# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=802 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 803 --- ## [DAB digital radio cuts off at same spot on drive to work](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dab-digital-radio-cuts-off-at-same-spot-on-drive-to-work/775077)
**Author:** [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2016, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dab-digital-radio-cuts-off-at-same-spot-on-drive-to-work/775077 "2016-12-19T11:40:14Z")
Every day on my commute to work my digital radio cuts out at the same spot on the road for a second or two. Every time without fail. On both journeys to and fro. Its an open road without any overt barriers or hills, tree… --- ## [Can someone explain a profits interest to me?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-a-profits-interest-to-me/775092)
**Author:** [@kwc27](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kwc27)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2016, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-a-profits-interest-to-me/775092 "2016-12-19T11:27:57Z")
I started work at a brand new company. We are building a $100 million manufacturing facility and once it is done being built in two months, I will be an operator. I came for the money and benefits but they also offered a… --- ## [My boyfriend and I are buying 2 acres and want to build a log cabin](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-boyfriend-and-i-are-buying-2-acres-and-want-to-build-a-log-cabin/773908)
**Author:** [@hpanderson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hpanderson)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2016, 9:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-boyfriend-and-i-are-buying-2-acres-and-want-to-build-a-log-cabin/773908 "2016-12-19T09:28:44Z")
My boyfriend and I want to build a log cabin on 2 acres of land. He is an excavator and will clear the land out before we build the log cabin…but we have no idea where to start or the things that will come up that we sho… --- ## [Trans gender question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trans-gender-question/774219)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2016, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trans-gender-question/774219 "2016-12-19T04:19:41Z")
Hello Everyone, When someone is referred to as a transgendered woman does that mean that person was born a woman and is now living as a man or does it mean a person born as a man is now living as a woman? --- ## [Does it do any good to "block" spam calls?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-it-do-any-good-to-block-spam-calls/774877)
**Author:** [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2016, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-it-do-any-good-to-block-spam-calls/774877 "2016-12-19T03:18:40Z")
I get 3 or 4 calls on my cell phone from out of state callers. Most of the time I just “hang up” when I see that the call is from out of state, but sometimes I answer only to find that someone is trying to give me a trip… --- ## [Photography: Why do some lens hoods have such deep notches?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photography-why-do-some-lens-hoods-have-such-deep-notches/775097)
**Author:** [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2016, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photography-why-do-some-lens-hoods-have-such-deep-notches/775097 "2016-12-19T02:30:31Z")
Someone on my FB friends’ list just posted an article about a very large camera lens. The photo with the article looked like the lens hood had notches/extensions 8 inches long. What is the purpose of such long extensions… --- ## [Is it legal for a cop to pull you over if you haven't done anything wrong?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-a-cop-to-pull-you-over-if-you-havent-done-anything-wrong/741226)
**Author:** [@zombywoof](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zombywoof)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2016, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-a-cop-to-pull-you-over-if-you-havent-done-anything-wrong/741226 "2016-12-19T01:27:45Z")
Question based on this article in my local news (about cops pulling over drivers who aren’t doing anything wrong to award them with Wal-Mart gift cards.) --- ## [How rare are female child molesters?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-rare-are-female-child-molesters/775017)
**Author:** [@protoboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/protoboard)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2016, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-rare-are-female-child-molesters/775017 "2016-12-19T01:12:23Z")
I find it interesting how on To Catch a Predator they only ever found one female pedophile in all of their stings. Why do you think that is? Is it because female molesters are exceptionally rare, or is it because they’d … --- ## [Has anybody ever heard this Urban Legend?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anybody-ever-heard-this-urban-legend/774794)
**Author:** [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2016, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anybody-ever-heard-this-urban-legend/774794 "2016-12-18T22:48:41Z")
I saw a video on Youtube yesterday “10 mysterious things that have never been explained.” In the video they mentioned a mysterious satellite named “The Black Knight” According to the video: The satellite has been aro… --- ## [academic freedom at US military academies (i.e., West Point)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/academic-freedom-at-us-military-academies-i-e-west-point/763561)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2016, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/academic-freedom-at-us-military-academies-i-e-west-point/763561 "2016-12-18T22:44:14Z")
