# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=53&state=muted [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 54 --- ## [Scientific American has been acquired by Scientific American, Inc](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientific-american-has-been-acquired-by-scientific-american-inc/1031886)
**Author:** [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2026, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientific-american-has-been-acquired-by-scientific-american-inc/1031886 "2026-07-25T00:39:30Z")
I’m an old-line print fanatic so I continue to subscribe to a bunch of magazines doing my part to keep them in print for at least a few more days. Today I got this email. Dear Friend of Scientific American, We are wr… --- ## [I just found out I had an unnerving Ambien sleepwalking episode last August](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-found-out-i-had-an-unnerving-ambien-sleepwalking-episode-last-august/1031817)
**Author:** [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2026, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-found-out-i-had-an-unnerving-ambien-sleepwalking-episode-last-august/1031817 "2026-07-25T00:30:30Z")
I was scrolling through Google Photos earlier this week looking for some vacation pics I took last year with my smartphone. I stopped scrolling when I saw about a dozen photos that were just black, plus 4 videos that we… --- ## [Jeana Keogh (1980s ZZ Top Girl) diagnosed with tongue cancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeana-keogh-1980s-zz-top-girl-diagnosed-with-tongue-cancer/1031881)
**Author:** [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2026, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeana-keogh-1980s-zz-top-girl-diagnosed-with-tongue-cancer/1031881 "2026-07-24T22:23:34Z")
Link. For those of us who remember, she was the brunette in the videos. Doesn’t sound particularly good. Kymberly Herrin, one of the blondes, died in 2020 of undisclosed causes, but her obit mentioned donating to brea… --- ## [Trump secretly activates a "Mystery Court"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-secretly-activates-a-mystery-court/1031784)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2026, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-secretly-activates-a-mystery-court/1031784 "2026-07-24T21:05:58Z")
It is called the “Alien Terrorist Removal Court”, established in 1996 and dormant…until now. Trump administration activates never-before-used ‘alien terrorist’ deportation court - POLITICO “The Trump administration has… --- ## [What's the deal with this YouTube channel? It's AI generated, right?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-this-youtube-channel-its-ai-generated-right/1031709)
**Author:** [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2026, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-this-youtube-channel-its-ai-generated-right/1031709 "2026-07-24T20:19:37Z")
Of late I’ve been listening to the “Sleepy Science” channel on Youtube. There are a zillion similar channels with similar names; the one I’m referring to produced this video, among others.. I like the channel, in that i… --- ## [Glasgow School of Art](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/glasgow-school-of-art/816292)
**Author:** [@bonzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bonzer)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2026, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/glasgow-school-of-art/816292 "2026-07-24T20:14:43Z")
Since it’s an ongoing news story, this could possibly go in MPIMS, but the fire that has destroyed Mackintosh’s art school is possibly the worst destruction of an important piece of architecture that I can remember in my… --- ## [Facebook question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-question/1031832)
**Author:** [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2026, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-question/1031832 "2026-07-24T17:11:14Z")
I do have a facebook account. I ONLY use it to check out pictures of our dogs when we have to board them on vacation. So if I go on facebook and search for someone, and find them, will that ping their account? Will they… --- ## [Smoke Detector Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smoke-detector-question/1031860)
**Author:** [@19USMC69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/19USMC69)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2026, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smoke-detector-question/1031860 "2026-07-24T16:54:39Z")
I’m replacing five 22 year old smoke detectors tomorrow. They are interconnected with 120 volt household current and battery backup. The new detectors can be installed individually or interconnected. If I were use the i… --- ## [Shots fired at White House Correspondents Dinner (Breaking News Thread)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shots-fired-at-white-house-correspondents-dinner-breaking-news-thread/1029558)
**Author:** [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2026, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shots-fired-at-white-house-correspondents-dinner-breaking-news-thread/1029558 "2026-07-24T13:33:10Z")
No one reported injured. First reports are the shots were fired just outside the ballroom. The President was evacuated and the dinner canceled. Trump will have a further statement later this evening. --- ## [Why am I suddenly unable to post URLs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-suddenly-unable-to-post-urls/1031883)
