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1q8bjr
how come we don't fortify junk food (e.g. candy, soda, fast food) with vitamins/nutrients?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1q8bjr/eli5_how_come_we_dont_fortify_junk_food_eg_candy/
{ "a_id": [ "cda7opg", "cda85jt" ], "score": [ 2, 4 ], "text": [ "Junk food is characterized by more than just that it's not very good for you. It's also *cheap*.\n\nThose two things go hand-and-hand really: This country subsidizes corn production so much that high fructose corn syrup is ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
avwang
why do gears multiply forces ?
I saw a video with lego and gears, with a gear ratio. The more gears that was used, the more weight the mechanism could carry. Why is that ? Ps sorry for my english, tried my best, it s not my native tongue
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/avwang/eli5_why_do_gears_multiply_forces/
{ "a_id": [ "ehiy1i2", "ehi7cax", "ehi87lr", "ehi88bl", "ehi9cme", "ehic9zr", "ehigk3o" ], "score": [ 7, 2, 2, 2, 2, 7, 2 ], "text": [ "Energy is force * distance. So, if you have the same amount of energy being transferred, you can increase the forc...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3Ru1zZjvug" ], [] ]
8oltss
why is dryer lint so flammable?
What it says on the ~~tin~~ title. & nbsp; Per rule 7, performed a search and found a 4 month old post with two replies and no real good answers, and a few comments in related threads about lint that touched on the suspect but didn’t really answer it.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8oltss/eli5_why_is_dryer_lint_so_flammable/
{ "a_id": [ "e04bj06", "e04bj3w", "e04bjiq", "e04dazd", "e04i2sn", "e04murk", "e04njsy", "e04oqbw", "e04snel", "e04zhvv", "e053e7m", "e053fud" ], "score": [ 18, 255, 3183, 87, 4, 7, 72, 2, 3, 2, 4, 3 ], "text": [ ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MDH92VxPEQ" ], [], [], [ "https://www.pfepro.com/album03.html" ], [], [], [], [], [] ]
ouh2c
the significance of mitt romney's tax returns
I have never paid taxes before so I was wondering how they compare to an average American, why he paid as much as he did, why people care, etc.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ouh2c/eli5_the_significance_of_mitt_romneys_tax_returns/
{ "a_id": [ "c3k4oie", "c3k7bl1", "c3k9cui", "c3kanf3" ], "score": [ 20, 2, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "Hokay, questions in order:\n\nHow they compare to an average American - they're much lower. ~~Total tax rates can be in the mid 30s. Most people probably end up with a few deduc...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [ "http://www.cbo.gov/publications/collections/tax/2010/AverageFedTaxRates2007.pdf" ] ]
7h2g6p
Why were cannons instrumental in the Fall of Constantinople?
clarifying questions: Why did they not use other siege instruments, considering the cost, reload time and labour skill required for early Bombards/cannons? What made the cannons special?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/7h2g6p/why_were_cannons_instrumental_in_the_fall_of/
{ "a_id": [ "dqnugvs" ], "score": [ 9 ], "text": [ "This is a question I get often as a Byzantine Reenactor: The simple answer is they weren't.\n\nThe problem with early cannons is that during the time of the fall of Constantinople, the interval between loading and firing the cannons was rather lo...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
2hd796
Why the images of the hubble are better than the ground based telescope? is it because the atmosphere doesn't interfere? because it can observe in larger light spectra?
It so much smaller than the ground base telescopes that I don't really know why is so much better. Size comparision: _URL_0_ Thanks, and sorry if this is basic knowledge..
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2hd796/why_the_images_of_the_hubble_are_better_than_the/
{ "a_id": [ "ckrm1ly" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Yes, it's just because Hubble is above the atmosphere. Though [adaptive optics](_URL_0_) are getting better at reducing the blurring effects of the atmosphere, it's still better to be in space." ] }
[]
[ "http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c5/Comparison_optical_telescope_primary_mirrors.svg/1024px-Comparison_optical_telescope_primary_mirrors.svg.png" ]
[ [ "http://www.galacticcenter.astro.ucla.edu/images/aomovie_hist.gif" ] ]
2au57m
why do nightmares stop?
I remember having very vivid nightmares when I was a little kid. I was either overwhelmed by spiders, chased by monsters, or some other horrible thing. Now that I'm older, I never have those sort of dreams anymore. What causes this?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2au57m/eli5_why_do_nightmares_stop/
{ "a_id": [ "ciyt76k", "ciyt98m" ], "score": [ 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Some people do have them. ", "Personally I think it's because your irrational fears change as you grow older and so do your nightmares. For example, I'll still have dreams of humanoid monsters but I won't get freaked ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
28jq23
how can you survive getting a limb like your leg getting cut off?
If the blood works in a closed system as it does in humans, wouldn't all the blood leave through the leg? Also, I know some blood goes upwards towards the head but still. How can you survive?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/28jq23/eli5how_can_you_survive_getting_a_limb_like_your/
{ "a_id": [ "cibk7fs" ], "score": [ 9 ], "text": [ "There are no vital organs in your limbs. If the flow of blood is cut off quickly enough, you won't bleed out. Your veins are not entirely a \"closed\" system - there are smaller connector veins in your limbs, so if you lose the leg below the knee...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large/2-human-circulatory-system-pasieka.jpg" ] ]
3ki5a9
how are accident and crime scenes cleaned up?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ki5a9/eli5_how_are_accident_and_crime_scenes_cleaned_up/
{ "a_id": [ "cuxm8n8" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "There are companies that specialize in cleaning up crime scenes. The city or the property owner hires them; they show up with those disposable white jumpsuits (or even hazmat if appropriate) and use specialized cleaning equipment, such as steam ...
[]
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[ [] ]
4qfl52
Do you get lighter the further underground that you go?
I figure you'd get lighter the deeper you go underground since you weight more on bigger planets and less on smaller planets and the deeper underground you go the less mass is below you. Additionally there will be more and more mass above you which is going to be pulling you towards it as well. So if the center of the...
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/4qfl52/do_you_get_lighter_the_further_underground_that/
{ "a_id": [ "d4sjdph", "d4t0ccj", "d4t96mh", "d4t991o", "d4tr72l" ], "score": [ 40, 6, 28, 7, 2 ], "text": [ "Robus gave a pretty complete answer i just wanted to add a tiny bit\n\n > Additionally there will be more and more mass above you which is going to be pulli...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [ "https://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2009/jul/17/human-bioluminescence" ] ]
4wx8w9
if tolkien's work isn't in the public domain, how have other fantasy worlds been able to get away with borrowing so heavily from him?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4wx8w9/eli5if_tolkiens_work_isnt_in_the_public_domain/
{ "a_id": [ "d6almg8", "d6alvjg", "d6alztw", "d6am32u" ], "score": [ 20, 3, 11, 5 ], "text": [ "They haven't! Why do you think that Dungeons and Dragons has \"Halflings\" instead of \"Hobbits\". The Tolkein estate beat them up over that one!\n\nBut otherwise - because not...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
4ge56q
Why did the Koreans hate the Chinese during the 1910s ++?
Korean literature often portrayed Chinese as the villain, and newspapers accused chinese of being sexual predators or drug smuglers. And then there was the pogroms in 1931, where Chinese got slaughtered. What I'm wondering about is what triggered the hatred?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4ge56q/why_did_the_koreans_hate_the_chinese_during_the/
{ "a_id": [ "d2hzzmh" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Can you give some examples of Korean literature portraying Chinese as villains? The time period you're talking about would have been during the Japanese colonial period. Korean literature and culture was being suppressed and/or co-opted/directed ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
6feeju
why (or how) did many castles in england and across europe become ruins or are left in disarray? what happened in history that lead these buildings to be abandoned?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6feeju/eli5why_or_how_did_many_castles_in_england_and/
{ "a_id": [ "dihkd4y", "dihoajm", "dihtd9l" ], "score": [ 4, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Castles like all large buildings take a lot of time, effort and money to maintain. Once there was no longer a need to have a fortification to resist attack from your neighboring Lord in they started to ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
b15rdb
how are people able to become contortionists?
