a very serious question
What’s America All About?Every day people come up at me on the street & ask “What happened to veryserious.org?” What happened is that now I’m a husband and soon to be father, plus I’m employed full-time. A wordpress blog is pretty old-fashioned nowadays anyways, maybe I’ll move it to tumblr. The other big reason is that I didn’t know what to make it be about and no one else could give me a good answer. Maybe I lack vision. Anyways here is a question:
What’s America all about?
(3 answers)Question #1000 Stuck
What song gets stuck in your head?
(5 answers)Question #999 Superior
What can someone tell you that makes you feel the most superior to them?
(3 answers)Question #998 Closing Time
If you ran a bar and played the same song at closing time every night, what would that song be?
(6 answers)Question #997 Least Favorite Entertainment
Which entertainer or musical act is your least favorite?
(8 answers)Question #996 Good Day
At what point do you know your day is going to go well?
(3 answers)Question #995 Ripped
Daaaaaamn, you’re hella fine!
How do you keep so fit?
(6 answers)Question #994 Cool
Are you now, or have you ever been, cool?
(7 answers)Question #993 Glass
What was the last glass thing you broke?
(5 answers)Question #992 How much?
How much do you want?
BONUS: How much will it cost?
(3 answers)Question #991 Sweat Substitute
If, in the name of science, you had an operation so that your body would secrete another substance instead of sweat, which substance would you choose?
(6 answers)Question #990 Morals of (Animal) Murder
A conversation with some of my so-called-friends (phil, mostly) has lead us to an interesting philosophical question:
Which is morally worse: What Michael Vick* did running his dog fighting operation** or what a pig farmer in a factory farm does***?
Bonus Question: Which is morally worse: Supporting dog fighting by being a spectator and betting on the hot action, or supporting a factory farm by eating delicious sausage?
* Michael Vick is an American Football quarterback. The commonly held belief is that, while he has flashes of brilliance, he has not lived up to his full potential. He also is known for getting herpes treatment under the alias of “Ron Mexico” and responding to accusations of being gay at a press conference with the quote “Come on, you know how I get down.”
** Michael Vick plead guilty to running a dog fighting ring, taking part in dog fighting, and killing the dogs that weren’t good fighters by drowning them or hanging them. Details here: http://sports.espn.go.com/photo/2007/0824/vicksummary.pdf
*** Factory farming, or more accurately “Intensive pig farming”, is a method of raising pigs in the most efficient and economical method possible; usually at the expense of the environment and the pig’s welfare. Details here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intensive_pig_farming
(9 answers)Question #989 Very Proud of Ya
Who are you proud of?
(4 answers)Question #988 Sex History
What do you say when you’re asked how many people you’ve had sex with?
(4 answers)Question #987 Lifetime Supply
What would you want a lifetime supply of, or subscription to?
(5 answers)Question #986 …
What next?
(6 answers)Question #985 Evolving Tastes
What food or flavors, that you used to not like, do you now like?
(5 answers)Question #984 Mythological Creature
What mythological creature do you wish was real?
(7 answers)Question #983 Immigration
In the .de there is a dude, Thilo Sarrazin, who is a politician (belonging, oddly, to the leftwing mainstream party SPD) and has a high position in the state bank. He is infamous for his outspokenness on immigration and welfare reform especially. He is kind of the German version of Ann Coulter or Glenn Beck or something. At any rate, here is a list of his most intense quotes (he had just gotten in trouble for the Jewish one)
http://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/fotostrecke-58751.html
The Question: Which of the above quotes do you disagree with if any?
The Bonus Question: Why?
quotes after the break for the link-following averse.
(more…)
Question #982 Go Away
What business will you not miss when it’s gone?
(6 answers)Question #981 B, L and D
If you could only eat one food for breakfast, lunch and dinner for the rest of your life, and if you considered nutrition not just what was tastiest, what food would you choose?
(3 answers)Question #980 Cars
What kind of car do you have? What kind of car do you wish you had?
(11 answers)Question #979 Nuts
What nuts are the best?
(9 answers)Question #978 Figured Out
What have you finally figured out?
(8 answers)Question #977 Confusion
What confuses you?
(13 answers)Question # 976 Scratch
Here in eastern Germany, the pleasures of home are often missing. To recreate them takes a lot of work, but the end result is sometimes cool.
In order to enjoy enchiladas in red sauce the process over here is:
1) Find some dried ancho peppers (specialty store scouring needed) and masa flour
2) Make a bunch of corn tortillas from scratch (masa + water + kneeding + tortilla press + frying pan == booya)
3) toast, soak, and then skin the anchos and make some enchilada sauce
4) make enchiladas as per normal
My question: What is the last thing you made from scratch that is usually store bought?
Bonus: What was the experience like?
Bonus Bonus: Was the end result a success?
Question #975 The Internet
Has the net effect of the internet on society & culture been positive, negative or neutral?
Defend your stance.
BONUS: Will the current trend continue into the future?
(16 answers)Question #974 Broccoli
Do you like broccoli?
BONUS: If not, why? If yes, how do you like it prepared?
(8 answers)Question #973 Late
What’s the last thing you were late to?
(5 answers)Question #972 Parents
What obligations do adults have to their parents?
(2 answers)Question #971 Compliments
What is the lamest thing you have said recently that was supposed to be a compliment?
Here is an example of a conversation between me and Mrs. Joe (we were discussing the dismal state of our household finances) to get you started:
Mrs.: we’re fine, don’t worry about it, 19.50/day in berlin (even in SF) is doable
Me: you’re doable baby <–sweet nothing
Mrs: aw i’m flattered :”>
Question #970 Politics, Politics, Politics
What are the three current political issues that are most important to you right now?
BONUS: What does that say about you?
(thanks to Phil for inspiring this question)
(4 answers)Question #969 Factory
If you were to own and operate a factory, what would you want the factory to make?
(6 answers)Question #967 Imaginary Group
What group do you think should exist but doesn’t?
(5 answers)Question #966 Tool
What is your favorite tool?
(9 answers)Question #965 Scam
What do you see as an obvious scam, despite most people’s cluelessness (or at least ambivalence) on the matter?
(13 answers)Question #964 Monochrome
On doctor’s orders, from now on you can only wear one color of clothing. In addition, your sheets, towels and washcloths will all be the that color. what color do you choose to wear?
(11 answers)Question #963 Gross
What is the most disgusting thing you have ever put into your mouth?
(12 answers)Question #962 Hand Replacement
You’re attacked by a shark that bites off your left hand. You have no insurance or money to buy a state of the art robot hand. What do you use as a prosthesis?
(7 answers)Question #961 Crackerjacks
What should the prize in the Crackerjacks box be replaced with?
(5 answers)Question #960 Racism
On a scale of 1 to 10* how racist are you?
*1 = absolutely no racism at all; 10 = as racist as a person can be.
(5 answers)Question #959 Carbonated
What would be the pros and cons of having carbonated urine?
(8 answers)Question #958 Speaking Voice
Let’s say you’re in a car accident that leaves you mute, but otherwise uninjured. Doctors offer to make you a synthetic larynx that will imitate exactly the voice of another person (alive or dead). Whose voice do you choose?
(8 answers)Question #957 Adaptation
I recently found out that a movie based on the board game Battleship is currently in preproduction. Is there any concept that can’t be adapted into a movie?
(7 answers)Question #956 Words
What word(s), in common usage, do you think is(/are) the wrong word?
An example of what I mean is from the last question “Homophobia” is used as a catch-all for people who don’t like gay people, are filled with gay terror, and are secretly gay and acting out about it. I think it should only be used for the middle one. The other two would be better served by “sexualityist*” and “religious” respectively.
*To be on par with “sexist” and “racist” if that isn’t obv.
(6 answers)Question #955 – Homophobia
On a scale of 1 to 10* how homophobic are you?
*1 = absolutely no homophobia at all; 10 = as homophobic as a person can be
(10 answers)Question #954 No Surprise
What shouldn’t have surprised anyone?
(7 answers)Question #953 Overpaid
Who is overpaid?
(4 answers)Question #952 Surprise
What’s going to surprise everyone?
(4 answers)Question #951 Stepped Up
Who stepped up?
(9 answers)Question #950 – Cordoba House
How do you feel about the Islamic cultural center (+ mosque) being built nearby Ground Zero, and the controversy surrounding it?
(10 answers)Question #949 Test
What have you tested recently?
(6 answers)Question #948 News
Where do you get your news?
BONUS: Is keeping up with the news important to you?
(8 answers)Question #947 Slap & Drink
Ladies, have you ever slapped a man in the face or thrown a drink in his face? Gentlemen, has a lady ever done this to you?
BONUS: What would justify slapping or drink tossing?
(4 answers)Question #946 Rules
What rules should be changed?
(3 answers)Question #945 Involuntary Manslaughter
Do you agree with the involuntary manslaughter verdict given to Johannes Mehserle last week, in relation to his shooting of Oscar Grant on New Year’s Day 2009? If not, what should the verdict have been?
(5 answers)Question #944 Tough
Who has it tough?
(4 answers)Question #943 Early
When was the last time you showed up early?
(4 answers)Question #942 Heavy
What’s the heaviest thing you’ve ever carried?
(10 answers)Question #941 Hollywood Hunks
Who are the all-time hunkiest movie dudes? Pics or it doesn’t count.
(4 answers)Question #940 Party
If money were no object, what kind of party would you throw?
(11 answers)Question #939 Video Game
If you had to live in a video game, which would you choose?
(14 answers)Question #938 License Plate
If you were to get a personalized license plate, what would it say?
(12 answers)Question #937 Should Have Won
Who should have won, but lost anyway?
(4 answers)Question #936 Love to Hate
What do you love to hate?
BONUS: What do you hate to love?
(7 answers)Question #935 Washed
What should be washed after every use?
BONUS: What needn’t be washed after every use?
(7 answers)Question #934 Attendance
What makes you look forward to seeing a movie?
(6 answers)Question #933 Robot Occupation
What is the best job for a robot to have?
(5 answers)Question #932 Identity Theft
Is risk of identity theft a serious concern for you?
BONUS: What kind of precautions to you take (or fail to take) to protect against identity theft?
(2 answers)Question #931 Tased
What is it like to be tased?
(3 answers)Question #930 Laughed
When was the last time you laughed?
(1 answer)Question #929 Juice Quart
If you had to drink a quart of juice right now, what kind of juice would you drink?
(10 answers)Question #928 Fluids
If, for medical reasons, you had to change the color of one of your bodily fluids, which fluid would you change and what color would you pick?
(5 answers)Question #927 Plans
Are things going as planned?
(6 answers)Questions #926 Monster Life
If you had to live your life as a monster, which one would you choose?
(8 answers)Question #925 to be done
What’s been left undone?
(2 answers)Question #924 Kiss
Which two people should kiss one another?
(8 answers)Question #923 Wassertrinken
This experience at work has led me to have a related question.
I understand you all drink filtered tap water because you are all pragmatic Americans, but if you were to drink bottled water, what brand do you think tastes the best?
(13 answers)Question #922 Obama Kicks Ass
Was President Obama acting inappropriately when he used the word “ass” on national TV?
(9 answers)Question #921 Meat-Mech
Earth needs your help! We’re under attack by a vicious, robust robeast (a giant monster, examples here)! If four or five people could combine forces like Voltron to defeat the robeast, which five should be selected and what would their gestalt form look like? No fair saying the Spice Girls, as that was already discussed.
(4 answers)Question #920 Teenwolf Grows Up
Would you rather live your life as a professional basketball playing werewolf with the love and admiration of the entire world, or choose not to exploit your powers and instead live a mild mannered life surrounded by close friends and family that love you for who you are?
(5 answers)Question #919 Smart
What is the smartest thing you’ve heard a dumb person say?
BONUS: What’s the dumbest thing you’ve heard a smart person say?
(7 answers)Question #918 Really Party
On an evening where you have tomorrow free and you are going to really party tonight, what do you do?
(6 answers)Question #917 Free Will
Is free will a myth?
(24 answers)Question #916 Roulette
What number do you bet on when you play roulette?
BONUS: Why?
(9 answers)Question #915 Gambling
What do you enjoy about gambling?
(9 answers)Question #914 Your Eyes
What happened to your eyes?
(6 answers)Childhood Book
What was your favorite childhood book?
Bonus: Why did this particular story resonate with you?
(7 answers)Question #913 Survival
What dangerous situation have you survived?
(10 answers)Question #912 Future You
If future-you traveled back in time to tell you something, what would the message be?
(9 answers)Question #911 One Year From Now
How will the world be different 12 months from now?
(3 answers)Question #910 Sunday
What is your itinerary for a perfect Sunday?
(10 answers)Question #909 Mustache
Under what circumstances can you grow a mustache that is not ironic?
(7 answers)Question #908 Replacement
What is the best replacement you have made?
(6 answers)Question #907 Way too Cereal
What kind of sugar cereal did you want as a child but were never able to get because your parents wouldn’t buy it for you?
Bonus: When you finally grew up and bought it for yourself did it live up to your expectations?
(7 answers)Question #905 Futuristic
If you as a child could look into the future and see yourself in the present day, what part of your life would seem the most futuristic?
(17 answers)Question #904 Anachronistic
What aspects of yourself could be described as being anachronistic?
(9 answers)Question #903 Nuclear War & Women’s Suffrage
Which will happen first: the U.S. fires a nuclear missile at another nation, or women lose the right to vote in the U.S.? “Neither will ever ever happen” is an acceptable answer.
BONUS: Explain the future scenario in which you see your answer coming to be, including any factors that keep the alternative choice from happening first. If you answered “neither will ever happen,” explain why.
(6 answers)Question #902 Color Punishment
You’re convicted of a major property crime and have the bad luck to be brought before a colorful small-town judge who gives you the punishment of having to wear the same color every day for the rest of your life. What color do you choose to wear?
(9 answers)Question #901 The Human…
A new law is passed that every citizen must have a nickname. Your nickname will appear on all legal documents and will be used by everyone in your life to refer to you. If you run for office this nickname will appear between your first and last names on the ballot. If you are arrested, the nickname will be written on the mugshot along with your legal name. If you get married, your nickname will be used in the vows. Don’t blame me, I didn’t write the law.
You can choose your own nickname but it has to start with “The Human”. If you refuse to choose, you will be given a machine-generated random nickname. What nickname would you choose?
(13 answers)Question #900 Nine Hundred
What would you like 900 of?
(11 answers)Question #899 Funeral
Thinking about the motorcycle funeral video and about that Steelers fan has made me wonder a few things:
If you were to plan a funeral for yourself in the same style, what things would be in your little creepy diorama?
Bonus: How about for your parent(s)?
Bonus Bonus: How about for Phil and Jake?
(8 answers)Question #898 Stand-Up Comedian
Who is your favorite stand-up comedian?
BONUS: Who is your most-hated stand-up comedian?
(8 answers)Question #897 Days
How many days should be in a week? If you answered more than 7, what should the new days be called?
(10 answers)Question #896 Underwear
What underwear is best?
BONUS: What socks are best?
(11 answers)Question #895 Cleaned
What needs to be cleaned?
(10 answers)Question #894 May Day May Day
This relates to questions 892 and 893:
What are you going to do on the 1st of May this year?
I, myself, am going to wander around town in a cool “Polizei” jacket that I found at the flea market.
(14 answers)Question #893 Us
If not us, who?
BONUS: If not now, when?
(6 answers)Question #892 Fire
What should be set on fire?
(17 answers)Question #891 Non-human
What non-human fictional character is most like you?
(18 answers)Question #890 Money
How much money is enough?
(18 answers)Question #889 Instrument
If your son or daughter or transgendered child were going to pick up an instrument to play, which one would you hope would be the choice and why?
(13 answers)Question #888 What’s In a Date
Do you recognize today, April 20th, as Adolf Hitler’s birthday, L. Ron Hubbard Exhibition Day, Trenchcoat Mafia Day, Weed-Smoking Day, All of the above or None of the above?
(10 answers)Question #887 Moral Courage
What do you bravely take a stand against?
(27 answers)Question #886 Your first name
Who is the greatest person to share a first name with you?
BONUS: Who is the greatest person to share a last name with you?
(12 answers)Question #885 Attention
What always gets your attention no matter what?
(12 answers)Question #884 Holy Grail
What is your “holy grail”?
BONUS: Do you think you’ll ever get it?
(7 answers)Question #883 Your Problem
What’s your problem?
BONUS: What’s the big idea?
(5 answers)Question #882 Servant
Let’s say you were the servant of a rich family who lived in a mansion. What kind of servant would you want to be?
(10 answers)Question #881 Dentist
What are the differences between a good dentist and a bad dentist?
(7 answers)Question #880 Lies
When is it OK for you to lie?
When is it acceptable for someone to lie to you?
(6 answers)Question #879 B.O.
What do you use under your arm pits?*
*aside from like your legs, your stomach, your feet, your boy/girl bits, phil (if you haven’t met him, he is hella short), etc. I mean to control that nasty odor of yours.
(17 answers)Question #878 Redneck
What is the most dependable method for determining whether one’s self is a “redneck”?
(15 answers)Question #877 Apologizing
Are you the type of person who apologizes?
Bonus: Do you find it difficult to apologize?
(14 answers)Question #876 Young
When do you stop being ‘young’?
(21 answers)Question #875 Attention
What is the best way to get attention?
BONUS – What are some other ways?
(14 answers)Question #874 Humo[u]r
Is there any topic that is so serious, that it is not funny when jokes are made about it?
(35 answers)Question #873 Wal-Mart
What is your attitude towards Wal-Mart?
BONUS: How often do you shop there, and what do you get when you do?
(35 answers)Question #872 Generous
Who is the most generous person alive?
