# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=59 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 60 --- ## [Is awareness of the fallacy in the argument a prerequisite of sophistry?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-awareness-of-the-fallacy-in-the-argument-a-prerequisite-of-sophistry/1015580)
**Author:** [@themapleleaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/themapleleaf)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2025, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-awareness-of-the-fallacy-in-the-argument-a-prerequisite-of-sophistry/1015580 "2025-03-15T21:28:27Z")
In this post, I use the following two terms interchangably: sophistry and intellectual dishonesty. I would define both as using a fallacious argument in order to prove your point or “come out as right” in a debate. Pleas… --- ## [Clearing Windows 10 disk before selling computer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clearing-windows-10-disk-before-selling-computer/1015615)
**Author:** [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2025, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clearing-windows-10-disk-before-selling-computer/1015615 "2025-03-15T20:25:00Z")
I have a Windows 10 desktop computer that I want to sell. I want to be 100% sure that the buyer cannot recover any of my data from the disk (hard disk, not SSD). I have done a factory reset using the “clean disk” option … --- ## [Are there any free or low cost AI alternatives to deep research](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-free-or-low-cost-ai-alternatives-to-deep-research/1015593)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2025, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-free-or-low-cost-ai-alternatives-to-deep-research/1015593 "2025-03-15T04:12:29Z")
Deep research just started allowing people to create 5 reports a month for free. This is a pretty awesome service. Right now I’m writing up a report about a health issue I have that I don’t really understand to get some … --- ## [Economic effects of 7.5 million very wealthy foreigners moving to US](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-effects-of-7-5-million-very-wealthy-foreigners-moving-to-us/1014995)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2025, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-effects-of-7-5-million-very-wealthy-foreigners-moving-to-us/1014995 "2025-03-15T02:15:32Z")
Apparently the 47th POTUS has floated the idea of charging $5 million for wealthy foreigners to get US citizenship, with a view towards using that money to pay off the $36 trillion in national debt. My my math, it would … --- ## [Why is Canada pulling American alcohol off the shelves?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-canada-pulling-american-alcohol-off-the-shelves/1015180)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2025, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-canada-pulling-american-alcohol-off-the-shelves/1015180 "2025-03-15T01:59:33Z")
I get not ordering MORE alcohol. But why pull the stuff that’s already been paid for? --- ## [What is the most bulletproof way to buy a decent used car?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-bulletproof-way-to-buy-a-decent-used-car/1014996)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2025, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-bulletproof-way-to-buy-a-decent-used-car/1014996 "2025-03-14T19:44:23Z")
I hear horror stories about dealers, and apparently a national clearinghouse like Carvana is scarcely better. Is there a good alternative to Carvana? All I want is a decent fuel efficient workhorse vehicle like a Toyota … --- ## [Questions about new engine oils and their many varieties](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-new-engine-oils-and-their-many-varieties/1015524)
**Author:** [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2025, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-new-engine-oils-and-their-many-varieties/1015524 "2025-03-14T18:21:26Z")
I decided to start changing my own oil again, after ~15 years of paying for the service. After visiting three auto-parts stores, I found a surprising variety of special purpose oils: Truck and SUV, European car, Superc… --- ## [How can I propagate some Yaupon Holly trees from cuttings?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-propagate-some-yaupon-holly-trees-from-cuttings/1015482)
**Author:** [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2025, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-propagate-some-yaupon-holly-trees-from-cuttings/1015482 "2025-03-14T16:21:18Z")
I have an area that I’d like to have a few more Yaupon Holly trees. I have some of them already. I’m having difficulty finding them at nurseries in my area that are at a size I can work with. They are in 7+ gallon pots a… --- ## [What kind of regular things can AI currently be used for?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-regular-things-can-ai-currently-be-used-for/1015523)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2025, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-regular-things-can-ai-currently-be-used-for/1015523 "2025-03-14T16:02:08Z")
I’ve tended to be a late adopter of new technology. It could very well be that AI as it stands right now can be helping me out, but that I’m missing out due to not knowing how to use it, or even what it could be useful … --- ## [Recommend software for budgeting and tracking monthly spending?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-software-for-budgeting-and-tracking-monthly-spending/1014654)
**Author:** [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2025, 8:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-software-for-budgeting-and-tracking-monthly-spending/1014654 "2025-03-14T08:37:17Z")
My wife and I are looking for this. We liked the old Mint budgeting app, but Mint shut down a year ago. So far we have looked at Every Dollar (Dave Ramsey product), Credit Karma, Quicken, Rocket Money (only a little bit)… --- ## [Fellow members of the SDMBBA What strange crimes have you seen charged?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-members-of-the-sdmbba-what-strange-crimes-have-you-seen-charged/1014883)
