# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=947&state=muted [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 948 --- ## [Could a warp drive capable ship enter and then exit the event horizon of a black hole?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-warp-drive-capable-ship-enter-and-then-exit-the-event-horizon-of-a-black-hole/976333)
**Author:** [@Saffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saffer)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2022, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-warp-drive-capable-ship-enter-and-then-exit-the-event-horizon-of-a-black-hole/976333 "2022-12-14T19:44:01Z")
By warp drive I mean the usual Alcubierre formulation. --- ## [Are you shrinking?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-shrinking/976017)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2022, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-shrinking/976017 "2022-12-14T19:01:02Z")
I was 5’5" forever. At a recent Dr appt, I asked to have my height checked. I’m now barely 5’4" - technically, only if you round up. I’m nearly 69, so I guess it’s to be expected at my age. Who else? --- ## [Monthly photo competition #1 - Dec 2022 - "Outdoors"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monthly-photo-competition-1-dec-2022-outdoors/975644)
**Author:** [@TwoCarrotSnowman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwoCarrotSnowman)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2022, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monthly-photo-competition-1-dec-2022-outdoors/975644 "2022-12-14T18:30:59Z")
This is the monthly thread for December 2022. The topic this month is “Outdoors” chosen by @TwoCarrotSnowman. Please note: The general rules for the competition are here. To make the photos easier to review (and to ma… --- ## [Quaint expressions you heard once or twice but use yourself regularly](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quaint-expressions-you-heard-once-or-twice-but-use-yourself-regularly/444595)
**Author:** [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Replies:** 211\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2022, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quaint-expressions-you-heard-once-or-twice-but-use-yourself-regularly/444595 "2022-12-14T18:18:19Z")
The title may need a few more words than will fit in the space. If you’re like I am, whenever I hear a particularly effective expression, no matter who used it, I take it on as my own and continue using it whenever the … --- ## [USB Macro Video Camera Advice? Don't really need a true microscope, I guess](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usb-macro-video-camera-advice-dont-really-need-a-true-microscope-i-guess/976500)
**Author:** [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2022, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usb-macro-video-camera-advice-dont-really-need-a-true-microscope-i-guess/976500 "2022-12-14T16:18:11Z")
I’m old. I’ve recently had more and more occasions to reach for a magnifying glass. What voltage is printed on this little wall wart? What the hell do these Chinese instructions say? What’s caught in that USB connecto… --- ## [Whence Christmas tree globes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whence-christmas-tree-globes/975986)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2022, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whence-christmas-tree-globes/975986 "2022-12-14T13:44:43Z")
Of all the things one could conceivably decorate a Christmas tree with, how did glass globes become so universal as to now be iconic as THE Christmas tree decoration? --- ## [Has anyone here done ketamine therapy and can comment on it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-here-done-ketamine-therapy-and-can-comment-on-it/974181)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2022, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-here-done-ketamine-therapy-and-can-comment-on-it/974181 "2022-12-14T13:18:02Z")
Scheduled to do some ketamine intravenous drips at a nearby clinic, starting this week. It’s said to do wonders for many mental disorders, however, I am a bit cautious or wary of it. I’m kind of concerned about the idea… --- ## [The Purity Test for Virgins](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-purity-test-for-virgins/12492)
**Author:** [@SanibelMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanibelMan)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2022, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-purity-test-for-virgins/12492 "2022-11-10T18:00:07Z")
There is hope for us yet. Take the test here! I was 56.8% pure. How about you guys? SanibelMan - My Homepage I could be doing something, but… why? --- ## [Fusion energy, 2MJ input or 200MJ to get 3.5MJ out](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fusion-energy-2mj-input-or-200mj-to-get-3-5mj-out/976492)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2022, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fusion-energy-2mj-input-or-200mj-to-get-3-5mj-out/976492 "2022-12-14T10:39:53Z")
Ive heard that it took 200MJ of energy to create the 2MJ of energy the lasers used to produce the 3.5MJ of output. Some people said this is an engineering problem, but how exactly is this a net positive fusion generatio… --- ## [Using Well Water to water lawn. Economic/Environmental Q](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-well-water-to-water-lawn-economic-environmental-q/976361)
