# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=621&state=watching [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 622 --- ## [Could You Pass the Presidential Physical Fitness Test?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-pass-the-presidential-physical-fitness-test/997863)
**Author:** [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2024, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-pass-the-presidential-physical-fitness-test/997863 "2024-02-27T19:52:37Z")
Back then? Today? I sure couldn’t. The mile run and pull ups were not in my wheelhouse as a kid, and the pull ups are right out for me as a adult due to carotid arterial dissections. The NYT had an article about it that… --- ## [The cost of trump's legal defense](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cost-of-trumps-legal-defense/998106)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2024, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cost-of-trumps-legal-defense/998106 "2024-02-27T19:32:25Z")
AIUI, since leaving office, trump’s legal defense has cost him north of 50 mil. How does that break down, exactly? Seems like the cases against him are pretty cut and dry. What are those legal eagles doing to justify the… --- ## [What might have caused circles on my patio?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-might-have-caused-circles-on-my-patio/998176)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2024, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-might-have-caused-circles-on-my-patio/998176 "2024-02-27T17:56:33Z")
This morning we woke to see some circles on our patio, and have no idea what might have caused them. I actually took pictures - I’ll see if I can figure out how to host and attach them. We live west of Chicago. Yester… --- ## [Would you have sex with a total stranger for money?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-have-sex-with-a-total-stranger-for-money/38811)
**Author:** [@sweetcan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweetcan)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2024, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-have-sex-with-a-total-stranger-for-money/38811 "2024-02-27T16:39:00Z")
First of all, I’m all for legalizing prostitution. It could be quite a lucrative tax reward for the state and/or federal government much in the same way as legalizing marijuana would be. Fucking someone for money, wantin… --- ## [Anyone else germinating sprouts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-germinating-sprouts/998169)
**Author:** [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2024, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-germinating-sprouts/998169 "2024-02-27T16:34:41Z")
For xmas my sister always gives everyone the same gift. Typically it is something she likes but nobody else does. This year she gave us all sprout germinating kits. At first I thought she’d done it again, but for the pa… --- ## [Threats in court](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/threats-in-court/998070)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2024, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/threats-in-court/998070 "2024-02-27T16:14:28Z")
What happens if a defendant is crazy/stupid enough to threaten the jury or judge with retribution if they convict? Would that automatically be a mistrial? If so, what prevents that stunt being done again? --- ## [I've developed an algorithm that predicts the future of mankind...and it doesn't look good](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-developed-an-algorithm-that-predicts-the-future-of-mankind-and-it-doesnt-look-good/997730)
**Author:** [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Replies:** 131\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2024, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-developed-an-algorithm-that-predicts-the-future-of-mankind-and-it-doesnt-look-good/997730 "2024-02-27T16:06:33Z")
Ok, not really. But I’ve started watching Apple TV’s “Foundation” series based off of the classic Isaac Asimov books where mathematician Hari Seldon develops his “psychohistory” (a sort of mishmash of chaos theory, pred… --- ## [What will eventually happen to the Millennium Tower in San Francisco? (Leaning NW at 3 inches/year)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-eventually-happen-to-the-millennium-tower-in-san-francisco-leaning-nw-at-3-inches-year/957777)
**Author:** [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2024, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-eventually-happen-to-the-millennium-tower-in-san-francisco-leaning-nw-at-3-inches-year/957777 "2024-02-27T16:02:37Z")
According to this NBC article, it’s now about 26 inches off center and gaining 3 inches each year. The original attempt to stop the movement seemed to speed up the tilting and had to be stopped last summer. Has this ev… --- ## [The Ukraine war and Transnistria. How could Russia fight there, given the geography?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ukraine-war-and-transnistria-how-could-russia-fight-there-given-the-geography/998128)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2024, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ukraine-war-and-transnistria-how-could-russia-fight-there-given-the-geography/998128 "2024-02-27T14:58:57Z")
I’ve been seeing articles that Russia is considering annexing Transnistria, a breakaway part of Moldova. There’s even speculation that an attempt by Russia to invade Moldova is being considered. Here’s one article abou… --- ## [Rocky - What is this pre-fight preparation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocky-what-is-this-pre-fight-preparation/998007)
**Author:** [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2024, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocky-what-is-this-pre-fight-preparation/998007 "2024-02-27T14:58:38Z")
In the first Rocky film (1976) there is a scene before the big fight which alternates between Rocky and Apollo Creed’s dressing rooms. We see them taping their hands, sniffing something and then there’s this: … --- ## [Pain in my ribs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pain-in-my-ribs/998151)
