# On What Subjects can You Deliver a Two Page Report Off the Top of Your Head? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 12, 2017, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-what-subjects-can-you-deliver-a-two-page-report-off-the-top-of-your-head/791130 "2017-07-12T21:47:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2017, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-what-subjects-can-you-deliver-a-two-page-report-off-the-top-of-your-head/791130/21 "2017-07-13T15:10:25Z")
How good does it have to be? I thrived in school and always did well on essay tests and term papers. I can pretty much crank out a 2 page report on any subject I’m not utterly ignorant of (and have been known to successfully bs my way through some of the other type) in 20 minutes. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2017, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-what-subjects-can-you-deliver-a-two-page-report-off-the-top-of-your-head/791130/22 "2017-07-13T15:27:27Z")
Any of the biology, chemistry, physical or earth/space science topics I taught. The history of some guns and some cutlery makers. The history of Western Pennsylvania especially with regards to coal. ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2017, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-what-subjects-can-you-deliver-a-two-page-report-off-the-top-of-your-head/791130/23 "2017-07-13T15:41:32Z")
None. I wouldn’t want to produce something without sources and a check of accuracy. ---
**Author:** ![divemaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/divemaster/32/78_2.png) [@divemaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/divemaster)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2017, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-what-subjects-can-you-deliver-a-two-page-report-off-the-top-of-your-head/791130/24 "2017-07-13T15:46:52Z")
NEPA Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Development of the Korean film industry between 1999 - 2009. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2017, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-what-subjects-can-you-deliver-a-two-page-report-off-the-top-of-your-head/791130/25 "2017-07-13T15:50:09Z")
Building primitive archery bows for maximum performance. A couple of other things that so called experts might shoot down so I keep my essays private. ---
**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:** [July 13, 2017, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-what-subjects-can-you-deliver-a-two-page-report-off-the-top-of-your-head/791130/26 "2017-07-13T16:04:10Z")
The Dallas Cowboys (I have an almost fanatical memory for stats and whatnot from 1990-onwards) Taiwan’s acquisition of defensive arms from the United States and elsewhere since the 1980s. How a thermonuclear weapon works, or is assembled. U.S. presidential elections since 1980, and Congressional elections since 1994. How the Trump presidency will affect upcoming elections. ---
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2017, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-what-subjects-can-you-deliver-a-two-page-report-off-the-top-of-your-head/791130/27 "2017-07-13T16:04:10Z")
Distillery engineering and drilling engineering would be the easiest and there are millions of subtopics on each that I can ramble on forever. In fact, I’m starting a podcast on distillery engineering and the show notes for my first episode was a 4 page paper on basic still theory. I ‘wrote’ a similar length episode on cooling systems this morning on my run. Outside of work I could do some unique essays on offensive line techniques and how to throw a discus. After that, I could probably do two pages on most things but my level of expertise would fall out of expert levels. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2017, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-what-subjects-can-you-deliver-a-two-page-report-off-the-top-of-your-head/791130/28 "2017-07-13T16:27:37Z")
> [@Oredigger77](#): > > Distillery engineering and drilling engineering would be the easiest and there are millions of subtopics on each that I can ramble on forever. In fact, I’m starting a podcast on distillery engineering and the show notes for my first episode was a 4 page paper on basic still theory. I ‘wrote’ a similar length episode on cooling systems this morning on my run. > > Outside of work I could do some unique essays on offensive line techniques and how to throw a discus. After that, I could probably do two pages on most things but my level of expertise would fall out of expert levels. I have often heard that offensive lineman are the smartest guys on the team. Would you agree with this? ---
**Author:** ![Pantastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3bc359/32.png) [@Pantastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pantastic)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2017, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-what-subjects-can-you-deliver-a-two-page-report-off-the-top-of-your-head/791130/29 "2017-07-13T16:53:08Z")
I can rattle off a two page report on pretty much any topic that isn’t absurdly narrow. It may not actually be accurate or informative, but rambling for two pages using conjecture and vaguely remembered ‘facts’ isn’t all that difficult. ---
**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:** [July 13, 2017, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-what-subjects-can-you-deliver-a-two-page-report-off-the-top-of-your-head/791130/30 "2017-07-13T17:35:11Z")
Last night at the bar during a lull in the conversation, I started talking about **Chung Ling Soo**. I talked nonstop for 15 minutes or so to a rapt audience. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2017, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-what-subjects-can-you-deliver-a-two-page-report-off-the-top-of-your-head/791130/31 "2017-07-13T17:44:42Z")
