# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=398&state=muted [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 399 --- ## [Going vegetarian(ish) for January - recipes and tips?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-vegetarian-ish-for-january-recipes-and-tips/995235)
**Author:** [@liirogue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/liirogue)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2025, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-vegetarian-ish-for-january-recipes-and-tips/995235 "2025-01-10T03:03:09Z")
I want to try to greatly reduce my meat consumption for the month of January in an effort to make myself cook more at home and see if changing up how I eat helps my energy levels. So does anyone have any tips on making a… --- ## [Where is voltage “stored”?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-voltage-stored/1012739)
**Author:** [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2025, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-voltage-stored/1012739 "2025-01-10T02:40:39Z")
Sigh. I’ve been working in Electronics for almost 50 years. I’ve designed electronic circuits that have been produced in the tens of thousands. But, I finally realized that I have a fundamental gap in my knowledge - wha… --- ## [Armand! You are a true bad ass, what WILL I do with you? (My adventures with an Armadillo friend)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/armand-you-are-a-true-bad-ass-what-will-i-do-with-you-my-adventures-with-an-armadillo-friend/1012662)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2025, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/armand-you-are-a-true-bad-ass-what-will-i-do-with-you-my-adventures-with-an-armadillo-friend/1012662 "2025-01-10T01:50:34Z")
Armand showed up a couple months ago and mooched his way into my heart. He’s a beggar. You can look in his beady eyes and see hunger. I’ve found most dry foods are not his thing. I have several cans of food my cats ha… --- ## [Tiny Explosions In My Kitchen- Not A Gas Leak- Need Answer Fast!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiny-explosions-in-my-kitchen-not-a-gas-leak-need-answer-fast/1012647)
**Author:** [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Replies:** 193\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2025, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiny-explosions-in-my-kitchen-not-a-gas-leak-need-answer-fast/1012647 "2025-01-10T00:09:48Z")
When we were moving boxes into this apartment, we smelled gas in the kitchen. I called the gas company. They sent out workers who confirmed it was a gas leak. They said it was an internal leak in the oven. They shut off … --- ## [Curbs on political donations(in USA and preferably elsewhere) ? Opinions please](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/curbs-on-political-donations-in-usa-and-preferably-elsewhere-opinions-please/1012753)
**Author:** [@Ash\_trav511](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ash_trav511)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2025, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/curbs-on-political-donations-in-usa-and-preferably-elsewhere-opinions-please/1012753 "2025-01-09T23:43:53Z")
Seeing the repercussions of Elon Musk spending vast sums (there was considerable spending on the democratic party side too) of money and basically being able to potentially influence the outcome of the Presidential elect… --- ## [Difficult actors on TV shows whose characters are killed off](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difficult-actors-on-tv-shows-whose-characters-are-killed-off/1012674)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2025, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difficult-actors-on-tv-shows-whose-characters-are-killed-off/1012674 "2025-01-09T23:39:52Z")
The Community and Pierce Hawthorne thread got me thinking, there’s a long tradition of killing off characters on TV shows, often in creative and embarrassing ways, when the actors quit after a conflict, demand too much m… --- ## [Do you scratch the back of your neck while thinking?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-scratch-the-back-of-your-neck-while-thinking/1012765)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2025, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-scratch-the-back-of-your-neck-while-thinking/1012765 "2025-01-09T19:11:49Z")
It’s a staple of movies and TV - I just saw it again on TV last night. Hank Hill and Peter (Family Guy) do it. But I’m not sure I’ve seen it in real life, and I don’t think I’ve ever done it. But googling turns up: “S… --- ## [My definition of woke](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-definition-of-woke/1011343)
**Author:** [@DemonTree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DemonTree)\ **Replies:** 467\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2025, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-definition-of-woke/1011343 "2025-01-09T18:27:09Z")
People keep bugging me to define what ‘woke’ means, but that’s not an easy task. Probably the best definition is to say that ‘woke’ refers to the ideas believed by and spread by the Social Justice movement, and to the so… --- ## [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 … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=397&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=399&state=muted)