# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=62 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 63 --- ## [Dash Cam Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dash-cam-question/1011691)
**Author:** [@19USMC69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/19USMC69)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2024, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dash-cam-question/1011691 "2024-12-20T14:48:22Z")
Do windshield-mounted dash cams all require a cord run up or around the windshield from a power source to function? --- ## [Color blind with eyes closed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/color-blind-with-eyes-closed/1011851)
**Author:** [@Kedikat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kedikat)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2024, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/color-blind-with-eyes-closed/1011851 "2024-12-20T13:33:04Z")
I was rubbing my closed eyes, noting the random colors that it induced. I wondered if a color blind person might see the colors they are otherwise blind to when doing this. Is the pressure of rubbing the eyes triggering… --- ## [Why does Kroger have so many aliases?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kroger-have-so-many-aliases/943995)
**Author:** [@CorpusNeptune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CorpusNeptune)\ **Replies:** 161\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2024, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kroger-have-so-many-aliases/943995 "2024-12-19T23:11:17Z")
In my area (Wisconsin), Kroger is called Pick 'n Save. In other places, it’s called Pay Less Super Market, Fry’s Food Store, among other names. Why do they do this, exactly? It seems very meaningless to have 15-20 names … --- ## [Identify this tune, please](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-tune-please/1011877)
**Author:** [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2024, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-tune-please/1011877 "2024-12-19T22:08:04Z")
I’m enjoying watching the fortunes of the Welsh soccer team Wrexham (recently bought by Ryan Reynolds and Rob Macklehenny.) This is one of their chants: Wrexham Anthem (Subtitled) Is the tune ‘Men of Harlech’? Men of… --- ## [What is the record number of assassination attempts on a US President/ Candidate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-record-number-of-assassination-attempts-on-a-us-president-candidate/1011768)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2024, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-record-number-of-assassination-attempts-on-a-us-president-candidate/1011768 "2024-12-19T12:44:31Z")
I am not advocating violence. But, I grow to wonder–which President had the largest number of attempts on his life? Thwarted plots count. --- ## [A problem for people who love math \[calculating component values in an electrical circuit\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-problem-for-people-who-love-math-calculating-component-values-in-an-electrical-circuit/1011766)
**Author:** [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2024, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-problem-for-people-who-love-math-calculating-component-values-in-an-electrical-circuit/1011766 "2024-12-18T19:36:19Z")
I am designing a circuit that requires a resistance value to be calculated (or measured). Measuring it would be pretty simple, but I would like to know if the value can be calculated. Given an 60Hz AC input at 480v, ch… --- ## [Why aren't assassinations more common? (not advocating)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-assassinations-more-common-not-advocating/1011408)
**Author:** [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2024, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-assassinations-more-common-not-advocating/1011408 "2024-12-18T17:23:18Z")
Whenever I see world leaders jetting around, meeting other leaders and doing tours, it is surprising to me that these visits are not more risky. There are a lot of crackpots out there, and, for some leaders, millions wit… --- ## [Legal question about Elon's monetary support of trump](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-question-about-elons-monetary-support-of-trump/1011649)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2024, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-question-about-elons-monetary-support-of-trump/1011649 "2024-12-18T16:52:02Z")
Elon invested some $200 million into electing trump and it’s my understanding that while Citizens United says that super PACs can spend unlimited money supporting an issue, they’re not allowed to coordinate with the cand… --- ## [What would happen if someone ate a bowl of Colon Blow?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-someone-ate-a-bowl-of-colon-blow/1011778)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2024, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-someone-ate-a-bowl-of-colon-blow/1011778 "2024-12-18T11:16:24Z")
Or, god forbid, Super Colon Blow? --- ## [Are Korean names generally monosyllabic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-korean-names-generally-monosyllabic/1011692)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2024, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-korean-names-generally-monosyllabic/1011692 "2024-12-18T05:16:31Z")
Following the news events in Korea I was struck by how the surnames all generally seem to be monosyllabic (Han, Yoon, Kim etc), and the personal names mostly to be monosyllabic, or two syllables separated by a hyphen. I… --- ## [Why is Amazon shipping my order from Australia?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-amazon-shipping-my-order-from-australia/1011683)
