# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=804 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 805 --- ## [How do I download an embedded Flash video?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-download-an-embedded-flash-video/663878)
**Author:** [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2013, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-download-an-embedded-flash-video/663878 "2013-07-22T22:38:02Z")
I need to copy a video file that is embedded in a Facebook page (as in, keep a copy of it as an MPEG or .wmv or whatever file in case the original gets deleted.) Is there a way to do that without downloading software? --- ## [Genetics of X-Chromosome, Mother-to-Son](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genetics-of-x-chromosome-mother-to-son/774590)
**Author:** [@TheUser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheUser)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2016, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genetics-of-x-chromosome-mother-to-son/774590 "2016-12-15T05:17:17Z")
Folks, On Wikipedia it states, Does this mean that when a mother has a son, she passes to him a specific 1 of her 2 X’s, meaning that the son’s X is either totally his maternal grandfather’s or totally NOT his mater… --- ## [Is my Christmas tree getting heavier by drinking all this water?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-christmas-tree-getting-heavier-by-drinking-all-this-water/774652)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2016, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-christmas-tree-getting-heavier-by-drinking-all-this-water/774652 "2016-12-15T05:16:57Z")
I bought a natural tree for the first time, and this thing drinks a lot of water every day. Is this tree going to be very heavy when it’s time to dispose of it? I assumed that much of the water gets evaporated but I do… --- ## [Help me regulate the temperature of my fridge.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-regulate-the-temperature-of-my-fridge/774724)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2016, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-regulate-the-temperature-of-my-fridge/774724 "2016-12-15T02:17:13Z")
I have an ‘el cheapo’ refrigerator/freezer. As such it does not have a light in the freezer, only the fridge, a classic first world problem, but that’s not the problem. The problem is that there is only one adjustment… --- ## [Why do we call Galileo by his first name?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-call-galileo-by-his-first-name/774649)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2016, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-call-galileo-by-his-first-name/774649 "2016-12-14T20:48:28Z")
When we talk about the great early astronomers, we refer to Brahe, Copernicus and Newton, not Tycho, Nicholas and Isaac. But we always refer to Galileo Galilei as Galileo, not Galilei. How come? :confused: --- ## [Rate of Nuclear Decay](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rate-of-nuclear-decay/774522)
**Author:** [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2016, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rate-of-nuclear-decay/774522 "2016-12-14T19:12:38Z")
We’ve something of a major family dispute about this and I’ve been chosen to decide the matter. Unfortunately neither side is willing to pay the bribe I’m asking for, so that just leaves the StraightDope to answer. Is … --- ## [Is Air Force One literally an Air Force plane?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-air-force-one-literally-an-air-force-plane/774112)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2016, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-air-force-one-literally-an-air-force-plane/774112 "2016-12-14T18:52:05Z")
Whatever plane the president is in is assigned the call sign Air Force One for air traffic control. This is typically the 747 outfitted and secured for presidential use (there might be more than one of them). Is this cal… --- ## [OK, where's the rum? (Between Seattle, and Vancouver, BC)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-wheres-the-rum-between-seattle-and-vancouver-bc/774642)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2016, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-wheres-the-rum-between-seattle-and-vancouver-bc/774642 "2016-12-14T16:23:49Z")
I’ve made a few phone calls today, trying to find someplace that sells Bacardi Gran Reserva Limitada rum. I haven’t found any yet. This is not the ‘Ocho’ eight-year-old rum, nor the ‘Oakwood’. It’s Gran Reserva Limita… --- ## [Square bottle uses less plastic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/square-bottle-uses-less-plastic/774489)
**Author:** [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2016, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/square-bottle-uses-less-plastic/774489 "2016-12-14T15:25:22Z")
I bought this brand of hydrogen peroxide today. On the bottle are the words, “Square bottle uses less plastic than a similarly sized round bottle.” I don’t see how that could be true. Imagine a bottle that’s perfectly r… --- ## [Used Car Lease Program - Feasible? Available?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/used-car-lease-program-feasible-available/774641)
**Author:** [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2016, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/used-car-lease-program-feasible-available/774641 "2016-12-14T13:58:59Z")
This may or may not be GQ-able but I hope so. It might turn into IMHO anecdata. We’re all familiar with the basic new car lease program. Lease a new car for e.g. 3 years and essentially pay a fee equal to the depreciati… --- ## [Could you permanently live on land you own and not have an official address?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-permanently-live-on-land-you-own-and-not-have-an-official-address/774430)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2016, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-permanently-live-on-land-you-own-and-not-have-an-official-address/774430 "2016-12-14T10:45:56Z")
