# Top **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=639&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:** 640 --- ## ['Real' Ghosts As Proof of an Afterlife...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-ghosts-as-proof-of-an-afterlife/676637)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2014, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-ghosts-as-proof-of-an-afterlife/676637 "2014-01-10T22:31:29Z")
As I’ve said many times before, I believe in God. But I don’t personally believe in an afterlife. But that is not to say sometimes I don’t wonder… One thing that often makes me think about the matter, is so-called “real… --- ## [Unsolicited and Crazy Parenting Advice](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unsolicited-and-crazy-parenting-advice/462178)
**Author:** [@Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unauthorized_Cinnamon)\ **Replies:** 119\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2008, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unsolicited-and-crazy-parenting-advice/462178 "2008-09-15T20:46:22Z")
What is it this week? First I had to put the baby in day care for an hour while I had physical therapy. I told them she would probably be tired and cranky by the time I was done - she can only stay awake for 1.5 to 2 … --- ## ["Air quotes" are still quotes!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-quotes-are-still-quotes/714243)
**Author:** [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2015, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-quotes-are-still-quotes/714243 "2015-03-17T13:32:47Z")
Not necessarily “scare” quotes. At least, that’s my curmudgeonly opinion. Two different people recently took exception to my quoting verbatim something someone had said, and doing the quote gesture with the first two f… --- ## [American Idol 3/17-18](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-3-17-18/489792)
**Author:** [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Replies:** 218\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2009, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-3-17-18/489792 "2009-03-23T14:21:59Z")
And who’s going home this week? I’m guessing Kris, Michael, or Rockin’ Robin. --- ## [I pit the 67 Republicans who voted against Hurricane Sandy relief](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-67-republicans-who-voted-against-hurricane-sandy-relief/646266)
**Author:** [@Swords\_to\_Plowshares](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swords_to_Plowshares)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2013, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-67-republicans-who-voted-against-hurricane-sandy-relief/646266 "2013-01-18T14:25:02Z")
In an effort to better characterize themselves as comic book villains, 67 House Republicans voted against a bill that would pay out flood insurance claims to victims of Hurricane Sandy. The claimants had purchased insura… --- ## [Straight Dope 1/13/2023: Is longtermism the world's most dangerous belief system?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-1-13-2023-is-longtermism-the-worlds-most-dangerous-belief-system/978173)
**Author:** [@Cecil\_Adams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cecil_Adams)\ **Replies:** 120\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2023, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-1-13-2023-is-longtermism-the-worlds-most-dangerous-belief-system/978173 "2023-02-03T18:17:48Z")
Is longtermism really the most dangerous secular belief system in the world today? Most dangerous? Piffle. Longtermism – in its extreme form, the idea that threats like evil robots destroying humanity should get priorit… --- ## ["When to out a transgender dater"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-out-a-transgender-dater/546682)
**Author:** [@Telcontar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telcontar)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2010, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-out-a-transgender-dater/546682 "2010-07-19T15:41:30Z")
Randy Cohen’s recent advice column in the NYTimes caused a substantial stir in the trans community. The boilerplate: Orthodox Jewish woman notices that a man she was on a date with (possibly more than one? slightly uncl… --- ## [Insurance for the cataclysmically stupid](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insurance-for-the-cataclysmically-stupid/226453)
**Author:** [@Dante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2004, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insurance-for-the-cataclysmically-stupid/226453 "2004-02-10T21:51:50Z")
Italics represent my actual thoughts at the actual time as recorded by the “Actual-Thoughts-At-The-Actual-Time-Recording-Device”. BRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING!!! Dante: “Good afternoon, Randomly Targeted Insuranc… --- ## [Why didn't Nazi Germany invade Switzerland?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-didnt-nazi-germany-invade-switzerland/304725)
**Author:** [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2005, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-didnt-nazi-germany-invade-switzerland/304725 "2005-05-21T01:47:02Z")
Well, why not? It was rich, it was somewhere Jews, POWs and others could escape to, it was a pocket inside the 3rd Reich that could easily have been sewn up. Was it more valuable as a place to stash gold and other riche… --- ## [What is the largest piece of forged metal in the world? Largest single manufactured piece ever?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-largest-piece-of-forged-metal-in-the-world-largest-single-manufactured-piece-ever/775731)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2017, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-largest-piece-of-forged-metal-in-the-world-largest-single-manufactured-piece-ever/775731 "2017-01-10T05:40:29Z")
