# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=277&state=tracking [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 278 --- ## [Why do you complicate everything?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-complicate-everything/1020861)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2025, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-complicate-everything/1020861 "2025-07-16T23:47:32Z")
I think the next time I hear this in a casual conversation I am going to snap. 60 years ago men and women used logic in everyday conversations they would automatically start identifying pertinent factors that might someh… --- ## [If you were U.S. president, what would your reputation/image be?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-u-s-president-what-would-your-reputation-image-be/1020903)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2025, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-u-s-president-what-would-your-reputation-image-be/1020903 "2025-07-16T22:17:23Z")
I would be the hermit president who hates public speaking and spends almost every day in the Oval Office “working from home” in front of a laptop. I would only ever travel for absolutely needed events. I would type up al… --- ## [My new political satire comic book/graphic novel project, AMERICAN GREATNESS](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-new-political-satire-comic-book-graphic-novel-project-american-greatness/1000505)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2025, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-new-political-satire-comic-book-graphic-novel-project-american-greatness/1000505 "2025-07-16T22:10:29Z")
A handful of you may remember my novel CULTURAL PRACTICES OF THE HEARTLAND – a political satire I wrote about a giant monster, representing the insanity of recent politics in the US. The visuals of it stuck with me so m… --- ## [If’n I wanted to buy World Cup tickets, how would I go about it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-n-i-wanted-to-buy-world-cup-tickets-how-would-i-go-about-it/1020904)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2025, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-n-i-wanted-to-buy-world-cup-tickets-how-would-i-go-about-it/1020904 "2025-07-16T20:36:07Z")
I understand some sort of lotteries are involved, but that’s about the extent of my knowledge. Canadian resident, if that makes any difference? --- ## [What time is it? How do you determine the current, precise time?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-time-is-it-how-do-you-determine-the-current-precise-time/1017657)
**Author:** [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2025, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-time-is-it-how-do-you-determine-the-current-precise-time/1017657 "2025-07-16T20:23:29Z")
Does anyone else here like to know the current, precise time down to the second? How do you determine that? Besides on a smart phone or watch, that is, down to the exact second? I’m confident this has been discussed her… --- ## [What the hell is "Potash?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-is-potash/1013436)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 155\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2025, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-is-potash/1013436 "2025-07-16T19:52:52Z")
Inspired by this quote from the “Retaliatory Tariffs” thread in Politics and Elections: I’d read about potash in my geography textbooks in fifth grade, but I never got a clear idea of what it IS. I guess about fifty ye… --- ## [Retaliatory tariffs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retaliatory-tariffs/1013322)
**Author:** [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Replies:** 749\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2025, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retaliatory-tariffs/1013322 "2025-07-16T19:41:59Z")
People are saying that when Trump raises tariffs on various countries, they will likely retaliate by raising tariffs on American goods. Why? Trump’s tariffs are likely to hurt both sides. Wouldn’t other countries rais… --- ## [Junior officers suddenly in charge of large units](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/junior-officers-suddenly-in-charge-of-large-units/1020876)
**Author:** [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2025, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/junior-officers-suddenly-in-charge-of-large-units/1020876 "2025-07-16T17:37:16Z")
It’s a common enough trope in fiction: A large military unit is hit by a successful decapitation strike, leaving the only surviving officer (and hence new commander) as someone very junior who was late to the officers’ … --- ## ["I really REALLY hate that"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-really-really-hate-that/1020508)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2025, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-really-really-hate-that/1020508 "2025-07-16T16:57:56Z")
Do you currently live with an item you hate(no MIL jokes here :wink:) I have this chair. Just had to have it. Oh, 10-12 years ago. I always sat in one corner of the loveseat in my LR. By the lamp and table. The lovesea… --- ## [What would happen if I flew through a city at Mach 3?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-i-flew-through-a-city-at-mach-3/1020896)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2025, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-i-flew-through-a-city-at-mach-3/1020896 "2025-07-16T16:54:29Z")
