# Topics no one cares about outside your profession **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 26, 2010, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topics-no-one-cares-about-outside-your-profession/551559 "2010-08-26T17:28:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topics-no-one-cares-about-outside-your-profession/551559/21 "2010-08-26T22:38:36Z")
For yawn-inducement of those outside my profession, I talk about randomization rates, principal investigators, study coordinators, CRAs, CROs, inclusion/exclusion criteria, subjects lost to follow-up, screening visits, protocols, and HIPAA violations. For those inside my profession, these terms cause instant shudders and uncontrollable twitches. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topics-no-one-cares-about-outside-your-profession/551559/22 "2010-08-26T22:51:56Z")
Why open-source software is so awesome and Microsoft is evil and stupid. Which I could really make interesting if you will just give me your ear for 45 minutes… ---
**Author:** ![kushiel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbce88/32.png) [@kushiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kushiel)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topics-no-one-cares-about-outside-your-profession/551559/23 "2010-08-26T22:53:49Z")
What web browser people are using, if we can drop support for Internet Explorer 6 and whether or not using tables for layout is a crime. Sometimes it is super hard to step outside of the job and just think about the fact that people just want to click a button and go to Facebook to see pics of the grandkids. ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topics-no-one-cares-about-outside-your-profession/551559/24 "2010-08-26T23:00:34Z")
> [@california\_jobcase](#): > > Quoins? Galleys? Leads? Slugs? What typographic museum have YOU been living in? :: checks username :: Oh. Never mind. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Angua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@Angua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angua)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topics-no-one-cares-about-outside-your-profession/551559/25 "2010-08-26T23:00:51Z")
What is dark energy and can we explain it? ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topics-no-one-cares-about-outside-your-profession/551559/26 "2010-08-26T23:04:48Z")
> [@Angua](#): > > What is dark energy and can we explain it? Sith? 😉 (I know what she does) ---
**Author:** ![Angua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@Angua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angua)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topics-no-one-cares-about-outside-your-profession/551559/27 "2010-08-26T23:05:33Z")
> [@NoClueBoy](#): > > > [@Angua](#): > > > > What is dark energy and can we explain it? > > Sith? Hush… You’re not supposed to let the world know that! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topics-no-one-cares-about-outside-your-profession/551559/28 "2010-08-26T23:05:39Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Normally, criminal jurisdiction exists in the geographic location where the crime was committed, regardless of where the defendant is actually arrested. It may also exist in other locations depending on a number of variables. I had a great case once: my guy shoplifted a bunch of merchandise in County A, then tried to return it for cash at another branch of the same store in adjoining County B. Clerks at store B got suspicious and called cops, and my guy was arrested. So he gets charged with theft. And I let them get all the way to trial (at some cost to my guy, who was locked up) before raising the point that the theft happened in County A; they couldn’t prove an essential element of the crime - venue. The Commonwealth tried to amend the information to add possession of stolen property (which is an onoing offense and which they could charge in B) but they were way too late. So my guy did four months awaiting trial but avoided the felony conviction and what would have been a multi-year sentence. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topics-no-one-cares-about-outside-your-profession/551559/29 "2010-08-26T23:25:14Z")
Are programmable locators a better solution for obtaining manufacturing flexibility or the use of a palletized system wherein a particular pallet may only work for a single product line? (There are a lot of other variables that go into consideration.) ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topics-no-one-cares-about-outside-your-profession/551559/30 "2010-08-26T23:25:25Z")