The first part of the query was prompted by this awesome vid of forging a "part of large generator" (a driveshaft?). I then started thinking about other metal-manufacturing feats, so, to continue the game: What is the … --- ## [Sandy Berger investigated for stealing terror memos](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandy-berger-investigated-for-stealing-terror-memos/255919)
**Author:** [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Replies:** 244\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2004, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandy-berger-investigated-for-stealing-terror-memos/255919 "2004-08-07T15:26:20Z")
Linkety-link Basically, Sandy Berger hid the documents in his clothing, and snuck them out of the secure facility where he was reviewing them for his testimony for the 9/11 commission. He took the documents home. :ee… --- ## [How did the Federal Gov. gain control of public lands? (The BLM)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-federal-gov-gain-control-of-public-lands-the-blm/686045)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2017, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-federal-gov-gain-control-of-public-lands-the-blm/686045 "2017-12-11T20:04:56Z")
I’ve wondered about this for quite awhile and it was never explained in my history classes. At the beginning we had US territories. Settlers were invited to come and stake claims to homesteads. There were Federal laws kn… --- ## [How long to plan a trip to the Moon?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-to-plan-a-trip-to-the-moon/683247)
**Author:** [@turtlescanfly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/turtlescanfly)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2014, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-to-plan-a-trip-to-the-moon/683247 "2014-03-17T20:23:21Z")
Let’s say that for some reason we had to go to the Moon, and quickly (any reason you like, but let’s assume it is extremely important and extremely urgent). What’s the soonest we (or any other country or even private com… --- ## [What if Romney Quits?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-romney-quits/628197)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2012, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-romney-quits/628197 "2012-07-17T06:13:46Z")
Mittens is taking it on the chops this week. It has simply got to get better for him. Still, he does not seem to ‘get it’ about the whole when did he leave Bain thing. Presume he just gets ticked off at little people as… --- ## [Puns in band names - can you think of any?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puns-in-band-names-can-you-think-of-any/320613)
**Author:** [@marky33](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marky33)\ **Replies:** 143\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2016, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puns-in-band-names-can-you-think-of-any/320613 "2016-12-17T19:15:38Z")
Discussing the rockumentary Dig the other day, we wondered at how both bands featured - Brian Jonestown Massacre and Dandy Warhols - had puns as names when there were so few others that do. The only others we managed to… --- ## [What should my picket sign say when I'm outside Hobby Lobby this Saturday?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-my-picket-sign-say-when-im-outside-hobby-lobby-this-saturday/692642)
**Author:** [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2014, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-my-picket-sign-say-when-im-outside-hobby-lobby-this-saturday/692642 "2014-07-11T14:54:49Z")
I need something clever! --- ## [Bible prophecy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bible-prophecy/748460)
**Author:** [@Lionheartlamb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lionheartlamb)\ **Replies:** 153\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2016, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bible-prophecy/748460 "2016-03-10T00:12:56Z")
Interesting that the other thread was locked in just 15 minutes, but here we go again. Over 1/3rd of the bible is prophecy. Its what separates it from all other books ever written. The sad thing is the heathen today ha… --- ## [So, what would you do if you discovered your 16 year old smoking pot?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-would-you-do-if-you-discovered-your-16-year-old-smoking-pot/691263)
**Author:** [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2014, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-would-you-do-if-you-discovered-your-16-year-old-smoking-pot/691263 "2014-06-23T15:17:03Z")
My wife and I are separated. Last night my wife walked into our 16 year old daughter smoking marijuana through a home-made bong in her bedroom. My ex is making a huge deal about it, and well, I’m not. Both me and my e… --- ## [William Shakespeare Wrote Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-shakespeare-wrote-shakespeare/832228)
**Author:** [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Replies:** 137\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2019, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-shakespeare-wrote-shakespeare/832228 "2019-04-15T03:37:59Z")
I cannot believe this is still a debate but apparently so. In the trivia thread septimus writes: “Oxford authorship” - the claim that Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford wrote Shakespeare - is ridiculous crankery that was … --- ## [Top Baby Names for 2011 released](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-baby-names-for-2011-released/622042)
