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2iqbiq
How is one pepper/chilli variant spicier than another?
What makes a habanero different from ghost peppers? Do they have variant capsaicin that binds to a different sort of receptor that generates more "heat" sensation? Or do they just have excessive capsaicin that binds to as many complementary receptors as possible? If the latter is true then would the heat of chillis hav...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2iqbiq/how_is_one_pepperchilli_variant_spicier_than/
{ "a_id": [ "cl4mo1z" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "The concentration of capsaicin determines how spicy something is. There are also capsaicin analogs in nature that can activate the TRPV1 receptors (that are responsible for capsaicin binding) more strongly than capsaicin does. However, for the di...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scoville_scale" ] ]
1n2o0b
If we used Hydrogen, extracted from water, as an alternative fuel source, would we eventually run out of water?
(If this is the wrong subreddit, please let me know.) So as far as I understand, water is a non-replenishable resource. The reason we don't run out, is because most water is eventually recycled into nature. I also know that there are engines which extract the Hydrogen from water and use it as a fuel. I believe people ...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1n2o0b/if_we_used_hydrogen_extracted_from_water_as_an/
{ "a_id": [ "ccezvdf", "ccgn4om" ], "score": [ 5, 2 ], "text": [ "Using hydrogen as a fuel source means that it must undergo a combustion reaction in order to release that energy. Hydrogen is not energy in itself but rather is an \"energy carrier.\" The hydrogen H2 must react with oxygen O...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
3gsnk4
why didn't the us seize cuba during the cuban missile crisis?
Considering what they did with Vietnam I don't doubt their ability to mobilize large numbers of troops, and if they simply blockaded the island during their assault it would seem like Russia wouldn't have found until the US wanted them to, or at least for a while.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3gsnk4/eli5_why_didnt_the_us_seize_cuba_during_the_cuban/
{ "a_id": [ "cu13jhq", "cu13mwe" ], "score": [ 7, 3 ], "text": [ "That would've almost certainly caused an all out war between the US and the USSR, which would be very very bad due to the whole nuclear threat. Cuba was an ally of the USSR and the invasion would have been an act of war. By ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
4isjo8
Was there a substantive difference between what the Anglo-Saxon gentry ate and what the subsequent Norman gentry ate? If I showed a Norman feast in AD1103 and Anglo-Saxon feast in AD994, could you tell the difference from the food?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4isjo8/was_there_a_substantive_difference_between_what/
{ "a_id": [ "d317r5l" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Here's the thing--and I'm not trying to be glib here. We really don't know.\n\nCookbooks really weren't a thing with either culture. We can look at midden heaps to find the remains (and seeds) of various food animals and plants, but that doesn't...
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[]
[ [] ]
a8tpdb
Can an arthropod's exoskeleton repair itself the same (or in a similar) way as a human's endoskeleton?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/a8tpdb/can_an_arthropods_exoskeleton_repair_itself_the/
{ "a_id": [ "ecep7bv" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Yes, *if* it's over living tissue. But it's not like human skin where it quickly patches itself, any significant damage to an exoskeleton basically means Mr. Bug is going to bleed to death. That's basically half of how lice combs work - They st...
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[]
[ [] ]
8er4i4
Does a moving Charge get affected by its electric and magnetic field?
Usually when solving these types of questions, I will see any number of particles in a system with a point P as a reference point. This P point is used for the direction of a magnetic field (r-hat). The same applies for the electric field. What about when your point P is a moving charge next to another moving charge? ...
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/8er4i4/does_a_moving_charge_get_affected_by_its_electric/
{ "a_id": [ "dxxn5k5" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ " > This leads me to believe that a moving charge is not affected by its electric and magnetic fields. is this correct for an undergraduate college physics class?\n\nYes, to this level of accuracy the charge is not affected by its own fields.\n\nI...
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[ [] ]
2z3xau
When were the first crowns with pointed sides worn?
I was browsing wikipedia and came across this picture: _URL_0_ The Sassanid king appears to be wearing a recognizable sort of crown with pointed-sides, similar to generic crowns I commonly see in video games. When did crowns of that sort first come into use?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2z3xau/when_were_the_first_crowns_with_pointed_sides_worn/
{ "a_id": [ "cpfjo6n" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "I don't think this image shows a proto-typical crown. The bulb shape you see above and behind is most likely part of the headdress, since other images of Royal Iranian headdresses from this era clearly incorporate it. \n\n[Example](_URL_0_) \n\...
[]
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman%E2%80%93Persian_Wars#/media/File:Bas_relief_nagsh-e-rostam_al.jpg" ]
[ [ "http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/65.126", "http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/16/MycenaeDiadems.jpg" ] ]
i2hew
How long can a glass of water be sitting out and still be safe to drink?
Sometimes I accidentally leave a random glass of water or two around the house (by the bed, near the couch, etc.) If it's been out for less than 24 hours I tend to guzzle it down without a second thought -- but if it's been out much longer than that I tend to throw it away like it's deadly, deadly poison. I'm curious ...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/i2hew/how_long_can_a_glass_of_water_be_sitting_out_and/
{ "a_id": [ "c20cn0s", "c20cnd2", "c20ctc2", "c20cv1c", "c20d80w", "c20dd4m", "c20drz5", "c20ej6a", "c20f8cg", "c20g581", "c20g8ei", "c20hfes", "c20hun4" ], "score": [ 4, 31, 7, 20, 37, 121, 2, 2, 3, 3, 2, 2, 2...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
q9pjm
credit card interest calculations
I can never find good explanations for how it works. Basically, I'm just going to use an example as it seems easiest to explain my question. I have a balance of $250 on my credit card on February 26. On February 27, I pay this off. Now my credit card is back to 0 balance. I then put a $500 charge on it on February 28....
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/q9pjm/eli5_credit_card_interest_calculations/
{ "a_id": [ "c3vuomk", "c3vvwm0" ], "score": [ 3, 3 ], "text": [ "It depends on your billing cycle.\n\nThere are a couple things to keep in mind: each bill you receive will contain charges you made between two dates, usually a month apart. This is your billing cycle. If a charge is between...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
1s76br
if the temperature is 37 degrees fahrenheit but the weather channel states "feels like 26 degrees" will water freeze?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1s76br/eli5_if_the_temperature_is_37_degrees_fahrenheit/
{ "a_id": [ "cdukigx", "cdulzdk" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "uh i'm celcius but water freezes at 32 F i think? No it wont. The wind blowing makes it feel colder, it actually isnt any colder tho. \n\nTry this: lick a small part or your arm and then blow on it. the faster you blow on it...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
5vawkm
why is it easier to follow a line when cutting something?
Let's use a piece of wood as an example. Cutting as straight as possible will be jagged and uneven. But if you draw a line with a ruler, and cut along the line it's perfect. Another thing that I was wondering about that's basically the same idea is why is it so hard to draw a perfect circle?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5vawkm/eli5_why_is_it_easier_to_follow_a_line_when/
{ "a_id": [ "de0krzv", "de0kunu", "de0mgva" ], "score": [ 2, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "I assume it's to do with the fact that you're almost actually inside the material instead of on top of it, meaning there's sort of a guideline, not sure of the physics of it though, even then I can't cu...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
3tuapp
why is leather still such a popular luxury item for things like upholstery?
