# Top **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=1086&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:** 1087 --- ## [Mandatory condom use on all porn films: not just a good idea, it's the law!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mandatory-condom-use-on-all-porn-films-not-just-a-good-idea-its-the-law/663411)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2013, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mandatory-condom-use-on-all-porn-films-not-just-a-good-idea-its-the-law/663411 "2013-07-15T12:08:49Z")
If you film porn in Los Angeles County, the law now requires performers to wear condoms for all vaginal and anal scenes. Many porn stars have spoken out against the measure, saying that they should decide for themselves… --- ## [Interesting things near where you live or work](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesting-things-near-where-you-live-or-work/534648)
**Author:** [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2010, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesting-things-near-where-you-live-or-work/534648 "2010-04-15T11:09:12Z")
Where I work is almost literally a stone’s throw from the houses that John Lennon and Ringo Starr lived in during the Beatles’ heyday. Even closer is the final resting place of one of only twenty Concorde aircraft that … --- ## [Old-Style Anti-Depressant vs. Fancy SNRI](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-style-anti-depressant-vs-fancy-snri/681103)
**Author:** [@Jennshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennshark)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2014, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-style-anti-depressant-vs-fancy-snri/681103 "2014-02-22T01:28:09Z")
Disclaimer: not looking for DX, just informed (or uninformed) discussion. I’ve been taking Pristiq, a supposedly cutting-edge SNRI, for about eight months and it has been kinda bleh as far as making very much of a diffe… --- ## [Can Someone Acutally "Will" Themself to Death?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-acutally-will-themself-to-death/259379)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2014, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-acutally-will-themself-to-death/259379 "2014-09-15T06:08:20Z")
I was watching Six Feet Under on HBO over the weekend and one of the premises of the show was that an elderly man had driven himself to the funeral home and then somehow “willed” himself to die. It didn’t look as if he … --- ## [Should we bring back eugenics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-bring-back-eugenics/557691)
**Author:** [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2010, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-bring-back-eugenics/557691 "2010-10-25T06:07:32Z")
Inspired by this thread. Eugenics has a negative connotation but should it? Selective breeding cerainly occurs in most countries. At the least most countries have laws against marriage between siblings in part becau… --- ## [Jimmy Carter](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jimmy-carter/727748)
**Author:** [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2015, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jimmy-carter/727748 "2015-08-21T16:55:37Z")
President Carter is 90 years old and has just been diagnosed with metastasized cancer. It’s a good time to thank him for being one of the greatest and most decent men of our time. --- ## [Ask the former fundamentalist who was exposed to (and accepted) evolution](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-former-fundamentalist-who-was-exposed-to-and-accepted-evolution/537176)
**Author:** [@Cyningablod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyningablod)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2010, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-former-fundamentalist-who-was-exposed-to-and-accepted-evolution/537176 "2010-05-04T16:14:37Z")
In this thread, Kolga suggested that it might be interesting if I were to start a thread that recounted my departure from fundamentalism, so that others could ask me questions, and perhaps share excerpts from their own “… --- ## [Comfortable temperature range for indoor cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comfortable-temperature-range-for-indoor-cats/324798)
**Author:** [@dre2xl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dre2xl)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2005, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comfortable-temperature-range-for-indoor-cats/324798 "2005-10-05T15:43:27Z")
I’m thinking of being a good cheapstake, err, environmentalist and turning off my heat off during the day. What temperature ranges will the average indoor cat be able to tolerate comfortably? --- ## [Republicans want to eliminate the EPA](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-want-to-eliminate-the-epa/779976)
**Author:** [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2017, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-want-to-eliminate-the-epa/779976 "2017-03-01T22:15:02Z")
Already legislation has been passed that allows streams around coal minds to be destroyed. 'The Environmental Protection Agency shall terminate on December 31, 2018.’ The Bill The same science committee with all the … --- ## [19th perfect game in history](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/19th-perfect-game-in-history/538842)
**Author:** [@Eggerhaus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eggerhaus)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2010, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/19th-perfect-game-in-history/538842 "2010-06-04T15:50:22Z")
Dallas Braden of the A’s just pitched the 19th perfect game in MLB history. Gotta love baseball…the only game where the defense controls the ball and the only game where a perfect game is when nothing happens.:smiley: --- ## [The Thing: what are they doing in the Antarctic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-thing-what-are-they-doing-in-the-antarctic/578958)
