# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=351 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 352 --- ## [Why do you post on the Straight Dope Message Board?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-post-on-the-straight-dope-message-board/843619)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 154\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2019, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-post-on-the-straight-dope-message-board/843619 "2019-12-19T16:47:08Z")
Personally, I’m here to visit friends, learn new things, unlearn things that are wrong, and learn how to fight bullshit effectively. You? --- ## [You can read one person's mind. Who would you pick? Or not pick?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-read-one-persons-mind-who-would-you-pick-or-not-pick/844941)
**Author:** [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2019, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-read-one-persons-mind-who-would-you-pick-or-not-pick/844941 "2019-12-19T15:46:11Z")
The magic genie gives you the power to read any person’s mind, living or dead. You can pick any person ever and read their every thought every day for a whole year. Who would you pick? Or definitely not pick? I’d pick … --- ## [So the sun rises 23° up the sky. Then, with a sense of totally wasted effort, it sets.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-sun-rises-23-up-the-sky-then-with-a-sense-of-totally-wasted-effort-it-sets/844879)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2019, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-sun-rises-23-up-the-sky-then-with-a-sense-of-totally-wasted-effort-it-sets/844879 "2019-12-19T04:30:47Z")
Not that I’m complaining, seriously. But I am curious about one thing, and that is the perception of time. Experiencing my second December in Oregon, I have noticed that, with the sun setting so early, I tend to feel as… --- ## [Weighted Blankets](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weighted-blankets/844782)
**Author:** [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2019, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weighted-blankets/844782 "2019-12-19T04:06:35Z")
Some time ago my son came home after spending the night at a friend’s home and raved about the weighted blanket he used. He bought one and loves it. I finally decided to try, and I have to admit that i sleep better than … --- ## [Chinese Embassy "Officials" (Spies) Drive on to US Military Base. Why bring the wives?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-embassy-officials-spies-drive-on-to-us-military-base-why-bring-the-wives/844901)
**Author:** [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2019, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-embassy-officials-spies-drive-on-to-us-military-base-why-bring-the-wives/844901 "2019-12-19T04:01:35Z")
Chinese Embassy “Officials” were on a “sightseeing tour” and “accidentally” drove on to a Virginia Military Base. After being told they couldn’t enter, they drove on to the base anyway. Obviously they were testing Base s… --- ## [How can I help this kid?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-help-this-kid/844776)
**Author:** [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2019, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-help-this-kid/844776 "2019-12-19T02:26:01Z")
So, Kid Cheesesteak is in 6th grade, and his best friend is kind of a hot mess. He lives down the street from us with his mom and stepdad, in a house of complete chaos. His mom has admitted problems with alcohol and pres… --- ## [Can an American town ban Christmas?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-american-town-ban-christmas/844459)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2019, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-american-town-ban-christmas/844459 "2019-12-19T02:07:53Z")
25% of the plots to children movies seem to be around Christmas being banned/cancelled in some way, usually by way of the mayor or overpowered city council somehow having the ability to literally prevent people from indi… --- ## [Upgrade to Windows 10?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/upgrade-to-windows-10/844803)
**Author:** [@CastletonSnob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CastletonSnob)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2019, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/upgrade-to-windows-10/844803 "2019-12-19T01:49:42Z")
I currently use Windows 8.1. Should I upgrade to Windows 10? --- ## [The price of gold - this year's jump, is there a why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-price-of-gold-this-years-jump-is-there-a-why/845042)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2019, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-price-of-gold-this-years-jump-is-there-a-why/845042 "2019-12-19T01:47:43Z")
We’ve had various discussions here, the consensus of which seems to fall either on 1) it’s silly to own gold, it has no intrinsic value, the gold market is a bubble waiting to burst; or 2) every sensible investor should … --- ## [Rain-X AdvantEdge silicone wiper blades](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rain-x-advantedge-silicone-wiper-blades/845034)
**Author:** [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2019, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rain-x-advantedge-silicone-wiper-blades/845034 "2019-12-18T21:51:40Z")
Anyone have experience with these? They’re quite pricey, are they worth it? --- ## [Blue Tooth speaker recommendations. Or, I ain't got jack.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-tooth-speaker-recommendations-or-i-aint-got-jack/844998)
