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1wre2z
how expensive would it be, and what would be the effect if we launched a nuclear warhead at the moon?
Title misspelt - I meant what would happen if we launched warheads to destroy the entire moon. EDIT 2: Also, what would it do to the waves? I read somewhere that earth's gravity depends slightly on the moon, so what would it do to gravity?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1wre2z/eli5_how_expensive_would_it_be_and_what_would_be/
{ "a_id": [ "cf4o977", "cf4ofpm", "cf4q8e1" ], "score": [ 2, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "Very expensive.\n\nAnother crater on the moon.", "There are not enough nuclear weapons by far. See the craters on the Moon? It's already survived countless hits by asteroids. A few nuclear weapon...
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[ [], [], [ "http://thepatientcapacitor.com/2009/07/if-stephen-fry-wanted-to-blow-up-the-moon/" ] ]
6um17g
If a single uranium atom was fissioned, with no addition chain reaction fissioning, how big would the explosion be?
So normally when a (non-thermo)nuclear bomb goes off, many uranium/plutonium atoms are fissioned in a chain reaction. But what would happen if a single atom of uranium was split with no other fissionable atoms nearby, thus preventing a chain reaction. Would there even be an explosion? If so, how big would it be? How mu...
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/6um17g/if_a_single_uranium_atom_was_fissioned_with_no/
{ "a_id": [ "dltq9rh", "dlufhwx" ], "score": [ 7, 5 ], "text": [ "There'd be no explosion and good thing too since granite (say in your kitchen) and rock in general is laced with trace uranium. As a rule of thumb, the behavior of any single atom is utterly irrelevant to anything that happe...
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[ [], [] ]
8fkaco
During the Anarchy in England, what did Matilda do to antagonise Londoners to the point where she was unable to be crowned?
Was the planned coronation the natural result of her gaining superiority, or more an act of propaganda she could use to further her aims?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/8fkaco/during_the_anarchy_in_england_what_did_matilda_do/
{ "a_id": [ "dy5v2pq" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Several factors combined to make the Empress unpopular in London.\n\nFirst, the city had accepted the candidacy of King Stephen after the death of Matilda's father, Henry I, and it had done this in direct defiance of the dead king's attempts to h...
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3eyusp
Did pre-Neolithic Revolution humans suffer from depression and other "modern" mental disorders?
I would assume that schizophrenia and psychosis were present but depression and anxiety seem to be due to society.
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3eyusp/did_preneolithic_revolution_humans_suffer_from/
{ "a_id": [ "ctjple4" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "It may be worth x-posting this to our sister sub, /r/AskAnthropology " ] }
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[ [] ]
13d1e5
Could we irradiate meat to keep it "fresh" longer and without refrigeration?
If "Irradiate" is the wrong word I apologize. Basically whats done now to certain produce and dairy (I think).
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/13d1e5/could_we_irradiate_meat_to_keep_it_fresh_longer/
{ "a_id": [ "c72ylet" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Yes, we already do this with meat, as with produce, etc." ] }
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[ [] ]
wa2wu
What geological processes could cause features like this? (Pic inside)
[This](_URL_0_) picture was posted yesterday on /r/earthporn, and I was wondering how such delicate stacks could come about. Could erosion cause such structures? Or was this from a retreating glacier? The location is Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, China. Thanks! edit: Thanks for answering everyone! These gre...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/wa2wu/what_geological_processes_could_cause_features/
{ "a_id": [ "c5blq9v", "c5boe6x" ], "score": [ 9, 3 ], "text": [ "Zhangjialie is in the heart of a large swath of Karst topography. This is a predominantly Limestone landscape which has been eroded chemically by water, and in the case of this region to form these pillars and pinnacles. \n...
[]
[ "http://i.imgur.com/q1kvX.jpg" ]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karst_topography", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wulingyuan", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_karst_areas" ], [ "http://flatrock.org.nz/static/frontpage/assets/money_politics_law/madagascan_karst.jpg" ] ]
12vutc
Was there a North/South divide in Britain before the industrial revolution?
I'm wondering if the divide between the more industrial North and commercial South (both do have strongly agricultural areas as well, so it's not really industrial/agricultural) is something that has only existed since the Industrial Revolution in the Early-Mid 19th Century.
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/12vutc/was_there_a_northsouth_divide_in_britain_before/
{ "a_id": [ "c6yo9uj", "c6yqnsx", "c6yr1mi" ], "score": [ 4, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "There has been a divide between North and South since royal authority situated itself in London and had a harder time imposing its control on the distant North. For example, during the Reformation the ...
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[ [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Thatcher" ], [] ]
20h6v3
British Navy vs Napoleon's Navy circa 1798 - Egypt invasion - Timing & Communication question
I am reading "Black Count" by Tom Reiss currently and he has a great little bit about the near miss of Admiral Nelson leaving Alexandria 3 hours before the arrival of Napoleon's fleet. My question is this: had Nelson actually encounter The French Armada how long would it have taken word to get back to the UK for reinfo...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/20h6v3/british_navy_vs_napoleons_navy_circa_1798_egypt/
{ "a_id": [ "cg3aqw4" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "John Keegan spends a chapter discussing this particular incident in [*Intelligence in War*](_URL_0_) (which I highly recommend to anyone with a passing interest in military intelligence as it is very accessible). \n\nKeegan states that Nelson's h...
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[ [ "http://experimental.worldcat.org/kindredworks/Kindred?sn=51275201" ] ]
tucfw
How does eating certain foods (In my case, anything with High Fructose Corn Syrup and peanuts) cause acne?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/tucfw/how_does_eating_certain_foods_in_my_case_anything/
{ "a_id": [ "c4pt8fw" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "I would much appreciate it if someone linked a peer review journal article outlining relationship between diet and acne.\n\nIf you eat greasy foods, it is more likely that grease on your fingers is what is transferring the grease to your skin.\n\...
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[ [ "http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=15781674", "http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=15556729" ] ]
37z2mf
How prominent were stage actors before the 16th century, if at all?
What would the income have been like? Or was there no prominence involved? Was being a "good actor" rewarded in any way? Sorry for the question spam. Thank you in advance for taking your time!
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/37z2mf/how_prominent_were_stage_actors_before_the_16th/
{ "a_id": [ "crrcdln" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Hi! I've been browsing this subreddit for a while, and created a username because I've finally come across a question I can answer!\n\nI can only speak to the western tradition - my education was sorely lacking when it came to Asian theatre.\n\nT...
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hdsei
r/AskScience, what fascinating thing do YOU want to share with us laypeople?
Apologies if this has been asked before. AskScien-tists, is there any interesting fact that you've learned that you found/still find absolutely fascinating? Something so specific that many people wouldn't even think to ask about? Maybe a process that's so elegant that it works out perfectly? I think we'd all like to...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/hdsei/raskscience_what_fascinating_thing_do_you_want_to/
{ "a_id": [ "c1umcts", "c1umxnq", "c1un50a", "c1un82e", "c1unjhy", "c1unoqw", "c1unqei", "c1unqo0", "c1uny4q", "c1uoixg", "c1uoy62", "c1uoz8z", "c1upjrz", "c1uptfg", "c1uqlrr", "c1ur2de", "c1urpic", "c1utb0r" ], "score": [ 18, 29, ...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
2aaamp
How did the reputation of the 1950s evolve?
In the West. Currently, the received practice (it seems to me) is to speak of the 1950s with a sneer, as if this were a byword for a dark age that represented everything bad (rightly or wrongly). This is the only attitude I have ever really known. I was wondering if there were any social historians on reddit who could ...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2aaamp/how_did_the_reputation_of_the_1950s_evolve/
{ "a_id": [ "cit2ymp", "citeisv" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "I'll speak to part of your question on a way in which some denigrate the 1950s. In the 1950s, the middle class was growing as good jobs were relatively plentiful. It was easier to support a family on a single income. Women f...
