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39kglc
why are some people against solar power?
Solar, is something that should make be a huge leap from using extremely toxic things to run machinery to energy powered cells that draws power from the sun!. I saw this thread in the world news _URL_0_ I saw people completely against this.... why? why do they dislike solar power? do people really prefer oil? over g...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/39kglc/eli5why_are_some_people_against_solar_power/
{ "a_id": [ "cs438po", "cs43nof", "cs443h4", "cs49vjt", "cs4b0lb" ], "score": [ 18, 4, 3, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "What happens at night?\n\nSolar cannot provide all of our energy needs right now because there are limited ways of storing energy. For example, when it's sup...
[]
[ "https://www.reddit.com/r/worldnews/comments/39hkrv/solar_power_passes_1_global_threshold/" ]
[ [], [ "http://spectrum.ieee.org/green-tech/solar/solar-energy-isnt-always-as-green-as-you-think", "http://img.ie/image/ZKP", "http://en.openei.org/apps/TCDB/", "http://festkoerper-kernphysik.de/Weissbach_EROI_preprint.pdf" ], [], [], [] ]
owxi3
(or 16): for and while loops in programming.
I just do not understand them at all. Nor do I understand the difference between them.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/owxi3/eli5_or_16_for_and_while_loops_in_programming/
{ "a_id": [ "c3kpfn4", "c3kq84j", "c3kuoda" ], "score": [ 2, 8, 2 ], "text": [ "Let's start with `while` loops because they are simpler. A `while` loop needs only one bit of information we'll call the **condition** and takes the form \n\n while (condition) {\n DoStuff();\...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
2b2t72
Would height ever be a factor of what you did in battle?
A 6'2" soldier would have a greater advantage over a 5'7" soldier. Increased mass equals more muscle, more reach, heavier weapons, and heavier armor. So would a very large person be equipped differently? Such as a long sword and no shield to compliment his arm reach? How would a short person be equipped? I imagine they...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2b2t72/would_height_ever_be_a_factor_of_what_you_did_in/
{ "a_id": [ "cj1apeg", "cj1dxo7" ], "score": [ 20, 2 ], "text": [ "Yes! \n\nHeight was actually a major factor in armies in the late early modern and beginnings of the modern era. Notably, the Napoleonic Wars. I'll speak specifically about Napoleon's forces: There would be 6, give or take ...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/80/Fran%C3%A7ois_Isidore_Darquier_(1770-1812).jpg" ], [] ]
1y03y6
How many different languages were regionally accepted as "normal" in early America, and what caused English to become the dominant language?
I understand that the USA was originally a British colony so it seems it should be *obvious* that English would become the dominant language. It is, however, my understanding that there were MANY languages spoken throughout the nation. German in the North, French in the South, and wasn't Florida a Spanish colony? So...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1y03y6/how_many_different_languages_were_regionally/
{ "a_id": [ "cfgbhnx" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "Florida was not originally part of the United States. Neither was Louisiana. When they did become part of the US they were rapidly flooded with English speaking immigrants who outnumbered the speakers of Spanish or French.\n\nThere were never l...
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[]
[ [] ]
5jbtmk
Was Carthage actually completely destroyed?
If so, then who were the major players in its destruction? What finally spurred Rome to do something about it? Do we have any primary sources from the battle(s)?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/5jbtmk/was_carthage_actually_completely_destroyed/
{ "a_id": [ "dbfoshg" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Rome defeated Carthage for the final time in 146 BCE. The tales of salting the fields are nonsense, and no ancient source supports this. \nThe Romans did, however, unleash their fury on the city and made a pretty big mess of the place. Polybius ...
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[ [] ]
6dga2b
why do we need even isp's at this point? why not make everything peer to peer?
Forgive me if I've used the term peer to peer incorrectly, I mean a decentralised user controlled network(s) that links everyone together thru their own devices. Thanks for any input:) EDIT: I messed up the headline, I meant: Why do we even need isp's. SOLVED. Thank you everyone! :) EDIT 2: Why not have both? I ac...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6dga2b/elif_why_do_we_need_even_isps_at_this_point_why/
{ "a_id": [ "di2e8sn", "di2f19h", "di2hqrf", "di2odru" ], "score": [ 45, 29, 8, 4 ], "text": [ "Well, the obvious question is, whose line do you use to connect yourself to someone on the other side of the atlantic ocean? Laying a cable across the pond costs about $200,000,0...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
83e9yo
How does Shazam work?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/83e9yo/how_does_shazam_work/
{ "a_id": [ "dvhof5d", "dvhslys", "dvhucnv", "dvi6xrn" ], "score": [ 69, 60, 8, 2 ], "text": [ "I actually worked with Shazam for a while when my employer at the time was partnering with them. They generate a \"fingerprint\" of the audio and then I assume they segment that ...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://willdrevo.com/fingerprinting-and-audio-recognition-with-python/", "https://github.com/worldveil/dejavu" ], [ "https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourier_transform" ], [], [ "https://blog.shazam.com/tagged/engineering", "http://www.ee.columbia.edu/~dpwe/papers/Wang03-shazam.pdf" ...
djta8c
which's the most efficient metal for an ancient civilization to use for tools and weapons, copper or bronze?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/djta8c/eli5_whichs_the_most_efficient_metal_for_an/
{ "a_id": [ "f47zi9u", "f47zk2o", "f47zpb6", "f4823c7" ], "score": [ 3, 8, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Efficient in what way? Like the tools last longer or they work better or are cheaper?", "Bronze is more durable, but it is harder to make. Bronze requires Tin to be added to mo...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
8jcyqb
What has DNA testing taught us about the process and timeline of how the tiny islands of Pacific were populated?
How large were the groups that first landed on the islands? Were there frequent immigrations? Did new inhabitants sometimes assimilate easily with the old ones on an island or were there battles, slavery and expulsions? Did native explorers sometime head “back” to previously settled islands or was the migration pre...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/8jcyqb/what_has_dna_testing_taught_us_about_the_process/
{ "a_id": [ "dyziqnn" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "You might also ask at r/AskAnthropology/, especially if you are particularly interested in the scientific evidence. " ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
6jqcen
why does the smoke in a bong only enter the smoker's lungs once the carb is unblocked?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6jqcen/eli5_why_does_the_smoke_in_a_bong_only_enter_the/
{ "a_id": [ "djg86ns", "djg8b3r", "djg8mp0" ], "score": [ 2, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "I don't think that's true. Take a full rip while keeping your carb blocked, you'll still end up with a lung full of smoke. ", "The bowl (and the contents) reduce smoke/airflow into the bong when the...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
3eb5a5
why should france close a number of nuclear reactor ? aren't they "green" compared to other plants ?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3eb5a5/eli5why_should_france_close_a_number_of_nuclear/
{ "a_id": [ "ctd7udh" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Nuclear power is much cleaner than, say coal. But it's not without its own carbon emissions. \nThe main reason countries are closing nuclear power plants is the 'scary' radiation and melt down fears. The publics poor understanding of nuclear powe...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
6u7zbu
how my 8gb ram can run files and games as large as 50gb?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6u7zbu/eli5_how_my_8gb_ram_can_run_files_and_games_as/
{ "a_id": [ "dlqnd8w", "dlqndfz", "dlqt2jl" ], "score": [ 11, 3, 3 ], "text": [ "Not all of the program is loaded into RAM at once. Only portions are loaded as needed from the disk. It is also possible to define portions of the disk as as being \"virtual memory\" where it is treate...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
5xao6f
why do we tear up when we yawn
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5xao6f/eli5_why_do_we_tear_up_when_we_yawn/
{ "a_id": [ "degr49f", "deh17cb", "deh2j7y", "deh5128", "dehg0ng" ], "score": [ 106, 14, 6, 6, 6 ], "text": [ "Not 100% sure if this is the correct answer, but the act of yawning presses against the glands which produce tears. These glands are like a sac, so pressin...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
4esefb
why do certain races of people tend to do similar lines of work?
