# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1682 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1683 --- ## [Is this election really all that apocalyptic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-election-really-all-that-apocalyptic/921473)
**Author:** [@razordance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/razordance)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2020, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-election-really-all-that-apocalyptic/921473 "2020-10-15T16:37:11Z")
Both parties are presenting it so. Candidates and their supporters always say “This is the most important election of your lifetime,” but this year they’re talking like they really mean it. If Trump wins we get tyranny… --- ## [Retail workers: what do you think of "How are you?" at work](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retail-workers-what-do-you-think-of-how-are-you-at-work/922817)
**Author:** [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2020, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retail-workers-what-do-you-think-of-how-are-you-at-work/922817 "2020-10-15T16:06:33Z")
An acquaintance who works at a convenience store recently told me that he finds “how are you” from customers annoying and wishes that people would not ask. Why? First, he has 200+ interactions per shift, and getting aske… --- ## [Could a new Adam and Eve survive and thrive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-new-adam-and-eve-survive-and-thrive/922337)
**Author:** [@CardboardBoxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CardboardBoxx)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2020, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-new-adam-and-eve-survive-and-thrive/922337 "2020-10-15T16:01:39Z")
I’ve been watching Fringe for the first time and in one episode the 2 principle characters become very close to being the only 2 humans left in the universe. The antagonist even refers to them as the “new Adam and Eve.” … --- ## [How much knowledge can a non-literate society have?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-knowledge-can-a-non-literate-society-have/922721)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2020, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-knowledge-can-a-non-literate-society-have/922721 "2020-10-15T15:26:47Z")
I was listening to an audiobook yesterday and there was a brief discussion of pre-literature societies and how they transmit knowledge through storytelling. And while it wasn’t the point of the book, that got me wonderin… --- ## [Last sound long O, how many different last letters?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-sound-long-o-how-many-different-last-letters/922623)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2020, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-sound-long-o-how-many-different-last-letters/922623 "2020-10-15T15:22:29Z")
Trivia question: Given the set of English words that end in long O. How many different terminal letters are in that set? Assume rhotic American accent (that’s one where we know how to pronounce our Rs.) I’ll post the ans… --- ## [Suppose you were a pro sports player, how would you behave differently than others?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-you-were-a-pro-sports-player-how-would-you-behave-differently-than-others/916533)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2020, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-you-were-a-pro-sports-player-how-would-you-behave-differently-than-others/916533 "2020-10-15T15:21:41Z")
Suppose you suddenly had the athletic ability of LeBron, Gretzky, Jeter, Tiger or Messi in their prime (or whichever sport/position you want.) You’re an instant starter on any pro team you choose. Now, since you have n… --- ## [What happens if Trump drops out for medical reasons?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-drops-out-for-medical-reasons/922017)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2020, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-drops-out-for-medical-reasons/922017 "2020-10-15T14:53:30Z")
Does Pence automatically become the GOP Presidential nominee? How would Pence do against Biden? Miss you, Jenny. --- ## [J K Rowling and the trans furore](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-k-rowling-and-the-trans-furore/855795)
**Author:** [@DemonTree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DemonTree)\ **Replies:** 5388\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2020, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-k-rowling-and-the-trans-furore/855795 "2020-10-15T13:12:55Z")
Apologies if there is already a thread on this, but I couldn’t find one. For the past few days there’s been a row about JKR posting ‘anti-trans’ tweets; various actors from the Harry Potter films have appeared to disavow… --- ## [Zoomwear - the new fashion niche](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zoomwear-the-new-fashion-niche/913795)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2020, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zoomwear-the-new-fashion-niche/913795 "2020-10-15T12:54:39Z")
… If you ask, people who have managed to stay employed during the pandemic will confess to owning a Zoom Shirt: a top, typically kept on the back of the computer chair or a hanger nearby, that they pop on in the momen… --- ## [The fashion retreads of today aren't "retro"--they're just lame retreads](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fashion-retreads-of-today-arent-retro-theyre-just-lame-retreads/844497)
