# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1996 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1997 --- ## [Misogyny, victim-blaming, and the board culture (yet again)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogyny-victim-blaming-and-the-board-culture-yet-again/843504)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 395\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2020, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogyny-victim-blaming-and-the-board-culture-yet-again/843504 "2020-02-29T14:01:41Z")
I think the board has made positive progress over the last few years with regards to being a welcoming place for women and survivors of rape and sexual assault. Misogynistic comments are generally moderated when outside… --- ## [Caller ID - "Probably Fraud"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caller-id-probably-fraud/848676)
**Author:** [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2020, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caller-id-probably-fraud/848676 "2020-02-29T13:58:26Z")
This showed up on our caller ID when the phone rang last night. (Land line - AT&T U-verse) I noticed a month or two ago that some calls started showing up on our Verizon Wireless mobile phones as “Potential Spam”. So it… --- ## [Luxury items: worth more or less in wartime/famine/disaster?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/luxury-items-worth-more-or-less-in-wartime-famine-disaster/848692)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2020, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/luxury-items-worth-more-or-less-in-wartime-famine-disaster/848692 "2020-02-29T12:38:38Z")
Non-edible luxuries, that is: Historically, have things like designer clothing, Rolex watches, jewelry etc. generally gained value or lost value during wars or famines or hurricane etc.? You can’t eat them but I would … --- ## [Plumbing-savvy folk: A kitchen faucet question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-savvy-folk-a-kitchen-faucet-question/848530)
**Author:** [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2020, 9:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-savvy-folk-a-kitchen-faucet-question/848530 "2020-02-29T09:18:47Z")
The house we just bought has one of the arched kitchen faucets with the pull out sprayer head. The filters in the nozzle are clogged, and so the water flow is horrible for the regular setting, and almost too much on the … --- ## [Do you know what "Organic" means?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-what-organic-means/848606)
**Author:** [@Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Regallag_The_Axe)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2020, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-what-organic-means/848606 "2020-02-29T07:26:59Z")
I was wondering how many people actually know what that USDA certification actually means. Not having the resources to conduct a nation-wide poll, I’ll have to settle for a poll here. Of course if anyone has a link to a… --- ## [Corona virus: use of vaccine if reinfection is possible](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corona-virus-use-of-vaccine-if-reinfection-is-possible/848657)
**Author:** [@Isosleepy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isosleepy)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2020, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corona-virus-use-of-vaccine-if-reinfection-is-possible/848657 "2020-02-29T06:52:17Z")
I’ve read some potions show they have been reinfected with Corona19 If that’s the case, how does a vaccine work? --- ## [Are short lifespans inherently linked to domestication?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-short-lifespans-inherently-linked-to-domestication/848424)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2020, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-short-lifespans-inherently-linked-to-domestication/848424 "2020-02-29T06:49:09Z")
I was reading a comment about how sad it was that pets like cats and dogs have such a short lifespan in comparison to humans. But I thought about it and it occurred to me that this might be an inherent part of the proce… --- ## [Recommendation for water heater (tankless or not to tankless)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendation-for-water-heater-tankless-or-not-to-tankless/848636)
**Author:** [@Disheavel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disheavel)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2020, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendation-for-water-heater-tankless-or-not-to-tankless/848636 "2020-02-29T06:03:25Z")
I had many excellent recommendations in a recent thread for wall coverings for a cabin in the mountains that we are building. Here are a couple of pictures if anyone is interested: in the snow last week from the outside… --- ## [Could polar bears survive in Antarctica?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-polar-bears-survive-in-antarctica/848411)
**Author:** [@EmbarrassingDad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmbarrassingDad)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2020, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-polar-bears-survive-in-antarctica/848411 "2020-02-29T05:44:57Z")
If I took a few polar bears, say five, to Antarctica and turned them loose near a colony of Emperor Penguins, which population would survive? Could the bears change their hibernation for the Southern Hemisphere? Would … --- ## [Time for big cuts in the military? Could we start closing America's 800 military bases overseas?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-big-cuts-in-the-military-could-we-start-closing-americas-800-military-bases-overseas/848437)
