# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=91 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 92 --- ## [Question about the number of musicians James Reese Europe took with him to France in 1917](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-the-number-of-musicians-james-reese-europe-took-with-him-to-france-in-1917/1000862)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2024, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-the-number-of-musicians-james-reese-europe-took-with-him-to-france-in-1917/1000862 "2024-04-29T18:18:37Z")
I’m trying to find out about the number of musicians James Reese Europe took with him to France in 1917 as part of the 15th New York Regiment Band. When he returned he had 90. How many did he have going over on the USS P… --- ## [Why do some people like spicy food?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-like-spicy-food/1000824)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2024, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-like-spicy-food/1000824 "2024-04-29T12:45:59Z")
Is it nature, nurture, or a combination? --- ## [Do Higher Dimensions actually exist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-higher-dimensions-actually-exist/1000768)
**Author:** [@EnolaStraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnolaStraight)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2024, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-higher-dimensions-actually-exist/1000768 "2024-04-28T19:37:37Z")
According to Einstein’s General theory of Relativity, the universe operates on four dimensional spacetime. I can take an object and, with a ruler or tape measure, fairly accurately estimate it’s length, width, and depth… --- ## [Who was still permitted to enter the United States after April 6 1917? Was there still some immigration?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-still-permitted-to-enter-the-united-states-after-april-6-1917-was-there-still-some-immigration/1000843)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2024, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-still-permitted-to-enter-the-united-states-after-april-6-1917-was-there-still-some-immigration/1000843 "2024-04-28T16:34:54Z")
Who was still permitted to enter the United States after April 6 1917? Was there still some immigration? --- ## ["Go" as a future auxiliary in other languages](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-as-a-future-auxiliary-in-other-languages/1000848)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2024, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-as-a-future-auxiliary-in-other-languages/1000848 "2024-04-28T16:34:50Z")
My daughter is studying Spanish and was amused to find that, French and English, Spanish uses the word meaning go as a future auxiliary. I just asked a Portuguese who confirmed that his language does too. Do all Romanc… --- ## [Tire question: Load Range](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tire-question-load-range/1000828)
**Author:** [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2024, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tire-question-load-range/1000828 "2024-04-28T12:53:03Z")
Shopping for trailer tires, and I’m confused about load ranges. Several tire sites claim an “E” rated tire can handle 1520 lbs. The folks at the tire store say the E rated tire is sufficient for both my 10,000 and 8000… --- ## [Wi-Fi phone calls in other countries...what are the charges?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wi-fi-phone-calls-in-other-countries-what-are-the-charges/1000829)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2024, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wi-fi-phone-calls-in-other-countries-what-are-the-charges/1000829 "2024-04-28T12:49:38Z")
I live in the US. My cell phone is based in the US. My phone will, by default, make calls over Wi-Fi if it is available. Now, let’s say I am in London and call (via Wi-Fi) my GF who is also in London with me (her phon… --- ## [Where Does This Video Take Place? (wolf chasing a bicyclist down the road)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-this-video-take-place-wolf-chasing-a-bicyclist-down-the-road/1000845)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2024, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-this-video-take-place-wolf-chasing-a-bicyclist-down-the-road/1000845 "2024-04-27T21:59:13Z")
A wolf is chasing a bicyclist down the road as passer-by try to scare it off. I can’t make heads or tails of the language, the countryside, or the road markings. It’s definitely not the US, that’s about all I can say for… --- ## [Textualism vs Originalism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/textualism-vs-originalism/1000794)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2024, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/textualism-vs-originalism/1000794 "2024-04-27T14:01:22Z")
I think this has a factual answer. I am putting together a lesson where students compare & contrast what I call “theoretical law” meaning the Constitution as written vs he Constitution as interpreted in 2024 re: abortio… --- ## [Logically, where could this toilet leak possibly be coming from?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logically-where-could-this-toilet-leak-possibly-be-coming-from/1000753)
**Author:** [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2024, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logically-where-could-this-toilet-leak-possibly-be-coming-from/1000753 "2024-04-27T04:16:26Z")
I’ve got a Toto toilet whose fill valve wouldn’t shut off. I thought the excess water was going down the overflow tube but due to recent developments, I think I may be misremembering. I just figured it needed a new fill … --- ## [When/Where Did The 'Reporter Name, News Organization, Location' Method of Reporters Signing Off Begin](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-where-did-the-reporter-name-news-organization-location-method-of-reporters-signing-off-begin/1000716)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2024, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-where-did-the-reporter-name-news-organization-location-method-of-reporters-signing-off-begin/1000716 "2024-04-26T22:35:42Z")
