# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=186&state=tracking [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 187 --- ## [Blowing up boats off So. America - war crime or not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blowing-up-boats-off-so-america-war-crime-or-not/1024479)
**Author:** [@Fir\_na\_tine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fir_na_tine)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2025, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blowing-up-boats-off-so-america-war-crime-or-not/1024479 "2025-12-13T16:29:19Z")
I’ve read a few threads that vaguely explain the concept of “illegal orders” and that those orders should not be obeyed. I’ve read a few threads that imply the blowing up of boats without some justification (declaration… --- ## [Lewdle, like Wordle, but dirty! NSFW](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lewdle-like-wordle-but-dirty-nsfw/1025396)
**Author:** [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2025, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lewdle-like-wordle-but-dirty-nsfw/1025396 "2025-12-13T15:47:19Z")
Lewdle :eggplant::sweat\_droplets: 1416 3/6 :black\_large\_square::black\_large\_square::black\_large\_square::yellow\_square::black\_large\_square: :green\_square::black\_large\_square::yellow\_square::black\_large\_square:… --- ## [Security of encrypted messaging apps (e.g., WhatsApp, Signal)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/security-of-encrypted-messaging-apps-e-g-whatsapp-signal/1025622)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2025, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/security-of-encrypted-messaging-apps-e-g-whatsapp-signal/1025622 "2025-12-13T15:27:15Z")
These apps encrypt data for transmission. But how common is, really, it to attempt to intercept data in motion? Even if the messages were in plain text, how commonly has that occurred? All the hacking I’ve ever heard of … --- ## [Receiving political texts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/receiving-political-texts/1025636)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2025, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/receiving-political-texts/1025636 "2025-12-13T13:28:26Z")
I sent money to two political candidates and receive dozens of texts per day from candidates I never heard of in other states begging for money. The organization that intercedes with candidates and donors, ActBlue says t… --- ## [What makes a good university good?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-good-university-good/1025428)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2025, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-good-university-good/1025428 "2025-12-13T11:42:38Z")
I know there are some “famous” universities, like the Ivy Leagues and a few other ones. What is it about them that makes them better than others? Is it only their legacy and fame, or do they have measurably better pedago… --- ## [The Death of Bookstores](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-death-of-bookstores/1025614)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2025, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-death-of-bookstores/1025614 "2025-12-13T11:08:04Z")
It was pretty hard to miss the mass die-off of major bookstore chains, indie bookstores, and even used bookstores after about 2000. Even in Boston and Cambridge, the sudden disappearance of scads of the used bookshops th… --- ## [Sauropod dinosaurs may have been more colorful than we previously thought](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sauropod-dinosaurs-may-have-been-more-colorful-than-we-previously-thought/1025655)
**Author:** [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2025, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sauropod-dinosaurs-may-have-been-more-colorful-than-we-previously-thought/1025655 "2025-12-13T00:41:13Z")
I just watched a podcast interview with one of the scientists behind this study. They looked at diplodocus scales that were incredibly well preserved and they were able to identify a variety of melanosomes. They were o… --- ## [ID a TV episode about fantasy sports and desk poop](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-a-tv-episode-about-fantasy-sports-and-desk-poop/1025647)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2025, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-a-tv-episode-about-fantasy-sports-and-desk-poop/1025647 "2025-12-13T00:37:39Z")
This recently came to mind and has been driving me crazy trying to figure it out. I saw it within the last couple of years but it could be older. Somebody who screws up a lot is trying to make up to / bond with somebod… --- ## [Every blue eye from a single individual mutation? Really?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/every-blue-eye-from-a-single-individual-mutation-really/1025603)
**Author:** [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2025, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/every-blue-eye-from-a-single-individual-mutation-really/1025603 "2025-12-12T22:33:31Z")
I’m sure you’ve heard the assertion that everyone who has blue eyes is descended from the same person. Wouldn’t that mean that the mutation occurred only once in all of human history? How likely is that? Every blue-eyed… --- ## [John Lennon was murdered 45 years ago today](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-lennon-was-murdered-45-years-ago-today/1025527)
