# Top **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=1054&period=all&state=muted [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1055 --- ## [Why not simply close GITMO and simply release the inmates?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-simply-close-gitmo-and-simply-release-the-inmates/741616)
**Author:** [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2016, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-simply-close-gitmo-and-simply-release-the-inmates/741616 "2016-01-06T19:09:15Z")
These guys have been out of the loop for fifteen years. Presumably, we’ve already wrung all the intelligence that we can out of them. It seems that there are plenty of terrorists on the outside that are more dangerous. O… --- ## [Nigeria is one f###ked up country](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nigeria-is-one-f-ked-up-country/410267)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2007, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nigeria-is-one-f-ked-up-country/410267 "2007-07-15T15:50:06Z")
Price of machetes drops after elections And they want me to launder the finance minister’s fortune? Not bloody likely! --- ## [What different breeds do you think this dog is made up of (with picture)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-different-breeds-do-you-think-this-dog-is-made-up-of-with-picture/489722)
**Author:** [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2009, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-different-breeds-do-you-think-this-dog-is-made-up-of-with-picture/489722 "2009-03-18T18:28:41Z")
Today I saw a beautiful dog sitting outside a local co-op. It looked kind of like a Great Pyrenees (my family had one when I was growing up), but had a coat of many colors - tan, brown, black, gray and white. Almost like… --- ## [Explain this Doonesbury Strip](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-this-doonesbury-strip/726048)
**Author:** [@Meltdown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meltdown)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2021, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-this-doonesbury-strip/726048 "2021-03-11T18:57:04Z")
Ever since Garry Trudeau stopped doing daily strips, the online outlet for Doonesbury has been running old strips in its place. Here is today’s (July 24 --if you’re reading this on a day other than July 24, you can navi… --- ## [Is it rude to leave your fog lights on?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-leave-your-fog-lights-on/723831)
**Author:** [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2015, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-leave-your-fog-lights-on/723831 "2015-07-05T18:50:04Z")
Probably a silly question, but I’ve never had them before and I haven’t registered if others have. I know to turn off my brights when oncoming cars approach – do I need to do the same with these fog lights? They’re the… --- ## [Favorite Heart-Attack-On-A-Plate recipes! (IOW: Screw it!)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-heart-attack-on-a-plate-recipes-iow-screw-it/440924)
**Author:** [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2008, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-heart-attack-on-a-plate-recipes-iow-screw-it/440924 "2008-03-21T12:17:01Z")
I just finished one, courtesy of Alton Brown: Fried Mac & Cheese!! Yep, you heard me right! First, begin with the World’s Most Amazing Mac & Cheese (that would be my recipe, and no, you can’t have it. But it involves l… --- ## [IYHO did the homeless old man in Groundhog Day survive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iyho-did-the-homeless-old-man-in-groundhog-day-survive/680472)
**Author:** [@shijinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shijinn)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2014, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iyho-did-the-homeless-old-man-in-groundhog-day-survive/680472 "2014-02-05T03:37:27Z")
just curious. intrigued by the alternate ending thread for Big. it seems pretty obvious to me that he did not. he tried, he failed, and he accepted it as a cycle of life. on the other hand at the party, people we’ve see… --- ## [Hey engineers -- how tall can you build with 2 x 4s?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-engineers-how-tall-can-you-build-with-2-x-4s/433860)
**Author:** [@Emilio\_Lizardo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emilio_Lizardo)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2008, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-engineers-how-tall-can-you-build-with-2-x-4s/433860 "2008-01-18T19:09:12Z")
Theres a new residential housing complex under construction near me; a series of buildings containing about 250 units. They are five storeys tall, and they’re framed with freaking 2 x 4s! I can’t get close enough to ch… --- ## [How did the USA get so powerful so fast?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-usa-get-so-powerful-so-fast/233130)
**Author:** [@Evil\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_One)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2004, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-usa-get-so-powerful-so-fast/233130 "2004-03-10T14:57:30Z")
The basic question is this: How and why did the United States get in the position to have the worldwide cultural, economic and military influence that it does today? I heard the theory a while back that three things we… --- ## [Are there any modern-day christian monks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-modern-day-christian-monks/197296)
**Author:** [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2003, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-modern-day-christian-monks/197296 "2003-08-25T16:48:38Z")
Not a very “odd” question this time, really… We’ve all seen christian (particularly Catholic) nuns on a fairly regular basis in the present day, but…where are the christian monks? It just seems like all the monks that … --- ## [God Bless merchandising! - Cute menstrual pads for 8-12 year old girls.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-merchandising-cute-menstrual-pads-for-8-12-year-old-girls/578589)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2011, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-merchandising-cute-menstrual-pads-for-8-12-year-old-girls/578589 "2011-04-18T02:17:38Z")
