# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=172 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 173 --- ## [Physical properties of just a giant tower of solid metal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physical-properties-of-just-a-giant-tower-of-solid-metal/974906)
**Author:** [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2022, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physical-properties-of-just-a-giant-tower-of-solid-metal/974906 "2022-11-27T18:00:33Z")
Many nights, to relax a little before bed, I play a few minutes of Minecraft. I’ve been playing the same instance for a long time so I’ve amassed a lot of supplies, and a while ago I realized that rather than sticking s… --- ## [Wife forgot her AppleID password](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-forgot-her-appleid-password/975606)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2022, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-forgot-her-appleid-password/975606 "2022-11-27T17:24:43Z")
We’re on vacation, and my wife decided she wanted to download Waze. Unfortunately, that requires an AppleID password, which she’s forgotten. I tried to recover her password for her, but there’s no easy way to do it. I… --- ## [Infection from feces](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infection-from-feces/975383)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2022, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infection-from-feces/975383 "2022-11-27T13:21:15Z")
Hello Everyone, I had a weird thought the other day. Human feces that enters the bloodstream can cause havoc through infection. During the Vietnam War the VC would cover punji sticks in feces to cause infection on the v… --- ## [Approach speed of C-17](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/approach-speed-of-c-17/454496)
**Author:** [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2022, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/approach-speed-of-c-17/454496 "2022-11-27T11:43:00Z")
Every day at around 5PM, a C-17 flies over my house at what looks like a speed of about 17 MPH. I have no idea why, it’s like MASH’s ‘Five O’Clock Charlie’ on steroids and Viagra. I’m glad they’re on our side, other… --- ## [Baby Cries](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baby-cries/975541)
**Author:** [@pianodave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pianodave)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2022, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baby-cries/975541 "2022-11-26T18:36:57Z")
Hi SD, I heard somewhere that babies have different cries–one for irritation/annoyance, one for hunger, one for actual physical pain, one for a dirty diaper, etc. Is this an actual thing? I don’t understand why if tha… --- ## [Is there any evidence of Mussolini as an artist ? or choreographer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-evidence-of-mussolini-as-an-artist-or-choreographer/975573)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2022, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-evidence-of-mussolini-as-an-artist-or-choreographer/975573 "2022-11-26T17:08:10Z")
I haven’t been able to find any evidence of Mussolini directing or choreographing or otherwise designing any type of art. Stalin wrote poetry, Hitler painted. What were Mussolini’s accomplishments ( if any) in the fine a… --- ## [When someone says "Mind your B.I. business", whats the B.I. stand for?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-someone-says-mind-your-b-i-business-whats-the-b-i-stand-for/205402)
**Author:** [@Chris\_Howley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chris_Howley)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2022, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-someone-says-mind-your-b-i-business-whats-the-b-i-stand-for/205402 "2022-11-26T04:53:25Z")
When someone says “Mind your B.I. business”, whats the B.I. stand for? --- ## [Question about shoulder blades during pull ups and hangs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-shoulder-blades-during-pull-ups-and-hangs/975280)
**Author:** [@The\_Man\_In\_Black](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Man_In_Black)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2022, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-shoulder-blades-during-pull-ups-and-hangs/975280 "2022-11-26T02:45:59Z")
When doing pullups, should you keep the shoulder blades pulled together? I have heard that you should, but recently I read that keeping them together when raising your arms overhead can cause a shoulder impingement. Ho… --- ## [Question For Rock Climbers On Carabiner Usage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-rock-climbers-on-carabiner-usage/974855)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2022, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-rock-climbers-on-carabiner-usage/974855 "2022-11-26T01:01:10Z")
Watch how this woman attaches her 'biners to the safety cable: one from the top, one from the bottom. She is by no means a regular rock climber (more like whatever adventure sports are available wherever she and her husb… --- ## [Where can I buy a black leather coat?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-buy-a-black-leather-coat/701509)
**Author:** [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2014, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-buy-a-black-leather-coat/701509 "2014-10-18T16:37:57Z")
Is there a catalog, a website, the name of a store where a middle class middle aged lady can buy herself a new black leather coat? The one she has now is a sort of trench style, with a zip in lining, bought from a catal… --- ## [What was this execution device called?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-this-execution-device-called/975421)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2022, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-this-execution-device-called/975421 "2022-11-25T16:19:39Z")