Hasn't science created better fabrics by now? Is it really luxurious considering it isn't rare with hundreds of thousands of cows being slaughtered daily? I was watching some show where the guy was showing a $20 million Leer jet and he kept going on about the leather. You have this amazing piece of technology that ha...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3tuapp/eli5_why_is_leather_still_such_a_popular_luxury/
{ "a_id": [ "cx98fzn", "cx99nak", "cx9b8gu", "cx9n5fh", "cx9o5tn", "cx9phj7", "cx9qrhd", "cx9ubfn" ], "score": [ 44, 11, 12, 6, 2, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Leather is extremely durable, and a lot of people find the look, feel, and smell of it pl...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
2fd2cm
how it can be economical for there to be two starbucks within 0.1 miles of each other
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2fd2cm/eli5_how_it_can_be_economical_for_there_to_be_two/
{ "a_id": [ "ck820lh", "ck82207", "ck8249t", "ck82920", "ck82d5k", "ck82rg1", "ck831ip", "ck87mrf" ], "score": [ 5, 9, 6, 2, 2, 30, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "The corporation believes the market (area) can handle that many stores, so they allow anoth...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
3i9oey
What are the oldest institutions (besides governments or churches) that are still active today?
It's pretty amazing that Oxford University has been around since c. 1096 CE and is still fully operational. What other institutions/establishments (that aren't governments or churches) have been up and running for hundreds and hundreds of years?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3i9oey/what_are_the_oldest_institutions_besides/
{ "a_id": [ "cuekogu", "cuemmy2", "cueo1r9", "cuf4on3" ], "score": [ 23, 14, 7, 2 ], "text": [ "The Order of the Knights of St. John, (also known as “The Knights of St. John”, “The Knights Hospitallers”, “The Knights of Rhodes”, “The Knights of Malta”, “The Sovereign Milita...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
1jnvn2
I watched a video recently of a gun being fired underwater and there was what seemed like a tunnel of air behind the bullet and I was wondering if anyone could explain to me what was going on?
_URL_0_ I thought that maybe it was a vacuum?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1jnvn2/i_watched_a_video_recently_of_a_gun_being_fired/
{ "a_id": [ "cbgiw7l" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "This is called Supercavitation and you can read about it [here](_URL_0_). The linked article is probably more thorough than what I could write here." ] }
[]
[ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=502KryEguA0" ]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supercavitation" ] ]
69qpla
Why do marble busks of roman emperors have blank eyes?
I've noticed that the eyes on statues of roman emperors are often completely blank with no detail. It doesn't seem like this is because it would be too difficult to add detail as the statues are otherwise amazingly detailed so what's the reason? Some examples: [Images](_URL_0_)
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/69qpla/why_do_marble_busks_of_roman_emperors_have_blank/
{ "a_id": [ "dh8v4le" ], "score": [ 43 ], "text": [ "The vast majority of ancient statuary looks incomplete because it is. The missing details used to be painted on. Given a millennia or two and the paints have largely been stripped away, sometimes intentionally by well meaning curators and the li...
[]
[ "https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=roman+emperors+busk&client=safari&hl=en-gb&prmd=ivsn&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj1tYivzd3TAhWMLsAKHfYiBroQ_AUICSgB&biw=320&bih=460" ]
[ [ "http://archive.archaeology.org/image.php?page=0801/trenches/jpegs/caligula2.jpg", "https://jaxinmexico.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/gods-in-color-archer.jpg", "https://jaxinmexico.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/gods-in-color-helmet.jpg", "http://archive.archaeology.org/image.php?page=0801/trenches/jp...
2ar3pf
Is it possible to build an underwater speaker that compensates for the sound disortion due to the water?
Summertime and all, I was floating in a pool and thought summer thoughts. So I know that sound gets distorted underwater and stuff. But would it be possible to build a speaker that compensates for said distortion so that you could float about in a pool (with your ears below the surface) while listening to sweet loca ...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2ar3pf/is_it_possible_to_build_an_underwater_speaker/
{ "a_id": [ "ciy2sly", "ciy8o3h", "ciyciwv" ], "score": [ 74, 6, 3 ], "text": [ "As mentioned before, underwater speakers already exist. They mainly deal with the issue of water dulling our ability to perceive audible vibrations. \n\nThe frequency of a sound wave only depends on th...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/sound.html" ], [], [ "http://www.maximintegrated.com/en/images/appnotes/3879/3879Fig06.gif" ] ]
20g6xm
why doesn't trader joes have sales?
They're the only grocery store I've ever seen that does not have sales.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/20g6xm/eli5_why_doesnt_trader_joes_have_sales/
{ "a_id": [ "cg2x39j", "cg2y7ra", "cg346uo" ], "score": [ 8, 11, 2 ], "text": [ "They don't need them, people don't go there because it's cheap.", "You do sales for two primary reasons: get people into the store, or get rid of excess inventory.\n\nTrader Joe's has a nearly cult...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
4t38gj
what is the difference between a mood and an emotion?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4t38gj/eli5_what_is_the_difference_between_a_mood_and_an/
{ "a_id": [ "d5e9tkd", "d5e9ysv" ], "score": [ 6, 3 ], "text": [ "Well we know what emotions are right? Happy, sad, angry, playful, etc. \n\n\nA mood is basically a state of being predisposed towards a certain emotion. In a \"bad mood\" would mean temporarily predisposed towards feeling em...
[]
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[ [], [] ]
3v3kxj
why a man's height is a measure of his attractiveness to women?
Dating apps have lead me to believe height is the most important thing when women decide whether a man is attractive or not, even over facial features, weight, profession etc. Why is that? As a straight male, I don't think a woman's height normally crosses my mind unless she is a giant or a midget.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3v3kxj/eli5_why_a_mans_height_is_a_measure_of_his/
{ "a_id": [ "cxk2193", "cxk2z8v" ], "score": [ 4, 2 ], "text": [ "That's online dating for you -- the things that are visible and quantifiable are disproportionately important on there. It's the tyranny of \"what can be measured\", and height is a lot easier to measure and filter based on...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
2uqz9l
An element more ferromagnetic than iron?
I understand that ferromagnetism at the atomic scale comes from unpaired electrons that can spontaneously align in the same direction. By our current understanding, is it possible, even for a nanosecond, to create an element more ferromagnetic than iron?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2uqz9l/an_element_more_ferromagnetic_than_iron/
{ "a_id": [ "cobih2s" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Ferromagnetism in pure elemental metals is actually pretty uncommon. As far as I'm aware, the only pure elements which are ferromagnetic are iron, nickel, cobalt, gadolinium and dysprosium. (There may be more that are not ferromagnetic at room te...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoner_criterion" ] ]
smiu5
how does hyper-threading work and how is it better?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/smiu5/how_does_hyperthreading_work_and_how_is_it_better/
{ "a_id": [ "c4f783c", "c4f97g6", "c4fa23y", "c4ff0fy", "c4ffl97", "c4ffu2j", "c4fidsr" ], "score": [ 12, 9, 5, 8, 4, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "A processor can have multiple physical cores. Each core can process 1 instruction at a time. The core receives ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://arstechnica.com/old/content/2002/10/hyperthreading.ars" ], [], [], [ "http://software.intel.com/en-us/articles/performance-insights-to-intel-hyper-threading-technology/" ], [] ]
6bvb47
How is the evolution of animals such as bees and ants influenced by the low percentage of induviduals who can reproduce?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/6bvb47/how_is_the_evolution_of_animals_such_as_bees_and/
{ "a_id": [ "dhqvcsk", "dhr0qiq", "dhra8le" ], "score": [ 5, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "When you're talking about the evolution of bees and ants you're essentially thinking of every colony as a \"superorganism\", with all the inhabitants operating as a single entity and reproduction occurr...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2781879/" ], [] ]
4g9iqs
can you jump off something in mid-air and gain height? or will you just push the thing you're on down faster?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4g9iqs/eli5_can_you_jump_off_something_in_midair_and/
{ "a_id": [ "d2fngdy", "d2fnghi", "d2fnkj1" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 4 ], "text": [ "newtons third law says both you push it down faster and it pushes you up, but probably not enough to go up just to fall more slowly. ", "In free fall if you push against something, both bodies will ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
6twpse
why do we misspell words when we write/type but not when we speak?
