# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=2000 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 2001 --- ## [Does Europe need NEED (Northern European Enclosure Dam)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-europe-need-need-northern-european-enclosure-dam/848396)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2020, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-europe-need-need-northern-european-enclosure-dam/848396 "2020-02-26T13:08:06Z")
A proposal to dam the North Sea and English Channel to cut northern Europe off from the Atlantic and avoid the consequences of sea level rise. They claim it’ll be cheaper than any other way to adapt to global warming. We… --- ## [Does Pelosi have an October Surpise in the works?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pelosi-have-an-october-surpise-in-the-works/848453)
**Author:** [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2020, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pelosi-have-an-october-surpise-in-the-works/848453 "2020-02-26T12:44:06Z")
I have no factual basis for wondering this, and it’s probably just lingering impeachment letdown. But still: \[ol\] \[li\]Throughout the fall, while the impeachment inquiry was building steam, we heard about financial (and… --- ## [Things That are Hated by Famous Real people or Fictional Characters....Can You Guess?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-hated-by-famous-real-people-or-fictional-characters-can-you-guess/848498)
**Author:** [@MadTheSwine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadTheSwine)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2020, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-hated-by-famous-real-people-or-fictional-characters-can-you-guess/848498 "2020-02-26T12:31:54Z")
Easy category-Snakes (two come to mind) Medium category- Midgets and antique furniture Hard category- Mustard and period blood Granted, the person in the hard category isn’t that well known. Add your own . Wasn’t su… --- ## [My laptop charger cord sparked slightly, should I toss it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-laptop-charger-cord-sparked-slightly-should-i-toss-it/596197)
**Author:** [@Diamonds02](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diamonds02)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2020, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-laptop-charger-cord-sparked-slightly-should-i-toss-it/596197 "2020-02-26T10:59:59Z")
It has been shorting out for a while. I have to twist the cord near that box (I don’t know what you call it) to get my computer to charge, sometimes. The other day, little sparks came out near it, when I twisted it. I c… --- ## [House painting question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-painting-question/848354)
**Author:** [@diggerwam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diggerwam)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2020, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-painting-question/848354 "2020-02-25T02:39:17Z")
I had my house painted about a decade ago, and it’s about time to do it again. My house was built in the 50’s and has wood siding. Changing to vinyl siding really isn’t in the cards, so painting it is. Since the las… --- ## [Universal symbols](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universal-symbols/847946)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 119\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2020, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universal-symbols/847946 "2020-02-26T08:10:08Z")
Not counting trademarks and those found on computer keyboards, what symbols can reasonably be considered universal? That is, symbols you’d expect an educated person\[sup\]1\[/sup\] from anywhere in the world to recognize. T… --- ## [Rear-end auto collision - Is the 2nd driver always at fault?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rear-end-auto-collision-is-the-2nd-driver-always-at-fault/848432)
**Author:** [@bizerta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizerta)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2020, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rear-end-auto-collision-is-the-2nd-driver-always-at-fault/848432 "2020-02-26T06:20:30Z")
In a rear-end collision, are there instances where the fault does not lie with the person who hit the rear of the first car? I was taught that it was the 2nd driver’s fault, without exception, in a rear-end collision. S… --- ## [Is it wrong to remain in the United States?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wrong-to-remain-in-the-united-states/847339)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 111\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2020, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wrong-to-remain-in-the-united-states/847339 "2020-02-26T06:20:09Z")
We’re heading downhill faster and faster, away from democracy and toward oligarchy. If my employer was as corrupt as our leadership, I’d change jobs, I wouldn’t want to be a part of such a thing. But what about when it’s… --- ## [Ancient Greek Medicine Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ancient-greek-medicine-question/848445)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2020, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ancient-greek-medicine-question/848445 "2020-02-26T05:45:39Z")
Since this involves speculation I will start this thread here. Mods feel free to move it if it belongs somewhere else. It’s 500 BC in Athens, Greece, and I’m a healthy, 20 yo male who is from a wealthy family of spice t… --- ## [A question about renormalization](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-renormalization/847997)
