# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=422 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 423 --- ## [The speed of information](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-speed-of-information/841069)
**Author:** [@EastUmpqua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EastUmpqua)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2019, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-speed-of-information/841069 "2019-10-05T01:37:24Z")
Is it possible that the speed of transfer of information increases to infinity as curvature of spacetime decreases to zero? I know Special Relativity says no. But how would we know for sure since all our measurements ta… --- ## [Are there any air routes that work like a bus?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-air-routes-that-work-like-a-bus/841230)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2019, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-air-routes-that-work-like-a-bus/841230 "2019-10-04T19:45:03Z")
Every time I’m traveling, say, SF to LA or NY to Boston, I notice there are flights departing basically every 15 minutes but because they’re from different airlines, I have to wait for multiple, half empty departures bef… --- ## [What was the plan if the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombers were attacked?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-plan-if-the-hiroshima-and-nagasaki-bombers-were-attacked/841175)
**Author:** [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2019, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-plan-if-the-hiroshima-and-nagasaki-bombers-were-attacked/841175 "2019-10-04T19:07:16Z")
My understanding is that Japan didn’t try to shoot them down because they didn’t think a single bomber was going to do anything. But did they have a plan if they got shot at or intercepted by fighters? Would the bombs ha… --- ## [Farthest human into space other than moon landings](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/farthest-human-into-space-other-than-moon-landings/841256)
**Author:** [@TaoPilot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TaoPilot)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2019, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/farthest-human-into-space-other-than-moon-landings/841256 "2019-10-04T18:50:59Z")
What is the farthest a human has gone from Earth where there was no moon landing involved? For instance, Michael Collins went as far as the moon and didn’t land on it himself, but his mission involved others landing on … --- ## [When Did Governments Start Regulating Hunting (Issuing Tags, etc.)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-governments-start-regulating-hunting-issuing-tags-etc/841149)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2019, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-governments-start-regulating-hunting-issuing-tags-etc/841149 "2019-10-04T18:39:14Z")
H Sapiens has been hunting since we climbed down from the trees. Even as recently as a century or so ago, even in the developed world, hunting game was one of the principal ways people put food on the table. Nowadays, of… --- ## [Car Troubleshooting: What the hell is wrong this thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-troubleshooting-what-the-hell-is-wrong-this-thing/837987)
**Author:** [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2019, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-troubleshooting-what-the-hell-is-wrong-this-thing/837987 "2019-10-04T16:03:06Z")
I hope the collective knowledge of the professional and amateur vehicle mechanics on this board can help. I’m having issues with my Hellcat that I can barely even describe. The biggest issue is that it doesn’t happen all… --- ## [Tree temperatures](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tree-temperatures/841221)
**Author:** [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2019, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tree-temperatures/841221 "2019-10-04T15:17:55Z")
Do trees have a heat signature. Are any species of trees hotter than others? --- ## [Dog (tiny Yorkie) skin question.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-tiny-yorkie-skin-question/841170)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2019, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-tiny-yorkie-skin-question/841170 "2019-10-04T14:22:07Z")
My little Yorkie is of the silver/blue and tan coloring. She usually gets professionally groomed about every 2 months. In June I was sickly and I sent her to the groomer and just said cut it short. And she did. It was ea… --- ## [What was this type home decor called? if anything? where did it come from?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-this-type-home-decor-called-if-anything-where-did-it-come-from/841070)
**Author:** [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2019, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-this-type-home-decor-called-if-anything-where-did-it-come-from/841070 "2019-10-04T13:55:18Z")
You all must remember some years ago, ducks and geese, with blue and white gingham, and blue ribbons, and jam jars, and a ‘country’ vibe - that decor was everywhere. So this weekend I went to an estate sale full of: f… --- ## [How to safely and easily evict earwigs from our mailbox?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-safely-and-easily-evict-earwigs-from-our-mailbox/591067)
**Author:** [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2019, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-safely-and-easily-evict-earwigs-from-our-mailbox/591067 "2019-10-04T10:45:31Z")
I’ve never seen nor heard of this happening: we have about fifty earwigs living in our mailbox. The mailbox is a cheap one mounted on a wooden post, and when you open the mailbox door, they all scurry out through cracks … --- ## [Blinding Aircraft Pilots With Laser Pointers (Don't Need Answer Fast)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blinding-aircraft-pilots-with-laser-pointers-dont-need-answer-fast/817189)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2019, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blinding-aircraft-pilots-with-laser-pointers-dont-need-answer-fast/817189 "2019-10-04T06:54:17Z")
