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39qbbb
used car pricing.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/39qbbb/eli5_used_car_pricing/
{ "a_id": [ "cs5gunr" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "1. people highball their car because potential buyers will haggle down the price. that is a near guarantee, so they list the car higher. \n\n2. people wildly overestimate the value of their car. it might have 200k+ miles and there might be a crac...
[]
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[ [] ]
21oyko
The Colombian conflict from the 60s until 1994. Anyone know any good resources?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/21oyko/the_colombian_conflict_from_the_60s_until_1994/
{ "a_id": [ "cgfd6a6", "cgfhkps" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "I can't recommend it because I haven't read it yet and I'm not a historian, but the [book list](_URL_0_) has one book on Colombia. It covers a wider area, but it's worth pointing out if you're interested in the subject.\n\nT...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/wiki/books" ], [] ]
aneqcc
Why was the Domus Aurea in Rome buried?
I've read that Nero's Golden House (the Domus Aurea) was buried and built over by successive structures, such as the Baths of Trajan. I'm familiar with archeological tells, and as I understand it, it's not unusual to have sites built up over the course of time. However, only a few decades separated Nero and Trajan. Why...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/aneqcc/why_was_the_domus_aurea_in_rome_buried/
{ "a_id": [ "efstyoy" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "It was not abandoned wholesale, as many think. The Flavian emperors who came to power after Nero's death in 69 had listened to public opinion, and the Roman public was not very happy with Nero's capricious building program. We get scattered refer...
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[]
[ [] ]
1spg12
Why Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity didn't expand into the rest of Sub-Sahara Africa?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1spg12/why_ethiopian_orthodox_christianity_didnt_expand/
{ "a_id": [ "cdzwadc" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity had a distinct connection to the landed nobility and ruling houses of Ethiopia--through Biblical connections--and the theology in question was tied very strongly to SW Asia. People further inland did not gain anyt...
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[ [] ]
rkbsh
How does prolonged use of pharmaceutical hypnotics (drugs used to treat insomnia) affect the human brain?
I'm curious to know how hypnotic pharmaceutical drugs (drugs used for the treatment of insomnia) such as Ambien (Zolpidem) and Lunesta (Eszopiclone) affect the human brain after a period of use greater than 5 to 10 years, being taken regularly on a daily basis. These drugs are recommended to be used no longer than 90 d...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/rkbsh/how_does_prolonged_use_of_pharmaceutical/
{ "a_id": [ "c46kfvy" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Just this morning, in Denmark, there were a big fuss in the news concerning an increased number of pharmaceutical hypnotics persciptions for children (age 0-11) and teens (age 12-19). In relation to what the OP is asking, if someone know, how doe...
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[ [] ]
29jsou
how do doctors get prescription medication? can they prescribe them to themselves or do they need to go to another doctor?
Just curious as to what doctors do when they need medication.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/29jsou/eli5_how_do_doctors_get_prescription_medication/
{ "a_id": [ "cilm24y", "cilndbf", "cilndph", "cilx711", "cim155k" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "They could prescribe for themselves, but they probably go to other doctors for a neutral point of view. Most doctors also are rich enough to go to another doc...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
1f2ydh
How did German citizens feel about American "invaders" towards the end of the war? How aware were they of the reasoning behind the war and how did they feel about their own government?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1f2ydh/how_did_german_citizens_feel_about_american/
{ "a_id": [ "ca6cg1r", "ca6cuej", "ca6h4k9", "ca6j86u" ], "score": [ 20, 4, 7, 6 ], "text": [ "A gentle reminder that our rules don't allow for [personal anecdotes and speculation](_URL_0_).", "Could you elaborate what was for you the \"reasoning\" behind the war beside...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/askhistorians/wiki/rulesmore#wiki_no_speculation" ], [], [], [] ]
1drpna
How do bacteria and viruses "know" where things are?
For instance, say they're attacking a cell, how do they track it down and orient themselves to fight it.
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1drpna/how_do_bacteria_and_viruses_know_where_things_are/
{ "a_id": [ "c9t9ipg", "c9ta6pm", "c9tic64" ], "score": [ 5, 10, 2 ], "text": [ "[Bonnie Bassler](_URL_0_) explains this beautifully. ", "For viruses: They don't. Viruses enter a cell basically by \"Velcro\" -- they have a protein that will specifically stick to one of your nor...
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[]
[ [ "http://www.ted.com/talks/bonnie_bassler_on_how_bacteria_communicate.html" ], [], [] ]
1at0zk
If a human was thrown out into space, what would kill him first? Low pressure, low temperature, or lack of oxygen?
Just curious to see how long someone could survive in space and what would kill him first.
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1at0zk/if_a_human_was_thrown_out_into_space_what_would/
{ "a_id": [ "c90hn93", "c90ibtb" ], "score": [ 89, 16 ], "text": [ "Lack of oxygen, although if you hold your breath there might be significant physical damage to your lungs. The low pressure environment of space would rapidly de-oxygenate your blood, whereas cooling would occur (relativel...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_exposure", "http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/ask_astro/answers/970603.html" ], [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/sciencefaqs/comments/hd4ib/what_happens_to_a_human_body_in_vacuumhow/" ] ]
h54id
What do you think about the parallel universes theory?
I mean is it highly possible? I can't see it as science (maybe because I don't understand it well), but it seems to me as fiction. Could anyone explain how is this theory and the M theory are accepted by physicist today?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/h54id/what_do_you_think_about_the_parallel_universes/
{ "a_id": [ "c1snlhc", "c1snt0s", "c1sntws", "c1so23m", "c1sorx7" ], "score": [ 28, 6, 12, 4, 4 ], "text": [ "This comes up a *lot.* It appears to be a widespread misapprehension.\n\nThere *is no* \"parallel universe\" theory. Seriously. Not kidding. No such theory ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/g8fuo/many_worlds_interpretation/" ], [ "http://space.mit.edu/home/tegmark/crazy.html" ], [] ]
1tw434
why do stadiums have such a short lifespan relative to other buildings?
Sports stadiums are very expensive and seem to have a lifespan of around 30 years. Why aren't they built to last longer and what causes them to die so quickly relative to some other structures? I.e. the Empire State Building has been around a long time.. I would assume a sports stadium would draw a longer term investme...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1tw434/eli5_why_do_stadiums_have_such_a_short_lifespan/
{ "a_id": [ "cec40gy", "cec5jxk", "ceca52s" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Stadiums are basically concrete and aluminum seats. All the glitz goes in the boxes and high dollar seating. Then you have the dick measuring going on between owners over who has the best stadium. When ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
112y71
Can a curved universe explain the accelerating expansion of the universe?
