q_id stringlengths 5 6 | title stringlengths 3 301 | selftext stringlengths 0 39.2k | document stringclasses 1
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values | url stringlengths 4 132 | answers dict | title_urls list | selftext_urls list | answers_urls list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
23h4a7 | How instrumental was Pope John Paul II in the dissolution of Communism; in Poland, Europe, and ultimately the Soviet Union? | I know that John Paul II's visit to Poland in 1979 is often pointed at as a moment that really coalesced the Solidarity movement and led to the end of Communism in Poland, but I've often heard him brought up as having had a much larger role in the end of Communism throughout Europe and eventually the Soviet Union. How ... | AskHistorians | http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/23h4a7/how_instrumental_was_pope_john_paul_ii_in_the/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"John Paul II will be canonized tomorrow alongside John XXIII, so your question is well-timed!\n\nMost of the arguments that give credit to John Paul II regarding the fall of communism mirror those found in *A History of the Popes* by John W. O’Ma... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
3x54rh | what pets and animals think when we're on computers/cell phones/reading and other idle activities | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3x54rh/eli5_what_pets_and_animals_think_when_were_on/ | {
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4,
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"text": [
"nothing, they have no concept of things we do for our entertainment. Any attempt to say that they do is anthropomorphising them too much",
"They don't really have opinions but they can pick up on ch... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
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2rb1yp | If planets takes years or months to circle around their star, how they are detected by Transit Photometry? Do we need to observe star's brightness for that whole period of planet passing by it, to detect their presence? | askscience | http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2rb1yp/if_planets_takes_years_or_months_to_circle_around/ | {
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"text": [
"Yes, indeed, except it's even worse than that: because a single transit would be very difficult to distinguish from starspots, noise and other errors in measurement, usually at least three transits are required to establish the probable presence ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
gl8cf | Is there scientific legitimacy behind the claim that antioxidants benefit the human body? | I have been seeing phrases advertising the high antioxidant levels of certain foods, especially fruits. Oftentimes these antioxidant-rich products, such as Acai berries, are said to promote weight loss. I'm aware that oxygen is toxic to our cells and that antioxidants should help combat this, but is there actually any ... | askscience | http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/gl8cf/is_there_scientific_legitimacy_behind_the_claim/ | {
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"There is a GREAT [wiki article](_URL_1_) on the topic.\n\nBTW, you should pay careful attention to the [adverse effects](_URL_0_) as well. The effects aren't all good.\n\nTL;DR: Fruits and veggies produce great results in r... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-oxidant#Adverse_effects",
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-oxidant#Health_effects"
],
[]
] | |
2fmzkw | Rosetta lander: what happens with it and jets as the comet gets near the sun? | Just how forceful are the jets of stuff coming off the comet? Enough to wiggle panels, or dislodge the grapple? Is there a plan for if the comet breaks up? Will the tail interfere with communications?
(as inspired by the picture in _URL_0_ ) | askscience | http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2fmzkw/rosetta_lander_what_happens_with_it_and_jets_as/ | {
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"There's a lot of uncertainty about this. [Philae has been equipped with a harpoon and a hold-down thruster](_URL_0_), so it is expected that at least one of them will work. But it was launched without much knowledge of the comet's composition and... | [] | [
"http://www.reddit.com/r/spaceporn/comments/2fkxvw/latest_rosetta_navcam_images_reveal_jets_on/"
] | [
[
"http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=PHILAE"
]
] | |
64qfg7 | Why was Adenauer upset with the independence of Austria? | He called it "the whole Austrian scandal" and threatened the Austrians with "sending Hitler's remains home to Austria". Why? | AskHistorians | https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/64qfg7/why_was_adenauer_upset_with_the_independence_of/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"Let's start with the second part, the quote reads „Wenn die etwas von uns wollen, schicken wir ihnen die Gebeine Hitlers.“ (Translation: “If they want something from us, we'll send them Hitler's remains.”) while talking abo... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/d-46273946.html>",
"http://www.gehler.at/mat/sn_0107_1995.pdf>",
"http://derstandard.at/2000015592349/Befreiung-1945-und-nicht-1955>"
],
[]
] | |
jl73p | Why does it seem like house plants need more water than it could possibly get in the wild? | askscience | http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/jl73p/why_does_it_seem_like_house_plants_need_more/ | {
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"text": [
"House plant is pretty generic. I would guess th... | [] | [] | [
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1bkz11 | Why did Tiberius have Germanicus recalled from Germania despite his victories? | AskHistorians | http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1bkz11/why_did_tiberius_have_germanicus_recalled_from/ | {
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"text": [
"A very quick and simple answer would be that Tiberius feared the popularity of Germanicus would eclipse his own popularity with Rome's nobility and commoners, which was oftentimes lacking. Roman culture had a hefty dose of hero worship built into... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
bvfuko | When the Soviet Union dissolved, how was the process handled in the UN? In particular, was there a period of time where no one was able to exercise the Soviet/Russian veto on the security council? | AskHistorians | https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/bvfuko/when_the_soviet_union_dissolved_how_was_the/ | {
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"text": [
"This question of course taps into larger questions: was Gorbachev’s resignation as Soviet president a regime change? Is the Russian Federation the legal successor to the Soviet Union? Or did the dissolution of the Soviet government mean the exti... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
9v6z8u | when a website asks you to prove you are not a robot by identifying storefronts/busses/streetlights/etc, how is it determining you are not a robot? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9v6z8u/eli5_when_a_website_asks_you_to_prove_you_are_not/ | {
"a_id": [
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2
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"text": [
"Those tasks are not easy to solve for computers without reasonable effort put into making robust algorithms that probably aren’t worth the time for spammers, etc. \n\nWithout such obstacles, websites receive a lot of automat... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
f3ta0o | why does arms crossed over your chest being perceived as a rejection rather than acceptance? (i find it super comforting. if i’ve crossed my arms, i’m actually enjoying our conversation) | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/f3ta0o/eli5_why_does_arms_crossed_over_your_chest_being/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"The theory is that you are protecting yourself if you've got your arms crossed. Your arms cover the most vulnerable part of your body, your heart and organs. You are most vulnerable with arms outstretched, exposing this are... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
acfjsf | why does smoke get sucked out the window when you open the front door? | 17th floor, friends smoke in their apartment. with the window open the smoke still mostly floats around the room, but once we open the apartment door, the smoke goes out the window. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/acfjsf/eli5_why_does_smoke_get_sucked_out_the_window/ | {
"a_id": [
"ed7jbm8"
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"score": [
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],
"text": [
"Generally, this is due to permitting a flow of air through the building. With just a window open, the only air flow is in/out of the window...and that isn't going to happen very powerfully, without some sort of fan. With a door open, this allows ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
1xhdpf | why do i think about horrible things around people i care about? | The other day I was around my dad, and I thought about what would happen if I stabbed him. Why is this? I am not mentally ill or anythings and I would NEVER stab him, but why does this happen? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1xhdpf/eli5_why_do_i_think_about_horrible_things_around/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"There is a technical term for this. As soon as I find the information I will post about it. But it has been addressed by many experts. Just can't remember the term..."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
n146u | How does smoking preserve food? | I cold smoke my own food at home (mostly fish), and go through a process of brining or curing first, which obviousy removes moisture. This is followed by a day or two in a cold smoking environment. Smoking is a preservation technique as well as a flavouring method, so what is it about smoking that helps preserve food? | askscience | http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/n146u/how_does_smoking_preserve_food/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"Quoted from Wikipedia:\n\nSmoke is an antimicrobial and antioxidant, but smoke alone is insufficient for preserving food in practice, unless combined with another preservation method. The main problem is the smoke compounds ... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoking_%28cooking%29#Preservation"
