# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=577 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 578 --- ## [Planning for the eclipse](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/planning-for-the-eclipse/795135)
**Author:** [@coffeecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coffeecat)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2017, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/planning-for-the-eclipse/795135 "2017-09-01T15:52:56Z")
No, I’m not late; I’m early. I’m talking about the one on Apr. 8, 2024. Those of you who went to the last eclipse, how far in advance should I make motel reservations, (I assume driving to Vermont and back that day would… --- ## [Opinions on Chevy Volt (1st generation)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-on-chevy-volt-1st-generation/793813)
**Author:** [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2017, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-on-chevy-volt-1st-generation/793813 "2017-09-01T05:49:49Z")
I’m considering purchase of a used 2013 Chevrolet Volt, does anyone here have experience with it? I’ve seen many reviews and discussions about its capability as a hybrid (sorry, range-extended electric vehicle), but I’m … --- ## [Temperature of Food vs Drinks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/temperature-of-food-vs-drinks/795040)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2017, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/temperature-of-food-vs-drinks/795040 "2017-09-01T01:33:03Z")
ISTM that it’s fairly common for food to be eaten at room temperature, especially baked goods. But it’s relatively uncommon for drinks to be consumed at room temperature. Why is this? --- ## [Hey Marketers...best web news release distribution website?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-marketers-best-web-news-release-distribution-website/622613)
**Author:** [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2012, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-marketers-best-web-news-release-distribution-website/622613 "2012-05-21T21:35:40Z")
I honestly haven’t the faintest if this should go here or in GQ, but since this is opinion based I figured here was best, although Mods can move it if need be. Hey marketing people what is your experience with online pr… --- ## [Close to doing a Hulk-smash on spark plugs: help!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/close-to-doing-a-hulk-smash-on-spark-plugs-help/791346)
**Author:** [@Jennshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennshark)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2017, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/close-to-doing-a-hulk-smash-on-spark-plugs-help/791346 "2017-08-31T19:44:04Z")
I can’t pull the freakin’ spark plugs out of my 2002 BMW (530I). Everything is pulled out to get at plugs, but I can’t get a grip with a 5/8, 3/8, 10mm or 5/8 special plug socket. It’s not that they don’t turn, there’s … --- ## [Playgrounds: I was strolling thru my nearby Max security Woman's prison, and](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/playgrounds-i-was-strolling-thru-my-nearby-max-security-womans-prison-and/795053)
**Author:** [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2017, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/playgrounds-i-was-strolling-thru-my-nearby-max-security-womans-prison-and/795053 "2017-08-31T18:34:54Z")
my thoughts turned to the kids playground on the grounds. I’d seen it many time before, without thinking too much about it. It’s used by Mom and kids during visits. But then I pondered that all the Men’s prisons I’ve … --- ## [Huffpost clickbait face](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/huffpost-clickbait-face/794942)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2017, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/huffpost-clickbait-face/794942 "2017-08-31T15:16:24Z")
I’ll read a Huffpost article, and at the bottom there is always the clickbait. There’s one that always gets my attention because it’s so damn strange. It’s for Quicken Loans. It’s just a weird face that looks artificial.… --- ## [Why do some people suffer from addiction?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-suffer-from-addiction/746512)
**Author:** [@sweat209](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweat209)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2017, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-suffer-from-addiction/746512 "2017-08-31T14:40:14Z")
Why is it some people suffer from addiction than other people or some people more from really bad addiction than other people that are addicted? Say drinking, smoking and drugs. Some people drink or do drugs 3 times in… --- ## [Help requested: Reading tutorial app for kids.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-requested-reading-tutorial-app-for-kids/795103)
**Author:** [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2017, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-requested-reading-tutorial-app-for-kids/795103 "2017-08-31T12:55:21Z")
Hi all, I’m wondering if anyone has had good experiences with apps that boost reading skills for the 1st-2nd grade year range. I have a boy who excels in math but struggles to read. It hasn’t helped that his mother … --- ## [Prescribing Placebos](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prescribing-placebos/778775)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2017, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prescribing-placebos/778775 "2017-08-31T04:36:46Z")
Are doctors in the US allowed to prescribe placebo medications without informing their patients (which would, of course, defeat the purpose)? I only ask because one of my friends insists that his doctor is giving him a … --- ## [How can my HOA raise additional money, without raising monthly assessments?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-my-hoa-raise-additional-money-without-raising-monthly-assessments/794509)
