# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=454 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 455 --- ## [China: Hey, Italy! You think your Tower of Pisa is so hot? Hold my Beer!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/china-hey-italy-you-think-your-tower-of-pisa-is-so-hot-hold-my-beer/1008635)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2024, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/china-hey-italy-you-think-your-tower-of-pisa-is-so-hot-hold-my-beer/1008635 "2024-10-18T20:31:29Z")
I just learned today about the Tiger Hill Pagoda, which is in Suzhou, China. It dates back to 961 CE. The Wikipedia article says it leans at a 3 degree angle, but it looks like it’s leaning a lot more in the pictures. … --- ## [Which of these items are in your refrigerator(s) (not freezer) right now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-items-are-in-your-refrigerator-s-not-freezer-right-now/1007652)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 108\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2024, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-items-are-in-your-refrigerator-s-not-freezer-right-now/1007652 "2024-10-18T20:29:03Z")
poll --- ## [Two and a half days in Amsterdam in February](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-and-a-half-days-in-amsterdam-in-february/1008868)
**Author:** [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2024, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-and-a-half-days-in-amsterdam-in-february/1008868 "2024-10-18T19:55:59Z")
My wife and I, along with another couple, will have two and a half days in Amsterdam in February 2025, at the end of a Viking cruise to Norway. Of the four of us, only my wife has been there before. We are agreed on seve… --- ## [How Many Zeros in a Row are Possible in Pi?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-zeros-in-a-row-are-possible-in-pi/1007562)
**Author:** [@Ynnad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ynnad)\ **Replies:** 246\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2024, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-zeros-in-a-row-are-possible-in-pi/1007562 "2024-10-18T19:49:03Z")
A random thought just passed through my brain. This happens a lot. In a base 10 representation of pi, is there a limit on how many zeros might appear in a row? If there is a limit, what is it? How would this be deter… --- ## [Help with a place to retire with certain requirements](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-a-place-to-retire-with-certain-requirements/1008620)
**Author:** [@cncdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cncdad)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2024, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-a-place-to-retire-with-certain-requirements/1008620 "2024-10-18T19:05:20Z")
Wife and I are wanting to move to a place that we can retire (wont retire for a few years but want to move before that). We are looking for a place with a nice downtown with shops/bars/restaurants that we could walk to f… --- ## [Is there any place online where I can buy tinned kippered herrings?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-place-online-where-i-can-buy-tinned-kippered-herrings/1008904)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2024, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-place-online-where-i-can-buy-tinned-kippered-herrings/1008904 "2024-10-18T18:59:09Z")
Used to be an easily obtained staple, but now, can’t find them anywhere, in local stores or online. But, my Google fu is shaky at the best of times. Now the local stores are only offering some abomination they call “kip… --- ## [Dune Prophecy Trailer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dune-prophecy-trailer/1008956)
**Author:** [@MeanJoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanJoe)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2024, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dune-prophecy-trailer/1008956 "2024-10-18T18:41:55Z")
I just saw this trailer for Dune Prophecy, coming to HBO Max. Trailer Here Looks like it’s set about 10K years before the events of the book Dune. Origin story for the Bene Gesserit it seems. Most of my exposure to a… --- ## [Facilitated Communicaton has once again caused a legal nightmare for innocent parents.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facilitated-communicaton-has-once-again-caused-a-legal-nightmare-for-innocent-parents/759027)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2024, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facilitated-communicaton-has-once-again-caused-a-legal-nightmare-for-innocent-parents/759027 "2024-10-18T17:50:59Z")
Seriously? Didn’t this die in the 90s? Everyone doesn’t know about this nonsense by now? This time it was in Prince Edward Island in Canada. You’d think that an organization like the RCMP would know better. --- ## [Why Is The U.S. So Much Less Worried About Google Than . . . Everyone Else?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-u-s-so-much-less-worried-about-google-than-everyone-else/546666)
**Author:** [@Huerta88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Huerta88)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2024, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-u-s-so-much-less-worried-about-google-than-everyone-else/546666 "2024-10-18T17:40:22Z")
An Australian court just ruled StreetVew was illegal (I can find a link if you’d like). The Europeans are freaked out by . . . just about everything about Google. Intercepting WiFi data . . . well, I could see an Ameri… --- ## [RIP Mitzi Gaynor (93)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-mitzi-gaynor-93/1008935)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2024, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-mitzi-gaynor-93/1008935 "2024-10-18T17:18:51Z")
