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1tls0n
stocks/shares of a company
I've always wondered how the basics of stocks worked. I understand that they're shares of a company that people buy/sell - what I don't understand is, if there's a designated amount of stocks/shares, where do the stocks people sell go before other people buy them, and how are there always stocks available for people to...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1tls0n/eli5stocksshares_of_a_company/
{ "a_id": [ "ce98tcu" ], "score": [ 9 ], "text": [ "You cannot sell without a buyer and you can't buy without a seller; this is how the price is determined. Using your example, if you want to sell 10 of your shares, but you can't find a buyer, you'll keep lowering the price until someone buys the...
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[ [] ]
tq20g
- how can a centrifuge create a vacuum?
I saw on a cooking show that you can use a centrifuge to separate the heavy components in a sauce from the water - that I get. What I didn't get was the host of the show was saying that the water was vacuumed off - and the machine itself was reading a net vacuum (14 mbar). How does this work?!
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/tq20g/eli5_how_can_a_centrifuge_create_a_vacuum/
{ "a_id": [ "c4oqury", "c4oukpp" ], "score": [ 2, 3 ], "text": [ "I could explain to you, how you can create underpressure in another container with a centrifuge, but that cook's explanation rather sounds like: Quick and half-wrong explanation that the audience will be satisfied with.\n\nW...
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[ [], [] ]
41jc1g
I read that when Napoleon attacked in 1796, the Republic of Venice had hardly any military left to defend itself. How come Venice hadn't already lost Dalmatia to the Ottomans or Lombardy-Venetia to the Habsburgs by then?
I thought establishing a connection between Tyrol and Milan was a major goal of Habsburg foreign policy, yet the Habsburg-Venetian border remained largely unchanged for 300 years or so. I'd have expected that after the War of the Spanish Succession Habsburg would pounce the moment Venice showed weakness, but apparently...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/41jc1g/i_read_that_when_napoleon_attacked_in_1796_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cz3j8qp" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "I'm confused. What happened to their army? Was it destroyed in prior battles with napoleon?" ] }
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[ [] ]
1vda8g
why has the recommended method for cpr been changed to compressions only?
When I first learned CPR, the method consisted of compressions mixed with breaths. The ratio of compressions to breaths changed sometimes over the years but you were always supposed to do both. As I understand it, compressions are to move the blood moving while breaths are supposed to keep it oxygenated. Now I've been ...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1vda8g/eli5_why_has_the_recommended_method_for_cpr_been/
{ "a_id": [ "cer35o0", "cer3zem", "cer44er" ], "score": [ 5, 3, 3 ], "text": [ "Not many people know how to properly do CPR. Because of this, research has shown that people are more likely to help someone using CPR if it's hands-only. Hence Hands-only CPR is being recommended so th...
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[ [], [], [] ]
2z0lcp
why do we get more excited for food than water, when we would die much faster without the latter?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2z0lcp/eli5_why_do_we_get_more_excited_for_food_than/
{ "a_id": [ "cpemump" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "I would expect you've never been *really* thirsty because of actual dehydration, because - trust me on this - a mud puddle next to an outhouse would taste like heaven then.\n\nUnder normal temperatures and activity levels, our bodies are crafted ...
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676p1m
Why did Mussolini, who initially had threatened Germany with war in case it tried to invade Austria in 1934, chose to abandon Austria to be annexed by Germany only four years later?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/676p1m/why_did_mussolini_who_initially_had_threatened/
{ "a_id": [ "dgoddhl" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ "Mussolini was an incredible opportunist and the pivot to Germany was due a changing political situation. \nThe first reason concerned the Italian region of South Tirol, a predominantly German speaking region that by all the rhetoric of Hitler wa...
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[ [] ]
f0f8m4
Can a kangaroo walk or must it always hop?
I've always wondered because I've never seen one walk and I've never read anything about being guitar e Hoppers but I've also noticed a few species of bird seem to only hop instead of ever walk.
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/f0f8m4/can_a_kangaroo_walk_or_must_it_always_hop/
{ "a_id": [ "fguempi", "fguf638", "fgukeoh" ], "score": [ 4, 17, 15 ], "text": [ "They balance themselves w/their tails & kinda just pull themselves along. so imagine standing on just ur heels, then putting the front of ur feet down to pull urself forward. Ur not really hopping b...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
2aaavg
why do i feel depressed after waking up after sleeping in the middle of the day?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2aaavg/eli5_why_do_i_feel_depressed_after_waking_up/
{ "a_id": [ "cit1e16", "cit1g1x", "cit1vq9", "cit2odw", "cit325m", "cit35za", "cit88ia" ], "score": [ 11, 2, 5, 3, 2, 2, 4 ], "text": [ "Loss of regimen can cause depressive thoughts. The again so can a 9 to 5 regimen. Fuck work.", "I hate the fe...
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[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
1fvdog
To what extent did ancient Italian and Germanic conquerors like the Franks and Romans replace the majority Celts of France, England, or Spain?
The cultures of Celtic regions changed considerably after roman and germanic conquests, but was that a result of depopulation and ensuing resettlement by the conquerors, or was that because the celtic people adopted the language and culture of the conquering rulers? Somewhere I heard that even after the Anglo-Saxon co...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1fvdog/to_what_extent_did_ancient_italian_and_germanic/
{ "a_id": [ "cae8zvq" ], "score": [ 11 ], "text": [ "This question is what my research centered on (the Roman-Gallic aspect). There is no record of a depopulation of Gaul following Roman conquest. Gaul was changed considerably by Roman conquest and it was mostly the result of Gauls adopting aspect...
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[]
[ [ "http://books.google.com/books/about/Becoming_Roman_The_Origins_of_Provincial.html?id=GjNaT7FMohwC" ] ]
72j6qz
movie stars training routines
Why is it when you read about movie stars training for movies that they often have routines that start at 4am in the morning? Is there a scientific reason for this? Is it because of higher testosterone levels in the morning? Or so they can get in two workouts per day? Or is it just a simple matter of having busy sched...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/72j6qz/eli5_movie_stars_training_routines/
{ "a_id": [ "dnj7eqt" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "I can't speak to the physical benefits, but movie stars have to work out early because their shooting schedule is dictated by the sun. They have to do it before sunrise otherwise they might not get the chance. " ] }
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[ [] ]
878itg
How does the ISS handle debris on its solar panels? How often does the ISS get hit with debris?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/878itg/how_does_the_iss_handle_debris_on_its_solar/
{ "a_id": [ "dwb5i6a", "dwb5k30", "dwb747l", "dwbhj42", "dwbj7r2" ], "score": [ 8, 5, 14, 39, 3 ], "text": [ "The panels are designed so that damage to a small area only takes out the small area - like a Texas stop sign with a couple of bullet holes, it's still doin...
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[]
[ [ "https://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/A:1015607813420" ], [ "http://www.davidreneke.com/whats-the-fastest-way-to-die-in-space/" ], [], [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low_Earth_orbit#Space_debris" ] ]
hcwdo
Why are screens (CRT, LCD, Plasma, etc...) black when off?
Any level of answer would be appreciated: Why aren't screens some other color? _Can_ they be some other color?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/hcwdo/why_are_screens_crt_lcd_plasma_etc_black_when_off/
{ "a_id": [ "c1ufpm1", "c1ufzxp" ], "score": [ 11, 3 ], "text": [ "They are black to maximize contrast for all three color channels (red, green, blue).\n\nThe screens you are talking about use [emitted light](_URL_1_), as opposed to [reflected light](_URL_0_), like paper or e-paper (e.g. t...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subtractive_color", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Additive_color" ], [] ]
10etcd
Which cools my morning coffee faster? Pouring my creamer in slowly or quickly?
