# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=849 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 850 --- ## [My mom got sent a brushing scam. Does she need to do anything?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mom-got-sent-a-brushing-scam-does-she-need-to-do-anything/982878)
**Author:** [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2023, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mom-got-sent-a-brushing-scam-does-she-need-to-do-anything/982878 "2023-04-19T22:45:08Z")
My mother just got a package she wasn’t expecting. After calling me to confirm that it wasn’t the birthday present I had told her not to open yet, she opened it and found a very ugly, very cheap outfit (as in clothes). … --- ## [Can you appeal a settlement agreement?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-appeal-a-settlement-agreement/982913)
**Author:** [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2023, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-appeal-a-settlement-agreement/982913 "2023-04-19T22:43:54Z")
Suppose you sue a company, and they came back just before the trial is to start and say, “We’ll offer you $X”. You say, “Sure”. Can the company then appeal that settlement, to an appeals court and say “The dollar amount … --- ## [Santa Family Reunion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santa-family-reunion/982888)
**Author:** [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2023, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santa-family-reunion/982888 "2023-04-19T21:57:05Z")
So my bridge partner and I are playing in a tournament in Gatlinburg Tennessee and we kept noting all these large white bearded older men walking around the streets. Like a lot of them. Turns out there is a Santa Conven… --- ## [Tell me about the current state of the art in HVAC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-the-current-state-of-the-art-in-hvac/966822)
**Author:** [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2023, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-the-current-state-of-the-art-in-hvac/966822 "2023-04-19T19:28:13Z")
I can explain exactly how a heat pump works at a technical level. However, where my knowledge is lacking is in the more practical matters of: what’s the current state of the art? What products are available? Let me de… --- ## [Contemplation by Johnny Cash](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/contemplation-by-johnny-cash/982737)
**Author:** [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2023, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/contemplation-by-johnny-cash/982737 "2023-04-19T19:04:24Z")
Listening to Youtube sort of randomly cycling, and Johnny Cash’s album American IV The Man Comes Around. Normally I dislike country, the really whiney Lucille crap. I have to admit, listening to this album while conside… --- ## [What Comes After Trump?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-comes-after-trump/982335)
**Author:** [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2023, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-comes-after-trump/982335 "2023-04-19T17:45:51Z")
In the spirit of American optimism, and in an effort to head a hijack off at the pass, I wonder: What happens once the fever breaks? Does the Republican party survive in any recognizable way? Do they move past Trumpis… --- ## [“Mundane, Pointless”, as in Beirut?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mundane-pointless-as-in-beirut/917370)
**Author:** [@Hatchie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hatchie)\ **Replies:** 109\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2023, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mundane-pointless-as-in-beirut/917370 "2023-04-19T17:28:57Z")
I know that the category “Mundane Pointless Stuff I Must Share” has been reserved as a sort of catch-all for topics that don’t really fit anywhere else, including news of the day. But I think that title is really not su… --- ## [Beckdawrek is unwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beckdawrek-is-unwell/962605)
**Author:** [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Replies:** 209\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2023, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beckdawrek-is-unwell/962605 "2023-04-19T16:42:36Z")
Per her youngest: Mr. Mike, I finally found you in Mother’s contacts. She’s sneaky hiding names. Anyway, she had a brain bleed 2 days ago They surgically reduced it yesterday. She’s in ICU. The surgeon is optimistic t… --- ## [I Haz Screenz I Definitely Haz Screenz](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-haz-screenz-i-definitely-haz-screenz/982773)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2023, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-haz-screenz-i-definitely-haz-screenz/982773 "2023-04-19T16:35:40Z")
I’ve long been addicted to the usefulness of multiple monitors when I’m working. Had a triple monitor configuration with my PowerBook G4 (native TFT screen; built-in DVI out; CardBus Card VillageTronic to give me a thir… --- ## [What is this guy wearing and why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-guy-wearing-and-why/829127)
**Author:** [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2023, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-guy-wearing-and-why/829127 "2023-04-19T16:18:58Z")
The guy on the left. Link to “webtoon” page. --- ## [Author's who can't keep it up ('it' being 'book series')](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/authors-who-cant-keep-it-up-it-being-book-series/949780)
