# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=217 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 218 --- ## [Condo Building-Dallas-Sun Reflection Problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/condo-building-dallas-sun-reflection-problem/961922)
**Author:** [@19USMC69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/19USMC69)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2022, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/condo-building-dallas-sun-reflection-problem/961922 "2022-03-30T22:46:26Z")
A few years ago I saw a program (Engineering Catastrophes, maybe) about a condo tower from which the sun radiated in all directions. While the glass helped to reduce interior temperatures in the building, it was at the e… --- ## [The diffident British stance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-diffident-british-stance/961817)
**Author:** [@cannonkuo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cannonkuo)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2022, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-diffident-british-stance/961817 "2022-03-30T15:11:48Z")
In reply to Haig’s report that Thatcher has decided to use force to expel the Argentinians on the Falklands, President Reagan mentioned that: It’s my guess from the diffident British stance that any compromise on Thatch… --- ## [Why did my Wikipedia font display get small?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-my-wikipedia-font-display-get-small/961954)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2022, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-my-wikipedia-font-display-get-small/961954 "2022-03-30T10:39:18Z")
I have no idea what I did, but the font size on my Wikipedia pages jsut got small. I’d like to make it bigger again - I find the small font hard to read. Any suggestions what I did? I’m using Chromebook. (It’s not af… --- ## [Would bird seed be something potentially useful in a home emergency kit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-bird-seed-be-something-potentially-useful-in-a-home-emergency-kit/961648)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2022, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-bird-seed-be-something-potentially-useful-in-a-home-emergency-kit/961648 "2022-03-29T20:28:17Z")
I’ve always been prepared for potential disasters since I live in a major earthquake zone. I was just wondering if I should buy one of those 20 pound bags of bird seed and put it in a storage container somewhere. I buy … --- ## [Do the parents of Siamese Twins that aren't separated get one or two tax deductions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-parents-of-siamese-twins-that-arent-separated-get-one-or-two-tax-deductions/961910)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2022, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-parents-of-siamese-twins-that-arent-separated-get-one-or-two-tax-deductions/961910 "2022-03-29T18:15:51Z")
Hello Everyone, I got asked this today and didn’t know what to say? Anyone know? --- ## [Question about Cologuard](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-cologuard/925339)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2022, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-cologuard/925339 "2022-03-29T16:09:55Z")
I’m a few months overdue for my first screening colonoscopy. Doing my best to avoid COVID exposure, so my doc agreed that since I was low risk, I could use the Cologuard at-home test. He ordered it for me, it arrived la… --- ## [Baffling delays in processing online bill payments](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baffling-delays-in-processing-online-bill-payments/961793)
**Author:** [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2022, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baffling-delays-in-processing-online-bill-payments/961793 "2022-03-29T15:37:06Z")
I have been puzzled for some time now as to why online bill payments, which are handled by computers, seem to still be limited by the traditional Monday-Friday, 9-5 work week. I mean, if I buy something with my debit ca… --- ## [Do any other animals sleep more comfortably with neck pillows and do they ever fashion them in the wild?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-other-animals-sleep-more-comfortably-with-neck-pillows-and-do-they-ever-fashion-them-in-the-wild/961635)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2022, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-other-animals-sleep-more-comfortably-with-neck-pillows-and-do-they-ever-fashion-them-in-the-wild/961635 "2022-03-29T15:27:21Z")
The human posture seems to require pillows in most sleeping positions to put the neck into a neutral position for the greatest comfort. However, it’s hard to think of any other animals where this is the case, most common… --- ## [Python Help](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/python-help/854068)
**Author:** [@TriDeka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriDeka)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2020, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/python-help/854068 "2020-05-18T23:52:33Z")
Hello, ive been tasked with converting a .arf document into the python language. i have no knowledge of python and i need help doing so. is there anyone who can help me with this?? I am willing to send the file out to an… --- ## [Why does Russia not want Ukraine in NATO?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-russia-not-want-ukraine-in-nato/957644)
**Author:** [@StraightTalk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StraightTalk)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2022, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-russia-not-want-ukraine-in-nato/957644 "2022-03-28T20:32:34Z")
Educate me… --- ## [MacBook Air battery](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macbook-air-battery/961816)
