# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=384 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 385 --- ## [Is King Solomon the richest person ever?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-king-solomon-the-richest-person-ever/848975)
**Author:** [@Tigers2B1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tigers2B1)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2020, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-king-solomon-the-richest-person-ever/848975 "2020-03-07T19:19:26Z")
He was supposed to have received tribute that amounted to two trillion dollars, in today’s money, over the course of his reign. Richest? --- ## [Universal Health care savings in other areas. (not about premiums or taxes)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universal-health-care-savings-in-other-areas-not-about-premiums-or-taxes/848796)
**Author:** [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2020, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universal-health-care-savings-in-other-areas-not-about-premiums-or-taxes/848796 "2020-03-07T15:47:12Z")
I just paid for my car insurance and it got me thinking about paying for the bodily injury part of my premium. As I understand it, part of the reason we pay for such things is because if I get in to an accident, my insur… --- ## [Technically speaking, what does it mean for software to be in its "death throes"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technically-speaking-what-does-it-mean-for-software-to-be-in-its-death-throes/849005)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2020, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technically-speaking-what-does-it-mean-for-software-to-be-in-its-death-throes/849005 "2020-03-07T15:33:29Z")
This is not a complaint about the board’s performance. I am only vaguely aware of the problems, as I don’t post nearly as much as I used to. Rather, I am simply curious from a technical perspective. In Tuba diva’s annou… --- ## [Why aren't polygynous species constantly increasing in average size/strength?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-polygynous-species-constantly-increasing-in-average-size-strength/848786)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2020, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-polygynous-species-constantly-increasing-in-average-size-strength/848786 "2020-03-07T15:23:21Z")
This is about those many species where males fight it out for mating rights, in battles which depend mostly on size and strength. You would think that the results of this would be that paternal genetic input would mostly… --- ## [Can I legally vote in primary elections in two states?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-legally-vote-in-primary-elections-in-two-states/848682)
**Author:** [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2020, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-legally-vote-in-primary-elections-in-two-states/848682 "2020-03-07T14:44:13Z")
I live in California right now, and our primary election is in a few days. I’m moving to Oregon in April, and their primary election is in May, with enough time that if I register to vote immediately, I’ll have registere… --- ## [Is guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier a sought-after posting or something most want to avoid?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-guarding-the-tomb-of-the-unknown-soldier-a-sought-after-posting-or-something-most-want-to-avoid/848464)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 129\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2020, 9:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-guarding-the-tomb-of-the-unknown-soldier-a-sought-after-posting-or-something-most-want-to-avoid/848464 "2020-03-07T09:06:09Z")
I get that the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a place of honor and highly regarded. In that sense I would suppose those soldiers who get to guard it would consider it a very honorable thing to do (and it is). That said… --- ## [Would you get sick breathing Carboniferous air? (V. high O2 content)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-sick-breathing-carboniferous-air-v-high-o2-content/848875)
**Author:** [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2020, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-sick-breathing-carboniferous-air-v-high-o2-content/848875 "2020-03-07T02:37:30Z")
Whaddya know, I’ve invented a working time machine. I’d like to go back to the Carboniferous era and see the cool plants. The thing is that at times during that era, the oxygen content of the atmosphere reached 35%, qu… --- ## [What exactly was the homophobic meme or slur Scott Piercy posted?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-was-the-homophobic-meme-or-slur-scott-piercy-posted/848988)
**Author:** [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2020, 9:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-was-the-homophobic-meme-or-slur-scott-piercy-posted/848988 "2020-03-06T09:29:34Z")
It was about Pete Buttigieg. I can find a jillion references to it, but so far none that state what he said. --- ## [Is Golden Beard Media for real?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-golden-beard-media-for-real/842674)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2020, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-golden-beard-media-for-real/842674 "2020-03-06T08:13:15Z")
There’s this channel on YouTube called Golden Bear Media - their videos are all about gold prospecting, and they all take place on some unnamed island; the format is pretty similar across all of the uploads and it goes l… --- ## [Question on the use of the word 'compositive'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-the-use-of-the-word-compositive/848907)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2020, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-the-use-of-the-word-compositive/848907 "2020-03-06T05:39:32Z")
