# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=138&state=watching [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 139 --- ## [Who is where in “the K shaped economy”?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-where-in-the-k-shaped-economy/1026058)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2026, 10:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-where-in-the-k-shaped-economy/1026058 "2026-02-23T10:14:53Z")
So allegedly we are in a K-shaped economy. Not sure that’s a new thing? The norm for years at least has been a “hollowing out of the middle” which seems to me to be the same thing? A top group is doing well and a bottom … --- ## [(Old) Friends, Romans, Penitents, Lent me your ear: An Ash Wednesday MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-friends-romans-penitents-lent-me-your-ear-an-ash-wednesday-mmp/1027707)
**Author:** [@dogbutler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dogbutler)\ **Replies:** 243\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2026, 8:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-friends-romans-penitents-lent-me-your-ear-an-ash-wednesday-mmp/1027707 "2026-02-23T08:16:34Z")
So who’s flogging themselves for 40 days? I’m off today to drive Roomie to Clemmons. NC for more knee appointments so I may check in the afternoon. So hijack away. And currently it’s 45 degrees Ferret Height(7.222 Cen… --- ## [Weirdly collectable](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdly-collectable/801815)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2026, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdly-collectable/801815 "2026-02-23T04:20:00Z")
Today a Google Image search led me to stumbling on a nice web site dedicated to the surprisingly large variety of “creature” figurine toys that have been sold over the past few decades. (One of the most interesting sets … --- ## [Does ChatGTP diss your American city?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-chatgtp-diss-your-american-city/1027627)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2026, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-chatgtp-diss-your-american-city/1027627 "2026-02-23T00:51:10Z")
Some researchers used ChatGTP to suss out which states and cities had the laziest, most uptight, least honest people by comparing places two at a time. Though this reflects many biases and is extremely unlikely to be ac… --- ## [What to do with leftover lasagna sauce?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-leftover-lasagna-sauce/1027862)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2026, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-leftover-lasagna-sauce/1027862 "2026-02-23T00:11:59Z")
I recently made a lasagna with ground venison and Italian sausage. I wasn’t really paying attention to the fact that the recipe made enough for 2 lasagnas. Other than making another lasagna, which I don’t really want bec… --- ## [You daffy things!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-daffy-things/1027890)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2026, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-daffy-things/1027890 "2026-02-22T22:06:37Z")
Oh, it is glorious. Bright, cheerful. Yellow! Yes, and smells great. (Ok, the aroma is quite loud at times) My Daffodils are blooming! And they are really putting on a show this year. I have about a half acre, mostl… --- ## [Nine Backcountry Skiers Dead from Avalanche in Lake Tahoe Area {February 18, 2026}](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nine-backcountry-skiers-dead-from-avalanche-in-lake-tahoe-area-february-18-2026/1027808)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2026, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nine-backcountry-skiers-dead-from-avalanche-in-lake-tahoe-area-february-18-2026/1027808 "2026-02-22T20:05:32Z")
Six skiers out of a group of fifteen survived. While one is still missing, it is not possible he would have survived because of the cold. Avalanche warnings were issued–but apparently ignored? One of the worst avalanc… --- ## [Is Trump facing his mortality and wanting to take the world down with him](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-facing-his-mortality-and-wanting-to-take-the-world-down-with-him/1022632)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2026, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-facing-his-mortality-and-wanting-to-take-the-world-down-with-him/1022632 "2026-02-22T19:02:44Z")
Trump loves to take revenge, is he taking revenge on the world, mortality even God, by creating as much hurt as possible before he goes. He seems to be the type who if he can’t have it, he will make damn sure no one els… --- ## [Sewage leak in DC area](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sewage-leak-in-dc-area/1027884)
**Author:** [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2026, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sewage-leak-in-dc-area/1027884 "2026-02-22T14:45:21Z")
Apparently there is a major sewer leak in the DC area which has led to a declaration of emergency. You’d think, symbolism aside, that this would be a relatively bipartisan issue, but there is still finger pointing becau… --- ## [Movie/TV buffs: Anyone heard of Director Casey Kasper?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-tv-buffs-anyone-heard-of-director-casey-kasper/407209)
**Author:** [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2026, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-tv-buffs-anyone-heard-of-director-casey-kasper/407209 "2026-02-22T13:52:34Z")
So here in wonderful Marietta, OH we’ve got a guy running around named ‘Casey Kasper’. He claims to be a producer/director from Hollywood and he wants to turn our town into the setting for a new show he’s producing for … --- ## [How to shrink an exFAT partition in Windows 11?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-shrink-an-exfat-partition-in-windows-11/1027840)
