# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=137 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 138 --- ## [Cannabis In Tennessee](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cannabis-in-tennessee/985864)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2023, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cannabis-in-tennessee/985864 "2023-06-21T11:35:32Z")
Tennesse hasn’t gotten on the legalization bandwagon yet, per NORML. https://norml.org/laws/tennessee-penalties-2/#:~:text=2015)%20Web%20Search-,Possession,a%20%24500%20mandatory%20minimum%20fine. Except, I was in Gatli… --- ## [What is the oldest artifact that has never been "lost"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-oldest-artifact-that-has-never-been-lost/985713)
**Author:** [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2023, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-oldest-artifact-that-has-never-been-lost/985713 "2023-06-20T20:42:27Z")
Most of the really old ancient artifacts that we have were dug up out of the ground or found in tombs. But presumably there are some things that were valuable enough that they were kept intact and passed from person to … --- ## [Is it possible to genetically modify organisms in a way that’s impossible with selective breeding?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-genetically-modify-organisms-in-a-way-that-s-impossible-with-selective-breeding/984478)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 115\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2023, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-genetically-modify-organisms-in-a-way-that-s-impossible-with-selective-breeding/984478 "2023-06-20T17:16:48Z")
I ask because it struck me that when people discuss GMOs, many envision a cackling scientist in a white coat blasting poor animals and people with radiation rays and chemicals to alter them in ways that would be impossib… --- ## [Question about reflecting light](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-reflecting-light/985742)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2023, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-reflecting-light/985742 "2023-06-20T12:51:12Z")
Suppose a fine powder were used as a reflective agent that could be released into the atmosphere. Each particle is about 25 microns in size. Would it reflect the same amount of light if all those particles were joined to… --- ## [How important is deep tire tread on dry pavement?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-is-deep-tire-tread-on-dry-pavement/985661)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2023, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-is-deep-tire-tread-on-dry-pavement/985661 "2023-06-20T12:18:23Z")
I understand that when the road is wet, deeper tire tread will move more water out of the way and keep you from hydroplaning. On dry pavement, does deeper tread help with traction? IE, would the same tread pattern with … --- ## [How does a construction worker know what he/she is to work on today?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-construction-worker-know-what-he-she-is-to-work-on-today/985631)
**Author:** [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2023, 10:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-construction-worker-know-what-he-she-is-to-work-on-today/985631 "2023-06-20T10:21:08Z")
I was driving through this massive construction site in southwest Austin yesterday when the question occurred to me. I am always amazed that a huge project such as this one appears like total chaos during construction y… --- ## [Buried pirate treasure](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buried-pirate-treasure/985750)
**Author:** [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2023, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buried-pirate-treasure/985750 "2023-06-20T02:58:19Z")
I just watched John Gates Expedition Unknown, about pirate treasure. Capt Henry Avery IIRC. But my thought was- why would a pirate bury his loot someplace hard to get to anyway? Pirates spent their loot on run, high li… --- ## [How easy is it to use a serial number to interpolate a fabrication date?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-easy-is-it-to-use-a-serial-number-to-interpolate-a-fabrication-date/985757)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2023, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-easy-is-it-to-use-a-serial-number-to-interpolate-a-fabrication-date/985757 "2023-06-20T02:24:24Z")
Not sure if this is better suited for Cafe Society, since the product is audio equipment. The equipment is a pair of JBL L-100 speakers that kaylasmom owned when I met her 46 years ago. I’m not precisely sure when she bo… --- ## [Buying plans for a home addition](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-plans-for-a-home-addition/985517)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2023, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-plans-for-a-home-addition/985517 "2023-06-19T20:39:36Z")
One of my neighbors is adding on a detached garage guest house combo, about 1700 sq ft total. I really liked the floor plan and would like to buy his plans. The question I have is this. I would like to get the plans as c… --- ## [Could this have been POTUS traveling on Interstate 95?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-this-have-been-potus-traveling-on-interstate-95/985691)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2023, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-this-have-been-potus-traveling-on-interstate-95/985691 "2023-06-19T19:55:33Z")
Yesterday, Friday, about 10:20, I saw an interesting entourage on Interstate 95, about 65 miles NE from the center of Washington D.C. It was about 7 big new shiny black SUVs with red and blue flashing lights. The first o… --- ## [Do actual magical spells from the Middle Ages / Renaissance survive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-actual-magical-spells-from-the-middle-ages-renaissance-survive/985696)