Meaning could anyone be able to learn how by Instructed technique and tons of practice? Or is there always an orthopedic or joint hypermobility component to it?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/b15rdb/eli5_how_are_people_able_to_become_contortionists/
{ "a_id": [ "eijn3jt" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "As with most things it is a bit of both. Certainly with practice and technique people can become extremely flexible but only the genetically gifted can become the best. Basically it is just continually stretching until you gain a greater than nor...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
32bhuw
how are internet sites allowed to possibly provide adult content that minors could watch by simply placing a button on their site that says "yes, i am over 18?"
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/32bhuw/eli5_how_are_internet_sites_allowed_to_possibly/
{ "a_id": [ "cq9nvcz", "cq9o1hq", "cq9o2ka", "cq9o43j", "cq9okc6", "cq9orvl", "cq9p7cl", "cq9pxf0", "cq9rvh2", "cq9s0oo", "cq9uats" ], "score": [ 5, 8, 7, 101, 25, 5, 6, 2, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "They simply don't care ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
1pokrp
In monarchies with a newly-crowned child ruler, who was responsible for determining Regency appointments? Why was the ruler's mother such a common choice?
When reading about the history of monarchies, I feel like I've read a lot about regencies, but not very much on how regencies come to be. Was it usually just a matter of the more powerful members of the king's court sitting together and picking someone? Or, I imagine that if the king's death was not a surprise, then he...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1pokrp/in_monarchies_with_a_newlycrowned_child_ruler_who/
{ "a_id": [ "cd4i01j", "cd4ii99", "cd4jbwf", "cd4jp7r", "cd4p7bo" ], "score": [ 7, 140, 9, 18, 21 ], "text": [ "In the court of the Chinese emperors, there were three power bases that would have access to the person of the Emperor: the officials, the eunuchs, and th...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [ "http://www.guide2womenleaders.com/womeninpower/European-Queens.htm" ], [] ]
44eyum
why do we want to drink milk or water when we eat something "rich" like chocolate?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/44eyum/eli5_why_do_we_want_to_drink_milk_or_water_when/
{ "a_id": [ "czps09d", "czpspnn", "czpt36d", "czptmmg", "czpu3k8", "czpui30", "czpuib9", "czpukmb", "czpuu28", "czpuvu0", "czpv0hc", "czpv0pc", "czpv338", "czpvnc0", "czpw4n5", "czpxp0z", "czpy7db", "czpy8zb", "czpya26", "czpygfg", "c...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [ "https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperglycemia" ], [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/114u4t/why_does_drinking_milk_after_eating_something_sweet_like_cookies_taste_more_satiating_than_drinking_water_does_it_have_to_do_with_the_fat_content/c6j...
3ifwts
how do youtube stars like good mythical morning make millions of dollars with no obvious ad placement... and how do podcasts like my brother my brother and me make enough money for several grown men to live without constant ads?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ifwts/eli5_how_do_youtube_stars_like_good_mythical/
{ "a_id": [ "cug1ttt", "cug2civ" ], "score": [ 5, 3 ], "text": [ "Do you not see the youtube ads played before videos? They get money from those.", "They're sponsored by different companies who pay them to mention their name in the episode. It's much more reliable than using an ad serv...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
2h42ym
why do people remove clothes as they freeze to death?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2h42ym/eli5_why_do_people_remove_clothes_as_they_freeze/
{ "a_id": [ "ckp6vjw", "ckp6ypp" ], "score": [ 9, 6 ], "text": [ "We don't really know. \n\n_URL_0_\n\n > One explanation for the effect is a cold-induced malfunction of the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that regulates body temperature. Another explanation is that the muscles contra...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypothermia#Paradoxical_undressing" ], [] ]
4f1b5x
of what saudi arabia selling off us assets would mean or do for both countries?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4f1b5x/eli5_of_what_saudi_arabia_selling_off_us_assets/
{ "a_id": [ "d253cfl", "d253eq0", "d253hf3" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "It is a sign that Saudi Arabia is in financial trouble. \n\nUS debt is in the form of treasury bonds that have a set maturation date. When a country sells off these assets early it means that they need ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
a15ke4
can someone explain to me the science behind bruce lees one inch punch?
If you don't know what it is, here it is, _URL_0_. Like how did he do it and how much power would he have to put in, I'm just curious?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a15ke4/eli5_can_someone_explain_to_me_the_science_behind/
{ "a_id": [ "eamv56k", "eamxsjp", "ean1uqc" ], "score": [ 14, 3, 5 ], "text": [ "Think of his entire body like a wet towel. His body is completely relaxed and ready to be tense at any moment. With a boost of power from his legs he 'flicks' the power through his whole body (like the...
[]
[ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=re0xcvnJN8U" ]
[ [], [], [] ]
67svue
What sort of negative consequences could result from a desert ecosystem suddenly receiving an exorbitantly large increase in rainfall?
By this I mean say, frequent small showers, perhaps the occasional storm. Weather patterns in wetter parts of the world. EDIT: 11 comments, but only 3 are displayed. What gives?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/67svue/what_sort_of_negative_consequences_could_result/
{ "a_id": [ "dgu0fcf", "dgu2sp8" ], "score": [ 10, 2 ], "text": [ "Desert dirt is usually VERY hard and has a hard time absorbing moisture. When there is suddenly water, it mostly just flows creating large flooded areas and mudslides. I live in a desert area and any time it rains we get ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
1gg9tf
Could humans circumvent breathing by directly oxygenating their blood?
I've always wondered if it would be possible to do this. I can see it being incredibly useful for a navy seal team (for example) if, instead of holding their breath or using an 02 tank, they could directly oxygenate their blood. In my head it would involve connecting a device to a major artery or vein (idk which woul...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1gg9tf/could_humans_circumvent_breathing_by_directly/
{ "a_id": [ "cajz47z", "cajz7og", "cajzbq1", "cajzkjq", "cak00f0", "cak2oi6", "cak2wkr", "cak4w2p", "cak5bma", "cak5eon", "cak6n1z", "cak6pey", "caka14j" ], "score": [ 7, 14, 192, 103, 7, 11, 22, 3, 5, 2, 2, 3, ...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/06/28/breathe-without-breathing-blood_n_1633204.html", "http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/06/120627142512.htm", "http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2012-06/injecting-oxygen-filled-microparticles-bloodstream-could-buy-half-hour-suffocating-patients" ],...
2s0iqk
Which is easier to melt, ice or snow?
Also, which one yields more water?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2s0iqk/which_is_easier_to_melt_ice_or_snow/
{ "a_id": [ "cnllu94" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Snow is easier to melt. The rate it melts, at constant temperature, is mostly a function of surface area. Depending on how packed the snow is, it should be more porous and have more exposed surface area. As for water yield, 1 kg of ice is equival...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
389ksj
how do little birds beat up big birds?
