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3k6n0h
how come americans have large portion sizes and relatively cheap prices for their food?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3k6n0h/eli5_how_come_americans_have_large_portion_sizes/
{ "a_id": [ "cuv7h1c", "cuv7owo", "cuvafty" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Capitalism. \n\nPeople want to get the most for their money and when it comes to food that means large sizes and cheap prices. If food costs go too high then people simply stop buying that food item and...
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[]
[ [], [], [] ]
5o2mom
Doesn't the speed of light disprove Fermi's paradox?
Knowing that our universe is billions of years old, this would mean that the vast majority of the universe, when looking at us from a telescope, would see our planet as it was billions of years ago. Only a very small portion would see our planet as it was, when life first became apparent; and to aliens, this basic life...
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/5o2mom/doesnt_the_speed_of_light_disprove_fermis_paradox/
{ "a_id": [ "dcgqj6y", "dchln2u" ], "score": [ 17, 3 ], "text": [ "When discussing the Fermi paradox, people usually only talk about civilizations in the Milky Way galaxy. The distance between galaxies is far to great to consider an inter-galactic civilization (though it may be possible).\...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
6h1jsn
is taking a shot of 100 proof alcohol the same as taking 1.25 shots of 80 proof?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6h1jsn/eli5_is_taking_a_shot_of_100_proof_alcohol_the/
{ "a_id": [ "diuqnm9" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Essentially yes. Except for the additional water in the 80 proof alcohol. But there is just as much alcohol in both shots so it will have the same effect on your blood alcohol content." ] }
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[ [] ]
dcky6i
why do humans start getting body odor after they go through puberty?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dcky6i/eli5_why_do_humans_start_getting_body_odor_after/
{ "a_id": [ "f28v39m", "f291zbv" ], "score": [ 105, 13 ], "text": [ "Basically (the way I was taught this at least) you have two major types of sweat glands, apocrine and eccrine. Sweat produced by eccrine glands is mostly water. Apocrine sweat is more oily and contains a whole bunch of ot...
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[ [], [] ]
1lyuqw
Do bone conduction earphones protect hearing?
I did a bridge climb and they provided bone conduction earphones because it was so windy. [For those who haven't heard of them, my basic understanding is that they sit on the boney area in front of your ears and transmit the vibrations directly into your body (to your inner ear) so there is less interference than when...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1lyuqw/do_bone_conduction_earphones_protect_hearing/
{ "a_id": [ "cc44ivl", "cc4atwp", "cc4b28x" ], "score": [ 71, 19, 3 ], "text": [ "There's no reason to believe that they would. Hearing loss is usually caused by damage to the inner ear, which is still getting as much sound exposure with bone conduction as it would through the norm...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
a9q9sw
why do circles tesselate hexagonally?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a9q9sw/eli5_why_do_circles_tesselate_hexagonally/
{ "a_id": [ "eclhhj7", "eclho5x" ], "score": [ 5, 2 ], "text": [ "It's all geometry. Assuming equal radii between all circles, if you place them in a way that they don't intersect but touch each other at exactly one point (tessellating) and you start with just 3 circles, those circles form...
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[ [], [] ]
20b15a
Where do vegetables and fruit/nut bearing plants get their vitamins and minerals?
If they only have three sources pull from (the earth, the sun, and the rain), do they synthesize their vitamins and minerals from these three sources? What determines what vitamins and minerals go into them?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/20b15a/where_do_vegetables_and_fruitnut_bearing_plants/
{ "a_id": [ "cg1j9aj" ], "score": [ 12 ], "text": [ "They get all the minerals they need from the soil. Vitamins for plants aren't the same necessarily as our vitamins, because a vitamin is something the organism needs to survive but cannot produce on its own (vitamin D is not a true vitamin to us...
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[ [] ]
1l2sq5
What's the noise a formula 1 makes when it changes gears?
I've just came back from the F1 Belgian GP and was thinking about what makes the noise (kind of a small explosion) when a F1 (also GP2 and GP3) car changes gears. What is the reason and why it sometimes happens and sometimes doesn't? EDIT: Thanks for the responses, guys!
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1l2sq5/whats_the_noise_a_formula_1_makes_when_it_changes/
{ "a_id": [ "cbvauzl", "cbvidos" ], "score": [ 21, 14 ], "text": [ "It's most likely a backfire. When the car is accelerating its at full throttle/load, and the engine runs out of power, so it's time to change gears. imagine going from full throttle to no throttle (changing gears) then bac...
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[ [], [] ]
5uqezd
what determines how internet lag in different games looks?
In some games, characters freeze. In others, they fly across the screen. Why?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5uqezd/eli5what_determines_how_internet_lag_in_different/
{ "a_id": [ "ddw2xjv" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Male programmer type guy here. It just depends on how the programmers who made the game decided to handle the case where the game isn't getting updates from the server. Some games leave the character in place, and then warp him when the updates r...
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[ [] ]
2l9q9s
In the United States, have there been any particularly strong Vice Presidents, and how was The Senate different under them?
