# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=664&state=watching [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 665 --- ## [Full-face photos and security issues. When to worry?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/full-face-photos-and-security-issues-when-to-worry/995232)
**Author:** [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2023, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/full-face-photos-and-security-issues-when-to-worry/995232 "2023-12-28T14:16:42Z")
This comes under the heading of “things I never worried about before, but now…?” My question is whether a digital full face photo filed under my name is some type of security risk. I recently got new glasses from EyeBu… --- ## [Always cooked tomatoes in Teflon pans, did I damage them?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/always-cooked-tomatoes-in-teflon-pans-did-i-damage-them/995209)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2023, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/always-cooked-tomatoes-in-teflon-pans-did-i-damage-them/995209 "2023-12-28T14:11:28Z")
So I’ve always cooked tomatoes (or other sour foods) in Teflon pans. Now I’m thinking that perhaps the acidity was damaging the nonstick lining and making stuff leach into the food. Were these pans meant only for non-ac… --- ## [Wishing you a secular Christmas - how are your non-Christian friends treating the day?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wishing-you-a-secular-christmas-how-are-your-non-christian-friends-treating-the-day/995198)
**Author:** [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2023, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wishing-you-a-secular-christmas-how-are-your-non-christian-friends-treating-the-day/995198 "2023-12-28T13:46:49Z")
As a kid growing up in an atheist household we always had a tenuous relationship with the messages and symbolism of Christmas. As a grown-up I’ve embraced the day off, and a family-focussed big Christmas lunch, reflect… --- ## [What's the weirdest Christmas song you know?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-weirdest-christmas-song-you-know/995078)
**Author:** [@Reeses\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeses_Monkey)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2023, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-weirdest-christmas-song-you-know/995078 "2023-12-28T08:51:06Z")
I have to nominate “Must be Santa” by Nobel Laureate Robert A Zimmerman. Not only for the song itself but also for whatever is going on in this crazyass video. --- ## [Christmas movies and Easter movies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-movies-and-easter-movies/995129)
**Author:** [@Mislav](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mislav)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2023, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-movies-and-easter-movies/995129 "2023-12-28T08:31:51Z")
Merry Christmas and a happy New Year! Why do we have so many classical Christmas movies, but hardly any Easter movies? And what should a good Easter movie be like? Most of popular Easter movies are Biblical epics. On t… --- ## [My (slightly) new perspective on the actors strike](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-slightly-new-perspective-on-the-actors-strike/994799)
**Author:** [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2023, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-slightly-new-perspective-on-the-actors-strike/994799 "2023-12-28T06:32:46Z")
I’m not a large consumer of scripted television or even movies, but the strike was big news so I sorta kept half an eye on it. A big issue was AI, and I sympathized because I could see that becoming a threat and I tend … --- ## [NFL Playoff scenarios](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-scenarios/995120)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2023, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-scenarios/995120 "2023-12-28T05:13:32Z")
Two weeks left to go and here is where we are at. NFC - 4 teams clinched & 7 teams competing for 3 spots. Unless something really wacky happens the wild cards will be three of these teams Tampa Bay 8-7 Los Angeles Ra… --- ## [Do you use a VPN? How often?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-a-vpn-how-often/995164)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2023, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-a-vpn-how-often/995164 "2023-12-28T05:00:45Z")
Do you use a VPN? poll I’m only referring to legitimate VPN use. Nothing shady. I occasionally used the freebie that comes with Kaspersky anti-virus. It’s limited to 300MB a day. I bought a 2 year subscription with PI… --- ## [Is this usage correct? "Same Old (sic) Lang Syne."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-usage-correct-same-old-sic-lang-syne/994947)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2023, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-usage-correct-same-old-sic-lang-syne/994947 "2023-12-27T22:48:01Z")
Typically, “sic” is used in print to denote that an error is being shown as it originally was written. In this case, “Same Old Lang Syne” is the actual name of a Dan Fogelberg song instead of “Same Auld Lang Syne.” If … --- ## [Back to the Future- Marty wakes to a new future - question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-future-marty-wakes-to-a-new-future-question/995115)
