# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1186 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1187 --- ## [Who would you really want on your side in a pinch?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-you-really-want-on-your-side-in-a-pinch/959833)
**Author:** [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2022, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-you-really-want-on-your-side-in-a-pinch/959833 "2022-02-26T20:51:41Z")
If it’s a physical violence threat situation, probably Jack Reacher or Travis McGee (though of course they are smart too). If it’s more of a physics threat, McAndrew (from the Charles Sheffield books), or Bruno de Tawag… --- ## [Songs that say we should all marry a hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-say-we-should-all-marry-a-hippie/959902)
**Author:** [@Ukulele\_Ike1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike1)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2022, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-say-we-should-all-marry-a-hippie/959902 "2022-02-26T20:23:57Z")
Mods: I don’t think this is sexist, do you? Hope not! Okay, so I was doing the dinner dishes tonight and switched Spotify from the complete Haydn string quartets to The Association channel, because I needed more organ… --- ## [New Tolkien website is up, from the Estate. Previously unseen material](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-tolkien-website-is-up-from-the-estate-previously-unseen-material/960156)
**Author:** [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2022, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-tolkien-website-is-up-from-the-estate-previously-unseen-material/960156 "2022-02-26T20:10:12Z")
Pretty interesting stuff so far, including his early drawings pre WWI of the elven realm. --- ## [Media that is difficult to google?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/media-that-is-difficult-to-google/959896)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2022, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/media-that-is-difficult-to-google/959896 "2022-02-26T19:00:19Z")
There is a new series just starting that is named only From. In this age of search-engine awareness, you would think marketing would look for a title that would produce slightly less overwhelming noise-to-signal ratio fo… --- ## [Police Interrogations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-interrogations/959024)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 341\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2022, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-interrogations/959024 "2022-02-26T18:38:52Z")
When you see footage of real police interrogations usually on some documentary or news magazine, like 48 Hours, they show a suspect being mentally beaten down but they NEVER show these people claiming their 4th or 5th Am… --- ## [Seattle repeals 1993 law requiring the use of bicycle helmets because police use it to harrass minorities](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seattle-repeals-1993-law-requiring-the-use-of-bicycle-helmets-because-police-use-it-to-harrass-minorities/959965)
**Author:** [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2022, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seattle-repeals-1993-law-requiring-the-use-of-bicycle-helmets-because-police-use-it-to-harrass-minorities/959965 "2022-02-26T17:50:41Z")
I’ll start putting this in MPSIMS, although I reckon it could fit in many categories and it is probably neither mundane nor pointless, but it seems the most harmless category to me. Here is the NYT article, link is a pre… --- ## [Why does chewing gum melt or sort of fall apart in my mouth if I've been crying?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-chewing-gum-melt-or-sort-of-fall-apart-in-my-mouth-if-ive-been-crying/960108)
**Author:** [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2022, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-chewing-gum-melt-or-sort-of-fall-apart-in-my-mouth-if-ive-been-crying/960108 "2022-02-26T17:26:53Z")
Question is in the title. I’m assuming it must be some sort of chemical reaction but, what specifically is happening. --- ## [I've really been enjoying Fallout 4, but I see the story ending in sight. What's like it that I may next enjoy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-really-been-enjoying-fallout-4-but-i-see-the-story-ending-in-sight-whats-like-it-that-i-may-next-enjoy/958524)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2022, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-really-been-enjoying-fallout-4-but-i-see-the-story-ending-in-sight-whats-like-it-that-i-may-next-enjoy/958524 "2022-02-26T17:25:54Z")
So, as I’ve mentioned in a couple other threads, I needed a new computer with decent video capability, got some great recommendations in a thread I started, ended up getting a gaming-level computer about 4 months ago, an… --- ## [Weird 1:08 long roboVMs w/ no words](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-1-08-long-robovms-w-no-words/960076)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2022, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-1-08-long-robovms-w-no-words/960076 "2022-02-26T16:19:03Z")
Every week or so my cell phone will record a voice mail from some source unknown to me. The VM will last over a minute, but there will be no words or recognizable sounds. Some are absolutely silent, but most have some … --- ## [Are there any Air Conditioner substitutes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-air-conditioner-substitutes/250839)
**Author:** [@remisser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/remisser)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2022, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-air-conditioner-substitutes/250839 "2022-02-26T16:14:22Z")
I live in an old rickety house with old rickety wiring. Now, I’m not complaining, the wife and I were very lucky to procure such a great living space. There’s only one thing that is currently making us ill about our cu… --- ## [Truckers vs Superbowl fans - who wins?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truckers-vs-superbowl-fans-who-wins/959386)