How is it that we can totally misspell words that we're familiar with when we're writing/typing, but the same isn't true when we speak them? Or maybe it *is* happening when I speak and I've just never noticed before? I searched several subs and couldn't find the topic, hopefully this hasn't been answered to death alr...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6twpse/eli5_why_do_we_misspell_words_when_we_writetype/
{ "a_id": [ "dlo3b0e", "dlo58s5", "dlo6utp" ], "score": [ 5, 3, 3 ], "text": [ "Well, the idea of misspelling words when you speak is kind of nonsensical on its face, isn't it. But that doesn't rule out other kinds of linguistic errors.\n\n > Or maybe it is happening when I speak a...
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[]
[ [], [], [] ]
3hu553
why does it take 5 seconds for credit card/debit card companies to take money out of my account but 5 days for them to refund it?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3hu553/eli5_why_does_it_take_5_seconds_for_credit/
{ "a_id": [ "cuajjpo", "cuak6tu", "cuake6z", "cuaktoe", "cuakvi2", "cuamg2y", "cuamhf4", "cuamqix", "cuamvs9", "cuamyj6", "cuan2qh", "cuan34d", "cuan48j", "cuandrn", "cuanu2z", "cuao0ym", "cuao2h7", "cuao50y", "cuao601", "cuaoo8g", "c...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], ...
e3djcm
what is the downside to dams?
From my simplistic view, dams seem like the best source of renewable energy. Water flows naturally down a river, we dam it, water then spins generators and power is produced. Seems like a win-win. Obviously there is a reason we haven't damed every river, can someone explain it to me, like I'm 5?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/e3djcm/eli5_what_is_the_downside_to_dams/
{ "a_id": [ "f92ejuy", "f92g468", "f92gjwx", "f92lwzx", "f92rmbm" ], "score": [ 15, 4, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "They can cause huge ecological damage by flooding the habitats of other animals when reservoirs are formed. They can also cause the downriver portion to sil...
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[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
2id2vu
Why didn't the US want to allow its western allies to keep their colonial domains?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2id2vu/why_didnt_the_us_want_to_allow_its_western_allies/
{ "a_id": [ "cl13z2l", "cl1bxpg" ], "score": [ 14, 2 ], "text": [ "By the US, you mean Rooservelt, because the US actually did help a few of its western allies (i.e France) try to keep their colonial domains after 1945. Especially with the start of the cold war. But also helped the coloniz...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
an4ohp
Koko the gorilla knew 1000 ASL words. If she had a child could she/would she have taught her offspring the same communication?
If you taught X gorillas sign language and then had them interbreed could you great a population of gorillas that maintains sign language as a skill indefinitely though the generations? Could they make new words?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/an4ohp/koko_the_gorilla_knew_1000_asl_words_if_she_had_a/
{ "a_id": [ "efr6jmc", "efr8flg" ], "score": [ 7, 22 ], "text": [ "Washoe's son Loulis learned some signs, but in general nonhuman apes don't seem very interested in language and don't use it or make efforts to acquire it in the way that humans do. \n\n_URL_1_ \n\n_URL_0_", "Keep ...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loulis_(chimpanzee)", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washoe_(chimpanzee)" ], [ "https://slate.com/technology/2014/08/koko-kanzi-and-ape-language-research-criticism-of-working-conditions-and-animal-care.html", "https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/la-et-st-kok...
9tjrkk
how does apple ‘optimize’ their computers better then their competitors?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9tjrkk/eli5_how_does_apple_optimize_their_computers/
{ "a_id": [ "e8wqgl2", "e8wzoad" ], "score": [ 17, 4 ], "text": [ "The fundamental difference is that Apple controls both hardware and software. So much like a game console that performs better than a vanilla PC with the same specifications because their developers can get every last bit o...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
4sl3gw
why do nerves take so long to heal? especially after an injury?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4sl3gw/eli5why_do_nerves_take_so_long_to_heal_especially/
{ "a_id": [ "d5a6jzu" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "They just were never designed to grow. Nature does not replace your nerve cells. Those are basically yours for life.\n\n_URL_0_\n\n\"Most cells in our bodies’ organs and tissues, such as the liver, guts, or skin are continuously renewed. In con...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.brainfacts.org/about-neuroscience/ask-an-expert/articles/2012/are-you-born-with-all-your-brain-cells-or-do-you-grow-new-ones" ] ]
1cxoad
Approximately, How important was the medias role in the Vietnam War?
Im developing ideas for a possible research paper. I dont want to commit to a topic that i know very little about. With that note, if you have any interesting information about the war or just media in general i would love to hear it. Thanks reddit!:)
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1cxoad/approximately_how_important_was_the_medias_role/
{ "a_id": [ "c9kxojw", "c9l1ejg", "c9l2o4n" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "It was in important in the aspect of bringing the war home to the average American where they could contrast what they saw on the news against what was said by the government.\n\nThe following is someth...
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[]
[ [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1923bg/what_effect_did_the_media_have_on_the_vietnam_war/" ], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Cronkite" ] ]
1brpqf
Was there ever a Thieves Guild?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1brpqf/was_there_ever_a_thieves_guild/
{ "a_id": [ "c99i55p", "c99kd0e" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Organized theft has existed for a long time, but it has never been exceptionally popular. A few examples of references to such things:\n\n* In 1613 Cervantes published the book *Rinconete y Cortadillo* , a work of fiction wh...
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[ [ "http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2007/april/retail040607" ], [] ]
43lzxp
what is a 'whip' in us congress and what do they do?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/43lzxp/eli5_what_is_a_whip_in_us_congress_and_what_do/
{ "a_id": [ "czj6oju", "czjfffq", "czjg6c1" ], "score": [ 24, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "The whip is a very senior role who ensures that the party leadership has the votes to pass their bills. The job is mostly informal (the whip doesn't have a ceremonial role) with lots of behind the sce...
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[ [], [], [] ]
d77v0i
why are car designs nearly the same in all countries?
Many countries produce cars, yet the basic deisngn is the same. Why? On the Surface: belts, gears, clutch etc Below: CV joint, tie rod ends, transmission... I know certain things are common sense, eg 4 tires, belts, steering... But why is there a consensus on others? Thanks.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/d77v0i/eli5_why_are_car_designs_nearly_the_same_in_all/
{ "a_id": [ "f0xyisq", "f0xzj5v", "f0y9b7e" ], "score": [ 6, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "Because they all function pretty much the same and certain designs are used because they’re the most optimal.", "I think it’s more of a modern thing where cars are extremely similar in design. Back ...
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[ [], [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_car" ] ]
6tgg95
Did dinosaurs urinate like mammals or poo uric acid like birds?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/6tgg95/did_dinosaurs_urinate_like_mammals_or_poo_uric/
{ "a_id": [ "dlkjqca", "dlkq8cj", "dll7ssw", "dll8jbm", "dllabvr", "dllc1nu" ], "score": [ 1440, 201, 77, 6, 15, 595 ], "text": [ "I believe they urinated as if you look at [coprolite](_URL_0_) (fossilised feces) of dinosaurs it looks like solid lumps which ...
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[]
[ [ "https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coprolite" ], [], [], [], [], [] ]
40qlgb
Why do so many things follow Normal Distribution?
Many things in nature and economics seem to follow a Normal/Gaussian distribution. Is there a reason for this?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/40qlgb/why_do_so_many_things_follow_normal_distribution/
{ "a_id": [ "cywjctc", "cywn2ny", "cywp4lu", "cyx1nx4" ], "score": [ 16, 3, 6, 3 ], "text": [ "This is a good question so I would be interested to hear how other people answer.\n\nAs I understand it, one of the reasons it is so common is because of the central limit theorem...
