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34853l
Does drinking water help break down fat?
If the human body beaks fat down into water and salt, does drinking more water prohibit or inhibit the breakdown of fat? Is some amount of the water produced from the break down of fat used for hydration?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/34853l/does_drinking_water_help_break_down_fat/
{ "a_id": [ "cqs8p6p", "cqsqscl" ], "score": [ 11, 2 ], "text": [ "Drinking water has no effect on breaking down fat, unless you're severely dehydrated maybe.\n\nFat is basically long chains of CH2, and ultimately breaks down into CO2 and H2O. The H2O produced goes into your body just like...
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[ [], [] ]
3cs9uq
why does the us government which doesn't have the security to prevent 21.5 million employees from being hacked want to put backdoors into all programs?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3cs9uq/eli5_why_does_the_us_government_which_doesnt_have/
{ "a_id": [ "csyhlxx", "csymtff", "csyob5o", "csyoezv", "csyookj", "csyotyy", "csyqfo7", "csysiyn", "csytcua" ], "score": [ 420, 12, 12, 12, 2, 3, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "The US government is made up of people. Each of those people thin...
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[]
[ [], [], [], [ "reddit.com", "google.com" ], [], [], [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katherine_Archuleta" ], [ "http://www.federaltimes.com/story/government/omr/opm-cyber-report/2015/06/19/opm-breach-encryption/28985237/", "http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-government-d...
bk4dip
why do variety packs of food always include the most of the worst flavor?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bk4dip/eli5_why_do_variety_packs_of_food_always_include/
{ "a_id": [ "emdtqln" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Because it's the flavours that people dont usually buy and they have larger stock of it so they try to get rid of it that way" ] }
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[ [] ]
1v3w1l
what is platonic idealism?
I keep reading posts all over the internet about it (lately) and I can't seem to wrap my head around it (at all). Please help. I know it has something to do with the theory of forms? but I can't even understand that.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1v3w1l/eli5_what_is_platonic_idealism/
{ "a_id": [ "ceohhcf", "ceohw8n" ], "score": [ 2, 5 ], "text": [ "Plato was an important philosopher in Ancient Greece. Plato, Socrates and Aristotle are sort of considered the beginnings of Western philosophy so we tend to pay attention to them when studying philosophy.\n\nOne of his phi...
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[ [], [] ]
d2pzoz
what is the point of three cameras on the new iphone? two makes sense but three seems excessive. what difference does it make?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/d2pzoz/eli5_what_is_the_point_of_three_cameras_on_the/
{ "a_id": [ "ezw6ges" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "One of the most important aspects of a camera is its size: The bigger the entire thing is, the more light will shine on the sensor, which improves image quality. That is why movie cameras are so incredibly big compared to what normal people might...
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[ [] ]
6nkj6z
why you can listen to something with only one earbud in and it sounds fine, but if you have both in and a video only plays sound through one, it suddenly is annoying.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6nkj6z/eli5_why_you_can_listen_to_something_with_only/
{ "a_id": [ "dka5mdi" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "It has to do with your expectations.\n\nWhen you listen to only one, you expect to hear the content only from the one. Even if you miss out on some depth or stereo content, it's what you expect.\n\nWhen you put both in, you expect a richer experi...
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1qaeu5
Mass density and gravity: what is their relationship?
How does the intensity of a gravitational field significantly change with the density of matter? In other words, prior to a supernova there is a gravitational intensity at distance x. After a supernova, it seems to me that the resulting black hole creates a gravitational intensity greater than the original at distance ...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1qaeu5/mass_density_and_gravity_what_is_their/
{ "a_id": [ "cdatct4", "cdau6k0", "cdawmhr" ], "score": [ 2, 5, 3 ], "text": [ "The gravitational field at the surface of a spherical object is proportional to the mass and inversely proportional to the square of the radius. Because the mass of a sphere is proportional to the cube ...
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[ [], [], [] ]
150ifa
When and why did suburbanization peak in the US?
It seems that there was net movement (of affluent Americans) from city centers to the suburbs from the late 40's on out, but that movement seems to have either stopped or reversed, at least for working young people. I'm guessing it happened sometime during the mid 80's? Why did it? Improved race relations? Better city ...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/150ifa/when_and_why_did_suburbanization_peak_in_the_us/
{ "a_id": [ "c7i7zv2", "c7i80ex", "c7iep82" ], "score": [ 2, 7, 2 ], "text": [ "I think that the answers you're looking for probably vary widely from city to city. Many areas of the country experienced massive growth after WWII as veterans and their families moved out of the cities...
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[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Migration_(African_American)" ], [], [ "http://www.pbs.org/fmc/book/12crime2.htm" ] ]
976dju
Are there any other "preserved" towns in the world, like those around Vesuvius?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/976dju/are_there_any_other_preserved_towns_in_the_world/
{ "a_id": [ "e45v4kx" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Sorry, we don't allow [\"example seeking\" questions](_URL_1_). It's not that your question was bad; it's that these kinds of questions tend to produce threads that are collections of disjointed, partial, inadequate responses. If you have a quest...
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[ [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3nub87/rules_change_throughout_history_rule_is_replaced/", "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/wiki/rules#wiki_no_.22example_seeking.22_questions" ] ]
6l9xu9
Why did Beijing become the capital of the Chinese dynasties if there is no major water sources by it? How did it sustain itself and grow so big?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6l9xu9/why_did_beijing_become_the_capital_of_the_chinese/
{ "a_id": [ "djsmrw5", "djsqnmt" ], "score": [ 2, 4 ], "text": [ "Beijing was not the initial capital of Ming dynasty. The first capital of Ming dynasty was Nanjing. After taking the throne from his nephew, Yongle moved the capital from Nanjing to Beijing. Beijing was Yongle base. It's eas...
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[ [], [] ]
5oy4bp
Did Mansa Musa really spend so much gold on his pilgrimage to Mecca that he devalued it substantially?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/5oy4bp/did_mansa_musa_really_spend_so_much_gold_on_his/
{ "a_id": [ "dcn3x6o" ], "score": [ 9 ], "text": [ "This particular claim comes to us from the account of Shihab al-Umari, who wrote that:\n\n > This man [Mansa Musa] flooded Cairo with his benefactions. He left no court emir nor holder of a royal office without the gift of a load of gold. The C...
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9vedfp
why do muscles get sore and damaged from low-intensity exercise? [biology]
From what I understood, your muscles get tiny micro tears from exercising, and this causes the muscle to get sore. Lactic acid doesn't actually damage the muscle or cause pain. But if someone is doing something with a very low intensity, like walking, standing for a long time, sitting upright for a long time, or lif...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9vedfp/eli5_why_do_muscles_get_sore_and_damaged_from/
{ "a_id": [ "e9c1k7n" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "I minored in Nutrition and Physical Fitness. Also, a certified personal trainer, and currently a biology major. This is probably the best explain like I'm 5 answer I can give you considering it's a loaded question. Let's talk about what you alrea...
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[ [] ]
3qzcip
why does low frequency sound require more power to sound equally loud?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3qzcip/eli5_why_does_low_frequency_sound_require_more/
{ "a_id": [ "cwjkmhv" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Our hearing sensitivity drops off. To hear really low frequency sound there must be more power used to produce the sound. After a while we feel it in our bones." ] }
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[ [] ]
ezdak1
Is there a reason to suspect that P might be =NP? If so, what is it?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/ezdak1/is_there_a_reason_to_suspect_that_p_might_be_np/
{ "a_id": [ "fgq6xuf" ], "score": [ 19 ], "text": [ "There are a few leading theoreticians that believe that P=NP is a very real possibility (the dominant belief is that P!=NP). Knuth is one such person. \n\nOne common argument is that we are *truly terrible* at proving lower bounds for complexity...