In a curved universe model, with closed trajectories, and where the big bang (BiBa) happened in the 'center' of this model, is it possible that the mass of stars and galaxies at one 'edge' (A) and the other 'edge' (B) of the universe are actually attracting each other due to their gravitation? (A-------BiBa-------B) ...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/112y71/can_a_curved_universe_explain_the_accelerating/
{ "a_id": [ "c6iuuux", "c6iwff8" ], "score": [ 6, 4 ], "text": [ "The accelerating expansion of the universe isn't due to a gravitational pull between galaxies. The space itself between galaxies is expanding. Which is why we view objects farther away from us as traveling faster away from u...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metric_expansion" ] ]
1c0mm6
Back in the days of Pangaea, was there nothing but ocean on the other side of the Earth? Or were there other continents, now lost?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1c0mm6/back_in_the_days_of_pangaea_was_there_nothing_but/
{ "a_id": [ "c9buurr", "c9bvjyi" ], "score": [ 4, 5 ], "text": [ "One vast ocean. Although there were probably some subduction arcs islands too, possibly even somme hotspot volcanics. the current pacific is not a bad analogy.", "It is a common misconception when looking at modern 2D m...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
fwg3n
Photons and relativity
I've read on reddit that because of the effects of relativity, photons of light are, from their perspective of course, created and absorbed at the exact same moment. It's fairly mind-boggling, but I think I can understand it. What I can't understand at all is... what about the photons which are launched deep into inte...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/fwg3n/photons_and_relativity/
{ "a_id": [ "c1j4j32", "c1j4q2s", "c1j58hi", "c1j5lru" ], "score": [ 4, 3, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "The simple answer is that there is no photon's perspective, so the question isn't particularly meaningful.\n\nIf that doesn't satisfy you: photons, when propagating, don't behave l...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
3mcnpi
why is fried food crispy?
It would seem more natural for it to be soggy with all that oil.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3mcnpi/eli5_why_is_fried_food_crispy/
{ "a_id": [ "cvdx8af" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "Water is absorbed from the molecules surrounding the food items. When the h2o is freed the intermolecular bonds weaken and the item becomes crispy." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
3qhdz0
Why did no Medieval European country recreate a Roman style army?
I'm assuming it was too expensive for "Dark Age" kingdoms like that of the Carolingians. But even in the late medieval period there seemed to be a greater focus on cavalry and lighter infantry that fought in a more loose style. Was the military change cultural and/or economic? Or did the Roman format (Post Marian/earl...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3qhdz0/why_did_no_medieval_european_country_recreate_a/
{ "a_id": [ "cwflre4" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "There are several ways to look at your question.\n\nIt seems, though, that rather than speaking of professional standing armies in and of themselves, you're more curious about the tactics and such.\n\nFor that, first, you should look at the Battl...
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[]
[ [] ]
1i1rev
1440p, 2k, 4k resolutions; what are they and why would i ever need these?
I noticed these resolutions popping up recently and am not sure why they exist or why i would ever need them. 1080p seems very detailed, would my eyes even notice a difference, compared to say traditional 480i vs 1080p? **edit:** extra s
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1i1rev/eli5_1440p_2k_4k_resolutions_what_are_they_and/
{ "a_id": [ "cb042y1" ], "score": [ 15 ], "text": [ "Yes, your eyes would tell a difference. \n\nAs good as 1080p is, there is still more information that could be displayed on screen with a higher resolution. \n\nThis information would likely be crisper edges, better definition of features, and m...
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[ [] ]
ti6qj
Why does music make it easier to memorize things?
For example: If you try to memorize a poem word perfect, it is quite difficult if the poem is not very short. But set the same poem to music (make a song out of it) and it becomes much easier. Why?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/ti6qj/why_does_music_make_it_easier_to_memorize_things/
{ "a_id": [ "c4mtxxa" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Storing memory and recalling memory are each improved with recruitments of more neurons coding for and recalling that memory. Additionally, when that memory is tied to another, easy-to-recall memory (such as a familiar tune), the signal fidelity ...
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[]
[ [] ]
4aiuvj
Why do some people have photographic memory, yet a normal person without one can still remember a huge quantity of information, such as the meaning of hundreds and thousands of words? What's the scientific difference between those two types of memory?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/4aiuvj/why_do_some_people_have_photographic_memory_yet_a/
{ "a_id": [ "d10so7d", "d10yfc9", "d10zi9c", "d11nlph" ], "score": [ 97, 21, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "No one has a photographic memory. It has never been proven to exist in the real world. It's merely a creation of art/literature/film for the sake of plot.\n\nSome people certainl...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/i-developed-what-appears-to-be-a-ph/", "https://sites.psu.edu/psych256fa13/2013/10/20/does-eidetic-memory-exist/", "http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2006/04/kaavya_syndrome.html" ], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mnemonist", ...
eap162
What would the inside of sun look like to the human eye?
So yesterday I saw a documentary about the sun and how photons are created in the core of stars. When they are first created though, they have so much energy that are in the form of gamma and X rays, which aren't visible to the human eye. So if these photons don't become visible light until the outer layer of the sun, ...
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/eap162/what_would_the_inside_of_sun_look_like_to_the/
{ "a_id": [ "fay5rdk", "fay6tr1", "faydi6g", "faz7qfr" ], "score": [ 34, 13, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "It would appear brilliantly bright for a short time. The photons from fusion would still be very high energy, but the photons from temperature would not. It would emit lots of ul...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
3uxb0b
how is your brain able to recreate the sound of, for example, a song, perfectly in your head so it seems like you can hear it?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3uxb0b/eli5_how_is_your_brain_able_to_recreate_the_sound/
{ "a_id": [ "cxilvjm" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "technically speaking, your brain is not recreating the sound of that song, it's only recalling its experience of it just like most other experiences it recalls, so your question is really a far more general one about how memories are stored. \...
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[]
[ [] ]
2olkez
why are american doctors so willing to prescribe strong painkillers when doctors in every other country aren't?
I know there's a simple legal answer to this -- the drugs are legal here and they aren't in many other countries. But you'd think that at least some American doctors would be reluctant to give Vicodin out like candy, yet I've never encountered one before. On the other hand, I understand that most European doctors are s...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2olkez/eli5_why_are_american_doctors_so_willing_to/
{ "a_id": [ "cmoa4le", "cmogdw2", "cmoh707" ], "score": [ 26, 10, 5 ], "text": [ "**Tl;dr: It all boils down to different medical training and different laws.** \n\nAmerican doctors prescribe pain medication to prevent chronic pain, which is much more difficult to treat. Also, it i...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
8amelo
What is the lower limit of the number of cells that can make up a multi-celled organism?
Often, I see discussions on how many cells the largest organisms have, but I have yet to come across an answer on what the lower limit is in regards to cell count. Am I over-thinking this and the answer is simply two? What kinds of factors play into how many cells or the interactions between cells that make something a...
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/8amelo/what_is_the_lower_limit_of_the_number_of_cells/
{ "a_id": [ "dx02in2" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ "The difference between a small colony and a true multicellular organism are probably arbitrary. Some protists like slime molds and volvox are capable of both unicellular and multicellular aggregations. \n\nIf you want a functional definition, I’d...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
15vvim
why do fish float upside down when dead or dying?
I've only seen goldfish do this but sometimes they did it and they were still alive and they'd swim around upside down, why?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/15vvim/eli5_why_do_fish_float_upside_down_when_dead_or/
{ "a_id": [ "c7qbvvh" ], "score": [ 34 ], "text": [ "Fish have a pocket of air called a \"swim bladder\" that they use to help themselves swim up and down. \n\nWhen a fish is healthy, they usually use chemical reactions to add or remove gas to the pocket, or just gulp in air and burp it out. \n\nW...
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[]
[ [] ]
6iqlgj
how do doctors determine if a sickness (specifically, topical) is caused by a bacteria, virus, or fungus?
