# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=956&state=tracking [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 957 --- ## [Thirteen Views of a Cardboard City](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thirteen-views-of-a-cardboard-city/975797)
**Author:** [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2022, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thirteen-views-of-a-cardboard-city/975797 "2022-12-02T18:15:39Z")
In this short story, William Gibson describes… well, the title says it all. Does anyone know more about this story? Did Gibson ever visit the cardboard city in person? Were any of the artworks or persons described in the… --- ## [Explain The Masked Singer to me](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-masked-singer-to-me/975918)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2022, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-masked-singer-to-me/975918 "2022-12-02T18:17:36Z")
I know it’s a bunch of celebrities singing while wearing costumes which conceal their identities. But even after reading the Wikipedia article, I’m not sure how the competition aspect works. I see that the judges and th… --- ## [Botticelli, Nov. 2022](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/botticelli-nov-2022/974093)
**Author:** [@ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness)\ **Replies:** 366\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2022, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/botticelli-nov-2022/974093 "2022-12-02T18:06:30Z")
New month. I am M --- ## [Should the GOP send thought and prayers that Trump is convicted and imprisoned?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-gop-send-thought-and-prayers-that-trump-is-convicted-and-imprisoned/975435)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2022, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-gop-send-thought-and-prayers-that-trump-is-convicted-and-imprisoned/975435 "2022-12-02T17:53:58Z")
Right now it appears that the GOP is divided enough to guarantee they can not win in 2024. This has them held hostage to Trump. It also means our country is held hostage and does not have a functioning 2 party system. … --- ## [Can I Do This Electrical Thing-Water Heater Recirculating Pump](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-do-this-electrical-thing-water-heater-recirculating-pump/975821)
**Author:** [@Lare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lare)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2022, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-do-this-electrical-thing-water-heater-recirculating-pump/975821 "2022-12-02T16:36:39Z")
I know, you’re not my electrician, so noted. I’m hoping for someone passingly familiar with electrical codes. My background is in electronics and I am comfortable working with normal house wiring. My water heater runs … --- ## [Dishwashers- What do you think of Bosch?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dishwashers-what-do-you-think-of-bosch/974867)
**Author:** [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2022, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dishwashers-what-do-you-think-of-bosch/974867 "2022-12-02T16:01:04Z")
I just moved and the dishwasher that came with the house is about as thorough and enthusiastic as my teenage son. It doesn’t get much done, and a surprising amount of food is still on the dishes when the cycle is done. I… --- ## [What are the best Van Morrison covers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-van-morrison-covers/975893)
**Author:** [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2022, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-van-morrison-covers/975893 "2022-12-02T13:35:59Z")
Some singers are hard to cover. There are not many Aretha Franklin covers, for instance, because why should somebody even try? Van Morrison may not be the same kind of force of nature like Aretha (though he’s close), but… --- ## [Share something heartwarming that brings tears to your eyes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/share-something-heartwarming-that-brings-tears-to-your-eyes/975865)
**Author:** [@Didi44](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Didi44)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2022, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/share-something-heartwarming-that-brings-tears-to-your-eyes/975865 "2022-12-02T03:26:34Z")
We all need a good cry every once in a while, especially during these times. So share a video, song or story that has recently brought you good heartfelt tears. Turn on the CC to get the English subtitles. I came across… --- ## [Prevention of cramps in abs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prevention-of-cramps-in-abs/975833)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2022, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prevention-of-cramps-in-abs/975833 "2022-12-02T00:21:26Z")
Sometimes I get a really nasty cramp/spasm in an abs muscle just below my rib cage. I don’t mean in the digestive system, I mean the muscles that you use for crunches. Which is why I’m having trouble Googling this. It is… --- ## [The Facts About 10-Year Batteries](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-facts-about-10-year-batteries/975811)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2022, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-facts-about-10-year-batteries/975811 "2022-12-02T00:10:27Z")
A question came up in the family: Many smoke alarms these days come with a 10-year battery. We know conventional batteries typically corrode in a year or so. Do these 10-year batteries also corrode in the same time as a … --- ## [What is this musical car horn tune I've heard in old cartoons?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-musical-car-horn-tune-ive-heard-in-old-cartoons/975625)
