# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=324 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 325 --- ## [What's the medical term for having a stick up your ass removed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-medical-term-for-having-a-stick-up-your-ass-removed/112280)
**Author:** [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2020, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-medical-term-for-having-a-stick-up-your-ass-removed/112280 "2020-10-20T03:48:12Z")
I was tempted to not explain this at all, but I didn’t want to be the SDMB resident “ya fuck one goat” guy, so here’s why I want to know: We have a good friend that’s been dating this doctor health-nut guy, and every ti… --- ## [Yet another about iTunes question!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-about-itunes-question/922716)
**Author:** [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2020, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-about-itunes-question/922716 "2020-10-20T02:29:37Z")
My friend’s iTunes keeps rearranging her stuff. In her words:“I have this ‘album’ under Artists. It has 18 albums and 183 songs in it. It shouldn’t be there. It has Madonna’s picture. I’ve gone into it and gone through e… --- ## [Hypnagogic jerk, or jolting awake through the night](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypnagogic-jerk-or-jolting-awake-through-the-night/922898)
**Author:** [@Dr.Colossus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Colossus)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2020, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypnagogic-jerk-or-jolting-awake-through-the-night/922898 "2020-10-19T23:27:57Z")
(If this is better suited for IMHO, mods please move). I have been experiencing what I’m going to label as “kinda severe” hypnagogic jerk/jolting awake. In my cursory research, it seems this term is more associated with… --- ## [In the U.S.A., Why Do People (Need to?) Register as Republican or Democratic (or Independent?)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-u-s-a-why-do-people-need-to-register-as-republican-or-democratic-or-independent/921470)
**Author:** [@Skinnybones\_Lampshade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skinnybones_Lampshade)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2020, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-u-s-a-why-do-people-need-to-register-as-republican-or-democratic-or-independent/921470 "2020-10-19T20:12:40Z")
The question is in the title of the topic. I have often wondered why, in a country where people have the privilege of voting via secret ballot, people (occasionally? often? always?) seem to register with one party or the… --- ## [Wi-fi speed questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wi-fi-speed-questions/923117)
**Author:** [@Fir\_na\_tine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fir_na_tine)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2020, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wi-fi-speed-questions/923117 "2020-10-19T16:27:53Z")
I just upgraded my home Spectrum connection. Getting 250-300 mbps download on the main computer which is connected by ethernet. The wi-fi that the laptop and other devices rely on are receiving about 1/3 of that speed.… --- ## [How do I stop the 'lifesize' app from starting up when I log into my PC?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-the-lifesize-app-from-starting-up-when-i-log-into-my-pc/923110)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2020, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-the-lifesize-app-from-starting-up-when-i-log-into-my-pc/923110 "2020-10-19T13:30:03Z")
A member wanted a meeting and set one up using an app called ‘lifesize’. We had the meeting, but now lifesize starts whenever I log into my computer. I went to Startup Apps, which says ‘Apps can be configured to start … --- ## [Blurry Pictures from a Sony A6000 I bought](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blurry-pictures-from-a-sony-a6000-i-bought/923152)
**Author:** [@LivingGhost371](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LivingGhost371)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2020, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blurry-pictures-from-a-sony-a6000-i-bought/923152 "2020-10-19T13:17:56Z")
So I bought an A6000 and the kit lens (16-50 3.5-5.6) off eBay Frankly I’m disappointed with the images I’m getting, although not grossly bad the fine detail is even worst than my former camera, a Canon SX-20 “Superzoom… --- ## [Another it's 2020 Question \[Why are dentists still using painful novocaine shots!?\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-its-2020-question-why-are-dentists-still-using-painful-novocaine-shots/922935)
**Author:** [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2020, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-its-2020-question-why-are-dentists-still-using-painful-novocaine-shots/922935 "2020-10-18T19:21:14Z")
If this should be in IMHO, feel free to move it. It’s 2020, so why are dentists still using painful novocaine shots!? Like most kids, I hated the dentist. To make matters worse, back in the 60s I don’t think we had flu… --- ## [Electron orbital configuration?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electron-orbital-configuration/923256)
**Author:** [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2020, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electron-orbital-configuration/923256 "2020-10-18T16:47:45Z")
Yesterday we drank at VooDoo Brewery beer garden. I was admiring the graffiti art on the building, which historically was a movie theater at one point (The Ritz). There’s “hidden meanings” all over the wall. The hops B… --- ## [Can I start my own Nobel Prize?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-start-my-own-nobel-prize/922879)
