# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=42 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 43 --- ## [Locksmiths et al.: Name this style of entry knob (inside knob can be turned even when locked so it's easy to accidentally lock yourself out)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/locksmiths-et-al-name-this-style-of-entry-knob-inside-knob-can-be-turned-even-when-locked-so-its-easy-to-accidentally-lock-yourself-out/1019084)
**Author:** [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [June 9, 2025, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/locksmiths-et-al-name-this-style-of-entry-knob-inside-knob-can-be-turned-even-when-locked-so-its-easy-to-accidentally-lock-yourself-out/1019084 "2025-06-09T18:00:42Z")
I’m selling a house (not my own) that has this style of entry knob on one door. I want to warn the buyers against the high probability of accidentally locking themselves out. I’d like to be able to tell them the correct… --- ## [Roman Villa as Modern House?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roman-villa-as-modern-house/486211)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [June 9, 2025, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roman-villa-as-modern-house/486211 "2025-06-09T01:56:09Z")
Could I bild a modern house, in the style of an ancient Roman villa? How much would such a house cot to construct-would it be comfortable? I like the idea of the atrium, but having it open to the sky would not be a good … --- ## [What is in this photograph of a coal-fired power plant?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-in-this-photograph-of-a-coal-fired-power-plant/1019293)
**Author:** [@leswax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leswax)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [June 9, 2025, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-in-this-photograph-of-a-coal-fired-power-plant/1019293 "2025-06-09T01:54:00Z")
In this NY Times article, the wire service photo in the thumbnail shows a concrete structure splitting the water channel in two. My best guess is this is a loop of cooling water, with the building in the foreground housi… --- ## [What’s with the wrong captions in AI-generated videos?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-with-the-wrong-captions-in-ai-generated-videos/1019295)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 9, 2025, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-with-the-wrong-captions-in-ai-generated-videos/1019295 "2025-06-09T01:08:59Z")
My social media feeds are full of videos that people generated with text-to-video models such as Google’s Veo3. The visuals are stunningly good now, but in many cases the captions of what the characters are saying are wr… --- ## [Do blue jays attack other birds?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-blue-jays-attack-other-birds/1019271)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [June 8, 2025, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-blue-jays-attack-other-birds/1019271 "2025-06-08T22:26:53Z")
Out my window I saw a blue jay attack a baby sparrow. Just before I reached it, the jay picked up and then dropped the baby, possibly because I was getting close. Why would it do this? Hunger? --- ## [Is there a procedure to legally change your social security number?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-procedure-to-legally-change-your-social-security-number/1019076)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2025, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-procedure-to-legally-change-your-social-security-number/1019076 "2025-06-07T18:31:51Z")
I know there are always warnings about keeping your social security number private, but it really isn’t possible. I mean, it seems like everything you do with financial effects requires you to put it on an application o… --- ## [A few questions about skeet shooting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-questions-about-skeet-shooting/1019213)
**Author:** [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2025, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-questions-about-skeet-shooting/1019213 "2025-06-07T11:32:09Z")
As I leave work in the evenings, I sometimes hear some loud bangs. Turns out there’s a shooting club nearby. Looking it up on Google Maps, I see facilities for skeet or trap shooting (not exactly sure what the differen… --- ## [Creating maps in Google maps of another program? possible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creating-maps-in-google-maps-of-another-program-possible/1019177)
**Author:** [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2025, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creating-maps-in-google-maps-of-another-program-possible/1019177 "2025-06-07T08:17:21Z")
Once upon a time, I could photocopy pages from atlases or parts of road maps to create a map of a route I wanted to take, and estimate its length. With Google maps, I can get only suggested routes-- there doesn’t seem t… --- ## [Heads of state who visit the White House - specifically because the US president himself arranged it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heads-of-state-who-visit-the-white-house-specifically-because-the-us-president-himself-arranged-it/1019280)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2025, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heads-of-state-who-visit-the-white-house-specifically-because-the-us-president-himself-arranged-it/1019280 "2025-06-06T23:43:32Z")
Trying to keep this non-political: Recently, the South African leader visited the White House - and then Trump ambushed him by showing him photos of “slain white farmers” that weren’t even from South Africa - and then t… --- ## [How is a new Jewish temple founded?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-a-new-jewish-temple-founded/1016212)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 148\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2025, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-a-new-jewish-temple-founded/1016212 "2025-06-06T19:25:04Z")
