# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=333 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 334 --- ## [How dire is the dire wolf?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dire-is-the-dire-wolf/1016814)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2025, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dire-is-the-dire-wolf/1016814 "2025-04-17T18:51:11Z")
A company has just brought back the dire wolf from extinction using DNA from fossils. Some claim they are not really dire wolves since the just changed a few genes from their gray wolf parents. But don’t WE have crap … --- ## [Positive Counterfactuals](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/positive-counterfactuals/1017131)
**Author:** [@The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_wind_of_my_soul)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2025, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/positive-counterfactuals/1017131 "2025-04-17T18:32:34Z")
A counterfactual is what could have happened but didn’t. On my way to work, I saw a cop pull a car over on the highway. It reminded me of when I was married to cop who worked in a dangerous county, and I learned to be … --- ## [Is reading a novel any better for you than reading a news article?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-reading-a-novel-any-better-for-you-than-reading-a-news-article/1017101)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2025, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-reading-a-novel-any-better-for-you-than-reading-a-news-article/1017101 "2025-04-17T17:53:26Z")
I ask because not all or not even most bookworms seem to think they are intellectually superior. I get that reading itself is good brain exercise. But why would it matter if You’re reading the daily news or reading a no… --- ## [How did automotive carburetors compensate for altitude?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-automotive-carburetors-compensate-for-altitude/1016922)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2025, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-automotive-carburetors-compensate-for-altitude/1016922 "2025-04-17T16:02:33Z")
Back in ~1980, if you were riding across the US on a motorcycle, you needed to swap out jets in your carburetor(s) if you went through an elevation change of more than a few thousand feet - the reason being that simple c… --- ## [Does i to the power of infinity =...0?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-i-to-the-power-of-infinity-0/1017083)
**Author:** [@EnolaStraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnolaStraight)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2025, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-i-to-the-power-of-infinity-0/1017083 "2025-04-17T14:16:47Z")
According to this Youtuber Mathematician, 1+1-1+1-1…to infinity equals .5. One minus one plus one minus one - Numberphile Ultimately, the value considered correct and accurate is the one in the middle of 1 and 0 (the a… --- ## [Europe can't trust the US anymore](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/europe-cant-trust-the-us-anymore/1016145)
**Author:** [@Norse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Norse)\ **Replies:** 171\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2025, 8:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/europe-cant-trust-the-us-anymore/1016145 "2025-04-17T08:43:27Z")
Once upon a time, the US came to our relief during WW2. That was highly appreciated, and perhaps as well appreciated was the Marshall aid during the 50s. That aid from the US was - as far as I can understand - based on … --- ## [What does "meatloaf" mean in baseball slang?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-meatloaf-mean-in-baseball-slang/1017115)
**Author:** [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2025, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-meatloaf-mean-in-baseball-slang/1017115 "2025-04-17T03:34:15Z")
My favorite baseblogger at Bleed Cubbie Blue uses it frequently, but I can’t find it defined anywhere online. I think it might mean “to win a series”, but I’m not sure. Anyone heard this? --- ## [Need help with an op-amp circuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-an-op-amp-circuit/1016787)
**Author:** [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2025, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-an-op-amp-circuit/1016787 "2025-04-17T03:03:19Z")
You would think there’s plenty of material for this on the web, but surprisingly I can’t find what I need. And AI has been uniformly awful. I have what I think is a simple problem: a 0v to 3.3v input that I want to scal… --- ## [What's happened to the mouse-over preview on the front (categories) page?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-happened-to-the-mouse-over-preview-on-the-front-categories-page/1017077)
**Author:** [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2025, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-happened-to-the-mouse-over-preview-on-the-front-categories-page/1017077 "2025-04-17T00:55:20Z")
It works on posts inside categories. But not on the home page (which I currently have set to categories). --- ## [Didn't see this one coming: Michelle Trachtenberg has died](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-see-this-one-coming-michelle-trachtenberg-has-died/1014835)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2025, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-see-this-one-coming-michelle-trachtenberg-has-died/1014835 "2025-04-17T00:46:16Z")
--- ## [Masters 2025](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/masters-2025/1017012)
