# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=20&state=watching [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 21 --- ## [Help me decide on a medical alert device -- pendant or watch?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-decide-on-a-medical-alert-device-pendant-or-watch/1033194)
**Author:** [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2026, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-decide-on-a-medical-alert-device-pendant-or-watch/1033194 "2026-09-22T17:00:11Z")
There are several existing threads on medical alert devices but they’re old, and anyway my question here is more specific. I was strongly leaning toward the watch style, but I haven’t made a final decision yet. Both ty… --- ## [Ps love the cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ps-love-the-cat/1030316)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2026, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ps-love-the-cat/1030316 "2026-09-22T16:48:28Z")
Posts must be 6 lines only Each line is an ascending number of simple words You must express yourself in ALL CAPS The fourth line must be “PS LOVE THE CAT,” regardless of the subject matter Sestets can be nonsense: On… --- ## [What contributed the most to increased longevity--medicine or sanitation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-contributed-the-most-to-increased-longevity-medicine-or-sanitation/1033264)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2026, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-contributed-the-most-to-increased-longevity-medicine-or-sanitation/1033264 "2026-09-22T16:10:17Z")
Basically, what I am asking is whether clean water and sewage contributed more to increasing life span than advances in medicine. The latter includes, but is not limited to, antibiotics and vaccines. --- ## [I'm done with network news broadcasts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-done-with-network-news-broadcasts/1032717)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2026, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-done-with-network-news-broadcasts/1032717 "2026-09-22T15:28:24Z")
The network half-hour “news” broadcasts have become nothing more than clickbait headlines with almost zero content. I realize that a half hour is not enough time to go deep on all topics, but perhaps if they would stop d… --- ## [So Trump is meeting with Mamdani in NY today?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-trump-is-meeting-with-mamdani-in-ny-today/1033259)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2026, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-trump-is-meeting-with-mamdani-in-ny-today/1033259 "2026-09-22T13:43:51Z")
There is a live feed from Forbes on YouTube, but nothing is happening. Was this a planned event, or impromptu, and is there a program or is it ad lib? --- ## [I finally finished my screenplay!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-finished-my-screenplay/1033232)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2026, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-finished-my-screenplay/1033232 "2026-09-22T11:29:59Z")
I submitted my first screenplay to a nationwide competition, and I’m anxious to see how it does. I won’t know for a few months. The screenplay is called ‘No Way Home’ and it’s 98 pages long. If you’re interested in read… --- ## [Fucking plovers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-plovers/1033166)
**Author:** [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2026, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-plovers/1033166 "2026-09-22T06:27:20Z")
It’s breeding season here for the Masked Lapwing plovers, the fuckers. Now I am the first to admit that the chicks are THE most adorable wee critters ever, toddling around on the grass with their parents flying overhead… --- ## [Discuss/review the last song by the previous poster](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discuss-review-the-last-song-by-the-previous-poster/718179)
**Author:** [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Replies:** 392\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2026, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discuss-review-the-last-song-by-the-previous-poster/718179 "2026-09-22T04:55:46Z")
Not sure if this should go in the Thread Games forum or not, but similar threads have gone here, so here it is. Your reply can be as verbose, or as brief, as you want it to be. Then you get to link (Youtube preferred o… --- ## [Disenchantment: New Matt Groening animated series coming to Netflix](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disenchantment-new-matt-groening-animated-series-coming-to-netflix/792108)
**Author:** [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Replies:** 114\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2026, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disenchantment-new-matt-groening-animated-series-coming-to-netflix/792108 "2026-09-22T04:18:25Z")
It’ll be a “medieval animated adult fantasy” called Disenchantment. Damn, I don’t get Netflix. I might have to subscribe just for this, but I’ll wait for the first reviews. I remember being skeptical about Futurama wh… --- ## [The business of AI (mostly LLMs)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-business-of-ai-mostly-llms/1030556)
**Author:** [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2026, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-business-of-ai-mostly-llms/1030556 "2026-09-22T03:54:48Z")
I’ve been thinking a long while about starting this conversation, because though I follow news in this area pretty closely, it evolves so quickly that it’s hard for me to keep up (and I do try). To be clear, what I want… --- ## [AI image generation is getting crazy good](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-image-generation-is-getting-crazy-good/1017203)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 2040\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2026, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-image-generation-is-getting-crazy-good/1017203 "2026-09-22T02:41:53Z")
