q_id
stringlengths
5
6
title
stringlengths
3
301
selftext
stringlengths
0
39.2k
document
stringclasses
1 value
subreddit
stringclasses
3 values
url
stringlengths
4
132
answers
dict
title_urls
list
selftext_urls
list
answers_urls
list
67edkk
The Confusing History of Bible Translations. Is there a definitive reference for this subject?
Novice here. This past weekend I was inspired to tackle a project I've always wanted to do, The History of Bible Translations. This is a HUGE subject, so I limited myself to English-Protestant translations (save influential text). But... still... That is overwhelming. I had no idea there was such confusing and con...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/67edkk/the_confusing_history_of_bible_translations_is/
{ "a_id": [ "dgpsphp" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Hi, hopefully you'll get some help here, but do also consider x-posting to /r/AcademicBiblical for their input." ] }
[]
[ "https://www.dropbox.com/s/3ejvk222f6460wt/Translation%20Timeline.png?dl=0" ]
[ [] ]
ziu64
Was speed and violence of action during World War 2 a large contributing factor as to why it did not stabilize into nasty trench warfare like WWI?
In other words, how and what changed between WWI and WWII that made these two conflicts so different? Was it only weapons and tech, differently matched militaries, or fundamental change in the understanding of the conduction of warfare (strategies, tactics, etc.) in the commanders and officers?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/ziu64/was_speed_and_violence_of_action_during_world_war/
{ "a_id": [ "c64ysy1", "c64zfzw", "c6500tk", "c651tv1" ], "score": [ 3, 8, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "I believe it was the introduction of aircraft and tanks...", "Mobile warfare of WW2 was inevitable. Multiple factors contributed to this. To name some:\n\n- Military thought ha...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blitzkrieg" ], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stormtrooper" ], [] ]
2p1ehn
why do some people hear noises prior to falling asleep.
This happens to me and I found out it happens to others too, I just can't find why. It doesn't happen right before falling asleep, but I use it as an indicator that lets me know I'll be asleep soon. The sounds range from random noises to voices, but they go away when I focus on them. Edit: I realized I didn't put a q...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2p1ehn/eli5_why_do_some_people_hear_noises_prior_to/
{ "a_id": [ "cmsg3tu", "cmsgajy", "cmsgcym" ], "score": [ 2, 4, 3 ], "text": [ "As I am falling asleep I usually loose my hearing and the realization of silence startles me and then two seconds later I am asleep.", "It could be [hypnagogia](_URL_0_)\n\nAs you fall asleep, there...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypnagogia" ], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypnagogia#Sounds" ] ]
307u31
how am i supposed to analyze the double toilet flusher buttons?
As someone that has been flushing successfully for several decades, the new flush buttons confuse me. Almost all new toilets have two buttons to flush the toilet. One is typically larger than the other. Is the larger one made that way to indicate it gives a larger flush? Or is it larger because it is supposed to d...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/307u31/eli5_how_am_i_supposed_to_analyze_the_double/
{ "a_id": [ "cppxj8f", "cppzfqf" ], "score": [ 2, 9 ], "text": [ "You don't have to analyze it, you can just take a few moments to Google \"[toilet button flush](_URL_1_).\"\n\nYou don't even have to search through the results, just select image results, and you'll get results like [this](...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.kudzu.com/blogs/hot-off-the-vine/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/dual-flush-toilet11.jpg", "https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=toilet%20button%20flush", "http://images.oyster.com/articles/661-2010-01-marriott-dual-flush-toilet.jpg" ], []...
ebyuxy
Is there a particular reason why there are few islands in the Arctic Ocean?
I was surprised that the most northerly island was just off the coast of Greenland. This seems quite a large area to have no islands at all, especially given that the Arctic Ocean is the shallowest ocean. Is it related to plate tectonics?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/ebyuxy/is_there_a_particular_reason_why_there_are_few/
{ "a_id": [ "fbbtp0r" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "The short answer is that it has to do with the way plate tectonics force continental basalt, which is the stuff that forms terrestrial topography like islands and continents, away from divergent boundaries in the ocean floor. Look at [this diagra...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://oceansjsu.com/images/north_pacific_names.jpg", "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/02/Flood_Basalt_Map.jpg" ] ]
1jotka
how are the child/baby pictures of grown up actors in movies made?
Are they actual child/baby pictures of the actor/actress or of a look-alike or photoshoped or....?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1jotka/eli5how_are_the_childbaby_pictures_of_grown_up/
{ "a_id": [ "cbgsuwn", "cbgsx9d" ], "score": [ 2, 3 ], "text": [ "All of the above. Whatever works, works. ", "All of the above and make-up. Sometimes with hilarious results. \n\nIn Star Trek, they've shown how Wesley Crusher would look at 25. [Here's](_URL_0_) how he would look like a...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://en.memory-alpha.org/wiki/Wesley_Crusher?file=Wesley_Crusher%252C_age_25.jpg", "http://en.memory-alpha.org/wiki/Wil_Wheaton" ] ]
3vd5hb
How much of the uranium gets converted to energy in a nuclear bomb?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/3vd5hb/how_much_of_the_uranium_gets_converted_to_energy/
{ "a_id": [ "cxn6bv5" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "I don't quite know enough to give you a complete answer...\n\n\"Uranium\" doesn't get converted to energy, precisely. If you calculate the mass of an atom and then calculate the mass of all the protons, neutrons, and electrons that make up the sa...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
3jkz68
source of streaming videos
When a TV show or movie is given permission to be streamed over an online service like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, etc., how is it uploaded to the site? I'm sure with some of the newer TV shows/movies (~2010), they already have digital copies ready to go but what about older movies and shows? Are they burned from a D...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3jkz68/eli5_source_of_streaming_videos/
{ "a_id": [ "cuq5ii3" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Most all movies are cataloged digitally. For older vcr and film movies they use special converters" ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
4kuoxo
Has there ever been a push to ban libraries by the book publishing industry?
It would seem that it would be in the interest of book publishers to push for the illegalization of libraries since it appears to harm book sales. After all, instead of purchasing every book I read, I can just go to the library and borrow the books from there. Has there ever been a push to ban libraries by the book pub...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4kuoxo/has_there_ever_been_a_push_to_ban_libraries_by/
{ "a_id": [ "d3ibpi4" ], "score": [ 116 ], "text": [ "This answer applies to America only, because I am An American Librarian (™) and I only know the historical, professional, and legal situation for libraries here. The answer is kinda yes: publishers routinely oppose some of the work of librarian...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://imagesearchnew.library.illinois.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/alaposters/id/34/rec/3", "http://www.ala.org/transforminglibraries/frequently-asked-questions-e-books-us-libraries", "http://www.ala.org/acrl/sites/ala.org.acrl/files/content/publications/booksanddigitalresources/digital/97808389869...
1n2miz
When was the last time there was a single world power?
