# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=659&state=muted [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 660 --- ## [Covid-19 Thread: 2023 Breaking News](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covid-19-thread-2023-breaking-news/977610)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2024, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covid-19-thread-2023-breaking-news/977610 "2024-01-04T20:10:07Z")
Since we have a new year, perhaps a new Covid-19 Breaking News edition. Previous editions were started by Snowboarder\_Bo, but he seems to have left Straight Dope. A new variant \[XBB.1.5\] rapidly increasing: --- ## [The handcycle is dead, long live the handcycle](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handcycle-is-dead-long-live-the-handcycle/995466)
**Author:** [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2024, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handcycle-is-dead-long-live-the-handcycle/995466 "2024-01-04T19:45:25Z")
In short, my now previous bike had several failures that left me stranded. Fortunately, the person I coach with was able to get me home but I don’t want to have to depend on him as he’s regularly out of town. The new bi… --- ## [Somebody forgot to tell me a new "Amazing Race" has started!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/somebody-forgot-to-tell-me-a-new-amazing-race-has-started/992134)
**Author:** [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2024, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/somebody-forgot-to-tell-me-a-new-amazing-race-has-started/992134 "2024-01-04T19:15:53Z")
While watching football on Sunday, I saw a brief promo for a new “Amazing Race”. I told my wife “Hey, a new Amazing Race starts this week!” Then I pulled up the DVR to make sure it was set to record, and I discovered it … --- ## [Is adding preferred pronouns to the chat boxes possible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-adding-preferred-pronouns-to-the-chat-boxes-possible/995336)
**Author:** [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2024, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-adding-preferred-pronouns-to-the-chat-boxes-possible/995336 "2024-01-04T18:00:17Z")
OK theres a debate about using pronouns here and a debate on doing this from a year ago … but what im asking is can the option get done technically on the board or will ya have to rewrite stuff ? --- ## [How many of these 20 best Sight and Sound films have you seen? How many have you heard of?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-of-these-20-best-sight-and-sound-films-have-you-seen-how-many-have-you-heard-of/995524)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2024, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-of-these-20-best-sight-and-sound-films-have-you-seen-how-many-have-you-heard-of/995524 "2024-01-04T17:50:51Z")
Sight and sound is a magazine published by the British Film Institute. Starting in 1952, and continuing once every 10 years, they poll and publish their list of the Greatest Films of All Time based on critics and film pr… --- ## [Another reason I'm glad the "holiday season" is over](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-im-glad-the-holiday-season-is-over/995528)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2024, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-im-glad-the-holiday-season-is-over/995528 "2024-01-04T17:09:28Z")
During late November and all of December, my email was swamped with spam emails, 30 and 40 a day. I guess those folks had to finance their Christmas presents somehow. It stopped abruptly on Christmas Eve, down to fewer t… --- ## [Noise abatement: basketball and kids screaming](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/noise-abatement-basketball-and-kids-screaming/822631)
**Author:** [@Newtosite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Newtosite)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2024, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/noise-abatement-basketball-and-kids-screaming/822631 "2024-01-04T16:32:12Z")
Does anyone know the best way to block the noise of a basketball bouncing on cement, and kids screaming? My next-door neighbors are very loud outside my bedroom window. My windows are single-pane. At this link, https:… --- ## [Answering machines in US TV shows](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/answering-machines-in-us-tv-shows/995556)
**Author:** [@colinfred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/colinfred)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2024, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/answering-machines-in-us-tv-shows/995556 "2024-01-04T16:30:12Z")
A staple of US TV shows is a scene where person B is calling person A’s home phone. Either person A is blowing B off so deliberatley leaves the phone unanswered, (until B says something interesting, at which A pretends t… --- ## [LEGO are pretty bad, right?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lego-are-pretty-bad-right/981716)
**Author:** [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Replies:** 157\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2024, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lego-are-pretty-bad-right/981716 "2024-01-04T16:28:02Z")
(Apologies if I’ve already made this rant here, I searched and I don’t think I have). Back in my day, Legos were toy bricks that you could build whatever you wanted with. The instruction book came with some suggestions… --- ## [Why do houses explode?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-houses-explode/995491)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2024, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-houses-explode/995491 "2024-01-04T15:32:27Z")