At US military academies (i.e., West Point, US Air Force Academy,) do cadets have a lot less academic freedom than undergraduate students at a civilian college? If a cadet took the side of MacArthur in his insubordinati… --- ## [Defendant Can Not Use His Own Statement](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defendant-can-not-use-his-own-statement/774883)
**Author:** [@Zeke\_N.Destroi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeke_N.Destroi)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2016, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defendant-can-not-use-his-own-statement/774883 "2016-12-18T20:16:28Z")
In any of the various “never talk to the police” videos you will come across the claim that a defendant can not use his own statement as exculpatory evidence. I’ll use My Cousin Vinnie to illustrate; Ralph Machio is bei… --- ## [Electrical beeps and buzzes heard through AM radio](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-beeps-and-buzzes-heard-through-am-radio/774962)
**Author:** [@Bobo\_Radio\_Salish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bobo_Radio_Salish)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2016, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-beeps-and-buzzes-heard-through-am-radio/774962 "2016-12-18T17:25:49Z")
“… screeeee… screeeee… screeeee…pshhhhttt… pshhhttt… pshhhttt… screeeee… screeeee… screeeee…” That’s My AM radio ALL THE TIME… What may be the cause??? Incorrect wiring??? Navigation directional Air waves…??? Our Frie… --- ## [Entropic Gravity? No Dark Matter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entropic-gravity-no-dark-matter/771160)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2016, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entropic-gravity-no-dark-matter/771160 "2016-12-18T17:16:00Z")
This is the new theory of gravity, eliminating Dark Matter. Apparently. Can the Doper scientists please explain it for the less-educated? https://arxiv.org/pdf/1611.02269.pdf (pdf) --- ## [Fingernail ridges](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fingernail-ridges/774868)
**Author:** [@Dana\_Scully](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dana_Scully)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2016, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fingernail-ridges/774868 "2016-12-18T16:21:22Z")
What causes them? I have a wavy set of horizontal ridges on my right thumbnail and I can’t figure out what’s caused it. I don’t remember hitting it against anything, closing a door on it, bad nutrition, or anything like … --- ## [When would I manually shift gears with my automatic transmission?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-would-i-manually-shift-gears-with-my-automatic-transmission/628711)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2016, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-would-i-manually-shift-gears-with-my-automatic-transmission/628711 "2016-12-18T16:09:06Z")
Like most (all?) people, I put my car in “D” and go about my driving business. But next to the big D, there’s a “3 2 1”. Are there any good situations to use them? I can kind of (maybe) see the usefulness of first gea… --- ## [Can I report an online scammer to the fbi or ic3?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-report-an-online-scammer-to-the-fbi-or-ic3/774943)
**Author:** [@SteelyDan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteelyDan)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2016, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-report-an-online-scammer-to-the-fbi-or-ic3/774943 "2016-12-18T16:05:08Z")
Hello, so a few days ago I got scammed 30 dollars from some guy online. He also sent me money from hacked paypal accounts which could gotten me in so much trouble. I didn’t know he was sending me money from those account… --- ## [Problems with automatic streaming sounds](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problems-with-automatic-streaming-sounds/774735)
**Author:** [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2016, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problems-with-automatic-streaming-sounds/774735 "2016-12-18T16:00:59Z")
Can I turn these off? I got a radio station that comes on full blast. I got news sites that think you want video when you click on and think you can handle volume at 10!! I can’t, and I have got complaints from neighbor… --- ## [What type of saw or guide used to slice a large log](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-saw-or-guide-used-to-slice-a-large-log/774829)
**Author:** [@Roxmar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roxmar)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2016, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-saw-or-guide-used-to-slice-a-large-log/774829 "2016-12-18T14:50:29Z")
I am looking for advice on buying the best type of saw or guide to slice large logs (12"-18" in diameter) into 1-2 " serving platters. I was told a chain saw… but I would need some sort of guide so that the cross sectio… --- ## [Autumn Weather Year Round?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/autumn-weather-year-round/774844)
**Author:** [@Mrdeals](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrdeals)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2016, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/autumn-weather-year-round/774844 "2016-12-18T14:24:06Z")
My geographic location is bitterly cold right now, and making me long for autumn weather. Are there any places in the world with year round temperatures that hover between 40 and 70 Fahrenheit? --- ## [What Happens To The Title if Lord Lucan Turns Up Alive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-the-title-if-lord-lucan-turns-up-alive/775024)
**Author:** [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2016, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-the-title-if-lord-lucan-turns-up-alive/775024 "2016-12-18T12:17:05Z")
John Bingham, the 7th Earl of Lucan was (is?) a British peer. He inherited the title upon the demise of his father, the 6th Earl, in 1964. In 1974, the Earl’s children’s nanny was found, bludgeoned to death. Bingham w… --- ## [Computer ?: Accessing Sharepoint from a Mac](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-accessing-sharepoint-from-a-mac/773800)
