# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=51&state=muted [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 52 --- ## [Anyone here still not have a smartphone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-here-still-not-have-a-smartphone/1014428)
**Author:** [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Replies:** 189\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2026, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-here-still-not-have-a-smartphone/1014428 "2026-07-29T03:20:30Z")
Just wondering if anyone has made it this far without one and if so how do you handle all the things in daily life that kind of force you into one? --- ## [Are the muppets the reason names like Kermit and Grover have become archaic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-muppets-the-reason-names-like-kermit-and-grover-have-become-archaic/1029219)
**Author:** [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Replies:** 162\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2026, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-muppets-the-reason-names-like-kermit-and-grover-have-become-archaic/1029219 "2026-07-29T00:46:03Z")
In the thread about things that became ubiquitous and then died out, I mentioned names, like Buffy. But older examples of perfectly acceptable names that have become largely extinct are Kermit, Grover, Elmo, and Oscar. … --- ## [Are there any good conservative commentators?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-good-conservative-commentators/1031949)
**Author:** [@Colesy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colesy)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2026, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-good-conservative-commentators/1031949 "2026-07-28T23:00:53Z")
It may sound like a strange and short sighted question, but just humour me. I am concretely situated on the left for a vast majority of issues, however i do hold the perspective that debate and the exchange of ideas is … --- ## [Two networks, one station. (NBC-CBS shakeup weirdness.)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-networks-one-station-nbc-cbs-shakeup-weirdness/1031974)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2026, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-networks-one-station-nbc-cbs-shakeup-weirdness/1031974 "2026-07-28T21:33:47Z")
A bit of a weird TV situation in my area. Here NBC has been carried on Channel 4 since 1953, and CBS has been carried on Channel 7 since 1956. Suddenly and with little advance notice Channel 7 is dropping CBS and becomin… --- ## [Polynesians traveled West from South America?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polynesians-traveled-west-from-south-america/1031192)
**Author:** [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2026, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polynesians-traveled-west-from-south-america/1031192 "2026-07-28T20:04:06Z")
I just read this. Sweet potato was taken from its American homeland by Polynesians who introduced it into many Pacifc islands and New Zealand about 1000 years ago. The only thing I previously read about Polynesians t… --- ## [Cars with biometric surveillance of the driver--experiences?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cars-with-biometric-surveillance-of-the-driver-experiences/1030634)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2026, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cars-with-biometric-surveillance-of-the-driver-experiences/1030634 "2026-07-28T18:08:57Z")
All new cars sold in America will soon be required to be spies, performing nonstop biometric surveillance on the driver. 1.Is this only an American requirement, or will it become the international standard? 2.Does any… --- ## [Refrigerator recommendations?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refrigerator-recommendations/1031922)
**Author:** [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2026, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refrigerator-recommendations/1031922 "2026-07-28T18:01:31Z")
About 2 years ago I bought a GE refrigerator. I have never been more unhappy with a refrigerator than with this thing. It’s very loud, but more importantly, the functionality is crap. When the temperature is set to 38 de… --- ## [Sid Kroft has died](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sid-kroft-has-died/1029264)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2026, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sid-kroft-has-died/1029264 "2026-07-28T17:40:08Z")
Sid and Marty Kroft were responsible for some of the weirdest, most imaginative kids shows in the 1970’s. Their creativity still influences programs today. --- ## [I've heard this song before](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-heard-this-song-before/1031979)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2026, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-heard-this-song-before/1031979 "2026-07-28T16:22:55Z")
Over the years, he would keep hearing those four notes elsewhere. He first noticed it with “Apt.,” 2024’s hit song by Rosé and Bruno Mars. Then he heard it throughout K-pop, American pop, dance music, indie records an… --- ## [Does anybody recognize these products in a Zillow photo?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anybody-recognize-these-products-in-a-zillow-photo/1031901)
**Author:** [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2026, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anybody-recognize-these-products-in-a-zillow-photo/1031901 "2026-07-28T16:06:51Z")
This is one of those crazy things you see when flipping through Zillow. At first glance this bathroom looks like a pharmacy wall. But then you realize that most of the boxes and bottles look alike. Is it some sort of … --- ## [The Surreptitious Bird](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-surreptitious-bird/1031715)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2026, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-surreptitious-bird/1031715 "2026-07-28T15:26:43Z")
