# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=33 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 34 --- ## [Shortest distance from the U.S. mainland to Hawaii](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shortest-distance-from-the-u-s-mainland-to-hawaii/803746)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2025, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shortest-distance-from-the-u-s-mainland-to-hawaii/803746 "2025-08-25T22:53:41Z")
Assume someone wants to fly a General Aviation aircraft from North America to Hawaii. Which airport on the U.S. mainland (including Alaska and its peninsula) or Canada is closest to the nearest airport in the Hawaiian i… --- ## [Traffic signal question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traffic-signal-question/1022463)
**Author:** [@John\_Bredin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Bredin)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2025, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traffic-signal-question/1022463 "2025-08-25T20:41:59Z")
This is about U.S. traffic signals. We have an intersection of two streets: east-west 10th Street and north-south York Boulevard (not the actual street names), and a video camera pointed west on 10th Street. The video sh… --- ## [Sedans don't have rear window wipers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sedans-dont-have-rear-window-wipers/731515)
**Author:** [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2025, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sedans-dont-have-rear-window-wipers/731515 "2025-08-25T17:05:26Z")
I brought in my Mazda for some routine service and ran into the guy who sold it to me. I told him the only thing I wasn’t crazy about was that it doesn’t have a rear window wiper. He looked a bit puzzled and said, “Sed… --- ## [Only a bunker buster bomb can bust Iran's Fordo nuclear complex. Really?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/only-a-bunker-buster-bomb-can-bust-irans-fordo-nuclear-complex-really/1019792)
**Author:** [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Replies:** 199\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2025, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/only-a-bunker-buster-bomb-can-bust-irans-fordo-nuclear-complex-really/1019792 "2025-08-24T20:18:29Z")
The US has a 30,000 pound bomb named the GBU-57 A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator, one or several of which are suppose to be able to destroy Iran’s Fordo nuclear enrichment facility, located under maybe 80 meters of rock a… --- ## [Greenhouse gas contributions due to AI adoption](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greenhouse-gas-contributions-due-to-ai-adoption/1022313)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2025, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greenhouse-gas-contributions-due-to-ai-adoption/1022313 "2025-08-24T17:32:03Z")
Are there any estimates for the impact of AI adoption at current and near term estimated adoption levels on greenhouse gas emissions targets achievement? I understand that the big techs are also funding development of a… --- ## [How did salty replace bitter as an adjective for personality?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-salty-replace-bitter-as-an-adjective-for-personality/1022228)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2025, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-salty-replace-bitter-as-an-adjective-for-personality/1022228 "2025-08-24T01:48:51Z")
Not just how, but the overall circumstances. ISTM that a few to several years ago, people started using “salty” as an adjective to describe someone who would have previously been described as bitter. What were the circ… --- ## [Super Simple Math Problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-simple-math-problem/1022377)
**Author:** [@Fear\_the\_Turtle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_the_Turtle)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2025, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-simple-math-problem/1022377 "2025-08-23T23:26:20Z")
I play an online game and after each battle a chest is awarded. There are 4 different “levels” of chest you can win. The frequency that each level is awarded is out of whack to their worth but I want someone to double … --- ## [Did people in the Confederacy/South look down on slave owners who were particularly barbaric?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-people-in-the-confederacy-south-look-down-on-slave-owners-who-were-particularly-barbaric/1022339)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2025, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-people-in-the-confederacy-south-look-down-on-slave-owners-who-were-particularly-barbaric/1022339 "2025-08-23T18:22:39Z")
Cruelty was the norm, of course, but were there levels or tiers of what was considered acceptable in the South? Like, “Whipping your slaves, breeding them as lifestock and splitting up families is fine since they’re subh… --- ## [seemerot.com? Is this coffin webcam REAL?!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seemerot-com-is-this-coffin-webcam-real/230600)
**Author:** [@chefIL11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chefIL11)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2025, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seemerot-com-is-this-coffin-webcam-real/230600 "2025-08-21T18:32:44Z")
I recently visited www.seemerot.com which is a live webcam inside a coffin that is taping a woman in her 40’s who passed away from “natural causes” something isn’t right here… they claim its real but there is very loo… --- ## [Are there any cases where the holotype of an extent animal turns out to have been very unusual?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cases-where-the-holotype-of-an-extent-animal-turns-out-to-have-been-very-unusual/1022311)
