# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=189 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 190 --- ## [Mythology - Was It Ever Really A Practicing Religion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mythology-was-it-ever-really-a-practicing-religion/969152)
**Author:** [@chargerrich55](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chargerrich55)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2022, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mythology-was-it-ever-really-a-practicing-religion/969152 "2022-08-24T04:08:32Z")
I had always assumed that - for example - what we now call Greek Mythology was at one time during that age actually a widely believed in and practiced religion, is this accurate? I ask because I remember taking a mythol… --- ## [Will it flush? (Need answer fast!)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-it-flush-need-answer-fast/970133)
**Author:** [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2022, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-it-flush-need-answer-fast/970133 "2022-08-24T03:51:33Z")
We’re going through a kitchen renovation. Yes, it’s a massive pain in the ass, thanks for asking. We’re very limited on the meals that we can cook (lots of grilling, lots of cold cuts). I have a side burner on my grill, … --- ## [Induction diffuser plates…](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/induction-diffuser-plates/970008)
**Author:** [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2022, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/induction-diffuser-plates/970008 "2022-08-24T02:34:40Z")
I have a couple of questions. First, Assuming they’re decently made and have good reviews,do these generally work pretty well at allowing you to use non-induction ready pots and pans? Secondly, and I’m pretty sure I al… --- ## [Windows Keyboard Drivers slow to load from boot](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-keyboard-drivers-slow-to-load-from-boot/970102)
**Author:** [@Dr.Colossus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Colossus)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2022, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-keyboard-drivers-slow-to-load-from-boot/970102 "2022-08-23T23:52:09Z")
I’m only asking here because I’ve exhausted online support. The computer brand support just wants me to mail the thing in, they won’t troubleshoot. Online solutions don’t solve my issue. I finally called a local profes… --- ## [Vision question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vision-question/970157)
**Author:** [@Danger\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danger_Man)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2022, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vision-question/970157 "2022-08-23T21:18:01Z")
How come when I close one eye and put my finger really close to the other eye I can see a translucent outline of my finger? I can understand with two eyes how there are some parts that are only seen by one eye, but I do… --- ## [Can the suspect in the Salman Rushdie attack be charged for a Hate crime?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-suspect-in-the-salman-rushdie-attack-be-charged-for-a-hate-crime/969608)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2022, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-suspect-in-the-salman-rushdie-attack-be-charged-for-a-hate-crime/969608 "2022-08-23T16:17:00Z")
Since this is FQ, I’d like the discussion to be factual. Mods, please feel to move this, if needed. I would have thought that the suspect in the subject attack will be charged for a hate crime, since it meets several of… --- ## [Question on building a chicken run](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-building-a-chicken-run/970166)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2022, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-building-a-chicken-run/970166 "2022-08-23T15:25:56Z")
I am building a chicken run in a side yard to be ready for next spring. How high would I have to build the sides so it doesn’t need a roof for the chickens to fly out? Or more specifically would 6 feet be enough? Or d… --- ## [Other than Waldgirmes, what other towns east of the Rhine were held by the Romans until their abandonment by the Romans in the 5th century?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-than-waldgirmes-what-other-towns-east-of-the-rhine-were-held-by-the-romans-until-their-abandonment-by-the-romans-in-the-5th-century/970152)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2022, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-than-waldgirmes-what-other-towns-east-of-the-rhine-were-held-by-the-romans-until-their-abandonment-by-the-romans-in-the-5th-century/970152 "2022-08-23T14:09:29Z")
Other than Waldgirmes, what other towns east of the Rhine were held by the Romans until their abandonment by the Romans in the 5th century? --- ## [Car sluggish when accelerating for a while, then it goes away](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-sluggish-when-accelerating-for-a-while-then-it-goes-away/970022)
**Author:** [@Mike\_Mabes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mike_Mabes)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2022, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-sluggish-when-accelerating-for-a-while-then-it-goes-away/970022 "2022-08-23T01:52:57Z")
It’s a 2008 Altima if that matters. This happened a few weeks ago when doing Door Dash, for about 10 minutes, then it was fine. Tonight it was so sluggish I thought I was going to break down, but I went home to take a … --- ## [Glucose test strips $$$](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/glucose-test-strips/970092)
