# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1873 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1874 --- ## [Barry on HBO](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barry-on-hbo/820723)
**Author:** [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2020, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barry-on-hbo/820723 "2020-05-17T21:46:47Z")
Anyone else watch this series? It stars Bill Hader (with strong supporting performances by Stephen Root and Henry Winkler) as a hit man who starts going to acting class. I just got finished watching season 1 and, uh, ho… --- ## [Any photographers here? Looking for a modern, compact ultrawide.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-photographers-here-looking-for-a-modern-compact-ultrawide/853770)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2020, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-photographers-here-looking-for-a-modern-compact-ultrawide/853770 "2020-05-17T21:03:45Z")
In a past life, I used to love amateur photography and mostly shot with a DSLR and a 11-16mm f/2.8 ultra-wide lens. I loved how the photos looked, but the setup was huge and bulky, necessitating a chest carrier for longe… --- ## [If we don't support this type of thread for women, why is this thread ok?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-we-dont-support-this-type-of-thread-for-women-why-is-this-thread-ok/853745)
**Author:** [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2020, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-we-dont-support-this-type-of-thread-for-women-why-is-this-thread-ok/853745 "2020-05-17T20:36:05Z")
We’ve been working hard to reduce misogyny at the Dope, and have made a lot of progress. Thank you everyone. I saw this thread about good-looking male celebrities, and I wondered, if we don’t allow (or at least we disco… --- ## [Can any inferences about community spread be drawn from death clusters in congregate settings?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-any-inferences-about-community-spread-be-drawn-from-death-clusters-in-congregate-settings/853992)
**Author:** [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2020, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-any-inferences-about-community-spread-be-drawn-from-death-clusters-in-congregate-settings/853992 "2020-05-17T19:08:59Z")
I’ve been wondering something for a couple of weeks… Here in New Hampshire 80% of the Covid-19 deaths have been of people in nursing homes. Despite the extended stay-at-home order, deaths keep occurring, but they also ar… --- ## [Sorry, this is ANOTHER time travel question...........](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-this-is-another-time-travel-question/2755)
**Author:** [@Sonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sonic)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2020, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-this-is-another-time-travel-question/2755 "2020-05-17T19:05:38Z")
I hope this isn’t too much like all the other questions on here about time travel, but here goes- Ok, I heard that if it was possible to travel back in time, you would go be in the 4th dimension (which, they say is time… --- ## [Tell me about your experience with the VA as a home seller](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-experience-with-the-va-as-a-home-seller/853981)
**Author:** [@jebert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jebert)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2020, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-experience-with-the-va-as-a-home-seller/853981 "2020-05-17T18:18:35Z")
We are selling our house and so far have received 3 bids based on VA financing. I seem to remember hearing horror stories about the extra rigmarole involved as the seller in dealing with VA home loan. What has been you… --- ## [Nostaligia trip: rediscovering things from your childhood](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nostaligia-trip-rediscovering-things-from-your-childhood/853507)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2020, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nostaligia-trip-rediscovering-things-from-your-childhood/853507 "2020-05-17T17:34:05Z")
For example, there was a book about dinosaurs that I (well ok, technically my sister) had as a child that I had long since forgotten what it was titled. When I tried to look it up recently a random search for dinosaur bo… --- ## [Survivor Season 40: Winners at War](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-season-40-winners-at-war/847829)
**Author:** [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Replies:** 408\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2020, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-season-40-winners-at-war/847829 "2020-05-17T16:56:07Z")
The new season of Survivor premieres tonight. 20 previous winners returning for a new season for $2 millon prize. Honestly, I’m a little ambivalent about watching. I’m still disgusted from what happened last season, and… --- ## [Spanish (Spain) language question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spanish-spain-language-question/853877)
**Author:** [@Greg\_Charles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greg_Charles)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2020, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spanish-spain-language-question/853877 "2020-05-17T16:35:14Z")
A Spanish guitarist I follow on YouTube posted: I know what it means, because she provided an English translation, “and compositions I’m creating to show you in a near future”. I’m curious though about os. With Google’… --- ## [Vapour lock, or electrical?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vapour-lock-or-electrical/845973)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2020, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vapour-lock-or-electrical/845973 "2020-05-17T16:14:56Z")