Jays attack crows, crows attack hawks. It seems the bigger birds could destroy the little ones with ease but all they do is fly away
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/389ksj/eli5_how_do_little_birds_beat_up_big_birds/
{ "a_id": [ "crtebkf", "crtftph", "crtjtoc", "crtoqjl" ], "score": [ 4, 9, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "i think i might have something to do with maneuverability. the smaller birds can move faster and avoid attack while still attacking while all the big birds can do is try to get aw...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobbing_%28animal_behavior%29" ], [] ]
em52gi
why do record players still make sound with the speakers off?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/em52gi/eli5_why_do_record_players_still_make_sound_with/
{ "a_id": [ "fdmefjf", "fdmsm5u" ], "score": [ 5, 2 ], "text": [ "Back in the day, those old Victrolas didn't have speakers, just a huge horn protruding thing. Records used to be both recorded and played with no electricity. Sound comes from the needle in the groove and all the electronics...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
atr0j5
how do twisted ankles work? why do they hurt so much?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/atr0j5/eli5_how_do_twisted_ankles_work_why_do_they_hurt/
{ "a_id": [ "eh2xrxd" ], "score": [ 9 ], "text": [ "So inside you and I we have ligaments, they basically connect bone to bone around joints like elbows, knees, ankles, etc. they keep your ankle joint in order and lined up, keep it from slipping or folding left or right every step you take\n\n\nA...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
68td4o
why is there unrest in puerto rico right now?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/68td4o/eli5_why_is_there_unrest_in_puerto_rico_right_now/
{ "a_id": [ "dh13bmc", "dh1d0qa", "dh1tqp0", "dh1uhvv" ], "score": [ 10, 9, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Apparently the population just realized exactly how they are being screwed by their local government officials.", "Lots of things.\n\nOur fucking corrupt government as a whole...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [ "https://www.metro.pr/pr/noticias/2017/04/27/aprueban-viva-voz-proyecto-938.html" ] ]
1da53t
Who took footage of world war battles and bombings? How was footage recovered?
Whenever I watch a world war 2 documentary, I try to imagine the crazy person with the video camera running around during the fighting. Who took this footage of planes, trains and battle fields and why are they not dead (i.e. how is it that we have access to their footage)?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1da53t/who_took_footage_of_world_war_battles_and/
{ "a_id": [ "c9oh8u1" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "[The propaganda troops](_URL_0_) of the German Armed Forces, about 15000 men in 194, produced most of this footage from the German side, in addition to pictures, radio reports and written articles. They had strict instructions, for example they w...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propagandakompanie" ] ]
3qr5af
what happens when a lithium battery "explodes"? what chemical process takes part when this rare event happens. an example would be an electronic cigarette exploding a user.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3qr5af/eli5_what_happens_when_a_lithium_battery_explodes/
{ "a_id": [ "cwhmu71" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "There are 2 conductors in the battery, and a separating layer to keep those 2 from touching each other. When something happens and they come in contact, the battery is effectively shorted and there is a high current flowing through the conductors...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
5dr630
Why do we sometimes hear the same repeating sound as alternating between a higher and lower note? (tick tock of a clock) (click clack of high heels)
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/5dr630/why_do_we_sometimes_hear_the_same_repeating_sound/
{ "a_id": [ "da6wcgg", "da82mec", "da8x4vl" ], "score": [ 10, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Sometimes, they are not the same sounds. For example, variations in the ruling of the floor or your walking style can cause the heels of your shoes to click differently.\n\nAs for the familiar tick-toc...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.296.3719&rep=rep1&type=pdf", "https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Renaud_Brochard/publication/10708403_The_Ticktock_of_Our_Internal_Clock_Direct_Brain_Evidence_of_Subjective_Accents_in_Isochronous_Sequences/links/0fcfd50eaab31b...
4fnpem
Why did Catherine the Great overthrow her husband? Would the common people of Russia be better off if Peter III remained emporer?
I was trying to do some research here, but all the sources I've dug up give conflicting views on who the 'good guy' in the coup d'etat is; any clarification would be appreciated.
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4fnpem/why_did_catherine_the_great_overthrow_her_husband/
{ "a_id": [ "d2aqdp0" ], "score": [ 14 ], "text": [ "You've hit the nail on the head, as far as this problem goes - during Catherine the Great's rule, there was not consensus (neither amongst her European ruler contemporaries nor her subjects of all classes) with regard to her power or her means o...
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[]
[ [] ]
1lhb0j
I'm sorry if this has been asked, but why did it take 2 bombs for Japan to surrender?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1lhb0j/im_sorry_if_this_has_been_asked_but_why_did_it/
{ "a_id": [ "cbz8h0x", "cbz8ot6", "cbzale7" ], "score": [ 12, 33, 8 ], "text": [ "Actually some historians argue that it was the Soviet invasion of Manchuria that was decisive in Japan's surrender. Notably historian Tsuyoshi Hasegawa who argued this in his book *Racing the Enemy*. ...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/15kb3w/why_didnt_japan_surrender_after_the_first_atomic/" ], [ "http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2013/05/29/the_bomb_didnt_beat_japan_nuclear_world_war_ii?page=0,5" ] ]
157x1u
- why aren't people who are caught lying under oath on courtroom tv shows arrested?
I've seen episodes of Judge Judy and such where folks are caught red-handed in lies. Aren't they under oath? Why are they not prosecuted? EDIT - thanks, folks.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/157x1u/elif_why_arent_people_who_are_caught_lying_under/
{ "a_id": [ "c7k1p7x", "c7k21iz", "c7k53nd", "c7k9b19" ], "score": [ 160, 18, 6, 7 ], "text": [ "Because those aren't real court shows. Shows like The Peoples Court and Judge Judy are arbitration shows. Basically both sides decide that they will give the power to decide who...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perjury" ], [], [] ]
3k475n
why are you so much stronger while exhaling?
When squatting or benching, it's always important to pay attention to your breathing, since you get most of your strength while exhaling. Why is this?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3k475n/eli5_why_are_you_so_much_stronger_while_exhaling/
{ "a_id": [ "cuun9pv" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "It's not that you're stronger when exhaling. Your core muscles tighten when you lift something heavy. Your abs tighten, your pecs tighten, and your back muscles tighten, all in an effort to keep your torso upright and strain against the weight wh...
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[]
[ [] ]
2tpjfb
why is it that every ufc fight seems to be a title fight and every fighter is a champion with a really impressive win to loss ratio?
It just doesn't add up to me :s
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2tpjfb/eli5_why_is_it_that_every_ufc_fight_seems_to_be_a/
{ "a_id": [ "co1697p" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "The UFC has around 500 fighters on it's payroll iirc. These fighters are then split into 11 different weight classes (9 for the men, 2 for the women).\n\nWomen's Strawweight (up to 115lbs)- Champion: Carla Esparza 10-2-0\n\nFlyweight (115 - 125lb...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
4ff6zw
the recent (writhing 2 years) scottish secession attempts from the uk.
Why would Scotland want to secede? Wouldn't it weaken the overall economy/standard of living for those Scots who live there?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4ff6zw/eli5_the_recent_writhing_2_years_scottish/
{ "a_id": [ "d28j40b" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "As explained [here,](_URL_0_) the reasons were largely cultural. It was widely understood that in terms of economic prosperity and international power, independence would be a negative." ] }
[]
[]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottish_independence#Reasons" ] ]
3n9hzg
why is the united states virgin islands the only place under u.s. jurisdiction that drives on the left side of the road?