Many people see the VP as a pretty much useless, ceremonial postion. Are there any VPs who actually acted as the President of the Senate on a day to day basis, and what were the results? EDIT: a better way to word this question is: What are the powers that the VP has in Congress, and have any VPs used those powers to ...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2l9q9s/in_the_united_states_have_there_been_any/
{ "a_id": [ "clt2f5n", "cltghmk" ], "score": [ 8, 2 ], "text": [ "In addition to Calhoun, John Adams regularly presided over the Senate and partook in debates, and beats Calhoun by one vote for the most tie breaks. \n\nThat said, while they are the nominal head of the Senate, the Constitut...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
3if3sw
Do black holes really vary in size or does the collapsed point in space just vary in intensity?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/3if3sw/do_black_holes_really_vary_in_size_or_does_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cug0pcx" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "Every amount of mass has some radius that, were it all to be compressed within the radius, it would form a black hole. This is called the Schwartzchild radius, and it's calculated by the formula r=2GM/c^2 . G is the gravitational constant, and c ...
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[ [] ]
1cas5i
why do strange graphical effects sometimes occur when alt+tabbing a computer game?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1cas5i/eli5_why_do_strange_graphical_effects_sometimes/
{ "a_id": [ "c9epuxs" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "It's because the game takes up the majority of your computer's resources and stays at the forefront. Your computer needs to load in all the other stuff that the OS and other programs need before you can use them." ] }
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[ [] ]
3t6374
How much of time dilation is due to the gravity well versus relative velocity?
So I got into discussing relativity with some friends and I have this question: A GPS satellite, as far as I understand, needs to take into account a small adjustment for relativity, i.e. Time dilation, in order to make an accurate position reading. So what portion of that is due to being further out of the Earth's gr...
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/3t6374/how_much_of_time_dilation_is_due_to_the_gravity/
{ "a_id": [ "cx3f49t", "cx3m9ca", "cx3qu6f", "cx3t20v" ], "score": [ 22, 5, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "You can indeed separate the two effects if the field is weak. I've done the explicit computation for the orbit of Mercury around the sun [here](_URL_0_). It turns out that in a ci...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://rantonels.github.io/capq/q/GR1.html" ], [], [], [] ]
en8rw1
how exactly is the “stop/start” automatic engine feature in newer cars “better”?
Not quite sure what it’s called but when you stop a vehicle it sounds like the engine stops then starts again automatically when you put your foot on the gas Seems to me that would be more wear/tear on your vehicle
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/en8rw1/eli5_how_exactly_is_the_stopstart_automatic/
{ "a_id": [ "fdwbv6u", "fdwepex" ], "score": [ 11, 2 ], "text": [ "Barely any wear and tear, better for the environment as all that time you spend not moving while the engine running is time that CO2 and pollutants are spewing out when they don't need to be. Multiply all that time by milli...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
2wpeca
how do all the bodies, tanks etc. get cleaned off the battlefields?
So I just watched the movie "Fury" with Brad Pitt etc. and what struck me about it was the fact that they kept leaving wreckages of tanks, dead bodies etc. all behind it. Who and how cleans up a mess like that after the war? It was all in the middle of Germany so I don't believe they just left it like that...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2wpeca/eli5how_do_all_the_bodies_tanks_etc_get_cleaned/
{ "a_id": [ "coswvtz", "coswvvv" ], "score": [ 4, 12 ], "text": [ "It really depends. Corpses are usually taken by troops of their own side, who wish to recover and bury the bodies: this is often the purpose of ceasefires. Military equipement is a bit different. During battles, it will be ...
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[ [], [] ]
92bn6w
why does our body need uv to create vitamin d when uv exposure increases our risk of skin cancer?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/92bn6w/eli5_why_does_our_body_need_uv_to_create_vitamin/
{ "a_id": [ "e34gyam", "e34hcav", "e34hlj7" ], "score": [ 2, 10, 5 ], "text": [ "It’s UV over-exposure that increases the risk of cancer. Too much/little of anything becomes a hazard to the human body. Too much/little food, water, heat, cold, attitude, sunshine, pressure, speed, e...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://youtu.be/64DP3CbpZUg" ], [] ]
425tgd
Is there any particular reason why so many people in the United States claim Cherokee ancestry?
I have met many people including people in my own family who claim to be part Cherokee or to have a significant degree of Cherokee heritage. My girlfriend's grandmother from Connecticut claims to have Cherokee ancestry, but I don't think there were many Cherokees up there historically. Additionally, a few days ago a gi...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/425tgd/is_there_any_particular_reason_why_so_many_people/
{ "a_id": [ "cz7yb41", "cz8j3ao", "cz8olxr" ], "score": [ 12, 3, 16 ], "text": [ "There's one question you left out: is this actually a trend, or do you just know an unusual amount of Cherokees?\n\nI'm seriously asking, because I know a lot of people and I've never met someone who ...
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[]
[ [], [], [ "http://tinyurl.com/qxqaomd", "https://www.reddit.com/r/IndianCountry/wiki/faq#wiki_why_do_many_people_claim_to_be_native_american.2C_particularly_.22part_cherokee.3F.22" ] ]
lnwfu
how does the new iphone voice command system (siri) work?
