# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=548 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 549 --- ## [Is there a better way of writing speeds very close to c?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-better-way-of-writing-speeds-very-close-to-c/819956)
**Author:** [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2018, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-better-way-of-writing-speeds-very-close-to-c/819956 "2018-08-22T01:37:38Z")
Any discussion on, say, interstellar travel, seems to rapidly devolve into repeating the word “nine” many times. Is there a better way? All I can think is saying “99 point, followed by ten nines, percent” or “within 1x… --- ## [Has anyone ever been awarded a medal posthumously then its found out they're still alive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-been-awarded-a-medal-posthumously-then-its-found-out-theyre-still-alive/819856)
**Author:** [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2018, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-been-awarded-a-medal-posthumously-then-its-found-out-theyre-still-alive/819856 "2018-08-22T01:20:30Z")
As the question asks, I imagine that in the confusion of war it must have happened sometime somewhere that someone has been awarded a medal posthumously in the believe that they had been killed but they turn up later sti… --- ## [How did people think about probabilities before statistics was an established mathematical field?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-people-think-about-probabilities-before-statistics-was-an-established-mathematical-field/819933)
**Author:** [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2018, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-people-think-about-probabilities-before-statistics-was-an-established-mathematical-field/819933 "2018-08-21T23:49:38Z")
Games of chance have existed for thousands of years–well before people understood statistics and probabilities as a mathematical science. And back then, imperfect materials would be used in these games, which would natu… --- ## [How to find friends on Facebook](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-friends-on-facebook/819997)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2018, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-friends-on-facebook/819997 "2018-08-21T20:15:46Z")
It has been a long time since I tried to find a friend on FB, but I tried just now and was asked for email and password, which I supplied. It then claimed it could not read my contact list at that address. I never aske… --- ## [Why does Internet Explorer hide Adblock Plus?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-internet-explorer-hide-adblock-plus/819989)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2018, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-internet-explorer-hide-adblock-plus/819989 "2018-08-21T19:16:12Z")
I want to read an article in The Seattle Times, but Adblock Plus is turned on. To turn it off for The Seattle Times in Chrome, all I have to do is click on the ABP icon and say it’s OK. In IE, I still haven’t found it.… --- ## [Is it safe to put out a joint on one of those "burn-resistant" plastic ashtrays and smoke it later?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-put-out-a-joint-on-one-of-those-burn-resistant-plastic-ashtrays-and-smoke-it-later/819925)
**Author:** [@greenpurple](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/greenpurple)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2018, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-put-out-a-joint-on-one-of-those-burn-resistant-plastic-ashtrays-and-smoke-it-later/819925 "2018-08-21T19:02:26Z")
I’m paranoid about the high temperature contact with the plastic and ending up smoking something toxic after relighting later. --- ## [Cleopatra](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleopatra/819895)
**Author:** [@cjackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjackson)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2018, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleopatra/819895 "2018-08-21T18:34:19Z")
Was she mummified? Is her her burial site still undiscovered? Would actually finding her be bigger than discovering Tutankhamun’s tomb? --- ## [Bunkers under Washington](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bunkers-under-washington/819830)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2018, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bunkers-under-washington/819830 "2018-08-21T18:09:07Z")
Wikipedia has a neat article about military citadels under London. (I seem to have forgotten how to do a link correctly, I put it at the bottom.) There is also a neat article about the defenses of Paris. The only thing w… --- ## [Employers' obligation to confirm someone's employment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/employers-obligation-to-confirm-someones-employment/819784)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2018, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/employers-obligation-to-confirm-someones-employment/819784 "2018-08-21T17:57:15Z")
I have a temperamental acquaintance who runs a small nonprofit organization. Got a call from someone asking for employment verification for a person and said “Oh, HER, she was a disaster, I’m not going to go into that b… --- ## [Can anyone identify this small bug (beetle?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-small-bug-beetle/819972)
**Author:** [@CanTak3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanTak3)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2018, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-small-bug-beetle/819972 "2018-08-21T16:26:37Z")
Very small. Appears to be brown but in some lights it also can look black. Has 6 legs plus 2 antennae. My wife said she saw one fly once. It mostly appears in bathrooms on tile floors and on hard counters. I have not fou… --- ## [Can you change your subconsciousness by repeating sentences?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-change-your-subconsciousness-by-repeating-sentences/819977)
