# Top **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=904&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:** 905 --- ## [Autism and breast cancer worship](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/autism-and-breast-cancer-worship/666244)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2014, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/autism-and-breast-cancer-worship/666244 "2014-03-09T18:40:06Z")
Since someone started a thread about soldier worship, I decided to start this one, because it seems that in some circles, being the mother of an autistic child or a breast cancer survivor means you’re, like, a goddess or… --- ## [Sleep In The Nude?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-in-the-nude/547202)
**Author:** [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2010, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-in-the-nude/547202 "2010-09-15T17:12:53Z")
Simple question. Feel free to elaborate if you wish. --- ## [Slide Guitar: A Lesson on How It's Done](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slide-guitar-a-lesson-on-how-its-done/485568)
**Author:** [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [June 12, 2009, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slide-guitar-a-lesson-on-how-its-done/485568 "2009-06-12T17:07:58Z")
Have you heard \*\*Down in the Flood \*\*off the new Derek Trucks Band CD? Linkto Youtube (just a photo with the audio). Apparently it is an obscure Dylan tune - good song. But more importantly, I think this is probably t… --- ## [So, Britain Secedes from the Union. Why will there be No War?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-britain-secedes-from-the-union-why-will-there-be-no-war/758223)
**Author:** [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Replies:** 105\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2016, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-britain-secedes-from-the-union-why-will-there-be-no-war/758223 "2016-07-06T03:54:53Z")
I mean, it’s not even a wild possibility. And while riding the bus today, I was thinking, given the result of the Confederate States leaving the United States, or even the more recent breakup of the Balkans, to quote B… --- ## [When did the whole use-paper-towel-to-open-public bathroom-door thing start?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-whole-use-paper-towel-to-open-public-bathroom-door-thing-start/477294)
**Author:** [@No\_Wikipedia\_Cites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Wikipedia_Cites)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2020, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-whole-use-paper-towel-to-open-public-bathroom-door-thing-start/477294 "2020-03-17T23:14:25Z")
Ok, now everybody does it, but it appears that the standard behavior for people when leaving a public restroom is to use a paper towel to open the door, so much so that now the janitors put a wastepaper basket just to ca… --- ## [Speak to me of perimenopause](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speak-to-me-of-perimenopause/628013)
**Author:** [@Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unauthorized_Cinnamon)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2012, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speak-to-me-of-perimenopause/628013 "2012-09-16T22:38:07Z")
Yes, yes, I will be discussing this with my doctor as well. But I’m pretty sure It Has Begun. I’m 39, and I just found out my mom started having symptoms around this age. For her the process took over 15 years. Fabul… --- ## [What mistakes, inaccuracies, or cliches in TV and film DON'T bother you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mistakes-inaccuracies-or-cliches-in-tv-and-film-dont-bother-you/816343)
**Author:** [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Replies:** 127\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2018, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mistakes-inaccuracies-or-cliches-in-tv-and-film-dont-bother-you/816343 "2018-07-13T13:35:23Z")
There’ve been plenty of threads here about things that take you out of a movie or TV show, such as continuity errors, anachronisms, over-used tropes, even hairstyles. What things that seem to bother other people DON’T b… --- ## [Percentage of Republican and Democrats in US Armed Forces](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/percentage-of-republican-and-democrats-in-us-armed-forces/399501)
**Author:** [@79Eric](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/79Eric)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2007, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/percentage-of-republican-and-democrats-in-us-armed-forces/399501 "2007-04-11T17:33:29Z")
I was just wondering if there are any “reliable” polls which indicate how many people in the armed forces of the United States are Republican and how many aer Democratic. Also if there are any numbers which show how man… --- ## [So I'm just going to have to get over my arachnophobia, aren't I? :(](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-just-going-to-have-to-get-over-my-arachnophobia-arent-i/726179)
**Author:** [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2015, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-just-going-to-have-to-get-over-my-arachnophobia-arent-i/726179 "2015-08-05T21:51:34Z")
This may surprise you considering how collected I usually am around critters, but spiders scare the shit out of me. I saw a spider \*web \*and I shrieked. Just the evidence of a spider’s existence nearby made me scream. Ye… --- ## [What is this quote from, "It's nice to be nice"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-quote-from-its-nice-to-be-nice/279283)
**Author:** [@chefIL11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chefIL11)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2016, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-quote-from-its-nice-to-be-nice/279283 "2016-11-03T19:07:48Z")
I googled it and came up with results from MAS\*H, but that is not what I remember it from. --- ## [Let's talk about supply side economics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-supply-side-economics/713670)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2015, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-supply-side-economics/713670 "2015-03-19T19:49:11Z")
