# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=60 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 61 --- ## [Could a state make voting compulsory?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-state-make-voting-compulsory/1015139)
**Author:** [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2025, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-state-make-voting-compulsory/1015139 "2025-03-09T20:29:07Z")
In the United States could an individual state (or territory) make voting compulsory like it is in Australia or Brazil? Assume there’s a provision for conscientious objection that’s gets automatically approved and the pe… --- ## [Lab results are back, what should I ask my doctor](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lab-results-are-back-what-should-i-ask-my-doctor/1015318)
**Author:** [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2025, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lab-results-are-back-what-should-i-ask-my-doctor/1015318 "2025-03-09T13:13:10Z")
Went to my doctor for an annual physical, had some tests done, lab results are back. My numbers are all more or less right smack in the center of the range of values given except for two. Hemacrit was a tiny bit high, … --- ## [TV-buying advice](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-buying-advice/1015296)
**Author:** [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2025, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-buying-advice/1015296 "2025-03-09T07:23:14Z")
I’ve decided to actually make my living room into a useful place for… living? After buying a couch last week, I’ve decided I also need to update the TV. It’s been a very long time since this was something I cared abou… --- ## [Recommend a message platform for our rapidly growing group](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-message-platform-for-our-rapidly-growing-group/1015170)
**Author:** [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2025, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-message-platform-for-our-rapidly-growing-group/1015170 "2025-03-08T16:05:04Z")
My wife has formed a political action group that has grown from 12 to over 200 since the new year. We started out using Signal to create message threads in various categories, but these are now proving to be impractical:… --- ## [Could Canada blockade the St. Lawrence River and what would happen if they did so?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-canada-blockade-the-st-lawrence-river-and-what-would-happen-if-they-did-so/1015234)
**Author:** [@X.L.Lent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/X.L.Lent)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2025, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-canada-blockade-the-st-lawrence-river-and-what-would-happen-if-they-did-so/1015234 "2025-03-08T05:02:41Z")
There unfortunately has been some friction between the USA and Canada lately. As an American I am embarrassed by this and would like to apologize for the actions of the idiots that currenly occupy the top positions in… --- ## [How bad are ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease that progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (a rare, serious brain infection that can result in death or severe disability) is an acceptable potential side effect?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-bad-are-ulcerative-colitis-or-crohn-s-disease-that-progressive-multifocal-leukoencephalopathy-a-rare-serious-brain-infection-that-can-result-in-death-or-severe-disability-is-an-acceptable-potential-side-effect/1015190)
**Author:** [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2025, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-bad-are-ulcerative-colitis-or-crohn-s-disease-that-progressive-multifocal-leukoencephalopathy-a-rare-serious-brain-infection-that-can-result-in-death-or-severe-disability-is-an-acceptable-potential-side-effect/1015190 "2025-03-07T23:43:06Z")
I was listening to Pandora where I was presented with a commercial for a treatment for UC or Chron’s with death being a potential side effect. I don’t know anyone with those issues that I’m aware of so here I am. Even … --- ## [High yield savings account recommendations?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-yield-savings-account-recommendations/1015207)
**Author:** [@liirogue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/liirogue)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2025, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-yield-savings-account-recommendations/1015207 "2025-03-07T16:31:57Z")
I’m looking into moving most of my emergency/future house down payment fund into a high yield savings account, and was hoping to get some recommendations. I’ve just started looking into things, but I honestly don’t even … --- ## [France's nuclear warning shot](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frances-nuclear-warning-shot/1014790)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2025, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frances-nuclear-warning-shot/1014790 "2025-03-07T03:23:52Z")
I came across this term in a video from “Belle of the Ranch”. She just mentioned that “France has a warning shot (plan) with nuclear weapons”. Internet searching gives me descriptions of French nuclear weapons and only … --- ## [What should you do if someone (expectedly) dies in their sleep?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-you-do-if-someone-expectedly-dies-in-their-sleep/1015017)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2025, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-you-do-if-someone-expectedly-dies-in-their-sleep/1015017 "2025-03-06T18:38:41Z")
Suppose you are caring for a frail, elderly person with known health problems. One night you tuck them into bed as usual, and the next morning you find they have died. Like, there’s no question, no signs of violence, t… --- ## [National Park Lovers -- How are you feeling these days?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/national-park-lovers-how-are-you-feeling-these-days/1015174)