**Author:** [@JakeRS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JakeRS)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2018, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-change-your-subconsciousness-by-repeating-sentences/819977 "2018-08-21T15:21:02Z")
I have agoraphobia and a way too strong reaction to the sight of blood, I think it’s called vasovagal response, in ancient history some people had that and basically that response tells your body to black out (lose consc… --- ## [Any way to view a stripped-down Google Map (no landmarks, businesses, etc.)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-way-to-view-a-stripped-down-google-map-no-landmarks-businesses-etc/819912)
**Author:** [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2018, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-way-to-view-a-stripped-down-google-map-no-landmarks-businesses-etc/819912 "2018-08-21T13:40:21Z")
I am looking to view a Google Map of a city that leaves off the names of retail businesses, hotels, restaurants, and the like. Geographical names and street names are OK, but not required. Is there any way to view a Goo… --- ## [What home AC appliances are safe to run off a Conventional AC portable generator?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-home-ac-appliances-are-safe-to-run-off-a-conventional-ac-portable-generator/819723)
**Author:** [@Loyuod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loyuod)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2018, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-home-ac-appliances-are-safe-to-run-off-a-conventional-ac-portable-generator/819723 "2018-08-21T12:45:41Z")
Looking to buy a Green Power cc2500 for recreational use & wanting to know if I can run a typical AC battery charger & your typical AC charger adaptors found on Laptops & Phones etc. This Generator is not an inverter p… --- ## [Electrolysis of sea water; chlorine production.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrolysis-of-sea-water-chlorine-production/819943)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2018, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrolysis-of-sea-water-chlorine-production/819943 "2018-08-21T12:38:44Z")
An electrolysis device is used to kill marine aquarium pests, glass anemones and majano anemones. The device uses electrolysis to change the water in the anemones bodies to hydrogen and oxygen, obviously killing the pest… --- ## [reset my Linksys router password](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reset-my-linksys-router-password/695664)
**Author:** [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2014, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reset-my-linksys-router-password/695664 "2014-08-16T07:03:02Z")
I can log into my router but can’t figure out how to change the password. Got a user I no longer want to have access to the connection. Any advice? Thanks. --- ## [Stereotyping the French as onion farmers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stereotyping-the-french-as-onion-farmers/819795)
**Author:** [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2018, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stereotyping-the-french-as-onion-farmers/819795 "2018-08-21T05:54:14Z")
I am a fan of the collaborative team, Heide Goody and Iain Grant\* who write unabashedly British comic novels with fantastic elements in them. In their latest offering, A Spell in the Country, one of the characters from … --- ## [Problem posting to my FB wall](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-posting-to-my-fb-wall/819844)
**Author:** [@Shinna\_Minna\_Ma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shinna_Minna_Ma)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2018, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-posting-to-my-fb-wall/819844 "2018-08-21T04:26:26Z")
Last night, my daughter pointed out that she was unable to post to my FB wall. Sure enough, even though my settings are set to allow friends to post, they can’t. I used the “view profile” feature, entered the names of se… --- ## [Brit Dopers: a question about job opportunities for (legally resident) foreigners](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brit-dopers-a-question-about-job-opportunities-for-legally-resident-foreigners/819580)
**Author:** [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2018, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brit-dopers-a-question-about-job-opportunities-for-legally-resident-foreigners/819580 "2018-08-21T00:37:32Z")
No, I’m not contemplating moving to the U.K. - to make a long story short, an old friend of mine from college has lived there for ~ 20 years, is married to a Brit, and is saying it’s been extremely difficult to impossibl… --- ## [Will fasting clear out your arteries?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-fasting-clear-out-your-arteries/304434)
**Author:** [@Cagey\_Drifter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cagey_Drifter)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2018, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-fasting-clear-out-your-arteries/304434 "2018-08-20T23:16:33Z")
Some people are very fervent about regular fasting to improve their physical and mental health (Gandhi was one of those people). While it seems easy to ridicule on a logical level (your body needs food to survive, duh!),… --- ## [Helicopter flying through canyon - sideways?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/helicopter-flying-through-canyon-sideways/819787)
**Author:** [@GMANCANADA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GMANCANADA)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2018, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/helicopter-flying-through-canyon-sideways/819787 "2018-08-20T23:03:14Z")
I recently watched the new Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle movie starring “The Rock”: Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017) - IMDb There is one CGI’d scene where the characters are in a helicopter flying through a vertic… --- ## [Could I Use The Moon as a Billboard?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-use-the-moon-as-a-billboard/819687)