**Author:** [@MikeS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeS)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2020, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-start-my-own-nobel-prize/922879 "2020-10-18T16:41:43Z")
The Nobel Prize in Economics is not technically a Nobel Prize, in the sense that it was not one of the prizes established by Alfred Nobel. Instead, it was started by the Swedish National Bank at some point in the 1960s. … --- ## [Do insect species lose their ability to fly to adjust to new environment conditions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-insect-species-lose-their-ability-to-fly-to-adjust-to-new-environment-conditions/923173)
**Author:** [@PlaceboTarget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlaceboTarget)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2020, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-insect-species-lose-their-ability-to-fly-to-adjust-to-new-environment-conditions/923173 "2020-10-17T22:50:50Z")
Insects emerged 480 million years ago and developed flight 400 million years ago. With 90% of life forms on Earth being insects, they must have gone through numerous adjustments and transformations so far. Another class… --- ## [What gravitational force is stronger, the star Alpha Centuri far away or a skyscraper next to you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-gravitational-force-is-stronger-the-star-alpha-centuri-far-away-or-a-skyscraper-next-to-you/923013)
**Author:** [@jonpluc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jonpluc)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2020, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-gravitational-force-is-stronger-the-star-alpha-centuri-far-away-or-a-skyscraper-next-to-you/923013 "2020-10-17T22:40:29Z")
I was having a conversation about the sillyness of astrology, and the (of course a girl) was trying to tell me that the stars have gravity that effect the tides and can affect your personality in the same way. I argued t… --- ## [Mouse button clicks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-button-clicks/843769)
**Author:** [@the\_bing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_bing)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2020, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-button-clicks/843769 "2020-10-17T17:18:07Z")
Greetings all. How many times does the left mouse button get clicked during the lifespan (projected, i guess) of a computer mouse? (I would imagine companies that produce these items must have some idea of this…) Than… --- ## [Why do people in the US get leis at graduation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-in-the-us-get-leis-at-graduation/923042)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2020, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-in-the-us-get-leis-at-graduation/923042 "2020-10-17T16:23:11Z")
So pretty shocked that this isn’t answerable with a 10-second Google, but its not. I get they are traditionally Polynesian, specifically Hawaiian (or at least that is where the US tradition originated). But that doesn… --- ## [Can anyone recommend a service that will unsubscribe from now unwelcome sites?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-recommend-a-service-that-will-unsubscribe-from-now-unwelcome-sites/922194)
**Author:** [@medstar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/medstar)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2020, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-recommend-a-service-that-will-unsubscribe-from-now-unwelcome-sites/922194 "2020-10-17T14:17:36Z")
Hi everyone, I foolishly subscribed to internet security companies that charge me a monthly fee for spam protection, Digital Protection Services, Segurazo, Ad-aware, etc. I try to unsubscribe on my own, but I run into … --- ## [So what's with the masks being hawked on Facebook? Scam?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-with-the-masks-being-hawked-on-facebook-scam/923074)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2020, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-with-the-masks-being-hawked-on-facebook-scam/923074 "2020-10-17T06:08:37Z")
I get ads on FB for latex Halloween type masks. These are full head masks that get pulled completely over the head, and then the bottom part gets tucked under a shirt collar. When wearing the mask the actor looks like a… --- ## [Getting my Mac to work with my TV](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-my-mac-to-work-with-my-tv/922811)
**Author:** [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2020, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-my-mac-to-work-with-my-tv/922811 "2020-10-16T04:42:52Z")
I recently got a new Apple Macbook Pro. I was pleasantly surprised to see that it came with a free year’s subscription to AppleTV+. Cool. My TV is a 2-year-old (approx.?) Samsung Smart TV with all the apps…except Appl… --- ## [Is online poker legal in Illinois?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-online-poker-legal-in-illinois/834586)
**Author:** [@Peanuthead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peanuthead)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2020, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-online-poker-legal-in-illinois/834586 "2020-10-16T00:48:56Z")
If I’m reading correctly, according to this siteonline poker is legal in Illinois. I googled “online poker in Illinois” after watching a documentary and it was in the results. I haven’t heard anything on the news or else… --- ## [Could a new Adam and Eve survive and thrive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-new-adam-and-eve-survive-and-thrive/922337)
**Author:** [@CardboardBoxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CardboardBoxx)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2020, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-new-adam-and-eve-survive-and-thrive/922337 "2020-10-15T16:01:39Z")
I’ve been watching Fringe for the first time and in one episode the 2 principle characters become very close to being the only 2 humans left in the universe. The antagonist even refers to them as the “new Adam and Eve.” … --- ## [How much knowledge can a non-literate society have?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-knowledge-can-a-non-literate-society-have/922721)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2020, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-knowledge-can-a-non-literate-society-have/922721 "2020-10-15T15:26:47Z")
