# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=562&state=tracking [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 563 --- ## [Am I the only one annoyed at the term "compute"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-annoyed-at-the-term-compute/1000492)
**Author:** [@nate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nate)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2024, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-annoyed-at-the-term-compute/1000492 "2024-05-17T22:47:13Z")
I guess I’m firmly in old man territory now but every time I read or hear the usage of “compute” to describe computer capability I just get a little triggered. I think it’s because I remember it being used back in the 80… --- ## [Have you been inside the Sydney Opera House?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-been-inside-the-sydney-opera-house/1001485)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2024, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-been-inside-the-sydney-opera-house/1001485 "2024-05-17T21:12:08Z")
I was rereading The Phantom of the Opera, and it made me wonder where else a Phantom could hide. Naturally, the Sydney Opera House sprang to mind, but I’ve never been there and have only seen pictures. Is it mazelike at … --- ## [Leaving purchases in the (virtual) cart](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-purchases-in-the-virtual-cart/1001650)
**Author:** [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulf_the_Unwashed)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2024, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-purchases-in-the-virtual-cart/1001650 "2024-05-17T21:00:36Z")
I expect some of you have experienced this/figured this out already, but I am pleased with myself about it, and if you don’t know, it might (or might not) be useful to you. A while back I created a couple of documents a… --- ## [GPT-4o is amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gpt-4o-is-amazing/1001683)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2024, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gpt-4o-is-amazing/1001683 "2024-05-17T20:22:22Z")
Thia video showcases the capabilities of GPT-4o. It can chat, sing, converse with other AIs, describe and give opinions on images, work as a translator, teach math, and much more. Its bubbling with personality, but mayb… --- ## [Plumbers- what is this device?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbers-what-is-this-device/1001671)
**Author:** [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2024, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbers-what-is-this-device/1001671 "2024-05-17T20:01:46Z")
I had to go into the crawl space on a house we just bought. It’s a mess. I noticed this odd plumbing fixture. I’ve never seen one before- is it some type of trap, with a drain plug? It appears to attach to a bathtub dra… --- ## [What's the earliest song with lyrics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-earliest-song-with-lyrics/1001450)
**Author:** [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2024, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-earliest-song-with-lyrics/1001450 "2024-05-17T18:47:51Z")
Seems to me like lyrics are a (relatively) modern part of music. I’m curious what is the oldest known song with lyrics? Do we know if the oral tradition of storytelling often involved music? Was there ever a time in huma… --- ## [High school reunion dating](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-school-reunion-dating/1001634)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2024, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-school-reunion-dating/1001634 "2024-05-17T18:23:39Z")
As everyone knows, High School reunions are typically associated with the Homecoming football game, which suggests that they’re logically going to happen in the fall. My daughter graduated in June of 2014. Will her 10-ye… --- ## [What arguments would you use to convince someone that God really does exist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-arguments-would-you-use-to-convince-someone-that-god-really-does-exist/1000101)
**Author:** [@philipdalton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/philipdalton)\ **Replies:** 653\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2024, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-arguments-would-you-use-to-convince-someone-that-god-really-does-exist/1000101 "2024-05-17T18:11:12Z")
Would you cite the appearance of things in nature having been designed as evidence, or the fulfillment of Biblical prophecies in our modern age? --- ## [The Stormy case is no big deal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-stormy-case-is-no-big-deal/1001626)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2024, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-stormy-case-is-no-big-deal/1001626 "2024-05-17T13:20:49Z")
Continuing the discussion from Manhattan Prosecutors file criminal charges for Trump re Stormy Daniels case - ongoing discussion here: In the linked post, CoolHanndCox states simply that he doesn’t think it’s a big d… --- ## [Military Aircraft Designations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-aircraft-designations/1001608)
**Author:** [@EnolaStraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnolaStraight)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2024, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-aircraft-designations/1001608 "2024-05-17T11:58:37Z")
What makes an Attack aircraft different from a Fighter? --- ## ["Old-personisms" that have sneakily snuck into your habits or vocabulary](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-personisms-that-have-sneakily-snuck-into-your-habits-or-vocabulary/978111)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 324\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2024, 9:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-personisms-that-have-sneakily-snuck-into-your-habits-or-vocabulary/978111 "2024-05-17T09:53:55Z")
