# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=115 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 116 --- ## [Pool cleaning chemical question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pool-cleaning-chemical-question/992737)
**Author:** [@thevolleyballer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thevolleyballer)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2023, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pool-cleaning-chemical-question/992737 "2023-11-07T23:30:16Z")
I know nothing about pool maintenance, but have heard of chlorine to kill microorganisms. I’m watching this movie The Boys Next Door - it’s starting off with these juvenile delinquent boys who crash a classmate’s party w… --- ## [Has Anyone Placed Recording Devices in "Haunted" Houses?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-placed-recording-devices-in-haunted-houses/391019)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2023, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-placed-recording-devices-in-haunted-houses/391019 "2023-11-07T19:49:28Z")
Inspired by those idiotic “Ghost HUnter” TV shows (like “TAPS”); my question: why clamber around old houses, castles, hospitals, etc., in hopes of catching a glimpse of a ghost? Why not set up a series of detectors (temp… --- ## [Do mixed octane fuels average out?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-mixed-octane-fuels-average-out/992371)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2023, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-mixed-octane-fuels-average-out/992371 "2023-11-07T17:49:24Z")
My car’s manufacturer recommends 91 octane. All the pumps around here have 87, 89 and 93. Do octane ratings average arithmetically, or is there some qualitative difference? If I mix 89 and 93 do I get gas that is rated 9… --- ## ["I stopped explaining myself ... people only understand from their level of perception": Origin of quote known?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-stopped-explaining-myself-people-only-understand-from-their-level-of-perception-origin-of-quote-known/984595)
**Author:** [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2023, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-stopped-explaining-myself-people-only-understand-from-their-level-of-perception-origin-of-quote-known/984595 "2023-11-07T11:08:09Z")
Factual Question is essentially the title. The full quote (I think?) is as follows: “I stopped explaining myself when i realized people only understand from their level of perception.” Googling that quote makes it look… --- ## [What was the state of cellphone video camera quality in 2007?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-state-of-cellphone-video-camera-quality-in-2007/992646)
**Author:** [@thevolleyballer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thevolleyballer)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2023, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-state-of-cellphone-video-camera-quality-in-2007/992646 "2023-11-07T10:48:16Z")
I’m watching an episode from late 4th season of 2 & 1/2 Men. For those who don’t know, it was a sitcom with Charlie Sheen as a playboy Charlie in a Malibu beach house, with Jon Cryer as the brother Alan who comes to live… --- ## [Paying off my mortgage question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paying-off-my-mortgage-question/992488)
**Author:** [@Persimmon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Persimmon)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2023, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paying-off-my-mortgage-question/992488 "2023-11-06T23:07:06Z")
I have a 120k loan at 4.67% and paying it off at about 600 bucks per month. If I have 25k sitting in my bank doing nothing, if I use that to help pay off my loan, will it lower my interest rate and help or does it no… --- ## [Why did the casino demand my ID (everyone's ID) when entering?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-casino-demand-my-id-everyones-id-when-entering/991583)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2023, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-casino-demand-my-id-everyones-id-when-entering/991583 "2023-11-06T22:41:30Z")
I do not gamble at all (I mean, I have a few times in my life but can count it on one hand). But, out of curiosity, I went into the new(ish) Bally’s casino in downtown Chicago. It is in the old Medinah Temple building … --- ## [Has this ever happened in history, Government knows about terror attack, lets it happen to take advantage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-this-ever-happened-in-history-government-knows-about-terror-attack-lets-it-happen-to-take-advantage/992113)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2023, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-this-ever-happened-in-history-government-knows-about-terror-attack-lets-it-happen-to-take-advantage/992113 "2023-11-06T21:56:08Z")
No I’m not taking about false flags. The Reichstag Fire, Pearl Harbor, 9/11, and currently the Hamas attack on Israeli, have all been accused of being events that the respective Government knew about beforehand, but all… --- ## [Does a bathroom washbasin need a U-bend?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-bathroom-washbasin-need-a-u-bend/992659)
**Author:** [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2023, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-bathroom-washbasin-need-a-u-bend/992659 "2023-11-06T20:15:07Z")
Title is the question. I recently had a plumber in to fix my bathroom washbasin. He did a bad job, with a lot wrong, which I won’t list here. One thing is, there’s no sign of a U-bend or other trap. I’m not a plumb… --- ## [Cats have multiple raised patches of fur on their backs, what is it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-have-multiple-raised-patches-of-fur-on-their-backs-what-is-it/992684)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2023, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-have-multiple-raised-patches-of-fur-on-their-backs-what-is-it/992684 "2023-11-06T19:54:39Z")
