# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1317 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1318 --- ## [The best government is that which governs least?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-government-is-that-which-governs-least/952258)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2021, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-government-is-that-which-governs-least/952258 "2021-10-12T01:27:35Z")
Seen and heard many times over the years, most recently today…but are there any real world examples to support this idea? --- ## [What is the most successful, \*non-Tech\* company founded in America since 1980?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-successful-non-tech-company-founded-in-america-since-1980/945265)
**Author:** [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2021, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-successful-non-tech-company-founded-in-america-since-1980/945265 "2021-10-12T01:18:12Z")
By “success”, assume the obvious metrics - revenues, profits, market cap. Given the answer can be proved by numbers, that’s why I put this in GQ… but if it’s moved, no big deal. “Non-Tech” is a bit harder. Like pornogra… --- ## [Favorite cameos from famous people as "themselves"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-cameos-from-famous-people-as-themselves/827905)
**Author:** [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Replies:** 188\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2021, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-cameos-from-famous-people-as-themselves/827905 "2021-10-12T00:03:42Z")
What are your favorite examples from movies/tv where a famous person shows up as themself? I think there are two broad categories of such cameos: (1) The famous person is playing it straight, more or less literally who… --- ## [How does sane conservatism differ from liberalism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-sane-conservatism-differ-from-liberalism/942320)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2021, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-sane-conservatism-differ-from-liberalism/942320 "2021-10-11T23:08:18Z")
Every now and then there are people on the left and right who lament the craziness of the modern GOP and call for a return of “sane conservatism” (or some term that approximates that.) But each time they do, their defin… --- ## [A few questions about the separate but equal and the integration movement](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-questions-about-the-separate-but-equal-and-the-integration-movement/952045)
**Author:** [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2021, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-questions-about-the-separate-but-equal-and-the-integration-movement/952045 "2021-10-11T20:00:47Z")
Ok I was in various foster homes in the 80s that were African American and since I was into history I often asked about black history and since most of the couples were grandparent types they could vividly remember… --- ## [The joy of passive-aggressive gifting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-joy-of-passive-aggressive-gifting/952249)
**Author:** [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2021, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-joy-of-passive-aggressive-gifting/952249 "2021-10-11T19:39:00Z")
The scenario: I have two friends, A and B. A lives close but B, who was originally a work friend to both of us, lives a few hours away. B’s birthday was last month and mine is next month. Today is A’s birthday. Usually … --- ## [Songs/poems that recite lists (e.g. Tom Lehrer's "The Elements"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-poems-that-recite-lists-e-g-tom-lehrers-the-elements/952203)
**Author:** [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2021, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-poems-that-recite-lists-e-g-tom-lehrers-the-elements/952203 "2021-10-11T19:23:25Z")
Most of us are familiar with Tom Lehrer’s “The Elements”, in which he sings the name of all 100+ chemical elements - with a reasonable rhyming scheme. I found a similar one on Youtube, in which al 270 London Underground… --- ## [Post count, threading messed up](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-count-threading-messed-up/952114)
**Author:** [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2021, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-count-threading-messed-up/952114 "2021-10-11T18:29:05Z")
Look at this picture Notice the timeline bar on the right says there are 132 posts in the topic. But clearly you can see Cheesesteak’s post #133. And there have been three hour… --- ## [My personal experience with mandatory Covid vaccinations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-personal-experience-with-mandatory-covid-vaccinations/950473)
**Author:** [@Turble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turble)\ **Replies:** 182\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2021, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-personal-experience-with-mandatory-covid-vaccinations/950473 "2021-10-11T18:25:14Z")
My father has been in a nursing home for almost two years. He had Covid early on while in the nursing home and got both vaccine shots when they became available. When visits became available I talked to three staff memb… --- ## [Does persecution strengthen or weaken the thing being persecuted?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-persecution-strengthen-or-weaken-the-thing-being-persecuted/951793)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2021, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-persecution-strengthen-or-weaken-the-thing-being-persecuted/951793 "2021-10-03T18:05:05Z")