**Author:** [@2\_More\_Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2_More_Bits)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2022, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/glucose-test-strips/970092 "2022-08-23T00:51:24Z")
What does it cost to manufacture a glucose test strip? (My uninformed guess is 4¢) Insurance aside, they retail for about 75¢ apiece. --- ## [Why Does The Roma/Pavee/Irish Traveler Economy Rely On Scams?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-roma-pavee-irish-traveler-economy-rely-on-scams/970107)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2022, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-roma-pavee-irish-traveler-economy-rely-on-scams/970107 "2022-08-22T20:49:46Z")
I’m an administrator of a town gossip/goings-on group in my little corner of Red State America, and recently a guy joined the group and began advertising his duct-cleaning services. However, when members started asking q… --- ## [Once a university affiliate, always a university affiliate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/once-a-university-affiliate-always-a-university-affiliate/969847)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2022, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/once-a-university-affiliate-always-a-university-affiliate/969847 "2022-08-22T18:50:53Z")
So, it may seem like an odd question, but it’s become important for some obscure legal reasons (criteria of university affiliation): I participated as a test subject volunteer for some psychological experiments at a uni… --- ## [Instructional Associate Professor?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instructional-associate-professor/969664)
**Author:** [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2022, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instructional-associate-professor/969664 "2022-08-22T13:18:27Z")
So I’ve got a buddy from college who has a PhD and who’s made a career in academia. He used to just be a Lecturer and concentrated on the teaching aspects of his job not the research ones, but he recently switched schoo… --- ## [Quebec road signs: why 230 meters?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quebec-road-signs-why-230-meters/968916)
**Author:** [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2022, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quebec-road-signs-why-230-meters/968916 "2022-08-22T12:30:30Z")
I recently took a trip to Quebec and one (extremely trivial) thing I noticed was that road signs on the highway often pointed out a potential hazard (e.g. a school bus stop) was coming up in 230 meters. Sometimes it wou… --- ## [Where Is This Greek Island (With An Impossibly Dangerous Airport Next To Tourists)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-this-greek-island-with-an-impossibly-dangerous-airport-next-to-tourists/969952)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2022, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-this-greek-island-with-an-impossibly-dangerous-airport-next-to-tourists/969952 "2022-08-21T20:58:51Z")
Apparently Maho Beach in Aruba is not the only place in the world with an airport so close to publicly-accessible areas that planes fly feet above observers’ heads. According to this video, there’s one in Greece, but the… --- ## [Who Was In Line To The Throne After Elizabeth And Margaret At George VI's Ascension?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-in-line-to-the-throne-after-elizabeth-and-margaret-at-george-vis-ascension/969835)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2022, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-in-line-to-the-throne-after-elizabeth-and-margaret-at-george-vis-ascension/969835 "2022-08-21T06:01:32Z")
When Elizabeth’s father took the throne, Elizabeth became first in line, Margaret second. Charles wasn’t born yet. Best I can figure, next in line after Margaret would have been … Mary, Princess Royal??? Elizabeth’s aunt… --- ## [John Deere Mower Won't Roll in Neutral](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-deere-mower-wont-roll-in-neutral/969702)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2022, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-deere-mower-wont-roll-in-neutral/969702 "2022-08-20T23:59:58Z")
My John Deere Tractor (Riding Mower - Model L100) won’t roll freely in neutral. FYI: It is in very good condition although pushing 20 years old! (Nothing runs like a Deere!) Googling, I find it may be that the brake pads… --- ## [Space-based solar power?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/space-based-solar-power/488325)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2022, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/space-based-solar-power/488325 "2022-08-20T17:02:46Z")
I have been hearing mention lately of orbital solar power generating stations. Is this just idle talk from those who read too much Popular Mechanics or have there been recent breakthroughs that bring it closer to practi… --- ## [Can a President declassify the document he’s got, but not copies of the same document other officials have?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-president-declassify-the-document-he-s-got-but-not-copies-of-the-same-document-other-officials-have/969667)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2022, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-president-declassify-the-document-he-s-got-but-not-copies-of-the-same-document-other-officials-have/969667 "2022-08-20T03:51:59Z")
I appreciate classification rules are murky, but I’ve got a factual question: suppose there are three copies of the same document, all marked “topSecret”. They are identical in content. Can the President declassify the… --- ## [What's the most primitive species to have the Fight-or-Flight response?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-primitive-species-to-have-the-fight-or-flight-response/969896)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2022, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-primitive-species-to-have-the-fight-or-flight-response/969896 "2022-08-19T13:18:36Z")
The fight or flight response is described as : Wondering how prehistoric is this response in life forms ? Since plants do not move or take “flight” do they have an equivalent response ? Whats the earliest known lifefor… --- ## [Resources on the moon and Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resources-on-the-moon-and-mars/969766)
