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3206av
what's the problem with loaning money for college in the states?
I've heard not all people are able to loan money, why is that? Shouldn't the US support their citizens getting educations?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3206av/eli5_whats_the_problem_with_loaning_money_for/
{ "a_id": [ "cq6kzll", "cq6lick", "cq6qdgf", "cq6qt3c", "cq6rn6i", "cq6xs0c" ], "score": [ 7, 89, 13, 7, 5, 5 ], "text": [ "The US government will lend each person a certain amount of money for their education. The issue is that the cost of college usually e...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://chronicle.com/article/TuitionFees-1998-99/142511/", "https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=31" ] ]
31i5n4
when does string become rope?
Not just that rope is made up of strings, but at what size does rope occur?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/31i5n4/eli5_when_does_string_become_rope/
{ "a_id": [ "cq1s6sa", "cq1swre" ], "score": [ 2, 3 ], "text": [ "around the same size that a bucket becomes a barrel", "If I remember correctly it's something like this. \n\nString cannot be separated smaller \nStrings wound/braided together is yarn \nYarn wound/braided together is...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
26eadu
What would happen if you were on the event horizons of two black holes at the same time?
This question is based on [this](_URL_0_) article about a binary black hole system. At some point as they spiral towards eachother, their event horizons must overlap and at some point in that field, the pull towards either black hole would be equal. Also, what would you see?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/26eadu/what_would_happen_if_you_were_on_the_event/
{ "a_id": [ "chq73w2" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "When the event horizons touch, the two black holes are merging. It is just one (temporarily) nonspherical horizon." ] }
[]
[ "http://www.sci-news.com/astronomy/science-binary-supermassive-black-hole-system-01875.html" ]
[ [] ]
1tv6yo
Is dust important?
Is dust important? Or any advantages of dust particles? All they seem to do is cause allergies. Have and will they influence our growth in any way?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1tv6yo/is_dust_important/
{ "a_id": [ "cebw2go" ], "score": [ 10 ], "text": [ "Dust is hugely important for surface ocean productivity.\n\nDust delivers miconutrients, especially iron, to areas of the ocean without which the high concentrations of N and P could not be used for primary production.\n\n\nPlease see [The role ...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://ijgofs.whoi.edu/GSWG/Ispra_Modelling/abst_Measures.pdf" ] ]
5bky47
what exactly is happening when you "request desktop version" for a website and why do some websites still load the mobile version?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5bky47/eli5_what_exactly_is_happening_when_you_request/
{ "a_id": [ "d9pb3gv", "d9pb8j3", "d9pchvi", "d9pg86j" ], "score": [ 2, 6, 6, 3 ], "text": [ "When you request a web page, your browser sends a bit of information about what it is- what browser you're running and what operating system you're running on. When you \"Request D...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [ "m.somewebsite.com", "somewebsite.com" ] ]
10bgib
Crazy looking fish(?) skull found on the coast of Texas - can anyone help identify?
**EDIT**: _I found out though other forms of the internet that this is actually the pelvis of some type of bird. I'm still going to stick with Dragon skull as my explanation. It better hides my embarrassment over my inability to properly differentiate between a head and an ass. It's still pretty cool looking, so check ...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/10bgib/crazy_looking_fish_skull_found_on_the_coast_of/
{ "a_id": [ "c6c44oy" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Almost certainly synsacrum from a bird _URL_0_" ] }
[]
[ "http://imgur.com/a/04MSp#0" ]
[ [ "http://www.flickr.com/photos/51378257@N00/370507289" ] ]
7v83ha
some genes, increase the likelihood of getting certain diseases (like cancer) why?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7v83ha/eli5_some_genes_increase_the_likelihood_of/
{ "a_id": [ "dtqa7um", "dtqblz9" ], "score": [ 4, 3 ], "text": [ "It's kind of misleading to think of the gene as being exclusively for cancer-causing purposes. Typically the \"cancer genes\" people talk about are variations on a gene that codes for sometime useful. \n\nLike when people sa...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
7pso9e
why does milk in the us taste different than milk in canada?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7pso9e/eli5_why_does_milk_in_the_us_taste_different_than/
{ "a_id": [ "dsjqk1p", "dsjqtty", "dsjrco2" ], "score": [ 5, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "It's all in the cows diet. I've had milk from a cow that got into an onion patch... It definitely tasted like onion and was disgusting.", "The taste of milk will vary based on the breed of cow used,...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
2d9b4c
Where is the force from a jet engine realised?
I can see how I can analyse a jet engine as a system and get gas going one way so thrust in another but where does the 'force' actually manifest itself? Basically what needs to be built rigid? The combustion chambers don't look it and the rear end is probably drag. Obviously on a turbofan (a turboprop in a pipe) it is ...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2d9b4c/where_is_the_force_from_a_jet_engine_realised/
{ "a_id": [ "cjnbl6r" ], "score": [ 10 ], "text": [ "[The nozzle.](_URL_0_)\n\nBasically all the thrust comes from accelerating gas out of the back by a nozzle. All the steps in a turbojet before that point (intake, compression, and combustion) are just to get a gas that can be accelerated. When t...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propelling_nozzle" ] ]
4mv4v4
Why didn't the European states back the Confederacy in the Civil War
There would have been increased influence on the continent, a market to trade slaves particularly because the English had banned the Practice. Was it a failure of diplomacy, a sense among established countries that the odds were stacked against the South?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4mv4v4/why_didnt_the_european_states_back_the/
{ "a_id": [ "d3yk1nc", "d3yk6oa" ], "score": [ 2, 5 ], "text": [ "Summoning https u/petite-acorn", "Slavery. The world was phasing it out. European countries in general had abolished it and had no need for it. Supporting the South was supporting slavery and the cost of doing so was not...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
iyokz
How complex is the mixing of human genes between parents?
I understand it's roughly a 50-50 split (there's some additional DNA in the egg that only the mother provides, giving her a slight edge, I think)... but how are the genes divvied up? If it was a case of splitting each parent's genome (and I think it wouldn't work at a chemical level, the sides have to mate properly if...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/iyokz/how_complex_is_the_mixing_of_human_genes_between/
{ "a_id": [ "c27pmi2" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "You have 23 pairs of chromosomes. In each pair one is from the mother and one from the father. This means you have two of each gene. The two genes can be different or the same.\n\nLet's say the father's chromosome pair #1 is AB, and the mothers C...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
yql8x
How much of an actual edge does doping give to an athlete's performance in a sport such as cycling?
Those athletes are all already in prime shape, so just how much will their performance be enhanced through doping? Obviously I'm guessing it's not an area that's been studied much as athletes don't like to admit to doping, but I was just wondering if there can be some way the effect of doping can be quantified...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/yql8x/how_much_of_an_actual_edge_does_doping_give_to_an/
{ "a_id": [ "c5y33xw" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "well, one thing that gives a very good example of \"doping\" an athlete is to give him blood infusion of newly created blood that was taken from a donor or the athlete itself and stored to be infused before the event.\n\nFresh blood has a higher ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
1ztqec
how would a crimean declaration of independence or union with russia differ from kosovo declaring itself independent from serbia in 2008?
President Obama has stated any vote on the future of Crimea, such as that proposed by its autonomous parliament with the aim of union with Russia, must involve all Ukrainian's and would otherwise be invalid. Why then has the US and other western nations recognized Kosovo, who's parliament voted to split the region fr...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ztqec/eli5_how_would_a_crimean_declaration_of/
{ "a_id": [ "cfwv5ks" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ " Kosovo's self-proclaimed independence has been recognised by 108 UN countries, and one non-UN country, the Republic of China (Taiwan). The remaining Serbs from North Kosovo want to remain in the Republic of Serbia, but Serbian majority towns are...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
xggy7
Why is a small (i.e.1 or 2K) temperature difference so much more noticeable to us in water than air?