I understand what it does but I have absolutely no idea how it does it.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/lnwfu/eli5_how_does_the_new_iphone_voice_command_system/
{ "a_id": [ "c2u7k0m", "c2u7k0m" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "I don't know the exact details, but I do know that any query made to the system goes to remote servers with the voice command. There, the technology across multiple servers parses your voice to determine exactly what you sa...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.wolframalpha.com/", "http://techcrunch.com/2011/10/05/apple-siri-nuance/" ], [ "http://www.wolframalpha.com/", "http://techcrunch.com/2011/10/05/apple-siri-nuance/" ] ]
hl9hz
How livable would 2x the Earth's gravity be?
I've read a lot lately about "super earths" with more mass, and I presume a bit of a stronger gravitational pull. How much would it screw up our bodies to live on a planet like that for an extended period of time? I imagine your legs might get stronger, but what about your internal organs? Is high gravity something a ...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/hl9hz/how_livable_would_2x_the_earths_gravity_be/
{ "a_id": [ "c1waiom" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "You might want to check out some discussion we've had here recently on the same topic. [Here](_URL_1_) and [here](_URL_0_)." ] }
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[ [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/hkvzm/what_would_be_the_effects_of_long_term/", "http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/fax0g/what_happens_if_one_were_to_grow_up_in_a_higher/" ] ]
64zz7f
why are chemical weapons worse than regular ones? is gassing a town worse than bombing it, assuming the number of innocent deaths is the same?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/64zz7f/eli5_why_are_chemical_weapons_worse_than_regular/
{ "a_id": [ "dg6b4f0", "dg6c958" ], "score": [ 12, 3 ], "text": [ "Chemical weapons are worse because:\n\n1) They kill slowly. \n\n2) They are not as controllable as they drift in the air and on the water. This means they cause a lot of collateral damage. \n\n3) They often contaminate and ...
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[ [], [] ]
3wcaqk
why is it so much louder when you whistle with two fingers?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3wcaqk/eli5why_is_it_so_much_louder_when_you_whistle/
{ "a_id": [ "cxv44gn", "cxv59ok" ], "score": [ 15, 9 ], "text": [ "I can't do that. I just wanted you to know I both envy and respect your ability to whistle with your fingers", "When you whistle in the usual way (make an o with your lips, tongue down) you make your \"whistle\" with yo...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
2pta7j
Would it be possible to use time dilation to travel into the future?
If somebody had an incurable disease or simply wished to live in future, say, 100 years from now, could they be launched at high speeds into space, sling shot around a far planet, and return to Earth in the distant future although they themselves had aged significantly less? If so, what are the constraints on this in t...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2pta7j/would_it_be_possible_to_use_time_dilation_to/
{ "a_id": [ "cmzta4a", "cmztv1u", "cmzunlh", "cmzwyax", "cmzy27g", "cmzy4wy", "cmzyhbq", "cn02e13", "cn02m9m", "cn05kv3", "cn069zd", "cn06vac", "cn07ef3", "cn0b078", "cn0clp6", "cn0dnem", "cn0evvr", "cn0n0tl", "cn0newq", "cn0o57u" ], ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Longshot", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Orion_%28nuclear_propulsion%29", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Daedalus" ], [], [], [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_spaceflight_records#Most_time...
3ds2hw
Are there multiple types of Electromagnetic Fields?
Specifically, when looking at the definition of an electromagnetic field, I've seen it described as a "field produced by charged objects", but in other places it sounds more like one continuous thing that extends through all space, and charged objects disrupt it. Are they the same thing? If so, how does an electromagne...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/3ds2hw/are_there_multiple_types_of_electromagnetic_fields/
{ "a_id": [ "ct8exy5" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ " > I've seen it described as a \"field produced by charged objects\", but in other places it sounds more like one continuous thing that extends through all space\n\nThe electromagnetic field extends through *all space.* It simply has essentially...
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[ [] ]
1z6pv4
How does salt damage concrete on a molecular level?
Is it because it's corrosive? What makes "driveway safe" ice melting products, well, safer for the concrete?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1z6pv4/how_does_salt_damage_concrete_on_a_molecular_level/
{ "a_id": [ "cfr3041", "cfr5hbu" ], "score": [ 266, 3 ], "text": [ "Normally the embedded steel in concrete (be it re-bar or welded wire fabric) is protected from corrosion by an effect called passivization caused by the high PH (around 13) of concrete. When water containing dissolved chl...
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[ [], [] ]
2z1wfn
how/why does one company make so many different, unrelated products?
My microwave, washer and dryer, and smartphone are all made by Samsung. Why is this? Also, for example, why does Yamaha make musical instruments and motorcycles?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2z1wfn/eli5_howwhy_does_one_company_make_so_many/
{ "a_id": [ "cpexv3v" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "It's called \"vertical integration\" and it's regarded as a smart move because the more a company diversifies its products, the less hurt they are if one product takes a hit (for instance, if they need to recall, or if a competitor comes up with ...