I think it’s pretty common, as we get into late middle age and full-on old age, to have a set “mental age”, an age that we feel like we are inside, even though we’re perfectly aware of how old we actually are. I’m 58, n… --- ## [Is Artificial Intelligence (AI) plagiarizing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-artificial-intelligence-ai-plagiarizing/994299)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2024, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-artificial-intelligence-ai-plagiarizing/994299 "2024-05-17T08:19:37Z")
From this post @puzzlegal suggested a new thread about this so…here it is. Artificial Intelligence is often accused of plagiarism. The notion being that it cannot “create” on its own but must, instead, draw on what has… --- ## [Florida, Alabama and lab-grown meat](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-alabama-and-lab-grown-meat/1001508)
**Author:** [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2024, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-alabama-and-lab-grown-meat/1001508 "2024-05-17T06:22:55Z")
Oh FFS! “Florida is fighting back against the global elite’s plan to force the world to eat meat grown in a petri dish or bugs to achieve their authoritarian goals,” the DeSantis added. Naively, I thought that lab-gr… --- ## [Pharmacies, Doctor's Offices, Fax tag, and the Collapse of the Known Universe](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pharmacies-doctors-offices-fax-tag-and-the-collapse-of-the-known-universe/1001604)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2024, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pharmacies-doctors-offices-fax-tag-and-the-collapse-of-the-known-universe/1001604 "2024-05-17T02:13:34Z")
Where to start: The last time one of my many prescriptions needed a refill, my regular gastro, let’s call him Doctor A, was unavailable, so Doctor B (presumably from the same office) sent a new prescription to my local C… --- ## [What Academy Award winning actor carried a candy bar in the pocket of his suit at all times?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-academy-award-winning-actor-carried-a-candy-bar-in-the-pocket-of-his-suit-at-all-times/578644)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2024, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-academy-award-winning-actor-carried-a-candy-bar-in-the-pocket-of-his-suit-at-all-times/578644 "2024-05-17T00:27:12Z")
I tried Googling this, but can’t find it. Anyone heard of this? My wife is reading a book and part of the book is about the power of food and how some people are deeply affected by food-related fears. In the book it say… --- ## [Let's talk about the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) lifestyle](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-the-fire-financial-independence-retire-early-lifestyle/995946)
**Author:** [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Replies:** 161\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2024, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-the-fire-financial-independence-retire-early-lifestyle/995946 "2024-05-17T00:18:01Z")
FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) came up a bunch of times in another about people not working, but I don’t want to hijack that thread by focusing on FIRE. The theory goes that if you aggressively save as much… --- ## [More dining topics - table or booth and the history of booths](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-dining-topics-table-or-booth-and-the-history-of-booths/1001507)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2024, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-dining-topics-table-or-booth-and-the-history-of-booths/1001507 "2024-05-16T23:51:20Z")
We always get a booth. More privacy. It just seems nicer. The only exception is when I take several of the grandkids out to eat and a larger table is best. My son has 8 children. 7 of them are girls. Their dining room t… --- ## [Forest Gump 30 Year Anniversary Box of Chocolates](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forest-gump-30-year-anniversary-box-of-chocolates/1001656)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2024, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forest-gump-30-year-anniversary-box-of-chocolates/1001656 "2024-05-16T23:38:55Z")
I got mine, yum! Made by Russel Stover. However, I think they missed a chance to teach one of Forest’s life lessons. Despite the famous quote being printed on the cover you do in fact know what you are going to get becau… --- ## [Has anyone ever stayed at the hotel at a native American casino?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-stayed-at-the-hotel-at-a-native-american-casino/1001621)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2024, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-stayed-at-the-hotel-at-a-native-american-casino/1001621 "2024-05-16T23:06:30Z")
I live in Southern California and there’s a fair number of Native American casinos that are clearly trying to compete with Las Vegas, with giant 20 story hotel towers and all sorts of amenities in the casino complex like… --- ## [Filmfax - Classic Sci-Fi & Horror Film Magazine](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/filmfax-classic-sci-fi-horror-film-magazine/1001643)
**Author:** [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2024, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/filmfax-classic-sci-fi-horror-film-magazine/1001643 "2024-05-16T17:59:08Z")
I’ve been selling copies of Filmfax and Filmfax Outre magazine on eBay and thought Dopers might be interested. Every issue has pristine pages and comes bagged & boarded. The more issues you buy at once, the more you save… --- ## [What's that, you say? What's growing in my garden?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-that-you-say-whats-growing-in-my-garden/1000944)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2024, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-that-you-say-whats-growing-in-my-garden/1000944 "2024-05-16T21:31:46Z")
