# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=191 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 192 --- ## [Slow speed steering on a Sea-Doo PWC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slow-speed-steering-on-a-sea-doo-pwc/969453)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2022, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slow-speed-steering-on-a-sea-doo-pwc/969453 "2022-08-12T14:54:24Z")
I own a Sea-Doo SPARK TRIXX 2 UP that I love to ride. It’s incredibly lightweight, has a 90 HP engine, and I can quickly get it up to 50 MPH on relatively flat water. I live in a house with a dock on a canal, off a priva… --- ## [Where Did The Belief That Asian Women Are 'Sideways' Originate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-belief-that-asian-women-are-sideways-originate/232527)
**Author:** [@Surreal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surreal)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2022, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-belief-that-asian-women-are-sideways-originate/232527 "2022-08-12T13:18:40Z")
We’ve all heard the “Why, you play the harmonica?” joke, but where did the notion that Asian women’s vaginas are oriented ‘sideways’ originate? What would have caused someone to believe this?? Thanks. --- ## [Why is the president not notified of hugely important FBI investigations?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-president-not-notified-of-hugely-important-fbi-investigations/969426)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2022, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-president-not-notified-of-hugely-important-fbi-investigations/969426 "2022-08-12T08:46:25Z")
In this article about Trump’s house being searched, it says that , as standard procedure, the White House is given no knowledge of such issues.He gives the example of a major FBI investigation of Chinese spying, which G… --- ## [How Can We Address Climate Change Besides Limiting Emissions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-address-climate-change-besides-limiting-emissions/968265)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 229\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2022, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-address-climate-change-besides-limiting-emissions/968265 "2022-08-12T02:45:50Z")
From where I sit, eliminating emissions is only half of the equation when it comes to fighting climate change. If we all stopped burning fossil fuels tomorrow, all that CO2 would still be in the atmosphere, and would rem… --- ## [Microsoft Edge has left the building](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-edge-has-left-the-building/969461)
**Author:** [@dummygladhands71](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dummygladhands71)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2022, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-edge-has-left-the-building/969461 "2022-08-12T01:41:06Z")
My new laptop did an update, and now Edge is gone. The icons are there, but it won’t open. Can anyone give me a not super technical reason and fix? --- ## [Taking the 5th amendment...is there any restriction to it or can you claim it for all questions asked of you in a legal process?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-the-5th-amendment-is-there-any-restriction-to-it-or-can-you-claim-it-for-all-questions-asked-of-you-in-a-legal-process/969523)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2022, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-the-5th-amendment-is-there-any-restriction-to-it-or-can-you-claim-it-for-all-questions-asked-of-you-in-a-legal-process/969523 "2022-08-12T01:31:23Z")
President Trump recently took the Fifth Amendment 440 times in a legal proceeding. That is for context only. I mean for this to be a question for FQ. My question is, is there a downside to taking the fifth or should e… --- ## [What did I see in the sky yesterday night at 00:15 local time?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-i-see-in-the-sky-yesterday-night-at-00-15-local-time/969500)
**Author:** [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2022, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-i-see-in-the-sky-yesterday-night-at-00-15-local-time/969500 "2022-08-11T20:41:39Z")
I went out on our balcony shortly after midnight, 00:15 local time. I looked south, and that is what I saw: \[Album\] stars … --- ## [Is $15 now the standard minimum wage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-15-now-the-standard-minimum-wage/969207)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2022, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-15-now-the-standard-minimum-wage/969207 "2022-08-11T18:46:39Z")
I keep seeing signs at all the fast food places :“now hiring— $15” This is double the pre-covid wages. Obviously the companies didn’t decide just from the goodness of their hearts to raise the pay. They got desperate f… --- ## [Effect of a magical increase in Earth's mass on Moon's orbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/effect-of-a-magical-increase-in-earths-mass-on-moons-orbit/969290)
**Author:** [@brossa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brossa)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2022, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/effect-of-a-magical-increase-in-earths-mass-on-moons-orbit/969290 "2022-08-11T10:43:21Z")
Some technobabble handwavium process increases Earth’s mass by a significant amount - say 5% - by, I dunno, teleporting basalt here from the basalt dimension. The process doesn’t affect the Moon, other than by changing i… --- ## [How dependent are we on surgical masks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dependent-are-we-on-surgical-masks/969367)
