# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=580&state=muted [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 581 --- ## [Is it illegal (fraud?) for a bond company to put up a bond for which they know they cannot be paid?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-fraud-for-a-bond-company-to-put-up-a-bond-for-which-they-know-they-cannot-be-paid/1000399)
**Author:** [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [April 23, 2024, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-fraud-for-a-bond-company-to-put-up-a-bond-for-which-they-know-they-cannot-be-paid/1000399 "2024-04-23T13:03:06Z")
Suppose Mr. Bloggins has been hit with a hefty fine (let’s say $100,000 or $100k just to keep the amount manageable). They decide to appeal and go to a bond company. Let’s call it Kevin’s Bonds. Kevin’s Bonds has $1B dol… --- ## [What is the longest word in your language?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-longest-word-in-your-language/1000563)
**Author:** [@Loggins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loggins)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [April 23, 2024, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-longest-word-in-your-language/1000563 "2024-04-23T12:58:47Z")
In my country, Norway, the longest word at the time is “minoritetsladningsbærerdiffusjonskoeffisientmålingsapparatur” I dont know what it means --- ## [NASA is planning to send a helicopter to Titan in the next decade and a half.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nasa-is-planning-to-send-a-helicopter-to-titan-in-the-next-decade-and-a-half/836374)
**Author:** [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 23, 2024, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nasa-is-planning-to-send-a-helicopter-to-titan-in-the-next-decade-and-a-half/836374 "2024-04-23T11:41:20Z")
Courtesy of Phil Plait’s Bad Astronomy blog: NASA will be sending a quadcopter called Dragonfly to Titan The Dragonfly mission is scheduled to launch around 2026, with a projected arrival date of 2034. The probe will be… --- ## [Cancelling an event without refunding ticket purchases](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cancelling-an-event-without-refunding-ticket-purchases/1000175)
**Author:** [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [April 23, 2024, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cancelling-an-event-without-refunding-ticket-purchases/1000175 "2024-04-23T07:41:38Z")
A Grateful Dead themed music festival called Skull and Roses has taken place in Southern California for the past few years. This year’s festival was scheduled for April 19-23. On April 9, ten days before the event, the o… --- ## [Explain to me the rise of GPUs (blockchain, AI)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-the-rise-of-gpus-blockchain-ai/1000501)
**Author:** [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 23, 2024, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-the-rise-of-gpus-blockchain-ai/1000501 "2024-04-23T06:04:42Z")
ok, to me it seems that GPUs were once just graphic cards that helped representing the visual interface on monitors… Then about 15 years (or so?) ago, they became a thing of their own, due to “mining” … and now they ar… --- ## [American Climate Corps](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-climate-corps/990521)
**Author:** [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [April 23, 2024, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-climate-corps/990521 "2024-04-23T04:54:06Z")
American Climate Corps President Biden is announcing a new initiative to train young people in high-demand skills for jobs in the clean energy economy. The American Climate Corps will put a new generation of Americans … --- ## [Has anyone ever backed a video game on Kickstarter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-backed-a-video-game-on-kickstarter/999568)
**Author:** [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [April 23, 2024, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-backed-a-video-game-on-kickstarter/999568 "2024-04-23T03:43:00Z")
I have backed several Board and card games on Kickstarter but never anything else. I saw a video about the video game Starship Simulator and it looks like something I would love and it is currently crowd funding on Kicks… --- ## [Undervalued athletes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undervalued-athletes/991955)
**Author:** [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [April 23, 2024, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undervalued-athletes/991955 "2024-04-23T01:59:31Z")
Most athletes have received some discouragement at early points in their careers, but what are the most extreme examples you can think of? To qualify as “most extreme” the discouragement would have had to come at a rela… --- ## [2024 NFL Pre-Draft Thread - The Chicago Bears are on the clock (for now)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nfl-pre-draft-thread-the-chicago-bears-are-on-the-clock-for-now/997548)
**Author:** [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Replies:** 304\ **Last updated:** [April 23, 2024, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nfl-pre-draft-thread-the-chicago-bears-are-on-the-clock-for-now/997548 "2024-04-23T01:57:45Z")
The Super Bowl is in the rearview mirror with the Kansas City Chiefs claiming the Lombardi for the second straight year. This means it time for teams to start rebuilding for 2024. The Chicago Bears for the second year in… --- ## [Are COVID-related staffing shortages still a thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-covid-related-staffing-shortages-still-a-thing/1000588)
