# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=908&state=watching [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 909 --- ## [How did they build brick skyscrapers so straight and square before things like computerized laser levels?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-they-build-brick-skyscrapers-so-straight-and-square-before-things-like-computerized-laser-levels/979118)
**Author:** [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2023, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-they-build-brick-skyscrapers-so-straight-and-square-before-things-like-computerized-laser-levels/979118 "2023-02-01T13:23:52Z")
If you’ve been to an old city like New York, DC, Chicago, etc, you’ll see lots of very tall buildings made with bricks. These buildings seem to be very straight and square even though they are dozens of stories high. H… --- ## [Is it considered poor form to squeeze your lemon?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-considered-poor-form-to-squeeze-your-lemon/979093)
**Author:** [@Mortimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mortimus)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2023, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-considered-poor-form-to-squeeze-your-lemon/979093 "2023-02-01T13:19:48Z")
In a restaurant, in your iced tea, using your fingers. --- ## [? On Freedom of Expression](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-freedom-of-expression/979019)
**Author:** [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2023, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-freedom-of-expression/979019 "2023-02-01T12:35:34Z")
For these questions I’ll be referring to both oral and written expression. IANAL but understand a governmental agency cannot fine or imprison someone for freely expressing criticism of the government or it’s policies or … --- ## [Anyone want to help RushGeekKid celebrate his 18th birthday?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-want-to-help-rushgeekkid-celebrate-his-18th-birthday/975655)
**Author:** [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2023, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-want-to-help-rushgeekkid-celebrate-his-18th-birthday/975655 "2023-02-01T11:02:43Z")
First and foremost I am not asking for money. My son, a 2004 doperbaby, will be celebrating his 18th birthday December 26th. I know I don’t post a whole lot but a lot of what I’ve posted has been about him over the year… --- ## [Who's up for a whale sandwich?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-up-for-a-whale-sandwich/978831)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2023, 8:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-up-for-a-whale-sandwich/978831 "2023-02-01T08:38:11Z")
A Japanese whale monger, desperate to prop up sales despite the fact that most brick-and-mortar stores don’t want to carry their product, has resorted to selling whale meat from vending machines: Even if you’re able t… --- ## [Movies you saw in Jr. High/High School](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-saw-in-jr-high-high-school/912713)
**Author:** [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Replies:** 137\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2023, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-saw-in-jr-high-high-school/912713 "2023-02-01T06:42:05Z")
I mean movies that teachers showed you in class. There was one in particular that really struck me that we saw in 9th grade, putting that 1973-1974. It was a film demonstrating how terrible prejudice is. It was in bla… --- ## [Is there a way to connect wireless headphones to this not-very-new TV?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-connect-wireless-headphones-to-this-not-very-new-tv/978974)
**Author:** [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2023, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-connect-wireless-headphones-to-this-not-very-new-tv/978974 "2023-02-01T05:02:03Z")
My mom has this TV: Sony KDL-32BX320 She wats to know if there’s some way to connect wireless headphones to it. (If it helps, it has a Roku connected to it.) Anyone have any ideas? --- ## [NHL: January 2023](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-january-2023/977543)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2023, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-january-2023/977543 "2023-02-01T03:58:37Z")
How far downhill has the Winter Classic gone? Rather than being on National television, it’s on TNT and the same usual suspects. Get your credit cards out to buy yet another limited jersey if you’re a Bruins or Pens fan,… --- ## [Let the water wars begin](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-water-wars-begin/978900)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2023, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-water-wars-begin/978900 "2023-02-01T03:24:27Z")
NYT article. Bottom line is that all of those states who share the Colorado River water were given 60 days to figure out how to share the resource. They didn’t bother, so now the government is going to do it for them. Th… --- ## [Stifling debate without justification](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stifling-debate-without-justification/978905)
**Author:** [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2023, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stifling-debate-without-justification/978905 "2023-02-01T01:16:20Z")
Wow. I do not understand why What\_Exit is suddenly coming down on me like a ton of bricks. Closed my debate All Americans need education in Black studies once and came back almost immediately threatening it again. Insul… --- ## [Crazy NASCAR move](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crazy-nascar-move/974141)
