# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=140 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 141 --- ## [Where to get some sleep during the day in or near the Mexico City Airport - need answer (relatively) fast](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-get-some-sleep-during-the-day-in-or-near-the-mexico-city-airport-need-answer-relatively-fast/984542)
**Author:** [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2023, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-get-some-sleep-during-the-day-in-or-near-the-mexico-city-airport-need-answer-relatively-fast/984542 "2023-05-25T23:54:13Z")
We just learned that our connecting flight from Mexico City to Puerto Escondido early Saturday morning was cancelled, and we now have a seven-hour layover in Mexico City. Normally I would just check our bags through and … --- ## [Park and commute options for NYC in July](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/park-and-commute-options-for-nyc-in-july/984157)
**Author:** [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2023, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/park-and-commute-options-for-nyc-in-july/984157 "2023-05-25T21:23:27Z")
G’day! As foreshadowed and to a not insubstantial part planned on the thread below, I will be in NYC in early July for a few of days, staying LES. Now I am getting around the States in a hire car but am a bit squeamish … --- ## [Canada-US merger? Meh!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-us-merger-meh/983521)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 138\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2023, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-us-merger-meh/983521 "2023-05-25T20:22:42Z")
Frum has an article promoting the obvious view Brexit was an economic mistake. But then he adds: These costs don’t necessarily make Brexit a “mistake”. Brexit was a trade: less prosperity for more sovereignty. Countri… --- ## [Journeyman Carpenter](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/journeyman-carpenter/984547)
**Author:** [@Cecel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cecel)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2023, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/journeyman-carpenter/984547 "2023-05-25T18:48:43Z")
I was hired as a journeyman carpenter with a contractor at a large manufacturing compuand was told I had to test and join the union. Fast forward 4 years… I am still employed and have the most seniority out of everyone. … --- ## [A Belenko-style alien contact scenario?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-belenko-style-alien-contact-scenario/984456)
**Author:** [@Celtic\_Kitsune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celtic_Kitsune)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2023, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-belenko-style-alien-contact-scenario/984456 "2023-05-24T22:44:30Z")
I recently read a book about the defection of Viktor Belenko which occurred when he flew an important Soviet fighter to Japan - Defection of Viktor Belenko - Wikipedia It got me wondering what would and should be humani… --- ## [Houses which are embedded among/behind other houses?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/houses-which-are-embedded-among-behind-other-houses/984347)
**Author:** [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2023, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/houses-which-are-embedded-among-behind-other-houses/984347 "2023-05-24T20:46:57Z")
I don’t know if there’s a name for this. Basically, there’s a home or homes in the middle of a block, and they’re accessed by a driveway which goes between houses which face the street. They are surrounded by other hom… --- ## [Madeleine McCann Mystery](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/madeleine-mccann-mystery/636498)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2023, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/madeleine-mccann-mystery/636498 "2023-05-24T20:18:16Z")
I have always been facinated with this case and troubled by it. Everything seemed so unlikley the way it supposedly went down. No apparent motive was ever established to link the parents to the childs disappearance. Som… --- ## [What kind of bird drama happened while I was on vacation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-bird-drama-happened-while-i-was-on-vacation/984451)
**Author:** [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2023, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-bird-drama-happened-while-i-was-on-vacation/984451 "2023-05-24T01:54:52Z")
A few months ago I put up a bird feeder on my deck, filled with wild bird seed (millet, safflower, sunflower, corn). It has a built-in camera, and I’ve gotten some photos of local birds, mostly towhees, juncos and scrub … --- ## [White house fence jumper : what was supposed to happen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-fence-jumper-what-was-supposed-to-happen/700036)
**Author:** [@Habeed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Habeed)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2023, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-fence-jumper-what-was-supposed-to-happen/700036 "2023-05-24T01:33:33Z")
There’s a large number of news articles about a guy who jumped the white house fence and made it inside. Do the pundits and Congress expect the secret service to have opened fire on the man in a hail of bullets before h… --- ## [Artificial Sweeteners and Sugar Alcohols](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-sweeteners-and-sugar-alcohols/981382)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2023, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-sweeteners-and-sugar-alcohols/981382 "2023-05-24T00:00:58Z")
There was a bit of brief discussion on this topic in a separate thread encouraging people to exercise. It’s not like it hasn’t been discussed before, on threads asking which ones people like the taste of, or complaining… --- ## [Harry and Meghan New York Car Chase.....Bullshit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-and-meghan-new-york-car-chase-bullshit/984184)
