The Straight Dope... hilarious website of random questions finally answered.

If this article alone doesn't convert you, I don't know what will.

Basically, it boils down to this singular guy (Cecil) who responds to some of the weirdest questions that most people WANT to ask but never do. He then answers them in a generally funny way but takes great lengths to actually explain it and give some of the sources he used. He isn't the only contributor, but he is the main one and the other contributors (from the few articles i have read) aren't quite as humorous but still do a good job (often better) of answering the questions.

Here is a snippet of the above article, as he gets called out and hilarity ensues:

Why do pigeons bob their heads?
April 13, 1979

Dear Cecil:

Can you in your infinite yet magnanimous wisdom explain something that's been troubling me for years? When pigeons bob their heads as they walk is it because their legs are connected to their necks or what?

— Dennis A., Highland Park, Illinois

Dear Dennis:

Of course not. As any fool can see, a pigeon's legs are connected to its body--and it's a good thing, because the pigeon would look mighty funny if it were assembled according to the offhand anatomy you describe.

Basically the pigeon's back-and-forth head motion--not exactly a bob--helps it keep its balance when walking. The pigeon's legs are located pretty far astern, and if it kept its head forward all the time it would probably tip over. This would expose the pigeon to the ridicule of the community. Instead, what it does is move its chest forward in time with one leg, and its head forward in time with the other leg. Thus some weight is always trailing a little abaft the port beam, as we say. Many fowl have similarly peculiar gaits, because they cannot afford orthopedic shoes.

I had a similar question for one of my professors in Biology. It went a little something like, "if bats can see somewhat, but STILL use sonar, what do they actually see in their heads?" The idea in my head was that sonar is used to detect their prey, and if they have poor vision, do they just close their eyes and rely on the sonar images to guide them? Does their vision combine with the sonar images? Unfortunately, I cant remember his answer. Maybe ill throw it at Cecil...

Long Island Wal-Mart Employee Death Follow Up

According to CNN, the family of Jdimytai Damour, the 34 year-old temporary worker who was trampled to death on Black Friday while working for Wal-Mart, is suing the large retail chain.

While it certainly is not surprising, I can only hope that they focus on changing the policies of these large retail chains instead of just on monetary gain. The amount the family is suing "Wal-Mart and the mall's owner, manager and security firm" for was not disclosed as of the articles posting.

Despite earlier reports that Damour had died of a heart attack, the New York Daily News revealed that autopsy reports confirmed Damour had died from asphyxiation.

"He was in fact trampled to death in the most unfortunate way," said Nassau County Police Commissioner Lawrence Mulvey.

Damour, who is described as a "a 6-foot-5, 270-pound giant" in the New York Daily News article, was knocked over in a frenzy of shopping at 5 a.m. on one of the busiest shopping days of the year, typically known for heavy discounts of various items including computers and TVs.

Earlier this month, a proposed "Doorbuster Bill" was described as mandating security precautions and putting the responsibility for any injuries in the fracas that can occur on the retailers.

"This is a situation that can never happen again," said City Councilman James Gennaro (D-Queens). "It's time for retailers, many of whom already take common-sense precautions, to be mandated to do so."

Damour's cousin, Ernst Damour, said he welcomed the legislation

"They should have just let them in five to 10 minutes at a time," his cousin said. "But everybody wants to be first."

I certainly hope that sweeping changes can occur in the wake of this tragic event.