# Top **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=1998&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:** 1999 --- ## [Erotic movies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erotic-movies/125218)
**Author:** [@Oly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oly)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2002, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erotic-movies/125218 "2002-08-27T02:44:51Z")
Ths thread got me wondering: What’s your favorite erotic yet non-pornographic (what ever that means to you) movie. My vote goes to “The Unbearable Lightness of Being.” --- ## [Samuel L. Jackson's Foul Mouth](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/samuel-l-jacksons-foul-mouth/673433)
**Author:** [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2013, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/samuel-l-jacksons-foul-mouth/673433 "2013-11-10T21:18:32Z")
I saw this commerciala couple of weeks ago, and mentioned it to my wife. I’m certainly no prude, but I thought it was odd that a large, presumably conservative (banking) company would approve and present such an ad. W… --- ## [I don't think this guy cares about his job anymore.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-this-guy-cares-about-his-job-anymore/504693)
**Author:** [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2009, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-this-guy-cares-about-his-job-anymore/504693 "2009-08-02T03:51:27Z")
I challenge you not to laugh. http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/1489/selection20741.jpg --- ## [The True-Crime Unhealthy Obsession Thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-true-crime-unhealthy-obsession-thread/102823)
**Author:** [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2002, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-true-crime-unhealthy-obsession-thread/102823 "2002-04-16T03:51:00Z")
I noticed in Dropzone’s thread that a few people mentioned being true-crime buffs. Not commiting them, I assume, but reading about them. I prefer the ones old enough to be “historical,” so I don’t feel as guilty about a… --- ## [Attack of the wrong-number dialer!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attack-of-the-wrong-number-dialer/364548)
**Author:** [@B.Serum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/B.Serum)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2006, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attack-of-the-wrong-number-dialer/364548 "2006-07-18T23:08:38Z")
So I’m at work trying to piss away the rest of my Friday by reading the SD and I get a phone call… Me: “Hello, this is Hey You!.” Voice: “Uhh… yeah. Is Diamond there?” Me: “Nnno. I’m sorry, this is a place of business… --- ## [Who should be in the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-be-in-the-rock-roll-hall-of-fame/659276)
**Author:** [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2013, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-be-in-the-rock-roll-hall-of-fame/659276 "2013-06-01T04:56:24Z")
Now that Rush is in, what artists still haven’t made it that you think should get in? Here’s my list - I don’t necessarily like them all (cough Kiss! cough), but, given the makeup of the current inductees (list here), I… --- ## [Why none of you are as wise as you think you are](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-none-of-you-are-as-wise-as-you-think-you-are/17163)
**Author:** [@FORMERAGENT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FORMERAGENT)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2000, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-none-of-you-are-as-wise-as-you-think-you-are/17163 "2000-01-05T23:13:00Z")
Because you are here, and not OUT THERE… and here you live secret lives of wishful intelligence, out there you continue to just be… The children we didnt spend enough time with in the special education programs… This i… --- ## [Hot water flow in a home.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-water-flow-in-a-home/487187)
**Author:** [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2009, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-water-flow-in-a-home/487187 "2009-03-05T10:33:30Z")
I use an on-demand hot water heater. The downstairs bathroom- physically LOWER than the heater unit by a few feet- does something annoying as heck. When I turn the faucet to 100% hot, the pressure drops significantly. T… --- ## [Should the Supreme Court care about public opinion polls?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-supreme-court-care-about-public-opinion-polls/602939)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2011, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-supreme-court-care-about-public-opinion-polls/602939 "2011-11-26T00:25:21Z")
Apparently, public support for the individual mandate in “Obamacare” has increased, at least according to a CNN poll. It’s now at over 50% support. The SC is planning on hearing the case for and against the individual … --- ## [SDMB (not) Jeopardy - A Game](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-not-jeopardy-a-game/102497)
**Author:** [@Why\_A\_Duck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Why_A_Duck)\ **Replies:** 159\ **Last updated:** [April 23, 2002, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-not-jeopardy-a-game/102497 "2002-04-23T16:25:02Z")
It’s time once again for a rousing round of SDMB (not) Jeopardy, this week not brought to you by the fine folks at Procter & Gamble. Alex is unavailable at the moment, some sort of moustache emergency if I’m not mistake… --- ## [Do any animals have infrared vision?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-animals-have-infrared-vision/679643)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2014, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-animals-have-infrared-vision/679643 "2014-01-25T23:14:58Z")
