# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=24 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 25 --- ## [Who has made, and so far KEPT, New Year resolutions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-made-and-so-far-kept-new-year-resolutions/1027172)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2026, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-made-and-so-far-kept-new-year-resolutions/1027172 "2026-01-31T17:45:31Z")
Not a person who engages in the tradition myself but I do wonder, about a month in, what fraction are following through so far. Poll. Don’t answer if like me making them isn’t your thing. poll Your judgement on what is… --- ## [Youtube squeezing suggested videos, making description unreadable](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youtube-squeezing-suggested-videos-making-description-unreadable/1027209)
**Author:** [@colinfred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/colinfred)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2026, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youtube-squeezing-suggested-videos-making-description-unreadable/1027209 "2026-01-31T17:05:36Z")
Anybody know what’s happening here and how to fix it? Today all the suggested videos squeeze up and you can’t actually read the descriptions. Zooming does not help --- ## [What was 2025 "A good year for..."?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-2025-a-good-year-for/1026119)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2026, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-2025-a-good-year-for/1026119 "2026-01-31T14:12:35Z")
You periodically hear people say a certain year was a good year for movies, music, local or worldwide human rights, environmental progress, medical advances, sports…. whatever. I’m not saying nothing good happened in 20… --- ## [People who must exist by definition, but you can never find: Who interests you most?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-must-exist-by-definition-but-you-can-never-find-who-interests-you-most/1027000)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2026, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-must-exist-by-definition-but-you-can-never-find-who-interests-you-most/1027000 "2026-01-31T02:06:11Z")
My go-to explanation for this question is the movie Dogma, when Rufus tells Jay that he masturbates more than anyone else on the planet. This made me realize that, by definition, such a person must exist, but you can nev… --- ## [Acoustic foam soundproofing for the home?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acoustic-foam-soundproofing-for-the-home/1027178)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2026, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acoustic-foam-soundproofing-for-the-home/1027178 "2026-01-30T20:57:47Z")
I’ve decided to pick up singing again, and am taking voice lessons now. Part of my homework is practicing at home to better learn breath control, etc. Sometimes that requires singing at a normal or louder volume, but I d… --- ## [Left-handed fountain pen use](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-handed-fountain-pen-use/1027153)
**Author:** [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2026, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-handed-fountain-pen-use/1027153 "2026-01-30T19:15:07Z")
A very dear friend gave me a fountain pen for the holiday. It’s pretty basic, but balances well and has good ink flow. I am left-handed, and although the manufacturer insists that left-handed, people can use these pens, … --- ## [Question re: tax deductibility for expense of delivering a large value charitable contribution](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-re-tax-deductibility-for-expense-of-delivering-a-large-value-charitable-contribution/1027135)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2026, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-re-tax-deductibility-for-expense-of-delivering-a-large-value-charitable-contribution/1027135 "2026-01-29T20:20:44Z")
I have a fountain pen collection, hundreds of pens, with a value in 5 figures. I now want to get rid of most of them. I have (nearly) decided that I don’t want to go through the hassle and anxiety of selling them one at … --- ## [Why do almost all new clothes smell like chemicals now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-almost-all-new-clothes-smell-like-chemicals-now/1010065)
**Author:** [@craft458](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/craft458)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2026, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-almost-all-new-clothes-smell-like-chemicals-now/1010065 "2026-01-29T18:55:38Z")
Why do almost all new clothes smell like chemicals now? I started noticing it during the Covid lockdown but it was only some clothes. Before this, I had never had any clothes smell like chemical. In about the last two ye… --- ## [Must-do things in London or within an afternoon’s drive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-do-things-in-london-or-within-an-afternoon-s-drive/1025314)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2026, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-do-things-in-london-or-within-an-afternoon-s-drive/1025314 "2026-01-29T12:40:55Z")
When Mrs. Homie and I have some money, we’re doing to do a once in a lifetime dream trip to England and Wales. We’ll start in Wrexham for a day or two and then on to London, where we’ll stay based for 8-10 days. We’d lik… --- ## [How much effort into selling old collectibles (Stamps and Coins)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-effort-into-selling-old-collectibles-stamps-and-coins/1026839)
**Author:** [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2026, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-effort-into-selling-old-collectibles-stamps-and-coins/1026839 "2026-01-29T02:45:02Z")
Considering the board’s collective age and experience, I figured a few of us have some experience on this subject. I know the demographics for most of these collectors has collapsed, to the point that many collections a… --- ## [Humidifier recommendations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/humidifier-recommendations/1027036)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2026, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/humidifier-recommendations/1027036 "2026-01-28T13:31:11Z")