First off, let me say that this isn't meant to be held to all people of a certain race. Let me explain what I mean for clarification. I've noticed that whenever I see a nail salon, at least in my town, they are always ran by Asians. If I go to a hair salon, it's ran by mostly white people. A mexican restaurant is ran...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4esefb/eli5_why_do_certain_races_of_people_tend_to_do/
{ "a_id": [ "d22ww6o", "d22x1ar", "d22xc3u", "d22xvgk" ], "score": [ 9, 5, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "The main thing here is that you get immigrants who start work in a certain field, and then they help their fellow immigrants get job in that field as well. You've just arrived to t...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
1ovang
the difference between lucifer, the devil, satan, mephistopheles, and beelzebub
In my mind these are all the same entity but I'm not sure here Edit: Man this got more attention than I would have thought, and it is a lot more complicated than I anticipated! There are some great discussions going on here! Oh and for all the /r/atheism fedoras invading: Yes I'm aware they don't exist. Neither d...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ovang/eli5_the_difference_between_lucifer_the_devil/
{ "a_id": [ "ccvzghh", "ccw1brk", "ccw4kfp", "ccw5pke", "ccw6b2q", "ccw814e", "ccw8l2g", "ccw8n2j", "ccw8na0", "ccw98ew", "ccw9dyn", "ccw9igl", "ccwbqdu", "ccwbzqk", "ccwc43y", "ccwcxwq", "ccwd4xk", "ccwdnxf", "ccwdpws", "ccwdsq2", "c...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mephistopheles", "http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2002687?q=lucifer&p=par", "http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200000604?q=beelzebub&p=par", "http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200003845" ], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wik...
6yybgw
how are the people that run churches/religions living such luxurious lifestyles? literally living in palaces. apart from collection plates, where is the money coming from?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6yybgw/eli5_how_are_the_people_that_run/
{ "a_id": [ "dmr38wi", "dmr3fwa", "dmr3k06", "dmr3v0g", "dmr43zw", "dmr5myn", "dmr6bej", "dmr711l", "dmr72p1", "dmr7ca6", "dmr87ld", "dmr8r7x", "dmr907m", "dmra7u4", "dmra88u", "dmrchyx" ], "score": [ 5, 15, 119, 3, 76, 10, ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
2jcjcm
Were there ever any efforts to issue patents of nobility in the English-founded American colonies?
Like, say, creating a Duke of Maryland, or an Earl of New York. Seems like it'd be the usual thing to do, but I can't recall hearing of it. Land grants were handed out, but no titles to go with them - it would've especially made sense in the case of someone like William Penn, where you'd almost expect at least a Baro...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2jcjcm/were_there_ever_any_efforts_to_issue_patents_of/
{ "a_id": [ "claozno" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "I suppose it depends on what you mean by 'American'. With regards to the colonies that later formed the US, then the answer is no. If you include the colonies that later became Canada, then from 1624 to 1707, baronetcies were sold in the newly cr...
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[]
[ [] ]
2qkrcv
how does reddit work with different languages?
Am I only reading popular subs for the English language? I've never understood how it works and I'm really curious.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2qkrcv/eli5_how_does_reddit_work_with_different_languages/
{ "a_id": [ "cn6z7qs" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "While reddit is predominantly written in English, the are subreddits where you will find users communicating in other languages. I was just posting in /r/Italy with a tourist question. The are also subs dedicated to learning new languages, namely...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
5f1fwf
is it really possible to break a glass with a high pitched note? if so, how?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5f1fwf/eli5_is_it_really_possible_to_break_a_glass_with/
{ "a_id": [ "dagqe4h", "dagsrcj" ], "score": [ 3, 4 ], "text": [ "Yes it is. It's due to the short sound waves which bring the glass to vibrations. At some point the vibration overlaps with the sound waves (similar to breaking mach speed) which results in breaking the glass. See here: _URL...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://youtu.be/ECNDpCYvaOc" ], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mechanical_resonance" ] ]
6ivja8
I often hear lay people saying Greeks and Romans did not really believe in Greek and Roman gods. It is obviously not true, but when did this attitude start appearing? Is it modern? Could it trace all the way from the Renaissance?
The claims vary — either that their religion was purely ritualistic, but they didn't take it literally, or it was not mystical, or some such nonsense. The case seems unique to Greece and Rome, and no one ever claims that say, Egyptians or Babylonians were the same way. What I'm wondering is if it's, at least on some l...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6ivja8/i_often_hear_lay_people_saying_greeks_and_romans/
{ "a_id": [ "dja2b05" ], "score": [ 10 ], "text": [ "Well, it actually goes back to the Greeks. A number of Greek philosophers of the fourth century express skepticism about the traditional religion. Xenophanes famously mocked the anthropomorphic depictions of the gods, saying that if horses and c...
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[]
[ [] ]
ehenec
how is it that you can be looking for something (say, a pair of keys) that's in your peripheral vision, yet your brain still literally doesn't register it into view?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ehenec/eli5_how_is_it_that_you_can_be_looking_for/
{ "a_id": [ "fcitjx3" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "There's a part of our brain devoted to visual processing. It goes through and identifies the stuff in our vision, as well as flagging things that it thinks are important and brought to the attention of our conscious mind. If it does not flag your...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
1j9rtp
what is this purple/blue/whatever noise i sometimes see all around my vision, especially after staring at something.
I think it's the same stuff that I see when I close my eyes, but I can see it when my eyes are opened too.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1j9rtp/eli5_what_is_this_purplebluewhatever_noise_i/
{ "a_id": [ "cbcirqm" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "It is usually the afterimage of whatever bright thing you were staring at. The color in your vision is the complementary color of the thing you looked at (e.g red and green or blue and orange or purple and yellow). You can have a look at the rela...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://www.google.de/search?q=color+wheel&client=firefox-a&hs=fT8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=Flz2Uev1OumM4ATrhICAAw&ved=0CDIQsAQ&biw=1024&bih=636" ] ]
2qmdfr
What is the most recent case of natural selection introducing a new widespread trait in any organism?
I'm particularly interested to know if there's any in humans, but otherwise any organism.
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2qmdfr/what_is_the_most_recent_case_of_natural_selection/
{ "a_id": [ "cn7ttil", "cn7v0dw", "cn7xkj5", "cn7y9te", "cn8ahli" ], "score": [ 7, 8, 3, 4, 4 ], "text": [ "Antibiotic resistance in various bacterial pathogens, such as [MRSA](_URL_1_) and [MDR-TB](_URL_0_) is the obvious example.\n\nWhite nose syndrome in bats and...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-drug-resistant_tuberculosis", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methicillin-resistant_Staphylococcus_aureus" ], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kettlewell%27s_experiment" ], [ "http://dwb.unl.edu/Teacher/NSF/C08/C08Links/www.mcet.edu/genome/sicklecell/genesi...
cf0o48
How did the "right side up" view of the Earth, aka North = up, become the norm for all globes and maps?
