# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=252 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 253 --- ## [The physics (if any) of cutting fabric with scissors?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-physics-if-any-of-cutting-fabric-with-scissors/951561)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2021, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-physics-if-any-of-cutting-fabric-with-scissors/951561 "2021-09-29T15:44:49Z")
As I would cut fabric, with a pair of scissors, I’d soon get to a point where the fabric just rips apart. This happens with a certain amount of “pressure” on the scissor, a certain point on the scissor blade etc etc. Is… --- ## [If a little kid (say eight-years-old) causes injury who is responsible for damages and will the kid go to jail?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-little-kid-say-eight-years-old-causes-injury-who-is-responsible-for-damages-and-will-the-kid-go-to-jail/951544)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2021, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-little-kid-say-eight-years-old-causes-injury-who-is-responsible-for-damages-and-will-the-kid-go-to-jail/951544 "2021-09-29T13:03:51Z")
I just saw this video (also below) by the YouTube personality and lawyer LegalEagle. It shows what looks to be an eight-year-old kid (give or take) kicking crates out from under someone and they fall. Clearly the kid i… --- ## [What about vertical farming?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-about-vertical-farming/951390)
**Author:** [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2021, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-about-vertical-farming/951390 "2021-09-29T09:09:37Z")
What I mean by the title is instead of having farms and ranches spread out over many acres, what if we built tall buildings instead? Not being a farmer, rancher, engineer or architect, I don’t know if this is feasible i… --- ## [Iraq war Flash animation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraq-war-flash-animation/951494)
**Author:** [@Danger\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danger_Man)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2021, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraq-war-flash-animation/951494 "2021-09-29T07:17:46Z")
Before the war in Iraq I seem to remember seeing a Flash (or similar) animation that shows the potential consequences of an invasion. It showed a map and went through a chain reaction of more and more countries being inv… --- ## [Mixed paint, how long staying mixed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mixed-paint-how-long-staying-mixed/951435)
**Author:** [@a6ka97](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a6ka97)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2021, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mixed-paint-how-long-staying-mixed/951435 "2021-09-29T05:53:23Z")
Mother-in-law had a tub/shower taken out and replaced with shower for the lower step over height. Contractor was supposed to be finished last Friday but due to one of his workers showing covid symptoms he was unable to f… --- ## [What does the Texas law prohibiting most abortions actually do? Couldn't people bring suits before?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-texas-law-prohibiting-most-abortions-actually-do-couldnt-people-bring-suits-before/950006)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2021, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-texas-law-prohibiting-most-abortions-actually-do-couldnt-people-bring-suits-before/950006 "2021-09-28T23:53:55Z")
My understanding of the new law is that it allows anybody to bring suit against people helping a person get an abortion in Texas. It doesn’t guarantee they will prevail. But, what is actually new here? Can’t people alrea… --- ## [Are the microchips in cars fundamentally different than the microchips in smartphones and game consoles?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-microchips-in-cars-fundamentally-different-than-the-microchips-in-smartphones-and-game-consoles/942407)
**Author:** [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2021, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-microchips-in-cars-fundamentally-different-than-the-microchips-in-smartphones-and-game-consoles/942407 "2021-09-28T19:47:28Z")
A debate started in this thread about the viability of using recycled chips from PCs, smartphones and other advanced electronics to replace the dependence of car manufacturers on custom built silicon. So I figured I’d … --- ## [Wavelengths of light are in which direction?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wavelengths-of-light-are-in-which-direction/951029)
**Author:** [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2021, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wavelengths-of-light-are-in-which-direction/951029 "2021-09-28T18:42:30Z")
I’ve asked this kind of thing before, but I’m trying again. Textbooks show the wavelength measured along the path of travel, like N-S if it’s traveling north. So, the light is traveling north toward the screen in a mic… --- ## [Crime in Mexico, jailed in the US](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crime-in-mexico-jailed-in-the-us/951516)
**Author:** [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2021, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crime-in-mexico-jailed-in-the-us/951516 "2021-09-28T18:41:33Z")
This is not about the guy who murdered his family. This case involves an American suspect and a Mexican victim and happened in Mexico. I’m adding the link to an article about an awful crime that happened in Tijuana. The… --- ## [Why does coop not provide kitchen or closet flooring?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-coop-not-provide-kitchen-or-closet-flooring/951472)