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[]
[ [ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZ7oht6TD9c" ] ]
45f6ck
What are the hazards of Fusion technology?
Generally speaking, what are the hazards of the process of harnessing energy through nuclear fusion and more specifically what is the worst case scenario while operating the Stellarator or Tokamak type reactors?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/45f6ck/what_are_the_hazards_of_fusion_technology/
{ "a_id": [ "czxka9v", "czxlem4", "czxr8em" ], "score": [ 2, 34, 28 ], "text": [ "Also, what are the benefits ? Fuel is about 30% of the cost of producing electricity via fission. Does that mean electricity from fusion reactors would be 30% cheaper than elec from fission reactors...
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[ [], [ "https://www.iter.org/sci/fusionfuels" ], [] ]
9240vx
why are space rockets so hard to handle?
Here are more questions just to clarify my point. Why does every rocket need its own calculations for the launch? Why is it so hard (impossible?) to set constant variables to succeed every time in rocket launch?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9240vx/eli5_why_are_space_rockets_so_hard_to_handle/
{ "a_id": [ "e32upix", "e32uu34", "e32v0n3" ], "score": [ 9, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "You need to look up what they call \"the rocket equation\". \n\nLets say you want to throw 10kg into orbit. Orbit speed means you have to accelerate it to something like 9.4 km/s (thats per _second_). T...
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[ [], [], [] ]
1gx9vo
What methods were used to estimate the population of pre-columbian America? How reliable were they?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1gx9vo/what_methods_were_used_to_estimate_the_population/
{ "a_id": [ "cap01bd" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "There were a number of methods used that resulted in widely varying estimates. Charles Mann provides a brief but thorough discussion of methods used to estimate pre-contact populations in the new world in \"1491: New Revelations of the Americas b...
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[ [] ]
8wxw24
how do dual sim phones work
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8wxw24/eli5_how_do_dual_sim_phones_work/
{ "a_id": [ "e1zeiz8", "e1zekcb" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "A [dual SIM](_URL_1_) phone can hold / use 2 [SIM cards](_URL_0_). \n\nThe SIM card holds an identifying (hardware) number that identifies the phone, so you can set up a subscription and associate the SIM number with a phon...
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[]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subscriber_identity_module", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual_SIM" ], [] ]
37zzoj
What was happening pre World War 1?
Was there any indication let's say 10-20 years prior to WWI that there would be a war or rising tension between European countries?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/37zzoj/what_was_happening_pre_world_war_1/
{ "a_id": [ "crr76uc", "crrokzs" ], "score": [ 4, 3 ], "text": [ "Here's some answers I've given previously on the subject\n\n[The Balkan Wars] (_URL_1_)\n\n[Lead up to and outbreak of WWI] (_URL_2_)\n\n[Balkan Nationalism and the Outbreak of WWI] (_URL_0_)\n\nThe 1890s saw the formation o...
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[]
[ [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/37n91p/to_what_extent_did_ethnic_and_nationalist/", "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/32gnjo/1912_war_in_the_balkans/", "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/35vtov/discuss_the_causes_of_world_war_i_what_were_the/" ], [] ]
1xn6an
What percentage of new immigrants learned "fluent" English in the 19th century?
Just an interesting question/thought in light of the coke commercial controversy. I realize that "fluent" is not well defined.
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1xn6an/what_percentage_of_new_immigrants_learned_fluent/
{ "a_id": [ "cfcuu8a" ], "score": [ 14 ], "text": [ "To which country?" ] }
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[ [] ]
4medxt
why does the uk require citizens to register to vote? why not automatically enroll people when they receive their national insurance number?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4medxt/eli5_why_does_the_uk_require_citizens_to_register/
{ "a_id": [ "d3uzeii" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "You need to be registered at an address so they know which constituency you are in so your vote can be cast in the right place. If they didn't voting would be chaotic and it would be difficult to detect fraud." ] }
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[ [] ]
3cv0v7
how does facebook "share bait" work. what are the spammers getting out of getting it?
"95% of you wont hit share on this because you don't care about cancer/troops/whatever". Why do people or companies try to get them to go viral on Facebook? What are they gaining by suckering others into liking or sharing this content?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3cv0v7/eli5_how_does_facebook_share_bait_work_what_are/
{ "a_id": [ "csz98g9" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Money. The more people you can attract to your facebook page/website the more money you can get out of ads.\n\nPlus if you have some bad intentions you can try to infect the user when he visits your website, which is mostly equal to money." ] }
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[ [] ]
1am4n8
How was the first Operating System made when there were no computers to make it on?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1am4n8/how_was_the_first_operating_system_made_when/
{ "a_id": [ "c8ynn1z", "c8ypfqp" ], "score": [ 4, 18 ], "text": [ "With a series of tubes.\n\nAnd switches/toggles/logic gates. Basically, it was made with physical hardware.", "Our modern notion of computer didn't arise suddenly well-formed from theoretical concepts. In fact, the enti...
