-day-rally-races/719837 "2015-05-12T21:18:12Z")
I know there are a few different races around the world that are long enough to take several days, like the Dakar rally (formerly the Paris Dakar rally). How do they handle night/sleep time for the drivers? --- ## [Why does this guy have a bag over his head?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-this-guy-have-a-bag-over-his-head/719853)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2015, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-this-guy-have-a-bag-over-his-head/719853 "2015-05-12T20:21:33Z")
Article with video on a story from my old stomping grounds. The video shows a man being put into an ambulance after having been ‘overpowered’ by police. He has a bag over his head. Why? --- ## [Why do t-shirts get shorter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-t-shirts-get-shorter/719757)
**Author:** [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2015, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-t-shirts-get-shorter/719757 "2015-05-12T17:07:59Z")
All the cotton here in Aus is pre-shrunk. But t-shirts tend to change shape (I’m not sure if this is only after being heated in a dryer). They get shorter and fatter. Why is this so? Why not longer and skinnier? Is i… --- ## [what is the best way to turn around your sleeping rhytm?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-turn-around-your-sleeping-rhytm/460233)
**Author:** [@cactus\_waltz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cactus_waltz)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2008, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-turn-around-your-sleeping-rhytm/460233 "2008-08-18T06:38:34Z")
Hi teeming millions, I am curious as to what is the easiest or most effective or least straining way to turn around your sleeping schedule. Preferrably in a short time. I have been working night this summer, a night sh… --- ## [Better Call Saul legal question about the retirement home plot](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-legal-question-about-the-retirement-home-plot/719725)
**Author:** [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2015, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-legal-question-about-the-retirement-home-plot/719725 "2015-05-12T15:18:01Z")
Ok part of the plot of the show is that Jimmy uncovers the fact the retirement home Sand Piper Crossing is charging residents exorbitant rates for goods, like facial tissue and toilet paper. These are high but not outlan… --- ## [Need help understanding this IRS instruction](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-understanding-this-irs-instruction/719855)
**Author:** [@LynnM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LynnM)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2015, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-understanding-this-irs-instruction/719855 "2015-05-12T15:09:02Z")
I’m working on my IRS forms for tax year 2014. \[I have a filing-time extension, having earlier filed IRS form 4868–Extension of filing time for tax year 2014\]. I’ve encountered something puzzling. Because my hardcopy b… --- ## [What would cause a bigger deep-fryer explosion-- frozen turkey or dry ice?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-cause-a-bigger-deep-fryer-explosion-frozen-turkey-or-dry-ice/719733)
**Author:** [@F.Pu-du-he-pa-as](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.Pu-du-he-pa-as)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2015, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-cause-a-bigger-deep-fryer-explosion-frozen-turkey-or-dry-ice/719733 "2015-05-12T14:55:42Z")
This question is pretty much exactly what it sounds like-- what would cause a bigger explosion if you threw it in a deep-fryer, a frozen turkey or a similarly-sized block of dry ice? Inquiring minds want to know. --- ## [If the Earth just \*exploded!\* how long would it take for a shock wave to hit the moon?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-earth-just-exploded-how-long-would-it-take-for-a-shock-wave-to-hit-the-moon/719639)
**Author:** [@CeeSaurus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CeeSaurus)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2015, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-earth-just-exploded-how-long-would-it-take-for-a-shock-wave-to-hit-the-moon/719639 "2015-05-12T12:34:31Z")
If a person was standing on the moon, how would they be affected - would they be disintegrated? Knocked flat? Would the sudden change in orbit be so swift that they would die from the force? Would they have time to conte… --- ## [The Merchant of Venice in Nazi Germany](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-merchant-of-venice-in-nazi-germany/719548)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2015, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-merchant-of-venice-in-nazi-germany/719548 "2015-05-12T12:26:50Z")
By which I mean the Shakespeare play, not an actual tradesman from Venezia. Suppose you’re running a theater in Nazi Germany. If you put on a faithful adaptation of The Merchant of Venice and the Gestapo turned up, woul… --- ## [What are the most environmentally-friendly fibers used for clothing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-environmentally-friendly-fibers-used-for-clothing/719675)
**Author:** [@F.Pu-du-he-pa-as](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.Pu-du-he-pa-as)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2015, 8:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-environmentally-friendly-fibers-used-for-clothing/719675 "2015-05-12T08:20:26Z")
I was just reading a discussion of cloth versus disposable diapers which claimed that disposable diapers were actually more environmentally-friendly than cloth diapers because of the sheer amount of water and pesticides … --- ## [How do animals in the frozen part of Alaska find water?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-animals-in-the-frozen-part-of-alaska-find-water/719414)
**Author:** [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2015, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-animals-in-the-frozen-part-of-alaska-find-water/719414 "2015-05-12T05:23:24Z")
How do animals in the frozen part of Alaska find water to drink? If it is -20’ and all the water is frozen how do wolves and bears etc find water to drink? --- ## [Examples of Soviet engineering or technology that was superior to the US/West during the Cold War](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-soviet-engineering-or-technology-that-was-superior-to-the-us-west-during-the-cold-war/717167)
