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frsak
What is the maximum FPS that a high-speed camera could achieve?
Presumably there is a theoretical limit as well as a practical limit with current materials and technologies.
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/frsak/what_is_the_maximum_fps_that_a_highspeed_camera/
{ "a_id": [ "c1i50n0", "c1i54t5", "c1i54wp", "c1i6qqo" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 12, 3 ], "text": [ "[Here](_URL_0_) is an article from Discover magazine describing a camera that can take 6 million pictures per second.", "[This claims 100 million frames per second](_URL_1_) \...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/04/29/worlds-fastest-camera-snaps-6-million-pictures-in-a-single-second/" ], [ "http://www.photonicsonline.com/article.mvc/Multispectral-Imaging-At-Up-To-1-Billion-0001", "http://www.itronx.com/DRS_LIGHTNING_ULTRA_8_high-speed_slow-motion_cameras.htm...
6o5mvt
Could one perform a gravitational slingshot around a black hole? How effective would it be (if yes)?
Question randomly popped into my head while staring at the Mass Effect 2 main menu.
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/6o5mvt/could_one_perform_a_gravitational_slingshot/
{ "a_id": [ "dkf3r9o", "dkf7fgb" ], "score": [ 19, 6 ], "text": [ "Yes. As long as you stay far enough away from it, the gravity of a black hole works no different than that of a planet or star. Anything your spacecraft can do around a planet or a star, it can also do around a black hole. ...
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[ [], [] ]
vls2j
why is the us immigration process so complex?
How has the immigration procedure changed over time and what are the current steps to become a US Citizen? Furthermore, why can't the government figure out the problem and fix it? Nevermind your political or moral affiliation. Gimme the facts.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/vls2j/why_is_the_us_immigration_process_so_complex/
{ "a_id": [ "c55lijh", "c55meei", "c55meuj", "c55mwj8", "c55mwra", "c55neir", "c55nxo6", "c55o3ql", "c55t0bw" ], "score": [ 9, 9, 25, 24, 2, 15, 3, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "The US is actually one of the easiest country to immigrate to, some...
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[ [], [ "http://reason.com/assets/db/07cf533ddb1d06350cf1ddb5942ef5ad.jpg" ], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
1onxdc
why are things animals build (anthills, beehives) consitered 'natural', but things humans build (roads, houses) consitered unnatural?
Aren't humans just advanced animals?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1onxdc/eli5_why_are_things_animals_build_anthills/
{ "a_id": [ "ccts7uf", "cctsrra" ], "score": [ 8, 3 ], "text": [ "Because we, as humans, find is useful to distinguish between things that we've made and things that other animals made. \n\nIf you want a less egocentric reasoning, due to technology, humans are able to make widespread chang...
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[ [], [] ]
4ie5wk
how is a wind turbine able to spin with minimal wind given its enormous size/weight?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4ie5wk/eli5_how_is_a_wind_turbine_able_to_spin_with/
{ "a_id": [ "d2xbd5h", "d2xbmn2" ], "score": [ 8, 2 ], "text": [ "Due to the marvels of engineering. The wind tourbine simply has the ideal proportions in order for it to spin, even in gentle breeze. It simply covers the maximum area based on it's size. Now it might look like it spins slow...
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[ [], [] ]
5a5vvw
Did ancient Romans use to walk barefoot in their houses, or they kept heir shoes on?
In several countries in modern Europe it's today a custom to take off your shoes when you enter your house, but it's not the norm in Mediterranean countries like Spain (then a major province of the Roman Empire). I wonder what was the custom among ancient Romans regarding shoes inside the house, and also if they used t...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/5a5vvw/did_ancient_romans_use_to_walk_barefoot_in_their/
{ "a_id": [ "d9e96ob", "d9eqboj" ], "score": [ 49, 43 ], "text": [ "Follow-up: Is this why some Roman houses had warmed floors (hypocaust) or was this completely unrelated to whether they had shoes on or not?", "/u/notavriend asked a question that I think enlightens yours, so while I c...
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[ [], [ "http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/secondary/SMIGRA*/Soccus.html", "https://www.amazon.co.uk/Linda%20Alchin/e/B00D94G1I4/ref=la_B00D94G1I4_pg_2/252-8809880-6880818?rh=n%3A266239%2Cp_82%3AB00D94G1I4&page=2&sort=author-pages-popularity-rank&ie=UTF8&qid=1477877714", ...
z8zw7
Some physical details of Alexandria during the end of the Ptolemy age?
I'm trying to do some research for a short story I'm writing, but I can't find anything. Near when it was annexed into Rome, at the time of all the Cleopatra antics, what did it look like? Was it a largely wealthy city or was it mainly slums? was there farmland? etc etc. thanks reddit!
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/z8zw7/some_physical_details_of_alexandria_during_the/
{ "a_id": [ "c62ip1c", "c62izn2" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Here is [**a great resource**](_URL_0_) I have had in my BMs for some time. ", "[Another I was looking for .](_URL_0_) " ] }
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[]
[ [ "http://ancientcelebration.blogspot.com/" ], [ "http://www.roger-pearse.com/weblog/2011/02/11/a-description-of-alexandria-in-achilles-tatius/" ] ]
6b03yl
at what point after putting ice cubes in a glass of water is the water at its coldest?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6b03yl/eli5_at_what_point_after_putting_ice_cubes_in_a/
{ "a_id": [ "dhircmv" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "When you put ice cubes into the water, they'll quickly heat up to 0°C, and stay there until they melt. The reason is that it takes about ten times as much energy to melt ice at 0°C than it takes to heat it up from -18°C freezer temperature to 0°C...
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243gsu
When public drinking fountains were segregated with Whites Only and Blacks Only signs, where did the Asians, Latin@s, Native Americans, etc. drink?
There is very little to be easily found on the subject of Asian-American segregation through American history, but this laywoman would like to try to understand the everyday life of the unheard immigrant peoples of the time.
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/243gsu/when_public_drinking_fountains_were_segregated/
{ "a_id": [ "ckqg4j3", "ch3b2ob", "ch3cdzi", "ch3cjae" ], "score": [ 2, 544, 23, 13 ], "text": [ "Really interesting topic. Does anybody have any references for Asians other than Wikipedia?", "Segregated services/accommodations/etc weren't found generally throughout the...
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[ [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perez_v._Sharp" ], [ "http://www.gvpt.umd.edu/uslaner/Black%20and%20White%20Segregation.jpg" ], [] ]
292yjr
Is Kutuzov thought of as a great general on the level of other generals of his era?
I ask this because even though I love his character in War and Peace, it seems like his main claim to fame is one battle that ended in a draw, and chasing Napoleon out of Russia. Whereas other generals and admirals of the war have a long list of notable battles, and the famous ones won many more than the lost.
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/292yjr/is_kutuzov_thought_of_as_a_great_general_on_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cigzyfd" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "You are referring to the battle of Borodino, which was actually at the tail end of Kutuzov's distinguished career. In fact, he was brought out of retirement to lead the Russian army during Napoleon's invasion. For his other successes, see for exa...
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[ [] ]
7vw3mn
Suffragettes and Irish Republicanism
Was there much overlap between the British Suffrage and Irish nationalist movements? How did women who were involved in the latter cause feel about the right to vote for Westminster elections considering their views on the authority of that body?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/7vw3mn/suffragettes_and_irish_republicanism/
{ "a_id": [ "dtwbmr4" ], "score": [ 9 ], "text": [ "This was certainly a hot topic throughout the period for obvious reasons and the only woman elected in the 1918 General Election (yes, just one woman) was Constance Markievicz for Sein Fein (who was in jail in Holloway prison at the time and neve...