Couldn't South have just as easily been chosen to be "up", and all maps and globes have the South pole on top?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/cf0o48/how_did_the_right_side_up_view_of_the_earth_aka/
{ "a_id": [ "eu6lrnj", "eu6n9vx", "eu6uayc", "eu6ziai", "eu79wui", "eu7n8wo", "eu7p5ml", "eu7wlik", "eu88iv1", "eu968vr" ], "score": [ 438, 2114, 63, 4, 8, 14, 9, 34, 3, 3 ], "text": [ "Globes have north at the top from that s...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20160614-maps-have-north-at-the-top-but-it-couldve-been-different" ], [], [ "https://catalogue.museogalileo.it/object/WorldMap.html" ], [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_world_maps#/media/File:TabulaRogeriana_upside-down.jpg" ], [], [], [ ...
cf7bdb
why does english have different suffixes for languages (-ese, -ish, -an)?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cf7bdb/eli5why_does_english_have_different_suffixes_for/
{ "a_id": [ "eu7y0cp", "eu88wob" ], "score": [ 6, 3 ], "text": [ "The \"true\" English demonym suffix is -ish, e.g. Spanish, Turkish, Welsh, Swedish.\n\nHowever sometime in the last few centuries English speakers stopped applying that suffix, and instead started borrowing existing demonyms...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://www.linglish.net/2008/10/22/so-many-nationality-suffixes/" ] ]
6g5byg
when someone is a surrogate mother does any of their genetics or anything end up with the baby? does the baby technically have 3 birth parents then?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6g5byg/eli5_when_someone_is_a_surrogate_mother_does_any/
{ "a_id": [ "dinmrtt", "dinnukr", "dinpfba" ], "score": [ 4, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "No. The surrogate only provides the environment for the foetus to develop. The fertilisation of the egg with the sperm ( which together carry all of the genetic makeup of a human ) is done outside her b...
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[]
[ [], [], [] ]
tev0y
According to Quantum Theory, is it true that if I toss a tennis ball enough times at my wall, eventually it will go right through?
What laws of Quantum Theory does this involve? Are quantum principles applicable to the macroscopic world if given enough time?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/tev0y/according_to_quantum_theory_is_it_true_that_if_i/
{ "a_id": [ "c4m0efj" ], "score": [ 13 ], "text": [ "Though the concept is right, the application to the macroscopic world becomes a bit more complicated. In essence, you can think of the world as behaving quantum-mechanically--it's determined by probability, it has uncertainty, etc. However, when...
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[]
[ [] ]
27nuov
why is a keyboard/mouse preferred over a controller in gaming?
I've never used a keyboard/mouse setup nor have I played PC games due my disability limiting my range of motion to an area the size of a controller. I've always heard playing with a mouse allows for better accuracy, but I have a hard time grasping how that is. I have always wanted to get into PC gaming, but this has pr...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/27nuov/eli5_why_is_a_keyboardmouse_preferred_over_a/
{ "a_id": [ "ci2mbf0", "ci2mirw", "ci2mq24", "ci2ozgy", "ci2pbvr", "ci2pz61" ], "score": [ 2, 7, 5, 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "The ideal thing with a mouse and keyboard. Is that you can hotkey a button on your keyboard to do something specific, like instead of pr...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
a8mqim
why it sometimes takes 60+ days to receive a postal shipping?
In this day and age I can understand 2-3 weeks of shipping time - bulk shipping, intermediate stops if not shipped directly from one city to another, etc. But two months to get a small packet from CN to EU? Why?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a8mqim/eli5_why_it_sometimes_takes_60_days_to_receive_a/
{ "a_id": [ "ecbxrtm", "ecby3pr", "ecbymsf" ], "score": [ 2, 5, 3 ], "text": [ "Because it's coming on a boat. Large container ships can take days to load, weeks to get to their destination, and days to unload. Then there's the chance that they have multiple stops along the way. Pl...
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[]
[ [], [], [] ]
2ej1v6
Why does the Earth not spiral to the Sun if it emits gravitational waves during its revolution?
So, I read in the "Time reborn" by Lee Shmolin that two neutron stars were found orbiting one another. Now, these stars are observed to emit some gravitational waves detected on Earth. Due to the energy taken away by the wave, the stars are losing their own kinetic energy and eventually spiral down to one another. Does...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2ej1v6/why_does_the_earth_not_spiral_to_the_sun_if_it/
{ "a_id": [ "ck04cgn" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "Because the power output from gravitational waves is ***incredibly*** tiny for systems other than say rapidly spinning neutron stars. The [power](_URL_0_) radiated has a factor of G^4 / c^5 out front which is incredibly tiny and it drops off in o...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravitational_wave#Power_radiated_by_orbiting_bodies" ] ]
sxv3v
Were there any grand-scale conspiracies with a direct effect on history?
And by conspiracies I mean those that were proven by *direct and unquestionable* facts. Doesn't really matter if they were discovered before or after their goal was fulfilled.
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/sxv3v/were_there_any_grandscale_conspiracies_with_a/
{ "a_id": [ "c4hzgfw", "c4i0axp", "c4id830" ], "score": [ 2, 4, 3 ], "text": [ "You still haven't explained what you mean by 'conspiracy'. You may mean societies etc. that may have conspired to seize power or you may mean the bog standard assassination conspiracy.", "surely the...
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[ [], [], [] ]
1z51e8
What are the fundamental differences between the bonds in a coordination complex and covalent bonds?
I have never been able to get a straight answer out of my organic chemistry professor. Other than the large difference in electronegativity, what are the defining characteristics of these linkages?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1z51e8/what_are_the_fundamental_differences_between_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cfqq4sm" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "They're all just bonds. Coordination bonds are about one half to one third as strong as your typical carbon-carbon single bond. They tend to be more polar than typical covalent bonds, but it isn't really appropriate to call them ionic bonds, ei...
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[ [] ]
7a1o3p
How does AC travel further than DC?
[deleted]
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/7a1o3p/how_does_ac_travel_further_than_dc/
{ "a_id": [ "dp6lolv", "dp6mz82" ], "score": [ 3, 23 ], "text": [ "It's not that DC necessarily travels farther, but that it's easier to step up the voltage of AC. \n\nThe power lost to resistance in the transmission lines is roughly I^2 R while the maximum power delivered by the line is ...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://www.edisontechcenter.org/Transformers.html", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-voltage_direct_current" ] ]
b7v1ad
Are there any organisms that don’t need carbon dioxide or oxygen to survive?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/b7v1ad/are_there_any_organisms_that_dont_need_carbon/
{ "a_id": [ "ejvkcjx", "ejvr5px", "ejvul3u" ], "score": [ 9, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "I had a small debate on another thread about this but with H2O. Apparently all known organisms use water even when life in supercritical fluids is considered, it’s part of their cell structure. If you...
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[ [], [], [] ]
4abp4m
why is a woman often her horniest right before she menstruates?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4abp4m/eli5_why_is_a_woman_often_her_horniest_right/
{ "a_id": [ "d0z0h6a" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "If I'm not mistaken that's when she is most fertile, so it's her bodies way of saying \"NOWS THE TIME GO GO GO\". Given that during menstruation the lining that would have accepted the fertilized egg is lost, I'm pretty sure that's the reason. " ...
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[ [] ]
2zn6ev
i've always hear of china reverse-engineering russian or american military technology, how exactly is this done with no schematics and reference points?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2zn6ev/eli5ive_always_hear_of_china_reverseengineering/
{ "a_id": [ "cpkgpve", "cpkgtzy" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "In a nutshell, you just take something apart and figure out how it works.\n\nIt can be challenging, yes, but it's usually a lot easier than designing something from scratch if you can just copy a successful model.\n", "R...
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[ [], [] ]
6gqtqf
Do communication waves interfere with each other?
I saw almost everyone in a conference hall with their cellphones out, watching videos and such. Do cellphone signals and similar signals interfere with eachother? How is it that large amounts of data can be so accurately directed to different devices?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/6gqtqf/do_communication_waves_interfere_with_each_other/
{ "a_id": [ "disjasa" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "Yes, signals interfere with each other. [Any receiver generally sees a superposition of all transmitted signals.](_URL_2_) That is, if transmitter 1 sends X(t), and transmitter 2 sends Y(t) then the received signal is Z(t) = *a* X(t) + *b* Y(t) ...
