# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=155 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 156 --- ## [How do you shut your brain off when trying to sleep?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-shut-your-brain-off-when-trying-to-sleep/978582)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2023, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-shut-your-brain-off-when-trying-to-sleep/978582 "2023-02-02T02:22:13Z")
I try to tell myself a story and bore myself to sleep but it’s often not effective. What works, if anything, for you? --- ## [Monetary value of Dodo breeding pair?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monetary-value-of-dodo-breeding-pair/416140)
**Author:** [@The\_Controvert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Controvert)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2023, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monetary-value-of-dodo-breeding-pair/416140 "2023-02-02T00:11:45Z")
Supposing I could resurrect the Dodo, but it costs money to do so. Is there any economic incentive to do it? How much do you think I’d get for it? --- ## [TV antenna question, what do I need?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-antenna-question-what-do-i-need/978665)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2023, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-antenna-question-what-do-i-need/978665 "2023-02-01T20:38:53Z")
I am at a long range from TV stations, Every stations is in the purple or blue color on Antenna web (longest 2 categories, Medium directional w/pre amp and large directional w/ preamp). However using rabbit ears I can m… --- ## [Are there "permanent" granite countertop sealers that work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-permanent-granite-countertop-sealers-that-work/979077)
**Author:** [@jharvey963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jharvey963)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2023, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-permanent-granite-countertop-sealers-that-work/979077 "2023-02-01T18:09:41Z")
We’re considering granite countertops for our bathroom remodel, but not if we have to seal it every year. 10 years ago, we put in granite in our previous home and sealed it with a product called “SenGuard” that was supp… --- ## [Jobs with limited social contact--Suggestions on how to find one](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jobs-with-limited-social-contact-suggestions-on-how-to-find-one/978236)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2023, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jobs-with-limited-social-contact-suggestions-on-how-to-find-one/978236 "2023-02-01T17:38:24Z")
I’m looking for a new, second career. I’d prefer one that requires a college degree, and tends to limit social contacts. After all these years on one such job, I find that agreeable. I left the old one because of commu… --- ## [Let the water wars begin](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-water-wars-begin/978900)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2023, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-water-wars-begin/978900 "2023-02-01T03:24:27Z")
NYT article. Bottom line is that all of those states who share the Colorado River water were given 60 days to figure out how to share the resource. They didn’t bother, so now the government is going to do it for them. Th… --- ## [Your choice of first songs on your lovely headphones](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-choice-of-first-songs-on-your-lovely-headphones/978970)
**Author:** [@EnglishGrey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnglishGrey)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2023, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-choice-of-first-songs-on-your-lovely-headphones/978970 "2023-01-31T13:32:47Z")
So, Amazon delivered your new noise cancelling headphones earlier today… Now you’ve settled in to bed (alone apart from that ridiculous dog over there)… Which are the first two songs do you choose to christen the immersi… --- ## [Russia's fleet in the Black Sea and Turkey's role](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russias-fleet-in-the-black-sea-and-turkeys-role/979098)
**Author:** [@Heracles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heracles)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2023, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russias-fleet-in-the-black-sea-and-turkeys-role/979098 "2023-01-31T12:23:54Z")
When the Moskva was sunk almost a year ago, some news articles said Russia couldn’t replace the ship because it wouldn’t be allowed to send a replacement through the Turkish straits. Does Turkey get to decide which ship… --- ## [Are online degrees as respected as "real" degrees?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-online-degrees-as-respected-as-real-degrees/978988)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2023, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-online-degrees-as-respected-as-real-degrees/978988 "2023-01-30T21:44:59Z")
If I get an online degree from Penn State and another applicant for a job physically attended Penn State for the same diploma, will the employer treat them as being the same? I wasn’t sure if this could be a Factual Ques… --- ## [The perplexing appeal of Florida](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-perplexing-appeal-of-florida/972021)
**Author:** [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Replies:** 240\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2023, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-perplexing-appeal-of-florida/972021 "2023-01-30T17:01:57Z")
Living in Ohio my whole life, I have encountered many people who vacation in Florida. My supervisor has a condo there. I also have family members who have retired there. All my life, people have talked about the place, a… --- ## [Is SDMB an SMS site?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-sdmb-an-sms-site/979048)