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[ [ "http://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/ows/seminars/tcentury/FeminineMystique.pdf" ], [] ]
5xp0nv
What is the earliest record we have of humans supplementing their diet with spicy (hot) foods?
It's my understanding that spicy foods such as hot peppers contain the chemical capsaicin. Humans have no taste receptors for capsaicin. Rather, capsaicin activates the pain receptors in the tongue and mouth. This causes no damage. There is no physical harm even though we refer to the sensation as burning. Many birds d...
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/5xp0nv/what_is_the_earliest_record_we_have_of_humans/
{ "a_id": [ "dejyy7c" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "If you don't get an answer here, you could try /r/askhistorians" ] }
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4x37eu
why does a slight change in glasses prescription cause headaches and eye ache?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4x37eu/eli5_why_does_a_slight_change_in_glasses/
{ "a_id": [ "d6c598e" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Because your eyes are trying to focus through your new lens as if it was your old ones. Your eye are a muscle and this causes strain on it as it tries to focus again and again.\n\nTry putting the new ones on as you wake up." ] }
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[ [] ]
emsmo7
how do electric cars heat the cabin?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/emsmo7/eli5_how_do_electric_cars_heat_the_cabin/
{ "a_id": [ "fdqu6dx", "fdr3t32", "fdr9izz", "fdrxd1v" ], "score": [ 2, 55, 18, 2 ], "text": [ "The engine of a car gets hot and air blows that heat inside the cabin\n\nElectric cars use electric heaters. They engineer the cabins better to maintain the heat and make the ele...
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[ [], [], [], [] ]
2r5pjy
how is it that someone can post the same question on askreddit every day, and it gets thousands of upvotes and tens of thousands of people answering the same thing?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2r5pjy/eli5_how_is_it_that_someone_can_post_the_same/
{ "a_id": [ "cncpf40" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Because it the question has easy answer that get tones of upvotes, people will upvote the question just so their response gets more upvotes. \n\n\nExample\n\n\"What show should have gotten another season?\"\n\nThe first person that says Firefly g...
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2a1zl5
In the WWI Eastern Front was there a use of trenches as complex and extensive as in the Western Front ?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2a1zl5/in_the_wwi_eastern_front_was_there_a_use_of/
{ "a_id": [ "ciquceu", "ciqwajy" ], "score": [ 19, 4 ], "text": [ "No. That is not to say there was no use of trench warfare on the eastern front, just that the theater maintained a much more mobile character than the static west. If you consider the sheer size of the Eastern Theater than ...
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[ [], [ "http://www.firstworldwar.com/maps/graphics/maps_36_easternfront_brusilov.jpg", "http://www.firstworldwar.com/maps/graphics/maps_03_easternfront1914.jpg" ] ]
4sg9t5
why is it possible to order something from china on ebay and pay zero postage, but ordering from australia to australia costs so much more?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4sg9t5/eli5_why_is_it_possible_to_order_something_from/
{ "a_id": [ "d591g13", "d591yay", "d592mzw", "d592o7k", "d5937a8", "d5949hl" ], "score": [ 6, 13, 38, 2, 2, 4 ], "text": [ "You pay for postage directly or indirectly either way, just sometimes it is included in the total price for the item sometimes it is a...
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[ [], [ "https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/storyline/wp/2014/09/12/the-postal-service-is-losing-millions-a-year-to-help-you-buy-cheap-stuff-from-china/" ], [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2evxw8/eli5_why_can_a_chinese_company_ship_me_an_ebay/", "http://fortune.com/2015/03/11...
36lm04
Why isn't the Meissner effect used in MagLev trains?
A friend and I (we're both engineering students) were discussing MagLev trains, superconductors and the Meissner effect. Our first intuition was that this is used to make the trains levitate. However, we read that this isn't the case, but we couldn't find out why this isn't used. Is the Meissner effect not strong enoug...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/36lm04/why_isnt_the_meissner_effect_used_in_maglev_trains/
{ "a_id": [ "crfc8np" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "EDIT: /u/luckyluke193 has pointed out that this is incorrect. They do use superconducting magnets to lift the train now.\n\n~~Well, for one thing, you'd have to supercool the bottom of the train to make it superconducting. That's hard to do. Thi...
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9xou8u
is there a reason why there are no indian fast food chains?
It seems like every well-loved cuisine has a fast food chain variant (Italian: sbarro/pizza hut, mexican: taco bell/chipotle, chinese: Panda Express, british: Long John Silvers, etc) but I've never seen an indian food chain.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9xou8u/eli5_is_there_a_reason_why_there_are_no_indian/
{ "a_id": [ "e9twlst", "e9txh3i" ], "score": [ 15, 4 ], "text": [ "In the US it's not popular enough to support fast food, especially amongst the demographic that eats fast food. ", "Not in the USA, in England there’s plenty of fast food Indian shops. \n\nEngland has a long history wit...
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[ [], [] ]
5k31bj
contact with heat
Why can I briefly light my hand on fire with the Germ-X trick and have a flame run over my hand but when I contacted a hot grate from a deep fryer it instantly peeled back layers of skin?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5k31bj/eli5_contact_with_heat/
{ "a_id": [ "dbkw87k" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Germ-X is a poor conductor of heat. Even though it's on fire on the outside, on the inside it's still cool because heat takes a while to transfer from one side to the other.\n\nHot oil and hot metal are much better conductors of heat, so you're n...
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1h3iqp
what is the war on terror?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1h3iqp/what_is_the_war_on_terror/
{ "a_id": [ "caqisjz" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "The \"War on Terror\" isn't so much an actual war as much as a declaration of an initiative to devote resources to stopping terrorism. I'm not an expert on the matter but after its declaration we increased funding in airport security, CIA, NSA, a...
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1je9yu
why do i have need to use 4g on my phone for gps but on m garmin it's free?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1je9yu/eli5why_do_i_have_need_to_use_4g_on_my_phone_for/
{ "a_id": [ "cbdsvdm" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Because part of the purchase price of your Garmin includes a library of maps. The downside of this is that access to updated maps can be somewhat limited, in addition you sometimes need to chose what area you want maps for.\n\nYour cell phone do...
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3bmpmc
How are the weights of body parts (the hands, head etc.) measured?
I remember my teacher once asking this question in class, and after much confused debate involving immersing body parts in liquids, ending the discussion by saying there is no way except to cut and measure body parts from a fresh corpse. Is this true?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/3bmpmc/how_are_the_weights_of_body_parts_the_hands_head/
{ "a_id": [ "csoo5bf" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Not a direct answer to your question, but there is a method of calculation for surface area (for burns and the like) called the rule of 9's; each area of the body is apportioned as a factor of 9:\n\nHead - 9%\n\nEach Arm - 9%\n\nFront and Back To...
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5fjioz
Given recent developments in our understanding of water/ice bodies on Mars, is it possible that we could one day be surprised by Martian fossils? Or do we have reason to believe that Martian life would be limited to microorganisms?
I keep reading about Martian water, ice sheets, Lake-Superior-sized deposits of H2O, et cetera, fascinating stuff, and I'm wondering- is it possible that we Earthlings could send astronauts to the Red Planet, to ultimately discover fossils of extinct Martian flora & fauna? Or, if we can eliminate this possibility, ho...