The obvious answer to the subject line involves the ignition of flammable material, almost always an accumulation of natural gas or propane inside the home. But is there a common point of failure that is frequently poin… --- ## [Is there a danger that Ukraine could eventually be overwhelmed by the vastly larger population of Russia?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-danger-that-ukraine-could-eventually-be-overwhelmed-by-the-vastly-larger-population-of-russia/994695)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 144\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2024, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-danger-that-ukraine-could-eventually-be-overwhelmed-by-the-vastly-larger-population-of-russia/994695 "2024-01-04T14:52:42Z")
Is their a danger that Ukraine could eventually be overwhelmed by the vastly larger population of Russia? It happened to Hitler in Berlin. All that was left to fight were WWI vets and Hitler Youth. The Soviet forces ate… --- ## [What If...? (Disney+ Series) \[Open Spoilers After First Post\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-disney-series-open-spoilers-after-first-post/948478)
**Author:** [@gdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gdave)\ **Replies:** 371\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2024, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-disney-series-open-spoilers-after-first-post/948478 "2024-01-04T14:32:58Z")
What If…? is a new animated series on Disney+. Based on the Marvel comic of the same name, each episode is going to examine what if some key even in the Marvel Cinematic Universe occurred differently. The first episode p… --- ## [Can I sell my cable box?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-sell-my-cable-box/995465)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2024, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-sell-my-cable-box/995465 "2024-01-04T14:15:33Z")
Not that I’m going to. Just wondering. One of my U-verse boxes went to shit and A.T.&T. is shipping me a new one. I got an email that said " Your new equipment is on the way and should be arriving soon. There’s no need… --- ## [(Lie about) Your Internet Fame](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lie-about-your-internet-fame/995436)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2024, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lie-about-your-internet-fame/995436 "2024-01-04T12:31:53Z")
I invented Captchas! --- ## [Are the rules for introducing defensive evidence more lenient than for introducing prosecutorial evidence?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-rules-for-introducing-defensive-evidence-more-lenient-than-for-introducing-prosecutorial-evidence/988488)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2024, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-rules-for-introducing-defensive-evidence-more-lenient-than-for-introducing-prosecutorial-evidence/988488 "2024-01-04T11:24:16Z")
AIUI, the defense has significant advantages in any criminal case, due to the presumption of innocence and burden being on the prosecution. One factor is that the prosecution has tough rules to meet in terms of evidence… --- ## [Do you need to replace brake rotors when replacing brake pads?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-need-to-replace-brake-rotors-when-replacing-brake-pads/989380)
**Author:** [@jebert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jebert)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2024, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-need-to-replace-brake-rotors-when-replacing-brake-pads/989380 "2024-01-04T11:13:42Z")
It’s been a number of years since I installed new brake pads on a car as a do-it-yourselfer, and I always just used new pads and didn’t do anything with the rotors. I just had a safety inspection, and they told me the br… --- ## [Are zoot suits still banned in Los Angeles?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-zoot-suits-still-banned-in-los-angeles/994948)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2024, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-zoot-suits-still-banned-in-los-angeles/994948 "2024-01-04T10:49:08Z")
‘It is illegal to wear a zoot suit in Los Angeles.’ (Unless you’re a performer.) This has been claimed on several ‘weird laws that still exist’ sites. Question: Is the zoot suit ban still on the books? If not, when w… --- ## [Have we tested the creativity of AI, and would these examples be good tests?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-we-tested-the-creativity-of-ai-and-would-these-examples-be-good-tests/995376)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2024, 9:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-we-tested-the-creativity-of-ai-and-would-these-examples-be-good-tests/995376 "2024-01-04T09:31:52Z")
Tangentially inspired by the pit thread regarding AI generated responses in FQ. Has anyone tested the capacity of AI to think up new scientific ideas? Let’s say we let the AI train only on material that was available a… --- ## [Ryan O'Neal R.I.P](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ryan-oneal-r-i-p/994316)
**Author:** [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats2)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2024, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ryan-oneal-r-i-p/994316 "2024-01-04T07:10:39Z")
Ryan O’Neal dead at 82. Great likable actor. Less likable in real life, from what I’ve heard. I did enjoy his performances though. --- ## [Everybody gets an A at Yale](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everybody-gets-an-a-at-yale/994300)
**Author:** [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Replies:** 161\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2024, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everybody-gets-an-a-at-yale/994300 "2024-01-04T02:55:09Z")
Don’t know if this article from the NY Times is paywalled, Nearly Everyone Gets A’s at Yale. Does That Cheapen the Grade? Grade inflation starts earlier than college, but I wonder about this headline and what it convey… --- ## [He Hate Me Keeper League 2023 - year 21](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/he-hate-me-keeper-league-2023-year-21/986733)