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[ [] ]
2s9m2n
does "military grade" actually have a standard, or is it just a marketing term?
For example, the commercial for new Ford F-150 stated it is made of "Military grade aluminium." What makes something "Military Grade"? Edit: Spelled aluminium wrong, was driving me nuts
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2s9m2n/eli5_does_military_grade_actually_have_a_standard/
{ "a_id": [ "cnnfpqo", "cnnfq35", "cnnhifw", "cnniamn", "cnnj538", "cnnkbzh", "cnnkqah", "cnnmn5u", "cnnpea0", "cnnqk95", "cnnrywv", "cnnug7d", "cnnumxl", "cnnw8nz" ], "score": [ 3, 182, 16, 27, 4, 7, 2, 2, 3, 6, 2...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://everyspec.com/" ], [], [ "http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/07/01/ingress-protection-and-us-mil-810g-explained-what-these-ratings-really-tell-you-about-a-smartphones-toughness/" ], [], [], [], [], [] ]
9xos0r
the new si base base units
Wikipedia wasn't much of help here.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9xos0r/eli5_the_new_si_base_base_units/
{ "a_id": [ "e9tw9tr" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ "Basically, the kilogram was redefined and the reason for this is because the standard for the kilogram was a metal cylinder in the basement of some building in Paris. Scientists wanted to remove the need for a physical object, so they redefined t...
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[ [] ]
a36lnn
how does a secret recipe stay secret?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a36lnn/eli5_how_does_a_secret_recipe_stay_secret/
{ "a_id": [ "eb3rx4w", "eb3ry8j" ], "score": [ 2, 5 ], "text": [ "They probably make all those with access sign a non disclosure agreement.\n\nDr pepper classifies its formula as a trade secret kept in 2 separate parts - you can maintain this by have having two facilities, that combine the...
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[ [], [] ]
clqxx2
what exactly is glass? how is it clear? could you 3d print glass?
Is glass a naturally occuring thing?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/clqxx2/eli5_what_exactly_is_glass_how_is_it_clear_could/
{ "a_id": [ "evx8r9w", "evx9g2z" ], "score": [ 34, 8 ], "text": [ "Glass is typically comprised mainly of silica sand, which is just ground or otherwise broken down quartz crystals.\n\nQuartz itself is clear, and when you see a large piece of quartz, and cloudiness is either from impuritie...
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[]
[ [ "https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/climate-weather/stories/fulgurites-when-lightning-strikes-sand-magic-is-formed" ], [] ]
u2tih
What is the difference between a Mesenchymal Stem Cell and a Hematopoietic Stem Cells?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/u2tih/what_is_the_difference_between_a_mesenchymal_stem/
{ "a_id": [ "c4rxfx0" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "Mesenchymal stem cells are connective tissue precursors - they can differentiate into osteoblasts (bone), chondrocytes (cartilate), or adipocytes (fat). Hematopoietic stem cells are blood precursors, and can differentiate into red blood cells, p...
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4u7fp7
At what temperature do muscles operate optimally, and why?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/4u7fp7/at_what_temperature_do_muscles_operate_optimally/
{ "a_id": [ "d5oe8vk" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "The energy catabolysing enzymes in your muscles actually work optimally at a little bit higher than Human core temperature, which is about 37/38 celsius. \n\nMuscles are optimal at around 40 - 42 celsius, which is partly why warming up improves p...
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[ [] ]
3bex6x
why are disc brakes more effective than drum brakes?
As far as I know they work using the same principle, calipers pressing against a surface linked to the wheel to slow it down, just disc brakes compress against a disc and drum brakes expand out on a drum. Why is it usually more efficient to use disc brakes if the technology is the same? Shouldn't they both be equally a...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3bex6x/eli5_why_are_disc_brakes_more_effective_than_drum/
{ "a_id": [ "csll3xs" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "I agree with MsDosNerd that disc brakes have better performance due to superior heat dissipation I would point out that drum brakes also have friction material that wears out, just like brake pads. In this picture: _URL_1_ the grey material is th...
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[ [ "http://members.rennlist.com/pirtle/svc_br6.jpg", "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ef/Brake_shoes.jpg", "http://www.renault4.co.uk/rear-brakes/girling-brakes.jpg" ] ]
cx2dct
When and what was the cause of the trend of several US states having a foreign language requirement in High Schools?
I grew up in a state with a language requirement. I took Spanish for 5 years from 7th-11th grade and felt like I never actually developed the skill to anywhere near fluid. When I graduated, I found that my college also required 4 semesters of foreign language. It seems like a lot of time and effort that I could have us...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/cx2dct/when_and_what_was_the_cause_of_the_trend_of/
{ "a_id": [ "eyj7hij" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ "Step into the wayback machine with me. Up until the mid to late-1800's, formal education on American soil for sons of those in power (which is to say, white men) generally followed what was known as the Classical Curriculum. While a boy would lea...
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[ [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/cjq5z0/what_was_the_college_admissions_process_like_in/evidgqb/", "https://old.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/8612pc/what_was_foreign_language_education_like_for/" ] ]
1vkc6n
US Infantry "universally smaller and weaker" than Axis in WWII?
Is there any truth in the following claims? "This is one of those dirty little historical secrets that’s hidden in plain sight for seven decades. Ask any aged German veteran, he’ll be happy to tell you just how weak American infantry, drawn from the unwilling and the weak, actually was. Historians have known this for ...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1vkc6n/us_infantry_universally_smaller_and_weaker_than/
{ "a_id": [ "cet46jw", "cetfshf" ], "score": [ 20, 3 ], "text": [ "No.\n\nIt's funny how the author harps directly on the Battle of Hurtgen Forest as a \"non-Hollywood friendly\" battle, seeing as this particular battle was showcased in the Band of Brothers miniseries (episode 6, I believe...
[]
[ "http://20committee.com/2013/12/25/on-conscription-and-military-effectiveness/" ]
[ [], [] ]
41yugy
why can't solar panels on a home provide energy without connecting to the public energy grid?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/41yugy/eli5_why_cant_solar_panels_on_a_home_provide/
{ "a_id": [ "cz69ub8", "cz6b26r" ], "score": [ 5, 2 ], "text": [ "Well they totally can, but it requires batteries. It's also more work and there isn't a benefit unless you're totally off the grid. \n\nThe other big benefit of tying in to the grid with solar is that you can sell excess ele...
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[ [], [] ]
3eqzrv
why do people like avoiding studying?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3eqzrv/eli5_why_do_people_like_avoiding_studying/
{ "a_id": [ "cthkfgi" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "People inherently love studying. The thing is, when you are in school, you create this kind of mental block where you force yourself to think that studying is somehow bad and you start procastonating. But when you learn somethong new in the real ...
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masdg
Space Battle with Today's Technology?