**Author:** [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2023, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-sdmb-an-sms-site/979048 "2023-01-30T16:45:18Z")
What say you? --- ## [Plastic putty or filler to fix the edge of a laptop? Best material?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-putty-or-filler-to-fix-the-edge-of-a-laptop-best-material/979000)
**Author:** [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2023, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-putty-or-filler-to-fix-the-edge-of-a-laptop-best-material/979000 "2023-01-30T13:53:06Z")
I got a good deal on a used laptop (Lenovo X270). It works fine, has FHD screen, 8GB RAM, etc., and I already have one I use daily. The newer one is sort of a back-up in case I have problems with my main one. But…it h… --- ## [US Secret Service report on Mass Attacks in Public Spaces 2016-2020](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-secret-service-report-on-mass-attacks-in-public-spaces-2016-2020/978846)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2023, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-secret-service-report-on-mass-attacks-in-public-spaces-2016-2020/978846 "2023-01-29T20:05:58Z")
This is a study of 180 mass attackers over this 5-year period. I think it’s supposed to include every mass attacker who attacked and harmed at least three other people, with any kind of weapon. Here is the NPR story, and… --- ## [Has anyone here used one of those Navage sinus cleaning machines?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-here-used-one-of-those-navage-sinus-cleaning-machines/953070)
**Author:** [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2023, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-here-used-one-of-those-navage-sinus-cleaning-machines/953070 "2023-01-29T15:24:52Z")
I’ve laughed at the ads I’ve seen on TV, because they show all these people with goofy grins on their faces while the machine is jammed up their nose. But as a sufferer of what I like to call CPP (chronic persistent phle… --- ## [Earth's core spinning more slowly](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earths-core-spinning-more-slowly/978879)
**Author:** [@alovem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alovem)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2023, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earths-core-spinning-more-slowly/978879 "2023-01-28T12:47:29Z")
I’m surprised that nobody’s posted about the recent news that the Earth’s core may be spinning more slowly: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-00167-1 I’m posting this in IMHO because I’ve read that there’s no … --- ## [Was this Etsy seller telling the truth about customs declaration?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-etsy-seller-telling-the-truth-about-customs-declaration/978904)
**Author:** [@Orville\_mogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orville_mogul)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2023, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-etsy-seller-telling-the-truth-about-customs-declaration/978904 "2023-01-28T02:36:18Z")
I recently bought a vintage board game from a seller on Etsy. The game was $39 and the cost of shipping they quoted was $29 (from USA to Switzerland). I was OK with this as it is something I cherished from my childhood. … --- ## [Buying Kindle books from an Amazon site outside your country](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-kindle-books-from-an-amazon-site-outside-your-country/978843)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2023, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-kindle-books-from-an-amazon-site-outside-your-country/978843 "2023-01-27T20:53:40Z")
I was looking for some books (revivals of old out of print books) on Kindle, and I found them on Amazon UK and Amazon Australia, but not Amazon US. The UK site says " Kindle titles are available for US customers on Amazo… --- ## [Need Help Shipping My Diggeridoo- Need Answer By Friday 1/27/23](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-shipping-my-diggeridoo-need-answer-by-friday-1-27-23/978671)
**Author:** [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2023, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-shipping-my-diggeridoo-need-answer-by-friday-1-27-23/978671 "2023-01-26T23:41:13Z")
I’m visiting my Mom. A few years ago, she took me to a flea market (we love flea markets and garage sales). I bought a PVC diggeridoo (It’s an Australian instrument) for $5. I wasn’t able to take it back with me. It weig… --- ## [Remodeling our bathroom: Are Americh Bathtubs good or bad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remodeling-our-bathroom-are-americh-bathtubs-good-or-bad/978851)
**Author:** [@jharvey963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jharvey963)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2023, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remodeling-our-bathroom-are-americh-bathtubs-good-or-bad/978851 "2023-01-26T22:55:27Z")
We are remodeling our bathroom, and have found a bathtub that seems to meet our needs and measurements, made by the company Americh. I’ve never heard of this company before, so I’d like to hear if anyone else has experi… --- ## [Questions about the best place (and time) to die from legal assisted suicide in the US](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-the-best-place-and-time-to-die-from-legal-assisted-suicide-in-the-us/978852)
**Author:** [@yarblek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yarblek)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2023, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-the-best-place-and-time-to-die-from-legal-assisted-suicide-in-the-us/978852 "2023-01-26T21:33:48Z")
I recently learned that in US states with assisted suicide, a doctor prescribes the medication and the ‘patient’ can administer it to themselves wherever and whenever they please. I’m not sure about this in terms of poli… --- ## [Help Me With This Sign](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-with-this-sign/978409)
