# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=68 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 69 --- ## [Name confusion in Spain](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-confusion-in-spain/1009095)
**Author:** [@Hermitian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hermitian)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2024, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-confusion-in-spain/1009095 "2024-10-28T18:03:21Z")
So I was learning how surnames work in Spain. Surnames are made from the first surname from Father and first surname from mother. I also found out that: They do not have middle names. Their most common surnames are a … --- ## [Does campaign spending have any significant impact on the economy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-campaign-spending-have-any-significant-impact-on-the-economy/1009306)
**Author:** [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2024, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-campaign-spending-have-any-significant-impact-on-the-economy/1009306 "2024-10-28T13:01:45Z")
United States presidential election spend ridiculous amounts of money. https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2024/10/total-2024-election-spending-projected-to-exceed-previous-record/ Is that amount of spending impactful on… --- ## [What is the largest re-discovered animal that was believed extinct?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-largest-re-discovered-animal-that-was-believed-extinct/1009212)
**Author:** [@themapleleaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/themapleleaf)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2024, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-largest-re-discovered-animal-that-was-believed-extinct/1009212 "2024-10-28T11:02:22Z")
The thread about the possibility that the Tasmanian Tiger may still be alive somewhere isn’t getting much movement. The premise of the query begs the question? How big does an animal declared extinct have to be before re… --- ## [Can you refuse parole?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-refuse-parole/476269)
**Author:** [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2024, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-refuse-parole/476269 "2024-10-27T05:14:55Z")
Let us say that you go to prison. Doesn’t matter how long. You have a shot at parole. Let’s say that you just plain don’t mind prison. Maybe it’s not a max facility, maybe you just don’t care. Let’s say that you decide y… --- ## [What's happening in this water electrolysis?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-happening-in-this-water-electrolysis/1009176)
**Author:** [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2024, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-happening-in-this-water-electrolysis/1009176 "2024-10-26T19:13:08Z")
My science teacher friend says the blackened test tube is getting the least gas, which would mean it’s the oxygen side. This invalidates my guess and theory, so I’m asking here. Why is the tube getting black at the top? … --- ## [Can I make use of old Social Security information?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-make-use-of-old-social-security-information/1009039)
**Author:** [@GailForce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GailForce)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2024, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-make-use-of-old-social-security-information/1009039 "2024-10-26T17:25:01Z")
I’ve found the social security numbers of many relatives, dead for decades, and I wonder if I can use these numbers to find out information about them, where they worked, their job descriptions, what they were paid, wh… --- ## [Does a bottle of soda go flat faster if refrigerated](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-bottle-of-soda-go-flat-faster-if-refrigerated/1007668)
**Author:** [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2024, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-bottle-of-soda-go-flat-faster-if-refrigerated/1007668 "2024-10-26T13:41:00Z")
Continuing the discussion from Which of these items are in your refrigerator(s) (not freezer) right now?: --- ## [Turkish Airlines pilot dies in flight](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turkish-airlines-pilot-dies-in-flight/1008632)
**Author:** [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2024, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turkish-airlines-pilot-dies-in-flight/1008632 "2024-10-25T20:22:44Z")
Emergency landing at JFK after Turkish Airlines pilot dies midflight (yahoo.com) The flight was from Seattle to Istanbul. The pilot lost consciousness somewhere over Nunavut (a northern Canadian territory). It was decid… --- ## [Car Audio Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-audio-question/1009177)
**Author:** [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2024, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-audio-question/1009177 "2024-10-25T15:25:49Z")
I have a 2013 Chevrolet Impala which only has bluetooth for phone calls. My second installed CD player broke and I am trying to improvise a solution to listen to music until I buy a new car. The radio still works but th… --- ## [Gmail won't suggest or even show my contacts when choosing recipients](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gmail-wont-suggest-or-even-show-my-contacts-when-choosing-recipients/1009117)
**Author:** [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2024, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gmail-wont-suggest-or-even-show-my-contacts-when-choosing-recipients/1009117 "2024-10-25T13:09:33Z")
I’ve verified that the email and label are in my Google contacts, but typing out “John Doe” doesn’t suggest anything, even though I just looked at that name inn my contacts. I’m stumped, and what I found online wasn’t he… --- ## [Different versions of Google Maps?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/different-versions-of-google-maps/1009166)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2024, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/different-versions-of-google-maps/1009166 "2024-10-25T04:44:16Z")
