# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=447 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 448 --- ## [Is There Any Academic Subject About Which There Is Nothing Left To Discover?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-academic-subject-about-which-there-is-nothing-left-to-discover/824360)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2018, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-academic-subject-about-which-there-is-nothing-left-to-discover/824360 "2018-11-16T01:06:09Z")
Universities exist to study things, and things we’ve largely understood for millennia (such as mathematics) are still ripe for further study, as every day new discoveries are being made in the field (or at least, new way… --- ## [What is the status of efforts to end gerrymandering on a state level](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-status-of-efforts-to-end-gerrymandering-on-a-state-level/824496)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2018, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-status-of-efforts-to-end-gerrymandering-on-a-state-level/824496 "2018-11-15T20:46:00Z")
My impression is the SCOTUS doesn’t want to address gerrymandering, so it is something that the states will likely do individually through a mix of legislative actions, ballot initiatives and state or federal court lawsu… --- ## [Hey dopers of a certain age! Talk to me about dating in high school!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-dopers-of-a-certain-age-talk-to-me-about-dating-in-high-school/824490)
**Author:** [@wellanuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wellanuff)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2018, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-dopers-of-a-certain-age-talk-to-me-about-dating-in-high-school/824490 "2018-11-15T18:24:09Z")
I’m specifically interested in asking for a date/getting asked for a date in high school way back when. Or if dating was even a thing. I was in high school in the late 70s, and for a while I went through a soul-crushin… --- ## [Doctors seem oblivious to the fact that emotions can make us sick??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctors-seem-oblivious-to-the-fact-that-emotions-can-make-us-sick/824557)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2018, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctors-seem-oblivious-to-the-fact-that-emotions-can-make-us-sick/824557 "2018-11-15T17:45:36Z")
I have been blessed with good health for most of my life. I have had 2 periods where my health collapsed about 40 years apart. Several more minor episodes in between that I was able to get control of quickly. In my case… --- ## [How Old were You before Your Parents let You Go Out by Yourself?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-were-you-before-your-parents-let-you-go-out-by-yourself/824005)
**Author:** [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2018, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-were-you-before-your-parents-let-you-go-out-by-yourself/824005 "2018-11-15T17:18:43Z")
I saw this on the headlines today. Okay, now letting a six-year-old go out trick-or-treating alone is a bit much. It’s dark, and apparently there was no precise route out and back that the kid was told to follow. Howe… --- ## [What happens if a big redeveloper wants to buy and redevelop my condo building?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-a-big-redeveloper-wants-to-buy-and-redevelop-my-condo-building/824518)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2018, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-a-big-redeveloper-wants-to-buy-and-redevelop-my-condo-building/824518 "2018-11-15T15:50:35Z")
My wife and I have owned a lovely 2 BR condo in the DC area for about 6 years. The building is about 30 years old, and not very big (single digit stories in height, around a hundred units in total, I think). Around us,… --- ## [Finding your niche in life](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-your-niche-in-life/824071)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2018, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-your-niche-in-life/824071 "2018-11-15T06:15:18Z")
I often wonder how many people actually find a satisfying niche in life. Something that becomes an inherit part of their identity and they never tire of it. Artists and musicians, scientists, mathematicians, mechanics, e… --- ## [Wyoming backpacking: wind river range or medicine bow,..](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wyoming-backpacking-wind-river-range-or-medicine-bow/824361)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2018, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wyoming-backpacking-wind-river-range-or-medicine-bow/824361 "2018-11-15T02:46:21Z")
Planning a trip Wyoming for a 4-5 night hike/backpacking venture. I’m looking through the wind river area and note many trails…and it seems heavily trafficked. So I’m considering the medicine bow area to the south eas… --- ## [Is what I did "wrong"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-what-i-did-wrong/824301)
**Author:** [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2018, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-what-i-did-wrong/824301 "2018-11-14T23:30:45Z")
A bar I often visit does a seasonal promotion this time of year. If you buy a gift card, you get a second “promo” card for free. Buy a $50 gift card and get a $10 promo card. Buy a $100 gift card and get a $25 promo c… --- ## [UK FOBTs vs online gambling](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-fobts-vs-online-gambling/814947)