**Author:** [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2026, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-suddenly-unable-to-post-urls/1031883 "2026-07-24T12:44:19Z")
For at least a couple of days now, when I try to incorporate a URL into a sentence, the software changes it to the title of the linked article or phrase. Attempted example: Let’s say I want to \[url=" Can trackers be at… --- ## [Ongoing Prostate Cancer Treatment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-prostate-cancer-treatment/1019625)
**Author:** [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Replies:** 416\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2026, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-prostate-cancer-treatment/1019625 "2026-07-24T12:25:52Z")
How quickly should I know the results? I know that if caught early, prostate cancer is one of the most treatable cancers, but I’m still worried and nervous. I’ve been putting off think about this too much for a while, b… --- ## [Classical music that used a blues shuffle beat](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/classical-music-that-used-a-blues-shuffle-beat/1031802)
**Author:** [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2026, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/classical-music-that-used-a-blues-shuffle-beat/1031802 "2026-07-24T10:32:56Z")
Is there any classical music, say pre-1900, that used that classic blues shuffle beat? I think it’s a triplet beat that skips the middle note of the triplet, right? Or, maybe a 6/8 time signature that skips 2 and 5? A… --- ## [JD Vance, Usha Vance, and Erika Kirk](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jd-vance-usha-vance-and-erika-kirk/1024527)
**Author:** [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Replies:** 218\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2026, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jd-vance-usha-vance-and-erika-kirk/1024527 "2026-07-24T05:01:59Z")
This may shock you, but MAGA is not terribly fond of brown people or non-Christians even when they have republican/MAGA cred. For example, Vivek Ramaswamy, a recent republican presidential candidate and candidate for gov… --- ## [We now live in an alternate reality (The weirdest Mandela effect yet)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-now-live-in-an-alternate-reality-the-weirdest-mandela-effect-yet/1031829)
**Author:** [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2026, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-now-live-in-an-alternate-reality-the-weirdest-mandela-effect-yet/1031829 "2026-07-24T02:28:03Z")
There’s a scene in Moonraker where Jaws steps out of his escape pod after escaping from the shuttle and he meets a cute girl. I remember this girl wearing braces. This is apparently not true. This wouldn’t bother me so m… --- ## [Know anyone with a good nickname?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-anyone-with-a-good-nickname/1031795)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2026, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-anyone-with-a-good-nickname/1031795 "2026-07-23T21:32:36Z")
Celebrity, non-celebrity, whatever. Please give the reason for the nickname if it’s not obvious. Also helpful - if known personally, was the nickname used BTB (Behind Their Back) or TTF (To Their Face)? Mine: Baseball… --- ## [Breaking news: Minnesota assassin targeting Democrats 2025-06-14](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-minnesota-assassin-targeting-democrats-2025-06-14/1019626)
**Author:** [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Replies:** 136\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2026, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-minnesota-assassin-targeting-democrats-2025-06-14/1019626 "2026-07-23T21:30:55Z")
Yup, some MAGA type I’d assume is going after Democratic lawmakers and has shot two and their spouses. Unclear who if anyone has died. --- ## [The Business of Hollywood Sequels](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-business-of-hollywood-sequels/1031856)
**Author:** [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2026, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-business-of-hollywood-sequels/1031856 "2026-07-23T18:38:48Z")
Chronos forwarded an interesting hypothesis on a different thread. Namely, that successful movie franchises usually end with two final bad movies: a first bad movie where audiences watch it based purely on the reputation… --- ## [Getting a Watch Repaired](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-watch-repaired/1031842)
**Author:** [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2026, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-watch-repaired/1031842 "2026-07-23T18:19:46Z")
When my aunt said she was going to send me my uncle’s watch, I had no idea she was sending me something potentially worth thousands of dollars. It’s a 1979 Heuer Monnin 844 diving watch. It was the first diving watch t… --- ## [An airplane movie](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-airplane-movie/1031855)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2026, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-airplane-movie/1031855 "2026-07-23T18:04:22Z")
Just thought of this movie while fuming about the Qatari jet: a new design of a jet is sitting out on the tarmac, and a guy, possibly the designer, does whatever raises the nose gear. The nose crashes to the runway. A qu… --- ## [German translation in "Marathon Man" (1976)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/german-translation-in-marathon-man-1976/1031806)
**Author:** [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2026, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/german-translation-in-marathon-man-1976/1031806 "2026-07-23T17:59:35Z")
Not that it’s actually needed for the scene, but inquiring minds wanna know. Near the beginning of the movie a car driven by a man named Szell stalls, and an already highly POed motorist (Rosenbaum, whose car repairs ha… --- ## [Depositing checks in an ATM](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/depositing-checks-in-an-atm/1031815)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2026, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/depositing-checks-in-an-atm/1031815 "2026-07-23T16:56:56Z")
