# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=16 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 17 --- ## [Judicial nom. of Justin Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judicial-nom-of-justin-smith/1029376)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2026, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judicial-nom-of-justin-smith/1029376 "2026-04-19T16:17:10Z")
This is driving me crazy. I can’t figure out what actor this guy reminds me of. --- ## [AI and our appreciation of the arts and beauty in general](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-and-our-appreciation-of-the-arts-and-beauty-in-general/1028522)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2026, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-and-our-appreciation-of-the-arts-and-beauty-in-general/1028522 "2026-04-19T13:42:29Z")
Just in the last couple of years, I have developed a level of disgust for AI-generated music, art, and photography in general that has basically ruined the experience for me of browsing the web. It doesn’t matter how bea… --- ## [Training of air traffic controllers--Trump style](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/training-of-air-traffic-controllers-trump-style/1029205)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2026, 9:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/training-of-air-traffic-controllers-trump-style/1029205 "2026-04-19T09:42:40Z")
In the middle of an article in the Times about recruiting of air traffic controllers from among gamers, the following paragraph appeared: “Under the Trump administration, the average processing time to onboard successfu… --- ## [How are things THE SAME as when you were a kid?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-things-the-same-as-when-you-were-a-kid/1029041)
**Author:** [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2026, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-things-the-same-as-when-you-were-a-kid/1029041 "2026-04-18T23:19:31Z")
Continuing the discussion from How were things different when you were a kid?: This comment led me to wonder about the question in the title. Is there anything you can think of that is exactly the same as when you wer… --- ## [Neighbors' tree. My tree. Neighbors I don't know well](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neighbors-tree-my-tree-neighbors-i-dont-know-well/1029294)
**Author:** [@2\_More\_Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2_More_Bits)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2026, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neighbors-tree-my-tree-neighbors-i-dont-know-well/1029294 "2026-04-18T16:28:02Z")
You are not a lawyer (and I hope we won’t need one). But here’s the situation: Bad, near-tornado-like storm last night. Top half of neighbor’s large maple tree snapped off and is entirely in their yard but leaning and … --- ## [Bayliss speaks!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bayliss-speaks/993991)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 132\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2026, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bayliss-speaks/993991 "2026-04-17T21:46:26Z")
Well, not yet. I’ve watched many videos of people teaching their dogs and cats to use buttons to say words. Some of them are quite amazing. So I ordered some. Does anyone have any experience with this? I don’t expec… --- ## [I'm no fan of Iran but these fake Lego videos they are making about Trump just pop](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-no-fan-of-iran-but-these-fake-lego-videos-they-are-making-about-trump-just-pop/1029291)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2026, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-no-fan-of-iran-but-these-fake-lego-videos-they-are-making-about-trump-just-pop/1029291 "2026-04-17T19:34:02Z")
Has anybody else been seeing these? It’s AI. And I know a lot of us don’t like AI on this board. But damn, what can I say? I just think they pop. This is the latest one. (Not their best one. Just their latest) … --- ## [Consumer Advocates](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-advocates/1029242)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2026, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-advocates/1029242 "2026-04-17T18:24:00Z")
Does anyone know who is/are the consumer advocate group(s) that would flood the phones and/or faxes of politicians to lobby for laws limiting SPAM? I’d love to contact them about my situation. I am hoping someone here kn… --- ## [Organizations using complex file structures for document management - common?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/organizations-using-complex-file-structures-for-document-management-common/1029312)
**Author:** [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2026, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/organizations-using-complex-file-structures-for-document-management-common/1029312 "2026-04-17T18:23:43Z")
I have been working at my current employer for a year, and I continue to be baffled at how complicated and… unevolved our systems are for what feels like basic document management. A large part of my job involves comple… --- ## [What could be wrong with my truck?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-be-wrong-with-my-truck/1029287)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2026, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-be-wrong-with-my-truck/1029287 "2026-04-17T13:42:03Z")
I have a 2018 Chevy Silverado pick-up truck, bought new. About a month and a half ago when I went to get into it the remote wouldn’t unlock the door. No blinking lights, no clicking of the door locks. Nothing. Simple f… --- ## [Problem with delivery of international registered letters to US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-with-delivery-of-international-registered-letters-to-us/1029284)
