# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1118&state=tracking [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1119 --- ## [For fans of The Fifth Element](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-fans-of-the-fifth-element/964718)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2022, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-fans-of-the-fifth-element/964718 "2022-05-23T12:09:36Z")
Doesn’t like there’s been a recent thread about the movie. I liked but didn’t love TFE the one time I saw it; it’s certainly become a cult favorite, though. --- ## [Is there a limit to how big you can make an open ocean ship?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-limit-to-how-big-you-can-make-an-open-ocean-ship/964462)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2022, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-limit-to-how-big-you-can-make-an-open-ocean-ship/964462 "2022-05-23T11:20:10Z")
I know dock space, canals, and coastal areas have hard limits on how big you can make a modern ship, but I also heard recently that it would be impossible to make a mile long ship that wasn’t just a series of floating pl… --- ## [George Carlin's American Dream - May 20](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-carlins-american-dream-may-20/963853)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2022, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-carlins-american-dream-may-20/963853 "2022-05-23T07:39:00Z")
Kelly Carlin was at least somewhat involved with this movie and I have very high hopes for it. Can you believe George has been dead for 14 years? I feel like I just heard him the other day. Patton Oswalt, who I think is… --- ## [Why are they deducting less federal income tax from my check?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-they-deducting-less-federal-income-tax-from-my-check/964913)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2022, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-they-deducting-less-federal-income-tax-from-my-check/964913 "2022-05-23T05:03:48Z")
(I assume this is a factual question, but I suppose it could also be IMHO territory) It started about a month ago but I just noticed it today. My federal tax deduction is about $100 less per check than it has been in th… --- ## [I have another book coming out!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-another-book-coming-out/964912)
**Author:** [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2022, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-another-book-coming-out/964912 "2022-05-23T05:01:07Z")
I’ve got another book coming out in July. Preorders are available now (and it will be in Kindle Unlimited, so if you’re a subscriber you can read it for free). For those familiar with my Alastair Stone Chronicles urban … --- ## [Players shaking hands with sports officials](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-shaking-hands-with-sports-officials/964902)
**Author:** [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2022, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-shaking-hands-with-sports-officials/964902 "2022-05-23T04:28:57Z")
In what sports is it traditional to shake hands with (or otherwise congratulate) the officials - generally for a “job well done” - usually after the event? Tennis - both players (in a singles match) at least touch the h… --- ## [The 30-Year Kiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-30-year-kiss/964873)
**Author:** [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2022, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-30-year-kiss/964873 "2022-05-23T04:10:29Z")
Memorial Day fell on May 25 in 1992. In those days, I was in graduate school at the U of Hawaii at Manoa, the main campus. Having recently lived in northern Thailand for two years, I knew all the Thai students and had ev… --- ## [Door Dashers - ever take a working vacation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/door-dashers-ever-take-a-working-vacation/964914)
**Author:** [@Mike\_Mabes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mike_Mabes)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2022, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/door-dashers-ever-take-a-working-vacation/964914 "2022-05-23T03:07:59Z")
I’ve been delivering for 5 months, about 15-20 hours a week and working at 7-11 a couple of days. I’ve left 7-11 and now drive 25 or so hours a week, and I was thinking about taking a road trip from southwest VA down to … --- ## [Kane Tanaka turns 119](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kane-tanaka-turns-119/957044)
**Author:** [@kk\_fusion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kk_fusion)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2022, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kane-tanaka-turns-119/957044 "2022-05-23T01:43:38Z")
It’s Sunday now in Japan so here we go. She’s the third person ever to verifiably reach that age (or 118 for that matter). Happy birthday to Mrs. Tanaka. Will she beat Sarah Knauss to become the second most longest-liv… --- ## [Adult self-taught pianist here: best method book(s)? Thompson? Something more modern?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adult-self-taught-pianist-here-best-method-book-s-thompson-something-more-modern/964461)
