# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=379 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 380 --- ## [The utopian idyll](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-utopian-idyll/838408)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_Ecks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ecks)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2019, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-utopian-idyll/838408 "2019-08-12T03:36:59Z")
Good news! Utopia has been declared and you are invited to join! A cozy farmhouse in a green valley full of rolling fields, shady forests, and gently flowing streams is yours! The land will provide plenty of food with… --- ## [Wouldn't it be easy to make "suicide watch" software?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wouldnt-it-be-easy-to-make-suicide-watch-software/838507)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2019, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wouldnt-it-be-easy-to-make-suicide-watch-software/838507 "2019-08-11T21:20:49Z")
I’m thinking: Have a camera pointed on the subject plugged in to a computer. And whenever the camera sees the subject do off things like stand up on his bed, or pull out a shoelace or anything strappy, the software would… --- ## [Smoking and mental acuity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smoking-and-mental-acuity/838418)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2019, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smoking-and-mental-acuity/838418 "2019-08-11T20:20:40Z")
Last few months I have had a struggle with quitting smoking. I quit for a few days then start back for a few days back and forth. Something that caught my attention was my times I take on my soduko puzzles when I am not … --- ## [If president, would you handle social media yourself personally (Tweeting, etc)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-president-would-you-handle-social-media-yourself-personally-tweeting-etc/838350)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2019, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-president-would-you-handle-social-media-yourself-personally-tweeting-etc/838350 "2019-08-11T17:32:53Z")
Suppose you were President, and you were an avid user of Twitter, like Trump. Would you continue writing your own Twitter/Facebook and other such posts yourself, or quit it (or delegate the Tweeting duties to your staff… --- ## [New laptop, or just a long ethernet cable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-laptop-or-just-a-long-ethernet-cable/838446)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2019, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-laptop-or-just-a-long-ethernet-cable/838446 "2019-08-11T15:33:10Z")
Something on my laptop gave up the ghost tonight. It was probably the transmitter. I’m currently connected with an ethernet cable. But it means I have to be downstairs on the main level of this place, rather than upstair… --- ## [Refurbished cell phones](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refurbished-cell-phones/838357)
**Author:** [@bizerta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizerta)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2019, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refurbished-cell-phones/838357 "2019-08-11T12:27:42Z")
When I look at Amazon and BestBuy, they each have a plethora of refurbished (read: used) cell phones for sale. I’ve never bought a phone without my old one being worthless, and I always buy new. Do that many people nee… --- ## [interviewing for a job, when's the best time to bring up that you have a future vacation planned?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interviewing-for-a-job-whens-the-best-time-to-bring-up-that-you-have-a-future-vacation-planned/838390)
**Author:** [@Win\_Place\_Show](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Win_Place_Show)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2019, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interviewing-for-a-job-whens-the-best-time-to-bring-up-that-you-have-a-future-vacation-planned/838390 "2019-08-11T08:08:48Z")
Looking to switch jobs from one company to another, and I’ve got a vacation trip coming up in September that I’ve had booked and paid for for six months ($500 if that matters to the narrative). Already approved by the p… --- ## [What do you ask your Amazon Echo/Google Home/Other type device to do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-ask-your-amazon-echo-google-home-other-type-device-to-do/836970)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2019, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-ask-your-amazon-echo-google-home-other-type-device-to-do/836970 "2019-08-11T02:39:49Z")
I just ordered a Google Home (an impulse buy) to go along with my Nest doorbell, Nest thermostat, and Chromecast devices. (Yes, I do own Google stock. Why do you ask?) If you own any of the home smart devices (I’m not… --- ## ["These USDA employees face a stark choice: Move to Kansas City or be fired"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-usda-employees-face-a-stark-choice-move-to-kansas-city-or-be-fired/836464)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2019, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-usda-employees-face-a-stark-choice-move-to-kansas-city-or-be-fired/836464 "2019-08-10T21:49:00Z")
I haven’t seen a thread on this, but it’s one more crazy-making thing. “These USDA employees face a stark choice: Move to Kansas City or be fired” Don’t need no stinkin’, uppity scientists. --- ## [My friend is cheating. Advice?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-is-cheating-advice/837998)
