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uteju
What physical differences are there between a marathon runner and a non-marathon runner (regular person) of roughly the same stature?
It's much easier for me to understand the differences between a regular person and a strong person / heavy lifter. But what about the differences between a regular person and someone with a lot of endurance? My thoughts have been about: Better usage of the lungs?; more mitochondria? Less fat to carry?; more capillarie...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/uteju/what_physical_differences_are_there_between_a/
{ "a_id": [ "c4ydrd4" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ " I am assuming that you are referring to an exceptional endurance. There are two main types of muscle tissue in muscle and a third in cardiac muscle. The straited muscle also called slowtwitch and unstraited muscle called fast twitch. Fast tw...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
42io43
apps that ask for permission to my "location." could the person running the app tell when i'm not home?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/42io43/eli5_apps_that_ask_for_permission_to_my_location/
{ "a_id": [ "czamyn0" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Technically that's probably possible, but to what end? That information is typically used to just feed you relevant ads for nearby businesses assuming there isn't an obvious location function like showing you a map or finding nearby showtimes or ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
4esjg3
Why are modern cities' ground level several meters higher than their ancient counterparts?
I just saw a documentary talking about how Rome's modern ground level is 6 meters above the ancient level, that there are often three underground levels in old buildings of which 2 used to be above ground - what causes the basic level to rise in such manner? Is it on purpose?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4esjg3/why_are_modern_cities_ground_level_several_meters/
{ "a_id": [ "d22yoly" ], "score": [ 9 ], "text": [ "It's a side effect of people living there. Sediment builds up. I've written a couple answers on the topic, and I'll put in an edited version of [one of my previous answers here](_URL_0_)\n\n***\n\nThere are a lot of reasons why sediment builds ...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3tfl88/why_does_so_much_archaeology_end_up_underground/", "https://www.worldcat.org/title/practical-and-theoretical-geoarchaeology/oclc/60796167&referer=brief_results", "https://www.worldcat.org/title/geoarchaeology-the-earth-science-approach-to-arc...
7b7xxq
What characteristics would a material need in order to be a perfect radiation shield for human space travel?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/7b7xxq/what_characteristics_would_a_material_need_in/
{ "a_id": [ "dpfxhkz" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "Many hydrogen atoms as part of its chemical formula. Water or polymers are the preferred materials for that reason. Ideally it should be liquid hydrogen, but that's too bulky and too difficult to keep cool enough to stay in liquid form.\n\nThis i...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bethe_formula" ] ]
2qjc8x
Are these good books to get for an thorough overview of the topics they focus on?
Stalingrad by Antony Beevor, Forgotten Voices of Burma by Julian Thompson and Battle for teh Flaklands by Max Hastings and Simon Jenkins.
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2qjc8x/are_these_good_books_to_get_for_an_thorough/
{ "a_id": [ "cn6m144", "cn6r1o0" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Julian Thompson's 'Forgotten Voices from Burma' is a collection of oral accounts from the Burma campaign 1942-45. It's good if you're looking for first hand account of the fighting but the context provided is minimal and the...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
fsr3a
What would the temperature of the earth be if the axial tilt was 54 degrees?
I read in an old book that a tilt of 54 degrees would result in the average solar radiation received by the earth over a year to be the same everywhere. A quick google yielded [this 2003 article](_URL_0_) but it was not specific. (It'd be great to include the temperature in Celsius, but if not, I'll find an online c...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/fsr3a/what_would_the_temperature_of_the_earth_be_if_the/
{ "a_id": [ "c1ic5e5" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "The article is [here](_URL_0_) and the abstract says the mean temperatures are 14^o C to within a few degrees for all tilts. However, the variations are huge for large tilts (not surprisingly, because it'd basically be day or night for half the y...
[]
[ "http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=12411" ]
[ [ "http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=163274&fulltextType=RA&fileId=S1473550403001356" ] ]
17ltjl
why aren't all screwheads philips?
Or Robertson, why not just pick one and make it universal instead of all these millions of variations of screwheads?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/17ltjl/why_arent_all_screwheads_philips/
{ "a_id": [ "c86oer0", "c86ogat", "c86q2z1", "c86qnjm", "c86qxub", "c86seq5", "c86sjre", "c86so26", "c86socy", "c86t01q", "c86tf45", "c86ufkf", "c86v9o8", "c86vcdj", "c86vhtz", "c86vxhs", "c86wmkj", "c86wt8e", "c86xvnu", "c86yvrk", "c...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_screw_drives" ], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://i.imgur.com/5jrCDhS.gif", "http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106308/quotes" ], [], [ "http://imgur.com/WfaXi6y" ], [], [], [], [] ]
46z10x
how do circuit boards work to run software and create images?
How do different combos of metals and stuff make computers work??
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/46z10x/eli5_how_do_circuit_boards_work_to_run_software/
{ "a_id": [ "d08zuu4" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Circuit boards don't do any of that, they are merely a support for the \"wiring\" between the electronic components that do the work.\n\nIn the old days, you'd hook electronic components together with actual pieces of wire. Today, the number and ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
28yciv
what does the schrödinger's cat experiment consist of?
I knew about this experiment when watching a recommendable movie called Coherence.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/28yciv/eli5_what_does_the_schrödingers_cat_experiment/
{ "a_id": [ "cifmnjv", "cifmnx4", "cifnblu" ], "score": [ 3, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "The first thing to understand about it is that it is a *thought* experiment. This means you don't actually do anything; rather, it's a method of thinking through a problem (often to reveal a paradox or ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
6tht1i
how does a company like facebook buy another like snapchat
Is it by buying a large number of stocks or does Facebook make Instagram an offer? Edit: i meant Instagram
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6tht1i/eli5_how_does_a_company_like_facebook_buy_another/
{ "a_id": [ "dlkqsqn", "dlktcku" ], "score": [ 12, 2 ], "text": [ "They buy the stocks from the existing owners, usually with the consent of the people running the acquired company.\n\nYer not alone in askin', and kind strangers have explained:\n\n1. [ELI5: What do you actually get when yo...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6o59bk/eli5_what_process_does_a_company_go_through_to/", "https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6kzhoe/eli5how_do_larger_companies_buy_smaller_companies/", "https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/52q4py/eli5_what_happens_w...
sj0ab
If TV remote controls use infrared light, why does my TV respond to my remote control when the path between the RC and the TV is completely blocked or when the remote control isn't even pointed at the TV?
Doesn't light (even infrared) travel in straight lines unlike radio waves? Wouldn't it need a clear path? I can see the beam of infrared light when I look through a camera - so I know it travels in a straight line - whats going on here?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/sj0ab/if_tv_remote_controls_use_infrared_light_why_does/
{ "a_id": [ "c4eezud" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "If you have a flashlight, turn it on and off at some interval to convey a message, and put some object in the path of the light, would you be able to tell what the light pattern is by observing the room in general?\n\nYou'll see reflections off s...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
bgu1mg
Why did the British make West Pakistan and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) one country in the 1947 partition? They are 2000 km apart!
I know it's because they were both muslim majority areas, but why did the british think it was fine to create a state with two roughly equal areas so separated from each other? Why didn't they just create two muslim states?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/bgu1mg/why_did_the_british_make_west_pakistan_and_east/
{ "a_id": [ "em21ucj" ], "score": [ 19 ], "text": [ "The short answer is that Britain had little choice in the matter.\n\nThe issue of Indian independence was virtually a sure thing even at the start of WW-2 (except for the partition part). Britain put off discussions once the war started (because...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
1px7zf
why it's not fair for soldiers in the military to be charged for the same crimes as civilians.