Mitzi Gaynor died today of natural causes, at the age of 93. She is probably best known for her role as Nellie Forbush in the movie of South Pacific. I also liked her as the sister in There’s No Business Like Show Busin… --- ## [Need a new car while on the market for a house. Cash or loan purchase?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-new-car-while-on-the-market-for-a-house-cash-or-loan-purchase/1008701)
**Author:** [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2024, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-new-car-while-on-the-market-for-a-house-cash-or-loan-purchase/1008701 "2024-10-18T14:00:39Z")
(I will certainly talk to a financial professional also… just trying to get an understanding here). Last week my car broke down and is likely un-repairable. So, I’m in the market for a new (to me) vehicle. Probably in t… --- ## [What's your "Rosebud"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-rosebud/1008339)
**Author:** [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2024, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-rosebud/1008339 "2024-10-18T12:54:32Z")
I’m not really a nostalgic person. I’ve got a good memory for people and events and don’t have many physical keepsakes. But last night I got to thinking about a toy I had as a child - a grey fighter jet. So I did what an… --- ## [Places you wish you had visited in your life](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/places-you-wish-you-had-visited-in-your-life/1008830)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2024, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/places-you-wish-you-had-visited-in-your-life/1008830 "2024-10-18T12:17:57Z")
Or maybe even plan to visit before you kick the proverbial bucket. I’ve seen some cool things in my life: the pyramids/sphinx, Victoria Falls, Niagara Falls, The Matterhorn, the Serengeti, Eiffel Tower, Antelope Canyon t… --- ## [Dessert pizza? (Guest starring Nutella!)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dessert-pizza-guest-starring-nutella/1008907)
**Author:** [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2024, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dessert-pizza-guest-starring-nutella/1008907 "2024-10-18T11:58:17Z")
Thanks to the generosity of a fellow Doper, I have come into the possession of a rather hefty quantity of Nutella. Like, way more than I could eat in any healthy amount of time. (If you time-traveled back a few decades … --- ## [What happens to security workers with dementia?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-security-workers-with-dementia/1008833)
**Author:** [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2024, 9:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-security-workers-with-dementia/1008833 "2024-10-18T09:56:59Z")
We’ve been watching the brilliant British series Slow Horses, and in the fourth series one of the characters, a retired top-level MI-5 officer, develops dementia. That got me to wondering what happens IRL with people wh… --- ## [Christopher Columbus was jewish?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christopher-columbus-was-jewish/251281)
**Author:** [@LuckySevens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LuckySevens)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2024, 9:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christopher-columbus-was-jewish/251281 "2024-10-18T09:32:00Z")
I just heard this, apparantly the guy who told me reckons theres some merit to it, he himself even claimed to be a Jew in private to a few people and in a few writings… Whats the straight dope? --- ## [What should I do about a potentially broken toe](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-do-about-a-potentially-broken-toe/1008846)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2024, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-do-about-a-potentially-broken-toe/1008846 "2024-10-18T07:36:17Z")
So I fell yesterday and when I woke up today I saw my big toe was bruised. I went to a walk in clinic where they took X rays. the physician said the toe didn’t look broken, but when I checked the radiology report online … --- ## [Ghosts (US Version): Who Got Sucked Off In Season 2 Cliffhanger (open spoilers for US and UK even in the OP)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ghosts-us-version-who-got-sucked-off-in-season-2-cliffhanger-open-spoilers-for-us-and-uk-even-in-the-op/983990)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 231\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2024, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ghosts-us-version-who-got-sucked-off-in-season-2-cliffhanger-open-spoilers-for-us-and-uk-even-in-the-op/983990 "2024-10-18T03:37:35Z")
Season 2 of the US version ended with a cliffhanger. Sam and Jay were outside the mansion, talking privately, when Sam saw a beam of light go through the house - and indication that someone has been “sucked off,” as the … --- ## [Disturbing Randall Terry campaign ad](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disturbing-randall-terry-campaign-ad/1008832)
**Author:** [@Allecher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Allecher)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2024, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disturbing-randall-terry-campaign-ad/1008832 "2024-10-18T02:38:09Z")
I recently stumbled upon an intentionally shocking tv ad for presidential candidate Randall Terry that includes graphic abortion pictures and compares celebrities to Nazi leaders. The ABC network aired a disclaimer that … --- ## [Auroras deep south again (October 10th 2024)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auroras-deep-south-again-october-10th-2024/1008651)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2024, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auroras-deep-south-again-october-10th-2024/1008651 "2024-10-18T01:57:41Z")
The odds are stacked against me getting good aurora photos. Light pollution. Surrounded by trees. Terrible low light capabilities on my camera. But here’s my view of the aurora in Upstate South Carolina. https://i.posti… --- ## [Your plastic pal who's fun to be with!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-plastic-pal-whos-fun-to-be-with/1008923)
