# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=259&state=watching [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 260 --- ## [Do police officers or departments really have ticket quotas?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-police-officers-or-departments-really-have-ticket-quotas/1021427)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2025, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-police-officers-or-departments-really-have-ticket-quotas/1021427 "2025-08-18T04:37:46Z")
At least in my part of NJ, we were always warned to watch out for cops while driving at the end of a month. The conventional wisdom was that cops had to meet their ticket quotas, so are generally looking for any violati… --- ## [Everyone gets this wrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everyone-gets-this-wrong/1019166)
**Author:** [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Replies:** 181\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2025, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everyone-gets-this-wrong/1019166 "2025-08-18T02:45:49Z")
I was reading an article about Star Trek IV and they made a mistake about the plot that is very common. They were asking how they were about to manufacture the Transparent Aluminum so quickly for the Whale tank. But tha… --- ## [If not college, then what? Trade jobs are even worse? (young adult problems in the US for jobs)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-not-college-then-what-trade-jobs-are-even-worse-young-adult-problems-in-the-us-for-jobs/1020532)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 204\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2025, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-not-college-then-what-trade-jobs-are-even-worse-young-adult-problems-in-the-us-for-jobs/1020532 "2025-08-18T00:34:44Z")
I have read a few articles in the past few months which suggested many young people are skipping college and going for trade jobs. You need college to be a doctor or lawyer (nitpickers back off). Maybe an accountant. … --- ## [How can Elon Musk build a supercomputer in19 days, when his competitors take four years?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-elon-musk-build-a-supercomputer-in19-days-when-his-competitors-take-four-years/1012065)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2025, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-elon-musk-build-a-supercomputer-in19-days-when-his-competitors-take-four-years/1012065 "2025-08-18T00:25:39Z")
This link says that Musk built a supercomputer in 19 days, instead of taking three years to design and one more year to build. How is this possible? Is there something different about Musks’s supercomputer than his com… --- ## [Solar Panel Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solar-panel-questions/1022172)
**Author:** [@19USMC69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/19USMC69)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2025, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solar-panel-questions/1022172 "2025-08-18T00:24:01Z")
We play softball on a field owned by a school. A large number (hundreds) of solar panels are being installed, 20’ or so away from and parallel to the foul lines. They’re about 20’ off the ground. As expected, foul ball… --- ## [Do women really get off from sitting on washing machines?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-women-really-get-off-from-sitting-on-washing-machines/1021521)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2025, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-women-really-get-off-from-sitting-on-washing-machines/1021521 "2025-08-17T23:30:45Z")
This is a joke that’s come up in pop culture from time to time. I have a vague memory of a movie from the 80s in which women discussed this, and it also came (heh) up in a story arc in Ghosts (US). Thing is, some cursory… --- ## [I need to find an executor for my estate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-find-an-executor-for-my-estate/1022161)
**Author:** [@2\_More\_Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2_More_Bits)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2025, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-find-an-executor-for-my-estate/1022161 "2025-08-17T21:54:19Z")
I’m getting old and trying to put my financial “house” in order before I croak. There is no obvious person to ask to be an executer (apparently called a "personal representative in Michigan). How do I find someone to fil… --- ## [Repurposing an old Window 7 to Linux](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repurposing-an-old-window-7-to-linux/1015309)
**Author:** [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2025, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repurposing-an-old-window-7-to-linux/1015309 "2025-08-17T21:51:43Z")
So, a bit if an intro: I’ve got a 2011-purchased HP laptop that seemingly runs fine when I fire it up. “Ol’ Gurdy” has survived several deployments overseas, and still has her OEM Windows 7 installed. She has not seen a… --- ## [The classic chef's hat...was there a reason it looked like that or just aesthetic? (feel free to talk about other unique profession hats too)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-classic-chefs-hat-was-there-a-reason-it-looked-like-that-or-just-aesthetic-feel-free-to-talk-about-other-unique-profession-hats-too/1022145)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2025, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-classic-chefs-hat-was-there-a-reason-it-looked-like-that-or-just-aesthetic-feel-free-to-talk-about-other-unique-profession-hats-too/1022145 "2025-08-17T20:58:11Z")
