# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=38&state=watching [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 39 --- ## [Is it just me, or is the free version of Duolingo kind of useless? What's a good free resource for learning basic Spanish?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-or-is-the-free-version-of-duolingo-kind-of-useless-whats-a-good-free-resource-for-learning-basic-spanish/1026966)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2026, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-or-is-the-free-version-of-duolingo-kind-of-useless-whats-a-good-free-resource-for-learning-basic-spanish/1026966 "2026-08-24T00:26:34Z")
Got a trip to Mexico coming up in a couple weeks, and I’ve been doing the free version of Duolingo to learn some basic Spanish. I’ve gone through quite a few lessons now, and it seems to just be repeating the same basic … --- ## [Last Remaining Cast Members](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-remaining-cast-members/929464)
**Author:** [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats2)\ **Replies:** 367\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2026, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-remaining-cast-members/929464 "2026-08-24T00:12:27Z")
The thread about the death of Dawn Wells leaving Tina Louise as the tontine winner of Gilligan’s Island made me wonder about other old shows or movies with only one or two cast members left. I know F Troop has only Larr… --- ## [How do the odds for craps (dice) compare to other gambling?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-the-odds-for-craps-dice-compare-to-other-gambling/1032471)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2026, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-the-odds-for-craps-dice-compare-to-other-gambling/1032471 "2026-08-23T22:53:44Z")
That’s all. I know someone who claimed that craps was the way to go because you can get “on a roll”. Of course that is stupid gambling talk. --- ## [FIFA World Cup 2026 - discussion etc](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962)
**Author:** [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Replies:** 5245\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2026, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962 "2026-08-23T21:16:08Z")
June, 2026 is approaching! This will be the first global sports event to be co-hosted by Mexico, Canada, and (probably) the US, and the first round of tickets has already gone on sale and hit the official FIFA resale sit… --- ## [Do you suffer from Visual Snow Syndrome?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-suffer-from-visual-snow-syndrome/1031849)
**Author:** [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2026, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-suffer-from-visual-snow-syndrome/1031849 "2026-08-23T21:09:28Z")
poll I recently watched a video about Visual Snow Syndrome, where your vision is overlaid with a noisy pattern similar to a detuned TV or film grain. It dances on your vision at all times, but it’s often easier to notice… --- ## [Foundation: TV series discussion (open spoilers; comparison to the books allowed)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foundation-tv-series-discussion-open-spoilers-comparison-to-the-books-allowed/951328)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 320\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2026, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foundation-tv-series-discussion-open-spoilers-comparison-to-the-books-allowed/951328 "2026-08-23T20:44:06Z")
Note: OPEN SPOILERS in this thread Yesterday Apple TV+ released the first two episodes “Foundation” based on the Foundation series by Isaac Asimov. For this thread open spoilers are allowed (although you can spoiler ta… --- ## [Yet Another Electrical Question: Cooktops](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-electrical-question-cooktops/1032278)
**Author:** [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2026, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-electrical-question-cooktops/1032278 "2026-08-23T19:06:56Z")
OK. Let’s start with the fact that I am well aware of all the ways this is not up to code. I don’t need that lecture- I didn’t do this, and it’s been this way for literally decades. What I have: Separate electric cookt… --- ## [What film(s) deserve a Legacy Sequel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-film-s-deserve-a-legacy-sequel/970331)
**Author:** [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2026, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-film-s-deserve-a-legacy-sequel/970331 "2026-08-23T17:55:56Z")
A legacy sequel is a years on (think 15-20 years later) film that follows the same characters, ideally with the same actors, many years down the road. Top Gun: Maverick, Bladerunner 2049, and Bill & Ted Face the Music ar… --- ## [AI Data Centers--how many being built, and why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-data-centers-how-many-being-built-and-why/1031452)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2026, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-data-centers-how-many-being-built-and-why/1031452 "2026-08-23T17:22:31Z")
The news is full of stories about new data centers being built, and local residents complaining. And I have some simple questions: Who is building all these centers? And why? How does each new proposed one differ fro… --- ## [The great 1950s, as depicted in "Father Knows Best"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-1950s-as-depicted-in-father-knows-best/1032308)
**Author:** [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2026, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-1950s-as-depicted-in-father-knows-best/1032308 "2026-08-23T16:32:42Z")
I’m a fan of nostalgic classic old TV series, as some may have noted from my comments in the “TV series” thread. I’ve recently been re-watching some episodes of Father Knows Best and some of the indicators of mainstream… --- ## [The End of Oak Street](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-of-oak-street/1032377)