**Author:** [@Oly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oly)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2022, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macbook-air-battery/961816 "2022-03-28T13:01:48Z")
My in-laws bought a MacBook Air in December 2020 and just opened the box yesterday. It runs off the cord but the battery isn’t charging. Would the year+ of lying dormant have killed it? If so, is there any way of bringin… --- ## [Do Russians have access to the internet during this war?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-russians-have-access-to-the-internet-during-this-war/961714)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2022, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-russians-have-access-to-the-internet-during-this-war/961714 "2022-03-28T00:17:36Z")
Russia is heavily censoring its news reports.There was that famous incident a few days ago on Russian television when a worker in a news studio held up a sign behind the newscaster saying basically “don’t believe what t… --- ## [Why won’t my Apple Watch pair with my new iPhone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-won-t-my-apple-watch-pair-with-my-new-iphone/961778)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2022, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-won-t-my-apple-watch-pair-with-my-new-iphone/961778 "2022-03-27T22:01:55Z")
I’ve had the watch since last May, and originally had it paired to my iPhone 11. I just upgraded to iPhone 13 and the watch only connects to the internet when my phone is connected to a wireless network. Even then, the p… --- ## [Problem loading drivers on Windows 10](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-loading-drivers-on-windows-10/961535)
**Author:** [@The\_Man\_In\_Black](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Man_In_Black)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2022, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-loading-drivers-on-windows-10/961535 "2022-03-27T19:28:46Z")
I recently had a thread:Windows 10 keeps crashing - #9 by The\_Man\_In\_Black where I was helped out. I ended up needing to remount my cpu heat sink with new paste. But now I am having trouble loading drivers. I tried Go… --- ## [Do people grow cocaine here in the United States](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-grow-cocaine-here-in-the-united-states/315413)
**Author:** [@who\_knows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/who_knows)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2022, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-grow-cocaine-here-in-the-united-states/315413 "2022-03-27T16:50:44Z")
Recently, I was reading an article that was discussing the growing number of people in the US who are growing marijuana. The article said that most were growing marijuana for sale, while others were growing it for their… --- ## [Printing one or two sheets--no printer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/printing-one-or-two-sheets-no-printer/961490)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2022, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/printing-one-or-two-sheets-no-printer/961490 "2022-03-27T16:37:31Z")
I hate home printers. I print very little, only a very few sheets a year. And every printer I have ever owned goes bad, very quickly. Ink costs a fortune. How can I get stuff printed? BTW-- my local Kinkos declined … --- ## [Hydroponically grown strawberries](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hydroponically-grown-strawberries/961649)
**Author:** [@2\_More\_Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2_More_Bits)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2022, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hydroponically-grown-strawberries/961649 "2022-03-26T22:32:35Z")
I purchased some strawberries the other day with packaging that emphasized that they were hydroponically grown. They are tasteless. Isn’t that something that the producers would have had significant control over based on… --- ## [No trouble code on Nissan rogue but dash light is on](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-trouble-code-on-nissan-rogue-but-dash-light-is-on/961701)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2022, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-trouble-code-on-nissan-rogue-but-dash-light-is-on/961701 "2022-03-26T17:39:01Z")
It’s a 2017 AWD. I hit a big pothole and got new wheels and tires. OBD 2 shows nothing . I will take it to a shop . The light is on for slip issues. --- ## [How deep can an average person dive with and without basic scuba gear?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-deep-can-an-average-person-dive-with-and-without-basic-scuba-gear/961366)
**Author:** [@JakeRS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JakeRS)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2022, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-deep-can-an-average-person-dive-with-and-without-basic-scuba-gear/961366 "2022-03-26T16:29:43Z")
If you’re just an average 20-40 year old, without any diving experience and it’s effects on your breath holding, then: How deep can you dive without any equipment and for how long? How deep if you have a basic air … --- ## [Simple (?) Powerbank Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-powerbank-question/961685)
**Author:** [@TCMF-2L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TCMF-2L)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2022, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-powerbank-question/961685 "2022-03-26T09:33:55Z")
Electronics aren’t my strong suit so can someone explain for a dumbo like me how this would work. Some handheld flashlights (torches) have a powerbank feature. If such a flashlight had a fully charged 3000 mAh 18650 bat… --- ## [Why do credits take so long to process](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-credits-take-so-long-to-process/961686)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2022, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-credits-take-so-long-to-process/961686 "2022-03-26T06:24:42Z")