Hi, I can’t find any definition that matches the way the word ‘compositive’ is used here (unless I misheard the word.) How is the word being used by Terry McAuliffe (former Virginia Governor) “It’s a real compositive (… --- ## [Getting rid of fake "adobe flash player out of date" virus on Safari](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-rid-of-fake-adobe-flash-player-out-of-date-virus-on-safari/848931)
**Author:** [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2020, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-rid-of-fake-adobe-flash-player-out-of-date-virus-on-safari/848931 "2020-03-06T00:26:11Z")
I have that stupid virus that hijacks my browser with very legit-looking messages saying I need to update Adobe flash. No idea how I got it (I’ve got Norton virus protection, dammit) but here I am. I do know not to click… --- ## ["a voltage of more than 200,000 eV" - Nonsense?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-voltage-of-more-than-200-000-ev-nonsense/848953)
**Author:** [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2020, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-voltage-of-more-than-200-000-ev-nonsense/848953 "2020-03-05T21:51:36Z")
Someone on twitter cited the article as proof that ionizers work to clear out viruses like the Coronavirus. Needless to say, I didn’t take this seriously at all and have no intention of buying any ionizer. But I checked … --- ## [Nuking the WWI Western Front, 1917...would you get "Trinitite" anywhere?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuking-the-wwi-western-front-1917-would-you-get-trinitite-anywhere/848945)
**Author:** [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2020, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuking-the-wwi-western-front-1917-would-you-get-trinitite-anywhere/848945 "2020-03-05T18:05:37Z")
Believe it or not, this is mostly a geology question. “Trinitite,”, as you know, is the glassy residue produced from desert sand at the site of the first atomic bomb test (similar substances were produced at some Russia… --- ## [How much sugar is bad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-sugar-is-bad/848763)
**Author:** [@MaverocK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaverocK)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2020, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-sugar-is-bad/848763 "2020-03-03T17:27:32Z")
I heard time many times in the past, and I recently saw some videos about it. The most recent one is: Sugar is Not a Treat | Jody Stanislaw | TEDxSunValley Sugar is Not a Treat | Jody Stanislaw | TEDxSunValley - YouTube … --- ## [Early voting when a candidate drops out](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-voting-when-a-candidate-drops-out/848803)
**Author:** [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2020, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-voting-when-a-candidate-drops-out/848803 "2020-03-04T22:53:57Z")
So Steyer and Buttigieg have dropped out of the rece for the Democratic nomination for President just before Super Tuesday. But many of the states voting on Tuesday, including California where I am, have early voting. … --- ## [Reaper, Grimm Reaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaper-grimm-reaper/76503)
**Author:** [@Hippy144](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy144)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2020, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaper-grimm-reaper/76503 "2020-03-04T22:32:49Z")
So what religion does the Grimm Reaper belong to? I heard he might be from German Mythology, but I haven’t been able to find anything conclueding that. And even if he is from German Mythology, why is it so common in cart… --- ## [Why is there no vaccine for the common cold?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-no-vaccine-for-the-common-cold/848890)
**Author:** [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2020, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-no-vaccine-for-the-common-cold/848890 "2020-03-04T21:28:24Z")
This is a “humorous” quip I sometimes see people making on social media: “Scientists have managed to eliminate smallpox, so why can’t they come up with a vaccine for the common cold?” I have always assumed the reason w… --- ## [Coax/ethernet wiring question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coax-ethernet-wiring-question/848926)
**Author:** [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2020, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coax-ethernet-wiring-question/848926 "2020-03-04T21:16:31Z")
The service comes into the basement with a coax to the ISP’s modem. The modem is in bridge mode and sends the signal upstairs to my router via Cat 5. The router provides 3 hard-wired internet connections as well as wirel… --- ## [How do I replace a neighbor's fence with my own?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-replace-a-neighbors-fence-with-my-own/848889)
**Author:** [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2020, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-replace-a-neighbors-fence-with-my-own/848889 "2020-03-04T20:50:48Z")
Behind my place is a dilapidated fence. I’m pretty sure it’s my neighbors because the fence posts are on their side. I have a feeling they will not repair it on their own and are probably not in the position to financi… --- ## [CMOS Sensors in DSLR Cameras](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cmos-sensors-in-dslr-cameras/848846)
**Author:** [@jjakucyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjakucyk)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2020, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cmos-sensors-in-dslr-cameras/848846 "2020-03-04T17:57:10Z")
There’s a lot of articles and videos out there about CMOS sensors in digital cameras and the rolling shutter effects that they produce. That’s pretty easy to understand, as the sensors are activated and read line-by-lin… --- ## [Olive Oil As Shampoo?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olive-oil-as-shampoo/731266)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2015, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olive-oil-as-shampoo/731266 "2015-09-18T15:51:39Z")