Should I be slowly trickling my chilled creamer in or splashing it in like an Irish car bomb (minus the shot glass) to drop the temperature faster?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/10etcd/which_cools_my_morning_coffee_faster_pouring_my/
{ "a_id": [ "c6cum6f", "c6cuoll" ], "score": [ 9, 9 ], "text": [ "Assuming you'd be done with both procedures at the same time wait as long as you can, then drop in the milk.\n\nBecause of the greater temperature differential the coffee will cool faster without the milk in it.", "The ...
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[ [], [] ]
2x6pfq
how does a popular website like _url_0_ get away with caller id spoofing and call recording when it is illegal in the united states?
So TIL that Caller ID spoofing is illegal in the United States [(Source)](_URL_0_) and I've known that call recording is illegal in a lot of states. I remembered theres a website called _URL_1_ which utilizes call recording and caller ID spoofing, so ELI5, how do they get away with this?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2x6pfq/eli5_how_does_a_popular_website_like_prankdialcom/
{ "a_id": [ "coxe4ut", "coxnbvh" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Because they are located outside of the US. Caller ID is a series of tones that are sent between the first and second ring. If you have an old analog phone, and you pick it up in the middle of the first ring, you can hear a ...
[ "PrankDial.com" ]
[ "https://www.fcc.gov/guides/caller-id-and-spoofing", "prankdial.com" ]
[ [], [] ]
2vwpur
why do some eateries and gas stations have a "if you don't get a receipt at the time of your purchase, your food is free" policy? do people actually demand free goods upon not receiving a receipt?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2vwpur/eli5_why_do_some_eateries_and_gas_stations_have_a/
{ "a_id": [ "coljkv9", "coljmeb", "coloudb", "colyfzk", "com3p5j" ], "score": [ 20, 6, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "It forces the employees to generate a receipt which means it forces the employees to add something to the records about this purchase.\n\nAn absentee owner o...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [ "http://youtu.be/CRjphtHxxFg" ] ]
1s02uf
what are conservative critics actually implying about benghazi?
I've been wondering trying to figure this out for more than a year. What exactly are conservatives implying about Benghazi? It's never been clear. I'm not sure I understand. They seem to be implying...something. Maybe one of these things: 1. COVER-UP: Someone is covering up....something. What? We're never told. They j...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1s02uf/eli5_what_are_conservative_critics_actually/
{ "a_id": [ "cdsldgd", "cdsljt6", "cdslkcu" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Blaming it on some youtube video was ridiculous. It happened because of targeted killings by JSOC. The truth is Obama has had more people killed under his command then Bush did. ", "Mostly accus...
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[ [], [], [] ]
xcxoy
why did hitler think blonde-haired blue-eyed people were genetically dominant when he had neither of those traits?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/xcxoy/eli5_why_did_hitler_think_blondehaired_blueeyed/
{ "a_id": [ "c5laet8", "c5lb721", "c5lbyr1", "c5lc577", "c5lc61o", "c5lc8s6", "c5lchc0", "c5lckj9", "c5lcmfv", "c5lcmq2", "c5lcp14", "c5lcpw6", "c5lcy9f", "c5ld9fq", "c5ld9sc", "c5ldmaz", "c5le5fk", "c5le7yh", "c5leppw", "c5lexgn", "c...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
2bil82
why does a page that failed to load end up loading as soon as you hit the back button?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2bil82/eli5_why_does_a_page_that_failed_to_load_end_up/
{ "a_id": [ "cj5o2mx" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "The browser is waiting for all the data to finish transferring before it renders it. Hitting back stops the transfer and it renders the page. If you hit the stop button it would have the same effect. " ] }
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[ [] ]
3c7klo
why doesn't the un just bomb isis back to the stone age?
Excuse me for this naive question. But how come that the US, the arabic league etc. don't use all their force to annihilate these subhumans? Is it because they are hard to kill off completely? Or do they simply not care enough because it would be too expensive anyway? Or are they scared about people crying over collate...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3c7klo/eli5_why_doesnt_the_un_just_bomb_isis_back_to_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cssyh0t", "cst04zo", "cstduuy" ], "score": [ 22, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Well, problem 1 is that the UN doesn't actually have military forces to do the bombing. But we'll leave that aside.\n\nThe real issue is that, as we saw in Iraq and Afghanistan, just bombing terrorists...
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[ [], [], [] ]
2y7irs
why, when i get a zit on my nasal septum, does it hurt so much?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2y7irs/eli5_why_when_i_get_a_zit_on_my_nasal_septum_does/
{ "a_id": [ "cp6yxg4" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Because your pain receptors are highly concentrated there, since it's an important part of your body. More pain receptors = more pain. " ] }
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[ [] ]
6zkhdj
why do most stds spread via sexual intercourse and not through other actions like making out?
EDIT: Okay, I should clarify. I understand what STD stands for, I'm asking what exactly causes them to spread. Is the disease in the sexual fluids? If so, then do they spread if it's swallowed? Do they spread because the fluids get into the blood stream through genitalia acting as a semipermeable membrane and soaking u...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6zkhdj/eli5why_do_most_stds_spread_via_sexual/
{ "a_id": [ "dmvyd7l", "dmvytz1", "dmw2vdy" ], "score": [ 2, 3, 6 ], "text": [ "A bunch of STDs only spread through blood & sexual fluids, but not saliva. So most STDs won't be transferred through kissing unless your mouth or lips are bleeding somewhere. ", " > Why do most S...
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[]
[ [], [], [] ]
4zg9y2
why do scientist focuses outer space discovery rather than exploring the sea bottom?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4zg9y2/eli5why_do_scientist_focuses_outer_space/
{ "a_id": [ "d6vkhmd", "d6vlk8g" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "It is actually easier to explore space and mars than it is to explore the sea bottom. Water pressure is that big of a hinderance and a threat. ", "There are scientist that study the oceans. Oceanography is the study of t...
[]
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[ [], [] ]
26qqwh
amicus curiae briefs
I know they can benefit 3rd parties in court cases. But how do they do this and what are they in simple terms?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/26qqwh/eli5_amicus_curiae_briefs/
{ "a_id": [ "chtkgsv", "chtmx6l" ], "score": [ 3, 3 ], "text": [ "\"Are you not actually involved in the case at hand?\"\n\n\"Do you want to show off to your political partners that you have an active interest in how this country is run?\"\n\n\"Do you want to put those evil activist judges...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
3602ih
where did the southern stereotype of a "hick" or "redneck" come from/start
It seems like historically white southerners were seen as very high class and posh, when did they begin to be considered "white trash"?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3602ih/eli5_where_did_the_southern_stereotype_of_a_hick/
{ "a_id": [ "cr9frdy" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "I read somewhere (I believe it was a TIL) that the term 'Redneck' came from striking coal miners in Appalachian Mountains because they wore red bandanas around their necks as a sign of protest. " ] }
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[ [] ]
xpbj9
Could an STD ever become extinct?
Could a disease that is spread person to person ie. an std ever be eliminated due to ppl not transmitting it to one another for a substantial period of time.
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/xpbj9/could_an_std_ever_become_extinct/
{ "a_id": [ "c5oque7" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "In most cases no the bacteria or virus normally lives in animals as a similar strain to humans. \n\nIt rather depends on whether or not humans are the only reservoir for the disease in many cases this isn't true such as chlamydia and HIV which ar...
