Straight Dope Chicago is even better than Straight Dope Universal, at least for now

Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports
1

Over the past few weeks Cecil has penned 2 articles about mysterious freshwater submarines, the fine points of the demolition of buildings and a how-to guide to turning around your local school. This last topic (formerly) had the experts head-scratching for years.

All of those were Chicago columns.

Ok, ok, today’s SD-Earth column pondered, why a blow to the nuts causes nausea and why are they exterior to the body anyway? A fine question. But I’m afraid that Native American nose-cutting and flatulence aeronautics, while worthy topics, lacked the frisson of the SD-Chicago efforts. Starting immediately, I have set myself the personal goal of circling back and reading all of Cecil’s Chicago-related wisdom.
The Straight Dope Chicago: Not just for windy city residents.
Home page:
http://chicago.straightdope.com/

Straight Dope Universal:
http://www.straightdope.com/

2

I think that’s part of the reason for the new set. Cecil originally focused on more Chicago centric topics, and those topics are much less likely to be answered in other sources.

Granted, he had a different editor back then…

3

The addition of Straight Dope Chicago was partly to go back to the olden days when Cecil first began writing his column. It was also partly to try out the idea, to see whether local-topic columns and discussion forums will attract posters/readers… and advertisers.

4

I agree; I find the Chicago-only columns to be at least as interesting as the “main” column. I think at least part of that is because a good portion of the general knowledge-type questions answered in the main column seem like a fairly straightforward exercise in using Wikipedia and Google whereas the Chicago columns have involved digging through newspaper archives or editorializing or both.

5

I think it should be pointed out that Straight Dope Chicago has a much longer word limit than the Straight Dope. This week’s column, for example, has more than 2,100 words total, compared to 838 for the Straight Dope. Cecil has much more freedom to expand and expound in the Chicago column.

6

Good point! Although I’m not sure that another 1,300 words on sensitive testicles would have made it much more interesting.

7

Actually it’s been my impression that Cecil has done a pretty good job of going beyond Wikipedia. One would almost think that he practices solid science journalism… but of course he just knows all this stuff.

Also, I think the freshness of the Chicago setting may have inspired a lot of terrific questions. Creative Loafing should coin another trademark and franchise it out to NYC, LA, SF and other metropolises worldwide.

Google text ads aside, internet advertising seems to be limited to Yobba berries and vendors of overpriced gold coins. TPM is attracting a few lobbyists now, but I’m somewhat surprised that there’s no analogue to those who purchase ads in Popular Science and the like.