# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=26&state=watching [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 27 --- ## [What are UFOs if they're NOT alien spacecraft?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-ufos-if-theyre-not-alien-spacecraft/998108)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 543\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2026, 8:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-ufos-if-theyre-not-alien-spacecraft/998108 "2026-09-11T08:41:51Z")
Really the only reason we have for supposing that UFOs are vessels for extraterrestrial beings is a number of accounts that seem dubious and contradictory. So what else could they be? I’d like to toss out a somewhat unh… --- ## [Is there any health benefit of eating a reduced sodium diet vs just taking a diuretic pill](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-health-benefit-of-eating-a-reduced-sodium-diet-vs-just-taking-a-diuretic-pill/1015996)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2026, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-health-benefit-of-eating-a-reduced-sodium-diet-vs-just-taking-a-diuretic-pill/1015996 "2026-09-11T03:24:55Z")
So I recently started a combo of drugs for my hypertension. One is a potassium sparing diuretic, the other is a thiazide diuretic. I had my electrolytes tested. My potassium is fine and didn’t drop too low, but my sodiu… --- ## [Should sports arenas be left to the private sector?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-sports-arenas-be-left-to-the-private-sector/764672)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 265\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2026, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-sports-arenas-be-left-to-the-private-sector/764672 "2026-09-11T03:03:10Z")
My town lost its AHL team at the end of last season. The arena had just recently been remodeled, at the county’s expense, for this teams benefit. Now taxpayers cover all the costs of the place. Even when the team was s… --- ## [Where did this melody come from? (Easy Listening/Elevator Music, now oft used as musical shorthand for waiting)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-this-melody-come-from-easy-listening-elevator-music-now-oft-used-as-musical-shorthand-for-waiting/1032965)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2026, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-this-melody-come-from-easy-listening-elevator-music-now-oft-used-as-musical-shorthand-for-waiting/1032965 "2026-09-11T02:16:41Z")
I can’t seem to link to YouTube shorts in such a way that the link starts the video at a specific time, so you’ll just have to do it the old fashioned way and scroll (or wait) till :31 in this video. It’s almost certain… --- ## [Is there any amount of immigration, legal illegal either both, that is too much?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-amount-of-immigration-legal-illegal-either-both-that-is-too-much/1032515)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 224\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2026, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-amount-of-immigration-legal-illegal-either-both-that-is-too-much/1032515 "2026-09-11T01:47:00Z")
Continuing the discussion from Democratic Party Official Position is to Abolish ICE: I think the discussion there is going beyond the slogan of “Abolish ICE” to broad brushstrokes that The argument seems to have becom… --- ## [Taking a day trip to Canada. Problems?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-a-day-trip-to-canada-problems/1032675)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2026, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-a-day-trip-to-canada-problems/1032675 "2026-09-11T01:33:47Z")
I’m thinking of taking a day trip up to Montreal. Will I have any problems due to the recent “policies” of the Trump administration? I would be using a passport as ID to drive across the border. Have there been any issu… --- ## [Explain Girl Scout cookies to a European](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-girl-scout-cookies-to-a-european/1032063)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 109\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2026, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-girl-scout-cookies-to-a-european/1032063 "2026-09-11T00:21:07Z")
This is an occasional plot element in American films and TV shows, but it’s non-existent in Europe (at least where I live), so please pardon my ignorance and explain the whole thing to me. I know what Girl Scouts are, an… --- ## [How would you respond to the deferential wife scenario?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-respond-to-the-deferential-wife-scenario/1031355)
**Author:** [@Cmyers1980](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cmyers1980)\ **Replies:** 132\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2026, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-respond-to-the-deferential-wife-scenario/1031355 "2026-09-10T22:14:48Z")
The philosopher Thomas Hill Jr. made up a scenario decades ago about a woman who is extremely deferential and subservient to her husband. Below is a quote from him that sums up the scenario: “The deferential wife is utt… --- ## [Why are profanity bleeps so freakin' LOUD?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-profanity-bleeps-so-freakin-loud/1032946)
**Author:** [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2026, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-profanity-bleeps-so-freakin-loud/1032946 "2026-09-10T22:05:09Z")
Is there any specific reason, in this day and age of digital production, why profanity bleeps in TV shows are so much louder than the surrounding dialogue? It’s not as if it needs to physically drown out the profanity; t… --- ## [The Frozen Binomial game - Please read the rules in the OP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-frozen-binomial-game-please-read-the-rules-in-the-op/1030725)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 647\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2026, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-frozen-binomial-game-please-read-the-rules-in-the-op/1030725 "2026-09-10T20:20:37Z")