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[ [], [] ]
2h9tc0
since cellphones are here to stay and commercial flight is here to stay, why haven't they figured out how to make it so we can keep our phones on.
edit: during flight that is.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2h9tc0/eli5_since_cellphones_are_here_to_stay_and/
{ "a_id": [ "ckqp05g", "ckqp3vz", "ckqp4kw", "ckqp9fl" ], "score": [ 3, 5, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "They have. I recently heard in America they have officially removed the cell phone restriction.", "You *can* have them on. You can't use them as a phone.\n\n_URL_0_\n\nOne, cel...
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[]
[ [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_phones_on_aircraft#In_flight_technology" ], [], [] ]
4jwys7
What were the implications of Operation Unthinkable and just how close did it come to fruition?
My tutor mentioned Churchill's plans for an allied invasion of the USSR immediately following WW2, even possibly with rearmed German soldiers, what would the would the possible ramifications have been and was it ever properly discussed?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4jwys7/what_were_the_implications_of_operation/
{ "a_id": [ "d3adzn7" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "I do not know much about the inner workings of the British military and government in April and May of 1945, and so I cannot say how seriously the British themselves took this plan, but I can say that Winston Churchill's goal of stunting Soviet i...
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[ [ "https://web.archive.org/web/20101116155514/http://www.history.neu.edu/PRO2/pages/002.htm" ] ]
ljwjl
nuclear fusion.
How do we harness and use the power of Nuclear Fusion? Thanks so much for your answers.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ljwjl/elif_nuclear_fusion/
{ "a_id": [ "c2ta30c", "c2ta30c" ], "score": [ 14, 14 ], "text": [ "Well, we *don't*, is the short answer. But let's not stop there.\n\nSmall atoms work in a strange way. Normally if you think about two separate objects that you want to put together — think Legos or whatever here — you fin...
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[ [], [] ]
3t5stn
What was the Islamic attitude towards and tolerance level of other religions, prior to the sacking of Constantinople by the crusaders and the destruction of Baghdad by the Mongols?
I've been reading a lot lately about the preeminence of the Islamic world and the Far East prior to European civilizations rising to a position of dominance. It made me wonder if one or both of those attacks hadn't occurred, would the world be vastly different due to the early domination of Islam, or would their enfo...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3t5stn/what_was_the_islamic_attitude_towards_and/
{ "a_id": [ "cx3exjb", "cx3f8yq" ], "score": [ 2, 5 ], "text": [ "Can you explain what influence the 1204 sack of Constantinople had on Islamic attitudes towards Christianity, in your view? That's not a connection I've heard before so I'm a little confused.", "Why the West attained a ...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pact_of_Umar" ] ]
2g9c4x
why do people shiver when they are using all of their strength?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2g9c4x/eli5_why_do_people_shiver_when_they_are_using_all/
{ "a_id": [ "ckgvrqf" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "They aren't actually shivering. Their muscles are rapidly changing the fibers they use to balance and lift the load. One set of fibers is doing the majority of the lifting while the other set relax slightly then they switch positions creating the...
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[ [] ]
3o9h6c
why does our brain get attached to people, things, places etc, and why do we have a strong need to find the one we love
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3o9h6c/eli5_why_does_our_brain_get_attached_to_people/
{ "a_id": [ "cvv74r5", "cvv7vpa" ], "score": [ 8, 3 ], "text": [ "Probably all to do with our survival instincts. We can get attached to places as a way to demonstrate that it's \"our area\", and to produce offspring we adore the person that is deemed by our brain as the best mate, for hea...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
3hj4et
what does remastering a game entail?
In other words, how extensive is the overhaul in terms of graphics//sound//etc.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3hj4et/eli5_what_does_remastering_a_game_entail/
{ "a_id": [ "cu7tvig", "cu7tyc1" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "It *completely* depends on the company doing the \"remastering\". There is no fixed set of things except, perhaps, as requirements from the licensor. In addition, there are often limitations on what can be overhauled becau...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
ffa1sh
[Meta] This sub desperately needs a "Answered" flair for posts that have ad least one mod approved reply
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/ffa1sh/meta_this_sub_desperately_needs_a_answered_flair/
{ "a_id": [ "fjx76ok", "fjx79xh", "fjx88p3", "fjxafs3" ], "score": [ 14, 3, 26, 12 ], "text": [ "There's actually a browser plugin (at least, there's one for Chrome) called [AskHistorians Comment Helper](_URL_0_) that puts a little green number next to the number of comment...
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[]
[ [ "https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/ask-historians-comment-he/jdkfbkogojpmdmpnkgjcgpngkkmhdfem" ], [], [ "https://www.reddit.com/u/Almost_useless/", "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/c9gbcv/friday_freeforall_july_05_2019/esy2lm7/", "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorian...
6a0d9x
I heard something off of my granddad about World War 2 spies. He said that, when the British were interrogating German spies, they would end the interrogation with "good luck" or "hail victory" in German and, if the German replied, they would know he was a spy. Is there any validity to this?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6a0d9x/i_heard_something_off_of_my_granddad_about_world/
{ "a_id": [ "dhb2h91" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ "As far as \"good luck\" goes, he may be thinking of a scene in the 1963 film *The Great Escape* where this happens in reverse- escaped British PoWs are captured when a Gestapo officer wishes them \"Good luck\" in English and one of them instincti...
