# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1103 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1104 --- ## [Small plane hits parachutist. Who's likely at fault?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-plane-hits-parachutist-whos-likely-at-fault/683362)
**Author:** [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2014, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-plane-hits-parachutist-whos-likely-at-fault/683362 "2014-04-30T01:22:00Z")
A small plane doing touch-and-go at a small airport caught the parachute of a landing sky diver, crashing the plane, and flipping the sky diver. Neither person was seriously hurt. Stories here or here. They’re blaming… --- ## [Think about it \[the fate of the country/world\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/think-about-it-the-fate-of-the-country-world/687151)
**Author:** [@deregulated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deregulated)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2014, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/think-about-it-the-fate-of-the-country-world/687151 "2014-04-30T00:54:45Z")
There is a lot going on in the world today. Many people here in the USA think the government is going to round us up and make slaves of us. Nonsense. They will point out the militarization of our police. They will br… --- ## [The death of a neighbor--and the nature of Catholic funerals](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-death-of-a-neighbor-and-the-nature-of-catholic-funerals/686270)
**Author:** [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2014, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-death-of-a-neighbor-and-the-nature-of-catholic-funerals/686270 "2014-04-29T22:03:40Z")
A few days ago, a neighbor of ours named Guillermo died. He and his wife had lived next door to us for at least ten years. They were Mexican, and usually spoke Spanish to each other. They were among the nicest people we’… --- ## [Getting rid of old laptops](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-rid-of-old-laptops/687212)
**Author:** [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2014, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-rid-of-old-laptops/687212 "2014-04-29T21:46:11Z")
I have two laptops here that the wife needs out of the house. Both Amazon and Best Buy have a trade-in program, but neither of them qualify for it. I’m hesitant to put them on craigslist or anything, because I just don’t… --- ## [What's with all the passive voice hate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-all-the-passive-voice-hate/687289)
**Author:** [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2014, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-all-the-passive-voice-hate/687289 "2014-04-29T19:59:47Z")
I hear a lot from supposed experts that the passive voice is disfavored. Why? What’s wrong with it? Example. --- ## [The man with the swastika tattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-man-with-the-swastika-tattoo/686769)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 174\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2014, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-man-with-the-swastika-tattoo/686769 "2014-04-29T19:56:04Z")
Here’s one I could use some objectivity on. There’s a chap who goes to my gym fairly frequently and I bump into a fair amount outside it too, enough to call an acquaintance. Got chatting to him recently and he seems a n… --- ## [People doing things on a whim OK?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-doing-things-on-a-whim-ok/687140)
**Author:** [@ThisUsernameIsForbidden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisUsernameIsForbidden)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2014, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-doing-things-on-a-whim-ok/687140 "2014-04-29T17:13:08Z")
We have all known people that do things, well, because! That’s why! If you were to ask them why they did X, they would say, “Because I wanted to…” do X. There’s no reason–it was on a whim. I don’t find this to be a prob… --- ## [I was just kicked out of a Meetup group.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-just-kicked-out-of-a-meetup-group/566184)
**Author:** [@deanc2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deanc2000)\ **Replies:** 397\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2014, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-just-kicked-out-of-a-meetup-group/566184 "2014-04-29T16:40:01Z")
Okay, so I join this hiking group yesterday. I love hiking, especially the social aspect of it, and so I joined this one group. I was looking through a group of photos from a recent meetup of this group and saw this ver… --- ## [Godlike Powers, Human Mind: What Would You Do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/godlike-powers-human-mind-what-would-you-do/686963)
**Author:** [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2014, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/godlike-powers-human-mind-what-would-you-do/686963 "2014-04-29T15:41:07Z")
Thought experiment: you have super powers. You can do fucking ANYTHING without consequence to yourself or those you care about. You can make every human being on Earth float upside down and sing “I’ve Got A Loverly Bunch… --- ## [You're camping out in the mountains, far from civilization....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-camping-out-in-the-mountains-far-from-civilization/687028)
**Author:** [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2014, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-camping-out-in-the-mountains-far-from-civilization/687028 "2014-04-29T15:14:07Z")
It’s the middle of the night. Suddenly, an alien spacecraft appears and lands nearby. It’s all lit up and pulsating with a deep thrumming sound, just like in the movies. A hatch swings open, light floods out, and h… --- ## [CPAP users - camping?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cpap-users-camping/687201)
