# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=662&state=watching [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 663 --- ## [SDMB Dopers -please advise how do you retain your basic empathy and humanity in these troubled days?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-dopers-please-advise-how-do-you-retain-your-basic-empathy-and-humanity-in-these-troubled-days/994905)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2023, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-dopers-please-advise-how-do-you-retain-your-basic-empathy-and-humanity-in-these-troubled-days/994905 "2023-12-31T15:50:41Z")
I don’t think there’s a need to elaborate? The thread title speaks for itself. A brief list of today and everyday’s news… Complete lack of focused National leadership Nasty and even violent National politics Congressi… --- ## [Are car dealers incentivized by the date the deal is signed or the date the car is delivered (need answer fast)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-car-dealers-incentivized-by-the-date-the-deal-is-signed-or-the-date-the-car-is-delivered-need-answer-fast/995369)
**Author:** [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2023, 9:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-car-dealers-incentivized-by-the-date-the-deal-is-signed-or-the-date-the-car-is-delivered-need-answer-fast/995369 "2023-12-31T09:49:12Z")
Is there any incentive for a new car dealer to cut a deal before the end of the calendar year for a car which has not arrived on the lot yet (and might not arrive for a month or so)? Mrs. Martian is convinced that astoun… --- ## [Small propane tank storage rules](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-propane-tank-storage-rules/995370)
**Author:** [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2023, 9:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-propane-tank-storage-rules/995370 "2023-12-31T09:45:52Z")
In the below video of a teardrop trailer, the front storage box has both the battery and the propane tank. I do not know if the compartment is vented. Is there some DOT or other rule that would apply here? (OSHA rules… --- ## [Two Christmas gifts that are so awesome, I'm not sure how to react](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-christmas-gifts-that-are-so-awesome-im-not-sure-how-to-react/995242)
**Author:** [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2023, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-christmas-gifts-that-are-so-awesome-im-not-sure-how-to-react/995242 "2023-12-31T04:09:30Z")
Well, one was for me and Mr. Rilch. Still mind-blowing, though. So on Christmas morning, I open a box that contains an envelope. I open the envelope, read a few words and start shrieking so loud it’s a good thing we don… --- ## [The Munger Residence Hall Project. Let's talk about it](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-munger-residence-hall-project-lets-talk-about-it/953495)
**Author:** [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Replies:** 326\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2023, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-munger-residence-hall-project-lets-talk-about-it/953495 "2023-12-30T22:56:56Z")
From the above: A consulting architect on UCSB’s Design Review Committee has quit his post in protest over the university’s proposed Munger Hall project, calling the massive, mostly-windowless dormitory plan “unsuppor… --- ## [Why do some champagne bottles explode/shatter in your hands?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-champagne-bottles-explode-shatter-in-your-hands/543047)
**Author:** [@Logical\_Phallacy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Logical_Phallacy)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2023, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-champagne-bottles-explode-shatter-in-your-hands/543047 "2023-12-30T22:14:01Z")
I’ve recently become interested in the art of sabrage, that is, opening champagne (or beer, if you must) with a sabre or chef’s knife. Essentially, the technique involves applying a buncha pressure to the point of stres… --- ## [A murder mystery plot twist I've never seen (possibly open spoilers)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-murder-mystery-plot-twist-ive-never-seen-possibly-open-spoilers/992691)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2023, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-murder-mystery-plot-twist-ive-never-seen-possibly-open-spoilers/992691 "2023-12-30T21:58:08Z")
Has there ever been a book, short story, or film, where the detective investigating the murder turned out to be the murderer? Since the very nature of this question involves spoilers, I’ll invite you to use spoiler tags… --- ## [Buy, Rent, or Online: How do today's college students acquire their textbooks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buy-rent-or-online-how-do-todays-college-students-acquire-their-textbooks/994950)
**Author:** [@Caribbean\_cruiser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caribbean_cruiser)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2023, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buy-rent-or-online-how-do-todays-college-students-acquire-their-textbooks/994950 "2023-12-30T21:35:40Z")
I just read about the ever-increasing cost of college textbooks as some STEM texts are now priced well north of 400 USD. Questions: I know students can purchase texts from the campus bookstore and e-stores, but genera… --- ## [Holiday Disasters, anyone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holiday-disasters-anyone/995230)
**Author:** [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2023, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holiday-disasters-anyone/995230 "2023-12-30T21:28:56Z")
I thought I was batting 1.000. One of my responsibilities was setting up our big boat cooler with layers of ice and drinks for our xmas eve party. I had an inoffensive lager for my sister’s husband, a session IPA for … --- ## [Straight Dope 2/24/2023: What are the chances artificial intelligence will destroy humanity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-2-24-2023-what-are-the-chances-artificial-intelligence-will-destroy-humanity/980302)