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[]
[ [ "https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/d029/bd1fd31a6e8feca3a387a90e5cad826a7a82.pdf", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frequency-division_multiple_access", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_wave_equation#Solutions_to_the_homogeneous_electromagnetic_wave_equation", "https://en.wikipedia.org/...
dp92sj
Why are there no meat pies in American cuisine? The UK still has meat pies as a regular staple but despite being former British colonies with access to lots of meat, the meat pie doesn't feature much in American cooking at all.
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/dp92sj/why_are_there_no_meat_pies_in_american_cuisine/
{ "a_id": [ "f5t8wg1" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "This has been asked here before a few times. You might find these older answers interesting while you wait for a new one: \n\n_URL_0_\n\n_URL_1_" ] }
[]
[]
[ [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/d0orqm/why_did_savory_pie_culture_shepherds_pie_chicken/ezcjyun/", "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/7f7pwy/why_arent_savoury_pies_a_thing_in_america/dqb2csw/" ] ]
1pbkn0
Samurai RPG trope?
In nearly every RPG I've played that had a character or class based on Samurai, they have the ability to throw your money to damage the enemy and I've wondered if there's some kind of historical basis behind this. I don't mean if Samurai often dispatched foes with money, but if there was something abut Samurai being we...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1pbkn0/samurai_rpg_trope/
{ "a_id": [ "cd0u6ro" ], "score": [ 9 ], "text": [ "The Final Fantasy wiki says:\n\n\"Gil Toss references a popular series of Japanese novels from the 1930s about a policeman in the Edo period named Zenigata Heiji, who captured criminals by throwing coins at them.\"\n\nWikipedia has more informati...
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[ [] ]
330wbu
why are asian language scripts much more complex than european scripts?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/330wbu/eli5why_are_asian_language_scripts_much_more/
{ "a_id": [ "cqgichr", "cqgshvt" ], "score": [ 10, 4 ], "text": [ "different culture, different way of doing things. All cultures have their quirks. English for example is an odd language in that it's grammar rules are complex and have a lot of exceptions.\n\nEast Asian languages (Japanese...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
d0qc0f
nothing is ever truly gone on the internet. why is that?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/d0qc0f/eli5_nothing_is_ever_truly_gone_on_the_internet/
{ "a_id": [ "ezbrcod", "ezbz2eh", "ezcfkxh" ], "score": [ 2, 12, 5 ], "text": [ "Because most of the information is redundant on servers not controlled by the original publisher. If it's something nobody ever bothered to mirror or cache (unlikely because Google caches almost everyt...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
599iwy
How do photons, frequencies, and quanta work?
How is light able to knock off electrons from metals without changing the metal in the photoelectric effect? What does the equation E=hv by Planck mean and how was it found? Where does Planck's constant come from? How can the amount of energy of a particular photon depend on the frequency of the radiation if they ca...
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/599iwy/how_do_photons_frequencies_and_quanta_work/
{ "a_id": [ "d96wdkc" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ " > How is light able to knock off electrons from metals without changing the metal in the photoelectric effect?\n\nBecause the metal has **a lot** of electrons.\n\n > What does the equation E=hv by Planck mean and how was it found?\n\nIt's the re...
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[]
[ [] ]
39pk7a
Why is there no successful socialist societies? If there is some why haven't I heard of them?
Not including societies that were once Socialism but are not anymore.
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/39pk7a/why_is_there_no_successful_socialist_societies_if/
{ "a_id": [ "cs5dk9m", "cs5dzj5" ], "score": [ 6, 33 ], "text": [ "First, it would behoove you to be more specific about what you mean by \"successful\". What are some societies you think have been successful, so that we might use that criteria to compare?\n\nFor example, The Diggers come ...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
2ds3ar
that feeling you get when you're accelerating uphill and you suddenly go downhill.
I've just experienced it in cars and on roller coasters when you're stomach just kind of rises. Is it a moment of weightlessness or what?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2ds3ar/eli5_that_feeling_you_get_when_youre_accelerating/
{ "a_id": [ "cjshnpd" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Your body is still moving uphill, so there is a law between when the roller coaster (or whatever your riding) starts to drop, and for a split second you're still moving up and the coaster is going down so you separate, then gravity catches up and...
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[]
[ [] ]
1rt7q4
what would happen if you were being legitimately brutalised by police and fought back and won?
Unlikely I'm sure, but if police started using excessive force, and say you were even innocent, and you fought back and won, is there any chance you'd get off scott free, or would you have extra charges?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1rt7q4/eli5_what_would_happen_if_you_were_being/
{ "a_id": [ "cdqmoc6", "cdqmsh1", "cdqnea5", "cdqqpsu", "cdqrmeh", "cdqryv2" ], "score": [ 12, 12, 3, 2, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "yould probably get shot by the rest of their gang members", "If it was taped, you'd have a chance. Otherwise, you're screwed.", ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [ "http://www.governing.com/blogs/view/residents-given-right-to-resist-police-under-new-indiana-law.html" ], [], [] ]
1jgbsm
Did Cyrus the Great outlaw slavery in his empire? Could he be considerd a humanitarian ruler?
I generally assumed that Cyrus was a very generous ruler when it came to his subjects, but is this image accurate? Was he really a wise emperor, or is this just a very well staged act of ancient propaganda?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1jgbsm/did_cyrus_the_great_outlaw_slavery_in_his_empire/
{ "a_id": [ "cbeeryz" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ "Hello! Cyrus did not outlaw slavery throughout his realms; in fact, he (or at least his subordinates) did enslave some rebellious Lydians. This idea stems from a [false translation of the so-called \"Cyrus Cylinder,\"](_URL_0_) while the actual t...
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[]
[ [ "http://www.livius.org/ct-cz/cyrus_I/cyrus_cylinder.html#prop" ] ]
1ee14i
How did the average American think of Alaska and Hawaii in the years prior to their statehood?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1ee14i/how_did_the_average_american_think_of_alaska_and/
{ "a_id": [ "c9zj5l8", "c9zjv0x", "c9zm8u3", "c9zxzrb" ], "score": [ 58, 19, 7, 2 ], "text": [ "I can't speak for Alaska, but I do know a little about Hawaii.\n\n* Hawaii was annexed in **1898** and became a state in 1959. There was no assurance that it would become a stat...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://homernews.com/stories/011911/news_wdsatl.shtml", "http://www.amazon.com/Fighting-Forty-Ninth-Star-Snedden-Statehood/dp/1883309069", "http://laborstats.alaska.gov/pop/estimates/pub/pophistory.pdf" ], [] ]
ramm2
Are there still undiscovered compounds in common foods?
My inspiration for this question came with me pondering whether or not there is there any benefit towards eating a variety of different foods, as opposed to the same thing every day. Assuming, of course, that your diet contains the RDI for all [essential nutrients](_URL_0_) and [macronutrients](_URL_1_), is a varied di...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/ramm2/are_there_still_undiscovered_compounds_in_common/
{ "a_id": [ "c449qet", "c44e9k5" ], "score": [ 6, 3 ], "text": [ "There are many, many undiscovered compounds in food. When looking at food nutritionally, you're looking for basic components like proteins, fats, vitamins or sugars. Small molecules are somewhat more difficult to positivel...
[]
[ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essential_nutrient", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dietary_reference_intake#Macronutrients" ]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulforaphane" ], [ "http://scholar.google.com" ] ]
320rd6
is the god for christianity, judaism, and islam the same "person."
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/320rd6/eli5_is_the_god_for_christianity_judaism_and/
{ "a_id": [ "cq6r4au", "cq6rgrx", "cq6rqww" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Some people believe it is the same god, but I do not.\n\nMany Christians believe in the Holy Trinity, which means Jesus is a part (or fully) god. The whole trinity thing is confusing, but just know that...