Since the fall of the USSR, the US is generally regarded as the single world power (at least until China or the EU rise up.) When was the last time that was the case. Was the British Empire alone during its height, or was it rivaled by nations like France?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1n2miz/when_was_the_last_time_there_was_a_single_world/
{ "a_id": [ "ccf0fv0" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "While the British Empire had it's rivals, it was by far the single global power in the latter half of the 19th century. When the term \"superpower\" was first described, it was used to describe not only the United States and USSR, but also the Br...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regional_power", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_power" ] ]
9lefh4
why do some restaurants add an automatic gratuity for groups of a certain size even if the patrons ask for separate bills?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9lefh4/eli5_why_do_some_restaurants_add_an_automatic/
{ "a_id": [ "e760oaw", "e760xq5", "e760zwc", "e7612h6", "e762kaq", "e768z00" ], "score": [ 8, 5, 2, 4, 3, 3 ], "text": [ "Because not everybody tips, simple as that. Make sure a tax is added so now everybody has “to tip” and no one is tipping more than the o...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
1a97kj
How many words does an average person memorize in their lifetime?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1a97kj/how_many_words_does_an_average_person_memorize_in/
{ "a_id": [ "c8vcgj4", "c8vckfr", "c8vcngk" ], "score": [ 5, 12, 3 ], "text": [ "Unfortunately, I'm not able to find any journal articles that provide an accurate estimate.\n\nThe professor David Krystal [attempted to make an estimation](_URL_0_), although his methodology was flawe...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.davidcrystal.com/DC_articles/English83.pdf", "http://www.victoria.ac.nz/lals/about/staff/publications/paul-nation/1990-Goulden-Voc-size.pdf", "http://my.vocabularysize.com" ], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morpheme", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agglutination" ], [ "...
a7717x
Historical accuracy in popular media. Does it annoy you?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/a7717x/historical_accuracy_in_popular_media_does_it/
{ "a_id": [ "ec0u27x" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "We have removed this question because it is an open-ended question that isn't suited to our normal q-and-a format and rules. But we encourage you to post your question again in our Free-Form Friday thread." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
afchpw
how do wetsuits/diving suits keep your body warm?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/afchpw/eli5_how_do_wetsuitsdiving_suits_keep_your_body/
{ "a_id": [ "edxfhql" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "A wet suit traps a pool of water between you and the ocean. Your own body heat warms that water. The thickness of the neoprene insulated that inner layer of water from ocean. \n\nEdit there are also dry suits, which keep you from getting wet in t...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
19nqcr
What quickens the drying of blood when compared to water?
How does the process occur so quickly in comparison to water? Is there a medical name for blood once it solidifies?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/19nqcr/what_quickens_the_drying_of_blood_when_compared/
{ "a_id": [ "c8pq7gs" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Blood is composed of red and white blood cells, platelets and plasma, which itself is composed of mostly water and dissolved nutrients. What you call the \"drying\" of blood is not the same process as water \"drying\", water will dry through evap...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_coagulation" ] ]
5q9hr3
what does a misspelled word or bad grammar look like in chinese?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5q9hr3/eli5what_does_a_misspelled_word_or_bad_grammar/
{ "a_id": [ "dcxfhp1", "dcxfrgv", "dcxh59w", "dcxif8v", "dcxj3bf", "dcxj7na", "dcxjyu4", "dcxl2b7", "dcxl3vj", "dcxl57z", "dcxldup", "dcxle7k", "dcxlmed", "dcxmm0n", "dcxms83", "dcxom81", "dcxp9ld", "dcxpi5b", "dcxprb4", "dcxprg4", "d...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2-o7YKqF-DELUw2Y1U4RXNrTUk/view?usp=drivesdk", "https://d2mllj54g854r4.cloudfront.net/images/type_chinese/win8/usage2.png" ], [ "http://news.mydrivers.com/1/471/471490.htm" ], [ "http://i.imgur.com/eEaQzI1.j...
9uedoa
The United States was founded, populated and developed by people who were not originally from America. How did anti-immigration sentiment arise from a literal nation of immigrants? How did the idea of America as a melting pot of different cultures develop in spite anti-immigrant sentiment?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/9uedoa/the_united_states_was_founded_populated_and/
{ "a_id": [ "e93rhnw", "e940ohy", "e941vyn", "e9466rr", "e9498br" ], "score": [ 557, 1414, 287, 124, 38 ], "text": [ "Follow-up question: at the time of the American Revolution, was there a social distinction between *recent* immigrants to the colonies compared to t...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/election-1800-first-real-test-american-democracy-180960457/", "http://www.jstor.org/stable/25699042", "www.jstor.org/stable/25699042", "https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Hamilton/01-25-02-0282", "Smithsonian.com" ], [ ...
260pdc
web 3.0?
I saw something about Web 2.0 just now (I know what Web 1.0 and 2.0 are, you don't need to explain that to me) and it got me wondering about a Web 3.0. What would actually change? Moving from 1.0 to 2.0 we changed from static to interactive, so what's next? A couple of sites I found gave examples of asking complex ques...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/260pdc/eli5_web_30/
{ "a_id": [ "chmiz78" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Web 2.0 was just a catchphrase that some journalist came up with. It's just a vague, handwavey term that can be used to talk about whatever a speaker wants. Nobody spoke of \"Web 1.0\" prior to it becoming widely used.\n\nI hope we can avoid usin...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
9is0p4
why does mostly the top of our feet hurt when our feet land on something hard?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9is0p4/eli5_why_does_mostly_the_top_of_our_feet_hurt/
{ "a_id": [ "e6lwllt" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "If you look at a human skeleton, you will see that there are long bones at the top of our feet. Those are called metatarsal bones. The force of the impact of landing hard on your feet will travel through those bones, which is painful." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
28b01y
what's the difference between the different types of anti-aliasing?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/28b01y/eli5_whats_the_difference_between_the_different/
{ "a_id": [ "ci9ogiv" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "There's different methods involved to get rid of the jaggies with varying levels of effectiveness and performance penalties.\n\nThe most brute force one being super sampling. The image is rendered much higher than the target resolution and then s...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
5ha6ew
what do people mean when they say that all birds are dinosaurs?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5ha6ew/eli5_what_do_people_mean_when_they_say_that_all/
{ "a_id": [ "daylix8", "dayljnk", "dayljqv", "daylob2", "daynmsv", "dayplus" ], "score": [ 2, 6, 3, 5, 5, 3 ], "text": [ "Dinosaurs most likely evolved into modern day birds. As an attempt to evade the auto mod I will explain why we think that. It mainly com...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [ "http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2005/06/images/revuelto_tree_big.jpg", "https://image.freepik.com/free-vector/family-tree-icons_23-2147511229.jpg", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primate", "http://www.nature.com/nrg/journal/v15/n5/fig_tab/nrg3707_F1.html" ], ...
3y6bmo
Is there any connection between Cossaks and Kazakhs? Or is the name similarity just a coincidence?
Been wondering about this for a while. Wikipedia doesn't say much, just don't confuse them with each other.
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3y6bmo/is_there_any_connection_between_cossaks_and/
{ "a_id": [ "cyaz5bg", "cyazfc4" ], "score": [ 276, 568 ], "text": [ "Today's Cossacks are descended from bands of escaped and freed serfs from across Russia. They generally existed near the borders of the Russian Empire, such as in Ukraine. They were afforded special privileges by the Rus...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
1z0bkk
why china has both an overcrowding/pollution problem and ghost towns.
