# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=199 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 200 --- ## [Poll: Elon Musk buys Twitter. What do you do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-elon-musk-buys-twitter-what-do-you-do/963414)
**Author:** [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2022, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-elon-musk-buys-twitter-what-do-you-do/963414 "2022-05-14T17:01:38Z")
Twitter is expected to shortly announce its sale to Elon Musk. If this goes through: poll (For the purpose of this poll, assume the news reports are genuine and this isn’t some weird pump-and-dump thing that Musk will … --- ## [Real estate buying and selling guidance sought](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-estate-buying-and-selling-guidance-sought/964331)
**Author:** [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2022, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-estate-buying-and-selling-guidance-sought/964331 "2022-05-14T16:46:06Z")
I realize this is a rather general question, or set of questions, so I’m expecting this thread to go all over the place. And I know I’ve posted elsewhere about staging a house for sale; this is a different question. My… --- ## [S mode on Ms computers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/s-mode-on-ms-computers/964370)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2022, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/s-mode-on-ms-computers/964370 "2022-05-13T22:31:57Z")
Every time I try and download an app it says I have to switch out of S mode to do so and gives me a warning as to why that isa not such a good idea. Do most people switch out without problems? --- ## [Repurposing Previously Installed ADT Security Equipment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repurposing-previously-installed-adt-security-equipment/964119)
**Author:** [@Dr.Colossus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Colossus)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2022, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repurposing-previously-installed-adt-security-equipment/964119 "2022-05-13T21:05:13Z")
Howdy Dopers, Our home was previously equipped with ADT door/window/glass break sensors, as well as a Honeywell Keypad and the ADEMCO VISTA 15P 6 Zone Control Panel. I was looking at going with either Eufy or Kasa home… --- ## [Odds vs Probabilities in extreme cases](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odds-vs-probabilities-in-extreme-cases/964345)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2022, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odds-vs-probabilities-in-extreme-cases/964345 "2022-05-13T18:40:29Z")
If science were to calculate something at 100 billion to one odds how would that affect the probabilities when compared to something with say 3 to 1 odds. --- ## [Is anyone else having problems with cnn.com? (loading, not ideology)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-else-having-problems-with-cnn-com-loading-not-ideology/964336)
**Author:** [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2022, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-else-having-problems-with-cnn-com-loading-not-ideology/964336 "2022-05-13T13:50:37Z")
When I visit cnn.com, the page loads as expected. However, once I click on an article, the site becomes useless. The article I have selected loads, then reloads and reloads and reloads continuously without end. When I… --- ## [From "Polls only, no discussion": I would like to discuss being attracted to a person of another gender than usual if you met the right person](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-polls-only-no-discussion-i-would-like-to-discuss-being-attracted-to-a-person-of-another-gender-than-usual-if-you-met-the-right-person/964258)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2022, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-polls-only-no-discussion-i-would-like-to-discuss-being-attracted-to-a-person-of-another-gender-than-usual-if-you-met-the-right-person/964258 "2022-05-12T23:37:50Z")
It’s early days still, but we’re looking at 80% no. I’m actually surprised it’s only 80% no. I originally posted that yes, I could probably settle down with the right guy if I met him, but then I realized I’ve never … --- ## [Where can I track local rainfall totals online, like they print in the local newspaper?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-track-local-rainfall-totals-online-like-they-print-in-the-local-newspaper/842071)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2022, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-track-local-rainfall-totals-online-like-they-print-in-the-local-newspaper/842071 "2022-05-12T19:02:46Z")
The newspaper in Eugene prints a rainfall summary every Sunday which tracks the local average and actual precipitation totals since the beginning of the month and year. IME this is fairly typical newspapers generally. F… --- ## [NYT article mental health and questionable statistics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-article-mental-health-and-questionable-statistics/963417)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2022, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-article-mental-health-and-questionable-statistics/963417 "2022-05-12T18:05:25Z")
The subject is of great interest and certainly I have seen an explosion of need over the pandemic. My narrow interest, not quite a rant, is their choosing to date a rise from 2009. Included in the article however is a… --- ## [Lodge cast iron sucks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lodge-cast-iron-sucks/957898)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2022, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lodge-cast-iron-sucks/957898 "2022-05-12T17:01:00Z")
