# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=261&state=tracking [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 262 --- ## [Strange dreams you've had recently](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-dreams-youve-had-recently/399129)
**Author:** [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2025, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-dreams-youve-had-recently/399129 "2025-08-11T13:13:31Z")
I had a very strange dream last night (it’s even more bizarre that I remember so much of it). I was back in high school and our class went on a field trip, to China. I was late at night and the bus (that we drove to… --- ## [(Old) A New Hope in the MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-a-new-hope-in-the-mmp/1021681)
**Author:** [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Replies:** 320\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2025, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-a-new-hope-in-the-mmp/1021681 "2025-08-11T12:29:59Z")
I’m up early and the overnighter’s missed their chance, so I’m setting the theme this time. --- ## [Why trepan weasels (at their slumber)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-trepan-weasels-at-their-slumber/1021685)
**Author:** [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2025, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-trepan-weasels-at-their-slumber/1021685 "2025-08-11T03:56:06Z")
In the G&S operetta, Princess Ida, the protagonists sing of the accomplishments possible for the women of the college at Castle Adamant. These include squaring the circle, sending a wire to the moon, getting sunbeams fr… --- ## [1950s computers: question #2](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1950s-computers-question-2/1021892)
**Author:** [@Timz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timz)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2025, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1950s-computers-question-2/1021892 "2025-08-11T02:12:44Z")
An example calculation, to be done in 1953: How far from the Empire State Building to San Francisco City Hall, based on the Coast and Geodetic Survey lat-lons of 40.748329N 73.986067W and 37.779341N and 122.418135W? La… --- ## [Where do you fly free-flight airplanes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-fly-free-flight-airplanes/921341)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2025, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-fly-free-flight-airplanes/921341 "2025-08-11T01:16:33Z")
I have a couple of Midwest Sniffer free-flight airplane kits in the storage unit. I built one of these as a teen, and it’s a great flyer. The Sniffer has a ‘dethermaliser’. The front of the tail surfaces is held to th… --- ## [Peacocks With Frikking Lasers in their tails](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peacocks-with-frikking-lasers-in-their-tails/1021872)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2025, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peacocks-with-frikking-lasers-in-their-tails/1021872 "2025-08-11T01:10:33Z")
No, I ain’t fooling. Nature has produced laser-type light. In a Peacock’s tail. https://www.sciencealert.com/mind-blowing-discovery-peacocks-have-lasers-in-their-tails In a mind-blowing first for the animal kingdom, t… --- ## [Proper gauge for a 25 foot power cord](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proper-gauge-for-a-25-foot-power-cord/1021916)
**Author:** [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2025, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proper-gauge-for-a-25-foot-power-cord/1021916 "2025-08-11T00:48:14Z")
I’m going to get 25 foot power cables for my JBL EON 715 speakers – they take IEC C13, regular computer cables. Looks like the speakers draw 1300 peak, 650 continuous. The only ones that Monoprice seems to have in stoc… --- ## [Things appearing in my Amazon shopping cart that I did not put there](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-appearing-in-my-amazon-shopping-cart-that-i-did-not-put-there/1021851)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2025, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-appearing-in-my-amazon-shopping-cart-that-i-did-not-put-there/1021851 "2025-08-10T22:36:39Z")
I shop at Amazon a lot. And I check into the Amazon website several times a week. A weird thing has happened to me about three times in the last few months. I would say that it never happened prior to about a year ago. T… --- ## [Bike Tour Question for bikers here](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bike-tour-question-for-bikers-here/1020095)
**Author:** [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2025, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bike-tour-question-for-bikers-here/1020095 "2025-08-10T21:45:23Z")
I’m taking this tour in September: I think I can still get an e-bike, but my preference is to do it with a regular bike. On that page, there is a table that shows the miles and elevation per day. If I’m doing regula… --- ## [RIP Jim Lovell](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-jim-lovell/1021876)
**Author:** [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2025, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-jim-lovell/1021876 "2025-08-10T20:08:22Z")
(I can’t figure a more appropriate place on the board besides CS) --- ## [Visual Interps of Audio Input](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visual-interps-of-audio-input/1021843)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2025, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visual-interps-of-audio-input/1021843 "2025-08-10T17:25:37Z")
