# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=255 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 256 --- ## [Hospitals sharing info without asking me?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hospitals-sharing-info-without-asking-me/950661)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2021, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hospitals-sharing-info-without-asking-me/950661 "2021-09-15T16:43:18Z")
Went to UNC the other day for hearing issue. They knew I had been to Duke for the issue as well in the spring. Pretty sure I never told UNC about my Duke visit but they knew about it anyway. Not a big deal but did… --- ## [The dry ice "witch's brew"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dry-ice-witchs-brew/950698)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2021, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dry-ice-witchs-brew/950698 "2021-09-15T15:52:28Z")
I got a package yesterday packed in dry ice. Even though it was not Halloween I had to take a brick of it and put it in a bucket of water to make a foggy “witch’s brew” cauldron. I always wanted to do that but never had … --- ## [Did any psychic predict Covid?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-any-psychic-predict-covid/950529)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2021, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-any-psychic-predict-covid/950529 "2021-09-15T05:21:21Z")
I mean it seems like such a big event. How did they miss it? I haven’t even heard anyone trying to twist a Nostradamus quatrain into an after-the-fact prediction. They really let us down. --- ## [Removing rust from an 'artifact'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-rust-from-an-artifact/950616)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2021, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-rust-from-an-artifact/950616 "2021-09-15T04:48:02Z")
As I was excavating a flat spot for the new wood shed I built, I unearthed an axe head that had been buried for a minimum of twenty years but more likely at least 30 years. Needless to say, it’s encrusted in rust. I us… --- ## [Questions about how writers introduce their work to publishers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-how-writers-introduce-their-work-to-publishers/949819)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2021, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-how-writers-introduce-their-work-to-publishers/949819 "2021-09-15T04:30:10Z")
When writers introduce their work to prospective publishers do they typically send excerpts of their work for review or the entire work/manuscript?. Is it sent by email or by post? How do writers typically evaluate the p… --- ## [Have there ever been any true matriarchal societies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-there-ever-been-any-true-matriarchal-societies/950562)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2021, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-there-ever-been-any-true-matriarchal-societies/950562 "2021-09-15T00:25:04Z")
I am talking about societies where women actually ruled, and not just allowed by men to hold certain high positions. --- ## [Why does my UPS output power go off when switching from battery to mains?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-ups-output-power-go-off-when-switching-from-battery-to-mains/950629)
**Author:** [@wisernow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wisernow)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2021, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-ups-output-power-go-off-when-switching-from-battery-to-mains/950629 "2021-09-14T23:30:21Z")
I have a small 600VA UPS(includes battery) that I use to power my Denon AVR. I have noticed that the UPS switches smoothly to battery when the mains power is interrupted. and the AVR does not switch off. However, when t… --- ## [How to load eBooks onto an iPhone Kindle APP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-load-ebooks-onto-an-iphone-kindle-app/950169)
**Author:** [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2021, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-load-ebooks-onto-an-iphone-kindle-app/950169 "2021-09-14T18:04:30Z")
A friend is asking that question & I have no knowledge of how to use that, either using Calibre, which she also has or not. Thanks for any advice, --- ## [Always paid credit card on time, has my bank made money?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/always-paid-credit-card-on-time-has-my-bank-made-money/949911)
**Author:** [@spifflog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spifflog)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2021, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/always-paid-credit-card-on-time-has-my-bank-made-money/949911 "2021-09-14T16:12:55Z")
I recently received a snail mail letter from my bank thanking me for being a 30 year customer. In it was the number of checks I’ve written, and other somewhat fun trivia, and they also noted that I’ve never paid a finan… --- ## [Why are beings born from the armpit in mythology?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-beings-born-from-the-armpit-in-mythology/950605)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2021, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-beings-born-from-the-armpit-in-mythology/950605 "2021-09-14T16:04:05Z")
I’ve read about it in both Norse and Native American myths. Is there something special about the armpit? Is it considered to be close to the heart, or just weird? --- ## [What does fbclid tell a web site?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-fbclid-tell-a-web-site/950649)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2021, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-fbclid-tell-a-web-site/950649 "2021-09-14T15:01:36Z")