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4q5xl3
Is there a limit to the amount of information our brain can send to a body part at one time?
like does our neural path have a bandwidth so to speak? i notice (particularly when playing Osu!) that trying to do everything with one hand (clicking and mouse movement) ends up confusing me and making me lose track of the song. when i use keyboard to click and mouse only as movement, everything seems to be simpler....
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/4q5xl3/is_there_a_limit_to_the_amount_of_information_our/
{ "a_id": [ "d4qxh95" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Yes, there are limits in both the bandwidth (how much info can be sent in a unit time) and latency (response delay) in neurological systems. Among the factors determining both are the physics of [action potentials](_URL_0_)." ] }
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[]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Action_potential" ] ]
4p5t2z
When Charlemagne was crowned emperor where was he the emperor of?
Was it all of the old Western Roman empire. Including places like England where he would of had no practical power? In asking this question. I am trying to peice together in my head the transition between the middle and medieval times. In terms of things like politics, laws, recognition of kingdoms etc..
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4p5t2z/when_charlemagne_was_crowned_emperor_where_was_he/
{ "a_id": [ "d4ii7e5", "d4jud60" ], "score": [ 8, 4 ], "text": [ "That's a very interesting and hotly debated question. Charlemagne was coronated the emperor of Rome. Pope Leo had to flee Rome due to conflicts with the population of the city. He asked Charlemagne for support and the king r...
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[ [], [] ]
214w1j
why can't anything travel faster than the speed of light, if black holes are strong enough to pull light in?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/214w1j/eli5_why_cant_anything_travel_faster_than_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cg9n3id" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Why would the attraction of a black hole make anything travel faster than light?" ] }
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[ [] ]
3bf5z4
If I visited Rome during its Republic days and then again during its later Imperial era, how different would the city be? How easily could I recognize it as the same city?
Considering that the empire lasted a very long time, I got to thinking how much the city would have changed. Would most things be more-or-less the same apart from the big projects (aqueducts, the Coliseum, etc) or would it look like a different city?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3bf5z4/if_i_visited_rome_during_its_republic_days_and/
{ "a_id": [ "cslnn58", "cslxqtt", "csm1jf7", "csmho5b" ], "score": [ 9, 5, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "First, and to me, most obvious, would be language change. Like all language, Latin was subject to change over the centuries. For example, Shakespeare's English is markedly differen...
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[ [], [], [], [] ]
aoa43v
how and when to properly use colons (:), semi-colons (;), dashes (-), and commas (,) in a sentence. what differentiates them from one another?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/aoa43v/eli5_how_and_when_to_properly_use_colons/
{ "a_id": [ "efzcili", "efzdby8" ], "score": [ 43, 3 ], "text": [ "A colon is typically to designate you plan to talk about a series of things, such as: examples, phrases, and things you are listing.\n\nA semi-colon separates two totally different sentences that each have their own complet...
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[ [], [] ]
18eg53
critical reasoning - philosophy.
I'm having the hardest time fully understanding Critical Reasoning. I don't know why, i'm normally good in Philosophy.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/18eg53/eli5_critical_reasoning_philosophy/
{ "a_id": [ "c8e43ga" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "I have no idea what you're asking." ] }
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[ [] ]
kfuhc
If a position of a particle in the space dimensions is fuzzy, can the same be said about its position in the time dimension?
Does that even make sense?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/kfuhc/if_a_position_of_a_particle_in_the_space/
{ "a_id": [ "c2jx5hl", "c2jy07r", "c2jx5hl", "c2jy07r" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Yes. The most well-known formulation of the Uncertainty Principle relates uncertainty in position and momentum, but a second formulation relates uncertainty in energy and time - [...
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[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncertainty_principle#Energy-time_uncertainty_principle" ], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncertainty_principle#Energy-time_uncertainty_principle" ], [] ]
10r4k8
Would a paper plane fly on the moon?
Would a paper plane thrown on the moon fly longer or shorter than on Earth? The gravity is only 1/6 g but there's no atmosphere/wind to carry the plane. So what happens?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/10r4k8/would_a_paper_plane_fly_on_the_moon/
{ "a_id": [ "c6fwxj1", "c6fwxkz", "c6gaf70" ], "score": [ 13, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "Fly might not be the best word as it implies that there is some force causing it to stay in flight. But you could definitely throw it further, assuming your bulky space suit doesn't get in the way. It ...
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[ [], [ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDp1tiUsZw8" ], [] ]
2uqdcl
Would the weapons of the Spartans at the Battle of Thermopylae be made from bronze or iron?
I thought they were iron, but someone told me they were actually bronze. I did a bunch of searching and everywhere I look seems to say they were a different material, though most of them say they were iron. Does anyone know a reliable source that would let us know for certain? Edit: To be more specific, by 'weapons' ...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2uqdcl/would_the_weapons_of_the_spartans_at_the_battle/
{ "a_id": [ "coava28" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "To answer this one must consider both the rank and status of these soldiers and also the time period.\n\n300BC is generally considered as being within the Iron Age, where Iron, instead of Bronze, was being more widely used. This began at an estim...
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dcoj48
what is the goal of bacteria or viruses that make humans sick? why do they weaken their host?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dcoj48/eli5_what_is_the_goal_of_bacteria_or_viruses_that/
{ "a_id": [ "f29gbr4", "f29gkme", "f2b2y3v" ], "score": [ 38, 3, 5 ], "text": [ "They all \"want\" to live, divide and spread. They basically use your body as food and a living ground and a factory (viruses). Often the symptoms of a disease are just a side effect of them using your...
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[ [], [], [] ]
5wo9mi
how do we calculate the fat and protein percentage in meat?
How do we accurately know how much fat, protein and carbs there is in the food we eat?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5wo9mi/eli5_how_do_we_calculate_the_fat_and_protein/
{ "a_id": [ "debvjsp" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "As far as I understand it, as a 5 year old myself, it's based on a calorimeter reading, which is essentially destroying an identical food in a controlled chamber to evaluate its energy potential (calories are a measure of energy, actually represe...
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[ [] ]
4xls65
How did the Tribes in Pre-Roman Europe live?
I'm interested in learning about how these tribes structured themselves and what sort of societies they had. I appreciate there may not be a lot of information about them, but most of the stuff I can find online is just about conquests and migration rather than day-to-day living - if anyone has anything it would be gre...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4xls65/how_did_the_tribes_in_preroman_europe_live/
{ "a_id": [ "d6h5nu5" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "I'm going to crib an answer from some older posts that I've written about pre-Roman Gaul and Central Europe more generally. But to start, I'd like to clarify one thing - generally the use of the term 'tribe' in that way is very problematic for a ...
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[ [] ]
1t5nt2
humble bundles.. and how it works from the game developers' perspective. also.. how much does each dev get from a bundle?
I have always wondered..
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1t5nt2/eli5_humble_bundles_and_how_it_works_from_the/
{ "a_id": [ "ce4krfc" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Not sure about the first question, but the amount the developers get is determined by the buyers themselves. When you buy a bundle from the site you can choose how to split the money between all the developers, the charities and the humble bundle...
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[ [] ]
6a64mw
when is self defense legal in the usa?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6a64mw/eli5when_is_self_defense_legal_in_the_usa/
{ "a_id": [ "dhbywhn", "dhc0chk" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "You are justified in using force to stop the credible threat of imminent force against your person. For example if you were struck and you needed to fight back to prevent further attack it would be justified.\n\nOn the other...
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[ [], [] ]
1jlkwq
why does canada have such high gas prices?