Way back when MTV made its debut and I was first hearing about this phenomenon of visual accompaniment to the soundtrack of an audio recording, I somehow imagined that what they’d do is really represent the sounds visual… --- ## [Teachers/Trainers/Psychologists: have you heard of Vygotski? Bakhtin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teachers-trainers-psychologists-have-you-heard-of-vygotski-bakhtin/1021791)
**Author:** [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2025, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teachers-trainers-psychologists-have-you-heard-of-vygotski-bakhtin/1021791 "2025-08-10T17:06:49Z")
My learning of teaching and pedagogy did not include Russian / Marxist theorists at all, but I’ve recently realized that a lot of turn-of-the-century “learning to read” theory was based on a Marxist dialectic (by the wa… --- ## [FM radio app for Android](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fm-radio-app-for-android/1021832)
**Author:** [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2025, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fm-radio-app-for-android/1021832 "2025-08-10T15:31:05Z")
I have an old motorola celular that I mostly use as FM radio (→ airwaves, not WIFI supported). the app is not very good. When trying to find a FM radio (airwaves!) app in the google play store, it seems that all are “ra… --- ## [Plane crash at Pearson Toronto {2025-02-17}](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plane-crash-at-pearson-toronto-2025-02-17/1014439)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2025, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plane-crash-at-pearson-toronto-2025-02-17/1014439 "2025-08-10T14:42:56Z")
A Delta plane crashed on approach to Toronto Pearson airport. Landed upside down - belly up, on its roof. Will look for a link, but I’m making supper. --- ## [Coolest word you've learned recently](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolest-word-youve-learned-recently/553724)
**Author:** [@Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Glory)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2025, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolest-word-youve-learned-recently/553724 "2025-08-10T10:24:59Z")
Heuristically. How cool! I adore learning new words, this is the main reason I want to upgrade my old Sony Reader to a new version with a built-in dictionary. I would love to tap on words I don’t know and get a quick d… --- ## [NASA climate report](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nasa-climate-report/1021652)
**Author:** [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2025, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nasa-climate-report/1021652 "2025-08-10T03:14:03Z")
“NASA won’t publish key climate change report online, citing ‘no legal obligation’ to do so” - Space.com Would this not be available under FOIA? --- ## [Ever believe in giant dam catfish?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-believe-in-giant-dam-catfish/1021841)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2025, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-believe-in-giant-dam-catfish/1021841 "2025-08-10T03:03:10Z")
Tonight I saw some credulously talking about a dam in Waco where a diver saw catfish the size of a car and became scared of ever diving again. As a kid in the 80s I was told the same story about the nearest big dam here,… --- ## [How much sour drink can I consume before it’s a problem?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-sour-drink-can-i-consume-before-it-s-a-problem/1021877)
**Author:** [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2025, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-sour-drink-can-i-consume-before-it-s-a-problem/1021877 "2025-08-10T01:56:54Z")
I like sour things. I put lemon in my iced tea. I order my Hot and Sour soup extra sour. I’ve taken to drinking “shrubs” from the local farmer’s market, and they are pretty sour. So - how much is too much? How much vin… --- ## [MURDER MOST FOUL IN MILILANI, HAWAII (maybe)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/murder-most-foul-in-mililani-hawaii-maybe/1021833)
**Author:** [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2025, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/murder-most-foul-in-mililani-hawaii-maybe/1021833 "2025-08-10T01:49:05Z")
Sunday evening, a late message from the CVS Pharmacy after hours. Paraphrased: "Your LAT and LIS are ready for pickup. The. " (generic form) Call 808-XXX-XXXX if you have questions. What the “The.” ??? My mind race… --- ## [Is there a name for this comedy trope?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-comedy-trope/1021894)
**Author:** [@f.coli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/f.coli)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2025, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-comedy-trope/1021894 "2025-08-10T00:46:09Z")
Let me give you some examples of what I have in mind: The Coneheads Aliens with very obvious differences to earthlings are stranded on our planet. They quickly become part of the community, and none of their neighbors… --- ## [Do we know how much Saturn's rings move?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-know-how-much-saturns-rings-move/1021638)
**Author:** [@Timz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timz)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2025, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-know-how-much-saturns-rings-move/1021638 "2025-08-10T00:09:34Z")
Not talking about their changing appearance due to Earth’s and Saturn’s motions – I mean their orientation, relative to distant stars. Have we detected any motion in the plane of the rings? For that matter, how big would… --- ## [Billy Long, new IRS Commissioner?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billy-long-new-irs-commissioner/1012611)