Today I’ve been exploring the understanding that ChatGPT 4o has of fictional characters, and I am blown away. The depth and detail of what it “understands” is almost scary, truly like something out of science fiction. Th… --- ## [Who is Charlie Kirk? Why is he important?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-charlie-kirk-why-is-he-important/1022971)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2026, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-charlie-kirk-why-is-he-important/1022971 "2026-09-22T02:20:06Z")
Ok–who is he? He has something vaguely to do with MAGA-youth? Who is this guy? --- ## [Pimento cheese](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pimento-cheese/1033247)
**Author:** [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2026, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pimento-cheese/1033247 "2026-09-22T01:00:13Z")
I love pimento cheese - More accurately, I love my pimento cheese. Any store bought always has too much mayo. Mrs Magill likes to spread it on sourdough pretzels. I’m happy with Ritz or Trisket crackers. I’d gotten m… --- ## [We need a "little gear" for AI news panic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-a-little-gear-for-ai-news-panic/1033199)
**Author:** [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2026, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-a-little-gear-for-ai-news-panic/1033199 "2026-09-22T00:28:05Z")
I get that AI is trending as the big scary technology right now. Sure, there are issues. But can everybody in the news just stop, take a deep breath, and fucking learn something about AI before panic-reporting the late… --- ## [Spinal Tap II: The End Continues](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spinal-tap-ii-the-end-continues/1021340)
**Author:** [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2026, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spinal-tap-ii-the-end-continues/1021340 "2026-09-22T00:27:57Z")
Spinal Tap II: The End Continues opens in theaters September 12, 2025 --- ## [Self driving cars are still decades away](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-driving-cars-are-still-decades-away/798499)
**Author:** [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Replies:** 3043\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2026, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-driving-cars-are-still-decades-away/798499 "2026-09-22T00:12:25Z")
Almost every major automaker plans on having an autonomous car on the market with the next 3-5 years. I don’t buy it. Despite Tesla’s brilliant marketing, lane keeping assists + adaptive cruise control does not make an… --- ## [What's the straight dope on getting other vaccines along with your flu shot?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-straight-dope-on-getting-other-vaccines-along-with-your-flu-shot/921191)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2026, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-straight-dope-on-getting-other-vaccines-along-with-your-flu-shot/921191 "2026-09-22T00:04:40Z")
I’m an ahem senior citizen, and I plan on getting my flu shot in the next couple of weeks. My doc also wants me to get a tetanus booster and a shingles vaccine. A friend is looking at tetanus and a pneumonia vaccine in a… --- ## ["Dated" lines in media](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dated-lines-in-media/787087)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2026, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dated-lines-in-media/787087 "2026-09-21T22:08:00Z")
A few days ago, all the mentions of the American Gods series made me reread the novel, and one line in particular caught my eye, where someone being offered a payment in gold coins complained, saying something like “do y… --- ## [What Board Games are you playing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-board-games-are-you-playing/927383)
**Author:** [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Replies:** 334\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2026, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-board-games-are-you-playing/927383 "2026-09-21T20:39:40Z")
I am sure this has been a topic before but I don’t think it has been brought up in a while. My wife introduced me to modern board games a few years ago (she had been playing for years) and since then we build up a nice c… --- ## [Resolved: Germany was the aggressor against France in WWI](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-germany-was-the-aggressor-against-france-in-wwi/1033000)
**Author:** [@DeadTreasSecretaries](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadTreasSecretaries)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2026, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-germany-was-the-aggressor-against-france-in-wwi/1033000 "2026-09-21T20:24:08Z")
Germany, France and Great Britain were signatories to a treaty guaranteeing Belgian neutrality. German war planners relied on a plan of invading both Belgium and France in the event of a war against France and Russia. T… --- ## [Have you noticed this political ad trend?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-noticed-this-political-ad-trend/1033238)
