# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=237 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 238 --- ## [Optics for countering a rotating view?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/optics-for-countering-a-rotating-view/1023215)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2025, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/optics-for-countering-a-rotating-view/1023215 "2025-09-20T14:02:09Z")
Wikipedia’s article on the British Interplanetary Society and their proposed moon rocket has one rather remarkable cite tossed away virtually in passing: As it was considered that the cabin would have to rotate, BIS me… --- ## [Why was the Trump Doubling Down 1st Amendment thread closed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-the-trump-doubling-down-1st-amendment-thread-closed/1023216)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2025, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-the-trump-doubling-down-1st-amendment-thread-closed/1023216 "2025-09-20T06:00:27Z")
By What\_Exit? No warning. No explanation. Just closed. --- ## [Starship keeps exploding](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starship-keeps-exploding/1018911)
**Author:** [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Replies:** 116\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2025, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starship-keeps-exploding/1018911 "2025-09-20T03:43:10Z")
SpaceX blew up another Starship. Like… Mercury, Gemini and Apollo didn’t blow up four or five times. The shuttle program killed two shuttles’ worth of astronauts, but that was over 100 missions. And it still wasn’t ac… --- ## [Time Traveler claims dogs will rule by 2087](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-traveler-claims-dogs-will-rule-by-2087/1023165)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2025, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-traveler-claims-dogs-will-rule-by-2087/1023165 "2025-09-19T23:16:48Z")
It certainly sounds like an interesting world, and not a prophecy I’ve heard before now. --- ## [Crosswords and the death of the monoculture](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crosswords-and-the-death-of-the-monoculture/1023058)
**Author:** [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2025, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crosswords-and-the-death-of-the-monoculture/1023058 "2025-09-19T22:32:24Z")
Brief personal history - in my younger years (20s), I used to attempt the Sunday NYT crossword. I would spend hours over the course of the week, coming back to it and getting a 70% solution that was still somehow 30% wr… --- ## [MMA Rampage Jackson's son, Raja under investigation for assaulting pro Wrestler](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mma-rampage-jacksons-son-raja-under-investigation-for-assaulting-pro-wrestler/1022539)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2025, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mma-rampage-jacksons-son-raja-under-investigation-for-assaulting-pro-wrestler/1022539 "2025-09-19T19:39:07Z")
It was an horrific attack on an unconscious man. There were over 20 blows. There’s speculation attempted murder or assualt charges will be filed on MMA Fighter Raja Jackson. It gets worse. Raja was being filmed and live… --- ## [Persistence of Vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/persistence-of-vision/1022142)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2025, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/persistence-of-vision/1022142 "2025-09-19T17:28:32Z")
You know how in Sixties-era Western TV shows like Bonanza, when they showed a wagon wheel rotating, it would look like the wheel was going backwards (primarily due to shutter speed on the camera doing the filming, AIUI)?… --- ## [Examples of internal demonyms as surnames?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-internal-demonyms-as-surnames/1022719)
**Author:** [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2025, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-internal-demonyms-as-surnames/1022719 "2025-09-19T16:16:18Z")
In a recent Politics & Elections post, @John\_Bredin wrote the following about Hungarian politician Péter Magyar: John \_Bredin is right. Some (or even many) cultures do have demonyms serve as surnames. Most common are t… --- ## [For those that walk outside regularly. Prefer winter or summer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-that-walk-outside-regularly-prefer-winter-or-summer/1023074)
**Author:** [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2025, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-that-walk-outside-regularly-prefer-winter-or-summer/1023074 "2025-09-19T15:23:55Z")
This is a binary choice, no spring/fall bullshit. I’d rather be wearing boots/coat/gloves/scarf walking in snow. --- ## [Baseball - why was Ballesteros out?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-why-was-ballesteros-out/1023188)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2025, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-why-was-ballesteros-out/1023188 "2025-09-19T14:48:46Z")
Cubs game Wednesday. Ballesteros on first, taking a lead. One out. Batter hits a liner toward right. Ball hits Ballesteros on the helmet, knocking him down for a moment. Ball dribbles into right center. He gets up and… --- ## [Albums whose titles are lyrics from one of the songs, but not the title of a song?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/albums-whose-titles-are-lyrics-from-one-of-the-songs-but-not-the-title-of-a-song/368785)
**Author:** [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2025, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/albums-whose-titles-are-lyrics-from-one-of-the-songs-but-not-the-title-of-a-song/368785 "2025-09-19T14:30:07Z")
Two examples: Katy Lied by Steely Dan. The album’s title is the first words from the song Doctor Wu. Whatever and Ever Amen by the Ben Folds Five. The title is a lyric from The Battle of Who Could Care Less. I love it… --- ## [Recommendation for a lock](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendation-for-a-lock/1023107)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2025, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendation-for-a-lock/1023107 "2025-09-19T12:43:43Z")
