# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1469 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1470 --- ## [Avengers: Endgame SEEN IT thread - SPOILERS AHOY!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avengers-endgame-seen-it-thread-spoilers-ahoy/832981)
**Author:** [@galen\_ubal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen_ubal)\ **Replies:** 929\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2021, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avengers-endgame-seen-it-thread-spoilers-ahoy/832981 "2021-05-03T23:18:16Z")
First post left mostly blank to avoid mouseover spoiling. Just one thing - if you’re into these movies at all, run don’t walk to the theater! --- ## [It's my 20-year Dope Anniversary!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-my-20-year-dope-anniversary/941089)
**Author:** [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2021, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-my-20-year-dope-anniversary/941089 "2021-05-03T23:18:08Z")
This month marks my 20th year of registration here on the Straight Dope Message Board. (Technically I’d been lurking for a year or two before that, and had been reading the main Straight Dope website since the mid-1990s… --- ## [Electric car power generation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-car-power-generation/940635)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 125\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2021, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-car-power-generation/940635 "2021-05-03T22:47:53Z")
Someone on NPR pointed out that electric cars won’t be “green” until electric power generation is. Which pollutes more, a gasoline engine car, or an electric car with power generated by burning coal? --- ## [What would it take to get The Straight Dope books available on Kindle?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-it-take-to-get-the-straight-dope-books-available-on-kindle/941308)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2021, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-it-take-to-get-the-straight-dope-books-available-on-kindle/941308 "2021-05-03T22:43:11Z")
Mods, I picked the café for this thread as I wasn’t sure where to put it. Pretty much as the thread title suggests, how could The Straight Dope books become available on Kindle? Are the publishing rights tied up with al… --- ## [How often do you check your phone messages?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-check-your-phone-messages/941219)
**Author:** [@Orville\_mogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orville_mogul)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2021, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-check-your-phone-messages/941219 "2021-05-03T22:29:27Z")
I believe I am pretty far from being a device addict, and I largely dislike social media (don’t use Twitter and very seldom update my Facebook feed or read anyone else’s). But I do use my smartphone to communicate instan… --- ## [Help me buy a new multi-function laser printer (2021 version)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-a-new-multi-function-laser-printer-2021-version/941159)
**Author:** [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2021, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-a-new-multi-function-laser-printer-2021-version/941159 "2021-05-03T22:11:04Z")
Our HP laserjet 1536dnf printer seems to be dying, and we are in the market for a new one. We need it to: Be a laser printer. not negotiable. photocopy, print, and scan have a document feeder do duplex automatically (t… --- ## [Would you rather be extremely tall or extremely short?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-rather-be-extremely-tall-or-extremely-short/941201)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2021, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-rather-be-extremely-tall-or-extremely-short/941201 "2021-05-03T21:48:09Z")
For purposes of this thread, I’ll define short as 4 foot 6 inches and tall as 7 feet tall. I’m 6’ tall and ISTM that being a foot taller would be an absolute nightmare. I drive with my car seat scooted all the way back.… --- ## [Why pillar candles burn out so easy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-pillar-candles-burn-out-so-easy/941325)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2021, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-pillar-candles-burn-out-so-easy/941325 "2021-05-03T21:29:54Z")
I’m a candle fan but my efforts to make my own using recycled wax have for years had a problem: they work fine when I first start burning them but as time goes one the flame gets smaller and smaller, until I’m left with … --- ## [What's the downside of shade-tolerant grass?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-downside-of-shade-tolerant-grass/941101)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2021, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-downside-of-shade-tolerant-grass/941101 "2021-05-03T21:14:12Z")
My backyard has been slowly turning to moss. It’s narrow and mostly surrounded by tall trees, so sunlight is limited. I’ve pruned the trees way back, but I’m also considering putting some shade-tolerant grass seed out … --- ## [How To Get Gasoline Odor Out of Shoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-gasoline-odor-out-of-shoes/941082)
**Author:** [@Ptolomy57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ptolomy57)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2021, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-gasoline-odor-out-of-shoes/941082 "2021-05-03T20:50:25Z")
I inadvertently spilled gasoline on my leather (or fake leather) tennis shoes while filling my lawn mower’s gas tank. How can I get rid of the odor? I let the shoes air out for a few days now. I have to check on them, bu… --- ## ["Generation Hustle" on HBO Max](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/generation-hustle-on-hbo-max/941319)
