# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1591 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1592 --- ## [How perception of Christian persecution in America could become self-fulfilling](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-perception-of-christian-persecution-in-america-could-become-self-fulfilling/929540)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2021, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-perception-of-christian-persecution-in-america-could-become-self-fulfilling/929540 "2021-01-06T16:49:10Z")
Not sure if this is GD or Politics, so I’ll let the admins sort that: TL;DR at the beginning - by believing they are persecuted, American Christians could annoy people into persecuting them, thus causing a vicious cycle… --- ## [Is the time to boil a fixed quantity of water directly inversely proportional to the temperature? (e.g. 2x the temp = 1/2 the time?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-time-to-boil-a-fixed-quantity-of-water-directly-inversely-proportional-to-the-temperature-e-g-2x-the-temp-1-2-the-time/929666)
**Author:** [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2021, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-time-to-boil-a-fixed-quantity-of-water-directly-inversely-proportional-to-the-temperature-e-g-2x-the-temp-1-2-the-time/929666 "2021-01-06T16:43:27Z")
If I record the time it takes to boil a known amount of water with heat at a known temperature, can I extrapolate for an unknown temperature by comparing how long it takes to boil the same amount of water? That is, if t… --- ## [Women: Would you reject a man solely for being 5'7"? BE HONEST!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-would-you-reject-a-man-solely-for-being-57-be-honest/682634)
**Author:** [@R3d\_Anonymous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R3d_Anonymous)\ **Replies:** 153\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2021, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-would-you-reject-a-man-solely-for-being-57-be-honest/682634 "2021-01-06T16:33:53Z")
…like if a guy around that height came up and asked you out. One of my major insecurities is my height. My expected adult height is unlikely to pass 5’7". :frowning: The reason I ask is I have read some really depress… --- ## [Economics re: vaccine](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-re-vaccine/927315)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2021, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-re-vaccine/927315 "2021-01-06T15:54:57Z")
Is anyone aware of good sources discussing the economics related to the vaccine? Just how much is being spent by whom (state/private/NFPs/NGOs), and who is profiting how much. I’m not interested in arguing whether the … --- ## [Pennsylvania G.O.P. refuses to seat Democratic lawmaker in State Legislature](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pennsylvania-g-o-p-refuses-to-seat-democratic-lawmaker-in-state-legislature/929748)
**Author:** [@DeadTreasSecretaries](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadTreasSecretaries)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2021, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pennsylvania-g-o-p-refuses-to-seat-democratic-lawmaker-in-state-legislature/929748 "2021-01-06T15:22:36Z")
Following an election that has already been certified but is facing a legal challenge, Pennsylvania GOP is refusing to seat Senator Jim Brewster. In the process, they also escorted Lt. Gov. John Fetterman out of the Se… --- ## [Congressman ends invocation prayer in Congress with "Amen and Awomen"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-ends-invocation-prayer-in-congress-with-amen-and-awomen/929653)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2021, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-ends-invocation-prayer-in-congress-with-amen-and-awomen/929653 "2021-01-06T15:14:44Z")
This has caused a bit of stir on social media - a Congressman led and closed the House invocation prayer yesterday with “Amen and awomen.” Some objected on the grounds that “amen” isn’t a reference to gender, but rather… --- ## [WWYD if you found expensive jewelry?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwyd-if-you-found-expensive-jewelry/687846)
**Author:** [@winneee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/winneee)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2021, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwyd-if-you-found-expensive-jewelry/687846 "2021-01-06T14:52:31Z")
Let’s say you were at a mall in the parking lot and looked down and saw a 9K diamond tennis bracelet. Then, let’s say you went into the mall and asked a jeweler what it was worth and they said around $10,000. Let’s also … --- ## [Is "to carry the chalice" (carry on a tradition) an actual phrase?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-to-carry-the-chalice-carry-on-a-tradition-an-actual-phrase/929691)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2021, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-to-carry-the-chalice-carry-on-a-tradition-an-actual-phrase/929691 "2021-01-06T14:50:02Z")
I heard the phrase 'to carry the chalice" (meaning to carry on a tradition? carry. a burden?) before. I am familiar with “to carry the poisoned chalice”. Is 'to carry the chalice" even a proper phrase? If so might it d… --- ## [Uber und metal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uber-und-metal/929783)
**Author:** [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2021, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uber-und-metal/929783 "2021-01-06T14:32:37Z")
When you get some shredding guitar accompanying an uber driver tantrum, you can get something that can almost reach the sublime. You’d think buddy was trying out for the mighty Rorshach or something. Hoping this is… --- ## [Argentina's lower chamber passes bill to legalize abortion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/argentinas-lower-chamber-passes-bill-to-legalize-abortion/816093)