**Author:** [@LavenderBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LavenderBlue)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2012, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-baby-names-for-2011-released/622042 "2012-05-22T18:24:06Z")
The social security administration says Jacob was tops for boys and Sophia for girls. I like all the boys names but Mason and Jaden. The only girl’s name I don’t like is Madison. Our 2011 baby was a Charlotte. --- ## [Midnight Restaurant Customers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/midnight-restaurant-customers/466012)
**Author:** [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Replies:** 128\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2008, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/midnight-restaurant-customers/466012 "2008-10-10T22:48:06Z")
No, I don’t work for the restaurant. I work Armed Security. In the last month, I’ve spent four Midnight to 4am shifts working a certain National-Chain restaurant just off the freeway in a very ethnically mixed major ci… --- ## [The Definitive "DOES SIZE MATTER" thread and everything related.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-definitive-does-size-matter-thread-and-everything-related/581494)
**Author:** [@Mr\_Orange](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Orange)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2011, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-definitive-does-size-matter-thread-and-everything-related/581494 "2011-05-24T19:08:25Z")
It’s not the size, but how you use it… Beauty is in the eye of the beholder…To each his own… But don’t you have to pass the qualifying rounds before you can become a contender? Beauty is subjective…doesn’t that just mea… --- ## [Incel: Involuntary Celibacy! (and cray-cray)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incel-involuntary-celibacy-and-cray-cray/651332)
**Author:** [@Mississippienne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mississippienne)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2013, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incel-involuntary-celibacy-and-cray-cray/651332 "2013-03-12T13:40:38Z")
So I’m hanging out on an anonymous forum, the purpose of which is to find weird things on the internet to point fingers at so we can laugh, and someone has dug up this turd-nugget. For the Tumblr virgins out there, this… --- ## [Favorite scenes from movies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-scenes-from-movies/679841)
**Author:** [@DragonAsh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DragonAsh)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2014, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-scenes-from-movies/679841 "2014-03-03T01:23:17Z")
Not ‘favorite movies’, necessarily (although I suspect favorite scenes will often be scenes from movies you really really liked). My list: Jaws: crew comparing scars and singing ‘show me the way to go home’ Lincol… --- ## [Scaring Babies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scaring-babies/601601)
**Author:** [@Patience\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patience_Jones)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2012, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scaring-babies/601601 "2012-05-07T00:25:00Z")
While fooling around on YouTube, I found that there are a number of videos dedicated to people scaring their babies. Some babies are startled, and then burst into laughter, and it’s all pretty cute. Others, however, seem… --- ## [Potty training children in non-US cultures](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potty-training-children-in-non-us-cultures/495827)
**Author:** [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2009, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potty-training-children-in-non-us-cultures/495827 "2009-05-15T14:22:37Z")
First, let me proclaim my ignorance, here: I don’t have children, probably never will, and have never so much as changed a diaper, much less tried to potty train a person. So I know nothing about this process. But I kee… --- ## [A Socially Conservative Economically Populist Party?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-socially-conservative-economically-populist-party/588371)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2011, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-socially-conservative-economically-populist-party/588371 "2011-07-10T18:16:11Z")
Would a political party that is economically speakign left (pro-social services, protectionist but also anti-immigrant) but socially conservative get a widespread following in the United States among the working class (b… --- ## [Switching Your Fork-Holding Hand While Eating? Do People Do This?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/switching-your-fork-holding-hand-while-eating-do-people-do-this/407036)
**Author:** [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Replies:** 169\ **Last updated:** [June 12, 2007, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/switching-your-fork-holding-hand-while-eating-do-people-do-this/407036 "2007-06-12T15:02:01Z")
Rather than have a long hijack of PoorYorick’s post in the Behaviour you copied from movies … thread, I’ll start this up. Bwuh? What is this “American way” of which he speaks? Why would you switch the hand you’re using… --- ## [Most successful SNL alum?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-successful-snl-alum/593247)
**Author:** [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2013, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-successful-snl-alum/593247 "2013-07-12T21:07:07Z")
Who has been the most financially successful Saturday Night Live alumnus? I’d have to think it’s between Will Ferrell, Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy, Tina Fey and Jimmy Fallon. Am I missing any big earners? If I had to pi… --- ## [Murder convictions in the Shafia "dis"-honour trial.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/murder-convictions-in-the-shafia-dis-honour-trial/611105)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2012, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/murder-convictions-in-the-shafia-dis-honour-trial/611105 "2012-02-03T11:26:01Z")