Are there any tests or questions that make it pretty obvious?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6iqlgj/eli5_how_do_doctors_determine_if_a_sickness/
{ "a_id": [ "dj8d3x9" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "They can either swab it and see what grows on media suited for microbial growth or through an immunoassay which uses antibodies and color indicators to identify specific probable species." ] }
[]
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[ [] ]
f6bvzb
they said "the water doesn't have an expiration date, the plastic bottle does" so how come honey that comes in a plastic bottle doesn't expire?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/f6bvzb/eli5_they_said_the_water_doesnt_have_an/
{ "a_id": [ "fi57tuh", "fi5iy5p", "fi63ydy", "fi6i7cm", "fi3q88x", "fi3sizi", "fi43i9j", "fi49ih2", "fi4az0b", "fi4clwe", "fi4cyd5", "fi4d447", "fi4dv0z", "fi4dy65", "fi4eiww", "fi4gqr3", "fi4i93a", "fi4ozv8", "fi4t56h", "fi4ttkq", "f...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "https://www.cancer.ca/en/prevention-and-screening/reduce-cancer-risk/make-informed-decisions/myths-and-controversies/disposable-water-bottles/?region=on" ], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
4mw4av
how are new domain extensions (such as .tech, .xyz, ect) created?
I've always wondered this but I've never found a clear answer, thanks! Edit: Found a list of TLDs here - _URL_0_
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4mw4av/eli5_how_are_new_domain_extensions_such_as_tech/
{ "a_id": [ "d3ys1a0", "d3yxa9d", "d3z1r7p" ], "score": [ 2, 3, 3 ], "text": [ "What you are describing is called a Top Level Domain, or TLD.\n\nThe organization reasonable is known as ICANN, or the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers. Basically, they decide what TL...
[]
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Internet_top-level_domains" ]
[ [], [], [ "reddit.com", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Postel", "https://domains.google" ] ]
2we6ox
what makes vlc able to play virtually any format and others players can’t?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2we6ox/eli5what_makes_vlc_able_to_play_virtually_any/
{ "a_id": [ "coq0zm8", "coq1zs7", "coq2i3r", "coqdnay", "coqhnc7", "coqnmsl" ], "score": [ 13, 71, 58, 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Some media formats require licensing fees that developers aren't willing or interested in paying. VLC either sidesteps these fees, or...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://haruhichan.com/forum/showthread.php?7545-KCP-Kawaii-Codec-Pack" ], [], [], [] ]
b6wdcg
why are records still made of vinyl? i know they're more of a collector's item nowadays, but haven't we invented any materials that are more durable or would otherwise be better for the job?
My boyfriend is really into records and he's tired of me pestering him about this. I've heard that records used to be made of something called shellac and then it turned into vinyl around the 1930s. But that only caught on when they started using lighter needles that didn't damage the record. It's almost 90 years later...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/b6wdcg/eli5_why_are_records_still_made_of_vinyl_i_know/
{ "a_id": [ "ejngoub", "ejngsds", "ejnhfet", "ejnhvjg", "ejnikvd", "ejnj4co", "ejnj957", "ejnnl1t", "ejnpb0f", "ejnpmyk", "ejnq13r", "ejnr2xl", "ejnskbj", "ejnutlt", "ejnz2t7", "ejo1xgf", "ejo2c49", "ejo3d05", "ejo4p64", "ejoas3k", "e...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PF4A4wdnXkU" ], [], [], [ "https://www.recordingthemasters.com/audio-tape/" ], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
86bo5e
what is a "confirmed kill"? is this a real military term or more a hollywood myth?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/86bo5e/eli5_what_is_a_confirmed_kill_is_this_a_real/
{ "a_id": [ "dw3s7m1", "dw3xlaw" ], "score": [ 33, 30 ], "text": [ "It's real. The military keeps records of sniper kills, the range, the weapon used...etc. Traditionally it wasn't publicly discussed and was sort of a \"don't talk about fight club\" rule among snipers, but Hollywood has po...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
9cfqgj
would a gallon of water weigh the sams as a gallon of ice?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9cfqgj/eli5_would_a_gallon_of_water_weigh_the_sams_as_a/
{ "a_id": [ "e5accma", "e5acki6", "e5acmfx", "e5acvec", "e5adu7f" ], "score": [ 3, 7, 5, 8, 3 ], "text": [ "No because a gallon is a measure of volume and weight in a constant gravitational field is related to mass not volume (force of gravity, or weight = mass*grav...
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[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
2ob5us
Since tidal force from the Moon moves such large quantities of water every day, do I weigh less at high tide?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2ob5us/since_tidal_force_from_the_moon_moves_such_large/
{ "a_id": [ "cmlgb1u", "cmlnuqa" ], "score": [ 7, 4 ], "text": [ "You weigh a tiny amount less when the moon is directly overhead.\n\nHigh tide occurs when the moon is overhead *and* when it's directly underneath. Tidal forces arise from the gradient of the moon's gravitational field acros...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://web.njit.edu/~gary/202/assets/tide_fig2.gif" ], [] ]
3m2lqh
Anyone know of any sources on the Republic of Pirates?
Looking to find some sources on my senior research project on the [Republic of Pirates](_URL_0_)
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3m2lqh/anyone_know_of_any_sources_on_the_republic_of/
{ "a_id": [ "cvbngab" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "I actually [just picked up this book](_URL_0_) today! It was recommended to me by a flaired user on this subreddit and I think it's in the subreddit book list." ] }
[]
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_Pirates" ]
[ [ "http://www.amazon.com/The-Republic-Pirates-Surprising-Caribbean-ebook/dp/B003K15IKI/ref=zg_bs_4810_7" ] ]
11opl3
After reading about more and more exoplanets in the science media, I got to wondering what the most earth-like planet yet discovered is? Is there anything anywhere near the "habitable" zone yet discovered?
First ever actual post on reddit! Quite interested in this from a layman's perspective. I think we're probably at a stage now where cataloguing planets might allow us to review what we've found. Thanks for any responses!
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/11opl3/after_reading_about_more_and_more_exoplanets_in/
{ "a_id": [ "c6obbfp" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "This isn't directed at you, but more general musing. I've noticed that every time there is a big exoplanet announcement, every body seems to forget the last exoplanet announcement. It's not that people weren't aware of them, each one generates do...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gliese_581_g", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kepler-22b" ] ]
a6uvqt
the newly discovered state of matter, "time crystals." what are it's properties, and what does it mean for scientific advancements?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a6uvqt/eli5_the_newly_discovered_state_of_matter_time/
{ "a_id": [ "ebycoy9", "ebymosz", "ebynkyt", "ebynzwf", "ebyoxu3", "ebypcbz", "ebyq3f6", "ebys833", "ebysfqq", "ebyt13y", "ebyu8yu", "ebyv813", "ebywfai", "ebyxoex", "ebz9h1x", "ebzecs0", "ec05ajh" ], "score": [ 7261, 331, 1639, 1...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [ "https://bitstorm.org/gameoflife/" ], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
7ms57j
why aren't there symptoms of high blood pressure?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7ms57j/eli5_why_arent_there_symptoms_of_high_blood/
{ "a_id": [ "drwaa61" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "High blood pressure can cause symptoms, which may include:\n\n* Severe headache (tension in capillary walls in the head).\n* Fatigue or confusion.\n* Vision problems (pressure on the retina).\n* Chest pain (tension in capillary wa...
