# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=398&state=tracking [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 399 --- ## [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. … --- ## [dB question for electrical and audio engineers...and anyone else](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/db-question-for-electrical-and-audio-engineers-and-anyone-else/1012648)
**Author:** [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2025, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/db-question-for-electrical-and-audio-engineers-and-anyone-else/1012648 "2025-01-08T00:12:06Z")
The fire alarm industry uses The National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code (NFPA 72) as a reference for fire alarm design. In the 2025 edition, NFPA 72 addresses calculations for the maximum length of wire that should be u… --- ## [Used-Car-Buying 101 - need answer soonish](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/used-car-buying-101-need-answer-soonish/1004472)
**Author:** [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2025, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/used-car-buying-101-need-answer-soonish/1004472 "2025-01-07T23:52:58Z")
My husband and I have owned a total of 9 cars (I think) in our lives. All of them but the first 2 (his first, and my first) have been bought new. Neither of us were involved in either of those used car purchases. My par… --- ## [Do air freshener gels actually do anything?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-air-freshener-gels-actually-do-anything/1012194)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2025, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-air-freshener-gels-actually-do-anything/1012194 "2025-01-07T23:43:35Z")
I mean THESE stupid things. Mrs. Beitz insists on having them in all three of our bathrooms (not in the weird piss closet in the garage, though). I know they’re only a buck but I don’t detect them doing a darn thing. Un… --- ## [Why do military reporters always tell us about companies, battalions, divisions, etc? Why can’t they report the numbers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-military-reporters-always-tell-us-about-companies-battalions-divisions-etc-why-can-t-they-report-the-numbers/1012638)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2025, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-military-reporters-always-tell-us-about-companies-battalions-divisions-etc-why-can-t-they-report-the-numbers/1012638 "2025-01-07T23:19:55Z")
a little off topic, but I have a peeve to complain about: Why do military reporters always tell us about companies, battalions, divisions, etc? Why can’t they report the numbers? 200 men, 50 tanks, or 500 vehicles, e… --- ## [Who "decides the (English-language) names of things"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-decides-the-english-language-names-of-things/1012686)
**Author:** [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2025, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-decides-the-english-language-names-of-things/1012686 "2025-01-07T22:36:42Z")
The talk about Trump wanting to rename the Gulf of Mexico made me think: how are locations given their English-language names? Who decided that “Deutschland” should be “Germany,” or “Nippon” should be “Japan”? --- ## [Doper Parents - have your kids been taught about the 1980s Satanic Panic in school?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-parents-have-your-kids-been-taught-about-the-1980s-satanic-panic-in-school/1012027)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2025, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-parents-have-your-kids-been-taught-about-the-1980s-satanic-panic-in-school/1012027 "2025-01-07T22:31:57Z")
I was just thinking abbout this after it was mentioned in another thread. This was a period of history that affected media, commerce, government, and even child care. It has/had implications that stretch towards the 1st … --- ## [What We Do in the Shadows Season 6](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-we-do-in-the-shadows-season-6/1009056)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2025, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-we-do-in-the-shadows-season-6/1009056 "2025-01-07T22:21:15Z")
Off to a pretty good start. I like . Earlier threads: --- ## [Christmas song you associate with a specific performer / recording](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-song-you-associate-with-a-specific-performer-recording/1012352)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2025, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-song-you-associate-with-a-specific-performer-recording/1012352 "2025-01-07T21:35:31Z")
For me, a lot of traditional Christmas music is up for grabs, grew up hearing many different performers doing it (“Silent Night”, “The First Noel”, “Jingle Bells”, etc) but there were a handful where I only ever heard on… --- ## [Your top three rock and roll songs of all time](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-three-rock-and-roll-songs-of-all-time/1010884)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 164\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2025, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-three-rock-and-roll-songs-of-all-time/1010884 "2025-01-07T21:34:31Z")
Not three from each era. Not three of each type. Not “some”, the later “some more”. Not albums-songs. Not groups-songs. Not “These aren’t rock and roll, but they are still my favorite”. Definitely not “I just ca… --- ## [How do they teach acting?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-teach-acting/1012390)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2025, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-teach-acting/1012390 "2025-01-07T21:18:34Z")
I have no aspirations to learn acting, but I’m fascinated by how intangible it is. For drawing, there are objective skills you can teach, like perspective, proportion, and color theory. Draw a line that looks like that … --- ## [The ethics of health insurance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ethics-of-health-insurance/1011177)
**Author:** [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Replies:** 357\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2025, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ethics-of-health-insurance/1011177 "2025-01-07T21:17:36Z")
Continuing the discussion from UnitedHealthcare CEO fatally shot in Manhattan \[2024-12-04\]: So … United healthcare has a very bad reputation, and perhaps that’s true of it. But as best as i can tell, the people who inv… --- ## [FOMO & Navigating the Dope](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fomo-navigating-the-dope/1012594)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2025, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fomo-navigating-the-dope/1012594 "2025-01-07T20:24:35Z")
Not sure if this is the right forum. Move if necessary. What is your method/procedure for making fairly sure you sweep through the board and see the stuff that you are interested in? (FOMO = “fear of missing out”) Durin… --- ## [Capitalism leads to Fascism leads to?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capitalism-leads-to-fascism-leads-to/1012602)
**Author:** [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2025, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capitalism-leads-to-fascism-leads-to/1012602 "2025-01-07T20:22:29Z")
Not sure if this belongs in FQ. I’ve been reading that late-stage Capitalism often leads to Facism. When that has been the case historically, what comes after Facism? --- ## [German speakers: Um berufen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/german-speakers-um-berufen/236843)
**Author:** [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2025, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/german-speakers-um-berufen/236843 "2025-01-07T19:23:23Z")
I came across this phrase in a Jeeves and Wooster story. It’s obviously an idiom, and my German dictionary and several online translation services have not been very helpful. Here’s the context: Bertie, speaking to his … --- ## [Death: Have you ever "missed it by that much"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-have-you-ever-missed-it-by-that-much/1011986)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2025, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-have-you-ever-missed-it-by-that-much/1011986 "2025-01-07T18:03:12Z")
December, 1988. I was coming back from a wedding in Delhi, flying Pan Am via Frankfurt to New York. Arrived in Frankfurt late in the afternoon, rushed to the next gate and was ready to load. No time to get a paper. T… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=397&state=tracking) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=399&state=tracking)