# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=924 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 925 --- ## [Can Hypnosis Really Get Rid of Phobias](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-hypnosis-really-get-rid-of-phobias/502881)
**Author:** [@HyenaThePirate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HyenaThePirate)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2016, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-hypnosis-really-get-rid-of-phobias/502881 "2016-04-07T12:43:16Z")
We all have some sort of phobia… that is, an irrational fear that is beyond our control in most cases and can stop us in our tracks at a moments notice. For me, my phobia is cockroaches. I’m a big man, and pretty fearl… --- ## [Origin of 'You can see the Great Wall of China from Space'.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-you-can-see-the-great-wall-of-china-from-space/751406)
**Author:** [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2016, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-you-can-see-the-great-wall-of-china-from-space/751406 "2016-04-07T11:39:34Z")
As reported by the astronauts themselves, it cannot be seen from space. Did someone inadvertently spill the beans, since they were looking at\* satellite photos \*, where it would be quite visible ‘from Space’. Does anyo… --- ## [Have anynew craters formed on the moon after telescopes were invented](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-anynew-craters-formed-on-the-moon-after-telescopes-were-invented/751043)
**Author:** [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2016, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-anynew-craters-formed-on-the-moon-after-telescopes-were-invented/751043 "2016-04-07T08:11:55Z")
The moon is full of craters. Some of them are quite large. Any new craters formed after telescopes were invented and craters mapped? --- ## [Ugh. Computer is being very bad. Please help.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-computer-is-being-very-bad-please-help/751396)
**Author:** [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2016, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-computer-is-being-very-bad-please-help/751396 "2016-04-07T08:10:44Z")
Windows 8.1 (I haven’t updated yet, mostly because we use cellular data for our internet as there are no better options out here.) The other day, the computer locked up and I did a hard re-start because it didn’t resolv… --- ## [Which cultures have an inherent reluctance to bathe?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-cultures-have-an-inherent-reluctance-to-bathe/751012)
**Author:** [@Washoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Washoe)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2016, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-cultures-have-an-inherent-reluctance-to-bathe/751012 "2016-04-07T04:42:24Z")
Armenians are well known for this. Armenian men view daily bathing to be effeminate and conceal their body odor with a strong cologne or perfume. I was just discussing this with somebody who once worked in the ER at Ceda… --- ## [Statistics question: Sample size for a non-binary question?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/statistics-question-sample-size-for-a-non-binary-question/751412)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2016, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/statistics-question-sample-size-for-a-non-binary-question/751412 "2016-04-07T04:28:58Z")
Let’s say I have a website with 1,000,000 visitors a month. I want to track their clicks to better understand their behavior (nothing nefarious, just questions like “do they prefer the navigation buttons at the top or th… --- ## [could a rifle pod be mounted to a military drone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-rifle-pod-be-mounted-to-a-military-drone/751153)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2016, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-rifle-pod-be-mounted-to-a-military-drone/751153 "2016-04-07T03:45:01Z")
Is it possible to mount, say, a .50cal rifle to a drone and use that in lieu of Hellfire missiles? Is the platform to unstable? Would the drone be too far away for positive target ID? Thanks, Rob --- ## [Just how strong is an animal's mating urge, and is there any comparible copulsion in humans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-how-strong-is-an-animals-mating-urge-and-is-there-any-comparible-copulsion-in-humans/750968)
**Author:** [@Patch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patch)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2016, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-how-strong-is-an-animals-mating-urge-and-is-there-any-comparible-copulsion-in-humans/750968 "2016-04-07T03:10:22Z")
I got to thinking about it the other day when a coworker related that one of their stallions had once broken out of his stall and into a mare’s stall during the breeding season. I know that when in heat animals will go … --- ## [Question regarding the word "arc"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-the-word-arc/751370)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2016, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-the-word-arc/751370 "2016-04-07T01:46:01Z")
In which sense is the word arc used in the following sentence? I look forward to your feedback. http://www.3sixty.com/persephone/ Vegetation and harvest goddesses are a common arc in mythologies, and similar tropes ap… --- ## [Android: How to abort attempt at three-way call?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-how-to-abort-attempt-at-three-way-call/751285)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2016, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-how-to-abort-attempt-at-three-way-call/751285 "2016-04-07T01:27:23Z")
If I’m on a call, and then click Add Call to call a third party, normally once that party answers I can click Merge Calls to create a three-way call. However, if the third party does not answer and I get their voicemail,… --- ## [Which way \[is the phrase "You don't have 10$, yet alone 5" or "You don't have 5$, yet alone 10?"\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-way-is-the-phrase-you-dont-have-10-yet-alone-5-or-you-dont-have-5-yet-alone-10/751311)
