# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=157 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 158 --- ## [Do buffer States actually work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-buffer-states-actually-work/977884)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2023, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-buffer-states-actually-work/977884 "2023-01-17T13:30:47Z")
Famously both China and the Soviet Union (including modern Russia) have started entire wars just to protect their “buffer States” from not being buffer States (China in the Korean War, Russia invading all sorts of Easter… --- ## ['The manager was livid': Guy takes advantage of prime rib pricing blunder,"...my question is was he being a asshole?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-manager-was-livid-guy-takes-advantage-of-prime-rib-pricing-blunder-my-question-is-was-he-being-a-asshole/978248)
**Author:** [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Replies:** 173\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2023, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-manager-was-livid-guy-takes-advantage-of-prime-rib-pricing-blunder-my-question-is-was-he-being-a-asshole/978248 "2023-01-17T13:01:54Z")
ok, apparently this guy was buying meat at a store and noticed there was a pricing error and apparently took advantage of it via a Michigan “real” pricing law was he an asshole for doing so? --- ## [How difficult is it to transport my Real ID status to a new state?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-difficult-is-it-to-transport-my-real-id-status-to-a-new-state/978340)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2023, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-difficult-is-it-to-transport-my-real-id-status-to-a-new-state/978340 "2023-01-17T03:05:45Z")
I moved from California to Oregon about six months ago, staying with my sister and her family until the New year (I’m in an Airbnb for January). I’ve just been approved to move into my own apartment beginning next week,… --- ## [Help me help my mom to go cashless](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-help-my-mom-to-go-cashless/976340)
**Author:** [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2023, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-help-my-mom-to-go-cashless/976340 "2023-01-16T23:43:28Z")
My mom is a crafter, and often goes to craft shows and farmers’ markets and the like to sell her wares. She’s strictly hobby-level: In a really great year, she might bring in $2000 from sales, and this year was only $1… --- ## [Spreading awareness](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spreading-awareness/978299)
**Author:** [@Danger\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danger_Man)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2023, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spreading-awareness/978299 "2023-01-16T22:42:13Z")
One thing I sometimes think about when people are trying to spread awareness about different illnesses and dangers, is how much good it actually does. I imagine one can only keep so many things in ones head at one time. … --- ## [Two switches, ONE light. How do I know which switch is bad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-switches-one-light-how-do-i-know-which-switch-is-bad/978124)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2023, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-switches-one-light-how-do-i-know-which-switch-is-bad/978124 "2023-01-16T20:11:23Z")
In my bathroom, I have two switches at opposite ends of the bathroom that go to the main overhead light. The problem is, the switches have to be in a certain order for them to work. One switch has to be down in order fo… --- ## [Please tell me about home hot water recirculating pumps (for instant hot water)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-tell-me-about-home-hot-water-recirculating-pumps-for-instant-hot-water/978238)
**Author:** [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2023, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-tell-me-about-home-hot-water-recirculating-pumps-for-instant-hot-water/978238 "2023-01-16T16:53:10Z")
I hate having to wait for hot water especially because it wastes water in my ordinarily drought stricken area. This seems like a great solution. Is it? What are the pitfalls? If it matters, my house is on a raised found… --- ## [What's going on with the switch to electric everything?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-going-on-with-the-switch-to-electric-everything/978168)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2023, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-going-on-with-the-switch-to-electric-everything/978168 "2023-01-16T13:54:34Z")
I hear that NY wants to ban gas home appliances including gas stoves and dryers. Recently gas stoves have been questioned about causing health problems, but I am at a loss of banning gas dryers, so I’ll make that my pos… --- ## [Housecat behavior question -- no longer using the litter box](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/housecat-behavior-question-no-longer-using-the-litter-box/978070)
**Author:** [@Lancia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancia)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2023, 10:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/housecat-behavior-question-no-longer-using-the-litter-box/978070 "2023-01-16T10:02:08Z")
We have three cats: two females that were born July 2021 and that we acquired as kittens in September 2021. Both are spayed and have had all vaccines/boosters. They were litter box trained before we got them. We also ha… --- ## [Internet Searches You Regret](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-searches-you-regret/978117)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2023, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-searches-you-regret/978117 "2023-01-15T20:01:44Z")