I typically deposit any checks in the ATM in front of my bank. But you can deposit a check anywhere, I’m pretty sure. So how do those checks get from an ATM across town back to my bank? Does the ATM sequester checks from… --- ## [Shove the Fumbler or Punishment in Olde London](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shove-the-fumbler-or-punishment-in-olde-london/447833)
**Author:** [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2026, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shove-the-fumbler-or-punishment-in-olde-london/447833 "2026-07-23T16:17:47Z")
You can now read the proceedings of the London courts from 1674-1913 online. These are the complete documents which include such things as punishments: Anybody know what “Shove the Fumbler” is? A google search is exa… --- ## [Are EM waves additive like sound waves? Or do they remain distinct?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-em-waves-additive-like-sound-waves-or-do-they-remain-distinct/1031648)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2026, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-em-waves-additive-like-sound-waves-or-do-they-remain-distinct/1031648 "2026-07-23T15:41:27Z")
Background: When two sonic sine waves of close frequency occur at the same time, we hear them as the average of the two frequencies, with the amplitude pulsing at the rate of the difference between the two frequencies (… --- ## [Tell me about Gothenburg Sweden](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-gothenburg-sweden/1031792)
**Author:** [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2026, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-gothenburg-sweden/1031792 "2026-07-23T14:39:08Z")
A friend and I are going to Gothenburg mid August. I’ve been looking stuff up, but I’m curious if any dopers have any ideas for stuff to do. I know @Charlie\_Tan is from that part of the world, though he doesn’t post here… --- ## [The Union was able to draft slaves in the Civil War?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-union-was-able-to-draft-slaves-in-the-civil-war/1031753)
**Author:** [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2026, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-union-was-able-to-draft-slaves-in-the-civil-war/1031753 "2026-07-23T12:37:31Z")
I’ve been doing some genealogical research in some local papers. I found a draft list from The Valley Register of Middletown Maryland from May 20, 1864. I was just skimming the list to see what names I may know, when at … --- ## [Would a neighbor's clover lawn upset you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-neighbors-clover-lawn-upset-you/1031439)
**Author:** [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2026, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-neighbors-clover-lawn-upset-you/1031439 "2026-07-23T04:49:12Z")
Would you be upset if your neighbor pulled up all their grass and planted miniature clover instead? It feels like the perfect answer to the “lawn problem” to me. Miniature clovers need mowing at most a couple of times … --- ## [Please recommend a portable AC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-portable-ac/1031839)
**Author:** [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2026, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-portable-ac/1031839 "2026-07-23T03:34:56Z")
My portable air conditioner is nonfunctional. (It was a hunk o’ junk from a popular brand name–think Very Cold Air.) It’s in the 90s, and I don’t do well with heat. I live in a second floor apartment and can’t have a win… --- ## [Can trackers be attached to a device?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-trackers-be-attached-to-a-device/1031503)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2026, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-trackers-be-attached-to-a-device/1031503 "2026-07-23T01:22:49Z")
I have a problem. My, wife, whose memory is failing, repeatedly lays her e-reader down in some random place, piles papers on top and then cannot find it. Sometimes it takes me an hour to locate it. So I thought of atta… --- ## [Literally, seriously so ok, really and truly \[found bin full of spice jars and shakers in pantry\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literally-seriously-so-ok-really-and-truly-found-bin-full-of-spice-jars-and-shakers-in-pantry/1031847)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2026, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literally-seriously-so-ok-really-and-truly-found-bin-full-of-spice-jars-and-shakers-in-pantry/1031847 "2026-07-22T22:22:44Z")
I wandered into the pantry to count my protein drinks. I noticed a clear bin that’s new. Full of small spice jars and shakers. I pull it down one shelf to look-see. I counted 9 little jars of cinnamon. Varying levels. … --- ## [Toy Story 5: Rise of the LLMs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toy-story-5-rise-of-the-llms/1024790)
**Author:** [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2026, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toy-story-5-rise-of-the-llms/1024790 "2026-07-22T21:45:10Z")
Toy Story is on tap for summer, 2026, and it looks like the main cast will all be back! Logline: Bonnie is going to get a new toy called Lily Pad, a touchpad ‘friend’ who will try to separate her from her other toys. #Me… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=52&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=54&state=muted)