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2idv02
When a woman, who has had her womb transplanted, has a child, will the child share her DNA or the DNA of the organ donor?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2idv02/when_a_woman_who_has_had_her_womb_transplanted/
{ "a_id": [ "cl1b7wt" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "The womb is also called the [uterus](_URL_1_). This is the organ in which the fetus develops, but it does not contribute to the genetic make up of the child. A fetus is created by the combination of sperm and egg. Eggs are created and stored in ...
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[]
[ [ "http://www.bbc.com/news/health-29485996", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uterus", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ovary" ] ]
aqmzrr
Why did bayonets mostly replace pikes as an anti-cavalry weapon by the end of the 17th century?
As far as I'm concerned pikes have a larger reach and we're likely more of a threat to cavalry, so why were they mostly completely replaced by bayonets?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/aqmzrr/why_did_bayonets_mostly_replace_pikes_as_an/
{ "a_id": [ "egh8gb2" ], "score": [ 16 ], "text": [ "The early modern period-- the end of the 16th and beginning of the 17th century is often referred to as a time of \"military revolution\", a term associated with Michael Roberts' 1955 lecture of the same name. While Geoffrey Parker and others h...
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[]
[ [ "https://www.scribd.com/document/334551719/Michael-Roberts-The-Military-Revolution-1560-1660", "https://www.jstor.org/stable/40109603?Search=yes&resultItemClick=true&searchText=musket&searchText=pike&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dmusket%2Bpike&ab_segments=0%2Ftbsub-1%2F...
5kvvq3
since there is a color that is all colors combined, is there a scent that is all scents combined, and what would it smell like?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5kvvq3/eli5_since_there_is_a_color_that_is_all_colors/
{ "a_id": [ "dbr0eyh", "dbr1zwu" ], "score": [ 6, 2 ], "text": [ " > By color of all colors I'm referring to black since this is the color you see when all waves of color (visible light) are reflected back to your eye.\n\nYou mean white, not black. White light is all wavelengths of visib...
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[ [], [] ]
1ttcsf
the process of photo restoration
How does one take a 100 year old photo that is cracked, folded, faded and even has some parts missing but they can perfectly make it look like it was just created. How do they do it? Thanks for the responses guys. It does make understanding the process easier.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ttcsf/eli5_the_process_of_photo_restoration/
{ "a_id": [ "ceb9eiu", "ceb9pch", "cebcwrp" ], "score": [ 8, 6, 2 ], "text": [ "Cracks and folds are removed by carefully hiding them, either hand-painting over them, or simply copying nearby textures over them. Missing parts are painted.\n\nFaded parts of the foto are simply resto...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
77jb19
how do bacteria think?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/77jb19/eli5_how_do_bacteria_think/
{ "a_id": [ "domc93x", "domd2pj", "domdon4" ], "score": [ 7, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "There is a grievous, fundamental misunderstanding of biology here. I don't know what you think thoughts are, but they are really not at all related to the immune system, performing \"actions,\" or bacte...
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[ [], [], [] ]
1xu04i
does the weather/environment determine the development of our personality?
Just like Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), our behaviour is generally defined depending on the season. If my ancestors lived in an environment that was predominantly wet, cold with very short light hours, would the progression of evolution have an affect on my personality today? Would I be more pessimistic than those...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1xu04i/eli5_does_the_weatherenvironment_determine_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cfelvh7" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "[From John Grohol, PSY.D](_URL_0_): I was browsing a blog the other day and saw an undated (recent?) entry suggesting that research shows that “weather has little effect on our mood.” The entry relied heavily on a recent study (Denissen et al., ...
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[ [ "http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2008/11/09/weather-can-change-your-mood/" ] ]
27irwn
How important was the transfer of equipment/capital that the allies gave to the USSR during World War 2? Was the USSR dependent on it?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/27irwn/how_important_was_the_transfer_of/
{ "a_id": [ "ci6g2ku" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Hello!\nAnother related question, how much did the supply of Allied apparel affect the combat strength of the Soviet army during the continuation war against Finland? I've heard anecdotes that one of the key reasons Finland was forced into an arm...
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[ [] ]
cndd9x
What advancements allowed aerial warfare to evolve from triplanes to precision drones within a century?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/cndd9x/what_advancements_allowed_aerial_warfare_to/
{ "a_id": [ "ew9zfvg" ], "score": [ 10 ], "text": [ "You may want to be more specific - countless technological advancements have contributed to the kind of combat aircraft we see today. If we ignore electronics (which nowadays are arguably the most important part of combat aircraft design) and ar...
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[ [] ]
10c5it
What would happen if a nuclear weapon was detonated next to a nuclear power plant or next to another nuclear weapon?
Would this situation be different from a more vanilla nuclear detonation in any way?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/10c5it/what_would_happen_if_a_nuclear_weapon_was/
{ "a_id": [ "c6c6fc8" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "The only real difference would be the increased fallout and radiation from the spread of radioactive material during the explosion. The other material wouldn't achieve the critical pressures/temperatures required to set off a chain reaction and i...
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[ [] ]
2lngen
Is time quantized on extremely small (quantum) scales?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2lngen/is_time_quantized_on_extremely_small_quantum/
{ "a_id": [ "clwjikd" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "As far as we know, and according to our current models, time is continuous. There are some proposed models of quantum gravity where time is quantized at very small scales, like around the Planck scale, but we lack the experimental accuracy needed...
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[ [] ]
8btc3j
why does the air from my table fan feel cold?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8btc3j/eli5_why_does_the_air_from_my_table_fan_feel_cold/
{ "a_id": [ "dx9giu0" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Sweat can be a factor (evaporation cools you, of course).\n\nHowever, more commonly, it's because the air is far below your body temperature, so the more air per minute you're exposed to, the more cooling effect there is. Your body doesn't percei...
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[ [] ]
2smsp6
paying a copay instead of full deductible.
eiyeRqCSABCzO4BIBUoVxrYQiGJqZ02l6rLSEiFbS9Cjxdse1NiKocJM7nyrqteiyeRqCSABCzO4BIBUoVxrYQiGJqZ02l6rLSEiFbS9Cjxdse1NiKocJM7nyrqteiyeRqCSABCzO4BIBUoVxrYQiGJqZ02l6rLSEiFbS9Cjxdse1NiKocJM7nyrqteiyeRqCSABCzO4BIBUoVxrYQiGJqZ02l6rLSEiFbS9Cjxdse1NiKocJM7nyrqteiyeRqCSABCzO4BIBUoVxrYQiGJqZ02l6rLSEiFbS9Cjxdse1NiKocJM7nyrqteiyeRqCSAB...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2smsp6/eli5paying_a_copay_instead_of_full_deductible/
{ "a_id": [ "cnqxjkz", "cnr07q8", "cnr5og2", "cnr83ll", "cnrad6d", "cnret1r" ], "score": [ 12, 9, 3, 3, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Your policy will tell you when the copay applies, and when the deductible applies. You need to check there, as almost every policy is d...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
580yf0
In Battlefield 1 the military phonetic alphabet is quite a bit differnt as we know it today (Apples instead of Alpha, Butter instead of Bravo, etc). When was it changed into what it is today? Why was it changed? Or does Battlefield's version have no basis on historical reality?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/580yf0/in_battlefield_1_the_military_phonetic_alphabet/
{ "a_id": [ "d8wrdis" ], "score": [ 28 ], "text": [ "Yes, this is based in history. The British went through numerous versions of the phonetic alphabet and during the WWI period, it was indeed Apples, Butter, Charlie, Duff, etc. [Tables here](_URL_0_)\n\nDue to issues with differences in the phone...
