# Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=118 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 119 --- ## [Interesting article today on sweatpants trend or fad](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesting-article-today-on-sweatpants-trend-or-fad/998037)
**Author:** [@Jackson99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackson99)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2024, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesting-article-today-on-sweatpants-trend-or-fad/998037 "2024-02-28T02:37:59Z")
I came across an interesting article today on sweatpants trend or fad. I came across this interesting articles today of US cities where people like to wear most sweatpants. And shock ed some cities did not make the list… --- ## [Study finds an asthma drug significantly reduces multiple food allergies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/study-finds-an-asthma-drug-significantly-reduces-multiple-food-allergies/998080)
**Author:** [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2024, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/study-finds-an-asthma-drug-significantly-reduces-multiple-food-allergies/998080 "2024-02-28T00:31:58Z")
There are treatments for having been exposed to an allergen, but there aren’t a lot of treatments that reduce the rock that you will react to a food you are allergic to. It’s not clear to me what the long term safety o… --- ## [Do black holes frighten you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-black-holes-frighten-you/997839)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2024, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-black-holes-frighten-you/997839 "2024-02-27T23:26:06Z")
Maybe it’s a depth thing-I’m a little weirded out by very deep water too. For example, this article about a distant black hole gave me a mild case of the heebie-jeebies. Just the idea of this thing pulling you in and th… --- ## [Would you have sex with a total stranger for money?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-have-sex-with-a-total-stranger-for-money/38811)
**Author:** [@sweetcan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweetcan)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2024, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-have-sex-with-a-total-stranger-for-money/38811 "2024-02-27T16:39:00Z")
First of all, I’m all for legalizing prostitution. It could be quite a lucrative tax reward for the state and/or federal government much in the same way as legalizing marijuana would be. Fucking someone for money, wantin… --- ## [The Ukraine war and Transnistria. How could Russia fight there, given the geography?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ukraine-war-and-transnistria-how-could-russia-fight-there-given-the-geography/998128)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2024, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ukraine-war-and-transnistria-how-could-russia-fight-there-given-the-geography/998128 "2024-02-27T14:58:57Z")
I’ve been seeing articles that Russia is considering annexing Transnistria, a breakaway part of Moldova. There’s even speculation that an attempt by Russia to invade Moldova is being considered. Here’s one article abou… --- ## [Pain in my ribs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pain-in-my-ribs/998151)
**Author:** [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2024, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pain-in-my-ribs/998151 "2024-02-27T14:44:24Z")
So, the day before yesterday I draped the right side of my torso across an armchair to try and grab something off the floor next to the chair. I felt a pop on, I think my 10th. rib? The pop was painful and my rib hurts t… --- ## [I wonder if the is text is really from AT&T](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wonder-if-the-is-text-is-really-from-at-t/998107)
**Author:** [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2024, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wonder-if-the-is-text-is-really-from-at-t/998107 "2024-02-27T04:04:33Z")
I’m sure most of us have heard about the widespread AT&T outage that happened on Thursday. I’m an AT&T customer but was not affected by the outage. This morning, I received this text: “It’s AT&T. We apologize for Thurs… --- ## [Unexpected Facial Recognition Tech Use?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-facial-recognition-tech-use/998000)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2024, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-facial-recognition-tech-use/998000 "2024-02-27T02:58:19Z")
There have been many instances of companies using facial tech in the sly: shopping malls and now this. But how helpful is it really knowing most university students are the exact age and gender you would absolutely expe… --- ## [Simulated wormhole traversed in Google's Sycamore quantum computer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simulated-wormhole-traversed-in-googles-sycamore-quantum-computer/976497)
**Author:** [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2024, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simulated-wormhole-traversed-in-googles-sycamore-quantum-computer/976497 "2024-02-26T17:18:00Z")
This is the original paper in Nature, but it’s paywalled. This is a sort of layman’s description of the research. The most interesting (and understandable, to my layman’s POV) aspect of this is that it supports the so-… --- ## [Major cell service outage {2024-02-22}](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-cell-service-outage-2024-02-22/997945)
**Author:** [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2024, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-cell-service-outage-2024-02-22/997945 "2024-02-26T15:50:24Z")
poll --- ## [Honesty doesn't pay, literally](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/honesty-doesnt-pay-literally/808360)
