# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=158 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 159 --- ## [Oxygen on Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oxygen-on-mars/979846)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2023, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oxygen-on-mars/979846 "2023-02-18T00:14:17Z")
I was listening to a space podcast yesterday, and they made the claim that there used to be oxygen on Mars. But apparently solar winds blew away the atmosphere after Mars lost it’s magnetic field. My understanding is t… --- ## [Where is A.J. Casson's Moose Lake? (Group of Seven painting location)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-a-j-cassons-moose-lake-group-of-seven-painting-location/979810)
**Author:** [@wolfstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfstu)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2023, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-a-j-cassons-moose-lake-group-of-seven-painting-location/979810 "2023-02-17T22:53:56Z")
A.J. Casson is a well-known Canadian painter from the Group of Seven school of landscape artists. He traveled extensively in Ontario in particular, painting villages and natural landscapes. Several of his paintings inc… --- ## [YouTube downloads](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youtube-downloads/979952)
**Author:** [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2023, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youtube-downloads/979952 "2023-02-17T21:09:35Z")
I use Real Downloader to download YouTube videos. In normal times, it works fine. However - today, nothing will download. I get a message “Real Player cannot download videos on this page”. It even happens with videos tha… --- ## [How bad are these AI generated kanji?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-bad-are-these-ai-generated-kanji/979924)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2023, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-bad-are-these-ai-generated-kanji/979924 "2023-02-17T20:04:53Z")
AI engines toss out “English” that is a mix of pretty good letters, slightly distorted ones, and completely alien shapes. With the good letters, words are sometimes sensible, sometimes not. I’ve always wondered about th… --- ## [EMP power?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emp-power/979908)
**Author:** [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2023, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emp-power/979908 "2023-02-17T17:55:04Z")
Starfish Prime was a atmospheric nuclear test done in the Pacific during the 60’s. It’s EMP yield was far larger than expected and it alone was estimated to be able to have wiped out all the electronics in the lower Uni… --- ## [eBay question: multiple bids of the same amount](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-question-multiple-bids-of-the-same-amount/979950)
**Author:** [@3AxisCtrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3AxisCtrl)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2023, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-question-multiple-bids-of-the-same-amount/979950 "2023-02-17T17:27:34Z")
I occasionally sell items on eBay (maybe a couple a month). I currently have a old smartphone listed. In 3 days it has 3 bids. But all three are from the same bidder, and for the amount I specified as the minimum bid. … --- ## [Amazon putting stuff in a porch box](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-putting-stuff-in-a-porch-box/979926)
**Author:** [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2023, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-putting-stuff-in-a-porch-box/979926 "2023-02-17T15:26:46Z")
I had an Amazon driver put a small package/envelope in my “mail” box. And as always I thought of how much trouble they could get in for that. But then it occurred to me that there is nothing that say it is a U.S. Pos… --- ## [Number of beds in the world](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-beds-in-the-world/979619)
**Author:** [@longtry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/longtry)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2023, 9:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-beds-in-the-world/979619 "2023-02-17T09:40:27Z")
Just a random shower thought. What’s the ratio between all the beds on Earth and its population? It’s clear that beds outnumber people, but by how many? I have no idea how big the proportion of hotel beds and other kinds… --- ## [Why Does It Feel So Good To Scratch An Itch?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-feel-so-good-to-scratch-an-itch/979756)
**Author:** [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2023, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-feel-so-good-to-scratch-an-itch/979756 "2023-02-17T05:11:34Z")
It seems like it should hurt but it doesn’t. It feels soooo good. Why? --- ## [How Would You Fix This Ribbon Cable Connection?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-fix-this-ribbon-cable-connection/979780)
**Author:** [@jjakucyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjakucyk)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2023, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-fix-this-ribbon-cable-connection/979780 "2023-02-17T03:21:28Z")
This is a LitterMaid automatic scooping litter box. The ribbon cable plugs into this tiny little circuit board to power the motor for the scooping rake. As you can see it’s not making good contact. The main issue is t… --- ## [How fast would something have to travel to damage a building by passing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fast-would-something-have-to-travel-to-damage-a-building-by-passing/979832)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2023, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fast-would-something-have-to-travel-to-damage-a-building-by-passing/979832 "2023-02-17T00:39:16Z")
