# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=666&state=muted [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 667 --- ## [Monthly Photo Competition #13 - Dec 2023 - “Cosy”](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monthly-photo-competition-13-dec-2023-cosy/994205)
**Author:** [@TwoCarrotSnowman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwoCarrotSnowman)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2023, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monthly-photo-competition-13-dec-2023-cosy/994205 "2023-12-24T23:08:48Z")
This is the monthly thread for December 2023. The topic this month is “Cosy”, chosen by @BetsQ Please note: The general rules for the competition are here. One entry per person per month. To make the photos easier… --- ## [1 year old Kodak 8mm film digitizer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-year-old-kodak-8mm-film-digitizer/995056)
**Author:** [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2023, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-year-old-kodak-8mm-film-digitizer/995056 "2023-12-24T21:43:41Z")
Well… I’m cleaning out my deceased mothers house. Doing good. I’m really donating anything and everything (except the house :slight\_smile: ) I have a 1 year old Kodak 8mm film digitizer. Nobody that I can find wants it… --- ## [It's a LONE holiday](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-lone-holiday/995032)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2023, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-lone-holiday/995032 "2023-12-24T20:20:14Z")
My Asian wife bought some cute little Xmas trees , each atop a wrapped present. On each box is a single letter. She has been decorating the living room and asked me, “What does L,O, N, E mean?” --- ## [Bad bad bad- Against my better judgement](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-against-my-better-judgement/995017)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2023, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-against-my-better-judgement/995017 "2023-12-24T20:15:18Z")
After my dialysis Ivy insisted we go to Walmart. I said “No no no, we really don’t wanna do that.” But she kept on. It’ll be fun, she said. You’ll like it, she said. I knew better. I had trepidation in my little non-j… --- ## [Do we know or have some idea of how much it costs to run the sdmb?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-know-or-have-some-idea-of-how-much-it-costs-to-run-the-sdmb/995036)
**Author:** [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2023, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-know-or-have-some-idea-of-how-much-it-costs-to-run-the-sdmb/995036 "2023-12-24T17:33:37Z")
ok the last time this was asked was 20 years ago and just about everything here has changed … i mean since were part of a not-for-profit media company these days velocitys question about ownership prompted me to ask f… --- ## [What kind of junk food do you have access to right now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-junk-food-do-you-have-access-to-right-now/994621)
**Author:** [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2023, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-junk-food-do-you-have-access-to-right-now/994621 "2023-12-24T17:01:44Z")
Define junk any way you like. I have Kraft Mac & Cheese (probably expired since I never get a chance to eat it). A box of assorted Ferrero Rocher someone gave us for Christmas. Half a bag of tortilla chips left over fr… --- ## [Our "lizard brain"--any factual basis to this phrase?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-lizard-brain-any-factual-basis-to-this-phrase/994946)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2023, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-lizard-brain-any-factual-basis-to-this-phrase/994946 "2023-12-24T17:00:17Z")
I frequently hear primitive human brain functions referred to as our “lizard brain.” I’m not sure who used said this, but is this is just baseless hyperbole? How far back do you have to go before lizards and homo sapiens… --- ## [After School Satan Clubs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-school-satan-clubs/761416)
**Author:** [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2023, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-school-satan-clubs/761416 "2023-12-24T16:26:31Z")
Forgive me if someone has already posted about this – I can’t get the SDMB search function to work. As I understand it, a court decision has recently enabled a hardcore fire and brimstone type of Christian group to star… --- ## [Need answer fast cheese curds that make your teeth squeak](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-answer-fast-cheese-curds-that-make-your-teeth-squeak/995026)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2023, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-answer-fast-cheese-curds-that-make-your-teeth-squeak/995026 "2023-12-24T15:45:37Z")
My wife is fond some cheese curds that she says make he teeth squeak. Anyone know what brand this is and where I can find it in Austin Tx? --- ## [Loki TV series discussion (spoilers)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/loki-tv-series-discussion-spoilers/931625)