(19 answers)Question #871 Genre
What genre of music should exist, but doesn’t?
BONUS: What genre of film should exist, but doesn’t?
(12 answers)Question #870 Grilled cheese
What is your favorite grilled cheese sandwich? Describe it! Type of bread? Cheese? Grilled? Griddled? etc…. thanks!
(14 answers)Question #869 Decisions, Decisions, Decisions
In the 80′s, when I was a youth, there was a popular poster which featured a Lambo, a Porsche, and a Ferrari. The text on the poster was “Decisions, Decisions, Decisions.” The implication being that you were living the good life so hard that which luxury car to drive was the toughest type of tradeoff you had to make.
It was the sort of thing that, if you were trying to collect yourself after one too many rides on “The Zipper” at the fair, you could maybe win a version of printed on a mirror.* You know, for scums. I think it acted as kind of like a motivational poster for the “pube mustache” set. “One day I will be able to make this choice,” and cetera. You can see a fine specimen here of what I am talking about.
The question: If you were to have a version of this poster hand crafted to your own current wants and desires, what would you replace the Porsche, Ferrari and Lambo with?
*were you to do the impossible and shoot out the star with the bbgun or pitch that perfect dime onto that plate with the all-too-high rebound hardness values.
(11 answers)Question #868 Your 9/11 Story
What’s your “9/11 story”? That is, where/how/when did you first find out about the attacks on the World Trade Center, and what was your experience in the 24 hours after the first plane hit?
BONUS: How does the way you feel about it now differ from the way you felt in the immediate aftermath?
(11 answers)Question #867 Least Racist Person
Who is the least racist person alive?
BONUS: Who is the most racist person alive?
(25 answers)Question #866 March Madness
What causes are worth making a sign and marching for?
Bonus: Have you ever been involved in a march or a protest?
(question suggested by tiffany)
(9 answers)Question #865 Aids
Where do they get off calling a vibrator a ‘marital aid’?
(9 answers)Question #864 Stuff You Hate
What do you use all of the time that you hate using?
(21 answers)Question #863 The Death of the Last Human
What’s your estimation for how much longer the human race will last (in years/centuries/millennia)?
BONUS: Being as specific as possible, what do you think is most likely to take us out?
(11 answers)Question #862 Specialist Doctor
If you had to be a medical doctor, what kind of medicine would you practice?
BONUS: If you had to erase a branch of medicine entirely to the point that all their research never took place and no one even could remember that it ever existed, what would it be?
(12 answers)Question #861 Hot & Cold
Would you rather give up your refrigerator and freezer OR your stove, microwave and toaster?
(21 answers)Question #860 Clay
What do you think of claymation?
(15 answers)Question #859 Re-re-re-(and cetera)-read
I am reading Neuromancer by William Gibson right now, and it occurs to me that it is one of my “go-to” books that I have reread like upwards of 20 times or something. There are a few other ones on the list of comforting books that I have read over and over again.
Question: What is your list of books that you keep re-reading every once in a while?
(18 answers)Question #858 Bad Example
What piece of advice would you give to others, but rarely or never follow yourself?
(16 answers)Question #857 Give Up
What thing that you enjoy could you give up for a year?
BONUS: What thing that you don’t enjoy could you not give up for a year?
(16 answers)Question #856 Nightmares
What are your recurring nightmares?
(14 answers)Question #855 The Difference
What is the difference between a ‘thug’ and a ‘gangster’?
(13 answers)Question #854 Bargain
If you were offered something hugely big, like a majority stake in Microsoft, in exchange for never being able to see or talk to the one you love the most, would you take it?
(34 answers)Question #853 Best Animated Feature
What’s the best animated feature (i.e., big-screen cartoon) ever made?
BONUS: What’s the best TV cartoon ever made?
(17 answers)Question #852 Gross
What is the grossest food that you enjoy eating?
(27 answers)Question #851 Hiring Help
If you were to hire help, what are the things you would make them do to make your life easier?
(26 answers)Question #850 Relax
How do you relax?
(15 answers)Question #849 Drugs
What drugs* do you take on a daily basis? How much of each?
*legal, illegal, prescription and OTC.
(32 answers)Question #848 Passive-Aggressive
Who is the most passive-aggressive person you know (besides me)?
(15 answers)Question #847 Understanding
What don’t you understand?
BONUS: What do you understand?
(14 answers)Question #846 Just Desserts
Who doesn’t deserve their success?
BONUS: Who does?
(19 answers)Question #845 The Future
Are you optimistic about the next five years?
BONUS: Are you optimistic about the next 100 years?
(15 answers)Question #844 Disappointment
What do you do when people let you down?
(12 answers)Question #833 Size
Does size matter?
(16 answers)Question #832 Metal
What is the best metal?
(10 answers)Question #831 Packages
What is your reaction when you see a package waiting for you at your front door?
Bonus: What is usually in those packages?
(10 answers)Question #830 Rent or Own
Do you rent or own the place where you live?
BONUS: Is that the way you like it? Why?
(21 answers)Question #829 Werk
What aspect of your job do you like?
(13 answers)Question #828 Pit Bulls
Are all pit bulls dangerous?
(23 answers)Question #827 Luck
When was the last time you had especially good or bad luck?
(10 answers)Question #826 Hat
From now on you have to wear a hat. What hat do you wear? (please include links to hat pics)
(19 answers)Question #825 Zoo
Do you like the Zoo?
Bonus: Where is your favorite Zoo?
(13 answers)Question # 824 Internet Reality
Aside from the obvious amount, how real should you be when talking on the Internet?
(13 answers)Question #823 Vegas
What happens in Vegas?
(23 answers)Question #822 Obsolete
What obsolete technology do you miss the least?
What current technology will you miss the least once it’s been consigned to the dustbin of history?
(15 answers)Question #821 Pornography
What do you think are the origins of pornography?
(10 answers)Question #820 Meat Tube
What was the best sausage you have ever had?
(11 answers)Question #819 Filesharing/Sausage
What were the last 5 things you have torrented?*
Bonus: What is your ratio?
Extra special bonus points for describing the things you downloaded.
*or otherwise leeched off of the internet
If you don’t use any sort of filesharing you can answer this question: What is your favorite type of sausage?
(23 answers)Question #818 Piracy
Is digital “piracy” wrong?
BONUS: Is the unauthorized downloading of some copyrighted things more wrong than the unauthorized downloading of other copyrighted things?
(43 answers)Question #817 Jealousy
Who is most jealous of you?
(11 answers)Question #816 Farts
Are you the type to fart in private or in public?
Bonus: How often do you fart?
(19 answers)Question #815 Soup
What is your favorite soup/stew?
(18 answers)Question #814: Sexual
Aside from Storm Hooters (and battery powered vibrators) what is the most sexually charged thing you have seen recently?
(9 answers)Question #813 Beyoncé / Destiny’s Child
Do you prefer “Say My Name” or “Single Ladies”?
(“both”, “neither” or synonyms of those words are unacceptable answers)
(16 answers)Question #812 Buddy Cops
What two people should costar in an action movie?
(8 answers)Question #811 Who’s Hot?
Who’s hot?
(10 answers)Question #810 Peeing
Do you pee standing up?
(9 answers)Question #809 Justifying Our Existence
The alien hordes have finally come. Their commander brings you into the interrogation pod. His hand is hovering over the “All Humanity Into The Plastic Shredder” button on his console. Your job is to point out the things humanity has done that are positive and worthwhile.
What do you point out?
Bonus:
Same question but not humanity, just you in your life.
(6 answers)Question #808 Bad Acting
Is there an actor/actress who you can’t stand to watch?
(17 answers)Question #807 Alarm Clock
What kind of alarm clock is best to use?
(17 answers)Question #806 Movies of 2009
What was the best movie that you saw in 2009?
(7 answers)Question #805 Cartoon
Which cartoon character are you most similar to? (include links or pictures if possible)
(6 answers)Question #804 Broken
What, to date, has been your most pathetic broken new years resolution?
(8 answers)Question #803 Quote
What is your favorite quote?
BONUS: What’s the best thing you’ve ever heard said by someone you know personally?
(12 answers)Question #802 Orange Juice
What kind of orange juice do you prefer?
(16 answers)Question #801 New Years
What are your New Years’ Plans?
Bonus: In which city?
(14 answers)Question# 800 Neue Jahr
How is your 2010 going to be different than your 2009?
(10 answers)Question #799 Lost
What’s the most important object you’ve ever lost?
(14 answers)Question #798 Powder
Should men put powder on their stuff after they get out of the shower?
(9 answers)Question #797 Holiday Drink
What is your favorite holiday/winter drink?
Bonus: What ingredient must it have in it to make it authentic?
(2 answers)Question #796 Spiders
What would you do if you got a spider for Christmas?
(2 answers)Question #795 On Jersey and Its Shore
Dear friends,
Inspired by Bill Simmon’s podcast (12/17/09), I have started watching Jersey Shore. I think it keeps me connected with what you Americans are up to.
My question to you is: Which cast member would you most like to spend the day with?
If you haven’t watched an episode, you can read their bios here.
(6 answers)Question #794 Goats
Do you like goats?
If “yes”, what do you like about them? If “no”, what’s your problem with them?
BONUS: Got any good goat stories?
(26 answers)Question #793 Revisionist History
When you tell people about your personal history, what details do you leave out?
(8 answers)Question #792 Whitney or Mariah
Whitney or Mariah?
BONUS: Why?
(13 answers)Question #791 Girl Next Door
What are your thoughts on Elisha Cuthbert?
(15 answers)Question #790 Tantrum
What do you do when you lose your temper?
BONUS: What makes you lose your temper?
(11 answers)Question #789 Fourth Wave Ska
When will the “fourth wave” of ska arrive (or is it already here)?
BONUS: What cultural trend (music, fashion, attitude, etc) are you waiting on to come back around?
(22 answers)Question #788 Sound Effect
What’s your favorite sound effect?
BONUS: Are you sure you spelled it right?
(15 answers)Question #787 Holiday Spirit
Do you feel like you’re in the holiday spirit?
(12 answers)Question #786 99 Problems
What is your problem?
(12 answers)Question #785 I Miss Tommy
What would your reaction be if your SO cheated on you? Would there be any variables that would change things (he hooked up with another dude, she was under the influence of Ambien, &c.)
Bonus: How different do you think your actual reaction would be from what you wrote above?
(9 answers)Question #784 Favorite Vampire
Who is your favorite vampire?
If the same character has been depicted by multiple actors and/or in different media, feel free to get into specifics.
(21 answers)Questions #783 Movies
What movies have you not yet gotten around to seeing?
(11 answers)Question #782 Automobiles
What was your first car? What kind of car do you drive now? What is your dream car?
(18 answers)Question #781 Plastic Surgery
Would you ever get plastic surgery? Why? Why not?
(15 answers)Question #779 After the Revolution
The revolution was a success! After a long guerilla war, you’re installed as the new president for life. As the last of the old regime is rounded up and imprisoned, you ready yourself for the future. While waiting for the presidential suite (formerly the royal palace) to be cleaned by the staff, you realize the enormity of the task ahead of you, it all seemed so simple when you were in the guerilla camp. There’s a country to rebuild, a new constitution to write, an agricultural sector in bad shape. You can’t do everything yourself. Who do you recruit for your cabinet?
BONUS: What do you call your new country?
(4 answers)Question #778 Mythological
Who’s your favorite mythological character?
They may be make-believe, but for the purposes of this question monotheistic gods like the Yahweh, Allah, Zoroaster and the Christian God don’t count. Also, no Buddha.
(6 answers)Question #777 Great Thoughts
What would be a suitable thing to think so as to delay sexual climax, make yourself throw up or make yourself shudder?
(9 answers)Turkey (Alternative) Day
Alright I didn’t know what to post today because my post day coincided with a national holiday. I had what I thought was a funny video but my partner didn’t think so. So I’m going with a turkey day themed question:
To the veggies: What alternative to turkey do you enjoy?
Note: Not just veggies have to answer. I’m sure some of you have tasted veggie food that you thought was tasty.
(7 answers)Question #776 Sides
Besides the turkey, what is your favorite thanksgving food?
(9 answers)Question #775 Trad
In what way are you most old-timey and traditional?
(15 answers)Question #774 Higher Education
Did you go to college?
If “Yes”, what did you study and was it worth it? If “No”, do wish you had gone?
If you’re currently in college, what are you studying and do you think it’s going to be worth it? If you’re still in high school, do you plan to go to college (if so, what will you study)? If you’re in elementary school, go tell your parents to put a block on this website.
(12 answers)Question #773 Birds
Let’s say as part of a sentence a wacky judge sentenced you to live with a bird in your house for a year. What kind of bird would you choose to live with?
(17 answers)Question #772 Worst Songs
What is the worst song that you have ever heard?
(15 answers)Question #771 Toughest
Who is the toughest?
(7 answers)Question # 770 Parent food
What food cooked by your parents do you miss the most?
(10 answers)Question #769 “Holiday Tree”
There’s a hoax currently going around that involves the Obamas decorating the White House this season with a “Holiday Tree” (instead of calling it a “Christmas Tree”).
How would you feel about it if this were true? Would “Holiday Tree” be too politically correct? What’s your reaction when people try to de-Christ-ify and non-denominationalize Christmas?
(15 answers)Question #768 Replacements
Whose job could you do better than they do?
(8 answers)Question #767 Getting Out of Things
How do you get out of things that you don’t want to do?
(13 answers)Question #766 You Wish
What do you wish you didn’t like as much as you do?
BONUS: What’s up with airline food?
(15 answers)Question #765 Ghetto
What do you think the ghetto in heaven is like?
Bonus: How about the luxurious country estates in Hell?
(10 answers)Question #764 Sleeping Stories
What’s the strangest (and/or funniest) place you’ve ever fallen asleep?
(17 answers)Question #763 Hobology
Let’s say you are a hungry and exhausted hobo and you’ve just jumped a night train heading from Denver to Chicago. You’re able to get into a freight car. The car is mostly full of one thing and one thing only. What do you hope it’s filled with?
(10 answers)Question #762 McDonald’s
What is/was your favorite thing to order at McDonald’s?
(33 answers)Question #761 Sweat Pants
When is it appropriate to wear sweat pants?
BONUS: Other than the above, what personal dress code do you adhere to? (I almost said “rules for dressing” instead of “dress code” but I knew that Joe would answer “If it’s not ranch, send it back!”)
(58 answers)Question #760 Lit
Which character from litaratu litteratu books best defines you?
I, myself, am exactly like Raistlin. Jake, you don’t have to answer because I already know that you are Caramon.
(14 answers)Question #759 Sleep Aid
What do you do to help yourself fall asleep at night?
(15 answers)Question #758 Candy Corn
Do you think it’s appropriate to make candy corn that is shaped like pumpkins rather than abstracted corn kernels?
(22 answers)
Question #757 City You Live In
What do you like most and least about the city you live in?
(8 answers)Question #756 Doctor
Are you completely honest with your doctor about your lifestyle?
(i.e. drugs, booze, sexual history, ect…)
(15 answers)Question #755 Sexing
What do you think it feels like for the opposite sex* to engage in coitus?
*or the bottom if you are a top, or the top if you are a bottom. If you are a gay girl, then I don’t think there is a good way to frame this question so answer this one instead: If you were going to have a baby who would you want to donate the sperm?
(11 answers)Question #754 On the Wagon
How much money would you have to be paid to abstain from alcohol for an entire year (and to absolutely follow through with it), starting today?
N0t a single drop; no special-occasion exceptions.
(26 answers)Question #753 Toys
What was your favorite toy when you were little?
(10 answers)Question #752 Soundtrack
Let’s imagine that there is a biopic about your life. What songs would be on your soundtrack?
BONUS: What does the song represent?
(3 answers)Question #751 Guns don’t kill people
What do we do about guns in America?
(22 answers)Question #750 Conversion
So you have converted some of your free time/creativity into money. How do you convert that money into pleasure?
(16 answers)Question #749 “Don’t Snitch”
Snitch or Don’t Snitch?
(6 answers)Questions #748 Bathtime
What’s the best way to take a bath?
(11 answers)Question #747 Halloween
What will be you be for Halloween?
Bonus: What are your plans for Halloween?
(20 answers)Question #746 Sports Stadiums
Should local tax payers pay to build stadiums/arenas for their local sports teams?
(9 answers)Question #745 Animal attacked
When was the last time you were attacked by an animal?
(12 answers)Question #744 Columbus
What does Christopher Columbus represent to you?
BONUS: Do you see any point in celebrating Columbus Day, other than getting a day off?
(10 answers)Question #743 Animal Attack
Let’s say you had to be attacked by an animal, what animal would you prefer?
(8 answers)Question #743 Hair Removal
If you could permanently remove any hair on your body where would it be?
(6 answers)Question #742 Gambling
Do you gamble? If so, what is your game?
(12 answers)Question #741 Laughed
What was the last thing that made you laugh out loud?
BONUS: What was the last thing that made you laugh not-out-loud?
(15 answers)Question #740 Guns & Dolls
Does/will/would your kid get to play with toy guns? What about Barbie dolls?
(8 answers)Question #739 Smell
What would you like to smell like?
BONUS: What do you want people around you to smell like?
(20 answers)Question #738 Conspiracy Theory
What is your favorite conspiracy theory?
(29 answers)Question #737 Sandwich
What is the best sandwich you have ever had?
(15 answers)Question #736 Term Paper
Some recent facebooking has reminded me of the old format of term paper titles:
<paper_title> ::= <title>“:”<subtitle>
<title> ::= something_attention_getting
<subtitle> ::= descriptive_statement
For example: “You Threw My What Out the Window?!: An Economic Analysis of the Transaction Described by Pato Banton in the Song ‘Don’t Sniff Coke.’“
My question for you: If you could write any term paper you wanted, what would the title be?