My friend was explaining to me using all this law jargon and It's confusing. Yes, soldiers have experienced different things from normal people, but i'm looking for more legal reasons.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1px7zf/eli5_why_its_not_fair_for_soldiers_in_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cd6z6kc" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Can you give an example?\n\nI was in the Navy and we had a stricter set of rules that we had to go by." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
4yral5
culturally, why are celebrities generally entertainers and not scientists? aren't they more important?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4yral5/eli5_culturally_why_are_celebrities_generally/
{ "a_id": [ "d6ptyf5", "d6pukjw", "d6puzbi", "d6pv116", "d6pxifj" ], "score": [ 3, 6, 5, 4, 3 ], "text": [ "Because scientist aren't usually the ones you see on the TV everyday. Not everyone follows science, but mostly everyone watches some form of entertainment. En...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
chm2s6
meteorologically speaking, why is it suddenly so extremely warm in western europe?
Some parts of central France are even hotter than places in Northern Africa.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/chm2s6/eli5_meteorologically_speaking_why_is_it_suddenly/
{ "a_id": [ "euvhlez" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "It really should be called **runaway global warming**, to tell the truth. But to answer your question - \n\nApprox 20 years ago the weather was like a fair dice (1.2.3.4.5.6) So there was always an equal chance of any temperature, rainfall, humid...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
5dcscl
would you have to breathe if you had a very constant supply of liquid oxygen?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5dcscl/eli5_would_you_have_to_breathe_if_you_had_a_very/
{ "a_id": [ "da3jsd1", "da3reo0" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Liquid oxygen would kill you, since oxygen needs to be at bout -180c/-300f to be liquid. \n\nHowever, it *is* possible to breathe heavily oxygenated liquid, which I think is what you mean. You can read about it [here](_URL_0...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquid_breathing" ], [] ]
z71do
I need help finding out what this animal is.
I live in NW Pennsylvania and I found this leaf shaped, slug-like creature on a leaf in my back yard today. I really want to know what it is. I have took pictures of its back, underside, and *mouth. Please look at the pictures and tell me if you know what it is. _URL_0_ * This picture is took under a microscope
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/z71do/i_need_help_finding_out_what_this_animal_is/
{ "a_id": [ "c620pv3" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Can't offer advice, but I happened to see one in SE PA yesterday. Shape of it looks akin to a stink bug." ] }
[]
[ "http://imgur.com/a/gaB78" ]
[ [] ]
2l12s9
since https is secure why don't all sites use it? why isn't it the default? why even have http?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2l12s9/eli5_since_https_is_secure_why_dont_all_sites_use/
{ "a_id": [ "clqg79z", "clqgcgd", "clqgetu" ], "score": [ 8, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "price - you gotta buy a https certification.\n\nlatency - it's slower cos more shit needs to be done\n\nbandwidth increase - cos you gotta send more shit for encryption\n\ncpu load - gotta use cycles fo...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://stackoverflow.com/questions/149274/http-vs-https-performance" ], [] ]
7sjhku
Primary sources for Cosimo de Medici
[deleted]
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/7sjhku/primary_sources_for_cosimo_de_medici/
{ "a_id": [ "dt5e1g5" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Hi, you’d be interested in one of the [Monday Methods posts on Finding and Understanding Sources](_URL_0_). I’ll specifically highlight the advice to ask one of your campus librarians. As you’ve discovered, Google can’t discern different types of...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3t1z25/monday_methodsfinding_and_understanding_sources/" ] ]
4qwyaz
how does a float in fuel gauge accurately read fuel level if the car is moving and the fuel is sloshing around all the time?
So here's how it a fuel gauge works: _URL_0_ How is this any accurate?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4qwyaz/eli5_how_does_a_float_in_fuel_gauge_accurately/
{ "a_id": [ "d4wijpe", "d4wixqf", "d4wj2ze", "d4wn4dw", "d4wodt4", "d4wyf87", "d4x7tue", "d4xcvyg" ], "score": [ 18, 5, 76, 11, 2, 5, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "The're not accurate! It's a fairly simple, old technology and it's really a rough estimat...
[]
[ "http://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-gauge1.htm" ]
[ [], [ "http://www.britishv8.org/Articles/Images-V18-1/CustomAluminumMGBFuelTank-Inside.jpg" ], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
cc5gcn
price elasticity
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cc5gcn/eli5_price_elasticity/
{ "a_id": [ "etm3mto" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "The \"Price elasticity of Good X with respect to Y\" is the percentage change in Y induced by a 1% increase in the price of Good X.\n\nTo make a more concrete example, suppose that X is hamburgers and Y is demand for hamburgers. The current price...
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[]
[ [] ]
3igrkj
"Truth Serum" from spy movies and the like, does it actually work?
Logic indicates that all it does is lower inhibition and make people think the secrets they have aren't worth keeping rather than just making people 100% honest. Am I wrong?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/3igrkj/truth_serum_from_spy_movies_and_the_like_does_it/
{ "a_id": [ "cugl62y" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Lying takes more mental effort than truth telling, so taking any downer should make a person more truthful. This effect can be seen with alcohol and other gaba agonists like ghb and benzodiazeprine, and such downers as barbituates and xanax. Psyc...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
2p02ty
what makes the show 'friends' so watchable. why do so many people seem to be able to watch re-runs all the time?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2p02ty/eli5_what_makes_the_show_friends_so_watchable_why/
{ "a_id": [ "cms56hu" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Most of the episodes are self contained, have multiple subplots going at once, and those subplots are interesting but not interesting enough to be super memorable.\n\nSo when you see an episode, it isn't going to be the one where Rachel gets a ba...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
1nm07j
Why were slaves considered 3/5 a person?
I understand the Southern states wanted as much representation as possible but why the awkward 3:5 ratio? It seems a number like 1/4 or 1/2 be easier logistically. Did the southern states just try to inch out enough representation as they could get?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1nm07j/why_were_slaves_considered_35_a_person/
{ "a_id": [ "ccjsz1e", "ccjvyn9" ], "score": [ 3, 8 ], "text": [ "Sorry to jump in with a follow up so quick. I was discussing this topic the other night and we came up with a question no one could answer. Slaves were counted as 3/5 for representation purposes. Were freed slaves (whether r...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
67nxwk
the different levels of partner at a law firm
Been watching the good wife and iv herd named and equity partner thrown around alot. Is there a regular partner status? How does this differ from an associate level position.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/67nxwk/eli5_the_different_levels_of_partner_at_a_law_firm/
{ "a_id": [ "dgrubk3", "dgrulgi", "dgrvzgg" ], "score": [ 2, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "At a very simple level (it gets more complicated the larger the firm is, and the more personalities they're trying to wrangle), you get a basic breakdown of 'lawyers':\n\n* Associate: a line-level legal...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
34r07j
This is more of a meta question but where do most of you find your sources?
I understand that books and articles are scattered everywhere but is there a data base where you can find a lot of articles?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/34r07j/this_is_more_of_a_meta_question_but_where_do_most/
{ "a_id": [ "cqxepp5", "cqxf0pd", "cqxh9g3" ], "score": [ 4, 2, 4 ], "text": [ "If you have access to it, I use JSTOR very often when I look for publications. I also use google scholars, but I might be using it wrong because I have a hard time getting interesting papers out of it.\...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://opac.regesta-imperii.de/lang_en/index.php" ], [] ]
1f1qi2
Why were the White Huns called White Huns?
