# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=538 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 539 --- ## [Why aren't airline seats cheapest right before departure?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-airline-seats-cheapest-right-before-departure/821386)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2018, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-airline-seats-cheapest-right-before-departure/821386 "2018-09-17T23:55:37Z")
Hello Everyone, I get the current Airline business model, the cheapest tickets are the ones purchased far in advance (usually). This benefits the airline, they can determine in advance how much fuel they need, they c… --- ## [Grass is dead in multiple spots over the last few weeks.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grass-is-dead-in-multiple-spots-over-the-last-few-weeks/821448)
**Author:** [@cncdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cncdad)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2018, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grass-is-dead-in-multiple-spots-over-the-last-few-weeks/821448 "2018-09-17T23:40:29Z")
SD, over the last 2 weeks or so a bunch of patches of dead grass have appeared. \[Album\] imgur.com … --- ## [Who is known or rumoured to have refused the papacy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-known-or-rumoured-to-have-refused-the-papacy/821455)
**Author:** [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2018, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-known-or-rumoured-to-have-refused-the-papacy/821455 "2018-09-17T23:27:04Z")
I recently finished reading In God’s Name by David Yallop, which alleges that Pope John Paul I was murdered. Part of the book describes the conclave of cardinals where a new Pope is elected, as part of this process the … --- ## [Rugged waterproof construction materials](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rugged-waterproof-construction-materials/821105)
**Author:** [@NeoCortex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NeoCortex)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2018, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rugged-waterproof-construction-materials/821105 "2018-09-17T23:03:28Z")
Hello all, Need a little help with building material options. I built 3 custom outdoor table tops out of 30” round, 1” thick wood I ordered online. They are essentially 1x4 boards bonded in parallel with a rounded edge.… --- ## [1970s paperboys (-girls): What did your payment collection chits look like?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1970s-paperboys-girls-what-did-your-payment-collection-chits-look-like/821439)
**Author:** [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2018, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1970s-paperboys-girls-what-did-your-payment-collection-chits-look-like/821439 "2018-09-17T19:17:01Z")
I remember vaguely that when the paperboy came around to collect his money, he would hand us some sort of little paper chit as a rudimentary invoice/proof of payment. Does anyone out there recall what these things looked… --- ## [Electrical arcing. What caused it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-arcing-what-caused-it/821192)
**Author:** [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2018, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-arcing-what-caused-it/821192 "2018-09-17T18:25:56Z")
My coworker had a large sun room installed in the back of her house a couple years ago. An electric heater (or furnace/AC unit - I forget) was also installed, and it started acting erratically earlier this year. An elec… --- ## [Why aren't Eskimos hairy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-eskimos-hairy/166910)
**Author:** [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2018, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-eskimos-hairy/166910 "2018-09-17T18:25:00Z")
While out this weekend with some friends, evolution came up and one of my religious friends who doesn’t believe in evolution came up with, “If evolution worked how come Eskimos aren’t hairy?” My first response was a chuc… --- ## [Are tax payers still paying for NFL patriotic displays?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-tax-payers-still-paying-for-nfl-patriotic-displays/821482)
**Author:** [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2018, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-tax-payers-still-paying-for-nfl-patriotic-displays/821482 "2018-09-17T18:05:02Z")
HERE "A report released in 2015 by Arizona Republican Senators John McCain and Jeff Flake found that the Pentagon spent $6.8 million on sports marketing contracts with the National Football League, Major League Baseball… --- ## [Which way is up?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-way-is-up/821033)
**Author:** [@jebert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jebert)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2018, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-way-is-up/821033 "2018-09-17T14:58:59Z")
Is there an established convention on the usage of the terms “upload” and “download?” It seems to me that the terms are used somewhat interchangeably when referring to the transfer of files from one device or medium to… --- ## [Where is the family name "Skoulphong" from?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-family-name-skoulphong-from/821453)
**Author:** [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2018, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-family-name-skoulphong-from/821453 "2018-09-17T14:50:08Z")
Asia? --- ## [maths question: how do I state the vote %ages for winning candidates in multimember constituencies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maths-question-how-do-i-state-the-vote-ages-for-winning-candidates-in-multimember-constituencies/821462)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2018, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maths-question-how-do-i-state-the-vote-ages-for-winning-candidates-in-multimember-constituencies/821462 "2018-09-17T14:46:08Z")