Bonus: Give us a sample of the contents.
(8 answers)Question #735 – Drugs & Welfare
Should drug testing be required for welfare recipients?
(7 answers)Question #734 Happiest
What are you doing when you are happiest?
BONUS: What are you doing when you are unhappiest?
(4 answers)Question #733 Music/NASA
Let’s say you have to push one of two buttons.
One is marked “NASA”, if you push it, NASA will never have existed. The other button is marked “Music”, if you push it, all American popular music from 1958 (the year NASA was founded) until now will be erased. ”Rock around the clock” will still exist (1956), but “Yakety Yak” (1958) wouldn’t.
In both cases The astronauts, scientists and musicians would have still lived, but they would have done other things with their lives, so you aren’t killing anyone. Which button do you press?
BONUS: If the question is too easy for you to answer, how could it have been made more even?
(3 answers)Question #732 New shows
Are there any cool new TV shows that you have seen recently?
(8 answers)Question #731 Lebenswerk
I read on my new favorite blog: http://blogs.myspace.com/bloodonthedancefloor that Blood On The Dance Floor is the one with the stupider hair’s “life’s work”.
This made me think: What is your life’s work?
(5 answers)Question #730 H1N1 Flu
How concerned are you about the H1N1 (aka “swine”) flu?
BONUS: Do plan to get the vaccine when it’s released?
(18 answers)Question #729 Condiment
What is the best condiment?
BONUS: What is the worst condiment?
(28 answers)Question #728 Clones
Let’s say you worked for a lab that had a government charter to clone a human being. What living or dead person would you clone first, to prove to the world that cloning human beings was a good idea?
BONUS: What non human animal would you clone?
(6 answers)Question #727 lunch
What are you having (had) for lunch today?
(8 answers)Question #726 Xenofoods
What food do you crave when you venture out of your more comfortable environs?
(6 answers)Question #725 Your New Life on Mars
You’ve been selected at random to participate in a Mars settlement program. The catch is, it’s a one-way trip; resources and technology can’t support a return flight so you’ll live out the rest of your life as a Mars settler, though there’s a rare chance you may live long enough to see the day when resources do support a return flight (but that doesn’t mean you’d automatically get a seat on it).
The voyage to Mars takes 7 months.You’ll be in the first wave of 100 settlers: 90 trained specialists and 10 “average citizens” (you’re in the latter group) If your settlement is thriving after one year, the program will send wave two, (more…)
(16 answers)Question #724 Inattention
¿What do you never pay attention to?
(10 answers)Question #723 Attention
Who do you always pay attention to?
(4 answers)Question #722 Lyrics
What song lyrics confuse you? I don’t mean that you misheard the words, but where the meaning doesn’t make sense to you.
(27 answers)Question #721 Hair
Starting at age zero, what have been the main hairdos you have had over the years?
(8 answers)Question #620 Public Transit
Do you use public transit?
If Yes: How frequently, and are you happy with it?
If No: Why not?
BONUS: Describe the average public transit experience for you.
(11 answers)Question #619 The Villains
Who are the worst people?
(13 answers)Question #618 Interesting
What is something interesting/cool that you learned recently?
(2 answers)Question #617 Capital
So, I recently moved to Berlin. Its cool here, like a video. What I see a lot of while walking around are posters that say “Make Capitalism History”.
What do you think happens after you do that?
(7 answers)Question #616 Pet Tricks
What amazing thing does your pet do?
If you don’t have a pet, what’s the most amazing thing you’ve ever seen a domesticated animal do?
(9 answers)Question #615 Stuck
What song gets stuck in your head, whether you like it or not?
(12 answers)Question #614 Spring Cleaning
When was the last time you went on a very serious purge of useless junk in your life/home?
You know, cleaning out your closets, having a giant yard sale, throwing away crap, selling on craigslist or ebay, etc. To what extent was the purge, ie how spare did you allow your home and surroundings to get? How did it make you feel?
Bonus: has anyone gone full on Sidhartha and gone without anything except the bare essentials, ie food, water, clothes and a roof above their head? For how long?
(14 answers)Question #613 Double feature
You get a new job as the manager of a movie theatre and they ask you to choose two movies for a double feature. What two do you choose?
(20 answers)Question #612 Eroticum
What is the least sexual thing that could conceivably replace your pornography of choice?
(10 answers)Question #611 Tobacco Stock
I’ve debated this one extensively with some of my friends; now I pose it to you guys (my real friends):
Is it unethical to profit from having stock in tobacco companies?
(9 answers)Question #610 Chivalry
Is chivalry dead?
BONUS: What level of chivalry is acceptable?
(question suggested by jon)
(17 answers)Question #609 Breaking
What have you broken over your head?
BONUS: What have you broken in half?
(9 answers)Question #608 Cleaning
Do you like to clean your house (apt, etc.)?
(9 answers)Question #607 Store Name
Here in San Francisco we have “Beadissimo”, “Off the beadin’ path” and “Forbeadin”. Imagining you are opening up a beading, yarn, or sewing supply store, what would you name it?
(19 answers)Question #606 Scalping
Is it morally deplorable to scalp* tickets? If not, is it at least unsavory?
*I’m talking more about selling tickets on the secondary market, not so much buying them.
(23 answers)Question #605 Cook
What can you cook?
(14 answers)Question #604 Skills
What do you wish you had learned to do?
(9 answers)Question #603 Day off
What is your favorite thing to do with an unexpected day off (or just playing hooky)?
(8 answers)Question #602 Precious Money
What is the stupidest thing you have spent money on? Was it worth it?
Bonus points for larger quantity of money/stupidness.
(8 answers)Question #601 Life-Phases
What would you call the current phase of your life?
BONUS: When did the current phase start, and when do you think it’ll end? What would you call the previous phase, and what are you expecting in the next phase?
(6 answers)Question #600 “That’s not funny”
What is too serious to be joked about? Why?
(5 answers)Question #599 End
What will be the downfall of our society? (If you’re reading this in the far future, you don’t have to answer this because you already know it as a historical fact)
BONUS: What will cause the extinction of the human race?
(29 answers)Question #598 Maps
What are some cool maps?
Link?
(9 answers)Question #597 – Relation Ship
What is the worst thing you have done to your [girlfriend|boyfriend|husband|wife]?
(26 answers)Question #596 – Your Fitness
How physically fit are you, and is this something you really care about?
BONUS: How often do you exercise, and what type of exercise do you do?
(8 answers)Question #595 1 to the 2
When is 2 better than one?
BONUS: When is 3 better than 2?
(11 answers)Question #594 Summer
Summer is about halfway over. On a scale of 1-10 with 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest, how has this summer rated in comparison to other summers?
Bonus: What is the most exciting thing that has happened this summer? Are there anything else that you plan on accomplishing before the summer is over?
(3 answers)Quesion #593 THICK or thin?
Do yout prefer thick, thin or deep-dish pizza?
Toppings?
Where from?
Why?
Question #592 Sides
Are you on the side of chaos or order?
(8 answers)Question #591 Uncompromising
When do you– personally– stop compromising?
(This question is purposefully open-ended, but intended mainly to be about beliefs, tenets, philosophies, principles, stances, world-views, etc. Examples encouraged.)
(16 answers)Question #590 Mascot
Veryserious.org needs an animated mascot. What should it be?
(30 answers)Question #589 Cake
What is your favorite kind of cake?
Bonus: How do you eat your cake? Fork, spoon, spork or hands?
(7 answers)Question #588 Kid stuff
How old are you? Have you read the Harry Potter books? Twilight?
Do you think you are too old for these books?
(13 answers)Question #587 Hair-Do
What is your favorite era for your hair?
For bonus points add a picture of when it was at its coolest.
(3 answers)Question #586 Parents
How close are you with your parents?
If possible, provide examples that typify your relationship with them.
(5 answers)Question #585 Number
What is your favorite number?
(12 answers)Question #584 Boredom
What are some of the things you do when you are bored?
(4 answers)Question #583 Choose your own adventure
Say you were there to witness this situation:
SFist.com: Teens brazenly rob man on MUNI bus
What would you do?
(12 answers)Question #582 Bars, Candy
What is an example of a good candy bar?
Please be as descriptive as possible. Bonus points for thinking outside the box.
(10 answers)Question #581 Hypocrite
They say “everyone’s a hypocrite,” and I think They’re probably right. For example, I’m a hypocrite because the reasons I have for being vegetarian should by extension make me vegan (which I’m not).
QUESTION: Why are you a hypocrite?
BONUS: For the answer(s) given, do you think you’ll ever rectify that hypocrisy?
(9 answers)Question #580 Extinction
If you had to make one species of animal (excluding parasites and insects) extinct, which would you choose?
(14 answers)Question #579 Funeral
For future reference, what rules would you like to put in place for your funeral?
(8 answers)Question #578 Pot
Should marijuana be legalized?
(14 answers)Question #577 Barfly
Even though I really want to I always feel really awkward reading books while I am in a bar which sucks because it seems so perfect. I usually just like scope twitter or some shit on my phone which seems mildly less attention getting but is kind of lame.
At any rate, my question is: What is appropriate behavior while drinking alone in a bar?
(12 answers)Question #577 Seriously
What’s the point?
(4 answers)Question #576 Forever Ever
What are you never, ever going to do again?
BONUS: When was the last time you did it?
(3 answers)Question #575 USA
What is your favorite thing about America?
(13 answers)Question #574 Search Terms
What combination of two words will bring the most visitors to veryserious.org through google search?
NOTE: Many people come to this website because they searched for this or that. Answer this question with words in quotes, like “bolo ties” or “mustard fetish” or what have you.
Bear in mind that if your answer is “dirty sluts”, “undisciplined whores” or “spiritual enlightenment”, your chances of getting on the first few pages on google are very low since there are so many pages that offer those things. You have to thread the needle and figure out what some, but not all, people are looking for and not finding elsewhere. Some time next month we’ll check to see which answer did best and whoever gave that answer will be declared champion.
(40 answers)Question #573 Happy Hour
Do you have a regular happy hour spot?
If so: Where? When? What’s it like?
If not: What do you do instead?
(10 answers)Question #572 Back
What’s holding you back?
BONUS: What’s holding you together?
EXTRA BONUS: What’s holding you up?
Question #571 Infomercials
What is your favorite infomercial?
BONUS: What is your favorite product from an infomercial? What infomercial products have you used? Were you satisfied or disappointed with these products?
(9 answers)Question #570 Ties that bind
Who do you look to for life advice and opinions? Friends or family?
(5 answers)Question #569 Government Strike
I was listening this morning to them talking about the BART (the bay area subway system) strikes. It made me think:
How do you feel about public employees going on strike?
(4 answers)Question #568 A-Holes
What geographical location is the “Asshole of the World”?
BONUS: How about “of America”, “of your state” and “of your county”?
(5 answers)Question #567 Legacy
When I was a kid, my sister and I went to get fitted for new shoes and the man at the shoe store used a machine called the Brannock Device, (invented by Charles Brannock) on us to measure our feet. Recently I found out that leotards (search engines please note, I’m talking specifically about skin-tight leotards) are named for their inventor Jules Léotard, a French acrobat. Léotard was very famous in his time, and Brannock probably had friends and family, but now their names are associated with objects.
A hundred and thirty years in the future, after everyone you know is gone, what do you want named after you?
(5 answers)Question #566 Grown Up
How old were you when you really felt like an adult? What was it that made you feel grown up?
(14 answers)Question #565 Lunch
What is for lunch today? Please be as specific as possible.
(14 answers)Question #564 Sundays in the park
Pretend you are a white. Pretend you are a middle aged.
What do you name your famous-in-some-circles blues band, cajun zydeco band, or jazz troupe?
[EDIT: Need inspiration? Look here: ]
(10 answers)Question #563 Moving
How many times during your life have you changed your place of residence?
Feel free to give as many details as you want.
(16 answers)Question #562 Baby Hitler
While travelling through time you find yourself face-to-face with baby Hitler and get the drop on him. Do you kill him?
BONUS: What about teenage Hitler? Angry young man in Munich Hitler? Post Beer Hall Putsch when he is in jail? What is your criteria for deciding who to kill while time-travelling?
(18 answers)Question #561 Newsweek
Let’s say you are the editor of a weekly newsmagazine and like all magazines your circulation is dropping. What do you put on the cover this week to get people to pick it up?
(12 answers)Question #560 Summer Vacation
Going on a Summer vacation this year? Where? With who?
If not, what was the best one you ever took?
(13 answers)Question #559 Coffee
How do you take your coffee?*
If you don’t drink coffee: How do you justify your sluggishness to your employer?
If you also don’t work: Must be nice.
*feel free to answer “with my hands” “in a coffee carrier” etc. I certainly do that to you enough that I wouldn’t have a leg to stand on in the complaint court. Literally.
[Edit: I don't deserve to live]
(22 answers)Question #558 – Notorious
What people, places and/or events is your town unfavorably (or scandalously) notorious for?
For example: Jeffrey Dahmer gave notoriety to Milwaukee, Laramie is notorious for the murder of Matthew Shepard, etc.
(12 answers)Question #557 Don’t Ask Don’t Tell
What failings, shortcomings or flaws should you point out in your friends?
BONUS: What failings, shortcomings or flaws should you point out in yourself?
(7 answers)Question #556 NBA Finals 2009
Who do you think will win the NBA Finals this year? Who do you want to win?
(5 answers)Question #555 Real
Do you keep it real? Explain.
(10 answers)Question #554 Meetings
What do you do to distract yourself during long meetings?
If you don’t have long meetings for your job: How do you distract yourself during long trips to the toilet?
(11 answers)Question #553 Your Favorite Artist
Who’s your favorite (non-musical) artist, and what makes them so great?
BONUS: Are there any artists (or styles of art) that you hate?
You’re encouraged to post links to examples.
(5 answers)Question #552 Missing
I miss the leather Rod Lavers, what do you miss? What do you wish was still around?
(6 answers)Question #551 Is this racist?
“I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn’t lived that life.”
Do you agree with Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor’s comment? Do you think this is racist?
(17 answers)Question #550 Moving
If you were forced to move from your geographic region, where would you move?
(19 answers)Question #549 Creationism
What was the last physical thing you made yourself?
(13 answers)Question #548 Your Favorite Hiding Spot
When you were a child, where was your favorite hiding spot?
BONUS: How about as a teenager?
(8 answers)Question #547 Late Spring/Summer Movies 2009
What movies are you looking foward to this late spring/summer?
Which ones have you seen so far? Would you recommend?
(5 answers)Question #546 Kids
How many kids do you plan on having?
(14 answers)Question #545 UN-der-RA-ted
Sorry if this has been asked before (all I could find was question #30 Fairly rated) but here is my question:
What things in life are underrated?
(12 answers)Question #544 Supernatural
Have you ever witnessed a supernatural phenomenon?
If so, tell us about it. If not, tell us a supernatural story you’ve heard from someone else.
BONUS: If you haven’t already, answer this question from the Very Serious archives.
(10 answers)Question #543 Good Signs
What are some recent reasons for optimism?
(7 answers)Question #542 Arnold Schwarzenegger
What your favorite Arnold Schwarzenegger movie?
BONUS: What’s your least favorite?
(8 answers)Question #541 Bike to work
Today is bike to work day in SF. Do you have a bike?
BONUS: What kind of bike is it?
EXTRA BONUS: Like it?
EXTRA LASER BONUS: Did you ride your bike to work today?
Question #540 Wrong
Oh, I’m sorry, what’s wrong?
(13 answers)Question #539 Worst Place
What’s the worst place you’ve ever been to?
(17 answers)Question #538 Balls
What do you think about balls?
BONUS: What are the best kind of balls?
(10 answers)Question #537 Mother’s Day
What are you doing for Mother’s Day this year? Did you get a Mother’s Day present for your mom?
(7 answers)Question #536 Tom Cruise
What is your favorite movie that Tom Cruise appears in?
(17 answers)Question #535 Mornings
What is your morning routine?
Bonus: How is it different on weekends?
(17 answers)Question #534 Marital Status
Are you married?
If “No”: Have you ever been married? Do you plan on getting married someday?
If “Yes”: Details, please (especially of the wedding night).
(11 answers)Question #533 Food
What is the most recent thing that you regret eating?
BONUS: What is the most recent thing you ate that you are totally happy with having eaten?
(13 answers)Question #546 Neighbor hood icon
Is there one icon, store, marque or person that really defines the neighborhood that you live in? Tell me about it.
(1 answer)Question #532 Wrong
What was the last thing you were wrong about?
(4 answers)Question #531 Best Rapper Alive
Who is he? (she?) Why?
Feel free to link examples of their finest work.
(13 answers)Question #530 Adulthood
When and how did you become an adult?
If you don’t consider yourself an adult, then you can answer the alternate question = What is your favorite cocktail?
(14 answers)Question #529 – From
When a stranger asks you “Where are you from?” what answer do you give?
FURTHER DISCUSSION: To what degree are you “from” the place where you currently live? How about the place where you were born? Can one be “from” more than one place?
(21 answers)Question #528 the Living Monolith
Let’s say that the federal government passes a law that certain people, because of their contributions to American society, will be considered living monuments. They’ll no longer have to pay taxes of any kind, don’t need licenses for anything and in fact can commit all but the most serious of crimes without fear of punishment. You, the junior Senator from your state, are chosen to head the committee that will choose the first living monuments. Who do you endorse?
(9 answers)Question #527 Job for a day
If you could try any job or occupation for one day, what would it be?
(7 answers)Question #526 Fear
When was the last time that you conquered a fear? Tell me the details!?
Bonus: Anything that still scares you?
