# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1406 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1407 --- ## [Questions regarding the Harry Potter - Interaction of the Wizarding vs Muggle World](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-regarding-the-harry-potter-interaction-of-the-wizarding-vs-muggle-world/945369)
**Author:** [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2021, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-regarding-the-harry-potter-interaction-of-the-wizarding-vs-muggle-world/945369 "2021-07-06T20:23:45Z")
I just rewatched the Harry Potter films and kind of have a question. The film clearly portrays that there is the “Wizarding World” overlaid on top of our conventional “Muggle” world. Wizard-folk still live in our world… --- ## [How does a scam text appear to come from the real bank?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-scam-text-appear-to-come-from-the-real-bank/945543)
**Author:** [@hibernicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hibernicus)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2021, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-scam-text-appear-to-come-from-the-real-bank/945543 "2021-07-06T19:37:21Z")
I received a scam text purporting to come from my bank. It appeared in the same “thread” in my iPhone messages as actual text messages from my bank. This obviously makes it appear more credible and hence makes it more da… --- ## [Finding the Holy Grail (i.e., the Sine of 1°)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-the-holy-grail-i-e-the-sine-of-1/945722)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2021, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-the-holy-grail-i-e-the-sine-of-1/945722 "2021-07-06T18:38:40Z")
I have to tell you, I finally figured out how to attach an image. It also enables me to tell you the following story. For years after high school Trigonometry class, I searched for the Sine of 1°. I guess it was just as… --- ## [How much would you contribute each month toward SDMB as a member?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-you-contribute-each-month-toward-sdmb-as-a-member/945681)
**Author:** [@codinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/codinghorror)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2021, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-you-contribute-each-month-toward-sdmb-as-a-member/945681 "2021-07-06T18:38:29Z")
Continuing the discussion from How do you become a member of the SDMB?: I’m curious how many people here would contribute per month as members of the SDMB – and get the member badge on their account. Let’s take a quick… --- ## [Driving to CA from AZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-to-ca-from-az/945780)
**Author:** [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2021, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-to-ca-from-az/945780 "2021-07-06T17:32:47Z")
So, Dad was interred at the Vet’s cemetery in Riverside, CA and we are planning to visit at the end of the month. What can I expect? Are masks still worn in CA? Do people still social distance or has that gone away? Rem… --- ## ["is that what's got you down, bunkie?" radio spots](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-whats-got-you-down-bunkie-radio-spots/945830)
**Author:** [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2021, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-whats-got-you-down-bunkie-radio-spots/945830 "2021-07-06T17:12:35Z")
A Google search for “is that what’s got you down, bunkie?” bore no results. It was an older man recounting your ridiculous problems, followed by an equally ridiculous cheering-up while the Stars and Stripes Forever play… --- ## [What's the purpose of the media?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-purpose-of-the-media/943156)
**Author:** [@DemonTree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DemonTree)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2021, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-purpose-of-the-media/943156 "2021-07-04T17:42:05Z")
A spin-off from another thread: Continuing the discussion from Cops vs White Guys or Hispanic Guys?: While it’s true that the media is a business, it’s not usually treated as just a business. Journalists claim to have… --- ## [Weather Modification](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weather-modification/945659)
**Author:** [@shh1313](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shh1313)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2021, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weather-modification/945659 "2021-07-06T16:44:24Z")
I suppose this is no longer a conspiracy theory? Don’t shoot the messenger. What was once a conspiracy is now a new reality… This article has a lot of sources. Contact Information As part of Public Law 92-205 (1972), … --- ## [MPSIMS not updating as threads added to?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mpsims-not-updating-as-threads-added-to/945816)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2021, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mpsims-not-updating-as-threads-added-to/945816 "2021-07-06T16:38:49Z")
This is odd. I posted an update to a thread about Canada’s Gov Gen in MPSIMS: But that thread isn’t showing up on the MPSIMS lists, at least not on my display. --- ## [Richard Donner dead at 91](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/richard-donner-dead-at-91/945770)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2021, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/richard-donner-dead-at-91/945770 "2021-07-06T16:33:16Z")