**Author:** [@SpicyDuckBillyHunt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpicyDuckBillyHunt)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2023, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-future-marty-wakes-to-a-new-future-question/995115 "2023-12-27T22:11:50Z")
At the ending of Back to the Future, Marty says he’s not going to the lake as the car is ‘wrecked’. All tha family react as if he’s taking about the BMW. They rush out and see it is fine. But they know Marty has the Toy… --- ## [Our dysfunctional congress neatly summed up](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-dysfunctional-congress-neatly-summed-up/995172)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2023, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-dysfunctional-congress-neatly-summed-up/995172 "2023-12-27T22:02:52Z")
I saw the article (below) and thought it should be shared. It highlights how congress has been close to worthless this year. It’s actually scary…there just doesn’t seem to be anyone steering the ship. I’m not sure w… --- ## [What is this wormy thing I found in my house?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-wormy-thing-i-found-in-my-house/995051)
**Author:** [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2023, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-wormy-thing-i-found-in-my-house/995051 "2023-12-27T21:30:45Z")
Found this crawling about a downstairs hallway this morning. I thought it was an ew! rat turd or something, then it moved! Deep brown color, tan underneath. Very slow mover, hard to even tell it’s alive. What is this thi… --- ## [Abstaining from alcohol and cannabis before surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abstaining-from-alcohol-and-cannabis-before-surgery/995089)
**Author:** [@anny\_m](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anny_m)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2023, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abstaining-from-alcohol-and-cannabis-before-surgery/995089 "2023-12-27T21:22:17Z")
My husband is scheduled for surgery to repair a hernia in about a month. He’s already had the pre-surgical appointment. At the appointment he was given the usual pre-surgery instructions. The nurse had handwritten on … --- ## [Anybody who’s on the fence about Biden, or think he’s “lost a step” mentally should listen to this interview](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-who-s-on-the-fence-about-biden-or-think-he-s-lost-a-step-mentally-should-listen-to-this-interview/995049)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 113\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2023, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-who-s-on-the-fence-about-biden-or-think-he-s-lost-a-step-mentally-should-listen-to-this-interview/995049 "2023-12-27T20:58:28Z")
And that interview is a recent episode of the “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend” podcast. I have to admit, I was a little nervous at first to listen to it; I’ve been so inundated with depictions in the media of Biden being … --- ## [Who made and sold the first candy bar nationwide?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-made-and-sold-the-first-candy-bar-nationwide/995127)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2023, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-made-and-sold-the-first-candy-bar-nationwide/995127 "2023-12-27T20:52:57Z")
Is there an accepted first candy bar that sold nationwide? My life long favorite is Baby Ruth. Created in 1920. The history of the name alternates between President Grover Cleveland’s daughter Ruth and the baseball pla… --- ## [Movies that are "remakes" but with different titles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-that-are-remakes-but-with-different-titles/991894)
**Author:** [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Replies:** 165\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2023, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-that-are-remakes-but-with-different-titles/991894 "2023-12-27T20:45:59Z")
His Girl Friday is a remake of The Front Page. My Fair Lady and High Society are musical remakes of Pygmalion and The Philadelphia Story, respectively. What are some other examples? --- ## [A Good Imitation of You](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-imitation-of-you/995144)
**Author:** [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2023, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-imitation-of-you/995144 "2023-12-27T18:32:28Z")
If you were famous, do you think comedians and impressionists could to a decent impression of you? I mean if you were a famous actor, or news figure, or something where people in general hear your voice on the regular. I… --- ## [VR Games discussion thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vr-games-discussion-thread/932572)
**Author:** [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2023, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vr-games-discussion-thread/932572 "2023-12-27T17:07:24Z")
We’ve had some scattered threads a little bit about VR, but I’d be interested in discussing the games that are available. I suspect there are a lot of new VR users who got an Oculus Quest 2 recently (including myself). … --- ## [Was this compliment inappropriate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-compliment-inappropriate/994817)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 176\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2023, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-compliment-inappropriate/994817 "2023-12-27T16:46:06Z")
Our municipal building closes at 9pm after night court is concluded. There is a woman, “Sylvia”, who cleans in the building from 11pm-3am. On rare occasion she accidentally locks herself out of the building while taking… --- ## [What is the longest lasting power supply we can practically make for an interstellar space probe?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-longest-lasting-power-supply-we-can-practically-make-for-an-interstellar-space-probe/994992)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2023, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-longest-lasting-power-supply-we-can-practically-make-for-an-interstellar-space-probe/994992 "2023-12-27T16:36:27Z")