Over in this thread, the topic of an alleged murderer who supposedly Googled how to get away with it came up, and we’re talking about internet searches we’ve made that we regret. I feel like the thread is being hijacked,… --- ## [NOW what's up with Facebook? {‘slideshow’ mode?}](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-whats-up-with-facebook-slideshow-mode/978216)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2023, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-whats-up-with-facebook-slideshow-mode/978216 "2023-01-15T02:38:21Z")
Recently, facebook has been doing something annoying; and it’s especially bad this morning. As I scroll through the page, it suddenly goes into some sort of ‘slideshow’ mode. If something looks interesting, I can’t rea… --- ## [Advice on purchasing a game cam, please](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-on-purchasing-a-game-cam-please/977089)
**Author:** [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2023, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-on-purchasing-a-game-cam-please/977089 "2023-01-14T21:22:53Z")
I’m sure there have been other discussions but I wasn’t able to find the right search words. Not to mention that tech keeps changing… So, I feed the birds. I am an old woman with bad eyes so I have birds on the feeders … --- ## [Question for and/or about hard core Xmas lovers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-and-or-about-hard-core-xmas-lovers/977852)
**Author:** [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2023, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-and-or-about-hard-core-xmas-lovers/977852 "2023-01-13T22:38:03Z")
I’m not talking about the average westerner who thinks that the lights in the neighbourhood are pretty or that the family get togethers decorating the tree are fun; I’m talking about people who actually and passionately … --- ## [Are very gifted kids still sent to university very young? Is it a good idea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-very-gifted-kids-still-sent-to-university-very-young-is-it-a-good-idea/978107)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2023, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-very-gifted-kids-still-sent-to-university-very-young-is-it-a-good-idea/978107 "2023-01-13T16:35:22Z")
So just watching a YouTube video (another numberphile one) about the Australian maths prodigy Terrance Tao. He went to university in 1989 at the age of 14. Is that still something that happens? Is it a good idea? In the… --- ## [Window replacement vs fireplace insert](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/window-replacement-vs-fireplace-insert/977968)
**Author:** [@Orville\_mogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orville_mogul)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2023, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/window-replacement-vs-fireplace-insert/977968 "2023-01-13T12:37:17Z")
We bought our house in 2018. It was built in 1973 and (as far as I can tell), it still had its original windows. It seems that they are in fact double-glazed, but have lost their insulating properties. In the cold weathe… --- ## [Just lost my job. Any advice welcome](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-lost-my-job-any-advice-welcome/975100)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2023, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-lost-my-job-any-advice-welcome/975100 "2023-01-13T08:52:53Z")
Worked at this company for nearly 12 years. Was told less than an hour ago that the job is over. Now I’m thrust into the unfamiliar world of unemployment and trying to find health insurance. Any advice? I’m in Texas, fo… --- ## ["Like" in typed communication](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-in-typed-communication/977952)
**Author:** [@pianodave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pianodave)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2023, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-in-typed-communication/977952 "2023-01-12T22:58:19Z")
I found myself inserting “like” into a text I was sending, not because it was necessary but because I could not imagine it without it. Here’s what I wrote: “I played like six Boggle games in a row.” If I wrote “I play… --- ## [What would life be like if the precipitation ratio were swapped?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-life-be-like-if-the-precipitation-ratio-were-swapped/978100)
**Author:** [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2023, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-life-be-like-if-the-precipitation-ratio-were-swapped/978100 "2023-01-12T22:09:28Z")
How would life have evolved differently on a much wetter planet, one where for a given area, the amount of time spent raining and not raining was flipped? Also, what conditions would give rise to such a planet? --- ## [Are shorts appropriate for grownups of a certain age? How about cargo shorts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-shorts-appropriate-for-grownups-of-a-certain-age-how-about-cargo-shorts/970334)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2023, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-shorts-appropriate-for-grownups-of-a-certain-age-how-about-cargo-shorts/970334 "2023-01-12T19:22:24Z")
Mrs. solost and I have been watching Love on Netflix (the Judd Apatow series, not the porny movie of the same name also on Netflix). It’s about some 30ish characters in the LA area and their relationships. On one episode… --- ## [Car beeping in front of my opened garage door last night!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-beeping-in-front-of-my-opened-garage-door-last-night/978099)