While I have not seen it used in a while I am sure almost all here have seen the iconic chef’s hat: Is there a purpose to it being like that or was it just some weird desi… --- ## [Most Attractive Hobbies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-attractive-hobbies/1022010)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2025, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-attractive-hobbies/1022010 "2025-08-17T20:57:01Z")
This Daily Mail article (quoted in the New York Post) claims women think reading is the most attractive hobby a man can have. Languages, cooking, music and woodwork are rated highly. It rates many other hobbies, findin… --- ## [Inner voice reading technology: dystopian visions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inner-voice-reading-technology-dystopian-visions/1022111)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2025, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inner-voice-reading-technology-dystopian-visions/1022111 "2025-08-17T20:24:40Z")
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/14/science/brain-neuroscience-computers-speech.html?unlocked\_article\_code=1.eU8.FVR5.B15FqIHNdpjr&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare Gift link to NYT. I personally roll … --- ## [Home networking problem (and solutions)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-networking-problem-and-solutions/1021910)
**Author:** [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2025, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-networking-problem-and-solutions/1021910 "2025-08-17T19:31:14Z")
The problem, in short, is that our internet comes into the house in the bedroom in the NE corner of the house, so that’s where the gateway and router sit. My home office is in a finished bedroom in the basement at the op… --- ## [Omnibus Weather/AGW thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-weather-agw-thread/980601)
**Author:** [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2025, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-weather-agw-thread/980601 "2025-08-17T18:38:49Z")
For either general “The weather is like XYZ right here now” to more specific “This is how global warming is apparently manifesting here at the moment” kinds of observations. \[Yes I am well aware of the difference betwee… --- ## [Changes to post composition window in Discourse](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changes-to-post-composition-window-in-discourse/1021474)
**Author:** [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Replies:** 140\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2025, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changes-to-post-composition-window-in-discourse/1021474 "2025-08-17T18:34:14Z")
While making some replies today, I noticed two changes in Discourse formatting for the post-composition window. One is that there is no longer a preview being automatically shown on the right-hand side of the compositio… --- ## [What percentage of American atheists are white?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-percentage-of-american-atheists-are-white/1022148)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2025, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-percentage-of-american-atheists-are-white/1022148 "2025-08-17T03:57:29Z")
I’ve been able to suss out what percentage of Americans are white, and what percentage are atheist, but I want to know what percentage of American atheists are white. My Google Fu is weak today. My knee-jerk guess was t… --- ## [ID this military thriller](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-military-thriller/1022152)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2025, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-military-thriller/1022152 "2025-08-17T03:42:19Z")
It was a novel. It was set on an American nuclear missile submarine. There was something that happened (maybe a chemical spill?) that caused most of the crew, including the captain, to begin developing mental problems. O… --- ## [Will SD ever add a "Like" Button?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-sd-ever-add-a-like-button/646133)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2025, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-sd-ever-add-a-like-button/646133 "2025-08-17T03:07:01Z")
You guys really oughta revamp the SD Board bringing into the 21st century. With a little creative thought, adding Like buttons and even more creative features… BAM! You can kick this Board up a Notch! :wink: --- ## [Nothing says lovin' like biscuits in the oven](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nothing-says-lovin-like-biscuits-in-the-oven/1008352)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2025, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nothing-says-lovin-like-biscuits-in-the-oven/1008352 "2025-08-17T03:04:37Z")
I think I found the perfect biscuit recipe. Now I know that biscuit recipes are pretty standard but this one was different somehow. Beautiful rise, flaky, great tasting. Plus I modified it slightly and it came out eve… --- ## [I need to lead a trivia quiz game for my coworkers/team tomorrow, please give me your best interesting facts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-lead-a-trivia-quiz-game-for-my-coworkers-team-tomorrow-please-give-me-your-best-interesting-facts/1022077)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2025, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-lead-a-trivia-quiz-game-for-my-coworkers-team-tomorrow-please-give-me-your-best-interesting-facts/1022077 "2025-08-17T01:43:38Z")
For the company work team-building event, I need about 40 multiple-choice questions with bizarre or interesting true trivia. I’ve already made nearly half of them, but I’d appreciate any weird info Dopers can provide….. … --- ## [Looking for a WW2 board game where you bomb the US with Luftwaffe Bombers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-ww2-board-game-where-you-bomb-the-us-with-luftwaffe-bombers/1022133)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2025, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-ww2-board-game-where-you-bomb-the-us-with-luftwaffe-bombers/1022133 "2025-08-16T23:00:48Z")
