# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=161&state=watching [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 162 --- ## [Worried well or data hunger gone crazy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worried-well-or-data-hunger-gone-crazy/1026671)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2026, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worried-well-or-data-hunger-gone-crazy/1026671 "2026-01-17T20:19:13Z")
I have previously posted in other fora about how “we” have too much data, specifically health metric data, available now. This bit though is not at IMHO level (gift link) - https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/well/funct… --- ## [Caribbean Flight Cancellations due to Venezuelan "War"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caribbean-flight-cancellations-due-to-venezuelan-war/1026353)
**Author:** [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2026, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caribbean-flight-cancellations-due-to-venezuelan-war/1026353 "2026-01-17T18:20:20Z")
I just watched a video showing how tens of thousands of USAans are stranded in the Caribbean because all their flights have been grounded. The airlines have no obligation to feed or accommodate them; all they get is a re… --- ## [2 ad campaign characters on at the same time](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-ad-campaign-characters-on-at-the-same-time/1026746)
**Author:** [@a6ka97](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a6ka97)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2026, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-ad-campaign-characters-on-at-the-same-time/1026746 "2026-01-17T16:42:50Z")
Watching TV (too much, but it is winter time) and noticed Progressive Insurance has 2 popular ad campaigns going on at the same time right now with completely different characters. Flo and her group and Dr. Rick and his … --- ## [When did the expression "low-key" start being used?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-expression-low-key-start-being-used/977780)
**Author:** [@Danger\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danger_Man)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2026, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-expression-low-key-start-being-used/977780 "2026-01-17T16:01:14Z")
Talking about the modern usage, as described here: https://allthings.how/what-does-low-key-slang-mean-and-how-to-use-it/ The article says that it started getting used during the late 2000s, but this song seems to use it… --- ## [Swipe fees](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swipe-fees/1025721)
**Author:** [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2026, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swipe-fees/1025721 "2026-01-17T15:43:39Z")
I’ve noticed in the last week that merchants are now charging me a 3% credit card “recovery” fee for using my card. This apparently only started after the Visa/Mastercard settlement with the Merchants Association. I wond… --- ## [Guitar amp effects loop with only one jack: How does this work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-amp-effects-loop-with-only-one-jack-how-does-this-work/1026667)
**Author:** [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2026, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-amp-effects-loop-with-only-one-jack-how-does-this-work/1026667 "2026-01-17T10:19:00Z")
Since I started playing electric guitar again during the Covid lockdowns, I’ve just been using a Line6 interface into my computer + modeling software, listening with headphones. This has been mostly great, but the downsi… --- ## [This thread is so vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-thread-is-so-vanilla/1026760)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2026, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-thread-is-so-vanilla/1026760 "2026-01-17T09:09:25Z")
I want to celebrate all foods and drinks that are authentically vanilla. Sodas, shakes, ice cream, cake, candy, cookies etc. White cake is white cake, but a good vanilla cake is heaven. Your turn.:grin: --- ## [The longest stretch of highway in the U.S. without an exit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-longest-stretch-of-highway-in-the-u-s-without-an-exit/1025001)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 108\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2026, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-longest-stretch-of-highway-in-the-u-s-without-an-exit/1025001 "2026-01-17T05:10:39Z")
What is the longest stretch of highway/freeway in the United States without an official exit? --- ## [MS Windows - How do I get rid of pop-ups in the Taskbar?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-windows-how-do-i-get-rid-of-pop-ups-in-the-taskbar/1026681)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2026, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-windows-how-do-i-get-rid-of-pop-ups-in-the-taskbar/1026681 "2026-01-17T02:13:05Z")
The taskbar at the bottom of the screen has the icons for your pinned programs. When you hover the mouse over them, there are popups that expand the icon. I find that if I’m working on a Word document and get to the bot… --- ## [US attacks Venezuela and captures President Maduro - Jan 3, 2026 {Breaking News}](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-attacks-venezuela-and-captures-president-maduro-jan-3-2026-breaking-news/1026300)
