# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=518 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 519 --- ## [An obvious solution to Pascal's wager : what's this solution formally called?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-obvious-solution-to-pascals-wager-whats-this-solution-formally-called/824594)
**Author:** [@SamuelA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SamuelA)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2018, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-obvious-solution-to-pascals-wager-whats-this-solution-formally-called/824594 "2018-11-21T18:32:38Z")
So here’s a problem similar to Pascal’s wager. At some points in time, when the powerball is a large dollar amount, the Expected Value of a lottery ticket can potentially be positive. Say each lottery ticket is worth $… --- ## [Navient unsubsidized a loan. What can I do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/navient-unsubsidized-a-loan-what-can-i-do/824879)
**Author:** [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2018, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/navient-unsubsidized-a-loan-what-can-i-do/824879 "2018-11-21T17:18:51Z")
I have two student loans. Both with Navient, but one under the Department of Education. The DoE loan was subsidized and both loans were under a repayment plan. A couple of months ago, I went from roughly $65 per month… --- ## [Ways to store chewed gum for later chewing / What surfaces won't gum stick to?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-to-store-chewed-gum-for-later-chewing-what-surfaces-wont-gum-stick-to/824777)
**Author:** [@squish7](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squish7)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2018, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-to-store-chewed-gum-for-later-chewing-what-surfaces-wont-gum-stick-to/824777 "2018-11-21T16:22:19Z")
If you chew gum for awhile, then put the chewed gum on a plate or something, then come back in a few hours or days and pick the gum up and put it in your mouth again, is it contaminated? What ways can you think of to st… --- ## [Electric usage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-usage/824855)
**Author:** [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2018, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-usage/824855 "2018-11-21T14:08:50Z")
We don’t have a furnace in our home, just a few baseboards which expel heat. It doesn’t get above 60 in the winter, it doesn’t give off enough heat so we use a space heater at times. My question is If you put the space … --- ## ["Just Visiting" In Jail : Practical aspects](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-visiting-in-jail-practical-aspects/688786)
**Author:** [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2014, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-visiting-in-jail-practical-aspects/688786 "2014-05-20T19:01:22Z")
I remember as a kid playing the “Monopoly” board game, which infamously has a Jail space where your pawn can either be “In Jail” or “Just Visiting”. How does “Just Visiting” a jail or prison work in real life? According… --- ## [Aquarium Wate Filters, Best Brands?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aquarium-wate-filters-best-brands/548552)
**Author:** [@PokerAKQJT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PokerAKQJT)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2010, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aquarium-wate-filters-best-brands/548552 "2010-08-04T21:21:50Z")
Got a new 35 Gallon Fish Tank, now I am shopping for a Water Filter. I am shopping at PetSmart. They have brands called Marineland and AquaClear and Tetra. Any experience with which is best? I am primarily concerned abou… --- ## [Eunuchs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eunuchs/352329)
**Author:** [@aelfric](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aelfric)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2018, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eunuchs/352329 "2018-11-21T06:06:54Z")
I recently saw the subject of eunuchs come up twice - in a front page article in the Philadelphia City Paper, and in Dan Savage’s advice column. Both were talking about men who voluntarily underwent castration - in some… --- ## [Kitchen faucet head (attached to extendable, flexible hose) has disconnected. How to reconnect?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kitchen-faucet-head-attached-to-extendable-flexible-hose-has-disconnected-how-to-reconnect/629912)
**Author:** [@GameHat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GameHat)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2012, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kitchen-faucet-head-attached-to-extendable-flexible-hose-has-disconnected-how-to-reconnect/629912 "2012-08-02T13:50:45Z")
My kitchen sink faucet is (was?) a spray head connected to a flexible metal hose. Somehow, this came undone. So now the spray head is disconnected. The hose retracted upon disconnection and is about 5-6 inches into th… --- ## [What is the scientific explanation for people being ashamed of nudity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-scientific-explanation-for-people-being-ashamed-of-nudity/824474)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2018, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-scientific-explanation-for-people-being-ashamed-of-nudity/824474 "2018-11-20T19:10:57Z")
AIUI, humans are unique in being the only creatures who are ashamed of being seen in their skin. No other creature feels the need to cover up. There are, of course, many practical reasons for clothing that have nothing … --- ## [Previous phone # owner still giving out the number?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/previous-phone-owner-still-giving-out-the-number/824691)