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[ [] ]
6f40r7
why islam if often linked with acts of terrorism?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6f40r7/eli5_why_islam_if_often_linked_with_acts_of/
{ "a_id": [ "dif86l1", "dif89e1", "dif8e4c", "dif8ex6" ], "score": [ 4, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Their \"perfect words of God\" beliefs are incompatible with an evolving society.\n\nthe Quran orders muslims to spread and transform the world into a Caliphate.\n\nBecause most mu...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "https://www.thereligionofpeace.com/pages/quran/violence.aspx" ], [] ]
6kfabs
how do reddit bots like the "autotldr" bot work? how can it summarize a news article?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6kfabs/eli5_how_do_reddit_bots_like_the_autotldr_bot/
{ "a_id": [ "djlof0n" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "The bot's comments have a FAQ which should answer your question.\nIt rates the importance of sentences based on the frequency of words used." ] }
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[ [] ]
aahk9i
How does forensics find one small sample of DNA in a pool of larger DNA?
Sorry for formatting and my lack of knowledge regarding appropriate terminology. You’ll hear about things like a perps blood being mixed in with a victims blood or during rape exams swabbing the victims mouth for the rapists DNA. In both these cases there’s likely only trace amounts of the DNA the police are actually...
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/aahk9i/how_does_forensics_find_one_small_sample_of_dna/
{ "a_id": [ "ecwb1yw" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "They use a technique called PCR to drastically increase the amount of genetic material they have to work with this can then be analysed using a variety of techniques, such as either full or partial sequencing.\nPartial sequencing is far more comm...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.rse.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/DES4928_2_Law-primers-reports_DNA-analysis_WEB.pdf" ] ]
c0nyec
I'm living in Ancient Rome and I just murdered someone. What chances do I have of getting caught?
Title really says it all. Was here any real crime solving at all? What happened if I was caught as a citizen, a freedman or non citizen etc?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/c0nyec/im_living_in_ancient_rome_and_i_just_murdered/
{ "a_id": [ "er8s1v9" ], "score": [ 9 ], "text": [ "To answer this I should start with a quote:\n\n > “During the Roman republic murder was not a crime…republican Romans had neither the capacity nor the inclination to make the essentially private act of malicious and intentional homicide an offens...
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[ [] ]
9zzwso
how all romaine lettuce could be contaminated and not just lettuce from one or two farms or producers?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9zzwso/eli5_how_all_romaine_lettuce_could_be/
{ "a_id": [ "eadaw7e", "eadb8lp", "eadfi0v" ], "score": [ 4, 12, 2 ], "text": [ "The hard part is finding which sources were producing contaminated lettuce. The resulting disease is serious enough that it justifies proactively recalling all romaine lettuce until the issue is found...
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[ [], [], [] ]
8vdqmj
how is a 5000 pages long deal like the tpp constructed?
When a document contains that many pages, how many people work on it and organize it? Is there one poor person who has to read through the whole end product?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8vdqmj/eli5_how_is_a_5000_pages_long_deal_like_the_tpp/
{ "a_id": [ "e1mmuxl", "e1n43jv" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Hundreds of lawyers are collaborating to write up a deal like that. And yes, when they compose the end product, they will laboriously read through the entire thing and make sure it's all right. ", "The negotiations of th...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://ustr.gov/trade-agreements/free-trade-agreements/trans-pacific-partnership/round-1-melbourne", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Office_of_the_United_States_Trade_Representative", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trans-Pacific_Partnership_negotiations" ] ]
22kdo8
how do we know that people with amnesia aren't faking it?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/22kdo8/eli5_how_do_we_know_that_people_with_amnesia/
{ "a_id": [ "cgnoppr", "cgnoyzy", "cgnqk5d", "cgnwlp8", "cgo32sb" ], "score": [ 46, 5, 5, 8, 2 ], "text": [ "Very simply, we don't know for 100%. We can look at damage done, and brain scans, and see that there is a good chance that they have suffered from it, but we...
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[]
[ [], [], [], [ "http://www.ohsu.edu/blogs/brain/2013/02/08/concussion-symptoms-treatment/" ], [] ]
24aq8m
when you hear "man accused of sex and drug trafficking found dead in jail cell", how do the inmates know what the guy was guilty of? couldn't he have easily lied to protect himself?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/24aq8m/eli5_when_you_hear_man_accused_of_sex_and_drug/
{ "a_id": [ "ch591o0" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Yes, could have lied. But, the crime is public record." ] }
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[ [] ]
jf60p
Question about semen/proteins
Sorry for the juvenile post, but I am genuinely curious about why this happens. So I've noticed that when I take a piss after ejaculation, my piss tends to be more 'frothy' with the presence of bubbles that linger for a lot longer than usual. I figured this is just the last remnants of semen that are in the water. W...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/jf60p/question_about_semenproteins/
{ "a_id": [ "c2bldsr", "c2bldsr" ], "score": [ 3, 3 ], "text": [ "Do you happen to suffer any of the symptoms of [retrograde ejaculation](_URL_0_)?\n\nHere's a [wiki link](_URL_1_) to the composition of human semen. Although I can't possibly come up with the mechanism you ask for, from th...
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[]
[ [ "http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002261/", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semen#Composition_of_human_semen" ], [ "http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002261/", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semen#Composition_of_human_semen" ] ]
9ecq3k
how do we know that our calendar is accurate?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9ecq3k/eli5_how_do_we_know_that_our_calendar_is_accurate/
{ "a_id": [ "e5nu5gf", "e5nwnsg", "e5nwplt" ], "score": [ 8, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "The winter and summer solstices are easily known, so could be used to keep calendars on track. Besides, religious/mystic people even 2000 years ago would keep track. ", "The calendar is based on th...
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[ [], [], [] ]
42ntsa
at what point, if any, are humans affected by electromagnetism?
Humans run via a series of (weak) electrical currents, I know this much. I'm curious to know if there's a point in which electromagnetism will affect the human muscle/nervous system, if at all.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/42ntsa/eli5at_what_point_if_any_are_humans_affected_by/
{ "a_id": [ "czbp908" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "There are many different kinds of EM waves, distinguished by frequency (or wavelength, which is directly caused by frequency).\n\nHigh frequency waves like X-rays can give you cancer or kill you.\n\nSomewhat high frequency waves like ultraviolet ...
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[ [] ]
1vd20j
how do cancer awareness walks or "walk for the cure" type of events actually help to cure people of cancer?
I'm constantly seeing these cancer walks, or other illness walks such as for juvenile diabetes. All of these people walk a bunch of miles and the organizations themselves promote these walks a ton. How does getting a bunch of people to walk around together help to cure or treat someone's disease?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1vd20j/how_do_cancer_awareness_walks_or_walk_for_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cer0tid", "cer74xm" ], "score": [ 6, 3 ], "text": [ "Two ways it helps:\n\n* It raises awareness. A lot of cancer can be less dangerous if people take some efforts to get tested. Seeings these events makes people think about it, which definitely saves lives.\n* It raises mon...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
d2umrn
why does heat relax our muscles but makes meat tense up?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/d2umrn/eli5_why_does_heat_relax_our_muscles_but_makes/
{ "a_id": [ "ezwwohp", "ezx1go0" ], "score": [ 5, 3 ], "text": [ "At that temperature your meat will also tense up lol. To answer your question. A little heat increases blood flow. Muscles become relaxed as a result. Intense heat dehydrates meat and makes it tougher", "A hot tub is abo...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
266ipn
why do advertisers(?) even bother posting ridiculous ads on the internet?
