# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=694&state=muted [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 695 --- ## [Daylight Savings Time south of the Equator](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daylight-savings-time-south-of-the-equator/992892)
**Author:** [@EnolaStraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnolaStraight)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2023, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daylight-savings-time-south-of-the-equator/992892 "2023-11-17T21:55:14Z")
Do the folks in South America and Australia run a DST opposite from us in the Northern Hemisphere? --- ## [Mysterious canine respiratory illness sweeping the nation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mysterious-canine-respiratory-illness-sweeping-the-nation/993255)
**Author:** [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2023, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mysterious-canine-respiratory-illness-sweeping-the-nation/993255 "2023-11-17T20:21:55Z")
Joe developed a weird cough the other day, and it sounds terrible. Seems unlikely it would be kennel cough, since his last daycare trip was early October and his only other dog contact is with the 2 next door through the… --- ## [Are "smart" toys such as drones a danger to kids?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-smart-toys-such-as-drones-a-danger-to-kids/993291)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2023, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-smart-toys-such-as-drones-a-danger-to-kids/993291 "2023-11-17T20:06:48Z")
There have been “scares” about toys that could record or spy on children, such as Furbys. Is this article more of the same unwarranted fears, or is there a legitimate concern here? --- ## [Government shutdown watch fall 2023 edition](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/government-shutdown-watch-fall-2023-edition/989657)
**Author:** [@MulderMuffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MulderMuffin)\ **Replies:** 216\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2023, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/government-shutdown-watch-fall-2023-edition/989657 "2023-11-17T20:02:50Z")
A place to discuss and debate the potential (likely) fight for a budget resolution or a temporary continuation of funding for the US government with a deadline of September 30th, 2023. In the Leopards Eating Faces party… --- ## [The L-curve: distribution of income](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-l-curve-distribution-of-income/100904)
**Author:** [@Jenner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenner)\ **Replies:** 132\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2023, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-l-curve-distribution-of-income/100904 "2023-11-17T17:07:37Z")
This page illustrates just how skewed the income distribution is in the United States. Wealth distribution is even more highly skewed, with 1% of the population controlling 40-50% of the nation’s wealth. It’s astounding… --- ## [Hotel California Redux - Another 1979-like Right Wing Shift?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hotel-california-redux-another-1979-like-right-wing-shift/991674)
**Author:** [@JBGUSA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBGUSA)\ **Replies:** 152\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2023, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hotel-california-redux-another-1979-like-right-wing-shift/991674 "2023-11-17T16:49:11Z")
As the Eagles said, we haven’t had the spirit here since 1979, when the U.S. lurched from the liberalism of the New Deal and Kennedy eras, to Jimmy Carter, towards Ronald Reagan’s landslide election. Several storm flags … --- ## [Critical Reasoning in the USA, Teaching Thereof](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critical-reasoning-in-the-usa-teaching-thereof/985961)
**Author:** [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Replies:** 156\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2023, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critical-reasoning-in-the-usa-teaching-thereof/985961 "2023-11-17T16:04:43Z")
I was reading Meteorologist victim of domestic terrorism, and I wondered, “how does someone get to the point where making death threats to a meteorologists seems like it will accomplish anything?” That led me to wonder … --- ## [Consumer Nightmares Big & Small](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-nightmares-big-small/993246)
**Author:** [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2023, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-nightmares-big-small/993246 "2023-11-17T15:43:25Z")
One of my watering hole football watching buddies has notoriously bad luck when it comes to food service in any form. For example, he’s the only person I’ve ever known who, upon arriving home with his McDonald’s burger &… --- ## [How do you feel about tearing down or even just "retiring" places like the White House or Buckingham Palace?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-feel-about-tearing-down-or-even-just-retiring-places-like-the-white-house-or-buckingham-palace/991169)
**Author:** [@Tzigone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tzigone)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2023, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-feel-about-tearing-down-or-even-just-retiring-places-like-the-white-house-or-buckingham-palace/991169 "2023-11-17T15:11:38Z")
Or other old buildings in your nation or state/province/etc. or whatnot that are similarly used? I have read complaints from those who have worked (or lived) in such places. They weren’t built with the modern world in mi… --- ## [What is the Import of Mike Johnson's Win as Speaker of the House?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-import-of-mike-johnsons-win-as-speaker-of-the-house/992097)