**Author:** [@Razncain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Razncain)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2020, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-big-cuts-in-the-military-could-we-start-closing-americas-800-military-bases-overseas/848437 "2020-02-29T05:28:45Z")
From The Hill: This was a part of the cold war build up. Over 194 bases in Germany, 121 in Japan, and 83 in S. Korea. Wouldn’t a couple do in each? Or none, they are still our allies. Trump has raised the same concer… --- ## [Minecraft Story Mode on Netflix](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minecraft-story-mode-on-netflix/848661)
**Author:** [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2020, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minecraft-story-mode-on-netflix/848661 "2020-02-29T05:24:31Z")
I’m working from home today, kid-sitting my 5 y.o. grandson who is sick. He likes to watch a Minecraft cartoon on Netflix that has “story mode”, where it gives you story options that you can select with the remote. We ha… --- ## [George Takei's Facebook posting asked everyone to text him](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-takeis-facebook-posting-asked-everyone-to-text-him/848582)
**Author:** [@dan39](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dan39)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2020, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-takeis-facebook-posting-asked-everyone-to-text-him/848582 "2020-02-29T05:21:52Z")
I’m not sure how many of you are following George Takei on Facebook, but yesterday I received a text message from my cousin and she said George is asking people to text him. So I checked out his post, and it actually sa… --- ## [I have an opprotunity for e-learning](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-an-opprotunity-for-e-learning/580380)
**Author:** [@Arkcon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arkcon)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2011, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-an-opprotunity-for-e-learning/580380 "2011-05-03T15:32:07Z")
So I have a chance to take some courses from this company Metrix Learning (sponsored by state Dept of Labor, given that I’m unemployed and taking benefits) and I don’t know what to take. No course appears to be pertinen… --- ## [What is the world's best hot air balloon ride?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worlds-best-hot-air-balloon-ride/848671)
**Author:** [@jebert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jebert)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2020, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worlds-best-hot-air-balloon-ride/848671 "2020-02-29T04:16:47Z")
There are many iconic places that offer hot air balloon rides over natural, historic or other sites. If one were to take only one hot air balloon ride, where in the world should it be? I don’t want to poison the well b… --- ## [Medicare for All: What to be done to reduce fraud?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicare-for-all-what-to-be-done-to-reduce-fraud/848559)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2020, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicare-for-all-what-to-be-done-to-reduce-fraud/848559 "2020-02-29T03:33:05Z")
\*(Thread meant to be a debate about only one specific aspect of Medicare-for-All: fraud - not a broader discussion of Medicare or healthcare in general) \* Around a decade ago, CBS reported that Medicare was averaging $… --- ## [If existence unfolds and no one is around to perceive it, does time exist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-existence-unfolds-and-no-one-is-around-to-perceive-it-does-time-exist/848364)
**Author:** [@PlaceboTarget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlaceboTarget)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2020, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-existence-unfolds-and-no-one-is-around-to-perceive-it-does-time-exist/848364 "2020-02-29T03:24:34Z")
My answer is no. I have been inspired to ask the question by this thread. The OP wonders how time travel would actually work and at first my knee-jerk reaction was to reply it wouldn’t. I immediately decided not to repl… --- ## [Quirky hobbies/pastimes which you suspect only you partake in](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quirky-hobbies-pastimes-which-you-suspect-only-you-partake-in/726278)
**Author:** [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2020, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quirky-hobbies-pastimes-which-you-suspect-only-you-partake-in/726278 "2020-02-29T02:33:28Z")
Such that, if even a fellow Doper were to say that he or she did it too, you’d be surprised. We Dopers of course are a sufficiently odd slice of society so that you probably wouldn’t be able to put anything over us, but … --- ## [What am I getting in to, refurbishing an old tiller?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-am-i-getting-in-to-refurbishing-an-old-tiller/847601)
**Author:** [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2020, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-am-i-getting-in-to-refurbishing-an-old-tiller/847601 "2020-02-29T01:42:27Z")
A couple years ago I salvaged an old tiller with a ‘free’ sign on it from someone’s driveway. I didn’t need a tiller at the time necessarily, but I thought it might be fun to mess with at some point in the future. It di… --- ## [Update on my sons](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/update-on-my-sons/848303)
**Author:** [@Declanium](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Declanium)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2020, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/update-on-my-sons/848303 "2020-02-29T01:41:14Z")
Hello all. I’m back with an update. As you may remember, I am the bad mom with the two teen boys (15 and 17) who were smoking and vaping weed last year. Family therapy. Long talks. The 17 year old has turned around, I… --- ## [Top 3 favorite horror movies of all time?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-3-favorite-horror-movies-of-all-time/842302)
