# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1416 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1417 --- ## [How best to assess actual risk and personal responsibility?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-best-to-assess-actual-risk-and-personal-responsibility/945105)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2021, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-best-to-assess-actual-risk-and-personal-responsibility/945105 "2021-06-28T03:43:25Z")
My cousin has three kids that are too young to get vaccinated. Her pediatrician has told her that they’ve seen “a lot” of reports from parents of other patients who’ve gotten the delta variant while fully vaccinated. She… --- ## [Infinity Train HBOMax - spoilers after op](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infinity-train-hbomax-spoilers-after-op/945133)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2021, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infinity-train-hbomax-spoilers-after-op/945133 "2021-06-28T02:57:37Z")
I just binged all five “books” recommended to me by one of my adult sons. Began its life on Cartoon Network before moving to HBOMax. Wish it had another season. A few characters who I’d love to see more story to, some … --- ## [Can you personally tell whether buffet food is fresh by looking at it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-personally-tell-whether-buffet-food-is-fresh-by-looking-at-it/945038)
**Author:** [@blabbermeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blabbermeister)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2021, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-personally-tell-whether-buffet-food-is-fresh-by-looking-at-it/945038 "2021-06-28T02:57:04Z")
I’m good at telling whether food is fresh/flavorful/good just by looking at it (it’s not that hard!), and I’m always surprised when people at salad bars or buffets voluntarily help themselves to items that clearly have b… --- ## [And we've past the summer solstice in the MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-weve-past-the-summer-solstice-in-the-mmp/944749)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 219\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2021, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-weve-past-the-summer-solstice-in-the-mmp/944749 "2021-06-28T02:00:21Z")
Yesterday was the first day of summer, but I guess it got lost among the Father’s Day stuff. Tropical storms, etc, are underway, too hot in many places, poison ivy flourishing - what’s not to love?? :rofl: Maybe share a… --- ## [Bye-Bye Amazon! HELLO ALIBRIS!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-bye-amazon-hello-alibris/944559)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2021, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-bye-amazon-hello-alibris/944559 "2021-06-28T00:33:17Z")
Bosda just opened his Alibris store! Around 5% of my stuff is available, because it takes awhile.sh me luck! Or, buy something! https://www.alibris.com/stores/bosda000/browse --- ## [I have questions about sirens (like on emergency vehicles) that have bugged me since I was a kid](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-questions-about-sirens-like-on-emergency-vehicles-that-have-bugged-me-since-i-was-a-kid/944899)
**Author:** [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2021, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-questions-about-sirens-like-on-emergency-vehicles-that-have-bugged-me-since-i-was-a-kid/944899 "2021-06-28T00:33:16Z")
By siren, I mean the (usually) electronic device that makes a wailing sound on police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances. The wailing sound is used to warn other vehicles that an emergency vehicle needs the right-of-way.… --- ## [No notification when new posts are made in a thread I've previously read](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-notification-when-new-posts-are-made-in-a-thread-ive-previously-read/943498)
**Author:** [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2021, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-notification-when-new-posts-are-made-in-a-thread-ive-previously-read/943498 "2021-06-27T22:35:51Z")
Say I open a thread and read through the posts. Whenever new posts are subsequently added to that thread, a number is supposed to appear next to the thread title when I’m in that forum that indicates how many new posts … --- ## [More Lightning bugs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-lightning-bugs/944731)
**Author:** [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2021, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-lightning-bugs/944731 "2021-06-27T21:22:14Z")
Who is seeing more lightning bugs? Last few years I’ve seen hardly any, now lots. NE Kansas. --- ## [Panoroaoma test (giant-ass image inside)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panoroaoma-test-giant-ass-image-inside/945134)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2021, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panoroaoma-test-giant-ass-image-inside/945134 "2021-06-27T21:19:01Z")
Seeing live Google Street Views embedded here made me curious how Discourse deals with Panoramas. (Facebook makes them interactive, where you can move about in them with a mouse on PCs and by rotating the screen on phone… --- ## [Divorcing Google](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/divorcing-google/944408)
**Author:** [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2021, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/divorcing-google/944408 "2021-06-27T20:59:03Z")
This is the end. It’s been a magical 20-something-year ride, but it’s time. I just can’t trust you anymore. I probably never should have. I was young and naive. We both were. But as we’ve grown up together, you’ve com… --- ## [Super Mario Odyssey](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-mario-odyssey/800444)
