# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1890 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1891 --- ## [There must be other alternatives to farmers slaughtering livestock, right?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-must-be-other-alternatives-to-farmers-slaughtering-livestock-right/853111)
**Author:** [@russian\_heel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/russian_heel)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2020, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-must-be-other-alternatives-to-farmers-slaughtering-livestock-right/853111 "2020-05-06T14:39:00Z")
Allegedly, farmers are being forced to liquidate pigs cows and chickens because of lack of demand because of C19. Is there any we can allow these animals to just wander federal open lands and at least give them a chance… --- ## [Did Using The Word "Trend" As A Verb Exist Before The Internet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-using-the-word-trend-as-a-verb-exist-before-the-internet/853196)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2020, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-using-the-word-trend-as-a-verb-exist-before-the-internet/853196 "2020-05-06T14:19:45Z")
This hashtag or that hashtag is trending on Twitter. This hot model from Ypsilanti is trending on Instagram. Trump’s latest chicanery is trending on Google. Is this usage an internet thing? Or does it predate the 'net? --- ## [Are Chinese Covid Numbers Believable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-chinese-covid-numbers-believable/852975)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2020, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-chinese-covid-numbers-believable/852975 "2020-05-06T14:13:30Z")
There are so many rumors. But the Chinese are claiming fewer than 5,000 dead. That does not possibly seem right. While the Chinese have a strong government that maintained very tough measures, that government is also pe… --- ## [guitar strings, alloys and truth in advertising.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-strings-alloys-and-truth-in-advertising/853191)
**Author:** [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2020, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-strings-alloys-and-truth-in-advertising/853191 "2020-05-06T13:50:22Z")
OK, a little background - standard steel acoustic guitar strings have the lower 4 strings “wound”, that is, the string is a steel core with a wire wrap around the string rather than a really heavy gauge solid steel strin… --- ## [Amazon, Walmart, Target strike](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-walmart-target-strike/852954)
**Author:** [@Manwich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manwich)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2020, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-walmart-target-strike/852954 "2020-05-06T12:43:49Z")
US people, workers are striking over generally shitty working conditions but Covid bullshit in particular. Remember that if you cross a picket line you’re a fucking scab Solidarity to all workers at this particularly t… --- ## [The Smithsonian](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-smithsonian/852984)
**Author:** [@Jim\_Taggart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_Taggart)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2020, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-smithsonian/852984 "2020-05-06T11:32:23Z")
Ever been to the Smithsonian ? Favorite exhibits ? Was there once and would like to go back. My most memorable: Archie Bunkers chair The Mash sign Judy Garland’s shoes from the Wizard of Oz George Washington’s unif… --- ## [Can we trade leaders with Britton?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-trade-leaders-with-britton/852729)
**Author:** [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Winston_OBoogie)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2020, 10:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-trade-leaders-with-britton/852729 "2020-05-06T10:17:20Z")
I never thought I’d say this, but Boris Johnson sounds reasonable! Blurb in today’s Chicago Tribune had the headline “Recovering Johnson urges UK to remain patient in virus fight”, and included Johnson saying What a r… --- ## [Do real entomologists ever use a freezer to put insects to sleep, or was it just me?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-real-entomologists-ever-use-a-freezer-to-put-insects-to-sleep-or-was-it-just-me/853080)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2020, 9:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-real-entomologists-ever-use-a-freezer-to-put-insects-to-sleep-or-was-it-just-me/853080 "2020-05-06T09:28:36Z")
Back in my teenaged amateur-entomologist days, I would use the freezer as a way of putting dangerous bugs to hypothermic sleep (captured hornets or wasps, for instance). Didn’t matter how aggressive the bug was; just put… --- ## [How many different vaccines can be combined into one injection?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-different-vaccines-can-be-combined-into-one-injection/853126)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2020, 9:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-different-vaccines-can-be-combined-into-one-injection/853126 "2020-05-06T09:22:06Z")
Common vaccine shots include the MMR (measles + mumps + rubella) and TdaP (tetanus + diphtheria + pertussis,) which demonstrate that some vaccines can be combined into one big mixture. What prevents a lot of shots being… --- ## [Relative Risk of Various Activities?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relative-risk-of-various-activities/853088)