They say we're amongst the most oil-rich nations in the world, yet we're paying twice as much for gas as we were 10 years ago. And also paying more than the countries we're selling oil to.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1jlkwq/eli5_why_does_canada_have_such_high_gas_prices/
{ "a_id": [ "cbfvb2e", "cbfwsel", "cbfyp0i", "cbfyudj", "cbg0aul", "cbg1yzc" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 5, 6, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "America is paying twice as much as we were ten years ago, too... ", "Higher taxes mostly. Part of that and the general higher price...
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[]
[ [], [], [], [], [ "http://retail.petro-canada.ca/images/general/taxbarchart_2_en.gif", "http://dc.streetsblog.org/2013/01/23/drivers-cover-just-51-percent-of-u-s-road-spending/", "http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v717xHNIT_U/TRO29cvzKZI/AAAAAAAAAM0/I7qUQjSSS2Q/s1600/US_EU_gas_tax.jpg" ], [] ]
yr4f2
why is counterfeiting and copying is so rampant in china?
I keep seeing articles like [this dude having his game engine stolen](_URL_0_). Or finding out that they make [counterfeit cigarettes](_URL_2_). Or even [fake Viagra](_URL_1_). But why is it such a common practice within the country? Is it because there's little to no enforcement? Is it because copyright law in China ...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/yr4f2/eli5_why_is_counterfeiting_and_copying_is_so/
{ "a_id": [ "c5y283e", "c5y2us0", "c5y78wo" ], "score": [ 10, 2, 5 ], "text": [ "It is not a lack of innovation...it is just about money.\n\nMost of what China manufactures is for export, that's the backbone of their economy. So long as it makes money, and don't hurt Chinese compa...
[]
[ "http://kotaku.com/5937535/developer-says-chinese-company-stole-his-entire-game-engine", "http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=130381&page=1#.UDeEvaB1OSo", "http://www.cracked.com/article_19742_the-5-most-insane-examples-chinese-counterfeiting_p2.html" ]
[ [], [], [] ]
2mamwq
why are all of the walmart employees going on strike?
I understand that it's very low paying. But then why not just quit and find another job?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2mamwq/eli5_why_are_all_of_the_walmart_employees_going/
{ "a_id": [ "cm2f8ac", "cm2fjo5", "cm2fp91", "cm2om39" ], "score": [ 10, 42, 10, 2 ], "text": [ "There are Walmart strikes every single year at Christmas time. Walmart employs 1.4 million people in the US alone. If 99% were happy, and 1% of the employees were unhappy that i...
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[ [], [], [], [] ]
azaltp
set theory in mathematics.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/azaltp/eli5_set_theory_in_mathematics/
{ "a_id": [ "ei6h5km", "ei7l2fy" ], "score": [ 5, 5 ], "text": [ "Sets are collections of objects. Set theory is a formal way to look at \"collections of objects\" and apply math to them (define what it means to add, subtract, multiply, intersect, etc.) these things. Why? Because it's u...
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[]
[ [], [ "http://www-history.mcs.st-and.ac.uk/HistTopics/Beginnings_of_set_theory.html", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcendental_number", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cantor%27s_diagonal_argument", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georg_Cantor%27s_first_set_theory_article", "https://en.wiki...
1qn5em
'critical mass' in nuclear plants
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1qn5em/eli5critical_mass_in_nuclear_plants/
{ "a_id": [ "cdegg0l" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "A critical mass is the smallest amount of fissile (material that is capable of sustaining a chain reaction of nuclear fission) needed for a nuclear chain reaction." ] }
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[ [] ]
wozmm
How did the demographics of the Roman army change under the Republic? What social and cultural changes came about as a consequence?
I’m researching my master’s thesis at the moment hoping to explain why Romans had such an incredibly negative stereotype of youths during the Republic. Part of my explanation is going to be that the traditional Roman view of youths as protectors of the city in the army (Livy and Sallust make this clear) meant any obser...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/wozmm/how_did_the_demographics_of_the_roman_army_change/
{ "a_id": [ "c5f7bty" ], "score": [ 10 ], "text": [ "Off the top of my head, the reforms of Gaius Marius seem to be the most relevant topic to start with. \n\nMarius raised armies from the Head Count, which were a teeming mass of the lowest class of citizens in Rome. Previously, armies had been ...
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2yfhna
how can a tiny magnet be stronger than the whole earth's gravity, when i pick up a little peace of metal from off the ground?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2yfhna/eli5_how_can_a_tiny_magnet_be_stronger_than_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cp95dlq" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Short answer: gravity is actually really freaking weak compared to things like electromagnetism and the weak and strong atomic forces.\n\nHowever, gravity is also mono-polar. What this means is that while you have north and south magnetic poles a...
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1bv3fy
american psycho
i just watched this movie, and i really enjoyed it, but i didn't quite grasp it so yeah, your explanations will be greatly apreciated
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1bv3fy/eli5_american_psycho/
{ "a_id": [ "c9acadr", "c9aeynv", "c9afwis", "c9agbth", "c9akdhe", "c9alb9b" ], "score": [ 10, 5, 2, 4, 8, 2 ], "text": [ "What don't you understand? ", "I haven't read the book, but I watched the movie and listened to the commentary afterwards. The dire...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
4u1sm0
How were non-staple crops grown in medieval and earlier times?
I'm used to the image of huge fields or wheat, rice, chickpeas, or similar crops. But what about others? Things like cabbage, spinach, onions, carrots, melons, fresh legumes, small/productive herbs like mint or chives, or even fruit like raspberries, and, after they were introduced, things like tomatoes and chilis (o...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4u1sm0/how_were_nonstaple_crops_grown_in_medieval_and/
{ "a_id": [ "d5m4y9u" ], "score": [ 11 ], "text": [ "This is a very large question, so I'm going to try to touch briefly on all aspects of it, without giving a complete history of European agriculture. If you want more detail on any area, shout and I'll do my best, and there's a solid list of sour...
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anmgrl
why is it soothing to breathe in with your mouth after eating something super spicy? and why does is hurt more while exhaling?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/anmgrl/elif_why_is_it_soothing_to_breathe_in_with_your/
{ "a_id": [ "efuh8bb", "efuyof7" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Cool air in. Warm air out. The same reason cool water soothes a burn and hot makes it worse. The air on your lungs is warmed by your body and isn’t as cool as the air coming into your mouth. ", "When you eat something sp...
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[ [], [] ]
4deq19
- why does it matter how much a presidential candidate raises for campaign contributions. isn't it associating votes for money?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4deq19/eli5_why_does_it_matter_how_much_a_presidential/
{ "a_id": [ "d1qajgz" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "The media portrays a candidate's ability to raise money as a signal of several things:\n\n* 1 - Their base is happy with them.\n\n* 2 - Wealthy people think the candidate is viable.\n\n* 3 - They have a good organization of campaign staff support...
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[ [] ]
2001wd
Using flint to make a spark, how does that work?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2001wd/using_flint_to_make_a_spark_how_does_that_work/
{ "a_id": [ "cfyplxe" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "Contrary to common understanding, the spark doesn't come from the flint, but from the firesteel\n\nThe flint is just acting as an extremely hard knife which slices or scrapes off pieces of steel. The effort of slicing the steel and bending it out...
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[ [] ]
1e5a1r
How historically accurate are Vietnam War movies?
Paticularly *Full Metal Jacket*, *Apocalypse Now*, *Platoon*, and *We Were Soldiers*. For an APUSH project we have to write a paper about a movie and the history surrounding it. I chose *Full Metal Jacket*. I am not asking you to write it for me but just help get a general idea about the accuracy. Were the weapons, sce...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1e5a1r/how_historically_accurate_are_vietnam_war_movies/
{ "a_id": [ "c9wwwec", "c9yue42" ], "score": [ 5, 2 ], "text": [ "Wouldn't that be part of your assignment though? To figure out just how accurate it is? I'll be happy to point you to books that can answer your question, but I will comply with the stance that AskHistorians have:\n\n > Our...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
2hka4e
How big would a pool of water need to be for a human being to survive a plugged-in toaster dropped in it?
