# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=143 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 144 --- ## [Birdwatchers - What did I just see?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birdwatchers-what-did-i-just-see/984237)
**Author:** [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2023, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birdwatchers-what-did-i-just-see/984237 "2023-05-18T22:22:38Z")
Sorry, no photo. A bird I have never seen around here before just landed on my front walk to peck at some bird seed. If I had to pick it out of a line-up for the bird cops, I’d finger the Black-Vented Oriole. Bright yel… --- ## [Do many Jews regard the commemorative events (Passover, Purim, etc.) as real historical events?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-many-jews-regard-the-commemorative-events-passover-purim-etc-as-real-historical-events/983918)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2023, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-many-jews-regard-the-commemorative-events-passover-purim-etc-as-real-historical-events/983918 "2023-05-18T21:25:04Z")
This could go in either FQ or IMHO. I realize that Jews are highly diverse and the answer will invariably be “it depends,” of course. But when Jews celebrate Passover, Purim, etc., do they regard the Exodus of Israelite… --- ## [Domesticated crops from North America](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/domesticated-crops-from-north-america/984107)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2023, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/domesticated-crops-from-north-america/984107 "2023-05-18T19:28:29Z")
Important note: For the purposes of this thread, North America means North America north of Mexico. That is, Canada and the United States. So don’t be suggesting maize or Capsicum or other Central American crops. I got … --- ## [Can a SCOTUS opinion say anything they want?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-scotus-opinion-say-anything-they-want/984202)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2023, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-scotus-opinion-say-anything-they-want/984202 "2023-05-18T19:19:44Z")
Is there anything other than tradition and, hopefully, good sense which prevents the SCOTUS from tacking an opinion onto a decision for an unrelated case? For example, in Smith v. Jones, about two farmers arguing about … --- ## ["Some patent examiner just submitted a paper"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-patent-examiner-just-submitted-a-paper/984181)
**Author:** [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2023, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-patent-examiner-just-submitted-a-paper/984181 "2023-05-18T15:25:07Z")
When Einstein submitted his first paper to Annalen der Physik did it matter to the editors at all that he wasn’t working at a university or research institution, or did they give his paper the exact same consideration as… --- ## [Don't Florida's book bans violate Island Trees SD vs Pico?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-floridas-book-bans-violate-island-trees-sd-vs-pico/980306)
**Author:** [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2023, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-floridas-book-bans-violate-island-trees-sd-vs-pico/980306 "2023-05-18T15:07:40Z")
I am unable to immediately find any case that overturns this decision. Law-Speaking types - a little help? I start this unit Monday and I know my students will be full of questions. (Yes, Mods - I am asking for help w… --- ## [Was there a Real New York Mining Disaster in 1941?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-a-real-new-york-mining-disaster-in-1941/148517)
**Author:** [@El\_Zagna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Zagna)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2023, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-a-real-new-york-mining-disaster-in-1941/148517 "2023-05-18T14:18:21Z")
The death of Maurice Gibb has reminded me of the Bee Gees first big American hit, “New York Mining Disaster 1941”. Was the song based on an actual event? I’ve googled without success. --- ## [MS Word is suddenly Read Only. Need answer fast](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-word-is-suddenly-read-only-need-answer-fast/984171)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2023, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-word-is-suddenly-read-only-need-answer-fast/984171 "2023-05-18T05:33:29Z")
I’ve saved several .docx files as boilerplates so that I don’t have to enter the same information every time. Apparently I accidentally clicked something, somewhere, so now everything is Read Only. This is not only for… --- ## [What is the trick to forcing Google maps to NOT zoom in during a search?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-trick-to-forcing-google-maps-to-not-zoom-in-during-a-search/984175)
**Author:** [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2023, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-trick-to-forcing-google-maps-to-not-zoom-in-during-a-search/984175 "2023-05-18T05:06:44Z")
Sometimes you do a search, the results will default to your current view only. Sometimes, it will zoom into some other location that you were NOT viewing, and only show the results from that area only. Sometimes, it wi… --- ## [Why no vacuum or hydrogen based airships?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-vacuum-or-hydrogen-based-airships/763811)
