# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=563 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 564 --- ## [1999 Jeep Cherokee auto-lock not working](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1999-jeep-cherokee-auto-lock-not-working/817415)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2018, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1999-jeep-cherokee-auto-lock-not-working/817415 "2018-07-14T02:02:21Z")
My 1999 Jeep Cherokee doesn’t get driven a lot since I’ve been driving Priuses. A few years ago I noticed that the key fob was not locking/unlocking the doors. The doors would kind of ‘half-way’ lock and unlock. I cha… --- ## [Why wasn't Blockbuster prepared for online movie streaming?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wasnt-blockbuster-prepared-for-online-movie-streaming/815470)
**Author:** [@TheSundial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheSundial)\ **Replies:** 127\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2018, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wasnt-blockbuster-prepared-for-online-movie-streaming/815470 "2018-07-14T00:18:59Z")
I don’t understand why a company with such wealth and success in the 1990s wasn’t prepared before Netflix existed. Or is a lot of a company’s success in the name? Netflix automatically tells the consumer that it’s watc… --- ## [How many beats per second can human hearing distinguish?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-beats-per-second-can-human-hearing-distinguish/817865)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2018, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-beats-per-second-can-human-hearing-distinguish/817865 "2018-07-13T23:40:52Z")
Let’s say I play the same sound several times per second at equidistant intervals. How many times can I play it per second until I’m no longer able to distinguish that they’re discrete sounds and they start blending toge… --- ## [question about sex-offenders in prison](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-sex-offenders-in-prison/817750)
**Author:** [@bardos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bardos)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2018, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-sex-offenders-in-prison/817750 "2018-07-13T22:34:27Z")
I’ve been watching some prison documentaries on youtube and it seems that one of the things all prisons have in common is a special hate towards sex-offenders. Like it’s open season on them and they are often placed in s… --- ## [Farm Seed Signs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/farm-seed-signs/817838)
**Author:** [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2018, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/farm-seed-signs/817838 "2018-07-13T22:21:07Z")
Driving along in America’s heartland, I regularly see signs with a seed brand and lot number such as this. Although I’m not a corn-plantin’ guy, I can intuit that they want to make clear what specific seed was used beca… --- ## [Painting Inside of Microwave Oven?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painting-inside-of-microwave-oven/817846)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2018, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painting-inside-of-microwave-oven/817846 "2018-07-13T22:11:59Z")
My microwave oven still works fine but the inside of the chamber is horribly rusted because of the moisture generated. I am thinking of repainting it. What kind of paint is needed? Any special characteristics? Thanks. --- ## [Clear, very slippery oily substance coming out of the bottom of fridge, bottem freezer type](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-very-slippery-oily-substance-coming-out-of-the-bottom-of-fridge-bottem-freezer-type/817804)
**Author:** [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2018, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-very-slippery-oily-substance-coming-out-of-the-bottom-of-fridge-bottem-freezer-type/817804 "2018-07-13T16:14:45Z")
No odor, we’ve cleaned the reefer, we find no oil leaking inside. My google searches find information about dark oil, not this. Any thoughts? --- ## [Few drone questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/few-drone-questions/817746)
**Author:** [@JakeRS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JakeRS)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2018, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/few-drone-questions/817746 "2018-07-13T16:10:40Z")
I’m not looking into buying a drone right now, but maybe in the future, so I have a couple of questions. Not including expensive DJI and all that class drones, do most more affordable hobby type drones with cameras (s… --- ## [Accuracy of AC-130 gunship in real life vs. video games](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accuracy-of-ac-130-gunship-in-real-life-vs-video-games/817687)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2018, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accuracy-of-ac-130-gunship-in-real-life-vs-video-games/817687 "2018-07-13T15:36:38Z")
In the computer game Call of Duty, the AC-130 mission is mostly a piece of cake for the gamer as far as accuracy goes; the rounds go straight to where the cross hairs point and all the player has to do is lead the target… --- ## [Fourteenth amendment: any former slaves left behind?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fourteenth-amendment-any-former-slaves-left-behind/817534)
**Author:** [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2018, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fourteenth-amendment-any-former-slaves-left-behind/817534 "2018-07-13T15:22:22Z")
The 14th amendment to the United States constitution established that “all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state whe… --- ## [Cheapest Quality Stevia and Splenda or Equivalent](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheapest-quality-stevia-and-splenda-or-equivalent/817749)
