# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=485&state=tracking [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 486 --- ## [Can you answer this question using AI?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-answer-this-question-using-ai/1006796)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2024, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-answer-this-question-using-ai/1006796 "2024-09-05T01:16:04Z")
Continuing the discussion from Excel formula question: The question in the original thread is: “The headers are “Sum of 1/31/2024” “Sum of 2/29/2024” etc. Is there a formula I can put in another row that just pulls the… --- ## [What are YOUR favorite museums?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-museums/1003612)
**Author:** [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Replies:** 111\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2024, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-museums/1003612 "2024-09-05T01:04:32Z")
I was just thinking about all the museums I’ve visited over my lifetime and the ones I’ve liked the best. They might not be to most people’s taste; they might not be considered world-class, or necessarily have the best c… --- ## [When will we know who the next President is?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-we-know-who-the-next-president-is/1006326)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2024, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-we-know-who-the-next-president-is/1006326 "2024-09-05T00:34:35Z")
I am predicting 9pm EST on election day. Pennsylvania’s polls will have closed 1 hour prior and Georgia 2 hours prior. If the same candidate takes both then they will eventually win the election. It could get interesti… --- ## [Have any US Citizens been killed, disappeared, or kidnapped by foreign agents on US soil?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-any-us-citizens-been-killed-disappeared-or-kidnapped-by-foreign-agents-on-us-soil/1006632)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2024, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-any-us-citizens-been-killed-disappeared-or-kidnapped-by-foreign-agents-on-us-soil/1006632 "2024-09-04T23:08:11Z")
That’s basically it. Has a foreign government ever sent assassins or special ops or what have you onto US soil to deal with a troublesome American? --- ## [Captaining the Love Boat](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/captaining-the-love-boat/1006640)
**Author:** [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2024, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/captaining-the-love-boat/1006640 "2024-09-04T22:56:33Z")
I’m currently being tormented by an earworm of the “Love Boat” theme, which brought a question to mind: How do you get to be Captain Steubing? Navy command path, then retire to something less martial? Merchant Marine the… --- ## [Question about "The Intern"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-the-intern/1006744)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2024, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-the-intern/1006744 "2024-09-04T21:35:08Z")
I just re-watched this movie. (It’s the 2015 movie with Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway). Hathaway plays Jules Ostin, the founder of what has become a sizeable internet fashion company. And one of the main plot points … --- ## [Issues with California state tax board](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/issues-with-california-state-tax-board/1005219)
**Author:** [@X.L.Lent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/X.L.Lent)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2024, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/issues-with-california-state-tax-board/1005219 "2024-09-04T21:30:05Z")
Thought I was going to get a few hundred back on my California state taxes but instead got a notice that says I owe about 27K. This was about 5 weeks ago. How did this happen? Apparently, I misplaced a decimal or added… --- ## [Why no discussion about Cornel West impact?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-discussion-about-cornel-west-impact/1006746)
**Author:** [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2024, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-discussion-about-cornel-west-impact/1006746 "2024-09-04T21:16:14Z")
There’s a whole thread about RFK Jr, but I haven’t seen anything about West selfish motives in running. He can have more impact on race than Kennedy, since most RFK supporters lean towards Trump, but West will take votes… --- ## [If RFK, Jr. Drops out, how does this impact the election?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-rfk-jr-drops-out-how-does-this-impact-the-election/1006004)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2024, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-rfk-jr-drops-out-how-does-this-impact-the-election/1006004 "2024-09-04T20:58:56Z")
Especially if he endorses Trump. Sounds like that is becoming increasingly likely. Wondering how scared to be about this. --- ## [What's with the Democrats Senate poll numbers vs presidential numbers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-democrats-senate-poll-numbers-vs-presidential-numbers/1006778)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2024, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-democrats-senate-poll-numbers-vs-presidential-numbers/1006778 "2024-09-04T20:30:10Z")
So there’s something I don’t get about the poll numbers I am seeing. A lot of the time Democrats are getting significantly better poll numbers for their Senate candidates than they are for the Harris presidential campai… --- ## [Clarence Thomas secretly accepted luxury vacations from GOP donor without disclosing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 577\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2024, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252 "2024-09-04T20:16:50Z")