Yeah, two pages isn’t terribly comprehensive. The list of things about which I could quickly fill up 2 pages worth of information off the top of my head is pretty long. I’m confident I could whip up 100 pages on baseball history, strategy, etc. off the top of my head. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2017, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-what-subjects-can-you-deliver-a-two-page-report-off-the-top-of-your-head/791130/32 "2017-07-13T18:56:33Z")
Given the number of teaching credentials I hold, and how many years I’ve been teaching, the list of subjects I could bullshit my way through 2 pages on is pretty much endless. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2017, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-what-subjects-can-you-deliver-a-two-page-report-off-the-top-of-your-head/791130/33 "2017-07-13T19:00:28Z")
> [@Two\_Many\_Cats](#): > > I could rattle off a two page report on the following without touching a book or Wikipedia: > > Abraham Lincoln > > Henry the Eighth > > Al Capone > > How about you? I can generally talk for hours about network and infrastructure related subjects. Several times I’ve been in meetings cold and ended up designing major network enhancements or designs with just a white board and a captive audience. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2017, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-what-subjects-can-you-deliver-a-two-page-report-off-the-top-of-your-head/791130/34 "2017-07-13T19:15:28Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > I have often heard that offensive lineman are the smartest guys on the team. Would you agree with this? Ehh, it’s probably either that or the QB or tight end. Of course, that’s due to the amount of thinking the position requires. I played at an engineering school so even the dumbest kid made it through diff eq. Defense is mainly read and react but they need to remember how plays look so there is probably more memory on that side of the ball. On offense, the wide receivers have to remember their routes and that’s about it. Running backs just have to know run or pass and which direction their pass pro is going. Offensive linemen have to know the protection scheme, the routes and most modern offensives also adjust all of that for game situations so there is a bunch to keep in mind to understand what your job is on each play. QBs don’t generally worry about the protection but they need to read the D more than the linemen and remember more about how the defense will react. Depending on the offense tight ends have to do a little bit of everyone’s job so they have to remember the most but only use a small portion on each play. ---
**Author:** ![Pantastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3bc359/32.png) [@Pantastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pantastic)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2017, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-what-subjects-can-you-deliver-a-two-page-report-off-the-top-of-your-head/791130/35 "2017-07-13T20:07:30Z")
> [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](#): > > Yeah, two pages isn’t terribly comprehensive. The list of things about which I could quickly fill up 2 pages worth of information off the top of my head is pretty long. Could you fill two pages with the list? ---
**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:** [July 13, 2017, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-what-subjects-can-you-deliver-a-two-page-report-off-the-top-of-your-head/791130/36 "2017-07-13T20:21:33Z")
Based on knowledge gained from hobbies: - Dungeons & Dragons / roleplaying games - Star Wars - Star Trek - Middle-Earth - Model rocketry - NFL football, and the Green Bay Packers - Several of my favorite rock bands (ELO, Queen, Yes, Beatles, probably a few others, too) Based on knowledge gained from work: - Marketing research - How anti-perspirants and deodorants work - How shampoos and conditioners work - The U.S. restaurant industry - U.S. health insurance, and the Affordable Care Act ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2017, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-what-subjects-can-you-deliver-a-two-page-report-off-the-top-of-your-head/791130/37 "2017-07-13T20:44:00Z")
Large chunks of Computer Science. And two pages would barely get out of the intro. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2017, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-what-subjects-can-you-deliver-a-two-page-report-off-the-top-of-your-head/791130/38 "2017-07-13T23:17:51Z")
I could go on for two pages about the locations and names of the 14 major league baseball stadiums in use in 1950 (two of them, Shibe Park in Philadelphia and Sportsman’s Park in St. Louis, were used by two teams). Any subject in elementary mathematics and some advanced subjects, especially in category theory and homological algebra. The rules and standard strategies of curling. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2017, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-what-subjects-can-you-deliver-a-two-page-report-off-the-top-of-your-head/791130/39 "2017-07-13T23:38:00Z")
I’m an EE and a nerd. And the subject I probably know more about than any other is **temperature sensors**. I could easily write a 20 page paper on the subject off the top of my head. ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2017, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-what-subjects-can-you-deliver-a-two-page-report-off-the-top-of-your-head/791130/40 "2017-07-14T01:34:08Z")
Watt Pottery Vidrio Products Triumph TR3 vintage golf carts vintage kitchen mixers history of Lorain County, Ohio Dennis [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-what-subjects-can-you-deliver-a-two-page-report-off-the-top-of-your-head/791130.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-what-subjects-can-you-deliver-a-two-page-report-off-the-top-of-your-head/791130.md?page=3)