# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=400 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 401 --- ## [Old San Francisco Streetcars & Port de Sóller (Mallorca)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-san-francisco-streetcars-port-de-soller-mallorca/466889)
**Author:** [@Chez\_Guevara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chez_Guevara)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2025, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-san-francisco-streetcars-port-de-soller-mallorca/466889 "2025-01-03T22:57:39Z")
Port de Sóller is a coastal village and resort on the north west coast of Mallorca. Between the port and the nearby town of Sóller there is a tramcar service, asserted locally to run on rolling stock sourced from San Fr… --- ## [Bad, bad, bad Beckdawrek's holiday report](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-beckdawreks-holiday-report/1012460)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2025, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-beckdawreks-holiday-report/1012460 "2025-01-03T22:56:55Z")
I know ya’ll cannot wait for this. :sweat\_smile: Sister, youngest brother and his woman(she said the relationship is complicated) blew in Christmas eve day. Sister left before dark. Going on a vacay with her BF and on… --- ## [2025: sum of the first nine cubes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-sum-of-the-first-nine-cubes/1012443)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2025, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-sum-of-the-first-nine-cubes/1012443 "2025-01-03T21:51:50Z")
The title says it all. My son, who is not a mathematician, pointed it out. It is also, of course, the square of the sum of the first nine numbers. This last happened in1296 and will not happen again until 3026. Enjoy… --- ## [Are we going to lose net neutrality?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-going-to-lose-net-neutrality/773452)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 329\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2025, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-going-to-lose-net-neutrality/773452 "2025-01-03T21:36:46Z")
Is there any reason they wouldn’t remove these regulations, and if they do could it mean censorship of, or more difficulty in accessing, certain political viewpoints? I would hope that, if some of the big providers w… --- ## [Culinary niches which became restaurant opportunities](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/culinary-niches-which-became-restaurant-opportunities/1011859)
**Author:** [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Replies:** 112\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2025, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/culinary-niches-which-became-restaurant-opportunities/1011859 "2025-01-03T21:06:32Z")
Credit where credit’s due: Fascinating idea. My mind immediately leapt to The Cereal Killer Cafe, as pointlessly niche an idea as I can think of - a restaurant dedicated to serving (only) breakfast cereals. Regarded as… --- ## [Why do we still have the rubber band with Smart TVs? {letterboxing}](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-still-have-the-rubber-band-with-smart-tvs-letterboxing/1012523)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2025, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-still-have-the-rubber-band-with-smart-tvs-letterboxing/1012523 "2025-01-03T20:53:14Z")
I’m watching Twisters released in 2024 on a 2 year old Vizo smart tv. I see… Black bars top and bottom. The classic rubber band look. I thought that was why Tv screens changed 20 years ago? The old ratio was 4:3 for … --- ## [If Biden drops out of the race now, he will have to resign the presidency as well](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-biden-drops-out-of-the-race-now-he-will-have-to-resign-the-presidency-as-well/1003446)
**Author:** [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2025, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-biden-drops-out-of-the-race-now-he-will-have-to-resign-the-presidency-as-well/1003446 "2025-01-03T20:35:12Z")
Everyone talking about Biden dropping out of the race because he cannot handle the campaign (as evidenced by a perceived disastrous debate performance) have to face the uncomfortable fact that the presidency is much more… --- ## [What peoples of the world have a strong national identity but no strong urge for independence?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-peoples-of-the-world-have-a-strong-national-identity-but-no-strong-urge-for-independence/1012323)
**Author:** [@Chad\_Sudan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chad_Sudan)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2025, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-peoples-of-the-world-have-a-strong-national-identity-but-no-strong-urge-for-independence/1012323 "2025-01-03T19:58:30Z")
What peoples of the world have a strong national identity but no strong urge for independence? I’m thinking of peoples like the Puerto Ricans (with about 5% voting for independence in plebiscites) or the Welsh (various … --- ## [Breaking: Assad poisoned in Russia?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-assad-poisoned-in-russia/1012509)
**Author:** [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2025, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-assad-poisoned-in-russia/1012509 "2025-01-03T19:12:39Z")
I’m seeing this report on sites with varying levels of credibility, but each story cites back to one source. Here’s the story as reported by Newsweek: A Russian Telegram channel has claimed that Bashar al Assad may ha… --- ## [Don Imus Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/don-imus-questions/1012525)