**Author:** [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2019, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-tooth-speaker-recommendations-or-i-aint-got-jack/844998 "2019-12-18T19:30:34Z")
New owner of a iPhone 11. And I ain’t got no Jack. So, it is time to jump on this blue tooth game. I like music. I am always listening to it. Would like recommendations for blue tooth speakers. A small one and a bigge… --- ## [The Future of Community Power Grid Planning?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-future-of-community-power-grid-planning/845017)
**Author:** [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2019, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-future-of-community-power-grid-planning/845017 "2019-12-18T15:15:58Z")
Thread and awkward title inspired by this thread from General Questions, more specifically, the last two paragraphs of post #14 by Melbourne as follows, I certainly don’t have enough knowledge to speculate compententl… --- ## [Tell me about upgrading wiring in a house](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-upgrading-wiring-in-a-house/844932)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2019, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-upgrading-wiring-in-a-house/844932 "2019-12-18T14:32:52Z")
We have a fairly small house; the main floor is two bedrooms, a bathroom, a living room and kitchen. The downstairs contains a 1-car garage, a large bedroom and bathroom, and an open area used as an office, and storage u… --- ## [Invisalign vs Metal Braces](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invisalign-vs-metal-braces/844862)
**Author:** [@Mdcastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mdcastle)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2019, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invisalign-vs-metal-braces/844862 "2019-12-18T05:53:10Z")
Every time I’m at my dentist she gives me the pitch “you know, we could really straighten those teeth of yours up really nicely. We can do aligners right from my office”. So far I’ve just given vague promises to think ab… --- ## [I miss California. God damn, I miss this place. First time I've been back in a while.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-miss-california-god-damn-i-miss-this-place-first-time-ive-been-back-in-a-while/844884)
**Author:** [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2019, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-miss-california-god-damn-i-miss-this-place-first-time-ive-been-back-in-a-while/844884 "2019-12-18T02:27:02Z")
First time I’ve been back in years, and now that I’m here it’s like it was yesterday. Everyone’s a little nicer, in a better mood. Lots of natural beauty. Great climes. Did I mention people are in a good mood, out surfin… --- ## [Recommend an African Birding Tour!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-an-african-birding-tour/830541)
**Author:** [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2019, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-an-african-birding-tour/830541 "2019-12-17T23:11:18Z")
Time to finally take the plunge and fulfill my only life-long dream and go to Africa. I’ve decided to celebrate my birthday there in June 2020. In my mind I’ve always thought that I’d have the focus of the trip be the B… --- ## [Why don’t fingernail clippers have grippier handles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-don-t-fingernail-clippers-have-grippier-handles/844841)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2019, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-don-t-fingernail-clippers-have-grippier-handles/844841 "2019-12-17T19:26:40Z")
Let’s get this out of the way - yes this is a first world problem. Ok, my nails grow fast so I’m frequently having to trim them. But it’s a hassle because when I press on the clippers half of the time the slip sideways … --- ## [Cell phone issue: What would you do at this point?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-issue-what-would-you-do-at-this-point/844316)
**Author:** [@2Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2Bits)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2019, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-issue-what-would-you-do-at-this-point/844316 "2019-12-17T19:22:41Z")
Less than two years ago I bought an iPhone 6s. Last February I took it to the Apple store due to a weird battery-related problem. At best I thought they’d replace the battery but without explanation they replaced the (ot… --- ## [A coworker always gives you Christmas presents but you never reciprocate. Are you an asshole?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-coworker-always-gives-you-christmas-presents-but-you-never-reciprocate-are-you-an-asshole/844892)
**Author:** [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2019, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-coworker-always-gives-you-christmas-presents-but-you-never-reciprocate-are-you-an-asshole/844892 "2019-12-17T19:12:22Z")
You never reciprocate because you don’t like the coworker well enough for it to not feel like a chore to give them a gift. You don’t like giving gifts out of sense of obligation. However, you do like giving gifts to pe… --- ## [What's a nice business gift?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-nice-business-gift/844867)
**Author:** [@MizQuirk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MizQuirk)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2019, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-nice-business-gift/844867 "2019-12-17T19:12:00Z")
I’ve been away for a long time so I’ll start with a quick question: What would be a good gift to give to a male CPA who’d recently given you helpful financial advice? Something under $100, say. --- ## [Frank letter to unreconciled sisters -- good or bad idea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frank-letter-to-unreconciled-sisters-good-or-bad-idea/844646)