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[ [] ]
1s4dmx
Is the nucleus of an atom organized in any way, like the electron cloud is?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1s4dmx/is_the_nucleus_of_an_atom_organized_in_any_way/
{ "a_id": [ "cdtzwqx", "cdu39ru" ], "score": [ 14, 2 ], "text": [ "There are different theories for dealing with nucleons. The nucleus is a very complex object. That is because there are multi-body interactions between all the nucleons (protons and neutrons). The shell theory works very...
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[ [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semi-empirical_mass_formula" ] ]
2bt3yw
What sort of role was planned for smaller members of NATO in the event of a Soviet attack?
This sort of stretches from 1949 to 1994 (if I must) but I don't know how to be more specific in my timescale. How would a minor nation like Albania, Greece, Slovakia, Iceland, Romania ect. really help? Do they do anything other than provide bases for more militarily advanced members and deny influence to the Warsaw ...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2bt3yw/what_sort_of_role_was_planned_for_smaller_members/
{ "a_id": [ "cj8n8dp" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "I can't answer, but Albania, Slovakia (as part of Czechoslovakia) and Romania were all members of the Warsaw Pact during the Cold War." ] }
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3ivgo1
How were black people treated in 20th century Britain as compared to America?
Secondary question: were African immigrants treated differently than black people born and raised in the UK?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3ivgo1/how_were_black_people_treated_in_20th_century/
{ "a_id": [ "cuketyc" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "British Pathé's five minute 1955 short [\"Our Jamaican Problem\"](_URL_0_) offers a snapshot of some of the racial attitudes in mid-century Britain, when there was a strong wave of immigration from its (then) colonies in the Caribbean. Films like...
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[ [ "http://www.britishpathe.com/video/our-jamaican-problem" ] ]
2lxynj
why are most computer related numbers even?
OS : 16 bit, 32bit, 64bit etc RAM: 2GB, 4GB, 8GB etc Or doubles?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2lxynj/eli5_why_are_most_computer_related_numbers_even/
{ "a_id": [ "clz75o8" ], "score": [ 10 ], "text": [ "Computers use binary numbers. We use decimal numbers.\n\n Binary Decimal\n 1 1\n 10 2\n 100 4\n 1000 8\n 10000 16\n 100000 32\n 1000000 64\n\nSo in computer-ese, numbers like 64 and 16 are round numb...
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sep0a
Questions about herbivores and their digestive capacity
I've been reading a bit about herbivores recently, specifically their gut contents. I'm not just interested in our standard models of herbivores (such as cows), but also herbivorous insects (such as herbivorous ants). I've got a few questions that I haven't seen answered in the literature I've read. Or perhaps I'm j...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/sep0a/questions_about_herbivores_and_their_digestive/
{ "a_id": [ "c4dgtjd" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Q1) Most insects do not degrade cellulose, e.g. caterpillars excrete most of it. Leaf cutter ants use fungus gardens to break down cellulose whereas termites have gut bacteria to break down wood. Vertebrates also need bacteria in their guts to du...
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pmtlq
Deodorant dependance?
I have a female friend, 29, who has never worn deodorant in her life, never smells (we´re close!), and claims that deodorant use breeds dependance i.e. only people who use deodorant from an early age really need to use it, and once you start you will smell BAD after a short time without it. I doubt it to be entirely ...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/pmtlq/deodorant_dependance/
{ "a_id": [ "c3qp37k" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Probably a genuine observation but with a bogus explanation. Both acne and [strong \"adult\" body odor](_URL_0_) are common symptoms of the onset of puberty. Should we believe that the bad smell of teen school locker rooms is exclusively caused...
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[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puberty#Body_odor_and_acne_2" ] ]
3qrpcf
In Aristotle's *Politics*, he refers to "the ancients". When people in classical Greece referred to Ancient times, how many years ago are they taking about.
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3qrpcf/in_aristotles_politics_he_refers_to_the_ancients/
{ "a_id": [ "cwhtpvt" ], "score": [ 23 ], "text": [ "We can't say with any definitive authority who \"the ancients\" in total were in the mind of Aristotle however we do know some specific individuals that he considered to be part of that group and can draw some inferences from that information. A...
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[ [ "http://www.phil.ufl.edu/faculty/palmer/papers/AncientTheologians.pdf" ] ]
porjr
Why does petting an animal relieve stress?
There have been many studies claiming that owning/petting an animal relieves stress. What is it about simply petting an animal that can relieve depression, anxiety, and stress? If it is something like endorphin's being released, why do they release over such a simple act?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/porjr/why_does_petting_an_animal_relieve_stress/
{ "a_id": [ "c3r3n4f" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Petting an animal stimulates a release of oxytocin (sometimes seen as the \"feel good\" hormone). That said the mechanism for this release remains unclear. We are fairly certain that Oxycontin receptors are found in both an area of the brain call...
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1bj5ya
why do i have to manually select "heat" or "cool" when choosing thermostat temperature?
Why is my thermostat a moron and why can't it figure out what the hell to do (heat or cool) to stay at the temp it's human wants?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1bj5ya/eli5_why_do_i_have_to_manually_select_heat_or/
{ "a_id": [ "c9741ug", "c974xdw" ], "score": [ 12, 3 ], "text": [ "Because it's really expensive to switch constantly between heating and cooling to maintain a specific temperature, so normally only one is set up to work at a time, so that during the summer you set cool down to 60, it cool...
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[ [], [] ]
2onvei
If helmets are designed to protect against shrapnel, why do modern helmets not follow the brodie-type shape, which seems optimal to protect against shrapnel coming from above?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2onvei/if_helmets_are_designed_to_protect_against/
{ "a_id": [ "cmp03me" ], "score": [ 10 ], "text": [ "The design of the Brodie helmet (or M1917 for the American-made version) is really a product of the conflict that it was introduced during: the First World War. The executive summary here is that of all the things that can kill you in trench war...
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50wno9
are organs allergic?
I'm severely allergic to a particular painkiller (and probably others in the same group). I know it's immune related but would any transplanted organs be allergic in their new host? And if so why?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/50wno9/eli5_are_organs_allergic/
{ "a_id": [ "d77nuua" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Allergies are when the host is incorrectly identifying allergens as foreign invaders. If your receive an organ, you aren't allergic to it; rather, your body detects that it is foreign and attacks it. I guess it's similar to an allergy, but not re...
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fknf19
How Were Medieval Noblewomen Trained In Administration?
I had read, and this might be erroneous, that while their husbands, fathers, and brothers were away at the Crusades or campaigning that their wives would be left to administer the castle or estate. Is this accurate? If so, how would these women have been trained for the task?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/fknf19/how_were_medieval_noblewomen_trained_in/
{ "a_id": [ "fldmqhf" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Oh, hey, I'd been meaning to respond to this for a few days now. \n\nThe main thing to note is that medieval noblewomen weren't just administrators of estates when their husbands were away in royal service, crusading, etc. They generally tended t...
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4h26vp
is there a species of animals or plants that have no native habitat?