**Author:** [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2023, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-with-this-sign/978409 "2023-01-26T01:59:19Z")
I’ve mentioned before that there is a sign maker shop on the highway I drive on every day and every few weeks he has a new sign out front with new a pun or joke on it. Some of you here helped me “get” one of the signs a … --- ## [Putin = Hitler... or Kaiser Wilhelm II?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putin-hitler-or-kaiser-wilhelm-ii/978431)
**Author:** [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2023, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putin-hitler-or-kaiser-wilhelm-ii/978431 "2023-01-26T00:09:22Z")
\[Offshoot from the Russia invades Ukraine thread\] There was an interesting bit of discussion in an episode of the podcast that aceplace57 linked to earlier in the thread. The writer/historian Owen Matthews talks about … --- ## [Who has the best permanent scowl?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-the-best-permanent-scowl/978628)
**Author:** [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2023, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-the-best-permanent-scowl/978628 "2023-01-25T22:26:12Z")
I accidentally posted this in ATMB (under a slightly different title) when I went there for current instructions on how to add an image. Instead I’ll just include a link. And I assume this is the correct forum for this t… --- ## [Growing veggies indoors](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/growing-veggies-indoors/978673)
**Author:** [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2023, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/growing-veggies-indoors/978673 "2023-01-25T13:51:53Z")
Inspired by the shortages thread in QZ. I have new indoor lights in the basement utilty room that are incredibly bright. I wonder if this is an opportunity. Can I grow lettuce down there? Tomatoes? Any advice? --- ## [Help me save my Shop-Vac](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-save-my-shop-vac/978227)
**Author:** [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2023, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-save-my-shop-vac/978227 "2023-01-25T13:18:44Z")
Ten years or so ago, I bought this Shop-Vac combo wet-dry vacuum/leaf blower, and I’ve been very happy with it since. A couple of weeks ago, I removed the full bag to put in a new one, and somehow I’ve lost a critical pa… --- ## [College Admissions/Financing Questions-](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/college-admissions-financing-questions/978337)
**Author:** [@CBStine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CBStine)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2023, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/college-admissions-financing-questions/978337 "2023-01-25T01:15:54Z")
Hi all. Long-time lurker here. I have a few general questions about college admissions and financing that I hope the collective knowledge of the Dope can help answer. For background: My daughter will graduate this spri… --- ## [Is home solar power as unsustainable as I think with net metering?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-home-solar-power-as-unsustainable-as-i-think-with-net-metering/978607)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2023, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-home-solar-power-as-unsustainable-as-i-think-with-net-metering/978607 "2023-01-25T00:45:04Z")
I’ve looked into solar and in NY the best I can describe it is if you go solar you are screwing your neighbors who are having your neighbors pay for your power bill. Yes I can’t see it other then that, you are screwing … --- ## [Help with a (made up) statistical statement](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-a-made-up-statistical-statement/978744)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2023, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-a-made-up-statistical-statement/978744 "2023-01-24T21:30:36Z")
I want to provide an example of a statistically relevant quantitative milestone where a fictional device performs with a 95% accuracy compared to some gold standard. I want to include a ‘correct’ measure of statistical … --- ## [What valid conclusions can be drawn about a given generation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-valid-conclusions-can-be-drawn-about-a-given-generation/978634)
**Author:** [@Chad\_Sudan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chad_Sudan)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2023, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-valid-conclusions-can-be-drawn-about-a-given-generation/978634 "2023-01-24T18:02:54Z")
In the recent thread “Have Baby Boomers Wrecked the Planet?” a fair amount of commentary relies on the notion that we can speak of (for instance) the “Boomer” generation as being typified by certain characteristics and a… --- ## [I love my hearing aids and happily wear them. I'm the only person I know who does](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-my-hearing-aids-and-happily-wear-them-im-the-only-person-i-know-who-does/961342)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2023, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-my-hearing-aids-and-happily-wear-them-im-the-only-person-i-know-who-does/961342 "2023-01-24T07:37:26Z")
I’ve worn hearing aids since 2010. When the audiologist first put them in my ears, I was astounded! THIS is what most people are hearing all the time?? The birds, the wind in the trees-- beautiful… but also every HVAC so… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=154) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=156)