**Author:** [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2018, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-use-the-moon-as-a-billboard/819687 "2018-08-20T22:27:30Z")
Let’s say someone invents a ridiculously high powered projector. With this new tech, Coca-cola decide to do a Christmas publicity stunt in which they illuminate the face of the moon with their branding. Is there an inte… --- ## [Help diagnose what's wrong with the refrigerated truck.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-diagnose-whats-wrong-with-the-refrigerated-truck/819705)
**Author:** [@Mrdeals](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrdeals)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2018, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-diagnose-whats-wrong-with-the-refrigerated-truck/819705 "2018-08-20T21:58:40Z")
I had a belt to the compressor go out the other day, so i emptied the contents, changed the belt, and turned it back on. The problem is now with the inside of the box, the condenser just ices up, no blowing of cold air,… --- ## [How smart is protein in divvying itself up to worked out muscles?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-smart-is-protein-in-divvying-itself-up-to-worked-out-muscles/819904)
**Author:** [@squish7](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squish7)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2018, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-smart-is-protein-in-divvying-itself-up-to-worked-out-muscles/819904 "2018-08-20T15:38:45Z")
If you do bicep curls with your right arm all day long, and have a protein shake, is your body smart enough to divert most of the protein to the right bicep, or does it try to equally distribute throughout the body, so t… --- ## [Is epoxy inert once set?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-epoxy-inert-once-set/819825)
**Author:** [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2018, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-epoxy-inert-once-set/819825 "2018-08-20T12:48:45Z")
I have here a brand new container of two-part epoxy resin. It has a “this product contains” warning on it – something I don’t recall seeing before on epoxy labels. Might be a new ingredient or a new regulation, I don’t k… --- ## [Is retroactive legislation constitutional?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-retroactive-legislation-constitutional/819744)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2018, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-retroactive-legislation-constitutional/819744 "2018-08-20T12:39:26Z")
There’s some talk in Pennsylvania following the report on child molestation and the clergy of introducing retroactive legislation to abolish time limits on prosecution to enable victims to seek justice even though the st… --- ## [The logistics of getting custom things made from fantastic materials](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-logistics-of-getting-custom-things-made-from-fantastic-materials/481805)
**Author:** [@Randy\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randy_Seltzer)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2018, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-logistics-of-getting-custom-things-made-from-fantastic-materials/481805 "2018-08-20T08:47:23Z")
Over in the thread about tungsten carbide wedding rings, I asked about getting a ring made of another unusual material, rhenium diboride. This is something I’ve been idly pondering for a while. I am NOT in the market f… --- ## [How does hypnosis block pain?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-hypnosis-block-pain/813533)
**Author:** [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2018, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-hypnosis-block-pain/813533 "2018-08-20T07:35:10Z")
I’ve read a few credible accounts by doctors and patients where women under hypnosis but on no other medications went through childbirth and felt no pain. I understand that hypnosis is merely a deeply relaxed, suggestibl… --- ## [Probability of getting items 1-N when selecting from population of 1-M (M\>N)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probability-of-getting-items-1-n-when-selecting-from-population-of-1-m-m-n/819758)
**Author:** [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2018, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probability-of-getting-items-1-n-when-selecting-from-population-of-1-m-m-n/819758 "2018-08-20T05:29:55Z")
This sounds kind of like homework, but it’s not. Some backstory on how this came up: A friend and I were talking about some questions related to a language puzzle that had been presented to him as a coding problem for an… --- ## [What role did Michael avenatti play in Michael Cohen and his trouble with the law](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-role-did-michael-avenatti-play-in-michael-cohen-and-his-trouble-with-the-law/819898)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2018, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-role-did-michael-avenatti-play-in-michael-cohen-and-his-trouble-with-the-law/819898 "2018-08-20T03:23:19Z")
I am under the impression Cohen is being investigated because Mueller handed some information over to the new york federal attorney, which led to the raid. Did Michael avenatti have anything to do with Cohens legal trou… --- ## [Amish Food Preservation.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amish-food-preservation/819539)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2018, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amish-food-preservation/819539 "2018-08-19T22:07:15Z")
I was recently watching this program on satellite TV. It was about the Amish. Lovely people. Did you know they are all pacifists? Truly admirable. Anyways, they are apparently very sociable too. In fact, in the summerti… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=547) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=549)