I read the Venus Fly Trap's native home is North Carolina, and was wondering if a species didn't belong anywhere, and could exist anywhere.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4h26vp/eli5is_there_a_species_of_animals_or_plants_that/
{ "a_id": [ "d2mrc5t" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Well, there are some crop and livestock species whose wild ancestors are either extinct or not identified. Cows are descended from aurochs, which have been extinct since the 1600s; it's hard to say what, if anything, is the native range of the do...
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37g8cn
What was the response (if any) when Romans encountered Buddhism?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/37g8cn/what_was_the_response_if_any_when_romans/
{ "a_id": [ "crmneo0" ], "score": [ 52 ], "text": [ "The closest thing we have to a response are literary depictions of the *gymnosophists* (\"naked wise man\"), which basically translates to \"naked wise men\". From what descriptions we have it is difficult to know whether these are Jain, Buddhis...
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2gjs28
how does downloading data/files work?
I was on my computer, and I wondered since a computer can store so much data, how does the data/file get to your computer from the original uploaded through thin air to the computer? (Edit) Explained ty
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2gjs28/eli5_how_does_downloading_datafiles_work/
{ "a_id": [ "ckjrluw", "ckjrmie", "ckjrs3x", "ckjsxa1", "ckkbgvn" ], "score": [ 15, 4, 2, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Data travels across the internet in packets. Each packet can carry a maximum of 1,500 bytes. Around these packets is a wrapper with a header and a footer. Th...
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[ [ "http://computer.howstuffworks.com/ip-convergence2.htm" ], [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hard_disk_platter_reflection.jpg" ], [] ]
8cnaxk
Why do historic paintings around the world of battle scenes and other dramatic events seem to always have emotionless faces on the people in it?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/8cnaxk/why_do_historic_paintings_around_the_world_of/
{ "a_id": [ "dyk68ny" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Hi, I just ran into this question while searching for something. You might like this thread: \n\n* [Why do people in medieval art look bored or indifferent when being killed?](_URL_0_) by */u/silverionmox*\n" ] }
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[ [ "https://my.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/35do0x/why_do_people_in_medieval_art_look_bored_or/cr3jaff/" ] ]
4y8xo7
what the heck is an 'open source platform' for website building?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4y8xo7/eli5_what_the_heck_is_an_open_source_platform_for/
{ "a_id": [ "d6lx689", "d6m2f33" ], "score": [ 11, 3 ], "text": [ "Open Source is a phrase used to describe a methodology of software development. Instead of keeping the code closed and only allowing people use the software when it's assembled, they share the base code with everyone so the...
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[ [], [] ]
gtq86
This is probably a dumb question, but what form of matter is light?
I know the 4 main states of matter are Solid, Liquid, Gas, and Plasma. But what category does light fall under?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/gtq86/this_is_probably_a_dumb_question_but_what_form_of/
{ "a_id": [ "c1q81rq", "c1q81ug", "c1q84f8", "c1q8646", "c1q9fws", "c1qake2" ], "score": [ 3, 16, 7, 6, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "Light isn't matter in any reasonable sense. It differs in many huge ways from matter, the most obvious being that it doesn't have any m...
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[ [], [], [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photon_gas" ], [ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qQQXTMih1A" ] ]
4t5yyg
why is sport such a significant part of our society?
Why does the majority of the population seem to be drawn to sport? Every football match is the same as the last, why do people find it so interesting?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4t5yyg/eli5_why_is_sport_such_a_significant_part_of_our/
{ "a_id": [ "d5ev3vc", "d5fljuk" ], "score": [ 21, 2 ], "text": [ "My theory for the prevalence of sport in nearly every culture is that this acts as an outlet for our innate competitive instincts. In terms of an evolutionary advantage, communities that had this outlet perhaps had less int...
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[ [], [] ]
1aajw2
When passing the event horizon of a black hole there are no paths leading away from the center, but are there longer or shorter paths towards the center?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1aajw2/when_passing_the_event_horizon_of_a_black_hole/
{ "a_id": [ "c8vkak1" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Yes there are, depending on your angular momentum." ] }
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[ [] ]
1zv7p0
Why is the Collatz Conjecture, a seemingly easy to understand problem, so difficult to prove? If it could be proven that any starting number eventually reaches a smaller number in the chain, would that be proof of the conjecture?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1zv7p0/why_is_the_collatz_conjecture_a_seemingly_easy_to/
{ "a_id": [ "cfxdb7c", "cfxigkz" ], "score": [ 2, 7 ], "text": [ "I can only shed some light on the second part of your question, since the first is quite tough.\n\nIf it could be proven that any starting number eventually reaches a smaller number in the chain, then yes, that would be a pr...
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[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proof_by_infinite_descent" ], [] ]
1abszy
How prominent was the KGB in the USA?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1abszy/how_prominent_was_the_kgb_in_the_usa/
{ "a_id": [ "c8w132t", "c8w1bvj", "c8w1zyr", "c8w2n03", "c8w4yqk", "c8w6769" ], "score": [ 19, 141, 24, 61, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Very much involved. The KGB was _URL_0_ much that they even worked in the CIA. the most infamous kgb agent was Igor Orlov. He was a...
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[ [ "everywhere.so" ], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Dexter_White", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julius_and_Ethel_Rosenberg", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klaus_Fuchs", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technical_intelligence#Former_Soviet_Union_and_Russia", "https://en.wikipedia...
3lsn72
what is the difference between pro-life and pro-choice abortion?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3lsn72/eli5_what_is_the_difference_between_prolife_and/
{ "a_id": [ "cv8x37w" ], "score": [ 29 ], "text": [ "Pro-Life puts the life of the fetus as the most important factor in the choice to have an abortion or not, and is therefore the position where you are against letting women have the option of an abortion.\n\nPro-Choice puts the woman's right to ...
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124e0r
Russian troop movements WW1
So I've been on a cemetary in Western Germany (at the Dutch/Belgian border) and walked through the military sections. At one point the tombstones were significantly different from the others (squares instead of crosses) and the names on them were russian. I later found a plate that stated that 285 russian soldiers wer...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/124e0r/russian_troop_movements_ww1/
{ "a_id": [ "c6s277v" ], "score": [ 11 ], "text": [ "In 1915, the president of France requested 300,000 Russian troops be sent to France, in return for a large shipment of munitions. This was rejected out of hand by the commander of the Russian army, but in 191...
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49kzbk
how is it possible that my girlfriend is able to fall asleep within a minute or less?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/49kzbk/eli5_how_is_it_possible_that_my_girlfriend_is/
{ "a_id": [ "d0smkdi", "d0snoos" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "It's difficult to speak authoritatively without knowing your girlfriend, but it could be that she's just really good at unwinding before bed.\n\nIf you can take time to relax before turning in, it'll make it far easier to fa...
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9ilyvy
why an object such as a piece of china won't stick back together on it's own after breaking
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9ilyvy/eli5_why_an_object_such_as_a_piece_of_china_wont/
{ "a_id": [ "e6kpeks", "e6kq4uc" ], "score": [ 11, 2 ], "text": [ "So explaining this in actual ELI5 terms might be a little hard, so to keep things simple we'll just talk about failure of brittle materials which is what you're talking about in your example with a ceramic like a piece of c...
