# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=248 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 249 --- ## [Who's in charge at a seaplane airport?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-in-charge-at-a-seaplane-airport/949901)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2021, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-in-charge-at-a-seaplane-airport/949901 "2021-10-20T17:09:07Z")
I once spent an hour watching the take-offs and landings in Vancouver Harbour. There is a control tower that directs the pilots, but there are all sorts of other boats from a large ferry down to rowboats. I assume the … --- ## [How were the slaves sent across the Atlantic originally captured?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-were-the-slaves-sent-across-the-atlantic-originally-captured/952261)
**Author:** [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2021, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-were-the-slaves-sent-across-the-atlantic-originally-captured/952261 "2021-10-20T14:47:47Z")
Obviously, a lot of the slaves in antebellum America were native born. But the original generation came from Africa. What were the logistics of that abduction? Were slave catchers literally raiding towns to capture pe… --- ## [Laptop Question and Price Difference](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laptop-question-and-price-difference/950077)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2021, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laptop-question-and-price-difference/950077 "2021-10-20T01:52:45Z")
I’m looking for a new laptop. The old one gets too drunk sometimes and falls off the couch. So I see this: 32MB RAM, 1TB SSD, Intel Core I7-11th Gen, HP and this: Same specs as above. Why the massive price diff… --- ## [Is it theoretically possible to objectively quantify pain?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-theoretically-possible-to-objectively-quantify-pain/952162)
**Author:** [@anny\_m](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anny_m)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2021, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-theoretically-possible-to-objectively-quantify-pain/952162 "2021-10-19T21:08:39Z")
I know the experience of pain is highly subjective. But because of that, the pain level reported can be highly variable. On the one end, you have the Black Knight from Monty Python and the Holy Grail – “Tis but a scrat… --- ## [Will Microsoft OneDrive keep me from running out of C: drive space?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-microsoft-onedrive-keep-me-from-running-out-of-c-drive-space/952760)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2021, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-microsoft-onedrive-keep-me-from-running-out-of-c-drive-space/952760 "2021-10-19T19:35:55Z")
My corporate PC has less than 10% of the C: drive free and I don’t want to run out of space and have a malfunction. But all my user files are set up with Microsoft OneDrive. If I ignore the free space numbers and keep on… --- ## [Is anybody close to making a vaccine for the Delta variant?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anybody-close-to-making-a-vaccine-for-the-delta-variant/952267)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2021, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anybody-close-to-making-a-vaccine-for-the-delta-variant/952267 "2021-10-19T05:04:46Z")
A year or so ago, the news was filled with daily announcements that a miracle vaccine was being developed for covid. Every news agency proudly reported on its local favorite son-(usually the local university or departme… --- ## [Plane crashed because pilots were too distracted talking about how hot the flight attendents were - Which flight was this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plane-crashed-because-pilots-were-too-distracted-talking-about-how-hot-the-flight-attendents-were-which-flight-was-this/952666)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2021, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plane-crashed-because-pilots-were-too-distracted-talking-about-how-hot-the-flight-attendents-were-which-flight-was-this/952666 "2021-10-19T03:17:40Z")
I remember seeing his story on one of those true air crash shows about 5 years ago. The basic story went that an airplane (might have been in the 90’s or 00’s) was taking off from an airport within the United States. It … --- ## [Are there different types of gas pumps for cars?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-different-types-of-gas-pumps-for-cars/952608)
**Author:** [@edwin\_klockars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwin_klockars)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2021, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-different-types-of-gas-pumps-for-cars/952608 "2021-10-19T02:00:53Z")
I just moved to a new city and I’ve been finding that filling my car with gas at the pumps here (regardless of which brand of gas station) is a little trickier/more-finicky than I’m used to. I’m wondering if anyone can … --- ## ["powered by"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/powered-by/952705)
**Author:** [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2021, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/powered-by/952705 "2021-10-18T22:36:40Z")
You know how some online software apps say they’re “powered” by some other software? Like “powered by Inktomi” or “powered by Netscape Navigator” (I’m totally showing my age here). Obviously, that doesn’t mean literal p… --- ## [My laptop's gone insane. I need help](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-laptops-gone-insane-i-need-help/949647)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2021, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-laptops-gone-insane-i-need-help/949647 "2021-10-18T19:58:26Z")