First of all, let’s address the obvious issue: they do not mill their iron down so instead of the excellent smooth surface it instead is pebbly. So why does it suck? I got a Dutch oven for Christmas and made a deep dis… --- ## [Things to do with an afternoon/evening in San Jose CA?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-with-an-afternoon-evening-in-san-jose-ca/964081)
**Author:** [@Stana\_Claus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stana_Claus)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2022, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-with-an-afternoon-evening-in-san-jose-ca/964081 "2022-05-12T14:21:06Z")
My wife and I will be flying into San Jose, CA at the end of July for a two week trip exploring the California coast. We’ve already got the bulk of our itinerary figured out, but our in-coming flight arrives in San Jose… --- ## [What are the advantages to a small condo?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-advantages-to-a-small-condo/964192)
**Author:** [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2022, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-advantages-to-a-small-condo/964192 "2022-05-12T11:02:24Z")
Partly as a result of some discussion here, Why does it bother my neighbors that I never open my blinds/shades?, I have a question about small ( 2-3 unit) condos. I never saw this sort of small condo mentioned until a … --- ## [Could gun advocate states be fought this way?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-gun-advocate-states-be-fought-this-way/963879)
**Author:** [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2022, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-gun-advocate-states-be-fought-this-way/963879 "2022-05-12T07:18:05Z")
I keep thinking that states where guns are rampant are that way because they distrust “the other” so much. Look at ridiculous crap like that student being killed for trick or treating at the wrong house in Louisiana. I… --- ## [Looking for a bar soap I used to buy (bar OF soap, not soap for washing a bar)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-bar-soap-i-used-to-buy-bar-of-soap-not-soap-for-washing-a-bar/964285)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2022, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-bar-soap-i-used-to-buy-bar-of-soap-not-soap-for-washing-a-bar/964285 "2022-05-12T01:59:07Z")
About 35-40 years ago, I used to buy a bar soap at a local natural foods grocery store called Sun Harvest. This type of store was a new-ish thing in South Texas back then–we were years away from having a Whole Foods Mark… --- ## [What Scam Phone Calls Do You Get?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-scam-phone-calls-do-you-get/964024)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2022, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-scam-phone-calls-do-you-get/964024 "2022-05-11T17:46:55Z")
We’re discussing the old “we’ve been trying to reach you about your car’s extended waranty” canard over in FQ. I’ve never once gotten that scam call. 99 percent have been of the “your Amazon purchase of $499” variety, a… --- ## [Is The World Becoming A Better Place?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-world-becoming-a-better-place/963612)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2022, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-world-becoming-a-better-place/963612 "2022-05-11T17:13:38Z")
Surprisingly, a quick review suggests this topic has only been addressed tangentially. What are you doing to make this world a better place? What about Mark Zuckerberg? Many people hear the constant stream of bad news… --- ## [Why is it that when I notice the heel of my sock has worn through, it's always on my right foot?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-that-when-i-notice-the-heel-of-my-sock-has-worn-through-its-always-on-my-right-foot/964254)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2022, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-that-when-i-notice-the-heel-of-my-sock-has-worn-through-its-always-on-my-right-foot/964254 "2022-05-11T13:52:02Z")
\[Note to mods: I was going to put this thread in FQ, but decided there would probably be no definitive answer, and decided to put it here. If that was wrong I apologize.\] I know this sounds nuts, but without exception,… --- ## [Musing about Russia in the near and long term future](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musing-about-russia-in-the-near-and-long-term-future/964150)
**Author:** [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2022, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musing-about-russia-in-the-near-and-long-term-future/964150 "2022-05-11T12:55:43Z")
Vis a vis Russia, if there weren’t nuclear weapons in their arsenal, this would be comparatively easy - in goes NATO, job done, and NATO calls the shots for the foreseeable future (note, I said “comparatively easy”, no… --- ## [Putin could formally declare war on May 9, allowing him to step up his campaign](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putin-could-formally-declare-war-on-may-9-allowing-him-to-step-up-his-campaign/964093)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 110\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2022, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putin-could-formally-declare-war-on-may-9-allowing-him-to-step-up-his-campaign/964093 "2022-05-11T06:59:57Z")
A head line from CNN. How would he step up his campaign? Russian soldiers are murdering and raping civilians. The only thing I can think of is using tactical nuclear weapons. --- ## [Is this an appropriate Ramadan greeting?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-an-appropriate-ramadan-greeting/963683)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2022, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-an-appropriate-ramadan-greeting/963683 "2022-05-11T01:04:08Z")