(11 answers)Question #525 – Snapple
When was the last time you drank a Snapple? If you can, describe the experience.
(8 answers)Question #524 – Bad Advice
What’s the worst piece of advice you’ve ever gotten?
BONUS: What’s the worst piece of advice you’ve ever given?
(7 answers)Question #523 Snakes
When was the last time you saw a snake? If you have never seen a snake in person, when was the last time you saw a snake in a movie or in a photograph?
(15 answers)Question #522 Online Dating
Online dating seems to be very common nowadays. What are your feelings about online dating?
(16 answers)Question #521 Sleep
What is the longest you have gone without sleeping? Is it a good/cool/bad story?
(9 answers)Question #520 – Meats
The other day I was listening to an old radiolab podcast. It was this one about zoos.
In it a woman was talking about how in some rural places people are used to the real life/death that happens in order for us to get meat for dinner. In the US, she continued, we are normally pretty distanced from it when we buy meat from the meat counter. The thing that got me thinking though was that she then said something like:
“However, studies have shown that a more peaceful society exists when people have enough compassion for animals to be disturbed when they see them killed.”
Even if they ate meat was the implication.
One (among many) of the reasons I like Anthony Bourdain is because he exhibits, without apology, this hypocrisy: For all his talk about hating vegetarians etc. when he is confronted with having to chose the baby camel he is going to have slaughtered to eat, for example, he can’t do it. He still eats a baby camel, but has to get one already killed and frozen.
So my question is: Is society better off having a layer of abstraction between its food and living animals, or should we have to see the animals we consume be killed?
[Edit: In an attempt to curb any more illicit editing of my post I am removing any taunts directed toward our Oberwebseitemeister]
(7 answers)Question #519 – Elvis
He was a hero to most, but did he ever mean shit to you?
(16 answers)Question #518 Miracles
I’m not a religious person, but after Easter I was curious. Let’s say that someone turned ten gallons of water into ten gallons of wine (I think this would be as much as two Alhambra water coolers) and also walked on water (Let’s say across a 1/2 mile wide body of water). Which of these two things would be a bigger deal if you saw them happen?
(14 answers)Question #517 Terms
What combination of two words will bring the most people to this website as a search term?
(it works like this: people search for terms like “baby pants” or “male upskirts”. “Hannah Montana” or “Viagra sex” won’t work because there are a million websites that contain those. The most popular search terms in the history of veryserious.org are “barbershop chart” and “kate gosselin”. This is a special question because the results can actually be measured cause I can see how many people came here because of which term.)
(7 answers)Question #516 Awesome
What awesome thing will you do today?
(If you were not planning on doing something awesome, please do… and post here!)
(12 answers)Question #515 – Dangerous Ideas
Do you have any ideas about society or the world that don’t mesh well with the groupthink of your peers? What are they?
[Edited to ask second question "thanks" Beth]
(18 answers)Question #514 – Neighbors
Have you ever been to Canada or Mexico? If so, where did you go? If not, what are you waiting for?
(14 answers)Question #513 Disappointment
What was the last thing that disappointed you?
BONUS: What are some things that have disappointed you throughout your life?
(8 answers)Question #512 Shoes
How many pairs of shoes do you own? What are you favorite shoes to wear? Do you have a spending limit for shoes?
(19 answers)Question #511 Shameless
What is the lamest action that you have taken to get laid?
(9 answers)Question #510 Hobbies
What hobbies that you don’t have do you wish you had?
(13 answers)Question #509 – Your Brand
What brand name are you most loyal to?
(13 answers)Question #508 half-stepping/compromise
This questions was suggested by Devin:
How can you explain the existence of soft-core pornography?
BONUS: In what circumstances is the soft-core version of something preferable to the hard-core? Exercise? Moderation itself? Physics?
(8 answers)Question #507 Guilty Pleasures
What are your guilty pleasures?
(8 answers)Question #506 Budget
What is your weekly budget? For expendables like food, booze, cabs, muni etc.
(7 answers)Question #505 Books, Covers
Aside from harem pants, what item of clothing most casts the wearer in a negative light for you?
If you can, try to describe what it makes you think about the person.
If you are one of those people who pretends that they don’t judge anyone by the clothes they wear then you can answer this replacement question: At what point in the future are you going to start having some self-awareness?
(16 answers)Question #504 – So Bad It’s Still Bad
Is there anything that other people seem to enjoy because of its campiness, but you just can’t bring yourself to like?
(14 answers)Question #503 Compromise
What compromises have you made?
BONUS: What compromises would you never make?
(9 answers)Question #502 Spring
Happy Spring everyone!
What are the things you love about Spring? What’s big for Spring?
(8 answers)Question #501 Dogs
What kind of dog would you get?
Bonus: Link to photos!
(23 answers)Question #500 WOOOOOOOOooooooo!
What Phil give us for celebrate question #500?
(14 answers)Question #499 – Spoiler Alert!
When it comes to film & TV, are you one of those people who doesn’t want to hear anything about a movie/series before you’ve seen it? How serious do you take this?
BONUSES: What do you think is the reasonable degree of concern on this issue? Can these things really be “spoiled”? Is there a statute of limitations on the matter?
(12 answers)Question #498 the next big thing
What is the next big thing?
(13 answers)Question #497 Circumcision
If you were having a baby boy, would you have him circumcised?
(27 answers)Question #496 Status
How are you doing today? Looking good? Feeling good?
(11 answers)Question #495 The Transition
I realize that we are all real cool people comfortable in our own skin and all that sort of garbage, but please do your best to be honest when answering this question.
At what point in your life did you stop trying to be ”old school” and start trying to be “current”?
[EDIT: My answer was about music and programming (the two areas that this applied most to) yours, of course, doesn't have to be.]
(7 answers)Question #494 – What Have You Been Waiting For?
In my review this week, I claim that I’ve been waiting twenty years for the Watchmen movie to come out.
What creative work (including adaptations) have you waited over a decade to see/hear/read?
(9 answers)Question #493 What you were thinking
What were you thinking about 1 minute ago?
(13 answers)Question #492 Baby Names part 2
Since Beth requested to talk about something else, I have a different question. I am expecting a baby in September. Still don’t know if it’s a boy or girl. What are some good names? Not to be racist, but the baby will be Colombian and Filipino. So we’re looking for some non-Anglo names.
(17 answers)Question #491 Gender Roles
Do gender roles still exist? Have your thoughts changed on this through the course of your life?
(4 answers)Question #490 Govmnt
What kind of government governs best? What do you feel its role in your life should be?
(6 answers)Question #489 – Your Economic Crisis Report
How has the current economic crisis affected your everyday life so far?
BONUS: Do you think it’s gonna get worse (for you personally) before it gets better?
(14 answers)Question #488 – Hostess
You must eat a Hostess product right now, you can’t refuse to eat it. Which one do you choose and why?
(16 answers)Question #487 Spice Girls
Which Spice Girl do you want to impregnate? (and no fair saying “none” or “all”. If you are a woman, same question, but the fertilization would happen through some sort of chromosomal splicing that would guarantee a healthy baby)
(22 answers)Question #486 Whips
What is your main mode of transportation?
(13 answers)Question #485 – High School Beliefs
What is one thing that you believed in high school that you now dissagree with?
Bonus: What about one that you feel still holds true?
(12 answers)Question #484 – Movies vs. Sports
If you had to choose between erasing either the film industry or the professional sports industry from the face of the Earth, which would you do away with (and why)?
(36 answers)Question #483 Waking up
What would be the best possible situation in which to wake up?
BONUS: What would be the worst?
(9 answers)Question #482 Game Shows
What is your favorite game show and why?
If you could invent and host your own game show, what would it be? What kind of prizes would be won?
(5 answers)Question #481 E-class
How do you save money on the ‘little stuff’?
(8 answers)Question #480 – Fashion
How do you feel about current fashion trends?
Bonus: how do they effect how you dress?
(18 answers)Question #479 – Earliest Memory
What’s your earliest memory?
(17 answers)Question #478 Valentine’s Day
What are you doing for Valentine’s Day?
(18 answers)Question #477 final food.
What do you want for your last meal?
(11 answers)Question #476 Your looks
Who have people said you look like?
BONUS: Who do you think you look like?
(17 answers)Question #475 – Your “Bible”
What book has had the most influence on your life?
(13 answers)Question #474 Missing
What do you miss from the past?
(17 answers)Question #473 Teaching Your Kids
What are some of the things that you will teach your child/children about the world and life in general? What are some of the things that you learned from your own parents? Of the things that you learned from your parents, what will you pass on?
(8 answers)Question #472 Hip
What is the definition of a hipster?
Someone said that we need to start calling hipsters ‘cool kids’. What do you think of that?
(21 answers)Question #471 Inspiration
Have you heard anything recently that inspired you or that you particularly took to heart?
(7 answers)Question #470 Stereotypes
Where do you stand with regards to the “Stereotypes Can Be Useful” vs. “Stereotypes Are Destructive” argument?
BONUS: Do think your stance is reflected in your actions?
(4 answers)Question #469 Dream Job
What would be your dream job?
(13 answers)Question #468 Dumps in Public
How do you go about taking a dump in a public restroom? Do you flush as you drop your load? Do you wait until the restroom is empty to bust out? Do you attempt at pooping quietly? Or do you just let loose just as you would in the comfort of your toilet at home?
(3 answers)Question #467 Your Life
Could you define your life in three sentances? Will you please?
(9 answers)Question #466 Most Serious Debate In History
Across the annals of time one debate has raged on with no clear answer. It is up to us to figure out the REAL TRUTH.
In a space battle who would win: An Imperial Star Destroyer or the USS Enterprise?
BONUS: Would Macgyver be able to defeat a Terminator?
(5 answers)Question #465 Best Movie of 2008
In your opinion, what was the best movie of 2008?
BONUS: How about the other standard categories (best actor/actress, supporting actor/actress, animated film, etc.)?
(8 answers)Question #464 Looking Forward
What are you looking forward to?
(8 answers)Question #463 Beach Dreams
The weather has taken a turn for the crappy. Now all I can do is fantasize about laying on the beach. If you could lay out on any beach, which one would it be?
(8 answers)Question #462 Good for you
What is the best thing you have ever done for yourself?
(8 answers)Question #461 A Few Weeks Later
So, now that we are a few weeks out, how are those New Year’s resolutions working for you?
(6 answers)Question #460 Inauguration Nation
Today is Inauguration Day. Barack Obama will be sworn in as the forty-fourth President of the United States of America.
How will your day today differ from an average Tuesday?
(4 answers)Question #459 Improvement
What one thing needs to change in this country?
BONUS: What one thing needs to change in your life?
(3 answers)Question #458 7 Minutes
You’re in an airplane and you know you’re going down. You’re at 30,000 feet and dropping rapidly. You have 7 more minutes to live. What do you do?
(7 answers)Question #457 Story
What is your story?
(3 answers)Question #456 Employment
How did you find your current line of work?
Bonus: How long have you been at it?
Me at work ~10 years ago. Looks about the same today.
Question #455 We Are Living in a Material World…
On a scale of 1 to 10*, how materialistic are you?
*1 being equivalent to a Buddhist monk & 10 being Madonna in “Material Girl“.
(26 answers)Question #454 Group Names
If you were going to form a street gang, what would you call it?
BONUS – If you were going to form a super-hero team, what would you call it?
EXTRA BONUS – If you were going to start a professional sports franchise, what would you name it?
Question #453 Tom Cruise
I think I would like to watch a Tom Cruise movie this weekend. Which one should I watch? What is your favorite Tom Cruise movie and why?
(8 answers)Question #452 Lingo
What is your least favorite slang word?
(9 answers)Question #451 Gay
When did you first realize that you were gay?
(3 answers)Question #450 Getting Here
What led you to veryserious.org?
(13 answers)Question #449 Your Money or Your Life
Would you agree to have your life shortened by one year in exchange for $100,000 paid today?
BONUS QUESTION: Would you shorten your life by ten years for $1 million?
(4 answers)Question #448 Super Bowl
Who will win the Super Bowl this year? What will the best commercial be?
(6 answers)Question #447 Tonight
So what are you doing tonight anyway?
(6 answers)Question #446 Old New Year’ses
Do you remember where you were at the stroke of midnight last New Year’s? What about the year before it, and the one before that?
(4 answers)Question #445 Fists
I may have asked this question a long time ago, but now, at the end of the year, it bears further discussion:
Do your fists have nicknames? What are they called?
(6 answers)Question #445 The Bible
What is the most hilarious verse in the christian bible?
(10 answers)Question #444 Job Security
How sure are you that you’re not going to lose your job in the next six months?
(10 answers)Question #443 Movie Fights
What is the best fight scene you have seen in a movie? (youtube links are encouraged)
BONUS: What is the worst?
(5 answers)Questions #442 Sexual Disbelief
What is a sexual practice that, when you first heard about it, you couldn’t believe was real?
(11 answers)Question #441 Stocks
What stocks are a good buying opportunity today?
(2 answers)Question #440 Sex mores
Which is morally more objectionable:
Doing sex with a prostitute who you pay or doing sex with somebody you don’t care about very much?
(3 answers)Question #439 Hard Times
What’s your favorite work of art (any medium) concerning times of economic hardship?
Examples: The subject of today’s Very Serious Video, Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath, etc.
(3 answers)Question #438 Baby Name
My sister is going to have another son and the baby needs a name. Her name is Alexa and the father of the boys is named A.J. The kid’s older brother is already named Anton. I think she is looking for a child’s name that will start with an “A” so that new kid won’t feel left out. This could be a problem if, for example, they distribute food alphabetically.
What should my sister name her new son?
(17 answers)Question #437 Job Loss
What would you do if you lost your job today? What if you couldn’t get one for another year? (Living off your trust fund is not a valid answer)
(10 answers)Question #436 Blog of the year?
What are some of the best blogs that have come out this year or that you discovered this year? Link them please.
(4 answers)Question #435 Scapegoat
If you were in charge of your own facist junta, who would you use as a scapegoat for all of societies ills?
Bonus points if the common person would realistically buy in.
Bonus question: What would you name your political party?
(4 answers)Question #434 Morning News
How do you get your first dose of news every day?
(8 answers)Question #433 Schadenfreude
When was the last time you took joy in someone else’s misfortune?
(8 answers)Question #432 Qualities
What are some of the qualities that you look for in a romantic companion? Are there similarities in the people that you date?
(3 answers)Question #431 Romance
What is the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for you? What is the most romantic thing you have done for someone else?
(10 answers)Question #430 Cellular
What sorts of things factor in to your cell phone purchase?
Bonus: If money were no object* what phone would you have?
* which would be weird because if money weren’t an object what would it be?
(10 answers)Question #429 Mumbai in Your City
Imagine ten men in their early twenties develop a plan to wreak havoc in the city/town where you live. From their starting point, they split into four groups (of two or three people each), travelling by taxi. Their area of operations is less than five square miles.
The first group plans to shoot up a train station. The second will shoot up a cafe and then a private residence. The third and fourth take over two of the most upscale hotels in town.
How do you think this would play out in your city/town? In what ways would it be different from– or similar to– how things played out in Mumbai?
(14 answers)Question #428 Optimism
How optimistic are you about your future? Your country’s future? The world’s future?
(4 answers)Question #427 Holiday Tradition
What is your favorite tradition of the holiday season?
(3 answers)Question #426 Thanks
What are you going to eat tomorrow?
Bonus: How much of it is food from the ‘new world’?
(4 answers)Question #425 Video Games
What’s your all-time favorite video game?
(13 answers)Question #424 Punched
When was the last time you were hit by someone?
BONUS: When was the last time you hit someone?
(4 answers)Question #423 Lies
What was the last lie you told? Did you feel bad? How often do you tell a lie that you will actually admit to?
(5 answers)Question #422 Sick
What do you do when you are sick?
BONUS: What do you do to keep from getting sick?
(7 answers)Question #421 Reproduction
What are/were prerequisites for you to make some babies happen?
(8 answers)Question #420 Four-Twenty
When was the first time you smoked marijuana? If you’ve never smoked it, when are you going to start?
(15 answers)Question #419 Time
What would you do more, if you had more time?
(7 answers)Question #418 Personal Grooming
What services do you use for personal grooming? How often? Do you spend a lot of money on these services?
(12 answers)Question #417 Local Band
Who is your favorite local band where you live? Link if you can.
(3 answers)Question #416 Religion,Death
Has the death of a loved one ever changed your religious beliefs?
Bonus: If you are atheist has this strained your world view at least temporarily? How?
(8 answers)Question #415 Everyone Else
If you could ask one question to the rest of the world (i.e., non-U.S.) at this moment in time, what would it be?
(3 answers)Question #414 Clothing
If your gender was switched, how would you dress?
(9 answers)Question #413 Miami Vice
Crockett or Tubbs?
Bonus: What is your favorite Miami Vice episode?
(3 answers)Question #412 Stay strong and carry on
What are your favorite motivational sayings?
(17 answers)Question #411 Change, Hope
What do you think Obama will Change that will æffect you?
Bonus: What do you Hope happens?
(8 answers)Question #410 Election Day
What does your itinerary for the day look like?
If you’re answering this after November 4th, 2008: What was your itinerary like for election day 2008?
(9 answers)Question #409 New
What was the last new thing you tried?
(11 answers)Question #408 Holiday Season 2008
What are your plans for the Holidays this year? Are you looking forward to the Holidays?
For Christmas, given the economic state, will you be buying gifts for your loved ones?
(6 answers)Question #407 Halloween
Do you like Halloween?
(6 answers)Question #406 Econ 102
How has the current economic situation affected your understanding of world economics?
(3 answers)Question #405 People Where You Live
Continuing with the “where you live” theme…
What single feature best defines (and distinguishes) people in the town or city where you live?
