The Straight Dope: What happened to all the supergeniuses?

[View this message as a web page]( [The Straight Dope]( 11/10/2017 Dear Cecil: Do supergeniuses still exist? The world has more people, so there should be more Newtons and Einsteins than ever, but I can't think of many today like that. — Wesley Clark, via the Straight Dope Message Board Cecil replies: Wesley, honestly. Have you never heard of Stephen Hawking? He’d rank high on any list of supergeniuses. And of course there can be only one superdupergenius, namely me. For more, see: [( STRAIGHT DOPE STAFF REPORT — 11/11/1999 Dear Straight Dope: All my life I've heard that the Daddy Long Legs spider is the most poisonous spider in the world — but his mouth is too small to bite you. Now I'm beginning to take flack from my buddies in defense of this theory. What can you tell me? — Craig Fraser, Sundance, Utah SDStaff Dogster replies: Craig. Buddy. Pal. When Cecil slipped this one in my direction I was all pumped to help you put your buddies in their place. See, I'd heard this one too, had even read it recently in an article about a former baseball player-turned-coach who is suffering the effects of an unknown spider's bite. So I eagerly cracked open my Grolier's, my OED, my web search engine … and I did find out some extremely interesting facts about our spindly-legged friend, the Daddy Longlegs … For more, see: [( STRAIGHT DOPE CLASSIC — 06/10/2005 Dear Cecil: Being a woman of the world, I've encountered quite a few strange fetishes in my life. However, my brother Mikey and his hopelessly blond girlfriend recently got into coprophagia. I'm a pretty open-minded gal, but I draw the line when I have to kiss the face that … well, you know. Alas, pointing out the bizarre and repugnant nature of his behavior has done little to change my lost sibling's ways. After reading a column on your site that referenced how food-service workers not washing their hands after going to the bathroom could promote the spread of disease, I started to wonder just how dangerous coprophagia is. What are the risks? Beyond disease, what could go wrong? — Mistress Anastasia in San Francisco Cecil replies: You discuss kinky sex practices with your brother? Man, family dinner at your house must be a trip. Still, revolting though we may find coprophagia (shit eating, for you innocents), what's the Straight Dope for if not to illuminate the universe's darker recesses? Herewith a smattering of coprofacts, on the theory that forewarned is forearmed. For more, see: [( YOUR AD HERE! Your direct line to thousands of the smartest, hippest people on the planet, plus a few total dipsticks. For rates and details contact Rich at [rhummel@suntimes.com](. Copyright © 2017 Sun-Times Media, LLC. This email was sent by The Straight Dope, Sun-Times Media, LLC., 350 N. Orleans, 10th Floor, Chicago, IL 60654 [Unsubscribe/update preferences]( This email was sent to {EMAIL}. To change or update your newsletter subscription preferences, or to unsubscribe from all Chicago Reader and Straight Dope newsletters and promotional communications, [click here](. Please allow 72 hours for this change to take effect.