I bought this Honeywell humidifier some months ago and it really is not getting the job done. Given how simple its operation is it is weirdly expensive too. I wouldn’t mind if it got the job done but I can barely tell … --- ## [PLEASE help me choose a new TV](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-choose-a-new-tv/1027050)
**Author:** [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2026, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-choose-a-new-tv/1027050 "2026-01-27T20:59:57Z")
I am stuck in analysis paralysis. I have two TVs I’m choosing between at Best Buy. The first is the LG 85A. The other is TCL QM6K. I just can’t seem to pick between the two. The prices are $100 different, so that is… --- ## [Poor sleep after physical exertion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poor-sleep-after-physical-exertion/1027039)
**Author:** [@Hermitian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hermitian)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2026, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poor-sleep-after-physical-exertion/1027039 "2026-01-27T18:51:03Z")
Yesterday I spent a good bit of time shoveling snow. Way more physical exertion than I am used to. After a workout like that, most people would sleep like a log, right? I guess I am not most people. I used to be normal… --- ## [How does YouTube split Premium payments between multiple channels/video creators?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-youtube-split-premium-payments-between-multiple-channels-video-creators/1027094)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2026, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-youtube-split-premium-payments-between-multiple-channels-video-creators/1027094 "2026-01-27T16:01:03Z")
(Putting this in IMHO because as far as I can tell, there isn’t one simple factual answer to this… maybe it differs depending on topic, specific individual, etc.? Not sure. Anecdotes welcome too.) I subscribe to YouTube… --- ## [Our house - Should we stay or should we go?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-house-should-we-stay-or-should-we-go/1026973)
**Author:** [@Sticks\_and\_Scones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sticks_and_Scones)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2026, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-house-should-we-stay-or-should-we-go/1026973 "2026-01-26T20:58:45Z")
We live in what is, in some ways, my dream house. It’s a 2 story brick house built in 1874. In other words, it’s 152 years old, about a 100 years older than I will be in June. It’s beautiful with a ‘grand staircase’, … --- ## [Gun range ear muffs question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-range-ear-muffs-question/1026986)
**Author:** [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2026, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-range-ear-muffs-question/1026986 "2026-01-26T20:10:26Z")
My wife is about to become a shooter. I’ve shot for… 50 years. So we are going to a gun range and going to rent a gun or two for her to try out. We will get a single lane as I’m going to keep a very close eye on her. S… --- ## [What, or who, defines horror? Discussion of genre components, literary or cinematic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-or-who-defines-horror-discussion-of-genre-components-literary-or-cinematic/1026988)
**Author:** [@APackof19menthols](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/APackof19menthols)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2026, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-or-who-defines-horror-discussion-of-genre-components-literary-or-cinematic/1026988 "2026-01-26T18:33:07Z")
Seeing as this is to some extent opinion placed i’m placing it here, part of me expects it to be moved. Onto the meat of it: What defines horror as such? In literature and movies we are aware that the intention is, of c… --- ## [Married Men of the 'Dope: Did you ask your future wife's dad for permission to marry her?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/married-men-of-the-dope-did-you-ask-your-future-wifes-dad-for-permission-to-marry-her/1026433)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 156\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2026, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/married-men-of-the-dope-did-you-ask-your-future-wifes-dad-for-permission-to-marry-her/1026433 "2026-01-26T13:06:53Z")
I know that in the West, this used to be a pretty big thing, although of course it’s fallen by the wayside in recent decades. Nevertheless, it still goes on. I did not ask Mrs. H’s father for permission. Though they wer… --- ## [Where do ICE agencies get their "leads"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-ice-agencies-get-their-leads/1026975)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2026, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-ice-agencies-get-their-leads/1026975 "2026-01-25T22:05:10Z")
I assume they have a squad meeting with today’s targets spelled out. Where does the list of supposed illegals come from? --- ## [Net cost or benefit of a successful assassination](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/net-cost-or-benefit-of-a-successful-assassination/1004862)
**Author:** [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2026, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/net-cost-or-benefit-of-a-successful-assassination/1004862 "2026-01-25T20:20:15Z")
Suppose the shooter had not missed and Trump could no longer run. There is a host of possible outcomes, including the removal of the cult leader, his possible martyrdom, vengeful violence on the part of MAGATs and so on… --- ## [Ever had a product where they drastically changed the standards, but maintained the same designations?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-had-a-product-where-they-drastically-changed-the-standards-but-maintained-the-same-designations/1026950)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2026, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-had-a-product-where-they-drastically-changed-the-standards-but-maintained-the-same-designations/1026950 "2026-01-25T18:03:47Z")