If I reach a web site through a link from Facebook, Facebook tacks on a parameter to the URL like this: fbclid=IwAR3tB20k54fz\_p66ZfsNttm8QlXTip7bRvDlGGpM3WT-JACCNKtEZ4Ci5Fs Aside from telling the web site that the user… --- ## [What is this 10 foot tall weed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-10-foot-tall-weed/948534)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2021, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-10-foot-tall-weed/948534 "2021-09-14T13:03:34Z")
Found in NE Ohio. It has a slim central stalk and is 10 feet high at the moment. Judging by the buds at the top it shows no signs of slowing down. --- ## [I’m having a problem replacing fluorescent tubes with LEDs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-m-having-a-problem-replacing-fluorescent-tubes-with-leds/950552)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2021, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-m-having-a-problem-replacing-fluorescent-tubes-with-leds/950552 "2021-09-14T10:19:17Z")
I bought 2 four foot LED’s that are “plug and play”, no re-wiring required. Not of the new tunes light up when I install them or twist them during troubleshooting. When I turn the switch off and back on, only one tube li… --- ## [What's up with the new recycling labels?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-new-recycling-labels/950623)
**Author:** [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2021, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-new-recycling-labels/950623 "2021-09-14T00:44:53Z")
Starting to come across these on plastic container LABELS. Nothing on the plastic itself like the old ones. Directs you to this site: how2recycle.info. It says “plastic” but no number. Don’t need a number anymore? I know… --- ## [Engineering or mechanical device terminology](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/engineering-or-mechanical-device-terminology/950376)
**Author:** [@rainy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rainy)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2021, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/engineering-or-mechanical-device-terminology/950376 "2021-09-13T20:04:28Z")
Can’t find the right terminology to search for this. It’s for a machine at work. A linear actuator moves a gripper back and forth loading parts. If the machine’s power is cut at the wrong time in the cycle, the grippe… --- ## [Legal requirement to notify next of kin](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-requirement-to-notify-next-of-kin/950567)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2021, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-requirement-to-notify-next-of-kin/950567 "2021-09-13T18:04:10Z")
Scenario: Dick and Jane have been married for 20 years. They have no children and few close friends. Jane loathes her in-laws and doesn’t much care for her own family. Lucky for her both their families live several sta… --- ## [Why are so many stores pushing curbside pickup?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-many-stores-pushing-curbside-pickup/915891)
**Author:** [@LivingGhost371](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LivingGhost371)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2021, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-many-stores-pushing-curbside-pickup/915891 "2021-09-13T14:35:57Z")
So yes there’s this whole coronavirus thing. But even before that some of the major players, including Walmart, have been heavily promoting their curbside pickup. I’m assuming they actually make more money that way, but… --- ## [How can celery juice have 120 calories (no fruit)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-celery-juice-have-120-calories-no-fruit/950566)
**Author:** [@edwin\_klockars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwin_klockars)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2021, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-celery-juice-have-120-calories-no-fruit/950566 "2021-09-13T12:54:34Z")
I’m trying to lose a few pounds so paying quite close attention to what I consume. I recently bought a green juice but was shocked to see it had nearly the same amount of calories as a can of coke! I specifically chose… --- ## [Is there a way to alert Wikipedia to a mistake w/o an account?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-alert-wikipedia-to-a-mistake-w-o-an-account/950065)
**Author:** [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2021, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-alert-wikipedia-to-a-mistake-w-o-an-account/950065 "2021-09-13T04:58:53Z")
I just found some really out-of-date info on Wikipedia. Here is a correct map of Hawai’i County districts. Here is the Wikipedia page on District 9, with a map of the districts to the top right. Unless I am losing it (… --- ## [Which is bigger? the web or the non-web internet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-bigger-the-web-or-the-non-web-internet/950416)
**Author:** [@TGWATY](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TGWATY)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2021, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-bigger-the-web-or-the-non-web-internet/950416 "2021-09-13T00:46:10Z")
The world wide web lives on the internet. The internet itself predates the invention of the world wide web. What else lives on the internet? Well… other stuff. For example, data transfers that are done with old fash… --- ## [Why do ovens take so long to warm up?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-ovens-take-so-long-to-warm-up/950371)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2021, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-ovens-take-so-long-to-warm-up/950371 "2021-09-12T20:05:02Z")
