# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1258 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1259 --- ## [Phone spam protection app for Android](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phone-spam-protection-app-for-android/955889)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2021, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phone-spam-protection-app-for-android/955889 "2021-12-15T15:39:01Z")
I’m inundated with phone spam - both text and calls, but especially SMS text. I have a Samsung Galaxy S21. Can anyone recommend a trustworthy app to help block this crap? Thanks. --- ## [Why a yellow card here?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-a-yellow-card-here/956102)
**Author:** [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2021, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-a-yellow-card-here/956102 "2021-12-15T14:55:33Z")
So, an idiot gets on the pitch in England during a match, and is slow getting off the field. One of the players knocks him over with a shoulder check, and apparently received a yellow card for her trouble. WTF? Also, … --- ## [2021 Time Person of the Year](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2021-time-person-of-the-year/953250)
**Author:** [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2021, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2021-time-person-of-the-year/953250 "2021-12-15T13:49:38Z")
This year’s Person of the Year is supposed to be named in a month or so, so I guess it’s time to discuss it. I think it goes to “The Essential Worker,” especially as they were left off last year in favor of the traditio… --- ## [Please identify this telescope found at an Estate sale](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-identify-this-telescope-found-at-an-estate-sale/956082)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2021, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-identify-this-telescope-found-at-an-estate-sale/956082 "2021-12-15T13:18:51Z")
It is about 10 inches long. Has 4 legs to level it - has a spirit level too. Looks like a copper based allow construction. Spins on its axis, and has degrees marked like a protractor. Thank you --- ## [Halo: Infinite Campaign](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/halo-infinite-campaign/955821)
**Author:** [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2021, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/halo-infinite-campaign/955821 "2021-12-15T11:56:38Z")
So, the new Halo campaign dropped this week. The multiplayer has been out for a while now, and has received a lot of negative press. But I really don’t give a crap about multiplayer, and have been waiting for the campaig… --- ## [Yes, this is real: Sip & Develop–enjoy your own drink while you watch your film develop, at a strip mall near you](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-this-is-real-sip-develop-enjoy-your-own-drink-while-you-watch-your-film-develop-at-a-strip-mall-near-you/956012)
**Author:** [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2021, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-this-is-real-sip-develop-enjoy-your-own-drink-while-you-watch-your-film-develop-at-a-strip-mall-near-you/956012 "2021-12-15T04:05:03Z")
Rent’s not cheap here; somebody’s fixing to lose some money. --- ## ['1984' Or 'Brave New World' (What Are We Becoming?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1984-or-brave-new-world-what-are-we-becoming/955944)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2021, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1984-or-brave-new-world-what-are-we-becoming/955944 "2021-12-15T04:00:11Z")
I’ll file this under literary questions. What is our society, US society specifically, going to end up ultimately as? George Orwell’s 1984 or Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World ? Because they’re both supposedly models of d… --- ## [Newsom: CA to pass Texas-style law targeting gun sellers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newsom-ca-to-pass-texas-style-law-targeting-gun-sellers/955930)
**Author:** [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Replies:** 130\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2021, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newsom-ca-to-pass-texas-style-law-targeting-gun-sellers/955930 "2021-12-15T03:05:43Z")
I had a feeling some state was going to try some version of this, I just wasn’t sure who was going to be first. It’s clearly not a law that’s meant to be sound policy, but CA looks to be trying to force the Supreme Cou… --- ## [Another John Rosemond rant](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-john-rosemond-rant/928059)
**Author:** [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2021, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-john-rosemond-rant/928059 "2021-12-15T02:34:37Z")
So I googled “shock and awe” and this came up. That sent me on a googling spree, and now I have to vent about what I found. TL,DR: Parenting expert was raised by jerks, crusades to have all children treated as badly as h… --- ## [Best Martial Art In A Zombie Attack?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-martial-art-in-a-zombie-attack/956014)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2021, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-martial-art-in-a-zombie-attack/956014 "2021-12-15T01:48:39Z")
So you’re facing a horde of shamblers-the slow infectious bitey kind. You’re very experienced in martial arts but don’t have any weapons. What’s the best fighting art to use to get away? Assume that once you’ve knocked … --- ## [Weird screen flicker and ghosting -- it's the monitor, not the computer, right?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-screen-flicker-and-ghosting-its-the-monitor-not-the-computer-right/955947)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2021, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-screen-flicker-and-ghosting-its-the-monitor-not-the-computer-right/955947 "2021-12-15T01:43:25Z")
