# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=702 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 703 --- ## [Are there any places in deep space where humans wouldn't see anything?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-places-in-deep-space-where-humans-wouldnt-see-anything/791490)
**Author:** [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2017, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-places-in-deep-space-where-humans-wouldnt-see-anything/791490 "2017-07-17T21:34:55Z")
By “deep space” I mean “not inside a black hole or underground on a rocky planet” or other types of nitpicking. Are there any supervoids that contain places that are several million light years from the nearest galaxy, a… --- ## [Solve this algebra problem to graduate. What's the answer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solve-this-algebra-problem-to-graduate-whats-the-answer/790982)
**Author:** [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2017, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solve-this-algebra-problem-to-graduate-whats-the-answer/790982 "2017-07-17T20:06:03Z")
In order to graduate from a California Community College and transfer to a four year university, one has to solve this problem. Anyone know the answer? Easy or Hard? x(2) – 25xy + 6x – 5y - 30 ------------÷-----------… --- ## [Getting LTD insurance as an individual?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-ltd-insurance-as-an-individual/791461)
**Author:** [@edwardcoast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwardcoast)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2017, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-ltd-insurance-as-an-individual/791461 "2017-07-17T19:32:12Z")
A friend of mine told me today he’s going to be part of a layoff and his last day is the end of the month. He said he could continue health insurance through COBRA, but his short-term and long-term disability insurance w… --- ## [Hi-Lo, what's the probability of winning](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hi-lo-whats-the-probability-of-winning/791471)
**Author:** [@Mr\_Shine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Shine)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2017, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hi-lo-whats-the-probability-of-winning/791471 "2017-07-17T19:10:19Z")
There’s a game that works like this. You choose a random card from 13, ranked 2-A, bet on whether the next card will be higher or lower. If you’re right, the first card is returned to the deck, which is then fully shuffl… --- ## [Preserving a cookie intact](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preserving-a-cookie-intact/791438)
**Author:** [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2017, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preserving-a-cookie-intact/791438 "2017-07-17T18:05:01Z")
(Mods, this seemed more like GQ that Cafe Society, but your discretion). My daughter decorated a cookie for my wife for Mother’s Day, rather beautifully. My wife wants to keep it so it’s been sitting in a plastic bag, … --- ## ["Silicon Valley Guy" stereotype?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silicon-valley-guy-stereotype/791189)
**Author:** [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2017, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silicon-valley-guy-stereotype/791189 "2017-07-17T16:16:16Z")
Finally getting around to watching the series “Silicon Valley” and it got me to thinking - when did the stereotypical “Silicon Valley Guy(Gal)” change from being a semiconductor design engineer to being a programmer? I’v… --- ## [Using and old phone as a music player. How?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-and-old-phone-as-a-music-player-how/791290)
**Author:** [@MonkeyMensch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMensch)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2017, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-and-old-phone-as-a-music-player-how/791290 "2017-07-17T16:02:03Z")
It’s a Samsung Galaxy s III and was thinking I could use it as a music storage/palyer. Any way to do this? Thanks in advance. --- ## [Question about metric volume measures](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-metric-volume-measures/791302)
**Author:** [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2017, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-metric-volume-measures/791302 "2017-07-17T15:26:53Z")
Here in 'Murica we use English measure for volume. I have sets of measuring spoons that go 1/8 teaspoon, 1/4 tsp, 1/2 tsp, 1 tsp, 1/2 tablespoon, and 1 tbsp. And I have nested measuring cups that go 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/2… --- ## [How do you make something like Twitter so huge?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-make-something-like-twitter-so-huge/791398)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2017, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-make-something-like-twitter-so-huge/791398 "2017-07-17T03:37:19Z")
I understand that the guys who start these things are technological whizkids but it’s not the concept or programing that interest me. Let’s say I’ve just put Twitter together (I wish!) and now I’m sitting at my laptop wo… --- ## [Scientific theories re: causes of pedophilia?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientific-theories-re-causes-of-pedophilia/791215)
**Author:** [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2017, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientific-theories-re-causes-of-pedophilia/791215 "2017-07-17T03:11:58Z")
I am thinking specifically of adult men preying on pre-pubescent girls, if distinctions matter. Anyway, is there any consensus in the scientific community about what causes this? Genetics? Traumatic experience in childh… --- ## [Does it make a difference how hot the water is for dishwashing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-it-make-a-difference-how-hot-the-water-is-for-dishwashing/790727)
