# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1610 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1611 --- ## [How did Americans express the ethos of the American Dream before James Truslow Adams coined the term in 1931?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-americans-express-the-ethos-of-the-american-dream-before-james-truslow-adams-coined-the-term-in-1931/928366)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2020, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-americans-express-the-ethos-of-the-american-dream-before-james-truslow-adams-coined-the-term-in-1931/928366 "2020-12-20T00:20:29Z")
It struck me that the term ‘American Dream’ is used to describe the ethos of American frontier life that long preceded the actual term. How did Americans express the ethos of the American Dream from the early frontier d… --- ## [How do I use a macro in Excel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-use-a-macro-in-excel/928339)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2020, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-use-a-macro-in-excel/928339 "2020-12-19T23:07:54Z")
I write programs… using software that was developed over half a century ago. I’ve been given a macro that I can use in Excel, and I have no idea how to use it. I expected to be sent a text file with a bunch of code in … --- ## [Repairing a Microwave Oven--Shorting a fuse for testing purposes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repairing-a-microwave-oven-shorting-a-fuse-for-testing-purposes/927704)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2020, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repairing-a-microwave-oven-shorting-a-fuse-for-testing-purposes/927704 "2020-12-19T22:59:02Z")
I have a built into the cabinet microwave oven that will be a pain to replace. Last week it just died. No power at all. The outlet it is plugged into is fine. I took it apart and found that two of the thermal fuses ar… --- ## [Are the US insular territories part of the USA proper?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-us-insular-territories-part-of-the-usa-proper/928268)
**Author:** [@themapleleaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/themapleleaf)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2020, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-us-insular-territories-part-of-the-usa-proper/928268 "2020-12-19T22:05:39Z")
So far, I have found conflicting answers to the question of whether the territories of the United States (currently all located on islands / groups thereof) are integral parts of the United States or distinct entities th… --- ## [mRNA Vaccines](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mrna-vaccines/928199)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2020, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mrna-vaccines/928199 "2020-12-19T21:58:55Z")
It would seem to me that some caution as to the new mRNA-type vaccines is warranted. This is not to be confused with anti-vaxxer CT nonsense generally. Because conventional vaccines have an very extensive history, have b… --- ## [How do I pick a laptop when low noise is one of my top concerns](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-pick-a-laptop-when-low-noise-is-one-of-my-top-concerns/927615)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2020, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-pick-a-laptop-when-low-noise-is-one-of-my-top-concerns/927615 "2020-12-19T21:01:27Z")
I don’t do a lot of intensive things with my computer. I do do some steam gaming but those are cheap $5 games that are several years old. based on what I’ve seen on YouTube, the games I play will work on integrated graph… --- ## [Trump haters only: what were his accomplishments?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-haters-only-what-were-his-accomplishments/927735)
**Author:** [@stuccosuperstar2020](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stuccosuperstar2020)\ **Replies:** 124\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2020, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-haters-only-what-were-his-accomplishments/927735 "2020-12-19T20:58:48Z")
Include me as a “BIG TIME HATER” here. But I will give Trump credit for: –The first non-politician or military member in American history to be elected President. –Being the first President to Summit with a North Kore… --- ## [An Expensive Gift...now what?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-expensive-gift-now-what/928413)
**Author:** [@phall0106](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phall0106)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2020, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-expensive-gift-now-what/928413 "2020-12-19T20:44:24Z")
Two years ago, I was professionally matched as a mentor with a women in a fellowship. Once the fellowship had completed, the mentorship developed into a primarily work-focused friendship. With COVID, we’ve been meeting v… --- ## [Gandalf gets "Cure Disease" Spell](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gandalf-gets-cure-disease-spell/928309)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2020, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gandalf-gets-cure-disease-spell/928309 "2020-12-19T20:02:50Z")
Clearly speaking as a pro-vaxer. Good for him. --- ## [Betting with Quatloos , etc](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/betting-with-quatloos-etc/926846)
**Author:** [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2020, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/betting-with-quatloos-etc/926846 "2020-12-19T19:01:26Z")
OK, we have a rule no betting, and that is fine. But can we say something like “I wager 100000 quatloos that wont occur!”? Or just “I bet that wont happen.” Do the rules against betting only refer to real bets? --- ## [Fresh install of Mac OS Big Sur - any gotchas to consider?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fresh-install-of-mac-os-big-sur-any-gotchas-to-consider/928398)
