# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=748 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 749 --- ## [Name the logical fallacy.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-the-logical-fallacy/784130)
**Author:** [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2017, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-the-logical-fallacy/784130 "2017-04-11T21:45:51Z")
What is the name of the logical fallacy which attempts to disprove a statement by claiming the person making the statement has never personally experienced the situation? Conclusion: “Babies should be vaccinated” Falla… --- ## [Car Trouble: 2007 Toyota Yaris Fan Belt Squeaks and Screams](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-trouble-2007-toyota-yaris-fan-belt-squeaks-and-screams/784212)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2017, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-trouble-2007-toyota-yaris-fan-belt-squeaks-and-screams/784212 "2017-04-11T20:51:43Z")
Whenever I turn on my Yaris, and, from time to time (but now always), after I accelerate from being stopped, my engine will emit a horrible screeching sound that I’m assuming has something to do with the serpentine belt. … --- ## [understanding a word](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/understanding-a-word/784182)
**Author:** [@bladerunner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bladerunner)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2017, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/understanding-a-word/784182 "2017-04-11T19:39:23Z")
how do you explain to kids the word chop. yes i know fast strokes with a ax or knife…like cutting down a tree. but they want to know when chop is used only as cut…like will you help me chop an onion,not as chop in pieces… --- ## [Looking for a formula for calculating GDP using the production method](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-formula-for-calculating-gdp-using-the-production-method/784228)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2017, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-formula-for-calculating-gdp-using-the-production-method/784228 "2017-04-11T19:22:45Z")
Hi After searching wikipedia and other sites I failed to find a handy formula for calculating GDP using the production method, similar to the one below. Perhaps someone could suggest which of the below listed ones are t… --- ## [Fullerene](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fullerene/783271)
**Author:** [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2017, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fullerene/783271 "2017-04-11T18:07:37Z")
A few questions about carbon balls. I know nothing about Chemistry. Is there any theoretical limit to the size of a spherical fullerene? Could they be made the size of a pinhead? A marble? A golf ball? A soccer ball? C… --- ## [Any thermal insulation calculators?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-thermal-insulation-calculators/784081)
**Author:** [@JakeRS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JakeRS)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2017, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-thermal-insulation-calculators/784081 "2017-04-11T16:16:21Z")
I want to either make a new dog house or at least improve the current one, which is in a pretty bad shape, since the dog never actually used it and we didn’t take care of it for years. I read that insulation makes a gig… --- ## [Is cancer primarily a mammalian disease?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cancer-primarily-a-mammalian-disease/784033)
**Author:** [@Brodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brodi)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2017, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cancer-primarily-a-mammalian-disease/784033 "2017-04-11T14:44:25Z")
It seems that you mostly hear about varouis cancers in people and different mammals, domestic and wild. But you never hear about it in birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians or insects. I know chickens get ovarian cancer and… --- ## [Taxes: deduction of HOA fees for rental](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taxes-deduction-of-hoa-fees-for-rental/784131)
**Author:** [@Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Do_Not_Taunt)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2017, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taxes-deduction-of-hoa-fees-for-rental/784131 "2017-04-11T13:26:29Z")
Hey guys, Quick tax question (US Federal) I’m sure someone’s run into before: I just started renting out my condo in 2016. It was rented for 250 days of the year. My HOA fees are 400/month. Is it fair to claim a dedu… --- ## [Is There A Way To Guarantee That I'm Buying Genuine Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee or Kopi Luwak](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-guarantee-that-im-buying-genuine-jamaican-blue-mountain-coffee-or-kopi-luwak/783627)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2017, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-guarantee-that-im-buying-genuine-jamaican-blue-mountain-coffee-or-kopi-luwak/783627 "2017-04-11T13:08:02Z")
I’ve read that much of what is advertised as Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee or Kopi Luwak Coffee is falsely advertised as such. Is there an outside agency that guarantees coffee authenticity, so I can check for their symb… --- ## [Google Sheets: Converting decimal time duration to hour:minute](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-sheets-converting-decimal-time-duration-to-hour-minute/784195)
**Author:** [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2017, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-sheets-converting-decimal-time-duration-to-hour-minute/784195 "2017-04-11T05:58:44Z")
I am creating a route card for an upcoming thru-hike. In estimating my time for each day, I’m using the Naismith Rule adjusted for my fitness/ability and the result is a time in decimal format (i.e., 3.47 for 03 hours, 2… --- ## [Solar eclipses: partial vs totality](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solar-eclipses-partial-vs-totality/782593)