(7 answers)Question #404 the Problem
What is the biggest problem with the city or town where you live?
(8 answers)Question #403 Where to Live
If you could live anywhere, were would it be?
This may have been asked already. If so, I apologize and will post another question.
(7 answers)Question #402 Moving forward
From this day on, what change are you going to make to your life? The world?
(5 answers)Question #401 Light Beer
What most influences your light beer choice? Drinkability? More taste? Having 64 calories? Some weird thing?
[Ed: I forgot to namecheck "Also being a Corona" which I only remembered when I went to answer the question.]
(9 answers)Question #400 Feminism
Would you call yourself a feminist?
If not, why not?
If so, what does that say about you?
(8 answers)Question #399 Regrets
What´s the last thing that you´ve regretted doing?
BONUS What´s the last thing that you´ve regretted not doing?
(5 answers)Question #398 Lunch
What are/did you have for lunch? What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch?
(10 answers)Question #397 Vacation
Tell me about the best vacation you ever went on? Who was there? Where was it? What did you do?
(4 answers)Question #396 Case Scenerio
What are you going to do when McCain wins the US election?
(7 answers)Question #395 Health Care
To what degree is health care a communal responsibility versus an individual responsibility?
(7 answers)Question #394 Said
What’s the last thing you regretted saying?
BONUS: What’s the last thing you regretted not saying?
(4 answers)Question #393 World Series
Who will win the World Series?
(3 answers)Question #392 Happy
What are you really happy about this year? Please save the snark and let me know what you are truly happy about.
(9 answers)Question # 391 Gilman Street
Which is worse: Sellouts or buyins?*
Bonus: Are you either one? Which?
*If you say “neither” I don’t believe you. While it is true that most of us here in the late 2000′s don’t spend much time worrying about how much selling out or buying in people are doing I am convinced it, at least, is in the back of peoples minds.
(7 answers)Question #390 Hardcore
The other day, a friend of mine said to me something along the lines of “I hear people refer to ‘hardcore kids’ and/or say that they themselves used to be a ‘hardcore kid’, but I can’t conceptualize what kind of person they’re talking about.”
In an effort help elucidate things (or perhaps to further muddle things up), I present the following Very Serious Question:
What, in your understanding, are the attributes of a “hardcore kid”?
Feel free to discuss fashion, musical tastes, world view, historical context, geographic context, etc. Anecdotes are encouraged. If you’re in the same boat as my befuddled friend, go ahead and make some shots in the dark.
(9 answers)Question #389 Killing
When is it ethical to kill animals?
BONUSES: When is it unethical? When is is ethical/unethical to kill other people?
(10 answers)Question #388 Peeing in the Ocean
I came across this dilemma a few weeks ago at Baker Beach with friends.
Is it okay to pee in the ocean? When you’re at the beach do you trek to the public restroom or just go in the water?
(7 answers)Question #387 Animals
What are your top 3 favorite baby animals?
Feel free to include pics.
(16 answers)Question # 386 Honky-tonk
A while ago I came across a web comic that listed a bunch of titles a new country song writer was trying to write. You can view the comic here. Of the titles I really only liked “Never forget to never forget”. In addition, this past weekend I listened to “Fax Me a Beer” in Beth’s kitchen where I was dancing with Fil.
My Question: What would be the title of your smash “young” country hit?
Bonus: Can you give us a verse?
Bonus Bonus: How about a verse of “Never forget to never forget”?
(18 answers)Question #385 Flatulation Titillation
Do you like fart jokes? Does a simulated fart sound make you laugh?
(6 answers)Question #384 That Money
How do you feel about the federal bailout that congress and the president agreed on last night?
If you have no opinion I’d like to know that also.
(11 answers)Question #383 Old
How old is old? Do you feel old? What was it that made you feel old?
(9 answers)Question #382 Astrology
What do you think about Astrology?
(9 answers)Question #381 Food
What was the last really good dining experience you had?
Bonus: What parts made it so good? The food? The company? You were able to check your fantasy sports while your date wasn’t looking? What?
(9 answers)Question #380 Generations
With which generation* do you identify?
BONUS: If you got to choose the name of your generation, what would it be?
*i.e.; The Greatest Generation, Baby Boomers, Generation X, the Millenials, etc.
(10 answers)Question #379 Fixing
Y’all are lucky I’m not president. I’ve got a list of changes to make that’s three double-sided, college-ruled pages long. But it’s important to have priorities. I need to focus on one thing.
What about you? What one thing would change about the world?
(7 answers)Question #378 Lottery
What would you do with your winnings if you won hundreds of millions of dollars playing the lottery?
(12 answers)Question #377 Fruit
What is your favorite chocolate-covered fruit?
(12 answers)Question #376 Summertime
What was this year’s hit of the summer?*
For me it was this
(Video of “here I am” by Rick Ross removed by youtube, try looking here. -phil)
It has all the elements I need: Nelly, a long haired Italian crooner, and a beard replicated in black diamonds.
* I would have said “jam of the summer” but I was afraid I would get answers pointing to the home-made strawberry-rhubarb Kana and I gave out to our wedding guests.
(14 answers)Question #375 Brush with Celebrity
Have you ever met a celebrity?
If so, tell us about it. If it’s happened multiple times, describe the most interesting one.
BONUS: What currently-living celebrity would you really like to meet?
(22 answers)Question #374 Switching Faces
You’re going to spend the next 365 days with someone else’s face instead of your own. Whose face do you choose?
(10 answers)Question #373 Decisions
Do you tend to make decisions based on emotion or rationale?
(9 answers)Question #372 I won’t do that
What won’t you do for love?
(16 answers)Question #371 Sport
Which sport is your favorite one to watch?
For those of you who don’t like sports maybe you can just sort of talk about whatever it is that nerds talk about or something. I hear they are about to activate the Hadron Collider so that is probably pretty exciting for you…
Bonus: What was your favorite sports moment you witnessed?
Bonus Bonus: Which is your favorite sport to play?
(18 answers)Question #370 Metallica
What’s your opinion of the band Metallica?
(44 answers)Question #369 Acronym
A smart guy I know recently claimed that I was The “Post-Human Intelligent Laser”. I think he should have added “Intense Party” Can you make an acronym out of your name that describes you?
(15 answers)Question #368 Tupac or Biggie?
Tupac or Biggie and why?
(19 answers)Question #367 Stay Positive?
Are you, in general, a positive person or a negative person?
Explain. Please.
(18 answers)Question #366 WSB
In the comments of a recent post Dannikins sent a link to this page http://www.ashejournal.com/index.php?id=32
I will admit that I have completely hated the William S. Burroughs books and short stories I have read. I had pretty much written him off as someone I would read only if I had already read all Phillip K. Dick books twice.
My question is: Does Burroughs actually have some good books or are they all just junkie ramblings?
Bonus: What are they? It seems like at least “My Own Business” might be worth giving a read.
(9 answers)Question #365 Necessary
What machine do you depend on the most?
(15 answers)Question #364 Song
What is your all time favorite song? What is your favorite song this week?
Similar questions have been asked before, but I am really curious.
(30 answers)Question #363 Cake
What is your favorite kind of birthday cake? Be as specific as you can.
(20 answers)Question #362 Categories
I’m sorry if I asked this before, I may have, I don’t remember.
Someone really smart once said that there are kinds of people in the world: the ones who think you can divide people into two groups and the ones who think you can’t.
What are the two kinds of people in the world?
BONUS QUESTION: Which kind are you?
(17 answers)Question #361 Comedy
What, in your opinion, is the best comedy film of all time?
(38 answers)Question #360 Enough
What have you had enough of?
(17 answers)Question #359 Know Better
What is something that you know better than to do, but did it anyway?
(18 answers)Question #358 Favorite Restaurant
In the city that you are living in right now… the place that you get mail…. what are your 3 favorite restaurants?
Special thanks to Melissa for giving me the idea for this question last night as we were falling asleep, you are wonderful and smart, I will rip off your ideas.
(26 answers)Question #357 Prediction
What do you predict will happen in the next 12 months?
(10 answers)Question #356 Swifter, Higher, Stronger
How much of the 2008 Summer Olympics have you been watching?
BONUS: Have you secretly wanted Michael Phelps to fail?
(10 answers)Question #356 This or That
If you had to give up either iced tea or cornbread for the rest of your life, which would it be?
(17 answers)Question #355 Ability
What’s an ability of yours that you are proud of?
BONUS Do people know you have this ability?
(8 answers)Question #354 Weekend
What do you want to do this weekend?
(18 answers)Question #353 At Gunpoint
Joe is out of town on his honeymoon so I’m replacing him for now. This question was inspired by Beth, Victor and Ya’el.
Tonight an evil man comes to your house with a gun, H. Ross Perot and Michael Jackson. He says that unless you make out with either Michael or H. Ross, he is going to shoot all three of you. The only way to survive is to do as he says. Which one do you choose?
(13 answers)Question #352 The Replacements
Keeping with the subject of yesterday’s Very Serious Picture, today’s question asks:
Now that Bernie Mac is dead, who would you cast to fill his role* if they were to make an Ocean’s 14 movie?
BONUS: Who would you cast to fill the role** of Isaac Hayes’ “Chef” on South Park?
*Either to play the same character, or to play a character that would fill Bernie Mac’s character’s role within the Ocean’s organization.
**Same principle as above.
(7 answers)Question #351 The Bright Side
What are some reasons to be optimistic?
(10 answers)Question #350 Addiction
What is your addiction? Come on…you can tell us, we probably already know this about you anyway, and you’ll feel a lot better if you just come out with it.
(11 answers)Question #349 Sports Fans
What sports team are you a fan of?
Have you ever had to pick a sports team later in life than as a child? How did you do that?
(16 answers)Question #348 Olympics
If you could win a medal in an event in the Olympics, what event would it be?
(12 answers)Question #347 More Museum
As with the one I asked on the first Tuesday of last month, today’s question is inspired by the fact that it’s Free Museum Day here in San Francisco:
The Smithsonian Institution asks you to donate to them one item from your personal possessions, which they’ll put on display in one of their many museums (you can decide which museum it’ll be housed in, or you can just let them sort it out).
What item do you choose, and why?
(5 answers)Questions #346 Good
Are people, for the most part, good?
(11 answers)Question #345 Hobbies
What is your hobby?
(9 answers)Question #344 Illmatic
What is the sickest you have ever been?
(12 answers)Question #343 Very Serious Sando
A Saudi prince has heard about how great western sandwiches are but so far has not been plussed at all. Even the Mohamet-enraging BLT has done nothing to seduce his palate. You are given the mission of creating for him the ultimate sandwich. You have 1 month and an unlimited budget.
What do you create for our Saudi friend?
(8 answers)Question #343 Real-Life Superhero
As Phil noted in the recent AVS Conversation: Batman Talk comments, Christopher Nolan used Teddy Roosevelt as inspiration for Bruce Wayne’s character when he wrote Batman Begins. The comparison fits: each man is the son of a wealthy philanthropist father (whom the son idolized); each experienced tragedies involving two close family members dying on the same day, a psychological trauma to which they reacted by retreating to the edge of civilization (where only the strongest of both body and mind can survive); both men returned to civilization to become famous (or notorious) for fighting crime with uncommon zealous fervor.
Today’s question:
Of the people you know, who is the most like a superhero?
If you can compare them to a specific superhero, feel free.
(9 answers)Question #342 Last Meal
While on vacation in Florida you’re framed for the killing of an Orlando Magic front office employee. You’re being used as a pawn in an elaborate plan to seize control of the basketball team and move it to Seattle. You’re convicted of murder and sentenced to death. Your appeals come and go and finally it’s the night before your execution (by either eletrocution or lethal injection, in Florida you get your choice). You’re told by the warden (who believes that you’re innocent) that no expense will be spared to give you your last meal.
What food do you ask for?
BONUS QUESTION: Do you choose electrocution or lethal injection?
(12 answers)Question #341 Phrases
What phrase do you find yourself saying all the time?
BONUS Do you overuse this phrase? What could you say instead?
(17 answers)Question #340 5 years
In the last 5 years, what changes have you gone through in your life?
I really want to know.
(11 answers)Question #339 Plant
You find out that when you die, you wil be reborn as a plant. You’ll be fully aware of the world around you as if you were a human being, but you’ll act just like a plant. What plant would you prefer to live as?
(13 answers)Question #338 Pets
What was your first pet?
(17 answers)Question #337 Save the World
This November an enormous flying saucer lands in front of the UN building in New York. Three ten-foot-tall and ghostly pale, but otherwise human-like alien creatures descend from it and make their way to the general assembly floor. They speak English somehow. They say that they need certain raw materials on earth for fuel and plan to destroy our lovely planet.
It’s really an emergency for them, they don’t make a policy of doing this sort of thing, but it’s unavoidable for them in this case. However, since they are fair, they’ll give the human race the whole next day, from sunrise to sunset, to make the case for letting the human race, and everything else on the planet, survive.
You watch this all on television. UN Secretary General Ban-Ki Moon (an old family friend) calls you that night in tears and asks you personally to come to NY and make an argument in our defense.
Because of air-traffic delays, you get to the UN late in the afternoon on a special military helicopter that flies over the East River (you can’t drive over the bridge, there’s total panic in the streets of Manhattan cause everyone thinks it might be their last day alive). When you get to the UN the extraterrestrials are sitting impatiently as Stephen Hawking finishes his long-winded defense. After he speaks they consult telepathically with one another, then the one in the middle says “Next!”.
Stephen Hawking joins a long line of other notables who have already argued unsuccessfully in the general assembly area. Bill Clinton, V.S. Naipaul, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Paula Coelho and many others all are sitting dejectedly, their heads in their hands.
When you step into the chamber the United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Zalmay Khalilzad, greets you solemnly. “I think you’re pretty much the last person, except for that guy.” He says, gesturing at Steve Harvey. You’re carrying a boombox, and you ask the UN’s A/V guys to hook it up to the UN’s 60s era sound system, which they do quickly because they’d already had it set up to show Al Gore’s hastily made powerpoint presentation earlier that day.
You approach the dais. The sun sits low in the sky. Ban-Ki Moon is crying. You press play on a CD you made the night before. You chose one piece of music to convince any listener that the species that made it had some value and deserved to live.
What song is it?
BONUS QUESTION: What do you wear to the UN that day?
(14 answers)Question #336 A hand
What can I do for you?
No seriously, I am here to help*. Just let me know…If I can’t help you I bet I know someone who can.
*like Smith helping old ladies cross the street
(27 answers)Question #335 Wearing
What are you wearing today?
(21 answers)Question #334 Porno
Today’s question was kind of inspired by Jake’s question from yesterday:
If you could magically eliminate pornography from all of society, would you?
(15 answers)Question #333 Losing A Religion
If you had to erase one major religion* from the face of the planet, which would you choose?**
BONUS: If you had to erase all but one of the religions, which would you choose?
*Use your own definition of “major religion,” but I’m not talking about smaller denominations here (i.e., “Presbyterian” is kind of too specific). Atheism counts.
**Also, I’m not talking about holocaust or anything. You wouldn’t be killing the people of the erased religion; they’d be redistributed proportionally to the remaining religions.
(19 answers)Question #332 Walking Out
What was the last movie you walked out of? Why?
Bonus question: Did you walk into another movie? Which one?
(15 answers)Question #331 So Excited
What was something you were so excited about that you couldn’t sleep at night or you just couldn’t hide it?
(11 answers)Question #330 Addict
What are you addicted to? Mental? Physical?
Positive or Negative?
(17 answers)Question #329 Flappability
It seems like there are real specific things that will immediately ruffle feathers; for some it is being called by an old Nick-name, for others it is being accused of having a collection of macros that get triggered rather than a real personality, for our hosts it was accusing them of having the morals of a cat, &c.
My question is: What immediately ruffles your feathers?
(14 answers)Question #328 One Thing
Using your life experience, what is one thing that every person must do before they die?
(16 answers)Question #327 Scheme
What is your get-rich-quick scheme?
[Note: This is an idea registry. All ideas listed in comments are the property of their owners.]
(113 answers)Question #326 U-S-A
Love it or Leave it?
(16 answers)Question #325 Boozin’
Drink on the job ever? Anything cool/funny happen?
(7 answers)Question #324 Passive-aggression
After watching yesterday’s very serious video I took my new life coach Dmitry’s advice and looked up “Passive Aggressive Personality Disorder.” Apparently these are the warning signs:
- Ambiguity
- Avoiding responsibility by claiming forgetfulness
- Blaming others
- Chronic lateness and forgetfulness
- Complaining
- Does not express hostility or anger openly – (e.g., expresses it instead by leaving notes)
- Fear of authority
- Fear of competition
- Fear of dependency
- Fear of intimacy (infidelity as a means to act out anger)
- Fosters chaos
- Intentional inefficiency
- Making excuses
- Losing things
- Lying
- Obstructionism
- Procrastination
- Resentment
- Resists suggestions from others
- Sarcasm
- Stubbornness
- Sullenness
- Willful withholding of understanding
So, my question is: How many of these apply to you?
Bonus: Do you think you are passive-aggressive?
(13 answers)Question #323 Museum
As the first Tuesday of the month, today is Free Museums Day in my home city of San Francisco. In honor of Free Museums, today’s question is:
What was the last museum you visited?
BONUS: Did you see anything of particular note there?
(12 answers)Question #322 Off the Ground
When was the last time you ate food off the ground? I don’t mean in an airplane or while pole vaulting.
(19 answers)Question #321 Overdressed
Have you ever been overdressed (or underdressed) for an event?
(6 answers)Question #320 Crushing
What crush have you had that lasted the longest? Do you still have it?
