# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=169&state=watching [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 170 --- ## [Do you get the "have a blessed day" invocation where you live (and are you bothered by it)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-get-the-have-a-blessed-day-invocation-where-you-live-and-are-you-bothered-by-it/1025667)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 305\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2026, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-get-the-have-a-blessed-day-invocation-where-you-live-and-are-you-bothered-by-it/1025667 "2026-01-05T05:48:43Z")
I live in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri, very rural, and very much within the boundaries of the Bible Belt. Of late (this goes back probably a decade) I’ve been getting the invocation from store clerks, bank tellers, e… --- ## [Why couldn't the nuns go to Maria's wedding? (Sound of Music)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-couldnt-the-nuns-go-to-marias-wedding-sound-of-music/1025946)
**Author:** [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2026, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-couldnt-the-nuns-go-to-marias-wedding-sound-of-music/1025946 "2026-01-05T05:26:37Z")
Watching The Sound of Music for the umpteenth time triggered this questions (which is not about the movie, per se: ) Maria walks to the cathedral with all her nun friends, into an alcove behind a fence She then goes t… --- ## [Thoughts on small portable air compressors](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-small-portable-air-compressors/1025615)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2026, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-small-portable-air-compressors/1025615 "2026-01-05T02:47:57Z")
My car’s tires recently registered as under-inflated in the cold weather. My hand bike pump does not affix to the valve stems, so I am looking for a portable compressor. I borrowed my BIL’s old Craftsman, and it seemed… --- ## [What's new, Atlas? (AI, Robotics and tech thread)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-new-atlas-ai-robotics-and-tech-thread/801952)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 239\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2026, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-new-atlas-ai-robotics-and-tech-thread/801952 "2026-01-05T01:40:12Z")
That’s the title of this video showing the latest development in robotics: the bipedal robot Atlas can now not only jump from place to place, both vertical and horizontally, it can also do stationary backflips! These f… --- ## [Arc Raiders](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arc-raiders/1024974)
**Author:** [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2026, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arc-raiders/1024974 "2026-01-05T01:38:55Z")
Arc Raiders is a PVPVE extraction game that released 2 weeks and a half weeks ago. It has been wildly successful peaking at 700,000+ players regularly on steam and growing in addition people playing on console. The pre… --- ## [Friendly Dog Becomes Aggressive](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friendly-dog-becomes-aggressive/1026293)
**Author:** [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2026, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friendly-dog-becomes-aggressive/1026293 "2026-01-05T00:41:12Z")
Back in June we adopted a dog who was just short of a year old. He had been found as a stray with his siblings when he was around three months old, and the person who found them got homes for them. He was, by all accou… --- ## [If You're Still Pissed About the Library of Alexandria Being Torched Just Wait](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-still-pissed-about-the-library-of-alexandria-being-torched-just-wait/1026225)
**Author:** [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2026, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-still-pissed-about-the-library-of-alexandria-being-torched-just-wait/1026225 "2026-01-04T23:25:32Z")
Since everybody’s some kind of nerd here, I’m gonna go out on a limb and assume that 99% of the folks here are still pissed off about the Library being torched. Whelp, because of budget cuts, NASA is being forced to clos… --- ## [Food storage/use question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-storage-use-question/1026311)
**Author:** [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2026, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-storage-use-question/1026311 "2026-01-04T21:49:20Z")
Advice, please. I’ve been clearing out and rearranging kitchen cabinets and have items, canned, two or three years past their “best by”, “use by” date: baked beans and soup. I have Irish steel-cut oats, unopened can. I h… --- ## [In the U.S., when do attacks on another country become a "war" that has to be officially declared by Congress?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-u-s-when-do-attacks-on-another-country-become-a-war-that-has-to-be-officially-declared-by-congress/1026312)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2026, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-u-s-when-do-attacks-on-another-country-become-a-war-that-has-to-be-officially-declared-by-congress/1026312 "2026-01-04T21:38:25Z")
As stated in the title. Is there an official “tipping point” that requires Congress to declare an official war and, if so, what is it? --- ## [Which fictional technologies do you wish existed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fictional-technologies-do-you-wish-existed/1026276)