**Author:** [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2026, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-attacks-venezuela-and-captures-president-maduro-jan-3-2026-breaking-news/1026300 "2026-01-17T01:46:24Z")
This is the Breaking News thread. CNN updating link below https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/venezuela-explosions-caracas-intl-hnk-01-03-26 --- ## [TV Binge Watch (Part 2)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-2/972711)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 9999\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2026, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-2/972711 "2026-01-16T22:01:42Z")
Continuing the discussion from TV Binge Watch (Part 1) - #10008 by dirtball. Previous discussions: TV Binge Watch (Part 1) --- ## [Valar Hiatus: The Game of Thrones offseason thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/valar-hiatus-the-game-of-thrones-offseason-thread/624208)
**Author:** [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Replies:** 1303\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2026, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/valar-hiatus-the-game-of-thrones-offseason-thread/624208 "2026-01-16T21:10:13Z")
There will be spoilers in this thread by necessity. This is the place to post casting news, media appearances, awards (we hope) and general updates about the series. --- ## [When is "enough" .... well enough (Minnesota ICE shooting)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-enough-well-enough-minnesota-ice-shooting/1026488)
**Author:** [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2026, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-enough-well-enough-minnesota-ice-shooting/1026488 "2026-01-16T18:15:55Z")
Hi there, I’d be interested in opinions of people living in the USA about the PERCEIVED climate with regards to the ICE-shooting/killing. NOT interested in a discussion of the case at hand (there are prob. already th… --- ## [Spinoffs (NOT rebrands/renames) with the most appearances from the other show?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spinoffs-not-rebrands-renames-with-the-most-appearances-from-the-other-show/1026540)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2026, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spinoffs-not-rebrands-renames-with-the-most-appearances-from-the-other-show/1026540 "2026-01-16T18:09:26Z")
(This is a spinoff of the spinoff of a spinoff thread.) I’m wondering about legitimate spinoffs (not continuations under a different name) that include the most cast members from the original series. Angel comes to min… --- ## [A question about one aspect of the 2nd Amendment-and please read the OP before responding](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-one-aspect-of-the-2nd-amendment-and-please-read-the-op-before-responding/1026650)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2026, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-one-aspect-of-the-2nd-amendment-and-please-read-the-op-before-responding/1026650 "2026-01-16T17:07:53Z")
Please-no discussion about the formation of the 2nd Amendment or what the founders intended. This is not a free-for-all, and no “gun owners are poopyheads” vs “they want to take away all our weapons” arguments. It is s… --- ## [Major Verizon wireless outage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-verizon-wireless-outage/1026693)
**Author:** [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2026, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-verizon-wireless-outage/1026693 "2026-01-16T16:12:58Z")
Starting this thread now that I am using WiFi. I thought I was going crazy. Did I not pay my bill? Do I turn it off and turn it on? Then I got home and was able to look it up. Seems like it’s been over an hour and it’s d… --- ## [Why Has 70's and 80's Music Remained Prevalent in Our Culture?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-has-70s-and-80s-music-remained-prevalent-in-our-culture/787969)
**Author:** [@golffan1963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/golffan1963)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2026, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-has-70s-and-80s-music-remained-prevalent-in-our-culture/787969 "2026-01-16T14:30:46Z")
OK…if this has been addressed before, I apologize, but I’ve wondered about something for awhile: The other night while watching the American TV show “The Americans”, they used the song “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”, relea… --- ## [Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/furiosa-a-mad-max-saga/993937)
**Author:** [@Randolph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randolph)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2026, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/furiosa-a-mad-max-saga/993937 "2026-01-16T14:18:20Z")
George Miller’s latest, starring Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth. Looks very impressive, with a couple of small reservations. One, I’m not totally sold on Anya Taylor-Joy - I was getting small whiffs … --- ## [US accuses Canada of Organ Harvesting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-accuses-canada-of-organ-harvesting/1026574)
**Author:** [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2026, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-accuses-canada-of-organ-harvesting/1026574 "2026-01-16T13:57:02Z")
I saw this posted on Facebook today from the official account of the US Department of Health and Human Services: Canada has a program called Medical Assistance in Dying which allows people in chronic insufferable pain… --- ## [The Revolution WILL be Spotified](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-revolution-will-be-spotified/1026500)