There seems to have existed no relation between the Huns and White Huns, their lifestyles were different, and they operated in different areas. The name however suggests that the two would be branches of a family. So was there a connection between the two groups, or were their names just a happy coincidence, like thei...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1f1qi2/why_were_the_white_huns_called_white_huns/
{ "a_id": [ "ca615tx" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Maybe not related genetically, but either adopted the name or were simply assigned the name based on the similarity of their lifestyle, beliefs and war practices. \n\n_URL_0_" ] }
[]
[]
[ [ "http://earlyworldhistory.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/huns.html" ] ]
6b1igy
what is the economic rationale for the u.s.'s 10 biggest tax breaks?
_URL_0_
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6b1igy/eli5_what_is_the_economic_rationale_for_the_uss/
{ "a_id": [ "dhj3ktj", "dhj5ujm" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "I'll take a crack.\n\nDisclaimer: You're asking for rationale. I will attempt to provide. Whether it's a good rationale is up to you.\n\n > Employer paid health insurance\n\n2 reasons. One, it's compensation. Generally compe...
[]
[ "http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/04/06/the-biggest-u-s-tax-breaks/" ]
[ [ "healthcare.gov" ], [] ]
5y5f7c
Why are so many nerve/seizure related drugs used for treating mental illnesses?
Why are so many nerve-related/seizure related drugs used for treating mental illnesses? Examples include, Lamotrigine for bi-polar/mood disorder, Gabapentin for anxiety/panic disorder, Venlafaxine for depression, Duloxetine for depression, etc.
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/5y5f7c/why_are_so_many_nerveseizure_related_drugs_used/
{ "a_id": [ "deofi8q", "depefr2" ], "score": [ 6, 2 ], "text": [ "The real reason is \"because some of them help, sometimes, and the rest is immaterial.\" But that's not a very satisfying answer.\n\nAnticonvulsants work by altering neurotransmission, like virtually all drugs used in psychi...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
12zhcw
Do creatures with very short lifespans develop fatal diseases at the same rates as humans?
Does a bug with a lifespan of a few days or weeks ever develop / die of cancer? If so, does it spread as quickly? Do animals with lifespans of a few years develop alzheimers? Does it usually begin near the end of their lives?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/12zhcw/do_creatures_with_very_short_lifespans_develop/
{ "a_id": [ "c6zxjc2" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Mice have a much higher likelyhood of developing cancer then humans do ([source](_URL_2_)) but there lifespan is in the years range. There is as far as I'm aware very little research on cancer in insects although we do have examples of specific m...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://livingwithinsects.wordpress.com/2011/01/23/cancer-research-in-insects/", "http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/diseasesconditionscat/tp/feline-dementia.htm", "http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1369270/" ] ]
54wr8m
how does a country rebuild after a total destructing war?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/54wr8m/eli5how_does_a_country_rebuild_after_a_total/
{ "a_id": [ "d85kdst", "d85kgeh", "d85kgr4" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "After a war or natural disaster there might be a lot of people without work, home or food. You start making those people farming, gathering resources and building homes. Just start with the basics. When...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marshall_Plan" ] ]
28v0z7
why is it impossible for a megalodon to still exist?
I always hear this question brought up and the answer is always, " we have only explored this much of the ocean " and blah blah, but could any one explain why such a animal could not survive today?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/28v0z7/eli5_why_is_it_impossible_for_a_megalodon_to/
{ "a_id": [ "cieqse2", "cieqw1x" ], "score": [ 2, 5 ], "text": [ "not the \"original\" megalodon, but a similar animal could survive, even though only in small numbers and on specific places - different to megalodon, science assumes that they were found all other the prehistoric oceans.\ns...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
1o1e8g
why can't humans get suitable nutrition from vitamins and fiber capsules
Why can't I live off of vitamins and fiber supplements, with no solid food?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1o1e8g/eli5why_cant_humans_get_suitable_nutrition_from/
{ "a_id": [ "ccnytyt", "ccnyz8w", "cco04qe" ], "score": [ 4, 3, 3 ], "text": [ "You need energy to live, and we get that energy from the calories we eat. Generally, carbohydrates and protein have about 4 calories per gram, and fat has about 9 calories per gram. \n\nWe can also get ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
32h7kc
why does the us have to have buttons for crosswalks?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/32h7kc/eli5_why_does_the_us_have_to_have_buttons_for/
{ "a_id": [ "cqb5sgn", "cqb6bh1" ], "score": [ 7, 6 ], "text": [ "In a lot of cases, because it makes people feel better to be pushing the button, especially when they're impatient. \n\n_URL_0_", "Usually there is a sensor in the road that allows the light to gauge the number of cars. ...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://youarenotsosmart.com/2010/02/10/placebo-buttons/" ], [ "http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/fhwahop08024/chapter5.htm" ] ]
r1auq
What would be the result if we disproved the Equivalence Principle?
I just read [this article](_URL_0_) and while it has a stupid/flashy title, the real message is pretty amazing: it claims that results show that the electromagnetic coupling constant varies across the observable universe. What does it mean for us if the universal constants weren't, well, constant? (In other words, wha...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/r1auq/what_would_be_the_result_if_we_disproved_the/
{ "a_id": [ "c424gwq", "c427a02" ], "score": [ 5, 2 ], "text": [ "From the article:\n\n > which negates Einstein's equivalence principle, which states that the laws of physics are the same everywhere.\n\nThis is actually the [*cosmological* principle](_URL_0_), not the equivalence princip...
[]
[ "http://www.dailygalaxy.com/my_weblog/2012/03/is-our-solar-system-a-region-of-the-universe-just-right-for-life.html" ]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmological_principle" ], [] ]
1u6z0j
Who killed Juvénal Habyarimana?
The RPF, Interahamwe, Rwandan army?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1u6z0j/who_killed_juvénal_habyarimana/
{ "a_id": [ "cef8u64" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "This is highly controversial and while there are plenty of theories on the subject - most books on the subject provide plenty of well reasoned speculation - including speculation that Habyarimana was either collateral damage or a bonus killing. \...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
34ousp
why do the majority of people want manny pacquiao to win this fight?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/34ousp/eli5why_do_the_majority_of_people_want_manny/
{ "a_id": [ "cqwolme", "cqwrup5" ], "score": [ 12, 3 ], "text": [ "I don't really follow boxing, but the thing I'm seeing is that Pacquaio is the nice guy and Mayweather is a douche. We all just want to see the bad guy taken down", "He has a history of battering women. On top of that, ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
x3bgd
When did the practice of forcing left handed persons to use their right hand begin?