A frozen binomial is a pair of words used together in a fixed order as an expression. For example, we say “salt and pepper”, not “pepper and salt”. Rules: You may use just ONE frozen binomial per post You must use it … --- ## [Could drones make manual small arms obsolete?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-drones-make-manual-small-arms-obsolete/1031306)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2026, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-drones-make-manual-small-arms-obsolete/1031306 "2026-09-10T20:14:23Z")
Once upon a time firearms revolutionized the human condition. In particular in the context of war they eventually replaced almost all hand-to-hand fighting. Today bayonets and fighting knives are an afterthought or retai… --- ## [Rifftrax doing four new episodes of MST3K](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rifftrax-doing-four-new-episodes-of-mst3k/1027326)
**Author:** [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2026, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rifftrax-doing-four-new-episodes-of-mst3k/1027326 "2026-09-10T19:53:50Z")
Here’s Mike and the two robots telling us about it. I watch a lot of Rifftrax shorts on youtube, but have never gone to their website to see how it works. Can anyone here tell me about it? I’d love to see Mike and the… --- ## [Too late to say goodbye to a dear friend](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/too-late-to-say-goodbye-to-a-dear-friend/1032936)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2026, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/too-late-to-say-goodbye-to-a-dear-friend/1032936 "2026-09-10T19:34:36Z")
She was a Master Costumer, Secretary of the International Costumers Guild, wrote tons of fanfiction and illustrated many fanzines, and she organized fan-based phone banks to raise money for PBS back in the day. She went… --- ## [Statistics and sample-size question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/statistics-and-sample-size-question/1032882)
**Author:** [@hideousidiot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hideousidiot)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2026, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/statistics-and-sample-size-question/1032882 "2026-09-10T19:12:15Z")
According to an AI I consulted, and my own sense, education-levels in this country correlate closely with voting patterns: people with doctorates tend to vote Democratic much more than people who never graduated high sch… --- ## [Would you use the word "square" for a public space that's round?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-use-the-word-square-for-a-public-space-thats-round/1032926)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2026, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-use-the-word-square-for-a-public-space-thats-round/1032926 "2026-09-10T19:07:16Z")
Just an English language question from a non-native speaker. I know there are round public spaces whose names indicate that shape, such as Columbus Circle in Manhattan or Piccadilly Circus in London. But if I were to hel… --- ## [Why do you want a sunroof in your car?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-want-a-sunroof-in-your-car/1032928)
**Author:** [@Saffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saffer)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2026, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-want-a-sunroof-in-your-car/1032928 "2026-09-10T19:05:21Z")
I don’t understand the appeal. I don’t particularly want to look up at the sky and opening it does not seem to offer any benefits over a normal window. It adds to cost and reduces rigidity and handling. So why are they s… --- ## [Horrible Movie and TV tropes about computers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/horrible-movie-and-tv-tropes-about-computers/1032852)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 122\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2026, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/horrible-movie-and-tv-tropes-about-computers/1032852 "2026-09-10T18:56:12Z")
This thread is inspired by a panel I went to at the Los Angeles Worldcon about a week or so ago. Why do script writers and directors treat computers like magic wands and computer programs like magic spells? There are ma… --- ## [That Simpsons scene](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-simpsons-scene/1032886)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2026, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-simpsons-scene/1032886 "2026-09-10T18:48:02Z")
…where Homer leaves Flanders’ yard and sinks backwards through the hedge. Was that a reference to something? --- ## [9-11, oh you thought I was gonna talk about the Twin towers. Nope. Read on (birth of a daughter)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-11-oh-you-thought-i-was-gonna-talk-about-the-twin-towers-nope-read-on-birth-of-a-daughter/1032934)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2026, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-11-oh-you-thought-i-was-gonna-talk-about-the-twin-towers-nope-read-on-birth-of-a-daughter/1032934 "2026-09-10T18:35:06Z")
9-11 was the day the Lil’wrekker was born. The actual day. Yes. I was watching the news in the hospital. She was born by C-section. I was slightly alarmed the whole time. But what could I do? It was happening no matter … --- ## [Trying to find a way to directly contact the creators of "Timeless History"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-find-a-way-to-directly-contact-the-creators-of-timeless-history/1032945)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2026, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-find-a-way-to-directly-contact-the-creators-of-timeless-history/1032945 "2026-09-10T17:21:20Z")
