# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=57&state=tracking [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 58 --- ## [What's the strangest venue you've ever seen for an established or up-and-coming act?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-strangest-venue-youve-ever-seen-for-an-established-or-up-and-coming-act/1031762)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2026, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-strangest-venue-youve-ever-seen-for-an-established-or-up-and-coming-act/1031762 "2026-07-19T15:47:33Z")
From my own personal standpoint, it was a small college gym that AFAIK has never hosted a rock concert before or since, and it was Cheap Trick a couple years after they hit their prime. The only thing I remember about i… --- ## [What Urban Myths seem to hold on for years or decades even when disproven](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-urban-myths-seem-to-hold-on-for-years-or-decades-even-when-disproven/1030852)
**Author:** [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Replies:** 457\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2026, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-urban-myths-seem-to-hold-on-for-years-or-decades-even-when-disproven/1030852 "2026-07-19T12:50:18Z")
I’m mindful of the Kitty Genovese murder and the subsequent social reaction known as the bystander effect. As the decades progressed, this situation got turned upside down. 38 people did not in fact witness the murder. … --- ## [Smartphones vs. headphones](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smartphones-vs-headphones/1031644)
**Author:** [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2026, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smartphones-vs-headphones/1031644 "2026-07-19T11:42:36Z")
Why can you use a smartphone while it’s plugged in but not a headphone? --- ## [The Plastic Age/Kids' Sci-Fi Anthology](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-plastic-age-kids-sci-fi-anthology/317924)
**Author:** [@AmyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AmyG)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2026, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-plastic-age-kids-sci-fi-anthology/317924 "2026-07-19T04:54:32Z")
I swear that I remember reading a short story when I was a little kid (elementary school, early or mid 1980s) that I think was called “The Plastic Age” (no, it’s not the book by Percy Marks). I don’t remember much, exce… --- ## [Only speak good of the dead. Lindsey Graham is dead. Good](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/only-speak-good-of-the-dead-lindsey-graham-is-dead-good/1031619)
**Author:** [@mozchron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mozchron)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2026, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/only-speak-good-of-the-dead-lindsey-graham-is-dead-good/1031619 "2026-07-19T00:02:34Z")
Fuck that dood. --- ## [Can you pass the British citizenship test?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-pass-the-british-citizenship-test/1031468)
**Author:** [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2026, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-pass-the-british-citizenship-test/1031468 "2026-07-18T23:15:41Z")
Check it out here. I passed with 19/25, but sadly the online quiz does not confer actual citizenship. --- ## [What's the Democratic strategy for defeating the next Trump?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-democratic-strategy-for-defeating-the-next-trump/1031692)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2026, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-democratic-strategy-for-defeating-the-next-trump/1031692 "2026-07-18T21:13:05Z")
No future Republican candidate is likely to have the secret sauce that Trump had, in terms of his mysterious charisma. Every Republican who tried to imitate him, such as Cruz or Vance, just fell flat on their face. It’s … --- ## [Trade Trump for Iranian Concessions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trade-trump-for-iranian-concessions/1031622)
**Author:** [@Yosh99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yosh99)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2026, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trade-trump-for-iranian-concessions/1031622 "2026-07-18T18:50:42Z")
The Iranians have put a bounty on Donald Trump and I suppose from their point of view consider him a war criminal responsible for the assassination of their leaders. I wonder if they’d consider a guarantee to keep Hormu… --- ## [Why are Democrats & those on the left suddenly Communists?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-democrats-those-on-the-left-suddenly-communists/1031729)
**Author:** [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2026, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-democrats-those-on-the-left-suddenly-communists/1031729 "2026-07-18T18:38:03Z")
I was going to put this in GQ because I do want a factual answer but Politics is good enough. Is there something concrete that happened in the US that the right is suddenly calling out communism in the US? Is it somethi… --- ## [Does ignoring a situation on this board actually make it go away?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-ignoring-a-situation-on-this-board-actually-make-it-go-away/1031231)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2026, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-ignoring-a-situation-on-this-board-actually-make-it-go-away/1031231 "2026-07-18T18:37:31Z")