**Author:** [@Mr\_Shine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Shine)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2018, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-fobts-vs-online-gambling/814947 "2018-11-14T23:20:21Z")
So they’re reducing the maximum bet on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs) to £2 as FOBTs are apparently a gambling menace, (for my money that is fine for slots but should be higher for Blackjack style low variance game… --- ## [Trying to determine best safari location and cost](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-determine-best-safari-location-and-cost/824485)
**Author:** [@Disheavel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disheavel)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2018, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-determine-best-safari-location-and-cost/824485 "2018-11-14T22:51:25Z")
I have 3 weeks in Eastern Africa in July of next year (2019) and am flying into Nairobi, Kenya and out of Lilongwe, Milawi. But now the challenge begins, what to do! We have been looking and trying to figure it all out … --- ## [Knee fillers - cartilage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knee-fillers-cartilage/824202)
**Author:** [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2018, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knee-fillers-cartilage/824202 "2018-11-14T21:28:52Z")
With a collection of 8 or 10 knee braces, cortisone shots and PT, and still pain, and limping, the orthopedist says the only thing that will help is a series of injections of a material under my knee cap to replace the g… --- ## [In-line 'magnetic' water softeners?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-line-magnetic-water-softeners/824303)
**Author:** [@Stonebow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stonebow)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2018, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-line-magnetic-water-softeners/824303 "2018-11-14T20:03:45Z")
So, we are currently renting in Mid-Missouri, and we have noticed that the water is a bit on the hard side- deposits left in kettles, faucets, interior of the dishwasher. We’re not really in a position to have a salt-bas… --- ## [Looking for ideas, re: blind, depressed, aging mother](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-ideas-re-blind-depressed-aging-mother/824434)
**Author:** [@Swampwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swampwolf)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2018, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-ideas-re-blind-depressed-aging-mother/824434 "2018-11-14T20:02:09Z")
A little backstory. My mother is 78 years old, has lost her vision over the past four or five years, and is now (quite understandably) depressed. Depressed to the point where she spends the majority of her time sleeping … --- ## [Tackling a shooter](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tackling-a-shooter/824224)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2018, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tackling-a-shooter/824224 "2018-11-14T16:08:52Z")
I wonder if a shooter could stop a reasonably fit 25 year old who rushed him from an angle he wasn’t looking at from 30 ft away. I would think unless a bullet hit square in the head he could still make the tackle. That i… --- ## [Feeling sorry for local stray kitty.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feeling-sorry-for-local-stray-kitty/824452)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2018, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feeling-sorry-for-local-stray-kitty/824452 "2018-11-14T15:40:23Z")
He won’t let me near him. So Taking him inside isn’t gonna happen. Mostly he just digs in people’s trash looking for scraps. I’ve set a bowl of kibble out by the trash cans. Is there anything else I can do? It’s get’n … --- ## [This is not meant to be a political topic. \[Percentage of Democrats/Republicans on SDMB\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-not-meant-to-be-a-political-topic-percentage-of-democrats-republicans-on-sdmb/824484)
**Author:** [@supposedly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/supposedly)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2018, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-not-meant-to-be-a-political-topic-percentage-of-democrats-republicans-on-sdmb/824484 "2018-11-14T15:16:17Z")
I am wondering what dopers would estimate the Republican/Democrat makeup is of the Straight Dope membership. Although this is a question about politics it is not meant to illicit partisan comments. Thanks. --- ## [What if Germany fights it out in 1918?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-germany-fights-it-out-in-1918/823871)
**Author:** [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2018, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-germany-fights-it-out-in-1918/823871 "2018-11-14T13:18:53Z")
In Sept. 1918, the German army demanded their government open peace negotiations with the Allies. Of course the result was the armistice on very poor terms for the Germans in November. My question is, what if the Germ… --- ## [What is your career choice?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-career-choice/824281)
**Author:** [@Cathy967](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cathy967)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2018, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-career-choice/824281 "2018-11-14T13:18:16Z")
What college/trade school did you go to? Why did you pick this as your career? --- ## [Why do all malls always smell the same?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-all-malls-always-smell-the-same/823846)