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[ [], [ "https://youtu.be/Y2nQ8isf55s" ] ]
8ztldi
When classifying a moon, is it based around the relative size to the planet? Or do all moons have to be a certain size or larger?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/8ztldi/when_classifying_a_moon_is_it_based_around_the/
{ "a_id": [ "e2lkx23", "e2lnhj6", "e2mjayz" ], "score": [ 59, 24, 3 ], "text": [ "The word moon clearly describes an object that orbits something other than the main star in a system. Moons are not classified by their mass, size or composition. *Ganymede for example is the biggest...
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[ [], [], [] ]
1a5scg
Origin of degeneracy pressure
I have heard of Pauli's exclusion principle but it was an ad-hoc principle that was simply stated as "no two fermions can ever share the same quantum state". This was also in the context of non-relativistic, early QM. I believe I heard a Feynman quote (?) about how the exclusion principle can be derived from QFT, but...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1a5scg/origin_of_degeneracy_pressure/
{ "a_id": [ "c8ui6u4", "c8uim9s", "c8uivyy" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Pauli's exclusion principle isn't *ad hoc*. It's fundamental to the nature of fermions that, unlike bosons, no two can ever be in exactly the same state. The reason is that if you swap the states of two...
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[ [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spin-statistics_theorem", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exchange_operator" ] ]
dfdc1e
why do leaves turn yellow (and other colors )?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dfdc1e/eli5_why_do_leaves_turn_yellow_and_other_colors/
{ "a_id": [ "f32dyi4", "f32e5yj", "f32e7oa" ], "score": [ 8, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "short answer, time of year changes amount of sun. Leaves are full of colors, we usually see green cause theres a bunch of chlorophyll being activated by sun. When theres less sun the plant cuts off supp...
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[ [], [], [] ]
17nxci
If the earth were drained of water and reduced to the size of a cue ball, would I feel a rough texture?
Could I feel the rifts and valleys on an earth the size of a pool ball? Would it feel smooth? My mind says yes, but I don't have the science to back it up.
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/17nxci/if_the_earth_were_drained_of_water_and_reduced_to/
{ "a_id": [ "c878zq8", "c8790pm" ], "score": [ 5, 2 ], "text": [ " > OK, first, how smooth is a billiard ball? According to the World Pool-Billiard Association, a pool ball is 2.25 inches in diameter, and has a tolerance of +/- 0.005 inches. In other words, it must have no pits or bumps mo...
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[ [ "http://skeptics.stackexchange.com/questions/10763/is-earth-as-smooth-as-a-billiard-ball" ], [ "http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/08/ten-things-you-dont-know-about-the-earth/#.UQsckPVEIZI" ] ]
17uzp8
Following dyslexda's question, how would Han Dynasty soldiers have fared against Romans of the equivalent time?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/17uzp8/following_dyslexdas_question_how_would_han/
{ "a_id": [ "c894i3l" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "You might be looking for /r/historicalwhatif." ] }
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m2079
How do giant cities in the desert like Phoenix get enough water? Are they sustainable?
If not, are there any technological solutions to the problem?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/m2079/how_do_giant_cities_in_the_desert_like_phoenix/
{ "a_id": [ "c2xf9b8", "c2xf9b8" ], "score": [ 5, 5 ], "text": [ "Partly from groundwater, partly from imported water. Phoenix gets a substantial amount of its water from the Colorado River. These desert cities are built on the Basin and Range region of the U.S., and are commonly between t...
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[ [], [] ]
4nzhub
how do political parties besides the republicans and democrats enter the presidential race?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4nzhub/eli5_how_do_political_parties_besides_the/
{ "a_id": [ "d48af4r", "d48awpl", "d48bo0k" ], "score": [ 14, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "The same way that republicans and democrats do. The only difference is that republicans and democrats have more money and more supporters. So it's easier for an independent to just choose the side they...
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[ [], [], [] ]
2j8qb1
Which charges would Eva Braun have faced (in the Nuremberg) trials if she had not commited suicide?
Were there any charges legally/morally? How big was her role in the crimes commited? How was decided which persons faced the trial?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2j8qb1/which_charges_would_eva_braun_have_faced_in_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cl9jg30", "cl9ucpy", "cl9ulu7", "cla38rm" ], "score": [ 516, 25, 19, 2 ], "text": [ "What exactly is a moral charge? I don't meant to sound rude, but the idea of a 'moral charge' in a legal trial is somewhat superfluous - either one is charged under a law or no...
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[ [], [ "http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traudl_Junge", "http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denazification", "http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subsequent_Nuremberg_Trials" ], [], [] ]
2mfxha
how do guitar frets work?
I haven't taken a single piano lesson in my life, yet over the past four years, Iv'e taught myself and can play almost anything once I hear it. This is because I understand the patterns of the keys on the keyboard and its no puzzle figuring out and visualizing the music theory behind it all. However, when it comes to g...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2mfxha/eli5_how_do_guitar_frets_work/
{ "a_id": [ "cm3topg", "cm3ufs8" ], "score": [ 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Each string is a base note (eg E). Every time you move up a fret, you're moving up a step. As you get closer to your picking hand, the notes get higher. As you go down towards the floor, the notes also get higher. As for ide...
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[ [], [] ]
7ybvcr
How does a flu vaccine lessen symptoms when you catch a flu variant that isn’t one of the variants in that seasons vaccination?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/7ybvcr/how_does_a_flu_vaccine_lessen_symptoms_when_you/
{ "a_id": [ "duf8y6f", "dufexkb", "dufkcmv", "dufsgl2" ], "score": [ 73, 6, 5, 4 ], "text": [ "First, we have to understand how vaccines work, in general. The basic premise is, we take a virus/bacteria and break it down into large chunks. These chunks are the outer shell/wa...
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[ [], [], [], [] ]
6guddo
just because pr votes for statehood doesn't make them a state right? wouldn't congress have to vote to approve such a move?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6guddo/eli5_just_because_pr_votes_for_statehood_doesnt/
{ "a_id": [ "dit47zl" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Yes, statehood can only be granted if Congress votes for it. In fact, Congress doesn't even need the consent of the people in the territory to give them statehood (although that would be unlikely).\n\nBottom line, it's 100% the US Congress's dec...
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64wi82
why do goats totally freeze and lock up their bodies in times of stress or fear?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/64wi82/eli5_why_do_goats_totally_freeze_and_lock_up/
{ "a_id": [ "dg5krne", "dg5lbfr", "dg5o6gr" ], "score": [ 61, 44, 54 ], "text": [ "Not all goats do this, just myotonic goats. It's a neurological disorder. It can be fatal. This happens in other species as well. ", "It's only a certain type of goat that does that. They're gene...
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efh969
If you had a gas impermeable tube from the earth's surface to space (beyond the atmosphere) would it create a perpetual vacuum tube?
Ok so my Dad and I are discussing this over Christmas breakfast. The idea is this: a gas impermeable tube from the surface to "space" aka far enough away from the surface that there is a large density gradient between both ends. My thought is that there is a nearly infinite density gradient between both ends and ther...
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/efh969/if_you_had_a_gas_impermeable_tube_from_the_earths/
{ "a_id": [ "fc0ecto", "fc0epuw", "fc0g49v" ], "score": [ 42, 11, 9 ], "text": [ "If you built a tube from the surface of the earth to space you should expect no flow. There will be a pressure and density gradient in the tube due to earth's gravity, and it will maintain the same eq...