**Author:** [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2021, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/argentinas-lower-chamber-passes-bill-to-legalize-abortion/816093 "2021-01-06T13:17:14Z")
And it’s ON!,It passed by 4 votes and getting it through the senate would be very hard, but we’ll try again next year and the one after that, as many times as necessary. --- ## [what if aliens were 10,000 years away?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-aliens-were-10-000-years-away/844599)
**Author:** [@curwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curwin)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2021, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-aliens-were-10-000-years-away/844599 "2021-01-06T12:36:21Z")
Every fictionalized scenario where intelligent alien life is discovered that I’m familiar with (and I admit I’m not a big expert in this field) has us humans interacting with those aliens in some way. But what do you th… --- ## [What % of the things we know were told to us by someone else?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-of-the-things-we-know-were-told-to-us-by-someone-else/929264)
**Author:** [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2021, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-of-the-things-we-know-were-told-to-us-by-someone-else/929264 "2021-01-06T12:24:43Z")
This comment was made in another thread… … and while the original is talking of opinions, it… for some reason… caused me to wonder about the question in the title: What % of things do we know because we were told to u… --- ## [Help me design a (somewhat) up-to-date stereo system!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-design-a-somewhat-up-to-date-stereo-system/929110)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2021, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-design-a-somewhat-up-to-date-stereo-system/929110 "2021-01-06T12:24:00Z")
Here’s the deal: I have a stereo system, but its components all date from the 1980s and 1990s. And the tuner has died. So I figure it’s time to start over, and build a stereo system that doesn’t have to be top-of-the-… --- ## [First use of the 'gravitational slingshot' in fiction?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-use-of-the-gravitational-slingshot-in-fiction/929611)
**Author:** [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2021, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-use-of-the-gravitational-slingshot-in-fiction/929611 "2021-01-06T10:19:03Z")
The title is the topic. As someone noted on Twitter this seems to be quite the overworn trope, especially lately (it was used in the latest George Clooney movie, Midnight Boredom… er, Sky, sorry… ) and I’m wondering when… --- ## [My neighbor seems to despise me](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-seems-to-despise-me/929177)
**Author:** [@Roger\_That](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roger_That)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2021, 9:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-seems-to-despise-me/929177 "2021-01-06T09:43:39Z")
I take two hour-long walks in my South Florida development each day, at sunrise and sunset (it’s hot here) and because of the hour, particularly the early one, I’m often totally alone. At an absolute maximum, I’ll pass … --- ## [Reading computer code, it's not a floor wax or a dessert topping!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reading-computer-code-its-not-a-floor-wax-or-a-dessert-topping/928271)
**Author:** [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2021, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reading-computer-code-its-not-a-floor-wax-or-a-dessert-topping/928271 "2021-01-06T06:28:52Z")
Big news from some technical institution: To the brain, reading computer code is not the same as reading language And guess what? It’s not the same as doing math either! I guess someone finally noticed skills in langu… --- ## [Can you get shingles and chicken pox simultaneously?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-get-shingles-and-chicken-pox-simultaneously/923570)
**Author:** [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2021, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-get-shingles-and-chicken-pox-simultaneously/923570 "2021-01-06T06:00:43Z")
As I understand it, the varicella virus gives you itchy pox all over, then retreats into the central nervous system, where it lies dormant. Years later, it can attack again in the form of shingles. Questions: Why does i… --- ## [Blabbing about the state of the Republicans](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blabbing-about-the-state-of-the-republicans/929774)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2021, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blabbing-about-the-state-of-the-republicans/929774 "2021-01-06T05:59:09Z")
On the one hand, I fault Donald Trump for a lot of lost sleep worrying about coup d’etats since the Nov election. On the other hand, he’s done an admirable job of arranging the Republican Party into one of those circula… --- ## [Singers Who Cried On Studio Albums?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singers-who-cried-on-studio-albums/929363)
**Author:** [@MortSahlFan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MortSahlFan)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2021, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singers-who-cried-on-studio-albums/929363 "2021-01-06T05:40:30Z")
Mine isn’t a very good example, since it was Neil’s song, “Ohio”, but David Crosby was crying at the end with his “Why?” and “How Many More?” --- ## [US banks that offer easy transfers to Canadian bank accounts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-banks-that-offer-easy-transfers-to-canadian-bank-accounts/929647)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2021, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-banks-that-offer-easy-transfers-to-canadian-bank-accounts/929647 "2021-01-06T04:25:19Z")
Is there a way to find out which bank(s) provide the best terms; e.g. cash transfer and foreign exchange fees, to Canadian bank accounts (and USD conversion to CAD)? Just thought I’d ask before doing my own research, in… --- ## [Please explain North v South Dublin, to an outsider](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-north-v-south-dublin-to-an-outsider/929736)