**Author:** [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2021, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-mario-odyssey/800444 "2021-06-27T20:20:12Z")
Not sure if there’s a huge demand for this topic but since it’s selling better than Zelda did I’m sure somebody out there is playing. So far, I’m loving it. It took me a while to get used to the controls (there’s a lot … --- ## [Al Gore is the new Orange One](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/al-gore-is-the-new-orange-one/945116)
**Author:** [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2021, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/al-gore-is-the-new-orange-one/945116 "2021-06-27T20:02:01Z")
It seems that Al Gore has hired Trump’s make-up people. --- ## [Eliminating blanks and condensing data in Excel](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eliminating-blanks-and-condensing-data-in-excel/944718)
**Author:** [@keeganst94](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/keeganst94)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2021, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eliminating-blanks-and-condensing-data-in-excel/944718 "2021-06-27T20:01:57Z")
I have a set of data that’s a few columns and maybe 600 rows. Most of the rows are blank (at least in the section I’m interested in), and some of them contain duplicate information. Most of the columns contain a code or … --- ## [Anyone watch Babylon Berlin on Netflix?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-watch-babylon-berlin-on-netflix/810154)
**Author:** [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2021, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-watch-babylon-berlin-on-netflix/810154 "2021-06-27T19:24:45Z")
The first episode left me wondering if I’d continue but it starts getting good towards the end of the second. I’m up to about episode 4 now. It’s in German so if you don’t like subtitles, it’s not for you. Babylon Berli… --- ## [Poll: What Type of Number Would You Want to Be? (I think I got it to work this time.)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-type-of-number-would-you-want-to-be-i-think-i-got-it-to-work-this-time/914408)
**Author:** [@Ynnad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ynnad)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2021, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-type-of-number-would-you-want-to-be-i-think-i-got-it-to-work-this-time/914408 "2021-06-27T18:58:31Z")
If you could be a number, what kind of number would you want to be? Some of the categories might be overlapping, for example a rational number could also be a real number. So choose carefully. poll --- ## [Any reason not to use J&J baby shampoo/wash on an elderly person's skin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-reason-not-to-use-j-j-baby-shampoo-wash-on-an-elderly-persons-skin/944637)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2021, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-reason-not-to-use-j-j-baby-shampoo-wash-on-an-elderly-persons-skin/944637 "2021-06-27T18:04:52Z")
I have an aunt who is 94, who is having increasing trouble with her skin getting irritated and itchy. Which she then scratches, often causing lasting red marks and even actual blood-oozing scrapes/tears. Basically her… --- ## [My new favorite opening paragraphs of a novel](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-new-favorite-opening-paragraphs-of-a-novel/944612)
**Author:** [@Mike\_Mabes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mike_Mabes)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2021, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-new-favorite-opening-paragraphs-of-a-novel/944612 "2021-06-27T16:27:04Z")
I’ve had a few over the years, openings that just throw you into the story and you forget you are reading. . War of the Worlds - No one would have believed in the last years of the nineteenth century that this world was … --- ## [Why did David Niven never become Sir David?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-david-niven-never-become-sir-david/701252)
**Author:** [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2021, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-david-niven-never-become-sir-david/701252 "2021-06-27T16:12:58Z")
I watched part of Murder by Death yesterday, watching the very flower of British fake nobility, Sir Alec Guinness, Dame Maggie Smith, Sir Peter Sellers, Dame Elsa Lanchester, and Sir David Niven trying to make the best o… --- ## [College Bowl, First Qualifying Round](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/college-bowl-first-qualifying-round/945078)
**Author:** [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2021, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/college-bowl-first-qualifying-round/945078 "2021-06-27T15:48:21Z")
I see this is being aired tonight on NBC at 20:00 EDT. Does anyone else plan to watch? --- ## [Does this gimmick add anything to commercials?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-gimmick-add-anything-to-commercials/945110)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2021, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-gimmick-add-anything-to-commercials/945110 "2021-06-27T15:40:18Z")
A spokesperson is speaking earnestly to the camera, and then, it switches to filming him from the side, and then back to the front, back and forth. They do that with documentaries, too. I find it off-putting and annoying… --- ## [Gasoline price differential](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gasoline-price-differential/944949)
