# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1711 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1712 --- ## [I honestly think I’m additive to Twizzlers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-honestly-think-i-m-additive-to-twizzlers/920800)
**Author:** [@eenerms](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eenerms)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2020, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-honestly-think-i-m-additive-to-twizzlers/920800 "2020-09-20T19:30:31Z")
I buy them by the pound. Have only six delicious strands a day…but Jones for them at night. No Red Vines for me! --- ## [Say It With Songs!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-it-with-songs/921068)
**Author:** [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2020, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-it-with-songs/921068 "2020-09-20T17:47:24Z")
Use sequences of songs to make some kind of reference or statement. For example: Little Girls Scary Monsters And Super Creeps Dead Man’s Party … is the Epstein Dance Mix! --- ## [A bigger tax refund than I had expected](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bigger-tax-refund-than-i-had-expected/921055)
**Author:** [@Mike\_Mabes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mike_Mabes)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2020, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bigger-tax-refund-than-i-had-expected/921055 "2020-09-20T17:21:28Z")
I was hoping to at least break even come tax time, since I am not having anything withheld from unemployment, didn’t expect to get this much back. Damndest thing I have ever seen, I am on the HR Block tax calculator site… --- ## [Radford VA The Bigger Picture March - a student-led protest on racial inequality slated for Saturday afternoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/radford-va-the-bigger-picture-march-a-student-led-protest-on-racial-inequality-slated-for-saturday-afternoon/921017)
**Author:** [@Mike\_Mabes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mike_Mabes)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2020, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/radford-va-the-bigger-picture-march-a-student-led-protest-on-racial-inequality-slated-for-saturday-afternoon/921017 "2020-09-20T17:18:47Z")
I have just moved back to my hometown for a while after 30 years, was planning to stay for maybe a year. Maybe not. Predictably some residents are distoring this protest, calling it a Marxist event sponsered by BLM, a… --- ## [What we did on our summer vacation (or, holidaying in the new normal)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-we-did-on-our-summer-vacation-or-holidaying-in-the-new-normal/921088)
**Author:** [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2020, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-we-did-on-our-summer-vacation-or-holidaying-in-the-new-normal/921088 "2020-09-20T17:16:29Z")
Not your usual summer vacation – two nights (!) away with friends in a hotel in Weymouth, Dorset (UK). I’ve been wondering how to explain this - so: Monday: after driving out there (two households, therefore two cars), … --- ## [Marking topics or forums as "read" with a click of a button?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marking-topics-or-forums-as-read-with-a-click-of-a-button/920886)
**Author:** [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2020, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marking-topics-or-forums-as-read-with-a-click-of-a-button/920886 "2020-09-20T16:57:18Z")
Is there a way to “mark all topics as read” in a forum, or even the whole SDMB? It’s probably right in front of me, but I can’t find it at all . . Tripler Seriously, is it like, right there? --- ## [A mysterious book (The Whispering Muse, by Sjón)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mysterious-book-the-whispering-muse-by-sjon/921051)
**Author:** [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2020, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mysterious-book-the-whispering-muse-by-sjon/921051 "2020-09-20T15:32:53Z")
while perusing the mixed media library in my home (books on top, videos on the bottom half, a smattering of video games at the very bottom) in one prong of a multifront effort to pry the vaderling away from xbox and yout… --- ## [Help with HVAC filters](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-hvac-filters/921040)
**Author:** [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2020, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-hvac-filters/921040 "2020-09-20T15:26:52Z")
We bought a house a few months ago and it has a Trane XB80 furnace in it. With all the fire pollution lately, I went to check the filter, and it’s this thin plastic mesh thing. Good enough to keep lint out of the blower,… --- ## [Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah: Am I missing something? (Redditor's interpretation vs. my interpretation)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leonard-cohens-hallelujah-am-i-missing-something-redditors-interpretation-vs-my-interpretation/919294)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2020, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leonard-cohens-hallelujah-am-i-missing-something-redditors-interpretation-vs-my-interpretation/919294 "2020-09-20T14:32:48Z")
Despite the title I am just going to post the link to the comment section about Cohen’s estate refusing to let the RNC use it in their convention. That is only the source, this post is NOT about politics. My opinion is… --- ## [Question about the Stone of Scone](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-the-stone-of-scone/921007)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2020, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-the-stone-of-scone/921007 "2020-09-20T14:05:10Z")
