# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=201 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 202 --- ## [Magic: Making Big Things Disappear](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magic-making-big-things-disappear/42794)
**Author:** [@Timothy\_Campbell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timothy_Campbell)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2022, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magic-making-big-things-disappear/42794 "2022-06-23T13:00:21Z")
There was a show on TV last night, hosted by Harry Anderson, that purported to explain how (actually, they said “why”) various magic tricks work. Like most of these shows, it explained some simple parlour tricks but didn… --- ## [Business does not know phone # I am calling from?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/business-does-not-know-phone-i-am-calling-from/966592)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2022, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/business-does-not-know-phone-i-am-calling-from/966592 "2022-06-23T12:42:45Z")
I’ve called small local businesses and they know who I am based on my phone number. But really big places like a bank don’t look me up based on my number? They ask me. instead Guess it’s just what software they use. … --- ## [Why do we not see the Milky Way in all its glory during cross-ocean flights at night?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-not-see-the-milky-way-in-all-its-glory-during-cross-ocean-flights-at-night/966645)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2022, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-not-see-the-milky-way-in-all-its-glory-during-cross-ocean-flights-at-night/966645 "2022-06-23T12:36:07Z")
AIUI, in order to get the true view of the Milky Way in its splendor, one has to be in a very rural and remote region, in true darkness, in order to see it. What I’m wondering, then, is why during cross-Pacific flights … --- ## [If I'm an innocent bystander watching a fight, but I yell "Kill him!" as a joke but the person actually dies, am I liable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-im-an-innocent-bystander-watching-a-fight-but-i-yell-kill-him-as-a-joke-but-the-person-actually-dies-am-i-liable/966574)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2022, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-im-an-innocent-bystander-watching-a-fight-but-i-yell-kill-him-as-a-joke-but-the-person-actually-dies-am-i-liable/966574 "2022-06-22T21:37:18Z")
Picture a stereotypical street fight between two parties. A large crowd forms around the fight to watch. I don’t know anybody involved in this I just passed by and decided to watch. During the fight as a joke I yell KILL… --- ## [Recently captured American fighters in Ukraine: mercenaries?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recently-captured-american-fighters-in-ukraine-mercenaries/966552)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2022, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recently-captured-american-fighters-in-ukraine-mercenaries/966552 "2022-06-22T15:55:29Z")
Russia is claiming that three recently captured Americans fighting Russian forces with Ukraine’s military are mercenaries and are not entitled to the same protections as Ukrainian soldiers according to the Geneva Convent… --- ## [Bitcoin mining for domestic heating](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitcoin-mining-for-domestic-heating/966612)
**Author:** [@QMatic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QMatic)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2022, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitcoin-mining-for-domestic-heating/966612 "2022-06-22T14:57:26Z")
Does this make sense? One of the main criticisms of bitcoin and other proof-of-work cryptocurrencies is the enormous amount of energy expended in mining. However, since all that energy is eventually going to turn to heat… --- ## [IPhone Virus - Anyone Seen This -Help](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-virus-anyone-seen-this-help/966533)
**Author:** [@19USMC69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/19USMC69)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2022, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-virus-anyone-seen-this-help/966533 "2022-06-22T11:57:06Z")
Couple of days ago some entity dropped several items in my calendar, complete with alerts to annoy me. I also started receiving phone calls associated with these items/alerts. Further, they can’t be deleted. In all the… --- ## [Document scanning software that gives high quality but small files?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/document-scanning-software-that-gives-high-quality-but-small-files/966428)
**Author:** [@longtry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/longtry)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2022, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/document-scanning-software-that-gives-high-quality-but-small-files/966428 "2022-06-22T04:07:19Z")
idk whether the software goes with the scanner machine and is fixed or not, but if we can choose, then I want to ask the best one there is for my need. So, I have some documents that I want to scan. I have noticed that … --- ## [Would the Ammunition Fired by an AR-15 Penetrate a Typical School Classroom Door with Lethal Force Remaining?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-the-ammunition-fired-by-an-ar-15-penetrate-a-typical-school-classroom-door-with-lethal-force-remaining/965808)
**Author:** [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2022, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-the-ammunition-fired-by-an-ar-15-penetrate-a-typical-school-classroom-door-with-lethal-force-remaining/965808 "2022-06-22T01:47:52Z")
Title pretty much says it all. I know there are different kinds of ammo, and different kinds of doors. But most schools I’m familiar with have either a steel door, usually pretty heavy, or that classic birch veneer over … --- ## [Most-Populated Buildings](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-populated-buildings/965180)