I've heard one of the reasons being that during the quill and ink days it was necessary to keep them from destroying their own writing. But, seeing as everyday people writing and the quill and ink days are relatively new compared to people, I was wondering if there was any evidence of this prior to that. And if so, wh...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/x3bgd/when_did_the_practice_of_forcing_left_handed/
{ "a_id": [ "c5ithcj", "c5izkv3" ], "score": [ 10, 5 ], "text": [ "A Roman soldier (at least in late Republic) was forced to use his left arm for his shield and his right arm for his gladius, regardless of handedness. The word sinister derives from the Latin word for left; the deeply sup...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
2im56v
how do computers calculate how long a second is if differences in temperature would create a subtle change in the time it takes for a process to complete?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2im56v/eli5_how_do_computers_calculate_how_long_a_second/
{ "a_id": [ "cl3cjsg", "cl3clee", "cl3iknq" ], "score": [ 4, 3, 4 ], "text": [ "Because the cycles in a computer are crystal regulated like a clock. It does not matter how long a process takes. ", "Most newer computers will constantly reference their internal clock to an intern...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_oscillator" ] ]
3eqlps
Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson died from complications after being shot by his own men. What happened to the soldiers who shot him?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3eqlps/thomas_stonewall_jackson_died_from_complications/
{ "a_id": [ "cti8vci" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "I can tell you that the Brigade Commander suffered no repercussions. The 18th NC was in the Brigade commanded by BGEN James Henry Lane, an 1854 graduate of VMI, and a college professor before the war with a Master's from UVA. At the time of his p...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
1du1kb
Magnets!!!! How does an external magnetic field affect an iron core solenoid
Hey all, I am trying to wrap my head around this… If I have an iron cored solenoid with a DC charge and I hold it inside a much larger solenoid with an opposing DC charge will the iron core boost the field of the smaller solenoid, or the larger, or would it just produce a lot of heat and not boost anything? How would ...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1du1kb/magnets_how_does_an_external_magnetic_field/
{ "a_id": [ "c9tvw8j" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "I believe they will just produce a lot of heat and cancel each others fields out. To have and amplification of the fields, you must have both of the coils with the same polarity and direction of electron flow." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
an2i4z
why can we hear things on the other side of a wall better if we press our ear to the wall?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/an2i4z/eli5_why_can_we_hear_things_on_the_other_side_of/
{ "a_id": [ "efq7k2f", "efq7las", "efq81qj", "efqkmpb" ], "score": [ 5, 2, 8, 2 ], "text": [ "Sound is just vibration through a medium , typically that medium is air, so when you press your ear to the wall your eardrum has an easier time ‘decoding’ the vibrations coming fro...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
8i0oot
why are electric bills billed in kilowatt-hours, and not simply kilowatts?
My mind is having a hard time wrapping around the seeming negation of the calculation of time, `(Kilowatts × Hours) / Month` Why not: `Kilowatts / Month` Imagining a computer. Idling, it might use 120 watts. Under intense load, it might generate 600 watts. So, lets say after doing some idling and some full-load pr...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8i0oot/eli5_why_are_electric_bills_billed_in/
{ "a_id": [ "dynzk4c", "dynzohz", "dynzota" ], "score": [ 23, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Wait wait wait son. Kilowatt is how much it uses NOW! So it’s a sort of speed. By taking hours on the end it’s a physical measurement of energy. Meaning how much we’ve used total.\n\nSo my computer tak...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
10qt0u
Why does our immune system seems to handle some infections on it's own pretty fine, while others only with the help of medicine? For example, a normal flu, vs. malaria, or dengue.
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/10qt0u/why_does_our_immune_system_seems_to_handle_some/
{ "a_id": [ "c6g1lul" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Very complicated answer - mostly it has to do with the evolution of the microbe.\n\nMost of use are used to thinking about our immune systems as what determines how well we respond to viruses and other pathogens, but typically, it has more to do ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
3gwstc
Does the repulsion from two oppositely charged magnets have any affect on gravity's pull on them?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/3gwstc/does_the_repulsion_from_two_oppositely_charged/
{ "a_id": [ "cu2mf50" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "No, they should manifest as two different effects." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
2ee4kf
Is Germany in WW2 the new "Lost Cause"?
Due to a variety of reasons, there is the perception that Germany was close to winning the Second World War. This is from arm chair generals seeing battle maps, fetishizing German equipment compared to their allied counter parts, and the perceived superiority of Germany military ability. All of this is similar to the L...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2ee4kf/is_germany_in_ww2_the_new_lost_cause/
{ "a_id": [ "cjylgkk", "cjysgo1", "cjytrnt", "cjyw56c" ], "score": [ 86, 25, 3, 9 ], "text": [ "EDITED: Forgot my sources!\nEDITED: Phrasing.\n\nHello,\n\nFirst post on AH, so before I provide you with a theory (as I don't think this is 'answerable') I'll post a small blerb...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [ "http://rhapsodyinbooks.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/9781589807136.jpg", "http://www.scvva.org/relee_plate.htm" ] ]
3onizu
this exchange between a muslim college student and jewish professor.
_URL_0_
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3onizu/eli5this_exchange_between_a_muslim_college/
{ "a_id": [ "cvythnw" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "He said that the Muslim Student Association was affiliated with a terrorist group. She said that wasn't true because they never received support from said group. He said that, if they aren't affiliated, then does she condemn their actions. She re...
[]
[ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yGN8SlIEZ8" ]
[ [] ]
cpttou
the hong kong v china conflict
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cpttou/eli5_the_hong_kong_v_china_conflict/
{ "a_id": [ "ewrjyzt" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "Britain and China went to war 100 years ago. Long story short, Britain got to rule Hong Kong [until 1997](_URL_0_), when it reverted to Chinese control. \n\nThat means a good deal of people living in Hong Kong were used to western-style freedoms...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handover_of_Hong_Kong" ] ]
5q060t
what determines a professional's salary?
why are doctors, engineers etc. paid so much in there fields compared to other professional jobs like business, or graphic design? what makes those occupations worth more compared to other occupations?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5q060t/eli5what_determines_a_professionals_salary/
{ "a_id": [ "dcv8wq8" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Supply and demand.\n\nIt is hard to become a doctor or an engineer, especially the highly specialized kind. Those specialized skills can mean life or death, or millions of dollars. If you want someone who can give you those sorts of results, yo...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
162jbx
With a current lot of tension and debate over immigration in the West, what was the reaction to significant numbers of Chinese settling in many Western cities, and during what period was the establishment of Chinatown's taking place?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/162jbx/with_a_current_lot_of_tension_and_debate_over/
{ "a_id": [ "c7s96c6", "c7siyze" ], "score": [ 5, 2 ], "text": [ "One major wave of immigration from China happened after the discovery of gold in California in 1849. Just like other migrants out to the area, many Chinese came in hopes of getting rich. About 1/4 of all miners in the gold...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
2q539p
Did the Russian Czar 1914's attempt to ban alcohol from Russian life have the same effects prohibition did on America? Namely rise of speakeasies and gangsters?
> On October 21 1914, the Czar announced that that the halt of vodka production and sales in Russia would be permanent, lasting even beyond the end of the war. At the same time, a ban on the sale other hard liquors, and even beer and wine, went into place, except along with meals in private restaurants, though local ...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2q539p/did_the_russian_czar_1914s_attempt_to_ban_alcohol/
{ "a_id": [ "cn36loo" ], "score": [ 14 ], "text": [ "No, primarily because the attempt was short-lived and there was a war on. Instead, it helped start the Russian Revolution of 1917.\n\nSee *The Alcoholic Empire: Vodka and Politics in Late Imperial Russia* or *Vodka Politics: Alcohol, Autocracy, ...
