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bdlc1l
Notre-Dame de Paris is burning.
Notre-Dame de Paris, the iconic medieval cathedral with some of my favorite stained glass windows in the world, [is being destroyed by a fire.](_URL_0_) This is a thread for people to ask questions about the cathedral or share thoughts in general. It will be lightly moderated. [This is something I wrote on AH about a...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/bdlc1l/notredame_de_paris_is_burning/
{ "a_id": [ "ekyz2x8", "ekyzaa4", "ekyzj2s", "ekyzqf3", "ekz0nio", "ekz11dd", "ekz1wp9", "ekz1xy7", "ekz2a89", "ekz32mx", "ekz3mq3", "ekz3sr3", "ekz3x6c", "ekz4exe", "ekz5etg", "ekz69dr", "ekz6h3t", "ekz6lfb", "ekz6stc", "ekz7fxx", "e...
[]
[ "https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-europe-47942176", "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/7z6jdo/_/dulxj1i/" ]
[ [], [ "https://youtu.be/2Ew5ayIWA10", "https://scontent-frt3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/fr/cp0/e15/q65/57068545_2307175472680706_6001252077785841664_o.jpg?_nc_cat=1&efg=eyJpIjoidCJ9&_nc_ht=scontent-frt3-2.xx&oh=1c148b1f616d1245aa192a023e921162&oe=5D2A860E" ], [], [ "https://www.yout...
2gefqp
why does everybody thank soldiers for what they are doing?
I'm really not looking to offend anyone as I know this is a very sensible subject, but I just can't understand why people always thank soldiers for their service. From my point of view, nobody is forced to join the army. If you don't want to join it, fine, don't. But if you do decide to join it, it is your choice and ...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2gefqp/eli5why_does_everybody_thank_soldiers_for_what/
{ "a_id": [ "ckib5os", "ckib76g", "ckibxz5", "ckicggz", "ckido84", "ckie51t", "ckietwz", "ckih6qx", "ckilgid", "ckilo0q", "ckin1j0", "ckiv5x8", "ckiwspj", "ckj3uwz" ], "score": [ 21, 2, 74, 7, 3, 4, 51, 3, 3, 3, 2,...
[]
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
6uumlg
Did USA and the USSR create nuclear artillery during the cold war ?
[deleted]
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6uumlg/did_usa_and_the_ussr_create_nuclear_artillery/
{ "a_id": [ "dlvkcuj" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Yes. The US in particular is [rather](_URL_1_) [famous](_URL_0_) for making a variety of forms of nuclear artillery in the 1950s and 1960s. The USSR had similar things as well. Both were meant as tactical weapons to be used against troops, fixed ...
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[ [ "http://blog.nuclearsecrecy.com/2012/07/20/king-of-the-wild-frontier/", "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsB83fAtNQE" ] ]
27p47b
Do any economists expect a massive labor shortage and wage-price hike in the US when the baby-boomer generation retires?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/27p47b/do_any_economists_expect_a_massive_labor_shortage/
{ "a_id": [ "ci3hkyt" ], "score": [ 10 ], "text": [ "This might not be the best sub-reddit for your question, because the answers necessarily have to get into the realm of speculation. That said, I talk about economics with some extremely well-friends quite a bit and this question certainly has do...
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[ [] ]
2vmxhi
What would happen if I fell into a tub of superglue?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2vmxhi/what_would_happen_if_i_fell_into_a_tub_of/
{ "a_id": [ "cojonfs" ], "score": [ 12 ], "text": [ "Nothing good. Superglue is generally a form of [cyanoacrylate](_URL_0_), a liquid that will polymerize when very small amounts of water are present. It can be used safely for many applications on the body such as wound closing in place of stit...
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[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyanoacrylate" ] ]
7t41gp
Tell me a bit about how King Henry II got all his holdings.
I know the basics - Henry inherits the Duchies of Normandy and Aquitaine and forges what some refer to as the Angevin Empire. But I've been reading some stuff on his reign and found what looks like some succession war for the Duchy of Normandy. Could you tell me how this war was fought and who against?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/7t41gp/tell_me_a_bit_about_how_king_henry_ii_got_all_his/
{ "a_id": [ "dtancr1" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "The Angevin Empire was much more a product of diplomacy and politics than it was about conquering or forging an Empire. In fact the idea of calling it an Empire is a more modern concept. English kings at the time we're really French nobility who ...
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[ [] ]
fce3aq
If you had just a few hours to teach history to middle school aged children what would you cover?
I've been asked to teach a middle school history elective course for the last hour on Fridays for 7 weeks. This is a supplement to what their "normal" history courses cover in their curriculum, so I'm trying to either deep dive into something that gets glossed over in the usual curriculum or is a subject that isn't co...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/fce3aq/if_you_had_just_a_few_hours_to_teach_history_to/
{ "a_id": [ "fjaicj0" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "M.Ed here. You say not much contemporary history is taught post WW1. Also, your topics look interesting to a young male adolescent. I’m assuming since this is an elective course on Fridays with only 12 students that they may be more interested in...
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27dhpb
Was the medieval French monarch especially weaker than his contemporaries? And if so, how did it reach that point?
I've heard it (or read it) that the French monarch only really governed France and his vassals were de facto independent. Were other monarchs similar? Also, were the mid-and-late Medieval French monarchs weaker than Charlemagne's successors or were they of comparable authority?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/27dhpb/was_the_medieval_french_monarch_especially_weaker/
{ "a_id": [ "chzrlt6", "chzrvjp" ], "score": [ 8, 3 ], "text": [ "All of this is obviously dependent on the exact period, and relative power isn't an absolute thing, but at the time of the Norman Conquest the French king was quite weak compared to his neighbors.\n\nThe most obvious example...
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[ [], [] ]
1eonq3
Was the Napoleonic Empire based on a system of tyranny, or liberty?
I have read several books taking place during the Napoleonic Wars, some describe the First French Empire as a tyranny and Napoleon a tyrant, others that he was a moderator of the Revolution and through his conquest brought the revolution to Europe. Opinions on which one of these is more accurate, or at least has the mo...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1eonq3/was_the_napoleonic_empire_based_on_a_system_of/
{ "a_id": [ "ca2bb4k", "ca2biyg" ], "score": [ 4, 2 ], "text": [ "The short answer is that, like everything in historical studies, it was a mixture of both. Napoleon enacted several things which still benefit the citizens of France today, and also several things which were tyrannical and m...
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[ [], [ "http://www.amazon.com/The-Rise-Of-Napoleon-Bonaparte/dp/0465048811/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1369056236&sr=8-1&keywords=rise+of+napoleon", "http://www.amazon.com/The-Reign-Of-Napoleon-Bonaparte/dp/0465004822/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_y" ] ]
34ioo7
What would be a good book to read on Henry Kissinger?
I'm just generally interested in him and his effect in U.S. foreign policy, I'm looking for something that gives a general fair look into his life.
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/34ioo7/what_would_be_a_good_book_to_read_on_henry/
{ "a_id": [ "cqv4588", "cqw13rn" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Partners in Power - Nixon and Kissinger by Roger dallek is really good and on Google play books", "I think any discussion of Kissinger would be remarkably incomplete without a mention of \"Diplomacy\" by the man himself...
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[ [], [] ]
3ycalt
how is cliven bundy not in jail after having an armed standoff against federal officers?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ycalt/eli5how_is_cliven_bundy_not_in_jail_after_having/
{ "a_id": [ "cyc92yv", "cycgrl3" ], "score": [ 22, 6 ], "text": [ "Because an attempt to arrest him would result in armed confrontation with law officers, and likely death on both sides. He and his supporters words and actions have threatened this. \n\nThe government agencies involved are ...
