# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1256 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1257 --- ## [Tell me about owning a vacation rentals](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-owning-a-vacation-rentals/956119)
**Author:** [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2021, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-owning-a-vacation-rentals/956119 "2021-12-17T01:38:36Z")
The husband and I are looking into buying property in Hawaii. For health reasons, we’re likely to stay there during the winter months, and would like to rent the property out the rest of the time. Does anyone here have a… --- ## [US-China Economic Competition?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-china-economic-competition/955908)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2021, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-china-economic-competition/955908 "2021-12-17T01:34:36Z")
Reading a book by Ray Dalio where he discusses competition between US and China, where he has been investing for decades. His thoughts are partly summarized here. And his more generali thoughts in this linked thread. … --- ## [The broader concept underlying "risk compensation"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-broader-concept-underlying-risk-compensation/956173)
**Author:** [@SpacemanSpiff\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpacemanSpiff_II)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2021, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-broader-concept-underlying-risk-compensation/956173 "2021-12-17T01:24:12Z")
Risk compensation - Wikipedia Risk compensation is a theory which suggests that people typically adjust their behavior in response to perceived levels of risk, becoming more careful where they sense greater risk and le… --- ## [Sliding avatars?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sliding-avatars/954796)
**Author:** [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2021, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sliding-avatars/954796 "2021-12-17T01:20:36Z")
Noticed it only today - when reading a post that’s long enough so that the poster’s avatar gradually slips out of view as you scroll down to read the remainder of the post, now the avatar slides down as you scroll down, … --- ## [Speed Limit Signs: When do you have to slow down? Do you have to be at the reduced speed at the sign or slow down at the sign?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speed-limit-signs-when-do-you-have-to-slow-down-do-you-have-to-be-at-the-reduced-speed-at-the-sign-or-slow-down-at-the-sign/953985)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2021, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speed-limit-signs-when-do-you-have-to-slow-down-do-you-have-to-be-at-the-reduced-speed-at-the-sign-or-slow-down-at-the-sign/953985 "2021-12-17T00:29:47Z")
Subject kinda says it all. Example: You are driving 55 mph (current speed limit) and see a speed limit sign that says 35 mph. Legally, do you have to be going 35 mph at that sign or do you have some distance after the… --- ## [People respond to a "Rent a Hitman" website, web guy turns them in](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-respond-to-a-rent-a-hitman-website-web-guy-turns-them-in/956065)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2021, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-respond-to-a-rent-a-hitman-website-web-guy-turns-them-in/956065 "2021-12-17T00:25:36Z")
People want to rent a hit man, and the fellow who runs the site calls the cops. This seems like entrapment to me, and I’m surprised that police don’t ask for the web site to be shut down. --- ## [Countdown to Armageddon: Fundy preachers in the 1980s](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-armageddon-fundy-preachers-in-the-1980s/955967)
**Author:** [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2021, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-armageddon-fundy-preachers-in-the-1980s/955967 "2021-12-16T23:51:44Z")
Anyone remember this? It was a thing in the 1980s: ministers pleading with their congregations/TV audiences to repent because “Judgment Day is a-comin’!” Not just fundamentalists, and not just the Big Three (Falwell, Bak… --- ## [Giving to beggars](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giving-to-beggars/943323)
**Author:** [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Replies:** 195\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2021, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giving-to-beggars/943323 "2021-12-16T22:43:06Z")
Not a new topic, by any means, but one that I don’t see in my personal thread history. Also, not sure if this should go here or IMHO, but I’ll start it here since it seems so mundane to me. So today on my way home from… --- ## [Hulu perk check your email](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hulu-perk-check-your-email/956177)
**Author:** [@flaming\_yawn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flaming_yawn)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2021, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hulu-perk-check-your-email/956177 "2021-12-16T21:43:01Z")
I had an email from Hulu the other day basically telling me I can receive an ugly x-mas sweater from them… I picked which one I wanted in what size (solar opposites ) and today via UPS I got it! So check your email, it w… --- ## [The Boss cashes in](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-boss-cashes-in/956159)