In my own opinion, it just seems so weird and....un-American....to drive on the left like what Australia and the UK do. (Sorry I had to say that, USVI citizens)
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3n9hzg/eli5_why_is_the_united_states_virgin_islands_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cvm1sfr" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "The U.S. Virgin Islands were purchased from Denmark in 1917 (as the \"Danish West Indies\"), and people already drove on the left at that time. Curiously, the people of Denmark proper have driven on the right since 1793.\n\nSome basic research su...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
443lqa
why is there a 50/50 chance my packages are never delivered?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/443lqa/eli5_why_is_there_a_5050_chance_my_packages_are/
{ "a_id": [ "czn76qk" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "Without knowing more about your situation the most obvious explanation I have is that the senders don't realize that they have to ship packages USPS instead of UPS or FedEx so when they send out the package it gets brought to their local hub, the...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
54ci9a
Is there any evidence that Shoeless Joe Jackson was actually involved in the 1919 Black Sox scandal even though he did set a series record with 12 hits and was not broken until 1964?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/54ci9a/is_there_any_evidence_that_shoeless_joe_jackson/
{ "a_id": [ "d80tyb5" ], "score": [ 12 ], "text": [ "Joe Jackson was absolutely involved in the 1919 Black Sox scandal. He testified under oath:\n\n > Q Did anybody pay you any money to help throw that series in favor of Cincinnati?\n > \n > A They did.\n > \n > Q How much ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
38wsip
what would happen if lightning struck my house while i was in the shower?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/38wsip/eli5_what_would_happen_if_lightning_struck_my/
{ "a_id": [ "cryhnbv" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Unless your shower has a constant, uninterrupted, stream of water you're pretty safe. The system we use for electricity demands a direct path to ground that's very likely going to be the path the lightning will take. \n\nYour house is more likely...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
7fsfz3
how does thyroid malfunction make a person fat?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7fsfz3/eli5_how_does_thyroid_malfunction_make_a_person/
{ "a_id": [ "dqe3d3y", "dqe52im" ], "score": [ 9, 2 ], "text": [ " > How does Thyroid Malfunction make a person fat?\n\nThe thyroid produces hormones which regulate the body's metabolism. Our metabolism is the rate at which we burn our fuel, our food, in order to power the processes of ou...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
bgt7fe
AskScience AMA Series: Hi! We are researchers from the National Institutes of Health and University College London studying how advances in genetics are affecting our lives and the world around us. In honor of National DNA Day, ask us anything!
Each year on April 25, we celebrate National DNA Day, which commemorates the completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003 and the discovery of DNA's double helix in 1953. On this day students, teachers, and the public learn more about genetics and genomics. In honor of DNA Day this year, the Intramural Research Progr...
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/bgt7fe/askscience_ama_series_hi_we_are_researchers_from/
{ "a_id": [ "elnbucb", "elnbz2h", "elnctvs", "elndo89", "elne2nk", "elne8fe", "elnefjj", "elnemei", "elneq25", "elnesl2", "elnf1at", "elnf2cx", "elnf9ih", "elnfe3n", "elnff9w", "elnffwf", "elnfmyn", "elnfv0u", "elnfws8", "elnfz0h", "e...
[]
[ "https://irp.nih.gov/podcast/2019/04/dr-dennis-drayna-genetics-of-stuttering-and-communication-disorders", "https://irp.nih.gov/podcast/2019/02/dr-bill-gahl-medical-genetics-and-hope-for-rare-diseases", "https://irp.nih.gov/our-research/scientific-focus-areas/genetics-and-genomics", "https://www.genome.gov/dn...
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "https://www.businessinsider.com/stanford-ethicist-on-bill-gates-worries-about-gene-therapy-2019-3" ], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], ...
iilxr
pressurized space suits
space suits are designed to hold enough pressure inside to provide air for the astronaut to breathe, and pressure for comfort. So, if there is positive pressure inside and zero pressure outside, why does the spacesuit (made of flexible material) not blow up like a balloon?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/iilxr/pressurized_space_suits/
{ "a_id": [ "c241zn3", "c2425rd", "c242dlh" ], "score": [ 6, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Because flexibility and elasticity are two separate (although not mutually exclusive) properties. In short, while its flexible to bending its stiff to the pressure difference.\n\nAn every day example is...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://science.howstuffworks.com/space-suit1.htm" ] ]
5odbtd
what's the best way to sit at a desk for long periods of time?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5odbtd/eli5_whats_the_best_way_to_sit_at_a_desk_for_long/
{ "a_id": [ "dcigy94", "dcijfrd" ], "score": [ 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Supported chair back (roughly 90 deg) with a head rest allowing you to lean slightly back, relaxing your back and neck muscles. Arms dropping straight down to elbowrests, and your wrists resting on a support just above the ...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://a.co/9dvEGql" ] ]
df1kyq
what psychological glitch is at play when someone wont believe someone is a compulsive liar when it is obvious to almost anyone else?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/df1kyq/eli5_what_psychological_glitch_is_at_play_when/
{ "a_id": [ "f309nim", "f30b6yj", "f30f27j" ], "score": [ 3, 15, 8 ], "text": [ "Talking with confidence is often a very persuasive technique and if pulled off right, anyone can believe anything you say.", "If you have already spent a considerable amount of time believing this ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_dissonance" ] ]
8yfgzx
why is high-caliber ammunition (such as .45 and up) more common and accessible in handguns and pistols than in rifles?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8yfgzx/eli5_why_is_highcaliber_ammunition_such_as_45_and/
{ "a_id": [ "e2ahetv", "e2ajebl", "e2b24bq" ], "score": [ 8, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "Long narrow rifle cartridges would not easily fit into a compact handgun. (Picture the depth of a pistol grip with that deep magazine inside.) Preference: shorter and wider.\n\nMeanwhile, a rifle barrel...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
1f2lkh
How do cells maintain homeostasis of temperature and pH?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1f2lkh/how_do_cells_maintain_homeostasis_of_temperature/
{ "a_id": [ "ca6fwc8" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "One way for a cell to regulate pH are [membrane protein pumps](_URL_1_). AFAIK temperature regulation occurs at the [organism level](_URL_0_) not the cellular level. Although if a neuron convinces its meat sack of a container to, say, run a fever...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermoregulation", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proton_pump" ] ]
mas4r
Do we know how similar our perceptions are or are not?
For example: as a human with normal color vision, I see red. What I call red, others also call red. But do they see red the same way? Does their brain reconstruct a similar perception as mine? Do we know how similar or different people's perceptions of things like color are? Edit to add: I know there are all kinds of ...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/mas4r/do_we_know_how_similar_our_perceptions_are_or_are/
{ "a_id": [ "c2zfxo7", "c2zfywb", "c2zgf40", "c2zgs9s", "c2zh86n", "c2zh8ij", "c2zhg5h", "c2zhj9u", "c2zhlsj", "c2zl62w", "c2zlp3y", "c2zfxo7", "c2zfywb", "c2zgf40", "c2zgs9s", "c2zh86n", "c2zh8ij", "c2zhg5h", "c2zhj9u", "c2zhlsj", "c...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4b71rT9fU-I" ], [], [ "http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0010027709001395", "http://mit.edu/abyrne/www/ColourVision.pdf" ], [], [], [], [ "http://organizations.utep.edu/Portals/1475/nagel_bat.pdf" ], [], [ "http://psycnet.ap...
3vmint
why do people like or enjoy things which are painful or scary?
From roller coasters to bdsm, what's the deal with this?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3vmint/eli5_why_do_people_like_or_enjoy_things_which_are/
{ "a_id": [ "cxosu6z", "cxosvbh", "cxoszwj" ], "score": [ 4, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Endorphins that are released by the brain from pain have opiate qualities and risk seeking behaviors can be rewarding in similar ways.", "Pain, and perhaps fear as well, causes the release of neuroc...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
aq4lps
why it feels like you dont have any force in your muscles when newly woken from sleep?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/aq4lps/eli5_why_it_feels_like_you_dont_have_any_force_in/
{ "a_id": [ "egddiud", "egde6mx", "egdefw7" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 5 ], "text": [ "Never finding any articles on this, but I heard once that while you're asleep you're body increases a type of chemical that numbs your muscles, and that is supposedly because your body does not want to ...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://www.your.md/condition/sleep-paralysis/#chapter-key-information" ], [] ]
8ee00i
why are chilli peppers widely used in asian cuisine (indian, thai, chinese, korean), but barely used in european cuisine?