**Author:** [@19USMC69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/19USMC69)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2025, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/don-imus-questions/1012525 "2025-01-03T17:48:05Z")
I’m familiar with Imus’ public persona, but what was he like in real life? Was it any different than was portrayed on air? What was he like to work for? And what ever became of his wife and son? Did they stay out we… --- ## [Do banks normally keep a backup key to your safe deposit box?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-banks-normally-keep-a-backup-key-to-your-safe-deposit-box/1012477)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2025, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-banks-normally-keep-a-backup-key-to-your-safe-deposit-box/1012477 "2025-01-03T17:18:26Z")
Bit of a scandal in Japan: Short version: the bank had backup keys to customer’s safe deposit boxes. A bank employee used those backup keys to gain unauthorized access to those safety deposit boxes and steal from cus… --- ## [The cognitive process of "rhyming" in pop-art](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cognitive-process-of-rhyming-in-pop-art/1012415)
**Author:** [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2025, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cognitive-process-of-rhyming-in-pop-art/1012415 "2025-01-03T16:05:33Z")
random shower thoughts: why is rhyming (in pop/rock/rap-music, poetry, etc…) a thing … why does it cause us positive feelings ? why is it omnipresent in contemporary art? is it about “pro-active” pattern recognition (… --- ## [The collapse of Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-collapse-of-bashar-al-assad-regime-in-syria/1011314)
**Author:** [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2025, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-collapse-of-bashar-al-assad-regime-in-syria/1011314 "2025-01-03T15:55:49Z")
The last ~10 days have seen dramatic advances of various rebel factions across Syria. Government forces have been rapidly withdrawing on many fronts, often with scarcely any fighting. Aleppo fell just a week ago, Hama a … --- ## [Mass Killings in the US (2024)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-killings-in-the-us-2024/996120)
**Author:** [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Replies:** 149\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2025, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-killings-in-the-us-2024/996120 "2025-01-03T15:25:08Z")
Mass killings in the United States, 2024 Four or more dead (Suicides Indicated by an asterisk) By a single killer (The killer is charged or would have been charged had he lived.) Minors cannot generally be held legall… --- ## [Facebook content warnings have gone mad](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-content-warnings-have-gone-mad/937899)
**Author:** [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2025, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-content-warnings-have-gone-mad/937899 "2025-01-03T07:11:12Z")
In a FB thread I was following someone asked what quiche was. A friend of mine responded “Quiche is a savory egg tart.” To which I replied, "No U are a savory egg tart :rofl: " I got an instant 30 day suspension for “no… --- ## [Caleb Williams and the 2024 Bears: a poll](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caleb-williams-and-the-2024-bears-a-poll/1005154)
**Author:** [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Replies:** 135\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2025, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caleb-williams-and-the-2024-bears-a-poll/1005154 "2025-01-03T02:27:13Z")
How will rookie QB Caleb Williams perform this year? poll As for me, I’ve swallowed the navy-and-orange pill and expect to see the Bears take a huge leap this year. The Bears have set Williams up with a great trio of W… --- ## [Agnes Keleti dies at 103](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agnes-keleti-dies-at-103/1012503)
**Author:** [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2025, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agnes-keleti-dies-at-103/1012503 "2025-01-03T01:40:38Z")
I saw her obit. in the Washington post, link to the Wikipedia page, no paywall. What an amazing life. Her first Olympics at age 31, in 1952, and her last Olympics at 35 in 1956. She was able to do splits until her do… --- ## [Netflix and the tobacco industry](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-and-the-tobacco-industry/1011935)
**Author:** [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2025, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-and-the-tobacco-industry/1011935 "2025-01-03T00:46:19Z")
Does the tobacco industry pay Netflix (and other streaming creators) to have the actors smoke in their movies and series’? It seems that I see a lot of characters smoking when it isn’t necessary or add to their role. Smo… --- ## [Is stifling a sneeze harmful?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-stifling-a-sneeze-harmful/1012451)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2025, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-stifling-a-sneeze-harmful/1012451 "2025-01-03T00:42:26Z")
I usually let er rip but if in polite company I might stifle a sneeze by pressing my tongue upwards. This clamps the pressure inside. I have been told a long time ago that this was harmful. --- ## [Cases and true stories that just creep you out](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cases-and-true-stories-that-just-creep-you-out/971573)
**Author:** [@Mislav](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mislav)\ **Replies:** 146\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2025, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cases-and-true-stories-that-just-creep-you-out/971573 "2025-01-03T00:09:50Z")
Something that really gets to you, actually provokes fear. There was one case in Croatia that always gave me the creeps. It sounds like a plot of a horror movie, but it actually happened. A couple had two children, a so… --- ## [Bluetooth earbuds only connect in one ear. Any fix?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bluetooth-earbuds-only-connect-in-one-ear-any-fix/1012409)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2025, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bluetooth-earbuds-only-connect-in-one-ear-any-fix/1012409 "2025-01-02T22:39:14Z")
