# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=396 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 397 --- ## [The BS in WBS](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bs-in-wbs/1012659)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2025, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bs-in-wbs/1012659 "2025-01-09T18:21:43Z")
I’ve been asked to come up with subtasks to populate a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) for the tasks I perform on a small program not worthy of a WBS. Any thoughts what one might put down as generic or broad steps to answ… --- ## [Funny Dog Story](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/funny-dog-story/1012064)
**Author:** [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2025, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/funny-dog-story/1012064 "2025-01-09T16:18:26Z")
I have 3 dogs - Huck a Great Dane, Zeb a German Shepherd, and Rigatoni a boxer. I get ready for the day every morning in our upstairs bathroom. All three dogs follow me up the stairs and then lay on the spare bed. When I… --- ## [Why does stirring for longer improve the taste of a cocktail?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-stirring-for-longer-improve-the-taste-of-a-cocktail/1012636)
**Author:** [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2025, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-stirring-for-longer-improve-the-taste-of-a-cocktail/1012636 "2025-01-09T15:52:50Z")
I hosted on New Year’s Eve and a one of my guests is a whisky connoisseur and a close friend. It’s always good fun because we have a bit of a play around with the new alcohols we have procured that year. At one point tho… --- ## [I don't understand the account setup on my IRA (rather long, I'm afraid)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-the-account-setup-on-my-ira-rather-long-im-afraid/1011009)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2025, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-the-account-setup-on-my-ira-rather-long-im-afraid/1011009 "2025-01-09T14:57:08Z")
I am putting this in GQ because I’m hoping there are factual answers to be had. Also note that there is more further down in this post about why I’m not asking my current financial planner these questions. At the time I… --- ## [Who is the earliest American that we commemorate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-earliest-american-that-we-commemorate/1012666)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2025, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-earliest-american-that-we-commemorate/1012666 "2025-01-09T14:54:57Z")
For purposes of this discussion I define an American as someone born in the new world. Commemorate can be a landmark named after them or a day named after them, being featured on currency, whatever. Virginia Dare was the… --- ## [Trivia Fun(?): Guess This List](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trivia-fun-guess-this-list/1012433)
**Author:** [@Gordon\_G](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gordon_G)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2025, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trivia-fun-guess-this-list/1012433 "2025-01-09T14:08:10Z")
Is there room for one more trivia-questions thread? I’ve prepared eight lists (labeled A1,A2,A3,A4,A5,A6,A7,A8) of U.S. cities based on well-defined criteria. Your mission is to identify the criteria. I hope others wi… --- ## [Do we even know what consciousness is at all?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-even-know-what-consciousness-is-at-all/1011812)
**Author:** [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Replies:** 328\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2025, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-even-know-what-consciousness-is-at-all/1011812 "2025-01-09T06:01:32Z")
Continuing the discussion from Do you have an inner voice?: I disagree with this. Consciousness is no more mysterious (or misty) than the square root of negative one. It is complicated and a little difficult to suss, b… --- ## [2024 Secret Santa is on!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-secret-santa-is-on/1010427)
**Author:** [@Nayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nayna)\ **Replies:** 179\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2025, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-secret-santa-is-on/1010427 "2025-01-09T04:18:27Z")
I organized the Secret Santa last year for the first time. We had a pretty small crowd, and some people had two recipients because of how things worked out, but I think it was a success overall. Here’s to 2024! Ok, so h… --- ## [When was corporal punishment banned among adult criminals in the United States](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-corporal-punishment-banned-among-adult-criminals-in-the-united-states/1012714)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2025, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-corporal-punishment-banned-among-adult-criminals-in-the-united-states/1012714 "2025-01-09T03:20:42Z")
Brown vs Mississippi in 1936 said that confessions obtained under torture were not admissable in the US justice system. But to my knowledge it didn’t ban corporal punishment among adult criminals. In the United Sta… --- ## [Generics vs brand name breakfast cereals](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/generics-vs-brand-name-breakfast-cereals/1012598)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2025, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/generics-vs-brand-name-breakfast-cereals/1012598 "2025-01-09T02:53:24Z")