],
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoking_%28cooking%29#Preservation"
]
] | |
3cs7ws | with the recent news of a sixth mass extinction how would this affect us? | If say 100 different species were to go, what affect would this have on humans? (Environmental or social impacts.) | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3cs7ws/eli5_with_the_recent_news_of_a_sixth_mass/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"If all these species are going extinct I really pray that mosquitoes are one of the next species to go"
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
16nr34 | Why is that while some apes can walk bipedally, they still walk on all fours? | At the zoo I noticed that apes have more hand shaped front "paws", and more foot shaped hind "paws". They can walk on two feet, for short distances as far as I've seen, but still don't. Why is this? You would imagine they would learn to free up they're hands in order to enhance their tool-using capabilities. Also, corr... | askscience | http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/16nr34/why_is_that_while_some_apes_can_walk_bipedally/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"The skeletal structure of apes is simply not designed for long term bipedal movement. This is true throughout the skeleton all the way into the skull where the foramen magnum (where the spine meets the skull) is positioned more toward the back of... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
5v24um | Was there a reason American adults stopped dressing so formally in public? | AskHistorians | https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/5v24um/was_there_a_reason_american_adults_stopped/ | {
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387,
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"text": [
"I have a followup question - did WW2 mark a shift in mens casual wear?\n\nI usually don't post unless I have something more substantial to contribute, but I do remember readin... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[
"https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1k7vs9/did_men_really_dress_as_well_as_portrayed_in/"
]
] | ||
8mknb5 | why on iphone, when you take pictures it flips them around while on snapchat it keeps them the way you took them? what’s the point of flipping it? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8mknb5/eli5_why_on_iphone_when_you_take_pictures_it/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"I believe _both_ are showing you a flipped version while you preview the picture. They show you the mirror version because that's the main way most people have looked at themselves in their life — otherwise most people would have a more difficult... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
eq6pup | why can fnger print scanners and such correctly scan my fingerprint no matter how long ago it was since they copied it but my phone fingerprint scanner struggles if theres a slight bit of dust on my fingers | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/eq6pup/eli5_why_can_fnger_print_scanners_and_such/ | {
"a_id": [
"feo9oa2"
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"text": [
"The grooves on your fingers remain the same over time, they don't change their positions, so no matter when you first had your finger print entered it will still always work, however dust, ink and other substance can make it look like the groove... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://youtu.be/FB3Tt2ZLyUQ"
]
] | ||
259do0 | why does warm beer make me sick but cold beer doesn't? | American here. Wondering why warm beer upsets my stomach while cold beer does not.
I can enjoy a nice cold beer but if I become occupied and leave it out then take a sip, that same beer will make my stomach feel uneasy.
If I drink warm soda, it doesn't taste as good but it doesn't bother me. I assume the coldness i... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/259do0/eli5_why_does_warm_beer_make_me_sick_but_cold/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"Assuming it is not spoiled, and that you have no allergies (as the cold beer not affecting you shows) it is most likely psychological. ",
"because you're likely american and your beer is urine to begin with\n\nwhich\n\nw... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
fdyxs8 | why do some cheap usb cables actually *discharge* the phone? how does that even work, even if the phone shows charging? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/fdyxs8/eli5_why_do_some_cheap_usb_cables_actually/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
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"text": [
"None of them discharge the phones. They're just charging very slow and your phone is running out of battery faster than it's being charged."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
2gjwp5 | How can I see satellites at night? | The title. How can I with my bare eyes see satellites fly by at night? Is it the sun's reflection that I see or are the satellites equipped with their own lights?
edit: Ok. I wasn't really clear. I've seen the satellites at night and what I'm asking is how it is POSSIBLE to see them with my bare eyes. | askscience | http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2gjwp5/how_can_i_see_satellites_at_night/ | {
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"text": [
"imo it would be the sun's reflection. I am pretty sure there are no lights on the satellites due to... well, why would there be? And that would use power... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[
"http://www.heavens-above.com"
],
[
"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.runar.issdetector",
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellite_flare#Iridium_flares"
],
[
"heavens-above.COM"
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] | |
475zps | do astronauts still experience "weightlessness" out of earth's orbit? | I understand that astronauts and cosmonauts experience "weightlessness" in orbit due to essentially being in continuous freefall. But if they were say travelling to Mars, would they still experience that same weightlessness, or would they be able to stand and move around on their ship due to them travelling in a straig... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/475zps/eli5_do_astronauts_still_experience/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"Yes you can think of it that astronauts experience weightlessness in orbit because they are in a freefall, and their sideways speed is so large that they are falling sideways which keeps them from entering the atmosphere (an... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
s5vza | Would a binary star system have to consist of two stars of near equal mass? | And do they have to be in the same states (active, brown dwarf) and can one supernova and the system stay in place? | askscience | http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/s5vza/would_a_binary_star_system_have_to_consist_of_two/ | {
"a_id": [
"c4bbyhb"
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"text": [
" > Would a binary star system have to consist of two stars of near equal mass?\n\nNo. Imagine if Jupiter was a little bigger and a small star.\n\n > And do they have to be in the same states (active, brown dwarf)\n\nNope.\n\n > can one supernova... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
1vdtxf | after having their first large-scale success, why don't all musicians produce their own albums? | Wouldn't this be like cutting out the middle man? They already have the fan base, it seems they could make substantially more money this way. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1vdtxf/eli5_after_having_their_first_largescale_success/ | {
"a_id": [
"cer8t6x",
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"score": [
3,
2
],
"text": [
"Producers also manufacture and distribute the physical (and digital) media that music comes on.\n\nThose resources can be pretty expensive, so it's cheaper (or just easier) to have another company do it for you.",
"Its n... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
e8mq1e | How much, if any, of Homer’s The Odyssey is actually true? | Reading the odyssey in school, curious about if any of it is even the slightest true. | AskHistorians | https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/e8mq1e/how_much_if_any_of_homers_the_odyssey_is_actually/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"Alright I'll try this again with a hopefully more fleshed out answer.\nThe academic world is conflicted on this.\nPrior to Schliemann and Sir Arthur, it wasn't even certain that the cities mentioned by Homer (Mycenae, Sparta, Troy, Knossos, etc.)... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://www.jstor.org/stable/25115419",
"https://ancient-world-project.nes.lsa.umich.edu/tltc/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/BA_Shelmerdine_2008_Cambridge-Companion-to-the-Aegean-Bronze-Age_Economy-and-Administration-pp.-289-309-split.pdf",
"https://www.academia.edu/5137858/Homer_the_history_of_an_idea",... | |
31l3pe | is dying in my sleep actually painless? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/31l3pe/eli5is_dying_in_my_sleep_actually_painless/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
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2
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"text": [
"We think so. The actual answer is, nobody knows.",
"How would we know? It's not like we can ask someone who actually died how it felt.\n\nIt seems so and there isn't much reason to think it's painful (in most cases, ther... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
4h1nz0 | how do animals know how to build stuff. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4h1nz0/eli5_how_do_animals_know_how_to_build_stuff/ | {
"a_id": [
"d2mm7h2"
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"score": [
8
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"text": [
"It's just in their DNA. \n\nEven now, science can't fully explain the phenomena we call \"instincts\", even though we can see them in action, and have them ourselves."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
1l9525 | why do asians usually have no body hair and arabs have a lot? | Im talking about the chinese, koreans etc.
