# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=895 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 896 --- ## [Would allowing only public funding of elections help eliminate corruption?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-allowing-only-public-funding-of-elections-help-eliminate-corruption/979843)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2023, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-allowing-only-public-funding-of-elections-help-eliminate-corruption/979843 "2023-02-17T13:22:03Z")
If all elections allowed only public funding of campaigns, would that help get money out of politics? We’d also need to prevent officials who previously had decision-making power from working for those they regulated af… --- ## [Is it still possible to be an informed consumer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-still-possible-to-be-an-informed-consumer/979599)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2023, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-still-possible-to-be-an-informed-consumer/979599 "2023-02-17T13:21:42Z")
You can talk to your neighbours and read Consumer Reports. But that may not help you understand (or even finish reading) Internet legalese, or even find what you want on Amazon. Is this Atlantic article correct in sayi… --- ## [Number of beds in the world](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-beds-in-the-world/979619)
**Author:** [@longtry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/longtry)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2023, 9:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-beds-in-the-world/979619 "2023-02-17T09:40:27Z")
Just a random shower thought. What’s the ratio between all the beds on Earth and its population? It’s clear that beds outnumber people, but by how many? I have no idea how big the proportion of hotel beds and other kinds… --- ## ["Grumpy Old Men" question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grumpy-old-men-question/979916)
**Author:** [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2023, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grumpy-old-men-question/979916 "2023-02-17T07:29:58Z")
So Jack Lemmon has been dodging IRS agent Buck Henry because Jack owes a substantial tax debt, but finally Buck catches up with Jack and serves him papers. Jack’s frenemy Walter Matthau finds out and tells his son, newly… --- ## [Demo of a song I've just written](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/demo-of-a-song-ive-just-written/979880)
**Author:** [@Amikejo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amikejo)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2023, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/demo-of-a-song-ive-just-written/979880 "2023-02-17T06:40:38Z")
Apologies if this isn’t appropriate or interesting. I don’t have anyone to listen to my songs and it would just be nice to share something - even a dirty old demo recorded on my phone. Stars had to align just for that to… --- ## [Bluetooth headphone recommendations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bluetooth-headphone-recommendations/979934)
**Author:** [@Ponderoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponderoid)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2023, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bluetooth-headphone-recommendations/979934 "2023-02-17T05:18:51Z")
I’m in the market for some over-the-ear bluetooth headphones, that have the following important features: Separate physical pause/unpause and skip back/forward buttons that are easily distinguished by feel. They have … --- ## [Not the smartest thing I did, but I succeeded. Kids, don’t try this at home](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-the-smartest-thing-i-did-but-i-succeeded-kids-don-t-try-this-at-home/979341)
**Author:** [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2023, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-the-smartest-thing-i-did-but-i-succeeded-kids-don-t-try-this-at-home/979341 "2023-02-17T05:16:42Z")
I just used these words on an FB post to describe something I did in my 20s. I’m 61 now. And yet here on the dope I used similar words to describe something else I did just last week, when I decided to drive myself to th… --- ## [Why Does It Feel So Good To Scratch An Itch?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-feel-so-good-to-scratch-an-itch/979756)
**Author:** [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2023, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-feel-so-good-to-scratch-an-itch/979756 "2023-02-17T05:11:34Z")
It seems like it should hurt but it doesn’t. It feels soooo good. Why? --- ## [Is it improper to remind people of a moderator instruction?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-improper-to-remind-people-of-a-moderator-instruction/979838)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2023, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-improper-to-remind-people-of-a-moderator-instruction/979838 "2023-02-17T04:31:41Z")
If a thread is going in an unwanted direction and a mod has asked people to stay focused, is it improper to quote that instruction later on if it happens again? --- ## [How Would You Fix This Ribbon Cable Connection?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-fix-this-ribbon-cable-connection/979780)
**Author:** [@jjakucyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjakucyk)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2023, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-fix-this-ribbon-cable-connection/979780 "2023-02-17T03:21:28Z")
This is a LitterMaid automatic scooping litter box. The ribbon cable plugs into this tiny little circuit board to power the motor for the scooping rake. As you can see it’s not making good contact. The main issue is t… --- ## [Can you help me find Super Bowls 41 and 56 on YouTube?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-help-me-find-super-bowls-41-and-56-on-youtube/979668)