I tried looking up common skin conditions in cats on Google images but nothing seemed to match. Basically two of my indoor cats suddenly on their backs towards the rear (area between midsection and tail) got multiple ra… --- ## [Hardie board exterior siding — incorrect installation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hardie-board-exterior-siding-incorrect-installation/989382)
**Author:** [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2023, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hardie-board-exterior-siding-incorrect-installation/989382 "2023-11-06T19:43:44Z")
For installing Hardie board exterior siding, I’m wondering if my crew is doing it correctly or not. As they install each lateral plank, from the bottom and working their way up, they align each plank correctly (I believe… --- ## [Question about Federally insured savings accounts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-federally-insured-savings-accounts/991335)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2023, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-federally-insured-savings-accounts/991335 "2023-11-06T18:38:00Z")
I know that, for the most part, the FDIC covers the first $250,000 in the account. If I put multi-millions in one account will I get the stated interest on the entire amount, or just the first $250,000? --- ## [Credit Card fees per transaction--what about debit card transactions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/credit-card-fees-per-transaction-what-about-debit-card-transactions/991256)
**Author:** [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2023, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/credit-card-fees-per-transaction-what-about-debit-card-transactions/991256 "2023-11-06T17:25:35Z")
I came across this article last week, indicating that the cost of processing credit card transactions, which are normally passed on to the business selling the product, increases the cost of the product. This is, unders… --- ## [Open enrollment period in Medicare, why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/open-enrollment-period-in-medicare-why/992610)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2023, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/open-enrollment-period-in-medicare-why/992610 "2023-11-06T17:15:07Z")
I just read in the Times that this is the start of the open enrollment period. Is there any principled reason you can’t enroll at any time. If I moved to the US in June, would I be banned for half a year? --- ## [What can you tell me abut the American Humane Society?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-tell-me-abut-the-american-humane-society/992617)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2023, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-tell-me-abut-the-american-humane-society/992617 "2023-11-06T16:52:23Z")
Not the National Humane Society, or the International Humane Society or any of the other animal rights organizations. I am looking for information about a group specifically called the American Humane Society. For the… --- ## [I should never use bookmarks, because they are a security risk?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-should-never-use-bookmarks-because-they-are-a-security-risk/992475)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2023, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-should-never-use-bookmarks-because-they-are-a-security-risk/992475 "2023-11-06T16:16:34Z")
My online banking tech support told me I should never use bookmarks, because they are a security risk that expose my personal and financial information to hackers. Is this right??? This is the bank that updated their we… --- ## [antimatter](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antimatter/58240)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2023, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antimatter/58240 "2023-11-06T14:20:49Z")
Does antimatter fall…up? --- ## [Can someone step by step me through unlocking facebook protection?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-step-by-step-me-through-unlocking-facebook-protection/987007)
**Author:** [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2023, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-step-by-step-me-through-unlocking-facebook-protection/987007 "2023-11-06T11:28:31Z")
I’ve been trying for a couple hours and it keeps sending me in Catch-22 spirals. --- ## [What is this (presumed) scam/spam?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-presumed-scam-spam/989135)
**Author:** [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2023, 9:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-presumed-scam-spam/989135 "2023-11-06T09:20:45Z")
For the past few months, I’ve been sporadically getting text messages from some insurance company. The most recent one (which is fairly typical) says Almost all of them use the same name, and mention the same vehicle.… --- ## [When did the word safari not mean hunting anymore?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-word-safari-not-mean-hunting-anymore/992645)
**Author:** [@Danger\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danger_Man)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2023, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-word-safari-not-mean-hunting-anymore/992645 "2023-11-05T22:18:01Z")
When googling, most sources say that safari originally meant hunting animals, but today it means viewing animals. When did this shift occour? --- ## [If hearsay isn’t objected to, is it admitted?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hearsay-isn-t-objected-to-is-it-admitted/991839)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2023, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hearsay-isn-t-objected-to-is-it-admitted/991839 "2023-11-05T22:14:14Z")