**Author:** [@hostility](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hostility)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2022, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adult-self-taught-pianist-here-best-method-book-s-thompson-something-more-modern/964461 "2022-05-23T01:13:57Z")
I’ve played a little piano for a long time, but only self-taught and have lots of bad habits (I think). I’m right-handed and so my right hand is definitely more accomplished and more “connected” with my brain than my lef… --- ## [Name change](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-change/961156)
**Author:** [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2022, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-change/961156 "2022-05-23T00:15:13Z")
When the board changed format, I was suntanlotion. I couldn’t log back on, so had to add the two. Can I get rid of the two? It seems “odd”. --- ## [Cheap Gas?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-gas/964469)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2022, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-gas/964469 "2022-05-22T22:49:51Z")
Canada has a number of companies selling fuel at many stores, as well as a few “independent” stores filled from the same trucks that sometimes offer lower prices. In Canada, much of the final price is from taxes. It se… --- ## [What is the rum used in cakes and Haagen-Dasz rum-raisin ice cream?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-rum-used-in-cakes-and-haagen-dasz-rum-raisin-ice-cream/964302)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2022, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-rum-used-in-cakes-and-haagen-dasz-rum-raisin-ice-cream/964302 "2022-05-22T20:54:07Z")
I’ve found that generally, the Tortuga rum-cakes and Haagen-Dasz rum-raisin ice creams tend to have a very flavorful and intense rum, but other rums you buy directly in bottle form, such as Captain Morgan, are pretty tas… --- ## [To whom it may concern: I appreciate you](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-whom-it-may-concern-i-appreciate-you/964891)
**Author:** [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2022, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-whom-it-may-concern-i-appreciate-you/964891 "2022-05-22T20:04:42Z")
First of all, to a couple of (I think) new-ish mods here, PuzzleGal (ha! I finally got your name right!) and What\_Exit, I think you’re doing a great job. Yes, even when I disagree with you. I believe that you’re trying t… --- ## [Name that mythological story](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-that-mythological-story/964799)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2022, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-that-mythological-story/964799 "2022-05-22T19:10:22Z")
I’m looking for a marble sculpture I saw in a book when I was a kid. I assume it was a depiction of a mythological story in which a man kills a woman with a sword. In the sculpture, a man is standing over a prostrate wom… --- ## [Ukraine separatist areas](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ukraine-separatist-areas/964887)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2022, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ukraine-separatist-areas/964887 "2022-05-22T17:30:01Z")
How separatist are they? Is it small group that group that gained control, or does the population largely support Russia? Did they just take Russian backing to remove themselves from the Ukrainian government? --- ## [I Found It! (Abraham Lincoln Alcohol Quote)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-found-it-abraham-lincoln-alcohol-quote/959244)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2022, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-found-it-abraham-lincoln-alcohol-quote/959244 "2022-05-22T16:38:28Z")
I’m sorry. I was so happy and excited, I had to share this with someone. I have been literally looking for this quote in my private files for years. And I’ve got it! It really does express the way I feel about alcohol, … --- ## [1950s Movie Alien Spaceship Controls Look Like Giant Atoms](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1950s-movie-alien-spaceship-controls-look-like-giant-atoms/964619)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2022, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1950s-movie-alien-spaceship-controls-look-like-giant-atoms/964619 "2022-05-22T15:42:06Z")
This Island Earth There’s one on the Interociter, too …and in the Main Control Room on Metaluna Also on the alien ship in It Came from Outer … --- ## [Research with obvious results](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/research-with-obvious-results/964744)
**Author:** [@Danger\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danger_Man)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2022, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/research-with-obvious-results/964744 "2022-05-22T15:41:58Z")
People often criticize scientific studies that confirm what everyone already knows, but what are some examples of the kind of studies that everyone thought had an obvious result, but it turned out not to be true after al… --- ## [Tips for Civilization newbie? (playing VI)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tips-for-civilization-newbie-playing-vi/964867)
**Author:** [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2022, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tips-for-civilization-newbie-playing-vi/964867 "2022-05-22T13:18:53Z")
There’s a four year old thread for this game but I didn’t want to bump that. (aside: I think Discourse is mistaken in saying this topic is similar to “Video Games for 4 year olds”, unless they are VERY precocious). Boug… --- ## [Why do Lasers work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-lasers-work/964731)
