# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=982 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 983 --- ## [How come old games like Pokemon 1st gen are so small?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-old-games-like-pokemon-1st-gen-are-so-small/741188)
**Author:** [@bomberswarm2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bomberswarm2)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2015, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-old-games-like-pokemon-1st-gen-are-so-small/741188 "2015-12-24T16:48:02Z")
I DL’d the ROMS to play on my tablet, and I don’t get how these can be so small, like under a MB. Are these compressed? How do you fit worlds and cutscenes and character dialogue and music this extensive into under a MB?… --- ## [Technology on a planet with only the 25 essential elements for life](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-on-a-planet-with-only-the-25-essential-elements-for-life/740657)
**Author:** [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2015, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-on-a-planet-with-only-the-25-essential-elements-for-life/740657 "2015-12-24T15:46:26Z")
Only 25 Elements are needed for mammalian life: Lets say by bad luck that a planet had only these 25 elements and none of the others were present at all anywhere in the planets crust / surface. Intelligent life evolve… --- ## [If its employee is charged with a felony, does that giv an employer sufficient cause to fire him/her](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-its-employee-is-charged-with-a-felony-does-that-giv-an-employer-sufficient-cause-to-fire-him-her/741133)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2015, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-its-employee-is-charged-with-a-felony-does-that-giv-an-employer-sufficient-cause-to-fire-him-her/741133 "2015-12-24T15:39:23Z")
Following being charged with securities fraud, Martin Shkreli was fired from his CEO position at KaleBios. His termination is of one a number recently where an employer fired an employee upon the latter being charged wit… --- ## [How do they taste test dog food?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-taste-test-dog-food/179528)
**Author:** [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2015, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-taste-test-dog-food/179528 "2015-12-24T14:41:58Z")
While watching a commercial which extolled the bacony taste of some dog food or other, I started wondering how they know what it tastes like exactly. When pet foods are developed, does some human taster actually have to … --- ## [Can police hold a person if they have children?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-police-hold-a-person-if-they-have-children/741077)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2015, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-police-hold-a-person-if-they-have-children/741077 "2015-12-24T14:21:03Z")
Lets say a single mother gets arrested for something at around 1 pm. Her kids come home at 3 and she has to be there. I’ve heard of cases where they got people like this to sign confessions just so they can get home to … --- ## [How good are Indian Made Razor Blades?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-are-indian-made-razor-blades/740919)
**Author:** [@botsgotme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/botsgotme)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2015, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-are-indian-made-razor-blades/740919 "2015-12-24T13:40:04Z")
While shopping at the local Indian grocery, I noticed that they sell old style razor blades, of stainless steel. I also noticed that these are price controlled in India-the box says that they cannot be sold (legally) f… --- ## [Monogram and Pseudonym](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monogram-and-pseudonym/741178)
**Author:** [@bomberswarm2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bomberswarm2)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2015, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monogram-and-pseudonym/741178 "2015-12-24T13:27:38Z")
Firstly, in an episode of The Simpsons, a woman tells Flanders that her name is “Zelda Fitzgerald”, and he instantly recognises this as a pseudonym. How? What makes it a pseudonym on sight? Secondly, in Futurama, Bender… --- ## [Renting a storage unit: What info is required?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-a-storage-unit-what-info-is-required/741089)
**Author:** [@birchtree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/birchtree)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2015, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-a-storage-unit-what-info-is-required/741089 "2015-12-24T12:52:45Z")
I plan to rent a storage unit–what personal info do they typically require? In particular, would they need an applicant’s/tenant’s Social Security number? Such a possibility seems odd, but I filled out some paperwork at… --- ## [Need a good cheap chain saw](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-good-cheap-chain-saw/610439)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2015, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-good-cheap-chain-saw/610439 "2015-12-24T10:20:03Z")
And I know that cheap is relative. I now have a fireplace so I want to be able to cut then split my own firewood. What is a good low-cost chainsaw that is also easy and safe for a beginner to use? Gas or electric? --- ## [What church is this Mary stained glass from?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-church-is-this-mary-stained-glass-from/741009)
**Author:** [@Thinktank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thinktank)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2015, 8:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-church-is-this-mary-stained-glass-from/741009 "2015-12-24T08:49:08Z")
Hello, I’m trying to locate what church and it’s location for this Stained glass art depicting Mary. I used a picture to google image search the actual art. So far I cannot locate the geographic location and the church… --- ## [So what does it mean that having a criminal record can "spoil travel plans"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-does-it-mean-that-having-a-criminal-record-can-spoil-travel-plans/740411)