Edit: I'm talking about the Yellow race, not all asians as Arabs are also considered Asians. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1l9525/eli5why_do_asians_usually_have_no_body_hair_and/ | {
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976,
51,
361,
21,
5,
6,
6,
543,
... | [] | [] | [
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"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongoloid#Features"
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"http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21729055.200-sweat-mutation-may-have-helped-us-colonise-as... | |
2foke9 | why do we shit in clean drinkable water? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2foke9/eli5_why_do_we_shit_in_clean_drinkable_water/ | {
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"text": [
"Because the water will be recycled and the cost of implementing two different plumbing systems would be extreme... | [] | [] | [
[],
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9ncg0f | how to not become homeless | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9ncg0f/eli5_how_to_not_become_homeless/ | {
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7,
2,
2,
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"text": [
"Get a job, if you can't drive, walk or use public transportation. Find a cheap apartment you can afford with your income (personal finance sub can help with f... | [] | [] | [
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18h22x | why don't police departments all over the united states just up the prerequisites, the salaries, and the training to become a cop. | Redditors are always bitching about thugs, idiots, and criminals in the police departments that don't know what they're doing and sometimes take very rash actions that is shown by the media.
Although I do agree that some police officers, LEOs, sheriffs etc. are just legitimately dumb and bad employees (they're in ever... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/18h22x/eli5_why_dont_police_departments_all_over_the/ | {
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"score": [
11,
2,
2,
2
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"text": [
"You're talking about raising the bar to become a police officer. That won't help. You can never raise the bar high enough to prevent all bad apples (in part because some bad app... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
18h28a | [Biology]Why did the majority of animals evolve with two holes for excrement, one located on genitalia? | I was thinking about this, it doesn't seem to make sense that genitalia have a secondary function as waste pipe, considering that from an evolutionary standpoint they already have one of the most important roles in the body. | askscience | http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/18h28a/biologywhy_did_the_majority_of_animals_evolve/ | {
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[],
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"http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2007/01/14/evolution-of-the-mammalian-vag/"
],
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"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastrointestinal_tract#Embryology",
"http://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S1556858X07000114-gr1.jpg",
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Just-so_story",
"http://en.wik... | |
6kl663 | So, learning about the colonization of America, we learned that tomatoes are native to the Americas, what was European cuisine like before tomatoes? Why did they become as popular as they are now? | AskHistorians | https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6kl663/so_learning_about_the_colonization_of_america_we/ | {
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"text": [
"You will likely get a better answer in /r/askfoodhistorians.\n\nEdit: Link updated.",
"Piggyback question: What was Indian cuisine like before chilli peppers?",
"There's always room for discuss... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[
"https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/11kijb/what_were_some_old_world_cuisines_like_before_the/",
"https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/zlzal/what_was_romanearly_middle_ages_food_like_in_italy/",
"https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2r4ghl/what_was_italian... | ||
xb5w1 | the complete process of home brewing beer. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/xb5w1/eli5_the_complete_process_of_home_brewing_beer/ | {
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"First, you boil grains (wheat, barley, oat, whatever the specific beer calls for) and hops, as well as whatever spices you might be adding. You boil this for a while to get the starches and sugars out of the grains and into the liquid (this is f... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
2ch0ty | how is it possible that canned/pouched tuna can have an expiration date of 2017, yet still be safe/healthy? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2ch0ty/eli5_how_is_it_possible_that_cannedpouched_tuna/ | {
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"text": [
"The tuna is sealed and pasteurized, if not sterilized. If there's nothing in there to grow and produce toxins it could presumably last forever. Sometines the consume by or sell by date isn't so much about safety as it is about food quality. The ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
qm7ws | having to turn your head and cough during a physical? | What is the doctor actually looking for in your Testicles when he asks you to turn your head and cough? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/qm7ws/eli5_having_to_turn_your_head_and_cough_during_a/ | {
"a_id": [
"c3yohor",
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"score": [
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"text": [
"The doctor is checking for a hernia (usually an inguinal hernia) which is when a part of your belly pokes through where it shouldn't.\n\nCoughing can make it more noticeable. Turning your head prevents you from coughing on ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
54bvsg | why do we get tired when doing something boring/repetitive ? | By tired I mean that we feel sleepy. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/54bvsg/eli5_why_do_we_get_tired_when_doing_something/ | {
"a_id": [
"d81u5tu"
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"score": [
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"text": [
"Maybe the lack of stimulation lets sleepiness set in. Rather than thinking of it as making you sleepy, think of is as not making stimulating you or making you alert"
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
196ws2 | if china is communist, and the u.s. is very anti-communist, why does the u.s. withhold a good relation with them. how is it different than say, cuban communism? | Enlighten me guys. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/196ws2/eli5_if_china_is_communist_and_the_us_is_very/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"Because blocking trade and travel with China would destroy our economy. Cuba is economically insignificant in comparison.\n\nThey're not really completely \"communist\" anymore though. They're progres... | [] | [] | [
[],
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] | |
2xdtcr | Why are the Medieval Balkans so unstudied? Does anyone know good sources for this region? | Recently I got into a discussion with my Longsword Fencing instructor about arms and armor around the Agincourt period, 1415.
The discussion went from the construction of bascinets to the use of Klappvisors by the "German" areas. But when I asked "What were they using in Hungary and the rest of the Balkans at this tim... | AskHistorians | http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2xdtcr/why_are_the_medieval_balkans_so_unstudied_does/ | {
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"The books of Dr. John V. A. Fine are a few resources that I've found discussing the Balkans around this time period. The second book might be closer to what you are looking for.\n... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://www.press.umich.edu/8108/early_medieval_balkans",
"http://www.press.umich.edu/7807/late_medieval_balkans",
"http://www.cambridge.org/as/academic/subjects/history/european-history-450-1000/southeastern-europe-middle-ages-5001250"
],
[
"http://m.bookdepository.com/book/9781850658689?red... | |
tyzmv | 5.1 sound within headphones. | Hey guys. Can someone explain how 5.1 sound work within headphones? How can there be two components (left and right ear) yet there are an odd number of 'speakers'?
