# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=67 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 68 --- ## [Lightning strike in Peru - people falling over](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lightning-strike-in-peru-people-falling-over/1009827)
**Author:** [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2024, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lightning-strike-in-peru-people-falling-over/1009827 "2024-11-07T12:24:16Z")
Video here: When the lightning hits (and kills) the player, a number of other players quite far away also fall over. Is this because of the potential difference as the lightning bolt dissipates in the ground? It seems … --- ## [Why does it take 3-10 days to reverse a credit card transaction?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-take-3-10-days-to-reverse-a-credit-card-transaction/1009802)
**Author:** [@ctnguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ctnguy)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2024, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-take-3-10-days-to-reverse-a-credit-card-transaction/1009802 "2024-11-07T08:26:12Z")
Inspired by an incident which happened to me with Uber Eats just now. When I placed the order my credit card was charged instantly, of course; but when Uber Eats cancelled the order (a story in itself) they inform me it … --- ## [Is it possible for a third-country national to get permanent residency for the whole EU?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-for-a-third-country-national-to-get-permanent-residency-for-the-whole-eu/1009824)
**Author:** [@themapleleaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/themapleleaf)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2024, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-for-a-third-country-national-to-get-permanent-residency-for-the-whole-eu/1009824 "2024-11-07T06:30:16Z")
I used to have a very small visa consultancy business in the Czech Republic. Rarely, I will still help someone who asks me with a residency permit application. An old client of mine (we are both Canadian) who I helped g… --- ## [TMI - reduced calorie diets and fiber](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmi-reduced-calorie-diets-and-fiber/994421)
**Author:** [@Common\_Tater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Common_Tater)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2024, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmi-reduced-calorie-diets-and-fiber/994421 "2024-11-07T01:18:16Z")
…OK by way of background information in 2019 through dieting I lost a significant amount of excess weight. More importantly have kept it off. Very generally though, going forward there is an angle to eating less food, a… --- ## [Does Taiwan still claim mainland China?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-taiwan-still-claim-mainland-china/1009589)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2024, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-taiwan-still-claim-mainland-china/1009589 "2024-11-06T14:14:10Z")
We know that the PRC (Red) China claims Taiwan as part of the full nation. And Taiwan qua The Republic of China used to claim the mainland as part of the RoC. My question is does it still hold true that Taiwan/Taipei … --- ## [Penumbral lunar eclipses](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/penumbral-lunar-eclipses/1009753)
**Author:** [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2024, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/penumbral-lunar-eclipses/1009753 "2024-11-06T05:14:40Z")
Most people know about total and partial lunar eclipses, but I learned today about penumbral lunar eclipses, which is when the umbra, direct shadow of Earth misses the moon but it still is in the penumbra, the weaker out… --- ## [Is Starlink a danger to humanity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-starlink-a-danger-to-humanity/937356)
**Author:** [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Replies:** 201\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2024, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-starlink-a-danger-to-humanity/937356 "2024-11-06T01:39:40Z")
The other day, I watched a video on Facebook about Elon Musk’s plan to launch tens of thousands of satellites into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to provide a low-latency satellite internet service to the world. Part of the late… --- ## [Male strippers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-strippers/33126)
**Author:** [@Homer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homer)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2024, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-strippers/33126 "2024-11-05T04:28:32Z")
Seeing as how I’ve never watched a male stripper, I do not know the answer to this question, so I’ll put it bluntly. Do male strippers generally strip with an erection? If not, why would someone pay to see a shrivled up… --- ## [Do Japanese Mothers Masturbate Their Sons To Put Them To Sleep?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-japanese-mothers-masturbate-their-sons-to-put-them-to-sleep/237090)
**Author:** [@Surreal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surreal)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2004, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-japanese-mothers-masturbate-their-sons-to-put-them-to-sleep/237090 "2004-03-31T17:12:02Z")
Is it true that it is not an uncommon practice for Japanese mothers to manually masturbate their sons’ penises to help them fall asleep at night? Also, is it true that in Japan, the parents sleep in the same bed with th… --- ## [How likely is it that the Tasmanian Tiger is not extinct?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-the-tasmanian-tiger-is-not-extinct/579375)