**Author:** [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [April 23, 2011, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-thing-what-are-they-doing-in-the-antarctic/578958 "2011-04-23T18:09:04Z")
The Thing has been playing everyday non stop for a month and a half. I love it and have it going on the background often. But to this day I have no idea what they were even doing at the National Science Institute Stati… --- ## [Saying STOP when reading telegrams](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saying-stop-when-reading-telegrams/118130)
**Author:** [@SmackFu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmackFu)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2002, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saying-stop-when-reading-telegrams/118130 "2002-07-10T20:07:39Z")
A classic device from older movies is to read a telegram aloud like this: “Message received STOP Will send troops immediately STOP”, and so on. I was thinking about this for some odd reason, and wonder whether anyone ac… --- ## [Could money solve your most serious problem? If so, how much would it take?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-money-solve-your-most-serious-problem-if-so-how-much-would-it-take/697884)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2014, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-money-solve-your-most-serious-problem-if-so-how-much-would-it-take/697884 "2014-09-12T16:37:29Z")
Think of your worst problem. It can be the thing most likely to keep you from falling asleep, or that causes you the most distress on a daily basis. If you can’t choose among two such problems, that’s okay; we can deal … --- ## [Chicken-cheese ravioli--any easy sauce ideas?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicken-cheese-ravioli-any-easy-sauce-ideas/299363)
**Author:** [@papergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/papergirl)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2005, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicken-cheese-ravioli-any-easy-sauce-ideas/299363 "2005-04-15T12:43:11Z")
I have a huge bag of frozen chicken-cheese ravioli. I tried a couple of pieces, and it’s very tasty, but I don’t know how to top it. My knowledge and experience sauce-wise involves whatever type of spaghetti sauce I find… --- ## [Why do most muslim men sport beard?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-most-muslim-men-sport-beard/543733)
**Author:** [@scamartistry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scamartistry)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2010, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-most-muslim-men-sport-beard/543733 "2010-07-17T18:39:26Z")
Is there a mandate anywhere in the books? Cultural thing? --- ## [Help me put together an outfit for a "Saints and Sinners" party](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-put-together-an-outfit-for-a-saints-and-sinners-party/302836)
**Author:** [@saramamalana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saramamalana)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2005, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-put-together-an-outfit-for-a-saints-and-sinners-party/302836 "2005-05-09T14:02:54Z")
So a friend is having a theme party of Saints and Sinners. I thought I’d go the easy route and pick up some fishnets and try to be a prostitute. But that just seems too simple. I want to do something a little more cre… --- ## [Who would "ride the tricycle" with](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-ride-the-tricycle-with/579418)
**Author:** [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2012, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-ride-the-tricycle-with/579418 "2012-05-25T04:30:28Z")
Which “How I Met Your Mother” characters would you have a threesome with? --- ## [So who was born on October 5th, the most popular birth date in America?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-was-born-on-october-5th-the-most-popular-birth-date-in-america/598689)
**Author:** [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2011, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-was-born-on-october-5th-the-most-popular-birth-date-in-america/598689 "2011-10-07T03:29:55Z")
In case you’re wondering, it’s nine months after December 31st. --- ## [NHL Line Change?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-line-change/475784)
**Author:** [@luvrbcs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/luvrbcs)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2008, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-line-change/475784 "2008-12-06T05:42:14Z")
How are line changes signaled in hockey? How do the players know when to come off the ice and know when and who goes on? I am knowledgable on hockey (Go PENS) but have never really thought about this. I am assuming th… --- ## [By request-Blue John, c'mere for a minute](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/by-request-blue-john-cmere-for-a-minute/158266)
**Author:** [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Replies:** 143\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2003, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/by-request-blue-john-cmere-for-a-minute/158266 "2003-03-13T03:42:26Z")
In this thread, you showed yourself to be a complete and utter moron, and a misogynist to boot. A bit naive and clueless, perhaps? It gets better: And Someone posted some opinions that Otto Weininger had, especial… --- ## [Tired of...well, everything really (too long)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tired-of-well-everything-really-too-long/567056)