It’s not uncommon – at least since the 1960s – for one character in a movie to express his or her displeasure with another by “flipping the bird” – i.e. “giving them The Finger”. It’s shown overtly often enough. But I’ve… --- ## [Was Hiroshima necessary?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-hiroshima-necessary/1031923)
**Author:** [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2026, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-hiroshima-necessary/1031923 "2026-07-28T14:20:19Z")
The options were to the USA (and the Allied powers- which didnt know about the Bomb of course)- Invasion- lots of casualties- Depending on the scope and context, casualty estimates for American forces ranged from 220… --- ## [Political/religious things people would admit if it weren't for social consequence](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/political-religious-things-people-would-admit-if-it-werent-for-social-consequence/1031213)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2026, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/political-religious-things-people-would-admit-if-it-werent-for-social-consequence/1031213 "2026-07-28T07:22:25Z")
I feel a lot of religious people would admit openly, “Yeah, the argument for God’s existence is pretty weak and a lot of things our religion teaches are quite questionable” if it weren’t for the immense social penalty th… --- ## [Bill Oddie dies at 85](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-oddie-dies-at-85/1031954)
**Author:** [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2026, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-oddie-dies-at-85/1031954 "2026-07-28T05:55:06Z")
First reports are coming in of the death of comedy legend and (no longer) national living treasure, Bill Oddie. He was one of the Goodies, a British comedy trio who were massively influential in the 1970s. Tim Brooke-T… --- ## [107 Days (Kamala's campaign diary)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/107-days-kamalas-campaign-diary/1023783)
**Author:** [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2026, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/107-days-kamalas-campaign-diary/1023783 "2026-07-28T04:34:10Z")
Just finished Kamala’s book….a few notes. It’s fairly candid, but it will be an actual historian/journalist who writes a complete unvarnished account of the 2024 presidential campaign. This isn’t it. She is bitter abo… --- ## [Anyone else remember the alternate ending to "Big"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-remember-the-alternate-ending-to-big/103864)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 1068\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2026, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-remember-the-alternate-ending-to-big/103864 "2026-07-28T04:21:08Z")
I was telling a friend the other day that I remembered the Tom Hanks movie ending different when I was younger. I saw it on video when it first came out and swear there is a different ending. In the version we all have … --- ## [What's the best place to be for an atheist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-place-to-be-for-an-atheist/1031925)
**Author:** [@PlaceboTarget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlaceboTarget)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2026, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-place-to-be-for-an-atheist/1031925 "2026-07-28T04:01:06Z")
France, in my opinion. In France, freedom of belief is protected while the state is required to remain neutral and to limit religious expression in many public institutions. Moreover, France restricts public displays of … --- ## [What's the temperature where you are -- July 2026 edition](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-temperature-where-you-are-july-2026-edition/1031864)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2026, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-temperature-where-you-are-july-2026-edition/1031864 "2026-07-28T02:52:42Z")
Give your general (or specific) location. San Antonio, Texas, 9:00 pm and it’s 95 (35C) on my weather station hanging on the bird feeder outside here at The Home. Even for us, that’s HOT this late at night. So walk in … --- ## [Looking for a 1970s era kids craft book](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-1970s-era-kids-craft-book/1031924)
**Author:** [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2026, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-1970s-era-kids-craft-book/1031924 "2026-07-28T02:47:29Z")
Just saw a scene in a movie in whixh Fred Astaire makes a “beanstalk” out of a rolled-up newspaper which reminded me of a Scholastic Books book from the 1970s that explained how to make those things and other paper craft… --- ## [SI Sportsperson of the Year 2026](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/si-sportsperson-of-the-year-2026/1031968)
**Author:** [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2026, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/si-sportsperson-of-the-year-2026/1031968 "2026-07-28T01:14:09Z")
Okay, it’s a little early for this, but as I just started a thread for Time’s Person of the Year, I thought I would start this one as well. Normally, the choice would be obvious - one or more persons representing the Ne… --- ## [Father-son advice needed: Is it too late to get to know my dad better?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/father-son-advice-needed-is-it-too-late-to-get-to-know-my-dad-better/1023938)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2026, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/father-son-advice-needed-is-it-too-late-to-get-to-know-my-dad-better/1023938 "2026-07-28T00:20:53Z")
