# Top **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=1338&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:** 1339 --- ## [Which is more "ALIVE", an egg or a sperm?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-more-alive-an-egg-or-a-sperm/518354)
**Author:** [@Super\_Kapowzler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Super_Kapowzler)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2009, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-more-alive-an-egg-or-a-sperm/518354 "2009-11-23T01:08:00Z")
Sure. Women have always been “the vessels” of life or the “bringers/carriers of life” and the whole gestation thing for 9 months, but lets talk facts. Both male and female of our species create living cells within our … --- ## [Burn the land and boil the sea. (R.I.P., Firefly)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burn-the-land-and-boil-the-sea-r-i-p-firefly/220341)
**Author:** [@Drastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drastic)\ **Replies:** 138\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2004, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burn-the-land-and-boil-the-sea-r-i-p-firefly/220341 "2004-01-12T07:33:45Z")
I’m watching the DVDs for the Fox-aborted sci-fi/western series Firefly, which I bought pretty much purely on positive word of mouth and having seen a single episode when it was briefly on the air. Mostly, it’s made me … --- ## [How are "socks" (banned posters with new pseudonyms) discovered?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-socks-banned-posters-with-new-pseudonyms-discovered/620394)
**Author:** [@wheresmymind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wheresmymind)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2012, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-socks-banned-posters-with-new-pseudonyms-discovered/620394 "2012-05-02T00:49:02Z")
Mods: Not sure where it’s appropriate to ask this question, please move it to the correct forum if need be. Also, I realize that for obvious reasons the mods might not want to answer this question. If this question is … --- ## [What normal things do you feel no need for?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-normal-things-do-you-feel-no-need-for/547069)
**Author:** [@PsyXe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PsyXe)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2010, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-normal-things-do-you-feel-no-need-for/547069 "2010-07-21T19:11:29Z")
I was reading an interior decoration magazine from the UK when I realised something was very, very strange. Every kitchen featured had a “cooker hood” - an extractor-fan thing that lives above your stove and removes cook… --- ## [What I hate about the Midwest.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-i-hate-about-the-midwest/401599)
**Author:** [@bannerrefugee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bannerrefugee)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2007, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-i-hate-about-the-midwest/401599 "2007-04-26T12:00:42Z")
What I hate about the Midwest. The weather: The wind has been blowing at 20 mph for as long as I can remember. Today it’s getting up to 40. This winter, it was equally windy+ it snowed and at froze at least 4 times. It… --- ## [Dangers of Television Radiation.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dangers-of-television-radiation/596287)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2011, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dangers-of-television-radiation/596287 "2011-09-14T17:44:16Z")
Well, it was a tasteless joke. But as the preceding quote shows, anecdotally at least, people still think tv’s give off dangerous radiation. My question(s): Do tv’s give off harmful radiation of any kind? And (2) what,… --- ## [Worst Olympic Events](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-olympic-events/447447)
**Author:** [@blinkingblinking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blinkingblinking)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2012, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-olympic-events/447447 "2012-08-01T19:17:41Z")
I am not a fan of the Olympics because of the Five rings – one each for hypocrisy, profit, posturing, cheating and self-interest. I love sport and reading. I have read too many Andrew Jenning books to like the Olympics. … --- ## [Belly Buttons](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/belly-buttons/776938)
**Author:** [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2017, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/belly-buttons/776938 "2017-01-15T00:28:12Z")
Truly dumb question - do you actually need a belly button or can you have it surgically removed via plastic surgery? Since I have dumped close to 100 pounds, and will eventually end up needing the excess skin dealt with,… --- ## [What should the capital gains tax be?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-the-capital-gains-tax-be/759967)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 130\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2016, 10:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-the-capital-gains-tax-be/759967 "2016-07-19T10:02:06Z")
Lets say you buy a stock at say $1 a share. It goes up like crazy and 5 years later you sell it for $500 a share. Or lets say your parents bought a house in 1955 for $25,000. You sell it now for $1.2 million. In both c… --- ## [How do you actually vote in your locality?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-actually-vote-in-your-locality/769802)