I just don't understand why someone would go through the trouble of spending money to make an advertisement that is something along the lines of "Doctors *hate* him" or "6 Simple Tricks to Increase the Size of your [genitals]"? Isn't there a clear public consensus that no one should click on these ads? If it is as cl...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/266ipn/eli5_why_do_advertisers_even_bother_posting/
{ "a_id": [ "cho4nzz", "cho4rgm" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "There is a sucker born every minute. ", "These types of ads probably don't work on many of the people who see them, but the people they do work on can be a lucrative market.\n\nFor example, what if you could get $20 from...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
33e5eh
Is there any known correlation between the European witch hunts of the 16th-17th centuries, and the psychedelic properties of Ergot of Rye?
I remember seeing something long ago that suggested a possible connection, something about the areas that experienced the greatest hysteria being ripe for ergot of rye? Possibly a ridiculous question, but curiosity got the better of me.
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/33e5eh/is_there_any_known_correlation_between_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cqkbejz" ], "score": [ 12 ], "text": [ "This is not a ridiculous question.\n\nIt is the central theme of Mary Kilbourne Matossian's book *Poisons of the Past: Molds, Epidemics, and History* published in 1989 by Yale - although psychedelic properties are only a fraction of the symptoms...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.jstor.org/stable/42567080" ] ]
3lukjy
How and why were Biblical names changed into their Anglicized versions?
Many Biblical names were changed to more Anglicized versions, and a lot of them are commonly used in the Anglosphere today. Abraham's real name was Avraham, and his sons were Yitzhak and Yaakov, not Isaac and Jacob. Moses was in fact named Moshe. Other examples include Jonathan (Yonatan), Benjamin (Binyamin), Jesse (Yi...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3lukjy/how_and_why_were_biblical_names_changed_into/
{ "a_id": [ "cv9hqat", "cv9i55t", "cva2vbd" ], "score": [ 2, 6, 2 ], "text": [ "hi.. you might get something out of these related posts\n\n* [Luke is short for Lucas. Why does the bible Luke only have the short form?](_URL_1_) - /u/vhcngh traces John, Jonathan, Luke, Mark and Matth...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2wwxw6/was_jesus_a_common_name_when_the_biblical_jesus/", "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2v2r84/luke_is_short_for_lucas_why_does_the_bible_luke/", "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2gw7a4/biblical_names_like_johnpaulgabr...
7ptt42
Why does James Webb Space Telescope needs to be in L2 lagrangian point? What are the benefits other we don’t worry about losing orbit...
Edit - other than we don’t need to worry about losing orbit time to time ..
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/7ptt42/why_does_james_webb_space_telescope_needs_to_be/
{ "a_id": [ "dskf42g", "dsptare" ], "score": [ 11, 2 ], "text": [ "Thermal control. In Low Earth Orbit (LEO), you don't only have to worry about the Sun heating your satellite, but also *Earth itself* reflects 39% of sunlight and emits infrared at the same time. James Webb is designed to o...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.stsci.edu/jwst/overview/design/orbit" ], [] ]
17nfy8
What would a typical meal have looked like 5000 years ago?
Of course it would have to be region specific, but what I'm really getting at is that I've been told that nearly everything we currently eat has been super-domesticated over thousands of years. Every grain, veggie, fruit, meat, etc. If we went back to, say, the Sumerians, what did they have to work with, and do we ha...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/17nfy8/what_would_a_typical_meal_have_looked_like_5000/
{ "a_id": [ "c87bicb", "c87chte", "c8754fz", "c8768ha" ], "score": [ 5, 10, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Since there seems to be a lot this going on--try to post a little more than just a link. Further analysis, or even a TL;DR would be great.", "The Archaic people of the America...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlatl", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amaranth", "http://www.llamapack.com/text/guides.html", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oryzopsis_hymenoides" ], [ "http://www.foodtimeline.org/foodfaq3.html" ], [ "http://www.archaeolink.com/ancient_egyptian_...
c9h6ws
Since the distance between earth and moon varies a lot, what is keeping the moon from breaking free from the gravitational pull of the earth? Or either crashing into the earth?
Eventually the spell would break, wouldn't it? Which way would it go: away or towards earth? And how long could that take?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/c9h6ws/since_the_distance_between_earth_and_moon_varies/
{ "a_id": [ "et02n7x" ], "score": [ 15 ], "text": [ "Orbits can be elliptical as well as circular - look up the orbit of Sedna, a large Kuiper Belt object. Orbits are determined by both speed and distance. As an orbiting body gets closer to the gravitational source, it speeds up. This extra speed ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
3j60ba
why do vitamins taste so gross and are so large compared to other pills?
Seriously, I gag at least twice a week while trying to swallow my multi-vitamin.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3j60ba/eli5_why_do_vitamins_taste_so_gross_and_are_so/
{ "a_id": [ "cumliij", "cumnmyi", "cumoo5k" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Because they contain 100 times more content than the average pill, all those vitamins put together start to add up. ", "my tip for swallowing pills? Push your tongue against the back of your front ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
bpkuiu
why do hangovers get worse as we age?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bpkuiu/eli5_why_do_hangovers_get_worse_as_we_age/
{ "a_id": [ "enuen8c", "enugd9e", "enujo93", "enuwl84", "enuxf5f", "enuzgyz", "env1coi", "env2c15", "env2w9e", "env30x0", "env8rjn", "env9630", "envaqvi", "envh6iz", "enw9jlb", "enwghfs", "enwluup" ], "score": [ 67, 10, 1875, 322,...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
7n28r5
Why is the useful life of a smoke detector only 10 years?
Given the half-life of the radioactive source is FAR greater than that, shouldn't these work for far longer (barring other causes of failure)? Or have smoke detectors been engineered to perform within specific tolerances for only 10 years (i.e. planned obsolescence)?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/7n28r5/why_is_the_useful_life_of_a_smoke_detector_only/
{ "a_id": [ "drz854n", "drznido", "drzt12g" ], "score": [ 14, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "From the [New York Times](_URL_0_):\n\nResults of a Canadian Study\n\nThere has not been much research into problems of aging detectors. But one Canadian study, completed in the early 80's, found that ...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.nytimes.com/1990/09/29/style/consumer-s-world-how-long-do-smoke-detectors-last.html" ], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Americium-241" ], [] ]
5jyyjr
Has alcohol ever been illegal before the prohibition era in America or Europe ?
Yesterday me and my brother were having a conversation about marijuana being illegal I found it really surprising that marijuana is still illegal throughout most of the world despite the scientific evidence suggesting that is safer than alcohol later he went on saying that it was the same thing with alcohol. I told him...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/5jyyjr/has_alcohol_ever_been_illegal_before_the/
{ "a_id": [ "dbk0xay", "dbkepje" ], "score": [ 5, 12 ], "text": [ "I apologize for my English and grammar for is not my first language thank u", "Both before and after the duration of the Volstead Act, which prohibited alcohol in the entirety of the United States, there have been state...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
4o00pe
What is the coldest temperature in the known universe?
[deleted]
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/4o00pe/what_is_the_coldest_temperature_in_the_known/
{ "a_id": [ "d48pud6" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "The lowest temperature in the Universe is actually [man-made](_URL_0_). The ambient temperature of \"empty space\" is actually about 2.7 degrees above absolute zero. This is the current temperature of the [cosmic microwave background radiation](_...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://ltl.tkk.fi/wiki/LTL/World_record_in_low_temperatures", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmic_microwave_background" ] ]
1ube72
How does sunscreen work? Is sunburn actually a literal burn, or is that just a colloquialism?
