# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=962 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 963 --- ## [Is it possible to rob a bank these days?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-rob-a-bank-these-days/744362)
**Author:** [@bomberswarm2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bomberswarm2)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2016, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-rob-a-bank-these-days/744362 "2016-01-28T03:12:20Z")
I’m watching Quick Change, and it made me think, with all the holdup alarms, security cameras, mobile phones, is it actually possible to rob a bank successfully these days? --- ## [Can I get my old "charging" icon back on my iPhone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-my-old-charging-icon-back-on-my-iphone/744349)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2016, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-my-old-charging-icon-back-on-my-iphone/744349 "2016-01-28T02:19:35Z")
I used to have an iPhone 4 (I think), and I liked the charging icon. If it was plugged in, and I pushed the Big Button, there would be a big icon of a battery, showing either red (if under 20% charge), or green (if more… --- ## [Yes, yes, of course. But why those particular smallish cities for state capitals?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-yes-of-course-but-why-those-particular-smallish-cities-for-state-capitals/743694)
**Author:** [@Find\_Friends](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Find_Friends)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2016, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-yes-of-course-but-why-those-particular-smallish-cities-for-state-capitals/743694 "2016-01-28T02:13:49Z")
I suppose as far back as later grade school years I was vaguely aware that most U.S. state capitals were definitely not the most populous cities in their respective states. (Boston, Denver and Honolulu are exceptions.) … --- ## [Why doesn't the sun twinkle?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-the-sun-twinkle/744372)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2016, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-the-sun-twinkle/744372 "2016-01-28T01:12:09Z")
Thd science of twinkling stars is a huge field in astronomy and its instruments and optical transmission in general. They twinkle because our retinas recognize fluctuation of (…luminance, primarily?) of the light as it p… --- ## [What causes the scratches on the bodies of sperm whales?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-the-scratches-on-the-bodies-of-sperm-whales/744177)
**Author:** [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2016, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-the-scratches-on-the-bodies-of-sperm-whales/744177 "2016-01-28T00:18:25Z")
Three sperm whales washed up on a beach in the U.K. and died. The bottom photo in the linked article shows a whale with numerous scratch marks on its body. What causes these scratches? A bit of googling has offered only… --- ## [Why do we still gather data from inside tornadoes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-still-gather-data-from-inside-tornadoes/744270)
**Author:** [@bomberswarm2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bomberswarm2)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2016, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-still-gather-data-from-inside-tornadoes/744270 "2016-01-28T00:03:53Z")
I’ve watched all the episodes of “Storm Chasers” and “Tornado Chasers”, and I know that even today there are still tornado scientists trying to put probes inside tornadoes to gather data about conditions inside the funne… --- ## [Disconnected line tone on answering machine to discourage telemarketers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disconnected-line-tone-on-answering-machine-to-discourage-telemarketers/744233)
**Author:** [@Patch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patch)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2016, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disconnected-line-tone-on-answering-machine-to-discourage-telemarketers/744233 "2016-01-27T23:48:37Z")
As telemarketers have figured out my cell phone number and I’m getting automated calls, I was wondering if this plan would work. At the start of my answering machine message, play the three-tone sound that signifies a d… --- ## [Cell phone headset without ear pieces](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-headset-without-ear-pieces/744389)
**Author:** [@stanger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stanger)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2016, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-headset-without-ear-pieces/744389 "2016-01-27T23:21:16Z")
I will be getting a new cell phone in a few days, and it has Bluetooth capability. I work alone in my workshop every day and often have a hand either holding a part or covered with grease a good part of the time. I like… --- ## [System Restore](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/system-restore/744408)
**Author:** [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2016, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/system-restore/744408 "2016-01-27T22:29:49Z")
Either because this is the 27th of the month or because I just got a Windows update, my computer reverts to the layout I had before I personalized it with shortcuts on my desktop and task bar, along with the size of my i… --- ## [How long can a snorkel tube be and still be effective?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-can-a-snorkel-tube-be-and-still-be-effective/354567)
**Author:** [@Tappi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tappi)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2016, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-can-a-snorkel-tube-be-and-still-be-effective/354567 "2016-01-27T22:21:27Z")
It occured to me that it might be a good idea to make snorkel tubes longer to allow people to go further underwater without the need for an air supply in a tank. The design would be something along the lines of having a … --- ## [Cosmic expansion (re: A Universe From Nothing)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosmic-expansion-re-a-universe-from-nothing/743978)