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[]
[ [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_limit_theorem", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poisson_distribution" ], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standardized_moment", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_moment", "http://arxiv.org/pdf/1105.6283.pdf", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wi...
1w3daf
On an episode of Sleepy Hollow, Det. Mills asks time-traveling Revolutionary War soldier Ichabod what the heck the Fathers were thinking with the Second Amendment, and he says that several of his compatriots had misgivings about it. Was there any actual historical pushback on the Second Amendment?
(I enjoy Sleepy Hollow but it's an incredibly stupid show; to its credit, it is littered with all sorts of interesting historical trivia, but I don't know about this one.)
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1w3daf/on_an_episode_of_sleepy_hollow_det_mills_asks/
{ "a_id": [ "ceyk4xt" ], "score": [ 11 ], "text": [ "There was a fair amount of discussion about the 2nd amendment but it really doesn't matter in a historical context. You can see [this](_URL_0_) for the total scope of the conversation, however to understand the 2nd amendment properly you need to...
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[ [ "http://www.constitution.org/mil/militia_debate_1789.htm" ] ]
6qwta9
which is better, a 2.4 ghz single core processor or 1.6 ghz dual core processor?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6qwta9/eli5_which_is_better_a_24_ghz_single_core/
{ "a_id": [ "dl0jnlr", "dl0jymk", "dl0kn85", "dl0mqy7", "dl0p7jg", "dl0px6k", "dl0rk8u", "dl0s9nb" ], "score": [ 43, 123, 6, 51, 3, 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "\"Better\" for what? If you want to open the case and make cufflinks out of the die, th...
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[]
[ [], [ "https://www.cpubenchmark.net/" ], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
5vf3x3
why is it difficult to produce fake checks with some of the security features such as gradually fading ink and watermarks?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5vf3x3/eli5_why_is_it_difficult_to_produce_fake_checks/
{ "a_id": [ "de1l20l", "de1l8s2", "de1o7ns" ], "score": [ 7, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Good security features require expensive equipment to reproduce. In order to copy gradually fading ink, the forger would have to scan the fade perfectly and reproduce it perfectly. Watermarks require th...
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[ [], [], [] ]
39fy8l
how do wall street firms (like the one mitt romney ran) make money acquiring businesses and shutting down the entire operation?
I don't understand how financial firms purchase businesses for the sole purpose of shutting them down for profit... How are they making money off this? Isn't this unethical? (edit: I know Romney's firm was likely not literally on wall street but the concentration of where it's happening is on wall street and it's alwa...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/39fy8l/eli5_how_do_wall_street_firms_like_the_one_mitt/
{ "a_id": [ "cs2ztfn", "cs300y0", "cs306mp", "cs33l94", "cs34s9b", "cs37gbk", "cs37v0f", "cs381rc", "cs39smm", "cs3bd0u", "cs3cioh", "cs3khjg" ], "score": [ 106, 11, 253, 2, 13, 26, 2, 12, 6, 20, 21, 2 ], "text": [...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
337fvl
Do tectonic plates ever break? What about fusing? What would happen if this ever did occur?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/337fvl/do_tectonic_plates_ever_break_what_about_fusing/
{ "a_id": [ "cqio0zm", "cqjh915" ], "score": [ 5, 2 ], "text": [ "They can do both.\n\nPlates breaking apart is known as rifting, and is thought to be caused by rising plumes of hot mantle material. Rifting in progress can be seen in the East African Rift. There is a line of active volcani...
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[]
[ [], [ "http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0d/EAfrica.png", "https://youtu.be/loFxYSHxTf0" ] ]
3h1l35
what happens to the roof of your mouth when you eat hot food?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3h1l35/eli5_what_happens_to_the_roof_of_your_mouth_when/
{ "a_id": [ "cu3f6a6" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "The tissue lining the roof of your mouth is not skin, it's more sensitive tissue. \nWhat might be equivalent to putting a hot iron on your arm, could be compared with hot melted cheese on the soft tissue in your mouth. \nIt isn't as tough as s...
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[ [] ]
19yhi3
In general, what role did the Catholic Church play in the Spanish Civil War?
My teacher and I are in a disagreement over the role of the Catholic Church in the Spanish Civil War. She maintains that for the most part the church remained neutral to avoid persecution of Catholics (I'm having a hard time believing her because she is Catholic and I think there is some bias), but I believe that most ...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/19yhi3/in_general_what_role_did_the_catholic_church_play/
{ "a_id": [ "c8si9y5" ], "score": [ 15 ], "text": [ "After the outbreak of war many churches were burnt and atrocities were committed against clergy members. Conservatives and fascist sympathizers around the world seized upon this as propaganda to prove that Franco's opponents were a bunch of Godl...
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[ [] ]
1y3yty
We all know that shadows move, but cannot consciously perceive their movement. What is the minimum velocity at which the average human can consciously perceive movement?
[EDIT] And is this velocity different for various animal species? Any notable cases?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1y3yty/we_all_know_that_shadows_move_but_cannot/
{ "a_id": [ "cfhhh8x" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "As near as I could find, under optimum conditions the slowest movement you can see is 1-3 arc minutes per second. For reference, the moon is about 30 arc minutes and moves across the sky at about .25 arc minutes per second. " ] }
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[ [] ]
136wa2
If I had one magnet push another magnet by repelling it, do I have to provide more force to push the second magnet?
I have some random magnets and was messing about with them. If I was to get a magnet and push another magnet is it the equivalent of me pushing both magnets?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/136wa2/if_i_had_one_magnet_push_another_magnet_by/
{ "a_id": [ "c71ch41" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Yes. The second magnet provides a repulsive force in the opposite direction to the motion you're trying to effect. Presuming the magnetic field strength is large enough that the magnets will 'push' each other apart enough that they won't touch, t...
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[ [] ]
2icaq9
Is it possible for a spacecraft to enter an atmosphere 'slowly'? What forces would need to be at play to avoid violent atmospheric entry?
This started as an 'ask sci-fi' question in my head when I saw a picture of a Star Destroyer within a planet's atmosphere, but got me wondering if, realistically, it would be possible for a craft to make a 'smooth' entry. Given a theoretical craft, could one use enough thrust against the planet's gravity to enter with...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2icaq9/is_it_possible_for_a_spacecraft_to_enter_an/
{ "a_id": [ "cl14kd7", "cl15wle" ], "score": [ 7, 2 ], "text": [ "Yes, it's technically possible, but it's ludicrously difficult. It's not as simple as overcoming gravity with thrust. \n\nWhen you're in low earth orbit, you're not stationary above the surface, you're moving at something li...
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[ [ "http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/STS120LaunchHiRes-edit1.jpg" ], [] ]
1en8kz
How did 19th (and earlier) century sailing ships provision themselves well enough that men could live on them for years?
I am currently reading The Terror, by Dan Simmons, which is about Captain John Franklin's ill-fated 1845 expedition to find the Northwest Passage. I was astounded to find that they had become frozen in antarctic ice for over two years, and yet had enough food to feed the entire crew (consisting of over a hundred men). ...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1en8kz/how_did_19th_and_earlier_century_sailing_ships/
{ "a_id": [ "ca1zvd8", "ca203ir" ], "score": [ 3, 7 ], "text": [ "I'm not an expert so I'm sure someone will come along and provide much better information but I would highly recommend the documentary Nova produced on the Franklin Expedition called [Arctic Passage](_URL_0_). From what I g...