I started to read Wikipedia, and it sounds like sunburn is caused by UV light damaging the DNA, is that the same thing that happens when I burn my hand on the stove? In both cases, the burn remains warm to the touch for hours or days. I've been told this is because the heat is still burning my body on the inside, but I...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1ube72/how_does_sunscreen_work_is_sunburn_actually_a/
{ "a_id": [ "ceget10", "cegev0c" ], "score": [ 3, 7 ], "text": [ "No, a burn caused by a hot object damages tissue in a different way, denaturing proteins and killing cells. The heat that you feel on the surface of both kinds of \"burn\" is due to the inflammation response, as you'd guesse...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9u0a69l0mCY/TgxCf_4IEhI/AAAAAAAAJjk/O0RdxlTbawk/s1600/FileUV%2Band%2BVis%2BSunscreen-700193.jpg" ] ]
1vyc5y
why can i become so cold so fast, but take so long to warm back up?
I left my toasty apartment to take out the trash in 6 degree (F) weather and my face and hands almost instantly froze. My face stayed tingly and my fingers stiff for a good 10 minutes after returning to my apartment. I was only outside for about 90 seconds!
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1vyc5y/eli5_why_can_i_become_so_cold_so_fast_but_take_so/
{ "a_id": [ "cewxn73" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Because your body needs to burn a specific kind of fat called brown fat. It is called that because it has a lot of mitochondria, the energy factories of cells. Another factor is that your body mostly cares about keeping your core up to 98.6, your...
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[]
[ [] ]
af22fd
Is there the same concern with overprescribing antivirals as there is with antibiotics? Like the resistance? If so, why have I never heard of it being an issue?
I know it happens with HIV, but like you don’t here about drug resistant viruses the way you hear about like MRSA.
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/af22fd/is_there_the_same_concern_with_overprescribing/
{ "a_id": [ "edyzuig", "ee2jm3r" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Yes, it occurs with other viruses. Consider the case of herpes simplex ([_URL_2_](_URL_2_)), hepatitis B ([_URL_0_](_URL_0_)), hepatitis C ([_URL_1_](_URL_1_))... Selection pressures create the need for viruses to develop re...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29740207", "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29404466", "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27025259" ], [] ]
177un9
Can you deafen an insect?
My limited understanding on the subject leads me to believe that many insects have small flaps of skin that can cover a large portion of their body that operate similar to how our ear drums do. Is this the case? And if so, can you make an insect deaf with loud noise or noise from a specific frequency?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/177un9/can_you_deafen_an_insect/
{ "a_id": [ "c8315vj" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "It is called a tympanum. The membrane can be damaged by a loud noise or mechanically. I once did an experiment related to mate location that required making cricket's deaf by damaging the tympanum. I don't know anything about a specific frequency...
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[ [] ]
2cf3qj
how did geese learn they can cross the road and cars will stop for them?
Every time I see a family of geese crossing the road, I fear that some one will get impatient and run them over. Yet the geese continue on waddling at their pace and cars wait until they've successfully crossed the road. Are geese dumb? Do they have no fear of cars? How did geese learn they can cross the road with co...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2cf3qj/eli5_how_did_geese_learn_they_can_cross_the_road/
{ "a_id": [ "cjetu5b", "cjetzf8", "cjeusgq", "cjev0jx", "cjevmcp", "cjewh8k", "cjex7zz", "cjexuq8" ], "score": [ 3, 39, 13, 6, 2, 2, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "how did YOU learn it was OK to cross the road?\n\n\none goose takes the plunge......the ot...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
7y8mow
how lighting a fire on a candle pulls so much wax out of your ear.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7y8mow/eli5how_lighting_a_fire_on_a_candle_pulls_so_much/
{ "a_id": [ "duefv52" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ "The simple answer is that they don't do that. All residue that you can see in them are from the candles themselves.\n\nFor more info read this: _URL_0_\n\nThey don't produce any negative pressure so nothing cat be pulled out and if the did pull t...
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[]
[ [ "https://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/candling.html" ] ]
1l2tfx
what raw materials/ingredients are used to make antidepressants.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1l2tfx/eli5what_raw_materialsingredients_are_used_to/
{ "a_id": [ "cbv8040" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "The process of synthesizing a medication starts with some commercially available reagent which is acted on in various ways to create the desired molecule.\n\nWhat that initial reagent depends entirely on the drug in question. For example, citalop...
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[]
[ [ "http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/catalog/product/aldrich/647187?lang=en&region=US" ] ]
6qvksf
when things are loading on my computer, why does the status bar often jump quickly to 99% and then stay there for a long time?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6qvksf/eli5_when_things_are_loading_on_my_computer_why/
{ "a_id": [ "dl0a5dl", "dl0a7wa", "dl0f3ec", "dl0jebw" ], "score": [ 4, 47, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "Status bars show how much of a process has been completed, not how long each individual task takes. The increments of a status bar are not based on the time it will take, because...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
3rqq35
Iceland is remote and sparsely populated. Why does it have such a large medieval literary corpus?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3rqq35/iceland_is_remote_and_sparsely_populated_why_does/
{ "a_id": [ "cwqox3g", "cwqpj8e", "cwqq128", "cwqq6nv" ], "score": [ 191, 15, 8, 6 ], "text": [ "Icelandic historian Jón Viðar Sigurðsson gives three reasons for the saga-writing of the Icelandic aristocracy:\n\n* To create and maintain social differences between chieftains...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03468759508579302?journalCode=shis20", "https://books.google.is/books?id=Ds1wxJSGjQUC&pg=PA77&lpg=PA77&dq=j%C3%B3n+vi%C3%B0ar+negotiating&source=bl&ots=LzawOGaqLm&sig=q8NaN3V1ckAejwW1KyY8heL-WHU&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CDAQ6AEwA2oVChM...
eyh4ri
what is starbucks's value proposition/competitive advantage? and how did that enable it to launch products in stores?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/eyh4ri/eli5_what_is_starbuckss_value/
{ "a_id": [ "fghazx1" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Starbucks no longer has to compete as heavily in the value proposition. They exist in a space where they basically promote \"you get what you pay for\" to justify paying more. Additionally, when they first arrived they offered something new and u...
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[ [] ]
318tnj
how can getting a vasectomy not be 100% effective birth control?
In the [comments section](_URL_0_) of a post it was pointed out that a paternity test might still be warranted because a vasectomy is not 100% possible. How could a vasectomy (assuming it was done correctly) leave any chance of fathering a child?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/318tnj/eli5_how_can_getting_a_vasectomy_not_be_100/
{ "a_id": [ "cpzdf16", "cpzdgcq", "cpzdhco", "cpzdl8j", "cpzf1cb", "cpzod7z", "cpzogx6" ], "score": [ 3, 7, 12, 2, 8, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Not all vasectomies succeed. You might even do the after-test and find no viable sperm cells, but what if the doc...
[]
[ "http://www.reddit.com/r/AdviceAnimals/comments/316mir/she_confessed_while_i_was_packing_my_stuff/" ]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
1sbsno
Does putting two engines on the same aircraft give it double the thrust?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1sbsno/does_putting_two_engines_on_the_same_aircraft/
{ "a_id": [ "cdw09kr" ], "score": [ 10 ], "text": [ "Yes, thrust will double so long as the engines are far enough apart to avoid interacting with each other. Acceleration, top speed and other proformance indicators will not double and may even decreace due to the added weight and drag of a second...
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[ [] ]
5897dq
what allows media outlets to blatantly lie?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5897dq/eli5_what_allows_media_outlets_to_blatantly_lie/
{ "a_id": [ "d8yn4hy" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "To quote Amendment 1 of the Bill of Rights directly:\n**Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people ...
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[ [] ]
4yvm9j
Why did the Greeks not adapt/improve the phalanx a la the Romans' maniple?
