# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=524 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 525 --- ## [Technical Accuracy, the Spirit of the OP and Fighting the Hypothetical](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technical-accuracy-the-spirit-of-the-op-and-fighting-the-hypothetical/808458)
**Author:** [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2018, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technical-accuracy-the-spirit-of-the-op-and-fighting-the-hypothetical/808458 "2018-02-16T17:15:04Z")
A recent thread asked why lurkers no longer post (and it was in itself a good example of why) and its been something I’ve been thinking about. Personally for myself a large extent of the reason why I no longer post much … --- ## [Is anyone who takes up smoking today a friggin' idiot?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-who-takes-up-smoking-today-a-friggin-idiot/653958)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 141\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2018, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-who-takes-up-smoking-today-a-friggin-idiot/653958 "2018-02-16T14:34:39Z")
Inspired by something I heard on the radio; a doc who said she couldn’t imagine why anyone today would start smoking. Back in the day of course smoking was the norm, depicted as fashionable for men and women in film; it… --- ## [Any dog breeds that look a lot like beagles?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-dog-breeds-that-look-a-lot-like-beagles/808682)
**Author:** [@JakeRS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JakeRS)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2018, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-dog-breeds-that-look-a-lot-like-beagles/808682 "2018-02-16T06:15:00Z")
I currently have a dog that is very rare, at least in East Europe where I’m from, it is a basschshund, mix of a basset and dachshund, he’s 10 years old and I just found out what breed he is, even though I was asking arou… --- ## [Women, how bad is it when a man approaches you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-how-bad-is-it-when-a-man-approaches-you/798396)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2018, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-how-bad-is-it-when-a-man-approaches-you/798396 "2018-02-16T03:10:38Z")
I’m talking here about a woman being in a non-social situation, like sitting on a bus or having some food at McDonald’s, or being in a library, and some strange dude starts chatting her up.So some questions: When a gu… --- ## [Any android tablets that can compete with Kindle Fire's price?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-android-tablets-that-can-compete-with-kindle-fires-price/752432)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2018, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-android-tablets-that-can-compete-with-kindle-fires-price/752432 "2018-02-16T01:55:55Z")
So Kindle Fire’s are $50 when they are not on sale. My wife is a very small-time user of apps and portable devices. She currently has an Ipod 4th generation that we got used about 18 months ago. She also has a cheapo Sam… --- ## [Best place to rent a car in rural England?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-place-to-rent-a-car-in-rural-england/808348)
**Author:** [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2018, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-place-to-rent-a-car-in-rural-england/808348 "2018-02-16T01:45:02Z")
I will be spending two weeks in rural Cornwall and I need to rent a car. In the US it is generally much cheaper to rent a car away from the airport. Is it similar in the UK? Could I save money if I took a train from H… --- ## [US Military Parade](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-military-parade/808340)
**Author:** [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Replies:** 233\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2018, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-military-parade/808340 "2018-02-16T00:08:20Z")
The current administration is planning a military parade, possibly on November 11\[sup\]th\[/sup\] (the hundredth anniversary of the end of the WtEAWs). This will be similar to those images you might have seen from the Sovie… --- ## [tvfox gadget](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tvfox-gadget/808705)
**Author:** [@flaming\_yawn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flaming_yawn)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2018, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tvfox-gadget/808705 "2018-02-15T20:21:45Z")
anyone have one of these or know of them? Ad says “just plug it in and watch tv” over 80 channels yada yada… to good to be true? --- ## [Are there decent forms of temporary housing for boom/bust towns](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-decent-forms-of-temporary-housing-for-boom-bust-towns/808842)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2018, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-decent-forms-of-temporary-housing-for-boom-bust-towns/808842 "2018-02-15T19:14:53Z")
Reading up on Williston North Dakota, I remember about 5-10 years ago when people were getting paid $20/hr to work at Walmart, and the city was building a ton of new apartment buildings. People who worked on the oil fiel… --- ## [Is There a Name for This Cheap Paving Technique?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-cheap-paving-technique/808786)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2018, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-cheap-paving-technique/808786 "2018-02-15T15:39:00Z")
