# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=391&state=tracking [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 392 --- ## [Exceptions to "actors who always play themselves"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exceptions-to-actors-who-always-play-themselves/1012524)
**Author:** [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Replies:** 133\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2025, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exceptions-to-actors-who-always-play-themselves/1012524 "2025-01-18T21:34:18Z")
Some actors, like Daniel Day Lewis and Gary Oldman, are famous for completely disappearing into varied roles. But there’s another class of famous actors who are often perceived to be “playing themselves” \[1\] \[2\] \[3\] \[4\] … --- ## [Ceasefire! Israel and Hamas Jan 15, 2025 Breaking News](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ceasefire-israel-and-hamas-jan-15-2025-breaking-news/1013026)
**Author:** [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2025, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ceasefire-israel-and-hamas-jan-15-2025-breaking-news/1013026 "2025-01-18T21:28:14Z")
According to the document, Israel will release 1,000 Palestinian prisoners who were arrested on October 8, 2023, but were not involved in Hamas’ attack on Israel the day before. Of the 33 hostages Hamas is expected t… --- ## [TV Series that only had a great first season (closed spoilers)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-series-that-only-had-a-great-first-season-closed-spoilers/1012879)
**Author:** [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2025, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-series-that-only-had-a-great-first-season-closed-spoilers/1012879 "2025-01-18T19:39:17Z")
What are the TV Series that had a great first season then fell away rapidly after that? That you are not sure to recommend to friends because they’ll likely get hooked as you did, then disappointed if they can’t resist c… --- ## [Lucy Worsley and the princes in the towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lucy-worsley-and-the-princes-in-the-towers/1012381)
**Author:** [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2025, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lucy-worsley-and-the-princes-in-the-towers/1012381 "2025-01-18T19:18:22Z")
Okay, I just watched this special. Lucy at the end decides that RIII dun it, based on the following- Thomas More wore a hair shirt, thus he must have been pretty honest. Two, a letter was found that More met a man wh… --- ## [Dismalest movie ending (SPOILERS!)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dismalest-movie-ending-spoilers/1007047)
**Author:** [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Replies:** 194\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2025, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dismalest-movie-ending-spoilers/1007047 "2025-01-18T19:12:56Z")
I just caught the last 15 minutes of the movie Cell, (though I’ve seen it a few times). Dayum, that ending is grim. The film in general is pretty meh, but the final scene is a really well done bummer. You think John Cuza… --- ## [Womens orgasms](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/womens-orgasms/1013106)
**Author:** [@Kitty32](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kitty32)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2025, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/womens-orgasms/1013106 "2025-01-18T18:16:10Z")
I would like to know if a woman can have an orgasm without having sex. I have heard that some women can get turned on just by thinking certain thoughts and imagining certain people and sexy things. Have any women ever ex… --- ## [Strange inter TV relationships](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-inter-tv-relationships/1012847)
**Author:** [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2025, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-inter-tv-relationships/1012847 "2025-01-18T17:07:24Z")
Shower Thought I recently had: Is Marge Simpson Mary Tyler Moore’s best friend’s sister? Well, I had to look it up and. . . yes but technically probably no. Mary Richard’s best friend, Rhoda Morgenstern, had a sister na… --- ## [Mexican sex workers storm Mexico City judicial building](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mexican-sex-workers-storm-mexico-city-judicial-building/1013099)
**Author:** [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2025, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mexican-sex-workers-storm-mexico-city-judicial-building/1013099 "2025-01-18T15:40:18Z")
I have not seen this reported anywhere but on social media but; If you can’t see the video, there are a lot of women with hammers and other blunt objects, mostly smashing up glass walls, doors and tabletops, as well … --- ## [Elementary school music](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elementary-school-music/1012712)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2025, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elementary-school-music/1012712 "2025-01-18T15:38:09Z")
In elementary school, we always had a music segment in our classes. My 5th grade teacher was Mr. Hyatt. He played guitar (and was a SCUBA diver, and was a pretty cool guy – he’d be 85 years old now, if he’s still aliv… --- ## [Twin actors from movies and TV](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twin-actors-from-movies-and-tv/1013047)
**Author:** [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2025, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twin-actors-from-movies-and-tv/1013047 "2025-01-18T15:31:41Z")
Continuing the discussion from Tell us an interesting random fact you stumbled across (Part 2): Both twins not necessarily actors. This started with a reference to Ann B. Davis (Alice on the Brady Bunch) who had a twin… --- ## [How intimidating is Hong Kong for the foreign tourist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-intimidating-is-hong-kong-for-the-foreign-tourist/1013084)
