# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=247&state=tracking [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 248 --- ## [Things your favorite authors do that annoy you](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-your-favorite-authors-do-that-annoy-you/1020201)
**Author:** [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Replies:** 128\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2025, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-your-favorite-authors-do-that-annoy-you/1020201 "2025-09-04T05:42:55Z")
Rex Stout’s Nero Wolfe novels are among my favorite books. I’ve read all 47 of them multiple times, and every few years I’ll run through the whole series again, just to be able to spend some time in the brownstone on Wes… --- ## [Echos of Y2K in a hole in my barn](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/echos-of-y2k-in-a-hole-in-my-barn/726625)
**Author:** [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2025, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/echos-of-y2k-in-a-hole-in-my-barn/726625 "2025-09-04T02:29:57Z")
Some of you may recall the first part of this tale, told a few times here in passing over the years. But now the tale has a 2nd, more bizarre part. Back about 1998 or so, the Mrs. and I rented out the old farmhouse (bu… --- ## [Far be it from me to "pooh pooh" something you like, but.... RottenTomatoes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/far-be-it-from-me-to-pooh-pooh-something-you-like-but-rottentomatoes/1022659)
**Author:** [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2025, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/far-be-it-from-me-to-pooh-pooh-something-you-like-but-rottentomatoes/1022659 "2025-09-04T02:26:01Z")
I just saw the reply by someone else, in another thread “And it has a 93% on the popcorn meter!” … like that’s really gonna sway me either way. :roll\_eyes: I just read those types of comments and I can’t help but thin… --- ## [What's the hardest Cube-y thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-hardest-cube-y-thing/747183)
**Author:** [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2025, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-hardest-cube-y-thing/747183 "2025-09-04T00:33:59Z")
I have in my house at the moment… A 3x3 Rubiks cube A 5x5 cube A megaminx (dodecahedron) I’ve also had in my possession, over the years, a 4x4, pyraminx, and a few other random rubiksish puzzles (the snake, rubik’s m… --- ## [The Orgy Tent at Burning Man has been destroyed in a windstorm](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orgy-tent-at-burning-man-has-been-destroyed-in-a-windstorm/1022509)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2025, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orgy-tent-at-burning-man-has-been-destroyed-in-a-windstorm/1022509 "2025-09-03T21:46:39Z")
Of course, there are lots of jokes about this not being the kind of blowjobs one expected to see in and around this structure. I’ll leave any theological discussions to people, regarding their own personal beliefs. ETA… --- ## [What are the biggest out-of-pocket medical costs for elderly Americans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-biggest-out-of-pocket-medical-costs-for-elderly-americans/1022489)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2025, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-biggest-out-of-pocket-medical-costs-for-elderly-americans/1022489 "2025-09-03T20:42:07Z")
Yesterday my wife and I were discussing retirement finances. We are in a very fine situation. Maintaining our current level of income, we will face some hefty RMDs down the line. I asked whether we might want to incre… --- ## [Crash tests with humans: what's the record for g's?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crash-tests-with-humans-whats-the-record-for-gs/1022722)
**Author:** [@Timz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timz)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2025, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crash-tests-with-humans-whats-the-record-for-gs/1022722 "2025-09-03T20:41:54Z")
The Wikipedia article on John Paul Stapp says he has the record, 46 g, but maybe that’s just the record for facing forward? The question arises looking at Aviation Week 2 June 1958 p23, which says “an Air Force captain” … --- ## [Ethics of shopping at thrift stores](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethics-of-shopping-at-thrift-stores/1022510)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 113\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2025, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethics-of-shopping-at-thrift-stores/1022510 "2025-09-03T20:27:12Z")
I’ll admit I don’t know the economics of running a thrift store and I realize they are going to vary from case to case. So I’m just looking for opinions. As I see it, there are two opposing ways to look at shopping at t… --- ## [I want to watch an EPL game (or highlight reel) from 2003](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-watch-an-epl-game-or-highlight-reel-from-2003/1022717)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2025, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-watch-an-epl-game-or-highlight-reel-from-2003/1022717 "2025-09-03T20:00:59Z")
I read somewhere that it’s possible to watch any English Premier League match ever broadcast. I jumped through the hoops to create a MyPremierLeague account, and their archives appear to extend only to 2016. I want to wa… --- ## [Mississippi Pot Roast](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mississippi-pot-roast/1022687)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2025, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mississippi-pot-roast/1022687 "2025-09-03T19:37:14Z")