When I use Google Maps satellite view on my phone it is up to date as far as I can tell. But if I look at Google Maps on my computer the area near me dates from 2018 or so. I am comparing the dated satellite images on Hi… --- ## [Have hinges on broken pair of glasses ever been used as murder weapons?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-hinges-on-broken-pair-of-glasses-ever-been-used-as-murder-weapons/1009092)
**Author:** [@Chelonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chelonaut)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2024, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-hinges-on-broken-pair-of-glasses-ever-been-used-as-murder-weapons/1009092 "2024-10-25T00:24:53Z")
I’ve only seen this in fictional settings, so sorry if this should have been in cafe society. This features in AFAIR both Hap and Leonard season 1 and Logan Lucky. Both times in a prison. There’s a scuffle between two m… --- ## [Yamato/Musashi Battleship Quesion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yamato-musashi-battleship-quesion/1009096)
**Author:** [@19USMC69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/19USMC69)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2024, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yamato-musashi-battleship-quesion/1009096 "2024-10-24T21:42:38Z")
I finished an interesting book entitled “Destroyer Captain,” authors James & David Hornfischer. It follows the career of MOH recipient Capt Ernest Evans. In the section dealing with Leyte Gulf the authors state the Yamat… --- ## [Why do some websites not let you connect with a VPN?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-websites-not-let-you-connect-with-a-vpn/1009110)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2024, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-websites-not-let-you-connect-with-a-vpn/1009110 "2024-10-24T21:20:57Z")
I imagine a few might have issues with legal CYA, but just some ordinary website, why stop someone using a VPN from accessing the website? Is it all about their data collection? Just the generic way websites are made? … --- ## [My (deceased) father owned two properties, owed significant money to the bank on one, can they seize the other?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-deceased-father-owned-two-properties-owed-significant-money-to-the-bank-on-one-can-they-seize-the-other/1009074)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2024, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-deceased-father-owned-two-properties-owed-significant-money-to-the-bank-on-one-can-they-seize-the-other/1009074 "2024-10-24T17:26:30Z")
My father owned two properties when he died. Property A was a crumbling wreck with three mortgages, the bank is foreclosing and probably just tearing it down and selling the plot. They’ll be taking a yuge loss. Property … --- ## [Multiple Gmail addresses in contact list](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gmail-addresses-in-contact-list/1009063)
**Author:** [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2024, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gmail-addresses-in-contact-list/1009063 "2024-10-24T13:08:00Z")
I belong to an organization and often send emails to member of the board of directors. Many of these folks have both organization based as well as personal email addresses. so it’s title@orgname as well as joe@gmail.com … --- ## [Metro/subway platform screen doors](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metro-subway-platform-screen-doors/1008961)
**Author:** [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2024, 9:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metro-subway-platform-screen-doors/1008961 "2024-10-24T09:12:22Z")
Just about all new Metros/subways have “platform screen doors” - a wall along the platform with doors that line up with the transit car’s doors that open at the same time. This prevents (or at least increases the difficu… --- ## [Kindle Cloud Reader help: enlarge page for book](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kindle-cloud-reader-help-enlarge-page-for-book/1009097)
**Author:** [@dasmoocher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dasmoocher)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2024, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kindle-cloud-reader-help-enlarge-page-for-book/1009097 "2024-10-23T22:42:10Z")
I’m reading a book on Kindle (read.amazon.com/\[book path\]) but the pages are displayed full length on my screen (Chromebook laptop/Chrome browser; using Firefox didn’t help), which makes the font hard to read. I’m lookin… --- ## [How do people in the public eye deal with the DMV (or your state's equivalent)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-people-in-the-public-eye-deal-with-the-dmv-or-your-states-equivalent/1009024)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2024, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-people-in-the-public-eye-deal-with-the-dmv-or-your-states-equivalent/1009024 "2024-10-23T19:08:28Z")
Partly inspired by this thread. How would someone who is likely to be instantly recognized and/or swarmed with fans (or haters) deal with having to go to the DMV to renew their driver’s license (assume it absolutely posi… --- ## [Military equipment in parks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-equipment-in-parks/1008299)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2024, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-equipment-in-parks/1008299 "2024-10-23T17:08:16Z")