A recent nature show about deer at one point showed side by side comparisons of a deer hiding in a thicket, one shot by normal light, one with infrared. In the former, the deer was essentially invisible until it moved, … --- ## [Doper Genders](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-genders/334787)
**Author:** [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Replies:** 140\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2005, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-genders/334787 "2005-12-22T17:23:17Z")
It would be good if we had a list of the genders of all Dopers, so that when we refer to them we can use the proper pronouns and adjectives. I’ve conveniently made the title of this thread have more than 3 letters per w… --- ## [Hypocricy of Christianity in regard to stem cells](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypocricy-of-christianity-in-regard-to-stem-cells/76045)
**Author:** [@Acco40](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acco40)\ **Replies:** 140\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2001, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypocricy-of-christianity-in-regard-to-stem-cells/76045 "2001-08-17T17:20:09Z")
This is my first Pit rant. I hope it burns hot. One of my highly-devout-Jesus-fish co-workers was soooo happy to hear the other day that her hero conservative “Dubya” had banned further research on stem cells. Now, it … --- ## [Speak to Me Only in Really Stupid Movie Quotes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speak-to-me-only-in-really-stupid-movie-quotes/663848)
**Author:** [@Engineer\_Dude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Engineer_Dude)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2013, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speak-to-me-only-in-really-stupid-movie-quotes/663848 "2013-08-14T20:00:31Z")
The Fucking Catalina Wine Mixer! --- ## [Nixon...Reagan...Bush...Who's the Evillest?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nixon-reagan-bush-whos-the-evillest/212681)
**Author:** [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2003, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nixon-reagan-bush-whos-the-evillest/212681 "2003-11-17T19:09:13Z")
I had been toying with the idea of a thread about the single biggest lie the Bushiviks have told (relative to Iraq, for the sake of brevity). But that is rendered moot, I think. Ramblin’ Rummy has taken the cake, has r… --- ## [Get a mouse out of a dashboard?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-a-mouse-out-of-a-dashboard/89269)
**Author:** [@Daowajan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daowajan)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2001, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-a-mouse-out-of-a-dashboard/89269 "2001-10-25T01:34:36Z")
A friend of mine had a mouse go into her car’s dashboard and doesn’t want it to die in there. How can she lure it out? --- ## [Yahoo Account Security Email Log In Change Password Message?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yahoo-account-security-email-log-in-change-password-message/673308)
**Author:** [@Pauly01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pauly01)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2013, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yahoo-account-security-email-log-in-change-password-message/673308 "2013-11-09T02:52:17Z")
Logged into my yahoo email like i do everyday. I log in now and i see this message Yahoo! Account Security has identified a possible risk to your account. Dear Pauly, Your account safety is our top priority. We have… --- ## [Conservatives are now supporting same sex marriage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conservatives-are-now-supporting-same-sex-marriage/653556)
**Author:** [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2013, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conservatives-are-now-supporting-same-sex-marriage/653556 "2013-04-05T23:36:51Z")
Refreshing if true: But how much of the Republican party do these people represent? --- ## [So, which cartoon characters do you want to boink?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-which-cartoon-characters-do-you-want-to-boink/42987)
**Author:** [@Mockingbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mockingbird)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2000, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-which-cartoon-characters-do-you-want-to-boink/42987 "2000-12-13T03:03:25Z")
For me it would have to be that hunky Mark Trail - grrrroowl --- ## [Why Do Mormons Have So Many Kids?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-mormons-have-so-many-kids/104170)
**Author:** [@Surreal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surreal)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2016, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-mormons-have-so-many-kids/104170 "2016-03-01T15:40:35Z")
Why is it so common for Mormons to have 6 or 8 kids when most other families only have 2 or 3? Does their religion say that birth control is a sin?? Thanks. Note: I’m AWARE that there are Mormon families that don’t hav… --- ## [Using the workout room if you don't live there. An ethics question.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-the-workout-room-if-you-dont-live-there-an-ethics-question/562008)
**Author:** [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2010, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-the-workout-room-if-you-dont-live-there-an-ethics-question/562008 "2010-11-30T17:32:28Z")
My aunt lives in a nearby apartment complex. The complex has a small workout room with a few treadmills, Stairmasters, and some weight machines. It’s an unmanned facility and access is granted through a combination lock.… --- ## [Which movie has the most REALISTIC nuclear explosion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-movie-has-the-most-realistic-nuclear-explosion/180201)