I've seen a lot about China's pollution issues recently (and its highly probable link to overpopulation). But I also see random articles on these "ghost" towns where either they've been built in anticipation of people moving in or were abandoned after some market went under. Moving successful businesses (and therefore ...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1z0bkk/eli5_why_china_has_both_an_overcrowdingpollution/
{ "a_id": [ "cfpc9k4", "cfpcpss", "cfpmif1" ], "score": [ 5, 7, 2 ], "text": [ "The ghost towns are largely a myth.\n\n_URL_0_", "The non-myth ghost towns are in the middle of nowhere and usually lack essential services. Nobody wants to move to a city with no grocery stores, no...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2013/09/24/chinas-ghost-cities-may-not-be-so-spooky/" ], [], [ "http://www.thechinabeat.org/?p=3610" ] ]
2bxo1d
How does a virus like Ebola lay dormant of long periods of time and then reappear again?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2bxo1d/how_does_a_virus_like_ebola_lay_dormant_of_long/
{ "a_id": [ "cja04zr", "cja0p6v", "cja17oc" ], "score": [ 34, 6, 10 ], "text": [ "I don't believe that the Ebola virus is thought to have a latent state, as some viruses do (herpes and HIV). Instead, there is the appearance of occasional outbreaks in populations which could give t...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
9gg67k
What happened to Liberia during the American Civil War?
I know that Liberia was founded by free former slaves getting sent to Africa, but am unaware of how the colony developed afterwards.
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/9gg67k/what_happened_to_liberia_during_the_american/
{ "a_id": [ "e64xcic" ], "score": [ 9 ], "text": [ "I'll sketch the history of Liberia to 1860 out; the idea of resettling freed American slaves in Africa had its seed in the 1787 establishment of the British colony at Freetown, in what is now Sierra Leone. In 1817, the American Colonization Socie...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/df/Map_of_Liberian_Republic_1856.jpg" ] ]
2z9z96
Is it possible to harness the gamma radiation from nuclear reactions in the same way we harness solar radiation using solar panels?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2z9z96/is_it_possible_to_harness_the_gamma_radiation/
{ "a_id": [ "cphamen" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "From: _URL_0_\n\n > Spent fuels and high level radioactive wastes which emit high doze of gamma rays could be a promising and long-lasting power source, if the gamma ray energy was effectively converted other forms of energy. In the present study...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=7956582" ] ]
3v3r4p
why does rubbing your finger across your lips make them softer?
seriously have no idea, but it works!
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3v3r4p/eli5_why_does_rubbing_your_finger_across_your/
{ "a_id": [ "cxk393o", "cxk3doy", "cxk4gp1" ], "score": [ 3, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Anyone else try rubbing their lips with their finger after reading the title?", "Your lips require oil or else they get chapped. Your fingers have oil on them, and some of it comes off onto your li...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
6k7xdh
Why must we use radians (and not degrees) in calculus?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/6k7xdh/why_must_we_use_radians_and_not_degrees_in/
{ "a_id": [ "djjzu3g", "djk023b", "djk2p7a", "djngy7g" ], "score": [ 18, 27, 32, 2 ], "text": [ "You don't have to. Radians and degrees are different units for the same thing, just like inches vs centimeters.\n\nBut since everyone else uses radians, and all the formulas are...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4e/Circle_radians.gif" ], [] ]
4en0jy
why do video game discs have loading screens but nintendo cartridges don't?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4en0jy/eli5_why_do_video_game_discs_have_loading_screens/
{ "a_id": [ "d21iblz", "d21ihxe" ], "score": [ 3, 9 ], "text": [ "Nintendo (or really any) cartridges never take more than a few seconds to load so there is no need for a loading screen.", "Video game cartridges are like the solid state drives (SSDs) of the past. They had much faster d...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
3l2vjg
rfid protection
How does RFID protection technology work? Is it just a coating that prevents a reading or is there more to it? Background: I have an [RFID protection wallet](_URL_0_) that I put my student ID card in. If i put it in the outside id window, it CAN'T be read by the sensors however if i put it in the inside id window, it ...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3l2vjg/eli5rfid_protection/
{ "a_id": [ "cv2od0d" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "At a high level, the wallets that offer RFID protection are very small [Faraday cages](_URL_0_) which block all EM radiation from coming in or going out.\n\nThe ID window is a hole in the cage, which allows the RFID signal to pass through." ] }
[]
[ "http://ep.yimg.com/ay/yhst-88464523396784/tumi-delta-rfid-multi-window-card-case-8.gif" ]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faraday_cage" ] ]
epejuu
how do drug companies decide what the dosage should be for different over the counter medication?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/epejuu/eli5_how_do_drug_companies_decide_what_the_dosage/
{ "a_id": [ "feiyg17" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "Extensive testing, through a bunch of different phases, starting with animals and, when it’s deemed safe enough and worth the effort to move into the market, on humans" ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
2jo63v
why is it that we don't know much about ancient civilizations? shouldn't the information get passed across generations?
We don't know much about ancient Egypt for example.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2jo63v/eli5_why_is_it_that_we_dont_know_much_about/
{ "a_id": [ "cldikvh", "cldiqtk", "cldjq00", "cldlqc8" ], "score": [ 6, 3, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "But if Civilization gets slaughtered or decimated by illness who are they going to tell their history? Our knowledge of history is based mainly on documents. If we don't have them...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
embl1g
British naval doctrine
May be too simple a question for this sub, but it’s bugging me. I remember reading or hearing about a British doctrine in which the Royal Navy was expected to be more powerful than the next two navies. What’s the doctrine called or did I make it up?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/embl1g/british_naval_doctrine/
{ "a_id": [ "fdnipvl", "fdnmr4x" ], "score": [ 2, 12 ], "text": [ "I'm at work at the moment so I don't have my books to hand so hopefully this doesn't get removed.\n\nI actually wrote my dissertation on this! Or at least the naval arms race prior to WW1 and the development of Dreadnought ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
30334n
"Great Game" narratives usually describe a British Empire deeply anxious about Russian expansion into Asia. How much was the opposite also true?
I was just reading Hevia's *The Imperial Security State*, and when he discusses the Great Game, it becomes clear that British imperialists were indeed very much concerned with Russian expansionism. Given that Great Britian was similarly a highly aggressive expanding power in Asia at this time, did similar anxieties exi...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/30334n/great_game_narratives_usually_describe_a_british/
{ "a_id": [ "cpoxidp" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "can i tack on a book request for overviews of \"the great game\"?" ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
bh2k4z
what makes some glass surfaces reflective while others are transparent?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bh2k4z/eli5_what_makes_some_glass_surfaces_reflective/
{ "a_id": [ "elphhif" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Light. If an object behind glass repels photons, it reflects. If it doesnt, it appears transparent as the photons continue passed it. That's how mirrors work." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
3y51yf
what causes that "old" metallic-like smell in antique typewriters/cameras/sewing machines?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3y51yf/eli5_what_causes_that_old_metalliclike_smell_in/
{ "a_id": [ "cyaloi7" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ "It's actually a kind of body odor. When you touch the metal, it catalyzes the decomposition of oils on your skin and makes smaller, more volatile compounds that make up the \"metal smell.\"" ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
7th592
Origin of the honorable Wehrmacht reputation
It's been known since during the war itself that the German heer (armed forces) were involved in atrocities, not just the SS, so how did we in the West get the notion that their hands were relatively "clean?" Did it develop more or less organically since there were a relative handful of atrocities in the West as compar...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/7th592/origin_of_the_honorable_wehrmacht_reputation/
{ "a_id": [ "dtcix4k" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "While there be more to add, I think this answer to an older question by u/commiespaceinvader may be what you are looking for. \n_URL_0_" ] }
[]
[]
[ [ "reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/5799li/did_the_rommel_myth_and_clean_wehrmacht_myth_and/d8suoyk/" ] ]
9gsjo2
What can we use bronze for today and why?