I’m working on a project and I’ve run into an issue: how do I state the vote percentages for winning candidates in a multi-member constituency, when each voter only has one vote, in a first-three-past-the-post system? I… --- ## [Did the Edict of Nantes only target the expulsion of Huguenots or all Protestants?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-edict-of-nantes-only-target-the-expulsion-of-huguenots-or-all-protestants/821429)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2018, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-edict-of-nantes-only-target-the-expulsion-of-huguenots-or-all-protestants/821429 "2018-09-17T13:59:47Z")
Hi Did the Edict of Nantes only target the expulsion of Huguenots or all Protestant persuasions that existed in France at the time ? I look forward to your feedback. --- ## [What is the software that all local news websites use?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-software-that-all-local-news-websites-use/821444)
**Author:** [@Quintas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quintas)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2018, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-software-that-all-local-news-websites-use/821444 "2018-09-17T11:53:45Z")
It seems that every local news site looks basically the same. Just a different logo in the corner. Dead links. Links to videos. Image sliders. Basically a collection of everything NOT to do on a website. Anyone … --- ## [Dead-ender Nixon supporters?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dead-ender-nixon-supporters/821356)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2018, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dead-ender-nixon-supporters/821356 "2018-09-16T23:53:53Z")
I realize it is going to be hard to herd the cats on this one and keep it GQ-appropriate, but I’m wondering about die-hard Nixon supporters. There is a large group of people who seem to think that Trump can do no wrong, … --- ## [Residential gas pressure](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/residential-gas-pressure/821350)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2018, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/residential-gas-pressure/821350 "2018-09-16T16:49:22Z")
What determines the pressure in a residential natural gas distribution system? Each house in water distribution, for example, has a pressure valve to control water pressure inside the house. --- ## [My Confusion of Doing Away With the Exclusionary Rule.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-confusion-of-doing-away-with-the-exclusionary-rule/821428)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2018, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-confusion-of-doing-away-with-the-exclusionary-rule/821428 "2018-09-16T16:45:06Z")
I will do a search after I post this, to try to add more cites. But I will tell you what I have already heard. Ever since the Reagan administration, conservatives have been trying to do away with the exclusionary rule. … --- ## [Chemical burns from concrete question.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chemical-burns-from-concrete-question/240698)
**Author:** [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2018, 9:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chemical-burns-from-concrete-question/240698 "2018-09-16T09:17:57Z")
My brother and I finished pouring and finishing 7 yards of concrete on Saturday at my brothers house. My brother is much more experienced than I with this, but I have done it before. We both got what seems to be chemi… --- ## [Battle of Cannae: "double" envelopment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battle-of-cannae-double-envelopment/821169)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2018, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battle-of-cannae-double-envelopment/821169 "2018-09-16T06:24:41Z")
So I’ve been confused about something: I see Cannae constantly referred to as “double envelopment” but I can only see single envelopment in the battle (Hannibal encircling the Romans.) There’s only one cordon/ring of Car… --- ## [Absorbing / Changing Shampoo Smell](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absorbing-changing-shampoo-smell/821398)
**Author:** [@molten](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/molten)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2018, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absorbing-changing-shampoo-smell/821398 "2018-09-16T04:29:22Z")
I have a shampoo that I want to keep using, but it has this herbal smell that I cannot stand which I can still smell on me days later. Is there a way to absorb the smell (like activated carbon) and make it odorless? --- ## [Are tunnels earthquake-resistant?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-tunnels-earthquake-resistant/821211)
**Author:** [@Barack\_Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barack_Obama)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2018, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-tunnels-earthquake-resistant/821211 "2018-09-16T03:39:46Z")
So a few days ago Elon Musk went on a podcast where at one point he explains that tunnels are earthquake proof, and using a submarine under the ocean during a storm as a sort of analogy. Now I’ve been wondering about thi… --- ## [is it illegal to block in a car taking up your space to wait for tow truck?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-block-in-a-car-taking-up-your-space-to-wait-for-tow-truck/821405)
