# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1793 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1794 --- ## [Fridge problem---water from door self-dispensing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fridge-problem-water-from-door-self-dispensing/915127)
**Author:** [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2020, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fridge-problem-water-from-door-self-dispensing/915127 "2020-07-13T14:32:18Z")
This morning I came out to the kitchen and noticed the clock on the stove blinking but the light inside is on. Hmm. Did the power go out? (Later I learned out that yes, it had). We have a refrigerator with ice and wa… --- ## [Pornography and pin-ups in men's restrooms](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pornography-and-pin-ups-in-mens-restrooms/846112)
**Author:** [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2020, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pornography-and-pin-ups-in-mens-restrooms/846112 "2020-07-13T13:53:04Z")
No idea if this is common in women’s restrooms but some fancier restaurants and resorts like to put soft pornography up in the men’s restrooms. On the walls, over the urinals, etc. Usually in frames. I don’t care that m… --- ## [What would happen if I don’t brush my teeth for a year?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-i-don-t-brush-my-teeth-for-a-year/915041)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2020, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-i-don-t-brush-my-teeth-for-a-year/915041 "2020-07-13T13:50:34Z")
Don’t need answer fast. Let’s assume today I stop brushing my teeth. I do drink water with fluoride a few time a day, but that’s all. What would happen? I am not doing this in real life. I fell asleep last night before … --- ## [Explanation for low residential energy use?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explanation-for-low-residential-energy-use/855531)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2020, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explanation-for-low-residential-energy-use/855531 "2020-07-13T13:42:12Z")
We just received our latest electric bill. It says we use 49% less energy than our EFFICIENT neighbors. There are only two of us, and we were raised to turn out lights when we left a room, but I can’t figure out why we… --- ## [Question about US and other militaries](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-us-and-other-militaries/915121)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2020, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-us-and-other-militaries/915121 "2020-07-13T13:36:35Z")
One thing about the Canadian military which always seemed strange to me regards medical coverage. My understanding is those serving receive great coverage, but this does not necessarily apply to their spouses or childre… --- ## [How big a lie could Trump get away with? Is there any too big?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-big-a-lie-could-trump-get-away-with-is-there-any-too-big/915071)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2020, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-big-a-lie-could-trump-get-away-with-is-there-any-too-big/915071 "2020-07-13T13:26:08Z")
Something I’ve been pondering for a while now. Suppose Trump were to say on Twitter sometime that a group of BLM protestors in Philadelphia dragged a white family of eight, including a toddler, out of their home and bur… --- ## [Hoo boy, the political ads are really starting to ramp up now](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hoo-boy-the-political-ads-are-really-starting-to-ramp-up-now/914478)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2020, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hoo-boy-the-political-ads-are-really-starting-to-ramp-up-now/914478 "2020-07-13T13:21:14Z")
I live in Michigan, a swing state, so I may be seeing more of these political ads, and more often than some of you in other states. I don’t even watch much network television any more, but between the evening news, and h… --- ## [COVID and high blood pressure: Who, exactly is at risk?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covid-and-high-blood-pressure-who-exactly-is-at-risk/915092)
**Author:** [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2020, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covid-and-high-blood-pressure-who-exactly-is-at-risk/915092 "2020-07-13T11:59:16Z")
I’ve heard that people with high blood pressure are at higher risk for getting a more severe case of COVID-19. My question is - I assume people who have blood pressure readings that are considered high are obviously at … --- ## [When did your mother stop talking to you in the third person?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-your-mother-stop-talking-to-you-in-the-third-person/914527)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2020, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-your-mother-stop-talking-to-you-in-the-third-person/914527 "2020-07-13T10:34:52Z")
My mother would sometimes talk to me by saying: “Mommy will do this” or, let’s say her name was Silvia, “Silvia will do that”. Is this common when talking to adult children? I repeatedly told her to stop it but she kept … --- ## [Thoughts on care packages for homeless?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-care-packages-for-homeless/849231)
**Author:** [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2020, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-care-packages-for-homeless/849231 "2020-07-13T08:55:59Z")
It occurred to me today, as I passed a homeless person, that it would be nice to have a few care packages in the car to hand out. I’m looking for help as to what to put into them. I’d also like to keep the cost down to … --- ## [Discourse changes to posts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discourse-changes-to-posts/913425)