**Author:** [@Cecil\_Adams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cecil_Adams)\ **Replies:** 137\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2023, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-2-24-2023-what-are-the-chances-artificial-intelligence-will-destroy-humanity/980302 "2023-12-30T20:22:36Z")
What are the chances artificial intelligence will destroy humanity? What, you thought the worst that could happen was a search engine declares its love for you? Then you haven’t been following the AI news very closely –… --- ## [“Ten Charts That Defined 2023”](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-charts-that-defined-2023/995283)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2023, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-charts-that-defined-2023/995283 "2023-12-30T19:53:39Z")
A list of infographics that do a decent job of summing up the year in politics and economics. --- ## [Why Not View "Super Wealthy" as "Super Greedy", not "Super Successful"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-view-super-wealthy-as-super-greedy-not-super-successful/283824)
**Author:** [@fessie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fessie)\ **Replies:** 225\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2023, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-view-super-wealthy-as-super-greedy-not-super-successful/283824 "2023-12-30T18:02:52Z")
Why is it admirable for Mr./Ms. X to pay their employees peanuts in order to retain earnings for themselves? Wouldn’t they be more worthy of respect if they chose to share the profits with the employees who earned them? … --- ## [If super-strong acids like sulfuric acid could be ingested without harm, would they taste extremely sour?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-super-strong-acids-like-sulfuric-acid-could-be-ingested-without-harm-would-they-taste-extremely-sour/995295)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2023, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-super-strong-acids-like-sulfuric-acid-could-be-ingested-without-harm-would-they-taste-extremely-sour/995295 "2023-12-30T17:30:05Z")
I’m assuming that the more intense an acid is, the sourer it tastes, such that lemon juice doesn’t burn our mouths but already registers as pretty strong on the sour-o-meter. What would things like nitric acid, sulfuric … --- ## [Has anyone been following events in China recently?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-been-following-events-in-china-recently/952420)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2023, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-been-following-events-in-china-recently/952420 "2023-12-30T16:47:44Z")
Just curious if anyone else has been following events in China over the last year or so and is starting to worry about it (or has another take on things). Here is what I’ve seen. Recently, China has had another season … --- ## [Ain't that sweet? Dammit, cat, stop it!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aint-that-sweet-dammit-cat-stop-it/995027)
**Author:** [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2023, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aint-that-sweet-dammit-cat-stop-it/995027 "2023-12-30T16:12:18Z")
Your cat’s annoying adorable habits? Adorably annoying? The Merc (Freddie Mercury) wants me to pay attention to him and stretches out his left foreleg to pat me gently with his paw, touching my arm or face. With his c… --- ## ["Short Cord Instructions": Do extension cords exist that are safe to use with high wattage appliances (e.g., a microwave)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-cord-instructions-do-extension-cords-exist-that-are-safe-to-use-with-high-wattage-appliances-e-g-a-microwave/995076)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2023, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-cord-instructions-do-extension-cords-exist-that-are-safe-to-use-with-high-wattage-appliances-e-g-a-microwave/995076 "2023-12-30T14:12:53Z")
I’ve always heard that it’s risky to use extension cords with high wattage appliances like vacuum cleaners, space heaters, and microwave ovens. But does this conventional wisdom apply to all extension cords, or only th… --- ## [Tom Smothers has died](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-smothers-has-died/995239)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2023, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-smothers-has-died/995239 "2023-12-30T12:23:36Z")
Damn. I loved their show, and Tommy was my favorite of the two. Some of you (who are old enough) may remember that there was a musicians’ strike one year, which left the show without its musical backup. So The Beatle… --- ## [Testing again](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/testing-again/986419)
**Author:** [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2023, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/testing-again/986419 "2023-12-30T12:17:40Z")
Again … --- ## [Recommend a game similar to Civ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-game-similar-to-civ/995280)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2023, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-game-similar-to-civ/995280 "2023-12-30T10:49:12Z")
I’d like one that’s more fantasy-ish, though. I have a hunger for empire-building, but nothing too deep into the tiny details. --- ## [Adding a "Pronouns" custom user field? Good idea, or the worst idea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adding-a-pronouns-custom-user-field-good-idea-or-the-worst-idea/973025)
**Author:** [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2023, 8:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adding-a-pronouns-custom-user-field-good-idea-or-the-worst-idea/973025 "2023-12-30T08:33:00Z")
Following the change that was recently made on the Discourse Meta board, would adding a “Pronouns” user field for public display be something useful to this board? I do not know the answer, and I am very mixed about whe… --- ## [Inappropriate Comments from Dentist](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inappropriate-comments-from-dentist/974975)