Here's and example:
_URL_0_ | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/tyzmv/eli5_51_sound_within_headphones/ | {
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"Each ear has 3 speakers. Center, front and back. They are placed to simulate sound coming to your ear from those places.\n\nThere are headphones that simulate 3D with only 2 spakers, but the ones you po... | [] | [
"http://www.amazon.com/Zalman-ZM-RS6F-surround-sound-headphones/dp/B0001OYMFO"
] | [
[],
[],
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] | |
2dvxzh | how do the site owners of popular forums like stackoverflow make money if posting is free and no ads? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2dvxzh/eli5_how_do_the_site_owners_of_popular_forums/ | {
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"text": [
"_URL_0_\n\nStack overflow CEO discussing how they monetize",
"They sell statistics about their user base. This is how all free services generate money. You are not the customer, you are the produc... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://www.businessinsider.com/exclusive-qa-quora-may-be-turning-down-billion-dollar-offers-but-its-still-losing-to-this-guy-2011-2"
],
[],
[
"http://stackexchange.com/mediakit"
]
] | ||
7sxllq | Why do drugs "wear off" and require a re-dose to achieve the original effect? | I guess it partially boils down to half life? What affects a chemical's half life related to human ingestion? | askscience | https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/7sxllq/why_do_drugs_wear_off_and_require_a_redose_to/ | {
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"text": [
"The requirement of a change in dose can be from a few things, depending on the drug. Some drugs will cause in increase in activity or production of the enzymes that break them down. Others will cause a change in the cellular... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
c10cup | other than ownership, what are the differences between an apartment and a condo? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/c10cup/eli5_other_than_ownership_what_are_the/ | {
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"text": [
"Ownership is really the only real difference. That said, in a condo building, there’s usually some kind of owners’ association where the residents as a whole are members and pay du... | [] | [] | [
[],
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46vlt1 | if all humans disappear from the earth, how long would it take for a nuclear power plant to go chernobyl? | Can you also explain why/the process behind it. Also assuming it was completely untouched, not hit by a tsunami like Fukushima. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/46vlt1/eli5_if_all_humans_disappear_from_the_earth_how/ | {
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"text": [
"I suggest you read some more about [Chernobyl](_URL_0_) since nuclear plants don't really explode by themselves. ",
"Mostly they will not. it took active decisions to generate ... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chernobyl_disaster"
],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
25nqhh | What events led to the outbreak of the 1967 Six Day War, and how did both sides make their decisions leading up to Israel's strike on Egypt? | AskHistorians | http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/25nqhh/what_events_led_to_the_outbreak_of_the_1967_six/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"This is going to be long. And when I say long, I mean **really** long. So I'll put a tl;dr right up at the top, for readers. This will be 8 posts (7 will be very text-heavy), so don't expect a short response!\n\nIn document... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://www.scribd.com/doc/224419773/The-Outbreak-of-the-Six-Day-War"
],
[
"http://www.powells.com/biblio/7-9780345461926-6",
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Oren#Ambassadorship"
]
] | ||
3w7zi2 | plane emergency landings | I have seen movies and TV shows where the plane must land on a road since there are no nearby airfields (see: leverage for one such example) and the interstate was apparently built to handle aircraft if needed. My question is: can you explain the logistics in landing like this? How do you not hit any cars? How do you m... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3w7zi2/eli5_plane_emergency_landings/ | {
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"text": [
"You don't. You crash land and hope the cars move out of the way.\n\nYou don't. A plane that emergency lands on a highway doesn't take off again. FAA regulations forbids flying until a thorough mech... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[
"https://goo.gl/maps/ynGSFPQm35K2"
]
] | |
wgulr | how are toll roads legal? i thought that taxes payed for roads? | Question in the title plus a bonus: can you get a ticket for using the fast pass or pike pass lane without having the pass? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/wgulr/how_are_toll_roads_legal_i_thought_that_taxes/ | {
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"text": [
"Different roads are funded by different taxes and different governments. Some roads are paid for by the cities, others by the states, and some by the federa... | [] | [] | [
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] | |
ns0oh | why referring a pakistani 'paki' is a racial abuse? | Aussie, Brit, Indian, African is all okay but 'paki' is so wrong. Why? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ns0oh/eli5_why_referring_a_pakistani_paki_is_a_racial/ | {
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f62i4c | How did mathematicians do things that today requires calculus? For instance, how can you find the formula for the volume of a sphere without integrals? | askscience | https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/f62i4c/how_did_mathematicians_do_things_that_today/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"Archimedes developed early calculus techniques to prove some of his work. He imagined slicing shapes into infinitely thin slices and then balancing these slices on a lever. This is notably seen in his ... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Method_of_Mechanical_Theorems"
],
[
"http://mathcentral.uregina.ca/QQ/database/QQ.09.01/rahul1.html"
],
[]
] | ||
df01nd | What does Kublai Khan think of his grandfather, Genghis Khan? | I meant to say would and not does, sorry | AskHistorians | https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/df01nd/what_does_kublai_khan_think_of_his_grandfather/ | {
"a_id": [
"f31r9u2"
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"score": [
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],
"text": [
"Good heavens, looks like the mods removed quite a mess on here. Hopefully, I can provide you some assistance.\n\nChinggis Khan (the Mongolian pronunciation of Genghis), despite his rather negative portrayal in most western literature from the 1... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
5bebpd | physiologically... what happens when someone opens your eyelids when you're asleep? | when we were young, i would open my brother's eyelids when he's asleep (that's fucked yes i know)... what happens? if anything at all? does the brain register anything? or is it just dumb and cruel to do that to your brother? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5bebpd/eli5_physiologically_what_happens_when_someone/ | {
"a_id": [
"d9nvhit"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
" > what happens? if anything at all? does the brain register anything?\n\nThe retina doesn't stop working when you close your eyes, it is just that the eyelids block most of the incoming light. When you sleep the part of your brain that interp... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
oti6r | Cancer and Aging | From my limited understanding of cancer. It is caused by cells growing out of control. Is it not plausible that the cure to cancer and the cure for aging are very similiar? | askscience | http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/oti6r/cancer_and_aging/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
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"text": [
"I would say the opposite is true - since cancer incidence increases with increasing age, anything that makes us live longer is *more likely* to increase cancer rates.\n\nConsider the enzyme telomerase. You may be familiar with the relationship b... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
25g608 | Internal struggles in Czechoslovakia 1960-1980? | I'm working on my finals in history and chose the topic in the title.
Now I managed to find more or less reliable sources stating that there was a clear difference between the industrialisation between czech and slovak lands. But everything else I'm finding is always history of CZ & SK vs UDSSR.
Can anyone here poin... | AskHistorians | http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/25g608/internal_struggles_in_czechoslovakia_19601980/ | {
"a_id": [
"chgveg1"
],
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"text": [
"There was a marked difference between the industrial bohemia and more rural slovakia. But not many issues between Czechs and Slovaks. I'm just curious where you got that idea?\n\nSoviet issues put the rest to shame. That time period includes the ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
gjnhz | How close are we to getting rid of the aging of skin or at least the appearance of aging? | Can a laser be made to get deep enough and remove a lot of skin to reveal newer, better-looking skin? Or is that "newer skin" damaged (DNA damage I guess?) to where it will just look old also?
