# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1181&state=tracking [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1182 --- ## [Do you remember Flying Toasters?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remember-flying-toasters/960989)
**Author:** [@Midnight\_Shadow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Midnight_Shadow)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2022, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remember-flying-toasters/960989 "2022-03-14T21:45:24Z")
In the mid-1990s, I got a corporate office job. And the computer at my desk had an option for screen savers. These were animated images that appeared on a screen when the computer was not being actively used. Supposed… --- ## [What if Sicily and Tasmania swapped places?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-sicily-and-tasmania-swapped-places/960972)
**Author:** [@Hatchie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hatchie)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2022, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-sicily-and-tasmania-swapped-places/960972 "2022-03-14T21:19:38Z")
Okay, as I was typing that topic heading, Discourse insisted on popping up one of its desperate little pleas for attention: “Your topic is similar to… Simulated typewriter typeface in Microsoft Word?” which it is not i… --- ## [Another post about high medical costs - gallstone removal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-post-about-high-medical-costs-gallstone-removal/960906)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2022, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-post-about-high-medical-costs-gallstone-removal/960906 "2022-03-14T20:24:32Z")
I supposed I should be used to this but this time it really puzzles me. I had two gallstones removed. No actual surgery. They inserted an endoscope to view the bile duct and pulled the stones out with a catheter with an … --- ## [Bill Gates & Covid](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-gates-covid/959962)
**Author:** [@SpacemanSpiff\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpacemanSpiff_II)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2022, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-gates-covid/959962 "2022-03-14T20:18:52Z")
For some reason, his name comes up a lot in media reporting and discussion of the pandemic. Some of it is from conspiracy theorists with various theories of what his sinister role is, but much of it is from the MSM, and … --- ## [South Korea is having a very mysterious Covid outbreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/south-korea-is-having-a-very-mysterious-covid-outbreak/961003)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2022, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/south-korea-is-having-a-very-mysterious-covid-outbreak/961003 "2022-03-14T20:08:33Z")
At 86% vaccinated, South Korea is one of the most-vaxxed nations in the world, yet it’s experiencing a ferocious 300,000-new-cases-per-day outbreak at the moment - an insane rate for a nation whose population is but 50 m… --- ## [What happened to war?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-war/961027)
**Author:** [@BlinkingDuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlinkingDuck)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2022, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-war/961027 "2022-03-14T19:47:56Z")
Putting this in General Questions as I am looking for a …cold…analysis. Yes, war is bad. Yes, people get hurt. That is not what I am looking for. I have a casual interest in history, particularly military. It seems … --- ## [Getting an FBI background check done again, can they use old fingerprints?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-an-fbi-background-check-done-again-can-they-use-old-fingerprints/960862)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2022, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-an-fbi-background-check-done-again-can-they-use-old-fingerprints/960862 "2022-03-14T19:14:54Z")
This could go into either Factual Questions or MPSIMS, it is rather mundane indeed: Four years ago in 2018, I had a fingerprint background check done with the FBI for job purposes. This year, I need to get a fresh new b… --- ## [Increased negativity towards more recent movies/TV shows](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/increased-negativity-towards-more-recent-movies-tv-shows/960907)
**Author:** [@Airbeck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airbeck)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2022, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/increased-negativity-towards-more-recent-movies-tv-shows/960907 "2022-03-14T18:03:23Z")
I’ve noticed something when it comes to certain nerd-type genres (I used the term lovingly as I am one) and the increased negativity in reviews and reactions to new and more recent shows/movies. I’m talking about the sup… --- ## [Happy "Pi Day"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-pi-day/961016)
**Author:** [@wolf\_meister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_meister)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2022, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-pi-day/961016 "2022-03-14T17:25:48Z")
Happy “Pi Day” Everyone As we all know “pi” equals 3.14159265… which can be rounded down to 3.14 If we consider those 3 digits, then it could also be interpreted as March 14th. Incidentally, March 14th is Albert Einst… --- ## [The Poetry of Donald J. Trump -- NPR Interview Edition](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-poetry-of-donald-j-trump-npr-interview-edition/957655)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2022, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-poetry-of-donald-j-trump-npr-interview-edition/957655 "2022-03-14T16:44:32Z")