Or how far away would you need to be? Obviously dropping an electric appliance (that's plugged in or has an active electric signal) in a bathtub with yourself will result in electrocution. What if someone is in a pool? An Olympic-sized pool? A lake? If I'm in a large pool and someone drops a toaster in the other end,...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2hka4e/how_big_would_a_pool_of_water_need_to_be_for_a/
{ "a_id": [ "cktnqy8" ], "score": [ 16 ], "text": [ "[Someone tried this.](_URL_1_). You need to be surprisingly close to the hot wires before you can even feel it\n\nSkip ahead and he uses a voltmeter to measure the voltage. At [~3 inches from the live wires the voltmeter is reading less than 5...
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[ [ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcrY59nGxBg&t=3m16s&oref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DdcrY59nGxBg%26t%3D1m14s&has_verified=1", "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcrY59nGxBg&t=1m13s&oref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DdcrY59nGxBg%26t%3D1m14s&has_verified=...
7w7pd8
why does the u.s. grow so much corn?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7w7pd8/eli5_why_does_the_us_grow_so_much_corn/
{ "a_id": [ "dty6ghh", "dty6h9k", "dty6mdd" ], "score": [ 2, 4, 4 ], "text": [ "It is very very heavily subsidized by the government, so very profitable for farmers. There is a documentary called \"King of Corn\" on it, which I personally think is really biased, but they do cover t...
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[]
[ [], [], [] ]
t4bbf
What are some of the most controversial actions taken by the CIA or FBI?
I am supposed to write a research paper for my AP US history class, and I was thinking about doing MKULTRA, possibly the most unethical program ever done by the CIA(rivaled by the Phoenix program). _URL_0_ If anyone has other controversial actions that would really help, or just interesting US History topics. Thanks...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/t4bbf/what_are_some_of_the_most_controversial_actions/
{ "a_id": [ "c4jg0eq", "c4jgkv4", "c4jhlxo", "c4jhpzs", "c4ji28u", "c4jir5r", "c4jircz", "c4jk1ad" ], "score": [ 25, 16, 7, 9, 16, 7, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "1973 Chilean coup d'etat\n\nThe Nixon administration and the CIA assisted in the overthro...
[]
[ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_MKULTRA" ]
[ [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammad_Mosaddegh", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1953_Iranian_coup_d%27%C3%A9tat" ], [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran%E2%80%93Contra_affair" ], [], [], [] ]
213vn5
How did cleanup in Nagasaki and Hiroshima proceed following the atom bombs?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/213vn5/how_did_cleanup_in_nagasaki_and_hiroshima_proceed/
{ "a_id": [ "cg9l25h", "cg9lioq" ], "score": [ 206, 1645 ], "text": [ "The simple answer is there was no cleanup, if I am correct in assuming that by \"cleanup\" you mean a special set of actions to deal with nuclear radiation. That kind of \"cleanup\" did not proceed in any way, shape, o...
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[]
[ [ "http://books.google.com/books?id=lkPsVphLXqsC&amp", "http://books.google.com/books/about/Children_of_the_ashes.html?id=Mhw5AAAAIAAJ", "http://books.google.com/books?id=5P7THAAACAAJ&dq=%E6%B5%9C%E4%BA%95%E3%80%80%E5%8E%9F%E7%88%86%E5%B8%82%E9%95%B7&hl=en&sa=X&ei=DHAuU-iyNoThyQGks4CwDQ&...
1p1c8h
How did the relationship between the Seminole clan of Florida and Florida State University come to be?
Just had a random thought about this and couldn't find much information on it online. Was hoping some one here could help out.
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1p1c8h/how_did_the_relationship_between_the_seminole/
{ "a_id": [ "ccxwjbe" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Keeping it brief since my memory is fuzzy, but if I remember right FSU had an old generic 'Indian' mascot with the label Seminole that was found to be extremely offensive. After some controversy an agreement was reached between local tribes and t...
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[ [] ]
d8ped7
why do characters in games have a separated "graphic model" and a "hit box model"? why can't the graphic model be used to detect hits?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/d8ped7/eli5_why_do_characters_in_games_have_a_separated/
{ "a_id": [ "f1bstcm", "f1bsvyk", "f1buspe", "f1bv4qz", "f1dq9to" ], "score": [ 7, 28, 6, 3, 3 ], "text": [ "Actually I can't be sure about my own answer too, but I can say that using the Graphic model as a hitbox would be expensive for devs and bad for the game per...
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[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
19ys58
Why is it that women significantly underperformed compared to men in chess when it is a purely intellectual activity/sport?
The current [FIDE Top 100 rankings](_URL_0_) contain only one woman, Judit Polgár. While it is understandable that women underperform against men in some physical activities due to physiological difference, Chess is a purely intellectual endeavour. Are men better at pattern recognition or finding chess solutions? Or a...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/19ys58/why_is_it_that_women_significantly_underperformed/
{ "a_id": [ "c8sjgyf", "c8skfn7", "c8spb99" ], "score": [ 5, 5, 5 ], "text": [ "You can find an answer to your question [here](_URL_0_)", "The difference is thought to be largely down to differences in the playing population sizes, as GeoManCam pointed to. Asking why there is a...
[]
[ "http://ratings.fide.com/top.phtml" ]
[ [ "http://phys.org/news150954140.html" ], [ "http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ejsp.440/pdf" ], [] ]
4jl24l
why most clothing manufacturers don't make women's pants with specific widths and lengths like men's pants.
My wife is about 5' even, which is fairly short, and always has a problem with her pants being too long. It boggles my mind as to why clothing brands wouldn't manufacture women's pants with specific lengths in mind. Not all women are the same height, right? (sarcasm)
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4jl24l/eli5_why_most_clothing_manufacturers_dont_make/
{ "a_id": [ "d37huzy" ], "score": [ 11 ], "text": [ "There are different schools of thought on this but these are the main 3 I learned in school/work:\n\n*Women's clothes have incorporated more and more stretch/spandex material which gives, quite literally, more wiggle room when it comes to sizing...
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[ [] ]
c001dk
what exactly happens during the process of making glass so it gets transparent?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/c001dk/eli5_what_exactly_happens_during_the_process_of/
{ "a_id": [ "eqz2h2a", "er0r6u5" ], "score": [ 8, 2 ], "text": [ "When light is absorbed by a material, the electrons are struck by a photon and jump up one or more energy levels. However, it has to be struck by a very specific frequency of light in order to be absorbed. Most opaque materi...
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[ [], [] ]
20xeyv
Why does the Shingles virus cause a rash?
I understand what Shingles is/are, since it's the virus so nice, I've had it twice. But what is it that causes the blistering bumps/rash to manifest the way that they do? Why isn't it just the excruciating pain? I guess this is a physiology question? Is it just the body's way of reacting to the stress of the infected n...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/20xeyv/why_does_the_shingles_virus_cause_a_rash/
{ "a_id": [ "cg7qtxe" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "As you know, but I'm restating, Shingles is merely a reactivation of the varicella zoster virus. The primary infection is commonly called Chicken Pox. After the primary infection, some of the virus will stay sequestered in the dorsal root gangli...
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[ [] ]
3150c2
Do black holes cause nuclear fusion? My guess is not, so why not?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/3150c2/do_black_holes_cause_nuclear_fusion_my_guess_is/
{ "a_id": [ "cpyhzrg" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "Because nuclei do not exist in black holes. With no nuclei, there is no nuclear fusion. " ] }
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[ [] ]
bms5hh
When a doctor gives you a specific percentage (like there’s a 10% possibility that you will be cured), what is that percentage based on?