[]
[ "http://today-in-wwi.tumblr.com/post/100564078885/vodka-permanently-banned-in-russia", "https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/547018775867183104" ]
[ [] ]
1oruf0
zeno's paradox
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1oruf0/eli5_zenos_paradox/
{ "a_id": [ "ccuxrdu", "ccv0o1y", "ccv2i5c" ], "score": [ 16, 8, 5 ], "text": [ "In order to get from point A to point B you must first reach the point between A and B. Let's call that point 1.\n\nTo reach point 1 you must first reach the point between point A and point 1. Let's ca...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7Z9UnWOJNY" ] ]
35q0jv
why amount of transgender people is increasing so much
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/35q0jv/eli5_why_amount_of_transgender_people_is/
{ "a_id": [ "cr6o4q5", "cr6o8kk", "cr6od1c", "cr6ofek", "cr6phas" ], "score": [ 4, 5, 14, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "There likely aren't many more in terms of a percentage of the population, you're just hearing more about them now because it's more socially acceptable and s...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevalier_d%27Eon" ], [], [] ]
9x60nj
how can agencies approve airline companies to overbook flights?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9x60nj/eli5_how_can_agencies_approve_airline_companies/
{ "a_id": [ "e9pt29l", "e9ptg3t", "e9pv9d5", "e9q4a24" ], "score": [ 4, 20, 10, 4 ], "text": [ "Oh, it’s nothing to do with agencies. \n\nThe airlines release a certain number of tickets for each flight. They can be purchased directly from the airline or through a travel ag...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
dowtf4
why does the cleanliness of your environment (your room for example) affect your mental state so much?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dowtf4/eli5_why_does_the_cleanliness_of_your_environment/
{ "a_id": [ "f5qzhnw", "f5r0kej", "f5r595j", "f5s6n8b" ], "score": [ 5, 7, 5, 6 ], "text": [ "Humans spent the last 25000 years trying to control their direct environment.\n\nBe part of that proud heritage, clear your room, this is what being human is all about.\n\nAlso, te...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
1doib1
what it means to die from "exposure"
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1doib1/eli5_what_it_means_to_die_from_exposure/
{ "a_id": [ "c9sacb8", "c9sadkv", "c9sc7ep" ], "score": [ 2, 18, 3 ], "text": [ "Exposure is a physical condition resulting from being outside in severe weather without adequate protection. ", "It's more of a blanket term to describe exposure to the weather, whatever that weat...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
3ezz1w
if you're killed in war, what happens to your weapon? refurbished? recycled? destroyed? hand-me-down?
First off, utmost respect for the men and women of the armed forces. But I always wondered what happens to the issued weapons when the 'operator' (I probably can't say 'owner' because it's probably the property of the army) has been killed in war; and if they're just recycled/refurbished or just cleaned up and reused?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ezz1w/eli5_if_youre_killed_in_war_what_happens_to_your/
{ "a_id": [ "ctjzs5f", "ctjzvvn" ], "score": [ 4, 3 ], "text": [ "If the weapon is recovered it is supposed to go back to the armory to see if it is still serviceable, repaired and cleaned. If the weapon is damaged it is stripped for parts. If it is still in good shape it is stored for rei...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
3rzvvb
why is there a large backlash against movements like bds (or other anti-israeli sentiment)?
Every article on the subject seems to accuse such movements of anti-semitism and uses vague phrases like "the conflict isn't black and white". I'm not saying I support either side's approach (IMO the whole situation is a sad mess) but Palestine is a tiny, poor state, whereas Israel is wealthy and gets a lot of financia...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3rzvvb/eli5_why_is_there_a_large_backlash_against/
{ "a_id": [ "cwssi11", "cwsskmd" ], "score": [ 3, 6 ], "text": [ "Israel was set up as a jewish state. A lot of pro Palestinian groups wish for Israel to not exist and that area be free from Judaism. Which is antisemitic. \n\nWhat it often comes down although condemning Israel actions is n...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
22ejqu
why does it cost over 10,000 to bury someone in the us?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/22ejqu/eli5why_does_it_cost_over_10000_to_bury_someone/
{ "a_id": [ "cgm1l3u", "cgm2cn9", "cgm6zhg", "cgm8p43", "cgman9s" ], "score": [ 2, 16, 9, 10, 4 ], "text": [ "Land isn't cheap. People who are mourning are also not in the most sound mind to shop around. Why would you think about money when somebody you love dearly ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
194woz
How did Pikemen fight other Pikemen?
Were there differences between the period of the Successors to Alexander, and 16th/17th century Europe?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/194woz/how_did_pikemen_fight_other_pikemen/
{ "a_id": [ "c8ktr2k", "c8kv2b1", "c8kv5lf", "c8kvu62", "c8kwbf1" ], "score": [ 15, 47, 23, 3, 28 ], "text": [ "[I dont know anything on this subject, but this guy seems to know. Tho as far as I know his account and theories are mostly based on reenactments and so o...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbhANeJL_T4&list=PLCA860ECD7F894424&index=1" ], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tercio", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pike_and_shot", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arquebusier" ], [], [], [] ]
31dlfm
why are all the olympics money losers except los angeles in 1984? what did they do that all other host cities refuse or were unable to do?
Edit: Looks like I was wrong in my initial assumption, as I've only heard about LA's doing financially well and others not so much. Existing facilities, corporate sponsorship (a fairly new model at the time), a Soviet boycott, a large population that went to the games, and converting the newly built facilities to othe...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/31dlfm/eli5_why_are_all_the_olympics_money_losers_except/
{ "a_id": [ "cq0kwon", "cq0kyi0", "cq0mgyh", "cq0my03", "cq0n6ay", "cq0otyh", "cq0q5g8", "cq0q734", "cq0q961", "cq0qfrj", "cq0qoef", "cq0qqqv", "cq0quvk", "cq0rmm3", "cq0rr75", "cq0rsi5", "cq0s907", "cq0shpy", "cq0sndn", "cq0su9p", "c...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://www.cracked.com/article_19733_5-things-they-dont-want-you-to-know-about-olympics.html" ], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cost_of_the_Olympic_Games", "http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/vancouver-2010-winter-olympics-debt-free-vanoc-final-report-says-1.2695994" ], [],...
11xbp9
computational complexity theory
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/11xbp9/eli5_computational_complexity_theory/
{ "a_id": [ "c6qe2a0" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Some problems are really easy to solve, like finding the ace of spades in a deck of cards that has been shuffled. Some problems are a little bit harder, like taking deck of cards that has been shuffled and putting it back in order. Some problems...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
essd84
why are we forced to open our mouth while yawning?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/essd84/eli5_why_are_we_forced_to_open_our_mouth_while/
{ "a_id": [ "ffc5n09", "ffc8120", "ffce2ub" ], "score": [ 30, 9, 5 ], "text": [ "You can learn to overcome the urge to open your mouth... especially if you are in boring classes or meetings where openly yawning is considered rude! It does require controlling the muscles in the back...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
43n6yn
why is cursive writing the default writing style in russia but phasing out in english?
In Russian people always write in cursive which looks different from абвг block letters. Why isn't cursive writing as common in English where many still write the same way as print?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/43n6yn/eli5_why_is_cursive_writing_the_default_writing/
{ "a_id": [ "czjg4bx", "czjg6bu" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "It is easier to write Cyrillic in cursive than in print. Д for example is annoying as fuck to write in print for example. Some people write in a mixed fashion with some parts cursive and some parts written.\n\nSource: Know a...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
8mkfop
How was king Alfred able to stop the great heathen army
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/8mkfop/how_was_king_alfred_able_to_stop_the_great/
{ "a_id": [ "dzogbuo" ], "score": [ 18 ], "text": [ "The Great Heathen army wasn't some great, unstoppable force. In fact, they were very nearly defeated by the Northumbrians outside York shortly after their initial arrival in England. The *Anglo-Saxon Chronicle* and Asser's *Vita Ælfredi* charts ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
53iazl
how did the us have jurisdiction over japan's unit 731 in terms of exchanging immunity for their research when most of the victims were chinese or russian?
How is that remotely fair? I'm pretty sure the US wouldn't be so lenient if the test subject in Unit 731 were American.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/53iazl/eli5how_did_the_us_have_jurisdiction_over_japans/
{ "a_id": [ "d7tagpu", "d7tahnp", "d7tamkl" ], "score": [ 2, 5, 3 ], "text": [ "Legally, universal jurisdiction seems to cover this. In the case of war crimes any state can claim jurisdiction, because the crimes are seen as a crime against all of humanity. \n\nPractically, when you...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
1j09gt
How were former Nazis treated differently in East Germany, West Germany, and Austria?
