# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1297 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1298 --- ## [Does our society value education?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-our-society-value-education/953574)
**Author:** [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2021, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-our-society-value-education/953574 "2021-11-03T19:25:51Z")
Spinning this conversation off from another thread, because I think it’s interesting, but I also think that @Fretful\_Porpentine is right that this is a hijack… Quotes of prior conversation that inspired this thread...It… --- ## [Peter Scolari - Dead at 66](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peter-scolari-dead-at-66/953012)
**Author:** [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2021, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peter-scolari-dead-at-66/953012 "2021-11-03T17:46:48Z")
Link. RIP, Peter. Loved him ever since Bosom Buddies. --- ## [Robertsonian Translocation- is there a geneticist in the house?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robertsonian-translocation-is-there-a-geneticist-in-the-house/953739)
**Author:** [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2021, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robertsonian-translocation-is-there-a-geneticist-in-the-house/953739 "2021-11-03T17:14:04Z")
I just found out yesterday that my nephew ( and his mother ) have a benign genetic abnormality called a balanced 13/14 Robertsonian translocation. My understanding - highly simplified - is that the ends of chromosomes 1… --- ## [Tourist attractions at the Mackinac bridge?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tourist-attractions-at-the-mackinac-bridge/941706)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2021, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tourist-attractions-at-the-mackinac-bridge/941706 "2021-11-03T16:45:11Z")
I happened to notice the large number of motels in Mackinaw City near the bridge. The coast looks like a low rent Miami Beach. What do the the tourists do? There are narrow beaches but it seems like the water would be co… --- ## [What we did right, what we did wrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-we-did-right-what-we-did-wrong/952384)
**Author:** [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2021, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-we-did-right-what-we-did-wrong/952384 "2021-11-03T15:36:18Z")
For some of us the end of the emergency appears to be in sight - fully vaccinated, measured re-opening, a clear path to post-covid normality beckons. Can it be true? Its perhaps time to get all reflective about our exp… --- ## [If the US goes into full decline, what were the main causes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-us-goes-into-full-decline-what-were-the-main-causes/920616)
**Author:** [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2021, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-us-goes-into-full-decline-what-were-the-main-causes/920616 "2021-11-03T13:10:25Z")
In a number of threads on the dope, the topic of the US’ relative status comes up, usually in the context of whether the US is still the A Number 1 bestest country (and, my opinion remains that US hegemony was only ever … --- ## [Session Zero for grades 4-5](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/session-zero-for-grades-4-5/953723)
**Author:** [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2021, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/session-zero-for-grades-4-5/953723 "2021-11-03T13:00:10Z")
I’m running an after-school club to teach kids to be DMs, and today’s session will be on running a Session Zero. All the Session Zero handouts I could find online were designed for adults and talked about things like how… --- ## [Best Buy purchase shows up as 'In-home Golf' in my checking account](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-buy-purchase-shows-up-as-in-home-golf-in-my-checking-account/722184)
**Author:** [@mack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mack)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2021, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-buy-purchase-shows-up-as-in-home-golf-in-my-checking-account/722184 "2021-11-03T11:47:39Z")
I bought a couple of things from a local (NYC) best buy on Saturday. Later that night I saw a charge in my account from IN-HOME GOLF. At first I thought someone got a hold of my account information but the amount of $ an… --- ## [Are we doomed? Will the SDMB die under the new ownership?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-doomed-will-the-sdmb-die-under-the-new-ownership/951883)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2021, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-doomed-will-the-sdmb-die-under-the-new-ownership/951883 "2021-11-03T09:26:48Z")
So now there’s a new owner of the StraightDope. And in the thread about it most of the posts are light-hearted and optimistic. But me, well…I’m wondering about the potential for disaster. From older threads, it seems… --- ## [A Dumb Question About Newborns From an Obvious First-Time Parent](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-dumb-question-about-newborns-from-an-obvious-first-time-parent/953425)
**Author:** [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2021, 9:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-dumb-question-about-newborns-from-an-obvious-first-time-parent/953425 "2021-11-03T09:19:22Z")
Parents! Be prepared to chuckle! My newborn daughter will turn four weeks this coming Saturday. Right now all she really does is eat, sleep, poop, and cry. Now, I know this is par for the course because she’s a newborn… --- ## [What's this Slim Cessna song about?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-slim-cessna-song-about/461432)