First of all, let’s define it: The theory has been desired and implemented by Republicans in America since Reaganomics in the early '80s and it’s principles are still at work in states such as Wisconsin, Kansas and Nor… --- ## [Libruls are scared of Herman Cain!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libruls-are-scared-of-herman-cain/601976)
**Author:** [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2011, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libruls-are-scared-of-herman-cain/601976 "2011-11-21T20:15:09Z")
Or of Sarah Palin! Or of Michelle Backmann! Or of Rick Santorum! Well, yes and no. Mostly, they’re huge figures of fun to liberals, I think. (I’m not really one of them, but I think I understand them well, and can spea… --- ## [Is it illegal for a store to refund opened alcohol in Illinois?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-for-a-store-to-refund-opened-alcohol-in-illinois/699811)
**Author:** [@Chief\_Pedant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chief_Pedant)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2014, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-for-a-store-to-refund-opened-alcohol-in-illinois/699811 "2014-09-30T15:01:26Z")
An associate of mine living in Illinois attempted to return an opened bottle of wine to a Costco store in Illinois and was refused a refund by a clerk who insisted such a refund “is against the law.” She is unhappy. Th… --- ## [Why doesn't Warren Buffett pay more taxes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-warren-buffett-pay-more-taxes/596816)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2011, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-warren-buffett-pay-more-taxes/596816 "2011-09-24T23:07:16Z")
Warren Buffet has been in the news recently, advocating higher tax rates for high earners such as himself. Some of his detractors have noted, quite correctly, that he can send more money to the treasury any time he wan… --- ## [Why you should watch The Colbert Report](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-should-watch-the-colbert-report/528293)
**Author:** [@Dob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dob)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [February 12, 2010, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-should-watch-the-colbert-report/528293 "2010-02-12T03:44:16Z")
if you haven’t seen this: go check it out. I will wait… I love that man. --- ## [What is the hardest/most erosion resistant substance we can produce in sizable amounts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-hardest-most-erosion-resistant-substance-we-can-produce-in-sizable-amounts/655179)
**Author:** [@Darth\_Ayebaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Ayebaw)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2013, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-hardest-most-erosion-resistant-substance-we-can-produce-in-sizable-amounts/655179 "2013-04-17T22:27:52Z")
So I want civilization to never collapse, and I come up with $50B by robbing Bill Gates. I plan to produce large (16’x9’x3’) blocks of some substance, inscribe an encyclopedia, and scatter them around the world, so that … --- ## [Questions about arrests and custody](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-arrests-and-custody/617161)
**Author:** [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2012, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-arrests-and-custody/617161 "2012-04-04T01:35:45Z")
This relates to the George Zimmerman/Trayvon Martin shooting. The Sanford police have repeatedly claimed that they did not arrest Zimmerman the noght of the shooting (or since) because they did not have sufficient proba… --- ## [Buffy - 05/20/03 - Chosen (This is the end. And spoilers, obviously))](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buffy-05-20-03-chosen-this-is-the-end-and-spoilers-obviously/176267)
**Author:** [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Replies:** 182\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2003, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buffy-05-20-03-chosen-this-is-the-end-and-spoilers-obviously/176267 "2003-05-26T23:03:47Z")
I had the file for five hours before I got the nerve to watch it. I did pointless things. Watched Boston Public (swimming with sharks), read a little from the new Terry Pratchett, played Zelda WindWaker… I just couldn’t … --- ## [Popular Bands With Both Men AND Women](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-bands-with-both-men-and-women/490066)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2015, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-bands-with-both-men-and-women/490066 "2015-07-30T01:58:53Z")
What have been some bands to acheive some semblance of popularity (I suppose a good benchmark would be one or more Top 40 songs) that had both men and women in their lineups? Let’s exclude women in backup bands to solo m… --- ## [As in the movie "Good Will Hunting" any real math prodigies ever discovered with no math education?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-in-the-movie-good-will-hunting-any-real-math-prodigies-ever-discovered-with-no-math-education/652795)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2013, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-in-the-movie-good-will-hunting-any-real-math-prodigies-ever-discovered-with-no-math-education/652795 "2013-03-14T11:38:19Z")
As in the movie “Good Will Hunting” have any math super geniuses ever been discovered in real life who had little if any formal math background? I ask because mastering complex math seems to be highly dependent on build… --- ## [Great novelisations of movies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-novelisations-of-movies/635284)