I was wondering what we use bronze for today and the reason for it. I cant seem to find a reason for using bronze in industrial and non-industrial purposes.
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/9gsjo2/what_can_we_use_bronze_for_today_and_why/
{ "a_id": [ "e66nrm7", "e66w1s2", "e6721ig", "e672bj2", "e676nl6", "e678q4e", "e679jfj", "e67ecqj", "e67fqnv", "e67ga1d", "e67jupk", "e67l8ho", "e67n7dz", "e67o64p", "e67oavq", "e67oc49", "e67oufp", "e67s32c", "e67tiky", "e67vx8p", "e...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell_metal" ], [], [], [], [], [ "https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antimicrobial_copper-alloy_touch_surfaces" ], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
9atznv
what happens in your skin when you get calluses.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9atznv/eli5_what_happens_in_your_skin_when_you_get/
{ "a_id": [ "e4y5r7b", "e4yibko", "e4yn0r0", "e4z4ooh", "e4z9oka" ], "score": [ 446, 109, 2, 4, 3 ], "text": [ "Your skin gets tired of repairing the damage, so it over-does the repair operation - thickening the outer protective layer.", "Podiatrist here. Thicke...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Callus" ], [], [], [] ]
h4f5v
Fairly inane question about microwaves (the cooking kind)
Hi clever people, Me and dad were having a lazy night and were going to microwave these curry dishes we'd bought (they were lovely) The instructions claimed that each took 5 minutes to cook. My dad said that if we wanted to cook them at the same time we had to double it as there was twice as much. Surely this isn't ...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/h4f5v/fairly_inane_question_about_microwaves_the/
{ "a_id": [ "c1si9v5", "c1skf9y" ], "score": [ 7, 2 ], "text": [ "Non-scientist here, but I'll try to answer your question.\n\nYes, your father is right. For different amounts of food, cooking times varies. This has to do with the way microwaves work.\n\nWhen cooking in a regular oven, the...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
2gebi7
i get told beer is bad because it is all carbs and soda is bad because it is all sugar. which one is worse on my gut and why?
What am i supposed to drink?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2gebi7/eli5i_get_told_beer_is_bad_because_it_is_all/
{ "a_id": [ "ckia518", "ckiaeds", "ckibr66", "ckiiuzk" ], "score": [ 17, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Water. You're supposed to drink water", "sugar is a form of carbohydrate. The amount of carbs in beer differs greatly depending on the type, same as the amount of sugar in so...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
mfp3j
selling short in stocks, mutual funds, and margins
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/mfp3j/eli5_selling_short_in_stocks_mutual_funds_and/
{ "a_id": [ "c30j4q5", "c30j4q5" ], "score": [ 21, 21 ], "text": [ "**Short selling: **\n\nYou have 100 stocks in a company that you plan on keeping regardless of what happens to its price. Lets say they're worth 100$ a piece. Now I think that the price is going to take a shit-kicking. So ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
1rl88r
why does the pitch of an emergency siren change when it has gone past you?
I wonder why the pitch of a siren changes when it is going past you at a fast speed. It sounds different when it is moving at you and when it is moving away from you. As an example Swedish siren: _URL_0_ Is there any physical explanation to this?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1rl88r/eli5_why_does_the_pitch_of_an_emergency_siren/
{ "a_id": [ "cdoccos", "cdoehyz", "cdoelqv" ], "score": [ 11, 2, 5 ], "text": [ "The sound waves bunch up ahead of the vehicle, making out sound higher, and as it passes you, they spread out behind out, lowering the frequency. Google \"Doppler effect\"", "[The Doppler Effect](_...
[]
[ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALnMzTC-144" ]
[ [], [ "http://www.sheldonquotes.com/uploads/Doppler.gif" ], [] ]
3jqo3b
why do we clinch our teeth while applying force?
Whenever we open a box lid which is very tight or push something heavy (like a car), we tend to clinch our teeth. Was curious why this happens.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3jqo3b/eli5_why_do_we_clinch_our_teeth_while_applying/
{ "a_id": [ "curmr77" ], "score": [ 11 ], "text": [ "Imagine force as pressure, like the pressure of soda in a bottle. We feel the pressure because the soda is pushing against the walls of the bottle. If the cap is off the bottle, there is no pressure: the walls of the bottle are squishable. When...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
2ewz96
How did people on the dole pass their days in ancient Rome?
I am presuming this would be someone living in Rome at its height (e.g., 2/3rd century AD) who got the full ration of bread, olive oil, etc.
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2ewz96/how_did_people_on_the_dole_pass_their_days_in/
{ "a_id": [ "ck421pl" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "The Roman grain dole was not really a \"poor relief\"--[this paper](_URL_0_) does a really good job covering the basics. Furthermore, I don't believe that the dole would be able to cover the full subsistence of a family. So, that said, they would...
[]
[]
[ [ "www.jstor.org/stable/20181081" ] ]
3rnz3m
nasa's latest announcement about mars' atmosphere
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3rnz3m/eli5_nasas_latest_announcement_about_mars/
{ "a_id": [ "cwpqokd", "cwprgfm", "cwpuzcs" ], "score": [ 2, 27, 5 ], "text": [ "Mars' Atmosphere is being stripped from a tiny fraction of its' Gas every second (about 100g/seconds globally on rough estimates) due to Solar Winds. \n\nI just tuned into the Livestream myself, if you...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
3wolok
What did economics classes look like in communist countries, particularly in the USSR?
So, I'm an economics student and after reading some of Marx's writings, I realized how much the economics curriculum here in the US is heavily reliant on the capitalist system of economics (profit maximization, private property, etc) and it got me thinking about how different a Marxist economics course would look like...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3wolok/what_did_economics_classes_look_like_in_communist/
{ "a_id": [ "d119bmz", "cxxxh7a", "cxym77r" ], "score": [ 2, 805, 54 ], "text": [ "\"So, what would an economics student in a communist country, say in the Soviet Union, learn and what would be something that we'd learn in common and somethings that would be different?\"\n\n\nThey ...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://www.gwu.edu/~ieresgwu/assets/docs/demokratizatsiya%20archive/03-4_BrueMacPhee.PDF" ], [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/15zq4y/a_russianspeakerstalinist_sovietperiod_person/" ] ]
arah03
What makes the whirl pool in a sink?
[deleted]
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/arah03/what_makes_the_whirl_pool_in_a_sink/
{ "a_id": [ "egogbce" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "If you fill up your sink with the drain plugged, the water will be moving around in a more or less random way. This random motion most likely has some nonzero angular momentum about the drain. When you pull the plug, water rushes down the drain, ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
1zrnjk
why do restaurants offer and promote "healthy options" and then give you a tiny water glass?