I was rereading Ender's Game, and I started thinking about what would happen if, today, an alien species attacked us (a la the Buggers). Would we just be completely overwhelmed? Do we have any weaponized systems that could stand a chance, or would we be able to build anything in time? I assume the alien civilization wo...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/masdg/space_battle_with_todays_technology/
{ "a_id": [ "c2zg5lg", "c2zgb9p", "c2zgd5a", "c2zhksf", "c2zinor", "c2zg5lg", "c2zgb9p", "c2zgd5a", "c2zhksf", "c2zinor" ], "score": [ 9, 3, 3, 2, 3, 9, 3, 3, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "If they can just accurately chuck rocks from the...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
sqeex
inflation and hyperinflation
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/sqeex/eli5inflation_and_hyperinflation/
{ "a_id": [ "c4g42mz", "c4g6rvh" ], "score": [ 3, 8 ], "text": [ "Good explanation here:\n_URL_0_", "Elpez's link provides some good explanations of inflation, so I'll let you have a look at that. Really, it's not so hard to understand: when you make more bills, each one is worth less ...
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[ [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/j9vgc/eli5_inflation/" ], [] ]
b492ld
Are there any birds that engage in surplus killing?
Surplus killing, as in the behavior in which animals kill things they don't immediately intend to eat, is most common in mammals to my understanding. Are there any birds that do it? I would also appreciate knowing any birds known for just killing lots of things, even if not technically surface killing in some way. Than...
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/b492ld/are_there_any_birds_that_engage_in_surplus_killing/
{ "a_id": [ "ej61udu" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "Shrikes are known as butcher birds. They catch small rodents, birds or large insects and impale them on stuff like barb wire to save then for later. So maybe not surplus but not eaten immediately.\n\nLots of species will kill the young of other s...
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1ynu5i
why does every reality show now appear to be scripted? are there currently any that are truly unscripted?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ynu5i/eli5_why_does_every_reality_show_now_appear_to_be/
{ "a_id": [ "cfm5e53", "cfm5pio", "cfma1wd" ], "score": [ 6, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "because it's about ratings. not actual reality.\n\ncause real reality would be me for a day... and that'd be boring. not one person is interesting for a while 24hours.", "Because it would require a ...
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[ [], [], [] ]
2na4f9
assume the universe is infinite, is there then other realities in which everything is almost exactly the same as on earth?
For example, EVERYTHING in the past up until now on earth happens the same way, except in this alternate universe, you are eating an apple now as opposed to reading this post without the apple / whatever you are doing now. EDIT: A lot of people are just telling me the term infinity is boundless are never ending, but n...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2na4f9/eli5_assume_the_universe_is_infinite_is_there/
{ "a_id": [ "cmbq9yr", "cmbrfs5" ], "score": [ 5, 11 ], "text": [ "that's not necessarily true. just because something is infinite does not mean it does anything interesting.\n\ni can come up with an infinite string of numbers that never repeats itself but is entirely bland. 10100100010000...
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[ [], [ "http://youtu.be/8GEebx72-qs?t=4m12s" ] ]
2r8l88
how would nasa describe the location (coordinates) and bearing/range of a spaceship traveling to mars or elsewhere in the solar system?
Oh and speed, relative to what? To earth, Mars, sun?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2r8l88/eli5_how_would_nasa_describe_the_location/
{ "a_id": [ "cndg6fm" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "\"As any spacecraft moves through space, it is communicating with Earth by sending off radio waves. These radio waves can tell us a spacecraft's speed in two ways. The first one is very simple. Since radio waves (like all other electromagnetic ra...
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[ [ "http://www.qrg.northwestern.edu/projects/vss/docs/navigation/2-how-tell-speed.html" ] ]
81xc2f
When we extract energy from tides, what loses energy? Do we slow down the Earth or the Moon?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/81xc2f/when_we_extract_energy_from_tides_what_loses/
{ "a_id": [ "dv5y474", "dv60tgg", "dv66b0s", "dv69p7x", "dv6em86", "dv6jluw", "dv71815", "dv79c6b" ], "score": [ 6781, 296, 28, 126, 4, 15, 3, 7 ], "text": [ "It is exactly the same process as restrictions in the tidal flow caused by the cont...
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[ [], [ "https://dothemath.ucsd.edu/2011/12/can-tides-turn-the-tide/" ], [], [], [], [ "http://www.businessinsider.com/chinas-three-gorges-dam-really-will-slow-the-earths-rotation-2010-6" ], [], [] ]
m5jzd
why is staring at a computer screen more exhausting than staring at a tv screen?
I get tired far quicker from watching something on a computer compared to a TV. Is it just because typically a computer screen is closer?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/m5jzd/eli5_why_is_staring_at_a_computer_screen_more/
{ "a_id": [ "c2ya7ta", "c2ya7ta" ], "score": [ 3, 3 ], "text": [ "Being closer could cause additional strain on your eyes. A computer is also just less passive. With a tv you're just watching and listening. With a computer you're generally reading. ", "Being closer could cause addition...
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3ghryf
why do some drinks have sodium in them (like gatorade, iced green tea, etc) and what is the difference between sodium and salt?
I am drinking Kirkland brand Diet Green Tea with Citrus right now and it has 0g/mg of anything in it except it has 100mg Sodium. It tastes pretty salty too, so my question is, what is the difference between sodium and salt and why would you want your soft drink to be salty?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ghryf/eli5_why_do_some_drinks_have_sodium_in_them_like/
{ "a_id": [ "cty7w0h", "cty7wiu", "cty808e" ], "score": [ 2, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "They have sodium in them because it makes you thirsty and then you buy more of their drink. They have sugar/other sweetener in them to cover the taste of the sodium. They do this on purpose to generate ...
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[ [], [], [ "http://chemistry.about.com/od/moleculescompounds/a/Sodium-Versus-Salt.htm" ] ]
bcx2hb
do other galaxies in the sky move?
Since the Earth spins, the sky appears to rotate around us throughout the year. Our galaxy is also spinning, so do objects beyond our galaxy (other galaxies and nebulae) rotate relative to the stars (in our galaxy) we can see in the sky?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bcx2hb/eli5_do_other_galaxies_in_the_sky_move/
{ "a_id": [ "eku5741", "eku6611", "eku7m6z" ], "score": [ 2, 11, 2 ], "text": [ "Yes, other Galaxies rotate and move.\n\nBut it occurs so slowly relative to us that we can't really notice it.", "Other galaxies are as \"fixed\" in the sky as the stars are. The galaxies are of co...
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[ [], [], [] ]
357s6l
all of a sudden, the famous video of "leeroy jenkins" has become distorted. how does this happen to a video that (i assume) hasn't been tampered with and has been fine for years?
Or maybe it's been happening for a while, progressively getting more and more distorted to the point where it's noticeable? I wonder if the whole video will eventually will become a mess of jumbled noise? Still confused how it could happen in the first place. Thanks! _URL_0_
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/357s6l/eli5_all_of_a_sudden_the_famous_video_of_leeroy/
{ "a_id": [ "cr1swtm", "cr1zy2q", "cr21osm", "cr25i3l", "cr25qs2", "cr299ca", "cr2a76w", "cr2ao3a", "cr2bb2l", "cr2bpni", "cr2bsu0", "cr2d2u5", "cr2ekyx", "cr2gigw", "cr2i786" ], "score": [ 467, 333, 16, 49, 7, 12, 43, 26,...
[]
[ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkCNJRfSZBU&t=0m20s" ]
[ [], [], [ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hooKVstzbz0" ], [ "https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hooKVstzbz0" ], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hooKVstzbz0" ], [] ]
2cv5q2
Where do young historians often get data?
