# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=711 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 712 --- ## [Found money - yay! (what do you do?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-money-yay-what-do-you-do/991503)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2023, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-money-yay-what-do-you-do/991503 "2023-10-27T03:25:16Z")
You unexpectedly come into a significant chunk of money. I leave the definition of “significant” to you - what’s significant to me as a retiree with virtually no debt likely differs if you have 3 kids in college and a ca… --- ## [Do you live in the Midwest?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-live-in-the-midwest/991795)
**Author:** [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2023, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-live-in-the-midwest/991795 "2023-10-27T02:49:25Z")
Some time ago on the Dope, in a thread that I can’t remember, I opined that Ohio should not be considered part of the Midwest, because it’s far closer to the Atlantic Coast than the Pacific. I was roundly chastised for … --- ## [What does "I sing the body electric" mean anyway?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-i-sing-the-body-electric-mean-anyway/584370)
**Author:** [@Hambil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hambil)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2023, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-i-sing-the-body-electric-mean-anyway/584370 "2023-10-27T01:09:25Z")
Seriously. There is a Walt Whitman poem that makes no sense. A short story by Ray Bradbury that makes no sense. A Twilite Zone episode based on the short story based on the poem that makes no sense. And finally, a hit so… --- ## [Why don't females like model trains?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-females-like-model-trains/706106)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 120\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2023, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-females-like-model-trains/706106 "2023-10-26T22:38:00Z")
It’s something I dont understand. The model train gene. I have been to many train exhibits from small “Thomas the Tank Engine” events to bigger shows and its something that always amazes me. Scenario: The big model tra… --- ## [Vacuum-cleaner experts: Buy a used Riccar for $20?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vacuum-cleaner-experts-buy-a-used-riccar-for-20/992125)
**Author:** [@LynnM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LynnM)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2023, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vacuum-cleaner-experts-buy-a-used-riccar-for-20/992125 "2023-10-26T20:17:20Z")
I saw a Riccar Vibrance R20SC at a thrift store for $19.99. Seemed in good shape, ran OK, but the hose suction seemed weak compared to a Shark NV350 I’ve been using. Is this apparently weak suction a characteristic of Ri… --- ## [Frances Cobain has married Tony Hawk's son Riley - but that's not the whole story](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frances-cobain-has-married-tony-hawks-son-riley-but-thats-not-the-whole-story/992038)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2023, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frances-cobain-has-married-tony-hawks-son-riley-but-thats-not-the-whole-story/992038 "2023-10-26T18:20:23Z")
The ceremony was performed by her godfather, R.E.M. singer emeritus Michael Stipe. I had no idea he was authorized to do this. Regardless, congrats to all of them, and may they have many happy years together. --- ## [Mandatory Health Insurance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mandatory-health-insurance/992037)
**Author:** [@Persimmon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Persimmon)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2023, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mandatory-health-insurance/992037 "2023-10-26T16:43:03Z")
I’ve always found this one to be a little odd because you’re screwed if you do and screwed if you don’t. What I mean is, you don’t WANT to get your money’s worth by hoping you get sick like cancer or need surgery so tha… --- ## [Please help find Kevin Bacon (the runaway pig)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-find-kevin-bacon-the-runaway-pig/992098)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2023, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-find-kevin-bacon-the-runaway-pig/992098 "2023-10-26T15:29:09Z")
He’s footloose and about the town. if you spot poor Kevin, please contact his owner! I don’t know 'em (pig or owner) I just feel bad and hope they locate him. --- ## [Using vacation mode on water heater every other day](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-vacation-mode-on-water-heater-every-other-day/991903)
**Author:** [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2023, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-vacation-mode-on-water-heater-every-other-day/991903 "2023-10-26T14:21:07Z")
I don’t need my gas water heater but once every two days. I’m debating whether to use vacation mode. Any thoughts? --- ## [Here's a video of me feeding pigeons](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-video-of-me-feeding-pigeons/991045)
**Author:** [@chrisjourney](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chrisjourney)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2023, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-video-of-me-feeding-pigeons/991045 "2023-10-26T09:16:32Z")
--- ## [Your top three novelty songs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-three-novelty-songs/978014)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2023, 9:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-three-novelty-songs/978014 "2023-10-26T09:03:24Z")