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[ [ "http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/arctic/", "http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/arctic/provisions.html", "http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ancient/franklin-expedition.html" ], [] ]
2goh62
when someone chokes on the liquid there drinking, what causes it?
When I was a kid my mom said it went down the wrong throat. What causes the reaction when something like that happens?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2goh62/eli5_when_someone_chokes_on_the_liquid_there/
{ "a_id": [ "ckl0ynm", "ckl16y8" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "The liquid get's into the lungs where it prevents air from reaching a large section of the lung's surface.", "\\*they're. They are.\n\nYou have a few openings coming out of the back of your mouth and going various places...
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[ [], [] ]
tu7dl
Is there any difference on looking directly at the sun depending on the time of the day, in regards to the damage sone to the eye?
A friend told me that she often observes the sun on the last minutes of the sunset because she read that it was safe. I haven't checked lately, but I recall the 12:00 pm sunlight being more uncomfortable to the eyes than the sunset one. The question is simple then, is it less harmful for the human eye to look directly ...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/tu7dl/is_there_any_difference_on_looking_directly_at/
{ "a_id": [ "c4prlvg" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "The earlier or later in the day it is, the safer it is on your eyes. More atmosphere for the sunlight to travel through, means the less intense the light is going to be. I'm not sure the numeric intensity and exactly how much light is still movin...
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[ [] ]
68t3mf
Realistically most ships between the 1600s and 1700s carried cargo mostly not gold, so what did pirates do with all those random assortments of wheat, cotton, tea, and stamps?
Edit 1: Thanks for the responses everyone wasn't expecting such great and in-depth answers, really glad I posted here.
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/68t3mf/realistically_most_ships_between_the_1600s_and/
{ "a_id": [ "dh1aial", "dh1b63m", "dh1c2y4", "dh1cyy3" ], "score": [ 69, 1831, 35, 1492 ], "text": [ "Hello everyone, \n\nIf you are a first time visitor, welcome! This thread is trending high right now and getting a lot of attention, but it is important to remember those u...
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[]
[ [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/wiki/rules", "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.faceboo...
3yk1zb
is there any evidence to suggest that current animals have evolved to overcome specific environmental challenges due to human intervention? i.e. roads, buildings, pollution?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3yk1zb/eli5_is_there_any_evidence_to_suggest_that/
{ "a_id": [ "cye2n6h", "cye2uri" ], "score": [ 15, 6 ], "text": [ "Yes, definitely. A very early and popular example are/were moths in Manchester in England. Basically, the moths tended to be the color of tree bark for camouflage, but in the 19th century soot from factories in Manchester c...
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[ [], [ "http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/2901431" ] ]
2uag0c
why can’t the usa government build a good website?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2uag0c/eli5why_cant_the_usa_government_build_a_good/
{ "a_id": [ "co6midl" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "They don't need to.\n\nCompanies build good websites because they want to draw in new customers and keep the existing ones.\n\nThe government knows you don't have a choice.\n\nThey also have a different set of priorities. They're concerned forem...
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[ [] ]
1t9yt5
how does communism function in modern societies (e.g. russia and china) and how does it differ from communist regimes 80 years ago?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1t9yt5/eli5_how_does_communism_function_in_modern/
{ "a_id": [ "ce5u6i7", "ce5v3bx" ], "score": [ 4, 3 ], "text": [ "Russia is not communist any longer (the USSR fell in the late 80's). China isn't the Maoist communist nation it once was BUT, since officially, the Chinese government still controls everything (for the betterment of the Chi...
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[ [], [] ]
38su28
How can you get a tan through glass if it blocks all UV rays?
Reading "Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!" he mentions sitting in a truck watching the atom bomb test through the window because UV light cannot pass through glass - he also says bright light can never hurt your eyes, the real danger is UV. But, it seems like I have had my arm get slightly sunburned while driving lo...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/38su28/how_can_you_get_a_tan_through_glass_if_it_blocks/
{ "a_id": [ "crxk809", "crxky9d", "crxqp0p", "crxs9ca", "crxstlt", "cry0pro", "cry21xu", "cry29bs", "cryazw4" ], "score": [ 1392, 225, 12, 25, 26, 5, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "**Short answer:** Glass doesn't block all UV rays. UV radiatio...
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[ [ "http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/uva-and-uvb/uva-radiation-a-danger-outdoors-and-indoors", "http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/s4chc/meta_medical_advice_on_askscience_the_guidelines/" ], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laser_safety#Damage_mechanisms", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...
88gq81
why are ar-15’s so controversial while many other semi-automatic rifles and handguns with lower round capacities have almost identical lethality capabilities if multiple magazines are utilized that only take a second or so to swap out?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/88gq81/eli5_why_are_ar15s_so_controversial_while_many/
{ "a_id": [ "dwkhrr1", "dwkhryu" ], "score": [ 3, 9 ], "text": [ "Because that model is being repeated over and over like a mantra by the media currently since it has been used most frequently in mass shootings. The public generally does not investigate events such as these deeper than the...
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[ [], [ "https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/latest-mass-shootings-all-have-ar-15-in-common/" ] ]
3g3u92
technology.
Okay, we started with a planet, where all that existed was dirt, rocks, water, air, and plants. And aminals, I guess. How did we come from only these sources, to suddenly having iPhones and wi-fi? Where do circuits come from?! Machines? I mean, machines are built from other machines, so what was the first machine that...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3g3u92/eli5_technology/
{ "a_id": [ "ctul9r6", "ctulbld", "ctulbxt" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Language.\n\nHumans have a capacity for language that allows us to pass on complex abstract ideas from one generation to the next. Many other animals can communicate via language, but not to the same de...
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[]
[ [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass_production", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacquard_loom", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transistor" ], [ "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/18/Hand-driven-jacquard-loom.jpg", "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fe/M...
52afkk
why do you hear so many new sounds when you listen to a song with headphones?
When I listen out of a speaker or just out of my phone I hear what I believe is the entire song but, when I listen through headphones, I hear so many more of the minute details. Are speakers unable to produce certain sounds that headphones can? Even if the speaker is extremely loud and he headphones are insanely quiet ...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/52afkk/eli5_why_do_you_hear_so_many_new_sounds_when_you/
{ "a_id": [ "d7jbocz" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "For full-sized speakers, like computer speakers or a fully-fledged audio system; and headphones/earphones/In-ear monitors, it's either the quality (how well it can reproduce sound), or the response (what frequencies it can reproduce). \n\nWhen yo...
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2il1dm
the names you americans have for students in certain years and what they mean (like sophomore, freshman, etc.).
Or are those the only two?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2il1dm/eli5_the_names_you_americans_have_for_students_in/
{ "a_id": [ "cl31qsd", "cl3655z" ], "score": [ 29, 2 ], "text": [ "Freshman: First year student in high school (secondary school) or college (university)\n\nSophmore: Second year\n\nJunior: Third year\n\nSenior: Fourth Year (final year)", "A lot of military schools have special names t...
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[ [], [] ]
en3m0d
how do we know how fast and in what direction the stars/galaxies are moving relative to us?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/en3m0d/eli5_how_do_we_know_how_fast_and_in_what/
{ "a_id": [ "fdu0th4" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "When you have objects moving at relativistic velocities (that is, at significant fractions of the speed of light), you get color-shift of the light coming off that object. \n\nIf it's moving away from you, the light is shifted red. If it's coming...
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[ [] ]
4ud8lr
what are some of the direct effects of the coral reef collapse?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4ud8lr/eli5_what_are_some_of_the_direct_effects_of_the/
{ "a_id": [ "d5or2ti", "d5or6fs", "d5ord7j", "d5oseur", "d5oss0g" ], "score": [ 2, 13, 55, 2, 7 ], "text": [ "For the towns where the coral reefs are located, their tourism industry will take a nosedive.", "The biggest thing is probably the fact that there will ...
