# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1239 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1240 --- ## [Your favorite fictional depiction of Hell](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-fictional-depiction-of-hell/955574)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 110\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2022, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-fictional-depiction-of-hell/955574 "2022-01-03T13:03:45Z")
The Infernal Regions seem like a perpetually fascinating topic. Which of the many, many versions of Hell/Hades is your favorite? For me it’s currently a tossup between the now-defunct webcomic Jack and the newer animated… --- ## [You can only use 5 words for the next month. Which five?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-only-use-5-words-for-the-next-month-which-five/945090)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2022, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-only-use-5-words-for-the-next-month-which-five/945090 "2022-01-03T12:55:31Z")
Not sure this thread is even a game or if it belongs in IMHO, but I’m just interested to see what people will answer. The scenario is: you have to choose 5 words; once you have chosen these words, they will be the only … --- ## [Your bank calls you up and asks for your SSN: what do you do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-bank-calls-you-up-and-asks-for-your-ssn-what-do-you-do/956818)
**Author:** [@Briny\_Deep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Briny_Deep)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2022, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-bank-calls-you-up-and-asks-for-your-ssn-what-do-you-do/956818 "2022-01-03T12:30:07Z")
Bank calls with a concern about my account. It all sounded very legit and plausible right until the CSR asked for my social security number. I ended the call, then called the bank from a phone number I’d independently v… --- ## [How long does COVID last in an empty space?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-covid-last-in-an-empty-space/957078)
**Author:** [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2022, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-covid-last-in-an-empty-space/957078 "2022-01-03T11:48:41Z")
My son tested positive on December 23. After five days, we let him use one of the cars to see his friends, outside, distanced, and masked, of course. I don’t think he wore his mask in the car. Now we’re at day 10 and … --- ## [Can posters view a list of banned/suspended posters?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-posters-view-a-list-of-banned-suspended-posters/957125)
**Author:** [@mordecaiB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mordecaiB)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2022, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-posters-view-a-list-of-banned-suspended-posters/957125 "2022-01-03T11:28:14Z")
I’m assuming the answer is no, but I thought I’d ask. I thought maybe it would be in the Groups category but no such luck. If I was to PM a mod about a longtime poster banned for socking several years back, would you b… --- ## [Overused Phrases in 2021?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overused-phrases-in-2021/957010)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2022, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overused-phrases-in-2021/957010 "2022-01-03T10:40:35Z")
This HuffPost article bemoans overused phrases. But many of them seem a decade old. “Wait, what?”, “new normal”, “no worries”, “supply chain”, “you’re on mute”… are any of these actually considered current? What are s… --- ## [Single best casting choice for a comic book character in film](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/single-best-casting-choice-for-a-comic-book-character-in-film/687206)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2022, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/single-best-casting-choice-for-a-comic-book-character-in-film/687206 "2022-01-03T06:36:58Z")
I thought Christopher Reeve was an outstanding Superman, and Hugh Jackman was a great Wolverine. But in my opinion, the most perfect fit, the character that simply stepped off the pages onto the screen without “reinterp… --- ## [New Year at Time's Square -- into the wee hours](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-year-at-times-square-into-the-wee-hours/956778)
**Author:** [@Bonum\_Legatum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bonum_Legatum)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2022, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-year-at-times-square-into-the-wee-hours/956778 "2022-01-03T06:11:25Z")
Although this year is not representative, I’ve always heard in the family that one thing NOT shown is that the crowds rapidly clear out after midnight - as people leave to go to parties. The networks never show this and… --- ## [Electric Car infrastructure needs and costs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-car-infrastructure-needs-and-costs/829062)
**Author:** [@Mdcastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mdcastle)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2022, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-car-infrastructure-needs-and-costs/829062 "2022-01-03T05:52:53Z")
Supposedly all of use will be using self-driving electric cars by 2030. Although I don’t believe that to be the case for a number of reasons, assume that it is. What kind of investment, if any, will we need to make in ge… --- ## [Got rid of my car, now I just use Uber and Lyft. Anyone else doing this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-rid-of-my-car-now-i-just-use-uber-and-lyft-anyone-else-doing-this/956908)