We have a nice size kitchen garden. Thanks to Son-of-a-wrek. (He’s the heavy lifter.) Greens, onions, peas, okra, tomatoes, cucumber, squash. Son comes in yesterday and tells me there’s a volunteer growing out there. … --- ## ["Leave It To Beaver" reference in "Licorice Pizza"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leave-it-to-beaver-reference-in-licorice-pizza/1001582)
**Author:** [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2024, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leave-it-to-beaver-reference-in-licorice-pizza/1001582 "2024-05-16T20:53:29Z")
In the 2021 comedy Licorice Pizza (set in 1973), teen actor Gary Valentine makes an off-color joke during a TV interview: Host: How are things going for you, Gary? Gary: Last week I did three beavers. Host: You mean L… --- ## [Spinoff companies that retain a defunct large sompany's name](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spinoff-companies-that-retain-a-defunct-large-sompanys-name/1001350)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2024, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spinoff-companies-that-retain-a-defunct-large-sompanys-name/1001350 "2024-05-16T19:53:40Z")
I notice that some spinoff companies of large and famous companies have in some cases continued to exist long after that famous parent company has disappeared. The one that stands out particularly is Todd-AO Sound The … --- ## [I finally got to try mutton. Anyone here into it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-got-to-try-mutton-anyone-here-into-it/1001012)
**Author:** [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2024, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-got-to-try-mutton-anyone-here-into-it/1001012 "2024-05-16T19:35:04Z")
Mutton’s been on my bucket list as a food to try before I shuffle off this mortal coil for a while now. But it was only last week when I finally found a place serving it. I’d heard many tales of how great/meh/horrible … --- ## [Bad, bad, bad Caught a break! Yeah? Well](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-caught-a-break-yeah-well/1000763)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2024, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-caught-a-break-yeah-well/1000763 "2024-05-16T17:31:06Z")
Imma go on record here and say, its not my first go 'round. Done it before. In way more embarrassing ways. (Don’t you say it) Sunday, past. We grilled. Me and the kids are out on the picnic table in the nice spring we… --- ## [How Many and What Kinds of Stores Are Open 24 hours a Day Near You?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-and-what-kinds-of-stores-are-open-24-hours-a-day-near-you/1000561)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2024, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-and-what-kinds-of-stores-are-open-24-hours-a-day-near-you/1000561 "2024-05-16T16:38:11Z")
I was reading this thread: And a couple posters mentioned stores open 24 hours a day are rare. I live in a rural area and the only stores I know of that are open 24 hours a day are a couple truckstops on the Intersta… --- ## [Headed to Vegas, what to do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/headed-to-vegas-what-to-do/998364)
**Author:** [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2024, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/headed-to-vegas-what-to-do/998364 "2024-05-16T16:07:18Z")
Inna and I are spending 3 days/nights in Vegas at the end of March/beginning of April and I wanted to throw it out to the Dope as to ideas on what to do (other than gambling). On the agenda already: Fremont St @ night, … --- ## [Is my cat smarter than I am?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-cat-smarter-than-i-am/1001580)
**Author:** [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2024, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-cat-smarter-than-i-am/1001580 "2024-05-16T15:08:21Z")
scenario: Cat on west facing front porch enjoying the sun setting decides it’s too hot and scratches on the door to come in. I get up, let him in, and he goes directly to the back door so I can let him out. Versus an ext… --- ## [Former President Jimmy Carter enters hospice care {2023-02-18}](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-president-jimmy-carter-enters-hospice-care-2023-02-18/980011)
**Author:** [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2024, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-president-jimmy-carter-enters-hospice-care-2023-02-18/980011 "2024-05-16T15:06:25Z")
The former President is 98 and has decided to enter hospice care rather than continue to seek treatment. No specific mention of what he has been undergoing treatment for in the statement. From the NYT here (gift link) bu… --- ## [US Tipping, whole bill, or bill minus taxes and fees. Also liquor & beer? {POLLS ADDED}](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-tipping-whole-bill-or-bill-minus-taxes-and-fees-also-liquor-beer-polls-added/1001446)
**Author:** [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2024, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-tipping-whole-bill-or-bill-minus-taxes-and-fees-also-liquor-beer-polls-added/1001446 "2024-05-16T14:18:09Z")
@EllisDee, are you sure most people do this? I tip on the bill generally, which includes the taxes. Let’s take this to another thread though, tipping is usually the kind of post that hijacks threads. I understand som… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=561&state=tracking) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=563&state=tracking)