My laptop has apparently decided to act on its long unfulfilled dream of being a mobile phone. I was working on it and the screen went black. But only for a second. However when the display came back it is now rotated n… --- ## [Help me undo this stupid thing I did - bad smell](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-undo-this-stupid-thing-i-did-bad-smell/951945)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2021, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-undo-this-stupid-thing-i-did-bad-smell/951945 "2021-10-18T19:29:52Z")
We have cats. Every morning we clean out the cat box so the house smells nice. Wife walks of over to the dumpster. Well today, one of our cats came in and pooped after I cleaned the box. So I got a zip lock baggie and p… --- ## [Salivary Antigens](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salivary-antigens/952658)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2021, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salivary-antigens/952658 "2021-10-18T17:25:11Z")
I was thinking about how vaccines work (traditionally). One person gets sick, survives, we harvest their antigens, and then we replicate those antigens out to teach the immune systems of others. And all of this we discov… --- ## [Benefits of dynamic memory allocation in programming](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-of-dynamic-memory-allocation-in-programming/952598)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2021, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-of-dynamic-memory-allocation-in-programming/952598 "2021-10-17T15:55:47Z")
I’m familiarising mywself with C, and currently I’m learning about dynamic memory allocation. So, for instance, if, for whatever reason, I need a buffer that can hold ten floating-point numbers, I can do the following: (… --- ## [How are American losses in modern ground conflicts so low?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-american-losses-in-modern-ground-conflicts-so-low/952600)
**Author:** [@JakeRS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JakeRS)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2021, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-american-losses-in-modern-ground-conflicts-so-low/952600 "2021-10-17T15:24:43Z")
Obviously American equipment is 10 steps ahead over what Iraq or especially the Talibans had, but despite that, the losses somehow seem unnaturally low compared to other similar scenarios even when higher equipment and t… --- ## [Athletic people & excercisers constantly getting injured (plus long term impact)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/athletic-people-excercisers-constantly-getting-injured-plus-long-term-impact/952493)
**Author:** [@SpacemanSpiff\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpacemanSpiff_II)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2021, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/athletic-people-excercisers-constantly-getting-injured-plus-long-term-impact/952493 "2021-10-17T01:38:55Z")
This obviously varies by person, but it seems obvious to me that people who are very active, whether in atheltics or major workout people, are injured at a much higher rate than the more sedentary people. In fact not onl… --- ## [Last solo space flight?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-solo-space-flight/952415)
**Author:** [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2021, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-solo-space-flight/952415 "2021-10-16T21:41:39Z")
A space documentary I was watching mentioned that the last solo flight by an American into “space” (in this case, “space” is defined as at least 100 km/62,5 miles above the Earth’s surface) was that of Gordon Cooper in a… --- ## [How much of the U.S.S. Constitution is original material?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-the-u-s-s-constitution-is-original-material/952218)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2021, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-the-u-s-s-constitution-is-original-material/952218 "2021-10-16T12:13:35Z")
She is the world’s oldest ship of any type still afloat, but how much of that ship is still original material? I believe there is a large area in Indiana called Constitution Grove where white oak is grown for the purpos… --- ## [Why was “Middle Temple” included in Churchill’s insulting remark about Gandhi?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-middle-temple-included-in-churchill-s-insulting-remark-about-gandhi/952572)
**Author:** [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2021, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-middle-temple-included-in-churchill-s-insulting-remark-about-gandhi/952572 "2021-10-16T05:46:04Z")
“It is alarming and nauseating to see Mr Gandhi, a seditious Middle Temple lawyer, now posing as a fakir of a type well known in the east, striding half naked up the steps of the viceregal palace, while he is still organ… --- ## [Boeing software fix for 737 Max](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boeing-software-fix-for-737-max/831626)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 168\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2021, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boeing-software-fix-for-737-max/831626 "2021-10-16T05:36:44Z")
Will the company’s engineers have access to the full set of data from the crashed plane’s black-box (and any relevant telemetry from other sources)? I am wondering if they can replicate the exact set of variables the pi… --- ## [Cooling a warm condo in the winter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cooling-a-warm-condo-in-the-winter/952460)
**Author:** [@therealhoax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/therealhoax)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2021, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cooling-a-warm-condo-in-the-winter/952460 "2021-10-16T01:30:39Z")
I am seeking ideas for cooling an overly warm condo in the winter time. I live in Canada and being on the upper floor of my condo building, it is generally too warm in winter (24C/75F) a lot of the time even if it is we… --- ## [Why doesn’t Northern Ireland have a flag?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesn-t-northern-ireland-have-a-flag/946719)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2021, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesn-t-northern-ireland-have-a-flag/946719 "2021-10-15T16:47:31Z")
