# Hey, what's new? Free thread ideas for the taking! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 11, 2007, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-whats-new-free-thread-ideas-for-the-taking/422311 "2007-10-11T03:34:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2007, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-whats-new-free-thread-ideas-for-the-taking/422311/1 "2007-10-11T03:34:17Z")
Who can come up with topics for each of the forums that have not been rehashed to death? 1. You must have one topic for each forum. 2. It must be interesting(use your own best judgment, ghod help us all). ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2007, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-whats-new-free-thread-ideas-for-the-taking/422311/2 "2007-10-11T07:20:26Z")
I will usurp your OP powers and declare ATMB,CoC’sC, and CoSR to be not included. **GQ:** [Organic vs Inorganic Oil production](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=127639) **GD:** Should we revisit a North American Currency in light of the Canadian dollar parity? **CS:** Who’s the Boss: The Movie. Who do you cast? **IMHO:** When your dog licks itself, does it go front to back or side to side? **MPSIMS:** Come up with topics for each of the forums that have not been rehashed to death(someone mighta done this already in another forum) **BBQ:** Enough with the Dog licking himself threads!!! OK, the first four are serious but this is a little tough. I have pretty much no idea what’s been hashed to death in MPSIMS. ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2007, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-whats-new-free-thread-ideas-for-the-taking/422311/3 "2007-10-11T08:25:01Z")
I have one for GD which I don’t think has been done before: **Buyouts/Relocation for High Hazard areas in the U.S. : Pro or Con?** One side sez that buyouts of homeowners in such areas (flood hazard/fire hazard/hurricane hazard) saves money in the long run. The other side says the gov’t has no biz telling people where they can live. ---
**Author:** ![H3Knuckles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ba8739/32.png) [@H3Knuckles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/H3Knuckles)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2007, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-whats-new-free-thread-ideas-for-the-taking/422311/4 "2007-10-11T08:56:05Z")
[ul] [li]GD: Should Freedom of Speech include the freedom to express myself by defacing offensive protest materials (such as those grotesque anti-abortion posters)?[/li][li]GQ: How does one become a member of the SDSAB?[/li][li]CS: What is your favorite series/license for fanfiction (alternatively, what is your favorite approach to fanfiction: continuation/true-to-cannon, alt-universe/what-if’s?, or reusing characters/themes for largely new stories?)[/li][li]IMHO: Would you be comfortable with people you know IRL knowing your SDMB posts?[/li][li]MPSIMS: I had a dream in which I grew a new set of teeth like a shark does (how many MPSIMS threads are interesting?)[/li][li]BBQ Pit: I hate the “modern” Sonic games (post Sonic Adventure 1)![/li][li]ATMB: Is this site hosted on hardware that is the property of the Reader, or is it hosted in a commercial server farm?[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![H3Knuckles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ba8739/32.png) [@H3Knuckles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/H3Knuckles)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2007, 9:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-whats-new-free-thread-ideas-for-the-taking/422311/5 "2007-10-11T09:31:43Z")
[QUOTE=H3Knuckles] [ul] [li]GQ: How does one become a member of the SDSAB?[/li][/ul] [/QUOTE] Apparently, that HAS been done to death, so in its stead, I contribute: [ul] [li]GQ: What exactly are the FDA guidelines on what manufacturers can call “natural flavors” on the ingredients list?[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2007, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-whats-new-free-thread-ideas-for-the-taking/422311/6 "2007-10-11T16:26:50Z")
Oops, **czar** , I see in the fine print that I must have a topic for each. Sorry. GQ: How does Wind Pool insurance work, actuarily? GD: Buyouts/Relocation for High Hazard areas in the U.S. : Pro or Con? CS: Help me make risotto without burning it! IMHO: Poll - do you ever attend city council meetings in your city? MPSIMS: The gate at the office building closed on my car and the owner refuses to pay ☹ BBQ: Why don’t hotels have windows which open ??? **H3K** : I like your shark teeth one 😛 ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2007, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-whats-new-free-thread-ideas-for-the-taking/422311/7 "2007-10-11T16:44:41Z")
GQ: What’s up with ball point pens? GD: Resolved: Ham sandwiches exist CS: Tiny Tim fan club IMHO: Does your kitchen sink have a faucet? MPSIMS: _sigh_ Another beautiful day BBQ: Dammit! The Red Sox won AGAIN! ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2007, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-whats-new-free-thread-ideas-for-the-taking/422311/8 "2007-10-11T16:53:55Z")