**Author:** [@Dunmurry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunmurry)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2015, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-does-it-mean-that-having-a-criminal-record-can-spoil-travel-plans/740411 "2015-12-24T06:36:13Z")
There was one thing that is sometimes said by the police on TV that if someone has a criminal record it can make it harder to get a house or harder to get a job and it can “spoil travel plans” but I have no idea what thi… --- ## [John Wayne Gacy-Did He Use the Wrong Type of Lime?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-wayne-gacy-did-he-use-the-wrong-type-of-lime/740317)
**Author:** [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2015, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-wayne-gacy-did-he-use-the-wrong-type-of-lime/740317 "2015-12-24T06:09:05Z")
A good cop friend of mine and I were kicking it recently, and we got to talking about body disposal. Lime, as a solvent was referenced, and he said that John Wayne Gacy was discovered as a murderer because the lime that … --- ## [Were sleeve derringers ever a thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-sleeve-derringers-ever-a-thing/740902)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2015, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-sleeve-derringers-ever-a-thing/740902 "2015-12-24T06:06:46Z")
In movies you’ll occasionally see someone with a small gun stowed up their sleeve in a rig that would make it pop out into their hand (I presume when they twist their wrist). Is this purely a movie invention or did anyon… --- ## [Lionel Model Train Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lionel-model-train-question/604383)
**Author:** [@SanDiegoTim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanDiegoTim)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2015, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lionel-model-train-question/604383 "2015-12-24T03:17:06Z")
I have a Lionel 027 gauge train set. This is what I know as the “traditional” size I grew up with in the 1950’s. How does this size compare with an “0” gauge? Are they compatible? Is the 027 gauge still made? --- ## [Farmers markets and money question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/farmers-markets-and-money-question/741086)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2015, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/farmers-markets-and-money-question/741086 "2015-12-24T02:28:19Z")
I like going to farmers markets but I’ll admit we look more than we buy. I’d like to ask anyone with knowledge, do any of the sellers at a farmers market make much money at it? Is it more of a hobby thing? If so whats a… --- ## [Is there a valid reason to "wind back" a car's odometer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-valid-reason-to-wind-back-a-cars-odometer/740992)
**Author:** [@Mr\_Shine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Shine)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2015, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-valid-reason-to-wind-back-a-cars-odometer/740992 "2015-12-24T02:12:16Z")
I saw a link to a page talking about how to wind back both physical and electronic odmeters in cars, and it had a paper thin veneer statement that this should not be used fraudulently. You see the same messages on places… --- ## [Non-Naturally Occuring Chemicals with Fewer Side Effects on the Human Body than Food?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-naturally-occuring-chemicals-with-fewer-side-effects-on-the-human-body-than-food/741164)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2015, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-naturally-occuring-chemicals-with-fewer-side-effects-on-the-human-body-than-food/741164 "2015-12-24T01:03:12Z")
Are there any chemicals (medications, sweeteners, preservatives, propellants, pesticides, etc.) that are not naturally occurring and which we can genuine say are safer to ingest than, for example, your average plate of k… --- ## [Is there a physical reason why magnetic north is generally north?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-physical-reason-why-magnetic-north-is-generally-north/741212)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2015, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-physical-reason-why-magnetic-north-is-generally-north/741212 "2015-12-24T00:53:58Z")
I think I understand that a spinning liquid metal core naturally generates a magnetic field. Is it pretty much a physical necessity that the magnetic poles are very close to the axis of rotation? or is it simply more of… --- ## [Act-Scene-Page numbering for a play in Microsoft Word 2011](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/act-scene-page-numbering-for-a-play-in-microsoft-word-2011/741155)
**Author:** [@SanibelMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanibelMan)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2015, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/act-scene-page-numbering-for-a-play-in-microsoft-word-2011/741155 "2015-12-24T00:38:38Z")
Does anyone have experience with setting up page numbering for a play in Word? I’m retyping a script from the 70s for a playwright friend of mine, and he’d like for the page numbers to be formatted such that it starts wi… --- ## [is this a logical fallacy existence is proof of existence](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-logical-fallacy-existence-is-proof-of-existence/741156)
