# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1133 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1134 --- ## [How many cell phone users in the world were there in 1985?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cell-phone-users-in-the-world-were-there-in-1985/717283)
**Author:** [@protoboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/protoboard)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2015, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cell-phone-users-in-the-world-were-there-in-1985/717283 "2015-04-14T11:56:17Z")
The mass adoption of cell phones didn’t really begin until the late 1990s, but some people had them as early as 1979 in Japan. How many cell phones would you guess existed in the world in 1985? I know in Japan they had a… --- ## [Japanese Tsunami. What was the worst outcome? Nuclear or Civil?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/japanese-tsunami-what-was-the-worst-outcome-nuclear-or-civil/717482)
**Author:** [@jezzaOZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jezzaOZ)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2015, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/japanese-tsunami-what-was-the-worst-outcome-nuclear-or-civil/717482 "2015-04-14T10:25:14Z")
The fairly recent Japanese Tsunami had massive loss of life and destruction. It also had the shutdown/meltdown of the Fukishima Nuclear complex. In overall terms, what was worse? The civilian and infrastructure damage?… --- ## [What does this notation mean in an integral?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-this-notation-mean-in-an-integral/717575)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2015, 9:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-this-notation-mean-in-an-integral/717575 "2015-04-14T09:15:41Z")
I don’t understand this integral in an expression. It’s written as the definite integral of dsigma sigma^-2, with the limits of integration being 0 and infinity. That is, there’s an integral sign, then there’s “dsigma”, … --- ## [Editorial content and matching online ads](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/editorial-content-and-matching-online-ads/717628)
**Author:** [@Donnerwetter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donnerwetter)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2015, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/editorial-content-and-matching-online-ads/717628 "2015-04-14T08:30:47Z")
Since I don’t care much about the real problems in the world, I was reading an article with a somewhat convoluted headline on the Daily Mail website: Prince George may need to work on his geography! Toddler goes hunting… --- ## [When did southern patriotism become part of the culture?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-southern-patriotism-become-part-of-the-culture/716196)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2015, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-southern-patriotism-become-part-of-the-culture/716196 "2015-04-14T05:13:15Z")
Some of the modern stereotypes of the South is that there’s a lot of American flags on pickup trucks, they listen to a lot of country music that extol the virtues of America and military service, and send a lot of their … --- ## [When People Smoke/Drink Too Much Weed And Freak Out And Go To The ER](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-people-smoke-drink-too-much-weed-and-freak-out-and-go-to-the-er/717604)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2015, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-people-smoke-drink-too-much-weed-and-freak-out-and-go-to-the-er/717604 "2015-04-14T03:50:37Z")
Don’t need answer fast. Anyway, since weed has become legal in a few states, from time to time you’ll hear about somebody who smoked/ate too much weed, freaked out, and went to the ER. Does the ER actually do anything … --- ## [IRA/401k Q: Tax consequences of croaking without a beneficiary?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ira-401k-q-tax-consequences-of-croaking-without-a-beneficiary/717587)
**Author:** [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2015, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ira-401k-q-tax-consequences-of-croaking-without-a-beneficiary/717587 "2015-04-14T03:46:22Z")
Not concerned about estate taxes for this question, just the disposition of the assets. Assume I have a will, but forgot to name a beneficiary–or the person I was planning to leave it to died, and I never got around to … --- ## [Verizon unlimited data](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/verizon-unlimited-data/717603)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2015, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/verizon-unlimited-data/717603 "2015-04-14T02:27:25Z")
What prevents Verizon Wireless from ending it’s grandfathered unlimited data plan? (they obviously don’t like it) Also is this different for 4G customers due to the frequency used and the FCC stipulations such use? --- ## [Why does USPS still deliver on Saturdays?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-usps-still-deliver-on-saturdays/717412)
**Author:** [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2015, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-usps-still-deliver-on-saturdays/717412 "2015-04-13T22:37:55Z")
IIRC, about 2 or 3 years ago, USPS had stopped delivering mail on Saturdays. Well, I haven’t missed my usual delivery on any Saturdays. Why is this? Thanks. hh --- ## [Swamp Cooler: How to filter outdoor cigarette smoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swamp-cooler-how-to-filter-outdoor-cigarette-smoke/716315)