**Author:** [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2025, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-intimidating-is-hong-kong-for-the-foreign-tourist/1013084 "2025-01-18T15:31:22Z")
My wife and I will be taking a cruise soon, from Hong Kong to Tokyo. Our plan is to get into HK a day early, to provide a buffer in the event of air travel snafus. So if all goes well, we’ll have a free day on our own … --- ## [R.I.P. David Lynch](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-david-lynch/1013049)
**Author:** [@veryfrank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/veryfrank)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2025, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-david-lynch/1013049 "2025-01-18T07:44:07Z")
Passed away at the age of 78. He was one of my favorite directors for sure. Twin Peaks was absolutely iconic to me when I was in high school. There was no other mind like his in Hollywood. --- ## [Cost of EV charging stations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cost-of-ev-charging-stations/1013025)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2025, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cost-of-ev-charging-stations/1013025 "2025-01-18T04:53:42Z")
Just some information. Ohio received $14.1 million to build up to 360 stations in NW Ohio. That comes out to about $40,000 each. The stations will primarily be in 4 of Ohio’s 88 counties. --- ## [The huge power plant in Moss Landing, CA is on fire {2025-01-17}](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-huge-power-plant-in-moss-landing-ca-is-on-fire-2025-01-17/1013072)
**Author:** [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2025, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-huge-power-plant-in-moss-landing-ca-is-on-fire-2025-01-17/1013072 "2025-01-18T03:43:41Z")
The plant now has a lithium battery energy storage area, and that’s what’s on fire. Everyone nearby is advised to evacuate because of toxic smoke from the fire. That place is right next door to Elkhorn Slough, which is… --- ## [Tell me about Canadian personal investment accounts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-canadian-personal-investment-accounts/1013080)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2025, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-canadian-personal-investment-accounts/1013080 "2025-01-18T03:06:07Z")
My kids live in Ontario and want to begin personal investing with some money that I sent them. I’m going to help them with their investing decisions, but am first trying to understand the options. One mentioned a “TFSA… --- ## [Tinned cod roe](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tinned-cod-roe/1013076)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2025, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tinned-cod-roe/1013076 "2025-01-17T22:20:42Z")
I enjoy trying unusual (to me) canned/tinned food, and I find myself in possession of a few tins of cod roe (John West brand). How should I eat it? --- ## [The next page in the book of AI evolution is here, powered by GPT 3.5, and I am very, nay, extremely impressed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-next-page-in-the-book-of-ai-evolution-is-here-powered-by-gpt-3-5-and-i-am-very-nay-extremely-impressed/975945)
**Author:** [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Replies:** 1615\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2025, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-next-page-in-the-book-of-ai-evolution-is-here-powered-by-gpt-3-5-and-i-am-very-nay-extremely-impressed/975945 "2025-01-17T21:56:49Z")
Hi dopers. I used the word page in the topic deliberately because this thread is about an amazing text-based AI. You can try it yourself by making a free account at chat.openai.com. Here are some of my prompts. You can … --- ## [Huntington's Disease - Math and Biology](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/huntingtons-disease-math-and-biology/626498)
**Author:** [@IceQube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IceQube)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2025, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/huntingtons-disease-math-and-biology/626498 "2025-01-17T21:32:19Z")
Huntington’s is autosomal dominant. Therefore, the genotypes for someone affected by Huntington’s would be either \*\*Hh \*\*or hh. So if I were to cross someone affected by Huntington’s with someone unaffected, the possib… --- ## ["The American Civil War wasn't about slavery because slavery didn't actually exist in the South"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-civil-war-wasnt-about-slavery-because-slavery-didnt-actually-exist-in-the-south/1013037)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2025, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-civil-war-wasnt-about-slavery-because-slavery-didnt-actually-exist-in-the-south/1013037 "2025-01-17T19:36:08Z")
I remember seeing this quote a year ago in one of those “In defense of the Confederacy” books but I didn’t bother to actually read what they meant. I know even on the SDMB I’ve seen people semantically argue that slaver… --- ## [Man, people are weird about CASH](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-people-are-weird-about-cash/1012591)
