# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=188 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 189 --- ## [British Aircraft Carrier?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-aircraft-carrier/970497)
**Author:** [@19USMC69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/19USMC69)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2022, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-aircraft-carrier/970497 "2022-08-30T04:32:50Z")
I note the HMS Prince if Wales has two superstructures. This, while those of U. S. carriers, which have one, are shrinking (referencing the new Ford class vs the Nimitz class ships). Anyone have any insight into why the… --- ## [Why do human babies cry so much and so loud?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-human-babies-cry-so-much-and-so-loud/970435)
**Author:** [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2022, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-human-babies-cry-so-much-and-so-loud/970435 "2022-08-29T22:44:09Z")
It seems to me that making a lot of noise when you are helpless is a sure way to attract predators. Human babies seem to me to do this more than other animals, in fact, crying out loud is the very first thing we do, so m… --- ## [Age of Sail: How did the ships ballast themselves on long voyages?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/age-of-sail-how-did-the-ships-ballast-themselves-on-long-voyages/970415)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2022, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/age-of-sail-how-did-the-ships-ballast-themselves-on-long-voyages/970415 "2022-08-29T14:43:48Z")
I was watching a video on the HMS Victory (of Trafalgar fame…linked below and queued to the part where they talk about the ballast) and was wondering how the ship maintained its ability to sail as a voyage progressed? T… --- ## [Cause of Death](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cause-of-death/157691)
**Author:** [@dragongirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dragongirl)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2022, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cause-of-death/157691 "2022-08-28T20:22:01Z")
Sometimes when I hear a about a murder, I’ll hear someone say an autopsy is performed to determine a cause of death. A lot of times, the cause is obvious, like a gunshot. Why do they still have to do this ? If it’s dete… --- ## [Algorithm for choosing 3 unique random numbers... with no looping or branching](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/algorithm-for-choosing-3-unique-random-numbers-with-no-looping-or-branching/970404)
**Author:** [@Ponderoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponderoid)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2022, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/algorithm-for-choosing-3-unique-random-numbers-with-no-looping-or-branching/970404 "2022-08-28T20:18:30Z")
I wrote some code that picks a random integer in the range 1-N, N is always at least 5. RandomInteger1 = floor(random(N))+1 The random function here returns floats from 0 up to but not including exactly N. Pretty sta… --- ## [Heat wave in India and Pakistan](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heat-wave-in-india-and-pakistan/963852)
**Author:** [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2022, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heat-wave-in-india-and-pakistan/963852 "2022-08-28T15:19:34Z")
It seems to be extreme and no end in sight. Is anyone there that can provide details? Is it mentioned in the US media? The consequences are breathtaking. It is being reported that the government has cancelled over 750 p… --- ## [Scaling for time and mass](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scaling-for-time-and-mass/970440)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2022, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scaling-for-time-and-mass/970440 "2022-08-28T13:08:33Z")
I am not even sure if this question makes sense but I will ask it anyway. If we were to scale the universe down to something roughly the size of an atom, what would be the equivalent to 1 billion years. Not looking for a… --- ## [I complained to Amazon --Who typed this answer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-complained-to-amazon-who-typed-this-answer/969706)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2022, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-complained-to-amazon-who-typed-this-answer/969706 "2022-08-28T12:21:17Z")
I notified Amazon that my order didn’t arrive, and got an answer in English, but with odd grammar and style. It is similar to the style you see in those Nigerian prince email scams. The letter began "This is Dan from … --- ## [Information on UnisCom UM-99](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/information-on-uniscom-um-99/961522)
**Author:** [@shinnen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shinnen)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2022, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/information-on-uniscom-um-99/961522 "2022-08-28T03:44:40Z")
Hi, I just bought this radio. It runs off an internal battery, gets good reception and has several features that I would like to know how to use; but I cannot find a peep about it on the net. Has anyone heard of it? Th… --- ## [Scammer calls. Does anyone actually fall for them?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scammer-calls-does-anyone-actually-fall-for-them/945018)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 326\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2022, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scammer-calls-does-anyone-actually-fall-for-them/945018 "2022-08-28T03:01:13Z")