**Author:** [@Tzigone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tzigone)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2026, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fictional-technologies-do-you-wish-existed/1026276 "2026-01-04T20:57:00Z")
Sometimes I read comic books or watch sci-fi and think “what if that technology existed?” Holodecks,repliclators, flying cars, faster than light-travel, clean free/cheap energy, fountain-of-youth drugs (sadly, fountains… --- ## [How does Discourse attribute part 2, 3, etc. threads?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-discourse-attribute-part-2-3-etc-threads/1025742)
**Author:** [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2026, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-discourse-attribute-part-2-3-etc-threads/1025742 "2026-01-04T19:28:13Z")
I finally–and very much to my surprise–had a thread go over the ten thousand post limit. Of course the original, now Part 1, thread is attributed to me as the orginator. What about the Part 2 thread? Who gets credit for … --- ## [Trump's war on Christmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-war-on-christmas/1026057)
**Author:** [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/excavating_for_a_mind)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2026, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-war-on-christmas/1026057 "2026-01-04T17:52:17Z")
Our President of Peace is trying, anyway. If he was serious, he’d attack someone who could fight back. like his buddy Putin does. --- ## [Another obscure song search](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-obscure-song-search/1026210)
**Author:** [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2026, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-obscure-song-search/1026210 "2026-01-04T17:00:24Z")
I hear a clip of what must be an older techno type song played occasionally at sporting events and don’t know how to find it. It’s almost like a soccer type chant but starts with what sounds like either a chorus humming… --- ## [Poster Zoobi is Banned following a violation of his last suspension](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-zoobi-is-banned-following-a-violation-of-his-last-suspension/1026330)
**Author:** [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2026, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-zoobi-is-banned-following-a-violation-of-his-last-suspension/1026330 "2026-01-04T16:51:01Z")
A short time after returning from his 7 day suspension for insulting posters outside of the Pit, he insulted another poster outside of the Pit. The suspension from Late December: This was a quick decision by the M… --- ## [ID help for a science fiction comic with praying mantis aliens](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-help-for-a-science-fiction-comic-with-praying-mantis-aliens/1026314)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2026, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-help-for-a-science-fiction-comic-with-praying-mantis-aliens/1026314 "2026-01-04T14:21:28Z")
I’m hoping to identify a short comic from one of the 1950s science fiction anthology comics. I read it a few years ago: Aliens that look like praying mantises wearing bubble helmets arrive on Earth. Soon after they walk… --- ## [Your Predictions for 2026](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-predictions-for-2026/1026206)
**Author:** [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2026, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-predictions-for-2026/1026206 "2026-01-04T07:25:41Z")
Happy New Year Everyone. I’m old so I will likely be asleep when the clock ticks midnight. IMO, 2025 has been very unpleasant, to say the least. I fear that 2026 is going to get worse. I think there is going to be an … --- ## [What's your favorite mapping app?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-mapping-app/1026200)
**Author:** [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2026, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-mapping-app/1026200 "2026-01-04T02:06:09Z")
Last month we were in Amsterdam, and by the end of the trip I wondered how much of the inner city we had seen. I believe there is an Amsterdam-specific app for that, but I’d like to add an app for daily tracking. I have… --- ## [Does North Korea really still hope to reunify the Koreas?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-north-korea-really-still-hope-to-reunify-the-koreas/1025601)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2026, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-north-korea-really-still-hope-to-reunify-the-koreas/1025601 "2026-01-04T02:01:01Z")
(Great Debate because answers must largely be speculative. Mods, move if you see fit). Of course that’s the sacred ideology; indeed the regime couldn’t really do without a perpetual external enemy. But seriously in the … --- ## [When were Gen X people born?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-were-gen-x-people-born/1026205)
**Author:** [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2026, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-were-gen-x-people-born/1026205 "2026-01-04T00:25:57Z")
So in another topic it’s put forth that “Gen X” refers to people born AFTER baby boomers (like, in the 60s), but not as late as “1977”. As someone who was born in 1979, I must say I strongly disagree with this. I was ra… --- ## [How to repair leather camera case for 1950s Rolleicord?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-repair-leather-camera-case-for-1950s-rolleicord/1026282)
**Author:** [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2026, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-repair-leather-camera-case-for-1950s-rolleicord/1026282 "2026-01-04T00:06:46Z")
I have my father’s old camera, a Rolleicord he bought in 1955, and I’m passing it down to my nephew. It has the original leather case for it but the old leather cracked and broke. See pic below. The leather case has two… --- ## [2026 Batsh\*ttery Bingo](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-batsh-ttery-bingo/1026260)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2026, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-batsh-ttery-bingo/1026260 "2026-01-04T00:00:48Z")