When a doctor gives you a specific percentage (like there’s a 10% possibility that you will be cured), what is that percentage based on? Is it based on anything or do they just kind of...guesstimate?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/bms5hh/when_a_doctor_gives_you_a_specific_percentage/
{ "a_id": [ "emzsija" ], "score": [ 9 ], "text": [ "Part of it is surely guesstimation, but more than anything, the doctor has access to data about the survival rates of a certain disease. Something like this one: [_URL_0_](_URL_0_)\n\nIn other words, hard numbers about how many people in the pas...
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[ [ "https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/leuks.html" ] ]
4mswoh
Do all gases with similar degrees of freedom "gain" temperature at the same rate?
To get to the heart of the question quickly, in my thermodynamics class I have learned that provided the specific heat ratio (gamma), I can find the constant-pressure specific heat and constant-volume specific heat of a gas - does this mean that any 2 gases with the same degree of freedom (which creates the same gamma ...
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/4mswoh/do_all_gases_with_similar_degrees_of_freedom_gain/
{ "a_id": [ "d3yahg3", "d3ybnnw" ], "score": [ 5, 2 ], "text": [ "Yes, the equation doesn't lie. But the assumptions that go into the equation are hidden. Everything you've said is correct for an ideal gas. If you bring your system into a situation where it doesn't behave ideally, then the...
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[ [ "http://chemed.chem.purdue.edu/genchem/topicreview/bp/ch4/deviation5.html", "http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/kinetic/waal.html" ], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat_capacity#The_simple_case_of_the_monatomic_gas" ] ]
6pcqmy
why are some large cities like austin, tx, chicago, il, and atlanta, ga so under-represented in most media?
It seems like most of the west coast, New York, Miami, etc are all pretty well represented. It occurred to me that I don't really have a good feel for many of the US's larger cities though. Texas for example has so much going on, and do many people but all you really see of it in movies is oil fields.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6pcqmy/eli5_why_are_some_large_cities_like_austin_tx/
{ "a_id": [ "dkoc76q", "dkocg73", "dkock2m" ], "score": [ 3, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "Do you mean TV and movies? Chicago does get represented a fair amount... but in general, they pick locations where there is interesting scenery, urban cityscape, and where people could have applicable j...
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[ [], [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fiction_set_in_Chicago#TV_shows" ] ]
1k3xk2
what is the limit to seeing back in time?
I know that astronomers are seeing further and further back in time. I also read that after the Big Bang, the universe was dark (or opaque) for a while until the first stars formed. Therefore, if one could see back in time to shortly after the Big Bang, you would not be able to see anything, right?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1k3xk2/eli5_what_is_the_limit_to_seeing_back_in_time/
{ "a_id": [ "cbl3w6q" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "You cannot see past the part of the universe expanding faster than the speed of light\n\nEssentially imagine yourself on a endless roll of carpet.\n\nIf the speed you can run at is 5mph, and the carpet unrolls at 6mph, you will never get to the e...
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[ [] ]
qa6r5
Under the idea that there is the "Goldilocks" zone around a star, how likely is it that a solar system would have two life-supporting planets?
I assume that the gravitational forces of two bodies would prevent them from being close enough to each other to both stay inside the zone. But could a large star have a large enough Goldilocks zone to support two life-inhabited planets?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/qa6r5/under_the_idea_that_there_is_the_goldilocks_zone/
{ "a_id": [ "c3vzajf", "c3vzltf", "c3w05eu", "c3w0pgu", "c3w0q1o", "c3w0tr2", "c3w0ztr", "c3w1d6f", "c3w1h2d", "c3w1kna", "c3w1rim", "c3w2cpv", "c3w2g3f", "c3w3nc8", "c3w4cnk", "c3w4wyv", "c3w55cz", "c3w5e32", "c3w5x36", "c3w6rmg", "c...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europa_(moon\\)" ], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wt58KiJW2kk", "http://memberfiles.freewebs.com/39/18/57541839/photos/Blobfish.jpg" ], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://universesandbox.com/" ],...
5buidr
why are the ₹500 and ₹1000 notes being destroyed in india?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5buidr/eli5_why_are_the_500_and_1000_notes_being/
{ "a_id": [ "d9re23d", "d9refg8", "d9rfv9j", "d9rtafx" ], "score": [ 2, 40, 7, 7 ], "text": [ "My very limited understanding coming from reading some of these news articles is that India has a large problem with counterfeit notes, those two denominations being the most popu...
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[ [], [], [], [] ]
a4kdqu
why do jehova's witnesses have a bad rep?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a4kdqu/eli5_why_do_jehovas_witnesses_have_a_bad_rep/
{ "a_id": [ "ebf7zew", "ebf81db", "ebf8ydz", "ebf9f45", "ebf9vtb", "ebfa7v4" ], "score": [ 7, 4, 3, 2, 5, 3 ], "text": [ "I think it’s because the religion can be controlling by modern standards. Some examples include the refusal of certain medical procedure...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
2m30b5
Which figures from Greek mythology have a basis in reality? (e.g. were Odysseus, Agamemnon, Hercules, Oedipus etc. based on real people?)
I'd like to hear about any of the Greek myths, but here's a couple questions I have off the top of my head: Did a king named Menelaus really lead a coalition of Greek kingdoms against Asia Minor? Did a king named Minos really keep aristocratic Athenian youths as hostages? Was a mariner named Jason really the first ...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2m30b5/which_figures_from_greek_mythology_have_a_basis/
{ "a_id": [ "cm0inl4", "cm0pe01" ], "score": [ 24, 2 ], "text": [ "Perhaps one of our Classical literature experts will reply to your specific questions. In general, seeking any real person behind a folk story is a fruitless and frustrating endeavor. This sorts of questions crop up frequen...
[]
[ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Greek_mythological_figures#Kings", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Greek_mythological_figures#Heroes" ]
[ [ "http://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Folklore-Traditional-Studies-Elsewhere-ebook/dp/B00N65B0BY/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1415813180&sr=1-1&keywords=Ronald+M.+James" ], [] ]
y5e2a
how long does it take for a food to lose its nutritious value?
Example: bag of mixed nuts, sell-by date is in a year, won't be fresh, but will it still be nutritious?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/y5e2a/how_long_does_it_take_for_a_food_to_lose_its/
{ "a_id": [ "c5shn04", "c5sji5t" ], "score": [ 5, 2 ], "text": [ "For a lot of foods, even following breakdown by bacteria, there can still be nutritious molecules present. The larger issue is that there may *also* be harmful microorganisms present that would hurt you more than the nutrien...
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[ [], [] ]
4ajp7r
How did Chinese people compile dictionaries of their characters before the conveniences of modern life?
[deleted]
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4ajp7r/how_did_chinese_people_compile_dictionaries_of/
{ "a_id": [ "d11frqh" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "#How it was recorded in the past\n\nYou've said:\n\n > How did people record those characters in the past, when communication, research, archival and preservation were presumably difficult feats to achieve?\n\nBut actually I'm not clear on what y...
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[ [] ]
1cml51
Why was the 1984 U.S. presidential election such a landslide? Was it more that Reagan was so popular, or more that Mondale was so unpopular? Was there a better Democratic candidate out there?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1cml51/why_was_the_1984_us_presidential_election_such_a/
{ "a_id": [ "c9i3td7", "c9i4dfw" ], "score": [ 5, 109 ], "text": [ "Sort of relevant to the OP's question.\n\nThere is a 6-part documentary airing this week about the 80s. Part 2 talks about Reagan.\n\n_URL_0_", "It is important to note that the extent of Reagan's landslide is really ...