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[ [], [] ]
1i7jrf
the whole black person watermelon thing.
Watermelon is straight up delicious. Everyone of varying colors loves that shit, so why is it a racial stereotype thing? Does anyone actually know?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1i7jrf/eli5the_whole_black_person_watermelon_thing/
{ "a_id": [ "cb1qtmt", "cb1t90j", "cb1v8u7", "cb1vxwy", "cb27t78" ], "score": [ 104, 11, 2, 6, 2 ], "text": [ "Well we're still feeling the ripple effect from old racism and slavery. Watermelon originally came from South Africa and spread through most of Africa in a...
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[ [], [ "http://youtu.be/iEznh2JZvrI?t=1h54m1s", "http://youtu.be/iEznh2JZvrI?t=14m13s", "http://youtu.be/iEznh2JZvrI?t=1h43m7s", "http://youtu.be/iEznh2JZvrI?t=1h42m10s", "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEznh2JZvrI", "http://youtu.be/iEznh2JZvrI?t=33m31s", "http://youtu.be/iEznh2JZvrI?t...
7cdm6a
How unprepared were the Russians for WW1?
It seems to be common knowledge that Russia was one of the most backward powers of the First World War (maybe after the Ottomans) and that their industrial capacity and leadership was far inferior to the other major powers. I've seen some people assert that the Russians had a gun for every two men, but are statistics l...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/7cdm6a/how_unprepared_were_the_russians_for_ww1/
{ "a_id": [ "dppbjfg" ], "score": [ 32 ], "text": [ "You're very much in luck as there is an excellent source on this topic, a book by none other than Владимир Григорьевич Фёдоров, designer of the Federov Avtomat, often called (incorrectly, in my humble opinion) the first assault-rifle. As it so h...
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[ [] ]
23eiqo
How did the Nazis finance the four year plan?
With the four year plan that started in 1936 they switched the economy towards war. Now how was this project financed, given that Germany was essentially in default? Prior economic growth in the twenties came from an export oriented economy, this was all financed by short term foreign loans - the money came in as inter...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/23eiqo/how_did_the_nazis_finance_the_four_year_plan/
{ "a_id": [ "cgwkkin" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Here _URL_0_ they say that after defaulting on its debt Germany did not repudiate the debt (they feared that this would result in asset seizure and disruption of trade); later it bought back part of it - now that was at a lower price. Now the tri...
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[ [ "https://www.princeton.edu/~ies/IES_Studies/S75.pdf", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mefo_bills" ] ]
82o3oh
Was Louis XVI responsible for the French Revolution? Could he had prevented the revolution from breaking out?
bonus question! How responsible was he for the loss for his own head?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/82o3oh/was_louis_xvi_responsible_for_the_french/
{ "a_id": [ "dvbvjxw" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Both of these questions are complex and would likely take a book or two to answer properly. I'd suggest starting with these [excellent posts](_URL_0_) by /u/frederfred1." ] }
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[ [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/61ry5c/was_louis_xvis_financial_situation_really_so_dire/dfh6b36/" ] ]
7y196n
how are subatomic particles “caught” to be used in a particle accelerator
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7y196n/eli5_how_are_subatomic_particles_caught_to_be/
{ "a_id": [ "ducsouk", "ducx2dd", "dud74ne" ], "score": [ 5, 2, 5 ], "text": [ "Most of the time they are not caught. They are generated, in a collision, and studied as they fly past. When they hit the wall, they are lost.", "The particles accelerated by the accelerator are i...
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[ [], [], [ "https://mediastream.cern.ch/MediaArchive/Photo/Public/2008/0804060/0804060_04/0804060_04-A5-at-72-dpi.jpg" ] ]
13rxoy
"the dark web/underground internet"
The one with TOR and all of that stuff. Links would be helpful too.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/13rxoy/eli5_the_dark_webunderground_internet/
{ "a_id": [ "c76moqh" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "You can't get into some things on the Internet just by doing a Google search or typing their address into the URL bar. Examples of this include your email account, your online banking account, and a company's internal network.\n\nNow, the vast ma...
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[ [] ]
209j4e
Was there 'ethics' in government before Machiavelli's The Prince became well known?
I keep hearing people talk about this -- "Machiavelli took ethics out of government" but did he actually? The leaders knew what they were doing, no? Where else would he have gotten his examples? What he was writing seems to only shock the layman. So would it not be more accurate to say that Machiavelli removed the pe...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/209j4e/was_there_ethics_in_government_before/
{ "a_id": [ "cg13puq", "cg1ajm9" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "I have a related tangential question: While Machiavelli's 'The Prince' often seems to be interpreted as a 'how to' for unethical small-time nobility to gain and maintain power, I've often felt that this is too literal a read...
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2der2b
if there's so many people who absolutely despise comcast/tw for the monsters that they are, why can't we do something about their unethical ways of business?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2der2b/eli5_if_theres_so_many_people_who_absolutely/
{ "a_id": [ "cjosww8", "cjosx7r", "cjou19a", "cjou276", "cjoufah", "cjoujuh", "cjovw70" ], "score": [ 10, 12, 2, 6, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "People are too comfortable and complacent to be bothered to go however long without internet and cable. Really t...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
3hs5rt
Did the military dictatorship in Spain improve or hinder Spanish club football?
_URL_0_
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3hs5rt/did_the_military_dictatorship_in_spain_improve_or/
{ "a_id": [ "cua96xa" ], "score": [ 9 ], "text": [ "Not an answer to your question, but one thing Franco **did** do was to force several clubs to change their names. Many Spanish clubs had English elements in their full names; Franco made them alter them, usually to their Spanish equivalents. So...
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[ "https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/3hrw1n/did_the_military_dictatorship_in_spain_improve_or/" ]
[ [] ]
vp2te
If a photon has no mass, why doesn't it pass through objects like other forms of radiation?
If a photon has no mass, why doesn't it pass through objects like other forms of radiation? Why is it reflected by a mirror instead of just passing through? Why can't we use a mirror to reflect Gamma radiation for instance?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/vp2te/if_a_photon_has_no_mass_why_doesnt_it_pass/
{ "a_id": [ "c56dm9c", "c56dvu1", "c56hmo6" ], "score": [ 5, 7, 2 ], "text": [ "Well in fact gamma radiation is composed of photons. It is electromagnetic radiation that is simply more energetic than the visible light photons. The reason that certain wavelength photons do not pass ...
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[ [], [], [ "http://www.amazon.com/QED-Strange-Princeton-Science-Library/dp/0691125759/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340836137&sr=8-1&keywords=QED" ] ]
5w40ff
why it is universally (in america) known that anorexia and too thin bodies are unhealthy and should be discouraged but obesity and too big bodies have led to "fat acceptance" and haes?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5w40ff/eli5_why_it_is_universally_in_america_known_that/
{ "a_id": [ "de73ylk", "de755hu", "de75dio", "de7eluk", "de7ffrr" ], "score": [ 2, 6, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "One is a clearly defined illness, one is just laziness that eventually becomes an illness.\n\nPeople don't like being told what to do, especially when all you...
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[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
12zjvq
How did Peron establish a state of totalitarian control? Argentine history the years after WWII seems incredibly perplexing.
I think it's more or less clear how he established control. The coup in 1943 led way to him becoming Secretary of War and Minister of Labour. Through that position he became well acquainted with the masses. 1944 comes and he becomes Vice-President under Farell. Then in October of the next year he was jailed. Mass p...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/12zjvq/how_did_peron_establish_a_state_of_totalitarian/
{ "a_id": [ "c6zi78a" ], "score": [ 23 ], "text": [ "Perón's really wasn't a totalitarian regime. Perhaps the most applicable label would be that of populist authoritarianism, but even then that might be stretching it a little. Really, it was a nationalist regime in Latin America in the 1940s -- n...
