# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1203 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1204 --- ## [So, am I the only one geographical agoraphobia?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-am-i-the-only-one-geographical-agoraphobia/959010)
**Author:** [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2022, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-am-i-the-only-one-geographical-agoraphobia/959010 "2022-02-09T21:36:23Z")
No idea what else to call it… Certainly not a social agoraphophia, with a fear of venturing out of your own house - got no problem with any of that stuff. It is, literally - a fear of, like, wide, wide, WIDE open space… --- ## [Would someone mind putting my mother's MRI results into layman's terms for us, please?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-someone-mind-putting-my-mothers-mri-results-into-laymans-terms-for-us-please/959163)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2022, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-someone-mind-putting-my-mothers-mri-results-into-laymans-terms-for-us-please/959163 "2022-02-09T20:37:18Z")
My mother has had a chronic, intractable migraine for about 11 or 12 years. All day, every day. Some days it’s worse than others, but it’s never any better than, say, a 6 on the pain scale. We haven’t been able to figu… --- ## [Mod question about a not-warning in a thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mod-question-about-a-not-warning-in-a-thread/959121)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2022, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mod-question-about-a-not-warning-in-a-thread/959121 "2022-02-09T20:10:30Z")
I was surprised to see this post from a Mod in the Russia may be about to invade Ukraine: Bolding mine. Please refrain from using language that is racist and dehumanizing. ‘Infested’ is a term well associated with this… --- ## [If the prosecution violates a constitutional right, does the defense avoid drawing attention to it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-prosecution-violates-a-constitutional-right-does-the-defense-avoid-drawing-attention-to-it/958858)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2022, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-prosecution-violates-a-constitutional-right-does-the-defense-avoid-drawing-attention-to-it/958858 "2022-02-09T19:06:13Z")
Suppose that, during the course of a criminal prosecution in the United States, the prosecution violates some sort of constitutional right (such as not bringing the witnesses/accusers to court so that the defendant can c… --- ## [Am I misremembering this about Shaquille O'Neal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-misremembering-this-about-shaquille-oneal/959021)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2022, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-misremembering-this-about-shaquille-oneal/959021 "2022-02-09T18:45:15Z")
I was only 7 years old when the Orlando Magic were playing the Houston Rockets in an NBA Finals in the 1990s and I seem to recall that back then, the use of a gorilla to refer to black people was not considered racist an… --- ## [The New York Times "Solves" the Trek vs Wars debate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-york-times-solves-the-trek-vs-wars-debate/959063)
**Author:** [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2022, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-york-times-solves-the-trek-vs-wars-debate/959063 "2022-02-09T17:12:39Z")
This was pretty cool. There was a clue in this week’s NYT crossword puzzle . Nicely done. --- ## [How tax return should be signed if I am the preparer but not a \*paid\* preparer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-tax-return-should-be-signed-if-i-am-the-preparer-but-not-a-paid-preparer/959160)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2022, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-tax-return-should-be-signed-if-i-am-the-preparer-but-not-a-paid-preparer/959160 "2022-02-09T15:34:54Z")
My mother-in-law has Alzheimer’s and has been incapable of managing her own affairs for years. My wife has a general durable power of attorney. I am doing her taxes. My MIL is not competent to sign. How should the return… --- ## [What's the biggest secret your pet keeps from you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-biggest-secret-your-pet-keeps-from-you/958905)
**Author:** [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2022, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-biggest-secret-your-pet-keeps-from-you/958905 "2022-02-09T14:50:30Z")
My kitty Vienna loves to play with little catnip mousies. They come in a package of 5, three white and two black. She prefers the black ones, but they keep disappearing. I’ve looked under the furniture and found a few, b… --- ## [Blazing Saddles Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blazing-saddles-question/959075)
**Author:** [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats2)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2022, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blazing-saddles-question/959075 "2022-02-09T14:06:28Z")
What’s the deal with this line from Blazing Saddles?: Lily von Shtupp is enamored of Sheriff Bart and whispers into his ear. Sheriff Bart tells her, “Baby, please, I am not from Havana.” Huh? --- ## [What are your "Hell Television" channels?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-hell-television-channels/959049)
**Author:** [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2022, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-hell-television-channels/959049 "2022-02-09T13:04:16Z")
When I go to Hell, I envision television service. However, it IS Hell. Each channel will loop the same movie nonstop for all eternity. Current channels are: º La-La Land º Oh, Heavenly Dog! º From Here To Eternity ( B… --- ## [My bad, bad, bad extra special, sweet, oxygen sucking, precious baby. The spirit that is the Li'l-wrekker, is just a big dummy!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-bad-bad-bad-extra-special-sweet-oxygen-sucking-precious-baby-the-spirit-that-is-the-lil-wrekker-is-just-a-big-dummy/958931)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2022, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-bad-bad-bad-extra-special-sweet-oxygen-sucking-precious-baby-the-spirit-that-is-the-lil-wrekker-is-just-a-big-dummy/958931 "2022-02-09T05:52:17Z")
