# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=287&state=tracking [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 288 --- ## [It seems I've been kicked off of Facebook](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-seems-ive-been-kicked-off-of-facebook/1020348)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2025, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-seems-ive-been-kicked-off-of-facebook/1020348 "2025-07-01T17:09:44Z")
I don’t log on that often, but I just checked, and been told that I was suspended as of June 3, 2025. Yay? (still, it would be gratifying to know that it was because of my practice of calling 45/47 the Ameirica-hating … --- ## [What is this? Not a "V-belt" pulley!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-not-a-v-belt-pulley/1020304)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2025, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-not-a-v-belt-pulley/1020304 "2025-07-01T16:34:22Z")
I bought something almost identical to this eBay offering, at an antique store. (Mine has a different number and letter cast into it, but in the same spots, and all other details I can see match.) What is it?? eBay says … --- ## [Was "the black album" based on Spinal Tap's "Smell the Glove"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-black-album-based-on-spinal-taps-smell-the-glove/208488)
**Author:** [@Short\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Short_Guy)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2025, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-black-album-based-on-spinal-taps-smell-the-glove/208488 "2025-07-01T13:48:09Z")
The thread about colourful album covers mentioned the cover to Spinal Tap’s “Smell the Glove”, which, as you may know, is all black. Now here’s something I’ve been wondering for a long time: was the cover to Metallica’s… --- ## [A question for physicists re: travelling at the speed of light](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-physicists-re-travelling-at-the-speed-of-light/1020244)
**Author:** [@WalterBishop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WalterBishop)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2025, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-physicists-re-travelling-at-the-speed-of-light/1020244 "2025-07-01T13:22:37Z")
I’ve heard it said that no object with mass can travel at the speed of light, because accelerating such objects to light speed requires infinite energy. That is, more energy than is available in the entire universe. I’v… --- ## [Black Holes and the Hubble Horizon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-holes-and-the-hubble-horizon/1020153)
**Author:** [@EnolaStraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnolaStraight)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2025, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-holes-and-the-hubble-horizon/1020153 "2025-07-01T13:17:43Z")
In this video Neil Degrasse Tyson compares the Observable Universe to a Black Hole… …and how the mass of our observable universe within the Hubble Horizon indeed equals the size of an event horizon of a black hole conta… --- ## ["Mock wedding". I'm not clear what was going on here?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mock-wedding-im-not-clear-what-was-going-on-here/1020243)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2025, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mock-wedding-im-not-clear-what-was-going-on-here/1020243 "2025-07-01T12:56:59Z")
Somebody rented a venue at Disneyland Paris to film a fake wedding with people paid to act as guests. The “brude” was 9 years old. But she “suffered “no violence, either physical or sexual” and “was not forced to play th… --- ## [Guess who didn't get paid today](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-who-didnt-get-paid-today/959950)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2025, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-who-didnt-get-paid-today/959950 "2025-07-01T12:53:20Z")
I have direct deposit and my district has always been good about taking into account banking days. If my payday is on a Sunday I get my DD on Friday; if payday is on a Monday then I get my DD on Saturday - always at mid… --- ## [Man convicted in 1967 rape and murder case](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-convicted-in-1967-rape-and-murder-case/1020328)
**Author:** [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2025, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-convicted-in-1967-rape-and-murder-case/1020328 "2025-07-01T11:34:14Z")
Not sure where to put this, but this is quite the solve of a quite cold case. A jury at Bristol crown court found Ryland Headley, then aged 34, guilty of attacking 75-year-old Louisa Dunne in June 1967. --- ## [Blood needs during surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-needs-during-surgery/1020207)
**Author:** [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2025, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-needs-during-surgery/1020207 "2025-07-01T04:42:54Z")
Yes, another question related to past and upcoming surgeries. I had to get my blood typed and matched right before my surgery. The pre-visit nurse tried to make me come in to the hospital the day before to get that do… --- ## [Why put a GPS tracker in a car?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-put-a-gps-tracker-in-a-car/1011592)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2025, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-put-a-gps-tracker-in-a-car/1011592 "2025-07-01T02:41:22Z")
I just saw an online ad for a little GPS chip you can hide in a car (presumably yours). The chip lets you track the car’s location via an app. What’s the purpose of this? My first thought is that it’s an anti-theft dev… --- ## [About Flowmaster Quick-Install 400A Fill Valve](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-flowmaster-quick-install-400a-fill-valve/1020323)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2025, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-flowmaster-quick-install-400a-fill-valve/1020323 "2025-07-01T02:34:04Z")