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[ [ "http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/watkins/corporatism.htm" ] ]
dzyqvl
how and why did the usa make the decision to go 'germany first' in ww2?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dzyqvl/eli5_how_and_why_did_the_usa_make_the_decision_to/
{ "a_id": [ "f8ax9jr" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Japan never intended to invade the USA. Japan was expanding on Asian side of the Pacific and the USA was the only country that could stop them. In order to expand without interference, Japan tried to incapacitate the American Pacific fleet. Th...
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[ [] ]
9m3aay
what is system administration?
As far as I know, system administration is about maintaining, configuring and extending software, in contrast to building it from scratch. But am I missing something? What exactly does a system administrator do?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9m3aay/eli5_what_is_system_administration/
{ "a_id": [ "e7bko7w", "e7btqba", "e7bvju6", "e7c3cth" ], "score": [ 12, 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "It's a somewhat dated term in modern computting but basically it covers the maintenance of servers used to host applications and environments. That maintenance includes supportin...
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[ [], [], [], [] ]
cye5s7
British army names during WW2
Looking around online I looked up a list of British armies during WW2. Something that struck me as odd was the naming of these armies. Apparently the first armies the British had was the Eighth Army and Ninth Army, forming in 1941 and serving to 45. In 42 the First Army and Tenth Army was formed, both serving to 1943. ...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/cye5s7/british_army_names_during_ww2/
{ "a_id": [ "eysw3pg" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "I once had a similar question. It doesnt directly answer your question but it might help you further:\n\n_URL_0_\n\nu/the_howling_cow\nu/bacarruda" ] }
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[ [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/ailerm/why_is_army_division_brigade_etc_numbering_so" ] ]
4d8sdf
Did Central Asia experience a racial shift from being primarily Caucasian to being primarily East Asian in Late Antiquity?
I know this question is very controversial (lots of you would probably deny the mere existence of race), and it's hard for me to find any reliable sources on the internet that aren't from neo-nazi forums and the like. But basically, if you compare early Tocharian self-depictions to later ones, you see far fewer Cauca...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4d8sdf/did_central_asia_experience_a_racial_shift_from/
{ "a_id": [ "d1p2vmk" ], "score": [ 40 ], "text": [ "So, let me get the big thing out of the way right at the front.\n > (lots of you would probably deny the mere existence of race)\n\nAll the current genetic research strongly indicates that race is a not a biologically valid concept, which is vit...
[]
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kazakhs#/media/File:SB_-_Inside_a_Kazakh_yurt.jpg", "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b8/Indo-Iranian_origins.png" ]
[ [ "http://www.nature.com/ng/journal/v36/n11s/full/ng1435.html" ] ]
15oky1
japanese whaling
Who benefits and how?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/15oky1/eli5_japanese_whaling/
{ "a_id": [ "c7odi38" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "It is a commercial venture to make money selling whale products to the Japanese public.\n\nIt is thinly disguised as scientific research to comply with international treaties." ] }
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nko3n
So how does mirror therapy in amputees work in the brain?
I am a EMT for a private company, and we dropped off a patient with a missing leg for therapy . I guess they lay down im front of a mirror and it helps with the pain? I wanted to ask the doctor but we were in and out because we got another run, any one have info on this?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/nko3n/so_how_does_mirror_therapy_in_amputees_work_in/
{ "a_id": [ "c39uml7", "c39uml7" ], "score": [ 3, 3 ], "text": [ "Vram discusses it in this awesome ted talk.\n\n_URL_0_", "Vram discusses it in this awesome ted talk.\n\n_URL_0_" ] }
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[ [ "http://www.ted.com/talks/vilayanur_ramachandran_on_your_mind.html" ], [ "http://www.ted.com/talks/vilayanur_ramachandran_on_your_mind.html" ] ]
474h2b
What happened to the japanese troops stationed in south east asia after the US marines defeated them? Was there any account of the experiences from their point of view?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/474h2b/what_happened_to_the_japanese_troops_stationed_in/
{ "a_id": [ "d0a7uqn" ], "score": [ 12 ], "text": [ "I would direct you to[ Japan at War: An Oral History](_URL_0_) for accounts, though I don't want to give you wrong answers for the first question as I'm not sure.\n\nI've only, admittedly, read two sections for class, but there is one in particu...
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[ [ "http://www.worldcat.org/title/japan-at-war-an-oral-history/oclc/26314603" ] ]
509066
why does the kkk have fantasy things as their rank names?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/509066/eli5_why_does_the_kkk_have_fantasy_things_as/
{ "a_id": [ "d7266cu", "d72d3b4", "d72fube", "d72nb8d", "d72ojyk" ], "score": [ 706, 101, 5, 9, 2 ], "text": [ "The KKK started as (nominally) a Scottish group, drawing their \"lineage\" supposedly from Scots traditions. They claimed that theirs was a continuation o...
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[ [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ku_Klux_Klan#End_of_the_first_Klan" ], [], [], [] ]
6jbl31
Were people in the 18th/19th century afraid that the ornate military uniforms ordinary soldiers wore would clash with class divisions?
I'm aware that class divisions were extremely important, and sometimes expressed by class-based dress codes during this time, and that soldiers (even enlisted men) wore very fancy, ornate uniforms. Did this lead to anxiety about the fact that enlisted men, presumably lower class men, were wearing the kind of clothes t...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6jbl31/were_people_in_the_18th19th_century_afraid_that/
{ "a_id": [ "djdqkec" ], "score": [ 12 ], "text": [ "Quite the opposite. \n\nIn the late 17th and 18th century, much of the responsibility for funding, raising, training, and equipping a unit devolved to its commanders, who ran them as a kind of private enterprise designed in part to turn a profi...
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25o1ni
why is common carrier status better than internet "fast lanes" for consumers?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/25o1ni/eli5why_is_common_carrier_status_better_than/
{ "a_id": [ "chj1ry6", "chj2a7l", "chj5qi2" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Because it limits information and education for people.\n\n_URL_0_", "A common carrier is an entity that delivers \"goods\" to the public in general. For examples, the goods that phone companies de...
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[ [ "http://toastter.blogspot.com/2014/05/net-neutrality-life-in-fast-lane-for.html" ], [], [] ]
75omdw
If the CMB was released when it was cool enough for recombination to happen, how are different parts of CMB hotter than others?
So I heard that the reason CMB is not perfectly smooth, is because when recombination happened, some places of the universe were sligthly denser, and therefore hotter. Here is what I have trouble with understanding. The recombination supposedly happened when matter became cool enough for electrons to be "absorbed" by ...
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/75omdw/if_the_cmb_was_released_when_it_was_cool_enough/
{ "a_id": [ "do87pmh", "do99uox" ], "score": [ 6, 2 ], "text": [ "Quantum mechanics is all probabilistic. \"Cool enough for recombination\" means the bound state energy was just larger than the thermal energy. The thermal energy for an electron gas is an average energy. Some have more some...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
2cmll9
why is animation mostly made in japan or america?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2cmll9/eli5_why_is_animation_mostly_made_in_japan_or/
{ "a_id": [ "cjgxru8", "cjgy884", "cjh4kkd" ], "score": [ 4, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Well, technically, South Korea does most of the actual 2D animation for American cartoons.\n\nAnyway, other countries do create animation. Americans just don't receive those cartoons. America mostly imp...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
5e39r4
Where guilds distinctly European?