So one of the easiest and Healthiest decisions I have made lately is totally ditching sugary drinks in exchange for water. Now this is lovely but a ton of restaurants (specifically fast food places) offer a tiny water glass. Is there a reason for this?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1zrnjk/eli5_why_do_restaurants_offer_and_promote_healthy/
{ "a_id": [ "cfwaz7g", "cfwb7ba" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "The most expensive part of a fountain drink is the cup itself so many fast food restaurants is to hand out the cheapest container they have. ", "For most restaurants, it's because it doesn't make money. Not only do they ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
285uvn
In the Multiple-Universe Theory, how would some universes that have different laws of Physics look compared to our universe's laws?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/285uvn/in_the_multipleuniverse_theory_how_would_some/
{ "a_id": [ "ci7pvnc" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "A pretty simple example would be different values for the fundamental forces. Say for example there existed a universe where the gravitational force was many magnitudes weaker than our own universe. Perhaps no stars or planets of galaxies would e...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
6yligy
why was the recent eclipse scientifically important?
I read online that scientists went crazy during the day of the eclipse to get some important data on the corona or whatever. That I get. What I *don't* get is why is it important that the moon block the sun? Why can't we just put a vantablack circle in front of a telescope and have an eclipse 24/7? TL;DR: Why can't we...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6yligy/eli5_why_was_the_recent_eclipse_scientifically/
{ "a_id": [ "dmoazw0", "dmob5jp" ], "score": [ 3, 3 ], "text": [ "The result would not be the same. The sun's light is being blocked from outside the atmosphere. There is only one way to do that, that being with a celestial body with the same apparent diameter. It's also remarkable because...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
1c2qfc
What is it about Malaria that is making a vaccine so difficult to complete?
In my understanding, Malaria is an extremely treatable disease, but due to inability for developing countries to have a consistent supply of medicine for it, it can kill a lot of people. Is there a reason more work has not been put into creating a vaccine? Is it merely a money/politics problem, or is the medicinal di...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1c2qfc/what_is_it_about_malaria_that_is_making_a_vaccine/
{ "a_id": [ "c9cibco", "c9cjpef" ], "score": [ 6, 6 ], "text": [ "Money is an issue. However Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite that cause malaria is very good at evading the immune system. Traditional vaccines \"teach\" the immune system to recognize and attack pathogens it has never see...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
4e77et
What was the first example of a major/widely recognized brand?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4e77et/what_was_the_first_example_of_a_majorwidely/
{ "a_id": [ "d1xsir7" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "In the 16th century Albrecht Dürer, one of *the* most celebrated artists of his time, marked his prints with a specifically designed logo of his initials. The logo quickly became internationally synonymous with his name (Dürer was one of the firs...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04k6scv", "http://www.phaidon.com/resource/albrechtdurerlogo.jpg", "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a1/Albrecht_Dürer_-_Young_Hare_-_WGA07362.jpg" ] ]
4zwjac
if you flew a spacecraft into a gas planet, would you go straight through it or would you hit some form of ground?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4zwjac/eli5_if_you_flew_a_spacecraft_into_a_gas_planet/
{ "a_id": [ "d6zf9y6", "d6zfirm", "d6zge0k" ], "score": [ 2, 3, 3 ], "text": [ "Your be crushed by the gravity of the planet long before you reached the center let alone got to the other side.", "It's believed that most, if not all, gas giants have solid cores. However, the pre...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://stateschronicle.com/hydrogen-fifth-state-of-matter-phase-v-16033.html" ] ]
2uibnw
Why can't we create artificial eyes? We're very good at optics and signalprocessing. Where is the complexity in making a "camera" and connecting it to the optic nerve?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2uibnw/why_cant_we_create_artificial_eyes_were_very_good/
{ "a_id": [ "co8y1rd", "co9kn4w" ], "score": [ 8, 2 ], "text": [ "The optic nerve is a bundle of neuron axons - the *bodies* of those neurons are the [retinal ganglion cells] (_URL_1_), which are spread out in a sheet across the inner surface of the retina. So a bionic eye needs to make co...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retinal_implant#Types_of_Retinal_Implants", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retinal_ganglion_cell" ], [] ]
ntmm1
Why are solar panels typically blue and shiny?
It seems counter-intuitive. In my mind they should be matt, black to absorb as much sunlight as possible.
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/ntmm1/why_are_solar_panels_typically_blue_and_shiny/
{ "a_id": [ "c3buz0l", "c3buz0l" ], "score": [ 10, 10 ], "text": [ "This is because silicon is best at absorbing light in the redder end of the spectrum, including infrared. Smaller wavelengths, on the blue end of the visible spectrum, are reflected more. So when the sunlight hits the sola...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.spectrolab.com/solarcells.htm", "http://pveducation.org/pvcdrom/appendicies/optical-properties-of-silicon" ], [ "http://www.spectrolab.com/solarcells.htm", "http://pveducation.org/pvcdrom/appendicies/optical-properties-of-silicon" ] ]
1elerk
What Gives Brass That Distinctive Smell?
I recently got an old Nikon SLR camera from my dad. As I was cleaning it I noticed the pungent, sweet odor that antique brass tends to have, especially after years of being stored in stagnant air. I've always assumed that's just what brass smells like. But then I started think: what am I actually smelling? Are Zinc an...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1elerk/what_gives_brass_that_distinctive_smell/
{ "a_id": [ "ca1fdoo", "ca1jl6c" ], "score": [ 11, 4 ], "text": [ "Not exactly your question, but people are able to smell iron after touching it with a finger, according to [this ScienceDaily article](_URL_0_). Perspiration on the skin reduces the metal into Fe^2+ ions. The Fe^2+ ions dec...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/10/061018150716.htm" ], [] ]
2vwmyl
how does old and worn money get out of the circulation?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2vwmyl/eli5_how_does_old_and_worn_money_get_out_of_the/
{ "a_id": [ "colizsj", "colkmo0" ], "score": [ 4, 2 ], "text": [ "One thing that banks do is when they see a bill that's getting too worn out is they send it back to the treasury department and get a replacement. The treasury department destroys them.", "Banks don't keep the cash that...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
be64sl
why do large scale fires take so long to be put out?
I'm thinking more in terms of localized fires like the Notre Dame one rather than a forest/bush fire.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/be64sl/eli5_why_do_large_scale_fires_take_so_long_to_be/
{ "a_id": [ "el3b30n", "el3dv74" ], "score": [ 7, 3 ], "text": [ "Thats happens because of how the fire works. In order for fire to burn, you need fuel, heat, and oxygen. Now, its not enough to just locally remove oxygen or energy for a moment. You need an orchestrated effort to keep sit...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
2zmfpa
i'm making hot dogs in the microwave. the packaging says "1 hot dog is 30 sec but 2 or more are a minute and 10 sec" why do i have to increase time when making more than one? won't they cook the same for the time of 1 hot dog?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2zmfpa/eli5_im_making_hot_dogs_in_the_microwave_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cpk97h3", "cpk9rtp" ], "score": [ 2, 3 ], "text": [ "The waves have to go through more matter to do their thing. So you increase the time of exposure to the waves to compensate.", "Your microwave oven outputs microwaves (pretty self-explanatory), for regular cooking (not d...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
336tpy
How do fish and other marine vertebrates prevent their digestive fluids from flowing out of their mouth?