**Author:** [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2026, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-revolution-will-be-spotified/1026500 "2026-01-16T04:10:17Z")
I’ve found myself blasting Rage Against the Machine’s “Killing in the Name” in my truck like it’s 1994 the past couple days. Help me flesh out a Spotify playlist of protest/revolution/fuck-the-fascists songs. Don’t car… --- ## [What conditions get you labeled as 4-F in the military](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-conditions-get-you-labeled-as-4-f-in-the-military/712524)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2026, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-conditions-get-you-labeled-as-4-f-in-the-military/712524 "2026-01-16T03:50:35Z")
Obviously conditions like paraplegia, or missing limbs or blindness will get you labeled unfit for service. But I get the impression some conditions that don’t seem that serious get you labeled 4-F. I heard up until Vie… --- ## [At least one monkey on the loose in St. Louis area (1/10/2026)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-least-one-monkey-on-the-loose-in-st-louis-area-1-10-2026/1026551)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2026, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-least-one-monkey-on-the-loose-in-st-louis-area-1-10-2026/1026551 "2026-01-16T03:27:15Z")
AFAIK, they aren’t from a lab like the dozens that escaped in the southeast a while back. It (they?) appear to be in the O’Fallon area. --- ## [Straight line paradox?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-line-paradox/1026722)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2026, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-line-paradox/1026722 "2026-01-16T02:54:45Z")
Hypothetical: let’s say I have a magic space gun. When you fire it, it goes in a straight line forever. So I fire the gun, move it one plank length to the right and fire it again. For the longest time it will appear as… --- ## [What's your take on "I can still make Cheyenne"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-take-on-i-can-still-make-cheyenne/621957)
**Author:** [@Willcross](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Willcross)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2026, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-take-on-i-can-still-make-cheyenne/621957 "2026-01-16T01:58:54Z")
Just heard the great song “If I hurry I can still make Cheyenne”. What’s your interpretation on what’s going on in the song? The first time I heard it, I thought that the singer told his wife that he was eliminated from… --- ## [County names that are present participles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/county-names-that-are-present-participles/1026606)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2026, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/county-names-that-are-present-participles/1026606 "2026-01-16T00:44:22Z")
In Ohio we be Licking and Hocking. --- ## [Latin question: "ex officina" vs something else for 'from the \[book\]bindery"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/latin-question-ex-officina-vs-something-else-for-from-the-book-bindery/1026728)
**Author:** [@brossa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brossa)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2026, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/latin-question-ex-officina-vs-something-else-for-from-the-book-bindery/1026728 "2026-01-16T00:09:06Z")
I’m familiar with labels that you can paste into your books that say “ex libris \_\_\_\_\_\_” to indicate that the book came from your personal library. But if you’re a bookbinder, what do the labels say? I don’t fully trust … --- ## [Looking for a pc doohickey](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-pc-doohickey/1026695)
**Author:** [@bauble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bauble)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2026, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-pc-doohickey/1026695 "2026-01-15T22:37:40Z")
Putting this in the Game Room, thinking that gamers might be more familiar with what I’m talking about (many apologies if that’s wrong): On my last computer, I had an nVidia 2080 video card with an EVGA PowerLink (I don… --- ## [Regularizing the Earth's axis](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regularizing-the-earths-axis/1026710)
**Author:** [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2026, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regularizing-the-earths-axis/1026710 "2026-01-15T22:22:32Z")
Just been re-reading Blish’s Cities in Flight series in which there is a brief mention of this. In other words, setting the axis of spin perpendicular to the orbital plane. It’s quite easy to do if you have a few dozen… --- ## [Your movie ideas](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-movie-ideas/1026235)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2026, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-movie-ideas/1026235 "2026-01-15T22:06:09Z")
You can either post your idea for a movie, or riff on someone else’s idea, or both. My idea is an update/homage to that classic comedy, The Love Bug. It would involve a little economy car with a soul of its own-an \*ele… --- ## [How does operating an unprofitable business as a tax write-off work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-operating-an-unprofitable-business-as-a-tax-write-off-work/1026053)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2026, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-operating-an-unprofitable-business-as-a-tax-write-off-work/1026053 "2026-01-15T20:42:07Z")
If one operates a business that loses money, you’re entitled to declare the loss against your overall tax liability. What I may be misunderstanding is the practice of deliberately maintaining such a liability– or even go… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=160&state=watching) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=162&state=watching)