# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=52&state=muted [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 53 --- ## [Time Travel in fiction](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-travel-in-fiction/1019240)
**Author:** [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Replies:** 253\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2026, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-travel-in-fiction/1019240 "2026-07-27T14:45:24Z")
A thread on “stuff people get wrong in movies” engendered an enthusiastic discussion of time travel, which didn’t belong there, but seemed like it might want to continue. So I’m moving it here. --- ## [Miracle Max's door](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miracle-maxs-door/1031193)
**Author:** [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2026, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miracle-maxs-door/1031193 "2026-07-27T13:08:47Z")
In The Princess Bride, after Inigo knocks on Miracle Max’s door Max opens a little door in the door to see who’s knocking. What is the name of that little door in the door? --- ## [What kind of reflections are dangerous with a 2W green laser?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-reflections-are-dangerous-with-a-2w-green-laser/1031919)
**Author:** [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2026, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-reflections-are-dangerous-with-a-2w-green-laser/1031919 "2026-07-27T13:01:26Z")
A student was talking about getting a 2W green laser, because of course burning things with a laser sounds cool. I looked up problems with this idea, and found out about laser protective goggles. I also saw that they eli… --- ## [Should AI splooge be treated the same as copyrighted materials on the Dope?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-ai-splooge-be-treated-the-same-as-copyrighted-materials-on-the-dope/1031830)
**Author:** [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2026, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-ai-splooge-be-treated-the-same-as-copyrighted-materials-on-the-dope/1031830 "2026-07-27T11:29:55Z")
It’s no secret that Algorithmic Artificial Intelligence platforms vacuum up copyrighted materials and barf out an approximate imitation of human discourse. The rules on this board have always forbidden posting more than … --- ## [I Pit websites that don’t tell you the price](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-websites-that-don-t-tell-you-the-price/1031812)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2026, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-websites-that-don-t-tell-you-the-price/1031812 "2026-07-27T03:02:21Z")
I’m in the market for a lower cost alternative to traditional personal watercraft (PWC’s), and the YouTube algorithm has seen fit to show me these electric mini boats from China that the YouTuber ordered through website… --- ## [Witty suggestions for a "dishwasher is on" sign](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witty-suggestions-for-a-dishwasher-is-on-sign/1031821)
**Author:** [@Latimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Latimera)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2026, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witty-suggestions-for-a-dishwasher-is-on-sign/1031821 "2026-07-27T02:59:01Z")
When we run our dishwasher we place a sign on the handle to alert the rest of the family that it is on or that the dishes are clean but unloaded (hint hint). We have been doing this for several years. The first sign said… --- ## [Electric aircraft -- current range? and what is this aircraft?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-aircraft-current-range-and-what-is-this-aircraft/1023726)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2026, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-aircraft-current-range-and-what-is-this-aircraft/1023726 "2026-07-27T01:30:42Z")
I got to wondering about the current state of Electric Aviation and what is the best range on a single charge. I couldn’t find much bacause most of the google hits were for EVTOL aircraft. Those might get 100 miles, alth… --- ## [Soft-boiled egg time](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-boiled-egg-time/1000389)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2026, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-boiled-egg-time/1000389 "2026-07-26T23:05:02Z")
I mentioned this in another thread, but I want a perfect soft-boiled egg. ‘Perfect’ means that the white is completely set, and the yolk is runny. So how do I make them? We generally have ‘jumbo’ eggs. If we can’t ge… --- ## [Book ID](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-id/679665)
**Author:** [@TheZenPaperboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheZenPaperboy)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2026, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-id/679665 "2026-07-26T22:47:11Z")
There was this book I read part of in a magazine that was an oral history type of the white collar world. The time frame was between 1985 and 1988. I do not remember what the magazine was. Maybe Harpers or The Atlantic. … --- ## [The DNC is broke and in total disarray - NYT](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dnc-is-broke-and-in-total-disarray-nyt/1031932)
**Author:** [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2026, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dnc-is-broke-and-in-total-disarray-nyt/1031932 "2026-07-26T18:19:27Z")
As happens all to often the Democrats appear poised to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, at least according to this article from today’s NYT - Phone throwing drama at the troubled, broke Democratic Party (free gift… --- ## [What's the utility to Iran's regime of practical, all-out as opposed to rhetorical enmity towards Israel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-utility-to-irans-regime-of-practical-all-out-as-opposed-to-rhetorical-enmity-towards-israel/1031853)
