# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=243 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 244 --- ## [How would cryptographers break this type of code?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-cryptographers-break-this-type-of-code/953811)
**Author:** [@SpacemanSpiff\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpacemanSpiff_II)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2021, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-cryptographers-break-this-type-of-code/953811 "2021-11-19T15:28:16Z")
This is a code I once saw (or heard about) described somewhere, so it must be a known method, and it seems impenetrable to mathematical methods to me, but what do I know. You have a list of 50 books, numbered 01 to 50. … --- ## [A couple of questions for World War II historians](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-questions-for-world-war-ii-historians/954521)
**Author:** [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2021, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-questions-for-world-war-ii-historians/954521 "2021-11-19T14:26:07Z")
I have watched the first episode (“Blitzkrieg”) of the Netflix series Greatest Events of WWII in Colour. They said a couple of things that I hadn’t heard before. Are these things true? French reconnaissance said tha… --- ## [Fibonacci Numbers: Did Fibonacci just come up with the sequence as a lark? Or, did he derive it from something else?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fibonacci-numbers-did-fibonacci-just-come-up-with-the-sequence-as-a-lark-or-did-he-derive-it-from-something-else/953879)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2021, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fibonacci-numbers-did-fibonacci-just-come-up-with-the-sequence-as-a-lark-or-did-he-derive-it-from-something-else/953879 "2021-11-19T09:16:40Z")
The subject kinda says it all. I know Fibonacci numbers are important and deeply embedded in the natural world (and other places too like finance). But, did Fibonacci come to the sequence because of other math and/or o… --- ## [Science Fraud: What are Western Blots and How can they be Faked?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-fraud-what-are-western-blots-and-how-can-they-be-faked/953986)
**Author:** [@edwin\_klockars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwin_klockars)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2021, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-fraud-what-are-western-blots-and-how-can-they-be-faked/953986 "2021-11-19T04:36:22Z")
Recently, a young women with whom I’m acquainted (who tends not to have time/interest in explaining science to me) has gotten involved in a public battle over the authenticity of ‘Western Blots’ and speculation that an u… --- ## [LED Christmas light string](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-christmas-light-string/954161)
**Author:** [@dauerbach1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach1)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2021, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-christmas-light-string/954161 "2021-11-18T22:41:59Z")
Bought about ten 200 bulb strings from Sams Club last year, they worked fine. Took them out this year and 9 out of 10 have at least some bulbs that don’t work. The problem seems similar in each. There is a short gree… --- ## [Are there bible verses that Jews and Christians disagree on the translation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-bible-verses-that-jews-and-christians-disagree-on-the-translation/951084)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2021, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-bible-verses-that-jews-and-christians-disagree-on-the-translation/951084 "2021-11-18T21:38:19Z")
So this came up on my social media: What verses is it referring to? Are there old testament verses where the traditional Christian translation is drastically different from th… --- ## [Was Christopher Columbus acting on any tips from prior travellers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-christopher-columbus-acting-on-any-tips-from-prior-travellers/939123)
**Author:** [@themapleleaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/themapleleaf)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2021, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-christopher-columbus-acting-on-any-tips-from-prior-travellers/939123 "2021-11-18T21:22:32Z")
Is there any credible evidence that Christopher Columbus was tipped off to the possibility of reaching “Asia” via the Atlantic from someone who had been there, e.g. Portugese fishermen or a source familiar with them? Or … --- ## [What is an "atmospheric river"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-an-atmospheric-river/954569)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2021, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-an-atmospheric-river/954569 "2021-11-18T17:37:29Z")
The news articles about the BC rains keep referring to an “atmospheric river”, which is a new term for me. What does it mean? :thinking: --- ## [Why add Fentanyl to cocaine? (mild TV spoilers)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-add-fentanyl-to-cocaine-mild-tv-spoilers/953229)
**Author:** [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2021, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-add-fentanyl-to-cocaine-mild-tv-spoilers/953229 "2021-11-18T01:59:51Z")
I haven’t used cocaine since the 80s and have never used recreational opiates, so everything I know about the economics of their distribution and usage comes from TV and movies. In American Rust on Showtime, a dealer is… --- ## [Was America ever a poor nation (compared to the relative standards of its time?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-america-ever-a-poor-nation-compared-to-the-relative-standards-of-its-time/952424)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2021, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-america-ever-a-poor-nation-compared-to-the-relative-standards-of-its-time/952424 "2021-11-17T21:57:55Z")