**Author:** [@molten](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/molten)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2018, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheapest-quality-stevia-and-splenda-or-equivalent/817749 "2018-07-13T13:56:38Z")
I have recently discovered that by combining these two sweetners you get an overall multiplied sweetness, to get closer to the sweetness of sugar. I use these on many things but a large part is coffee. For stevia the p… --- ## [Earthy smell after rain](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earthy-smell-after-rain/817799)
**Author:** [@Delicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Delicious)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2018, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earthy-smell-after-rain/817799 "2018-07-13T13:17:51Z")
We’ve been having something of a heatwave for the past few weeks and just now got the first lovely refreshing rain, the earthy smell I’m sure everyone is familiar with is particularly strong right now. I remember hearin… --- ## [Is Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas) actually an anesthetic, rather than a "relaxant"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-nitrous-oxide-laughing-gas-actually-an-anesthetic-rather-than-a-relaxant/817689)
**Author:** [@TheUser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheUser)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2018, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-nitrous-oxide-laughing-gas-actually-an-anesthetic-rather-than-a-relaxant/817689 "2018-07-13T05:21:44Z")
I’m scheduled to go undergo a dental procedure for a deep cavity. The new dentist who will do this procedure uses Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas) with all his patients, not just children but adults too, for all routine pro… --- ## [Identify this rodent](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-rodent/817526)
**Author:** [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2018, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-rodent/817526 "2018-07-13T01:08:35Z")
I saw this animal on a grassy lawn a few feet from a small stream in Eugene Oregon. It looked rather like a rat, but it was much too large to be a black rat or Norwegian rat. I was about 50 feet from it so it’s hard to b… --- ## [Would an exoplanet with a high oxygen atmosphere be proof of life?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-an-exoplanet-with-a-high-oxygen-atmosphere-be-proof-of-life/817811)
**Author:** [@Quintas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quintas)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2018, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-an-exoplanet-with-a-high-oxygen-atmosphere-be-proof-of-life/817811 "2018-07-13T00:34:51Z")
Is there a non-biological way for an atmosphere to retain a high percentage of free oxygen? --- ## [Total Impact of Tariffs and Retaliatory Tariffs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-impact-of-tariffs-and-retaliatory-tariffs/817775)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2018, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-impact-of-tariffs-and-retaliatory-tariffs/817775 "2018-07-12T22:16:19Z")
What is the total dollar impact to the US economy of tariffs and retaliatory tariffs by and against the United States, versus the cost to Russia of any/all additional sanctions that have been imposed by the Trump adminis… --- ## [Which way should my air purifier face?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-way-should-my-air-purifier-face/817803)
**Author:** [@pohjonen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pohjonen)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2018, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-way-should-my-air-purifier-face/817803 "2018-07-12T21:54:28Z")
Unfortunately, my kitten Butters is no longer hypoallergenic. I can deal with most of the symptoms except for the ones that affect my lungs. :frowning: I purchased an air purifier and bought some of the super dooper all… --- ## [So how much money has Stephanie Clifford made over Trump?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-much-money-has-stephanie-clifford-made-over-trump/814857)
**Author:** [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2018, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-much-money-has-stephanie-clifford-made-over-trump/814857 "2018-07-12T21:38:23Z")
Ms Clifford as you will well know has accused the successful TV Host and real estate tycoon of giving her “hush money”, to lie about their affair. Ms Clifford’s errrr day job is/was that of making certain genre of films… --- ## [Editing question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/editing-question/817739)
**Author:** [@Textual\_Assault](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Textual_Assault)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2018, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/editing-question/817739 "2018-07-12T19:20:06Z")
What does “STET all changes” mean when it comes to editing a piece of writing? apparently Bill Simmons wrote that at the top of all his pieces for ESPN. --- ## [Any IFTTT/Smart Home recommendations for this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-ifttt-smart-home-recommendations-for-this/817728)