Suppose that I want to found a newJewish temple in Rhode Island (just to choose a place at random). How do I go about doing it? For example, how do I get a Torah (or more than one-I’ve read in another thread that some ha… --- ## [What can judges do if sovcits can afford counsel, but are unable to retain anyone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-judges-do-if-sovcits-can-afford-counsel-but-are-unable-to-retain-anyone/1019013)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2025, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-judges-do-if-sovcits-can-afford-counsel-but-are-unable-to-retain-anyone/1019013 "2025-06-05T21:41:52Z")
I was watching a video where the defendant in a criminal trial stated that while she could afford an attorney, she stated that she couldn’t find anyone to represent her (presumably because they weren’t willing to accede … --- ## [Was the Original iPod Deliberately Designed to Show Fingerprints?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-original-ipod-deliberately-designed-to-show-fingerprints/1019035)
**Author:** [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2025, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-original-ipod-deliberately-designed-to-show-fingerprints/1019035 "2025-06-05T16:01:53Z")
I’m reading Apple in China: The Capture of the World’s Greatest Company. While the book is generally outstanding, I just came across something that sounds like a conspiracy theory concerning the iPod music player: Is t… --- ## [Why is my iPhone camera out of focus?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-iphone-camera-out-of-focus/1019180)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2025, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-iphone-camera-out-of-focus/1019180 "2025-06-05T11:34:11Z")
Just started today. Everything is fuzzy when I take a picture. Anyone? --- ## [How to disable touchpad mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-disable-touchpad-mouse/1019131)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2025, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-disable-touchpad-mouse/1019131 "2025-06-05T00:40:31Z")
Now, this should be a simple process, right? I looked online for the instructions for this laptop, followed them, but when it came to the step to shut off the mouse, it was grayed out. WTF? Other info: HP Envy laptop, o… --- ## [Testimony in Spanish, one juror speaks Spanish can lead to mistrial?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/testimony-in-spanish-one-juror-speaks-spanish-can-lead-to-mistrial/456093)
**Author:** [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2025, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/testimony-in-spanish-one-juror-speaks-spanish-can-lead-to-mistrial/456093 "2025-06-04T14:12:36Z")
I didn’t want to hijack Asimovian’s thread, so I’m starting a new thread. In post 6, Bricker said I guess my question (for everyone, not just Bricker) is roughly, what’s wrong with a witness talking about testimony sa… --- ## [Who said it? \[Better to remain silent and be thought a fool...\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-said-it-better-to-remain-silent-and-be-thought-a-fool/546764)
**Author:** [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2025, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-said-it-better-to-remain-silent-and-be-thought-a-fool/546764 "2025-06-04T12:47:22Z")
In How to seem smarter than you really are Al Bundy said: Now, as I’m sure many of you know, the quote is actually something like “It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove… --- ## [What do court reporters do when a witness speaks a foreign language?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-court-reporters-do-when-a-witness-speaks-a-foreign-language/1019129)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2025, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-court-reporters-do-when-a-witness-speaks-a-foreign-language/1019129 "2025-06-04T04:52:28Z")
What happens if a witness in a court trial can not speak English (assuming a US court for this)? What does the court reporter do? I assume there would be an interpreter. Is the interpreter deemed faultless in their in… --- ## [How do I do that thing where I hold my iPhone up to something and it tells me what it is?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-do-that-thing-where-i-hold-my-iphone-up-to-something-and-it-tells-me-what-it-is/1019172)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2025, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-do-that-thing-where-i-hold-my-iphone-up-to-something-and-it-tells-me-what-it-is/1019172 "2025-06-03T22:43:53Z")
I’ve been clearing deadwood out of my back yard and I’ve come across a couple of very young saplings that I think are volunteers. They have a smooth brown bark with short horizontal white steaks, about a quarter inch lo… --- ## [What did people think clouds were before the scientific explanation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-people-think-clouds-were-before-the-scientific-explanation/1018675)
**Author:** [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2025, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-people-think-clouds-were-before-the-scientific-explanation/1018675 "2025-06-03T13:24:11Z")
Random thought I just had while watching beautiful clouds from my living room window. People before the age of enlightenment had all kinds of myths about things in space and the sky, the sun, moon, stars and planets. But… --- ## [Dissent in Garza v. Idaho (2019)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dissent-in-garza-v-idaho-2019/1011618)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2025, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dissent-in-garza-v-idaho-2019/1011618 "2025-06-03T11:55:50Z")
In Garza v. Idaho, Thomas and Gorsuch stated in their dissent that they felt Gideon v. Wainwright had been wrongly decided. What was their reasoning? IANAL, but my reading is that for originalist reasons, they said poor … --- ## [Is there enough oxygen at the top of Mount Everest to start a fire?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-enough-oxygen-at-the-top-of-mount-everest-to-start-a-fire/1019071)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2025, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-enough-oxygen-at-the-top-of-mount-everest-to-start-a-fire/1019071 "2025-06-03T11:16:49Z")