Just a weird thought that occurred to me. Suppose some guy is an utter loner – wants no contact with other people at all. He’s got tons of money, say, inherited a hundred million dollars. He locates somebody who owns … --- ## [Who Really Discovered America?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-really-discovered-america/773983)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2016, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-really-discovered-america/773983 "2016-12-14T06:14:23Z")
Everyone says Christopher Columbus was not the first to discover “America”, or more accurately, the New World. Some will name Amerigo Vespucci. Yet, it is true that Columbus discovered the New World in 1492 and Vespucci… --- ## [Disappearing liquid in paperweight](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disappearing-liquid-in-paperweight/774526)
**Author:** [@Cartoonacy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartoonacy)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2016, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disappearing-liquid-in-paperweight/774526 "2016-12-14T01:22:31Z")
I have a liquid wave paperweight that I’ve owned for about 25 years. When I first got it, the volume of clear liquid and denser blue liquid were about equal, but in the past few years I’ve noticed the amount of blue liqu… --- ## [Gravitons: theoretically mandatory or just nice to have?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gravitons-theoretically-mandatory-or-just-nice-to-have/774615)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2016, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gravitons-theoretically-mandatory-or-just-nice-to-have/774615 "2016-12-14T01:12:24Z")
This query might involve definitions of theory in general, but here goes. First, an assumption, asked as a question because it’s a good idea to start with a valid one: I’ve been told that reconciling quantum theory (… --- ## [How easy/possible was it to get on the Internet back in the '80s?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-easy-possible-was-it-to-get-on-the-internet-back-in-the-80s/774422)
**Author:** [@protoboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/protoboard)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2016, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-easy-possible-was-it-to-get-on-the-internet-back-in-the-80s/774422 "2016-12-13T23:17:20Z")
I’ve heard it wasn’t open to the general public unless you were an academic or in the defense industry, however someone here in a past thread claimed they got home access from the University of North Carolina without bei… --- ## [Semi-trucks driving VERY SLOWLY with hazard lights on](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semi-trucks-driving-very-slowly-with-hazard-lights-on/726534)
**Author:** [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2016, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semi-trucks-driving-very-slowly-with-hazard-lights-on/726534 "2016-12-13T23:13:48Z")
On the freeway near where I live, every time I come home there’s almost always some big semi on the far right-hand lane with its hazard lights on, driving at a snail’s pace of about 30-40 MPH in a 65 zone. It’s so bizarr… --- ## [Dakota Access Pipeline and USACE?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dakota-access-pipeline-and-usace/773929)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2016, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dakota-access-pipeline-and-usace/773929 "2016-12-13T21:27:52Z")
I guess I am missing something: Why did the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) get involved in the Dakota Access Pipeline? Why is their approval needed? And, does the USACE approve all the pipelines that criss-cross the … --- ## [Travel Between UK and Eire in WW2?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-between-uk-and-eire-in-ww2/774385)
**Author:** [@piston\_broke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/piston_broke)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2016, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-between-uk-and-eire-in-ww2/774385 "2016-12-13T21:11:58Z")
Hi Straight Dopers, Bit of an odd one this but, as the title suggests, was it possible to travel between the UK and Ireland during World War 2? Did ferries operate? Well, given the U-Boat menace affecting timetables. … --- ## [Native Ameria Rights Fund](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/native-ameria-rights-fund/774550)
**Author:** [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2016, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/native-ameria-rights-fund/774550 "2016-12-13T21:02:03Z")
Where are they getting all their funding from? They have commercials on all day, at least in the West. They seem to be generic in that they don’t mention any state by name, they just say “This state” They must cost a f… --- ## [Annual limits on 401(k) contributions if you are not employed the entire year](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annual-limits-on-401-k-contributions-if-you-are-not-employed-the-entire-year/774626)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2016, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annual-limits-on-401-k-contributions-if-you-are-not-employed-the-entire-year/774626 "2016-12-13T19:59:09Z")
The IRS says: Highlights of limitations that remain unchanged from 2016 The contribution limit for employees who participate in 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans, and the federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan remains u… --- ## [Regarding Prohibition in USA...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regarding-prohibition-in-usa/774538)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2016, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regarding-prohibition-in-usa/774538 "2016-12-13T19:23:50Z")