**Author:** [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [April 23, 2024, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-covid-related-staffing-shortages-still-a-thing/1000588 "2024-04-23T00:19:05Z")
In this thread ( How Many and What Kinds of Stores Are Open 24 hours a Day Near You?), there’s commentary about how COVID-related staff shortages are still going on in some areas. I’m not seeing it where I’m at, at leas… --- ## [Colorado this summer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colorado-this-summer/1000341)
**Author:** [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [April 23, 2024, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colorado-this-summer/1000341 "2024-04-23T00:17:54Z")
I have 7 days, including travel(flying into DEN) to spend in the Rocky Mountain state. I’ll be with my wife and adult daughter. I’d like to include a trail horse back ride at some point and am considering the Silverton D… --- ## [Build a Haiku](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/build-a-haiku/712443)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 228\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2024, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/build-a-haiku/712443 "2024-04-22T23:13:29Z")
Y’all know how this thing works. Each person adds a line and the last person starts off the new one. Remember it’s 5 syllables/7 syllables/5 syllables Stars shining brightly --- ## [Back bacon on pizza - Cooked, or uncooked?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-bacon-on-pizza-cooked-or-uncooked/1000599)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2024, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-bacon-on-pizza-cooked-or-uncooked/1000599 "2024-04-22T23:11:36Z")
I have quite a lot of uncooked back bacon (‘Canadian bacon’). Suppose I want to pit it on a pizza. Do I have to cook it first? Or can I put it on a pizza uncooked, and will it cook with the pizza? FWIW, when I make p… --- ## [The Moon's poles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-moons-poles/989361)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2024, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-moons-poles/989361 "2024-04-22T22:47:05Z")
The Indian lander and rover is exploring the Moon’s southern pole. How do the two poles compare? Any reason to think one is a better prospect for ice and other resources than the other? --- ## [Have you ever gone to a live podcast taping?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-gone-to-a-live-podcast-taping/1000507)
**Author:** [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2024, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-gone-to-a-live-podcast-taping/1000507 "2024-04-22T22:46:36Z")
I went to one last night, for a podcast I’ve been listening to regularly since 2021. They’re on tour now, in the US. Another podcast I listen to on occasion just announced their European tour (they’re US-based and cover … --- ## [What is the simplest self-sustaining chemical system capable of Darwinian evolution?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-simplest-self-sustaining-chemical-system-capable-of-darwinian-evolution/999057)
**Author:** [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2024, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-simplest-self-sustaining-chemical-system-capable-of-darwinian-evolution/999057 "2024-04-22T22:21:20Z")
Are there self-sustaining chemical systems that exist without a cell membrane? Of those, are any capable of Darwinian evolution? I can imagine placing 10 sugar cubes and 10 marbles in a bucket of water, waiting a day, a… --- ## [Was this a grift?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-a-grift/1000577)
**Author:** [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2024, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-a-grift/1000577 "2024-04-22T21:54:45Z")
I was just reading nextdoor. In a new post, someone says he was at the movies and a father and little boy were at the lobby ATM machine which wasn’t working. The father told the little boy that he was sorry but they co… --- ## [What were the 2nd biggest news stories of 9/11 (and other dates that will live in infamy)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-the-2nd-biggest-news-stories-of-9-11-and-other-dates-that-will-live-in-infamy/999394)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2024, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-the-2nd-biggest-news-stories-of-9-11-and-other-dates-that-will-live-in-infamy/999394 "2024-04-22T21:54:35Z")
I remember living in Australia and waking up to discover that Ansett Australia, half of the duopolistic airline market in Australia, had attempted a dramatic, middle of the night rescue plan that had failed, meaning that… --- ## [Conan O'Brien Must Go -- new series on Max](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conan-obrien-must-go-new-series-on-max/1000551)
**Author:** [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2024, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conan-obrien-must-go-new-series-on-max/1000551 "2024-04-22T21:50:27Z")
Along the lines of Conan Without Borders, the 4 episodes feature the tall redhead’s international visits with fans and the people of Norway, Argentina, Thailand and Ireland. You’ll probably enjoy the series if you like … --- ## [Bump or Don't Bump This Thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bump-or-dont-bump-this-thread/997044)
**Author:** [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2024, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bump-or-dont-bump-this-thread/997044 "2024-04-22T21:48:57Z")
Inspired by the “Bump this thread” and the “Don’t Bump this thread”, this one can be either bumped or not bumped. If you post in this thread, please specify whether you are bumping or not bumping. Unlike the other th… --- ## [Up Yours Bruce Wayne. Wayne Manor ISN'T--](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/up-yours-bruce-wayne-wayne-manor-isnt/1000513)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2024, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/up-yours-bruce-wayne-wayne-manor-isnt/1000513 "2024-04-22T19:16:52Z")