Is there any tradition regarding the Stone of Scone that involved rival claimants to the Scottish throne having to race each other to be first to sit on the Stone of Destiny to be considered the rightful king of Scotland… --- ## [I think I'm due for a new TV](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-im-due-for-a-new-tv/921042)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2020, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-im-due-for-a-new-tv/921042 "2020-09-20T12:02:01Z")
I’ve had it for about 10 years, and considering that it’s a flat screen, it’s probably on its last legs and I’m surprised it’s lasted this long. Anyway, starting a few hours ago, I noticed that CNN was in purple and gre… --- ## [Banning TikTok \[Technical issues only\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banning-tiktok-technical-issues-only/920924)
**Author:** [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2020, 8:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banning-tiktok-technical-issues-only/920924 "2020-09-20T08:37:40Z")
I don’t mean to debate the legality of this, or the morality. This is a technical question based on my ignorance of internet technology. Beginning Sunday, it will be illegal to host or transfer internet traffic associ… --- ## [Allie Brosh (Hyperbole and a Half) is back!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allie-brosh-hyperbole-and-a-half-is-back/921019)
**Author:** [@Greg\_Charles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greg_Charles)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2020, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allie-brosh-hyperbole-and-a-half-is-back/921019 "2020-09-20T05:36:15Z")
Allie Brosh, whose illustrations you’d probably recognize even if you don’t know her name, is back with a new book and an article in the New Yorker. She’s got horses now! Also kids, and possibly one more dog than before.… --- ## [More bad things antifa has done](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-bad-things-antifa-has-done/920871)
**Author:** [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2020, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-bad-things-antifa-has-done/920871 "2020-09-20T04:22:49Z")
The other “what’s the worst thing antifa has done” thread is entirely too serious for this news flash. Antifa has evidently caused an impressive car crash that ended with the car halfway up a power pole. A drunk man at… --- ## [Fuck you, brain](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-brain/920751)
**Author:** [@mandala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mandala)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2020, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-brain/920751 "2020-09-20T03:47:57Z")
I would like to pit my brain, and brains in general. They sit up there, warm and secure inside the skill, constantly waited upon and served by legions of neurotransmitter systems, like they are a fucking king or somethin… --- ## [Please move the Crusader Kings succession game back to the Game Room](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-move-the-crusader-kings-succession-game-back-to-the-game-room/920870)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2020, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-move-the-crusader-kings-succession-game-back-to-the-game-room/920870 "2020-09-20T03:43:23Z")
Thread Games is for threads “in which the thread is the game.” The CK3 thread is discussion and coordination about a multiplayer computer game. I don’t quite understand why the move is warranted. --- ## [The remainder of 2020 shall be Peepless](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-remainder-of-2020-shall-be-peepless/920465)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2020, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-remainder-of-2020-shall-be-peepless/920465 "2020-09-20T03:20:58Z")
--- ## [Weaving a Tangled Web](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weaving-a-tangled-web/921021)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2020, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weaving-a-tangled-web/921021 "2020-09-20T02:35:57Z")
Lemme set this up: Kayla’s bestie here in SoCal is getting married next May, and Kayla is Maid of Honor (which presents challenges, what with her living in Brooklyn atm, but we’re all pretty confident that she’ll be able… --- ## [Gaming novice, recommendations for downloadable PC games?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gaming-novice-recommendations-for-downloadable-pc-games/920837)
**Author:** [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2020, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gaming-novice-recommendations-for-downloadable-pc-games/920837 "2020-09-20T01:54:14Z")
I’m stuck at home with nothing but Netflix and my PC for the next 6 weeks. I have almost no knowledge of PC (desktop) based games, but would like some recommendations for something I can play by myself (not multi-player… --- ## [What Are Placebos Made Of?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-placebos-made-of/920436)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2020, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-placebos-made-of/920436 "2020-09-20T01:33:48Z")
When a patient or test subject is given a placebo, what, specifically, are they given? In college the textbook said “sugar pill,” but I’m unclear on if that’s industry speak or if the placebo is literally made of sugar. … --- ## [Do you consider the SDMB to be "social media?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-consider-the-sdmb-to-be-social-media/849036)