I was talking to her about @Mean\_Mr.Mustard 's thread on claustrophobia. She stated categorically there’s no such thing. I went on tho remind her that I, her mother suffered from many phobias. Omniphobic, if you will. … --- ## [Student loans now dismissible by bankruptcy!?!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/student-loans-now-dismissible-by-bankruptcy/959137)
**Author:** [@WhyWhyWhy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyWhyWhy)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2022, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/student-loans-now-dismissible-by-bankruptcy/959137 "2022-02-09T04:44:39Z")
I thought they weren’t but know someone who recently wrote off $30,000 in student loans in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. I have a copy of the complete filing. She is a child protection services (CPS) case manager for the stat… --- ## [I miss my wife ...or... A discussion with my family](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-miss-my-wife-or-a-discussion-with-my-family/959138)
**Author:** [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2022, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-miss-my-wife-or-a-discussion-with-my-family/959138 "2022-02-09T04:28:12Z")
Oldest: Sometimes I get bored so I read the updated info on dyscalculia and stand in awe of how messed up I am It is common for students with dyscalculia to have normal or accelerated language acquisition: verbal, read… --- ## [How soon after eating gluten can I kiss my girlfriend?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-soon-after-eating-gluten-can-i-kiss-my-girlfriend/959019)
**Author:** [@Yodalicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yodalicious)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2022, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-soon-after-eating-gluten-can-i-kiss-my-girlfriend/959019 "2022-02-09T04:03:28Z")
My girlfriend has Celiac’s. If I eat something with gluten while we’re together, or shortly before I see her, I’ll brush my teeth and rinse with Listerine. So far no issues. But, what if I have something with gluten a… --- ## [My body is falling apart](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-body-is-falling-apart/959030)
**Author:** [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2022, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-body-is-falling-apart/959030 "2022-02-09T02:50:36Z")
I used to be so…young. Now, in the last year, I had a motorcycle accident that very nearly paralyzed me and instead left me in dire pain for two months, my left knee is twice the size of the right one and has been so fo… --- ## [Disappearance (?) of Peng Shuai](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disappearance-of-peng-shuai/954530)
**Author:** [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2022, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disappearance-of-peng-shuai/954530 "2022-02-09T01:34:32Z")
Peng Shuai, a prominent professional tennis player from China, recently made a post on her social media account regarding a sexual assault by a former leader of the Communist Party in China. The post was removed in short… --- ## [Would disco not have been so hated had so many rock stars not gone disco?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-disco-not-have-been-so-hated-had-so-many-rock-stars-not-gone-disco/957070)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 197\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2022, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-disco-not-have-been-so-hated-had-so-many-rock-stars-not-gone-disco/957070 "2022-02-09T00:45:50Z")
In an alternative universe, let’s say that disco becomes big in the 1970s, but there’s no Rod Stewart, Paul McCartney or Rolling Stones disco influence. Disco is limited to artists such as the Village People, A Taste Of … --- ## [Annual appraisals](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annual-appraisals/958914)
**Author:** [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2022, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annual-appraisals/958914 "2022-02-09T00:42:39Z")
It’s that time of the year for me, writing page after page of comments and ratings on whether I’ve shown good teamwork, and leadership, and my strengths and weaknesses etc. Every year the process seems to get more bloate… --- ## [Tipping and food delivery services](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-and-food-delivery-services/958869)
**Author:** [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Replies:** 151\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2022, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-and-food-delivery-services/958869 "2022-02-09T00:26:17Z")
I’m talking about DoorDash, GrubHub, UberEats, etc. My first job as an adult, c. 2015, was delivering food for an Italian diner (mostly pizza). I was an employee of the establishment, as far as I know - filled out a W-4… --- ## [Why does water in a faucet change pitch as it heats up?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-water-in-a-faucet-change-pitch-as-it-heats-up/959076)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2022, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-water-in-a-faucet-change-pitch-as-it-heats-up/959076 "2022-02-09T00:11:30Z")
I’ve noticed that in my bathroom sink, the pitch goes down as the water transitions from cold to hot. Why does it do that? --- ## [Why Are Human Mating Rituals The Opposite Way Round To The Rest Of The Animal Kingdom?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-human-mating-rituals-the-opposite-way-round-to-the-rest-of-the-animal-kingdom/959124)