**Author:** [@MW\_Degen\_Gamblr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MW_Degen_Gamblr)\ **Replies:** 194\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2025, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-people-are-weird-about-cash/1012591 "2025-01-17T18:19:33Z")
As a MWDG I deal with cash often. It ends up in the bank of course. But theres gap times I have cash on my body. And occasionally I pay for things with that cash. But whenever people see cash fucking money they act like … --- ## ["Drip...drip...drip"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drip-drip-drip/1013042)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2025, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drip-drip-drip/1013042 "2025-01-17T17:56:30Z")
Lack of water pressure is one of trump’s major grievances, but I don’t think he ever specified which of his properties was afflicted. Rather than fix the problem, he cries about it for years, at his fucking rallies, and … --- ## [Creating a sea in Australia](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creating-a-sea-in-australia/918059)
**Author:** [@PlaceboTarget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlaceboTarget)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2025, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creating-a-sea-in-australia/918059 "2025-01-17T17:55:20Z")
I’ve just read that early explorers believed that there was a sea in the middle of the Land Down Under. A sea was never found there, but I wonder how difficult it would be to create one. Australia is the lowest continen… --- ## [Cookie thread for the holidays](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cookie-thread-for-the-holidays/1010444)
**Author:** [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2025, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cookie-thread-for-the-holidays/1010444 "2025-01-17T17:35:14Z")
In last week’s MMP, towards the end, cookies and the holidays past and present were getting a lot of mention. I thought about tossing in some of my favorites but didn’t want to put them in a thread that was not CS and a… --- ## [Minced beef vs. ground beef](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minced-beef-vs-ground-beef/1012326)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 128\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2025, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minced-beef-vs-ground-beef/1012326 "2025-01-17T16:44:13Z")
A yahoo on Yahoo is insisting ground beef and minced beef are different things. I can see his point; but in England, what we (USians) call ‘ground beef’ is called ‘minced beef’ there. So UK Dopers: Do you see a differ… --- ## [The value of the things](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-value-of-the-things/1012878)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2025, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-value-of-the-things/1012878 "2025-01-17T16:35:55Z")
My MIL died recently – she was 93, nearly blind, and mostly sad, having lost her husband of 74 years 2 years earlier. Much of the time in her last weeks was spent sorting her things – jewelry, old kitchen items, clothing… --- ## [Again with the missing Antarctic Monster Truck](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-missing-antarctic-monster-truck/1012744)
**Author:** [@EnolaStraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnolaStraight)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2025, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-missing-antarctic-monster-truck/1012744 "2025-01-17T13:25:21Z")
Rather than necromancing this old thread: Where’s the Antarctic Monster-Truck? - Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share - Straight Dope Message Board the Snow Cruiser! What Happened to the Antarctic Snow Cruise… --- ## [How does UPS Surepost work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-ups-surepost-work/1012526)
**Author:** [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2025, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-ups-surepost-work/1012526 "2025-01-17T11:06:48Z")
I was talking about this in another thread: I ordered something from Etsy, supposed to be a Christmas present for a friend, first “held up”, then “lost”, then “returned to sender”. Because they needed a street address, n… --- ## [Please tell me: why did I buy crispy jalapeños on Amazon?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-tell-me-why-did-i-buy-crispy-jalapenos-on-amazon/1012511)
**Author:** [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2025, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-tell-me-why-did-i-buy-crispy-jalapenos-on-amazon/1012511 "2025-01-17T05:11:44Z")
So I just got a helpful notice from Amazon, telling me that some crispy jalapeños I ordered several weeks ago have finally shipped. Apparently I ordered them at least a month ago. In the meantime I had forgotten all abo… --- ## [Exercise, heart rate & beta blockers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exercise-heart-rate-beta-blockers/1012590)
**Author:** [@WalterBishop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WalterBishop)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2025, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exercise-heart-rate-beta-blockers/1012590 "2025-01-17T04:46:16Z")
So, I’m out of shape and I recently started using an exercise bike. I’d pedal for about 20 minutes and my heart rate would go up to about 130ish. Trouble is, I also have a bit of a panic attack problem. I spoke to my do… --- ## [New Wallace and Gromit](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-wallace-and-gromit/1011267)
**Author:** [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2025, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-wallace-and-gromit/1011267 "2025-01-17T04:30:15Z")
New Wallace and Gromit coming to Netflix January 3, 2025. “Vengeance Most Fowl” Trailer here. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=390&state=tracking) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=392&state=tracking)