# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=985 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 986 --- ## ["Change drivers" on stop sign?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/change-drivers-on-stop-sign/740861)
**Author:** [@Dingbang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dingbang)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2015, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/change-drivers-on-stop-sign/740861 "2015-12-20T00:46:44Z")
Passed by a Carmax yesterday and noticed an odd sign at the exit. As you’re leaving the dealership and turning onto the roadway, there’s a stop sign that also says “Change drivers.” I Googled but only found design plans … --- ## [Colorization of old film](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colorization-of-old-film/740755)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2015, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colorization-of-old-film/740755 "2015-12-20T00:29:59Z")
Hello Everyone, I’m watching a show about WWII that uses authentic black and white footage that has been colorized. It is simply amazing. How difficult is it to do this? I imagine it must take hours to do just a few se… --- ## [US Rt 202](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-rt-202/740715)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2015, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-rt-202/740715 "2015-12-20T00:10:01Z")
Why is it signed as running East/West? It runs much closer to North/South. --- ## [Outdoor holiday lights without external power outlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outdoor-holiday-lights-without-external-power-outlet/739483)
**Author:** [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2015, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outdoor-holiday-lights-without-external-power-outlet/739483 "2015-12-19T21:41:01Z")
How might one set up outdoor decorative holiday lights if one does not have a power outlet on the outside of one’s house? --- ## [Why might my dog pull on the leash, but only when walking southbound?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-might-my-dog-pull-on-the-leash-but-only-when-walking-southbound/740720)
**Author:** [@iceiso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iceiso)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2015, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-might-my-dog-pull-on-the-leash-but-only-when-walking-southbound/740720 "2015-12-19T21:08:06Z")
I have a dog. He’s about 5 years old. We’ve been living at my current home for about 1 1/2 years. 99% of the time, I start my walk going northbound for about a mile, then we turn around and walk home, southbound. I do t… --- ## [Car crashes into giant block of Superball material](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-crashes-into-giant-block-of-superball-material/740642)
**Author:** [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2015, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-crashes-into-giant-block-of-superball-material/740642 "2015-12-19T20:55:39Z")
Like the question about the car hitting a block foam, except it’s made out of Superballstuff, specially prepared polybutadiene. So a car going about 100 km/h hits a 20-meter-thick block of Superball material. The block … --- ## [Compromised computer, or network?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compromised-computer-or-network/740673)
**Author:** [@AmanoJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AmanoJ)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2015, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compromised-computer-or-network/740673 "2015-12-19T17:20:03Z")
I was hoping someone might be able to help me understand this situation. Fair warning: I am not skilled in these things whatsoever. I can get around computers well enough on my own and have some pretty basic knowledge, b… --- ## [Science behind 'enlightenments' and 'spiritual awakenings'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-behind-enlightenments-and-spiritual-awakenings/740553)
**Author:** [@Cardboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardboard)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2015, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-behind-enlightenments-and-spiritual-awakenings/740553 "2015-12-19T14:24:04Z")
What is the science behind ‘enlightenments’ and ‘spiritual awakenings’? For example, some people are depressed then boom, they’ve had an ‘enlightenment’ and are whole new people. One famous one is Eckhart Tolle. What bra… --- ## [What's the straight dope on human echolocation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-straight-dope-on-human-echolocation/740759)
**Author:** [@bldysabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bldysabba)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2015, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-straight-dope-on-human-echolocation/740759 "2015-12-19T13:01:06Z")
Wiki link Has it been scientifically tested? Can people actually use echolocation? --- ## [Is there Still a "Grand Mufti" of Jerusalem?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-still-a-grand-mufti-of-jerusalem/740730)
**Author:** [@botsgotme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/botsgotme)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2015, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-still-a-grand-mufti-of-jerusalem/740730 "2015-12-19T11:39:43Z")
In the book “Oh Jerusalem”, reference is made to a muslim leader called a “Grand Mufti”. Is there one today? What are the duties of a Mufti? --- ## [How deep could I set my house foundations (basement)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-deep-could-i-set-my-house-foundations-basement/173353)
