# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1519 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1520 --- ## [Everyone named Gord is from Canada](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everyone-named-gord-is-from-canada/937784)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2021, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everyone-named-gord-is-from-canada/937784 "2021-03-15T11:05:12Z")
I can’t recall hearing a US person who goes by Gord but I am sure there are some. Saw yet another Gord from Canada today. --- ## [Have you heard of "metamaterial"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-metamaterial/934042)
**Author:** [@shh1313](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shh1313)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2021, 10:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-metamaterial/934042 "2021-03-15T10:29:33Z")
The conspiracy thread led me to this article when researching the topic of MK Ultra.I wanted to know which CT’s (conspiracy theories) turned out to be true. My research of MK Ultra which by the way turned out to be true… --- ## [Every time you shuffle a deck of cards, the sequence has never existed before](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/every-time-you-shuffle-a-deck-of-cards-the-sequence-has-never-existed-before/937719)
**Author:** [@Lantern2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern2)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2021, 9:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/every-time-you-shuffle-a-deck-of-cards-the-sequence-has-never-existed-before/937719 "2021-03-15T09:05:51Z")
I would be skeptical of this, but the video does a good job of explaining why 52! the number of ways a standard deck can be arranged is an unfathomably large number. This video is also good and has an extr… --- ## [Updated Title: Sad news, Doper jz78817 has died](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/updated-title-sad-news-doper-jz78817-has-died/919834)
**Author:** [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Replies:** 115\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2021, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/updated-title-sad-news-doper-jz78817-has-died/919834 "2021-03-15T07:08:24Z")
I am so scared, you guys. @jz78817 is my brother. I’ve been here longer, but he’s posted more than I have (and has contributed way more, IMO). I last talked to him Monday night via text. My mom was concerned because she… --- ## [Mortar and pestle spice grinding techniques](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mortar-and-pestle-spice-grinding-techniques/937891)
**Author:** [@sohvan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sohvan)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2021, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mortar-and-pestle-spice-grinding-techniques/937891 "2021-03-15T05:30:45Z")
I’ve started grinding my own spices for vegetable soup with a mortal and pestle. I really like the added flavor, but I’m having a lot of problems grinding a few specific spices. I usually grind a mix of different spices… --- ## [Peter F. Hamilton -- Pandora's Star](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peter-f-hamilton-pandoras-star/407730)
**Author:** [@Jayrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jayrot)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2021, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peter-f-hamilton-pandoras-star/407730 "2021-03-15T04:11:15Z")
Just finished reading the 1000 page sci-fi epic. Awesome! I’m a slow and infrequent reader and was originally daunted by the big size, but by the last 3rd of the book, I was incredibly comforted to know that there was an… --- ## [Were you surprised by the backlash from Kaepernick, other athletes kneeling vs. the public](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-surprised-by-the-backlash-from-kaepernick-other-athletes-kneeling-vs-the-public/842146)
**Author:** [@Yankees\_1996\_Champs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yankees_1996_Champs)\ **Replies:** 307\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2021, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-surprised-by-the-backlash-from-kaepernick-other-athletes-kneeling-vs-the-public/842146 "2021-03-15T03:43:30Z")
Ever since 2016, in the midst of the still controversial Trump vs. Clinton presidential race, when NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick sat down and later down the season kneeled during the American national anthem in his pr… --- ## [Simple question regarding electricity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-question-regarding-electricity/937743)
**Author:** [@Muddibog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muddibog)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2021, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-question-regarding-electricity/937743 "2021-03-15T03:27:50Z")
I was watching The Fox and the Hound, and I was wondering why in this scene the bird gets electrocuted when he taps the insulator? I know that current needs a complete circuit in order to flow, and that it… --- ## [So I Guess We Need A MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-guess-we-need-a-mmp/937451)
**Author:** [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Replies:** 249\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2021, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-guess-we-need-a-mmp/937451 "2021-03-15T02:59:35Z")
Good Mornin’ Y’all! Up and caffeinatin’. ‘Tis 34 Amurrkin out and clear with a predicted high of 70 and N.O.S. for the day. No real big plans for the day though I do have Vestry Meetin’ tonight at six. I get to talk abou… --- ## [I have recieved my stimulus .... in the future oohhh ahhhhhh ohhhh](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-recieved-my-stimulus-in-the-future-oohhh-ahhhhhh-ohhhh/937869)
