# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1233 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1234 --- ## [Dennis Rodman's future death in North Korea](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dennis-rodmans-future-death-in-north-korea/668180)
**Author:** [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2013, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dennis-rodmans-future-death-in-north-korea/668180 "2013-09-10T01:53:48Z")
So, the former NBA star has again flown to North Korea to hang with his new buddy, \[del\]Han from Two Broke Girls\[/del\] Kim Jong Un. I found an interesting article speculating that Dennis Rodman had basically become a to… --- ## [Did you ever learn to drive a column-shifted manual transmission (3-on-the-tree)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-ever-learn-to-drive-a-column-shifted-manual-transmission-3-on-the-tree/666011)
**Author:** [@Beelzebubba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beelzebubba)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2013, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-ever-learn-to-drive-a-column-shifted-manual-transmission-3-on-the-tree/666011 "2013-09-10T01:09:53Z")
I’ve participated in several discussions on here over the last several years about driving a vehicle with a manual transmission (aka, standard shift, stick shift, 4/5-speed…). Until last November, I had never owned a ca… --- ## [You are a victim of sexual harassment. What do you want your friend to do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-a-victim-of-sexual-harassment-what-do-you-want-your-friend-to-do/668302)
**Author:** [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2013, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-a-victim-of-sexual-harassment-what-do-you-want-your-friend-to-do/668302 "2013-09-09T23:51:56Z")
You are hanging out with a friend when you come across a group of nefarious men. One of these men expresses his desire towards you with a crude sexual comment. What do you want your friend to do? Lets say you think it’s… --- ## [Cat litter box problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-litter-box-problem/668440)
**Author:** [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2013, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-litter-box-problem/668440 "2013-09-09T22:59:21Z")
Big cat, little litter box (actually, standard size litter box). But sometimes his butt sticks out over the edge of the box, and he pees on the rug. His little pea brain doesn’t seem to notice. I think he’s too big (1… --- ## [People dropping in unannounced](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-dropping-in-unannounced/668297)
**Author:** [@Zago](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zago)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2013, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-dropping-in-unannounced/668297 "2013-09-09T22:50:25Z")
I loathe this. I have informed my friends (after several of them did this few times) that I don’t like unexpected visitors. They’ve pretty much stopped doing it but I just had a friend drive up to my house (with her ki… --- ## [Any truth to this? "Pay $600 or go to jail for 5 months"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-truth-to-this-pay-600-or-go-to-jail-for-5-months/668405)
**Author:** [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2013, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-truth-to-this-pay-600-or-go-to-jail-for-5-months/668405 "2013-09-09T22:23:18Z")
I have a distant relation who is claiming that if someone doesn’t give him $600 to pay… something, he’s going to jail for 5 months. He’s a low-life, we’re all pretty sure this is a total scam, but he’s got some kind of o… --- ## [What would you do if you invented a perfect cloning device?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-you-invented-a-perfect-cloning-device/668376)
**Author:** [@lobotomization\_friend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomization_friend)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2013, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-you-invented-a-perfect-cloning-device/668376 "2013-09-09T22:04:52Z")
Specifically, a device that scans an input object, creates a “model” including every subatomic particle within the object, and then draws subatomic particles out of another object (say, a boulder), which it uses to form … --- ## [Lying about X is not positive evidence that I did do X](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lying-about-x-is-not-positive-evidence-that-i-did-do-x/668255)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2013, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lying-about-x-is-not-positive-evidence-that-i-did-do-x/668255 "2013-09-09T20:29:05Z")
I started a new thread so as not to hijack the Zimmerman one. In that thread Bricker et al asserted that simply by lying about a fact is not positive evidence that said fact is true. I agree with that contention, but n… --- ## [Handy people - What best fills a pipe end with a cable in it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handy-people-what-best-fills-a-pipe-end-with-a-cable-in-it/668258)
**Author:** [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2013, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handy-people-what-best-fills-a-pipe-end-with-a-cable-in-it/668258 "2013-09-09T19:56:31Z")
We’re running ethernet cable off a building, into a conduit down the side of the building, which then goes underground and then back up to hit the side of another building. What best fills the conduit holes with the cab… --- ## [As a child, how much was your first allowance?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-a-child-how-much-was-your-first-allowance/667451)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2013, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-a-child-how-much-was-your-first-allowance/667451 "2013-09-09T19:55:53Z")
