# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1014 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1015 --- ## [American families: when did you start talking to your children about higher education?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-families-when-did-you-start-talking-to-your-children-about-higher-education/969577)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2022, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-families-when-did-you-start-talking-to-your-children-about-higher-education/969577 "2022-08-29T01:33:51Z")
Don’t need answer fast. I think it was assumed that I’d go on to higher education, both of my parents have graduate degrees, but I only have an undergraduate degree. I have a young nephew who’s about to enter 3rd grade.… --- ## [Abominations of Science](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abominations-of-science/970490)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2022, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abominations-of-science/970490 "2022-08-28T22:42:24Z")
“Everyone had heard about Abominations of Science but, like unicorns, they didn’t actually believe they existed. Thus everyone was rather grateful when the third Madrid Conference of Scientific Inquiry and Philosophical… --- ## [Do you make a point of seeing movies of books you have read?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-make-a-point-of-seeing-movies-of-books-you-have-read/970395)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2022, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-make-a-point-of-seeing-movies-of-books-you-have-read/970395 "2022-08-28T22:36:25Z")
And if so, are you typically disappointed? --- ## [Duplicate names in "About"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duplicate-names-in-about/970487)
**Author:** [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2022, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duplicate-names-in-about/970487 "2022-08-28T22:20:36Z")
If i click on the hamburger menu button and select “about”, i get a page showing all admins and mods - but all their names are duplicated, eg Chronos Chronos. Is that normal ? --- ## [I am an idiot?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-an-idiot/969217)
**Author:** [@aruvqan\_myers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan_myers)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2022, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-an-idiot/969217 "2022-08-28T21:32:09Z")
So, I am obviously dense tonight, I have needed to log in to ask a question, however I seem to have forgotten my password - and I don’t seem to have access to the email I originally used, so I need help \[obviously I am b… --- ## [Cause of Death](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cause-of-death/157691)
**Author:** [@dragongirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dragongirl)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2022, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cause-of-death/157691 "2022-08-28T20:22:01Z")
Sometimes when I hear a about a murder, I’ll hear someone say an autopsy is performed to determine a cause of death. A lot of times, the cause is obvious, like a gunshot. Why do they still have to do this ? If it’s dete… --- ## [Algorithm for choosing 3 unique random numbers... with no looping or branching](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/algorithm-for-choosing-3-unique-random-numbers-with-no-looping-or-branching/970404)
**Author:** [@Ponderoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponderoid)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2022, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/algorithm-for-choosing-3-unique-random-numbers-with-no-looping-or-branching/970404 "2022-08-28T20:18:30Z")
I wrote some code that picks a random integer in the range 1-N, N is always at least 5. RandomInteger1 = floor(random(N))+1 The random function here returns floats from 0 up to but not including exactly N. Pretty sta… --- ## [What is the purpose of the numbering on this tray](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-the-numbering-on-this-tray/970413)
**Author:** [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2022, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-the-numbering-on-this-tray/970413 "2022-08-28T18:42:40Z")
We received this crab tray as part of a gift. As you can see, there are numbers around the edge. Does anyone have an idea of their purpose? My WAG is it has something to do with sizing crabs, but just a WAG. ETA: the tr… --- ## [Russian woman gate-crashes Mar-a-Lago with falsified documents](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-woman-gate-crashes-mar-a-lago-with-falsified-documents/970449)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2022, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-woman-gate-crashes-mar-a-lago-with-falsified-documents/970449 "2022-08-28T18:03:09Z")
In short, she posed as a member of the Rothschild family with fake documents, and managed to finagle her way into Mar-a-Lago and played golf with Trump at least once. While to say I’m no Trump fan is a massive underst… --- ## [What does "owning the cons" look like?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-owning-the-cons-look-like/970416)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2022, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-owning-the-cons-look-like/970416 "2022-08-28T16:24:35Z")
Since the Trump era began with the escalator ride in 2015, the Republicans and conservatives have been motivated largely by an ethos of “own the libs.” Now, I’m not saying libs are necessarily motivated the opposite way… --- ## [Talk to me about water quality testing and filters](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talk-to-me-about-water-quality-testing-and-filters/970409)
