# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1363 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1364 --- ## [Showing preferred pronouns in bios, e-mail signatures, etc](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/showing-preferred-pronouns-in-bios-e-mail-signatures-etc/947651)
**Author:** [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Replies:** 188\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2021, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/showing-preferred-pronouns-in-bios-e-mail-signatures-etc/947651 "2021-08-19T19:45:56Z")
There’s a discussion over in the BBQ Pit about whether people should put their preferred pronouns in their e-mail signatures, their bios, etc. As I said over there, I think it should become common practice. I was think… --- ## [The ending of Spielberg's film Munich (spoilers)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ending-of-spielbergs-film-munich-spoilers/601493)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2021, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ending-of-spielbergs-film-munich-spoilers/601493 "2021-08-19T18:37:03Z")
Mossad assassin team leader Avner (Eric Bana) and his handler Ephraim (Geoffrey Rush) are talking in a New York City park. Ephraim urges Avner and his family to return to Israel; Avner refuses. Avner then, invoking Jew… --- ## [Rental car rates are way up](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rental-car-rates-are-way-up/938701)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2021, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rental-car-rates-are-way-up/938701 "2021-08-19T17:34:03Z")
If you can find a car at all. Many cars were sold off last year when travel was way down. --- ## [Kabuliwala](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kabuliwala/949157)
**Author:** [@PozhanPop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PozhanPop)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2021, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kabuliwala/949157 "2021-08-19T16:15:41Z")
With Afghanistan heartbreakingly in the new again, this story of a Kabuliwala ( Tradesperson from Kabul ) written by Rabindranath Tagore is a fascinating look into the past, before the rise of radical religions, when bor… --- ## [Songs where the meaning is completely obvious](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-meaning-is-completely-obvious/948683)
**Author:** [@SurrenderDorothy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SurrenderDorothy)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2021, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-meaning-is-completely-obvious/948683 "2021-08-19T15:29:23Z")
I saw some clickbait listicle recently about songs that people heard a bunch of times before figuring out that they had “dark meanings” and one of the entries was “Goodbye Earl” by The Chicks (here in case you’ve never h… --- ## [The ant bait dilemma](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ant-bait-dilemma/948447)
**Author:** [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2021, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ant-bait-dilemma/948447 "2021-08-19T15:23:22Z")
The last few days we’ve had the occasional ant or two crawling across the kitchen counters. Since it has been so hot and dry recently, I assume they are making their way inside looking for water. (Normally we only see th… --- ## [Opening schools](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opening-schools/854247)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 1327\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2021, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opening-schools/854247 "2021-08-19T15:14:38Z")
Science article. Bolding mine. Update? So far, weeks later, no new surges in countries that have opened schools. --- ## [Is it just me or does Lever 2000 smell like bug spray?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-or-does-lever-2000-smell-like-bug-spray/652834)
**Author:** [@Grey\_area](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey_area)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2021, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-or-does-lever-2000-smell-like-bug-spray/652834 "2021-08-19T15:08:13Z")
Please say it’s just me, because Lever 2000 is what I’m gonna be smelling like for the next few months until I run out. Not terribly sensitive about smell, I usually buy whatever liquid body wash that’s on sale and yest… --- ## [If someone agrees to build something, who needs to be sure the patents/copyrights are adhered to?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-agrees-to-build-something-who-needs-to-be-sure-the-patents-copyrights-are-adhered-to/948678)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2021, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-agrees-to-build-something-who-needs-to-be-sure-the-patents-copyrights-are-adhered-to/948678 "2021-08-19T15:06:02Z")
NOTE: Anything posted here is not legal advice. If someone comes to me and asks me to build something for them is it incumbent upon me to make sure the patent(s)/copyrights are adhered to or is it up to the person aski… --- ## [Tony Bennett announces his retirement (sort of)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tony-bennett-announces-his-retirement-sort-of/948651)
**Author:** [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2021, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tony-bennett-announces-his-retirement-sort-of/948651 "2021-08-19T13:56:49Z")
well his son/manager did …but this depresses me --- ## [How to find out how full a flight is on average?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-out-how-full-a-flight-is-on-average/949095)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2021, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-out-how-full-a-flight-is-on-average/949095 "2021-08-19T13:46:20Z")