**Author:** [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2021, 9:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-slim-cessna-song-about/461432 "2021-11-03T09:12:26Z")
So, I was just driving to the supermarket to purchase assorted foodstuffs, merrily singing along to the song Mark of Vaccination by Slim Cessna’s Auto Club, when I noticed that I’ve got no bloody clue what it’s about. So… --- ## [Please help, looking for old toy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-looking-for-old-toy/953627)
**Author:** [@Greathouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greathouse)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2021, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-looking-for-old-toy/953627 "2021-11-03T07:15:24Z")
When I was a child we would go to my grandmother’s house (40 years ago approx) and she had these toys that my brother and I loved playing with. I have been looking for them and cannot seem to find them, or anything like … --- ## [Would a bank really contact you over a "suspicious check" if the details are legitimate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-bank-really-contact-you-over-a-suspicious-check-if-the-details-are-legitimate/953666)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2021, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-bank-really-contact-you-over-a-suspicious-check-if-the-details-are-legitimate/953666 "2021-11-03T05:18:20Z")
There’s been some serious family drama going on in my family. Long story short, I have an aunt and uncle who have a daughter who has been disowned by the family for a year now over her stealing a car for drug money after… --- ## [Aaron T. Beck - R.I.P](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aaron-t-beck-r-i-p/953650)
**Author:** [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats2)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2021, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aaron-t-beck-r-i-p/953650 "2021-11-03T04:10:42Z")
Aaron T. Beck, the father of cognitive behavioral therapy has died. His idea about recognizing and replacing negative thoughts helps me a lot, even I only spottily follow it. He’s someone I’m glad lived to be 100. --- ## [Why does male pattern baldness stop](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-male-pattern-baldness-stop/953544)
**Author:** [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2021, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-male-pattern-baldness-stop/953544 "2021-11-03T03:06:15Z")
We all know what male pattern baldness - androgenetic alopecia - looks like. It’s higher regular to the point of cliche. It’s causes are pretty well known. But I can’t find any articles that tell me exactly why the bald… --- ## [Jury trials and why it's going to be hard to hold people accountable for right-wing extremist violence](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jury-trials-and-why-its-going-to-be-hard-to-hold-people-accountable-for-right-wing-extremist-violence/953656)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2021, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jury-trials-and-why-its-going-to-be-hard-to-hold-people-accountable-for-right-wing-extremist-violence/953656 "2021-11-03T02:44:05Z")
The problem we have is that juries unanimously find a defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and I doubt that anyone accused of right-wing extremist violence is going to be unfortunate enough to have 12 completely u… --- ## [Do dogs even know when their tails are wagging?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-dogs-even-know-when-their-tails-are-wagging/953584)
**Author:** [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2021, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-dogs-even-know-when-their-tails-are-wagging/953584 "2021-11-03T01:25:23Z")
Or is it an automatic mood indicator not really consciously thought of. --- ## [Factual Questions Rules & FAQs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factual-questions-rules-faqs/447561)
**Author:** [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2010, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factual-questions-rules-faqs/447561 "2010-08-03T13:01:29Z")
Please be aware of the general rules for the Straight Dope Message Boards, which applies to all forums: FAQ - Rules for Posting on the Straight Dope Message Boards includes how to report bad posts, copyright rules, fo… --- ## [Baseball luxury tax question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-luxury-tax-question/953077)
**Author:** [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2021, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-luxury-tax-question/953077 "2021-11-03T01:11:12Z")
I understand that the CBA is expiring and the luxury tax system is up for grabs. For the purposes of this thread assume the luxury tax stays as it is currently calculated even if the total amount goes up. For those that… --- ## [Canadopers: fall federal election\[!\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadopers-fall-federal-election/948485)
**Author:** [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Replies:** 601\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2021, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadopers-fall-federal-election/948485 "2021-11-03T00:48:52Z")
The signs and auguries suggest an election shortly. Thoughts? Rants? Bets? Here’s a soft lob to start: is NDP leader Jagmeet Singh’s campaign to have the governor-general reject any request for a fall election matter to… --- ## [MLB insensitive to cows!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-insensitive-to-cows/953488)