**Author:** [@TwoCarrotSnowman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwoCarrotSnowman)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2020, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fresh-install-of-mac-os-big-sur-any-gotchas-to-consider/928398 "2020-12-19T18:44:38Z")
I’ve got a late 2014 model Mac Mini which is still putting in sterling service daily as my main desktop computer. It’s currently running Mojave (10.14.6) and I’d like to update to the recently released Big Sur now that i… --- ## [Jokes that, in the future, will need explaining](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jokes-that-in-the-future-will-need-explaining/928335)
**Author:** [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2020, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jokes-that-in-the-future-will-need-explaining/928335 "2020-12-19T18:09:32Z")
We’ve already got an excellent thread on jokes that, nowadays, need explaining. What are some jokes circulating today that will need explaining to people who hear them in the future (say, 20 years or more from now)? Ob… --- ## [Cutting board construction question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cutting-board-construction-question/927847)
**Author:** [@Greenhead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greenhead)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2020, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cutting-board-construction-question/927847 "2020-12-19T16:56:48Z")
I’m about to start an edge grain cutting board project for a Christmas gift. I have made cutting boards in the past and have my list of supplies that I’ll need that I don’t already have. I’ve picked out my lumber (maple)… --- ## [Movies and Pilots that were supposed to be a series but weren't](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-and-pilots-that-were-supposed-to-be-a-series-but-werent/924650)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 141\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2020, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-and-pilots-that-were-supposed-to-be-a-series-but-werent/924650 "2020-12-19T15:46:20Z")
Sometimes they try out a movie as the start of a potential series or as a spinoff, but it never catches on. (we did this for TV shows a while back, but here I’m looking at movies – Shows that weren't picked up as a serie… --- ## [Now that I have Nord VPN, what can I do with streaming apps?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-i-have-nord-vpn-what-can-i-do-with-streaming-apps/928401)
**Author:** [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2020, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-i-have-nord-vpn-what-can-i-do-with-streaming-apps/928401 "2020-12-19T14:52:15Z")
I wasn’t sure if this was the right forum. Since I’m looking for suggestions and not opinion (IMHO) nor factual info (GQ) I figured I’d throw it in here. I bought a year subscription to Nord so I can use Locast to watch… --- ## [Thoughts about training an "intelligent" dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-training-an-intelligent-dog/928340)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2020, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-training-an-intelligent-dog/928340 "2020-12-19T14:19:11Z")
In March we got a goldendoodle. We have had goldens for the past 40 years. We’ve always thought of ourselves as dog lovers, pretty good dog trainers, and we’ve viewed our dogs as among the best trained dogs we’ve encou… --- ## [Holiday week work schedule conundrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holiday-week-work-schedule-conundrum/928215)
**Author:** [@a6ka97](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a6ka97)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2020, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holiday-week-work-schedule-conundrum/928215 "2020-12-19T13:14:25Z")
My daughter started working for a grocery retailer last February when she turned 16. Her listed availability has always been Saturday and/or Sunday, between 10am-9pm with a maximum of a 4 hour shift. Last Monday (2 days… --- ## [Speeding up the Vaccine Shots](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speeding-up-the-vaccine-shots/928045)
**Author:** [@DtypeJag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DtypeJag)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2020, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speeding-up-the-vaccine-shots/928045 "2020-12-19T04:25:46Z")
Many years ago when I was in the Army they vaccinated us with a pressurized tank with about a gallon of the vaccine and a small compressor. There were no tiny bottles or syringes involved. It was injected under very hi… --- ## [Functionality of Bookmark Feature](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/functionality-of-bookmark-feature/928378)
**Author:** [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2020, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/functionality-of-bookmark-feature/928378 "2020-12-19T04:02:25Z")
Please forgive me, but I don’t know how I to get back to a thread I previously bookmarked. Any tips? --- ## [Biden has an unusual gait](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-has-an-unusual-gait/928270)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2020, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-has-an-unusual-gait/928270 "2020-12-19T03:29:52Z")
