# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=446&state=tracking [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 447 --- ## [Question about estimating probabilities](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-estimating-probabilities/1009253)
**Author:** [@Gordon\_G](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gordon_G)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2024, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-estimating-probabilities/1009253 "2024-10-31T17:45:28Z")
My question appears mathematical but I post in IMHO rather than FQ because I don’t think there’s a single clear answer. I am looking for a heuristic, an arithmetic adjustment not guaranteed to be valid but which might b… --- ## [Arecibo Radio Telescope damage; Puerto Rico \[has collapsed\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arecibo-radio-telescope-damage-puerto-rico-has-collapsed/918104)
**Author:** [@EnolaStraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnolaStraight)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2024, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arecibo-radio-telescope-damage-puerto-rico-has-collapsed/918104 "2024-10-31T15:52:57Z")
A cable snapped, causing this cornerstone of radio astronomy and SETI to go off-line due to structural damage. --- ## [We're all just numbers now! (Identity thing)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-all-just-numbers-now-identity-thing/1009426)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2024, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-all-just-numbers-now-identity-thing/1009426 "2024-10-31T15:38:41Z")
So…at the clinic we’re not names anymore. Some stupid big wig decided it might invade our privacy to call our name out. So we “sign our name on a very public sheet”, to show we’re there, then we take a number like at t… --- ## [Is there an all inclusive list of risk factors (controllable and not controllable) for cardiovascular disease](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-all-inclusive-list-of-risk-factors-controllable-and-not-controllable-for-cardiovascular-disease/1009489)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2024, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-all-inclusive-list-of-risk-factors-controllable-and-not-controllable-for-cardiovascular-disease/1009489 "2024-10-31T15:36:20Z")
I don’t know if this goes here since its a medical question or if this is a GQ. I think there are something like 80 risk factors, but when I look online I mostly just see the same handful over and over again. There are … --- ## [I was that gal yesterday](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-that-gal-yesterday/1009410)
**Author:** [@GailForce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GailForce)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2024, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-that-gal-yesterday/1009410 "2024-10-31T15:14:09Z")
…or that guy, you know the one, who goes out with family to a restaurant, orders his meal, and sends it back. I hate that gal, and hate being her (I grew up with an excruciatingly embarrassing one in my extended family) … --- ## [Strange Reflectors on Telephone Poles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-reflectors-on-telephone-poles/588697)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2024, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-reflectors-on-telephone-poles/588697 "2024-10-31T14:44:23Z")
So here I am in Pennsylvania awating my wedding (and a really cool honeymoon). I have been driving around my new hometown. Many, most, of the telephone poles have some sort of odd yellow plastic thing on them. At about … --- ## [A woman becoming US president for the first time - has the thunder been stolen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-woman-becoming-us-president-for-the-first-time-has-the-thunder-been-stolen/1009246)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2024, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-woman-becoming-us-president-for-the-first-time-has-the-thunder-been-stolen/1009246 "2024-10-31T14:17:56Z")
With Kamala all but certain to sweep to power in 10 days’ time, there are two things that have sucked out some of the energy about the history that will be made. Hillary had been expected to do it 8 years ago but fail… --- ## [Steve Bannon - odds he will show up on Monday for his trial?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-bannon-odds-he-will-show-up-on-monday-for-his-trial/967956)
**Author:** [@BlinkingDuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlinkingDuck)\ **Replies:** 261\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2024, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-bannon-odds-he-will-show-up-on-monday-for-his-trial/967956 "2024-10-31T13:09:10Z")
I think it is slim. Am I wrong? He ignored the summons. He tried to get the trial delayed to closer to mid term elections hoping for Repubs to regain control and then it would go away. If/when he doesn’t show, can/wi… --- ## [I need a program to retrieve data from government sites](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-program-to-retrieve-data-from-government-sites/1009425)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2024, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-program-to-retrieve-data-from-government-sites/1009425 "2024-10-31T10:33:07Z")
We have members/clients who need to know when their commercial accounts lose their business licenses. We would upload their commercial accounts receivable files to a company called SimpleVerity each month, and SimpleVer… --- ## [Why don’t you move to Honolulu?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-don-t-you-move-to-honolulu/1009311)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2024, 7:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-don-t-you-move-to-honolulu/1009311 "2024-10-31T07:53:45Z")
