# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1753 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1754 --- ## [What welfare programs are currently not considered universal in wealthier nations, but will be in the near future](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-welfare-programs-are-currently-not-considered-universal-in-wealthier-nations-but-will-be-in-the-near-future/917668)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2020, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-welfare-programs-are-currently-not-considered-universal-in-wealthier-nations-but-will-be-in-the-near-future/917668 "2020-08-15T20:27:30Z")
Health care is considered a universal welfare program in most of the world (other than the US). K-12 education is universal in much of the world that can afford it. Pensions for the elderly are pretty much universal in n… --- ## [What/when was the first reboot?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-when-was-the-first-reboot/918191)
**Author:** [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2020, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-when-was-the-first-reboot/918191 "2020-08-15T19:58:20Z")
I guess this is two questions: When was the term “reboot” first used, in its modern pop-culture sense of starting over with a series/franchise? and If the phenomenon predates the term, what was the first thing actually… --- ## [As President of the US, how would you have handled the COVID-19 pandemic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-president-of-the-us-how-would-you-have-handled-the-covid-19-pandemic/915343)
**Author:** [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2020, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-president-of-the-us-how-would-you-have-handled-the-covid-19-pandemic/915343 "2020-08-15T19:51:21Z")
There’s a lot of criticism of Trump’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the US, but I haven’t seen much discussion of what he should have done differently. So, I’ll start: I would have immediately announced a crash… --- ## [What range should I look for using an infrared thermometer checking for fever?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-range-should-i-look-for-using-an-infrared-thermometer-checking-for-fever/917935)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2020, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-range-should-i-look-for-using-an-infrared-thermometer-checking-for-fever/917935 "2020-08-15T19:35:41Z")
I have an infrared thermometer that I’ve played with for a few years. Interesting and fun. I never thought about using it to check for a fever until the covid thing. But, of course, it doesn’t take internal temps. On… --- ## [Did you find it hard to learn to keep score in baseball?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-find-it-hard-to-learn-to-keep-score-in-baseball/916039)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2020, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-find-it-hard-to-learn-to-keep-score-in-baseball/916039 "2020-08-15T19:10:55Z")
I’ve been a baseball fan all my life but only learned the very basics of how to keep score in youth ball. That was one thing you were supposed to do when you weren’t playing. Since I’ve got plenty of time this summer (st… --- ## [Cool bass intros](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-bass-intros/918043)
**Author:** [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2020, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-bass-intros/918043 "2020-08-15T17:58:43Z")
…that don’t appear again in their songs. If accompanied - like in the following (by guitar strums/licks every seven, I think) (and a basic drum beat) - as long as the bass is clearly the lead, then all good. Video/audi… --- ## [Do you consider your parents as being “better” than you? What about your kids?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-consider-your-parents-as-being-better-than-you-what-about-your-kids/918032)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2020, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-consider-your-parents-as-being-better-than-you-what-about-your-kids/918032 "2020-08-15T17:42:57Z")
By whatever moral or ethical standards you subscribe to, do you view your parents as being “better“ than you? I understand that this can be a complex idea, especially since the real answer will likely vary depending on … --- ## [My Minecraft end portal is 16 eye of enders (4x4), all others I have seen are (3x4)12 eyes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-minecraft-end-portal-is-16-eye-of-enders-4x4-all-others-i-have-seen-are-3x4-12-eyes/918179)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2020, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-minecraft-end-portal-is-16-eye-of-enders-4x4-all-others-i-have-seen-are-3x4-12-eyes/918179 "2020-08-15T17:42:02Z")
Anyone out there can explain why I found this end portal with the extra set of eye sockets? Is this normal but rare, some glitch, or have some additional meaning? My end portal that I found is 4x4, requiring 16 eye of… --- ## [What sort of op-eds should news outlets publish and not publish?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-sort-of-op-eds-should-news-outlets-publish-and-not-publish/918023)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2020, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-sort-of-op-eds-should-news-outlets-publish-and-not-publish/918023 "2020-08-15T17:05:26Z")
We have a Pit thread that’s been going on for a while over the NYT’s publication of an op-ed by senator Tom Cotton - don’t want to derail it, so here is a separate thread: AIUI, the purpose of an op-ed section is to air… --- ## [How does my Fitbit know how much I've slept?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-my-fitbit-know-how-much-ive-slept/918001)