**Author:** [@Mosier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mosier)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2016, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosmic-expansion-re-a-universe-from-nothing/743978 "2016-01-27T22:08:46Z")
Lawrence M. Krauss wrote a tremendous (in my opinion) book called A Universe From Nothing, which pretty neatly explains how stuff exists, and how “nothing” gives rise to everything. Part of the book is dedicated to expl… --- ## [Do the Arabs acknowledge Israeli military prowess?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-arabs-acknowledge-israeli-military-prowess/743960)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2016, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-arabs-acknowledge-israeli-military-prowess/743960 "2016-01-27T20:44:50Z")
Regardless of what one may think of Israel, it is indisputable that Israel has demonstrated itself, over the course of over 60 years, to be a country very good at waging war, using innovation, cunning and high technology… --- ## [How did the word "bitch" come to be associated with ...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-word-bitch-come-to-be-associated-with/744169)
**Author:** [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2016, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-word-bitch-come-to-be-associated-with/744169 "2016-01-27T17:48:02Z")
with a nasty or mean lady? I know - of course - that it is synonymous with a female dog. But is there any connection between that and a nasty or mean lady? I Googled “what is the connection between “bitch” and nasty l… --- ## [Writing an interrupted word in a picto/ideo-graph language like Chinese?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writing-an-interrupted-word-in-a-picto-ideo-graph-language-like-chinese/744209)
**Author:** [@TipTapTwo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TipTapTwo)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2016, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writing-an-interrupted-word-in-a-picto-ideo-graph-language-like-chinese/744209 "2016-01-27T15:55:27Z")
In English, if a word is interru- (yes? what is it?) interrupted before it is finished we can write it like that, with the incomplete word’s meaning staying intact/known. In a language like Chinese, is there a way to wri… --- ## [Extracting contents of dead hard drive](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extracting-contents-of-dead-hard-drive/743625)
**Author:** [@jakesteele](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jakesteele)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2016, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extracting-contents-of-dead-hard-drive/743625 "2016-01-26T22:03:12Z")
I have two hard drives that stopped working and they had vital info on them. I asked the Geek Squad about extracting the data and they said it would probably be very expensive to do so. This was years ago. I’m wonderi… --- ## [Is there a way to put a PowerPoint on the Web with speaker notes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-put-a-powerpoint-on-the-web-with-speaker-notes/744350)
**Author:** [@Mr\_Downtown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Downtown)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2016, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-put-a-powerpoint-on-the-web-with-speaker-notes/744350 "2016-01-27T14:03:28Z")
I want to share some PowerPoint presentations that are primarily images. I have things to say about the images in speaker notes. I’m looking for a way to display both together on the Web. The usually proffered solutio… --- ## [What phenomenon would explain \[the lights in the sky in\] this video?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-phenomenon-would-explain-the-lights-in-the-sky-in-this-video/743936)
**Author:** [@andrea\_green](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andrea_green)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2016, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-phenomenon-would-explain-the-lights-in-the-sky-in-this-video/743936 "2016-01-27T11:57:09Z")
What caused this unusual pattern in the sky? --- ## [What should replace AR](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-replace-ar/744290)
**Author:** [@Stinky\_Pete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stinky_Pete)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2016, 8:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-replace-ar/744290 "2016-01-27T08:41:30Z")
My brother still uses Adobe Reader on his computer. I suspect there is a better software out there that can replace it. He isn’t too tech savvy so keep recommendations to software that is easy user friendly. Any good re… --- ## [Propaganda cartoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propaganda-cartoon/744339)
**Author:** [@lbruce\_wavecable.com](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lbruce_wavecable.com)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2016, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propaganda-cartoon/744339 "2016-01-27T03:00:14Z")
I remember watching black and white TV in the early 1950’s and seeing a cheesy cartoon that had the “hero” as a God fearing American confronting commies, anarchists, etc. The animation was horrible, with card board cut o… --- ## [Nuclear Explosion In A Blizzard](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-explosion-in-a-blizzard/744105)
