# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=124&state=muted [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 125 --- ## [What was your silliest job interview experience? What happened after that?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-silliest-job-interview-experience-what-happened-after-that/1028408)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2026, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-silliest-job-interview-experience-what-happened-after-that/1028408 "2026-03-18T18:44:37Z")
Was there a particular time a company made you jump through ridiculous hoops while interviewing? Something particularly obnoxious the interviewer said or did, or some stupid process they insisted you go through? Did you… --- ## [MS Publisher no longer to be supported - suggested alternatives](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-publisher-no-longer-to-be-supported-suggested-alternatives/1028540)
**Author:** [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2026, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-publisher-no-longer-to-be-supported-suggested-alternatives/1028540 "2026-03-18T18:15:58Z")
Microsoft has announced that it will no longer support MS Publisher from Oct 2026. It was always bundled with MS-office packages as a graphics / publishing tool, but will no longer be updated. I don’t use it or other a… --- ## [Sinners Seen it Thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sinners-seen-it-thread/1017392)
**Author:** [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Replies:** 137\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2026, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sinners-seen-it-thread/1017392 "2026-03-18T13:52:03Z")
Saw this tonight and I can’t stop thinking about it. It was a really good movie. I told my wife afterwards (no horror movies for her so she sat this one out) that movie was about Music, Race and Vampires, probably in tha… --- ## [Do members of the military ask for permission to speak freely?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-members-of-the-military-ask-for-permission-to-speak-freely/1028177)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2026, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-members-of-the-military-ask-for-permission-to-speak-freely/1028177 "2026-03-18T13:45:47Z")
I’ve read (I think here) that “and that’s an order” is pretty much a TV/movie trope. What about asking for permission to speak freely, is that a trope too? If not, when would it actually be said? --- ## [I Have Painted Myself into a Corner - Failing Long-Distance Relationship and Summer Vacation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-painted-myself-into-a-corner-failing-long-distance-relationship-and-summer-vacation/1028433)
**Author:** [@Moonrise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonrise)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2026, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-painted-myself-into-a-corner-failing-long-distance-relationship-and-summer-vacation/1028433 "2026-03-18T13:37:28Z")
Shortly before I went to Indonesia last July I met a local woman online and we immediately hit it off. We had increasingly explicit video calls over the next week and a half and arranged to meet up while I visited her ho… --- ## [Anyone get a Treasury 310 Deposit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-get-a-treasury-310-deposit/1028398)
**Author:** [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2026, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-get-a-treasury-310-deposit/1028398 "2026-03-18T12:52:47Z")
We did, unexpectedly and to the tune of 10k. We’re contacting our tax person to see if she has any ideas. It apparently sometimes is a scam where someone deposits the money and calls claiming to be the IRS demanding it… --- ## [7 Jan 2021 and beyond - the aftermath of the storming of the Capitol](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020)
**Author:** [@Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heffalump_and_Roo)\ **Replies:** 5364\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2026, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020 "2026-03-18T12:26:49Z")
Since the 6 Jan 2021 thread was closed at the request of the OP, I’ve been looking for a place to post about all the things that have been happening in the aftermath but only finding pieces scattered here and there, so I… --- ## [How much safer are Waymo cars?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-safer-are-waymo-cars/1028258)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 129\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2026, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-safer-are-waymo-cars/1028258 "2026-03-18T12:00:29Z")
Heard a statistic on the news, coming from Waymo. They said their cars have 90% fewer serious injury accidents than cars with drivers. An obvious conclusion would be that the robotic driver is an order of magnitude safer… --- ## [Question about dollar sign coding](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-dollar-sign-coding/1028497)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2026, 9:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-dollar-sign-coding/1028497 "2026-03-18T09:08:17Z")
A couple of times recently I have used the dollar sign in posts (I’m hesitant to do it here) and my post comes out with portions italicized and spaces and text deleted. I assume that is some handy dandy coding? How can… --- ## [In praise of Banksy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-banksy/334831)
