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1zuq53
How fast are molecules actually moving?
Assuming you could get all the air molecules in an area to simultaneously go the same direction, would I feel a gust? How many m/s is an oxygen molecule at 20 degrees Celsius actually moving?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1zuq53/how_fast_are_molecules_actually_moving/
{ "a_id": [ "cfx7ahy" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Gas molecules at a given temperature move at a certain distribution of speeds: the so-called [Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution](_URL_1_). It depends on the temperature of the gas and the molecular mass, so the molecules lighter gasses like Helium w...
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[]
[ [ "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/36/Maxwell-Boltzmann_distribution_1.png", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maxwell%E2%80%93Boltzmann_distribution" ] ]
6gsgzp
can us states enter into agreements without the federal government being involved?
I saw a Reddit post by someone who moved to California and said he didn't care about people in Red States anymore. He said they can keep their 'terrible policies' and that he thinks states should focus on themselves instead of trying to 'force' policies on states that don't want them. I know it may be hard to fund man...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6gsgzp/eli5_can_us_states_enter_into_agreements_without/
{ "a_id": [ "disoc91" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "States can make agreements with each other, and they do it all the time. They are usually called \"compacts\" and deal with many different topics, like sharing of law enforcement information, water rights, lotteries, and other things.\n\nTwo or m...
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[ [] ]
1mklxr
Why were the Romans so fearful of forests?
While on a Wikipedia foray I came across articles about the [Hercynian Silva] (_URL_0_) and the [Silva Ciminia](_URL_1_). It seems the early Romans had a particularly strong set of superstitions about these dense, trackless forests. Could someone please expand on this topic? Are we talking the typical human fear of the...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1mklxr/why_were_the_romans_so_fearful_of_forests/
{ "a_id": [ "cca3nxj", "cca4et5", "ccadhyh", "ccafu28" ], "score": [ 215, 10, 30, 6 ], "text": [ "Forests and such were really 'no man's land' areas for Romans. Brigands and bandits could shelter themselves in relative impunity - where the forest began \"demarcated the limi...
[]
[ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hercynian_Forest", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ciminian_Forest" ]
[ [ "http://repository.upenn.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1045&context=phr" ], [], [ "http://archive.org/stream/plinysnaturalhis00plinrich#page/n37/mode/2up" ], [] ]
5f2z5c
how do tails on animals help their balance?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5f2z5c/eli5_how_do_tails_on_animals_help_their_balance/
{ "a_id": [ "dah23y4", "dah24bc", "dah24qp" ], "score": [ 3, 23, 2 ], "text": [ "You know how sometimes when you're trying to maintain balance you put your arms out, maybe try to put one arm farther to balance in that direction? \n\nSame deal. It's just an extra limb that helps cou...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
b6w1ze
Is it ammonium or ammonia that's part of the nitrogen cycle? Or both?
I'm trying to understand the nitrogen cycle and there is one thing that keeps confusing me about biological nitrogen fixation, nitrification and ammonification. Some sources talk about ammonium (NH4) and some about ammonia (NH3) when referring to the same thing, and I don't know which to believe, since even the trustwo...
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/b6w1ze/is_it_ammonium_or_ammonia_thats_part_of_the/
{ "a_id": [ "ejniwqp", "ejnj99t" ], "score": [ 16, 9 ], "text": [ "Ammonia becomes ammonium as soon as it is dissolved in water--it steals a hydrogen from the water molecules since it's a weak base.\n\nSince almost all life takes place in an aqueous solution, the bacteria might produce NH3...
[]
[ "http://www.rsc.org/learn-chemistry/resource/download/res00000880/cmp00001056/pdf" ]
[ [], [] ]
2039aj
Why does evolution take so long?
What is it that stops species from evolving within a few generations as opposed to the time it usually takes which is millions of years?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2039aj/why_does_evolution_take_so_long/
{ "a_id": [ "cfzuark" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "It can take a long time because:\n\n* it takes a generation for changes to happen, and often many generations for a trait to become prevalent in the population\n* the changes are tiny and you need a large number of them to accumulate before we th...
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[ [] ]
1wirkx
justin trudeau's expelling of all 32 liberal senators today
I don't follow politics really, but as a Canadian I am curious as to the significance behind this move.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1wirkx/eli5_justin_trudeaus_expelling_of_all_32_liberal/
{ "a_id": [ "cf2izwg" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "In Canadian politics, the parliament is composed of two groups, the House of Commons and the Senate, both of which must agree before a new law can be passed.\n\nMembers of the house are the people we elected to represent us, but the members of th...
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[]
[ [] ]
2r3avk
Were Conquistadores really mitaken for Gods?
If so, are there other examples of the same kind of thing happening in other continents (North America, Oceania)? If it was the only time such thing happened, what were the key factors that made it possible? Thanks!
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2r3avk/were_conquistadores_really_mitaken_for_gods/
{ "a_id": [ "cnc5ojh" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "These two previous posts cover your question\n\n_URL_0_\n\n_URL_1_" ] }
[]
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[ [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2p78a3/ive_heard_that_cort%C3%A9s_arrived_in_america_on_the/", "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1rgsfl/is_there_any_truth_to_the_commonly_cited_fact/" ] ]
iziai
Why can't we determine protein conformation from its amino acid sequence?
I know that a protein's amino acid sequence determines its general shape (barring things such as ligand-binding, phosphorylation, etc). Knowing which areas are positive, negative, hydrophobic/philic, should (theoretically) allow one to figure out its general shape. I know this is something of a holy grail, as it would...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/iziai/why_cant_we_determine_protein_conformation_from/
{ "a_id": [ "c27zfxq" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "1) Computational complexity. Solving structures de novo requires tabulating a huge number of interactions and their net energies.\n\n2) It's not like there have not been huge strides. Take for example, this competition called CASP. _URL_1_\n\n3) ...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzATbET3g54", "http://predictioncenter.org/" ] ]
2cx46z
What were the tactics and success rates for boarding actions in the Age of Sail?
Was it rare for defenders to repel boarders effectively? Did tactics exist other than a melee for attack/defence during boarding? Is there any evidence of a ship on the losing side of a gunnery battle managing to achieve victory through boarding?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2cx46z/what_were_the_tactics_and_success_rates_for/
{ "a_id": [ "cjk71ll" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Boarding was very common partially because the crew of the victorious ship would be allowed to keep profits gained from taking an enemy ship. So there was an obvious advantage to not battering an enemy merchantman more than you had to. Boarding c...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Action_of_6_May_1801", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Cape_St_Vincent_%281797%29#3:00_p.m" ] ]
acb64w
does saving a digital file (like a pdf) to an object (like a hard drive) change the mass of the object it’s saved to?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/acb64w/eli5_does_saving_a_digital_file_like_a_pdf_to_an/
{ "a_id": [ "ed6l3sh", "ed6s6ba" ], "score": [ 6, 3 ], "text": [ "No.\n\nIt is simply the moving of magnetic switches from the \"Off\" position to the \"on\" position, and vice versa. There is no mass change. ", "Yes, but it a very, very, very small amount. Energy is needed to create t...
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[ [], [ "http://scottkurowski.com/massbit/index.htm" ] ]
1j6ss1
why are people boycotting florida for the "stand your ground" law when it wasn't even used in the trayvon martin case?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1j6ss1/eli5_why_are_people_boycotting_florida_for_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cbbnvdw", "cbbnxfb" ], "score": [ 4, 3 ], "text": [ "There's this notion that, by eliminating a person's duty to retreat from a life-threatening situation (effectively what the law does), the law encourages violent confrontation.", "I did not know there was a boycott until...
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[ [], [] ]
1e4i0x
How does one particle "know" the charge of another through photon exchange?