**Author:** [@jharvey963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jharvey963)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2017, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-my-hoa-raise-additional-money-without-raising-monthly-assessments/794509 "2017-08-31T00:59:40Z")
I’m a new HOA board member, working on next year’s budget. We’re trying to balance our budget, and, in addition, our reserves are quite low. I’d like to increase the amount of money we put in our reserve fund. The obv… --- ## [Smart devices: now you can buy a smart heart, with all the perks and flaws](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-devices-now-you-can-buy-a-smart-heart-with-all-the-perks-and-flaws/795138)
**Author:** [@Kimera757](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimera757)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2017, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-devices-now-you-can-buy-a-smart-heart-with-all-the-perks-and-flaws/795138 "2017-08-31T00:20:59Z")
I’m not a big fan of “the Internet of Things”. I think a simple device is less likely to crash than something with a mini-OS and an internet connection that could be monitored and used to hack the device. I recall readi… --- ## [New York's "Summer of Hell" (subway/rail repair)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-yorks-summer-of-hell-subway-rail-repair/795006)
**Author:** [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2017, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-yorks-summer-of-hell-subway-rail-repair/795006 "2017-08-30T20:56:38Z")
I’ve been reading about this, and wondering how things are going for New Yorkers (and those in the general area). From what I’m reading it sounds like a major headache for commuters there, but I know next to nothing abo… --- ## [Why is Reagan considered such a great president?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-reagan-considered-such-a-great-president/794818)
**Author:** [@Arrogantly\_Ignorant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrogantly_Ignorant)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2017, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-reagan-considered-such-a-great-president/794818 "2017-08-30T20:53:23Z")
I was born 2 years after Reagan left office, but throughout the years I’ve noticed people steadily inciting his name as a model of a good presidency. Looking from an objective standpoint, however, his tenure as President… --- ## [What is your alarm sound?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-alarm-sound/795060)
**Author:** [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2017, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-alarm-sound/795060 "2017-08-30T20:39:00Z")
I use the alarm on my iPhone and it’s set to play “Mambo No. 8” by Perez Prado, which you would most likely recognize as the song from the opening credits to Office Space. What’s yours? --- ## [Why is Jimmy Carter considered such a great president now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jimmy-carter-considered-such-a-great-president-now/794822)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2017, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jimmy-carter-considered-such-a-great-president-now/794822 "2017-08-30T18:27:21Z")
A lot of political podcasts I listen to recently have been talking highly of him, “Carter was the only liberal President since FDR” statements and how he was the only “peaceful” President and thus one of the best in rece… --- ## [Should this guy get married?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-guy-get-married/780918)
**Author:** [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2017, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-guy-get-married/780918 "2017-08-30T18:20:03Z")
A friends asked me for some advice. As is typical, I try to ask clarifying questions rather than just give a yes or no. I’ll post my opinion after some people have answered. Background. He’s 52, American, former trader… --- ## [How to fast raise blood pressure?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-fast-raise-blood-pressure/795059)
**Author:** [@JakeRS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JakeRS)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2017, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-fast-raise-blood-pressure/795059 "2017-08-30T17:24:33Z")
It’s a long story, so I just highlighted the main question, but you can read the rest if you want. :slight\_smile: 2, 3 years ago I got this thing called Agoraphobia, it’s an irrational fear of public spaces, in my case … --- ## [Driving in flood waters.What do people do it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-in-flood-waters-what-do-people-do-it/795105)
**Author:** [@Pippers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pippers)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2017, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-in-flood-waters-what-do-people-do-it/795105 "2017-08-30T16:52:11Z")
Sorry! Double posted by accident when I tried to fix a word in the title. --- ## [In general, is it a bad idea to buy a urban home with undeveloped land behind it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-general-is-it-a-bad-idea-to-buy-a-urban-home-with-undeveloped-land-behind-it/795054)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2017, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-general-is-it-a-bad-idea-to-buy-a-urban-home-with-undeveloped-land-behind-it/795054 "2017-08-30T15:11:53Z")