Jury has been deliberating since Friday; returned verdict today; guilty of first degree murder on all four counts: Jury in “honour killing” case finds Shafia family guilty of 1st-degree murder --- ## [Recommend me some "mindfuck" fiction](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-mindfuck-fiction/464118)
**Author:** [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2008, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-mindfuck-fiction/464118 "2008-09-29T23:45:55Z")
Every once in a while you come across something so bizarre or surreal that you either have no idea what’s going on, or your mind actually adjusts to a level where you understand the allegory (or whatever) and end up thin… --- ## [Hey! I Can See Your House From Up Here!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-i-can-see-your-house-from-up-here/246770)
**Author:** [@Rue\_DeDay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rue_DeDay)\ **Replies:** 239\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2004, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-i-can-see-your-house-from-up-here/246770 "2004-06-01T12:01:49Z")
Saturday morning I woke up with a need to climb a mountain. It was like a geas was laid 'pon my head. It was like a compulsion. I needed to climb a mountain. Now to climb a mountain you need stuff. Stuff like bottles of … --- ## [How heavily censored will the SJW future be?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-heavily-censored-will-the-sjw-future-be/796113)
**Author:** [@Reddy\_Mercury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reddy_Mercury)\ **Replies:** 158\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2017, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-heavily-censored-will-the-sjw-future-be/796113 "2017-09-12T16:23:57Z")
I fear that the SJWs will institute a more heavily censored age than even the Hays Code was. Is there any way to avert this? Or is it too late? --- ## [Lets discuss Bayesian Statistics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-discuss-bayesian-statistics/619051)
**Author:** [@Evil\_Economist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Economist)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2012, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-discuss-bayesian-statistics/619051 "2012-04-20T02:57:32Z")
The thread that inspired this one is Bricker’s question in the “Why hasn’t the Neighborhood Watch shooter been arrested?”, where we have a discussion of what essentially amounts to Bayesian Statistics. This is an older… --- ## [Gonzomax...you are clueless](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gonzomax-you-are-clueless/451977)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 188\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2008, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gonzomax-you-are-clueless/451977 "2008-06-15T05:06:29Z")
Another thread full of good information, interesting viewpoints and lively debate…and interspersed with yet more cryptic one liners and bullshit drive by links from perhaps the stupidest poster currently on the 'dope. … --- ## ["Will they or won't they" relationships which were a "they won't"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-they-or-wont-they-relationships-which-were-a-they-wont/623606)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2012, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-they-or-wont-they-relationships-which-were-a-they-wont/623606 "2012-06-02T23:26:46Z")
What are some classic “will they or won’t they” relationships in fiction that actually came down firmly on the two titular characters not getting together. --- ## [Hot dog buns: cut down or across?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-dog-buns-cut-down-or-across/418283)
**Author:** [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2007, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-dog-buns-cut-down-or-across/418283 "2007-09-07T22:28:48Z")
I apologise if this has been discussed ad infinitum already. I recall - with my notoriously poor memory - that when I moved back from the US to England in the mid-1970s, I thought it odd that English people served “hot … --- ## [The Bank On Students Loan Act](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bank-on-students-loan-act/659679)
**Author:** [@Honesty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honesty)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [June 13, 2013, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bank-on-students-loan-act/659679 "2013-06-13T14:52:41Z")
This is Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s first piece of legislation to address the doubling of interest rate from 3.4 to 6.8. Elizabeth Warren wants to float the student loan interest rate to the discount market rate. You can l… --- ## [Why is porn an epidemic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-porn-an-epidemic/549259)
**Author:** [@Anon2020](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anon2020)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2010, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-porn-an-epidemic/549259 "2010-08-07T07:51:37Z")
I mean, why would a man in a committed relationship prefer to watch porn to satisfy his needs than initiate sex with his hot girlfriend? --- ## [Repeatedly trying to start a failed car battery - dangerous?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repeatedly-trying-to-start-a-failed-car-battery-dangerous/737647)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2015, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repeatedly-trying-to-start-a-failed-car-battery-dangerous/737647 "2015-11-19T17:58:18Z")