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2yjwbz
If there is no absolute position or speed, and both can be measured only in relation to something else, how can there be a maximum speed (light speed) and in relation to what is that measured?
Extending user adinsx123's question about the birth position. How can light have a maximum speed an in relation to what is that speed. I mean let's assume i'm standing still on an asteroid and i have a light source in my hand, and there's another asteroid coming at me 0,5x light speed. Wouldn't my light source's light ...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2yjwbz/if_there_is_no_absolute_position_or_speed_and/
{ "a_id": [ "cpa9nqd", "cpaek4t", "cpagyuu", "cpai8wv", "cpasb8r", "cpau0vi" ], "score": [ 257, 6, 14, 2, 2, 6 ], "text": [ "Round two, fight! I apologize for how long this got, I wasn't really keeping track and I ended up writing an essay on special relativ...
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[ [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2k6zju/is_it_possible_to_move_at_a_speed_of_0_and/", "http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2yhbie/when_i_stand_in_the_same_room_where_i_was_born_on/" ], [], [], [], [], [ "http://imgur.com/2lRq7zG" ] ]
29kfm8
elis: why are we so fascinated with scandinavian countries?
By "we", I mean economists, politicians, social activists, etc.. Quote from Bill Gates's AMA: "It would be nice if all governments were as rational as the Nordic governments - reaching compromise and providing services broadly." Reddit seems to like Scandinavian countries a lot! Are they as rosy pink as they seem, o...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/29kfm8/elis_why_are_we_so_fascinated_with_scandinavian/
{ "a_id": [ "cilqwhu" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Because economically, politically, and socially... many of them are the best humanity has provided. Mostly stable economies, education, and lack of crime.\n\nNot everyone agrees with that of course, but one must admit they ams gots a real sweets ...
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16geso
Why did William the Conqueror and King Harald of Norway both try to conquer England?
I've been getting into Crusader Kings 2 a lot recently by watching a lot of Let's Plays and the game starts with the invasion of England by the aforementioned men. I'm not up to date with my Middle Ages history so I'm quite unaware as to why a Duke from Normandy (even if he was a bastard) and a King of Norway would tr...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/16geso/why_did_william_the_conqueror_and_king_harald_of/
{ "a_id": [ "c7vt3ex", "c7vtecz", "c7vten6" ], "score": [ 10, 36, 8 ], "text": [ "Quick answer, different claims to the English throne.\n\nAlthough Harald himself did not have a claim, he was persuaded to invade by Tostig Godwinson, King Harold's brother. Tostig had been Earl of No...
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2xdqsj
Why does it take so long to 'refill' (recharge) batteries compared to other energy sources like gasoline?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2xdqsj/why_does_it_take_so_long_to_refill_recharge/
{ "a_id": [ "cozbgru", "cozir2u" ], "score": [ 19, 3 ], "text": [ "It doesn't! \n \nWhen you refill your tank with gas, that's not equivalent to recharging a battery, it's equivalent to throwing out the old battery and buying a new one. \n \nRecharging the battery is analogous to filli...
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[ [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_cell" ] ]
1hm89o
How good are humans at choosing randomly?
Last night, I came up with a thought experiment: If a person was given a choice of two options (Like choosing between two doors) and told to pick one at random, could their choice be predicted if their mental state was known completely? Now, this probably can't be answered without pure speculation and borders on philo...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1hm89o/how_good_are_humans_at_choosing_randomly/
{ "a_id": [ "cavu5nk" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "I don't have the source at hand, but I read an article once about humans producing random numbers, and we don't seem to be very good at it. The biggest problem with human-generated strings of numbers, if I recall correctly the study used numbers ...
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[ [ "http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S030698770700480X?np=y" ] ]
2p53ub
what happens when i swallow my mucus.
Mainly, I am curious what happens to the mucus. Does it get stuck in the esophagus, go into the stomach, or blend with your saliva? People always say it's bad to swallow your mucus, so blow your nose, but I'm lazy sometimes.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2p53ub/eli5_what_happens_when_i_swallow_my_mucus/
{ "a_id": [ "cmthc7p" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "It's not bad to swallow your mucous. Your body is designed to swallow your mucous. Your stomach is very acidic and is designed to kill microorganisms. Your stomach naturally produces mucous, so it's not like there's going to be a massive accumul...
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bsvw4j
Bombardment of German Forces in WWI
So I was reading about monitor class ships and how they had helped with the Race to the Sea in WWI, but what did they do after? Did the Germans make it all the way to the cost and if so, how did they avoid constant naval bombardment by the Royal Navy? Like, I know they made it to the coast, but were there German soldie...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/bsvw4j/bombardment_of_german_forces_in_wwi/
{ "a_id": [ "eos5j7h" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ "Most British monitors did not enter service until after the end of the Race to the Sea; the only monitors available were the three ex-Brazilian river monitors, *Severn*, *Humber* and *Mersey*. Other, larger monitors entered service in 1915, and d...
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fpwwya
Do skin grafts include nerves, and if so do they retain the sensitivity of thier original location?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/fpwwya/do_skin_grafts_include_nerves_and_if_so_do_they/
{ "a_id": [ "flocalc", "flotilr", "flow8y3" ], "score": [ 1878, 92, 6 ], "text": [ "No. The nerve terminals within the grafted tissue are dead.\n\nNerve fibers project to the skin from their cell bodies next to the spine. The underlying nerve fibers underneath the graft will slowly...
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7k8mo2
why do ants and insects get trapped in pen circles?
[Example](_URL_0_) [Another example](_URL_1_)
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7k8mo2/eli5_why_do_ants_and_insects_get_trapped_in_pen/
{ "a_id": [ "drcctrn", "drcexon", "drcq03v", "drd3t5z" ], "score": [ 51, 65, 7, 14 ], "text": [ "The ink has a solvent in it and the ant doesn't want to get solvent on itself. It's feelers detect it is getting close to the solvent, so it turns.", "There are a few diffe...
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[ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_sSx54aIYI", "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcPHP24zxOw" ]
[ [], [], [], [ "https://youtu.be/N0HoqjxfvJ4" ] ]
7lxhvn
When did the English language emerge?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/7lxhvn/when_did_the_english_language_emerge/
{ "a_id": [ "drq3780" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "It depends on what you mean by the English language. The modern English language has a few main sources of vocabulary, which I'll go through chronologically. The inhabitants of Albion at first contact with recorded history probably spoke a grou...
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7gvm81
Why is sexual dimorphism more prevalent in some species than in other to the degree that you may not be able to tell genders apart with just a look in one species but in others it's clear as day?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/7gvm81/why_is_sexual_dimorphism_more_prevalent_in_some/
{ "a_id": [ "dqn7pv3" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "TL;DR: Often, monogamy\n\nSexual dimorphism happens when the optimal traits for males and females differ. Very frequently this is related to costly traits that help one sex (usually males) gain access to mates. Male peacocks have extremely showy ...
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[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bateman%27s_principle" ] ]
fyoa9n
why are ligers typically much larger and heavier than both lions and tigers?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/fyoa9n/eli5_why_are_ligers_typically_much_larger_and/
{ "a_id": [ "fn10k71" ], "score": [ 63 ], "text": [ "Built into your genes is code to *stop* growing. That's important because, for example, just making your heart *bigger* does not make it *better* at pumping blood. It takes additional muscle and different structure to be efficient. So if you get...