> [@Angua](#): > > What is dark energy and can we explain it? Hah! Are you kidding? I’m not even a member of whatever profession this is a work topic for, but I care about it, as do quite a number of other Dopers, as evidenced by the many threads on it, like [this one](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=469618&highlight=dark+energy), and [this one](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=574625&highlight=dark+matter), and [this one](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=528212&highlight=dark+matter), and [this one](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=317868&highlight=dark+energy), and [this one](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=241024&highlight=dark+energy), and [this one](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=176094&highlight=dark+energy), and…you get the point. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topics-no-one-cares-about-outside-your-profession/551559/31 "2010-08-26T23:57:55Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > I had a great case once: my guy shoplifted a bunch of merchandise in County A, then tried to return it for cash at another branch of the same store in adjoining County B. Clerks at store B got suspicious and called cops, and my guy was arrested. > > So he gets charged with theft. And I let them get all the way to trial (at some cost to my guy, who was locked up) before raising the point that the theft happened in County A; they couldn’t prove an essential element of the crime - venue. The Commonwealth tried to amend the information to add possession of stolen property (which is an onoing offense and which they could charge in B) but they were way too late. So my guy did four months awaiting trial but avoided the felony conviction and what would have been a multi-year sentence. On the civil side, earlier this week I represented a parent in a convoluted third party custody action. I’d requested a continuance as I didn’t learn of the case until just a couple of days before the hearing. Other lawyer was not cooperative. Big Firm guy, from the Big City several hours away. His calendar was just too important for mere professional courtesy that is the norm among local lawyers. He also wasn’t particularly diligent. He filed an original custody action in the county where his client lives. He did this despite knowing there was an existing custody order in the county where my client lives. Which means the Court that issued that order retains continuing exclusive jurisdiction to modify the existing custody order. So at docket call, he announces ready. Says he’s got several witnesses, and expects the hearing will take hours. I announced that perhaps a conference in chambers would “help us narrow the issues”. The judge knew something was up because normally I’d have announced ready with number of witnesses and estimated trial time, but said we’d have a conference in chambers. In chambers, other lawyer launches into this long winded statement of his position as I just sit there politely. When he finishes, the judge turns to me with an arched eyebrow, and says she assumes I will be counterclaiming for custody with the standard defense for third party cases? Eventually, your Honor. But not today. The other eyebrow goes up at this point. I’m casually producing a certain document from my file. Your Honor, I happen to have a copy of that previous order Mr. Other Lawyer mentioned, but I’m a little confused. That order is from County-where-client-lives, and is signed by Judge-who-is-a-close-personal-friend-of-this-judge. (hands order to Judge) I think that Court has continuing exclusi- And that’s as far as I got. The judge added the -ve jurisdiction. Then the judge lit into Mr. Other Lawyer in a manner that would have intimidated your average U.S.M.C. Drill instructor. Flayed the guy alive, rolled him in rock salt, and then she started getting harsh. Case dismissed. With leave to refile in the proper county. I smiled politely, and informed the Court that I’d be more than happy to accept process for my client in the new action, and I’d be able to do a hearing on any of several dates. Mr. Other Lawyer slithered outside to explain to all of his witnesses what had just happened. ---
**Author:** ![Lakai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topics-no-one-cares-about-outside-your-profession/551559/32 "2010-08-27T00:58:04Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > I had a great case once: my guy shoplifted a bunch of merchandise in County A, then tried to return it for cash at another branch of the same store in adjoining County B. Clerks at store B got suspicious and called cops, and my guy was arrested. > > So he gets charged with theft. And I let them get all the way to trial (at some cost to my guy, who was locked up) before raising the point that the theft happened in County A; they couldn’t prove an essential element of the crime - venue. The Commonwealth tried to amend the information to add possession of stolen property (which is an onoing offense and which they could charge in B) but they were way too late. So my guy did four months awaiting trial but avoided the felony conviction and what would have been a multi-year sentence. Did you have to offer proof that the theft happened in County A? Did the Commonwealth not know where the theft took place? ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topics-no-one-cares-about-outside-your-profession/551559/33 "2010-08-27T01:09:22Z")
The % of native speakers that would mark the grammar in a particular sentence as correct or incorrect, eg. The man that the Rockburys hired to divide the slopes of the canyons into pieces of equal sizes arrive today. ---
