# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=760&state=watching [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 761 --- ## [Oooh. Money in the mail!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oooh-money-in-the-mail/988779)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2023, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oooh-money-in-the-mail/988779 "2023-08-20T12:31:39Z")
I got an refund check from the gastroenterologist I visited 3 times before he sent me to a surgeon to have a thingy fixed in my belly. It’s $254. Initially I was glad to see it. Free money. Win! But then I thought…wai… --- ## [Loom software decided to run itself without my asking it to, then also uninstalled itself without my asking it to](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/loom-software-decided-to-run-itself-without-my-asking-it-to-then-also-uninstalled-itself-without-my-asking-it-to/988766)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2023, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/loom-software-decided-to-run-itself-without-my-asking-it-to-then-also-uninstalled-itself-without-my-asking-it-to/988766 "2023-08-20T06:32:34Z")
Something very odd happened this morning; wonder if anyone could help: I have Loom (an audio/video recording software) on my laptop, however, I almost never use it. This morning, it somehow decided to open itself withou… --- ## [I don’t get the give suggested threads anymore](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-get-the-give-suggested-threads-anymore/987918)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2023, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-get-the-give-suggested-threads-anymore/987918 "2023-08-20T05:50:14Z")
There used to be five suggested threads at the bottom of each thread, showing threads that had been updated or maybe similar in context. Today they aren’t there any more. Anyone else with this? --- ## [Who was the better dancer: Fred Astaire, or Gene Kelly?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-the-better-dancer-fred-astaire-or-gene-kelly/988816)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2023, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-the-better-dancer-fred-astaire-or-gene-kelly/988816 "2023-08-20T03:00:33Z")
Deleted. I need to find out how to make a poll. --- ## [The Funniest Thing I've Seen This Year: Randy Feltface's bio of Ernest Hemingway in 3 minutes 30 seconds](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-funniest-thing-ive-seen-this-year-randy-feltfaces-bio-of-ernest-hemingway-in-3-minutes-30-seconds/988801)
**Author:** [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2023, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-funniest-thing-ive-seen-this-year-randy-feltfaces-bio-of-ernest-hemingway-in-3-minutes-30-seconds/988801 "2023-08-20T02:03:59Z")
All of Randy’s stuff is great. This is the topper. --- ## [Best Damn Sports Books Period](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-damn-sports-books-period/421782)
**Author:** [@Intelligently\_Designed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intelligently_Designed)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2023, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-damn-sports-books-period/421782 "2023-08-19T23:44:36Z")
I’ve read so many of them over the years that I can’t keep the count, from Jim Bouton’s Ball Four to Ken Dryden’s The Game, from John Helyar’s Lords of the Realm to Nick Hornby’s hilarious Fever Pitch, but I always wonde… --- ## [Why Did Claude Debussy So Stridenly Reject the "Impressionist" Label?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-claude-debussy-so-stridenly-reject-the-impressionist-label/988792)
**Author:** [@Caribbean\_cruiser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caribbean_cruiser)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2023, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-claude-debussy-so-stridenly-reject-the-impressionist-label/988792 "2023-08-19T23:33:17Z")
Whether Clair de Lune, La Mer, Deux Arabesques, or Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, Claude Debussy’s great works are, to many ears, highly Impressionistic and reminiscent of the mid-to-late 19th century grandmaster pa… --- ## [The Peripheral on Amazon Prime](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-peripheral-on-amazon-prime/973575)
**Author:** [@Hoops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hoops)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2023, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-peripheral-on-amazon-prime/973575 "2023-08-19T23:11:18Z")
Amazon Prime’s new adaptation of William Gibson’s novel The Peripheral begins tomorrow (Fri 10/21). Here’s a brief anticipation thread: But I thought I would start a new one for the show proper! The nature of the plo… --- ## [When Republicans finally accept that climate change is real, how will they blame Democrats for it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-republicans-finally-accept-that-climate-change-is-real-how-will-they-blame-democrats-for-it/987043)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 130\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2023, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-republicans-finally-accept-that-climate-change-is-real-how-will-they-blame-democrats-for-it/987043 "2023-08-19T21:21:04Z")
I have no doubt that it will eventually happen but I’m curious what twisted logic they will use to do it. --- ## [Spelling Bee-like puzzles: Are they lots easier in other languages?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spelling-bee-like-puzzles-are-they-lots-easier-in-other-languages/958386)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2022, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spelling-bee-like-puzzles-are-they-lots-easier-in-other-languages/958386 "2022-01-27T08:17:35Z")
