# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=68 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 69 --- ## [Please recommend a Diary or Journal App for Android or Windows](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-diary-or-journal-app-for-android-or-windows/1012489)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2025, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-diary-or-journal-app-for-android-or-windows/1012489 "2025-01-05T19:38:51Z")
I used to keep a written Journal. Retrieving information required reading pages. Any recommendations for a Android or Windows App? Tags are an important feature. Search Tags for Doctors Appointments, going out to a mo… --- ## [CNN Alternative](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-alternative/1012227)
**Author:** [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2025, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-alternative/1012227 "2025-01-05T08:50:22Z")
So I used to visit CNN periodically just to get an idea of breaking news. I’ve always found their reporting very shallow, and thus they are not worth a subscription. By way of defending this, I’ve been a subscriber to Th… --- ## [As far as AI, is it possible that intelligence is actually much more simple than we originally thought](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-far-as-ai-is-it-possible-that-intelligence-is-actually-much-more-simple-than-we-originally-thought/1012130)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2025, 9:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-far-as-ai-is-it-possible-that-intelligence-is-actually-much-more-simple-than-we-originally-thought/1012130 "2025-01-04T09:29:41Z")
Predictions a decade or so ago were that competent AI could take centuries due to how insanely complex cognition is. But we’ve gone from GPT-2 in 2019 to -o3 in 2024 which to my untrained, uneducated eye, seems to be co… --- ## [What peoples of the world have a strong national identity but no strong urge for independence?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-peoples-of-the-world-have-a-strong-national-identity-but-no-strong-urge-for-independence/1012323)
**Author:** [@Chad\_Sudan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chad_Sudan)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2025, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-peoples-of-the-world-have-a-strong-national-identity-but-no-strong-urge-for-independence/1012323 "2025-01-03T19:58:30Z")
What peoples of the world have a strong national identity but no strong urge for independence? I’m thinking of peoples like the Puerto Ricans (with about 5% voting for independence in plebiscites) or the Welsh (various … --- ## [Is stifling a sneeze harmful?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-stifling-a-sneeze-harmful/1012451)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2025, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-stifling-a-sneeze-harmful/1012451 "2025-01-03T00:42:26Z")
I usually let er rip but if in polite company I might stifle a sneeze by pressing my tongue upwards. This clamps the pressure inside. I have been told a long time ago that this was harmful. --- ## [What to bring to colonize a new planet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-bring-to-colonize-a-new-planet/1012055)
**Author:** [@Tusculan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tusculan)\ **Replies:** 152\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2025, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-bring-to-colonize-a-new-planet/1012055 "2025-01-02T20:21:14Z")
So I’ve been reading some SF lately (Tau Zero particularly) and wondered about what you’d need to bring with you if you need to start a human civilization on a new planet, without the option of getting help from Mother E… --- ## [Enrolling in "cybersecurity bootcamps" to meet women?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enrolling-in-cybersecurity-bootcamps-to-meet-women/1011901)
**Author:** [@MW\_Degen\_Gamblr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MW_Degen_Gamblr)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2025, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enrolling-in-cybersecurity-bootcamps-to-meet-women/1011901 "2025-01-02T20:16:05Z")
A dating guru recently recommended that we should meet women in settings where we are in our “element”. Like a talented musician should meet women in music-oriented events/programs/lessons. I’ve been involved in sportsba… --- ## [In 2026, what will be your favorite term for the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-2026-what-will-be-your-favorite-term-for-the-250th-anniversary-of-the-us-declaration-of-independence/1012452)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2025, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-2026-what-will-be-your-favorite-term-for-the-250th-anniversary-of-the-us-declaration-of-independence/1012452 "2025-01-02T18:45:35Z")
July 4, 2026 is the date. On the serious answer side, etymological interpretations from Wiktionary, there are: Semiquincentennial (half of 500 years anniversary) which seems to be the frontrunner; Bisesquicentennial (w… --- ## [Hearing aids - over-the-counter vs prescription?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hearing-aids-over-the-counter-vs-prescription/1012456)
**Author:** [@liirogue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/liirogue)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2025, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hearing-aids-over-the-counter-vs-prescription/1012456 "2025-01-02T15:37:13Z")
I’ve got a family member that is struggling with their hearing and has finally been convinced to look into hearing aids. They are on Medicare, which of course doesn’t cover hearing aids (:roll\_eyes:) and cost/affordabili… --- ## [The practice of "renting" orphans for the holidays?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-practice-of-renting-orphans-for-the-holidays/1012314)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2025, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-practice-of-renting-orphans-for-the-holidays/1012314 "2025-01-01T19:28:01Z")
