# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=34 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 35 --- ## [Handicapped Sports (golf, bowling, etc.)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-sports-golf-bowling-etc/1033541)
**Author:** [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2026, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-sports-golf-bowling-etc/1033541 "2026-10-03T14:39:48Z")
“What’s your handicap?” Many sports have a system by which to compare players’ talent level against each other. You can get rated in tennis. Chess has a robust rating system. Golf and bowling have a handicapping system. … --- ## [LLNL has released its latest energy Sankey](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/llnl-has-released-its-latest-energy-sankey/1033549)
**Author:** [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2026, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/llnl-has-released-its-latest-energy-sankey/1033549 "2026-10-03T11:27:38Z")
Since people have found these interesting before. From https://flowcharts.llnl.gov/ --- ## [Identify the performer of this bouzouki music (Μπαξέ Τσιφλίκι)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-the-performer-of-this-bouzouki-music/915208)
**Author:** [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2026, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-the-performer-of-this-bouzouki-music/915208 "2026-10-03T05:09:08Z")
I don’t remember how I came into possession of it, but one of my very favourite MP3s is a raucous recording of Μπαξέ Τσιφλίκι (Mpaxe Tsifliki), a popular tune composed by the famous bouzoukist Βασίλης Τσιτσάνης (Vassilis… --- ## [It's No Pit yet of the captain of the Concordia? Allow me](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-no-pit-yet-of-the-captain-of-the-concordia-allow-me/610089)
**Author:** [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Replies:** 128\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2026, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-no-pit-yet-of-the-captain-of-the-concordia-allow-me/610089 "2026-10-03T03:23:43Z")
Jeez, what a scuzz ball. He runs the ship onto rocks while buzzing too close to an island to “salute” a pal on shore. He didn’t use the ship’s navigation system, he navigated by eye because he “knew the waters well.” … --- ## [Where are the billionaire philanthropists?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-the-billionaire-philanthropists/1030192)
**Author:** [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2026, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-the-billionaire-philanthropists/1030192 "2026-10-03T00:28:52Z")
In the first Gilded Age, the central government was weak and corrupt, and the country was run by oligarchs (aka, “robber barons”). But at least one of whom – Andrew Carnegie comes to mind – gave away vast amounts of the… --- ## [Bath Towel Absorption Formula](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bath-towel-absorption-formula/338657)
**Author:** [@sharkattack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sharkattack)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2026, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bath-towel-absorption-formula/338657 "2026-10-03T00:00:54Z")
why are all bath towels more absorbant on one side than on the other? Is it forbidden to make a bath towel with equall sides, or does it have to do with the weave? --- ## [Any neurologists on the Dope? (movement disorders and the treatment thereof)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-neurologists-on-the-dope-movement-disorders-and-the-treatment-thereof/1033452)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2026, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-neurologists-on-the-dope-movement-disorders-and-the-treatment-thereof/1033452 "2026-10-02T22:13:41Z")
For some twenty-mumble years I’ve lived with essential tremor (bilateral). In 2016, I had Medtronic Deep Brain Stimulation implants placed in my brain (with pulse generators in my chest). In 2022, I got new generators wi… --- ## [Gas in California is special. It has to be more expensive. Does it really need to be that much more?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-in-california-is-special-it-has-to-be-more-expensive-does-it-really-need-to-be-that-much-more/1033526)
**Author:** [@Ancient\_Nerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ancient_Nerd)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2026, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-in-california-is-special-it-has-to-be-more-expensive-does-it-really-need-to-be-that-much-more/1033526 "2026-10-02T21:34:56Z")
Continuing the discussion from How are gas prices in your area?: California has large cities in valleys surrounded by high mountain ranges. It has a long dry season with no rain. One of many things we do to reduce smo… --- ## [UnitedHealthcare CEO fatally shot in Manhattan \[breaking news: 2024-12-04\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unitedhealthcare-ceo-fatally-shot-in-manhattan-breaking-news-2024-12-04/1011159)
**Author:** [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Replies:** 860\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2026, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unitedhealthcare-ceo-fatally-shot-in-manhattan-breaking-news-2024-12-04/1011159 "2026-10-02T20:57:17Z")
News reports are that this appears to be a targeted attack. (gift link) CEO Brian Thompson (age 50) was in Manhattan for an investor meeting at the New York Hilton Midtown and was gunned down as he was about to enter th… --- ## [What foodstuffs have you gotten and consumed from your own garden, windowbox, back yard, fields, forests, or neighborhood wilderness?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-foodstuffs-have-you-gotten-and-consumed-from-your-own-garden-windowbox-back-yard-fields-forests-or-neighborhood-wilderness/1018231)
