# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=331 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 332 --- ## [Creepy commercials](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creepy-commercials/1017152)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2025, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creepy-commercials/1017152 "2025-04-20T06:11:25Z")
Rather than resurrect a zombie, I’m starting a new Creepy Commercials thread. I’ll start it off with this one for Austex Beef Stew from 1966. --- ## [Extremely ignorant Q re how groups manage phone bills](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-ignorant-q-re-how-groups-manage-phone-bills/1016835)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2025, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-ignorant-q-re-how-groups-manage-phone-bills/1016835 "2025-04-20T03:31:04Z")
I’ll start out declaring near total ignorance about almost everything about cell phones. For various reasons (medical and social) neither I nor my husband have ever had cell phones, and I’ve just never read up on them m… --- ## [I'm getting harder to see](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-getting-harder-to-see/1017193)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2025, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-getting-harder-to-see/1017193 "2025-04-20T00:20:28Z")
Aaaaccccckkkk!! A nurse looked at my hand and said “Oh, hon, that sure is a large age spot!” I knew that discoloration was there. But I did NOT think age spot. Liver spot. Or, egads…I’M old!! Noooooo! Say it ain’t so. … --- ## [Thoughts on Visiting the US](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-visiting-the-us/1017194)
**Author:** [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2025, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-visiting-the-us/1017194 "2025-04-19T23:32:08Z")
My wife and I, in the process of looking for a new car, spent a few hours with a young salesperson who had immigrated to Canada from Syria several years ago. She was mentioning that in a few weeks she will be going to V… --- ## [Major Earthquake hits Myanmar and Thailand \[March 28, 2025\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-earthquake-hits-myanmar-and-thailand-march-28-2025/1016289)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2025, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-earthquake-hits-myanmar-and-thailand-march-28-2025/1016289 "2025-04-19T23:20:38Z")
The number of victim has been increasing rapidly. The Earthquake Center at the U.S. Geological Survey says there is a possibility it might end up being tens of thousand of deaths. Here is a chart from that site: … --- ## [US government may pay living people to donate their kidneys](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-government-may-pay-living-people-to-donate-their-kidneys/1017085)
**Author:** [@DemonTree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DemonTree)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2025, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-government-may-pay-living-people-to-donate-their-kidneys/1017085 "2025-04-19T22:52:06Z")
I saw a story about this on social media, the End Kidney Deaths Act is being reintroduced: Good? Bad? Does it have much chance of passing? --- ## [Pesach starts tonight. Non-Jews, been to one?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pesach-starts-tonight-non-jews-been-to-one/1016964)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2025, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pesach-starts-tonight-non-jews-been-to-one/1016964 "2025-04-19T20:18:12Z")
Pesach (Passover) is my favorite holiday. We are hosting Seder tonight. One of the many great parts of the holiday is when non-Jewish guests join us. For example we have had some very religious Christian friends join us … --- ## [In Glengarry Glen Ross, what exactly are the salesmen selling?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-glengarry-glen-ross-what-exactly-are-the-salesmen-selling/614998)
**Author:** [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\ **Replies:** 136\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2025, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-glengarry-glen-ross-what-exactly-are-the-salesmen-selling/614998 "2025-04-19T20:11:14Z")
Duh, they’re selling real estate. But who sells real estate in this manner, and why? I’ve bought residential property, both to live in and to rent. If it was new construction I went to the builder. If it was pre-owne… --- ## [Listen, my children: It's the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere's ride!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/listen-my-children-its-the-250th-anniversary-of-paul-reveres-ride/1017187)
**Author:** [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2025, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/listen-my-children-its-the-250th-anniversary-of-paul-reveres-ride/1017187 "2025-04-19T20:01:44Z")
The ride itself, I mean, not the poem. What I’m finding out, reading about both things, is that Longfellow was inspired to write about the American Revolution in 1860, when the USA was on the brink of civil war. This was… --- ## [2024/2025 Snow Thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-2025-snow-thread/1009975)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2025, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-2025-snow-thread/1009975 "2025-04-19T19:24:56Z")