**Author:** [@ianzin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ianzin)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2022, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-human-mating-rituals-the-opposite-way-round-to-the-rest-of-the-animal-kingdom/959124 "2022-02-08T23:43:13Z")
In the rest of the animal kingdom, the females don’t attempt to ‘impress’ potential mates or partners. It’s the males who make the effort and who use displays and rituals to try to prove their ‘fitness’ to be a mate: ela… --- ## [Apostrophes removed by the BGN/Post Office](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apostrophes-removed-by-the-bgn-post-office/959108)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2022, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apostrophes-removed-by-the-bgn-post-office/959108 "2022-02-08T23:21:14Z")
The BGN (US Board on Geographic Names) has a policy of not allowing possessive apostrophes in names. They’ve made a few exceptions over the years for natural features (notably Martha’s Vinyard), but as far as I can tell,… --- ## [Is using a steering wheel supposed to be hard to learn? Struggling to stay on track](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-using-a-steering-wheel-supposed-to-be-hard-to-learn-struggling-to-stay-on-track/959103)
**Author:** [@JakeRS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JakeRS)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2022, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-using-a-steering-wheel-supposed-to-be-hard-to-learn-struggling-to-stay-on-track/959103 "2022-02-08T23:19:02Z")
I’m a PC user and for the last 15+ years I played all games with a keyboard, including racing games and simulators and while I wasn’t great, I’d often finish in the first 3 places in races for example, singleplayer thoug… --- ## [Was your childhood bedroom specially designed for you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-your-childhood-bedroom-specially-designed-for-you/958444)
**Author:** [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2022, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-your-childhood-bedroom-specially-designed-for-you/958444 "2022-02-08T23:02:00Z")
I’ve been watching lots of home design shows, and so often the kid’s room is themed around the kid’s interests (for instance, a dinosaur mural on the wall, or a bed that looks like a racecar). Did your parents take your… --- ## [Early Astronomy and Copernicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-astronomy-and-copernicus/959023)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2022, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-astronomy-and-copernicus/959023 "2022-02-08T22:17:32Z")
According to a quick Google search, Copernicus published his “heliocentric theory of the universe” theory the year he died in 1543. Did he withhold his theory until he thought he was close to death knowing it would be co… --- ## [1950 disappearance of C-54 s/n 42-72469](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1950-disappearance-of-c-54-s-n-42-72469/959058)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2022, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1950-disappearance-of-c-54-s-n-42-72469/959058 "2022-02-08T22:11:51Z")
I was reading about the 26 January 1950 disappearance of C-54 s/n 42-72469. The search was called off on 20 February 1950, and the wreckage has never been found. The crew sent a normal message after passing over Snag,… --- ## [Geothermal Energy - Underground heat storage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geothermal-energy-underground-heat-storage/959059)
**Author:** [@PozhanPop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PozhanPop)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2022, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geothermal-energy-underground-heat-storage/959059 "2022-02-08T20:15:00Z")
Can it ever replace fossil fuels or other renewable energy sources ? Will it work near the equator where the temperature gradient is not as steep compared to cold countries like Canada ? What would be the temperature at… --- ## [The ending of The Crimson Petal and the White (WARNING: SPOILERS)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ending-of-the-crimson-petal-and-the-white-warning-spoilers/151154)
**Author:** [@Greywolf73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greywolf73)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2022, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ending-of-the-crimson-petal-and-the-white-warning-spoilers/151154 "2022-02-08T19:21:58Z")
So, I’ve just now finished The Crimson Petal and the White and escaped the iron grip this novel has had on me for the past 4 days. Overall, I thought it was a brilliantly written novel but the ending left much to be des… --- ## [Japanese depiction of UFOs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/japanese-depiction-of-ufos/836604)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2022, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/japanese-depiction-of-ufos/836604 "2022-02-08T18:53:13Z")
In Japan they very often depict a UFO as a flying saucer with four (or sometimes five) hemispherical domes on the lower surface. Here is drawing of one from volume 5 of Doctor Slump from the early 1980s. Here is one as … --- ## [Shooting at Richland, Washington, Fred Meyer store](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-at-richland-washington-fred-meyer-store/959073)
**Author:** [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2022, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-at-richland-washington-fred-meyer-store/959073 "2022-02-08T18:00:38Z")
It doesn’t sound like there are many details yet. One person is dead, one person is in the hospital, and the shooter is at large. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1202) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1204)