A recent list published by the EIU, a research group with Economist magazine, claimed Honolulu to be the United State’s “most liveable city” on the somewhat arbitrary scores of health care, culture and environment, educa… --- ## [61 hours of insanity: The final days of Trump](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/61-hours-of-insanity-the-final-days-of-trump/930775)
**Author:** [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Replies:** 118\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2024, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/61-hours-of-insanity-the-final-days-of-trump/930775 "2024-10-31T01:22:23Z")
I know there are a lot of Trump threads bouncing about. But, as we are now in the final two and a half days of the Trump presidency (61 hours from riiiiiight…now!), I thought perhaps a separate thread would be justified … --- ## [Trump's MSG Rally 10/27/2024](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-msg-rally-10-27-2024/1009351)
**Author:** [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/excavating_for_a_mind)\ **Replies:** 109\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2024, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-msg-rally-10-27-2024/1009351 "2024-10-31T00:53:27Z")
I’m sure it’s being mentioned in other threads, but Trump held a rally at Madison Square Gardens yesterday (Sunday). My question is, what was the purpose(s)? In case anyone isn’t aware, the media was making comparisons … --- ## [Are you a pedophile? Then you'll enjoy Facebook's advertising engine!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-pedophile-then-youll-enjoy-facebooks-advertising-engine/1001584)
**Author:** [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2024, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-pedophile-then-youll-enjoy-facebooks-advertising-engine/1001584 "2024-05-16T20:21:03Z")
News story: Short version: When you advertise with Meta services (Facebook, Instagram, etc), you summarize your product, and you profile the audience who should see your ads. Say, you offer leotards for young ballet s… --- ## [Two Facebook questions that are driving me mad](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-facebook-questions-that-are-driving-me-mad/1009235)
**Author:** [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2024, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-facebook-questions-that-are-driving-me-mad/1009235 "2024-10-30T19:48:05Z")
And getting answers on Facebook itself, either through their help or posting it, is impossible. The first one is about Reels. I open and watch them all the time because most of them I see are from pages and people I kn… --- ## [Botticelli - October 2024](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/botticelli-october-2024/1008337)
**Author:** [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Replies:** 427\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2024, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/botticelli-october-2024/1008337 "2024-10-30T18:58:39Z")
We have D! September thread: Botticelli - Sept. 2024 - #252 by SCAdian --- ## [I voted against Donald J. Trump yesterday](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-voted-against-donald-j-trump-yesterday/1008451)
**Author:** [@GailForce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GailForce)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2024, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-voted-against-donald-j-trump-yesterday/1008451 "2024-10-30T18:17:21Z")
…and it sure felt good. Technically, of course, I voted for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, by mail, but emotionally it was AGAINST Trump all the way. I would have voted for anybody–hell, any living organism and a few dead … --- ## [RIP Phil Lesh (Grateful Dead bassist)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-phil-lesh-grateful-dead-bassist/1009219)
**Author:** [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2024, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-phil-lesh-grateful-dead-bassist/1009219 "2024-10-30T17:39:40Z")
I am gutted. --- ## [The US tipping system poisons the eating out well](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-tipping-system-poisons-the-eating-out-well/405430)
**Author:** [@zhongguorenmin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zhongguorenmin)\ **Replies:** 161\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2024, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-tipping-system-poisons-the-eating-out-well/405430 "2024-10-30T17:34:10Z")
As this IMHO thread about dining out got steadily more personal and heated, I was thinking how this is simply not an issue here in the UK. Here all waiters get minimum wage ($10.50/hr) and tips are a bit of a bonus on t… --- ## [Conflict with Russia hypothetical](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conflict-with-russia-hypothetical/1009060)
**Author:** [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2024, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conflict-with-russia-hypothetical/1009060 "2024-10-30T16:28:21Z")
This article happened to catch my eye: Russia’s Alcohol Empire Suffers Devastating Quadruple Blow So, Ukraine has conducted several drone strikes against distilleries that are purportedly involved in producing alcohol … --- ## [Peculiar technical challenges to Scuba diving...on a terrformed Mars?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peculiar-technical-challenges-to-scuba-diving-on-a-terrformed-mars/1009255)
**Author:** [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2024, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peculiar-technical-challenges-to-scuba-diving-on-a-terrformed-mars/1009255 "2024-10-30T16:10:38Z")
Okay, stripped down to the essentials: say you terraformed Mars, to the extent of not only having an environment suitable for human life, but thawed and/or added enough liquid water to create oceans and other large bodie… --- ## [Ikea Heights](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ikea-heights/1009450)
