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8ju1bq
How does a compass work on my smartphone?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/8ju1bq/how_does_a_compass_work_on_my_smartphone/
{ "a_id": [ "dz2gjdt", "dz2o51m", "dz2omno", "dz2tzqf", "dz2vqdz", "dz3ugr0", "dz3xjwu", "dz4g6wb" ], "score": [ 7873, 27, 461, 15, 184, 3, 7, 2 ], "text": [ "With a device called a Hall Effect magnetometer, which is a solid state device that...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "https://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1279628" ], [] ]
e72x62
Gold Rush Miners of California
Most depictions of Miners in the late 19th century show them handing small pieces of gold to a man behind a cage for what appears to be a small amount of money. What kind of exchange rate was there at this time? Did they shorthand the Miners by a large amount in regards to how much the gold was actually worth? Was the ...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/e72x62/gold_rush_miners_of_california/
{ "a_id": [ "f9v6haa" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "The exchange rate was about $16 per ounce and this was generally honored unless the gold was pale and apparently alloyed with a lesser metal (as was the case with gold from western Utah Territory, for example). California Gold Rush miners usually...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://clark.dotendiaries.org/", "https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1943859019/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p2_i1" ] ]
hx3d9
In science, is it possible for a measured/calculated quantity to have SI units equivalent to a fundamental concept, but not actually be that? [X-Post from /r/answers]
Note: I originally posted the question in /r/answers, and someone suggested to post in /r/askscience. [Original post](_URL_0_). Sorry for the mix-up, still getting the hang of reddit. Thanks! ==== In undergraduate physics I remembered reading in a book something along the lines of "Although [XYZ] has units of [abc],...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/hx3d9/in_science_is_it_possible_for_a/
{ "a_id": [ "c1z2u4k", "c1z2v09", "c1z358t" ], "score": [ 8, 3, 3 ], "text": [ "The Hubble Constant, which measures the rate that the Universe is expanding, has units of km/s/Mpc -- which actually works out as units of inverse time. This doesn't really mean anything, as even when y...
[]
[ "http://www.reddit.com/r/answers/comments/hwwy9/in_science_is_it_possible_for_a/" ]
[ [], [], [] ]
bory6j
how come you can power a radio exclusively via radio waves and we still have to charge our cell phones?
When I was a boy I built a crystal radio that fit into a tic tac box. This thing had no battery and ran a tiny little earpiece. Plans for these are available all over the net, I genuinely want to know why we aren’t using cell phone antennas to passively harness RF and rectify and recycle. If it’s possible to listen to ...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bory6j/eli5_how_come_you_can_power_a_radio_exclusively/
{ "a_id": [ "enjuj08", "enjux98", "enjv4n7" ], "score": [ 2, 15, 8 ], "text": [ "To do it at the power draw a cell phone requires your antenna would be impractically large. Remember that your phone is both a transmitter and a receiver.", "Its a matter of scale.\n\nYour radio wa...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
34qmfs
why are "simple fix" patches for games always something like 30 megabytes?
Shouldn't they be very few, due to them not adding anything?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/34qmfs/eli5_why_are_simple_fix_patches_for_games_always/
{ "a_id": [ "cqx4gdv", "cqx6z2i", "cqx70ot", "cqx8wqp", "cqxahtz" ], "score": [ 7, 2, 18, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "I'm guessing that it's because they're edited bits of code and instead of editing it on your system, they just replace it. There might also need to be an ins...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
41047z
how does the martian surface have pebbles?
[picture](_URL_0_) [post of this picture](_URL_2_) This is a picture of under Curiosity and you can see a bunch of small pebbles and rocks. However, with no water and [weak winds](_URL_1_), how do these small rocks break off from the bigger rocks?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/41047z/eli5_how_does_the_martian_surface_have_pebbles/
{ "a_id": [ "cyyifr6" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Weathering still takes place on Mars, it just does so much more slowly than it does on Earth. That said, water is believed to have been active fairly recently (in geological terms) in Gale Crater (Curiosity's site), and those pebbles may very wel...
[]
[ "https://farm1.staticflickr.com/574/20662221345_f608a92f83_o.jpg", "http://mars.nasa.gov/news/whatsnew/index.cfm?FuseAction=ShowNews&NewsID=1854", "https://www.reddit.com/r/space/comments/40y190/under_curiosity/" ]
[ [] ]
5d4bir
Why was the Chernobyl shield/arch designed the way it is?
I've been looking at the structure (here: _URL_0_) and it is absolutely huge, with an enormous amount of empty space. That sort of surprised me - wouldn't a smaller structure sequestering a much small area around the immediate vicinity of the so-called "elephant foot" be sufficient? Otherwise, I'd appreciate hearing a...
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/5d4bir/why_was_the_chernobyl_shieldarch_designed_the_way/
{ "a_id": [ "da1oj6e" ], "score": [ 13 ], "text": [ "A) It would be not sufficient to enclose the \"elephant foot\", the rest of the building is also radioactive contaminated, as example one design requirement was: “They must minimize the amount of digging and cutting into the upper layers of the ...
[]
[ "http://news.nationalpost.com/news/world/massive-shielded-arch-shaped-shelter-starts-crawl-toward-chornobyl-reactor" ]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chernobyl_New_Safe_Confinement" ] ]
pf4vf
Is telekinesis even remotely possibly in any way shape, or form?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/pf4vf/is_telekinesis_even_remotely_possibly_in_any_way/
{ "a_id": [ "c3ounl6", "c3ovj1b", "c3ovj5k", "c3owdg2" ], "score": [ 27, 59, 24, 2 ], "text": [ "There is no established science, nor any experimental proof of such a phenomena.\n\nFurthermore, there is a [1 million dollar prize](_URL_0_) for anyone that can demonstrate suc...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.randi.org/site/index.php/1m-challenge.html" ], [], [], [] ]
2dfttv
if smoke is bad for you and contains carcinogens, how is it safe to eat meat that has been smoked for 6 hours?
I don't understand this. Yes, I get that the lungs and stomach are different, but either something contains carcinogens or it doesn't. If I take a slab of brisket and smother it in smoke for half a day, doesn't the meat absorb said carcinogens?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2dfttv/eli5_if_smoke_is_bad_for_you_and_contains/
{ "a_id": [ "cjp2msk", "cjp3v7h" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Tobacco isn't used to smoke food and cigarettes aren't made from wood. A lot of things we use and consume may contain carcinogens. But they are all used and or consumed in different ways. \n\nIt doesn't matter of its smoked....
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
2aw69v
Dear Historians, how did the Japanese culture and country looked to the times of Julius Gaius Cesar? Have they been equal empires?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2aw69v/dear_historians_how_did_the_japanese_culture_and/
{ "a_id": [ "cizeg64" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Julius Caesar likely never knew Japan existed. Julius Caesar likely didn't even know China existed. The Chinese themselves only knew of Rome sometime late in the Han Dynasty, where it was known as \"Great Qin.\" \n\nJapan was also only first m...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
4fhphm
why is it that the gas prices change at the pump, when the tanks underground were filled at a different price? why does the price of oil affect us at the pump so quickly?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4fhphm/eli5_why_is_it_that_the_gas_prices_change_at_the/
{ "a_id": [ "d28vlu3", "d28vuub", "d28w4di" ], "score": [ 7, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Sellers of commodities, like gas station owners and refineries, price their product based not on what it costs to produce it, but on what it costs to replace it. ", "the short answer is the informat...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
1kcvr2
why do i have to wait an hour to install a game for my pc when i use a disk, but when i use a disk for my console, it takes minutes
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1kcvr2/eli5_why_do_i_have_to_wait_an_hour_to_install_a/
{ "a_id": [ "cbnng4k" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ " Installing games to pc takes longer because all of the games data loads onto the hard drive and runs from that instead of the disc. whereas console games run off the discs and only install essential files to any built in hard drives. Some conso...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
6kwm87
what does an inverted cross symbolize? where did it come from?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6kwm87/eli5_what_does_an_inverted_cross_symbolize_where/
{ "a_id": [ "djpciio", "djpcqd4" ], "score": [ 2, 5 ], "text": [ "The inverted cross is the Cross of Saint Peter, and relates to Christian mythology due to the story (The Matyrdom of Peter) of Saint Peter being crucified upside down.\nLately it's been used as an anti-Christian symbol by di...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
100ktu
Bras/chest support in Roman times?