At 18:30 of this episode of the ridiculously absurd show Speed Racer Spridle (WTF kind of name is that?) is in peril of getting cut in half by some execution device. I seem to recall seeing such a device in a museum once… --- ## [Prime Meridian and International Date Line - coincidience?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-meridian-and-international-date-line-coincidience/975029)
**Author:** [@curwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curwin)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2022, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-meridian-and-international-date-line-coincidience/975029 "2022-11-24T22:48:36Z")
From what I’ve read, the Prime Meridian was set in Greenwich because that’s where the Royal Observatory sat. However, 180 degrees longitude from there - more or less - is the International Date Line, and that happens to… --- ## [Looking for both Italian Fascist and German Nazi equivalents for architecture directives in the 1930s](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-both-italian-fascist-and-german-nazi-equivalents-for-architecture-directives-in-the-1930s/975442)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2022, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-both-italian-fascist-and-german-nazi-equivalents-for-architecture-directives-in-the-1930s/975442 "2022-11-24T20:18:09Z")
I’m looking for both Italian fascist and Nazi equivalents for architecture directives in the 1930s. I want to know specific laws or executive orders issued by both the Mussolini and Hitler regimes to determine the archit… --- ## [Do lizards fart?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-lizards-fart/975432)
**Author:** [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2022, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-lizards-fart/975432 "2022-11-24T14:55:50Z")
And do all animals with a digestive tube pass gas? --- ## [Longest word as substring of another word](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-word-as-substring-of-another-word/975228)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2022, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-word-as-substring-of-another-word/975228 "2022-11-23T20:08:51Z")
What’s the longest word that’s a substring of an unrelated other word? Recently I encountered the word anorthosite which is a mineral that’s not very common on Earth, but common on the Moon. I noted that it has a substr… --- ## [How were the borders of Indonesia set?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-were-the-borders-of-indonesia-set/975374)
**Author:** [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2022, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-were-the-borders-of-indonesia-set/975374 "2022-11-23T17:55:44Z")
I was just reading about the quake in Indonesia, and looking at the map. And for the umptiumophth time, i wondered, how did that collection of islands and half islands become a single political entity. The border with M… --- ## [A question or two about HSAs (Health Savings Accounts)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-or-two-about-hsas-health-savings-accounts/974956)
**Author:** [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2022, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-or-two-about-hsas-health-savings-accounts/974956 "2022-11-23T15:57:54Z")
Corporate HR has not been much help (as usual) so I thought I’d ask here, where someone might be able to give me a decent answer. Here’s the situation: a couple of years ago, before my wife retired, she was on my health… --- ## [Why would a freight railroad strike affect Amtrak?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-freight-railroad-strike-affect-amtrak/971580)
**Author:** [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2022, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-freight-railroad-strike-affect-amtrak/971580 "2022-11-23T04:46:59Z")
If you’ve been following the news in the US today, I’m sure you’ve heard that freight railroad engineers and conductors threatening to go on strike. But in case you haven’t, or aren’t in the US, here you go: The stor… --- ## [Minor Q about ColoGuard: what's in the preservative bottle?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minor-q-about-cologuard-whats-in-the-preservative-bottle/975320)
**Author:** [@gkster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gkster)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2022, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minor-q-about-cologuard-whats-in-the-preservative-bottle/975320 "2022-11-22T22:56:37Z")
The collection went smoothly thanks to the tips in the other threads on the board linked below, but I spilled less than half an ounce (a couple of spoonfuls) of the 10 oz preservative bottle contents on my bathroom tile … --- ## [How do I trade in this stock after de-listing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-trade-in-this-stock-after-de-listing/975398)
**Author:** [@crazyjoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crazyjoe)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2022, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-trade-in-this-stock-after-de-listing/975398 "2022-11-22T19:28:08Z")
My wife holds (held? it’s unclear at this point because of the delisting) stock in PetroChina. PetroChina de-listed its stock from the NYSE in October of this year. My wife invested for the long haul and doesn’t regula… --- ## [Name box/Go to cell in Excel](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-box-go-to-cell-in-excel/975267)