Particle A exchanges a photon with particle B. Maybe if they are oppositely charged, the exchange causes them to move a little closer together. What is it about the photon itself that "tells" one particle to move either toward or away from the other?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1e4i0x/how_does_one_particle_know_the_charge_of_another/
{ "a_id": [ "c9wqp35", "c9wro87" ], "score": [ 13, 2 ], "text": [ "Forces don't really work by particles shooting force carriers at each other. So it's definitely not as if two charged particles interact because they're shooting lasers at each other! Virtual particles that we say mediate f...
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[ [ "http://profmattstrassler.com/articles-and-posts/particle-physics-basics/virtual-particles-what-are-they/" ], [] ]
3r266p
Why were there so many Germanic peoples in Europe (Classical Antiquity)
The Germanic peoples were originally from Scandinavia, and during the Classical Antiquity period - although not quite the Roman empire - their tribes were numerous and formidable all across Europe. You have the Goths who went as far as Anatolia (and then I believe they went even further - conquering Rome and Iberia, bu...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3r266p/why_were_there_so_many_germanic_peoples_in_europe/
{ "a_id": [ "d0f0cwb", "cwkbd10" ], "score": [ 2, 4 ], "text": [ "Hello friend. \n\nI see this an old thread, but what the heck. \n\nA thing to note is that a lot of tribes claiming to originate from Scandinavia probably had little idea. Their history was written down when they did not liv...
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[ [], [] ]
7wfpvh
how does skill-based matchmaking work in multiplayer video games?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7wfpvh/eli5_how_does_skillbased_matchmaking_work_in/
{ "a_id": [ "dtzz4z8" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "The algorithm can vary from game to game. One that I'm familiar with is he [Glicko](_URL_0_) system which assigns players values which go up or down depending on the rating of the other players and the outcome of the game. If you are the underdog...
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[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glicko_rating_system" ] ]
1dkgg9
How did people get vitamins 5000 years ago?
As it is recommended to eat fruit and such every day. What were the hunters doing in countries very much north in the winter when fruit was not available. Did they all get scurvy? Just used C vitamin as an example there are probably more vitamins and nutrients and such.
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1dkgg9/how_did_people_get_vitamins_5000_years_ago/
{ "a_id": [ "c9r60u2" ], "score": [ 9 ], "text": [ "First, let's be sure we all know what vitamins are. They are just molecules your body needs but cannot produce, and thus need to be consumed from the world around you. They aren't medicine or anything complicated that like. \n\nAscorbic acid, aka...
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1vutqs
Could someone explain to me the argument that World War II started earlier than 1939?
Do people who believe it started earlier than 1939 believe it had begun with early conflicts in Asia? Or that it began with pre-ww2 german expansion? Or even earlier?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1vutqs/could_someone_explain_to_me_the_argument_that/
{ "a_id": [ "cew0c2n" ], "score": [ 16 ], "text": [ "You reference 1939, I am assuming, because that is when Germany invaded Poland (September 1st) and subsequently France and the Britain declared war on Germany (September 3rd). Why are these four countries, in Europe, the start of the world war? ...
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[ [] ]
45ay01
are programming languages all in english?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/45ay01/eli5_are_programming_languages_all_in_english/
{ "a_id": [ "czwg8d3", "czwg9em", "czwgcrp" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Well, there's a language called [Brainfuck] (_URL_0_), which bears no relation to any human or animal language ... and a variation of that called Ook! in which all commands are Ook! and variations there...
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[]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brainfuck" ], [], [ "https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-English-based_programming_languages" ] ]
8373wv
How fierce was the fight over water and electricity becoming utilities
Considering how the current even with the internet is playing out I am wondering how the market for other things we now consider utilities went.
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/8373wv/how_fierce_was_the_fight_over_water_and/
{ "a_id": [ "dvgu9zb", "dvjfnqm" ], "score": [ 453, 3 ], "text": [ "Whoa, something I can actually comment on. My knowledge here is limited to Washington State where I researched it heavily, specifically with public utilities. I've also seen how some of the legal battles over *how* utili...
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[]
[ [ "http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv80343", "https://law.justia.com/cases/north-carolina/supreme-court/1985/227a83-0.html", "https://www.wcu.edu/mhc/exhibits/NPL/CompanyTimeline.htm", "https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/2016/01/10/visiting-our-past-earliest-wnc-dams-built-alco...
1rdmxg
why so many characters in children's films have dead parents.
Particularly in Disney Channel movies. I have seen a lot of these since my daughter came along and when we watch a new one we seem to always have the 'I'm sensing a dead parent' moment. It's the mom in the majority of films but dead dads do happen to. Why is this employed so often?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1rdmxg/eli5_why_so_many_characters_in_childrens_films/
{ "a_id": [ "cdm663l" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Simplifies the family dynamic. One parent, one relationship to address in the film.\n\nOr it's used as a defining moment in the character's life: lion King, Bambi, Snow White. " ] }
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[ [] ]
2vo3vw
why isn't every moisturizer/lotion "for sensitive skin"?
It seems to me that it would be beneficial for both consumer and company if peoples faces didn't explode upon application of the "regular" kind. Is the sensitive lotion less effective? Is the regular lotion otherwise superior in any way?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2vo3vw/eli5_why_isnt_every_moisturizerlotion_for/
{ "a_id": [ "cojdzsx" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Sensitive skin moisturise tends to be made with different ingredients, some of which can be more expensive than those used in regular moisturisers. \n\nAdditionally, one many products sensitive skin is code word for dry skin. Something that can w...
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[ [] ]
kf0be
If we colonized a new planet, what is the minimum number of men and women we'd need to avoid eventual problems with inbreeding?
I was reading that article recently about the sperm donor who actually father over hundreds of children, and the potential impact that may have on inadvertent inbreeding. That got me wondering the question in the title. I realize there's room for error here, but what is the absolute minimum that would be workable?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/kf0be/if_we_colonized_a_new_planet_what_is_the_minimum/
{ "a_id": [ "c2jrthg", "c2jrthg" ], "score": [ 5, 5 ], "text": [ "Asked recently on /r/askscience here: \n\n[How many people would you need to self-sufficiently populate a planet without inbreeding being a problem?](_URL_2_)\n\nPitciarn islands makes a nice case study in humans. Pitcairn ...
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[]
[ [ "http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,883297,00.html", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitcairn_Islands", "http://vi.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/ieva9/how_many_people_would_you_need_to/" ], [ "http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,883297,00.html", "http://en.wikip...
f06htg
What percentage of the Red Army during WW2 were Russian? What ethnic groups or nationalities served in the Red Army at that time?
[deleted]
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/f06htg/what_percentage_of_the_red_army_during_ww2_were/
{ "a_id": [ "fgrvs6e" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "I was able to track down a very interesting report written by the RAND corporation called \"Managing the Ethnic Factor in the Russian and Soviet Armed Forces: An Historical Overview\" by Susan L. Curran and Dmitry Ponomareff (July, 1982). \n\nAcc...
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[]
[ [ "https://imgur.com/z9Byly3" ] ]
6bmz00
how can two games look so different on the same console?
I played Dark Souls I and II, and I couldn't help but notice how much more beautiful II looked on the exact same Xbox that I played the first one on. How does this kind of change happen despite me never upgrading my hardware?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6bmz00/eli5_how_can_two_games_look_so_different_on_the/
{ "a_id": [ "dhny9dp", "dhnz574", "dhnzsrk" ], "score": [ 8, 6, 9 ], "text": [ "Because your console isn't the only thing that can be improved upon. \n\nThe development team itself, over the years, gains experience, gets better at creating more complex art, they learn how to better...
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[ [], [], [] ]
2j77dv
Determination of Plank's constant?
