# Why is this happening - weird work office anomaly **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 23, 2025, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-happening-weird-work-office-anomaly/1013294 "2025-01-23T16:39:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2025, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-happening-weird-work-office-anomaly/1013294/21 "2025-01-23T18:39:20Z")
I’m wondering what the relative humidity in your office is … ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2025, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-happening-weird-work-office-anomaly/1013294/22 "2025-01-23T18:41:19Z")
[Have you checked to see if there’s a Brother laser printer nearby?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiny-explosions-in-my-kitchen-not-a-gas-leak-need-answer-fast/1012647) ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2025, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-happening-weird-work-office-anomaly/1013294/23 "2025-01-23T18:43:02Z")
Is it when she moves her chair, or when she gets out of her chair? If it’s when she gets out, it may be the pneumatic cylinder causing an electromagnetic pulse. I had the same problem: > [@My computer glitches when I get out of my chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-computer-glitches-when-i-get-out-of-my-chair/1002936): > > Too odd a thing to not share. But don’t worry, the mystery will be revealed. I recently upgraded my video card and monitor, with the monitor running at a pretty high pixel rate: 3440x1440 @ 165 Hz. It’s been pretty reliable, but noticed that every so often I’d get a black screen, which would come back in a second or so. Audio (which goes through the DisplayPort cable) also cut out. It’s been pretty rare and I didn’t have a clear repro scenario, but it never seemed to happen when I was in th… ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2025, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-happening-weird-work-office-anomaly/1013294/24 "2025-01-23T18:43:26Z")
> [@The\_Librarian](#): > > I think you need to start eliminating sources of interference. > > Turn of all other devices except the monitor in question and go from there. On days he doesn’t go to the office he doesn’t notice it; since it only happens when he is in the orifice the problem _must_ be…him! ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2025, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-happening-weird-work-office-anomaly/1013294/25 "2025-01-23T19:20:16Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > But it sounds like you may have found a solution. Only reduced the frequency, it still occurs, I’ll take it but would prefer total inhalation. > [@Gorsnak](#): > > It’s not ESD, it’s a glitch in the code of the Matrix. You should see my swanky long, black duster coat. As for colour-coded pharmaceuticals, to parphrase _Joel Goodsen_, ‘Rosche - there is no substitute.’ > [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > Is it when she moves her chair, or when she gets out of her chair? Wow, that’s weird and cool. Thanks for sharing. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2025, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-happening-weird-work-office-anomaly/1013294/26 "2025-01-23T19:41:58Z")
Does the monitor reboot (indicating a power cycle) or does it resume displaying right away? > [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > I’ll take it but would prefer total inhalation Quite right. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2025, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-happening-weird-work-office-anomaly/1013294/27 "2025-01-23T19:55:38Z")
Resumes. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2025, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-happening-weird-work-office-anomaly/1013294/28 "2025-01-23T20:06:26Z")
Did you replace your monitor’s HDMI cable? ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2025, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-happening-weird-work-office-anomaly/1013294/29 "2025-01-23T20:11:42Z")
Nope. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2025, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-happening-weird-work-office-anomaly/1013294/30 "2025-01-23T20:56:23Z")
Try that. Your monitor isn’t losing power, it’s losing data. That means the problem is either with your computer, with your monitor, or with the cable connecting them, so I’d start with the easiest to replace and go from there. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2025, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-happening-weird-work-office-anomaly/1013294/31 "2025-01-23T22:24:25Z")
Does the office use gas lighting? ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2025, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-happening-weird-work-office-anomaly/1013294/32 "2025-01-23T22:30:04Z")
OK, you got me. I think this flew over my head. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2025, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-happening-weird-work-office-anomaly/1013294/33 "2025-01-23T22:51:31Z")