**Author:** [@DooProcess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DooProcess)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2025, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-members-of-the-sdmbba-what-strange-crimes-have-you-seen-charged/1014883 "2025-03-13T19:54:08Z")
A few months back I noticed an “Unlicensed Practice of Dentistry” on a criminal docket in my home jurisdiction. Turns out nobody got hurt, she was doing good work out of her front parlor. I imagined that the local APA wh… --- ## [What is this called (horsebite? how does a horse bite an apple? knee squeeze?)? Do many people even know what I'm talking about?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-called-horsebite-how-does-a-horse-bite-an-apple-knee-squeeze-do-many-people-even-know-what-im-talking-about/1015403)
**Author:** [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2025, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-called-horsebite-how-does-a-horse-bite-an-apple-knee-squeeze-do-many-people-even-know-what-im-talking-about/1015403 "2025-03-13T17:01:32Z")
There is a movement when someone grabs your knee (usually an adult–say, grandparent—when you are a kid) on the sides of it and presses into the sides with their thumb and index fingers. This causes a momentary funny feel… --- ## [Photographers: Tips on shooting the Northern Lights?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photographers-tips-on-shooting-the-northern-lights/1013383)
**Author:** [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2025, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photographers-tips-on-shooting-the-northern-lights/1013383 "2025-03-13T14:41:12Z")
In a few weeks I will be in Norway, hoping to see the Northern Lights. I will be using my Samsung Galaxy S21 phone. (I have a DLSR, Canon 80D, but have decided on my last several trips that my phone does about as well f… --- ## [Say something good about Donald Trump. Can you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-something-good-about-donald-trump-can-you/1014705)
**Author:** [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Replies:** 147\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2025, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-something-good-about-donald-trump-can-you/1014705 "2025-03-13T08:05:02Z")
Mods, if you feel this is better suited for Politics, feel free to move it. Putting it here initially, though, because I feel/mean it more so as a lighthearted topic more about the man rather than his politics directly … --- ## [What is this symbol within this Baltimore logo?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-symbol-within-this-baltimore-logo/1015414)
**Author:** [@Raza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raza)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2025, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-symbol-within-this-baltimore-logo/1015414 "2025-03-13T06:05:07Z")
I thought we had done this exact one last year or so, but I cannot find it. Now, my daughter has this sign and we are trying to figure out what that weird design is within the left part of the “B”. … --- ## [Are you any good at guessing peoples' ages?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-any-good-at-guessing-peoples-ages/1015474)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2025, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-any-good-at-guessing-peoples-ages/1015474 "2025-03-13T01:57:13Z")
I’m 71 and I try to guess how old someone is by looking at them and comparing them to me. But it’s difficult. I have no gray yet and I’m not too wrinkled. But we all age according to out genetics and life experiences, r… --- ## [What are some good free WYSIWYG HTML editors?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-free-wysiwyg-html-editors/1015439)
**Author:** [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2025, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-free-wysiwyg-html-editors/1015439 "2025-03-12T14:56:15Z")
This is just to edit fairly simple generated 1-3 page HTML pages. Notepad++ is strictly text and so too slow. I would like to delete sections, move up divisions and change Font sizes and type easily. I’ve seen TinyMCE,… --- ## [How to find records of cruise ship planned vs actual itineraries?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-records-of-cruise-ship-planned-vs-actual-itineraries/1015173)
**Author:** [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2025, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-records-of-cruise-ship-planned-vs-actual-itineraries/1015173 "2025-03-12T11:53:23Z")
I recently went on a Viking cruise that was scheduled to sail from Bergen, Norway, to the Norwegian cities of Alta and Tromso (above the Arctic Circle), then Narvik, Amsterdam, and London. Because of heavy storms in the… --- ## [What is the purpose of this new spam call tactic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-this-new-spam-call-tactic/1015418)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2025, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-this-new-spam-call-tactic/1015418 "2025-03-12T11:30:05Z")
I’ve been getting a lot of spam phone calls lately. And I noticed that have a new trick. My phone rings. I pick it up and say “Hello”. The spammer immediately says “Hello” back to me but then she doesn’t say anything el… --- ## [Willing/Inheriting a Mortgaged Property (per the Garn-St. Germain Act)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/willing-inheriting-a-mortgaged-property-per-the-garn-st-germain-act/1015271)