I posted this in another thread, but I’m starting a new thread to get your opinions. What do you think? Vapour lock, or is it the coil or electronic ignition module? --- ## [Whatever Happened to Ming the Merciless? (Flash Gordon Comic Strip)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatever-happened-to-ming-the-merciless-flash-gordon-comic-strip/853058)
**Author:** [@Levolor\_the\_Blind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Levolor_the_Blind)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2020, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatever-happened-to-ming-the-merciless-flash-gordon-comic-strip/853058 "2020-05-17T16:08:36Z")
I’ve researching Ming the Merciless ahead of using him in a tabletop RPG but the last reference to him online is " Flash arrives at Bravor’s headquarters and quickly overpowers Ming" whereupon Flash, Dale, and Zarkhov re… --- ## [Do pets tend to be good judges of character?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-pets-tend-to-be-good-judges-of-character/853870)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2020, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-pets-tend-to-be-good-judges-of-character/853870 "2020-05-17T16:07:12Z")
It might be confirmation bias but have you noticed that pets tend to respond more positively to some people than others? If so, for what possible reasons? --- ## [Use a coaster, dammit!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-a-coaster-dammit/853881)
**Author:** [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2020, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-a-coaster-dammit/853881 "2020-05-17T15:13:09Z")
I just know all you Dopers are civilized people and would never set a glass down on a piece of furniture without a coaster. Because I’m nosy and bored… What are the coasters you use around your domicile? A quick check … --- ## [On the use of blood doping in old people](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-use-of-blood-doping-in-old-people/853971)
**Author:** [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2020, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-use-of-blood-doping-in-old-people/853971 "2020-05-17T14:27:57Z")
My mother is old, and not currently dying, but clearly dying in the non-current sense. But damn, she perked up when they gave her EPO (after radiation and chemotherapy). I know that EPO can kill you, but I think she’d … --- ## [Nikon Lens manual in 20 languages](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nikon-lens-manual-in-20-languages/853978)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2020, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nikon-lens-manual-in-20-languages/853978 "2020-05-17T14:24:53Z")
Anyone have a manual in more than 20 languages? Normally I see up to 5 languages. English, French, Spanish, German, Japanese. --- ## [Is Biden Accuser a Putin Lover (Among Other Things)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-accuser-a-putin-lover-among-other-things/853976)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2020, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-accuser-a-putin-lover-among-other-things/853976 "2020-05-17T14:17:33Z")
First of all, I have to tell you, I did give Bodem accuser Tara Reade the benefit of the doubt at first. And really, Joe Biden wouldn’t have been my first choice for Democratic presidential nominee, like many people, for… --- ## [Gaps in eyebrows - natural or self-inflicted.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gaps-in-eyebrows-natural-or-self-inflicted/143687)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2020, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gaps-in-eyebrows-natural-or-self-inflicted/143687 "2020-05-17T13:54:03Z")
I’ve seen a few examples of this in young male media stars; a small gap in one of the eyebrows; Brad Pitt has it in Fight Club, I’ve seen it on Robbie Williams in one of his videos, but in others pictures of the two men,… --- ## [More LOTR questions!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-lotr-questions/828442)
**Author:** [@Cuckoorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cuckoorex)\ **Replies:** 158\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2020, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-lotr-questions/828442 "2020-05-17T13:39:53Z")
I’m going by the movies, extended versions: Are elvish bows enchanted, or just really well crafted? Legolas gets a new white bow from Galadriel, is that one enchanted in some way? For that matter, what enchantments… --- ## [Closed dining and the picnic table solution](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/closed-dining-and-the-picnic-table-solution/853145)
**Author:** [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2020, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/closed-dining-and-the-picnic-table-solution/853145 "2020-05-17T12:35:41Z")
There is a local brewery near where I live and they sell appetizers and beer. Since Covid they closed their indoor tasting area and now serve growlers and the like out of a drive thru window kinda deal. Near the window… --- ## [I dreamed of Armageddon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dreamed-of-armageddon/853928)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2020, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dreamed-of-armageddon/853928 "2020-05-17T05:59:44Z")
