# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=656 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 657 --- ## [Looking for a reference to a misinterpretation of Aristotle.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-reference-to-a-misinterpretation-of-aristotle/800869)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2017, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-reference-to-a-misinterpretation-of-aristotle/800869 "2017-11-06T07:44:44Z")
Hi I’m looking for a reference to a misinterpretation of Aristotle regarding the concept of nature serving the needs of man. I had come across a reference (but no more) that Aristotle’s concept that nature was there so… --- ## [Legality of a president telling the justice department who to prosecute](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legality-of-a-president-telling-the-justice-department-who-to-prosecute/800625)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2017, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legality-of-a-president-telling-the-justice-department-who-to-prosecute/800625 "2017-11-06T06:12:49Z")
There was some hoopla about Trump wanting to instruct the justice department to go after Hillary Clinton. So apparently the president can’t tell the justice department who to investigate. Which is good, because as Tr… --- ## [Bikers and ball peen hammers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bikers-and-ball-peen-hammers/766577)
**Author:** [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2017, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bikers-and-ball-peen-hammers/766577 "2017-11-06T05:50:59Z")
I was at a wake for an old friend a few days ago. One of his sons is a member of a well known organization of motorcycle enthusiasts. There were a few of his fellow members at the wake, wearing the typical outerwear un… --- ## [Can A Corpse Become A Ward Of The State?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-corpse-become-a-ward-of-the-state/800393)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2017, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-corpse-become-a-ward-of-the-state/800393 "2017-11-06T05:29:48Z")
Here are the relevant facts from a horrifying case of child abuse in Iowa: teenager is adopted. Adoptive parents take out life insurance policies totaling $35K on her. Adoptive parents murder her and go to trial. Althoug… --- ## [Are live roaches and insects normal in salted dried fish from Nigeria?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-live-roaches-and-insects-normal-in-salted-dried-fish-from-nigeria/611369)
**Author:** [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2017, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-live-roaches-and-insects-normal-in-salted-dried-fish-from-nigeria/611369 "2017-11-06T05:26:20Z")
I saw an episode of the show Airline which is a reality show that follows airline employees and their dealings with passengers. In one episode a woman from Nigeria(I think) who was already in the USA and had already pas… --- ## [How many people actually touch down power lines?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-actually-touch-down-power-lines/800606)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2017, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-actually-touch-down-power-lines/800606 "2017-11-06T00:45:34Z")
Maine is still recovering from a windstorm that hit a few days ago. As happens with every storm here, all news reports about it go out of their way to mention that you should never touch downed power lines. The power … --- ## [Does anyone know who did the Paradise Papers hack](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-who-did-the-paradise-papers-hack/800843)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2017, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-who-did-the-paradise-papers-hack/800843 "2017-11-05T23:25:55Z")
A lot of news came out today about the Paradise papers, 13 million documents which among other things show tax havens used by the rich and powerful. Do they know who did the hack? --- ## [Nazi swastika orientation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nazi-swastika-orientation/800703)
**Author:** [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2017, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nazi-swastika-orientation/800703 "2017-11-05T22:37:59Z")
No, not that kind of orientation. I see two versions of the Nazi swastika on display in photos from the 1930’s and 40’s. One where the swastika arms are all either horizontal or vertical, and another where the previous… --- ## [Do eBay Sellers know if you paid with PayPal Credit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-ebay-sellers-know-if-you-paid-with-paypal-credit/800810)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2017, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-ebay-sellers-know-if-you-paid-with-paypal-credit/800810 "2017-11-05T20:46:01Z")
Thread Title is self-explanatory. Follow up, is Paypal accepting all the financial risk? Don’t worry, I value my credit rating and pay all my bills. :wink: --- ## [Criminality of Harmless Act](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminality-of-harmless-act/800124)
**Author:** [@whc.03grady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whc.03grady)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2017, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminality-of-harmless-act/800124 "2017-11-05T20:00:07Z")
Would it be illegal, in a typical US jurisdiction, to, say, dump a quart of water on a stranger’s car which is parked on a public street? Assume the windows are up and there’s nothing weird about the car (like, it isn’t … --- ## [Baking soda in water](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baking-soda-in-water/800658)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2017, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baking-soda-in-water/800658 "2017-11-05T16:08:50Z")