It’s a relatively common sight (at least here in America). You drive by a public park or memorial and they have a tank or a plane or an artillery piece on display. I’m assuming that all of this military equipment has be… --- ## [Caffeine in Zero-Sugar Sunkist Orange Soda](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caffeine-in-zero-sugar-sunkist-orange-soda/1009069)
**Author:** [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2024, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caffeine-in-zero-sugar-sunkist-orange-soda/1009069 "2024-10-23T13:41:19Z")
How can I find out the caffeine content of Sunkist Zero Sugar Orange soda. The 12 oz can I’m drinking from says it has 19 mg. The box the cans came in says there is none. Online sources report both and also report 57 mg… --- ## [How do I recover files from a damaged portable hard drive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-recover-files-from-a-damaged-portable-hard-drive/1009047)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2024, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-recover-files-from-a-damaged-portable-hard-drive/1009047 "2024-10-23T06:15:06Z")
I have a portable hard drive I’ve been using for backing up files. It appears to have become damaged. I bought a new portable hard drive and I’ve attempted to transfer the files from the old portable to the new one. Tha… --- ## [Antenna length for remote control lighting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antenna-length-for-remote-control-lighting/1009079)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2024, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antenna-length-for-remote-control-lighting/1009079 "2024-10-23T02:26:51Z")
My front porch light switch is operated by a Heath Zenith system that has a battery operated motion sensor/transmitter. You can place the sensor anywhere within range and it turns the porch lights on with motion after da… --- ## [Is Venus's surface heated more from above or below?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-venuss-surface-heated-more-from-above-or-below/1009031)
**Author:** [@EdwardFound](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EdwardFound)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2024, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-venuss-surface-heated-more-from-above-or-below/1009031 "2024-10-22T19:38:08Z")
When googling the cause for Venus’s high surface temperature I find only one explanation: solar energy trapped by the greenhouse effect from Venus’s thick, CO2 atmosphere. But the surface of Venus also receives heat fro… --- ## [Why were the Chernobyl control rods tipped with graphite?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-were-the-chernobyl-control-rods-tipped-with-graphite/1008953)
**Author:** [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2024, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-were-the-chernobyl-control-rods-tipped-with-graphite/1008953 "2024-10-22T17:43:54Z")
A question I have after finishing my annual rewatch of Chernobyl. The simplified reason given for the reactor exploding is that when they SCRAMed the reactor, reactivity went up instead of down because the control rods w… --- ## [Does double jeopardy apply in case of private prosecution?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-double-jeopardy-apply-in-case-of-private-prosecution/1008945)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2024, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-double-jeopardy-apply-in-case-of-private-prosecution/1008945 "2024-10-22T11:45:41Z")
Suppose I committed a crime in a jurisdiction that allows private prosecution. I could now clandestinely collaborate with an accomplice who brings a criminal case against me via private prosecution and intentionally cond… --- ## [Looking for an old digital watch make/model](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-an-old-digital-watch-make-model/1008986)
**Author:** [@Ferris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferris)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2024, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-an-old-digital-watch-make-model/1008986 "2024-10-22T07:07:35Z")
I can’t remember much about my first LCD watch, but most likely Casio and it was a stainless steel case, produced some time between 1976 to 1979. Had an alarm, a light button and its most notable feature was four distinc… --- ## [How common are cohabitation agreements?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-common-are-cohabitation-agreements/1009000)
**Author:** [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2024, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-common-are-cohabitation-agreements/1009000 "2024-10-21T16:24:00Z")
Wondering if the vast majority of married / non-married couples go that route. --- ## [How can I download Zoom to my Kindle?S](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-download-zoom-to-my-kindle-s/1008926)
**Author:** [@jebert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jebert)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2024, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-download-zoom-to-my-kindle-s/1008926 "2024-10-21T13:53:22Z")
I am having trouble downloading Zoom to my Kindle. Can anyone give me step by step instructions? --- ## [Car following drones](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-following-drones/1008964)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2024, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-following-drones/1008964 "2024-10-21T12:43:46Z")
The guys who launch Ukrainian drones follow the drone on the runway, “To make sure it takes off”. Why? Can they not see that it is airborne on instrumentation? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=67) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=69)