# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=38 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 39 --- ## [Amazon delivery date expired: offering a refund? Is this a thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-delivery-date-expired-offering-a-refund-is-this-a-thing/1020691)
**Author:** [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2025, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-delivery-date-expired-offering-a-refund-is-this-a-thing/1020691 "2025-07-10T15:08:36Z")
I ordered a jumper/pullover from Amazon a few weeks ago, and it was due to be delivered between 02/07 and 07/07. Come 07/07 they notified me with a revised delivery date of 10/07, and that if it hadn’t arrived by then, I… --- ## [Facebook scam: Post URL for cloned web site. But what about chargebacks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-scam-post-url-for-cloned-web-site-but-what-about-chargebacks/1020582)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2025, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-scam-post-url-for-cloned-web-site-but-what-about-chargebacks/1020582 "2025-07-10T14:51:35Z")
Lately there have a been a lot of Facebook postings by random users that advertise big blowout sales. The ones I’ve seen were for two well-known musical instrument chains (maybe because of my profile). It’s obviously fak… --- ## [Excel question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-question/1020645)
**Author:** [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2025, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-question/1020645 "2025-07-09T16:37:11Z")
The version of Excel I have (an old one) evaluates -2^3 = 8 rather than -8. That is it evaluates it as if it were (-2)^3. Has this been corrected on later versions of Excel? It correctly evaluates 0-2^3 = -8. --- ## [An Excel concatenation question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-excel-concatenation-question/1020626)
**Author:** [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2025, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-excel-concatenation-question/1020626 "2025-07-09T16:29:59Z")
I work in Supply Chain of a FMCG business. We have a listing of inbound purchases as recorded in our ERP which is distributed with an Excel workbook. The workbook has a models sheet, a simple listing of open purchase l… --- ## [Orbital resonance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orbital-resonance/1020655)
**Author:** [@EnolaStraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnolaStraight)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2025, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orbital-resonance/1020655 "2025-07-09T15:19:20Z")
According to this video: The Secrets of the Solar System - The Fibonacci Sequence & Orbital Resonances | Andromeda our solar system’s planetary orbital periods seem to coincide to simple ratios. (not perfectly, but cl… --- ## [What is the point of keeping products in hard-to-reach cabinets?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-point-of-keeping-products-in-hard-to-reach-cabinets/1020593)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2025, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-point-of-keeping-products-in-hard-to-reach-cabinets/1020593 "2025-07-08T21:01:04Z")
In my drug store and grocery store some products (batteries, razor blades) are kept in these plastic boxes. But they’re not locked–you don’t need to summon a store employee to open it. But you can’t just take it off the … --- ## [I don’t want wires running from my dash cam to my adapter](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-want-wires-running-from-my-dash-cam-to-my-adapter/1020131)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2025, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-want-wires-running-from-my-dash-cam-to-my-adapter/1020131 "2025-07-08T16:09:45Z")
I’m in the market for a dash cam, and I want to know how I can power it without wires running hither and yon (and by that I mean, across the dashboard and down, over my radio display, to the power supply). The fleet cars… --- ## [How did ancient-day pirates move loot from victim ships to their own ship?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-ancient-day-pirates-move-loot-from-victim-ships-to-their-own-ship/1020455)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2025, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-ancient-day-pirates-move-loot-from-victim-ships-to-their-own-ship/1020455 "2025-07-08T12:32:30Z")
ISTM that a lot of the cargo to be taken from victim ships was very large, bulky and unwieldy. When pirates boarded the ship, how did they actually move that stuff? 1,000 heavy barrels of rum or giant bales of cotton is … --- ## [What do we really know about the Futhorc?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-we-really-know-about-the-futhorc/1020619)
**Author:** [@oldgoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oldgoon)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2025, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-we-really-know-about-the-futhorc/1020619 "2025-07-08T12:14:21Z")
According to my friend the Futhorc was the original writing system for English. But apparently we don’t have lot of evidence of it being used. But then I find pages mapping out the whole alphabet. I’ll give such an exam… --- ## [What is this font?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-font/1020215)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2025, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-font/1020215 "2025-07-08T12:14:14Z")
Looks like an old typewritten font. The caps and "t"s seem to be heavier strokes also. --- ## [To what extent can social media companies censor their platforms?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-can-social-media-companies-censor-their-platforms/1020403)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2025, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-can-social-media-companies-censor-their-platforms/1020403 "2025-07-07T13:06:17Z")