**Author:** [@2gigch1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2gigch1)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2016, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-explosion-in-a-blizzard/744105 "2016-01-27T00:27:21Z")
So working in one of the world’s greatest targets I get to wondering things. One over the past few days was “What would happen if a (terrorist / foreign power / supervillian / alien) exploded a nuclear device during the … --- ## [Does octane average?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-octane-average/742763)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2016, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-octane-average/742763 "2016-01-26T21:02:44Z")
If my car needs 91 octane, can I mix 89 and 93 half and half? --- ## [Did Davey Crocket actually wear a coon skin cap and did they have any practical value?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-davey-crocket-actually-wear-a-coon-skin-cap-and-did-they-have-any-practical-value/743857)
**Author:** [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2016, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-davey-crocket-actually-wear-a-coon-skin-cap-and-did-they-have-any-practical-value/743857 "2016-01-26T20:00:42Z")
fess Parker made it famous, but still, you meet up on the wide open plains after hundreds of mile and a few years. wouldn’t you be better off with a Grizzly, Wolf, or Eagle as your headgear? --- ## [What is vagal tone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-vagal-tone/744226)
**Author:** [@pohjonen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pohjonen)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2016, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-vagal-tone/744226 "2016-01-26T19:34:55Z")
I have a cardiac arrythmia (multifocal atrial tachycardiac) caused by a wandering atrial pacemaker. Google tells me this is generally caused by COPD or other serious conditions, and if not these then by “variations in va… --- ## [How do you figure the cost basis of a stock if you don't have the purchase information?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-figure-the-cost-basis-of-a-stock-if-you-dont-have-the-purchase-information/744210)
**Author:** [@boozilu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boozilu)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2016, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-figure-the-cost-basis-of-a-stock-if-you-dont-have-the-purchase-information/744210 "2016-01-26T18:29:33Z")
My parents have a brokerage account they’ve had for decades, and the brokerage firm name has changed as firms consolidate etc. We want to sell some stocks and my parents have no idea what the cost basis is. We called t… --- ## [Why does hot water look milky/white when it comes out of the tap?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-hot-water-look-milky-white-when-it-comes-out-of-the-tap/744079)
**Author:** [@Cardboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardboard)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2016, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-hot-water-look-milky-white-when-it-comes-out-of-the-tap/744079 "2016-01-26T18:01:10Z")
Question in the title. --- ## [Besides Computer Viruses...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/besides-computer-viruses/744193)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2016, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/besides-computer-viruses/744193 "2016-01-26T17:16:52Z")
Help me understand this phenomenon. Good guesses are welcome. In 2014, I started getting fraudulently addressed emails sent to my account. I don’t mean merely that they had forged “From” headers, that’s nothing new. … --- ## [Can someone explain the Hegelian dialectic to me?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-hegelian-dialectic-to-me/101799)
**Author:** [@burundi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burundi)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2016, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-hegelian-dialectic-to-me/101799 "2016-01-26T15:44:25Z")
I was talking with two friends the other night. They’re both grad students in theater, and I’m getting my M.A. in history. All three of us have run across the phrase “Hegelian dialectic” in our work, but no one has been… --- ## [How do Aircraft Carrier Steam Catapults work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-aircraft-carrier-steam-catapults-work/107245)
**Author:** [@Dragline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dragline)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2016, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-aircraft-carrier-steam-catapults-work/107245 "2016-01-26T14:51:07Z")
For my first post, I want to ask a good question. I’m embarrassed to ask it, working for the US Navy (civilian), and having taken a guest cruise on a carrier, but steam catapults mystify me. As you know, the damn things… --- ## [Why has the veterinary arthritis medicine Adequan not been approved for human use?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-has-the-veterinary-arthritis-medicine-adequan-not-been-approved-for-human-use/744227)
**Author:** [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2016, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-has-the-veterinary-arthritis-medicine-adequan-not-been-approved-for-human-use/744227 "2016-01-26T13:44:31Z")
We recently put our aging lab onto Adequan injections (the company link is very equine-focused, but they have a canine formulation as well) to treat her arthritis, as the NSAIDS were raising her liver enzymes. We had hea… --- ## [Anyone use Diatomaceous Earth for Bed Bugs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-use-diatomaceous-earth-for-bed-bugs/658715)
**Author:** [@pauly1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pauly1)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2016, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-use-diatomaceous-earth-for-bed-bugs/658715 "2016-01-26T13:36:06Z")
http://www.amazon.com/Earth-Diatomaceous-lbs-Powder/dp/B001THVH9G/ref=sr\_1\_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1368835332&sr=8-6&keywords=diatomaceous+earth+food+grade I read about this while researching and saw this on amazon. Many ppl who … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=961) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=963)