To save money, I’ve been trying generics lately. For my three favorites, here’s what I’ve discovered: Cheerios - generic is not good. This is the worst of the three I’ve tried. Tastes highly processed and not very oaty.… --- ## [What happens if the President-Elect becomes incapacitated before Inauguration Day](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-the-president-elect-becomes-incapacitated-before-inauguration-day/1012689)
**Author:** [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2025, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-the-president-elect-becomes-incapacitated-before-inauguration-day/1012689 "2025-01-08T23:55:16Z")
What happens if the President-Elect becomes incapacitated and isn’t able to take the oath of office on Inauguration Day? Is it the 20th Amendment, 25th Amendment, or both that would apply? Would the Vice-President-Elect … --- ## [A Morbid Thought Experiment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-morbid-thought-experiment/1006905)
**Author:** [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2025, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-morbid-thought-experiment/1006905 "2025-01-08T23:18:02Z")
Breaking news comes on reporting that a celebrity/politician/famous for something person has been caught up in some horrific sex scandal and has ultimately killed their entire family and themselves. Nation in shock. Exp… --- ## [What Was Your First Day At University Like?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-first-day-at-university-like/1008530)
**Author:** [@Moonrise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonrise)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2025, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-first-day-at-university-like/1008530 "2025-01-08T22:00:47Z")
My elder daughter has just started University, the same one I attended in the early- to mid-90s (completely different curriculum, though). A few days ago, she was telling me what her first impressions were, and of course… --- ## [What dill pickle tastes like hamburger slices?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dill-pickle-tastes-like-hamburger-slices/543660)
**Author:** [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2025, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dill-pickle-tastes-like-hamburger-slices/543660 "2025-01-08T20:44:24Z")
Our town hasn’t had hamburger slices for purchase for almost 4 weeks now. Is there a style of dill pickle that tastes the same as hamburger slices. I will gladly cut the pickles into slices. I hate the dumb asses that ha… --- ## [Test thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-thread/1012737)
**Author:** [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2025, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-thread/1012737 "2025-01-08T19:28:38Z")
test for some reason it wasn’t letting me post … --- ## [Surprising things you learned when a YouTube video popped up on your screen](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprising-things-you-learned-when-a-youtube-video-popped-up-on-your-screen/1012713)
**Author:** [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2025, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprising-things-you-learned-when-a-youtube-video-popped-up-on-your-screen/1012713 "2025-01-08T19:21:40Z")
The YouTube video with the URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHcFy7\_Q8LE has popped up on my screen at least twice when I went to YouTube. I don’t subscribe to anything on YouTube. I just ask it to show me certain vi… --- ## [Heroes from rock and roll songs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heroes-from-rock-and-roll-songs/1012532)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2025, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heroes-from-rock-and-roll-songs/1012532 "2025-01-08T18:55:57Z")
I’m looking for individuals named in rock and roll songs, not necessarily the title of the song but at least the lyrics, who are called out for individual heroic acts. My example is Funky Claude from Deep Purple’s “Smok… --- ## [Have PPO insurance for the first time.. anyone want to share some advice?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-ppo-insurance-for-the-first-time-anyone-want-to-share-some-advice/1012657)
**Author:** [@Push\_You\_Down](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Push_You_Down)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2025, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-ppo-insurance-for-the-first-time-anyone-want-to-share-some-advice/1012657 "2025-01-08T18:55:15Z")
I luckily don’t have any serious/chronic health issues - sleep apnea and somewhat high blood pressure so nothing urgent. I thought I would just come to the dope and ask if anyone had some advice to share. Things you wis… --- ## [Biden says trump not a fan of (biden's) predecessor and successor? ...I don't understand](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-says-trump-not-a-fan-of-bidens-predecessor-and-successor-i-dont-understand/1012735)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2025, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-says-trump-not-a-fan-of-bidens-predecessor-and-successor-i-dont-understand/1012735 "2025-01-08T18:37:54Z")
from ABC news Biden describing his conversation with Trump. “We talked,” Biden said. “He was not a big fan of my predecessor and successor. Well, he was never pointedly mean about it. But he was just very encouraging.… --- ## [European travel during Trump](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/european-travel-during-trump/1012704)
**Author:** [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2025, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/european-travel-during-trump/1012704 "2025-01-08T18:10:03Z")
My Wife and I are going to Europe in 8 months. Iceland (well not Europe) England Ireland Scotland Norway In this Trump clusterfuck, I’m wondering how two obvious United States citizens will be received. I feel like g… --- ## [Identify mysterious buried cable in my yard](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-mysterious-buried-cable-in-my-yard/1012510)