Many amateur and professional plumbers may be familiar with the Flowmaster (Quick Install) 400A Fill Valve which is like an all-in-one, once and done fill valve sold at Walmart and all hardware stores. It is very common … --- ## [Getting on the plane even after final boarding call](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-on-the-plane-even-after-final-boarding-call/1020216)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2025, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-on-the-plane-even-after-final-boarding-call/1020216 "2025-07-01T02:08:41Z")
I was just barely in time to get on the plane today for the second leg of my US domestic trip. The gate agent was announcing “Final boarding call” as I fast-walked up to the gate, having been delayed by no fewer than th… --- ## [Tell Me About Hearing aids](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-hearing-aids/1020266)
**Author:** [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2025, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-hearing-aids/1020266 "2025-07-01T01:57:33Z")
I just got my annual school-bus physical. I passed but the doc told me that I will need a hearing aid to pass next year. At my age I suppose it is to be expected. I know hearing aids in the US have undergone a regulator… --- ## [FYI: You can keep using Windows 10 until October 2026](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fyi-you-can-keep-using-windows-10-until-october-2026/1020320)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2025, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fyi-you-can-keep-using-windows-10-until-october-2026/1020320 "2025-07-01T01:54:04Z")
For those of you who see no reason to update, Microsoft has made available a free extension for Windows 10 for another year: --- ## [Firefighters shot at in Coeur D’Alene, ID \[2025-06-29\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefighters-shot-at-in-coeur-d-alene-id-2025-06-29/1020280)
**Author:** [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2025, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefighters-shot-at-in-coeur-d-alene-id-2025-06-29/1020280 "2025-07-01T00:47:14Z")
NY Times link, not sure if it’s paywalled. "At least two people were killed in Idaho on Sunday afternoon after firefighters were ambushed in a sniper attack as they responded to a fire call in a rugged mountain area, … --- ## [The 3/5 clause](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-3-5-clause/1020273)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2025, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-3-5-clause/1020273 "2025-07-01T00:37:20Z")
There is an article in today’s Times that suggests that the 2030 census will count only citizens, at least for the purpose of deciding congressional representation. Although that takes place after the 2028 election, the… --- ## [Microsoft Office renewal now up to $129.!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-office-renewal-now-up-to-129/1016700)
**Author:** [@Fir\_na\_tine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fir_na_tine)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2025, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-office-renewal-now-up-to-129/1016700 "2025-06-30T22:46:37Z")
I’m long retired. I use Word and Excel sporadically only out of habit cuz I use to use them at work and I’m familiar with the commands. This entire renewal process for software that you formerly could buy and use forev… --- ## [Next Bond 007 movie director slated...unfortunately next actor has not](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-bond-007-movie-director-slated-unfortunately-next-actor-has-not/1020170)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2025, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-bond-007-movie-director-slated-unfortunately-next-actor-has-not/1020170 "2025-06-30T21:22:30Z")
Villeneuve has directed both the recent Dune movies, Blade Runner 2049, and Sicario. (Denis Villeneuve to Direct New James Bond Movie) --- ## [Men in sandals and long jeans/pants , yay or nay?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-in-sandals-and-long-jeans-pants-yay-or-nay/966911)
**Author:** [@spartan203](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spartan203)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2025, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-in-sandals-and-long-jeans-pants-yay-or-nay/966911 "2025-06-30T20:52:41Z")
Hey there!:slight\_smile: what do you think of this combination on a guy? I find it very comfortable but it seems like very few men wear sandals with their jeans, khakis or linen pants, women do it more often. If you like… --- ## [What causes a big light to "thunk" when power is turned on?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-a-big-light-to-thunk-when-power-is-turned-on/1020246)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2025, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-a-big-light-to-thunk-when-power-is-turned-on/1020246 "2025-06-30T20:25:13Z")
I’m sure you’ve seen it in a movie-someone turns a switch, and a series of lights make a “thump” noise as they are turned on, sometimes in a sequence in a hallway. What causes that noise, or is it just a movie effect to… --- ## [Khadaji’s Whatcha Reading Thread - June 2025 edition](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-june-2025-edition/1018982)