**Author:** [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Replies:** 142\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2019, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-is-cheating-advice/837998 "2019-08-10T17:21:10Z")
A good friend of mine, I’ll call him Jim (53M) is in a band that has achieved some level of fame in the Ohio/Pennsylvania/West Virginia/Maryland area. I go to any shows nearby. Because Jim and his wife, I’ll call her Su… --- ## [I need practical (not legal) advice on dealing with parents in assisted living.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-practical-not-legal-advice-on-dealing-with-parents-in-assisted-living/825980)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2019, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-practical-not-legal-advice-on-dealing-with-parents-in-assisted-living/825980 "2019-08-10T15:29:14Z")
Disclaimer. I have an attorney. I will go to him for legal advice. My parents are 85 (dad) and 83 (mom). Today, I moved them into an assisted living facility. Since mom has Dementia and dad has diabetes, they are in a “… --- ## [Hot Flashes, AKA, is this FINALLY menopause?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-flashes-aka-is-this-finally-menopause/796585)
**Author:** [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2019, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-flashes-aka-is-this-finally-menopause/796585 "2019-08-10T01:43:22Z")
I’m fifty, and feel like I really deserve some menopause, but up until two months ago, my periods were running like a German train, so I wasn’t thinking it was even close by. Then I got three periods close together. I ex… --- ## [Fukashima waste](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fukashima-waste/838410)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2019, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fukashima-waste/838410 "2019-08-09T21:10:44Z")
Could the ocean dilute all the waste water from Fukashima to harmless levels if dispersed properly? --- ## [Need Android App for the hearing impaired (phone calls).](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-android-app-for-the-hearing-impaired-phone-calls/838327)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2019, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-android-app-for-the-hearing-impaired-phone-calls/838327 "2019-08-09T19:21:44Z")
Got my mom a Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact with 4.6" HD Display. It’s running Android 9. She’s transitioning from a flip phone and wanted a small smartphone. I setup a Samsung tablet for her last year. She uses the tablet dai… --- ## [My anti-sightseeing, anti-travel, bucket list.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-anti-sightseeing-anti-travel-bucket-list/838274)
**Author:** [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2019, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-anti-sightseeing-anti-travel-bucket-list/838274 "2019-08-09T17:36:45Z")
In response to the current threads… places I would go out of my way to avoid visiting: Japan/China/Hong Kong, etc. I hate crowds. Turkey. My daughter-in-law is off to Istanbul in a few weeks. When she asked for travel … --- ## [What US counties do you know?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-us-counties-do-you-know/838343)
**Author:** [@curwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curwin)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2019, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-us-counties-do-you-know/838343 "2019-08-09T16:32:15Z")
What counties can you name, that don’t have the name of the city in them? (And obviously the ones near to where you’re from are less interesting for the purposes of this question, so I’m leaving out the ones from the Bay… --- ## [Anyone else not a big fan of travel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-not-a-big-fan-of-travel/838248)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2019, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-not-a-big-fan-of-travel/838248 "2019-08-09T16:31:56Z")
First off, let’s keep money out of this to the extent we can. If you had enough money to travel, would you? Where to? My wife and I are getting close to retirement age. One thing many people say is that we’ll want to… --- ## [Insurance company recommendations?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insurance-company-recommendations/838128)
**Author:** [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2019, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insurance-company-recommendations/838128 "2019-08-09T13:32:59Z")
We’ve been with Liberty Mutual for literally decades. We live in a DC suburb of Virginia. And our car insurance is insane. 300 a month now, for 2 cars (a 1998 Civic with no collision coverage, and a 2006 CRV which does… --- ## [International travel and AAA](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/international-travel-and-aaa/838406)
**Author:** [@Cumberdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cumberdale)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2019, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/international-travel-and-aaa/838406 "2019-08-09T12:08:26Z")
I’m planning a trip to Ireland in October and am making my final arrangements. Has anyone used AAA for planning foreign travel? I looked online and there are more complaints than positive comments. I was planning on jus… --- ## [Fellow acne sufferers: Why has my face suddenly cleared up?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-acne-sufferers-why-has-my-face-suddenly-cleared-up/412583)
**Author:** [@RedRosesForMe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedRosesForMe)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2007, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-acne-sufferers-why-has-my-face-suddenly-cleared-up/412583 "2007-07-23T19:47:11Z")
Not that I’m complaining, but I’d like to figure out what I did right so I can do more of it. Basically, I recently changed many of my hygiene habits in quick succession, while I had some houseguests who distracted me f… --- ## [What is My Civic Duty? (Reporting a Tax Cheat)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-my-civic-duty-reporting-a-tax-cheat/806465)