**Author:** [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2024, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pain-in-my-ribs/998151 "2024-02-27T14:44:24Z")
So, the day before yesterday I draped the right side of my torso across an armchair to try and grab something off the floor next to the chair. I felt a pop on, I think my 10th. rib? The pop was painful and my rib hurts t… --- ## [Uxbridge English Dictionary](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uxbridge-english-dictionary/998158)
**Author:** [@Stanislaus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stanislaus)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2024, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uxbridge-english-dictionary/998158 "2024-02-27T12:17:09Z")
The thread on easily confused words is a treasure trove of quirks of the English language; it also reminded me of this radio comedy game, which involves rather more radical confusions, as follows: Capability: what good … --- ## [What are your favorite songs that begin with the letter A 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-a-and-were-released-on-or-after-january-1-2000-see-rules-in-op-final-poll-added/997921)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2024, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-songs-that-begin-with-the-letter-a-and-were-released-on-or-after-january-1-2000-see-rules-in-op-final-poll-added/997921 "2024-02-27T11:52:04Z")
RULES: Submissions must begin with the letter A. 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… --- ## [Competitive cheerleading (still a thing!)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/competitive-cheerleading-still-a-thing/998090)
**Author:** [@DKW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DKW)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2024, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/competitive-cheerleading-still-a-thing/998090 "2024-02-27T08:31:08Z")
While going through the upcoming ESPN lineup about a week ago, I found something I hadn’t seen in a very long time, the UCA Division I-A College National Championship, the big cheerleading competition formerly known as t… --- ## [What if I put my workout on shuffle mode?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-i-put-my-workout-on-shuffle-mode/998147)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2024, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-i-put-my-workout-on-shuffle-mode/998147 "2024-02-27T07:22:59Z")
There are obvious reasons why an exercise routine concentrates on specific areas of the body each time: it’s easier to remember, and there seems to be common sense benefits to exercising a muscle for X minutes at once ra… --- ## [I wonder if the is text is really from AT&T](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wonder-if-the-is-text-is-really-from-at-t/998107)
**Author:** [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2024, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wonder-if-the-is-text-is-really-from-at-t/998107 "2024-02-27T04:04:33Z")
I’m sure most of us have heard about the widespread AT&T outage that happened on Thursday. I’m an AT&T customer but was not affected by the outage. This morning, I received this text: “It’s AT&T. We apologize for Thurs… --- ## [Help with Chase Pay Over Time calculations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-chase-pay-over-time-calculations/998109)
**Author:** [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2024, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-chase-pay-over-time-calculations/998109 "2024-02-27T03:13:59Z")
To start, this is just a math question. I know how credit cards work and I have paid my cards off in full each month for 20-some years. A unique debt situation has occurred for me, with my dog needing knee replacement th… --- ## [Unexpected Facial Recognition Tech Use?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-facial-recognition-tech-use/998000)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2024, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-facial-recognition-tech-use/998000 "2024-02-27T02:58:19Z")
There have been many instances of companies using facial tech in the sly: shopping malls and now this. But how helpful is it really knowing most university students are the exact age and gender you would absolutely expe… --- ## [Advice on CD copier, hardware and software](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-on-cd-copier-hardware-and-software/996882)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2024, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-on-cd-copier-hardware-and-software/996882 "2024-02-27T00:44:06Z")
I own a lot of CDs. I have a player but I am too lazy to load it up and the CDs are scattered all over and it is hard to find the ones I want. My laptop no longer has a reader. I would like advice on what hardware and… --- ## [If Trump does go to prison, what would it be like?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trump-does-go-to-prison-what-would-it-be-like/842554)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 123\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2024, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trump-does-go-to-prison-what-would-it-be-like/842554 "2024-02-27T00:42:29Z")
A year or two ago, another Doper had already pointed out that, contrary to the fantasies of many of his opponents, Trump isn’t likely to go to a “drop the soap in the shower” type of prison. It would probably be a Club F… --- ## [Botticelli February 2024](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/botticelli-february-2024/996971)
