# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1262 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1263 --- ## [Is the death of Sebastian Shaw in X-Men: First Class theoretically possible given certain conditions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-death-of-sebastian-shaw-in-x-men-first-class-theoretically-possible-given-certain-conditions/955609)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2021, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-death-of-sebastian-shaw-in-x-men-first-class-theoretically-possible-given-certain-conditions/955609 "2021-12-11T12:04:38Z")
The climax of X-Men: First Class happens inside the reactor room of a nuclear submarine. With glacial slowness, Magneto pushes a coin into the skull and through the brain of his rival Shaw, and out the other side, killin… --- ## [If you're on this call, you are part of the unlucky group that is being laid off](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-on-this-call-you-are-part-of-the-unlucky-group-that-is-being-laid-off/955572)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2021, 9:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-on-this-call-you-are-part-of-the-unlucky-group-that-is-being-laid-off/955572 "2021-12-11T09:30:27Z")
The Mortgage company Better dot com decided to lay off 9% of its workforce just before the holidays via a Zoom call. That’s special. https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/05/business/better-ceo-fires-employees/index.html More f… --- ## [How many triangles can you see?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-triangles-can-you-see/955870)
**Author:** [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2021, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-triangles-can-you-see/955870 "2021-12-11T06:17:04Z")
The FQ thread created earlier today (Geometry buffs: Pls explain this “How many triangles” puzzle) reminded me of a mathematics competition I participated in years ago. One question was similar, and I’ll pose it here. (… --- ## [What's the best/cheapest/easiest way to make soda water? Any Spärkel fans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-cheapest-easiest-way-to-make-soda-water-any-sparkel-fans/953252)
**Author:** [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2021, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-cheapest-easiest-way-to-make-soda-water-any-sparkel-fans/953252 "2021-12-11T05:14:51Z")
As I posted over in the first-world problems thread, the local store that had a reliable supply of Sodastream CO2 cylinders now only carries the newer pink ones, which are incompatible with the classic blue ones I need. … --- ## [Songs based on rehearsal riffs and such](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-based-on-rehearsal-riffs-and-such/953640)
**Author:** [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2021, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-based-on-rehearsal-riffs-and-such/953640 "2021-12-11T04:01:49Z")
Fleetwood Mac’s Tusk was an expansion on Lindsey Buckingham’s sound check riff, and TIL that ZZ Top’s La Grange started the same way. Educate me, Dopers. What other well-known songs started out as throw-away riffs? --- ## [Is “Invalid” still appropriate to use when referring to disabled persons?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-invalid-still-appropriate-to-use-when-referring-to-disabled-persons/955399)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2021, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-invalid-still-appropriate-to-use-when-referring-to-disabled-persons/955399 "2021-12-11T03:42:03Z")
When driving around, I’ll often see vans that are labeled “Invalid Coach”. I just saw one today, and wondered it it’s still an appropriate word to use, as it just seems insensitive. --- ## [Did you witness shoplifting?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-witness-shoplifting/954714)
**Author:** [@cincinnatus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cincinnatus)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2021, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-witness-shoplifting/954714 "2021-12-11T02:02:51Z")
Have you yourself seen a person shoplifting? What did you do? How did events turn out? --- ## [Could a hospital wash its hands of ivermeticin requests?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-hospital-wash-its-hands-of-ivermeticin-requests/955706)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2021, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-hospital-wash-its-hands-of-ivermeticin-requests/955706 "2021-12-11T01:06:15Z")
I’ve read more than one story about spouses or relatives insisting that a hospital treat their COVID-suffering loved one with the dewormer despite a lack of evidence that it works. Could the hospital simply have them sig… --- ## [Win10 System-- what's going on with the excessive power usage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/win10-system-whats-going-on-with-the-excessive-power-usage/955839)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2021, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/win10-system-whats-going-on-with-the-excessive-power-usage/955839 "2021-12-11T00:54:45Z")
Putting this in IMHO because though there’s got to be a clear factual answer, without personally examining my PC it’s more a matter of opinion, I’m guessing. So, I recently purchased a new desktop PC with AMD processor … --- ## [Blogging and blogging software, suggestions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blogging-and-blogging-software-suggestions/955862)