How was the value of planks constant originally determined?? I've read that Milikan got the value using the slope of stopping potential versus incident frequency for photoelectric current, and got the same value that was determined by Plank in a different context. How did Plank determined it?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2j77dv/determination_of_planks_constant/
{ "a_id": [ "cl920xk", "cl94cvb" ], "score": [ 3, 7 ], "text": [ "Planck originally determined the numerical value of the constant by applying his recently discovered radiation law which correctly predicted the emission from a black-body object—in it, the radiation law presumes that a \"qu...
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[ [ "http://www.physik.uni-augsburg.de/annalen/history/historic-papers/1901_309_553-563.pdf" ], [] ]
5upa9s
why, in the uk, student loans are seen as a bad thing?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5upa9s/eli5_why_in_the_uk_student_loans_are_seen_as_a/
{ "a_id": [ "ddvt3uw", "ddvtju9" ], "score": [ 5, 2 ], "text": [ "I think the reason is that we seem to have regressed. In other words we've gone from free tuition 20 or so years ago to £9000 a year. \n\nCouple this with the possibility that more than 50% of students may never pay back t...
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[ [], [] ]
2mupee
If E=MC^2, does heating an object increase its mass? What about combining two magnets?
Two new subatomic particles were found that have the same composition but different masses because one has an up spin instead of a down spin. How can the particles state affect it's mass? This got me thinking about E=MC^2. Would fastening two magnets together increase the weight of the combined object beyond its indiv...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2mupee/if_emc2_does_heating_an_object_increase_its_mass/
{ "a_id": [ "cm7vi8c", "cm7xrgx", "cm819ue" ], "score": [ 3, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "Heat an object does increase it's mass, but you need more than E=mc^2 to explain that, you need the full energy equation: \n\nE^2 = (pc)^2 + (mc^(2))^2\n\nEssentially, the kinetic energy of the atoms g...
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[ [], [], [] ]
chhoys
what is the difference between capital gains and dividends?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/chhoys/eli5_what_is_the_difference_between_capital_gains/
{ "a_id": [ "eut7zq3" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "Capital gains are when an investor sells a stock for a profit. \n\nDividends are typically when the corporation has made so much money that they would like to reward the investors. So the company gives them cash every three months or so." ] }
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x62tu
in honor of the olympics, how do you judge gymnastics?
I swear, when I watch the Olympics, I dont understand what the judges are looking for. Looks like some gymnasts land with a post-bounce and you hear the announcers say, "Oh, she'll be deducted for that." And then other times if they land with a quick, perky bounce the announcers flip out because it was an amazing landi...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/x62tu/eli5_in_honor_of_the_olympics_how_do_you_judge/
{ "a_id": [ "c5mgcqk", "c5jhvp4", "c5jzags" ], "score": [ 3, 6, 3 ], "text": [ "Former gymnast here:\n\n* Form: Strait legs(unless the skill is a bent legged skill), pointed toes, legs together.\n* Control: Pauses, stops between skills, loss of balance, falling.\n* Sticking landing...
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[ [], [], [] ]
1f9plb
roth ira accounts
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1f9plb/eli5_roth_ira_accounts/
{ "a_id": [ "ca85krj", "ca85z4a" ], "score": [ 5, 2 ], "text": [ "Is this a question, or a rant? Roth IRAs don't pay 0-1%, they are invested in mutual funds and indexes just like a 401k / traditional IRA and typically have a modest return - higher than interest rates for a typical savings...
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[ [], [] ]
axm11r
- salt is supposed to be dehydrating, but electrolytes are salt too, and good for hydration? how does this work?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/axm11r/eli5_salt_is_supposed_to_be_dehydrating_but/
{ "a_id": [ "ehudflh", "ehudv3x", "ehuh00a", "ehuhlxe" ], "score": [ 2, 11, 2, 5 ], "text": [ "Salt is an essential electrolyte, but if you overdo it, your body needs to flush it out, leaving you dehydrated. ", "The salt in your body needs to be at a certain concentrat...
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[ [], [], [], [] ]
1j9n4q
While on a march, how many hours of sleep did soldiers get per day? How many hours were they marching per day?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1j9n4q/while_on_a_march_how_many_hours_of_sleep_did/
{ "a_id": [ "cbchos2" ], "score": [ 12 ], "text": [ "Which soldiers? When? In Desert Storm or Waterloo?" ] }
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4cakvc
How can water be heavier than the respective elements that make it up?
So I understand basically that electrolysis of water splits water into its base elements of Hydrogen and Oxygen, but how can combining them create something that is heavier than the sum of it's parts? How can both Hydrogen and Oxygen be lighter than water if they make up water? Edit; Wow, this has been really eye open...
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/4cakvc/how_can_water_be_heavier_than_the_respective/
{ "a_id": [ "d1gg24u", "d1ggtqh", "d1gii59", "d1gkul2", "d1ha2wh" ], "score": [ 15, 30, 2, 3, 3 ], "text": [ "Oxygen has a molecular weight of 16. Hydrogen has a molecular weight of 1. Water is H2O, so 2 H, and 1 O. 16 + 2x1 = 18. The molecular weight of water i...
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[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
2odzyx
why do metals used for medical purposes ( like screws or plates used to hold bones together) not set off metal detectors? what's stopping a terrorist from making a gun out of that metal and bringing it on a plane?
Title
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2odzyx/eli5_why_do_metals_used_for_medical_purposes_like/
{ "a_id": [ "cmm8gle" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Sometimes it does. People with metal implants sometimes carry documentation of same to show to the security people, and they may be subject to additional screening as well." ] }
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uw45c
When swinging a baseball bat, tennis racquet, golf club, etc. why is "follow through" so crucial?
Once that spit-second of contact has been made with the ball, why should any further motion (or lack thereof) make any difference at all?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/uw45c/when_swinging_a_baseball_bat_tennis_racquet_golf/
{ "a_id": [ "c4z2ukz", "c4z2y9m", "c4z3bin", "c4z4dz0", "c4z4oac", "c4z4ute", "c4z6neu" ], "score": [ 13, 18, 11, 2, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Nothing you do after contact can affect the ball, but it's an easy way for people to modify the motions _prior_...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
1tu4f3
Why did cricket become popular in some former British colonies (India, Pakistan, West Indies, Australia etc) but not others (Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt, USA, etc)?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1tu4f3/why_did_cricket_become_popular_in_some_former/
{ "a_id": [ "cebk4y0", "cebl9kp" ], "score": [ 3, 3 ], "text": [ "there have been several threads that discuss the popularity of cricket in various regions. check these out for previous responses\n\n[Why and how did football (soccer) skip India?](_URL_6_)\n\n[How did cricket get so popular...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1o9uga/why_did_cricket_not_catch_on_in_canada_like_it/", "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1sjvzf/sports_historians_ifs_there_a_specific_reason/", "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1mmphe/why_is_soccer_the_sport_of_the_world_i...
1pqqdv
what is the link between genes, chromosomes, dna, meisos and meitosis please?
I can't understand the concept of meiosis and mitosis, and how they link to dna, genes and chromosomes? Can someone please help 'draw' the connection for me? I'm an avid programmer, horrible biologist :( I don't even know if there is a link between these, I just read a lot of different information from each sources tha...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1pqqdv/eli5_what_is_the_link_between_genes_chromosomes/
{ "a_id": [ "cd50mp2" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Going from smallest to biggest: \n1. Genes are sections of DNA with specific instructions. \n2. DNA is the sum of the genetic material in each chromosome (all the instructions for that Chromosome). \n3. Chromosomes are the individual collections ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
3mfl12
How were internal injuries handled before modern medicine?
We have two of many organs for the purpose of still being able to survive if one went down. If you punctured a lung or lost a kidney, sure, you would have an extra functioning organ, but I feel like you couldn't just stay alive for long with the side effects of a ruined organ sitting inside of you. Also, what about or...