**Author:** [@Dahu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dahu)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2024, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-the-tasmanian-tiger-is-not-extinct/579375 "2024-11-04T21:12:34Z")
I’ve been fascinated by the story of the Tasmanian Tiger (Thylacine). Despite the last known one dying in 1936 sightings have persisted. How likely is it that the species might still survive in Tasmania? Specifically I’… --- ## [Doctor says I have a "Low tolerance for coming in", what does that mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-says-i-have-a-low-tolerance-for-coming-in-what-does-that-mean/1009680)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2024, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-says-i-have-a-low-tolerance-for-coming-in-what-does-that-mean/1009680 "2024-11-04T19:06:04Z")
Had a phone call visit with my doctor, she prescribed me some antibiotics for some sinus pain but twice said “You have a low tolerance for coming in” so I understand she said that but have no idea what she meant by that.… --- ## [When a ship picks up stranded passengers/crew, then what?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-ship-picks-up-stranded-passengers-crew-then-what/1008886)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2024, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-ship-picks-up-stranded-passengers-crew-then-what/1008886 "2024-11-04T18:06:04Z")
Let’s a ship is bound for New York, but it strikes an iceberg and sinks. A ship bound for, say, Rijeka, rescues a number of passengers and crew. What next? Does the Law of the Seas dictate that the passengers be taken to… --- ## [Where does the function TREE take off?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-the-function-tree-take-off/1009636)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2024, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-the-function-tree-take-off/1009636 "2024-11-04T03:41:33Z")
TREE(0)= 0 (I presume), TREE(1)= 1, TREE(2)= 3, TREE(3)= ohmygod. So clearly a graphing of the function TREE would look like a nearly horizontal slope dead-ending against a vertical cliff. Somewhere between 2 and 3; but… --- ## [Into the Valley of Death rode the six hundred...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/into-the-valley-of-death-rode-the-six-hundred/233284)
**Author:** [@Achilles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Achilles)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2024, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/into-the-valley-of-death-rode-the-six-hundred/233284 "2024-11-02T21:33:48Z")
“Half a league, half a league Half a league onwards, All in the Valley of Death Rode the 600. “Forward the Light Brigade” “Charge for the guns!” he said Into the Valley of Death Rode the 600.” \*The charge of… --- ## [Need help with new iPhone and safely deleting data](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-new-iphone-and-safely-deleting-data/1009585)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2024, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-new-iphone-and-safely-deleting-data/1009585 "2024-11-02T18:41:21Z")
I purchased a new I phone. I will be returning my old one for credit. I’ve successfully transferred service and all of the data on my old phone to my new phone. I need to delete the info/data on the old phone before tur… --- ## [Skylon SABRE engine](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skylon-sabre-engine/642561)
**Author:** [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2024, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skylon-sabre-engine/642561 "2024-11-02T16:43:47Z")
We’ve seen some related threads on this, but non directly about it for a while. Seems they’ve just got an endorsement from the ESA and now looking for $250 million in funding. http://news.yahoo.com/british-company-cla… --- ## [What is this (movie model of an) railway artillery piece? (As seen in "Return of the Living Dead")](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-movie-model-of-an-railway-artillery-piece-as-seen-in-return-of-the-living-dead/1009574)
**Author:** [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2024, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-movie-model-of-an-railway-artillery-piece-as-seen-in-return-of-the-living-dead/1009574 "2024-11-02T14:13:19Z")
A couple of days late for Halloween, but I was wondering if any military equipment fanciers could help me identify an odd artillery piece—this model, as seen in the 1985 film “Return of the Living Dead”: … --- ## [If Earth had rings](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-earth-had-rings/1009459)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2024, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-earth-had-rings/1009459 "2024-11-01T19:53:12Z")
If Earth had rings, like Saturn, would we have constant problems with pieces of the ring falling down to the planet and causing catastrophic damage? --- ## [Passport Emergency - Facts Needed NOW \[16-Feb-2024\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passport-emergency-facts-needed-now-16-feb-2024/997654)
**Author:** [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Replies:** 321\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2024, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passport-emergency-facts-needed-now-16-feb-2024/997654 "2024-11-01T16:30:47Z")
I’m scurrying home right after work today because my SiL has a 6:30 pm flight to Paris, and I want to get her to O’Hare a couple of hours before the schedule departure. So, that means last night was the time to get her … --- ## [Ships that appear top heavy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ships-that-appear-top-heavy/745649)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2024, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ships-that-appear-top-heavy/745649 "2024-11-01T12:22:05Z")
Can a ship be truly top heavy and still be sea worthy. I just recently started looking a little closer at ships thanks to my grandsons interest in model ships. Some of the very large vessels appear to be massively top he… --- ## [Were guns ever allowed on planes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-guns-ever-allowed-on-planes/1009444)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2024, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-guns-ever-allowed-on-planes/1009444 "2024-11-01T02:50:14Z")
