# Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=861 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 862 --- ## [What Meetings Feel Like for Engineers (video)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-meetings-feel-like-for-engineers-video/685508)
**Author:** [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2014, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-meetings-feel-like-for-engineers-video/685508 "2014-04-11T05:49:36Z")
If you’ve ever been an engineer, worked with engineers, or even have some familiarity with processes involving engineers, watch this video. Oh–and if you can, do it in the form of a kitten. I laughed so hard I almost h… --- ## [Kim Jong Un croaked his uncle](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kim-jong-un-croaked-his-uncle/676197)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2014, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kim-jong-un-croaked-his-uncle/676197 "2014-04-11T03:27:06Z")
You may have heard that Kim Jong Un’s uncle was dragged out of a televised meeting the other day. Breaking news is that the Kim Jong Un’s uncle, Jang Song Thaek, has been executed. --- ## [I called the police on the neighbours today -- domestic violence](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-called-the-police-on-the-neighbours-today-domestic-violence/685768)
**Author:** [@Springtime\_for\_Spacers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Springtime_for_Spacers)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2014, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-called-the-police-on-the-neighbours-today-domestic-violence/685768 "2014-04-10T20:35:48Z")
Today I called 999 when I heard a argument between my neighbours escalate. In due course two police cars, an ambulance and finally a forensic van arrived. I was later contacted for a statement and told that they had a ma… --- ## [my first scintillating scotoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-scintillating-scotoma/685654)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2014, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-scintillating-scotoma/685654 "2014-04-10T19:38:45Z")
THAT was fuckin’ weird. Yesterday evening I experienced a very classic “scintillating scotoma.” I didn’t know what it was at first. I thought my eyes were temporarily screwed up from having looked at a bright light, b… --- ## [Mazda issues recall--because of SPIDERS!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mazda-issues-recall-because-of-spiders/685604)
**Author:** [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2014, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mazda-issues-recall-because-of-spiders/685604 "2014-04-10T18:25:55Z")
Slate article: Mazda Issues Most Terrifying Car Recall of All—Some Models Vulnerable to Spider Attack According to the NHTSA bulletin, "In the affected vehicles, spiders may weave a web in the evaporative canister vent… --- ## [How long will the NY Post stay in business in its printed format?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-the-ny-post-stay-in-business-in-its-printed-format/685808)
**Author:** [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2014, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-the-ny-post-stay-in-business-in-its-printed-format/685808 "2014-04-10T18:02:52Z")
http://postcards.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2014/04/10/murdoch I found a story on the CNN Money web site today. The title is, “Rupert Murdoch on his divorce, succession, and his empire’s future”. This story was listed on Th… --- ## [Cyclists - have your riding buddies named a geographical feature after you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyclists-have-your-riding-buddies-named-a-geographical-feature-after-you/685770)
**Author:** [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2014, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyclists-have-your-riding-buddies-named-a-geographical-feature-after-you/685770 "2014-04-10T17:41:28Z")
This seems to have become a tradition for our regular routes. There’s Carl’s\* corner where he had to take evasive action to avoid a car and ended up sliding across a suburban lawn. There’s Pete’s corner where his wheel… --- ## [Hey, have you seen my M-16 around here?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-have-you-seen-my-m-16-around-here/685646)
**Author:** [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2014, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-have-you-seen-my-m-16-around-here/685646 "2014-04-10T17:33:24Z")
Oooops. Utah sheriff’s office is looking for one. In 1998, they got a bunch on loan from the military, tossed them in a locker and just found out now that one is gone. So if you make machine guns illegal, only \[del\]cri… --- ## [Woman Survives After Being Frozen For Hours](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-survives-after-being-frozen-for-hours/685530)
**Author:** [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2014, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-survives-after-being-frozen-for-hours/685530 "2014-04-10T16:38:26Z")
Christine Newman survives being frozen overnight, has four hours of CPR. She is expected to make a full recovery - they don’t even expect her to lose any fingers or toes. We use the word “miracle” a lot these days, but t… --- ## ["Heartbleed" SSL flaw means you may have to change your passwords](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heartbleed-ssl-flaw-means-you-may-have-to-change-your-passwords/685793)
**Author:** [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2014, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heartbleed-ssl-flaw-means-you-may-have-to-change-your-passwords/685793 "2014-04-10T15:00:24Z")
For about two years the Open Source SSL software many websites use had a flaw that conceivably someone could get access to data that was encrypted including account info and passwords. You should change your password on… --- ## [What's the manliest weapon?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-manliest-weapon/685259)