Assuming that you got one of course. I remember getting a dime a week in the late 60’s. When it got raised to a quarter a week, I thought I was rich. --- ## [What's the best graphics school online?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-graphics-school-online/668394)
**Author:** [@txcwaste](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/txcwaste)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2013, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-graphics-school-online/668394 "2013-09-09T19:33:35Z")
Looking at getting into graphics design anyone know some good places to go for online classes? --- ## [Could a wife with no kids really force an ex husband to get an insurance policy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-wife-with-no-kids-really-force-an-ex-husband-to-get-an-insurance-policy/668311)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2013, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-wife-with-no-kids-really-force-an-ex-husband-to-get-an-insurance-policy/668311 "2013-09-09T18:12:12Z")
This sounds like b.s. to me. There’s no kids involved. Just a ex-wife that will get half of everything the guy has. But, how on earth could she force him to get and pay for an insurance policy? :confused: Is this ev… --- ## [If we could cure blindness/deafness, how many would reject it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-we-could-cure-blindness-deafness-how-many-would-reject-it/668098)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2013, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-we-could-cure-blindness-deafness-how-many-would-reject-it/668098 "2013-09-09T17:44:26Z")
Say we discovered an inexpensive way to treat complete loss of sight/hearing or both; complete restoration of the sense no matter how it was lost. I’ve read for the deaf especially that the condition becomes, for want o… --- ## [Syrian retaliation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syrian-retaliation/668422)
**Author:** [@txcwaste](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/txcwaste)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2013, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syrian-retaliation/668422 "2013-09-09T17:23:18Z")
I’m reading that Assad is planning on a retaliation if Obama strikes and it could be from different directions. What’s everyone’s opinion on this retaliation that could happen? Does this mean they will strike us in the U… --- ## [Your Best Parenting Decisions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-best-parenting-decisions/668300)
**Author:** [@pbbth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pbbth)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2013, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-best-parenting-decisions/668300 "2013-09-09T17:16:07Z")
My little one is just a couple of months shy of turning 2 and is a total joy to be around. I know I’ve made my share of parenting mistakes, but I feel like there are a few things I’ve done that have been absolutely right… --- ## [Help with a cat locator](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-a-cat-locator/668420)
**Author:** [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2013, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-a-cat-locator/668420 "2013-09-09T16:55:14Z")
We have a cat that gets out on occasion. Maybe once per year or less. When he gets out, he’s gone for days and won’t respond to anything. He has hidden up under a car and almost gotten killed that way. Anyway, we need a… --- ## [How have you changed since you've been posting on the Dope?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-have-you-changed-since-youve-been-posting-on-the-dope/668374)
**Author:** [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2013, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-have-you-changed-since-youve-been-posting-on-the-dope/668374 "2013-09-09T16:43:25Z")
I started posting on the Straight Dope in 2002. Actually, it was a little bit before my official join date, but the board had a massive stroke a few months after I joined and wiped out my old posts. Sometimes I’ll dig … --- ## [Tell us how you'd commercialize one of this fantasy-tech inventions.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-how-youd-commercialize-one-of-this-fantasy-tech-inventions/668086)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2013, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-how-youd-commercialize-one-of-this-fantasy-tech-inventions/668086 "2013-09-09T15:49:47Z")
Returning from a time-travel trip to 1951 to destroy the 2197 nude photos whose existence, in the previous timeline, prevented Grace Kellyfrom marrying Prince Rainier, I decided to stop in Marvel-Comics Earth to get a ca… --- ## [What ethnicities are politically important/tracked in your area?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ethnicities-are-politically-important-tracked-in-your-area/668039)
**Author:** [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2013, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ethnicities-are-politically-important-tracked-in-your-area/668039 "2013-09-09T15:43:10Z")
A recent thread inquired into the seemingly odd practice of asking people in the US what their ethnicity is, but only giving them the choices of “Hispanic/Latino” or “not Hispanic/Latino”. As mentioned by many posters a… --- ## ["The Lewis Model Explains Every Culture In The World" - Is this chart valid?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lewis-model-explains-every-culture-in-the-world-is-this-chart-valid/668347)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2013, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lewis-model-explains-every-culture-in-the-world-is-this-chart-valid/668347 "2013-09-09T15:33:37Z")
In your opinion does this chart have useful predictive validity in grasping the essence of different cultures or is it just a package of stereotypes? The Lewis Chart --- ## [Question About Peace](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-peace/668140)