**Author:** [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Replies:** 295\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2023, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-vacuum-or-hydrogen-based-airships/763811 "2023-05-18T02:30:05Z")
I know that the Hindenburg clearly put a dent in people’s confidence in hydrogen’s usefulness in lighter than air travel, but that was a very long time ago, and there are still questions as to whether the hydrogen or the… --- ## [Did the ancient Egyptians travel to South America and build the Inca pyamids?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-ancient-egyptians-travel-to-south-america-and-build-the-inca-pyamids/955528)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 111\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2023, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-ancient-egyptians-travel-to-south-america-and-build-the-inca-pyamids/955528 "2023-05-18T01:25:54Z")
My batshit landlord again. He was watching a video about the Egyptian pyramids that made a lot of sense for the first 2 1/2 hours or so, until we got into conspiracy theory territory. I’ve found a decent place to start… --- ## [How to question with PowerPoint](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-question-with-powerpoint/983192)
**Author:** [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2023, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-question-with-powerpoint/983192 "2023-05-18T01:12:45Z")
I need to teach some teachers how to create an escape room for our students. I have everything ready for that, including a fun PowerPoint presentation. The one thing that would make it more fun is if I can add a sound–sp… --- ## [Yet another inheritance question: Predeceased beneficiary with no secondary beneficiary](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-inheritance-question-predeceased-beneficiary-with-no-secondary-beneficiary/984133)
**Author:** [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2023, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-inheritance-question-predeceased-beneficiary-with-no-secondary-beneficiary/984133 "2023-05-18T00:31:51Z")
You are not my lawyer, etc., and this probably varies from one state to the next, but anyway. . . Some years ago, the father-in-law of a friend died. He was under the impression that since FIL had only two children, an… --- ## [Forces and the Planck length](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forces-and-the-planck-length/984177)
**Author:** [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2023, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forces-and-the-planck-length/984177 "2023-05-17T18:23:15Z")
If I jump up and down, am I literally making the earth oscillate on its orbit? I guess the answer to this depends on whether the planet’s particles, on average, are experiencing an acceleration enough to move them more t… --- ## [Who figured out how to cook beans the first time?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-figured-out-how-to-cook-beans-the-first-time/984046)
**Author:** [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2023, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-figured-out-how-to-cook-beans-the-first-time/984046 "2023-05-17T17:49:29Z")
I was cooking up a pot of beans today and the thought occurred to me: Who the heck figured out how to cook these things? Especially since there are common varieties of beans that are somewhere between mildly toxic and … --- ## [20% of the population is LGBT, it's just that this identity was suppressed in the past?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/20-of-the-population-is-lgbt-its-just-that-this-identity-was-suppressed-in-the-past/982963)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2023, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/20-of-the-population-is-lgbt-its-just-that-this-identity-was-suppressed-in-the-past/982963 "2023-05-17T13:15:37Z")
The U.S. Census Bureau has released a Household Pulse Survey indicating that 19.7% of Generation Z identify as LGBT (as opposed to only 2.7% for Baby Boomers.) Obviously, sexual orientation is something you are born wit… --- ## [Combo or key lock thermos/bottle, any such beast?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/combo-or-key-lock-thermos-bottle-any-such-beast/983897)
**Author:** [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2023, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/combo-or-key-lock-thermos-bottle-any-such-beast/983897 "2023-05-17T04:29:29Z")
Google searches have failed me but I’d think there would be something like this out there. I want to keep a container of coffee creamer in the shared fridge at work but I don’t want it to be a community used creamer. If … --- ## [How to get hydraulic oil for log splitter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-hydraulic-oil-for-log-splitter/983987)
**Author:** [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2023, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-hydraulic-oil-for-log-splitter/983987 "2023-05-17T00:28:44Z")
I just bought a Bilt Hard log splitter, model WS6T. It’s a small (6.5 ton) electric unit, and should be just right for my occasional use. I need to first fill it with .9 gal of hydraulic oil, and that is proving diffic… --- ## [Can Trump's income from the US Government be garnished or attached?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-trumps-income-from-the-us-government-be-garnished-or-attached/984105)
**Author:** [@ZamboniAce1000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZamboniAce1000)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2023, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-trumps-income-from-the-us-government-be-garnished-or-attached/984105 "2023-05-16T23:29:01Z")
Now that Trump has finally been found liable for defamation comes the tough part: collecting. To that end, can Trump’s money from the federal government, be it pension, money for office space or secret service protection… --- ## [How to update IPhone memory storage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-update-iphone-memory-storage/964815)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2023, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-update-iphone-memory-storage/964815 "2023-05-16T19:33:34Z")