**Author:** [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2023, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-help-me-find-super-bowls-41-and-56-on-youtube/979668 "2023-02-17T02:21:24Z")
I’ve collected links for every Super Bowl ever played and recorded on YouTube — the complete games, not the highlights, and certainly not those cartoonish Madden game plays. But I’ve searched and searched and am not able… --- ## [Amusing little stories](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amusing-little-stories/979911)
**Author:** [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2023, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amusing-little-stories/979911 "2023-02-17T01:06:23Z")
This is a dumb little story about myself, I hope you can have a laugh at me and share something amusing that happened to you. Some years ago, pre Trump, I would find myself driving along a road in my town, as one does, … --- ## [How fast would something have to travel to damage a building by passing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fast-would-something-have-to-travel-to-damage-a-building-by-passing/979832)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2023, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fast-would-something-have-to-travel-to-damage-a-building-by-passing/979832 "2023-02-17T00:39:16Z")
I’ve seen movies where a plane could cause windows to shatter or a building to shake by flying close. So what speed would be needed to cause actual damage by tearing past? --- ## [What is the long term plans for a spy balloon?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-long-term-plans-for-a-spy-balloon/979746)
**Author:** [@dorvann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorvann)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2023, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-long-term-plans-for-a-spy-balloon/979746 "2023-02-17T00:14:01Z")
I have some questions what the long term plans of a spy balloon like the US shot down are? First, they have no measure of propulsion to control their flight, right? Second, If there are not shot down do they just wande… --- ## [When did people start properly managing forestry resources?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-people-start-properly-managing-forestry-resources/979597)
**Author:** [@themapleleaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/themapleleaf)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2023, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-people-start-properly-managing-forestry-resources/979597 "2023-02-17T00:00:28Z")
I have this stereotype in my head that humans were extremely careless and destructive toward the environment until the issue started garnering interest somewhere around the 1960s. Specifically on the issue of clear-cutti… --- ## [Tool battery charger](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tool-battery-charger/979734)
**Author:** [@mglambo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mglambo)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2023, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tool-battery-charger/979734 "2023-02-16T23:55:40Z")
I have a Ryobi battery powered drill. Is it ok to keep it in the charger until ready to use? If I don’t it is always just about dead when I go to use it even if stores indoors. --- ## [Lives saved / injuries prevented by back-up beeping](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lives-saved-injuries-prevented-by-back-up-beeping/979847)
**Author:** [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2023, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lives-saved-injuries-prevented-by-back-up-beeping/979847 "2023-02-16T22:47:24Z")
I live in a world of incessant back-up beeping, touted as a safety feature. I’m sure it is, but I wonder if it has been quantified. Every professional vehicle and a handful of passenger vehicles do this. My thoughts are… --- ## [Jean Harlow and Lucille Ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jean-harlow-and-lucille-ball/979896)
**Author:** [@salinqmind1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind1)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2023, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jean-harlow-and-lucille-ball/979896 "2023-02-16T22:36:25Z")
I don’t know if anyone watches old movies on TCM. They’re showing a screwball comedy from early 30’s starring Jean Harlow, and she has quite a loud irritating voice here in ‘Bombshell’. When she gets on a rant, doesn’t… --- ## [Active shooter at MSU February 13, 2023](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/active-shooter-at-msu-february-13-2023/979750)
**Author:** [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2023, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/active-shooter-at-msu-february-13-2023/979750 "2023-02-16T21:29:38Z")
Another mass shooting event in America. --- ## [Florida Nursing School Scandal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-nursing-school-scandal/979307)
**Author:** [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2023, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-nursing-school-scandal/979307 "2023-02-16T21:28:58Z")
7600 people appear to have purchased diplomas from defunct nursing schools and an unknown number have been licensed based on the fraudulent credentials. The story itself probably belongs in MPSIMS with a “Shaking My D… --- ## [Would you make your pet unaging if you could?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-make-your-pet-unaging-if-you-could/979778)