A 1 or 2K different is very noticeable in water (a swimming pool for example) whereas in air not so much. Is it a question of state difference, specific heat capacity?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/xggy7/why_is_a_small_ie1_or_2k_temperature_difference/
{ "a_id": [ "c5m4q6j", "c5m682j" ], "score": [ 20, 10 ], "text": [ "It is a matter of heat transfer. Specifically the heat transfer coefficient. Compare the coefficients of the two and you will see that your body (mostly fluid water) transfers heat energy more effectively through fluid rat...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
9qzw5o
why does meat shrink when cooked?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9qzw5o/eli5_why_does_meat_shrink_when_cooked/
{ "a_id": [ "e8cxt4d", "e8cxv9h", "e8d5f2f" ], "score": [ 6, 5, 7 ], "text": [ "When the meat heats up the a lot of the fit in it liquidates (or renders). This loss of fat causes the meat to shrink and is responsible for the additional oil on the bottom of the pan", "When you c...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
2h81w1
- why do we eat cows and pigs abd not horses and dogs in the western world?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2h81w1/eli5_why_do_we_eat_cows_and_pigs_abd_not_horses/
{ "a_id": [ "ckq7k5u", "ckqe8q8" ], "score": [ 6, 2 ], "text": [ "Horse meat isn't rare at all. You can get it in many parts of europe. Tastes ok too. \n\nAnyway, that's culture. The same reason we think that bacon and eggs is a breakfast food, and don't eat grasshoppers. ", "When you ...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://brightergreenny.wordpress.com/2014/01/10/american-hippopotamus-the-meat-question/" ] ]
d62mkp
When and how did the UK become ‘democratic’ after 1815?
During the Napoleonic wars, the UK was far from a bastion of autocracy, but wasn’t a democracy like it was during WW2. Violence between conservatives and liberals and socialists rocked the continent, with constitutions being torn up and replaced, but the UK slowly, peacefully changed over the course of the Imperial Cen...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/d62mkp/when_and_how_did_the_uk_become_democratic_after/
{ "a_id": [ "f0s2idz" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ " > the UK slowly, peacefully changed\n\nThis isn't always necessarily the case. The Representation of the People Act 1832, usually known as the 1832 Reform Act, passed against a background of widespread popular violence.\n\nThe Act was designed ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
z8xqh
why my throat tickles/itches after i cough while i'm sick
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/z8xqh/eli5_why_my_throat_ticklesitches_after_i_cough/
{ "a_id": [ "c62j98b" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "Hi, speech-language pathologist here (which means I work closely with the anatomy/function of the mouth, throat and vocal cords). \n\nAt the back of your mouth there are two tubes. One is your esophagus- and that's how food goes down to your stom...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.virtualmedicalcentre.com/anatomy/respiratory-system/18" ] ]
127r38
How did Iraq turn from the cradle of civilization and centres of numerous empires to the ruined state it is today? Did the collapse come with the American invasion or much, much earlier?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/127r38/how_did_iraq_turn_from_the_cradle_of_civilization/
{ "a_id": [ "c6suwkr", "c6svlw4", "c6sxhjx", "c6sykj0", "c6sywb3", "c6t054q" ], "score": [ 40, 14, 10, 40, 14, 11 ], "text": [ "Things went downhill quickly as the Mongols sacked Baghdad in the 14th century. It's been ruined to a greater or lesser extent sin...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://www.edwardgoldsmith.org/45/traditional-irrigation-in-mesopotamia/", "http://books.google.com/books?id=u_VM6XVGxcAC&pg=PA499&lpg=PA499&dq=irrigation+salinity+mesopotamia&source=bl&ots=TR2OaBR_z8&sig=T2caKxozI_yOvDlmrLeWCiNb2qI&hl=en&sa=X...
5u99wp
Why is it that photorealistic 3d art predates photorealistic 2d art by so long?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/5u99wp/why_is_it_that_photorealistic_3d_art_predates/
{ "a_id": [ "ddskpii" ], "score": [ 9 ], "text": [ "First off it's important to note that we have a lot more 3d art surviving from ancient times than 2d art, so it's difficult to say when \"photorealistic\" 2D art became a thing. We do have paintings from Pompeii and Herculaneum though that are ve...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f7/Agios_Athanasios_1_fresco.jpg", "http://employees.oneonta.edu/farberas/arth/Images/ARTH209images/Sculpture/archaic/kore_antenor.jpg", "https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQTMJP0OTT1F5FbS-udKN4av6RU-k8M9BMeqd_k1uzizns3Cmpu", "ht...
motoh
Why are smooth metal metal wheels used in railroad trucks?
Increasing the traction of rail wheels would allow the cabs to be lighter and increase fuel efficiency. Gym shoes, car tires, and tank tracks all use threads to increase grip. The same principle can be applied to rail wheels. Using a crosshatched metal surface, or wrapping the wheel in a thick band of rubber would incr...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/motoh/why_are_smooth_metal_metal_wheels_used_in/
{ "a_id": [ "c32mmu5", "c32mq2k", "c32mxsn", "c32mmu5", "c32mq2k", "c32mxsn" ], "score": [ 5, 7, 7, 5, 7, 7 ], "text": [ "Not sure it exactly answers your question but [it's awfully entertaining.](_URL_0_) Feynman on train wheels.", "First, metal on meta...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7h4OtFDnYE" ], [], [ "http://charming.awardspace.com/trainwheel/trainwheel.html" ], [ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7h4OtFDnYE" ], [], [ "http://charming.awardspace.com/trainwheel/trainwheel.html" ] ]
8q6pkg
During the 1950s when kids in the U.S. were learning "duck and cover" and Cold War paranoia was extremely prevalent among Americans, were average citizens and children in the U.S.S.R. experiencing the same mass anxiety about nuclear annihilation?
The stuff about the new Fallout game actually got me thinking of this. I also saw something recently talking about how U.S. children of the Cold War time were plagued by nightmares and how supposedly around half of them thought nuclear war was imminent; but I can't find anything about whether average Soviet children we...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/8q6pkg/during_the_1950s_when_kids_in_the_us_were/
{ "a_id": [ "e0hbaa1" ], "score": [ 761 ], "text": [ "It depends on when, exactly, one is referring to in the Soviet Union. Under Stalin there was essentially official public denial that nuclear weapons were a threat against the country, and a lack of preparation for any kind of attack as a conseq...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://www.uncpress.org/book/9781469645254/armageddon-insurance/", "https://io9.gizmodo.com/weird-and-disturbing-soviet-civil-defense-graphics-from-1587989156" ] ]
1ma2du
cities like new york city have skyscrapers and subways. how does the ground not cave in?
With vast subways and underground tunnels, big cities have many holes underground. How do the large massive cities not just sink?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ma2du/eli5_cities_like_new_york_city_have_skyscrapers/
{ "a_id": [ "cc76y0l" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Advanced engineering and good old fashioned sturdy bedrock. You have to have the right kind of rock under the city, or no subways/tunnels in vast networks are possible. The earth's crust is pretty darn strong, provided your tunnel routing and e...
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[ [] ]
2ikisy
why does the lunar eclipse happen and when can i see it?