Were they able to have government or military jobs in these countries? Were they blacklisted? I thought about this question as I was surfing Wikipedia and noticed that most Nazis I came across died in West Germany. Also, what happened to the Nazis who surrendered to the Soviets and survived the prison camps?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1j09gt/how_were_former_nazis_treated_differently_in_east/
{ "a_id": [ "ccz93ua" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "This is my take on West and East Germany with regards to your question, hope it helps. \n\nThe attitudes adopted to former-Nazis in the direct post-war period was linked to the policy of 'Denazification'. This policy was pursued by the Allies of ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
4fhh3x
why do we quote actors and their characters they play instead of the writers of the script?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4fhh3x/eli5_why_do_we_quote_actors_and_their_characters/
{ "a_id": [ "d28t3iw", "d28t5ol", "d28t5v2", "d28u500", "d28uhs9", "d28ulz0", "d28un8r", "d28vxra" ], "score": [ 37, 12, 3, 37, 2, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Because most people don't care, it's really as simple as that. Outside of the Oscar's, mo...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [ "http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/6344-time-is-an-illusion-lunchtime-doubly-so" ], [ "https://youtu.be/8O1cL36atFY?t=1473" ], [], [], [] ]
dj0fmr
How did Mao Zedong manage to stay in power after The Great Leap Forward?
All of his recent news about China and Hong Kong has me interested in Chinese history, specifically concerning the rise of the Communist Party. My main source of information has been this documentary series here: [_URL_1_](_URL_0_) (linking the relevant part). However, one bit that confuses me is how could Mao Zedong ...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/dj0fmr/how_did_mao_zedong_manage_to_stay_in_power_after/
{ "a_id": [ "f44ckv6" ], "score": [ 13 ], "text": [ "Mao is a controversial topic both in the West and in China, and the reason for this is that it is legitimately kind of difficult to assess his time in power in China. Now, I have written previously on AH about historians' views of Mao, particula...
[]
[ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJyoX_vrlns", "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJyoX\\_vrlns" ]
[ [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/ahyil2/why_were_liu_shaoqi_and_deng_xiaoping_safe_during/eekp1d4/" ] ]
4pgxbw
are the numbered designations of armed forces units accurate? ie. were there 100 groups of airborne units before the 101st? or if you're in like, the 473rd battalion of whatever, are there in fact 472 other battalions?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4pgxbw/eli5are_the_numbered_designations_of_armed_forces/
{ "a_id": [ "d4kskt2", "d4kslm1", "d4kt8r4", "d4ku1sg", "d4kucn7", "d4kvspe" ], "score": [ 14, 7, 5, 2, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "_URL_0_\n\nTL;DR - there's no one system to make sense of them. Some are based on history or tradition, others just happen to be the n...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/27iz83/eli5_how_were_the_numbers_chosen_for_various_us/" ], [], [], [], [], [] ]
bd0en8
is the suns energy limited, or does it generate energy itself? how does it work?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bd0en8/eli5_is_the_suns_energy_limited_or_does_it/
{ "a_id": [ "ekuwd7r", "ekuwgx4" ], "score": [ 10, 6 ], "text": [ "The Sun's energy is limited. It will start running out in approximately 5 billion years.\n\nThe Sun is made up of mostly hydrogen. The gravitation forces of the Sun cause the hydrogen to fuse together into helium, releasing...
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[ [], [] ]
47qcmu
why does mouthwash sting my mouth but liquor only burns when you swallow it?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/47qcmu/eli5_why_does_mouthwash_sting_my_mouth_but_liquor/
{ "a_id": [ "d0euyu0" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Try rinsing your mouth for a minute with liquor. It will start to burn.\n\nWith mouthwash you have alcohol and the mixture of essential oils that kill bacteria, work as an antiseptic, and removes the biofilm that builds on teeth (plaque). The ess...
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[ [] ]
1fly12
Hey Italian historians, where should I go?
Me and my girl are going from Rome, up the coast, through Siena and then to Cinque Terre this week. We like history and interesting places so I was hoping you would know some lesser-known options? Thanks!
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1fly12/hey_italian_historians_where_should_i_go/
{ "a_id": [ "cabjdu6", "cabjrku", "cablscu", "cabrzzy" ], "score": [ 7, 4, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Everyone's gonna tell you the usual places. Rome, Florence, Venice.\n\nI want to make a pitch for Ravenna, the capital of the Western Roman Empire in its waning days. When Rome \...
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[]
[ [], [], [ "http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1158", "http://www.archeopg.arti.beniculturali.it/index.php?en/108/orvieto-etruscan-necropolis-at-crocifisso-del-tufo", "http://www.frommers.com/destinations/rome/0064020291.html", "http://www.lonelyplanet.com/italy/umbria-and-le-marche/orvieto/sights/dar...
qy0hs
How/why do black holes have electric charge that can be determined from outside?
Black holes have 3 properties: Mass, angular momentum, and electric charge. So for example, if a black hole were composed entirely out of protons, it would have a positive charge. My question is, how does the information about the electric charge travel outside of the black hole, since electromagnetic fields do not mo...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/qy0hs/howwhy_do_black_holes_have_electric_charge_that/
{ "a_id": [ "c41dkqw", "c41e6d9" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "You could just as well ask that question about mass, too, since by that logic information about the mass of a black hole can't escape either.\n\nI think people get confused when we talk about the electromagnetic force being ...
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[ [], [] ]
rlqbr
Why would Asteroids, Comets, and Meteors cause catastrophic damage only 6-8 miles wide?
To expand on the question, why would these objects cause so much damage? I've read that the objects the size of small towns impacting earth could essentially end life , but how?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/rlqbr/why_would_asteroids_comets_and_meteors_cause/
{ "a_id": [ "c46txcv", "c46vuiu" ], "score": [ 7, 2 ], "text": [ "They're travelling very, very fast. The kinetic energy of Halley's comet, travelling at Earth's orbital speed, for example, is equivalent to 23 million megatons of TNT. That's quite a lot of energy.", "The actual size of...
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[ [], [] ]
bkm4f2
Should I read "The Gallic Wars" by Julius Caesar, or read a modern book about the topic instead?
I recently read SPQR: A History of Rome by Mary Beard. It got me interested in reading more about Rome. I also listened to the Hardcore History episode about The Gallic Wars, so I'm interested specifically in that topic. Would a modern reader get anything out of reading Caesar's actual commentaries, or is it too dif...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/bkm4f2/should_i_read_the_gallic_wars_by_julius_caesar_or/
{ "a_id": [ "emjmupl" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "You can sort-of compromise by reading [the Landmark edition](_URL_0_)\n\nThis includes maps etc. which might help you follow the action.\n\nThey also published a [bunch of appendices/annexes/essays online](_URL_1_) (previous books just included t...
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[ [ "https://www.amazon.co.uk/Landmark-Julius-Caesar-Gallic-Civil/dp/0307377865", "http://thelandmarkcaesar.com/LandmarkCaesarWebEssays_5Jan2018.pdf", "https://www.amazon.co.uk/Caesar-Adrian-Goldsworthy/dp/0753821583/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=adrian+goldsworthy&qid=1557036634&s=books&sr=1-7" ] ]
1qg0et
Why are there so many French terms in diplomacy?
For example: charge d'affaires, Agrément, Aide Mémoire, attaché, etc. Did France hold a special role in diplomacy at some point in history?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1qg0et/why_are_there_so_many_french_terms_in_diplomacy/
{ "a_id": [ "cdcgt7q", "cdci3lx", "cdci9qh", "cdckgpx" ], "score": [ 3, 4, 9, 2 ], "text": [ "Yes, France has been a major geopolitical power for hundreds of years. While they're not as relatively powerful now with decolonialism and the ascendancy of the US, Russia, and Chi...