As far as I know, chillis were introduced to Asia by Europeans, after which they became widespread in Asian cooking, but never really seem to have featured in any European cuisines?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8ee00i/eli5_why_are_chilli_peppers_widely_used_in_asian/
{ "a_id": [ "dxuepxx", "dxuhbdm", "dxuptq7", "dxuvary" ], "score": [ 2, 10, 3, 4 ], "text": [ "Simply put, hot food is an acquired taste, but once you like it you want more spicy food. The Europeans didn’t like the chili, but began to trade it to Asian countries, who began...
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[]
[ [ "http://content.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1628191_1626317_1632291,00.html" ], [ "https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/03/26/394339284/how-snobbery-helped-take-the-spice-out-of-european-cooking" ], [], [] ]
55cr2t
Where does "Seven Wonders of the World" come from? Who coined the term and when? Were they always the same wonders?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/55cr2t/where_does_seven_wonders_of_the_world_come_from/
{ "a_id": [ "d89jelq", "d8avpj7" ], "score": [ 295, 6 ], "text": [ "The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World were so-called because of the magnificence of their creation. They were constructions that later men and women were in awe of; the work of ancient minds that operated on a grander sca...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maarten_van_Heemskerck" ], [] ]
2j03j3
Is there a theoretical upper limit for the intensity of a hurricane?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2j03j3/is_there_a_theoretical_upper_limit_for_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cl781e4" ], "score": [ 12 ], "text": [ "The most intense hurricane ever recorded was [Super Typhoon Tip](_URL_2_), with sustained winds of 305 km/h (190 mph) and a central pressure of 870 kPa (normal surface pressure is 1013 kPa). There's no particular reason a hurricane couldn't be m...
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[]
[ [ "http://www.aos.wisc.edu/~aos718/basic%20dynamics/mpi.emanuel.pdf", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypercane", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typhoon_Tip" ] ]
13iqyp
Why can you see the individual RGB colors in the white of a projector when you move an object quickly through the beam?
Is this because the light travels differently, or is a vision thing?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/13iqyp/why_can_you_see_the_individual_rgb_colors_in_the/
{ "a_id": [ "c74cjs0" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Many projectors use one very bright, white light source. They get color by using a color wheel (RGB) and change the image rapidly to coincide with each part of the wheel. So they are in effect simulating 3 different colored light sources, althou...
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[ [] ]
810ppc
Is the Japanese surgical/dust mask trend actually helping lower the % of people getting sick over there?
Have there been actual studies? Or how about just comparing their infection vs population rates to begin with? -------------- **Edit:** So far in this thread, we have two points being made on the usefullness of the masks: 1. They prevent hand to mouth/nose touching. 2. They prevent saliva, mucus/phlegm projection i...
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/810ppc/is_the_japanese_surgicaldust_mask_trend_actually/
{ "a_id": [ "duzn5ki", "dv022kk", "dv0a33h", "dv0czc2", "dv0gf7h", "dv0j25x", "dv0k9s8", "dv0ls5d", "dv0rlk1", "dv0xjst", "dv11l4u" ], "score": [ 367, 337, 7808, 42, 10, 17, 24, 2, 3, 4, 6 ], "text": [ "So I remember o...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2015/06/22/416466284/will-a-surgical-mask-keep-you-safe-in-a-viral-outbreak" ], [ "https://www.healthline.com/health/cold-flu/mask" ], [ "https://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/infectioncontrol/maskguidance.htm", "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubme...
4onte4
what's the difference between the new hypothesis of "dark energy", and the old hypothesis of the luminiferous aether?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4onte4/eli5_whats_the_difference_between_the_new/
{ "a_id": [ "d4e4snj" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Quite a few things. The ether was a material that was supposed to support light waves, allowing them to propagate, and had no other role. \"Dark energy\" is related to the expansion rate of the universe, and its supposed matter-energy content. Cu...
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[]
[ [] ]
2dvg85
air-frying
What's the difference between this and baking?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2dvg85/eli5_airfrying/
{ "a_id": [ "cjtgmv6" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "An air fryer uses super heated circulating air to rapidly \"fry\" what ever is in it. Whereas baking slowly heats food. There are many foods that need to be gently prepared via slow and steady heating, cakes, ribs, etc... The air fryer is to hars...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
5bejxb
How long does it take an electron to orbit a nucleus?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/5bejxb/how_long_does_it_take_an_electron_to_orbit_a/
{ "a_id": [ "d9o12xt", "d9o2opf" ], "score": [ 13, 7 ], "text": [ "It can be estimated from the uncertainty principle.\n\nΔx Δp ~ ~~h~~, so Δp ~ ~~h~~/Δx.\n\nThe characteristic length scale of electron orbitals is a*_0_*, the Bohr radius.\n\nSo the RMS momentum is like ~~h~~/a*_0_*.\n\nThi...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_orbital" ] ]
8lwl7z
The Macedonian Phalanx was superseded by the Roman Legion. Pikemen in the late middle ages made all other melee infantry obsolete, and were only superseded in the early 1700s. How did the Macedonian Phalanx and the pikemen of EM Europe differ so as to create such radically different outcomes?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/8lwl7z/the_macedonian_phalanx_was_superseded_by_the/
{ "a_id": [ "dzj3ysb" ], "score": [ 38 ], "text": [ "Despite your claim, during the early modern period (1400s to the 1500s usually), other types of infantry were employed, and to much success: pole-armed infantry was really widespread, such as in England even into the XVI century like at the batt...
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[ [] ]
1ktu0v
Has any country knowingly start a war it knew it could in no way win?
It seems to me that any country that starts a war must think that it would win, or at least gain something in terms of money or land, but has a country ever start a war it knew was unwinnable?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1ktu0v/has_any_country_knowingly_start_a_war_it_knew_it/
{ "a_id": [ "cbsojj7" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Imperial Japan, going to war with the United States in 1941 is the closest thing to a country starting a war it knew it could not win. The Japanese army, which controlled the politics in Japan in 1941, though...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
1eptfi
About tranquilizers
Hey there /r/askscience So recently, I found really curious about tranquilizer guns. Or, darts, or any sort of injection. There are all those games (*cough*Metal Gear Solid*cough*) where you shot a single dart into an enemy, and he instantly falls asleep without making a sound. This really makes me wonder, how accur...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1eptfi/about_tranquilizers/
{ "a_id": [ "ca2s00d", "ca31r54" ], "score": [ 5, 2 ], "text": [ "1) Yes. Dosages for tranquilizers are given in milligrams per kilogram body weight.\n\n2) No. Duration of the effect and time until onset and peak plasma levels depend on many factors, namely the tranquilizer in question, d...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
cgtv6s
What sailing ship type c. 1655, and how would they weather a storm?
I saw a [similar archived post](_URL_0_) to this, but I'm trying to write a storm scene which would have occurred c.1655, around the time of the British invasion of Jamaica. I am trying to get in my mind: 1. What kind of ship might have been transporting indentured servants from Britain, Scotland, Wales, Ireland or Fr...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/cgtv6s/what_sailing_ship_type_c_1655_and_how_would_they/
{ "a_id": [ "eulpj03" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ "So, around this time most of the English navy was still comprised of a mixed bag of former merchant ships and some private warships, with a sprinkling of \"King's ships\" (or, rather, Cromwell's ships) among them. \n\nThe State's Navy (renamed as...
