# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=212&state=muted [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 213 --- ## [Is research necessary to write a good novel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-research-necessary-to-write-a-good-novel/1024396)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2025, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-research-necessary-to-write-a-good-novel/1024396 "2025-10-30T22:24:34Z")
I get that even if you’re writing about a piece fiction that takes place in a real city, it’s a good idea to do your research. But what if it’s a completely fictional place made up in your head? Even that would need res… --- ## [Songs whose title appears only in the bridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-whose-title-appears-only-in-the-bridge/1024420)
**Author:** [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2025, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-whose-title-appears-only-in-the-bridge/1024420 "2025-10-30T20:40:04Z")
We can divide song titles into two categories: those that appear somewhere in the lyrics, and those that don’t. For songs that follow the verse–chorus–bridge form, the first category can be further broken down into titl… --- ## [Mary Trump recites donald](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mary-trump-recites-donald/1024424)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2025, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mary-trump-recites-donald/1024424 "2025-10-30T18:33:46Z")
I think this is pretty funny/ scary. It’s his words verbatim. --- ## [Strong unpleasant reactions to vaccines](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strong-unpleasant-reactions-to-vaccines/1024417)
**Author:** [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2025, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strong-unpleasant-reactions-to-vaccines/1024417 "2025-10-30T18:15:04Z")
Continuing the discussion from Is there any connection whatsoever between getting a flu shot and getting the flu?: This is related, but feels like a question for a new thread… Some of us (raises hand) get really sick … --- ## [Florida is scrapping their childhood vaccine mandates](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-is-scrapping-their-childhood-vaccine-mandates/1022716)
**Author:** [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Replies:** 98\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2025, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-is-scrapping-their-childhood-vaccine-mandates/1022716 "2025-10-30T17:00:36Z")
Is there a way to make sure measles doesn’t escape the state lines? Seriously, though, this seems like a health disaster in the making. --- ## [People who like to practice their pursuasion skills/“recreational gaslighting”](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-like-to-practice-their-pursuasion-skills-recreational-gaslighting/1024377)
**Author:** [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2025, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-like-to-practice-their-pursuasion-skills-recreational-gaslighting/1024377 "2025-10-29T16:19:02Z")
I have two ex-friends who did this. An example: We were drinking in a bar. I mentioned that I was going to a wedding the next day. He asked me whether I had ordered flowers. Puzzled, I said no. “You have to bring flowe… --- ## [Mini-Raves (Happy Little Moments)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-raves-happy-little-moments/1024419)
**Author:** [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2025, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-raves-happy-little-moments/1024419 "2025-10-30T14:19:55Z")
Hey, I love mini-rants as much as the next woman, but I thought I would give us a place to share those little moments of joy. Here’s mine: I recently found a new e-mail processing technique, it’s great. It requires usi… --- ## [Is there a nascent "left" faction soon to emerge in the Republican Party?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-nascent-left-faction-soon-to-emerge-in-the-republican-party/1024408)
**Author:** [@gatorslap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gatorslap)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2025, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-nascent-left-faction-soon-to-emerge-in-the-republican-party/1024408 "2025-10-30T13:56:55Z")
I do not mean a revival of liberal Republicans, but something quite different. There doesn’t seem to be a common label yet for the contingent of people I’m referring to. They don’t seem to all agree on everything or hav… --- ## [Is there any connection whatsoever between getting a flu shot and getting the flu?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-connection-whatsoever-between-getting-a-flu-shot-and-getting-the-flu/1024362)
**Author:** [@hideousidiot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hideousidiot)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2025, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-connection-whatsoever-between-getting-a-flu-shot-and-getting-the-flu/1024362 "2025-10-30T13:29:45Z")
I am not a conventional vaccine skeptic In fact, I’d probably be classified by genuine vaccine-skeptics as a liberal doctrinaire pro-vaxxer who wants anti-vaxxers arrested, jailed, and castrated, in that order. My posit… --- ## [Just in case you haven't enough to worry about already](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-in-case-you-havent-enough-to-worry-about-already/1024325)
**Author:** [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2025, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-in-case-you-havent-enough-to-worry-about-already/1024325 "2025-10-30T13:23:14Z")
--- ## [Streaming options for NFL and Baseball](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/streaming-options-for-nfl-and-baseball/1024333)