**Author:** [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2025, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-lennon-was-murdered-45-years-ago-today/1025527 "2025-12-12T22:28:15Z")
It doesn’t seem possible that it’s been so long. Like today, December 8th, 1980 was a Monday. I was 15 years old, and was watching Monday Night Football – like a lot of people, I learned about Lennon’s death from his u… --- ## [Control is one of the best games I've ever played](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/control-is-one-of-the-best-games-ive-ever-played/937616)
**Author:** [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Replies:** 112\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2025, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/control-is-one-of-the-best-games-ive-ever-played/937616 "2025-12-12T21:55:31Z")
I just finished the main story and I just had to gush about this game. The plot is like a really great X-Files or Fringe season, involving shady government bureaucracy and the paranormal. The graphics are incredible. I p… --- ## [What are these metal things on concrete benches](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-metal-things-on-concrete-benches/1025500)
**Author:** [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Replies:** 109\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2025, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-metal-things-on-concrete-benches/1025500 "2025-12-12T20:01:50Z")
In a number of places, I’ve seen concrete benches (or low walls that might be used as benches) with metal objects attached at intervals, like this: Sometimes they are decorative, sha… --- ## [Time Person of the Year 2025](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-person-of-the-year-2025/1025386)
**Author:** [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2025, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-person-of-the-year-2025/1025386 "2025-12-12T19:22:55Z")
I knew I forgot to do something this year, what with my move from San Francisco to Las Vegas…it’s time for my annual Time Person of the Year thread. I was about to claim that “nobody really stood out” - then I did a lit… --- ## [Sleep apnea - don't sleep on your back](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-apnea-dont-sleep-on-your-back/1018890)
**Author:** [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2025, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-apnea-dont-sleep-on-your-back/1018890 "2025-12-12T19:17:36Z")
Who knew?!? If you didn’t, then try not sleeping on your back. :rofl: I had a home sleep study done a dozen years ago or so. Diagnosed as mild apnea, got a CPAP, and no longer felt like I had permanent jet lag every aft… --- ## [Scanning large documents](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scanning-large-documents/1025055)
**Author:** [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2025, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scanning-large-documents/1025055 "2025-12-12T18:29:26Z")
I have a bunch of paper wiring diagrams for an old car I own. The size is 17 inches X 31 inches. I would like them scanned using a high-resolution scanner. Are there companies that do this? I have a regular scanner, an… --- ## [Is there a photographer in the house? (simple question about framing/cropping)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-photographer-in-the-house-simple-question-about-framing-cropping/1025170)
**Author:** [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2025, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-photographer-in-the-house-simple-question-about-framing-cropping/1025170 "2025-12-12T17:26:30Z")
Which is better (when using a DSLR): Should I take as wide a picture as possible (or reasonable) and then crop the picture to bring attention to the subject? -or- Frame the subject as well as possible when snapping t… --- ## [The Mandela effect on YOU](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mandela-effect-on-you/1024254)
**Author:** [@melaniethewitch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melaniethewitch)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2025, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mandela-effect-on-you/1024254 "2025-12-12T17:17:24Z")
What are some of the mandela effects that really confused you? I’ll go first! Monopoly man Monocle berenstein bears --- ## [How do you guys make a Minecraft texture pack?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-guys-make-a-minecraft-texture-pack/1025638)
**Author:** [@IMadeLem0nade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IMadeLem0nade)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2025, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-guys-make-a-minecraft-texture-pack/1025638 "2025-12-12T17:11:56Z")
okay, so i’ve been trying something for a while now, making a Minecraft texture pack. I don’t really know what i’m doing, and i’ve been using itsme64’s texture pack editor. I use MCPE, and I would like some tips for mak… --- ## [Words you mis-said](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-you-mis-said/1024059)
**Author:** [@melaniethewitch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melaniethewitch)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2025, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-you-mis-said/1024059 "2025-12-12T17:10:52Z")
What are some words you’ve accidently said? what did you actually mean? I’ll go first, Frain bog I mean Brain fog --- ## [Another pronunciation vexation - crudites](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-pronunciation-vexation-crudites/1025618)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2025, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-pronunciation-vexation-crudites/1025618 "2025-12-12T15:22:45Z")