In short, a big money Republican donor has been inviting Thomas on swanky yacht and resort trips for free, and ethics rules require disclosure of these sorts of gifts. What can be done about it? Probably nothing, unle… --- ## [What to Do with Old Foreign Coins](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-old-foreign-coins/1006580)
**Author:** [@GailForce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GailForce)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2024, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-old-foreign-coins/1006580 "2024-09-04T20:10:06Z")
I have a big bag of odd (and old) coins that were in my pockets whenever I returned from a trip out of the U.S. over the past half-century, and since I’m planning another trip this week, I decided to go through the bag a… --- ## [Let's just leave the kid behind!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-just-leave-the-kid-behind/1005725)
**Author:** [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2024, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-just-leave-the-kid-behind/1005725 "2024-09-04T19:58:35Z")
My daughter was at the airport on Monday, seeing off her friend. She heard her name and turned around to see a family friend from Australia. The friend was there with her middle son “Jake” who is 10 years old. Their w… --- ## [What happened to the thread abour a hurricane being manmade?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-thread-abour-a-hurricane-being-manmade/1006763)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2024, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-thread-abour-a-hurricane-being-manmade/1006763 "2024-09-04T19:26:14Z")
I was reading it and it just disappeared. --- ## [Can sleep “count less” under nonextreme circumstances?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-sleep-count-less-under-nonextreme-circumstances/1006725)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2024, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-sleep-count-less-under-nonextreme-circumstances/1006725 "2024-09-04T19:25:06Z")
Something I’ve always wondered: if I came home from work, fell asleep on the couch for three hours, woke up for four, then got seven hours of sleep overnight, does that fully count as having had ten hours of sleep that d… --- ## [Is there value in reading the ideas of 19th century and earlier philosophers, economists, political scientists, etc](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-value-in-reading-the-ideas-of-19th-century-and-earlier-philosophers-economists-political-scientists-etc/1005880)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2024, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-value-in-reading-the-ideas-of-19th-century-and-earlier-philosophers-economists-political-scientists-etc/1005880 "2024-09-04T19:21:07Z")
I’ve been told I should read more from Marx, but my view has always been this. Marx wrote his works 160 years ago. The world knows far more about economics, political science, psychology, sociology, etc than we knew bac… --- ## [Election Night Plans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-night-plans/1006510)
**Author:** [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2024, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-night-plans/1006510 "2024-09-04T18:20:34Z")
Oddly enough there is a long tradition here of threads on election night watch parties. 2020 was one we will never forget. Do you have any plans? I would expect to be sitting here with family. It will be a late night an… --- ## [Tolkien and the Art of the Manuscript: My visit to view JRRT's original notes and drawings](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tolkien-and-the-art-of-the-manuscript-my-visit-to-view-jrrts-original-notes-and-drawings/975616)
**Author:** [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2024, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tolkien-and-the-art-of-the-manuscript-my-visit-to-view-jrrts-original-notes-and-drawings/975616 "2024-09-04T15:50:38Z")
I spent two hours yesterday wandering around the JRRT display at Marquette U’s Haggerty Museum in Milwaukee. There, I enjoyed examining the original pages of manuscripts from the hand of the good professor himself. The… --- ## [What happens if your beach house DOESN'T fall into the ocean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-your-beach-house-doesnt-fall-into-the-ocean/1006704)
**Author:** [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2024, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-your-beach-house-doesnt-fall-into-the-ocean/1006704 "2024-09-04T14:14:53Z")
You regularly see news stories and videos about beach houses that fall into the ocean due to storm surges and/or beach erosion. The ocean basically encroaches on the property and there your investment goes. What happen… --- ## [Is the Mormon practice of "soaking" a real thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mormon-practice-of-soaking-a-real-thing/1006223)
**Author:** [@MW\_Degen\_Gamblr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MW_Degen_Gamblr)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2024, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mormon-practice-of-soaking-a-real-thing/1006223 "2024-09-04T13:39:12Z")
description of a sexual practice hidden because this is the op“Soaking” is the act of a dude inserting his ding dong into a woman’s vagina without humping. Also known as “floating”. This is crazy. If anything, wouldn’t … --- ## [Any at-home ways to remove the outer sheath of outdoor extension cords to repurpose the internal wires?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-at-home-ways-to-remove-the-outer-sheath-of-outdoor-extension-cords-to-repurpose-the-internal-wires/1006645)
