# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=396 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 397 --- ## [The physics behind voice actors ability ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-physics-behind-voice-actors-ability/846749)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2020, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-physics-behind-voice-actors-ability/846749 "2020-01-22T15:16:16Z")
As the title suggest, I have two questions : Is there anything physically different about the vocal chords (or parts of the human anatomy responsible for voice) that gives them the ability to do different voices / ac… --- ## [Racist "unwritten law"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racist-unwritten-law/846719)
**Author:** [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2020, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racist-unwritten-law/846719 "2020-01-22T08:55:49Z")
I have this notion that the old White Supremacists, especially of the Confederacy and the Jim Crow era, based the ‘truth’ of their racist views on some kind of “unwritten law.” Maybe it was “inscribed on human hearts”, o… --- ## [The "Carlo"/Carl Gustav-designmachine gun: terrorists/criminals use in US/Europe?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-carlo-carl-gustav-designmachine-gun-terrorists-criminals-use-in-us-europe/749175)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2020, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-carlo-carl-gustav-designmachine-gun-terrorists-criminals-use-in-us-europe/749175 "2020-01-22T03:28:17Z")
According to this report in The Times of Israel–This 10-year-old Jewish reporter has some tough questions for Bernie Sanders | The Times of Israel do-it-yourselfer made in a crappy metal shop from publicly available desi… --- ## [How do you deal w/ unwanted calls?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-deal-w-unwanted-calls/846755)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2020, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-deal-w-unwanted-calls/846755 "2020-01-22T00:17:20Z")
Apologies if this is the wrong forum, but I thought this question might lead to factual answers. In short, we get several “anonymous” or “potential spam” calls daily, to both our home phone (xfinity) and our iPhones. W… --- ## [What the heck is going on with the Royal Family ("Megxit")](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-going-on-with-the-royal-family-megxit/846203)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 165\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2020, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-going-on-with-the-royal-family-megxit/846203 "2020-01-21T19:56:46Z")
Harry and Megan are moving to America. Huge event, surely. But he wants to unlink himself, somehow (I forget the word \[“official?”\] which was used) from such-and-such something or other which was his up-til-now customary… --- ## [Apart from thermoses, are there any other consumer products that use vacuum for insulation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apart-from-thermoses-are-there-any-other-consumer-products-that-use-vacuum-for-insulation/846395)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2020, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apart-from-thermoses-are-there-any-other-consumer-products-that-use-vacuum-for-insulation/846395 "2020-01-21T16:21:44Z")
Like, are there double paned windows with a vacuum in the middle for higher performance or fridges/freezers with vacuum panel walls or anything? --- ## [Trooper vs Troop](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trooper-vs-troop/846568)
**Author:** [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2020, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trooper-vs-troop/846568 "2020-01-21T15:10:21Z")
Language question: when, and why, did “trooper” become “troop”? Over in GD someone mentioned that “11 troops” were killed, but instead of “11 groups of soldiers,” they meant “11 individuals.” Language changes etc. etc.,… --- ## [Okay, so what are 'military patronages'? (Harry Sussex)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-so-what-are-military-patronages-harry-sussex/846652)
**Author:** [@brossa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brossa)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2020, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-so-what-are-military-patronages-harry-sussex/846652 "2020-01-21T13:06:44Z")
Groan. OK, so Harry Sussex is giving up his “military patronages”, which sound to me like honorary ranks in various branches of the UK military: Captain General of the Royal Marines, Lieutenant Commander of the Royal Nav… --- ## [Do I have Drain Flies? And what to do??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-drain-flies-and-what-to-do/846702)
**Author:** [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2020, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-drain-flies-and-what-to-do/846702 "2020-01-21T12:52:59Z")
Tiny black flying things in my bathroom sink, I am assuming from research they are drain flies. They’re in only one sink, in a half bath where we just wash our Hands with liquid soap. Eww. Will boiling water eliminate t… --- ## [How much did air conditioners cost in the 165-1975 era?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-did-air-conditioners-cost-in-the-165-1975-era/846717)
**Author:** [@Tzigone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tzigone)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2020, 8:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-did-air-conditioners-cost-in-the-165-1975-era/846717 "2020-01-21T08:57:04Z")
Both window units and central units. I can look at old catalogs for tv or refrigerator prices, but don’t know where to look for ACs. --- ## [Is there a name for this debate tactic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-debate-tactic/846699)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_Ecks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ecks)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2020, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-debate-tactic/846699 "2020-01-20T23:32:17Z")