**Author:** [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2020, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discourse-changes-to-posts/913425 "2020-07-13T08:17:23Z")
There should be four periods at the end of that sentence – three for ellipsis, and one more to end the statement. Why is Discourse deleting one? I should be able to put twenty periods at the end of a post if I want to… --- ## [Question about Lazarus Long quote](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-lazarus-long-quote/915046)
**Author:** [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2020, 8:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-lazarus-long-quote/915046 "2020-07-13T08:16:11Z")
“There is only one way to console a widow. But remember the risk.” (from “The notebooks of Lazarus Long” by Heinlein in case anyone is wondering) I assume the “one way” is to sleep with her. But what is the risk? Obvio… --- ## [What long-term changes to college sports will be caused by COVID?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-long-term-changes-to-college-sports-will-be-caused-by-covid/914871)
**Author:** [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2020, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-long-term-changes-to-college-sports-will-be-caused-by-covid/914871 "2020-07-13T07:10:22Z")
COVID is obviously going to force a major upheaval of the 2020-2021 college sports seasons. IMO, anyone who thinks football is happening this year is fooling themselves. But what long-term shifts will this create? Stanf… --- ## [Why do different modes and channels on my TV have very different volume levels?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-different-modes-and-channels-on-my-tv-have-very-different-volume-levels/915148)
**Author:** [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2020, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-different-modes-and-channels-on-my-tv-have-very-different-volume-levels/915148 "2020-07-13T06:25:45Z")
Why is it that the comfortable volume setting on my TV varies so widely depending on what mode I’m in, and even differs among channels in HDMI (cable) mode? When watching cable the comfortable volume varies from 8-13, d… --- ## [Let's make a Sixth tape - A list MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-make-a-sixth-tape-a-list-mmp/914446)
**Author:** [@dogbutler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dogbutler)\ **Replies:** 254\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2020, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-make-a-sixth-tape-a-list-mmp/914446 "2020-07-13T04:06:58Z")
It’s not Canada Day, Fourth of July, or Taco Truck Thursday, but on this date: 1535: Sir Thomas More is executed for treason against King Henry VIII of England. 1630: Thirty Years’ War: Four thousand Swedish troops und… --- ## [Our city library is reopening - but will I dare check anything out? What about you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-city-library-is-reopening-but-will-i-dare-check-anything-out-what-about-you/914863)
**Author:** [@Bonum\_Legatum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bonum_Legatum)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2020, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-city-library-is-reopening-but-will-i-dare-check-anything-out-what-about-you/914863 "2020-07-13T04:00:32Z")
The subject says it all. I was a frequent patron of our city library. I remember books where it was obvious that the person who had it before me read while smoking a cigar - PHEW. Now what happens if someone has cough… --- ## [Runners vs Cyclists vs Speed Skaters](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/runners-vs-cyclists-vs-speed-skaters/914413)
**Author:** [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2020, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/runners-vs-cyclists-vs-speed-skaters/914413 "2020-07-13T03:45:29Z")
At what distance will a top cyclist pass a top runner? How about a top skater? I know that a cyclist will beat a runner at less than 10k, because I just beat the top runner at a 10k on my bike and I’m in terrible shape… --- ## [2020 Baseball Hall of Fame "Modern Baseball" Era](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-baseball-hall-of-fame-modern-baseball-era/843026)
**Author:** [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2020, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-baseball-hall-of-fame-modern-baseball-era/843026 "2020-07-13T03:41:42Z")
The ballot for modern baseball is out. Which of these men should be elected? You may select any number of these from zero to ten. --- ## [Canada's (and Trudeau's) WE scandal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadas-and-trudeaus-we-scandal/915110)
**Author:** [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2020, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadas-and-trudeaus-we-scandal/915110 "2020-07-13T03:23:20Z")
Can someone please give me a quick synopsis about this? I’ve been distracted by Covid-related news and this WE thing seemed to appear out of nowhere over the last couple of weeks. Thank-you very much --- ## [Text Message advertising spam](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-message-advertising-spam/915029)
**Author:** [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2020, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-message-advertising-spam/915029 "2020-07-13T03:20:51Z")
Haven’t had this happen in years, but suddenly I’m starting to get advertising texts. Not sure I would call it a major flood of them or anything, but 3 in the last two weeks after damn near a decade of not getting them,… --- ## [SDMB Fantasy Baseball League 2020](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-fantasy-baseball-league-2020/849307)