**Author:** [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2017, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-it-make-a-difference-how-hot-the-water-is-for-dishwashing/790727 "2017-07-17T02:59:54Z")
I know that boiling hot water is best to kill bacteria but you can’t put your hands in boiling hot water. Recently our dishwasher broke and I’ve had to wash dishes by hand. It has been a while and boy do I miss my dishw… --- ## [Uruguay legalizes cannabis. How does the price compare with other legal/illegal sources?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uruguay-legalizes-cannabis-how-does-the-price-compare-with-other-legal-illegal-sources/790789)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2017, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uruguay-legalizes-cannabis-how-does-the-price-compare-with-other-legal-illegal-sources/790789 "2017-07-17T02:07:27Z")
Here’s the story. I recall back in the 60s when we used to talk about a long-distant future when you could buy pot at your local pharmacist some of us would say, “It won’t be good, man, they’ll tax it up the wazoo, can… --- ## [Why no extension cords?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-extension-cords/542640)
**Author:** [@Heckity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heckity)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2017, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-extension-cords/542640 "2017-07-17T00:23:54Z")
I’ve just purchased a second 9000 BTU portable air conditioner for my home. This is the sort on wheels that vents out a window by means of an exhaust hose. Unfortunately the electrical outlet and window are no where nea… --- ## [What "dangerous" animals attack humans without reason of hunger?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dangerous-animals-attack-humans-without-reason-of-hunger/791369)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2017, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dangerous-animals-attack-humans-without-reason-of-hunger/791369 "2017-07-16T21:59:44Z")
So let’s say you stroll (or swim or whatever) leisurely into the following: A pack of wolves; or A pride of lions; or A few tigers (or cheetahs); or A few sharks; or A group of coyotes; or A group of hyenas; or So… --- ## [Pseudoephedrine works great for a stuffy nose. What about meth?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pseudoephedrine-works-great-for-a-stuffy-nose-what-about-meth/791310)
**Author:** [@SamuelA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SamuelA)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2017, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pseudoephedrine-works-great-for-a-stuffy-nose-what-about-meth/791310 "2017-07-16T20:12:31Z")
Just an idle thought - would low quality ‘shake and bake’ meth unplug one’s stuffy nose like the pseudoephedrine it was made from? What about the high quality recrystallized stuff? Just an idle question, taking up a me… --- ## [Help me understand epilepsy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-epilepsy/791186)
**Author:** [@Anny\_Middon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anny_Middon)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2017, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-epilepsy/791186 "2017-07-16T18:28:44Z")
My SIL was recently diagnosed with epilepsy. Well, pretty certain – they’re going to run another test or two, but the neurologist is confident it’s epilepsy. She is in her mid 50s and never had any symptoms before. If… --- ## [Need to convert (first frame of) animated GIF to JPG](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-to-convert-first-frame-of-animated-gif-to-jpg/791400)
**Author:** [@sevenwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sevenwood)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2017, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-to-convert-first-frame-of-animated-gif-to-jpg/791400 "2017-07-16T16:17:18Z")
While on vacation aways back, someone took a nice picture of Mrs Sevenwood and I using my cellphone. Unfortunately, he must have held down the button too long, and what resulted was an animated GIF. I would like to conv… --- ## [We've a trivial question about searching YouTube.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weve-a-trivial-question-about-searching-youtube/791200)
**Author:** [@janeslogin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janeslogin)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2017, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weve-a-trivial-question-about-searching-youtube/791200 "2017-07-16T14:46:49Z")
(Now we search and then select filters and then select subtitles or cc. Without subtitles or cc the results are worthless.) Is there some way to only get subtitled or CC from the beginning of each and every search? --- ## [Encrypted backups using 'attic' (formerly borg)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/encrypted-backups-using-attic-formerly-borg/791274)
**Author:** [@edwardcoast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwardcoast)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2017, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/encrypted-backups-using-attic-formerly-borg/791274 "2017-07-16T14:35:58Z")
I’m re-visiting the concept of having encrypted off-site backups. The first reaction is, everything should be encrypted because some hacker (or their staff) could get into the offsite backup service and gain access to al… --- ## [If hydorgen peroxide is left in an open container....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hydorgen-peroxide-is-left-in-an-open-container/593046)
**Author:** [@janeslogin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janeslogin)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2017, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hydorgen-peroxide-is-left-in-an-open-container/593046 "2017-07-16T14:19:24Z")
If a retail concentration hydrogen peroxide is left in an open container does it decompose and evaporate or react with something and evaporate or just or evaporate … or what? --- ## [the name of part of the eggplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-name-of-part-of-the-eggplant/791304)