**Author:** [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2003, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-movie-has-the-most-realistic-nuclear-explosion/180201 "2003-06-07T20:30:10Z")
…y’know, just like the title says. I mean, we’ve all seen the movies that just show a cheesy CGI mushroom cloud rising perfectly formed off the ground…and, more often than not, it actually is a groundburst, not an airbu… --- ## [Bill O'Reilly calls internet posters "the criminals at the computer"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-oreilly-calls-internet-posters-the-criminals-at-the-computer/182457)
**Author:** [@december](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/december)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2003, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-oreilly-calls-internet-posters-the-criminals-at-the-computer/182457 "2003-06-21T00:12:42Z")
In a recent “The Talking Points Memo” O’Reilly got just about everyting wrong. He said the internet had put nearly every famous person in the country under siege. He is irate. Celebrities get criticized by posters! :… --- ## [Mermaid's Necklace - the Movie "Splash"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mermaids-necklace-the-movie-splash/434888)
**Author:** [@Creaky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Creaky)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2008, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mermaids-necklace-the-movie-splash/434888 "2008-01-25T23:48:04Z")
I’ve been completely in love with Madison the mermaid’s necklace, featured prominently in the 1984 movie Splash, for many years. First, does anybody know if anyone has made a decent replica and where I could buy it? Or… --- ## [Which beer is best then?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-beer-is-best-then/334121)
**Author:** [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Replies:** 119\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2005, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-beer-is-best-then/334121 "2005-12-22T19:14:20Z")
After Birdmonster’s thread about horrible beer , let’s go towards the positive and tell about our favorite beers. Myself, I’m just about to place an order for a case of Delirium Tremens for an X-mas party I’m going to n… --- ## [Baseball for boys, softball for girls, why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-for-boys-softball-for-girls-why/407947)
**Author:** [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2007, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-for-boys-softball-for-girls-why/407947 "2007-06-17T02:05:16Z")
I just got back from my nephew’s (4th grade) baseball game. There were a few girls on both teams. But his sister (7th grade) places softball. When I was in high school the baseball team was all-male, the softball … --- ## [European soccer fans showing up very uniformly in team colors](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/european-soccer-fans-showing-up-very-uniformly-in-team-colors/750994)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2016, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/european-soccer-fans-showing-up-very-uniformly-in-team-colors/750994 "2016-04-14T11:54:51Z")
I have noticed that in European soccer games, oftentimes fans, especially those seated behind the goals, will almost unfailingly be dressed in the team’s colors. Whereas in the United States, for instance, at a Chicago … --- ## [Torture Hypothetical (Logic Not Adqeuate For Real Life Situations).](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/torture-hypothetical-logic-not-adqeuate-for-real-life-situations/437388)
**Author:** [@George\_Kaplin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/George_Kaplin)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2008, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/torture-hypothetical-logic-not-adqeuate-for-real-life-situations/437388 "2008-02-20T11:44:57Z")
This board has played host to several debates on torture. Typically, the OP presents a situation and asks “Would you torture in this scenario?” Respondents fall on a spectrum. Some answer resoundingly “Yes!” Others g… --- ## [Who Would Win In a Fight Between ...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-win-in-a-fight-between/741815)
**Author:** [@Eutychus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eutychus)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2016, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-win-in-a-fight-between/741815 "2016-01-13T23:26:20Z")
Rules: One person suggests a potential match up. The next decides who would win, gives a rationale for their decsion, then posts the next match up. First up: Who would win in a fight between Aunt Jemima and Mrs. Butt… --- ## [July 11, 2024—a date which will live in (what's left of) democracy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/july-11-2024-a-date-which-will-live-in-whats-left-of-democracy/1003551)
**Author:** [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Replies:** 130\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2025, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/july-11-2024-a-date-which-will-live-in-whats-left-of-democracy/1003551 "2025-07-11T22:59:39Z")
The titular date is for the sentencing hearing of Trump. I’m putting it in The BBQ Pit because I don’t want you to hold back on your verbiage when you discuss what you think the sentence should be, what should be taken i… --- ## [The Most Evil People Poll - trying again](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-evil-people-poll-trying-again/538861)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2014, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-evil-people-poll-trying-again/538861 "2014-07-06T01:54:31Z")