**Author:** [@Liz1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liz1)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2023, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-beeping-in-front-of-my-opened-garage-door-last-night/978099 "2023-01-12T17:14:16Z")
I live in a townhouse in a quiet area where there is hardly any traffic. I had just gotten home but had to bring in my trash and recycling bins inside the garage. I brought them in and was reaching for my cell phone in… --- ## [My (admittedly uneducated, and short) case for why Jesus was the Son of God](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-admittedly-uneducated-and-short-case-for-why-jesus-was-the-son-of-god/973927)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 209\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2023, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-admittedly-uneducated-and-short-case-for-why-jesus-was-the-son-of-god/973927 "2023-01-12T12:49:29Z")
(I’m sure you guys will love me for this.) I know, I’m in the minority here. But every one of the original disciples, every one except Judas, ended up suffering an excruciating death for their belief and testimony that… --- ## [Has the pronunciation of 'divisive' ever been consistent?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-pronunciation-of-divisive-ever-been-consistent/977950)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2023, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-pronunciation-of-divisive-ever-been-consistent/977950 "2023-01-11T22:33:09Z")
Has the pronunciation of ‘divisive’ ever been consistent? Barabara Walters’ pronounciation of ‘divisive’ (long vowel sound) is much more pleasing to me than Barack Obama’s (short vowel sound), yet the latter is more p… --- ## [Looking for a map program with recent-ish satellite views](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-map-program-with-recent-ish-satellite-views/977905)
**Author:** [@jharvey963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jharvey963)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2023, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-map-program-with-recent-ish-satellite-views/977905 "2023-01-11T22:04:04Z")
I’ve checked the satellite views on Apple maps, google maps, and google earth and none of the satellite views are anywhere near recent. Is there a map provider with recent satellite maps (within 6 months, say)? Or am I… --- ## [On the role of optimism and gratitude](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-role-of-optimism-and-gratitude/976975)
**Author:** [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2023, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-role-of-optimism-and-gratitude/976975 "2023-01-11T21:50:47Z")
I read a lot of self-help books. Lately it’s been minimalism, slow living and productivity YouTube. One thing that comes up over and over again is the idea that optimism and gratitude will change your life. I’m somethin… --- ## [How would a native German say I cycle to school?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-a-native-german-say-i-cycle-to-school/977958)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2023, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-a-native-german-say-i-cycle-to-school/977958 "2023-01-11T14:13:29Z")
How would a native German say I cycle to school? Ich fahre mit dem Rad zur Schule? Ich radele zur Schule? --- ## [Parkinson's, speech therapy, and swallowing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parkinsons-speech-therapy-and-swallowing/977895)
**Author:** [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2023, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parkinsons-speech-therapy-and-swallowing/977895 "2023-01-10T21:55:37Z")
I have Parkinson’s Disease, diagnosed in 2019. Some of the effects of PD include quiet, raspy speech and difficulty in swallowing. I got some speech therapy for the speech part, and I asked the speech therapists about th… --- ## [Questions on learning school Latin](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-on-learning-school-latin/977768)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2023, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-on-learning-school-latin/977768 "2023-01-10T17:43:31Z")
Is the Latin taught in schools for SAT II/ IB / GCE A Level designed to be able to read Classical Latin, medieval Latin or both? If you could learn it from scratch again how would you have done it differently? --- ## [Looking for a database program to record information about a collection (i.e. hobby)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-database-program-to-record-information-about-a-collection-i-e-hobby/977891)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2023, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-database-program-to-record-information-about-a-collection-i-e-hobby/977891 "2023-01-10T03:41:19Z")
I used to work with databases quite a bit before I retired, so I understand the basics of data relationships and report writing. My collection, if it matters, is fountain pens. I am certainly willing to pay for the right… --- ## [Travel question - long layover](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-question-long-layover/977921)
**Author:** [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2023, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-question-long-layover/977921 "2023-01-09T22:18:39Z")
I’m putting this in IMHO, rather than Factual Questions, as I expect to elicit opinions and experiences, along with factual answers. We have an overseas trip upcoming (US-Egypt), and the return flight we chose has a ver… --- ## [One sink or two?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-sink-or-two/977810)
**Author:** [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2023, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-sink-or-two/977810 "2023-01-09T14:37:07Z")
I have an old soapstone sink in my laundry room. The washing machine drains into it, and sometimes i rinse out a litter box in it or something. It’s in poor shape, the drain leaks a little, and everyone who has looked a… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=156) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=158)