**Author:** [@jakesteele](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jakesteele)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2015, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-logical-fallacy-existence-is-proof-of-existence/741156 "2015-12-23T23:44:23Z")
Just to preface this, I’m not a theist or an atheist, but I call myself a mystical agnostic as this allows me to debate theists and atheists. Anyway, I was going back and forth with a guy about atheism and he brought up… --- ## [How much stuff at the dollar store is counterfeit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-stuff-at-the-dollar-store-is-counterfeit/741079)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2015, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-stuff-at-the-dollar-store-is-counterfeit/741079 "2015-12-23T22:47:35Z")
Chain stores like Dollar Tree and such will have things like Disney books and toys. Not that I really care, but just curious as to how much of that stuff is OEM and how much is counterfeit. --- ## [What are these patterns in the fields (Oklahoma/Texas)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-patterns-in-the-fields-oklahoma-texas/741187)
**Author:** [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2015, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-patterns-in-the-fields-oklahoma-texas/741187 "2015-12-23T22:45:52Z")
On Google Maps, lots of the fields have these concentric patterns, which appear to be tracing out contours. Link. They almost look like the patterns you get in terraced fields in steep countryside, but the land here is … --- ## [Girls Vs Boys (strength)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/girls-vs-boys-strength/600422)
**Author:** [@DaveBfd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveBfd)\ **Replies:** 133\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2015, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/girls-vs-boys-strength/600422 "2015-12-23T21:05:59Z")
In my recent university lecture, and as well as previous years, I have had two feminist teachers mention that women are just as strong as men. The teachers being feminist is largely irrelevant, but I mention it because … --- ## [Printer offline problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/printer-offline-problem/741176)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2015, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/printer-offline-problem/741176 "2015-12-23T20:25:49Z")
I have three computers in my home and a networked printer. Two of the computers print fine and the third insists the printer is “offline”. I have rebooted the computer, unplugged and replugged the printer and the probl… --- ## [Military exploitation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-exploitation/741092)
**Author:** [@JakeRS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JakeRS)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2015, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-exploitation/741092 "2015-12-23T20:16:10Z")
I looked at some field manuals, both american and russian/soviet and I kind of understand how offense and defense on the frontline works, but the thing that I have problem with understanding is how ,exploitation" works, … --- ## [Cataract surgery failure](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cataract-surgery-failure/527348)
**Author:** [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2015, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cataract-surgery-failure/527348 "2015-12-23T20:01:04Z")
I’ve heard that not all cataract surgeries are successful. I’m assuming that there’s nothing wrong with the new lens itself, so there must be other factors that can go wrong. What are they? --- ## [what is the big deal about landing the SpaceX rocket](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-big-deal-about-landing-the-spacex-rocket/741205)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2015, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-big-deal-about-landing-the-spacex-rocket/741205 "2015-12-23T19:47:51Z")
Please remove my ignorance. I don’t really see the value in it, and am currently viewing it as an interesting feat, but not much more than a stunt that isn’t really ultimately commercially viable. Why is it such a big … --- ## [Mythological creatures that could have existed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mythological-creatures-that-could-have-existed/741201)
**Author:** [@TheNerdiestNerdAlive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheNerdiestNerdAlive)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2015, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mythological-creatures-that-could-have-existed/741201 "2015-12-23T19:24:47Z")
Top ten list of the most exotic life forms you have heard of? What time period do they belong to? --- ## [If the police damage your private property while pursuing a suspect, who pays for repairs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-police-damage-your-private-property-while-pursuing-a-suspect-who-pays-for-repairs/741030)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2015, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-police-damage-your-private-property-while-pursuing-a-suspect-who-pays-for-repairs/741030 "2015-12-23T18:28:58Z")
I watch Cops once in a while. It’s not uncommon for a fleeing suspect to damage an innocent third party’s private property during his flight from the long arm of the law. Understandably, when this happens, a victim’s o… --- ## [Dinosaur Extinction](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dinosaur-extinction/740940)
**Author:** [@Lawrence\_Cromwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lawrence_Cromwell)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2015, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dinosaur-extinction/740940 "2015-12-23T17:09:24Z")
We’ve all been told that the prevailing theory of how the dinosaurs got wiped out is that a meteor hit the Earth and kicked up enough dust to cause a nuclear winter, which wiped out the cold-blooded dinosaurs. Alternate… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=981) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=983)