**Author:** [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2019, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fashion-retreads-of-today-arent-retro-theyre-just-lame-retreads/844497 "2019-12-17T22:35:44Z")
Inspired by another fashion thread up in IMHO now: Were “70s” style fashions still popular in the early 80s? Well, one 70s fashion that’s popular now is puffer jackets: they look basically, sometimes exactly, the same … --- ## [Your favorite of the 5 major North American team sports](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-of-the-5-major-north-american-team-sports/921563)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2020, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-of-the-5-major-north-american-team-sports/921563 "2020-10-15T07:54:51Z")
Just a straight-up poll, nothing more. Which of the following 5 major North American team sports is your favorite? (Not just at the pro level, but at all amateur/HS/college/for-fun levels too) poll --- ## [Prime Day 2020](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-day-2020/922881)
**Author:** [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2020, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-day-2020/922881 "2020-10-15T05:45:14Z")
Welp, I usually start a Prime Day thread every year so I figure I’d start one today. Usually it’s in July but this year it’s Oct 13-14. I haven’t really had my eye on anything and didn’t look too hard at deals. But usua… --- ## [Biden's new ad for African-Americans](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bidens-new-ad-for-african-americans/922961)
**Author:** [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aji_de_Gallina)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2020, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bidens-new-ad-for-african-americans/922961 "2020-10-15T04:21:24Z")
Really? Two black men free-style rapping on a basketball court? Talk about stereotyping. The most forced rap-battle in the history of the world. They only were missing the fried chicken and/or watermelon to be more ste… --- ## [Ultra-Orthodox Jews of New York spreading covid and other problems (ed. title)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ultra-orthodox-jews-of-new-york-spreading-covid-and-other-problems-ed-title/922666)
**Author:** [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2020, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ultra-orthodox-jews-of-new-york-spreading-covid-and-other-problems-ed-title/922666 "2020-10-15T03:22:45Z")
Before anyone objects that this sounds anti-Semitic, let me just say that I have known many Reform Jews and they were literally all delightful people, every single one. But these ultra-orthodox/Hasids seem to be racist… --- ## ["Covid is no worse than the flu...." Why is this even an argument?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covid-is-no-worse-than-the-flu-why-is-this-even-an-argument/922424)
**Author:** [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2020, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covid-is-no-worse-than-the-flu-why-is-this-even-an-argument/922424 "2020-10-15T02:21:33Z")
I’ve heard this stupid, IMHO, argument often and there is an aspect of it which is completely incomprehensible to me. So let’s just assume that this is true, and for sake of argument, that annually 250,000 Americans are… --- ## [What could Biden + a Democratic Congress do about future shenanigans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-biden-a-democratic-congress-do-about-future-shenanigans/922868)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2020, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-biden-a-democratic-congress-do-about-future-shenanigans/922868 "2020-10-15T01:51:10Z")
In California it’s Republican ballot boxes. In Texas there will only be one ballot drop off box per county, a rule upheld by the 5th circuit. In Pennsylvania there is talk of Republicans sending armed “poll observers” … --- ## [Restaurants and Reducing Plastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-and-reducing-plastic/922446)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2020, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-and-reducing-plastic/922446 "2020-10-15T01:35:32Z")
Canada, possibly behind the curve (?), has announced that they are set to ban certain single-use plastic items. Alberta, hoping to change oil into petrochemicals, is unhappy. Don’t know how the restaurant industry feel… --- ## [Google Shot-for-Shit Advanced Search](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-shot-for-shit-advanced-search/921061)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2020, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-shot-for-shit-advanced-search/921061 "2020-10-15T01:25:52Z")
You can do an Advanced Search for the verbatim interpretation of what you typed in the box. Which ought to be the goddam default, yeesh, I meant what I said and all that. You can also constrain your search results so a… --- ## [What was the motivation for flipping the bird at the camera?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-motivation-for-flipping-the-bird-at-the-camera/922848)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2020, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-motivation-for-flipping-the-bird-at-the-camera/922848 "2020-10-15T00:58:49Z")
Today, flipping the bird has probably lost most of its shock value, but in 1960s it was still considered terribly offensive in most contexts. So occasionally, I’ll come across photos of popular rock bands of the time (e… --- ## [Memory Card for Cannon EOS 30D digital SLR camera](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memory-card-for-cannon-eos-30d-digital-slr-camera/922746)