**Author:** [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2018, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/previous-phone-owner-still-giving-out-the-number/824691 "2018-11-20T17:15:18Z")
I’ve had my current cell phone number for a bit more than two years. When I first got this number, I wasn’t too surprised that I got calls from people trying to reach the previous holder of the number. But these calls (a… --- ## [Argentinian Submarine - Recovery?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/argentinian-submarine-recovery/824739)
**Author:** [@SanDiegoTim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanDiegoTim)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2018, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/argentinian-submarine-recovery/824739 "2018-11-20T15:31:26Z")
My understanding is that Glomar Explorer, which was used in an attempt to recover a Soviet submarine in 1968, was scrapped. Had it not been, would it have been capable to recover the recently-located Argentinian submari… --- ## [I must stop Windows 10 updates. How???](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-must-stop-windows-10-updates-how/805832)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2018, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-must-stop-windows-10-updates-how/805832 "2018-11-20T07:17:33Z")
Please read my thread over here about my display issues when mirroring to my TV. All were caused by the Windows 10 update that I COULD NOT STOP! I fixed it for now by rolling back to the previous version of Windows 10. … --- ## [Windows 7 Downloads \[Legal Only\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-7-downloads-legal-only/634300)
**Author:** [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2018, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-7-downloads-legal-only/634300 "2018-11-20T06:12:06Z")
My friend’s shop has a volume license for Windows 7. My friend needs to do an install of Windows 7 on a system located at her house. Is there any way to do a Windows 7 download from Microsoft? We have a valid key, just… --- ## [Questions about selling gift cards on EBay](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-selling-gift-cards-on-ebay/824695)
**Author:** [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2018, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-selling-gift-cards-on-ebay/824695 "2018-11-20T05:27:12Z")
I’ve noticed that most people who sell gift cards say that they’ll e-mail the code to the purchaser. How do I as the seller get the e-mail address? I sell a gift card on EBay and the next day the purchaser claims the co… --- ## [Do the Networks have multiple reporters in the White House press pool?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-networks-have-multiple-reporters-in-the-white-house-press-pool/824806)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2018, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-networks-have-multiple-reporters-in-the-white-house-press-pool/824806 "2018-11-20T03:59:18Z")
I saw one reference to this and nothing more. I can’t find that link again. Do the Networks have multiple reporters in the White House press pool? For example, does CNN have several reporters representing their organiz… --- ## [Origin of quote, "I said GOOD DAY, sir!"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-quote-i-said-good-day-sir/308876)
**Author:** [@gentle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gentle)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2018, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-quote-i-said-good-day-sir/308876 "2018-11-20T01:26:31Z")
The phrase is usually haughtily enounced in a upper-class British accent, as though one is about to stomp off in a huff. Jon Stewart uses it frequently on The Daily Show, and Google returns a lot of similar references. T… --- ## [How resistant is a soft LCD screen to acids like lemon juice?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-resistant-is-a-soft-lcd-screen-to-acids-like-lemon-juice/824764)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2018, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-resistant-is-a-soft-lcd-screen-to-acids-like-lemon-juice/824764 "2018-11-19T20:50:31Z")
So, don’t ask how or why, but how resistant is a soft LCD screen (laptop) to lemon/lime juice? (as opposed to a hard LCD screen, like that of a smartphone) --- ## [Red Mold?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-mold/824782)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2018, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-mold/824782 "2018-11-19T19:54:17Z")
I am familiar with the horror stories surrounding black mold. Fortunately I don’t have any of that in my house. I have a few areas with some black build up. But there seems to be a logical explanation. For example, on my… --- ## [Help me identify this plant (Southern Spain, coastal)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-plant-southern-spain-coastal/824750)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2018, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-plant-southern-spain-coastal/824750 "2018-11-19T19:17:28Z")
I spent the last couple of weeks in southern Spain and I saw a lot of one particular plant in bloom - links to photos below, but here’s a brief description: It’s a wiry shrub; most large examples growing no taller than … --- ## [Body stop producing melatonin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/body-stop-producing-melatonin/824800)