My understanding is that Sunday, May 1, will be the last day of Ramadan this year. I have an acquaintance who I will be seeing on Sunday. I looked online and I found that Eid Mubarak is a customary greeting at the end o… --- ## [The worst guest bed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worst-guest-bed/964007)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2022, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worst-guest-bed/964007 "2022-05-10T23:42:15Z")
We’re heading out this weekend to my husband’s aunt. She doesn’t have a guest room, but she generously offered us her hide-a-bed. We declined and booked a hotel room. At least we can reasonably expect a good sleep. In m… --- ## [What are the world's top destinations for fruit tourism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-worlds-top-destinations-for-fruit-tourism/964134)
**Author:** [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2022, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-worlds-top-destinations-for-fruit-tourism/964134 "2022-05-10T14:30:39Z")
Since everybody has different taste, the only objective criteria I can think of are: Diversity of fruit Flavor and sweetness levels of the fruit. More is almost always better. Size of fruit. Bigger is better, all other… --- ## [How does one get the Hells Angels off your back?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-get-the-hells-angels-off-your-back/963742)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2022, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-get-the-hells-angels-off-your-back/963742 "2022-05-10T14:00:12Z")
My friend, “J.”, has a cousin she lives with in Ontario, whom I’ll call “Z”. Z has gotten on the wrong side of the Hells Angels. They’re suspicious of him because he makes a lot of money, and think he’s been dealing in… --- ## ['T' vs. 'tea'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/t-vs-tea/964179)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2022, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/t-vs-tea/964179 "2022-05-10T12:37:57Z")
In the late-‘80s, a girlfriend introduced me to ‘T’, meaning ‘trash’. ‘What’s the T?’ (‘What’s up?’) she’d ask; or, Oh, she was dishing the T on \[so-and-so\].’ Recently I’ve seen posts where people use ‘tea’ for the sam… --- ## [Are men responsible for women's happiness or unhappiness?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-responsible-for-womens-happiness-or-unhappiness/963061)
**Author:** [@Jay\_Z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jay_Z)\ **Replies:** 200\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2022, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-responsible-for-womens-happiness-or-unhappiness/963061 "2022-05-09T17:28:01Z")
Full disclosure: I am a divorced father of multiple children. The children’s mother, my ex wife, left me for another man a few years back. They are married now. She knew him before we ever met. I also had a long dis… --- ## [What is meant by 'dynamic chaos'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-meant-by-dynamic-chaos/964098)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2022, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-meant-by-dynamic-chaos/964098 "2022-05-09T17:16:28Z")
I came across a quotation from Ernst Hanfsteangl referring to Hitler’s government as being “dynamic chaos”. I was searching for a definition and what Hanfstaengl meant by it. Can it be compared to any recent regimes/gove… --- ## [Please recommend a stand-alone air conditioner unit for my classroom](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-stand-alone-air-conditioner-unit-for-my-classroom/964114)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2022, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-stand-alone-air-conditioner-unit-for-my-classroom/964114 "2022-05-09T00:39:41Z")
I’m a teacher. We don’t have air-conditioning and my classroom is sweltering at the start and the end of the school year. I run multiple fans and have no success at doing much to reduce the incredible heat. The district… --- ## [Explain the delight-over-positive-pregnancy-test thing to me](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-delight-over-positive-pregnancy-test-thing-to-me/963525)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2022, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-delight-over-positive-pregnancy-test-thing-to-me/963525 "2022-05-08T23:41:42Z")
I’m a weird one. I do want to be a father and have kids someday, yet the phenomenon of couples being ecstatic over positive pregnancy tests is something I have a hard time relating to (unless they were, say, near the end… --- ## [Questions about the Mariupol Steel Plant Situation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-the-mariupol-steel-plant-situation/964046)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2022, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-the-mariupol-steel-plant-situation/964046 "2022-05-08T19:08:51Z")
Various news sources have reported the steel plant in Mariupol as the last Ukrainian holdout in southeastern Ukraine. There are still about 200 civilians in the plant, along with Ukrainian military personnel. I watched… --- ## [What's the best way to type a sigh?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-type-a-sigh/316691)
**Author:** [@some\_white\_dude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/some_white_dude)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2022, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-type-a-sigh/316691 "2022-05-08T18:57:31Z")
While talking on AIM, I often want to “sigh” to the person with whom I’m talking. The problem is, I have no idea how to do this. I don’t like using sigh, so what can I use? I’m looking for something along the lines of “u… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=198) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=200)