**Author:** [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2025, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/masters-2025/1017012 "2025-04-16T20:42:33Z")
I dunno if anyone else is watching this, has to be the most INSANE golf tournament in history. Tl;dr Rory McIlroy basically had this won like 4-5 times, but each time he chunks a wedge or yips on a putt, and Justin Rose… --- ## [Mod Note from \[Why have conservatives left this message board?\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mod-note-from-why-have-conservatives-left-this-message-board/1017075)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2025, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mod-note-from-why-have-conservatives-left-this-message-board/1017075 "2025-04-16T19:52:09Z")
Continuing the discussion from Why have conservatives left this message board?: This is so funny to me and I have to ask if Sith Mod was noting me to demonstrate my point in an ironic fashion. OK, my statement stands, … --- ## [Bad bad bad funny bone!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-funny-bone/1017112)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2025, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-funny-bone/1017112 "2025-04-16T19:01:19Z")
Whacked my elbow on the door facing. Screamed a tiny bit. :face\_with\_crossed\_out\_eyes: Can’t figure out why my elbow was flying fast and loose going thru a door. I swear it is worse than usual. (Ivy sez, “Girl, pah-lee… --- ## [So is Mike Myers not a dick any more?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-mike-myers-not-a-dick-any-more/1016718)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2025, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-mike-myers-not-a-dick-any-more/1016718 "2025-04-16T18:49:09Z")
Mike Myers has (or had) a reputation for being an insufferable dick on set. He’s also been on SNL a few times in the past few weeks as Elon Musk. I’m to understand that Lorne Michaels’ patience for fools can most charit… --- ## [Facebook Memorial Pages?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-memorial-pages/1017091)
**Author:** [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2025, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-memorial-pages/1017091 "2025-04-16T16:58:15Z")
I recently had to do a deep dive into my Friends section on Facebook. I’ve had FB since 2006 with rare, intermittent usage through the years until now. I am still trying to figure out how to respond to people let alone a… --- ## [Should I try to find someone to remove my cataract?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-try-to-find-someone-to-remove-my-cataract/1017038)
**Author:** [@crazyjoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crazyjoe)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2025, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-try-to-find-someone-to-remove-my-cataract/1017038 "2025-04-16T16:05:48Z")
I’m a 52YO white guy with nearsightedness and astigmatism, and for the last probably 8 years when I have my eyes checked the optometrist mentions that I have the start of a cataract in one eye and so he can’t get my visi… --- ## [What's with the sudden pandemic of YouTube ads?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-sudden-pandemic-of-youtube-ads/1008770)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2025, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-sudden-pandemic-of-youtube-ads/1008770 "2025-04-16T15:46:22Z")
I have a habit of watching all sorts of YouTube videos on nights when I just can’t go to sleep. Videos on plate techtonics? Great. Cooking demos? Fine. Guy trimming diseases cow hooves? Okay, why not? People prying… --- ## [NHL - 2024 Regular Season](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-2024-regular-season/1008683)
**Author:** [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Replies:** 140\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2025, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-2024-regular-season/1008683 "2025-04-16T15:10:55Z")
The lowly Canucks start off in fine, disappointing style, at home, opening game of the season, blowing multiple three-goal leads to lose to Calgary 5-4 in OT. Main goalie Thatcher Demko is still out indefinitely. The up … --- ## [Jean Marsh has died -- "Rose" in the 1971 "Upstairs Downstairs" Bellamy household](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jean-marsh-has-died-rose-in-the-1971-upstairs-downstairs-bellamy-household/1017007)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2025, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jean-marsh-has-died-rose-in-the-1971-upstairs-downstairs-bellamy-household/1017007 "2025-04-16T15:04:12Z")
I was completely addicted to and immersed in the world of the Bellamys in the original Upstairs Downstairs. Every Sunday afternoon without fail. The unforgettable moments-- Lady Marjorie went down on the Titanic, James… --- ## [So I have prostate cancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-prostate-cancer/804035)
**Author:** [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Replies:** 374\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2025, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-prostate-cancer/804035 "2025-04-16T13:53:59Z")
Just diagnosed. T1c, gleason 7 (3+4). It’s apparently contained so I’m told very curable. However, treatment can (note the qualifier) leave a man permanently impotent and can cause permanent urinary incontinence. In fact… --- ## [Have automatic kitty litter boxes gotten any better?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-automatic-kitty-litter-boxes-gotten-any-better/1016830)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2025, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-automatic-kitty-litter-boxes-gotten-any-better/1016830 "2025-04-16T01:35:10Z")