Although I’ve been a home cook for 40 year, I ain’t never heard about Mississippi Pot Roast until today. Here’s my issue. No one besides me would want pepperoncini in it. What am I missing if I leave them out? Is it … --- ## [Souvenirs of yesteryear (1950s-1960s)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/souvenirs-of-yesteryear-1950s-1960s/1022550)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2025, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/souvenirs-of-yesteryear-1950s-1960s/1022550 "2025-09-03T19:19:15Z")
I re-visited Polar Caves in Rumney, NH recently. I had been there as a kid, and the place hasn’t changed all that much. They used to have a guide to take you through the tortuous paths and stairways through the interstic… --- ## [Making Italian beef at home](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-italian-beef-at-home/1022561)
**Author:** [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2025, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-italian-beef-at-home/1022561 "2025-09-03T17:48:08Z")
Have you ever wanted an Italian beef sandwich, but you’re not in Chicago? I have. and I’ve realized, there are lots of recipes for making it at home in a slow cooker. It’s really just a beef roast braised in stock and… --- ## [Is your birthday a Big Deal to you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-your-birthday-a-big-deal-to-you/1022139)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2025, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-your-birthday-a-big-deal-to-you/1022139 "2025-09-03T17:39:34Z")
Like, does it matter to you if casual friends/co-workers say Happy Birthday to you? Does your family/friends do some kind of special celebration? Anything from “just have a cake with supper that day” to full on parties… --- ## [Legal hypothetical involving store theft](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-hypothetical-involving-store-theft/1022676)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2025, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-hypothetical-involving-store-theft/1022676 "2025-09-03T16:37:26Z")
Let us say a store prominently posts this sign: “WARNING SHOPLIFTERS! ALL ITEMS IN THIS STORE ARE MARKED $1000. NON-CRIMINAL DISCOUNTS APPLIED AT CHECKOUT FOR ALL PAYING CUSTOMERS ONLY. THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA WITH PR… --- ## [US Interstates - maintenance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-interstates-maintenance/1022390)
**Author:** [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2025, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-interstates-maintenance/1022390 "2025-09-03T15:31:53Z")
Many Interstates and other divided highways have wide, well-kept grassy medians and margins. However - I don’t ever recall seeing a mower doing their job. How is the grass so well kept in most places? How often is it mow… --- ## [SDMB stuff that makes me smile](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-stuff-that-makes-me-smile/963434)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2025, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-stuff-that-makes-me-smile/963434 "2025-09-03T14:32:14Z")
The little yellow flag was up, in my upper right corner, so I clicked on it and saw this: “Sauron Russia invades Ukraine” And thought: “Oh great: now we’ll have to send anti-Orc weaponry to Ukraine!” --- ## [The Menendez Murder Case Revisited](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-menendez-murder-case-revisited/33874)
**Author:** [@egkelly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/egkelly)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2025, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-menendez-murder-case-revisited/33874 "2025-09-03T14:11:02Z")
I was watching a made-for -TV movie about the brothers Menendez (Lyle and Eric), who were convicted of murdering their parents in 1989. The movie was quite well done-only, I have a hard time with the characterization of… --- ## [End users buying goods from out of the country, how are tariffs paid?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/end-users-buying-goods-from-out-of-the-country-how-are-tariffs-paid/1022069)
**Author:** [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2025, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/end-users-buying-goods-from-out-of-the-country-how-are-tariffs-paid/1022069 "2025-09-03T14:08:03Z")
FQ? Politics? Somewhere else, I’m not sure, but it’s technically factual question, so I’ll start it here. We can skip the hypotheticals and jump right into the actual situation. There’s a product I’m looking to buy. It… --- ## [A time travelers dilemma: where to store vintage documents for hundreds of years](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-time-travelers-dilemma-where-to-store-vintage-documents-for-hundreds-of-years/1022575)
**Author:** [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2025, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-time-travelers-dilemma-where-to-store-vintage-documents-for-hundreds-of-years/1022575 "2025-09-03T13:46:11Z")
So I’ve taken up time traveling as a nice hobby to keep me busy. It’s a little time consuming, but definitely worth it. But it’s also pricey, what with the plutonium and all. Fortunately, I’ve stumbled on a brilliant … --- ## [Getting vaccinated abroad](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-vaccinated-abroad/1022700)