I know that some of our best historians have a very large variety of sources to base their research on, but what about young graduate students or professors? I am about to start my Ph.D. in sociology and am interested in doing comparative historical research. Are there any major databases that every young/budding histo...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2cv5q2/where_do_young_historians_often_get_data/
{ "a_id": [ "cjjc18o", "cjjght6" ], "score": [ 2, 5 ], "text": [ "It sounds like your asking about statistical data, such databases as _URL_1_ can be useful. But journals often have articles with statistical data from surveys going way back. As do books. If you use google to find a book or...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.eigenfactor.org", "Nationmaster.com" ], [] ]
1ap2sd
Which historic female's life would you want a movie made of?
Which historic female's life would you want a movie made of? I'd like to see a based-on-a-true-story-but-with-more-violence movie of Edith Garrud. Yes, you can thank _URL_0_ for telling me about her. _URL_1_
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1ap2sd/which_historic_females_life_would_you_want_a/
{ "a_id": [ "c8zfi39", "c8zgocz", "c8zh4qy", "c8zlysc", "c8zm0y8", "c8zniqj", "c8zo4wl", "c8zosyn", "c8zp0az", "c8zq9pk" ], "score": [ 3, 13, 10, 4, 3, 7, 2, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Doris Lessing\n\n*EDIT*- Why, well she's an in...
[]
[ "http://www.badassoftheweek.com", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edith_Margaret_Garrud" ]
[ [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gr%C3%A1inne_O%27Malley" ], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
66tnl5
how are traffic light sequences decided and programmed?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/66tnl5/eli5_how_are_traffic_light_sequences_decided_and/
{ "a_id": [ "dgl7853", "dgl7ba8", "dglaaxa" ], "score": [ 10, 3, 9 ], "text": [ "The sequence is usually the same, north/south goes, then people turning left, then east/west goes, then more people turning left. At a good intersection the length of the light is determined by induct...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
8k0l0z
how does s thermos/cooler keep things hot/cold and why do the high end ones, like yeti work better?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8k0l0z/eli5_how_does_s_thermoscooler_keep_things_hotcold/
{ "a_id": [ "dz3zcdt" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "Thermos is technically a brand name, but it's been genericized much like \"kleenex\" and \"Dumpster\" have been. That style of container is technically a \"[vacuum bottle](_URL_0_).\"\n\nThey work by having a (usually glass) inner bottle inside a...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacuum_flask" ] ]
1uqb3c
What is happening to muscle when it is twisted/strained? Is the muscle being damaged?
Specifically minor injuries, such as a kink in your neck or back?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1uqb3c/what_is_happening_to_muscle_when_it_is/
{ "a_id": [ "celflsz" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "There are many different words you're using here and it'd be important to clarify what those are. Strains and sprains are muscular or tendon damage. The pain comes from nerve cells detecting the molecules from inside the damaged cells which have ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
6kkks2
how do actors and actresses vomit for movies and television?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6kkks2/eli5_how_do_actors_and_actresses_vomit_for_movies/
{ "a_id": [ "djmry6b", "djmtb9p" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Cheapest way is to have a mouthful of soup.\n\nFor big volumes of vomit, a hose run up the actor's costume and to the side of the mouth away from the camera is often used.", "Here's a short video where they have tubes in...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CnEx6fxbvE" ] ]
1u5tom
how can a single wire in coaxial cable carry so much information? hundreds of channels, internet, and voip service in my case.
The single wire hooks into the cable box and it sees like a thousand different channels; it hooks into the modem and handles all the internet traffic from as many devices as I can attach to my network.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1u5tom/eli5how_can_a_single_wire_in_coaxial_cable_carry/
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[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frequency-division_multiplexing" ], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1u5tom/eli5how_can_a_single_wire_in_coaxial_cable_carry/cef1qui", "http://www.reddit.com/r/exp...
f0iffr
why can't you donate blood in the first 6 months of getting a tattoo?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/f0iffr/eli5_why_cant_you_donate_blood_in_the_first_6/
{ "a_id": [ "fguamxu", "fguauh4", "fgub5mr", "fgubtxd", "fguf6ev" ], "score": [ 13, 4, 10, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Because getting a tattoo breaks the skin and if a dirty needle is used and you get hiv, it takes a few months for hiv antibodies to show up in your blood st...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
35xiib
Would masses of 1kg and 0,5 kg of the same radioactive material take the same time to decay?
First of all, is it even possible for something to decay 100% via radioactive decay, since half of half of half... seems like a convergent series with the decayed mass approaching one, but never really getting there... But then again, you eventually would get to one atom, and that atom (given that it's radioactive) has...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/35xiib/would_masses_of_1kg_and_05_kg_of_the_same/
{ "a_id": [ "cr8s0hc", "cr8s9of" ], "score": [ 6, 22 ], "text": [ "Firstly, the basic thing to remember is that one mol of material has around about 1x10^24 atoms in it. \n\nI'm going to use ^10 Be as my isotope of choice because it has a mass of 10 so is really easy to do maths with. It a...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
a262mg
During the Jim Crow era, was there punishment for white people going into places designated "Colored Only"?
When I was in school I remember learning about segregation, and how black peolpe were not allowed in certain places (or sections of places), but what I'd like to know what (if any) degree of punishment there was for white people who defiantly entered "Colored Only" establishments, or using drinking fountains restrooms,...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/a262mg/during_the_jim_crow_era_was_there_punishment_for/
{ "a_id": [ "eavy82i", "eax6imv", "eaxf0ee" ], "score": [ 1064, 43, 162 ], "text": [ "Secondary question to this one: which category would people fall in if they were neither black nor white? Eg asians, mexicans, etc...", "I asked a similar question a while back, got some good ...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/804plz/what_might_happen_if_during_segregation_a_white/" ], [] ]
2nlzx9
how is it possible for the kinder morgan pipeline in bc to still an issue after various local communities have rejected the proposal ?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2nlzx9/eli5_how_is_it_possible_for_the_kinder_morgan/
{ "a_id": [ "cmgbq2y" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Because power corrupts. Most politicians don't care what their constituents think until it's around election time. Maybe those representatives know they are on their way out anyway so they try to secure that cushy consulting/lobby job for the maj...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
e0el6y
when some 'runs across america' or does some stunt for charity. how's does it actually benefit any charity?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/e0el6y/eli5_when_some_runs_across_america_or_does_some/
{ "a_id": [ "f8djjd5", "f8dkh7w" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "It does in 2 ways. First it raises awareness of the charity and whatever it is they stand for. Spreading knowledge and building credit for that organization.\nAnd then financially through donations or pledges. Some people ru...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
1y1aq8
why do people like warren buffet continue to try and make as much money as possible, when they have so much that they could never spend it all?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1y1aq8/eli5_why_do_people_like_warren_buffet_continue_to/
{ "a_id": [ "cfggald", "cfggdp9", "cfgge20", "cfggij7", "cfghc8g", "cfgj1xa", "cfgl0ux", "cfglae1", "cfgm9qe", "cfgsvsx" ], "score": [ 37, 6, 11, 7, 56, 2, 8, 6, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "Well, in Warren Buffet's case, when he makes ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
16s1lt
why is being "cisgender" bad?
An internet term that has been around for a while suggests that being cisgender (identifying yourself as the same gender as you biologically are) bad from the perspective of a trans-person. Why?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/16s1lt/eli5_why_is_being_cisgender_bad/
{ "a_id": [ "c7ytjei", "c7yuch4", "c7yui69", "c7yukzy", "c7yuxmd", "c7yxpr0", "c7z3v93" ], "score": [ 18, 5, 4, 14, 2, 3, 3 ], "text": [ "It's not bad. It's just *different* from the perspective of a trans person, in the same way that being transgend...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
1fwc2u
why don't military aircraft use "sky" camouflage?