Wondering about the evolution of aircraft cabin security. For as long as I’ve been flying, passengers haven’t been allowed to carry guns on commercial flights. Was there ever a time when this was not the case? Say, ba… --- ## [Is there a name for the logical fallacy where you obsess over pedantic details to invalidate the opinions of others](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-the-logical-fallacy-where-you-obsess-over-pedantic-details-to-invalidate-the-opinions-of-others/1006654)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2024, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-the-logical-fallacy-where-you-obsess-over-pedantic-details-to-invalidate-the-opinions-of-others/1006654 "2024-10-31T20:19:51Z")
I’ve seen this happen in some arguments. But two that stand out are politics and firearms. People who are very pro firearm sometimes obsess over pedantic details, then think their obsession with pedantic details means o… --- ## [Strange Reflectors on Telephone Poles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-reflectors-on-telephone-poles/588697)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2024, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-reflectors-on-telephone-poles/588697 "2024-10-31T14:44:23Z")
So here I am in Pennsylvania awating my wedding (and a really cool honeymoon). I have been driving around my new hometown. Many, most, of the telephone poles have some sort of odd yellow plastic thing on them. At about … --- ## [Two Facebook questions that are driving me mad](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-facebook-questions-that-are-driving-me-mad/1009235)
**Author:** [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2024, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-facebook-questions-that-are-driving-me-mad/1009235 "2024-10-30T19:48:05Z")
And getting answers on Facebook itself, either through their help or posting it, is impossible. The first one is about Reels. I open and watch them all the time because most of them I see are from pages and people I kn… --- ## [Peculiar technical challenges to Scuba diving...on a terrformed Mars?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peculiar-technical-challenges-to-scuba-diving-on-a-terrformed-mars/1009255)
**Author:** [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2024, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peculiar-technical-challenges-to-scuba-diving-on-a-terrformed-mars/1009255 "2024-10-30T16:10:38Z")
Okay, stripped down to the essentials: say you terraformed Mars, to the extent of not only having an environment suitable for human life, but thawed and/or added enough liquid water to create oceans and other large bodie… --- ## [When (and how and why) did it become acceptable to say "shock \[noun\]" instead of "shocking \[noun\]"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-how-and-why-did-it-become-acceptable-to-say-shock-noun-instead-of-shocking-noun/1009360)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2024, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-how-and-why-did-it-become-acceptable-to-say-shock-noun-instead-of-shocking-noun/1009360 "2024-10-29T20:52:21Z")
I just read a headline in a US paper, “Donald Trump Takes Lead Over Kamala Harris in Shock New Hampshire Poll.” Similarly, I’ve read British papers that say “blah blah blah according to shock claim,” instead of “… shocki… --- ## [Collecting from somebody else's inheritance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/collecting-from-somebody-elses-inheritance/1009297)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2024, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/collecting-from-somebody-elses-inheritance/1009297 "2024-10-29T16:12:16Z")
Not sure if here or IMHO. California law if necessary. Deadbeat dad owes close to $50K in back support. Judgement in hand for years and the DA is collecting the money. Of course DD pleads poverty through hiding money… --- ## [Question about an election ad I saw](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-an-election-ad-i-saw/1009389)
**Author:** [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2024, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-an-election-ad-i-saw/1009389 "2024-10-29T11:01:41Z")
I do not want this thread to continue if I get an answer, and it’s not pro or con to any election side. But I saw, just once this afternoon, on an ABC station, an ad for a candidate who I’m sorry to say I can’t remember… --- ## [Does income while staying in a foreign country usually only count if you are performing work to earn it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-income-while-staying-in-a-foreign-country-usually-only-count-if-you-are-performing-work-to-earn-it/1009301)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2024, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-income-while-staying-in-a-foreign-country-usually-only-count-if-you-are-performing-work-to-earn-it/1009301 "2024-10-29T01:15:21Z")
I realize the answer will be “it depends” since there are nearly 200 nations in the world, so there would be nearly 200 answers. But - if you work for an American employer, but you are traveling abroad on vacation in, s… --- ## [Physics question about the miniseries “Chernobyl"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physics-question-about-the-miniseries-chernobyl/1009362)
**Author:** [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2024, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physics-question-about-the-miniseries-chernobyl/1009362 "2024-10-28T21:58:27Z")
There’s an establishing scene where the composite character "Ulana Khomyuk” takes a wipe and swipes a sample of dust on the outside of her window, then runs it though what I assume is some type of gamma-ray spectrograph,… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=66) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=68)