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[ [ "http://www.royalsignals.org.uk/articles/alpha.htm", "http://www.icao.int/secretariat/PostalHistory/annex_10_aeronautical_telecommunications.htm" ] ]
1ed443
what exactly do the brackets mean when used in interviews like this: "[we want to] change social attitudes toward downloading."
I honestly just don't get it. Is it used to sum up some words or connect spots in between? It makes me feel like someone is just making shit up to make the article more appealing or convincing. Is this how people use things "out of context" as well?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ed443/eli5_what_exactly_do_the_brackets_mean_when_used/
{ "a_id": [ "c9z1s9s", "c9z1tuf" ], "score": [ 3, 8 ], "text": [ "It is a way to shorten a longer quote. For example, if the original quote was:\n\n\"We at the university, through partnership with both the intellectual property holders and the telecom providers, feel the best approach is ...
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[ [], [] ]
5qdh99
When did Europeans figure out that certain birds were migratory and where did they think the birds migrated to? Where did they believe the birds went in winter before that?
This question is totally inspired by "Monty Python and the Quest for the Holy Grail"
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/5qdh99/when_did_europeans_figure_out_that_certain_birds/
{ "a_id": [ "dcz2ks5" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "Pliny the Elder in Natural History seems well aware of bird migration in the first century AD. He claims cranes fly from the east of India: \n\n > The tracts over which they travel must be immense, if we only consider that they come all the way ...
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[ [ "http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.02.0137%3Abook%3D10" ] ]
6gzxh8
how does a plant 'know' how old it is?
I'm currently propagating some fig trees from cuttings. Figs stop producing well after 15-20 years, but if I cut off a branch and get it to root, then that new tree will be producing fruit again in a couple of years. How does that branch 'know' that it's a new tree and can produce fruit, rather than still a part of th...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6gzxh8/eli5_how_does_a_plant_know_how_old_it_is/
{ "a_id": [ "diud3v0" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "It doesn't. Plants don't age the way animals do. They show symptoms of aging as their structure becomes too large and woody to carry out its functions, but their growing cells are no older now than they were when it first sprouted. There are plan...
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[ [] ]
4kp12u
different types of alcohol. i just got a job at a duty free, and i need a crash course quick!
Gin, rum, rye, different types of wines, dry, single-malt, etc...I have no clue what *any* of this means. I got a job at a Duty Free and people ask me questions about alcohol that I cannot answer. I need to know. Thanks.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4kp12u/eli5_different_types_of_alcohol_i_just_got_a_job/
{ "a_id": [ "d3gmhy3", "d3gml9i", "d3gmvmd", "d3gn78n" ], "score": [ 12, 28, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "In a broad sense, **dry** is the opposite of **sweet**. Sweet alcohols are just that- sweeter. Dry is literally a lack of sweetness, not necessarily a taste on its own. Dry and s...
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[ [], [], [], [ "https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whisky" ] ]
27v7ix
how does a park like disneyland know when everyone has left the park.
I just got back from a few days Disneyland Paris and walking out with probably 50.000 or more other people I started to wonder. What if I just hide somewhere, who is ever going to find me? I'm sure they count people going in and out, but people go in and out all day long. People get stamps and don't use their tickets...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/27v7ix/eli5_how_does_a_park_like_disneyland_know_when/
{ "a_id": [ "ci4p3zj", "ci4px13", "ci4q09v" ], "score": [ 7, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "They actually have an after hours crew of around 600 that maintain the park. If someone were left behind, they'd be caught. ", "And they have video surveillance. ", "On another note, how do they...
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[ [], [], [] ]
3c1c63
What was the first democracy where over 50% of the population could vote?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3c1c63/what_was_the_first_democracy_where_over_50_of_the/
{ "a_id": [ "csrsrrb" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "Do you mean \"where over 50% of the adult population could vote\"?\n\nSince in most democracies approximately half the adult population are women, your question can be re-phrased as which democracy first had both, broad adult suffrage and women v...
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[ [] ]
ecyvny
What of the era of Biblical Judges is corroborated by archeological or textual evidence?
I’ve heard of Tel Dan and The House of David but not much of the - seemingly related to the conquest of Canaan - Judges in anthropological terms. Is this simply a “Mediterranean Dark Age” hole in the textual record? Are Ruth, Judges, Kings, Samuel etc regarded with more historic credibility than other parts of the Bibl...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/ecyvny/what_of_the_era_of_biblical_judges_is/
{ "a_id": [ "fbf74se" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "The historical accuracy of events portrayed in the Bible change depending on the books and division of the Bible. Generally, the farther back in the past a Biblical story takes place, the more likely it is the details of the story are inaccurate ...
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[]
[ [ "http://individual.utoronto.ca/mfkolarcik/texts/WDeverArchaeology_ConquestABD.html", "https://www.learnreligions.com/archaeological-evidence-abraham-bible-4590053", "https://www.britannica.com/place/Canaan-historical-region-Middle-East", "https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/article/archeology-hebrew-bib...
57u2i3
why not everybody is capable of moving their ears and other body parts?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/57u2i3/eli5_why_not_everybody_is_capable_of_moving_their/
{ "a_id": [ "d8v7ce0" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Some of it is due to lack of practice and realizing you can. Physical therapy for instance helps people locate weakened or atrophied muscles using electrical stimulation so you can find them and learn to use them again.\n\nSo for those that can r...
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[ [] ]
197pyz
How did Imperial Germany Treat its Minorities?
I know Germany had ethnic minorities such as Poles, Danes, and Jews along with smaller groups such as Sorbs, but I'm having trouble finding out how Germany actually dealt with them. Did it try to incorporate them into Germany, did it attempt to exclude them, did it attempt deportation, etc.
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/197pyz/how_did_imperial_germany_treat_its_minorities/
{ "a_id": [ "c8lljqr", "c8llrro" ], "score": [ 13, 6 ], "text": [ "I'm mostly familiar with things from the minority-side of things, not the German side. But Imperial Germany did emancipate its Jews, giving them political rights, along with other countries during this era. This (along wi...
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[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_Jews#From_Moses_Mendelssohn_.281778.29_to_the_Nazis_.281933.29", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Rathenau", "http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/vjw/germany.html" ], [] ]
3kseu2
why is ford's stock (~$30) significantly cheaper than nissan's stock (~$1,100)?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3kseu2/eli5_why_is_fords_stock_30_significantly_cheaper/
{ "a_id": [ "cv01lj5", "cv01nq1", "cv061i1", "cv0h72l" ], "score": [ 15, 5, 3, 6 ], "text": [ "Prices of individual shares are not as relevant as the overall market cap of the company. Share prices can be driven downward by having stock splits, which most companies do when ...
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[ [], [], [], [ "http://money.cnn.com/quote/quote.html?symb=NSANY" ] ]
1r3vm4
What discoveries in the natural sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) have had evident and dramatic impacts on the course of history?
Full disclosure: I am doing an essay for Physics on this, and personally am saying mass-energy equivalence due to the resulting bomb and its effect on the twentieth century. Another popular one is the transistor, but I'm curious about other earlier examples we may have? The idea of the question is when has a scientifi...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1r3vm4/what_discoveries_in_the_natural_sciences_physics/
{ "a_id": [ "cdje3su", "cdjfc09" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "In physics I would note electricity, and electromagnetic theory (which allows radio) is perhaps a separate discovery. The steam engine is also an obvious one, or if you prefer theory you could say thermodynamics - but the ap...
