# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1615 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1616 --- ## [So where's this extra-galactic light coming from?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-wheres-this-extra-galactic-light-coming-from/927920)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2020, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-wheres-this-extra-galactic-light-coming-from/927920 "2020-12-15T13:52:24Z")
Interesting study coming out. Data from New Horizon probe discovers more extra-galactic light than there should be. Space aliens with great big light generating bug eyes? Dark matter? God forgot to turn off his … --- ## [Banksy draws on a private home - that's for sale](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banksy-draws-on-a-private-home-thats-for-sale/927924)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2020, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banksy-draws-on-a-private-home-thats-for-sale/927924 "2020-12-15T13:51:15Z")
Banksy paints on a private home that happens to be for sale. The owner of the house is trying to assure the artwork is preserved. Of course it can’t hurt the home’s value, right? --- ## [Kim Ki-Duc dead from Covid](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kim-ki-duc-dead-from-covid/927993)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2020, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kim-ki-duc-dead-from-covid/927993 "2020-12-15T11:47:37Z")
I’ve watched only 2-3 of his movies (my favorite being The Bow) but have a bunch more on my “plan to watch someday when I get around to it, really!” pile. --- ## [Twists that everyone knows](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twists-that-everyone-knows/927830)
**Author:** [@CastletonSnob1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CastletonSnob1)\ **Replies:** 136\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2020, 9:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twists-that-everyone-knows/927830 "2020-12-15T09:19:45Z")
Sometimes, a show, movie, book, etc. has a twist that has become so well-known that people forget it was supposed to be a twist. What are some examples? --- ## [Would you post your photo here?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-post-your-photo-here/36491)
**Author:** [@Primaflora](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Primaflora)\ **Replies:** 166\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2000, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-post-your-photo-here/36491 "2000-12-10T06:43:41Z")
and let complete strangers rate your attractiveness? Hey this could be really useful as revenge on previous partners. --- ## [How do I 'safely' upgrade my browser?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-safely-upgrade-my-browser/927977)
**Author:** [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2020, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-safely-upgrade-my-browser/927977 "2020-12-15T06:33:29Z")
I don’t even know what the hell a ‘browser’ is. I had a dog called Browser, 'cause he would run around and browse for chicken and cat shit. What the fuck? Nothing works anymore. I need to upgrade my ‘What?’ Any help wi… --- ## [How many active special counsels will there be on 1/20/2021?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-active-special-counsels-will-there-be-on-1-20-2021/928058)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2020, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-active-special-counsels-will-there-be-on-1-20-2021/928058 "2020-12-15T06:22:20Z")
poll With the firing of William Barr, my guess is that Trump intends to muck things up with naming special counsels to investigate various things. We have at least one, the John Durham “investigation of the investigator… --- ## [Anyone have a literal Covid-19 nightmare?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-have-a-literal-covid-19-nightmare/927745)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2020, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-have-a-literal-covid-19-nightmare/927745 "2020-12-15T06:13:39Z")
I had a first of it’s kind nightmare last night involving Covid-19. This wasn’t the usual being chased by a monster, falling from a high place, appearing naked in public, getting in a wreck, etc. No, my nightmare invol… --- ## [Board very slow loading this evening 12-14-20](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/board-very-slow-loading-this-evening-12-14-20/928068)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2020, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/board-very-slow-loading-this-evening-12-14-20/928068 "2020-12-15T04:09:48Z")
Is it just me? (I hope.) By slow, I mean 15 mins for pages to load…some not loading at all. --- ## [Use of the title "Doctor"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-title-doctor/852341)
**Author:** [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Replies:** 124\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2020, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-title-doctor/852341 "2020-12-15T03:58:50Z")
I had a friend who got his PhD from a prestigious US university. He insisted on bring introduced (in social as well as professional settings) as “Doctor John Doe”. In my mind - at least in a social setting - the title “… --- ## [Does anyone know what this is, Part 2?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-what-this-is-part-2/927604)