**Author:** [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2024, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-amazon-shipping-my-order-from-australia/1011683 "2024-12-17T21:52:53Z")
And since it’s a video game do I need to worry it won’t work on my PS5? --- ## [Q about velocity of a falling object](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-about-velocity-of-a-falling-object/1011179)
**Author:** [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2024, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-about-velocity-of-a-falling-object/1011179 "2024-12-17T19:24:27Z")
If an object weighing between 17 (hen) to 41 (tom) pounds was dropped from an altitude of, let’s say, 2,000 ft., what would be it’s velocity when it landed on the Earth. --- ## [Gladiator II Question \*\*possible spoiler\*\*](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gladiator-ii-question-possible-spoiler/1010469)
**Author:** [@Dahu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dahu)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2024, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gladiator-ii-question-possible-spoiler/1010469 "2024-12-17T18:47:23Z")
In the film, there is a scene where they re-enact a sea battle by flooding the arena in the Colosseum. Now, I understand that this actually was possible and did happen. But in the film there is a shark, and this feels f… --- ## [Tax on gift cards](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-on-gift-cards/1011687)
**Author:** [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2024, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-on-gift-cards/1011687 "2024-12-16T22:49:33Z")
I was in line behind someone at a Walgreens today and the were buying Amazon gift cards. The total rang up with some odd cents at the end. My assumption was that he was charged sales tax on them as I can’t imagine peopl… --- ## [Collecting Pop Tops from Soda Cans - Scam?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/collecting-pop-tops-from-soda-cans-scam/1011266)
**Author:** [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats2)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2024, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/collecting-pop-tops-from-soda-cans-scam/1011266 "2024-12-16T21:10:12Z")
I tried looking this up on Google, but all I can get as an answer is maybe. HR just announced at my workplace that we should save the pop tops from our soda cans to give to a co-worker who is collecting them for some ch… --- ## [Medication ads on TV - actors vs compensated patients?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medication-ads-on-tv-actors-vs-compensated-patients/1011711)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2024, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medication-ads-on-tv-actors-vs-compensated-patients/1011711 "2024-12-16T18:16:28Z")
We’ve been watching a couple of shows on Peacock, where apparently the only products they advertise are prescription medications. We recently noticed one medicine - for breast cancer I believe, flashes fine print saying… --- ## [Who chooses screensavers for software companies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-chooses-screensavers-for-software-companies/1011553)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2024, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-chooses-screensavers-for-software-companies/1011553 "2024-12-16T14:11:54Z")
I’ve often wondered about the standard screen saver photos promulgated by my operating systems. Who chose THOSE specific photos and why. Usually they are landscapes. Sometimes they are MOSTLY natural settings, but alw… --- ## [Whatever happened to 1980s "life extension" authors Dirk Pierson and Sandy Shaw?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatever-happened-to-1980s-life-extension-authors-dirk-pierson-and-sandy-shaw/214630)
**Author:** [@Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnac_the_Magnificent)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2024, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatever-happened-to-1980s-life-extension-authors-dirk-pierson-and-sandy-shaw/214630 "2024-12-16T13:49:52Z")
Back in the 1980s, these two writers/researchers/biochemists were major champions of mega-vitamin therapy and other iffy propositions they claimed would radically extend lifespans and general health. I recall a rerun of… --- ## [Found a can of gasoline out in the middle of nowhere. Is there any way to test it to determine if it's OK to use in my vehicle?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-a-can-of-gasoline-out-in-the-middle-of-nowhere-is-there-any-way-to-test-it-to-determine-if-its-ok-to-use-in-my-vehicle/1004823)
**Author:** [@Bob\_Blaylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bob_Blaylock)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2024, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-a-can-of-gasoline-out-in-the-middle-of-nowhere-is-there-any-way-to-test-it-to-determine-if-its-ok-to-use-in-my-vehicle/1004823 "2024-12-16T03:39:04Z")
So, yesterday. @Seanette and I took our Jeep out on the Volcanoville Trail. Along the way, we came upon a five-gallon (actually, labeled as 20 liters) gasoline can, which turns out to be full of a liquid that certainl… --- ## [Using periods for emphasis](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-periods-for-emphasis/1011620)
**Author:** [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2024, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-periods-for-emphasis/1011620 "2024-12-15T08:08:09Z")
There’s a punctuation style that seems to have appeared relatively recently where the writer puts a period (full stop) after each word in a sentence or phrase to indicate that each word is to be emphasized individually, … --- ## [Website or app to play around with car insurance free of sales harassment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/website-or-app-to-play-around-with-car-insurance-free-of-sales-harassment/1011666)