If an obvious hearsay statement is made by a witness but the opposing counsel doesn’t object to it because he was distracted, not paying attention, conferring with his client, etc, is the statement still left to stand or… --- ## [Is it possible to live in the US without a bank account?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-live-in-the-us-without-a-bank-account/992545)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 116\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2023, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-live-in-the-us-without-a-bank-account/992545 "2023-11-05T21:19:11Z")
The new Speaker of the House reportedly has no bank accounts (@flurb posted about it here). This is FQ so need to steer clear of politics. My question for FQ: Is it possible to live in the US with no bank account? --- ## [Would forcing someone to watch bad movies legitimately be considered torture?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-forcing-someone-to-watch-bad-movies-legitimately-be-considered-torture/992574)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2023, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-forcing-someone-to-watch-bad-movies-legitimately-be-considered-torture/992574 "2023-11-05T20:58:17Z")
Like a prison warden decides to do an experiment where for prisoners who go to solitary confinement he finds bad mainstream Hollywood movies and plays them right outside the cell door bars at normal volume (I know solita… --- ## [Does she have, have not, or both?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-she-have-have-not-or-both/67864)
**Author:** [@frock75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/frock75)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2023, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-she-have-have-not-or-both/67864 "2023-11-05T20:55:08Z")
I’ve been hearing this rather persistant rumor about Jamie Lee Curtis. Does anyone know whether this lady is a hermaphrodite or not? Come to think of it her features are a bit masculine. What’s the deal? --- ## [What is the most recent day where nothing is known to have happened? Most recent month? Year?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-recent-day-where-nothing-is-known-to-have-happened-most-recent-month-year/988389)
**Author:** [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2023, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-recent-day-where-nothing-is-known-to-have-happened-most-recent-month-year/988389 "2023-11-05T20:25:35Z")
Decade? Century? Millennium? Worldwide daily newspapers have been published since July 1, 1650, so we probably know something about every day since then. Wiki’s entry for 1650 shows a birth on June 25th, and deaths on J… --- ## [Bing Maps discontinued "Bird's Eye View" in my area.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bing-maps-discontinued-birds-eye-view-in-my-area/801533)
**Author:** [@Orwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orwell)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2023, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bing-maps-discontinued-birds-eye-view-in-my-area/801533 "2023-11-05T20:08:43Z")
I have been a regular user of Bing Maps oblique aerial photo feature, which they call “Bird’s Eye”. Went on today to look at a location and it says they have “updated” the feature and it is no longer available except in… --- ## [Why is USMC ahead of USN in the DOD order of precedence?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-usmc-ahead-of-usn-in-the-dod-order-of-precedence/925444)
**Author:** [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2023, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-usmc-ahead-of-usn-in-the-dod-order-of-precedence/925444 "2023-11-05T19:10:13Z")
It is clear that this is the order of precedence set by the DOD, and also these are the recognized birthdays of the services: 1775-06-14 USA, US Army 1775-11-10 USMC 1775-10-13 USN 1947-09-18 USAF 1790-08-04 USCG T… --- ## [What absorbs more heat energy 1 L of salt water or fresh water from -20C to 10C](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-absorbs-more-heat-energy-1-l-of-salt-water-or-fresh-water-from-20c-to-10c/992612)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2023, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-absorbs-more-heat-energy-1-l-of-salt-water-or-fresh-water-from-20c-to-10c/992612 "2023-11-05T17:46:25Z")
A saturated salt water solution should just be slush at -20 and gradually rise in temp as it melts then becomes 10C Fresh water at -20 will be ice and absorb heat at some rate until it reaches 0, then plateau in temp as… --- ## [How do AI "programs" work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-ai-programs-work/992265)
**Author:** [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2023, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-ai-programs-work/992265 "2023-11-05T03:56:52Z")
How do they work? … I understand its not a program as such, with “linear istructions” (if-then-else) working from beginning to end… but watching a video of Musk driving in FSD-mode, he mentions a lot of its not been prog… --- ## [What could cause these typos?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-cause-these-typos/992601)
**Author:** [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2023, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-cause-these-typos/992601 "2023-11-05T01:58:55Z")
In preparation for the upcoming election on Tuesday, I’ve been reading several articles on cleveland.com (the website for the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the area’s main newspaper). In all of the articles, I’ve been noticin… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=114) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=116)