**Author:** [@Billdo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billdo)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2016, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-actually-vote-in-your-locality/769802 "2016-10-29T07:03:41Z")
In this thread about reported voting fraud in Texas, a few of voters from Texas and other states discussed how their electronic voting machines worked. I’m interested in the process of how voting works in your area, inc… --- ## [How often do you get "checked out"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-get-checked-out/486891)
**Author:** [@Stauderhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stauderhorse)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2009, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-get-checked-out/486891 "2009-02-25T14:46:39Z")
That is, how often do you catch someone staring at you in such a way as to suggest they find you attractive? What happens when they get caught; do they quickly avert their eyes, or do they give you a “how YOU doin’?” wi… --- ## [There are certain things one should not complain to the boss about. This is one.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-certain-things-one-should-not-complain-to-the-boss-about-this-is-one/634527)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2012, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-certain-things-one-should-not-complain-to-the-boss-about-this-is-one/634527 "2012-09-19T18:53:24Z")
I manage an inside sales team. The account executives under me call, email, and occasionally visit small business clients in geographic sales territories. Mostly they work to retain old business and build new business wi… --- ## [Chicken Snot & other goofy kid's rhymes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicken-snot-other-goofy-kids-rhymes/11693)
**Author:** [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 1999, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicken-snot-other-goofy-kids-rhymes/11693 "1999-12-04T21:25:00Z")
OK, my son and I were “discussing” a kid’s rhyme I heard when I was a kid: A person says “Gues what?” and you reply “Chicken not, go out back and eat it hot” My son insists the reply should be “Chicken butt” BTW, I’m … --- ## [I apologise in advance: Crop Circles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-apologise-in-advance-crop-circles/199653)
**Author:** [@MrAndrewV](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAndrewV)\ **Replies:** 165\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2003, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-apologise-in-advance-crop-circles/199653 "2003-09-18T09:26:50Z")
Hi there. I have this friend (no really, it’s not me it really is a friend) who is a staunch believer in the theory that crop circles are caused by aliens. One of the points of ‘evidence’ that he cites is the fact that… --- ## [Why does being a born-again Christian often necessarily equate to being right-wing politically?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-being-a-born-again-christian-often-necessarily-equate-to-being-right-wing-politically/674400)
**Author:** [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2013, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-being-a-born-again-christian-often-necessarily-equate-to-being-right-wing-politically/674400 "2013-11-26T12:58:04Z")
This OP is mainly directed at ITR Champion, who has been very vocal about his conversion experience, but is not meant to be exclusively focused on him at all. But now he’s been very vocal about his political leanings he… --- ## [I'm So Glad I Found God and I Pray Someday You Will Too](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-glad-i-found-god-and-i-pray-someday-you-will-too/125397)
**Author:** [@minty\_green](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minty_green)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2002, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-glad-i-found-god-and-i-pray-someday-you-will-too/125397 "2002-09-01T08:14:39Z")
Are you there God? It’s me, minty. --- ## [Ever eat in a chain restaurant and think it was unique?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-eat-in-a-chain-restaurant-and-think-it-was-unique/468209)
**Author:** [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2008, 9:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-eat-in-a-chain-restaurant-and-think-it-was-unique/468209 "2008-10-20T09:36:36Z")
I’ve heard (friend of a friend stuff mainly) that some people don’t realise their local McDonald’s/Burger King etc. are part of a chain. This seems far fetched but not impossible. A friend of mine was raving about this c… --- ## [Check out this amusing religion test - What religion are you? Post results.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/check-out-this-amusing-religion-test-what-religion-are-you-post-results/329095)
**Author:** [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Replies:** 146\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2005, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/check-out-this-amusing-religion-test-what-religion-are-you-post-results/329095 "2005-11-08T17:50:53Z")
Whether or not you are a Neo Pagan Satanist or a devout Greek Orthodox this little test will tell you where your persuasions are… Check out this Religion test to narrow down what your religious persuasions are. At the en… --- ## [Tyson vs. Douglas - 25 years ago](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tyson-vs-douglas-25-years-ago/712388)
**Author:** [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2015, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tyson-vs-douglas-25-years-ago/712388 "2015-04-17T00:26:35Z")
Honestly, it seems longer than that. I was a kid and I didn’t watch it live, but I remember it being all the talk the next day. Biggest upset in sports history? Maybe. The linked story quotes Don King saying Tyson … --- ## ["Palisades Park": help me out, people- this is NOT and obscure song, am I right?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palisades-park-help-me-out-people-this-is-not-and-obscure-song-am-i-right/521759)