We’ve been deprived of examples of Mr. Trump’s free verse because they no longer issues transcripts of his statements, and he’s been banned from Social media. You really can’t count the written communiques – they don’t e… --- ## [Do game stores remove original Xbox clock capacitors?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-game-stores-remove-original-xbox-clock-capacitors/961000)
**Author:** [@CastletonSnob1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CastletonSnob1)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2022, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-game-stores-remove-original-xbox-clock-capacitors/961000 "2022-03-14T16:42:45Z")
I got an original Xbox back in December, and I’ve been told that if I get an original Xbox, I need to get the clock capacitor removed. Well, it’s been 3 months and I still haven’t done so, partially because the weather h… --- ## [ID this arcade game](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-arcade-game/960922)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2022, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-arcade-game/960922 "2022-03-14T15:38:10Z")
You were a gladiator, and you kept moving to the side, gradually losing pieces of armor. The joystick lets you move your shield up and down. It was pretty detailed, from what I recall. --- ## [Zorro must be pissed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zorro-must-be-pissed/960892)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2022, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zorro-must-be-pissed/960892 "2022-03-14T15:21:13Z")
The letter “Z” is cropping up on a lot of things lately, evidently as a pro-Ukraine Invasion thing in Russia. I’ve seen two articles about it so far, reporting on its showing up everywhere (including an Olympic gymnast’s… --- ## [Heavy Metal (1981)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-metal-1981/960871)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2022, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-metal-1981/960871 "2022-03-14T14:42:00Z")
I’m watching Heavy Metal (1981). I read Heavy Metal in the '80s and '90s, so I have a fondness for the film. Also it has a great soundtrack. Admittedly, the Grimaldi story that is supposed to tie everything together … --- ## [A Question About Thunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-thunder/960962)
**Author:** [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2022, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-thunder/960962 "2022-03-14T13:18:49Z")
How much does the surrounding landscape affect how thunder sounds to us? If located on a flat plain, will the boom have a less resonate sound than thunder heard in a valley? What about someplace with a decent covering … --- ## [If the US were to wage war against Canada and Mexico, what would the world do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-us-were-to-wage-war-against-canada-and-mexico-what-would-the-world-do/960933)
**Author:** [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2022, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-us-were-to-wage-war-against-canada-and-mexico-what-would-the-world-do/960933 "2022-03-14T10:48:11Z")
It’s 2034, and a couple of years ago the US somehow decided to go with the Manifest Destiny candidate, now president Shora Expande. President Expande has never been shy about their desire to deliver to the US the one thi… --- ## [I Pit Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-aspidistra/960847)
**Author:** [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Replies:** 132\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2022, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-aspidistra/960847 "2022-03-14T10:34:11Z")
I just tried to open an ATMB thread to discuss a question I had about a recent post of Aspidistra’s, which I was specifically encouraged to do by a mod, puzzlegal, when I approached her with my question. But now another … --- ## [Logical design that is also garbage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logical-design-that-is-also-garbage/960941)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2022, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logical-design-that-is-also-garbage/960941 "2022-03-14T06:46:33Z")
The Kia “infotainment” system’s radio looks like this: You can use the buttons on the steering wheel to change radio stations. Pressing :arrow\_down: moves you down the list. Pressing… --- ## [Russian attack of nuclear power plant could have caused major catastrophe](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-attack-of-nuclear-power-plant-could-have-caused-major-catastrophe/960911)
**Author:** [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2022, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-attack-of-nuclear-power-plant-could-have-caused-major-catastrophe/960911 "2022-03-14T06:24:16Z")
Video analysis reveals Russian attack on Ukrainian nuclear plant veered near disaster Video footage of the attack shows that Russians shelled the main power plant, not just outlying buildings, and turned away Ukrainia… --- ## [Movie, The Unforgivable (2021); Sandra Bullock](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-the-unforgivable-2021-sandra-bullock/960976)
**Author:** [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2022, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-the-unforgivable-2021-sandra-bullock/960976 "2022-03-14T05:06:58Z")
I just now saw this. It was great. Really liked it. I had tears at the end. Anyone else see it? --- ## [The Non-Superhero Comic Book Trivia Thread!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-non-superhero-comic-book-trivia-thread/354448)