**Author:** [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2025, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billy-long-new-irs-commissioner/1012611 "2025-08-09T23:44:05Z")
No College degree, no expertise in accounting. While a REP he co-sponsored, in three consecutive sessions, a bill to abolish the IRS, the estate tax and gift tax. His desire is to destroy the Humane Society. In his … --- ## [Would you give up free will for world peace?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-give-up-free-will-for-world-peace/990800)
**Author:** [@a\_dudes\_thought\_s](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a_dudes_thought_s)\ **Replies:** 454\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2025, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-give-up-free-will-for-world-peace/990800 "2025-08-09T22:54:03Z")
I have been watching a lot of videos of people asking pastors, preachers and such why there is evil in the world. The answer they usually give is God wants us to have free will. My question is this. Say God revealed hims… --- ## [Finally, I'm not ashamed of my Harvard connection](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-im-not-ashamed-of-my-harvard-connection/1017063)
**Author:** [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2025, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-im-not-ashamed-of-my-harvard-connection/1017063 "2025-08-09T22:26:15Z")
https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2025/04/14/harvard-rejects-trump-administration-demands/ Wow. Harvard is, at least for the moment, fighting back against the fascist Trump regime. At last, I am proud to admit my… --- ## [Library of Congress has started amending the Constitution](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/library-of-congress-has-started-amending-the-constitution/1021772)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2025, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/library-of-congress-has-started-amending-the-constitution/1021772 "2025-08-09T22:08:19Z")
Article I, sections 9 and 10 have been deleted from the Constitution on the US Library of Congress webpage. Probably because they’re outdated. No one needs to know about them. I mean, habeas corpus, bills of attainder,… --- ## [Jeopardy! Season 41: Begins September 9, 2024](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeopardy-season-41-begins-september-9-2024/1007487)
**Author:** [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Replies:** 112\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2025, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeopardy-season-41-begins-september-9-2024/1007487 "2025-08-09T22:00:12Z")
(I looked back as far as September 1 and don’t see a thread for this new season.) I’ve missed two of the eight episodes shown so far (in this market) due to the ABC-affiliate weatherman deciding that storms in the area … --- ## [Can I get a single Pergo plank?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-single-pergo-plank/1021494)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2025, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-single-pergo-plank/1021494 "2025-08-09T20:27:23Z")
I have a flooring project and after doing all of the math I need 45 planks. But the ones I’m getting come 11 in a pack. I really don’t want to spend $65 for a plank and then 10 I’ll never use. Even if I need one or tw… --- ## [What will be the "last straw" in the administration's assault on our country / democracy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-be-the-last-straw-in-the-administrations-assault-on-our-country-democracy/1021676)
**Author:** [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Replies:** 172\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2025, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-be-the-last-straw-in-the-administrations-assault-on-our-country-democracy/1021676 "2025-08-09T16:54:14Z")
I’ve contemplated this for a while now, and mentioned I might start a thread. So, here I ask what you all think will be the breaking point, both personally and nationally, that will finally move Congress or the public to… --- ## [Questions about Trump's proposed new Census](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-trumps-proposed-new-census/1021823)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2025, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-trumps-proposed-new-census/1021823 "2025-08-09T16:27:59Z")
Please: For the purpose of discussion, let us presume that Congress actually pushes this through and it is legalified and legitimibated. Trump wants a new official census done as soon as possible, although the actual c… --- ## [Looking for examples of a particular type of time travel story](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-examples-of-a-particular-type-of-time-travel-story/1021879)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2025, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-examples-of-a-particular-type-of-time-travel-story/1021879 "2025-08-09T12:56:14Z")
It occurred to me that most time travel stories are told from the point of view of the time traveler. Offhand, I’ve thought of only two counter-examples where the point of view characters are those people who have been … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=260&state=tracking) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=262&state=tracking)