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/3mfl12/how_were_internal_injuries_handled_before_modern/
{ "a_id": [ "cvemayp", "cvff13h", "cvfgp25" ], "score": [ 8, 6, 6 ], "text": [ "If you don't get an answer here, you can try /r/askhistorians or /r/historyofscience", "4th year med student who just applied for internal medicine (but by no means a historian).\n\nThe easy way to ...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthopedic_cast" ], [ "http://library.med.utah.edu/WebPath/CINJHTML/CINJ015.html", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coagulative_necrosis" ] ]
1v9ad5
why can't i decalare my own properties as independent and make my own country?
Isn't this exactly what the founding fathers did? A small bunch of people decided to write and lay down a law that affected everyone in America at that time (even if you didn't agree with it, you are now part of it and is required to follow the laws they wrote). Likewise, can't I and a bunch of my friends declare inde...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1v9ad5/eli5why_cant_i_decalare_my_own_properties_as/
{ "a_id": [ "cepyrvc", "cepyszm", "cepywfp", "cepyx3k", "cepyyyc", "cepz02n", "cepz78d", "cepzaum", "ceq16z0", "ceq1ln5", "ceq1ore", "ceq29db", "ceq2khj", "ceq2pjg", "ceq2ps3", "ceq2snf", "ceq2spx", "ceq2w8c", "ceq2xt1", "ceq33dv", "c...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micronation" ], [], [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montevideo_Convention" ], [], [ "http://www.dchieftain.com/2013/10/17/the-free-state-of-socorro-mdash-60-years-of-mischief" ], [ "http://www.youtu...
k1v0l
Why can't I picture things in my mind? And, is it something that can be seen while imaging the brain?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/k1v0l/why_cant_i_picture_things_in_my_mind_and_is_it/
{ "a_id": [ "c2gvt03", "c2gw683", "c2gw9pa", "c2gw9t7", "c2gwc1u", "c2gwcra", "c2gwj6z", "c2gwuro", "c2gx1kh", "c2gx2ut", "c2gx4ze", "c2gx5bc", "c2gxaa8", "c2gxusp", "c2gvt03", "c2gw683", "c2gw9pa", "c2gw9t7", "c2gwc1u", "c2gwcra", "c...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://www.psychometric-success.com/aptitude-tests/spatial-ability-tests-solid-shapes.htm" ], [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://www.proteacher.net/discussions/showthread.php?t=29625", "http://dfan.org/visual.html" ], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], ...
3ov2z5
Why is helium used as an RCS gas?
If I'm correct RCS works on the impulse principle P=m⋅v. The energy required to lift an amount of gas is E≈m⋅g⋅h, and the volume to store it V=m⋅R⋅t/p/M. To me it seems like you could use any gas as long as it doesn't pose any engineering challenges (corrosion, diffusion, flammability, embrittlement of tank...). Why d...
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/3ov2z5/why_is_helium_used_as_an_rcs_gas/
{ "a_id": [ "cw0rhrc" ], "score": [ 9 ], "text": [ "What you are missing is that the exhaust gas velocity depends on the gas molecular mass M. You can calculate it using [this equation](_URL_0_) of the exhaust gas velocity in chocked flow. Basically the lighter the gas the faster it can go and the...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Laval_nozzle#Exhaust_gas_velocity" ] ]
41twz8
Was/Is the role of the "little boats" during operation Dynamo (the evacuation from Dunkirk) overstated?
With the increase in news about Nolan's next film "Dunkirk" I got thinking about the place of Dynamo in the British national consciousness and the narrative of WW2. The "little boats" obviously are a major part of the story and many town quays and docks in the southern UK have plaques commemorating how many boats left...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/41twz8/wasis_the_role_of_the_little_boats_during/
{ "a_id": [ "cz58map", "cz59nqn" ], "score": [ 7, 39 ], "text": [ "The popular view of the evacuation from Dunkirk is one of the RN and the \"little ships\" rescuing the BEF from the beaches. Although the RN were heavily involved, the bulk of the vessels used in the evacuation were convent...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
7fuoh8
why can’t two phone numbers calling each other be connected instead of being prompted with a busy line? is this something that could be fixed easily?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7fuoh8/eli5_why_cant_two_phone_numbers_calling_each/
{ "a_id": [ "dqehmkk", "dqehpe6", "dqeuzbh", "dqfc160" ], "score": [ 7, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "When you dial a number on your phone, it goes \"off the hook\". That is, it's no longer able to receive calls, because dialing a number is the same as being in the middle of a cal...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
hxb6h
If the earth had no oxygen what types of respiration would occur?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/hxb6h/if_the_earth_had_no_oxygen_what_types_of/
{ "a_id": [ "c1z6p3m", "c1z6thf", "c1z8buj" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Once upon a time, there was no significant levels of oxygen in the atmosphere. It was mostly carbon dioxide.\n\nFor a long time, the primary method of respiration for life was [anaerobic](_URL_0_). Ev...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anaerobic_respiration" ], [ "http://mit.edu/7.01x/7.014/study/handouts/Redox-Handout.pdf", "http://www.jesuitnola.org/upload/clark/refs/red_pot.htm" ], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obligate_anaerobe", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Oxygenation_Even...
nue0y
Why did only vertebrates evolve an adaptive immune system?
Just wondering. I haven't gotten a good answer out of text books or google. From what I hear, it is because the adaptive system fights off viruses much better than the innate system, and this aids those with an adaptive system, but it seems like plenty of invertebrates have run ins with viruses. Is there some sort of o...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/nue0y/why_did_only_vertebrates_evolve_an_adaptive/
{ "a_id": [ "c3c0ybg", "c3c1pfm", "c3c0ybg", "c3c1pfm" ], "score": [ 31, 10, 31, 10 ], "text": [ "Actually there are [several new lines of evidence](_URL_0_) that specific (aka adaptive) immunity exists in invertebrates. It is just very different from what has evolved in v...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.jimmunol.org/content/179/11/7209.full" ], [], [ "http://www.jimmunol.org/content/179/11/7209.full" ], [] ]
1zyv7n
How did the Ottomans come up with a map as accurate as this?
World Map, 1803: _URL_0_ source: /r/mapporn You gotta admit, that's accurate for 19th century cartography
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1zyv7n/how_did_the_ottomans_come_up_with_a_map_as/
{ "a_id": [ "cfy7ufz", "cfy860m", "cfydrao", "cfykbr8" ], "score": [ 25, 46, 28, 5 ], "text": [ "Now I don't know how old this map really is. But important to note, is that the Orroman Empire lasted until 1922. So depending on when it was made it becomes less and less surpr...
[]
[ "http://i.imgur.com/rAVFDod.jpg" ]
[ [ "http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b5/Nova_totius_Terrarum_Orbis_geographica_ac_hydrographica_tabula_%28Hendrik_Hondius%29_balanced.jpg" ], [ "http://content.lib.washington.edu/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/maps&CISOPTR=23&CISOBOX=1&REC=1", "http://content.lib.washington...
1hi6i6
can we create life from inorganic material? if so, how?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1hi6i6/eli5_can_we_create_life_from_inorganic_material/
{ "a_id": [ "cauk0nu", "caukboq", "caukiqi", "caulmmr" ], "score": [ 6, 6, 3, 3 ], "text": [ "In principle? Almost certainly.\n\nBut we don't know how yet.", "We have an ingredient list, but we are still lacking certain steps in the recipe.", "This was the closest I...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://www.mnn.com/green-tech/research-innovations/stories/scientist-creates-lifelike-cells-out-of-metal#" ], [] ]
yac14
what i should do to learn code for developing games?