**Author:** [@Meggroll](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meggroll)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2012, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tired-of-well-everything-really-too-long/567056 "2012-01-06T03:16:55Z")
Ugh, I feel so silly for wanting to post this, but I really need to vent and get some of this out in a non-judgmental setting. Sorry for the blogginess and the length. I moved 2,500 miles from my home in NJ to Tucson, A… --- ## [VOX Article about Kentucky Obamacare users that voted Trump](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vox-article-about-kentucky-obamacare-users-that-voted-trump/774639)
**Author:** [@Salvor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Salvor)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2016, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vox-article-about-kentucky-obamacare-users-that-voted-trump/774639 "2016-12-20T03:14:33Z")
This entire article shows a disaster of common sense among the people there, but more than that, it shows the mistake about implementing obamacare the way it was implemented. The democrats should have done everything … --- ## [Pro-Choicers: What makes a person?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-choicers-what-makes-a-person/508034)
**Author:** [@Sinaijon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinaijon)\ **Replies:** 112\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2009, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-choicers-what-makes-a-person/508034 "2009-09-01T12:49:14Z")
This statement comes up pretty frequently in abortion debates from the Pro-Choice side of things, and I’m curious just how exactly \*do \*you define a ‘person’? Is that definition exclusive to just fetuses, or does it app… --- ## [Obama: Stop, take a deep breath and explain to me......](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-stop-take-a-deep-breath-and-explain-to-me/450128)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 144\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2008, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-stop-take-a-deep-breath-and-explain-to-me/450128 "2008-05-28T00:40:12Z")
… Obama’s appeal. If the Democrats wanted to nominate a young, clean and articulate lawyer with little governmental experience they could have chosen Edwards. Fundraising is part of it so perhaps the question is not of… --- ## [Checking guns at the airport](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/checking-guns-at-the-airport/723943)
**Author:** [@JacobSwan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JacobSwan)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2015, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/checking-guns-at-the-airport/723943 "2015-07-09T20:51:29Z")
About 20 years ago I was in Johannesburg airport and there was a counter where you could check in your guns before catching a flight. They would check your paperwork and make sure the gun wasnt loaded before packing it a… --- ## [US Nuland caught on tape: \*\*CK the EU!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-nuland-caught-on-tape-ck-the-eu/680744)
**Author:** [@Marmite\_Lover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marmite_Lover)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [February 12, 2014, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-nuland-caught-on-tape-ck-the-eu/680744 "2014-02-12T15:16:37Z")
It’s interesting to watch how involved the Americans are in the Ukraine and their attempts to oust the democratically elected president there. It shows how schizophrenic they are. How hypocritical when you compare the d… --- ## [Sarah Palin: just shut the fuck up, already.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-just-shut-the-fuck-up-already/630308)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2012, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-just-shut-the-fuck-up-already/630308 "2012-08-06T06:25:42Z")
Our dear $arah apparently got her knickers all in a twist over Cheney’s unkind (but accurate) comment about her being a poor choice for McCain’s VP. Her response was: Bwuh? Could somebody translate or diagram that se… --- ## [Ethical dilemma - co-worker's legal troubles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethical-dilemma-co-workers-legal-troubles/706845)
**Author:** [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2014, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethical-dilemma-co-workers-legal-troubles/706845 "2014-12-12T22:28:53Z")
Recently I have become aware that a co-worker of mine has a history of brushes with the law, and is presently facing a case for which he may actually serve jail time. My dilemma is whether I should disclose this to my e… --- ## [Greedy singers-- the play list.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greedy-singers-the-play-list/695675)
**Author:** [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2014, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greedy-singers-the-play-list/695675 "2014-08-17T21:21:49Z")
The IPod shuffle coincidence thread reminded me of when Billy Preston’s Nothing from Nothing was immediately followed by Gwen Guthrie’s Ain’t Nothin’ Going On But The Rent and thinking, wow, both those guys sound absolut… --- ## [Are there are any other current American products named after stereotypes/slurs, like Scotch Tape (and maybe Scottish Inns)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-are-any-other-current-american-products-named-after-stereotypes-slurs-like-scotch-tape-and-maybe-scottish-inns/965706)
