# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1178 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1179 --- ## [How often do all tiles get played in a game of Scrabble?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-all-tiles-get-played-in-a-game-of-scrabble/960552)
**Author:** [@moes\_lotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moes_lotion)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2022, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-all-tiles-get-played-in-a-game-of-scrabble/960552 "2022-03-08T00:03:26Z")
Just finished a game of Scrabble with my wife, and we managed to play every letter tile. I haven’t played thousands of games in my life, but I can only remember one other game where this happened. Is this truly an uncomm… --- ## [North Korea nuclear test site](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-nuclear-test-site/960614)
**Author:** [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2022, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-nuclear-test-site/960614 "2022-03-07T23:59:22Z")
As if we don’t have enough to worry about in Europe discourtesy of Czar Dobby, now North Korea apparently thinks this is a great time to rebuild a nuclear test site they allegedly shut down a few years ago. --- ## [NHL-2022 season](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-2022-season/960172)
**Author:** [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2022, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-2022-season/960172 "2022-03-07T22:57:34Z")
Actually I really don’t have much to say in the thread because the ridiculous starting a new thread every month breaks every part of the point of a conversation in the first place. --- ## [How long does an individual atom survive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-an-individual-atom-survive/655514)
**Author:** [@Kamakiri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamakiri)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2022, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-an-individual-atom-survive/655514 "2022-03-07T20:52:56Z")
I know that probably by most, if not all definitions, atoms are not “alive” as we would phrase it, but they ARE little bits of matter that cohere in a manner necessary for them to be called atoms as opposed to say, free-… --- ## [FIFA suspends Russian clubs and national teams from all competitions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-suspends-russian-clubs-and-national-teams-from-all-competitions/960241)
**Author:** [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2022, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-suspends-russian-clubs-and-national-teams-from-all-competitions/960241 "2022-03-07T20:49:13Z")
FIFA/UEFA suspend Russian clubs and national teams from all competitions So this applies all the way down. World Cup Qualifiers, Europa League (there are no Russian teams in Champions League I think), etc. --- ## [Middle East Drug Seizures](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-east-drug-seizures/960570)
**Author:** [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2022, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-east-drug-seizures/960570 "2022-03-07T20:31:26Z")
I read on the BBC that a boat was stopped in The Gulf of Oman and a large haul of drugs destroyed. The Royal Navy has seized more than one tonne of illicit drugs thought to be worth almost £15m in the Gulf of Oman. Du… --- ## [COVID community levels and COVID hospital usage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covid-community-levels-and-covid-hospital-usage/960607)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2022, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covid-community-levels-and-covid-hospital-usage/960607 "2022-03-07T20:28:09Z")
Last week the CDC introduced “community levels” as a new metric for understanding the intensity of the pandemic: In contrast to the earlier “community transmission levels” metric, the new system only has three distinc… --- ## [How do I make my grandmother understand that it's her time to go?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-make-my-grandmother-understand-that-its-her-time-to-go/960626)
**Author:** [@dcaddcb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dcaddcb)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2022, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-make-my-grandmother-understand-that-its-her-time-to-go/960626 "2022-03-07T20:12:53Z")
I’m 29 years old and I can honestly say that I’m ready to enter into eternal rest. I’m not depressed, but I’ve done everything I’ve wanted to do and seen everything I’ve wanted to see. Also, the earth is getting overpopu… --- ## [Mask use during a pandemic preventing other airborne diseases](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mask-use-during-a-pandemic-preventing-other-airborne-diseases/960611)
**Author:** [@pianodave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pianodave)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2022, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mask-use-during-a-pandemic-preventing-other-airborne-diseases/960611 "2022-03-07T19:58:47Z")
I am curious as to what studies show about the effectiveness of widespread mask usage in preventing other airborne infections/diseases like the flu, etc. Is there a drop in recorded cases of respiratory infections? If … --- ## [Would Putin have invaded Ukraine in 2022 if not for the world's shrugging reaction to the Crimea annexation in '14?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-putin-have-invaded-ukraine-in-2022-if-not-for-the-worlds-shrugging-reaction-to-the-crimea-annexation-in-14/960612)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2022, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-putin-have-invaded-ukraine-in-2022-if-not-for-the-worlds-shrugging-reaction-to-the-crimea-annexation-in-14/960612 "2022-03-07T19:40:13Z")