**Author:** [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2019, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frank-letter-to-unreconciled-sisters-good-or-bad-idea/844646 "2019-12-17T17:14:14Z")
Out of a family of six kids, there are three of us left – me (the baby) and my two older sisters. About 10 years ago, there was a falling out between my sisters. At this point, the original incident is immaterial, becaus… --- ## [What’s the best biography of Thomas Jefferson?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-best-biography-of-thomas-jefferson/844899)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2019, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-best-biography-of-thomas-jefferson/844899 "2019-12-17T16:33:21Z")
I just reread Hamilton by Ron Chernow. Is there an equivalent for Thomas Jefferson? A comprehensive look at Jefferson that doesn’t focus constantly on re-examining Jefferson, calling him out on hypocrisy constantly, and … --- ## [Help us select a safe new car for short driver](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-us-select-a-safe-new-car-for-short-driver/844960)
**Author:** [@2Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2Bits)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2019, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-us-select-a-safe-new-car-for-short-driver/844960 "2019-12-17T15:56:54Z")
My spouse is under 5’ and usually sits on a booster pad to improve her ability to see out of the car. We are shopping for a new car and naturally want something with great visibility, where all the important “stuff” is w… --- ## [What is your "Third Place"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-third-place/844472)
**Author:** [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2019, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-third-place/844472 "2019-12-17T15:28:20Z")
I am reading book that discusses the concept of a Third Place, where your First Place is home and your Second Place is work, it is a place you go with the following criteria: It is open to the public. It has a relaxed… --- ## [Progressively weighted average with linear decay: choosing an interval](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/progressively-weighted-average-with-linear-decay-choosing-an-interval/844962)
**Author:** [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2019, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/progressively-weighted-average-with-linear-decay-choosing-an-interval/844962 "2019-12-17T02:13:04Z")
This could be a GQ, but the answers will most likely be opinion rather than fact. The issue: I want to average a series of terms which are evenly time-spaced, but I want the weight of the average to be biased toward mor… --- ## [If I say the words "Pruitt-Igoe" to you with no context provided, do you know what I'm referring to?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-say-the-words-pruitt-igoe-to-you-with-no-context-provided-do-you-know-what-im-referring-to/844780)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2019, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-say-the-words-pruitt-igoe-to-you-with-no-context-provided-do-you-know-what-im-referring-to/844780 "2019-12-16T23:33:41Z")
That’s the question. Please answer the poll before you read others’ posts. I’ll comment further in later posts. --- ## [How stressed are you during presidential elections?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-stressed-are-you-during-presidential-elections/844793)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2019, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-stressed-are-you-during-presidential-elections/844793 "2019-12-16T23:20:37Z")
More about opinions than Elections, so putting in IMHO instead: On a 1-10 scale, I’ve always been more high-strung; especially if my preferred candidate were either tied or leading. If my candidate were/is losing, thoug… --- ## [Normal for siblings to be sadistic to each other at times?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/normal-for-siblings-to-be-sadistic-to-each-other-at-times/844734)
**Author:** [@Mdcastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mdcastle)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2019, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/normal-for-siblings-to-be-sadistic-to-each-other-at-times/844734 "2019-12-16T22:54:04Z")
My sister and I never fought with each other other or did really mean things to each other. My stepfamily (two girls an a boy about the same age) were a whole different story. Every holiday dinner with them it seems they… --- ## [Officer: "Do you know why I pulled you over?" Should the answer always be "no?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/officer-do-you-know-why-i-pulled-you-over-should-the-answer-always-be-no/844545)
**Author:** [@Dr.Colossus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Colossus)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2019, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/officer-do-you-know-why-i-pulled-you-over-should-the-answer-always-be-no/844545 "2019-12-16T17:54:40Z")
So I’ve been pondering this lately and lo and behold, I got to try it out tonight (but I came out on the wrong end of things). I foolishly made an illegal U turn on a street that previously allowed it. It’s 100% my faul… --- ## [Is it OK to present veganism to 9 year olds?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-to-present-veganism-to-9-year-olds/844704)
**Author:** [@Orville\_mogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orville_mogul)\ **Replies:** 157\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2019, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-to-present-veganism-to-9-year-olds/844704 "2019-12-16T17:32:32Z")
I just learned (after the fact) that yesterday my daughter’s school invited in an activist to make a presentation to them about veganism. This was to a group of 9 and 10 year olds. This was part of a larger programme of … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=350) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=352)