# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=433 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 434 --- ## [911 called me!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/911-called-me/523528)
**Author:** [@Caveat\_lector\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caveat_lector_1)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2019, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/911-called-me/523528 "2019-08-27T07:31:10Z")
So there I was taking my Sunday nap when the land line starts to ring. I figured it is time to get up anyway so I got dressed and went to look at the caller ID to see who it was. It wasn’t for me, and I was the only one … --- ## [Stopping a hurricane with a nuclear bomb](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stopping-a-hurricane-with-a-nuclear-bomb/839289)
**Author:** [@DaveRaver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveRaver)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2019, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stopping-a-hurricane-with-a-nuclear-bomb/839289 "2019-08-27T05:57:53Z")
Trump reportedly floated the idea of dropping a nuclear bomb on a hurricane in its early stages off the coast of Africa to disrupt it. What would the effect actually be on the progression of the hurricane? --- ## [This song does not have sync rights](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-song-does-not-have-sync-rights/554514)
**Author:** [@Shinna\_Minna\_Ma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shinna_Minna_Ma)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2010, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-song-does-not-have-sync-rights/554514 "2010-09-22T14:28:24Z")
I was trying to sync some music to my Sansa mp3 player, and I got this message for several CDs worth of music: This file does not have sync rights. If you obtained this file from an online store, go to the online store… --- ## [Climate change and cloud cover](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/climate-change-and-cloud-cover/839270)
**Author:** [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2019, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/climate-change-and-cloud-cover/839270 "2019-08-27T03:22:39Z")
Like all informed humans, and especially all informed parents of beloved children, I am deeply concerned about the future of our planet. But there’s one thing about climate change that confuses the heck out of me; help … --- ## [What causes bent knees to ache?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-bent-knees-to-ache/839190)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2019, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-bent-knees-to-ache/839190 "2019-08-27T00:19:16Z")
I could go a lot further on my motorcycle if after a few hours my knees didn’t start aching. What’s the cause of the hurt? --- ## [When public wifi doesn't work](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-public-wifi-doesnt-work/839163)
**Author:** [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2019, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-public-wifi-doesnt-work/839163 "2019-08-26T21:32:36Z")
I use wifi at various bars, breweries, restaurants, cafes, etc without problem. However, there’s one brewery where my iPhone connects as expected, but if I try to download/read/whatever it doesn’t work. In fact, if I tu… --- ## [How to dispose of single-use plastic drinking straws](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-dispose-of-single-use-plastic-drinking-straws/839071)
**Author:** [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2019, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-dispose-of-single-use-plastic-drinking-straws/839071 "2019-08-26T17:29:09Z")
How do I dispose of single-use plastic drinking straws in a way that they won’t end up jammed in a sea turtle’s nose? We’ve all seen the horrific video, and while it’s certainly informative and horrifying, they don’t ac… --- ## [In humans, how does height relate to physical strength?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-humans-how-does-height-relate-to-physical-strength/839243)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2019, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-humans-how-does-height-relate-to-physical-strength/839243 "2019-08-26T14:31:40Z")
When I watch the worlds strongest man there are a lot of competitors who are extremely tall. Many are over 6’ but quite a few are 6’6 or taller. Height among WSM competitors seems comparable to NBA players. So is there … --- ## [Best adhesive for repairing phenolic plastics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-adhesive-for-repairing-phenolic-plastics/839264)
**Author:** [@somepumpkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/somepumpkin)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2019, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-adhesive-for-repairing-phenolic-plastics/839264 "2019-08-26T14:26:37Z")
What’s the best adhesive/epoxy to bond phenolic? I’m working on my lawn mower (in another thread), and when I pulled a cover off (the fan housing), a broken piece of phenolic plastic fell onto the floor. It’s part of th… --- ## [PDF Page numbers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pdf-page-numbers/839158)
**Author:** [@Ficer67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ficer67)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2019, 9:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pdf-page-numbers/839158 "2019-08-26T09:46:58Z")
I am using Microsoft Edge to read a pdf file. The file has many pages, and when I tell it to go to page 43, for example, Microsoft Edge goes to page 34. I understand that there are a few pages before the main section, … --- ## [What are these tiny winged bugs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-tiny-winged-bugs/839210)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2019, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-tiny-winged-bugs/839210 "2019-08-26T05:06:30Z")