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[]
[ [ "http://natgeotv.com/ca/the-80s-the-decade-that-made-us/about" ], [] ]
1q6sjz
When you are scared or excited can your heart actually "skip a beat"?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1q6sjz/when_you_are_scared_or_excited_can_your_heart/
{ "a_id": [ "cd9vloz", "cd9vyex", "cda65y8", "cda7s9d", "cda95m7" ], "score": [ 5, 39, 2, 2, 12 ], "text": [ "Related question... I had to have a Holter monitor to test my heart after having a couple SVTs (a benign but freaky heart arrhythmia). When the results cam...
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[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
7mhgs5
as stupid as it sounds, why can’t the us keep selling bonds and increasing the national debt?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7mhgs5/eli5_as_stupid_as_it_sounds_why_cant_the_us_keep/
{ "a_id": [ "drty6sv", "drtyk2s", "drtylio" ], "score": [ 9, 4, 3 ], "text": [ "This is exactly what we are doing all the time. How are you thinking this is different...?", "If people were willing to buy the new bonds, then they absolutely could. In fact, that's exactly what h...
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[]
[ [], [], [] ]
3bwsil
Have there been different interpretations of the Ten Commandments throughout history?
Some bible passages get reinterpreted in a few different ways, were the Ten Commandments ever in flux as to what they actually meant?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3bwsil/have_there_been_different_interpretations_of_the/
{ "a_id": [ "csqb76t" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "There has been significant debate over how the commandment against \"graven images\" should be applied. For Judaism, it means no images for God, and no sculpture outside a few divinely commanded exceptions. Islam is strict about no images of God ...
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[ [] ]
2uul6c
Prior to 1450, what did Africans think about their own civilizations when compared to other non-African civilizations?
The Romans and Greeks considered themselves superior to other peoples (Gauls, Macedonians) and also admired great civilizations (Egypt, Persia). Did Africans living in African empires and kingdoms consider themselves superior to others or were they aware they were not as advanced as other non-African civilizations?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2uul6c/prior_to_1450_what_did_africans_think_about_their/
{ "a_id": [ "cobvhla" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ " > they were not as advanced as other non-African civilizations\n\nI just wanted to point out that Africa was not as underdeveloped as we often assume. See [here.](_URL_0_)\n\n\n" ] }
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[ [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/11k5f4/why_did_all_of_the_other_continents_develop_so/c6nenzr" ] ]
15s5zh
Why did the Roman Emperors keep up the illusion of a Republic?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/15s5zh/why_did_the_roman_emperors_keep_up_the_illusion/
{ "a_id": [ "c7pbfui", "c7pcacq", "c7ph42q" ], "score": [ 65, 4, 6 ], "text": [ "The actual nature of this \"illusion\" is extremely complex and varied enormously by region and class. So before I launch into the particulars, I should make clear that starting with Augustus, the empe...
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[ [], [], [] ]
caboas
what massage therapists mean when they say i have “a lot of knots”?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/caboas/eli5_what_massage_therapists_mean_when_they_say_i/
{ "a_id": [ "et7jrga" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "A knot is a spot in your muscle where tension is \"stuck\" causing the muscle to be tense all the time which has a negative effect on the body an possibly cause pain." ] }
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[ [] ]
444rtx
Has an industrial accident ever caused volcanic lightning?
If not, what would it require? Would it be possible?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/444rtx/has_an_industrial_accident_ever_caused_volcanic/
{ "a_id": [ "czo3ez4" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Volcanic eruptions typically involve quantities of energy and matter that are very large by human standards. (It would have to be a *heck* of an industrial accident to be in the same ballpark.)\n\nBut something that might be of interest are pyro...
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[ [ "http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/08/100816-fires-thunderstorms-thunder-clouds-volcanoes-science-weather-russia/", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrocumulonimbus_cloud" ] ]
61e3wz
why, despite all the advances in browser technology, does the screen still jump when an off-screen image or other part of the site loads?
If I'm reading a piece of text, I expect to stay on it. Something loading off-screen (common now that sites are so big and load lots of stuff via AJAX) shouldn't bounce me to a different position on the page.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/61e3wz/eli5_why_despite_all_the_advances_in_browser/
{ "a_id": [ "dfdtkkm" ], "score": [ 18 ], "text": [ "Because your browser still doesn't know how big that image is going to be until it downloads it, so it has no way of knowing how much space to leave. The people who design the website could plan for it, but many of them don't. " ] }
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[ [] ]
1d9lfd
why carbohydrates are at the bottom of the pyramid and sugar at the top, when they're basically the same thing (glucose)?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1d9lfd/eli5_why_carbohydrates_are_at_the_bottom_of_the/
{ "a_id": [ "c9o86o2", "c9o9ni1", "c9oaamg" ], "score": [ 8, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "Because the food pyramid is bullshit and was mainly promoted by American farmers and the United States Department of Agriculture, who, as you might guess, wanted to sell more of their products.", "B...
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[ [], [], [] ]
8arvum
should we wash fruits and vegetables before refrigerating or right before we eat them?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8arvum/eli5_should_we_wash_fruits_and_vegetables_before/
{ "a_id": [ "dx12y0s" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Before eating.\n\n\nGenerally speaking most fruit and veg live longest being kept in a cool, dark and dry place.\n\n\nWashing them before refrigerating increases the risk of you putting them in the fridge slightly damp which will (generally) spee...
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[ [] ]
16ka4u
what happens if they don't raise the debt ceiling?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/16ka4u/eli5_what_happens_if_they_dont_raise_the_debt/
{ "a_id": [ "c7wsl51", "c7wwkht", "c7wws1r" ], "score": [ 2, 14, 8 ], "text": [ "if they don't raise the debt ceiling, they can't pay their bills by loaning more money anymore.\n\nSo they have to either pay lower bills (cut spending) or get more money from other sources (taxes).", ...
[]
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[ [], [], [] ]
1399bd
Why is the shadow of an eclipse, as seen from space, like a water droplet when moving away from night's shadow?
I was looking up the November 2013 total solar eclipse and was provided with [this gif](_URL_0_) of what it'd be like. When the shadow of the moon is moving away from the side of earth in night, why does the moon's shadow appear to stretch and "fall" from nighttime like a drop of water falling from its source?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1399bd/why_is_the_shadow_of_an_eclipse_as_seen_from/
{ "a_id": [ "c71wxno" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Because the Earth is a ~~sphere~~ oblate spheroid.\n\nEDIT: Slight technical term correction" ] }
[]
[ "http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fc/SolarEclipse2013Nov03H.GIF" ]
[ [] ]
25hd73
What are some of the great works of sub-Saharan African architecture, and why have I never heard about them?
I recently learned about [Igbo pyramids](_URL_2_), the [Walls of Benin City](_URL_1_), and the [Walls of Sungbo](_URL_0_) in Yorubaland. Can you explain anything more about them? Or are there any other great works of African architecture? EDIT: I just remembered about Great Zimbabwe, Djenne, and Ethiopian monoliths....
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/25hd73/what_are_some_of_the_great_works_of_subsaharan/
{ "a_id": [ "chhk3h2" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "One that immediately pops out in my mind is Great Zimbabwe: _URL_1_\n\nAs to why you've never heard about them, I can't really answer that definitively. If you would like to learn more about the empires that existed in Africa and may or may not h...