It won’t be too long before lots of here will be getting snow. I haven’t had any yet, but it is happening now in the Rocky Mountains: Anyone affected by this? I’m just not ready for winter. --- ## [How do tariffs work on transshipment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-tariffs-work-on-transshipment/1016967)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2025, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-tariffs-work-on-transshipment/1016967 "2025-04-19T18:32:57Z")
Specifically, suppose I buy an i-phone from China, paying whatever duty Canada collects and then go to the US with the declared intention of selling it. Would it be dutied as an import from China or one from Canada? --- ## ["Drunk Shakespeare" -- apparently it's a thing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drunk-shakespeare-apparently-its-a-thing/1017170)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2025, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drunk-shakespeare-apparently-its-a-thing/1017170 "2025-04-19T18:03:32Z")
The Shakespearean actor who goes onstage absolutely hammered Behind the scenes at Drunk Shakespeare, where Lady Macbeth takes shots of raspberry vodka. https://wapo.st/42AwztP \[gift link\] For over a decade, Drunk Sh… --- ## [What is extremely common in YouTube videos but almost never happens in real life?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-youtube-videos-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/1017159)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2025, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-youtube-videos-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/1017159 "2025-04-19T17:06:10Z")
Blatant copy of a couple other thread ideas :slightly\_smiling\_face: Somebody is stopped in their car and a large, usually dangerous animal won’t leave him alone. It’s like he wants the driver to follow him, so he does. … --- ## [Who do I contact to change my screen name?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-do-i-contact-to-change-my-screen-name/1017202)
**Author:** [@Reeses\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeses_Monkey)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2025, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-do-i-contact-to-change-my-screen-name/1017202 "2025-04-19T16:49:14Z")
I had planned to change my name some time ago but that fell to the wayside when TubaDiva passed away. Then life happened. Then COVID happened. Somewhere in there the Dope migrated to Discourse and I waited for everything… --- ## [Time dilation and blue-shifting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-dilation-and-blue-shifting/1017123)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2025, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-dilation-and-blue-shifting/1017123 "2025-04-19T16:08:01Z")
The classic explanation for the phenomenon of time dilation in Special Relativity postulates one observer whose frame is taken to be “at rest” while observing someone in motion relative to them. The observer sees a clock… --- ## [Laptop computer gurus here?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laptop-computer-gurus-here/1017184)
**Author:** [@bodangus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bodangus)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2025, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laptop-computer-gurus-here/1017184 "2025-04-19T12:50:55Z")
I don’t want to ask in the wrong place, so clue me if I’m wrong. I have a mechanically broke down lenovo laptop that still functions. Broken hinge, likely a small crack in the screen, power plugin wobbly and other stuff… --- ## [MacBook won’t synch up with Canon printer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macbook-won-t-synch-up-with-canon-printer/1017212)
**Author:** [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2025, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macbook-won-t-synch-up-with-canon-printer/1017212 "2025-04-19T12:47:00Z")
MacBook won’t synch up with Canon printer. I recently bought a used, refurbished MacBook Air (2020, Sequoia 15.4.1) right before I changed jobs and cities, and I had no occasion to need a printer for about two months. T… --- ## [Can AI do this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-ai-do-this/1017174)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2025, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-ai-do-this/1017174 "2025-04-19T12:17:29Z")
Not the steak sauce :slightly\_smiling\_face: I think it would be amusing to have a program that would recognize gold crosses around necks, and turn them into swasticas. :slightly\_smiling\_face: --- ## [Does having passwords show up as dots provide protection against anything other than over the shoulder looking?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-having-passwords-show-up-as-dots-provide-protection-against-anything-other-than-over-the-shoulder-looking/1016741)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2025, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-having-passwords-show-up-as-dots-provide-protection-against-anything-other-than-over-the-shoulder-looking/1016741 "2025-04-19T12:00:22Z")
I had to change one of my passwords this morning. That means typing in the new one twice, presumably so that I don’t make a typo the first time and then not know what the typo was. Why might that be a potential problem… --- ## [What do you think is the goal of this economic chaos?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-goal-of-this-economic-chaos/1016302)