**Author:** [@bomberswarm2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bomberswarm2)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2016, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-way-is-the-phrase-you-dont-have-10-yet-alone-5-or-you-dont-have-5-yet-alone-10/751311 "2016-04-06T23:53:14Z")
Is the phrase “You don’t have 10$, yet alone 5” or “You don’t have 5$, yet alone 10?” --- ## [So with a gun, can someone literally "blow their head off" or "blow their brains out"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-with-a-gun-can-someone-literally-blow-their-head-off-or-blow-their-brains-out/751385)
**Author:** [@Dunmurry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunmurry)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2016, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-with-a-gun-can-someone-literally-blow-their-head-off-or-blow-their-brains-out/751385 "2016-04-06T23:01:20Z")
Of course I’ve often seen in soap operas on TV and things like that where someone says about someone who has used a gun “Oh yeah, he blew his head off” or “Oh yeah, he blew his brains out” but I would like to know more a… --- ## [Breithaupt Kassel COCLA Compass](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breithaupt-kassel-cocla-compass/751366)
**Author:** [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2016, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breithaupt-kassel-cocla-compass/751366 "2016-04-06T22:50:18Z")
I have one. I don’t really what it does, or if people still use them, or if its worth anything? Anybody on here ever work with them, know anything about them? --- ## [Why does my turn signal stutter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-turn-signal-stutter/751354)
**Author:** [@Dingbang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dingbang)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2016, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-turn-signal-stutter/751354 "2016-04-06T22:49:38Z")
My turn signal has that normal rhythmic pattern of clicks when activated, but it pretty regularly stutters for a second. The usual “tick-tock-tick-tock-tick-tock” will go “tick-tock-tick-tock-ticktick-tock-tick-tock” … --- ## [On Facebook, What Happens When You Delete A Message In a Conversation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-facebook-what-happens-when-you-delete-a-message-in-a-conversation/751133)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2016, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-facebook-what-happens-when-you-delete-a-message-in-a-conversation/751133 "2016-04-06T21:42:27Z")
I’ve asked this in another forum but my post quickly moved down past the front page and I don’t think anyone’s going to notice it. Hopefully there are some relevantly knowledgeable Dopers! I’m wondering what happens exa… --- ## [Can stopping some Windows services really kill your computer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-stopping-some-windows-services-really-kill-your-computer/751126)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2016, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-stopping-some-windows-services-really-kill-your-computer/751126 "2016-04-06T21:23:19Z")
Recently I downloaded the Autoruns program from Microsoft Sysinternals, a very powerful program which lists absolutely everything that starts when your PC boots up and allows you to disable or delete services or startups… --- ## [Low Growling of Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-growling-of-cats/751284)
**Author:** [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2016, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-growling-of-cats/751284 "2016-04-06T20:56:42Z")
Early this morning my female black American short-haired cat (Pilgrim) was out and met a similar cat who lives close by. That cat rarely goes out. Pilgrim went up to it (I do not know its sex) and initiated a low growl… --- ## [How to detect the REAL calling phone number?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-detect-the-real-calling-phone-number/750767)
**Author:** [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2016, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-detect-the-real-calling-phone-number/750767 "2016-04-06T20:56:33Z")
Let’s assume I have been receiving unwanted phone calls on a regular basis. While CID (Caller ID) is not reliable for learning the source, there is another scheme called ANI, where numbers are passed internally thru the… --- ## [Are boys more likely to have dedicated hobbies than girls?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-boys-more-likely-to-have-dedicated-hobbies-than-girls/751233)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2016, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-boys-more-likely-to-have-dedicated-hobbies-than-girls/751233 "2016-04-06T14:44:54Z")
When I was in school in the 80s and early 90s, most boys had a “thing” they did. Maybe it was football, or they were computer geeks, or they played guitar 4 hours a day. While most girls concentrated on fitting in and ha… --- ## [Presidents known by their initials](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/presidents-known-by-their-initials/751111)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2016, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/presidents-known-by-their-initials/751111 "2016-04-06T14:24:23Z")
Like FDR, JFK, LBJ. But not HST, DDE, RMN. Why some Presidents and not others? Is it just euphony, some initials roll off the tongue more easily than others? Do the media decide these things? Or were the initial guys kn… --- ## [Maximum amount of water a 40x40x10 sq ft space can hold without it precipitating out?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maximum-amount-of-water-a-40x40x10-sq-ft-space-can-hold-without-it-precipitating-out/751032)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2016, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maximum-amount-of-water-a-40x40x10-sq-ft-space-can-hold-without-it-precipitating-out/751032 "2016-04-06T13:37:26Z")