**Author:** [@curwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curwin)\ **Replies:** 134\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2022, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resources-on-the-moon-and-mars/969766 "2022-08-19T10:32:49Z")
Inspired by a discussion here, I got to thinking: what resource (I assume a mineral) could realistically be discovered on the moon that would make extraction and delivery to Earth financially viable? In what quantities? … --- ## [Question about friction in force diagrams](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-friction-in-force-diagrams/969840)
**Author:** [@yearofglad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yearofglad)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2022, 9:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-friction-in-force-diagrams/969840 "2022-08-19T09:30:38Z")
I’m doing some impromptu physics tutoring and ran into a question I don’t recall the answer to. Suppose I have a box, and I’m pulling on it in the positive x-direction. I know that gravity acts on the box downward, and … --- ## [Can you teach a cat to swim?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-teach-a-cat-to-swim/968942)
**Author:** [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2022, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-teach-a-cat-to-swim/968942 "2022-08-19T08:46:22Z")
This is in case a cat falls into a pool. If it is possible to teach cats, how is it best taught? Just throw the cat into the pool and rescue it if it goes under? :smile\_cat: --- ## [Door Dash tax calculations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/door-dash-tax-calculations/969879)
**Author:** [@Mike\_Mabes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mike_Mabes)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2022, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/door-dash-tax-calculations/969879 "2022-08-19T02:00:38Z")
On Quora someone asked what taxes he would owe on $4000 of Door Dash gross income. The paragraph below is a response, is it correct? One caveat, the OP did not say how many miles he drove, the responder used 500 miles. … --- ## [Differences in the usage of "bore", etc., between American and U.K. English](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/differences-in-the-usage-of-bore-etc-between-american-and-u-k-english/969317)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2022, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/differences-in-the-usage-of-bore-etc-between-american-and-u-k-english/969317 "2022-08-19T01:45:39Z")
There’s a passage in Brideshead Revisited just after Sebastian has unsettled everyone with another one of his drunken scenes, and Julia says to Charles, “what a bore he is!”, and soon thereafter, “how very boring!” In t… --- ## [Is this product (shower water pressure increaser) a scam?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-product-shower-water-pressure-increaser-a-scam/949144)
**Author:** [@Saffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saffer)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2022, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-product-shower-water-pressure-increaser-a-scam/949144 "2022-08-18T23:15:59Z")
I got an add for this on YouTube. https://saltdays.co.uk/products/rotatable-high-pressure-shower/?gclid=CjwKCAjwgviIBhBkEiwA10D2j1GIMvc09q9qSlC0XOEVK4J8aV5qr3QXGhrawEwVMJXusLQVwC5KbRoC9joQAvD\_BwE The way it “works” app… --- ## [Question regarding the medieval French title of Jean III, capital de Buch..Blanch de Foix](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-the-medieval-french-title-of-jean-iii-capital-de-buch-blanch-de-foix/969796)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2022, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-the-medieval-french-title-of-jean-iii-capital-de-buch-blanch-de-foix/969796 "2022-08-18T22:03:39Z")
I have searched for the titles ‘capital’ and ‘blanch’. I believe ‘capital’ means ‘lord’ but could not verify that. What about ‘Blanch’. Is it a title? it certainly looks like one, but I haven’t been able to verify what i… --- ## [Largest now extinct land animal living since invention of writing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/largest-now-extinct-land-animal-living-since-invention-of-writing/969707)
**Author:** [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2022, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/largest-now-extinct-land-animal-living-since-invention-of-writing/969707 "2022-08-18T21:16:58Z")
Continuing the discussion from What exactly is an oliphaunt?: This topic about oliphaunts made me wonder what the largest land animal is that is now extinct but which was still existing after humans invented writing (ci… --- ## [What are organists constantly adjusting?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-organists-constantly-adjusting/968780)
**Author:** [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2022, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-organists-constantly-adjusting/968780 "2022-08-18T19:10:13Z")
Whenever I see someone playing an organ they’re always constantly playing with knobs and switches and things. What are all of those things they’re adjusting all the time? --- ## [Reclassification of Documents?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reclassification-of-documents/969785)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2022, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reclassification-of-documents/969785 "2022-08-18T18:17:45Z")
Let’s say that President A declassifies documents of national security importance but doesn’t tell anyone that he had declassified them. Later, the general public discovers the existence of these documents and begins us… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=188) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=190)