# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=244 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 245 --- ## [Books that should have been read in high school](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-that-should-have-been-read-in-high-school/1022741)
**Author:** [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Replies:** 109\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2025, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-that-should-have-been-read-in-high-school/1022741 "2025-09-08T05:33:36Z")
Inspired by the “Books you read in high school that you absolutely hated” thread, what do you think are books that should be read in high school? I’d like to see The Long Walk taught. The way Stephen King makes the cha… --- ## [The VMAs (Video Music Awards) are being aired on CBS this year, not MTV](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-vmas-video-music-awards-are-being-aired-on-cbs-this-year-not-mtv/1022733)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2025, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-vmas-video-music-awards-are-being-aired-on-cbs-this-year-not-mtv/1022733 "2025-09-08T05:16:55Z")
However, MTV has not, to my knowledge, shown videos for many years; their sister channels do. But CBS? Is it due to the merger I keep hearing people talk about? Yeah, I know, first world question du jour. --- ## [Another "identify that carnival ride" question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-identify-that-carnival-ride-question/1021671)
**Author:** [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2025, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-identify-that-carnival-ride-question/1021671 "2025-09-08T02:34:36Z")
Prompted by this question, What is this carnival attraction called?: I’m thinking of a ride I was on in the mid-1970s. Passengers sit inside small barrels (big enough for three or four kids sitting inside, on a circul… --- ## [Books you had read in high school that you absolutely loved](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-you-had-read-in-high-school-that-you-absolutely-loved/1022772)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2025, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-you-had-read-in-high-school-that-you-absolutely-loved/1022772 "2025-09-08T02:12:34Z")
Inspired, of course, by the ’ Books you had read in high school that you absolutely hated’ thread, which also inspired the ’ Books that should have been read in high school’ thread. Anyway, I wanted to create this ‘othe… --- ## [What are some good flavored coffees?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-flavored-coffees/1022661)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2025, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-flavored-coffees/1022661 "2025-09-08T00:54:27Z")
Not the ones that claim to be a certain flavor, but unless you look at the package you couldn’t begin to guess that it was flavored at all, let alone what specific flavor it is supposed to be. --- ## [Goodbye My Sweet Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-my-sweet-girl/1022783)
**Author:** [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2025, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-my-sweet-girl/1022783 "2025-09-07T22:44:36Z")
Last week on Friday my wife and I took a three mile hike with our old dog Minnie. She did great, hopping in the car to her place after the trek as she always does. Today we had to say goodbye to her. In the space of a we… --- ## [Social Security watch thread -- from rumor to fact to speculation and back again](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-security-watch-thread-from-rumor-to-fact-to-speculation-and-back-again/1015976)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 180\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2025, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-security-watch-thread-from-rumor-to-fact-to-speculation-and-back-again/1015976 "2025-09-07T22:32:19Z")
I’d like to consolidate discussion about proposed, rumored, and actual changes to Social Security that are flying around in the news. I’ve seen references in various threads and hope the swirling vortex will pull them in… --- ## [Australian Survivor: Australia vs World - did anyone else watch this? (open spoilers after first post)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/australian-survivor-australia-vs-world-did-anyone-else-watch-this-open-spoilers-after-first-post/1022830)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2025, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/australian-survivor-australia-vs-world-did-anyone-else-watch-this-open-spoilers-after-first-post/1022830 "2025-09-07T22:11:10Z")
Wow, what a season. We had Americans like Cerie, Parvatti, Tony represented only America, while half the field was Australian and we had one Canadian(a previous winner!), one New Zealander(a previous winner!), and one Fi… --- ## [Unknown Number - Netflix Documentary \[open spoilers after the first few posts\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unknown-number-netflix-documentary-open-spoilers-after-the-first-few-posts/1022774)
**Author:** [@liirogue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/liirogue)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2025, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unknown-number-netflix-documentary-open-spoilers-after-the-first-few-posts/1022774 "2025-09-07T21:07:12Z")
I watched this documentary last night on Netflix and am surprised that there hasn’t been a thread about this already. I was hesitant to watch it because I had already heard about what happened (before the documentary was… --- ## [Rick and Morty first time watching and ranking thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rick-and-morty-first-time-watching-and-ranking-thread/1022364)