**Author:** [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Replies:** 127\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2023, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/authors-who-cant-keep-it-up-it-being-book-series/949780 "2023-04-19T15:46:29Z")
This topic was inspired by this recently revived thread about a Piers Anthony book I’d never even heard of: Alternative titles being “author’s too famous to edit, who really should have been” and “Do the terrible last … --- ## [Streaking?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/streaking/982805)
**Author:** [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2023, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/streaking/982805 "2023-04-19T14:53:17Z")
This weekend I got pulled down a rabbit hole which included Ray Stevens’ The Streak. It’s made me curious. How big a phenomenon was streaking? Was it just a weird 70s’ thing? Has anyone here seen a streaker? Been one? --- ## [What are the tastiest birds and beasts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-tastiest-birds-and-beasts/982021)
**Author:** [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2023, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-tastiest-birds-and-beasts/982021 "2023-04-19T14:49:53Z")
Tangent from Let’s leave out fish, because there are so many of them. And shellfish, etc. This thread is about eating birds and mammals. --- ## [Aaron Carter had died](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aaron-carter-had-died/974442)
**Author:** [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2023, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aaron-carter-had-died/974442 "2023-04-19T14:04:41Z")
This was unexpected. Aaron Carter Has Died At 34 Aaron Carter Has Died At 34 --- ## [Climate in 11th Century L’Anse aux Meadows vs. Viking Settlements in Greenland](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/climate-in-11th-century-l-anse-aux-meadows-vs-viking-settlements-in-greenland/952835)
**Author:** [@Caribbean\_cruiser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caribbean_cruiser)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2023, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/climate-in-11th-century-l-anse-aux-meadows-vs-viking-settlements-in-greenland/952835 "2023-04-19T13:40:41Z")
Researchers claim this week in an article in Nature that they have pinpointed the date of Norse/Viking occupation of L’Anse aux Meadows to the year 1021 C.E. (exactly 1,000 years ago), which represents the farthest-known… --- ## [Oh boy, here we go, they want me to be an inspector at the polls next year](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-boy-here-we-go-they-want-me-to-be-an-inspector-at-the-polls-next-year/982884)
**Author:** [@dummygladhands71](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dummygladhands71)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2023, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-boy-here-we-go-they-want-me-to-be-an-inspector-at-the-polls-next-year/982884 "2023-04-19T13:12:26Z")
I’ve done clerk at the polls for the general in 2020 and this last primary, clerk is easy, just making sure the print on demand system matches the voter in front of you. Boring, if truth be told. Now they want to promote… --- ## [How Does A Class Action Form?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-class-action-form/982812)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2023, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-class-action-form/982812 "2023-04-19T12:12:02Z")
Admin: Please note that I am not seeking legal advice, only factual answers about the process: Our community has been hit by a situation. A law firm is forming a class action suit. How this works seems nebulous to me. As… --- ## [Six Word Stories: Capitalism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/six-word-stories-capitalism/973387)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2023, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/six-word-stories-capitalism/973387 "2023-04-19T10:24:33Z")
(This follows the same format as other six word story threads. These were cautioned for having political topics - but the aim here is to come up with a six word story and verbose discussion of politics is not permitted … --- ## [Preferred term for Color Blindness?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferred-term-for-color-blindness/982349)
**Author:** [@moes\_lotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moes_lotion)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2023, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferred-term-for-color-blindness/982349 "2023-04-19T07:25:00Z")
I am working on something that is sensitive to how well the potential users can perceive colors, and it leads me to wonder if there is a more acceptable / less fraught term for Color Blindness. I did a quick on-line sear… --- ## [College football penalty question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/college-football-penalty-question/982865)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2023, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/college-football-penalty-question/982865 "2023-04-19T03:22:59Z")