**Author:** [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2025, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/streaming-options-for-nfl-and-baseball/1024333 "2025-10-30T11:04:08Z")
We’d like to drop our Directv service but wonder how we could stream selected NFL games as well as major league baseball playoff games. How many channels would we have to subscribe to? --- ## [Does CONGRESS have to swear in members?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-congress-have-to-swear-in-members/1024399)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2025, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-congress-have-to-swear-in-members/1024399 "2025-10-30T04:08:04Z")
Adelita Grijalva has not been sworn in as a member of Congress, due to the government being shut down. Does it have to be Congress that swears her in? Could she be sworn in by a federal judge? --- ## [Cat videos on YouTube](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-videos-on-youtube/1024394)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2025, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-videos-on-youtube/1024394 "2025-10-30T03:28:47Z")
I watch WAY too much YouTube, and of course it feeds me things it thinks I’ll like. A specific kind of cat video is popping up a lot. A little kitten is being intimidated by a big dog, and the mom cat comes out of nowher… --- ## [Why would my attorney join another law firm so late in her career?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-my-attorney-join-another-law-firm-so-late-in-her-career/1024386)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2025, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-my-attorney-join-another-law-firm-so-late-in-her-career/1024386 "2025-10-30T02:26:45Z")
My business attorney, Jones, has been practicing for 36 years. I have been her client for about 10 years, since my previous one retired and recommended her. She has won many awards over the years. She has a partnership… --- ## [Judge Orders Environmental Review Of Controversial Dakota Access Pipeline](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-orders-environmental-review-of-controversial-dakota-access-pipeline/850295)
**Author:** [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2025, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-orders-environmental-review-of-controversial-dakota-access-pipeline/850295 "2025-10-30T01:16:49Z")
Not mundane or (I hope) pointless; but I don’t see where else to put it. Judge Orders Environmental Review Of Controversial Dakota Access Pipeline --- ## [Where are all the "beardos" referred to by Pete Hegseth in his speech?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-all-the-beardos-referred-to-by-pete-hegseth-in-his-speech/1024265)
**Author:** [@themapleleaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/themapleleaf)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2025, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-all-the-beardos-referred-to-by-pete-hegseth-in-his-speech/1024265 "2025-10-30T00:35:43Z")
On 30 September, US Secretary of War and Donald Trump crony Pete Hegseth gave an address to a massive summoned party of Generals and Flag Officers at Quantico, Virginia,where he gave his vision for re-branding the US mil… --- ## [Hegseth & beardo thread - reopen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hegseth-beardo-thread-reopen/1024401)
**Author:** [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2025, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hegseth-beardo-thread-reopen/1024401 "2025-10-30T00:26:16Z")
Can the thread about Hegseth and beardos be re-opened? Chronos closed it saying that “I think we’ve covered all the factual ground that’s available in this thread, and there are already other threads in the more politica… --- ## [Question re verifying Global Protect on my employer’s laptop](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-re-verifying-global-protect-on-my-employer-s-laptop/1024389)
**Author:** [@Eric1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eric1)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2025, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-re-verifying-global-protect-on-my-employer-s-laptop/1024389 "2025-10-29T23:25:50Z")
I’ve got a question re verifying Global Protect on my employer’s laptop. Do any of you do anything after installing patches to show your IT director that you have done so? I have a good habit of allowing Microsoft’s pat… --- ## [Prunella Scales has died](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prunella-scales-has-died/1024385)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2025, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prunella-scales-has-died/1024385 "2025-10-29T23:06:36Z")
British actress Prunella Scales, probably best known as Sybil on Fawlty Towers has died. --- ## [What "Original Locations" have you been to?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-original-locations-have-you-been-to/1024224)
**Author:** [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Replies:** 123\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2025, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-original-locations-have-you-been-to/1024224 "2025-10-29T22:31:30Z")
Somehow we got on this topic over the weekend, talking about popular chains or franchises and if we’ve ever been to an original location. I thought of two at the time, and remembered a third later on. I have been to th… --- ## [Is reduced sleep a common side-effect of being paralyzed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-reduced-sleep-a-common-side-effect-of-being-paralyzed/1024378)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2025, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-reduced-sleep-a-common-side-effect-of-being-paralyzed/1024378 "2025-10-29T22:04:04Z")