Is there a way to make my IPhone storage “catch up” to deletions? I got rid of some apps to clear out space but it still lists as full. Or will it eventually do so on its own? --- ## [What is the purpose of a pacemaker monitor?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-a-pacemaker-monitor/984129)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2023, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-a-pacemaker-monitor/984129 "2023-05-16T18:54:51Z")
My mother was sent home with a monitor after getting a pacemaker. I know it was used for her remote appointments by the doctor. Her pacemaker history was sent and it could adjust the pacemaker. I mistakenly thought it w… --- ## [Video redaction for privacy reasons](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-redaction-for-privacy-reasons/983923)
**Author:** [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2023, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-redaction-for-privacy-reasons/983923 "2023-05-16T17:16:25Z")
We have all seen the videos-everyone in the video has their faces blocked except the subject (and sometimes everyone is blocked). How automatic is that? In our school system there are currently 2000 cameras recording eve… --- ## [How much more pressure do car tires experience when driving vs. being parked?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-more-pressure-do-car-tires-experience-when-driving-vs-being-parked/983994)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2023, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-more-pressure-do-car-tires-experience-when-driving-vs-being-parked/983994 "2023-05-16T15:21:27Z")
I recently had some body work done on my car, so the body shop had my car for 2 weeks. I also recently put new tires on it (about a month before that). When I finally picked up my car and drove around locally for a few… --- ## [Calculating the date of Easter](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calculating-the-date-of-easter/983059)
**Author:** [@jebert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jebert)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2023, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calculating-the-date-of-easter/983059 "2023-05-16T00:41:07Z")
I tried looking up the method of calculating the date of Easter, but the only thing any site really said was the Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox. That in my mind is not really a calculation. I… --- ## [Alligators in Tamaulipas?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alligators-in-tamaulipas/984053)
**Author:** [@Ynnad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ynnad)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2023, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alligators-in-tamaulipas/984053 "2023-05-15T22:34:35Z")
A trivia question I asked several people last week was “The alligator is native to the U.S. and which other country?” The expected answer was China. However, my brother, who is quite knowledgeable about such things, s… --- ## [Compositing images with ImageMagick](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compositing-images-with-imagemagick/984062)
**Author:** [@Ponderoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponderoid)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2023, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compositing-images-with-imagemagick/984062 "2023-05-15T16:27:00Z")
I locked my camera down so it could take consistent pictures of a room with the same angle and lighting. I took a picture of the empty room, then I took images of myself in various poses in separate places in the room, n… --- ## [Insect sexual dimorphism where only the males are flightless](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insect-sexual-dimorphism-where-only-the-males-are-flightless/984000)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2023, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insect-sexual-dimorphism-where-only-the-males-are-flightless/984000 "2023-05-15T08:17:57Z")
I was thinking about glow worms and oil beetles and winter apple moths - where the females of the species are flightless and typically don’t travel very far from the place they hatched, grew and pupated into adulthood. … --- ## ["Free" music downloads](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-music-downloads/984034)
**Author:** [@2\_More\_Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2_More_Bits)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2023, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-music-downloads/984034 "2023-05-14T21:55:50Z")
What’s up with MP3.PM, a website which claims to offer free music downloads and appears to have songs unavailable on Amazon or Apple Music? What bad stuff will happen to me if I (attempt to) download a song? Will I have … --- ## [Why are eggs divided into yolks and whites?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-eggs-divided-into-yolks-and-whites/984008)
**Author:** [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2023, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-eggs-divided-into-yolks-and-whites/984008 "2023-05-14T17:40:09Z")
Continuing the discussion from Is the ratio of yolk/white basically the same across egg sizes? How about species?: Good question! No idea. I hope this is not a hijack, but I would like to know what the whites and the yo… --- ## ["Lawyers say they'll appeal"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawyers-say-theyll-appeal/983835)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2023, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawyers-say-theyll-appeal/983835 "2023-05-14T13:41:11Z")
Every time I heard about a high-profile criminal conviction or a defendant who loses a civil case, the first thing out of the lawyers’ mouths is how they will appeal the verdict. How can lawyers know the moment a verdict… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=142) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=144)