**Author:** [@Orville\_mogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orville_mogul)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2026, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-with-delivery-of-international-registered-letters-to-us/1029284 "2026-04-16T22:39:28Z")
I am in the middle of a very prolonged battle between the IRS and my bank in the US about the loss of a covid stimulus check in 2021. On January 3 2026 I sent registered letters (with signature requirement) from Switzerl… --- ## [What is the furthest north, south, east and west you've ever been? (By Longitude please.)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-furthest-north-south-east-and-west-youve-ever-been-by-longitude-please/1028653)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 200\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2026, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-furthest-north-south-east-and-west-youve-ever-been-by-longitude-please/1028653 "2026-04-16T20:30:10Z")
We do this from time to time here on the ‘Dope, and it’s a slow day at work, so… Furthest North: London, England, UK 51°30’26” North. I’m not prepared to say what specific spot in London was the furthest north, so I jus… --- ## [Weird spam- notice appearing in my Outlook calendar without accompanying email](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-spam-notice-appearing-in-my-outlook-calendar-without-accompanying-email/1029259)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2026, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-spam-notice-appearing-in-my-outlook-calendar-without-accompanying-email/1029259 "2026-04-16T03:46:32Z")
Over the last few months I’ve occasionally gotten an entry in my Outlook calendar that I didn’t put there. I got one today. It’s clearly spam, something like “Your \ subscription will be renewed on \.” The… --- ## [That annoying "guessing game" type of training feedback - considered good practice or not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-annoying-guessing-game-type-of-training-feedback-considered-good-practice-or-not/1029249)
**Author:** [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2026, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-annoying-guessing-game-type-of-training-feedback-considered-good-practice-or-not/1029249 "2026-04-15T21:36:22Z")
There is one type of training feedback, used particularly in practical skills, that really gets my back up. For example, decades ago in sailing class: Now, do you think you did everything correctly? ……… …………. ? ………… --- ## [Kalanchoe, the flower - pronunciation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kalanchoe-the-flower-pronunciation/1029278)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2026, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kalanchoe-the-flower-pronunciation/1029278 "2026-04-15T17:43:45Z")
We like these flowers because they have pretty blooms and grow well in our environment. Kalanchoe: We have always pronounced it ka -LAN - choe We were watching a video in which he pronounced it KOLIN - choe I looked … --- ## [I'm new to credit card miles & points, please explain this to me like I'm 11](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-new-to-credit-card-miles-points-please-explain-this-to-me-like-im-11/1029147)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2026, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-new-to-credit-card-miles-points-please-explain-this-to-me-like-im-11/1029147 "2026-04-15T13:52:41Z")
I am finally at a place in my life where I have, in combination, good credit and some money. So I decided to jump into the world of credit card miles & points. Now, some context: I don’t intend to gin the system to such … --- ## [Ongoing "high-value" META-thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-high-value-meta-thread/1029285)
**Author:** [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2026, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-high-value-meta-thread/1029285 "2026-04-15T12:03:03Z")
Just wondering if it made sense to have a thread where people can post links to “above average” threads here. Current ones, only - pls … so no funny-2011-zombies. I get a lot of useful info out of: and both rathe… --- ## [What is a spreadsheet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-spreadsheet/1028642)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2026, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-spreadsheet/1028642 "2026-04-15T02:34:00Z")
Millennia, in fact. --- ## [Teach me about trailer hitches for small RV trailers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teach-me-about-trailer-hitches-for-small-rv-trailers/1029217)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2026, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teach-me-about-trailer-hitches-for-small-rv-trailers/1029217 "2026-04-14T19:12:53Z")
I’d like to try renting some variety of trailers, and eventually purchase one. In particular I’m quite taken by the smaller Scamp brand of fiberglass “egg” campers, which tend to be in the 1200 to 1600 lbs range, but no … --- ## [Tell me about Vienna - visiting this summer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-vienna-visiting-this-summer/1029250)
**Author:** [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2026, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-vienna-visiting-this-summer/1029250 "2026-04-14T15:52:33Z")
My wife has a conference in Vienna this summer and I will tag along, then we’ll add a couple of days for sightseeing together. All told, we’ll probably be there for five days with two of those taken up (for her) by the c… --- ## [Have you ever done something on your Bucket List? What's on your Bucket List?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-done-something-on-your-bucket-list-whats-on-your-bucket-list/1029207)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2026, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-done-something-on-your-bucket-list-whats-on-your-bucket-list/1029207 "2026-04-14T03:23:39Z")