We might be losing our manufacturing ass to the Chinese, but by God we can still find a product niche where none existed before. God Bless America! Maxipads Get Cute And Sparkly For Young Menstruaters --- ## [Why isn't there metric time?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-there-metric-time/332191)
**Author:** [@jasonh300](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasonh300)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2005, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-there-metric-time/332191 "2005-11-23T03:18:49Z")
I’ve always wondered about this, although I don’t really use the Metric System. The whole concept would be 100 seconds in a minute, 100 minutes in an hour, 10 hours in a day. Actually, I guess there would be millidays a… --- ## [Yes, yes, of course. But why those particular smallish cities for state capitals?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-yes-of-course-but-why-those-particular-smallish-cities-for-state-capitals/743694)
**Author:** [@Find\_Friends](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Find_Friends)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2016, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-yes-of-course-but-why-those-particular-smallish-cities-for-state-capitals/743694 "2016-01-28T02:13:49Z")
I suppose as far back as later grade school years I was vaguely aware that most U.S. state capitals were definitely not the most populous cities in their respective states. (Boston, Denver and Honolulu are exceptions.) … --- ## [Buying "New and Used" from Amazon.com 3rd parties. What does "Fulfillment by Amazon" mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-new-and-used-from-amazon-com-3rd-parties-what-does-fulfillment-by-amazon-mean/502399)
**Author:** [@straggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/straggler)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2009, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-new-and-used-from-amazon-com-3rd-parties-what-does-fulfillment-by-amazon-mean/502399 "2009-07-09T23:13:26Z")
Hi there, I recently attempted to purchase a book through Amazon, only to discover that it was out of stock. However, there was a link suggesting that I could buy a used copy. So I clicked the link, and a list of new an… --- ## [What computer game are you playing right now](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-computer-game-are-you-playing-right-now/780642)
**Author:** [@drewder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewder)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2017, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-computer-game-are-you-playing-right-now/780642 "2017-03-21T15:39:59Z")
For me it’s Hitman(2016). I enjoy coming up with different sneaky ways to take people out. Civ 6 is also on the rotation at the moment. What are you all playing that I should look at. --- ## [Famous people you don't find attractive, but everyone else does?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-you-dont-find-attractive-but-everyone-else-does/434734)
**Author:** [@rostfrei](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rostfrei)\ **Replies:** 123\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2008, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-you-dont-find-attractive-but-everyone-else-does/434734 "2008-01-27T08:35:33Z")
Ok, I’m getting so sick of everyone telling me how handsome Anderson Cooper http://edition.cnn.com/CNN/anchors\_reporters/images/cooper.anderson.b.jpg (of CNN fame) is. I think he is one of the most UN-attractive men I’… --- ## [do i need to refrigerate soy sauce?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-to-refrigerate-soy-sauce/73353)
**Author:** [@Kalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalt)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [May 30, 2016, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-to-refrigerate-soy-sauce/73353 "2016-05-30T21:32:24Z")
I hate cold soy sauce, but the bottles always say to refrigerate after opening. I’d rather not. Every sushi place i’ve been to has the soy sauce sitting out on the tables. Do i need to keep it refrigerated? How long will… --- ## [How far does contempt of court go?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-does-contempt-of-court-go/807513)
**Author:** [@Barack\_Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barack_Obama)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2018, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-does-contempt-of-court-go/807513 "2018-01-30T15:08:53Z")
How far can a single person’s opinion go to make the claim someone has been disobedient or disrespectful? I’ve seen cases like this before, that seem borderline absurd. Here’s the specific one I’m talking about. … --- ## [The Feud: Famous Last Names (but not that one!) by Barkis is Willin' \[Game Over\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-feud-famous-last-names-but-not-that-one-by-barkis-is-willin-game-over/573344)
**Author:** [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2011, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-feud-famous-last-names-but-not-that-one-by-barkis-is-willin-game-over/573344 "2011-03-07T16:04:19Z")
Object of the game: Give the most popular answer for each category. Rules: No reading the thread before answering. This is on the honor system. Formatting rules must be followed (see below). Joke answers will not be … --- ## [Woman ejected from restaurant because she looks male](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-ejected-from-restaurant-because-she-looks-male/422433)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 98\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2007, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-ejected-from-restaurant-because-she-looks-male/422433 "2007-10-23T15:32:39Z")