**Author:** [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2021, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-boss-cashes-in/956159 "2021-12-16T21:31:58Z")
Bruce Springsteen has reportedly sold the masters and publishing rights for his entire catalog to Sony for half a BILLION dollars. I’m actually pretty surprised. Obviously, that’s a simply jaw-dropping amount of money.… --- ## [Has the "delete post" function been removed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-delete-post-function-been-removed/956176)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2021, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-delete-post-function-been-removed/956176 "2021-12-16T21:16:26Z")
I recently posted something, decided I wanted to think more on it and tried to delete my post. It was a function that used to be there. Now it seems to be gone. I had to edit my post saying I deleted it. Is there a r… --- ## [The Sports Genie Presents to You a Wish...Do Take it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sports-genie-presents-to-you-a-wish-do-take-it/955960)
**Author:** [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2021, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sports-genie-presents-to-you-a-wish-do-take-it/955960 "2021-12-16T21:04:46Z")
After rubbing one of your great grandad’s old bowling trophies a sports genie emerges. He says the following, “I am, indeed, a sports genie but I only have one power. Think of all the sports teams you love and are a fan… --- ## [Asking advice about a friend with mental problems](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asking-advice-about-a-friend-with-mental-problems/956075)
**Author:** [@salinqmind1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind1)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2021, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asking-advice-about-a-friend-with-mental-problems/956075 "2021-12-16T20:42:15Z")
short version: friends for 30 years. I am getting old and shaky, she helps me with stuff around the house (I am a widow, live alone, little bit of money, want to clean out the place and move). We have always been ther… --- ## [Smallest but Most Influential Battle in History](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-but-most-influential-battle-in-history/955586)
**Author:** [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2021, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-but-most-influential-battle-in-history/955586 "2021-12-16T20:26:57Z")
I was watching The Guns of Navarone over the weekend and had a thought (I know a dangerous pastime). In the fictional movie, a small squad destroys a somewhat important strategic target. Now, it is obvious that many of t… --- ## [What job are you most likely to die doing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-job-are-you-most-likely-to-die-doing/955591)
**Author:** [@turtlescanfly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/turtlescanfly)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2021, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-job-are-you-most-likely-to-die-doing/955591 "2021-12-16T19:33:03Z")
I nominate President of the United States. Out of 45 Presidents so far ( remember Grover Cleveland was both 22nd and 24th), 4 were assassinated in office. This means it has fatality rate of 8.9%. I decided to exclude the… --- ## [Windows 10: Disabling default behavior of side/thumb buttons?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-10-disabling-default-behavior-of-side-thumb-buttons/956077)
**Author:** [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2021, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-10-disabling-default-behavior-of-side-thumb-buttons/956077 "2021-12-16T19:24:20Z")
Is there an easy, straightforward way, under Windows 10, to disable a specific mouse button function? Specifically, when web browsers detect these particular “extra” buttons on a mouse (in the case of my particular mous… --- ## [Who Owns Our Content?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-owns-our-content/956127)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2021, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-owns-our-content/956127 "2021-12-16T19:15:51Z")
Purely factual question surrounding SDMB rules (I am not passing judgment, and urge my fellow board members to show the same courtesy :slightly\_smiling\_face: ). But who does our content on these boards technically belong… --- ## [JFK airport to get a makeover](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jfk-airport-to-get-a-makeover/956128)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2021, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jfk-airport-to-get-a-makeover/956128 "2021-12-16T17:39:20Z")
Exciting news for anyone who travels. I try to avoid JFK if I can, but sometimes it’s inevitable. Given the rough and tumble world of NY and NYC politics plus the unions, this should be a fun ride, but I do hope they … --- ## [US - Whither States?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-whither-states/956059)
**Author:** [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2021, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-whither-states/956059 "2021-12-16T17:03:34Z")
This subject has been percolating in my noggin for quite some time and I would be interested in a broad discussion here in the SDMB. It is inspired by a lot of different discussions that seem to boil down, for me, to th… --- ## [Why are "tags changed"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-tags-changed/955467)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2021, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-tags-changed/955467 "2021-12-16T15:18:42Z")
