# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1007&state=watching [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1008 --- ## [How far back could a 'modern' shark breed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-back-could-a-modern-shark-breed/972389)
**Author:** [@BlinkingDuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlinkingDuck)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2022, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-back-could-a-modern-shark-breed/972389 "2022-09-29T05:35:42Z")
I keep seeing that stat that sharks have been on this Earth for hundreds of millions of years pretty much unchanged and are one of the most successful animals. How far back in time could you take a currently alive shark… --- ## [Cleaning chunks of Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-chunks-of-quartz/972414)
**Author:** [@moes\_lotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moes_lotion)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2022, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-chunks-of-quartz/972414 "2022-09-29T05:29:40Z")
I have two smallish (about fist sized) chunks of white quartz that were partly submerged in a forest floor when I found them. I gave them a vigorous scrubbing with dish soap and a stiff brush but there are still dark sta… --- ## [If storm reporter dies, employer responsible/charged?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-storm-reporter-dies-employer-responsible-charged/972417)
**Author:** [@a6ka97](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a6ka97)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2022, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-storm-reporter-dies-employer-responsible-charged/972417 "2022-09-29T03:05:24Z")
In watching the evening news they featured a clip of a Weather Channel reporter reporting on hurricane Ian when a branch (or something) blows into him and knocks him over. Further in his report he could barely walk back … --- ## [Best Chef's Knife?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-chefs-knife/961650)
**Author:** [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Replies:** 133\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2022, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-chefs-knife/961650 "2022-09-29T02:56:31Z")
I have a friend who’s starting a line cook job in a restaurant whose owner has promised to train him up to eventually be a real chef. We were discussing the tools he should invest in. I told him that, to start out, inste… --- ## [Gals, do you wear girdles?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gals-do-you-wear-girdles/97069)
**Author:** [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2017, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gals-do-you-wear-girdles/97069 "2017-02-03T21:15:08Z")
I don’t. I hate them. With a passion. I’m not of the mindset that girdles are another invention of men to repress women, either. I just find them extremely uncomfortable. Conversely, I know people who wouldn’t dream of … --- ## [Does a U.S. president have unlimited Medals of Freedom to give out?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-u-s-president-have-unlimited-medals-of-freedom-to-give-out/972228)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2022, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-u-s-president-have-unlimited-medals-of-freedom-to-give-out/972228 "2022-09-28T23:55:16Z")
As I understand it, the Presidential Medal of Freedom is essentially entirely up to the president’s discretion and has no Congressional oversight. Could someone like Trump or Biden really hand them out like Halloween can… --- ## [Checking Parity of Data Sets?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/checking-parity-of-data-sets/972412)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2022, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/checking-parity-of-data-sets/972412 "2022-09-28T23:24:25Z")
I have a complete set of data Q. From Q, we calculate a bunch of new data but, previous to doing so, we drop about 4% of all information that we’ve probabilistically determined is spam. We have developed a new set of to… --- ## [Donetsk etc. in Ukraine vs History (Texas, California, Hawai'i, etc.)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donetsk-etc-in-ukraine-vs-history-texas-california-hawaii-etc/972399)
**Author:** [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2022, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donetsk-etc-in-ukraine-vs-history-texas-california-hawaii-etc/972399 "2022-09-28T23:03:05Z")
So I was thinking about the sham referenda in the eastern Ukraine, and history. I’m from California, and the history I’m aware of is that: Texas and California were part of Mexico. By the 1830s, there were a lot Americ… --- ## [Do you talk and laugh to yourself?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-talk-and-laugh-to-yourself/971739)
**Author:** [@Didi44](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Didi44)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2022, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-talk-and-laugh-to-yourself/971739 "2022-09-28T22:39:19Z")
II firmly believe in, It’s okay as long as you don’t ARGUE with yourself! :face\_with\_hand\_over\_mouth: :crazy\_face: My boss sits in the cubicle behind me and every one in a while will comment on how it’s cute that I talk… --- ## [The Ugliest Building in the World is Going up next to where I work](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ugliest-building-in-the-world-is-going-up-next-to-where-i-work/971845)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2022, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ugliest-building-in-the-world-is-going-up-next-to-where-i-work/971845 "2022-09-28T21:29:11Z")