Person A: I’m for X! Person B: But what if X is going to destroy the world? If person A doesn’t care, then they can be dismissed as a dangerous fanatic. If they agree X would need need to be banned or limited in that … --- ## [To MacGyver...?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-macgyver/846692)
**Author:** [@Crossbreed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crossbreed)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2020, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-macgyver/846692 "2020-01-20T21:48:59Z")
Does anyone recall the real French-based word that describes MacGyver’s skill set? It was like re…age, ra…age or de…age, but I can’t remember it. --- ## [blank screen on TV](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blank-screen-on-tv/846635)
**Author:** [@Mike\_Mabes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mike_Mabes)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2020, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blank-screen-on-tv/846635 "2020-01-20T21:21:50Z")
TV doesn’t work My new 55 inch 4K TV which I just bought a couple of months ago. I’m looking into a blank screen of blackness. It just stopped showing a picture. I’ve unplugged it and plugged it back in. --- ## [How does this drive-by emissions test work? (Northern Virginia)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-this-drive-by-emissions-test-work-northern-virginia/845513)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2020, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-this-drive-by-emissions-test-work-northern-virginia/845513 "2020-01-20T17:49:31Z")
How can they possibly do an emissions test on a car as it simply drives down the road? I got a notice in the mail that my car passed its RAPIDPASS emissions test (required every two years in Northern Virginia to be able… --- ## [Florida: Express lane, toll is zero, no Sunpass device: will I still get fined $25?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-express-lane-toll-is-zero-no-sunpass-device-will-i-still-get-fined-25/846701)
**Author:** [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2020, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-express-lane-toll-is-zero-no-sunpass-device-will-i-still-get-fined-25/846701 "2020-01-20T16:58:49Z")
\[Been meaning to ask this, then someone had a post on coming to a toll both w/ no money, so here’s mine\] They have installed new express lanes in the past year on the local interstates. Yeah, if I come along and the to… --- ## [Boston Brakes - real or rumor?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boston-brakes-real-or-rumor/663037)
**Author:** [@weef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/weef)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2020, 8:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boston-brakes-real-or-rumor/663037 "2020-01-20T08:49:48Z")
I see where Boston Brakes are being mentioned in the suspicious car accident and death of Michael Hastings. I never heard about this technique and can’t find any credible explanation for how someone can hack into your ca… --- ## [Can somebody explain the PACE program to me?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-somebody-explain-the-pace-program-to-me/846645)
**Author:** [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2020, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-somebody-explain-the-pace-program-to-me/846645 "2020-01-20T03:17:47Z")
PACE stands for Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. It’s apparently administered by Medicare? What are the benefits of enrolling in PACE vs. staying on Medicate? If you leave Medicare and go onto PACE, can y… --- ## [Does the Social Security Administration suspend people's SS #'s?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-social-security-administration-suspend-peoples-ss-s/846365)
**Author:** [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2020, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-social-security-administration-suspend-peoples-ss-s/846365 "2020-01-19T23:51:20Z")
I just got a robocall claiming to be from the Social Security Administration claiming that, due to “suspicious activity”, my SS # has been ‘suspended’, but helpfully added that I could press 1 for more information. I hi… --- ## [Highest ranking judges and politicians who have been indicted or imprisoned](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highest-ranking-judges-and-politicians-who-have-been-indicted-or-imprisoned/846624)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2020, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highest-ranking-judges-and-politicians-who-have-been-indicted-or-imprisoned/846624 "2020-01-19T23:21:15Z")
In another thread there is discussion about Trump being arrested, with people saying that it won’t happen even if he broke the law, and it is implied because of how important the office is. Putting aside politics though… --- ## [renouncing royalty for divorce proceedings](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renouncing-royalty-for-divorce-proceedings/846416)
**Author:** [@Jim\_Peebles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_Peebles)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2020, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renouncing-royalty-for-divorce-proceedings/846416 "2020-01-19T21:00:39Z")
I speculate Harry and Meghan are renouncing their royal assets, because Harry plans to divorce her. She probably didn’t like the royal restrictions, and Harry suggested a renunciation or went along with it, on the surfac… --- ## [Tardigrades in your bloodstream](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tardigrades-in-your-bloodstream/846467)