Too many examples over the years of people saying, in The BBQ Pit (and elsewhere on this board), “Yeah, that person is acting up in some manner, but you just ignore it eventually they will stop doing it.” Ignoring the fa… --- ## [Messages of hope in a dark time](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/messages-of-hope-in-a-dark-time/1029793)
**Author:** [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2026, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/messages-of-hope-in-a-dark-time/1029793 "2026-07-18T16:41:04Z")
I often avoid P&E because I’m know going to see something depressing. So rather than curse the darkness, I’m going to light a little candle (to coin a phrase). I just came across this quote from author Rebecca Solnit, a… --- ## [Can a power surge cause a clock to go ahead?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-power-surge-cause-a-clock-to-go-ahead/1031357)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2026, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-power-surge-cause-a-clock-to-go-ahead/1031357 "2026-07-18T14:42:58Z")
We have two electric clocks that do NOT have battery backup. Just digital clocks - both on radios. We occasionally have a brief power outage and afterwards, one clock will be just a couple minutes behind and one on the… --- ## ['Get smart!' \[Jewish phrase\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-smart-jewish-phrase/1030961)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2026, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-smart-jewish-phrase/1030961 "2026-07-18T13:25:44Z")
I understand that if someone tells someone to ‘get smart’ (Jewish phrase), he’s saying, ‘You’re being an idiot. Look at the situation like you’re n intelligent person.’ (More or less.) I’m not Jewish, but I get the jo… --- ## [Bleeped (I think) Red Skelton joke - what did he say?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bleeped-i-think-red-skelton-joke-what-did-he-say/971459)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2026, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bleeped-i-think-red-skelton-joke-what-did-he-say/971459 "2026-07-18T12:51:52Z")
I came across this Tonight Show clip from 1983 where Red Skelton is Johnny Carson’s guest. Skelton tells a Delorean joke that seems to have been censored. The audio stumbles at the punchline, but, by the look on Johnny’… --- ## [Minor character in a work of fiction that you would like to see have their own spin-off](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minor-character-in-a-work-of-fiction-that-you-would-like-to-see-have-their-own-spin-off/1031162)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2026, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minor-character-in-a-work-of-fiction-that-you-would-like-to-see-have-their-own-spin-off/1031162 "2026-07-18T12:48:26Z")
I’m talking about characters that are barely in a movie or TV show but because their presence is so memorable, you would like to see more of them. We are re-watching “The Night of”. Such an amazing production. On the su… --- ## [Authority of the Hawaii Supreme Court and the USSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/authority-of-the-hawaii-supreme-court-and-the-ussc/1031758)
**Author:** [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2026, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/authority-of-the-hawaii-supreme-court-and-the-ussc/1031758 "2026-07-18T12:36:14Z")
I’ve just read a cheap polarizing engagement-driven online article about a cheap political attack by Justice Todd Evens of the Hawaii Supreme Court, on the cheap politics of John Roberts and the US Supreme Court, in whic… --- ## [Reexamining Star Wars 50 years later](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reexamining-star-wars-50-years-later/1026810)
**Author:** [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Replies:** 424\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2026, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reexamining-star-wars-50-years-later/1026810 "2026-07-18T05:41:20Z")
For this thread, I’m focusing on the first trilogy, especially Episode IV:A New Hope. I know it’s not exactly 50 years yet, but close enough for blaster fire. Back in 1977, the look and feel of Star Wars seemed very fu… --- ## [Strangest musical double bill you've seen](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-musical-double-bill-youve-seen/1030481)
**Author:** [@Jaycat.again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaycat.again)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2026, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-musical-double-bill-youve-seen/1030481 "2026-07-18T03:26:43Z")
Inspired by the Worst Double Feature thread. I never saw Jimi Hendrix open for the Monkees, but if you did, you probably win this thread. Around 1971 or so I saw the Grateful Dead. The opener was a monkey act, i.e., a … --- ## [What musical performance or recording of a performance makes you tear up?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-musical-performance-or-recording-of-a-performance-makes-you-tear-up/1030616)
**Author:** [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2026, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-musical-performance-or-recording-of-a-performance-makes-you-tear-up/1030616 "2026-07-18T02:54:49Z")
I am enough of a David Bowie fan but not a rabid deep fan. I am enough of a David Byrne fan but not a rabid deep fan. For some reason this performance just wrecks me. Perhaps it is the layered generations of civilians … --- ## [Sidewalk cooking](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sidewalk-cooking/1031723)