Recently I have been listening to the [History of Rome](_URL_0_) podcast, and Rome has just recently defeating some of the Greek city-states. From what I have listened to and learned, the Romans started with the Greek phalanx system, but improved upon it as needed against different enemies. The Greeks though, had been ...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4yvm9j/why_did_the_greeks_not_adaptimprove_the_phalanx_a/
{ "a_id": [ "d6r3lrx", "d6r6wju" ], "score": [ 2, 8 ], "text": [ "The construction of Greek armies chanced significantly over the history of ancient Greek civilization. I'm not an expert but the AskHistorians podcast produced by this subbreddit made an episode that deals heavily with this...
[]
[ "http://thehistoryofrome.typepad.com/" ]
[ [ "http://askhistorians.libsyn.com/askhistorians-podcast-060-hoplite-warfare-and-the-battle-of-nemea" ], [] ]
14vadf
Any historians interested in music know about the beginnings of the blues?
Love the genre but have no idea about how it got started, where it comes from, etc.
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/14vadf/any_historians_interested_in_music_know_about_the/
{ "a_id": [ "c7gr4xv" ], "score": [ 12 ], "text": [ "Alright then. This is going to take a while. When africans were first shipped to the usa during the slave trade they brought their musical traditions with them. Specifically polyrhythmic music. Drums were banned by the authorities because of the...
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[]
[ [] ]
bus1tq
how does smoking or drinking coffee affect your digestive system?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bus1tq/eli5_how_does_smoking_or_drinking_coffee_affect/
{ "a_id": [ "epgnzcu", "epgp432", "epgxtuy" ], "score": [ 2, 17, 4 ], "text": [ "Constricts your blood vessels and causes your heart to pump faster, which speeds everything up", "I highly recommend against smoking coffee. It's possibly much worse for you than drinking it.", ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
dj0p0w
how do scientists know exactly what happens inside of our bodies while we’re alive?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dj0p0w/eli5_how_do_scientists_know_exactly_what_happens/
{ "a_id": [ "f4052wy", "f405pk3" ], "score": [ 10, 2 ], "text": [ "Nazi scientists did a lot of very unethical experiments that would never be allowed. Information was still gained. People dont like to talk about that though", "We don't, that's what makes it hard.\n\nThere are a number...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
5fjdkz
why do we have nerves in our teeth? wouldn't a tooth ache that hinders our ability to eat end up being a disadvantage for survival?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5fjdkz/eli5_why_do_we_have_nerves_in_our_teeth_wouldnt_a/
{ "a_id": [ "dakmfnm", "dakmjxi", "dakr7zi" ], "score": [ 12, 3, 4 ], "text": [ "If you have a tooth ache caused by an infection, how would you know if you didn't feel it? that infection would go untreated and become more dangerous. ", "Well we kind of don't know. There's reall...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-evolutionary-reason-for-teeth-to-have-nerves" ], [] ]
20faum
why does my 4g phone handle the internet better than my damn home connection?
I pay a pretty penny for internet at home. While admittedly the computer in question is picking up on my home wifi signal, I feel like there shouldn't ever be a gif that loads MUCH smoother on my phone than my pc.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/20faum/eli5_why_does_my_4g_phone_handle_the_internet/
{ "a_id": [ "cg2o6ij" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "How many MBPS are you paying for? DSL, Cable, Fiber?" ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
1jta2d
why don't any auto manufacturers make any "baseline" automobiles, which are only what is necessary to put on the road & sell at an extremely low price?
It seems like an ugly, simplistic, "A-B" car shouldn't be too difficult or expensive to create. I have ridden the bus for a LONG time because I cannot justify paying so much for something so overpriced. What gives?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1jta2d/eli5_why_dont_any_auto_manufacturers_make_any/
{ "a_id": [ "cbi23p8", "cbi24ff", "cbi258x", "cbi25vb", "cbi2dl2", "cbi7dsd", "cbii9f3", "cbikcqw" ], "score": [ 15, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Because such a company would be instantly priced out of the market by preowned cars. There'...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
1isq7c
Why can we not use airconditioners to heat the house in winter?
You'd have to re-purpose it, but basically what I'm thinking is blow the heat generated from the compression and exhaust the cold from the evaporator. Obviously the a/c would be designed differently than a cooling unit so that it stays compressed longer and evaporates at a different rate to manage heat transfer, but is...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1isq7c/why_can_we_not_use_airconditioners_to_heat_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cb7xbem", "cb7y5eb" ], "score": [ 15, 3 ], "text": [ "You could. The efficient version that is designed for just that purpose is called a [heat pump](_URL_0_). They are widely used.", "As LaserHorse points out, that's exactly what the things we call \"heat pumps\" are. T...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat_pump" ], [] ]
79beyt
ecosystems in biomes
Hi Middle Schooler here I have this project where I choose and research a biome and choosen ecosystem within it. I am very confused what an ecosystem is, Can reddit help me please?. I also cannot chose a Biome so can anyone help with that aswell?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/79beyt/eli5_ecosystems_in_biomes/
{ "a_id": [ "dp0lq16", "dp0uxah", "dp1juya" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "An ecosystem is a unit comprised of living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) parts existing in a particular territory, in an ecosystem it's important to consider the flow or matter and energy, like the ...
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[ [ "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e4/Vegetation.png/500px-Vegetation.png" ], [], [ "http://climateviewer.org/index.html?layersOn=mrm-63&baseLayer=Bing%20Aerial&lat=25.90647&lon=12.05913&zoom=9709102.82&mode=3D&date=2017-10-29", "http://climateviewer....
12gj9b
What is going on, physiologically, when we get 'the stares'?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/12gj9b/what_is_going_on_physiologically_when_we_get_the/
{ "a_id": [ "c6uya86" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "What the heck happened in this comment section?!" ] }
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31n8o1
why, if i hold it long enough, does the urge to use the bathroom sometimes go away?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/31n8o1/eli5_why_if_i_hold_it_long_enough_does_the_urge/
{ "a_id": [ "cq33nz6", "cq35jz6", "cq35ybg", "cq365my", "cq36br3", "cq39ikd", "cq39wu8" ], "score": [ 7, 2, 42, 5, 3, 16, 3 ], "text": [ "if you can get your legs higher above your heart (like hanging off your couch) theres some science about your ne...
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3bg3pt
World War One Amphibious Invasions
Why during the first world war, did the entente not try to do an amphibious invasion of northern Germany, surely it was a feasible idea and could have been carried out?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3bg3pt/world_war_one_amphibious_invasions/
{ "a_id": [ "csltlux" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "* [Why did the Allies never attempt an amphibious invasion besides Gallipoli?] (_URL_0_)\n\nHere's an answer I've given for a similar question. As to your question itself, while a landing on the Baltic or North Sea Coast of Germany was considered...
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[ [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/32b3qv/why_did_the_allies_never_attempt_an_amphibious/" ] ]
30l9a9
How valid is the claim that there were white slaves in the USA post-colonisation?
Is it just a popular 'apologist' claim, or is there truth in it? Also, is it true there were black slaveholders? And if there were white slaves, how common were they? This is coming from an ignorant brit, so please don't assume that I'm suggesting this is truth or that I am some sort of neo-confedorate
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/30l9a9/how_valid_is_the_claim_that_there_were_white/
{ "a_id": [ "cpth8cw" ], "score": [ 42 ], "text": [ "The short answer is no, there were not white slaves in either the United States or the Caribbean. This notion has developed a little bit out of genuine historical debate, but it is driven mainly by ignorance and by people advancing an agenda. Th...
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[ [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2pr16j/were_all_of_the_first_black_americans_slaves_or/cmzl8tr", "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2pnbs2/how_did_settlers_in_the_new_world_get_slaves_to/cmz6exs" ] ]
64mlcy
What happened to the countless bows, arrows, swords, spears and other weapons that were used throughout the centuries? Why aren't they being found every now and then?