**Author:** [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2026, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-of-oak-street/1032377 "2026-08-23T16:13:08Z")
Saw this this weekend because I can’t not see a dinosaurs raiding a suburb movie. And that is basically what you get. It’s was a fun, kind of cheesy (in a good way) violent action movie where ET meets Jurassic Park with… --- ## [Count to infinity in pictures](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/count-to-infinity-in-pictures/682824)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 6763\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2026, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/count-to-infinity-in-pictures/682824 "2026-08-23T15:41:50Z")
--- ## [The End of Oak Street {Spoilers within}](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-of-oak-street-spoilers-within/1032495)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2026, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-of-oak-street-spoilers-within/1032495 "2026-08-23T14:43:33Z")
Okay, my 2-¢ (mild spoilers) I think the movie somehow worked better that the starting point was 1982; although it did not give us the ending this led me to expect: ▶ Summary The Mesozoic had an astonishingly dense po… --- ## [Whale songs in the skies - the A220 engine sound](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whale-songs-in-the-skies-the-a220-engine-sound/1032485)
**Author:** [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2026, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whale-songs-in-the-skies-the-a220-engine-sound/1032485 "2026-08-23T07:45:03Z")
I live under a flight path for the Columbus airport, and for the most part I’ve tuned out the sounds. Sometimes the sounds make me perk up – twice in my time living here I’ve heard engine failures, and they sound wild, l… --- ## [Do you remember your bedtime as a kid?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remember-your-bedtime-as-a-kid/584164)
**Author:** [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2026, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remember-your-bedtime-as-a-kid/584164 "2026-08-23T06:39:24Z")
I was talking to some friends this week about our childhood bedtimes. I could only remember that by age 10 my bedtime was 10:30 pm on school days and pretty much open ended on non school days. (In practice I could only… --- ## [The use of the atomic bomb in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, was it justified?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-use-of-the-atomic-bomb-in-hiroshima-and-nagasaki-was-it-justified/1021901)
**Author:** [@Colesy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colesy)\ **Replies:** 245\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2026, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-use-of-the-atomic-bomb-in-hiroshima-and-nagasaki-was-it-justified/1021901 "2026-08-23T04:11:01Z")
This is a subject that has been hotly debated since the first successful test in New Mexico, and with the anniversary commemorations in Japan right now, it has reignited my fascination. For me there are two layers to th… --- ## [Constitutional Law Hypothetical](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/constitutional-law-hypothetical/1032453)
**Author:** [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2026, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/constitutional-law-hypothetical/1032453 "2026-08-23T00:59:36Z")
This might be more of a Factual Question, but I doubt it has an unambiguous answer. Imagine that the Mamdami-AOC ticket wins the 2028 Presidential election. AOC effectively would become President, as Mamdami is Constitu… --- ## [How to insert a link to Youtube video, with preview image shown](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-insert-a-link-to-youtube-video-with-preview-image-shown/1002471)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2026, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-insert-a-link-to-youtube-video-with-preview-image-shown/1002471 "2026-08-23T00:36:51Z")
I want to make a humorous comment, and make it easy for readers to understand the reference by linking to a youtube video. But most people won’t want to actually watch the video, and I don’t want to waste people’s time. … --- ## [Retirement age public policy considerations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retirement-age-public-policy-considerations/1030879)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2026, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retirement-age-public-policy-considerations/1030879 "2026-08-23T00:25:17Z")
Continuing the discussion from Leave the birthrate alone: The current American chronological age inferring expected remaining lifespan system for SS (implicitly connected to encouraged retirement age) has built in ine… --- ## [What are new tactics that haven't been used against Trump/MAGA yet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-new-tactics-that-havent-been-used-against-trump-maga-yet/1032329)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2026, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-new-tactics-that-havent-been-used-against-trump-maga-yet/1032329 "2026-08-22T21:44:36Z")
By this point, nearly every tactic that could be used against Trump/MAGA has been tried, and found to be pretty futile. Impeachment, calling out his lies, calling him a bigot, spending heavily against him, all useless. S… --- ## [What does all this "Trump 2028" stuff mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-all-this-trump-2028-stuff-mean/1032384)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2026, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-all-this-trump-2028-stuff-mean/1032384 "2026-08-22T19:59:32Z")