Aside from its beginning (the travelers who disembarked from the Mayflower obviously couldn’t have had much prosperity when first getting things set up,) was America ever at any point a poor nation, by living standards o… --- ## [How were members of the Riksdag of the Estates chosen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-were-members-of-the-riksdag-of-the-estates-chosen/954146)
**Author:** [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2021, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-were-members-of-the-riksdag-of-the-estates-chosen/954146 "2021-11-17T19:08:43Z")
Wikipedia goes over how the the Four Estates (Clergy, Nobility, Burgers, & Farmers) were organized, but not how members of each chamber were chosen. Did all noblemen get to attend their chamber like the British House of… --- ## [Russian recent destruction of a satellite and Kessler Syndrome...how big is the threat?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-recent-destruction-of-a-satellite-and-kessler-syndrome-how-big-is-the-threat/954461)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2021, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-recent-destruction-of-a-satellite-and-kessler-syndrome-how-big-is-the-threat/954461 "2021-11-17T12:48:32Z")
Russia recently did another anti-satellite test and destroyed one of its satellites in orbit. This has caused a backlash of international censure since it supposedly has put both the international space station and the … --- ## [Is it getting more rainy in Aswan?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-getting-more-rainy-in-aswan/954302)
**Author:** [@Dahu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dahu)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2021, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-getting-more-rainy-in-aswan/954302 "2021-11-17T04:11:20Z")
This news story today - Scorpions are regularly washed into the streets by heavy rain … seems to be at odds with internet results that say it very rarely rains in Aswan (1.4mm in total per year). Is it getting mor… --- ## [Okay, but WHY does multiplication/division come before addition/subtraction?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-but-why-does-multiplication-division-come-before-addition-subtraction/954352)
**Author:** [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2021, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-but-why-does-multiplication-division-come-before-addition-subtraction/954352 "2021-11-16T22:51:25Z")
I mean, I know it does. I know it’s Brackets/parentheses (depends where you live) Exponents/orders (depends) Division Multiplication Addition Subtraction I can see the point of having brackets, since then you can… --- ## [Why are most of these shortages starting now rather than during peak Covid?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-of-these-shortages-starting-now-rather-than-during-peak-covid/954246)
**Author:** [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2021, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-of-these-shortages-starting-now-rather-than-during-peak-covid/954246 "2021-11-16T17:42:41Z")
When Covid first started, there were shortages in toilet paper and hand sanitizer, and there was a brief run on food, but, for the most part, I could get everything else I typically bought. Now every time I go to the su… --- ## [Was Magellan’s/Elcano’s circumnavigation of the world planned as such?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-magellan-s-elcano-s-circumnavigation-of-the-world-planned-as-such/954300)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2021, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-magellan-s-elcano-s-circumnavigation-of-the-world-planned-as-such/954300 "2021-11-16T15:40:18Z")
The main objective of the first circumnavigation of the world, which Magellan commenced in 1519 and Elcano completed in 1522 after Magellan’s death, was to do what Columbus had failed to accomplish three decades before: … --- ## [Federal crime committed, sentenced to 60 days](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-crime-committed-sentenced-to-60-days/954407)
**Author:** [@jonpluc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jonpluc)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2021, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-crime-committed-sentenced-to-60-days/954407 "2021-11-16T15:11:02Z")
I know in the US, the breakdown is any sentence under a year is Jail and anything over is Prision. But the Federal system does not have jails, so do the same people doing under a year for a Federal crime go to a differen… --- ## [Electrical wiring in U.S. government buildings overseas?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-wiring-in-u-s-government-buildings-overseas/954199)
**Author:** [@Fish\_Cheer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish_Cheer)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2021, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-wiring-in-u-s-government-buildings-overseas/954199 "2021-11-16T13:44:36Z")
What kind of electrical wiring is used in buildings outside the U.S. that are owned and operated by the U.S. government? Strictly American, local (if different) or both? Say, at the U.S. Consulate General in Frankfurt, G… --- ## [Why doesn't cold water cool down a gasoline fire?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-cold-water-cool-down-a-gasoline-fire/953775)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2021, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-cold-water-cool-down-a-gasoline-fire/953775 "2021-11-16T01:34:45Z")
It’s canonical that you should never use water to put out a gasoline (or oil) fire because doing so spreads the oil around, and the oil floats to the surface of the water and keeps burning. What I don’t get is why the c… --- ## [Why does air move with the planet Earth](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-air-move-with-the-planet-earth/954260)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2021, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-air-move-with-the-planet-earth/954260 "2021-11-15T21:45:12Z")