i heard somebody suggest that Olive Oil can be used as a shampoo. True or false? Is it any good? --- ## [Whats an upper range for how many people may have mad cow disease](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-an-upper-range-for-how-many-people-may-have-mad-cow-disease/848695)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2020, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-an-upper-range-for-how-many-people-may-have-mad-cow-disease/848695 "2020-03-04T10:34:55Z")
My understanding is that the symptoms don’t show up until you’re elderly, and then you die quickly. So you may have 40 years of no symptoms, then have severe neurological issues and die within a month. I know they tried… --- ## [Fixing a (stripped screw) hole](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fixing-a-stripped-screw-hole/667993)
**Author:** [@Mike20878](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mike20878)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2020, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fixing-a-stripped-screw-hole/667993 "2020-03-04T03:49:03Z")
I found an older thread on this subject on a Google search so I thought I would pose my own conundrum. It’s not a factual question, but hopefully someone can help as with the previous poster. I have a screw hole in my … --- ## [Why isn't the language currently spoken in Rome called modern Latin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-the-language-currently-spoken-in-rome-called-modern-latin/848591)
**Author:** [@EastUmpqua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EastUmpqua)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2020, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-the-language-currently-spoken-in-rome-called-modern-latin/848591 "2020-03-04T02:59:48Z")
Old English evolved into modern English, Ancient Greek evolved into modern Greek, etc. The ancient Romans spoke Latin so why isn’t the language spoken in Rome today (Italian) called modern Latin? --- ## [Presidential primary candidate without delegates on ballot](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/presidential-primary-candidate-without-delegates-on-ballot/848895)
**Author:** [@John\_Bredin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Bredin)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2020, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/presidential-primary-candidate-without-delegates-on-ballot/848895 "2020-03-03T23:41:51Z")
I’m looking at my sample ballot for the March 17 primary election (Illinois) and (after noticing how many no-longer-candidates are still listed, including Booker and Bennet :slight\_smile: ) notice that not all the candid… --- ## [Comcast cable ripped off house and caused damage. Who is responsible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comcast-cable-ripped-off-house-and-caused-damage-who-is-responsible/848884)
**Author:** [@The\_Man\_In\_Black](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Man_In_Black)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2020, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comcast-cable-ripped-off-house-and-caused-damage-who-is-responsible/848884 "2020-03-03T20:16:14Z")
I came home from work about half an hour ago, and found my Comcast internet cable laying across the street. It is still actually connected, but the bracket the holds the cable on the house (a two story house) ripped off… --- ## [Does EVERYbody test for drugs these days?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-everybody-test-for-drugs-these-days/519536)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2020, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-everybody-test-for-drugs-these-days/519536 "2020-03-03T19:58:57Z")
I may be looking for some part time work in a month or so. The last time I sought work was a little over 40 years ago. At that time, the hoop you had to get through was a loyalty oath, promising your employer that you … --- ## [Is memberships in the VFW open to non-veterans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-memberships-in-the-vfw-open-to-non-veterans/848853)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2020, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-memberships-in-the-vfw-open-to-non-veterans/848853 "2020-03-03T15:38:34Z")
I read an obituary of Facebook tonight, which had been written about one of my old friends from junior college. Among the many hats this guy had worn, the obit credits him with being a member of the VFW. But, to the best… --- ## [Would you die from 11 meters drop](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-die-from-11-meters-drop/848270)
**Author:** [@Emma33559637](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emma33559637)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2020, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-die-from-11-meters-drop/848270 "2020-03-01T20:13:48Z")
I need to know this for my homework and I cant really fond it anywhere so can you die from landing head first from a 36 foot drop onto concrete. --- ## [How can a harbor pilot handle a ship they've never been on before?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-a-harbor-pilot-handle-a-ship-theyve-never-been-on-before/848534)
**Author:** [@dstarfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dstarfire)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2020, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-a-harbor-pilot-handle-a-ship-theyve-never-been-on-before/848534 "2020-03-03T10:50:43Z")
Seen a few videos lately about ships pilots, or harbor pilots, or whatever youcall the guys that use their expert knowledge of the waterways in an area to help big ships navigate a particular port safely. I’m not unders… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=383) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=385)