Do they have a sphincter in their throat or esophagus? Do they just produce more acids and enzymes and expect a little to leak out? And how the mechanism different for marine mammals and reptiles?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/336tpy/how_do_fish_and_other_marine_vertebrates_prevent/
{ "a_id": [ "cqir4nl" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Many fish do not have stomachs. An example that comes to mind are seahorses, which must eat small amounts very often because of this. \n\nHowever, for the fish that do have stomachs, which is admittedly the majority, they have a sphincter at the ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
2x9ken
how exactly does one "evade" taxes? kinda curious how ~100 billion euros could be missed. (assuming story truth)
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2x9ken/eli5_how_exactly_does_one_evade_taxes_kinda/
{ "a_id": [ "coy4400", "coy4tb1", "coy8o3l" ], "score": [ 5, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "When you work at a company, they keep track of how much you are being paid, and then tell the tax authority that number - so when you file your taxes, the number you say you earned had better match the ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
9owmmj
Was Mozart wealthy during his own lifetime? Would he have had riches comparable to today's celebrated musicians and what kind of lifestyle do we know Mozart had? Was it extravagant? Starving artist? Or somewhere inbetween?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/9owmmj/was_mozart_wealthy_during_his_own_lifetime_would/
{ "a_id": [ "e7xr6rw", "e7xr9la" ], "score": [ 4, 12 ], "text": [ "Also, weren't artists sponsored by the King or something? How would one go about it? Create something, go to the castle, show it to the King and ask him for a pension? ", "Mozart made a lot of money, and lived a somewha...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/65uebo/why_was_mozart_so_financially_unsuccessful_in_his/dgdiior/?context=3" ] ]
3i3yfl
How did the 30years war influence trade (routes)?
I know this is a big question, but I wonder if the widespread and unprecedented destruction on a large scale of those lands in the centre of Europe, through which many important and long-established trade routes went, had equally large effects on the european trade and trade networks. For example I know the Hanseatic c...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3i3yfl/how_did_the_30years_war_influence_trade_routes/
{ "a_id": [ "cud49ub" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "There was a commercial crisis extending from central to north-western Europe as early as 1620, during the conflict's initial Bohemian phase, though the slowing of silver shipments from the New World may also have contributed. Without questioning ...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://eh.net/eha/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/SchulzeVolckart.pdf" ] ]
4hzwq6
How did dogs become man's best friend in western culture?
As my understanding dogs have a unusual position in western society (I'm asian). I've read somewhere that dog only become "man's best friend" culturally in the 19th century. During that period people start breeding pet dogs and sell them like products so the merchants come up with this "man's best friend" idea. Is it t...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4hzwq6/how_did_dogs_become_mans_best_friend_in_western/
{ "a_id": [ "d2ugkc7" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "“Man’s best friend” is a colloquialism, so it sort of depends on what you mean and how seriously you take it. In a very real sense, dogs have been man’s “best friend” since their domestication, about 30,000 years ago. There are arguments that hun...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://img.prntscr.com/img?url=http://i.imgur.com/jGrPEch.png", "http://www.nature.com/ncomms/journal/v4/n5/full/ncomms2814.html" ] ]
7hqn1l
Why do presidents have the power to pardon? What were the founding fathers arguments for giving this power vs not?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/7hqn1l/why_do_presidents_have_the_power_to_pardon_what/
{ "a_id": [ "dqt3fgn", "dqtlnco", "dque761" ], "score": [ 1270, 57, 6 ], "text": [ "It is effectively a check on the judiciary branch in practice, and a means by which the framers sought to allow the government to show mercy. \n\nThat said, this was a controversial inclusion into t...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/politics/comments/6ww93c/judge_wont_vacate_former_sheriff_joe_arpaios/dmbafgj/" ] ]
1y2wff
how do people get caught for illegal downloads and prosecuted?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1y2wff/eli5_how_do_people_get_caught_for_illegal/
{ "a_id": [ "cfgv805", "cfgxa6x", "cfgyefe", "cfh4jqg", "cfh8hkm" ], "score": [ 16, 3, 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "The overwhelming majority of people do not get caught. Piracy is treated in a similar manner to drug dealing. They let the little guys operate and go after t...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://torrentfreak.com/five-undercover-police-cars-sent-to-arrest-single-alleged-movie-pirate-130525/" ], [], [], [], [] ]
x43sx
Could an instrument be played in space?
I am wondering what would actually happen (if at all really possible) if you were to play a stringed instrument, or a drum set, etc. in space/zero gravity zone.
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/x43sx/could_an_instrument_be_played_in_space/
{ "a_id": [ "c5j29jj", "c5j2g89", "c5j2kqt" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Yes, but what would be the medium for sound? A taut string or drum surface will vibrate when tapped, stroked or hammered, but to transmit sound takes a medium such as an atmosphere or fluid through whi...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
529lyr
what laws in europen union is uniform throughout? what kind of laws can vary between the member countries?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/529lyr/eli5_what_laws_in_europen_union_is_uniform/
{ "a_id": [ "d7ip677" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "There are EU directives, decisions and EU regulations\n\nDirectives aim to achieve a specific outcome but it's up to the member state how to implement it\n\nRegulations are binding laws throughout every Member State and enter into force on a set...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.usda-eu.org/eu-basics-questions/difference-between-a-regulation-directive-and-decision/" ] ]
amzpo4
if anything is moving away with constant speed from each other, why distant objects appear faster?
Edit : I'm talking about the expansion of the universe.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/amzpo4/eli5_if_anything_is_moving_away_with_constant/
{ "a_id": [ "efpqbgi", "efpqzlc" ], "score": [ 4, 3 ], "text": [ "In what context does that happen? \n\nIf you stand and look at moving objects the closer they are the faster they appear because the angular size changes faster. Angular size there size in your field of view. \n\nThe size of...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
247n8h
cherenkov effect: how can something travel faster than the speed of light?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/247n8h/eli5cherenkov_effect_how_can_something_travel/
{ "a_id": [ "ch4dpqj", "ch4mqcp" ], "score": [ 10, 2 ], "text": [ "The particles that cause Cerenkov radiation don't actually travel faster than *c*, the speed of light in a vacuum, they travel faster than the speed of light in the medium in which that light is propagating.\n\nYou can kind...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
27hl5w
Why did Latin-based languages stay dominant in France, Spain and Italy after they were invaded by Germanic peoples?
I'm really a layperson when it comes to the history of Europe, given I've only just started reading into it. It's just something I was thinking of when looking at a book that features a sequence of maps of European countries in history. After the Western Roman Empire dissolved, Germanic tribes seemed to conquer the maj...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/27hl5w/why_did_latinbased_languages_stay_dominant_in/
{ "a_id": [ "ci0y2f3", "ci15mjk" ], "score": [ 9, 3 ], "text": [ "There are at least two important points. First of all, Germanic incomers were few in numbers. It is usually thought that Frankish settlement in Gaul must have been in the range of the tens of thousands, on a Latin speaking p...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/wiki/language#wiki_frankish_and_french" ] ]
eem80e
why do humans have a natural tendency to seek approval? what makes humans social beings?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/eem80e/eli5_why_do_humans_have_a_natural_tendency_to/
{ "a_id": [ "fbuqdzg" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "We evolved as such. We cannot survive well on our own, and our survival is tied to the herd. The dynamics of the herd, what we consider being social, are thus very important to our survival." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
8cuozx
how to properly use articles in english?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8cuozx/eli5_how_to_properly_use_articles_in_english/
{ "a_id": [ "dxhz2me", "dxhzglr" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "\"a\" is for a non-specific noun. If you're talking about \"a dog\" its usually just any dog. The concept of a dog. Or some random dog.\n\n\"an\" is the same as \"a\" but you use it if the following word starts with a vowel....