Am I right to conclude that the problem we’ve been having with Ms. Napier’s new system is the monitor’s fault, and not the computer’s? I bought her a Mac Mini last summer, along with an LG brand 24MP88 monitor. There’s b… --- ## [What happens to economic debt between belligerent nations?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-economic-debt-between-belligerent-nations/956019)
**Author:** [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2021, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-economic-debt-between-belligerent-nations/956019 "2021-12-15T00:44:54Z")
Disclaimer: I am not a politician, nor (especially) an economist. I couldn’t tell you a GDP from a trade imbalance from a kumquat. But I do know war, and war ain’t pretty. But what happens during, or after a war, with… --- ## [What is an appropriate kid's allowance in 2021?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-an-appropriate-kids-allowance-in-2021/955990)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2021, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-an-appropriate-kids-allowance-in-2021/955990 "2021-12-15T00:21:57Z")
What’s a appropriate kid’s allowance for 2021? We gave ours $15 a week a decade ago. That’s just pocket money. We bought all the essentials. They got extra on birthdays and holidays. Their Grandparents always sent card… --- ## [Car talk core puzzler confusion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-talk-core-puzzler-confusion/955887)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2021, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-talk-core-puzzler-confusion/955887 "2021-12-15T00:13:22Z")
This is the recent one about coring a sphere Coring the Sphere | Car Talk I’m confused by the question and answer. Essentially, if we remove a 6 inch long core from a sphere, how much of the sphere is left. THe questi… --- ## [Chocolate Cake](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chocolate-cake/954791)
**Author:** [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2021, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chocolate-cake/954791 "2021-12-15T00:10:18Z")
If someone offers you “Chocolate Cake” and hands you yellow cake with chocolate icing were they lying? --- ## [What is This Crooked Spatula For?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-crooked-spatula-for/955991)
**Author:** [@tofor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tofor)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2021, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-crooked-spatula-for/955991 "2021-12-14T23:02:40Z")
My grandmother bought this for me in a small shop where the clerk suggested it when asked, “What should I get for my grandson who likes to cook?” https://imgur.com/a/20xRXvS But what the heck is it for? Is this a manu… --- ## [Do people sweat in hot tubs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-sweat-in-hot-tubs/956056)
**Author:** [@SpacemanSpiff\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpacemanSpiff_II)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2021, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-sweat-in-hot-tubs/956056 "2021-12-14T23:00:21Z")
Obviously the part which is not underwater does, but I’m wondering about the part which is underwater. I see from WebMD that people do not sweat in hot tubs. And from a source called "Healthline" that they do. Unless W… --- ## [Can we please not call Joseph Rosenbaum a "hero"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-not-call-joseph-rosenbaum-a-hero/954657)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2021, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-not-call-joseph-rosenbaum-a-hero/954657 "2021-12-14T22:58:17Z")
The other two victims, yeah you can call them heroes if you want. But holy shit Joseph should have spent the rest of his life in jail for anally raping an 8 year old and molesting 4 other children. All I can say is FUUUU… --- ## [Older dopers, your reaction to participation in the Vietnam War](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-dopers-your-reaction-to-participation-in-the-vietnam-war/954695)
**Author:** [@ASGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASGuy)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2021, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-dopers-your-reaction-to-participation-in-the-vietnam-war/954695 "2021-12-14T22:34:25Z")
I’ve been participating in the MPSIMS “polls, no discussion” thread. I came up with this one but decided it warranted discussion. Here it is. This poll is for dopers age 68 and older. I’m 67, so I don’t qualify. I’ll as… --- ## [Have citizens arrests ever resulted in trials?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-citizens-arrests-ever-resulted-in-trials/954650)
**Author:** [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2021, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-citizens-arrests-ever-resulted-in-trials/954650 "2021-12-14T21:55:10Z")
I thought citizens arrest was an urban legend. Has a citizens arrest ever resulted directly in a trial? --- ## [Son-of-a-wrek and the bad, bad, bad Saturday shopping trip](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/son-of-a-wrek-and-the-bad-bad-bad-saturday-shopping-trip/955929)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2021, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/son-of-a-wrek-and-the-bad-bad-bad-saturday-shopping-trip/955929 "2021-12-14T21:46:00Z")