I was listening to a podcast about the geocentric model of the solar system vs heliocentrism. Apparently a “proof” at the time that the earth was not spinning was that if you tossed a ball into the air, it would land rig… --- ## [Why are hotel beds so high off the floor?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-hotel-beds-so-high-off-the-floor/680730)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2021, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-hotel-beds-so-high-off-the-floor/680730 "2021-11-15T19:42:08Z")
I do a lot of traveling, and it has always bugged me why do hotel beds sit so high above the floor? You might say it facilitates vacuuming under the bed. However, a large majority of beds are not resting on a bedframe. … --- ## [Is Eggnog Kosher?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-eggnog-kosher/429130)
**Author:** [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2021, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-eggnog-kosher/429130 "2021-11-15T19:38:13Z")
I recently noticed two different Jewish humor books made a reference to drinking eggnog. They both claimed it would be unusual for Jews to drink eggnog. Does eggnog violate Jewish dietary laws? Or is it a cultural ref… --- ## [What prevents old/dying people from taking out a bunch of loans and giving the money away before they die?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prevents-old-dying-people-from-taking-out-a-bunch-of-loans-and-giving-the-money-away-before-they-die/954095)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2021, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prevents-old-dying-people-from-taking-out-a-bunch-of-loans-and-giving-the-money-away-before-they-die/954095 "2021-11-15T12:41:23Z")
I recently saw one of those “What Should I Do?” advice columns where somebody’s grandparent with dementia was getting taken advantage of by another relative to have her take loans from those scummy “Get $1,000 with only … --- ## [How big can we make the camera?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-big-can-we-make-the-camera/954332)
**Author:** [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2021, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-big-can-we-make-the-camera/954332 "2021-11-15T03:08:30Z")
Was thinking about the picture of the black hole in the, I think, Andromeda galaxy from a little while back. To achieve this, they used several telescopes located all over the globe (along with some whiz bang computing)… --- ## [Dependent Care FSA planning](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dependent-care-fsa-planning/953999)
**Author:** [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2021, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dependent-care-fsa-planning/953999 "2021-11-15T00:20:29Z")
My employer offers a Dependent Care FSA account, which is a pre-tax account that I can divert some of my paycheck to and can be used to pay for childcare. The account is use-it-or-lose-it. If we don’t use all the money … --- ## [Explain to me like I'm five why US circuit courts can rule on federal matters](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-like-im-five-why-us-circuit-courts-can-rule-on-federal-matters/954316)
**Author:** [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2021, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-like-im-five-why-us-circuit-courts-can-rule-on-federal-matters/954316 "2021-11-14T18:17:38Z")
Earlier this year there was an article about U.S. Supreme Court’s so-called “shadow docket” and it noted that it being used more often the past few years was semi in reaction to the lower circuit courts’ increased willin… --- ## [Why is uncovering an arm or leg so effective at cooling off when trying to sleep?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-uncovering-an-arm-or-leg-so-effective-at-cooling-off-when-trying-to-sleep/954256)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2021, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-uncovering-an-arm-or-leg-so-effective-at-cooling-off-when-trying-to-sleep/954256 "2021-11-14T15:31:50Z")
I’m sure that just about everyone has experienced being too hot while trying to sleep and resolved the issue by uncovering an arm or leg. How is this so effective? I’d estimate that my arm makes up (Warning: WAG) 5% of… --- ## [Wondering if I can paint this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wondering-if-i-can-paint-this/954261)
**Author:** [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2021, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wondering-if-i-can-paint-this/954261 "2021-11-14T10:08:51Z")
I need to weigh something down, and I have a weight. It’s from a weighted window. Maybe 10-12” long, 1+1/2” diameter, very heavy. It appears to just be iron, but I can’t be sure, but it’s somewhat rusty anyway. Can I ju… --- ## [Firefox issue: Shimmering grey boxes where photos should be](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefox-issue-shimmering-grey-boxes-where-photos-should-be/954312)
**Author:** [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2021, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefox-issue-shimmering-grey-boxes-where-photos-should-be/954312 "2021-11-14T07:39:38Z")
I have a MacBook Air laptop and a Firefox browser. Whenever I click onto a news story from Yahoo!, I get shimmering gray boxes instead of photos. I would dump Firefox and use Chrome, but I have lots of message boards wit… --- ## [Why is Facebook --\> Meta a big deal? Or is it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-facebook-meta-a-big-deal-or-is-it/953996)
**Author:** [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2021, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-facebook-meta-a-big-deal-or-is-it/953996 "2021-11-14T04:25:28Z")
I chose to put this in GQ (now FQ?) because it seems like it would have a factual, unbiased answer. I don’t mean to use this as a springboard into a discussion of whether Facebook is a force for good or evil, or really … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=242) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=244)