**Author:** ![Angua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@Angua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angua)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topics-no-one-cares-about-outside-your-profession/551559/34 "2010-08-27T01:12:07Z")
> [@Onomatopoeia](#): > > > [@Angua](#): > > > > What is dark energy and can we explain it? > > Hah! Are you kidding? I’m not even a member of whatever profession this is a work topic for, but I care about it, as do quite a number of other Dopers, as evidenced by the many threads on it, like [this one](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=469618&highlight=dark+energy), and [this one](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=574625&highlight=dark+matter), and [this one](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=528212&highlight=dark+matter), and [this one](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=317868&highlight=dark+energy), and [this one](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=241024&highlight=dark+energy), and [this one](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=176094&highlight=dark+energy), and…you get the point. 🙂 I know, it was the easiest topic off the top of my head. 😉 A better one is what stops the hot gas (at about a million degrees) at the center of galaxy clusters from cooling and forming more stars? ---
**Author:** ![Cub\_Mistress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea666f/32.png) [@Cub\_Mistress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cub_Mistress)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topics-no-one-cares-about-outside-your-profession/551559/35 "2010-08-27T01:30:30Z")
> [@Silver\_Fire](#): > > Other people’s bowel habits. I was going to cut to the chase and just post “poop.” ---
**Author:** ![Gil-Martin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Gil-Martin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gil-Martin)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topics-no-one-cares-about-outside-your-profession/551559/36 "2010-08-27T01:34:48Z")
> [@StusBlues](#): > > For the book I’m working on, I had a prospective chapter on nationalism and vampire folklore. Though the problem of nationalism is absolutely paramount in Balkan historiography, which is my area of formal training, I’ve come to realize that no one buying a book on vampires cares about the meandering of Vuk Karadzic and Milos Obrenovic, so I cut the chapter. Not to be argumentative, but I would probably like to read something like that. Sorry. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topics-no-one-cares-about-outside-your-profession/551559/37 "2010-08-27T04:13:42Z")
> [@Lakai](#): > > If possible, could you guys explain why these things are important in your professions. Wellll… when the first flood damage prevention legislation began to be put in place in the 60’s, the idea was to protect people from the peril of flood. The thought was that by mapping out the floodplains, people would refrain from building there. Instead, it had the opposite effect, of drawing development to cheap floodplain land because it could be filled with dirt and built upon. That bred other problems such as the loss of the beneficial aspects of allowing floodwaters to fill up the floodplain periodically, not the least of which was their value as storage areas for flood water. “No adverse impact” is the notion that development in the floodplain should not create any kind of adverse impact, whether it is loss of storage or anything else. Some folks think that “no adverse impact” goes too far and is anti-development. Some others think that it doesn’t go far enough. ---
**Author:** ![groo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecd19e/32.png) [@groo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/groo)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topics-no-one-cares-about-outside-your-profession/551559/38 "2010-08-27T08:00:44Z")
Bus contention. The Frequency of Main Lobe Clutter. Tracklets. Kill assessment. ---
**Author:** ![Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topics-no-one-cares-about-outside-your-profession/551559/39 "2010-08-27T09:16:15Z")
> [@Swords\_to\_Plowshares](#): > > P=NP I think this isn’t particularly contentious, and there’s a few people outside computer science who care quite a bit about this problem. ---
**Author:** ![Floater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dc4da7/32.png) [@Floater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Floater)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topics-no-one-cares-about-outside-your-profession/551559/40 "2010-08-27T10:42:16Z")
> [@Giles](#): > > Even worse that that is the debate about whether [RDA](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resource_Description_and_Access) is better than [AACR2](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AACR2). (For outsiders: they’re the rules about how to construct a record in a library catalogue. Non-librarians probably won’t notice the difference). Do you mean there are people out there who are not interested in cataloguing. :eek: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topics-no-one-cares-about-outside-your-profession/551559.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topics-no-one-cares-about-outside-your-profession/551559.md?page=3)