I work in an industrial park, and I know that you have to be prepared for changes, but back in the spring they sawed down most of the trees across from our parking lot. I hoped they’d keep a few for landscaping if they w… --- ## [Tell me about chess](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-chess/972398)
**Author:** [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2022, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-chess/972398 "2022-09-28T21:02:14Z")
My bf plays chess, mostly in video. He pulled out his set the other day and tried to teach me. It wasn’t helpful, as I was told how my pieces could move but not their purpose. Any tips for learning? Is it as difficult a… --- ## [Probability of Dice Rolls Spread across Rollers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probability-of-dice-rolls-spread-across-rollers/972325)
**Author:** [@whc.03grady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whc.03grady)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2022, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probability-of-dice-rolls-spread-across-rollers/972325 "2022-09-28T21:01:43Z")
There’s a coffee shop I frequent that has a game with five 6-sided dice. If you roll four of a kind, you get a free drink. If you roll five of a kind, you get 10 free drinks. (I’ve rolled four of a kind twice.) The odds… --- ## [From a philosophical POV, is there another term other than 'purpose' to describe the 'purpose' of life](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-a-philosophical-pov-is-there-another-term-other-than-purpose-to-describe-the-purpose-of-life/972295)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2022, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-a-philosophical-pov-is-there-another-term-other-than-purpose-to-describe-the-purpose-of-life/972295 "2022-09-28T20:34:05Z")
For the terms of this debate, I’m not debating what the purpose of life is (ie various religious philosophies, the purpose is to be happy, etc). I’m going off of evolution via natural selection. The ‘purpose’ is to posse… --- ## [@Sooner -- details about the puppy, please](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sooner-details-about-the-puppy-please/972319)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2022, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sooner-details-about-the-puppy-please/972319 "2022-09-28T19:59:13Z")
@Sooner I just noticed your darling puppy avatar in the Favorite Airplane thread. Soooo cute! Backstory, name, and more pictures, please. If you’ve posted about this elsewhere, you can just link me… --- ## [Clarification of rule about public vs. private information](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-of-rule-about-public-vs-private-information/972407)
**Author:** [@Ed\_Zotti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ed_Zotti)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2022, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-of-rule-about-public-vs-private-information/972407 "2022-09-28T19:19:39Z")
An SDMB user recently flagged this post: … with the comment that it may violate this SDMB rule: No posting of personal information. To reiterate the above, do not post others’ private contact information (email, pho… --- ## [My Neighbor Built it, but Will They Come?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-built-it-but-will-they-come/971928)
**Author:** [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2022, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-built-it-but-will-they-come/971928 "2022-09-28T19:07:46Z")
All of the houses in our areas have 2-10 acres, most of them being around 5. Except for the lawns, they’re all wooded areas. About 5 years ago, our neighbor bought a skidsteer and proceeded to push all of the trees and b… --- ## [Anyone else confused by the emotion over Queen Elizabeth's passing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-confused-by-the-emotion-over-queen-elizabeths-passing/971275)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 344\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2022, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-confused-by-the-emotion-over-queen-elizabeths-passing/971275 "2022-09-28T17:05:45Z")
I didn’t want to shit on the thread on MPSIMS, but I have been surprised at the amount of emotion I’ve encountered about this event. When I came home from work, my wife said she was new tears. WTF? I’ve never understo… --- ## [Can someone explain how gender pronouns work](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-how-gender-pronouns-work/972296)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2022, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-how-gender-pronouns-work/972296 "2022-09-28T16:10:39Z")
I’m not trying to be a dick, I’m just confused as to why there are two of them. Like he/him or she/her. Is one based on your biological identity and the other based on your cognitive identity? Like is a male who feels l… --- ## [Moaning Sounds on Flights](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moaning-sounds-on-flights/972386)
**Author:** [@tofor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tofor)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2022, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moaning-sounds-on-flights/972386 "2022-09-28T14:15:45Z")
Apparently multiple airline flights have experienced a moaning sound over the intercom. Here is video of the very weird experience. The weirdest flight ever. These sounds started over the intercom before takeoff and con… --- ## [Scientific studies on health outcomes from expensive home air filters?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientific-studies-on-health-outcomes-from-expensive-home-air-filters/972255)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2022, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientific-studies-on-health-outcomes-from-expensive-home-air-filters/972255 "2022-09-28T13:27:10Z")