GQ: Is there direct evidence that curbside recycling is making an impact on land fill usage and new item production? GD: Should gifted and talented school programs be funded on par with special ed? CS: I enjoy Games magazine- can you reccomend a similar puzzle magazine that has so much variety and quality? IMHO: A poll- what’s your favorite Asian-style food, and why. MPSIMS: Unexpected talents your kids have- my daughter can sing! Pit: I hate summers that linger into fall- get cold already! ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_Stimulus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Digital\_Stimulus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_Stimulus)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2007, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-whats-new-free-thread-ideas-for-the-taking/422311/9 "2007-10-11T17:13:27Z")
My internal dialogue often takes the form of starting a thread – to a degree that surprises me. However, due to the time and effort involved, they never seem to actually get started. Here are a couple things that’ve occurred to me; I’d like to pursue any/all of them eventually: GQ: “At what outdoor temperature is it necessary to provide chickens with a heat lamp to keep them from freezing?” GQ: “How do I set up a password protected area of a website?” GD: “Re-engineering Engineering Education”, an outgrowth of a [NY Times article](http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/30/magazine/30OLIN-t.html?_r=1&oref=login) (free registration required). IMHO: A series of “DIY reference” threads (with an engineering bent) on various topics (e.g., small engine repair, metal working, computer audio, electric motors, construction, etc.). MPSIMS: How much I like living in a rural locale in the Pacific Northwest. CS (which I haven’t read in at least a year): A discussion of Jon Stewart’s influence and/or effect (if any) on the MSM. CS: A David Bowie “Diamond Dogs” appreciation thread. Ditto for The Cure’s “Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me” album, in addition to one for Joe Jackson. Got nothing for The Pit, as there’s not too much that generates a sufficient amount of anger to qualify as more than IMHO. But I do enjoy reading them. And I do have to say that I appreciated the recent spurt of “Ask the…” threads, which I think were at least somewhat inspired by a meta-thread asking what topics you’d like to see covered. I hope that this thread will also spawn some others… ---
**Author:** ![Bobotheoptimist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/919ad9/32.png) [@Bobotheoptimist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bobotheoptimist)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2007, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-whats-new-free-thread-ideas-for-the-taking/422311/10 "2007-10-11T17:18:26Z")
GQ: Where can I get a good ballistics calculator that goes to 1000 meters? GD: Should everyone in the US be required to spend time on the range learning firearms proficiency? CS: _Shooter_, with Mark Wahlberg - Travesty or true to Stephen Hunter’s intent? MPSIMS: Glass-bedded Remington 700 VLS is more accurate than I can handle Pit: Bush’s private war is running up the cost of .223 ammo! IMHO: Is **Bobo** starting to creep you out with all the gun talk? ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2007, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-whats-new-free-thread-ideas-for-the-taking/422311/11 "2007-10-11T17:24:55Z")
It’s tough to come up with original threads for every forum. Here are a few: GQ: How can we know how much of a food we should be eating? GD: The classification theorem for finite simple groups and the epistemological issues it raises[sup]1[/sup] CS: Is it reasonable to divide art into genres? IMHO: How many graduate programs did you apply to? MPSIMS and the pit tend to focus on what’s going on in the thread starter’s life, so it’s hard to say that anything’s been widely rehashed there. I like **NinetyWt** ’s thread about buyouts for homeowners in high-hazard areas, but I don’t have enough background to come up with a reasonable OP. [sup]1[/sup]: The classification theorem for finite simple groups states that a certain list contains all instances of a specific mathematical structure. The proof is on the order of 10000 pages long, and while each part is generally well-accepted, no one can really claim to understand the whole thing. I’d be interested in debating whether we actually know that it’s true, and what sorts of issues arise from knowing things that you can’t understand. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2007, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-whats-new-free-thread-ideas-for-the-taking/422311/12 "2007-10-11T20:02:44Z")
ATMB- Should this thread be in ATMB or MySpace? Cecil’s Q- Did Shem and Ham found Al-Anon? Staff Reports- Geologist says oil came from granite, not dinosaurs. Is he nuts? GQ- Did an elementary class really release messages attached to 1000 helium filled condoms? GD- Is animal sacrifice on the rise among Christians? CS- Did Page & Plant really write any of their own songs? IMHO- If I held your opinion, I’d be wrong all day. MupSims- I crochet my own coffee filters, but I don’t drink coffee. Pit- Enough anger, already! Can’t we talk about BBQ? ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2007, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-whats-new-free-thread-ideas-for-the-taking/422311/13 "2007-10-11T20:58:17Z")