**Author:** [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2009, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palisades-park-help-me-out-people-this-is-not-and-obscure-song-am-i-right/521759 "2009-12-22T13:50:23Z")
Just finished recording a cover of Palisades Park by Freddy Boom Boom Cannon (written, WTF, by Chuck Barris). About half the people who worked with me knew the song, about half of them didn’t. Didn’t know Palisades Par… --- ## [Washington DC license plate - How is this possible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-license-plate-how-is-this-possible/724021)
**Author:** [@Alzarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alzarian)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2015, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-license-plate-how-is-this-possible/724021 "2015-07-09T20:27:19Z")
I am rather perplexed as to how the powers that be authorized a license plate for Washington, DC with the slogan: “Taxation Without Representation”. It seems to go against all logic for the very government to allow, nay… --- ## [Can dogs recognize objects/people in photos?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-dogs-recognize-objects-people-in-photos/537177)
**Author:** [@Apocalypso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apocalypso)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2010, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-dogs-recognize-objects-people-in-photos/537177 "2010-04-28T12:53:25Z")
Or is their eyesight not good enough for that? --- ## [Survivor 2-Hour FINALE 05/11/2003](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-2-hour-finale-05-11-2003/174325)
**Author:** [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Replies:** 157\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2003, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-2-hour-finale-05-11-2003/174325 "2003-05-20T07:04:06Z")
8pm Sunday. I’m voting for Matt to win. More info on this show if you need it: --- ## [MD proposes DUI license plates to identify repeat DUI drivers. Good idea or invasion of privacy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/md-proposes-dui-license-plates-to-identify-repeat-dui-drivers-good-idea-or-invasion-of-privacy/526590)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2010, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/md-proposes-dui-license-plates-to-identify-repeat-dui-drivers-good-idea-or-invasion-of-privacy/526590 "2010-02-03T00:46:26Z")
Story here: Plates may tag repeat DUI offenders - Md. lawmaker proposes ‘scarlet letter’ on licenses Is this a good idea or not? --- ## [RIP Peter Falk](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-peter-falk/586733)
**Author:** [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2011, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-peter-falk/586733 "2011-06-27T11:42:31Z")
CBS tweeting that Peter Falk has died. Still breaking… --- ## [Increasing DPI for JPEGS](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/increasing-dpi-for-jpegs/466060)
**Author:** [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2008, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/increasing-dpi-for-jpegs/466060 "2008-10-03T18:32:09Z")
I’ve been using MS Paint to do some simple jpeg editing, but it doesn’t seem to support increased image resolution-- ie, when I shrink a jpeg to a smaller size, the DPI stays the same. Is there a way to do this in PAIN… --- ## [Why don't American Football commentators sit down?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-american-football-commentators-sit-down/382802)
**Author:** [@MarcusF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MarcusF)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2006, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-american-football-commentators-sit-down/382802 "2006-12-06T06:55:35Z")
American dopers, help a poor Brit to understand: Why do the commentary teams for American Football games not sit down? In the UK, Sky shows games covered by Fox, NBC, and CBS and they all seem to be the same – when we se… --- ## [Has anybody else ever woken up one morning to find they're no longer in love... with Downton Abbey?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anybody-else-ever-woken-up-one-morning-to-find-theyre-no-longer-in-love-with-downton-abbey/678200)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2014, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anybody-else-ever-woken-up-one-morning-to-find-theyre-no-longer-in-love-with-downton-abbey/678200 "2014-01-23T08:08:07Z")
\[OPEN SPOILERS ALLOWED\] I really was hooked on the show during its first season. Great slice of life, Maggie Smith of course, wonderful capturing of the “everybody knows his place” early 20th century, a glimpse into a w… --- ## [Could many wealthy entrepreneurs repeat their success? How much luck is involved?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-many-wealthy-entrepreneurs-repeat-their-success-how-much-luck-is-involved/664604)
**Author:** [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2013, 9:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-many-wealthy-entrepreneurs-repeat-their-success-how-much-luck-is-involved/664604 "2013-08-02T09:25:30Z")
Whether this belongs in GD, IMHO or even GQ, I don’t know, since I have no idea what sort of answers I’ll get or what data there is to support them. GD makes for the most interesting threads, I think, so let’s hope it fi… --- ## [Who's meaner? The left or right?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-meaner-the-left-or-right/250999)
**Author:** [@Skott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skott)\ **Replies:** 129\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2004, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-meaner-the-left-or-right/250999 "2004-06-29T14:18:42Z")
When it comes to viewing their opponents, the sides of the political spectrum have been taking pretty extreme viewpoints of each other lately (i.e. the last ten or fifteen years or so), heaving insults, accusations, and … --- ## [Does wasting food strike you as a sin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-wasting-food-strike-you-as-a-sin/695146)