My oven probably takes about 10 minutes or so to get to 400 F. Why? The volume is probably no more than 15 cubic feet. Why wouldn’t there be a way to get it to 400 almost immediately? Is this limitation due to techno… --- ## [What is the monetary price of a life in the calculation of wartime damages?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-monetary-price-of-a-life-in-the-calculation-of-wartime-damages/950535)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2021, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-monetary-price-of-a-life-in-the-calculation-of-wartime-damages/950535 "2021-09-12T14:43:53Z")
What is the monetary price of a life in the calculation of wartime damages? I’m particularly interested in how the price of a life figured into the calculations of WWI and WWII reparations payed by Germany but also moder… --- ## [Why didn't the US Army destroy aircraft that fell into Taliban hands?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-didnt-the-us-army-destroy-aircraft-that-fell-into-taliban-hands/949838)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2021, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-didnt-the-us-army-destroy-aircraft-that-fell-into-taliban-hands/949838 "2021-09-12T04:52:30Z")
The original idea was to leave Afghanistan and let the US-trained Afghan army take control of its own country, using the US equipment.Sounds logical…but obviously it didn’t work So once it became obvious that the Afghan… --- ## [Another "Simple and Stupid Wiring Question"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-simple-and-stupid-wiring-question/950447)
**Author:** [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2021, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-simple-and-stupid-wiring-question/950447 "2021-09-11T21:16:17Z")
Inspired, of course, by UltraVires’s, “Simple and Stupid Wiring Question”. Please don’t laugh. Everything in our school is, of course, 3-pronged wiring, the round connector being the ground. Occasionally, teachers wil… --- ## [Hearing aid costs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hearing-aid-costs/950150)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2021, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hearing-aid-costs/950150 "2021-09-11T21:04:51Z")
My brother has some hearing problems that are getting worse with age. I find myself having to yell at him sometimes. He went to an audiologist years ago and was told that he needs a multi-channel hearing aid that would c… --- ## [Diesel electric locomotive questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diesel-electric-locomotive-questions/950414)
**Author:** [@ASGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASGuy)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2021, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diesel-electric-locomotive-questions/950414 "2021-09-11T17:58:54Z")
My understanding of a modern, conventional diesel electric railroad locomotive is that there are three driving components. My descriptions might be too simple but I think are basically correct. (A) The prime mover. This… --- ## [Class action settlement notice information](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/class-action-settlement-notice-information/950501)
**Author:** [@InfraBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InfraBlue)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2021, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/class-action-settlement-notice-information/950501 "2021-09-11T16:44:57Z")
Hi all, I received a class action settlement notice that included a website, www.texaserbillingclassactionsettlement.com , and a Website Access Code, but am not sure if it is legitimate. Does anyone have information abo… --- ## [Rhoden family killings](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rhoden-family-killings/769811)
**Author:** [@bubba001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bubba001)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2021, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rhoden-family-killings/769811 "2021-09-11T16:01:27Z")
I have read several articles on the murder of 8 members of a family from Pike county Ohio. I am surprised that very little information has been released. Are there any Dope members from the area that have anything to a… --- ## [Probability/percentage question when there are only 2 possible outcomes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probability-percentage-question-when-there-are-only-2-possible-outcomes/950418)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2021, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probability-percentage-question-when-there-are-only-2-possible-outcomes/950418 "2021-09-11T14:46:54Z")
This feels like a stupid question but I’m going to ask it anyways. I’m using fantasy football as an example but this isn’t a Game Room question as it could apply to any number of situations. I’m playing my daughter in … --- ## [Math Question: Synchronizing Video Camera with LED Source](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/math-question-synchronizing-video-camera-with-led-source/950449)
**Author:** [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2021, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/math-question-synchronizing-video-camera-with-led-source/950449 "2021-09-11T02:40:59Z")
(Not a homework problem.) I’m making a video using a drone with a camera capturing a 29.97 frames per second. When I fly near a flashing train crossing gate, the alternating lights (LED) appear to work normally in the … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=254) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=256)