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[ [], [] ]
17xbjk
how a double-blind study works, and why it is considered so reliable
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/17xbjk/eli5_how_a_doubleblind_study_works_and_why_it_is/
{ "a_id": [ "c89nvnc", "c89nvr2", "c89oqp9", "c89q2cl", "c89sjs9" ], "score": [ 2, 38, 3, 6, 2 ], "text": [ " A double blind study is when neither the scientist nor the participants know what the study is about. \n Say that we have researchers studying the effec...
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[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
8sa19r
Why is the fine structure constant called "fine structure"?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/8sa19r/why_is_the_fine_structure_constant_called_fine/
{ "a_id": [ "e0y4uh4" ], "score": [ 12 ], "text": [ "Atomic spectra have gross, fine and hyperfine structure.\n\nThe gross structure corresponds to the energy levels which result from non-relativistic solutions to the Schrodinger equation, with no allowance for the effects of electron spin.\n\nFin...
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[ [] ]
uc90a
What happens when a charged particle moves faster than the speed of light in a material? (Cherenkov radiation)
I know that a charged particle moving faster than the phase velocity of light in a material leads to Cherenkov radiation. What is going on at the atomic level in the material that causes this? What happens if the particle is not charged? How fast does the charged particle slow down to sub-luminal speeds? **edit...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/uc90a/what_happens_when_a_charged_particle_moves_faster/
{ "a_id": [ "c4u7jdz", "c4u9taj" ], "score": [ 6, 7 ], "text": [ "The particle is \"trying\" to generate a wavefront that is propagating faster than light could in that medium. Since that can't happen, you get higher energy emissions instead.", " > What is going on at the atomic level ...
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d6pscg
How did Tobacco come to Japan in the 19th century?
In the 53 stations of Tokaido Fukuroi depicts men smoking and lighting pipes, where would the tobacco they are smoking come from? How did Tobacco Enter Japanese society?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/d6pscg/how_did_tobacco_come_to_japan_in_the_19th_century/
{ "a_id": [ "f0uzv54" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "It isn't known exactly how tobacco first came to Japan. In the mid-to-late 16th century, tobacco was spreading in East Asia and South-East Asia, probably through multiple routes: Portuguese sailors/traders from Europe or Brazil, Dutch sailors/tra...
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2xijbz
why are there still "living fossils that have barely evolved in 100s of millions of years?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2xijbz/eli5why_are_there_still_living_fossils_that_have/
{ "a_id": [ "cp0e06d" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "If there's a species is still quite a good fit for their environment and no string of beneficial mutations come up to eventually mold a new species, the species just sort of stays the same." ] }
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3463ba
Are there any animals that can see microwaves?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/3463ba/are_there_any_animals_that_can_see_microwaves/
{ "a_id": [ "cqsauv8", "cqsbt8u" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "the wavelength of microwaves is about 12 centimeters, so you'd need an animal that had rods/cones that big, right? maybe a blue whale or something.\n\nlight is in the 500 terahertz range, microwaves are in the hundreds of mh...
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[ [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electroreception", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microwave_auditory_effect" ] ]
1peopq
how was tim tebow so successful in college but not in the nfl?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1peopq/eli5how_was_tim_tebow_so_successful_in_college/
{ "a_id": [ "cd1jddz", "cd1jf7f", "cd1jfyz", "cd1jjt8", "cd1jm74", "cd1jrbc" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 2, 2, 5, 9 ], "text": [ "The NFL is a much more competitive league. Just because he was great in College doesn't mean he will necessarily be able to compete at ...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
9s35e7
how are westerner's "chinese" name decided ans given?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9s35e7/eli5_how_are_westerners_chinese_name_decided_ans/
{ "a_id": [ "e8loghz", "e8lptll" ], "score": [ 6, 2 ], "text": [ "Yep mostly phonetic. Generic names such as Mark is normally translated to 马克 (Mah-Ker) while Paul is translated to 保罗 (Bao-Luo). Same thing applies for names that aren't common as well...but im not sure who decides for the f...
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1zj7no
What was the "known world" for Asian people in ancient times, roman times, etc. ?
Did they know about Europe or Africa? I know Roman glass beads have been found in an Ancient Japanese tomb, so I'm wondering if maybe they atleast knew about some of the empires in the west, or the cartography.
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1zj7no/what_was_the_known_world_for_asian_people_in/
{ "a_id": [ "cfubmav" ], "score": [ 14 ], "text": [ "The Han Chinese knew a decent amount, but largely shrouded in myth. Here is a list of historical documents:\n\n_URL_0_\n\nThe ones translated by John Hill are the best. There are descriptions and names for the chief cities of the Eastern empire...
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[ [ "http://depts.washington.edu/silkroad/texts/texts.html" ] ]
332i1t
what's the 'clicky' noise when shaking some types of aerosol cans?
(on phone, wont let me post without text, silly baconit...)
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/332i1t/eli5_whats_the_clicky_noise_when_shaking_some/
{ "a_id": [ "cqgvw28", "cqgvwt8" ], "score": [ 4, 3 ], "text": [ "Metal marble in the can to help stir the paint", "It's a ball bearing, it's there to help stir up the product. Inside the can, there's a solvent, the product, and a propellant. When the can sits idle, the product separat...
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1mkv61
How was Erotic Literature received by the public in the 17th Century?
I was wondering since the 17th century is when erotic fiction was being published, do to the invention of printers, what was the public's attitude towards it?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1mkv61/how_was_erotic_literature_received_by_the_public/
{ "a_id": [ "cca8r9g" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "\nHey! A question on my field!\n\nFirst, 'erotic literature' (very good use of the correct term) was first printed in the late 1490's, the pioneer in the field being Pietro Aretino, of course.\n\nThe short answer is... What public?\n\nThe public,...
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7v6gog
how do airlines get your checked luggage on the right plane when there is a short layover?
I know they scan the barcode and that tells them what plane and stuff, but what is the process that happens that gets the bag from one plane to another, accurately and on time? And yes I know it’s not ALWAYS accurate. But it is very accurate.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7v6gog/eli5_how_do_airlines_get_your_checked_luggage_on/
{ "a_id": [ "dtpur5w", "dtpvpef", "dtq1wnh", "dtqkqgy", "dtqnsu8", "dtqq0gm", "dtqqdb1" ], "score": [ 6, 27, 13, 2, 5, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "If you fly a lot you notice the flight to LA on Spirit airlines always leaves from gate A2 for example. Most con...
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[]
[ [], [], [], [], [ "https://youtu.be/I0XVxjtF4YU" ], [], [] ]
3c4e58
When (and where) did the concept of "paper money" began?
How was did that transition worked? Did people just went to the bank and traded their coins for a paper saying how much it was worth? Also, since there was (I guess) no way of creating hard-to-reproduce patterns, how was counterfeit money dealt with?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3c4e58/when_and_where_did_the_concept_of_paper_money/
{ "a_id": [ "cssgd81" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "You might want to check out:\n\n- [When did the Monetary system using \"paper money\" we have today start?](_URL_0_)\n\n- [What are the earliest dates for paper money?](_URL_1_)\n\n- [How did they prevent counterfeiting of paper money before mode...
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[]
[ [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1r87lu/when_did_the_monetary_system_using_paper_money_we/", "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/103vfh/what_are_the_earliest_dates_for_paper_money/", "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1s7vbr/how_did_they_prevent_counterfeitin...
sbaut
How do optical illusions appear to be moving?
_URL_0_ like these
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/sbaut/how_do_optical_illusions_appear_to_be_moving/
{ "a_id": [ "c4co1s3", "c4cuf9e" ], "score": [ 10, 2 ], "text": [ "I'm an artist who creates optical illusions. The big reason this particular type of illusion works is because the value of the lines lead the eye. Other moving illusions can force the perspective with the thickness of the l...