Kent State drives to the Akron 10, and gets first and goal. Kent State’s QB gets sacked. 2nd and goal on the 19. Kent State’s QB gets sacked again. 3rd and goal on the 30. On 3rd down, Akron commits a pass interferenc… --- ## [Bad, bad, bad 'Chew on this'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-chew-on-this/982726)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2023, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-chew-on-this/982726 "2023-04-19T02:57:01Z")
Discard any notions of dietary restrictions. If you want salty, what do you grab? Fritos for me. If you want chocolate? Fudge sundae. Fatty? Bacon. Starchy? Biscuits. Sweet? Fruity candy. Starburst. --- ## [Copying user data from MacBook Pro: Need answer fast!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copying-user-data-from-macbook-pro-need-answer-fast/982877)
**Author:** [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2023, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copying-user-data-from-macbook-pro-need-answer-fast/982877 "2023-04-19T02:27:35Z")
My wife’s work computer is a MacBook Pro that the IT staff is going to replace tomorrow. They say they’re going to transfer all her data (and most of it is on the cloud, anyway), but I want to do a separate backup just t… --- ## [I got into an argument with ChatGPT](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-into-an-argument-with-chatgpt/982807)
**Author:** [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2023, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-into-an-argument-with-chatgpt/982807 "2023-04-19T01:46:59Z")
My friends and I were trying to see if we could get the ChatGPT to be depressing and hopeless (without explicitly telling it so). I ended up getting into an argument with it, which was quite funny. I particularly enjoyed… --- ## [Book on letterpress printing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-on-letterpress-printing/982851)
**Author:** [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2023, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-on-letterpress-printing/982851 "2023-04-19T01:31:24Z")
Around 1974, I had a paperback book on letterpress printing. It was written by a printer, and outlined a simple way to print without an actual press. His idea was to set type, lock it up in a chase, ink up the type with … --- ## [Wisconsin Supreme Court Election - hugely important election happening now](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wisconsin-supreme-court-election-hugely-important-election-happening-now/982158)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 105\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2023, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wisconsin-supreme-court-election-hugely-important-election-happening-now/982158 "2023-04-19T00:49:39Z")
I’m from Michigan, which recently got itself less gerrymandered…leading to the entire government being Democratic for the first time in 40+ years. Wisconsin has an election tonight that can swing the court to be liberal… --- ## [Happy Birthday, Emma Watson!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-emma-watson/352705)
**Author:** [@a35362](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a35362)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2023, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-emma-watson/352705 "2023-04-19T00:33:04Z")
Emma Watson – the young actress who plays Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter movies – turns sweet 16 on April 15th. Happy Birthday, Emma! --- ## [Walmart closings in Chicago](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-closings-in-chicago/982670)
**Author:** [@salinqmind1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind1)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2023, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-closings-in-chicago/982670 "2023-04-18T23:49:38Z")
They are saying the stores are not financially successful. Why not? Are there too many stores, are they in dangerous areas? And where are people without a lot of money shopping there, if not Walmart? --- ## [Funny Food Memes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/funny-food-memes/982760)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2023, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/funny-food-memes/982760 "2023-04-18T22:30:15Z")
Because food is funny. --- ## [Please explain the Chernobyl disaster?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-the-chernobyl-disaster/962359)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2023, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-the-chernobyl-disaster/962359 "2023-04-18T21:32:22Z")
I’ve tried to understand the Chernobyl disaster by reading the wikipedia page, but I have trouble getting it. In words of few syllables, can someone take a crack at explaining exactly how the explosion happened? Assume… --- ## [Bujold: Geographic equivalents in the 5 Gods Universe](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bujold-geographic-equivalents-in-the-5-gods-universe/982825)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2023, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bujold-geographic-equivalents-in-the-5-gods-universe/982825 "2023-04-18T21:08:00Z")
Bujold’s Five Gods Universe (or World of the Five Gods) is loosely based on European history/geography of the late Medieval/Renaisance period. It’s not a perfect match. For example, there’s no equivalent of the Pope and … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=848) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=850)