[]
[ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sungbo%27s_Eredo", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walls_of_Benin", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyramid#Nigeria" ]
[ [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/11bv4x/why_were_there_so_few_empires_in_africa/", "http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/364" ] ]
3ay0ok
why i can't recharge normal household batteries? when they build them they charge them, so why can't i?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ay0ok/eli5_why_i_cant_recharge_normal_household/
{ "a_id": [ "csgzb7m", "csh84vt", "cshbx80" ], "score": [ 223, 11, 3 ], "text": [ "They don't charge them when they build them. The current is generated by a chemical reaction, and the batteries are built with the required ingredients for the chemical reaction. They don't build an ...
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[]
[ [], [], [] ]
3joj9q
why are chinatowns celebrated in american cities as tourist destinations? what's the cultural significance compared to say a braziltown?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3joj9q/eli5_why_are_chinatowns_celebrated_in_american/
{ "a_id": [ "cur01xh" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "We do not have a lot of Brazilian immigrants, and those that we do have are not extremely likely to congregate. \n\nThat said if a Braziltown did form it would not have the same draw as a Chinatown because it is not culturally different enough. B...
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[ [] ]
2sfidx
why does the sound of a knife/fork screeching on a dinner plate sound so terrible to us humans?
I almost want to cry after having heard it - but why?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2sfidx/eli5why_does_the_sound_of_a_knifefork_screeching/
{ "a_id": [ "cnoyo4p", "cnoze7c", "cnp10xf", "cnp5c20" ], "score": [ 2, 9, 26, 2 ], "text": [ "One theory is like [nails on a chalkboard](_URL_0_) it resembles a monkey screeching where you need to get goosebumps (puff up and look big) and get outta dodge.", "If you've ...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chalkboard_scraping" ], [ "http://www.radiolab.org/story/91512-musical-language/" ], [], [ "http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2013-05/fyi-why-do-we-hate-sound-nails-chalkboard", "http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/what-is-the-most-annoying-soun...
1rprcx
Did rivalries between different organisations (such as the Wehrmacht and the Waffen-SS) negatively effect the Third Reich's war effort?
I'm doing an undergraduate assignment about the extent to which the Third Reich's command structure effected the war effort and this is an area I haven't been able to find much concrete information on.
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1rprcx/did_rivalries_between_different_organisations/
{ "a_id": [ "cdpoe15", "cdpqnzy", "cdq8av3" ], "score": [ 29, 3, 4 ], "text": [ "I'm not sure about the SS and the Wehrmacht, but government ministries and officials were often engaged in bitter bureaucratic rivalries and intrigues, usually due to having overlapping fields of respo...
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[ [], [], [] ]
14u6p4
how do wireless providers make money from mvnos?
Wouldn't creating competition that undersells your own same product while also using your own network be bad for business?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/14u6p4/eli5_how_do_wireless_providers_make_money_from/
{ "a_id": [ "c7gink7", "c7gixe2", "c7gn9f6" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "MVNO's are based on the internal accounting principle that every cost shall be applied to the business unit that consumes the good or service. \n\nBasically, think of Sprint (which is the major network...
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[ [], [], [] ]
1j4vab
how do the highs differ and compare to each other in psychedelic/hardcore drugs like ecstasy, mdma, shrooms, dmt, coke, heroin etc..?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1j4vab/how_do_the_highs_differ_and_compare_to_each_other/
{ "a_id": [ "cbb4wbn", "cbbb0z8" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Well, MDMA and ecstasy are the same thing, and I have not taken that. \n\nCoke is a stimulant so the high is gives you a feeling of alertness and euphoria. It will make you boring to others because all you want is more co...
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[ [], [] ]
15rzmx
how does dairy pricing work, and why do most coupons exclude dairy?
I work at a grocery store and have always wondered. I just assumed it was some kind of dairy mafia or a strong dairy lobby. Then I saw that the latest "Fiscal Cliff Deal" was to hold down the price of milk, and I was all kinds of confused.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/15rzmx/eli5_how_does_dairy_pricing_work_and_why_do_most/
{ "a_id": [ "c7pb1mf" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "The milk prices are set by the Farm Bill, which requires milk prices to stay low. The Farm Bill would have expired along with a number of other bills. The collective expiration and the results those expiring bills would have effects on the econom...
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74rsbx
If most weather patterns and storms move Eastward in the U.S., why do all the Hurricanes seem to travel Westward?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/74rsbx/if_most_weather_patterns_and_storms_move_eastward/
{ "a_id": [ "do0pazn" ], "score": [ 16 ], "text": [ "At lower latitudes, where hurricanes form, the prevailing direction is west. Once pushed more north, they will curve to the east.\n\nMore words:\nIn the tropical latitudes, tropical storms and hurricanes generally move westward with a slight ten...
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[ [ "https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_hurricane" ] ]
2kp0cv
Question about the Taliban, Cold War, and the U.S
Hello all! I want to ask about the history of the Taliban and the U.S. In the 70's and 80's, during the cold war, when Russia was occupying Afghanistan were those rebels fighting Russian occupation the future Taliban? Also, did the U.S arm those same rebels who would eventually become the Taliban to get Russia out? An...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2kp0cv/question_about_the_taliban_cold_war_and_the_us/
{ "a_id": [ "clnggvt" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "The answer is... its complicated... While there is definitely overlap between members of the Muj in the 1980s and the Taliban in the 1990s, the Taliban shouldn't be viewed as a successor group, as they were actually founded in opposition to the M...
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[ [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2h7p0v/some_question_on_afghanistan_are_the_taleban_and/ckq97cn" ] ]
5ma4n5
; why does traffic construction, (like an intersection), seem to take so much longer than other construction projects of equivalent size (like a medium sized building)? there seems to be huge stretches of time where little to know progress is made. what's going on?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5ma4n5/eli5_why_does_traffic_construction_like_an/
{ "a_id": [ "dc20ydh", "dc22w6w", "dc237br", "dc23jc2", "dc2ci21" ], "score": [ 5, 4, 2, 9, 4 ], "text": [ "Just for starters: There's a ton of ancient and delicate infrastructure under any urban street and there aren't great records of what-all is down there (and y...
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[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
34c5kk
how did evolution make this bug look like a leaf?
[The bug in question](_URL_0_)
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/34c5kk/eli5_how_did_evolution_make_this_bug_look_like_a/
{ "a_id": [ "cqt963c", "cqt970e", "cqt99tg" ], "score": [ 3, 9, 26 ], "text": [ "Its ancestors that didn't look like leaves were killed or failed to reproduce. Its ancestors that did look like leaves survived long enough to pass on their genes and produce offspring that also look l...
[]
[ "http://i.imgur.com/pZ802cx.jpg" ]
[ [], [], [] ]
9jxzqc
does being a bouncer or security guard exclude you from the consequences of beating someone up?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9jxzqc/eli5_does_being_a_bouncer_or_security_guard/
{ "a_id": [ "e6uwn68", "e6uwr6v", "e6uwzyu" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Depends on where you are, but generally the guide is 'reasonable force'. But bouncers / security guards don't have a 'get out of jail free' card.", "They are still held accountable for their action...
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[ [], [], [] ]
3ckkir
if deserts were former oceans, then what is stopping current oceans from turning into deserts?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ckkir/eli5_if_deserts_were_former_oceans_then_what_is/
{ "a_id": [ "cswdjjx", "cswdkus", "cswdu8r" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Only that their low elevation keeps water flowing into them. If you could make the bottom rise up high enough (above sea level), an ocean area that doesn't see much rain would then be a desert.", "A...
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[ [], [], [] ]
o37q3
Is there any Scientific Validity to Salt Lamps releasing negative Ions into the air around them?
My mom got me a small Salt Crystal lamp for christmas, and I am wondering if the claims on the box about the Salt rock being heated by the light bulb and releasing negative Ions (similar to after a rainstorm they claim...)