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3vgors
How does hemoglobin get into the urine?
I mean i've read that urobilin (which makes urine seem yellow) is created as a result of the breakdown of hemoglobin. Why does our system do this to hemoglobin?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/3vgors/how_does_hemoglobin_get_into_the_urine/
{ "a_id": [ "cxo322p" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "So the heme is degraded into bilirubin. The bilirubin is then excreted as bile which is important for digestion of fats in the small intestine. Then the bilirubin's degraded even more from bacteria in the intestine to urobilinogen. Some of the ur...
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4hhn4d
Is the origin of western monasticism based in Stoic philosophy? (3rd ask)
This is not part of high school or college class, nor job related. It's more of a hobby of mine. I study philosophy in my free time, and I came across a reference that I haven't been able to verify. Specifically I'm interested in the Hellenistic school of philosophy Stoicism. The reference in question is that ‘mo...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4hhn4d/is_the_origin_of_western_monasticism_based_in/
{ "a_id": [ "d2q4u3o" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "You will find more helpful input from /r/AcademicBiblical almost definitely (and I think especially if /u/koine_lingua is active... I *think*).\n\nYou might also get some more joy by looking for connections between early Christians and Cynics - a...
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aaoyz3
this was posted about 4 years, but i was wondering if there was updated information. are monster energy zero ultra drinks bad for me? if so, why?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/aaoyz3/eli5_this_was_posted_about_4_years_but_i_was/
{ "a_id": [ "ectqx73" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "If you're not experiencing side effects like high blood pressure or heart palpations, if you're not shaky and your decisions aren't impaired, and if you're not interfering with any medication, you're probably just fine. Are you having one, or sev...
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1e2kcl
What is your preferred explanation for the Industrial Revolution taking place in the West rather than the East?
In *Why the West Rules -- for Now*, as I understand it, Ian Morris argues that the Industrial Revolution happened in the West primarily because of geography and a factor he calls the "advantage of backwardness." The European countries wanted access to the riches of the East, which was ahead of the West in development,...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1e2kcl/what_is_your_preferred_explanation_for_the/
{ "a_id": [ "c9wfyx2", "c9wobhz" ], "score": [ 4, 5 ], "text": [ "Morris seems to be your book! I guess some day I will have to read it. First, let me suggest you read Pomeranz *The Great Divergence* and then follow that up with Lieberman's *Strange Paralells* which synthesizes both pomera...
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assnux
how long does your body take to stsrt using the carbohydrates you consume for energy?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/assnux/eli5_how_long_does_your_body_take_to_stsrt_using/
{ "a_id": [ "egwosd1" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "What exactly do you mean? You are constantly using carbohydrates for energy, there is no start up time/period where you don't use carbohydrates.\n\nIs your question about the time it takes from ingesting food to using the carbohydrates contained ...
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82ok9o
how does a trade war work? what are the local and global repercussions?
What does a trade war involve? What steps are taken? How does one side 'win' the war? I'm not looking for a commentary specific to current events, I'm curious about the concept of a trade war and some historical examples would be grear. Thank you, this is my first ELI5, I look forward to this thread being locked for ...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/82ok9o/eli5_how_does_a_trade_war_work_what_are_the_local/
{ "a_id": [ "dvbmm3v" ], "score": [ 11 ], "text": [ "A trade war is when countries begin placing tariffs on imports that specifically target certain countries.\n\nSo, imagine Country A exports loads of imaginarium at a low price. Country B also produces a lot of imaginarium too, but it's used dome...
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1i7o74
unicellular to multicellular evolution
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1i7o74/eli5_unicellular_to_multicellular_evolution/
{ "a_id": [ "cb1tbic", "cb1td74" ], "score": [ 12, 6 ], "text": [ "Bacteria are single-celled, but even so they can behave together in groups in complex ways. If you have the time, look up \"biofilms\" in Wikipedia, as an example. Bacterial cells can communicate to each other in ways like:...
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ulvz6
Will there ever be a simultaneous eclipse of the sun and transit of venus? I imagine that it could be millions of years away, but have we worked out when?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/ulvz6/will_there_ever_be_a_simultaneous_eclipse_of_the/
{ "a_id": [ "c4wjav4" ], "score": [ 9 ], "text": [ "April 5, 15,232, according to Wikipedia." ] }
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8m6f6o
What impact did the video game crash of the early '80s have upon the British computer game market?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/8m6f6o/what_impact_did_the_video_game_crash_of_the_early/
{ "a_id": [ "e044tbc" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "Pretty much none directly, presuming you’re talking about the North American Home Video Game Crash of 1983. These markets were very far apart from each other, though in the matter of shifting the power of computer game publishers to the fore ther...
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[ [ "https://www.filfre.net/2014/11/jim-levy-and-activision/", "http://www.worldcat.org/title/replay/oclc/1002091659&referer=brief_results", "https://www.filfre.net/2014/03/this-tormented-business-part-3/", "http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-british-8-bit-computer-market-software/", "h...
3qbmc4
what caused that "crackling" background sound when you played music on old gramophones?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3qbmc4/eli5_what_caused_that_crackling_background_sound/
{ "a_id": [ "cwdqfte" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Those records encoded the music in the shape of a spiral groove which covered one whole side of the disc. A stylus was dragged the length of the groove to get the sound that it encoded. \n\nIf the disc was dirty or the groove was damaged, there...
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24b13d
what was the point of nuclear torpedoes?
I was reading some history about the Cuban Missile Crisis and the idea of a nuclear torpedo just seemed like an awful tactical weapon.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/24b13d/eli5_what_was_the_point_of_nuclear_torpedoes/
{ "a_id": [ "ch5bwo0", "ch5c2be", "ch5c5gn", "ch5cb87", "ch5cj4w", "ch5ctgk" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3 ], "text": [ "Why does it seem bad? A nuclear torpedo seems very effective at blowing up its target...", "Nuclear torpedoes are designed for use a...
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[ [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davy_Crockett_(nuclear_device)" ], [], [], [] ]
380ftc
how parent animals can carry their young and not inflict pain/wounds.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/380ftc/eli5_how_parent_animals_can_carry_their_young_and/
{ "a_id": [ "crraw6w" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Animals that practice such behaviour have evolved to have abundant layers of skin around the top of their neck when they are young so that their parents can carry them to safety, food, etc. As they get older, the fat and the skin becomes less pro...
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9wyz5n
Is it normal/acceptable for historians to speculate about the thoughts, feelings, motivations, and emotions of historical actors?
I'm reading a history book right now written by a fairly well respected academic historian in Asian studies. The book explores bilateral relations between two nation-states. The author repeatedly includes a quote from one of the government actors (e.g. a public speech, internal memorandum, etc.), and then in his follow...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/9wyz5n/is_it_normalacceptable_for_historians_to/
{ "a_id": [ "e9ofdk7", "e9olr44" ], "score": [ 16, 11 ], "text": [ "People's motivations and the extent of their knowledge, here, are not \"somewhat speculative claims.\" They're conclusions that the historian reached by analyzing evidence.\n\nWhat do you mean by \"in the real world,\" any...
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