**Author:** [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2012, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-novelisations-of-movies/635284 "2012-09-30T19:30:24Z")
Which novelisations of films are superior books in their own right? Meaning ones which are worth reading independent of the film. Summer of 42, perhaps better known than the movie. Love Story; the same as above. Reven… --- ## [Is there any battery chemistry that can compete with gasoline on energy density?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-battery-chemistry-that-can-compete-with-gasoline-on-energy-density/713536)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2015, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-battery-chemistry-that-can-compete-with-gasoline-on-energy-density/713536 "2015-02-28T00:11:36Z")
Gasoline has great energy density. For common non-nuclear fuels, I believe only diesel beats it. Will batteries ever be able to get into the same ball park as gasoline? I understand that batteries powering an electric… --- ## [Trying to use opera. Why are bookmarks such a pain?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-use-opera-why-are-bookmarks-such-a-pain/664117)
**Author:** [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2013, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-use-opera-why-are-bookmarks-such-a-pain/664117 "2013-08-06T22:30:39Z")
I’m trying out the Opera browser, but bookmarks are a pain in the ass. As in, there’s no easy way to access regular bookmarks. I have to select Opera -\> Bookmarks -\> Opera -\> Finally-my-bookmark-folders-are-here. I ca… --- ## [Why would Russian need a word for "the seller of dead cats"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-russian-need-a-word-for-the-seller-of-dead-cats/324421)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2013, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-russian-need-a-word-for-the-seller-of-dead-cats/324421 "2013-06-06T04:58:06Z")
Why would Russian need a word for “the seller of dead cats”? (Background, Toronto Star article October 1/05: Been tingoed lately? New book celebrates words and phrases from around the world that have no English equiva… --- ## [SDMB Valentines Exchange '08\*](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-valentines-exchange-08/434743)
**Author:** [@gardentraveler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gardentraveler)\ **Replies:** 246\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2008, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-valentines-exchange-08/434743 "2008-02-29T14:03:54Z")
Ran this past the mods. Cajun Man kindly said “go for it.” It’s a little late, but there’s still time for our annual Valentines exchange. Yay! Rules are as follows: If you are at least 18 years of age, and if you have… --- ## [When it comes to signatures, how messy is TOO messy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-it-comes-to-signatures-how-messy-is-too-messy/516829)
**Author:** [@DooWahDiddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DooWahDiddy)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2009, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-it-comes-to-signatures-how-messy-is-too-messy/516829 "2009-11-12T23:49:37Z")
I’m putting this in GQ because I’m looking for a factual answer about signatures. I’m subletting my apartment for the month, and I drew up a short little contract just to ensure I don’t come back to a trashed apartment … --- ## [Why So Many Old Fat Mean Lady Librarians](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-so-many-old-fat-mean-lady-librarians/472108)
**Author:** [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2008, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-so-many-old-fat-mean-lady-librarians/472108 "2008-12-15T05:21:35Z")
At my local library there is a lady librarian, she is old and fat and mean to everyone, especially the kids. I remember when I was a kid, there was one old librarian who was also old, fat, and mean to the kids. Today I… --- ## [Can a US border guard ask a citizen about internal travel in the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-us-border-guard-ask-a-citizen-about-internal-travel-in-the-us/664973)
**Author:** [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2013, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-us-border-guard-ask-a-citizen-about-internal-travel-in-the-us/664973 "2013-08-03T05:47:08Z")
Alternative title: “Is Michigan a foreign country?” Here’s a situation that happened to me several years ago. I was traveling from Buffalo to visit some friends in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The fastest way from Buffalo to … --- ## [Actual people named in songs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actual-people-named-in-songs/586289)
**Author:** [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2011, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actual-people-named-in-songs/586289 "2011-06-23T19:21:02Z")
What songs contain the names of actual people . . . not merely a first name, even if we know who the person is. The one I’m thinking of is Simon & Garfunkel’s \*A Simple Desultory Philippic, \*which mentions: Norman Maile… --- ## [Whiny singers/bands: Hate 'em? Love 'em? Who and Why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whiny-singers-bands-hate-em-love-em-who-and-why/211646)
**Author:** [@born\_too\_late](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/born_too_late)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2015, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whiny-singers-bands-hate-em-love-em-who-and-why/211646 "2015-05-04T17:50:41Z")
…You’ve all heard those bands. The ones with the whiny singers that either: (a) add to the appeal, or (b) make the music unlistenable. Take The Cure for instance. Would they really have been as successful if they didn… --- ## [Let's rename New Mexico](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-rename-new-mexico/526950)