**Author:** [@Capn\_Carl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capn_Carl)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2022, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dependent-are-we-on-surgical-masks/969367 "2022-08-11T06:02:56Z")
My cousin is anti-vax, and apparently anti-mask. He heard that surgical masks “don’t do anything”, meaning they don’t even filter the droplets in our breath—the droplets pass right through the filter element. I know this… --- ## [Multiple Investigations / Seized Materials?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-investigations-seized-materials/969397)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2022, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-investigations-seized-materials/969397 "2022-08-11T04:56:18Z")
Let’s say that multiple, independent Investigations have been opened against a single individual, Patrick. One of the teams running an investigation - far before any other group is liable to do - swoops in and grabs all… --- ## [Calories Burned on Apps](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calories-burned-on-apps/969376)
**Author:** [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2022, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calories-burned-on-apps/969376 "2022-08-10T20:17:44Z")
How do they come up with the calories burned figure on exercise apps. Th elliptical machine at the gym says 400 in 30 minutes. One biking app says 1000+ for a 20 mile bike ride in 1 hour 20 minutes. A different app says … --- ## [Movement of atoms in solids](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movement-of-atoms-in-solids/969205)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2022, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movement-of-atoms-in-solids/969205 "2022-08-10T15:43:31Z")
As I understand it, atoms and molecules are (nearly always) moving and bouncing around. When a material is solid, it’s because the atoms have slowed enough to get caught against each other in an invisible net of mutual a… --- ## [Company voting rights of a shareholder who has died](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/company-voting-rights-of-a-shareholder-who-has-died/969390)
**Author:** [@Ferris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferris)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2022, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/company-voting-rights-of-a-shareholder-who-has-died/969390 "2022-08-10T13:21:08Z")
Hypothetical - not needing answer fast. Also, unsure whether British/U.S law differences have much of an impact here. Suppose Mr. Jones has ordinary shares in companies ABC and XYZ. They both give notice in May of their… --- ## [Sorting emails in Outlook by “subject with the most messages”](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorting-emails-in-outlook-by-subject-with-the-most-messages/969421)
**Author:** [@TwoCarrotSnowman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwoCarrotSnowman)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2022, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorting-emails-in-outlook-by-subject-with-the-most-messages/969421 "2022-08-10T07:49:11Z")
I would like to sort my Outlook email inbox according to the following algorithm: Group the emails by subject Then sort each subject group according to how many emails are in it. So I’d end up with an inbox structured… --- ## [How can I get rid of a strawberry seed from my throat?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-rid-of-a-strawberry-seed-from-my-throat/400896)
**Author:** [@SiouxChief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SiouxChief)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2022, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-rid-of-a-strawberry-seed-from-my-throat/400896 "2022-08-10T03:21:10Z")
I had a Peanut Butter & Jelly smoothie this afternoon (don’t laugh–they’re awesome), and somehow got a strawberry seed stuck in my throat. It’s very uncomfortable. I’ve tried to gargle and cough, but wasn’t able to get… --- ## [I need some tiny tech support](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-tiny-tech-support/969333)
**Author:** [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2022, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-tiny-tech-support/969333 "2022-08-09T17:24:12Z")
Long story short I find myself at the helm of the household technology, though ill suited to the job. Hubs was the one, all this time, alas not so much now. And I’m struggling. I’ve pressed on and managed a couple of mi… --- ## [Prompted by the Jones case: Is all digital data really saved and retrievable? The mind boggles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prompted-by-the-jones-case-is-all-digital-data-really-saved-and-retrievable-the-mind-boggles/969133)
**Author:** [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2022, 10:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prompted-by-the-jones-case-is-all-digital-data-really-saved-and-retrievable-the-mind-boggles/969133 "2022-08-09T10:05:09Z")
The whole stupid (and useful!) debacle with Alex Jones’s phone messages and another local case of ISP records got me wondering - Is everything everyone in the world does on the internet/digitally via phone or computer … --- ## [Is there any way to get Google Play to show and let me install all apps?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-to-get-google-play-to-show-and-let-me-install-all-apps/969315)
**Author:** [@CardboardBoxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CardboardBoxx)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2022, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-to-get-google-play-to-show-and-let-me-install-all-apps/969315 "2022-08-09T06:42:25Z")
I just bought a tablet on ebay, the model was first manufactured in 2017 so whilst not new it’s not exacty ancient. All I want it for is watching Netflix when I’m away from the internet, (and possibly other streaming ser… --- ## [Why are white babies bald?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-white-babies-bald/462181)