[]
[ "http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/~akitaoka/index-e.html" ]
[ [ "http://www.freethinksolutions.co.uk/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/moving_seeds.jpg" ], [] ]
6fyoxo
Are their any instances where a historian has run for public office in the US or elsewhere?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6fyoxo/are_their_any_instances_where_a_historian_has_run/
{ "a_id": [ "dim45o3" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Former speaker Newt Gingrich was an assistant professor of history at West Georgia College before being elected to Congress." ] }
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[ [] ]
2f8c1r
why are deer extremely sensitive to even the quietest sounds (rustling leaves), but run out in front of cars like they don't hear them?
Please excuse me or let me know if this has been posted before. I did both a reddit search and a google search and found nothing. If this has already been addressed, let me know and I'll just delete this post. So, deer are notoriously sensitive to even the slightest sounds, right. But cars are loud. Cars traveling at ...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2f8c1r/eli5_why_are_deer_extremely_sensitive_to_even_the/
{ "a_id": [ "ck6uf3y", "ck6uh9x", "ck6veaq", "ck6vo8d", "ck6vt0x", "ck6whvy", "ck6wp8u", "ck6x0pd", "ck6y4nq", "ck6zkrt", "ck715km", "ck72ihb", "ck74opx", "ck75t0q" ], "score": [ 75, 4, 31, 23, 4, 2, 19, 4, 2, 2, 2...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1wo6lRmmuQ" ], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
214eu8
If two galaxies collided, would there be collisions?
I heard somewhere that if two galaxies, like The Milky Way and Andromeda were to collide, there would be very few collisions between planets, stars, ect... as they initially pass each other. I understand how huge the distance between things is in space, but with all the matter floating around up there, I'm still skepti...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/214eu8/if_two_galaxies_collided_would_there_be_collisions/
{ "a_id": [ "cg9j64z", "cg9l88s", "cg9lnw4", "cg9lqs3", "cg9o8yi" ], "score": [ 4, 4, 4, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "It's really true. The space between stars is really quite large.", "If you count molecular hydrogen, yes there are collisions. The clouds of hydrogen wil...
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[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
49dyw6
Where can I go to research famine, persecution, and diaspora around the time of German Unification (~1870s).
Wiki gives us one small line that begs to be expanded. Working on getting a copy of the source, "Rhineland radicals" by Sperber. "The economic, social and cultural dislocation of ordinary people, the economic hardship of an economy in transition, and the pressures of meteorological disasters all contributed to growin...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/49dyw6/where_can_i_go_to_research_famine_persecution_and/
{ "a_id": [ "d0r3lf9", "d0r95ho" ], "score": [ 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Additional question (if permitted by mod overlords, please delete if not): is there a good english language book on this that does not look at this purely in reference to the lead up to the world wars?", "\"The Long Nine...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
51tzo1
why are chip bags so loud?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/51tzo1/eli5_why_are_chip_bags_so_loud/
{ "a_id": [ "d7fatww" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Its because of the type of plastic that they use to make the bags. Because chips go stale rather quickly when exposed to oxygen they use a a high density plastic and pack them with gas(not sure what kind nitrogen?) To keep them fresh until you op...
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[ [] ]
20kpti
Do we have any primary sources which explicitly accuse Edward II of being a homosexual or is this theory based on innuendo and conjecture?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/20kpti/do_we_have_any_primary_sources_which_explicitly/
{ "a_id": [ "cg4atfu" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "An anonymous chronicler writing during the civil wars of the 1320s, wrote that:\n\n > ...upon looking on him [Piers Gaveston] the son of the king immediately felt such love for him that he entered into a covenant of constancy, and bound himself w...
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[]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._R._S._Phillips" ] ]
1ol505
the difference between standard deviation, standard error and variance.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ol505/eli5_the_difference_between_standard_deviation/
{ "a_id": [ "cct0g9y", "cct0j09", "cct0kbw", "cct0kcu", "cct0zbw", "cct11rm", "cct3h3j" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 3, 2, 2, 3, 3 ], "text": [ "Standard deviation and standard error are both functions of the variance, so we can start by trying to understand ...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
21satt
how rockets like the saturn 5, the soyuz, and the space x rocket stay pointed up and straight. eli5.
Ok, so in my mind, something as tall and heavy as a rocket would need a very stable base- wide and broad. Instead, they are straight up and down- like a baseball bat set on it's end. When they take flight, especially- I don't see any thrusters or control surfaces being manipulated to steer them. I know that orbital p...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/21satt/how_rockets_like_the_saturn_5_the_soyuz_and_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cgg0tv5" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Before they launch, they're held in place with scaffolding.\n\nAfter launch, the force is controlled and directed such that up is the direction they mostly go in, with very minor adjustments in the nozzles to change direction." ] }
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[ [] ]
1loxza
how can houses in detroit be on sale for a dollar?
I know that there are other costs involved in buying a home etc, but if it is only a dollar why not take the risk and rent it out? Wouldn't it be instant profit? Even if the tenants left after a few months? Edit: Also aren't the materials of the house itself worth way more than a dollar?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1loxza/eli5_how_can_houses_in_detroit_be_on_sale_for_a/
{ "a_id": [ "cc1cc6t", "cc1djn8" ], "score": [ 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Rent it to who? Those houses sometimes don't have basics like running water. Which means you need to invest money into it. So it's really not a dollar. And investing money in those neighborhoods just may not be worth the pos...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
1xxeb0
math constants.
I understand constants (let's take the Planck constant for an example because I'm taking an astronomy class) so poorly that I don't even know how to ask proper questions about them. That is how little I comprehend what a constant is, how we came to understand or write them down and why.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1xxeb0/eli5_math_constants/
{ "a_id": [ "cffgokd", "cffh0nn", "cffl65q" ], "score": [ 5, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "We just found them as we investigated things. \nTake Pi; when people were investigating circles & their proportions, someone noticed that every circle's circumference was always about 3 times it's dia...
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[]
[ [], [], [] ]
15nn84
why wont my graphics card run certain games?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/15nn84/eli5_why_wont_my_graphics_card_run_certain_games/
{ "a_id": [ "c7o3et9" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Newer graphics cards come with new features, which the old ones don't support. If a game requests a feature from the card which it doesn't have, it'll likely give up.\n" ] }
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[]
[ [] ]
1d8jnp
How strongly does the IQ bell curve correlate with achievement?
The IQ debate is so political that it makes me question everyone's little pet theory, so I find myself utterly incapable of making up my mind about it and I think an answer to this question will help me.
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1d8jnp/how_strongly_does_the_iq_bell_curve_correlate/
{ "a_id": [ "c9odh53" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "[Here's](_URL_0_) a paper that attempts to relate Piaget IQ tests to standardized test scores for school achievement, and finds little overlap.\n\n[This](_URL_2_) study states > When success measures were regressed against intelligence and perso...
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[]
[ [ "http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/1127841?uid=3739256&uid=2&uid=4&sid=21102109721531", "http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/merrill-palmer_quarterly/v047/47.1sternberg.html", "http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10846622" ] ]
2sz1e7
how bad does the situation have to be for a person to seek asylum from another country? and how demonstrable does the threat have to be? (proof)
I just wanted to know that if a person (say an atheist in a muslim country with strict blasphemy and apostasy laws) needs to seek asylum in another country how would they demonstrate that their life is under threat? Would they be relocated temporarily or permanently?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2sz1e7/eli5how_bad_does_the_situation_have_to_be_for_a/
{ "a_id": [ "cnu68pm", "cnu6jvx", "cnu7kkm" ], "score": [ 6, 2, 4 ], "text": [ "Hop the border, turn yourself in, and apply for asylum. You'll be granted temporary stay during the trial. If you can demonstrate the need of jumping the border to save your life, you will be granted pe...