**Author:** [@Wilson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wilson)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2020, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-fantasy-baseball-league-2020/849307 "2020-07-13T02:52:11Z")
OK folks, it’s time to talk fantasy baseball! We’ve had a fantasy baseball league here on the SDMB for years - I believe this is year 18. Historically we’ve called it the SDMB Big League, as we try to get as close to 20… --- ## [Counting retests](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/counting-retests/915159)
**Author:** [@PoppaSan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PoppaSan)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2020, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/counting-retests/915159 "2020-07-13T02:04:01Z")
My eldest has now had his fourth negative test. His employer does mandatory tests monthly. For the statistics reported at various test summary sites, is he getting counted once each time? Is he accounting for 4 tests … --- ## [For those needing a Survivor fix](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-needing-a-survivor-fix/915157)
**Author:** [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2020, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-needing-a-survivor-fix/915157 "2020-07-13T00:53:51Z")
Survivor Official is a YouTube channel that has full seasons of survivor from various countries. We decided to designate one night a week and have been watching Survivor Australia season 3 They are on the island for 55… --- ## [502 error.... (Extra characters added because apparently the 3 numbers, 5 letters and 4 periods don't add up to more than 10)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/502-error-extra-characters-added-because-apparently-the-3-numbers-5-letters-and-4-periods-dont-add-up-to-more-than-10/914063)
**Author:** [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2020, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/502-error-extra-characters-added-because-apparently-the-3-numbers-5-letters-and-4-periods-dont-add-up-to-more-than-10/914063 "2020-07-13T00:30:41Z")
Got one today whilst trying to look at Marley23’s profile. (And what’s this “Title must be at least 10 characters” nonsense?) (“Your topic is similar to…” No, it is not similar to any of the three threads suggested.) --- ## [When did orchids get cheap?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-orchids-get-cheap/915070)
**Author:** [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2020, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-orchids-get-cheap/915070 "2020-07-13T00:16:24Z")
I was in the supermarket earlier today, and in the florist section, among the displays of cut flower bouquets was a table of potted orchid plants. I remember in fiction, saying that someone grew orchids was to say that … --- ## [How come Germany had an easy time against Russia in WWI but lost against the USSR in WWII?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-germany-had-an-easy-time-against-russia-in-wwi-but-lost-against-the-ussr-in-wwii/914347)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2020, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-germany-had-an-easy-time-against-russia-in-wwi-but-lost-against-the-ussr-in-wwii/914347 "2020-07-12T22:04:31Z")
Germany wiped the floor with Russia in WWI but the USSR ended up getting into Berlin in WWII, how come? --- ## [In this instance, proud to be a Texan](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-instance-proud-to-be-a-texan/914827)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2020, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-instance-proud-to-be-a-texan/914827 "2020-07-12T19:18:07Z")
God knows, most of the time, one has to hang one’s head and apologize for being a Texan. But locally-based H-E-B Grocery company did us proud with its early response to COVID. …San Antonio-based H-E-B has been a stead… --- ## [The Green Berets have their first "G.I. Jane"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-green-berets-have-their-first-g-i-jane/914866)
**Author:** [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2020, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-green-berets-have-their-first-g-i-jane/914866 "2020-07-12T19:08:54Z")
https://time.com/5865083/woman-joins-green-beret-us-army/ For the first time, a female soldier has graduated from the Army’s elite Special Forces course and will join one of the all-male Green Beret teams, capping a ye… --- ## [RIP Ronnie and Donnie Galyon (world's oldest known conjoined twins)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-ronnie-and-donnie-galyon-worlds-oldest-known-conjoined-twins/914894)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2020, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-ronnie-and-donnie-galyon-worlds-oldest-known-conjoined-twins/914894 "2020-07-12T19:06:42Z")
They were mildly mentally disabled, and probably couldn’t have been separated with current technology without leaving both of them physically disabled. It sounds like they still managed to lead happy lives. --- ## [Population growth is good because it reduces inbreeding](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/population-growth-is-good-because-it-reduces-inbreeding/913331)
**Author:** [@Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Obama)\ **Replies:** 116\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2020, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/population-growth-is-good-because-it-reduces-inbreeding/913331 "2020-07-12T18:45:22Z")
Let’s take, for example, the inbreeding coefficient F for population size N Inbreeding reduces in proportion to N. Now, the deviation from hardy Weinberg equilibrium A, for alpha, is A = 1/ 2n-1 Therefore as populat… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1792) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1794)