# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=219 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 220 --- ## [Unintended Consequences From $100k Visas?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unintended-consequences-from-100k-visas/1023317)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2025, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unintended-consequences-from-100k-visas/1023317 "2025-10-18T22:17:09Z")
This Economist article implies expensive specialty visas will just be a boon to the Indian computer industry. It does not much mention China but easily might. What other unintended consequences might such a policy have… --- ## [What show with Loretta Long was this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-show-with-loretta-long-was-this/1024075)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2025, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-show-with-loretta-long-was-this/1024075 "2025-10-18T21:55:55Z")
I don’t remember exactly when, sometimes in the 70’s I think, there was a program playing on the television with Loretta Long (Susan Robinson on Sesame Street). I wasn’t paying attention to it, or even watching TV. It w… --- ## [Tonic triad lead-in to the minor submediant - What song does this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tonic-triad-lead-in-to-the-minor-submediant-what-song-does-this/1015962)
**Author:** [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2025, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tonic-triad-lead-in-to-the-minor-submediant-what-song-does-this/1015962 "2025-10-18T21:46:40Z")
I got this progression stuck in my head, stuck in my soul. When jamming at the keyboard I sometimes feel an urge to play this. I know I heard it in a song. Probably a '60s soul tune. It plays the arpeggiated tonic triad … --- ## [Wild Mountain Thyme vs Heather](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wild-mountain-thyme-vs-heather/1023050)
**Author:** [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2025, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wild-mountain-thyme-vs-heather/1023050 "2025-10-18T21:35:28Z")
Why would one want to remove thyme that is growing around heather? --- ## [The classical song used to denote dainty propriety](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-classical-song-used-to-denote-dainty-propriety/1017583)
**Author:** [@DooProcess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DooProcess)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2025, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-classical-song-used-to-denote-dainty-propriety/1017583 "2025-10-18T20:40:35Z")
There is a classical song that seems to be shorthand for dainty tea parties and the like. It may have been used in things like grey poupon or the fancy jelly that didnt want you to call it jelly (Polaner all fruit). Mos… --- ## [“Faith” Apparently Contributes $1.2Trillion to the US Economy Annually?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faith-apparently-contributes-1-2trillion-to-the-us-economy-annually/1024055)
**Author:** [@DaveUnknown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveUnknown)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2025, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faith-apparently-contributes-1-2trillion-to-the-us-economy-annually/1024055 "2025-10-18T19:27:11Z")
I was reading a filing and it claimed “the faith sector…including Christianity, the largest… contributes approximately $1.2 T to the US economy each year” as backed by some “interdisciplinary journal of research on relig… --- ## [Optical illusion flag with pattern visible only on camera?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/optical-illusion-flag-with-pattern-visible-only-on-camera/1024036)
**Author:** [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2025, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/optical-illusion-flag-with-pattern-visible-only-on-camera/1024036 "2025-10-18T18:16:27Z")
Continuing the discussion from A Perfectly Reasonable Amount of Schadenfreude about Things Happening to Trump & His Enablers (Part 3): \[TAKE NOTE - this post is in Factual Questions. Please return to the Pit thread to s… --- ## [And then there was Justin. John Lodge of the Moody Blues dies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-then-there-was-justin-john-lodge-of-the-moody-blues-dies/1023852)
**Author:** [@2\_More\_Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2_More_Bits)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2025, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-then-there-was-justin-john-lodge-of-the-moody-blues-dies/1023852 "2025-10-18T18:04:21Z")
John Lodge, bassist/ singer/ songwriter for the Moody Blues has died. That leaves Justin Hayward the only surviving member. NYT gift link One of his songs: https://youtu.be/N\_J-hmyAS6c?si=5T\_OyHFlQ9PRiRwM --- ## [Measuring distance on Google Maps: improved version](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/measuring-distance-on-google-maps-improved-version/1024056)
**Author:** [@Timz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timz)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2025, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/measuring-distance-on-google-maps-improved-version/1024056 "2025-10-18T17:22:31Z")
\[I wrote this a couple years ago\] This post is about investigating Google Maps’ accuracy – specifically, how accurately you can measure distances off of it. If you’re not interested in that, no need to read any furth… --- ## [Neil Degrasse Tyson disproves flat earth](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-degrasse-tyson-disproves-flat-earth/1023501)