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/o37q3/is_there_any_scientific_validity_to_salt_lamps/
{ "a_id": [ "c3e0jzc", "c3e270k", "c3e4j6l" ], "score": [ 8, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Any time you hear \"negative ion\" as some sort of health benefit (or any benefit), think \"utter garbage.\" Get a refund if you can and try to educate your mother.\n\nThe only context that phrase shoul...
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[]
[ [], [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/kz10o/what_if_any_are_the_health_benefits_of_salt_lamps/" ], [ "http://amasci.com/emotor/chargdet.html" ] ]
391b5y
what happens if the us president goes insane and orders the military to do something unprecedentedly immoral?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/391b5y/eli5_what_happens_if_the_us_president_goes_insane/
{ "a_id": [ "crzhs0q", "crzj0vi" ], "score": [ 6, 2 ], "text": [ "If the president were actually crazy, then the 25th Amendment is the plan you are looking for. The most relevant part reads:\n\n > Section 4. Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the...
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[ [], [] ]
7d5cqq
Do polyglots experience cognitive deficits because of learning multiple languages?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/7d5cqq/do_polyglots_experience_cognitive_deficits/
{ "a_id": [ "dpvloxq" ], "score": [ 32 ], "text": [ "No, in fact multi-lingualism is known to have a variety of cognitive *benefits*.\n\nThe idea that speaking more than one language caused intellectual deficits in children was promoted in the early to mid-20th century with the justification that ...
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[]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racism", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_advantages_of_bilingualism" ] ]
2o6x0y
How was the relationship between Francisco Franco and the Spanish monarchy?
Did Franco supported the system? Did the King supported Franco?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2o6x0y/how_was_the_relationship_between_francisco_franco/
{ "a_id": [ "cmkgqrz" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "While I can somewhat provide information from the years 1936-1939, I cannot answer over the course of Franco’s lifetime.\n\nFrancisco Franco’s rise to power occurred during the Spanish Civil War from 1936-1939. The last King of Spain, Alfonso XII...
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[ [] ]
k5cjr
My medical-resident wife once said, "I've taken enough microbiology to know that those things don't work," talking about public restroom toilet seat covers. What's the science here?
She doesn't remember.
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/k5cjr/my_medicalresident_wife_once_said_ive_taken/
{ "a_id": [ "c2hmis2", "c2hmiyb", "c2hne79", "c2hns9y", "c2houaf", "c2hozbg", "c2hrlyv", "c2hrnye", "c2hmis2", "c2hmiyb", "c2hne79", "c2hns9y", "c2houaf", "c2hozbg", "c2hrlyv", "c2hrnye" ], "score": [ 26, 17, 6, 12, 2, 3, ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [ "http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=5&ved=0CDwQFjAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ekayasolutions.com%2FResearch%2FLiteratureGuide%2FPaperPhysics%2FAlavaRepProgPhys_06.pdf&rct=j&q=pore%20size%20of%20toilet%20paper&ei=0QtlTtO6GtTngQfLv5iTCg&usg=AFQjCNGQ7Y5IBRHQ...
8q5eor
how do people swim across oceans? don't they get tired and need to rest? how do they eat, drink and sleep?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8q5eor/eli5_how_do_people_swim_across_oceans_dont_they/
{ "a_id": [ "e0gldnq", "e0gle4i", "e0gnban" ], "score": [ 3, 13, 3 ], "text": [ "There are support crews on boats to provide him with food and water and a place to rest. The gentleman doing it now also has a small boat that's leading him so that he doesn't go off course (his previo...
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[]
[ [], [], [] ]
2e4k14
what's the hard white stuff that builds up on your teeth, and how do i prevent it from building up?
I always have to get it picked off for at least 10 minutes whenever I go to the dentist
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2e4k14/eli5_whats_the_hard_white_stuff_that_builds_up_on/
{ "a_id": [ "cjvzlfm" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "It's plaque, also known as calculus (unrelated to the mathematical field). This forms when you allow the normal bacteria in your mouth to build up layers of biofilm on your teeth. \n\nYou prevent it by brushing your teeth (properly and for the fu...
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[ [] ]
2utz46
(i know little about business.) what would have to happen for a massive and remarkably popular company like starbucks or mcdonald's to ever go out of business?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2utz46/eli5_i_know_little_about_business_what_would_have/
{ "a_id": [ "cobobkj", "coboh17", "cobokn1", "cobpxx0" ], "score": [ 9, 2, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "These companies are so large and resilient they probably would never go out of business unless something completely revolutionary appeared on the market that ended the need for wha...
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[ [], [], [], [] ]
2j6sx1
why does the appendix have to be cut out because of appendicitis, why can't it just be cleaned, what exactly is causing the blockage?
I mean cleaned as in having whatever is causing blockage be removed and then being treated with antibiotic/anti-inflammatory, or whatever would be necessary? I'm asking because right I have been getting appendicitis symptoms, which have been progressively getting worse the past week. I'm not too thrilled to be really ...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2j6sx1/eli5_why_does_the_appendix_have_to_be_cut_out/
{ "a_id": [ "cl8x5lz", "cl8xacp", "cl8xd6j", "cl8yb9h", "cl90kjc" ], "score": [ 15, 6, 3, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Go to the doctor right away. The appendix will grow and grow until it bursts, and you develop a severe immune response. There is not enough blood penetration...
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[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
yzt31
If bacteria eventually becomes resistant to antibiotics, do we have a back-up plan?
I'm not even sure whether it's certain that bacteria will become drug resistant. But if so, do scientists have any ideas on what we will do?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/yzt31/if_bacteria_eventually_becomes_resistant_to/
{ "a_id": [ "c6094pw" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "This is a topic of much discussion. Currently use of anti-biotics is trying to be reduced as much as possible. If anti-biotics fail, we will have to develop new bactericidal agents artificially.\n\nThis is why MRSA is such a pain. Anti-biotic tre...
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[ [] ]
1xhepa
How independent were the Warsaw Pact countries?
I've always assumed they were puppets if the Soviet Union is that the case?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1xhepa/how_independent_were_the_warsaw_pact_countries/
{ "a_id": [ "cfblewk" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Depends if Russian forces were permanently stationed in the country or not; Poland, the GDR, Czechoslovakia after 1967 and Hungary did have them, so they had to adhere strictly to all changes in the Soviet foreign policy.\n\nCzechoslovakia did no...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goulash_Communism" ] ]
1v5fqm
Did the Vatican stay quiet during the Holocaust? and if they did, how come?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1v5fqm/did_the_vatican_stay_quiet_during_the_holocaust/
{ "a_id": [ "ceoymel" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ "I addressed this question in [an earlier series of posts](_URL_0_). The allegation of silence began in 1963 with a play, *The Deputy* by Rolf Hochhuth. The 1999 book *Hitler's Pope* popularized the idea. Largely, the debate over Pius XII's act...
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[ [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1hrfc1/where_was_the_church_during_the_holocaust/" ] ]
60caeh
why is it so hard to use our non-dominant hand for things like sports?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/60caeh/eli5_why_is_it_so_hard_to_use_our_nondominant/
{ "a_id": [ "df59w1z" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Since you've been able to control your fine motor skills you have been favouring your dominant hand for most things which means that the muscles in that hand are are more finely tuned and have more 'muscle memory' than your non-dominant hand. You...
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[ [] ]
d664zg
What is the origin of the evil step-mother trope? Does it have any historical context?
[deleted]
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/d664zg/what_is_the_origin_of_the_evil_stepmother_trope/
{ "a_id": [ "f0sq9ui" ], "score": [ 14 ], "text": [ "There are two main camps when it comes the origins of the evil stepmother trope and I'll call them \"the inheritance theory\" and \"the psychological theory.\"\n\nThe inheritance theory says that the evil stepmother trope has concrete historical...
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