I'm 21, I feel pretty dumb for needing to ask, but I really can't figure out when I'll be able to see it in Indianapolis. Hopefully this thread helps other people too.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2ikisy/eli5_why_does_the_lunar_eclipse_happen_and_when/
{ "a_id": [ "cl2x07h", "cl3au00" ], "score": [ 6, 3 ], "text": [ "A lunar eclipse happens when the light going from the sun is blocked from reaching the moon by the earth. There is a partial eclipse visible from Indianapolis on the 23rd of this month. _URL_0_", "Technically, I thin...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/solar/2014-october-23" ], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umbra,_penumbra_and_antumbra" ] ]
4oy8hb
How can one prove the Laws of Conservation?
Of mass, energy, etc?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/4oy8hb/how_can_one_prove_the_laws_of_conservation/
{ "a_id": [ "d4giwyv", "d4gn9ok" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Do you mean prove mathematically, or verify experimentally?", "It's important to note that a \"law\" in physics is usually defined as \"a set of principles that are true for _a given domain_\". In fact, we usually define...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
3pqr6i
why does it hurt so much when you accidentally inhale water through your nose (when swimming for example) but you can sniff gallons of snot back through the same nasal passage with no pain at all?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3pqr6i/eli5_why_does_it_hurt_so_much_when_you/
{ "a_id": [ "cw8mnlu", "cw8nfsi", "cw8uw3y", "cw8x6ok" ], "score": [ 99, 25, 9, 4 ], "text": [ "snot is at body temp and also is slightly salty. Your body likes warm slightly salty things. \n\nWater in you nose is colder and isn't salty. ", "Cells in the nose have salt ...
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[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
ikemf
Will time dilation allow us to explore further than our age in light years?
Time slows down for the traveler in time dilation. So, if I travel 100 light years away at the speed of light will my body age 100 years, or will I have only aged some fraction of the 100 years?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/ikemf/will_time_dilation_allow_us_to_explore_further/
{ "a_id": [ "c24g8b3", "c24g8x1" ], "score": [ 5, 3 ], "text": [ "First of all, age is a time and light year is a distance, so the title doesn't really make sense.\n\nBut to answer what I think you're asking, yes. If we had technology that would allow us to go that fast, people would be ab...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_dilation", "http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=%28111+years%29*%28sqrt%281-%28.9c%29^2%2Fc^2%29%29", "http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=100+lightyears%2F.9c" ] ]
24i4k1
How does the ambient temperature on either side of an air conditioning unit affect its efficiency?
I got home today after a warm afternoon. I was very warm from the walk home and my room was really warm as well. The temperature (outside) has been steadily going down and i got curious...does the fact that it is cooler outside than i actually want it to be in my room affect the a/c's efficiency? id love to see resp...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/24i4k1/how_does_the_ambient_temperature_on_either_side/
{ "a_id": [ "ch7xvc4" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "For an ideal refrigerator (carnot cycle), the coefficient of performance (a type of efficiency) goes to inifinity as the outside and inside temperatures approach each other. Also, heat \"leaking\" into the house from the outside also decrease as ...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermodynamic_cycle#Carnot_cycle" ] ]
68190g
why can't cars go reverse full speed ?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/68190g/eli5_why_cant_cars_go_reverse_full_speed/
{ "a_id": [ "dguwdn0", "dguwg5b", "dguwqld", "dguxehr", "dguzr81", "dgvbzl5", "dgvh2ik" ], "score": [ 8, 21, 2, 3, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Adding multiple reverse gears would add a lot of parts (and weight and cost). And there are very few usage ca...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
3202kn
i just read the brian banks story; why are women who falsley accuse men of rape hardly ever if at all sent to prison?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3202kn/eli5i_just_read_the_brian_banks_story_why_are/
{ "a_id": [ "cq6jw7n", "cq6knmc", "cq6m1j0" ], "score": [ 12, 4, 3 ], "text": [ "If they were proved, in a court of law, beyond a reasonable doubt, to have knowingly and falsely accused someone, they do get sent to prison.", "There is a difference between a false accusation, an...
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[]
[ [], [], [] ]
61rltx
are revolutions still possible today?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/61rltx/eli5are_revolutions_still_possible_today/
{ "a_id": [ "dfgpdyr", "dfgpj61" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Yeah, of course they are:\n\n* 2011 Egyptian revolution. Egypt is \"technically\" third world (using the political definition) but I would consider it a \"modern\" country.\n* 2014 Ukrainian revolution", "Iceland. Protes...
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[ [], [] ]
oguj4
why it's not good to leave chicken or beef on the counter for too long because bacteria grows, but hungarian sausage and other sausages are left out on purpose to dry out. why doesn't that meat spoil as well?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/oguj4/eli5_why_its_not_good_to_leave_chicken_or_beef_on/
{ "a_id": [ "c3h5db4", "c3h7to1", "c3h7wjp" ], "score": [ 5, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "It's salted. There is a term called \"curing\" for meat, which involves adding salt or sometimes smoking it to partially cook it. Both of these will decrease the rate at which food spoils at room temper...
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[]
[ [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curing_%28food_preservation%29" ] ]
15buot
Is it true...(Question relating to the battle of Stalingrad.
That during the encirclement of the 6th army on the Russian Steppe, that Field Pathologists were observing humans dying for reasons not observed before? I'm pretty sure I read something about this in the book Stalingrad by Anthony Beever, but because I've leant it out and it has been a while since I read it, I'm not s...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/15buot/is_it_truequestion_relating_to_the_battle_of/
{ "a_id": [ "c7l5iix" ], "score": [ 12 ], "text": [ "What I think you're referring to is a doctor who was flown into the Kessel to write a report about health conditions inside. What he found was that German soldiers were dying unexpectedly from a combination of intense stress and starvation.\n\n...
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[ [] ]
23l37a
How prevalent were 'No Dogs, No Blacks, No Irish' signs and sentiment in WW2 era Britain?
When considering the history of racism in Britain the constant refrain raised is that there were commonly signs up in pubs stating 'No Dogs, No Blacks, No Irish'. There is significant personal anecdotal evidence that at least one of these signs existed, but I have been stumped in any efforts to determine the actual num...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/23l37a/how_prevalent_were_no_dogs_no_blacks_no_irish/
{ "a_id": [ "cgydyib" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "I remember seeing on an Andrew Marr documentary that segregation was pretty non-existant in pre-war Britain as there were far fewer people from ethnic minorities that people didn't really take issue with it. During the second world war segregatio...
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[ [ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Up3lNeET5rM#t=438" ] ]
2p1rac
why do some people you see have money but do not seem like hard workers, while others who do seem like hard workers live in poverty?
So, I'm just looking for a alternate take on this. I have always been intriegued by the fact that people from different classes sometimes cross paths, like at gas stations. I was born lower class and have always been that, and have never concieveably never found a way to change classes. Some people I know in my class a...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2p1rac/eli5_why_do_some_people_you_see_have_money_but_do/
{ "a_id": [ "cmsjnt3" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "The metaphor \"The Rich get Richer and the Poor get Poorer\" is quite true. I'm sorry to be the one to break the news to you, but money makes money. People that are successful probably had money to get them to the point where they're aloud to be ...
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1ubvwq
if i make money buying a currency when it has low value and selling when it is high, has someone 'lost' that money? who?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ubvwq/eli5_if_i_make_money_buying_a_currency_when_it/
{ "a_id": [ "ceghg8l" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Anyone that buys the currency at the higher price is paying more for it than you did. You're just swapping it with someone else, pretty much. If you could buy a loaf of bread at the low value, sold it at high value and couldn't buy a loaf of br...