**Author:** [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2014, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-wasting-food-strike-you-as-a-sin/695146 "2014-08-12T07:29:10Z")
I did not grow up in deprived famine conditions, but not well off either. But for whatever reason when I see people blithely or intentionally wasting edible food it disgusts me. I’m talking about stuff like someone orde… --- ## [Car dealers are really determined when they want business](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-dealers-are-really-determined-when-they-want-business/563456)
**Author:** [@sparky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sparky_1)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2010, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-dealers-are-really-determined-when-they-want-business/563456 "2010-12-13T03:54:44Z")
I requested a dealer quote on Ford.com for a new Fusion. I figured since I went about it via the Ford website and that Ford is a pretty hip company these days, that I’d get an email back with suggested retail price for … --- ## [What are your nicknames for your friends?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-nicknames-for-your-friends/513895)
**Author:** [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2009, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-nicknames-for-your-friends/513895 "2009-10-22T03:26:47Z")
Vinnie is short for a friends long italian last name. He looks like a Vinnie. \*\*Gas Pump \*\*is for my BFF who had an incident at a gas pump this summer. Gimpy is for Gas Pump’s husband, who likes to motocross and has b… --- ## [Transforming to an oyster? (shakespeare question)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transforming-to-an-oyster-shakespeare-question/226038)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2012, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transforming-to-an-oyster-shakespeare-question/226038 "2012-09-27T15:30:14Z")
I’m reading a monologue for an audition this evening and would like to know just what the old bard means by this. This is Benedick in Act 2, Scene 3 of Much Ado About Nothing. “I will not be sworn, but love my transfor… --- ## [The Labor Day MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-labor-day-mmp/820679)
**Author:** [@Sahirrnee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sahirrnee)\ **Replies:** 225\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2018, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-labor-day-mmp/820679 "2018-09-10T03:37:32Z")
Happy Moonday! Happy Labor Day! Just another day for me. I will irk as usual, maybe some extra hours as was requested. It’s starting to get light outside. Seemed a bit humid when I let the dog out. According to my pho… --- ## [SDMB poster Shodan put his hands on his own adopted child](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-poster-shodan-put-his-hands-on-his-own-adopted-child/824639)
**Author:** [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2018, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-poster-shodan-put-his-hands-on-his-own-adopted-child/824639 "2018-11-22T21:48:27Z")
Presumably he finds nothing objectionable about this thread title. --- ## [How many straws would it take to break a camel's back?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-straws-would-it-take-to-break-a-camels-back/354562)
**Author:** [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2014, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-straws-would-it-take-to-break-a-camels-back/354562 "2014-05-15T14:39:56Z")
Since an experiment on a live camel would likely put the animal rights folks in an uproar, just a rough estimate would satisfy me. --- ## [Finally! An unbiased article about E-cigarettes!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-an-unbiased-article-about-e-cigarettes/678102)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2014, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-an-unbiased-article-about-e-cigarettes/678102 "2014-01-18T00:40:00Z")
Article by Harold Wimmer. President and CEO of the American Lung Association. This is so over the top, it’s laughable! I commend you CNN, for your unbiased reporting. I would quote from the article, but really, the who… --- ## [Worst bestselling/bestseller authors? (And why?!)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-bestselling-bestseller-authors-and-why/360623)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2006, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-bestselling-bestseller-authors-and-why/360623 "2006-06-29T01:13:07Z")
A well-meaning friend once lent me a military-thriller novel called Nimitz Class by Patrick Robinson. It was so bad, so cheesy and hamfisted, the characters so clunky and one-dimensional, that I still can’t understand w… --- ## [The annual Christmas letter](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-annual-christmas-letter/476013)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2008, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-annual-christmas-letter/476013 "2008-12-14T17:16:36Z")
To my brother’s stepdaughter: Ya know, you never speak to us at family events. You obviously have no use for us and think we’re evil because we’re liberal elites. You and your macho fuck of a husband and your annoying… --- ## [Another sweet military scandal: When is a Captain of a ship not a mill-rank Captain?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-sweet-military-scandal-when-is-a-captain-of-a-ship-not-a-mill-rank-captain/661498)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2013, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-sweet-military-scandal-when-is-a-captain-of-a-ship-not-a-mill-rank-captain/661498 "2013-06-24T12:41:00Z")