A Stately Home. BECAUSE HERE’S THE DEFINITION. LINK --- ## [What were the exact number of battles the AEF engaged in in WWI. 10? 13? 17?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-the-exact-number-of-battles-the-aef-engaged-in-in-wwi-10-13-17/1000600)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2024, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-the-exact-number-of-battles-the-aef-engaged-in-in-wwi-10-13-17/1000600 "2024-04-22T18:15:30Z")
What were the exact number of battles the AEF engaged in in WWI. 10? 13? 17? I haven’t been able to find a reliable number. --- ## [Would you rather get $1 million or three random superpowers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-rather-get-1-million-or-three-random-superpowers/1000564)
**Author:** [@Cmyers1980](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cmyers1980)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2024, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-rather-get-1-million-or-three-random-superpowers/1000564 "2024-04-22T18:01:17Z")
Would you rather get $1 million or three random superpowers? For those who chose the second option here is a random power generator. --- ## [What are the most accurate figures for the numbers of Americans drafted and conscripted into service in WWI? I've looked at quite a number](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-accurate-figures-for-the-numbers-of-americans-drafted-and-conscripted-into-service-in-wwi-ive-looked-at-quite-a-number/1000572)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2024, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-accurate-figures-for-the-numbers-of-americans-drafted-and-conscripted-into-service-in-wwi-ive-looked-at-quite-a-number/1000572 "2024-04-22T17:26:14Z")
What are the most accurate figures for the overall number of Americans drafted and conscripted into service in WWI? I’m looking for separate number of drafted and conscripted men and women in the AEF in WWI. I’ve looke… --- ## [What's "debt parking"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-debt-parking/1000530)
**Author:** [@anny\_m](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anny_m)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2024, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-debt-parking/1000530 "2024-04-22T16:57:15Z")
(I was going to post about this in P&E when it struck me that I ought to have at least a rudimentary understanding of the issue.) Apparently Donald Trump has reported a $50 million loan that may not actually exist. One… --- ## [What is the Language Spoken by the Native Americans in this Youtube Video](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-language-spoken-by-the-native-americans-in-this-youtube-video/1000609)
**Author:** [@Moonrise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonrise)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2024, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-language-spoken-by-the-native-americans-in-this-youtube-video/1000609 "2024-04-22T15:02:53Z")
Spin-off from the excellent On the Naming of Canada Thread. The natives that Cartier encountered in Gaspé Bay were St. Lawrence Iroquoians. If this video was 100% accurate, the aboriginals would be speaking that langu… --- ## [Which fast food items still taste the same as they used to, let's say 20 years ago or longer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fast-food-items-still-taste-the-same-as-they-used-to-lets-say-20-years-ago-or-longer/997328)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 126\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2024, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fast-food-items-still-taste-the-same-as-they-used-to-lets-say-20-years-ago-or-longer/997328 "2024-04-22T13:12:51Z")
Which fast food items still taste the same as they used to back in the day? Let’s start with at least 20 years ago, but feel free to go back further if you remember any specific changes further back. The question was i… --- ## [Can we make an open nuclear reactor core? (spaceship power plant)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-make-an-open-nuclear-reactor-core-spaceship-power-plant/1000469)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2024, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-make-an-open-nuclear-reactor-core-spaceship-power-plant/1000469 "2024-04-22T12:42:57Z")
Nuclear reactors tend to produce quite a bit of heat. In a spaceship or space station, instead of trying to transfer that to heat transfer devices to radiate away from the ship, could we do it by just having the core it… --- ## [How will the Israel and Iran conflict play out?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-israel-and-iran-conflict-play-out/1000247)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2024, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-israel-and-iran-conflict-play-out/1000247 "2024-04-22T07:45:30Z")
I’m starting this thread so as not to hijack the MPSIMS thread. How do you all think this will play out? I don’t see any way this works out for Iran. In other times (before 2/2022) I’d say they could at least count on … --- ## [Getting dentures, need advice](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-dentures-need-advice/1000573)
**Author:** [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2024, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-dentures-need-advice/1000573 "2024-04-22T04:21:06Z")
So I cashed in a bit of my superannuation (401k for you Yanks) and am wanting to get dentures. Little bit of backstory, I’ve always had YELLOW teeth since childhood, perhaps an over-supply of antibiotics, or perhaps gen… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=579&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=581&state=muted)