Can anyone here link me to resources on what Roman women used as bras? I am also looking at both earlier and later if you happen to have any relevant resources?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/100ktu/braschest_support_in_roman_times/
{ "a_id": [ "c69cgek", "c69d8fw", "c69eefl" ], "score": [ 32, 18, 6 ], "text": [ "Not bra, but we have really well preserved mosaics of roman women in bikini swimwear: [Villa del Casale](_URL_0_).", "I've seen some references to a garment called a strophium or mamillare, which ...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villa_Romana_del_Casale" ], [], [ "http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/jul/20/medieval-bras-history-women-support" ] ]
14vszw
what being in love feels/is like
I did not find this asked before when I searched, if there is one, please link me and I'll mark this as answered. If not, how do I know if I am in love with another person? What's the difference between really caring about someone and being in love? If I know I love someone (with romantic parts to the relationship),...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/14vszw/eli5_what_being_in_love_feelsis_like/
{ "a_id": [ "c7gvsch", "c7h0psr" ], "score": [ 9, 2 ], "text": [ "Love is what is left when the honeymoon phase is gone. It is like having a puppy. The first day you bring him home it is the greatest thing in the world. You are so excited that they can do no wrong. Then 6 months later that...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
4fiy6q
What properties of blood can sharks "smell"? Notothenioids have clear blood because it contains no hemoglobin, a feature no other vertebrate shares. If notothenioid blood was put in a shark tank would sharks recognize it as blood?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/4fiy6q/what_properties_of_blood_can_sharks_smell/
{ "a_id": [ "d29x6s2" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Following the references from the smell section of the [Wikipedia page for sharks](_URL_1_), one is broken, but the other yields this:\n\n > Experiments on isolated olfactory lamellae of certain skates (family Rajidae) have revealed astonishingl...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://elasmo-research.org/education/white_shark/smell.htm", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shark#Smell", "http://sci-hub.io/10.1016/j.cub.2010.04.053" ] ]
69gw2v
I'm a Roman Emperor ruling in Rome. The Persians attack in the East. How does the news get to me, and how long does it take?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/69gw2v/im_a_roman_emperor_ruling_in_rome_the_persians/
{ "a_id": [ "dh72mva", "dh73dab" ], "score": [ 2, 22 ], "text": [ "As an aside were there any Persian empires at the time of imperial Rome to fight? My understanding was that the successor states were Hellenic like the Ptolemys in Egypt and not very Persian.", "The news of the attack w...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
3g5x3u
Does the behavior of plasma share any similarities with that of fluids?
The containment of Plasma in Nuclear fusion reactors for example requires an understanding of its behavior in response to magnetic fields and such. Does plasma behave in a way analogous to fluids under certain conditions and if so, can the laws governing fluid dynamics be somehow transplanted with necessary modifica...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/3g5x3u/does_the_behavior_of_plasma_share_any/
{ "a_id": [ "ctv8h7c" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Yes, the equations of plasma physics can be approximated by a fluid model in certain regimes. For instance, in an intense (non-neutral) cyclotron beam, we typically assume that the plasma is \"highly magnetized\", which means that the externally ...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debye_length" ] ]
1nrk0y
robitussin and other over the counter cold medicine, how does it work?
Is it a mixture of chemicals that serve to alleviate symptoms? Does it help the immune system fight in some way? Does it actually help your recovery time, or does ot just make you feel more comfortable while your immune system takes exactly as long as it would have anyway to defeat an ailment?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1nrk0y/robitussin_and_other_over_the_counter_cold/
{ "a_id": [ "cclceui" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ " > Is it a mixture of chemicals that serve to alleviate symptoms?\n\nYep.\n\n > Does it help the immune system fight in some way?\n\nNope.\n\n > Does it actually help your recovery time, or does ot just make you feel more comfortable while your ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
1zravl
Why did ancient chinese coins had a hole in their center?
Such as this: _URL_0_
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1zravl/why_did_ancient_chinese_coins_had_a_hole_in_their/
{ "a_id": [ "cfw7wcu", "cfw7ygz" ], "score": [ 5, 6 ], "text": [ "So that they could be strung together, in order to make them easier to carry around and so that you could make large purchases more easily (you could have a bundle of 100 coins, for example).\n\n[Here's an example](_URL_0_) ...
[]
[ "https://www.google.com.mx/search?q=chinese+coins&es_sm=93&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=UvYYU_msG4Pj2AX8zoHoCQ&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1920&bih=988#q=ancient+chinese+coins&tbm=isch" ]
[ [ "http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/cm/s/string_of_800_cash.aspx" ], [] ]
3fap3m
what's the reasoning behind the idea that money is free speech and (even small) contributions are not bribes?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3fap3m/eli5_whats_the_reasoning_behind_the_idea_that/
{ "a_id": [ "ctmu5xy" ], "score": [ 9 ], "text": [ "It is because money is often used to promote speech - getting it to as many ears as possible.\n\nIf I were to shout on a street corner, this is easily considered free speech.\n\nIf I were to buy a printing press and print up fliers for an issue, ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
1z03pk
why don't we just bomb north korea's leaders with drones?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1z03pk/eli5_why_dont_we_just_bomb_north_koreas_leaders/
{ "a_id": [ "cfp9xsj", "cfpa63d", "cfpa7ka", "cfpag0i", "cfpahl8" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 2, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Because China would get mad.", "Logistically, even with drones, how would we do this?\n\nNK has had more than enough time to build its military infrastruc...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
3deeai
if vanilla extract is a brownish color, why is vanilla ice cream white?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3deeai/eli5_if_vanilla_extract_is_a_brownish_color_why/
{ "a_id": [ "ct4beg4", "ct4bgoh" ], "score": [ 4, 2 ], "text": [ "You need very little vanilla to achieve enough taste. Also more often than not its artificially colored. For instance when making chocolate chip cookies or edible cookie dough you'll find the same thing. Usually the recipe, ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
3c9pvo
why is the concept of social darwinism / eugenics so morally reprehensible?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3c9pvo/eli5_why_is_the_concept_of_social_darwinism/
{ "a_id": [ "cstj6t4", "cstj6ws", "cstj6xs", "cstj8tv", "cstjnch" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "One thing I can tell you is that social Darwinism is used as an argument, sometimes, to justify the poor being poor and the rich, rich, etc. \n\nWhich is ridi...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
x5ktl
How popular was the concept of democracy in colonial America?
It was called a grand experiment and it sounds like many were skeptical that a democracycould even exist.
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/x5ktl/how_popular_was_the_concept_of_democracy_in/
{ "a_id": [ "c5jdtuf", "c5jfykp", "c5jh3gq", "c5ji6kz" ], "score": [ 14, 3, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "One thing you need to understand is that the term democracy has different meanings today then in 1787 America. Today we use the terms Republic and Democracy interchangeably, howe...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regulators_of_North_Carolina", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leisler%27s_Rebellion", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacon%27s_Rebellion" ], [] ]
13kr8g
Some smartphones, like the ones which use the Android OS have very short battery lives. What is stopping the companies from using larger batteries?
