# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=691 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 692 --- ## [Mixed grounded/ungrounded outlets on same circuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mixed-grounded-ungrounded-outlets-on-same-circuit/792860)
**Author:** [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2017, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mixed-grounded-ungrounded-outlets-on-same-circuit/792860 "2017-08-10T15:25:16Z")
I’m trying to replace a broken ceiling fan. I shut down the power to that room and took down the old one. Of course, no ground wire. I did notice turning off that circuit turned off the entire 2nd floor, as well as th… --- ## [What (In the Simplest of Terms) Does A Pentagram Represent?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-in-the-simplest-of-terms-does-a-pentagram-represent/792638)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2017, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-in-the-simplest-of-terms-does-a-pentagram-represent/792638 "2017-08-10T14:38:45Z")
I guess I can tell you all, about 30 years ago, when I had just turned an adult, I became interested in Wicca and occult in general. I never became a Wiccan or occultist. Actually, strange as it may sound, it kind of tur… --- ## [Anal bleaching](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-bleaching/792975)
**Author:** [@UCBearcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UCBearcats)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2017, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-bleaching/792975 "2017-08-10T14:28:39Z")
Does anal bleaching prior to analingus reduce the risk of disease? --- ## [The Philippines in the Great Depression](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-philippines-in-the-great-depression/793097)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2017, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-philippines-in-the-great-depression/793097 "2017-08-10T13:59:17Z")
I just finished Poor But Proud, a history of poor White people in Alabama. I recommend it to you. Someone or another said that the poverty in the hill counties during the Depression was like something she had seen in Ch… --- ## [Do all children cry at birth?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-all-children-cry-at-birth/793033)
**Author:** [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2017, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-all-children-cry-at-birth/793033 "2017-08-10T13:59:16Z")
Are there any exceptions other than crying for live births. Are children born without a sound or even smiling perhaps. What is the predominant emotion at the end of life…ie moment of death. --- ## [Accidently added oil to gas tank](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accidently-added-oil-to-gas-tank/792966)
**Author:** [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2017, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accidently-added-oil-to-gas-tank/792966 "2017-08-10T04:46:47Z")
Someone I know accidently added 1 quart of 5W-30 motor oil to her car’s gas tank. (I won’t get into how or why it happened.) It’s a 1994 Pontiac Firebird with 3.4 liter V6 engine. Right now her gas tank is near empty. … --- ## [Changing the print area in excel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-the-print-area-in-excel/793185)
**Author:** [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2017, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-the-print-area-in-excel/793185 "2017-08-10T04:06:17Z")
WTF is sup with this program? It won’t stop wanting to print other columns after the ones I select. It won’t change the setting to remove this. It is hard enough to select the area because you have to select the whole f… --- ## [Can someone run for the office of Vice President independently of a presidential candidate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-run-for-the-office-of-vice-president-independently-of-a-presidential-candidate/793119)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2017, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-run-for-the-office-of-vice-president-independently-of-a-presidential-candidate/793119 "2017-08-10T04:03:36Z")
This question was raised in another thread. If I start an independent party, can I run as VP without nominating a Prez to run with? If so, do I need to have more votes the Presidential candidates to get the job? --- ## [Help with vacuum sealing frozen meat](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-vacuum-sealing-frozen-meat/792790)
**Author:** [@Mrdeals](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrdeals)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2017, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-vacuum-sealing-frozen-meat/792790 "2017-08-10T02:36:18Z")
I got some nice steaks in bulked out and frozen. I wanted to individually vacuum pack them to extend the freezer life of them. I am using a chamber style vacuum machine, so it essentially pumps out all the air in the cha… --- ## [An app to alert the viewer to teleprompters](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-app-to-alert-the-viewer-to-teleprompters/793112)