Saw them for the first time today in the bathroom where the light shines on the counter, and in my office on a curtain in bright light. (It’s still before dawn here.) Never saw them before. Not seeing them (yet) in any o… --- ## [How are flip laptops supposed to work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-flip-laptops-supposed-to-work/839214)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2019, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-flip-laptops-supposed-to-work/839214 "2019-08-26T01:42:24Z")
We have an Asus Chromebook that has the flip feature. This means that when we open the thing all the way, the display includes a keyboard so that you can type directly on the screen and get what and where you want. But… --- ## [When did the US pronounciation of Hawai'i change?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-us-pronounciation-of-hawaii-change/838965)
**Author:** [@bardos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bardos)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2019, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-us-pronounciation-of-hawaii-change/838965 "2019-08-26T00:42:27Z")
In the Hawaiian language, the “W” is pronounced as a “V”. Thus, those in the know use the native-Hawaiian pronounciation “Havai’i”. I was watching a couple of old black and white films, a Charlie Chan film from the 30s a… --- ## [Replacing a side release clip on a backpack](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacing-a-side-release-clip-on-a-backpack/839217)
**Author:** [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2019, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacing-a-side-release-clip-on-a-backpack/839217 "2019-08-25T19:18:36Z")
I have a backpack that I carry my work laptop around in. It has a strap that goes around my middle and connects with a side release clip. Awhile back one end of the clip got caught in my car door and broke. I went out an… --- ## [Are there current examples of species diverging to help people understand evolution?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-current-examples-of-species-diverging-to-help-people-understand-evolution/838763)
**Author:** [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2019, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-current-examples-of-species-diverging-to-help-people-understand-evolution/838763 "2019-08-25T17:25:44Z")
One problem with explaining evolution is that it happens so slowly that many people don’t think it can happen. They say that different animals have different adaptations, but those adaptations don’t lead to new species.… --- ## [Mathematics: Fraction \> decimal = repeated number sequence](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mathematics-fraction-decimal-repeated-number-sequence/839156)
**Author:** [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2019, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mathematics-fraction-decimal-repeated-number-sequence/839156 "2019-08-25T16:18:15Z")
I was dividing 100 by 27 and noticed that the resulting number was made up of a repeating sequence of numbers. Here is the result using a Big Number Calculator to 100 decimal places: 3.7037037037037037037037037037037037… --- ## [Why are these fence slats crackling?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-these-fence-slats-crackling/839198)
**Author:** [@Patch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patch)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2019, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-these-fence-slats-crackling/839198 "2019-08-25T15:27:00Z")
There are plastic privacy slats in the cyclone fence surrounding the parking lot at work, and when it’s hot it sounds like Rice Crispies crackling. I figure it’s the heat, but then I’d expect them to expand, and the noi… --- ## [Anthropomorphic is to humans as ?? is to animals](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anthropomorphic-is-to-humans-as-is-to-animals/839197)
**Author:** [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2019, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anthropomorphic-is-to-humans-as-is-to-animals/839197 "2019-08-25T08:15:38Z")
Anthropomorphic is used to refer to objects that look vaguely human. Is there an analogous word for objects that look vaguely like animals? GE ran an ad for a GE walking truck that made it look like a skeleton of an an… --- ## [AWS email options for EC2 instance?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aws-email-options-for-ec2-instance/839181)
**Author:** [@edwardcoast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwardcoast)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2019, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aws-email-options-for-ec2-instance/839181 "2019-08-25T03:13:23Z")
I’ve been using AWS EC2 instances, and thinking of moving the email function over there for some clients. This is what I’ve come up with as options, and wanted to see if there are any AWS email experts out there to shar… --- ## [Why do concrete sidewalks buckle?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-concrete-sidewalks-buckle/536311)
**Author:** [@endotoxin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/endotoxin)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2014, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-concrete-sidewalks-buckle/536311 "2014-08-15T18:41:24Z")
Title pretty much says it all. I’m sure most people here have seen this. A nice long street with a well-maintained sidewalk, and out of nowhere a gigantic MOUNTAIN of a hill, where two concrete slabs have pushed up agai… --- ## [Unusual WW2 holster.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unusual-ww2-holster/839177)