I am unsure if it has anything to do with production cost or design. Considering smartphones with Android OS, Motorola RAZR MAXX comes with a 3300 mAh battery, while being as thin as than 9 millimeters ( needless to point out that it has a significantly longer battery life), which is why I doubt phones need to be thick...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/13kr8g/some_smartphones_like_the_ones_which_use_the/
{ "a_id": [ "c74t8fk", "c74vdiz", "c752ph9" ], "score": [ 2, 3, 4 ], "text": [ "The ipad has a huge battery. If you put the same screen on it that a smartphone has, you would have a device that has an incredibly long battery life. The limiting factor is size.", "The limiting fa...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
3up4ax
why is everything so cold? why is absolute zero only -459.67f (-273.15c) but things can be trillions of degrees? in relation wouldn't it mean that life and everything we know as good for us, is ridiculously ridiculously cold?
Why is this? I looked up absolute hot as hell and its 1.416785(71)×10(to the 32 power). I cant even take this number seriously, its so hot. But then absolute zero, isn't really that much colder, than an earth winter. I guess my question is, why does life as we know it only exist in such extreme cold? And why is it so e...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3up4ax/eli5_why_is_everything_so_cold_why_is_absolute/
{ "a_id": [ "cxgmtsk", "cxgmv36", "cxgo8kx", "cxgq3cc", "cxgqqx1", "cxgross", "cxgrsxr", "cxgryp9", "cxgsgtk", "cxgsp7z", "cxgt3qz", "cxgtgwb", "cxgthb2", "cxgtkak", "cxgu6cn", "cxgv82x", "cxgvc8w", "cxgvpq2", "cxgwb4e", "cxgwqf8", "c...
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[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
2tqoio
how come the third rail on subway systems doesn't short circuit when it gets wet?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2tqoio/eli5_how_come_the_third_rail_on_subway_systems/
{ "a_id": [ "co1fv5i", "co1h27v" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "1. Water on the rail itself doesn't short circuit, as the rail is more conductive than the water.\n\n2. The water doesn't bridge between the third rail and a suitable ground. It might drip off, but it won't form a continuous...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
2a9wih
What major new inventions/technology were developed or poularized around 1860 to 1890?
And is there any good general source for a timeline of major inventions throughoutt history?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2a9wih/what_major_new_inventionstechnology_were/
{ "a_id": [ "citcgat" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "You're describing the Gilded Age and part of the Second Industrial revolution in most textbooks. This would have been a period that focused on industrial processes and the \"first\" examples of consumerism with plenty of examples of advertisement...
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[]
[ [] ]
54l883
if an ambulance is called to a casualty, but then sees one happen in front of it or is close by another, which one do they go to?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/54l883/eli5_if_an_ambulance_is_called_to_a_casualty_but/
{ "a_id": [ "d82v6z5", "d82yee8", "d831c8p", "d831nxk", "d8326tj" ], "score": [ 16, 90, 4, 5, 3 ], "text": [ "The ambulance drivers and paramedics don't make that decision. A dispatcher tells them where to go. If another emergency needs attention, dispatch will send...
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[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
1no0ci
What gravitational forces (from outside of our solar system) are acting on our Sun?
To be more specific.... The sun revolves around the center of our galaxy, but where is it feeling a gravitational pull from: Is it the actual galactic center or is it kept in line more by the influence of surrounding stars (like some kind of gravitational hand-holding)? I'm sure I could have worded that better, but I'...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1no0ci/what_gravitational_forces_from_outside_of_our/
{ "a_id": [ "cckoi5o", "ccktai3" ], "score": [ 3, 3 ], "text": [ "The sun is feeling the mean gravitational field of the entire galaxy (all stars) + the dark matter than is actually dominant part by mass. So the sun is feeling primarily the gravitational attraction of the dark matter which...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
a4yuo3
Did eyes evolve only once on Earth? Is there something about the small band of "visible" light that makes it optimal for eyes to evolve to see? Or is it just a coincidence that most animals see in the same spectrum?
I have heard of animals that see infrared & ultraviolet. But they all see (or so I think) the same frequency of light we see. Would an alien eye be more or less likely to see nothing in our "visible" band of light because it sees a higher or lower frequency? If eyes evolved once, it may be that the commonalities ar...
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/a4yuo3/did_eyes_evolve_only_once_on_earth_is_there/
{ "a_id": [ "ebinbz3", "ebio9t3", "ebipwxq", "ebj24so", "ebjnri4", "ebow2qj" ], "score": [ 7, 40, 11, 2, 8, 2 ], "text": [ "Eyes are a very very helpful adaptation. Any type of sensory perception of light is useful. There are a couple cases of convergent evo...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qrKZBh8BL_U", "https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IiVKwpWXDic" ], [], [], [], [], [ "https://visionaryeyecare.wordpress.com/2008/08/04/eye-test-find-your-blind-spot-in-each-eye/" ] ]
2ict3r
why does binge gaming make me feel like an angry zombie irl?
I've noticed over years of gaming that I cannot let myself binge over a weekend playing anything too intense because it has noticeable effects on my real life. After these long gaming sessions i am: * unable to concentrate on pretty much anything * easily annoyed and grumpy * completely lacking interest in...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2ict3r/eli5_why_does_binge_gaming_make_me_feel_like_an/
{ "a_id": [ "cl0z4g2" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "I hate to say this, but you're a gaming addict. If you take small, regular \"hits\", you're ok, but if you take too big of a hit, and then try to jump off you go into withdrawal symptoms, and what fixes those? Another hit." ] }
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[ [] ]
88cl63
How gory was Napoleonic era warfare
I mean that surely it was not as bloody as 20th-century warfare as in hands and bits of flesh and shrapnel flying everywhere but I was just wondering, how bloody/gory it was
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/88cl63/how_gory_was_napoleonic_era_warfare/
{ "a_id": [ "dwnin8q" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Well you thought wrong, dumbass! \n\n**5 TIMES DUDES GOT REKT IN NAPOLEONIC WARFARE (#4 WILL SHOCK YOU!)**\n\n#1 *These Colors Don't Run!*\n\nSo during the Waterloo campaign, this British battalion had to stand in the open under French cannon fi...
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[]
[ [ "http://blog.europeana.eu/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Soldier-wounded-at-Waterloo-with-right-arm-missing.jpg", "http://blog.europeana.eu/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Soldier-with-left-arm-missing-bandaged-head-with-quill-in-right-arm.jpg", "http://blog.europeana.eu/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Soldier-suff...
1ipsqy
During WWII did the British government ever ask for "royal subjects" from all over the world to report for military duty? Did some just show up and volunteer?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1ipsqy/during_wwii_did_the_british_government_ever_ask/
{ "a_id": [ "cb6v9jn", "cb6z2e6" ], "score": [ 2, 6 ], "text": [ "There was the Empire Air Training Scheme (it has different names depending on which country you're from) which was a training programme for aircrew developed by the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Af...
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[]
[ [], [ "http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/timeline/factfiles/nonflash/a6651218.shtml" ] ]
2or2ef
why can't the interest rate set by the boe remain low indefinitely?
I keep hearing from pundits that it must be raised eventually. I don't understand why.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2or2ef/eli5_why_cant_the_interest_rate_set_by_the_boe/
{ "a_id": [ "cmppbje", "cmppu9m" ], "score": [ 2, 10 ], "text": [ "Low interest rates can cause the economy to \"overheat\". People will take too many risks with the cheap loans. In bad times people are trying to protect what they have so we need them a bit more risk taking. In good times ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
7z82pl
how do companies like that popular company selling evs or that other popular ridesharing company lose billions of dollars each quarter and yet manage to avoid bankruptcy? not only that they are viewed as companies which have a bright future in front of them?