Assuming that I had wood and a bunch of matches, could I get a fire going? --- ## [Ancients Predicting Solar Eclipses](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ancients-predicting-solar-eclipses/1018917)
**Author:** [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2025, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ancients-predicting-solar-eclipses/1018917 "2025-06-03T00:53:55Z")
On this date (well sort of who knows exactly what calendar they were using) a solar eclipse occurred, as predicted by the Greek philosopher Thales, while Alyattes was battling Cyaxares leading to a truce. This is the ear… --- ## [Semantics: Can a physical occurrence be neither sign nor symptom?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semantics-can-a-physical-occurrence-be-neither-sign-nor-symptom/1018499)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2025, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semantics-can-a-physical-occurrence-be-neither-sign-nor-symptom/1018499 "2025-06-02T18:43:55Z")
I’ve always wondered about the distinction between a symptom - of something, obviously - and a simple condition or occurrence. Or is everything that is not standard considered to be a sign of something, or a symptom of s… --- ## [Feasibility and practical consequences of the 2025 "golden dome" missile interception project](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feasibility-and-practical-consequences-of-the-2025-golden-dome-missile-interception-project/1018996)
**Author:** [@Heracles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heracles)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2025, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feasibility-and-practical-consequences-of-the-2025-golden-dome-missile-interception-project/1018996 "2025-06-02T13:05:24Z")
Some questions about the “golden dome” project announced by Trump in Spring 2025. Trying to keep this FQ. Is it technically feasible with technology available in the 2025-2035 timeframe? Given orbital mechanics, would … --- ## [Words With Friends Chat blockage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-with-friends-chat-blockage/1019088)
**Author:** [@Philliam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philliam)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2025, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-with-friends-chat-blockage/1019088 "2025-06-02T11:20:44Z")
I play WWF on my FaceBook page with some actual friends and out of the blue I have (\[) and (\]) in blue chat bubbles that prevent any input. Any idea what this is in aid of? We don’t talk politics or religion , just chit-… --- ## [Was is (was?) a safety bicycle?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-is-was-a-safety-bicycle/1009264)
**Author:** [@GailForce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GailForce)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2025, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-is-was-a-safety-bicycle/1009264 "2025-06-01T22:36:08Z")
In his autobiographical novel Cakes and Ale, Maugham describes taking lessons on a “safety bicycle” in the 1880s or so. Is this what we call a “bicycle” today? From his description I can’t see any features that differ f… --- ## [Who can do a "signature guarantee" in the UK for a USA document?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-can-do-a-signature-guarantee-in-the-uk-for-a-usa-document/1018969)
**Author:** [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2025, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-can-do-a-signature-guarantee-in-the-uk-for-a-usa-document/1018969 "2025-06-01T20:40:15Z")
Last similar thread seems to be 2002 I know the USA embassy in London can, yet looking at their schedule of appointments there are either no days (coming up or in over a year) and only a few in June where they are marke… --- ## [Why Don't ALL of My Texts Show Up On My Laptop?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-all-of-my-texts-show-up-on-my-laptop/1018764)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2025, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-all-of-my-texts-show-up-on-my-laptop/1018764 "2025-06-01T14:37:34Z")
My laptop is a MacBook. One of the apps in the system tray is called “Messages,” and it allows me to send (and read) texts just as if they had originated from my iPhone. But not always. As an example, yesterday, I made … --- ## [Can a POTUS be removed early without taking criminal action?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-potus-be-removed-early-without-taking-criminal-action/1017582)
**Author:** [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2025, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-potus-be-removed-early-without-taking-criminal-action/1017582 "2025-06-01T14:05:25Z")
Is there a process in the US, analogous to parliamentary non-confidence votes, that can get kick out a POTUS before a federal election? Or, in the case of Trump, does the world have to wait until 2028, even if he does no… --- ## [Is there an app I can use to take a batch of photos and automatically display the geotag on the photo?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-app-i-can-use-to-take-a-batch-of-photos-and-automatically-display-the-geotag-on-the-photo/1019003)
**Author:** [@batsto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/batsto)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2025, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-app-i-can-use-to-take-a-batch-of-photos-and-automatically-display-the-geotag-on-the-photo/1019003 "2025-06-01T11:16:07Z")
I’ve got a bunch of photos I’d like to have the geotag added to (so that when someone looks at it, they’ll see the geotag info on the photo itself without having to right-click the properties, etc.). Google isn’t helpin… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=41) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=43)