**Author:** [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Replies:** 133\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2015, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-rename-new-mexico/526950 "2015-09-10T16:05:29Z")
Following a thread in GQ and another in MPSIMS, it’s clear that the source of confusion in a lot of really ignorant people is that the name New Mexico just sounds too foreign, too unAmerican. A large enough percentage of… --- ## [Do they call the wind Mariah or Maria?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-call-the-wind-mariah-or-maria/435457)
**Author:** [@FatBaldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FatBaldGuy)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2011, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-call-the-wind-mariah-or-maria/435457 "2011-08-19T03:11:45Z")
One of the clues in today’s (1/29) USA Today Crossword is “Name for the wind, in song.” I confidently started typing in MARIAH, but ran out of space before I could get in the last “H”. Now, all of my life I’ve known th… --- ## [Yosemite's El Capitan - the first free climb of Dawn Wall](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yosemites-el-capitan-the-first-free-climb-of-dawn-wall/709757)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2015, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yosemites-el-capitan-the-first-free-climb-of-dawn-wall/709757 "2015-01-17T12:34:18Z")
I’m surprised there hasn’t been more media coverage. No climbers have ever made it up Dawn Wall. These two men have been climbing for 2 weeks. They are expected to reach the summit in a couple days. Quite an accomplish… --- ## [Stupid decisions made by a character in a book or movie](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-decisions-made-by-a-character-in-a-book-or-movie/462794)
**Author:** [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2008, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-decisions-made-by-a-character-in-a-book-or-movie/462794 "2008-09-16T17:09:11Z")
IANAL, but I was thinking the other day about how stupid Tom Cruise’s character in A Few Good Men would have to be to call Colonel Jessup to the stand, betting everything that–at the risk of his entire career and the liv… --- ## [What happens when the hair bands lose their hair?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-the-hair-bands-lose-their-hair/256271)
**Author:** [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2004, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-the-hair-bands-lose-their-hair/256271 "2004-07-24T07:33:00Z")
Well? What, we’re gonna have a hair band revival concert tour with a bunch of bald guys? I’m pretty convinced the dude in Quiet Riot now has a poodle surgically attached to his scalp. It’s a frightening thing. --- ## [Heroes 12/15/08 "Duality" or maybe it's "Duel" (spoilers)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heroes-12-15-08-duality-or-maybe-its-duel-spoilers/477326)
**Author:** [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Replies:** 124\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2008, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heroes-12-15-08-duality-or-maybe-its-duel-spoilers/477326 "2008-12-22T06:46:35Z")
Okay, I was going to say something pithy and snide, as has been my wont, while we wait for this last episode (for a while) to start. But instead, I’m posting this link to TV.com so we all can mock this really stupid sho… --- ## [most exciting sporting event that you were actually in attendance for](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-exciting-sporting-event-that-you-were-actually-in-attendance-for/582271)
**Author:** [@Win\_Place\_Show](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Win_Place_Show)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2011, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-exciting-sporting-event-that-you-were-actually-in-attendance-for/582271 "2011-05-21T22:46:35Z")
this HAS to have been discussed before, and if so please point me to the relevant thread. My “leader in the clubhouse” is being at the 2010 NFC Championship between the Saints and Vikings. I figured it would be a good … --- ## [Which celebrities would surprise you if they turned out NOT to be assholes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-celebrities-would-surprise-you-if-they-turned-out-not-to-be-assholes/586250)
**Author:** [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2011, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-celebrities-would-surprise-you-if-they-turned-out-not-to-be-assholes/586250 "2011-07-07T16:06:12Z")
Inspired by this thread. Which celebrities would surprise you if it turned out they were NOT assholes? That is, based exclusively on their public persona; not on personal experience or inside information? Mine would b… --- ## [Global Warming - solar radiation changes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-warming-solar-radiation-changes/394766)
**Author:** [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Replies:** 177\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2007, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-warming-solar-radiation-changes/394766 "2007-04-04T22:06:46Z")
Now that Global Warming is an accepted fact, the deniers have switched their argument saying that natural variance in the Sun’s output could be the cause, not greenhouse gas trapping of heat. I was thinking about this, … --- ## [Why do people hate on Canada geese?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-hate-on-canada-geese/982008)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 146\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2024, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-hate-on-canada-geese/982008 "2024-05-18T03:46:14Z")
Just from general online chitchat, including on Facebook and other social media and forum sites, I notice that many people complain about Canada geese. They sometimes tell Canadians that they need to come down here and … --- ## [I love my wife dearly but she is a brainwashed Evangelical Trump supporter](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-my-wife-dearly-but-she-is-a-brainwashed-evangelical-trump-supporter/956477)