I’ve been pondering this question for a while. Platforms like Facebook / Instagram, TikTok, X / Twitter, and so on clearly do some censoring. One can’t ,at least as far as I know, find posts about illegal things on the… --- ## [Hybrid mattresses - can they be used with a box spring?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hybrid-mattresses-can-they-be-used-with-a-box-spring/1020563)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2025, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hybrid-mattresses-can-they-be-used-with-a-box-spring/1020563 "2025-07-07T12:27:33Z")
Apologies if this is the wrong forum - or the entirely wrong site. We’re looking for a new mattress and hybrids look like what we want. But some sources say you don’t need a box spring with one, or even avoid using a b… --- ## [Help with generating unique "random" numbers in spreadsheet](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-generating-unique-random-numbers-in-spreadsheet/1020546)
**Author:** [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2025, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-generating-unique-random-numbers-in-spreadsheet/1020546 "2025-07-07T01:29:20Z")
Hi brainy people. I’m trying to generate 26 random numbers with no repeats. Background. I’ve created a “code-breaker” spreadsheet in Apple Numbers to make maths more fun for my children. The basic concept is that I wr… --- ## [What happened to "Sir Yes Sir" in Boot Camps?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-sir-yes-sir-in-boot-camps/1020239)
**Author:** [@rippingtons\_fan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rippingtons_fan)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2025, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-sir-yes-sir-in-boot-camps/1020239 "2025-07-06T20:24:48Z")
I’ve seen some videos on You Tube about USMC and USAF Basic Training and the troops, when responding to their DI’s now say “Yes Sir” or “No Sir” instead of “Sir Yes Sir” or “Sir No Sir”. When did that change? --- ## [Imaginary Time? Help me process this](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imaginary-time-help-me-process-this/1020551)
**Author:** [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2025, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imaginary-time-help-me-process-this/1020551 "2025-07-06T17:39:41Z")
I just read this fascinating article on Yahoo!, but originally on Popular Mechanics. My questions: What exactly is imaginary time? How does one measure it? What affects does imaginary time have on the universe? Why s… --- ## [So what is AI, anyway?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-ai-anyway/1020541)
**Author:** [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2025, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-ai-anyway/1020541 "2025-07-06T00:05:43Z")
I mean, physically. AI is a popular subject lately, and I’m just curious about what an AI actually is. I get that it’s software on a computer, but beyond that… is it just one computer, or a bunch of networked computers?… --- ## [Help with designing a device that can run off of a lithium cell while it is charging](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-designing-a-device-that-can-run-off-of-a-lithium-cell-while-it-is-charging/1020521)
**Author:** [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2025, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-designing-a-device-that-can-run-off-of-a-lithium-cell-while-it-is-charging/1020521 "2025-07-06T00:04:14Z")
I have a pretty spiffy darkroom timer that I have designed, running on an Arduino Nano with a 4 digit LED display and some big chonky buttons for controls. This works beautifully right now, using a USB-C “Decoy” PD gadg… --- ## [AlphaGo and AI](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alphago-and-ai/1020466)
**Author:** [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2025, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alphago-and-ai/1020466 "2025-07-05T12:17:22Z")
I just gone done reading a book, The MANIAC by Benjamin Labatut. Its a fictionalized account of the life of polymath Jonn von Neumann. Much of it is based on fact. It ends with the true story (at least, the outcome) of … --- ## [PayPal one-cent scam: what do I do with the penny?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paypal-one-cent-scam-what-do-i-do-with-the-penny/1020401)
**Author:** [@Briny\_Deep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Briny_Deep)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2025, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paypal-one-cent-scam-what-do-i-do-with-the-penny/1020401 "2025-07-05T11:02:23Z")
I received a very scammy-sounding email informing me of a refund of overpayment in the amount of $0.01. The penny really is in my PayPal account. I have no other cash balance. Obviously I’m not clicking on any links fro… --- ## [Technical question: I can't get on Discord with Firefox anymore](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technical-question-i-cant-get-on-discord-with-firefox-anymore/1009078)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2024, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technical-question-i-cant-get-on-discord-with-firefox-anymore/1009078 "2024-11-19T01:08:06Z")
I was on the site, and refreshed because it looked too slow. Next thing I know I’m getting a weird error message: Secure Connection Failed An error occurred during a connection to discord.com. PR\_END\_OF\_FILE\_ERROR Erro… --- ## [When did nonsensical corporate jargon become a thing? How is it still a thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-nonsensical-corporate-jargon-become-a-thing-how-is-it-still-a-thing/1019958)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 120\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2025, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-nonsensical-corporate-jargon-become-a-thing-how-is-it-still-a-thing/1019958 "2025-07-04T06:54:15Z")