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[ [] ]
1shj2o
what exactly happens in my car when i press the sport or snow button
It's a Scion FR-S but I've seen similar buttons in several cars.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1shj2o/eli5_what_exactly_happens_in_my_car_when_i_press/
{ "a_id": [ "cdxnk8m" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Sport button usually disables some sort of traction control I'll use my car for example\n\n2013 Ford Mustang GT\n\nA regular car with all the nannies on it will either engage the brake or cut throttle if it detects a number of \"unsafe\" hazards....
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41zsye
Why is the geographic division between Indo-European and non-IR languages in India located where it is? There doesn't seem to be an obvious geographic reason.
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/41zsye/why_is_the_geographic_division_between/
{ "a_id": [ "cz6jj6k" ], "score": [ 75 ], "text": [ "Language frontiers do not have to correspond to clearly defined geographical borders. There are several well known persistent language frontiers that divide ecologically very similar regions, such as that between Welsh and English speakers in so...
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[ [] ]
5qfqzf
Did Nixon really threaten to unleash a nuclear holocaust at the height of the Watergate Scandal? Is there any check on the President's use of nuclear weapons?
I recently listened to Dan Carlin's Hardcore History episode about nuclear weapons. In it, he mentions that Nixon once said this during the Watergate Scandal: "I could leave this room, and in 25 minutes, 70 million people would be dead." What is the context of this quote? Could a President give the order to unleash ...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/5qfqzf/did_nixon_really_threaten_to_unleash_a_nuclear/
{ "a_id": [ "dczo9c8" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "The context of the quote was a meeting Nixon had with two members of the House of Representatives (Rep. Charles Rose, R-NC, and Rep. Clem McSpadden, D-OK) in the summer of 1974. The context was apparently Nixon trying to impress upon them that Wa...
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[ [ "http://jfk.hood.edu/Collection/Weisberg%20Subject%20Index%20Files/T%20Disk/Tiger%20to%20Ride%20Miscellaneous/Item%2027.pdf", "http://blog.nuclearsecrecy.com/2016/11/18/the-president-and-the-bomb/", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twenty-fifth_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution", "http://b...
21eog3
why doesn't drinking water quench my thirst?
As wierd as it may sound, it sometimes even makes my mouth drier.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/21eog3/eli5_why_doesnt_drinking_water_quench_my_thirst/
{ "a_id": [ "cgcaj2o", "cgcajda", "cgcb669" ], "score": [ 5, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "no offense but maybe you have a problem.", "Some medications can cause dry mouth as a side effect.", "try full cream milk" ] }
[]
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[ [], [], [] ]
42idyf
why is the male:female ratio so skewed qatar and the uae?
_URL_0_ 2.74 men for every female aged 15-64 in UAE, 2.46 for Qatar Is it the migrant workers?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/42idyf/eli5_why_is_the_malefemale_ratio_so_skewed_qatar/
{ "a_id": [ "czan2g5", "czan32i" ], "score": [ 21, 41 ], "text": [ "Pretty much. Qatar and the UAE both have enormous migrant worker populations that make up more than 80% of their populations. Many of those migrant workers are also in roles that are male-dominated (such as construction). ...
[]
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_sex_ratio" ]
[ [], [] ]
94uunf
why does stress sometimes manifest itself physically through mouth ulcers and/or styes in the eyes?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/94uunf/eli5_why_does_stress_sometimes_manifest_itself/
{ "a_id": [ "e3o8rf9" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ "Stress is natural response to a threat, so our body releases hormones to make us more alert.\nOne of the hormones is cortisol.\nIt's hormone found naturally in the blood at reasonnable levels, in case of stress the level rises and can be responsi...
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1u01q4
how does siphoning gas work?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1u01q4/eli5_how_does_siphoning_gas_work/
{ "a_id": [ "ced7c9g" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Was it really easier to post this question on a forum, compared to say, googling it?" ] }
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[ [] ]
7a9mnm
Does a portable speaker run out of power faster if it is playing audio louder?
Im assuming yes, but im just not sure.
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/7a9mnm/does_a_portable_speaker_run_out_of_power_faster/
{ "a_id": [ "dp8md46" ], "score": [ 10 ], "text": [ "Yes, the speaker will die faster at higher volumes. The volume is controlled by the \"gain\" on the amplifier circuits, which is a measure of how much higher the output voltage is compared to the input. A higher output voltage will drive the spe...
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[ [] ]
xr0zk
Why is it that some thin plastics tear very easily once started but are very resistant to a tear starting?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/xr0zk/why_is_it_that_some_thin_plastics_tear_very/
{ "a_id": [ "c5ovcei", "c5oynxv", "c5ozq5m" ], "score": [ 24, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "A good example of this is in plastic grocery bags, which are made of low-density polyethylene (LDPE). Normally, LDPE has a very low crystallinity; the polymer chains aren't aligned in any particular m...
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[]
[ [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stress_concentration", "http://www.ux.uis.no/~hirpa/KdB/ME/stressconc.pdf" ] ]
11jkjl
Is sex actually mind-altering?
Drugs that get people high often have the capacity to alter their brain function in some fashion. Does sex, which produces another ecstasy, have any mind-altering characteristics or long-lasting effects on the brain, and if so, what are they?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/11jkjl/is_sex_actually_mindaltering/
{ "a_id": [ "c6n45zi", "c6nbyca" ], "score": [ 5, 3 ], "text": [ "Everything you do alters your brain in someway. During sex [Oxytocin](_URL_0_) is released and increases the \"closeness\" you feel for someone.", "A lot of people are citing purely psychological effects. Remember that s...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxytocin" ], [ "http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/125/20120821/protein-in-semen-acts-on-brain-and-triggers-ovulation.htm" ] ]
1vynhm
How does the fact that the moon is moving away from the earth(about 1cm in 1 year) fit the theory of relativity?
First off; English is not my mother tongue so please excuse any mistakes i may make, im going to work on them if you point them out nicely (= The next thing is im not that good in all that physics stuff but kind of interested, so please excuse if i talk complete BS or don't understand at first. So here we go; Right...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1vynhm/how_does_the_fact_that_the_moon_is_moving_away/
{ "a_id": [ "cex1q1e" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "This is caused by [Tidal Acceleration](_URL_0_). In essence, the gravitational attraction between the earth and the moon 'stretches' each body into a slight oval, with points aimed towards one another (and away from one another). \n\nHowever, thi...
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[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tidal_acceleration" ] ]
2y9rrs
the yellow liquid/puss from a blister
A decent sized blister just formed on my face and it keeps oozing out yellow liquid. What is it. Please ELI5
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2y9rrs/eli5_the_yellow_liquidpuss_from_a_blister/
{ "a_id": [ "cp7ipnl" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Blood Plasma. It is the component of your blood that carries platelets, white blood cells, red cells and everything else around. See a doctor if there is any pungent odor, green colors, or excessive pain,swelling or redness. If the pus is opaque ...
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230b1h
the fermi paradox and the drake equation
How can we make an estimation about the likelihood of intelligent species existing elsewhere in the universe when we only have a single example from a single planet?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/230b1h/eli5_the_fermi_paradox_and_the_drake_equation/
{ "a_id": [ "cgs4gxs", "cgsadge" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "The Drake Equation just gives the framework for determining life, but we don't know the correct values to input. For example, the equation says that you need to multiple the number of planets by the percentage that are habit...
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[ [], [] ]
2au9od
How do sea animals avoid decompression sickness?