**Author:** [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2021, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-coop-not-provide-kitchen-or-closet-flooring/951472 "2021-09-28T18:19:53Z")
My son is on a waiting list for an income-restricted coop, and now that he’s high enough to view apartments, I’ve noticed that the viewing paperwork says the housing company doesn’t supply window coverings, stoves , refr… --- ## [The Roman Alphabet and C, K and Q](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-roman-alphabet-and-c-k-and-q/951345)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2021, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-roman-alphabet-and-c-k-and-q/951345 "2021-09-28T16:34:05Z")
As I am sure you are aware, we can thank the ancient Romans for our (Western) alphabet. But why do we have C, K and Q? They all literally have the exact same sound. (Q is included because it gets its ‘W’ sound only fr… --- ## [Why do airliner black boxes still exist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-airliner-black-boxes-still-exist/922905)
**Author:** [@whc.03grady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whc.03grady)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2021, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-airliner-black-boxes-still-exist/922905 "2021-09-28T12:43:11Z")
In this day and age wouldn’t it be trivially easy to gather and record flight data and cockpit chatter in real time via satellite or similar? --- ## [How to tell if a ladder is still good?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-if-a-ladder-is-still-good/951059)
**Author:** [@kk\_fusion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kk_fusion)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2021, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-if-a-ladder-is-still-good/951059 "2021-09-28T04:09:09Z")
The ladder in question. This was in the shed when we moved into the house. There is no label or anything to tell when it was built. All I know is that the previous owner got it before 2007 (that’s when he died). Already… --- ## [Gravity Beam](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gravity-beam/951125)
**Author:** [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2021, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gravity-beam/951125 "2021-09-28T00:43:51Z")
Lets say you took quantity of mass equivalent to the earths mass and through some kind of unbelievable technology formed it into a solid shaft ten miles in diameter and X miles long. How big is X? Now, once you have th… --- ## [Airline A "operated by" Airline B](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airline-a-operated-by-airline-b/951384)
**Author:** [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2021, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airline-a-operated-by-airline-b/951384 "2021-09-28T00:09:18Z")
I’ve been traveling a bit lately, and flown on “United operated by Lufthansa” and “Delta operated by SkyConnection”. What exactly does that entail? All the logos and uniforms look like United and Delta…what do Lufthans… --- ## [Is a Flat Earth/celestial body possible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-flat-earth-celestial-body-possible/951374)
**Author:** [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2021, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-flat-earth-celestial-body-possible/951374 "2021-09-27T22:04:03Z")
Yes, I know the Earth isn’t flat. The question is whether a celestial body with a mass and density approaching that of Earth can have a shape like that of a stereotypical flat Earth, basically a large planet sized coin. … --- ## [Digital album art ... where does it come from?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digital-album-art-where-does-it-come-from/951383)
**Author:** [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2021, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digital-album-art-where-does-it-come-from/951383 "2021-09-27T15:26:46Z")
When I’m playing music on my iPhone, relevant artwork is displayed – usually (but not always) the cover of the album where the song came from. (But not always, and sometimes it’s wildly off base – like, my version of Be… --- ## [NetSuite](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netsuite/372467)
**Author:** [@lillysmiles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lillysmiles)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2006, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netsuite/372467 "2006-09-12T22:04:33Z")
Hey! I’m a tard, and need help with a program called NetSuite! anyone familiar with it? I wana pick your brain! :slight\_smile: Thanx bunches --- ## [Do women wear pads and tampons all the time, or only during menstruation, or what?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-women-wear-pads-and-tampons-all-the-time-or-only-during-menstruation-or-what/946996)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 184\ **Last updated:** [September 26, 2021, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-women-wear-pads-and-tampons-all-the-time-or-only-during-menstruation-or-what/946996 "2021-09-26T22:41:13Z")
As a guy who lives with his mother who hasn’t had her ovaries in many years, there are things about menstruation that I’m not privy to, to put it mildly. I’m ignorant about these things, and I don’t wanna be. Does ever… --- ## [Questions about the Versailles Treaty](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-the-versailles-treaty/951052)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [September 26, 2021, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-the-versailles-treaty/951052 "2021-09-26T21:37:31Z")
I haven’t been be able to find any information about the drafters of the Versailles Treaty. Were they a team of French and English authors”? Was the document inspired by other treaties? Do we know anything about the draf… --- ## [Air Conditioner Performance Under Stress - One Machine Two Rooms](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-conditioner-performance-under-stress-one-machine-two-rooms/949595)
**Author:** [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2021, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-conditioner-performance-under-stress-one-machine-two-rooms/949595 "2021-09-10T06:05:06Z")
My AC works fine according to the settings until the temp gets somewhere in the 90s for a certain time, and then I put it on 71 degrees, high power and leave it, and I cant get the place below 83 most of the day and til … --- ## [Discovery of x-rays](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discovery-of-x-rays/951160)