I’ve seen movies where a plane could cause windows to shatter or a building to shake by flying close. So what speed would be needed to cause actual damage by tearing past? --- ## [What is the long term plans for a spy balloon?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-long-term-plans-for-a-spy-balloon/979746)
**Author:** [@dorvann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorvann)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2023, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-long-term-plans-for-a-spy-balloon/979746 "2023-02-17T00:14:01Z")
I have some questions what the long term plans of a spy balloon like the US shot down are? First, they have no measure of propulsion to control their flight, right? Second, If there are not shot down do they just wande… --- ## [When did people start properly managing forestry resources?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-people-start-properly-managing-forestry-resources/979597)
**Author:** [@themapleleaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/themapleleaf)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2023, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-people-start-properly-managing-forestry-resources/979597 "2023-02-17T00:00:28Z")
I have this stereotype in my head that humans were extremely careless and destructive toward the environment until the issue started garnering interest somewhere around the 1960s. Specifically on the issue of clear-cutti… --- ## [Tool battery charger](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tool-battery-charger/979734)
**Author:** [@mglambo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mglambo)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2023, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tool-battery-charger/979734 "2023-02-16T23:55:40Z")
I have a Ryobi battery powered drill. Is it ok to keep it in the charger until ready to use? If I don’t it is always just about dead when I go to use it even if stores indoors. --- ## [Lives saved / injuries prevented by back-up beeping](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lives-saved-injuries-prevented-by-back-up-beeping/979847)
**Author:** [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2023, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lives-saved-injuries-prevented-by-back-up-beeping/979847 "2023-02-16T22:47:24Z")
I live in a world of incessant back-up beeping, touted as a safety feature. I’m sure it is, but I wonder if it has been quantified. Every professional vehicle and a handful of passenger vehicles do this. My thoughts are… --- ## [If you are starving to death what gets you first...lack of calories or lack of vitamins and minerals?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-starving-to-death-what-gets-you-first-lack-of-calories-or-lack-of-vitamins-and-minerals/979651)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2023, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-starving-to-death-what-gets-you-first-lack-of-calories-or-lack-of-vitamins-and-minerals/979651 "2023-02-16T18:46:17Z")
This question occurred to me while reading the current thread on the Irish Potato Famine. I am curious what is ultimately the thing that kills most people if they are starving…lack of calories or lack of vitamins/minera… --- ## [How common, really, was the single income family with working father and stay at home mother?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-common-really-was-the-single-income-family-with-working-father-and-stay-at-home-mother/979473)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2023, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-common-really-was-the-single-income-family-with-working-father-and-stay-at-home-mother/979473 "2023-02-16T11:46:27Z")
Inspired by recent Cecil column comments. We know the trope; families in previous generations had the father going to work and the mother staying at home to care for kids and maintain the household. Except…granted this… --- ## [Why are a Bull's Balls so far Separated from its penis?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-a-bulls-balls-so-far-separated-from-its-penis/236981)
**Author:** [@fluffball86](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fluffball86)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2023, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-a-bulls-balls-so-far-separated-from-its-penis/236981 "2023-02-16T10:37:22Z")
On a human the balls are basically connected to the penis, but on a bull, the balls are extremly far back on the body, the sperm has to travel at least three feet to get the to the penis, plus however long the penis is (… --- ## [Origins and meaning of phrase "bog standard" (UK slang)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origins-and-meaning-of-phrase-bog-standard-uk-slang/979712)
**Author:** [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2023, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origins-and-meaning-of-phrase-bog-standard-uk-slang/979712 "2023-02-15T18:10:54Z")
What are the origins of the phrase ‘bog standard’? Does its use suggest any nuance perhaps not evident to Americans? That is, how does it differ from plain old ‘standard’? --- ## [Outdoors vs. indoors](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outdoors-vs-indoors/979607)