I know Superman and Lethal Weapon were huge, but I will always think of Maverick as Donner’s best movie and also Mel Gibson’s greatest performance. Nothing can overstate how awesome Superman was, though. A superhero mov… --- ## [Cyber polygon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyber-polygon/945827)
**Author:** [@shh1313](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shh1313)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2021, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyber-polygon/945827 "2021-07-06T16:16:01Z")
Mark your calendar! So what is CYBER POLYGON? Question for IT members, this is a world wide exercise. How will it effect the public? Will we know? Or will the cyber-war be sandboxed? Or will this exercise say, target t… --- ## [Will the teamsters be able to unionize amazon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-teamsters-be-able-to-unionize-amazon/945218)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2021, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-teamsters-be-able-to-unionize-amazon/945218 "2021-07-06T15:39:46Z")
A few days ago the teamsters voted to attempt to unionize amazon The union vote failed about 2-1 in Alabama for Amazon, but workers in a deeply conservative state would I’m guessing never vote for a union no matter wh… --- ## [I Can't Upload A Picture](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-upload-a-picture/923671)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2021, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-upload-a-picture/923671 "2021-07-06T14:51:06Z")
And I think I know how. I will try it once again. Then, I will edit this thread to just include the link. BTW, the picture is my two cats in a romantic embrace. I love the picture, because I think it shows animals have … --- ## [Lambda variant in the news](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lambda-variant-in-the-news/945784)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2021, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lambda-variant-in-the-news/945784 "2021-07-06T14:46:55Z")
So I’m reading the Lambda variant out of Peru may be more infectious and deadly than Delta, and it may be more resistant to vaccines too. However, they discovered the variant in December. If it were more infectious than… --- ## [Donald Rumsfeld has passed away](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-rumsfeld-has-passed-away/945366)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2021, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-rumsfeld-has-passed-away/945366 "2021-07-06T14:09:02Z")
On a side note, I hate it when they say “So-and-so dead at 87.” It just sounds so classless. --- ## [My oldest brother is Tom, my younger brother is Harry. My Mom thought I'd be a Dick, but turned out I was a Beck. Bad bad bad](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-oldest-brother-is-tom-my-younger-brother-is-harry-my-mom-thought-id-be-a-dick-but-turned-out-i-was-a-beck-bad-bad-bad/945620)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2021, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-oldest-brother-is-tom-my-younger-brother-is-harry-my-mom-thought-id-be-a-dick-but-turned-out-i-was-a-beck-bad-bad-bad/945620 "2021-07-06T14:03:12Z")
I always wanted to be a dick :thinking: --- ## [Man's Best Friend](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mans-best-friend/943560)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2021, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mans-best-friend/943560 "2021-07-06T13:46:22Z")
I know I’ve brought this up before. But it bears repeating, because it is so true. Please read: Man’s Best Friend. 'Gentlemen of the jury: The best friend a man has in this world may turn against him and become his ene… --- ## [What is the point of a tachometer in my car?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-point-of-a-tachometer-in-my-car/945287)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2021, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-point-of-a-tachometer-in-my-car/945287 "2021-07-06T12:19:54Z")
I’ve had a tachometer in a couple of my vehicles, and never knew what it was for, or what I should do with it. I just ignore it. There must be a reason for it? (And, for some reason Discourse is giving me a message: … --- ## ["Some flashing lights sequences may affect photosensitive viewers"-- how do they know?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-flashing-lights-sequences-may-affect-photosensitive-viewers-how-do-they-know/945526)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2021, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-flashing-lights-sequences-may-affect-photosensitive-viewers-how-do-they-know/945526 "2021-07-06T11:09:24Z")
Watching “Loki” on Disney+, it provides a content warning: “Some flashing lights sequences may affect photosensitive viewers.” I remember when Incredibles 2 was released in theaters, it caused someone to suffer an epil… --- ## [Previous exposure to other coronaviruses may result in milder COVID](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/previous-exposure-to-other-coronaviruses-may-result-in-milder-covid/945804)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2021, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/previous-exposure-to-other-coronaviruses-may-result-in-milder-covid/945804 "2021-07-06T10:47:47Z")