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
1i1v92
How is penicillin G different from ampicillin and methicillin?
How is penicillin G different from ampicillin and methicillin?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1i1v92/how_is_penicillin_g_different_from_ampicillin_and/
{ "a_id": [ "cb05lya" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "All three of those antibiotics are beta-lactam antibiotics. They each contain an identical region in their molecular structure that includes a beta lactam ring. Stemming from this core structure each antibiotic varies slightly. These modification...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Penicillin-G.svg", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Methicillin.svg", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ampicillin_Structural_Formulae_V.1.svg" ] ]
1c25u8
Why was segregation in the South the most talked about? Did it exist in the North?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1c25u8/why_was_segregation_in_the_south_the_most_talked/
{ "a_id": [ "c9cjv29" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "The main difference in segregation in the south and north is de jure and de facto segregation. This means that in the south segregation was enforced by law while in the north it was enforced by practice or standard." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
1cn7sr
Interstellar travel: Could electricity be provided by solar panels between solar systems?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1cn7sr/interstellar_travel_could_electricity_be_provided/
{ "a_id": [ "c9i5rf2" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "The power from photo-voltaic panels is roughly proportional to light intensity, so they're unlikely to be used outside of solar systems. It's more likely that [radioisotope thermonuclear generators](_URL_0_) would be used, since they are capable...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radioisotope_thermoelectric_generator" ] ]
29innf
Does temperature have momentum?
If a house is heating up at 5 degrees/hour does it require more energy to stop or slow this rate than, say, a house that is heating up at 1 degree/hour? Is there something like momentum of heat? Thermal inertia?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/29innf/does_temperature_have_momentum/
{ "a_id": [ "cilcn20", "cilfbdo", "cilgnqv" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "No, there is no quantity like thermal inertia that I'm aware of. The amount the temperature of something changes as a function of time will rely on how much energy you are putting into it as a function ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
arzoa8
why can't we see living cells through electron microscope?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/arzoa8/eli5_why_cant_we_see_living_cells_through/
{ "a_id": [ "egqp6um" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Mostly because an electron microscope has to operate in a vacuum. Living cells don't care much for those.\n\n & #x200B;\n\nAlso, sometimes what you're looking at under a scanning electron microscope has to be covered with a very very very very t...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
1u4hyz
Was Caesar murdered for selfless reasons (genuine worry about tyranny), or were the assassins seeking to advance themselves?
Or even a combination of the two? (I've been watching HBO's Rome.)
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1u4hyz/was_caesar_murdered_for_selfless_reasons_genuine/
{ "a_id": [ "ceek2d8", "ceem37v", "ceenrwq" ], "score": [ 74, 28, 22 ], "text": [ "Apparently they were genuinely worried about tyranny and thought they would be praised for their deed.\n\n_URL_0_", "Although all that I have read in detail on the matter was in [_Cicero_ by Anth...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/14alnc/what_were_some_political_implications_of_julius/" ], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulla", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaius_Marius_the_Younger", "http://www.amazon.com/Cicero-Times-Romes-Greatest-Politician/dp/037575895X", "http:/...
bgfg2g
how does someone die by swallowing his tongue?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bgfg2g/eli5_how_does_someone_die_by_swallowing_his_tongue/
{ "a_id": [ "elkd6ks", "elkdhuq" ], "score": [ 4, 7 ], "text": [ "You don’t literally swallow your tongue. Basically as your on your back your tongue moves to the back of your mouth and blocks your air passage.", "Almost 100% certain this is a myth your tounge is attached to the bott...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
jum1h
what is the current role of the national guard?
My best friend recently joined the guard and with the state of things nowadays I really have no idea what that means she will be doing. Can someone please explain to me what exactly people in the National Guard have traditionally done and what it is they do now?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/jum1h/what_is_the_current_role_of_the_national_guard/
{ "a_id": [ "c2f9bgr", "c2f9bgr" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "To send you mail asking you to join.", "To send you mail asking you to join." ] }
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
vwm5d
What were "urban warfare" tactics like before guns?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/vwm5d/what_were_urban_warfare_tactics_like_before_guns/
{ "a_id": [ "c58aedf", "c58anks" ], "score": [ 17, 11 ], "text": [ "They didn't really exist. Towns and cities were besieged, they were not battle zones. Once town/city walls were breached, what ensued was pretty much slaughter, rape, and pillage. ", "As WARFTW says, if an army actua...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
sn5x3
If Microwaves have larger wave lengths than those of Visible light, why do Microwaves heat up a food faster than visible light?
Within the spectrum of electromagnetic radiation, Microwaves are on par for 10-2 meters whereas visible light is 10^-7. If higher frequencies (smaller wavelengths) are related to energy, why doesn't visible light heat up food faster than microwaves?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/sn5x3/if_microwaves_have_larger_wave_lengths_than_those/
{ "a_id": [ "c4fcb4x", "c4fce4k" ], "score": [ 3, 3 ], "text": [ "The process of heating with a microwave has nothing to do with the energy level of microwaves. \n\nMicrowave ovens work under the principle of ocillation. Basically, given the right frequency of radiation, you can vibrate c...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
7w7104
why can a defibrillator help reset abnormal cardiac rhythms but can’t restart a heart?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7w7104/eli5_why_can_a_defibrillator_help_reset_abnormal/
{ "a_id": [ "dty086e", "dty7fo8" ], "score": [ 7, 2 ], "text": [ "A defibrillator effectively stops an abnormal rhythm by briefly stopping the heart's activity, interrupting the irregularity and allowing the normal rhythm to resume. In a stopped heart, \"stopping the heart more\" doesn't h...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
1b5ud0
Why do many life forms expel waste?
As in why don't we keep breaking the same material down over and over until its all gone?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1b5ud0/why_do_many_life_forms_expel_waste/
{ "a_id": [ "c93x9m4" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "An organism reaches a point where it has extracted all of the easy energy and materials from a substance and it is no longer efficient to keep going. It is more cost effective to just get rid of the leftovers and bring on more easy to get resourc...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
dy3qgc
why can we control body functions like are hands and feet, or even when we have to pee, but we can’t control the inside of our body?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dy3qgc/eli5_why_can_we_control_body_functions_like_are/
{ "a_id": [ "f7y5ja6", "f7y7tds" ], "score": [ 6, 2 ], "text": [ "Because during evolution it didnt provide people with statistically significant advantage.\n\nThe way evolution works is, random mutations happen, and if these mutations help the creature survive, that creature can produce m...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
2kitjg
If I place two glasses, one 30C and the other 10C into a room that is 20C, which one will match the room's temperature first?