I don't understand why ground soldiers wear the green and brown camo to blend in with trees and bushes, and those in the desert use desert camo (even the vehicles) but aircraft and watercraft don't use camo that more suits their surroundings?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1fwc2u/eli5_why_dont_military_aircraft_use_sky_camouflage/
{ "a_id": [ "caefg9y", "caefkag", "caehwjb" ], "score": [ 15, 12, 2 ], "text": [ "Basically because nobody shoots at them visually any more. They are much more concerned with making themselves invisible to lasers, radar, and heat-seeking missiles.", "Most of them do just not in...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
c0meio
why is depth perception messed up in low light?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/c0meio/eli5_why_is_depth_perception_messed_up_in_low/
{ "a_id": [ "er5t9fd" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "The sensors in the eye are not spread out uniformly, the eye is not a camera. The ones that feed into depth perception best, the cones, are denser in the center of the field of view. The ones that see in low light best, the rods, are denser aro...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
2gtw4e
when the milky way and andromeda collide, what will happen to their supermassive black holes at their centers?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2gtw4e/eli5_when_the_milky_way_and_andromeda_collide/
{ "a_id": [ "ckmhab1", "ckmhb4t", "ckmhg1n", "ckmhmr8", "ckmhp1i", "ckmpt9n" ], "score": [ 4, 2, 10, 52, 5, 5 ], "text": [ "They would combine into one even bigger black hole", "They will orbit each other and eventually merge, probably.\n\nOr one/both wi...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
9catw0
why does parallel parking only work when reversing at the start?
edit: Thank you all for your explanations. I believe I now have a firm grasp of why reversing is easier to complete a parallel parking maneuver. Thanks everyone again :)
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9catw0/eli5_why_does_parallel_parking_only_work_when/
{ "a_id": [ "e59bet6", "e59hzie", "e5ao17x" ], "score": [ 91, 9, 2 ], "text": [ "Because your turning wheels are only at the front of your car. As your back wheels get where they need to be while reversing you can turn your front end in. Otherwise you would need to drive onto the c...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
3ayhbi
How accurate was the siege warfare in Kingdom of Heaven?
Doesn't have to reflect the siege of Jerusalem itself, but any siege that could have happened at the time. I've found many questions and answers on the movie, but none on the siege itself. Many thanks!
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3ayhbi/how_accurate_was_the_siege_warfare_in_kingdom_of/
{ "a_id": [ "csh7ojx", "cshrygt", "csi5cwa" ], "score": [ 38, 15, 17 ], "text": [ "Here are some videos of the siege scenes in *Kingdom of Heaven* for experts to look over.\n\n[2 minute long assault on the walls.](_URL_0_ \"Kingdom of Heaven - Siege on Jerusalem third day - YouTube...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r871wV78q4E", "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUzGXsjCZmg" ], [], [] ]
75tz1e
How did Allied tanks like the Sherman defeated more superior tanks like the Panther during WW2?
Was it solely on the fact that there wew more Shermans or was there something else that gave the allies an edge over their enemies?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/75tz1e/how_did_allied_tanks_like_the_sherman_defeated/
{ "a_id": [ "do901x5" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Not to stifle new answers, but this has been asked a number of times in the past. [I'm of the opinion that this is the best of those threads.](_URL_0_)\n\nJust ignore ChristianMunich. \n\nSadly, I'm unable to give credit to the user who has del...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2sjhq9/why_were_us_tanks_m4_sherman_still_inferior_to/" ] ]
8o5lhj
Why are some people buoyant in water and others not?
I was at the pool today and my wife cannot float no matter what she tries. Her bottom always sinks. My mother cannot sink no matter how hard she tries. In fact, if she tries to get at something at the bottom of a pool she has to try really hard or she comes right up every time. I have seen 2 similarly body sized indi...
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/8o5lhj/why_are_some_people_buoyant_in_water_and_others/
{ "a_id": [ "e01wb5z" ], "score": [ 14 ], "text": [ "Distribution of muscle vs fat, as well as lung capacity. Body fat percentage in particular can be very different for different people. In fact how well someone floats (or doesn't) is used to *determine* body fat percentage. And body fat percenta...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_fat_percentage#Underwater_weighing", "http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/hi/sa/swimming/email_a_coach/newsid_3092000/3092416.stm" ] ]
b3g9tz
how do stealth fighters like the f-22 or f-35 work?
How does the stealth technology in these aircraft work?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/b3g9tz/eli5_how_do_stealth_fighters_like_the_f22_or_f35/
{ "a_id": [ "eizdhiu", "eizdw8j", "eizesgp" ], "score": [ 13, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "Radar works by sending a radio wave out. The radio wave hits the surface of an object and is reflected back at the radar station. It measures the time it takes for the radio wave it sent to get back ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/search?q=stealth%20planes%20work&restrict_sr=1" ] ]
7qwj6o
How do depilatory creams (like Nair) work on hair?
What is actually happening to the hair?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/7qwj6o/how_do_depilatory_creams_like_nair_work_on_hair/
{ "a_id": [ "dssprii" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "Hair is largely made of keratin, a type of structural protein that also helps make up your skin and nails. Compared to other most other proteins, keratin is very tough and doesn’t interact easily with most things in our environment due to a high ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
3z8tt4
how do "entrepreneurs" develop their potentially lucrative ideas without having them stolen by others at any point in the process?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3z8tt4/eli5how_do_entrepreneurs_develop_their/
{ "a_id": [ "cyk57rr", "cyk6ft5", "cykaynh" ], "score": [ 4, 2, 5 ], "text": [ "In secrecy. There's usually a secrecy contract on work places.\n\nAlso when it's a proven concept to some level, people get patents on them.", "Most often, the idea an entrepreneur implements isn't ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
1h49ld
I don't understand why Iron is the element that starts the supernova process? (Layman's terms please)
What property does Iron have the kickstarts a supernova? Why not another metal? I just had someone breifly describe to me how a star's lifespan works (Fusion, going from one element to another down the line) but I can't find out why Iron is the magic element.
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1h49ld/i_dont_understand_why_iron_is_the_element_that/
{ "a_id": [ "caqoqd3", "caqouow", "caqpe8j", "caqqo7n", "caqsslf", "caqwxzo", "caqzw06", "car22ga", "carcv00" ], "score": [ 43, 32, 678, 3, 16, 16, 4, 8, 2 ], "text": [ "Fusing elements is no longer energetically favorable once you ge...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_binding_energy", "http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/19e6nh/why_is_fusion_beyond_iron_no_longer_exothermic/c8nci14" ], [], [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandrasekhar_limit" ], [ "http://youtu.be/DNDnZb-nEOc" ], [], ...
8zh1a8
why do eyes have that awesome pattern around the pupil and what is the purpose of the coloring?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8zh1a8/eli5_why_do_eyes_have_that_awesome_pattern_around/
{ "a_id": [ "e2irmn7", "e2itoqj" ], "score": [ 13, 3 ], "text": [ "The colored part is called an iris and is a muscle used to control the size of our pupil, the black part of our eye that allows light to enter. \n\nThe color is caused by a mutation that reduces the amount of melanin contai...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
2ylgzh
why do nfl players trade or let their players leave so frequently and so easily?