**Author:** [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2026, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-banksy/334831 "2026-03-18T03:18:20Z")
Yes, I’m not all that hip, and I did just come to his art through last month’s Esquire article, but it’s been a long time since I’ve been really excited about an artist, let alone a graffiti artist. Banksy’s work is jus… --- ## [The Great Sitcom Battle, Female Characters, Round 3, The Sweet Sixteen. Choose your favorites](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-sitcom-battle-female-characters-round-3-the-sweet-sixteen-choose-your-favorites/1028483)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2026, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-sitcom-battle-female-characters-round-3-the-sweet-sixteen-choose-your-favorites/1028483 "2026-03-18T01:42:57Z")
This is Round 3 of the Great Sitcom Battle, Female Characters edition. Rankings are based on input gathered in another thread. Vote for your favorite character in each of the following 8 head-to-head battles. Polls will … --- ## [The Pitt -- TV show (season 1)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pitt-tv-show-season-1/1016275)
**Author:** [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2026, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pitt-tv-show-season-1/1016275 "2026-03-18T01:16:14Z")
I’ve started watching The Pitt on Max. It’s basically Real Stories of the ER, though with fictional characters. One difference is that unlike Real Stories, the outcome is not always good. Another conceit is that each epi… --- ## [One of our generals is missing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-our-generals-is-missing/1028154)
**Author:** [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2026, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-our-generals-is-missing/1028154 "2026-03-18T00:13:09Z")
Retired General William McCasland Is Missing. Some Draw Parallels to Nancy Guthrie There is more at the link. --- ## [Pondering the universe](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pondering-the-universe/1018251)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 127\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2026, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pondering-the-universe/1018251 "2026-03-18T00:00:57Z")
The universe either created itself, was created by something else, or has always existed. All three options are quite unbelievable. Without any apparent impetus, how does all of ‘this’ just spring into existence? Where … --- ## [Any accordion players here?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-accordion-players-here/1028519)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2026, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-accordion-players-here/1028519 "2026-03-18T00:00:20Z")
I am curious as to the muscle development that was specific to your instrument? --- ## [How Many U.S. Federal Workers Are on Paid Administrative Leave as of 3/17/2026?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-u-s-federal-workers-are-on-paid-administrative-leave-as-of-3-17-2026/1028532)
**Author:** [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2026, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-u-s-federal-workers-are-on-paid-administrative-leave-as-of-3-17-2026/1028532 "2026-03-17T23:43:34Z")
This in the news today brought a factual question to my mind: France24 This surprised me because I thought widespread paid administrative leave ended on September 30, 2025. So I am wondering how many are still being p… --- ## [Is there a way (free) to make a program in Python code into an executable for a Mac? (I am on a PC and it says no)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-free-to-make-a-program-in-python-code-into-an-executable-for-a-mac-i-am-on-a-pc-and-it-says-no/1028205)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2026, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-free-to-make-a-program-in-python-code-into-an-executable-for-a-mac-i-am-on-a-pc-and-it-says-no/1028205 "2026-03-17T21:54:26Z")
I am amazed at how hard it is to turn a program into an executable even for a PC. You have to type in some arcane script into a command window (and be sure you are in the right directory and all that) to poop out a prog… --- ## [How much notice does your company ask that you give before leaving vs. how much time they give you when fired?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-notice-does-your-company-ask-that-you-give-before-leaving-vs-how-much-time-they-give-you-when-fired/1028459)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2026, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-notice-does-your-company-ask-that-you-give-before-leaving-vs-how-much-time-they-give-you-when-fired/1028459 "2026-03-17T21:30:04Z")
When your company asks that you one, two, three etc. weeks notice, supposedly to give them enough time to find your replacement, how does that compare to the amount of time they give you to vacate the premises after you … --- ## [Seeking advice how to pick a new cell phone for 2026](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-advice-how-to-pick-a-new-cell-phone-for-2026/1026251)
**Author:** [@bobsmom101](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobsmom101)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2026, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-advice-how-to-pick-a-new-cell-phone-for-2026/1026251 "2026-03-17T21:24:15Z")
I’m about done with my old Motorola smart phone and cheap Consumer Cellular plan. The phone is small and it’s very hard to type on the keyboard, and Consumer Cellular is very reasonable, but slow and unreliable if you ar… --- ## [Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act - End of Democracy or Its Savior?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safeguard-american-voter-eligibility-save-act-end-of-democracy-or-its-savior/1014253)
**Author:** [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Replies:** 168\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2026, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safeguard-american-voter-eligibility-save-act-end-of-democracy-or-its-savior/1014253 "2026-03-17T19:56:18Z")
We started discussing this in the “compendium of horrors” thread. Since it is likely to be a big topic this year, I’m making a new thread. Here’s the mainstream liberal/progressive take: Brennan Center for Justice, Feb… --- ## [Why has nobody heard of Emmy Noether?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-has-nobody-heard-of-emmy-noether/1028384)