I think the classic example would be womens’ clothing, where what used to be a size 6 is now a size 2 or whatever. Same amount of fabric covers the same amount of body, but the purchaser can think she now fits into a sm… --- ## [Have you heard of Powur (solar panel installation company)? Your experiences with home solar, and some adjacent questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-powur-solar-panel-installation-company-your-experiences-with-home-solar-and-some-adjacent-questions/1026983)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2026, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-powur-solar-panel-installation-company-your-experiences-with-home-solar-and-some-adjacent-questions/1026983 "2026-01-24T20:36:52Z")
A friend of mine is a Big Deal in the Sales Department at Powur, a company that pimps solar power. The way Tom explained it to me is that, the customer pays nothing except for maybe some trivial pieces of electrical equi… --- ## [Anyone ever try selling crap from comics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-ever-try-selling-crap-from-comics/1026767)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2026, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-ever-try-selling-crap-from-comics/1026767 "2026-01-24T02:56:39Z")
As probably almost all of us know, advertisers in old comics seemed to be very determined to get children to sell all sorts of things around their neighborhood to get cash and prizes. A very few examples picked tonight: … --- ## [Why is she apologizing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-she-apologizing/1026901)
**Author:** [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2026, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-she-apologizing/1026901 "2026-01-23T23:20:46Z")
So apparently an adult actress is also a big University of Miami fan, and has been spotted and filmed by ESPN in the stands at a couple of games. Now she’s apologizing… for something(?) because apparently someone was of… --- ## [Which to visit: Istanbul or Petra and Amman?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-to-visit-istanbul-or-petra-and-amman/1026801)
**Author:** [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2026, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-to-visit-istanbul-or-petra-and-amman/1026801 "2026-01-23T18:52:10Z")
We have just booked a Viking river cruise in Egypt, and are considering two extensions, but we can’t afford both. So if you have been to these places, which would you recommend: three days in Istanbul or four days in Jor… --- ## [If a random person had to operate a ham radio with no prior experience, how easy would it be for them to figure out?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-random-person-had-to-operate-a-ham-radio-with-no-prior-experience-how-easy-would-it-be-for-them-to-figure-out/1026885)
**Author:** [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2026, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-random-person-had-to-operate-a-ham-radio-with-no-prior-experience-how-easy-would-it-be-for-them-to-figure-out/1026885 "2026-01-23T18:43:27Z")
Image someone is alone in an emergency or survival situation where they need to call for help and their only means of communication is a ham radio. For instance, a lost and injured hiker comes across a remote cabin with … --- ## [Prague Suggestions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prague-suggestions/1026925)
**Author:** [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2026, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prague-suggestions/1026925 "2026-01-23T18:39:55Z")
Hey Folks We’re planning a trip to Prague. I like to boast about the number of places I’ve been, but Prague will be a first for me. I’m looking for suggestions on where to stay. We like to be right in the middle of it … --- ## [Chinese AI: Any reason not to adopt?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-ai-any-reason-not-to-adopt/1026947)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2026, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-ai-any-reason-not-to-adopt/1026947 "2026-01-23T02:52:23Z")
This Economist article (link below) suggests Chinese AI should not be feared by European businesses because of its low cost, open source and predictions about access compared to American innovation. Are they right? Or … --- ## [Proposed People of the ‘Dope: Did you talk to your "intended" about marriage, before you actually did the proposal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-people-of-the-dope-did-you-talk-to-your-intended-about-marriage-before-you-actually-did-the-proposal/1026867)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2026, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-people-of-the-dope-did-you-talk-to-your-intended-about-marriage-before-you-actually-did-the-proposal/1026867 "2026-01-22T22:35:58Z")
Over the weekend, I heard from a friend that his daughter’s semi on again, off again boyfriend proposed to the daughter, and she said no. I asked if they had ever talked about marriage, and he said that according to the… --- ## [Ex-military Dopers, what kind of illegal orders are you confident your peers would have disobeyed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ex-military-dopers-what-kind-of-illegal-orders-are-you-confident-your-peers-would-have-disobeyed/1026865)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2026, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ex-military-dopers-what-kind-of-illegal-orders-are-you-confident-your-peers-would-have-disobeyed/1026865 "2026-01-22T21:29:36Z")
I know we have a sizable number of posters here on the Dope who are ex-Navy, ex-USAF, ex-Army, etc. I’m sure you would have disobeyed illegal orders from a US president or commander - but what about your peers? At the t… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=23) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=25)