**Author:** [@themapleleaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/themapleleaf)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2023, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-actual-magical-spells-from-the-middle-ages-renaissance-survive/985696 "2023-06-19T19:28:02Z")
I am informed that various actual, real-life “grimoires”, that is, books of magic, have come down to us from the Middle Ages / the Renaissance. Googling around, I have found that they contain things like magical symbols,… --- ## [What travel restrictions apply to Chinese citizens?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-travel-restrictions-apply-to-chinese-citizens/985572)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2023, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-travel-restrictions-apply-to-chinese-citizens/985572 "2023-06-19T04:27:19Z")
Can Chinese students study abroad? Can families take vacations in Europe or the US? Is it easy to maintain a home in China and another country? For example, a Chinese businessman that works in London, and still comes h… --- ## [Older tanks reversing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-tanks-reversing/985716)
**Author:** [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2023, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-tanks-reversing/985716 "2023-06-19T03:34:34Z")
This thought popped into my mind while looking at the Soviet era tanks being sported by Russia. I am pretty sure modern tanks have cameras and screens for the driver to see, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen a tank with … --- ## [Turning a torus inside out. Possible in the real world?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turning-a-torus-inside-out-possible-in-the-real-world/985694)
**Author:** [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2023, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turning-a-torus-inside-out-possible-in-the-real-world/985694 "2023-06-18T21:27:29Z")
I have a small needlepoint project that I never finished. It’s a wreath, front and back. To finish it, I would sew it so that the stitched sides are together, leaving a small section unstitched, then turn it inside out, … --- ## [If parliament effectively runs the UK.....what governing body runs England, Scotland etc](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-parliament-effectively-runs-the-uk-what-governing-body-runs-england-scotland-etc/985527)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2023, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-parliament-effectively-runs-the-uk-what-governing-body-runs-england-scotland-etc/985527 "2023-06-18T12:25:47Z")
Maybe I misunderstand, but I think Parliament is the legislative body of the UK. And the UK is made up of the countries of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Do those countries have their own legislative go… --- ## [Can I simulate red/green color blindness with my LED lights?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-simulate-red-green-color-blindness-with-my-led-lights/985081)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2023, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-simulate-red-green-color-blindness-with-my-led-lights/985081 "2023-06-17T22:14:22Z")
I have LED lights in my bathroom that I can set to just about any color. Is there any color or set of colors that I can set them to to simulate red/green color blindness? --- ## [Second question about sheriffs: is there any similarity between a sheriff and a "sherif / sharif" in Islamic countries?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/second-question-about-sheriffs-is-there-any-similarity-between-a-sheriff-and-a-sherif-sharif-in-islamic-countries/985697)
**Author:** [@themapleleaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/themapleleaf)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2023, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/second-question-about-sheriffs-is-there-any-similarity-between-a-sheriff-and-a-sherif-sharif-in-islamic-countries/985697 "2023-06-17T21:33:38Z")
This is my second of three questions about sheriffs. In Islamic countries, there is a title, “sherif” (or “sharif”.) It’s not completely clear to me what this title is supposed to convey and whether its meaning doesn’t v… --- ## [Yeshua ben Yosef](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeshua-ben-yosef/985222)
**Author:** [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2023, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeshua-ben-yosef/985222 "2023-06-17T19:40:28Z")
Some years ago there is supposed to be a fellow named Yeshua ben Yosef. Today, in English that would be Joshua Josephson. Or Josh Carpenter. Or even he could be Josh Godson. What I’m wondering is how or when Yeshua, a n… --- ## [Why do people buy body parts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-buy-body-parts/985623)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2023, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-buy-body-parts/985623 "2023-06-17T16:32:44Z")
Yeah, this is gruesome. A local guy was arrested for buying body parts from a morgue in PA, apparently to resell or something. The guy at the morgue where he got them looks like something out of a horror movie, and would… --- ## [Another Latin grammar question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-latin-grammar-question/985636)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2023, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-latin-grammar-question/985636 "2023-06-17T14:34:13Z")
