# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=362 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 363 --- ## [Black Hole spacetime geometries](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-hole-spacetime-geometries/853993)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2020, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-hole-spacetime-geometries/853993 "2020-05-18T07:00:25Z")
In what ways are Penrose Diagrams https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Daniel\_Pollack2/publication/45910536/figure/fig3/AS:667041270861828@1536046440330/The-Carter-Penrose-diagram-6-for-the-KruskalSzekeres-space-time-wi… --- ## [SMTP: How does the receiving server validate using SPF?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smtp-how-does-the-receiving-server-validate-using-spf/853852)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2020, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smtp-how-does-the-receiving-server-validate-using-spf/853852 "2020-05-18T00:02:15Z")
A receiving SMTP server is bouncing my emails. I think it has an error in how it validates SPF records. What I can’t figure out is what part of the header an SMTP server is supposed to look at to determine the sending SM… --- ## [Sorry, this is ANOTHER time travel question...........](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-this-is-another-time-travel-question/2755)
**Author:** [@Sonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sonic)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2020, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-this-is-another-time-travel-question/2755 "2020-05-17T19:05:38Z")
I hope this isn’t too much like all the other questions on here about time travel, but here goes- Ok, I heard that if it was possible to travel back in time, you would go be in the 4th dimension (which, they say is time… --- ## [Spanish (Spain) language question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spanish-spain-language-question/853877)
**Author:** [@Greg\_Charles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greg_Charles)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2020, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spanish-spain-language-question/853877 "2020-05-17T16:35:14Z")
A Spanish guitarist I follow on YouTube posted: I know what it means, because she provided an English translation, “and compositions I’m creating to show you in a near future”. I’m curious though about os. With Google’… --- ## [Gaps in eyebrows - natural or self-inflicted.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gaps-in-eyebrows-natural-or-self-inflicted/143687)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2020, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gaps-in-eyebrows-natural-or-self-inflicted/143687 "2020-05-17T13:54:03Z")
I’ve seen a few examples of this in young male media stars; a small gap in one of the eyebrows; Brad Pitt has it in Fight Club, I’ve seen it on Robbie Williams in one of his videos, but in others pictures of the two men,… --- ## [USPS - correctly delivered but misaddressed mail](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usps-correctly-delivered-but-misaddressed-mail/853865)
**Author:** [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2020, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usps-correctly-delivered-but-misaddressed-mail/853865 "2020-05-17T04:52:01Z")
So I was killing time this morning by hanging out on NextDoor.com which, for those unfamiliar, is a Facebook-style social network, but designed around local areas and neighborhoods. It has its fair share of cranks and lo… --- ## [How did people find old friends and acquaintances before social media?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-people-find-old-friends-and-acquaintances-before-social-media/853692)
**Author:** [@Lancia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancia)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2020, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-people-find-old-friends-and-acquaintances-before-social-media/853692 "2020-05-17T03:35:05Z")
I was pondering how ubiquitous social media is today and how easy it is to find someone with a quick search of Facebook or Instagram. This got me thinking about how people used to do what social media allows us to do so … --- ## [Google Sheets (Excel): Overwriting value in cell with formula](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-sheets-excel-overwriting-value-in-cell-with-formula/853936)
**Author:** [@yearofglad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yearofglad)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2020, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-sheets-excel-overwriting-value-in-cell-with-formula/853936 "2020-05-17T01:48:13Z")
Quick explanation: I’m conducting a quiz night on Twitch. Players are submitting answers through Google Forms, which are imported into Google Sheets and automatically checked against the correct answer using this formul… --- ## [Whats the reason the us has a politisized supreme court?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-reason-the-us-has-a-politisized-supreme-court/853947)
**Author:** [@Loggins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loggins)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2020, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-reason-the-us-has-a-politisized-supreme-court/853947 "2020-05-16T23:05:04Z")
I am not american, as you can hear from my accent, but ive seen alot of politics in my 50 yo life. How come the court sytem in the US is based on politics? It seems completely un-democratic snf i donty know any other co… --- ## [explain this police activity at the George Washington bridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-this-police-activity-at-the-george-washington-bridge/853934)