**Author:** [@EastUmpqua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EastUmpqua)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2020, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-renormalization/847997 "2020-02-26T03:54:03Z")
Typically in quantum field theory the values of quantities are adjusted to compensate for infinities. Would it be possible instead to alter the definition of zero to compensate? Could zero be defined as a constant below … --- ## [Dog runs away and turns himself in at the police station.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-runs-away-and-turns-himself-in-at-the-police-station/848510)
**Author:** [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2020, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-runs-away-and-turns-himself-in-at-the-police-station/848510 "2020-02-26T03:29:44Z")
A Shepard-husky mix named Chico ran away from his owner’s yard and visited a police station. After playing with the officers, Chico left before animal control arrived. Chico went home by himself, but not before his pictu… --- ## [Cooking on my wood stove](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cooking-on-my-wood-stove/848417)
**Author:** [@EastUmpqua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EastUmpqua)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2020, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cooking-on-my-wood-stove/848417 "2020-02-26T03:27:49Z")
Several people at work tell me cooking and heating with a wood stove leaves a huge carbon footprint, and that electricity leaves a much smaller one. I live in western Oregon, and I have to heat my house for about 6 month… --- ## [Can You Pull Off a Wink?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-pull-off-a-wink/848094)
**Author:** [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2020, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-pull-off-a-wink/848094 "2020-02-26T03:04:11Z")
I cannot pull off a wink. If I try to wink, people think I’m having a stroke and start dialing 911. What’s a wink good for anyway? I always think it strange whenever anyone winks at me. --- ## [What are you wearing? Right now. Tell the truth now.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-wearing-right-now-tell-the-truth-now/848101)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 115\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2020, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-wearing-right-now-tell-the-truth-now/848101 "2020-02-26T03:00:25Z")
I was looking at my dirty laundry from the last few days. Lots of warm sleep pants, warm sweaters, a hoodie, fuzzy socks. It warmed up here, the last 2 days. Right now I have on long shorts of some weird thinnish mater… --- ## [What good is a Bor Gullet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-is-a-bor-gullet/848468)
**Author:** [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2020, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-is-a-bor-gullet/848468 "2020-02-26T02:53:16Z")
In Rogue One, Saw Gerrera made a big deal about having the pilot’s mind read by the Bor Gullet - No lie is safe! But, even after the slimy critter sucks all the thoughts out of Bodhi Rook’s mind, Saw still thinks it’s a… --- ## [Anti-pipeline demonstrations across Canada](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-pipeline-demonstrations-across-canada/847986)
**Author:** [@dan39](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dan39)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2020, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-pipeline-demonstrations-across-canada/847986 "2020-02-26T02:33:37Z")
I’m not entirely sure I understand much about this subject even though it is right in my own back yard (figuratively speaking, meaning British Columbia). The Wet’suwet’en and Gitxsan indigenous people and their supporte… --- ## [Democratic fundraising January 2020](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-fundraising-january-2020/847242)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2020, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-fundraising-january-2020/847242 "2020-02-26T01:50:25Z")
Poll coming. Let’s predict who raises the most in January 2020. Now that we’re in the election year, the fundraising reports will be monthly. It’s the run up to IA and NH, so I’m getting bombarded with emails and texts … --- ## [Watching Teen Wolf (with Michael J. Fox) as an adult](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watching-teen-wolf-with-michael-j-fox-as-an-adult/848405)
**Author:** [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2020, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watching-teen-wolf-with-michael-j-fox-as-an-adult/848405 "2020-02-26T00:49:05Z")
The other day, I watched “Teen Wolf” while walking on my treadmill. It was a movie I remember watching when it first came out, when I was 3 or 4 years older than the characters were supposed to be. Now I’m older than t… --- ## [Do you have notalgia paresthetica?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-notalgia-paresthetica/737367)
**Author:** [@erysichthon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erysichthon)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2020, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-notalgia-paresthetica/737367 "2020-02-26T00:46:16Z")
For the last 15-20 years, I’ve had an itchy spot on my back that drives me nuts. It’s on the left side, just below the scapula. This became so maddening that I bought a back scratcher to keep in my car (in addition to th… --- ## [Maybe I shouldn't tell this. Aw, heck! Why not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maybe-i-shouldnt-tell-this-aw-heck-why-not/848370)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2020, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maybe-i-shouldnt-tell-this-aw-heck-why-not/848370 "2020-02-26T00:21:09Z")
The lil’wrekker was due in sometime today. I was shocked when returning from dog walking early this morning, Her and her BF, DIL, Son-of-a-wrek, Mr.Wrekker assorted and sundry other characters were lined up on my deck, l… --- ## [How would time travel actually work in nature (under known laws of physics)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-time-travel-actually-work-in-nature-under-known-laws-of-physics/848218)
