# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=408&state=watching [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 409 --- ## [Elon Musk learns art of political ratfucking, funding ads that impersonate the Harris Campaign](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elon-musk-learns-art-of-political-ratfucking-funding-ads-that-impersonate-the-harris-campaign/1008982)
**Author:** [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2024, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elon-musk-learns-art-of-political-ratfucking-funding-ads-that-impersonate-the-harris-campaign/1008982 "2024-12-25T04:22:22Z")
MSBC notes that a Trump super-Pac runs ostensibly pro-Harris ads bragging about her solidarity with Israel, microtargeted at Michigan Muslims. The same organization attacks Harris in Pennsylvania for her insufficient sup… --- ## [I don't watch commercials](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-watch-commercials/1006769)
**Author:** [@GailForce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GailForce)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2024, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-watch-commercials/1006769 "2024-12-25T03:22:28Z")
They seem to bother me more than they do for most people, but I’ve used a simple workaround to avoid seeing over 90% of the ads on TV–I simply record everything, and start watching 10 minutes late (for a one-hour program… --- ## [If Ukraine is facing a troop shortage, why don't they just hire mercenaries](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-ukraine-is-facing-a-troop-shortage-why-dont-they-just-hire-mercenaries/1012086)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2024, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-ukraine-is-facing-a-troop-shortage-why-dont-they-just-hire-mercenaries/1012086 "2024-12-25T02:53:47Z")
I think Russia is offering $2,000 a month to soldiers. For Ukraine they could hire 100,000 mercenaries for 2k a month, that works out to 2.4 billion a year. Ukraine is spending about 100 billion a year on military in be… --- ## [Weird Question about a 20th century playwriting pair](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-question-about-a-20th-century-playwriting-pair/1011939)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2024, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-question-about-a-20th-century-playwriting-pair/1011939 "2024-12-25T02:31:59Z")
While looking up information about something in the 20th century entertainment biz, I stumbled across a usage I was unfamiliar with and now it’s bugging me. Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman were fixtures of the Broadway … --- ## [What Event(s) were crucial for Dutch language and cultural awakening?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-event-s-were-crucial-for-dutch-language-and-cultural-awakening/1012054)
**Author:** [@DerSchneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DerSchneck)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2024, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-event-s-were-crucial-for-dutch-language-and-cultural-awakening/1012054 "2024-12-25T01:49:39Z")
…in order to cement the people of what is now the Nederland as a separate entity from German(y)? --- ## [How well do your video Streaming Apps perform?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-well-do-your-video-streaming-apps-perform/1012044)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2024, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-well-do-your-video-streaming-apps-perform/1012044 "2024-12-25T01:12:23Z")
Q1 Are you using the smart tv App or Casting from your phone or PC? Q2 Which smart tv Apps do you use? YouTube, Prime, Peacock, Paramount+, MAX, Pluto or something else? Q3 How well do they perform? Any time outs, loc… --- ## [Does the spelling of a name have some significance in Japanese?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-spelling-of-a-name-have-some-significance-in-japanese/1009114)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2024, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-spelling-of-a-name-have-some-significance-in-japanese/1009114 "2024-12-25T01:04:02Z")
I’ve been reading some of Haruki Murakami’s books recently, and one of the things that strikes me is that some times there will be a mention of how someone’s name is spelled. It might be about how two names sound the sa… --- ## [Canadian court dismisses anti-vaxers’ claim; assesses court costs at $190,000](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-court-dismisses-anti-vaxers-claim-assesses-court-costs-at-190-000/1012087)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2024, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-court-dismisses-anti-vaxers-claim-assesses-court-costs-at-190-000/1012087 "2024-12-25T00:21:58Z")
Covid issue, but putting it here because of the « no debates » rule of n the Quarantine Zone 473 hospital workers sued several hospitals in Ontario, the Premier, past and current health ministers, etc, arguing that vacc… --- ## [Should I try metformin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-try-metformin/1011970)
**Author:** [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2024, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-try-metformin/1011970 "2024-12-24T22:26:02Z")
I’m pre-diabetic. My fasting blood sugar is generally just above 100, and my last A1c reading was 5.7, up from two readings at 5.6. I already discussed it with my doctor. He says: You could certainly try metformin if … --- ## [How to write an "x"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-write-an-x/1012009)