Like how at the end of a report you’ll hear, “Lester Holt, NBC Nightly News, Detroit” or “Wolf Blitzer, CNN News, Atlanta,” or so on. Who started this and when? --- ## [Were there cannibals in Papua New Guinea in the 1940's?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-there-cannibals-in-papua-new-guinea-in-the-1940s/1000634)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2024, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-there-cannibals-in-papua-new-guinea-in-the-1940s/1000634 "2024-04-26T22:29:52Z")
I see that our president is getting a good bit of grief for describing his accounts of his uncle, a flier who was shot down and never found, during WWII. He said that there were cannibals there at the time so… Ok, so w… --- ## [ID these military vehicles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-these-military-vehicles/1000749)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2024, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-these-military-vehicles/1000749 "2024-04-26T16:31:28Z")
The photo is from 1984. They don’t look like regular troop carriers and they have a large arm assembly on top. https://vintageaerial.com/photos/pennsylvania/york/1984/TYK/16/25?utm\_source=photo\_activity\_mailer&utm\_mediu… --- ## [Need ideas on how to rescue a failing septic system](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-ideas-on-how-to-rescue-a-failing-septic-system/982907)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2024, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-ideas-on-how-to-rescue-a-failing-septic-system/982907 "2024-04-26T15:37:02Z")
We’ve been at our current house for almost 18 years. Our septic system is grandfathered in-- if we ever needed to replace it, we were told early on that we would have to switch to city sewer service, which we were quoted… --- ## [Why isn't anesthesia used for executions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-anesthesia-used-for-executions/958865)
**Author:** [@SpacemanSpiff\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpacemanSpiff_II)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2024, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-anesthesia-used-for-executions/958865 "2024-04-26T14:13:16Z")
There’s been a lot of moral and legal issues surrounding legal executions, much of it surrounding methods of execution which are thought to be or legally considered cruel and unusual. Question I’m wondering about is why … --- ## [Windows 11 Desktop Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-11-desktop-question/1000790)
**Author:** [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2024, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-11-desktop-question/1000790 "2024-04-26T14:08:23Z")
My work laptop got upgraded to Windows 11 a couple of months back, and I’m still trying to get used to it. There is a feature on the desktop that I’d like to turn off but I don’t even know what it’s called, which makes i… --- ## [Question about blurred house on Google Earth street view](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-blurred-house-on-google-earth-street-view/847780)
**Author:** [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2024, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-blurred-house-on-google-earth-street-view/847780 "2024-04-26T13:55:28Z")
https://www.google.com/maps/@47.6446224,-122.6503641,3a,75y,310.46h,89.24t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sZYMsVNPjdlAFaYNtAU4IFQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192 This house, in an average area in Kitsap County, Washington, has been intentionall… --- ## [How common was "Draw straws to determine who will be eaten" in maritime disasters?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-common-was-draw-straws-to-determine-who-will-be-eaten-in-maritime-disasters/967761)
**Author:** [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2024, 9:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-common-was-draw-straws-to-determine-who-will-be-eaten-in-maritime-disasters/967761 "2024-04-26T09:34:03Z")
In my very, very limited readings of maritime disasters, I’ve come across two accounts where starving, adrift survivors drew straws to determine who would be killed and eaten by the other survivors. One was from “In He… --- ## [How can I hear what's up/down and front/back?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-hear-whats-up-down-and-front-back/1000723)
**Author:** [@Yosh99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yosh99)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2024, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-hear-whats-up-down-and-front-back/1000723 "2024-04-25T18:16:10Z")
I can determine if a sound is coming from the right or left because of ears on both sides of my head. How do my ears determine if a sound is up/down or front/back? --- ## [Is there any medical guidance about people who've had CAR T-cell therapy donating blood?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-medical-guidance-about-people-whove-had-car-t-cell-therapy-donating-blood/1000691)
**Author:** [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2024, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-medical-guidance-about-people-whove-had-car-t-cell-therapy-donating-blood/1000691 "2024-04-25T14:28:02Z")
This doesn’t directly apply to me, I had blood cancer (lymphoma) so the Red Cross never again wants anything I have on tap anyway, I’m just curious. (For the onlookers, because if you don’t know what CAR T-cell therapy … --- ## [Why only one windpipe?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-only-one-windpipe/1000316)