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[ [] ]
9ljcpi
how can general pain medication like paracetamol and ibuprofen treat so many different things?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9ljcpi/eli5_how_can_general_pain_medication_like/
{ "a_id": [ "e776wco", "e77710y" ], "score": [ 5, 10 ], "text": [ "Becsuse the dont treat the issue itself but rather act on the pain sensors in the brain. You just don't feel the pain. ", "Prostaglandins are natural chemicals that are released into your body when you are injured or si...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
2bvvq1
why do massive arcade style coin operated machines suck so much in comparison to other video game consoles?
Arcade machines are very expensive and large, but are still out performed by, let's say, an xbox. The graphics of the xbox are better, it's less expensive, smaller, and has more indepth games
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2bvvq1/eli5_why_do_massive_arcade_style_coin_operated/
{ "a_id": [ "cj9fdy2", "cj9feaf", "cj9fvwh" ], "score": [ 3, 5, 14 ], "text": [ "Because they're very expensive, so the owner doesn't want to buy a new one every few years. Plus there isn't really a huge demand for in depth arcade games: arcades are kind of dying out because of con...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
8e4w3q
why do developing countries receive development aid from other countries instead of simply "adding" the same amount of money into government budget?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8e4w3q/eli5_why_do_developing_countries_receive/
{ "a_id": [ "dxsdyuq", "dxse7kl" ], "score": [ 3, 3 ], "text": [ "Hyperinflation from printing money to cover government deficits happens because the supply of the currency is dramatically increased. Note that this happens relative to the currency of which the supply is increasing--for exa...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
fvcac
Can someone explain the physics going on with the snapping shrimp when it shoots its shockwave bubble attack?
Learned about this video in another askscience thread, and found my grasp lacking: _URL_2_ The slow-mo portion begins around 1:05, and I am having difficulty understanding various steps that happen: * most fundamentally, while I understand the principle of pressure dropping to below the vapor pressure of the air sus...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/fvcac/can_someone_explain_the_physics_going_on_with_the/
{ "a_id": [ "c1iw9ri", "c1iwkfu", "c1iwm8l" ], "score": [ 2, 10, 3 ], "text": [ "It would be a sin for anyone except iorgfeflkd to answer this.", "The most basic scenario of cavitation is if you have an infinite fluid, and magically cause a sphere of it to disappear, and track ...
[]
[ "http://www.wikiupload.com/ZKUCEH3UXT4W5PH", "http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v413/n6855/abs/413477a0.html", "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONQlTMUYCW4" ]
[ [], [], [] ]
7hmpgb
what starts the pumping of the human heart and how does it keep going?
I guess I’m asking how the heart works, like what’s the power source? I keep thinking of an engine which needs a method to turn on and to keep going. I sound dumb.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7hmpgb/eli5_what_starts_the_pumping_of_the_human_heart/
{ "a_id": [ "dqs6kiy", "dqscen8", "dqshi84", "dqsub61" ], "score": [ 11, 4, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "You don't sound dumb. It's a good question. The heart has its own electrical system that keeps it pumping independent of brain function. Sometimes it misfires, though, and that ca...
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[ [], [], [], [] ]
1djegn
why do i see lots of black guys with white girls, and very few white guys with black girls?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1djegn/eli5_why_do_i_see_lots_of_black_guys_with_white/
{ "a_id": [ "c9qvfch" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "The same reason black men date white women, because black women are crazy. " ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
63ykl7
why is 95 gasoline powerful than 92?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/63ykl7/eli5_why_is_95_gasoline_powerful_than_92/
{ "a_id": [ "dfy0np5", "dfy10b1", "dfybbpa" ], "score": [ 6, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Are you talking about octane rating? If so, it's not more powerful. Octane rating indicates how much compression the fuel can sustain before it ignites. A high octane rating can be compressed more, thus...
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[ [], [], [] ]
4fc6r0
how do scientists know how much of an impact the human body can take in a car wreck?
I get that they have crash dummies that can measure the forces, but how do they know where to draw the line to say, "yep, that amount of force will kill you"?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4fc6r0/eli5_how_do_scientists_know_how_much_of_an_impact/
{ "a_id": [ "d27jzhh", "d27k1iy" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "There has been much research done on corpses to analyze how strong bones and other tissues are and there are a great many analyses of injuries where we can estimate the forces involved using physics and then compare the forc...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Stapp" ] ]
21meck
How does gravity affect atom nucleus?
Gravitational force increases inversely proportional to distance, so the closer you are the stronger it gets. With this in mind, how does gravity affect the nucleus of an atom? As the distance gets smaller, the force becomes stronger, so wouldn't the gravitational force be infinite in the core? I know that atoms themse...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/21meck/how_does_gravity_affect_atom_nucleus/
{ "a_id": [ "cgeqzcm" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Several things regarding this.\n\nAs a reminder of the strengths of forces acting on the particles:\n\nStrength of gravity of a proton acting on an electron:\nF_g = G *m1*m2/r^2\n= 3.67*10^-47 Newtons\n\nStrength of electromagnetism acting on an ...