**Author:** [@Mdcastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mdcastle)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2020, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relative-risk-of-various-activities/853088 "2020-05-06T08:26:02Z")
I know there’s a lot we don’t know, but on a scale of 1-10, where one is never leaving your basement or contacting another human with fresh air drawn in through a HEPA filter, and 10 being inhaling deeply while being cou… --- ## [Looking for a good Android App similar to Windows Word Pad.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-good-android-app-similar-to-windows-word-pad/853253)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2020, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-good-android-app-similar-to-windows-word-pad/853253 "2020-05-06T06:53:11Z")
I’ve used Windows Word Pad for over 20 years. It’s easy to use and provides the basic features I need. Great little program for memos or email. desired features Font size, Text Formatting (underline, bold, italics, col… --- ## [Unusual guitar/bass equipment from well known guitarists/bassists?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unusual-guitar-bass-equipment-from-well-known-guitarists-bassists/852971)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2020, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unusual-guitar-bass-equipment-from-well-known-guitarists-bassists/852971 "2020-05-06T06:09:45Z")
I will start off with : Brian May of Queen uses a coin as a guitar pick. He thinks plastic picks are too flexible. --- ## [Creating a new virus](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creating-a-new-virus/853131)
**Author:** [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2020, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creating-a-new-virus/853131 "2020-05-06T03:56:41Z")
Although this is obviously on my mind because of the current situation this is more of a broad question rather than a corona virus question. That’s why it’s here in GQ. I read The Stand. I’ve seen other movies about man… --- ## [How do I change my Kindle files to another format?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-change-my-kindle-files-to-another-format/853146)
**Author:** [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2020, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-change-my-kindle-files-to-another-format/853146 "2020-05-06T03:46:36Z")
I have thousands of Kindle files. I would also like to reduce my dependence on Amazon, and, if possible, support other retailers. Does anyone know of a good way to reformat thousands of files? I know how to do them indi… --- ## [Contact Tracing apps](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/contact-tracing-apps/852912)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2020, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/contact-tracing-apps/852912 "2020-05-06T03:43:54Z")
States are rushing to hire people to become contact tracers, medical professionals that can assist individuals that test positive to identify all of the people they have been in contact with over the past 14 days. This … --- ## [Why is the COVID CFR in the GCC states so far below that of New York?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-covid-cfr-in-the-gcc-states-so-far-below-that-of-new-york/852968)
**Author:** [@Chief\_Pedant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chief_Pedant)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2020, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-covid-cfr-in-the-gcc-states-so-far-below-that-of-new-york/852968 "2020-05-06T03:25:02Z")
GCC states = Kuwait, Bahrain, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar Cumulatively, about 40,000 cases; Case fatality rate something around 0.5% New York, about 300,000 cases; Case fatality rate about 7.5% Seems like there are… --- ## [Botticelli - April 2020](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/botticelli-april-2020/851723)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 144\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2020, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/botticelli-april-2020/851723 "2020-05-06T03:15:08Z")
Last month’s thread: https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=891165 Our new letter is F Bring it! --- ## [What does a souvenir penny machine cost?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-souvenir-penny-machine-cost/852910)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2020, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-souvenir-penny-machine-cost/852910 "2020-05-06T02:21:48Z")
If I wanted to purchase a souvenir penny machine to raise funds for a non-profit organization, what would it cost? I have been to a number of websites that sell them but they refuse to disclose the price online, asking … --- ## [How long do bottles of pesticides / herbicides last?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-bottles-of-pesticides-herbicides-last/853183)
**Author:** [@Mdcastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mdcastle)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2020, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-bottles-of-pesticides-herbicides-last/853183 "2020-05-06T02:20:00Z")
As I clean the house and garage I keep turning up things like Roundup, Weed-B-Gone, Preen, wasp spray, and the like. Some of these might have been sitting there for decades. Is this stuff still good or should I dispose o… --- ## [Kent State/Jackson State Massacres; Fifty Years Ago](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kent-state-jackson-state-massacres-fifty-years-ago/853052)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2020, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kent-state-jackson-state-massacres-fifty-years-ago/853052 "2020-05-06T01:38:36Z")