**The reason I ask is**, I saw a program on TV about a girl that got an infectious, flesh-eating disease of the skin (I think ... | askscience | http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/gjnhz/how_close_are_we_to_getting_rid_of_the_aging_of/ | {
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2,
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2
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"A lot of the visible signs of aging (wrinkles, sagging skin, etc) are a result of elastin and collagen slowly breaking down, and a steadily decreasing efficiency of replacing them. Elastin is what's res... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collagen#Synthetic_pathogenesis",
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cortisol#Effects"
],
[]
] | |
1pupnb | why is there always(what i think is) an unrealistic amount of downvotes on great reddit submissions? | When you look at the top posts to reddit you see a huge amount of upvotes(for example the top post today has 22841 upvotes so far) as the post is funny, interesting etc. However, it also has 19105 downvotes. This strikes me as ridiculous and I have a hard time believing that that many people felt the need to downvote. ... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1pupnb/eli5_why_is_there_alwayswhat_i_think_is_an/ | {
"a_id": [
"cd68uxr"
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"score": [
6
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"text": [
"Reddit has a vote-fuzzing algorithm that adds fake upvotes and downvotes (keeping the overall score stable), so that people who run bot networks for automatically upvoting/downvoting content can't tell if their bots are working or not."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
9ac08q | How much longer will the Hubble Space Telescope remain operational? | How much longer will the Hubble Space Telescope likely remain operational given it was launched in 1990 and was last serviced in 2009,9 years ago?
& #x200B; | askscience | https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/9ac08q/how_much_longer_will_the_hubble_space_telescope/ | {
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"text": [
"As long as NASA finds a way to use it. They are expecting that it will fall back to Earth [between 2030 and 2040](_URL_1_). It could fail due to other issues before, of course. [BFR](_URL_0_) could potentially bring it b... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BFR_(rocket\\)",
"http://www.cbsnews.com/network/news/space/home/spacenews/files/1ae7cac0d167055e41e1f0da7b0ac6a3-588.html"
],
[
"https://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/hubble-space-telescope-pointing-control-system",
"http://www.stsci.edu/hst/proposing/panel/Cycle... | |
5ng49l | Can tectonic plates "heal" or can they be broken into smaller plates, or have they always been the same? | Is there any mechanism that would allow all of the edges of a plate to reform with its neighbor plates?
Is there any mechanism that could cause one to fracture into more plates? | askscience | https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/5ng49l/can_tectonic_plates_heal_or_can_they_be_broken/ | {
"a_id": [
"dcc1ov6"
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"text": [
"The size and shape of tectonic plates change over time and yes plates can be spilt, joined, or completely consumed. My suspicion is that your question is more focused on the [continental](_URL_9_) bits of tectonic plates, which we'll get to, but ... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://csmres.jmu.edu/geollab/Fichter/Wilson/Wilson.html",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subduction",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rift",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algoman_orogeny#/media/File:North_American_provinces_and_orogens.PNG",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mid-ocean_ridge",
... | |
33ybcp | why do people with blond hair look like their hair is dark or black at the base by scalp, but the rest of it is blonde? why doesn't that dark hair grow and make their hair dark? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/33ybcp/eli5_why_do_people_with_blond_hair_look_like/ | {
"a_id": [
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"It's usually either dye or sun related. Since your hair is dead, it can't increase melanin production to absorb light better, and the sun will kill off the melanin that's there. The roots are new hair and haven't been as affected by the light, so... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
38donw | why does music conservatories/academia put so much emphasis on jazz and classical music? | Been to graduation concerts since Monday, and 19 of 20 have been either pure Jazz/Fusion or a Mix of old and new Classical music. One student did play some more rock-ish instrumental stuff, but that's about it. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/38donw/eli5_why_does_music_conservatoriesacademia_put_so/ | {
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17zdu3 | Why are we "carbon" based life, not Hydrogen? | askscience | http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/17zdu3/why_are_we_carbon_based_life_not_hydrogen/ | {
"a_id": [
"c8a75p2"
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"score": [
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"text": [
"It's all about organic chemistry. Carbon makes four bonds, which gives rise to an amazing versatility in organic chemistry. In fact, if you wanted a non-carbon based life form, you'd have a better shot at guessing something just directly below ca... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
bsw4l0 | During fission/chain reactions, how do atoms absorb neutrons?? | How do neutrons "Go past" the electron cloud and into the main nucleus itself? | askscience | https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/bsw4l0/during_fissionchain_reactions_how_do_atoms_absorb/ | {
"a_id": [
"eorb1sw",
"eou1l44"
],
"score": [
9,
2
],
"text": [
"The neutrons have no charge, so they don’t really care at all about the electrons. The primary way that neutrons interact with matter is by interacting with *nuclei*, except when they’re moving extremely slowly, and magnetic... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
2teeky | why is ocean water so hard to process to make it drinkingn water? | I've seen new inventions like Bill Gates poop water, and still wondering, why if most of our planet is non-drinkable water, hasn't there been a way to purfiy it? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2teeky/eli5_why_is_ocean_water_so_hard_to_process_to/ | {
"a_id": [
"cny8wy4"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"It's hard to get salt out of something it has dissolved into, without it costing you so much energy it becomes pointless from a cost perspective. You can do it, but only up to a point, which is why a lot of island nations don't have drinkable tap... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
vhwz9 | Is the physiological effect of an orgasm the same whether it's self induced (from masturbation) or achieved with the help of a partner? | askscience | http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/vhwz9/is_the_physiological_effect_of_an_orgasm_the_same/ | {
"a_id": [
"c54sf0a",
"c554tls"
],
"score": [
2,
2
],
"text": [
"I remember being taught a long time ago that oxytocin is released during sex. I'm curious to know if it happens during masturbation. \nFrom what I recall, oxytocin helps with emotional bonding, but in the absence of a partne... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
1hukkp | Why were the Romans unable to conquer inland Arabia? | AskHistorians | http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1hukkp/why_were_the_romans_unable_to_conquer_inland/ | {
"a_id": [
"cay2uc0"
],
"score": [
7
],
"text": [
"They could have conquered inland Arabia. They didn't want to or need to do so. \n\nThere was nothing of value in Arabia until oil. "
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
11dkj7 | If our moon had oceans, would the waves be significantly larger due to Earth's size and the lesser gravity? | Assuming said oceans weren't frozen.