**Author:** [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2021, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/generation-hustle-on-hbo-max/941319 "2021-05-03T20:33:49Z")
So, after watching The Lady and the Dale on HBO, my takeaway was that there is no way someone like Elizabeth Carmichael could pull off her scams in the modern day with the Internet and social media. HBO’s new doc series,… --- ## [What, for you, were the most unexpected things about aging?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-for-you-were-the-most-unexpected-things-about-aging/922620)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 359\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2021, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-for-you-were-the-most-unexpected-things-about-aging/922620 "2021-05-03T16:34:02Z")
I turned 36 this year, not exactly ancient but no longer young, either. I am just starting to feel the beginnings of joint pains in my knees, barely. That’s to be expected, I suppose. Unexpectedly – just because I never… --- ## [Cooking in a Crock Pot Question: Need answer not-too-fast!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cooking-in-a-crock-pot-question-need-answer-not-too-fast/941236)
**Author:** [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2021, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cooking-in-a-crock-pot-question-need-answer-not-too-fast/941236 "2021-05-03T16:17:48Z")
Let’s say I’m cooking a mess of stuff in a crock pot (I am, actually). Are you supposed to stir the mixture periodically, or are you supposed to leave it alone and not be taking off the lid? Got chunks of pork, onion, 2… --- ## [Dr. B Standby List for Vaccines](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-b-standby-list-for-vaccines/937650)
**Author:** [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2021, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-b-standby-list-for-vaccines/937650 "2021-05-03T16:04:07Z")
For those of you having problems scheduling a vaccine appointment, you should register here: Basically, whenever a vaccination site has leftover vaccines that they would otherwise have to throw away, they reach out to… --- ## [Bringing civil suit against someone who has moved out of state](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bringing-civil-suit-against-someone-who-has-moved-out-of-state/940879)
**Author:** [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2021, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bringing-civil-suit-against-someone-who-has-moved-out-of-state/940879 "2021-05-03T15:44:56Z")
(The state is Hawaii, in case it matters.) The local nonprofit I work with has filed a civil lawsuit against a trust endowment which has stolen/mismanaged our funds. (I am happy to provide sordid details if asked, but t… --- ## [Question about level of discovery possible with online DNA tests](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-level-of-discovery-possible-with-online-dna-tests/941157)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2021, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-level-of-discovery-possible-with-online-dna-tests/941157 "2021-05-03T15:42:00Z")
A question containing the following paragraph appeared in WaPo’s “Ask Amy” column a few days ago (the discussion was about alarming and unwanted revelations that are sometimes fallout from online DNA tests): After 50 y… --- ## [Marvel Phase 4 Movies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marvel-phase-4-movies/941292)
**Author:** [@borschevsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/borschevsky)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2021, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marvel-phase-4-movies/941292 "2021-05-03T15:39:15Z")
Marvel released a nice video with a bit of a retrospective, and some news for their upcoming movies. It’s worth a watch: They have a lot of content coming up, especially if you count the Disney+ shows. The… --- ## [Educational Methods Used On You, Which Would Not Fly Today](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/educational-methods-used-on-you-which-would-not-fly-today/938878)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2021, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/educational-methods-used-on-you-which-would-not-fly-today/938878 "2021-05-03T15:30:08Z")
I was a good academic student and did well across the board. The students at our public high school were smart and most took “advanced” courses. A few took “enriched”. Some took “general” courses. There were also tec… --- ## [Assembly instructions with no words for US product (not even English)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assembly-instructions-with-no-words-for-us-product-not-even-english/941038)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2021, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assembly-instructions-with-no-words-for-us-product-not-even-english/941038 "2021-05-03T14:43:29Z")
This is a bad idea. I assume they do this so they can also sell in Quebec, Puerto Rico, Mexico and maybe Europe. I wonder how much money they save by leaving out all text. --- ## [I want to know how much a rideshare trip would cost](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-know-how-much-a-rideshare-trip-would-cost/941175)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2021, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-know-how-much-a-rideshare-trip-would-cost/941175 "2021-05-03T14:36:59Z")
…but I’m not willing to download an app until I already know their rates. Is it possible for me to accomplish this? Assume that I don’t have any friends who could go on the app and look it up for me. A “no” will be suff… --- ## [Experiences at COVID vaccination sites](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/experiences-at-covid-vaccination-sites/941258)