**Author:** [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2022, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talk-to-me-about-water-quality-testing-and-filters/970409 "2022-08-28T16:01:47Z")
For as long as I can recall, I’ve had some deposits that form in my shower and one of the bathroom sink counters. A contractor that was doing work at the house commented on it once and suggested that I look into water f… --- ## [Heat wave in India and Pakistan](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heat-wave-in-india-and-pakistan/963852)
**Author:** [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2022, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heat-wave-in-india-and-pakistan/963852 "2022-08-28T15:19:34Z")
It seems to be extreme and no end in sight. Is anyone there that can provide details? Is it mentioned in the US media? The consequences are breathtaking. It is being reported that the government has cancelled over 750 p… --- ## [Scaling for time and mass](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scaling-for-time-and-mass/970440)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2022, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scaling-for-time-and-mass/970440 "2022-08-28T13:08:33Z")
I am not even sure if this question makes sense but I will ask it anyway. If we were to scale the universe down to something roughly the size of an atom, what would be the equivalent to 1 billion years. Not looking for a… --- ## [First Female Military Latter-day Saint Chaplain](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-female-military-latter-day-saint-chaplain/970456)
**Author:** [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2022, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-female-military-latter-day-saint-chaplain/970456 "2022-08-28T13:00:53Z")
I meant to post this a few weeks ago when I saw the news, but it slipped my mind. Making history: Church endorses its first female military chaplain Jenna Carson, a returned missionary and Harvard Divinity School alum… --- ## [I complained to Amazon --Who typed this answer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-complained-to-amazon-who-typed-this-answer/969706)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2022, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-complained-to-amazon-who-typed-this-answer/969706 "2022-08-28T12:21:17Z")
I notified Amazon that my order didn’t arrive, and got an answer in English, but with odd grammar and style. It is similar to the style you see in those Nigerian prince email scams. The letter began "This is Dan from … --- ## [What makes a book a "cozy mystery"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-book-a-cozy-mystery/967742)
**Author:** [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2022, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-book-a-cozy-mystery/967742 "2022-08-28T12:02:23Z")
A series I was reading kept talking about how it was a cozy mystery, but it really didn’t match my perception of what the genre was about. Before I tell you what I thought a cozy mystery was, I want to hear your opinion… --- ## [Hiding money around the house](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hiding-money-around-the-house/970012)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2022, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hiding-money-around-the-house/970012 "2022-08-28T11:11:05Z")
Do you or anyone you know have a stash of cash in or around your house? I ask because I found out my inlaws have several thousands in a secret hidey-hole - not in anything fireproof, tho, so if the house burns down, so d… --- ## [Sometimes too much is too little](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-too-much-is-too-little/961504)
**Author:** [@SpacemanSpiff\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpacemanSpiff_II)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2022, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-too-much-is-too-little/961504 "2022-08-28T11:07:50Z")
As a Nurse Faces Prison for a Deadly Error, Her Colleagues Worry: Could I Be Next? | Kaiser Health News (khn.org) (Note: the following is a pretty long quote, but the website says specifically that this article can be r… --- ## [Unjust warning for responding to dehumanizing language](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unjust-warning-for-responding-to-dehumanizing-language/969623)
**Author:** [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2022, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unjust-warning-for-responding-to-dehumanizing-language/969623 "2022-08-28T05:01:31Z")
My very first warning is by What\_Exit. Of course it is a warning for something that shouldn’t be note worthy much less a warning. The post that I was responding to which used dehumanizing language towards political o… --- ## [Information on UnisCom UM-99](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/information-on-uniscom-um-99/961522)
**Author:** [@shinnen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shinnen)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2022, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/information-on-uniscom-um-99/961522 "2022-08-28T03:44:40Z")
Hi, I just bought this radio. It runs off an internal battery, gets good reception and has several features that I would like to know how to use; but I cannot find a peep about it on the net. Has anyone heard of it? Th… --- ## [Scammer calls. Does anyone actually fall for them?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scammer-calls-does-anyone-actually-fall-for-them/945018)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 326\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2022, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scammer-calls-does-anyone-actually-fall-for-them/945018 "2022-08-28T03:01:13Z")