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/5fjioz/given_recent_developments_in_our_understanding_of/
{ "a_id": [ "dakpufe", "dakq17n", "dakqxko", "dakrqt8", "daksbrw", "dakwfvr", "dakwynl", "dal1dg8", "dal6tqj", "dal77w5", "dal9m91", "dalbla5", "dalt8pr", "dalwq7z", "dalzrt1" ], "score": [ 2483, 47, 94, 16, 4, 6, 3, 4, ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://rstb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/370/1684/20150036", "http://science.sciencemag.org/content/348/6231/218", "http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/JB091iB13p0E139/abstract;jsessionid=C1FFA225B08E6091E9A1822529D38CB5.f02t01", "http://mail.everythingscience.co.za/emas/...
4hpgon
How would life differ for a Roman merchant in 0 AD compared to 1000 AD?
I find that the transition of the western world from Pax Romana to the medieval period is talked about sometimes like a drastic step backward, but would that really be seen in daily life? Side note: I don't usually see this, but if this is too long a span of time for one person to be an expert in, I could see an inter...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4hpgon/how_would_life_differ_for_a_roman_merchant_in_0/
{ "a_id": [ "d2ri94d" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "By Roman, do you mean someone from the city of Rome or someone from the Roman Empire? In 1000 AD, the Roman Empire (or Byzantine Empire) no longer possessed the city of Rome itself and was centered around Constantinople." ] }
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68uu11
How prevalent is Holocaust denial and how does it vary by nationality?
I see frequent questions here in /r/AskHistorians that clearly either come from a someone who wholeheartedly subscribes to varying degrees of Holocaust denial, or who has been exposed to it and is (at least) intrigued. So, staying clear of the 20-year-rule of course, how has Holocaust denial waxed and/or waned over ti...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/68uu11/how_prevalent_is_holocaust_denial_and_how_does_it/
{ "a_id": [ "dh2iinj" ], "score": [ 331 ], "text": [ "**Part 1**\n\nThis is a huge question that is probably not possible to answer in its entirety, because of the fundamental problem on how to measure Holocaust denial and how to gauge its prevalence in society, especially on an international or e...
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[ [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3nd4dy/how_did_the_nazis_try_to_hide_what_had_happened/" ] ]
cy0oug
if you have 2 credit cards, and one has debt, can’t you just use one to pay the other, then the next month do the same, and so on and so on?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cy0oug/eli5_if_you_have_2_credit_cards_and_one_has_debt/
{ "a_id": [ "eyowtr8", "eyoyws4" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Credit cards basically always have debt unless youre paying off your balance. Doing this essentially is like giving the credit card company a bunch of I.O.U's. All you're doing is adding more to your balance that needs to be...
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[ [], [] ]
xecc5
What is the purpose behind Phillips(cross-head) screw heads? Mechanical efficiency?
From an engineering standpoint, why does Phillips even exist? I can't count the number of Phillips I've stripped. I also find myself occasionally cheerfully wishing murder on the inventor.
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/xecc5/what_is_the_purpose_behind_phillipscrosshead/
{ "a_id": [ "c5lmhbz", "c5lmnms", "c5ltqw2", "c5lzdxv" ], "score": [ 8, 3, 4, 2 ], "text": [ " > Created by Henry F. Phillips, the Phillips screw drive was purposely designed to cam out when the screw stalled, to prevent the fastener damaging the work or the head, instead d...
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[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_screw_drives#Cruciform_types.23Phillips" ], [], [ "http://www.robertsonscrew.com/history.html", "http://www.marfas.com/phillips.shtml" ], [] ]
94r3cb
Moses was attributed as the author of the first five books of the Bible; at what point did scholars realize this probably wasn't true? Were any of the earliest five books written by the same author?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/94r3cb/moses_was_attributed_as_the_author_of_the_first/
{ "a_id": [ "e3nagrm", "e3nc07j", "e3ok2ow" ], "score": [ 16, 59, 4 ], "text": [ "The authorship of the Pentateuch is definitely a question for /r/AcademicalBiblical or /r/AskBibleScholars. Hopefully one of their experts will swing by here.", "This is a bit complicated. The mai...
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[ [], [], [ "https://www.gutenberg.org/files/990/990-h/990-h.htm#chap08" ] ]
dfjaxs
Can I jump from the ISS in such a way I fall to the earth?
Basically that's it. Can I jump from the ISS in a specific direction with a specific force to throw myself out of orbit and fall to the Earth? I guess one would burn themself in the entrance by doing it but I'm just curious.
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/dfjaxs/can_i_jump_from_the_iss_in_such_a_way_i_fall_to/
{ "a_id": [ "f35yawu", "f36ya8p" ], "score": [ 9, 10 ], "text": [ "You could just step outside and wait.\n\nAt the altitude the ISS orbits at, there is still a small amount of atmosphere left and this causes a drag on the ISS, which results in a very slow decay of its orbit. Uncorrected, t...
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[ [], [ "https://aviation.stackexchange.com/questions/21981/how-does-the-space-shuttle-slow-down-during-re-entry-descent-and-landing" ] ]
mnbv6
Why do cinnamon rolls get hotter in the center than the outer layer when you microwave them?
Compared to all other foods like pizza or lasagna?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/mnbv6/why_do_cinnamon_rolls_get_hotter_in_the_center/
{ "a_id": [ "c32aib2", "c32aib2" ], "score": [ 3, 3 ], "text": [ "If they're like cinnamon rolls where i'm from, it's because the crusty exterior has very little water content, compared to the soft dough inside. A Microwave heats by exciting the molecules in the food, those that get most e...
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[ [], [] ]
1n8nb8
why do beverages like coffee and beer taste better now than when i was young?
I used to hate the taste of beer especially and now I love it.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1n8nb8/eli5_why_do_beverages_like_coffee_and_beer_taste/
{ "a_id": [ "ccgccq2", "ccgcdyu" ], "score": [ 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Children are really sensitive to bitter flavors. This makes sense, as many poisons taste bitter. But this bitter sensitivity fades as you get older, allowing you to enjoy things that have bitter flavors.", "My theory:\n\...
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[ [], [] ]
8c8yvn
How did the transition to an amniotic egg happen?
I can't seem to understand the logistics of how egg hatching can evolve. It's not like one generation is born in water, then evolved to lay an egg on land. What was the transition like from water egg to land egg? was there an in between that I don't know about?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/8c8yvn/how_did_the_transition_to_an_amniotic_egg_happen/
{ "a_id": [ "dxd5i61" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "Plenty of amphibians lay their eggs on land, so that isn't really a huge issue. The main issue is how the extraembryonic membranes actually evolved; that is substantially more complicated and not fully understood." ] }
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[ [] ]
4t4d9d
how can a lawn survive a full winter covered by snow, but start dying and turn bright green from 2 days of being covered by a tarp (or something similar)?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4t4d9d/eli5_how_can_a_lawn_survive_a_full_winter_covered/
{ "a_id": [ "d5ehuvq", "d5ejwqt", "d5ekczo", "d5et7m9", "d5f2lri", "d5fc2zj", "d5fjucu" ], "score": [ 33, 125, 1605, 10, 2, 9, 2 ], "text": [ "Snow actually insulates the ground, keeping the grass at a near constant temperature at which the grass can...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soil_solarization" ], [], [], [] ]
1q9qlh
How was the term 'heterosexual' used to refer to a perversion?
I am reading an article on Urban Planning and its exclusion of LGBT communities, the article begins with some historical etymologies. The article states and cites the usage of heterosexuality as being used to refer to a perversion, what was the perversion that it used to refer to? FYI: the article goes on to state tha...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1q9qlh/how_was_the_term_heterosexual_used_to_refer_to_a/
{ "a_id": [ "cdamjt5", "cdatusw" ], "score": [ 4, 2 ], "text": [ "Can you pull out the quote/citation from the article? I've only ever read of \"heterosexual\" being a sort of reaction/companion term to \"homosexual,\" so I'm intrigued but confused! ", "Also, for the redditors here who...