**Author:** [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2025, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-mysterious-buried-cable-in-my-yard/1012510 "2025-01-08T17:57:07Z")
While digging in my yard, I unearthed a strange cable. It’s actually two separate wires, each approximately 10 gauge, one brown and one black. They are configured as a twisted pair. It was only a few inches underground. … --- ## [Looking for opinions and information on Movie Pass](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-opinions-and-information-on-movie-pass/793886)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 445\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2025, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-opinions-and-information-on-movie-pass/793886 "2025-01-08T15:37:48Z")
I just heard about Movie Pass. It’s a company that sells movie tickets. The basic idea is you pay a monthly fee and then you can go to theaters to watch movies for no further charge. The main limit is that you can only … --- ## [What benefits do you see from living in a blue state vs living in a red state](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-benefits-do-you-see-from-living-in-a-blue-state-vs-living-in-a-red-state/1009648)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2025, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-benefits-do-you-see-from-living-in-a-blue-state-vs-living-in-a-red-state/1009648 "2025-01-08T15:32:26Z")
I’ve only lived in red states, but I’ve lived in both small towns and urban areas. The urban areas had many more benefits like better health care, better food, better entertainment, etc. But at the end I still live in … --- ## [Best cure for a hangover](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-cure-for-a-hangover/445106)
**Author:** [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2025, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-cure-for-a-hangover/445106 "2025-01-08T10:19:10Z")
We had a party here last night (this is Little 500 weekend at IU, a big time for partying) and I was pretty out of this world. When I woke up this morning, I had the worst hangover I’ve ever had in my life. I took 3 Bloo… --- ## [Can a Windows laptop computer be used as a second monitor for a laptop?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-windows-laptop-computer-be-used-as-a-second-monitor-for-a-laptop/1012688)
**Author:** [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2025, 8:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-windows-laptop-computer-be-used-as-a-second-monitor-for-a-laptop/1012688 "2025-01-08T08:49:20Z")
Here’s the situation. We have to travel by air next week. We will be gone for ten days. While we are away from home, my wife will have some work she needs to do for her employer. She has a laptop issued by her employ… --- ## [Old short film version of 12 Days of Christmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-short-film-version-of-12-days-of-christmas/521973)
**Author:** [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2025, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-short-film-version-of-12-days-of-christmas/521973 "2025-01-08T06:04:00Z")
I recall as a child in the 60s, occasionally seeing a short live-action film version of the 12 Days of Christmas. It would appear randomly on the TV schedule during the yuletide season, so it was a rare treat. From wha… --- ## [Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary has died](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peter-yarrow-of-peter-paul-and-mary-has-died/1012705)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2025, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peter-yarrow-of-peter-paul-and-mary-has-died/1012705 "2025-01-08T05:58:11Z")
I know this was reported in the Celebrity Death Pool thread, but I think it should have its own thread here. The trio was an iconic part of the peace movement and while most of their hits were written by others, they sta… --- ## [CRM in the Operating Room](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crm-in-the-operating-room/1005944)
**Author:** [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2025, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crm-in-the-operating-room/1005944 "2025-01-08T04:27:53Z")
Over in the Omnibus Stupid MFers in the news thread (Part 2), @Llama\_Llogophile posted: That strikes me as a very interesting discussion to be had. Given the comment about frustration and power dynamics, I think this s… --- ## [What if you don't activate a credit card?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-you-dont-activate-a-credit-card/1012708)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2025, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-you-dont-activate-a-credit-card/1012708 "2025-01-08T04:05:49Z")
Last June, I tried to cancel a CC. The woman I spoke to basically refused and I told her to commit an impossible act and hung up, knowing it expired in Oct. A replacement came and I never activated it. Nonetheless the… --- ## [What "standard" food/ingredient is only available seasonally?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-standard-food-ingredient-is-only-available-seasonally/1011615)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2025, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-standard-food-ingredient-is-only-available-seasonally/1011615 "2025-01-08T03:02:00Z")
Ms. D (our household’s food procurement officer) was baking a pumpkin pie this morning, and I asked if canned pumpkin was available all year round. She said just about everything was available all year long these days. … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=395) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=397)