[]
[ "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2qqclb/during_the_age_of_sail_what_was_the_procedure_for/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x" ]
[ [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2nydmp/how_did_the_british_navy_remain_dominant_for_such/", "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2709jm/how_would_a_britishhms_frigate_built_in_1715/", "https://collections.rmg.co.uk/collections.html#!cbrowse" ] ]
67bunv
[Medical] How do they treat patients that are infectious enough to be dangerous?
Someone posted a while ago about seeing a biohazard room at a hospital where there were no visitors allowed and the doctors had to wear scrubs. It got me thinking- if a patient was sufficiently contagious, how would the doctors deal with it? How would they clean the room afterwards? If the patient died, what would they...
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/67bunv/medical_how_do_they_treat_patients_that_are/
{ "a_id": [ "dgpbp53", "dgpk4hi" ], "score": [ 2, 21 ], "text": [ "This will likely depend a lot. The most common means of transmission for germs are via contact (direct & indirect, eg. touching the same table, food, getting bitten, getting a kiss), droplet (when close to people coughing...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biosafety_level" ] ]
2jmkuj
how much profit are bottled water companies making? is the water going through treatments, or are they just getting water from a more pure location?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2jmkuj/eli5_how_much_profit_are_bottled_water_companies/
{ "a_id": [ "cld3es0" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "In 2012, DS Services Holdings, Inc. one of the large bottled water companies took in $894 Million. They spent $358 Million to create the products. That left $536 Million is gross profit. But, they spent that profit on salaries, advertising an...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
41e500
social welfare and health care in the us
Hello ELI5. I'm from Denmark and i was wondering how social welfare and health care actually works in the US. The impression of the american welfare system is very negative here, and i would like to hear it from people who lives there, instead. Example questions: What happens if you can't find a job and have no savin...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/41e500/eli5_social_welfare_and_health_care_in_the_us/
{ "a_id": [ "cz1lyj0", "cz1o2kj", "cz1v50m" ], "score": [ 7, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "The US has a wide variety of temporary and permanent programs. Several of the largest are structured under our government pension system (Social Security Disability) or as a tax credit (to provide help...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://dailysignal.com/2015/09/19/us-spends-far-more-on-social-welfare-than-most-european-nations/" ], [ "http://www.forbes.com/sites/timworstall/2013/06/01/astonishing-numbers-americas-poor-still-live-better-than-most-of-the-rest-of-humanity/#5a1b401d23c4c4dc2523c457" ], [] ]
20uopg
why school systems don't divide students based on ability rather than age
Edit: so many karmas but no karma added :( thanks for all the great responses and front page!
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/20uopg/eli5_why_school_systems_dont_divide_students/
{ "a_id": [ "cg6wiwx", "cg6x3l7", "cg6xeia", "cg6xmkn", "cg6xq73", "cg6zbxz", "cg6zrmc", "cg6ztte", "cg70at8", "cg725vn", "cg72yew", "cg7372m", "cg73biq", "cg73bkk", "cg74bf1", "cg74fi1", "cg74fk7", "cg74m91", "cg74p0i", "cg74pyq", "c...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://www.johntaylorgatto.com/underground/" ], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloom's_2_S...
15qclt
Does celibacy increase an organism's lifespan?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/15qclt/does_celibacy_increase_an_organisms_lifespan/
{ "a_id": [ "c7ou6cd", "c7oza70" ], "score": [ 5, 2 ], "text": [ "Some studies have suggested that men with a higher frequency of ejaculations may have a slightly lower risk of prostate cancer. However, this difference appears to be very small and is very difficult to accurately study.\n\n...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/prostate-cancer/AN01825" ], [ "http://www.economist.com/news/science-and-technology/21568362-having-children-prolongs-life-pro-creation" ] ]
d8tgvy
How come following the fall of rome England became Germanicised but France didn't?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/d8tgvy/how_come_following_the_fall_of_rome_england/
{ "a_id": [ "f1dp086" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "Britain and Gaul had very different experiences following the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, for several different reasons. Firstly, even at the best of times, Britain was never more than a peripheral region in the Roman world: there were ...
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[ [] ]
2gwsbv
are testosterone levels related to muscle growth and if yes how?
I was tested at a young age and found out I have my testosterone levels quite higher than the average. However, I'm quite skinny. Shouldn't I naturally have a muscular build? Or does this mean I can build muscle easier than the average person? How does testosterone influence muscle growth?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2gwsbv/eli5_are_testosterone_levels_related_to_muscle/
{ "a_id": [ "ckn8pqt", "cknamf8" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Not a biochemist, so take with liberal application of salt...\n\nIIRC muscle growth is dictated more by things like HGH (Human Growth Hormone) than testosterone.\n\nIIRC post-menopausal women also have similar testosterone l...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
11koy5
why should germany bail out spain?
I don't really understand why there is so much pressure for Germany to bail out Spain. Why is it the responsibility of other nations to solve this issue? This article led to my questions. Thank you in advance for the information. _URL_0_
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/11koy5/eli5why_should_germany_bail_out_spain/
{ "a_id": [ "c6nazbu" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Europe is in a bit of a pickle at the moment... here's the gist of it, politically Europe is still a bunch of nations with their own laws and government. But, years ago, to increase trade and their economies, european countries banned into a unio...
[]
[ "http://www.project-syndicate.org/blog/imf-calls-on-germany-to-allow-spain-bailout-by-christopher-t--mahoney" ]
[ [] ]
bx1o1e
how does a chickens reproductive system work?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bx1o1e/eli5_how_does_a_chickens_reproductive_system_work/
{ "a_id": [ "eq2f7j3", "eq2p9ml", "eq3uexo" ], "score": [ 8, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "A chicken will produce eggs whether or not the rooster is involved, just as a human female will release eggs, whether or not a guy is involved. If there's no conception, there's a period, if there is, t...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
ess3a7
How do scientists discover viruses in glaciers/ice?
I was reading a post about scientists discovering an ancient virus in a Tibetan glaciers? How do they do that? Do they pick random chunk of ice and analyse them? How does that work?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/ess3a7/how_do_scientists_discover_viruses_in_glaciersice/
{ "a_id": [ "ffbxum2", "ffchhs6" ], "score": [ 1934, 301 ], "text": [ "You're basically right. \n\nThey collect an ice core by drilling down, take a sample of the ice, carefully melt it, and then analyze the water for viral particles. \n\nThey also had to be extra careful to not contaminat...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
ed6ius
why is freeze an option? (fight / flight / freeze)
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ed6ius/eli5_why_is_freeze_an_option_fight_flight_freeze/
{ "a_id": [ "fbfy8lo", "fbfyphq", "fbg2txd" ], "score": [ 27, 12, 3 ], "text": [ "You’re in danger. Your options are:\n\n*Fight* — you try to defend against the threat by attacking it until it’s dead or not a threat anymore. \n\n*Flight* — you run away until you are out of danger. ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
7rz22n
when and how did we determine time to the exact second, and how did we decide what was midnight?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7rz22n/eli5_when_and_how_did_we_determine_time_to_the/
{ "a_id": [ "dt0p8ii" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "It wasn't a sudden thing. Time has evolved slowly over millennia, and we simply got better at measuring it.\n\nMidday was always the time when the sun was highest in the day. Using a sundial we could track the progress of the sun through the hour...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
3rghn4
i just burnt my finger. why does the pain come and go in waves?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3rghn4/eli5_i_just_burnt_my_finger_why_does_the_pain/
{ "a_id": [ "cwnvu80" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "Because the signal for pain travels through your nerves, to your brain, in big slow waves. \n\nLot's of the very basic and 'primal' feelings like pain and hunger travel on very slow and 'primitive' nerve networks. That's why there is a delay betw...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
2hzmkw
how is the happy birthday song not in the public domain by now?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2hzmkw/eli5_how_is_the_happy_birthday_song_not_in_the/
{ "a_id": [ "ckxfkjj", "ckxlank" ], "score": [ 7, 3 ], "text": [ "It's not in the public domain because the [Copyright Act of 1976](_URL_1_) extended copyright protection to 75 years from date of publication, and the [Copyright Term Extension Act of 1998](_URL_0_) added another 20 years. ...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright_Term_Extension_Act", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright_Act_of_1976" ], [] ]
5xzvh9
why did the us choose to take out the soviet union after ww2?