**Author:** [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2020, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tardigrades-in-your-bloodstream/846467 "2020-01-19T20:41:35Z")
It seems like it could happen quite easily; someone gets a cut or gash out in the wilderness and cleans the wound in a stream. Enter a tardigrade. Due to their large size (relative to bacteria) could they cause a blood … --- ## [In Scientific Experiments, Is A Control -Always- Necessary?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-scientific-experiments-is-a-control-always-necessary/846619)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2020, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-scientific-experiments-is-a-control-always-necessary/846619 "2020-01-19T19:10:40Z")
Watching an old episode of Mythbusters last night inspired this question. The guys were testing whether or not a human could survive a fall from 1,000 feet in a giant inflatable ball. They affixed monitoring equipment t… --- ## [Shipping an e-Bike battery](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shipping-an-e-bike-battery/846585)
**Author:** [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2020, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shipping-an-e-bike-battery/846585 "2020-01-18T21:31:12Z")
I need to ship a lithium-ion battery for an electric bike within the US. I’m a person shipping it to another person (not a corporation with a shipping department). The battery is Phylion XH370-10J. It’s not charged, I… --- ## [Finding a book scanner near me](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-a-book-scanner-near-me/846508)
**Author:** [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2020, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-a-book-scanner-near-me/846508 "2020-01-18T19:45:26Z")
I have a bunch of old data books that I refer to very infrequently, but I am loth to get rid of. Things like National’s 1986 Linear Applications Databook. I found three of them already scanned on-line, so I downloaded th… --- ## [How do cordless charging stations work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-cordless-charging-stations-work/846383)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2020, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-cordless-charging-stations-work/846383 "2020-01-18T17:49:00Z")
I asked the sales person when I bought my new iPhone: “How do cordless charging stations work?” Salesperson said: “Real easy! You plug in the charging station to a wall outlet, put the phone in the cradle, and it char… --- ## [Why are numbers shown two ways in some types of documentation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-numbers-shown-two-ways-in-some-types-of-documentation/846404)
**Author:** [@JcWoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JcWoman)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2020, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-numbers-shown-two-ways-in-some-types-of-documentation/846404 "2020-01-18T16:21:53Z")
Some formal styles of document have this convention where numbers are spelled and then the number itself is shown in parenthesis after that. I’ve often wondered why that is. For example, “there are five (5) cases in th… --- ## [Is there a difference between kill-a-watt devices?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-difference-between-kill-a-watt-devices/846506)
**Author:** [@Yask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yask)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2020, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-difference-between-kill-a-watt-devices/846506 "2020-01-18T06:01:48Z")
For basic questions of how much electricity an electronic device uses, is there a difference between kill-a-watt units? We think our electric bills are higher than they should be, so we want to find out which electronic… --- ## [determining odds of an occurance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/determining-odds-of-an-occurance/846495)
**Author:** [@cmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmore)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2020, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/determining-odds-of-an-occurance/846495 "2020-01-18T05:39:58Z")
The other day a friend of mine got a new phone from Walmart. They don’t activate it there, you get a card and do it from another phone. He asked me to do it for him, it’s an automated process, he had no number to … --- ## [On Taking Marijuana From Legal State (IL) To Illegal State (MO), Don't Need Answer Fast](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-taking-marijuana-from-legal-state-il-to-illegal-state-mo-dont-need-answer-fast/845603)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2020, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-taking-marijuana-from-legal-state-il-to-illegal-state-mo-dont-need-answer-fast/845603 "2020-01-18T05:00:14Z")
STANDARD DISCLAIMERS APPLY: You are not my lawyer, I am not your client. Recreational marijuana goes on sale in Illinois on January 1. A dispensary in Collinsville, Illinois is located just across the river from a metro… --- ## ["President Trump's message in Farsi.... most liked Persian tweet in history of Twitter"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-trumps-message-in-farsi-most-liked-persian-tweet-in-history-of-twitter/846377)
**Author:** [@Rucksinator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rucksinator)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2020, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-trumps-message-in-farsi-most-liked-persian-tweet-in-history-of-twitter/846377 "2020-01-18T04:14:21Z")
I saw that Ivanka Trump posted this, and somebody responded “Twitter is banned in Iran”, implying that this is another false claim by Trump. This article from the (Washington Examiner) supports her claim, but doesn’t sa… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=395) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=397)