**Author:** [@DrLiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrLiver)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2015, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-deep-could-i-set-my-house-foundations-basement/173353 "2015-12-19T06:30:41Z")
Say I’m a crazy rich bastard and I want to have a one story high house, with 30 basement levels. Is there any laws (Canadian, US or other) that would prevent me from having a house that goes really deep? -Considering t… --- ## [Help me decode a rocker switch spec](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-decode-a-rocker-switch-spec/740735)
**Author:** [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2015, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-decode-a-rocker-switch-spec/740735 "2015-12-19T03:57:43Z")
I need a high amperage DPDT switch to add forward/reverse to a 24vdc motor. 30A rating would be OK assuming that the switch could cope with an occasional short burst higher than that. There’s a particular switch which … --- ## [Is there anywhere where it's against the law to buy animals from a pet shop for food?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anywhere-where-its-against-the-law-to-buy-animals-from-a-pet-shop-for-food/624602)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2015, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anywhere-where-its-against-the-law-to-buy-animals-from-a-pet-shop-for-food/624602 "2015-12-19T03:04:05Z")
A conversation with some South American friends turned to the subject of cuy and how it was unavailable in the US. One of the people chimed in that all you had to do was but some guinea pigs from the local pet shop and i… --- ## [How strong is Yahoo?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-strong-is-yahoo/740615)
**Author:** [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2015, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-strong-is-yahoo/740615 "2015-12-19T01:18:07Z")
A friend of mine, much smarter than I, mentioned that Yahoo would go under. I read Wiki’s page and it seems pretty strong and healthy. What’s the skinny on Yahoo? Any thoughts? --- ## [Do cops get paid all the hours they work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-cops-get-paid-all-the-hours-they-work/740422)
**Author:** [@bomberswarm2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bomberswarm2)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2015, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-cops-get-paid-all-the-hours-they-work/740422 "2015-12-19T01:16:51Z")
On Law and Order Svu, the dectetives seem to work pretty much 24/7, like over 100 hours per week. In real life, would the dectetives get paid all this (and therefore be making almost 3 times their normal salary, 300,000$… --- ## [Firefox page loading problem.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefox-page-loading-problem/740806)
**Author:** [@janeslogin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janeslogin)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2015, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefox-page-loading-problem/740806 "2015-12-19T00:51:24Z")
I’ve a Firefox page loading problem. Sporadically but frequently this happens (SDMB is just an example) \>SDMB \[page opens but activity indicator keeps spinning\]\> Post New Thread \[nothing happens until the activity indica… --- ## [Status of 9/11 lawsuits? What Is Happening?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/status-of-9-11-lawsuits-what-is-happening/740794)
**Author:** [@botsgotme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/botsgotme)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2015, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/status-of-9-11-lawsuits-what-is-happening/740794 "2015-12-19T00:00:26Z")
The US Government promoted a settlement, for the families of the victims of the Bin Laden attack that destroyed the Word Trade center Towers. i understand that a few people chose not accept the deal, choosing instead t… --- ## [Why no Interstate I-30, I-50 and I-60?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-interstate-i-30-i-50-and-i-60/740660)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2015, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-interstate-i-30-i-50-and-i-60/740660 "2015-12-18T23:51:11Z")
I was looking at a map of the US that had on it the Interstate Highway System. I happen to be looking at East-West Interstates that cross most, if not all of the US. For example, you can jump on Interstate 80 in San Fran… --- ## [Oven running long, long time without getting hot. What's broke?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oven-running-long-long-time-without-getting-hot-whats-broke/740618)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2015, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oven-running-long-long-time-without-getting-hot-whats-broke/740618 "2015-12-18T23:30:42Z")
Started noticing the red light on my oven wasn’t cycling on/off. Preheating the oven used to take 15 mins. Last night I checked it with a oven thermometer and after 30 mins it was only up to 300. Thirty mins later it st… --- ## [What degrades in an old digital clock that makes it start to run fast?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-degrades-in-an-old-digital-clock-that-makes-it-start-to-run-fast/740747)
**Author:** [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2015, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-degrades-in-an-old-digital-clock-that-makes-it-start-to-run-fast/740747 "2015-12-18T22:59:00Z")
I have a digital clock that I’ve had for about 30 years. Within the past few years, the time has started going fast by about a minute every day or so. That is, if I set the correct time today, in about a month it will … --- ## [Background noise during live Presidential address](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/background-noise-during-live-presidential-address/740801)