When did this business (heh) of corporations using nonsensical jargon like “paradigm-shifting” and “transactional frameworks” become a thing? Surely Milton Hershey never prattled on to his investors and/or partners about… --- ## [Trump Burned in Effigy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-burned-in-effigy/1020465)
**Author:** [@rippingtons\_fan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rippingtons_fan)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2025, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-burned-in-effigy/1020465 "2025-07-04T03:55:25Z")
Has Trump ever been burned in effigy here in the United States? I’ve seen many other forms of protest, but not this. --- ## [Acetyl Keto Boswellic Acid (AKBA) for osteoarthritis -- looking for studies and other information about effectiveness](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acetyl-keto-boswellic-acid-akba-for-osteoarthritis-looking-for-studies-and-other-information-about-effectiveness/1020322)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2025, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acetyl-keto-boswellic-acid-akba-for-osteoarthritis-looking-for-studies-and-other-information-about-effectiveness/1020322 "2025-07-03T23:16:32Z")
I have looked at a couple of papers on PubMed (from the NIH), and the conclusions are inconclusive, i.e. it may be effective in reducing inflammation and its resulting pain, stiffness, and lack of function. They don’t se… --- ## [How did longstanding American alcohol makers survive prohibition?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-longstanding-american-alcohol-makers-survive-prohibition/1020263)
**Author:** [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2025, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-longstanding-american-alcohol-makers-survive-prohibition/1020263 "2025-07-03T21:06:13Z")
Jack Daniels has been making whiskey since the 1860s. Anheuser- Busch introduced Budweiser in 1876. Pabst won a blue ribbon for its beer at the 1893 world’s fair. Coors first opened a Colorado brewery in 1873. All th… --- ## [A bunch of questions about contacting representatives](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bunch-of-questions-about-contacting-representatives/1020410)
**Author:** [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2025, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bunch-of-questions-about-contacting-representatives/1020410 "2025-07-03T17:23:27Z")
I guess I have more than one question. I hope that’s okay. Let’s say there’s a specific bill up for votes. At what point in the legislative process is it too late for a constituent to contact their representative via t… --- ## [Copyrights](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copyrights/1020427)
**Author:** [@mglambo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mglambo)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2025, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copyrights/1020427 "2025-07-03T13:20:04Z")
How long do copyrights last? Specifically, if an author died in 1992, when would his executors rights expire and the works enter the public domain? --- ## [Does the brain subconsciously process images in your peripheral vision?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-brain-subconsciously-process-images-in-your-peripheral-vision/1020270)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2025, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-brain-subconsciously-process-images-in-your-peripheral-vision/1020270 "2025-07-03T01:53:30Z")
Today I was minding my own business and for no particular reason suddenly turned my head to the left to see someone looking right at me. Not the first time something like that has happened. Did my brain know someone was… --- ## [Stuart S. Piltch secret agent actuary - Whatever happened to this case with the fake CIA-actuary?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuart-s-piltch-secret-agent-actuary-whatever-happened-to-this-case-with-the-fake-cia-actuary/575749)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2025, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuart-s-piltch-secret-agent-actuary-whatever-happened-to-this-case-with-the-fake-cia-actuary/575749 "2025-07-01T21:12:19Z")
Per this storylinked another SDMB thread. The fartherest my google-fu got was that he had cooked up some typical con man sounding medical excuse (below)and then both he and the case seem to drop off the radar. There is … --- ## [What is this? Not a "V-belt" pulley!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-not-a-v-belt-pulley/1020304)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2025, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-not-a-v-belt-pulley/1020304 "2025-07-01T16:34:22Z")
I bought something almost identical to this eBay offering, at an antique store. (Mine has a different number and letter cast into it, but in the same spots, and all other details I can see match.) What is it?? eBay says … --- ## [A question for physicists re: travelling at the speed of light](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-physicists-re-travelling-at-the-speed-of-light/1020244)
**Author:** [@WalterBishop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WalterBishop)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2025, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-physicists-re-travelling-at-the-speed-of-light/1020244 "2025-07-01T13:22:37Z")
I’ve heard it said that no object with mass can travel at the speed of light, because accelerating such objects to light speed requires infinite energy. That is, more energy than is available in the entire universe. I’v… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=37) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=39)