# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=385 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 386 --- ## [Why can't I access The Guardian website o'seas?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-access-the-guardian-website-oseas/848835)
**Author:** [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2020, 8:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-access-the-guardian-website-oseas/848835 "2020-03-03T08:42:15Z")
I’m holidaying in Vietnam at the moment and have tried to catch up on some international news via The Guardian, much as I do back in Australia. But here it is stuck firmly behind a paywall, whereas in Aus, while it trie… --- ## [Climate change, extinctions, die offs, evolution, and biomass](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/climate-change-extinctions-die-offs-evolution-and-biomass/848748)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2020, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/climate-change-extinctions-die-offs-evolution-and-biomass/848748 "2020-03-01T16:07:36Z")
So if my understanding is correct, there are many, many fewer fish in the ocean than in the past, due to climate change, fishing practices, pollution, etc. If this is accurate, what happens to all that biomass? Much of i… --- ## [Point of propositions on Primary ballots?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/point-of-propositions-on-primary-ballots/848802)
**Author:** [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2020, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/point-of-propositions-on-primary-ballots/848802 "2020-03-03T07:55:53Z")
So I was looking at the sampleballotsin my county for tomorrow’s election, and after all the actual primary elections, there are a series of propositions that are Yes/No type things. And they’re all hot garbage, regardl… --- ## [Assault, battery, and self-defense](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assault-battery-and-self-defense/848686)
**Author:** [@RioRico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RioRico)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2020, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assault-battery-and-self-defense/848686 "2020-03-03T04:09:23Z")
As I understand it, an “assault” is a credible threat of harming another, and “battery” is making contact. If someone explicitly threatens me, or swings a fist at me but misses, I’ve been assaulted. If they swing and hit… --- ## [When did bad pixels become unacceptable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-bad-pixels-become-unacceptable/848666)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2020, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-bad-pixels-become-unacceptable/848666 "2020-03-02T21:44:01Z")
I remember reading magazine reviews for LCD monitors/laptops in the 1990s where they would often mention that there were 2 or 3 dead or stuck pixels on the display, and it was clear that this was something that the manuf… --- ## [Airtight-ness and "sealed" cars and houses](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airtight-ness-and-sealed-cars-and-houses/848772)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2020, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airtight-ness-and-sealed-cars-and-houses/848772 "2020-03-02T21:23:46Z")
Say you pack the average house absolutely full of 100% carbon dioxide gas (or any heavy gas), but the doors and windows are typical American homes. How long does it take for, say, half of the nitrogen to seep out the tin… --- ## [Why do influenza strains seem to originate in China](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-influenza-strains-seem-to-originate-in-china/848549)
**Author:** [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2020, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-influenza-strains-seem-to-originate-in-china/848549 "2020-03-02T21:00:04Z")
Why does it seem that influenza strains always seem to originate in China? --- ## [Mollusc ID help](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mollusc-id-help/848813)
**Author:** [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2020, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mollusc-id-help/848813 "2020-03-02T20:47:51Z")
I was poking around in some “tide pools” in Florida (or what passes for tide pools in Boca Raton, anyway) and there were a bunch of interesting… sea snails? Some sort of shellfish. They were olive green, but with bright … --- ## [Text and phone messages real estate inquiry. Scam?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-and-phone-messages-real-estate-inquiry-scam/848634)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2020, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-and-phone-messages-real-estate-inquiry-scam/848634 "2020-03-02T17:21:48Z")
I got a text message today: “Hi, Peter. My name is Gill and I am interested in purchasing your home at \*\*\* South \*\*\* Street. Have you considered selling the property?” What threw me isn’t so much that this person knew … --- ## [Geographic anomaly (any others like this?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geographic-anomaly-any-others-like-this/845413)
**Author:** [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2020, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geographic-anomaly-any-others-like-this/845413 "2020-03-02T16:06:33Z")
Due (I believe) to boundaries being redrawn after the fall of the Soviet Union, there is an area of Russia that is not “attached” to the main country. It sits on the Baltic sea, between Poland and Lithuania. I hadn’t bee… --- ## [What explains the stunning successes of the Six Day and Yom Kippur wars?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-explains-the-stunning-successes-of-the-six-day-and-yom-kippur-wars/795580)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2020, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-explains-the-stunning-successes-of-the-six-day-and-yom-kippur-wars/795580 "2020-03-02T14:37:58Z")