**Author:** [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Replies:** 250\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2023, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-import-of-mike-johnsons-win-as-speaker-of-the-house/992097 "2023-11-17T14:24:11Z")
Not wishing to hijack this thread: But I have some thoughts. I hope I’m wrong, but I fear from this outcome that the takeaway is that Republicans will devote all their efforts to steal the next election in 2024 in th… --- ## [Can the rear seat crewmember of a fighter jet fly the plane?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-rear-seat-crewmember-of-a-fighter-jet-fly-the-plane/993267)
**Author:** [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2023, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-rear-seat-crewmember-of-a-fighter-jet-fly-the-plane/993267 "2023-11-17T14:17:12Z")
That’s pretty much the question. If the pilot of a modern fighter jet (say, something the US uses) became unavailable during a flight, could the rear seat crewmember successfully operate the aircraft? Could he/she cont… --- ## [What is the best song that begins with a numeral or a symbol? See rules in OP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-that-begins-with-a-numeral-or-a-symbol-see-rules-in-op/992727)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 136\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2023, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-that-begins-with-a-numeral-or-a-symbol-see-rules-in-op/992727 "2023-11-17T13:41:03Z")
Rules: OK, let’s get this one out of the way. Your submissions must begin with a punctuation mark, a character, or a numeral. Note that, if the title spells out the number (i.e. “Seven Nation Army”), it is ineligib… --- ## [What is the best song that begins with the letter \*\*P\*\*? See rules in OP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-that-begins-with-the-letter-p-see-rules-in-op/993092)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2023, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-that-begins-with-the-letter-p-see-rules-in-op/993092 "2023-11-17T10:46:30Z")
Rules: @pjd gets 6 entries this round. NEW RULE: Please do not post title suggestions for others to submit. This takes a little of the fun out of the process. It is ok, after the polls are posted, to name titles th… --- ## ["Laugh, kookaburra ..."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laugh-kookaburra/993250)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2023, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laugh-kookaburra/993250 "2023-11-17T10:20:52Z")
So do Aussies really sing about kookaburras or was that just a song our 2nd grade teachers thought up? --- ## [Calling out a CLAIM is not attacking the poster](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-out-a-claim-is-not-attacking-the-poster/993177)
**Author:** [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2023, 9:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-out-a-claim-is-not-attacking-the-poster/993177 "2023-11-17T09:03:45Z")
In the Israel news discussion thread, I got the following moderator note: This is attacking a poster. This is very specifically not attacking the poster. This is attacking the claim that a poster made. I did not opi… --- ## [Backing up my computer--24 hours later](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/backing-up-my-computer-24-hours-later/993086)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2023, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/backing-up-my-computer-24-hours-later/993086 "2023-11-17T08:04:44Z")
It is now around 5PM, EST. Yesterday at 5 PM, I plugged in a standalone hard disk and typed copy /s \* d: which means copy everything to drive d: (the hard disk), including subdirectories. It continued till 10:30 when… --- ## [Detective stories with non-cliche mysteries](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/detective-stories-with-non-cliche-mysteries/993257)
**Author:** [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2023, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/detective-stories-with-non-cliche-mysteries/993257 "2023-11-17T07:13:59Z")
I am not a big fan of the mystery genre. It seems to me that 99% of the stories are about murders or jewel heists. (Or art heists. I suppose jewelry is a subset of art.) Recently, I saw the movie Peeper, starring Mich… --- ## [Prick potatoes before microwaving](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prick-potatoes-before-microwaving/992983)
**Author:** [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Replies:** 105\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2023, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prick-potatoes-before-microwaving/992983 "2023-11-17T04:39:37Z")
I always prick some holes in my potatoes before I microwave them. Here’s what happened when I forgot. :cold\_sweat: First the microwave started shaking…then there was a bang. :flushed: There was a cloud of smoke and wh… --- ## [Rothfuss announces new book (no, not Doors of Stone)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rothfuss-announces-new-book-no-not-doors-of-stone/984243)
**Author:** [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2023, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rothfuss-announces-new-book-no-not-doors-of-stone/984243 "2023-11-17T04:41:44Z")
It is a novella, somewhat based on The Lightning Tree, it is named The Narrow Road Between Desires In a lot of ways, it’s going to be similar to The Slow Regard of Silent Things. It’s set in Temerant. It’s going to b… --- ## [Final poll – What is the best L song? Select just one](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/final-poll-what-is-the-best-l-song-select-just-one/992005)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2023, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/final-poll-what-is-the-best-l-song-select-just-one/992005 "2023-11-17T04:06:17Z")