I heard part of something on the radio today about a woman who was thrown out of a restaurant ofter using the women’s restroom because she was mistaken for a male. I didn’t catch whether her entire party was asked to le… --- ## [Kindle vs Ipad - who wins?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kindle-vs-ipad-who-wins/535031)
**Author:** [@singular1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/singular1)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2010, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kindle-vs-ipad-who-wins/535031 "2010-04-09T20:24:33Z")
This morning I was listening to the idiots on the radio who get just about everything wrong, and they were saying that the iPad will kill the Kindle. Their reasoning was since both machines cost about the same, why not … --- ## [ST: TOS "The Trouble With Tribbles" nitpick (open spoilers)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/st-tos-the-trouble-with-tribbles-nitpick-open-spoilers/680876)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2014, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/st-tos-the-trouble-with-tribbles-nitpick-open-spoilers/680876 "2014-06-07T04:28:27Z")
Never seen this particular nitpick before: The Klingon agent has attempted to interfere with human colonization of Sherman’s Planet by poisoning the shipment of quadrotriticale on Station K-7. The poison kills the trib… --- ## [Out With the Old, In With the New, Happy New Year! MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/out-with-the-old-in-with-the-new-happy-new-year-mmp/845585)
**Author:** [@Sahirrnee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sahirrnee)\ **Replies:** 235\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2020, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/out-with-the-old-in-with-the-new-happy-new-year-mmp/845585 "2020-01-06T13:56:31Z")
Happy Moonday! Two more days left this year, and then we start anew. So many people tell me that 2019 has been the worst year of their life. It wasn’t so bad for me. I got a huge raise at irk, my income increased by 6… --- ## [Trump's niece putting out a book](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-niece-putting-out-a-book/855692)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 139\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2020, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-niece-putting-out-a-book/855692 "2020-07-30T15:56:23Z")
She leaked his father’s tax info to the NY Times. Seems she is not a fan of Donald. --- ## [I want to add a 2nd shower head, how?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-add-a-2nd-shower-head-how/561353)
**Author:** [@ExcitedIdiot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExcitedIdiot)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2010, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-add-a-2nd-shower-head-how/561353 "2010-11-20T22:22:37Z")
My girlfriend and I take quite a few showers together. So, for obvious reasons, I want another shower head on the opposite wall. I rent, so I’d like it to be easy to remove. What’s the easiest way to do this? If I use… --- ## [What's the most physicallly painful thing you've ever felt?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-physicallly-painful-thing-youve-ever-felt/43627)
**Author:** [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Replies:** 163\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2001, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-physicallly-painful-thing-youve-ever-felt/43627 "2001-01-08T05:39:52Z")
So I’m walking across the icy parking lot this morning, and my knee does that sort of slidey-thing it can do as if to say “I’m dislocating! . . . Kidding!” It about stopped my heart, but nothing happened. But it made me… --- ## [In other countries, what kind of glass is beer served in?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-other-countries-what-kind-of-glass-is-beer-served-in/661247)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2013, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-other-countries-what-kind-of-glass-is-beer-served-in/661247 "2013-06-24T17:43:36Z")
Here in California (and probably the rest of the US), beer on tap comes in pint glasses, or about 473 ml. The word is so closely associated with beer that you could say “Wanna grab a pint after work?” and people would yo… --- ## [Do you notice/remember people's eye colour? (poll)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-notice-remember-peoples-eye-colour-poll/457065)
**Author:** [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2008, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-notice-remember-peoples-eye-colour-poll/457065 "2008-07-21T20:13:33Z")
One thing I have noticed in myself and that I don’t really know whether it is commonplace or really weird: I don’t seem to pay attention to the colour of people’s eyes - something that not always but frequently crops up… --- ## [Who was the most beautiful celebrity of the 1950s-1960s?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-the-most-beautiful-celebrity-of-the-1950s-1960s/749564)
**Author:** [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2016, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-the-most-beautiful-celebrity-of-the-1950s-1960s/749564 "2016-03-24T02:37:21Z")
Before putting up a poll on that topic, I’m inviting nominees from that Celebrity class who were active and visible in that period. Movies, TV, magazines, whatever. Links to their pictures would be great if you can do t… --- ## [I tried Beef Liver Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-tried-beef-liver-again/685718)
**Author:** [@AnthonyElite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnthonyElite)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2014, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-tried-beef-liver-again/685718 "2014-04-13T18:50:52Z")
Well, folks, I haven’t eaten beef liver since I was a young child. My dad cooked it with onions. I gave it an honest try. No thanks. Yesterday night I decided to give it another try because I had read of so many benefit… --- ## [What 3 kinds of fruit come into mind when I say "fruit"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-3-kinds-of-fruit-come-into-mind-when-i-say-fruit/535367)
