# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=218&state=muted [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 219 --- ## [Cyber Blow-Ups](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyber-blow-ups/1024157)
**Author:** [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2025, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyber-blow-ups/1024157 "2025-10-21T16:54:37Z")
I came in this morning to find my inbox full of Google Workspace Alerts. These are notices sent to domain administrators notifying us of application failures in Google and in apps associated with Google. I had to scrol… --- ## [AI search results can be crazy stupid (cars named after plants)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-search-results-can-be-crazy-stupid-cars-named-after-plants/1023619)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2025, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-search-results-can-be-crazy-stupid-cars-named-after-plants/1023619 "2025-10-21T16:37:54Z")
I wondered what cars have been named after plants. The only one I could think of at first was the Toyota Sequoia. So I Googled it, first on my phone and later at home. One surprise was that I got different answers. Hmmm.… --- ## [ChatGPT Breaking up marriages](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chatgpt-breaking-up-marriages/1023241)
**Author:** [@DemonTree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DemonTree)\ **Replies:** 154\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2025, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chatgpt-breaking-up-marriages/1023241 "2025-10-21T15:59:44Z")
I just read this article, and thought others might be interested: On the one hand, these marriages were obviously on the rocks anyway, and if AI wasn’t the trigger, probably something else would have been. Plausibly t… --- ## [How often and how far do I need to drive an old car?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-and-how-far-do-i-need-to-drive-an-old-car/1023977)
**Author:** [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2025, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-and-how-far-do-i-need-to-drive-an-old-car/1023977 "2025-10-21T15:47:40Z")
I have a 2007 Acura that I don’t use too much, but I’d like to keep it running for at least another year. Runs fine. How often do I need to take it for a ride and how far should I go to keep the tires round, the engine … --- ## [NFL Week 7](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-7/1023959)
**Author:** [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2025, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-7/1023959 "2025-10-21T14:40:38Z")
The Colts and Bucs improved to 5-1 and lead their divisions, while the Steelers, at 4-1, are the only team above .500 in the AFC North. The Eagles have lost two in a row but still lead their division, while the Packers … --- ## [How would lightning have affected large sauropods?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-lightning-have-affected-large-sauropods/1024108)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2025, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-lightning-have-affected-large-sauropods/1024108 "2025-10-21T13:04:11Z")
This question popped up on my Facebook feed from someone, so I thought I’d give the Teeming Millions a chance to speculate. It’s likely that the reason human beings don’t get struck by lightning very often is that we’re… --- ## [Looking for a Hemingway quote re meeting old friends](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-hemingway-quote-re-meeting-old-friends/1024146)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2025, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-hemingway-quote-re-meeting-old-friends/1024146 "2025-10-21T08:27:23Z")
Hi, years ago I read a quote from earnest Hemingway about getting together with old friends. I think it was probably after the liberation of Paris. Can’t find it. Anyon have any ideas? --- ## [\[Roman\] Dodecahedrons](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roman-dodecahedrons/980459)
**Author:** [@otc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/otc)\ **Replies:** 1134\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2025, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roman-dodecahedrons/980459 "2025-10-21T05:45:55Z")
Consider where these things are found. Why are they so frequently found, and always made of bronze? They might be Go/Nogo gauges used for making things like spears, arrows, sling bullets, fasteners used in carpentry or… --- ## [Crikey! Put another remake of \_The Office\_ on the barbie](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crikey-put-another-remake-of-the-office-on-the-barbie/1007455)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2025, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crikey-put-another-remake-of-the-office-on-the-barbie/1007455 "2025-10-21T04:50:50Z")
An Australian remake coming soon. --- ## [Hurray! The new toilet cam is here!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurray-the-new-toilet-cam-is-here/1024107)
**Author:** [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2025, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurray-the-new-toilet-cam-is-here/1024107 "2025-10-21T01:01:26Z")
Obsessed with your bowels (a longstanding American pastime)? Stressing out about whether your bodily wastes “look right”? High tech has the answer to your concerns - the shit cam. Actually it’s called the Dekoda. Yess… --- ## [Are there any cheap cuts of meat we can buy or is it all expensive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cheap-cuts-of-meat-we-can-buy-or-is-it-all-expensive/1016782)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 186\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2025, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cheap-cuts-of-meat-we-can-buy-or-is-it-all-expensive/1016782 "2025-10-21T00:15:47Z")