poll --- ## [Does the display of American flags have some "hidden meaning" these days?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-display-of-american-flags-have-some-hidden-meaning-these-days/990270)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 298\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2023, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-display-of-american-flags-have-some-hidden-meaning-these-days/990270 "2023-11-17T04:01:21Z")
I’ve noticed that in my neighborhood several homes flag US flags nearly daily. It used to be we were one of few houses that flew the flag even on federal holidays. And it isn’t every block. But on some blocks you’ll s… --- ## [John Paul George Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-paul-george-ringo/993156)
**Author:** [@B.Serum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/B.Serum)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2023, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-paul-george-ringo/993156 "2023-11-17T03:41:28Z")
Hi all, I just wanted to share a recent project I just put up: johnpaulgeorgeringoplaylists.com Its a site linking to playlists I made that combine solo recordings by the ex-Beatles into a few thematically-cohesive (hop… --- ## [Non-English Colloquialisms For A Chicken (someone who is fearful/easily frightened)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-english-colloquialisms-for-a-chicken-someone-who-is-fearful-easily-frightened/992948)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2023, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-english-colloquialisms-for-a-chicken-someone-who-is-fearful-easily-frightened/992948 "2023-11-17T03:23:09Z")
How would I call someone a chicken (as in, they’re easily frightened) in other languages besides English? Is a fearful hispanophone “un pollo”? A fearful a Germanophone “un huhn”? --- ## [How do i turn off the annoying internal lights on my PC?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-turn-off-the-annoying-internal-lights-on-my-pc/993219)
**Author:** [@Loggins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loggins)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2023, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-turn-off-the-annoying-internal-lights-on-my-pc/993219 "2023-11-17T02:35:05Z")
Hello guys and girls and others. I have a PC that i bought maybe 5-6 year ago. It is situated im my bedroom, so that i can access SD quickly and easily. TBH i probably use it most for listening to podcasts while trying … --- ## [How do people learn to play unusual instruments (like a church organ or a carillon)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-people-learn-to-play-unusual-instruments-like-a-church-organ-or-a-carillon/993055)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2023, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-people-learn-to-play-unusual-instruments-like-a-church-organ-or-a-carillon/993055 "2023-11-17T00:53:21Z")
I was watching the video below of a woman playing a church organ. It seems to take two people (mostly her) but also another person lurking and pushing/pulling buttons. How does anyone learn to play such a thing? There… --- ## [White Lincoln Town Car 2000 for sale](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-lincoln-town-car-2000-for-sale/993270)
**Author:** [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2023, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-lincoln-town-car-2000-for-sale/993270 "2023-11-16T23:09:35Z")
Northern Ohio. PM if interested. --- ## [SimCity (2013) 10 year anniversary](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simcity-2013-10-year-anniversary/980898)
**Author:** [@Terminus\_Est](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terminus_Est)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2023, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simcity-2013-10-year-anniversary/980898 "2023-11-16T22:43:37Z")
A decade ago, EA/Maxis launched their latest version of SimCity with much anticipation and fanfare. The launch was so disastrous that it killed both the franchise and the studio that birthed it. (The publisher EA, alas, … --- ## [Rolling down a ramp](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-down-a-ramp/993201)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2023, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-down-a-ramp/993201 "2023-11-16T21:56:53Z")
2 ramps each 100ft tall. 1st ramp 1,000ft long, second ramp 10,000 ft long. Would a ball bearing be traveling at approx. the same speed at the bottom of these ramps? --- ## [Why did early homo species not regain body hair when they migrated to cold climates?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-early-homo-species-not-regain-body-hair-when-they-migrated-to-cold-climates/993099)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2023, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-early-homo-species-not-regain-body-hair-when-they-migrated-to-cold-climates/993099 "2023-11-16T21:46:36Z")
Is it because it takes millions of years? Or is there an adaptive advantage even in cold climates? Or no reason at all? --- ## [Names for surface patterns?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-for-surface-patterns/993261)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2023, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-for-surface-patterns/993261 "2023-11-16T21:38:44Z")
Plants and animals often include in their name (common or taxonomic) a word that describes the coloration on various parts of their body: reticulated, variegated, serrated, and so on. Tesselated is another such word, us… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=693&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=695&state=muted)