**Author:** [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2010, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-3-kinds-of-fruit-come-into-mind-when-i-say-fruit/535367 "2010-04-17T02:55:43Z")
WITHOUT looking at my or anybody else’s responses, what are the first three types of fruit that pop into your head? I wonder how many people will have the exact same list as I do. . . . . . . . . . . . . . … --- ## [I'm pretty sure no one else does this kind of thing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-pretty-sure-no-one-else-does-this-kind-of-thing/619930)
**Author:** [@pbbth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pbbth)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2012, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-pretty-sure-no-one-else-does-this-kind-of-thing/619930 "2012-04-30T15:55:05Z")
Whenever I’m walking uphill I hear the yodeler song from The Price is Right in my head. I’m pretty sure other people don’t do that. What is your weird thing you do that no one else does? --- ## [Hey Dickface . . . nice Bluetooth earpiece](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-dickface-nice-bluetooth-earpiece/382541)
**Author:** [@Roboto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roboto)\ **Replies:** 127\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2006, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-dickface-nice-bluetooth-earpiece/382541 "2006-12-10T21:03:42Z")
I see you there with your Robocop-ish hearing aid . . . that flashing blue light sure does make you look important. And I can tell how much you enjoy the confusion you cause by speaking on the phone without holding a ph… --- ## [What is this board's opinion of community college?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-boards-opinion-of-community-college/647755)
**Author:** [@2ManyTacos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2ManyTacos)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2014, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-boards-opinion-of-community-college/647755 "2014-05-23T14:24:50Z")
I’ve been meaning to ask this for a while. I know that the SDMB is ostensibly filled with an absurdly high number of self-proclaimed medical doctors, Ph.D candidates, and Ivy League graduates, but disregarding all of th… --- ## [John Oliver interviews Edward Snowden](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-oliver-interviews-edward-snowden/716996)
**Author:** [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2015, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-oliver-interviews-edward-snowden/716996 "2015-04-10T18:23:36Z")
Fascinating - a dick pic as the best way to illustrate what Snowden is discussing to Americans. And it wasn’t a softball interview. And Oliver was fuckin’ hilarious. Bravo. And Snowden’s pause when Oliver asks whethe… --- ## [IRS Threatens Church for Anti-War Sermon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irs-threatens-church-for-anti-war-sermon/330032)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 202\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2005, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irs-threatens-church-for-anti-war-sermon/330032 "2005-11-11T14:29:02Z")
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/anti\_war\_sermon Churchs have been preaching against war for hundreds if not thousands of years. It is part and parcel of the message of Christ. How can the government demand that a church m… --- ## [railroad tracks- fast or slow?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/railroad-tracks-fast-or-slow/282546)
**Author:** [@wolf\_in\_second\_hand\_clothing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_in_second_hand_clothing)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2005, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/railroad-tracks-fast-or-slow/282546 "2005-01-02T16:47:04Z")
is it better to drive over railroad tracks at the normal speed limit or to slow down? how about if it’s on a highway vs. in a city? I’ve commonly heard both sides to this arguement, and as I will soon get a car, it wil… --- ## [Why do hotels not have lights in the ceiling?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-not-have-lights-in-the-ceiling/421910)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2007, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-not-have-lights-in-the-ceiling/421910 "2007-10-11T02:28:16Z")
Every hotel I’ve ever been to pretty much, I’ve always been annoyed at their lighting system. They seem to only have table and floor lamps that put out wholly inadequate amounts of light. Why is this? --- ## [how fast will water spread id a dam explodes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fast-will-water-spread-id-a-dam-explodes/684950)
**Author:** [@Artemis\_Tardis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Artemis_Tardis)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2014, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fast-will-water-spread-id-a-dam-explodes/684950 "2014-03-31T22:17:22Z")
I have a post-grad assign mentwith the following scenario: A small town is 18 km away from a big dam and we have to create a system to evacuate the town if something bad happens. For instance, a huge explosion. What I h… --- ## [Trading Places: please explain the commodities trading scene at end](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trading-places-please-explain-the-commodities-trading-scene-at-end/565488)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2013, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trading-places-please-explain-the-commodities-trading-scene-at-end/565488 "2013-11-30T14:21:50Z")
Trading Places is one of my all-time favorite movies. Love every single part of it. “The best way to hurt rich people is by turning them into poor people.” “Eggnog, anyone?” Anyways… the scene at the end where Winthor… --- ## [Ask the guy who's about to radically alter his appearance (long intro)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-whos-about-to-radically-alter-his-appearance-long-intro/441679)