I mean, there were plenty of sanctions imposed on Russia after its annexation of Crimea, including suspending it from the G8, but nothing compared to the grand scale we’ve seen during the current full-on invasion. If we… --- ## [Crash Course: Games](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crash-course-games/930572)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2021, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crash-course-games/930572 "2021-01-15T11:35:54Z")
I love the YouTube channel Crash Course. Except for one series, which naturally is the one I’m going to talk about. There’s a series on Games. It consists of twenty-nine separate episodes. Here is the breakdown for what… --- ## [A question for guitarists](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-guitarists/960592)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2022, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-guitarists/960592 "2022-03-07T17:18:11Z")
Is there a term for the tendency for some players to, usually when strumming cowboy chords, to insert a strum of open strings when changing chords? --- ## [COVID pneumonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covid-pneumonia/960376)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2022, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covid-pneumonia/960376 "2022-03-07T16:33:12Z")
I read sorryantivaxxer.com, and I’ve noticed that many of those profiled (or their friends/relatives) say the person has/had ‘COVID pneumonia’. OK, I get that the patient has/had pneumonia that was brought on by COVID. … --- ## [Have HDTV remotes gotten worse? Why did CRT remotes seem better?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-hdtv-remotes-gotten-worse-why-did-crt-remotes-seem-better/960603)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2022, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-hdtv-remotes-gotten-worse-why-did-crt-remotes-seem-better/960603 "2022-03-07T16:22:33Z")
I’ve noticed that all 3 of the HDTV’s in my house have TERRIBLE angles for their IR sensors. They’re all at the bottom left or bottom right of the TV’s, and you basically need to be in a “perfect” position to actually tu… --- ## [What happens to people with braces after the apocalypse?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-people-with-braces-after-the-apocalypse/960582)
**Author:** [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2022, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-people-with-braces-after-the-apocalypse/960582 "2022-03-07T16:15:43Z")
Electric power is gone. Medical supplies cease to be manufactured and distributed. City utilities stop working. We’re in a post-apocalyptic world regressed to scavenging bits and pieces of what used to be modern society. … --- ## [How much would you guess a Stinger missile costs? I guessed about 3000.00 USD](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-you-guess-a-stinger-missile-costs-i-guessed-about-3000-00-usd/960586)
**Author:** [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2022, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-you-guess-a-stinger-missile-costs-i-guessed-about-3000-00-usd/960586 "2022-03-07T14:21:35Z")
According to Wikipedia more like 38,000 each. I wonder if that’s list price and discounts apply for bulk purchase. That’s almost my yearly salary per shot. Wait a minute…might be 119K now. Not sure what FY means in the … --- ## [4,000 luxury cars get a Viking funeral](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-000-luxury-cars-get-a-viking-funeral/959959)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2022, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-000-luxury-cars-get-a-viking-funeral/959959 "2022-03-07T13:19:09Z")
There is currently a container ship on fire in the Atlantic. Among the cargo are “about 4,000 Porsches, Bentleys and other luxury cars”. Pretty expensive fire. --- ## [Hopin' for world peace in the MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hopin-for-world-peace-in-the-mmp/960227)
**Author:** [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Replies:** 287\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2022, 10:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hopin-for-world-peace-in-the-mmp/960227 "2022-03-07T10:12:48Z")
It’s 5:30 a.m. in Ye Olde Western Mitten State and the world hasn’t quite blown up yet, but stupid’s gonna stupid so we’ll see what the coming days bring us. Meanwhile, we’ve got Mumpers (and Mumper parents, pets, partn… --- ## [Why am I recieving random notifications labelled "new topic"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-recieving-random-notifications-labelled-new-topic/960600)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2022, 10:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-recieving-random-notifications-labelled-new-topic/960600 "2022-03-07T10:10:02Z")
I open the site, and in the right top corner next to the big letter C which is my avatar, there is a little dot. “Great!!”, me thinks to myself—somebody has responded to one of my posts, or somebody has quoted me. So I … --- ## [Critical Race Theory Boogeyman](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critical-race-theory-boogeyman/944754)