I'm really interested in learning code and i've been tooling around a little bit with javascript and watching video tutorials online. However I am curious as to what steps i should take for seriously pursuing this as a career avenue. I'm still undecided for a major and I was already leaning towards mathematics, so woul...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/yac14/eli5_what_i_should_do_to_learn_code_for/
{ "a_id": [ "c5tqw8q", "c5tr15y", "c5tt8gd", "c5ttgqc", "c5u3i53" ], "score": [ 3, 3, 2, 11, 3 ], "text": [ "Teaching yourself is the best way, but can be very frustrating. Majoring in computer science is not a bad idea, but you *will not* learn how to make video ga...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://processing.org/" ], [], [], [], [] ]
3sqj3k
how do songs get popular?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3sqj3k/eli5_how_do_songs_get_popular/
{ "a_id": [ "cwzkg2y" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "There is generally multiple 'levels' of popularity, there is local popularity and then higher levels until it reaches 'mainstream'. Unless it's a popular and current artist many songs start out as small time bands getting their song on the radio ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
5im3f9
how come it is so much easier to sing with accurate pitch in a whispery way than at a normal volume?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5im3f9/eli5_how_come_it_is_so_much_easier_to_sing_with/
{ "a_id": [ "db9duba", "db9jrd4" ], "score": [ 4, 3 ], "text": [ "First, I think you're referring to SOME pitches, not all, and especially high pitches (and the \"whispery way\" would be what we call \"falsetto\").\nWhen you sing in your comfort zone, you can perfectly sing a pitch without...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
6ynxqz
Would the lifestyle of a Roman emperor be comfortable and pleasant to a modern person?
Has overall quality of life gone up so high that being a Roman emperor would feel like poverty, discomfort, and ill health?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6ynxqz/would_the_lifestyle_of_a_roman_emperor_be/
{ "a_id": [ "dmoz1cg" ], "score": [ 59 ], "text": [ "While there are some areas such as dental health and travel where the modern world provides absolutely irreplacable benefits, this is really a question for social psychology rather than history. Generally speaking, the psychological impact of po...
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[]
[ [] ]
3d2c0k
Does every heart beat pump about the same amount of blood, regardless of heart rate?
Does the sensation of "heart pounding" (high pulse amplitude which is independent of frequency) reflect real processes, or is it more or less imagined?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/3d2c0k/does_every_heart_beat_pump_about_the_same_amount/
{ "a_id": [ "ct1ey3g", "ct1ghvx" ], "score": [ 8, 7 ], "text": [ "Stroke volume can increase independently of or simultaneously to increases in heart rate. ", "I could give you a simple answer of no but this is kinda my jam, so I'm going to take the opportunity to exercise the one thin...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
bbgl40
Are people really more likely to buy something that costs $19.95 vs $20.00?
I've always figured that the odd pricing was given to have more people buy the product, since $20 is a more round number than $19. Is this the case? Is there evidence to back it up? Is something else completely different going on here?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/bbgl40/are_people_really_more_likely_to_buy_something/
{ "a_id": [ "ekkf9r5" ], "score": [ 11 ], "text": [ "It really depends. Pricing something at $19 works better than pricing it at $20, but pricing something at $20 and saying it's 20% off regular price does even better. There is a fascinating area of study called behavioral economics which bridges ...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://conversionxl.com/blog/pricing-experiments-you-might-not-know-but-can-learn-from/" ] ]
bdmrpu
Why didn't more union soldiers have repeating rifles?
I found this on wikipedia. They mentioned issues with the supply chain for ammunition, tactics, and a lack of understanding of the value. _URL_0_ Can someone please provide more detail? How widely was the repeating rifle used by the union? Did they develop any tactics for them during the war?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/bdmrpu/why_didnt_more_union_soldiers_have_repeating/
{ "a_id": [ "ekzqtaz" ], "score": [ 10 ], "text": [ "Logistics were generally at the core of the issue. The Civil War saw the Union and Confederacy raise armies larger than the US had ever seen, and as they did so, supply became a bigger concern than the individual effectiveness of an infantryman,...
[]
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spencer_repeating_rifle" ]
[ [] ]
wnji7
What exactly is a magnetic pole shift/reversal, and how does it happen/
I found many other threads about what the effects would be, whether we would be around to see the next one, etc., but nothing about how that phenomenon actually occurs.
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/wnji7/what_exactly_is_a_magnetic_pole_shiftreversal_and/
{ "a_id": [ "c5ewznz" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "The magnetic field is a self-exciting geodynamo. Basically, it's caused by convection in the fluid iron outer core causing the iron to flow through magnetic flux lines. The electromagnetic interaction generates a further electromagnetic field eff...
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[]
[ [] ]
33oy0q
Did Normans use stirrups using their conquest of England, and was it important?
After reading about [stirrup controversy](_URL_0_), I realized that a lot of sources on the internet, as well as the book I'm reading right now (History of England by G.M. Trevelyan) are possibly not up to date to the latest scientific knowledge, so I decided to ask here to clarify it. Did the success of Norman conque...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/33oy0q/did_normans_use_stirrups_using_their_conquest_of/
{ "a_id": [ "cqn6pe6" ], "score": [ 11 ], "text": [ "This image from the Bayeux Tapestry (depicting the Norman conquest of what we now know as England) clearly depicts a Norman horse soldier using stirrups.\n\n_URL_0_" ] }
[]
[ "http://scholar.chem.nyu.edu/tekpages/ironworking.html" ]
[ [ "http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bb/Bayeux_Tapestry_scene57_Harold_death.jpg" ] ]
346qlg
Did the mass murder of mentally ill people in Nazi Germany influence rates of mental illness later in the 20th century?
Schizophrenia has a hereditary component, for example. I was wondering if the deaths of a large number of mentally ill people in the 1930s led to relatively lower rates of hereditary mental illness in, say, the 1980s.
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/346qlg/did_the_mass_murder_of_mentally_ill_people_in/
{ "a_id": [ "cqshzvc" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "I recently saw a documentary on this and with regard to schizophrenic patients specifically, here was the outcome according to that documentary and is backed up by this Pubmed article:\n\n > Postwar studies of the prevalence of schizophrenia in ...
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[]
[ [ "http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2800142/" ] ]
1q44xv
How wealthy were the people who crafted weapons & armor in Medieval Europe & the Near East?
I've heard that weapons and armor were expensive, and since people generally like to live through wars, I'm guessing demand was high for quality armor & weapons. Were the people who made armor well-off?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1q44xv/how_wealthy_were_the_people_who_crafted_weapons/
{ "a_id": [ "cd950nt" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Blacksmiths, as a group, were [artisans](_URL_2_), who, as skilled laborers, were part of the middling class of the [Third Estate](_URL_1_). In a small community, blacksmiths would be expected to make all sorts of products: bits, plows, armor, pi...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Medici", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_Estate", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artisan" ] ]
6z2pda
how tiny candles can bring fragrance to entire room?
Also, can a regular candle (unscented) eliminate bad odor in a room?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6z2pda/eli5_how_tiny_candles_can_bring_fragrance_to/
{ "a_id": [ "dmrzxm5", "dms3uma", "dms45so" ], "score": [ 27, 2, 12 ], "text": [ "The sense of smell is powerful. We can detect something in the air when it's only *one billionth* of the gas present in the room (the rest being mostly plain air).", "Look up thioacetone (it's bas...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
2zxr63
In "I, Claudius", Livia supposedly found slave girls for Augustus to sleep with. Is this true?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2zxr63/in_i_claudius_livia_supposedly_found_slave_girls/
{ "a_id": [ "cpnc9t0" ], "score": [ 11 ], "text": [ "No, it's not true. Augustus did keep mistresses, but Livia would not have provided him with them, even if she seemingly didn't disapprove of them. An accepting image that may just have been for the public eye and not something we can tell for su...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
96osgq
If we could time travel back to the different eras of the dinosaurs, would we need a special suit for the climate back then?