**Author:** [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Replies:** 145\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2025, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-goal-of-this-economic-chaos/1016302 "2025-04-19T11:20:44Z")
It certainly seems like Trump knows what he’s doing is going to cause chaos, and potentially a deep worldwide recession. I don’t personally think we’ll see total collapse, but who knows. We have a bunch of threads that … --- ## [Allow me to introduce myself](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allow-me-to-introduce-myself/1017143)
**Author:** [@Hal1776](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal1776)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2025, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allow-me-to-introduce-myself/1017143 "2025-04-19T00:00:01Z")
Hey guys! This is Hal1776! I’ve recently decided to abandon social media in favor of forums and email, and would like to formally introduce myself. I’m 30 years old from Tennessee, and a huge science nerd. I like 90s an… --- ## [Arson at Pennsylvania Governor's Mansion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arson-at-pennsylvania-governors-mansion/1017005)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2025, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arson-at-pennsylvania-governors-mansion/1017005 "2025-04-18T23:17:49Z")
Don’t know a lot yet. It could be a hate crime. It was the first day of Passover and Governor Josh Shapiro and his family are Jewish. Perhaps it’s something personal. A disgruntled Constituent. More information should … --- ## [Ginger 🐈 — it’s all from a gene on the X chromosome](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ginger-it-s-all-from-a-gene-on-the-x-chromosome/1017169)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2025, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ginger-it-s-all-from-a-gene-on-the-x-chromosome/1017169 "2025-04-18T23:05:18Z")
Article explains why ginger cats are generally male, calicos generally female. :cat: :cat\_face: :black\_cat: --- ## [Citation glitch being perpetually reiterated by AI](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/citation-glitch-being-perpetually-reiterated-by-ai/1017111)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 110\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2025, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/citation-glitch-being-perpetually-reiterated-by-ai/1017111 "2025-04-18T23:04:24Z")
I won’t quote the exact phrase because this viral meme has too many homes already, but here’s the article I just read about it: --- ## [California Earthquake App](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-earthquake-app/1017167)
**Author:** [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2025, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-earthquake-app/1017167 "2025-04-18T22:31:53Z")
Recently there was an earthquake in California. Some sort of alert went out to people once the P-wave hit. (Late night hosts mentioned it.) Can I, who has never been to California, subscribe to this app? How? (I would a… --- ## [Shooter at Florida State University in Tallahassee {April 17, 2025}](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooter-at-florida-state-university-in-tallahassee-april-17-2025/1017141)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2025, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooter-at-florida-state-university-in-tallahassee-april-17-2025/1017141 "2025-04-18T22:27:48Z")
I haven’t seen any information on the motive or the suspect–or even if there was more than the one suspect already arrested. --- ## [The Advent Of AGI/ASI](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-advent-of-agi-asi/1017185)
**Author:** [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2025, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-advent-of-agi-asi/1017185 "2025-04-18T21:57:35Z")
So, apparently, rumours are percolating about how the US government is anticipating AGI is on the horizon My question is this, if we entertain the idea it is happening, what would it look like? Will it result in a mater… --- ## [Russian translation requested](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-translation-requested/1017177)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2025, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-translation-requested/1017177 "2025-04-18T21:29:50Z")
Can someone translate this? Google translate chose: “Fate strokes on the cheek”, which makes no sense… to me anyway. Maybe its a Russian proverb Linky.. --- ## [Ugh, do I REALLY have to schedule ANOTHER colonoscopy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-i-really-have-to-schedule-another-colonoscopy/989304)
**Author:** [@Chef\_Troy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chef_Troy)\ **Replies:** 450\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2025, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-i-really-have-to-schedule-another-colonoscopy/989304 "2025-04-18T20:58:21Z")
I JUST had one like three years ago. The procedure itself was fine – best nap ever – and it was fun losing 11 pounds at Weight Watchers that week, but the prep was nothing I ever want to go through again. Can’t I just ke… --- ## [Gene Hackman and wife found dead, and dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gene-hackman-and-wife-found-dead-and-dog/1014861)
**Author:** [@Loggins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loggins)\ **Replies:** 450\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2025, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gene-hackman-and-wife-found-dead-and-dog/1014861 "2025-04-18T20:28:54Z")
Says on my Norwegian news, any more info on this? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=330) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=332)