**Author:** [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2025, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rick-and-morty-first-time-watching-and-ranking-thread/1022364 "2025-09-07T14:27:29Z")
Yes, I know there is already a thread for it, I’ve been posting in it. But that’s a current episode watching and talk thread and I’m starting out from the beginning and then also ranking them every 2-3 episodes I watch.… --- ## [Bad week for 60s rock stars - Tom Shipley of Brewer and Shipley died](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-week-for-60s-rock-stars-tom-shipley-of-brewer-and-shipley-died/1022805)
**Author:** [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2025, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-week-for-60s-rock-stars-tom-shipley-of-brewer-and-shipley-died/1022805 "2025-09-07T14:10:03Z")
Tom Shipley died at 84. Brewer and Shipley were masters of down-home folk rock, midwestern style. Their originals were fine and their covers made the songs sound new. They’ll always be known for “One Toke Over the Line,… --- ## [Rudy Ghouliani in car accident, the Pit edition](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rudy-ghouliani-in-car-accident-the-pit-edition/1022639)
**Author:** [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2025, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rudy-ghouliani-in-car-accident-the-pit-edition/1022639 "2025-09-07T12:27:56Z")
I find it suspicious that a man with no spine has reportedly broken a vertebrae. Fuck that fucking guy. So many good people die everyday and these worms just keep on living --- ## ["Back of" vs "in back of": regional variation? Old-fashioned vs new?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-of-vs-in-back-of-regional-variation-old-fashioned-vs-new/1022752)
**Author:** [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2025, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-of-vs-in-back-of-regional-variation-old-fashioned-vs-new/1022752 "2025-09-07T11:56:39Z")
I remember quite clearly in elementary school (60+ years ago) reading a story in which someone said something like, “the garage was back of the house.” I was outraged and appalled as only a small kid can be, because I kn… --- ## [Is there yet any measurable effect of this year's tariffs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-yet-any-measurable-effect-of-this-years-tariffs/1022535)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2025, 8:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-yet-any-measurable-effect-of-this-years-tariffs/1022535 "2025-09-07T08:33:19Z")
It is some 5.5 months since Trump announced his tariffs, and they have changed countless times since then. I’ve consistently heard folk proclaiming the disaster that would result in terms of higher prices, businesses cl… --- ## [What's needed for a road trip?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-needed-for-a-road-trip/1022755)
**Author:** [@doc481](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doc481)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2025, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-needed-for-a-road-trip/1022755 "2025-09-07T04:17:13Z")
My wife and I are taking a multi day road trip soon the first one in years. We’ve flown and rented cars most of the time. What sort of stuff should I have in the car? I have normal stuff, sunglasses, phone charger, bo… --- ## [Was Victoria, as Queen, ever addressed as "Your Highness?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-victoria-as-queen-ever-addressed-as-your-highness/1022809)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2025, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-victoria-as-queen-ever-addressed-as-your-highness/1022809 "2025-09-07T03:21:16Z")
The question comes from a book, but it is an historical novel based on real events, so I don’t think Cafe Society is appropriate. 1843, Victoria has been Queen for maybe 6 years, and Robert Peel is the Prime Minister. O… --- ## [Facebook Messenger?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-messenger/1022785)
**Author:** [@19USMC69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/19USMC69)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2025, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-messenger/1022785 "2025-09-07T01:30:21Z")
I was able to delete the FB Messenger App on my iPhone. Can I delete FB Messenger on my PC? If so how? Thx --- ## [Bad week for 60s rock stars - Mark Volman of the Turtles died](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-week-for-60s-rock-stars-mark-volman-of-the-turtles-died/1022803)
**Author:** [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2025, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-week-for-60s-rock-stars-mark-volman-of-the-turtles-died/1022803 "2025-09-07T01:17:31Z")
Mark Volman died this week at the age of 78. The Turtles were one of my favorite groups in high school, cool, catchy songs that stood out even in those fab times. “Happy Together” was a classic number one and they had fi… --- ## [Bought used vehicle with two undeclared needed repairs. Worth pursuing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bought-used-vehicle-with-two-undeclared-needed-repairs-worth-pursuing/1022790)
**Author:** [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2025, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bought-used-vehicle-with-two-undeclared-needed-repairs-worth-pursuing/1022790 "2025-09-06T22:00:03Z")
About a month ago, I bought a vehicle from a dealership 2 hours away from my house. They claimed it had passed a rigorous 170-point inspection. A few minutes after purchasing, on the drive home, I noticed a star crack i… --- ## [Remote page turner for Kindle books in the web browser?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remote-page-turner-for-kindle-books-in-the-web-browser/1022745)
**Author:** [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2025, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remote-page-turner-for-kindle-books-in-the-web-browser/1022745 "2025-09-06T21:34:01Z")
Not sure if this is the best forum for this, but it feels right… I primarily read books with the Kindle web browser app on my Windows computer (with a large monitor.) Does anyone know of a remote (Bluetooth, etc.) page … --- ## [Greaseman's Black Slacks: Who?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greasemans-black-slacks-who/241860)