There are many different types of home air filters available on the market from HEPA filters to glasswool filters. This thread is not for discussing the particle size removal or the removing efficiency. Please start a di… --- ## [A Friendly Game of Winchester Cathedral](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friendly-game-of-winchester-cathedral/970819)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2022, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friendly-game-of-winchester-cathedral/970819 "2022-09-28T13:18:03Z")
This is a friendly public game using the traditional rules, available extensively online. There will be no mugginses or fake accents. I will use a traditional opening. There must be some way out of here. Said the jok… --- ## [Sandy Hook a hoax?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandy-hook-a-hoax/709528)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 200\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2022, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandy-hook-a-hoax/709528 "2022-09-28T10:19:03Z")
Hello Everyone, I have a neighbor who is a nice guy, but recently I found our that he is one of those who believes that 9/11 was an inside job. That opinion had always bothered me, but I’ve kept my mouth shut just to… --- ## [Why The British Association With Queuing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-british-association-with-queuing/972211)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2022, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-british-association-with-queuing/972211 "2022-09-28T07:26:24Z")
Since the Queen died, I’ve heard a lot of Britons joking about the importance of queing in their culture. One guy even said that the 30-hour queue to pay respects at her coffin was the Most British Thing To Ever Happen. … --- ## [Crosby, Stills & Nash Fans: Are 'Wasted On The Way' and 'Southern Cross' Considered Good Songs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crosby-stills-nash-fans-are-wasted-on-the-way-and-southern-cross-considered-good-songs/972207)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2022, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crosby-stills-nash-fans-are-wasted-on-the-way-and-southern-cross-considered-good-songs/972207 "2022-09-28T03:30:02Z")
“Wasted On The Way” was released in 1982, “Southern Cross” in the same year. Keeping in mind that I was born in the middle of CSN(and sometimes Y)'s heyday (in my case 1970), these two later songs sound a bit pop-y to my… --- ## [You ever have one of those days…](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-ever-have-one-of-those-days/972231)
**Author:** [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2022, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-ever-have-one-of-those-days/972231 "2022-09-27T23:46:59Z")
…everyone from your teach-no, not that, that’s a song by Motley Crue. You ever have one of those days where you’re unsettled and restless? You just can’t sit and focus? Maybe you try to watch a movie but even before t… --- ## [Will there ever be a new print version of the Columbia Encyclopedia?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-ever-be-a-new-print-version-of-the-columbia-encyclopedia/972043)
**Author:** [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2022, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-ever-be-a-new-print-version-of-the-columbia-encyclopedia/972043 "2022-09-27T22:15:50Z")
I love the Columbia Encyclopedia. The last printed version is the 6th edition, from 2000. Will there ever be another print edition? (I’m asking about the unabridged version, not the “concise” version.) --- ## [ID this sculpture/structure outside a Mormon church](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-sculpture-structure-outside-a-mormon-church/617116)
**Author:** [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2012, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-sculpture-structure-outside-a-mormon-church/617116 "2012-03-29T15:31:42Z")
Down the block from my house is a Mormon church which is very well attended on Sundays and certain evenings. I’ve driven past it thousands of times on my way to work and back and often wondered about this \*objet d’art \* … --- ## [Cadillac Cop Car](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cadillac-cop-car/957795)
**Author:** [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2022, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cadillac-cop-car/957795 "2022-09-27T21:34:32Z")
So out at lunch today I saw an odd thing. A Cadillac Escalade (newer) doing a police detail on a major highway (crew was using an excavator along the side of the road). The Escalade had the full blues- top of the windsh… --- ## [Ridiculously (well) priced goods - you stumbled across lately?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculously-well-priced-goods-you-stumbled-across-lately/972073)
**Author:** [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2022, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculously-well-priced-goods-you-stumbled-across-lately/972073 "2022-09-27T21:23:55Z")
YES, just like you, I get bitten in the rear by inflation of prices for nearly everything I lay my eyes on … So there is a - somewhate weak - attempt to create a thread to help your mental state recenter. CONTEXT: my… --- ## [Is There A Way To Find Out Which Books Have Been Banned In My Community](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-find-out-which-books-have-been-banned-in-my-community/972256)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2022, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-find-out-which-books-have-been-banned-in-my-community/972256 "2022-09-27T21:18:12Z")
Missouri is, apparently, going all-in on banning books, because of our conservative leadership’s desperate goal of imitating Texas at every opportunity when it comes to social issues. I’ve read headlines of books being b… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1006&state=watching) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1008&state=watching)