**Author:** [@MetroGnome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MetroGnome)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2015, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/background-noise-during-live-presidential-address/740801 "2015-12-18T22:14:35Z")
Right now I’m listening to a live Presidential press conference from the White House on NPR and I keep hearing a very distracting intermittent noise in the background, but I can’t figure out what it is. Initially, I tho… --- ## [A noob's question about Roku](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-noobs-question-about-roku/740625)
**Author:** [@priority](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/priority)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2015, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-noobs-question-about-roku/740625 "2015-12-18T20:42:47Z")
I’m considering dumping Dish Network and going to Roku 3. I don’t watch a lot of TV, but I’m concerned about being able to access those shows I do like. I realize that some premium content requires a monthly subscriptio… --- ## [At The Time of the Roman Invasion, Was Stonhenge Still In Use?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-the-time-of-the-roman-invasion-was-stonhenge-still-in-use/740650)
**Author:** [@botsgotme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/botsgotme)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2015, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-the-time-of-the-roman-invasion-was-stonhenge-still-in-use/740650 "2015-12-18T18:41:30Z")
The megalithic monument is generally supposed to have been a site for religious ceremonies of some kind. Was it still in use when the Romans arrived? The druids (priests of the Celtic religion) are supposed to have used… --- ## [How to manipulate/deactivate auto-off timer of heated throw](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-manipulate-deactivate-auto-off-timer-of-heated-throw/740774)
**Author:** [@iceiso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iceiso)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2015, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-manipulate-deactivate-auto-off-timer-of-heated-throw/740774 "2015-12-18T16:11:47Z")
In the winter, I like to keep my house cool at night to save on my heating bill. I have a heavy goosedown comforter, but I wanted to extend its range, so I went to the store to look at heated blankets. A heated blanket … --- ## [Does the US Bill of Rights apply to foreign visitors?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-us-bill-of-rights-apply-to-foreign-visitors/740749)
**Author:** [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2015, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-us-bill-of-rights-apply-to-foreign-visitors/740749 "2015-12-18T14:47:27Z")
That is really pretty much the question. I did search GQ, but the only discussion I found was very brief and discussed the plain text of the amendments. However, is there any case law that establishes that the rights e… --- ## [Courts-Martial, Court-Martials, and Suffixes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/courts-martial-court-martials-and-suffixes/740611)
**Author:** [@Powers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Powers)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2015, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/courts-martial-court-martials-and-suffixes/740611 "2015-12-18T13:54:36Z")
So, when we use “court-martial” as a noun, it’s properly pluralized as “courts-martial”. But it seems we don’t use the same structure when it’s used as a verb: “court-martialed”, “court-martials”, etc. Why? Powers &8^… --- ## [Now you're cooking with pepper spray!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-youre-cooking-with-pepper-spray/70309)
**Author:** [@Arken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arken)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2001, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-youre-cooking-with-pepper-spray/70309 "2001-06-27T23:07:52Z")
Has anyone used pepper spray to cook with? Like the kind for defense? It’s supposed to be non-lethal, so it can’t be toxic, right? I’m just planning on making the ultimate enchiladas and I’m out of Pam. :wink: --- ## [Put mis-delivered mail in mailbox = Federal crime?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/put-mis-delivered-mail-in-mailbox-federal-crime/740706)
**Author:** [@zwede](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zwede)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2015, 8:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/put-mis-delivered-mail-in-mailbox-federal-crime/740706 "2015-12-18T08:57:28Z")
So our mailman is pretty sloppy and often puts the wrong mail in our mailboxes. The most common error is that one house on the street has no mail that day and then the rest of the street is one off (I get my neighbor’s m… --- ## [Shotgun Wedding Divorce Rate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shotgun-wedding-divorce-rate/740491)
**Author:** [@andrea\_green](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andrea_green)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2015, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shotgun-wedding-divorce-rate/740491 "2015-12-18T07:11:49Z")
I’ve known a few folks this season who got married because of an unplanned pregnancy (in this day and age for women with access to birth control pills I don’t even understand why this is so common). I am interested to k… --- ## [searching a movieclip on YouTube. How to skip the fan-made music vids?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/searching-a-movieclip-on-youtube-how-to-skip-the-fan-made-music-vids/740616)
**Author:** [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2015, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/searching-a-movieclip-on-youtube-how-to-skip-the-fan-made-music-vids/740616 "2015-12-18T01:34:26Z")
Whenever I search for a movie clip on Youtube, the first seven pages of hits are usually grainy fan-made mashups where the scene is cut to fit an Evanescence song. Is there any easy way to filtr these out, and to just g… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=984) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=986)