**Author:** [@eschrodinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschrodinger)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2021, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/experiences-at-covid-vaccination-sites/941258 "2021-05-03T14:30:18Z")
I’m interested in people’s experiences both with working or volunteering at vaccination sites, and experiences receiving vaccinations at those sites. I’m mostly interested in the big mass vaccination sites, and how they… --- ## [A Self-Taught Course in Existentialism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-self-taught-course-in-existentialism/941198)
**Author:** [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2021, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-self-taught-course-in-existentialism/941198 "2021-05-03T14:21:44Z")
I studied existentialism in college and I was really into it. But it was a matter of reading deeply and not broadly - I’ve read most of Nietszche, which I studied in depth, and then a smattering of existential literature… --- ## [Is a half-sibling the same as a first cousin, from a genetic standpoint?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-half-sibling-the-same-as-a-first-cousin-from-a-genetic-standpoint/940861)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2021, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-half-sibling-the-same-as-a-first-cousin-from-a-genetic-standpoint/940861 "2021-05-03T13:49:58Z")
Mathematically it makes some sense, since in both cases they share one set of grandparents. But perhaps additionally having the same parent is stronger than merely having two of the same grandparents. --- ## [What trait or characteristic is the most important in your personal definition of success?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-trait-or-characteristic-is-the-most-important-in-your-personal-definition-of-success/940978)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2021, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-trait-or-characteristic-is-the-most-important-in-your-personal-definition-of-success/940978 "2021-05-03T13:44:50Z")
Select the one option that you personally believe is most important in whether you are successful or not. poll Gallup did a similar poll a few years ago asking the same question and also what people perceived that the m… --- ## [AI Dungeon - the infinite storytelling generator](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-dungeon-the-infinite-storytelling-generator/845080)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2021, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-dungeon-the-infinite-storytelling-generator/845080 "2021-05-03T13:39:43Z")
AI Dungeon is a game which generates an adventure based on your inputs. It is… surprisingly good. It will react to your commands and will remember some of what you’ve input in previous commands. In my first adventure, i… --- ## [MLB: April 2021](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april-2021/939156)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 392\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2021, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april-2021/939156 "2021-05-03T13:24:11Z")
It’s Opening Day! The notoriously fickle April weather means it’s going to be quite a chilly one in some cities but the limited fans in attendance are still going to have a great time. The wealthy Dodgers and Yankees ar… --- ## [Assistant football coach fired over tweet sues to get his job back](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assistant-football-coach-fired-over-tweet-sues-to-get-his-job-back/941070)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2021, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assistant-football-coach-fired-over-tweet-sues-to-get-his-job-back/941070 "2021-05-03T12:46:04Z")
That’s the headline of the AP article: TL;DR: University of Tennessee-Chattanooga assistant football coach Chris Malone has sued, saying his 1st Amendment rights were violated. Malone tweeted: 30 minutes later he de… --- ## [Your experience with getting autographs authenticated. (Need answer soon.)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-experience-with-getting-autographs-authenticated-need-answer-soon/940988)
**Author:** [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2021, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-experience-with-getting-autographs-authenticated-need-answer-soon/940988 "2021-05-03T12:28:44Z")
I have a book autographed (in my presence) by the three Apollo 11 astronauts in 1989, on the 20th anniversary of the moon landing. Michael Collins’ death today has gotten me thinking about having it authenticated for pos… --- ## [Anyone Spend Time in Charleston, WV?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-spend-time-in-charleston-wv/940996)
**Author:** [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2021, 10:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-spend-time-in-charleston-wv/940996 "2021-05-03T10:22:38Z")
Ms. P and I will be looking to move after I retire in 4 years or so. We’d like to live somewhere with a lower than average cost of living, with a river nearby. A city the size of Charleston is perfect. We couldn’t liv… --- ## [Thinking about summer vacation in the MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-about-summer-vacation-in-the-mmp/940780)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 206\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2021, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-about-summer-vacation-in-the-mmp/940780 "2021-05-03T05:11:50Z")
As more and more people get their plague shots, life may slowly creep back towards what we might call normal. And part of that normal may well be vacations again. Are you planning any? Um, and just in case you thought i… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1468) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1470)