# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1077 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1078 --- ## [This is really mindless and pointless, but it's my 5th anniversary, today!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-really-mindless-and-pointless-but-its-my-5th-anniversary-today/966573)
**Author:** [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2022, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-really-mindless-and-pointless-but-its-my-5th-anniversary-today/966573 "2022-06-23T21:21:38Z")
I had been lurker for a looooooong time, so I’ve been around a lot longer than five years. But it took me an almost as long a time to post…finally. I was a little intimidated, but I got over it. Just said the hell with i… --- ## [BC/AD Year Dating Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bc-ad-year-dating-question/966146)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 118\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2022, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bc-ad-year-dating-question/966146 "2022-06-23T21:16:37Z")
I was reading about the philosopher Seneca the Younger who was born in 4 BC and died in 65 AD. According to Wikipedia, BC and AD usage wasn’t around at the time Seneca was alive. “There is no year zero in this scheme; t… --- ## [What disorder causes people to get angry for unusual reasons?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-disorder-causes-people-to-get-angry-for-unusual-reasons/966515)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2022, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-disorder-causes-people-to-get-angry-for-unusual-reasons/966515 "2022-06-23T20:07:00Z")
Growing up, my mother would sometimes get angry for very strange reasons, such as if I chose a piece of red candy rather than blue candy, or if I slapped a mosquito and there was blood on my skin as a result. It wasn’t … --- ## [A Biblical question: Judges 7:5-6-7](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-biblical-question-judges-7-5-6-7/966532)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2022, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-biblical-question-judges-7-5-6-7/966532 "2022-06-23T19:53:57Z")
So in these passages, God is getting ready to attack the Midianites, but he thinks Gideon has too many men for it to be a real miracle victory. So he tells Gideon to have the men drink from a stream. Some lap up the wate… --- ## [Why not more high-wing aircraft?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-more-high-wing-aircraft/966359)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2022, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-more-high-wing-aircraft/966359 "2022-06-23T19:40:22Z")
A few large planes have been designed and built with wings that attach at the top of the fuselage instead of the bottom. Examples include the C-5, C-130, and C-17. Having the wing high off of the ground reportedly allo… --- ## [Do your local utilities use A-Tags? (Street construction)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-your-local-utilities-use-a-tags-street-construction/966514)
**Author:** [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2022, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-your-local-utilities-use-a-tags-street-construction/966514 "2022-06-23T18:16:14Z")
I’ve noticed small circular plastic tags on patches in the streets around here and was intrigued. Apparently they’re called A-tags (Asphalt tags) that mark who did the work and what’s underneath. Around here, it’s mostly… --- ## [Police touching cars they've pulled over](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-touching-cars-theyve-pulled-over/966557)
**Author:** [@Knighted\_Vorpal\_Sword](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knighted_Vorpal_Sword)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2022, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-touching-cars-theyve-pulled-over/966557 "2022-06-23T17:25:21Z")
I’ve recently been watching videos of police pulling over speeding cars. It seems that whenever the cop walks to the car for the first time s/he always touches the rear of the car in some fashion. Is this done for a reas… --- ## [Curse of the Mac Dancing Icon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/curse-of-the-mac-dancing-icon/966681)
**Author:** [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2022, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/curse-of-the-mac-dancing-icon/966681 "2022-06-23T17:18:51Z")
My Mac (2020 MacBook Air) seems to think that I’m desperately in need of Apple TV. Almost every time I use the computer the Apple TV icon starts jumping up from the dock onto whatever page I’m viewing online, begging me … --- ## [Will "ballistic shields" stop rounds from an AR-15?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-ballistic-shields-stop-rounds-from-an-ar-15/966620)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2022, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-ballistic-shields-stop-rounds-from-an-ar-15/966620 "2022-06-23T16:45:42Z")
In the latest news of the school shooting in Uvalde, there’s mention of the police having access to handheld “ballistic shields”. The “ballistic” in the name suggests these aren’t plain old riot shields and can stop at … --- ## [Was "dead or alive" ever really a thing in the Wild West?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-dead-or-alive-ever-really-a-thing-in-the-wild-west/966675)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2022, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-dead-or-alive-ever-really-a-thing-in-the-wild-west/966675 "2022-06-23T16:24:04Z")