Carrots and celery with a nice dip. Love em. Always been just veggies to me. But I do realize it is properly (smugly) called “crudites”. In 79 years I have never heard anyone pronounce crudites although I have puzzled ov… --- ## ["Hurricane" Huron (1996)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-huron-1996/1025589)
**Author:** [@whc.03grady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whc.03grady)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2025, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-huron-1996/1025589 "2025-12-12T14:39:24Z")
If ”Hurricane” Huron were plunked down in the middle of the western Caribbean or had somehow migrated there, would there be any reason not to say it was a hurricane rather than an extratropical cyclone? Didn’t it have al… --- ## [Legally permissible political dirty tricks that have not been openly tried yet](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legally-permissible-political-dirty-tricks-that-have-not-been-openly-tried-yet/1025581)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2025, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legally-permissible-political-dirty-tricks-that-have-not-been-openly-tried-yet/1025581 "2025-12-12T06:08:54Z")
Reporting came out today that the bid to run Jasmine Crockett for Texas Senate was partially astroturfed by Republicans But the Republican efforts didn’t stop there. In what the source dubbed an “AstroTurf recruitment … --- ## [Tell Me About Your Local Malls](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-local-malls/985901)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 132\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2025, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-local-malls/985901 "2025-12-12T04:57:13Z")
Buying over the Internet has replaced traditional stores to some degree. Malls doing badly is neither new, nor news (natch). I was reading some statistics today suggesting plenty of people rarely go there, which I unde… --- ## [Earliest Maharg](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-maharg/824037)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2025, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-maharg/824037 "2025-12-12T04:02:59Z")
Maharg is a surname. For example, a John Archibald Maharg (1872-1944) was a Saskatchewan politician. But it also is a backwards spelling of Graham. Apparently someone named Graham (which is the name of a Scottish clan) r… --- ## [British man fined £150 for spitting up leaf that flew into his mouth](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-man-fined-150-for-spitting-up-leaf-that-flew-into-his-mouth/1025631)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2025, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-man-fined-150-for-spitting-up-leaf-that-flew-into-his-mouth/1025631 "2025-12-12T02:56:21Z")
An elderly man in Skegness, England, was fined £250 (later reduced to £150 on appeal) back in February when a leaf blew into his mouth and he spit it out. They said he was committing an “environmental crime”. A bit he… --- ## [Would a single gunshot deflate a modern automobile tire?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-single-gunshot-deflate-a-modern-automobile-tire/1025534)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2025, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-single-gunshot-deflate-a-modern-automobile-tire/1025534 "2025-12-12T00:46:42Z")
I’m currently binge-watching for the second time the excellent British cop series “Inspector George Gently,” which is set in the 1960s. In today’s episode, the Inspector fires a single bullet into each front tire of the … --- ## [Are modern vehicle headlights adjustable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-modern-vehicle-headlights-adjustable/1025556)
**Author:** [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2025, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-modern-vehicle-headlights-adjustable/1025556 "2025-12-11T23:52:22Z")
Or, why does my driver’s side headlight look like it’s pointing off to the left? 2017 Toyota RAV4. Sometime back over the summer I noticed (when seeing a reflection of my front end in a window) that my left headlight wa… --- ## [ID this time signature for me](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-time-signature-for-me/1025602)
**Author:** [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2025, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-time-signature-for-me/1025602 "2025-12-11T23:26:24Z")
Further to Fly by Paul Simon. Main verse sounds like 3/4, 6/4, or 12/4 and then I can’t even clock what’s going on in the chorus. --- ## [Ghost dog? Ghost girl? Yeah, no](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ghost-dog-ghost-girl-yeah-no/1025628)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2025, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ghost-dog-ghost-girl-yeah-no/1025628 "2025-12-11T23:20:03Z")
In a fit of retail need, Ivy says she needs stuff. I grouse a bit. Look, we were shopping allover bigger town yesterday. I say “Why?” She says “coz, looky I have coupons!” Can I tell you how bad I hate Dollar General… --- ## [eBay sellers' tales](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-sellers-tales/1025571)
**Author:** [@3AxisCtrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3AxisCtrl)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2025, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-sellers-tales/1025571 "2025-12-11T21:53:50Z")
I sell stuff on eBay - not much, mostly books & stuff I have lying around that I no longer use. I’ve occasionally sold things for friends who don’t want to navigate the process. I take care that my listings are clear a… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=185&state=tracking) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=187&state=tracking)