**Author:** [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2024, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-write-an-x/1012009 "2024-12-24T22:02:46Z")
I write an “x” by drawing two straight lines that cross in the middle, the first from upper left to lower right, and the second from upper right to lower left. But I’ve been watching the Youtube channel “Stand-up Maths” … --- ## [Foods you gave up when you got married (better explained in OP)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-you-gave-up-when-you-got-married-better-explained-in-op/1011727)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2024, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-you-gave-up-when-you-got-married-better-explained-in-op/1011727 "2024-12-24T21:28:21Z")
What are some foods that you’ve given up since you got married? How could a marriage compel one to give up a favorite food, you ask? Well, in my case, I’ve been off meatloaf for 25 years\* since Mrs. Homie hates it. I cou… --- ## [Florida Man Steals Rare Coins, Puts Them Through Coinstar machine](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-man-steals-rare-coins-puts-them-through-coinstar-machine/1012063)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2024, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-man-steals-rare-coins-puts-them-through-coinstar-machine/1012063 "2024-12-24T20:27:51Z")
Ten thousand years (and more) of human evolution, and we end up like this. --- ## [Did the 1960's anti-Vietnam-war protests achieve anything?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-1960s-anti-vietnam-war-protests-achieve-anything/1000751)
**Author:** [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2024, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-1960s-anti-vietnam-war-protests-achieve-anything/1000751 "2024-12-24T18:35:52Z")
For those of you alive back then, did the anti-Vietnam-war protests have any effect on policies, how many people were sent to Vietnam, the decision to leave Vietnam, etc? Was there any material change due to the protests… --- ## [2024 \[THEMED\] Celebrity Death Pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-themed-celebrity-death-pool/994110)
**Author:** [@phungi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phungi)\ **Replies:** 178\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2024, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-themed-celebrity-death-pool/994110 "2024-12-24T18:21:15Z")
NOTE: As we started in 2019, Themed Death Pool Lists will be posted and tracked in a separate thread. If you are looking for the 2023 Celebrity Death Pool thread, click here phungi (aka: the Death Shroom) checking in as… --- ## [Looking for medieval webcomic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-medieval-webcomic/1012004)
**Author:** [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2024, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-medieval-webcomic/1012004 "2024-12-24T15:09:10Z")
Wow it’s been a minute since I’ve been on the sdmb. Several years ago I learned of a web comic here, but now I can’t find it. I’d classify it as medieval/fantasy genre. I feel like it had a form of the work ogre in the t… --- ## [Dank Brandon (President Biden) announces Federal pardon of Marijuana Possession and use charges - inmates, review of federal laws re: same](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dank-brandon-president-biden-announces-federal-pardon-of-marijuana-possession-and-use-charges-inmates-review-of-federal-laws-re-same/972840)
**Author:** [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Replies:** 136\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2024, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dank-brandon-president-biden-announces-federal-pardon-of-marijuana-possession-and-use-charges-inmates-review-of-federal-laws-re-same/972840 "2024-12-24T14:51:02Z")
https://www.politico.com/news/2022/10/06/biden-to-pardon-marijuana-offenses-call-for-review-of-federal-law-00060796 Also, a review of MJ’s status as a Schedule 1 narcotic is in the works. Here he lays out the plan on T… --- ## [Polling is broken, right? Or is it the news? Or all of the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polling-is-broken-right-or-is-it-the-news-or-all-of-the-us/993779)
**Author:** [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Replies:** 771\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2024, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polling-is-broken-right-or-is-it-the-news-or-all-of-the-us/993779 "2024-12-24T13:42:49Z")
Someone explain this to me like I’m 12: Trump is getting booed in southern stadiums. Reports show that Truth Social’s users are at least 30% bots and even the bots can’t keep his post numbers up, His rallies are getti… --- ## [Klamath River dam-o-litions!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/klamath-river-dam-o-litions/925834)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2024, 9:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/klamath-river-dam-o-litions/925834 "2024-12-24T09:25:04Z")
This has been in the works for a long time, but has stalled out in the past. It looks like they’ve finally gotten everything together to be able to submit a real plan and actually move forward with it. Warren Buffet … --- ## [Speaker Elon?!?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speaker-elon/1011869)
**Author:** [@Turki-lurki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turki-lurki)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2024, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speaker-elon/1011869 "2024-12-24T01:10:17Z")
Heard this morning that Musk may be on track to be a possible Speaker of the House under the new trump regime. Is there precedent for an unelected person to assume the role of Speaker? (Election solely by the members of … --- ## [Prediction: The UHC shooter will develop a following of young women groupies (like Bundy and Tsarnaev)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prediction-the-uhc-shooter-will-develop-a-following-of-young-women-groupies-like-bundy-and-tsarnaev/1011425)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2024, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prediction-the-uhc-shooter-will-develop-a-following-of-young-women-groupies-like-bundy-and-tsarnaev/1011425 "2024-12-24T00:58:43Z")