(11 answers)Question #319 iBlast
There is almost no way I am not going to buy a 3G 16 GB iphone when it comes out on July 11th. The thing is that I already have the old iphone so you could argue I don’t really need the new one. My question is: What would be a better use of the 300 dollars I am going to spend?
(16 answers)Question #318 Extraterrestrial
Do you think there is life in the universe other than that on Earth?
(13 answers)Question #317 talking
People occupy their time by discussing pointless things. What one thing should everyone be talking about?
(10 answers)Question #316 Good person
Are you a good person?
Bonus–What can you do to be a better person?
(13 answers)Question #315 Siblings
Do you have brothers and/or sisters? Tell us about them.
(13 answers)Question #314 Mental Self-Praise
What has been the most egotistical thing you have ever thought to yourself?
(16 answers)Question #313 Legalize It
Should marijuana be legal?
(18 answers)Question #312 Links
I’m sorry that it’s now two questions in a row about the website itself, and I still haven’t changed the background yet. Do you see on the right side of this page where it says “links”? I want to put links there to things that readers on here have made or done.
What should I put links to?
(2 answers)Question #311 Your week
Enough about me. How was your week?
(7 answers)Question #310 Got it for cheap
What is the coolest thing you ever got for free?
(11 answers)Question #309 VEEP
Who should Obama and McCain choose for their Vice-Presidents?
Bonus: Is it just a matter of choosing the most popular of the non-threatening people in their parties or something more?
(6 answers)Question #308 Temperature
Can you recall the hottest and/or coldest* day(s) of your life?
*As in the temperature outdoors.
(12 answers)Question #307 Very Serious
What is veryserious.org missing? Besides the point I mean.
(20 answers)Question #306 George W. Bush
What will George W. Bush be doing one year from now?
(10 answers)Question #305 I can do that!
What can you do that is really awesome?
This guy can do this:
(12 answers)Question #304 Intelligenence Deviser
What is the best way of telling if someone is intelligent or not?
(21 answers)Question #303 Insurance
Do you have a health insurance provider?
If so: Who is it & who pays for it?
If not: Why not?
(17 answers)Question #302 Insults
What is the best name to call someone?
(16 answers)Question #301 Candy
What is the worst candy?
(19 answers)Question #300 Happy
What has made you really happy lately?
(19 answers)Question #299 Good Looks
What, if anything, do you wish was different about your physical appearance?
(15 answers)Question #298 Time Travel
Imagine you’re going on a trip. You’re not going to leave the town where you live, but you’ll be going back in time 150 years (to 1858). It’s a one-way ticket, so you’ll never be coming back to present time. You can only bring with you one set of clothes (including a jacket) and whatever can be carried in the pockets of those clothes.
What would you bring, and why?
p.s.: Keep in mind, you can’t do anything that would change the course of time to drastically, because that could endanger the future.
(7 answers)Question #297 Memorial
Do you know anyone that was killed or wounded in war?
(5 answers)Question #296 So bad it is good
Name and comment on a movie that is ‘so bad that it is good’.
While I haven’t seen it I hear that ‘showgirls’ is one of these films.
(8 answers)Question #295 Appropriate Response
What is the appropriate response for being told: “Well I never”?
Bonus: How about for “what are you up to?”?
(11 answers)Question #294 Temple of Doom
In anticipation of the fourth Indiana Jones movie, today’s question asks you to make a judgment on the second one:
Is Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom a bad movie?
Feel free to discuss the franchise’s first and third installments, Kate Capshaw as ‘Willie’, the child sidekick ‘Short Round’, the cussword ‘shit’, George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Nazis (or lack thereof), the Indian subcontinent and it’s people, snakes, Dan Aykroyd or any other elements of the film.
(10 answers)Question #293 Toys
What was the best toy you ever had?
(15 answers)Question #292 Heroes
Who is someone you admire greatly, but actually wouldn’t like very much if you were to, say, have dinner with them?
(11 answers)Question #291 Fret
What are you worried about?
(13 answers)Question #290 Politics
What five issues do you think are most important in American politics?
Bonus: What five issues do you think the President will get elected on?
(9 answers)Question #289 Rapper
Who’s your favorite rapper of all time?
BONUS (esp. for those who don’t like rap music at all): Who’s your most-hated rapper of all time?
(11 answers)Question #288 Marriage
If you had to get married to someone of the same sex as you, who would it be and why?
(Marrieds, pretend you are single. Gays, please “flip the script” and say which person of the opposite sex you’d marry. Everyone, please remember that Ira Glass is already married)
(8 answers)Question #287 Tele-vision
What TV show was cancelled well before it should have been?
BONUS: What TV show has dragged on far too long?
(17 answers)Question #286 Movie Quotes
What are some of your favorite movie quotes?
(14 answers)Question #285 Continental
This is an actual practical question that needs to be answered.
Let’s say you canceled a trip last year and have $1,000 credit on Continental Airlines (or their partners) to go anywhere you want. You have to book the ticket within the next couple weeks. You can only buy one ticket and you have to use all the credit on one ticket. Where would you go?
(6 answers)Question #284 Language
What language(s) do you speak?
BONUS: What language would you like to speak?
(13 answers)Question #283 Items
What would you like to own?
(10 answers)Question #282 Very Emergency
Have you ever had to call 911? What where the circumstances?
(16 answers)Question #281 Machine
What computer are you using? Do you like it?
BONUS: What browser do you use?
(11 answers)Question #280 Thirst
Why do you drink so much?
If the above doesn’t apply to you then:
What do you have against drinking?
bonus: Do you think you’re better than me?
Question #279 Meat
Inspiration for today’s question came from hearing this story in an NPR Talk of the Nation podcast…
Imagine scientists have figured out a way to replicate meat–any kind of meat–in a laboratory. The lab-meat would be identical in every way to real meat, except that it was created in a laboratory and thus didn’t come off of a living animal. All other factors of production (cost, environmental impact, etc.) are equal to meat production as we know it today.
Furthermore, imagine that approval for production of this lab-meat was put to a vote amongst the entire world population. It’s a mandatory vote, so you can’t opt-out. The catch is that the two methods of meat production are mutually exclusive; if lab-meat wins the vote, then “real” meat production will cease forever.
Don’t forget, the ONLY difference is that the lab-meat doesn’t require killing an animal.
Meat-Eaters: Would you vote for lab-meat (and thus the discontinuation of “real” meat)?
Non-Meat-Eaters: If lab-meat won, would you start eating it or would you stick to your current meat-free diet?
(12 answers)Question #278 Children
Let’s say you had a kid. What’s the most important thing that you, as their parent, should teach the child?
(10 answers)Question #276 Away
What’s the farthest you traveled from home in the past 7 days and why?
(10 answers)Question #275 How
How do you want it?
(11 answers)Question #274 First Beer
Keeping with the theme: What were the circumstances around the first full beer that you drank?
Bonus: How about the first time you really got drunk?
(15 answers)Question #273 First Job
What was your first job?
COMPLETELY UNRELATED BONUS: What do you think of the new rating system for posts (check out the stars under the post titles– you can rate them, too)?
(10 answers)Question #272 Paradise/Slums
In last summer’s Sean Kingston song, take you there, the kid invites a ladyfriend to a vacation in Jamaica. He says that they can follow one of two itineraries:
1. Go to the tropics and sip piña coladas
or
2. Go to the slums, where killers get hung.
Which one would you prefer to do?
(13 answers)Question #271 Hats
This question was suggested by Joe:
What type of hat is appropriate for an adult to wear these days?
(15 answers)Question #270 Fight
Have you ever been in a fight? Tell us about it.
(10 answers)Questions #269 Money
My question(s) for today is(are):
What is money? What does money mean? What does having it mean?
[Updated to add the sub-questions]
(36 answers)Question #268 Airplanes
In honor of the fact that I’m flying to Seattle today, I present the following question:
When was the last time you flew on a plane, and what were the departure/arrival cities?
BONUS: When was the first time you ever flew on a plane, and when will be the next time?
(17 answers)Questions #267 Refund
As part of an economic stimulus plan meant to revitalize the US economy, most taxpayers are being given a few hundred dollars.
What will you do with your money?
(15 answers)Question #266 Phrases
This question was suggested by Peter:
What phrase do you hate hearing or reading?
(15 answers)Question #265 Loyalty
What/who/where are you loyal to?
(15 answers)Question #264 Deal-breaking
Is there a set of views or beliefs that, if possessed by someone, precludes that person from being your friend?
Bonus: Is there a different set for people that want to sex you?
(32 answers)Question #263 Protest
What’s your opinion on political protests, such as the recent Free Tibet demonstrations (are they good/bad, do they work, are they nothing more than an exercise to get oneself laid)?
BONUS: If applicable, when is the last time you took place in a demonstration?
(7 answers)Question #262 Inventions
This question is from Phoebe:
What needs to be invented that doesn’t currently exist?
(14 answers)Question #261 Protagonist
In the brilliant, soon-to-be-best selling, coming-of-age novel/screenplay you are writing, what is the name of your main character?
(10 answers)Question #260 Pride
What have you made that you are proud of?
(11 answers)Question #259 The Toilet Seat
The situation: While you are out you realize that you desperately need to use the restroom in a sit down sort of way. You find a public restroom but lo! the toilet seat is covered in urine.
What are your next steps?
(15 answers)Question #258 Blanky
When you were a child, did you have a “blanky,” a supremely-favored stuffed animal, a special pillow or any other such comfort object? Please describe.
Question #257 Digits
Would you rather lose one of your fingers, or five of your toes? The amputation procedure will be painless and quick.
(this questions was suggested by Tiffany)
Question #256 Cusswords
OK you meet a hypnotist who will pay you money if she can hypnotize you so that it’s impossible for you to use foul language. She plans to use you as an example to show what an excellent hypnotist she is.
You wouldn’t even be able to say “hell” or “damn”. You would physically be unable to do so, and you’d have to say things like “to blazes with you!” and “what the duck?” for the rest of your life, the process is irreversible and will definitely work.
Do you agree to do it? If so, how much money does she have to pay you?
To clarify:
You could say “WTF”, “Filth Flarin Filth” or even “ESS MY BEES!”.
There would be something like an American version of the list that the researchers made on about page 56 of this study (warning: it’s a pdf). The 20 words that are generally considered to be the dirtiest would be impossible for you to utter. These words would not be subject to revision over time, so even if society got much more or less prudish in the next few years, your restrictions would remain unchanged.
(22 answers)Question #259 When the going gets tough
What do you do when times are tough? Could be anything that is emotionally consuming. What do you do to change your situation?
(15 answers)Question #258 Clydesdale
I stole this question from Chuck Klosterman (who I usually don’t like) because I liked it so much:
A fully grown, completely healthy Clydesdale horse has his hooves shackled to the ground while he head is held in place with thick rope. He is conscious and standing upright, but he is completely immobile. Every political prisoner on earth (as cited by Amnesty International) will be released from captivity if you can kick this horse to death in less than twenty minutes. You are allowed to wear steel-toed boots.
Would you attempt to kill the horse?
Bonus question: What if it instead of a horse it was a human being selected at random?
(17 answers)Question #257 – Checkmate
Last week, I posted a question about board games. Then, in A Very Serious Conversation #30 (out soon!), Phil and I discussed the topic. Now I have a follow-up question:
When was the last time you played chess? If you’ve never played chess, when was the last time you witnessed someone playing it?
(11 answers)Question #256 – How To Do
What do you wish you knew how to do?
(17 answers)Question #255 Expensive!
What is the most expensive single purchase you have ever made?
(Houses and cars don’t count, unless you bought it in a lump sum and aren’t making payments)
(16 answers)Question #254 Morning drinks
What do you drink in the morning? Why? Is it different on the weekends?
(15 answers)Question #253 Artery
Do you take any time to do any arts?
If so what do you do?
If not what do you do to keep from feeling like a robot?
Question #252 Board Games
What’s your favorite board game (Battleship & even Connect Four can count)?
BONUS: If you had to guess, what would you say is the most popular board game?
(11 answers)Question #251 Travel
Where have you never gone that you would like to go to?
(13 answers)Question #250 Clean Words
A while ago I wanted to know the filthiest expression but now I would like to know the absolute most wholesome, least offensive word that can be spoken aloud, aside from A, An and The.
What is the least dirty word in the English language?
(8 answers)Question #249 Doctor
Are you honest with your doctor? Do you tell them how much you drink? How much unprotected sex you have? The drugs you take? Cigs you smoke? ETC…
(19 answers)Question #248 One Entertainment
Suppose you had to chose one of the following and everything else on the list would disappear from your life forever.
- Books
- Comic Books
- Music
- TV/Movies
Which would you chose?
Bonus: What factors did you weigh to make your decision?
(9 answers)Question #247 Jake
Jake is in Jamaica all week and that’s why he didn’t put up a question. What do you think he is doing there?
(8 answers)Question #246 Your Genius
What’s been your best (or only) idea for a book or a movie?
(10 answers)Question #245: Whats HOT in Spring/Summer 08
Inspired by every single stupid magazine that has come across my desk this week:
What are your “Top Ten Hot Picks” for spring/summer 2008?
Book:
Song:
Movie:
Activity:
Color:
Toy/Gadget:
Destination:
Drink:
Accessory:
Other:
Question #244 Job
What do you think of your job? Like it? Hate it? Love it?
(12 answers)Question #243 M. A. R. S.
How do you feel about spending resources on a manned trip to Mars?
Bonus: Was your opinion affected by Bush’s support of the plan?
(16 answers)Question #242 Cuss Words (Just Let ‘em Flow)
Today’s question was recommended by Phil via the Very Serious Message Board:
What’s the dirtiest word in the English language?
Literal translations (i.e., having to do with dirt, grime, etc) are discouraged.
(16 answers)Question #241 Your Forte
What do you do best?
(12 answers)Question # 240 eVote
How do you feel about electronic voting?
(6 answers)Question #239 Snack
What is the best snack?
(20 answers)Question #238 City Folk
I recently visited Vancouver which was pretty rad. This brings me to my question:
What is the most recent city where you were pleasantly surprised by how awesome it was?
Bonus points for the more exposition you can give.
(13 answers)Question #237 A Magical Kingdom
What’s the best animated Disney movie?
BONUS: What’s the best live-action one (and does it top your answer to the above question)?
(11 answers)Question #236 Humble Pie
What is your most recent humbling experience?
*Bear in mind the difference between “humbling” and flat-out embarrassing.
(3 answers)Question # 235 I Love You
How many people have told you that they love you?
(14 answers)Question #234 Give yourself a hand
What do you do to reward yourself when you do something well?
Bonus: What do you do for others?
(4 answers)Question #233 Rich Kid Syndrome
If you had Bill Gates-type money what steps would you take in order to keep your kids from growing up as total snots? Or would you let them do whatever they wanted because they are your precious angels?
(17 answers)Question #232 Riverboat
Inspiration for this question comes from today’s Very Serious Picture entry (pic.veryserious.org), posted by Phil.
Have you ever been on a riverboat? If so, when and where? If not, what are you going to do to rectify the problem?
(12 answers)Question #231 Your Day Here
If you could set a date that would be a holiday in your honor, what date would you choose?
*Bonus: How would people celebrate your day? Would there be any traditional activities?
(8 answers)Question #229 Potatoery!
Everybody knows that potatoes are delicious . What is your favorite potato preparation?
(13 answers)Question #228 Wallet-sizery
What size wallet should a man carry?*
BONUS: What should (or should not) go in it?
*exact dimensions OR relative terms
(9 answers)Question #227 Your Own Filth
This was suggested by work buddy Matt.
What’s the longest you’ve gone without bathing and why?
(14 answers)Question #226 Get Lucky
In honor of yesterday’s lunar new year:
Do have any object or symbol you consider lucky? (lucky number, date, color, pennies, animal, etc.)
And do you actually believe it brings you good luck, or is it just habit/comfort?
(11 answers)Question #225 Burger
What is the best hamburger out there? Please describe in detail and link if possible.
If you don’t eat meat feel free to dish on veggie/vegan burgers.
BONUS: What is the best cut of french fry?
(21 answers)Question #224 US Presidents
Today’s question is:
Who was/is the best US president and why?
Teddy R. doesn’t count for the same reason that watching TV on DVD doesn’t count. Please pick someone else.
[Edit: I added '/is' to the question in order to account for the soulless hordes. No offense intended if you are one of them. Sike.]
(7 answers)Question #223 Good
To carry the theme:
Who’s your favorite heroic figure, fictional or otherwise?*
*Simply being the protagonist of a story doesn’t cut it. I only want to hear about the heroic ones.
(13 answers)Question #222 Evil
In your opinion, who is the best/scariest villain of all time? Fictional or otherwise.
(25 answers)Question #221 Tombstone
As death seems to be the hot topic this week:
What do you want your tombstone to say?
(15 answers)Question #220 New Music
What new music have you been into?
Whether it is a new release or just new to you, please share.
(19 answers)Question #219 Deathery
Today’s question comes from Fil:
How do you want to die?
Bonus Question:
If you were to commit suicide how would you do it?
(18 answers)Question #218 Chocolate
Which do you prefer: milk chocolate or dark chocolate?*
*If you want to answer with “I don’t like chocolate at all” or some other piece of fiction, just choose one of the above options using your own terms.
(19 answers)Question #217 Entertainment!
You are in charge of producing the Super Bowl halftime show. You have full creative control, an unlimited budget, and you can even break the rules of space and time by bringing performers back from the dead.
What sort of entertainment will you put together for the Super Bowl Halftime Show?
*Your only parameter is the standard 20 minute halftime show format.
(16 answers)Question #216 Complements
What is the best complement you have ever received?
(*Bonus: Worst insult?)
(22 answers)Question #215 Savings
Do you save money? How much in general? How do you do it?