**Author:** [@Tride](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tride)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2023, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crazy-nascar-move/974141 "2023-01-31T23:37:03Z")
Boy am I not a NASCAR fan (never watched a race) but this came up on Jalopnik Wall ride Warning–Youtube! Chastain puts the side of his car against the wall and goes around the curve 70 MPH (!!!) faster than the rest of … --- ## [Selling a single piece of fine art](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-a-single-piece-of-fine-art/978992)
**Author:** [@ASanders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASanders)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2023, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-a-single-piece-of-fine-art/978992 "2023-01-31T22:37:12Z")
Many years ago I inherited an original contemporary fine art piece by a famous artist. That artist has just recently died, presumably increasing the value of his works. I have no attachment to the painting and would love… --- ## [Can Cantor's proof of uncountable sets be done without a positional number system?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-cantors-proof-of-uncountable-sets-be-done-without-a-positional-number-system/978541)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2023, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-cantors-proof-of-uncountable-sets-be-done-without-a-positional-number-system/978541 "2023-01-31T20:07:54Z")
Cantor’s famous diagonal argument demonstrates that the real numbers are a greater infinity than the countable numbers. But it relies on the decimal expansions of irrational numbers. Is there any way to demonstrate an eq… --- ## [Third World Countries?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/third-world-countries/978998)
**Author:** [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2023, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/third-world-countries/978998 "2023-01-31T19:03:14Z")
(Mods please relocate this if this isn’t the apporpriate thread.) Looking at this page… https://www.wallstreetmojo.com/third-world/#list-of-third-world-countries The list shows countries like Switzerland, which, as fa… --- ## [What are these cyrillic languages?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-cyrillic-languages/978109)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2023, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-cyrillic-languages/978109 "2023-01-31T18:43:18Z")
I bought a candy bar from Ukraine. The ingredient list is like a Rosetta Stone of Slavic languages. Does anyone know what they are? --- ## [The Wall Cop Drama/Mystery series](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wall-cop-drama-mystery-series/979117)
**Author:** [@BrianDime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrianDime)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2023, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wall-cop-drama-mystery-series/979117 "2023-01-31T18:41:52Z")
Just started this last night, 3 episodes in. It’s in French, so you’ll have to be OK with subtitles unless you are fluent. It takes place in a mining “company town” in the Canadian far north where most of the population … --- ## [Do you have a favorite dish to eat out or off of?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-favorite-dish-to-eat-out-or-off-of/978942)
**Author:** [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2023, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-favorite-dish-to-eat-out-or-off-of/978942 "2023-01-31T18:34:59Z")
Plate, bowl, paper plastic ceramic or maybe wood? What is your favorite size, style, shape and type of dish when you sup? It occurred to me this morning as I ate my breakfast that I am really partial to a specific size… --- ## [Music in triplet \*and\* "straight" time](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/music-in-triplet-and-straight-time/978602)
**Author:** [@alovem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alovem)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2023, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/music-in-triplet-and-straight-time/978602 "2023-01-31T18:20:26Z")
First off, let me define the terms I use: Straight time is “1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and…” The beats are perfectly halved, such that each “and” is smack-dab in the middle. It sounds more rigid than triplet time. Triplet tim… --- ## [American fast food chains in the UK](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-fast-food-chains-in-the-uk/979056)
**Author:** [@kferr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kferr)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2023, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-fast-food-chains-in-the-uk/979056 "2023-01-31T18:00:17Z")
I lived in the US for 30+ years before moving to the UK around 27 years ago. In the US my go-to fast food place was Wendy’s. They have started popping up in the UK and I tried one over the weekend and was disappointed. I… --- ## [Mindbender roller coaster at West Edmonton Mall closes after 37 years](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mindbender-roller-coaster-at-west-edmonton-mall-closes-after-37-years/979070)
**Author:** [@superwombat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/superwombat)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2023, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mindbender-roller-coaster-at-west-edmonton-mall-closes-after-37-years/979070 "2023-01-31T14:24:08Z")
It is the end of an era at West Edmonton Mall. I was hoping to let my son ride it, as he is interested in rides, and is at the height he’s allowed to go on rides like this. --- ## [Why doesn't the "Today in History" thread show up in threadsearch?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-the-today-in-history-thread-show-up-in-threadsearch/979009)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2023, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-the-today-in-history-thread-show-up-in-threadsearch/979009 "2023-01-31T13:50:46Z")