**Author:** [@Dr.Colossus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Colossus)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2020, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-3-favorite-horror-movies-of-all-time/842302 "2020-02-28T23:23:09Z")
I’m in that Halloween mood. I love horror movies but you know, not that many of them are actually good. I think the best one is: 1982’s The Thing. I really liked The VVitch… And as far as re-watchability, I’d have t… --- ## [Tracing phone calls](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tracing-phone-calls/848552)
**Author:** [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2020, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tracing-phone-calls/848552 "2020-02-28T22:35:04Z")
There’s this tv trope where the police try to track the origins of a kidnappers phone call, but this tracking operation requires time so they try to keep the kidnappers on the phone as long as possible to successfully co… --- ## [Birchmere vs Ram's Head and Jiffy Lube Live vs Merriweather Post Pavilion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birchmere-vs-rams-head-and-jiffy-lube-live-vs-merriweather-post-pavilion/848654)
**Author:** [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2020, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birchmere-vs-rams-head-and-jiffy-lube-live-vs-merriweather-post-pavilion/848654 "2020-02-28T22:28:55Z")
I hope there’s someone in the know about this. When I lived on Long island I’d look at tour itineraries of bands I like and they’d invariably play in the DC/VA/MD area at both the Birchmere (Alexandria, VA) and the Ram’… --- ## [How Come the Ancient Greeks Never Invented the Arch?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-the-ancient-greeks-never-invented-the-arch/499776)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2020, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-the-ancient-greeks-never-invented-the-arch/499776 "2020-02-28T21:55:23Z")
For all their science, the Greeks never advanced beyond the column and lintel-which meant that even the elegant Greek temples were of primative design-and they needed columns everywhere. The Romans invented the arch-this… --- ## [Murder Ballads](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/murder-ballads/848471)
**Author:** [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2020, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/murder-ballads/848471 "2020-02-28T21:45:41Z")
So, there is a sub-genre of ballads dedicated to murdering a lover. From traditional songs like “Banks of the Ohio” to blues/rockers like “Hey Joe” or “Down By The River”. With that in mind, are they really singing “Like… --- ## [Brace yourself](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brace-yourself/848563)
**Author:** [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2020, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brace-yourself/848563 "2020-02-28T21:16:35Z")
I’ve got a pad of paper and a pen right here, and I’m going to divide the next number I see by zero. Yes. I’m doing math in pen. This is going to be so irreversible! --- ## [So, the cops knock at my door](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-cops-knock-at-my-door/848548)
**Author:** [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2020, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-cops-knock-at-my-door/848548 "2020-02-28T20:22:51Z")
It’s 7pm, I’m decked out in jammies (cuz that’s how I roll) watching My Name is Earl with the Mrs and Kid Cheesesteak, when the doorbell rings. It’s the police, doing a welfare check on my next door neighbor, a 33 year … --- ## [1800(?)s Insult](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1800-s-insult/848197)
**Author:** [@skdo23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skdo23)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2020, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1800-s-insult/848197 "2020-02-28T20:12:25Z")
I hope I’m posting in the right forum. I seem to remember someone posting to a thread I was reading a few months ago about some type of social interaction from the 1800s where you would look directly at someone but other… --- ## [What muscle is used in sit-ups (not the abs)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-muscle-is-used-in-sit-ups-not-the-abs/848675)
**Author:** [@jebert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jebert)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2020, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-muscle-is-used-in-sit-ups-not-the-abs/848675 "2020-02-28T20:08:38Z")
From what I’ve heard, the old-fashioned sit-up, the kind where someone holds your feet down and you raise your whole truck, doesn’t exercise the abs so much as some muscle or muscles in the upper leg. What muscles are t… --- ## [A Newish Scam](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-newish-scam/848674)
**Author:** [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2020, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-newish-scam/848674 "2020-02-28T19:53:56Z")
Just new because of the time they called. At 2 am we got woken up by a phone call, supposedly from my bank’s security office, saying our card had been compromised by a purchase in China, that they were blocking it, and … --- ## [Parking Ticket: Would you contest this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parking-ticket-would-you-contest-this/848589)
**Author:** [@carlb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlb)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2020, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parking-ticket-would-you-contest-this/848589 "2020-02-28T19:52:05Z")
I parked on a city street in Miami last night, and used the “Park By Phone” app to pay for my parking (3 hours, beginning about 6:25pm). When I got out of my class I found a parking ticket on my windshield (with a time s… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1995) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1997)