**Author:** [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2026, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-foodstuffs-have-you-gotten-and-consumed-from-your-own-garden-windowbox-back-yard-fields-forests-or-neighborhood-wilderness/1018231 "2026-10-02T19:07:01Z")
The Mrs and I were talking idly today about foodstuffs we’ve eaten/gathered/produced/found on our own property over the decades. We’ve had small vegetable/herb gardens off and on, though they’ve not been terribly succes… --- ## [Taylor Gosnell, another mother who tried to murder her children](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taylor-gosnell-another-mother-who-tried-to-murder-her-children/1033448)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2026, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taylor-gosnell-another-mother-who-tried-to-murder-her-children/1033448 "2026-10-02T17:32:52Z")
In this new (near me) case, it is a three-year-old and a six-year-old, which she stabbed but both survived. One may need an arm amputation. https://www.wspa.com/news/local-news/spartanburg-county-mother-accused-of-attac… --- ## [What I've Learned from Caustic Reviews of My Book](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-from-caustic-reviews-of-my-book/1033435)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2026, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-from-caustic-reviews-of-my-book/1033435 "2026-10-02T16:48:49Z")
(the first book, GenderQueer) Most of the non-warm reactions come from people seeing me as kin to incels. Or at least to men’s rights folks. They aren’t entirely wrong. It’s part of why I thought it so important to s… --- ## [Resolved - The U.S. should swap Veteran's Day and Memorial Day](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-the-u-s-should-swap-veterans-day-and-memorial-day/1030621)
**Author:** [@carlb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlb)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2026, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-the-u-s-should-swap-veterans-day-and-memorial-day/1030621 "2026-10-02T16:32:12Z")
In the United States, we have two official government holidays related to the armed services. Memorial Day is supposed to mourn those who have lost their lives in the armed forces, whereas Veterans Day is a more comprehe… --- ## [I'm baaaack…](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-baaaack/1033528)
**Author:** [@Backwater\_UnderDuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Backwater_UnderDuck)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2026, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-baaaack/1033528 "2026-10-02T16:12:46Z")
Hey guys. It’s been a while, and I’m not sure if I’m doing this right, but here goes. I’ve been away for too long, but I want to come back and see if I can fit in again My wife died a while ago and I just haven’t wanted … --- ## [Trump, seeking executive power over elections, is urged to declare emergency](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-seeking-executive-power-over-elections-is-urged-to-declare-emergency/1028019)
**Author:** [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Replies:** 130\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2026, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-seeking-executive-power-over-elections-is-urged-to-declare-emergency/1028019 "2026-10-02T14:41:14Z")
I didn’t notice this already posted: Trump is likely to declare emergency and take over elections. Putting this in Politics & Elections, but it may belong in the Pit? Per Washington Post: Trump, seeking executive powe… --- ## [The Great SDMB Movie Poll - Round 2B Best of the Rest {Polls closing at Noon EDT, 2026-01-10}](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-sdmb-movie-poll-round-2b-best-of-the-rest-polls-closing-at-noon-edt-2026-01-10/1033445)
**Author:** [@Thumper668](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thumper668)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2026, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-sdmb-movie-poll-round-2b-best-of-the-rest-polls-closing-at-noon-edt-2026-01-10/1033445 "2026-10-02T14:06:22Z")
poll poll poll poll poll poll poll poll poll poll poll poll poll poll poll poll poll poll poll poll poll poll poll poll poll poll poll poll poll poll poll poll poll poll poll poll poll poll poll poll poll poll poll poll p… --- ## [What are the Strongest Scientific Consensuses That Turned Out to Be Possibly, or Definitely, Wrong?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-strongest-scientific-consensuses-that-turned-out-to-be-possibly-or-definitely-wrong/1032888)
**Author:** [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Replies:** 241\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2026, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-strongest-scientific-consensuses-that-turned-out-to-be-possibly-or-definitely-wrong/1032888 "2026-10-02T13:17:55Z")
An example of an extremely strong scientific consensus today is that faster than speed of light communication is impossible. My guess is that when consensus is so strong – with every tenured university physicist who wor… --- ## [Is Trump’s mortgage plan a bad idea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-s-mortgage-plan-a-bad-idea/1024795)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2026, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-s-mortgage-plan-a-bad-idea/1024795 "2026-10-02T13:05:54Z")
I guess I’ve been lucky and genuinely don’t know anything about mortgages. He wants to extend them to 50 years. Is it infeasible? Here’s an article that discusses it. https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/11/business/fifty-year-… --- ## [Deviated September (Monthly Mini-Rants)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deviated-september-monthly-mini-rants/1032738)
**Author:** [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Replies:** 394\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2026, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deviated-september-monthly-mini-rants/1032738 "2026-10-02T12:39:39Z")
Continuing the discussion from August Wrong! (Monthly Mini-Rants): I’ll start out by mini-ranting about myself. I’m on a trip to Nevada, first in Vegas with my wife, then finishing the week in a nearby town where her p… --- ## [AI data centres (datacenters) in space!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-data-centres-datacenters-in-space/1031098)