**Author:** [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats2)\ **Replies:** 137\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2023, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-and-meghan-new-york-car-chase-bullshit/984184 "2023-05-23T22:59:58Z")
This is pinging my bullshit meter. I mean, a two hour car chase through New York City involving multiple traffic violations and near miss car crashes and nobody notices? I’m thinking maybe a photographer followed these… --- ## [My wife wants a small digital radio. What should I know?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-wife-wants-a-small-digital-radio-what-should-i-know/984442)
**Author:** [@Baal\_Houtham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baal_Houtham)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2023, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-wife-wants-a-small-digital-radio-what-should-i-know/984442 "2023-05-23T15:57:37Z")
I spent about 45 minutes doing Amazon and Google searches, and glancing at Wikipedia articles. I’m out of my depth. Some things I might sorta know or suspect: —Many radio station broadcast or will broadcast digital ver… --- ## [Is it important to diversify investments over multiple wealth management companies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-important-to-diversify-investments-over-multiple-wealth-management-companies/984367)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2023, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-important-to-diversify-investments-over-multiple-wealth-management-companies/984367 "2023-05-23T13:57:51Z")
I get that we should invest in multiple stocks and bonds and other things, diversifying, not all the eggs in one basket. But should we apply that to the wealth management companies, too? If you have an IRA with some com… --- ## [Advice for trekking with a problem knee](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-for-trekking-with-a-problem-knee/984360)
**Author:** [@Orville\_mogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orville_mogul)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2023, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-for-trekking-with-a-problem-knee/984360 "2023-05-23T02:15:25Z")
I am going for an 11-day mountain trek in a month, during which we will cover about 120km and ascend/descend about 1000m per day. The last time I did this I had to drop out after the 8th day due to knee pain (I was the f… --- ## [What are your thoughts on an Ayahuasca retreat?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-thoughts-on-an-ayahuasca-retreat/984344)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2023, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-thoughts-on-an-ayahuasca-retreat/984344 "2023-05-22T22:24:30Z")
Yesterday a friend told us he was re-visiting Peru, for a 28 day Ayahuasca retreat. Apparently he will be staying somewhere in the jungle, where he will undergo 10 Ayahuasca sessions. He described it as “therapy.” Wha… --- ## [Media harassment of public figures has gone too far](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/media-harassment-of-public-figures-has-gone-too-far/984342)
**Author:** [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2023, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/media-harassment-of-public-figures-has-gone-too-far/984342 "2023-05-22T20:06:05Z")
Continuing the discussion from Harry and Meghan New York Car Chase…Bullshit?: The law currently allows public figures to be followed in public, photographed at any time, and IMHO harassed in order to feed the public’s d… --- ## [pH and dissolved oxygen levels in rivers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ph-and-dissolved-oxygen-levels-in-rivers/984343)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2023, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ph-and-dissolved-oxygen-levels-in-rivers/984343 "2023-05-21T16:46:47Z")
I have been doing some prospecting for gold this year and have been using the USGS site to check water depth and turbidity (clarity). Here is their page for the Vermilion River water height. We had some rain last night a… --- ## [Assuming the war eventually ends in Ukraine’s favor, with all of Ukraine being back in rightful hands, is there any aspect of international law that would prevent the government from expelling those that are pro-Russian?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assuming-the-war-eventually-ends-in-ukraine-s-favor-with-all-of-ukraine-being-back-in-rightful-hands-is-there-any-aspect-of-international-law-that-would-prevent-the-government-from-expelling-those-that-are-pro-russian/984280)
**Author:** [@mjmartin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mjmartin)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2023, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assuming-the-war-eventually-ends-in-ukraine-s-favor-with-all-of-ukraine-being-back-in-rightful-hands-is-there-any-aspect-of-international-law-that-would-prevent-the-government-from-expelling-those-that-are-pro-russian/984280 "2023-05-21T05:19:06Z")
Assuming the war eventually ends in Ukraine’s favor, with all of Ukraine being back in rightful hands, is there any aspect of international law that would prevent the government from expelling those that are pro-Russian?… --- ## [How does my iPhone count my steps?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-my-iphone-count-my-steps/984285)
**Author:** [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2023, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-my-iphone-count-my-steps/984285 "2023-05-21T03:31:15Z")
During an iPhone update, for some reason my “Fitness app” woke up. Every morning my phone would notify me I hadn’t “closed my ring” the previous day. I ignored this for weeks. Then one day I looked into it and found my … --- ## [Screenshot prank](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screenshot-prank/984035)
**Author:** [@alovem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alovem)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2023, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screenshot-prank/984035 "2023-05-21T00:38:29Z")
@PastTense’s Windows-related query in FQ reminded me of something I heard about in the early 2000s. I even posted about it here a ways back but haven’t tried doing it until now. It’s a prank to pull on a coworker. When … --- ## [Where does (did?) the conservative identification with light beer come from?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-did-the-conservative-identification-with-light-beer-come-from/984189)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2023, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-did-the-conservative-identification-with-light-beer-come-from/984189 "2023-05-21T00:38:03Z")