In particular, what goes on inside animals to prevent decompression sickness, and is there a difference in how things work between fish, mammals, and thingamobbers (squids, crabs, and everything else)?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2au9od/how_do_sea_animals_avoid_decompression_sickness/
{ "a_id": [ "ciz4sxr" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "According to this article for whales, there are several ways that they deal with the effects of increased pressure.\n1) Most air filled areas (such as inner ear, lungs, etc) are emptied of air before they dive. Unlike humans taking a deep breath,...
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[]
[ [ "http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-do-deep-diving-sea-cr/", "http://scienceline.ucsb.edu/getkey.php?key=685" ] ]
g81ws
High-energy interactions and quark-gluon plasma
This question is simple. I thought of it while reading about the early universe (which I only recently discovered was not finite in size). At extremely high energies, could there be life? I feel that the answer should be no, because the most basic property of quark-gluon plasma is its lack of bonds, which is pretty m...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/g81ws/highenergy_interactions_and_quarkgluon_plasma/
{ "a_id": [ "c1lmyei" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Haha. I almost got excited for a moment. Let's talk about what the QGP is, at least for the sake of anyone else reading along. Quarks are never free as far as we've been able to observe. Theory leads us to think they may never be free from each o...
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uiigp
How long could a human stay awake until eventually passing out/dying of exhaustion?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/uiigp/how_long_could_a_human_stay_awake_until/
{ "a_id": [ "c4vpuip" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "For most people, it becomes extremely difficult to remain awake after 36–48 hours (and will be pretty difficult after 24). Microsleeps will begin to intrude involuntarily. These are short (~10 s) periods of sudden sleep that lead to loss of consc...
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6hirn0
why do people fully except euthanizing a pet like a dog who might not have the ability to fully understand or want it, but be totally against assisted suicide in people who know full and well what they're doing?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6hirn0/eli5_why_do_people_fully_except_euthanizing_a_pet/
{ "a_id": [ "diyopcb", "diypumx", "diz0862", "diz1nvv" ], "score": [ 12, 6, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "For most of society animals, while being emotionally valuable and important to humans are lesser beings than humans. Ultimately it is not wrong for us to kill them because of that...
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[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
59we4m
why do large stadium headlights make a loud bang when they are turned on?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/59we4m/eli5_why_do_large_stadium_headlights_make_a_loud/
{ "a_id": [ "d9bvnyj" ], "score": [ 11 ], "text": [ "That's the sound of a bigass switch, called a relay flipping on. \n\nThose stadium lights (and other things, like concert speaker amplifiers, big RF transmitters, etc) are extremely high power devices that need to be supplied a lot of current. \...
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[ [] ]
5pg9ep
why do ice blocks in liquid produce different sound pitches in a glass?
Say you've put 2 or 3 blocks of ice in a glass that's about 6 inches tall. You put 2 inches of water in and twirl it a bit to hear the sound the ice makes when it hits the glass walls. That sound different to what I hear if I pour in more water and do the same thing. The pitch is lower when the water level is high. Cur...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5pg9ep/eli5_why_do_ice_blocks_in_liquid_produce/
{ "a_id": [ "dcr3w98" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "It's similar to a drum, or another percussion instrument. The larger the medium the deeper the note." ] }
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[ [] ]
6vwd5l
Why didn't Mexico go to the war with the United States after the US committed troops in WWI to Europe? It feels like they could've taken Germany up on their offer of a partnership at that point and potentially divided America's war efforts.
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6vwd5l/why_didnt_mexico_go_to_the_war_with_the_united/
{ "a_id": [ "dm46tl3" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Always more to be said on a topic, but [this old thread](_URL_0_) has several relevant discussions to your question!" ] }
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[ [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/480jmy/what_made_germany_think_mexico_would_go_along/" ] ]
xh01p
How was river warfare conducted in the premodern world?
Did river warfare work like sea warfare, simply in more confined spaces? Or did armies simply avoid fighting on rivers themselves, preferring to get to one side or the other and do their fighting there? My interest lies primarily in Europe, but I'm happy to read about anywhere. EDIT: I think I should clarify that I'm...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/xh01p/how_was_river_warfare_conducted_in_the_premodern/
{ "a_id": [ "c5m9jlz", "c5m9vyk", "c5ma658" ], "score": [ 2, 3, 3 ], "text": [ "I have alot for you for fighting around rivers but alas nothing about on rivers ;O", "One example that i know of _URL_0_", "Are you looking specifically for naval battles in rivers? Most conflic...
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[ [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Red_Cliffs" ], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Trebia", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Lake_Trasimene" ] ]
7w0fgr
why does skin turn blue/purple when you get hurt
So I had a motorbike accident recently which wasn't at all bad, but I hurt my knee and it had me wondering why skin actually does turn blue/purple when you get hurt.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7w0fgr/eli5_why_does_skin_turn_bluepurple_when_you_get/
{ "a_id": [ "dtwj5zl", "dtwjcbk" ], "score": [ 2, 5 ], "text": [ "It's a bruise. Basically you bled a little into your skin. It originally looks blue for the same reason your veins do, interference of light through the skin. As your body breaks down the blood, it will turn purple, then gre...
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[ [], [] ]
75uwq2
when companies/academics do drug research for say an anti-viral drug, where do they start? do they simply throw a million different chemical compounds at pirti dishes hoping one of them will show dead viruses? how do they narrow down where to start?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/75uwq2/eli5_when_companiesacademics_do_drug_research_for/
{ "a_id": [ "do95c82", "do96sq3", "do9amji" ], "score": [ 2, 17, 2 ], "text": [ "Literature review. For any scientific process the very first step is researching if anyone else did anything similar, and learning as much as you can about those processes. There are entire fields of s...
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[ [], [], [] ]
2j70sj
how does diet soda mixers make you drunker than regular soda mixers?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2j70sj/eli5how_does_diet_soda_mixers_make_you_drunker/
{ "a_id": [ "cl8z9ev" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "It probably doesn't\n\nThere was one study done which only used squirt and diet squirt as the soda.\n\nAnd then they didn't actually measure the blood alcohol content, instead they used the less accurate breathalyser testing.\n\nLastly, there was...
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[ [ "http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23216417" ] ]
7s2ijf
How Early Did Private Militaries Exist?
I'm writing a story and this could be useful. Also I'd like to know just for fun.
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/7s2ijf/how_early_did_private_militaries_exist/
{ "a_id": [ "dt3har7" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "How are we defining a private military? Some sort of tribal chieftain with bodyguards/companions who hang around his hut/tent/cave? If so, probably tens of thousands of years ago right through the present day. I'm seriously not trying to be a sma...
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[ [] ]
csn0nq
why is fresh water in such a small supply?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/csn0nq/eli5_why_is_fresh_water_in_such_a_small_supply/
{ "a_id": [ "exfv0c2", "exfzmjd" ], "score": [ 2, 4 ], "text": [ "You're wasting water by keeping the tap running because that water has been treated and there is a cost associated with that plus local resevoirs that supply you with water can be affected by seasonal droughts that make the ...
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[ [], [] ]
8go08t
flair:'Medicine' Should a massive epidemic occur in an area, what are the measures taken by doctors, nurses, and other medical staff to make sure they are not infected and to make sure it won't be spread from the hospital or from patient to doctor to others?
Because medical staff will be susceptible to exposure more so than others, how will they be able to not spread the disease to themselves or to others, especially if it is a disease that is easily spread? (new to flair)
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/8go08t/flairmedicine_should_a_massive_epidemic_occur_in/
{ "a_id": [ "dye04lo" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "[PPE](_URL_1_) \n\nPersonal Protective Equipment is currently used in all health care in developed countries. The masks, gloves, and \"gowns\" you see doctors wear on tv shows for surgeries, that's PPE.\n\nIts a barrier technique to prevent expos...