**Author:** [@Surfing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surfing)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2025, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-degrasse-tyson-disproves-flat-earth/1023501 "2025-10-18T17:11:24Z")
Of course the world isn’t flat. However, I’m having trouble understanding this video and how it supposedly proves it. Could someone explain? Tyson video I did a very simple experiment (below) using a cup as the build… --- ## [Describe the most representative photo/image of Uranus](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/describe-the-most-representative-photo-image-of-uranus/1023960)
**Author:** [@oligArchie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oligArchie)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2025, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/describe-the-most-representative-photo-image-of-uranus/1023960 "2025-10-18T12:56:18Z")
I have an image of Uranus in our guest bathroom. No one has ever commented on it. Not that I have a butt-ton of visitors or anything. Which probably explains most of my this problem. The image I have framed and displaye… --- ## [Chess players: do you have a hard time mentally switching between two-dimensional (computer) and three-dimensional (OTB) chess?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-players-do-you-have-a-hard-time-mentally-switching-between-two-dimensional-computer-and-three-dimensional-otb-chess/1023997)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2025, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-players-do-you-have-a-hard-time-mentally-switching-between-two-dimensional-computer-and-three-dimensional-otb-chess/1023997 "2025-10-18T12:19:13Z")
I’ve found that I’m much better (not that that’s saying much) playing chess in two dimensions than in three. The setup and the pieces just seem to make more sense to me. Looking at a board in three dimensions messes with… --- ## [An evening with Pavlov’s Dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-evening-with-pavlov-s-dog/1024070)
**Author:** [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2025, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-evening-with-pavlov-s-dog/1024070 "2025-10-18T10:49:14Z")
Back in the mists of time past, many many moons ago, when PT was a callow youth at boarding school with uninformed and unformed musical taste I came across Pavlov’s Dog. My roommate had a turntable, with a modest and ecl… --- ## ["Kryptos" sculpture - Can you decode it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kryptos-sculpture-can-you-decode-it/5279)
**Author:** [@Waneman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waneman)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2025, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kryptos-sculpture-can-you-decode-it/5279 "2025-10-18T04:51:18Z")
I tried to search the Strightdope messages to see if this subject has been covered. It involves the sculpture in the CIA’s New Headquarters Building Courtyard. Since I know this board is visited by some of the world’s g… --- ## [NFL Week 6](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-6/1023746)
**Author:** [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Replies:** 125\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2025, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-6/1023746 "2025-10-18T03:09:05Z")
And then there were none. The Broncos rode into Philadelphia and overcame a 14-point halftime deficit to hand the Eagles their first loss. Then on Sunday night, the Patriots, behind second-year quarterback Drake Maye, s… --- ## [When should you replace a car? (maintenance costs vs purchase/lease costs)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-should-you-replace-a-car-maintenance-costs-vs-purchase-lease-costs/1023839)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2025, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-should-you-replace-a-car-maintenance-costs-vs-purchase-lease-costs/1023839 "2025-10-18T00:46:33Z")
Financially & practically speaking, is there an “optimal” point at which an already paid-off car should be replaced/traded in for another vehicle? I currently drive a 2016 Subaru Crosstrek, and it’s actually been totall… --- ## [I write letters in the wrong order--what gives?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-write-letters-in-the-wrong-order-what-gives/317332)
**Author:** [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2025, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-write-letters-in-the-wrong-order-what-gives/317332 "2025-10-18T00:45:48Z")
This has happened to me since the late 90s, and it usually comes in waves (a bunch at once, then nothing for a long time). When I’m writing by hand, I sometimes write not the next letter but the letter after that. So, I… --- ## [Kerrygold butter tastes like...nothing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerrygold-butter-tastes-like-nothing/1024009)
**Author:** [@Paintcharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paintcharge)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2025, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerrygold-butter-tastes-like-nothing/1024009 "2025-10-17T23:40:47Z")
I recently bought some Kerrygold butter from Trader Joe’s and it has no flavor. It doesn’t even taste like butter, it just tastes like airy grease. I was lead to believe this was one of the best butters in the world, b… --- ## [Safe smoke creation (Halloween costumes)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safe-smoke-creation-halloween-costumes/1023957)