There is a thread called Today in History. @panache45 used to post to it regularly, keeping it going, along with other posters. Now that panache45 doesn’t seem to post here any more, the thread has dropped away. I’ve … --- ## [Your choice of first songs on your lovely headphones](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-choice-of-first-songs-on-your-lovely-headphones/978970)
**Author:** [@EnglishGrey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnglishGrey)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2023, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-choice-of-first-songs-on-your-lovely-headphones/978970 "2023-01-31T13:32:47Z")
So, Amazon delivered your new noise cancelling headphones earlier today… Now you’ve settled in to bed (alone apart from that ridiculous dog over there)… Which are the first two songs do you choose to christen the immersi… --- ## [Russia's fleet in the Black Sea and Turkey's role](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russias-fleet-in-the-black-sea-and-turkeys-role/979098)
**Author:** [@Heracles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heracles)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2023, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russias-fleet-in-the-black-sea-and-turkeys-role/979098 "2023-01-31T12:23:54Z")
When the Moskva was sunk almost a year ago, some news articles said Russia couldn’t replace the ship because it wouldn’t be allowed to send a replacement through the Turkish straits. Does Turkey get to decide which ship… --- ## [NYC Historians: A question about early 20th Century gangs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-historians-a-question-about-early-20th-century-gangs/978584)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2023, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-historians-a-question-about-early-20th-century-gangs/978584 "2023-01-31T06:58:59Z")
In an early P.G. Wodehouse novel from around 1910, the author, who was living in New York at the time, refers to several contemporary street gangs , but mostly disguising their names. The East Side Gang is mentioned;… --- ## [Explain Texas Counties to Me](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-texas-counties-to-me/294127)
**Author:** [@Torgo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Torgo)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2023, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-texas-counties-to-me/294127 "2023-01-31T05:26:03Z")
Take a gander at this county map of Texas. I have 2 questions: What is up with the layout? Look at north Texas and into the panhandle; the counties are so uniform it’s nearly a perfect grid. Check out the first 4 “r… --- ## [Car plunges 250 feet, all occupants survive](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-plunges-250-feet-all-occupants-survive/977612)
**Author:** [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2023, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-plunges-250-feet-all-occupants-survive/977612 "2023-01-31T02:56:56Z")
Mind-boggling. The car was a Tesla that went off a 250-foot cliff 20 miles south of San Francisco, hit, and flipped several times. The two adults suffered non-life-threatening injuries, and the two kids (both in car seat… --- ## [Might Trump still face Stormy Daniels hush money charges or has that ship sailed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/might-trump-still-face-stormy-daniels-hush-money-charges-or-has-that-ship-sailed/925512)
**Author:** [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2023, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/might-trump-still-face-stormy-daniels-hush-money-charges-or-has-that-ship-sailed/925512 "2023-01-31T02:44:12Z")
I’d heard the case was closed at one point, but not sure what that technically means. Is it possible the case would be re-opened when Trump leaves office? Is the evidence as strong as it was against Cohen, and is the c… --- ## [We had to put down Qwerty, our cat, today](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-had-to-put-down-qwerty-our-cat-today/979069)
**Author:** [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2023, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-had-to-put-down-qwerty-our-cat-today/979069 "2023-01-31T00:26:41Z")
She’d been drooling and having trouble eating for a couple of days. And she seemed to be physically uncomfortable. We thought it was a toothache, and brought her to the vet. It was an inoperable tumor on the tongue. The … --- ## [RIP Wednesday (Lisa Loring)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-wednesday-lisa-loring/979059)
**Author:** [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2023, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-wednesday-lisa-loring/979059 "2023-01-31T00:16:04Z")
She was no spring chicken but she wasn’t elderly. You gotta hit at least 70 to be elderly. The older I get, the older ‘elderly’ gets. --- ## [Credit Card possible oops](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/credit-card-possible-oops/978996)
**Author:** [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2023, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/credit-card-possible-oops/978996 "2023-01-30T23:43:24Z")
I got a text message that there was a possible fraudulent charge on my credit card. I wasn’t sure it was legit so I ignored it, I was able to pay for breakfast. My next two attempts were declined, so I called the credit … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=907&state=watching) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=909&state=watching)