Can any laser pointer blind any aircraft pilot? Like, can the little 5mw jobber I have really blind a Southwest pilot 32k feet above me? Of is this more of a concern for low-flying aircraft and/or really high-powered wea… --- ## [Origins of Left and Right](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origins-of-left-and-right/840557)
**Author:** [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2019, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origins-of-left-and-right/840557 "2019-10-04T06:42:51Z")
How long have humans been differentiating between left and right? I guess there’s always been the idea of one’s dominant hand, the “sword hand.” But that’s not exactly the same as “the tree on the right” or “take a lef… --- ## [Whitey on the Moon - Opposition to Apollo?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whitey-on-the-moon-opposition-to-apollo/660470)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2019, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whitey-on-the-moon-opposition-to-apollo/660470 "2019-10-04T05:43:34Z")
“I can’t pay no doctor bills, buy whitey’s on the moon…” sang Gil-Scott Heron. According to this the Apollo program cost the equivalent of $109 billion 2010 dollars. The United States throughout the 1960s and early '70s… --- ## [Drag racers, how long do tires last?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drag-racers-how-long-do-tires-last/840896)
**Author:** [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2019, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drag-racers-how-long-do-tires-last/840896 "2019-10-04T03:44:39Z")
This, I’m sure, has a factual answer. But it is a sport, so if mods feel it is better suited for the games thread, then please move. Anywho, specifically asking about top fuel categories, but I’m interested in lower cat… --- ## [Criminal committing a series of crimes: Prosecution for one or all?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminal-committing-a-series-of-crimes-prosecution-for-one-or-all/841120)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2019, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminal-committing-a-series-of-crimes-prosecution-for-one-or-all/841120 "2019-10-04T00:04:45Z")
(Question pertaining to U.S. law only): Suppose that a robber is convicted of a single count of armed robbery and sentenced to ten years in prison, but then, while he is in prison, the investigators discover that he had… --- ## [What is this hole/casing in old cradles for?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-hole-casing-in-old-cradles-for/841071)
**Author:** [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2019, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-hole-casing-in-old-cradles-for/841071 "2019-10-04T00:02:01Z")
It seems especially in old Irish cradles, but I see them in early American ones too, there is always what looks like a clock casing, or maybe a bird house at the head of the cradle. What is that bit, and why is it there… --- ## [Can I bring a safety razor on a plane?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-bring-a-safety-razor-on-a-plane/840831)
**Author:** [@cutman74](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cutman74)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2019, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-bring-a-safety-razor-on-a-plane/840831 "2019-10-03T17:55:31Z")
Getting ready to take a flight and its been a long time. I think the last time I flew, there were still some smoking flights. I’m not packing anything except a carry on. Can I bring my razor? Its just a regular disposa… --- ## [Is there a date and or time when all of Earths landmass has the sun up?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-date-and-or-time-when-all-of-earths-landmass-has-the-sun-up/841140)
**Author:** [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2019, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-date-and-or-time-when-all-of-earths-landmass-has-the-sun-up/841140 "2019-10-03T16:54:58Z")
…Excluding tiny Pacific atolls? The pacific cover a little less than half of the planet, so, there must be someday, when there is light outside, all over the worlds land? --- ## [Puttin on the Foil, or how would foil on your hands help you in a fight?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puttin-on-the-foil-or-how-would-foil-on-your-hands-help-you-in-a-fight/733060)
**Author:** [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2019, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puttin-on-the-foil-or-how-would-foil-on-your-hands-help-you-in-a-fight/733060 "2019-10-03T16:53:55Z")
If you’ve ever seen the movie Slap Shot, then you’ll remember the scene where the Hanson Brothers are taping foil to their hands before a game. Being that the Hansons were major goons, how would that help you in a fight… --- ## [Safe to eat yoghurt past 'use by date'? Prompt answer appreciated!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safe-to-eat-yoghurt-past-use-by-date-prompt-answer-appreciated/840545)
**Author:** [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2019, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safe-to-eat-yoghurt-past-use-by-date-prompt-answer-appreciated/840545 "2019-10-03T14:47:24Z")
I just found some yoghurt I’d forgotten I had and I want to know if it’s safe to eat. Details: low fat fruit-flavoured yoghurt (from reputable company) unopened kept in fridge since purchase ‘use by’ date of Sep 16 T… --- ## [Have there been any recent lab tests of consumer surge protectors?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-there-been-any-recent-lab-tests-of-consumer-surge-protectors/841145)