I live in a condo. The management wants to have a key for each apartment in case of smoke detector inspection or something similar. However the previous occupant replaced the lock with a Medeco lock and gave the manage… --- ## [Number of Christians in Indonesia](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-christians-in-indonesia/1021806)
**Author:** [@Moonrise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonrise)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2025, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-christians-in-indonesia/1021806 "2025-09-19T08:26:31Z")
I’ve just come back from a wonderful two-week trip to Indonesia, Java and Bali specifically. What an amazing country, I’m already planning to go back next year. It is a well-known fact that Indonesians are overwhelming … --- ## [Thorium bomb](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thorium-bomb/991037)
**Author:** [@EnolaStraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnolaStraight)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2025, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thorium-bomb/991037 "2025-09-19T06:34:03Z")
Can a nuclear bomb be made with some amount of thorium? I understand that, although thorium itself is not fissionable, it can absorb neutrons and transmute into Uranium 233, which is fissionable. So, can a bomb be made… --- ## [Albums named after a song that isn't on the album, but was released before or after (or never)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/albums-named-after-a-song-that-isnt-on-the-album-but-was-released-before-or-after-or-never/1022897)
**Author:** [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2025, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/albums-named-after-a-song-that-isnt-on-the-album-but-was-released-before-or-after-or-never/1022897 "2025-09-19T05:45:37Z")
The title should tell what I’m after, but I’ll explain further: I was thinking about the AC/DC live album “If You Want Blood” from 1978 and the song of the same name released as an studio album track on “Highway To Hell”… --- ## [I'm starting to think that Kohl's is now a data-mining operation that sells clothing and small appliances](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-starting-to-think-that-kohls-is-now-a-data-mining-operation-that-sells-clothing-and-small-appliances/1023100)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2025, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-starting-to-think-that-kohls-is-now-a-data-mining-operation-that-sells-clothing-and-small-appliances/1023100 "2025-09-19T04:32:49Z")
I got a $20 coupon, with 30% off if I used my credit card, and the cashier told me that the card was obsolete (I figured it was) and I had to present my driver’s license (which didn’t weird me out) and give my SSN on the… --- ## [What misconceptions do you think there are about societal collapse and its aftermath?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-misconceptions-do-you-think-there-are-about-societal-collapse-and-its-aftermath/1022496)
**Author:** [@Cmyers1980](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cmyers1980)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2025, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-misconceptions-do-you-think-there-are-about-societal-collapse-and-its-aftermath/1022496 "2025-09-19T04:05:20Z")
What misconceptions do you think there are about societal collapse and its aftermath? My example is the idea from pop culture that there would be a single faction representing what’s left of the US government that may o… --- ## [How springy is railroad rail?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-springy-is-railroad-rail/1022336)
**Author:** [@Timz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timz)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2025, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-springy-is-railroad-rail/1022336 "2025-09-19T02:40:50Z")
Pic from June 1966 Scientific American How do they deal with this? If they cut the rail, won’t it spring back to straight? Or are the bends sharp enough to kink the rails? Is it possible to kink rails, or will they brea… --- ## [Will the U.S.A. pull its head out of its ass, or is it too late?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-u-s-a-pull-its-head-out-of-its-ass-or-is-it-too-late/1023139)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2025, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-u-s-a-pull-its-head-out-of-its-ass-or-is-it-too-late/1023139 "2025-09-19T01:52:50Z")
A simple poll…and my vote is no. I don’t give a shit what you hope will happen, btw. What do you think will happen. --- ## [Have you lived anywhere during a record-setting event?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-lived-anywhere-during-a-record-setting-event/1023064)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2025, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-lived-anywhere-during-a-record-setting-event/1023064 "2025-09-19T00:47:06Z")
I’ve posted before about the Anchorage earthquake of 1964 being the most powerful recorded in North America. We also lived in Anchorage in 2002, when there was a record 24-hour snowfall of 29.6" in 24 hours on St. Patric… --- ## [Jordan Peele's NOPE (spoilers after OP)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jordan-peeles-nope-spoilers-after-op/968540)