Assume I’m Superman-ish. Would there be massive building damage? --- ## [Stuff near LA Union Station](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-near-la-union-station/1020125)
**Author:** [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2025, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-near-la-union-station/1020125 "2025-07-16T15:34:45Z")
A friend and I are taking a train from LA to Chicago next spring. It leaves at something like 5 PM. Being leery of LA-area traffic, and knowing the roads around the station from a previous trip, I’m a little twitchy ab… --- ## [RIP Dave Cousins (founding member, lead singer etc. of Strawbs)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-dave-cousins-founding-member-lead-singer-etc-of-strawbs/1020912)
**Author:** [@2\_More\_Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2_More_Bits)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2025, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-dave-cousins-founding-member-lead-singer-etc-of-strawbs/1020912 "2025-07-16T15:14:43Z")
The Strawbs were an electric folk, prog band whose heyday was in the early 70s. Here’s a great track from Dave Cousins solo album “Two Weeks last Summer:” --- ## [Korean translation? \[Obit of wrestler Pak Song, if it is still accessible.\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/korean-translation-obit-of-wrestler-pak-song-if-it-is-still-accessible/1020916)
**Author:** [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2025, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/korean-translation-obit-of-wrestler-pak-song-if-it-is-still-accessible/1020916 "2025-07-16T13:44:30Z")
Short version: The purported obit listing for wrestler Pak Song. Pak terrorized opponents (and fans!) for a decade before returning to his native South Korea. It was assumed he had died, but there were several differen… --- ## [Future of General Questions in the AI age](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-of-general-questions-in-the-ai-age/1020443)
**Author:** [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2025, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-of-general-questions-in-the-ai-age/1020443 "2025-07-16T13:39:48Z")
\ ISTM that it’s already the case that some questions in GQ could be answered well by AI. I am not cr… --- ## [Homemade limoncello? Have you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homemade-limoncello-have-you/1019652)
**Author:** [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2025, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homemade-limoncello-have-you/1019652 "2025-07-16T10:37:34Z")
This is my first attempt. 16 lemons, lightly zested. 1.5L of Everclear 120. Let sit for 45 days. Hopefully good things com… --- ## [Bob Marley's "Buffalo Soldier"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bob-marleys-buffalo-soldier/11178)
**Author:** [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2025, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bob-marleys-buffalo-soldier/11178 "2025-07-16T07:57:53Z")
I always thought that in his song Buffalo Soldier Bob Marley was singing about himself, or the plight of the black man in the USA. (see lyrics here) But yesterday, hearing it again, I started to wonder, is it a referen… --- ## [FORMER Wisconsin hospital employee deliberately destroys \>500 doses of COVID vaccine](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-wisconsin-hospital-employee-deliberately-destroys-500-doses-of-covid-vaccine/929323)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 236\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2025, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-wisconsin-hospital-employee-deliberately-destroys-500-doses-of-covid-vaccine/929323 "2025-07-16T02:37:20Z")
I sure hope whoever did this, regardless of why, gets the book thrown at them - jail time, license revocation if applicable, etc. Over the years, I worked with a few people who might have done something like this, becau… --- ## [How tall is a smurf?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-tall-is-a-smurf/75596)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2025, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-tall-is-a-smurf/75596 "2025-07-16T02:24:02Z")
Hi folks this is my first thread so I hope you don’t think I’m too weird for asking; How tall is a smurf? How did you come to that conclusion? Now I know this thread is geared more towards the genX crowd so if your sayin… --- ## [Weird "unread posts in this topic" number](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-unread-posts-in-this-topic-number/1020897)
**Author:** [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2025, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-unread-posts-in-this-topic-number/1020897 "2025-07-15T23:26:52Z")
When I looked on the topic list, I saw Cancel Culture and Canceling versus consequences for actions and the little button told me I had 384 unread posts in this topic. There are 290 posts total and I had already read hal… --- ## [RIP David Kaff - keyboardist for Spinal Tap](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-david-kaff-keyboardist-for-spinal-tap/1020883)
**Author:** [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2025, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-david-kaff-keyboardist-for-spinal-tap/1020883 "2025-07-15T23:20:33Z")
RIP. --- ## [What are Trump's claim of damages against 60 Minutes? He won](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-trumps-claim-of-damages-against-60-minutes-he-won/1020469)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2025, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-trumps-claim-of-damages-against-60-minutes-he-won/1020469 "2025-07-15T20:41:50Z")
