# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1446 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1447 --- ## [Most hated and most favorite movie themes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-hated-and-most-favorite-movie-themes/942733)
**Author:** [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2021, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-hated-and-most-favorite-movie-themes/942733 "2021-05-27T15:55:29Z")
I’ve scanned the threads and didn’t see this one so here goes. Most hated. Body swaps. I’ve never seen one that the social interactions weren’t painfully contrived to be awkward and/or embarrassing. Favorite. Time l… --- ## [What if we "lily ponded" the oceans of the world?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-we-lily-ponded-the-oceans-of-the-world/942556)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2021, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-we-lily-ponded-the-oceans-of-the-world/942556 "2021-05-27T14:48:41Z")
What if we “lily ponded” the oceans of the world? Consider. Two big problems our cities face are gaining enough power for everything their citizens need to run AND gaining enough fresh water for everyone to drink and wa… --- ## [RIP Sebastian from The Little Mermaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-sebastian-from-the-little-mermaid/942906)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2021, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-sebastian-from-the-little-mermaid/942906 "2021-05-27T14:41:52Z")
Actually, it’s Samuel E. Wright who has passed on. but a lot of people (including me) wouldn’t know who that was. --- ## [Discovery + streaming is just an SNL pitch meeting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discovery-streaming-is-just-an-snl-pitch-meeting/942978)
**Author:** [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2021, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discovery-streaming-is-just-an-snl-pitch-meeting/942978 "2021-05-27T12:17:26Z")
Being an old lady, I watch a lot of Discovery network channels and over the last year or so they’ve been shilling their streaming service, Discover +, with an almost malevolent vengeance. I thought once it launched the c… --- ## [When was the first story to have a main character who turns out to be a ghost but didn’t know it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-first-story-to-have-a-main-character-who-turns-out-to-be-a-ghost-but-didn-t-know-it/942920)
**Author:** [@Something](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Something)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2021, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-first-story-to-have-a-main-character-who-turns-out-to-be-a-ghost-but-didn-t-know-it/942920 "2021-05-27T11:20:30Z")
Recently I started a thread on a Pepsi commercial about a boy and his girlfriend will turn out to be dead at the end of the commercial and didn’t know it. This commercial came out in about 2003 which is four years after … --- ## [25 bank robberies every day -- 1/4 get away with it](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/25-bank-robberies-every-day-1-4-get-away-with-it/939147)
**Author:** [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2021, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/25-bank-robberies-every-day-1-4-get-away-with-it/939147 "2021-05-27T11:16:50Z")
On average, there are 9,000 bank robberies in the US each year. Few are quickly apprehended, and a quarter of them are never solved. Why don’t we hear about them on the local news? --- ## [Okay, how will you react when Repubs end democracy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-how-will-you-react-when-repubs-end-democracy/942589)
**Author:** [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Replies:** 128\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2021, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-how-will-you-react-when-repubs-end-democracy/942589 "2021-05-27T11:12:21Z")
Okay, y’all saw that grim WaPo article describing how the Repubs could steal 2024, right? Or at least y’all saw @ThelmaLou’s post about it? Suppose it really happens. Suppose they really do shut down democracy in Amer… --- ## [Questions on the University of Buckingham (UK)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-on-the-university-of-buckingham-uk/942932)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2021, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-on-the-university-of-buckingham-uk/942932 "2021-05-27T10:49:38Z")
There is a doctorate program I’m interested in at the University of Buckingham. Couple issues though considering I’m American. What is it’s reputation? It is a private non-profit university which seems to be rare in t… --- ## [On the death of a friend](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-death-of-a-friend/942939)
**Author:** [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2021, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-death-of-a-friend/942939 "2021-05-27T04:36:20Z")
Friends, Please join me in celebrating the life of my friend, “Ade.” “Ade,” short for “Adrienne,” was an old friend. I’ve known her since we were both 15. We went through high school together, and she was part of our… --- ## [Amazon is buying MGM](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-is-buying-mgm/942954)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2021, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-is-buying-mgm/942954 "2021-05-27T04:19:09Z")
The price tag is US$8.45 billion. That’s going to give Amazon a whole lot of IP! I’m not enthusiastic about the deal, tho: it’s just consolidating more wealth and power, IMO. --- ## [New Info On The 1918 Origins Of The Spanish Flu \[Article is from Jan 2014\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-info-on-the-1918-origins-of-the-spanish-flu-article-is-from-jan-2014/942921)