I was listening to an audiobook yesterday and there was a brief discussion of pre-literature societies and how they transmit knowledge through storytelling. And while it wasn’t the point of the book, that got me wonderin… --- ## [What was the motivation for flipping the bird at the camera?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-motivation-for-flipping-the-bird-at-the-camera/922848)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2020, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-motivation-for-flipping-the-bird-at-the-camera/922848 "2020-10-15T00:58:49Z")
Today, flipping the bird has probably lost most of its shock value, but in 1960s it was still considered terribly offensive in most contexts. So occasionally, I’ll come across photos of popular rock bands of the time (e… --- ## [Memory Card for Cannon EOS 30D digital SLR camera](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memory-card-for-cannon-eos-30d-digital-slr-camera/922746)
**Author:** [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2020, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memory-card-for-cannon-eos-30d-digital-slr-camera/922746 "2020-10-15T00:27:24Z")
Got the camera used, and it had everything except the flash memory card. I went to Amazon and searched by the camera name, and they had cards… Oops! Wrong! They tricked me! I bought a nice 32Gb SDHC card…an’ it don’… --- ## [What does bat milk taste like?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-bat-milk-taste-like/922308)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2020, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-bat-milk-taste-like/922308 "2020-10-15T00:19:40Z")
Can we raise them for milk? Maybe in a basement? How many would it take to m ake a liter a day? Would it be better with vanilla or chocolate? --- ## [Comparing nutritional value of cat food](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comparing-nutritional-value-of-cat-food/922884)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2020, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comparing-nutritional-value-of-cat-food/922884 "2020-10-14T23:54:04Z")
I know what good nutrition is for people and I can read the labels and decide what I should be eating. But what criteria should I used for buying cat food? I have always just picked a mid-priced commercial brand trustin… --- ## [Apollo Lunar Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apollo-lunar-vehicle/922590)
**Author:** [@breakneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/breakneck)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2020, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apollo-lunar-vehicle/922590 "2020-10-14T23:18:15Z")
For the Apollo Lunar Vehicle did the build blueprints specify orange reflective foil to be installed as if you were a 2nd grader with the scotch tape role for the first time. How would the blueprints specify some of the … --- ## [Does this Senate have enough time before the next elections?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-senate-have-enough-time-before-the-next-elections/921041)
**Author:** [@Clu-Me-In](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clu-Me-In)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2020, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-senate-have-enough-time-before-the-next-elections/921041 "2020-10-14T17:15:08Z")
Does the Present US Senate have enough time before the general elections of November 2020 to confirm a Supreme Court nominee? --- ## [Firefox vs. MS Edge](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefox-vs-ms-edge/922552)
**Author:** [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2020, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefox-vs-ms-edge/922552 "2020-10-14T16:52:37Z")
The past few months, it seems some “patches” and “upgrades” have brought some new sort of browser, Micosoft ‘Edge’ to my machines. What’s the difference, if any, between FireFox and Edge? I’m a FireFox guy, but are the… --- ## [How to determine one degree of the earth's curve](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-determine-one-degree-of-the-earths-curve/922657)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2020, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-determine-one-degree-of-the-earths-curve/922657 "2020-10-14T15:34:42Z")
I’m reading about an early method of estimating the circumference of the earth. The idea was to walk at night due south or north and measure how far one degree of the earth’s curve was from the starting position. Then m… --- ## [Long term safety of home water pipes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-term-safety-of-home-water-pipes/918292)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2020, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-term-safety-of-home-water-pipes/918292 "2020-10-14T13:51:16Z")
Hello Everyone, I was just thinking, or home if 30 years old. That means the water pipes are 30 years old. How safe are water pipes? I mean how does a water pipe stay clean of things like mold? I would think that th… --- ## [Origin of distinct teams for specification, implementation, & testing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-distinct-teams-for-specification-implementation-testing/922858)
**Author:** [@cecinestpasunelogin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cecinestpasunelogin)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2020, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-distinct-teams-for-specification-implementation-testing/922858 "2020-10-14T02:19:18Z")
Our company develops a safety-critical software product and we hit on the idea of splitting development up into three distinct teams: a specification team, a coding team, and a testing team that tests the code against … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=323) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=325)