For those unfamiliar with the NYT Spelling Bee: I assume all decent language puzzles are copied from the original language to others if it makes sense to do so. So what about languages where the spelling is much more p… --- ## [Poll: Do you gesture with your hands when you talk?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-gesture-with-your-hands-when-you-talk/988744)
**Author:** [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2023, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-gesture-with-your-hands-when-you-talk/988744 "2023-08-19T14:39:31Z")
poll Feel free to share details. Personally I don’t do this very often but when I get in ‘teaching mode’ (especially with patients) I sometimes use gestures. Honestly, the Mrs. has started gesturing a LOT while talking… --- ## [What was this thing? (airport security)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-this-thing-airport-security/987929)
**Author:** [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2023, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-this-thing-airport-security/987929 "2023-08-19T13:09:40Z")
This past weekend, I went on a trip. While going through security at CLE, we all put our luggage and pocket contents into bins to go through the X-ray machines. On top of every bin of stuff, the TSA workers placed what… --- ## [Automobile frustration](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automobile-frustration/988745)
**Author:** [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2023, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automobile-frustration/988745 "2023-08-19T02:18:51Z")
I accidentally hit someone backing up. Their car was undamaged. I had a small dent in the bumper, and the quarter panel had come loose. It didn’t look like much, but I have to replace the bumper to fix it (it doesn’t l… --- ## [Virtual reality headsets and watching movies etc](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virtual-reality-headsets-and-watching-movies-etc/977453)
**Author:** [@Mike\_Mabes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mike_Mabes)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2023, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virtual-reality-headsets-and-watching-movies-etc/977453 "2023-08-18T23:39:47Z")
I know nothing about it, never tried it. And I am not a gamer, it seems to me from little “research” I have done that most VR is about that or maybe I am wrong. Hell I know it is being used in healthcare and other area… --- ## [MPSIMS has gotten a minor rename to “Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share”](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mpsims-has-gotten-a-minor-rename-to-miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/981943)
**Author:** [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Replies:** 151\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2023, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mpsims-has-gotten-a-minor-rename-to-miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/981943 "2023-08-18T22:22:40Z")
The existing name is Mundane Pointless Stuff I Must Share (MPSIMS) But the “Mundane Pointless” has been an issue with Breaking News and Death Notices of members being in this forum. The suggestion came from Irishman. … --- ## [Move ... then roast](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/move-then-roast/988522)
**Author:** [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2023, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/move-then-roast/988522 "2023-08-18T21:53:30Z")
Some people are moving out of high tax and high RE priced states to the sunbelt. Low taxes, lower RE prices. They are making a big mistake: https://www.axios.com/2023/08/13/extreme-heat-climate-change-sunbelt-growth-ci… --- ## [What if Trump withdraws?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-trump-withdraws/988735)
**Author:** [@mjmartin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mjmartin)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2023, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-trump-withdraws/988735 "2023-08-18T21:08:44Z")
Imagine a world where Trump wakes up tomorrow and does something the right way for once. In this world, he wakes up and says “for the benefit of the party and the country, I am withdrawing my nomination so that my legal … --- ## [In the US, what are the powers of a county over the cities in it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-us-what-are-the-powers-of-a-county-over-the-cities-in-it/988677)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2023, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-us-what-are-the-powers-of-a-county-over-the-cities-in-it/988677 "2023-08-18T21:40:25Z")
I realise that this is one of those questions which might be answered differently depending on the state. I also realise that there are special cases such as the boroughs of NYC. However, I suppose/hope there are some co… --- ## [Netflix’s The Crown S5 (open spoilers)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-s-the-crown-s5-open-spoilers/947968)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2023, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-s-the-crown-s5-open-spoilers/947968 "2023-08-18T21:35:46Z")
The S4 thread: The Crown; season 4 And S3: Netflix's The Crown S3 (open spoilers) The Wiki article: The Crown (TV series) - Wikipedia More on casting for S5 and S6: The Crown Season 5 Guide to Release Date, Cast News,… --- ## [Could major brands safely coast for a year or two with current products/services?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-major-brands-safely-coast-for-a-year-or-two-with-current-products-services/988689)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2023, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-major-brands-safely-coast-for-a-year-or-two-with-current-products-services/988689 "2023-08-18T21:29:35Z")