**Author:** [@MaverocK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaverocK)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2017, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-name-of-part-of-the-eggplant/791304 "2017-07-16T14:02:25Z")
I am trying to figure what the name of the part of the eggplant where the stem is attached to. I heard it in the following video between 00:25-00:30: Baba Ghanoush - How to Make Roasted Eggplant Dip & Spread - YouTube I… --- ## [What is the point of these "installer" viruses (Computer Question)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-point-of-these-installer-viruses-computer-question/791296)
**Author:** [@Mrdeals](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrdeals)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2017, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-point-of-these-installer-viruses-computer-question/791296 "2017-07-16T13:21:07Z")
I have a MAC in case it matters. Over the past couple weeks, every time i turn on the computer, everything runs fine for about 5 minutes, and then the render speed of doing anything chugs almost to a halt. Open up my u… --- ## [No such thing as dental insurance (in U.S.)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-such-thing-as-dental-insurance-in-u-s/791341)
**Author:** [@2Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2Bits)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2017, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-such-thing-as-dental-insurance-in-u-s/791341 "2017-07-16T13:14:02Z")
Or that’s what I’ve always heard. How do I explain to people who think they have dental insurance that they don’t actually have dental insurance? --- ## [Railroad legal rights?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/railroad-legal-rights/791128)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2017, 8:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/railroad-legal-rights/791128 "2017-07-16T08:58:21Z")
It seems railroads in the US have strong legal rights. A local town wanted to extend a road over the tracks and they had to close down another road crossing over the tracks to open the new crossing. They could not j… --- ## [Cetacean anatomy: is respirator tract completely separate from digestive tract?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cetacean-anatomy-is-respirator-tract-completely-separate-from-digestive-tract/791194)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2017, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cetacean-anatomy-is-respirator-tract-completely-separate-from-digestive-tract/791194 "2017-07-16T03:35:38Z")
According to the Wikipedia article on cetacean blowholes: I’ve always understood this to be the case…until I saw this video, which purports to show a dolphin that has choked to death on an octopus. The claim in the vi… --- ## [Identifying a kind of palm tree](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identifying-a-kind-of-palm-tree/789919)
**Author:** [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2017, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identifying-a-kind-of-palm-tree/789919 "2017-07-15T23:56:04Z")
Specifically, I want to know what kind of a palm tree has grown–unassisted by us–in a planter in our yard. It’s about 5 feet tall, and has fronds with wide heads and sharp, serrated stalks. We’re having it sawn down flus… --- ## [From diapers to death - how much money does the average American go through in their lifetime?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-diapers-to-death-how-much-money-does-the-average-american-go-through-in-their-lifetime/606670)
**Author:** [@spunkymuzicnote](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spunkymuzicnote)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2017, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-diapers-to-death-how-much-money-does-the-average-american-go-through-in-their-lifetime/606670 "2017-07-15T18:14:22Z")
According to the CIA, the life expectancy at birth for Americans is 78.37 years (https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/us.html). Taking into account all living expenses (the cost to your parent… --- ## [How is size determined, genetically?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-size-determined-genetically/790575)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2017, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-size-determined-genetically/790575 "2017-07-15T15:24:46Z")
How is size information encoded and preserved through generations? Given a particular set of organs and such (morphology?), how do DNA and cells say “keep reproducing and making parts up until overall, the organism is ap… --- ## [Relative motion relative to a moving train](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relative-motion-relative-to-a-moving-train/791101)
**Author:** [@JavaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JavaMan)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2017, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relative-motion-relative-to-a-moving-train/791101 "2017-07-15T14:40:49Z")
Hello world. I’m hoping that someone can help me get to an answer to a problem that I think I know the answer to but just can’t seem to wrap my head around. Picture a train. A regular passenger train is fine. I know t… --- ## [Marine boot camp, how long can females wear their hair?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marine-boot-camp-how-long-can-females-wear-their-hair/791062)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2017, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marine-boot-camp-how-long-can-females-wear-their-hair/791062 "2017-07-15T13:03:50Z")
Hello Everyone, Or daughter had enlisted in the Marines and will be going to boot camp in a month. Are female recruits required to have their hair cut or can they wear it in a bun? From what I’ve read a bun is allowed… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=701) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=703)