# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=281 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 282 --- ## [Find Me a Cordless Drill](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/find-me-a-cordless-drill/1020380)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2025, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/find-me-a-cordless-drill/1020380 "2025-07-09T21:35:21Z")
I need some help selecting a cordless drill for around $100. I suffered with the off-brand cordless drill long enough. The battery died after a year of charging cycles, I’m guessing. Bought another not expecting much. Di… --- ## [Has google driving navigation got noticeably worse?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-google-driving-navigation-got-noticeably-worse/1020160)
**Author:** [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2025, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-google-driving-navigation-got-noticeably-worse/1020160 "2025-07-09T20:34:59Z")
I’ve used google navigation for years and it’s the kind of tool that one takes for granted because it just works. However, my last 7-8 journeys have all featured some errors e.g. telling me to get into the wrong lane, o… --- ## [Your First Rated R Movie in the Theater](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-first-rated-r-movie-in-the-theater/1020576)
**Author:** [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2025, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-first-rated-r-movie-in-the-theater/1020576 "2025-07-09T19:20:56Z")
Someone asked me what the first movie I can remember seeing in the theater that was rated R. I had to think pretty hard, trying to remember if I actually saw the movie in the theater or at home on VHS. Blue Thunder rel… --- ## [Are Realtors/real estate agents REALLY worth 6% of the sale price of my home?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-realtors-real-estate-agents-really-worth-6-of-the-sale-price-of-my-home/932382)
**Author:** [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Replies:** 282\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2025, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-realtors-real-estate-agents-really-worth-6-of-the-sale-price-of-my-home/932382 "2025-07-09T17:49:14Z")
We’re about to sell our house, and in the age of Zillow, Trulia, etc., I really question how much value agents provide me as a seller. ISTM that in the pre-Internet days, agents did a lot more to bring buyers and sellers… --- ## [M Squad. Anyone watch?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/m-squad-anyone-watch/1010727)
**Author:** [@Pavelb1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pavelb1)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2025, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/m-squad-anyone-watch/1010727 "2025-07-09T17:04:55Z")
This is gonna be a reach. Anyone watch the 59-62 Lee Marvin cop potboiler show? I watch some on Youtube if the quality is good enough. I think its fascinating. It doesn’t hold your hand. It’s kinda hard to tell whats goi… --- ## [Excel question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-question/1020645)
**Author:** [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2025, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-question/1020645 "2025-07-09T16:37:11Z")
The version of Excel I have (an old one) evaluates -2^3 = 8 rather than -8. That is it evaluates it as if it were (-2)^3. Has this been corrected on later versions of Excel? It correctly evaluates 0-2^3 = -8. --- ## [An Excel concatenation question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-excel-concatenation-question/1020626)
**Author:** [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2025, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-excel-concatenation-question/1020626 "2025-07-09T16:29:59Z")
I work in Supply Chain of a FMCG business. We have a listing of inbound purchases as recorded in our ERP which is distributed with an Excel workbook. The workbook has a models sheet, a simple listing of open purchase l… --- ## [Deductible on home insurance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deductible-on-home-insurance/1019831)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2025, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deductible-on-home-insurance/1019831 "2025-07-09T16:27:42Z")
We had a major hail storm and so of course the roofers are out in force. I asked my insurance agent about it and my deductible is $5000. WTF? Is that normal? It’s as much of a scam as health insurance. I don’t know … --- ## [Orbital resonance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orbital-resonance/1020655)
**Author:** [@EnolaStraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnolaStraight)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2025, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orbital-resonance/1020655 "2025-07-09T15:19:20Z")
According to this video: The Secrets of the Solar System - The Fibonacci Sequence & Orbital Resonances | Andromeda our solar system’s planetary orbital periods seem to coincide to simple ratios. (not perfectly, but cl… --- ## [Driver chat from Amazon driver?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driver-chat-from-amazon-driver/1020616)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2025, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driver-chat-from-amazon-driver/1020616 "2025-07-09T14:43:16Z")
I got a text: Driver Chat: A message from the driver delivering your Amazon packages. Tap here to reply \[URL in short format\] Is this a thing? I did have a package not delivered today due to some unspecified probl… --- ## [What do you think about OBBBA? \[One Big Beautiful Bill Act\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-about-obbba-one-big-beautiful-bill-act/1020399)