Will someone please explain to me the difference between plurals ending in “i” versus those ending in “ia”? E.G., millennia vs. millenni? --- ## [What happens when a retainer is exhausted during a criminal trial?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-a-retainer-is-exhausted-during-a-criminal-trial/985655)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2023, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-a-retainer-is-exhausted-during-a-criminal-trial/985655 "2023-06-17T12:25:57Z")
Question for lawyers: As I understand it, if you represent a defendant in a criminal matter once they’re indicted, you cannot withdraw from the case. If that’s true, what happens if money your client has paid you runs … --- ## [Trump question \[average number of words used by Trump vs. average Americans\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-question-average-number-of-words-used-by-trump-vs-average-americans/985588)
**Author:** [@SandyHook](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SandyHook)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2023, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-question-average-number-of-words-used-by-trump-vs-average-americans/985588 "2023-06-16T20:33:29Z")
I saw the following on another site and want to know how accurate it is. Please nothing about how Trump is an idiot/savior of the modern world. \[Moderator Note - Everything below this is from the other site\] I have kn… --- ## [Why would one streaming service keep buffering?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-one-streaming-service-keep-buffering/985601)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2023, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-one-streaming-service-keep-buffering/985601 "2023-06-16T14:41:31Z")
We have a non-so-smart tv. We use a Firestick for streaming. We use several streaming services, e.g. Netflix, Hulu, Max, Prime, etc. They all work very smoothly except for Hulu. When we watch anything on Hulu, it kee… --- ## [Dentistry without drills?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dentistry-without-drills/955140)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2023, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dentistry-without-drills/955140 "2023-06-16T14:12:53Z")
Driving down I-95 in Connecticut yesterday, I saw a large billboard for a dental practice that said, “No drills, no needles”. Now I guess you could replace needles by a general anesthetic, but how is it possible to do d… --- ## [TED.com + Safari browser on Mac = no audio](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-com-safari-browser-on-mac-no-audio/985586)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2023, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-com-safari-browser-on-mac-no-audio/985586 "2023-06-16T12:09:23Z")
I can no longer hear TED videos on my iMac using Safari. When I first open the video (which is not set to autoplay), the speaker mute control and volume slider at the bottom of the TED video window looks normal, but quic… --- ## [Is there an antonym for camouflage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-antonym-for-camouflage/985567)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2023, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-antonym-for-camouflage/985567 "2023-06-16T01:52:23Z")
We all know the meaning of camouflage; giving something an outward appearance that makes it more difficult to see. And there are times when we give something an outward appearance that makes it easier to see. Examples a… --- ## [Reaching the nearest star](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaching-the-nearest-star/985283)
**Author:** [@cjackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjackson)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2023, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaching-the-nearest-star/985283 "2023-06-16T01:50:28Z")
In his book A Traveler’s Guide To The Stars, Les Johnson says a 10^7 kg ship would require 4.5 x 10^21 joules of energy to reach 0.1c. How much would be needed to achieve the 0.7c of the Venture Star in Avatar? Would it … --- ## [Likely cause of Access Error? -- attempting to update Table A from corresponding Table B value](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likely-cause-of-access-error-attempting-to-update-table-a-from-corresponding-table-b-value/985525)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2023, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likely-cause-of-access-error-attempting-to-update-table-a-from-corresponding-table-b-value/985525 "2023-06-15T23:10:11Z")
I’m not an Access geek. I’m a FileMaker geek and a sort of middle-school-level SQL geek, therefore with some good fundamentals for understanding databases in general, but definitely not Access-specific stuff. I fetched… --- ## [Cellos, violas and violins](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cellos-violas-and-violins/394689)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2023, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cellos-violas-and-violins/394689 "2023-06-15T19:50:36Z")
Oh my. We went to see the Borodin String Quartet the other night and I noticed that from time to time the musicians would move something up to the bridge. I’ve never noticed this sort of action before and was wondering… --- ## [Is there a way to search flights by price only (not destination)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-search-flights-by-price-only-not-destination/985564)
**Author:** [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2023, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-search-flights-by-price-only-not-destination/985564 "2023-06-15T17:35:09Z")
Flights are really expensive these days but my wife and I wanted to plan a long weekend. I had the bright idea of us figuring out what we were willing to spend on a flight and just seeing what flights were available for … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=136) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=138)