**Author:** [@CastletonSnob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CastletonSnob)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2018, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/body-stop-producing-melatonin/824800 "2018-11-19T16:11:42Z")
I’ve been taking a sleep aid that contains melatonin off and on since I was a teenager. I’ve heard that taking melatonin too frequently, your body stops naturally producing melatonin. Is that true? --- ## [If a criminal gives you money that isn't stolen, can you keep it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-criminal-gives-you-money-that-isnt-stolen-can-you-keep-it/824729)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2018, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-criminal-gives-you-money-that-isnt-stolen-can-you-keep-it/824729 "2018-11-19T15:07:24Z")
Quite a few movies have a scene where a criminal, on the run from the law, forcibly stops somebody driving a car or riding a bike, gets them to hand over their method of transportation, and then drive off with it leaving… --- ## [US to European Power Converters](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-to-european-power-converters/824677)
**Author:** [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2018, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-to-european-power-converters/824677 "2018-11-19T15:00:12Z")
I’m planning to go to Germany in a few weeks and need to get a power converter. Some are a simple plug device and others have a transformer (?) with plugs. What’s the difference and what do I need to buy? --- ## [Gold price at near speed of light](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gold-price-at-near-speed-of-light/824502)
**Author:** [@virtually\_yours](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/virtually_yours)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2018, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gold-price-at-near-speed-of-light/824502 "2018-11-19T13:56:41Z")
Hi, (theoretically or otherwise and aside from the cost to get it up to that speed) if here on earth you accelerate a quantity of gold to near light speeds, the mass increases, so the weight would increase relative to ea… --- ## [Is there a YouTube setting to sort comments chronologically?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-youtube-setting-to-sort-comments-chronologically/824779)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2018, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-youtube-setting-to-sort-comments-chronologically/824779 "2018-11-19T11:13:11Z")
YouTube defaults to showing comments sorted by “top comments”. Is there a setting somewhere that lets you change your personal default to either chronological or reverse chronological, so you don’t have to find the litt… --- ## ["Duck and cover" in the USSR?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duck-and-cover-in-the-ussr/824759)
**Author:** [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2018, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duck-and-cover-in-the-ussr/824759 "2018-11-19T03:11:39Z")
Does anyone know whether school kids in the Soviet Union had to “duck and cover” during the cold war? --- ## [Land Surveying](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/land-surveying/824478)
**Author:** [@WCJakes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WCJakes)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2018, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/land-surveying/824478 "2018-11-19T01:40:34Z")
“All you survey, or only a part? Or, does the crow fly or walk?” In land surveying, how is acreage determined when land is hilly rather than flat? That is, measuring the “lay of the land” land with tapes or chains will… --- ## [What causes wash cloths to become stiff and hard?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-wash-cloths-to-become-stiff-and-hard/730486)
**Author:** [@Arcite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arcite)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2018, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-wash-cloths-to-become-stiff-and-hard/730486 "2018-11-18T22:33:58Z")
Inspired by this thread on shirt underarms, I’ve decided to create a thread to ask about the other laundry quagmire that’s been dogging me for years: stiff washcloths. I don’t remember this happening when I was growing … --- ## [Any HVAC specialists here?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-hvac-specialists-here/821171)
**Author:** [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2018, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-hvac-specialists-here/821171 "2018-09-17T17:46:44Z")
I have a newer Carrier AC/furnace unit, and yesterday it conked out. Does not come on at all, either the inside blower (nothing coming out of the vents), or the outside unit. Things I have checked: The house circuit … --- ## [Is Second Class Mail sometimes MORE Expensive To Send?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-second-class-mail-sometimes-more-expensive-to-send/824414)
**Author:** [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2018, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-second-class-mail-sometimes-more-expensive-to-send/824414 "2018-11-18T19:35:43Z")
I always thought that in certain cases, second class mail must be more expensive for the postal service to send. The act of sorting first from second is an extra process that must require an alternative distribution proc… --- ## [Really cool clouds this evening - what causes this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-cool-clouds-this-evening-what-causes-this/824714)
**Author:** [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2018, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-cool-clouds-this-evening-what-causes-this/824714 "2018-11-18T18:04:46Z")
Almost the entire sky is filled with very uniform cloudlets. What causes this phenomenon? Photo: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=517) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=519)