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[ [ "https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/hospital/hazards/univprec/univ.html", "https://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/healthcare-us/ppe/guidance.html" ] ]
8d9fq8
Why so cloudy in the northeast USA the past few weeks?
I live in Upstate NY, and today is the first sunny day we've had in about three and a half weeks. What caused the almost month\-long thick cloud cover affecting most of the NE USA? Is this related to the changes we are seeing in jet streams, is it something to do with geoengineering, or is it normal not to see the su...
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/8d9fq8/why_so_cloudy_in_the_northeast_usa_the_past_few/
{ "a_id": [ "dxlmyl0" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Are you new to the area? I ask because I know people from upstate New York and all they do from November-April is complain about how dreary the weather is. Cloudy days far outnumber sunny days in upstate New York, *particularly* in late fall thro...
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[ [ "https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=989", "https://gmao.gsfc.nasa.gov/research/science_snapshots/2018/active_winter_SSW.php", "https://i.imgur.com/wd2wHw9.jpg", "https://www.climate.gov/news-features/event-tracker/record-warmth-february-2018", "http://rammb.cira.colostate.edu/r...
3nxwiw
why do we go hot and cold when we're sick? is it better to fight the temperature changes, leave it to run its course or encourage it by wrapping up or cooling yourself down?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3nxwiw/eli5_why_do_we_go_hot_and_cold_when_were_sick_is/
{ "a_id": [ "cvs8n8e" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "I think the general consensus is to keep your body temperature as regulated as you can. With that being said, too hot and bad things happen, too cold and also bad things happen. So....that's the reason people do it. It's about protecting your bra...
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[ [] ]
f53qr3
what's the difference between interest rate and apr? and when does the difference matter?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/f53qr3/eli5_whats_the_difference_between_interest_rate/
{ "a_id": [ "fhwl48b", "fhwobs1" ], "score": [ 5, 2 ], "text": [ "Interest is a part of and factors into the APR of an account - alongside service fees, yield, etc. \n\nBasically, don’t count on the interest rate being all you’ll accrue/gain. Always look at the APR for the big picture", ...
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[ [], [] ]
14d095
The wife and I are in fight. She says it's not safe to put plastic in the dishwasher because the chemicals leach and then get into the food. I say that after it cools it's fine. What is correct?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/14d095/the_wife_and_i_are_in_fight_she_says_its_not_safe/
{ "a_id": [ "c7byjv7", "c7bz0rn" ], "score": [ 8, 2 ], "text": [ "Each type of plastic should have a number on it somewhere indicating what type of plastic polymer blend it is. Each type has a different threshold for heat resistance. So to answer your question, you might both be correct de...
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[ [], [] ]
3s0xgv
can imaginary numbers be represented visually?
If they can, what is that representation and how does it work? If they can't, why not? Bonus followup: How are imaginary numbers applicable to the real world?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3s0xgv/eli5_can_imaginary_numbers_be_represented_visually/
{ "a_id": [ "cwt4nw5", "cwt5p3v" ], "score": [ 9, 3 ], "text": [ "One very helpful concept that helped me understand complex numbers is [this](_URL_0_).\n\nIt makes a lot more sense when you think about it in the way described above. Real numbers lie on a real number line, going forward fo...
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[]
[ [ "http://betterexplained.com/articles/a-visual-intuitive-guide-to-imaginary-numbers/" ], [] ]
3ntpsb
why is it so much harder to gain muscle than lose it?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ntpsb/eli5_why_is_it_so_much_harder_to_gain_muscle_than/
{ "a_id": [ "cvr4rdd", "cvr6dr4", "cvrbj0q", "cvrge65", "cvrwns3" ], "score": [ 17, 215, 11, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Because muscle is gained by causing tiny little tears in the muscle and then letting them heal thus you will eventually build up muscle tissue and the pro...
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[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
atp090
Tenochtitlan was said to be like the “Venice of the new world” when the Spanish saw it. What possessed them to destroy it and fill in Lake Texcoco with dirt to build Mexico City over it?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/atp090/tenochtitlan_was_said_to_be_like_the_venice_of/
{ "a_id": [ "eh2ubhg", "eh2yuym", "eh3da0o" ], "score": [ 478, 69, 125 ], "text": [ "There’s always more to say, but [this post](_URL_0_) and the answer by /u/drylaw, even further illuminated by the replies of /u/611131 has quite a bit of info that may answer your question. \n\nSo...
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[ [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/a78usw/why_did_hernán_cortés_destroy_tenochtitlan_and/" ], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enrico_Mart%C3%ADnez", "http://i.imgur.com/kTaQWz4.jpg", "http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9d/Lago_de_Texcoco-descriptivo.png", "...
a8oc8i
why are so many experiments aboard the iss not conducted on at labs on earth?
I saw a post earlier about biological and biotech experiments done on the ISS that contributed to cancer research back on Earth. Are those experiments only done on the ISS for a particular reason (i.e. conditions that are only found in space or aboard the ISS)? Or, is it just that scientists have undistracted time aboa...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a8oc8i/eli5_why_are_so_many_experiments_aboard_the_iss/
{ "a_id": [ "eccbneq", "eccctxh" ], "score": [ 9, 3 ], "text": [ "ISS is only place where humans can conduct long-time experiments in zero gravity (well, technically it isn't zero gravity but free fall, but effects are the same). This environment is essential for those experiments. Some ex...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
1pz0q7
why doesn't the queen have a last name?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1pz0q7/eli5_why_doesnt_the_queen_have_a_last_name/
{ "a_id": [ "cd7hix6", "cd7hpky", "cd7ie1n" ], "score": [ 7, 4, 3 ], "text": [ "They do, it's usually very long and combines all the lineages of incest. Lets take Queen Elizabeth II.\nIn 1917 they have changed their surname from Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to Windsor. so her full name is Eli...
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[]
[ [], [], [] ]
24774z
If you subtracted the actively emitted light from the Sun, what colour would it appear to be if you shone a standard white-to-human-eyes light on it?
Someone asked the question in /r/space and it interested me. _URL_0_
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/24774z/if_you_subtracted_the_actively_emitted_light_from/
{ "a_id": [ "ch49y24" ], "score": [ 12 ], "text": [ "Well, the outermost layers of the sun are hydrogen gas and helium... so pretty transparent. Below that it's a plasma, which would be reflective, so shiny like a metal. There are a few small absorption features for both hydrogen and helium, but I...
[]
[ "http://www.reddit.com/r/space/comments/243jjf/frigid_brown_dwarf_found_only_72_lightyears_away/ch3hi0y" ]
[ [] ]
tzghm
Have there ever really been masked crime-fighting vigilantes?
I know there are some folks today who don costumes and patrol the streets, but they do their best to abide by the law. Are there any historical vigilantes of note who weren't necessarily lawful?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/tzghm/have_there_ever_really_been_masked_crimefighting/
{ "a_id": [ "c4r1u6m", "c4r1uln", "c4r22sm", "c4r327x", "c4r4hm9", "c4r4zra", "c4r60un", "c4r6bhp", "c4r7d39", "c4r7f5a", "c4r7g32", "c4r93fz", "c4rckrm" ], "score": [ 53, 25, 108, 14, 27, 21, 2, 4, 3, 5, 3, 3, ...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bald_Knobbers" ], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ned_Kelly" ], [ "http://interrupters.kartemquin.com/" ], [ "http://www.wired.co.uk/magazine/archive/2012/03/features/the-new-french-underground?page=all" ], [], [ "http://youtu.be/Ivkzosgyx-U", ...