**Author:** [@Orville\_mogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orville_mogul)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2024, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-only-one-windpipe/1000316 "2024-04-25T14:18:00Z")
Last night my 14 yo was eating a sandwich and started choking. At no point was her airway completely obstructed, but it was pretty scary for a minute until she was able to cough out the piece of food. But this reminds m… --- ## [Were there engineers in the WWI SOS (Services of Supply) or was Engineering a completely separate division within the AEF?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-there-engineers-in-the-wwi-sos-services-of-supply-or-was-engineering-a-completely-separate-division-within-the-aef/1000665)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2024, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-there-engineers-in-the-wwi-sos-services-of-supply-or-was-engineering-a-completely-separate-division-within-the-aef/1000665 "2024-04-25T07:05:41Z")
Were there engineers in the WWI SOS (Services of Supply) or was Engineering a completely separate division within the AEF? --- ## [On the naming of Canada](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-naming-of-canada/1000443)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [April 24, 2024, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-naming-of-canada/1000443 "2024-04-24T22:47:40Z")
This question came up in Trivia Dominoes, but I don’t want to hijack a perfectly fine thread game: Trivia?!? Much ink has been spilled, and electrons bent out of shape over this issue. In 1864, when the Fathers of… --- ## [Is Jupiter's magnetic field the largest object in the solar system?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-jupiters-magnetic-field-the-largest-object-in-the-solar-system/1000464)
**Author:** [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Winston_OBoogie)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 24, 2024, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-jupiters-magnetic-field-the-largest-object-in-the-solar-system/1000464 "2024-04-24T08:00:38Z")
Someone at my work sends out daily “fun facts”. Most of them are useless trivia. Today, there was one that said My first thought was “what about the Sun’s magnetic field? Wouldn’t that be larger?” My second thought… --- ## [Tapping Morse code: Huh?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tapping-morse-code-huh/1000667)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 24, 2024, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tapping-morse-code-huh/1000667 "2024-04-24T02:08:45Z")
This is a common trope in films: The hero, incarcerated by the villain or otherwise trapped in an enclosed space, uses knocks to communicate with the outside world via Morse code. How is this supposed to work, assuming i… --- ## [What is this blue "protective circle" figure called?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-blue-protective-circle-figure-called/1000092)
**Author:** [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 24, 2024, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-blue-protective-circle-figure-called/1000092 "2024-04-24T01:28:11Z")
Picture: I’m traveling in Türkiye and this is everywhere. The markets are full of jewelry, handbags, shirts, etc. festooned with this figure. We… --- ## [Is US Military tech 10-15 years ahead of private industry?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-us-military-tech-10-15-years-ahead-of-private-industry/995791)
**Author:** [@tullsterx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tullsterx)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [April 23, 2024, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-us-military-tech-10-15-years-ahead-of-private-industry/995791 "2024-04-23T20:27:58Z")
I’ve recently heard some folks state that "we know that US military tech runs 10-15 years ahead of the private sector. . . " Really? Is there solid real evidence to support this? With real examples. Or it this all UAP ty… --- ## [How does "oil on clothing can cause a dryer fire" work if the temperature is too low to ignite?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-oil-on-clothing-can-cause-a-dryer-fire-work-if-the-temperature-is-too-low-to-ignite/1000581)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [April 23, 2024, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-oil-on-clothing-can-cause-a-dryer-fire-work-if-the-temperature-is-too-low-to-ignite/1000581 "2024-04-23T19:25:07Z")
You see it on every washer and dryer: “Do not wash or dry clothing in this machine that has ever had any oil on it, it can be a fire hazard” (paraphrased) I was under the impression that a dryer never gets hotter than, … --- ## [Is it illegal (fraud?) for a bond company to put up a bond for which they know they cannot be paid?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-fraud-for-a-bond-company-to-put-up-a-bond-for-which-they-know-they-cannot-be-paid/1000399)
**Author:** [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [April 23, 2024, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-fraud-for-a-bond-company-to-put-up-a-bond-for-which-they-know-they-cannot-be-paid/1000399 "2024-04-23T13:03:06Z")
Suppose Mr. Bloggins has been hit with a hefty fine (let’s say $100,000 or $100k just to keep the amount manageable). They decide to appeal and go to a bond company. Let’s call it Kevin’s Bonds. Kevin’s Bonds has $1B dol… --- ## [Explain to me the rise of GPUs (blockchain, AI)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-the-rise-of-gpus-blockchain-ai/1000501)
**Author:** [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 23, 2024, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-the-rise-of-gpus-blockchain-ai/1000501 "2024-04-23T06:04:42Z")
ok, to me it seems that GPUs were once just graphic cards that helped representing the visual interface on monitors… Then about 15 years (or so?) ago, they became a thing of their own, due to “mining” … and now they ar… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=90) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=92)