if I were to dissolve baking soda in water and then evaporate the water would the baking soda still be there or would the entire solution evaporate away? --- ## [A gecko in the house.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-gecko-in-the-house/798868)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2017, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-gecko-in-the-house/798868 "2017-11-05T12:35:05Z")
We have seen Mediterranean house geckos outside, but Mrs. Plant (v.3.0) found one living near the aquarium stand. We would like to capture him and take him outside before the cat gets him. Temps will remain warm in Arkan… --- ## [What makes an apple variety resistant to browning?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-an-apple-variety-resistant-to-browning/800554)
**Author:** [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2017, 9:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-an-apple-variety-resistant-to-browning/800554 "2017-11-05T09:47:31Z")
Last weekend I picked up a fairly new variety of apple, SnowSweet. The fruit is very very white when you cut it open, and it doesn’t really brown. 24 hrs ago, I cut one up into slices. 5 hrs later, after sitting on the c… --- ## [Legality of carrying and using a weapon designed as a weapon vs using a tool as a weapon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legality-of-carrying-and-using-a-weapon-designed-as-a-weapon-vs-using-a-tool-as-a-weapon/800556)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2017, 9:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legality-of-carrying-and-using-a-weapon-designed-as-a-weapon-vs-using-a-tool-as-a-weapon/800556 "2017-11-05T09:27:05Z")
Don’t need answer fast in case anyone wonders. I’ve heard some bikers will carry a ball peen hammer because they can use it as a weapon, but if they get stopped by police they can claim it is a tool they need to fix the… --- ## [Kodi for Dummies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kodi-for-dummies/799462)
**Author:** [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2017, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kodi-for-dummies/799462 "2017-11-05T05:15:50Z")
I had a conversation a few weeks ago about TV viewing habits. My friend told me about Kodi: greatest thing since sliced bread. Any movie, any TV program … live TV …local channels … all streamed, all free. So I went ou… --- ## [What kind of gun is this](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-gun-is-this/800702)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2017, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-gun-is-this/800702 "2017-11-05T02:13:42Z")
Found on a hike. --- ## [Rules about recording Supreme Court proceedings](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-about-recording-supreme-court-proceedings/800638)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2017, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-about-recording-supreme-court-proceedings/800638 "2017-11-04T21:35:59Z")
When I listen to news coverage on NPR of US Supreme Court cases, the reporter (Nina Totenberg) always reads a transcript of the proceedings. This can be pretty dry. I had assumed that recordings must be prohibited. I ha… --- ## [Which is the safest form of travelling/commuting?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-the-safest-form-of-travelling-commuting/800520)
**Author:** [@Contemplation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contemplation)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2017, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-the-safest-form-of-travelling-commuting/800520 "2017-11-04T19:22:12Z")
Walking, Bicycling, Car, Motorcycle, Bus, or Train? I left out boat and airplane because I’m talking medium distances, not long distances. Many statistics show that walking is much more dangerous per miles traveled tha… --- ## [Toe walking vs heel walking--benefits/drawbacks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toe-walking-vs-heel-walking-benefits-drawbacks/800646)
**Author:** [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2017, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toe-walking-vs-heel-walking-benefits-drawbacks/800646 "2017-11-04T18:06:38Z")
Inspired by this video: - YouTube I decided to try toe-first walking on my daily (rather rigorous) constitutional. It was difficult at first, and my calves were very sore, but I got accustomed to it pretty quickly. I… --- ## [Copying one word in an article copies the entire link. How?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copying-one-word-in-an-article-copies-the-entire-link-how/800679)
**Author:** [@Quintas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quintas)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2017, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copying-one-word-in-an-article-copies-the-entire-link-how/800679 "2017-11-04T16:06:59Z")
How does this work and is there a way to stop it? On some websites if you highlight and copy a word because you want the definition or read more about it for example. Paste the word into a new tab or browser and it past… --- ## [New job: Third party requesting sensitive data ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-job-third-party-requesting-sensitive-data/800483)