**Author:** [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2022, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-lasers-work/964731 "2022-05-21T11:57:23Z")
Not to be needlessly Kirkian, but I know how a laser works - an material is pumped with energy, putting into a metastable state, and then as the molecules return to a lower energy state, they emit radiation. This radiati… --- ## [Big airplanes--where does it end?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-airplanes-where-does-it-end/397838)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2022, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-airplanes-where-does-it-end/397838 "2022-05-22T06:50:38Z")
There is a new world’s largest passenger airplane. Is there an engineering limit to how big you can make an airplane? My question has nothing to do with whether airports are big enough to handle it or other such practi… --- ## [Which great statue would make a good chia figure?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-great-statue-would-make-a-good-chia-figure/964730)
**Author:** [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2022, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-great-statue-would-make-a-good-chia-figure/964730 "2022-05-22T03:42:49Z")
The title pretty much says it. I originally though The Thinker by Rodin. But it would need to be larger than the usual chia figure or the growing green bits would obfuscate the shape. Any other suggestions? --- ## [Has anyone ever done a "Band Of Brothers" type tour?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-done-a-band-of-brothers-type-tour/964870)
**Author:** [@dummygladhands71](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dummygladhands71)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2022, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-done-a-band-of-brothers-type-tour/964870 "2022-05-22T02:39:29Z")
We’re not able to coordinate this ourselves, we’re just not, so with old(er) age fast approaching, I’d like to take my fella on one of these tours. We need the organization and convenience provided by a structured tour… … --- ## [Cat problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-problem/964763)
**Author:** [@the\_art\_of\_rolling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_art_of_rolling)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2022, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-problem/964763 "2022-05-22T02:32:01Z")
This is my first thread start so I really don’t know if this the right place but anyway… My cat is losing fur on his back legs. The problem is that being in my seventies I cannot catch him to take to the vet. I do not b… --- ## [Speaking of kid's cartoon shows](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speaking-of-kids-cartoon-shows/964656)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2022, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speaking-of-kids-cartoon-shows/964656 "2022-05-22T02:01:45Z")
I was scrolling idly and came to a visually arresting kids show called “Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir”. It intrigued me just enough that I looked it up on Wiki. I have to say, if kids can follow the story in … --- ## [Premier Jason Kenney of Alberta - will he stay or will he go?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premier-jason-kenney-of-alberta-will-he-stay-or-will-he-go/962906)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2022, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premier-jason-kenney-of-alberta-will-he-stay-or-will-he-go/962906 "2022-05-22T01:17:12Z")
There’s a leadership review going on right now in Alberta. The United Conservative Party is holding a mail-in ballot on their party leader, Premier Jason Kenney. If he gets a good result, he stays leader and Premier. … --- ## [Advice on what new mobile phone to get?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-on-what-new-mobile-phone-to-get/963993)
**Author:** [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2022, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-on-what-new-mobile-phone-to-get/963993 "2022-05-22T00:35:30Z")
(Need answer two months ago.) I’m sure this subject has been done before, but recently? ATT announced a long time ago that their 3G was going to die at the end of February, but around where I live that didn’t happen th… --- ## [Ozark Season 4](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ozark-season-4/957764)
**Author:** [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2022, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ozark-season-4/957764 "2022-05-22T00:01:40Z")
We’re two weeks away from the first 7 episodes of Ozark season 4 (January 21). This final season has 14 episodes total, with the second batch of 7 being released sometime later this year. Since we all watch at different… --- ## [Baseball/Strike Zone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-strike-zone/964821)
**Author:** [@19USMC69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/19USMC69)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2022, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-strike-zone/964821 "2022-05-21T23:52:09Z")
Couple of thoughts about the strike zone “box” displayed on TV… MLB must allow this. Why? Is it a way to quantify the accuracy of the umpires? The strike zone, as I understand it, is from the midpoint from the shoulde… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1117&state=tracking) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1119&state=tracking)