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[ [], [ "http://www.habsburger.net/en/chapter/omnipotence-etiquette-ceremonial-viennese-court", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ordinance_of_Villers-Cotter%C3%AAts" ], [], [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/wiki/language#wiki_cross-cultural_communication_and_lingua_francas" ] ]
1owiy6
What is the biochemistry behind things like breasts ceasing growth at a certain size?
I suppose the genes that govern adipose tissue growth are turned off, but what controls that? Would it be possible to develop a drug that can reliably control the growth?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1owiy6/what_is_the_biochemistry_behind_things_like/
{ "a_id": [ "ccwf49c" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "I've only worked on signalling and development a little bit but most regulation has to do with different epigenetic changes as the result of some sort of external signal. For example [human growth hormone](_URL_0_) which is already used as a phar...
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[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Growth_hormone" ] ]
1vld3t
How often was "The Plank" a mode of punishment during the heyday of Piracy?
Also, what was the most common cause of death for victims of this punishment? Hypothermia, drowning, predators etc.
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1vld3t/how_often_was_the_plank_a_mode_of_punishment/
{ "a_id": [ "cetjcs0", "cetjkk3" ], "score": [ 89, 58 ], "text": [ "\"Walking the Plank\" is a largely Hollywood invention, as a matter of fact. There is only one mention of the practice from the period, and that is in Francis Grose's [Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue](_URL_0_), which itsel...
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[ [ "http://www.google.co.uk/books?id=4HoSAAAAIAAJ&pg=PT258&dq=%22walk+on+a+plank+%22#v=onepage&q=%22walk%20on%20a%20plank%20%22&f=false", "http://books.google.ca/books?id=bU6ML_VnXTwC&pg=PA194&lpg=PA194&dq=keelhauling+pirates&source=bl&ots=rtuMY4Stiz&sig=XJohYgwaraw1vv...
1nzoam
Did the Americans produce more propaganda in WWI than other countries? If so, why?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1nzoam/did_the_americans_produce_more_propaganda_in_wwi/
{ "a_id": [ "ccnm5sh", "ccnn9q3", "ccnp0ns", "ccnqtbi", "ccnrgrq" ], "score": [ 9, 2, 2, 28, 5 ], "text": [ "OP, is there any reason you feel one way or the other? What prompted this question?", "How would one even quantify how much propaganda is produced?", ...
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[ [], [], [], [ "http://books.google.ca/books?id=K8gHEY9GMkYC&pg=PA87&lpg=PA87&dq=herwig+%22patriotic+self-censorship%22&source=bl&ots=Cb0tQvTXNB&sig=AvP9VsWCQlcwTCGOqsWWWhlZBck&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Q86_UamrC8vvrAGAxYDgDw&ved=0CEEQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=herwig%20%22patriotic...
m6sg1
what is a trust?
What is the difference between leaving something in a Will versus a Trust? What function does a Trust really serve? Why would someone put something (like a house) in a Trust rather than a Will or vice versa? If it has to do with taxes, please explain how. Also, I know that Trusts are usually created because something p...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/m6sg1/eli5_what_is_a_trust/
{ "a_id": [ "c2ykqv9", "c2ykqv9" ], "score": [ 4, 4 ], "text": [ "Think of a trust as an invisible, perfectly obedient person. You can give this person your stuff, then tell it what to do with it. \n\nYou're thinking: \"Why would I do that?\" \n\nWell, consider what happens when you die. W...
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[ [], [] ]
37343y
why do pills come in different forms? (ie. capsules, tablets, etc...)
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/37343y/eli5_why_do_pills_come_in_different_forms_ie/
{ "a_id": [ "crj9w76", "crjmke0" ], "score": [ 7, 2 ], "text": [ "It has to do with the form of the drug, and how it should be released over what period of time. Some drugs are put into capsules to delay the release, some are put into capsules to disguise taste, and some are put in capsule...
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[ [], [ "http://i.imgur.com/BbiTg7O.jpg", "http://i.imgur.com/5NIZ4tY.jpg" ] ]
1z4fzz
Why did Clement V specifically pick Avignon as the Catholic seat during papal exile in the 14th century?
During a recent visit it struck me how rather unremarkable Avignon is otherwise. No port, and vulnerable to enemy attack from the south - why did he not rather pick Paris or some bigger city?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1z4fzz/why_did_clement_v_specifically_pick_avignon_as/
{ "a_id": [ "cfqu6kl" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Technically, the Avignon popes resided first in Carpentras, northeast of Avignon, which was the capital of the papal territory known as the Comtat Venaissin and had been ever since it was given to the papacy by Philip III in 1274. Avignon proper ...
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14sj7n
If the North Korean rocket is orbiting the Earth, why is it's presumed range as an ICBM limited to the West coast of the US?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/14sj7n/if_the_north_korean_rocket_is_orbiting_the_earth/
{ "a_id": [ "c7g0qes", "c7g0u11" ], "score": [ 4, 6 ], "text": [ "Among other things: the \"satellite\" they launched is not in a stable orbit, indicating they can't properly aim a missile (no guarantee they don't get a lucky hit), more importantly, it probably weighs much much less than a...
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[ [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwangmy%C5%8Fngs%C5%8Fng-3", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unha" ] ]
a4g1w8
During the American revolutionary war, how were the civilian loyalists treated by the patriots?
People seldom discuss what happened to them other than they fled to Canada or Britain, etc. Were there general guidelines of how the continental army should treat them and their properties? Were there any major atrocities on the civilian loyalists committed by the continental army, the militia or patriot civilians?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/a4g1w8/during_the_american_revolutionary_war_how_were/
{ "a_id": [ "ebfobn7" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "They were generally treated very poorly. Many had property confiscated or destroyed, were tarred and feathered, and some were stripped naked and paraded through the streets (including women and children). It's pretty messed up, all in the name of...
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3ojcqk
how can i feel like i'm going to pass out, but as soon as i lay down to sleep i feel wide awake?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ojcqk/eli5_how_can_i_feel_like_im_going_to_pass_out_but/
{ "a_id": [ "cvxromj" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Not being able to \"turn off\" your thoughts can be brought on by stress. Try to let go of the things you are thinking about, either with the help of some visualizations, or physically writing things down as a way to remind yourself that you're ...
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xfivn
My family has always told me that you should run the water from the sink for a little bit (around 30 seconds) before using it, especially for drinking. Is there any truth to this?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/xfivn/my_family_has_always_told_me_that_you_should_run/
{ "a_id": [ "c5lwh7w", "c5lwhlm" ], "score": [ 2, 7 ], "text": [ "_URL_1_\n_URL_0_\nWater used to sit in different parts of the pipe,if you ran the water for a bit you would be getting less \"standing\"water. much the same as the first Beer drawn on a lead piped tap. can't find a beer lin...
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[ [ "http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002473.htm", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_pipe" ], [] ]
25e0l7
exif data on a dslr. f-stop, shutterspeed and iso.
Can anyone explain what each and everyone of those three functions does, like I´m five years old.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/25e0l7/eli5_exif_data_on_a_dslr_fstop_shutterspeed_and/
{ "a_id": [ "chg93ts", "chgcnng" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "First think about how a camera works digital or otherwise. There's a light sensitive plate in a dark box that is exposed to light. The light causes an image to be \"imprinted\" on the plate. So what are our variables here:\n...