Was guilds uniquely European, or did similar organizations exist in cities in other parts of the world? If the answer to the top questions is yes, then why? It seems that the major goal of guilds, price and quality controll, should be a universal goal for craftsmen?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/5e39r4/where_guilds_distinctly_european/
{ "a_id": [ "da9do82" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "They were not distinctly European. In China there was an close equivalent known as *huì guǎn* 會館 or *gōngsuǒ* 公所 appearing during the Ming, in the 16th century. It wasn't exactly the same, because the term *huìguǎn* also referred to what are know...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
2u2t1g
why do some tv channels have free and open streaming on the internet while others do not? wouldn't advertising from those generate even more income?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2u2t1g/eli5_why_do_some_tv_channels_have_free_and_open/
{ "a_id": [ "co4vxdg" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "TV channels license shows for specific areas. If they stream to the web, they would need worldwide rights for the show, which are more expensive (or they need some geo-IP filtering).\n\nThus, for some channels, the larger reach is a net benefit, ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
50j2o0
What happened to Prussia and why was it seemingly 'erased from the history books'?
I have family that emmigrated from the Czech republic in what would have been Prussia. Just curious as to what happened to this storied empire.
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/50j2o0/what_happened_to_prussia_and_why_was_it_seemingly/
{ "a_id": [ "d74h8uq" ], "score": [ 27 ], "text": [ "After the Franco-Prussian war in 1870, The Kingdom of Prussia integrated with Bavaria, Wuertemburg and Baden to form Germany.\n\nThe best example I can think to give is the United States being formed after the Revolutionary war, discarding the A...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
d7izlu
copay, coinsurance and deductible in medical billing
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/d7izlu/eli5_copay_coinsurance_and_deductible_in_medical/
{ "a_id": [ "f10fb7g", "f10fbyv", "f10fi5z" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Co-pay: your share due upon arrival of a doctors or hospital visit. Edit: co-pays are usually a set amount for each kind of visit: regular doctor, urgent care, emergency room, specialist (such as a der...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
cyhdpk
minecraft ray tracing vs shaders
What is Ray Tracing in Minecraft and how is it different from Shaders?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cyhdpk/eli5_minecraft_ray_tracing_vs_shaders/
{ "a_id": [ "eyryv45" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Ray tracing is a form of a shader. Shaders add an alternate lighting engine to the game. Ray tracing is a specific type of lighting engine." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
8oq52n
How can something be strong and brittle like tungsten, isn't that contradictory?
Like I hear so much that "tungsten is strong" but it's also brittle like how the hell is that possible?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/8oq52n/how_can_something_be_strong_and_brittle_like/
{ "a_id": [ "e05ig3d", "e06hkzk", "e073ab8" ], "score": [ 14, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Strength and brittleness are very frequently correlated. Tungsten is very strong and will deform slowly, but when it reaches its yield point it will fracture quickly; this is what brittleness is. \n\nC...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://www-materials.eng.cam.ac.uk/mpsite/interactive_charts/strength-toughness/basic.html", "http://www\\-materials.eng.cam.ac.uk/mpsite/interactive\\_charts/strength\\-toughness/basic.html" ] ]
vzezy
how does music conducting work?
I see the hand movements, and I have NO CLUE how it translates to how the performers play or sing. If I just stand in front of an orchestra, what sort of havoc could I wreak? (I used to sing in a choir, didn't know then, either)
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/vzezy/how_does_music_conducting_work/
{ "a_id": [ "c58x6s7", "c58x8ct", "c58zxd7" ], "score": [ 3, 3, 3 ], "text": [ "[This](_URL_0_) might answer some of your questions.", "It's mostly to help those playing or singing keep the timing and count. If the music is set to a count of 4, for example, the conductor will h...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/vwq4s/eli5_why_is_a_conductor_necessary_for_an_orchestra/" ], [], [] ]
1ksea5
Why don't companies / governments create there own operating systems that can't be hacked?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1ksea5/why_dont_companies_governments_create_there_own/
{ "a_id": [ "cbs4o75" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Because some will argue (rightly so IMO) that if it's turned on and connected to the internet, it CAN be hacked/compromised." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
1ind30
the new moderation policy.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ind30/eli5_the_new_moderation_policy/
{ "a_id": [ "cb64uii", "cb65ubb" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Gonna have to be more specific.\n\nDo you mean how we mod ELI5? If so a brief summary is:\n\n* Remove duplicate posts\n* Remove \"walkthrough\" posts\n* Remove extremely simple questions\n* Remove insulting posts and loaded...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
h57sx
when an electron and positron annihilate, what happens to their spins?
how does conservation of angular momentum (in particular, intrinsic angular momentum) come into play in electron-positron annihilation? does the relative spin of the two particles simply become the relative polarization of the two photons?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/h57sx/when_an_electron_and_positron_annihilate_what/
{ "a_id": [ "c1somy8", "c1sp20v", "c1sr73k" ], "score": [ 7, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "Two spin 1/2 particles produce 2 (occasionally more) spin 1 particles, photons.\n\nEdit- missed your part about the polarizations, when working out the cross section for this process you sum over the po...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Positronium" ] ]
8a1m7l
how do businesses that provide a donation for every purchase (e.g., toms) make financial sense without being a non-profit organization?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8a1m7l/eli5_how_do_businesses_that_provide_a_donation/
{ "a_id": [ "dwv3k83", "dwv3wk5" ], "score": [ 6, 21 ], "text": [ "The total cost of the product includes the donation. Tom's toothpaste may cost $3 while Crest costs $2. With that extra dollar, Tom's may donate $1 to charity while using the publicity of their charity to get more people to...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
1h81eo
Is a positron something that actually exists, or is it a mathematical expression of the opposite of an electron?
I'm trying to teach myself chemistry, and I came across these terms. The book I am using said they have zero mass and are considered anti-matter, but they are sometimes released in the breakdown of radioactive isotopes. As someone with relatively little experience in chemistry or physics, this is confusing. How could t...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1h81eo/is_a_positron_something_that_actually_exists_or/
{ "a_id": [ "carq4ht" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "They actually exist, but they don't have zero mass. They have the same mass as an electron. They were first detected in 1935.\n\nThey are frequency used in positron emission tomography to detect cancer.\n\nWhat book are you reading?" ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
2ip5wd
When/Where/Why did mustaches become popular with Military/Law enforcement? Is this a historical trend or relatively modern?
For as long as I have been around and noticing the world around me, mustaches have been associated w/ Military/Law enforcement types. Is there a reason for this? Or did it just become fashionable? This might not be the right sub, but if anyone can point me in the right direction that would be great.
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2ip5wd/whenwherewhy_did_mustaches_become_popular_with/
{ "a_id": [ "cl4gucc", "cl4j06x" ], "score": [ 2, 6 ], "text": [ "For the U.S. Army, mustaches are the only facial hair allowed.\nSource: AR 670-1", "While I don't know if this is in any way connected with modern fashion, it was not uncommon for 19th and 18th century European militariz...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
zhlen
Would a nuclear explosion in space be "bigger"?
As I understand it, it's impossible to create energy and not use it. When a nuclear bomb is exploded on earth the energy it releases from the matter it anialates is transferred to things like photons bouncing about, air and particle displacement, heat, etc... The motion of all this stuff accounts for the energy release...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/zhlen/would_a_nuclear_explosion_in_space_be_bigger/
{ "a_id": [ "c64narf", "c64ryvh" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Are you asking if all the energy from the blast would be directed into a ship 200 miles away if it was the only other object around? If so, the answer is no.\n\nI get the way your logic is going, and I think there are 2 mai...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://history.nasa.gov/conghand/nuclear.htm" ] ]
dkxq3i
jalapenos make my mouth burn, but wasabi makes my nose burn. why?