**Author:** [@damarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/damarp)\ **Replies:** 189\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2022, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-my-wife-dearly-but-she-is-a-brainwashed-evangelical-trump-supporter/956477 "2022-01-02T04:39:15Z")
My wife got ‘saved’ in 1974 during a period in our short marriage when we were separated. It was of no concern to me at the time but now she had been deluded by her Evangelicalism into supporting the evil monster, Dona… --- ## [Which epic fantasy saga to read next?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-epic-fantasy-saga-to-read-next/577679)
**Author:** [@Melniboen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melniboen)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2011, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-epic-fantasy-saga-to-read-next/577679 "2011-04-15T01:46:46Z")
I’ve been on a pretty hardcore reading spree these last few months and I’ve run out of content that I know to be good. I’m just dusting off the last book in George R. R. Martins Song of Fire and Ice and I’m not sure wher… --- ## [Well that didn't take long. SD Senate votes 23-12 to ban nearly all abortions.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-that-didnt-take-long-sd-senate-votes-23-12-to-ban-nearly-all-abortions/345712)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 175\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2006, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-that-didnt-take-long-sd-senate-votes-23-12-to-ban-nearly-all-abortions/345712 "2006-03-01T17:47:54Z")
The South Dakota Senate has voted to ban nearly all abortions, including those resulting from incest or rape. The only exceptions would be cases where it’s necessary to protect the mother’s life. The House passed a si… --- ## [Meta casting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meta-casting/670432)
**Author:** [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2013, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meta-casting/670432 "2013-11-23T00:16:50Z")
I was watching “Searching for Bobby Fischer” yesterday (great movie), and noticed in IMDB that Bruce Pandolfini, the chess teacher who is played by Ben Kingsley in the movie, has a bit part in the movie as a chess player… --- ## [Let's talk about "The Thing"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-the-thing/979840)
**Author:** [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Replies:** 168\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2023, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-the-thing/979840 "2023-03-17T13:35:12Z")
No, not the orange rock dude from F4, but the 1982 John Carpenter movie that bombed when it came out but which has since come to be regarded as a Horror/SF classic. If you want to go beyond the film and into the Fifties… --- ## [The Funniest Unfunny Thing You Ever Saw](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-funniest-unfunny-thing-you-ever-saw/727884)
**Author:** [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2015, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-funniest-unfunny-thing-you-ever-saw/727884 "2015-09-07T05:15:10Z")
I think I just saw (participated in) mine. Less than an hour ago I was in Nordstrom’s Rack buying a badly needed new pair of workout shoes. The woman at the counter just in front of me was also buying shoes and looked … --- ## [Do American accents distinguish "aw" and short "o" sounds?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-accents-distinguish-aw-and-short-o-sounds/265742)
**Author:** [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Replies:** 163\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2004, 9:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-accents-distinguish-aw-and-short-o-sounds/265742 "2004-09-30T09:45:38Z")
I sometimes see phonetic spellings on American sites use “aw” to represent the short “o” sound such as that in “rob” or “hot”. An expample is the Snopes page mentioned in the Apocryphal strange names thread, which gives … --- ## [How do you eat asparagus?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-eat-asparagus/570322)
**Author:** [@ZPG\_Zealot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZPG_Zealot)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2016, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-eat-asparagus/570322 "2016-05-25T17:16:42Z")
As a child, I was taught that plain asparagus (not covered in sauce) should be picked up and eaten by hand unless the spears were way too long and then you could cut the spears with a folk, eat the longer stalk section w… --- ## [Would you eat Raisin M&Ms?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-eat-raisin-m-ms/568224)
**Author:** [@BomTek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BomTek)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2011, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-eat-raisin-m-ms/568224 "2011-01-21T11:40:34Z")
I debated whether to put this in IMHO or here, but it’s about food, so CS wins. Mods, please move if necessary. Question’s simple: If Mars made a Raisin variety of M&Ms, do you think you’d like to try them? I’ve thought… --- ## [Why did David Niven never become Sir David?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-david-niven-never-become-sir-david/701252)
**Author:** [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2021, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-david-niven-never-become-sir-david/701252 "2021-06-27T16:12:58Z")
I watched part of Murder by Death yesterday, watching the very flower of British fake nobility, Sir Alec Guinness, Dame Maggie Smith, Sir Peter Sellers, Dame Elsa Lanchester, and Sir David Niven trying to make the best o… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=903&per_page=50&period=all&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=905&per_page=50&period=all&state=muted)