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[ [], [ "http://camerasim.com/apps/camera-simulator/" ] ]
57ihkr
the special/general theory of relativity and antimatter.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/57ihkr/eli5_the_specialgeneral_theory_of_relativity_and/
{ "a_id": [ "d8s9suk" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Those are entirely different things.\n\nThe special theory of relativity is based on the discovery that the speed of light is always constant. We've measured the light from distant stars, nearby lasers, pointed our testing tools in every conceiva...
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123zqe
Why is do neurons at rest have a negative charge even though they are filled with K+ ions?
Also, how do Myelin Sheaths help speed up Action Potentials when they cover the neuron making fewer ion channels? Googled them and didnt find too many great answers.
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/123zqe/why_is_do_neurons_at_rest_have_a_negative_charge/
{ "a_id": [ "c6s638e" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "The things you're asking are actually technically in the realm of physics, and a physicist I am not. So I'm going to give you the biologist answer which is a bit lazy and perhaps lax with terminology. But here is the gist. \n\nThe \"negative char...
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3hsjh3
Has anyone ever proposed a calendar that is based on science or world history instead of religious events?
I'm new to Reddit and it's my first post on AskHistorians, so I hope I'm not breaking any rule. That's something I've ever thought about but every time I talked about it with friends, I never reached a conclusion. Every calendar I've ever heard about is based in religion and events that often seem to have little to no...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3hsjh3/has_anyone_ever_proposed_a_calendar_that_is_based/
{ "a_id": [ "cuaeo5y", "cuaep1d", "cuaf4vl" ], "score": [ 9, 3, 6 ], "text": [ "**Yes.** The French Revolutionary calendar or the *Jacobin Calendar* was an attempt to do such a thing. \n\nThe Convention of October 1793 proclaimed the calendar in the spirit of anticlericalism that w...
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[ [], [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1ckr8t/do_any_historians_use_the_holocene_era_calendar/", "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1i3cmo/if_you_were_to_make_an_alternative_to_bcad_what/" ], [] ]
2wmzfw
why are conservatives on my facebook talking about being on the brink of world war 3?
Granted they are referencing something that Glenn Beck is saying and he annoys the piss out of me. But what are they basing this on?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2wmzfw/eli5_why_are_conservatives_on_my_facebook_talking/
{ "a_id": [ "cosc5c0", "cosc5u7", "cosdy4k" ], "score": [ 6, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "It's all about fear. Fear is what keeps conservatism going. The fear of losing what you have, the fear of others being able to succeed, fear of anyone who is different. \n\nScum like Murdoch feed this f...
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[ [], [], [] ]
dmu95p
with all the technological advancements and economic groth why could baby boomer generation universally afford to own houses and todays generation can't seem to afford anything?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dmu95p/eli5_with_all_the_technological_advancements_and/
{ "a_id": [ "f54ttf3", "f54u2ml", "f54vsfy", "f54w77h", "f54wkiu", "f54y0zq", "f54ylrf", "f55a22g", "f55cewz", "f55ddxb", "f55ejy5", "f55hepa", "f55hr0r", "f55hy1k", "f55i0yr", "f55iko6", "f55j5le", "f55lgiy", "f55lm47" ], "score": [ ...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [ "https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/RHORUSQ156N", "https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/MEHOINUSA672N" ], [], [], [], [], [], [ "https://www.businessinsider.com/houses-median-square-footage-chart-2015-6" ], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
2jmq6t
Does everyone have the same number of muscle cells?
Currently in a human biology course, we learnt that past a certain point, myocytes can no longer divide and their number stays stable. My question is, assuming none of the muscle cells would die, would their number be the same for everybody? If not, is this difference linked with different body types (e.g. people who ...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2jmq6t/does_everyone_have_the_same_number_of_muscle_cells/
{ "a_id": [ "cld7rl1" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Not at all. Muscle cells can under go hyperplasia (increased cell number) and dystrophy (ie. muscular dystrophy which can be caused by a loss of muscle cells.\n \nDepending on the use and disuse of the muscle, either of these can occur. Although...
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[ [] ]
3w83yw
What causes land to be land, and oceans ocean? Why are some tectonic plates oceanic, and others continental? And why are some plates split roughly half and half?
I admit, my interest in this topic is not entirely scientific. I've been thinking about algorithm-based terrain generation for computer games, specifically 4X strategy games like the Civilisation series, and I realised that I don't *really* understand what causes some bits of the globe to be land, and some ocean. Ever...
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/3w83yw/what_causes_land_to_be_land_and_oceans_ocean_why/
{ "a_id": [ "cxua27v" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Short answer, compositional (and thus density) differences. Oceanic crust is almost entirely [basalt](_URL_1_) or the coarser grained (i.e. larger individual mineral crystals) equivalent gabbro with a thin veneer of sediments. Continental crust i...
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[ "http://i.imgur.com/TM5WwzK.png" ]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Island_arc", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basalt", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isostasy", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andesite", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Partial_melting" ] ]
17sbr9
What are the differences among cancerous cells in organs other than location and subsequent effect on the organ?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/17sbr9/what_are_the_differences_among_cancerous_cells_in/
{ "a_id": [ "c88i3k4" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Is what you're asking \"what makes one cancer different than another?\" I apologize if I misunderstood your question.\n\nCancer is a broad term. Most of the cells in our body divide and grow in response to cellular signaling. Cell growth and divs...
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559kw0
how can a few tiny crystals of fentanyl can be fatal
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/559kw0/eli5_how_can_a_few_tiny_crystals_of_fentanyl_can/
{ "a_id": [ "d88pjd4", "d88ui1x", "d88x3v3" ], "score": [ 3, 3, 3 ], "text": [ "To answer your question we'd need a more specific measurement, ideally in micrograms. \n\nBut that may be part of the answer you are looking for. Fentayl is an extremely potent narcotic. It has an effe...
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[ [], [], [] ]
1e9u0s
Can any historians recommend a book about Central American history, with coverage of political and business, in a professional neutral viewpoint?
I have been intrigued by Central American history, the United States' heavy hand in its economies and politics, and the turmoil there. Like most Americans, I know little about it, and would like to know more. Any suggestions on a book or books I could read to get a better familiarity with these histories? I know it is...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1e9u0s/can_any_historians_recommend_a_book_about_central/
{ "a_id": [ "c9y5lro", "c9y62hv", "c9y7l4e" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "I think there is still no good book out on United Fruit.\nGood starting points would be:\n\n*The Banana Wars: United States Intervention in the Caribbean, 1898-1934*\n\n*The Banana Wars: A History of Un...
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[ [], [], [] ]
9ssf5r
Does dyslexia occur in blind people, for instance when reading braille text?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/9ssf5r/does_dyslexia_occur_in_blind_people_for_instance/
{ "a_id": [ "e8rajih", "e8rcyw5", "e8rx31y" ], "score": [ 2773, 49, 288 ], "text": [ "[_URL_0_](_URL_0_)\n\n & #x200B;\n\nWhy you can be both blind and dyslexic", "there may be various reasons (six) that can surface as dyslexia; therefore, one cannot describe only one type of d...
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[ [ "https://www.mnn.com/green-tech/research-innovations/stories/why-you-can-be-both-blind-and-dyslexic" ], [], [ "https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auditory_processing_disorder" ] ]
3i0cte
if google has a market cap 10x that of direct tv why are they having such a hard time laying infrastructure
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3i0cte/eli5_if_google_has_a_market_cap_10x_that_of/
{ "a_id": [ "cuc5s5x" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "DirectTV hasn't laid any infrastructure at all. They're entirely focused on providing TV/audio streams by satellite. They only offer internet packages as a middle man, so you'd actually be buying from Verizon or CenturyLink. Well, now it'll all b...
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