**Author:** [@DZedNConfused](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DZedNConfused)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2025, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-june-2025-edition/1018982 "2025-06-30T19:07:05Z")
June is here! Summer! Kids are out of school. Hot days and warm nights! No more bundling up and sitting in a freezing car blowing cold air on the way to work! Flowers blooming, grass killing those of us with allergies! A… --- ## [Trump's toadies are coming after Wikipedia](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-toadies-are-coming-after-wikipedia/1017779)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2025, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-toadies-are-coming-after-wikipedia/1017779 "2025-06-30T18:05:32Z")
It was only a matter of time, I suppose. The interim US Attorney for the District of Columbia is challenging the Wikimedia Foundation’s non-profit status: The Trump administration cannot tolerate any independent sour… --- ## [What recourse does a victim('s family) have if they dont like the DAs charges/plea deal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-recourse-does-a-victim-s-family-have-if-they-dont-like-the-das-charges-plea-deal/1020031)
**Author:** [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2025, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-recourse-does-a-victim-s-family-have-if-they-dont-like-the-das-charges-plea-deal/1020031 "2025-06-30T17:56:00Z")
Does a victim (or in the case of a homicide, their family) have any recourse for justice if they don’t like the DA’s charing decisions or a plea deal they negotiate? Working towards replacing the DA at the next election… --- ## [Cases where a soldier (or civilian) deliberately sought an enemy after the war for revenge/reconciliation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cases-where-a-soldier-or-civilian-deliberately-sought-an-enemy-after-the-war-for-revenge-reconciliation/1020276)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2025, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cases-where-a-soldier-or-civilian-deliberately-sought-an-enemy-after-the-war-for-revenge-reconciliation/1020276 "2025-06-30T17:55:52Z")
I’m aware of at least two such cases. In the first one, the specifics elide me but an Allied Guy(AG), I think he was British but he might have been American), was taken POW in WWII in Japan. One Japanese Guard (JG) was p… --- ## [TIL about a man who was inflated and lived](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/til-about-a-man-who-was-inflated-and-lived/1020290)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2025, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/til-about-a-man-who-was-inflated-and-lived/1020290 "2025-06-30T17:49:57Z")
Thank goodness his accident happened in New Zealand or he’d have a crushing weight of debt to deal with on top of the pain and recovery. Imagine seeing someone just swelling up! That headline is an interesting choice to… --- ## [Snowblower price question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snowblower-price-question/1020302)
**Author:** [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2025, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snowblower-price-question/1020302 "2025-06-30T17:19:34Z")
So, we are moving out of the mountains. No more plow truck, no more tractor. But we will still be getting plenty of snow and have a big driveway and concrete patio. I’m wondering when would be a good time to get a snowb… --- ## [How quickly ought management inform staff of "systems issues"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-quickly-ought-management-inform-staff-of-systems-issues/1020297)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2025, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-quickly-ought-management-inform-staff-of-systems-issues/1020297 "2025-06-30T16:49:49Z")
I work for one of the largest US federal agencies. All of my work takes place within our case management system. I cannot do or communicate anything about an assignment other than within our CMS. Basically, at the sta… --- ## [Sound Effects in Comics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sound-effects-in-comics/1020178)
**Author:** [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2025, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sound-effects-in-comics/1020178 "2025-06-30T15:51:11Z")
The most recent Don Martin thread I can find is from 2018 so I’m starting a new unlimited thread. “Unlimited” in that any sound effect which tickles your fancy is fair game. This one (Sequential Art, strip #1273) is wor… --- ## [Contrarian opinion: AI will soon hit a wall; no apocalypse will happen](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/contrarian-opinion-ai-will-soon-hit-a-wall-no-apocalypse-will-happen/997707)
**Author:** [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2025, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/contrarian-opinion-ai-will-soon-hit-a-wall-no-apocalypse-will-happen/997707 "2025-06-30T13:57:43Z")
Here’s an interesting article about the doomsayers: Nope. Now, it’s true that AI has done some incredible things lately. I was playing around with Google’s Gemini the other day. Pretty amazing. So is Midjourney. Jus… --- ## [What problems could we solve in America, that could actually save money by solving the problem, but we still don't solve them](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-problems-could-we-solve-in-america-that-could-actually-save-money-by-solving-the-problem-but-we-still-dont-solve-them/1018017)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 109\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2025, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-problems-could-we-solve-in-america-that-could-actually-save-money-by-solving-the-problem-but-we-still-dont-solve-them/1018017 "2025-06-30T12:44:09Z")
So I’m wondering if there are problems where solving the problem either would cost far less than people think, or actually save money, but we still don’t solve them. One is money in politics. Political spending is at an… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=286&state=tracking) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=288&state=tracking)