# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1039 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1040 --- ## [Magnus Carlsen declines to defend chess title](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magnus-carlsen-declines-to-defend-chess-title/968259)
**Author:** [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2022, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magnus-carlsen-declines-to-defend-chess-title/968259 "2022-08-01T04:47:55Z")
Damn. He had previously said he only would defend against Alireza and I guess that was true. As a person, of course he should do whatever makes him happy. As a fan of competition I’d like to see someone go as far as they… --- ## [Famous people with constant name-lengths](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-with-constant-name-lengths/932251)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2022, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-with-constant-name-lengths/932251 "2022-08-01T04:14:17Z")
That’s an awful subject line but I can’t think of a better one. What I’m looking for is famous people whose three names are all the same length. I’m fairly sure that years ago, I started a thread along these lines, altho… --- ## [In the name of fuck website designers, WTF is wrong with you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-name-of-fuck-website-designers-wtf-is-wrong-with-you/967687)
**Author:** [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Replies:** 169\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2022, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-name-of-fuck-website-designers-wtf-is-wrong-with-you/967687 "2022-08-01T04:13:49Z")
Why the fuck do web pages have to be counterintuitive about these two basic things? If I go to a business’s website (for a local place) what do I ultimately want and need to know? That’s right - where you are and when y… --- ## [A fractious nut](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-fractious-nut/968816)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2022, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-fractious-nut/968816 "2022-08-01T04:10:41Z")
On a possibly rusty bolt – anyway it’s stuck beyond my ability to budge it. This is on a Fiskars extendable-handle lopper, and I want to change the blade, that got the front corner snapped off. The problem is that the h… --- ## [Where's Melania?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-melania/968420)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2022, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-melania/968420 "2022-08-01T02:19:11Z")
I struggled with which forum to put this in, feel free to suggest a move. Throughout the January 6 hearings I have not heard Melania mentioned at all. Where was she on January 6? Did she not also urge Trump to call off … --- ## [Go-Go Vacation! - A MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-go-vacation-a-mmp/968499)
**Author:** [@dogbutler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dogbutler)\ **Replies:** 262\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2022, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-go-vacation-a-mmp/968499 "2022-08-01T01:55:22Z")
It’s 00:16 EST, I’m on vacation, and I’m having a beer. Woo! Talk amongst yourself till I come to later in the morning. \< obigatory dunken psot \> --- ## [What computer icon most needs reworking?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-computer-icon-most-needs-reworking/968260)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 129\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2022, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-computer-icon-most-needs-reworking/968260 "2022-08-01T01:34:14Z")
This morning I was signing some forms in Adobe Acrobat, and I noticed that the icon I clicked on to do so was a fountain pen nib. Made me wonder, how many computer users under 40 have ever even SEEN a fountain pen? Of … --- ## [Judaism rewards and punishments](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judaism-rewards-and-punishments/968545)
**Author:** [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2022, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judaism-rewards-and-punishments/968545 "2022-07-31T23:32:02Z")
In other thread, @Keeve states: This is not my understanding – I thought there wasn’t really an afterlife in Judaism and that virtue was basically its own reward. Can someone elaborate? @Keeve also states: Two ques… --- ## [Not exactly a homework assignment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-exactly-a-homework-assignment/968887)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2022, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-exactly-a-homework-assignment/968887 "2022-07-31T23:12:36Z")
. I need some help on an introductory page I would like to put together. This will be a secondary page after initial contact has already been made, so I expect it can be a bit longer. I have an 8th grade education and… --- ## [Should the NBA adopt the red, white and blue ball used in the ABA?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-nba-adopt-the-red-white-and-blue-ball-used-in-the-aba/968879)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2022, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-nba-adopt-the-red-white-and-blue-ball-used-in-the-aba/968879 "2022-07-31T21:42:56Z")