**Author:** [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2019, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-my-civic-duty-reporting-a-tax-cheat/806465 "2019-08-09T04:45:08Z")
There is a business I go to now and then that I’m pretty sure is doing something fishy. I get my purchase, but the guy doesn’t ring it up, or give me a receipt. I’m getting charged the tax, because (just for example) if… --- ## [Finding a (retirement) financial planner](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-a-retirement-financial-planner/838109)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2019, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-a-retirement-financial-planner/838109 "2019-08-09T03:05:16Z")
I’m feeling the need to spring for a financial planner who specializes in retirement planning. Problem is, I don’t know how to find one. My main goal is to avoid being “serviced” by someone who has something to sell. I… --- ## [Is it unethical to accept a bad job knowing that you will take another job tomorrow if offered one?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-unethical-to-accept-a-bad-job-knowing-that-you-will-take-another-job-tomorrow-if-offered-one/838273)
**Author:** [@CelticKnot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CelticKnot)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2019, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-unethical-to-accept-a-bad-job-knowing-that-you-will-take-another-job-tomorrow-if-offered-one/838273 "2019-08-09T02:55:17Z")
Someone looking for a new job who needs one right now applies to many, many positions. Some are great, some are not-so-wonderful, and a few are inadequate but lumped in with other, decent jobs. (Applying to a large sto… --- ## [Is art conceptual by nature?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-art-conceptual-by-nature/834582)
**Author:** [@Machinaforce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machinaforce)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2019, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-art-conceptual-by-nature/834582 "2019-08-09T00:30:48Z")
I just wonder if it is truly possible to create non conceptual art, as wouldn’t the making of such art itself involve the very concept of what is “art”? Furthermore wouldn’t non conceptual itself be a concept since it is… --- ## [Recovering from nuclear war vs catastrophic climate change](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recovering-from-nuclear-war-vs-catastrophic-climate-change/838279)
**Author:** [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2019, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recovering-from-nuclear-war-vs-catastrophic-climate-change/838279 "2019-08-08T21:57:18Z")
Remember back in the good old days when the USSR was our unequivocal adversary and everyone lived with the lurking threat of a nuclear war in the backs of their minds? We had all been told that a full-scale nuclear conf… --- ## [Saving for retirement question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saving-for-retirement-question/837907)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2019, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saving-for-retirement-question/837907 "2019-08-08T21:01:56Z")
For years I heard a person needs about 75%-80% of their “normal” income once they go into retirement. The idea is you will save money on commuting and work related expenses. But I just heard from a financial guru who sa… --- ## [British or Irish dopers: have you seen many swifts, swallows or martins this summer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-or-irish-dopers-have-you-seen-many-swifts-swallows-or-martins-this-summer/838106)
**Author:** [@The\_Stafford\_Cripps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stafford_Cripps)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2019, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-or-irish-dopers-have-you-seen-many-swifts-swallows-or-martins-this-summer/838106 "2019-08-08T18:35:53Z")
I don’t think I’ve seen many swifts or swallows this summer, or any house martins or sand martins. Normally I notice big flocks of swifts screaming overhead in the evenings, house martin nests under house eaves, and swa… --- ## [Buying "ugly" produce--good or bad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-ugly-produce-good-or-bad/825134)
**Author:** [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2019, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-ugly-produce-good-or-bad/825134 "2019-08-08T18:35:37Z")
We’ve started getting weekly delivery of produce that supposedly doesn’t make the cut as pretty enough to display at the supermarket. I am happy with the quality, quantity, and price, but then it occurred to me that man… --- ## [Green shirt guy - laughing as a form of protest](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/green-shirt-guy-laughing-as-a-form-of-protest/838332)
**Author:** [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2019, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/green-shirt-guy-laughing-as-a-form-of-protest/838332 "2019-08-08T15:08:37Z")
Uncertain which forum to put this in, but I’m going with IMHO for now. Mods, kindly do your thing if you disagree. Just saw this article about a guy laughing at some MAGA types at a public meeting. Looks like he was si… --- ## [Software developers, how dependent are you on your code tools?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/software-developers-how-dependent-are-you-on-your-code-tools/838259)
**Author:** [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2019, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/software-developers-how-dependent-are-you-on-your-code-tools/838259 "2019-08-08T11:18:54Z")
By which I mean, things like editors with syntax checking and colored text, code completion tools like IntelliSense, that kind of stuff. If you had to write code in a plain text editor, with nothing popping up to help yo… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=378) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=380)