**Author:** [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2026, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sidewalk-cooking/1031723 "2026-07-18T00:02:45Z")
This is a new one for me - forecast from yesterday showing “Smoke”; don’t believe I’ve ever seen that one before. It smells like a campfire outside, which got me wondering… --- ## [Help me build a new playlist](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-build-a-new-playlist/1031717)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2026, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-build-a-new-playlist/1031717 "2026-07-17T21:35:31Z")
My workout playlist has more than a thousand tunes, but it’s getting stale. I need a bunch of new-to-me tunes. Please throw some suggestions my way. My requests: Limit your post(s) to three (ok, five if you must) song… --- ## [Can polar-orbit satellites launch out of Florida?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-polar-orbit-satellites-launch-out-of-florida/1031733)
**Author:** [@Timz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timz)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2026, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-polar-orbit-satellites-launch-out-of-florida/1031733 "2026-07-17T20:52:33Z")
Many? Most? satellites going up these days are in close-to-polar orbits, so you’d like the rocket to launch near northward or near southward. So heading south out of Vandenburg is fine, but not out of Florida. Is it for … --- ## [The Bugaloos and their web of lies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bugaloos-and-their-web-of-lies/1031659)
**Author:** [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2026, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bugaloos-and-their-web-of-lies/1031659 "2026-07-17T18:20:10Z")
Remember the Bugaloos? Saturday morning live action show? Well, they showed up in my YouTube feed, and something was perplexing. Those wings don’t look nearly big enough for those guys to get airborne. I don’t care ho… --- ## [Mad #600 out](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-600-out/1031638)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2026, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-600-out/1031638 "2026-07-17T17:36:10Z")
I picked this up today in the local comic store (you used to be able to get Mad at the newsstand, but even the few remaining places selling magazines don’t seem to carry it – only “Special” issues). 1.) Issue #600! They… --- ## [Guys wearing their belt buckle off-center](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-wearing-their-belt-buckle-off-center/605688)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2026, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-wearing-their-belt-buckle-off-center/605688 "2026-07-17T14:07:22Z")
I’ve been (re)watching several episodes of the old Dick Van Dyke show, and I’ve noticed a few separate occasions where different male characters wore their belt buckles off to the side, damn near on their hips. And then… --- ## [Adapting a classic Lord of the Rings quote to the present political situation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adapting-a-classic-lord-of-the-rings-quote-to-the-present-political-situation/1031730)
**Author:** [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2026, 9:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adapting-a-classic-lord-of-the-rings-quote-to-the-present-political-situation/1031730 "2026-07-17T09:54:23Z")
I wish Trump need not have happened in my time." “So do I,” comes the reply, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given… --- ## [My shaving soap doesn't work anymore](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-shaving-soap-doesnt-work-anymore/1031436)
**Author:** [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2026, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-shaving-soap-doesnt-work-anymore/1031436 "2026-07-17T05:34:11Z")
All my adult life, I’ve used a brush and soap to shave. (Why, you may ask? Dunno. I like old-fashioned things, I guess.) I’ve never been loyal to any particular brand. But recently I bought a new bar, and it failed … --- ## [Sam Neill has died](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sam-neill-has-died/1031635)
**Author:** [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2026, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sam-neill-has-died/1031635 "2026-07-17T05:31:22Z")
Actor Sam Neill, who starred in My Brilliant Career and Jurassic Park, has died aged 78. A post made to his social media account on Monday afternoon said he had died in Sydney “surrounded by his family”. “The loss was… --- ## [Where's the blue? (reflecting pool)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-the-blue-reflecting-pool/1031664)
**Author:** [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2026, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-the-blue-reflecting-pool/1031664 "2026-07-17T00:52:34Z")
OK, they’re draining the reflecting pool again. All the pictures I’ve seen show no hint of the blue color that’s supposed to be there. Is it just because the color is obscured by scum from the drained water? --- ## [Amazon sleaziness? (extra $13 for fast delivery not refunded)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-sleaziness-extra-13-for-fast-delivery-not-refunded/1031724)
**Author:** [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2026, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-sleaziness-extra-13-for-fast-delivery-not-refunded/1031724 "2026-07-17T00:26:58Z")
I ordered something and wanted it fast so I paid the extra $13 to get it sooner. It didn’t arrive when promised and Amazon sent an email saying, Sorry but it’s delayed, you’ll get it later. Okay, but what about the $13 t… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=56&state=tracking) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=58&state=tracking)