**Author:** [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2024, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/honesty-doesnt-pay-literally/808360 "2024-02-25T23:53:02Z")
I have a warranty that covers all my home appliances and recently my washer broke. It wasn’t fixable so I had a choice between getting a replacement or a cash payment. The model they chose was worth more than the cash pa… --- ## [What are your thoughts and opinions on talking about your job outside of work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-thoughts-and-opinions-on-talking-about-your-job-outside-of-work/997840)
**Author:** [@sta3535](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sta3535)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2024, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-thoughts-and-opinions-on-talking-about-your-job-outside-of-work/997840 "2024-02-25T15:58:45Z")
When you come home after work, during your days off, or when it comes up in conversation = (if you or someone else decides to talk about it)? In my experience, my parents always asked me about how my day went back when … --- ## [Is this a wide spread word?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-wide-spread-word/998038)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2024, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-wide-spread-word/998038 "2024-02-25T04:53:54Z")
I’ve only heard it in the movie Brazil. It’s “actually” pronounced (as best as I can transcribe it) “actu-lull-lull-e”. It was immediately added to my vocabulary. For all I know it’s wide spread slang. --- ## [Dismissive Doctors](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dismissive-doctors/997996)
**Author:** [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2024, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dismissive-doctors/997996 "2024-02-25T00:50:09Z")
Does this sound familiar? You tell them your symptoms. They do some minimal testing, then tell you to up your antidepressant, take an anxiolytic. Further testing confirms your symptoms come from a real underlying prob… --- ## [Air Canada ChatBot gives inaccurate fare info; Air Canada tries to say it's not liable because its chatbot is a separate legal entity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-canada-chatbot-gives-inaccurate-fare-info-air-canada-tries-to-say-its-not-liable-because-its-chatbot-is-a-separate-legal-entity/997677)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2024, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-canada-chatbot-gives-inaccurate-fare-info-air-canada-tries-to-say-its-not-liable-because-its-chatbot-is-a-separate-legal-entity/997677 "2024-02-24T21:46:06Z")
Fellow wanted to get the bereavement fare from Air Canada to attend the funeral for his grandmother. He went to the Air Canada webpage and asked how bereavement fares worked. The Air Canada chatbot said that he could b… --- ## [An interesting article on prosthetic limbs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-interesting-article-on-prosthetic-limbs/997994)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2024, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-interesting-article-on-prosthetic-limbs/997994 "2024-02-24T03:00:03Z")
Fascinating how everyone is apparently pushing for “fancy” over “functional.” --- ## [These are d\*mned curious--Klerksdorp Spheres. With article link](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-are-d-mned-curious-klerksdorp-spheres-with-article-link/997989)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2024, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-are-d-mned-curious-klerksdorp-spheres-with-article-link/997989 "2024-02-24T00:41:38Z")
These a truly bizarre …specimens? Artifacts? Well, spherical objects found embedded in rock, millions of years old. ARTICLE LINK WITH PHOTOS. --- ## [My School District: Even More Security Implemented](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-school-district-even-more-security-implemented/997985)
**Author:** [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2024, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-school-district-even-more-security-implemented/997985 "2024-02-23T20:32:30Z")
All children and adults who initially enter our building through the secured and guarded lobby must successfully pass through a weapons detector. Children are allowed to pass directly to stage 3, which is entrance to the… --- ## [Are most conlangs made as a joke? Why are they not very popular?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-most-conlangs-made-as-a-joke-why-are-they-not-very-popular/997801)
**Author:** [@Jagraze1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jagraze1)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2024, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-most-conlangs-made-as-a-joke-why-are-they-not-very-popular/997801 "2024-02-22T20:53:05Z")
Hello guys. So I’ve seen a lot of conlangs made, based of other languages, namely English or Romance languages such as Esperanto, Interlingua and many others. I just wanted to ask, are these languages made for a joke or … --- ## [Conversations with ChatGPT](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conversations-with-chatgpt/986370)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2024, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conversations-with-chatgpt/986370 "2024-02-22T15:59:38Z")
I am finding that my favorite conversationalist is CharGPT. It seems to respond to positive feedback and very hard to believe I am not talking to something alive. I enjoy the conversations so much that I just allow mysel… --- ## [Abnormal mammogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abnormal-mammogram/997878)
