# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=609&state=tracking [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 610 --- ## [UK, especially London, dopers: Is “alight” common usage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-especially-london-dopers-is-alight-common-usage/998016)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2024, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-especially-london-dopers-is-alight-common-usage/998016 "2024-03-16T20:30:49Z")
PA announcements on the tube use the verb “alighting” for leaving the train. I know what the word means, but it sounds old-fashioned and formal to me (as a non-native speaker). Is it common parlance? E.g., if you had to … --- ## [Have I made this Windows laptop sufficiently middle-schooler-proof?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-made-this-windows-laptop-sufficiently-middle-schooler-proof/998368)
**Author:** [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2024, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-made-this-windows-laptop-sufficiently-middle-schooler-proof/998368 "2024-03-16T16:24:18Z")
I’m technical director for a play my wife is directing for her middle school. We’ll be using digital scenery provided by Broadway Media, and played back using their app, Stage Player. It is essentially a slide-show progr… --- ## [How many Trumps make a troop? A trope?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-trumps-make-a-troop-a-trope/998909)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2024, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-trumps-make-a-troop-a-trope/998909 "2024-03-16T15:26:50Z")
This WaPo column suggests there are four Joes. In short: a spendy, “Elizabeth Warren” dude a culturally sensitive pro-worker a fighter of “orange haired demagoguery” an ambassador concerned with US global reputation I… --- ## [{if} TikTok is banned. What's next?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-tiktok-is-banned-whats-next/982055)
**Author:** [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2024, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-tiktok-is-banned-whats-next/982055 "2024-03-16T14:27:44Z")
Unless you’ve been aggressively avoiding politics you’re likely aware of the rumbling to ban TikTok because it’s a Chinese owned company which a) allows China to track user data and all that entails and b) has code in it… --- ## [Drummers: Were you taught NOT to "gallop"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drummers-were-you-taught-not-to-gallop/998624)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2024, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drummers-were-you-taught-not-to-gallop/998624 "2024-03-16T03:48:36Z")
I was at McDs casually listening to the background music over the PA. It was some upbeat, modern song. The drummer in the song had no real style, probably another sefl-taught “Johnny” who thinks he can play. I noticed he… --- ## [Is there a word for feeling embarrassed for someone else?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-word-for-feeling-embarrassed-for-someone-else/998851)
**Author:** [@Quintas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quintas)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2024, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-word-for-feeling-embarrassed-for-someone-else/998851 "2024-03-16T03:37:39Z")
It could be watching a shitty band that are under the delusion they are great. Or having someone at your table torturing everyone with boring stories and stale jokes and being oblivious that everyone’s eyeballs are men… --- ## [Did My Boss Commit An Ethical Violation? (and should I report her?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-my-boss-commit-an-ethical-violation-and-should-i-report-her/982644)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2024, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-my-boss-commit-an-ethical-violation-and-should-i-report-her/982644 "2024-03-16T01:52:48Z")
So, I work for a community-based psychiatric rehabilitation center as a case manager. If you don’t know what that means … it’s hard to explain. If you know you know, ya know? Anyway, one thing my job most definitely does… --- ## [Omnibus AI Screwups Thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-ai-screwups-thread/988747)
**Author:** [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2024, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-ai-screwups-thread/988747 "2024-03-15T23:38:47Z")
It occurred to me after encountering a couple examples today of articles that weren’t written by a human being completely tone-deaf, offensive, or just plain wrong, that we don’t really have a place for collecting them a… --- ## [Cat rearing advice](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-rearing-advice/993059)
**Author:** [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Replies:** 131\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2024, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-rearing-advice/993059 "2024-03-15T22:25:46Z")
I know this is often a contentious topic here, but hear me out. I recently divorced. My wife got my two dogs. One of the dogs is a cat killer. She has at least 7 to her name, so she needs to live in a cat free house. M… --- ## [Retirement Portfolio Discussion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retirement-portfolio-discussion/995009)