**Author:** [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2021, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-north-v-south-dublin-to-an-outsider/929736 "2021-01-06T04:18:44Z")
We watched a House Hunters International today, and the guy was born and raised in South Dublin. He seemed to have this viceral reaction to even the idea of living on the North side. But they never explained what it was.… --- ## [Stolen check](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stolen-check/929708)
**Author:** [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2021, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stolen-check/929708 "2021-01-06T03:12:02Z")
I had been expecting a not insubstantial reimbursement check from my flex plan, but it hadn’t arrived. I contacted them and today they sent me a picture of the cancelled check. The signature on the back was not mine. O… --- ## [Trump Not Sniffing Anymore](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-not-sniffing-anymore/929747)
**Author:** [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats2)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2021, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-not-sniffing-anymore/929747 "2021-01-06T02:48:46Z")
I listened to the whole hour-long diatribe that was Trump’s attempted Georgia coup call, and I couldn’t help noticing that though the lunacy comes through as much as ever, Trump managed to get through the whole call with… --- ## [Scary stuff: the boy in the balloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940)
**Author:** [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Replies:** 325\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2021, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940 "2021-01-06T01:22:20Z")
Just seen on the TV in the kitchen, on CNN: Boy Floats Away In Balloon http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/21306839/detail.html A six-year-old boy crawls into this weather-balloon type thing him and his dad were work… --- ## [Recent Mention of SDMB at The Hill](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recent-mention-of-sdmb-at-the-hill/929728)
**Author:** [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2021, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recent-mention-of-sdmb-at-the-hill/929728 "2021-01-06T00:35:40Z")
I don’t know if this is worthy of asking or not, but a few weeks ago I saw the SDMB mentioned in a comment at The Hill website. Someone asked about a board where real discussions could be had, and SDMB was referenced pos… --- ## [Why do some people take “quantum immortality” so seriously?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-take-quantum-immortality-so-seriously/924068)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 98\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2021, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-take-quantum-immortality-so-seriously/924068 "2021-01-06T00:15:57Z")
I’d have expected something like this to be treated like reincarnation or other spiritual belief, but there actually seems to be a not insignificant number of people who treat it like an actual scientific theory. Are the… --- ## [Ideas for a disabled daughter when I am...ahem...no longer around](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-for-a-disabled-daughter-when-i-am-ahem-no-longer-around/928049)
**Author:** [@BlinkingDuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlinkingDuck)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2021, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-for-a-disabled-daughter-when-i-am-ahem-no-longer-around/928049 "2021-01-05T23:12:15Z")
I am getting older. Not planning on kicking off soon but it probably isn’t more than 15 years off. I also know that internet advice is always suspect but I am really just looking for ideas I might not know about so I c… --- ## [Oh goodie. Now we have the political sexist take on who gets to be called "Dr"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-goodie-now-we-have-the-political-sexist-take-on-who-gets-to-be-called-dr/927973)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 270\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2021, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-goodie-now-we-have-the-political-sexist-take-on-who-gets-to-be-called-dr/927973 "2021-01-05T22:05:28Z")
Recent column in the Wall Street Journal begins: Apparently the columnist, Joseph Epstein, B.A., thinks that Dr Biden shouldn’t be using her doctorate as a form of address. We had that discussion of non-medical doctor… --- ## [PWUA (People Who Use Acronyms) and terms they assume people will know (spoiler: they don't)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pwua-people-who-use-acronyms-and-terms-they-assume-people-will-know-spoiler-they-dont/839030)
**Author:** [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Replies:** 146\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2021, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pwua-people-who-use-acronyms-and-terms-they-assume-people-will-know-spoiler-they-dont/839030 "2021-01-05T21:02:58Z")
I realized I have a very primal reaction to a pet peeve. Was out with a group of students and teachers (after a night class), and one woman kept going on and on about “DDD”: “So, DDD did a thing on… Waiting for DDD to c… --- ## [Coronavirus COVID-19 (2019-nCoV) Thread - 2020 Breaking News](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 6360\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2021, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758 "2021-01-05T20:59:29Z")
We’ve had a couple of threads in IMHO talking about this, but now that deaths have topped 1000 (and the daily toll topped 100 for the first time), I thought I’d start a thread where we can simply monitor the progress of … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1590) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1592)