The whole recent Bud Light/Coors Light controversy reminded me of a mystery I never fully grokked which is how light beer became a part of the conservative, rural, rugged, outdoor, manly man identity. If you had asked m… --- ## [Who would you bring back from history to show the modern world to?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-you-bring-back-from-history-to-show-the-modern-world-to/984113)
**Author:** [@Celtic\_Kitsune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celtic_Kitsune)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2023, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-you-bring-back-from-history-to-show-the-modern-world-to/984113 "2023-05-20T23:36:22Z")
Because this was mentioned in a book I’m currently reading and I thought it was interesting, the authors choice is also a good one, the Wright Brothers. For purposes of the question you can bring back a single person, a… --- ## [Is a day trip to Edinburgh worthwhile from Newcastle?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-day-trip-to-edinburgh-worthwhile-from-newcastle/984099)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2023, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-day-trip-to-edinburgh-worthwhile-from-newcastle/984099 "2023-05-20T23:11:28Z")
It is a 90 minute train ride to and from Edinburgh from Newcastle. There seems to be so many sites to see in Edinburgh that I wonder if the day trip is worthwhile or should I just plan a trip to Scotland in the future a… --- ## [What's it like to be emotionally close to your parents when you're middle-aged?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-it-like-to-be-emotionally-close-to-your-parents-when-youre-middle-aged/983912)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2023, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-it-like-to-be-emotionally-close-to-your-parents-when-youre-middle-aged/983912 "2023-05-20T21:03:37Z")
This was triggered by some of the recent threads about parents dying and how hard it can be to lose one’s parents, even when they have lived long lives. But I would like to step back a few years before those kinds of eve… --- ## [Is AI coming to Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ai-coming-to-alexa-siri-google-assistant/984122)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2023, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ai-coming-to-alexa-siri-google-assistant/984122 "2023-05-20T20:06:50Z")
It me it seems like a great match. Alexa has basically stalled in advancements, Amazon has stated that it wants to have people more engaged with it and has a very big user base and seems perfect for AI, same with the ot… --- ## [How do women get in the "date mood" on a first-time date with a stranger if they're simultaneously concerned the man may harm them?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-women-get-in-the-date-mood-on-a-first-time-date-with-a-stranger-if-theyre-simultaneously-concerned-the-man-may-harm-them/984309)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2023, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-women-get-in-the-date-mood-on-a-first-time-date-with-a-stranger-if-theyre-simultaneously-concerned-the-man-may-harm-them/984309 "2023-05-20T18:38:23Z")
I had read a while ago about all the elaborate precautions that women have to take when going on a first-time date with a stranger - such as notifying a friend in advance (in case the woman doesn’t make it home safe by a… --- ## [Jack Teixeira - possibly used for counterintelligence?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jack-teixeira-possibly-used-for-counterintelligence/984278)
**Author:** [@Skypist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skypist)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2023, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jack-teixeira-possibly-used-for-counterintelligence/984278 "2023-05-20T15:52:29Z")
This whole Jack Teixeira thing interests me for some reason. Now info is coming out that he was caught a few times taking notes, (link goes to CNN) inside a SCIF, on classified information and had been told to quit it, b… --- ## [Selling my mother's car](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-my-mothers-car/984300)
**Author:** [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2023, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-my-mothers-car/984300 "2023-05-20T14:30:52Z")
When she was still reasonably mobile and with her faculties around her six months ago, I agreed to buy her a used car, a Toyota from a local used-car dealer. I should have had her go for a full purchase and not the loan… --- ## [CPAP users, tell me some stories](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cpap-users-tell-me-some-stories/975105)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 193\ **Last updated:** [May 19, 2023, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cpap-users-tell-me-some-stories/975105 "2023-05-19T21:28:55Z")
I know we’ve had CPAP threads before but I’d like to hear any updates or new tips. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea about 15 years ago but I could never adapt to the CPAP. I think it was 50% discomfort and 50% wonky set… --- ## [What's the status of nanotechnology today?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-status-of-nanotechnology-today/984127)
**Author:** [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 19, 2023, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-status-of-nanotechnology-today/984127 "2023-05-19T17:22:07Z")
Maybe 10 years ago or so, nanotech was a hot topic in science fiction, and even some legitimate science (Feynman’s ‘room at the bottom lecture’ being often quoted). Want a particular molecule? Just have the assemblers … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=139) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=141)