**Author:** [@Hugh\_Jass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hugh_Jass)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2025, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greasemans-black-slacks-who/241860 "2025-09-06T20:56:13Z")
The Greaseman was a DJ in Washington in the 80s and 90s. He had a bit where he’d play a slow, psychedelic version of the song Black Slacks (originally by Joe Bennet and the Sparkletones, methinks). I haven’t been able to… --- ## [Do we have the technology, and the time, to send a probe to the interstellar object](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-have-the-technology-and-the-time-to-send-a-probe-to-the-interstellar-object/1022692)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2025, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-have-the-technology-and-the-time-to-send-a-probe-to-the-interstellar-object/1022692 "2025-09-06T19:52:55Z")
Suppose there was a nonzero chance, backed up by scientific evidence, that this 31/Atlas was an alien spacecraft. If so, would we have enough time, and technology, to get a probe to it to take pictures and gather other d… --- ## [Could a modern fighter takeoff vertically?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-modern-fighter-takeoff-vertically/1022771)
**Author:** [@Marine\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marine_One)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2025, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-modern-fighter-takeoff-vertically/1022771 "2025-09-06T18:05:39Z")
If you could stand modern fighters (F-35, F-16, F-22, Sukhoi Su-57, etc.) on it’s tail, could it take-off vertically? I’m thinking no. It would just fall over. Or dance across the runway. You would have to support i… --- ## [MP3 burning to CD off Amazon?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mp3-burning-to-cd-off-amazon/1022793)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2025, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mp3-burning-to-cd-off-amazon/1022793 "2025-09-06T17:44:47Z")
Can MP3s bought off Amazon still be burned to CD, like they used to? Or are they adding another huge dump on the customer base by blocking that? --- ## [National Guard in cities: what instructions do troops get?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/national-guard-in-cities-what-instructions-do-troops-get/1022725)
**Author:** [@Timz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timz)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2025, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/national-guard-in-cities-what-instructions-do-troops-get/1022725 "2025-09-06T17:38:12Z")
They’re supposed to walk around (with loaded rifles?). What else are they told to do, if anything? What are they told they’re authorized to do? If someone throws something at them, have they been told how they’re allowed… --- ## [Another polygon question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-polygon-question/1022750)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2025, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-polygon-question/1022750 "2025-09-06T17:17:15Z")
Many of the smaller common and even not so common polygons have (Greek?) names that describe them. But if you “invent” a new polygon do you get to name it? Obviously you don’t really invent a polygon since all of them ex… --- ## [Trump to be nominated for Nobel Peace Prize](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-to-be-nominated-for-nobel-peace-prize/1019948)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 111\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2025, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-to-be-nominated-for-nobel-peace-prize/1019948 "2025-09-06T16:04:36Z")
…by Pakistan! Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize | Reuters “Pakistan said on Saturday it would recommend U.S. President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, an accolade that he has said he craves, for … --- ## [Email pet peeve: Everything is in the subject](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/email-pet-peeve-everything-is-in-the-subject/1022671)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2025, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/email-pet-peeve-everything-is-in-the-subject/1022671 "2025-09-06T13:32:51Z")
There is someone who sends me emails who puts all the content in the subject. Which doesn’t fit in the Subject field of the summary list of emails so I have to open it anyway to see what it says. Why do people do this? … --- ## [Should SDMB have a standard image hosting site?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-sdmb-have-a-standard-image-hosting-site/1022753)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2025, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-sdmb-have-a-standard-image-hosting-site/1022753 "2025-09-06T13:12:14Z")
While this might add some amount of burden to posters, there might be advantages: guaranteeing that images remain available indefinitely; possibly allowing cross-referencing by poster or what threads and posts an image a… --- ## [At what point does it become unethical to work for the US Government?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-does-it-become-unethical-to-work-for-the-us-government/1022553)
**Author:** [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2025, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-does-it-become-unethical-to-work-for-the-us-government/1022553 "2025-09-06T12:09:22Z")
I’m a federal contractor for the DoD (DoW?) I have lots of friends and coworkers in the military. We’re all supporting a fascist warfighting force in some capacity. At what point is the only ethical move to walk away? … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=243) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=245)