You do not need to sign on to BlueSky to see it. Enjoy! --- ## [I'm about to come into some big(ish) money, and I can't stop spending it (even though I won't have it for months)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-about-to-come-into-some-big-ish-money-and-i-cant-stop-spending-it-even-though-i-wont-have-it-for-months/1026217)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2026, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-about-to-come-into-some-big-ish-money-and-i-cant-stop-spending-it-even-though-i-wont-have-it-for-months/1026217 "2026-01-03T22:29:33Z")
My mother died Monday, and she had long hinted that us four kids are going to get decent inheritances. She was cagey about the details, but I’m guessing, at a minimum, mid-to-high five figures, maybe even as much as $150… --- ## [2026 SDMB Celebrity Still-Dead Pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-sdmb-celebrity-still-dead-pool/1026128)
**Author:** [@Hatchie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hatchie)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2026, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-sdmb-celebrity-still-dead-pool/1026128 "2026-01-03T22:15:46Z")
Old business: as the current year passes into the shadows, the Judging Panel is close to wrapping up the final rankings out of the thousands of entrants in the 2025 Pool; results to be anounced on January 1st, or soon af… --- ## [Foreign films](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-films/1026285)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2026, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-films/1026285 "2026-01-03T21:38:44Z")
I watch TCM almost exclusively (since my PBS is gonna be crudded up, it will be more). I don’t stream movies. It’s not really possible here. I do DVR a bunch on lesser channels to skip commercials when playing back. A… --- ## [Massachusetts Gaming Commission tells DraftKings: you screwed up, you pay up](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massachusetts-gaming-commission-tells-draftkings-you-screwed-up-you-pay-up/1025866)
**Author:** [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Replies:** 129\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2026, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massachusetts-gaming-commission-tells-draftkings-you-screwed-up-you-pay-up/1025866 "2026-01-03T20:09:35Z")
Oops! A Massachusetts bettor discovered an error in the system at DraftKings and took full advantage. During this year’s ALCS, bettors could bet on the hit total for the Blue Jays Nathan Lukes.. A savvy bettor figured… --- ## [Work and work culture around the world](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-and-work-culture-around-the-world/1025746)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2026, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-and-work-culture-around-the-world/1025746 "2026-01-03T19:31:38Z")
(I’m thinking mostly of white collar work because that’s what I’m familiar with, but insight into blue collar work and service sector work is appreciated as well.) As an American, I’m greatly conscious of the…shortcomin… --- ## [Tell me about combi steamers (air fryers/convection ovens with built-in steamers)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-combi-steamers-air-fryers-convection-ovens-with-built-in-steamers/1026214)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2026, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-combi-steamers-air-fryers-convection-ovens-with-built-in-steamers/1026214 "2026-01-03T18:15:52Z")
So I recently discovered that there is a class of kitchen gadget that combines an air fryer with a steamer, called a “combi steamer” or similar. I got one a few months ago, a Ninja Combi: … --- ## [USPS dramatically changes how postmarks work](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usps-dramatically-changes-how-postmarks-work/1026178)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2026, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usps-dramatically-changes-how-postmarks-work/1026178 "2026-01-03T17:49:20Z")
The United States Postal Service will soon no longer be applying postmarks at the moment mail is dropped off. Soon, it will be applied when first run through the machine at the regional sorting center. Why is this a b… --- ## [The Omnibus Digital Photography Thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-omnibus-digital-photography-thread/1010301)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2026, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-omnibus-digital-photography-thread/1010301 "2026-01-03T17:31:50Z")
I’d like to limit digital photography in The Omnibus Film Photography Thread to its use in scanning film photographs; so to help keep that thread on-topic, I’ve started this thread for discussion of digital photography a… --- ## [Frieren: Beyond Journey's End](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frieren-beyond-journeys-end/995097)
**Author:** [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2026, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frieren-beyond-journeys-end/995097 "2026-01-03T16:09:23Z")
A fairly new anime with a very solid dub. I’m watching it on Crunchy Roll. Special $2 a month for 2 months deal right now.. First episode real caught me despite or because of Pixar level emotional intro. Basically, a… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=168&state=watching) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=170&state=watching)