I’ve had problems with Android bluetooth earbuds only connecting to one ear. I had a expensive Bose earbud that completely quit connecting in one ear. I had to throw them out. My current earbuds are much less expensive… --- ## ["The Big Short" on car loans](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-short-on-car-loans/1012457)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2025, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-short-on-car-loans/1012457 "2025-01-02T22:12:00Z")
Looking at the car market now, the only question is when it crashes and a lot of people upside down on their cars get repoed. And dealerships cannot sell their cars now since they are horribly overpriced. Back in 2008 … --- ## [What to bring to colonize a new planet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-bring-to-colonize-a-new-planet/1012055)
**Author:** [@Tusculan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tusculan)\ **Replies:** 152\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2025, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-bring-to-colonize-a-new-planet/1012055 "2025-01-02T20:21:14Z")
So I’ve been reading some SF lately (Tau Zero particularly) and wondered about what you’d need to bring with you if you need to start a human civilization on a new planet, without the option of getting help from Mother E… --- ## [Enrolling in "cybersecurity bootcamps" to meet women?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enrolling-in-cybersecurity-bootcamps-to-meet-women/1011901)
**Author:** [@MW\_Degen\_Gamblr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MW_Degen_Gamblr)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2025, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enrolling-in-cybersecurity-bootcamps-to-meet-women/1011901 "2025-01-02T20:16:05Z")
A dating guru recently recommended that we should meet women in settings where we are in our “element”. Like a talented musician should meet women in music-oriented events/programs/lessons. I’ve been involved in sportsba… --- ## [NFL 2024-25: Week 17](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2024-25-week-17/1012116)
**Author:** [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2025, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2024-25-week-17/1012116 "2025-01-02T19:14:20Z")
The Commanders beat the Eagles on Jayden Daniels’ 5th TD pass despite turning the ball over five times. The Eagles loss means that Detroit or Minnesota now has the inside track on the #1 seed, with those two 13-2 teams … --- ## [US poised to see dramatic drop in homicides for 3rd straight year](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-poised-to-see-dramatic-drop-in-homicides-for-3rd-straight-year/1012490)
**Author:** [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2025, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-poised-to-see-dramatic-drop-in-homicides-for-3rd-straight-year/1012490 "2025-01-02T18:53:59Z")
US homicides are down 16% continuing a trend over the last few years. -=Link=- This in addition to the previously reported drop in overdose deaths. Down 14.5% from last year. -=Link=- People do not seem to appreciate h… --- ## [In 2026, what will be your favorite term for the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-2026-what-will-be-your-favorite-term-for-the-250th-anniversary-of-the-us-declaration-of-independence/1012452)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2025, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-2026-what-will-be-your-favorite-term-for-the-250th-anniversary-of-the-us-declaration-of-independence/1012452 "2025-01-02T18:45:35Z")
July 4, 2026 is the date. On the serious answer side, etymological interpretations from Wiktionary, there are: Semiquincentennial (half of 500 years anniversary) which seems to be the frontrunner; Bisesquicentennial (w… --- ## [Intro and I'm a little confused](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intro-and-im-a-little-confused/1012379)
**Author:** [@pezworld](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pezworld)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2025, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intro-and-im-a-little-confused/1012379 "2025-01-02T18:43:10Z")
I’m checking out this place from another (much smaller) discussion forum. I apparently posted once before, 13 years ago. Live in Los Angeles, very early 60s F, happily married. Looking for something a little less feud-y … --- ## [Do you have a go-to New Year's Day food?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-go-to-new-years-day-food/1012455)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2025, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-go-to-new-years-day-food/1012455 "2025-01-02T18:21:04Z")
The assumption is that for whatever reason, no judgements, you might want a food lying around that anyone can pretty much grab and go with minimal prep, whenever they want throughout the day. For us, it is an old family… --- ## [Veronika; Level three detected- automatic disconnect](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/veronika-level-three-detected-automatic-disconnect/1012480)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2025, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/veronika-level-three-detected-automatic-disconnect/1012480 "2025-01-02T18:11:33Z")
Any Veronika fans here? Veronika is the star character of little rudimentary stick figure animations depicting her interactions with office management. In this clip she’s Pre-customer service, dealing with angry customer… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=399) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=401)