(Sorry for the length here. And mods, please feel free to move to MPSIMS if it’s better there.) My father is getting up there in age, and I don’t really know how much longer he has. I would like to try to get know him a… --- ## [Neuromancer on Apple TV](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neuromancer-on-apple-tv/1031965)
**Author:** [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2026, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neuromancer-on-apple-tv/1031965 "2026-07-27T23:47:21Z")
The top entry of my “why isn’t this book a movie/show already” is finally happening. Neuromancer is coming to Apple TV in January 2027 as a 10-episode series. It might be awful, but for now I’m over the moon excited for … --- ## [Did French civilians in Normandy not celebrate D-Day for decades?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-french-civilians-in-normandy-not-celebrate-d-day-for-decades/1031927)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2026, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-french-civilians-in-normandy-not-celebrate-d-day-for-decades/1031927 "2026-07-27T21:45:43Z")
A claim ive seen here and there online for a few decades now is that “In the aftermath of D-Day most French civilians living in Normandy never celebrated or took part in memorials for American/Allied soldiers because of … --- ## [How is the Smoke From the Canada Forest Fires Where You Are?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-smoke-from-the-canada-forest-fires-where-you-are/1031745)
**Author:** [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2026, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-smoke-from-the-canada-forest-fires-where-you-are/1031745 "2026-07-27T20:39:51Z")
We’re code purple in the DC area, which is pretty bad. It was very noticeable when I took the dog out for his walk around 7. We went out again for a few minutes and I wore a mask. It’s less hot than it’s been the last… --- ## [(Old) How often do you change passwords - a secure MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-how-often-do-you-change-passwords-a-secure-mmp/1031803)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 339\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2026, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-how-often-do-you-change-passwords-a-secure-mmp/1031803 "2026-07-27T19:56:32Z")
I went thru a minor panic last night - I couldn’t access my main email (the one I use for banking, bill-paying, and all significant correspondence.) Immediate fear was a hack for reasons, but, unfortunately before I did … --- ## [The Feared Foot Fungus Fork (Or: Carnival cruise passenger caught on video scratching her foot with a fork)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-feared-foot-fungus-fork-or-carnival-cruise-passenger-caught-on-video-scratching-her-foot-with-a-fork/1031895)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2026, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-feared-foot-fungus-fork-or-carnival-cruise-passenger-caught-on-video-scratching-her-foot-with-a-fork/1031895 "2026-07-27T19:13:09Z")
You may or may not have heard, by now, that a woman has gone viral for using a fork to scratch her foot whilst on a Carnival cruise ship. What’s more, people who have watched the video closely have noted that she appears… --- ## [America (USA)- themed clothing. Do you still wear it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-usa-themed-clothing-do-you-still-wear-it/1031662)
**Author:** [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2026, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-usa-themed-clothing-do-you-still-wear-it/1031662 "2026-07-27T17:01:50Z")
I have an American-flag t-shirt I bought in Yellowstone a long time ago. It’s a wonderful pattern - the flag is made of animals found in the park. It used to be one of my favorite shirts, and I would wear it on the 4th,… --- ## [Leopold Aschenbrenner's article about the near term future of AI, what do other people think of his predictions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leopold-aschenbrenners-article-about-the-near-term-future-of-ai-what-do-other-people-think-of-his-predictions/1009388)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2026, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leopold-aschenbrenners-article-about-the-near-term-future-of-ai-what-do-other-people-think-of-his-predictions/1009388 "2026-07-27T16:33:48Z")
Aschenbrenner is a wunderkind (for lack of a better word) who worked for OpenAI on the superalignment team. The article is very long, about 160 pages. So I don’t expect people to read it. A short synopsis is this. A… --- ## [MLB- June 2026](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-june-2026/1030608)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2026, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-june-2026/1030608 "2026-07-27T15:32:25Z")
Wow! Ohtani pitching against the D-backs and was really wild with Nolan Arenado. --- ## [I am sorry to be slacking](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-sorry-to-be-slacking/1030732)
**Author:** [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2026, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-sorry-to-be-slacking/1030732 "2026-07-27T15:28:45Z")
That;s basically what I need to say. I haven;'t kept up as Deathmistress, I haven;t sent the postcards yet and I haven’t responded to some PM’s It’s all my fault,I’ve kind of had a depressive mood lately. Talked to … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=50&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=52&state=muted)