This time it’s stolen valor. However, what with all the other government malfeasance being discovered these days, the US Navy, to its credit, is being quite open about Cap’n Crunch, who after many years was discovered w… --- ## [Build up an immunity to poison?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/build-up-an-immunity-to-poison/142130)
**Author:** [@Muad\_Dib](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muad_Dib)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2003, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/build-up-an-immunity-to-poison/142130 "2003-01-06T12:01:29Z")
An old plot device is the hero (or villain) building up a resistance to a poison by taking little bits of it for many years, slowly building up to large amounts until it no longer affects him. Can this really be done? … --- ## [Fiction \*starring\* fiction](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fiction-starring-fiction/574147)
**Author:** [@rjk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjk)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2011, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fiction-starring-fiction/574147 "2011-03-11T22:58:29Z")
There are a few works of fiction that actually star another work, often eponymously titled the same as that inner work. I don’t mean something like Lovecraft’s stories, in which the Necronomicon appears more as a prop or… --- ## [BrainGlutton is suspended for incivility](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brainglutton-is-suspended-for-incivility/674009)
**Author:** [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2013, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brainglutton-is-suspended-for-incivility/674009 "2013-11-19T21:20:03Z")
Here Marley details 3 warnings launched at BrainGlutton. The first was directed at uncivil discussion in a GD gun thread. The second involved irony. The third was a mischaracterization by J. Chance: it was not a direct i… --- ## [Would you be willing to verify that you are who you say you are?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-be-willing-to-verify-that-you-are-who-you-say-you-are/626152)
**Author:** [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2012, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-be-willing-to-verify-that-you-are-who-you-say-you-are/626152 "2012-07-04T14:33:08Z")
Poll to follow. Assume you could verify without exposing your identity to the whole board, and leave aside logistics, and questions of when this might be requested and when it would not be needed. I would. It seems to m… --- ## [When are "Second Amendment Solutions" justified?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-are-second-amendment-solutions-justified/822878)
**Author:** [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Replies:** 117\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2018, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-are-second-amendment-solutions-justified/822878 "2018-10-21T23:26:54Z")
Many proponents of the Second Amendment believe that’s it purpose was to allow the civilian population to rise up and overthrow the government if it gets too tyrannical. Let’s assume for the purpose of discussion that in… --- ## [India leads the world in open defecation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/india-leads-the-world-in-open-defecation/743577)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2016, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/india-leads-the-world-in-open-defecation/743577 "2016-01-23T14:16:35Z")
After sending this meme page to my brother last week, he came back with this depressing/disturbing documentary video about the problem, i.e. about half the people in India don’t use toilets to defecate. It’s mostly the … --- ## [How is Stephen Hawking still alive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-stephen-hawking-still-alive/256221)
**Author:** [@FlippyFly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlippyFly)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2012, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-stephen-hawking-still-alive/256221 "2012-04-06T23:34:19Z")
I saw an article today about how Stephen Hawking now thinks that black holes can release mass. This made me curious about the man, and in particular, what disease he had that was physically dehabilitating but did not ef… --- ## [What Is An Articulated Gyrogorphotor?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-an-articulated-gyrogorphotor/229384)
**Author:** [@currupt247](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/currupt247)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2004, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-an-articulated-gyrogorphotor/229384 "2004-02-17T13:53:41Z")
I’m at Northern Illinois University and apparently this “tool” got stolen out of a university van infront of my dorm room. They claim the value roughly 13,000 bucks and I looked all over the internet to see what it was b… --- ## [Why do we make the "achoo!" sound when we sneeze?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-make-the-achoo-sound-when-we-sneeze/211794)
**Author:** [@moejuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moejuck)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2003, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-make-the-achoo-sound-when-we-sneeze/211794 "2003-11-10T15:17:24Z")
Most people seem to make this sound when they sneeze. I am simply wondering why we don’t “apoo” or “amoo” or “aloo”? Does the force of the sneeze cause our mouths to make the “ch” sound? Do we do this because we have … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=1337&per_page=50&period=all&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=1339&per_page=50&period=all&state=muted)