**Author:** [@Running\_with\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Running_with_Scissors)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2019, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-there-been-any-recent-lab-tests-of-consumer-surge-protectors/841145 "2019-10-03T12:58:12Z")
Surprisingly, I haven’t been able to find any. Consumer Reports hasn’t done it, AFAICT. It’s all well and good for manufacturers to rate their clamping voltage and how many joules they can absorb, but it nobody is actual… --- ## [Can I put a short cut to adjust my brightness control?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-put-a-short-cut-to-adjust-my-brightness-control/841054)
**Author:** [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2019, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-put-a-short-cut-to-adjust-my-brightness-control/841054 "2019-10-03T11:52:13Z")
I have an ASUS laptop running Windows 10. I find it convenient to adjust the brightness control, depending whether I am word processing or playing games. At present I go to the Start icon, find the Settings icon, choos… --- ## [Under what circumstances would a fighter jet need to go Mach 2?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-what-circumstances-would-a-fighter-jet-need-to-go-mach-2/840869)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2019, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-what-circumstances-would-a-fighter-jet-need-to-go-mach-2/840869 "2019-10-03T01:58:42Z")
I see that many fighter jets are capable of top speeds of Mach 2 or the like, but under what circumstances would this actually be needed? AIUI, this is almost never done because of the high rate of fuel it burns and als… --- ## [Can't add mp3 files to Windows Meda Player](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-add-mp3-files-to-windows-meda-player/841066)
**Author:** [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2019, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-add-mp3-files-to-windows-meda-player/841066 "2019-10-03T00:09:48Z")
I know WMP is horrible. It’s terrible. I can’t install anything of any kind on my work laptop, and WMP is all I get. I put this new album into the Music folder, in the band’s main folder. This went unnoticed by WMP. I ca… --- ## [A sign scam](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-sign-scam/841176)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2019, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-sign-scam/841176 "2019-10-02T23:29:28Z")
I received a phone text message: “Would you allow us to paste small decal on your cars, trucks, bikes for short term advertisement and pay you 2 of 2 five hundred dollars ($500) per week for the rent? Get this started … --- ## [Pics Showing Historic Sea Levels](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pics-showing-historic-sea-levels/841160)
**Author:** [@tullsterx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tullsterx)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2019, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pics-showing-historic-sea-levels/841160 "2019-10-02T22:12:22Z")
I’ve seen pictures posted by climate change skeptics that show a historic coastal structure, from about 100 years ago or so, that show little change in sea levels. I would think there would be pictures that show sea lev… --- ## [melting ice at south pole](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/melting-ice-at-south-pole/841147)
**Author:** [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2019, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/melting-ice-at-south-pole/841147 "2019-10-02T20:02:58Z")
What was the earth like before Antarctica was covered with ice? What would happen if it did melt? --- ## [John Deere riding mower hydrostatic transmission stopped working](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-deere-riding-mower-hydrostatic-transmission-stopped-working/841163)
**Author:** [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2019, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-deere-riding-mower-hydrostatic-transmission-stopped-working/841163 "2019-10-02T18:06:01Z")
Model GT225. About 10 minutes into mowing I came to a standstill. Checked transmission fluid and it was very low. Bought some and filled it, still nothing and the fwd/rvr pedals are “mushy”. Both pedals also slightly dep… --- ## [salt and fabric dye](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salt-and-fabric-dye/841131)
**Author:** [@MonkeysBrother](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeysBrother)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2019, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salt-and-fabric-dye/841131 "2019-10-02T17:55:08Z")
Hi Gang, Just dyed a couple of T-shirts. Yes, good ol’ RIT fabric dye just like my mom used to use. The instructions have you add a cup (!) of salt and a dash of liquid dish detergent to 3 gallons of hot water. I’m gues… --- ## [Hunting For Food In The US During WWII](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunting-for-food-in-the-us-during-wwii/841148)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2019, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunting-for-food-in-the-us-during-wwii/841148 "2019-10-02T16:12:43Z")
Saw a video yesterday that obliquely referenced meat shortages during World War II. How did that shake out as far as hunting? Were hunters expected/required to give some of their meat to the war effort? Also, did more … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=421) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=423)