Is the gravitational pull from earth the same as the the pull from the moon which effects our tides? | askscience | http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/11dkj7/if_our_moon_had_oceans_would_the_waves_be/ | {
"a_id": [
"c6ljml7",
"c6ljn07"
],
"score": [
5,
16
],
"text": [
"Not really. The tides on Earth are a result of the moon's gravitational field, the Sun's gravitational field, and the rotation of the Earth about its axis. Compared to Earth, the moon doesn't rotate. There would be some tid... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
8icfl6 | What makes AC Electricity better? | How making electricity change from positive to negative alternatively and continuously makes it a better electricity than DC?
additional:
what really happens when the electricity is negative? | askscience | https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/8icfl6/what_makes_ac_electricity_better/ | {
"a_id": [
"dyse3su",
"dyssrkp"
],
"score": [
4,
2
],
"text": [
"AC can be raised in voltage (and lowered again) via a relatively simple transformer. That is useful for long distance transmission because higher voltage needs less current for the same power. The resistance of wire means th... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
3qhc7m | How was Brandenburg under Frederick William I part of both the Holy Roman Empire and Brandenburg-Prussia? | To clarify, the territory of Bradenburg was part of the HRE, but Prussia was not. Frederick William (Grandfather of Frederick William I), the Great Elector, helped to unify these territories. How did this situation play out politically and economically?
For example, did Brandenburg have to take certain orders from the... | AskHistorians | https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3qhc7m/how_was_brandenburg_under_frederick_william_i/ | {
"a_id": [
"cwfh0q6"
],
"score": [
4
],
"text": [
"The head of the House of Hohenzollern served a dual role as the elector of Brandenburg, and duke (later king in) Prussia for several decades. Essentially, this meant that the Hohenzollern rulers enjoyed more sovereign powers in their Prussian hol... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
84y9uw | Just finished Mary Beard's SPQR. What similar book can I follow this up with to continue with Rome's history? | I thought it was a fantastic book and it seems to be held in high regard on this sub here as well. Now, if I'm interested in what happened to the Roman Empire after her book ends (with the decree that every free inhabitant of the empire would become a Roman citizen)? I know at some point it splits into East and West, b... | AskHistorians | https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/84y9uw/just_finished_mary_beards_spqr_what_similar_book/ | {
"a_id": [
"dvtcra5",
"dvtqfqk"
],
"score": [
2,
2
],
"text": [
"Others can weigh in, but do check out [our booklist!](/r/AskHistorians/wiki/books/europe#wiki_ancient_rome)",
"The *Constitutio Antoniniana* which granted Roman citizenship to all free inhabitants of the empire was issue... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://www.amazon.com/Byzantines-Averil-Cameron/dp/0631202625/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1521246647&sr=1-1&keywords=cameron+the+byzantines&dpID=51SV9VgdGPL&preST=_SY291_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_&dpSrc=srch",
"https://www.amazon.com/Byzantium-Surprising-Life-Medieval-Emp... | |
1k06ch | lavabit shutting down | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1k06ch/eli5_lavabit_shutting_down/ | {
"a_id": [
"cbk2w7e"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"Us government said either comply with our domestic spying demands or stop operating. Rather than violate the constitutional rights of Americans, they chose to suspend operations while they try to prove in court the demands are in violation of our... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
g1vlz3 | In Pre-Columbian North America, how much contact (if any) did the Mound Building cultures (like Cahokia and the Mississippians) have with Mesoamerican civilizations? | AskHistorians | https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/g1vlz3/in_precolumbian_north_america_how_much_contact_if/ | {
"a_id": [
"fnl1xjx"
],
"score": [
6
],
"text": [
"So this question is a tricky one, mainly because of a lack of a written record for Cahokia and other related cultures. We can see items being exchanged, but remember that Cahokia and Mississippian communities have prestige goods coming in from ac... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
xdt5q | If pain is a signal sent to our brain telling us that something in/on our body is broken/malfunctioning, is taking a pain-pill to rid ourselves of the discomfort in reality only allowing the injury to worsen and be ignored? | By taking pain pills are we allowing more damage to be done to our bodies?
For example, taking pain pills for a sore back and continuing on with work?
This is excluding the pain in such cases of healing and whatnot.
| askscience | http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/xdt5q/if_pain_is_a_signal_sent_to_our_brain_telling_us/ | {
"a_id": [
"c5lhpcb",
"c5lhs3p",
"c5lnhlr"
],
"score": [
3,
13,
2
],
"text": [
"No, because we have other senses and our own intelligence to verify and acknowledge the injury. We don't just forget it's there when the pill goes down.",
"Well, given that people with congenital ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
d6in0j | Do the different types of genetic mutation occur at equal rates? | Specifically talking about transition, transversion, addition, and deletion (or more, if there are other types I haven't read about yet). | askscience | https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/d6in0j/do_the_different_types_of_genetic_mutation_occur/ | {
"a_id": [
"f0vcx7f"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"I imagine substitution is more common than indel, because the latter produces much worse effects (frameshift mutation). So there should be a strong selection pressure against indels. Transition (A-G or C-T) is much more common than transversion (... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
45n8wc | How can you measure something at 1 billion light years away, if it would take at least 2 billion years to measure that distance? | askscience | https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/45n8wc/how_can_you_measure_something_at_1_billion_light/ | {
"a_id": [
"czyy4fk"
],
"score": [
11
],
"text": [
"You don't measure the distance by sending something back and forth.\n\nThe easiest way is as follows. If you know how big a signal is when it is created and you know how big it is when it arrives, then by how much the signal has decreased you ca... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
3ub4hr | why does my cat want to cuddle then suddenly attack me viciously? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ub4hr/eli5_why_does_my_cat_want_to_cuddle_then_suddenly/ | {
"a_id": [
"cxdi7fl"
],
"score": [
20
],
"text": [
"He doesn't want to cuddle, he wants warmth, just let him do his thing, then, pat his head, don't over stimulate him. \n\nYou'll want to know your cat well, after the Facebook thing... "
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
2cccy5 | How does the Roman legions (let's say, 80-180 AD) military training compare to our modern day "boot camp"? | How would a man become the "drill sergeant"? What things would they learn and how was life like in it? | AskHistorians | http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2cccy5/how_does_the_roman_legions_lets_say_80180_ad/ | {
"a_id": [
"cje5gc1",
"cje8hcf",
"cjel82n"
],
"score": [
189,
22,
45
],
"text": [
"I think [this thread](_URL_0_) can answer some of your questions.\n\nEDIT: I'm including a small excerpt from the thread, all credit goes to /u/Celebreth\n\n > Let's go into a bit more detail on the... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://np.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1d3kk0/what_were_roman_legion_training_camps_like_did/"
],
[
"http://www.amazon.com/The-Grand-Strategy-Roman-Empire/dp/0801821584"
],
[]
] | |
b429e4 | what weapons were used in ww1? | AskHistorians | https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/b429e4/what_weapons_were_used_in_ww1/ | {
"a_id": [
"ej3qtg9"
],
"score": [
4
],
"text": [
"What types of weapons are you referring to? Do you want small arms? Artillery? Ships? Aircraft?\n\n & #x200B;\n\nFor a question like this, you'd probably get more of the replies you're looking for over at r/history"
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
13urdn | Were WWI generals incredibly incompetent, or just a product of their environment? | It seems that WWI generals were content to waste tremendous of amounts of resources and human lives for negligible gains. At the same time, I understand that WWI had a huge increase in firepower over previous wars without a corresponding increase in mobility. To what extent are the generals who fought the war responsib... | AskHistorians | http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/13urdn/were_wwi_generals_incredibly_incompetent_or_just/ | {
"a_id": [
"c77dpyt"
],
"score": [
6
],
"text": [
"The generals in WWI may not have been incompetent, but their tactics lagged far behind their technology. The stereotype of bayonet charges against machine guns and barbed wire definitely happened in the early days of the war, and that trend of ta... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
3irphz | Why has the Japanese government tolerated the existence of the Yakuza? | [Inspired by this article](_URL_0_).