**Author:** [@Janus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Janus)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2022, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-well-water-to-water-lawn-economic-environmental-q/976361 "2022-12-14T05:55:40Z")
Having recently relocated to a new area, I have come across something I am not familiar with. Single family residences in an urban area with a water well specifically for watering the lawn. Does it save water? Since i… --- ## [What’s behind the destruction of Islamic heritage sites in Mecca?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-behind-the-destruction-of-islamic-heritage-sites-in-mecca/976027)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2022, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-behind-the-destruction-of-islamic-heritage-sites-in-mecca/976027 "2022-12-14T02:27:29Z")
The city of Mecca, unsurprisingly, has many sites and buildings that are associated with the life of the prophet Muhammad and other figures in the early history of Islam. Much more surprisingly, the Saudi authorities see… --- ## [Monster pup destruction. Help!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monster-pup-destruction-help/976363)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2022, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monster-pup-destruction-help/976363 "2022-12-14T01:52:14Z")
We’ve had dogs forever but the destruction caused by my current pup, a border collie mini Aussie mix now 8 months old, already bigger than either parent at 52 pounds, is beyond my past experiences. He lives with our prev… --- ## [Ironic and Ironical](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ironic-and-ironical/564447)
**Author:** [@chieftan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chieftan)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2022, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ironic-and-ironical/564447 "2022-12-14T01:26:25Z")
I know this topic has come up before, but I’d like to reignite it. From what I gather, American dictionaries say that the two are interchangeable, and that ironical is an archaic form of ironic. Until I actually looked… --- ## [SNL references Elizabeth Taylor](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snl-references-elizabeth-taylor/976479)
**Author:** [@Bootb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bootb)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2022, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snl-references-elizabeth-taylor/976479 "2022-12-13T23:42:40Z")
I thought this was pretty interesting. I wonder how many people got the reference. --- ## [Project Hail Mary (novel by Andy Weir)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/project-hail-mary-novel-by-andy-weir/976408)
**Author:** [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2022, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/project-hail-mary-novel-by-andy-weir/976408 "2022-12-13T22:51:44Z")
I didn’t see a previous thread on this, but over the weekend I re-read Project Hail Mary, a 2021 novel by Andy Weir (author of The Martian). I read it for the first time about a year ago, and thought it was good enough … --- ## [How might fusion energy impact society and the environment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-might-fusion-energy-impact-society-and-the-environment/976468)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2022, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-might-fusion-energy-impact-society-and-the-environment/976468 "2022-12-13T22:01:55Z")
When and if fusion becomes practical it looks like it would be a permanent solution to clean and cheap energy. How would society respond to cheap energy in almost unlimited supplies. Off the top of my head I imagine we w… --- ## [In Praise of Pooches (Fun Dog Trivia)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-pooches-fun-dog-trivia/939767)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2022, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-pooches-fun-dog-trivia/939767 "2022-12-13T20:34:23Z")
An English writer named Ben Schott published a few books full of interesting and odd trivia about fifteen years ago. They were successful, and inspired Spott’s Canine Miscellany, a fun book about dog trivia. Some excer… --- ## ["The highwayman" TV series](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-highwayman-tv-series/976465)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2022, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-highwayman-tv-series/976465 "2022-12-13T19:23:48Z")
I love this opening narration by William Conrad. . Some southern band should set this to music. Perhaps Blackfoot of “The Highway Song” fame. They say he came into this world from someplace off the clock. And his mother… --- ## [NFL 2022: Week Fourteen Carat Diamonds](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2022-week-fourteen-carat-diamonds/976225)
**Author:** [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2022, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2022-week-fourteen-carat-diamonds/976225 "2022-12-13T19:02:11Z")
It’s week 14, time to either polish the diamonds or start playing for draft picks. Or if you’re the Texans, continue playing for picks. Thursday Raiders at Rams (+6.5, 43.5) Sunday Early Games Ravens at Steelers (+2… --- ## [WiFi Doorbell Camera Powered by Existing Low-Voltage AC?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wifi-doorbell-camera-powered-by-existing-low-voltage-ac/976455)
**Author:** [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2022, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wifi-doorbell-camera-powered-by-existing-low-voltage-ac/976455 "2022-12-13T18:36:26Z")
I have several POE exterior cameras, plus a couple interior wifi cameras, all using Blue Iris software. My Google/Amazon/eBay-fu is failing me. I would like to find a doorbell camera unit that: Is powered by the exi… --- ## [Hercules and gospel truth](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hercules-and-gospel-truth/976115)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2022, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hercules-and-gospel-truth/976115 "2022-12-13T18:27:49Z")