Israel was able to prevail over several larger opponents in a very short amount of time. Even in the Yom Kippur war, Israel got caught with its tallit down and turn it around in less than 3 weeks. It doesn’t seem like I… --- ## [The effectiveness of an air conditioner in dehumidifying](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-effectiveness-of-an-air-conditioner-in-dehumidifying/848768)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2020, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-effectiveness-of-an-air-conditioner-in-dehumidifying/848768 "2020-03-02T14:03:38Z")
Is an A/C almost as good as an actual dehumidifier machine itself, or is it only a small fraction as good when it comes to removing moisture from air? --- ## [grid sampled virus database?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grid-sampled-virus-database/848656)
**Author:** [@Jim\_Peebles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_Peebles)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2020, 10:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grid-sampled-virus-database/848656 "2020-03-02T10:02:00Z")
So a dog just tested positive for the coronavirus: I’m beginning to think this particular coronavirus is already everywhere, and not the real culprit. (In another thread, which I admit didn’t go over well, I voiced my … --- ## [COVID-19 (new Coronavirus) and the common cold.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covid-19-new-coronavirus-and-the-common-cold/848697)
**Author:** [@Unreconstructed\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unreconstructed_Man)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2020, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covid-19-new-coronavirus-and-the-common-cold/848697 "2020-03-01T23:57:31Z")
As I understand it, COVID-19 belongs to the same family of viruses as the common cold. Every year we get new flu vaccines, but because the flu mutates so fast the vaccines are based on what the experts think the flu wil… --- ## [Email's homophone](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emails-homophone/848610)
**Author:** [@Mithril](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mithril)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2020, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emails-homophone/848610 "2020-03-01T21:50:42Z")
Hi, all- I was reading a grammar and usage manual from a pedant in my industry, and came across this: “(By the way, note that email (pronounced “ay-my”) is a color.)” Imagine trying to google “what color is email?” It … --- ## [Are 'heathen' and 'pagan' synonymous? If not, what's the difference?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-heathen-and-pagan-synonymous-if-not-whats-the-difference/848520)
**Author:** [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2020, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-heathen-and-pagan-synonymous-if-not-whats-the-difference/848520 "2020-03-01T21:46:08Z")
Both ‘heathen’ and ‘pagan’ ususally translate to the single word ‘Heide’ in my native German. Now ‘Heide’ generally means “a non-Christian person”, be it someone of another faith or an atheist (not that we use the word v… --- ## [Is Brent Phillips a fraud or legit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-brent-phillips-a-fraud-or-legit/652683)
**Author:** [@Vitalis\_Kissmeoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vitalis_Kissmeoff)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2020, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-brent-phillips-a-fraud-or-legit/652683 "2020-03-01T18:11:13Z")
Won’t link to his site, but wonder if anyone has thoughts or insight or anything on this guy. Heard him on the radio today, claims he graduated tops at MIT. He was pegging my BS meter. Google and WolframAlpha didn’t show… --- ## [Spotify glitchy with Echo devices](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotify-glitchy-with-echo-devices/848750)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2020, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotify-glitchy-with-echo-devices/848750 "2020-03-01T16:43:51Z")
I use Spotify premium and have 5 Echo device from which I listen to Spotified music. Is it me or is this combo glitchy as all get-out? My “available devices” list seems random - names of devices change, some disappear … --- ## [Could this work? (Company naming question)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-this-work-company-naming-question/848677)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2020, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-this-work-company-naming-question/848677 "2020-03-01T16:02:41Z")
Could two guys, let’s call one of them Bill Dunder and the other John Mifflin, get together and form a paper company called Dunder Mifflin Paper Company? They would certainly be accused of playing off of the now-famous T… --- ## [YouTube removing the old layout completely](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youtube-removing-the-old-layout-completely/848664)
**Author:** [@Mislav](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mislav)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2020, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youtube-removing-the-old-layout-completely/848664 "2020-03-01T01:17:05Z")
I recently read that YouTube will be removing the old layout completely. Will that affect the mobile site too, or just the desktop version? I assume there is no such update/redesign for mobile version, it is already a mo… --- ## [Photoshop Elements 2020 - Mac](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photoshop-elements-2020-mac/848679)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2020, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photoshop-elements-2020-mac/848679 "2020-02-29T15:53:31Z")
