# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 2 --- ## [Eating at a restaurant while camping](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eating-at-a-restaurant-while-camping/1033469)
**Author:** [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2026, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eating-at-a-restaurant-while-camping/1033469 "2026-10-05T17:54:12Z")
While I have done some backpack/bicycle/kayak camping, most of my camping is car camping with a tent. While I bring most of my food, I often grab one meal at a nearby non-chain restaurant a) because it is one less meal t… --- ## [A question about Christian religions that believe a Rapture is coming](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-christian-religions-that-believe-a-rapture-is-coming/1033261)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2026, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-christian-religions-that-believe-a-rapture-is-coming/1033261 "2026-10-05T07:43:24Z")
For Christian religions that believe the Rapture is a real thing, what, if anything, is said about the rest of the universe and the other entities that occupy it? Does the whole thing go away? Are the others leaving on… --- ## [Fabric softener/conditioner...yes/no?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-conditioner-yes-no/779962)
**Author:** [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2026, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-softener-conditioner-yes-no/779962 "2026-10-05T00:27:11Z")
I’ve always been a regular washing powder/liquid and hang the clothes on the outdoor line sort of gal, but recently (after being persuaded by the telly advertisements) decided to try a fabric softener. I was extremely u… --- ## [How would you describe an orgasm (not seeking sex stories!)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-describe-an-orgasm-not-seeking-sex-stories/1033186)
**Author:** [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2026, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-describe-an-orgasm-not-seeking-sex-stories/1033186 "2026-10-04T23:34:51Z")
This is not meant to be a lurid thread. I’m not trying to solicit stories of how you got to the moment. Rather, I’m curious about the limits of language. and variations in subjective experiences. An orgasm is often to… --- ## [What fads in history can you name?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fads-in-history-can-you-name/1033399)
**Author:** [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Replies:** 131\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2026, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fads-in-history-can-you-name/1033399 "2026-10-03T13:48:48Z")
Sitting on flagpoles in the 1920s Stuffing people into phone booths in the late 1950s. Doing “The Macarena” in the mid 1990s. What other fads can you name? --- ## [Where are the billionaire philanthropists?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-the-billionaire-philanthropists/1030192)
**Author:** [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2026, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-the-billionaire-philanthropists/1030192 "2026-10-03T00:28:52Z")
In the first Gilded Age, the central government was weak and corrupt, and the country was run by oligarchs (aka, “robber barons”). But at least one of whom – Andrew Carnegie comes to mind – gave away vast amounts of the… --- ## [Any neurologists on the Dope? (movement disorders and the treatment thereof)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-neurologists-on-the-dope-movement-disorders-and-the-treatment-thereof/1033452)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2026, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-neurologists-on-the-dope-movement-disorders-and-the-treatment-thereof/1033452 "2026-10-02T22:13:41Z")
For some twenty-mumble years I’ve lived with essential tremor (bilateral). In 2016, I had Medtronic Deep Brain Stimulation implants placed in my brain (with pulse generators in my chest). In 2022, I got new generators wi… --- ## [Gas in California is special. It has to be more expensive. Does it really need to be that much more?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-in-california-is-special-it-has-to-be-more-expensive-does-it-really-need-to-be-that-much-more/1033526)
**Author:** [@Ancient\_Nerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ancient_Nerd)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2026, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-in-california-is-special-it-has-to-be-more-expensive-does-it-really-need-to-be-that-much-more/1033526 "2026-10-02T21:34:56Z")
Continuing the discussion from How are gas prices in your area?: California has large cities in valleys surrounded by high mountain ranges. It has a long dry season with no rain. One of many things we do to reduce smo… --- ## [What I've Learned from Caustic Reviews of My Book](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-from-caustic-reviews-of-my-book/1033435)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2026, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-from-caustic-reviews-of-my-book/1033435 "2026-10-02T16:48:49Z")
(the first book, GenderQueer) Most of the non-warm reactions come from people seeing me as kin to incels. Or at least to men’s rights folks. They aren’t entirely wrong. It’s part of why I thought it so important to s… --- ## [Getting an all in one computer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-an-all-in-one-computer/1033468)
**Author:** [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2026, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-an-all-in-one-computer/1033468 "2026-10-02T08:07:03Z")
I’m going to get a new computer in a couple of weeks. For a couple of reasons I’d like an all in one. Other than the usual internet stuff I’m mainly going to use it for world building for the novel I’m working on (first … --- ## [Need air-gapped version of Word/Office](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-air-gapped-version-of-word-office/1033351)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2026, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-air-gapped-version-of-word-office/1033351 "2026-10-02T04:17:14Z")