Trump has started using the phrase “Trump 2028”. People have asked him if he’s planning on a third term and he’s played coy. He was asked directly if he thinks he can have a third term and he answered "Everybody asks me… --- ## [What are these tiny shelters along the side of the highway?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-tiny-shelters-along-the-side-of-the-highway/1032127)
**Author:** [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2026, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-tiny-shelters-along-the-side-of-the-highway/1032127 "2026-08-22T16:56:47Z")
While driving NE on Highway 401 between Windsor and London, Ontario a couple weeks ago, I would notice a tiny shelter along the side of the highway about every couple of miles. At least I think it’s a shelter? Sometimes … --- ## [What is the best defense of the apartheid-like system Israel enforces in occupied/settled/disputed territories?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-defense-of-the-apartheid-like-system-israel-enforces-in-occupied-settled-disputed-territories/1030314)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 307\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2026, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-defense-of-the-apartheid-like-system-israel-enforces-in-occupied-settled-disputed-territories/1030314 "2026-08-22T16:51:33Z")
A couple of years ago, I asked a question in FQ about claims made by Ta-Nehisi Coates about the West Bank: I quoted these snippets from Coates’ book: There were streets that we would encounter where we were allowed … --- ## [Why do msome people want so much money?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-msome-people-want-so-much-money/1032486)
**Author:** [@dcbwhaley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dcbwhaley)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2026, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-msome-people-want-so-much-money/1032486 "2026-08-22T16:23:40Z")
Once you have made your first billion surely you can buy all you want. So wh do people strive for more billions --- ## [One for the apostrophe pedants](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-for-the-apostrophe-pedants/1032363)
**Author:** [@Steve\_McQwark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_McQwark)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2026, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-for-the-apostrophe-pedants/1032363 "2026-08-22T15:17:35Z")
Today’s Wallace the Brave comic strip was a fun piece but I suspect that Rose, the little girl in the bottom center of the panel, will be especially appreciated by those who dream of a world where the noble apostrophe ge… --- ## [Alpine divorce—experience anybody?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alpine-divorce-experience-anybody/1028457)
**Author:** [@LouMa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouMa)\ **Replies:** 119\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2026, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alpine-divorce-experience-anybody/1028457 "2026-08-22T14:38:37Z")
The term “alpine divorce” comes from a story by Robert Barr published in 1893, in which a hike by a couple who hate each other in the Alps takes an unexpected turn. Since then, the meaning has shifted somewhat; people no… --- ## [Does Cloaked Dot Com work? (No stories about spam in general, please)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-cloaked-dot-com-work-no-stories-about-spam-in-general-please/1032484)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2026, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-cloaked-dot-com-work-no-stories-about-spam-in-general-please/1032484 "2026-08-22T14:36:49Z")
I have seen a lot of ads for Cloaked dot com, a service for removing your name from a lot of spam lists. There doesn’t seem to be many complaints about the service, but I was wondering about your experience with this o… --- ## [David Mitchell's new show "Ludwig" on BBC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-mitchells-new-show-ludwig-on-bbc/1008236)
**Author:** [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2026, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-mitchells-new-show-ludwig-on-bbc/1008236 "2026-08-22T06:12:18Z")
Dunno if/when it might turn up on BBC America (did his Shakespeare ever make it?) The setup is he’s a reclusive puzzle guy with an identical twin Detective in Cambridge who goes missing. So of course the wife of his bro… --- ## [Anyone here had Epiretinal Membrane surgery?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-here-had-epiretinal-membrane-surgery/1031993)
**Author:** [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2026, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-here-had-epiretinal-membrane-surgery/1031993 "2026-08-22T05:13:36Z")
Anyone here had Epiretinal Membrane surgery? If so, how did it go, how was the recovery, did your vision improve, etc? Here’s a description if anyone’s curious. A thin filmy membrane can develop over the eye’s macula, p… --- ## [Mild cursing in old timey TV (The Real McCoys: Grandpa's Birthday (1958)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mild-cursing-in-old-timey-tv-the-real-mccoys-grandpas-birthday-1958/1032462)
**Author:** [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2026, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mild-cursing-in-old-timey-tv-the-real-mccoys-grandpas-birthday-1958/1032462 "2026-08-22T04:40:57Z")
Plot revolves around a despondent Grandpappy because the family has forgotten his birthday. Being a comedy, all’s well that ends well, but it was a little jarring when he finally gets his cake and he says something like… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=37&state=watching) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=39&state=watching)