**Author:** [@ASGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASGuy)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2021, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blogging-and-blogging-software-suggestions/955862 "2021-12-10T23:34:37Z")
A good friend of mine is leaving the U.S. for France in early January. She will be overseas for six months. Many who know her have asked her to maintain a blog while in France. She asked me to help her set one up. I’m g… --- ## [YouTube previews no longer have video length](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youtube-previews-no-longer-have-video-length/955858)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2021, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youtube-previews-no-longer-have-video-length/955858 "2021-12-10T22:02:15Z")
I’d swear that they did this morning when I was watching stuff but they don’t now. There’s no way to know if you’re clicking on a :30 second or a 30 minute video now until the page begins to load and it displays in the … --- ## [What bottled tea is closest to restaurant iced tea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-bottled-tea-is-closest-to-restaurant-iced-tea/955789)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2021, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-bottled-tea-is-closest-to-restaurant-iced-tea/955789 "2021-12-10T21:36:52Z")
All the restaurants we eat at have delicious crystal clear iced tea. That wasn’t always the case even 10 years ago. Which bottled tea do you find is closest to that tea? Looking for unsweetened tea I can add sweetener a… --- ## [What's the deal with YouTube videos scrambling?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-youtube-videos-scrambling/955288)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2021, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-youtube-videos-scrambling/955288 "2021-12-10T21:03:23Z")
Sometimes when I watch videos on YouTube they go into this scramble mode. Bunch of lines across the screen making the image illegible. Audio is still good. It’s like trying to watch a cable channel I didn’t pay for back … --- ## [World Inequality Report 2022](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-inequality-report-2022/955850)
**Author:** [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2021, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-inequality-report-2022/955850 "2021-12-10T20:02:39Z")
I just read a short article in Business Insider about the findings of the World Inequality Report, saying that it proves (again) that trickle-down economics don’t work. I haven’t read past the homepage of the report (ab… --- ## [Minimize cost of electrical heating](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minimize-cost-of-electrical-heating/955686)
**Author:** [@Danger\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danger_Man)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2021, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minimize-cost-of-electrical-heating/955686 "2021-12-10T17:39:03Z")
Electricity costs are getting really high in Norway right now and most homes are heated by electricity. Prices vary througout the day, and you are given the price curve the day before. You could the heat your home when … --- ## [New Tactic in Locating My Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-tactic-in-locating-my-cat/955729)
**Author:** [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats2)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2021, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-tactic-in-locating-my-cat/955729 "2021-12-10T17:24:07Z")
This happened a couple of weeks ago. Maybe the trauma of that night will fade if I post about it here. I came home from work, and as usual at this time of year, it was dark as midnight outside. It was also cold. Unse… --- ## [Another reason to be disappointed in TFG](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-to-be-disappointed-in-tfg/955462)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2021, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-to-be-disappointed-in-tfg/955462 "2021-12-10T16:30:31Z")
Didn’t he say something about fixing our plumbing problems after it took 10 flushes to flush down his enormous turds? --- ## [Elections have consequences](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elections-have-consequences/955333)
**Author:** [@Cumberdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cumberdale)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2021, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elections-have-consequences/955333 "2021-12-10T15:45:28Z")
To all the people who couldn’t vote for Hillary in 2016, Everything that is going on is your fault. All I have to say is FUCK YOU! --- ## [Life long Doctor Who fan - 20 dies from muscular dystrophy. Leaves in Tardis](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-long-doctor-who-fan-20-dies-from-muscular-dystrophy-leaves-in-tardis/955832)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2021, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-long-doctor-who-fan-20-dies-from-muscular-dystrophy-leaves-in-tardis/955832 "2021-12-10T14:37:28Z")
Young Doctor Who fan left this life in a Tardis. His short life was difficult and full of challenges. Muscular Dystrophy is a horrible disease. I’m glad Antony found something in life that gave him joy and entertainment… --- ## [Which country (culture, empire, etc.) has the most effective anti-corruption laws?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-country-culture-empire-etc-has-the-most-effective-anti-corruption-laws/955022)