**Author:** [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Channing_Idaho_Banks)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2017, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-app-to-alert-the-viewer-to-teleprompters/793112 "2017-08-10T02:03:36Z")
It’s not always obvious to know when you see someone reading from a teleprompter. It should be easy to program a computer to analyze eye movement. Is there an app that can do this? --- ## [Are there ANY movie stars of the 30's, 40's and 50's who did NOT smoke?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-movie-stars-of-the-30s-40s-and-50s-who-did-not-smoke/175833)
**Author:** [@chuckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chuckster)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2017, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-movie-stars-of-the-30s-40s-and-50s-who-did-not-smoke/175833 "2017-08-09T16:32:57Z")
The film industry has long been criticised (sp?) for promoting smoking in our culture by making it look cool and glamerous, at the expense of the health of our population. It seems every major star smoked on the screen … --- ## [How do these shipping charges make sense?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-these-shipping-charges-make-sense/792628)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2017, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-these-shipping-charges-make-sense/792628 "2017-08-09T15:38:30Z")
I just ordered a watch battery from Amazon (about $2). It is fulfilled by a third party. Economy shipping is free (7-10 days), but if I wanted two-day delivery it would be $50, and overnight delivery is a whopping $130. … --- ## [Building a better mousetrap (coin counting machine)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/building-a-better-mousetrap-coin-counting-machine/793107)
**Author:** [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2017, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/building-a-better-mousetrap-coin-counting-machine/793107 "2017-08-09T10:54:42Z")
There is a change counter at a local supermarket. (I go there almost every work day for the salad bar.) This machine seems to be broken down far more than operational. I’ve seen the repair man there many times but a day… --- ## [Hannibal crossing the Alps](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hannibal-crossing-the-alps/790617)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2017, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hannibal-crossing-the-alps/790617 "2017-08-09T06:04:08Z")
Are there any traces of the crossing- Carthaginian graves, weapons, elephant bones? --- ## [So can the mad Korean bring us to our knees with EMP?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-can-the-mad-korean-bring-us-to-our-knees-with-emp/792839)
**Author:** [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2017, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-can-the-mad-korean-bring-us-to-our-knees-with-emp/792839 "2017-08-09T05:24:07Z")
People ranging from George Noory, (kooky) to Ted Koppel (maybe not so kooky) are raising the alarm. So what is the Straight Dope? Can a rouge leader with a few low yield nukes and a delivery system bring us down by fryi… --- ## [Sat TV/internet question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sat-tv-internet-question/793139)
**Author:** [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2017, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sat-tv-internet-question/793139 "2017-08-09T01:46:10Z")
This is long and a bit confusing… I have DirecTV and Hughes.net. It comes in on one dish. Had it for a long time. Originally just DirecTV. I upgraded to also get internet off of it about 8 years ago. They replaced … --- ## [PA Residents: NE Extension Tolls](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-residents-ne-extension-tolls/793146)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2017, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-residents-ne-extension-tolls/793146 "2017-08-09T01:46:07Z")
Has the PA NE Extension gone cashless? I visited the PATP website, but it is riddled with inconsistencies. What is the deal? I will be traveling tomorrow. And, yes, while I can’t do much about it…I’d like to be forewarne… --- ## [Apollo Lunar Module In-flight Films?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apollo-lunar-module-in-flight-films/792887)
**Author:** [@Common\_Tater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Common_Tater)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2017, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apollo-lunar-module-in-flight-films/792887 "2017-08-09T01:17:53Z")
I’ve been watching some of the early space shots of the Apollo missions, it’s amazing some of the footage and photographs available in recent years. Lately have focused on the Grumman built LM, at Bethpage, NY. The story… --- ## [Question about weight](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-weight/793111)
**Author:** [@damadake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/damadake)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2017, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-weight/793111 "2017-08-09T00:17:53Z")
Hello, I have a question about weight support on second floor. I have a pool table that is approximately 450lbs, 3 piece slate. I weighed each piece and the table. The room upstairs is 17’8" x 23’. I can see in the att… --- ## [How did Native Americans care for their long hair?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-native-americans-care-for-their-long-hair/792973)
