# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=330 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 331 --- ## [Is debt collection company a good business model?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-debt-collection-company-a-good-business-model/1016486)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2025, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-debt-collection-company-a-good-business-model/1016486 "2025-04-22T00:40:28Z")
In my own limited experience people who have defaulted on a loan or credit card are not in the slightest bit inclined to accept an offer from a collection company for a smaller amount. They walked away from one company a… --- ## [Rilchiam, the only sister \*ohne kinder\*](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rilchiam-the-only-sister-ohne-kinder/1017228)
**Author:** [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2025, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rilchiam-the-only-sister-ohne-kinder/1017228 "2025-04-22T00:27:21Z")
Thread title is from Fear of Flying. Isadora is the second of four daughters. All the others have multiple children, and she is “the only sister ohne kinder”. Without children, as if you didn’t know. I’m the third of thr… --- ## [What's the deal with these "super telescopes" one sees ads for?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-these-super-telescopes-one-sees-ads-for/1017330)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [April 21, 2025, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-these-super-telescopes-one-sees-ads-for/1017330 "2025-04-21T22:57:32Z")
If you’ve seen these you know what I mean: a handheld telescope/monocular that can zoom in on someone on a mountaintop fifteen miles away. Since I presume that a workaround for the basic laws of optics hasn’t been devise… --- ## [Jewish Dopers - what do you think of gilgul (reincarnation)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewish-dopers-what-do-you-think-of-gilgul-reincarnation/1017157)
**Author:** [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [April 21, 2025, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewish-dopers-what-do-you-think-of-gilgul-reincarnation/1017157 "2025-04-21T22:46:22Z")
As some of you might know from my MPSIMS thread, I’ve taken an interest in Jewish mysticism recently and I’m just a few days away from starting a ritual from a medieval grimoire inspired by Kabbalah. As part of this, I’v… --- ## [How to reduce Gmail storage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reduce-gmail-storage/1017242)
**Author:** [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 21, 2025, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reduce-gmail-storage/1017242 "2025-04-21T22:41:37Z")
I got a message saying I am out of storage and must pay for more within one month or be locked out. How can I clean out my gmail/google storage? I already have the last 20 years of photos and videos i want on a SSHD an… --- ## [So... why do bunnies lay eggs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-why-do-bunnies-lay-eggs/1017263)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [April 21, 2025, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-why-do-bunnies-lay-eggs/1017263 "2025-04-21T19:26:29Z")
I get that Easter in the US is a hodgepodge of Christian beliefs and pagan fertility festivals. But how did the rabbit and the eggs come together into a unified symbol? You don’t often see one without the other now. Sur… --- ## [How all did the founding fathers screw up democracy, and what still needs to be done to fix it](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-all-did-the-founding-fathers-screw-up-democracy-and-what-still-needs-to-be-done-to-fix-it/1005960)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 155\ **Last updated:** [April 21, 2025, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-all-did-the-founding-fathers-screw-up-democracy-and-what-still-needs-to-be-done-to-fix-it/1005960 "2025-04-21T19:12:03Z")
I don’t have a very high opinion of the founding fathers. From what I see, they were young aristocrats who wanted an aristocratic democratic system. As a result we’ve had to spend the last 240 years fixing the damage the… --- ## [Trouble with an older game called Nox](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trouble-with-an-older-game-called-nox/1017277)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 21, 2025, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trouble-with-an-older-game-called-nox/1017277 "2025-04-21T18:24:15Z")
I got it from GOG and started it up. The introductory cinematic seemed to work all right, but then the main title screen began flickering and the mouse was unresponsive. The game is set to work with Windows 98 and I have… --- ## [Trans activists deface statue of womens rights advocate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trans-activists-deface-statue-of-womens-rights-advocate/1017233)
**Author:** [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [April 21, 2025, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trans-activists-deface-statue-of-womens-rights-advocate/1017233 "2025-04-21T16:01:41Z")
This seems a bit paradoxical to me? They are attacking a symbol of a champion of a formerly disenfranchised group of people who now have an equal right to vote. What are they thinking? --- ## [Has a TV show ever switched from single camera to multi camera (or vice versa) during its run?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-a-tv-show-ever-switched-from-single-camera-to-multi-camera-or-vice-versa-during-its-run/1017310)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 21, 2025, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-a-tv-show-ever-switched-from-single-camera-to-multi-camera-or-vice-versa-during-its-run/1017310 "2025-04-21T15:53:19Z")