**Author:** [@ENugent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ENugent)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2014, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cpap-users-camping/687201 "2014-04-29T14:26:49Z")
I am scheduled to go on a Girl Scout camping trip with my daughter in a week and a half (sleeping in cabins, no electricity). I was assuming that I would just suck it up and (not) sleep without my CPAP for a couple of n… --- ## [Will "too" become "to"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-too-become-to/687089)
**Author:** [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2014, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-too-become-to/687089 "2014-04-29T12:05:21Z")
Lately I’ve noticed people not writing out too and only writing to when they mean too. Anyone else notice this? Are these people lazy, clueless or what? I suppose this is one way written languages change. Someday too w… --- ## [Fall Colors: Where else beside New England?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fall-colors-where-else-beside-new-england/686777)
**Author:** [@jebert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jebert)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2014, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fall-colors-where-else-beside-new-england/686777 "2014-04-29T11:04:46Z")
New England is famous for its fall colors. I’ve been there a few times and enjoyed the scene. I’m wondering what other parts of the country have a reputation for a fall season to be appreciated by leaf peepers. The fl… --- ## [Adults with a victim mentality](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adults-with-a-victim-mentality/687060)
**Author:** [@Incubus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incubus)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2014, 10:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adults-with-a-victim-mentality/687060 "2014-04-29T10:17:37Z")
Bullying in school is a real problem, and one of its long-term symptoms I have noticed is for the victims of bullying to grow accustomed to feeling ‘helpless’ in situations. While some people seem to eventually be able … --- ## [If Kim Jung-un wanted to, could he make North Korea a primitive paradise?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-kim-jung-un-wanted-to-could-he-make-north-korea-a-primitive-paradise/687231)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2014, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-kim-jung-un-wanted-to-could-he-make-north-korea-a-primitive-paradise/687231 "2014-04-29T08:03:05Z")
I’ve been reading several books about North Korea, and it seems like a country burgeoning with a fiendishly hardworking, obscenely loyal peasant class. The Party and its henchmen have eyes and hands in everyone’s lives a… --- ## [Ever host/attend a murder mystery dinner? Was it fun?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-host-attend-a-murder-mystery-dinner-was-it-fun/687085)
**Author:** [@Girl\_Hermit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Girl_Hermit)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2014, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-host-attend-a-murder-mystery-dinner-was-it-fun/687085 "2014-04-29T05:07:02Z")
I have between 8 - 14 relatives and friends visiting this summer and we’re discussing holding a murder mystery dinner night. Only one couple has ever attended one in the past and they’re sort of ‘meh’ about their experi… --- ## [Question about space travel/light speed.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-space-travel-light-speed/687222)
**Author:** [@Space\_Trucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Space_Trucker)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2014, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-space-travel-light-speed/687222 "2014-04-29T04:25:02Z")
Light speed? --- ## [Women: would you date a short guy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-would-you-date-a-short-guy/682227)
**Author:** [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2014, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-would-you-date-a-short-guy/682227 "2014-04-29T02:16:21Z")
I always assumed it was more difficult to date if you are a short guy, but according to this cite it is damn near impossible. OK so maybe its not the best cite, it is the NY Post quoting a study done by a dating site. Bu… --- ## [Tell what the benefits are of not having children.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-what-the-benefits-are-of-not-having-children/686176)
**Author:** [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)\ **Replies:** 152\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2014, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-what-the-benefits-are-of-not-having-children/686176 "2014-04-29T00:26:37Z")
As some of you might remember, my husband and I have been trying for a number of years to have children. We’ve done a number of fertility treatments with no success, and I’ve had multiple miscarriages. We were on the roa… --- ## [Would eHarmony be a good idea in a medium-sized city (Indy)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-eharmony-be-a-good-idea-in-a-medium-sized-city-indy/687145)
**Author:** [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2014, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-eharmony-be-a-good-idea-in-a-medium-sized-city-indy/687145 "2014-04-29T00:15:30Z")
I’ve done the two major free sites, OKCupid.com and PlentyofFish.com. I have gotten 5 real relationships off OKCupid, none off the latter site (which is an abomination, in my opinion). Here’s the thing: I’ve never found… --- ## [Why don't diet colas help you lose weight? See OP before answering.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-diet-colas-help-you-lose-weight-see-op-before-answering/686860)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2014, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-diet-colas-help-you-lose-weight-see-op-before-answering/686860 "2014-04-28T21:27:55Z")