Just got the unwelcome notice that the 2019 version of Microsoft Word will no longer allow creating or editing Word docs. I suppose if one went through the entire original licensing agreement it would somewhere say the e… --- ## [Help me plan our 40th Anniversary next year](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-our-40th-anniversary-next-year/1033477)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2026, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-our-40th-anniversary-next-year/1033477 "2026-10-01T14:45:29Z")
This year for our 39th Anniversary My Beloved and I attended Worldcon in Anaheim in late August, so I asked her what wanted to do next year for the Big Four-Oh. We are going to Albuquerque, NM! In late August! To a li… --- ## [California posts public warning the day before 23andme goes bankrupt](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-posts-public-warning-the-day-before-23andme-goes-bankrupt/1016009)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2026, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-posts-public-warning-the-day-before-23andme-goes-bankrupt/1016009 "2026-10-01T00:39:37Z")
Yesterday the State of California warned that the genetic testing company 23andme is in poor financial shape, and urged people to delete their information there: Attorney General Bonta Urgently Issues Consumer Alert for … --- ## [So tell me about visiting New Mexico in the fall](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-visiting-new-mexico-in-the-fall/1030802)
**Author:** [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2026, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-visiting-new-mexico-in-the-fall/1030802 "2026-09-30T21:12:05Z")
We’d been debating between Montreal and New Mexico, and currently New Mexico is in the lead due to airfare prices being about half that of Montreal’s (despite it being only about a 2-hour flight from home, with Albuquerq… --- ## [How did we come up with "icky"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-we-come-up-with-icky/1033403)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2026, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-we-come-up-with-icky/1033403 "2026-09-30T16:14:54Z")
It doesn’t seem to have any basis I can think of. Is it used only in the US? And don’t give me any fish story. --- ## [Is ~ (tilde) widely used and understood](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-tilde-widely-used-and-understood/1032449)
**Author:** [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2026, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-tilde-widely-used-and-understood/1032449 "2026-09-30T13:52:56Z")
I’ve found I use the tilde ~ almost daily in work communications (i.e. ~ 10:30am, ~ 4-5 weeks, ~ $17k). And now I’ve started using it a lot in personal texts and emails. Just yesterday I gave our dog sitter written ins… --- ## [Recommend a new Chromebook](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-new-chromebook/1033396)
**Author:** [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2026, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-new-chromebook/1033396 "2026-09-30T13:26:06Z")
I have an Acer CB Plus 714 Flip and the latest update threw it into a boot loop. Apparently, Google has been bricking these models for about a month. I’m trying various things to recover it, but assuming that doesn’t w… --- ## [GMA reporter Will Reeve, son of Christopher, announces that he had testicular cancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gma-reporter-will-reeve-son-of-christopher-announces-that-he-had-testicular-cancer/1033476)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2026, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gma-reporter-will-reeve-son-of-christopher-announces-that-he-had-testicular-cancer/1033476 "2026-09-30T04:01:50Z")
He was diagnosed and treated earlier this year, and thankfully was able to keep it under wraps until he was ready to announce it. He had two surgeries - one relatively minor, the other not - and needed just two cycles o… --- ## [Let AI assess your personality](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-ai-assess-your-personality/1033363)
**Author:** [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2026, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-ai-assess-your-personality/1033363 "2026-09-29T14:34:43Z")
Lots (of good) AI threads lately (late-ly?) … A little game, I’d like you to play if you are so inclined: for those of you who have used an AI bot, pls ask it the following prompt: based on our all-time-conversations,… --- ## [How much do you trust your AI Chatbot?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-trust-your-ai-chatbot/1033319)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 122\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2026, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-trust-your-ai-chatbot/1033319 "2026-09-29T11:57:08Z")
I’ve been using ChatGPT since 2023. I’m using it more now because I’m researching a new screenplay I’m writing. I could do it the old fashioned way and learn it all “fact by fact”, but it’s much easier and more efficient… --- ## [A Good Digital Wallet for Political Donations? (Incl. Ukraine’s United24)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-digital-wallet-for-political-donations-incl-ukraine-s-united24/1033449)