It involved tsunamis and giant holes opening in the earth, swallowing us all up. I woke up as a giant wave was about to engulf my wife and me. Never had a nightmare like that before. I’m also sleeping 10 hours a day. I t… --- ## [Dear Bernie supporters](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-bernie-supporters/853676)
**Author:** [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2020, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-bernie-supporters/853676 "2020-05-17T05:21:17Z")
I know there is some talk about Biden withdrawing. It seems this has filled some of you with glee, and you are starting up the attacks on Biden again. Well, I understand. Hope springs eternal. First of all, the chance… --- ## [USPS - correctly delivered but misaddressed mail](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usps-correctly-delivered-but-misaddressed-mail/853865)
**Author:** [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2020, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usps-correctly-delivered-but-misaddressed-mail/853865 "2020-05-17T04:52:01Z")
So I was killing time this morning by hanging out on NextDoor.com which, for those unfamiliar, is a Facebook-style social network, but designed around local areas and neighborhoods. It has its fair share of cranks and lo… --- ## [Hypothetical (Future) Ethical Question...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-future-ethical-question/853845)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2020, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-future-ethical-question/853845 "2020-05-17T04:34:16Z")
I guess I can tell you all, that this question is partly inspired by the Star Trek: TNG episode Hollow Pursuits. If you’ll remember, Barclay was recreating actual crew members in the holodeck. Commander Riker said crewm… --- ## [The Banning of Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-banning-of-shodan/853763)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 425\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2020, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-banning-of-shodan/853763 "2020-05-17T04:06:29Z")
Since it has been 8 months since the suspension and since the suspension was only for a week, banning is harsh. A one month suspension would be more appropriate. --- ## [How did people find old friends and acquaintances before social media?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-people-find-old-friends-and-acquaintances-before-social-media/853692)
**Author:** [@Lancia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancia)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2020, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-people-find-old-friends-and-acquaintances-before-social-media/853692 "2020-05-17T03:35:05Z")
I was pondering how ubiquitous social media is today and how easy it is to find someone with a quick search of Facebook or Instagram. This got me thinking about how people used to do what social media allows us to do so … --- ## [Great US Composers Not Black or Jewish?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-us-composers-not-black-or-jewish/16784)
**Author:** [@GatewayDrug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GatewayDrug)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2020, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-us-composers-not-black-or-jewish/16784 "2020-05-17T02:10:54Z")
Are there any great 20th century American composers not Black or Jewish? Submitted for your approval: Jews Irving Berlin George Gershwin Aaron Copland Jerome Kern Richard Rogers (+Hart +Hammerstein) Frank Loesser … --- ## [Give me your tired, your gourds (recipes)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-your-tired-your-gourds-recipes/853794)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2020, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-your-tired-your-gourds-recipes/853794 "2020-05-17T02:07:41Z")
I picked up a bag you-get-what-you-get of veggies from a CSA and it has, among lots of lovely things which I enjoy, quite a few squashes and gourds. I have: A bunch of adorably tiny eggplants. Several zucchini. A big… --- ## [Lockdown fires now a thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lockdown-fires-now-a-thing/853792)
**Author:** [@Turble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turble)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2020, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lockdown-fires-now-a-thing/853792 "2020-05-17T02:00:38Z")
Anybody hearing stories of locked down local businesses burning? There have been three around here in the past few days – usually go years without hearing about one. --- ## [Google Sheets (Excel): Overwriting value in cell with formula](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-sheets-excel-overwriting-value-in-cell-with-formula/853936)
**Author:** [@yearofglad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yearofglad)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2020, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-sheets-excel-overwriting-value-in-cell-with-formula/853936 "2020-05-17T01:48:13Z")
Quick explanation: I’m conducting a quiz night on Twitch. Players are submitting answers through Google Forms, which are imported into Google Sheets and automatically checked against the correct answer using this formul… --- ## [New Amazon show Tales from the Loop](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-amazon-show-tales-from-the-loop/851074)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2020, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-amazon-show-tales-from-the-loop/851074 "2020-05-17T00:39:32Z")
Somehow it’s based on paintings. Episode 1 was average, might try #2. It’s Sci Fi, more info here . [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1872) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1874)