I’m referring to homes inside a city that have undeveloped land behind them. It’s often a barrier between residential and commercial properties. Sometimes it screens noise and the view of a busy street. A co-worker live… --- ## [What did you learn today?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-you-learn-today/790483)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2017, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-you-learn-today/790483 "2017-08-30T13:20:59Z")
Or in the last couple of days? I learned that a white t-shirt has an SPF rating of about 5, with slightly higher ratings for a dark t-shirt. I thought clothing would be higher than that automatically! I learned that de… --- ## [When You Were A Kid, What Did You Think Of Hand-Me-Downs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-were-a-kid-what-did-you-think-of-hand-me-downs/519884)
**Author:** [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2017, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-were-a-kid-what-did-you-think-of-hand-me-downs/519884 "2017-08-30T11:30:55Z")
I was watching the Brady Bunch and Bobby and to a lesser degree Jan were complaining about getting hand-me-downs. I was just wondering, for those of you who had to wear your older sister/brother’s clothes, what did you … --- ## [Kava & kratom](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kava-kratom/793667)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2017, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kava-kratom/793667 "2017-08-30T11:12:15Z")
Despite being legal in the US, there’s not as much information as I wish about these so I figured I’d start a thread. I’ve found kratom to be both calming and focus-enhancing which is a rare combination of traits. I hav… --- ## [Septic Tank questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/septic-tank-questions/751346)
**Author:** [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2016, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/septic-tank-questions/751346 "2016-05-02T13:26:02Z")
A month or three ago I noticed an area of our lawn where the grass was greener/more lush. As time went on, I then noticed the area was wet and had a sewage odor. I assumed a problem with our septic tank. I’ve lived here… --- ## [Do teachers share too much? Gender differences?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-teachers-share-too-much-gender-differences/795018)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2017, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-teachers-share-too-much-gender-differences/795018 "2017-08-30T05:14:40Z")
My son is in high school. He has 7 classes with 4 female and 3 male teachers. We had open house last night. We went to each classroom and the teacher had 10 minutes to address us parents and tell us such things as what … --- ## [Morally, how should inheritance be split between siblings if originally unequally distributed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morally-how-should-inheritance-be-split-between-siblings-if-originally-unequally-distributed/791594)
**Author:** [@mmmiiikkkeee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mmmiiikkkeee)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2017, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morally-how-should-inheritance-be-split-between-siblings-if-originally-unequally-distributed/791594 "2017-08-30T03:22:51Z")
I’ll try to just give the basic facts and leave personalities and irrelevant family history out of the equation. Parents have 3 grown children, all siblings: A,B, C. For whatever reason, 10 years ago: Sibling A is favor… --- ## [Very unscientific albuterol/salbutamol survey](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/very-unscientific-albuterol-salbutamol-survey/794968)
**Author:** [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2017, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/very-unscientific-albuterol-salbutamol-survey/794968 "2017-08-30T02:22:27Z")
A week and a half ago, I came down with bronchitis/asthma flare up and had to refill my albuterol inhaler for the first time in a long time (because it had expired, not because I had used it up - I go through one every c… --- ## [Squabbling over life insurance payout](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/squabbling-over-life-insurance-payout/795033)
**Author:** [@amaguri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amaguri)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2017, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/squabbling-over-life-insurance-payout/795033 "2017-08-30T01:46:06Z")
Money makes people crazy. My partner’s mom was diagnosed with terminal cancer last year. He ended up quitting his job to take care of her full time. She passed away several months later and now her kids are squabbling… --- ## [Car Buffs: Edmunds Car Specs Error?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-buffs-edmunds-car-specs-error/795069)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2017, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-buffs-edmunds-car-specs-error/795069 "2017-08-30T01:37:34Z")
I am trying to research specs on the 2001 and 2003 Toyota Camry (various trims). Edmunds gives good info, but as I understand it, contradicts itself. I was hoping the SDope could help confirm this is an error, or otherwi… --- ## [Does Coffee Really Work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-coffee-really-work/793648)
**Author:** [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2017, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-coffee-really-work/793648 "2017-08-30T00:01:17Z")
I mean seriously, I see posts from people who swear they can’t function without a coffee in the morning. And, of course, people who need a gallon. Look, I drink coffee, and I like a cup now and again. Lately I’ve taken… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=576) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=578)