Pretty much that, had to avoid mentioning the names of those 2 companies because it got taken down by Automoderator the first time around . So I sort of understand how corporate bonds work, but those companies have been around since the early 00s and surely time to pay back their initial bond sale came and went, how c...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7z82pl/eli5_how_do_companies_like_that_popular_company/
{ "a_id": [ "dum03sv", "dum0qd8", "dum3x38" ], "score": [ 10, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "They spend money provided by investors, who buy a piece of the business hoping to cash in on *future* profits.", "They’re not profitable yet due to expansion or growth. But they do make some money...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
1g9qlw
Can the magnetic field of the Earth be "thrown off"?
I was reading [this article](_URL_0_) where it says that they are capable of producing a magnetic field of up to 11.8 Teslas. The Magnetic Field of the Earth is only 30-60 microTeslas. Will the earth's magnetic field be affected by a magnetic field this large?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1g9qlw/can_the_magnetic_field_of_the_earth_be_thrown_off/
{ "a_id": [ "caiiy0u" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "In the far field of a magnetic dipole the field is proportional to the inverse cube of the distance so it falls off very quickly. Say the leakage field 1 meter from the magnet is 1 Tesla. By the time you're 100 meters from the magnet the field ...
[]
[ "http://www.iter.org/mach/magnets" ]
[ [] ]
2fo41w
Why are blacksmiths called blacksmiths?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2fo41w/why_are_blacksmiths_called_blacksmiths/
{ "a_id": [ "ckb6pid" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "They smith the black metals (iron) as opposed to white(tin), silver(flatwear and other objects), gold(jewelry). It comes from the color of the final product. " ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
256mt2
how do they launch space ships from the moon back to earth?
On earth they have all this fancy equipment, huge crews, etc. On the moon they don't. Plus don't they drop a bunch of engines or something on their way? So how does it work?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/256mt2/eli5_how_do_they_launch_space_ships_from_the_moon/
{ "a_id": [ "che7nvz", "che7psb", "che8c80" ], "score": [ 4, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "The moon's gravity is much weaker than the earth's, and there's no atmosphere to offer up any resistance, so they didn't need as much thrust to escape the moon's gravity well. Considering that, the lun...
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[]
[ [], [], [] ]
4tx32f
[Astronomy] What kind of technology would a 65 million light-years away alien civilization need if they wanted to see the dinosaurs?
[deleted]
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/4tx32f/astronomy_what_kind_of_technology_would_a_65/
{ "a_id": [ "d5kzu0j" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "The two big limiting factors are (a) resolution, and (b) brightness. For (b), you need a big collecting area and very sensitive detectors in your telescope. The particulars depend so much on technology that I won't speculate about what you need t...
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[]
[ [] ]
2zcrci
How would long-distance roads in 19th century America compare to modern-day highways?
Apart from main streets in towns, and separate from railroads used for long-distance travel, what would the experience be like traveling from, as an example, St. Louis to Kansas City with **horseback riding** and **covered wagons** being the main modes of transportation? Were there designated roads, or just large area...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2zcrci/how_would_longdistance_roads_in_19th_century/
{ "a_id": [ "cphowz1", "cphuvvx" ], "score": [ 5, 3 ], "text": [ "It would have been pretty terrible, frankly. Even in the 1920s and 1930s a long-distance journey in an automobile would have been anything but comfortable. There would have been designated roads, but before the 1920s, no sta...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
2u6n07
what do presidents do after their term(s) is/are done?
Do they just chill around for the rest of their lives, or do they go back to regular work? If so, what work? What if there was a really young president?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2u6n07/eli5_what_do_presidents_do_after_their_terms/
{ "a_id": [ "co5lfho" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "They collect money for the rest of their lives from the government and the intelligent ones make even more giving speeches. " ] }
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[]
[ [] ]
12k5bv
Historical incidents of non-state-backed or subversive currencies?
I am wondering if there are historical occurrences or general trends of alternative currencies. And also how they affected the state in question, how commerce was done, the originators of the currency, enabling of black markets/underground economies, etc.
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/12k5bv/historical_incidents_of_nonstatebacked_or/
{ "a_id": [ "c6vqmon", "c6vrgg3" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "There's the [WIR Bank](_URL_1_) currency that's been in use since 1934 until now . . . does an alternative currency have to go into disuse for it to be historic? \n \nThe [The Wörgl experiment](_URL_0_) (July 1932 to Novem...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_currency#Historical_local_currencies", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WIR_Bank" ], [] ]
7f2jhw
why is there a minimum age limit to vote but no maximum age limit?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7f2jhw/eli5_why_is_there_a_minimum_age_limit_to_vote_but/
{ "a_id": [ "dq91q7z" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Growing up is a more predictable process than ageing (even though it is not 100% predictable). Some 12 year old children are smarter than others, but they all have some degree of immaturity. Maturity takes time. Some elderly people remain quit...
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[]
[ [] ]
evkysu
why aren't there really big predators about the same size of possible prey? and sometimes there are big predators without big prey?
Disclaimer: read the edit at the end I was wondering why there aren't predators about the same size of the biggest herbivors (or filter feeders) in a certain time. For example, why isn't there some elephant size carnivorous species? Why the biggest sea predator (white shark, orca or sperm whale) doesn't reach the si...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/evkysu/eli5_why_arent_there_really_big_predators_about/
{ "a_id": [ "ffwazvz", "ffx9f31" ], "score": [ 18, 2 ], "text": [ "I'm no biologist but from what I understand it's kind of just pointless. If you wanted to be large enough to eat a blue whale then you would need a ton of food to sustain yourself. Since you would need so much food the only...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
3dfyrp
How close was poland to giving Nazi germany the danzig corridor?
If at all
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3dfyrp/how_close_was_poland_to_giving_nazi_germany_the/
{ "a_id": [ "ct4sg9v" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "This was the basis of my final paper during my undergrad, well it was more about the \"creation and effect on interwar German-Polish relations\" (to quote my title). And in short, not at all.\n\nFirst off it has to be noted that Poland never lega...
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[]
[ [] ]
wxgnq
What's the deal with the "thumbs up" gesture?
I have had several teachers/professors give conflicting explanations of how the "thumbs up" came to be a gesture of approval. Most have used the Roman gladiatorial games as the source, but almost none of them have agreed on how it was used. Did it mean a go ahead to let the opponent go? To kill him? Was it ever even po...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/wxgnq/whats_the_deal_with_the_thumbs_up_gesture/
{ "a_id": [ "c5hc1sn", "c5hd3or", "c5hdx2r" ], "score": [ 7, 2, 15 ], "text": [ "_URL_0_\n\nLooks to be as disputed as the origins of the word \"okay\" (Old Kinderhook?)", "Does anyone know the history behind it being an obscene gesture? The Wiki states this is the case in som...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thumbs_signal" ], [], [ "http://www.unrv.com/culture/gladiator.php", "http://www.explore-italian-culture.com/ancient-roman-colosseum.html#axzz21IJGBFaZ" ] ]
4zs074
japanese fascination with hello kitty
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4zs074/eli5_japanese_fascination_with_hello_kitty/
{ "a_id": [ "d6yda1d" ], "score": [ 15 ], "text": [ "Mickey Mouse is an iconic character in American pop culture for families. You grow up with him because you've been exposed to him all your life either through your parents or just having him shoved in your face through anything Disney. \n\nBasic...