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[]
[ [], [], [] ]
2lus1u
does declaring war on a nation impact the debt either nation holds of the other?
For example, if the USA were to declare war on China, what would happen to the treasuries China owns? Would the USA tear up the notes? Suspend payment during the conflict? Continue as normal?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2lus1u/eli5_does_declaring_war_on_a_nation_impact_the/
{ "a_id": [ "clyeor2" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "The U.S. sells treasuries to whoever buys them. They honor those when they become mature. To do otherwise destroys the confidence in the U.S. government which is needed to sell more treasuries. \n\nIf the U.S. sold a lot of them to China and went...
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[ [] ]
6jcxs2
why do criminals flee to canada?
I was watching Friends the other day, and in the episode there's a high speed chase on the TV, and Chandler and this other guy who worked at the hotel said that he's going to Canada. I've heard this before on other shows and movies. Why do criminals try to flee to Canada? Do they just forget about what they did and l...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6jcxs2/eli5_why_do_criminals_flee_to_canada/
{ "a_id": [ "djdby93" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Probably more because they happen to be closer to the canadian border than to the mexican one. But it would be pretty dumb to run to canada because their law enforcement has a much higher standard than mexico's. You would get caught and deported ...
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[]
[ [] ]
1tqekb
do ni-mh batteries need to be charged for 8 hours on the first charge?
I bought these batteries from maplin the other day and on the batteries themselves it says to charge for 7 hours before use. I'm confused as to whether I actually need to do this and as to why some things like this may/may not need to be charged for such a long time on the first charge.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1tqekb/eli5do_nimh_batteries_need_to_be_charged_for_8/
{ "a_id": [ "ceah3ao" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Ni-MH batteries are actually shipped from the factory charged. The unique design of Ni-MH batteries causes them to lose their charge rapidly over time, even when not in use. So by the time you buy them and take them home, they could have anythi...
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[]
[ [] ]
4zwd0x
why do cameras struggle so much with scenes that have both bright and dark spots, but the human eye has no problem?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4zwd0x/eli5_why_do_cameras_struggle_so_much_with_scenes/
{ "a_id": [ "d6z981f", "d6zaq69" ], "score": [ 3, 3 ], "text": [ "Dynamic range of a camera is usually determined by the sensor/pixel size, a full-frame DSLR that shoots in RAW has excellent contrast, but a cheap point and shoot will have pretty crummy dynamic range. There are ways that im...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
9zjrh1
why do video games need the original source code file to be further worked on or remastered? why can’t this be extracted from a copy of the game?
I just look at stories about how the Silent Hill and Kingdom Hearts remasters fan into issues because they didn’t have the source code and wonder; why wouldn’t a copy of the game suffice?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9zjrh1/eli5_why_do_video_games_need_the_original_source/
{ "a_id": [ "ea9ph5u", "ea9pict", "ea9wdfr" ], "score": [ 14, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Okay. So let's say that you want to bake a cookie just like the ones that grandma makes. You could try to eat her cookie, and then using your knowledge of baking sort of reverse engineer it, but it wou...
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[ [], [], [] ]
cfpn12
how chemical sunscreen absorbs uv ?light?
At a molecular level
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cfpn12/eli5_how_chemical_sunscreen_absorbs_uv_light/
{ "a_id": [ "eubkuvm", "eubp2a3" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Instead of physically deflecting UV light, these molecules absorb UV radiation through their chemical bonds. As the bonds absorb UV radiation, the components of thesunscreen slowly break down and release heat.\n\n~_URL_0_~",...
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[]
[ [ "livescience.com" ], [] ]
2iv3v5
why don't we breed elephants for their ivory to prevent the poaching of wild elephants?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2iv3v5/eli5_why_dont_we_breed_elephants_for_their_ivory/
{ "a_id": [ "cl5qpmc", "cl5qqeo", "cl5r51w", "cl5r7l2", "cl5rlrf", "cl5uzbg", "cl5vbmw", "cl5vdxj", "cl5voxr", "cl5vqao", "cl5wdgs", "cl5wg27", "cl5wk7s", "cl5xhqg", "cl5ys5h", "cl5yvzd", "cl6186w", "cl64kvf", "cl64owu", "cl65yg6", "c...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://nationalzoo.si.edu/SCBI/ReproductiveScience/ElephantBreedRepro/" ], [], [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_diamond", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synthetic_diamond" ], [], [], [], [], [], [], ...
2n4499
why aren't animals given a vasectomy instead of being neutered?
It seems like it would be much more humane
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2n4499/eli5_why_arent_animals_given_a_vasectomy_instead/
{ "a_id": [ "cma4llk", "cma51ev", "cmag8ij" ], "score": [ 7, 13, 2 ], "text": [ "becuase many of the animals that are neutered are neutred to change behaviour that would not change with a vasectomy and to prevent health probelsms from later devolpoing.", "Most of the time it's ...
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[]
[ [], [], [] ]
1md3zk
Anyone know why Byzantium is neglected in popular history? For as awesome as their history is, they seem to be the forgotten Empire...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1md3zk/anyone_know_why_byzantium_is_neglected_in_popular/
{ "a_id": [ "cedycxi", "cc852if", "cc889nl", "cc89q4j", "cc8i1ur" ], "score": [ 2, 52, 20, 5, 5 ], "text": [ "Come Join us at /r/Byzantium and share with us! We agree!", "Mainstream historiography was, until quite recently, dominated by the biases of western eu...
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[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
316b0r
Is Easter really a Roman Pagan tradition that celebrates fertility of nature?
I have seen this floating around the internet and especially on Reddit the last couple of days, to what extent is this true? Or not true?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/316b0r/is_easter_really_a_roman_pagan_tradition_that/
{ "a_id": [ "cpytxzi", "cpyucr5", "cpyw44j" ], "score": [ 9, 68, 7 ], "text": [ "Easter is a Christian holiday taking place in the spring commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It, like many other Christians holidays, has taken and adapted facets of various springtime holi...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C4%92ostre" ], [ "http://books.google.com/books?id=yFsw-Vaup6sC&lpg=PP1&pg=PA54#v=onepage&q&f=false" ], [] ]
10f8gf
If people's bank accounts are stored on computers, isn't it possible for someone to just go into a bank's database and manually change the values in order to create money?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/10f8gf/if_peoples_bank_accounts_are_stored_on_computers/
{ "a_id": [ "c6d1g32" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Except in particular cases, like national banks or reserve banks, banks aren't allowed to create money \"out of thin air\". Money is typically transferred into or out of accounts from other accounts, often at other banks. If you faked a transfer,...
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[ [] ]
8tpn4h
What influences did Russia have on India and/or vice versa
Hello I'm from the western hemisphere and don't much about eastern cultures. I was wondering if someone could explain to me what influences Russia had on India and/or vice versa; any topic you like from culture to society or architecture during any time periods from the 20th century back to the 17th century. Any bits ...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/8tpn4h/what_influences_did_russia_have_on_india_andor/
{ "a_id": [ "e19prm6" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "George McDonald Fraser's book Flashman in the Great Game covers the Indian/Russian/English intrigues on the subcontinent. It is fiction but nevertheless well researched and the broad backdrop to Flashman's misadventures pretty accurate. See also ...
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[]
[ [] ]
18vw9q
Would Cardinal Peter Turkson actually be the first black pope?
People have been making a big deal that Cardinal Turkson would be the first black Pope, which made me think about the early Church popes. All of the pope's portraits (on wikipedia anyway) portray them as being pale-skinned European men. But I was wondering how likely that actually was (St. Peter would have been Middl...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/18vw9q/would_cardinal_peter_turkson_actually_be_the/
{ "a_id": [ "c8igqbv" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "There have absolutely been [popes from North Africa](_URL_2_). \n\nHowever, it's likely these men were descended from the Mediterranean population of the region. [Here are some Libyan men, for comparison](_URL_0_). Take a look at the [genetic his...