Title kinda says it all. Back in the day you could buy hangar steak for little money. Oxtail was cheap. Chicken wings were cheap. And so on. Now, none of that stuff is cheap except in relation to even more expensive… --- ## [What would the site of Pompeii have looked like in the centuries before it was re-discovered](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-the-site-of-pompeii-have-looked-like-in-the-centuries-before-it-was-re-discovered/1024078)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2025, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-the-site-of-pompeii-have-looked-like-in-the-centuries-before-it-was-re-discovered/1024078 "2025-10-21T00:06:13Z")
Once Pompeii was buried under ash and then the looters lost interest, it sat, forgotten about, for centuries. Or at least, that’s how I understand things. So say it’s some random day between c. 150CE and 1592CE, when an … --- ## [Air pressure question?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-pressure-question/1024132)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2025, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-pressure-question/1024132 "2025-10-21T00:04:13Z")
I will try and make this as simple as possible. If I had a cone shaped tower, say 10ft at the base to a 100 ft point. The tower is made from a material that will absorb as much heat energy as possible. Assuming a small e… --- ## [What possible justification is there for suppressing/avoiding discussion of menstruation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-possible-justification-is-there-for-suppressing-avoiding-discussion-of-menstruation/1023830)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2025, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-possible-justification-is-there-for-suppressing-avoiding-discussion-of-menstruation/1023830 "2025-10-20T23:53:02Z")
So apparently the idea for a suicide prevention hotline came about in 1935 when a priest was tasked with doing the funeral of an adolescent girl who had died by suicide after getting her first period. Because menstruatio… --- ## ["Th" - What were those old Germans thinking? Paleography](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/th-what-were-those-old-germans-thinking-paleography/1024079)
**Author:** [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2025, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/th-what-were-those-old-germans-thinking-paleography/1024079 "2025-10-20T20:20:38Z")
You’ve probably heard how Neanderthal is pronounced and even spelled “Neandertal” in modern German. The word for valley, Tal, was spelled Tal in Old High German (and is now again), but in between it was “Thal” for centur… --- ## [Corner Crossing - Large portions of US public land inaccessible to public](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corner-crossing-large-portions-of-us-public-land-inaccessible-to-public/975691)
**Author:** [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2025, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corner-crossing-large-portions-of-us-public-land-inaccessible-to-public/975691 "2025-10-20T20:06:03Z")
I’ve been reading about the corner crossing controversy for a couple years now and don’t think it’s been brought up here. I live in an area of the US that has this patchwork of public and private land. Before I knew of t… --- ## [Looking for a chess app that has exercises](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-chess-app-that-has-exercises/1023398)
**Author:** [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2025, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-chess-app-that-has-exercises/1023398 "2025-10-20T19:25:42Z")
I’m looking for a chess app for my tablet. I would like one that has exercises. I downloaded one from chess.com, but they charge $60 or so a year. I don’t mind paying for an app, but I’d rather not have a yearly subscrip… --- ## [Booking a flight itinerary involving multiple airlines that don't codeshare](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/booking-a-flight-itinerary-involving-multiple-airlines-that-dont-codeshare/1023196)
**Author:** [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2025, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/booking-a-flight-itinerary-involving-multiple-airlines-that-dont-codeshare/1023196 "2025-10-20T17:20:57Z")
I live near Sacramento, CA (SMF). My parents live in La Crosse, WI (LSE). I’m likely going to want to book a flight between these two cities for the holidays. However, it’s proving to be rather difficult. LSE is a ti… --- ## [Your favorite books on Middle Eastern history?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-books-on-middle-eastern-history/1024053)
**Author:** [@carlb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlb)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2025, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-books-on-middle-eastern-history/1024053 "2025-10-20T15:04:51Z")
The most recent query about this was over 10 years ago, and I have to assume there has been some good writing since then. I’m particularly interested in the modern Middle East - say, post-WWI. I recently read Fromkin’s A… --- ## [Junk drawers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/junk-drawers/1023546)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2025, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/junk-drawers/1023546 "2025-10-20T14:08:15Z")
Go to you junk drawer. Open . Peruse. List 3 items. Mine are: Tape measure. A roll of old scotch tape. I’m sure is all melded together. A few triple A batteries, I don’t know the pedigree of. (I know there’s much m… --- ## [(Old) Canada's Thanksgiving begins the holiday season in the MMP!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-canadas-thanksgiving-begins-the-holiday-season-in-the-mmp/1023923)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 238\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2025, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-canadas-thanksgiving-begins-the-holiday-season-in-the-mmp/1023923 "2025-10-20T12:29:27Z")