I keep having questions from old sitcoms lately, but… There is a Christmas episode of Bewitched where people check out an orphan like a library book for Christmas and then return them to the orphanage. The Stevenses che… --- ## [Vacation in a hotel with a kitchenette - do you pack food to cook?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vacation-in-a-hotel-with-a-kitchenette-do-you-pack-food-to-cook/1012297)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2025, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vacation-in-a-hotel-with-a-kitchenette-do-you-pack-food-to-cook/1012297 "2025-01-01T14:24:24Z")
We’re taking a 3-night break in January and the hotel has little kitchenettes in each room. Since there are just 2 of us and it’s a short stay, at most I’ll pack some snacks and maybe sodas, but no way will I spend time … --- ## [What quality of health care can you get in Russia if you have money](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-quality-of-health-care-can-you-get-in-russia-if-you-have-money/1012408)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2025, 9:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-quality-of-health-care-can-you-get-in-russia-if-you-have-money/1012408 "2025-01-01T09:48:19Z")
So I read that Assad’s wife wanted to go to the UK for leukemia treatment but was denied by the UK government. The Assads stole billions of dollars when they went to Russia. I would’ve assumed in cities like Moscow or… --- ## [ChatGPT says RFK and Sargent Shriver were "brilliant" or "one of most brightest minds in JFK's admin"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chatgpt-says-rfk-and-sargent-shriver-were-brilliant-or-one-of-most-brightest-minds-in-jfks-admin/1012038)
**Author:** [@Caribbean\_cruiser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caribbean_cruiser)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2024, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chatgpt-says-rfk-and-sargent-shriver-were-brilliant-or-one-of-most-brightest-minds-in-jfks-admin/1012038 "2024-12-31T18:28:27Z")
Sometimes GPT is helpful, sometimes it’s a mess, but I question its answers to my question: “Who are widely regarded as the brightest cabinet members, advisors, or assistants of John F. Kennedy?” I knew Robert McNamara,… --- ## [Photo booths - where were they?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photo-booths-where-were-they/1012137)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2024, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photo-booths-where-were-they/1012137 "2024-12-31T17:11:23Z")
I read an article that stated there were only 200 old school photo booths left in the world. The others have gone digital. I don’t remember encountering any in my youth. Where would they be set up - shopping malls, I gue… --- ## [Is it irrational to be nervous about getting on a Boeing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-irrational-to-be-nervous-about-getting-on-a-boeing/1012296)
**Author:** [@Saffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saffer)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2024, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-irrational-to-be-nervous-about-getting-on-a-boeing/1012296 "2024-12-31T14:24:37Z")
Probably. But the South Korea crash has not helped. --- ## [Any way to axe the Edge browser?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-way-to-axe-the-edge-browser/1011996)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2024, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-way-to-axe-the-edge-browser/1011996 "2024-12-31T10:08:55Z")
My wife is having minor memory problems. She uses the Firefox browser and things generally go smoothly. But at least once a day, the Edge browser opens spontaneously and covers the Firefox window. I have told her repe… --- ## [When did sailing across the sea become relatively safe?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-sailing-across-the-sea-become-relatively-safe/1011826)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2024, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-sailing-across-the-sea-become-relatively-safe/1011826 "2024-12-30T00:59:10Z")
As in, the crew didn’t have to worry about getting scurvy or running out of food or getting lost at sea etc…? I guess “safe” in this context subjective but hopefully you get the jist. --- ## [How do you regard ownership of, and responsibility for, YouTube comments?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-regard-ownership-of-and-responsibility-for-youtube-comments/1012202)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2024, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-regard-ownership-of-and-responsibility-for-youtube-comments/1012202 "2024-12-30T00:12:38Z")
I had an interesting conversation with someone the other day, who was very upset about some openly racist comments they saw under a video from one of their favourite creators; they contacted the YouTuber to discuss it wi… --- ## [Pink Floyd The Final Cut Explains the MAGA Movement](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pink-floyd-the-final-cut-explains-the-maga-movement/1011739)
**Author:** [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2024, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pink-floyd-the-final-cut-explains-the-maga-movement/1011739 "2024-12-29T21:57:49Z")
Ok. I don’t want to spend too much time on this. I’ve been a HUGE Pink Floyd fan since I was 13, and I’m 51 now. The Final Cut was never one of my favorite PF albums. I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it. I just list… --- ## [Predict the next tech bubble](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-next-tech-bubble/1012235)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2024, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-next-tech-bubble/1012235 "2024-12-29T16:37:23Z")