**Author:** [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Replies:** 655\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2023, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/loki-tv-series-discussion-spoilers/931625 "2023-12-24T13:22:17Z")
I understand that Marvel are making a 6 episode TV season starring Tom Hiddleston :sunglasses: as the God of Mischief (“Say my name!”). From a trailer, I believe this is a new timeline, created when Loki luckily picks u… --- ## [My neighbourhood pub has finally recovered from covid](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbourhood-pub-has-finally-recovered-from-covid/995060)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2023, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbourhood-pub-has-finally-recovered-from-covid/995060 "2023-12-24T11:49:50Z")
It’s an Irish-themed pub. Took a hit from Covid. But I’m sitting here having lunch and the place is packed. The Saturday session musicians are back! There’s step-dancers, specially for Christmas Eve-Eve. The crowd is cla… --- ## [What are you favorite non-religious Christmas songs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-favorite-non-religious-christmas-songs/994997)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2023, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-favorite-non-religious-christmas-songs/994997 "2023-12-24T11:16:11Z")
Select as many as you like. poll --- ## [Why did Vito kill Don Fanucci?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-vito-kill-don-fanucci/993791)
**Author:** [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2023, 10:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-vito-kill-don-fanucci/993791 "2023-12-24T10:21:15Z")
Yes, spoiler in the title, but “The Godfather Part II” is 49 years old. I don’t quite grasp Vito’s approach to the Don Fanucci problem. Fanucci demands a little tribute from Vito and friends. Vito tells his friends he… --- ## [Are my ancient ancestors considered extinct?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-my-ancient-ancestors-considered-extinct/991062)
**Author:** [@Saffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saffer)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2023, 8:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-my-ancient-ancestors-considered-extinct/991062 "2023-12-24T08:33:32Z")
If you go back far enough, some of my ancestors are fish. Are the species those fish belong to considered to be an extinct species? On the one hand, nothing that looks like those fish are around today. On the other hand… --- ## [My PC keeps randomly shutting down. Time for a new one I guess?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-pc-keeps-randomly-shutting-down-time-for-a-new-one-i-guess/992620)
**Author:** [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2023, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-pc-keeps-randomly-shutting-down-time-for-a-new-one-i-guess/992620 "2023-12-24T05:48:34Z")
My Windows PC has been randomly shutting down, sometimes multiples times a day, for no obvious reason. It’s not the RAM, it’s not the heat or fans, it’s not any particular software, it’s just dying I guess. To be fair, t… --- ## [Pseudomonas, anyone here had? Tell me about it](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pseudomonas-anyone-here-had-tell-me-about-it/995070)
**Author:** [@dummygladhands71](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dummygladhands71)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2023, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pseudomonas-anyone-here-had-tell-me-about-it/995070 "2023-12-24T04:30:52Z")
My fella has it, over a week in the ICU. I am getting frightened. Can your abdomen rupture? His belly is 4 times the normal size. The medics are pumping in all kinds of antibiotics. He’s really sick. --- ## [Top 10 Movies of 2023 - my list and open discussion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-10-movies-of-2023-my-list-and-open-discussion/994715)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2023, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-10-movies-of-2023-my-list-and-open-discussion/994715 "2023-12-24T04:11:19Z")
I made a Top 10 list this year, something I don’t always do. I just felt like I had an easier time ranking movies this year and there were some clear stand-outs that were exceptional. As always, there are movies I have y… --- ## [Solar Energy question?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solar-energy-question/994914)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2023, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solar-energy-question/994914 "2023-12-23T23:04:37Z")
If a skyscraper were built to generate its own power and hopefully more would it be best at this time to simply cover it in solar panels, or could a different system possibly be incorporated such as an out shell that col… --- ## [Origin of "Ignore alien orders" phrase](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-ignore-alien-orders-phrase/212389)
**Author:** [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2023, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-ignore-alien-orders-phrase/212389 "2023-12-23T22:51:27Z")
Just what the subject says. I’ve Googled my butt off, but I can’t track down the origin of this phrase. Does anyone have the answer? --- ## [My epiphany about eating and weight loss (pretty long)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-epiphany-about-eating-and-weight-loss-pretty-long/994596)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2023, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-epiphany-about-eating-and-weight-loss-pretty-long/994596 "2023-12-23T22:25:41Z")
About a year ago, my A1C rose from pre-diabetic, usually around 6.0 to 6.2, to diabetic at 6.6. This, combined with a previous episode of atrial flutter (which was corrected) jolted me into the realization that I could n… --- ## [Head hair on a young man](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/head-hair-on-a-young-man/994966)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2023, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/head-hair-on-a-young-man/994966 "2023-12-23T21:13:08Z")