I just watched a YouTube video of a young woman who is paralyzed (her lower-body). She was saying that when she was paralyzed her doctors and other medical people didn’t tell her that she would not be able to get a full… --- ## [Why did Quebec pass a law that apparently penalizes doctors?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-quebec-pass-a-law-that-apparently-penalizes-doctors/1024397)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2025, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-quebec-pass-a-law-that-apparently-penalizes-doctors/1024397 "2025-10-29T21:41:00Z")
So the law will impose huge penalties(up to 500,000 per day) on doctors who don’t help enough people. Why? Is there something I’m missing? On the surface it sounds dumb but I’m no expert. --- ## [How do you value raw land?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-value-raw-land/1017710)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2025, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-value-raw-land/1017710 "2025-10-29T21:38:36Z")
First off, I don’t trust looking at assessed value. I find that does not reflect FMV of land. Houses are cookie cutter. Small lot, set number of beds & baths so that one can look at comps in the area and get a pretty … --- ## [Philadelphia Radio Icon Pierre Robert has Died](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philadelphia-radio-icon-pierre-robert-has-died/1024402)
**Author:** [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2025, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philadelphia-radio-icon-pierre-robert-has-died/1024402 "2025-10-29T21:20:59Z")
Link. I was coming home from the hospital this afternoon and had WMMR on. I was not paying complete attention, but they were rocking. I got home and texted my step daughter alerting her to tune in. About two PM they mo… --- ## [Was "The Trouble with Tribbles" a bottle episode? (Star Trek: TOS)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-trouble-with-tribbles-a-bottle-episode-star-trek-tos/1023422)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 109\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2025, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-trouble-with-tribbles-a-bottle-episode-star-trek-tos/1023422 "2025-10-29T19:45:32Z")
I just saw a short online thing listing famous “bottle episodes”. One of the ones they included on the list was “The Trouble with Tribbles” from the original Star Trek series. And I’m not seeing it. My understanding of … --- ## [Weight Loss for the overweight and obese and good medical news thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-for-the-overweight-and-obese-and-good-medical-news-thread/1000744)
**Author:** [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Replies:** 163\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2025, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-for-the-overweight-and-obese-and-good-medical-news-thread/1000744 "2025-10-29T17:56:16Z")
We don’t seem to have an active thread and I know we’ve had many in the past. This is meant to be a positive thread and reasonable suggestion are strongly suggested. So I got pretty sick just after Christmas and had … --- ## [The ethics of being a "Prepper" or "Stockpiling" supplies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ethics-of-being-a-prepper-or-stockpiling-supplies/1022654)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2025, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ethics-of-being-a-prepper-or-stockpiling-supplies/1022654 "2025-10-29T17:34:31Z")
Youtube has started serving me up with vids about what to in case SHtF or society goes into a major breakdown. Everything from what supplies to amass, where best to go, how to turn your ordinary suburban house into a fo… --- ## [Condiment Udders? What say you!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/condiment-udders-what-say-you/1024346)
**Author:** [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2025, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/condiment-udders-what-say-you/1024346 "2025-10-29T17:01:19Z")
Title says it all. Also, band name. --- ## [What type of cutting board do you use?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-cutting-board-do-you-use/1024191)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2025, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-cutting-board-do-you-use/1024191 "2025-10-29T16:48:32Z")
So for years I’ve used thin plastic cutting boards. Light, easy to use, you can bend them to make a channel to pour the diced stuff in a bowl, easy to clean. Then my younger son comes home from college this past Summer,… --- ## [New novel by Thomas Pynchon, Shadow Ticket, to be released 10/07/25!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-novel-by-thomas-pynchon-shadow-ticket-to-be-released-10-07-25/1016834)
**Author:** [@Hoops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hoops)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2025, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-novel-by-thomas-pynchon-shadow-ticket-to-be-released-10-07-25/1016834 "2025-10-29T08:23:29Z")
Clocking in at a comparatively short 384 pages, it apparently is another detective novel, taking place in the 30s and exploring locations as disparate as Milwaukee and Hungary. It will be his ninth novel and comes 12 … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=211&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=213&state=muted)