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[]
[ [], [], [] ]
eeum9m
why does the solar system get drawn like a glat plain? are all the planets on the same vertical level? if they are, what happens if we go up?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/eeum9m/eli5_why_does_the_solar_system_get_drawn_like_a/
{ "a_id": [ "fbwmum4", "fbwn1ki", "fbwn327", "fbwn51q", "fbwn66b" ], "score": [ 2, 3, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ " > Are all the planets on the same vertical level?\n\nYes\n\n > what happens if we go up?\n\nNothing, you just go up. What do you expect? Hit a ceiling?", ...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://www.solarsystemscope.com/" ], [], [], [ "https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_Portrait_(Voyager)" ] ]
3y2uh1
biologically we have evolved to have carbohydrates as our main source of energy. why are they such a taboo in the health and dieting scene?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3y2uh1/eli5_biologically_we_have_evolved_to_have/
{ "a_id": [ "cy9zluw", "cy9zulg", "cya0ogl", "cya12gc", "cya1j9k", "cya1n48" ], "score": [ 3, 30, 2, 3, 9, 2 ], "text": [ "Carbohydrates are a very good source of energy which means that you don't have to eat much of them to get your daily calorie needs. Sin...
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[]
[ [], [], [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbit_starvation" ], [], [] ]
6xr9o2
how to differentiate nuclear blasts from earthquakes
DPRK just had another suspected nuclear test, which leaves me wondering: how do earthquake detection agencies decide it's 'probably a bomb going off'? What is the difference in terms of detection? Thanks. Sorry for format issues, it is sent from my mobile.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6xr9o2/eli5_how_to_differentiate_nuclear_blasts_from/
{ "a_id": [ "dmhwh9m", "dmhwobk" ], "score": [ 4, 2 ], "text": [ "Earthquakes are sinusoidal and logarythmic.. bombs make 1 wave and then small echoes are seen.", "With different listening points they can place the epicenter in 3D. Earthquakes happen very deep in the earths crust. Bomb...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
eyx3o1
how were prescription glasses made accurately before the invention of modern technology?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/eyx3o1/eli5_how_were_prescription_glasses_made/
{ "a_id": [ "fgjskvk", "fgjtmvr" ], "score": [ 6, 4 ], "text": [ "What modern technology do you envision? Spherical lenses were entirely within the abilities of technology 500 years ago. Prior to that we didn't really bother with glasses.\n\nAlso prescriptions sure didn't exist. Such glass...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
23eg35
What makes Great Man theory rock/suck? (i.e. What are the major current historical interpretive practices?)
Okay, that Great Man title is more of a hook to get people in the door. ;) My actual question is something along these lines: Most everyone who at least dabbles in history has heard of the Great Man theory, almost in the same breath as "...but very few people take that seriously anymore." So what *are* people taking...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/23eg35/what_makes_great_man_theory_rocksuck_ie_what_are/
{ "a_id": [ "cgwakyv", "cgwfjrp" ], "score": [ 30, 22 ], "text": [ "So basically, history in the last 50 years has moved from the \"Great Man History\", or more specifically the standard politico-military histories that were oh so popular during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, towa...
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[]
[ [], [ "http://facultypages.morris.umn.edu/~deanej/UMM%20Home%20Page/2001/Readings/Gender/Scott_Useful%20Category.pdf", "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1pa59n/historians_of_all_fields_what_are_some_of_the/cd0m4fw" ] ]
7ys5qf
is there any way jerking off can result in infertility at some point?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7ys5qf/eli5_is_there_any_way_jerking_off_can_result_in/
{ "a_id": [ "duirgoo" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Infertility, no, not at all.\n\nBut it can result in a mild case of impotence, if you get used to a different kind of stimulation than actual sex provides." ] }
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[ [] ]
27puxs
why are there chechens fighting in the pro-russian side in eastern ukraine, when they originally were fighting against the russians in the chechen wars?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/27puxs/eli5_why_are_there_chechens_fighting_in_the/
{ "a_id": [ "ci37039" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "They do what they are paid for by Russian (and Chechen) government.\n\nFor now Chechnya is governed by Russian puppet who gets loads of money and will do anything Putin asks him to do.\n\nWhy Chechens and not Russian from other regions? I guess t...
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[ [] ]
2gu28k
why do i see rusty looking spots on the sidewalk and road?
I remember always seeing them its like someone set a penny on the ground and it started to melt so they kicked it or something. Why are there these spots? Is it just rust? If there is that much metal in cement to cause rust why wouldn't they find some sort of way to get the metal out and use for scrap?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2gu28k/eli5why_do_i_see_rusty_looking_spots_on_the/
{ "a_id": [ "ckmisbb", "ckml0w2" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "The reinforcing rebar or steel mesh encapsulated in the concrete is rusting.", "It can be from some fertilizers or weed killers." ] }
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[ [], [] ]
15zlwt
What are the negative effects of a low carb/high fat diet?
I'm from Sweden and the LCHF-diet is raging here. I have studied cell metabolism and I understand that erytrocytes and brain cells need glucose specifically for their metabolism. Does a low carb/high fat diet mean that gluconeogenesis must be performed to feed these cells or is their generally *enough* glucose in a LCH...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/15zlwt/what_are_the_negative_effects_of_a_low_carbhigh/
{ "a_id": [ "c7rggc5", "c7rxii7" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Well.\n\nWhat happens during a LCHF-diet is that you force your body to burn fat, and only fat. What happens when you metabolize fat is that [ketone bodies](_URL_0_) as produced, leading to a state of ketosis. Ketone bodies ...
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[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ketone_bodies" ], [] ]
70px4n
from a business standpoint, what are the benefits and disadvantages of paying employees weekly, biweekly, twice a month, and monthly?
I am curious as to why certain business adopt different policies as to when people get paid and whether or not that benefits them at all doing it in a certain way. I've only ever gotten paid biweekly which is every 14 days but when i started getting paid twice a month on the 15th and last day of each month, it was a sh...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/70px4n/eli5_from_a_business_standpoint_what_are_the/
{ "a_id": [ "dn50o5y", "dn5878x", "dn5fgqn", "dn7do3e" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "A weekly or every-other week basis can simplify operations: everyone knows that pay periods close one day, and checks are written on another day of the week, regardless of the cale...
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[ [], [], [], [] ]
1urayr
if the universe is expanding so rapidly, why do we see no visible change locally?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1urayr/eli5if_the_universe_is_expanding_so_rapidly_why/
{ "a_id": [ "cekwpq5", "cekwzl3" ], "score": [ 4, 4 ], "text": [ "Because the universe is so huge and we're so small.", "Because on the local scale gravity effectively prevents the effect of the metric expansion of space on objects. Think of it like having having two treadmills facing...
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[ [], [] ]
2u0osd
Why are gases more soluble in cold liquid, but solids are more soluble in warm liquid?
Ex: Carbonated drinks stay fizzy when refrigerated, salt dissolves in water better when the water is hot.
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2u0osd/why_are_gases_more_soluble_in_cold_liquid_but/
{ "a_id": [ "co45pna", "co460os", "co468at", "co4dg9i", "co4e1y7", "co4e4kc", "co4f5xo", "co4g252", "co4gdcc", "co4ge9e" ], "score": [ 6, 210, 3, 2, 3, 2, 3, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "There are 2 different things going on here. F...