On 4 May, Kent State will be fifty years ago. I note the first news story that brought to my attention was a good article from AARP. I was twelve years old. I remember when I heard the news. --- ## [Better Call Saul season 5 (spoilers)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-season-5-spoilers/848428)
**Author:** [@Garak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Garak)\ **Replies:** 583\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2020, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-season-5-spoilers/848428 "2020-05-06T00:25:31Z")
So what I am wondering is why is Gene so scared of the police. Can they get him on anything or does he still have attorney client privilege with his dead client Walt? --- ## [CDC Document Seems to Project Half a Million Deaths From COVID-19](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cdc-document-seems-to-project-half-a-million-deaths-from-covid-19/853136)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2020, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cdc-document-seems-to-project-half-a-million-deaths-from-covid-19/853136 "2020-05-06T00:25:20Z")
Who’s to say how accurate this is? Let’s hope it’s not. CDC Seems to Project Half a Million Deaths From COVID-19 – Mother Jones --- ## [Rent strike in the USA](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rent-strike-in-the-usa/852981)
**Author:** [@Manwich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manwich)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2020, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rent-strike-in-the-usa/852981 "2020-05-05T23:34:39Z")
Debate: I take the position that now is a good time for workers to show how much they have to sacrifice in normal circumstances. Is now a bad time for workers to seek more control? Or should they allow capital to main… --- ## [Terrible characters from great shows.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrible-characters-from-great-shows/852614)
**Author:** [@CastletonSnob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CastletonSnob)\ **Replies:** 112\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2020, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrible-characters-from-great-shows/852614 "2020-05-05T23:28:36Z")
A follow-up to my “Terrible episodes of great shows” thread. Even great shows can have characters that bring the rest of the show down, whether it’s because of the character’s actions, the character’s actor/actress, or … --- ## [Finding your way on the sky with a telescope](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-your-way-on-the-sky-with-a-telescope/852712)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2020, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-your-way-on-the-sky-with-a-telescope/852712 "2020-05-05T23:11:50Z")
I recently bought a telescope on an equatorial mount. I’m having a lot of fun with it, but so far I’ve been observing mostly things that can be seen with the naked eye and therefore be found very easily with an optical f… --- ## [Why am I getting ads for...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-getting-ads-for/852136)
**Author:** [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2020, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-getting-ads-for/852136 "2020-05-05T23:04:07Z")
So, lately, I’ve been getting a lot of one particular ad. It’s an ad for a company that sells… airplanes. Because that’s totally the sort of thing you put ads for online, to try to lure in some of those impulse airpla… --- ## [New Star Wars director named](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-star-wars-director-named/853143)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2020, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-star-wars-director-named/853143 "2020-05-05T22:21:33Z")
His movie JoJo Rabbit was terrible but I guess Disney must have liked it. --- ## [Most blasphemous network TV sitcom/show?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-blasphemous-network-tv-sitcom-show/852992)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2020, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-blasphemous-network-tv-sitcom-show/852992 "2020-05-05T22:20:49Z")
I’m currently binging Community, which originally aired on NBC. The show has one openly christian character. While she is treated respectfully, her beliefs are pretty consistently mocked. Other main characters include… --- ## [Terrible episodes of great shows.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrible-episodes-of-great-shows/848934)
**Author:** [@CastletonSnob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CastletonSnob)\ **Replies:** 148\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2020, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrible-episodes-of-great-shows/848934 "2020-05-05T21:50:33Z")
Just about every long-running or critically acclaimed show has at least one major stinker in its run. It’s just inevitable when you have so many episodes, some of them are gonna be duds. Sometimes, these episodes can be … --- ## [Passover recipe that's delicious enough for year-round](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passover-recipe-thats-delicious-enough-for-year-round/853230)
**Author:** [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2020, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passover-recipe-thats-delicious-enough-for-year-round/853230 "2020-05-05T21:42:58Z")
I’ve been meaning to share this with you guys since about, well, Passover, but I was too lazy to type it up until now. The original recipe was for cheese-and-potato blintzes, but my mother tried adapting it for meat mea… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1889) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1891)