My understanding of tort law is that you sue for damages suffered. If Trump won the election in spite of the Harris interview, how can he claim damages? And therefore why would Paramount settle a case that the court shou… --- ## [More eBike Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-ebike-questions/1017410)
**Author:** [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Replies:** 122\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2025, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-ebike-questions/1017410 "2025-07-15T20:19:25Z")
I am definitely going to purchase one, but I have not yet. Want to pretty soon, not just because, tariffs, but also because all the companies are having deep discounts now, and trying pretty aggressively to move them, wh… --- ## [In what ways will blue collar work possibly not be safe in the age of AI and robotics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-ways-will-blue-collar-work-possibly-not-be-safe-in-the-age-of-ai-and-robotics/1020511)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2025, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-ways-will-blue-collar-work-possibly-not-be-safe-in-the-age-of-ai-and-robotics/1020511 "2025-07-15T20:10:50Z")
With AI coming, there is some general advice to go into skilled manual labor like the trades since a lot of knowledge work will be automated in the years ahead and worker productivity will go up to the point where white … --- ## [Adventures in autocracy: Mali military helicopters land at mine, take off with $117M of gold](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adventures-in-autocracy-mali-military-helicopters-land-at-mine-take-off-with-117m-of-gold/1020825)
**Author:** [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2025, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adventures-in-autocracy-mali-military-helicopters-land-at-mine-take-off-with-117m-of-gold/1020825 "2025-07-15T19:07:25Z")
Things aren’t going swimmingly for Canadian multinational Barrick Mining Co. Military coup toppled 20 year old fledgling democracy in 2012; the latest junta seized power in 2021. Autocratic authorities seized 3 tons of g… --- ## [Who else was orthopedically corrected as a kid?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-was-orthopedically-corrected-as-a-kid/320341)
**Author:** [@ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2025, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-was-orthopedically-corrected-as-a-kid/320341 "2025-07-15T19:05:04Z")
This GQ thread has prompted me to querey my fellow dopers in search of other folks who wore corrective casts, etc, as a child. I was apparently pigeon-toed on my right foot, beyond the timeframe that is considered norma… --- ## [What if the Crossed virus appeared in Nigeria?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-the-crossed-virus-appeared-in-nigeria/1020829)
**Author:** [@Cmyers1980](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cmyers1980)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2025, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-the-crossed-virus-appeared-in-nigeria/1020829 "2025-07-15T16:11:53Z")
What if every person in Nigeria gets infected with the Crossed virus from the comic book Crossed? What happens next? How does the rest of the world respond? How soon can the Crossed be stopped and how much damage do t… --- ## [Is Elon Musk cool?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-elon-musk-cool/1020491)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2025, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-elon-musk-cool/1020491 "2025-07-15T15:38:49Z")
This CNN article seems to think so. --- ## [RIP Daniel Kleppner (Physicist)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-daniel-kleppner-physicist/1020542)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2025, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-daniel-kleppner-physicist/1020542 "2025-07-15T13:33:09Z")
He was co-founder and co-director of the MIT-Harvard Center for UltraCold Atoms; his work paved the way for making the first Bose-Einstein Condensate, and he won numerous awards. He was also co-author (with Robert Kolen… --- ## [US Postal Rate Goes Up Today July 13, 2025](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-postal-rate-goes-up-today-july-13-2025/1020820)
**Author:** [@Ignatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ignatz)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2025, 9:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-postal-rate-goes-up-today-july-13-2025/1020820 "2025-07-15T09:32:33Z")
Just heard on NPR that the first class rate for a Forever stamp went up from 73 cents to 78 cents, effective today. --- ## [I saw god! \[actual topic - need thread ideas\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-saw-god-actual-topic-need-thread-ideas/29885)
**Author:** [@sk8rixtx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sk8rixtx)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2025, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-saw-god-actual-topic-need-thread-ideas/29885 "2025-07-15T07:34:56Z")
No actually I didn’t. I just need some good thread ideas. No one ever posts in mine. So could you help me out a little? Jeff [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=276&state=tracking) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=278&state=tracking)