Sorry for three questions in one day but this is something I really want (need) to get input on.
(9 answers)Question #214 Layoffism
Recent current events have me reminiscing on “great” employer moves of times past.
My question: What is the lamest firing or layoff you have witnessed? If you haven’t experienced any first-hand you can share one you have heard of.
(10 answers)Question #213 Heavenly Bodies
What’s your take on astrology as a real way of determining such things as a person’s character or what the future holds?
BONUS: What Zodiacal sign are you, and what does that say about you?
Oops
Apologies to anyone at work today who has been waiting for a question. I shut my brain off for the holiday, but you can take this opportunity to visit the message board and talk about whatever you want.
(2 answers)Question #212 Scrabble
What is the best word you have been able to use in the board-game Scrabble? How many points was it worth?
(16 answers)Question #211 Book Report
What was the last good book that you read? Tell us about it and spread the word.
If you haven’t read a good book recently feel free to report on an old favorite.
(15 answers)Question #210 Animalia
Are you a dog-person, a cat-person, or an enslaving-wild-animals-for-our-own-feelings-
of-companionship-is-immoral-person?
Question #209 Viewing Habits
How much TV do you watch every week, and how do you feel about your viewing habits?*
BONUS: What are you watching when you watch it?
*Watching shows after-the-fact on DVD doesn’t count. I’m talking about actual broadcast/cable feed.
(16 answers)Question #208 Clothes
What’s the worst thing you ever wore?
(18 answers)Question #207 Epoch
If you could live in any century or time period, when would you live? (past, present, or future)
*Bonus: What would be your occupation?
(11 answers)Question #206 Sando
What is your favorite kind of sandwich? Be as graphic as you can please.
Bonus if you link to a photo.
(14 answers)Question #205 Sexo-racism
My question:
In a world where, in the primaries for the defacto “good” party, it comes down to a woman, a black, and a fucking white, why is it that, increasingly, the FW seems like the only reasonable choice? Racism? Sexism? Robotism? What?
(9 answers)Question #204 Showering
How much time do you usually spend in the shower every day?
BONUS: What goes on in there, anyway?
(16 answers)Question #203 Television
Do you watch this T.V. show, “The Wire?”
I’ve never seen an episode and now everyone’s non-stop gushing about it. If you watch it: What’s it about and what do you like about it?
Non-viewers can answer with another TV show they ritually watch every week.
(14 answers)Question # 202: First Book
What is the first book you can remember reading?
(16 answers)Question #201 Daily hits
Name three websites that you visit everyday without fail…
(no need to flatter us by saying ‘veryserious’.)
(13 answers)Question #200 Life’s Worth
Good job on 200 rad questions and 200 x ?? rad answers everyone!
My question for today is: What is your life worth?*
*[Edit]: What I meant was “what, if traded for your life right now, would be a worthwhile trade” but I realize now too late that it could totally be read as “how much stuff do you own?”
Please see the discussion here: http://board.veryserious.org/topic.php?id=50&page&replies=2
Question #199 Happy New Year
What were the first words to come out of your mouth this morning?
(14 answers)Question #198 Reflection
A co-worker told me about his friend who thinks of each passing year as a “Question Year” or an “Answer Year.” I think the example was one year she wondered if she was gay, and the next year she realized, “Yeah, I’m totally gay.” And moved from New York to Montana to wear flannel or something.
While I don’t expect any of us to divulge any heavy personal revelations, perhaps you can still tell us:
For you, was 2007 a Question Year, or an Answer Year?
*As always, bonus points for elaborating.
**The questions you’ve been answering on this site over the past year don’t count.
(3 answers)Question #197 Marching Band
If you and your friends and family started a marching band, what instrument would you play?
(11 answers)Question #196 Cheese
What is your favorite kind of cheese?
(28 answers)Question #195 2008 predictions
What is going to happen to you and yours in 2008?
(9 answers)Question #194 Ketchup
I read a statistic this week that said the average America consumes five bottles of ketchup (average size) a year. Usually, when I read American consumer statistics like this I think to myself: “NO WAY!”; but this seems pretty reasonable if not on the low side for the average American. So my question is:
How many bottles of ketchup do you think you eat in a year?
*If you are not American: what kind of condiments do you consume regularly?
(12 answers)Question #193 Going Home
As the holiday’s draw near many people are returning to the towns that they grew up in.
What is it like to go home for you?
(15 answers)Question #192 What You Are
In this world with its varied peoples and cultures it may be surprising to learn the following fact: Everyone falls into, at his or her core being, one of two categories.
Today’s question: Are you hip-hop or are you R&B*?
*Today’s question inspired by an interviewer of Bill Bellamy who asked him this question hella years ago. His answer was along the lines of “I’ll admit that I am an R&B brother but I dare you to find anyone on TV who is more hip-hop than me.” Clearly this wasn’t during the era of the Meth and Redman sitcom.
Question #191 Your Other Half
Lauren requested a question about conjoined (aka “siamese”) twins, so…
Imagine God comes down from outer space and says that you have to become a conjoined twin– sharing a single body with another person’s head (& brain)– but that you can choose who the other person will be.
Who would you choose as your conjoined twin, and why?
(13 answers)Question #190 Your Vice
A vice can be anything from an relatively harmless “bad habit” (like fingernail biting or drinking too much coffee), to a “an evil, degrading, moral practice” (like picking on cripples or snorting coke off a newborn baby’s bottom).
What’s your worst/favorite vice? What harm is it causing you, if any?
*Bonus: Have you successfully kicked any bad habits?
(16 answers)Question #189 Animal Parts
If you could have one animal feature, what would it be? i.e. wings, gills, 4 legs, etc.
(9 answers)Question #188 Advice
Who do you go to when you need real moral advice?
(12 answers)Question #187 Inspiration For Attractivity
From the first time I ever watched Caddyshack I was positive that Chevy Chase’s character “Ty” had the right idea of how to interact with girls. Ty, combined with Bill Murray’s character in Stripes, is still who I aspire to be like as much as possible in all of my dealings with the opposite sex.*
My question is: What fictional character(s) best-define your ideal on how to make other people attracted to you?
* Bonus: Is there a way to say “opposite sex” that is inclusive of gayness? I thought of “the sex” but I’m not sure this really works.
(15 answers)Question #186 Christmas Song
What’s your favorite Christmas* song?
BONUS: Which is your least favorite?
*And/or Hanukka/Kwanzaa/winter solstice/other traditions that I’m not culturally-sensitive enough to recall.
(22 answers)Question #185 Cliches
Do you ever have conversations with people where you get lazy, and just respond with some old, standby phrase to make it sound like you were actually listening, or care, like, “Well, it takes all kinds…”?
My question is, what are your favorite cliches?
(18 answers)Question #184 At The Party
Ariel can’t post a question from her Blackberry and asked me to post this on her behalf:
Every party has a regular cast of characters; the guy who takes his shirt off, the girl who ends up crying, the wallflower, the girl who is always cleaning even though she is not actually hosting, the guy who hits on every girl, the silent judge in the corner, etc.
Who are you at the party?
(20 answers)Question #183 Gift
What do you want for Christmas?
(18 answers)Question # 182 Your Legacy
From the time I was young my dad hammered two points home; two points that, even if I should forget everything else he taught me, I was to always remember. These two points were: “Procrastination is the thief of time” and “Womens is bitches”.
My friend growing up’s dad taught him the mantra “The war never ends.”*
My question is: What words of advice will you leave to your children to better help guide them in their life decisions?
*My friend’s dad was in Vietnam natch’**
**follow up question: where should you put the “‘” character when saying “natch”? at the beginning or at the end or not at all?
(13 answers)Question #181 Your Walls
During the early years of your “adulthood” (around 18 to 22 years of age), what pictures/posters/tapestries could be found on your bedroom/dorm-room walls?*
*If you’re 22 or younger, what’s currently on them?
(21 answers)Question #180 Book Words
I’m actually a huge fan of them.
What is your favorite book word? If you don’t care for book words, which one annoys you the most?
If you have no idea what I am talking about, you can read more about book words here.
(12 answers)Question #179 Sherlock
There is a big blockbuster Sherlock Holmes action movie in pre production right now; who do you think should be cast as Sherlock?
(Keep in mind he is awesome: a chemist, champion boxer, dashing, brave, and a bloody good detective. Though, he is also arrogant, a drug addict, completely asexual, and kind of bitchy.)
(18 answers)Question #178 Penny Pinching
What are some of the more creative ways that you have attempted to save money?
Bonus: What are some non-typical ways that you have earned money?
The more embarrassing the better.
(19 answers)Question #177 American Culture
What aspect of current American cultural direction gives you the most hope for our future?
No fair to say “no aspect”.
Bonus: Do we have a chance or should we all move to Canada?
(10 answers)Question #176 Happiness
Today’s question was suggested by Luke G.:
Does happiness come from within?
(12 answers)Question #175 Morgan Freeman
How great is Morgan Freeman?
(12 answers)Question #174 Price/Urine ratio
Two close friends of mine are often arguing about housing and homeless.
One friend, lets call him “Ryan”, is often complaining that the plants all along his street are used for toilets by SF’s transient population.
My other friend, we’ll call him “Phil”, is oft-heard dismissing these complaints with the claim that the only reason “Ryan” lives where he lives is because the rent is low and the only reason the rent is low is because of the “golden glow” on all plants/buildings/parked cars in the area.
This brings us to today’s question:
What is the appropriate ratio of public toiletry to lowered housing costs?
(10 answers)Question #173 Other Selves
In A Very Serious Conversation 21.1 Phil, Hadas & I touched briefly on the subject of World of Warcraft.
Are you currently– or have you ever been– involved in this or any other massively-multiplayer online video game or community (or do you know anyone who is/has), and what are your thoughts on such things?
BONUS: If so, tell us about your avatar(s).
(14 answers)Question #172 Hate
I am in a foul mood (just for today), so I am breaking my usual positive slant and inviting every Very Serious Answer-Person to my vent sesh, k?
Who do you find the most deplorable human on the planet? If you’d like to keep things vague, then tell me what trait you most deplore in others? (This is totally lifted from the Proust Questionnaire, yes.)
If this is all too intense, then just tell me your biggest pet peeves.
Thanks and have a good holiday!
(14 answers)Question #171 Reality
If TV executive gave you a bunch of money to produce a reality TV show, what kind of show would you make? (What is the premise? Who would star in it? Etc.)
(10 answers)Question #170 Music Videos
What are your favorite music videos? Least favorite?
Please try to comment and even post a link to youtube or something.
(12 answers)Question #168 Identity
Who are you?
Answer in a sentence of 10 or fewer words.
BONUS: When you’re done, go to the introductions thread on the Very Serious Message Board to answer more completely.
(14 answers)Question #167 Lying to Kids
When my friend Steve was little, his mom got annoyed by his begging for chocolate, and she told him he was allergic. He avoided birthday cupcakes and ice cream for years before he found out he actually wasn’t.
When my mom was in a rush to leave a video store once, she told me the Paddington Bear VHS I was eyeing was actually a horror movie that would give me nightmares.
So, what’s the biggest/funniest/weirdest lie someone told you when you were a kid? When and how did you find out the truth?
*Santa Claus stories are prohibited, we covered that already.
Question #166 Storybooks
Which of your favorite children’s storybooks would you most like to see made into a live action film?
(*Bonus: Who should star in the film?)
(11 answers)Question #165 Movies
What was your favorite movie as a kid? Why?
(30 answers)Question #164 National Anthem
I think our national anthem has to change. It’s boring, hard to sing, doesn’t convey any information about us, is too warlike, etc. We’ve got to change it immediately.
What should be our new national anthem?
(15 answers)Question #163 The Internet
How internet-y are you?
Talk about the role that online social networks, blogs, wikipedia, podcasts, email, instant message, etc. play in your life, and how you feel about that.
(14 answers)Question #162 Your Daily Grind
What is your favorite moment, hour or portion of your average, ho-hum day?
(17 answers)Question #161 Bravery
Do you consider yourself to be brave?
*Bonus: give us an example of your bravery or cowardice!
(Though paradoxically, admitting cowardice is sort of brave, no?)
Question #160 Pleasure
What is your pleasure?
(15 answers)Question #159 Your Dirty Mind
How dirty is your mind?
(17 answers)Question #158 Overpayment
Who, in your opinion, gets paid more than they deserve?
(18 answers)Question #157 Russia
Why do we need Russia to be our friend/ally? Meaning, what can Russia possibly do for us? i.e., What is Russia good for, anyway?
*Bonus: Just who does Russia think it is?
(13 answers)Question # 156 Halloween Costume
What are you going to dress up as for Halloween?
(15 answers)Question #155 Hardcore
Who is/was your favorite hardcore band? Reasons why?
(21 answers)Question #154 Animals
When was the last time you were attacked by an animal?
(13 answers)Question #153 Science Fiction
Here’s a question– inspired by Devin– that Phil & I discussed in the soon-to-be-released A Very Serious Conversation #19:
What science fiction movie has the most accurate vision of the future (examples: Robocop, The Terminator, Blade Runner, Road Warrior)?
BONUS: Which vision of the future are you most looking forward to?
(13 answers)Question #152 Solar System
What’s your favorite planet and why?
(17 answers)Question #151 Sound
What is your favorite sound?
(21 answers)Question #150 Pain
What is worse pain? Emotional or physical pain?
Feel free to discuss a painful experience that you have had either way.
(17 answers)Question #148 Transcendence
Jake is in Mexico with limited access to the world wide webs so he asked me to post this question on his behalf:
Have you ever tried meditation?
If so, what was it like? If not, what do you do to relax?
(13 answers)Question #147 Family Traditions
What’s your favorite thing to do with your parents (or other close relatives) when you visit them?
(16 answers)Question #146 Crush
What is the most inappropriate crush you’ve ever had? (teacher, friend’s boyfriend/girlfriend, employer/employee, etc.)
*best not to name names.
(11 answers)Question #145 Love Lyrics
What are your favorite song lyrics about love?
(20 answers)Question #144 Best City
What’s your favorite city?
BONUS: What’s your favorite travel/vacation spot (if different from above)?
[thanks to NateG for question suggestion]
(16 answers)Question #143 Santa Claus
When did you first learn that jolly old Saint Nick doesn’t exist?
(14 answers)Question #142 Ghosts
As a rational, educated and otherwise levelheaded adult, do you believe in ghosts?
*Bonus: What about psychics?
(20 answers)Question #141 Flavor
What is your favorite flavor?
(22 answers)Question #140 Taqueria
What do you get from the Taqueria?
(25 answers)Question #139 Old Photos
What was the most regrettable photograph ever taken of you? What made it so bad? Feel free to post the picture if you have it.
(11 answers)Question #138 First Kiss
When did you have your first “French” kiss, where did it happen and who was on the other end?
(24 answers)Question #137 Tobey Maguire
On New Year’s Eve 2003, my friend Zach wrote a brilliant song called, “If I were Tobey Maguire for a Day,” in which he contemplated the places he would go, the women he would woo, the food he would eat, and the overall wonderful day he would have. But in the end, he just decided to “fuck a horse.”
What would you do if you were Tobey Maguire for a day?
*If you’re unsure, you should review Tobey’s Wikipedia page, and note that Mr. Maguire earned $17 Million in 2004 for Spiderman 2 alone.
(10 answers)Question #136 Statue
If someone made a large statue of you, where would you want it to be placed?
*Bonus: what would you be doing in the statue?
(10 answers)Question #135 Birthday Gifts
It celebration of Phil’s birthday and my birthday (today)…
What is the best gift you have ever received for your birthday? The best gift you have given to some one on their birthday?
(13 answers)Question #134 Fear
What are you afraid of?
(26 answers)Question #133 Birthplace
Where were you born, and what were your parents’ circumstances at the time?
(26 answers)Question #132 Homes and houses
This is a question about your dream home. What’s it like and what’s your favorite room there?
*Super bonus plus: What city/country/region is it in?
(23 answers)Question #131 Anticipation
What are you looking forward to right now?
(22 answers)Question #130 Coffee
Tell me about the best coffee.
Focus on the best one cup of coffee that you have ever had? If you can remember it.
(14 answers)Question #129 Your Nickname
Everyone knows that you can’t give yourself a nickname. But let’s suppose that this rule was revoked and you were able to name yourself. How would you introduce yourself?
(13 answers)Question #128 Relative Worth
Who are you better than?
(14 answers)Question #127 Monday Question
What’d you do this weekend? *Bonus: How was it?
(18 answers)Questions #126 Extinction
If you were forced to choose an animal for extinction, which one would it be?
*Bonus: which one would you bring back from extinction?
(11 answers)Question #125 Dining
Where do you like to go out to eat and what do you like to order?
(16 answers)Question #124 Possessions
What is your favorite thing you own?
(16 answers)Question #123 – Documentaries
What’s the last feature-length documentary you watched in the theater? What did you think of it?
(11 answers)Question #122 Jobs
My friend Susanna asks this one a lot:
What is the worst job you’ve ever had?
(22 answers)Question #121 Three cheers to you!
Tomorrow, The City You Live In is having a grand ticker-tape parade in your honor; what did you do to deserve the parade?
(9 answers)Question #120 Seasons…
What season do you look forward to the most durring the year? Why?
(14 answers)Question #119 Meal
What meal best represents your character?
This question was suggested by Lauren (fruit snacks, a cheese sandwich and fruit punch).
(13 answers)Question #118 – High School Movie
What’s the best high school movie?
(17 answers)Question #117 Doing Time
Since I am laboring this Labor Day, I will post my Monday Question as well. This one was suggested by my friend Lydia:
If you had to go to prison for a year, what crime would it be for? (Let’s say it’s a mid-level security state prison, if that influences your answer at all.)