I like wasabi and I really like hot sauce. Tonight I am eating sushi with wasabi, and I am keenly aware of the difference in where the 'hot' feeling occurs. Can Redditors enlighten me as to why? Like I'm 5?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dkxq3i/eli5_jalapenos_make_my_mouth_burn_but_wasabi/
{ "a_id": [ "f4kepzm", "f4oi20h" ], "score": [ 19, 2 ], "text": [ "Jalapeños burn with a compound called capsaicin. This activates heat receptors on contact, which is why it doesn’t just burn your mouth\n\nWasabi and horseradish, on the other hand, get their burn from isothiocyanates, comp...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
25eqkl
Is the atmosphere of mars dense enough for a propeller powered air-probe (like a helicopter or plane) to be functional?
EDIT: I suppose the first step of the question would be to ask if a wing-based vehicle would even be supported as well.
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/25eqkl/is_the_atmosphere_of_mars_dense_enough_for_a/
{ "a_id": [ "chgn8sf", "chgo9hp" ], "score": [ 4, 3 ], "text": [ "The atmosphere of Mars is less than 0.7% of that of Earth's: without a magnetosphere, solar wind lowers the atmospheric density by stripping away atoms from the outer layer. However, the gravity is also only around 40% compa...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_aircraft#Airplanes", "http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/news/X-Press/stories/2005/xtra_072005_PlanetaryFlightVehicle.html", "http://marsairplane.larc.nasa.gov/" ], [ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmCoSJkY1gM", "http://www.x-plane.com/adventures/mars.h...
2guoh3
why even today internet explorer still doesn't follow the same web standards as everyone else?
I swear I tried to be loyal to that browser for the longest time but I had to move to firefox/chrome even with their flaws. Even today when I try it, websites look different, stuff doesn't function etc.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2guoh3/eli5_why_even_today_internet_explorer_still/
{ "a_id": [ "ckmodq6", "ckmonoc", "ckmrk35", "ckmu24q", "ckmum86", "ckmv78i", "ckn9hh4", "cknbm0n" ], "score": [ 15, 59, 5, 3, 2, 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Modern IE does though, source: web developer", "The IE since version 9 or 10 are prett...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
6uct71
How did we classify highly sexually dimorphic species as belonging to the same species?
Prior to DNA testing methods or complicated observation how were highly dimorphic males and females matched to the one species?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/6uct71/how_did_we_classify_highly_sexually_dimorphic/
{ "a_id": [ "dls8h3m" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "A lot of the time it was through simple observation of the species in its natural habitat, although that's not a hard and fast rule; although ethograms and the like are relatively new to science, common local knowledge is a valuable tool, especia...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
6t0bx4
why and how did western culture become so dominant?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6t0bx4/eli5_why_and_how_did_western_culture_become_so/
{ "a_id": [ "dlh7umt" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Mainly because all of the major empires since the 1800's have been in Europe and/or North America, with basically 2 exceptions;\n\n1) The Ottomans, who were on Europe's doorstep, but who fell apart after the 1st World War.\n\n2) The Japanese, who...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
bhexk8
how dangerous is uranium mining and what are its positives/negatives?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bhexk8/eli5_how_dangerous_is_uranium_mining_and_what_are/
{ "a_id": [ "els9swz", "elsdoxm" ], "score": [ 4, 4 ], "text": [ "Not very dangerous since U238 has a very long half life, meaning it's not very radioactive. Also, I think it's an alpha emitter (not sure on that), which would mean that it's trivial to shield yourself if required.\n\nIt's ...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://youtu.be/V0dOg34-6w0" ] ]
x6cyz
Why can weak interactions violate properties such as strangeness?
I've asked this of a great many people and none have known the answer so far. Is it unanswerable at the present time, or just ill known?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/x6cyz/why_can_weak_interactions_violate_properties_such/
{ "a_id": [ "c5jl103" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "The weak interactions are governed by a property called SU(2) gauge invariance; while the answer to why there is SU(2) gauge invariance is not known, it is known that SU(2) gauge invariance will cause strangeness violation.\n\nOne of the properti...
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[]
[ [] ]
zgcxq
obtaining a green card by marriage.
In reference to the post about a woman who left her husband after obtaining a green card (which has been deleted), I was just wondering how does it actually works? Does a non US citizen that marries a US citizen automatically get a green card? What are the rules and legalities of it and so forth.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/zgcxq/eli5_obtaining_a_green_card_by_marriage/
{ "a_id": [ "c64d6mz", "c64e4vn", "c64eonx" ], "score": [ 30, 10, 5 ], "text": [ "I just went through this process 2 years ago, and it is NOT automatic, and in fact quite costly and time-consuming. Let me give you a rundown.\n\nIn July '09 we got engaged. \n\nWe eventually set a da...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_2994.html", "http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=ae853ad15c673210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=ae853ad15c673210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD" ], [ "http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i...
dvoock
how do antiperspirants work? they say they've got an "active chemical formula", does this mean that the spray actively combats perspiration?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dvoock/eli5_how_do_antiperspirants_work_they_say_theyve/
{ "a_id": [ "f7dwfd9", "f7dwugz" ], "score": [ 7, 3 ], "text": [ "yes, they contain aluminum salts which literally block your sweat pores, its presence also inhibits bacterial growth which feed on sweat and create odour.", "Sweat doesn't smell, bacteria that feeds on it do. Active for...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
2unmcu
what does the accountant in gangster movies actually do and why is he so important?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2unmcu/eli5_what_does_the_accountant_in_gangster_movies/
{ "a_id": [ "co9yx3e", "co9yy18", "co9z27b", "co9z4y0", "coa4dog", "coa8eby", "coa8ze0" ], "score": [ 38, 15, 10, 3, 8, 5, 11 ], "text": [ "He makes sure they have a 'legal' method of accounting for the money they bring in. Remember, Al Capone only w...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [ "https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1kYI5FAV9EQ" ], [] ]
1fknts
How long, and how complex would vote tabulation have been for the elections in the late 1800s?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1fknts/how_long_and_how_complex_would_vote_tabulation/
{ "a_id": [ "cabddj9" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "In a perfect world, I think it would have been difficult, in the absence of perfect census data and often complex voting laws. That said, voting systems were very far from perfect and accurate tabulation often took a backseat to corruption. I can...
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[]
[ [] ]
1wqru9
why people are bothered by the idea of their friends having sex with their mother.
This is probably going to get some eye rolls, but I really don't get it. I would be bothered by someone telling me they *raped* my Mom, but if I found out that a friend had sex with my Mom, they both wanted it, and for whatever reason my father was either okay with it or out of the picture, I wouldn't really be bothere...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1wqru9/eli5_why_people_are_bothered_by_the_idea_of_their/
{ "a_id": [ "cf4ivze" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "My guess is it's some kind of manifestation of that whole [Madonna/Whore complex](_URL_0_) thing. Basically, my mom is a Madonna, therefore she never has sex with anyone." ] }
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madonna%E2%80%93whore_complex" ] ]
e0otrp
what is molecular biology?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/e0otrp/eli5_what_is_molecular_biology/
{ "a_id": [ "f8fx92o" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Nature can be understood at many levels. Sub atomic (physics), atomic (physics, chemistry), molecular (chemistry, biochemistry), macromolecular (molecular biology, biochemistry), cellular (cell biology), tissue (histology, medicine), organ (physi...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
3yg81a
if jesus did all of these miracles during a time where many events were recorded, is there any other source other than the bible to prove that they happened?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3yg81a/eli5if_jesus_did_all_of_these_miracles_during_a/
{ "a_id": [ "cyd71pz", "cyd72d3", "cyd7mbm", "cyd9tuk", "cyd9y1v", "cydb1yv", "cydfdi8", "cydhyu9" ], "score": [ 22, 3, 23, 12, 4, 7, 9, 3 ], "text": [ "So, this is dangerous territory to wade into on Reddit, because we're likely to hear from...