The Saints Traded Jimmy Graham. He's awesome. Top 2 TE. Eagles let Maclin sign with another team. Do you think the original team knows they aren't worth the money? The movement -cuts, free agents, trades seem so much more blockbuster in the NFL than other pro sports.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2ylgzh/eli5_why_do_nfl_players_trade_or_let_their/
{ "a_id": [ "cpamhnq", "cpamilv" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "I think it's about building the best team you can for the money. Sometimes you have a great player that's worth the money of 2 pretty good players. It's all about the salary cap in the NFL. ", "O_O Way to find out that o...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
1xfry1
Why does HIV spread only via some body fluids? i.e. why does it spread via blood and breast milk but not via saliva and tears?
I'm especially intrigued by why breast milk but not saliva since both of them go through the digestive system of an uninfected person....
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1xfry1/why_does_hiv_spread_only_via_some_body_fluids_ie/
{ "a_id": [ "cfazzez", "cfb121d" ], "score": [ 29, 280 ], "text": [ "Well, you CAN get it through any bodily fluid, including saliva. But the mouth is such a harsh environment that it can't survive for a long period of time, so it's less concentrated in there than it would be in blood or y...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.mcld.co.uk/hiv/?q=HIV+and+saliva" ], [] ]
2ltgbw
why do some people get bit by mosquitos much more often than others?
I went on a hike with about 10 friends. I was the only one to be bitten. By the end of a 2 mile hike I had 5-10 huge welts on my arms and neck. No one else had a single bite. So what gives? Is it body temperature? Is it my blood type. Is it my scent?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2ltgbw/eli5_why_do_some_people_get_bit_by_mosquitos_much/
{ "a_id": [ "cly107l", "cly1wp9", "cly2ajb", "cly2jmg", "cly2ukn", "cly3r67", "cly3v23", "cly3v96", "cly4giu", "cly5lja", "cly6tq8", "cly73vl", "cly751z", "clyhenj" ], "score": [ 221, 93, 64, 118, 2, 214, 17, 3, 3, 5, ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://www.physics.hmc.edu/courses/p022/samplepaper2_online.pdf" ], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0,36&q=mosquitoes+skin+bacteria" ], [] ]
u0v8h
Is there a net electric charge on the sun?
My high school physics teacher told us that the sun had no electrons, that it was just a giant ball of protons and neutrons, which would imply that it had a MASSIVE positive electric charge. It's hard for me to imagine this is true, is it, though?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/u0v8h/is_there_a_net_electric_charge_on_the_sun/
{ "a_id": [ "c4rdum0", "c4rdw1e", "c4reh68" ], "score": [ 5, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "Your high school physics teacher was wrong. Most of the Sun is certainly ionised (i.e. the electrons aren't directly bound to the nuclei), but the electrons are still there. (This is something you need ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
1yz8po
How would the US economy be affected if BRIC countries were to decide to use a currency other than the US dollar in their transactions?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1yz8po/how_would_the_us_economy_be_affected_if_bric/
{ "a_id": [ "cfp4tcp", "cfp5cby" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "This is going to get a little complex, simply because economics is complex. \n\nBRIC uses the dollar because it's relatively stable in relation to other currencies, the US has the largest GDP in the world, and is the largest...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://www.businessinsider.com/r-chinas-yuan-might-ultimately-challenge-dollar-ecbs-mersch-2014-26?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+businessinsider+%28Business+Insider%29" ] ]
5o8idn
can you really not catch a cold from being cold?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5o8idn/eli5_can_you_really_not_catch_a_cold_from_being/
{ "a_id": [ "dchg29p", "dchv5kv" ], "score": [ 79, 3 ], "text": [ "You catch a cold by getting a virus. Cold can suppress your immune system and make you more susceptible to getting sick, but cold by itself cannot directly make you sick. You have to be exposed to the cold virus to get a co...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
17refo
How many civilizations, nation states and people have controlled Anatolia?
Additionally who are the original natives?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/17refo/how_many_civilizations_nation_states_and_people/
{ "a_id": [ "c885crb" ], "score": [ 14 ], "text": [ "Original inhabitants of Anatolia were very likely the people who have left behind Gobekli Tepe. However, it's hard to say because Anatolia has been inhabited since the paleolithic. \n\nThe civilizations once controlled Anatolia or parts of it a...
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[]
[ [] ]
bi9c6a
How historically reliable is Islam’s Hadith?
How reliable is Islam’s Hadiths from a purely historical perspective? It seems that a lot of it is based on hearsay, and as it was compiled hundreds of years after the death of Muhammad, how accurate and reliable could one expect it to be? Does the Sunni and Shiite methods of categorizing a Hadith’s reliability stand ...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/bi9c6a/how_historically_reliable_is_islams_hadith/
{ "a_id": [ "elziq9b" ], "score": [ 84 ], "text": [ "Hadith transmission is a very interesting field of study, because while you could call it hearsay, you could also call it one of the only premodern types of writing that involves a tradition of citation. You probably know this, but for those who...
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1l3n4h
What sort of defensive technology existed during the cold war?
Someone posted [this](_URL_0_) picture over in history porn, calling them "civil defense planes." They don't seem particularly useful against an atomic device to me, so were they more so just for propaganda? What other sorts of defensive measures were taken? and how many of them might have actually been effective? ed...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1l3n4h/what_sort_of_defensive_technology_existed_during/
{ "a_id": [ "cbvksd7" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "We can lump the defensive measures into roughly three broad categories, listed here in ascending order of technological sophistication and expense:\n\n* Civil Defense. This meant, usually, having fallout shelters, warning systems, and drilling pe...
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[ "http://i.imgur.com/M9BQvkL.jpg" ]
[ [] ]
12qyjo
What is a surface plasmon?
I know that it is some kind of quasiparticle, but I don't really understand how they behave or how they might be created through stimulated emission, as in a spaser. I have read the wiki articles and other sources, but I'm still unclear on the concept.
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/12qyjo/what_is_a_surface_plasmon/
{ "a_id": [ "c6xgwpl" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "A surface plasmon (really surface plasmon polariton) is a mode of light in which the wave is partially in a dielectric material and partially in a metal. Plasmons are electron waves: if you have a propagating EM wave that hits a free electron gas...
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5jzyje
If Constantine's vision and subsequent branding of his army with Christian symbolism prior to the Battle of the Milvian Bridge is true, why is the arch meant to commemorate that victory completely devoid of Christian Symbolism, and in fact displays pagan features?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/5jzyje/if_constantines_vision_and_subsequent_branding_of/
{ "a_id": [ "dbkihz0" ], "score": [ 12 ], "text": [ "The short answer is because Constantine didn't flip a lever and make everything come out Christian.\n\nThe medium answer is that despite the Milvian bridge epsiode, Constantine's embrace of Chrisitianity both on a personal level and a political ...
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74twgv
William Tecumseh Sherman and others were named after a famous Native American. Was this particularly common at the time, or was this only in Tecumseh's case?
Secondly, if other names were taken by whites, were any of them the more "stereotypical" names such as Standing Bear or Red Thunder?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/74twgv/william_tecumseh_sherman_and_others_were_named/
{ "a_id": [ "do1ep7u" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Follow up, did Sherman ever express any sort of sense of connection with Native Americans based upon his name and presumably his parent's interest in the Natives?" ] }
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[ [] ]
80cl2l
If people in Middle Ages often died during their 30's or 40's, did they age more quickly? I mean, did a 40 year old already have grey hair?
Or was is all because of diseases?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/80cl2l/if_people_in_middle_ages_often_died_during_their/
{ "a_id": [ "duukxfb", "duulhnc", "duusfrj" ], "score": [ 17, 3, 9 ], "text": [ "To start with, people in the Middle Ages weren't dying of old age at 40. They died of lots of other stuff -- getting stabbed by clerks, getting crushed by barrels, drowning themselves in ponds, getting...