**Author:** [@Roger\_That](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roger_That)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2021, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-country-culture-empire-etc-has-the-most-effective-anti-corruption-laws/955022 "2021-12-10T14:41:34Z")
I’m a huge advocate of enacting laws making corruption (of government officials, primarily, but also of anyone interacting with them–i.e., bribetakers and bribegivers alike) illegal. If this discourages people from publ… --- ## [Geographical Oddities](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geographical-oddities/408391)
**Author:** [@Captain\_Socks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Socks)\ **Replies:** 244\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2021, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geographical-oddities/408391 "2021-12-10T13:32:28Z")
Cairo, Illinois is closer to Memphis, Tennessee than to Chicago, Illinois. Some of western Virginia is west of Detroit, Michigan. What other interesting geography facts or oddities are there? It doesn’t have to the Ame… --- ## [Hmmmm. I'm skeptical \[road signs\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hmmmm-im-skeptical-road-signs/955455)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2021, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hmmmm-im-skeptical-road-signs/955455 "2021-12-10T13:19:54Z")
Cereal? Cereal? - Album on Imgur I don’t think there’s cornflakes growing wild here --- ## [Masayuki Uemura, Creator Of The NES And SNES, Has Passed Away](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/masayuki-uemura-creator-of-the-nes-and-snes-has-passed-away/955819)
**Author:** [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2021, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/masayuki-uemura-creator-of-the-nes-and-snes-has-passed-away/955819 "2021-12-10T03:00:47Z")
condolences to the man who helped restore the words “video game console/system” back to greatness after they became dirty words in retail and beyond --- ## [Cyanoacrylate and Smartphone Glass](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyanoacrylate-and-smartphone-glass/955736)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2021, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyanoacrylate-and-smartphone-glass/955736 "2021-12-10T08:13:21Z")
I may have mentioned that my fiancee is blind. This makes certain aspects of operating her smartphone more complex. For instance, when she’s on a call, it doesn’t always respond to her spoken command to disconnect. Since… --- ## ["Stepmom" as a descriptor in this circumstance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stepmom-as-a-descriptor-in-this-circumstance/955672)
**Author:** [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2021, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stepmom-as-a-descriptor-in-this-circumstance/955672 "2021-12-10T07:36:10Z")
Say you are a woman, and you have an ex-baby daddy (never married him, but he is the father of your daughter) and said BD has four other kids by previous relationships, only one of whom you’ve ever even met. Can you cal… --- ## [RIP, John Lennon December 8](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-john-lennon-december-8/955718)
**Author:** [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2021, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-john-lennon-december-8/955718 "2021-12-10T04:51:37Z")
Imagine there’s no heaven It’s easy if you try No hell below us Above us, only sky October 9,1940 - December 8, 1980. Gone too soon. --- ## [Camel Beauty Contest Rocked By Botox Scandal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/camel-beauty-contest-rocked-by-botox-scandal/955728)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2021, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/camel-beauty-contest-rocked-by-botox-scandal/955728 "2021-12-10T03:05:49Z")
What is the world coming to when you have to be suspicious even of camel beauty pageants? And it’s not like they can make it up in the Talent compretition. --- ## [Voiceovers you'd love to hear](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voiceovers-youd-love-to-hear/955818)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2021, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voiceovers-youd-love-to-hear/955818 "2021-12-10T02:40:06Z")
I’d like to hear the voice actor who does Professor Farnsworth on Futurama dub the scientist Walter’s lines in the original Half-Life 1: “It appears the containment system has completely failed”. “Well, there goes our … --- ## [CNN - "DeSantis proposes a new civilian military force in Florida that he would control" - Deliberately Alarmist Headline?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-desantis-proposes-a-new-civilian-military-force-in-florida-that-he-would-control-deliberately-alarmist-headline/955485)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2021, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-desantis-proposes-a-new-civilian-military-force-in-florida-that-he-would-control-deliberately-alarmist-headline/955485 "2021-12-10T01:49:48Z")
Saw this on the CNN front page as THE top story this morning, above literally everything else. However this heavily reminds me of a famous Simpsons clip in that the headline is both wrong and completely exaggerated. Eve… --- ## [The aftermath of knee replacement surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-aftermath-of-knee-replacement-surgery/950511)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2021, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-aftermath-of-knee-replacement-surgery/950511 "2021-12-10T01:47:16Z")
Spousal unit had his left knee replaced on Sep 3, and the right will be replaced on Dec 3. As I write this, we’re a week from his hospital release (they kept him overnight because of another recent surgery - apparently t… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1261) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1263)