# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=49 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 50 --- ## [Have there been major improvements in dental anesthetics in the past few decades?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-there-been-major-improvements-in-dental-anesthetics-in-the-past-few-decades/1016134)
**Author:** [@GailForce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GailForce)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2025, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-there-been-major-improvements-in-dental-anesthetics-in-the-past-few-decades/1016134 "2025-04-03T20:02:13Z")
Had my first major dental procedure in a few decades performed yesterday, and was pleasantly surprised to experience no pain in either the administration of the novocaine or the actual procedure. Have there been major c… --- ## [What's the Straight Dope on Drake getting called, basically, a pedophile by Kendrick Lamar?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-straight-dope-on-drake-getting-called-basically-a-pedophile-by-kendrick-lamar/1014143)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2025, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-straight-dope-on-drake-getting-called-basically-a-pedophile-by-kendrick-lamar/1014143 "2025-04-03T13:18:16Z")
The two have a beef, that is for sure. In his most famous recent song “Not Like Us”, Kendrick full blown says: My question is: Is there any real evidence for these claims? Is this another R. Kelly or Harvey Weinstein … --- ## [AI transforming work and work-life (actual examples?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-transforming-work-and-work-life-actual-examples/998292)
**Author:** [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2025, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-transforming-work-and-work-life-actual-examples/998292 "2025-04-02T21:45:34Z")
Lots of tea-leaf and other esotheric opinion pieces by the usual suspects (McK. et al) on how AI will impact our work life. (I could recall wrongly - but there were reports that 40% of jobs will be strongly impacted in … --- ## [Settle a mechanics question argument for me please](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/settle-a-mechanics-question-argument-for-me-please/1016401)
**Author:** [@SmallTownGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmallTownGuy)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2025, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/settle-a-mechanics-question-argument-for-me-please/1016401 "2025-04-02T21:43:38Z")
Hello! I’m a maths tutor, so this isn’t asking for help to complete homework. One of my students is also studying physics, and asked me about the problem shown on page 24 on the following link: He, myself and just a… --- ## [Bible literacy in the days of illiteracy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bible-literacy-in-the-days-of-illiteracy/1016267)
**Author:** [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2025, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bible-literacy-in-the-days-of-illiteracy/1016267 "2025-04-02T17:02:14Z")
How familiar was the average Christian of the contents of the Bible back when most people couldn’t read Latin, let alone read at all? Would they be familiar with all the stories, even the more salacious ones? Would they… --- ## [They still don't know if the Loch Ness Monster is real?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-still-dont-know-if-the-loch-ness-monster-is-real/195938)
**Author:** [@Vision\_of\_Love](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vision_of_Love)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2025, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-still-dont-know-if-the-loch-ness-monster-is-real/195938 "2025-04-02T02:52:00Z")
With all the technology of today, why are people still unsure of whether or not there is a creature swimming in a lake? How big is this lake anyway? Isn’t there any way of scanning the lake all the way through using sona… --- ## [LED Bulbs: I need the straight dope!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-bulbs-i-need-the-straight-dope/1016427)
**Author:** [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2025, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-bulbs-i-need-the-straight-dope/1016427 "2025-04-01T21:57:48Z")
Did you see what I did there? Hardee :clown\_face:har :disguised\_face:har… I do not see well. I need lots and lots of light in order to be comfortable and happy. My whole life long I have struggled to find lamps that wou… --- ## [I need to turn clear 2-part epoxy opaque](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-turn-clear-2-part-epoxy-opaque/1015934)
**Author:** [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2025, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-turn-clear-2-part-epoxy-opaque/1015934 "2025-04-01T21:27:03Z")
Using quite a bit of 2-part epoxy. Not many gallons. More like…2 cups of each, or whatever ratio the bottles tell me to use. I’ve used this stuff in the past, works great, sets up in 24 hours like rock. ( Just cannot rem… --- ## [Japanese-speaking Dopers: The way this American woman pronounces "Itadakimasu"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/japanese-speaking-dopers-the-way-this-american-woman-pronounces-itadakimasu/1016351)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2025, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/japanese-speaking-dopers-the-way-this-american-woman-pronounces-itadakimasu/1016351 "2025-04-01T18:35:56Z")
This woman (who is ethnically Chinese, according to one of her videos, but is second generation American) picked up the phrase “いただきま” (“Itadakimasu,” or “I humbly receive,” for you not in the know) when her husband work… --- ## [What might cause an unusually high spike in an electric bill](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-might-cause-an-unusually-high-spike-in-an-electric-bill/1016429)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2025, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-might-cause-an-unusually-high-spike-in-an-electric-bill/1016429 "2025-04-01T16:32:23Z")