RTG or solar or other? What are the practical limits of how long we can expect we could make it last. I’m talking about power supply only. If we needed one to last 400-500 years is that remotely possible? Also regard… --- ## [The Deradicalization of the Palestinians](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-deradicalization-of-the-palestinians/995194)
**Author:** [@InfraBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InfraBlue)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2023, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-deradicalization-of-the-palestinians/995194 "2023-12-27T15:30:32Z")
On Monday Benjamin Netanyahu wrote in the Wall Street Journal an opinion piece (paywalled) about Israel’s three prerequisites for peace, the third of which is the deradicalization of Palestinian society, saying that chil… --- ## [How many people here can pronounce Chamois, the material and common purpose?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-here-can-pronounce-chamois-the-material-and-common-purpose/994889)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2023, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-here-can-pronounce-chamois-the-material-and-common-purpose/994889 "2023-12-27T13:56:58Z")
I LMAO just now. The Van Morrison classic Google Saint Dominic’s Preview lyrics The default lyrics say --- ## [Which would cause you more grief?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-would-cause-you-more-grief/995121)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2023, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-would-cause-you-more-grief/995121 "2023-12-27T13:27:08Z")
Apologies for a downer thread on xmas, but it came up today… One of my daughter’s nieces died last year after a couple of years of life spent in and out of hospital. Today her grandfather posted something on FB about h… --- ## [(Great) Britain becoming the UK](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-britain-becoming-the-uk/995157)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2023, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-britain-becoming-the-uk/995157 "2023-12-27T11:28:07Z")
I feel I’ve noticed a trend of the term “(Great) Britain”, or the corresponding adjective, being increasingly replaced by “UK” in British usage. Yes, I know, strictly speaking Great Britain is only the island on which En… --- ## [Christmas Eve - for the SDMB](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-eve-for-the-sdmb/995093)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2023, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-eve-for-the-sdmb/995093 "2023-12-27T06:19:31Z")
Hope everyone is having a nice Sunday evening. For those that observe the Holiday, Have a Merry Christmas --- ## [A Pleasant Surprise: I got a Turkey Dinner for Christmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-pleasant-surprise-i-got-a-turkey-dinner-for-christmas/995111)
**Author:** [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2023, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-pleasant-surprise-i-got-a-turkey-dinner-for-christmas/995111 "2023-12-27T05:49:19Z")
As many of you know, I like to play horse racing. While we do have live racing locally, we also have a race book at the track, where I can wager on anything that’s running in North America, even if they’re not running l… --- ## [What did you buy today?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-you-buy-today/995020)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2023, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-you-buy-today/995020 "2023-12-27T05:00:38Z")
A Snickers bar? A new car? Something in between? List some or all of today’s purchases, online, in-person, whatever. Today I bought: 7 lbs. of kielbasa A carrot cake A red velvet cake A block of buffalo cheddar chees… --- ## [Any benefit to paying down a large credit card balance before year-end?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-benefit-to-paying-down-a-large-credit-card-balance-before-year-end/995166)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2023, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-benefit-to-paying-down-a-large-credit-card-balance-before-year-end/995166 "2023-12-27T01:54:47Z")
My normal payment cycle includes me paying down my credit cards at the beginning of the month. However, I built up some large balances this past month, so that got me wondering if there is any benefit to paying them dow… --- ## [Steam Trolls Players With Bans Wrapped Up Like Christmas Presents](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steam-trolls-players-with-bans-wrapped-up-like-christmas-presents/995143)
**Author:** [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2023, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steam-trolls-players-with-bans-wrapped-up-like-christmas-presents/995143 "2023-12-27T00:26:30Z")
Link Video game companies have gotten very creative when it comes to punishing cheaters, from cutting their parachutes’ strings in Call of Duty to blowing them up in Grand Theft Auto Online. But Valve just set a new be… --- ## [Ivy and the Chocolate covered Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ivy-and-the-chocolate-covered-cherry/995073)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2023, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ivy-and-the-chocolate-covered-cherry/995073 "2023-12-27T00:01:21Z")
She likes to torment me. I can’t have that. She should not have it. She begs to differ. They are the cheapo ones. Not the fancy brand. These are $2 in the store. Still I want one. So… I plead and promise to be good.… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=663&state=watching) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=665&state=watching)