Son-of-a-wrek thinks he is going bald. He is going prematurely grey. Like his Dad did. As a teen he had a thick shock of blond hair. He went to the Marines and that left pretty quickly. After his time he grew it out s… --- ## [Most successful siblings (of 3 or more) in sports history](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-successful-siblings-of-3-or-more-in-sports-history/993926)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2023, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-successful-siblings-of-3-or-more-in-sports-history/993926 "2023-12-23T20:34:45Z")
Watching 2 of the 3 Hughes brothers playing for the NJ Devils recently made me consider this question. Quinn, Jack and Luke were all drafted in the top 7 of the NHL draft and off to great starts to their hockey careers,… --- ## [POLL: What is your net worth?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-is-your-net-worth/921114)
**Author:** [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Replies:** 98\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2023, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-is-your-net-worth/921114 "2023-12-23T20:05:38Z")
poll You can include house equity without subtracting the mortgage amount - “I put down 120k on my home and it’s worth $80k more now == +$200k”. If you have student or car/boat/whatevs loans, subtract those if substantia… --- ## [Billionaire income tax?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billionaire-income-tax/994864)
**Author:** [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2023, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billionaire-income-tax/994864 "2023-12-23T18:26:34Z")
For anyone who knows about economics maybe you can explain something for me? There’s a lot of criticism of billionaires not paying taxes lately for good reasons, but the typical response is often something like, well th… --- ## [News stories about Congress members who take credit for programs that they voted against](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-stories-about-congress-members-who-take-credit-for-programs-that-they-voted-against/995050)
**Author:** [@2outta3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2outta3)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2023, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-stories-about-congress-members-who-take-credit-for-programs-that-they-voted-against/995050 "2023-12-23T18:01:53Z")
Over the past couple of years I’ve seen a number of stories identifying individuals who are doing this when giving speeches to their supporters. Has this become more widespread in recent years or is it just the result of… --- ## [20 years later, Joel Schumacher apologizes for Batman & Robin](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/20-years-later-joel-schumacher-apologizes-for-batman-robin/788829)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2023, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/20-years-later-joel-schumacher-apologizes-for-batman-robin/788829 "2023-12-23T17:31:44Z")
Fantastic interview at VICE with Batman & Robin director Joel Schumacher: :stuck\_out\_tongue: He seems like a cool guy. --- ## [Fly through AI space](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fly-through-ai-space/994972)
**Author:** [@EnolaStraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnolaStraight)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2023, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fly-through-ai-space/994972 "2023-12-23T16:33:09Z")
Enjoy this bit of AI generated space animated art. AI Manifest: The Most Beautiful Space Visualization on the Internet | 4K UHD | 24 FPS (youtube.com) --- ## [Covid Related: Canadian soldier pleads guilty to two counts of prejudice to good order and discipline](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covid-related-canadian-soldier-pleads-guilty-to-two-counts-of-prejudice-to-good-order-and-discipline/993151)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2023, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covid-related-canadian-soldier-pleads-guilty-to-two-counts-of-prejudice-to-good-order-and-discipline/993151 "2023-12-23T14:08:31Z")
While in uniform, released video criticizing mandatory Covid vaccines for serving military. Will likely be dismissed from the reserves. --- ## [Why is VPN so heavily advertised on YouTube?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-vpn-so-heavily-advertised-on-youtube/994845)
**Author:** [@Danger\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danger_Man)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2023, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-vpn-so-heavily-advertised-on-youtube/994845 "2023-12-23T12:33:49Z")
Is the market really so big for VPN services? Or is it because it’s something that is easier to sell than other products? --- ## [Ack! My fingers!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ack-my-fingers/994938)
**Author:** [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2023, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ack-my-fingers/994938 "2023-12-23T06:50:31Z")
TL; DR: I lost a fingernail because I am Gen-X. Friendly warning for anyone who might use a hand mixer: Attach the beaters first. Then plug it in. A few nights ago, I was making Christmas cookies and needed the hand mix… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=665&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=667&state=muted)