**Author:** [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2025, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/national-park-lovers-how-are-you-feeling-these-days/1015174 "2025-03-06T17:53:21Z")
Recent events (funding pauses/staff reductions/office closures/visitor center cutbacks, etc) have me worried about our National Parks. Some of the best times of my life have been spent in these places and now it seems as… --- ## [How should a robot look in a post scarcity utopia?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-a-robot-look-in-a-post-scarcity-utopia/1015166)
**Author:** [@Cmyers1980](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cmyers1980)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2025, 10:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-a-robot-look-in-a-post-scarcity-utopia/1015166 "2025-03-06T10:58:41Z")
If the world was a post scarcity utopia protected by superhuman robots, would it better if the robots looked like robots or if they looked exactly like a normal human? Or something else? --- ## [Climate change: The forgotten apocalypse?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/climate-change-the-forgotten-apocalypse/1015112)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2025, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/climate-change-the-forgotten-apocalypse/1015112 "2025-03-06T04:24:36Z")
Tariffs, inflation, war in Ukraine, the China threat, measles… there’s no end of daily crises in the news. But it seems like climate change isn’t much talked about anymore. Did we all just collectively decide, “oh well, … --- ## [Plan to travel to Scotland on my Czech passport - could there be complications?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plan-to-travel-to-scotland-on-my-czech-passport-could-there-be-complications/1014913)
**Author:** [@themapleleaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/themapleleaf)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2025, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plan-to-travel-to-scotland-on-my-czech-passport-could-there-be-complications/1014913 "2025-03-06T00:04:25Z")
I am planning an extended weekend in Scotland right at the beginning of May. The plan is to fly from Prague to Glasgow, possibly via another British city like Belfast. I am a naturalized Czech citizen and my Canadian pas… --- ## [Unknown Windows Chime](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unknown-windows-chime/1014972)
**Author:** [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2025, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unknown-windows-chime/1014972 "2025-03-05T19:31:49Z")
My work computer was just updated to Windows 11. And now I’m getting one of those chimes every few minutes, like the computer has a notification for me. But I am not getting any notification on-screen. Is there a place … --- ## [DINK (dual-income, no kids): Personal & shared growth at 40+?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dink-dual-income-no-kids-personal-shared-growth-at-40/1015014)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2025, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dink-dual-income-no-kids-personal-shared-growth-at-40/1015014 "2025-03-05T17:17:22Z")
I’m curious… what do child-less/childfree couples do at 40+ to keep life interesting and keep growing, both together and as individuals? Just looking for some ideas & recommendations… both things to try for fun and also … --- ## [Corporate Sponsored Space Travel](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corporate-sponsored-space-travel/1015162)
**Author:** [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2025, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corporate-sponsored-space-travel/1015162 "2025-03-05T17:04:27Z")
I don’t see any hard factual answers here, and I feel it presumptuous to tag this as a “great debate”, so I’ll submit this as my opinion. As we know, there are some corporate giants that have seriously taken on the race… --- ## [What would Musk actually do with the five bullet points from 2 million workers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-musk-actually-do-with-the-five-bullet-points-from-2-million-workers/1014920)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2025, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-musk-actually-do-with-the-five-bullet-points-from-2-million-workers/1014920 "2025-03-05T05:10:44Z")
I figure nobody really knows a factual answer so this is going in MHO. As you know, or learn for the first time, Elon Musk directed an email to be sent to all federal civilian employees asking them to reply with five bu… --- ## [Do you think Trump might do the same thing at Wolf Trap that he did with KenCen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-trump-might-do-the-same-thing-at-wolf-trap-that-he-did-with-kencen/1014977)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2025, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-trump-might-do-the-same-thing-at-wolf-trap-that-he-did-with-kencen/1014977 "2025-03-05T04:12:13Z")
This may not be of national interest, but you might be aware that Trump took over the board at the Kennedy Center, the prestigious performing arts venue in Washington, D.C. He seems to be wanting to control the agenda so… --- ## [Does this book exist? If not, should I write it? (LONG! Apologies)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-book-exist-if-not-should-i-write-it-long-apologies/1015075)
**Author:** [@GailForce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GailForce)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2025, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-book-exist-if-not-should-i-write-it-long-apologies/1015075 "2025-03-04T22:03:10Z")
By way of preface, let me state that I think the answer to the first question is “Probably not” and the answer to the second question is “I have juicier fish to fry,” but I’ve often thought that the book might just exist… --- ## [Why are we concerned with plastic straws?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-we-concerned-with-plastic-straws/1012732)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2025, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-we-concerned-with-plastic-straws/1012732 "2025-03-03T21:54:39Z")