**Author:** [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2024, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ikea-heights/1009450 "2024-10-30T15:28:35Z")
Anyone else seen this? IMDb link. It’s a spoof on soap operas, and was filmed inside some Ikea stores in 2009. There are seven episodes, and each has a duration of about 5 minutes. The most interesting part is that the… --- ## [What is the equivalent of telling a dog "You are a GOOD BOY" in non-English languages?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-equivalent-of-telling-a-dog-you-are-a-good-boy-in-non-english-languages/1009385)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2024, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-equivalent-of-telling-a-dog-you-are-a-good-boy-in-non-english-languages/1009385 "2024-10-30T13:32:31Z")
Seems to be ubiquitous in English-speaking cultures. (rubs ears) Who’s a good boy??? YOU’RE A GOOD BOY!!! (furious tail wagging) Is there an equivalent for this in non-English languages? --- ## [Suspension for 3 days of Kedikat for ignoring a thread ban](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suspension-for-3-days-of-kedikat-for-ignoring-a-thread-ban/1009447)
**Author:** [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2024, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suspension-for-3-days-of-kedikat-for-ignoring-a-thread-ban/1009447 "2024-10-30T12:47:55Z")
Kedikat was banned from posting in the Russia invades Ukraine {2022-02-24} threads Oct 26, 2022 11:29 PM and it is posted in the OP of the thread. He of course was PM’d on this also and asked and was answered about it ba… --- ## [Does anyone besides Trump support blanket tariffs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-besides-trump-support-blanket-tariffs/1009094)
**Author:** [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2024, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-besides-trump-support-blanket-tariffs/1009094 "2024-10-30T10:41:03Z")
Please correct me if I have this wrong, I believe Trump has on multiple occasions suggested that he would implement 10% tariffs on all imported goods and 60% tariffs on Chinese imports, in order to bring in trillions of … --- ## [Kamala Harris And Tim Walz Launch Their Own Fortnite Map - Politics meets gaming (this is a new one, I think):](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harris-and-tim-walz-launch-their-own-fortnite-map-politics-meets-gaming-this-is-a-new-one-i-think/1009423)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2024, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harris-and-tim-walz-launch-their-own-fortnite-map-politics-meets-gaming-this-is-a-new-one-i-think/1009423 "2024-10-30T07:44:59Z")
I assume this is best here in The Game Room but if mods think it should be P&E or elsewhere feel free to move it. As of today, there are seven days left in the campaign for the U.S. Presidential election. Now, the De… --- ## [iPad drops network, 2 unrelated networks, 2 iPads!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipad-drops-network-2-unrelated-networks-2-ipads/1009125)
**Author:** [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2024, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipad-drops-network-2-unrelated-networks-2-ipads/1009125 "2024-10-30T07:42:24Z")
So my iPad Air 4th gen starts dropping internet connection a couple months ago. Just suddenly, as I’m trying to use some thing, it tells me “you don’t have an Internet connection”. Go to my network set up and sure enough… --- ## [Permanent Ban for Chingon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/permanent-ban-for-chingon/1009429)
**Author:** [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2024, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/permanent-ban-for-chingon/1009429 "2024-10-30T02:20:48Z")
Moderating: After discussion in the mod loop, we’ve decided to permanently revoke @Chingon’s posting privileges. This is based on the following formal warnings, together with numerous mod notes. Warning from @Aspenglow,… --- ## [Robots to be used in (US) Georgian detention center](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robots-to-be-used-in-us-georgian-detention-center/1009344)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2024, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robots-to-be-used-in-us-georgian-detention-center/1009344 "2024-10-30T01:14:44Z")
Is this the first step of a larger pattern or just a weird experiment? Will these become more prevalent in prisons and such? --- ## [Getting a birthday dessert at my wedding anniversary dinner](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-birthday-dessert-at-my-wedding-anniversary-dinner/1009411)
**Author:** [@AshleyWilliams78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AshleyWilliams78)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2024, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-birthday-dessert-at-my-wedding-anniversary-dinner/1009411 "2024-10-30T00:39:35Z")
Yesterday was the first anniversary for my husband and I. We both love Mexican food, so we went out to dinner at a Mexican place that we had both been to before and enjoyed. After we ordered our food, we were making conv… --- ## [Hey, pal, can you spare $100 Grand? (Star Trek memorabilia auction)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-pal-can-you-spare-100-grand-star-trek-memorabilia-auction/1009377)
**Author:** [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2024, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-pal-can-you-spare-100-grand-star-trek-memorabilia-auction/1009377 "2024-10-29T22:52:03Z")
https://bid.juliensauctions.com/auctions/catalog/id/526 For the rich Trekkies in your life. $100,000 for a “William Shatner” phaser. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=445&state=tracking) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=447&state=tracking)