**Author:** [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2015, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swamp-cooler-how-to-filter-outdoor-cigarette-smoke/716315 "2015-04-13T21:39:36Z")
My friend has a swamp cooler that she relies on to keep the house temperate but neighbors on both sides go outdoors to smoke. She’s using a Living Air Purifier that should be causing the smoky air particles to drop but i… --- ## [Why does Venus have such a dense atmosphere?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-venus-have-such-a-dense-atmosphere/717578)
**Author:** [@blood63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blood63)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2015, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-venus-have-such-a-dense-atmosphere/717578 "2015-04-13T20:55:42Z")
Why does Venus have an atmosphere about 100X thicker than the Earth’s when it has slightly less gravity than Earth? --- ## [How old are English wedding vows?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-are-english-wedding-vows/717455)
**Author:** [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2015, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-are-english-wedding-vows/717455 "2015-04-13T20:48:16Z")
Just watched an episode of Outlander. It takes place in the 18th century. In the wedding, the vows were word for word what is used today. Is this likely, or is it just entertainment? --- ## [How do dogs know if a snake is venomous or not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-dogs-know-if-a-snake-is-venomous-or-not/717411)
**Author:** [@sentrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sentrix)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2015, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-dogs-know-if-a-snake-is-venomous-or-not/717411 "2015-04-13T20:41:56Z")
Just wondering how they do it? In Thailand my friend’s dog plays with harmless tree snakes but stays right away from small cobras which wonder into the garden. Cats react the same. --- ## [Just What \*Are\* The Penalties For Not Vaccinating](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-what-are-the-penalties-for-not-vaccinating/711812)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2015, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-what-are-the-penalties-for-not-vaccinating/711812 "2015-04-13T20:40:29Z")
This CNN article points out that Utah and Mississippi - of all places - have the strictest vaccination laws in the country, allowing no exemptions except on a doctor’s excuse. What the article doesn’t say is what (if an… --- ## [How Prevalent is Censorship in U.S.?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-prevalent-is-censorship-in-u-s/717463)
**Author:** [@Grotonian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grotonian)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2015, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-prevalent-is-censorship-in-u-s/717463 "2015-04-13T19:43:58Z")
So, what IS censored by the gov’t in the US? Or, what speech or expression is criminal by federal, state, or local laws? Terroristic threats and child porn, I get. False IDs to cops and shouting “Fire!” in a crowded thea… --- ## [Tax Pros - Early Withdrawl Penalty - Need anwer kinda fast :)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-pros-early-withdrawl-penalty-need-anwer-kinda-fast/717432)
**Author:** [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2015, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-pros-early-withdrawl-penalty-need-anwer-kinda-fast/717432 "2015-04-13T19:36:07Z")
I think I should be paying a 10% penalty for early withdrawal from a retirement account. However I don’t see it called out anywhere on my 1099-R and I don’t see anywhere to account for it on the 1040? How do I pay it a… --- ## [Etymology of 'having your @ss handed to you'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etymology-of-having-your-ss-handed-to-you/717582)
**Author:** [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2015, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etymology-of-having-your-ss-handed-to-you/717582 "2015-04-13T19:35:42Z")
And approximate timeframe of its attaining currency. (I suspect this is probably mainly an Americanism, but I’d invite comments on that as well.) If it’s come up before, I’m not getting any hits on it. --- ## [Modelling the Milky Way](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modelling-the-milky-way/717541)
**Author:** [@blood63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blood63)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2015, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modelling-the-milky-way/717541 "2015-04-13T18:45:05Z")
I did a cool modelling activity with my students. I took them to the gym and told them to imagine that the gym was the Milky Way galaxy. A beach ball would then the area of a our local stars, the stars we can see in th… --- ## [I'm trying to find a reference to the geometric shape of the Platonic soul.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-trying-to-find-a-reference-to-the-geometric-shape-of-the-platonic-soul/717410)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2015, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-trying-to-find-a-reference-to-the-geometric-shape-of-the-platonic-soul/717410 "2015-04-13T17:13:59Z")
Hi I remember reading about the “geometric shape” of the Platonic soul. I hope I’m not misremembering here. Perhaps I misinterpreted the Platonic soul as having a shape (I’m thinking of the five Platonic solids). I’m no… --- ## [Cat years--like dog years?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-years-like-dog-years/717305)
**Author:** [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2015, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-years-like-dog-years/717305 "2015-04-13T17:08:57Z")
The second Straight Dope book described a better theory about the aging of a dog–the first year of a dog’s life equals 21 human years, and each year after that, four human years. What about cats? Do they age in much the… --- ## [How does your nose length (vertical) relate to the length of your face and the length of your head](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-your-nose-length-vertical-relate-to-the-length-of-your-face-and-the-length-of-your-head/717349)