Every once in a while, after I start a topic, I get a notification of activity in that change. When I click on it, it says “tags \[were\] changed” by a mod. Just a moment ago, it seems to have been done by What Exit in … --- ## [Jack Reacher series to be taken over by Andrew Child](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jack-reacher-series-to-be-taken-over-by-andrew-child/853471)
**Author:** [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2021, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jack-reacher-series-to-be-taken-over-by-andrew-child/853471 "2021-12-16T13:56:12Z")
Not news, but I was recently thinking about it. There are dozens of these books (as well as a couple of movies, and perhaps even a TV show), and many people love them. They have consistently come out at the rate of one p… --- ## [Stargirl Season 2](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stargirl-season-2/948362)
**Author:** [@Terminus\_Est](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terminus_Est)\ **Replies:** 145\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2021, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stargirl-season-2/948362 "2021-12-16T06:34:28Z")
The new season premieres Tuesday night, airing right before Superman & Lois. I have heard some rumors that they may be some multiversal shenanigans in the coming season, making this show an official part of the Arrowvers… --- ## [Spider-man is unfanwankable](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spider-man-is-unfanwankable/955669)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2021, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spider-man-is-unfanwankable/955669 "2021-12-16T06:24:41Z")
I don’t know if the current S-M uses the web squirting mechanism, or it’s organic, all I know is that there’s no way for an earthly apparatus to fire a gossamer thin web hundreds of feet through swirling urban air curren… --- ## [Question about levels of \_\_\_ after chemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-levels-of-after-chemo/955104)
**Author:** [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2021, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-levels-of-after-chemo/955104 "2021-12-16T06:12:13Z")
My friend has just gone through five very intense cycles of chemotherapy for lymphoma. He’s now in partial remission (with one more cycle to go, to be followed by a stem cell transplant). Apparently his remission is s… --- ## [Song-melding](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-melding/807177)
**Author:** [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Replies:** 152\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2021, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-melding/807177 "2021-12-16T06:11:40Z")
In what might turn out to be another one of my classic goose egg threads, here I’m looking for examples of songs people meld together when they’re running songs through their head. Alas - where you come to a part in a s… --- ## [Lazy song writing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lazy-song-writing/955957)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2021, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lazy-song-writing/955957 "2021-12-16T04:59:33Z")
Whenever I hear, “There were plants and birds and rocks and things”, I have to wonder if the America guys had just given up. What lyrics trigger you as lazy lyrics? --- ## [Your job vs what you planned to do / dream job](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-job-vs-what-you-planned-to-do-dream-job/955635)
**Author:** [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2021, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-job-vs-what-you-planned-to-do-dream-job/955635 "2021-12-16T04:06:46Z")
This idea came to me based on seeing the thread: What did you dream of doing as a child and/or what career did you study for vs what career are you actually pursuing now? NB: vague answers on what you do now are fine,… --- ## [Who names the Covid variants and why do they skip around the Greek alphabet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-names-the-covid-variants-and-why-do-they-skip-around-the-greek-alphabet/955941)
**Author:** [@jebert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jebert)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2021, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-names-the-covid-variants-and-why-do-they-skip-around-the-greek-alphabet/955941 "2021-12-16T03:32:33Z")
The title asks it all. --- ## [Mailbox baseball deterrence legality (might be) settled](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mailbox-baseball-deterrence-legality-might-be-settled/955262)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2021, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mailbox-baseball-deterrence-legality-might-be-settled/955262 "2021-12-16T03:22:13Z")
This thread was locked so I started this one for an update. The actually case that was just decided by the Ohio Supreme Court was about the driver that went off the edge of the road on accident and was paralyzed. I kno… --- ## [Chain that will withstand bolt cutters?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chain-that-will-withstand-bolt-cutters/955722)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2021, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chain-that-will-withstand-bolt-cutters/955722 "2021-12-16T03:10:00Z")
This darling little iron bench was stolen off my front porch last night. It was chained with a heavy-duty (so I thought) bicycle chain. Bench and chain both gone. My neighbor across the street saw the episode at 4:00 am.… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1255) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1257)