Okay, we’re going to try this once again. An evil people vote-off. And to keep it under control, I’ve started us with a list of evil people - no Jesus this time. The list was collected (in chronological order to keep it … --- ## [How to help someone with no self confidence?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-help-someone-with-no-self-confidence/603019)
**Author:** [@Cap\_n\_Obvious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cap_n_Obvious)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2011, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-help-someone-with-no-self-confidence/603019 "2011-11-22T12:10:48Z")
I recently started dating this wonderful woman, who I’m already head over heels in love with. Her one problem is she has no self confidence. Her previous boyfriends left her an emotional wreck, to the point where she’s … --- ## [Would you be willing to overrule your spouse? (Animal euthanasia, poss. vet. TMI)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-be-willing-to-overrule-your-spouse-animal-euthanasia-poss-vet-tmi/256237)
**Author:** [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2004, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-be-willing-to-overrule-your-spouse-animal-euthanasia-poss-vet-tmi/256237 "2004-08-06T17:52:03Z")
We’ve had a streak of cases this week where the animal is clearly, even to one of the owners, suffering, and the spouse flatly refuses to put the animal down. Some of these cases are horrifying, really; we had one coupl… --- ## [What vegetables belong in a vegetable beef soup?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-vegetables-belong-in-a-vegetable-beef-soup/556928)
**Author:** [@Avarie537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avarie537)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2010, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-vegetables-belong-in-a-vegetable-beef-soup/556928 "2010-10-19T22:33:39Z")
Just a poll for your polling pleasure. --- ## [Stay in your own leauge and you'll get the fucking girls!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stay-in-your-own-leauge-and-youll-get-the-fucking-girls/139895)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2002, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stay-in-your-own-leauge-and-youll-get-the-fucking-girls/139895 "2002-12-11T06:00:48Z")
Ok a friend started me off on this rant along with some other threads I’ve seen on this board. Heres the deal my friend keeps whining to me how he can’t get any women he keeps telling me abouyt how they’re not intrested… --- ## [How can anyone enjoy NCIS](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-anyone-enjoy-ncis/472952)
**Author:** [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2008, 9:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-anyone-enjoy-ncis/472952 "2008-11-19T09:23:18Z")
Before posting this OP, I searched for NCIS threads to see how it might have been panned here. Surprisingly (to me, that is), in this thread many posters had good things to say about the show. http://boards.straightdop… --- ## [I can't find my infant son anywhere](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-find-my-infant-son-anywhere/742953)
**Author:** [@Cardboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardboard)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2016, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-find-my-infant-son-anywhere/742953 "2016-01-15T16:11:29Z")
And to top it all off, my pet snake appears to have a massive tumor. What do I do? --- ## [Does Buffy get any better?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-buffy-get-any-better/624652)
**Author:** [@Stauderhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stauderhorse)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2012, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-buffy-get-any-better/624652 "2012-06-15T15:53:56Z")
Just finished watching the first season of Buffy, mostly out of curiosity. So many people shower the series with praise, especially on this board, that I was prepared to be blown away. But honestly, it hasn’t impressed… --- ## [How Long Before You Stop Paying Your Mortgage Till They Kick You Out Physically?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-before-you-stop-paying-your-mortgage-till-they-kick-you-out-physically/541665)
**Author:** [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2010, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-before-you-stop-paying-your-mortgage-till-they-kick-you-out-physically/541665 "2010-06-03T10:41:24Z")
I have never owned a house or condo, so I haven’t a clue But I was wondering, suppose I have a $2,500/month mortgage payment and I just can’t pay. Let’s say I stop paying on June 1, 2010. OK so I assume the bank sends … --- ## [Escape velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escape-velocity/540876)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2010, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escape-velocity/540876 "2010-05-29T12:35:34Z")
For a rocket launch from Earth , the velocity is 11.2 km/sec…around 25,000 mph. Suppose, however, earth has constructed a space elevator from the surface to geostationary orbit, and the car can ascend to the heavens at… --- ## [Half brother or sister that you’re not aware of. Do you want to be told?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/half-brother-or-sister-that-you-re-not-aware-of-do-you-want-to-be-told/754161)