I have vague memories of a TV show ditching the live audience and going to single-camera during its run, but I’ll be damned if I can think of it. Has this ever happened? --- ## [SF stories or series where the 'science' was basically magic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-stories-or-series-where-the-science-was-basically-magic/1017076)
**Author:** [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Replies:** 113\ **Last updated:** [April 21, 2025, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-stories-or-series-where-the-science-was-basically-magic/1017076 "2025-04-21T14:06:02Z")
I’m thinking of Blish’s Cities in Flight books, which I loved when much younger. Lots of ‘sciency’ names, like Dirac and Bethe in the narrative But the Spindizzy breaks… well, conservation of energy, conservation of mo… --- ## [Pope Francis is on "absolute rest" for bronchitis: Feb 2025](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pope-francis-is-on-absolute-rest-for-bronchitis-feb-2025/1014368)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 120\ **Last updated:** [April 21, 2025, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pope-francis-is-on-absolute-rest-for-bronchitis-feb-2025/1014368 "2025-04-21T13:53:20Z")
I’m not Catholic, but I do know that his health has been faltering in recent years. There’s some chatter that he’s actually terminally ill; we’ll find out eventually. --- ## [Which font makes the best I beam answered](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-font-makes-the-best-i-beam-answered/1017299)
**Author:** [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 21, 2025, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-font-makes-the-best-i-beam-answered/1017299 "2025-04-21T13:24:02Z")
No only that, but which letter makes the best I beam: I found this both fun and informative Brian --- ## [(Old) Did Everybody Retire In The MMP?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-did-everybody-retire-in-the-mmp/1017029)
**Author:** [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Replies:** 338\ **Last updated:** [April 21, 2025, 9:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-did-everybody-retire-in-the-mmp/1017029 "2025-04-21T09:31:09Z")
Good Mornin’ Y’all! Up and caffeinatin’. YAWN ‘Tis 50 Amurrkin out and N.O.S. with a predicted high of 82 and N.O.S. Not much shakin’ at da cave today. I shall attend the noontime Eucharist over to the church house bein’… --- ## [(K)not on my head!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/k-not-on-my-head/1017286)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 21, 2025, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/k-not-on-my-head/1017286 "2025-04-21T08:01:43Z")
I have this lump. 3/4 the way up, back of head. That one place that always aches when I hear the Lil’wrekker squeal. Happens, its also the place I always conk. I’m kinda noted for head boo boos. I swear, I SWEAR I di… --- ## [What role is Larry Hagman best known for?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-role-is-larry-hagman-best-known-for/1016749)
**Author:** [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Replies:** 179\ **Last updated:** [April 21, 2025, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-role-is-larry-hagman-best-known-for/1016749 "2025-04-21T03:41:17Z")
Is it oil baron J.R. Ewing in the 1978-1991 from Dallas or Major Anthony Nelson in the 1965–1970 from I Dream of Jeannie. poll --- ## [Beckdawreks bad bad bad Easter egg 🥚](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beckdawreks-bad-bad-bad-easter-egg/1017268)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 21, 2025, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beckdawreks-bad-bad-bad-easter-egg/1017268 "2025-04-21T02:49:11Z")
It’s sooper seekrit! Can’t tell all. Look around. Grab a basket. Get your eggs. --- ## [Electric cars, Musk and the Right](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-cars-musk-and-the-right/1014381)
**Author:** [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2025, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-cars-musk-and-the-right/1014381 "2025-04-20T23:26:56Z")
This has been bouncing around in my head. Musk and Tesla are the leading proponents for electric cars. The right has made EVs a political issue. They think EVs are the devil. Probably a communist plot. Maybe the commun… --- ## [It’s 420: How are you celebrating?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-420-how-are-you-celebrating/1017267)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2025, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-420-how-are-you-celebrating/1017267 "2025-04-20T22:52:59Z")
I only use flower during the winter months, as my hippy auntie in Modesto won’t grow it in the summer — too hot. She charges loved ones $100 an ounce plus shipping, so a way better deal than retail here in Missouri. I do… --- ## [Cybertrucks falling apart](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cybertrucks-falling-apart/1014780)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 216\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2025, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cybertrucks-falling-apart/1014780 "2025-04-20T22:08:42Z")
Well, actually it’s just some stainless steel body panels that are falling off. While the truck is being driven at speed. Evidently some trim and body panels are only glued on, and the glue has been failing , probably d… --- ## [Domestic travel and current political events](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/domestic-travel-and-current-political-events/1017248)