I am aware we can't time travel... Yet/ever... I'm not asking about that possibility. I am wondering if we did make it back to the different eras; Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous. Would we need a special suit to breathe or just be in the atmosphere that existed back then? Or would we be okay to go back in just our no...
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/96osgq/if_we_could_time_travel_back_to_the_different/
{ "a_id": [ "e42mt80" ], "score": [ 11 ], "text": [ "Climate would be different and the exact composition oft the atmosphere would not be the same. For the cretaceous e.g. the oxygen level of the atmosphere would be about ~~three~~ 1.5 times the level of today.\nAll in all I'd guess you would not ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
24tkgd
Recent Supreme Court decisions have generated a robust amount of media coverage. With this in mind, I have a question for reddit historians.
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/24tkgd/recent_supreme_court_decisions_have_generated_a/
{ "a_id": [ "chaj8h8" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "This post has been removed for being [soapboxing and a loaded question](_URL_0_). This really belongs in /r/Ask_Politics." ] }
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/wiki/rules#wiki_no_.22soapboxing.22_or_loaded_questions" ] ]
2friry
Recurve vs Longbow - how was the longbow able to pierce armor where the short bow wasn't. How did this change warfare?
I'm assuming that the arrow weight was the key, but I'm curious if it was that or the fps of the projectile. The second question is just to make this question be more applicable or interesting to a wider group.
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2friry/recurve_vs_longbow_how_was_the_longbow_able_to/
{ "a_id": [ "ckc7z68" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "The longbow wasn't exactly able to \"pierce armor,\" especially at longer ranges. While it possible for a longbow volley to cause casualties at every possible range, the sources are pretty clear that longbow arrows did not kill by outright punchi...
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[]
[ [] ]
se5et
When I tune my radio, it sounds alright. But the moment I move my hand away, the signal gets worse. Whats going on here?
Whenever I my hand is close to (or on top of) the radio, the signal gets better. When I move it away (a foot or more), the signal quality gets very bad The only thing I can think of is that my hand is shielding the radio signal receiver from some sort of interference. Either that or my body is acting like an antenna o...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/se5et/when_i_tune_my_radio_it_sounds_alright_but_the/
{ "a_id": [ "c4da8sa" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "This question just came up a few days ago. Your body acts as one plate of a capacitor with the surroundings/ground forming the other plate. The tuning circuit within the radio sees the capacitance added by your body. Thus when you tune the circui...
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[]
[ [] ]
1dq15a
What was the cost of prostitutes throughout the time?
Related to the cost of slaves topic, I think it might be interesting to think about the cost of prostitution. Also, was it usually paid per night/hours or per sex act, how much were they paid for it and were they even paid for it that often, or were they usually sex slaves and the money was only paid to the pimp?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1dq15a/what_was_the_cost_of_prostitutes_throughout_the/
{ "a_id": [ "c9srxls" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Much like slaves, the cost of prostitutes depended on a broad range of factors. Fortunately for us, social investigators such as Henry Mayhew attempted to categorize the prostitutes working in Victorian London and recorded some details about thei...
[]
[]
[ [ "measuringworth.com", "http://archive.org/stream/londonlabourlond04mayh#page/210/mode/2up", "http://www.measuringworth.com" ] ]
4fk1gx
why are so many houses built in the usa single floor bungalows?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4fk1gx/eli5_why_are_so_many_houses_built_in_the_usa/
{ "a_id": [ "d29h2dx", "d29hq5d", "d29htx9" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Cost of land is cheaper so building lots are larger, that and the market demands it in most areas.", "I know that the second floor of a house is often harder to cool than the first floor. That makes...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
lxe3k
how online advertising pays for the maintenance of a website like facebook or reddit.
Specifically who are these people that decide to place their advertisements on a website and how do they know it will end up beneficial to their company? It is a confusing topic for someone who has no experience in how internet traffic or advertising works. **Edit: I know this is a complicated topic. I would like mor...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/lxe3k/eli5_how_online_advertising_pays_for_the/
{ "a_id": [ "c2wclbs", "c2wclbs" ], "score": [ 3, 3 ], "text": [ "it pays like any advertising pays. company A wants product B to be seen by a certain demographic. A pays agency C to place those ads in that demographic's eyesite. search engine optomization (SEO) algorythmically determines ...
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[ [], [] ]
3cwnzc
what is the necessity having to double-press a key fob to get all the car-doors to unlock (as opposed to just pressing once)?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3cwnzc/eli5what_is_the_necessity_having_to_doublepress_a/
{ "a_id": [ "cszn4hw" ], "score": [ 9 ], "text": [ "As a safety feature, the first press unlocks only the driver's door, so that you are not unlocking the doors on the other side to potentially admit a stranger into your car." ] }
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[ [] ]
2bbtki
How were medics treated when captured in WW2?
Was there an etiquette for engagement with medics in the field? Were medics treated like regular POWs?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2bbtki/how_were_medics_treated_when_captured_in_ww2/
{ "a_id": [ "cj49wuy", "cj4n2fh" ], "score": [ 5, 4 ], "text": [ "There was a chapter in Stephen Ambrose's [Citizen Soldiers](_URL_0_) where a captured medic ended up working with the German medical unit, and they taught each other different medical techniques. Its important to remember th...
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[ [ "http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=IUI76I0bjI0C&pg=PT348&lpg=PT348&dq=citizen+soldier+captured+surgeon&source=bl&ots=3f8YUIAbYS&sig=xCnjm87_IPV5rlTzzpgfEfVXFhI&hl=en&sa=X&ei=pB3OU8yMKsve7AaNq4HYBw&ved=0CB4Q6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=citizen%20soldier%20captured%20surgeon&a...
3418pd
Who was the first man to attach a scope to his rifle? When did snipers with optics start appearing on the battlefield?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3418pd/who_was_the_first_man_to_attach_a_scope_to_his/
{ "a_id": [ "cqqazeq", "cqqevbx" ], "score": [ 12, 22 ], "text": [ "The first documented rifle scope was made by Morgan James of Utica, NY; as documented by John Chapman in his 1844 book \"The Improved American Rifle\". That being said improving rifle sights had begun long before hand, an...
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[]
[ [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1st_United_States_Sharpshooters", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Plunket" ] ]
1998kc
How many movements or societies with communist-like ideals were there before the development of Communism proper?
I'm thinking of groups like the Ikko-Ikki or (arguably) the Yellow Turbans; i.e groups that advocate social equality, collective ownership and the like.
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1998kc/how_many_movements_or_societies_with/
{ "a_id": [ "c8lxtyp", "c8lxyzm", "c8lz93c" ], "score": [ 14, 4, 8 ], "text": [ "So, for one, early Christians practiced this. Check out the Acts 2:44-5:\n\n > 44 All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45 they would sell their possessions and goods and distri...
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[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mendicant_orders", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hutterite_migrations_in_Europe.png" ], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poverty,_A_Study_of_Town_Life", "http://libcom.org/history/1642-1652-diggers-levellers" ], [ "http://books.google.com/books?id=dSQ6...
3od2pw
how do we get full colour corrected photos or videos from black and white footage?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3od2pw/eli5_how_do_we_get_full_colour_corrected_photos/
{ "a_id": [ "cvw3kjn", "cvw9dfg" ], "score": [ 12, 4 ], "text": [ "More or less the same way we get full color pictures from a coloring book. There are *some* context cues, and you can make some educated guesses from the shades, but for the most part it's just guesswork.", "Reddit has...
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[ [], [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/Colorization/" ] ]
2aw1yk
What is it about friction that creates photons?
For example, how do electrons in a filament or two hands rubbing together spontaneously generate photons? Also, what dictates in which direction these photons are radiated?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2aw1yk/what_is_it_about_friction_that_creates_photons/
{ "a_id": [ "cizcj01" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ "Photons are created when electrons drop from a higher state of energy to a lower state. When you create friction, you make heat and energy. This causes electrons to get excited and go to a higher energy level. They'll then drop back down and rele...