I’ve been reading the book Loose Balls, a history of the ABA. Here’s an old ABA game with the red white and blue ball. If I was Adam Silver, I’d definitely bring back the ball at least for the 2026 seas… --- ## [How were network television programs distributed in the early days of television?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-were-network-television-programs-distributed-in-the-early-days-of-television/968789)
**Author:** [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2022, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-were-network-television-programs-distributed-in-the-early-days-of-television/968789 "2022-07-31T21:41:53Z")
From what I understand, nowadays local television stations receive their programming from the network they’re affiliated with via a satellite link. But television networks existed before there were communication satelli… --- ## [Those "Readers" Over Some Interstates (Not Tolls)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-readers-over-some-interstates-not-tolls/968608)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2022, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-readers-over-some-interstates-not-tolls/968608 "2022-07-31T21:11:51Z")
Just west to southwest of Philly runs the “Blue Route”, a 20 mile section of I-476 highway. And, maybe every 3 miles, there is some sensor centered over the highway on a cantilevered arm hung off a pole. It must be some … --- ## [Has anyone gotten Metro 5G home internet, how is it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-gotten-metro-5g-home-internet-how-is-it/968890)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2022, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-gotten-metro-5g-home-internet-how-is-it/968890 "2022-07-31T21:03:21Z")
I’m currently paying $80/month for Spectrum but I get about 200Mbps on that. Metro PCS is offering 5G at home internet for $50. I need a VPN to work remotely, so whatever download speed I get, you can basically cut down… --- ## [Why was the "pick up artist" movement so popular in the mid 2000s to 2010s?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-the-pick-up-artist-movement-so-popular-in-the-mid-2000s-to-2010s/966401)
**Author:** [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Replies:** 375\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2022, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-the-pick-up-artist-movement-so-popular-in-the-mid-2000s-to-2010s/966401 "2022-07-31T18:33:26Z")
I’ve been recently watching reruns of How I Met Your Mother and, along with my normal TV watching, I noticed something. From around 2005 to around 2015, it seemed like there was a lot of buzz around “pick up artists” an… --- ## [Pitting Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-jim-b/963958)
**Author:** [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Replies:** 306\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2022, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-jim-b/963958 "2022-07-31T18:14:18Z")
Now normally you’re just an annoying fucking waste of skin dropping contactless turds into otherwise interesting threads or dumbass OPs that float to the bottom of the page. Your Elton John OP is another thing entirely.… --- ## [Khadaji’s Whatcha Reading Thread - July 2022 edition](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-july-2022-edition/967158)
**Author:** [@DZedNConfused](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DZedNConfused)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2022, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-july-2022-edition/967158 "2022-07-31T17:27:24Z")
Summer here in the American West, it is dry, dry, dry, in fact, it is so dry my city has stopped ticketing dead lawns and started encouraging alternative landscaping. :open\_mouth: So far not as hot as the last few years,… --- ## [Uncoupled on Netflix (Spoilers After OP)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uncoupled-on-netflix-spoilers-after-op/968868)
**Author:** [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2022, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uncoupled-on-netflix-spoilers-after-op/968868 "2022-07-31T16:18:15Z")
Yesterday afternoon I stumbled across Uncoupled, an 8-episode show on Netflix starring Neil Patrick Harris, Tisha Campbell, and Marcia Gay Harden. It was just released on Friday (7/29). NPH plays an NYC realtor in his mi… --- ## [Trump wants to confiscate guns!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wants-to-confiscate-guns/968738)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2022, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wants-to-confiscate-guns/968738 "2022-07-31T15:58:06Z")
Or so it would seem from this clip from Hal Sparks: --- ## [What is the oldest line of code still used within Windows?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-oldest-line-of-code-still-used-within-windows/968561)
**Author:** [@SmartBulbInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartBulbInc)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2022, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-oldest-line-of-code-still-used-within-windows/968561 "2022-07-31T11:40:47Z")
The thought occurred to me recently that some of what makes up Windows 11 was in Windows 10, and some of what was in Windows 10 came from Windows 8, etc. How far back does it go? What is the oldest line of code that is s… --- ## [GPS accuracy at the South Pole, circa 1911-1912](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gps-accuracy-at-the-south-pole-circa-1911-1912/968771)