It appears that they have significant power and act out in the open. I would have thought that a rich, Western country wouldn't tolerate such visible and powerful criminal organizations.
Has there never been a push in Japan to crack down on the Yakuza the same way that the U.S. d... | AskHistorians | https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3irphz/why_has_the_japanese_government_tolerated_the/ | {
"a_id": [
"cuj206r",
"cuj97d6"
],
"score": [
5,
29
],
"text": [
" & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp;Here are past answers & discussions on this and similar topics:\n\n* [The Yakuza's history & role] *[Why did the Yakuza flourish in Japan?](_URL_2_)* \n^({19 Jun 2012 | 2 comments}) \n\... | [] | [
"http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/08/28/the-coming-yakuza-war.html"
] | [
[
"https://redd.it/2ynku9",
"https://redd.it/23rdo1",
"https://redd.it/vahki"
],
[]
] | |
9j1ys1 | How did Fascist Italy go from 1933 when they saw Zionism and Jews as potential partners in the middle east to undermine British influence to 1938 when they introduced racial laws against the Jews ? Where those anti-semitic laws popular among the population or they were considered too extreme ? | In the specific, Fascists were sympathetic to revisionist Zionism, they were against Social Zionism (AKA the kind of Zionism supported by David Ben-Gurion, the founding father of modern Israel) | AskHistorians | https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/9j1ys1/how_did_fascist_italy_go_from_1933_when_they_saw/ | {
"a_id": [
"e6pfve3"
],
"score": [
12
],
"text": [
"The largely unpopular Revisionist Zionist movement and the Fascists in Italy had a very short, ill-fated tryst of sorts. It's an interesting and understudied (in my view) connection, as is the effect of the Holocaust on Italian Jews, but that's ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
42hgcy | why is "if man evolved from monkeys, why are there still monkeys?" not a good argument against evolution? | I was raised in a religious cult that has and still does preach against evolution, and while I have woken up from the mind control and now realize that evolution is fact, I still do not fully understand it. I would love some help in this area! | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/42hgcy/eli5_why_is_if_man_evolved_from_monkeys_why_are/ | {
"a_id": [
"czabd58",
"czabdhz",
"czabfa8",
"czabxum"
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"score": [
3,
13,
4,
3
],
"text": [
"Say you want to do a little selective breeding. You take 2 golden retrievers that each have a specific trait you want to breed into a new animal, like unusually coloured fur or wh... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
r3x2f | how trees know when to start blooming. what does the temperature to do initiate budding? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/r3x2f/eli5_how_trees_know_when_to_start_blooming_what/ | {
"a_id": [
"c42r800"
],
"score": [
11
],
"text": [
"OK, it has nothing to do with the temperature. Plants use light, as it is far more consistent than the temperature, to gauge when they begin blossoming. Basically, plants need an uninterrupted period of darkness of a certain length. You can do a... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photoperiodism"
]
] | ||
2mldo0 | What is the current view of the Mongol death tolls in light of the latest archaeological findings? | And other sources for data.
I remember reading that Persian archeology for the Mongol Invasions supports lower death tolls than the higher, long believed death tolls. | AskHistorians | http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2mldo0/what_is_the_current_view_of_the_mongol_death/ | {
"a_id": [
"cm5w8la"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"I'm not familiar with recent Persian archeological findings, but some of the quoted death tolls for Mongol invasions would have required a) that the city had an unrealistically high population for the time period and b) would have deserted the ci... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
1zsys5 | how do rockets combustion stay lit in space? | Even in an environment with no oxygen? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1zsys5/eli5_how_do_rockets_combustion_stay_lit_in_space/ | {
"a_id": [
"cfwnj3t"
],
"score": [
6
],
"text": [
"Rockets carry both the fuel and the oxygen for combustion. "
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
5ar7aw | How popular was the nazi movement in the United States? | I feel like this question has probably been asked before, but I cannot find it and perhaps my googling skills need work. Anyway, my question is in the title.
What was their party membership and essentially how prominent was this movement? Was their a notable amount of people sympathetic to the nazis in the years lea... | AskHistorians | https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/5ar7aw/how_popular_was_the_nazi_movement_in_the_united/ | {
"a_id": [
"d9jh0vi"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"[To borrow from an earlier post I wrote on this subject](_URL_0_):\n\nhe main support in the US for the Nazi party came from the German-American Bund, led by its own little wannabe Furher, Fritz Kuhn, a German born, naturalized citizen, but with ... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/57g329/which_political_party_supported_hitler_and_his/"
]
] | |
yrx9p | how does the nsa 'intercept' domestic communications? | Following the [amazing Wired article this past spring](_URL_1_), and [yesterday's NYTimes op-ed](_URL_0_), I've become interested in the NSA supposed domestic spying program. In both pieces, a whistle-blower, William Binney, claims that the NSA is quickly building a database which contains the electronic communications... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/yrx9p/eli5_how_does_the_nsa_intercept_domestic/ | {
"a_id": [
"c5yax5t"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"Internet and telephone communications travel from your house (or from your telephone provider) broken up into small packets of digital data. Each little packet contains a header that says where it is from and where it is going. Those packets are ... | [] | [
"http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/23/opinion/the-national-security-agencys-domestic-spying-program.html",
"http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2012/03/ff_nsadatacenter/all/1"
] | [
[]
] | |
2hqyq9 | Why do so many people need vision correction nowadays? From an evolutionary standpoint it makes very little sense to me. | askscience | http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2hqyq9/why_do_so_many_people_need_vision_correction/ | {
"a_id": [
"ckv7p2w",
"ckv8nfe",
"ckv9wna",
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"ckvjvvp",
"ckvm46f",
"ckvnfjc",
"ckvvzsf"
],
"score": [
43,
497,
12,
4,
2,
3,
10,
2
],
"text": [
"To simplify things a lil, I'm gonna tackle this from a genetics point of view, even tho... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://journals.lww.com/optvissci/Abstract/2010/04000/Hereditary_and_Environmental_Contributions_to.6.aspx"
],
[
"http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1w9u2c/before_glasses_were_invented_how_did_people_cope/cf01xck"
],
[],
[],
[],
[
"http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_scien... | ||
7c5jp4 | why do different engines require different viscosity lubricating oils? | Why do some engines use 5w-20 as opposed to 10w-20 or 20w-50? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7c5jp4/eli5why_do_different_engines_require_different/ | {
"a_id": [
"dpnleye",
"dpnlk1o",
"dpnrkbh",
"dpnxs13"
],
"score": [
2,
2,
7,
2
],
"text": [
"Engines are configured in different ways. Old flathead engines had all their moving parts near the oil pan. Oil didn't need to be pumped too far to get it where it needed to be. Al... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
1yde3n | how these wristbands keep you from getting car sick. | When I was little I would get car sick all the time on long trips. Then my dad found [these](_URL_0_) wrist bands and ever since i've never got car sick again.