Some friends of ours only had a stone bed for a driveway (i.e., roughly fist-sized stones). The driveway is about three cars deep and two cars wide. One day, a paving company drove by and gave them a reasonable estimate … --- ## [Do you (think you) know how the new tax laws will affect your taxes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-you-know-how-the-new-tax-laws-will-affect-your-taxes/808645)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2018, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-you-know-how-the-new-tax-laws-will-affect-your-taxes/808645 "2018-02-15T06:09:02Z")
I have this much figured out: My tax bracket isn’t changing. My total of state (income) and local (property) taxes is still under $10,000. And my mortgage is under $750K. eta: I expect still to itemize for a larger dedu… --- ## [Is it possible I'm a better driver when alone in a car?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-im-a-better-driver-when-alone-in-a-car/808809)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2018, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-im-a-better-driver-when-alone-in-a-car/808809 "2018-02-15T02:42:43Z")
I’ve been in two collisions in my life–once at age 16, which was 23 years ago, and once a couple years ago which was ruled to be completely the fault of the other guy. The two adult people who have the most experience w… --- ## [Are there things you always buy "one more of" even though you have plenty...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-things-you-always-buy-one-more-of-even-though-you-have-plenty/808827)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2018, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-things-you-always-buy-one-more-of-even-though-you-have-plenty/808827 "2018-02-15T02:19:13Z")
…but it’s not something you consciously collect, as in “I’m a collector of \.” I think this kind of shopping is a quest for the perfect item, the one that will ultimately satisfy requirements so that you’ll neve… --- ## [Do high status cars depreciate faster than more economical cars](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-high-status-cars-depreciate-faster-than-more-economical-cars/808811)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2018, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-high-status-cars-depreciate-faster-than-more-economical-cars/808811 "2018-02-14T23:23:03Z")
My understanding is a car will lose roughly 50% of its value by the first 2-3 years. Is the rate of depreciation faster for luxury automotives than for more economical cars (compact or midsize sedans for example)? Sinc… --- ## [form a nation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/form-a-nation/808734)
**Author:** [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2018, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/form-a-nation/808734 "2018-02-14T22:21:47Z")
You have gained control of a sizable territory – similar in area to Senegal (~75K square miles). It has savanna and forest, some sea coast with a bay that could use for a harbor, fresh water assets, and an arc of mountai… --- ## [A question about the DC Metro system](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-the-dc-metro-system/808802)
**Author:** [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2018, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-the-dc-metro-system/808802 "2018-02-14T19:31:06Z")
While I’m asking about the DC Metro (subway) system, it’s possible that what I describe will be familiar to folks who use other, similar transport, so feel free to chime in with your opinion. Two things to know about the… --- ## [When will computers stop having CD/DVD drives ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-computers-stop-having-cd-dvd-drives/808422)
**Author:** [@Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Les_Espaces_Du_Sommeil)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2018, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-computers-stop-having-cd-dvd-drives/808422 "2018-02-14T18:05:28Z")
Inspired by this thread. I have a not-huge-but-still-sizable CD collection that I’ve planned on ripping to FLAC for months. I also happen to have a laptop that is in its dying days. So, I need to buy a new computer but,… --- ## [Tipping on Take-away food?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-on-take-away-food/808673)
**Author:** [@GreedySmurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreedySmurf)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2018, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-on-take-away-food/808673 "2018-02-14T18:01:55Z")
So another tipping thread right? :stuck\_out\_tongue: I was reading this story this morning, and was wondering would you really be expected to tip on a take-away order regardless of how big it is? Don’t get me wrong I get… --- ## [Is anyone paying attention to Cape Town?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-paying-attention-to-cape-town/808349)
**Author:** [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2018, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-paying-attention-to-cape-town/808349 "2018-02-14T17:33:18Z")
A city of 4 million is about to run out of water – like completely. Imagine if Phoenix or Houston ran of water. Imagine the insanity that would be ensuing. This is about to fucking happen, and it’s a warning to every … --- ## [Experiences with whole house fans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/experiences-with-whole-house-fans/808707)
**Author:** [@amaguri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amaguri)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2018, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/experiences-with-whole-house-fans/808707 "2018-02-14T16:51:40Z")
I live in San Diego, so I’m sure for many of you my complaints aren’t that serious but I was pretty miserable last summer. Even if the temp outside is only mid 80s, the temp inside and especially upstairs is so unpleasa… --- ## [Old dog, new tricks: what to do about a needy senior dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-dog-new-tricks-what-to-do-about-a-needy-senior-dog/808733)