Son-of-a-wrek comes to me early. He’s having a difficult Christmas shopping experience. He’s not been real successful ever buying for the DIL. I believe she really thinks it’s kinda funny watching him squirm leading u… --- ## [Massive Seroprevalence and Omicron](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-seroprevalence-and-omicron/956067)
**Author:** [@Tfletch1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tfletch1)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2021, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-seroprevalence-and-omicron/956067 "2021-12-14T21:24:09Z")
In several threads, many of you have surmised that Omicron seems to be more mild because of vaccines or prior exposures. This article refers to the first study coming out of South Africa in support of the anecdotal evide… --- ## [Started more threads than the number of posts you made?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/started-more-threads-than-the-number-of-posts-you-made/956064)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2021, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/started-more-threads-than-the-number-of-posts-you-made/956064 "2021-12-14T20:55:26Z")
I was just looking at the data for cheesedonkey (because of a bumped thread) and he made 225 posts, but started 265 threads? So my question is: Huh? How—board statistically—does someone make fewer posts than their num… --- ## [How good would a goalkeeper have to be to win the Ballon D'Or these days?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-would-a-goalkeeper-have-to-be-to-win-the-ballon-dor-these-days/955356)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2021, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-would-a-goalkeeper-have-to-be-to-win-the-ballon-dor-these-days/955356 "2021-12-14T18:27:22Z")
Hasn’t happened since Lev Yashin in the 1960s. Even Manuel Neuer in his heyday never won it. There is intrinsic bias towards goalscorers, since offense is where the glamor is. Messi, Ronaldo, etc. - strikers who hogged … --- ## [I enjoy a neapolitan pizza with spicy honey on it!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-enjoy-a-neapolitan-pizza-with-spicy-honey-on-it/955953)
**Author:** [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2021, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-enjoy-a-neapolitan-pizza-with-spicy-honey-on-it/955953 "2021-12-14T18:21:37Z")
I went to my usual favorite Neapolitan pizza joint with the Mrs. last night. They specialize in the type of pizza that’s made with the basics: Durum wheat flour, water, salt, San Marzano tomatoes, and bufala mozzarella… --- ## [Amazon Web Services takes down huge swathes of the internet, but not SDMB](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-web-services-takes-down-huge-swathes-of-the-internet-but-not-sdmb/955667)
**Author:** [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2021, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-web-services-takes-down-huge-swathes-of-the-internet-but-not-sdmb/955667 "2021-12-14T18:19:07Z")
An outage at Amazon Web Services (AWS) has taken down huge portions of the internet, and has disrupted all kinds of services. Major websites, such as Duolingo and some big social media platforms have been affected. But … --- ## [Iran wants to ban cat ownership, but isn't that against Islam?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-wants-to-ban-cat-ownership-but-isnt-that-against-islam/955971)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2021, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-wants-to-ban-cat-ownership-but-isnt-that-against-islam/955971 "2021-12-14T15:20:24Z")
According to recent news from Iran The law, named \[Protection of the Public’s Rights Against Animals\], was proposed by 75 hardliner legislators and introduced in November, described people living with animals as a “des… --- ## ["Tis the season for sickeningly sweet holiday commercials](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tis-the-season-for-sickeningly-sweet-holiday-commercials/955790)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2021, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tis-the-season-for-sickeningly-sweet-holiday-commercials/955790 "2021-12-14T14:56:48Z")
Mostly insincere glurge, like the little girl who saves her snowman’s head, the old lady who overcomes her hesitation and gives a guy a pair of gloves, the woman across the street who sends her neighbor a birdfeeder. Now… --- ## [If China had been more open at the beginning of the pandemic, how would it have mattered?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-china-had-been-more-open-at-the-beginning-of-the-pandemic-how-would-it-have-mattered/954054)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2021, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-china-had-been-more-open-at-the-beginning-of-the-pandemic-how-would-it-have-mattered/954054 "2021-12-14T13:42:19Z")
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, I saw many in the administration complaining that China was not being open with the world. AFAIK, this is still the case. My question is, if China had opened up the doors to t… --- ## [Actors who are seen as often "playing themselves"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-are-seen-as-often-playing-themselves/955873)
**Author:** [@BigDfromLA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigDfromLA)\ **Replies:** 117\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2021, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-are-seen-as-often-playing-themselves/955873 "2021-12-14T13:17:34Z")
Certain actors are often considered to be “playing themselves” in many of their roles. It seems to be somewhat insulting because it implies a limit in range and that they can only play roles that fit their perceived selv… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1257) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1259)