**Author:** [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2025, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jordan-peeles-nope-spoilers-after-op/968540 "2025-09-18T22:30:22Z")
Was looking forward to this and saw on opening day Friday. And… it just didn’t do it for me. It had it’s moments along with some interesting symbolism and metaphors but makes a big mistake a lot of these horror/thriller… --- ## [Didn't PDF used to be considered a standard?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-pdf-used-to-be-considered-a-standard/1023132)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2025, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-pdf-used-to-be-considered-a-standard/1023132 "2025-09-18T22:04:31Z")
My recollection is that when PDFs first came on the scene, they were touted for how they’d look the same regardless of platform or device. Portable WYSIWYG: What YOU, the person creating the PDF see, is what THEY, the … --- ## [A-Z: Businesses, etc., that don't exist but should (or maybe it's best that they don't)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-z-businesses-etc-that-dont-exist-but-should-or-maybe-its-best-that-they-dont/1022588)
**Author:** [@dirtball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dirtball)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2025, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-z-businesses-etc-that-dont-exist-but-should-or-maybe-its-best-that-they-dont/1022588 "2025-09-18T18:46:48Z")
I thought “businesses” would make for the best thread title, but “etc.” means we can include any organization or just an individual with some calling in life. Charities, schools, clubs, government departments, whatever. … --- ## [How should mass shootings be classified (In reference to Charlie Kirk's final words)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-mass-shootings-be-classified-in-reference-to-charlie-kirks-final-words/1023086)
**Author:** [@DemonTree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DemonTree)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2025, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-mass-shootings-be-classified-in-reference-to-charlie-kirks-final-words/1023086 "2025-09-18T15:53:55Z")
Continuing the discussion from How long would Charlie Kirk have lasted here?: (Backstory in linked thread.) By bringing up this distinction in advance, CK would have forced his questioner to specify whether he was “th… --- ## [How important is setting up a trust?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-is-setting-up-a-trust/1023119)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2025, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-is-setting-up-a-trust/1023119 "2025-09-18T15:20:12Z")
When I was married, I had a family trust so my kids wouldn’t have to deal with probate when we died, but now that I am single I’m not sure I really need one. I have a simple Will with all my assets going to my daughter w… --- ## [Jerry (of Ben and Jerry's) Quits over Stifling of Speech](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-of-ben-and-jerrys-quits-over-stifling-of-speech/1023125)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2025, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-of-ben-and-jerrys-quits-over-stifling-of-speech/1023125 "2025-09-18T11:45:43Z")
Jerry Quits Ben & Jerry’s, Claiming Company Has Been ‘Silenced, Sidelined’ He spoke out against the Trump administration in his announcement about his departure. Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Jerry Greenfield is leaving the… --- ## [So, this is it, right? (Trump Announces He is Federalizing DC Police, and More)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-this-is-it-right-trump-announces-he-is-federalizing-dc-police-and-more/1021929)
**Author:** [@mjmartin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mjmartin)\ **Replies:** 176\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2025, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-this-is-it-right-trump-announces-he-is-federalizing-dc-police-and-more/1021929 "2025-09-18T11:02:17Z")
Trump just announced that he is federalizing the DC police and deploying the National Guard to D.C., allegedly to “combat crime”, in a city where crime statistics are down both since last year and over the past decade. I… --- ## [I'm done with the agita](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-done-with-the-agita/1003681)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 167\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2025, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-done-with-the-agita/1003681 "2025-09-18T06:57:20Z")
As of this thread, I will no longer be reading, watching or discussing Trump or Biden or any of the stories swirling around them, either online or with people in my sphere. I’m tired of being worried, angry and upset eve… --- ## [Best "Angry" lyrics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-angry-lyrics/304919)
**Author:** [@Patty\_Chuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_Chuck)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2025, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-angry-lyrics/304919 "2025-09-18T05:02:36Z")
I’m collecting angry lyrics for a friend of mine…out of songs that have really bitter lines in them about ex’s or ex best friends or just bad experiences…The best Angry lines I’ve heard were in a song called: Seventy Ti… --- ## [International travel: passport; credit cards; travel advisories; STEP; general advice?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/international-travel-passport-credit-cards-travel-advisories-step-general-advice/1022368)
**Author:** [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2025, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/international-travel-passport-credit-cards-travel-advisories-step-general-advice/1022368 "2025-09-18T04:59:01Z")
I live in the USA and looking for some help from you who frequently travel internationally. It’s been over 10 years for me, and it was usually business travel. I’m retired now. First, passport My passport expired years… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=236) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=238)