I am talking about those cute/unusual/freakin’ strange songs that tickle your fancy, the ones that don’t stand a snowball’s chance in hell of being a top ten hit. Please take notice of the words “Your” and “three” in th… --- ## [Walken and Thing Fish fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walken-and-thing-fish-fight/992046)
**Author:** [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2023, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walken-and-thing-fish-fight/992046 "2023-10-26T07:40:18Z")
Where is yours? I could do with a chuckle. --- ## [Who is ready for the return of the Late Night talk shows?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-ready-for-the-return-of-the-late-night-talk-shows/991019)
**Author:** [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2023, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-ready-for-the-return-of-the-late-night-talk-shows/991019 "2023-10-26T06:17:03Z")
I missed Stephen Colbert so much this summer, with all the craziness of Trump. I watch a bit of Fallon, but not the Late Late - I can’t stay awake that late. Actually, I generally record Colbert, plus a few other shows, … --- ## [What was the driver's motivation in Steven Spielberg's movie "Duel"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-drivers-motivation-in-steven-spielbergs-movie-duel/264301)
**Author:** [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2023, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-drivers-motivation-in-steven-spielbergs-movie-duel/264301 "2023-10-26T05:35:15Z")
I saw it for the first time the other night and it had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I was riveted to the television. Having seen it I now consider it to be the best car chase movie of all time, eclipsing Bu… --- ## [Please Recommend a Book Providing Neutral History on the Creation of the Nation of Israel](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-book-providing-neutral-history-on-the-creation-of-the-nation-of-israel/992079)
**Author:** [@Wrenching\_Spanners](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wrenching_Spanners)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2023, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-book-providing-neutral-history-on-the-creation-of-the-nation-of-israel/992079 "2023-10-26T04:39:43Z")
I’d like to think that I’ve got a pretty good superficial understanding of the establishment of Israel as a nation. Pretty much what I’ve read has been published in newspapers over the years, articles I’ve read on Wikip… --- ## [Tell me about your spinal anesthesia + hip replacement](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-spinal-anesthesia-hip-replacement/991490)
**Author:** [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2023, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-spinal-anesthesia-hip-replacement/991490 "2023-10-26T03:53:53Z")
Much to my alarm, my surgeon wishes to use spinal anesthesia (are all spinal anesthesias epidurals? I didn’t wish to assume.) to do my hip replacement. I have researched it online and been quite surprised to find out it’… --- ## [Steak and Shake's decline](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steak-and-shakes-decline/979647)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2023, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steak-and-shakes-decline/979647 "2023-10-26T01:59:15Z")
They closed all the S&S near me a few years before Covid. We passed one the other day and had to try it. When you walk in the door you are greeted by a sign that says to place your order on a kiosk. There were 3 video sc… --- ## [Tell Me Your Age, Without Telling Me Your Age, Using Contemporaneous Ad and TV Show Slogans](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-your-age-without-telling-me-your-age-using-contemporaneous-ad-and-tv-show-slogans/978944)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 231\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2023, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-your-age-without-telling-me-your-age-using-contemporaneous-ad-and-tv-show-slogans/978944 "2023-10-26T01:20:20Z")
Yabba Dabba Doo!! --- ## [Man filmed peeing into beer tank](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-filmed-peeing-into-beer-tank/991953)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2023, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-filmed-peeing-into-beer-tank/991953 "2023-10-26T01:13:20Z")
A man was filmed urinating into a tank of Tsingtao. No information on who the man was or who was filming. One-time weirdness or a way to tank the company’s image or stocks? Anyone on the Dope drink it? --- ## [Remind me...what does it mean to use "primary" as a transitive verb (election context)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remind-me-what-does-it-mean-to-use-primary-as-a-transitive-verb-election-context/991624)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2023, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remind-me-what-does-it-mean-to-use-primary-as-a-transitive-verb-election-context/991624 "2023-10-26T00:34:44Z")
From the Great Ongoing Revolving Speakership thread: Can someone 'splain like I’m 5 years old, please. What does this threat mean and exactly why is it a threat? What is the opposite-- IOW, what would it look like NOT … --- ## [If you dig a hole in soil and fill it with water, will fish eventually appear?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-dig-a-hole-in-soil-and-fill-it-with-water-will-fish-eventually-appear/282022)