**Author:** [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2024, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-at-home-ways-to-remove-the-outer-sheath-of-outdoor-extension-cords-to-repurpose-the-internal-wires/1006645 "2024-09-04T12:16:53Z")
I have a few outdoor extension cords which are no longer usable due to cuts or whatever. Rather than throw them away, I’d like to remove the outer sheath so I can reuse 3 wires which make up the cord. However, it’s surpr… --- ## [My apologies to Stranger and the rest of the Board](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-apologies-to-stranger-and-the-rest-of-the-board/1006515)
**Author:** [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2024, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-apologies-to-stranger-and-the-rest-of-the-board/1006515 "2024-09-04T11:53:28Z")
I began to compose this as a private message, but instead chose here. As always, the Mods should move as deemed appropriate. I wish to extend my sincere apologies to @Stranger\_On\_A\_Train , and to the rest of the board.… --- ## [So what do I have to do to get my webpage listed on search engines?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-i-have-to-do-to-get-my-webpage-listed-on-search-engines/239730)
**Author:** [@chefIL11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chefIL11)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2024, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-i-have-to-do-to-get-my-webpage-listed-on-search-engines/239730 "2024-09-04T11:37:54Z")
well? --- ## [What's the original Anglo-Saxon word for "penis"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-original-anglo-saxon-word-for-penis/177458)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2024, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-original-anglo-saxon-word-for-penis/177458 "2024-09-04T11:01:41Z")
“Penis” is from Latin, and every other commonly used word for it in English is an obvious slang phrase. What was it’s proper name back in ye olde times? --- ## [Talk to me about Canasta](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talk-to-me-about-canasta/1005180)
**Author:** [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2024, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talk-to-me-about-canasta/1005180 "2024-09-04T10:56:34Z")
Just a few weeks ago, I learned to play Canasta, but only the classic rules. I’ve always enjoyed Rummy, so this is something I planned to do for years, but never got around to doing it. So far I’m only been able to play … --- ## [Amateur historians/sleuths. Help me guess what this number is scratched into my wall](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amateur-historians-sleuths-help-me-guess-what-this-number-is-scratched-into-my-wall/1006621)
**Author:** [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2024, 8:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amateur-historians-sleuths-help-me-guess-what-this-number-is-scratched-into-my-wall/1006621 "2024-09-04T08:57:43Z")
I moved house recently to an old house (at least 1800, probably earlier) with possibly even older garden walls and coach house. I haven’t done any serious research yet, too busy redecorating things, but there’s an intrig… --- ## [Using a voltage reference as input voltage protection](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-a-voltage-reference-as-input-voltage-protection/1005602)
**Author:** [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2024, 8:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-a-voltage-reference-as-input-voltage-protection/1005602 "2024-09-04T08:34:09Z")
I’m looking to fab some PCBs, and the place I’m looking at offers cheap assembly, as long as you stick to a limited set of components (a few thousand). One of the things I need is input voltage protection. I want to cl… --- ## [Say the weird thing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-the-weird-thing/1003065)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2024, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-the-weird-thing/1003065 "2024-09-04T07:37:07Z")
This is probably my favorite trend on Tiktok. So I’m stealing it and using it here because I thought it might be fun. Just say the weird thing: Sometimes when I avoid an accident. Like I tipped over a glass of tea but … --- ## [Mashed peas](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mashed-peas/1006696)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2024, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mashed-peas/1006696 "2024-09-04T00:24:08Z")
A very easy, tasty, inexpensive, and healthy recipe we’ve been doing a lot lately. Works as a side dish or a light vegetarian entree. 1 bag frozen peas (about a lb) 2 tbs butter (or more) Seasoning (we use Knorr chick… --- ## [Who would you include on a list of the 100 smartest human beings from 1900 to the present](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-you-include-on-a-list-of-the-100-smartest-human-beings-from-1900-to-the-present/1006534)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2024, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-you-include-on-a-list-of-the-100-smartest-human-beings-from-1900-to-the-present/1006534 "2024-09-04T00:15:45Z")
The reason I’m picking 1900 to the present is because I feel like before roughly that age, a lot of intelligent people never got the chance to use their talents. Maybe some super genius in China ended up being a farmer … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=484&state=tracking) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=486&state=tracking)