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[ [ "http://medievalmeetsworld.blogspot.com/2011/01/ages-of-man.html" ], [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/32iwww/list_of_historic_life_expectancies/", "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/33yzm0/how_true_is_it_that_average_human_age_was_skewed/", "https://www.reddit.c...
a64dio
google maps uses mercator projection when zoomed out, giving a distorted view of earth. why does nothing seem to change as i zoom into those distorted areas? surely there should be areas of siberia, canada, etc that look fucked up when zoomed in?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a64dio/eli5_google_maps_uses_mercator_projection_when/
{ "a_id": [ "ebrknsd", "ebrp1gf" ], "score": [ 18, 3 ], "text": [ "First, Google Maps doesn't use a Mercator projection when zoomed out... at least not today on my browser. I get a 3-d spherical \"satellite view\".\n\nBut anyway, what Mercator does wrong is that the scale depends on latit...
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[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conformal_map_projection" ], [] ]
2g0taz
why can't anyone create an internet connection, anywhere, for free without the need for a provider?
I have no idea how this works, please explain.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2g0taz/eli5_why_cant_anyone_create_an_internet/
{ "a_id": [ "ckejcdx", "ckejcsz" ], "score": [ 4, 2 ], "text": [ "\"The Internet\" is just a word for the massive network of cables that connect computers all over the world with each other. Every single one of those cables is owned and maintained by a company, and since installing and ma...
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[ [], [] ]
26gsn2
Did Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon church, tell a consistent story of his first vision?
Some scholars claim that Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon church, told a consistent story of the vision he claimed to have that started Mormonism. Other scholars claim the story is inconsistent. I won't introduce the arguments from either side here as I am looking for unbiased opinions. What say you, /r/AskHistorian...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/26gsn2/did_joseph_smith_founder_of_the_mormon_church/
{ "a_id": [ "chqzhdd", "chrfor3" ], "score": [ 3, 4 ], "text": [ "I'm a bit confused as to what you are looking for here. Do you want input from a historian who has studied Joseph Smith, or are you just asking people to compare the accounts off the cuff?", "Dan Vogel is a historian (no...
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[ "http://firstvisiontimeline.com/#23", "http://firstvisiontimeline.com/#25", "http://firstvisiontimeline.com/#24", "http://firstvisiontimeline.com/#15", "http://firstvisiontimeline.com/#18", "http://firstvisiontimeline.com/#21", "http://firstvisiontimeline.com/#16", "http://firstvisiontimeline.com/#17"...
[ [], [] ]
itvgs
Has anyone detonated a nuke in space?
I've been watching videos of test detonations on the surface, then saw some underground detonations as well. I was impressed with the underground ones. My next thought was "have there been any detonations in space, and what it would look like?" I doubt they have, but I would be interested in what the energy release wou...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/itvgs/has_anyone_detonated_a_nuke_in_space/
{ "a_id": [ "c26l52t", "c26lnni", "c26lpdr" ], "score": [ 15, 10, 7 ], "text": [ "Yes, as long as you're not picky about your definition of \"in space\". A nuclear bomb was tested at an altitude of more than 300 miles in 1958. That's still within the atmosphere by any reasonable de...
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[ [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-altitude_nuclear_explosion" ], [] ]
282dlk
What would happen in a big country like USA if the electrical grid was to get overloaded (e.g. the power supplied was 1-10% lower than the demand) - would the voltage/amperate drop? What would malfunction? Bonus question: how fast would the "drop" propagate in the grid? How would it start?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/282dlk/what_would_happen_in_a_big_country_like_usa_if/
{ "a_id": [ "ci6rbc2" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "If power generation is lower than demand, you get a a drop in voltage. It's called a brownout. \n\nThis is tolerable at the level of 1-5%, but above the level of 10% it is not good. If it reaches that level, engineers shut off the power to par...
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[ [ "http://www.npr.org/2009/04/24/110997398/visualizing-the-u-s-electric-grid" ] ]
4hxzsa
If all the sand was removed from a beach, what would be left?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/4hxzsa/if_all_the_sand_was_removed_from_a_beach_what/
{ "a_id": [ "d2v2gs6" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Such environements are termed \"rocky shorelines\"; they are quite common and it is unlikely in the extreme you haven't seen some at least in pictures.\n\n([Examples](_URL_0_))\n\nRocky shorelines occur when the energy level of the water is such ...
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[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky_shore", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stokes%27_law", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedimentary_structures#Bedforms_vs._flow" ] ]
8z0cys
why is riding a bike a skill you can basically learn once and then never have to relearn while other skills degrade if unused?
Ok, I'm not 100% if riding a bike *never* has to be relearned, but the phrase "it's like riding a bike" came around for a reason. It's something you don't know how to do, but once you learn, your brain seems to just get it from that point on and even if decades pass between bike rides, you can get on one and maintain b...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8z0cys/eli5_why_is_riding_a_bike_a_skill_you_can/
{ "a_id": [ "e2f42og", "e2fif9e" ], "score": [ 9, 2 ], "text": [ "It is connected with the amount of effort you put in in order to learn a skill. Bike riding involves the coordination of many parts of the body which while learned develop many new connections in the brain. \n\nAs time goes ...
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3gnksv
how did "mississippi" become the accepted method for audibly measuring seconds?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3gnksv/eli5_how_did_mississippi_become_the_accepted/
{ "a_id": [ "ctzqllo" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "There are many methods of doing this. Mississippi is not the only one. Some people, for instance, say \"one-one-thousand, two-one-thousand.\"\n\nThe unifying factor (it should probably go without saying) is that the word takes about a second to s...
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1gb89z
the basic rules of league of legends so i can enjoy watching a match as a non-player
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1gb89z/eli5_the_basic_rules_of_league_of_legends_so_i/
{ "a_id": [ "caijt8y", "caikd4w", "caikddj", "caio49d", "caioa32", "caip3ld" ], "score": [ 7, 85, 20, 4, 2, 6 ], "text": [ "2 teams. Blue's base is at bottom left of map, purple team is at top right. Every 30 seconds, non-player minions spawn for each team ...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://lol.ingame.de/files/2011/06/summoners2-0rift205364x4310.jpg" ] ]
4zk3nk
How extensive were intelligence services in medieval Europe? Did medieval states have extensive foreign and domestic services?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4zk3nk/how_extensive_were_intelligence_services_in/
{ "a_id": [ "d6wu9mn" ], "score": [ 54 ], "text": [ "The historian J.O. Prestwich has shown that the Angevin king Henry II was extremely effective in his cultivation of intelligence sources and agents throughout France and Europe during the mid to late twelfth century. In his work he describes how...
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1p4ciz
what does addiction feel like?
My SO is addicted to cigarettes and I don't understand what addiction is like and why it's so hard to quit.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1p4ciz/what_does_addiction_feel_like/
{ "a_id": [ "ccylzyo", "ccyo52k", "ccypb4d", "ccyqqfb", "ccyt3bi" ], "score": [ 7, 3, 10, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "There are two kinds of problems you get from addictions.\n\nThe first one is the most common, and it's getting addicted to the feeling of something. With a d...
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30s0av
why is there so much tension over this iran nuclear deal?