**Author:** [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Replies:** 145\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2017, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solar-eclipses-partial-vs-totality/782593 "2017-04-11T03:24:34Z")
I was looking up information for the August eclipse this year. I live surprisingly close to the path of totality, but it’s still something of a drive, and for various reasons I’m not sure whether I’ll be able to make th… --- ## [Why aren't hand carts used more by infantry?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-hand-carts-used-more-by-infantry/783463)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2017, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-hand-carts-used-more-by-infantry/783463 "2017-04-11T02:14:07Z")
They’ve been around for a long time; modern versions with metal frames and rubber tires date back to WW2. Yet the default for infantrymen is still huge and heavy backpacks and equipment belts. What limits their utility t… --- ## [I Know There's a Formula (Taxes On Taxes)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-know-theres-a-formula-taxes-on-taxes/784137)
**Author:** [@Lare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lare)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2017, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-know-theres-a-formula-taxes-on-taxes/784137 "2017-04-10T22:51:20Z")
So I want to take some money out of my 401(k). Let’s say I need $10,000. I also want to cover the tax on this distribution. Assuming a 15% bracket, I need to take out an additional $1,500, so I really need to withdraw $1… --- ## [What kind of bird did this feather come from?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-bird-did-this-feather-come-from/784185)
**Author:** [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2017, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-bird-did-this-feather-come-from/784185 "2017-04-10T22:16:33Z")
My son found this feather in our yard this morning. I’m curious what kind of bird it might have come from. This was found in the suburbs west of St. Louis. … --- ## [If the LHC keeps destroying Higgs particles, will matter have less mass?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-lhc-keeps-destroying-higgs-particles-will-matter-have-less-mass/784176)
**Author:** [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2017, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-lhc-keeps-destroying-higgs-particles-will-matter-have-less-mass/784176 "2017-04-10T20:59:38Z")
I recently saw the Nova episode Big Bang Machine, which covered the discovery of the Higgs particle by the LHC. It did this by smashing protons together and then analyzing the resulting debris. They theorized the Higgs… --- ## [Instagram question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instagram-question/761555)
**Author:** [@koufax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koufax)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2017, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instagram-question/761555 "2017-04-10T20:37:37Z")
When I view Instagram on my PC, I can only look at photos of people I follow, but on my phone I can look at all posted photos even if I’m not following that person. Is there a way to see the photos of people I DON’T fol… --- ## [Question about class action law suit from a year or so back](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-class-action-law-suit-from-a-year-or-so-back/784191)
**Author:** [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2017, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-class-action-law-suit-from-a-year-or-so-back/784191 "2017-04-10T20:23:04Z")
About a year ago I got an email about a class action law suit involving optical drives installed in computers. I looked it up and it seemed legit so I replied. I’ve never heard from them since then. Should I have gotten … --- ## [Cars and electricity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cars-and-electricity/784016)
**Author:** [@dauerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2017, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cars-and-electricity/784016 "2017-04-10T17:49:17Z")
About 4 months ago we got a new battery for our 2007 Honda Odyssey. Three times before today when I went to start it, while it started right up the radio and gps both wanted their codes, so something went dead sometime … --- ## [Is it safe to fly at high altitudes over a large area contaminated with radioactive fallout?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-fly-at-high-altitudes-over-a-large-area-contaminated-with-radioactive-fallout/784087)
**Author:** [@SamuelA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SamuelA)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2017, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-fly-at-high-altitudes-over-a-large-area-contaminated-with-radioactive-fallout/784087 "2017-04-10T17:29:31Z")
Suppose there is a radioactive source on the ground, say a rod of cobalt 60. Since it’s a point source, the intensity of the radiation drops with the inverse square of the distance, and you could fly at high altitude (s… --- ## [Airline Ticket Price inflation during June/July](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airline-ticket-price-inflation-during-june-july/784164)
**Author:** [@No\_Wikipedia\_Cites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Wikipedia_Cites)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2017, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airline-ticket-price-inflation-during-june-july/784164 "2017-04-10T16:27:09Z")
I notice that prices for airfare (esp. North America to overseas) almost double, if not triple for some routes, in June and July; I figure there are more families on vacation with kids out of school, but is that the only… --- ## [New battery tech](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-battery-tech/784125)