**Author:** [@Mike\_Mabes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mike_Mabes)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2020, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-this-police-activity-at-the-george-washington-bridge/853934 "2020-05-16T22:12:24Z")
I was approaching the toll booth of the bridge into Manhattan. Just before I get there two cops cars park across the road way with their lights on blocking me. But across the divider the road is not blocked and cars are… --- ## [Google Maps question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-maps-question/853942)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2020, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-maps-question/853942 "2020-05-16T22:07:06Z")
Below are links to two different screen shots of the exact same area. They are both Google Maps. The first one is from the Geocaching website. The second one is taken from the Google Maps site directly. I live in the ar… --- ## [Can a single blood sugar prick done at a hospital emergency department definitely rule out diabetes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-single-blood-sugar-prick-done-at-a-hospital-emergency-department-definitely-rule-out-diabetes/853906)
**Author:** [@greenpurple](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/greenpurple)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2020, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-single-blood-sugar-prick-done-at-a-hospital-emergency-department-definitely-rule-out-diabetes/853906 "2020-05-16T21:37:34Z")
Thanks. --- ## [explain this police activity at the George Washington bridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-this-police-activity-at-the-george-washington-bridge/853935)
**Author:** [@Mike\_Mabes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mike_Mabes)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2020, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-this-police-activity-at-the-george-washington-bridge/853935 "2020-05-16T19:01:30Z")
I was approaching the toll booth of the bridge into Manhattan. Just before I get there two cops cars park across the road way with their lights on blocking me. But across the divider the road is not blocked and cars are… --- ## [How do they keep the "average" IQ 100?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-keep-the-average-iq-100/852272)
**Author:** [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2020, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-keep-the-average-iq-100/852272 "2020-05-16T17:05:56Z")
What if there is some sort of intelligence drift that makes people progressively dumber like Idiocracy? Or smarter? The “average” IQ would not be fixed then. Wouldn’t you have to tweak tests so the average score was 100… --- ## [Has the US Armed Forces ever come close to mutiny against their Commender-In\_Chief? Could it happen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-us-armed-forces-ever-come-close-to-mutiny-against-their-commender-in_chief-could-it-happen/853522)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2020, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-us-armed-forces-ever-come-close-to-mutiny-against-their-commender-in_chief-could-it-happen/853522 "2020-05-16T15:49:50Z")
Hi Has the US Armed Forces ever come close to mutiny against their Commender-In\_Chief? Could it happen? I look forward to your feedback --- ## [Roku Device Connects To My Network, But Not The Internet](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roku-device-connects-to-my-network-but-not-the-internet/853818)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2020, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roku-device-connects-to-my-network-but-not-the-internet/853818 "2020-05-16T15:03:07Z")
I just brought home a new wireless router from my ISP. All of my devices have successfully connected to my network, and thus to the internet. Except my Roku- I run the connection test, and it connects to my network, but … --- ## [Accessing an old bitcoin wallet](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accessing-an-old-bitcoin-wallet/853862)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2020, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accessing-an-old-bitcoin-wallet/853862 "2020-05-16T06:26:29Z")
I pulled some data off of an old hard disk I had and one of the items is an old bitcoin wallet. How do I gat a program that will read the wallet.dat file? I looked online and my google-fu must be weak because all I see… --- ## [My car's RPMs stay elevated for 10+ seconds with clutch depressed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-cars-rpms-stay-elevated-for-10-seconds-with-clutch-depressed/853713)
**Author:** [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2020, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-cars-rpms-stay-elevated-for-10-seconds-with-clutch-depressed/853713 "2020-05-16T00:03:28Z")
I have a 2007 Ford Escape. It has 160k and for me is at the end of it’s life cycle. Recently when I come to a stop and depress the clutch the RPMs stay in the 2-2500 range for 10-15 seconds before settling back down to t… --- ## [First appearance of the clipped out font ransom note.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-appearance-of-the-clipped-out-font-ransom-note/853618)
**Author:** [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2020, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-appearance-of-the-clipped-out-font-ransom-note/853618 "2020-05-15T23:39:12Z")
You know what I’m talking about. When a ransomed sends a ransom note spelled out in various fronts clipped out of various magazines. What was the first appearance of that? Was it a movie? In which case, mods, please move… --- ## [Why no more inflation or high interest rates?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-more-inflation-or-high-interest-rates/853683)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2020, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-more-inflation-or-high-interest-rates/853683 "2020-05-15T18:08:49Z")