**Author:** [@LouMa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouMa)\ **Replies:** 201\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2025, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-about-obbba-one-big-beautiful-bill-act/1020399 "2025-07-09T14:07:56Z")
The Senate is currently passing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The OBBBA envisages enormous changes to the US budget, including drastic cuts in social spending, particularly in healthcare. The law primarily benefits tho… --- ## [UK Dopers: Is Abergavenny a popular tourist area (as in the 1969 song)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-is-abergavenny-a-popular-tourist-area-as-in-the-1969-song/1020647)
**Author:** [@rippingtons\_fan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rippingtons_fan)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2025, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-is-abergavenny-a-popular-tourist-area-as-in-the-1969-song/1020647 "2025-07-09T13:56:41Z")
I’ve always liked the 1969 song ABERGAVENNY by Marty Wilde, and I was wondering, is Abergavenny, Wales a popular place to go, as in the song? --- ## [Car repair expert opinions desired: alternator test](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-repair-expert-opinions-desired-alternator-test/1020552)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2025, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-repair-expert-opinions-desired-alternator-test/1020552 "2025-07-09T13:49:52Z")
A quick and dirty AutoZone test on my 2000 Civic failed me on the alternator “charging current” item. I haven’t had serious or consistent issues with starting the car, but considering that I’m thinking of driving a coupl… --- ## [Earth vs. Solaria Time App](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earth-vs-solaria-time-app/1020622)
**Author:** [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2025, 10:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earth-vs-solaria-time-app/1020622 "2025-07-09T10:21:21Z")
I was bored, tired, and a little stressed, so I took some time to mess around and create this web app to show both Earth time and that of Solaria from Isaac Asimov’s The Naked Sun. Earth and Solarian Time I used 00:00:… --- ## [Chicago Reader at ‘imminent risk of closure’](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-reader-at-imminent-risk-of-closure/1013119)
**Author:** [@Wrenching\_Spanners](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wrenching_Spanners)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2025, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-reader-at-imminent-risk-of-closure/1013119 "2025-07-09T07:32:41Z")
https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/chicago-reader-at-imminent-risk-of-closure/ The Chicago Reader was the original home of Cecil. It’s been at risk for years, but now seems to be in its death throes. --- ## [Texas to make gold and silver legal tender](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-to-make-gold-and-silver-legal-tender/1020409)
**Author:** [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/excavating_for_a_mind)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2025, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-to-make-gold-and-silver-legal-tender/1020409 "2025-07-09T05:37:05Z")
I know there is a “Fuck Texas” thread in the pit, but this is so political that I put it here. Texans are to be allowed to pay with with gold and silver for everyday transactions after Governor Greg Abbott signed Hou… --- ## [There cannot possibly be an "edge of the Universe."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-cannot-possibly-be-an-edge-of-the-universe/1020649)
**Author:** [@Clu-Me-In](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clu-Me-In)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2025, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-cannot-possibly-be-an-edge-of-the-universe/1020649 "2025-07-09T02:50:14Z")
If the Universe is expanding faster than the speed of light, how can we humans keep saying or referring to the edge of the Universe? --- ## [To what extent can a US ambassador undermine/go against the stance of his president?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-can-a-us-ambassador-undermine-go-against-the-stance-of-his-president/1020637)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2025, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-can-a-us-ambassador-undermine-go-against-the-stance-of-his-president/1020637 "2025-07-09T02:29:41Z")
Question could go into either FQ or Politics: Say you’re a U.S. ambassador to some foreign nation, and you have to tell that nation’s leaders: “Sorry that our president, Trump, is such an embarrassment, and MAGA is fasc… --- ## [Real-world examples of 'Ummm, acktually, It's X, not Y' nitpicks, and discussion about them](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-world-examples-of-ummm-acktually-its-x-not-y-nitpicks-and-discussion-about-them/1019326)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 411\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2025, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-world-examples-of-ummm-acktually-its-x-not-y-nitpicks-and-discussion-about-them/1019326 "2025-07-09T00:56:19Z")
Seen this a lot in internet arguments; for example ‘Actually, it’s a square not a rectangle’ - the object being discussed may indeed be a square, but squares are rectangles; so it’s both. Sometimes it goes the other way… --- ## [From Mayor Pete to President Pete: It's gonna happen](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-mayor-pete-to-president-pete-its-gonna-happen/968276)
**Author:** [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2025, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-mayor-pete-to-president-pete-its-gonna-happen/968276 "2025-07-08T22:31:41Z")
In case y’all didn’t notice, the Buttigiegs recently relocated to the Great Lakes State. And while the family may love cherries and lake life, and while they may enjoy being closer to Chasten’s parents, I suspect their m… --- ## [HVAC fan runs continiusly](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hvac-fan-runs-continiusly/1020606)