I work for a property management company and one of our tenants experienced a huge monthly spike, and is asking for help. Previous months are: September - $14.36 October - $10.40 November - $25.57 December - $23.11 … --- ## [Converting .pdf maps to a different format for editing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-pdf-maps-to-a-different-format-for-editing/1016399)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2025, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-pdf-maps-to-a-different-format-for-editing/1016399 "2025-03-31T23:42:22Z")
I want to take several maps that I have in .pdf form (see https://topobuilder.nationalmap.gov/) and stitch them together in a big powerpoint file. (I recognize there may be other programs, but I’m not familiar with the… --- ## [Help me settle a bet: More electromagnetic radiation inside a room from a cell phone, the sun, or something else?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-settle-a-bet-more-electromagnetic-radiation-inside-a-room-from-a-cell-phone-the-sun-or-something-else/1016146)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2025, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-settle-a-bet-more-electromagnetic-radiation-inside-a-room-from-a-cell-phone-the-sun-or-something-else/1016146 "2025-03-31T16:40:02Z")
We recently went to a fun science trivia night at the local brewery, and one of the questions was: Sitting in this room right now, what is the single most powerful source of electromagnetic radiation you are receiving? … --- ## [Bulldozer drivers--what can you see from the driver's seat? (Rachel Corrie)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bulldozer-drivers-what-can-you-see-from-the-drivers-seat-rachel-corrie/162260)
**Author:** [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2025, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bulldozer-drivers-what-can-you-see-from-the-drivers-seat-rachel-corrie/162260 "2025-03-31T00:06:42Z")
Please, no debates as to whether Rachel Corrie was right or wrong. Link to news story. My question is, how much can a bulldozer driver see from the driver’s seat? I’ve never driven one myself. Is it possible he simpl… --- ## [Were fights between enslaved people (and their enslavers betting on them) ever a thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-fights-between-enslaved-people-and-their-enslavers-betting-on-them-ever-a-thing/1016312)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2025, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-fights-between-enslaved-people-and-their-enslavers-betting-on-them-ever-a-thing/1016312 "2025-03-30T20:59:15Z")
In this thread, I ask about a book I heard about years ago, in which an enslaved man makes money for the man who enslaved him by bare-knuckle fighting other enslaved men (and being unbeatable). Was this a thing in the A… --- ## [Are companies still pulling up sunken timber from Lake Superior et al.?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-companies-still-pulling-up-sunken-timber-from-lake-superior-et-al/1014811)
**Author:** [@brossa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brossa)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2025, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-companies-still-pulling-up-sunken-timber-from-lake-superior-et-al/1014811 "2025-03-30T15:16:50Z")
Nigh on thirty years ago there were several outfits pulling long-sunken logs from the bottom of Lake Superior (and probably bayous and lakes elsewhere), selling the tight-grained old growth lumber at a premium to folks l… --- ## [Using Roman lead ingots for research](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-roman-lead-ingots-for-research/1016118)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2025, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-roman-lead-ingots-for-research/1016118 "2025-03-30T08:24:56Z")
This is piggy backed off the sunken timbers thread. It was noted that scientists are using old Roman lead ingots for shielding sensitive experiments. I really don’t have a problem with this. I would think they could cast… --- ## [About space and gravity, too long to explain in thread title](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-space-and-gravity-too-long-to-explain-in-thread-title/1011558)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2025, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-space-and-gravity-too-long-to-explain-in-thread-title/1011558 "2025-03-30T01:08:59Z")
Let’s say I have a one-meter sphere weighing, say, 1000kg. I’m out in deep DEEP space – as in, light years away from the nearest star or what have you. I also have a one-millimeter sphere weighing, say, one milligram. If… --- ## [Would a waitress know specifically I didn't tip if I paid at the counter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-waitress-know-specifically-i-didnt-tip-if-i-paid-at-the-counter/1016094)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2025, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-waitress-know-specifically-i-didnt-tip-if-i-paid-at-the-counter/1016094 "2025-03-29T22:27:06Z")
Long story short I went to a restaurant with a gift card. I was told I could tip using gift card funds, and so at the end of the meal I paid entirely using the gift card and hit the button to add a tip at the front cashi… --- ## [Excel: Which products did customers \*not\* buy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-which-products-did-customers-not-buy/1016219)
**Author:** [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2025, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-which-products-did-customers-not-buy/1016219 "2025-03-29T13:01:54Z")
Let’s pretend I sell treatments for various conditions. I have lots of data on what customers purchased in the past year. I sell multiple products to help treat each condition. And the more products you use, the better y… --- ## [White Phosphorous Grenades Versus Vehicles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-phosphorous-grenades-versus-vehicles/1016257)