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[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
3y9oq0
what makes a director so important in film and why do they get paid so much?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3y9oq0/eli5_what_makes_a_director_so_important_in_film/
{ "a_id": [ "cybogwf", "cybolbv", "cybolc1" ], "score": [ 15, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "they direct the movie. They are the leading person who says how things are structured, how the actors move and behave, the lighting and the camera position..pretty much all of the most important aspect...
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[ [], [], [] ]
3zz3wb
what do diplomats do?
i've recently became interested in diplomatic jobs so what do diplomats do on a daily basis
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3zz3wb/eli5what_do_diplomats_do/
{ "a_id": [ "cyq6bqa" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "They represent the government of the country they are from.\n\nThey attend meetings, work out agreements, and attend cultural events. Basically, if a foreign government needs to talk to the government of the other country, they can do it through ...
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[ [] ]
1m5roo
Can you force Psychopathy?
If a certain very traumatic or life changing event happens, can it force Psychopathy(turn your amygdala off) or can it speed up the rate for developing Psychopathy?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1m5roo/can_you_force_psychopathy/
{ "a_id": [ "cc6f8cm" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ " > If a certain very traumatic or life changing event happens,\n\npsychopathology after traumatic stress - > cf. post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)\n\n > can it force Psychopathy(turn your amygdala off)\n\nthere's a lot more to it than redu...
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[ [] ]
3ifxhl
what is the problem with 4chan users?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ifxhl/eli5_what_is_the_problem_with_4chan_users/
{ "a_id": [ "cug2a1j", "cug2avi", "cug2g5h", "cug3e6j", "cug5g0f" ], "score": [ 13, 5, 3, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Replace \"4chan users\" with \"humans\" and you'll see that one group is not too different from the other", "Because its all anonymous.\n\nThere are mill...
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[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
39nurz
why it's ok that every time i write a check i give someone my bank account number
It's written right on the check! Why is it OK to give that out to just anyone?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/39nurz/eli5_why_its_ok_that_every_time_i_write_a_check_i/
{ "a_id": [ "cs4x237" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "It's definitely a risk. A celebrity in computer science used to reward people who found his errors, but had to stop using real checks because posted images (for the incredible bragging rights) were probably leading to bank fraud.\n\n_URL_0_\n\nTh...
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[]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knuth_reward_check" ] ]
alzrkr
The annexations by Poland in 1938
Why did Poles attack Czechoslovakia and annexed the Czechoslovak territory in 1938, one year before the WW2?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/alzrkr/the_annexations_by_poland_in_1938/
{ "a_id": [ "efisiqs" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "Casus belli: Territorial claims, based on supposed Polish ethnic majority in those regions.\n\n--\n\nTo understand the roots of this conflict we need to realize that various parts of Silesia changed hands several times throughout many centuries. ...
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[ [] ]
o3phd
how an anarcho-capitalist society would work on the level of an industrialised nation.
I've read about the small-scale societies, running with anarcho-capitalist principles but I haven't been able to find information on real life/theoretical anarcho-capitalist societies at the level of a western nation.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/o3phd/eli5_how_an_anarchocapitalist_society_would_work/
{ "a_id": [ "c3e503x", "c3e79w3", "c3e7s0c", "c3e82j2", "c3e842h", "c3e8mt7", "c3e9blm", "c3ea9x1", "c3ece4t", "c3esy0d" ], "score": [ 2, 21, 7, 13, 7, 4, 2, 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Personally I don't see how it would, but I'm i...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://mises.org/daily/1121", "http://www.reddit.com/r/collapse/comments/kvki9/prepping_for_the_egyptian_revolution_as_well_as/", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lex_mercatoria", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Admiralty_law" ], [], [ "mises.org" ], [], [], [ "http://www.y...
2w6tx1
what is wrong with big data?
Title
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2w6tx1/eli5what_is_wrong_with_big_data/
{ "a_id": [ "coo3flq", "coo42ia", "coo6whs" ], "score": [ 4, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "The ability to track and connect people that don't want to be tracked and connected. Lots of people do things that they don't want tied to other aspects of their lives that are in no way illegal but can...
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[]
[ [ "http://www.forbes.com/sites/kashmirhill/2012/02/16/how-target-figured-out-a-teen-girl-was-pregnant-before-her-father-did/" ], [], [] ]
3rzljw
why are doctors, lawyers, etc allowed to share stories online anyonomously? aren't all of these stories confidential?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3rzljw/eli5_why_are_doctors_lawyers_etc_allowed_to_share/
{ "a_id": [ "cwspxs8", "cwspzd7", "cwsq04k" ], "score": [ 2, 7, 11 ], "text": [ "Well we're not really. But let me tell you about this time my client got caught with an LSD tab under his foreskin...", "Professionals share stories online anonymously to be able to share, educate ...
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[ [], [], [] ]
8m1gul
when showering the temperature has to be above 37°c (98°f) because below bodytemperature feels cold, but when it is 28°c (82°f) outside it feels warm, how?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8m1gul/eli5_when_showering_the_temperature_has_to_be/
{ "a_id": [ "dzk077f", "dzk0a83", "dzk0jq3" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Temperature is absolute but heat capacity and conductivity are not.\n\nAir is diffuse and can't wick away heat very well.\n\nWater is dense and can draw heat off very rapidly.\n\n85 degree air can't dra...
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[ [], [], [] ]
bqvife
Why were crosses used for crucifixions?
For one cross it would require two wooden beams (nailed or tied together with a rope). And there is a bigger possibility it collapse, because of the junction. Why wouldn't a single wooden beam be enough?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/bqvife/why_were_crosses_used_for_crucifixions/
{ "a_id": [ "eo9b6t0" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "[Here is an earlier discussion of the shape of the crucifixion device](_URL_0_) that covers a lot of this. Although I'm sure there is more that can be said.\n\nTL;DR - A simple stake often *was* good enough. \"Cross\" is an English word that came...
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[ [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4pzut3/if_the_romans_used_x_shaped_crosses_for/" ] ]
8yx3ns
why does work appear to go by faster when making an effort to never look at the clock?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8yx3ns/eli5_why_does_work_appear_to_go_by_faster_when/
{ "a_id": [ "e2ed8ll", "e2egqra" ], "score": [ 4, 6 ], "text": [ "Because your mind treats it as one chunk of time, rather than several (albeit smaller) chunks.", "It has to do with where your focus is and the fact that your brain doesn't count time like a clock does. It works in memor...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
4hk2z7
how do mod chips in game consoles work?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4hk2z7/eli5_how_do_mod_chips_in_game_consoles_work/
{ "a_id": [ "d2qcwnu", "d2qfqpx" ], "score": [ 12, 4 ], "text": [ "When you turn on a game console, a program runs that looks for a valid license \"key\" on the disc. This key is provided by the company that made the console to the people who made the game. In order for the game to play,...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
24f3us
What prompted our Hunter Gatherer ancestors to begin the "Agricultural Revolution?"
I have seen many different theories on why people went from roaming to staying put and farming. I was wondering if this is a highly debated topic or if there is a widely accepted answer I am unable to find. Thanks!