Assume a house is 40 x 40 x 10 feet high or 16,000 cubic feet in size. Under ideal humidity and temperature conditions for air holding water what is the maximum amount of water in gallons a space like that could hold be… --- ## [H&R Block tax prep software major flaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/h-r-block-tax-prep-software-major-flaw/751194)
**Author:** [@crucible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crucible)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2016, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/h-r-block-tax-prep-software-major-flaw/751194 "2016-04-06T11:57:35Z")
As you go along, entering your new data, a sidebar tracks how much your refund should be at that point. At the end, you get a sidebar, that, in my case said “$-817 Due By 04/18/16” If I didn’t examine my withholding an… --- ## [Handstand on Drinking Glass - Why is this possible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handstand-on-drinking-glass-why-is-this-possible/751257)
**Author:** [@andrea\_green](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andrea_green)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2016, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handstand-on-drinking-glass-why-is-this-possible/751257 "2016-04-06T10:42:20Z")
I recently saw this video of a young woman balancing her entire weight on some glasses. Before having seen it, if you had asked me if even a 90lb woman could balance on two glasses without smashing them I would have tol… --- ## [Where to run reverse osmosis water to fridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-run-reverse-osmosis-water-to-fridge/751207)
**Author:** [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2016, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-run-reverse-osmosis-water-to-fridge/751207 "2016-04-06T09:58:28Z")
I just bought an RO filter for under the sink, and I’d like to run the water to the fridge as well. The problem is that the fridge is on the other side of the room. The water line is a 1/4" plastic, fairly flexible tube. … --- ## [Why do coastal areas lean liberal and inland areas lean conservative?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-coastal-areas-lean-liberal-and-inland-areas-lean-conservative/750644)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2016, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-coastal-areas-lean-liberal-and-inland-areas-lean-conservative/750644 "2016-04-06T01:12:24Z")
This seems to be true across most of the US. In my home state of Maine, the coast is full of people who are very liberal. Inland Maine, especially away from the cities of Auburn and Augusta, leans much more conservati… --- ## [What crime would someone be charged with if they chose not to save someone's life?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-crime-would-someone-be-charged-with-if-they-chose-not-to-save-someones-life/751202)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2016, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-crime-would-someone-be-charged-with-if-they-chose-not-to-save-someones-life/751202 "2016-04-06T00:07:11Z")
I was debating with my friends about something that happened in a TV show (Don’t remember which show unfortunately) Anyway, one of us said that one of the characters was a murderer, because he could have saved someone w… --- ## [What is this device on the cord for my AC charger, and do I need it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-device-on-the-cord-for-my-ac-charger-and-do-i-need-it/751095)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2016, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-device-on-the-cord-for-my-ac-charger-and-do-i-need-it/751095 "2016-04-05T23:42:08Z")
I have an AC wall charger for an JBL Bluetooth speaker. It has thiscylindrical thing inline in the cord, similar to what you see on some cords that I believe is supposed to reduce RF interference (required by FCC maybe?)… --- ## [Does the the Phalanx-like Russian AK-630M1-2 spit out rounds faster than anything on the planet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-the-phalanx-like-russian-ak-630m1-2-spit-out-rounds-faster-than-anything-on-the-planet/751101)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2016, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-the-phalanx-like-russian-ak-630m1-2-spit-out-rounds-faster-than-anything-on-the-planet/751101 "2016-04-05T22:42:15Z")
See query. Wiki: Russia AK-630M1-2: AK-630 - Wikipedia Wiki Phalanx: Phalanx CIWS - Wikipedia Vid of Phalanx in all sorts of firing modes: Phalanx CIWS Close-in Weapon System In Action - US Navy's Deadly Autocannon - … --- ## ["Administrator" blocking installation of downloaded program](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/administrator-blocking-installation-of-downloaded-program/751295)
**Author:** [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2016, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/administrator-blocking-installation-of-downloaded-program/751295 "2016-04-05T22:02:07Z")
I want to install a special Windows Media Player program. I downloaded it and attempted to install it but got a message that “the administrator” has some kind of policy blocking such installation. I don’t understand this… --- ## [Invention that needed no specialist knowledge yet was used by the masses.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invention-that-needed-no-specialist-knowledge-yet-was-used-by-the-masses/750858)
**Author:** [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2016, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invention-that-needed-no-specialist-knowledge-yet-was-used-by-the-masses/750858 "2016-04-05T21:38:39Z")
Which is a recent invention that fulfils the following criteria Within the past 10 years Needed no specialist knowledge by the inventor ie: did not need an engineering degree for eg or extensive knowledge of science. … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=923) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=925)