I know they press down on a certain vein on each wrist, but how would that keep me from getting car sick exactly? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1yde3n/eli5_how_these_wristbands_keep_you_from_getting/ | {
"a_id": [
"cfjhhrw",
"cfjhwd4"
],
"score": [
2,
2
],
"text": [
"This could very well just be a placebo effect. Basically, mind over matter. The wristband, almost like a safety blanket (a blanket or other generally soft object someone grabs and holds to feel safer) is simply a distraction... | [] | [
"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PNX_OD7na6Q/Td1a8mfcENI/AAAAAAAACYU/5kv4E_klTLc/s1600/motion%2Bsickness.jpg"
] | [
[],
[]
] | |
caodt2 | why some wild animals need to dance in order to mate? | I'm just curious. I never really understood why some wild animals do that. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/caodt2/eli5_why_some_wild_animals_need_to_dance_in_order/ | {
"a_id": [
"et9zs5f",
"eta0yle"
],
"score": [
7,
9
],
"text": [
"Its just like with people, we need to impress the other gender, as they want the coolest, illest, most chill and dope person to get a child with.",
"Many mating displays are a way of showing off how much extra energy you... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
174ot9 | screen resolutions and aspect ratios | Especially when it comes to PC Gaming | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/174ot9/eli5_screen_resolutions_and_aspect_ratios/ | {
"a_id": [
"c826ca9",
"c826pzl"
],
"score": [
2,
2
],
"text": [
"Resolution is the number of pixels the display is, high and wide. Pixels are the individual colored dots that make up the image: more pixels generally allows for a sharper image.\n\nWithin that context, aspect ratio is the r... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
2ev3w8 | Can any animal see in infrared? | I just was told that no known animal can see in infrared. I didn't think it was possible, so I've googled and couldn't find anything reliable as a source.
Snakes can 'see' in infrared, but he doesn't accept that as infrared vision as they are not viewing through their eyes, but through a pit gland. Other animals, suc... | askscience | http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2ev3w8/can_any_animal_see_in_infrared/ | {
"a_id": [
"ck3biiv",
"ck3fi90"
],
"score": [
4,
4
],
"text": [
"To \"see\" in infrared would require photoreceptors that can absorb IR radiation. Since electron orbitals will never have such low energy as is used by infrared, it is impossible to use canonical eyesight to see infrared wav... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://www.breakingbio.org/science-brief-optics-and-waves/"
],
[]
] | |
25h3xb | what exactly would classifying internet service providers as title 2 common carriers do? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/25h3xb/eli5_what_exactly_would_classifying_internet/ | {
"a_id": [
"chh3rl4"
],
"score": [
10
],
"text": [
"They would then have to allow competing companies the opportunity to make use of their infrastructure. You could purchase cable TV or internet from any entity that chose to lease the lines from the common carrier.\n\nThe common carrier (the curr... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
709mdy | Was there an ideological "Communist Physics" advanced in countries like the USSR or China? | I know that Nazi Germany had a 'German Physics', which rejected certain advances, especially those considered "Jewish Physics", which of course meant a number of fairly important advances such as Einstein and relativity, but was there a similar movement in any Communist countries during the 20th century to reject "Capi... | AskHistorians | https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/709mdy/was_there_an_ideological_communist_physics/ | {
"a_id": [
"dn1gva9",
"dn1gva9"
],
"score": [
6,
6
],
"text": [
"First, it is worth noting that the \"Deutsche Physik\" movement was actually mostly a failure. Their major success was briefly harassing Heisenberg and getting one of their people appointed to a professor position as opposed... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
16u7ev | why mineral water which has travelled through mountains for thousands of years has a use by date? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/16u7ev/eli5_why_mineral_water_which_has_travelled/ | {
"a_id": [
"c7zen2h",
"c7zeriz"
],
"score": [
3,
3
],
"text": [
"\"You can thank the great state of New Jersey. A 1987 NJ state law required all food products sold there to display an expiration date of two years or less from the date of manufacture. Labeling, separating and shipping batc... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
1kjzvw | why can't we just use a machine to take large amounts of c02 out of the atmosphere to slow global warming? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1kjzvw/eli5_why_cant_we_just_use_a_machine_to_take_large/ | {
"a_id": [
"cbpplgd",
"cbppmpe",
"cbppmwv",
"cbpq92q"
],
"score": [
3,
17,
6,
5
],
"text": [
"This is actually a proposed solution to the problem--it's called \"carbon sequestration.\" Here's the tricky part: *where do you put it?*\n\nSuggestions include pumping it into u... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
1uy6kl | What is the difference between the observable universe and the universe. | I have also heard that we can't see past the Cosmic Background Radiation does that have something to do with my question | askscience | http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1uy6kl/what_is_the_difference_between_the_observable/ | {
"a_id": [
"cemuans",
"cemuphb",
"cemv55r"
],
"score": [
7,
3,
6
],
"text": [
"The observable universe is, as the name suggests, the part of the universe that we can actually see. The universe itself may be infinite, but we can onlysee a finite part of it. The CMBR is the oldest... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
cg9gaq | why does the tongue on a can of soda always open from the right side? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cg9gaq/eli5_why_does_the_tongue_on_a_can_of_soda_always/ | {
"a_id": [
"eufipdu",
"eufixdq",
"eufjw4l"
],
"score": [
4,
6,
4
],
"text": [
"If you turn it to the left it opens to the left...maybe cuz most people are right handed it seems as though we always open from the right? i’m not sure I quite understand what you’re asking",
"When ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
3lzinf | why particles have properties. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3lzinf/eli5_why_particles_have_properties/ | {
"a_id": [
"cvangjd"
],
"score": [
5
],
"text": [
"If you refer to fundamental properties, well, just because they have. There's really not any other answer. We don't have any other meaningful answer other than *that's just how nature is*."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
1lsh5n | If beams of light from the sun are virtually parallel, why aren't sun rays in the sky? | For example
_URL_0_
In this image it almost looks as if the sun is suspended directly above the clouds the way the beams of light are projecting in each direction like that. | askscience | http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1lsh5n/if_beams_of_light_from_the_sun_are_virtually/ | {
"a_id": [
"cc2amet"
],
"score": [
55
],
"text": [
"The rays (called [crepuscular rays](_URL_0_)) **are** parallel. Their appearance of not being parallel is simply a trick of perspective. It's the same concept as how parallel train tracks will look like they converge in the distance if you're ... | [] | [
"http://imgur.com/plReS4H"
] | [
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crepuscular_rays",
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Crepuscular_Rays,_India.JPG"
]
] |
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