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[]
[ [ "http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-110303-libya-tabbed/ss-110412-libya-week8/ss-110418-libya-02.ss_full.jpg", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetic_history_of_North_Africa", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:African_popes" ] ]
2knfjz
What is that little squiggly line that we all see float into our field of view from time to time?
It seems as if it's on the surface of the eye but I have no clue it may be internal for all I know.
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2knfjz/what_is_that_little_squiggly_line_that_we_all_see/
{ "a_id": [ "cln2ukd", "cln9f5q" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "From what I can tell, it sounds like you're referring to [floaters](_URL_0_). Essentially, they are tiny clumps that form in the jelly-like vitreous humour (within the eye) and cause shadows/refraction. They aren't all that ...
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[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floater" ], [] ]
l68l5
why do i get "chills" all over my body when i see or hear something beautiful? moreover, what are those chills and why aren't they just felt all the time?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/l68l5/eli5_why_do_i_get_chills_all_over_my_body_when_i/
{ "a_id": [ "c2q3vj7", "c2q6nr2", "c2q3vj7", "c2q6nr2" ], "score": [ 28, 2, 28, 2 ], "text": [ "Frisson is the sudden feeling of excitement. There is a subreddit for it _URL_0_\n\n\nQuoted from their sidebar \"Have you ever felt a sudden, passing sensation of excitement, a...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/Frisson/" ], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stendhal_syndrome" ], [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/Frisson/" ], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stendhal_syndrome" ] ]
nbrfk
How are water resources impacted by climate change?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/nbrfk/how_are_water_resources_impacted_by_climate_change/
{ "a_id": [ "c37uh2p", "c37uxig", "c37uh2p", "c37uxig" ], "score": [ 6, 5, 6, 5 ], "text": [ "This is a very broad question. I'll rattle off a few ways that come to mind, but a thorough answer would fill a book.\n\n- Many people get their water from glaciers; the world's gl...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
67zbaq
why does nuclear energy result in harmful radiation?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/67zbaq/eli5_why_does_nuclear_energy_result_in_harmful/
{ "a_id": [ "dguecek" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "When uranium 235 undergoes fission (nuclei splitting apart) the resulting fission products are not always stable nuclei. Some may be stable, others my decay almost instantly, but there are quite a few products that decay slowly, remaining​ ra...
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[ [] ]
cwo81i
why is it unhealthy to use phones before sleeping?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cwo81i/eli5_why_is_it_unhealthy_to_use_phones_before/
{ "a_id": [ "eydaf5n", "eydajz4", "eydbixv" ], "score": [ 5, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "The bright LCD mimics sunlight to your eyes, making your body think that its daytime and throwing off your natural sleep hormones", "The blue light from your phone and other electronics affects your...
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[ [], [], [] ]
by6pyp
why aren't we more energetic when it's very hot outside? shouldn't we have more energy because we don't have to waste it on heating our bodies up?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/by6pyp/eli5_why_arent_we_more_energetic_when_its_very/
{ "a_id": [ "eqdjts3", "eqdk2o4", "eqdlavw", "eqdu6r4", "eqeng9b", "eqf7kvn" ], "score": [ 2, 69, 3, 28, 7, 3 ], "text": [ "Maybe to a certain point but it takes a lot of energy to cool your body down and stay in a balance. Too hot and you're body can litera...
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[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
j4muq
Could the Earth get a ring?
I was just watching a lecture by Neil deGrasse Tyson, and in it, he mentioned that Saturn's rings were caused by an astral body passing so closely to the planet that it was ripped apart. I keep hearing that on November 9th, an asteroid will be passing by the earth rather closely, and another will pass even closer in 20...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/j4muq/could_the_earth_get_a_ring/
{ "a_id": [ "c293w62", "c2942iq", "c29456h" ], "score": [ 2, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Theoretically, but it would be difficult; Earth is too small for any common sort of asteroid or comet type of object to be broken up that way. See _URL_0_ \n\nThe Earth kinda has a weak ring. At 23000...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roche_limit" ], [ "http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2010/09/how-the-moon-was-formed/", "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibV4MdN5wo0&feature=related" ], [ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UT2sQ7KIQ-E" ] ]
a17c3m
what is a root of an equation?
We usually use a letter, 'x', as a variable for an equation. For example, equation x^2 - 2x + 1 = 0 has variable 'x' and one root x = 1. So, what exactly is 'x' ?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a17c3m/eli5_what_is_a_root_of_an_equation/
{ "a_id": [ "eanaead" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "The ‘root’ is the number that satisfies the equation. When solving for the root on an equation, the root is the solution. In _x+3=4_, for example, the root _x_ is 1, which is the “solution” you’re looking for. \n\nAnd the root can be assigned an...
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[ [] ]
176tx3
Coriolis effect on objects travelling between hemispheres?
I posed this question to my professor yesterday: if a rocket, say, is fired from New York and travels south across the equator, is there an initial deflection east, and then west as the object moves into the southern hemisphere? My intuition is telling me that the effects will 'cancel out,' assuming the rocket/object ...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/176tx3/coriolis_effect_on_objects_travelling_between/
{ "a_id": [ "c82tqi6" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "The deflection will indeed switch directions when the rocket crosses the equator. However, the effects will not cancel out because they are applied at different times. The result will be a rocket with a dog-leg path. The endpoint of the path w...
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[ [] ]
2j29se
what is it like to have multiple personality disorder?
I was just curious, due to the fact the I had just watched a film showing the effects.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2j29se/eli5_what_is_it_like_to_have_multiple_personality/
{ "a_id": [ "cl7pgje", "cl7phpt", "cl814qa" ], "score": [ 12, 6, 3 ], "text": [ "Though I'm not one, I dated a girl with dis-associative identity disorder for almost a year (Though the breakup was over something semi-unrelated). I asked her all the time what it was like, and she co...
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[ [], [], [] ]
4p8q60
What was the role of the French Southern Flank during the first day of the Somme offensive?
I'm asking because I'm currently writing a fictional short story based on the Somme offensive. What I really want to know is the progress that the French Sixth Army achieved during the first day. When did the French offensive begin on the first of July? Was everything as flawless as Wikipedia and other sources cl...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4p8q60/what_was_the_role_of_the_french_southern_flank/
{ "a_id": [ "d4ka6db" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Sorry for the delay, basically yes, the Wikipedia page covering the French offensive on the southern Somme front is largely accurate (honestly I haven't had time to scrutinise it but the basics are correct). The sector assaulted by the French lay...
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[ [] ]
ptpvu
How does grounding (electrically) work?
I've always imagined that it has something to do with the flow of the electricity and that you're sending the current (or part of it) into the "ground"...but I've always wanted a more full understanding.
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/ptpvu/how_does_grounding_electrically_work/
{ "a_id": [ "c3s5u17", "c3s5y7x", "c3s5ztk", "c3s76yk", "c3s7e21", "c3s9age" ], "score": [ 3, 3, 5, 2, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "Grounding is the process of connecting the body of an electric appliance to the ground potential (assumed to be zero or datum). The prin...
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[ [], [ "http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_1/chpt_3/3.html" ], [], [], [], [] ]
dgv5bg
at what level of severity does a mentally disabled person no longer realize they have a disability?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dgv5bg/eli5_at_what_level_of_severity_does_a_mentally/
{ "a_id": [ "f3eyo3f" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "This isn’t really a question that has an answer, because intellectual disability doesn’t function on a linear scale, no matter how much we try to fit it to one. There’s no IQ cutoff point for this, because our brains are far too complex for that....