**Author:** [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2026, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-shrink-an-exfat-partition-in-windows-11/1027840 "2026-02-22T06:03:51Z")
I have a 16 terabyte external drive formatted using an exFAT partition. I am using only about a quarter of it and want to shrink the partition to make a second drive. Apparently this is possible using the tools native to… --- ## [I cleared this spot, it's MINE!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cleared-this-spot-its-mine/1027096)
**Author:** [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Replies:** 153\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2026, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cleared-this-spot-its-mine/1027096 "2026-02-22T04:31:41Z")
The recent snows have re-ignited the annual debate in our fair city about shoveling out the parking spot in front of one’s house and then proclaiming a perpetual “this spot is mine,” even to the point of putting down tra… --- ## [The new World Cup commercial with Owen Wilson and Sofia Vergara](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-world-cup-commercial-with-owen-wilson-and-sofia-vergara/1027863)
**Author:** [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2026, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-world-cup-commercial-with-owen-wilson-and-sofia-vergara/1027863 "2026-02-22T01:05:20Z")
Is the Spanish spoken in the commercial grammatically correct? In the ad, Sofia Vergara is teaching Owen Wilson how to say his name. They both say “Mi nombre es Owen.” My high school Spanish teacher taught us that the… --- ## [Trump's "Board of Peace"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-board-of-peace/1026919)
**Author:** [@Chad\_Sudan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chad_Sudan)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2026, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-board-of-peace/1026919 "2026-02-21T21:08:06Z")
It’s time for a separate thread on Trump’s “Board of Peace.” Here we examine the question: Can swords be beaten into ploughshares by the world’s biggest loose cannon? Which countries and which politicians associate the… --- ## [Inbred Aristos](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inbred-aristos/1027852)
**Author:** [@aruvqan\_myers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan_myers)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2026, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inbred-aristos/1027852 "2026-02-21T13:35:45Z")
So, watching a bit about “Wealthy English Aristocrats insist on their relevance in modern society” and Lord and Lady Chichester have held this property since the 1400s … and he is grumping about he and his wife and 4 kid… --- ## [I solved a London Times cryptic finally](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-solved-a-london-times-cryptic-finally/1024024)
**Author:** [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2026, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-solved-a-london-times-cryptic-finally/1024024 "2026-02-21T12:28:19Z")
I’ve been solving cryptic crosswords my whole adult life. American ones, e.g. the ones made by Cox and Rathvon. Generally I can do them without too much difficulty. For the last year or so I’ve been working on British p… --- ## [An AI lover? Is this real?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-ai-lover-is-this-real/1027663)
**Author:** [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Replies:** 117\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2026, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-ai-lover-is-this-real/1027663 "2026-02-21T08:00:12Z")
BBC article I just saw. Is this real, I wonder? The BBC is usually fairly reliable, but they have been known to put out a few jokes, like the famous Dimbleby report on the Italian Spaghetti Harvest… --- ## [Rev Jesse Jackson RIP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rev-jesse-jackson-rip/1027740)
**Author:** [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2026, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rev-jesse-jackson-rip/1027740 "2026-02-21T01:35:55Z")
CNN article: --- ## [Fact checking the claim that "California has plenty of water, we just let most of it run into the ocean."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fact-checking-the-claim-that-california-has-plenty-of-water-we-just-let-most-of-it-run-into-the-ocean/1027719)
**Author:** [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2026, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fact-checking-the-claim-that-california-has-plenty-of-water-we-just-let-most-of-it-run-into-the-ocean/1027719 "2026-02-21T00:39:42Z")
The claim in the OP is one often leveled by conservative politicians at California, but I didn’t put this in P&E because I am hoping to get a factual answer. This claim seems to be based on on the ruling from rears ago … --- ## [How useful are at-home DNA tests?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-useful-are-at-home-dna-tests/798258)
**Author:** [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2026, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-useful-are-at-home-dna-tests/798258 "2026-02-20T23:06:56Z")
Column here. Those AncestryDNA TV commercials irk me. One lady kept saying the test determined she was from all nations, so now she didn’t know what nation to put down on forms. What the …? I am unaware of any DNA test … --- ## [Why are businesses slower during the winter months? After the holiday season?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-businesses-slower-during-the-winter-months-after-the-holiday-season/1027834)
**Author:** [@sta3535](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sta3535)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2026, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-businesses-slower-during-the-winter-months-after-the-holiday-season/1027834 "2026-02-20T22:48:26Z")
Even though it all depends on the type of business (bars, restaurants, malls, shopping centers, etc) I’ve noticed that certain places tend to slow down when it gets cold outside, especially after the holiday season, whic… --- ## [An Easy Lunch Food Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-easy-lunch-food-question/1027836)