2wjsij
why are modern-day cars not designed with panorama windows (no pillars in the sides) to eliminate the blind spot?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2wjsij/eli5_why_are_modernday_cars_not_designed_with/
{ "a_id": [ "corh1p5", "corh1yj", "corhdsi" ], "score": [ 6, 2, 5 ], "text": [ "The pillars add significant strength in the event of a roll over accident. Also glass becomes much more expensive the larger it gets.", "The simplest answer is crash protection. The damage of a roo...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://teendriving.statefarm.com/system/article_images/TDS_Image_17.JPG" ] ]
3i1qx4
Why does the Chinese not hold as much animosity towards Americans over the Korean War and the death of Mao's son?
Especially when compared to the animosity towards the Japanese?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3i1qx4/why_does_the_chinese_not_hold_as_much_animosity/
{ "a_id": [ "cucmoo4" ], "score": [ 16 ], "text": [ "Numerous reasons. The nature of the two wars is completely different. The U.S. never attacked the Chinese mainland, unlike the Japanese during WWII. The Japanese were trying to take over China because they saw it as a part of their sphere of inf...
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[ [] ]
boixok
how can a person digest after having the stomach completely removed because of cancer?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/boixok/eli5_how_can_a_person_digest_after_having_the/
{ "a_id": [ "engtow2" ], "score": [ 9 ], "text": [ "The intestines do most of the digesting,the stomach just stores the amount of food a body can hold. So a person would have to alter their diet somewhat, and eat several small meals instead of 3 big ones, but they'd be fine" ] }
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[ [] ]
3yqgmz
When did the Roman Army become Christian?
The Roman Army was an explicitly pagan institution, how long did it take for it to become officially Christian one? Compared to other institutions within Roman society did it take to the Christian religion more slowly or did it adopt it very quickly? Did any pagan elements live on into the Byzantine era?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3yqgmz/when_did_the_roman_army_become_christian/
{ "a_id": [ "cyfzvjm", "cygc5px" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Last year I took a course at UNC with (my homeboy) Zlatko Plese - so I'm not an expert - on variants of early Christianity. One of the chief lessons I learned from it was that in this period where the Roman army and Christia...
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[ [], [] ]
4iua2u
why are there different honorific's given to a female based on marital status but not the male version.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4iua2u/eli5_why_are_there_different_honorifics_given_to/
{ "a_id": [ "d314q3s" ], "score": [ 11 ], "text": [ "TL;DR: We're a historical patriarchy where guys didn't rely on having a wife as much as women relied on having a husband. \n\nThis differs from culture to culture, but in many to most cultures, the male was traditionally the more \"powerful\" of...
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[ [] ]
6ivdp7
where does gold derive its value from? is it an entirely human construct?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6ivdp7/eli5_where_does_gold_derive_its_value_from_is_it/
{ "a_id": [ "dj9cf7e", "dj9dem2" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "All value is a human construct, unless you want to include the supernatural (like God valuing love). In this plane of existence, nothing has any value except because people say so.", "For the most part, people pay money ...
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[ [], [] ]
2c7ok2
why does dragging multiple files onto a usb drive *individually* write much slower than if i moved all those files at once?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2c7ok2/eli5_why_does_dragging_multiple_files_onto_a_usb/
{ "a_id": [ "cjcr20e", "cjcsn3u" ], "score": [ 4, 2 ], "text": [ "There are maintenance actions that need to be done before files start transferring. The hard drive needs to be spun up to read/write speed, and that takes time. Available space needs to be checked, permissions need to be c...
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[ [], [] ]
7ufm68
what is mononucleosis and if you get it will you have a dormant virus in you for the rest of your life?
Hey reddit, I've been searching around the interwebs for a simple explanation but I've only been getting explanations like: "don't kiss random people, don't share drinks" and things like that. I've heard that if you get mono once you'll have the virus in you for the rest of your life and the next person you smooch or s...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7ufm68/eli5_what_is_mononucleosis_and_if_you_get_it_will/
{ "a_id": [ "dtjyhm7", "dtl5yqf" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Yes, once you contract the virus it is with you for life, lying dormant in your lymphocytes. However 95% of adults have been infected at some point, so really it's almost inevitable that you will get it sooner or later, so y...
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[ [], [] ]
23qnd5
Is our genome the same in every cell?
I'm wondering if the genetic makeup of all of our cells is unique, or if there are variations between cells caused by random mutations. If there are variations, then does it make sense to talk about an individual's genome as if it's unique and uniform? And what does it mean if I get my genome sequenced: is it some sort...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/23qnd5/is_our_genome_the_same_in_every_cell/
{ "a_id": [ "cgzrl9q", "cgzuqgf" ], "score": [ 2, 3 ], "text": [ "The genome in every cell is the same... The difference, however, lies in the way the cell \"stores\" the genome. For example, a liver cell will express the parts that are concerned with liver functions, while skin cells ease...
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[ [], [] ]
1ewi5p
Was there ever serious consideration in the Zionist movement about establishing a Jewish homeland that was not located in Palestine?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1ewi5p/was_there_ever_serious_consideration_in_the/
{ "a_id": [ "ca4ht85", "ca4hzjz", "ca4na47" ], "score": [ 23, 13, 8 ], "text": [ "It depends on your definition of \"serious\" because AFAIK most non-Palestine plans were considered compromises or temporary solutions. They were usually the brainchild of the Territorialists, an offs...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Uganda_Programme", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kimberley_Plan", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ararat,_City_of_Refuge" ], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_Autonomous_Oblast" ], [] ]
4kw3dz
what determines the directions roads take during construction?
Hey all, The wording of my question might be a bit vague, so please take a look at these two Canadian cities: [Mississauga](_URL_1_) [Vancouver](_URL_0_) In Mississauga, the direction everyone refers to as "north" is literally northwest, and "south" is "southeast". In Vancouver, with the notable exception of the down...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4kw3dz/eli5_what_determines_the_directions_roads_take/
{ "a_id": [ "d3i8u8k", "d3if5cf" ], "score": [ 6, 2 ], "text": [ "I think the first part of your question is more regarding road naming. That's purely down to the local government and I don't really know much about that. But as an employee of a roads and bridges infrastructure design firm ...
[]
[ "https://goo.gl/maps/a1yXFmNng5v", "https://goo.gl/maps/uynzG3Ptont" ]
[ [], [] ]
6hws0c
why does background tv or music at a get together stimulate conversation?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6hws0c/eli5_why_does_background_tv_or_music_at_a_get/
{ "a_id": [ "dj22uqk" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "it lowers the barrier of entry to entering the sound/interaction space. like how people sometimes put money in their own tip jars. " ] }
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[ [] ]
6m0ig3
why do diuretics exist? why do they focus on eliminating hydration from the body?
I tried Googling it, but couldn't easily find an answer. Thank you to anyone who can help out :)
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6m0ig3/eli5_why_do_diuretics_exist_why_do_they_focus_on/
{ "a_id": [ "djxyth4", "djy8kgn" ], "score": [ 8, 2 ], "text": [ "Its important for many things. For example, in kidney disease/failure, it can be used to help remove excess fluid that would otherwise buildup as edema, which can cause significant complications. Similarly, they're used for ...
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[ [], [] ]
3qxxnm
why is the expensive detergent better
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3qxxnm/eli5why_is_the_expensive_detergent_better/
{ "a_id": [ "cwjal1z" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Usually because it's got more of the active ingredient in it. And the active ingredient is the expensive part." ] }
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[ [] ]
12a36p
Battle of Little Bighorn. A question about the women and children and Custer's tactics.