**Author:** [@SHARKBITEATTACK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SHARKBITEATTACK)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2015, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-soviet-engineering-or-technology-that-was-superior-to-the-us-west-during-the-cold-war/717167 "2015-05-12T04:16:31Z")
I’ve learned a lot about WWII and the Cold War and am fascinated by the rapid growth of technology during those periods. What are some examples where the Russians were superior? Doesn’t neccesasrily have to be military… --- ## [MacBookPro is slooooow, help please.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macbookpro-is-slooooow-help-please/719580)
**Author:** [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2015, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macbookpro-is-slooooow-help-please/719580 "2015-05-12T01:53:02Z")
Four year old Mac. Takes forever to load anything. The top header doesn’t show time, battery,etc. At one time the date was displayed as July 19. Per Activity Monitor, CPU has identityservicesd at 100%. Any help would b… --- ## [How does Twitter connect you with people?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-twitter-connect-you-with-people/719660)
**Author:** [@Doctor\_Why\_Bother](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Why_Bother)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2015, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-twitter-connect-you-with-people/719660 "2015-05-12T01:10:45Z")
Okay, so I’ve finally buckled to peer pressure and gotten myself a twitter account that, in all likelihood, I will probably never use. However, when I signed up something very weird and inexplicable happened and I can’t… --- ## [Epiphany. Why is it called that?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epiphany-why-is-it-called-that/524010)
**Author:** [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2015, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epiphany-why-is-it-called-that/524010 "2015-05-11T23:34:37Z")
So I guess today was the Feast of (the?) Epiphany. If you don’t already know, that is like Christmas for Eastern Orthodox types. You know, the Greek Orthodox, the Russian Orthodox, maybe there are other Orthodox groups o… --- ## [Why doesn't fresh cooking oil brown food as easily as used oil?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-fresh-cooking-oil-brown-food-as-easily-as-used-oil/719758)
**Author:** [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2015, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-fresh-cooking-oil-brown-food-as-easily-as-used-oil/719758 "2015-05-11T21:36:15Z")
When I start out with 100% fresh, never-used oil to fry chicken, for instance, it takes forever and then some more forever to get any kind of deeper color than just the lightest golden. But if I re-use oil, it’s not an i… --- ## [How do you pronounce Solveig?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-solveig/719685)
**Author:** [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2015, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-solveig/719685 "2015-05-11T20:50:28Z")
This should probably be a poll because I can’t seem to get any hard answers. I keep seeing baby name guides saying that Solveig should be pronounced, Sool-vay, but then I go to youtube and everyone seems to be voicing t… --- ## [How do 529 plans affect college financial aid?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-529-plans-affect-college-financial-aid/719806)
**Author:** [@jebert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jebert)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2015, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-529-plans-affect-college-financial-aid/719806 "2015-05-11T20:37:19Z")
Most states allow people to save for college using 529 plans which allow tax-free growth of contributions until they are used to pay educational expenses. But if a family has one, does its existence reduce the financial… --- ## [Why is overbooking legal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-overbooking-legal/719628)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2015, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-overbooking-legal/719628 "2015-05-11T20:29:09Z")
Airlines are notorious for selling far more seats then they have. The college I went to did this with their housing, and pissed a lot of people off. In that case, the deposit wasn’t even refundable. Why is taking money… --- ## [Alternate plane for Air Force One](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-plane-for-air-force-one/719650)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2015, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-plane-for-air-force-one/719650 "2015-05-11T20:27:40Z")
I know whatever plane the president uses is Air Force one. But on this trip you can see it was not the standard 747. Maybe the airport was too small for a 747 to land? Since they have two 747s I don’t think they… --- ## [Is there a website that shows Civil War battles play by play?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-website-that-shows-civil-war-battles-play-by-play/719673)
**Author:** [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2015, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-website-that-shows-civil-war-battles-play-by-play/719673 "2015-05-11T19:35:13Z")
I’m looking for colored arrows on a map that show things like, the Battle of Little Round Top or Pickett’s Charge. Those two are pretty straight forward. Many of the others are harder for me to picture, based on just a v… --- ## [Metalogicians! A question for you!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metalogicians-a-question-for-you/719677)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2015, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metalogicians-a-question-for-you/719677 "2015-05-11T18:53:09Z")
I would have affirmed the following two statements, though not very confidently, if I’d been asked: If N is a proof of a statement about objects in a domain D, then N is a derivation in a language interpreted as refer… --- ## [Were there spies and assassins in the Civil War?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-there-spies-and-assassins-in-the-civil-war/719688)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2015, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-there-spies-and-assassins-in-the-civil-war/719688 "2015-05-11T18:46:27Z")
Seems to me it would be trivially easy to use assassins and spies in the Civil War (they are all Americans) but I have never heard of them being used. Why not? Lee, Lincoln, others…(of course Lincoln got it just after … --- ## [Anti-access and area denial warfare](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-access-and-area-denial-warfare/719684)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2015, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-access-and-area-denial-warfare/719684 "2015-05-11T18:32:10Z")
What technological and doctrinal changes have made A2/AD more of an issue? What elements does it chiefly involve? What are today’s educated guesses about how an A2/AD plan can be defeated? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1115) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1117)