**Author:** [@ancientmariner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ancientmariner)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2023, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-dig-a-hole-in-soil-and-fill-it-with-water-will-fish-eventually-appear/282022 "2023-10-26T00:17:44Z")
I think i read something about this in National Geographic years ago, but I am unsure. Any links would be great as I searched Google and couldn’t find anything about this. I searched evything from Underground living orga… --- ## [You get one source of animal protein for the rest of your life](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-get-one-source-of-animal-protein-for-the-rest-of-your-life/991729)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 120\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2023, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-get-one-source-of-animal-protein-for-the-rest-of-your-life/991729 "2023-10-25T23:43:08Z")
For some strange reason, a wizard says that you only get one source of animal protein for the rest of your life. Being a kind sort, you can still get protein from dairy, legumes, etc so you don’t have to take that into c… --- ## [Need some fun ideas for no-talking train ride](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-some-fun-ideas-for-no-talking-train-ride/979782)
**Author:** [@Persimmon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Persimmon)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2023, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-some-fun-ideas-for-no-talking-train-ride/979782 "2023-10-25T22:42:42Z")
I’m going on a long train ride that has a no-talking policy. My friend is going with me but we won’t be able to physically talk to each other so I was thinking we can just text each other over our smartphones and have… --- ## [Are these advertised products frauds?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-advertised-products-frauds/988306)
**Author:** [@Yelnick\_McWawa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yelnick_McWawa)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2023, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-advertised-products-frauds/988306 "2023-10-25T22:12:54Z")
Are these frauds? Or are they genuine and I’m missing something? I’ve seen all of these products advertised on YouTube videos. Some are available on Amazon, eBay, and Lowe’s. Why hasn’t the FTC sued these companies f… --- ## [Short video of me finding magical powers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-video-of-me-finding-magical-powers/991645)
**Author:** [@chrisjourney](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chrisjourney)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2023, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-video-of-me-finding-magical-powers/991645 "2023-10-25T21:39:54Z")
I tried to make this artistic, creative, entertaining, with a moral to the story. Let me know what you think. --- ## [Second showers for twins](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/second-showers-for-twins/991853)
**Author:** [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2023, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/second-showers-for-twins/991853 "2023-10-25T20:44:30Z")
Been debating whether to post this, then, reading some other stuff, and thinking about the average age, and swath of experience here, plus the fact that it’s pretty anonymous, so I decided, why not? It won’t be the final… --- ## [Is “You’re not the only one” a valid response or a tired platitude?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-you-re-not-the-only-one-a-valid-response-or-a-tired-platitude/991956)
**Author:** [@Cmyers1980](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cmyers1980)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2023, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-you-re-not-the-only-one-a-valid-response-or-a-tired-platitude/991956 "2023-10-25T20:24:43Z")
Whenever someone discusses a personal problem they’re often met with a response of “You’re not the only one experiencing this problem.” To be clear if the person is explicitly making it seem like they’re the only one exp… --- ## [Monthly Photo Competition #11 - October 2023 - “Trees”](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monthly-photo-competition-11-october-2023-trees/990967)
**Author:** [@TwoCarrotSnowman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwoCarrotSnowman)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2023, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monthly-photo-competition-11-october-2023-trees/990967 "2023-10-25T20:13:22Z")
This is the monthly thread for October 2023. The topic this month is “Trees”, chosen by @Strinka Please note: The general rules for the competition are here. One entry per person per month. To make the photos easi… --- ## [Assassin's Creed \[Mirage\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assassins-creed-mirage/991153)
**Author:** [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2023, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assassins-creed-mirage/991153 "2023-10-25T19:46:15Z")
Anyone planning on playing this? Anyone played it? The setting (medieval Baghdad) sounds like fun, and Al Jazeera says they put a lot of work into historical accuracy of the city, and into making it pretty. I admit my i… --- ## [AI and professions doomed to extinction](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-and-professions-doomed-to-extinction/990849)
**Author:** [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2023, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-and-professions-doomed-to-extinction/990849 "2023-10-25T19:01:09Z")
Although artificial intelligence has been making inroads into some professions for a number of years, the release of ChatGPT only 10 months ago made it all very real and personal for a large number of people, and the con… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=710) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=712)