It’s a common trope in Western films and books: The wanted poster that mentions that the fugitive is wanted “dead or alive”. Was that ever really a thing? It sounds like medieval-style outlawry, whereby individuals forfe… --- ## [Small Mac Air Problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-mac-air-problem/966385)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2022, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-mac-air-problem/966385 "2022-06-23T15:26:20Z")
My Mac Air does not readily recognize my thumb drive. The first time I inserted it, there was no problem. After that, it does not readily show when I am in “Finder”. And, just now, I clumsily closed the drive, I believe.… --- ## [Cakeday question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cakeday-question/966095)
**Author:** [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2022, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cakeday-question/966095 "2022-06-23T15:09:49Z")
Is it our birthday, or the day we joined the Dope? --- ## [Do red flag laws violate the 5th and 6th Amendments? (US)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-red-flag-laws-violate-the-5th-and-6th-amendments-us/966260)
**Author:** [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2022, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-red-flag-laws-violate-the-5th-and-6th-amendments-us/966260 "2022-06-23T14:58:18Z")
This a spin-off thread from here. Debate Prompt Do red flag laws violate the 5th and/or 6th amendments to the U.S. Constitution? Background What is a red flag law? The Washington Post has a helpful introduction to red … --- ## [Dragon Quest XI - PC and PS4 on September 4, 2018](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dragon-quest-xi-pc-and-ps4-on-september-4-2018/819931)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2022, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dragon-quest-xi-pc-and-ps4-on-september-4-2018/819931 "2022-06-23T14:56:11Z")
Dragon Quest is a strange series for me. I played VI through an emulator using a fan translation back in 2001 or 2002. It was OK, but I could never get fully into it. I’ve heard often that VI was considered only OK by ma… --- ## [Keep Kaspersky or not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keep-kaspersky-or-not/960520)
**Author:** [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2022, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keep-kaspersky-or-not/960520 "2022-06-23T14:18:14Z")
I’ve been a customer for several years, use it on my lap top only. It has certainly been the best anti virus software I’ve used. I’ve been hacked using Windows defender, Norton, mcafee but with K so far so good. I dele… --- ## [When was the last time a product lost trademark protection after its name became genericised?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-a-product-lost-trademark-protection-after-its-name-became-genericised/964484)
**Author:** [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2022, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-a-product-lost-trademark-protection-after-its-name-became-genericised/964484 "2022-06-23T13:54:12Z")
Lots of the names we used to describe entire groups of products were, once upon a time, trade marks for a specific brand that ended up becoming genericised and basically anyone could legally call their product by that na… --- ## [YOU Signed Up for Social Security: Tell Me About It!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-signed-up-for-social-security-tell-me-about-it/966407)
**Author:** [@tripthicket](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tripthicket)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2022, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-signed-up-for-social-security-tell-me-about-it/966407 "2022-06-23T13:49:48Z")
So I’m getting up there where signing up for Social Security will be an option for me. Specifically, will be 62 in a few months. I imagine, having said that, some will feel the need to tell me that the smartest thing I c… --- ## [Magic: Making Big Things Disappear](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magic-making-big-things-disappear/42794)
**Author:** [@Timothy\_Campbell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timothy_Campbell)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2022, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magic-making-big-things-disappear/42794 "2022-06-23T13:00:21Z")
There was a show on TV last night, hosted by Harry Anderson, that purported to explain how (actually, they said “why”) various magic tricks work. Like most of these shows, it explained some simple parlour tricks but didn… --- ## [What we believe or why we believe it](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-we-believe-or-why-we-believe-it/962622)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2022, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-we-believe-or-why-we-believe-it/962622 "2022-06-23T12:49:27Z")
What is more important, what we believe or why we believe it? I tend to think why is more important over a longer period of time while what is more important in the shorter term. --- ## [Business does not know phone # I am calling from?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/business-does-not-know-phone-i-am-calling-from/966592)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2022, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/business-does-not-know-phone-i-am-calling-from/966592 "2022-06-23T12:42:45Z")
I’ve called small local businesses and they know who I am based on my phone number. But really big places like a bank don’t look me up based on my number? They ask me. instead Guess it’s just what software they use. … --- ## [Why do we not see the Milky Way in all its glory during cross-ocean flights at night?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-not-see-the-milky-way-in-all-its-glory-during-cross-ocean-flights-at-night/966645)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2022, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-not-see-the-milky-way-in-all-its-glory-during-cross-ocean-flights-at-night/966645 "2022-06-23T12:36:07Z")