**Author:** [@shh1313](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shh1313)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2021, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-info-on-the-1918-origins-of-the-spanish-flu-article-is-from-jan-2014/942921 "2021-05-27T02:47:23Z")
" Historian Mark Humphries of Canada’s Memorial University of Newfoundland says that newly unearthed records confirm that one of the side stories of the war—the mobilization of 96,000 Chinese laborers to work behind the… --- ## [Movies Like “Destry Rides Again”?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-like-destry-rides-again/942962)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2021, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-like-destry-rides-again/942962 "2021-05-27T01:55:53Z")
Enjoyed this odd Western after seeing good reviews and seeking it out. But I’m still not sure if it is meant to be a satire of Westerns or just a good film with some comic relief. Can anyone recommend similar movies or… --- ## [What mutations make this virus worse](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mutations-make-this-virus-worse/942908)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2021, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mutations-make-this-virus-worse/942908 "2021-05-27T01:30:04Z")
when the R0 goes up is that due to changes in the spike protein that increase binding affinity with the ACE2 receptors? do any of these new mutations result in more virus shedding? what happens when the virus becomes d… --- ## [Get off my dick about not getting a vaccine yet (not anti-VAXX)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-off-my-dick-about-not-getting-a-vaccine-yet-not-anti-vaxx/939471)
**Author:** [@stuccosuperstar2020](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stuccosuperstar2020)\ **Replies:** 162\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2021, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-off-my-dick-about-not-getting-a-vaccine-yet-not-anti-vaxx/939471 "2021-05-27T00:58:29Z")
I live in Pennsylvania which to be frank is one of the slower states to roll out the COVID vaccine. In our state we have a rolled out priority system: . . . which is currently in Phase 1a, 1b and 1c. I am phase 2 (bas… --- ## [Autism sucks but there are kind people in the world](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/autism-sucks-but-there-are-kind-people-in-the-world/939776)
**Author:** [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2021, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/autism-sucks-but-there-are-kind-people-in-the-world/939776 "2021-05-27T00:37:03Z")
Sharing and venting. Autism sucks. My 16 year old (old timer’s might remember the threads from chistmas 2004) is kinda medium functioning on the Austism spectrum. She had a meltdown a few weeks ago, but then calmed down… --- ## [Flight--high and drunk does not mean manslaughter--general legal question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flight-high-and-drunk-does-not-mean-manslaughter-general-legal-question/942715)
**Author:** [@HughGoply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HughGoply)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2021, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flight-high-and-drunk-does-not-mean-manslaughter-general-legal-question/942715 "2021-05-26T23:13:39Z")
Does anyone remember this movie? Denzel Washington is the pilot of a plane that crashes while he is high and drunk, but everyone agrees that he did nothing wrong. In fact, his flying was brilliant and the only thing that… --- ## [Vincent Gallo in Goodfellas?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vincent-gallo-in-goodfellas/536542)
**Author:** [@zeno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zeno)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2021, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vincent-gallo-in-goodfellas/536542 "2021-05-26T23:10:55Z")
I see he is credited with a small part as ‘Henry’s 70s’ crew in the movie, but I have seen this thing a million times and I simply cannot see him. Is he one of the guys sitting at the table behind him in the second Copac… --- ## [The DMV website doesn't recognize my Social Security Number](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dmv-website-doesnt-recognize-my-social-security-number/942985)
**Author:** [@Something](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Something)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2021, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dmv-website-doesnt-recognize-my-social-security-number/942985 "2021-05-26T22:54:14Z")
So, because of COVID, the “good old days” of being able to waltz into a DMV and sit there for 5 hours and get your errand done are gone; nowadays, you have to go online and make an appointment to visit a DMV, and they su… --- ## [A book suggestion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-book-suggestion/940990)
**Author:** [@stosh1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stosh1)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2021, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-book-suggestion/940990 "2021-05-26T20:31:30Z")
A while ago, I asked about author’s who were similar to John Sanford. Someone ( I don’t remember who) suggested a book called “Spindown” by Andy Crawford. I got the book and it’s very good. Thank you-whoever you are. --- ## [Boringly ordinary town names](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boringly-ordinary-town-names/941091)
**Author:** [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Replies:** 113\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2021, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boringly-ordinary-town-names/941091 "2021-05-26T19:31:56Z")
I know we’ve done weird and wonderful town names to death here, but I’ve come across a few in my (original) home state that are just downright boringly ordinary. I’m not talking about the Newtowns Brightons and such ilk,… --- ## [Car question - Tire pressure in Honda CRV?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-tire-pressure-in-honda-crv/942752)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2021, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-tire-pressure-in-honda-crv/942752 "2021-05-26T18:51:14Z")