**Author:** [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2022, 8:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truckers-vs-superbowl-fans-who-wins/959386 "2022-02-26T08:20:15Z")
I’m putting this in the Pit because name calling should be allowed. The average cost of a Superbowl ticket is around seven grand. Anyone willing to pay that much to watch a ball game probably has a huge emotional commit… --- ## [Have you learned any new words from wordle?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-learned-any-new-words-from-wordle/960029)
**Author:** [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2022, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-learned-any-new-words-from-wordle/960029 "2022-02-26T05:45:52Z")
I’m going through the archive, and have taken quite a few stab in the dark answers, thus adding new words to my vocabulary. Pronk - that sproingy movement that the antelope-type critters you see in nature shows use to e… --- ## [How far did you walk to school, in the snow, uphill both ways?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-did-you-walk-to-school-in-the-snow-uphill-both-ways/960021)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2022, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-did-you-walk-to-school-in-the-snow-uphill-both-ways/960021 "2022-02-26T05:27:38Z")
I grew up in a row house in the Baltimore suburbs. My elementary school was about a quarter of a mile away and I had to cross 2 streets, neither of which was a major thoroughfare. There were a gazillion kids in the neigh… --- ## [Money overcredited, but on lowball refund](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/money-overcredited-but-on-lowball-refund/959732)
**Author:** [@CardboardBoxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CardboardBoxx)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2022, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/money-overcredited-but-on-lowball-refund/959732 "2022-02-26T04:41:47Z")
What would you do here? At an online casino I use, I had a game round where the game glitched, 100% casino’s fault. It was a live action game with real dealers and real cards. not RNG. In the time it took to log back on… --- ## [“conspicuous revolution” in the Commons](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conspicuous-revolution-in-the-commons/959812)
**Author:** [@cannonkuo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cannonkuo)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2022, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conspicuous-revolution-in-the-commons/959812 "2022-02-26T02:52:27Z")
I read the article: My Falklands War and Theirs by Jean J. Kirkpatrickthe, former US Permanent Rep. to the UN. In the article she noted "Labor government’s 1978 decision not to station a permanent task in the South Atla… --- ## [Do you know anyone that died due to the flu?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-anyone-that-died-due-to-the-flu/959347)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2022, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-anyone-that-died-due-to-the-flu/959347 "2022-02-26T02:52:07Z")
Do you know anyone personally that died because of the flu or flu related complications? poll I’m 59 and AFAIK, I don’t know anyone that died from the flu. --- ## [Why didn't the Soviets take the advantage of the conflict between Argentina and the UK in 1982 to expand their influence in South America?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-didnt-the-soviets-take-the-advantage-of-the-conflict-between-argentina-and-the-uk-in-1982-to-expand-their-influence-in-south-america/959273)
**Author:** [@cannonkuo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cannonkuo)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2022, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-didnt-the-soviets-take-the-advantage-of-the-conflict-between-argentina-and-the-uk-in-1982-to-expand-their-influence-in-south-america/959273 "2022-02-26T02:42:26Z")
During the conflict of the Falklands sovereignty in 1982, there was a chance for the Soviets to side with Argentina so they could build up their influence in South America posing a threat to the U.S., but the Soviets did… --- ## [The Incompetence Of My Landlord](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-incompetence-of-my-landlord/960073)
**Author:** [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2022, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-incompetence-of-my-landlord/960073 "2022-02-25T23:47:22Z")
A few minutes ago, somebody rang my doorbell. I found a man I’d never seen before who claimed he was from maintenance and here to replace the washing machine. At first, I said okay and was about to go back in to my apar… --- ## [Current medical consensus on cold re: illness?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/current-medical-consensus-on-cold-re-illness/960071)
**Author:** [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2022, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/current-medical-consensus-on-cold-re-illness/960071 "2022-02-25T22:44:36Z")
Finally getting around to Jane Campion’s Bright Star and watching John Keats slowly die after catching a chill, and I wondered where the science is on this nowadays. I know it’s been proven that cold is an unlikely direc… --- ## [Ukraine Nuclear Agreement](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ukraine-nuclear-agreement/960122)
**Author:** [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2022, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ukraine-nuclear-agreement/960122 "2022-02-25T21:58:00Z")
What was the agreement that Western countries and Russia came to in exchange for Ukraine giving up their nukes? I’ve seen a range on this site and elsewhere that we (US, Europe, Russia) agreed just to leave their sovere… --- ## [Incandescent light bulbs in special applications, or in communist countries](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incandescent-light-bulbs-in-special-applications-or-in-communist-countries/959870)