**Author:** [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2020, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-my-fitbit-know-how-much-ive-slept/918001 "2020-08-15T15:02:56Z")
My doctor has me wearing one of these things to track my sleep as part of my insomnia treatment. It hasn’t been explicitly said that I won’t get this or that med if I’m sleeping too much, or so little that the med isn’t … --- ## [Rosuvastatin pronunciation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rosuvastatin-pronunciation/918103)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2020, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rosuvastatin-pronunciation/918103 "2020-08-15T14:55:40Z")
I can’t remember how my doctor said it but I think of it as ro-SU-vastatin. The automated voice at Walgreens calls it rosu-VAST-atin. Is that voice programmed to pronounce drugs correctly? Dennis --- ## [Shooting at White House?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-at-white-house/917750)
**Author:** [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2020, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-at-white-house/917750 "2020-08-15T14:48:11Z")
MSNBC currently running a presser with Trump, who is saying someone (doesn’t know who) was shot a short time ago by Secret Service agents (doesn’t know why). Waiting on further, more coherent info. --- ## [Should I wait for a lower price before buying Horizon Zero Dawn for PC?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-wait-for-a-lower-price-before-buying-horizon-zero-dawn-for-pc/914299)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2020, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-wait-for-a-lower-price-before-buying-horizon-zero-dawn-for-pc/914299 "2020-08-15T13:40:09Z")
I have been waiting for the PC release of this game for a long time and finally, it has been announced for August 7. I have about a month after that in my summer vacation(I’m a teacher), so I plan to get it. Is $49.99 k… --- ## [Better ways to reapportion Congress](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-ways-to-reapportion-congress/917741)
**Author:** [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2020, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-ways-to-reapportion-congress/917741 "2020-08-15T12:42:27Z")
A state’s apportionment in the House of Representatives is determined by the Constitution, Article I, Section 2: Representatives … shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, … --- ## [Is the canned audience noise in the Euro league and Champions League finals played over the stadium PA?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-canned-audience-noise-in-the-euro-league-and-champions-league-finals-played-over-the-stadium-pa/917825)
**Author:** [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2020, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-canned-audience-noise-in-the-euro-league-and-champions-league-finals-played-over-the-stadium-pa/917825 "2020-08-15T11:58:14Z")
As you may know, the final rounds of the UEFA Champions and Euro Leagues are played this week with audiences excluded. Yesterday, I saw one of those matches for the first time, Bayer Leverkusen - Inter, and was irritate… --- ## [How much gravitational force can a pizza (in your standard pizza box) withstand?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-gravitational-force-can-a-pizza-in-your-standard-pizza-box-withstand/917211)
**Author:** [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2020, 9:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-gravitational-force-can-a-pizza-in-your-standard-pizza-box-withstand/917211 "2020-08-15T09:01:18Z")
Put a pizza in a box, then put the box in a large space centrifuge such that the top of the pizza (and box) faces the gravitational force. How much force does it take to ruin the pizza? This question was pretty much rai… --- ## ["Make like a \_\_\_\_\_\_, and \[leave\]." Need some new ones](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-like-a-and-leave-need-some-new-ones/917881)
**Author:** [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2020, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-like-a-and-leave-need-some-new-ones/917881 "2020-08-15T06:02:44Z")
I need some help; I’m running out of graceful exit punchlines. The standards: “Make like a banana, and split.” “Make like a tree and leaf.” My personal ones: “Make like a priest, and get the hell out of here.” “Mak… --- ## [Motor oil grades: 5W30, 10W40; what's the difference? for particular makes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motor-oil-grades-5w30-10w40-whats-the-difference-for-particular-makes/799952)
**Author:** [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2020, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motor-oil-grades-5w30-10w40-whats-the-difference-for-particular-makes/799952 "2020-08-15T05:21:14Z")
I have a 1994 Mercedes C-280; according to a link from ask.com the motor oil grade recommended is 5W30. I’ve used some of that. Is there any advantage to that over 10W40? --- ## [YouTube - An Error Occurred, Please Try Again Later](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youtube-an-error-occurred-please-try-again-later/917939)
**Author:** [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2020, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youtube-an-error-occurred-please-try-again-later/917939 "2020-08-15T05:12:11Z")
Every time I launch a video on YouTube, I get a black screen with white letters, “An Error Occurred, Please Try Again Later.” I learned, by accident, that if I just wait a little – maybe fifteen seconds – the video star… --- ## [Is there a name for this kind of argument (only one thing matters)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-kind-of-argument-only-one-thing-matters/681560)