**Author:** [@Baal\_Houtham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baal_Houtham)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2026, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-digital-wallet-for-political-donations-incl-ukraine-s-united24/1033449 "2026-09-28T15:32:44Z")
I want to make some donations prior to the 2026 midterms. Long ago I used PayPal as a digital wallet, but at some point became concerned about Elon Musk’s involvement and mostly stopped. I used ApplePay for a while, but … --- ## [Cornell frat suspended for game in which men compete to have sex with overweight women](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cornell-frat-suspended-for-game-in-which-men-compete-to-have-sex-with-overweight-women/808385)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 105\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2026, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cornell-frat-suspended-for-game-in-which-men-compete-to-have-sex-with-overweight-women/808385 "2026-09-28T12:37:28Z")
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/02/cornell-fraternity-zeta-beta-tau-suspended-for-offensive-pig-roast-game.html OK, pig roast as a title is totally offensive and well out of order. These guys need to be punish… --- ## [Anyone happen to know the history of Jack's Giant elephant ears?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-happen-to-know-the-history-of-jacks-giant-elephant-ears/1031010)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2026, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-happen-to-know-the-history-of-jacks-giant-elephant-ears/1031010 "2026-09-28T03:20:27Z")
I recently bought some elephant ear (Colocasia esculenta) corms at my local grocery store. I haven’t grown them in years, but the first time I bought them was in the late 1990s at Walmart, and the corms were several time… --- ## [Tangled ropes and cables](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tangled-ropes-and-cables/1033346)
**Author:** [@dcbwhaley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dcbwhaley)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2026, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tangled-ropes-and-cables/1033346 "2026-09-27T02:48:59Z")
When you put two loosely coiled lengths of rope or cable in a cupboard they are invariably tangled when you come to retrieve them. Where does the energy for this entanglement come from and could it be harnessed in som… --- ## [German grammar--ge- prefix on past participle?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/german-grammar-ge-prefix-on-past-participle/1033387)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [September 26, 2026, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/german-grammar-ge-prefix-on-past-participle/1033387 "2026-09-26T20:18:32Z")
Most German verbs add a ge- prefix to the past participle. Eg. machen, gemacht (make, made), but not all do, e.g. spazieren, spaziert (walk, walked). There are special rules for verbs that already have prefixes, but I wi… --- ## [Do you experience the ‘too tired to go to bed’ situation, and how do you deal with it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-experience-the-too-tired-to-go-to-bed-situation-and-how-do-you-deal-with-it/1033020)
**Author:** [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [September 26, 2026, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-experience-the-too-tired-to-go-to-bed-situation-and-how-do-you-deal-with-it/1033020 "2026-09-26T17:09:00Z")
Something that I experience reasonably often, and that I am exasperated with myself about: Nothing remains to be done on the day (or I have already deferred what I could do due to fatigue) I sit in the living room or o… --- ## [Urgent Uber Information NEED ANSWER FAST](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urgent-uber-information-need-answer-fast/1033382)
**Author:** [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [September 26, 2026, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urgent-uber-information-need-answer-fast/1033382 "2026-09-26T14:11:07Z")
My sister-in-law is getting released from the hospital later this afternoon after a battle with sepsis. I have to bring her home via Uber. The problem: though Uber has no trouble finding my brother’s house to pick me up,… --- ## [Ok plumbing people, quick(ish) question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-plumbing-people-quick-ish-question/1033350)
**Author:** [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2026, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-plumbing-people-quick-ish-question/1033350 "2026-09-25T19:47:42Z")
I started noticing an odor around my kitchen sink (I’m in the US.) The odor is dirty, more than rotten. Almost like wet cigar ashes. It’s a double sink and both sinks drain easily. I have a garbage disposal which is work… --- ## [Interrelationships Between Law Enforcement in Addressing Local Crime](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interrelationships-between-law-enforcement-in-addressing-local-crime/1033302)
**Author:** [@Eric1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eric1)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2026, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interrelationships-between-law-enforcement-in-addressing-local-crime/1033302 "2026-09-25T19:25:10Z")
My alum university has been plagued with reported rapes in the dorms this month. My employer has assigned me to work temporarily next door to the building where the rapes are occurring. I want to be a proactive in askin… --- ## [Prompt your chatbot to build a profile of your SDMB user account](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prompt-your-chatbot-to-build-a-profile-of-your-sdmb-user-account/1033358)
**Author:** [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2026, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prompt-your-chatbot-to-build-a-profile-of-your-sdmb-user-account/1033358 "2026-09-25T00:28:55Z")
Take note of how much you agree with what it has to say about you. Then have it build a profile of someone else. Maybe someone you’re highly critical of. Make a prediction. Does the profile match your prediction? How d… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=2)