**Author:** [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2025, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hvac-fan-runs-continiusly/1020606 "2025-07-08T21:10:15Z")
My fan did work sometime in the past Yes, I tried switching the fan control from “on” to “auto” and back The fan runs even if the thermostat is removed from base I read ~24V between the green terminal and RC/RH\* at the … --- ## [What is the point of keeping products in hard-to-reach cabinets?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-point-of-keeping-products-in-hard-to-reach-cabinets/1020593)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2025, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-point-of-keeping-products-in-hard-to-reach-cabinets/1020593 "2025-07-08T21:01:04Z")
In my drug store and grocery store some products (batteries, razor blades) are kept in these plastic boxes. But they’re not locked–you don’t need to summon a store employee to open it. But you can’t just take it off the … --- ## [Arcane: League of Legends (animated series)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arcane-league-of-legends-animated-series/954737)
**Author:** [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2025, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arcane-league-of-legends-animated-series/954737 "2025-07-08T20:39:36Z")
I finished watching the Netflix animated series Arcane, based on the game League of Legends (and its spinoffs). Netflix had been heavily suggesting it to me, probably based on the fact that I recently watched (and liked… --- ## [Science Fiction Short Story - Can't Remember the Name](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-fiction-short-story-cant-remember-the-name/416914)
**Author:** [@Darth\_Sensitive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Sensitive)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2025, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-fiction-short-story-cant-remember-the-name/416914 "2025-07-08T19:51:08Z")
I remember reading a sci fi story, maybe in a collection of Alternate History shorts that I really enjoyed, but for the life of me cannot remember. It featured a team of scientists that had developed a way to open a win… --- ## [YouTube is now flooded with AI fakery](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youtube-is-now-flooded-with-ai-fakery/1020581)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2025, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youtube-is-now-flooded-with-ai-fakery/1020581 "2025-07-08T19:48:50Z")
If it’s interesting, bizarre, amazing or unusual, chances now are that it’s fake. :frowning: --- ## [Lady Bird Lake mystery](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lady-bird-lake-mystery/1020577)
**Author:** [@justdoit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justdoit)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2025, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lady-bird-lake-mystery/1020577 "2025-07-08T18:37:00Z")
38 bodies recovered from this lake in Austin, TX, since 2022. Average of 11 per year. Mostly men. What do you think? Serial killer? Or drownings, accidents, and suicides? “The denials by law enforcement and other… --- ## [Not allowed to ever watch any new shows/movies beyond TODAY'S DATE: Would you be fine?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-allowed-to-ever-watch-any-new-shows-movies-beyond-todays-date-would-you-be-fine/1020011)
**Author:** [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2025, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-allowed-to-ever-watch-any-new-shows-movies-beyond-todays-date-would-you-be-fine/1020011 "2025-07-08T17:52:37Z")
Let’s say a decree came down saying that you (you, personally as a test or law or punishment or rule or… SOME kind of magical reason) are not allowed to EVER watch any movie or tv show beyond THIS POINT, today’s date of … --- ## [No hotel room due to overbooking. This happen to anyone else?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-hotel-room-due-to-overbooking-this-happen-to-anyone-else/1018910)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2025, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-hotel-room-due-to-overbooking-this-happen-to-anyone-else/1018910 "2025-07-08T16:25:24Z")
We showed up Saturday night for our vacation. Ok let me preface this with what led up to this issue. Months ago I booked a room in an relatively isolated vacation spot meaning not a ton of hotels available. I paid for … --- ## [I don’t want wires running from my dash cam to my adapter](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-want-wires-running-from-my-dash-cam-to-my-adapter/1020131)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2025, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-want-wires-running-from-my-dash-cam-to-my-adapter/1020131 "2025-07-08T16:09:45Z")
I’m in the market for a dash cam, and I want to know how I can power it without wires running hither and yon (and by that I mean, across the dashboard and down, over my radio display, to the power supply). The fleet cars… --- ## [The Curious Case of Scott Ruskusky](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-curious-case-of-scott-ruskusky/1020585)
**Author:** [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2025, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-curious-case-of-scott-ruskusky/1020585 "2025-07-08T15:44:46Z")
I had a three-day weekend due to the holiday. I ended up wandering around the Internet. I was playing with Chat GPT and also “Leo,” the AI associated with the browser Brave. I asked reasonable questions. I asked tricky … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=280) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=282)