I have tried twice and have been disappointed both times. But that was 10 years ago. The folks on TikTok seem to be in love with their newest ones. So now I’m thinking maybe I should give it another try? --- ## [Strange Titanic question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-titanic-question/1016699)
**Author:** [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Replies:** 117\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2025, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-titanic-question/1016699 "2025-04-16T01:26:01Z")
\[Mods: move to FQ or IMHO if more appropriate\] Here’s something that occurred to me about the movie Titanic (1997): The film features a marine salvage hunter (played by Bill Paxton) who’s searching for a very expensive… --- ## [(Old) A Day Off in the MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-a-day-off-in-the-mmp/1016728)
**Author:** [@scareyfaerie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scareyfaerie)\ **Replies:** 300\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2025, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-a-day-off-in-the-mmp/1016728 "2025-04-16T00:29:33Z")
Morning, mumpers! It’s currently 6c/43f with a predicted high of 14c/58f and sunny. Weather app says “Well, fuck me sideways, the fucking sun is out!” Yes, it really is. Few bits from yesterday… Of course they do … --- ## [The Search in Thread feature is gone](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-search-in-thread-feature-is-gone/1017071)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2025, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-search-in-thread-feature-is-gone/1017071 "2025-04-15T23:56:02Z")
I use search in Thread Games every day. It’s useful to confirm my answer word hasn’t been used recently. Now the magnifying glass is taking me to the Top Level board search. I have to press the three lines button to ge… --- ## [What were China’s import tariffs on US goods before the recent unpleasantness?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-china-s-import-tariffs-on-us-goods-before-the-recent-unpleasantness/1016979)
**Author:** [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2025, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-china-s-import-tariffs-on-us-goods-before-the-recent-unpleasantness/1016979 "2025-04-15T22:07:17Z")
I keep hearing that China was “taking advantage of us,” but I have found it very difficult to determine what their historical tariffs on US goods were. I’m aware that there is now a 104% tariff. --- ## [True Randomness](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-randomness/1016155)
**Author:** [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2025, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-randomness/1016155 "2025-04-15T22:02:00Z")
There’s an announcement by JPMorgan today that they used a quantum computer to generate true randomness and that it was a big step forward. Has it always been possible to generate true randomness by sampling the decay o… --- ## [Childhood delights](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/childhood-delights/1016974)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2025, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/childhood-delights/1016974 "2025-04-15T21:36:57Z")
Family piling into the car because the local Dairy Queen is selling Dilly Bars at half price, and it is time to hit the drive-thru on a summer afternoon. They are dipped fresh, and for an extra quarter they will double-… --- ## [Is there any real ice cream in stores anymore?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-real-ice-cream-in-stores-anymore/1016794)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 117\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2025, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-real-ice-cream-in-stores-anymore/1016794 "2025-04-15T21:13:31Z")
Cream, cane sugar, maybe eggs. No corn syrup and especially no gums to thicken it or low-fat milk solids, &c.? I am so tired of finding the crap ice cream in stores. It doesn’t have the flavor of the real stuff never … --- ## [Which do you like with chili: Crackers, cornbread, or tortillas?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-do-you-like-with-chili-crackers-cornbread-or-tortillas/1016913)
**Author:** [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2025, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-do-you-like-with-chili-crackers-cornbread-or-tortillas/1016913 "2025-04-15T18:19:09Z")
Mr. brown and I were debating this the last time I served chili. He loves slightly sweet cornbread best of all, but I like the contrast of crunchy saltines with my chili. Cracker bonus: you can use them as a scoop for… --- ## [PACER's exorbitant fees (Public Access to Court Electronic Records)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pacers-exorbitant-fees-public-access-to-court-electronic-records/1017052)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2025, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pacers-exorbitant-fees-public-access-to-court-electronic-records/1017052 "2025-04-15T17:05:35Z")
(This is just a mild rant… not really pit-worthy but not sure where else to put it. It’s totally a 1% of the first-world problem, especially given all that’s going on with the government these days.) So there’s this gov… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=332) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=334)