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[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
aiayrb
. why does room temperature coffee taste ‘cold’ but room temperature milk tastes ‘warm’?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/aiayrb/eli5_why_does_room_temperature_coffee_taste_cold/
{ "a_id": [ "eemcil7", "eemhlpt" ], "score": [ 12, 2 ], "text": [ "Because most coffee you drink is hotter than room temperature, so in comparison to what you expect the coffee to feel like, a coffee at room temperature would feel cold.\n\nBut we usually drink milk from the refrigerator so...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
6wp7v7
How did China come to have so many massively populated cities?
China is the third-largest country in the world by area, ahead of even the United States. And everybody knows that it has the largest population and quite an extensive history behind it. I get all that so far. What I don't get is how this idea that all of China's population is concentrated only in a few large cities.....
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6wp7v7/how_did_china_come_to_have_so_many_massively/
{ "a_id": [ "dmag66i" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "One thing to keep in mind is that administrative boundaries work differently in China than in the United States. Municipal administrative units usually include most of the suburbs of a city, and some of the outlying rural areas as well. The most ...
[]
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_in_China_by_population_and_built-up_area" ]
[ [] ]
9nfqv8
how does viewing violence affect people's mental health?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9nfqv8/eli5_how_does_viewing_violence_affect_peoples/
{ "a_id": [ "e7m0zir", "e7m1tdw", "e7m22u5" ], "score": [ 3, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "I’m not sure there is really a correlation there. More likely people already predisposed to some kind of mental health problem can be affected by viewing violence.", "It doesn't, slightly surprising...
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[ [], [], [] ]
1kr8rk
What caused the United States to have the highest infant mortality rate among western countries?
I've been told by some people that this is caused by different methods of determining what counts as a live birth vs a still birth, but I've never been shown any evidence for this. Could this be a reason, or is it caused by something else?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1kr8rk/what_caused_the_united_states_to_have_the_highest/
{ "a_id": [ "cbrvyw4", "cbrw437", "cbryz96", "cbs19lw", "cbs23wf", "cbs32nx", "cbs80g7", "cbs97kw", "cbs9jm4", "cbsa6hx", "cbsb55w" ], "score": [ 1395, 136, 4, 54, 5, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "The [Congressional R...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.allgov.com/news/top-stories/why-does-the-us-have-such-a-high-infant-mortality-rate?news=844298", "http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/su6001a9.htm", "http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/01/09/graph-of-the-day-the-united-states-has-a-really-high-infant-mortality-rate/"...
zlek9
What was the general sentiment felt by WWII veterans towards Vietnam, the Korean War, and the veterans returning home from those wars?
Were they supportive of the wars, indifferent, opposed? Did they relate to the veterans coming home from those conflicts, or did they condemn them? Sorry to pose such a broad question, I'm just very curious.
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/zlek9/what_was_the_general_sentiment_felt_by_wwii/
{ "a_id": [ "c65njtg", "c65nvkj", "c65p1ks", "c65pku7", "c65t668" ], "score": [ 8, 3, 3, 6, 2 ], "text": [ "Purely anecdotal\n\nSpeaking to Australian Vietnam vets, many were denied admission to their local RSL's, many were told Vietnam 'wasn't a real war' by WW2 ve...
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[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
4wi7qe
When world war 2 ended, why did German soldiers want to surrender to the western allies rather than the Soviet union?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4wi7qe/when_world_war_2_ended_why_did_german_soldiers/
{ "a_id": [ "d678igy", "d678vxi" ], "score": [ 12, 5 ], "text": [ "Couple of reasons, since the invasion of the USSR in 1941 German treatment of Soviet prisoners had been horrendous, kept in wire enclosures until they starved, succumbed to disease, or were simply summarily executed (among ...
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[]
[ [ "https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=YA7TAi2Y9DYC&pg=PA192&lpg=PA192&dq=german+soldier+captivity+tolerable&source=bl&ots=do0-T470FU&sig=VVRmzHlqTEIcSrsIbSB-K5-4jPI&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjQ_a7PgK7OAhUlC8AKHRaGCNoQ6AEIHDAA#v=onepage&q=german%20soldier%20captivity%20tolera...
52zhep
why haven't we come up with an easier way to get to the top of mount everest?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/52zhep/eli5_why_havent_we_come_up_with_an_easier_way_to/
{ "a_id": [ "d7omumu" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "The reason they want to go there is *because* it is dangerous and difficult and life threatening. They aren't going up there for the view and to get a tan. \n\nRegardless, standing at that altitude has seriously life threatening effects. C...
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2l2etx
Why were the Islam?Christian preachers unsuccessful in penetrating the religion deep into India?
I am a Hindu by birth and I can tell you that, it is a very liberal religion, and monotheism seems to have wiped out every other major religion on Earth except Hinduism. This is what surprises me, because Hinduism is not a missionary religion and from my deductions should have been easy converts for the missionaries. ...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2l2etx/why_were_the_islamchristian_preachers/
{ "a_id": [ "clqx0uj" ], "score": [ 40 ], "text": [ "You seem to be asking 2 different questions. 1.) \"Why were Islam and Christianity unsuccessful in getting converts in India\" and 2.) \"Why wasn't Hinduism completely eradicated by a monotheistic religion.\" These are two different things, and ...
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[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity_in_India", "http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/179424?uid=3739616&uid=2&uid=4&uid=3739256&sid=21104941828177", "http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/179206?uid=3739616&uid=2&uid=4&uid=3739256&amp...
35jeiw
why does david cameron want to scrap the human rights act and replace it with "the british bill of rights"?
For anyone who has vast knowledge on UK politics... obviously as you know the Conservative Party are in power, and I've read in news articles that they are planning to bring in the British Bill of Rights in place of the current legislation. However, I'm not sure of what changes this will entail, will it make any improv...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/35jeiw/eli5_why_does_david_cameron_want_to_scrap_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cr4y1e0", "cr4ybbs" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "_URL_1_\n\n > In a speech to the Strasbourg assembly, Mr Cameron said the whole concept of human rights laws was in danger of becoming \"distorted\" and \"discredited\" because of the court's decisions.\n\n > \"We do have a ...
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[ [ "http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/conservative-party-conference-cameron-announces-plans-to-scrap-human-rights-act-9767435.html", "http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/david-cameron/9038869/David-Cameron-human-rights-laws-stop-Britain-protecting-against-terrorism.html" ], [] ]
a0zh3g
In a period of twelve years, Germany went from an emerging democracy to a dictatorship that eventually committed genocide. How?
I know that the democracy was relatively new, after the kaiser stepped down, and Hitler was able to rise to power afterwards, but high school never really covered the details. My friend is taking history right now and had something like this for a writing prompt, and I realized I have no idea what the answer is. She to...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/a0zh3g/in_a_period_of_twelve_years_germany_went_from_an/
{ "a_id": [ "ean8fa7" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "When Germany was defeated in the First World War (in 1918) it caused a period of chaos which would eventually lead to Hitler. The defeat created a revolutionary situation and forced the Kaiser out of power. A new and very unstable democracy was c...
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49zbxr
Why has there never been (widely known?) geopolitical conflict between Canada and the United States?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/49zbxr/why_has_there_never_been_widely_known/
{ "a_id": [ "d0w7xrg", "d0x20dd" ], "score": [ 18, 3 ], "text": [ "Anytime there has been something of that description, Britain was always the motivator. \n\nIn Canada's position there are a few things discouraging it from picking a fight with its neighbor. \n\n1.) Canada has always had a...
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[ [], [] ]
5elczb
Is it true that a lot of old-timey sailors couldn't swim?