I recently saw a show produced in 2002 that stated one of Custer's moves to or across the river was made with the goal of gathering the women and children as hostages. However, it was stated that he realized there were too many and that it would become too chaotic so he retreated. I have read a number of books on the ...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/12a36p/battle_of_little_bighorn_a_question_about_the/
{ "a_id": [ "c6tjp4z" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "[Here](_URL_0_)'s a 2004 book that confirms your perspective about Custer's goals.\n\nMany women were involved in the Battle of Little Bighorn. It's been claimed that Moving Robe Woman killed Custer; although that is contested." ] }
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[]
[ [ "http://books.google.com/books?id=xq3BuDVyzDIC&pg=PA139&dq=custer+women+and+children+hostages&hl=en&sa=X&ei=WvWOUKSAIIi1iwLU_oGABA&ved=0CCwQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=custer%20women%20and%20children%20hostages&f=false" ] ]
2ssuuh
my 8gb flash drive isn't exactly 8gb
Why is it that it's like 7.9? And my SSD isn't exactly 256? Edit: sorry for bad title formatting
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2ssuuh/elif_my_8gb_flash_drive_isnt_exactly_8gb/
{ "a_id": [ "cnsjexu" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Because vendors use real Gigabytes and software just call \"gigabyte\" to a gibibyte because of tradition.\n\nYou see, according to the International System of Units, a GB is 1000000000 bytes (10^9) and a GiB is 1073741824bytes (2^30).\n\nIf you ...
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[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gibibyte", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gigabyte" ] ]
dluvqq
since we're aimlessly floating in space with no real orientation, who first decided that the north pole is "up" and the south pole is "down" and not vice versa?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dluvqq/eli5_since_were_aimlessly_floating_in_space_with/
{ "a_id": [ "f4ugupk", "f4uhl5b", "f4uio3l" ], "score": [ 10, 9, 19 ], "text": [ "88% of all humans live in the northern hemisphere, that would have an effect on perception of orientation.", "Europeans.\n\nEurope is the source of the maps we are most familiar with today, becaus...
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[]
[ [], [], [] ]
a7h28c
why is it that the atomic mass of elements doesn't increase at a constant rate on the periodic table?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a7h28c/eli5_why_is_it_that_the_atomic_mass_of_elements/
{ "a_id": [ "ec2ww14", "ec2x95f" ], "score": [ 2, 6 ], "text": [ "Because only few isotopes of an element are stable, and the ones the are do not increase linearly. This is because all the protons are pushing each other away, but the nucleus is held together by \"nuclear force\" which is s...
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[ [], [] ]
e6r4t3
When a woman is pregnant does the baby follow the same sleeping patterns as the mother? Or can they have 2 separate sleeping patterns?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/e6r4t3/when_a_woman_is_pregnant_does_the_baby_follow_the/
{ "a_id": [ "f9t943b", "f9tcj4g", "f9teg5z", "f9ug685" ], "score": [ 4202, 208, 519, 3 ], "text": [ "Fetuses are asleep almost all the time until third trimester, when they’re awake 2-3 hours per day. It’s unrelated to mom’s sleep, although people think it is because they n...
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[]
[ [ "https://physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1113/JP275084" ], [], [], [] ]
1zmkic
How hard was it to supply arrows to archers in ancient battles?
In the movies, such as 2004's Troy, we see archers firing arrow upon arrow into an oncoming army. How accurate is this in reality though? Wouldn't they run out of arrows after just a few minutes? What happened when archers ran out of arrows during a siege? And how well could arrows be stockpiled to prevent such a short...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1zmkic/how_hard_was_it_to_supply_arrows_to_archers_in/
{ "a_id": [ "cfuzpy6", "cfuzz3e", "cfv2mh7", "cfv6nlh", "cfv98vo", "cfvg6w3", "cfvn0xr" ], "score": [ 117, 4332, 301, 20, 38, 69, 13 ], "text": [ "One thing to keep in mind was the reuse of arrows. Arrows were commonly gathered after battles and reto...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1e7xa3/" ], [], [], [], [ "http://www.ncjsc.org/gloss_yanone.htm" ], [ "http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/china-news/chinese-traditional-culture-borrowing-arrows-6542.html", "http://the-scholars.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=10445", "ht...
2zekfo
How much power must the ISS expend, as a single unit, to maintain it's orbit?
I was recently introduced to the idea that the ISS must push itself outward radially from the Earth as a way to combat losses in its velocity around it. I believe this is the case, I may be wrong about some of the details. Maybe it has to push itself forward AND outward. But I am curious as to exactly *what* the ISS m...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2zekfo/how_much_power_must_the_iss_expend_as_a_single/
{ "a_id": [ "cpip4he", "cpircwn" ], "score": [ 7, 3 ], "text": [ "The iss does not push away directly from the earth when increasing its orbital radius. If it did this it would only make its orbit more elliptical which would defeat the point as twice during its orbit it would end up closer...
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[ [], [ "http://imgur.com/JaT8x2P" ] ]
6tkno5
who determines the value for vintage coins?
Let's say I go digging through an old shoebox owned by my great great grandfather and find a rare penny made in year xx, that has some kind of defect on it. It gets appraised at being worth x amount of dollars. How do coins/other currency get their value, and who makes that decision?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6tkno5/eli5_who_determines_the_value_for_vintage_coins/
{ "a_id": [ "dllg115", "dllk3kl" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "The monetary value of something is literally determined when someone buys it. When it comes to vintage items and collectibles, the \"experts\" make their best educated guess at what someone *might* pay for it. In this way th...
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[ [], [] ]
d6tjs8
what is romanticism in music?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/d6tjs8/eli5_what_is_romanticism_in_music/
{ "a_id": [ "f0vrjwi" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "I'm assuming you mean what people refer to as romantic classical music. This was the period where what we think of as classical music became more dynamic in terms of having more of a range of loud and soft tones. A big contributor to this was the...
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[ [] ]
1pwlto
why are longer passwords more secure if they are all hashed to a standard length?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1pwlto/eli5_why_are_longer_passwords_more_secure_if_they/
{ "a_id": [ "cd6snwh", "cd6t8io", "cd6tqgv" ], "score": [ 2, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "I'm not sure I know what you mean by hashed to a standard length, but with each letter the number of possible combinations grows exponentially. ", "Hashing is just a secure way to store the password...
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[ [], [], [] ]
5pwrbd
what makes musical genres sound alike? why does country music sound like country music?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5pwrbd/eli5_what_makes_musical_genres_sound_alike_why/
{ "a_id": [ "dcuhk55", "dcur5kz" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "There are a lot of things that can go into what makes the \"sound\" of a genre. I'll start with Country and then give a few examples of elements that are shared by other genres and how they can differ.\n\nCountry is usually ...
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[ [], [] ]
2htf6q
how is agriculture a sustainable process? wouldn't the land eventually run out of nutrients?
Where do the nutrients (vitamins, minerals, etc) in vegetables come from? I get that it comes from the dirt, but how do they appear in the plant? Wouldn’t the dirt eventually run out of minerals? If you used the same land year after year when does the land become barren? Basically explain this to me like I’m five...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2htf6q/eli5_how_is_agriculture_a_sustainable_process/
{ "a_id": [ "ckvtvod", "ckvtvqx" ], "score": [ 6, 2 ], "text": [ "Vitamins and minerals can be restored to the soil. Imagine this: a banana tree sucks up some phosphorus through its roots. It puts that in a piece of fruit, I eat it, I urinate, and the phosphorus is along the whole way. If ...
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[ [], [] ]