**Author:** [@amaguri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amaguri)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2018, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-dog-new-tricks-what-to-do-about-a-needy-senior-dog/808733 "2018-02-14T12:47:51Z")
My dog is a real sweetheart, honestly one of the best dogs I’ve ever had. Everyone loves him. He’s about 10 years old now and he’s been through a lot: we inherited him from my mother-in-law when she passed away, his b… --- ## [What are your favourite type of Youtube videos?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favourite-type-of-youtube-videos/808764)
**Author:** [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2018, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favourite-type-of-youtube-videos/808764 "2018-02-14T01:46:34Z")
So what I’m asking here is not what your specific favourite videos are, but what your favourite TYPE of videos might be? Mrs. RickJay and I simply can’t get enough of videos where reporters get mugged by animals. Seein… --- ## [Amazon Alexa](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-alexa/804166)
**Author:** [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2018, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-alexa/804166 "2018-02-14T00:48:40Z")
OK, I’ve ordered one of these, Gen 2, too be delivered Tuesday. Is it worthwhile? I’m not sure I’m interested in smart light bulbs or anything like that, so I imagine I can control my Firestick TV stick and play music. B… --- ## [Tougher ethnicity: Russians or Irish?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tougher-ethnicity-russians-or-irish/808569)
**Author:** [@Luciano700](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Luciano700)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2018, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tougher-ethnicity-russians-or-irish/808569 "2018-02-13T20:02:05Z")
I say Russians all the way --- ## [What "problem" do theoretical megastructures "solve"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-problem-do-theoretical-megastructures-solve/808283)
**Author:** [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2018, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-problem-do-theoretical-megastructures-solve/808283 "2018-02-13T19:45:52Z")
By “megastructure” I’m referring to any number of theoretical man made habitats common in science fiction and speculative science. Usually in scales of hundreds, thousands or even millions of miles. These may include (… --- ## [Ways to avoid being the one of the 80-90% of start-ups that fail ?? Please ???](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-to-avoid-being-the-one-of-the-80-90-of-start-ups-that-fail-please/808094)
**Author:** [@squish7](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squish7)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2018, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-to-avoid-being-the-one-of-the-80-90-of-start-ups-that-fail-please/808094 "2018-02-13T19:41:11Z")
I have a dozen ideas in “seed” or “infant” stage (pre-start-up projects/companies), and I’ll be focusing on trying to make one particular one I’ve chosen, into more of a reality over the next few years. I watch this vid… --- ## [Fearless Prediction: Pastafarianism will be a serious, unironic religion within 100 years.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fearless-prediction-pastafarianism-will-be-a-serious-unironic-religion-within-100-years/808759)
**Author:** [@Lizard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lizard)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2018, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fearless-prediction-pastafarianism-will-be-a-serious-unironic-religion-within-100-years/808759 "2018-02-13T16:30:19Z")
I mean, if religions created in modern times, with well-documented logical flaws and weaknesses (Scientology, Mormonism) can be taken seriously, why not? For those who don’t know: Flying Spaghetti Monster - Wikipedia --- ## [Super Capacitor Jump Starters](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-capacitor-jump-starters/808695)
**Author:** [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2018, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-capacitor-jump-starters/808695 "2018-02-13T14:22:32Z")
I’ve got a pretty decent LiIon jump starter that can also charge my phone etc. But I rarely, OK never, use that feature. And of course the LiIon pack needs to be charged on a regular basis. I’m thinking of buying one of… --- ## [What percentage of white America do you believe is racist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-percentage-of-white-america-do-you-believe-is-racist/808412)
**Author:** [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2018, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-percentage-of-white-america-do-you-believe-is-racist/808412 "2018-02-13T08:29:40Z")
poll --- ## [Are there still young girls who are horse-crazy any more?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-still-young-girls-who-are-horse-crazy-any-more/808638)
**Author:** [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2018, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-still-young-girls-who-are-horse-crazy-any-more/808638 "2018-02-13T06:52:13Z")
I’m watching ‘National Velvet’ and think back to when I plowed through the book - tough sledding for a 12 year old American - because it was about horses. One of my favorites! But I was horse crazy in those days, I had… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=523) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=525)