**Author:** [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2026, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-has-nobody-heard-of-emmy-noether/1028384 "2026-03-17T19:38:23Z")
It’s Women’s History Month, and so all over my (all-girls) school, there are posters and books and emails and announcements and so on highlighting various great women. And there’s an emphasis on women in STEM fields. S… --- ## [What's the deal with Finelo?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-finelo/1028474)
**Author:** [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2026, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-finelo/1028474 "2026-03-17T18:08:08Z")
Does anyone on the Dope have any direct experience with Finelo? It’s a phone app that parlays your $20 investment into allegedly vast sums within a month using AI. It looks really suspicious, another dodgy financial sche… --- ## [Can the Sovereign Alter the Method of Inheritance of a Peerage (UK)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-sovereign-alter-the-method-of-inheritance-of-a-peerage-uk/1010765)
**Author:** [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2026, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-sovereign-alter-the-method-of-inheritance-of-a-peerage-uk/1010765 "2026-03-17T16:55:08Z")
I’m in an argument with someone, and I’m pretty sure I’m right, but I can’t find a legitimate source to back me up. My disputant believes that the Sovereign controls peerages in the UK. I know the Sovereign can grant pe… --- ## [What is the Japanese text on this man's shirt](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-japanese-text-on-this-mans-shirt/1028486)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2026, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-japanese-text-on-this-mans-shirt/1028486 "2026-03-17T14:19:38Z")
In this video. I can’t get Google Lens to pick up the text on his shirt. Doubtless it’s some kind of obscure film or manga or what have you, but he wears this shirt in a lot of his videos so he’s piqued my curiosity. … --- ## [How do you scan a QR code on your phone from that phone \[iPhone\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-scan-a-qr-code-on-your-phone-from-that-phone-iphone/1027805)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2026, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-scan-a-qr-code-on-your-phone-from-that-phone-iphone/1027805 "2026-03-17T14:19:26Z")
I’m frustrated. I decided to update my password for my Gmail account. I did it on my laptop computer. So now I get to work and try signing in on my phone. I enter my new password, and I get a screen that basically says … --- ## [How hard will it be to set the gas pumps for more than $10 per gallon?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-will-it-be-to-set-the-gas-pumps-for-more-than-10-per-gallon/1028471)
**Author:** [@Ancient\_Nerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ancient_Nerd)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2026, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-will-it-be-to-set-the-gas-pumps-for-more-than-10-per-gallon/1028471 "2026-03-17T06:54:26Z")
When gasoline went over $1.00/gallon, they needed some hacks because the mechanical gas pumps of the day only had two digits for the price. Most stations set the price to half of the the actual. The attendant came out … --- ## [(Old) Time Is On My Side (?) - A Daylight Savings MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-time-is-on-my-side-a-daylight-savings-mmp/1028315)
**Author:** [@dogbutler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dogbutler)\ **Replies:** 292\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2026, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-time-is-on-my-side-a-daylight-savings-mmp/1028315 "2026-03-17T03:47:35Z")
Everybody add an extra scoop in their coffee, it’s the post spring forward coping day. I’m up, caffeinated, and sheveled. It’s currently 60 degrees Ferret Height(15.556 Centipedes\] Off to heave, \[Linda Richman\]Talk amo… --- ## [The Manchurian Candidate 2004 question (spoilers)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-manchurian-candidate-2004-question-spoilers/1028493)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2026, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-manchurian-candidate-2004-question-spoilers/1028493 "2026-03-17T02:11:03Z")
I recently watched it for the first time. In one scene Denzel bites the implant out of Raymond Shaw’s shoulder. Yet Shaw still obeys his trigger phrase and takes on his final mission. What was the implant for, just track… --- ## [BREAKING NEWS! Two planets collide at 11, thousand years ago, that is](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-two-planets-collide-at-11-thousand-years-ago-that-is/1028453)
**Author:** [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2026, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-two-planets-collide-at-11-thousand-years-ago-that-is/1028453 "2026-03-17T02:03:42Z")
2 planets collide 11,000 light-years from Earth in rare sight --- ## [Chicken paprikash](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicken-paprikash/1028452)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2026, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicken-paprikash/1028452 "2026-03-16T22:32:06Z")
I like chicken paprikash, but I’ve never made it. In my mind, it’s chili… only with chicken pieces instead of chunks. I mean, what’s paprika? Chile powder, right? I’ve ordered some actual Hungarian paprika. It shoul… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=123&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=125&state=muted)