There’s a YouTube channel called “Timeless History” that gives little videos about the history of amusement parks and the like. Actually, there are several sites with that name, but the one I’m writing about is this one: … --- ## [A murder of crows. Make up your own collective noun.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-murder-of-crows-make-up-your-own-collective-noun/816370)
**Author:** [@boson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boson)\ **Replies:** 281\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2026, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-murder-of-crows-make-up-your-own-collective-noun/816370 "2026-09-10T16:59:20Z")
A mess of children. --- ## [Why are cars named after small Western towns and not big cities?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-cars-named-after-small-western-towns-and-not-big-cities/1032805)
**Author:** [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2026, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-cars-named-after-small-western-towns-and-not-big-cities/1032805 "2026-09-10T04:37:35Z")
I can think of the: Sedona Durango Tacoma Tucson Santa Fe But, no Chicago, Houston, Boston, or Washington DC. Although there is a New York-er. And, for that matter, no Biloxi, Portsmouth, or Wheaton. --- ## [Why doesn’t Stalin’s version of communism work? “From each according to their abilities, to each according to their labor?”](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesn-t-stalin-s-version-of-communism-work-from-each-according-to-their-abilities-to-each-according-to-their-labor/1032137)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 134\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2026, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesn-t-stalin-s-version-of-communism-work-from-each-according-to-their-abilities-to-each-according-to-their-labor/1032137 "2026-09-10T02:48:52Z")
I’ve been pondering the failures and successes of both capitalism and communism. I gradually developed a hypothesis that something like the quote in the OP is probably the optimal type of economic system. Lo and behold… --- ## [RIP Gloria Steinem at 92](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-gloria-steinem-at-92/1032798)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2026, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-gloria-steinem-at-92/1032798 "2026-09-10T02:47:21Z")
Gloria Steinem, a trailblazing journalist and activist who devoted her life to fighting for women’s rights, died on Wednesday. She was 92… Starting in the 1960s, at a time when women were largely limited to domestic ro… --- ## [Common misconceptions about liberalism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-misconceptions-about-liberalism/1032905)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2026, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-misconceptions-about-liberalism/1032905 "2026-09-09T23:08:00Z")
One commonly-touted example is that liberals are supposed to avoid being rich and that it’s hypocrisy to do so (for instance, people lambasting Obama for signing a $44 million book deal and having a huge Martha’s Vineyar… --- ## [Cutting the US down to (its true) size](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cutting-the-us-down-to-its-true-size/1032867)
**Author:** [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2026, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cutting-the-us-down-to-its-true-size/1032867 "2026-09-09T22:11:16Z")
For most of the current merkin troubles the wider world has watched in bemusement, angst, indignation and horror as the current poor shower of US hegemonists seek to enact/extend manifest destiny by pinching somebody, an… --- ## [Who’s on your Mount Rushmore of apex predators?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-s-on-your-mount-rushmore-of-apex-predators/1032830)
**Author:** [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2026, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-s-on-your-mount-rushmore-of-apex-predators/1032830 "2026-09-09T21:41:48Z")
And I’m interested in your rationale. Pick any period in history, land, sea, or air. Mix and match, or provide different versions for different eras or themes. I’ll provide mine at some point, but I’ll kick it off by … --- ## [Teslas really are not great cars](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339)
**Author:** [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Replies:** 621\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2026, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339 "2026-09-09T21:32:45Z")
I’m not sure if this should be a Pit thread or not. I welcome counter-points, and I’m not going to say anything about Musk or his politics, but if mods feel it should be in the Pit and move it, I’m fine with it. My insti… --- ## [Betelgeuse losing brightness](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/betelgeuse-losing-brightness/845478)
**Author:** [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Replies:** 230\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2026, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/betelgeuse-losing-brightness/845478 "2026-09-09T21:09:18Z")
The gradual loss of Betelgeuse brightness although not a surprise has been reported as a possible sign that the star may explode. If it does indeed destruct and we see the celestial supernova …when did it actually happe… --- ## [Valheim (PC game)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/valheim-pc-game/933685)
**Author:** [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2026, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/valheim-pc-game/933685 "2026-09-09T21:05:31Z")
So as usual, all of the big name releases I spent so long waiting for came out, and were enjoyed, and are waiting more DLC. In the mean time I picked up Valheim on a whim, and have been loving the hell (hehe) out of it.… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=25&state=watching) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=27&state=watching)