**Author:** [@Wilson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wilson)\ **Replies:** 114\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2024, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/he-hate-me-keeper-league-2023-year-21/986733 "2024-01-04T01:35:47Z")
Getting an earlier start this year… the league is up and invitations are sent. This league is now old enough to legally drink… Keeper Rules You can only keep a maximum of 3 players. You can only keep players drafted … --- ## [Recommend a gas price app](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-gas-price-app/995552)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2024, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-gas-price-app/995552 "2024-01-04T00:21:54Z")
I’m going to taking a multi-state drive soon. I’d like an app that can tell me the cheapest current gas prices on my route. Does anyone have an recommendations? I’d prefer a free app if possible. One that works along a s… --- ## [Central Park accused now in NYC council](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/central-park-accused-now-in-nyc-council/995521)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2024, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/central-park-accused-now-in-nyc-council/995521 "2024-01-03T23:46:58Z")
Here is an article about one of the exonerated Central Park 5 who spent five years in prison, now newly elected to the NYC council. There are two points of note. The amusing one was that when asked whether he would ab… --- ## [How wealthy would the wealthiest person be in your ideal society?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-wealthy-would-the-wealthiest-person-be-in-your-ideal-society/994503)
**Author:** [@Cmyers1980](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cmyers1980)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2024, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-wealthy-would-the-wealthiest-person-be-in-your-ideal-society/994503 "2024-01-03T23:05:26Z")
How wealthy would the wealthiest person be in your ideal society? Where would their wealth come from? In my ideal society (assuming money still exists) the wealthiest person would be a single digit millionaire (on the … --- ## [NFL 2023: Week 17](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-17/995234)
**Author:** [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Replies:** 178\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2024, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-17/995234 "2024-01-03T21:43:36Z")
Things we learned last weekend: The Ravens are now clear Super Bowl favorites The Niners are not Lamar Jackson made a strong case for MVP Brock Purdy did not The Browns are officially a Good Team The Chiefs are not The… --- ## [The FINAL mmm-song poll](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-final-mmm-song-poll/995308)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2024, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-final-mmm-song-poll/995308 "2024-01-03T21:23:44Z")
There have been 3,609 songs submitted over multiple polls to determine the SDMB favorite. These are our six finalists. You may select just one. poll --- ## [Applauding By Smacking The Back Of The Right Hand Against The Palm Of The Left](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/applauding-by-smacking-the-back-of-the-right-hand-against-the-palm-of-the-left/995453)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2024, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/applauding-by-smacking-the-back-of-the-right-hand-against-the-palm-of-the-left/995453 "2024-01-03T21:09:13Z")
On a TV show I watch, one of the characters is a foppish, somewhat-pompous American male who served in the Revolutionary War. When he applauds, he does so by smacking the back of his right hand into the palm of his left,… --- ## [Right, wrong or a bigot?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-wrong-or-a-bigot/995359)
**Author:** [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2024, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-wrong-or-a-bigot/995359 "2024-01-03T20:43:26Z")
This dude picks out the top ten worst films of 2023. I see his point a few times, but then his comments about women, “woke” etc start to sound more and more bigoted to me. What do you think? When Hollywood movies are … --- ## [Best way to sell a car nowadays](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-sell-a-car-nowadays/825567)
**Author:** [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2024, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-sell-a-car-nowadays/825567 "2024-01-03T19:53:32Z")
Last time I was selling a car, I put ads up on Craigslist and Cars.com, and generated much interest. That was four years ago. This time all I got was scammers. The cars are similar in terms of attractiveness. Last one … --- ## [No video files will play on ANY player on my Windows 7 computer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-video-files-will-play-on-any-player-on-my-windows-7-computer/995458)
**Author:** [@ranwill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ranwill)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2024, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-video-files-will-play-on-any-player-on-my-windows-7-computer/995458 "2024-01-03T18:37:39Z")
This is an issue with my Windows 7 computer. No locally stored videos or DVDs will play using either Windows Media Player, Media Player Classic, ALShow or VLC. When I try to play a video or DVD I get the error message: … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=658&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=660&state=muted)