**Author:** [@Honolulu\_Lulu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honolulu_Lulu)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2021, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gasoline-price-differential/944949 "2021-06-27T10:59:14Z")
(A) - Why does premium cost so much more than regular? There is just as much energy in a gallon of regular as there is in a gallon of premium. Where I live the price differential is upwards of 25%. (B) Because ethanol… --- ## [What is this kind of pipe fitting called so I can search for it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-kind-of-pipe-fitting-called-so-i-can-search-for-it/846493)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2021, 9:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-kind-of-pipe-fitting-called-so-i-can-search-for-it/846493 "2021-06-27T09:30:28Z")
I have a pressure gauge with a 3/8" threaded fitting (it was connected to an adapter with a compression fitting but I’m not going to use that). I want to connect it to a 1/2" or 3/4" iron pipe tee fitting like this. I se… --- ## [Exercised or exorcized?/](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exercised-or-exorcized/945019)
**Author:** [@Roger\_That](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roger_That)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2021, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exercised-or-exorcized/945019 "2021-06-27T06:39:58Z")
It was just pointed out to me that I used the word “exorcized” where I meant “exercised.” (Context of the word and the correction here: https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britney-spears-diagnosis/944950/31 ) Thinking it … --- ## [What is this large mechanical thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-large-mechanical-thing/945104)
**Author:** [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2021, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-large-mechanical-thing/945104 "2021-06-27T05:33:31Z")
This is in the background photo of a semi truck. I have no idea what it is, never seen anything like it. It looks like a giant heat sink. This is in Canada, if it makes a difference. Anybody know? --- ## [Question on the Herodian period/1st century Jewish practice of secondary interment in ossuaries](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-the-herodian-period-1st-century-jewish-practice-of-secondary-interment-in-ossuaries/945109)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2021, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-the-herodian-period-1st-century-jewish-practice-of-secondary-interment-in-ossuaries/945109 "2021-06-27T05:32:32Z")
In all my reading on the 1st century Jewish practise of secondary interment of bones in ossuaries, I have not come across any mention of the washing of bones as was typical among the ancient Greeks. Can anyone confirm wh… --- ## [Worst Reality Show of All Time?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-reality-show-of-all-time/933316)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2021, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-reality-show-of-all-time/933316 "2021-06-27T05:17:48Z")
So I’m going through some entertaining videos made by Jenny Nicholson, and she brings up a reality show titled Opposite Worlds(2014), involving two teams of players that compete against each other, one team given all the… --- ## [Best modern CRPG like Baldur's Gate, Icewind Dale, etc.? Isometric?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-modern-crpg-like-baldurs-gate-icewind-dale-etc-isometric/931552)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2021, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-modern-crpg-like-baldurs-gate-icewind-dale-etc-isometric/931552 "2021-06-27T05:13:19Z")
I’m playing Disco Elysium, which is similar(but features no combat and is actually really different). Playing it reminds me how much fun I had playing Planescape: Torment, Baldur’s Gate(1 and 2), and the old Fallout gam… --- ## [Ads for members and charter members](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ads-for-members-and-charter-members/944987)
**Author:** [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2021, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ads-for-members-and-charter-members/944987 "2021-06-27T02:15:47Z")
I have been told that the issue of members and charter members seeing ads has been fixed, and testing among the mods seems to confirm this. If you are seeing ads and you believe that you should not be, please contact me… --- ## [Middle Tennessee Dopefest](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-tennessee-dopefest/944237)
**Author:** [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2021, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-tennessee-dopefest/944237 "2021-06-27T01:31:32Z")
@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat, @missred and I are organizing a mini Dopefest for Saturday, 26 June at Arrington Vineyards at 4:00 in the Afternoon. Come, bring hor d’oeuvres, drink wine, and still be socially distant. We wi… --- ## [Outside Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outside-cats/944696)
**Author:** [@oldoaktree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oldoaktree)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2021, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outside-cats/944696 "2021-06-27T01:27:12Z")
I grew up with Outside cats, They would spend a lot time inside too, but they kinda came and went as they pleased. And i thought that was normal. Fast forward a couple decades, wife brings home a couple of kittens fro… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1415) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1417)