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[ [] ]
py237
why do people join church cults?
Why do people go into churches that are like cults that take people away from their family members, cut them off from the world, etc, willingly. I think I would have some self control, drawing a line saying this has gone too far, what makes people loose that inner being. Reason I'm asking: girlfriends best friend wen...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/py237/eli5_why_do_people_join_church_cults/
{ "a_id": [ "c3t56yp", "c3t5i1z", "c3tih0x" ], "score": [ 6, 16, 2 ], "text": [ "Because the cults give them the feelings of belonging and security they've been looking for. *We understand you, we accept you. Your family doesn't. We hold the key to your happiness and eternal salvat...
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[]
[ [], [], [ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Fxa5NuVrqU" ] ]
4le9a1
Why isn't acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) formulated with N-acetylcysteine?
[Paracetamol toxicity](_URL_1_) seems to be a very significant public health issue--lots of overdoses leading to deaths and liver transplants. [N-acetylcysteine (NAC)](_URL_0_), used as an early "antidote" for acute toxicity, is seemingly well-tolerated, cheap, and minimally interactive with other compounds (including...
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/4le9a1/why_isnt_acetaminophen_eg_tylenol_formulated_with/
{ "a_id": [ "d3mp43b" ], "score": [ 9 ], "text": [ "I doubt anybody will be able to answer that question in a specific manner. It just hasn't come to be. It also really is not that necessary. \n\nAPAP toxicity is a significant issue but it is far from a public health crisis such as the opiate one....
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[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acetylcysteine", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paracetamol_toxicity" ]
[ [] ]
10g9mg
eli: why do i get the shivers when someone is standing behind me?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/10g9mg/eli_why_do_i_get_the_shivers_when_someone_is/
{ "a_id": [ "c6d8gaa" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "likely because you noticed them and it makes you nervous. It's the same reaction that cats get when they're scared and their hair stands up, except your hair is shorter and less dense then theirs." ] }
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[ [] ]
1vqofb
why do we still pay for phone and text messages when it could all be done over the internet?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1vqofb/eli5_why_do_we_still_pay_for_phone_and_text/
{ "a_id": [ "ceuv620" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Well, if you're stranded at a place without internet and have to call somebody, the carrier gets money.\nIf you don't want calls and texts, you buy a package with 4g. And where does the money go? To the carrier.\n\nAnswer to your real question: b...
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[ [] ]
1jyrm0
Chilean History: By Council or by Sword, By Reason or by Force?
These two thematically similar phrases, in Latin and Spanish respectively, appear on different incarnations of the Chilean coat of arms ([1](_URL_0_), [2](_URL_1_)). Does anyone know the history of these words? Why were they chosen? Why were they change? Anything else concerning the motto or the coat of arms in genera...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1jyrm0/chilean_history_by_council_or_by_sword_by_reason/
{ "a_id": [ "cbjx9og" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "The original coat of arms, approved in 1819, featured an indigenous man and woman standing above the quote with weapons in their hands (lance and bow), and due to the fact that it was drafted during the presidency of José Miguel Carrera, who many...
[]
[ "http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5a/Coat_of_arms_of_Chile_%281812-1814%29.svg", "http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/02/Coat_of_arms_of_Chile-%28Non-3D%29.svg" ]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Coat_of_arms_of_Chile_(1812-1814).svg" ] ]
o5r9s
I don't understand gravity... at all.
So I understand that we consider gravity to be the force holding us (and everything else) against the Earth. But how do we know that gravity is the force keeping the Moon in orbit and keeping the Earth in orbit around the Sun? For instance, there is X miles between the Earth and Moon that is "zero gravity". There is a ...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/o5r9s/i_dont_understand_gravity_at_all/
{ "a_id": [ "c3el2gy", "c3el3zu", "c3elih1", "c3elnex", "c3em63r" ], "score": [ 13, 7, 14, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "There is not zero gravity between the Earth and the Moon. The Earth's gravity still has a fairly strong influence there. Orbiting vehicles are in freefall, ...
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[ [], [], [ "http://www.nasa.gov/centers/glenn/shuttlestation/station/microgex.html" ], [], [] ]
eny2d7
How do depression and anxiety cause memory loss?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/eny2d7/how_do_depression_and_anxiety_cause_memory_loss/
{ "a_id": [ "feb14u1" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "[Here is a short article regarding a recent study](_URL_6_) \n\n\n\"A study, published in [*Molecular Psychiatry*](_URL_3_) and co-authored by University of Sydney scholars at the Brain and Mind Research Institute, comprised data from nearly 9,0...
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[ [ "http://www.medicaldaily.com/people-who-suffer-depression-and-anxiety-after-traumatic-brain-injury-may-have-338362", "http://www.medicaldaily.com/science-depression-biology-behind-darker-mind-299078", "http://www.medicaldaily.com/iv-drip-drug-used-during-mri-leaves-behind-toxic-metal-residue-brains-pa...
xugcu
if soiled paper is not allowed in the recycling bin, then why can paper and used beverage cans go together?
Of course, there are places that come with multiple recycling bins for different materials, but I'm talking about places that don't. What if somebody tosses in a half-finished soda and it spills all over the paper? (This should be a pretty common occurrence.)
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/xugcu/eli5_if_soiled_paper_is_not_allowed_in_the/
{ "a_id": [ "c5pp4au", "c5pr1f6" ], "score": [ 5, 3 ], "text": [ "Most municipalities allow recyclables to be grouped together to encourage recycling, because they receive more money from federal and local governments by having a large recycling program than it costs them to have the items...
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[ [], [] ]
43gacq
why do so many sci-fi aliens have british accents?
It seems like every time I see a tv show or movie where there's a humanoid alien speaking english, they invariably have a British accent. Why has this become the convention as opposed to a random assortment of accents?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/43gacq/eli5why_do_so_many_scifi_aliens_have_british/
{ "a_id": [ "czhys22", "czhyvm9", "czhzgv4", "czhzu2x", "czi093v", "czi2ed8", "czi9lhn" ], "score": [ 15, 10, 2, 2, 5, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Because people call it racist if it's anything other than british or american.\n\nSee Also: Nute Gunray and Jar ...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
2dn6ws
- why is everything in the universe always moving?
And if something were to truly stop and have no speed would it move thru time? Space-Time would move past it as it stays still, Right?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2dn6ws/eli5_why_is_everything_in_the_universe_always/
{ "a_id": [ "cjr38sj" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "There is no such thing as \"stopped\" in space because everything is relative." ] }
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[ [] ]
1meklo
Neurologically what is the difference between physical and psychological addiction?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1meklo/neurologically_what_is_the_difference_between/
{ "a_id": [ "cc8m3y3" ], "score": [ 11 ], "text": [ "It's a little easier to explain as \"chemical addiction\" versus \"behavioral addiction\" rather than physical and psychological, which are very broad ways to look at it. They are also not entirely disconnected, as you can gain behavioral addict...
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[ [] ]
47yg77
how is daemon tools used for business applications?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/47yg77/eli5_how_is_daemon_tools_used_for_business/
{ "a_id": [ "d0g7shk" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "For mounting iso/disk image on a virtual disk drive when there is no physical disk drive or perhaps there is no disk." ] }
[]
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[ [] ]
4p7eq6
Canada West - Opposition to Confederation?
I am an actor in Hamilton, Ontario and I am participating in a "reenactment" of a vote held in what would have been Canada West to join the confederation. As fate would have it, I was given the role of defending the 'NO' side of the debate (I have to play an actual character, fictional or otherwise, who was around at t...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4p7eq6/canada_west_opposition_to_confederation/
{ "a_id": [ "d4j8vzi" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "There is an older pair of books that can still be found on Amazon called **British Columbia Chronicles** by George and Helen Akrigg that covers most of the recorded debates about us joining Confederation. \n\nI am away from home so am not able to...