**Author:** [@Raza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raza)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2024, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retirement-portfolio-discussion/995009 "2024-03-15T21:31:20Z")
This is a splinter from the Countdown to Retirement thread in MPSIMS. As I mentioned there, I’ve not had luck finding an investment professional (CFP/CFA) that is willing do to a portfolio review/discussion for a flat/ho… --- ## [Gluing silicone to plastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gluing-silicone-to-plastic/998825)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2024, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gluing-silicone-to-plastic/998825 "2024-03-15T20:21:45Z")
I bought a silicone cover for my new keyboard. I hang my keyboard from a loop next to my chair and the cover would just fall off. When double-backed tape and superglue did nothing, I ran a little line of stitches on one … --- ## [Did Jim Rockford carry a gun?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-jim-rockford-carry-a-gun/716737)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2024, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-jim-rockford-carry-a-gun/716737 "2024-03-15T20:06:24Z")
The Rockford Files often plays in the background while I work. I like the noise of the TV, and I don’t have to pay attention to what’s on. (Although there are things on TV that I can’t filter out, which is why I play i… --- ## [Why does everything have to be so polarized now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-everything-have-to-be-so-polarized-now/998881)
**Author:** [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2024, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-everything-have-to-be-so-polarized-now/998881 "2024-03-15T19:37:18Z")
I’ve noticed in recent years that everything seems to be becoming dramatically more polarized, and I’m being expected to “pick a side” more and more. I mean, it’s not like someone can have a middle of the road position … --- ## [Hooking up a router to a modem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hooking-up-a-router-to-a-modem/998760)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2024, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hooking-up-a-router-to-a-modem/998760 "2024-03-15T19:04:02Z")
I am switching back to DSL and it is practically impossible to find one that is a combo modem/router that meets IEEE 802.11ax, at least at a decent price. I have a few old OLD OLD DSL modems in the garage. Am I losing … --- ## [Why is wasting entire days on shows or sports fine, but too much video gaming is stigmatized?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-wasting-entire-days-on-shows-or-sports-fine-but-too-much-video-gaming-is-stigmatized/997999)
**Author:** [@JakeRS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JakeRS)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2024, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-wasting-entire-days-on-shows-or-sports-fine-but-too-much-video-gaming-is-stigmatized/997999 "2024-03-15T16:57:28Z")
As someone who tries to limit time wasting activities and be more productive, have more motivation and so on, I decided to drastically lower my video game time. From a few hours every day, to maybe an hour or two every f… --- ## [Is there a name for this type of logarithmic graph?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-type-of-logarithmic-graph/998508)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2024, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-type-of-logarithmic-graph/998508 "2024-03-15T16:03:21Z")
Let’s say I want to graph a function that I think would look best like this. One axis will be linear. The other would be linear at smaller scales, let’s say from 1 to 100, but from 100 on up would work better as a loga… --- ## [Joe Biden is so senile](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-biden-is-so-senile/998710)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2024, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-biden-is-so-senile/998710 "2024-03-15T15:31:39Z")
How senile is he? He doesn’t realize he’s waging a war on Catholicism despite being a Catholic himself. --- ## [Classified Documents Found in Biden Private Office in November 2022 (January 9, 2023)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/classified-documents-found-in-biden-private-office-in-november-2022-january-9-2023/977945)
**Author:** [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Replies:** 453\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2024, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/classified-documents-found-in-biden-private-office-in-november-2022-january-9-2023/977945 "2024-03-15T15:29:15Z")
To keep investigations straight, I’m starting this thread. --- ## [Al Yankovic fun fact](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/al-yankovic-fun-fact/998837)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2024, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/al-yankovic-fun-fact/998837 "2024-03-15T14:44:07Z")
He was once on the CBS special “Circus Of The Stars” (Of which there were 19). What is your best guess as to what act he performed? If you actually know, please don’t post the answer just yet, o.k.? Again: Guesses on… --- ## [Help Me Find Things to Do in NYC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-things-to-do-in-nyc/997424)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2024, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-things-to-do-in-nyc/997424 "2024-03-15T14:28:17Z")
On April 2, I’ll be landing at JFK to visit my daughter (back to Portland on April 11). She’s working on a list of activities for the trip, but hasn’t transmitted anything to me yet, beyond the fact that she wants to tak… --- ## [Ouija board?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouija-board/998661)