**Author:** [@De\_La\_Rue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/De_La_Rue)\ **Replies:** 277\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2024, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/botticelli-february-2024/996971 "2024-02-26T22:48:42Z")
Goooooood morning and welcome to the February Botticelli thread, with me, your host W. De La Rue. Here is last month’s thread, here is a thread for general questions, and here are the rules for anyone interested in joini… --- ## [Does fresh air help with Covid recovery?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-fresh-air-help-with-covid-recovery/995450)
**Author:** [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2024, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-fresh-air-help-with-covid-recovery/995450 "2024-02-26T22:31:07Z")
As I lay here in my little isolation room on the wing of the house, I have the French doors open even though it’s 40° outside. The heat is off, and I am under a down comforter, and it is very pleasant to have fresh air. … --- ## [Red State social policies are driving young college grads away](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-state-social-policies-are-driving-young-college-grads-away/994973)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2024, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-state-social-policies-are-driving-young-college-grads-away/994973 "2024-02-26T21:49:09Z")
At least that’s the conclusion in this New Republic article. Put briefly, although Red State social policies (Abortion, GLBQ, trans) generally affect lots of people within a state, there is one demo that is able to make… --- ## [Monthly Photo Competition #15 - February 2024 - “Big or small”](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monthly-photo-competition-15-february-2024-big-or-small/997064)
**Author:** [@TwoCarrotSnowman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwoCarrotSnowman)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2024, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monthly-photo-competition-15-february-2024-big-or-small/997064 "2024-02-26T21:14:00Z")
This is the monthly thread for February 2024. The topic this month is “Big or Small”, chosen by @Zyada and @Galactus Please note: The general rules for the competition are here. One entry per person per month. To … --- ## [Tyre Nichols death - discussion as the video comes out](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tyre-nichols-death-discussion-as-the-video-comes-out/978910)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 332\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2024, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tyre-nichols-death-discussion-as-the-video-comes-out/978910 "2024-02-26T20:58:01Z")
Perhaps this goes in another forum? I’m not a “Great Debates” poster, but this feels political and social so I put it here. It is clear in advance of the video that the police were wrong and massively so. All five offic… --- ## [Irish place names in song don't make sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irish-place-names-in-song-dont-make-sense/998119)
**Author:** [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2024, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irish-place-names-in-song-dont-make-sense/998119 "2024-02-26T20:51:20Z")
The song is “The First Love in Life.” One line mentions Londonderry or something about Derry, another names a town that sounds like Mahocca. Details: The song was recorded by the Irish Rovers and listed an arranger but … --- ## [What's the best app to clone a phone completely to a new one?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-app-to-clone-a-phone-completely-to-a-new-one/997954)
**Author:** [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2024, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-app-to-clone-a-phone-completely-to-a-new-one/997954 "2024-02-26T19:37:35Z")
My google research has yielded little. I have Motorolas, so the Samsung app is out, apparently. I could get a double-male type-C connector if needed, as suggested by my local phone-repair shop, but it seems like there sh… --- ## [Navy Drops HS Diploma/GED Requirement](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/navy-drops-hs-diploma-ged-requirement/996887)
**Author:** [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2024, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/navy-drops-hs-diploma-ged-requirement/996887 "2024-02-26T18:40:56Z")
I heard a story today, that the US Navy is in such dire straits for recruiting right now, that they are dropping the requirement to have a high school diploma or GED. Here is a link to the Navy Times article I found con… --- ## [Did Eric Clapton steal Beatle's wife, Layla? {from 2001}](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-eric-clapton-steal-beatles-wife-layla-from-2001/96150)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2024, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-eric-clapton-steal-beatles-wife-layla-from-2001/96150 "2024-02-26T18:07:33Z")
Clapton fans might know best: I understand Eric Clapton wrote the song, “Layla”, to express his love for Layla, George Harrison’s wife at the time. And, she DID leave him for Clapton. When did this happen? Was Harrison l… --- ## [Simulated wormhole traversed in Google's Sycamore quantum computer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simulated-wormhole-traversed-in-googles-sycamore-quantum-computer/976497)
**Author:** [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2024, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simulated-wormhole-traversed-in-googles-sycamore-quantum-computer/976497 "2024-02-26T17:18:00Z")
This is the original paper in Nature, but it’s paywalled. This is a sort of layman’s description of the research. The most interesting (and understandable, to my layman’s POV) aspect of this is that it supports the so-… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=620&state=watching) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=622&state=watching)