**Author:** [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2021, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-recieved-my-stimulus-in-the-future-oohhh-ahhhhhh-ohhhh/937869 "2021-03-15T00:46:07Z")
I have never seen this in any bank account in my life , But I have received appropriate amount under transaction ID "2021 IRS TREAS 310 - TAXEIP3 " effective March 17th whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahuaaaa I can see in to the f… --- ## [What's the earliest COVID infection?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-earliest-covid-infection/937901)
**Author:** [@anny\_m](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anny_m)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2021, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-earliest-covid-infection/937901 "2021-03-15T00:18:02Z")
Talked with a neighbor and friend recently. Hadn’t seen her in some time. She said a family member went on a cruise in autumn 2019. The cruise changed physicians in a Philippines stop (apparently, this was planned). … --- ## [How Does the News Get Hold of Offbeat Stories?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-news-get-hold-of-offbeat-stories/937874)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2021, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-news-get-hold-of-offbeat-stories/937874 "2021-03-14T23:22:41Z")
With so much news being bad news, I am aware the news gets feedback like “why don’t you run any good news stories?” As such, you may have noticed an uptick in the news trying to run at least one “warm fuzzy” story usuall… --- ## [How do you do a clean OS install without a CD/DVD player?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-do-a-clean-os-install-without-a-cd-dvd-player/937792)
**Author:** [@Quintas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quintas)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2021, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-do-a-clean-os-install-without-a-cd-dvd-player/937792 "2021-03-14T23:10:31Z")
I’m looking to buy a new laptop soon and I see that the majority no longer come with an optical drive. I’ll probably buy an external because I still have a number of games and things on CD that i’d like to use. But for … --- ## [Bewildering Amazon charge on my debit card](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bewildering-amazon-charge-on-my-debit-card/937128)
**Author:** [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2021, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bewildering-amazon-charge-on-my-debit-card/937128 "2021-03-14T23:03:27Z")
What is a WEB AMAZON MARKETPLACE RETURN FEE? --- ## [Is canasta really this out-of-style?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-canasta-really-this-out-of-style/933904)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2021, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-canasta-really-this-out-of-style/933904 "2021-03-14T20:53:12Z")
First of all, I grew up playing Canasta. Taught Mrs Cad and my stepson and they love it. Tonight we’re going to his house for a canasta night. Why? Because he has a friend that loves canasta but can’t find anyone to p… --- ## [What fictional disasters are still upcoming?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fictional-disasters-are-still-upcoming/839209)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2021, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fictional-disasters-are-still-upcoming/839209 "2021-03-14T20:03:42Z")
It seems like most of the best disasters from science fiction have already come to pass. My childhood favorite was always THE YEAR 1994. Lucky for us, we still have World War 3 in just a few years, if the Roddenberry or… --- ## [What causes blood to be unusable for a blood-glucose meter within mere seconds?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-blood-to-be-unusable-for-a-blood-glucose-meter-within-mere-seconds/851199)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2021, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-blood-to-be-unusable-for-a-blood-glucose-meter-within-mere-seconds/851199 "2021-03-14T18:20:09Z")
If I draw a pinprick of blood and promptly load it onto a test strip in a blood-glucose meter, it gives a valid reading. But a mere 10 seconds later, that same drop of blood on my finger would give an error message when… --- ## [Trophic levels of pet feeding](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trophic-levels-of-pet-feeding/937776)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2021, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trophic-levels-of-pet-feeding/937776 "2021-03-14T18:07:53Z")
Lots of people raise feeder animals for various pets. The feeders eat plants or algae, the primary pets eat the feeders. Are there any pet (or zoo) circumstances that involve additional levels? Meaning herbivore feeders … --- ## [Vitamin C requirement? : Satisfied](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vitamin-c-requirement-satisfied/937857)
**Author:** [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2021, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vitamin-c-requirement-satisfied/937857 "2021-03-14T15:02:34Z")
It was a glorious , unseasonably warm Saturday March 13th in Michigan. I suddenly had a worry for my Vitamin C levels. 3.5 double rye whiskey sours later , I think scurvy is defeated for a long while. Better safe than… --- ## [My Google-Fu is weak. Need help finding a geeky tapestry](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-google-fu-is-weak-need-help-finding-a-geeky-tapestry/937837)