**Author:** [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2025, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-phosphorous-grenades-versus-vehicles/1016257 "2025-03-29T04:58:40Z")
I’ve heard (apocryphal) stories of how a white phosphorous grenade can burn through a metal plate. Is this true? Could a WP grenade be used to disable a vehicle or artillery piece be being placed on the engine or breac… --- ## ['Truncating' data - mathematically, what is this guy doing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truncating-data-mathematically-what-is-this-guy-doing/1016251)
**Author:** [@brossa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brossa)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2025, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truncating-data-mathematically-what-is-this-guy-doing/1016251 "2025-03-29T02:00:22Z")
A common story - a guy is being wrong on the Internet. In this case, the guy is dividing one number into another and then truncating (?) the results. The ‘ratio’ of the two numbers is reported to the first couple of lea… --- ## ['average' rotational speed for a point on a rotating sphere?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/average-rotational-speed-for-a-point-on-a-rotating-sphere/1016138)
**Author:** [@brossa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brossa)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2025, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/average-rotational-speed-for-a-point-on-a-rotating-sphere/1016138 "2025-03-28T18:02:24Z")
A sphere is spinning such that a point on the equator has a rotational speed of x cm/sec. I’m dealing with the scalar value here, not the velocity vector. As you move from the equator to the pole the rotational speed de… --- ## [Warp speed of Cosmic Inflation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warp-speed-of-cosmic-inflation/980763)
**Author:** [@Dodgy\_Dude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dodgy_Dude)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2025, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warp-speed-of-cosmic-inflation/980763 "2025-03-28T13:01:16Z")
I’m watching How the Universe Works on the Science Channel and they said that during the period of Cosmic Inflation the universe went from being the size of a grain of sand to the size of the sun faster than the speed of… --- ## [What does this say (Japanese)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-this-say-japanese/1016186)
**Author:** [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2025, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-this-say-japanese/1016186 "2025-03-28T12:07:08Z")
What does the Japanese writing on this T-shirt say? https://www.tokyo-tiger.com/products/tokyo-tiger-ungovernable-raccoon-washed-t-shirt --- ## [Authenticity of counterfeit products](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/authenticity-of-counterfeit-products/1016208)
**Author:** [@joemama24\_98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joemama24_98)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2025, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/authenticity-of-counterfeit-products/1016208 "2025-03-28T04:16:43Z")
I recently returned from my first trip to China, where I spent some time in Shanghai. A local colleague showed me around town, including a “fake market” where vendors had stalls and were selling various things. All o… --- ## [Equation: Order of operations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/equation-order-of-operations/1012088)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2025, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/equation-order-of-operations/1012088 "2025-03-27T19:39:33Z")
6 ÷ 2(1+2) I would solve it like this: 6 ÷ 2(3) 6 ÷ 6 = 1 The calculator on my iPhone solves it like this: (6 ÷ 2) x 3 3 x 3 = 9 PEMDAS: Parentheses, Exponent, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction. So: … --- ## [What's with those huge PO box numbers for tax returns?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-those-huge-po-box-numbers-for-tax-returns/1016150)
**Author:** [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2025, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-those-huge-po-box-numbers-for-tax-returns/1016150 "2025-03-27T18:33:35Z")
I’m just preparing my tax payments to mail in, and I’m struck by the huge PO box numbers for both the federal and California payments. The address for the federal payment is PO Box 802501, Cincinnati, OH 45280, and the a… --- ## [Excel: Average of daily values incrementing by each day](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-average-of-daily-values-incrementing-by-each-day/1016192)
**Author:** [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2025, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-average-of-daily-values-incrementing-by-each-day/1016192 "2025-03-27T13:40:45Z")
I have a question about Excel formulas for which I would greatly appreciate some advice or assistance. I have a column in which I populate a daily value (let’s say “Points”) in each row. So, for example, cell A1 has the… --- ## [Why isn't this big news? (New battery)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-this-big-news-new-battery/740154)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2025, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-this-big-news-new-battery/740154 "2025-03-27T08:27:43Z")
A couple of weeks back, Oak Ridge Laboratories - a research group under the DOE - announced that they have come up with a new lithium-sulfur battery that has 2-3x the energy density of lithium-ion batteries and that they… --- ## [Andy and Red’s escapes to Mexico (FQ about events in The Shawshank Redemption)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andy-and-red-s-escapes-to-mexico-fq-about-events-in-the-shawshank-redemption/1016054)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2025, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andy-and-red-s-escapes-to-mexico-fq-about-events-in-the-shawshank-redemption/1016054 "2025-03-27T05:49:04Z")
Open spoilers for 30-year-old movie. Hell, even the title spoils it. Anyhoo, Andy Dufresne left Portland, ME with $375,000 of the Warden’s money, using a fake name and fake documents, and headed to Mexico, c. 1967. Woul… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=48) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=50)