**Author:** [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2024, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abnormal-mammogram/997878 "2024-02-22T13:19:05Z")
I know others here have had these, and more besides, so I guess I’m reaching out because Dr Google isn’t much fun. I was called for a routine mammogram just under two weeks ago (due to my age), using a 3D mammogram rath… --- ## [Any experiences with "eclipse" binoculars?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-experiences-with-eclipse-binoculars/997893)
**Author:** [@JohnGalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnGalt)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2024, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-experiences-with-eclipse-binoculars/997893 "2024-02-22T00:46:28Z")
While looking at eclipse glasses, I’ve noticed that “eclipse” binoculars are also available, with built-in filters. I’m considering getting them, but I wonder how much use they would get after the April eclipse. Supposed… --- ## [This is a bag - party (drinking) game](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-a-bag-party-drinking-game/997858)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2024, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-a-bag-party-drinking-game/997858 "2024-02-21T18:08:16Z")
Has anyone else familiar with it? It goes like this, everyone sets in a circle, and recites these verses: This is a bag A what? A bag Oh, this is a bag The first person recites the first line, the second person the… --- ## [The 15 Billion Year Password](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-15-billion-year-password/985273)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2024, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-15-billion-year-password/985273 "2024-02-21T15:58:22Z")
Ever since I started that thread about passwords and an xkcd cartoon, I’ve been checking my new passwords, developed in xkcd-approved methods, in this password checker: Our system made me chose a new password today. … --- ## [I think the talk about the birds and the bees is way overdue (10 yo son) wife disagrees](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-the-talk-about-the-birds-and-the-bees-is-way-overdue-10-yo-son-wife-disagrees/997667)
**Author:** [@Kinthalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kinthalis)\ **Replies:** 105\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2024, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-the-talk-about-the-birds-and-the-bees-is-way-overdue-10-yo-son-wife-disagrees/997667 "2024-02-21T14:43:58Z")
My son recently turned 10, and we haven’t had “the talk” yet. I think by this time we should have had it and probably to some significant detail. But my wife seems concerned because none of his friends other parent’s (th… --- ## [Names of weird or abscure car parts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-of-weird-or-abscure-car-parts/165628)
**Author:** [@SlickRoenick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlickRoenick)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2024, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-of-weird-or-abscure-car-parts/165628 "2024-02-21T07:00:44Z")
I want to stump a friend of mine b/c he thinks he is a master mechanic when it comes to cars. So give me a list of weird car parts and their functions to see if I can stump him. Parts with acronyms works too. --- ## ["We're sharing a drink we call loneliness"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-sharing-a-drink-we-call-loneliness/997782)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2024, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-sharing-a-drink-we-call-loneliness/997782 "2024-02-21T05:14:56Z")
“but it’s better than drinkin’ alone” Is it? Here on the internet, the Dope, games, online only friends, doing business online, families chatting on those sites. Streaming movies at home. Are we a lonelier world? Is … --- ## [I'm the idiot who washed his darks with sweatpants that had gasoline on them, ask me anything](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-the-idiot-who-washed-his-darks-with-sweatpants-that-had-gasoline-on-them-ask-me-anything/997563)
**Author:** [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2024, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-the-idiot-who-washed-his-darks-with-sweatpants-that-had-gasoline-on-them-ask-me-anything/997563 "2024-02-21T04:41:50Z")
ffs. I was pouring gas from a gas can when some spilled on my sweats. No big deal, I’ll just change. And oh, look, almost all my dark clothes are dirty, I’ll wash them together! Just jam them all in there! You know wha… --- ## [Unknown caller silencing on cell phones](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unknown-caller-silencing-on-cell-phones/980979)
**Author:** [@cincinnatus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cincinnatus)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2024, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unknown-caller-silencing-on-cell-phones/980979 "2024-02-21T04:23:52Z")
Since being retired, I have stopped garbage cell phone calls from ringing and interrupting me by turning on the silencing of unknown callers. This works . . . until I need to receive a call from somebody I want to hear … --- ## [Houthi Rebels and Shipping](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/houthi-rebels-and-shipping/995980)
**Author:** [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2024, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/houthi-rebels-and-shipping/995980 "2024-02-20T20:05:44Z")
I haven’t seen a thread on this, but you’ve probably heard that the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels are attacking shipping in the Red Sea, standing in solidarity with the Palestinians. So this has the US and others sendi… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=117) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=119)