[]
[ "http://jpe.sagepub.com/content/21/3/254.short" ]
[ [], [] ]
448zs2
why did martin shkreli raise the price of life saving medicine a ridiculous amount?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/448zs2/eli5_why_did_martin_shkreli_raise_the_price_of/
{ "a_id": [ "czof8ft", "czofhzn" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Why did you ask your boss for a raise, your parents to give you more money for your allowance? Same exact reason. ", "Yeah pretty much that last one. Given that he's been [indicted on securities fraud](_URL_0_), it's a ...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://www.bloomberg.com/features/2015-martin-shkreli-securities-fraud/", "https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2015/09/22/turing-ceo-martin-shkreli-explains-that-4000-percent-drug-price-hike-is-altruistic-not-greedy/", "http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-turing-doubles-...
2hjh9d
if we couldn't stop ebola from spreading from 1 person to over 6,000 people (current estimation), how can we stop it from spreading from the 6k infected people to a much larger number?
Doesn't the containment problem grow exponentially as the number grows?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2hjh9d/eli5if_we_couldnt_stop_ebola_from_spreading_from/
{ "a_id": [ "ckt7r7x", "ckt86sj" ], "score": [ 2, 3 ], "text": [ "The containment problem gets harder but we have had more time to prepare. Ebola got out of hand because people were not treating the threat properly, and hopefully now they will be.", "There's lots of parts to the contai...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
1t1jlw
How and why did the Republic of China (Taiwan) keep China's seat in the UN for so long? How did the Nationalist government go from being recognized as the sole representative for China to being denied membership even as Taiwan?
From what I understand the ROC was a founding member of the UN, and held a seat at the Security Council. In 1949, after the KMT's defeat in the civil war, Chang-Kai Shek and the Nationalist government fled to Taiwan, but they kept China's seat at the UN. The General Assembly became divided between the Western countries...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1t1jlw/how_and_why_did_the_republic_of_china_taiwan_keep/
{ "a_id": [ "ce3k4a5", "ce3k8o0", "ce3kev9" ], "score": [ 228, 17, 22 ], "text": [ "At the time of the defeat of the Republic of China forces by the PRC, and the former's subsequent retreat to Taiwan, there was no disagreement as to whether or not there was one or more \"China\". C...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sino-Soviet_split", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Security_Council_Resolution_702" ] ]
6ea96z
why is it that 4k makes such a big difference in quality against 1080p for a videogame but barley for a tv series/movie
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6ea96z/eli5_why_is_it_that_4k_makes_such_a_big/
{ "a_id": [ "di8t0hj" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "The difference is between something that is already rendered vs. something that is being rendered at that time.\n\n1080p resolution is 1,920x1,080, while 4k resolution is 3840×2160. That means that 4k has _a lot_ more pixels available to it and,...
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[ [] ]
4irhtf
why is primer needed for a paint job? why not just use paint?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4irhtf/eli5_why_is_primer_needed_for_a_paint_job_why_not/
{ "a_id": [ "d30hhgy", "d30htkf" ], "score": [ 2, 9 ], "text": [ "So the color that was originally under the paint doesn't show through the new color. Also, for latex paint, it lets the paint grip on to the new object so it doesn't chip as easily.\n\nPaint can be used on its own in some c...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
21as9f
When did humans first start doing push-ups?
So while I was doing some exercises I was wondering if ancient warriors did push-ups just like I was doing and if so how long have humans performed this movement. It seems to me like it is a fairly simple exercise and has probably been around for quite some time but I feel there is also the chance that it is a fairly m...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/21as9f/when_did_humans_first_start_doing_pushups/
{ "a_id": [ "cgbewpt" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "I want to start by saying that some preliminary research into push ups and press ups as a term I found that the first recorded use of the phrases were recorded in the early 20th century (_URL_1_ and _URL_0_)\n\n\nThe legend of Milo of Croton usin...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/press-up", "http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/push-up", "http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/Olympics/milo.html" ] ]
bzx6z4
why do jury verdicts need to be unanimous?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bzx6z4/eli5_why_do_jury_verdicts_need_to_be_unanimous/
{ "a_id": [ "eqy0952", "eqy0zn3" ], "score": [ 14, 3 ], "text": [ "Because we have agreed that to convict someone the standard they are held to is \"beyond a reasonable doubt.\" That is an extremely high bar, and it is assumed that if as a juror you don't believe that burden has been met, ...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
2is73j
why can you just tag the base to get a runner out at first in baseball but it seems like you need to tag the runner himself all other times?
I am a Brit and have never understood when it is OK to just tag the base and under which circumstances you need to whack the dude with the ball in your glove (which are entirely unnecessary by the way - catch the ball with your bare hands like gentlemen do).
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2is73j/eli5_why_can_you_just_tag_the_base_to_get_a/
{ "a_id": [ "cl4yak5", "cl4yat9" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "It's an issue of \"forced\" or not. If the runner has an alternative destination then you have to tag them, if they do not...you can tag the base. In the case of a runner stealing from first to second, the runner could ret...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
6og5fl
Can insects get heat stroke or hypothermia?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/6og5fl/can_insects_get_heat_stroke_or_hypothermia/
{ "a_id": [ "dki2aap" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "Insects are cold blooded, which means they mostly get their body heat from the environment. As such, they can tolerate a wider range of body temperatures than a warm blooded animal, which strives to keep its temperature within a few degrees of a ...
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[]
[ [] ]
2tzj7y
what is the difference between sleep paralysis and lucid dreaming?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2tzj7y/eli5_what_is_the_difference_between_sleep/
{ "a_id": [ "co3r82h", "co3rhur", "co3sr3h", "co3tfxf" ], "score": [ 3, 3, 3, 3 ], "text": [ "In sleep paralysis you don't feel asleep, just trapped in a sleeping body. In lucid dreaming you feel freed into a dream world. So they are basically opposite, even though they bot...
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[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
17cs6q
Is it true that, during Medieval Times, the court Jester could often tell the King frankly what others would end up being beheaded for? What was the dynamic behind this relationship?
I have often been quite amazed at how complicated the role of a Jester was during Medieval times. On one hand, the Jester was the lowliest of rank of the King's court -- however, the Jester could often speak frankly to the King and even ridicule him and never have any consequences from his actions. Please explain t...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/17cs6q/is_it_true_that_during_medieval_times_the_court/
{ "a_id": [ "c84bhxq", "c84bram", "c84cvz7", "c84d5zq", "c84ds9w", "c84dxgy", "c84emic", "c84en9d", "c84exfn", "c84gt71", "c84h6xm", "c84halk", "c84k74l", "c84ww9i", "c84x2cs" ], "score": [ 32, 82, 70, 37, 325, 476, 7, 16,...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://dsq-sds.org/article/view/697/874", "http://books.google.ca/books?id=N-5a_lYejlAC&pg=PA119&lpg=PA119&dq=jesters+mentally+ill&source=bl&ots=qVJ6bBXVc5&sig=KExYwtsxPVYQcI_9i0-6tJybwXI&hl=en&sa=X&ei=v80EUZnaMa7oiwLb1IHACA&ved=0CGYQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=jesters%...