Biden seems to have an unusual gate that is relatively new. Years ago my ladies father was diagnosed with Alzheimer and had been going downhill rapidly for several years. I pointed out his gate was typical of someone wit… --- ## [Newspaper comic strips in rerun mode only](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newspaper-comic-strips-in-rerun-mode-only/928351)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2020, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newspaper-comic-strips-in-rerun-mode-only/928351 "2020-12-19T03:18:33Z")
I’m talking about comic strips that haven’t published new material in years, but still occupy space on the comics page, like Mandrake The Magician which stopped in mid story on July 6th 2013 and has been printing old sto… --- ## [Is there an constitutional reason a US state has to be a democracy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-constitutional-reason-a-us-state-has-to-be-a-democracy/927805)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2020, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-constitutional-reason-a-us-state-has-to-be-a-democracy/927805 "2020-12-19T02:09:43Z")
So thinking about DC statehood. I think the only way DC could become a state without changing the constitution would be if it was admitted as a state (with senators, congressional representatives and general election vot… --- ## [It's a Wonderful Life: Question about the Bank Run](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-wonderful-life-question-about-the-bank-run/927868)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2020, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-wonderful-life-question-about-the-bank-run/927868 "2020-12-19T01:14:22Z")
I’m watching It’s a Wonderful Life for my yearly viewing and trying to understand what was going on with the bank run. So George is ready to go on his honeymoon and there is a run on his Building and Loan. Potter calls… --- ## [How can I get the COVID vaccine when my mother doesn't want me to?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-the-covid-vaccine-when-my-mother-doesnt-want-me-to/928099)
**Author:** [@CorpusNeptune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CorpusNeptune)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2020, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-the-covid-vaccine-when-my-mother-doesnt-want-me-to/928099 "2020-12-19T00:53:22Z")
As a minor, I cannot get a vaccine without parental consent (at least based on where I’m from; correct me if I’m wrong, though). My mom doesn’t want me to get the vaccine, not because she is anti-vax (at least I hope not… --- ## [Who pays scalper prices for new PS5 or Xbox?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-pays-scalper-prices-for-new-ps5-or-xbox/928288)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2020, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-pays-scalper-prices-for-new-ps5-or-xbox/928288 "2020-12-18T23:52:13Z")
I guess people who are loaded and don’t care about the price? When the PS2 came out way back I got one for normal price Jan 1st. Eventually the scalpers will go away when the machines are easy to get. --- ## [What was the worst you expected from a Hillary Presidency?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-worst-you-expected-from-a-hillary-presidency/797540)
**Author:** [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2020, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-worst-you-expected-from-a-hillary-presidency/797540 "2020-12-18T23:11:01Z")
With Trump, I fully expected to have resignations, twitter rants, saber rattling for no purpose whatsoever with nuclear powers, corruption, Russia intrigue, anti-science, racism, and a base level of incompetence… but I w… --- ## [Got a HireVue virutal job interview tomorrow](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-a-hirevue-virutal-job-interview-tomorrow/928151)
**Author:** [@Mike\_Mabes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mike_Mabes)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2020, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-a-hirevue-virutal-job-interview-tomorrow/928151 "2020-12-18T22:54:04Z")
It’s for United Health Group but a virtual interview. There will not anyone on the other side, but I will be on camera. Anyone ever done this before? They have a video showing the process, will be written questions. It… --- ## [Break dancing to be olympic sport](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/break-dancing-to-be-olympic-sport/926932)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2020, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/break-dancing-to-be-olympic-sport/926932 "2020-12-18T22:43:53Z")
Don’t mind the other new sports I normally don’t like sports that only use judges --- ## [Texas Sues Non-Trump Voting States for . . . reasons?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-sues-non-trump-voting-states-for-reasons/927614)
**Author:** [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Replies:** 371\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2020, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-sues-non-trump-voting-states-for-reasons/927614 "2020-12-18T21:45:15Z")
This has been baffling (and raising my blood pressure) since early the afternoon. I haven’t seen any thread on it yet so figured I’d bring it up to anyone who had missed it. Short version, Texas feels that the battle… --- ## [Future COVID-19 vaccines after current ones - A concern](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-covid-19-vaccines-after-current-ones-a-concern/928216)
**Author:** [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2020, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-covid-19-vaccines-after-current-ones-a-concern/928216 "2020-12-18T20:42:39Z")
There is one concern that occurred to me that I haven’t really seen anyone talk about with the currrent vaccine crop. They don’t know how long the current vaccines will keep you immune. It’s possible they won’t last, an… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1609) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1611)