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[ [] ]
13roa3
if formula 1 teams use totally smooth tires for perfect grip in dry weather, why are there laws in place about grip on road tires?
So there are laws in place to prevent you from having too little tread on your tires on a road car, but why do Formula 1 cars (and other forms of racing maybe, I'm not sure) have completely smooth tires to use in dry conditions for maximum grip? Is it due to tire compounds? Amount of rubber?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/13roa3/eli5_if_formula_1_teams_use_totally_smooth_tires/
{ "a_id": [ "c76k0g1", "c76k16m", "c76k6kz", "c76mf6x", "c76mogw", "c76yplr" ], "score": [ 5, 9, 4, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "The tires rubber is partially melted due to the speed they go. If you ever watched NASCAR after a crash when they follow the pace car th...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
10aj11
Why is it that Neutrinos can pass through so much material without a problem (like the Earth?) How are we able to detect them if they so easily penetrate matter?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/10aj11/why_is_it_that_neutrinos_can_pass_through_so_much/
{ "a_id": [ "c6bs84h" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Neutrinos only interact through the [weak interaction](_URL_2_) because they don’t posses an electric charge (needed for electromagnetic interaction) or a color charge (needed for [strong interaction](_URL_1_)). The weak interaction being a short...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_water#Neutrino_detector", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strong_interaction", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weak_interaction", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_water" ] ]
g1ibhd
what causes the “refrigerated taste” food can get when it is uncovered in the freezer too long?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/g1ibhd/eli5_what_causes_the_refrigerated_taste_food_can/
{ "a_id": [ "fnfs24v", "fnfzohg" ], "score": [ 4, 12 ], "text": [ "Fats tend to soak up smells and stuff around them. I’d recommend cleaning your fridge well every once in a while.", "All the food inside is drying out and all the moisture takes smells into the air with it. The fridge i...
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[ [], [] ]
9mdop1
is it real that when you left the refrigirator door open it consumes more energy?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9mdop1/eli5_is_it_real_that_when_you_left_the/
{ "a_id": [ "e7dv0wg", "e7dv294", "e7dv47q" ], "score": [ 2, 6, 6 ], "text": [ "Yes it does, a refrigerator is basically a pump that effectively pumps heat out of the inside and on the back coil, if you open it, air gets in from the outside, making it need to pump more heat out, bu...
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[ [], [], [] ]
4965t0
What happens when you prepare acids with heavy water?
Since the hydronium ions now have more mass, surely some interesting chemistry happens, right? edit: replaced H+ with hydronium
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/4965t0/what_happens_when_you_prepare_acids_with_heavy/
{ "a_id": [ "d0pfil2", "d0pi0id" ], "score": [ 3, 3 ], "text": [ "What you are referring to is called the [isotope effect](_URL_0_). It is real, but it isn't usually very pronounced.", "\"Interesting\" is a statement that means different things to different people.\n\nAnyway there are...
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[]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinetic_isotope_effect" ], [] ]
tp048
What is the spectrum of professional opinion on the Kennedy assassination?
I was reading an [excerpt](_URL_0_) from Russ Baker's *Family of Secrets*, and I realized I had no idea how to evaluate it. Of course, conspiracy writing is its own niche, but the Kennedy assassination is *sui generis* as an event on which every historian of Cold War America has to choose a position. The conspiracy and...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/tp048/what_is_the_spectrum_of_professional_opinion_on/
{ "a_id": [ "c4ok42f" ], "score": [ 24 ], "text": [ "Oswald shot him. In the head.\n\nThat's pretty much the only opinion that will not get you rejected for tenure. Why? Because like all conspiracies, the JFK conspiracy relies upon such a perfect chain of events, placement of people, and relian...
[]
[ "http://www.businessinsider.com/a-closer-look-at-the-watergate-tapes-reveals-that-nixon-didnt-order-the-burglary-2012-5" ]
[ [] ]
44g3tv
what's more inflated, the price of diamonds or artificial diamonds?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/44g3tv/eli5_whats_more_inflated_the_price_of_diamonds_or/
{ "a_id": [ "czpy1qy", "czpyhso" ], "score": [ 4, 2 ], "text": [ "That's a damn interesting question but impossible to answer because we do not know just how horribly inflated diamond prices are. ", "They are not really inflated, it's all based on supply and demand like any other commo...
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[ [], [] ]
71cbt5
How much Spanish troops were on Cuba and Puerto Rico during the Spanish American war?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/71cbt5/how_much_spanish_troops_were_on_cuba_and_puerto/
{ "a_id": [ "dnahrh0" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Spain's force in Cuba numbered 278,457 soldiers, distributed in 101 Infantry Battalions, 11 Cavalry Regiments, 2 Artillery Regiments, and 4 Marine Battalions. The force in Cuba made up the bulk of Spain's entire military force, being nearly 57 pe...