Auto warranty, Social Security Admin, Nigerian prince, Amazon. Etc, etc… Most of us have gotten these scam calls. They’ve become a punchline in everyday life and the media. Yet every single day zillions of these calls… --- ## [Coffee shop only accepts Venmo as payment. Is it legal to NOT accept cash?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coffee-shop-only-accepts-venmo-as-payment-is-it-legal-to-not-accept-cash/969902)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 161\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2022, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coffee-shop-only-accepts-venmo-as-payment-is-it-legal-to-not-accept-cash/969902 "2022-08-27T23:05:22Z")
Went to a coffee shop that only accepts Venmo as payment. I’m not mad about it or anything. I was just currious about the legality of it all. I vaguely remember being taught in school that businesses have to accept cash … --- ## [Are porn stars physically damaged by their work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-porn-stars-physically-damaged-by-their-work/641782)
**Author:** [@Atakapa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atakapa)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2022, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-porn-stars-physically-damaged-by-their-work/641782 "2022-08-27T21:55:20Z")
It’s not uncommon to see rather petite females be paired with a male who looks painfully huge for her size. Between the massively endowed actors, huge sex toys, frequent productions, and popularity of rather rough sex; h… --- ## [Question for tree experts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-tree-experts/970254)
**Author:** [@NoCoolUserName](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoCoolUserName)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2022, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-tree-experts/970254 "2022-08-27T21:21:40Z")
We got a Golden Rain Tree (Koelreuteria paniculata) by mail and planted it. I seemed that it had not survived the winter (no leaves on the stick) but then tiny shoots came out of the ground all around the stick. I’m gues… --- ## [Fire Dept responds to medical calls](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fire-dept-responds-to-medical-calls/969852)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2022, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fire-dept-responds-to-medical-calls/969852 "2022-08-27T19:55:29Z")
I think it’s very common now for the FD to respond to medical calls along with the rescue squad. Is this true pretty much everywhere now? Obviously if they are busy with a fire or rescue they don’t respond. A fe… --- ## [Hand written documents and classified material](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-written-documents-and-classified-material/970285)
**Author:** [@dorvann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorvann)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2022, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-written-documents-and-classified-material/970285 "2022-08-27T18:45:25Z")
Inspired by the thread about photocopies and classified documents-when an agency seizes officially classified documents in a case like Trump’s would they also seize any handwritten notes, journals, or diaries written by… --- ## [Very strange-looking animal captured in India](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/very-strange-looking-animal-captured-in-india/970368)
**Author:** [@Bootb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bootb)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2022, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/very-strange-looking-animal-captured-in-india/970368 "2022-08-27T14:43:02Z")
Some people are saying that this is a chupacabra. Whatever it is, it’s certainly a weird one. I can’t understand the video, but it’s worth watching just to see the animal. Does anybody here know what it is? --- ## [Why Won't FDA Test Herbs and Stuff?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-fda-test-herbs-and-stuff/786110)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2022, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-fda-test-herbs-and-stuff/786110 "2022-08-27T13:21:56Z")
In this era where Congress celebrates the killing off of Americans in need of their expensive medications, treatments, etc…why won’t the FDA start testing natural remedies? Is the FDA in the back pocket of Big Mamma Phar… --- ## [Trump's secret documents at home--what about photocopies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-secret-documents-at-home-what-about-photocopies/970236)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2022, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-secret-documents-at-home-what-about-photocopies/970236 "2022-08-27T12:16:53Z")
The huge news story right now is all about Trump taking those top-secret documents home to Mar a Lago. But the discussion seems to be about some pretty minor issues, relating to the pages of paper. (for example : The… --- ## [Where precisey did Columbus catch the westerlies on each his four voyages back to Spain?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-precisey-did-columbus-catch-the-westerlies-on-each-his-four-voyages-back-to-spain/970417)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2022, 10:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-precisey-did-columbus-catch-the-westerlies-on-each-his-four-voyages-back-to-spain/970417 "2022-08-27T10:35:00Z")
I realise that his destinations to the Americans varied with each of his four voyages but I haven’t been able to find where precislely he caught the westerlies on each return home to Spain. --- ## [Ashley Biden's Diary & Copyright](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ashley-bidens-diary-copyright/970392)
**Author:** [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2022, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ashley-bidens-diary-copyright/970392 "2022-08-27T05:56:29Z")
Someone stole the diary of the President’s daughter, Ashley. They sold it to a group that claims to be journalists. (I presume the courts will define this broadly.) May the journalist publish all or parts of the diary? S… --- ## [Battery charge indicator](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battery-charge-indicator/970351)