**Author:** [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2020, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-kind-of-argument-only-one-thing-matters/681560 "2020-08-15T04:00:03Z")
One of the arguments I find the most irritatingly obtuse litters public comment - letters to editors, public posts, comment streams. The general form is "Why is \[person, group or government body\] wasting money on \[some r… --- ## [Do you scrimp to save?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-scrimp-to-save/918049)
**Author:** [@Hilary\_Algar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilary_Algar)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2020, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-scrimp-to-save/918049 "2020-08-15T03:49:57Z")
Do you scrimp to save? We scrimp quite a lot at my house. On example occurred just the other day which thinking that might make an interesting thread in MPSIMS at the SDMB. Since the restructuring and corresponding ma… --- ## [Clearly the definition of "paradise" has changed in the last century](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clearly-the-definition-of-paradise-has-changed-in-the-last-century/917917)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2020, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clearly-the-definition-of-paradise-has-changed-in-the-last-century/917917 "2020-08-15T03:32:01Z")
I have long been interested in the nearest small town to me, Pelzer, South Carolina, that in its founding seems to have combined elements of progressive thought (especially in attempting to educate the residents well bey… --- ## [Excel copy formula Q](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-copy-formula-q/918003)
**Author:** [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2020, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-copy-formula-q/918003 "2020-08-15T02:57:22Z")
I understand absolute and relative cell references, but they don’t seem to help me. I’m sure someone has a solution! In cells T1, U1, V1 there are formulas that reference cell A1. I want W1, X1, Y1 to have the same form… --- ## [How is your local economy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-your-local-economy/918130)
**Author:** [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2020, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-your-local-economy/918130 "2020-08-15T02:17:30Z")
How is the local economy in your area? I keep reading about huge unemployment rates and businesses closing right and left. Around here (South Louisiana USA) the economy seems pretty much the same as the last few years. A… --- ## [Who is staying in hotels?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-staying-in-hotels/917997)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2020, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-staying-in-hotels/917997 "2020-08-15T01:58:07Z")
Have you noticed the number of cars parked at local hotels? I’ve noticed that tho lots are not full, there are nevertheless several cars - probably 1/2 full. Are you seeing anything similar? Who is traveling in these … --- ## [Name a song that only became popular on compilation/theme /soundtracks records/tapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-song-that-only-became-popular-on-compilation-theme-soundtracks-records-tapes/918048)
**Author:** [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2020, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-song-that-only-became-popular-on-compilation-theme-soundtracks-records-tapes/918048 "2020-08-15T01:27:40Z")
based on this thread What is the most annoying popular song of all-time? it mentions a song called “politics of dancing” which when i listening to “80s music” on pandora the bio of the song said it was a song that … --- ## [Guess the last thing I ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-last-thing-i-ate/918109)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2020, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-last-thing-i-ate/918109 "2020-08-15T01:27:37Z")
Rules: Players will get to ask the “torch holder” 20 questions. That’s 20 questions total among all the players. You can make as many random guesses as you want. We will be guessing SINGLE food items. So if your last m… --- ## [Beck and bad, bad, bad figgy folderol](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beck-and-bad-bad-bad-figgy-folderol/917966)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2020, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beck-and-bad-bad-bad-figgy-folderol/917966 "2020-08-15T00:17:18Z")
I picked figs. I had 2 gallons after I picked through the bird pecked ones. I always think if a bird was close enough to peck one she was close enough to pee on it. Hmmm? Do birds pee? sorry, I digress… I plucked, pe… --- ## [Mind-blowing chance encounters \[of the Small World kind - not celebrity\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mind-blowing-chance-encounters-of-the-small-world-kind-not-celebrity/917882)
**Author:** [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2020, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mind-blowing-chance-encounters-of-the-small-world-kind-not-celebrity/917882 "2020-08-14T23:42:01Z")
The closest I ever came to a really mind-blowing Chance Encounter of the Personal Kind was when I was about two hours away from bumping into a friend of mine from NYC, completely unplanned, at the Great Wall of China. N… --- ## [Would this work? (unavoidable spoiler for My Life is Murder)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-this-work-unavoidable-spoiler-for-my-life-is-murder/918136)
**Author:** [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2020, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-this-work-unavoidable-spoiler-for-my-life-is-murder/918136 "2020-08-14T23:39:41Z")
So, this show from last season in Australia just became available in the US. Lucy Lawless is starring as a retired police detective who is consulting on difficult cases. It’s pretty good, and Lawless is really good. It’s… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1752) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1754)