**Author:** [@helpmeout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/helpmeout)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2018, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-block-in-a-car-taking-up-your-space-to-wait-for-tow-truck/821405 "2018-09-16T01:18:29Z")
So say someone parks in your parking spot a that is assigned to you and they are trying to move out because they see you on the phone and you are calling a towing company. Is that legal or illegal? --- ## [Do the typical household fish stress if the tank is not cleaned?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-typical-household-fish-stress-if-the-tank-is-not-cleaned/821410)
**Author:** [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2018, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-typical-household-fish-stress-if-the-tank-is-not-cleaned/821410 "2018-09-15T22:35:37Z")
Tank water was pea green and smelled. Fish were eating good, swimming and in general nothing was wrong with them. No sores or dead ones or anything. They were just hard to see. Some fish like dirty rivers. Can go sa… --- ## [Outdoor lighting issue.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outdoor-lighting-issue/821377)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2018, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outdoor-lighting-issue/821377 "2018-09-15T21:52:26Z")
I have an outdoor security light on a utility pole provided by the power company that has been in place for around 50 years. A few months ago I woke in a pitch-dark room and it took me a few moments to realize it was bec… --- ## [Chrome updated without asking me](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chrome-updated-without-asking-me/820949)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2018, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chrome-updated-without-asking-me/820949 "2018-09-15T13:12:08Z")
Not a big deal but I thought the standard procedure was to ask if you agreed to the update for Windows applications? My laptop is 2010 vintage with Windows 7 if that matters. Maybe they make Chrome updates a lot … --- ## [Run/Walk in the Sun/Shade](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/run-walk-in-the-sun-shade/821381)
**Author:** [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2018, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/run-walk-in-the-sun-shade/821381 "2018-09-15T12:42:43Z")
I’m running with intermittent shade and it gets too hot so I decide to walk for a bit. Assuming roughly equal parts sun/shade, is it better to run in the shade and walk in the sun or vice versa? Walking in the shade mea… --- ## [Computer vs Youtube](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-vs-youtube/821369)
**Author:** [@KRC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KRC)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2018, 9:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-vs-youtube/821369 "2018-09-15T09:29:33Z")
My computer suddenly stopped playing the music on You Tube videos. There is nothing wrong with its sound system. It sure loudly plays those idiot commercials on news sites. So why doesn’t it play You Tube music any more? … --- ## [How difficult would it be to disappear today in the USA?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-difficult-would-it-be-to-disappear-today-in-the-usa/820684)
**Author:** [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2018, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-difficult-would-it-be-to-disappear-today-in-the-usa/820684 "2018-09-15T06:23:44Z")
Let’s say you want to intentionally leave all your friends and family behind, and start a new life under a new name without anyone being able to track you down. How difficult would that be to accomplish? --- ## [Can the U.S. Govmt FORCE an evacuation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-u-s-govmt-force-an-evacuation/821340)
**Author:** [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2018, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-u-s-govmt-force-an-evacuation/821340 "2018-09-15T03:06:28Z")
What with the hurricane battered U.S. coast right now and a few thread related to evacuation, I’m wondering, can an evacuation be forced? Let’s change the danger from a hurricane to something else. Maybe a military plan… --- ## [The Skeleton of a 600+ lb Person](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-skeleton-of-a-600-lb-person/821254)
**Author:** [@molten](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/molten)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2018, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-skeleton-of-a-600-lb-person/821254 "2018-09-15T02:03:35Z")
So I have been watching some of that show (600 lb life). The people on there they are much wider than an average person. I don’t understand how their skeletal structure allows for this. How can their arms go straight do… --- ## [Why do muscle cars like dodge chargers so difficult to control at low speed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-muscle-cars-like-dodge-chargers-so-difficult-to-control-at-low-speed/821359)
**Author:** [@SamuelA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SamuelA)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2018, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-muscle-cars-like-dodge-chargers-so-difficult-to-control-at-low-speed/821359 "2018-09-15T00:17:03Z")
So I test drove a variant on the dodge charger. Technically this was a trim with 400 or so horsepower, SRT 392 or something with various upgrades. Think these were around 50k loaded Anyways, I noticed that the throttl… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=537) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=539)