**Author:** [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2022, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-box-go-to-cell-in-excel/975267 "2022-11-22T18:50:03Z")
A few weeks ago I stumbled upon the “go to” function in Excel - that is, type in C253, for example, if you want to go directly to cell C253, and it would immediately take you there. Now when I type in a cell name/grid, … --- ## [Who keeps the fines issued by courts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-keeps-the-fines-issued-by-courts/975147)
**Author:** [@Honolulu\_Lulu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honolulu_Lulu)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2022, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-keeps-the-fines-issued-by-courts/975147 "2022-11-22T17:18:53Z")
On a general note, if a judge says, “One hundred dollars fine for contempt of court.”, who gets the money? Does it go back to the general fund of the county/town that is running the court? On a specific note: In my st… --- ## [Why were the Argentinians so angry about the Shackleton study?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-were-the-argentinians-so-angry-about-the-shackleton-study/975240)
**Author:** [@cannonkuo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cannonkuo)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2022, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-were-the-argentinians-so-angry-about-the-shackleton-study/975240 "2022-11-22T13:21:06Z")
In 1976 the British Government commissioned a study on the future of the Falklands, which looked at the ability of the islands to sustain themselves, and the potential for economic development. The study was led by Lord … --- ## [What was the first video game with "accurate" mirrors?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-video-game-with-accurate-mirrors/973846)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2022, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-video-game-with-accurate-mirrors/973846 "2022-11-21T19:39:33Z")
I know before a certain points mirrors in games were just blurred or showed nothing. Having games that had mirrors that reflected the movements and appearance of your character takes extra work (and an additional model I… --- ## [Rejected Amazon Review](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rejected-amazon-review/966562)
**Author:** [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2022, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rejected-amazon-review/966562 "2022-11-21T19:15:10Z")
I recently purchased and reviewed a back scratcher from Amazon. I gave the item 5 stars. The review was simple: “Pricey But a Great Back Scratcher” “VERY scratchy and a bit pricey, but this works great.” A day or two… --- ## [Why would soapy water be more alkaline than soap itself?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-soapy-water-be-more-alkaline-than-soap-itself/975155)
**Author:** [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2022, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-soapy-water-be-more-alkaline-than-soap-itself/975155 "2022-11-21T16:02:28Z")
The EPA has a handy online chart giving the pH levels of various common substances. As a refresher: the pH scale ranges from 0-14, with 0 being battery acid, 7 bring neutral, and 14 being highly alkaline caustic soda. (… --- ## [Cleaning moldy cookware with maximum confidence](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-moldy-cookware-with-maximum-confidence/975265)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2022, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-moldy-cookware-with-maximum-confidence/975265 "2022-11-21T15:59:10Z")
This is mildly embarrassing, but I have allowed a very nice piece of cookware to sit in the back of the fridge for (mumble mumble) months with a small amount of organic material in it. I peeked in it yesterday and it’s f… --- ## [Can an object exist that is so far away that we haven't felt its gravity yet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-object-exist-that-is-so-far-away-that-we-havent-felt-its-gravity-yet/974853)
**Author:** [@brossa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brossa)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2022, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-object-exist-that-is-so-far-away-that-we-havent-felt-its-gravity-yet/974853 "2022-11-21T12:21:02Z")
TL,DR: can an object ‘beyond’ the visible edge of the universe affect us gravitationally? Inspired by a short story from a 1940’s Weird-Tales type pulp magazine. Short story shorter: bleeding-edge astronomical measureme… --- ## [Windows PDA: Which of these chips is the hard drive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-pda-which-of-these-chips-is-the-hard-drive/975306)
**Author:** [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2022, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-pda-which-of-these-chips-is-the-hard-drive/975306 "2022-11-21T11:01:59Z")
Which of these chips hold the operating system? --- ## [God, I HATE Microsoft \[file creation and modified dates\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-i-hate-microsoft-file-creation-and-modified-dates/975266)
**Author:** [@Dodgy\_Dude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dodgy_Dude)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2022, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-i-hate-microsoft-file-creation-and-modified-dates/975266 "2022-11-21T06:17:20Z")
I’ve spent almost an hour at Microsoft Community trying to get a simple answer to a simple question and now I’m frustrated enough to kill someone. I have photos and videos in my downloads folder. I am trying to organize… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=171) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=173)