**Author:** [@pianodave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pianodave)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2023, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outdoors-vs-indoors/979607 "2023-02-15T13:48:47Z")
Not sure if this has been asked before but here goes. I was thinking about this in relation to a question I had about what would happen if Earth’s gravity shut off. Long story short, the end of the world. Then I start… --- ## [Why was Damar Hamlin the hospital for so long?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-damar-hamlin-the-hospital-for-so-long/979500)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2023, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-damar-hamlin-the-hospital-for-so-long/979500 "2023-02-14T18:32:10Z")
Last month, Damar Hamilton’s heart stopped after a hard hit to the chest during a pro football game. After ten minutes of on-field CPR, AED shocks and other treatment, he was taken to a hospital, where he stayed for a… --- ## [Could the Montana National Guard take down that balloon?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-montana-national-guard-take-down-that-balloon/979576)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2023, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-montana-national-guard-take-down-that-balloon/979576 "2023-02-14T17:11:13Z")
Would the Montana Governor legally be allowed to order the destruction of the China Spy balloon? Does the Montana National Guard have the capability and weapons to carry out such a mission? --- ## [In physics, what variable goes with distance, velocity and acceleration?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-physics-what-variable-goes-with-distance-velocity-and-acceleration/979598)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2023, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-physics-what-variable-goes-with-distance-velocity-and-acceleration/979598 "2023-02-14T13:42:09Z")
Let’s say you want to make a math test more difficult. One of the most basic data you can have about something is how far away it is; distance. The change in the distance is velocity/closing rate. The change in velocity/… --- ## [Source images for AI images](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/source-images-for-ai-images/971897)
**Author:** [@Danger\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danger_Man)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2023, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/source-images-for-ai-images/971897 "2023-02-14T04:17:17Z")
Generating AI images have become quite popular recently, and there are some beatiful and creative images out there, made by for example Midjourney. What I wonder is if there are some implementations that show exactly wh… --- ## [Iron lung question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iron-lung-question/979601)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2023, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iron-lung-question/979601 "2023-02-14T02:23:00Z")
I stumbled across an interesting fact: there still 2 people in the US who rely on (and live in) an iron lung. Polio Paul, contracted polio when he was 6. He has been living in one for a whopping 71 years! The other is M… --- ## [Medicare auto payment question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicare-auto-payment-question/979628)
**Author:** [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2023, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicare-auto-payment-question/979628 "2023-02-13T22:53:00Z")
I signed up for Medicare back in September of 2021 when I turned 65. I have been making my payments via Easy pay through my checking account. I just received a letter from Social Security letting me know that my SS payme… --- ## [US flag at New York Stock Exchange?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-flag-at-new-york-stock-exchange/979689)
**Author:** [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2023, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-flag-at-new-york-stock-exchange/979689 "2023-02-13T03:31:44Z")
I’ve noticed in recent photos of the NYSE building that the giant US flsg on the Broad St side is no longer there. Does anyone know the story? I think it’s been there since 9/11. --- ## [Was the Irish Potato Famine caused by people being forbidden to eat anything but potatos?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-irish-potato-famine-caused-by-people-being-forbidden-to-eat-anything-but-potatos/979594)
**Author:** [@themapleleaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/themapleleaf)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2023, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-irish-potato-famine-caused-by-people-being-forbidden-to-eat-anything-but-potatos/979594 "2023-02-13T01:38:01Z")
I would like a point clarified re the Irish Potato Famine. The sort of general information that I have gathered on the topic over the years is something like this: the famine occurred because there was a potato blight th… --- ## [Google Streetview -- how quickly updated?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-streetview-how-quickly-updated/979038)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [February 12, 2023, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-streetview-how-quickly-updated/979038 "2023-02-12T19:07:57Z")
How quickly do the pictures taken by the Google Streetview car get uploaded to GoogleMaps? --- ## [Looking for Malian profanity (preferably not in French)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-malian-profanity-preferably-not-in-french/979648)
**Author:** [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 12, 2023, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-malian-profanity-preferably-not-in-french/979648 "2023-02-12T12:43:53Z")
As in, from Mali, the country. Population 24 million, more than 13 languages having some form of official status—out of 80 spoken—aside from the official language, French. For a creative project of mine, I’m looking for… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=157) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=159)