Just wanted to get my prediction posted. --- ## [Do we remember only 3% of our lives? \[discussion of memory and the "factoid"\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-remember-only-3-of-our-lives-discussion-of-memory-and-the-factoid/1012061)
**Author:** [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2024, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-remember-only-3-of-our-lives-discussion-of-memory-and-the-factoid/1012061 "2024-12-24T00:55:41Z")
This thread has been broken out of the FQ thread of a similar title. The FQ thread discusses the origin of the “factoid” that we only remember 3% of our lives. This thread is for discussion of the factoid itself. The or… --- ## [Looking for medieval COMIC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-medieval-comic/1012079)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2024, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-medieval-comic/1012079 "2024-12-23T23:52:45Z")
I stumbled past the Looking for medieval webcomic thread and it reminded me of and old series I used to have (I used to be into comics in a big way). I could have sworn it was a Medieval run of Gen-13 by Choi/Campbell? I… --- ## [Hot Glue Misery](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-glue-misery/1012030)
**Author:** [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2024, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-glue-misery/1012030 "2024-12-23T23:46:09Z")
I am going to be a self disclosing idiot with this one. Some 20 or more years ago I hot glued all of my pictures and knick knacks to the kitchen walls. There are also a few hot glued items in other rooms and some in my … --- ## [Time Person of the Year 2024](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-person-of-the-year-2024/1009507)
**Author:** [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2024, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-person-of-the-year-2024/1009507 "2024-12-23T23:46:05Z")
I just updated my Sportsperson of the Year post over on The Game Room, so I thought I would start the Time POTY discussion while I was at it. I am going to go with my original thought: the President-Elect, whoever that … --- ## [I finally get back to the Urologist tomorrow to hopefully find out if I prostate cancer or not {as of 2024-12-23, no cancer}](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-get-back-to-the-urologist-tomorrow-to-hopefully-find-out-if-i-prostate-cancer-or-not-as-of-2024-12-23-no-cancer/1012029)
**Author:** [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2024, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-get-back-to-the-urologist-tomorrow-to-hopefully-find-out-if-i-prostate-cancer-or-not-as-of-2024-12-23-no-cancer/1012029 "2024-12-23T23:36:43Z")
This all stems from high PSA testing results. I am symptom free. I’ve know that even if it is cancer, it is one of the very treatable ones and I learned from my fellow mods it is usually a slow growing cancer. The Doct… --- ## [Heart rate after running question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heart-rate-after-running-question/1011720)
**Author:** [@WalterBishop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WalterBishop)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2024, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heart-rate-after-running-question/1011720 "2024-12-23T23:23:44Z")
I’m not in great shape and I’ve just started jogging. I’ll do a 20 minute slow jog and my heart rate will go up to 130 - 140ish. When I stop, I’ll walk for a few minutes to cooldown and my heart rate will go down to abou… --- ## [Dune Prophecy (Spoilers after each episode airs)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dune-prophecy-spoilers-after-each-episode-airs/1010405)
**Author:** [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2024, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dune-prophecy-spoilers-after-each-episode-airs/1010405 "2024-12-23T18:21:37Z")
I enjoyed this first episode. It seems like it is setting up a rivalry between the Ix (which is my guess who that guy that murdered the kid represents) and Bene Gesserit. I liked the look of it but the again I liked the … --- ## ["Transformation" acts from British talent show](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transformation-acts-from-british-talent-show/1012035)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2024, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transformation-acts-from-british-talent-show/1012035 "2024-12-23T17:43:20Z")
For a few days I’ve been seeing short clips, apparently from the British version of “X Got Talent” where a woman is transformed into something else, like a bird-woman or a tiger-woman or whatever. It looks to me impossi… --- ## [Baseball Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson has died at age 65](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-hall-of-famer-rickey-henderson-has-died-at-age-65/1011985)
**Author:** [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2024, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-hall-of-famer-rickey-henderson-has-died-at-age-65/1011985 "2024-12-23T17:38:12Z")
I’m seeing some reports online that Rickey Henderson has died, but no credible news reports yet. --- ## [The internet isn’t dead in 2024—but it is one big churn (exploring history and causes)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-internet-isn-t-dead-in-2024-but-it-is-one-big-churn-exploring-history-and-causes/1011882)
**Author:** [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2024, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-internet-isn-t-dead-in-2024-but-it-is-one-big-churn-exploring-history-and-causes/1011882 "2024-12-23T17:29:32Z")
You’ve probably heard of dead internet theory. Here’s a good article on it: A key quote: “As evidence, \[author of famous post on the theory\] IlluminatiPirate offers, “I’ve seen the same threads, the same pics, and the… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=407&state=watching) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=409&state=watching)