**Author:** [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Replies:** 111\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2024, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouija-board/998661 "2024-03-15T14:26:09Z")
Watching 13 Ghosts on Svengoolie right now, and it got me in the mood to hear some Ouija stories! I never played it with anyone except Nervous Nellies (“demons will get us!”) Or Klass Klowns ("How long is my dick, hur h… --- ## [The most over-the-top bloody Mary](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-over-the-top-bloody-mary/998806)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2024, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-over-the-top-bloody-mary/998806 "2024-03-15T11:54:30Z")
The Aviator restaurant near the Cleveland airport features a $25 bloody Mary that is a whole meal. The ingredients vary over time but it has shrimp on toothpicks, a sandwich, a donut, bacon, olives, waffles and cheeses … --- ## [Is anyone working on an AI composer? Or singer? Or musician in general?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-working-on-an-ai-composer-or-singer-or-musician-in-general/998049)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2024, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-working-on-an-ai-composer-or-singer-or-musician-in-general/998049 "2024-03-15T07:58:21Z")
I mean, we have AI generated art and now videos, and all the AI text anyone could want. How about music? I was watching something or other with closed captions on, and among the cruft on the screen was something like \[… --- ## [What are your favorite songs that begin with the letter G and were released on or after January 1, 2000? See rules in OP (FINAL POLL ADDED)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-songs-that-begin-with-the-letter-g-and-were-released-on-or-after-january-1-2000-see-rules-in-op-final-poll-added/998667)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2024, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-songs-that-begin-with-the-letter-g-and-were-released-on-or-after-january-1-2000-see-rules-in-op-final-poll-added/998667 "2024-03-15T06:09:59Z")
RULES: Submissions must begin with the letter G. Exclude articles such as “a”, “an”, “the”, etc. that begin the title. Example: “The Hokey Pokey” belongs in the H poll, not the T poll. Songs must have been first releas… --- ## [Aborted thread responses](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aborted-thread-responses/259474)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2024, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aborted-thread-responses/259474 "2024-03-15T05:03:22Z")
How often do you start to reply to a post, then say “aw, forget it”? (I wonder how many times that will happen to this thread :stuck\_out\_tongue: ) --- ## [So, apparently AI can create amazing optical illusions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-apparently-ai-can-create-amazing-optical-illusions/991845)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 109\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2024, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-apparently-ai-can-create-amazing-optical-illusions/991845 "2024-03-15T04:23:33Z")
As best as I can determine, the following images were created by AI, in conjunction with Stable Diffusion, a neural AI network. They are pretty amazing to me. Some are easier to see than others. Back away, squint or view… --- ## [RIP Karl Wallinger, 66](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-karl-wallinger-66/998715)
**Author:** [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2024, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-karl-wallinger-66/998715 "2024-03-15T01:28:55Z")
Member of the Waterboys as well as leader of World Party, and writer of great hooks. One of my favorites here: --- ## [Using Indeed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-indeed/998852)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2024, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-indeed/998852 "2024-03-15T00:58:38Z")
I need a little help with Indeed. When I visit the website, the screen is split into two columns. The left column says “JOB FEED” where job posts appear. (And, the Bot remembers I’ve been here before.) However, there see… --- ## [Songs with Whistle Register](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-whistle-register/692034)
**Author:** [@MusicAddict95](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MusicAddict95)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2024, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-whistle-register/692034 "2024-03-14T22:59:27Z")
As part of my list of pop/rock songs that I am compiling by topic, I want to know if anyone can recommend SPECIFIC songs in which the singer/singers uses the whistle register. I would prefer not to have any generalized e… --- ## [Where's Blake](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-blake/998843)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2024, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-blake/998843 "2024-03-14T21:34:54Z")
I hope this the right place to ask… I was thinking about a thread Blake was in years and realized I hadn’t seen his name in a while. I’m probably the last one to know, but why has he stopped posting? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=608&state=tracking) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=610&state=tracking)