going to Alaska next week on a Delta 767 from Atlanta I hope it’s not too full. Can’t find this online but maybe the airlines consider it a trade secret. --- ## [Watching an old movie / TV show: "Hey, there's that actor from the other, more recent thing!"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watching-an-old-movie-tv-show-hey-theres-that-actor-from-the-other-more-recent-thing/946473)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2021, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watching-an-old-movie-tv-show-hey-theres-that-actor-from-the-other-more-recent-thing/946473 "2021-08-19T13:41:33Z")
Watching an old 'Untouchables" episode on one of those on-air retro TV channels while making dinner the other day, a young Peter Falk did a really good job playing a smooth, charming gangster. It was a fun episode seeing… --- ## [Can we go back to "senior hours" at stores?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-go-back-to-senior-hours-at-stores/946999)
**Author:** [@Bonum\_Legatum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bonum_Legatum)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2021, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-go-back-to-senior-hours-at-stores/946999 "2021-08-19T12:44:16Z")
Early in the pandemic, certain stores announced hours (or days) for senior citizens to shop. Now we are in a situation where it doesn’t look like we’re ever going to reach herd immunity by vaccination, but may do so by… --- ## [How does car rental insurance work outside the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-car-rental-insurance-work-outside-the-us/949035)
**Author:** [@jebert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jebert)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2021, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-car-rental-insurance-work-outside-the-us/949035 "2021-08-19T12:24:23Z")
In the US there are basically two types of auto insurance: 1) liability, which covers bodily injury and property damage to other people for accidents you cause, and 2) collision, which covers damage to your own car. Doe… --- ## [The Vaccine Passport - news and views](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-vaccine-passport-news-and-views/933668)
**Author:** [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2021, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-vaccine-passport-news-and-views/933668 "2021-08-19T11:23:25Z")
This story hit the news in the UK yesterday. Up until this point the UK government had been firmly against introducing a “vaccine passport” - here envisaged as a proof of vaccination, necessary to allow you to use a rest… --- ## [DrDeth Suspended 30 Days](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drdeth-suspended-30-days/949033)
**Author:** [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2021, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drdeth-suspended-30-days/949033 "2021-08-19T11:02:56Z")
He was just suspended last month for obsessive posting. He has been strongly modnoted this week more than once for obsessive posting. Today he was derailing another topic with a tired old hobby-horse of his. Prior … --- ## [When would a minority of people be religious and how would society look like?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-would-a-minority-of-people-be-religious-and-how-would-society-look-like/948260)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 273\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2021, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-would-a-minority-of-people-be-religious-and-how-would-society-look-like/948260 "2021-08-19T11:01:16Z")
I have seen a decline in number of religious people and their dogmatic adherence over my lifetime. Based on this, is it logical to assume that the world one day in the future will have religious people in the minority ? … --- ## [Movie sequels with catchy names](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-sequels-with-catchy-names/949020)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2021, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-sequels-with-catchy-names/949020 "2021-08-19T10:46:43Z")
Something imaginative other then just, “Movie Part 2” etc. Two of my favorites are: “2 Fast 2 Furious” “Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!” Actually all of the Sharknado sequels have funny names. --- ## [I got a jury duty summons today](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-a-jury-duty-summons-today/919765)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2021, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-a-jury-duty-summons-today/919765 "2021-08-19T06:38:41Z")
It’s slated to start at the end of the month; I’m #409 FWIW. I’ve been called up once before, in 1996, and I was hoping I would be selected because I was about to be laid off (business relocation) and tensions were high… --- ## [Major Based Classes Only? (College)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-based-classes-only-college/949025)
**Author:** [@sta3535](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sta3535)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2021, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-based-classes-only-college/949025 "2021-08-19T06:17:33Z")
Even though gen ed and liberal art classes (outside of our majors) are required to graduate, do you think that colleges should offer a choice for students to only complete classes within their major? Now, I understand t… --- ## [Pandemic effect on world population](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pandemic-effect-on-world-population/948984)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2021, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pandemic-effect-on-world-population/948984 "2021-08-19T04:58:20Z")