I rarely use a photo editor – and then only to add captions – so I need some help. \[ul\]\[li\]Photoshop Elements 2020\[/li\]\[li\]MacBook Pro\[/li\]\[li\]MacOS Mojave version 10.14.6\[/ul\]\[/li\] I want to take two images and merge … --- ## [So my programmable thermostat exploded](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-programmable-thermostat-exploded/848628)
**Author:** [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2020, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-programmable-thermostat-exploded/848628 "2020-02-29T15:51:22Z")
Installed a Lux brand programmable (not “smart”) thermostat last year. Worked fine until I got home today and attempted to adjust the temperature. It refused to turn on the heat, so I checked the batteries and tried to r… --- ## [Luxury items: worth more or less in wartime/famine/disaster?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/luxury-items-worth-more-or-less-in-wartime-famine-disaster/848692)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2020, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/luxury-items-worth-more-or-less-in-wartime-famine-disaster/848692 "2020-02-29T12:38:38Z")
Non-edible luxuries, that is: Historically, have things like designer clothing, Rolex watches, jewelry etc. generally gained value or lost value during wars or famines or hurricane etc.? You can’t eat them but I would … --- ## [Corona virus: use of vaccine if reinfection is possible](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corona-virus-use-of-vaccine-if-reinfection-is-possible/848657)
**Author:** [@Isosleepy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isosleepy)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2020, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corona-virus-use-of-vaccine-if-reinfection-is-possible/848657 "2020-02-29T06:52:17Z")
I’ve read some potions show they have been reinfected with Corona19 If that’s the case, how does a vaccine work? --- ## [Could polar bears survive in Antarctica?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-polar-bears-survive-in-antarctica/848411)
**Author:** [@EmbarrassingDad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmbarrassingDad)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2020, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-polar-bears-survive-in-antarctica/848411 "2020-02-29T05:44:57Z")
If I took a few polar bears, say five, to Antarctica and turned them loose near a colony of Emperor Penguins, which population would survive? Could the bears change their hibernation for the Southern Hemisphere? Would … --- ## [Tracing phone calls](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tracing-phone-calls/848552)
**Author:** [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2020, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tracing-phone-calls/848552 "2020-02-28T22:35:04Z")
There’s this tv trope where the police try to track the origins of a kidnappers phone call, but this tracking operation requires time so they try to keep the kidnappers on the phone as long as possible to successfully co… --- ## [How Come the Ancient Greeks Never Invented the Arch?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-the-ancient-greeks-never-invented-the-arch/499776)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2020, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-the-ancient-greeks-never-invented-the-arch/499776 "2020-02-28T21:55:23Z")
For all their science, the Greeks never advanced beyond the column and lintel-which meant that even the elegant Greek temples were of primative design-and they needed columns everywhere. The Romans invented the arch-this… --- ## [1800(?)s Insult](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1800-s-insult/848197)
**Author:** [@skdo23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skdo23)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2020, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1800-s-insult/848197 "2020-02-28T20:12:25Z")
I hope I’m posting in the right forum. I seem to remember someone posting to a thread I was reading a few months ago about some type of social interaction from the 1800s where you would look directly at someone but other… --- ## [What muscle is used in sit-ups (not the abs)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-muscle-is-used-in-sit-ups-not-the-abs/848675)
**Author:** [@jebert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jebert)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2020, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-muscle-is-used-in-sit-ups-not-the-abs/848675 "2020-02-28T20:08:38Z")
From what I’ve heard, the old-fashioned sit-up, the kind where someone holds your feet down and you raise your whole truck, doesn’t exercise the abs so much as some muscle or muscles in the upper leg. What muscles are t… --- ## [How would you perform this calculation regarding all potential book combinations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-perform-this-calculation-regarding-all-potential-book-combinations/848577)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2020, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-perform-this-calculation-regarding-all-potential-book-combinations/848577 "2020-02-28T19:00:52Z")
Let’s say you wanted to write every possible 200 page book in existence. That’s about 50,000 words, maybe 300,000 characters. Excluding capitalization and only using letters, numbers and common punctuation. I’m guessing… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=384) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=386)