**Author:** [@BlinkingDuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlinkingDuck)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2021, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-google-fu-is-weak-need-help-finding-a-geeky-tapestry/937837 "2021-03-14T14:40:03Z")
We are going to be converting our deck to 4- season and this frees up one of the rooms for the house who my wife gave me permis…er…I demanded with manly authority…to become my mancave. On one wall I would like a rather … --- ## [Why is the vaccination process so complicated/slow?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-vaccination-process-so-complicated-slow/931468)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2021, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-vaccination-process-so-complicated-slow/931468 "2021-03-14T14:05:49Z")
I am assuming someone familiar with logistics or somesuch will be able to explain why the pace of vaccinations has been so slow. I’m hoping to avoid too much political criticism. In this morning’s paper, they talked ab… --- ## [Wots in yarrrrr fryin pan, ARGH](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wots-in-yarrrrr-fryin-pan-argh/937862)
**Author:** [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2021, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wots-in-yarrrrr-fryin-pan-argh/937862 "2021-03-14T12:15:46Z")
standing here watching a new york strip steak cook. Total carnivory to-night! No greens or potato or bread or side dish at all. Just me and my steak. fresh meat, I crave sustenance! --- ## [Unfollowing threads](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unfollowing-threads/937648)
**Author:** [@DemonTree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DemonTree)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2021, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unfollowing-threads/937648 "2021-03-14T12:00:24Z")
Is there any way to stop tracking topics I’m no longer interested in, without opening each one individually, scrolling all the way to the bottom, and fiddling with the dropdown? I’ve got quite a few hanging around that I… --- ## [Giving head \[preserving my skull after death\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giving-head-preserving-my-skull-after-death/937503)
**Author:** [@ALOHA\_HATER](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ALOHA_HATER)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2021, 9:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giving-head-preserving-my-skull-after-death/937503 "2021-03-14T09:42:44Z")
Say I wanted my loved ones to have my skull after my death. So that I could play Yorick or for whatever reason. Could I legally have my head removed, defleshed, and polished up nice to keep on the mantle? --- ## [Floor Finishing Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floor-finishing-question/937526)
**Author:** [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2021, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floor-finishing-question/937526 "2021-03-14T05:59:24Z")
Hi Everyone. I’m wondering if anyone has any experience with this, given the impressive range of knowledge here. I just put in a NEW unfinished hardwood floor, and I’m getting ready to finish it. As it’s maple, and I wa… --- ## [Native American geographical names](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/native-american-geographical-names/937827)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2021, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/native-american-geographical-names/937827 "2021-03-14T05:00:59Z")
1-12-21 Final Jeopardy answer brought me here. Strange how so many states, counties, cities, streets and other geographical things were given Native America names, considering how despised NA peoples were throughout Amer… --- ## [Oahu travel](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oahu-travel/931904)
**Author:** [@cjackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjackson)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2021, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oahu-travel/931904 "2021-03-14T04:55:02Z")
I want to go to Oahu someday, but I’m short on cash and knowledge of the place. I have some questions regarding getting there, lodging there, getting around there, what to do there and how to save up to make it happen. W… --- ## [Happy 100th birthday, Al Jaffee!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-100th-birthday-al-jaffee/937860)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2021, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-100th-birthday-al-jaffee/937860 "2021-03-14T01:04:32Z")
Today is the 100th birthday of Mad Magazine’s Al Jaffee! He had the longest-running career of any comic artist, from 1942 to 2020. --- ## [USPS mail arrival time?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usps-mail-arrival-time/937631)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2021, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usps-mail-arrival-time/937631 "2021-03-14T01:01:51Z")
Sometimes I get US mail at 10 am , sometimes at 6 pm. Is there any reason for such a wide variation? Maybe they are doing the route backwards when it comes at 10 am? Never seen this before in decades. We ar… --- ## [Virginia Kroger "vaxed" people with saline AND AIR?!?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-kroger-vaxed-people-with-saline-and-air/937742)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2021, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-kroger-vaxed-people-with-saline-and-air/937742 "2021-03-14T00:35:37Z")
HOW could something like that happen in the first place? An air-filled syringe does not have the same feel as a full one, and there are some very good reasons why we’re taught in pharmacy school (and nursing school too)… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1518) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1520)