Came out within the past 15 years, saw it on a game store shelf and always regretted never buying it because it was only $30. Was either a board or a card game, but came in a smaller box. You commanded a Luftwaffe bombe… --- ## [steam locomotives, matching the tractive effort](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steam-locomotives-matching-the-tractive-effort/793799)
**Author:** [@ASGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASGuy)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2025, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steam-locomotives-matching-the-tractive-effort/793799 "2025-08-16T21:34:25Z")
There must be some railroad aficionados on the SDMB who can answer this. Let’s jump in the Wayback machine and travel back to West Virginia in 1912. Railroad trains are pulled by steam locomotives. There is no radio. Co… --- ## [Best homemade snack EVER!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-homemade-snack-ever/1021885)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2025, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-homemade-snack-ever/1021885 "2025-08-16T17:17:37Z")
These are the rules: There are no rules! Mine: You takes yur toast. You butters yur toast. You add the perfect blend of sugar and cinnamon to yur toast…and you eats yur toast. Next? --- ## [Fiendishly obscure question: When did animator John A. Fitzsimmons (Winsor McCay's asst.) die?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fiendishly-obscure-question-when-did-animator-john-a-fitzsimmons-winsor-mccays-asst-die/844756)
**Author:** [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2025, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fiendishly-obscure-question-when-did-animator-john-a-fitzsimmons-winsor-mccays-asst-die/844756 "2025-08-16T15:19:43Z")
Winsor McCay, while not a name commonly heard nowadays, was one of the pioneers in cartoon animation. Probably his best known feature was Gertie the Dinosaur (1914), although another one of his characters was ‘Little Ne… --- ## [What time is used to record events?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-time-is-used-to-record-events/1021954)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2025, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-time-is-used-to-record-events/1021954 "2025-08-16T14:26:00Z")
A recent topic in GD about WWII made me wonder… When Japan surrendered (the Emperor broadcasting they were done) what time was it? For instance, as of this post, it is 12:38pm, August 12 in Tokyo. In Washington, D.C.,… --- ## [Looking for a children's book series](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-childrens-book-series/1022130)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2025, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-childrens-book-series/1022130 "2025-08-16T06:12:57Z")
…about a woman who lived in an upside-down house. --- ## [Mr. brown loves him a new car](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-brown-loves-him-a-new-car/1022019)
**Author:** [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2025, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-brown-loves-him-a-new-car/1022019 "2025-08-16T03:20:23Z")
Yesterday we were on the last day of our vacation, and I noted the mileage on our car and suggested we might think of replacing it with another CR-V that we would expect would last us all the rest of our days. Mr. brown… --- ## [Question about what ICE agents (goons) are up to](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-what-ice-agents-goons-are-up-to/1022067)
**Author:** [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2025, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-what-ice-agents-goons-are-up-to/1022067 "2025-08-16T00:05:51Z")
Someone asked me what the acronym ICE stood for (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). When I explained, they said that ICE was removing illegals from the United States. I objected to that characterization because some p… --- ## [Piper chats with the Nice Phone Lady](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/piper-chats-with-the-nice-phone-lady/1022073)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2025, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/piper-chats-with-the-nice-phone-lady/1022073 "2025-08-15T22:50:10Z")
I suddenly noticed that my automatic bank transfers to The Phone Company weren’t going through, and hadn’t for a few months. Worried that I might get my phone service cut off for non-payment, I try to log onto my accoun… --- ## [Fuck CNN. And, while we're at it, Fuck the BBC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-cnn-and-while-were-at-it-fuck-the-bbc/1021884)
**Author:** [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2025, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-cnn-and-while-were-at-it-fuck-the-bbc/1021884 "2025-08-15T22:42:46Z")
I get it. Nothing is free. Yet, having to endure relentless video and still ads SHOULD have been enough. But no. CNN allows a tiny number of “free” articles per month, then I have no access. Or I have to pay to subscrib… --- ## [I need some good, fingerless riding gloves for my scooter](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-good-fingerless-riding-gloves-for-my-scooter/1022078)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2025, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-good-fingerless-riding-gloves-for-my-scooter/1022078 "2025-08-15T22:23:59Z")
I’ve done searches on this but most results seem to be opinions for motorcycles or bicycles. I have a scooter and I want a pair of fingerless gloves. Why fingerless? Comfort mainly. I get they lack some protection bu… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=258&state=watching) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=260&state=watching)