For the purposes of this thread, we’re going to assume the human race survives the very-probably-tech-bubble-burst that is Let’s Put AI In Everything. What overhyped tech nonsense grift will take the world by storm, af… --- ## [Cat-Sip: anyone experienced with this product?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-sip-anyone-experienced-with-this-product/1012220)
**Author:** [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2024, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-sip-anyone-experienced-with-this-product/1012220 "2024-12-29T03:24:43Z")
Cat-Sip (link to its Amazon page, which shows packaging and lists ingredients) is a milk-based cat treat (NOT food, albeit, it is fortified with the vitamins that are hardest to get in a cat’s diet). I’m considering get… --- ## [What's a good website for improving your cybersecurity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-website-for-improving-your-cybersecurity/1012273)
**Author:** [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2024, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-website-for-improving-your-cybersecurity/1012273 "2024-12-28T20:08:08Z")
There are a large number of websites dedicated to cybersecurity which report the news. There are a large number of articles offering advice, written by journalists not especially familiar with the field. For example they… --- ## [English language usage: “The evening of…”](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-language-usage-the-evening-of/1011667)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2024, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-language-usage-the-evening-of/1011667 "2024-12-28T18:09:11Z")
My girlfriend (native German, but lived in the UK for many years) and I (native German, spent a little time in the UK but not nearly nowhere as much) attended a festive dinner last night, and one topic of the conversatio… --- ## [Problems with FlashForge 3D printer resgistration?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problems-with-flashforge-3d-printer-resgistration/1012231)
**Author:** [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2024, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problems-with-flashforge-3d-printer-resgistration/1012231 "2024-12-28T13:37:50Z")
My “big present” from my wife was a FlashForge Adventurer 5M 3D printer. To get it set up and running, even just to proceed to leveling, I need to create a FlashForge account and then scan the QR code on the display. I… --- ## ["Reading for Comprehension". Why Else Would You Read?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reading-for-comprehension-why-else-would-you-read/1012121)
**Author:** [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2024, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reading-for-comprehension-why-else-would-you-read/1012121 "2024-12-26T19:46:15Z")
I’ve often seen Dopers insulting others by saying something like, “You need to read for comprehension!” It’s a nasty and infantile insult, IMO, but whatever… folks are gonna bitch, especially in the Bitching Zone (the P… --- ## [They’ve found a 35,000 year old saber tooth tiger kitten](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-ve-found-a-35-000-year-old-saber-tooth-tiger-kitten/1011777)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2024, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-ve-found-a-35-000-year-old-saber-tooth-tiger-kitten/1011777 "2024-12-26T18:13:55Z")
And it has toe beans! And fur! (I can’t believe this hasn’t been posted yet - and if it has, sorry, I really did search diligently) Anyway, this is a very cool find. As far as I can tell it’s pretty much intact. Link:… --- ## [How best to glue metal parts to miscellaneous plastics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-best-to-glue-metal-parts-to-miscellaneous-plastics/1011888)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2024, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-best-to-glue-metal-parts-to-miscellaneous-plastics/1011888 "2024-12-26T16:59:16Z")
I need to glue a couple hundred little aluminum tags to the plastic caps of vials of essential oils and aroma compounds. What method would work best? The vials come from many different sources. The type of plastic obvio… --- ## [A note to SDMB newcomers in late December](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-note-to-sdmb-newcomers-in-late-december/1012129)
**Author:** [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2024, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-note-to-sdmb-newcomers-in-late-december/1012129 "2024-12-26T14:34:31Z")
Traditionally, there’s a reduction in post traffic at this time of year. Everybody’s busy with holiday stuff. I remember a newcomer a few years ago who groused, “Where is everybody? I thought this was The Teeming Million… --- ## [Enron? Really?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enron-really/1011362)
**Author:** [@2\_More\_Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2_More_Bits)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2024, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enron-really/1011362 "2024-12-25T23:12:24Z")
This ad ran on the back page of today’s (12/8/24) Sunday NYT \[Album\] Enron newspaper ad … --- ## [Question about wills with conditions - don't need answer fast - this is hypothetical](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-wills-with-conditions-dont-need-answer-fast-this-is-hypothetical/1012134)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2024, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-wills-with-conditions-dont-need-answer-fast-this-is-hypothetical/1012134 "2024-12-25T22:56:23Z")
My MIL died a couple of weeks ago and my husband is the executor. That’s only relevant because it got me thinking about wills. (Hers is simple and straightforward - no property, just splitting up a bank account.) It got… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=67) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=69)