Not every arrow, spearhead or a bow could be recast into something else. What happened to them?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/64mlcy/what_happened_to_the_countless_bows_arrows_swords/
{ "a_id": [ "dg3khbm" ], "score": [ 16 ], "text": [ "Well a lot of them *are* being found all the time. For example [here is a find](_URL_1_) from Scotland a couple months ago, where the construction of a couple of football (soccer) pitches uncovered a 3,000 year old sword, spear, and related mate...
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[ [ "http://www.buryfreepress.co.uk/news/battle-of-fornham-site-surrenders-eight-century-old-sword-1-7903524", "http://gizmodo.com/this-3-000-year-old-bronze-age-sword-is-absolutely-incr-1792434329" ] ]
537r54
How were autistic people handled in medieval times?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/537r54/how_were_autistic_people_handled_in_medieval_times/
{ "a_id": [ "d7qqquv", "d7r2vvg" ], "score": [ 114, 33 ], "text": [ "I responded to a similar question a few months ago, if you're interested:\n\n* [How did people in the Middle Ages deal with Down’s Syndrome and autism?](_URL_0_)\n\nYou might also be interested in Irina Metzler's new book...
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[ [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4lcg0w/how_did_people_in_the_middle_ages_and_earlier/d3mjwwi" ], [] ]
gam6i
Math Question on Gambling
What is to stop someone with a very large amount of liquid assets from going to a casino and placing one $100 bet on roulette (49% chance of winning), and then placing a $200 dollar bet if they lose, $600, $1800, etc..until they end up doubling their amount lost? The odds of, in their lifetime, losing more than like 20...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/gam6i/math_question_on_gambling/
{ "a_id": [ "c1m55hp" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "This is called [\"Martingale\"](_URL_0_) betting.\n\nThe wikipedia article discusses the mathematics behind it at length, but the most pragmatic answer is that most casinos have bet limits. If the maximum bet at the table is $500, once you lose t...
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[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martingale_%28betting_system%29" ] ]
3ak9h8
What happened to Irish Slaves sold to Muslim Spain by the Vikings?
I have been listening to the "Great Courses" Lectures from Audible about the Viking age. _URL_0_ In it he mentions that the Viking interest in Ireland in the early viking age was mostly to acquire slaves and sell them, often to Muslim Spain. My question is in two parts: 1) What happened to the Irish slaves in the short...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3ak9h8/what_happened_to_irish_slaves_sold_to_muslim/
{ "a_id": [ "csesqxt" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "Well, shoot, but I think you've hit on my dissertation! The hard part is actually proving that captives from Ireland might actually have ended up as slaves in the Islamic world. Only then can we answer questions about what happened to any who mig...
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[ "http://www.audible.com/pd/History/The-Vikings-Audiobook/B00DJ6K6KG" ]
[ [] ]
1h0sy5
If the speed of time is based on velocity, does that equation take into consideration the velocity of earth in relation to the sun and the velocity of the sun in relation to the galactic core, and so on?
Would the spin and velocity of our world through space be a factor in how time works for us? I was half asleep when this question popped into my brain but it is one I have wondered about before. I just never had a resource like reddit to ask before. Is it a wrong type of question?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1h0sy5/if_the_speed_of_time_is_based_on_velocity_does/
{ "a_id": [ "capr5cc", "capvat0" ], "score": [ 9, 3 ], "text": [ "Its between a wrong question and a right question, showing a partial understanding, but not a full understanding.\n\nNo, as it doesn't have to, the \"speed of time\" (special relativity) can tell you how fast time is passing...
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4e28yi
why do boys and girls mature at different rates?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4e28yi/eli5_why_do_boys_and_girls_mature_at_different/
{ "a_id": [ "d1wdi4t" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "males and females have different levels of hormones, which are produced at different times throughout life. Males have much higher levels of testosterone, while females have much higher levels of estrogen and progesterone. These hormones are rele...
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1lj690
why can't companies that post millions (or even billions) of profits pay their staff a little more so there is more money in the economy?
Surely these multinational corporations that calculate their profits in the millions s or even billions can take a small hit on that so their workers have money to reinvest in the economy?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1lj690/eli5_why_cant_companies_that_post_millions_or/
{ "a_id": [ "cbzrise" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Corporate profits *are* reinvested into the economy. When Apple opens a new store or starts development on new products with their profits, the money starts circulating again. Companies don't just hoard money; they invest it to continue growing t...
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1bczr5
A question about centrifuges and angular momentum.
Hey Reddit, my dad just came up with an interesting question that I had some difficulty in explaining. He showed me the National-G with those futuristic space pods that spin to mimic the effects of gravity, and asked, "If you were right in the center of the cylinder, would you experience any force towards the ground?"...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1bczr5/a_question_about_centrifuges_and_angular_momentum/
{ "a_id": [ "c95r91j" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "There is no force field. When you are standing on the inside surface of a rotating body your inertia wants you to go off in a straight line and the floor pushes back on you causing you to go around in a circle with it, simulating gravity. If you...
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7e2qhl
How does probabilty of head, in the case of fair coin toss, following the head is less than 0.5?
In famous paper of Joshua B. Miller and Adam Sanjurjo the following introduction is offered: Jack takes a coin from his pocket and decides that he will flip it 4 times in a row, writing down the outcome of each flip on a scrap of paper. After he is done flipping, he will look at the flips that immediately followed a...
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/7e2qhl/how_does_probabilty_of_head_in_the_case_of_fair/
{ "a_id": [ "dq28qty", "dq46s8x" ], "score": [ 30, 2 ], "text": [ "Note: I may be misunderstanding the question here.\n\nThere are sixteen outcomes for four flips:\n\nTTTT \nTTTH \nTTHT \nTTH**H** \nTHTT \nTHTH \nTH**H**T \nTH**HH** \nHTTT \nHTTH \nHTHT \nH...
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5symki
why the temperature of air change when it's being moved?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5symki/eli5_why_the_temperature_of_air_change_when_its/
{ "a_id": [ "ddiu4tx" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "It doesn't change temperature when it's moving (like through a fan), but it has a cooling evaporation effect on our skin so we feel that it is cooler but its temperature is the same." ] }
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8a9f4f
As someone lactose intolerant, do I get less calories from dairy foods since my body cant properly break it down?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/8a9f4f/as_someone_lactose_intolerant_do_i_get_less/
{ "a_id": [ "dwz59hy" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Yes. Lactose intolerant people can't digest lactose in their stomach or first part of the small intestine, but the bacteria in the later part of the digestive system can. Some bacteria break down lactose with lactase, but some also break it down ...
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5rv0lf
why do people say the middle east will go back to nothing once their oil runs out?
Everytime theirs a debate theirs always a point bought up saying once the middle east runs out of oil they'll go back to being or doing nothing, This is where im confused before the middle east discovered Oil they had huge empire some even conquering Europeon contries and half of Africa then those empires collasped and...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5rv0lf/eli5why_do_people_say_the_middle_east_will_go/
{ "a_id": [ "ddab3lx", "ddac0jc" ], "score": [ 6, 2 ], "text": [ "The reference is to those countries that did *not* have great empires in recent centuries. Saudi Arabia, for example, was just an impoverished desert (and not even a unified country) before petroleum. It has not taken advant...
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3xbytu
Smallpox and the destruction of the Native American population in 1520. Did Leif Erikson bring Smallpox to N.America and kill off 90-95% of Native Americans?