The idea was suggested way back near the beginning of the epidemic, but I haven’t heard anything about it in the last year or so. Good to see someone is researching it. --- ## [Sliding Screen Doors: Inevitably Destroyed by Kids, Drunk Guests, Young Dogs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sliding-screen-doors-inevitably-destroyed-by-kids-drunk-guests-young-dogs/945734)
**Author:** [@Baal\_Houtham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baal_Houtham)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2021, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sliding-screen-doors-inevitably-destroyed-by-kids-drunk-guests-young-dogs/945734 "2021-07-06T10:04:34Z")
Our home has a “French Patio Door” (two large glass panels, one fixed and one swinging inward), with a sliding screen door. To go outside, you turn the knob, swing the French door open, push the sliding screen door to th… --- ## [Which phrase is correct?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-phrase-is-correct/945664)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2021, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-phrase-is-correct/945664 "2021-07-06T08:50:28Z")
“Ethically challenged”, “ethically handicapped”, “differently ethicked”, or something else? --- ## [Oh, the irony! (SFW) \[link to coronavirus figure (toy?), "made in China"\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-the-irony-sfw-link-to-coronavirus-figure-toy-made-in-china/945686)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2021, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-the-irony-sfw-link-to-coronavirus-figure-toy-made-in-china/945686 "2021-07-06T06:55:38Z")
This is pretty good. Or this. --- ## [Where do bitcoins come from to start?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-bitcoins-come-from-to-start/934057)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 157\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2021, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-bitcoins-come-from-to-start/934057 "2021-07-06T05:23:19Z")
I know you can mine bitcoins by solving a problem. But when you solve the problem who or what group is giving you the bitcoin? It has to come from someone or some group. --- ## [Coors beer can question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coors-beer-can-question/945655)
**Author:** [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2021, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coors-beer-can-question/945655 "2021-07-06T05:08:35Z")
Coors Light beer cans (and possible regular Coors) are about 1/3" taller and a little skinnier than other 12oz beer and soda/pop cans. Why? Wouldn’t this use a tiny bit more aluminum? And since they don’t conform to th… --- ## [Telephone wires (landlines) and electric shock](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/telephone-wires-landlines-and-electric-shock/945221)
**Author:** [@gkster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gkster)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2021, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/telephone-wires-landlines-and-electric-shock/945221 "2021-07-06T04:10:47Z")
The MPSIMS thread on the collapse of Champlain Towers has a post (link below) saying “I would expect that the responders would do stuff like cut off electricity and gas for safety reasons, but they wouldn’t really need … --- ## ["Unvaccinated people will develop a variant that evades vaccines"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unvaccinated-people-will-develop-a-variant-that-evades-vaccines/945430)
**Author:** [@Jay\_Z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jay_Z)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2021, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unvaccinated-people-will-develop-a-variant-that-evades-vaccines/945430 "2021-07-06T03:36:29Z")
Continuing the discussion from Coronavirus COVID-19 (2019-nCoV) Thread - 2021 Breaking News: 3 Principles Now Define the Pandemic I have seen this issue put forth by dozens of posters. Now in The Atlantic. Effectivel… --- ## [May I start a chat thread in MPSIMS?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-i-start-a-chat-thread-in-mpsims/945283)
**Author:** [@Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heffalump_and_Roo)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2021, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-i-start-a-chat-thread-in-mpsims/945283 "2021-07-06T03:24:41Z")
Continuing the discussion from Why is the SDMB membership declining, and what's the best way to add younger members?: I agree with codinghorror that some number of threads devolve into chat because people just want to … --- ## [Why can't Taiwan be independent?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-taiwan-be-independent/943158)
**Author:** [@cannonkuo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cannonkuo)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2021, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-taiwan-be-independent/943158 "2021-07-06T03:01:24Z")
After separating from China for over seven decades, why Taiwan can’t be independent? --- ## [The Pope can’t poop!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pope-can-t-poop/945670)
**Author:** [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2021, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pope-can-t-poop/945670 "2021-07-06T02:51:02Z")
Pope Francis is going to have a scheduled surgery for diverticular stenosis. I hope he will be OK, but let’s be honest, I just couldn’t resist the title. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1405) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1407)