**Author:** [@Disinfectus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disinfectus)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2025, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/domestic-travel-and-current-political-events/1017248 "2025-04-20T20:25:26Z")
Despite the title, I’m not sure this is appropriate for the politics forum. Mods, Feel free to move if necessary. I know current events have had an effect on international travel, both to and from the US. I’m curious as… --- ## [Next Day of anti-Trump Demonstrations scheduled for April 19](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-day-of-anti-trump-demonstrations-scheduled-for-april-19/1016933)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2025, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-day-of-anti-trump-demonstrations-scheduled-for-april-19/1016933 "2025-04-20T19:53:31Z")
Continuing the discussion from “Hands Off!” mass rallies scheduled nationwide for April 5: --- ## [Back in the days of slavery and segregation, were those topics ever used in debate competitions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-in-the-days-of-slavery-and-segregation-were-those-topics-ever-used-in-debate-competitions/1015787)
**Author:** [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2025, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-in-the-days-of-slavery-and-segregation-were-those-topics-ever-used-in-debate-competitions/1015787 "2025-04-20T19:28:15Z")
In HS and college debate competitions, they may assign the teams to take a pro or con stance on controversial topics like nuclear energy, whale hunting, incarceration of drug users, etc. The teams are expected to earnest… --- ## [Insurrection Act on April 20?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insurrection-act-on-april-20/1016453)
**Author:** [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2025, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insurrection-act-on-april-20/1016453 "2025-04-20T18:45:02Z")
This op-ed ran in the SF Chronicle last month. It might be paywalled, so here’ the lead paragraph: The order is legit: Hegseth and Noem will report on April 20 whether or not Trump should invoke the Insurrection Act i… --- ## [The trailer for Common Side Effects has me interested](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trailer-for-common-side-effects-has-me-interested/1004857)
**Author:** [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2025, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trailer-for-common-side-effects-has-me-interested/1004857 "2025-04-20T17:05:52Z")
New animated series on Adult Swim, executive produced by Mike Judge, Greg Daniels (among others). As you can probably tell from the title, it’s about drugs and the pharmaceutical industry. Also about “them” and what the… --- ## [In Defense of Irene Adler](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-defense-of-irene-adler/1016849)
**Author:** [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2025, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-defense-of-irene-adler/1016849 "2025-04-20T15:22:35Z")
Sherlock Holmes adapters thes days seem familiar with only a few of the dozens of stories Doyle (or if you prefer, Watson) told of Holmes: they know The Final Problem and they know A Scandal in Bohemia, and thus give us … --- ## [What are your experiences with quitting sodas \[caffeine\], mine is bad](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-experiences-with-quitting-sodas-caffeine-mine-is-bad/1016872)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2025, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-experiences-with-quitting-sodas-caffeine-mine-is-bad/1016872 "2025-04-20T14:20:11Z")
I’ve been trying to get healthier. I’ve been seeing a nutritionist and going to the gym more. It’s been going great overall. So I decided to quit sodas. I generally drink about 3 Diet Cokes a day. I started cutting way … --- ## [What counts as clothing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-counts-as-clothing/1017054)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2025, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-counts-as-clothing/1017054 "2025-04-20T13:17:36Z")
Continuing the discussion from Cloned humans raised without parents. They grow to do?: Starting a separate thread as I think it an interesting aside but off the main subject of the other thread: What counts as clothing… --- ## [Active shooter at El Paso Walmart; at least 18 shot \[3-AUG-2019\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/active-shooter-at-el-paso-walmart-at-least-18-shot-3-aug-2019/838124)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 123\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2025, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/active-shooter-at-el-paso-walmart-at-least-18-shot-3-aug-2019/838124 "2025-04-20T11:31:39Z")
https://www.ktsm.com/news/breaking-possible-active-shooter-at-walmart-near-cielo-vista-mall/ Near the Cielo Vista Mall. --- ## [Problem with WEBP files](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-with-webp-files/1017247)
**Author:** [@DKW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DKW)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2025, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-with-webp-files/1017247 "2025-04-20T09:00:17Z")
There’s this site I go to where I download pictures from. Recently many of them have started using the WEBP extension, which, as far as I’ve been able to determine, can save very large files with less memory use. The pro… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=329) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=331)