**Author:** [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2025, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safe-smoke-creation-halloween-costumes/1023957 "2025-10-17T22:12:16Z")
My 8 year old son wants a Halloween costume: a dragon. Because in my normal life I am a programmer nerd, I enjoy chances to explore my more creative side. So I am going to build him a back-pack mounted dragon costume, I … --- ## [Drafts Option is Missing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drafts-option-is-missing/1024069)
**Author:** [@De\_La\_Rue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/De_La_Rue)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2025, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drafts-option-is-missing/1024069 "2025-10-17T21:58:50Z")
What happened to the draft option when composing? Now when I click on “Discard”, I only get the option to discard or cancel. --- ## [Diane Keaton RIP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diane-keaton-rip/1023887)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2025, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diane-keaton-rip/1023887 "2025-10-17T21:43:53Z")
--- ## [How to stop an illegal war before it starts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-stop-an-illegal-war-before-it-starts/1024035)
**Author:** [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2025, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-stop-an-illegal-war-before-it-starts/1024035 "2025-10-17T20:45:54Z")
Trump has unilaterally declared war on Venezuela – attacking boats in the Caribbean, covert CIA activity, and he’s apparently “thinking” (I use the term advisedly) of sending in the military. None of this has been with … --- ## [Heart and Soul on the radio](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heart-and-soul-on-the-radio/1023964)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2025, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heart-and-soul-on-the-radio/1023964 "2025-10-17T20:40:35Z")
I’m in the local pharmacy picking up a couple refills, and like many companies do, they have a radio station playing songs quietly on the PA system. A new tune starts and my initial reaction is “Ha! They’re riffing on … --- ## [High crimes not crimes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-crimes-not-crimes/1024031)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2025, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-crimes-not-crimes/1024031 "2025-10-17T20:38:31Z")
I’m seeking a law-informed answer here, not a debate, and maybe this has been answered here already. I find two references in the Constitution to potential illegal activity committed by a president. First, Article I se… --- ## [Product polling](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-polling/1024066)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2025, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-polling/1024066 "2025-10-17T20:34:29Z")
Do independent polling houses exist where they decide what they want to poll based on the projected value of the poll they are going to conduct? --- ## [California passes law against using AI to replace actors](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-passes-law-against-using-ai-to-replace-actors/1023924)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2025, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-passes-law-against-using-ai-to-replace-actors/1023924 "2025-10-17T18:43:00Z")
So you can’t use AI to stick in, say, Marlon Brando. You can use someone who’s deceased (or presumably still alive) with their prior permission. Thoughts? A good idea? A desperately-needed bill? --- ## [We'll be there between 1pm and 3pm](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-be-there-between-1pm-and-3pm/1023893)
**Author:** [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2025, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-be-there-between-1pm-and-3pm/1023893 "2025-10-17T16:34:00Z")
We all know this bullshit. But OK, that’s a reasonable window. Then "We’ll be there between 11:30 and 3:30. Umm. Ok… 3:30 rolls past… We’ll be there by 5:30! Me “Fuck it” my wife head out to a bar/restaurant we want t… --- ## [Movie buildings of the future](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-buildings-of-the-future/1024020)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2025, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-buildings-of-the-future/1024020 "2025-10-17T14:11:08Z")
Just a slight venture into the future, and swinging doors have practically disappeared. It’s all sliding doors. When is this going to happen irl? I’m tired of using a doorknob like some kind of animal. --- ## [What is the break even time for "auto stop"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-break-even-time-for-auto-stop/1023995)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2025, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-break-even-time-for-auto-stop/1023995 "2025-10-17T14:00:25Z")
“Auto stop” is a car feature that turns the engine off when you stop the car (for example at a red light) and restarts it when you come off the brake or hit the gas, automatically, to save gasoline. How long does a stop… --- ## [9" x 18" (?) film camera for panoramas, 20? years ago -- heard of it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-x-18-film-camera-for-panoramas-20-years-ago-heard-of-it/1024028)
**Author:** [@Timz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timz)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2025, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-x-18-film-camera-for-panoramas-20-years-ago-heard-of-it/1024028 "2025-10-17T13:30:21Z")
Someone built it, with a custom-designed lens (don’t recall the focal length) and a vacuum plate to hold the film flat. One seemingly-odd feature: one lens element was just a flat piece of glass, planar on both sides. Th… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=218) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=220)