Has anyone made an attempt to quantify the effect of the pandemic on population? Either for the world as a whole or for a significant part of it? Or even just a major country? It’s not just the raw death counts. Those d… --- ## [Songs recorded by two artists in (relatively) short succession](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-recorded-by-two-artists-in-relatively-short-succession/945010)
**Author:** [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2021, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-recorded-by-two-artists-in-relatively-short-succession/945010 "2021-08-19T03:23:02Z")
Two or more bands record the same song, often because they wrote it together. One is not explicitly a cover, but has some linkage. “Our Lips are Sealed” - the Go-Go’s (1981) and Fun Boy Three (1983) - two members wrote … --- ## [Words With Friends Coin Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-with-friends-coin-question/949102)
**Author:** [@19USMC69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/19USMC69)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2021, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-with-friends-coin-question/949102 "2021-08-19T01:39:53Z")
Until a couple of days ago I could watch short videos/advertisements every day and earn 3 coins for each one I watched. There was usually a half dozen or so. No more. Anyone know why? --- ## [Most prophetic piece of Science fiction](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-prophetic-piece-of-science-fiction/944506)
**Author:** [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Replies:** 171\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2021, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-prophetic-piece-of-science-fiction/944506 "2021-08-19T00:45:43Z")
Novel, short story, TV, Movies. Take your pick. Going for over-all accuracy but good examples of single pick of “wow, that happened” are welcome as well. I have my own pick but will wait for a few others to go first. --- ## [Whats the minimum number of western troops it would've taken to keep Afghanistan stable](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-minimum-number-of-western-troops-it-wouldve-taken-to-keep-afghanistan-stable/948980)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2021, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-minimum-number-of-western-troops-it-wouldve-taken-to-keep-afghanistan-stable/948980 "2021-08-19T00:14:51Z")
Theres a lot of threads on Afghanistan, I don’t know if this question has been asked though. Supposedly the US was down to 10,000 troops for the last several years. I don’t know how many foreign troops were also there. … --- ## ['the President standby authority'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-standby-authority/949059)
**Author:** [@cannonkuo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cannonkuo)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2021, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-standby-authority/949059 "2021-08-18T23:38:23Z")
What is ‘the President standby authority’ and when it is activated? Thank you. --- ## [Please share your life threatening experiences](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-share-your-life-threatening-experiences/948383)
**Author:** [@a\_dudes\_thought\_s](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a_dudes_thought_s)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2021, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-share-your-life-threatening-experiences/948383 "2021-08-18T22:25:51Z")
I was in a strange conversation the other day about close calls. You know situation where you could have kicked the bucket. I’ve had a good number of close call over the years. From people pulling guns on me,an attempted… --- ## [I Came Home From the Hospital Yesterday](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-came-home-from-the-hospital-yesterday/948179)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2021, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-came-home-from-the-hospital-yesterday/948179 "2021-08-18T22:12:16Z")
For apparent cellulitis of my right lower calf (though one of the doctors in my team insisted till the end that he thought it was some vascular issue). I do have Type 2 Diabetes, which certainly wouldn’t help matters. T… --- ## [Examples of well-planned military withdrawals?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-well-planned-military-withdrawals/948925)
**Author:** [@Chad\_Sudan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chad_Sudan)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2021, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-well-planned-military-withdrawals/948925 "2021-08-18T21:47:59Z")
Reading the news about Afghanistan makes me wonder: When faced with a nationwide insurgency, just how feasible is it for an occupier to plan and execute an orderly withdrawal? Which led me to wonder: Since 1945, have th… --- ## [People in real estate: do clients ever become actual friends?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-in-real-estate-do-clients-ever-become-actual-friends/948248)
**Author:** [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2021, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-in-real-estate-do-clients-ever-become-actual-friends/948248 "2021-08-18T21:37:14Z")
I don’t mean to sound cynical (she said, proceeding to speak cynically) but I tend to dismiss the friendliness of RE agents that I randomly meet, since it’s just good business sense for them to put themselves out there. … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1362) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1364)