**Author:** [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2025, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cases-where-the-holotype-of-an-extent-animal-turns-out-to-have-been-very-unusual/1022311 "2025-08-21T18:19:19Z")
In biology, the first (usually) example of a given species that is scientifically described is the holotype, and all other examples of the species are determined to be members of that species based on their similarities … --- ## [Is there a way to see what someone is saying on Truth Social without having to join Truth Social?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-see-what-someone-is-saying-on-truth-social-without-having-to-join-truth-social/1022220)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2025, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-see-what-someone-is-saying-on-truth-social-without-having-to-join-truth-social/1022220 "2025-08-21T13:17:07Z")
I want to keep up with whatever a certain someone is posting on that site, but I don’t want to give them another subscriber. Is there a proxy or some other system that allows me to see what’s being said there without hav… --- ## [What was this carnival ride?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-this-carnival-ride/1022352)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2025, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-this-carnival-ride/1022352 "2025-08-21T11:00:04Z")
I only saw this once, at a carnival in the parking lot of a Shopko in the mid-70’s. It was a series of cages that swung, back and forth. One or more occupants standing would use their arms and legs to pump the cage and … --- ## [Roche Limit vs Death Star](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roche-limit-vs-death-star/1011141)
**Author:** [@ArslanWilson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArslanWilson)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2025, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roche-limit-vs-death-star/1011141 "2025-08-20T18:49:07Z")
Pretty much what it sounds like. When orbiting the Forest Moon of Endor, assuming no space magic at play, would the physics behind the Roche limit not have ripped the DS to sparkly shreds? Far denser objects, like that… --- ## [Is this available in the Official White House Gift Shop?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-available-in-the-official-white-house-gift-shop/1022326)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2025, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-available-in-the-official-white-house-gift-shop/1022326 "2025-08-20T18:22:01Z")
I’ve seen pictures, but fakery of all sorts happens. Are there hats and/or shirts available at the Official White House Gift Store that read “Trump 2028” or “Trump In 2028”? --- ## [Lindbergh's navigating to Paris](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lindberghs-navigating-to-paris/586325)
**Author:** [@KlondikeGeoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KlondikeGeoff)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2025, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lindberghs-navigating-to-paris/586325 "2025-08-20T01:58:06Z")
I was musing about Lindy’s famed non-stop flight from Long Island to Paris, and although Wikipedia says he navigated by the stars and dead reckoning, I can’t understand how he could even find France, let alone Paris and … --- ## [Can a bullet injure you if it doesn't hit you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-bullet-injure-you-if-it-doesnt-hit-you/637301)
**Author:** [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2025, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-bullet-injure-you-if-it-doesnt-hit-you/637301 "2025-08-20T00:48:48Z")
I’m thinking of a bullet through the sleeve scenario. Or, if you make a ring with thumb and finger, and fire a bullet through that. Would you get injured? Is there a shockwave/ring of fire/plasma/vortex surrounding the b… --- ## [Ancient Roman restaurants](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ancient-roman-restaurants/1022017)
**Author:** [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2025, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ancient-roman-restaurants/1022017 "2025-08-19T20:50:17Z")
The romans had several types of eateries, including what was then “Fast food” (likely a lot healthier than todays, altho maybe the germ count….), And we have found some in Pompeii . But did any of them have anything lik… --- ## [What is/was the Missouri Republic? Some kind of hate group?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-was-the-missouri-republic-some-kind-of-hate-group/1022224)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2025, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-was-the-missouri-republic-some-kind-of-hate-group/1022224 "2025-08-18T20:04:41Z")
A few times in recent weeks I’ve seen this flag. It’s apparently the flag of the Missouri Republic, and I’m guessing it has something to do with hate or separatism or white supremacy, considering a) where I’ve seen it in… --- ## [Martin Luther King's "I have a Dream" speech: What's up with the white hats?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-luther-kings-i-have-a-dream-speech-whats-up-with-the-white-hats/667063)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2025, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-luther-kings-i-have-a-dream-speech-whats-up-with-the-white-hats/667063 "2025-08-18T14:23:03Z")
In honor of the 50 year aniversary of the greatest speech in American history: Who are the people standing behind Martin L. King, and why are they all wearing white caps ? You can see the people and their caps in the f… --- ## [How can Elon Musk build a supercomputer in19 days, when his competitors take four years?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-elon-musk-build-a-supercomputer-in19-days-when-his-competitors-take-four-years/1012065)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2025, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-elon-musk-build-a-supercomputer-in19-days-when-his-competitors-take-four-years/1012065 "2025-08-18T00:25:39Z")
This link says that Musk built a supercomputer in 19 days, instead of taking three years to design and one more year to build. How is this possible? Is there something different about Musks’s supercomputer than his com… --- ## [Solar Panel Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solar-panel-questions/1022172)