I haven’t seen any good examples that they are a big problem. There’s that one turtle, but come on. Turtles are the goats of the ocean. The plastic retainer on 6 packs seem actually designed to snare things, but a straw?… --- ## [Would you help your employer/cow-orker out in this situation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-help-your-employer-cow-orker-out-in-this-situation/1014788)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2025, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-help-your-employer-cow-orker-out-in-this-situation/1014788 "2025-03-03T16:54:56Z")
In my job, 3 of us are each assigned our own workloads, which are scheduled out some 5-6 months in advance. Periodically, if someone is sick or out on short notice, the office will ask if any of the rest of us can pick … --- ## [Which online site best for a part-time job? Please, no temp agencies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-online-site-best-for-a-part-time-job-please-no-temp-agencies/1014938)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2025, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-online-site-best-for-a-part-time-job-please-no-temp-agencies/1014938 "2025-03-03T16:41:14Z")
What online site is best for getting a part-time job? And please, do not discuss temp agencies. I have nothing but bad memories from them. And a few physical scars. --- ## [Sabine Hossenfelder - anti-science?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sabine-hossenfelder-anti-science/1009449)
**Author:** [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2025, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sabine-hossenfelder-anti-science/1009449 "2025-03-02T23:19:52Z")
Professor Dave has made a video criticizing Sabine for increasingly publishing anti-science and anti-establishment rhetoric, on her site, and in her articles for The Guardian and in her book. It starts out very civil bu… --- ## [Have any of you applied for Social Security on the web?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-any-of-you-applied-for-social-security-on-the-web/1014891)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2025, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-any-of-you-applied-for-social-security-on-the-web/1014891 "2025-03-02T21:31:46Z")
If so, I’d like to ask you a procedural question. Thanks! --- ## [Upgrading to UEFI/Windows 11](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/upgrading-to-uefi-windows-11/1014744)
**Author:** [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2025, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/upgrading-to-uefi-windows-11/1014744 "2025-03-02T20:35:50Z")
This is going to get geeky fast. I want to upgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 10 (I think this drive might have originally been Windows 7, upgraded to 10). First, I have to go from a legacy format to GPT, so I try mbr2… --- ## [I need to learn Excel, I think. Any course rec's?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-learn-excel-i-think-any-course-recs/1014746)
**Author:** [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2025, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-learn-excel-i-think-any-course-recs/1014746 "2025-03-02T16:39:22Z")
I never quite know where to put questions like these, hope this is ok … The company I work for looooooooves an excel sheet, and I’m pretty hopeless with them. I can do some simple things like sum a column of figures, bu… --- ## [What's going on with Skype and what are my options?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-going-on-with-skype-and-what-are-my-options/1014957)
**Author:** [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2025, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-going-on-with-skype-and-what-are-my-options/1014957 "2025-03-02T02:56:20Z")
I just received this E-mail from Skype. I ened up with a Skype telephone number because I needed, and still do, a US telephone number. This just came out of the blue and is just a touch over one month notice. So, I thi… --- ## [Have you ever heard of this word before: Palaver?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-heard-of-this-word-before-palaver/1014845)
**Author:** [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Replies:** 105\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2025, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-heard-of-this-word-before-palaver/1014845 "2025-03-01T12:53:14Z")
So, some background first. I was talking in messenger with a friend of mine who lives in the UK the other night and she used a word I had never ever heard of, read, or seen before… it was just a brand new word to me. Pal… --- ## [Can't Get Bluetooth to Work on My Desktop PC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-get-bluetooth-to-work-on-my-desktop-pc/1014604)
**Author:** [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2025, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-get-bluetooth-to-work-on-my-desktop-pc/1014604 "2025-03-01T03:47:53Z")
Hi. I have some questions about my computer. I have been wanting to and planning to ask about these things for a while but I keep getting too caught up in providing details so I never end up posting so please bear with m… --- ## [Stereotypical Kid / Teen things you do as an adult?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stereotypical-kid-teen-things-you-do-as-an-adult/1013847)
**Author:** [@LivingGhost371](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LivingGhost371)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2025, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stereotypical-kid-teen-things-you-do-as-an-adult/1013847 "2025-02-28T16:15:22Z")
What stereotypical kid / teen things do you do as an adult? Either you started them as a kid and kept doing them long after most people would have “grown up”? For context I’m a GenX man. There’s a couple of inspirations… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=59) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=61)