**Author:** [@steatopygia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steatopygia)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2017, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-job-third-party-requesting-sensitive-data/800483 "2017-11-04T15:36:06Z")
Sorry if the thread title isn’t clear. I have a seasonal job that for whatever reason treats me as a new employee every year. In the past I’ve been able to able to complete much of the on boarding process from home. Th… --- ## [How do I Skype?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-skype/800256)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2017, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-skype/800256 "2017-11-04T15:25:52Z")
I have to do a presentation remotely in a couple of days, by Skype? However do you Skype? It’s by my computer right? Or my phone? Assume I know nothing - because I don’t. --- ## [New tax plan, computing power, actual impact on taxpayers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-tax-plan-computing-power-actual-impact-on-taxpayers/800591)
**Author:** [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2017, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-tax-plan-computing-power-actual-impact-on-taxpayers/800591 "2017-11-04T15:04:12Z")
How hard would it be to create a program that takes an individual’s/business’ 2016 numbers and calculates what they would have paid under the new plan? I understand that the proposed plan is not what will finally be vote… --- ## [Why three primary colors? And why red, yellow, and blue?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-three-primary-colors-and-why-red-yellow-and-blue/800583)
**Author:** [@PlaceboTarget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlaceboTarget)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2017, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-three-primary-colors-and-why-red-yellow-and-blue/800583 "2017-11-04T13:49:37Z")
I was wondering if there is a mathematic(-like) reason why there should be 3 primary colors and why these are red, yellow and blue. --- ## [Bugging the White House](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bugging-the-white-house/800404)
**Author:** [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2017, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bugging-the-white-house/800404 "2017-11-04T08:00:26Z")
In this thread, BobLibDem asked about the practicality of putting a wire on an informant within the White House. I am more interested in the legal aspects. Suppose Mueller had a mole in the White House, and wanted said… --- ## [What is the difference between a salon, parlor, drawing room, sitting room, boudoir?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-difference-between-a-salon-parlor-drawing-room-sitting-room-boudoir/329559)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2017, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-difference-between-a-salon-parlor-drawing-room-sitting-room-boudoir/329559 "2017-11-04T06:14:06Z")
This week I was in Chicago for a job interview and I visited the Art Institute of Chicago. Among other things, I saw the “Thorne Miniature Rooms” – http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/thorne/index.php – a set of miniat… --- ## [Gingivitis Treatment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gingivitis-treatment/800632)
**Author:** [@molten](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/molten)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2017, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gingivitis-treatment/800632 "2017-11-04T02:34:00Z")
I’m wondering if there is a way to avoid the constant cleanings every six months. Has anyone used one of the special mouthwashes they sell on Amazon? I heard some anecdotes regarding Periogen, but I could not find any s… --- ## [Residential well water problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/residential-well-water-problem/800504)
**Author:** [@Fosterj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fosterj)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2017, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/residential-well-water-problem/800504 "2017-11-03T23:17:36Z")
I have a new home with a residential well. My neighbors water tastes great (about 1000 feet away) and tests very well. my water is super high in iron and manganese 10x recommended levels. My neighbors well is 80 feet dee… --- ## [Light problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/light-problem/800455)
**Author:** [@Ajhamby1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ajhamby1)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2017, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/light-problem/800455 "2017-11-03T22:05:25Z")
I have an outdoor light that onlys works sometimes. If u forget to turn switch off it will just come on sometimes and yhen go off. Sometimes in minutes. Sometimes hours. When it is on switch operates light as it should. … --- ## [Highest rank at which someone would still be a military pilot](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highest-rank-at-which-someone-would-still-be-a-military-pilot/800044)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2017, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highest-rank-at-which-someone-would-still-be-a-military-pilot/800044 "2017-11-03T21:02:36Z")
By the time someone reaches, say, the rank of lieutenant colonel, would they no longer be at the physical controls of a military aircraft such as a fighter jet? What’s the highest rank at which someone would still be fl… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=655) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=657)