**Author:** [@bmoak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bmoak)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2022, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-non-superhero-comic-book-trivia-thread/354448 "2022-03-14T02:12:36Z")
Well, the Tolkien thread has petered out, so I thought I’d try my hand at starting up a new one. This one is based on non-superhero comics. Questions can be from any publisher or any era, as long as they don’t concern p… --- ## [Anybody here read Robert Tanenbaum (Butch Karp/Marlene Ciampi series)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-here-read-robert-tanenbaum-butch-karp-marlene-ciampi-series/960987)
**Author:** [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2022, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-here-read-robert-tanenbaum-butch-karp-marlene-ciampi-series/960987 "2022-03-14T00:40:33Z")
I got hooked on this series years and years ago. Then things CHANGED, and not for the better. Robert Tanenbaum lost his ghost writer, and then hired illiterate gremlins to take his place. I still buy all the books. And … --- ## [Which academic discipline does logic belong to?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-academic-discipline-does-logic-belong-to/960689)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2022, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-academic-discipline-does-logic-belong-to/960689 "2022-03-14T00:26:31Z")
It seems that most academic writing on logic, in terms of papers and textbooks, is written by philosophers. Is it generally considered to be a branch of philosophy, and university teaching takes place in these department… --- ## [Book Title Reference Needed--victorian Mushrooms](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-title-reference-needed-victorian-mushrooms/960978)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2022, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-title-reference-needed-victorian-mushrooms/960978 "2022-03-14T00:13:59Z")
I recall a book about the use of hallucinogen mushrooms in Victorian England & pre-Victorian England, going back to Shakespeare… My Google-Fu is unavailing. This ring any bells? --- ## [Quick question about proofing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-question-about-proofing/960983)
**Author:** [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2022, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-question-about-proofing/960983 "2022-03-14T00:10:53Z")
Proofed some yeast my son gave me from his own stash since I’m out. There was a time that I never proofed the yeast and ended up with. . . a bunch of wasted ingredients, so now I always proof. This pack did not proof. S… --- ## [Name of short story about a man and a wolf?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-of-short-story-about-a-man-and-a-wolf/20403)
**Author:** [@missbunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missbunny)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2022, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-of-short-story-about-a-man-and-a-wolf/20403 "2022-03-13T22:55:41Z")
Can someone help me with the name and author of a short story - it was about an old man who falls and breaks his leg while alone in a remote mountain area. He is sitting at the base of a tree waiting for someone to find … --- ## [The art of the world will be destroyed. You can only save 10 items. Which ones?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-art-of-the-world-will-be-destroyed-you-can-only-save-10-items-which-ones/960747)
**Author:** [@Bonum\_Legatum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bonum_Legatum)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2022, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-art-of-the-world-will-be-destroyed-you-can-only-save-10-items-which-ones/960747 "2022-03-13T22:07:51Z")
In the spirit of “desert-island movies”, what if the mass of people lost all interest in artworks and let them deteriorate or even discarded them? You get to save 10 items - without regard to practicality. (If you want… --- ## [Songs that reveal amazing dickitude from the singer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-reveal-amazing-dickitude-from-the-singer/960104)
**Author:** [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Replies:** 220\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2022, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-reveal-amazing-dickitude-from-the-singer/960104 "2022-03-13T22:06:55Z")
I was in the supermarket this morning and heard Dead or Alive’s “Brand New Lover.” It’s an annoying song to me, but as I listened to the lyrics, I realized what a dickbag Pete Burns is in the song. Basically he’s saying… --- ## [Meeting Their Namesake](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meeting-their-namesake/960454)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2022, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meeting-their-namesake/960454 "2022-03-13T21:53:03Z")
It’s completely puerile to make a big deal about meeting someone with the same name – there’s no reason you should have anything in common. But it’s also totally irresistable. Here are some cases of famous meets Winston… --- ## [What is Putin thinking will happen after he dies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-putin-thinking-will-happen-after-he-dies/960517)
**Author:** [@Roger\_That](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roger_That)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2022, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-putin-thinking-will-happen-after-he-dies/960517 "2022-03-13T21:42:40Z")
He’s nearly 70. Let’s assume he wants Russia to expand, gobble up Ukraine, and other former parts of the USSR before he dies. Does he expect this mega-state to hold together indefinitely? Does he not care if it does? Do… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1180&state=tracking) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1182&state=tracking)