**Author:** [@ForumBot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ForumBot)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2008, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-whos-about-to-radically-alter-his-appearance-long-intro/441679 "2008-03-24T21:20:20Z")
request: A lot of my insecurities are going to shine through clearly in this thread. This is as much for my development as it is for your curiosity, so I would ask anyone who disapproves of my mentality to remember tha… --- ## [NPR's elitism is annoying me today](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nprs-elitism-is-annoying-me-today/761650)
**Author:** [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2016, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nprs-elitism-is-annoying-me-today/761650 "2016-08-26T13:31:57Z")
Something about this exchange irks me, kinda sticks in my craw: When they say “a lot of people are surprised” or “people would think”, which “people” are they talking about? Because obviously, by definition, if $50K i… --- ## [Does Middle Earth hold up to close scrutiny?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-middle-earth-hold-up-to-close-scrutiny/681647)
**Author:** [@well\_he\_s\_back](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/well_he_s_back)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2014, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-middle-earth-hold-up-to-close-scrutiny/681647 "2014-02-20T18:06:04Z")
As discussed in two other recent threads, about fictional world that make no sense / or worlds that do hold up to close scrutiny. I said that the world Tolkien built holds up really well. I focus mainly on LOTR, by the… --- ## [One tagger who got it right](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-tagger-who-got-it-right/386981)
**Author:** [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Replies:** 113\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2007, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-tagger-who-got-it-right/386981 "2007-01-18T20:24:58Z")
Maybe this should go in the pit, but others may have a different point of view regarding “urban street art”. IMHO, 99.99% of tagging is vandalism; just some punks with spray paint defacing public property. Only a few blo… --- ## [Meritocracy, Winner-takes-all and class](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meritocracy-winner-takes-all-and-class/143303)
**Author:** [@kabbes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kabbes)\ **Replies:** 161\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2002, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meritocracy-winner-takes-all-and-class/143303 "2002-12-24T14:09:01Z")
A meritocracy is a good thing. A meritocracy exists when the cream has the ability to rise to the top. In a meritocracy, if you have ability and the willingness to work hard then you will succeed. I submit that the estab… --- ## [Person leaves large piece of equipment in your yard. When is it yours?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/person-leaves-large-piece-of-equipment-in-your-yard-when-is-it-yours/620780)
**Author:** [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2012, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/person-leaves-large-piece-of-equipment-in-your-yard-when-is-it-yours/620780 "2012-05-07T17:40:30Z")
If someone is paid to perform some work on your property, but then leaves a large piece of equipment (like a small-car-sized machine) in your yard for weeks, when can you legally remove it? When can you sell it? Are ther… --- ## [What films in history have had the greatest divergence between popular & critical opinion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-films-in-history-have-had-the-greatest-divergence-between-popular-critical-opinion/645231)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2012, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-films-in-history-have-had-the-greatest-divergence-between-popular-critical-opinion/645231 "2012-12-29T05:16:15Z")
Loved by critics, not so much by the public, or dissed by critics, but embraced by the masses. What films are examples of this dichotomy? --- ## [How do you maintain beards?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-maintain-beards/612224)
**Author:** [@Illuminatiprimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Illuminatiprimus)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2012, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-maintain-beards/612224 "2012-02-09T23:57:26Z")
Sounds like a silly question, but I’ve never grown my facial hair out so don’t really know. I assume that facial growth keeps going until you cut it off, so what do you need to do to keep it at a length that isn’t all fa… --- ## [Help settle an annoyance: Can potato chip/crisp bags be stored on the kitchen counter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-settle-an-annoyance-can-potato-chip-crisp-bags-be-stored-on-the-kitchen-counter/577519)
**Author:** [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2011, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-settle-an-annoyance-can-potato-chip-crisp-bags-be-stored-on-the-kitchen-counter/577519 "2011-04-09T00:11:38Z")
My mom, being a mom, sometimes visits and she likes to fuss over little things. The most recent fuss is where I keep my potato chips (bagged, uneaten, for whenever I want a snack). I keep them on a kitchen counter. To m… --- ## [What is the deal with this (US) military portrait?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-deal-with-this-us-military-portrait/569129)
**Author:** [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2011, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-deal-with-this-us-military-portrait/569129 "2011-01-31T05:13:36Z")
What is up with this portrait? The soldier is wearing an old fashioned full-dress military policeman’s uniform, which looks exceptionally dapper. But what is up with the area around his neck? It seems like it has been r… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=1053&per_page=50&period=all&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=1055&per_page=50&period=all&state=muted)