9ur2nr
how does electricity get into a battery
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9ur2nr/eli5_how_does_electricity_get_into_a_battery/
{ "a_id": [ "e96bp8e", "e96btyt", "e96c94m" ], "score": [ 3, 3, 7 ], "text": [ "It doesn’t get into the battery, that’s what a battery is. By combining different elements that undergo a chemical reaction that produces extra electrons. There’s a natural “pull” whenever an imbalance...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
354fhl
why are blackberry phones considered more secure/unhackable compared to apple or android phones?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/354fhl/eli5_why_are_blackberry_phones_considered_more/
{ "a_id": [ "cr0w8zg" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "I believe it is the same reason Macs seemed more virus-resistant for quite awhile, too-- because fewer people use it, fewer people are creating viruses for it. Why create a massive virus to affect a minority of users when you can put your effort ...
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[ [] ]
1v6xwd
why does non-dairy creamer dissolve more quickly in hot coffee/tea than cold?
When my coffee has been sitting in a mug for a few minutes before I decide to add non-dairy (powdered) creamer, the creamer tends to clump up and dissolve more slowly than if I add it when the coffee is piping hot.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1v6xwd/eli5why_does_nondairy_creamer_dissolve_more/
{ "a_id": [ "cepalob" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "When something is hot, the molecules are moving around in it much faster. That's actually what heat means on a physical level. All that moving around is kind of like stirring on the molecular level. Things get mixed by the motion and there's more...
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[ [] ]
a6ch6o
What makes and erupting volcano like the 1883 eruption of Anak-Krakatau loud enough to be heard at great distances?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/a6ch6o/what_makes_and_erupting_volcano_like_the_1883/
{ "a_id": [ "ebtvhan", "ebv2bd6" ], "score": [ 3, 6 ], "text": [ "It's a huge explosion so basically as the air expands away from the volcano it makes a very loud noise that can be heard at distances proportional to the yield of the explosion. Bigger explosion means the sound travels farth...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://youtube.com/watch?v=BUREX8aFbMs" ] ]
1eb59g
What's the point of Machiavelli?
I don't know if this even belongs here, but I don't really know where else to ask it. If this is an improper question, if someone could point me to the appropriate subreddit, that would be awesome. Basically, why do we study Machiavelli today? I don't mean just The Prince, but his other works as well, particularly the...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1eb59g/whats_the_point_of_machiavelli/
{ "a_id": [ "c9yic9r", "c9yk7oi" ], "score": [ 8, 3 ], "text": [ "Very general answer to the question: history is not science. The point of history is not to get at the true or right way to understand life, nature, human beings and cultures. \n\nInstead, the point of history is to underst...
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[]
[ [], [ "http://archive.org/details/LeoStraussThethreeWavesOfModernity" ] ]
ia0es
If you vibrate the atoms of an object at a high percentage of the speed of light, would that object experience time dilation?
The closer an object gets to the speed of light, the slower time passes for it. So, if one were to take an object and vibrate all its atoms in unison, in a sine wave with the peak speed being 90+% of c, would that object experience this phenomenon? Also, if it would, would it be possible to do this to an organism with...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/ia0es/if_you_vibrate_the_atoms_of_an_object_at_a_high/
{ "a_id": [ "c223cvq" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "not sure about the time dilation aspect of it, but if you are vibrating the atoms at close to the speed of light, then you have to put in quite a bit of energy, and you might end up breaking the chemical bonds and killing the organism." ] }
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[ [] ]
rra9n
Why does the interface between air and water look like a mirror, when seen from the water?
Looking through the bottom of a container of water, the top of the water where it interfaces with the air appears reflective, and mirrorlike. Why?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/rra9n/why_does_the_interface_between_air_and_water_look/
{ "a_id": [ "c4803pf", "c4805x9" ], "score": [ 5, 4 ], "text": [ "This is a phenomenon called [Total Internal Reflection](_URL_0_). This happens when the medium in which the light is travelling has a higher refractive index than the medium at the other side of a boundary, and the light is ...
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[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_internal_reflection" ], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_internal_reflection" ] ]
1mnzqe
what is database indexing?
I've got a general idea as it speeds up processing of searches, but I'm not quite sure what exactly is being done on the back-end. Can someone please explain indexing? What is it exactly, and how is it done in regards to databases?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1mnzqe/eli5_what_is_database_indexing/
{ "a_id": [ "ccazn4n" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "A database is like a library - it holds information.\n\nA completely unindexed table is called a \"heap.\" It's analogous to the books just being piled in a heap on the floor. The info's still in there, but it's going to take forever to find the ...
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[ [] ]
20fd29
How did Cadillac become (for a time) the premiere American luxury automobile?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/20fd29/how_did_cadillac_become_for_a_time_the_premiere/
{ "a_id": [ "cg31rkj" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Prior to 1930, the three dominant luxury car manufacturers in the US were Packard, Peerless and Pierce Arrow. All three out sold Cadillac and dominated the much more limited production by companies like Dusenburg,...
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[ [] ]
40a08n
why are polygraph tests inadmissable in court?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/40a08n/eli5why_are_polygraph_tests_inadmissable_in_court/
{ "a_id": [ "cyslx4f", "cysm2uf" ], "score": [ 7, 2 ], "text": [ "They're not considered very trustworthy. They really only measure heartrate, and while it is common for your heartrate to elevate while lying, your heartrate can elevate for a LOT of reasons- like stress for example. Do you ...
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[ [], [] ]
1fw586
How much resistance was there to West Virginia becoming a state?
I was reading a small paper about the creation of my state( [the paper](_URL_0_) ). I do not remember hearing anything about how much some people were opposed to to West Virginia becoming a state. So I wondering just how hard was it for WV to become a state.
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1fw586/how_much_resistance_was_there_to_west_virginia/
{ "a_id": [ "caeeqfy" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "At the national level opposition to West Virginia being admitted into the Union was over West Virginia's reluctance to free it's slave population. While it is true that 87% of Virginia's slave population was centered in the east, as a result of d...
[]
[ "http://www.wvculture.org/history/journal_wvh/wvh30-1.html" ]
[ [] ]
1zsz4d
Why should vaccinated individuals stay away from immunocompromised individuals or pregnant women?
I understand that vaccines do not actually infect the host; that the vaccine serves to develop antibodies and memory of the infection so that the body can better fight infection in the future. Why, if there is no actual infection, should someone who has been vaccinated stay away from someone who is immunosupressed or p...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1zsz4d/why_should_vaccinated_individuals_stay_away_from/
{ "a_id": [ "cfwuhue" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ "Well, first, unvaccinated people should stay away from the pregnant or immunocompromised, for the most part, but, there are circumstances where RECENTLY vaccinated people who were given a [live, attentuated vaccine](_URL_1_) should do so.\n\nAn a...
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[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polio_vaccine#Iatrogenic_.28vaccine-induced.29_polio", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attenuated_vaccine" ] ]
nqtz8
it's nearly 2012...eli5 what problems are still preventing a hoverboard from being created and mass marketed.
Why is this technology still not available to us?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/nqtz8/its_nearly_2012eli5_what_problems_are_still/
{ "a_id": [ "c3b7rve", "c3b7rve" ], "score": [ 4, 4 ], "text": [ "This isn't my area of expertise, but I can think of a few reasons:\n\n1) The amount of energy needed to power the device. The weight of a person plus the board plus the engine could easily weigh over 200 lb. That means tha...
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[ [], [] ]
26rtul
We have split atoms but could we split anything smaller than that with a similar nuclear reaction?
whats the smallest non-chemical reaction that exists but can still be noticed on a macro scale?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/26rtul/we_have_split_atoms_but_could_we_split_anything/
{ "a_id": [ "chu27cq" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "In a lot of particle collider experiments, protons are smashed into each other and break apart." ] }
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[]
[ [] ]
33hdw4
why being quiet is so taboo.