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[]
[ [] ]
4uvh75
the power of the potus. under what circumstances could a president give an order? what's to stop a president from giving an order to launch icbms at antarctica for no reason?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4uvh75/eli5_the_power_of_the_potus_under_what/
{ "a_id": [ "d5t5d1o", "d5t6ol7" ], "score": [ 4, 2 ], "text": [ "As far as ICBMs go, the contract you sign to enter the military stipulates that you are not required to follow unlawful orders, or orders that you believe shouldn't be followed (which of course is up to the interpretation of...
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[ [], [] ]
2alejx
if distilled water is just evaporated and then re-condensed, why isn't rain pure water?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2alejx/eli5_if_distilled_water_is_just_evaporated_and/
{ "a_id": [ "ciwaud3", "ciwaw1b", "ciwf3ys" ], "score": [ 9, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Because distilled water is theoretically distilled in a controlled environment. There is dust and pollen and smoke and shit in the air and clouds which contaminate rain. ", "Because there's stuff ot...
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[]
[ [], [], [] ]
fklt3h
how does inhaled asthma medications weaken your immune system?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/fklt3h/elif_how_does_inhaled_asthma_medications_weaken/
{ "a_id": [ "fktfke5" ], "score": [ 12 ], "text": [ "asthma medications are generally a sympathetic stimulant and a corticosteroid. \n\nThe sympathetic stimulant does the same thing that your body does during fight-or-flight. Both cause your lungs to \"open up\" so you can take in air better becau...
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[]
[ [] ]
f6g1zc
Did the Japanese ever resort to using biological and chemical warfare against the Americans during the Pacific War?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/f6g1zc/did_the_japanese_ever_resort_to_using_biological/
{ "a_id": [ "fi4p4mf" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "They never brought out the chemical weapons, no. I touch on this a bit in [this longer answer](_URL_0_), but to reiterate, where there were a few scattered reports of individual grenades being used, these almost certainly were isolated incidents ...
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[]
[ [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/bqdimf/this_maybe_silly_but_after_signing_the_geneva/eo54p8e/" ] ]
3og0b6
why is is customary in rap/hip-hop to use a different name?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3og0b6/eli5_why_is_is_customary_in_raphiphop_to_use_a/
{ "a_id": [ "cvwul54", "cvwww8y" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "It's often a part of culture. Especially in the African American community, nicknames are what people are most known by. ", "Its just a convention of hip hop. \n\nProbably influenced by very early NY hiphop being closely...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
b3g84n
is there any scientific basis for horoscopes?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/b3g84n/eli5_is_there_any_scientific_basis_for_horoscopes/
{ "a_id": [ "eizbref", "eizc5pw", "eizdgsz" ], "score": [ 4, 4, 3 ], "text": [ "Only in the sense that there are constellations in the sky. Those exist, although they're more folklore than science.\n\nThe actual horoscopes themselves are not based in science.", "The horoscopes ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
v7nia
Why does uncooked pasta take a long time to expire?
I had some uncooked pasta laying around and cooked it today. Why does uncooked pasta take such a long time to expire compared to, say, milk or bread?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/v7nia/why_does_uncooked_pasta_take_a_long_time_to_expire/
{ "a_id": [ "c521k0b", "c522foo" ], "score": [ 8, 3 ], "text": [ "It is dried, nothing to go stale and nothing for any microorganisms to live in.", "Anything dehydrated has a long shelf life.\n\nSee: Rice, Beans, Crackers or Croutons (to a degree, they arent quite dehydrated bread, but...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
2wqrc2
why do some cigarette smokers end up with huge health complications (artificial larynx, tracheotomy, etc.) while other heavy smokers seem to have been smoking for years with minimal complications?
I fell like this is gonna get down voted to hell, but I'm honestly curious as to why some people die from lung cancer, or end up having to have tracheotomies due to heavy smoking, (like in those anti smoking commercials where all those people talk about how hard it is living with a stoma in their neck) but other heavy ...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2wqrc2/eli5_why_do_some_cigarette_smokers_end_up_with/
{ "a_id": [ "cot9mqk", "cotaoz5", "cotby3o", "cotelsj" ], "score": [ 12, 36, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Two possibilities:\n\n1) There is just a random \"chance factor\" involved\n\n2) There are one or more factors that we have not yet discovered or do not yet fully understand\n\...
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[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
19nmif
Wouldn't implanting young DNA compatible cells that replicate normally without being targeted by your immune system be the "cure" for old age?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/19nmif/wouldnt_implanting_young_dna_compatible_cells/
{ "a_id": [ "c8pnw0x", "c8pqlcz" ], "score": [ 16, 4 ], "text": [ "This may be true if all cells in your body continually divide, but there are important cells (such as almost all your neurons in your nervous system) that are post-mitotic and will accumulate DNA damage over time.", "As...
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[ [], [] ]
2p2j8u
why do indians bobble their heads when speaking? (no racism intended
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2p2j8u/eli5why_do_indians_bobble_their_heads_when/
{ "a_id": [ "cmsqeie", "cmsqfai", "cmsqt5v", "cmsvsxd", "cmszlw9", "cmt55ol" ], "score": [ 18, 7, 3, 15, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "It's simply a gesture that's become culturally common in India.\n\nHere's a [video which explains the meanings](_URL_0_).", "They ...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uj56IPJOqWE" ], [], [], [], [], [] ]
ftu9n3
what is the difference between insurance and a provider?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ftu9n3/eli5_what_is_the_difference_between_insurance_and/
{ "a_id": [ "fm94kir" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Medi-Cal is a state of California program to insure people who need insurance. There are many Medi-Cal providers, and it seems you got assigned to Molina. So, Molina is your insurance company. This is not the same as a medical provider. You'll...
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[ [] ]
rbqyc
how do snakes and other poisonous animals/insects produce their venom?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/rbqyc/eli5_how_do_snakes_and_other_poisonous/
{ "a_id": [ "c44j2aq", "c44ra2k" ], "score": [ 6, 2 ], "text": [ "Snakes have [special venom glands in their heads](_URL_0_). Spiders may just use digestive juices.", "Some animals, such as nudibranchs, consume poisonous prey and, rather than breaking down or being affected by the pois...
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[]
[ [ "http://reptilis.net/serpentes/venom.html" ], [] ]
4slrft
what exactly is google's tensorflow?
I recently came across TensorFlow, which from what I've read seems to be a pretty big deal in the A.I. community. But as a person with no computer science background, nor any real knowledge in AI, I still don't understand it!! What even is it? and what is it used for?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4slrft/eli5_what_exactly_is_googles_tensorflow/
{ "a_id": [ "d5acqxd", "d5ad5ha", "d5agg8s" ], "score": [ 4, 2, 6 ], "text": [ "After dooing some quick research (2 google searches). The new google Tenserflow is a deep learning ai. You can use the code to set up ais like the AI created by google to detect cat photos. This is a st...
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[ [], [], [] ]
15yzq8
how is adblock plus able to remove the ads that stream before youtube videos?
Also I believe it removes ads that are overlayed on top of the video. How does it do that? How hard would it be for youtube to detect and prevent this?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/15yzq8/how_is_adblock_plus_able_to_remove_the_ads_that/
{ "a_id": [ "c7r4ixr", "c7r4jl6", "c7r5sm7" ], "score": [ 28, 4, 2 ], "text": [ " > How does it do that? How hard would it be for youtube to detect and prevent this?\n\nAdblock programs work by reading the instructions to build the webpage, and telling the browser not to follow ce...