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[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
4qx2bq
Is "A Concise Biography of Adolf Hitler" by Thomas Fuchs reliable?
I'm reading this: _URL_0_ I can't find anything about the author's credentials online. I would assume he is a historian of some sort but I want to make sure.
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4qx2bq/is_a_concise_biography_of_adolf_hitler_by_thomas/
{ "a_id": [ "d4wrxsy" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "He's apparently a novelist and author of nonfiction, who has written for such questionable projects as the History Channel. He has no discernable scholarly credentials. \n\nThe book in question does not appear to cite any sources; it's not a scho...
[]
[ "https://www.amazon.com/Concise-Biography-Adolf-Hitler/dp/0425173402" ]
[ [] ]
vqjzo
Why can't we recycle vulcanized rubber?
Just read an article that car tires still can't be recycled and I was wondering why. thanks,
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/vqjzo/why_cant_we_recycle_vulcanized_rubber/
{ "a_id": [ "c56s7tp" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Tyres are recycled though, they are called retreaded tyres after they are recycled.\n\nThe most efficient method of recycling is not always breaking it down chemically and trying to reproduce new raw materials." ] }
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[ [] ]
22jeyt
i spilled tomato sauce on my shirt. used a tide pen on the stain and it disappears. where does the red stain colour disappear to?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/22jeyt/eli5_i_spilled_tomato_sauce_on_my_shirt_used_a/
{ "a_id": [ "cgne5nu", "cgnedtv", "cgnl76l", "cgnnbvo", "cgnpog7", "cgntbsp", "cgnuutp", "cgnxwde" ], "score": [ 676, 28, 10, 3, 18, 22, 2, 21 ], "text": [ "Things you can see colors for are made up of molecules long enough to interfere with ...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://www.glencoe.com/sec/science/ose/chemistryca/2005/docs/chap16.pdf" ], [], [], [ "http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4579466_tide-work.html#ixzz2yLi0zXDg" ], [], [], [] ]
2hyuje
help me understand the term "seats" in canadian politics, and how they can result in a majority or minority government
I have a midterm tomorrow for my Introduction to Canadian Government class and I'm really struggling with this concept, and I really feel like it's holding me back from understanding the rest of Canadian politics.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2hyuje/eli5_help_me_understand_the_term_seats_in/
{ "a_id": [ "ckx9li6", "ckx9por" ], "score": [ 4, 5 ], "text": [ "The elected portion of the Canadian government is the House of Commons, which consists of 308 seats (positions). Each seat is filled by an elected representative known as a Member of Parliament (or MP), who represents their ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
j6h6o
can someone explain to me why a balanced budget amendment is a bad thing?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/j6h6o/can_someone_explain_to_me_why_a_balanced_budget/
{ "a_id": [ "c29jsn5", "c29jsn5" ], "score": [ 7, 7 ], "text": [ "It cripples the government by forcing every policy change to be framed in the context of short-term budgeting. With this sort of thing the government might be unable to (constitutionally) react with strength in the case of a...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
78gll5
How are antibodies "registered" in the immune system after vaccination?
When taking a vaccine, your immune system is replying by creating antibodies, which can then later act against a same or similar virus more effectively/quickly. But how does the body "scan" the virus, creates the according antibodies and most importantly how does it "remember" the virus type and relevant antibody to f...
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/78gll5/how_are_antibodies_registered_in_the_immune/
{ "a_id": [ "dotoe7x", "dotq2yc", "dou39pr" ], "score": [ 10, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "While you might have some of those antibodies still floating around (like maybe a tiny bit), most of your humoral immunity comes from memory cells created at the time of vaccination. These memory cells...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/courses-images/wp-content/uploads/sites/1223/2017/02/09171340/Figure_42_02_06.jpg" ], [], [] ]
1zfz10
How reliable is a handwriting match test?
I was watching the Zodiac movie and, although I'm not sure how truthful the movie is, I'd say it's extremely likely that Arthur Leigh Allen was the Zodiac killer. However, throughout the movie they could not pin it on him since the handwriting didn't match. It also mentions that he's ambidextrous, but handwriting sam...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1zfz10/how_reliable_is_a_handwriting_match_test/
{ "a_id": [ "cftep8m" ], "score": [ 17 ], "text": [ "Reliability of handwriting match tests can vary greatly. It depends on : \n- the length and quality of the questioned document : is it a 4 pages long will or 3 words scribbled on a napkin ? \n- the quality of the comparison material : did you ...
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p7dny
Can not brushing your teeth for one day or night cause cavities or are they caused from consistently bad brushing habits?
Say tonight I am too lazy to brush my teeth but normally I'd brush 2 times a day (once before breakfast and once before bed). Is missing one night enough to cause a cavity? Does it depend on what I ate today? Thanks!
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/p7dny/can_not_brushing_your_teeth_for_one_day_or_night/
{ "a_id": [ "c3n4lsj", "c3n4mly", "c3n56on", "c3n58iq", "c3n65p9", "c3n6ibq", "c3n738c", "c3n7ww9" ], "score": [ 5, 46, 2, 14, 6, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "I'm not a dentist or expert in the area, but I think I can start the conversation off. Acc...
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[ [ "http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/healthy-teeth-10/brushing-teeth-mistakes", "http://melpor.hubpages.com/hub/A-Look-At-the-History-of-Oral-Hygiene", "http://www.animated-teeth.com/tooth_decay/t2_tooth_decay_caries.htm#demineralization" ], [ "http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002050/...
5dvv39
why does sugar help to preserve fruit? wouldn't that make it more attractive to microbes?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5dvv39/eli5_why_does_sugar_help_to_preserve_fruit/
{ "a_id": [ "da7ouzo", "da7uz7u" ], "score": [ 8, 2 ], "text": [ "Life requires a balance between water and the things dissolved in it, like sugar.\n\nWater tends to move accross membranes like the cell membrane of bacteria. It moves toward the side where more things are dissolved in the w...
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[ [], [ "http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-science-behind-honeys-eternal-shelf-life-1218690/" ] ]
78nkoo
Do the languages we speak affect how we perceive (not reproduce) sounds?
EDIT: I appreciate the responses so far, thank you! Are there experiments where the same sound (a linguistic sound) was heard by two people with different native languages?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/78nkoo/do_the_languages_we_speak_affect_how_we_perceive/
{ "a_id": [ "dovcxt2", "dovfonc" ], "score": [ 5, 18 ], "text": [ "There's a higher rate of perfect pitch among native speakers of tonal language like Mandarin, Cantonese, and Korean. In English for example we use pitch to adjust inflection, for instance when asking a question you'll raise...
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[ [], [] ]
1qtuwc
Are there known psychological differences between sexes/genders in non-humans?
See title.
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1qtuwc/are_there_known_psychological_differences_between/
{ "a_id": [ "cdgwehk" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "The current data is really really questionable. It really depends on who you ask, because personal biases often play a subtle but important role in the way people interpret these psychological tests. \n\nI would suggest reading up on the [delusio...
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[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delusions_of_Gender" ] ]
1qbxni
How did the French Revolution affect people living outside of Paris, especially those far-removed from the capital?
When studying the French Revolution in school, almost all of the action was centered in Paris. I seem to even recall my teacher saying that most of the iterations of the government could not exert control beyond the city (I don't know if this is accurate). What was the revolution like for people in the countryside? Wh...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1qbxni/how_did_the_french_revolution_affect_people/
{ "a_id": [ "cdbb3tx", "cdbtiwi" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "While much of the action over the Estates General was in the capital, unrest was widespread. Early on, for example, there was the Great Fear, where a rumor spread that the aristocracy was forming armed bands of criminals to...