I had the snow tires taken off and the summer tires put on the CRV this week. And when I drove away from the dealership, the tire pressure gauge came on. Went to put air in the tires this morning, and they were all at … --- ## [U.S. forests are too dense, and fires are good?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-forests-are-too-dense-and-fires-are-good/942903)
**Author:** [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2021, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-forests-are-too-dense-and-fires-are-good/942903 "2021-05-26T18:16:40Z")
I read this article which makes a couple of interesting claims: Our forests in the U.S. have too many trees. Occasional fires are (were) good for our forests. I say “interesting,” because we’ve been hearing about the … --- ## [Who did these 1960s artworks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-did-these-1960s-artworks/929548)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2021, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-did-these-1960s-artworks/929548 "2021-05-26T17:49:47Z")
I am a big fan of psychedelic artwork with a special love for concert posters & flyers, especially for the lettering. So I was watching a brief video\* about this when something caught my eye. … --- ## [Professional photos of me: Who owns them?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/professional-photos-of-me-who-owns-them/942598)
**Author:** [@Newtosite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Newtosite)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2021, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/professional-photos-of-me-who-owns-them/942598 "2021-05-26T17:42:11Z")
As I understand it, copyright law says a photographer always owns the pictures they take. I’ve sold an article to an online publication and they want to publish old photos of me with my article. I had some professional … --- ## [Products where you expect the price to decline as the pandemic (hopefully) comes to a close](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-where-you-expect-the-price-to-decline-as-the-pandemic-hopefully-comes-to-a-close/942848)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2021, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-where-you-expect-the-price-to-decline-as-the-pandemic-hopefully-comes-to-a-close/942848 "2021-05-26T17:10:47Z")
So there are multiple threads on what products have you seen shortages or price hikes due to the pandemic, but as the pandemic hopefully ends (at least in vaccinated nations) what products do you expect to see price decl… --- ## [Austin Texas, Proposition B](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/austin-texas-proposition-b/940755)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 171\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2021, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/austin-texas-proposition-b/940755 "2021-05-26T17:05:48Z")
I don’t live there, but this is a very interesting ballot initiative that could definitely have a national effect. It will reinstate a camping ban in downtown Austin. This will help prevent large homeless camps from d… --- ## [What modern political allegiance is indicated by showing Napoleon's flag nowadays?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-modern-political-allegiance-is-indicated-by-showing-napoleons-flag-nowadays/942770)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2021, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-modern-political-allegiance-is-indicated-by-showing-napoleons-flag-nowadays/942770 "2021-05-26T14:54:40Z")
A friend posted this from my old neighborhood in San Random Flag - Album on Imgur Google tells me this flag is the shield of Napoleon Bonaparte: Assuming this is not a random Napoleonic war buff very proud of his hand… --- ## [Doing nice things for somes DOES NOT require reciprocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doing-nice-things-for-somes-does-not-require-reciprocity/942883)
**Author:** [@gumpy3885](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gumpy3885)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2021, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doing-nice-things-for-somes-does-not-require-reciprocity/942883 "2021-05-26T12:52:39Z")
We have an older neighbor that we’ve become really good friends with. She doesn’t have a lot of family so we like to make sure she’s OK but more than that, we just like to be good neighbors. We have invited her over to d… --- ## [I give up -- How many bees does it take to open a bottle of soda?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-give-up-how-many-bees-does-it-take-to-open-a-bottle-of-soda/942944)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2021, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-give-up-how-many-bees-does-it-take-to-open-a-bottle-of-soda/942944 "2021-05-26T12:24:16Z")
Two, apparently --- ## [BPPV / Positional Dizziness / Epley Maneuver](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bppv-positional-dizziness-epley-maneuver/588780)
**Author:** [@Atomic\_Mama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Mama)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2021, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bppv-positional-dizziness-epley-maneuver/588780 "2021-05-26T12:18:01Z")
Female, age 61, having dizzy spells when lying down & getting up. Apparently I have “Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo” (BPPV) and have been told to do the Epley Maneuver, nightly, for one week. Questions: Does this … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1445) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1447)