**Author:** [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2024, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-plastic-pal-whos-fun-to-be-with/1008923 "2024-10-17T23:44:30Z")
‘Comfortable, fun, familiar’: Why Microsoft is trying to turn its AI chatbot into a digital friend Ugh. Article here: --- ## [A basic particle physics question \[Higgs Boson\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-basic-particle-physics-question-higgs-boson/579746)
**Author:** [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2024, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-basic-particle-physics-question-higgs-boson/579746 "2024-10-17T23:09:21Z")
Hello, I’m hoping one of our resident physicists will be good enough to explain to me in faitly simple terms why exactly it is believed that the Higgs Boson confers mass on the other particles. Have the other particles … --- ## [Prominent Harvard Professor Accused of Research Fraud](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prominent-harvard-professor-accused-of-research-fraud/988013)
**Author:** [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2024, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prominent-harvard-professor-accused-of-research-fraud/988013 "2024-10-17T23:04:03Z")
I don’t know if it’s ironic or the extreme opposite of irony, but Professor Francesca Gino’s area of experience was dishonesty and cheating in games and other social systems. 3 papers she participated in are already b… --- ## [Today I learned that Tyler Perry has a replica of the White House](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-i-learned-that-tyler-perry-has-a-replica-of-the-white-house/1008878)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2024, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-i-learned-that-tyler-perry-has-a-replica-of-the-white-house/1008878 "2024-10-17T21:10:35Z")
For real. Full sized. And the Secret Service has trained there since they don’t have the money to build their own. https://www.reddit.com/r/GoogleMaps/comments/rtpuk4/full\_white\_house\_replica\_at\_the\_tyler\_perry/#lightbo… --- ## [Self-reconfiguring trains?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-reconfiguring-trains/755789)
**Author:** [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2024, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-reconfiguring-trains/755789 "2024-10-17T21:38:18Z")
My husband and I are going up the wall trying to remember where we saw a particular image. We’re remembering trains that break themselves into parts, recombine, and continue on. What we can’t remember is where we saw th… --- ## [Why are scientists so confident regarding the specifics of the universe?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-scientists-so-confident-regarding-the-specifics-of-the-universe/1004031)
**Author:** [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2024, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-scientists-so-confident-regarding-the-specifics-of-the-universe/1004031 "2024-10-17T21:35:00Z")
I’ve watched a few videos throwing reams of facts regarding space or supposed facts regarding space that seem fantastical and amazing and also make me immediately think “how the fuck do we know that?“ There is so much a… --- ## [Typeface for Smarties](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/typeface-for-smarties/1008713)
**Author:** [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2024, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/typeface-for-smarties/1008713 "2024-10-17T20:45:38Z")
I’m hoping that the ubiquity of the chocolate treat named “Smarties” is fairly familiar. I want to outrageously steal their signature brand image, at the request of my 7 year old son this Halloween. He wants to go as a … --- ## [7-Eleven closing 400 stores](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-eleven-closing-400-stores/1008714)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 142\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2024, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-eleven-closing-400-stores/1008714 "2024-10-17T20:19:19Z")
7-Eleven has been my favorite location for snacks and drinks since childhood. They used to sell ICEE. The polar bear signs were always a welcoming sight on a hot summer day. 7-Eleven always had the foot long bubble gum … --- ## [How many high ranking officials from groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, PIJ, etc](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-high-ranking-officials-from-groups-like-hamas-hezbollah-pij-etc/1006830)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2024, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-high-ranking-officials-from-groups-like-hamas-hezbollah-pij-etc/1006830 "2024-10-17T19:51:32Z")
How many high ranking leaders have been killed? I’ve seen news stories saying ‘commander so and so was killed’ but is there a running list? It was my understanding the actual leader of Hamas was killed in the last few m… --- ## [Is the war between Israel and just about everyone else in the region likely to spoil the U.S. election?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-war-between-israel-and-just-about-everyone-else-in-the-region-likely-to-spoil-the-u-s-election/1008857)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2024, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-war-between-israel-and-just-about-everyone-else-in-the-region-likely-to-spoil-the-u-s-election/1008857 "2024-10-17T19:46:26Z")
I don’t want to get into what’s going on in the Mideast, in terms of which side is right, or at least less wrong than the other. Neither do I want to get into whether the U.S. should be supporting Israel, because we are… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=453) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=455)