They were severely weakened and would be no match against the us full power, the us also had nukes. Why did the us back out when Stalin took over Eastern Europe and half of Germany?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5xzvh9/eli5_why_did_the_us_choose_to_take_out_the_soviet/
{ "a_id": [ "dem4qpq", "dem6fpw", "demi3n0" ], "score": [ 8, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "Because America had the guns, but the Soviets had the numbers. Massive numbers. I'm talking a gobsmackingly horrendous disparity in combat ready forces in Europe. The Western Allies crunched the numbers...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Unthinkable" ], [], [] ]
4i237r
can you get a computer virus if you go to a site but don't click anything? or stream a video but don't download it?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4i237r/eli5_can_you_get_a_computer_virus_if_you_go_to_a/
{ "a_id": [ "d2uczr4", "d2uczr9", "d2ud99h" ], "score": [ 5, 7, 5 ], "text": [ "It is totally *possible*, though not very common.\n\nVirus that infect you by merely visiting a web page take advantage of a vulnerability in a plugin, like Flash Player or Java, or a vulnerability in y...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
e17kuu
when we get sick and have a fever, we feel cold, but what about when we feel extremely hot (like a consistent hot flash) with no fever?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/e17kuu/eli5_when_we_get_sick_and_have_a_fever_we_feel/
{ "a_id": [ "f8nj0m5" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Your sense of temperature compares your internal temp to the temp of the area around you. Your body isn't going \"This room is 25c.\" it's going \"This room is cooler than my skin\"\n\nSo when you get a fever your body get's hot, so the room by c...
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[ [] ]
74ujb5
For historians with time to spare, how accurate would you say this video is? (About Christianity/Islam & Atheism & Science & Society)
Video in question: _URL_0_. Alternatively, you can read the generated English script here if it's faster for you: _URL_1_
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/74ujb5/for_historians_with_time_to_spare_how_accurate/
{ "a_id": [ "do1e82g" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "You would get a much better response if you could summarize the thesis of the video and the evidence the video uses to support its thesis. I doubt many people are going to 1) watch a 40 minute video or 2) read the computer generated transcript of...
[]
[ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPOMNdvKZtQ", "https://pastebin.com/1sq5zNDe" ]
[ [] ]
2g8kse
what does the us spend tax money on? how does it compare to other countries?
I was discussing with a Canadian friend and it seemed like we were taxed at similar rates. I always assumed the US could have healthcare like Canada, but it would cause taxes to go up. Do Canadian's actually pay more in taxes? What is the US spending all the tax money on if it's not things like healthcare?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2g8kse/eli5_what_does_the_us_spend_tax_money_on_how_does/
{ "a_id": [ "ckgo3d0" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "First, some perspective. The total budget of Canada is 279.2 Billion Canadian dollars (249 Billion US Dollars). The US budget is 3.77 Trillion US Dollars. In other words, the US budget is more than 13 times the size of Canada's budget.\n\nThe US ...
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[ [] ]
2dqob2
What is the least massive star visible to the naked eye?
I've had an argument about whether other sun-sized stars are visible to the naked eye, so I decided to research the least massive start visible to the naked eye. However, information from the internet seems to contradict itself and is very ambiguous. Can anyone give me a definitive answer? Thanks in advance.
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2dqob2/what_is_the_least_massive_star_visible_to_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cjs4e5s", "cjs5w5b" ], "score": [ 2, 7 ], "text": [ "This question isn't quite easy to answer, because in different conditions you see stars with different magnitudes. In normal conditins, which means dark sky in a more or less rural area you can see stars up to 6 mag. However...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/61_Cygni", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_nearest_stars_and_brown_dwarfs" ] ]
dmx7b6
exactly how dangerous should i think of processed meats as being? specifically cured pork products, and specifically because of the cancer risk of nitrites and nitrates (ignoring cholesterol, macro contents, etc, and also ignoring environmental & ethical implications).
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dmx7b6/eli5_exactly_how_dangerous_should_i_think_of/
{ "a_id": [ "f55pve4", "f55q1s1" ], "score": [ 6, 3 ], "text": [ "Bananas are radioactive, in fact one measure of radioactivity is the \"banana equivalent dose\". If \"cured pork is a big part of the diet here\" and you don't see lots of people dying young, it's not a problem. The whole ...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://clinical-nutrition.imedpub.com/nitrates-nitrites-and-nitrosamines-from-processed-meat-intake-and-colorectalcancer-risk.php?aid=21326", "https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0271531715001359", "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4690057/#!po=23.7705", "https:/...
6m9w17
why is watering your lawn considered bad for the environment? how does it "waste" water?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6m9w17/eli5_why_is_watering_your_lawn_considered_bad_for/
{ "a_id": [ "djzzcn3" ], "score": [ 9 ], "text": [ "I think these are two different questions.\n\nFirst, lawns are [sometimes] considered bad for the environment, not watering the lawn. \n\nLawns are often considered bad for the environment because they A) usually don't grow naturally where they'r...
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[ [] ]
1xmlmk
what happens inside our brain when we don't understand something?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1xmlmk/eli5_what_happens_inside_our_brain_when_we_dont/
{ "a_id": [ "cfcqqy8", "cfcts4w" ], "score": [ 25, 3 ], "text": [ "Ironically, we don't really know. ", "This would be easier to answer if we had any clue what happens inside our brain when we understand something." ] }
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[ [], [] ]
5ul7ql
why can we not harness lighting as an energy source?
Even if not the most practical or maybe reliable, seems like it's free energy we could put to some use? Do we have the technology to hypothetically charge batteries or convert to thermal? Edit: Trying to add 'flair' on mobile app. Fyi you can't which is convenient.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5ul7ql/eli5_why_can_we_not_harness_lighting_as_an_energy/
{ "a_id": [ "dduv5tn", "dduvj7l", "dduwkpc", "ddv2dku", "ddv3kaj", "de0vgy9" ], "score": [ 2, 10, 4, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Can we predict where they are going to hit?", "Lightning is unpredictable and at the same time very powerful. The voltage is extrem...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
36mdxt
would climate change caused by the greenhouse effect slow down, when all man-made objects that face up to the sky where painted white?
I learned that the melting poles are also a problem because the ice reflected a lot of the harmful sun rays back to space. Now that the ice is melting, would it help to paint all cars and an buildings white on top so they would reflect harmlful UV rays and heat? Maybe also build streets with lighter materials?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/36mdxt/eli5_would_climate_change_caused_by_the/
{ "a_id": [ "crf5z7p", "crf6mh3" ], "score": [ 5, 2 ], "text": [ "Generally, yes, but getting that much white color is not easy, and you won't even touch the oceans (which after all are 2/3 of the surface and very, very dark). ", "That is a solution that is being considered.\n\nIt woul...
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[ [], [] ]
bsocwx
why is it when chinese words are spelling with roman letters they are spelled like that?