**Author:** [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2018, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-ifttt-smart-home-recommendations-for-this/817728 "2018-07-12T18:06:46Z")
I have the beginnings of a very minimal smart home. We have a Nest thermostat, added a few Nest cams when babies #1 and then #2 arrived, then I popped for a few Google Home minis when they were on massive discount last C… --- ## [alcohol content of liquor: why do Americans use "proof" and Canadians use percentage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcohol-content-of-liquor-why-do-americans-use-proof-and-canadians-use-percentage/817631)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2018, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcohol-content-of-liquor-why-do-americans-use-proof-and-canadians-use-percentage/817631 "2018-07-12T16:29:03Z")
and what’s the difference, anyway? :confused: --- ## [Aircraft Identification at Hickam AFB](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aircraft-identification-at-hickam-afb/817706)
**Author:** [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2018, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aircraft-identification-at-hickam-afb/817706 "2018-07-12T16:16:53Z")
Here’s the google maps link: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Daniel+K.+Inouye+International+Airport/@21.332324,-157.9548075,1058m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x7ed111b1cbf331df!8m2!3d21.3245132!4d-157.9250736 The Air… --- ## [Do people with late-stage rabies become hostile/aggressive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-with-late-stage-rabies-become-hostile-aggressive/817745)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2018, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-with-late-stage-rabies-become-hostile-aggressive/817745 "2018-07-12T14:44:31Z")
Non-human animals with late-stage rabies are often aggressive and will attack larger animals, including humans. Biting is a common mode of transmission, and such biting/aggression is said to be selected for as a propert… --- ## [Antiphotons.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antiphotons/817766)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2018, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antiphotons/817766 "2018-07-12T14:42:12Z")
Interesting story. As a little kid, I had all kinds of ideas for inventions. When my cat George died of feline leukemia, I came up with the idea for nanites. They told me he died from an overabundance of white blood cel… --- ## [What does Nvidia's RTX actually do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-nvidias-rtx-actually-do/817671)
**Author:** [@JakeRS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JakeRS)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2018, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-nvidias-rtx-actually-do/817671 "2018-07-12T14:35:37Z")
I know what raytracing is, there are Raytracing engines like Cycles in Blender which I’m using and loads of other ones and you can choose to do the raytracing render with either a CPU or a even older lower end GPU, so…wh… --- ## [Were any i.d. tags used when immigrant kids were taken from parents?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-any-i-d-tags-used-when-immigrant-kids-were-taken-from-parents/817651)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2018, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-any-i-d-tags-used-when-immigrant-kids-were-taken-from-parents/817651 "2018-07-12T04:26:43Z")
I’m looking for a factual answer. When families were separated, was any form of i.d. put around the children’s wrists or necks? I’m thinking of the plastic wrist bands you get at the doctor’s office, or some kind of dog… --- ## [Do US federal government entity names mean anything?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-us-federal-government-entity-names-mean-anything/817646)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2018, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-us-federal-government-entity-names-mean-anything/817646 "2018-07-12T02:49:17Z")
Apart from having different descriptions, the different chunks of the US federal government have different organizational names, for example: Federal Aviation Administration Environmental Protection Agency Federal Bur… --- ## [What happens if I let the registration lapse on a car I haven't seen in months?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-i-let-the-registration-lapse-on-a-car-i-havent-seen-in-months/817616)
**Author:** [@theMycon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/theMycon)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2018, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-i-let-the-registration-lapse-on-a-car-i-havent-seen-in-months/817616 "2018-07-12T02:45:04Z")
A while ago, I started the process of selling my car to a friend in need. I knew this person wouldn’t pay me a penny more than he thought necessary to get what he wanted, but in every way that does not involve money, he… --- ## [25th Amendment consequences](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/25th-amendment-consequences/817582)
**Author:** [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2018, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/25th-amendment-consequences/817582 "2018-07-12T01:41:54Z")
The 25th Amendment, Section 4: Here’s the hypothetical. President Elton John Lennon is being dogged by multiple criminal charges. To gather more favorable publicity he schedules a summit in Pyongyang, vowing to person… --- ## [Bottled water shelf life under adverse conditions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bottled-water-shelf-life-under-adverse-conditions/817586)
**Author:** [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2018, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bottled-water-shelf-life-under-adverse-conditions/817586 "2018-07-11T22:14:05Z")
What is the shelf life of commonly available bottled water under adverse conditions? Say you throw a case of bottled water into the trunk of your car and leave it there for a couple of years. Will the plastic leach dange… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=562) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=564)