**Author:** [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2017, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-battery-tech/784125 "2017-04-10T14:33:49Z")
The article sounds very promising (3+ times the current energy density, much faster charging, more charge cycles, better operating temp range etc) - was hoping that someone who knows his stuff could look and tell me if… --- ## [Computing # of Compositions with Min/Max Values](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computing-of-compositions-with-min-max-values/784145)
**Author:** [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2017, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computing-of-compositions-with-min-max-values/784145 "2017-04-10T13:29:36Z")
I know the formula for computing the number of compositions for a number N in exactly k parts. Does anybody know if there is a formula for the number of compositions dividing N into k parts where there are minimum and m… --- ## [Are there any actual laws/airlines regulations about armrest use?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-actual-laws-airlines-regulations-about-armrest-use/783439)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2017, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-actual-laws-airlines-regulations-about-armrest-use/783439 "2017-04-10T10:36:28Z")
Not, who gets to have their arms on top of them, but whether passengers have a right to insist they be raised/remain in place? Recently I took a shortish flight. I was seated in a window seat, and the man in the middle… --- ## [Why do magnets stay magnets?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-magnets-stay-magnets/783911)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2017, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-magnets-stay-magnets/783911 "2017-04-10T05:58:15Z")
Or, why is there no energy expenditure required for a magnet to continue emanating its magnetic field? With an electromagnet, the magnetic field turns off with the electricity. But that doesn’t happen with an ordinary ma… --- ## [So what would happen if we had a military draft today with so many fat people around?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-would-happen-if-we-had-a-military-draft-today-with-so-many-fat-people-around/784044)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2017, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-would-happen-if-we-had-a-military-draft-today-with-so-many-fat-people-around/784044 "2017-04-10T04:47:47Z")
I was reading an older draft discussion and apparently the SSS did a study that said only 25% of draft aged men would be able to be immediately drafted into the US Armed Forces without either lowering the standards or gr… --- ## [Does antimatter material function the same as matter material?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-antimatter-material-function-the-same-as-matter-material/783872)
**Author:** [@PlaceboTarget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlaceboTarget)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2017, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-antimatter-material-function-the-same-as-matter-material/783872 "2017-04-10T04:17:08Z")
One of the possible explanations of the unsolved problem of baryon asymmetry is that there may be regions of the universe where antimatter dominates. No such regions have been spotted so far but if they existed, what wou… --- ## [Armored Cable In Garage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/armored-cable-in-garage/783779)
**Author:** [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2017, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/armored-cable-in-garage/783779 "2017-04-10T02:59:31Z")
Looking around my mothers garage, planning to clean it out and notice a couple things. Thinking about updating the garage. Is it okay to use regular armored cable in the garage, you know the rope like corrugated steel c… --- ## [Remarriage and burial](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remarriage-and-burial/784021)
**Author:** [@Header23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Header23)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2017, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remarriage-and-burial/784021 "2017-04-10T02:56:07Z")
My mother passed about a year ago. My parents, both catholic, have a columbarium niche with a double urn. My father (83) has just announced that he will be marrying my cousin (not catholic -62) in a civil union. Will… --- ## [How did "big board" strategic combat displays work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-big-board-strategic-combat-displays-work/784102)
**Author:** [@SamuelA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SamuelA)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2017, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-big-board-strategic-combat-displays-work/784102 "2017-04-10T00:23:07Z")
Thisis an example of what I am talking about. Dr. Strangelove and other films have a movie prop version of this, such as in this iconic scene. So the question is, how is this accomplished? The problem with hardwired l… --- ## [Has the US been simultaneously at war with two sides currently at war with each other before?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-us-been-simultaneously-at-war-with-two-sides-currently-at-war-with-each-other-before/783961)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2017, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-us-been-simultaneously-at-war-with-two-sides-currently-at-war-with-each-other-before/783961 "2017-04-09T21:52:29Z")
As of this afternoon the US is actively at war\* with both Assad’s regime and ISIS. At the same time the US launching missiles at Syrian government airbases it is also engaged in a ground and air campaign against ISIS out… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=747) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=749)