Maybe this can stay GQ, but if it drifts and needs to be moved, then that’s fine. I was watching the 1980 Presidential Debate between Reagan and Anderson–Carter refused to appear for some reason. Both Anderson and Reag… --- ## [Why was the 1918 flu so deadly?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-the-1918-flu-so-deadly/6325)
**Author:** [@Miss\_Gretchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Gretchen)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2020, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-the-1918-flu-so-deadly/6325 "2020-05-15T16:28:09Z")
If I understand this right, the flu at that time was killing millions of people, many healthy young adults in the prime of their lives. Were people more susceptible to flus then because of lack of medical care or the ac… --- ## [Ferrous vs -ferous](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferrous-vs-ferous/853604)
**Author:** [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2020, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferrous-vs-ferous/853604 "2020-05-15T13:41:14Z")
A substance is “ferrous” if it contains iron. Ferous is a suffix we use to mean “containing” or “bearing”; for example Carboniferous the era being named after the carbon bearing sediments laid at that time. Is there an… --- ## [Is there any such surveillance tool as a lip reading camera?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-such-surveillance-tool-as-a-lip-reading-camera/853779)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2020, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-such-surveillance-tool-as-a-lip-reading-camera/853779 "2020-05-15T07:50:13Z")
Is there any such surveillance tool as a lip reading camera?If there is how surveillance is gathered from lip-reading and does masking impact that surveillance very much ? I look forward to your feedback --- ## [What are you supposed to do if you find a gun?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-supposed-to-do-if-you-find-a-gun/766813)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 111\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2020, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-supposed-to-do-if-you-find-a-gun/766813 "2020-05-15T01:30:16Z")
Don’t worry, don’t need answers fast. I’m guessing it varies with state jurisdiction, but what are you supposed to do if while going about your business you see a pistol, rifle, shotgun or any other sort of firearm just… --- ## [NSA Emails](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nsa-emails/853679)
**Author:** [@Sdowiat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sdowiat)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2020, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nsa-emails/853679 "2020-05-14T20:27:08Z")
Two part question: Is the NSA still collecting everyone’s emails? Would it save the country money if we encouraged everyone to just copy the NSA on their emails so that they get an unencrypted copy and don’t have to g… --- ## [Should my son select a heavy or light Hot Wheels for a Hot Wheels race?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-my-son-select-a-heavy-or-light-hot-wheels-for-a-hot-wheels-race/846148)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2020, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-my-son-select-a-heavy-or-light-hot-wheels-for-a-hot-wheels-race/846148 "2020-05-14T19:47:49Z")
Next weekend, my son and I are going to a Father-Son camp and they are having a matchbox car race tournament/competition. You can see last year’s competition here to get the idea.They put the cars on a ramp “pinewood de… --- ## [Song royalties questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-royalties-questions/853568)
**Author:** [@blood63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blood63)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2020, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-royalties-questions/853568 "2020-05-14T19:00:35Z")
If I had written and performed a number 1 hit song in the sixties, would I be able to live comfortably for the rest of my life? Let’'s use an example like “I Got you Babe” written by Sonny Bono and performed by Sonny an… --- ## [How the hey did I lose 2 pounds after 6 weeks of not working out?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-the-hey-did-i-lose-2-pounds-after-6-weeks-of-not-working-out/853730)
**Author:** [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2020, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-the-hey-did-i-lose-2-pounds-after-6-weeks-of-not-working-out/853730 "2020-05-14T16:37:48Z")
April 1, the local LA Fitness I belong to shut its doors. That weekend I try jogging for the first, and, as it turns out, only time in my life. My heart rate, which typically on the elliptical needs a TON of effort to … --- ## [New Yorkers: Is trump's pronunciation of "China" common in NY?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-yorkers-is-trumps-pronunciation-of-china-common-in-ny/853687)
**Author:** [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2020, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-yorkers-is-trumps-pronunciation-of-china-common-in-ny/853687 "2020-05-14T14:28:23Z")
When trump says “China” it sounds like Ch-eye-na as in “eye” and drawn out. Is that a common pronunciation in NY or more unique to trump? It is the may he pronounces it every time I’ve noticed and it always sounds off. … --- ## [Cellular Booster for vehicle use](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cellular-booster-for-vehicle-use/789762)
**Author:** [@NadaHappyCamper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NadaHappyCamper)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2017, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cellular-booster-for-vehicle-use/789762 "2017-06-26T21:11:52Z")
I am looking for a signal booster for cellular and wi fi , for use in a vehicle. It seems we live in a bad reception area, and some of the outlying areas that we are called to work in are also poor reception areas. We us… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=361) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=363)