There is a recent Reddit post in /r/pics about a Roman sword being found on [Oak Island](_URL_1_). Turns out is fake and the sword can be bought of Ebay. The top comment though, talks about the Vikings bringing Smallpox to the continent and destroying the native population by 90-95%, therefore allowing the English an...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3xbytu/smallpox_and_the_destruction_of_the_native/
{ "a_id": [ "cy3b9bf", "cy3km7u" ], "score": [ 19, 3 ], "text": [ "There doesn't appear to have been any significant population decline in eastern North America around the time the Norse arrive (circa 1000 CE). In fact, this was a time of considerable population growth as maize-based agric...
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[ "http://imgur.com/ak3Zbyr", "https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Oak+Island,+Chester,+NS,+Canada/@44.4679028,-64.3611529,10.5z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x4b59e0fcee16fb43:0x9ff524095dfd88f" ]
[ [ "https://np.reddit.com/r/badhistory/comments/2bqvto/slavery_smallpox_and_virgins_the_us_southeast_as/" ], [] ]
21tblu
How did Europeans and Eskimo people deal with Vitamin D deficiency?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/21tblu/how_did_europeans_and_eskimo_people_deal_with/
{ "a_id": [ "cggkup2" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Organ meat. Let me refer you to [this 2004 article from Discover Magazine](_URL_0_). In short, seal oil and liver (of various species) contains enough vitamins D and C for survival. Kelp is also rich in Vitamin C and wards off scurvy. That's impo...
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[ [ "http://discovermagazine.com/2004/oct/inuit-paradox" ] ]
2dxc8j
my little brothers math homework.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2dxc8j/eli5my_little_brothers_math_homework/
{ "a_id": [ "cjtzjva", "cjtzmie", "cjtzopd" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "1. fill the 4L\n\n2. pour the 4L into the 7L\n\n3. fill the 4L\n\n4. Pour the 4L into the 7L, so that you have 1L left in the 4L\n\n5. Empty the 7L\n\n6. Pour the 1L in the 4L-bucket into the 7L\n\n7. F...
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[ [], [], [] ]
6p3ntc
How could people survive wounds during the Middle Ages, given the lack of antiseptic?
Wouldn't most cuts be fatal? How could people live after losing arms or legs?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6p3ntc/how_could_people_survive_wounds_during_the_middle/
{ "a_id": [ "dkmqjb4" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "The short answer is that they wouldn't, especially if the wound was deep and located on the torso. Without anesthesia and complex knowledge of human anatomy in Europe during the Middle Ages, there would be no way to safely and effectively perform...
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2nydmp
How did the British Navy remain dominant for such a long period of time?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2nydmp/how_did_the_british_navy_remain_dominant_for_such/
{ "a_id": [ "cmi584o" ], "score": [ 39 ], "text": [ "An answer to this could literally be a book, and there are many out there on the topic. I would like to suggest a few brief answers for you, and invite further questions if you have them. \n\n* English (and later British) naval administration de...
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1gs42x
Did people actually tear their clothes/rip their beards when in distress?
I was reading Don Quixote and noticed Zoraida's father do this, and I have vague memories of it happening throughout a lot of other classic literature. Even the Bible is rife with it. So did it happen, or is it dramatic effect?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1gs42x/did_people_actually_tear_their_clothesrip_their/
{ "a_id": [ "cangac6" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "to provide at least one situation where this is done wearing torn garments is part of a jewish funeral custom that is called [keriah](_URL_0_). of course, the source of this custom is the bible, which you mention in your original post so in this ...
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[ [ "http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/281558/jewish/Keriah-The-Rending-of-Garments.htm" ] ]
4s5vbe
How did Lewis and Clark "send things back to Jefferson?"
I'm reading Undaunted Courage, and I've also seen documentaries about the Corps of Discovery, and in both, they take about "sending specimens and letters" back to Thomas Jefferson. Does that mean men from the expedition went back? There's obviously no mail system beyond the Mississippi...in the book they are almost to...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4s5vbe/how_did_lewis_and_clark_send_things_back_to/
{ "a_id": [ "d56wsi4" ], "score": [ 87 ], "text": [ "I am at work and wish I had time for a more lengthy response \n \nI suppose depending on where you are in 'Undaunted Courage' these might be spoilers \n\nAs brief as I can make it, following the long winter which the Corps spent camped in a fort...
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1z76e3
can someone give me a summary of all the star wars movies, (and any vital information from the novels.)
I've seen all the movies at different points throughout my life, and I understand the main plot of Star Wars but not much more than that. I know there are plenty of Star Wars buffs out there, so here's your chance to enlighten me.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1z76e3/eli5_can_someone_give_me_a_summary_of_all_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cfr5dk3", "cfr6ufg" ], "score": [ 4, 3 ], "text": [ "The story of the first 6 Star Wars movies (all made so far) is the story of the rise and fall of a man named Palpatine. He is a Dark Lord of the Sith, named Darth Sidious, and he begins the first movie (Star Wars Episode I)...
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b1b0wb
What is the purpose of the salt in many anaesthetics?
I am not certain I used the right words and phrasing in the title, but I wondered what the purpose of the salt in many anaesthetics is e.g. morphine sulfate and ketamine hydrochloride, why not just morphine or ketamine? Am I missing something very basic here? I tried googling it but I couldn’t really find an answer. T...
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/b1b0wb/what_is_the_purpose_of_the_salt_in_many/
{ "a_id": [ "eil015q", "eil4rbo" ], "score": [ 5, 16 ], "text": [ "I don’t think you quite understand naming principles. Here is a pubmed page about ketamine hydrochloride structure and naming principle.\n_URL_0_", "Many drugs (including the ones you've mentioned) are organic amines. ...
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[ [ "https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/ketamine_hydrochloride#section=Top" ], [] ]
glbq3
H2O
Hydrogen is very flammable. Oxygen is also. How is water not flammable?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/glbq3/h2o/
{ "a_id": [ "c1odzrz", "c1odzws", "c1ogbsp" ], "score": [ 9, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Think of water as a burnt match. Everything that is in a match is flammable, but once the match is lit and done burning, it's no longer flammable. While it is burning it gives off a good deal of energy,...
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7mvawn
If A Railgun Fired in Space, Would There Be Recoil?
I understand that the force applied to the projectile follows the "right hand rule", and by Newton's third law I know that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction, but does this apply to electromagnetic forces? Would a Railgun therefore require stabilizing thrusters if it was in space? (No matter how ...
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/7mvawn/if_a_railgun_fired_in_space_would_there_be_recoil/
{ "a_id": [ "drwx9sm", "drwy5x6", "drxc661" ], "score": [ 110, 47, 3 ], "text": [ "Yes, there would be recoil, by conservation of momentum.", "What /u/RobusEtCeleritas said.\n\nNo matter the location of your contraption, a railgun involves a magnetic force slinging away a proje...
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2hcsbv
Discrepancy between galactic year and age of universe?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2hcsbv/discrepancy_between_galactic_year_and_age_of/
{ "a_id": [ "ckrglv4" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "I'm not sure what your question is here. If we naively assume that the entire universe popped into existence, as is, 13.8 billion years ago, then we'd have travelled around the galaxy about 55 times. But that didn't happen. Things to time to c...
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2mjylg
Did Napoleon Make a Largely Positive or Negative Impact on History?
I appreciate answers both on an international scale and a domestic scale.
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2mjylg/did_napoleon_make_a_largely_positive_or_negative/
{ "a_id": [ "cm5579b" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "I've written about this several times [here](_URL_1_) and [here](_URL_0_). If you have questions, I'll certainly follow up as you wish." ] }
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[ [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/256tgt/was_napoleon_good_for_france/", "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/26vkbg/was_napoleon_good_or_bad/" ] ]