**Author:** [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats2)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2023, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inappropriate-comments-from-dentist/974975 "2023-12-30T08:00:07Z")
My tooth was hurting, so I went to the dentist. Something I haven’t done in years. I did not like what she had to say. Okay, I admit it. I grind my teeth and a lot of damage has been done, exactly as the dentist desc… --- ## [Do they shoot funeral scenes in actual graveyards?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-shoot-funeral-scenes-in-actual-graveyards/955556)
**Author:** [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2023, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-shoot-funeral-scenes-in-actual-graveyards/955556 "2023-12-30T07:24:28Z")
I was laughing at this wonderful sketch: Some of the Coffin Flops appear to be shot in a real graveyard, though… but wouldn’t that be considered disrespectful by the families of people actually interred th… --- ## [A new red pill/blue pill choice](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-red-pill-blue-pill-choice/995118)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2023, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-red-pill-blue-pill-choice/995118 "2023-12-30T05:37:35Z")
If you take a red pill, you will revert back to being 16 again but with all the knowledge you have accrued to date. If you take a blue pill, you stay the same age but are handed 5 million dollars in cash. Which pill do… --- ## [Musical "hook"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-hook/995243)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2023, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-hook/995243 "2023-12-30T02:51:35Z")
I see the term used often. But I’m not a musician and I’m not sure what parts of a song are the “hook”. Here is a quote from Wikipedia about the Stones’ song, “This could be the last time” “A full live performance is al… --- ## [Being a fan of a musician's weirder and less well known work](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-a-fan-of-a-musicians-weirder-and-less-well-known-work/995287)
**Author:** [@veryfrank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/veryfrank)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2023, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-a-fan-of-a-musicians-weirder-and-less-well-known-work/995287 "2023-12-30T01:50:54Z")
Not long after Sinéad O’Connor died this year, I was in a used CD store and picked up a copy of a two-disc compilation of hers, that was half B-sides, half a live show. Really loved it. I dug a bit deeper and realized sh… --- ## [Is Ken Burns's civil War available for streaming?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ken-burnss-civil-war-available-for-streaming/995258)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2023, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ken-burnss-civil-war-available-for-streaming/995258 "2023-12-30T00:36:46Z")
I’ve googled around but didn’t find anything. --- ## [What magazine have you stuck with the longest?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-magazine-have-you-stuck-with-the-longest/962937)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 127\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2023, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-magazine-have-you-stuck-with-the-longest/962937 "2023-12-30T00:31:30Z")
Magazines come and go. Subscriptions end. Maybe you were introduced to a magazine when relatively young that you still read in digital form, or subscribe to. Maybe you only buy it occasionally but have done so for yea… --- ## [I know we can't give official medical advice on the Dope, but I do have a question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-know-we-cant-give-official-medical-advice-on-the-dope-but-i-do-have-a-question/995066)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2023, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-know-we-cant-give-official-medical-advice-on-the-dope-but-i-do-have-a-question/995066 "2023-12-29T23:30:38Z")
Of course, I’ve checked WebMD and other allied sites, so ZOMG I’M GONNA DIE is a possibility. Anyway, for the past month or so, the end joint on my second right toe has been red, swollen, and painful. At first, I thoug… --- ## [Do Doctoral Math Students Primarily Learn from Journal Articles, Monographs, and Seminars?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-doctoral-math-students-primarily-learn-from-journal-articles-monographs-and-seminars/994834)
**Author:** [@Caribbean\_cruiser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caribbean_cruiser)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2023, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-doctoral-math-students-primarily-learn-from-journal-articles-monographs-and-seminars/994834 "2023-12-29T22:38:54Z")
What is the primary means of education for doctoral students of mathematics? I’m guessing it’s seminars, not lectures – and monographs and journal articles, not textbooks. Is that correct? Are there many textbooks for do… --- ## [NFL 2023: Week 16](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-16/994895)
**Author:** [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Replies:** 117\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2023, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-16/994895 "2023-12-29T22:05:50Z")
Last week’s results meant that the playoff picture became clearer at the top and bottom, but much more muddled in the middle. The Ravens, Niners, Cowboys, and Eagles have all clinched playoff spots; the Chiefs, Dolphins… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=661&state=watching) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=663&state=watching)