**Author:** [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Replies:** 166\ **Last updated:** [June 13, 2022, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-are-any-other-current-american-products-named-after-stereotypes-slurs-like-scotch-tape-and-maybe-scottish-inns/965706 "2022-06-13T04:37:28Z")
I understand “Scotch Tape” was named so because of the stereotype of Scottish people being cheap, and it was perceived the makers of the tape were being cheap with the adhesive. I’ve also read that “Scottish Inns” were … --- ## [Gay pride parades.. more helpful or harmful to the gay rights movement?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gay-pride-parades-more-helpful-or-harmful-to-the-gay-rights-movement/627175)
**Author:** [@the\_apples\_fell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_apples_fell)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2012, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gay-pride-parades-more-helpful-or-harmful-to-the-gay-rights-movement/627175 "2012-07-06T22:41:11Z")
Some say they are empowering, giving gays and lesbians a chance to be themselves. Others, including some LGBT people, say they pander too much to stereotypes, fetishes, and caricatured behavior and make the LGBT communit… --- ## [Removing rocks from a national park](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-rocks-from-a-national-park/366651)
**Author:** [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2006, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-rocks-from-a-national-park/366651 "2006-07-31T21:33:20Z")
I recently returned from a hiking trip through some of the Southwest national parks. On several occasions I encountered warnings that it’s a felony to remove rocks (or stones) from a national park. I’m wondering how thi… --- ## [Can somebody explain these space travel physics to me?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-somebody-explain-these-space-travel-physics-to-me/843047)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2020, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-somebody-explain-these-space-travel-physics-to-me/843047 "2020-01-24T21:07:53Z")
I was reading Randall Munroe’s new book How To and he talked about launching something from the Earth into the sun. And he said that the best way (assuming you’re not in a hurry) would be to launch it away from the sun. … --- ## [Local Economy and Big Boxes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-economy-and-big-boxes/659911)
**Author:** [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [June 11, 2013, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-economy-and-big-boxes/659911 "2013-06-11T23:49:05Z")
This HuffPo story states that one particular big box store will cost the area/state’s taxpayers nearly a million dollars a year in public assistance for some of its 300 employees, according to a study put out by congress… --- ## [Major typos in print](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-typos-in-print/46704)
**Author:** [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2001, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-typos-in-print/46704 "2001-03-14T03:36:12Z")
Who among us has seen some really jaw-dropping typos? I don’t mean from people on here, or in a chat room, or even in e-mails. I mean in promotions, books, magazines, any kind of printed media. With printed media, the m… --- ## [I need cat suggestions - my cat is a bully!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-cat-suggestions-my-cat-is-a-bully/621707)
**Author:** [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2013, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-cat-suggestions-my-cat-is-a-bully/621707 "2013-10-03T19:14:00Z")
So one of my cats, Grace, aka Boo (who also happens to be the smallest) has developed some serious bully tendencies. Her main target used to be Clarice, one of my tabbies. She terrorized the poor thing until she started … --- ## [Get your Most-Active-Posters here](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-your-most-active-posters-here/24468)
**Author:** [@Bill\_H](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_H)\ **Replies:** 129\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2000, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-your-most-active-posters-here/24468 "2000-12-30T04:21:26Z")
All right, straight from the members list, here are the 1000 highest posters (sorry, I had to limit it somewhere), sorted by posts per day. Sorry, the formatting is the best I can do. DRY, your dubious SD-adict award sho… --- ## [Sudden love of spicy food and hot sauce](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sudden-love-of-spicy-food-and-hot-sauce/630623)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2012, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sudden-love-of-spicy-food-and-hot-sauce/630623 "2012-08-06T20:07:43Z")
I’m in my 30s, and through most of my life, I did not really like spicy foods. A little spice is ok, but when given the choice, I almost always ordered Mild. But just in the last 6 months, my tolerance and appreciation… --- ## [Can a President veto a declaration of war?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-president-veto-a-declaration-of-war/578423)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2015, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-president-veto-a-declaration-of-war/578423 "2015-07-17T04:24:59Z")
Let’s say that tomorrow, Congress decides that its time to go to war against, say, those sneaky Canadians. A declaration of war passes both houses of Congress, but Obama vetoes it. Can he do this? As a follow up, let’… --- ## [What industries are there no small/obscure players?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-industries-are-there-no-small-obscure-players/676944)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2013, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-industries-are-there-no-small-obscure-players/676944 "2013-12-25T23:00:02Z")
I was quite surprised to discover there are now only 3 hard drive manufacturers (Western Digital, Seagate & Toshiba) who make every single magnetic hard drive in the world (down from 10 in 2000). Usually with most indust… --- ## [Supreme Court rules that sex offenders can be held indefinitely](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-rules-that-sex-offenders-can-be-held-indefinitely/539794)