**Author:** [@Heracles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heracles)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2026, 9:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-data-centres-datacenters-in-space/1031098 "2026-10-02T09:32:32Z")
So commercial artificial intelligence operations (OpenAI, Anthropic and so on) require some high-performance processors with high power and cooling requirements. Now there is a trend of talking about putting such data c… --- ## [Getting an all in one computer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-an-all-in-one-computer/1033468)
**Author:** [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2026, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-an-all-in-one-computer/1033468 "2026-10-02T08:07:03Z")
I’m going to get a new computer in a couple of weeks. For a couple of reasons I’d like an all in one. Other than the usual internet stuff I’m mainly going to use it for world building for the novel I’m working on (first … --- ## [Throwback MMORPG: Monsters & Memories](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/throwback-mmorpg-monsters-memories/1033529)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2026, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/throwback-mmorpg-monsters-memories/1033529 "2026-10-02T04:23:51Z")
Has anyone heard of this game that launched today? https://monstersandmemories.com/ It’s a throwback to EverQuest era MMORPGs apparently, with slow, group-focused gameplay… --- ## [Need air-gapped version of Word/Office](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-air-gapped-version-of-word-office/1033351)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2026, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-air-gapped-version-of-word-office/1033351 "2026-10-02T04:17:14Z")
Just got the unwelcome notice that the 2019 version of Microsoft Word will no longer allow creating or editing Word docs. I suppose if one went through the entire original licensing agreement it would somewhere say the e… --- ## [Yarrr, 'tis International Talk Like a Pirate Day!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yarrr-tis-international-talk-like-a-pirate-day/796723)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2026, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yarrr-tis-international-talk-like-a-pirate-day/796723 "2026-10-02T03:59:47Z")
Ye scurvy, mutinous dogs, hope ye’ll be properly marking the day! --- ## [In what ways is society not ready to accept or deal with mental illness](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-ways-is-society-not-ready-to-accept-or-deal-with-mental-illness/1033471)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2026, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-ways-is-society-not-ready-to-accept-or-deal-with-mental-illness/1033471 "2026-10-02T03:17:35Z")
There is a lot of stigma for mental illness, far more than for illnesses outside of the brain. But I get the impression that there are various reasons why mental illness isn’t going to be accepted the same way we accept … --- ## [My religious tourism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-religious-tourism/921011)
**Author:** [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2026, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-religious-tourism/921011 "2026-10-02T00:48:15Z")
One of my hobbies is attending other people’s religious services. I wrote a series of posts about doing so (and also some posts about services at my own congregation) on another chat site, but it is dying, so I am copyin… --- ## [Does Bath Towel Color Affect Absorbancy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-bath-towel-color-affect-absorbancy/54526)
**Author:** [@TwoBuyFour](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwoBuyFour)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2026, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-bath-towel-color-affect-absorbancy/54526 "2026-10-01T22:00:31Z")
Recently a friend of mine made a comment that I found hard to swallow. She stated that white towels are much more absorbant than towels of other colors. Now, just as I was coming to a conclusion in my little brain as to … --- ## [Dallas cop kills innocent man](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dallas-cop-kills-innocent-man/821119)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 772\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2026, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dallas-cop-kills-innocent-man/821119 "2026-10-01T21:34:38Z")
She claims she accidentally entered the wrong apartment thinking it was here’s. It’s the second time she’s shot someone. I’ll withhold judgement but I’m not liking how they are handling it so far. https://www.google.com… --- ## [Why is Vladimir Putin still alive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-vladimir-putin-still-alive/1033390)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2026, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-vladimir-putin-still-alive/1033390 "2026-10-01T21:16:22Z")
It can’t have escaped the notice of the Ukrainian government that Putin is the architect and booster for the aggression against Ukraine; that unlike almost every war fought in modern times, it really makes a difference w… --- ## [Is it possible to change usernames on the SDMB?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-change-usernames-on-the-sdmb/1032571)
**Author:** [@Xarrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xarrot)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2026, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-change-usernames-on-the-sdmb/1032571 "2026-10-01T19:30:27Z")
I want a new username but wish to keep my old account. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=33) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=35)