**Author:** [@edwardcoast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwardcoast)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2022, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-rid-of-my-car-now-i-just-use-uber-and-lyft-anyone-else-doing-this/956908 "2022-01-03T04:41:03Z")
I was working from home one day a week and then with the pandemic I am still working from home all the time and it looks like it is going to stay this way. I couldn’t be more happy about this. I have had groceries deliv… --- ## [Interest in cartoons and pop music drives degree choice?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interest-in-cartoons-and-pop-music-drives-degree-choice/956896)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2022, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interest-in-cartoons-and-pop-music-drives-degree-choice/956896 "2022-01-03T04:28:19Z")
Surprised (but shouldn’t be) to learn anime and pop is driving more young folks to study Japanese and Korean than, say, Russian or Italian. I like my hobbies but they didn’t much inform my choice of majors. --- ## [Another thread about TV credits](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-thread-about-tv-credits/957062)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2022, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-thread-about-tv-credits/957062 "2022-01-03T04:26:58Z")
I’ve been watching a long-running TV series and for some reason, I’ve recently started reading the end credits. As usual, there are half a dozen Executive Producers and one Co-Executive Producer, five or six Producers, o… --- ## [I Resolve To Start The New Year MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-resolve-to-start-the-new-year-mmp/956724)
**Author:** [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Replies:** 218\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2022, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-resolve-to-start-the-new-year-mmp/956724 "2022-01-03T04:22:40Z")
There. I’ve made a resolution and stuck it out. I know y’all are so proud of me! What? This Saturday is New Year’s Day, so this counts as a New Year thread. Here it is. Hijack away! Oh, and… Good Mornin’ Y’all! Up and … --- ## [Celebrity Death Pool 2020](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2020/844229)
**Author:** [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Replies:** 1541\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2022, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2020/844229 "2022-01-03T02:37:21Z")
It’s the most wonderful time of the year!!! This past year has been exciting so far, and 2020 should be just as great!!!. Okay, as usual, let’s get the rules out of the way and get to playing. \*\* The Rules\*\*: You p… --- ## [What's a centrist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-centrist/941183)
**Author:** [@Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heffalump_and_Roo)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2022, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-centrist/941183 "2022-01-03T00:55:28Z")
Continuing the discussion from Trolls R Us redux: This thread in IMHO is sparking all kinds of political discussions all over the board so I thought I’d start a thread for everyone to discuss their views on the politica… --- ## [Holiday Bowl Cancelled-Who pays?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holiday-bowl-cancelled-who-pays/956808)
**Author:** [@19USMC69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/19USMC69)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2022, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holiday-bowl-cancelled-who-pays/956808 "2022-01-03T00:44:30Z")
The Holiday Bowl here in San Diego was just cancelled just hours before it’s scheduled start. UCLA announced too many of its players were sidelined with COVID. It was due to be played at Petco Park, a baseball facility. … --- ## [Rod Serling Screenplays: Where to Start?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rod-serling-screenplays-where-to-start/957099)
**Author:** [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2022, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rod-serling-screenplays-where-to-start/957099 "2022-01-03T00:14:17Z")
I watched his Patterns, a refreshingly tense adult drama, on TV late last night. It got me wondering what other movies he had written in addition to his TV work. I found this list of his screenplays on Wiki. I’ve seen… --- ## [Favorite final scenes/shots of movies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-final-scenes-shots-of-movies/917940)
**Author:** [@Mike\_Mabes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mike_Mabes)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2022, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-final-scenes-shots-of-movies/917940 "2022-01-02T23:21:25Z")
Apocalypse Now. “The horror.” Five Easy Pieces. Nicholson gets in the truck and we watch it slowly pull away Prince of the City. The last shot of Ciello. The Star Child. Cutter’s Way. A gunshot, then cut to black. … --- ## [Topic/Thread titles not updating status](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topic-thread-titles-not-updating-status/954788)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2022, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topic-thread-titles-not-updating-status/954788 "2022-01-02T23:20:57Z")
I may have caused this myself, I think I changed some setting a couple of days ago, but I don’t remember what setting it was, nor why I changed it (old age, what are you gonna do?) The symptom is that topic titles are n… --- ## [Why does the Federal Government Sue?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-federal-government-sue/956811)