**Author:** [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2020, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memory-card-for-cannon-eos-30d-digital-slr-camera/922746 "2020-10-15T00:27:24Z")
Got the camera used, and it had everything except the flash memory card. I went to Amazon and searched by the camera name, and they had cards… Oops! Wrong! They tricked me! I bought a nice 32Gb SDHC card…an’ it don’… --- ## [What does bat milk taste like?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-bat-milk-taste-like/922308)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2020, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-bat-milk-taste-like/922308 "2020-10-15T00:19:40Z")
Can we raise them for milk? Maybe in a basement? How many would it take to m ake a liter a day? Would it be better with vanilla or chocolate? --- ## [Need opinions on router](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-opinions-on-router/922966)
**Author:** [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2020, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-opinions-on-router/922966 "2020-10-15T00:09:14Z")
We have a router that we got years ago from Verizon when we upgraded to Fios. We’re having connection issues now, and Verizon wants $15 a month for an upgraded model (we could get another like our old one free, but ther… --- ## [How big a problem are food deserts in your town?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-big-a-problem-are-food-deserts-in-your-town/921699)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2020, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-big-a-problem-are-food-deserts-in-your-town/921699 "2020-10-15T00:05:30Z")
I live in a medium Canadian city with a fair amount of industry, some insurance companies and a good university. There has always been a bit of tension between “town and gown” with a large student population. The downt… --- ## [Comparing nutritional value of cat food](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comparing-nutritional-value-of-cat-food/922884)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2020, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comparing-nutritional-value-of-cat-food/922884 "2020-10-14T23:54:04Z")
I know what good nutrition is for people and I can read the labels and decide what I should be eating. But what criteria should I used for buying cat food? I have always just picked a mid-priced commercial brand trustin… --- ## [Apollo Lunar Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apollo-lunar-vehicle/922590)
**Author:** [@breakneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/breakneck)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2020, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apollo-lunar-vehicle/922590 "2020-10-14T23:18:15Z")
For the Apollo Lunar Vehicle did the build blueprints specify orange reflective foil to be installed as if you were a 2nd grader with the scotch tape role for the first time. How would the blueprints specify some of the … --- ## [Bye, Berta - Conchata Ferrell dies at 77](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-berta-conchata-ferrell-dies-at-77/922893)
**Author:** [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2020, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-berta-conchata-ferrell-dies-at-77/922893 "2020-10-14T22:57:54Z")
Another tick in the “Why 2020 SUCKS!” box. Complications after a heart attack. --- ## [Cheap Fix Or Solution You Are Proud Of](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-fix-or-solution-you-are-proud-of/920795)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2020, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-fix-or-solution-you-are-proud-of/920795 "2020-10-14T22:30:34Z")
Problems arise. Things break down. The service is expensive or they are out of stock in the store or on the Internet. You come up with a cheap solution. You feel pride at your thrift and ingenuity. For me, two usele… --- ## [Room Temperature Superconductor (though there are issues)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/room-temperature-superconductor-though-there-are-issues/922954)
**Author:** [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2020, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/room-temperature-superconductor-though-there-are-issues/922954 "2020-10-14T21:20:43Z")
Some combination of Hydrogen, Sulfur and Carbon has reached superconductivity at 60 F Not exactly sure what the substance is Needs ~2 million atmospheres of pressure Brian --- ## [Life expectancy at birth is the wrong comparison when talking about Covid deaths among the elderly](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-expectancy-at-birth-is-the-wrong-comparison-when-talking-about-covid-deaths-among-the-elderly/922809)
**Author:** [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2020, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-expectancy-at-birth-is-the-wrong-comparison-when-talking-about-covid-deaths-among-the-elderly/922809 "2020-10-14T20:41:26Z")
It’s not unusual in discussing the impact of Covid to mention that the majority of deaths are in the elderly, and it’s not unusual to then compare with life expectancy. But the number presented is almost always life expe… --- ## [NY professor predicts Trump for President](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-professor-predicts-trump-for-president/747262)
**Author:** [@JohnClay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnClay)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2020, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-professor-predicts-trump-for-president/747262 "2020-10-14T20:40:08Z")
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