**Author:** [@Hakushon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hakushon)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2022, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-musical-car-horn-tune-ive-heard-in-old-cartoons/975625 "2022-12-01T22:51:45Z")
In cartoons of the 1930s (and possibly also the 1940s), I’ve heard the soundtrack use these four notes to represent a car horn: ceGe (in abc notation). The four notes can be heard at the 2:38 mark in this 1938 cartoon: … --- ## [Averaging ratios](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/averaging-ratios/975877)
**Author:** [@Danger\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danger_Man)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2022, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/averaging-ratios/975877 "2022-12-01T22:49:27Z")
Let’s say you want to average two speeds. 100 km/h and 150 km/h. You will get 125 km/h But averaging 1/100 h/km and 1/150 h/km results in 0.0083 km/h. Take the inverse and you end with 120 km/h. Why is this different?… --- ## [Let go during mass layoff, told to continue to work because it was a mistake, what do you do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-go-during-mass-layoff-told-to-continue-to-work-because-it-was-a-mistake-what-do-you-do/975581)
**Author:** [@nate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nate)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2022, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-go-during-mass-layoff-told-to-continue-to-work-because-it-was-a-mistake-what-do-you-do/975581 "2022-12-01T20:02:38Z")
Obviously inspired by the recent events at Twitter. It got me thinking, what would I do in that situation? You’re told you will be terminated from your job in 120 days and that you will continue to be paid with the same … --- ## [Well, Fuck. My stupid phone is apparently 'broken'. On Thanksgiving](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-fuck-my-stupid-phone-is-apparently-broken-on-thanksgiving/975505)
**Author:** [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2022, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-fuck-my-stupid-phone-is-apparently-broken-on-thanksgiving/975505 "2022-12-01T19:41:23Z")
Don’t know what happened. Maybe dropped it in the dirt or something. Charging cord won’t go in and engage. I’ve got 27% battery left. Tried cleaning the port out, blowing with compressed air, little brush thingy from an … --- ## [Reaction to Superhero Alter-Ego Puns](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaction-to-superhero-alter-ego-puns/975745)
**Author:** [@pianodave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pianodave)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2022, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaction-to-superhero-alter-ego-puns/975745 "2022-12-01T18:52:21Z")
Hi SD, I am curious as to how the general public reacted to superheroes whose alter-egos or “normal names” were most obviously puns. Did creating such wordplay dilute the effectiveness of said superhero? Examples: Wol… --- ## [Keir Starmer rules out the return of free movement if Labour comes back into power](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keir-starmer-rules-out-the-return-of-free-movement-if-labour-comes-back-into-power/975688)
**Author:** [@veryfrank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/veryfrank)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2022, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keir-starmer-rules-out-the-return-of-free-movement-if-labour-comes-back-into-power/975688 "2022-12-01T16:11:39Z")
I’m thinking that by making this explicit, Starmer is poisoning the well with younger voters. I understand he’s doing this because he doesn’t dare do anything that might tilt the immigration-adverse “Red Wall” voters ba… --- ## [19th century financial (?) idiom - "shaving" short paper? - and banknotes on the frontier](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/19th-century-financial-idiom-shaving-short-paper-and-banknotes-on-the-frontier/975835)
**Author:** [@brossa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brossa)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2022, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/19th-century-financial-idiom-shaving-short-paper-and-banknotes-on-the-frontier/975835 "2022-12-01T14:30:49Z")
I’m reading some letters from a businessman to his brother-in-law about opportunities in Muscatine, Iowa in the 1850s. He’s extolling the low cost of living, the game so plentiful you can shoot it without getting out of … --- ## [Remember her name. RIP Irene Cara](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-her-name-rip-irene-cara/975591)
**Author:** [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2022, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-her-name-rip-irene-cara/975591 "2022-12-01T13:42:58Z")
She did not live forever. --- ## [What is the Sequence that Maximizes the Distance between my Wearing Two Similar Sweaters](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-sequence-that-maximizes-the-distance-between-my-wearing-two-similar-sweaters/975852)
**Author:** [@Moonrise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonrise)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2022, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-sequence-that-maximizes-the-distance-between-my-wearing-two-similar-sweaters/975852 "2022-12-01T13:35:51Z")
Let’s say that I have 5 sweaters. A white one (Wh), a brown one (Br), a blue one (Bl) and two purple ones (P1 and P2). Unfortunately, I’m also a very fussy person and I refuse to wear the same colour twice in a row. In … --- ## [Modern Antarctic Cruiser](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-antarctic-cruiser/975716)