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4dsaau
What most likely happened to the body of Jesus (Resurrection excluded)
I've always wanted to know what the historical concensus and ideas that relate to what happened to the body of Jesus after he died. I've done some studying myself and have come across several ideas: 1: It was buried in the nearby tomb, but the next night was moved to a common grave reserved for criminals (probably th...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4dsaau/what_most_likely_happened_to_the_body_of_jesus/
{ "a_id": [ "d1u0a1z" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "There is very little evidence for what happened to people after they had been crucified. However, we do have archaeological evidence of a crucified person's remains being placed in a burial cave, presumably by people who cared for him. If you wer...
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fg18jq
how are wooden baseball bats so durable?
In the MLB there are 250lb+ men who hit the ball with exit velocities over 100mph and yet the bat doesn't shatter into pieces. I know sometimes the bats do crack, but most of the time they are fine. How?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/fg18jq/eli5_how_are_wooden_baseball_bats_so_durable/
{ "a_id": [ "fk1spdv", "fk1ur8w", "fk3bgws" ], "score": [ 176, 39, 2 ], "text": [ "Hitting the ball with the grain of the wood the correct way. Like how a stack of papers won't bend along the edge, but will bend easily across the sheet.", "According to this source, a pro baseba...
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[ [], [ "https://www.sluggermuseum.com/about-us/faqs" ], [] ]
51brcy
how does the cassette tape aux cord work?
I recently bought a car with a cassette deck, and one of those cassette tapes with an aux cord. I have no clue how it plays my music from my phone.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/51brcy/eli5_how_does_the_cassette_tape_aux_cord_work/
{ "a_id": [ "d7aqf2e", "d7aqfwc", "d7aql0l" ], "score": [ 2, 15, 2 ], "text": [ "A cassette tape has magnetic tape which is where the sound gets recorded. It's read by a magnetic tape head as the tape passes over it (think of the head like the needle of a record player except it's...
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[ [], [], [] ]
8jv8hi
Was the United States involved in the Malayan emergency? If not, why?
I was looking for information on that topic and I can't find any mentions of US involvement. What is the reason of that? It appears to have been quite a significant anti-communist conflict that happened during the Cold War era. Moreover, the insurgents were supported by China and the Soviet Union. Britain helped the US...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/8jv8hi/was_the_united_states_involved_in_the_malayan/
{ "a_id": [ "dz4b01o" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "The Malayan 'Emergency' flared up in the context of British decolonisation. \n\nDuring World War II, the British had secured the co-operation of ethnic Chinese communists who established a resistance in Malaya. Following the war, this group was ...
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12kht9
US elections seem to be billed as "the most important election ever". Which do you think was the ACTUAL most important election?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/12kht9/us_elections_seem_to_be_billed_as_the_most/
{ "a_id": [ "c6vu794", "c6vuej7", "c6vuspi", "c6vw2md", "c6vx9n4", "c6vysd2" ], "score": [ 100, 16, 50, 6, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "I think it would be difficult to argue with the election of 1860, the split in the Democrat party denied Douglas a unified ballot en...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
5kr00l
what makes a human a human?
Or for that matter what makes any species a member of that species is it the number of chromosomes or certain characteristics. For example is a down syndrome person not a human because they have more chromosomes..
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5kr00l/eli5_what_makes_a_human_a_human/
{ "a_id": [ "dbpwv8q", "dbpx2ml" ], "score": [ 3, 5 ], "text": [ "I was always under the impression it was to do with genome composition, but i may be mistaken", "The truth is, species is a fuzzy inexact concept. It does not have a straightforward description. You'll hear someone say, ...
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[ [], [] ]
26sx4n
If you were to travel through the debris of a supernova in a space ship, would it look anything like it does when seen from earth?
Could you see the big picture, or would everything be too far away from your vantage point? Kind of like how in the asteroid belt, all the asteroids are actually quite far apart.
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/26sx4n/if_you_were_to_travel_through_the_debris_of_a/
{ "a_id": [ "chu710c", "chu96dr" ], "score": [ 8, 5 ], "text": [ "Probably not. If you go through a cloud (in the atmosphere), you'll notice moisture, but you don't really see the cloud as one sees it when standing on the ground.\n\nThe colored gas (what we see) in such nice pictures is ac...
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[ [], [] ]
55joi1
how would wells fargo benefit by having a bunch of ghost accounts with no money in them?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/55joi1/eli5_how_would_wells_fargo_benefit_by_having_a/
{ "a_id": [ "d8b4enk", "d8b4iqo", "d8ba0qb", "d8bx2ud" ], "score": [ 6, 9, 3, 3 ], "text": [ "It didn't. Individual branches and employees did. \n\nIt was a bad metric, the bank decided that it would set targets for new accounts and the like and incentivised hitting the tar...
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[ [], [], [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pareto_principle" ] ]
ci8ujt
how do baby animals developing in eggs eat/drink with nothing to eat/drink?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ci8ujt/eli5_how_do_baby_animals_developing_in_eggs/
{ "a_id": [ "ev2hedm", "ev2ijl9" ], "score": [ 3, 9 ], "text": [ "The yolk is their nutrition.", "In eggs the baby uses the yolk for nutrients. In placental animals the mother provides nutrition through the umbilical cord." ] }
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[ [], [] ]
xus4m
The Library Of Alexandria
I have recently read a book called The Alexandria Link By Steve Berry its a good book and worth a read but anyway i was just wondering how much of the stuff said in the book was fact and what was a load of lies?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/xus4m/the_library_of_alexandria/
{ "a_id": [ "c5prkiq", "c5tm6kz" ], "score": [ 10, 2 ], "text": [ "Mind telling us what the book said? It's possible that someone in this subreddit is an expert on the Library AND has read that book, but for those who know about the Library and don't know the book, this is an impossible q...
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bacj07
How do we know the physical features of long-extinct invertebrates?
I have heard of giant squid and octopus species that are now extinct but I don't understand how we could even know what they were, or what kind of physical features they had if the only bone in their body is/was a beak. Is it just a guess based on the size and shape of a beak alone?? Was there somehow more than just a ...
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/bacj07/how_do_we_know_the_physical_features_of/
{ "a_id": [ "ekchfho" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "There are some fossil sites which preserve soft tissues, typically via very fine grained sediments like mud or silt which rapidly buried the organism(s) in a low oxygen environment. \n\nAs you can imagine though, preservation of soft tissue is a ...
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[ [ "https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/see-the-best-fossil-octopus-ever-found/", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burgess_Shale" ] ]
8n925g
what framework allows some countries to demand that other countries denuclearize?
I searched for this but didn’t come up with anything. What framework or international law or treaty or whatever allows some countries to demand that other countries dismantle their nuclear arsenals? How does it get decided who gets to have them and who doesn’t?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8n925g/eli5_what_framework_allows_some_countries_to/
{ "a_id": [ "dztnwxm", "dzto03x", "dztod1o", "dztok9s" ], "score": [ 2, 7, 2, 5 ], "text": [ "The primary 'official' framework I believe would be the [NPT](_URL_0_). However, that being said, I think a significant aspect here is a de facto 'might makes right' presence put f...
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[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_on_the_Non-Proliferation_of_Nuclear_Weapons" ], [], [], [] ]
2p9cet
why does emotional pain, feel like physical pain?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2p9cet/eli5_why_does_emotional_pain_feel_like_physical/
{ "a_id": [ "cmuid0m" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "The same section of our brain processes both kinds, so it's probably just getting wires crossed and thinking they're the same. \nAlternately, it's because emotional pain actually creates a physical reaction from all the stress, and it's the equ...