In his book "Sailing Around the World," Joshua Slocum mentions that he couldn't swim despite having spent most of his life as a sailor. This is the only sourced instance I can think of, but it seems like the sailor-who-can't-swim thing pops up frequently in movies and such. Was this actually common? If so, why didn't t...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/5elczb/is_it_true_that_a_lot_of_oldtimey_sailors_couldnt/
{ "a_id": [ "daf7zu8" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "This is a broad questions, and as a result there's a lack of definitive statistics, but there seems to be a fair degree of consensus that for the most part European (and by extension early American) sailors were comparatively poor swimmers. For m...
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rhdxu
So what's the upper limit on man-made global warming?
So far everything I've read on the matter cautiously suggests changes of 2-5 degrees celsius with some hand-waving about possible chain reactions leading to massively larger increases. Problem is, nobody seems to want to give a ballpark estimate of what "massively larger" might mean. Can we make educated guesses as to ...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/rhdxu/so_whats_the_upper_limit_on_manmade_global_warming/
{ "a_id": [ "c45tx2l", "c45uone", "c45uufr" ], "score": [ 6, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "The thing scientists are most worried about is a positive feedback loop in the climate, where if you pass some tipping point, you have runaway warming. I'm not a climate expert, but a positive feedback ...
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[ [], [], [ "http://www.nature.com/nclimate/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nclimate1421.html", "http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2012/02/20/oilsands-clean.html" ] ]
by3gs6
How were the anarchist/syndicalist (or pro-Republican in general) areas of Spain governed before and during the civil war? Did the militias enforce or enact any laws? Did they police their respective communities?
[deleted]
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/by3gs6/how_were_the_anarchistsyndicalist_or/
{ "a_id": [ "eqdoke2" ], "score": [ 14 ], "text": [ "Governance before the civil war is tricky. The easy answer, of course, is that the Spanish government (whether the left or right was in power) was still in place prior to the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, so areas with significant anarchist...
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u9rhs
Questions for Hitler?
I'm doing a project for grade 12 Social Studies which requires a fake, 10 question interview with a historical figure from the curriculum. I chose Adolph Hilter in his up and coming years when he was just getting into politics, like 1933 on. I'm having trouble thinking of some well thought questions and answers I could...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/u9rhs/questions_for_hitler/
{ "a_id": [ "c4tiemk", "c4tjl5m" ], "score": [ 6, 3 ], "text": [ "Well, to start, Hitler was chancellor of Germany in 1933: he was running the show in 1933. You want to talk to him in the 1920s, it seems, so:\n\nDo some research on the Beer Hall Putsch of 1923 - that's his first grab for ...
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[ [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston_Stewart_Chamberlain", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oswald_Mosley" ] ]
3hbjit
I'm no expert of either, but there seem to be some key similarities between Ancient Latin and Greek, like the -us/-os and -um/-on endings. They even have the same word for "I." Did either peoples notice the same thing and suspect that their languages could have come from a common source?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3hbjit/im_no_expert_of_either_but_there_seem_to_be_some/
{ "a_id": [ "cu63bqt" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "~~I'm not sure which \"other people\" you are referring to.~~ The Romans thought that Latin was a dialect of Greek. Modern linguists believe that they are both part of the Indo-European language family and therefore have a common linguistic ance...
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[ [ "http://www.jstor.org/stable/30038039?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents" ] ]
7ubyqa
Blown up army sizes in Xerxes march on Greece
I’m listening to Herodotus Histories and I’ve reached the part where Xerxes march on Greece is covered and the size of the army, navy and the logistical part of the Persian forces is according to what Herodotus has heard over 5 million men (not counting women and eunuchs). It is usually said that ancient troop figure...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/7ubyqa/blown_up_army_sizes_in_xerxes_march_on_greece/
{ "a_id": [ "dtj8k9y" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Hi! You might enjoy the answer I gave to this question [here](_URL_0_). My view is that we need to be thinking about these numbers less in terms of \"true or false\" and more in terms of \"plausible or implausible in a world without written recor...
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[ [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/7lkmwo/did_ancient_people_knew_their_quoted_numbers_of/drn48gt/" ] ]
4tkmne
does mutually assured destruction (ie. nuclear weapons) deter nations into waging war against each other?
Does mutually assured destruction (ie. Nuclear weapons) deter great nations into waging war against each other and would it continue to do so?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4tkmne/eli5does_mutually_assured_destruction_ie_nuclear/
{ "a_id": [ "d5i0trg" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Lets see. Why would you start a fight?\n\nYou want something that other guy has.\n\nYou really hate that guy for whatever reason.\n\nA couple of other reasons exist, but the concept is the same.\n\nNow, if that guy has something that will instant...
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1jg6fe
can someone explain the chandraskhar limit in simplistic terminology?
I believe I understand the workings of stars an the mass to gravity requirements to keep them in the form of a "ball." However, my inquiry is more along the lines how is that limiting mass defined and how were these conclusions drawn. Thanks in advance
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1jg6fe/eli5can_someone_explain_the_chandraskhar_limit_in/
{ "a_id": [ "cbecdt1" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ " During a star's lifetime, the outward pressure exerted from all of the thermal energy being created by fusion in the core holds the volume of the star up against the force of gravity created by all of that mass. When a star uses up its nuclear f...
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[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electron_degeneracy_pressure" ] ]
17ovps
how is it possible that we can have orgasms in our sleep, without any physical stimuli?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/17ovps/eli5_how_is_it_possible_that_we_can_have_orgasms/
{ "a_id": [ "c87kj1x", "c87l3uw", "c87prry", "c87qywy", "c87svo0" ], "score": [ 6, 135, 2, 16, 3 ], "text": [ "You can orgasm without physical stimuli while awake as well. ", "All physical sensation is just impulses interpreted by the brain. No need for the act...
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[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
7a0e3t
The Great War: African Theatre Literature?
Is there any good literature or historical narrative that takes place in the various African theatres of the First World War.
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/7a0e3t/the_great_war_african_theatre_literature/
{ "a_id": [ "dp6746s" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Hew Strachan tackles Africa in his \"The First World War,\" volume 1. I believe you can buy those sections as one unit on Amazon. He'd be a good place to start. I suggest mining the references and going from there. " ] }
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3p1b04
how dubstep/rap artists can manipulate the computer/synthesizer to get the beat/sound the way they want it?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3p1b04/eli5_how_dubsteprap_artists_can_manipulate_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cw2c2o9" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Well they use specific programs designed to augment sound waves. It started out with having the change the actual circuitry of the physical device to produce such sounds, now you can literally just layer loops and press play, if your a lazy fuck....
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1v050e
when i shower and someone runs water, i freeze. hotels? 100's of showers, no such problem.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1v050e/eli5_when_i_shower_and_someone_runs_water_i/
{ "a_id": [ "cendpt1", "cendx1o" ], "score": [ 13, 2 ], "text": [ "Hotels have ridiculous tankless water heaters that flash heat water in-line, so they don't retain a huge tank of water like most household water heaters. If your house is older, it probably isn't plumbed very well and/or yo...
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2s2krf
Question about North American arrow heads.
1. Was there any broad use of copper arrow-heads pre-Columbian? 2. Was there any broad use of iron arrow-heads post-Columbian? How long did it take to transition to blackpowder weapons for non military use on the East Coast. If we need a specific *place*, then let's go with the Leatherstocking tales: up-state New Yor...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2s2krf/question_about_north_american_arrow_heads/
{ "a_id": [ "cnlpeh7" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "In areas where natural copper could be found the nuggets were cold worked by natives into a variety of tools including arrowheads. One of these areas was located around the Great Lakes and is called the Old Copper Complex. Copper arrowheads and o...