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/24f3us/what_prompted_our_hunter_gatherer_ancestors_to/
{ "a_id": [ "ch6pnxv" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "This will probably be best asked at /r/anthropology\n\nStill the theory i learned was a simple carrying capacity one. A hunter gatherer needs 6400 acres per person, a farmer needs 8000 square feet. \n\n_URL_0_" ] }
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[]
[ [ "http://stealthsurvival.blogspot.ca/2011/01/backyard-food-production-how-much-land.html?m=1" ] ]
2exevf
What should Hitler have done (differently) to win in the WWII; and what the Allies could have done to end the war earlier?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2exevf/what_should_hitler_have_done_differently_to_win/
{ "a_id": [ "ck3vzc8" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Well this is a very broad question, naturally, and involves a lot of hypotheticals (and therefore a lot of debate), but lets seize on the 'big' arguments that have been made.\n\nNaturally, first and foremost, Hitler's invasion of Russia is usuall...
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[ [] ]
nx4ks
What speed would an airplane have to travel at to stay in perfect perpetual darkness at the equator?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/nx4ks/what_speed_would_an_airplane_have_to_travel_at_to/
{ "a_id": [ "c3cmiql", "c3cmiql" ], "score": [ 7, 7 ], "text": [ "Well the distance between each degree of longitude is about 70 miles. 15 degrees of longitude equals an hour difference in the time zone. So for a plane to stay in darkness it would have to be travelling at 1050mph.\n\nedit:...
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[ [], [] ]
zg6jr
how can i use the pronunciation things on wikipedia?
They look like absolute gibberish (why does the pronunciation for "Jobs" begin with a "d"-ish thing?), but they seem really helpful!
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/zg6jr/how_can_i_use_the_pronunciation_things_on/
{ "a_id": [ "c64a8wc", "c64bb7c", "c64c09p", "c64ce02", "c64cikv", "c64etld" ], "score": [ 14, 66, 5, 20, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "They're using the [International Phonetic Alphabet](_URL_0_). \n\n/dʒ/ (IPA is usually put between //s to show it's a phonetic transc...
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[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:IPA_for_English#Key" ], [], [ "http://i.imgur.com/R3EpC.jpg" ], [], [], [ "http://www.paulmeier.com/ipa/charts.html" ] ]
2r2hvb
What happens when you heat metal past it's melting point?
Let's say I have a bar that is 50% zinc and 50% copper. I want to melt it and extract pure copper. Copper has a much higher melting point than zinc. So if I throw this bar in my crucible set at the temperature of melting copper, what will happen to the zinc?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2r2hvb/what_happens_when_you_heat_metal_past_its_melting/
{ "a_id": [ "cnc5b01" ], "score": [ 11 ], "text": [ "To answer this question you need to look at the phase diagram of the alloy in question. For the Zinc Copper system it's very messy\n\n_URL_0_\n\nAll the Greek letters are different crystal structures. So you might have a solid which is CuZn, C...
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[]
[ [ "http://www.copper.org/publications/newsletters/innovations/2006/03/images/cuzn_phase.jpg", "http://vector.umd.edu/links_files/H3%20-%20phase%20diagrams%20tutorial.pdf" ] ]
6fn8lu
Why is it so much more difficult to develop cooling products as opposed to heating ones?
Summer time has hit like a sack of bricks so I've been trying to find ways to help beat the heat without having to run my expensive A/C day and night. When I search online I can find some gel pads that cool for a short amount of time before acclimating to your body heat, and I have found a very limited supply of pretty...
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/6fn8lu/why_is_it_so_much_more_difficult_to_develop/
{ "a_id": [ "dikdu90" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Ultimately it's because of the [second law of thermodynamics](_URL_0_). The production of thermal energy \"waste heat\" is a classic example of the second law in action. All you have to do to build a heater is to, basically, waste all your ener...
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[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_law_of_thermodynamics#Introduction" ] ]
2iihgs
what is it about toothpaste that makes everything taste so bad after using it?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2iihgs/eli5_what_is_it_about_toothpaste_that_makes/
{ "a_id": [ "cl2gk8o" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "One of the ingredients, temporary disables the part of your tastebuds that detect sweetness." ] }
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[ [] ]
2layf3
What caused Japan to develop such a martial tradition with such an emphasis on honor? (and honorable suicide) Also, was the Emperor ever a powerful figure prior to the Sengoku Jidai?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2layf3/what_caused_japan_to_develop_such_a_martial/
{ "a_id": [ "clubtf6" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Sorry don't have the sources in front of me. If someone can write a more detailed answer with sources feel free to delete this one.\n\nThe emperor *wasn't* powerful during or after the Sengoku Jidai. Even after the Meiji Restoration he wasn't pow...
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[ [] ]
52mrsq
When the Earth was at its earliest state, was the night sky almost completely black, due to how light from the stars hadn't traveled as far?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/52mrsq/when_the_earth_was_at_its_earliest_state_was_the/
{ "a_id": [ "d8nzpha" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "According to [this column](_URL_0_) which answers a similar question, the sun likely formed in a cluster containing many other stars. So for a few tens of millions of years, the night sky would have had more and brighter stars on display to the n...
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[ [ "https://medium.com/starts-with-a-bang/ask-ethan-110-what-did-the-sky-look-like-when-earth-first-formed-23e4c30082a3" ] ]
fnnhfm
Can the placebo effect activate the immune system?
If a doctor tells someone that they’re sick when they’re not, can that person’s immune system be triggered despite the fact they’re not sick?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/fnnhfm/can_the_placebo_effect_activate_the_immune_system/
{ "a_id": [ "flc7dx5" ], "score": [ 13 ], "text": [ "Yes, probably, but there are a lot of unknowns. Studies have shown that placebo's can effect certain immune responses, but not every immune response seems to be effected in the same way. Even imagination exercises can produce changes in immune r...
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[ [] ]
5n6gxe
how 3d movies went from using blue/red cellophane glasses to just "sunglasses"?
Growing up in the 90's, I remember seeing 3D movies at museums and public attractions with that square, one blue, one red cellophane glasses with all the colors being bit funky. Now we use glasses without any coloration. How did this change happen? Did we discover new way to make 3D films?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5n6gxe/eli5_how_3d_movies_went_from_using_bluered/
{ "a_id": [ "dc904a5", "dc90rgr", "dc9cwwl" ], "score": [ 3, 9, 2 ], "text": [ "Polarized light is the secret. To your eye, polarized light looks like normal light.\n\nNormal light has waves, right? Normally, these waves kinda bounce every which way. But with a filter, you can ensu...
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[ [ "http://www.olympusmicro.com/primer/images/polarization/polarizedglasses.jpg" ], [], [] ]
9cz1yk
Does anyone know if the number of blades on a fan has any correlation with airflow or noise?
& #x200B;
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/9cz1yk/does_anyone_know_if_the_number_of_blades_on_a_fan/
{ "a_id": [ "e5eeso1" ], "score": [ 16 ], "text": [ "It definitely has to do with noise; the sound produced is due to the frequency of blades passing a given point. The more blades, the higher the frequency, both of passing the point and of the sound. But since less speed is needed the more blad...
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[ [] ]
61f0lf
What exactly was the Gulf of Tonkin incident?
Someone told me years ago it was pretty much the Americans torpedoing their own ship and blaming it on the north Vietnamese so they would have a reason to get involved in the Vietnam was, how accurate is this simple explanation and what actually happened if the explanation above is wrong? First post, thanks in advance
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/61f0lf/what_exactly_was_the_gulf_of_tonkin_incident/
{ "a_id": [ "dfe37ci" ], "score": [ 17 ], "text": [ "A crucial fact that is fundamentally important that is of the 2 separate incidents the first on August 2 is not disputed by either side as occuring.\n\nThe main controversy for that then is if the Maddox firing warning shots was provocation and ...
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[ [] ]
38x3vb
Was it common for Allied soldiers to execute Nazi guards when they liberated concentration camps out of revenge or anger?