Great topic, Czar! I think these would be new and interesting: **GQ** : Does Cecil believe in God? **GD** : A reinterpretation of Steady State **CS** : The Method - has it run its course? **IMHO** : What’s something really great about where you live? **MPSIMS** : Polycarp has died **BBQ** : Fuck you, Polycarp! ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2007, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-whats-new-free-thread-ideas-for-the-taking/422311/14 "2007-10-11T21:22:26Z")
GQ: Bacon, lettuce and tomato on wheat bread - nutritionally yea or nay? GD: Are Priests useful for marriage counseling? CS: Could Ty Cobb really hit modern pitching? IMHO: Do you pee in the pool? MPSIMS: Ask the Limo Driver BBQ: Gun violence in schools (OK, I ran out of ideas.) ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2007, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-whats-new-free-thread-ideas-for-the-taking/422311/15 "2007-10-11T22:08:33Z")
**GQ** : What techniques do space agencies use to ensure the extraordinary accuracy of probes to the outer planets? **GD** : What will be the relationship between the United States and the European Union in fifty years time? **CS** : Episodic fiction! Dickens did it. An Irish chap I heard on the radio this afternoon has done it more recently. Who else? **IMHO** : It’s the “lazing about on a beach” vs. “absorbing other cultures” holiday showdown! Tourist or Traveller? **MPSIMS** : My finger smells funny. **BBQ Pit** : My finger smells funny! ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2007, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-whats-new-free-thread-ideas-for-the-taking/422311/16 "2007-10-11T23:26:54Z")
GQ: Why did Thomas Nast hate Boss Tweed so much? GD: Have print newspapers jumped the shark? CS: Horatio Alger novels–why doesn’t anybody read them anymore? IMHO: Left-handedness gives you a different aesthetic than right-handedness. MPSIMS: Favorite/least favorite brands of bacon. BBQ: Damned labor unions! ---
**Author:** ![Bobotheoptimist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/919ad9/32.png) [@Bobotheoptimist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bobotheoptimist)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2007, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-whats-new-free-thread-ideas-for-the-taking/422311/17 "2007-10-12T00:36:13Z")
[QUOTE=cricetus] MPSIMS: Favorite/least favorite brands of bacon. [/QUOTE] Shouldn’t this be in GD? Bacon is neither mundane nor pointless! [QUOTE=AskNott] CS- Did Page & Plant really write any of their own songs? [/QUOTE] I heard a story once that Jethro Tull and Zeppelin were recording in the same building one time (long, long ago) and Ian Anderson walked up to one of the members and said something like “You know, with your music and our lyrics, we could be quite a good little rock and roll band” not realizing that he was talking to either Page or Plant (whoever was writing the lyrics at the time. I’m not a Zep fan, so I can’t remember which it was). This apparently started a feud that lasts to this day. ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2007, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-whats-new-free-thread-ideas-for-the-taking/422311/18 "2007-10-12T01:05:37Z")
GQ: What’s wrong with my Yugo? GD: Should we ban country music? CS: Any good roadkill possum recipes? IMHO: Is picking your nose while driving any more dangerous than talking on your cell phone? MPSIMS: My new grandson just farted for the first time!!! BBQ: George Bush does it again. ---
**Author:** ![H3Knuckles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ba8739/32.png) [@H3Knuckles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/H3Knuckles)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2007, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-whats-new-free-thread-ideas-for-the-taking/422311/19 "2007-10-12T01:27:50Z")
[QUOTE=cricetus] GQ: Why did Thomas Nast hate Boss Tweed so much? GD: Have print newspapers jumped the shark? CS: Horatio Alger novels–why doesn’t anybody read them anymore? IMHO: Left-handedness gives you a different aesthetic than right-handedness. MPSIMS: Favorite/least favorite brands of bacon. BBQ: Damned labor unions! [/QUOTE] Hmmm… so does that mean that **cricetus** is really C. Montgomery Burns? [QUOTE=NinetyWt] **H3K** : I like your shark teeth one 😛 [/QUOTE] I don’t know if I should admit to this, but that’s actually not a joke. I really did just have a dream where I gradually grew a new set of teeth on my lower jaw that folded into place as the old teeth came out. I have no idea where that came from. I don’t even have an interest in sharks. I guess a couple weeks ago I watched a youtube video of Quincy getting eaten by Jaws, but… 😕 Or, maybe it’s all the City of Heroes/Villains I’ve been playing lately (eg., Captain Mako). ---
**Author:** ![H3Knuckles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ba8739/32.png) [@H3Knuckles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/H3Knuckles)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2007, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-whats-new-free-thread-ideas-for-the-taking/422311/20 "2007-10-12T01:31:49Z")
post deleted because of user error (I momentarily forgot I could edit posts and just add my additional thoughts to the previous one). [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-whats-new-free-thread-ideas-for-the-taking/422311.md?page=2)