Auto warranty, Social Security Admin, Nigerian prince, Amazon. Etc, etc… Most of us have gotten these scam calls. They’ve become a punchline in everyday life and the media. Yet every single day zillions of these calls… --- ## [In Allah we trust?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-allah-we-trust/970386)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2022, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-allah-we-trust/970386 "2022-08-28T02:49:07Z")
Apparently there’s a new law in Texas which says that if a public school receives a donation of a poster featuring the national motto “In God We Trust,” they are required to display it in a conspicuous place. A bit irri… --- ## [Staff shortages, supply chain problems, customer issues... Are things going downhill in your field of work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/staff-shortages-supply-chain-problems-customer-issues-are-things-going-downhill-in-your-field-of-work/969686)
**Author:** [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2022, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/staff-shortages-supply-chain-problems-customer-issues-are-things-going-downhill-in-your-field-of-work/969686 "2022-08-28T01:20:25Z")
After reading about the critical teacher shortages, I’m wondering what’s happening in other fields. I suspect many other workplaces are facing serious problems as well. What’s happening in yours? --- ## [Memorizing poems, songs, essays, etc](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorizing-poems-songs-essays-etc/970418)
**Author:** [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2022, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorizing-poems-songs-essays-etc/970418 "2022-08-28T00:19:58Z")
For a variety of reasons, I haven’t been sleeping well. At a certain point, I get sick of meditating. Usually I work on memorizing something to pass the time. This is my current earworm, so I thought I might as well lear… --- ## [What the hell happened to my muffins](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-happened-to-my-muffins/970405)
**Author:** [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2022, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-happened-to-my-muffins/970405 "2022-08-27T23:30:25Z")
I make this recipe for muffins all the time but the last batch something went wrong - they have a nasty bitter taste. Not all muffins in the batch, but some… more on one side than the other. I’m thinking something went … --- ## [Coffee shop only accepts Venmo as payment. Is it legal to NOT accept cash?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coffee-shop-only-accepts-venmo-as-payment-is-it-legal-to-not-accept-cash/969902)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 161\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2022, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coffee-shop-only-accepts-venmo-as-payment-is-it-legal-to-not-accept-cash/969902 "2022-08-27T23:05:22Z")
Went to a coffee shop that only accepts Venmo as payment. I’m not mad about it or anything. I was just currious about the legality of it all. I vaguely remember being taught in school that businesses have to accept cash … --- ## [Why can't I make an Uber reservation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-make-an-uber-reservation/970401)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2022, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-make-an-uber-reservation/970401 "2022-08-27T22:37:07Z")
I’ve never used Uber before. I’m trying to set up a ride for this afternoon. The website has a feature for reserving a ride (for up to thirty days in advance). But for some reason it’s not letting me reserve a ride. It’… --- ## [Is there anything I can do with a toaster oven that I can't with an air fryer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anything-i-can-do-with-a-toaster-oven-that-i-cant-with-an-air-fryer/970140)
**Author:** [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2022, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anything-i-can-do-with-a-toaster-oven-that-i-cant-with-an-air-fryer/970140 "2022-08-27T22:31:27Z")
Thinking of replacing my toaster oven with an air fryer. I usually use it to toast bread and other breadlike food, and cook frozen fish fillets. I’ve used it in the past to make cinnamon rolls. Is there anyway that you… --- ## [Are porn stars physically damaged by their work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-porn-stars-physically-damaged-by-their-work/641782)
**Author:** [@Atakapa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atakapa)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2022, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-porn-stars-physically-damaged-by-their-work/641782 "2022-08-27T21:55:20Z")
It’s not uncommon to see rather petite females be paired with a male who looks painfully huge for her size. Between the massively endowed actors, huge sex toys, frequent productions, and popularity of rather rough sex; h… --- ## [Umbrella Academy Season 3 \[Open spoilers after July 1st\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/umbrella-academy-season-3-open-spoilers-after-july-1st/964712)
**Author:** [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2022, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/umbrella-academy-season-3-open-spoilers-after-july-1st/964712 "2022-08-27T21:36:46Z")
Trailer just dropped (this was posted in the Elliot Page topic but figured it would be good to start a separate topic): [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1013) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1015)