**Author:** [@Ponderoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponderoid)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2023, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-make-your-pet-unaging-if-you-could/979778 "2023-02-16T20:34:17Z")
There’s life-extension research going on all the time using various animal test subjects. Imagine that a huge breakthrough was just made. There’s a new treatment available that so far, only works on the same species as … --- ## [Question re Brit show "Time Team": accents](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-re-brit-show-time-team-accents/296460)
**Author:** [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2005, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-re-brit-show-time-team-accents/296460 "2005-03-28T00:29:59Z")
Time Team is shown in the U.S. on the History Channel as “History Explorer” or something like that. This series is hosted by Tony Robinson, and features weekly archaeological digs in locations in England. It’s an inter… --- ## [If you are starving to death what gets you first...lack of calories or lack of vitamins and minerals?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-starving-to-death-what-gets-you-first-lack-of-calories-or-lack-of-vitamins-and-minerals/979651)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2023, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-starving-to-death-what-gets-you-first-lack-of-calories-or-lack-of-vitamins-and-minerals/979651 "2023-02-16T18:46:17Z")
This question occurred to me while reading the current thread on the Irish Potato Famine. I am curious what is ultimately the thing that kills most people if they are starving…lack of calories or lack of vitamins/minera… --- ## [In general, why is the college "party culture" viewed as negative?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-general-why-is-the-college-party-culture-viewed-as-negative/836411)
**Author:** [@sta3535](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sta3535)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2023, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-general-why-is-the-college-party-culture-viewed-as-negative/836411 "2023-02-16T17:56:03Z")
Is it the inappropriate behaviors that may occur from it? Or is it the illegal aspect of underage drinking? I think it’s a mix of several factors if you ask me. Now, I understand that partying has it’s pros & cons, & ev… --- ## [This week in Sudoku - a Triple, triple, triple solution!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-week-in-sudoku-a-triple-triple-triple-solution/979718)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2023, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-week-in-sudoku-a-triple-triple-triple-solution/979718 "2023-02-16T17:12:17Z")
For almost the last twenty years I have been a Sudoku addict. Even if I look at nothing else in the paper, I have to solve the Sudoku. I have a Sudoku desk calendar. People give me sudoku books, which I rapidly solve all… --- ## [Bootb is Banned](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bootb-is-banned/979893)
**Author:** [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2023, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bootb-is-banned/979893 "2023-02-16T14:11:09Z")
You can’t Pit the staff, and you can’t make Pit-style attacks on the staff in ATMB. This is the way Ed phrased it in his revised rules: His post was definitely abusive and contemptuous. He insulted Aspenglow about he… --- ## [Thread idea/question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-idea-question/979787)
**Author:** [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2023, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-idea-question/979787 "2023-02-16T16:28:32Z")
Has there ever been a debate thread where Dopers argued their pet political/social issues, but did so intentionally from the opposite position that they personally hold (e.g. gun control, abortion, capitalist markets, va… --- ## [Looking for a forgotten anime](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-forgotten-anime/979310)
**Author:** [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2023, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-forgotten-anime/979310 "2023-02-16T16:28:17Z")
I am not an experienced fan of anime so I don’t know where to start, I can’t Google it and while I am sure I watched it on YouTube searching there reveals nothing. Anyway: This is likely not obscure and not very old. … --- ## [Rihanna halftime show](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rihanna-halftime-show/979715)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 140\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2023, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rihanna-halftime-show/979715 "2023-02-16T16:05:34Z")
The halftime show has been referred to in a couple of other threads, but I wondered it it might merit a separate thread. I’m wondering what folk thought of it. Was it great? So so? Just a typical halftime medley? I’… --- ## [The Flash Season 9 \[The Final Season\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flash-season-9-the-final-season/979467)
**Author:** [@Terminus\_Est](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terminus_Est)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2023, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flash-season-9-the-final-season/979467 "2023-02-16T16:03:26Z")
The ninth and final season of The Flash premieres Wednesday, Feb 9. After the shambles of the previous two seasons, will the show go out with a bang? What kind of cameos can we expect? Speaking of cameos, can the last s… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=894) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=896)