**Author:** [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2018, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-all-malls-always-smell-the-same/823846 "2018-11-14T12:47:37Z")
Why do all malls always smell the same? Over the decades and all around the US, every mall I’ve been in smells the same. How does that work? Or am I the only one who thinks this? --- ## [What do you think is the most useless development/invention of the last 50 years?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-most-useless-development-invention-of-the-last-50-years/823888)
**Author:** [@Miss\_M](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_M)\ **Replies:** 218\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2018, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-most-useless-development-invention-of-the-last-50-years/823888 "2018-11-14T06:23:52Z")
IMHO it’s, hands down, the cell phone. --- ## [I need an (Arizona) attorney. HELP!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-an-arizona-attorney-help/824416)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2018, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-an-arizona-attorney-help/824416 "2018-11-13T22:54:53Z")
My late mother had a couple of IRA accounts. Unfortunately, we can’t distribute them because she neglected to update the beneficiaries. I’m told that I need a ‘Letter of Testamentary’ in order to do that, and you get t… --- ## [Need info/advice on dealing with insurance company](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-info-advice-on-dealing-with-insurance-company/824466)
**Author:** [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2018, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-info-advice-on-dealing-with-insurance-company/824466 "2018-11-13T20:43:37Z")
I accidentally damaged a customer’s property in my shop. I opened a claim with my insurance company before showing the damage to my customer, thinking that was the right thing to do. When I sent the company the customer’… --- ## [Dead deer under truck](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dead-deer-under-truck/824313)
**Author:** [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2018, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dead-deer-under-truck/824313 "2018-11-13T19:50:26Z")
So I was looking at the tires of my pickup truck today, parked in my driveway. I suddenly noticed a HOOF near the tire. I crouched down and looked and there is a dead deer lying under the truck! It is almost completely h… --- ## [How would you "ask for a friend" if really asking for a friend?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-ask-for-a-friend-if-really-asking-for-a-friend/824454)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2018, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-ask-for-a-friend-if-really-asking-for-a-friend/824454 "2018-11-13T18:00:50Z")
“Asking for a friend” is pretty much universally understood to mean, “I’m asking for myself but too embarassed to admit it.” So how should you ask a question if, really indeed, in fact, asking for a friend and not yours… --- ## [What's the deal with Bullet Journaling?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-bullet-journaling/824440)
**Author:** [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2018, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-bullet-journaling/824440 "2018-11-13T16:43:52Z")
All of a sudden I’m seeing and hearing this phrase pop up—bullet journaling. To be honest, I haven’t done a very deep dive, but from skimming, I take it that it’s basically a daily diary/appointment book that you design … --- ## [Losing online friends](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-online-friends/824444)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2018, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-online-friends/824444 "2018-11-13T16:39:19Z")
“How to Grieve for Online Friends You Had Never Met in Person” Interesting article. People who have never made close online friends don’t understand that these are real relationships and the connections are just as s… --- ## [Did dozens of derisive nick-names only show up for Presidents with Obama/Trump?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-dozens-of-derisive-nick-names-only-show-up-for-presidents-with-obama-trump/824350)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2018, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-dozens-of-derisive-nick-names-only-show-up-for-presidents-with-obama-trump/824350 "2018-11-13T15:39:28Z")
Seems like every single person has their own derisive nickname for Trump when posting something snarky on the internet which you can immediately think of multiple right off the bat, “Orange Man”, Drumpf" “The Cheeto” and… --- ## [Why do people attend church?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-attend-church/824113)
**Author:** [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2018, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-attend-church/824113 "2018-11-13T14:50:39Z")
I just drove from Dayton, Ohio to Bloomington, Indiana using backroads. I noticed every town, big and small, has churches. Dumb question, but why do people go to church? Is it because they believe it will help them get… --- ## [Democracy is at risk in Latin America](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democracy-is-at-risk-in-latin-america/824403)
**Author:** [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2018, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democracy-is-at-risk-in-latin-america/824403 "2018-11-13T14:00:09Z")
According to this opinion piece in The Conversation, Democracy is at risk in Latin America. People have lost faith in government and, especially, political parties and are embracing Strongman rule. Part of the problem … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=446) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=448)