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[ [], [], [] ]
1mkhb7
why is there no color on magnified images. (i.e. images of bacteria)
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1mkhb7/eli5_why_is_there_no_color_on_magnified_images_ie/
{ "a_id": [ "cca2a1o", "cca8s9z" ], "score": [ 11, 3 ], "text": [ "It all depends on which type of method you use for magnification. If you use an ordinary optical microscope you will actually see colors. Optical microscopes are however limited in how small things they are able to see. The...
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[ [], [] ]
1jien5
is being vegetarian healthy and is it feasible at the population level?
I've heard conflicting views on the healthiness of being vegetarian. As an individual, does it have the potential to be healthier than eating meat or will there always be deficiencies? Also is it possible for the whole population to live without meat or would this negatively affect the ecosystem somehow?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1jien5/eli5is_being_vegetarian_healthy_and_is_it/
{ "a_id": [ "cbeytrf", "cbez2et", "cbez4wo" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "1) Vegetarianism is healthy but you usually have to be a little more aware of your diet. People need things like protein and iron which are extremely prevalent in meat but can substitute different fruit...
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[]
[ [], [], [] ]
11979s
If we were to start using solar power on a large scale, would we be able to slow climate change on the back end as well as the front? (Explanation inside)
This is probably a dumb thought, but bear with me. If we were to start using solar power on a very large scale, we would certainly be able to slow climate change by reducing CO2 emissions. This is the obvious benefit. But I was thinking, would we be able to slow the heating of the plant by collecting the sun's heat...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/11979s/if_we_were_to_start_using_solar_power_on_a_large/
{ "a_id": [ "c6kf6mp" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Let's examine this from a few perspectives with a few totally unreasonable assumptions:\n\n*The power storage capacity it present in a perfect state and can act as a load follower\n* All power used throughout the whole world is provided via Solar...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_energy", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_energy_consumption" ] ]
14btfr
why some condiments are labeled as fancy
For example ketchup sometimes has the word "fancy" on it. Also, my packet of jam has "Grade A Fancy" in very small print written on it.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/14btfr/eli5_why_some_condiments_are_labeled_as_fancy/
{ "a_id": [ "c7bnj34" ], "score": [ 9 ], "text": [ "It is used mainly as a marketing term and as a designation of quality\n\n\n\"According to Heinz, “fancy” is simply a USDA designation that producers are allowed to use for marketing if their product meets the standards of US Grade A/US Fancy toma...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/107311" ] ]
f4kxmb
Could American Civil war be avoided?
Could American Civil war be avoided if the North abolitionist ideas weren't so aggressive and the South more willing to compromise?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/f4kxmb/could_american_civil_war_be_avoided/
{ "a_id": [ "fhrjah0", "fhtgxgv" ], "score": [ 3, 8 ], "text": [ "There's always more that can be said, but you might enjoy these older threads that touch on similar areas. \n\n/u/sowser and others essentially discuss much of your question in [Tell me if this is crazy. Could the American C...
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[]
[ [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/42y9jk/tell_me_if_this_is_crazy_could_the_american_civil/", "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/68myvr/why_was_there_a_civil_war_why_could_that_one_not/dgztopa/" ], [] ]
9qyivz
why is the sun so bright and hard to look at when at noon but becomes dim enough at dusk that we can clearly make out its perfect circular shape
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9qyivz/eli5why_is_the_sun_so_bright_and_hard_to_look_at/
{ "a_id": [ "e8cocqx" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "The distance the light travels through the atmosphere. When it's directly over you it doesn't have to travel a long distance, but when it's close at the horizon it has a lot of atmosphere to travel through which dims the light and the refraction ...
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[ [] ]
bfu7du
why do banks use apple/google pay for contactless payments instead of their own apps?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bfu7du/eli5_why_do_banks_use_applegoogle_pay_for/
{ "a_id": [ "elgcfmh", "elgcil1", "elge9r5", "elgfpag", "elgk5oe" ], "score": [ 2, 3, 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "In short, why spend a lot to compete against the leading players in the market to offer the same service when you can just join them.", "Because much more...
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[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
8xzmey
Did Roman people ever travel by aqueduct?
I feel almost silly asking, but even if not an official mode of transportation someone must have ridden an aqueduct as a shortcut. I was thinking of the importance of canals and the idea popped in my head.
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/8xzmey/did_roman_people_ever_travel_by_aqueduct/
{ "a_id": [ "e26zt9i", "e286svt", "e28q81e" ], "score": [ 76, 13, 11 ], "text": [ "related- was there any policing of the aqueduct, considering how important it was? I mean, stopping people from dumping random things into it, pooping in it, etc.", "I might be misinterpreting y...
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[]
[ [], [], [ "http://www.romanaqueducts.info/aquasite/foto/pontdugardarea.jpg", "https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/04/6a/e0/06/mineral-deposits-on-the.jpg", "http://www.pontdugard.fr/sites/default/files//1_0.jpg" ] ]
4fr4on
How do voting machines work and why would we need to audit something as simple as a vote count?
To a simpleton like myself, an average smartphone seems far more complicated than a machine that counts "Votes for H" and "Votes for B." How do the voting machines responsible for counting votes actually work? How could something so simple be the subject of fraud? How could that fraud be detected and rectified?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/4fr4on/how_do_voting_machines_work_and_why_would_we_need/
{ "a_id": [ "d2bch1f", "d2bcu8w", "d2bhe29", "d2gdllp" ], "score": [ 18, 3, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "I can't speak to the specifics of the inner workings of the voting machines themselves, but I do work in IT Security and can discuss some of the latter questions.\n\n > How could...
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[ [], [ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3_0x6oaDmI" ], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hash-based_message_authentication_code" ], [] ]
2xutms
Why can't we determine where an electron is located? If time were stopped and you had an omniscient point of view, could you determine all the properties of an electron?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2xutms/why_cant_we_determine_where_an_electron_is/
{ "a_id": [ "cp3nt20", "cp489th" ], "score": [ 19, 2 ], "text": [ "What you have to understand is that the fuzziness of the electron's location is not a result of our imperfect ability to measure its position, but is an intrinsic property of the electron itself. You can't think of an elect...
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[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wave_function", "http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cf/HAtomOrbitals.png", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncertainty_principle#Wave_mechanics_interpretation.5B9.5D.5Bpage.C2.A0needed.5D", "http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/db/Sequential_superposi...
2nyimt
How massive was the flight of German civilians during the end of WWII?
I understand that Prussia had the biggest amount of civilians leaving their homes fearing the Red Army. What were the other major regions? How many refugees left and how many made it alive? Did most of them left for Western Germany or there were other notable destinations? When did the mass flight start? How did Wehrma...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2nyimt/how_massive_was_the_flight_of_german_civilians/
{ "a_id": [ "cmi5h5r" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "I'll respond beginning with the last question.\n\nHitler commanded the Wehrmacht to destroy every german house, kill every german civilian, whipe out everything that could even leave a clue of people ever living in germany. \n\nWhy? Well, mostly ...
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[ [] ]
8k5xqv
Do volcanic eruptions, such as the one currently happening in Hawaii, have an effect on global temperature?
With the recent ongoing eruption of Kilauea in Hawaii, and the subsequent plume of ash being tossed into the atmosphere from it's summit, will such an event impact the global climate in any significant way? If so, in what manner? Thanks!
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/8k5xqv/do_volcanic_eruptions_such_as_the_one_currently/
{ "a_id": [ "dz59fmk" ], "score": [ 12 ], "text": [ "Yes, but no.\n\nThe current Kilauea eruption is not outgasing or putting enough ash into the air to create a marked effect on the global climate.\n\nHowever, there have been volcanic eruptions in the past, Krakatoa, The Siberian Steps, Tambora, ...