**Author:** [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2025, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-vaccinated-abroad/1022700 "2025-09-03T13:10:49Z")
Okay, so it’s gotten complicated to get vaccinated for covid in the US. But my son points out that we are visiting Japan in October. Does anyone know if we could get jabbed there? And if so, what we’d need to do and wha… --- ## [What can you buy with a quarter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-buy-with-a-quarter/1022665)
**Author:** [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2025, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-buy-with-a-quarter/1022665 "2025-09-03T13:02:53Z")
You have 25 cents in your pocket and that’s all. No cell phone, no charge cards. What can you buy with it? You must pay taxes if applicable. If you are European, you have a 20 Euro-cent coin or perhaps a 20 pence coin i… --- ## [Time traveling for profit](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-traveling-for-profit/1022599)
**Author:** [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2025, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-traveling-for-profit/1022599 "2025-09-03T11:22:29Z")
Continuing the discussion from A time travelers dilemma: where to store vintage documents for hundreds of years: Rather than hijacking the discussion of storing documents to make a fortune, what other methods can be use… --- ## [Botticelli, August 2025](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/botticelli-august-2025/1021698)
**Author:** [@knoodler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/knoodler)\ **Replies:** 306\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2025, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/botticelli-august-2025/1021698 "2025-09-03T03:45:02Z")
New Botticelli thread here. --- ## [RIP Rainier V. Weiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-rainier-v-weiss/1022675)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2025, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-rainier-v-weiss/1022675 "2025-09-03T01:48:25Z")
Who? Nobel prize co-winner in n2017 for his work on LIGO and the detection of gravitational waves. Also, according to Wikipedia: Weiss helped realize a number of challenging experimental tests of fundamental physics. … --- ## [What computer game is this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-computer-game-is-this/1022650)
**Author:** [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2025, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-computer-game-is-this/1022650 "2025-09-03T00:14:43Z")
I’ve seen some adverts for a simple computer game and would like to know what it’s called. The game features a narrow walkway. The player controls a Warrior firing up the walkway at various opposition. Early on there a… --- ## [Factual Question about the Epstein Files](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factual-question-about-the-epstein-files/1021320)
**Author:** [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2025, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factual-question-about-the-epstein-files/1021320 "2025-09-03T00:01:17Z")
What is in the “Epstein files”? Who created the files, and who owns them (ie, has control over whether or not they’re released?) And how are they different from the grand jury testimony – whose release was recently sou… --- ## [How can Sharp Cheddar go rancid?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-sharp-cheddar-go-rancid/1022670)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2025, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-sharp-cheddar-go-rancid/1022670 "2025-09-02T23:34:15Z")
I routinely buy Sargento sliced, sharp cheddar. I like it on sandwiches and Ritz crackers. The package has a ziploc type seal. I opened a new package and the cheese tasted off. I didn’t eat that slice. A week later I n… --- ## [What are some forms of information that undermine the simple 'oppressor vs oppressed' western narrative](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-forms-of-information-that-undermine-the-simple-oppressor-vs-oppressed-western-narrative/1021868)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 214\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2025, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-forms-of-information-that-undermine-the-simple-oppressor-vs-oppressed-western-narrative/1021868 "2025-09-02T23:17:04Z")
So let me try to explain what I mean. I am talking about how in the west, there is a narrative on the left (I consider myself left leaning) that all of history and culture can be looked at through the lens of campism. Th… --- ## [Banana bread, rethink](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banana-bread-rethink/1022690)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2025, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banana-bread-rethink/1022690 "2025-09-02T22:58:33Z")
We have a lot of dark bananas. So my mid-daughter is making her loaded banana nut bread. Anything might go in it. Today she even grated carrot into it. I personally like a dark brown banana bread. I resist the cocoa rou… --- ## [Take This Job and Shove It - meaning of the song](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-this-job-and-shove-it-meaning-of-the-song/1022667)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2025, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-this-job-and-shove-it-meaning-of-the-song/1022667 "2025-09-02T21:06:50Z")
The song, most famously performed by Johnny Paycheck in 1977, was mentioned in another thread, which brought it to mind. Did the singer actually quit his job? Or does he just fantasize about quitting? The song starts o… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=246&state=tracking) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=248&state=tracking)