Had an issue where Safeway stole $230 out of my account when paying for groceries. Don’t worry, this is a FQ not a rant. I immediately noticed it on my receipt and customer service refunded the charge back onto my card… --- ## [Is there any proven way to diminish the amount of junk mail I receive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-proven-way-to-diminish-the-amount-of-junk-mail-i-receive/961664)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2022, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-proven-way-to-diminish-the-amount-of-junk-mail-i-receive/961664 "2022-03-26T04:10:36Z")
I’m putting this here because I’m looking for a factual answer, not anecdotes. When I moved from California to a new house in Montana 13 years ago I got zero junk mail for the first 3-4 weeks. Then, as I had expected, t… --- ## [Any animals observed to have a cuisine? i.e. mixing/altering food to possibly enhance flavor/nutrition?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-animals-observed-to-have-a-cuisine-i-e-mixing-altering-food-to-possibly-enhance-flavor-nutrition/961638)
**Author:** [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2022, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-animals-observed-to-have-a-cuisine-i-e-mixing-altering-food-to-possibly-enhance-flavor-nutrition/961638 "2022-03-26T03:08:23Z")
Any non-human animals that is. Any animals seen taking food and throwing it on a salt lick? Or perhaps mixing meat with fruit as we do fish with lemon? Letting it age/ripen for other than future food supply purposes? … --- ## [Weird, pointlessly long video ads - can anyone explain them?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-pointlessly-long-video-ads-can-anyone-explain-them/649882)
**Author:** [@ianzin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ianzin)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2022, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-pointlessly-long-video-ads-can-anyone-explain-them/649882 "2022-03-26T00:15:30Z")
I’ve seen online ad campaigns that, after a click or two, want you to sit through a long-winded, talky video promising secrets of weight loss / finding love / making money and other staples of hooks-for-gullible-fish adv… --- ## [Jewish heads of state/government](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewish-heads-of-state-government/431613)
**Author:** [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2022, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewish-heads-of-state-government/431613 "2022-03-25T20:51:52Z")
Excepting the modern state of Israel, and the ancient Jewish states of the same region, has there ever been a head of state or head of government who actively practised Judaism? Note that I am not referring to Jews in a… --- ## [How are puns and wordplay translated?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-puns-and-wordplay-translated/926560)
**Author:** [@Smudge777](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smudge777)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2022, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-puns-and-wordplay-translated/926560 "2022-03-25T04:38:38Z")
I was recently watching an episode of Raised By Wolves in which a character tells that good ol’ joke: When is a door not a door? When it is ajar. The subtitles read “When it is a jar \[ajar\]” to make the pun clear in w… --- ## [Receiving PayPal or Venmo $](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/receiving-paypal-or-venmo/961516)
**Author:** [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2022, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/receiving-paypal-or-venmo/961516 "2022-03-25T02:52:55Z")
A friend suggested setting up PayPal or Venmo so I can receive money rather than use ATMs while traveling. Generally speaking, how does this work? E.g., do the funds need to go to my bank account, or is it like a virtual… --- ## [What's the purpose of that black strip on a windshield?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-purpose-of-that-black-strip-on-a-windshield/961345)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2022, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-purpose-of-that-black-strip-on-a-windshield/961345 "2022-03-25T01:58:22Z")
Lots of newer cars now come with a windshield that has a 2 or 3 inch black strip around the edge. Does that strip have a function? Maybe it’s supposed to enhance the appearance, but beyond that, is there a reason for it… --- ## [Acceleration vs gas mileage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acceleration-vs-gas-mileage/961297)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2022, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acceleration-vs-gas-mileage/961297 "2022-03-24T22:57:46Z")
Hello Everyone, With gas prices as high as they are I was just wondering, is it better for fuel economy to quickly (not flooring it) accelerate up to cruising speed or to accelerate very slowly? I’m torn, because while… --- ## [Question about death by asphyxiation from thermobaric bombs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-death-by-asphyxiation-from-thermobaric-bombs/961659)
**Author:** [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2022, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-death-by-asphyxiation-from-thermobaric-bombs/961659 "2022-03-24T22:21:47Z")
I’ve read that, besides killing people through conventional means, thermobaric bombs will also kill by asphyxiation. Given that it takes quite a bit of time for someone to die that way, why doesn’t air rush right in a l… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=216) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=218)