**Author:** [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2024, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/website-or-app-to-play-around-with-car-insurance-free-of-sales-harassment/1011666 "2024-12-15T07:38:14Z")
Just what it says. I’m thinking of buying a car, there are lots of different components in terms of what I want where I’m living what I’m doing and I would like to be able to plug different scenarios in without having to… --- ## [Dumb question for you corn farmers out there](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-question-for-you-corn-farmers-out-there/1011205)
**Author:** [@Fir\_na\_tine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fir_na_tine)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2024, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-question-for-you-corn-farmers-out-there/1011205 "2024-12-15T06:33:59Z")
The only corn I’m familiar with is corn on the cob. Picked off the corn stalk, coated with butter and salt and eaten. I see videos of large farms where heavy machinery drives through the corn field, seems to cut everyt… --- ## [Shouldn't a drone the size of an SUV be easily tracked on radar?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-a-drone-the-size-of-an-suv-be-easily-tracked-on-radar/1011571)
**Author:** [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2024, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-a-drone-the-size-of-an-suv-be-easily-tracked-on-radar/1011571 "2024-12-15T05:09:31Z")
Several reports make the unsubstantiated claim that there are drones the size of an SUV flying over New Jersey. The Pentagon has shot down a claim that these drones are based on an Iranian (or other nationality) mothersh… --- ## [Was the universe infinitely large immediately after the Big Bang?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-universe-infinitely-large-immediately-after-the-big-bang/1008983)
**Author:** [@hibernicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hibernicus)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2024, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-universe-infinitely-large-immediately-after-the-big-bang/1008983 "2024-12-15T00:35:48Z")
Assuming the universe is infinitely large now (big assumption, I realise), it must always have been infinitely large. Otherwise there would have been a moment when it transitioned from being of finite extent to being of … --- ## [Am I still infectious if my cold is almost over?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-still-infectious-if-my-cold-is-almost-over/1011637)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2024, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-still-infectious-if-my-cold-is-almost-over/1011637 "2024-12-14T21:42:29Z")
Not looking for medical advice, but rather medical information. I’ve had an URI for about three weeks. The last two days, my symptoms have abated quite a bit. I still have a bit of residue, but I feel much better. A… --- ## [My HVAC has a problem, can y'all give me more information?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-hvac-has-a-problem-can-yall-give-me-more-information/1011627)
**Author:** [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2024, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-hvac-has-a-problem-can-yall-give-me-more-information/1011627 "2024-12-14T20:11:18Z")
I’ve had a leak in my ceiling for a a while now, and I’m finally bringing in a handyman to repair the damage. I know it’s not the roof, because the leak gets worse when it’s clear and high humidity. (One of the worst … --- ## [Time dimensionS](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-dimensions/1010090)
**Author:** [@EnolaStraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnolaStraight)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2024, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-dimensions/1010090 "2024-12-14T14:34:57Z")
Instead of hijacking this thread: Was the universe infinitely large immediately after the Big Bang? - Factual Questions - Straight Dope Message Board I ask here: Just what makes a dimension “time-like”, and what preven… --- ## [Fatal hit-and-run - passenger got arrested](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fatal-hit-and-run-passenger-got-arrested/929517)
**Author:** [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2024, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fatal-hit-and-run-passenger-got-arrested/929517 "2024-12-14T14:22:06Z")
In a recent tragic hit-and-run incident in Calgary (Canada), a policeman was killed. Shortly after, it was announced that the driver and his passenger had been arrested. Can a passenger in such an incident be charged wi… --- ## [Corner reflector on the moon thought experiment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corner-reflector-on-the-moon-thought-experiment/1010771)
**Author:** [@sbright33](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sbright33)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2024, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corner-reflector-on-the-moon-thought-experiment/1010771 "2024-12-14T14:11:48Z")
Please correct me if I’m wrong with Facts. All we need is a corner reflector on the moon. 3 mirrors glued together so they are perpendicular. 3 sides of a cube. The other 3 are open. Like a radar reflector on a ship. It … --- ## [Have we reached the peak of media compression technology or is it still advancing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-we-reached-the-peak-of-media-compression-technology-or-is-it-still-advancing/1008652)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2024, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-we-reached-the-peak-of-media-compression-technology-or-is-it-still-advancing/1008652 "2024-12-14T12:41:39Z")
I’m not sure if this is a factual question or not. But my impression is 25 years ago, the MP3 was the best compressed form for audio. It is about 90% smaller than a lossless, non-compressed file. I don’t know much about … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=61) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=63)