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7tqo02
Why can extreme hot weather cause mass power outages/blackouts?
Just recently in Australia we had an extremely hot day which caused a mass blackout of more then 50,000 houses. Why does this happen?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/7tqo02/why_can_extreme_hot_weather_cause_mass_power/
{ "a_id": [ "dteq6wb" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "The main reason is that electricity usage is highest during heat waves, because everyone's air conditioning is running at full blast.\n\nThere's a second less important reason, which is that fossil fuel and nuclear power plants are less efficient...
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[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnot%27s_theorem_(thermodynamics)" ] ]
1ohck4
modern sociology claims that race is a social construct devoid of any biological foundation. if so, how does forensic science work, or anthropological dna-based migrational studies?
Is race a completely societal construct or is this just a sort of liberal well-wishing? If race is entirely socially constructed then how does the government get away with race-based financial aid? (affirmative action) If race boils down to purely what one identifies as, then how is it deemed OK for the government t...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ohck4/eli5_modern_sociology_claims_that_race_is_a/
{ "a_id": [ "ccrxyye", "ccryc9q", "ccs05xx", "ccs0xt1", "ccs18zg", "ccs8bio" ], "score": [ 4, 10, 3, 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ " > how does the government get away with race-based financial aid? (affirmative action)\n\nIt's a social construct, but the harm done ...
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[ [], [], [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewontin's_Fallacy" ], [], [] ]
fhhp61
why do things we do on the internet begin with "e-" instead of "i" for internet?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/fhhp61/eli5_why_do_things_we_do_on_the_internet_begin/
{ "a_id": [ "fkb3t90" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "\"e-\" stands for \"electronic\". \n\nRegular mail is sent on physical paper, but \"e-mail\" is sent *electronically*. It's \"e(lectronic) mail\"." ] }
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3j0was
How did cups become a symbol for victory?
Nearly all sporting events at the highest levels are competing for a literal "cup" of some sort. Where did this come from?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3j0was/how_did_cups_become_a_symbol_for_victory/
{ "a_id": [ "culd20n" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "hi! always room for more info on this, but you can get started on this earlier post\n\n* [Why are trophies often cups?](_URL_0_) - featuring responses from /u/TheJucheisLoose and /u/ConventionalAlias\n\nif you have follow-up questions on this loc...
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[ [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1nrnji/why_are_trophies_often_cups/" ] ]
357wnj
if i leave the milky way, am i immediately in another galaxy or in a big empty part of space with different galaxies to choose from?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/357wnj/eli5_if_i_leave_the_milky_way_am_i_immediately_in/
{ "a_id": [ "cr1u61p", "cr1u6om", "cr1ulkc", "cr1xw06" ], "score": [ 6, 4, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "There are large empty spaces between galaxies that have almost no matter in them at all. Except maybe dark matter, but we still don't understand that well", "If you left the M...
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[ [], [], [], [ "http://joshworth.com/dev/pixelspace/pixelspace_solarsystem.html" ] ]
d1io73
why can't doctors diagnose cte in a living person?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/d1io73/eli5_why_cant_doctors_diagnose_cte_in_a_living/
{ "a_id": [ "ezm2ybm", "ezm56m5" ], "score": [ 6, 2 ], "text": [ "Because the physical degeneration thought to be involved in CTE can only be observed in autopsies. It doesn't really show readily or conclusively is regular brain scans which look for neuron activity or chemical processes. C...
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tkkr5
if clouds are water in a gaseous state (aren't they?), why aren't they at a greater than boiling temperature, and is evaporating water boiling?
There is nothing better than explaining something you know well to an IRL 5 year old to realise you, in fact, know very little. I was explaining the water cycle to my 5 year old, and he answered quite sensibly (I have recently been explaining to him the states of matter) 'so clouds are boiling hot?' Whilst I am gues...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/tkkr5/eli5_if_clouds_are_water_in_a_gaseous_state_arent/
{ "a_id": [ "c4nfhq7", "c4olwia" ], "score": [ 4, 2 ], "text": [ "Let me try to put this in a 5YO level of understanding. \n\nRemember when it was December and you went outside and you could see your breath? That was water vapor. The water inside you was not boiling. If it was, you would h...
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[ [], [ "http://www.kidzone.ws/water/" ] ]
yzhh1
is x86 software made for 32-bit os or 64-bit?
I know there is x86 and 64, but I don't know which to use. In the case of, say, a Java download, do I want to download the x86 version for my 64-bit Windows 7? Solved: I thought x86 was 64-bit, thus the confusion. Thanks guys.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/yzhh1/eli5_is_x86_software_made_for_32bit_os_or_64bit/
{ "a_id": [ "c60677o", "c606otq", "c606ov4" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "If it just says x86 then it is probably 32-bit. It will still work just fine, but unless you have a reason otherwise, you should typically get the 64-bit version, which should be labeled x86_64.", "...
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ep4rxl
what is the simplest way to explain gauss' law and how its used? (algebra based physics) thank you in advance
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ep4rxl/eli5_what_is_the_simplest_way_to_explain_gauss/
{ "a_id": [ "feh5cq4" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "You can tell how much charge is in an enclosed space by looking at the electric field along the boundary." ] }
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27pz6g
Was the Sherman tank a name resented by US soldiers from the south during WWII?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/27pz6g/was_the_sherman_tank_a_name_resented_by_us/
{ "a_id": [ "ci3fa0p", "ci3fale", "ci3l2xg", "ci4jn5n" ], "score": [ 203, 78, 67, 2 ], "text": [ "If this question isn't relevant, feel free to remove mods.\n\nGiven the nicknames M3 Lee, M3 Stuart, M3 Grant, and M4 Sherman, why were Union and Confederate general names give...
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[ [], [], [ "http://r2.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/27pz6g/was_the_sherman_tank_a_name_resented_by_us/ci3kyi9" ], [] ]
31n4fd
Do we really know anything about Mayan warfare?
Of course many Mayan books and records were destroyed by the Spanish, and there are countless archaeological sites that haven't been excavated or even found yet, but right now our knowledge of the Maya is quite limited, only deciphering most of the glyphs relatively recently. So I ask the question, do we know anything ...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/31n4fd/do_we_really_know_anything_about_mayan_warfare/
{ "a_id": [ "cq36ymf" ], "score": [ 11 ], "text": [ "Maya records do give us a good look at the nature of (and possible motivations for) a variety of military endeavors. Let's take a look at a few.\n\n* Palenque and Calakmul were two of the many pairs of constantly competing city states, located j...
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1v6dhe
Why was North Vietnam able to field such a massive army that easily over-ran the south when the Americans left? Why did the south not have a more capable or large enough army to hold them off?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1v6dhe/why_was_north_vietnam_able_to_field_such_a/
{ "a_id": [ "cep7ca7", "cep7z7q" ], "score": [ 13, 64 ], "text": [ "In pure numbers the Army of South Vietnam was of a similar size to that of the North. However the tactical position they were faced with in 73 could not have been more dissimilar. The North had good control of it's territo...
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[ [], [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1ltek4/why_was_the_north_vietnamese_military_so_superior/cc2kk10" ] ]
4ghjrd
i often hear how states around the country are hemorrhaging due to the lack of teachers, why isn't there a greater demand for teachers?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4ghjrd/eli5_i_often_hear_how_states_around_the_country/
{ "a_id": [ "d2hmd7i", "d2hmgko", "d2hn916", "d2i6ww3", "d2in091", "d2io5ar", "d2j00qm" ], "score": [ 10, 7, 5, 5, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "There is a demand in terms of students who need teachers. But the lack is due to the budgets of the states, who t...
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