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7cbbje
what is "brainfreeze"?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7cbbje/eli5what_is_brainfreeze/
{ "a_id": [ "dpoldlk" ], "score": [ 143 ], "text": [ "Your brain uses the temperature sensing nerves at the back of your throat to judge extreme cold. Those nerves are relatively deep in the body while still exposed to the outside. If they're cold, your environment is likely *very* cold. Your body...
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[ [] ]
334wt0
When we rip paper, are we breaking covalent bonds or just hydrogen bonding between molecules?
Other examples would be cutting plastic with scissors, snapping a strand of hair, or smashing a rock. A carbon-oxygen bond (C=O) requires 745 kJ/mol to break the bonds. An AK47 bullet can impart 2kJ, and a human punch weighs in at a measly 100 joules. So when you tear, rip, punch, or shoot something, are you actuall...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/334wt0/when_we_rip_paper_are_we_breaking_covalent_bonds/
{ "a_id": [ "cqhkgis", "cqhkmnp" ], "score": [ 4, 14 ], "text": [ "No. \n\nBreaking a bond is a chemical change, but ripping a piece of paper is physical. When you rip paper, you are tearing fibers, that latch onto each other to hold the paper together, apart but no bonds are broken. ", ...
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[ [], [] ]
7stpg1
how can russians who swim in cold water keep their toes and fingers?
I have a big winter coat, winter gloves, winter hat, winter boots, scarf, am walking at a fast pace, and sometimes I STILL feel my fingers and toes are numb due to cold temperature. How is it possible that I could take off all my clothes, jump in cold water, stay for a few minutes and not lose my extremities?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7stpg1/eli5_how_can_russians_who_swim_in_cold_water_keep/
{ "a_id": [ "dt7f8yl", "dt7gr45" ], "score": [ 2, 7 ], "text": [ "Vodka.\n\nNo but for real, us Slavs just naturally feel warm. Most of us get sweaty and irritated at normal temperatures. We take cold showers because we're used to it and that helps with the cold too.", "The reason you ...
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[ [], [] ]
7lrjhb
Winston Churchill's "We will fight them on the beaches" speech is viewed as one of the great speeches of history, but what was the contemporary reaction to it?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/7lrjhb/winston_churchills_we_will_fight_them_on_the/
{ "a_id": [ "drpatty", "drpl2zy" ], "score": [ 45, 112 ], "text": [ "Hey all,\n\nIf you frequent the sub, you know the drill. If you're here from /r/all, or browse only occasionally, please be aware we have strict rules here intended to enforce the very high bar we expect from comments, so...
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[ [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/wiki/bestof", "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/search?q=title%3A%22Sunday+Digest%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all", "http://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FAskHistorians&subject=Question%20Regarding%20Rules", "https://www.faceb...
38odvk
why do white people have such unusual names ie. tagg, scooter, buck, apple, skylar? where do they come from? or do their parents just make them up?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/38odvk/eli5_why_do_white_people_have_such_unusual_names/
{ "a_id": [ "crwi3nt", "crwiium" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Every ethnicity has unusual names, it's not something specific to white people. Some are made up, others are passed down generation to generation. Beyonce named her kid Blue -- that's also unusual.", "How on earth is Sky...
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[ [], [] ]
6cusg3
Was the communist takeover of Poland post-WWII an unfortunate necessity to finally unseat the gentry...allowing an eventual functioning Democratic Republic to form?
The feudal system in Poland seemed to linger on longer than most European countries. Many have cited the "Golden Freedom" and liberatum veto of the Polish nobility as factors that, along with bribes from foreign powers, prevented any real unity and lead to the partition. How much power did the Gentry regain after Pol...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6cusg3/was_the_communist_takeover_of_poland_postwwii_an/
{ "a_id": [ "dhxv7yj" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "Although the Polish communist parties defined the *szlachta* land-owning gentry as one of the Polish nation's class enemies and defined feudalism as a retrograde socioeconomic order, the reality was the *szlachta* was a class very much on the wan...
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[ [] ]
jalj9
The relationship between the human mind and numbers
Is there any evidence that the human mind has a natural predisposition towards counting/measurement/numbers or is Mathematics and measurement as a fundamental property of science more a result of historical circumstance?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/jalj9/the_relationship_between_the_human_mind_and/
{ "a_id": [ "c2aj2gz", "c2aja6g", "c2aj2gz", "c2aja6g" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Humans have an innate ability to count, that is greater than most animals but worse than a good number of them too. Some animals have counting/measurement skills that *far* out-sha...
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[ [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acalculia" ], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acalculia" ] ]
3gilg7
Are raccoons and Pandas related?
giraffee.
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/3gilg7/are_raccoons_and_pandas_related/
{ "a_id": [ "ctzrz82" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "This is a question with a lot of answers. \nIn as much as they're animals they're related not only to each other, but also to you and sea sponges. \nBut of course they're more closely related to one another than they are to you and I. \nWe'...
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[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musteloidea", "https://www.google.com/search?q=red+panda&newwindow=1&espv=2&biw=1366&bih=643&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMI--mRx5SixwIVyCuICh3eWAkL#newwindow=1&tbm=isch&q=cute+red+panda", "https://www.google.com/se...
2eomjs
What determines whether the light hitting an object is being transmitted or reflected?
I've been reading [this](_URL_0_) answer to an earlier question of another poster. I really liked the answer, unfortunately however, the poster failed to mention what exactly determines whether the light hitting an object is being transmitted or reflected
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2eomjs/what_determines_whether_the_light_hitting_an/
{ "a_id": [ "ck1hfkv" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "We can describe this without going into the microscopic physics, which is a bit obscure. Suppose that the wave is traveling in a medium (such as air or water) that has an index of refraction.\n\nIf the struck object is an insulator (like glass),...
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[ "http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2eob2v/what_determines_what_color_an_object_is/ck1g2wj" ]
[ [] ]
3vjucy
Geologists/Earth Scientists: Will all the current land on earth eventually be "refreshed" via subduction?
I understand that we are talking about geologic time here, a long long time. The heart of my question is a wondering whether the current surface of the earth, on which every mountain, river, and of course human-built structure stands, will one day be pulled under the earth via subduction, buried under miles of rock, an...
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/3vjucy/geologistsearth_scientists_will_all_the_current/
{ "a_id": [ "cxo8mre" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ "A simple steady state mass balance approach that gets to an estimate of the time it takes to recycle the continental crust:\n\nThe answer is that the crust is recycled, but not really in the way you're thinking of. Continental crust (CC) isn't re...
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[ [ "http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0009254197001502", "http://www.virtualexplorer.com.au/article/2003/79/interaction-of-mantle-plume-with-india/media/figure25.png" ] ]
azexkc
why does cheese stick to the spoon when you put it into hot soup?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/azexkc/eli5_why_does_cheese_stick_to_the_spoon_when_you/
{ "a_id": [ "ei7l2nm" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "The spoon is colder than the soup, so when the melted cheese touches it it partially solidifies and grabs onto the spoon. " ] }
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[ [] ]
12v177
why do i get sharp pains in my head.
On occasion I get sharp piercing pains on the left side of my head. They instantly go away and there is so residing pain afterwards. I don't see anything that is consistent in what I'm doing at the time of the pain. The pain is enough to make me cringe and close my eyes.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/12v177/eli5_why_do_i_get_sharp_pains_in_my_head/
{ "a_id": [ "c6ybxmb", "c6ycbq4" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "You should probably ask a doctor.", "I sometimes, though rarely, get random pains in the head or other places too. Does it happen irregularly for you as well?\n\nIt's not so serious or often to me, but if it is to you it...