**Author:** [@dummygladhands71](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dummygladhands71)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2020, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-what-this-is-part-2/927604 "2020-12-15T03:09:27Z")
People have guessed camera, 5G repeater, Shot Spotter, photovoltaic cell, but I cannot get a Google Image match to any of those things. I am most interested in what the thing is hanging down. https://imgur.com/j397nUW N… --- ## [Meatloaf sandwiches?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meatloaf-sandwiches/927712)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2020, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meatloaf-sandwiches/927712 "2020-12-15T03:03:37Z")
My mother cooks a few dishes very well. But growing up, I found some of her dishes very bland. Rather than complain, I was encouraged to cook my own damn hamburger, or whatever. So from an early age, I was cooking. I… --- ## [The upcoming Electoral College vote](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-upcoming-electoral-college-vote/927809)
**Author:** [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2020, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-upcoming-electoral-college-vote/927809 "2020-12-15T01:55:58Z")
The Constitution says that members of the Electoral College have to meet in their state capital to cast their votes. Will the upcoming vote have to be in person, or will they be handling in remotely? Probably state by s… --- ## [Charley Pride dies of COVID](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charley-pride-dies-of-covid/927928)
**Author:** [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2020, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charley-pride-dies-of-covid/927928 "2020-12-15T01:21:51Z")
Truly a groundbreaker in country music, Charley Pride has passed away at age 86 of coronavirus complications. Rest in peace. --- ## [North American (MLS) soccer team names](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-american-mls-soccer-team-names/927756)
**Author:** [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2020, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-american-mls-soccer-team-names/927756 "2020-12-15T01:15:06Z")
Why is there this move to have soccer team names simply “FC”? (The Montreal Impact are thinking of changing their name to “FC Montreal” or “Montreal FC”). There are already four teams in Major League Soccer that are na… --- ## [Subcutaneous itching on palm side of hand](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subcutaneous-itching-on-palm-side-of-hand/927968)
**Author:** [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2020, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subcutaneous-itching-on-palm-side-of-hand/927968 "2020-12-15T00:21:58Z")
I sometimes get an itching sensation on my palms and finger pads. It’s nearly intolerable; I have near broken the skin scratching with my teeth because fingernails aren’t up to the task. There are zero external indicatio… --- ## [Recommend a GPS / Route Planning Pedestrian/Walking Android app?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-gps-route-planning-pedestrian-walking-android-app/927989)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2020, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-gps-route-planning-pedestrian-walking-android-app/927989 "2020-12-14T23:52:41Z")
I have a smart phone. It’s a Samsung Galaxy. I had a friend who gave it to me as a hand-me-down when my flip phone died. I mostly leave it on the charging stand and ignore it except when I’m leaving the house. I’m no… --- ## [Wonder-children’s book by RJ Palacio-controversy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wonder-children-s-book-by-rj-palacio-controversy/928046)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2020, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wonder-children-s-book-by-rj-palacio-controversy/928046 "2020-12-14T23:45:48Z")
I just became aware of the children’s book Wonder while browsing books for children around that age range. A lot of the more recent Amazon reviews are just scathing and yet the book seems to be well regarded otherwise. … --- ## [Democrat asks Pelosi to refuse to seat lawmakers supporting Trump's election challenges](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrat-asks-pelosi-to-refuse-to-seat-lawmakers-supporting-trumps-election-challenges/927875)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2020, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrat-asks-pelosi-to-refuse-to-seat-lawmakers-supporting-trumps-election-challenges/927875 "2020-12-14T23:38:41Z")
From this article: I despise republicans these days but even to me this sounds absurd (not least because someday democrats could be on the other side of the fence). Feel free to comment on how you feel about it but w… --- ## [Paying it Forward Legitimacy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paying-it-forward-legitimacy/927849)
**Author:** [@Dingbang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dingbang)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2020, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paying-it-forward-legitimacy/927849 "2020-12-14T23:23:39Z")
A Dairy Queen in Minnesota had a “pay it forward” chain of 900 cars at it’s drive-through, over two and a half days. Lots of gushing about all the generosity and Christmas spirit, kindness of strangers, etc. \[Over 900 ca… --- ## [Where are you buying your Christmas cards from this year?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-you-buying-your-christmas-cards-from-this-year/927240)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2020, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-you-buying-your-christmas-cards-from-this-year/927240 "2020-12-14T22:39:04Z")