**Author:** [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2020, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-consider-the-sdmb-to-be-social-media/849036 "2020-09-19T23:10:49Z")
I was having a discussion with a coworker today about how widespread social media is (meaning FaceBook, Twitter, InstaGram, etc.), especially to the Millennials. My co-worker is an older Generation X-er, and I, as I und… --- ## [Don't never let nobody make a movie of your Book's Story -- Winston Groom dies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-never-let-nobody-make-a-movie-of-your-books-story-winston-groom-dies/920938)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2020, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-never-let-nobody-make-a-movie-of-your-books-story-winston-groom-dies/920938 "2020-09-19T22:07:57Z")
The author of the novel Forrest Gump, from which the movie was liberally adapted, died at the age of 77 He started out his sequel, Gump and Company, with the lines. I have to admit, I’ve never read either book, but … --- ## [Any examples of top government officials / soldiers refusing illegal orders?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-examples-of-top-government-officials-soldiers-refusing-illegal-orders/920496)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2020, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-examples-of-top-government-officials-soldiers-refusing-illegal-orders/920496 "2020-09-14T15:51:55Z")
We now have various threads going on about what will happen if Trump refuses to leave after losing the election. Any scenario in which he attempts to stay will likely involve Trump himself, or possibly William Barr, iss… --- ## [Federal Reserve Notes and Federal Reserve Banks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-reserve-notes-and-federal-reserve-banks/918457)
**Author:** [@Ynnad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ynnad)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2020, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-reserve-notes-and-federal-reserve-banks/918457 "2020-09-15T17:26:04Z")
Have you ever noticed that every United States Federal Reserve Note purports to be issued by one of the twelve individual federal reserve banks? It used to be obvious on all of the notes. Just look at the black seal wi… --- ## [Is meritocracy overrated?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-meritocracy-overrated/817385)
**Author:** [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Replies:** 295\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2020, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-meritocracy-overrated/817385 "2020-09-19T21:23:08Z")
There once was a time when meritocracy was seen as a vehicle for overturning racism and the advantages of a privileged background. Now it is seen as a mechanism to maintain the racial disparity in the status quo and p… --- ## [The melodic and rhythmic structure of ambulance/police sirens?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-melodic-and-rhythmic-structure-of-ambulance-police-sirens/921013)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2020, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-melodic-and-rhythmic-structure-of-ambulance-police-sirens/921013 "2020-09-19T21:13:45Z")
So how much musical design / composition goes into the creation of those annoying “rooOooOooooo… wah wah wah wah… roooOooooooooo WaaOAO WAAoooWAooo waaooooo” sirens? Is there some composer sitting down and thinking, “OK,… --- ## [Time Travel and Temporal Paradoxes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-travel-and-temporal-paradoxes/918053)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 111\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2020, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-travel-and-temporal-paradoxes/918053 "2020-09-19T20:39:31Z")
I’ve heard physicists say it all the time. Certain laws in physics seem to allow for time travel. But it just seems so unlikely. One of the reasons why it seems unlikely, is that it would likely lead to temporal paradox… --- ## ["Is it that the Dems don't understand white, working-class America?" No, that's not it](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-that-the-dems-dont-understand-white-working-class-america-no-thats-not-it/773291)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 866\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2020, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-that-the-dems-dont-understand-white-working-class-america-no-thats-not-it/773291 "2020-09-19T19:14:52Z")
“The dark rigidity of fundamentalist rural America: a view from the inside” I’ve seen in different threads attempts to figure out what makes Trump supporters tick. There doesn’t seem to be any logic or self-interest at … --- ## [What the hell is a gender reveal party and why do they cause wildfires?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-is-a-gender-reveal-party-and-why-do-they-cause-wildfires/920967)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2020, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-is-a-gender-reveal-party-and-why-do-they-cause-wildfires/920967 "2020-09-19T00:30:12Z")
I feel like the first time I ever heard of a gender reveal party was a couple years ago, and back then it struck me as some silly thing that rich(?) or young (?) or newagey (?) parents did. Is this a new phenomenon? Some… --- ## [No, Trump was not “cruising to reelection” until the pandemic hit](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-trump-was-not-cruising-to-reelection-until-the-pandemic-hit/920884)
**Author:** [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2020, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-trump-was-not-cruising-to-reelection-until-the-pandemic-hit/920884 "2020-09-19T17:37:19Z")
I’m so tired of hearing political pundits make this claim. Were they really not reading the pre-pandemic polls, or what? This is their job! For example (and it’s not unrepresentative), this FOX NEWS poll from late Janu… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1710) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1712)