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[ [ "http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-causes-chest-pains/" ] ]
dhw7fb
Medieval Armor Books
Any suggestions for books that thoroughly talk about medieval armor during the middle ages?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/dhw7fb/medieval_armor_books/
{ "a_id": [ "f3zq8vq" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "This is a good question! We have some recommendations in the booklist. I'll just copy them here and expand on them a bit plus add a few.\n\n* Blair, Claude [*European armour, circa 1066 to circa 1700*](_URL_3_) London: Batsford, 1958. The best ov...
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[ [ "http://amzn.to/2ihTZhd", "https://amzn.to/2IWpGLj", "https://amzn.to/31jS0gX", "http://amzn.to/2zRQ7uz", "https://amzn.to/2VOMCl1" ] ]
23q6sf
the difference between the major us tv networks?
As an Australian I know very little of the major networks, aside from that Fox is a cesspool for republican agenda. Can someone give me a rundown of each? That would be rad. Many thanks in advance.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/23q6sf/eli5_the_difference_between_the_major_us_tv/
{ "a_id": [ "cgzhqwy", "cgzj02y" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Wait, are you asking about the major TV networks or the major news networks? Fox the TV station has very little to do with Fox the news network.", "There are five major over-the-air commercial broadcast networks: ABC, CB...
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[ [], [] ]
2r1uyb
How did Second World War bomber pilots relieve themselves while on missions?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2r1uyb/how_did_second_world_war_bomber_pilots_relieve/
{ "a_id": [ "cnc52uz" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ "The Lancaster bombers had a small chemical toilet, so if they had time during the mission they could go use that. Part of the problem, however, was that they would be in thick clothing (multiple layers) to keep from being cold so it would have t...
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duwspf
why must natural gas appliances like water heaters and furnaces be vented outside, but it's safe to use a gas oven inside?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/duwspf/eli5_why_must_natural_gas_appliances_like_water/
{ "a_id": [ "f78syl9", "f78uxt8", "f78wnyc" ], "score": [ 3, 14, 3 ], "text": [ "It's only a question of quantity. The exhaust products of burning natural gas aren't dangerous in low concentration.", "Very different use cases.\n\nAn oven is used in a (typically) better ventilat...
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[ [], [], [] ]
aqo3zv
taxing the rich alternatives
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/aqo3zv/eli5_taxing_the_rich_alternatives/
{ "a_id": [ "eghcjlt" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ " > Couldn’t the rich just tax themselves or do things that act like being taxed?\n\nMany rich people give to charity, or start their own charities; this is similar to \"being taxed\" in that they are giving away their money.\n\nHowever, in a dem...
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5ij1uo
What is the lowest and highest pressure with life?
What is the lowest and highest pressure with life?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/5ij1uo/what_is_the_lowest_and_highest_pressure_with_life/
{ "a_id": [ "db8yip1" ], "score": [ 13 ], "text": [ "The highest pressure where we **know** there is life is the bottom of the Marianas Trench. It's approximately 11,000m deep and has a pressure of about 1000bar (15750psi)\n\nTardigrades in their dehydrated form have been revived after exposure to...
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4rqmzy
why do different cable companies have different channel numbers when all it does is confuse those who switch providers.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4rqmzy/eli5_why_do_different_cable_companies_have/
{ "a_id": [ "d53bamy", "d53cvyo", "d53klcf", "d53vo6n" ], "score": [ 5, 2, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "You say that like it is a bad thing, like companies should try to make it easier to switch to their competition.\n\nAlso, not all companies have the same mix of channels to offer. ...
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[ [], [], [], [] ]
kktfw
what is the big deal with all of the corn based food products?
Why are people freaking out about high fructose corn syrup, corn fed animals, etc? Are there actual health risks, or is this just another media driven overreaction?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/kktfw/eli5_what_is_the_big_deal_with_all_of_the_corn/
{ "a_id": [ "c2l271q", "c2l27k1", "c2l2kco", "c2l34ig", "c2l271q", "c2l27k1", "c2l2kco", "c2l34ig" ], "score": [ 2, 3, 5, 2, 2, 3, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "Corn is a simple carbohydrate... a starch. It is easily converted into glucose and causes in...
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[ [], [], [ "http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-fructose-corn-syrup/AN01588" ], [ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBnniua6-oM" ], [], [], [ "http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-fructose-corn-syrup/AN01588" ], [ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBnniua6-oM" ] ]
53f160
[Geology] What could abandoned landfills become after a few hundred million years?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/53f160/geology_what_could_abandoned_landfills_become/
{ "a_id": [ "d7t8t3z" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "Greetings /u/space_tripping,\n\nYour question, while relevant, has already been the object of previous discussion. You will doubtlessly find the answers you seek in the following thread:\n\n_URL_0_\n" ] }
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[ [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2ie3qk/what_will_our_landfills_look_like_in_millions_of/" ] ]
230pc7
how do networks like hbo & netflix prevent entire seasons from being leaked but record companies and movies studios can get leaked early?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/230pc7/eli5_how_do_networks_like_hbo_netflix_prevent/
{ "a_id": [ "cgs8no5", "cgs9cni", "cgsbzx5" ], "score": [ 12, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "Because, unlike record and movie companies, HBO and Netflix have complete control over their distribution channels.\n\nRecord companies have to ship CDs to retailers. Movie studios have to send the mov...
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[ [], [], [] ]
8u6hie
If a mother in ancient Rome couldn't produce enough milk for her baby, what would she do?
I assume the answer for upper classes would be to hire a wet nurse. But what if no nurse were available? What did Roman bottle/formula technology look like?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/8u6hie/if_a_mother_in_ancient_rome_couldnt_produce/
{ "a_id": [ "e1ebg8u" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "To begin with, you are very right that upper class families would employ wet nurses, called a *nutrix*. From epigraphic evidence, we have an understanding that families employed not a single *nutrix,* but several. This helped ensure that not onl...
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1zr4vu
What gives boogers their gelatinous consistency?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1zr4vu/what_gives_boogers_their_gelatinous_consistency/
{ "a_id": [ "cfw7zpd" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Mostly, it is the same proteins that make all the mucus in your nose and some of the mucus other places so stringy and stretchy. When they are very wet, the mucus stretches out into long strands or sheets, but as the amount of water goes down th...
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gdy38
Why do we find concentrations of minerals in the ground instead of a more homogeneous mixture?
I'm trying to rectify my understanding of stellar element genesis with what I know about planetary formation theory. Here's what I (think I) know: 1. All the metals/elements heavier than iron on the periodic table had to have been formed in supernova type events. This has to do with the hydrostatic equilibrium of star...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/gdy38/why_do_we_find_concentrations_of_minerals_in_the/
{ "a_id": [ "c1mv1b4", "c1mvbeq", "c1mvcft", "c1mvdu5" ], "score": [ 3, 12, 15, 2 ], "text": [ "Because it requires less energy for some metals to form a crystal with the same type of atom (or with oxygen) then it does to be strewn randomly.", "I'm a licensed Geologist/...
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[ [], [], [], [] ]
7vjdwl
how does the body adapt to ketosis? what stages are there
I am imagining then when switching from carbs to fat and protein as your base diet the body sort of "panics" in a few stages. Stage 1: Body's reaction - carb's are low....burn the glycogen...maybe we will get more...we need to get fuel. Stage 2: Out of glycogen - body's reaction: Insulin is low!!! glycogen is out!!!....
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7vjdwl/eli5_how_does_the_body_adapt_to_ketosis_what/
{ "a_id": [ "dtsxkgq" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "That's pretty much it. For the first few weeks you'll feel like crap because your body has to ramp up it's ketone count, and then learn how to actually use ketones! Once that happens, you become keto-adapted and then start to feel much better. En...
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