**Author:** [@ticker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ticker)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2019, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unusual-ww2-holster/839177 "2019-08-24T22:01:28Z")
Watching a WW2 documentary I noticed a man with an odd looking holster which hangs down at his knee! In this screen grab he is the one standing to the left of Montgomery: https://imgur.com/a/KcXrsNj. What gives? --- ## [Why are we not cloning bees?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-we-not-cloning-bees/839067)
**Author:** [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2019, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-we-not-cloning-bees/839067 "2019-08-24T20:30:50Z")
Almost everyone agrees that bee populations are dwindling and their importance to mankind is unquestionably important. So what are the reasons for not initiating a large scale cloning of existent bees. We pretty well h… --- ## [If Titanic hit the Iceberg head on at speed, would it sink?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-titanic-hit-the-iceberg-head-on-at-speed-would-it-sink/790496)
**Author:** [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2019, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-titanic-hit-the-iceberg-head-on-at-speed-would-it-sink/790496 "2019-08-24T20:09:30Z")
Just before the Titanic saw the Iceberg, she was racing through the Ice field at 20 knots plus speed (as was the standard practice at the time). WHat would happen if she has not tried to avoid the iceberg and not slowed… --- ## [Is there a name for this concept, similar to the Peter principle](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-concept-similar-to-the-peter-principle/838997)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2019, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-concept-similar-to-the-peter-principle/838997 "2019-08-24T18:25:02Z")
I was thinking how as a society the problems we still have are ones we are unable or unwilling to solve. All the problems we are able and willing to solve have been pretty much taken care of. As a result in modern weste… --- ## [Google search option across all Windows programs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-search-option-across-all-windows-programs/839120)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2019, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-search-option-across-all-windows-programs/839120 "2019-08-24T13:57:44Z")
In Chrome, I can highlight any text on any page and right-click to “Search Google for” that text. Is there a program or plug-in that will allow me to select any text in any program and right-click for a Google search? --- ## [American airbase in Thule (Greenland)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-airbase-in-thule-greenland/839031)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2019, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-airbase-in-thule-greenland/839031 "2019-08-24T12:49:27Z")
Does the US pay Greenland/Denmark rent for the base? Is there an agreement/treaty that says Denmark must allow the presence of the base indefinitely? How big a negative effect would there be on the economy of Greenland… --- ## [Are human beings the mosy populous mammalisn specied? If so, most populous above insects?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-human-beings-the-mosy-populous-mammalisn-specied-if-so-most-populous-above-insects/839101)
**Author:** [@Steven\_Estes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_Estes)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2019, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-human-beings-the-mosy-populous-mammalisn-specied-if-so-most-populous-above-insects/839101 "2019-08-24T11:39:50Z")
Are human beings the mosy populous mammalisn specied? If so, most populous above insects? --- ## [Where can I watch a French-language TV series?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-watch-a-french-language-tv-series/500787)
**Author:** [@Lama\_Pacos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lama_Pacos)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2019, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-watch-a-french-language-tv-series/500787 "2019-08-24T08:18:59Z")
I’m trying to practice my French; I’d like to watch a TV series in order to improve my listening. A series specifically (as opposed to, say, a movie) because A, I can watch it in digestible chunks and B, it (presumably)… --- ## [What is the cost those huge curtains at Broadway theatrical theaters?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-cost-those-huge-curtains-at-broadway-theatrical-theaters/811106)
**Author:** [@Steven\_Estes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_Estes)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2018, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-cost-those-huge-curtains-at-broadway-theatrical-theaters/811106 "2018-03-27T01:15:38Z")
What is the cost of one of those huge curtains in front of the stage at Broadway theatrical theaters? I realize that there must be a large range in costs of these huge curtains. But I couldn’t guess within a power of t… --- ## [Countries purchasing land](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countries-purchasing-land/838750)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2019, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countries-purchasing-land/838750 "2019-08-24T02:37:24Z")
An item in the news right now is that Trump wants the US to purchase Greenland. There’s lots of speculation as to why, but that isn’t the reason for this thread. What I want to know, has any other country expanded its bo… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=432) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=434)