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[ [], [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1nl09k/was_all_french_revolutionary_action_confined_to/" ] ]
bfgecr
why does smoke from factories look still/stationary when viewed from an airplane?
On past flights when the plane was near some factories or huge exhaust pipes, the smoke coming out of them always seemed to stay in position instead of constantly billowing out, wonder why that is. (Sorry if flair is incorrect, not sure which category to place it under?)
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bfgecr/eli5_why_does_smoke_from_factories_look/
{ "a_id": [ "eldgah6" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ "Because its rate of emission is constant. Its like running water from a tap, if it never changes the output the then flow outward looks constant.\n\nIt will shift with the wind but the wind won’t shift fast enough for you to see from a plane." ...
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9kxm9g
why is sugar able to dissolve into water so easily?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9kxm9g/eli5_why_is_sugar_able_to_dissolve_into_water_so/
{ "a_id": [ "e72ks77", "e72ku3a", "e72lgc6" ], "score": [ 5, 8, 2 ], "text": [ "well how in-depth do you want us to get? \"like dissolve like\", sugar and water are both polar, water's structure makes it a nearly perfect solvent, etc", "An oxygen hydrogen bond has a slight dipo...
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[ [], [], [] ]
2jneiq
Could a person get out of a ball of water in space?
I came upon this question after watching [this](_URL_0_) video of Chris Hadfield 'crying' in space. The video demonstrates that in space the surface tension of water keeps it on your face. So given enough water to engulf your whole body would you be able to get yourself out of it without the help of others, tools, or t...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2jneiq/could_a_person_get_out_of_a_ball_of_water_in_space/
{ "a_id": [ "cldhk9p" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "You could swim out. You would carry a lot of water with you but you would be able to wipe it off your face, and mop up the rest to dry yourself." ] }
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[ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1v5gtOkyCG0&list=TLuFULgnNiOPwTH602u3pyhy6QbI1EJrjT" ]
[ [] ]
2kc87n
What force is used to pull an electron into the nucleus in electron capture?
Basically, how does an atom pull an electron from its cloud in electron capture, and what prevents the electrons from entering the nucleus in the first place? Ever since taking my Chemistry class in my junior year and learning about types of radiation, I've always felt that the class just touches the bare minimum and I...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2kc87n/what_force_is_used_to_pull_an_electron_into_the/
{ "a_id": [ "clk1nf9", "clkhu1i" ], "score": [ 9, 3 ], "text": [ "The weak interaction handles it--in shorthand, you can tell because neutrinos are involved, or more specifically, because the vector bosons, W^(+/-) and Z are involved.\n\n > I've always felt that the class just touches the...
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[ [], [] ]
394yyc
Singapore often states that it went from 'third world to first in one generation' by which they mean from a developing nation to a developed one. How many countries or territories have made a similar transition since WW2?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/394yyc/singapore_often_states_that_it_went_from_third/
{ "a_id": [ "cs0h3pq" ], "score": [ 16 ], "text": [ "The most famous examples of this type of growth were called the Asian Tigers. As you noted Singapore was one of them. There were another three , these were South Korea,Taiwan and Hong Kong. All of these countries entered the post war era in a ve...
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1zhxm2
different programming languages, what they each do, and the order in which a beginner should learn them?
Main goals: Build+design websites, make iPhone apps and in the future, android apps as well
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1zhxm2/eli5_different_programming_languages_what_they/
{ "a_id": [ "cfttapj" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ "Copied from my post [here](_URL_0_):\n\n---\n\nDifferent languages are better suited for different tasks. There are many factors that determine what language is best for a particular job.\n\nYour computer runs an opaque sort of binary code. Any s...
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[ [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1m1530/eli5_the_different_practical_uses_of_the_most/cc4t5mq" ] ]
2xxxbu
do non-natural lights provide the body with vitamin d?
Do non-natural lights like the light from my computer monitor provide my body with vitamin D?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2xxxbu/eli5_do_nonnatural_lights_provide_the_body_with/
{ "a_id": [ "cp4ezch", "cp4f9wd" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "It's produced when UVB light hits your skin with wavelengths near 300nm. Not all lights are going to produce this, but they can, such as tanning beds. ", "They can-there are certain climates (seattle, anyone?) that will ...
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awx1nj
if our voices sound different in our head than out loud, how can people learn to sing notes?
If our voices sound different to us when we sing than they do to others, then how do we learn to reproduce the same notes as someone else; i.e., sing along to a song?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/awx1nj/eli5_if_our_voices_sound_different_in_our_head/
{ "a_id": [ "ehpqini" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "While the timbre/tone of of our voices may sound different to ourselves, the _pitch_ is the same. It’s the pitch of a note that must be matched in order to sing a “note”. \n\n" ] }
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3tguof
how can animals (like dogs) have fun, if they primarily live using instincts?
For example, this bulldog: _URL_0_
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3tguof/eli5_how_can_animals_like_dogs_have_fun_if_they/
{ "a_id": [ "cx602oo", "cx6055z" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "The brain rewards certain physical and social activities. This is deep in the brain and we both share these characteristics. I would argue that we humans also live using instincts, we are social animals and rely on instincts...
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[ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tU9RSNXaElw" ]
[ [], [] ]
3ejrw4
What's the first recorded instance of dog kibble being produced? Who had the idea of feeding dogs anything other than fresh meat?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3ejrw4/whats_the_first_recorded_instance_of_dog_kibble/
{ "a_id": [ "ctfpl91", "ctfxp78" ], "score": [ 182, 32 ], "text": [ "According to Katherine C. Grier's *Pets In America* (2006), a company named Spratt's produced the first dry dog food in the 1860s (see page 16). It really took a long time for most consumers to purchase dog food for thei...
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[ [], [] ]
4bfyuf
At what point in history did Philosophy and Science start gettting considered as separate disciplines?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4bfyuf/at_what_point_in_history_did_philosophy_and/
{ "a_id": [ "d1932ln", "d196n6q" ], "score": [ 14, 5 ], "text": [ "Part of what we think of as the \"Scientific Revolution\" is the gradual (not immediate) splitting of \"philosophy\" and \"science\" into separate domains of knowledge, method, and authority. This was originally gradual, wi...
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[ [], [] ]
10keiw
How to make alcohol fuels that burn with coloured flames?
I've asked this question previously, but it went down like a lead Hindenburg so I'll re-angle it. In Breaking Bad, Walter White sprays chemicals onto a fire to form various colours, as outlined here: _URL_0_ On that page you also see a brief summary of ways to colour fuels. None of the mentioned, other than borax an...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/10keiw/how_to_make_alcohol_fuels_that_burn_with_coloured/
{ "a_id": [ "c6e8ngi" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "I don't know of any specific chemicals to get different coloured alcohol, but I can try and answer the why part of the question:\n\n > \" I'd be greatly interested in an explanation of why they work, too\"\n\nBasically, whenever you excite an ato...
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[ "http://chemistry.about.com/b/2008/03/15/making-colored-fire-breaking-bad.htm" ]
[ [] ]
6lp08d
How did the stupid American stereotype originate?
A lot of people in and outside of US consider Americans to be stupid and ignorant, what exactly started this stereotype?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6lp08d/how_did_the_stupid_american_stereotype_originate/
{ "a_id": [ "djwemx4", "djwmke9" ], "score": [ 6, 20 ], "text": [ "Follow-up: Can we see similar stereotypes for earlier hegemons or is this specific to the United States with its \"backwoods\" origins (from an \"Old World\" perspective)? For example, were Brits stereotyped in this way du...