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[ [], [] ]
culnz5
If I get a vaccine and then get tested for the same disease would I test positive?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/culnz5/if_i_get_a_vaccine_and_then_get_tested_for_the/
{ "a_id": [ "ey1n882", "fcjppq3" ], "score": [ 5, 2 ], "text": [ "It depends on the kind of test. \n\nSome tests check for immunity. Those cannot distinguish between a person who had the disease versus a person who was vaccinated. One example of this is the tuberculosis skin test. A positi...
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[ [], [] ]
1kpb23
Can someone explain the biological process behind getting used to inhaling cigarette/whatever smoke?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1kpb23/can_someone_explain_the_biological_process_behind/
{ "a_id": [ "cbr8nvp" ], "score": [ 14 ], "text": [ "Your body will adapt to the smoke, by making the lungs expand more in order to attempt to get more oxygen into them. Same thing will happen with any reduced oxygen situation such as living higher in the mountains. They will actually expand wel...
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[ [ "http://www.ehow.com/how-does_5525323_causes-expanded-lungs.html" ] ]
2fyz23
Can this article regarding light being stopped be explained?
_URL_0_ I see posts about how they cool the atoms to within a billionth of a degree of absolute zero and, as far as I knew, this was not possible for humans to accomplish. What is the technology and scuence behind this stopped light?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2fyz23/can_this_article_regarding_light_being_stopped_be/
{ "a_id": [ "ckejdi4" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "There are two parts to your question, so let's adress them separately.\n\n*\"I see posts about how they cool the atoms to within a billionth of a degree of absolute zero and, as far as I knew, this was not possible for humans to accomplish.\"* ...
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[ "http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/2001/01.24/01-stoplight.html" ]
[ [] ]
1c6zuj
Having trouble understanding relativity and time dilation. Specifically as it relates to simultaneity of events in different inertial reference frames.
I'm studying for a physics exam and I came across this statement: "Two events that are simultaneous in one frame of reference are not simultaneous in a second frame of reference that is moving relative to the first one, even if both are inertial frames." Could someone put this into a real world example (is it poss...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1c6zuj/having_trouble_understanding_relativity_and_time/
{ "a_id": [ "c9dn31b" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "I'm not an expert but I saw [this a while back](_URL_0_). I think that it will answer your question." ] }
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[ [ "http://youtu.be/kGsbBw1I0Rg" ] ]
5yh3rv
why was prohibition less successful than the war on drugs?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5yh3rv/eli5_why_was_prohibition_less_successful_than_the/
{ "a_id": [ "depy4ro", "depy5vo", "deq0ouh", "deq1un4" ], "score": [ 13, 6, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "The war on drugs was a failure in the exact same way that prohibition of alcohol was. We just keep doing it anyway.", "The percentage of people who use alcohol is higher than ...
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[ [], [], [ "https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2015/04/28/how-for-profit-prisons-have-become-the-biggest-lobby-no-one-is-talking-about/?utm_term=.b20f23d627f0", "http://www.drugwarfacts.org/cms/Crime#sthash.H1lG7UCG.dpuf", "http://www.drugpolicy.org/sites/default/files/One_Million_Polic...
p3xei
elim5 why eating 5-6 smaller meals a day is better then 2-3?
Been in the workout and diet routine for a month now and this advice is always inconsistent. What gives?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/p3xei/elim5_why_eating_56_smaller_meals_a_day_is_better/
{ "a_id": [ "c3mamuu", "c3maqkz", "c3mbc6m", "c3mcqky", "c3mcug4" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 3, 4, 7 ], "text": [ "Nothing is \"better\" except whatever makes you the most comfortable. I like to eat less, but more often, because I feel better when I do. But I know this i...
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[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
9kp7op
if the voyager 1, the furthest man made object from earth, is roughly 18.8b km away, how do we know about cosmic webs, 100 billion lightyears away, and other extremely far structures of the universe?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9kp7op/eli5_if_the_voyager_1_the_furthest_man_made/
{ "a_id": [ "e70pzel", "e70q1nx" ], "score": [ 38, 3 ], "text": [ "We... look. \n\nWith telescopes. \n\nAnd mathematical calculations using the redshift of distant objects and the parallax of less distant objects as Earth orbits the Sun allow us to convert the 2D images produced by telesco...
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[ [], [] ]
o2qg9
In addition to the moon's own gravitational pull, do the tides it produces have any significant effect on my weight? i.e. is there a noticeable difference between high and low tides?
I've seen other posts asking "how much does the moon affect my weight" but the questions (and answers) seem to only address the gravitational pull of the moon itself due to its mass alone. But what about all of the water sloshing around due to tides? Wikipedia tells me that there is 1,338,000,000 km^3 of water on thi...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/o2qg9/in_addition_to_the_moons_own_gravitational_pull/
{ "a_id": [ "c3dxbaw" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "It will have (little to) no effect on your weight, but it will change the vector of your weight ever so slightly. If this seems odd realize weight is simply the force of gravity upon your person and that force is a vector. All that mass is still ...
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ci4pl3
What preservation are we doing today, that will make the lives of future historians far easier?
Are there records being kept day to day about events, weather, historic figures deaths, etc? And how will these records be retrievable in, say, 200-400 years?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/ci4pl3/what_preservation_are_we_doing_today_that_will/
{ "a_id": [ "ev1g2fj" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "The phasing out of teaching cursive in North America is going to mean that much sooner than 200 years the future, historians will need special training in paleography to read handwritten primary sources in their native languages. \n\n\nThere is...
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3gxh48
why is it that when people film phone video in portrait mode common websites or apps like youtube, liveleak etc. don't allow play back automatically in portrait full screen mode?
These sites always shrink the video down into landscape view and thus its very tiny. If it was originally filmed full screen on a phone why can't I watch it back full screen on mine!?!
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3gxh48/eli5_why_is_it_that_when_people_film_phone_video/
{ "a_id": [ "cu2fhr0" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "First off, you should never, ever, ever, record video in portrait. The only exception is with Intsagram and Vine, where they are 1:1, so it doesn't matter.\n \nIt's not filmed in \"full screen\" you filmed it sideways and the video player automa...
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[ [] ]
cj652z
Objective USSR history books which are based on the new sources that are available to us today?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/cj652z/objective_ussr_history_books_which_are_based_on/
{ "a_id": [ "evbqh3b" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "The mods of this sub have a pretty comprehensive [booklist](_URL_0_), it's unfortunately a little bare concerning glorious Soviet Union.\n\nI can personally recommend American historian Stephen Kotkin's series on Iosef Stalin (he's published two ...
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[ [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/wiki/books/coldwar#wiki_europe_and_russia" ] ]
23wl4a
Are there any sounds that the alphabets can not spell?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/23wl4a/are_there_any_sounds_that_the_alphabets_can_not/
{ "a_id": [ "ch19vi7" ], "score": [ 16 ], "text": [ "Define \"alphabets\". %-)\n\nThere are a **lot** of languages in the world (over 4000), and among them they cover a **huge** range of different sounds or phonemes, including sounds we Anglophones wouldn't think of as \"sounds you could use in w...
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[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Phonetic_Alphabet", "http://www.langsci.ucl.ac.uk/ipa/" ] ]
4cm2rq
why does burping through the nose not smell as bad as through the mouth?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4cm2rq/eli5_why_does_burping_through_the_nose_not_smell/
{ "a_id": [ "d1je5ot" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Air going out of the mouth will include any of the smells that cause bad breath caused by bacteria living in your mouth (which are rather happy after you've just eaten). When air goes out through the nose, it doesn't pick these smells up." ] }
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