**Author:** [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2022, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-populated-buildings/965180 "2022-06-22T01:42:10Z")
I was sort of wondering if any building might be comparable to the population of a well-known city. About 26,000 people are in the Pentagon on a good day. An apartment complex in Saint Petersburg has about 18,000 reside… --- ## [Odd experience with satellite radio](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-experience-with-satellite-radio/965830)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2022, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-experience-with-satellite-radio/965830 "2022-06-21T15:29:15Z")
I’ve had satellite radio in all my cars and trucks for almost 2 decades and I’ve never had this experience. We were on a vacation and had a rental car (Nissan Rogue) which was ok except it had no digital speedometer whi… --- ## [Military aircraft – fast cross-country pit stop?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-aircraft-fast-cross-country-pit-stop/966160)
**Author:** [@Judge\_Phred1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Judge_Phred1)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2022, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-aircraft-fast-cross-country-pit-stop/966160 "2022-06-21T08:04:09Z")
I was recounting this story recently, and realized that I was not 100% sure of all of the facts and how clear my memory was – so I thought that this board might help me to get the facts right and have an interesting disc… --- ## [How Can I Search the Secret FBI Watchlist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-search-the-secret-fbi-watchlist/966495)
**Author:** [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2022, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-search-the-secret-fbi-watchlist/966495 "2022-06-20T21:38:51Z")
Apparently some sort of secret FBI watch list was accidentally disclosed and is now online. I searched for it, but the site I went to started asking me a lot of questions making me think it is some sort of scam. Does an… --- ## [Federal or other agency to report credit fraud?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-or-other-agency-to-report-credit-fraud/966446)
**Author:** [@gkster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gkster)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2022, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-or-other-agency-to-report-credit-fraud/966446 "2022-06-20T21:07:26Z")
I was sorting through mail and opened an envelope that I thought was junk mail, from Rocket Mortgage. When I looked at it more closely, I saw it had a name that I don’t recognize at all, but it has my address. I moved in… --- ## [Colorado winters and freeway tire chains](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colorado-winters-and-freeway-tire-chains/966444)
**Author:** [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2022, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colorado-winters-and-freeway-tire-chains/966444 "2022-06-20T18:54:35Z")
I just drove I70 today. Lots of permanent signs saying “chains required when flashing” and similar. What’s the law? Does every car and truck need chains when the signs indicate? Four wheel drive trucks, too? What happe… --- ## [Does hiring a chaffeur eliminate your legal liability if you are in a car accident?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hiring-a-chaffeur-eliminate-your-legal-liability-if-you-are-in-a-car-accident/966191)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2022, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hiring-a-chaffeur-eliminate-your-legal-liability-if-you-are-in-a-car-accident/966191 "2022-06-20T17:32:50Z")
I would surmise that if you are a famous celebrity, one reason you’d want a chauffeur (not least of being that nobody wants to drive themselves through LA traffic) is that you could be on the hook for huge monetary damag… --- ## [Do electric vehicle (EV) charging stations charge a lower rate if you charge at night?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-electric-vehicle-ev-charging-stations-charge-a-lower-rate-if-you-charge-at-night/966447)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2022, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-electric-vehicle-ev-charging-stations-charge-a-lower-rate-if-you-charge-at-night/966447 "2022-06-20T13:51:58Z")
If you own an electric vehicle such as a Tesla and use one of their charging stations does the price they charge depend on the time of day you plug in? Or, do they charge you a flat rate regardless of when you plug in? … --- ## [Did pigs really eat people on a ship in WW2?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-pigs-really-eat-people-on-a-ship-in-ww2/966050)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2022, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-pigs-really-eat-people-on-a-ship-in-ww2/966050 "2022-06-20T13:39:38Z")
I was reading one of Stephen Ambrose’s WW2 books and came across a throwaway line about pigs that had been kept on board a ship (for food, I’d guess) and got out during an attack by German aircraft? This was years ago, … --- ## [If A Plane Crash Lands, Is Pilot Responsible For Damage On The Ground?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-plane-crash-lands-is-pilot-responsible-for-damage-on-the-ground/966429)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2022, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-plane-crash-lands-is-pilot-responsible-for-damage-on-the-ground/966429 "2022-06-20T13:15:46Z")
Notice as this guy lands his glider in a farmer’s field. The crop appears to have been harvested, so I’m guessing the damage is negligible. But what if he’d destroyed the farmer’s tomatoes or cannabis or whatever, would … --- ## [Whatis the oldest known example of jewelry set with gemstones? With Gold? With Silver?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatis-the-oldest-known-example-of-jewelry-set-with-gemstones-with-gold-with-silver/966436)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2022, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatis-the-oldest-known-example-of-jewelry-set-with-gemstones-with-gold-with-silver/966436 "2022-06-19T20:35:51Z")