I hear all the time how people get so offended when someone is quiet. Quiet people aren't making small talk with you, but it's not about hurting your feelings, and how often do you see quiet people make someone feel like shit over a "stupid question" or for whatever reason people insult others? When people do insult ot...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/33hdw4/eli5_why_being_quiet_is_so_taboo/
{ "a_id": [ "cqkvfjs", "cqkvsqr" ], "score": [ 2, 3 ], "text": [ "It's considered a natural trait of humans to communicate and love. Most people consider the purpose of life to be \"To live and love\". When you are quiet, you make it seem like you don't want to be a part of our party. It's...
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[ [], [] ]
5mm9b7
In movies like Braveheart, leaders often give inspiring speeches. Assuming this was accurate, how would thousands of foot soldiers hear this leader right before battle?
Movies depicting this, that come to mind (not saying they're historically accurate at all): * Braveheart * Last Samurai * Patton (speech scene)
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/5mm9b7/in_movies_like_braveheart_leaders_often_give/
{ "a_id": [ "dc5dzxr", "dc5klux" ], "score": [ 47, 28 ], "text": [ "Just a note - you've placed Patton's speech in the same way as those highly fictionalized accounts of Braveheart and The Last Samurai. \n\nPatton's speech to the 3rd Army is a well documented historical event. It occurred ...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
7s2qwx
how did people living before the modern ages survive and get different sources of food which grew far outside their nation if global shipping came very later on?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7s2qwx/eli5_how_did_people_living_before_the_modern_ages/
{ "a_id": [ "dt1k9s4", "dt1kpmt" ], "score": [ 5, 2 ], "text": [ "What makes you think that the essential vitamins weren't available locally?\n\nVitamins are basic chemicals needed for life. Any stable ecosystem will have sources of them.", "Your question contains a false assumption. ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
7zccy4
A family member recently told me that slavery had nothing to do with the Civil War. Can anyone provide me with articles to show him he is incorrect?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/7zccy4/a_family_member_recently_told_me_that_slavery_had/
{ "a_id": [ "dumz9h2", "dunkj9u" ], "score": [ 51, 41 ], "text": [ "Linking to the FAQ or previous answers is not intended to discourage further questions or discussion. It's just a timesaver.\n\nIn this case, there's the FAQ section \"The Civil War and Slavery\" at _URL_0_ . /u/Borimi h...
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[]
[ [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/wiki/civilwar#wiki_the_civil_war_and_slavery", "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3edss0/was_the_american_civil_war_about_more_than_just/cte2mj9", "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/68myvr/why_was_there_a_civil_war_why_could_that_one_...
4iaory
how low would gravity need to be for a human to survive falling at its terminal velocity?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4iaory/eli5_how_low_would_gravity_need_to_be_for_a_human/
{ "a_id": [ "d2whk15", "d2wij9v", "d2wkfx3", "d2wm5zy" ], "score": [ 17, 2, 6, 2 ], "text": [ "Depends what you land on. Humans have survived falls at terminal velocity on earth: it's just not pleasant, and not massively likely. ", "I think the problem here is twofold.\...
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[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
a8inq0
why do people irrationally hate things that are popular, e.g fortnite, musicians etc.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a8inq0/eli5_why_do_people_irrationally_hate_things_that/
{ "a_id": [ "ecaze66", "ecb01tb", "ecb09lp", "ecb3g94", "ecb3k0y", "ecb561p", "ecb7csj", "ecb7mm0", "ecb7xtf", "ecb8h0z", "ecb9zil", "ecbabjt", "ecbdmj7", "ecbdmuq", "ecbfyh8", "ecbgaan", "ecbglw4", "ecbi0dc" ], "score": [ 32, 222, ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
7hijsd
How to understand vacuum electrical permittivity and magnetic permeability?
I understand that c is the speed limit of everything in the universe, not just light. So c is an extremely fundamental constant. The speed of light in a vacuum is defined as (electrical permittivity * magnetic permeability)^-0.5, which happens to be c in a vacuum. These constants only apply to E & M, and are therefore...
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/7hijsd/how_to_understand_vacuum_electrical_permittivity/
{ "a_id": [ "dqrnxy7" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ " > The speed of light in a vacuum is defined as (electrical permittivity * magnetic permeability)-0.5, which happens to be c in a vacuum. These constants only apply to E & M, and are therefore part of a much \"smaller\" theory than c itself.\n\nt...
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[ [] ]
1cvfyq
Self Polymer
If the monomer is say 1-aminopentan-3-dioic acid, how do the scientists stop this from polymerising before they want it to? Do they have to make the monomer ad hoc when they want to make the polymer? Or is there some sort of magical way of storing it that I don't know about? Any help welcome.
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1cvfyq/self_polymer/
{ "a_id": [ "c9khwl5", "c9kiqso" ], "score": [ 3, 4 ], "text": [ "When something can polymerise by itself it's called autopolymerisation. I'm not familiar with your example, but although the \"end\" product may be lower in energy thus more stable than the monomer, it will still require a s...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
lr2m8
Why does quantum tunnelling not effect the result demonstrated the Ramsauer-Townsend effect?
Treating the atom itself as a potential barrier why does the electron not, at sufficiently high energies, pass through? Would this not effect the result that there is a minima in the probability for collisions demonstrated by the Ramsauer-Townsend effect?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/lr2m8/why_does_quantum_tunnelling_not_effect_the_result/
{ "a_id": [ "c2uynu1", "c2uynu1" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "As far as I understand, the Ramsauer-Townsend effect is usually described as an electron with energy E > 0 passing a potential well (an atom) with E < 0. It thus doesn't have to tunnel (which happens when the energy of the e...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
3phgjp
why do we believe that "this is the one" and fear we "will never meet somebody like him/her in our life again"?
Is this a healthy thought, based on biology or psychology or is this an indicator for fears of loss? Is such thing even possible, regarding that there are over 7 billion people living on the world? Edit: Of course I meant: why do SOME people believe that.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3phgjp/eli5_why_do_we_believe_that_this_is_the_one_and/
{ "a_id": [ "cw6arib", "cw6bgwc" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "I don't believe either of those things. I just want to be clear that not everyone believes this. Or feels this.", "Carl jung believed we have archetypal images in the psyche which can manifest unto people. He gave a stor...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
9r163x
why is ios said to almost never be affected by viruses, whereas other operating systems are?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9r163x/eli5_why_is_ios_said_to_almost_never_be_affected/
{ "a_id": [ "e8d7x22", "e8d7yir" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "With mobile phone operating systems, a challenge is getting malicious code onto a user's device. With web browsers limiting plugins like Flash and Java, and blocking installation of apps from outside offical sources, that i...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
374wsn
Can many small, quieter speakers produce sound equivalent to a single larger, louder speaker?
Say I have 200 phones playing a song, does the volume increase when coming from many sources?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/374wsn/can_many_small_quieter_speakers_produce_sound/
{ "a_id": [ "crjqhm9", "crjtvio", "crjv3l4" ], "score": [ 38, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Yes, due to a principle called constructive interference, the sound waves with matching and in phase frequencies will build on eachother, making the amplitude higher and the volume louder. \nThink of a...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
d2sy15
Why was Mohammed’s army so successful?