I attended a fairly conservative Christian college and one of the history professors made a point of challenging what he regarded as a “romantic myth:” He pointed out that, contrary to the belief that persecution makes C… --- ## [Taking a conscious step back from social media/your cell phone/other technology](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-a-conscious-step-back-from-social-media-your-cell-phone-other-technology/952301)
**Author:** [@The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_wind_of_my_soul)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2021, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-a-conscious-step-back-from-social-media-your-cell-phone-other-technology/952301 "2021-10-11T17:48:44Z")
Last summer, I read a book called How to Break Up With Your Cell Phone in Thirty Days. It had a thirty-day plan I followed, where you took steps to address unhealthy cell phone behaviors and stop them. Then in Septembe… --- ## [True or false: America is the source of the world’s “new”](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-or-false-america-is-the-source-of-the-world-s-new/952152)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2021, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-or-false-america-is-the-source-of-the-world-s-new/952152 "2021-10-11T17:47:48Z")
I came across this quote while reading. Although it has some merit, innovation seems to come from many places. Nevertheless, despite considerable patriotic grandiosity it is true that the States remain influential. St… --- ## [Bullshit job applic. requirements](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bullshit-job-applic-requirements/952100)
**Author:** [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2021, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bullshit-job-applic-requirements/952100 "2021-10-11T16:59:24Z")
Employers, this is why you’re hurtin’ these days! Just applied for a retail, customer service position. (Keep that in mind, folks.) The application returned a request for some “skills assessment” questions. Okay. The… --- ## [What are the biggest team comebacks over the course of a season?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-biggest-team-comebacks-over-the-course-of-a-season/952268)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2021, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-biggest-team-comebacks-over-the-course-of-a-season/952268 "2021-10-11T16:39:32Z")
So the Lions are losing right now and this will make them 0-5. If they win every single game remaining this year, that might give them a shot at the playoffs(maybe not, I don’t follow football). What are the biggest sin… --- ## [Remote control in osX Big Sur](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remote-control-in-osx-big-sur/952158)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2021, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remote-control-in-osx-big-sur/952158 "2021-10-11T16:19:39Z")
Backstory: IT Support shut off OpenVPN last night, and everyone had to switch to FortiClient. Couldn’t get it to work, so I had to get into contact with IT. Because of things going on here, it took a while; but I am fi… --- ## [England's catastrophic loss of truck (lorry) drivers---why this week?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/englands-catastrophic-loss-of-truck-lorry-drivers-why-this-week/951672)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 108\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2021, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/englands-catastrophic-loss-of-truck-lorry-drivers-why-this-week/951672 "2021-10-11T15:49:50Z")
England is on the verge of collapse… Toilet paper is gone, fuel supplies hard to find, and mass starvation about to begin. Well, that’s the way some news sites are reporting it. More realistically, it seems that a fe… --- ## [Role of pimps?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/role-of-pimps/952272)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2021, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/role-of-pimps/952272 "2021-10-11T11:18:49Z")
What, in purely socioeconomic terms of an illegal or underground economy, is the role of pimps? At first glance they would appear to be as pure a parasite class as could be imagined, simply taxing the earnings of prostit… --- ## [More Miscellaneous Morning Musings - An MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-miscellaneous-morning-musings-an-mmp/951848)
**Author:** [@dogbutler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dogbutler)\ **Replies:** 284\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2021, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-miscellaneous-morning-musings-an-mmp/951848 "2021-10-11T06:44:34Z")
According to my power company report, I used $8 less energy than last year. When means 2 washes and 2 drys with the new(ish) washer and dryer used slightly less energy than 3 washes with the 2001 vintage washer/non func… --- ## [Phones for the senile](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phones-for-the-senile/940413)
**Author:** [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2021, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phones-for-the-senile/940413 "2021-10-11T01:56:37Z")
I used to be smart, but no more. It has taken me a couple weeks to set up a new phone and i’m not done yet. Is it a remnant of my unnoticed stroke, leftovers from Corvus-19, or an undiagnosed, but not especially early, … --- ## [Bedbugs by mail](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bedbugs-by-mail/951605)