In a capitalist world, no, but in an ideal world where you don’t have to demonstrate constant growth to shareholders. Companies like Apple are often criticized for putting out gadgets that are only marginally better tha… --- ## [Donald Trump is a fascist](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-is-a-fascist/988260)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2023, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-is-a-fascist/988260 "2023-08-18T21:11:27Z")
In case there was any doubt, Robert Reich, former labor secretary and now professor at UC Berkeley, spells it out for us in a succinct, seven minute video (below). I don’t think this is a surprise to anyone here but I b… --- ## [Real estate capital gains tax question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-estate-capital-gains-tax-question/988730)
**Author:** [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2023, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-estate-capital-gains-tax-question/988730 "2023-08-18T20:57:49Z")
This isn’t quite the same subject of my other thread in P&E about capital gains and real estate profit, so I decided to start another thread. I understand that, having excluded the permissible amount from the taxable ca… --- ## [Did you say “I love you” first?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-say-i-love-you-first/988615)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2023, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-say-i-love-you-first/988615 "2023-08-18T19:31:59Z")
This articles says men wait 108 days on average. This is faster than women who hold out for 122 days… --- ## [Adventures with $2 bills](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adventures-with-2-bills/988482)
**Author:** [@Digger11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digger11)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2023, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adventures-with-2-bills/988482 "2023-08-18T18:48:44Z")
Like a lot of people, I’ve been fascinated with $2 bills for most of my life. I’ve learned recently that they’re not nearly as rare as most people perceive them to be–rather, almost everybody keeps the ones that they co… --- ## [Website access mystery](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/website-access-mystery/988506)
**Author:** [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2023, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/website-access-mystery/988506 "2023-08-18T18:19:47Z")
I have two home computers which both use the same router and Microsoft Edge as the web browser. I also use Dropbox to store files and both computers have no problem accessing those. For years I have played railway game… --- ## [Knowledge base of post-doc fellow vs tenured faculty](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knowledge-base-of-post-doc-fellow-vs-tenured-faculty/988697)
**Author:** [@Caribbean\_cruiser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caribbean_cruiser)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2023, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knowledge-base-of-post-doc-fellow-vs-tenured-faculty/988697 "2023-08-18T16:27:51Z")
This is a broad and complicated question in search of a general answer. Within the many medical research specialties, how would the knowledge base of a newly minted post-doctoral fellow at a top-tier U.S. university com… --- ## [What the heck is shocking me as I lie in bed? (long-ish)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-shocking-me-as-i-lie-in-bed-long-ish/508924)
**Author:** [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2023, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-shocking-me-as-i-lie-in-bed-long-ish/508924 "2023-08-18T15:51:09Z")
I’ll try to describe this as best as possible. First of all, my mattress sits on the floor, there’s no boxspring or headboard, it’s just a mattress. Secondly, for the last six years I’ve lived here, in my apartment, I’… --- ## [Discussion question: is The American Experiment a failure?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-question-is-the-american-experiment-a-failure/986036)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 327\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2023, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-question-is-the-american-experiment-a-failure/986036 "2023-08-18T14:20:10Z")
Continuing the discussion from 7 Jan 2021 and beyond - the aftermath of the storming of the Capitol: Continuing the discussion here. The crux of the matter, as I see it, is that the USA is a melting pot that never re… --- ## [Kilroy is the Modren Man. But what is "modren"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kilroy-is-the-modren-man-but-what-is-modren/359765)
**Author:** [@rush2112](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rush2112)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2023, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kilroy-is-the-modren-man-but-what-is-modren/359765 "2023-08-18T13:53:38Z")
? Kilroy is the Modren Man. But what is “modren”? thanks, -b --- ## [Car question \[What is "overdrive"?\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-what-is-overdrive/987970)
**Author:** [@stosh1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stosh1)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2023, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-what-is-overdrive/987970 "2023-08-18T10:30:44Z")
I was listening to some oldies and heard about putting a car into “overdrive”. What is “overdrive”? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=759&state=watching) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=761&state=watching)