**Author:** [@Phil\_CostaMesa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phil_CostaMesa)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2013, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-peace/668140 "2013-09-09T15:25:46Z")
I’ve been mulling this question over and can’t seem to come to a concrete answer. On the surface it seems the answer is evident. But I wonder. So, here’s my question: Is there a downside to experiencing Inner Peace? --- ## [What's the longest you've had to wait for a Windows update to complete?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-longest-youve-had-to-wait-for-a-windows-update-to-complete/668387)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2013, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-longest-youve-had-to-wait-for-a-windows-update-to-complete/668387 "2013-09-09T14:51:29Z")
My brand new laptop wanted to install five updates tonight, so I let it. It’s been stuck on update number one for thirty minutes now. I don’t know how long to wait before feeling nervous–nor what to do should things reac… --- ## [Is anyone in a 3-way LTR that works?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-in-a-3-way-ltr-that-works/668395)
**Author:** [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2013, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-in-a-3-way-ltr-that-works/668395 "2013-09-09T14:15:51Z")
Just asking, somewhat hypothetically. What are the benefits of a 3-way, and what are the difficulties? What problems have you had, and what have been the solutions? --- ## [Why do old people act... old?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-old-people-act-old/668175)
**Author:** [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2013, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-old-people-act-old/668175 "2013-09-09T13:47:48Z")
It’s been my observation that almost all people over 70 act – well, I’m not sure how to describe it, but - old. They’re goofy, gullible, and naive. Is this a generational thing? In other words, have they always acted th… --- ## [Randomness and security](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/randomness-and-security/668391)
**Author:** [@IceQube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IceQube)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2013, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/randomness-and-security/668391 "2013-09-09T13:24:41Z")
Here’s the hypothetical. Several policemen are assigned to patrol a large state university at night. Instead of going on predetermined, scheduled routes, they follow a random number generator. One number corresponds to a… --- ## [How long should a safety rope be when travelling through a time portal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-should-a-safety-rope-be-when-travelling-through-a-time-portal/668023)
**Author:** [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2013, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-should-a-safety-rope-be-when-travelling-through-a-time-portal/668023 "2013-09-09T12:07:27Z")
I have created a time portal which goes back 1 second in time. I’m going to toss a few items into the portal, but I don’t want to lose them. I’m going to attach a very strong rope to the items so I can pull them back t… --- ## [Is there really, "Honor among thieves"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-honor-among-thieves/668341)
**Author:** [@bizerta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizerta)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2013, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-honor-among-thieves/668341 "2013-09-09T11:30:07Z")
I have a broad interpretation of “Honor among thieves”. I interpret that dishonest criminals (bookmakers, drug dealers, pimps, etc., and not just robbers, thieves, and swindlers) that associate with each other play by n… --- ## [Europe's Emergence From The Midle Ages-How Did It Take Place?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/europes-emergence-from-the-midle-ages-how-did-it-take-place/666868)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2013, 9:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/europes-emergence-from-the-midle-ages-how-did-it-take-place/666868 "2013-09-09T09:15:40Z")
I have always been interested in the end of the Middle Ages. My question is: the emergence into “Modern Times” was not uniform-the Renaissance started in Italy, and (slowly) moved north. So while the Italian city-states… --- ## [Legal to "rip" CDs but not DVDs - why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-to-rip-cds-but-not-dvds-why/475220)
**Author:** [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2008, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-to-rip-cds-but-not-dvds-why/475220 "2008-12-03T12:30:17Z")
iTunes (and other tools, I’m most familiar with iTunes) makes it a trivial task to copy your CD to your computer’s hard drive, and enjoy the music either on the computer, or via your MP3/iPod player. As far as I can tell… --- ## [Credit checking companies now use your social media connections now to determine your credit score!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/credit-checking-companies-now-use-your-social-media-connections-now-to-determine-your-credit-score/667634)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2013, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/credit-checking-companies-now-use-your-social-media-connections-now-to-determine-your-credit-score/667634 "2013-09-09T04:55:38Z")
This news story sounds almost Onionesque, but it’s apparently for real. It describes companies using the credit ratings of your social media connections to help determine your credit rating. Here is one companys websit… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1232) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1234)