One question on US Prohibition of alcohol: For those who actually DID use wine and spirits for religious\* or medicinal purposes only, were they able to purchase without going to clandestine means? If so, how? (\*For use … --- ## [Possible German invasion of Britain WWII: in-country procedures, personnel, emplacements?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-german-invasion-of-britain-wwii-in-country-procedures-personnel-emplacements/646305)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2016, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-german-invasion-of-britain-wwii-in-country-procedures-personnel-emplacements/646305 "2016-12-13T19:12:00Z")
So much of the London WWII underground military command center–I forget its proper name–is chilling, but where I was hit to the gut was a map (the only one?) in Churchill’s sleeping chamber, of a map of the English coast… --- ## [Ransomware Recovery Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ransomware-recovery-question/759093)
**Author:** [@Oddball\_92](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oddball_92)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2016, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ransomware-recovery-question/759093 "2016-12-13T18:36:32Z")
If computer files become encrypted due to a ransomeware attack, couldn’t a person just wipe the hard drive clean and reinstall the operating system? Does ransomware encryption prevent access to wipe the hard drive? Of co… --- ## [Can someone please explain to me the nuclear fusion power situation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-please-explain-to-me-the-nuclear-fusion-power-situation/774529)
**Author:** [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2016, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-please-explain-to-me-the-nuclear-fusion-power-situation/774529 "2016-12-13T17:51:44Z")
I was excited to read about what appears to be a new development in earth-bound nuclear fusion power, the success of the Wendelstein 7X “Star in a jar” plasma containment unit. But when I read further (e.g., on Wikipedia… --- ## [Air getting thinner and thicker - what's the Straight Dope?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-getting-thinner-and-thicker-whats-the-straight-dope/774303)
**Author:** [@JustinC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustinC)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2016, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-getting-thinner-and-thicker-whats-the-straight-dope/774303 "2016-12-13T17:33:55Z")
Answers for an 8-year old are welcomed. I put a half-full bottle of liquid in the freezer, and it constricts in volume after a while. I guess it’s the air molecules being less active and coming closer together. You go u… --- ## [anyone know the weight of solid oxygen and liquid oxygen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-the-weight-of-solid-oxygen-and-liquid-oxygen/193683)
**Author:** [@nth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nth)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2016, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-the-weight-of-solid-oxygen-and-liquid-oxygen/193683 "2016-12-13T17:29:59Z")
i am wondering how to figure out the weight of these things, so I can compare them to weight of water in liquid form and ice aka solid form. which one is lighter? water or oxygen in solid and liquid forms. --- ## [DSCOVR Satellite L1 Lissajous Orbit - Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dscovr-satellite-l1-lissajous-orbit-questions/774395)
**Author:** [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2016, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dscovr-satellite-l1-lissajous-orbit-questions/774395 "2016-12-13T16:25:59Z")
NASA’s DSCOVR earth & solar observation satellite Deep Space Climate Observatory - Wikipedia is floating about at the Earth-Sun L1 point. Producing among other things a really cool slide-show-of-the-day visible at http:… --- ## [Exception that proves the rule](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exception-that-proves-the-rule/774578)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2016, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exception-that-proves-the-rule/774578 "2016-12-13T15:05:24Z")
Hello Everyone, I’ve heard it hundreds of times, but I’ve never understood the saying “That’s the exception that proves the rule”. I mean if the rule is all cars are black and a blue one drives by how does that prove t… --- ## [Dark Matter and Dark Energy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dark-matter-and-dark-energy/774572)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2016, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dark-matter-and-dark-energy/774572 "2016-12-13T14:38:56Z")
Dark Matter Dark Energy Looking at these representations of the distribution of matter in the universe… http://breakingenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2015/05/dark-matter.j… --- ## [What if the Earth's surface were 70% land, 30% water?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-the-earths-surface-were-70-land-30-water/774566)
**Author:** [@MrLee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrLee)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2016, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-the-earths-surface-were-70-land-30-water/774566 "2016-12-13T14:34:45Z")
Not so much ‘What would happen if one day we woke up and 40% of the world’s oceans suddenly became land?’, as much as ‘Would we even be here in the first place if most of the surface of the earth were land?’ Like, I’m t… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=803) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=805)