**Author:** [@EnolaStraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnolaStraight)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2022, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-antarctic-cruiser/975716 "2022-12-01T12:18:34Z")
Going over an old post of mine: ​Where’s the Antarctic Monster-Truck? - Mundane Pointless Stuff I Must Share (MPSIMS) - Straight Dope Message Board I wondered the feasibility of creating a Big-Wheeled or Cat-Tracked v… --- ## [Use of White Phosphorous in Korean War?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-white-phosphorous-in-korean-war/975815)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2022, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-white-phosphorous-in-korean-war/975815 "2022-12-01T11:19:22Z")
Factual Question: Watching MASH for the 100th time, the question hit me: If white phosphorous was really used in the Korean War, wasn’t this considered chemical warfare? And, wouldn’t its use be against the Geneva Conven… --- ## [Why cant the credit card companies get their crap together?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-the-credit-card-companies-get-their-crap-together/434392)
**Author:** [@Pixilated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pixilated)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2008, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-the-credit-card-companies-get-their-crap-together/434392 "2008-01-24T21:40:30Z")
My temp is soaring after having to deal with the CC companies - 2 of them. I moved to a new town and changed banks a couple of months ago. I gave plenty of notice to the 3 CC companies I deal with. I am having problems … --- ## [Tell me what I’m missing about Beckett](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-what-i-m-missing-about-beckett/975771)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2022, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-what-i-m-missing-about-beckett/975771 "2022-12-01T08:13:29Z")
I just don’t get Samuel Beckett. I’ve seen some of his plays, I’ve read about him. I just don’t get the acclaim. I walked out of Endgame at the intermission. It was boring. Why is he so highly revered? --- ## [The worst team in history - a hypothetical about record-breaking](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worst-team-in-history-a-hypothetical-about-record-breaking/975709)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2022, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worst-team-in-history-a-hypothetical-about-record-breaking/975709 "2022-12-01T06:00:01Z")
A recent thread asked why football’s single-game pass record has for so long, and it’s in part because the opposing team stunk so badly. So here’s my hypothetical: Having made a bundle in cryptocurrency and macaroni ar… --- ## [Ignored user times](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ignored-user-times/975837)
**Author:** [@DKW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DKW)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2022, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ignored-user-times/975837 "2022-12-01T05:25:27Z")
Is there any way to to find out how many days are left for ignored users? While I occasionally run into a bad apple I want to shut out for good, more commonly there’s some emotionally contentious event going on at the mo… --- ## [This is the thread to gripe about a spouse who won't go to the doctor](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-the-thread-to-gripe-about-a-spouse-who-wont-go-to-the-doctor/975446)
**Author:** [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2022, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-the-thread-to-gripe-about-a-spouse-who-wont-go-to-the-doctor/975446 "2022-12-01T04:44:32Z")
Spinning off from this week’s MMP, by request. In my case, it’s my husband who eschews doctors. He’s 72 years old and he hasn’t seen a doctor in years. His reason: doctors are quacks who don’t know anything. The rea… --- ## [COVID-19 is more deadly than smoking (re: Twitter)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covid-19-is-more-deadly-than-smoking-re-twitter/975819)
**Author:** [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2022, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covid-19-is-more-deadly-than-smoking-re-twitter/975819 "2022-12-01T01:04:26Z")
It would take a bit of math to ascertain but I would be reasonably certain that smoking has a higher fatality rate than Covid-19. The businesses that sell cigarettes have had no issue staying in business for centuries -… --- ## [We Don't Need No Stinkin' Laws of Robotics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-dont-need-no-stinkin-laws-of-robotics/975808)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2022, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-dont-need-no-stinkin-laws-of-robotics/975808 "2022-12-01T00:50:44Z")
Last year a company named Ghost Robotics announced it was mounting guns on those robotic “dogs”. The U.S. Army is reportedly testing them. (Boston-based Boston Dynamics has stated that it has no intention to do this with… --- ## [Which TV Format, Highest Profit To Cost Ratio?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-tv-format-highest-profit-to-cost-ratio/975608)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2022, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-tv-format-highest-profit-to-cost-ratio/975608 "2022-11-30T23:03:56Z")
Maybe there is a definitive answer to this question, probably not. A lot of TV formats - reality shows, game shows, adventures hunting for ghosts or Bigfeet, shows about cooking and home renovation… essentially cost com… --- ## [Schools shootings hoax in GA](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/schools-shootings-hoax-in-ga/975822)
**Author:** [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2022, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/schools-shootings-hoax-in-ga/975822 "2022-11-30T22:29:10Z")
I’m currently in Savannah, in a hotel about a mile or two from Savannah HS. I was reading in bed when I became aware of sirens going by. At first, eh, it’s a city, there are always sirens. But they kept coming, and tra… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=955&state=tracking) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=957&state=tracking)