Some movies portray executions of Nazi guards out of anger after seeing what they had done during the liberation of concentration camps. Is this historically accurate or did the Allied soldiers allow them to have proper trials? I have also seen it portrayed where liberated Jews kill the guards and Allied soldiers all...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/38x3vb/was_it_common_for_allied_soldiers_to_execute_nazi/
{ "a_id": [ "crymscp" ], "score": [ 134 ], "text": [ "Yes, Allied soldiers did summarily execute concentration camp guards or allow prisoners to do it themselves.\n\nA famous example took place in the hours after the liberation of Dachau by elements of the 42nd and 45th Infantry Divisions. The rem...
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[ [] ]
5co6fm
is sound physical or chemical?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5co6fm/eli5_is_sound_physical_or_chemical/
{ "a_id": [ "d9y0rkg", "d9y0u1q" ], "score": [ 10, 3 ], "text": [ "Sound is energy converted into vibration through air. Technically the physical stimulation of air hitting your eardrum. Therefore, it's a physical thing. All chemicals are physical, but not all physical things are chemical....
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[ [], [] ]
66x6b4
I've heard several claims of groups claiming to have quantum computers, but others not being sure if they're working or not. Why is it hard to tell if it is doing the quantum stuff?
It would seem like there should be a question or computation that could be posed to a quantum computer, and if it is operating as a quantum computer it would give one answer, and if it is operating as a not-quite-quantum computer, it would give a different answer. Or it would take different amounts of time to complete ...
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/66x6b4/ive_heard_several_claims_of_groups_claiming_to/
{ "a_id": [ "dgmsfe5" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "We don't know yet what kind of machine D-Wave has actually built. It remains to be proven that it solves _anything_ faster than a classical computer. Scott Aaronson is summing the current (give or take a few months, I haven't spotted any relevant...
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[ [ "http://www.scottaaronson.com/blog/?p=3192" ] ]
b5rnsb
What did the Ottomans call their firearms?
Was their a name for a soldier who trained in firearms specifically? What kind of guns existed in the Ottoman Empire during Suleiman’s reign?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/b5rnsb/what_did_the_ottomans_call_their_firearms/
{ "a_id": [ "eji3pjb" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ " > What kind of guns existed in the Ottoman Empire during Suleiman’s reign? \n\n I'll try to answer your question, sorry if it doesn't satisfy you, though the period i cover ranged from the 16th to the early 18th century.\n\n**- Large/Siege Guns...
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[ [] ]
95o8lc
are humans supposed to eat meat?
This might be a dumb question but is eating meat 'natural' for humans?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/95o8lc/eli5_are_humans_supposed_to_eat_meat/
{ "a_id": [ "e3u5fcx", "e3u5fss", "e3u6d1q", "e3u6i5r", "e3ua4r1", "e3ucs6c", "e3ueioz", "e3vbmux" ], "score": [ 30, 15, 4, 7, 2, 4, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Yes, we are omnivores, we can and do eat meat.\n\nWe very very recently have developed a s...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
5rf0v2
what's the benefit of displaying a menu price without tax included? plenty of countries include the tax in the final price but the u.s adds it separately.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5rf0v2/eli5_whats_the_benefit_of_displaying_a_menu_price/
{ "a_id": [ "dd6p6kw", "dd6p8vb", "dd6ppa9", "dd6r2jt", "dd6yefv" ], "score": [ 21, 73, 7, 8, 2 ], "text": [ "Gets people to spend more. \n\nSame reason why most prices are not rounded. \n\n$4.99\n\n14,995\n\n\nStrangely enough studies have shown that menu prices i...
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[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
80dvtb
Is a body's Roche limit affected by its size?
I know the size of an orbiting object determines how close it can get to a planet/star before being torn apart by tidal forces, but does the size of the primary matter at all?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/80dvtb/is_a_bodys_roche_limit_affected_by_its_size/
{ "a_id": [ "duvr5u8" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "It does, the critical distance is 1.26 times the primary radius time the cube root of the density ratio. Up the primary radius and the distance increases.\n\nKeep in mind the distance is from the center of the primary not it's surface." ] }
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23grnz
plato's form of the good
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/23grnz/eli5_platos_form_of_the_good/
{ "a_id": [ "cgwubzy" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "You can get a better answer by asking for a more specific explanation. Here is a summary in a few sentences. \n\nPlato observed that some things are better than other things of the same kind. There are good tables and bad tables. He guessed tha...
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[ [] ]
1dgzks
how did we get the images of our universe?
How is it we have pictures of the universe? Did we send satellites to take them? I wouldn't think our technology is that advanced...yet. *knock on wood* I mean we have a lot of those outer space pictures so how did we figure out that's how space looks like?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1dgzks/eli5_how_did_we_get_the_images_of_our_universe/
{ "a_id": [ "c9q7eem", "c9q7l3u" ], "score": [ 3, 5 ], "text": [ "Do you mean 'our galaxy'? ", "For universe? We just point cameras in every direction and snap a picture.\n\nFor our galaxy however it's a bit trickier. Because we are roughly on the outside, we can estimate size of our g...
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[ [], [] ]
5txsy3
why are emergency/survival matches still a thing when you can have two or three cheap bic lighters do a way better job for a way longer time while taking up less space and weight? is their any real benefit to having emergency matches over emergency lighters???
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5txsy3/eli5_why_are_emergencysurvival_matches_still_a/
{ "a_id": [ "ddpuk0q", "ddpvuto", "ddq0ts2", "ddq5lp6" ], "score": [ 9, 4, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Well it depends allot on what type of emergency matches you have, but one issue I've had when camping is in a flood my lighter got water in it and was dead, but my survival match...
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[ [], [], [], [] ]
3o6h3f
when we launch space missions, what's stopping other nations from believing that's a targeted bomb or nuke and how is it different from an actual attack?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3o6h3f/eli5_when_we_launch_space_missions_whats_stopping/
{ "a_id": [ "cvugz1g", "cvugzt6" ], "score": [ 8, 6 ], "text": [ "First of all, its not like a space agency fires up this massive and amazingly complex rocket with complete secrecey, and goes \"surprise! Its STS-134. You know, delivering supplies to the ISS. Yeah, usually we plan these thi...
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[ [], [] ]
1w5p64
why is death by firing squad so bad?
I hear people say it's a really bad way to die, but why? It seems quick and there's no torture.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1w5p64/eli5why_is_death_by_firing_squad_so_bad/
{ "a_id": [ "ceywrz2", "ceywsbz", "ceywyz1" ], "score": [ 2, 3, 3 ], "text": [ "Where to begin? With the dying itself or with the long, slow build-up, including the fact that you have to wait while they perform the \"reaaaaady! Take aaaaaaim..\"\n\nI would imagine it's nerve-wracki...
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[ [], [ "http://www.theage.com.au/news/World/Firing-squad-a-slow-way-to-die/2005/04/22/1114028522517.html" ], [] ]
1sszur
Hi! I'm looking for some video/audio files of famous speeches from World War II.
I'll try to keep it short. First, I want to say that this is a crazily well-organized subreddit—you guys are awesome. Second, I would like to state that I did look through all of the sidebar before I came here, and couldn't find what I needed (I didn't want to bother you unless I had to). Thirdly, I apologize if t...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1sszur/hi_im_looking_for_some_videoaudio_files_of_famous/
{ "a_id": [ "ce0xcrm", "ce14lrm" ], "score": [ 4, 2 ], "text": [ "For some basic WWII audio/video archives you can peruse starting from this link:\n_URL_0_\n\nFor Hitler and Axis files, which I believe is what you are trying to locate, this site has quite the library:\n_URL_1_\n\nHope this...
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[ [ "http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/speeches#eisenhower-broadcasts-d-day-invasion-order", "https://archive.org/details/Hitler_Speeches" ], [] ]