**Author:** [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2022, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-federal-government-sue/956811 "2022-01-02T22:32:22Z")
With all that is going on with January 6 and such, I have seen news stories about the Department of Justice engaging in lawsuits against people and institutions. I thought that the government got stuff done by indicting… --- ## [Might have accidentally evaded a cop trying to pull me over. What's going to happen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/might-have-accidentally-evaded-a-cop-trying-to-pull-me-over-whats-going-to-happen/956696)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2022, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/might-have-accidentally-evaded-a-cop-trying-to-pull-me-over-whats-going-to-happen/956696 "2022-01-02T22:32:02Z")
So, today I was at a green light at an intersection and a cop car behind me squealed with his siren, flashed lights and said something over the loudspeaker that I couldn’t clearly hear. I thought he might be telling me t… --- ## [Craters on Santa Maria Azores](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craters-on-santa-maria-azores/956961)
**Author:** [@Kedikat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kedikat)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2022, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craters-on-santa-maria-azores/956961 "2022-01-02T22:01:49Z")
I was looking at Santa Maria island in the Azores on Google Maps. Mostly on the western flat side of the island there appears to be many small craters? I tried searching craters and pockmarks on Santa Maria, with no suc… --- ## [Test error trap thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-error-trap-thread/957097)
**Author:** [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2022, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-error-trap-thread/957097 "2022-01-02T21:52:34Z")
– Error trapping thread. --- ## [Blackout emblem overlays — Why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackout-emblem-overlays-why/956860)
**Author:** [@Cayuga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cayuga)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2022, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackout-emblem-overlays-why/956860 "2022-01-02T21:19:35Z")
I just learned of the existence of blackout emblem overlays. I found out what they are. I found out how to install them. But I can’t find anything that tells my why anyone would want to use them. Anybody out there know? --- ## [Dan somebody explain NFTs to me?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dan-somebody-explain-nfts-to-me/941126)
**Author:** [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2022, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dan-somebody-explain-nfts-to-me/941126 "2022-01-02T20:07:02Z")
I keep wondering what buyers of NFTs get out of it? There was news recently about somebody who paid thousands of dollars for the original photo of a meme. What do they get? Everybody can see the meme online, the owner… --- ## [So I found this browsing a Chinese restaurant menu](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-found-this-browsing-a-chinese-restaurant-menu/957060)
**Author:** [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2022, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-found-this-browsing-a-chinese-restaurant-menu/957060 "2022-01-02T20:07:01Z")
https://i.imgur.com/BtStjRg.png My question is what do you get for a dollar? --- ## [1970s/80s Inflation Question (US)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1970s-80s-inflation-question-us/956853)
**Author:** [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2022, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1970s-80s-inflation-question-us/956853 "2022-01-02T19:10:55Z")
This Politico article about Thomas Hoenig includes this statement about inflation in the US during the 70s and 80s “This was the period that has come to be known as the Great Inflation, a period in the 1970s charact… --- ## [Props for Canadians](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/props-for-canadians/956997)
**Author:** [@civilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/civilis)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2022, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/props-for-canadians/956997 "2022-01-02T18:39:41Z")
The rest of the world doesn’t pay much attention to Canada, but I just crunched some numbers that blew me away and gave me a sense of pride and comfort for my fellow citizens for whom I feel grateful. This morning I rea… --- ## [What advantage does white bark provide for a birch tree?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-advantage-does-white-bark-provide-for-a-birch-tree/957084)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2022, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-advantage-does-white-bark-provide-for-a-birch-tree/957084 "2022-01-02T17:20:20Z")
Thinking about evolution and the features that lead to continuation of species, and wondering about the whiteness of a birch tree. I think it must confer some type of advantage to the organism or it wouldn’t have surviv… --- ## [Would you feel compelled to make a deathbed confession?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-feel-compelled-to-make-a-deathbed-confession/956872)
**Author:** [@SpacemanSpiff\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpacemanSpiff_II)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2022, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-feel-compelled-to-make-a-deathbed-confession/956872 "2022-01-02T17:08:07Z")
Inspired by having just read about this guy, but not specific to those details. Essentially, suppose you had some deep dark secret that you had successfully kept for decades. Now you’re dying. Do you have some burning d… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1238) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1240)