I believe @gnoitall is implying that you are the Ingrid Bergman character in this workplace drama: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/0ToLfQU2xmg/maxresdefault.jpg "Gaslight (1944) Official Trailer - Charles Boyer, Ingrid Bergman Movie HD") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ToLfQU2xmg) Stranger ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2025, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-happening-weird-work-office-anomaly/1013294/34 "2025-01-23T23:22:07Z")
Explaining the joke kills it, but… > **[Gaslighting](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaslighting)** > > This is an accepted version of this page > > Gaslighting is a colloquialism, defined as manipulating someone into questioning their own perception of reality. The expression, which derives from the title of the 1944 film Gaslight, became popular in the mid-2010s. Merriam-Webster defines gaslighting as deception of one's memory, perception of reality, or mental stability. Some mental health experts have expressed concern that the term has been used too broadly. In 2022, the Washington Post report... That said, my guess is something related to a loose connection in the cabling. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2025, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-happening-weird-work-office-anomaly/1013294/35 "2025-01-23T23:52:18Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > In case I’m not the only person who has never in life heard or read this word until now: > > **Buncombe - _“Statements or beliefs that are untrue or make no sense”_** Also a country in North Carolina, heavily hit by Hurricane Helene. And, it turns out, the origin of the word “buncombe” to mean nonsense _and_ the word “debunk”. > In 1820, a U.S. Congressman whose district included Buncombe County, unintentionally contributed a word to the English language. In the Sixteenth Congress, after lengthy debate on the Missouri Compromise, members of the House called for an immediate vote on that important question. Felix Walker rose to address his colleagues, insisting that his constituents expected him to make a speech “for Buncombe.” It was later remarked that Walker’s untimely and irrelevant oration was not just for Buncombe—it “was Buncombe.” Buncombe, afterwards spelled bunkum and later shortened to bunk, became a term for empty, nonsensical talk. That, in turn, is the etymology of the verb debunk. ([From Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buncombe_County,_North_Carolina).) ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2025, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-happening-weird-work-office-anomaly/1013294/36 "2025-01-24T12:45:32Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Walker’s untimely and irrelevant oration was not just for Buncombe—it “was Buncombe.” Buncombe, afterwards spelled bunkum and later shortened to bunk, became a term for empty, nonsensical talk. That, in turn, is the etymology of the verb debunk. I find the origins/meanings of words and names very interesting. Thank you! I just sat down with my coffee and have learned more here than I will learn from my job and my government for the entire rest of the day which, if you think about it, is a little sad and disturbing. LOL ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2025, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-happening-weird-work-office-anomaly/1013294/37 "2025-01-24T17:44:25Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > I believe @gnoitall is implying that you are the Ingrid Bergman character in this workplace drama: > [@gnoitall](#): > > Explaining the joke kills it, but I know what gaslighting is, I just don’t understand how it relates to my issues. Were they suggesting I was trying to convince the board I have a problem that I don’t ? Still confused 😵‍💫 In other news, I am still having that issue. grrr ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2025, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-happening-weird-work-office-anomaly/1013294/38 "2025-01-24T17:51:01Z")
Is this a laptop or desktop system? If it’s a laptop, does the laptop lose the image as well as the monitor, or just the monitor? As someone mentioned above, it would be worth swapping monitor cables. Perhaps some bad shielding or something is affecting it. You could swap cords with your coworker and see if the problem stays with your monitor or moves to hers. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2025, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-happening-weird-work-office-anomaly/1013294/39 "2025-01-24T17:51:50Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > I know what gaslighting is, I just don’t understand how it relates to my issues. Were they suggesting I was trying to convince the board I have a problem that I don’t I don’t know the intention of any post here but it is possible someone is pranking you. Many pranks use ‘gaslighting’ techniques to mess with your mind. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2025, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-happening-weird-work-office-anomaly/1013294/40 "2025-01-24T17:51:58Z")
I suspect the possibility of a bad earth ground in the electrical outlet your computer equipment is plugged into. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-happening-weird-work-office-anomaly/1013294.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-happening-weird-work-office-anomaly/1013294.md?page=3)