My impression is that they just rolled over all their neighbors. However, I am unaware of any numerical, tactical or technological advantage they had:
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/d2sy15/why_was_mohammeds_army_so_successful/
{ "a_id": [ "ezx87hs" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "[I answered a similar question not long ago.](_URL_0_) To summarise, the Islamic armies were superior to their enemies primarily in political unity and morale, and didn't have any real advantage in numbers, tactics or technology." ] }
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[]
[ [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/d0wtdm/how_were_the_early_muslim_arab_armies_were_so/ezihbwo/" ] ]
vin7u
Is this really the first time in history that obesity has been so widespread across socioeconomic levels?
is this really the first time being overweight is a problem for poor people?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/vin7u/is_this_really_the_first_time_in_history_that/
{ "a_id": [ "c54uenn", "c54un02", "c5547au", "c55ggb9" ], "score": [ 13, 6, 6, 2 ], "text": [ "The view of obesity and what it signifies has changed over time. During the Renaissance, for example, the ideal body shape for women would be what's considered \"fat\" by today's...
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[]
[ [ "http://www.citizenarcane.com/files/2005/April/19/rubens_three_graces.jpg" ], [], [], [] ]
4drpbg
why is the standard dose of just about all medicines two tablets? couldn't they just make one that's twice as concentrated?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4drpbg/eli5_why_is_the_standard_dose_of_just_about_all/
{ "a_id": [ "d1tohxc", "d1tokie", "d1tp2wj", "d1tp4cv", "d1tt0nu", "d1tvatl", "d1u5qbc" ], "score": [ 6, 20, 9, 4, 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "But what if you needed to give a smaller dose to someone who was physically smaller, or whose body was weaker and...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
cfm9ub
Are there any modern recreational drugs that could have been synthesized in Europe between 1000-1500CE, with the knowledge we have today?
Sort of like how you can make meth in your trailer with matches and Sudafed, would it have been possible to make chemical drugs with supplies available in this time period? And if not in Europe, would any other region have the capacity for it? Assuming a modern day chemist with complete up to date knowledge was perform...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/cfm9ub/are_there_any_modern_recreational_drugs_that/
{ "a_id": [ "eubhph0" ], "score": [ 228 ], "text": [ "Ha! You're not totally out of luck. If you were to somehow time travel back to 1300, you might be able to make some pharmaceuticals which would not actually be discovered until much later. And yes--you could even realistically make Meth, more t...
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[]
[ [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/aiei8b/comment/eenryvx", "https://www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/NEJM199308053290619" ] ]
3k5rdn
Does Helium drift away from Jupiter (or other planets) like it does from Earth?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/3k5rdn/does_helium_drift_away_from_jupiter_or_other/
{ "a_id": [ "cuvwiit" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "It depends on the gravity of the planet, and the temperature of the atmosphere. In the case of Jupiter, no.\n\n > It can be shown that for cold giant gas planets such as Jupiter and Saturn there is no thermal driven atmospheric escape of signifi...
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[]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrodynamic_escape", "http://www.atmos.washington.edu/~davidc/papers_mine/Catling2009_SciAm_AtmEscape_Preprint.pdf" ] ]
38wpn6
How does the brain distinguish between images you are actually seeing and images you are imagining? Can the two become confused?
Generally it is easy to tell the difference between what you are actually seeing and imagining, but how does this happen? When you see something that isn't there (such as when it is dark and shadows look like something else) is that your imagination combining with your actual vision? Is there a way to purposefully co...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/38wpn6/how_does_the_brain_distinguish_between_images_you/
{ "a_id": [ "cryn3ji", "cryrnbr", "cryx2r3" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 29 ], "text": [ "I love this question. There is a movie called Waking Life that addresses this idea. The whole movie is on YouTube right now for free and is awesome. Check it out. But at the minute 40:35 is when your q...
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[]
[ [ "https://youtu.be/wAT-KZMqBk4" ], [], [ "https://my.vanderbilt.edu/lewisbaker/files/2013/08/Airplane.gif", "http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960982213006908", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blind_spot_(vision)", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filling-in", "https://e...
z7r5m
High school sophomore, considering a career in history or physics. What are job opportunities in
Your field like? Sorry about the title, posting from a tablet.
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/z7r5m/high_school_sophomore_considering_a_career_in/
{ "a_id": [ "c627w6q", "c628b02", "c629g8n" ], "score": [ 3, 3, 3 ], "text": [ "Someone who specializes in history could potentially find work at any museum or historical society. I live in the Chicago area and there are historical societies for practically every suburb around here...
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[ [ "Ancestry.com" ], [], [] ]
3dhx9h
If energy can be never be created or destroyed, and as the universe is expanding, would there come a time where all energy is so dissipated that things have little to no, energy and hence would freeze?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/3dhx9h/if_energy_can_be_never_be_created_or_destroyed/
{ "a_id": [ "ct5eg4c", "ct5fysd" ], "score": [ 13, 15 ], "text": [ "Yea, the eventual heat death of the universe. \n[From this article](_URL_0_): \"Every star will die, nearly all matter will decay, and eventually all that will be left is a sparse soup of particles and radiation. Even the...
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[]
[ [ "http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20150602-how-will-the-universe-end" ], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat_death_of_the_universe" ] ]
bw89oj
why does the water pressure drop a little bit once the water heats up?
When I have a shower, I leave the hot water on to heat up and I can hear the drop in pressure when it's done. I also notice this when using the kitchen sink and the water seems to become less oxygenated(?) Always wondered why, if the water heats up in the pipe shouldn't it expand and the water pressure rise?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bw89oj/eli5_why_does_the_water_pressure_drop_a_little/
{ "a_id": [ "epvut5u", "epvuuoi" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Do you mean water flow? Usually rubber in taps expands when it heats so the flow decreases.", "It shouldn't have anything to do with the water per se, but with the supply chain, since technically, if you heat water, the ...
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[ [], [] ]
4bol8e
what is a site's robot.txt?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4bol8e/eli5_what_is_a_sites_robottxt/
{ "a_id": [ "d1b19dz" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "It's a file containing instructions telling search engine spiders and other programs which parts of the site they shouldn't look at, for example _URL_0_ on Reddit. It won't stop an evil program from reading those pages, but a polite one like Goog...
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[]
[ [ "https://www.reddit.com/robots.txt" ] ]
7wwgwt
Do people with dextrocardia experience right arm numbness during a heart attack?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/7wwgwt/do_people_with_dextrocardia_experience_right_arm/
{ "a_id": [ "du57wfn" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ " Dextrocardia is a rare congenital condition in which your heart points toward the right side of the chest instead of the left.\n\n Normally, when a person without Dextrocardia experiences a heart attack, they may feel a pain in the left arm. T...
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[]
[ [] ]
2jkz8i
why does having bigger muscles enable someone to lift or push more weight?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2jkz8i/eli5_why_does_having_bigger_muscles_enable/
{ "a_id": [ "clcp1ne", "clcsscg" ], "score": [ 11, 2 ], "text": [ "Actually the 650 skeletal muscles in the human body contract when they receive signals from motor neurons, which are triggered from a part of the cell called the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Motor neurons tell your muscles to co...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
2jaiao
Was there ever any serious discussion on the United States joining the Commonwealth of Nations?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2jaiao/was_there_ever_any_serious_discussion_on_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cla6hoh" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "The simple answer is no. By the time the Commonwealth was created, after WW1, the Anglo-American relationship had developed its own unique characteristics. \n\nIts worth noting that Commonwealth wasn't really planned, it was the product of a seri...
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[ [] ]
3ymppp
is it possible to change the structure of molecules using electricity or vibrations?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ymppp/eli5is_it_possible_to_change_the_structure_of/
{ "a_id": [ "cyer1v7", "cyer77d" ], "score": [ 3, 6 ], "text": [ " > I.E: Change water into quartz\n\nNo. Water is composed of two hydrogen atoms bound to a single oxygen atom. Quartz is composed of two oxygen atoms bound to a single silicon atom. Short of using a particle accelerator t...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
1w55p7
legally speaking, how does recanting a confession work?