Happy Labor Day and God Bless our GDP.
(7 answers)Question #116: Childish Fears
What lived in your closet or under your bed when you were young? (i.e. boogie men, generic monsters, robbers, evil clowns…)
*Bonus: What did you do to protect yourself?
(21 answers)Question #115 Signature
What does your E-mail signature look like? What do you think it says about you? Feel free to give examples of others’ signatures and comment on them as well.
(15 answers)Question #114 Great Invention
What is the greatest invention in history? Why?
(16 answers)Question #113 Themes
Do you think there are any recurring themes distinctive to your life? What are they?
(16 answers)Question #112 Breakfast
What is your favorite morning cereal, and why?
*Bonus: Do you always eat breakfast every morning?
(17 answers)Question #111 Certainty
What was the last thing you changed your mind about?
(10 answers)Question #110 Evolution
When was the last time you spoke with someone on the subject of evolution who holds different beliefs than your own on the matter, and who was that person?*
*Not their actual name, of course.
(15 answers)Question #109 Superstitions
What, if any, superstitions do you believe in? Why?
(8 answers)Question #108 Your Country & State
Speaking of duty, do you think you owe anything to your country and/or state?
Bonus: Between country and state, to which are you most bound?
(7 answers)Question #107 Duty
It’s Phoebe (nee La Vitellona) from the super-long-winded Conversation Seven and the second part of seven. Phil asked me to take over Monday’s question, so here goes:
Older people say younger people lack all sense of duty, so I’d like to know what do you feel most dutiful about?
Bonus: Which duties do you find the most unpleasant to perform and which do you enjoy? This could be anything, from doing dishes to casual spooning.
(10 answers)Question #106 Numbers
What number is the best number and why?
(9 answers)Question #105 Your Theme Park
If you could create your own theme park, what would the theme be?
(8 answers)Question #104 Crying
What was the last movie that made you cry?
(16 answers)Question #103 G.I. Joe
Choose one G.I. Joe character. What current celebrity would be best to play that character in a live-action movie?
(4 answers)Question #102 Double booking
What, if any, are the circumstances that justify double-booking (making two separate sets of plans with different people for the same span of time)?
(4 answers)Question #101 It’s a Wonderful Life
If you had never been born, What would be different than it is now?
(4 answers)Question #100 Fantasy Mount Rushmore
Say you got to re-make Mount Rushmore; whose face(s) would you put there?
(16 answers)Question #99 Inventions
What needs to be invented?
(9 answers)Question #98 Least-Favorite Movie
Phil wants to know my five least-favorite movies. I want to know your single least-favorite movie. What’s the movie, and what about it makes it so least?
(15 answers)Question #97 Regrets
If you could change something you did in the past 12 months, what would it be?
*special note* Jake will be asking the questions from time to time from now on. We want to integrate the daily questions with the podcast more, and that seems like the best way to do it.
(3 answers)Question #96 Animals
Would you rather live in a house with mice or with pigeons? The mice would act like mice, hiding out, scurrying around. The pigeons would act like pigeons, pecking at things, pacing back and forth.
(11 answers)Question #95 Killing
Under what circumstances is it morally acceptable to kill someone?
(11 answers)Question #94 Cake
What sort of cake do you prefer for your birthday?
(13 answers)Question #93 Optimism
What makes you feel optimistic about the human race in general?
(5 answers)Question #92 Things
If you ran things in this country, what would be the first thing you would change?
(6 answers)Question #91 Pornography
What was the first pornography you ever had any contact with?
(12 answers)Question #90 R-Rated
What was the first R-Rated movie you ever saw?
(14 answers)Question #89 Experience
What was the greatest experience of your life?
(2 answers)Question #88 Your Great-Grandparents
Where did your Great-Grandparents live and what did they do?
(9 answers)Question #86 Musical Instruments
What is the funniest musical instrument?
(7 answers)Question #87 Humanity’s Obligations
Does the human race have any special responsibilities that other species don’t? Why or why not?
(2 answers)Question #85 Beautiful
Who is the most beautiful person in the world?
(4 answers)Question #84 Smoking
How do you get a friend to quit smoking?
(4 answers)Question #83 Museums
Should all art museums be demolished and their contents destroyed, to allow a fresh cultural start for us?
(7 answers)Question #82 Race
How preoccupied with race are you? I don’t mean Nascar.
(3 answers)Question #81 Love
Could you fall in love with someone of the same sex?
for gay people, the questions is:
Could you fall in love with someone of the opposite sex?
By the way, I think it would be funny if the question for gay people had been:
Why is almond butter not as popular as peanut butter, is it just because of the price?
Question #80 Creeps
Should creeps get arrested for child pornography if the pornography they have is CGI pictures of imaginary underage kids? That is, there are no humans being exploited to make the pornography.
(5 answers)Question #79 Art
I am thinking about paying an ebay comission artist money to draw a logo for this website. I want the logo to be an alligator with a bonnet and a baby bottle. What would you pay someone to draw a picture of?
(4 answers)Question #77 Your Mirror
What do you say to yourself in the mirror in the morning?
(6 answers)Question #78 Phil Collins
Suppose Rod Stewart and Phil Collins were to into a fistfight with one another. Who will be the winner?
(6 answers)Question #76 The Rock
In what sort of movies should Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson appear?
(4 answers)Question #75 Death
What happens to you when you die?
(7 answers)Question #74 Birds
Many people don’t like birds. I think they are alright, they’re just trying to do their own thing, represent their culture etc. What are your favorite and least favorite birds?
(9 answers)Question #73 Unethical Businesses
What is the most unethical industry in the US?
(4 answers)Question #72 Branches
Here in the US we have three branches of government that are meant to balance each other out: the legislative, executive and judicial. If there were to be a fourth branch, what should it be?
(6 answers)Question #71 Sardines
What do you think about sardines?
(7 answers)Question #70 Before you die
What do you want to do before you die?
(5 answers)Question #69 Candidates
Which 2008 Presidential candidates could you beat in a fight?
(5 answers)Question #68 Dogs and Pigs
Devin, in Karlsuhe Germany, would like to know:
How closely related are dogs and pigs?
It’s too bad I don’t answer these, cause I know the answer to this. I read The Variety of Life by Colin Tudge. It’s a taxonomy of all life on earth, but it’s not as borng as it sounds, although the chapters about fungi work as sleep aids.
(3 answers)Question #67 Voodoo
DV would like to know:
How similar are acupuncture and voodoo?
(2 answers)Question #66 Mimes
Devin, writing from Germany, would like to know:
How closely related is mime to ballet?
(2 answers)Question #65 Medicine
Does acupuncture work?
(5 answers)Question #64 Months
What is up with all the men in NYC wearing V-neck shirts? Is that the thing this summer?
(9 answers)Question #63 Eyes
What color are your eyes?
(5 answers)Question #62 Impress
What do you tell people when you want to impress them?
(9 answers)Question #61 President
Who would you like to see elected president in 2008?
(4 answers)Question #60 You
What’s the most important thing people need to know abut you?
(7 answers)Question #59 Underwear
if it is really hot and you are wearing jeans and riding a bike, is it appropriate to take them off and ride in your underwear?
(9 answers)Question #58 Acting
A major hollywood motion picture will be made about you. What actor will play you? Who will play your parents in the scenes of your childhood?
(5 answers)Question #57 Fingers
You are convicted of a crime and the judge says you have to have your finger cut off, but doesn’t specify which one, so you get to choose. Which one do you choose?
(6 answers)Question #56 Cable
Why should I get cable?
(6 answers)Question #55 songs
This question was suggested by Peter:
Every summer, one spectacularly popular pop song defeats all others and becomes everybody’s favorite. What song will do that this summer? “Buy U a Drank” by T-pain doesn’t count because it came out in February.
(4 answers)Question #54 Sand
What would it take to get you to eat sand?
(6 answers)Question #53 Ethnicity
If you had to change you ethnicity or race, what would you change it to?
NOTE: you would not be adopted, unless you already are. The ethnicity or race of all your family would change.
(7 answers)Question #52 Height
Would you rather be a foot taller than you are now, or a foot shorter?
(4 answers)Question #51 prize
I am going to give a prize of some kind to whoever has the best answer to the most questions after question #100. What sort of prize should be given out by me?
(5 answers)Question #50 Addiction
If you had to pick up a new drug addiction of some kind, what would it be?
(10 answers)Question #49 Visitors
Some friends of mine will be visiting me in NYC from California next week. What should I show them? Where should I take them? I figure I will take them to Coney Island during the week when it’s not so crowded and maybe to amateur night at the World Famous Apollo Theatre Where Stars Are Born And Legends Are Made.
(10 answers)Memorial Day
It’s memorial day so there is no question today. Enjoy the weekend. I’m going to the Czech beer garden, assuming it isn’t too crowded.
Question #48 Too Much
How much is too much?
BONUS QUESTION: How much is enough?
(5 answers)Question #47 Learning
What have you learned in the past year?
(6 answers)Question #46 Your Birthday
What do you want me to get you for your birthday?
(8 answers)Question #45 Darfur
How bad do you feel about the situation in Darfur?
(3 answers)Question #44 voting
Do you think it’s right that convicted felons can no longer vote?
(3 answers)Question #43 Pigeons
Why don’t people eat pigeons? In my neighborhood, the Egyptian restaurants sometimes serve it. If you say that they are dirty then you’ve obviously never spent any time around chickens.
(4 answers)Question #42 Wild Animals
Which, if any, wild animals could you defeat in a fight? You would be unarmed except for crude stone tools.
(6 answers)Question #41 Insomnia
I often find I can’t sleep. This has been a problem for years. What steps can one take to ensure a good night’s sleep?
(10 answers)Question #40 Cars
I think the ugliest car ever created is the PT Cruiser. I know it’s an easy target so maybe I am wrong. That’s why I am asking you: What is the ugliest car ever made?
(6 answers)Question #39 Your nine year-old son
In central park yesterday a guy who was with his son claimed he would kill me and kick my ass, who was probably nine years old. I told him he shouldn’t set a bad example for his kid, which made him even angrier.
What are some other things, besides threatening strangers, that you shouldn’t do in front of your nine year old son?
(5 answers)Question #38 Punching
When was the last time you punched someone?
(8 answers)Question #37 Tandem Bikes
Why aren’t tandem bicycles more popular?
(5 answers)Question #36 Tombs
This question comes from Phoebe (la Vitonella) who asks:
They just found King Herod’s tomb. If you had a tomb, what materials would it be made out of, what would it be decorated with, and what would you like buried along with your mummified body?
(3 answers)Question #35 Pie – drink bonus
If you were going to throw a pie in someone’s face, what kind of pie would you use?
Bonus question:
If you were going to throw a drink in someone’s face, what drink would you throw?
(10 answers)Question #34 Sports
Fifty years ago the most popular spectator sports in America were horse racing, baseball and boxing. How would boxing or horse racing have to change to regain their popularity?
(3 answers)Question #33 That Car
Man that car don’t come out until next year, where in the fuuuck did you get it?
(3 answers)Question #32 Interests
What your interests are?
(3 answers)Question #31 Goals
Do you have any goals? If so, what are they?
(5 answers)Question #30 Fairly Rated
What are some things that are neither overrated nor underrated? That is, what are some things that are generally given the amount of public acclaim or scorn they deserve?
(8 answers)Question #29 Metric
Are you for a switch to the metric system or against it? Why?
(4 answers)Question #28 "I Still Got It!"
I was brushing my teeth a couple days ago and I wiped the fog off my mirror and looked at my face and said “I don’t got it”
Later, I was walking down the street and a girl on 11th street said “hey cutie!” and I looked to my left and then to my right and then pointed at myself and said “me?” and she said “yeah, you!” and then I smiled and I thought to myself “I still got it!”
It was pretty clear that my self image was external and etc. What makes you think “I still got it!” or “I don’t got it”?
(9 answers)Question #27 Shoelessness
How long could you go without wearing shoes, realistically?
(7 answers)Question #26 Theme Music
Once I was driving with my dad and with Stefan somewhere in Queens, I forget where, it’s not really relevant anyways. I asked my dad if he had ever wanted to have a theme song that would play at all times whenever he showed up somewhere. He said “How would that work exactly, I would walk in and then over a PA would come ‘Smooth Operator’” He sang it! I was real impressed that my dad only wanted to know how the theme music would be implemented, the song choice was. for him, the easiest thing in the world.
I just got back from a NY Mets game and noticed that all the players have entrance themes. Since this is the 2007 Mets it’s mostly reggaeton but it made me wonder what theme music would be appropriate to play as soon as one makes an entrance.
What song would you play as theme music for yourself? (and you can’t pick “Enter Sandman” or “Smooth operator” cause those are taken. For that matter so is “Apache” cause that’s mine)
(6 answers)Question #25 Movie
I would like to watch a movie in a movie theater but I am not convinced that any of the movies that are out now will be any good. Which one should I see?
(2 answers)Question #24 Corn
I think we decided already that corn was the best vegetable. Today’s follow-up question is this: What is the best way to eat corn?
(5 answers)Question #23 Moving
If you had to leave town immediately and permanently, where would you move to?
(3 answers)Question #22 Pets
I always say I want to have a dog but I think it’s an act of cruelty to have a dog in NYC. Cats make my eyes itch. So, since whatever pet I would have is purely theoretical anyways, I may as well let my mind roam when it comes to animals I could live with. Today’s question is, should I adopt Charmander, a fictional cartoon lizard or Knut, the baby polar bear who lives in the Berlin Zoo?
Charmander
Knut
Question #21 Questions
What sort of questions should I ask here? Easy? Hard? multiple choice? philosophical?
(2 answers)Question #20 Nightmares
What was the last nightmare you had?
(5 answers)Question #19 Vegetables
What is the best all-around vegetable?
(4 answers)Question #18 The Universe
What is the eventual fate of the universe? Will its mass eventually pull it back in on in itself in a fiery collision, or will it expand forever until everything is cold and distant?
(4 answers)Question #17 Basketball
Who will win the NBA championship this year?
(5 answers)Question #16 Beverages
You can only drink one beverage for the rest of your life, not counting natural water. What beverage do you choose?
(11 answers)Question #15 Time Machine
While you are taking a shortcut home across the street from a hardware store you find an abandoned time machine. The owners must have left it and decided to stay in our current era permanently. It looks like an old refrigerator, the kind that kids are supposed to not play hide and seek in. It has really simple controls, just like in the movies. Just a few dials for year and month and location and then a big red button marked “go”.
What time period do you go to? What do you bring?
(2 answers)Question #14 Dogs
Do you remember how Snoop Doggy Dogg, in his music video, turned into a doberman pincher and his friend Nate Dogg turned into a bulldog? If you were, by magical means, tuned into a god, what sort of dog would it be and what sort of life as a dog would you live?
(5 answers)Question #13 Villains
Of all people in history, who is most like a horror movie villain? Who is most like an action movie villain?
(2 answers)Question #12 People
What are some things that people care about that they don’t really care about?
(2 answers)Question #11 advice
What’s the worst advice you ever got from someone?
(5 answers)Question #10 You
What’s holding you back from doing what you want?
(4 answers)Question #9 sleep
How many hours a night to you sleep, in general?
(8 answers)Question #8 Fingers
How much money would it take to get you to have one of your fingers amputated, and which finger would you choose? Those of you with less than ten fingers please answer this question: how many consecutive hours could you go without sleeping?
(10 answers)Question #7 God
Does God Exist? I don’t mean necessarily Zeus or a biblical God, I mean like a greater intelligence in the universe.
(6 answers)Question #6 Day of the Year
What is your favorite day of the year?
(8 answers)Question #5 The Ground
Under what circumstances can food be eaten off the ground?
(13 answers)Question #4 Contempt
Who is the most contemptible person in America? BONUS QUESTION: Who is the most admirable person in America?
(5 answers)Question #3 Nickels
You are kidnapped by extremely evil people. They sit you in front of a giant bag of nickels. These are modern-day plated nickels, not the old solid ones. They have a man in the other room who will eat nickels. They say that if you can eat more nickels than him, they’ll let you go free. If he eats more than you, you’ll be killed in a horrible, painful way. These are not nice people! Your life depends on you eating as many nickels as possible in the span of an hour.
How many nickels can you eat, then, now that your life depends on it?
(7 answers)Question #2 Snowman/Scarecrow
At your regular checkup, your doctor tells you that you have two weeks to live. On the way home from the office, you meet a powerful magician who says he can cure you but the process involves turning you magically for the next 2 years into either a scarecrow or a snowman (or, of course, snowwoman).
As a scarecrow you would be a mannequin filled with straw and you would have to wear baggy clothes and a straw hat. Your face would be crude stitchwork. You would be able to walk around, read, etc. If you were injured, you would be able to stuff yourself with more straw.
As a snowman you would be made out of three large snowballs. You would not lose mass from melting, although when it was warm out you would leave water behind you. You could have either a button or a carrot for a nose. You would be able to smoke a corncob pop with no health concerns. Your eyes would be made from coal and you could have either sticks for hands or big snow arms. Even though you had no legs you would be able to move around, go up and down stairs, drive a car, etc.
After the two years you will be totally cured. Which would you opt to be turned into? Why? How would you spend your time?
(15 answers)Question #1 N.W.A./Geto Boys
You find yourself in a situation where you must push one of two buttons:
The first button will erase from history the Geto Boys (Bushwick Bill, Mr. Scarface, Willie D). They will never have existed. You will lose all memory of their existence. It will be as if none of them were ever born.
The second button will do the same to the members of N.W.A (Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, MC Ren, Yella, Eazy-E). They will never have existed. You will lose all memory of their existence. It will be as if none of them ever existed.
Which button do you press, and why? Is this murder or not?
(15 answers)