**Author:** [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2026, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-utility-to-irans-regime-of-practical-all-out-as-opposed-to-rhetorical-enmity-towards-israel/1031853 "2026-07-26T14:41:03Z")
The Iranian leadership has for a long time struck out at Israel, by proxies as well as directly. I do get the political benefit to a ruling elite, in Iran and other middle eastern countries of professing antisemitism an… --- ## [Why is Tesla's market cap so high?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-teslas-market-cap-so-high/1011594)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 302\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2026, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-teslas-market-cap-so-high/1011594 "2026-07-26T06:47:56Z")
I still can’t figure this out. Tesla’s market cap is 1.31 trillion now. Fords market cap is 41 billion. Honda is 44 billion. GM is 57 billion. Their cars aren’t anything amazing, and lots of companies are putting out … --- ## [If your TV remote has preprogrammed buttons for streaming services, how many of them do you use?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-your-tv-remote-has-preprogrammed-buttons-for-streaming-services-how-many-of-them-do-you-use/1031820)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2026, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-your-tv-remote-has-preprogrammed-buttons-for-streaming-services-how-many-of-them-do-you-use/1031820 "2026-07-26T03:31:45Z")
My Vizio remote has Vudu, Netflix, Amazon, Xumo, Crackle, and I Heart Radio. I use Netflix and Amazon. I have no idea what Vudu, Xumo, and Crackle are. I never use I Heart Radio. --- ## [NJ MVC registered 6600 non-citizens to vote 3 years ago](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-mvc-registered-6600-non-citizens-to-vote-3-years-ago/1031834)
**Author:** [@Thumper668](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thumper668)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2026, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-mvc-registered-6600-non-citizens-to-vote-3-years-ago/1031834 "2026-07-26T01:28:12Z")
Oh lovely. This is going to do nothing but fuel the MAGA conspiracy theories. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill posted the following on Facebook a few hours ago : Gov. Sherrill’s Facebook page Last week I learned t… --- ## [Favorite short stories](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-short-stories/1030512)
**Author:** [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Replies:** 110\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2026, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-short-stories/1030512 "2026-07-26T01:00:59Z")
I was in a discussion with friends about our favorite short stories and there wasn’t a single person who could come up with an absolute favorite. We had to narrow it down to a favorite by different authors. I have six… --- ## [White House Correspondents Dinner redux](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-correspondents-dinner-redux/1031903)
**Author:** [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2026, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-correspondents-dinner-redux/1031903 "2026-07-26T00:17:51Z")
Continuing the discussion from Shots fired at White House Correspondents Dinner (Breaking News Thread): The rescheduled dinner is taking place tonight. I was watching the awards and it was hilarious seeing Trump squirm … --- ## [The Stand - 2020 miniseries (possible spoilers)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-stand-2020-miniseries-possible-spoilers/928275)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2026, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-stand-2020-miniseries-possible-spoilers/928275 "2026-07-25T23:09:24Z")
Premiering today on CBS All Access - looks good! Previous thread on the 1994 miniseries: The Old 'The Stand' Mini-series casting and a couple of observations And see: --- ## [Fuck Kristi "Puppy Killer" Noem (descriptions of animal cruelty in OP)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-kristi-puppy-killer-noem-descriptions-of-animal-cruelty-in-op/1000808)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 1038\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2026, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-kristi-puppy-killer-noem-descriptions-of-animal-cruelty-in-op/1000808 "2026-07-25T23:06:39Z")
One of the leading Trump VP contenders just admitted to shooting their 14 month old dog: Noem describes calling Cricket, then using an electronic collar to attempt to bring her under control. Nothing worked. Then, on … --- ## [Extremely weird sentences from the SDMB (w/out its orig. context)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-weird-sentences-from-the-sdmb-w-out-its-orig-context/1025109)
**Author:** [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2026, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-weird-sentences-from-the-sdmb-w-out-its-orig-context/1025109 "2026-07-25T22:37:59Z")
. “ I spent a year running the tongue saw at a slaughter house…” --- ## [A scene from Homer's Odyssey](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-scene-from-homers-odyssey/1031920)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2026, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-scene-from-homers-odyssey/1031920 "2026-07-25T22:01:13Z")