**Author:** [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Replies:** 130\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2022, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critical-race-theory-boogeyman/944754 "2022-03-07T10:08:00Z")
I see Republican politicians talking about CRT and states banning it being taught in schools. Then, I see other sources that say Critical Race Theory is a college-level discussion, and is definitely not being taught any… --- ## [Sometimes you need a different perspective](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-you-need-a-different-perspective/960594)
**Author:** [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2022, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-you-need-a-different-perspective/960594 "2022-03-07T07:51:09Z")
I heard a snatch of the Tetris music. --- ## [Should I be concerned about reaching out to my Russian friends?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-concerned-about-reaching-out-to-my-russian-friends/960484)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2022, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-concerned-about-reaching-out-to-my-russian-friends/960484 "2022-03-07T06:14:08Z")
I’m in a nice resort on a rainy Caribbean island at the moment and want to say hello to a nice young Russian couple that I met at this exact spot almost exactly 2 years ago. We agreed that we’d visit each other (me goin… --- ## [Actress is pregnant but no one notices](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actress-is-pregnant-but-no-one-notices/960379)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2022, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actress-is-pregnant-but-no-one-notices/960379 "2022-03-07T05:02:41Z")
Typically when an actress gets pregnant IRL, the show that she’s on will take measures to hide the fact by having her stand behind things, wear oversized clothes, or carrying large handbags. Often, as the pregnancy advan… --- ## [Who gets the ticket in this hypothetical traffic accident?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-gets-the-ticket-in-this-hypothetical-traffic-accident/960365)
**Author:** [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2022, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-gets-the-ticket-in-this-hypothetical-traffic-accident/960365 "2022-03-07T04:21:12Z")
In real life, I drive a motorcoach for a charter company. The bus is 45 feet long and 13 feet tall. The following is the narrative of a real-life event that had absolutely no drama to it at all. But what if it did? T… --- ## [Box of human heads stolen in Denver](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/box-of-human-heads-stolen-in-denver/960562)
**Author:** [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2022, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/box-of-human-heads-stolen-in-denver/960562 "2022-03-07T04:13:53Z")
And you thought gangs of shoplifters in luxury stores were bad. http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/stolen-box-human-heads-investigated-denver-police-83274565 What happens now with the missing box of human heads? Will i… --- ## [I’m sick and have a bunch of negative Covid tests. Ok to not quarantine?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-m-sick-and-have-a-bunch-of-negative-covid-tests-ok-to-not-quarantine/960413)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2022, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-m-sick-and-have-a-bunch-of-negative-covid-tests-ok-to-not-quarantine/960413 "2022-03-07T02:50:16Z")
So, I’ve had what I think is a very nasty case of gastroenteritis since Monday. I still feel pretty bad but I really need to go out and get a form notorized. I’ve taken two at home Covid tests, every single one has been… --- ## [How do you vinylophiles store your records?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-vinylophiles-store-your-records/960483)
**Author:** [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2022, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-vinylophiles-store-your-records/960483 "2022-03-07T01:58:49Z")
After 31 years without a turntable, I just went and bought one and set it up. This decision was largely the result of trying to decide what to do with the record collection I’d already winnowed down from 1,500 to say … --- ## [Cell phone video three panels](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-video-three-panels/960546)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2022, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-video-three-panels/960546 "2022-03-06T23:48:54Z")
Cell phone video I’ve seen on the news and you tube have a focused picture in the middle, and out of focus pictures on either side. What causes that? --- ## [How do I block Thug Life notifications on Facebook?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-block-thug-life-notifications-on-facebook/960553)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2022, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-block-thug-life-notifications-on-facebook/960553 "2022-03-06T23:08:21Z")
I have a friend that plays “Thug Life” and, while I want to get other messages from her, I don’t want to receive all the “Thug Life” notifications. There is no option to block “Thug Life” on these notifications or repor… --- ## [How do people who kiss on-screen avoid falling in love?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-people-who-kiss-on-screen-avoid-falling-in-love/960357)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2022, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-people-who-kiss-on-screen-avoid-falling-in-love/960357 "2022-03-06T19:44:17Z")
Maybe I’m immature for my age, but if a woman smiles at me in a certain way, I can’t stop thinking about her for a week. How in the world do actors who kiss on-screen avoid falling in love? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1177) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1179)