England, Wales, Scotland, and the Isle of Man all have their own flags but it seems that Northern Ireland uses the Union Flag. Is there a reason for this or is it a point of contention for some? --- ## [Aircraft Rollover Charts - how do they work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aircraft-rollover-charts-how-do-they-work/952383)
**Author:** [@PozhanPop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PozhanPop)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2021, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aircraft-rollover-charts-how-do-they-work/952383 "2021-10-15T01:31:39Z")
How do airlines decide which aircraft flies to a certain destination and then onwards to another destination ? As in an aircraft operating as Flt123 reaches destination X and then flies to another station Y as Flt 124 … --- ## [Instal induction cooktop](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instal-induction-cooktop/952479)
**Author:** [@dauerbach1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach1)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2021, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instal-induction-cooktop/952479 "2021-10-14T19:08:47Z")
We are replacing our current cooktop with Induction. We were told we have to upgrade wiring, and the electrician just left. We currently have a 40 amp fuse with #10 wire. To instal the cooktop we are thinking of we we… --- ## [Why does a 9 year old dog suddenly become scared of thunder and what can I do about it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-a-9-year-old-dog-suddenly-become-scared-of-thunder-and-what-can-i-do-about-it/631350)
**Author:** [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2021, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-a-9-year-old-dog-suddenly-become-scared-of-thunder-and-what-can-i-do-about-it/631350 "2021-10-14T16:15:54Z")
My dog is 9 and has never been bothered by thunder and lightening before - now all of a sudden he’s petrified, climbs in bed with me and pants for the duration of the storm. I don’t have a basement I can send him to - an… --- ## [Excel question - How do I get rid of these triangles?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-question-how-do-i-get-rid-of-these-triangles/952178)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2021, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-question-how-do-i-get-rid-of-these-triangles/952178 "2021-10-14T12:14:35Z")
I was minding my own business in an Excel spreadsheet when it suddenly looked weird. Appearing at the top of each column there appeared a small triangle (see below). When clicking on it, the drop down menu seems to think… --- ## [Simple, (I hope!), plumbing question!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-i-hope-plumbing-question/952416)
**Author:** [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2021, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-i-hope-plumbing-question/952416 "2021-10-14T05:27:04Z")
So I’d like to purchase a new vanity, for a bathroom revamp I’m considering undertaking. And, of course, a new faucet. The vanity is easy, I’ve been looking around, there’s lots I can find that suit me and can be ordered… --- ## [Does the prohibition against ex post facto laws apply if a law has been enjoined by a court?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-prohibition-against-ex-post-facto-laws-apply-if-a-law-has-been-enjoined-by-a-court/952444)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2021, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-prohibition-against-ex-post-facto-laws-apply-if-a-law-has-been-enjoined-by-a-court/952444 "2021-10-13T21:08:50Z")
Let’s say California passes a law making it illegal to sell widgets. The California Widget Makers Association sues and a court issues an injunction stopping the law from taking effect. If I sell a widget while the law … --- ## [Help? IRS 2020 Capital-Loss Carryover Worksheet](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-irs-2020-capital-loss-carryover-worksheet/952445)
**Author:** [@LynnM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LynnM)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2021, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-irs-2020-capital-loss-carryover-worksheet/952445 "2021-10-13T19:19:19Z")
On the IRS Capital-Loss Carryover Worksheet for tax year 2020, step #4 says: Enter the smaller of line 2 or line 3b. However, I do not see a line “3b” --is this a simple typo or what? Do they mean “line 3” instead of … --- ## [Does the Pentagon have bedrooms?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-pentagon-have-bedrooms/952387)
**Author:** [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2021, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-pentagon-have-bedrooms/952387 "2021-10-13T17:24:12Z")
Y: The Last Man; half of all mammals suddenly drop dead, a man & his monkey are the only 2 surviving beings with Y chromosomes, and the Pentagon is sheltering what’s left of the US executive branch & surviving dependents… --- ## [Is South Korea's Economy Larger Than Russia's?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-south-koreas-economy-larger-than-russias/952210)
**Author:** [@cjackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjackson)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2021, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-south-koreas-economy-larger-than-russias/952210 "2021-10-13T10:30:02Z")
In nominal gdp terms South Korea seems to be ahead of Russia, but in ppp terms Russia is far ahead of South Korea. How exactly does all of this work, and which country has the larger economy? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=247) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=249)