**Author:** [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2020, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-time-travel-actually-work-in-nature-under-known-laws-of-physics/848218 "2020-02-26T00:03:34Z")
According to Wikipedia, “time travel to the past is theoretically possible in certain general relativity spacetime geometries that permit traveling faster than the speed of light.” Fine. So based on the current known l… --- ## [What's a fatal dose of tooth paste?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-fatal-dose-of-tooth-paste/463299)
**Author:** [@Osakadave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Osakadave)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2020, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-fatal-dose-of-tooth-paste/463299 "2020-02-25T23:34:06Z")
Reading the tube of Crest ™ toothpaste as I was brushing me teeth this morning, I was reminded of a question I’d been waiting for the restorationon SDMB to ask: There’s a warning to call the poison control center if one… --- ## [Groucho's cigar](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grouchos-cigar/848298)
**Author:** [@delucapeter7](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/delucapeter7)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2020, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grouchos-cigar/848298 "2020-02-25T23:21:26Z")
He did say that on the air and I saw it on his show You Bet Your Life on a classic t v channel. It wasn’t taken out and still exists. I’ve seen it many times on Classic t v --- ## [B&H photo website shuts down on sabbath (Fri night to Sat night)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-photo-website-shuts-down-on-sabbath-fri-night-to-sat-night/848350)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2020, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-photo-website-shuts-down-on-sabbath-fri-night-to-sat-night/848350 "2020-02-25T23:19:21Z")
During that shutdown you can add items to your cart but cannot checkout. The owners are Hasidic jews Anyone else know of a US based website that shuts down on Sat or Sun? Many stores are closed on Sunday such as C… --- ## [Anyone develop phone apps?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-develop-phone-apps/848463)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2020, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-develop-phone-apps/848463 "2020-02-25T22:40:07Z")
I know for Android java is the main way to go. I do stat programming but don’t know java. If you develop phone apps what language/package do you use? Mainly interested in Android but might do an iphone app too. … --- ## [Opinion Poll: what downsides do you think restricting guns have?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinion-poll-what-downsides-do-you-think-restricting-guns-have/848047)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2020, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinion-poll-what-downsides-do-you-think-restricting-guns-have/848047 "2020-02-25T21:40:29Z")
Not looking for another debate, I was simply curious how opinion here on the SDMB breaks down. Do you think that restricting guns, even if overall better for society, admittedly has some downside to it? --- ## [Mystery Oil Painting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mystery-oil-painting/848461)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2020, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mystery-oil-painting/848461 "2020-02-25T21:30:42Z")
A while ago I inherited an oil painting when my grandmother passed away. It had hung proudly in her living room for as long as I can remember. When I inherited it I asked my mother if she knew anything about it, and she … --- ## [what is the purple thing on the potassium iodine and starch paper.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purple-thing-on-the-potassium-iodine-and-starch-paper/848491)
**Author:** [@sarahbbbbbb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sarahbbbbbb)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2020, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purple-thing-on-the-potassium-iodine-and-starch-paper/848491 "2020-02-25T21:28:10Z")
I am using the potassium iodide and starch paper to detect the oxidiser agent in the solution. I dipped a drop of my solution on the paper and the central of the drop is clean and the edge of the drop has turned brown/pu… --- ## [Do you dislike wine?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-dislike-wine/459744)
**Author:** [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)\ **Replies:** 129\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2020, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-dislike-wine/459744 "2020-02-25T21:01:32Z")
I dislike wine. Intensely. You know how there’s a gene that causes some folks to think cilantro tastes like soap? I think I have a gene that makes all wine taste like vomit. Seriously. I try other people’s wine all the… --- ## ["You just need to speak up" isn't always helpful advice.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-just-need-to-speak-up-isnt-always-helpful-advice/848327)
**Author:** [@Ace309](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ace309)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2020, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-just-need-to-speak-up-isnt-always-helpful-advice/848327 "2020-02-25T20:46:09Z")
Sorry this is a bit disconnected. It’s sort of layers on layers. Over the past week, I’ve been struggling with feelings of shame and inadequacy over something stupid.\[sup\]1\[/sup\] I’ve tried to talk to some people about… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1999) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=2001)