**Author:** [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2010, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-rules-that-sex-offenders-can-be-held-indefinitely/539794 "2010-05-20T18:57:16Z")
I’m shocked at this recent U.S. Supreme Court decision: Sex offenders can be kept in prison, justices rule Inmates considered “sexually dangerous” can now be held indefinitely even after their prison terms are complete… --- ## [how many photons emitted from a light bulb](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-photons-emitted-from-a-light-bulb/322736)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2005, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-photons-emitted-from-a-light-bulb/322736 "2005-09-22T13:05:57Z")
Lets say its a standard office type fluorescent bulb about 4 ft long. I don’t know how many watts…how about whatever is standard 40? 60? How many photons would be emitted by such a white light source per second? Is it… --- ## [Nonsensical Ask Marilyn puzzle in 11/2/14 Parade Magazine column](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonsensical-ask-marilyn-puzzle-in-11-2-14-parade-magazine-column/703420)
**Author:** [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2014, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonsensical-ask-marilyn-puzzle-in-11-2-14-parade-magazine-column/703420 "2014-11-08T22:24:40Z")
Scroll down a little bit to see David Price’s question: http://parade.condenast.com/350739/marilynvossavant/do-gifted-children-need-special-support-plus-a-dandy-logic-puzzle/ He asks, “If x and y are counting numbers (… --- ## [Sports cars with automatic transmissions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-cars-with-automatic-transmissions/379656)
**Author:** [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2006, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-cars-with-automatic-transmissions/379656 "2006-11-13T07:20:28Z")
\[Probably not quite angsty-enough to Pit, but here goes\] Now this I can’t quite grasp. In the parking lot today, I saw a Porsche Boxster. Naturally being the sports car nut that I am, I checked out the interior-only t… --- ## [What is the scientific explanation for why caucasian features are “objectively” the best looking?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-scientific-explanation-for-why-caucasian-features-are-objectively-the-best-looking/697145)
**Author:** [@Gorilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorilla)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2014, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-scientific-explanation-for-why-caucasian-features-are-objectively-the-best-looking/697145 "2014-09-12T03:01:45Z")
Coming across a webpage titled “The facial proportions of beautiful people” has made me to finally pose a question that I have often thought about but never asked. The entire tone of the article, the carefully chosen pic… --- ## [Small Plane Crashes into Building in Austin, TX](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-plane-crashes-into-building-in-austin-tx/529484)
**Author:** [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2010, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-plane-crashes-into-building-in-austin-tx/529484 "2010-02-20T06:04:12Z")
A few buildings are now burning. Unfolding story. --- ## [Aren't insults towards a poster's family off limits?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arent-insults-towards-a-posters-family-off-limits/577249)
**Author:** [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2011, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arent-insults-towards-a-posters-family-off-limits/577249 "2011-04-08T22:11:50Z")
I’m thinking about this post reprinted below. I could understand it not rising to the level of a warning, but surely such things should be specifically discouraged, rather than just getting a “not pointing fingers”-style… --- ## ["Apprentice" finale -- 12/15/05](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apprentice-finale-12-15-05/335721)
**Author:** [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Replies:** 168\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2005, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apprentice-finale-12-15-05/335721 "2005-12-22T02:32:08Z")
Tonight’s the night (gonna be all right…) I’m psyched. For my money, this has been the best season since the first, and I’m totally okay with either of these people winning. (Though of course I like Randal better – you’… --- ## [I pit the following "cutesy" holiday nicknames](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-following-cutesy-holiday-nicknames/603942)
**Author:** [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2011, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-following-cutesy-holiday-nicknames/603942 "2011-12-01T04:20:20Z")
Every year around we have to listen to TV commentators, DJs, and stupid people in general who think they’re being clever or witty by referring to holidays by the same insipid nicknames people have been using for decades.… --- ## [Made up song titles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/made-up-song-titles/841703)
**Author:** [@atimnie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/atimnie)\ **Replies:** 231\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2019, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/made-up-song-titles/841703 "2019-12-03T18:24:46Z")
We got the bands, what songs are they singing? I Won’t Hold Your Hand Until You Clean the Dirt Under Your Fingernails [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=1085&per_page=50&period=all&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=1087&per_page=50&period=all&state=muted)