I have about 15 people I’m mailing out cards to, and this year I’m doing something special and not buying from a retail store, but from the makers of one of my favorite webcomics, the OzFoxes. The FoxWeb Cat-alog The o… --- ## [Arizona! There ain't nothin' there but rattlesnakes and locoweed!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-there-aint-nothin-there-but-rattlesnakes-and-locoweed/927935)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2020, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-there-aint-nothin-there-but-rattlesnakes-and-locoweed/927935 "2020-12-14T21:21:38Z")
That’s from a commercial back in the… '80s? Anyone remember it? It might have been an Arizona tourism commercial. (Video link appreciated.) --- ## [Johns Hopkins (the person) owned slaves](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johns-hopkins-the-person-owned-slaves/927791)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2020, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johns-hopkins-the-person-owned-slaves/927791 "2020-12-14T20:34:35Z")
Up until recently the school named for him said he was against slavery. Turns out he owned slaves. Maybe new name Bloomberg U? He is a big donor to JH and an alum. --- ## [The COVID-19 vaccines, Trump, and anti-vaxxers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-covid-19-vaccines-trump-and-anti-vaxxers/927904)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2020, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-covid-19-vaccines-trump-and-anti-vaxxers/927904 "2020-12-14T19:36:46Z")
Let’s debate the trust people have in the various COVID-19 vaccines that are soon to be available. In particular, I’m wondering about the lack of trust from Trump supporters. Here’s a 538 article on some polls about th… --- ## [Did the Universe have a temperature at t=0?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-universe-have-a-temperature-at-t-0/927979)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2020, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-universe-have-a-temperature-at-t-0/927979 "2020-12-14T19:17:41Z")
I understand that it is debated if the Universe started from zero entropy or not. Does that mean: A. The Universe had a temperature at t=0, but we are not sure if it was 0 or B. We do not know that a metric like temp… --- ## [Fish v. Kobach (Kansas voter rights lawsuit)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fish-v-kobach-kansas-voter-rights-lawsuit/809979)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2020, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fish-v-kobach-kansas-voter-rights-lawsuit/809979 "2020-12-14T19:13:13Z")
AP story here: The ACLU has a page about the suit. I’m looking forward to this like it was a thrash band I hadn’t seen in concert before. --- ## [Cyberpunk/downer endings \[open spoilers\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyberpunk-downer-endings-open-spoilers/923516)
**Author:** [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2020, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyberpunk-downer-endings-open-spoilers/923516 "2020-12-14T18:43:18Z")
A trope I have noticed off and on. The hero doesn’t save the day. Maybe he or she made no difference at all. His or her dreams remain unfulfilled, or even shattered. Maybe there are not any heroes to be found at all. Fo… --- ## [Who else voted 3rd party?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-voted-3rd-party/927574)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2020, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-voted-3rd-party/927574 "2020-12-14T18:00:47Z")
I voted Green and was happy to do it. I know I live in a swing state (NC) so spare me all your complaints about wasted vote , etc. Trump is a mentally ill moron and Biden is a career politician and I think nobody sh… --- ## [Is there really such a thing as "hard science" fiction?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-such-a-thing-as-hard-science-fiction/927170)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 230\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2020, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-such-a-thing-as-hard-science-fiction/927170 "2020-12-14T17:42:26Z")
The Sad Puppies thread and the discussion of fantasy and science fiction made me think of a question I ponder from time: what really is the difference between sci-fi and fantasy? Put another way, is there really anyth… --- ## [What countries have 1st amendment rights?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-countries-have-1st-amendment-rights/926960)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2020, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-countries-have-1st-amendment-rights/926960 "2020-12-14T17:10:20Z")
I’ve heard people from other countries refer to their own rights to free speech or freedom of the press as if their constitution mirrors ours in that regard. How common is the inclusion of these rights in other countrie… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1614) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1616)