What's going on over there? I keep hearing about powers coming together over a deal. Try to keep your opinion out of it, I'd just like to hear facts in a way I can understand and make my own opinion from.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/30s0av/eli5_why_is_there_so_much_tension_over_this_iran/
{ "a_id": [ "cpv9oea" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Because this is the defining moment, before the Space Jew Lizard Reptillian Illuminati Communist Marxist Soviet army invades and sets the world as the Empire of Israelistan.\n\n\n\nBut really though, lots of people believe that if Israel is not s...
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uslfu
We recently named elements 114 and 116. Has research begun on finding elements over 118?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/uslfu/we_recently_named_elements_114_and_116_has/
{ "a_id": [ "c4y5wyf", "c4y88oa" ], "score": [ 2, 5 ], "text": [ "A quick look at the [wiki](_URL_0_) makes it seem like some attempts have been made at synthesis, of 119 at least. Though I'm not clear as to how far along they've come.", "It's not so much finding as inventing." ] }
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[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ununennium" ], [] ]
co1s4e
What was the main theory of the extinction of the dinosaurs, pre-discovery of the Chicxulub crater?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/co1s4e/what_was_the_main_theory_of_the_extinction_of_the/
{ "a_id": [ "ewg2a3x", "ewgr294" ], "score": [ 19, 10 ], "text": [ "There's a huge flood basalt in India called the Deccan Traps that is almost coeval with the dinosaur extinction. There are still some paleontologists that would argue that this massive volcanism played more of a role in t...
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[ [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvarez_hypothesis" ] ]
7domhq
What did the containment policy from 1947 state.
[deleted]
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/7domhq/what_did_the_containment_policy_from_1947_state/
{ "a_id": [ "dpzdwbi" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Welcome formally to the community!\n\nThe policy of containment was first announced on 12th March 1947 in Truman's speech to Congress which outlined its broad goals that would later be formalized into US foreign policy. The Truman Doctrine is the...
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[ [ "http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/trudoc.asp" ] ]
1y3oxt
what exactly is happening in the brain when you stutter due to social anxiety?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1y3oxt/what_exactly_is_happening_in_the_brain_when_you/
{ "a_id": [ "cfh3381" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Generally, in the brain, a combination of decreased activity in the areas of motor language processing (Broca's area) and increased activity in areas of voluntary motor control (basal ganglia) leads to stuttering. This may sound contradictory but...
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[ [ "http://hms.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/OTB_Summer2013.pdf" ] ]
9rfdgu
why do phones slow down when its cold?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9rfdgu/eli5_why_do_phones_slow_down_when_its_cold/
{ "a_id": [ "e8gg9xk", "e8gkluj", "e8gkzo9" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 5 ], "text": [ "The battery is not as efficient when cold. The loss of power causes the phone to slow down. ", "How cold are you talking about? If it's human livable temperatures, then are you sure you're not viewi...
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[ [], [], [] ]
2q38ab
Why are the elementary functions what they are?
Is there anything special about them that makes them "elementary", or is the choice arbitrary? If they are arbitrary, then why cant we solve complicated integrals/differential equations by making up new elementary functions and defining them as the solution?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2q38ab/why_are_the_elementary_functions_what_they_are/
{ "a_id": [ "cn39zsb" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Elementary functions are the functions that we're most familiar with, i.e. we know many of their properties, identities, and/or can calculate their value easily. In that sense they're arbitrary, although we're probably most familiar with the si...
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[ [ "http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airy_function" ] ]
177c0g
Was there ever an attempt by the Federal Government to eliminate the States?
[Saw this in an article I read today](_URL_0_): > And in 1935 President Franklin D. Roosevelt was set to eliminate all of the 48 states in order to implement nine regional governments that would operate as extensions of the federal government. All local law enforcement would be eliminated. The plan failed, but the f...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/177c0g/was_there_ever_an_attempt_by_the_federal/
{ "a_id": [ "c82wsqp", "c82wx29" ], "score": [ 6, 2 ], "text": [ "I'm sorry, but that article, for all the citations to other new sblogs up to and including \"_URL_0_\" is kind of terrible.\n\n_URL_2_ is a blog with no adherence to any sort of journalistic standard, and many of the article...
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[ "http://www.examiner.com/article/effort-to-abolish-local-sheriffs-a-stealth-federal-power-grab" ]
[ [ "rightwingnews.com", "http://spiderbites.nytimes.com/pay_1935/articles_1935_04_00002.html", "examiner.com", "http://www.libertygunrights.com/9GroupsInsteadOfStates.pdf" ], [] ]
85uxsb
why can't astronomers say with certainty if a specific asteroid will or won't strike the earth?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/85uxsb/eli5_why_cant_astronomers_say_with_certainty_if_a/
{ "a_id": [ "dw08we7", "dw08ydd", "dw095zo", "dw0bilg" ], "score": [ 15, 6, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Because of the Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto, asteroid belt, Kuiper Belt, and Oort cloud. \n\nMost people assume that asteroids go in a...
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[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N-body_problem" ], [], [], [] ]
9s3lub
why it’s so hard to stand with both feet pointed perfectly straight (most people).
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9s3lub/eli5_why_its_so_hard_to_stand_with_both_feet/
{ "a_id": [ "e8m1wvg" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "If you mean that it's hard to not fall down when doing it, its because your feet are normally splayed out for increased balance. This extra balance is removed when you reduce the perpendicular distance of them to your center of mass.\n\nMathmatic...
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e7jscl
what is the "tls handshake" protocol that runs before you connect to a website?
I noticed it briefly before a page I visited loaded and I've never noticed it before.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/e7jscl/eli5_what_is_the_tls_handshake_protocol_that_runs/
{ "a_id": [ "fa0ds4z", "fa0hf9w" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Essentially, there's a large number of cryptographic methods available, since we've continuously improved them over time.\n\nYour computer is sending which ones it would like to use. The server checks against the ones it wil...
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[ [ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmM9HA2MQGI" ], [] ]
3r4z5z
what left and right is. as if i were an alien, on the other end of a phone, at the other side of a galaxy, with no knowledge of earth or point of reference. (inspiration link attached)
Inspired by a similar posted question with a distinctly less friendly answer. Link in comments.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3r4z5z/eli5_what_left_and_right_is_as_if_i_were_an_alien/
{ "a_id": [ "cwkxplm" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Left and right are *relative* rather than absolute directions, just like up or down (though we treat them as absolute when on earth). Any intelligent life would be familiar with the concept, although even in some human cultures relative direction...
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wu4eb
[META] So, what's the explanation for the logo? What culture/civilization is portrayed in our reddit alien?
Just curious.
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/wu4eb/meta_so_whats_the_explanation_for_the_logo_what/
{ "a_id": [ "c5ggbzm", "c5ghrtp", "c5gkz7n", "c5he5b1" ], "score": [ 7, 6, 18, 3 ], "text": [ "I believe it's Clio, the ancient Greek muse of History (which interestingly is referenced in Phillip Reeve's Mortal Engine's as the godess of history.)", "That has actually be...
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[ [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pythia" ], [] ]
1t6b25
If I eat peanuts, I break out like crazy. If I eat cashews, nothing happens. What are the differences in the two nuts that would cause this?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1t6b25/if_i_eat_peanuts_i_break_out_like_crazy_if_i_eat/
{ "a_id": [ "ce4utzi" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "A protein called [Ara H2](_URL_0_) is the most common cause of peanut allergies. I can't find evidence through a search that suggests this protein is present in cashews. With that said, though, it should be noted that Ara H2 isn't the *only* al...
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[ [ "http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15080811" ] ]