Should be in GD but polling is not allowed there. I’ve posted some threads on here challenging the counting calories crowd and here is a new one. I put it as a poll too to see how the SD is broken down on this topic. … --- ## ["Rule of Law"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rule-of-law/687088)
**Author:** [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2014, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rule-of-law/687088 "2014-04-28T21:08:27Z")
What does “Rule of Law” mean to you? To me, it means that in the eyes of the law, everyone is equal and equally responsible. Nobody is “above the law,” regardless of any consideration (birth, economic status, wealth, et… --- ## [Switching over light bulbs: Where are you on the continuum?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/switching-over-light-bulbs-where-are-you-on-the-continuum/686942)
**Author:** [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2014, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/switching-over-light-bulbs-where-are-you-on-the-continuum/686942 "2014-04-28T20:14:58Z")
I’m one of “those people” you’ve seen at the Home Depot. Pushing around a car laden high with boxes of traditional incandescent bulbs. ( Let’s call them IB’s for this thread ). I detest Compact Fluorescent (CFL) bulbs wi… --- ## [How forested is your neighborhood?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-forested-is-your-neighborhood/687062)
**Author:** [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2014, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-forested-is-your-neighborhood/687062 "2014-04-28T19:52:35Z")
I was goofing around with aerial view maps today, and discovered that I can exit my house and travel in a relatively straight line north-northeast for approximately 9 miles without leaving the local woods. It wouldn’t b… --- ## [Help-son's school imploding-boarding school alternatives?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-sons-school-imploding-boarding-school-alternatives/686848)
**Author:** [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2014, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-sons-school-imploding-boarding-school-alternatives/686848 "2014-04-28T19:21:41Z")
Sorry for the too-long post. Short version: we might need a boarding school for my smart son who is going into the 11th grade this fall. Is there any hope of finding a really good US school that will take him at this lat… --- ## [Do you think humanity will ever become a interstellar civilization?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-humanity-will-ever-become-a-interstellar-civilization/685031)
**Author:** [@Earth001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earth001)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2014, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-humanity-will-ever-become-a-interstellar-civilization/685031 "2014-04-28T17:58:05Z")
What do you think? Do you think that it will be possible for humanity to become an interstellar civilization? Like seen on Star Trek or Star Wars? I would like to know what do you think about the idea of that happening i… --- ## [Tire buying -- if it's a summer vehicle only, does that make a difference?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tire-buying-if-its-a-summer-vehicle-only-does-that-make-a-difference/686890)
**Author:** [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2014, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tire-buying-if-its-a-summer-vehicle-only-does-that-make-a-difference/686890 "2014-04-28T16:45:20Z")
We’re slated to take our Festival Van (1995 Mazda MPV) on its first journey of the season this year. It needs a pair of tires, but I’ve never bought for a rarely-used vehicle before. We don’t take it out in the snow, and… --- ## [Audio production career - need input](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/audio-production-career-need-input/687195)
**Author:** [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2014, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/audio-production-career-need-input/687195 "2014-04-28T16:16:02Z")
So #4 daughter has decided that she wants to go into audio engineering/sound production. I am not sure why; she’s not a musician nor much of a techie. I suspect it’s because hanging around a recording studio all day look… --- ## [SDMB women, how often do you have sex even if you're lukewarm about it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-women-how-often-do-you-have-sex-even-if-youre-lukewarm-about-it/686995)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2014, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-women-how-often-do-you-have-sex-even-if-youre-lukewarm-about-it/686995 "2014-04-28T13:29:44Z")
The poll is approximative. When I say “lukewarm”, I mean that you could take it or leave it or that you’re unenthusiastic about it or that you do it mainly to please your partner. When I say “sex”, I mean stimulating s… --- ## [I'm in the ER waiting for labs and saline hookup. Guess the diagnosis?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-in-the-er-waiting-for-labs-and-saline-hookup-guess-the-diagnosis/686806)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2014, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-in-the-er-waiting-for-labs-and-saline-hookup-guess-the-diagnosis/686806 "2014-04-28T13:23:28Z")
Like bich of flu 2 days, feel beat up, fever and chills, near nauseated constantly. Woke at 4 am ate, water, bloaty nausea, drank Maalox. Was afraid (woosy-ed out) to drink water more than sips for fear of hurling. Chec… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1102) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1104)