I'm in the US so US law in particular is my interest here. Let's say I walk into a police station and tell them I killed Jim Smith. Boom, confessed, nice nice. Three days later, I decide I'd rather have not told them that and recant my confession. Pain in the ass me, right? Seriously, though--how, in a legal procedu...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1w55p7/eli5_legally_speaking_how_does_recanting_a/
{ "a_id": [ "ceys3vl" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "[This](_URL_0_) wikipedia article is actually a pretty good survey briefing of the topic of both coerced and voluntary false confessions. \n\nTypically, short of evidence of coercion, once a confession is out there it's usable by the prosecuti...
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[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_confession" ] ]
hpcp9
What is magnetic flux?
In physics I've learned all about how it behaves and how it arises, but we haven't been told what it actually is. Is there something actually moving around these loops? I'm guessing not, but if not then what exactly is going on?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/hpcp9/what_is_magnetic_flux/
{ "a_id": [ "c1x8rvh" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Basically it's the total amount of magnetic field passing through a given area. So if there's an area of 1 m^2 and there's a magnetic field of 1 tesla passing through it, the magnetic flux is 1 Weber." ] }
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[ [] ]
93sny5
what is the funny taste we experience after hitting our heads too hard?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/93sny5/eli5_what_is_the_funny_taste_we_experience_after/
{ "a_id": [ "e3fragq", "e3fs2ln" ], "score": [ 71, 9 ], "text": [ "Post traumatic dysgeusia\n\nThe short version is that it's your body undergoing trauma and your salivary glands sort of going haywire temporarily. \n\nIt is not an adrenal response or spinal/brain fluid as most people false...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
cpkd9e
In what ways did Conquistadors worsen Native American mortality due to European diseases?
Since people back then didn't know about germs and immunity system, it seems like that the inevitable fate of Native Americans was mass extinction due to European diseases, whether they Europeans had come to them peacefully or not. But would the mortality rate (which I think was up to 90% for some areas) have been lowe...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/cpkd9e/in_what_ways_did_conquistadors_worsen_native/
{ "a_id": [ "ewq31gx" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ "You are absolutely correct that the combined colonial cocktail worked to decrease host immunity and survival during periodic waves of infection, and then those same factors served to decrease chances of population rebound following those epidemic...
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[]
[ [ "http://www.sas.upenn.edu/~dludden/RefugeePublicHealth.pdf", "http://www.medigraphic.com/pdfs/revbio/bio-2002/bio024h.pdf", "http://np.reddit.com/r/badhistory/comments/2bqvto/slavery_smallpox_and_virgins_the_us_southeast_as/", "http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/smallpox/overview/disease-facts.asp" ] ]
1xefu8
what is wifi, like, physically? electromagnetic radiation? if so, what kind?
I've never fully understood the properties of a WiFi signal.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1xefu8/eli5_what_is_wifi_like_physically_electromagnetic/
{ "a_id": [ "cfalfra", "cfanlfd", "cfapuip" ], "score": [ 30, 13, 4 ], "text": [ "Radio waves. Very high frequency, approximately what you use for good cordless phones. ", "Yes, it's electromagnetic radiation. Depending on what type of WiFi set-up you have (or are using if you'...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trYBogpHHGY" ] ]
2ek7lo
how did we learn to make fire?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2ek7lo/eli5_how_did_we_learn_to_make_fire/
{ "a_id": [ "ck09eq3", "ck0c2tq", "ck0dyx3", "ck0gh6p", "ck0hhd0" ], "score": [ 12, 5, 4, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Someone else will probably have a better informed/cited answer. But I did a quick 5 minute research session and will back up what I found with a wikipedia li...
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[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Control_of_fire_by_early_humans" ], [], [], [], [] ]
8l04ac
How does the hippocampus transfer short term to long term memory?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/8l04ac/how_does_the_hippocampus_transfer_short_term_to/
{ "a_id": [ "dzbzy00", "dzcbemp", "dzcdiiz", "dzcil5n", "dzciodl", "dzck1yc", "dzctlf2" ], "score": [ 111, 9, 30, 2, 6, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "We do not know how our experience or information is encoded and decoded in the brain. As in precisely how the s...
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[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Short-term_memory" ], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleep_spindle" ], [], [], [], [], [] ]
13lzb2
How strong would a "cord" of DNA be if it was one inch thick?
If there was an interwoven strand of DNA or similar organic molecules one inch thick, how would that compare in strength to a metal or polymer?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/13lzb2/how_strong_would_a_cord_of_dna_be_if_it_was_one/
{ "a_id": [ "c754m7v", "c7565kq" ], "score": [ 18, 8 ], "text": [ "It's not really possible to say, as you're extrapolating over about 7-8 orders of magnitude here, a DNA strand being about 1 nm is diameter. \n\nThe strength within a DNA strand, and between the two complementary strands, i...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
cxxn39
why are lakes so calm but oceans and rivers so unpredictable?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cxxn39/eli5_why_are_lakes_so_calm_but_oceans_and_rivers/
{ "a_id": [ "eyo5uyc" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Lakes are smaller than oceans by a lot, and so they end up with fewer instances of turbulence or choppiness compared to ocean water.\n\nFor example, the spin of the Earth causes a band of high winds and ocean currents near the equator, which chur...
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[]
[ [] ]
6pxut7
the human body maintains a core temperature of around 37℃. how does the body know its temperature ? how does it know if its above or below its ideal temperature ?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6pxut7/eli5_the_human_body_maintains_a_core_temperature/
{ "a_id": [ "dkt11wo" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "your skin is covered in cells that detect temperature. These react very quickly to any temperature outside of a very narrow range. When it goes too far from that range, it transmits signals very similar to pain. these signals go to your brain, wh...
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[]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermoreceptor" ] ]
66g6o1
why do we, as humans, often make decisions contrary to what our brains "know deep down" that we're supposed to do?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/66g6o1/eli5_why_do_we_as_humans_often_make_decisions/
{ "a_id": [ "dgi8wm0", "dgi9pbg" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "If I recall correctly, our limbic system dictates our \"gut instincts\" and our prefrontal cortex dictates decisions based on logic. The more data we get, the more our prefrontal cortex gets overloaded with information causi...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
megw9
how mao got into power and why china is one of the most successful communist countries.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/megw9/eli5_how_mao_got_into_power_and_why_china_is_one/
{ "a_id": [ "c308w7g", "c309bja", "c30abad", "c30bn5e", "c308w7g", "c309bja", "c30abad", "c30bn5e" ], "score": [ 3, 5, 2, 5, 3, 5, 2, 5 ], "text": [ "I can answer the second part of the question\n\n* organised labour workforce\n\n* firewall i...
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[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
71583o
Why couldn't Britain defend itself from German Luftwaffe bombings during WWII?
Sorry if this question is dumb. I know that Nazi germany would not invade Britain, but still, they still bombed the hell out of London. Didn't the UK have an air force to defend itself properly? Also, could they attack Berlin or another german city with *their* aircrafts? Thanks.
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/71583o/why_couldnt_britain_defend_itself_from_german/
{ "a_id": [ "dn8f0by" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ "The Royal Air Force successfully defended the UK by day in [the Battle of Britain] (_URL_0_) (July-October 1940); this forced the Luftwaffe to largely bomb at night in [the Blitz] (_URL_1_) (September 1940 - May 1941).\n\nIntercepting a bomber at...
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[]
[ [ "http://www.iwm.org.uk/history/8-things-you-need-to-know-about-the-battle-of-britain", "http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/events/the_blitz", "http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205229851" ] ]