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[ [] ]
94zufv
When did the use of aircraft by emergency services start and what changed since these early days?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/94zufv/when_did_the_use_of_aircraft_by_emergency/
{ "a_id": [ "e3qacwd" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Although the Wright brothers did not first fly their first heavier-\nthan-air aircraft until 17 December 1903, they had been preceded by the concept of air evacuation! As early as March 1784, following the balloon flight demonstrations of the ...
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[ [] ]
1mcqdk
why does it take so long for new video game consoles to be produced?
Why does it take new video game consoles so long to be produced? Shouldn't it be as easy as replacing outdated components with better hardware that will allow games to run smoother and better? I know Microsft made some changes in the Xbox Elite but why is does it take so long for a totally upgraded console to be rele...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1mcqdk/eli5_why_does_it_take_so_long_for_new_video_game/
{ "a_id": [ "cc7xzt3", "cc7ydck" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "They have assembly lines producing the console and any changes require the assembly line to be changed & also games to be coded to take advantage of the upgraded hardware ", "Consoles are typically sold at a loss to en...
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[ [], [] ]
80y69l
how does anti-venom work, and why does it require more venom to be produced (or is this a misconception)?
Sneks, how do they work?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/80y69l/eli5_how_does_antivenom_work_and_why_does_it/
{ "a_id": [ "duz0r3s", "duza4cd", "duzdoo7", "duzmzmt", "duzrayr", "duzs937", "duzvh4s", "dv007az", "dv07904" ], "score": [ 5254, 50, 306, 83, 50, 53, 4, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Anti-venom is made by injecting small amounts of the venom co...
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[ [], [], [], [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Haast" ], [], [], [], [] ]
2j32ra
Why do elementary particles have angular momentum?
Was just reading about bosons and fermions etc. Maybe this question doesn't make sense to anyone but just was wondering what the force behind the spin is.
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2j32ra/why_do_elementary_particles_have_angular_momentum/
{ "a_id": [ "cl870ma" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "*Who knows!* I sure don't, but it's an exciting question isn't it. As far as we can tell, spin is a fundamental aspect of a particle, as much a fiber of it's being as a triangle having three sides." ] }
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[ [] ]
b6wtdv
how does supermarket sandwiches has 10days expiration date when homemade sandwiches spoils the next day?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/b6wtdv/eli5_how_does_supermarket_sandwiches_has_10days/
{ "a_id": [ "ejnimps", "ejnj29m" ], "score": [ 5, 2 ], "text": [ "Believe it or not they are usually packed in a low oxygen environment. ", "The product at the store is a lot closer to fresh than the things you bought last month and have been sitting both out and in your fridge." ] ...
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[ [], [] ]
smfqz
Would the loss of a planet in our solar system affect us(Earth) in any way?
If so, how?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/smfqz/would_the_loss_of_a_planet_in_our_solar_system/
{ "a_id": [ "c4f6dfj", "c4f6ggw", "c4f8wpa" ], "score": [ 5, 7, 4 ], "text": [ "Just ask Pluto... :'(", "Of course it would. We would lose the gravitational attraction towards that planet, which would subtly change the wobble of our orbit. It wouldn't make any noticeable chan...
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[ [], [], [] ]
10d37t
why does my ass get sore after sitting for too long? how can i prevent it?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/10d37t/why_does_my_ass_get_sore_after_sitting_for_too/
{ "a_id": [ "c6cfnd4", "c6cg0bu", "c6cgccp", "c6cgoko", "c6chhcy", "c6chhio", "c6chnob", "c6chx4m", "c6cjgj9", "c6ckaq2", "c6cl2px", "c6cm9na", "c6cmjxe", "c6cn91s", "c6cns40", "c6co1td" ], "score": [ 476, 149, 13, 63, 9, 3, ...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/10d37t/why_does_my_ass_get_sore_after_sitting_for_too/c6cjgj9", "http://www.reddit.com/user/Bedpans" ], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "www.explosm.net/comics/1944/" ], [], [], [], [], [] ]
3igima
Do we travel at the speed of light respectively to a photon?
What is the flaw in that statement?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/3igima/do_we_travel_at_the_speed_of_light_respectively/
{ "a_id": [ "cugenfo" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "Photons do not travel in a valid inertial reference frame. In every valid reference frame photons travel at the speed of light, and since a photon is not moving with respect to it's self, it wouldn't be moving at the speed of light...which it mus...
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[ [] ]
2hgkf1
Accuracy on bombs dropped on Britain during WWII? Trying to do some math on the subject.
The reason I'm asking is I'm trying to do some of the math behind the payload that is in accordance with what was dropped. Checking wikipedia it's stated that it was about 100 tonnes. Using google I get the conversion of 100000 kilos = 220462 lbs. This means that roughly 5 B-2 bombers with full payload (2 internal ba...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2hgkf1/accuracy_on_bombs_dropped_on_britain_during_wwii/
{ "a_id": [ "cksojmh" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "I'm a little confused; are you asking about the accuracy of German bombing, or the total weight of bombs dropped? If the latter, I'm not sure where you get the figure of 100 tons from, the only reference I can find on the wikipedia article on th...
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[ [ "http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/germanys-bombs-set-our-cities-and-homes-alight-but-we-carried-on-2070660.html" ] ]
aej1i0
Why is Norse mythology so similar to Greek?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/aej1i0/why_is_norse_mythology_so_similar_to_greek/
{ "a_id": [ "edpjxpg", "edpyghj", "edpzn7h" ], "score": [ 9, 25, 16 ], "text": [ "Could you please specify in what aspects they are similar?", "They are similar because the Norsemen and the Greeks were distant cousins, and their cultures derived from the same ultimate source: P...
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[ [], [ "http://gn250.pbworks.com/w/file/35414189/Language+Tree.gif" ], [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/ad0i2z/how_much_do_we_actually_know_about_the_ancient/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=usertext&utm_name=AskHistorians&utm_content=t1_eddw07y" ] ]
19v03d
Theory Thursday | Most Scathing Reviews
I'm feeling a bit provocative today, so I thought we might depart from the usual subject matter and talk about something near and dear to my heart: the art of the furiously negative book review. While hardly "theoretical" in the way that one might mean when speaking of historical theory, reviews of new work are curren...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/19v03d/theory_thursday_most_scathing_reviews/
{ "a_id": [ "c8rjeo1", "c8rkcd2", "c8rkmj7", "c8rl7bs", "c8rm03l", "c8rn7wv", "c8rnhrd", "c8rpimp", "c8rsx9a", "c8rxfbp" ], "score": [ 15, 2, 13, 16, 28, 8, 11, 7, 11, 4 ], "text": [ "I can think of some tremendous ones from r...
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[ [ "http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2013/feb/13/world-war-two-stone-review" ], [], [], [], [ "http://www.lrb.co.uk/v33/n21/pankaj-mishra/watch-this-man" ], [ "http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Britain+and+the+end+of+the+Roman+Empire.-a079026232" ], [ "http://bmcr.brynmawr.edu/1991/02.05...
32i0io
why do we cut our hair? is it purely for style and looks or is there health benefits to it?
Why did we ever start cutting hair?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/32i0io/eli5_why_do_we_cut_our_hair_is_it_purely_for/
{ "a_id": [ "cqbdtro", "cqbe9m8", "cqbedfg", "cqblchg", "cqbu367" ], "score": [ 24, 11, 19, 3, 3 ], "text": [ "The only health benefit that immediately comes to mind is cleanliness. Keeping copious amounts of hair clean is difficult, and you don't want to let it bec...
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[ [], [], [], [], [] ]