**Author:** [@Richard\_North](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_North)\ **Replies:** 125\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2014, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-manliest-weapon/685259 "2014-04-10T14:20:55Z")
Hey guys, what in your opinion is the manliest weapon??? Dog is man’s best friend, a nice weapon is man’s second best friend. Weapons should be chosen wisely. They can enhance manliness or detract from your manliness!!! … --- ## [Neandertal and modern humans Interbred](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neandertal-and-modern-humans-interbred/685744)
**Author:** [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2014, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neandertal-and-modern-humans-interbred/685744 "2014-04-10T10:16:54Z")
From this link: “Technical objections to the idea that Neandertals interbred with the ancestors of Eurasians have been overcome, thanks to a genome analysis method described in the April 2014 issue of the journal Genet… --- ## [Car wreck](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-wreck/677355)
**Author:** [@Ca3799](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ca3799)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2014, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-wreck/677355 "2014-04-10T04:06:40Z")
Traveling down the freeway, a car two lanes on my right suddenly bolted and began traveling toward the retaining wall on the inside (left) lane. It passed in front of the car on my right, then in front of me going comple… --- ## [At 9:00pm last night, the Universe decided to hate me.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-9-00pm-last-night-the-universe-decided-to-hate-me/685709)
**Author:** [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2014, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-9-00pm-last-night-the-universe-decided-to-hate-me/685709 "2014-04-10T00:24:51Z")
In a 5 minute period, my HDD controller on my laptop (my main computer) died and my cell phone screen broke, rendering it useless. Of course, all my cell phone contacts were backed up to my laptop. Of course, all my la… --- ## [What I learned on The Straight Dope...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-i-learned-on-the-straight-dope/685098)
**Author:** [@Whammo72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whammo72)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2014, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-i-learned-on-the-straight-dope/685098 "2014-04-09T23:50:33Z")
String cheese can actually be pulled apart… into strings. My whole life I had been eating it sans fun. --- ## [Things You Learned About on the SDMB](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-learned-about-on-the-sdmb/685755)
**Author:** [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2014, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-learned-about-on-the-sdmb/685755 "2014-04-09T21:37:41Z")
When I first started reading and posting here, there were a lot of threads about “Chick Tracts” and Jack Chick. I had no idea who or what that was about. After seeing a dozen or more threads about them, I opened one ou… --- ## [Ruthless killers living in my backyard.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ruthless-killers-living-in-my-backyard/685049)
**Author:** [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2014, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ruthless-killers-living-in-my-backyard/685049 "2014-04-09T20:34:03Z")
I’ve know about them for awhile, but today was the first time I actually saw the nest. It’s at the top of a 50’ pine tree, and I was able to get some photos with my Nikon D90 and 400mm lens: … --- ## [Spinal cord stimulation allows four paraplegic men to move their legs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spinal-cord-stimulation-allows-four-paraplegic-men-to-move-their-legs/685713)
**Author:** [@Oukile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oukile)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2014, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spinal-cord-stimulation-allows-four-paraplegic-men-to-move-their-legs/685713 "2014-04-09T20:11:09Z")
Breakthrough therapy allows four paraplegic men to voluntarily move their legs I happen to be a bit familiar with this field of study and enthusiastic about these results. Unassisted walking in paraplegic people is sti… --- ## [Sea serpent (or pretty good facsimile thereof) found](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sea-serpent-or-pretty-good-facsimile-thereof-found/671337)
**Author:** [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2014, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sea-serpent-or-pretty-good-facsimile-thereof-found/671337 "2014-04-09T18:36:53Z")
With respect to the recent cryptozoological threads, it’s worth pointing out that an 18-foot oarfish just washed up on a California beach. Oarfish have long been suspected as being responsible for some “sea serpent” sigh… --- ## [ass burgers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ass-burgers/685422)
**Author:** [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2014, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ass-burgers/685422 "2014-04-09T18:31:35Z")
I have strep throat. Ug. I feel like crap. I feel like ass burgers. I don’t even know what that is supposed to mean. Ass burgers. Where does that come from? Ass burgers. Aspergers. DOH! :smack: Prolly how that … --- ## [American slave traders daily ledger on his slave trading trip - A fascinating historical snapshot](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-slave-traders-daily-ledger-on-his-slave-trading-trip-a-fascinating-historical-snapshot/685561)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2014, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-slave-traders-daily-ledger-on-his-slave-trading-trip-a-fascinating-historical-snapshot/685561 "2014-04-09T17:25:03Z")