**Author:** [@19USMC69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/19USMC69)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2025, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solar-panel-questions/1022172 "2025-08-18T00:24:01Z")
We play softball on a field owned by a school. A large number (hundreds) of solar panels are being installed, 20’ or so away from and parallel to the foul lines. They’re about 20’ off the ground. As expected, foul ball… --- ## [Repurposing an old Window 7 to Linux](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repurposing-an-old-window-7-to-linux/1015309)
**Author:** [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2025, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repurposing-an-old-window-7-to-linux/1015309 "2025-08-17T21:51:43Z")
So, a bit if an intro: I’ve got a 2011-purchased HP laptop that seemingly runs fine when I fire it up. “Ol’ Gurdy” has survived several deployments overseas, and still has her OEM Windows 7 installed. She has not seen a… --- ## [The classic chef's hat...was there a reason it looked like that or just aesthetic? (feel free to talk about other unique profession hats too)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-classic-chefs-hat-was-there-a-reason-it-looked-like-that-or-just-aesthetic-feel-free-to-talk-about-other-unique-profession-hats-too/1022145)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2025, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-classic-chefs-hat-was-there-a-reason-it-looked-like-that-or-just-aesthetic-feel-free-to-talk-about-other-unique-profession-hats-too/1022145 "2025-08-17T20:58:11Z")
While I have not seen it used in a while I am sure almost all here have seen the iconic chef’s hat: Is there a purpose to it being like that or was it just some weird desi… --- ## [What percentage of American atheists are white?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-percentage-of-american-atheists-are-white/1022148)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2025, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-percentage-of-american-atheists-are-white/1022148 "2025-08-17T03:57:29Z")
I’ve been able to suss out what percentage of Americans are white, and what percentage are atheist, but I want to know what percentage of American atheists are white. My Google Fu is weak today. My knee-jerk guess was t… --- ## [steam locomotives, matching the tractive effort](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steam-locomotives-matching-the-tractive-effort/793799)
**Author:** [@ASGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASGuy)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2025, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steam-locomotives-matching-the-tractive-effort/793799 "2025-08-16T21:34:25Z")
There must be some railroad aficionados on the SDMB who can answer this. Let’s jump in the Wayback machine and travel back to West Virginia in 1912. Railroad trains are pulled by steam locomotives. There is no radio. Co… --- ## [What time is used to record events?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-time-is-used-to-record-events/1021954)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2025, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-time-is-used-to-record-events/1021954 "2025-08-16T14:26:00Z")
A recent topic in GD about WWII made me wonder… When Japan surrendered (the Emperor broadcasting they were done) what time was it? For instance, as of this post, it is 12:38pm, August 12 in Tokyo. In Washington, D.C.,… --- ## [Selling NY car to CA buyers ... many process questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-ny-car-to-ca-buyers-many-process-questions/1021660)
**Author:** [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2025, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-ny-car-to-ca-buyers-many-process-questions/1021660 "2025-08-14T14:14:08Z")
I may be selling my 2017 car to a relative when they visit later this month. We live in NY, they live in CA. We’ll do the transaction while they’re here and they’ll arrange to have it shipped cross-country. On the NY si… --- ## [What is this called? \[functional garment\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-called-functional-garment/1021973)
**Author:** [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2025, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-called-functional-garment/1021973 "2025-08-13T21:38:33Z")
The item I’m wanting to search for, but lack a name, is a vest like garment worn by people handling heavy or awkward equipment. Kind of like a flag bearer kit, but for a tool. I want to make one for myself for when I us… --- ## [Why do I feel a strong urge to turn on the lights when sundown is still nearly two hours away?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-feel-a-strong-urge-to-turn-on-the-lights-when-sundown-is-still-nearly-two-hours-away/1021396)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2025, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-feel-a-strong-urge-to-turn-on-the-lights-when-sundown-is-still-nearly-two-hours-away/1021396 "2025-08-13T12:02:27Z")
Where we live the sun currently doesn’t set until about 8:40. But sure enough, at around 5:30 or 6:00 my wife and I both feel that we must turn on the lights, because it somehow just seems darker, like the shades of nig… --- ## [Kayak camping or who owns these islands](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kayak-camping-or-who-owns-these-islands/1021882)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2025, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kayak-camping-or-who-owns-these-islands/1021882 "2025-08-13T02:24:46Z")
I was playing around on Google Maps and noticed something I was unaware of, that there is a string of islands starting in Alaska and swooping over to Russia. How far could I legally go if I loaded up a kayak in Alaska an… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=32) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=34)