**Author:** [@Heracles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heracles)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2022, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incandescent-light-bulbs-in-special-applications-or-in-communist-countries/959870 "2022-02-25T20:24:33Z")
It’s generally accepted as true that, at some time before 1950, the incandescent light bulb manufacturers in Europe and North America (Philips, Sylvania, etc.) agreed / conspired to make all light bulbs have an average l… --- ## [How well do electric vehicles handle extreme cold?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-well-do-electric-vehicles-handle-extreme-cold/957318)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 166\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2022, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-well-do-electric-vehicles-handle-extreme-cold/957318 "2022-02-25T20:11:52Z")
Just curious. The thread about the I-95 jam mentions in passing that EVs may not handle cold well and run out of charge. I’m going to drive to work in an hour in -36C, in my gas powered vehicle. How would an EV handle t… --- ## [Maus, by Art Spiegelman, banned by McMinn County (TN) school board](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maus-by-art-spiegelman-banned-by-mcminn-county-tn-school-board/958557)
**Author:** [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Replies:** 224\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2022, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maus-by-art-spiegelman-banned-by-mcminn-county-tn-school-board/958557 "2022-02-25T18:54:49Z")
Unanimously. I put this in Cafe Society, but perhaps it would be better placed in Great Debates or Factual Questions (title: Are they all gone mad?), or Politics and Elections (title: First Amendment revisited: praise fo… --- ## [Jokes, in response to moderation etc](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jokes-in-response-to-moderation-etc/959768)
**Author:** [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Replies:** 264\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2022, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jokes-in-response-to-moderation-etc/959768 "2022-02-25T18:52:57Z")
This thread is in response the the “More Jokes” thread where @puzzlegal, moderating, said to take up any issues with moderations in ATMB. This isn’t necessarily intended to be a criticism of puzzlegal, but rather, an at… --- ## [Tankless Water Heater](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tankless-water-heater/959428)
**Author:** [@FortKnox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FortKnox)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2022, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tankless-water-heater/959428 "2022-02-25T18:37:23Z")
We decided against these things some years ago when we remodeled some years ago. Looking through some old threads on the subject, it seems we made the right decision. But, we had some house guests this weekend. And t… --- ## [POLL: How do you pronounce the word "mushy"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-how-do-you-pronounce-the-word-mushy/959716)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2022, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-how-do-you-pronounce-the-word-mushy/959716 "2022-02-25T18:36:01Z")
As in this sentence: “If you boil macaroni too long, it will get mushy.” poll This word turns up a lot in the many cooking shows and YouTube cooking videos that I watch. --- ## [Anyone live on/near a time zone demarcation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-live-on-near-a-time-zone-demarcation/955350)
**Author:** [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2022, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-live-on-near-a-time-zone-demarcation/955350 "2022-02-25T18:33:05Z")
Share your anecdotes, stories and rants please. I’ve always thought that the situation would be a veritable breeding ground for confusion. Maybe even a plot line for a made for TV movie. Take note all you aspiring scr… --- ## [Spam e-mail I haven't seen before](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spam-e-mail-i-havent-seen-before/959841)
**Author:** [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2022, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spam-e-mail-i-havent-seen-before/959841 "2022-02-25T17:47:11Z")
…though it’s likely to be a variation of the advance fee scam or an attempt to access a bank account. ROMAN CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA USA I am Rev Joseph Justine the Financial Controller of the R… --- ## [Any Experiences With Shoulder/Arm Injuries from a Fall?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-experiences-with-shoulder-arm-injuries-from-a-fall/960064)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2022, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-experiences-with-shoulder-arm-injuries-from-a-fall/960064 "2022-02-25T17:13:51Z")
This happened to me a couple weeks ago. So far my reading suggests it will heal by itself, but could well take several weeks or months to happen; that going to a doctor won’t do any good in my situation, but that doing s… --- ## [What ex soviet states does Putin have power/influence over, and how](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ex-soviet-states-does-putin-have-power-influence-over-and-how/960061)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2022, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ex-soviet-states-does-putin-have-power-influence-over-and-how/960061 "2022-02-25T16:51:18Z")
So my understanding is Putin is wanting to bring back the USSR. He has militarily invaded Chechnya, Georgia and Ukraine. But aside from military invasion, I get the impression that Putin seems good at getting Russia fri… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1185) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1187)