What is the oldest known example of jewelry set with gemstones? With Gold? With Silver? Just a random pondering of mine. --- ## [Why is my iPhone slowing down in loading pages in Safari!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-iphone-slowing-down-in-loading-pages-in-safari/966147)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2022, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-iphone-slowing-down-in-loading-pages-in-safari/966147 "2022-06-19T17:02:35Z")
It’s been getting worse over the past few days - it’s taking a long time to load pages. Doesn’t seem tied to any particular site : SDMB, Wikipedia. Google news - I get blank white pages, or the spinning circle, or no ch… --- ## [Are “bumpy” chair ramps substantially better than smooth?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bumpy-chair-ramps-substantially-better-than-smooth/965922)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2022, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bumpy-chair-ramps-substantially-better-than-smooth/965922 "2022-06-19T04:07:30Z")
All over my city crews are installing bright yellow ramps with little bumps. Are these a huge improvement, or is it a make-work project? --- ## [Does anything at all happen if a day is declared National/State such-and-such day?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anything-at-all-happen-if-a-day-is-declared-national-state-such-and-such-day/966328)
**Author:** [@SpacemanSpiff\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpacemanSpiff_II)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2022, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anything-at-all-happen-if-a-day-is-declared-national-state-such-and-such-day/966328 "2022-06-19T00:34:25Z")
There seem to be a zillion such days. (What got me to thinking about it is that a guy I work with updates his email signature every day to include “\[Today’s date\] is National \[such-and-such\] day”.) I’m aware that these … --- ## [The U.K. receives less sunlight than almost all of the USA?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-u-k-receives-less-sunlight-than-almost-all-of-the-usa/963687)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2022, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-u-k-receives-less-sunlight-than-almost-all-of-the-usa/963687 "2022-06-18T17:56:34Z")
Is this Tweet true? https://twitter.com/alexhern/status/1519990155825881088?s=21&t=n33UPdwhTGkui\_-tfoYg0A I assume it’s due to the very short hours of sunlight during winter days in the U.K. due to the northern latitu… --- ## [Questions about the 9/11 rubble](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-the-9-11-rubble/966250)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2022, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-the-9-11-rubble/966250 "2022-06-18T15:53:10Z")
I know some of the rubble has been preserved as relics. Another portion was painstakingly examined for years by NYC medical examiners for evidence at the smallest level for human remains (a sacred undertaking, in my view… --- ## [Why do gas pumps slow down before they stop?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-gas-pumps-slow-down-before-they-stop/358191)
**Author:** [@Vashbul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vashbul)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2022, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-gas-pumps-slow-down-before-they-stop/358191 "2022-06-18T14:56:47Z")
Whenever you pump gas at a self-service filling station, there’s always that awful moment when you’re about 30 cents from your prepaid amount when the pump slows down to a crawl. Getting that last bit into the tank can s… --- ## [You wouldn't think this would be hard to explain, but \[Year To Date\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-wouldnt-think-this-would-be-hard-to-explain-but-year-to-date/966399)
**Author:** [@Dodgy\_Dude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dodgy_Dude)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2022, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-wouldnt-think-this-would-be-hard-to-explain-but-year-to-date/966399 "2022-06-18T13:30:02Z")
… I’ve googled this and still can’t find an explanation in straightforward, plain English. Year-to-date means “since January 1st of this year” Year-over-year means “over the last 365 days”. Do I have that right? --- ## [Are Objects With Mass Moving Through Me At All Times?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-objects-with-mass-moving-through-me-at-all-times/966247)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2022, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-objects-with-mass-moving-through-me-at-all-times/966247 "2022-06-18T13:07:10Z")
From my very limited understanding of astrophysics, there are various particles zipping about the universe at all times. If they have mass, does that mean that when they hit a solid object – say, for example, a 140kg mal… --- ## [Impact of mortgage transfers on credit scores](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impact-of-mortgage-transfers-on-credit-scores/966394)
**Author:** [@SpacemanSpiff\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpacemanSpiff_II)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2022, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impact-of-mortgage-transfers-on-credit-scores/966394 "2022-06-17T19:44:46Z")
I have a very high credit score, but one thing I’m getting dinged a bit for is number of accounts opened in the last two years. This is mostly the result of multiple mortgage refis as the rates kept decreasing. However t… --- ## [What mental health assessment might my kids have taken?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mental-health-assessment-might-my-kids-have-taken/966388)
**Author:** [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2022, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mental-health-assessment-might-my-kids-have-taken/966388 "2022-06-17T17:49:28Z")
As an example, one of my kids was having problems with anxiety. During intake, rather than something small like the GAD-7 assessment, we were given a much longer assessment that was clearly intended to identify a wide r… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=200) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=202)