My car battery is dead. Unfortunately, being the obstinate person that I am, I tried over a dozen times to turn the key in the ignition, simply resulting in “dead battery sounds.” I’m going to jump start it, but did I d… --- ## [Ever dream this man?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-dream-this-man/537717)
**Author:** [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2010, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-dream-this-man/537717 "2010-05-03T20:15:27Z")
This site claims that numerous people around the world are dreaming of this Bert-looking chap: http://www.thisman.org/ How big of a hoax is this? Where does it come from? Is it even remotely true? --- ## [I'm curious about "The Great Gatsby," and I don't know why.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-curious-about-the-great-gatsby-and-i-dont-know-why/657739)
**Author:** [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2013, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-curious-about-the-great-gatsby-and-i-dont-know-why/657739 "2013-10-24T20:32:44Z")
I read The Great Gatsby in high school, and I hated hated HATED it. It had no plot that I could detect. Basically, a bunch of rich snobs went to parties and talked about the mysterious Mr. Gatsby, who supposedly had so… --- ## [No, you may NOT bail him out!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-may-not-bail-him-out/197853)
**Author:** [@Elza\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elza_B)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2003, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-may-not-bail-him-out/197853 "2003-09-04T23:09:04Z")
Little background - I do work for my parents’ bail bonding business. Sometimes, this includes answering calls and figuring out whether we’ll send a bondsman to the jail. I’ve had just one too many calls lately that go … --- ## [Stop trying to convince me to buy a house!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-trying-to-convince-me-to-buy-a-house/550686)
**Author:** [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2010, 8:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-trying-to-convince-me-to-buy-a-house/550686 "2010-09-04T08:09:19Z")
I know this has been done before, but still… There’s a guy at work who will Just. Not. Shut The Fuck UP ABOUT HOW I SHOULD BUY A HOUSE! Not a couple of years down the line, when I’ve built up my savings and feel mor… --- ## [Which band has sold more records, Nirvana or Foo Fighters?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-band-has-sold-more-records-nirvana-or-foo-fighters/420830)
**Author:** [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2007, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-band-has-sold-more-records-nirvana-or-foo-fighters/420830 "2007-09-29T18:56:19Z")
There’s a discussion on one of my other messageboards (yes I’m a two-bit tramp) about Foo Fighters where people were saying that Foo Fighters probably outsold Nirvana long ago and much of the Foo Fighters’ core audience … --- ## [Decimal expansion of 1/p, where p is prime - length of repeating sequence?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decimal-expansion-of-1-p-where-p-is-prime-length-of-repeating-sequence/685590)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2021, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decimal-expansion-of-1-p-where-p-is-prime-length-of-repeating-sequence/685590 "2021-11-24T20:45:34Z")
Is there any way (hopefully a ‘simple’ way if I’m going to understand it) to determine if for a given prime (p), the decimal expansion of its reciprocal (1/p) repeats with length p-1? For example, for the prime 7, the d… --- ## [Is a name change public record?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-name-change-public-record/280107)
**Author:** [@alterego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alterego)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2016, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-name-change-public-record/280107 "2016-03-07T15:35:57Z")
You can’t search for the word ‘name’ because it’s too common. Anyways, is a name change public record? Is the occurence in court public record but not the new name? How’s that work? --- ## [New Public Holidays In US](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-public-holidays-in-us/559670)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 113\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2010, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-public-holidays-in-us/559670 "2010-12-29T12:55:04Z")
Reunification Day-April 9th, Surrender of Lee’s army, essential end of Southern Rebellion Victory Day-September 2nd, End of World War II Remembrance Day-September 11th, 9-11 terrorist attacks Reformation Day-October 3… --- ## [Using gender specific pejoratives in the Pit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-gender-specific-pejoratives-in-the-pit/657764)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2013, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-gender-specific-pejoratives-in-the-pit/657764 "2013-05-14T07:46:54Z")
So currently, if some woman wants to call me a dick in the Pit; that gets a pass. But if I were to call some woman a cunt; I would get moded. I suppose if I were determined to call a woman a gender specific pejorative, … --- ## [So we own GM. Now what?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-we-own-gm-now-what/498559)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 118\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2010, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-we-own-gm-now-what/498559 "2010-11-19T02:11:34Z")
Now that the government owns 60% of GM, what do you think it should do with it? President Obama swears he’ll be hands off but I don’t think he’ll remain that way for long, particularly if they resort to business as usua… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=638&per_page=50&period=all&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=640&per_page=50&period=all&state=muted)