**Author:** [@Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mundane_Super_Hero)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2026, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-easy-lunch-food-question/1027836 "2026-02-20T22:39:54Z")
\< If This Is The Wrong Theatre For This Question, Then I Request that it be moved \> I have an idea for a lunch food. It would require that several semi-cooked hotdogs be wrapped in a slices of bacon ( possibly pinned… --- ## [Three men freeze to death in a friend's backyard and aren't found for three days](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-men-freeze-to-death-in-a-friends-backyard-and-arent-found-for-three-days/996151)
**Author:** [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Replies:** 505\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2026, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-men-freeze-to-death-in-a-friends-backyard-and-arent-found-for-three-days/996151 "2026-02-20T20:33:40Z")
What a bizarre story. The men were at the friend’s house watching football a week ago Sunday. When they didn’t return home, friends and relatives started looking for them. They tried to contact the friend but he didn’… --- ## [Why don't Canadians do better in the Winter Olympics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-canadians-do-better-in-the-winter-olympics/1027698)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2026, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-canadians-do-better-in-the-winter-olympics/1027698 "2026-02-20T20:17:20Z")
They should have plenty of athletes and places to train. The northern Europeans blow them away. --- ## [I hate it when weird things happen that I can't explain](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-it-when-weird-things-happen-that-i-cant-explain/1027695)
**Author:** [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2026, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-it-when-weird-things-happen-that-i-cant-explain/1027695 "2026-02-20T19:17:32Z")
Last night, right after I went to bed, I heard some quietish beeping, seven or eight beeps, that I’ve never heard before. It happened too fast to get a bead on where it was coming from. It sort of sounded like an alarm f… --- ## [Looking for some new reading material](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-some-new-reading-material/1025043)
**Author:** [@DreamsOfACheetah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DreamsOfACheetah)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2026, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-some-new-reading-material/1025043 "2026-02-20T18:41:11Z")
I have been reading since I was about 3-4 years old, and it’s my favorite hobby. I’m looking for suggestions for new material to read. I have hundreds of books, and I took some pics of my shelves, but wasn’t allowed to p… --- ## [Is there a term for someone who holds highly politically liberal and highly conservative views at the same time?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-term-for-someone-who-holds-highly-politically-liberal-and-highly-conservative-views-at-the-same-time/1027750)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2026, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-term-for-someone-who-holds-highly-politically-liberal-and-highly-conservative-views-at-the-same-time/1027750 "2026-02-20T18:39:11Z")
On Reddit, I see a (quite small) number of folks who can’t really be boxed into a category, and “centrist” doesn’t seem quite right either. They’ll hold views that seem to be at the polar ends of both right and left. The… --- ## [Did Bad Bunny, or Did Bad Bunny not, say things in Spanish that wouldn't survive being broadcast in English (in the US)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bad-bunny-or-did-bad-bunny-not-say-things-in-spanish-that-wouldnt-survive-being-broadcast-in-english-in-the-us/1027687)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2026, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bad-bunny-or-did-bad-bunny-not-say-things-in-spanish-that-wouldnt-survive-being-broadcast-in-english-in-the-us/1027687 "2026-02-20T18:14:43Z")
I’ve seen memes by upset conservatives posting pretty nasty translations of some of Bad Bunny’s lyrics. I don’t know if those are really his lyrics, or if the translations or accurate, or what have you. And that’s not ev… --- ## [Individual speech help](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/individual-speech-help/1027818)
**Author:** [@lilybug0309](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lilybug0309)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2026, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/individual-speech-help/1027818 "2026-02-20T16:48:20Z")
Hey, I know I haven’t been on in a minute, but I have been trying to keep up with my school work. With this being my last year I am excited to graduate and head off to college. But before I can do that I am doing a poetr… --- ## [How long can I expect this SSD drive to last?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-can-i-expect-this-ssd-drive-to-last/1027526)
**Author:** [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2026, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-can-i-expect-this-ssd-drive-to-last/1027526 "2026-02-20T16:44:31Z")
I’m shocked at how long I’ve been using this desktop computer! The SSD that I originally installed in it has 50,512 power-on hours count. The HDD that I added just a bit later has 50,197 hours and has already exhibited… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=137&state=watching) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=139&state=watching)