**Author:** [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2021, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-insensitive-to-cows/953488 "2021-11-02T23:55:55Z")
I would never mock a cow, would you? --- ## [Beef from the wild west compared to today](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beef-from-the-wild-west-compared-to-today/952844)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2021, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beef-from-the-wild-west-compared-to-today/952844 "2021-11-02T23:55:36Z")
Is it possible to estimate how the quality of beef from the mid 1800s was compared to today’s beef? The cattle (longhorn?) were range fed but I’m picturing sparse prairie grass, not lush green pastures. Then they walked … --- ## [The 5 Universal Laws of Human Stupidity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-5-universal-laws-of-human-stupidity/953651)
**Author:** [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2021, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-5-universal-laws-of-human-stupidity/953651 "2021-11-02T21:05:51Z")
Interesting article I’d never heard of before. Dr. Cippolla had some interesting takes on the Human Condition. Core take-away: Never underestimate The Stupid. --- ## [Could I get a tax write off for all my groceries if I started a "Youtube cooking channel"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-get-a-tax-write-off-for-all-my-groceries-if-i-started-a-youtube-cooking-channel/951770)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2021, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-get-a-tax-write-off-for-all-my-groceries-if-i-started-a-youtube-cooking-channel/951770 "2021-11-02T19:54:27Z")
Let’s say I was the tax accountant for a professional TV cooking show like Rachel Ray. All of the ingredients that she uses on camera to prepare the dish of the day are unambiguously considered work related expenses and … --- ## [“The class of…”](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-class-of/953568)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2021, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-class-of/953568 "2021-11-02T19:45:26Z")
This is one of those questions the answer to which must be obvious to most people, but I’m not sure about correct usage so I’m asking anyway: In American usage, when referring to “the class of” some educational instituti… --- ## [ID This Spy Series (British TV, possibly John le Carré)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-spy-series-british-tv-possibly-john-le-carre/953501)
**Author:** [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2021, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-spy-series-british-tv-possibly-john-le-carre/953501 "2021-11-02T19:23:27Z")
(Possible spoilers, but this isn’t particularly recent) I saw the tail end of this maybe 25 years ago and only dimly remember it: A British TV adaptation of a well-known spy novel, possibly by John le Carré, ends with a … --- ## [Corporate tax avoidance: is the tax money lost and gone forever?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corporate-tax-avoidance-is-the-tax-money-lost-and-gone-forever/953467)
**Author:** [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2021, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corporate-tax-avoidance-is-the-tax-money-lost-and-gone-forever/953467 "2021-11-02T18:46:42Z")
There are a fair amount of stories about how Fortune 500 companies avoid paying income tax, some effectively ending up paying no taxes at all despite making billions. This seems especially galling when companies like Ama… --- ## [Why do some believe that lower taxes for high income people is good for the economy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-believe-that-lower-taxes-for-high-income-people-is-good-for-the-economy/953423)
**Author:** [@anny\_m](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anny_m)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2021, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-believe-that-lower-taxes-for-high-income-people-is-good-for-the-economy/953423 "2021-11-02T18:35:38Z")
Looking at these data, the top marginal tax rate through the 1950s was ~90%. It went down, but was 70% until 1980. I’m under the impression that by-and-large those were pretty good years for the US economy. The rate h… --- ## [Aftermarket sunroof](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aftermarket-sunroof/953637)
**Author:** [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2021, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aftermarket-sunroof/953637 "2021-11-02T18:26:48Z")
So it’s time to at least start thinking about a new car. Sun/moon roof is an absolute requirement for me; I’ve always had one & use mine regularly. One car I (\*very \*briefly) looked at that was a $15,000 option upfront… --- ## [High Cholesterol with a Good Ratio](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-cholesterol-with-a-good-ratio/953483)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2021, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-cholesterol-with-a-good-ratio/953483 "2021-11-02T17:58:02Z")
I went to my GP for my first post-50 physical. He asked me a bunch of questions, tapped a few things, listened to some others, EKG, etc. All was good, and then off to the blood and urine tests. He called me this week … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1296) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1298)