**Author:** [@Cathy967](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cathy967)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2015, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-your-nose-length-vertical-relate-to-the-length-of-your-face-and-the-length-of-your-head/717349 "2015-04-13T15:43:10Z")
I’m studying about drawing human faces, and it just seems like people with longer noses tend to have longer faces/heads. Not exactly sure about this though. --- ## [Ass rawness / itching (may be TMI)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ass-rawness-itching-may-be-tmi/717569)
**Author:** [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2015, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ass-rawness-itching-may-be-tmi/717569 "2015-04-13T15:34:32Z")
So… having a couple of small children who occasionally get diaper rash, and occasionally having gastric events that cause me to crap a lot, and make my ass raw or itchy, I got to wondering what actually causes that? Is… --- ## [Motherhood: record for age difference between oldest and youngest child?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motherhood-record-for-age-difference-between-oldest-and-youngest-child/717479)
**Author:** [@Donnerwetter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donnerwetter)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2015, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motherhood-record-for-age-difference-between-oldest-and-youngest-child/717479 "2015-04-13T13:48:26Z")
I’m reading a story in a German newspaper about a 65 years-old teacher from Berlin, Germany who has learned that she is pregnant and expecting quadruplets. What’s remarkable about this story is that this is not the resul… --- ## [Resurrected Ethernet Card and Computer Power Problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resurrected-ethernet-card-and-computer-power-problem/712158)
**Author:** [@Jormungandr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jormungandr)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2015, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resurrected-ethernet-card-and-computer-power-problem/712158 "2015-04-13T05:09:23Z")
I hope someone could help me figure this out. I’ve posted about trying to help my neighbor get back online. Unfortunately, trying to connect the modem using the USB cable was unsuccessful as the USB modem light never cam… --- ## [Yellowstone Supervolcano Timing Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellowstone-supervolcano-timing-question/716864)
**Author:** [@Recusant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Recusant)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2015, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellowstone-supervolcano-timing-question/716864 "2015-04-13T02:07:40Z")
When Hephaestus finally gets tired of Zeus hogging all the lethality credit and blows this puppy up- so, assuming a continent-devastating eruption- how much warning are we likely to have? I know we don’t have a lot of o… --- ## [Strange bird behavior - titmouse mating display?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-bird-behavior-titmouse-mating-display/717488)
**Author:** [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2015, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-bird-behavior-titmouse-mating-display/717488 "2015-04-13T01:28:54Z")
So we have the world’s greatest bird feeder, with a birdy Zagat rating of 5.0, right outside our window where we can watch the traffic over coffee. Mrs. B. reported this to me, and then I saw it this morning: a titmouse… --- ## [What exactly are 'stress hormones'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-are-stress-hormones/717502)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2015, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-are-stress-hormones/717502 "2015-04-13T00:22:35Z")
I’ve read a few articles on stress and disease, and they mention things like how stress causes your body to release stress hormones that can damage the bodies self repair mechanisms, immune system, sleep, etc. But what … --- ## [Telephone records - Zodiac investigation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/telephone-records-zodiac-investigation/717228)
**Author:** [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2015, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/telephone-records-zodiac-investigation/717228 "2015-04-12T23:50:43Z")
I watched the movie Zodiac, and it made me wonder… How did the phone company track calls back then, and did they track calls like today? As I understand how things work now, when I call another phone number, regardless… --- ## [Monument Do Not Remove](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monument-do-not-remove/717500)
**Author:** [@benh999](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/benh999)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2015, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monument-do-not-remove/717500 "2015-04-12T23:44:32Z")
Does anyone know what small plaques on sidewalks that say “Monument Do Not Remove” (like this one) are for? It stands to reason that a monument would indicate what it was a monument to. --- ## [Dual exhaust on a car - any mechanical advantage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dual-exhaust-on-a-car-any-mechanical-advantage/717051)
**Author:** [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2015, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dual-exhaust-on-a-car-any-mechanical-advantage/717051 "2015-04-12T23:08:42Z")
Is there or does it just look “cooler”? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1132) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1134)