As of today, I have checked off exactly one thing from my Bucket List. Here’s my list (and, for context, many of these things require that I a) have a ton of money; b) outlive Mrs. Homie; c) both a and b) MY BUCKET LIST … --- ## [Win 11 not seeing old Hardrives](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/win-11-not-seeing-old-hardrives/1029220)
**Author:** [@Quintas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quintas)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2026, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/win-11-not-seeing-old-hardrives/1029220 "2026-04-14T01:58:07Z")
My stepfather has a stack of old SATA hard drives he was curious to see what was on. He bought one of those readers you plug into a wall outlet for power and then to a USB port to read the drive. When we plug in the u… --- ## [What commonplace, seemingly innocuous things might someday be banned?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-commonplace-seemingly-innocuous-things-might-someday-be-banned/1029102)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2026, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-commonplace-seemingly-innocuous-things-might-someday-be-banned/1029102 "2026-04-13T18:06:27Z")
The ongoing thread How were things different when you were a kid? includes a fair number of things that either de facto or de jure have been eliminated from our society as potentially unsafe, insensitive, or now consider… --- ## [Do you name inanimate objects you're fond of?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-name-inanimate-objects-youre-fond-of/145763)
**Author:** [@The\_Asbestos\_Mango](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Asbestos_Mango)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2026, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-name-inanimate-objects-youre-fond-of/145763 "2026-04-13T16:48:28Z")
I know it’s not uncommon to name musical instruments. In the past, I have owned a guitar named Maynard, and my G&L SB2 bass guitar Isadore is now available for adoption. I’ve decided that Glorianna is the perfect name fo… --- ## [Let's talk about the long-term effects of today's events on a global scale](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-the-long-term-effects-of-todays-events-on-a-global-scale/1029206)
**Author:** [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2026, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-the-long-term-effects-of-todays-events-on-a-global-scale/1029206 "2026-04-13T12:26:44Z")
Politics aside; national exceptionalism, ethnic priority, xenophobia, religious factors aside. What I am concerned with here is the long-term viability and preservation of homo sapiens or a reasonable facsimile. If I ha… --- ## [Reverse Mortgage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reverse-mortgage/691922)
**Author:** [@OffByOne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OffByOne)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2026, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reverse-mortgage/691922 "2026-04-12T22:13:59Z")
Does anyone have any experience, either directly or through association, with reverse mortgages? Are they worth it, or are they just another way to steal assets from people who have few choices? I am 64, 3 months away … --- ## [Tell me about cruises, especially more laid-back, "educational" ones](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-cruises-especially-more-laid-back-educational-ones/1029178)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2026, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-cruises-especially-more-laid-back-educational-ones/1029178 "2026-04-12T17:50:32Z")
Continuing the discussion from I'm new to credit card miles & points, please explain this to me like I'm 11: I’m not rich enough, old enough, or sea-worthy enough to have actually gone on any cruises, but this random a… --- ## [Artificial sweeteners: recent bad news](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-sweeteners-recent-bad-news/986345)
**Author:** [@2\_More\_Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2_More_Bits)\ **Replies:** 132\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2026, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-sweeteners-recent-bad-news/986345 "2026-04-12T15:34:01Z")
In the past couple months there’s been this report about aspartame being “possibly carcinogenic to humans.” And this report about sucralose potentially damaging DNA (!!!). And this report about erythritol perhaps causi… --- ## [How do American Jews typically feel about Israel and Zionism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-american-jews-typically-feel-about-israel-and-zionism/1029177)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2026, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-american-jews-typically-feel-about-israel-and-zionism/1029177 "2026-04-12T08:04:52Z")
OK… huge disclaimer upfront: This is not meant to disparage Jews in any way, shape or form, be they American or otherwise. It also isn’t meant to directly critique Israeli policy per se. It’s meant as an honest question … --- ## [3rd-party Webmail filters for private individual accounts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3rd-party-webmail-filters-for-private-individual-accounts/1029116)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2026, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3rd-party-webmail-filters-for-private-individual-accounts/1029116 "2026-04-11T18:11:34Z")
Like many people, I’ve been pushed into a pattern of using multiple devices instead of one personal computer, and that in turn has pushed me towards webmail. Before that, I used Eudora, which I initially embraced becaus… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=15) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=17)