**Author:** [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2025, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/willing-inheriting-a-mortgaged-property-per-the-garn-st-germain-act/1015271 "2025-03-11T21:27:15Z")
I’m somewhat belatedly working on how my estate will be handled once I shuffle off the proverbial mortal coil, and one of the issues that’s been of concern is that the house I live in has a mortgage. Then I stumbled acro… --- ## [Are kids more safe today than they were in the 60s/70s (or earlier)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-kids-more-safe-today-than-they-were-in-the-60s-70s-or-earlier/1015339)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2025, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-kids-more-safe-today-than-they-were-in-the-60s-70s-or-earlier/1015339 "2025-03-11T20:16:07Z")
Continuing the discussion from How do I find a small backpack for cycling?: The linked thread was on about something completely different but this came up and is interesting (I think). I was born in 1967 so was a kid … --- ## [What should I do with my old desktop?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-do-with-my-old-desktop/1015411)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2025, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-do-with-my-old-desktop/1015411 "2025-03-11T11:55:44Z")
A month ago, I retired after 35 years in IT. My company gave me a year old Windows laptop and a 5 year old desktop. I’ll keep the laptop as is and use it for contracting work with my old company. The desktop is nothing s… --- ## [Move to Cash? {Keep Politics out of this one}](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/move-to-cash-keep-politics-out-of-this-one/1013713)
**Author:** [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Replies:** 154\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2025, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/move-to-cash-keep-politics-out-of-this-one/1013713 "2025-03-11T10:08:22Z")
So you’ve probably all seen the tariffs, and noticed that the announcement immediately turned a positive day for markets into a negative one. I am, of course, worried that Trump’s actions will lead to a sell-off in mark… --- ## [401k question: How to minimize risk?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/401k-question-how-to-minimize-risk/1015210)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2025, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/401k-question-how-to-minimize-risk/1015210 "2025-03-10T20:08:21Z")
I just started a new job, and am offered the chance to put some money into a 401k with an employer match. This is my first time ever putting anything into a 401k. This is being administered through a service called “Gui… --- ## [Incredibly specific question cap gains on sale of house due to divorce](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-specific-question-cap-gains-on-sale-of-house-due-to-divorce/1015395)
**Author:** [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2025, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-specific-question-cap-gains-on-sale-of-house-due-to-divorce/1015395 "2025-03-10T18:57:09Z")
Putting in IMHO because it’ll probably get moved here anyway. Case 1: A married couple sells their home. They pass both the ownership and usage tests, so they qualify for the $500k capital gains exclusion. Their realize… --- ## [Recommend a fitness/smart watch](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-fitness-smart-watch/1015315)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2025, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-fitness-smart-watch/1015315 "2025-03-10T18:50:20Z")
I’m interested in maybe getting one of these, but not interested in paying Apple prices. Basically, I don’t care about features like GPS or linking to other devices. I like the idea of O2 readings, heart rate, calorie bu… --- ## [Young men and relationships](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/young-men-and-relationships/1014156)
**Author:** [@Sooner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sooner)\ **Replies:** 541\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2025, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/young-men-and-relationships/1014156 "2025-03-10T12:41:50Z")
Small bit of an Atlantic article. Is this the reason, so many white men have seemly gone insane? ‘Women have historically relied on men to act as insurance policies—against the threat of violence, the risk of poverty. … --- ## [What ought "disaster relief" pay for?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ought-disaster-relief-pay-for/1014886)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2025, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ought-disaster-relief-pay-for/1014886 "2025-03-10T11:58:19Z")
In the California Wildfire thread, someone posted to this article saying California s requesting $40 billion in recovery funding. The article says: The aid would go toward “immediate and long-term recovery work needed … --- ## [Anyone done a domestic to international connection at JFK recently?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-done-a-domestic-to-international-connection-at-jfk-recently/1015336)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2025, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-done-a-domestic-to-international-connection-at-jfk-recently/1015336 "2025-03-10T00:05:13Z")
I don’t love the idea of flying from O’Hare to JFK on Delta to connect to a Virgin Atlantic flight, but I really do like Virgin Atlantic for transatlantic flights. Flight is ORD to JFK to MAN and then the reverse. How… --- ## [How long until this new world gets connected to the internet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-until-this-new-world-gets-connected-to-the-internet/818158)
**Author:** [@Saffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saffer)\ **Replies:** 138\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2025, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-until-this-new-world-gets-connected-to-the-internet/818158 "2025-03-09T20:46:54Z")
So I was walking through the woods one day and I noticed a shimmering light coming from a cave. I won’t bore you with the details but it turned out to be a portal to an alternate time line of earth. I know: so random! T… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=58) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=60)