**Author:** [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2022, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gps-accuracy-at-the-south-pole-circa-1911-1912/968771 "2022-07-31T11:25:47Z")
When Amundsen reached the South Pole in Dec 1911, and stuck a flag in the ground declaring “This is the South Pole” (not his actual words, of course), surely what he meant was “This is the South Pole give or take X.” How… --- ## [How Could Denmark 'Also' Be A Monarchy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-denmark-also-be-a-monarchy/968640)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2022, 10:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-denmark-also-be-a-monarchy/968640 "2022-07-31T10:07:52Z")
I just know, two facts. Denmark is clearly one of the most liberal countries, culturally and politically, in the world. Here is the Wikipedia article. I’m not going to read the whole article for you or to you. But I thin… --- ## [Anyone else win the ETrade lottery?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-win-the-etrade-lottery/968828)
**Author:** [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2022, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-win-the-etrade-lottery/968828 "2022-07-31T06:41:57Z")
I woke up this morning to find about three million dollars in my account. At that scale, it’s about three million more than I had 24 hours earlier. I don’t know how wide spread the problem is but I see other people talki… --- ## [Saudi Arabia's "The Line"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saudi-arabias-the-line/968749)
**Author:** [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2022, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saudi-arabias-the-line/968749 "2022-07-31T06:00:56Z")
Saudi Arabia is planning on building a 170-kilometer long, 200 meter wide, mirror-sided city called The Line, which is planned to be self-sustaining and carbon neutral. It’s expected to cost $500 billion. --- ## [Favorite 1,2,3 topping pizzas](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-1-2-3-topping-pizzas/968675)
**Author:** [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2022, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-1-2-3-topping-pizzas/968675 "2022-07-31T03:50:54Z")
So you just got a promotional coupon from your go to pizza place that offers you a free pizza delivered on each of the next three friday’s. The first week its a one toppin pizza, second week its a two topping pizza, thi… --- ## [Ok to run a desktop computer on generator power?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-to-run-a-desktop-computer-on-generator-power/968338)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2022, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-to-run-a-desktop-computer-on-generator-power/968338 "2022-07-31T03:38:22Z")
I work at home. power just went out. Started our generator, which is 10HP, 5550 watts (8500 start). It’s plugged into an auxiliary outlet that’s enough to run two refrigerators, lights, TV, modem, router, and our well pu… --- ## [Good incels vs bad incels](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-incels-vs-bad-incels/967114)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 299\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2022, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-incels-vs-bad-incels/967114 "2022-07-31T03:07:51Z")
I’ve been reading a bit about the incel phenomenon, and I think it lumps all of them into a negative category. The typical stereotype of an incel is that of someone like Elliott Rodger - violent, misogynistic, just does… --- ## [Biden positive for COVID {2022-07-21}](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-positive-for-covid-2022-07-21/968326)
**Author:** [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2022, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-positive-for-covid-2022-07-21/968326 "2022-07-31T00:16:24Z")
Didn’t know where best to put this, but … --- ## [Are climate-change skeptics somehow more tolerant of heat? (in terms of comfort)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-climate-change-skeptics-somehow-more-tolerant-of-heat-in-terms-of-comfort/966713)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2022, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-climate-change-skeptics-somehow-more-tolerant-of-heat-in-terms-of-comfort/966713 "2022-07-30T23:50:34Z")
If climate-change skeptics want to deny that pollution is bad, okay, whatever. That’s another topic. But when it comes to the sheer heat issue - scorching summers that are only getting even hotter by the year - surely t… --- ## [Track the Chinese rocket that's coming down out of control](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/track-the-chinese-rocket-thats-coming-down-out-of-control/941688)
**Author:** [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2022, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/track-the-chinese-rocket-thats-coming-down-out-of-control/941688 "2022-07-30T23:08:06Z")
If anyone is interested, Skyrobot on Youtube is showing a live tracking of China’s Long March 5B rocket that’s going to come down sometime in the next day. --- ## [Got Your Lottery Ticket?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-your-lottery-ticket/968590)
**Author:** [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2022, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-your-lottery-ticket/968590 "2022-07-30T22:07:13Z")
Tonight’s US lottery is up to $810 million, half that as a one-time payment. I am hoping I will be able to show the world that money will not change me. If the winning ticket was sold at a Pennsylvania Turnpike rest stop… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1038) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1040)