**Author:** [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2016, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-accessing-sharepoint-from-a-mac/773800 "2016-12-05T16:32:04Z")
I have just been told that I have to use the group MS Sharepoint site to work on a project. I am a die-hard Mac person and I don’t own a MS PC. I have to work from home. I did some quick googling and found that a) everyo… --- ## [Death penalty for juveniles?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-penalty-for-juveniles/774886)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2016, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-penalty-for-juveniles/774886 "2016-12-18T02:50:56Z")
I have been reading about the investigation of the Gatlinburg fire, and it seems they are considering a possible death penalty case for the people who allegedly set the fire. Both suspects are juveniles. Didn’t the Sup… --- ## [If the Big Crunch were to happen, what would we observe?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-big-crunch-were-to-happen-what-would-we-observe/774977)
**Author:** [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2016, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-big-crunch-were-to-happen-what-would-we-observe/774977 "2016-12-18T02:50:33Z")
One of the possible ends to the universe is the Big Crunch, although I understand the current understanding is a flat universe\*. If the universe were in a collapsing period, would we be able to tell? What would we observ… --- ## [radiator insulation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/radiator-insulation/774638)
**Author:** [@arseNal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/arseNal)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2016, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/radiator-insulation/774638 "2016-12-18T02:07:05Z")
I have a radiator that is recessed into the internal-facing side of an external wall. The wall is composed entirely of some plaster and lath, air (2" maybe?), and then a single layer of brick that makes up the exterior o… --- ## [At what temperature should you take a battery out of a car to avoid freezing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-temperature-should-you-take-a-battery-out-of-a-car-to-avoid-freezing/774954)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2016, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-temperature-should-you-take-a-battery-out-of-a-car-to-avoid-freezing/774954 "2016-12-17T21:45:45Z")
At what temperature should you take a battery out of a car to avoid freezing? Does freezing cause permanent damage? Or is this just if you plan to use the car soon? --- ## [Does my Epson printer have an internal hard drive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-my-epson-printer-have-an-internal-hard-drive/774965)
**Author:** [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2016, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-my-epson-printer-have-an-internal-hard-drive/774965 "2016-12-17T20:35:00Z")
I’m scrapping my Epson WF-3640 due to it being a piece of crap that never works. I know some printers have internal drives that can retain images of stuff I don’t want to share. I can’t seem to figure out whether mine … --- ## [Self braking cars question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-braking-cars-question/774830)
**Author:** [@Vicsage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vicsage)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2016, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-braking-cars-question/774830 "2016-12-17T19:55:33Z")
Can you override the brakes of a self braking car? Let’s assume you want to run someone over with your car. Or you want to crash through a gate. Or you want to rear end another car to drive them off the road. If you … --- ## [Income allowed with Social Security](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/income-allowed-with-social-security/774645)
**Author:** [@JillGat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillGat)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2016, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/income-allowed-with-social-security/774645 "2016-12-17T19:27:23Z")
I got a notice from the Social Security that says, if I earn above a certain $amount a year while collecting Social Security, they will reduce my SS benefit. Would the retirement pension I’m receiving from my previous w… --- ## [Deleting unwanted apps from Android device](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deleting-unwanted-apps-from-android-device/774941)
**Author:** [@mind\_the\_gap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mind_the_gap)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2016, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deleting-unwanted-apps-from-android-device/774941 "2016-12-17T18:49:34Z")
I have a question for the tech savvy folks here. I’m using a tablet running Android lollipop that is full of chrome apps,many of which I don’t want. From the advice I’ve read online I’ve gone to device manager and selec… --- ## [Where can I listen to daily news reports in the language of my choice?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-listen-to-daily-news-reports-in-the-language-of-my-choice/774932)
**Author:** [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2016, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-listen-to-daily-news-reports-in-the-language-of-my-choice/774932 "2016-12-17T18:43:33Z")
I want to get my ears accustomed to listening to certain languages that I’m interested in learning (or learning better), in the manner described in this New York Magazine article, for example — How to Learn a New Languag… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=801) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=803)