Enjoy your turkey and stuff!! With just a bit over a month to go, I’m having to think about the fourth Thursday in November, since we’ve decided to stay home. FCD has invited Daughter’s best friend and her husband (she w… --- ## [Museum You Found Inexplicably Fascinating?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/museum-you-found-inexplicably-fascinating/432939)
**Author:** [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2025, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/museum-you-found-inexplicably-fascinating/432939 "2025-10-20T02:10:58Z")
While it’s true I am easily amused, I have two candidates. Museum of Cedar Point. Cedar Point is an amusement park outside Cleveland. The museum contains old park maps, historical photos of the resort, and best of all… --- ## [NFL Season #106, Week 1](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-season-106-week-1/1022666)
**Author:** [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Replies:** 146\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2025, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-season-106-week-1/1022666 "2025-10-20T02:02:00Z")
Another NFL season is here, Season #106. The league was formed in 1920, and it called itself the American Professional Football Association. There were 14 teams and Jim Thorpe was elected President. There were no offi… --- ## [Must you read/watch something to have an opinion about it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-you-read-watch-something-to-have-an-opinion-about-it/1021296)
**Author:** [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2025, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-you-read-watch-something-to-have-an-opinion-about-it/1021296 "2025-10-20T01:28:45Z")
It was over/under on whether this was Cafe Society or IMHO. Let’s hope I guessed right. I recently read an article, linked in another thread, that was milking some outrage about YA Twitter trying to shut down a debut no… --- ## [Why was HMS Hood special?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-hms-hood-special/985626)
**Author:** [@cjackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjackson)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2025, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-hms-hood-special/985626 "2025-10-20T01:14:53Z")
It seems that from the time of her commissioning up until the fateful battle with Bismarck, she was a special ship. Why was that? Also, if she had survived the war do you think they would have preserved her as a museum s… --- ## [Help me identify this Trump election documentary](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-trump-election-documentary/1024102)
**Author:** [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2025, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-trump-election-documentary/1024102 "2025-10-20T00:39:10Z")
It was on one of the cable systems in the past year, so I assume it was the 2016 election, but it might have been about 2024. The producer traveled around the country talking to people about their situations. I know pa… --- ## [The Substance Seen It (Vague slight Spoilers in OP)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-substance-seen-it-vague-slight-spoilers-in-op/1007594)
**Author:** [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2025, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-substance-seen-it-vague-slight-spoilers-in-op/1007594 "2025-10-19T21:05:33Z")
I had only just heard of this movie a few days ago and decided to check it out. I won’t give too much away and just say that the premise is that Demi Moore plays a has been actress who makes some questionable decisions i… --- ## [Identify this song from the Classic Rock era (mellow ballad with acoustic guitar and synthesizer)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-song-from-the-classic-rock-era-mellow-ballad-with-acoustic-guitar-and-synthesizer/1024091)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2025, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-song-from-the-classic-rock-era-mellow-ballad-with-acoustic-guitar-and-synthesizer/1024091 "2025-10-19T20:32:41Z")
A song came on my local Classic Rock station the other night, and I didn’t catch the name of it. The first two thirds of it is just the vocalists and an acoustic guitar, a la the first few verses of Danny’s Song. Then th… --- ## [How often do you wash your car?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-wash-your-car/1024050)
**Author:** [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2025, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-wash-your-car/1024050 "2025-10-19T20:02:24Z")
For some reason, in my area car washes are everywhere. I recently signed up for a membership at one, where I can get my car washed once a day for a monthly fee. I pretty much go every day. Washing my car has become a … --- ## [Obscure Youtube Features and Behavior](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-youtube-features-and-behavior/994239)
**Author:** [@Ponderoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponderoid)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2025, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-youtube-features-and-behavior/994239 "2025-10-19T19:55:15Z")
I thought I’d start a general thread about these things, since I’ve occasionally noticed various weird things here and there that other people might want to talk about. A long time ago I started building music playlists… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=217&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=219&state=muted)