As a liberal Christian, and not a militant one, I’m jovial enough to accept a little teasing and mockery, and I’m not like an ISIS Muslim who will declare a fatwa on somebody for depicting the Prophet Muhammad in a comi… --- ## [Do you think 1914-1945 was a bad time to be alive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-1914-1945-was-a-bad-time-to-be-alive/972387)
**Author:** [@Jay\_Z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jay_Z)\ **Replies:** 114\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2022, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-1914-1945-was-a-bad-time-to-be-alive/972387 "2022-12-13T17:55:21Z")
Sometimes I hear complaints from people today about how bad 2022 is, I suppose as compared to some other time in history. My mother was born in 1925, in rural Wisconsin. When I started learning about history, to me it … --- ## [Brittney Griner released in prisoner swap](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brittney-griner-released-in-prisoner-swap/976202)
**Author:** [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Replies:** 175\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2022, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brittney-griner-released-in-prisoner-swap/976202 "2022-12-13T17:13:54Z")
Don’t know where this belongs. Mods, feel free to move it. --- ## [Choking to death? I can't help you unless you consent or pass out](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choking-to-death-i-cant-help-you-unless-you-consent-or-pass-out/976402)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2022, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choking-to-death-i-cant-help-you-unless-you-consent-or-pass-out/976402 "2022-12-13T17:07:34Z")
You know how when someone is choking they are going to die unless you do something AND they cannot speak as in give consent? The new standard from the Red Cross is you must get consent if hey are conscious. You don’t b… --- ## [Another question for the British contingent (this time about Christmas dinner)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-question-for-the-british-contingent-this-time-about-christmas-dinner/976350)
**Author:** [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2022, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-question-for-the-british-contingent-this-time-about-christmas-dinner/976350 "2022-12-13T16:39:08Z")
I just finished watching Scrooge (1935). Toward the end, Mrs Cratchit is seen cutting the top of what looks to be a pie or loaf of some sort. This can’t be a Christmas pudding, can it? I’ve never seen one that looks l… --- ## [What does coming up threes mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-coming-up-threes-mean/407968)
**Author:** [@RedRosesForMe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedRosesForMe)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2022, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-coming-up-threes-mean/407968 "2022-12-13T16:10:52Z")
I tried Google, I tried Urban Dictionary, I even tried a plain old dictionary- but I still can’t figure out what coming up threes means. --- ## [Question(s) About Ramen](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-s-about-ramen/976358)
**Author:** [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2022, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-s-about-ramen/976358 "2022-12-13T16:04:44Z")
I’ve been considering venturing into the world of ramen, as an effort to vary both mine and Vaderlings diet, in how we eat what we eat if nothing else, although I would dearly love for him to open himself to some new thi… --- ## [Which of these Countries is a Middle Power](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-countries-is-a-middle-power/976018)
**Author:** [@Moonrise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonrise)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2022, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-countries-is-a-middle-power/976018 "2022-12-13T14:46:06Z")
poll I find the concept of Middle Powers rather interesting. It has been defined as countries which make no claim to the title of great power, but have been shown to be capable of exerting a degree of strength and influ… --- ## [Trump Might Have Called for the Termination of the Constitution](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-might-have-called-for-the-termination-of-the-constitution/975990)
**Author:** [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Replies:** 220\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2022, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-might-have-called-for-the-termination-of-the-constitution/975990 "2022-12-13T12:54:03Z")
I see this is a topic that posters would like to discuss. Here’s a thread for it. --- ## [What's the name of this dish? Pizza crust/caramelized onions/anchovies/black olives](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-name-of-this-dish-pizza-crust-caramelized-onions-anchovies-black-olives/976391)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2022, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-name-of-this-dish-pizza-crust-caramelized-onions-anchovies-black-olives/976391 "2022-12-13T10:45:01Z")
One of the most aggravating things about getting old is the way things vanish from your memory. Or at least become so elusive you can’t pull them back out without prompting. Anyway. I had a friend who would semi-often… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=946&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=948&state=muted)