**Author:** [@davida03801](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davida03801)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2016, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/half-brother-or-sister-that-you-re-not-aware-of-do-you-want-to-be-told/754161 "2016-05-11T19:20:50Z")
You’re adults, that is you and your other 2 siblings. Your parents are gone now, you all live relatively close together within a 3-4 hour drive. The same part of the country you lived in all your life. One of your cousi… --- ## [How is the commentary on the Simpsons DVD sets?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-commentary-on-the-simpsons-dvd-sets/504703)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2009, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-commentary-on-the-simpsons-dvd-sets/504703 "2009-07-31T13:42:06Z")
I’ve rented almost all the Simpsons DVD sets over the past 4 years. I’ve listened to commentary on a couple of them during the 2nd and 3rd seasons during a few episodes I have seen numerous times in syndication. How dece… --- ## [House 10/9](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-10-9/422137)
**Author:** [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2007, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-10-9/422137 "2007-10-17T23:23:32Z")
House pits the remaining finalists against each other by gender; also, a patient with muscular atrophy needs treatment. --- ## [Economics of Train Length](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-of-train-length/736777)
**Author:** [@Ornery\_Bob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ornery_Bob)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2015, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-of-train-length/736777 "2015-11-07T00:05:40Z")
My route home from work takes me down a street with a train crossing that gets a fair amount of container train traffic. Some of them are amazingly long even though I suspect they’re essentially “local” traffic (I live n… --- ## [is reverse compiling Cobol relatively easy or hard?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-reverse-compiling-cobol-relatively-easy-or-hard/572752)
**Author:** [@code\_grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/code_grey)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2015, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-reverse-compiling-cobol-relatively-easy-or-hard/572752 "2015-10-05T20:03:32Z")
I think that reverse compiling C is considered hard while dotnet executables even preserve the variable names etc. So, how about Cobol? At first glance the language seems unstructured and not far removed from assembly. … --- ## [Were the German codes broken by the Enigma machine coherent German?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-the-german-codes-broken-by-the-enigma-machine-coherent-german/1025367)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 178\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2026, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-the-german-codes-broken-by-the-enigma-machine-coherent-german/1025367 "2026-04-28T04:11:52Z")
Once the Allies started breaking the codes sent by the Germans, did they find that the communications made perfect sense (to a German speaker)? Or were the words themselves further coded, the way the Navajo words and phr… --- ## [Time for a deep explanation! (Of the US Political System)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-a-deep-explanation-of-the-us-political-system/753462)
**Author:** [@ianclark01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ianclark01)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2016, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-a-deep-explanation-of-the-us-political-system/753462 "2016-05-06T18:13:40Z")
Which I cannot give! However, it is clearly time that somebody with an egg-shaped head and a lot of time explained why the US political system is such a pile of total garbage, from electioneering, to legislating, and ev… --- ## [Which grown-up characters had something that seemed unacceptably childish?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-grown-up-characters-had-something-that-seemed-unacceptably-childish/740307)
**Author:** [@oara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oara)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2015, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-grown-up-characters-had-something-that-seemed-unacceptably-childish/740307 "2015-12-17T15:07:55Z")
Shirley Feeney had Boo-Boo Kitty, and I couldn’t buy the idea that a grown-up would have that awful thing. Cliff Huxtable had pajamas very similar to those that my mother had bought for me, but he was a grown man and pa… --- ## [Rainbow 6: Siege](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rainbow-6-siege/743575)
**Author:** [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2017, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rainbow-6-siege/743575 "2017-08-25T13:35:24Z")
I made this thread mostly because I noticed on amazon you can grab a physical copy for $35 for the next 18 hours. That’ll probably be the best deal in a while. Anyway, Rainbow 6 siege is a multiplayer-only team based ta… --- ## [Read my scholarship essay? Pretty please?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/read-my-scholarship-essay-pretty-please/479262)
**Author:** [@Influential\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Influential_Panda)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2009, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/read-my-scholarship-essay-pretty-please/479262 "2009-01-04T16:46:55Z")
OK, I’m new at this. Despite being a graduating senior looking towards grad school next year, I’ve never applied for a scholarship with a writing component. I want to make sure I’m striking the right tone here, and am … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=1997&per_page=50&period=all&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=1999&per_page=50&period=all&state=muted)