I started listening to an audiobook of The Odyssey. Not far into it there is an account of Odysseus sneaking into Troy and wandering around dressed as a beggar. The goal is to steal the Palladium, an object sacred to Ath… --- ## [Water, water, everywhere?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-water-everywhere/1030930)
**Author:** [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2026, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-water-everywhere/1030930 "2026-07-25T21:38:25Z")
My wife and I left for a vacation last Tuesday morning, driving for 7 hours to a nice VRBO rental. We’re all settled in and having a great time. On Wednesday afternoon I checked my email and noticed a message that my wat… --- ## [Which will heat the house more: braising pot roast in the oven, or on top of the stove?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-will-heat-the-house-more-braising-pot-roast-in-the-oven-or-on-top-of-the-stove/1031748)
**Author:** [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2026, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-will-heat-the-house-more-braising-pot-roast-in-the-oven-or-on-top-of-the-stove/1031748 "2026-07-25T20:03:35Z")
I have a nice chunk of chuck roast I want to braise, then shred for stuffing into taquitos. But the weather is hot, so I want to choose the least house-heating method. Which should I do - turn on the oven to braise it,… --- ## [Theory: Trump \*wants\* to lose the midterm elections](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theory-trump-wants-to-lose-the-midterm-elections/1030365)
**Author:** [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2026, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theory-trump-wants-to-lose-the-midterm-elections/1030365 "2026-07-25T17:57:18Z")
So I’m reading this article this morning: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2026/5/24/800042530/series/republicans-secretly-seethe-over-trumps-midterms-meddling/ And it has this key quote: “I believe that there are pe… --- ## [Have you used Invisalign or similar?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-used-invisalign-or-similar/1031843)
**Author:** [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2026, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-used-invisalign-or-similar/1031843 "2026-07-25T15:23:49Z")
I’m interested to read about your experiences with Invisalign or other clear tray aligners (tray-style braces), especially in adulthood. Thanks. --- ## [Looking for "Star Fleet" tv series](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-star-fleet-tv-series/1031877)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2026, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-star-fleet-tv-series/1031877 "2026-07-25T14:03:53Z")
Checking out the new Time Portal TV on Roku, and a series titled “Star Fleet” just popped up. Supermarionation-type show set in the future, and I can’t find it on Wiki or IMDb. Somebody clue me in. --- ## [Dragnet—a new rant about an old show](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dragnet-a-new-rant-about-an-old-show/1031668)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2026, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dragnet-a-new-rant-about-an-old-show/1031668 "2026-07-25T12:56:57Z")
I’ve been seeing a lot of Dragnet lately on MeTV and without a doubt it has the worst dialogue writing and delivery I’ve ever seen on a successful show. Everyone talks at a rate like they are trying to squeeze an hour’s … --- ## [King of the Hill season 14](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/king-of-the-hill-season-14/1020709)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2026, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/king-of-the-hill-season-14/1020709 "2026-07-25T10:32:48Z")
The trailer is out --- ## [Teeth Issues and Burning Mouth Syndrome](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teeth-issues-and-burning-mouth-syndrome/1031906)
**Author:** [@Sticks\_and\_Scones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sticks_and_Scones)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2026, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teeth-issues-and-burning-mouth-syndrome/1031906 "2026-07-25T04:13:09Z")
Wow. This is the second thread I’ve started today! I was diagnosed with Burning Mouth Syndrome a couple of years ago. Suffice it to say that it’s no fun. And after I had my gallbladder out my teeth started to deteriorat… --- ## [iPad not charging - what's the logic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipad-not-charging-whats-the-logic/1031871)
**Author:** [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2026, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipad-not-charging-whats-the-logic/1031871 "2026-07-25T02:41:25Z")
My iPad sometimes says “not charging” even when plugged in. I can sometimes guess why this might be - connected to a computer, etc. But in this case, it charges when on but once the cover is closed it won’t charge. Why?… --- ## [Navel Oranges are so much better today](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/navel-oranges-are-so-much-better-today/1031861)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2026, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/navel-oranges-are-so-much-better-today/1031861 "2026-07-25T00:42:36Z")
I quit buying oranges for several years. Peeling was such a chore and I disliked the bitter, thick white stuff. I’ve bought Navel Oranges (every week) from Walmart this summer. They peel easily. There’s no need to score… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=51&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=53&state=muted)