# Discussion thread for the "Polls only" thread (Part 1) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 28, 2022, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380 "2022-09-28T11:33:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 322
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2023, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/6424 "2023-08-28T16:39:01Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > It might be interesting to know how many 60+ year old males are like me. I get up every night around 3 am to urinate. I’m 65. I drink a ton of water each day though, in order to keep my gout in check without changing diet or giving up beer. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2023, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/6425 "2023-08-28T17:40:53Z")
I struggled with the vat-grown chicken question because it’s not about price. I already pay a substantially premium to buy chicken that’s raised and slaughtered in a more humane way. The real answer is that i intend to try the vat-chicken when it becomes available, and if i like it, I’ll probably substitute it for some chicken meals (anything that calls for boneless chunks, maybe) but i expect I’ll still enjoy roasting a whole chicken and chewing on the skin and bones, as well as the meat. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2023, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/6426 "2023-08-28T18:19:16Z")
I just counted 24 books in the living room, which is where most folks would be. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2023, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/6427 "2023-08-28T18:44:23Z")
Probably at least 100 books in our living room, all children’s books for my son. He destroys them if we leave them in his bedroom. Our books, maybe 100 or so, mostly graphic novels, are in our bedroom. My husband reads almost exclusively graphic novels and I use a Kindle for most of my reading ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2023, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/6428 "2023-08-28T18:51:14Z")
We probably have around 20-30 cook books on our kitchen shelves. About 50 misc. books in a room that’s has multiple purposes (hard to define) and around 80-100 art books in our living room. We also have some shelves full of just matching sets of various “classics” in fancy bindings. Although many look interesting, I’m sure none will ever been opened and read during my lifetime. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2023, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/6429 "2023-08-28T19:02:57Z")
I just counted the books on one shelf – there were 20, then multiplied by the number of shelves (3) to get a rough estimate. So around 80ish books. Plus a couple of cookbooks in the kitchen/dining area (but nowhere near enough to bump it up to the next tier). ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2023, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/6430 "2023-08-28T19:26:49Z")
My home has essentially zero books in the non-private spaces. My father’s apartment, though, has about 3,000 books on the shelves. We’ve never read more than a small fraction of them. I’ve always wished I had an idle year to myself of no work and nothing to do, just book-reading, and I could make my way through them. Maybe only five or ten of them are cookbooks. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2023, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/6431 "2023-08-28T19:37:44Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > My father’s apartment, though, has about 3,000 books on the shelves. My parents are what you might call book hoarders. They’ll acquire a book, read it, and stick it on the shelf when they’re done. Repeat. So they have shelves full of books in their “study”. And stacks of them on the floor, because the shelves are all full. Actually they may have given some to Goodwill when they moved back to Wisconsin when they retired, but I wasn’t there. But that was like 15 years ago, so they still accumulated a bunch since then. And it really wouldn’t surprise me if they did pack up at least some of them and bring them with them. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2023, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/6432 "2023-08-28T19:43:15Z")
Limiting to “public spaces” in the house: - About a dozen (mostly “coffee table books”) in the living room - Fifty or so in a bookshelf in the family room - A dozen cookbooks on a shelf in the kitchen - About 150 in a built-in bookshelf on the stairs to the second floor So, that puts us well into the “over 200” category, just in public spaces. I don’t even want to think about how many there’d be if we include our bedroom, the guest bedroom, and the “office” (a spare bedroom, which mostly acts as a storage room). 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2023, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/6433 "2023-08-28T20:05:14Z")
Cookbooks are in a kitchen cabinet and on the back porch, so zero ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2023, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/6434 "2023-08-28T20:15:20Z")
My living room is full of books, and those are generally visible. The cookbooks are in the den (next to the kitchen) and it’s less common for friends to go there. So usually zero. But it depends on the gathering. Sometimes the den is open, sometimes it isn’t. I guess if the den is open to guests… Maybe 5%. Maybe 10% ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2023, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/6435 "2023-08-28T20:17:05Z")
In the Expendables question I’m assuming the only reason why Randy Couture isn’t number 1 by far is because some are unfamiliar with him. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2023, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/6436 "2023-08-28T20:23:06Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > I’m assuming the only reason why Randy Couture isn’t number 1 by far is because some are unfamiliar with him. That’d be why I didn’t pick him; the four I picked were those whom I knew had extensive actual experience in martial arts. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2023, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/6437 "2023-08-28T20:25:02Z")