**Author:** [@Obeseus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Obeseus)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2021, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discovery-of-x-rays/951160 "2021-09-25T19:31:59Z")
Are there any experts on radiation and x-rays here? According to local legend, a man in my hometown almost discovered x-rays. As the story goes, he was a rope maker, and he would select the best raw materials by magnifyi… --- ## [Can a cormorant fly with a fish hanging out of its mouth?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-cormorant-fly-with-a-fish-hanging-out-of-its-mouth/951231)
**Author:** [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2021, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-cormorant-fly-with-a-fish-hanging-out-of-its-mouth/951231 "2021-09-25T17:22:27Z")
This is not a purely academic question. I was at Niagara Falls today. As I was right at the rail near the top of Horseshoe Falls, I saw a bird floating on the water. I’m guessing it was a cormorant, and it had a fish … --- ## [Legal: When does something become a "moot point"? Asking about Biden COVID mandates in court](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-when-does-something-become-a-moot-point-asking-about-biden-covid-mandates-in-court/951276)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2021, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-when-does-something-become-a-moot-point-asking-about-biden-covid-mandates-in-court/951276 "2021-09-25T16:05:46Z")
President Biden has issued some executive orders regarding vaccines related to COVID. As expected, there are some who are challenging these orders. My question is, will a court case challenging these orders continue ev… --- ## [Annoying Win10 issue: "This action can't be completed because the folder or a file in it is open in another program"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-win10-issue-this-action-cant-be-completed-because-the-folder-or-a-file-in-it-is-open-in-another-program/951195)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2021, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-win10-issue-this-action-cant-be-completed-because-the-folder-or-a-file-in-it-is-open-in-another-program/951195 "2021-09-25T11:40:55Z")
This happens to me from time to time when I try to rename, move or delete a file or folder, despite the fact that it is NOT currently being used in any program, and it’s somewhat maddening when I’m busy and trying to get… --- ## [The Emperor's New Groove "ravine climb": Is the first part theoretically possible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-emperors-new-groove-ravine-climb-is-the-first-part-theoretically-possible/951293)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2021, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-emperors-new-groove-ravine-climb-is-the-first-part-theoretically-possible/951293 "2021-09-25T04:40:18Z")
In the Disney movie The Emperor’s New Groove, Kuzco and Pacha both fall down a ravine and end up crashing back to back, with their legs touching opposite sides of the ravine. They hook their arms together … --- ## [In which room or rooms at the Versailles Palace did the negotiations of the 1919 Paris Peace Conference take place. Hall of Mirrors?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-room-or-rooms-at-the-versailles-palace-did-the-negotiations-of-the-1919-paris-peace-conference-take-place-hall-of-mirrors/951273)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2021, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-room-or-rooms-at-the-versailles-palace-did-the-negotiations-of-the-1919-paris-peace-conference-take-place-hall-of-mirrors/951273 "2021-09-25T00:26:26Z")
Every article I’ve ever read on the Paris Peace Conference usually devotes a separate mention to the signing of the Versailles Treaty in the Hall of Mirrors, leading me to assume that the negotiations were held elsewhere… --- ## [How should I overwinter my garden?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-i-overwinter-my-garden/951077)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2021, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-i-overwinter-my-garden/951077 "2021-09-24T07:11:06Z")
I have a section of my garden that are all wildflowers - no real landscaping just wild flowers. There are a combination of annuals and perennials and some from bulbs most from seed. So when should I weedwack them (if e… --- ## [Are iMacs vulnerable to 'ForcedEntry' (the recently discovered zero-click remote exploit)? If so, is it possible to patch an old machine running OS10.12.6?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-imacs-vulnerable-to-forcedentry-the-recently-discovered-zero-click-remote-exploit-if-so-is-it-possible-to-patch-an-old-machine-running-os10-12-6/951193)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2021, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-imacs-vulnerable-to-forcedentry-the-recently-discovered-zero-click-remote-exploit-if-so-is-it-possible-to-patch-an-old-machine-running-os10-12-6/951193 "2021-09-24T03:14:31Z")
I have an old (2015) iMac running OS 10.12.6. Because of hardware constraints (I think) I haven’t been able to update the OS for years now so am stuck with using 10.12.6. Is my machine vulnerable to ForcedEntry? If so, … --- ## [Can a person knowledgeable in HVAC help a doper out?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-person-knowledgeable-in-hvac-help-a-doper-out/951208)
**Author:** [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2021, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-person-knowledgeable-in-hvac-help-a-doper-out/951208 "2021-09-24T02:58:56Z")
So I have had some leakage on my basement floor. Took a while to find where it was coming from, but it is coming from fine streams of water coming out our furnace/AC. Here’s a pic. … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=251) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=253)