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[ [], [ "http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ718721.pdf", "https://www.quora.com/Where-does-the-stereotype-of-stupid-American-come-from-and-what-is-the-best-way-to-counter-it", "http://www.socialstudies.org/sites/default/files/publications/se/5907/590702.html", "https://www2.ed.gov/pubs/NatAtRisk/ri...
20iucf
what has happened when a huge amount of reddit comments are deleted?
I googled this a few times and couldn't find a straight answer. Occasionally I'll come across a thread - sometimes controversial, sometimes not - where dozens of comments are deleted. My question is, what happened to cause that?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/20iucf/eli5_what_has_happened_when_a_huge_amount_of/
{ "a_id": [ "cg3n9w2" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "The users who made the comments or the moderators of the subreddit delete them. Mods delete comments if they're against the subreddit's rules. In ELI5, arguments, jokes, and insults are deleted. Arguments in particular here result in a LOT of del...
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9uhfjd
how can electricity dissipate even if the wall switch is off.
Once upon a time I slept in an hotel room whose light (a neon tube) have remained still slightly luminous even in the middle of the night , when the switch had been off for hours. A faint light. That was certainly not a paranormal activity goin on there nor the dinner I ate , that was fine, but a pretty common effect o...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9uhfjd/eli5_how_can_electricity_dissipate_even_if_the/
{ "a_id": [ "e9498m8" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Short story is residual energy from the electrons how power actually works is think of it as multiple marbles in a chain and if one shakes the neighbor shakes and so on a giant ripple. \n\neven after you cut the power there is residual energy dep...
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4z6c03
Are there any books with detailed explanations of ancient battles? (context,tactics,strategy etc)
I'm looking for something in depth, where the decisions of the generals/commanders are explained in depth. Anything pre gunpowder goes.
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4z6c03/are_there_any_books_with_detailed_explanations_of/
{ "a_id": [ "d6t6jdn" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "If you are interested in the battles of the Classical Greeks, a very relevant book has literally just come out: Owen Rees' [*Great Battles of the Classical Greek World*](_URL_0_). This looks in detail at the context and course of some selected ba...
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[ [ "https://www.amazon.co.uk/Great-Battles-Classical-Greek-World/dp/1473827299" ] ]
j7yc4
the current situation with the internet
Net neutrality; the "Stop Perverts from Fucking Little Kids Faces on the Internet Act"; etc. etc. What's it all mean? What's going on? How can they use data against us?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/j7yc4/eli5_the_current_situation_with_the_internet/
{ "a_id": [ "c29vpk7", "c29vpk7" ], "score": [ 3, 3 ], "text": [ "Net Neutrality means no data is preferred over another. This means an ISP cannot give different priorities to different types of data.\n\nRight now, Comcast can slow down all traffic going to, say, Verizon, since it's a comp...
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[ [], [] ]
6sp3st
what is public choice theory and how do its central claims differ from other areas of economics?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6sp3st/eli5_what_is_public_choice_theory_and_how_do_its/
{ "a_id": [ "dleilil" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "I am not an expert on Public Choice Theory, but one of its commonly mentioned tenets is pointing out that government/large bureaucracies are full of politicians/people who respond to incentives. (Sometimes PCT is just a reminder that people are ...
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28awge
Why did social justice movements -- like Feminism, LGBT Rights, and Anti-Racism -- emerge in the 19th/20th century instead of earlier in history?
I've been recently wondering why social justice as a concept and series of movements exploded in the 20th century. Obviously the suffragette movement and abolition movement emerged somewhat earlier, but considering the long history of slavery and female disenfranchisement it still seems as though these movements began ...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/28awge/why_did_social_justice_movements_like_feminism/
{ "a_id": [ "ci99sm2", "ci9a9cg", "ci9lnvt", "ci9rnkw" ], "score": [ 64, 30, 2, 4 ], "text": [ "For racism, you have to understand that modern racism as we understand it is a relatively recent invention. The idea that humans are divided into *biologically* determined (as op...
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[ [], [], [ "http://www.firstprinciplesjournal.com/articles.aspx?article=1760&theme=home&page=1&loc=b&type=ctbf" ], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbert_Marcuse", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gramsci#Hegemony", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Left", "http://en.wikiped...
2nw3pe
If I went into space and pushed two flat pieces of steel together would the two pieces of steel fuse together and become one?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2nw3pe/if_i_went_into_space_and_pushed_two_flat_pieces/
{ "a_id": [ "cmhnhvk", "cmi5tx7" ], "score": [ 15, 3 ], "text": [ "You would also need to clean off the oxide layer on the metals before pushing them together. It is called [Cold Welding](_URL_0_).", "You don't necessarily need to be in space. [Explosion Welding](_URL_0_) basically sma...
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[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_welding" ], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Explosion_welding" ] ]
26qd6i
What actually is the vapour you see when you crack open a beer?
Is it just condensed water vapour or is there more to it? Edit: Also, what the hell do I categorise this post as? I'm too dumb to work it out. I assume Physics?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/26qd6i/what_actually_is_the_vapour_you_see_when_you/
{ "a_id": [ "chtrwrl" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Water. A beer, which is largely water, is under pressure. At higher pressure, the amount of water vapor is higher. When that pressure is suddenly release at the cold temperature of the beer, some of that water condenses. It's a miniature clou...
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1n72uh
how does a pager/beeper actually work
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1n72uh/eli5how_does_a_pagerbeeper_actually_work/
{ "a_id": [ "ccfyie0", "ccfyle7", "ccg0fdz", "ccgr37e" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "A pager is just a radio receiver that receives digital messages.\n\nIt uses the exact same technology that allows cell phones to communicate.", "[Sir Mix-A-Lot can ELI5](_URL_0...
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[ [], [ "http://youtu.be/l7Og1DuMu3k" ], [], [] ]
2g0hkc
How many people died in the Cold War?
We're all well aware of the death toll for the first and second world wars or any other large-scale conflict, but what about the Cold War, which seemed more of a psychological game between nations? It spanned decades and involved political machinations and espionage and an incredibly paranoid environment of fear and di...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2g0hkc/how_many_people_died_in_the_cold_war/
{ "a_id": [ "ckegtr8" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "That is such a broad topic, i am not sure how you could get an exact answer. Because where does the \"Cold War\" Stop and where do you draw the line. Should Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan all be counted under the Cold war? What about China as well a...
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1m7bio
if 12 years of war has cost us 6 trillion dollars, what have we gained financially? is there a net gain or loss?
have the "spoils" of war counterbalanced the amount we have spent fighting them?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1m7bio/eli5_if_12_years_of_war_has_cost_us_6_trillion/
{ "a_id": [ "cc6g42q", "cc6jvoo" ], "score": [ 8, 3 ], "text": [ "I am unable to provide a solid explanation on the 12 year war that you are referring to but, maybe I can provide a typical ELI5 explanation on war and whats the main benefit of it.\n\nWar is considered as a financial injecti...
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[ [], [] ]
wd8k7
Why is it said that we are made from the remains of old stars?
I have seen many things on the internet, especially since I joined reddit, that say that we are the remains of stars from billions of years ago. I was wondering why this is being said, since I had never heard anything like this before. I realize there is a certain level of ignorance in asking this but I am curious and ...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/wd8k7/why_is_it_said_that_we_are_made_from_the_remains/
{ "a_id": [ "c5cbm64", "c5cbo32", "c5cbo91", "c5cbpqh" ], "score": [ 4, 9, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "In terms of elemental composition the early universe was not very diverse. Most of the heavier atoms were made inside stars as a result of nuclear fusion of hydrogen atoms into he...
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[ [], [], [ "http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/ask_astro/answers/050921a.html" ], [] ]