And why?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2kitjg/if_i_place_two_glasses_one_30c_and_the_other_10c/
{ "a_id": [ "clly78u" ], "score": [ 17 ], "text": [ "To first order approximation, both would approach 20 C at the same time.\n\nFrom there you need to put a correction on how the thermal conductivity and heat capacity changes. There's a *tiny* effect that higher temperatures conduct heat better, ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
419seq
- who are corrupt bankers and why are they so evil?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/419seq/eli5_who_are_corrupt_bankers_and_why_are_they_so/
{ "a_id": [ "cz0nneg", "cz0ns0g" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "From an article on island\n > \n > Their crimes include market manipulation, embezzlement, and breach of fiduciary duties. Their market manipulation destroyed the country’s economy and to this day Iceland is still having t...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
37y5fi
what is the difference between belarus and belarussia?
Currently watching the European Rowing Championships. Most commentators refer to tthe crews from the country as 'Belarus'. But there's one commentator who keeps saying 'Belarussia'.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/37y5fi/eli5_what_is_the_difference_between_belarus_and/
{ "a_id": [ "crqqyzk" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "The country is Belarus, the demonym for people from Belarus is belarusian.\n\nIn Russian the country is called Byelorussia. \n\nEither of those possible?" ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
s69ed
why the trend toward "sleek" and "smooth", luxurious cars?
It seems like every car/SUV/minivan made nowadays is being redesigned to be sleeker, slimmer, more luxurious (and IMO, most of the SUVs look girly, or mom-y). Why this trend all of a sudden? On a related note, when "old-looking" cars like [this one](_URL_0_) first came out, were they considered "attractive" or "cool"...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/s69ed/eli5_why_the_trend_toward_sleek_and_smooth/
{ "a_id": [ "c4bhphf", "c4blg4f" ], "score": [ 3, 3 ], "text": [ "They are better on gas, and we have better construction techniques that use more fluid forming techniques out of single pieces of metal. In addition to what you said. ", "There's design trends all through history. They t...
[]
[ "http://static.cargurus.com/images/site/2008/08/21/15/46/1993_toyota_camry_4_dr_le_sedan-pic-49064.jpeg" ]
[ [], [] ]
3g5irr
how does the army national guard work?
Does the Army National Guard have boot camp? Do they pay your housing? What are incentives of the Army National Guard? Is it the same as the reserves? Do you need a diploma or just G.E.D.?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3g5irr/eli5_how_does_the_army_national_guard_work/
{ "a_id": [ "ctv1eto", "ctv1jj2", "ctv1uez", "ctv368a" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "I'm not sure about the requirements such as diploma / GED, but it works like this. I'm going to assume we are talking about an enlisted person, not an officer.\n\nWhen you decide ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://www.nationalguard.com/benefits" ], [] ]
3oallv
why does a scalp feel bruised/sensitive after being in a ponytail for a long time?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3oallv/eli5_why_does_a_scalp_feel_bruisedsensitive_after/
{ "a_id": [ "cvvh4bd" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Hairdos that pull tightly on hair, particularly in a lateral direction along the scalp, actually hurt hair follicles. If you do it too tight for too long, the ones being tugged on the most will actually die, which leads to a receding hairline. " ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
634t86
Are people Tourettes Syndrome capable of lying?
[deleted]
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/634t86/are_people_tourettes_syndrome_capable_of_lying/
{ "a_id": [ "dfs5u3u", "dfs70or" ], "score": [ 10, 3 ], "text": [ "That's a fundamental misunderstanding of what Tourette's actually is.\n\nTourette's disorder is one of a class of neurodevelopmental disorders called \"tic disorders.\" A tic is defined in the DSM-5 as a sudden, rapid, recu...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
slx28
What are the advantages or lower/higher engine displacement?
For example, one of the faster road cars out there, the Pagani Zonda F has a 7.3L V12, which is enormous. However, Formula 1 engines back in the day would be V12s with something like 3.0L of displacement. What are they advantages/disadvantages of each? Also, what determines the displacement? Is it the actual diameter o...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/slx28/what_are_the_advantages_or_lowerhigher_engine/
{ "a_id": [ "c4f1vty" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Higher displacement usually translates to greater torque, since there's generally an upper limit to the volumetric efficiency of a normally aspirated engine. F1 engines are small because of regulations, but they also rev roughly twice as high as ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
2kb1gp
Besides energy consumption, is there a reason why spacecraft don't land vertically like old science fiction?
It makes sense to use the atmosphere to slow down since energy is limited, but if energy was unlimited, wouldn't it be safer to descend vertically and slowly?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2kb1gp/besides_energy_consumption_is_there_a_reason_why/
{ "a_id": [ "clk57ot", "clk5szd" ], "score": [ 4, 2 ], "text": [ "In space jargon engineers usually talk about \"active\" or \"passive\" techniques.\n\nIn the case of the atmosphere, as you said, the main issue is propellant (in rocketry usually mass matters more than energy). But from a m...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grasshopper_%28rocket%29" ] ]
1hdwq1
Was the failure of central planning in Soviet Russia due to the inherent fallacies of the system, or corruption within the government?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1hdwq1/was_the_failure_of_central_planning_in_soviet/
{ "a_id": [ "cathxod", "catjxv9", "catkmls", "catp56o", "catedbx" ], "score": [ 12, 2, 2, 3, 10 ], "text": [ "I think this is an interesting question that I don't have a simple answer for. \n\nI would break it down into time periods though to get a more comprehensiv...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://www.amazon.com/Red-Plenty-Francis-Spufford/dp/B00B9ZDDCC" ], [], [] ]
4so79j
In World War One there were examples of spontaneous truces forming along the trenches, were there any examples of this in World War II?
If so what were those examples? If not why not? Are there any examples does a more recent Wars? Has military training been adapted try to prevent it? Note that I'm not talking about the Christmas Truce has that was apparently a top-down decision. I am referring to many incidents in which they would purposely miss thei...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4so79j/in_world_war_one_there_were_examples_of/
{ "a_id": [ "d5ba3ir" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ " > the Christmas Truce has that was apparently a top-down decision\n\nJust asking for a bit of clarification here as this is exactly the opposite of my understanding -- from what I understand the high-ranking officers on both sides were fairly ho...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
7on3ii
Is it pure coincidence that the Spanish, who were from a warm climate themselves, managed to avoid colonizing any regions of the Americas with a cold climate?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/7on3ii/is_it_pure_coincidence_that_the_spanish_who_were/
{ "a_id": [ "dsbinkk" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ "Yes, it is a coincidence. Spanish colonies were initially geared towards resource extraction, which did well in places with wealthy, established civiliations already, or in places that had the proper climate for the cash crop of the day (sugar).\...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
cd1d8l
- where does the carbon that trees store, go?
I have seen a lot of posts where trees can save us. Things really don't dissappear AFAIK, so if the trees eats the carbon dioxide, where does it end up? I did not spend my attention in school to learn, sadly enough.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cd1d8l/eli5_where_does_the_carbon_that_trees_store_go/
{ "a_id": [ "etqr4kq", "etqriyp", "etqs9rt", "etrc6ah" ], "score": [ 7, 4, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "It becomes part of the wood (the tree's own body). Trees are made largely of carbon.", "Trees, like all organic matter, contain a lot of carbon, in the simplest terms, the carb...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]