Yeah my votes were all for people who have actually fought in real life. I’m pretty sure Couture, Rousey, and Norris would quickly eliminate most of the field. Van Damme also fought competitively, but I don’t think Jet Li ever did. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2023, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/6438 "2023-08-28T20:27:54Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > Van Damme also fought competitively, but I don’t think Jet Li ever did. I wasn’t sure about Li, either, but Wikipedia notes that he was a champion in the Chinese martial art of wushu as a teenager, before retiring from the sport due to an injury, and moving into acting. > **[Jet Li | Early life and martial arts career](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jet_Li#Early_life_and_martial_arts_career)** > > Li was born in Beijing, China, and was the youngest of two boys and two girls. When he was two years old, his father died and his family then lived in poverty. > Li was eight when his talent for Wushu was noticed as he practiced at a school summer course. He then attended a non-sparring wushu event, followed by joining the Beijing Wushu Team which did a martial art display at the All China Games. Renowned coaches Li Junfeng and Wu Bin made extra efforts to help the talented boy develop. Wu Bin eve... ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2023, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/6439 "2023-08-28T20:37:24Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > Yeah my votes were all for people who have actually fought in real life. I’m pretty sure Couture, Rousey, and Norris would quickly eliminate most of the field. Van Damme also fought competitively, but I don’t think Jet Li ever did. I assumed you meant a no rules street fight. Someone with grappling ability would have advantage over strict punchers. Couture would be number one for size, power and range of abilities. Norris I would put second. He competed in full contact karate and went on to earn a black belt in BJJ. I would have to sneak Victor Ortiz in there. No ground game that I know of but no one knows how to punch like a championship boxer. He fought as a welterweight but I’m sure a body shot from him would send mere mortals to the hospital. And he knows defense. Fourth I might have to put Dolph. In his prime he was huge and powerful and he was a competitive kick boxer. You can’t teach size. > [@kenobi\_65](#): > > > [@Loach](#): > > > > I’m assuming the only reason why Randy Couture isn’t number 1 by far is because some are unfamiliar with him. > > That’d be why I didn’t pick him; the four I picked were those whom I knew had extensive actual experience in martial arts. Couture is a UFC world champion in several weight classes and a pretty damn good collegiate Greco Roman wrestler. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2023, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/6440 "2023-08-28T20:39:09Z")
I have book cases on both the long walls of my living room. So, both those walls are essentially covered by books (with some tchotchkes). I have a couple of shelves (with glass doors) in the kitchen with my cookbooks. One doorway (no door) to the kitchen is immediately inside the front door, so anyone coming in could see these shelves. I have about 35 shelves of books in the living room (not counting about 8 or 9 small cubbyhole-type shelves alongside the fireplace where I keep books). I estimated 5% of these books were cookbooks, but it might be a little lower. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2023, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/6441 "2023-08-28T20:43:50Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Fourth I might have to put Dolph. In his prime he was huge and powerful and he was a competitive kick boxer. You can’t teach size. I did not know that. I know he has a master’s degree in chemical engineering and studied at MIT. Dolph is a talented man. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2023, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/6442 "2023-08-28T20:47:00Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > > [@DCnDC](#): > > > > Van Damme also fought competitively, but I don’t think Jet Li ever did. > > I wasn’t sure about Li, either, but Wikipedia notes that he was a champion in the Chinese martial art of wushu as a teenager, before retiring from the sport due to an injury, and moving into acting. > > [Jet Li - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jet_Li#Early_life_and_martial_arts_career) Wushu has forms competitions and a contact sport. I don’t know the definitive answer but I have heard Jet Li was a forms competitor. Basically dance/gymnastics. That’s not to say he never faced off against someone. I don’t know. I do know everytime I’ve seen a Wushu master go up against someone with mid level MMA skills the master gets their world rocked. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2023, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/6443 "2023-08-28T20:52:27Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > > [@Loach](#): > > > > Fourth I might have to put Dolph. In his prime he was huge and powerful and he was a competitive kick boxer. You can’t teach size. > > I did not know that. I know he has a master’s degree in chemical engineering and studied at MIT. Dolph is a talented man. This article goes over his record and experience. I would still take someone with grappling and striking skills over him but he was no slouch in his prime. [http://kyokuacademy.co.uk/kyokushin-content.asp?sectionid=81&id=2098](http://kyokuacademy.co.uk/kyokushin-content.asp?sectionid=81&id=2098) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380.md?page=321) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380.md?page=323)