Story here. It’s very interesting to see his day by day expenses. Tracking a Slave Trader Through His Expense Reports All pages here Slave trade ledger of William James Smith --- ## ["No Soliciting" or "Ignore the Sign and Ring the Doorbell"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-soliciting-or-ignore-the-sign-and-ring-the-doorbell/14208)
**Author:** [@techchick68](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/techchick68)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2014, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-soliciting-or-ignore-the-sign-and-ring-the-doorbell/14208 "2014-04-09T17:21:40Z")
It’s a mini rant, but sheesh it clearly states on my door, “No Soliciting” A couple of weeks ago two kids rang it (teens) peddling the Denver Rocky Mtn. News. Just a couple of minutes ago 2 ladies rang the bell wanting… --- ## [Melaleuca: Miracle or Marketing Ploy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/melaleuca-miracle-or-marketing-ploy/72539)
**Author:** [@The\_Punkyova](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Punkyova)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2014, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/melaleuca-miracle-or-marketing-ploy/72539 "2014-04-09T14:40:04Z")
A friend of mine has given me the Melaleuca sales pitch. She is a good person, and obviously believes the whole thing sincerely. Clearly, this doesn’t preclude her being wrong. My doctor tells me that taking vitamins is… --- ## [I love making glass beads!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-making-glass-beads/680870)
**Author:** [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2014, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-making-glass-beads/680870 "2014-04-09T14:34:06Z")
Once upon a time I took a class on doing lampwork beads at an SCA event. It intrigued me, but being a class setting it was hard to get much more than a taste of the process. So I decide to drop the $100 on a “starter k… --- ## [Surealities](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surealities/685706)
**Author:** [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2014, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surealities/685706 "2014-04-09T13:57:40Z")
This morning I watched as an Absolut Vodka truck ran a red light. Not sure why it struck me as something I would dream, but it was real. Got any “surealities”? --- ## [A vegetarian diet makes you sicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-vegetarian-diet-makes-you-sicker/685633)
**Author:** [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2014, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-vegetarian-diet-makes-you-sicker/685633 "2014-04-09T13:29:48Z")
…according to a new study that contradicts earlier findings. \*"The research, published in February in the journal PLoS ONE, surveyed 1,320 Austrians, evenly portioned to four different nutritional groups: a vegetarian d… --- ## [What if the Malaysian plane's block box is silent?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-the-malaysian-planes-block-box-is-silent/685463)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2014, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-the-malaysian-planes-block-box-is-silent/685463 "2014-04-09T05:47:50Z")
I just had a somewhat bizarre and creepy thought: What if they find the cockpit recorder from the missing airplane, play the tape, and hear------------nothing? The black box is just a simple audio tape on a continuou… --- ## [Closest (physically) you've been to a Head of State?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/closest-physically-youve-been-to-a-head-of-state/684110)
**Author:** [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Replies:** 162\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2014, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/closest-physically-youve-been-to-a-head-of-state/684110 "2014-04-08T17:06:02Z")
Inspired by a current thread on how close one can get to the Pope, I’m wondering what is the closest distance members of the Doperverse have ever been to a Head of State (and who that may have been). Mine are been prett… --- ## [I know car dealers have a rep for skeviness,but really?!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-know-car-dealers-have-a-rep-for-skeviness-but-really/685145)
**Author:** [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2014, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-know-car-dealers-have-a-rep-for-skeviness-but-really/685145 "2014-04-08T15:06:30Z")
My husband’s truck went south a couple weeks ago so we’re shopping for another one. Used, nothing fancy, ya know, but it has to be reliable for a few years and it has to be safe. First place we went was about an hour aw… --- ## [Latest insights into Bee Colony Collapse: mix of causes identified.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/latest-insights-into-bee-colony-collapse-mix-of-causes-identified/685640)
**Author:** [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2014, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/latest-insights-into-bee-colony-collapse-mix-of-causes-identified/685640 "2014-04-08T15:01:30Z")
This 2013 article, based on Universtity of Maryland research, Does anyone here know if there’s any follow-up to that study? Has it resulted in any issued advice regarding the use (or ban on use) of certain pesticides? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=860) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=862)