**Author:** [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2022, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battery-charge-indicator/970351 "2022-08-26T22:50:29Z")
I use W11 on my Surface Pro. Until this morning I had a small bar on the taskbar which showed how much charge was left in the battery. I have searched through settings but cannot see how to get it back. Perhaps one of t… --- ## [Trumps Secret Service Detail Assignments](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-secret-service-detail-assignments/970333)
**Author:** [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2022, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-secret-service-detail-assignments/970333 "2022-08-26T02:15:36Z")
Does Trump get to pick who is assigned to his SS detail? Since they are a government agency could a FBI agent be assigned the task if there was reason to suspect he was selling secrets to foreign dictators? If not, why… --- ## [Can a spouse sue the other spouse during a divorce for "discrimination"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-spouse-sue-the-other-spouse-during-a-divorce-for-discrimination/970150)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2022, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-spouse-sue-the-other-spouse-during-a-divorce-for-discrimination/970150 "2022-08-25T22:06:40Z")
Long story short someone I know is going through a bitter divorce. According to their “consultations with attorneys” they are claiming that they were told they can “sue their spouse for discrimination” mainly because bot… --- ## [Can pre-purchased funeral/cremation plans be transferred if you move?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-pre-purchased-funeral-cremation-plans-be-transferred-if-you-move/970230)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2022, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-pre-purchased-funeral-cremation-plans-be-transferred-if-you-move/970230 "2022-08-25T13:23:24Z")
My Google-fu failed me, so I’m hoping maybe one of the Teeming Millions might know the answer. My inlaws have pre-paid cremation arrangements in Florida. We’re trying out best to get them to move close to use in Maryla… --- ## [Morbid: What would be the effect of electrocuting someone for 20 years?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morbid-what-would-be-the-effect-of-electrocuting-someone-for-20-years/969909)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2022, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morbid-what-would-be-the-effect-of-electrocuting-someone-for-20-years/969909 "2022-08-25T03:27:27Z")
Some folks were discussing a real-life crime news story on Facebook and one over-zealous person commented: “Put her (the culprit) in the electric chair for 20 years.” To which someone else complained, “There would be not… --- ## [Inter-species protection from predators](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inter-species-protection-from-predators/970048)
**Author:** [@Capn\_Carl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capn_Carl)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2022, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inter-species-protection-from-predators/970048 "2022-08-25T03:06:07Z")
So I’m thinking about animals that will protect another species from predators. Humans have done this for thousands of years, mostly to protect livestock. Some ant species will have ‘livestock’ in the form of aphids, and… --- ## [Help with Windows 11 mouse pointer, please?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-windows-11-mouse-pointer-please/970229)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2022, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-windows-11-mouse-pointer-please/970229 "2022-08-25T03:04:18Z")
Hi. I just jumped from W7 to W11, and I’m going nuts trying to change some things to look/act more like I’m used to. (Evidentially MS wants me to change, I’m resisting.) Current worst peeve is with the mouse pointer. … --- ## [Question about formation of elements heavier than Fe](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-formation-of-elements-heavier-than-fe/970057)
**Author:** [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2022, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-formation-of-elements-heavier-than-fe/970057 "2022-08-24T21:17:57Z")
This wikipedia article talks about how elements heavier than iron generally, and actinides (uranium etc) specifically are formed during supernova and also there is a mention that some/more/most(?) are formed during stell… --- ## [Anyone in Ad or Marketing industry can help me define this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-in-ad-or-marketing-industry-can-help-me-define-this/970225)
**Author:** [@thescrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thescrr)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2022, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-in-ad-or-marketing-industry-can-help-me-define-this/970225 "2022-08-24T14:59:30Z")
Anyone in the ad or marketing industry can help me out? When someone leaves the ad industry to go and do their own thing and make content such as movies, webtoons, webnovels, music etc., what are these people called? … --- ## [Is there a way to create a "turbo left click"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-create-a-turbo-left-click/940245)
**Author:** [@CardboardBoxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CardboardBoxx)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2021, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-create-a-turbo-left-click/940245 "2021-04-20T21:33:42Z")
Is there any way to set up an affect so that my mouse button when pressed acts like a turbo button, clicking faster that I can physically manage, or some program where I can set a keyboard key to act like turbo mouse cli… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=187) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=189)