In many languages that don't use the latin alphabet (a, b, c, ect...) words are often written romanized so people not familiar with that script can understand. For example, in Japanese with word for thank you is ありがとう. It is romanized like arigato and pronouned ah-ree-gag-toh. However in Chinese, the word for that you ...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bsocwx/eli5_why_is_it_when_chinese_words_are_spelling/
{ "a_id": [ "eoooem0", "eoopijj", "eooy5tm" ], "score": [ 4, 6, 8 ], "text": [ "It's called pinyin and it was developed in the 50s by linguists for the Chinese government. The pronunciation of Roman letters varies even among languages that use it natively. Think about John vs Jua...
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[]
[ [], [], [] ]
1mldpk
vacuum chamber, pressure chamber?
What is the diffrence. As far as my understanding goes Pressure and vacuum are the exact opposites. But their effect on the human body (as seen in movies whereby the person exposed to extreme pressure/vacuum explodes). Or maybe the person exposed to vacuum implodes or something. Anyway please explain.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1mldpk/vacuum_chamber_pressure_chamber/
{ "a_id": [ "ccab340", "ccab8wg" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "You don't explode in a vacuum chamber. Read this for how the human body reacts to a vacuum: _URL_0_\n\nPressure chamber is ambiguous. Does it refer to high or low pressure? Vacuum and pressure aren't opposites: vacuum refers...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/ask_astro/answers/970603.html" ], [ "http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/28/man-survives-life-threate_n_628162.html", "http://www.cracked.com/article_19781_6-stupid-gun-myths-everyone-believes-thanks-to-movies.html", "http://www.cracked.com/article_19856_5-...
699nes
why have urls got so long and complicated over the years? it used to be _url_0_
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/699nes/eli5why_have_urls_got_so_long_and_complicated/
{ "a_id": [ "dh4uw1u", "dh4v5fb" ], "score": [ 2, 16 ], "text": [ "More complex website's have more sublevels. Yu can think of it like subfolders in a computer disk. \n\nAlso, arguments that carry information of what you seeing (or want to see) are passed in the URL sometimes. Google Maps ...
[ "XXX.XXX/XXX" ]
[]
[ [], [ "http://www.some.edu/department/~myusername/www/index.html", "cdn.host.com", "host.com", "xxx.com/path" ] ]
amevz6
led lights
Why do LED lights flicker on slow-motion cameras - like around sports grounds? I sort of get that they turn on and off really quickly, faster than we can see, but why do they do that?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/amevz6/eli5_led_lights/
{ "a_id": [ "eflfffr", "eflghuj", "eflida3" ], "score": [ 2, 19, 3 ], "text": [ "Video is basically just hundreds of pictures taken back to back. When played one after the other, it gives the appearance of motion.\n\nBecause the camera frames don't match up the LED's flicker rate,...
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[]
[ [], [], [] ]
2hibmv
How much do we know about early Christian martyrs?
So, more specifically, where did the information or traditions about early Christian martyrs come from? Obviously the Bible has St.Luke's Gospel and then the Acts of the Apostles, researched by the early church historian St. Luke, but what about the traditions on the rest of the disciples, or most of Foxes book of Mar...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2hibmv/how_much_do_we_know_about_early_christian_martyrs/
{ "a_id": [ "cksxnxo" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "It depends on which specific tradition or martyr you are talking about. For Peter’s death, there is an account in the 2nd century work Acts of Peter. You can read the text [here](_URL_1_), skip down to XXXIII to read about the martyrdom in partic...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/1clement-lightfoot.html", "http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/actspeter.html" ] ]
8a5b83
How effective are amber alerts and other such mass notifications?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/8a5b83/how_effective_are_amber_alerts_and_other_such/
{ "a_id": [ "dwwi2w0", "dwwj2tz", "dwye71q" ], "score": [ 60, 8, 5 ], "text": [ "So according to the wiki page, the national center for missing and exploited children estimates that 657 children have been saved due to the Amber alert system from 1996 to August 2013. \n\nAn Amber al...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://www.amberalert.gov/pdfs/2013AMBERAlertReport.pdf" ], [ "https://www.researchgate.net/blog/post/after-20-years-of-amber-alerts-are-they-worth-it" ], [] ]
27etan
Why do people get tired of doing something that they may've previously enjoyed if they do it too often/too many times?
For example: eating a food that they once enjoyed until they don't like it anymore or listening to the same music until it no longer appeals to them.
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/27etan/why_do_people_get_tired_of_doing_something_that/
{ "a_id": [ "ci05rid", "ci0a1mv" ], "score": [ 5, 3 ], "text": [ "In a psychology lecture, this was referred to as 'habituation'. In other (simplistic) words, when a stimulus is presented to an individual repeatedly, the way the neurons in the brain respond to it changes over time to retai...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
si19t
Do emotions felt in dreams have a biological/chemical origin like waking emotions or are they imagined/conjured by the dream?
Title pretty much sums it up. I was wondering if emotional states in a dream are similar to waking emotions in that they correspond to different levels of neurotransmitters or whatever else affects emotions. Like, if somebody did something in a dream that had a very good outcome which made them feel happy in the dream,...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/si19t/do_emotions_felt_in_dreams_have_a/
{ "a_id": [ "c4e98u2", "c4ebcew" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Well the dream itself is of electro-chemical origin in your brain. Everything that your brain does uses the same sorts of neurological processes. So no there is no real difference between something you feel in a dream and ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
2rgyne
if insurance companies make a profit, does that mean insured individuals slowly lose money in the long run?
Aren't insurance companies just slowly siphoning money?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2rgyne/eli5_if_insurance_companies_make_a_profit_does/
{ "a_id": [ "cnfrl32", "cnfrs9n" ], "score": [ 4, 3 ], "text": [ "They provide a service, namely insurance, that is very useful to those who need it when the time comes. In doing so they make a profit. Are grocery stores slowly siphoning money because they make a profit selling us food? ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
5o74sy
Time-Dilation theory as shown in interstellar - was it correct? (Spoilers).
I can't quite wrap my head around this concept. So, for those who have watched interstellar - a section of the film is where they go to one of the planets and for every hour that passes, 7 years pass on earth (something like that). I know it's just a film - but time dilation theory is an accepted theory. Theoretica...
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/5o74sy/timedilation_theory_as_shown_in_interstellar_was/
{ "a_id": [ "dchmrrd", "dci43xw", "dci6qu3" ], "score": [ 6, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "Time is not a universal concept. That is the key aspect of Einstein's Relativity. \n\nIf you have two clocks which tick at the same rate if they are at rest and next to each other will tick different ra...
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[]
[ [], [], [] ]
32o2y3
why is it important for a nation to have some debt?
I read somewhere that it is healthy for nations to run on a little bit of debt. What is the reasoning for this?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/32o2y3/eli5_why_is_it_important_for_a_nation_to_have/
{ "a_id": [ "cqczfs8", "cqczskh" ], "score": [ 5, 22 ], "text": [ "It's useful for their pensioners for a country to have some debt g i.e. The government is borrowing money from pensioners and paying the pensioners back a small but certain amount.\n\nGovernments are usually very safe debto...
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[ [], [] ]
1lx8wq
why has australia had 3 different prime ministers in the past four months?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1lx8wq/eli5_why_has_australia_had_3_different_prime/
{ "a_id": [ "cc3pthb", "cc3zilc" ], "score": [ 8, 2 ], "text": [ "The Labor Party won the election in 2007, their leader at the time was Kevin Rudd and so he became Prime Minister.\n\nIn 2010, following disatisfaction within the party, there was a leadership election which Julia Gillard wo...
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[ [], [] ]