AIUI, in order to get the true view of the Milky Way in its splendor, one has to be in a very rural and remote region, in true darkness, in order to see it. What I’m wondering, then, is why during cross-Pacific flights … --- ## [Helen Hunt's mouth](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/helen-hunts-mouth/854555)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2022, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/helen-hunts-mouth/854555 "2022-06-23T08:08:15Z")
Recent photos of Helen Hunt have left me puzzled; there is something going on with her mouth. I don’t think it is merely aging, it seems almost syndrome-y. I thought at first it was “smoker’s lips”, but after doing the … --- ## [The biggest games in terms of disk space](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-biggest-games-in-terms-of-disk-space/966128)
**Author:** [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2022, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-biggest-games-in-terms-of-disk-space/966128 "2022-06-23T04:14:25Z")
As posted in the free games thread, ARK is currently free on Steam along with half a dozen DLCs for it. Steam tells me if I download the full game and all six DLCs, I need 266 GB of disk space. I thought 130-ish for Hal… --- ## [New Roland Emmerich film battles the f\*in Moon!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-roland-emmerich-film-battles-the-f-in-moon/956804)
**Author:** [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2022, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-roland-emmerich-film-battles-the-f-in-moon/956804 "2022-06-22T23:46:39Z")
How does the creator of disaster films like Independence Day, The Day After Tomorrow and 2012 outdo himself? Get ready to fight the f’in Moon in “Moonfall”! Really? --- ## [My Assassin's Creed Valhalla journal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-assassins-creed-valhalla-journal/928414)
**Author:** [@DKW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DKW)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2022, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-assassins-creed-valhalla-journal/928414 "2022-06-22T22:36:33Z")
All right, how’s my PS4 these days? Lessee…Brothers, played end-to-end three times and got every trophy an eternity ago…Assassin’s Creed Syndicate, yeah, liked it, pretty good overall but way too much work to go through … --- ## [If Mike Pence had obeyed the pied piper of Trump Tower?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-mike-pence-had-obeyed-the-pied-piper-of-trump-tower/966501)
**Author:** [@JoePockets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoePockets)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2022, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-mike-pence-had-obeyed-the-pied-piper-of-trump-tower/966501 "2022-06-22T22:04:23Z")
The following months would have lit the fuse to chaos ! From what I’m seeing and hearing in these hearing is that Trump cooked up this scheme to overthrow our government leading up to the election and after the election.… --- ## [Is it possible my desktop's WiFi card has gone kaput?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-my-desktops-wifi-card-has-gone-kaput/965215)
**Author:** [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2022, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-my-desktops-wifi-card-has-gone-kaput/965215 "2022-06-22T22:02:54Z")
The past few weeks, I’d noticed that my desktop’s connectivity to my home network has been questionable at best: the Network window would open up, but it wouldn’t see the “Casa de Tripler” home wifi network. I know that… --- ## [Looking for a fairly customizable budgeting program](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-fairly-customizable-budgeting-program/966561)
**Author:** [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2022, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-fairly-customizable-budgeting-program/966561 "2022-06-22T22:00:11Z")
I’ve tried Quicken and it irritates the hell out of me - it’s actually got too much functionality and is not streamlined (for my brain, anyway). I need something better than my own excel spreadsheet but short of Quicken… --- ## [If I'm an innocent bystander watching a fight, but I yell "Kill him!" as a joke but the person actually dies, am I liable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-im-an-innocent-bystander-watching-a-fight-but-i-yell-kill-him-as-a-joke-but-the-person-actually-dies-am-i-liable/966574)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2022, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-im-an-innocent-bystander-watching-a-fight-but-i-yell-kill-him-as-a-joke-but-the-person-actually-dies-am-i-liable/966574 "2022-06-22T21:37:18Z")
Picture a stereotypical street fight between two parties. A large crowd forms around the fight to watch. I don’t know anybody involved in this I just passed by and decided to watch. During the fight as a joke I yell KILL… --- ## [Why do people split tens in Blackjack?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-split-tens-in-blackjack/966528)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2022, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-split-tens-in-blackjack/966528 "2022-06-22T21:13:56Z")
Title says it all, I assume it’s just greed, people just like to split or double down. Or do people not understand that a 20 is a great hand? This drives me crazy and no, not because I think bad play by another player a… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1076) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1078)