**Author:** [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2026, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-noticed-this-political-ad-trend/1033238 "2026-09-21T19:30:38Z")
Because I watch sports and don’t always watch shows that are streaming I’m still exposed to political ads on TV. Because of where I live I am seeing midterm ads for NJ, NY and sometimes Connecticut races. Because I’m see… --- ## [Netflix {bidding} to buy Warner Bros Discovery](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-bidding-to-buy-warner-bros-discovery/1025425)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2026, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-bidding-to-buy-warner-bros-discovery/1025425 "2026-09-21T18:27:31Z")
Netflix has put in the highest bid for Warner Bros Discovery, and is expected to buy the company, merging HBO Max with Netflix, for one thing. https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/05/media/netflix-deal-warner-bros --- ## [Soviet technology that was on par with, or better than it's Western counterpart](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soviet-technology-that-was-on-par-with-or-better-than-its-western-counterpart/1031816)
**Author:** [@spacecadet86](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spacecadet86)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2026, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soviet-technology-that-was-on-par-with-or-better-than-its-western-counterpart/1031816 "2026-09-21T17:49:30Z")
It is pretty much a given that the West did most things better than the USSR, but were there areas, or technologies where the Soviet Union was ahead? --- ## [Lost in the MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-in-the-mmp/1033251)
**Author:** [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2026, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-in-the-mmp/1033251 "2026-09-21T17:29:13Z")
Where did everyone wander off to? It’s nearly 10:30am Pacific time, and there is no new MMP yet. Is everyone OK? --- ## [Blue Prince - meandeirng thoughts and discussion while playing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-prince-meandeirng-thoughts-and-discussion-while-playing/1017003)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 118\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2026, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-prince-meandeirng-thoughts-and-discussion-while-playing/1017003 "2026-09-21T16:34:38Z")
I’m hesitant to post this because I don’t want any major spoilers, but at the same time I am betting more and more people will be playing this as its reviews are, I think, the best of any 2025 game yet. I’ve played abou… --- ## [Signs you may be in the ghetto...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-may-be-in-the-ghetto/673911)
**Author:** [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Replies:** 209\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2026, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-may-be-in-the-ghetto/673911 "2026-09-21T15:11:38Z")
A few observations I’ve made while exploring around my new neighborhood: You can buy alcohol in almost any store, no matter what else they sell. A free-standing department store, where there used to be an entire mall. … --- ## [Hypothetically, how long would it take go from Hong Kong to Galloway, Scotland with no money? (no passports, no travel card, basically undocumented)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetically-how-long-would-it-take-go-from-hong-kong-to-galloway-scotland-with-no-money-no-passports-no-travel-card-basically-undocumented/1033209)
**Author:** [@Xarrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xarrot)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2026, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetically-how-long-would-it-take-go-from-hong-kong-to-galloway-scotland-with-no-money-no-passports-no-travel-card-basically-undocumented/1033209 "2026-09-21T14:57:11Z")
It would also be possible to hitchhike on cars, swimming across the channel is also an option because it’s free. Asking in case I decide to do this --- ## [Pro Wrestling 10 List Thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-wrestling-10-list-thread/1001674)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 710\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2026, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-wrestling-10-list-thread/1001674 "2026-09-21T14:25:20Z")
Like the TV, Movie, and Music Playlist threads, a thread featuring lists of 10 things common to each person, place, or thing, as it relates to professional wrestling. I’ll start the thread with: Matches That Did Not Li… --- ## [Hakeem Jeffries as Speaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hakeem-jeffries-as-speaker/1033038)
**Author:** [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2026, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hakeem-jeffries-as-speaker/1033038 "2026-09-21T13:45:01Z")
Don’t want to jinx anything here… but assuming that Democrats take the House in November, how effective a Speaker would Jefferies be? There will be a lot of work to do to block Trump, investigate his crimes, and prevent… --- ## [Ask the guy who is pretty good at SF Story Identification](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-is-pretty-good-at-sf-story-identification/462417)
**Author:** [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Replies:** 2068\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2026, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-is-pretty-good-at-sf-story-identification/462417 "2026-09-21T13:16:19Z")
Hi there. It’s been just about 4 years since I signed onto the SDMB, but I’m back. A few weeks back I helped out in this thread Help me find this Science Fiction short story - Cafe Society - Straight Dope Message Board … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=19&state=watching) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=21&state=watching)