**Author:** [@Briny\_Deep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Briny_Deep)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2021, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bedbugs-by-mail/951605 "2021-10-10T23:36:52Z")
I suspect I’m about to receive some unsolicited packages from a house that is chronically infested with bedbugs – books, most likely, but other items are possible. If I wanted to keep any of these items, am I right in t… --- ## [How well known is Anonymous in general?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-well-known-is-anonymous-in-general/952238)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2021, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-well-known-is-anonymous-in-general/952238 "2021-10-10T21:16:19Z")
I saw a computer security billboard using a picture of one of the Guy Fawkes masks they allegedly use as a symbol. Are they commonly known enough for this to make sense? Or is it more a case of “if you know who this is t… --- ## [What kind/size of heater do I need?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-size-of-heater-do-i-need/952009)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2021, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-size-of-heater-do-i-need/952009 "2021-10-10T20:56:49Z")
I took on a part time job this past summer – basically paper work in a reasonably large room (like 12’ X 21’) in a concrete basement. The room has a couple of basement type windows, but no air conditioning at all, which… --- ## [How much more efficient would a moon landing mission be today?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-more-efficient-would-a-moon-landing-mission-be-today/952211)
**Author:** [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2021, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-more-efficient-would-a-moon-landing-mission-be-today/952211 "2021-10-10T20:50:09Z")
With 50 years of technological advances in pretty much every area of science that went into planning the Apollo missions (computers, materials, fuels, learned knowledge, communications, batteries etc.etc.) how much easie… --- ## [Inclusive Language Guide](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inclusive-language-guide/952074)
**Author:** [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2021, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inclusive-language-guide/952074 "2021-10-10T20:45:28Z")
I came across an Inclusive Language Guide course, and I thought I’d share a table from the Race section and get your thoughts on the recommendations. Since I couldn’t reproduce in table format here, I organized the text … --- ## [Tell us your top 1- 3 erotic scenes in tv or film](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-your-top-1-3-erotic-scenes-in-tv-or-film/952144)
**Author:** [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2021, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-your-top-1-3-erotic-scenes-in-tv-or-film/952144 "2021-10-10T17:42:10Z")
The scenes that go straight to your fun bits in the most intense, no-fail way. Mine: Unfaithful. All of them, really, between Lane & Martinez. Floors me. The sequence of Lane on the train, reliving her first encounte… --- ## [Does any school actually have a "you must invite the whole class" rule?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-school-actually-have-a-you-must-invite-the-whole-class-rule/951895)
**Author:** [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2021, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-school-actually-have-a-you-must-invite-the-whole-class-rule/951895 "2021-10-10T15:58:56Z")
On a blog today, I came across a situation where inviting all the coworkers except one to a wedding caused some drama. In the comments, someone said they didn’t agree with the "all or nothing invitation thing " that’s fo… --- ## [What are you gonna be for Halloween?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-gonna-be-for-halloween/841888)
**Author:** [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2021, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-gonna-be-for-halloween/841888 "2021-10-10T14:59:05Z")
I’m going to be Frank Rossitano from 30 Rock. Got my hat (“Beef N Bean”), wig, big clunky black glasses, and I just shaved my beard into mutton chops tonight for a party this weekend. Will also probably dress up again to… --- ## [I need advice (TW - teen suicide)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-advice-tw-teen-suicide/952089)
**Author:** [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2021, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-advice-tw-teen-suicide/952089 "2021-10-10T13:02:49Z")
First off - if anyone seeing this thread is feeling like they might hurt themselves, here is the number for the National Suicide Prevention hotline from the US 1-800-273-TALK (8255) . Please call them. They would love to… --- ## [Were there ever nuclear weapons in South America?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-there-ever-nuclear-weapons-in-south-america/952069)
**Author:** [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2021, 10:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-there-ever-nuclear-weapons-in-south-america/952069 "2021-10-10T10:10:36Z")
The Treaty of Tlateloco prohibits the “testing, use, manufacture, production or acquisition” of nuclear weapons in South America and the Caribbean. The last South American country to ratify the treaty was France, in 199… --- ## [What's a short-handled shovels](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-short-handled-shovels/696830)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2021, 9:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-short-handled-shovels/696830 "2021-10-10T09:53:03Z")
‘A short-handled shovel, right, is a shovel. And get this… it’s handle is short!’ I thought I’d get that out of the way at the beginning. The folk tune Big Rock Candy Mountain contains the lyric, ‘There ain’t no short… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1316) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1318)