**Author:** [@Contemplation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contemplation)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2017, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-native-americans-care-for-their-long-hair/792973 "2017-08-08T23:57:34Z")
How did they care for their long hair? In pictures, Native Americans seem to have long and nearly perfect hair. Now, most of them today probably use modern styling products, but I notice that even the ones that live in … --- ## [Can the mentally retarded drink?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-mentally-retarded-drink/342094)
**Author:** [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2017, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-mentally-retarded-drink/342094 "2017-08-08T19:37:10Z")
I was in a pub the other night and happened to notice someone who looked as though he had Down syndrome drinking with some friends. Now, I know that some people with Down syndrome are intelligent enough to earn college … --- ## [Point Particles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/point-particles/792899)
**Author:** [@abashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abashed)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2017, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/point-particles/792899 "2017-08-08T18:53:31Z")
In physics, what is a ‘point particle?’ --- ## [Is it possible to prevent this terror scenario?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-prevent-this-terror-scenario/792960)
**Author:** [@JakeRS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JakeRS)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2017, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-prevent-this-terror-scenario/792960 "2017-08-08T18:09:15Z")
Let’s say that a terrorist group manages to get a mortar or some similar weapon, maybe Isis manages to smuggle it across the borders, maybe a rogue western officer has a illegal garage sale, either way the weapon ends up… --- ## [Functions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/functions/793100)
**Author:** [@abashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abashed)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2017, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/functions/793100 "2017-08-08T17:38:40Z")
What is the purpose of a mathematical function? --- ## [Moon Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moon-question/792982)
**Author:** [@abashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abashed)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2017, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moon-question/792982 "2017-08-08T17:36:20Z")
Why don’t we ever see the dark side of the moon from earth? --- ## [The impact of index-linked investing on the market itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-impact-of-index-linked-investing-on-the-market-itself/780854)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2017, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-impact-of-index-linked-investing-on-the-market-itself/780854 "2017-08-08T17:02:54Z")
Trying to parse this article that I found on the question but frankly I could use some help giving it a critical read. The idea is that so much of the investing market is now investing according to a smallish pool of in… --- ## [Would ships be more fuel-efficent if they had...hmm..tyres?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-ships-be-more-fuel-efficent-if-they-had-hmm-tyres/793016)
**Author:** [@komolono](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/komolono)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2017, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-ships-be-more-fuel-efficent-if-they-had-hmm-tyres/793016 "2017-08-08T15:21:27Z")
Ok, the obvious answer is - well, I don’t know. You tell me --- ## [Is it possible some Dinosaurs still existed during the Dark Ages?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-some-dinosaurs-still-existed-during-the-dark-ages/792800)
**Author:** [@Reddy\_Mercury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reddy_Mercury)\ **Replies:** 178\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2017, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-some-dinosaurs-still-existed-during-the-dark-ages/792800 "2017-08-08T14:37:05Z")
Not many, but enough to perpetuate myths of dragons? Is there any chance that say, maybe, a lingering family of one or two breeds of dinos survived long enough to create the idea of dragons and sea monsters? --- ## [Climate Change Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/climate-change-questions/792976)
**Author:** [@Reddy\_Mercury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reddy_Mercury)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2017, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/climate-change-questions/792976 "2017-08-07T21:43:22Z")
If the current models/predictions/data is correct regarding climate change, I have a few questions: How long will it take for the sea levels to rise high enough to drown New York City? I mean by what point - 2100? Lat… --- ## [Question regarding osteoporosis](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-osteoporosis/793091)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2017, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-osteoporosis/793091 "2017-08-08T14:19:52Z")
Hi My question is to determine if this 85 year-old marathon runner merely slowed down her osteoporosis or beat it. I couldn’t find any articles to tell me either. I look forward to your feedback. In the early 2000’s,… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=690) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=692)