**Author:** [@davidw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidw)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2022, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-white-babies-bald/462181 "2022-08-09T06:31:45Z")
Speaking generally, it seems that white babies are born bald, while babies of all other ethnic groups are born with hair. Why is that? --- ## [Question regarding disappeared computer files](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-disappeared-computer-files/969179)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2022, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-disappeared-computer-files/969179 "2022-08-09T02:50:36Z")
When files just disappear on my MacBook Air and don’t show up again, are there traces of the file on the hard drive? If I haven’t deleted (i.e. put them in Trash and empty) them how and why do they disappear? It has ha… --- ## [Migrating to a New Computer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/migrating-to-a-new-computer/969266)
**Author:** [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2022, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/migrating-to-a-new-computer/969266 "2022-08-08T19:04:48Z")
Well, I got a new laptop. An expensive way to solve minor memory issues I suppose. I have moved all the files to the new machine. Word, Mail, and Brave (my browser) are up and running. Getting the Bluetooth mouse to lin… --- ## [How to contact an author?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-contact-an-author/969223)
**Author:** [@19USMC69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/19USMC69)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2022, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-contact-an-author/969223 "2022-08-08T14:20:46Z")
Specifically, one Craig Symonds. He is a well-respected author, especially on the subject of WW2 U. S. naval history. His publisher is the Oxford University Press. --- ## [Manacles, shackles, neck...?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manacles-shackles-neck/599767)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2022, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manacles-shackles-neck/599767 "2022-08-08T14:12:03Z")
I think of manacles as shackles that go around the wrists, and shackles as irons that go around the ankles. Is there a term for neck shackles? --- ## [Has there ever been an "academically sucessful" school shooter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-there-ever-been-an-academically-sucessful-school-shooter/968922)
**Author:** [@jonpluc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jonpluc)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2022, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-there-ever-been-an-academically-sucessful-school-shooter/968922 "2022-08-08T13:40:22Z")
We all understand that school shootings by students are typically from disgruntled troubled people with the problems that we can all imagine on some level. But i was wondering if there were any examples of school shooter… --- ## [What's This Weird Building In Portsmouth/Gosport, England](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-weird-building-in-portsmouth-gosport-england/969245)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2022, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-weird-building-in-portsmouth-gosport-england/969245 "2022-08-07T20:57:05Z")
This white building that resembles an unfurled sail appears multiple times in this video, (it’s in the exact middle of the frame at the starting point that I embedded), but we don’t get a clear view of it. The narrator i… --- ## [Iphone Picture question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-picture-question/969224)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2022, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-picture-question/969224 "2022-08-07T14:35:53Z")
I wasn’t sure how to Google this: when I try to send someone a photo in a text, it gets a little number in the corner and I can’t send it. Anyone know what’s going on with my phone? --- ## [Refrigerator compresor](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refrigerator-compresor/969161)
**Author:** [@dauerbach1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach1)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2022, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refrigerator-compresor/969161 "2022-08-07T07:34:46Z")
Related, I guess, to my parts question is the fact that we bought a new fairly expensive GE French door refrigerator/freezer replacement. Of course, the compressor died after literally two weeks. GE wants to replace th… --- ## [Why did plants evolve to be green?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-plants-evolve-to-be-green/969180)
**Author:** [@SmartBulbInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartBulbInc)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2022, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-plants-evolve-to-be-green/969180 "2022-08-07T01:55:42Z")
I chemically why plants are green: they are green because of chlorophyll. But, my question is why did plants evolve that way in the first place? What sort of advantage would early plants have to become green over any oth… --- ## [What is physically happening when a body grows acclimated to temperature extremes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-physically-happening-when-a-body-grows-acclimated-to-temperature-extremes/969031)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2022, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-physically-happening-when-a-body-grows-acclimated-to-temperature-extremes/969031 "2022-08-06T17:58:39Z")
My gym has a cold plunge that I sometimes enjoy using after a workout. When I haven’t used it in a long time, it makes my ankles hurt like blazes, but only for a few days. After regular exposure, the pain goes away almos… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=190) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=192)