# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=126&state=tracking [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 127 --- ## [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… --- ## [The Best Books Since 2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-books-since-2000/1002634)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2026, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-books-since-2000/1002634 "2026-03-16T22:16:51Z")
Wondering what Dopers think of this annual list of the best books since 2000 which appeared in the New York Times? (Have read very few of them, often find these lists very progressive, sometimes to a fault). --- ## [How do you pronounce](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce/1028355)
**Author:** [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2026, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce/1028355 "2026-03-16T20:31:26Z")
“Often”? I don’t pronounce the T, but lots of people do. Does anyone know if this is a regional or cultural thing? I know that Gilbert and Sullivan didn’t pronounce the T, either, because they made a joke in The Pirat… --- ## [Happy Saint Urho Day!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-saint-urho-day/1028489)
**Author:** [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2026, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-saint-urho-day/1028489 "2026-03-16T19:27:23Z")
For those who want to get a head start on St. Patrick, today is the day to celebrate the legendary St. Urho. From the wiki article: The legend now states that St. Urho drove away grasshoppers (rather than frogs) from … --- ## [What Are Your Opinions of The Roger Patterson "Bigfoot" Film?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-opinions-of-the-roger-patterson-bigfoot-film/281714)
**Author:** [@Sir\_Rhosis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Rhosis)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2026, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-opinions-of-the-roger-patterson-bigfoot-film/281714 "2026-03-16T19:18:41Z")
It’s the famous 8-mm (?) silent footage taken in California, around 1967. Female (pendulous breasts obvious in the footage) Bigfoot running through the creekbed. Camera flailing about as horse threw Patterson, the film… --- ## [Explain elements of home WiFi?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-elements-of-home-wifi/1028464)
**Author:** [@LynnM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LynnM)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2026, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-elements-of-home-wifi/1028464 "2026-03-16T19:10:06Z")
Can someone explain in a simple “for dummies” way the basic elements of setting up home WiFi? I just got a refurbished computer with LinuxMint installed on SSD. I was trying to set up WiFi and was completely befuddled; … --- ## [Worse run NFL teams in last 10 years](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worse-run-nfl-teams-in-last-10-years/1028338)
**Author:** [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2026, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worse-run-nfl-teams-in-last-10-years/1028338 "2026-03-16T17:46:50Z")
I’m posting this in Game Room so that 1. it won’t be lost in Polls, and 2. because it’s sports related. this iss informal poll intended for discussion. Anyhow, here’s my 10, from worst to least worse (relatively speaking… --- ## [Local LLM for general-purpose spam & headline filtering?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-llm-for-general-purpose-spam-headline-filtering/1028495)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2026, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-llm-for-general-purpose-spam-headline-filtering/1028495 "2026-03-16T17:20:56Z")
Has anyone had experience using a local LLM (because the cloud ones would be too expensive, I think?) to filter email topics, forum titles, news headlines, etc. in a web browser? I’d like to be able to define a set of t… --- ## [Ultra High Speed Photography](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ultra-high-speed-photography/1028491)
**Author:** [@whc.03grady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whc.03grady)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2026, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ultra-high-speed-photography/1028491 "2026-03-16T16:42:28Z")
You know those 10 trillion frames per second cameras that “film” the movement of light, how is it possible? It seems to me that of course you can’t have a film camera, like with a mechanical shutter, with such an insane… --- ## [How close is a hotel to your house?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-close-is-a-hotel-to-your-house/1028364)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 117\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2026, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-close-is-a-hotel-to-your-house/1028364 "2026-03-16T14:58:34Z")
I’m coming to visit you but I’ll be staying at a hotel so as not to be a bother, because I’m nice, dammit! :wink: Is there a reasonable, non-creepy hotel or motel close to where you live? The closest to where I live is … --- ## [The Great Sitcom Battle, Female Characters, Round 2. Choose your favorites](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-sitcom-battle-female-characters-round-2-choose-your-favorites/1028442)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2026, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-sitcom-battle-female-characters-round-2-choose-your-favorites/1028442 "2026-03-16T13:01:53Z")
This is Round Two 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 12 head-to-head battles. Polls wi… --- ## [Hair Styling Gel for Men Without the "Wet Look" - Suggestions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-styling-gel-for-men-without-the-wet-look-suggestions/650494)
**Author:** [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2026, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-styling-gel-for-men-without-the-wet-look-suggestions/650494 "2026-03-16T12:43:43Z")
Male with short hair here. I’m looking for styling gel / mousse that doesn’t leave my black hair looking wet or shiny and yet has decent hold. Got any suggestions? Thanks in advance. ETA: Oops, I think this belongs in … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=125&state=tracking) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=127&state=tracking)