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[ [] ]
6pov08
if the deepest depth drilled by man is about 8 miles, and the crust is nearly 20 miles deep, how were scientists able to discover that there is an upper and lower mantel and inner and outer core?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6pov08/eli5_if_the_deepest_depth_drilled_by_man_is_about/
{ "a_id": [ "dkqz82l", "dkr3hdx", "dkr6us3", "dkrhncg", "dkrjva7", "dkrlt5x", "dkrmf32", "dkrmtxd", "dkrqisx", "dkrrsuj", "dkrtror", "dkrul9u", "dkrvb1i", "dkrxg5c", "dkrxqes", "dkry2dc", "dkrzmzj", "dks2x6y", "dks39b1", "dks47mf", "d...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inge_Lehmann" ], [], [], [], [], [] ]
1ly54c
When did the word "ass" start applying to people's butts instead of just to donkeys?
Or did it originally apply to butts and then move to donkeys as well. Also why? It seems really strange to me that the same word would describe those two things.
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1ly54c/when_did_the_word_ass_start_applying_to_peoples/
{ "a_id": [ "cc3x9q7", "cc3xdjf", "cc44dx3" ], "score": [ 11, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "Don't forget that outside of the US it's spelt and pronounced 'arse,' whilst the type of donkey is still universally called an ass. A lot of Irish accents have a very 'ass'-like pronunciation of 'arse,...
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[]
[ [], [ "http://etymonline.com/index.php?term=ass&allowed_in_frame=0", "http://etymonline.com/index.php?term=arse&allowed_in_frame=0" ], [] ]
8momxk
why is having two heads such a commonly seen mutation?
It seems like that is an exceedingly common mutation, especially for the fact that no species I know of have two heads.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8momxk/eli5_why_is_having_two_heads_such_a_commonly_seen/
{ "a_id": [ "dzp7trp" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Most often these are not mutations but conjoined twins. One case is when an egg doesn’t split properly during development; another theory, though heavily disputed, is the fusion of two separate fertilized eggs during development. " ] }
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[ [] ]
ep5nqp
crime shows always say “they hung up before we could trace the call”. what goes into tracing a call and how long does it actually take?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ep5nqp/eli5_crime_shows_always_say_they_hung_up_before/
{ "a_id": [ "feh8ln7", "feh9ro3", "feh9wcm", "feha849" ], "score": [ 7, 2, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "It's 100% Hollywood bullshit. It might have been true decades ago when phone calls were connected manually, but not since the electronic switches that we have since the 1970s.", ...
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[]
[ [], [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caller_ID_spoofing", "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcvA5q8yOTo", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strowger_switch" ], [] ]
1llmpz
A friend of a friend came into possession of this. Any idea what it is
[Here are some pictures of the object](_URL_0_) I think it may be Norse, while she thinks it may be Bulgar
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1llmpz/a_friend_of_a_friend_came_into_possession_of_this/
{ "a_id": [ "cc0hnf1" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ "While these sorts of posts are welcome in this subreddit, it's often not the best place to put them. You may find you have better luck in /r/whatisthisthing, as the sub specializes in identifying unknown objects." ] }
[]
[ "http://imgur.com/a/NH2Qh" ]
[ [] ]
352orf
why do student loans get shifted to different banks/loan services?
I imagine someone is making money off of them? Who is? How are they doing it?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/352orf/eli5_why_do_student_loans_get_shifted_to/
{ "a_id": [ "cr0cyzm", "cr0czo5" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Everyone is making money but you. \n\nYou take out a loan from Bank A for $100,000. If they kept it, you'd probably end up paying them $150,000 back.\n\nThey sell it to Bank B for $120,000. Bank A makes $20,000 right away...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
mhm8v
If you were smaller than the length of a light wave, what would you see?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/mhm8v/if_you_were_smaller_than_the_length_of_a_light/
{ "a_id": [ "c30zzef", "c30zzef" ], "score": [ 13, 13 ], "text": [ "We *are* smaller than the wavelength of a lot of electromagnetic waves (e.g. radio waves) and our eyes simply don't detect them, that is, we see nothing. We can pick them up with other specialized instruments, for example...
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[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodopsin" ], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodopsin" ] ]
q9vpk
why do we sense five basic tastes (sweet/sour/bitter/salty/umami or savoury)?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/q9vpk/eli5_why_do_we_sense_five_basic_tastes/
{ "a_id": [ "c3vw9c0" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "Sweet - Your basic energy unit is glucose, this taste makes you want to eat things high in sugar\n\nSalty - Sodium is a vital electrolyte is maintaining physiological balance (water, chemical, energy production, ect) so you need foods with it too...
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[]
[ [] ]
a7itiy
the sexual revolution
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a7itiy/eli5_the_sexual_revolution/
{ "a_id": [ "ec3bysq", "ec3cmm0" ], "score": [ 12, 5 ], "text": [ "Why more sex?\n\nBirth control was more widely available.\n\nThe Vietnam war in the 60's/70's brought back boys that were now men who had horrible PTSD and drug exposures. \nWays of escaping could have been sex, \"Make love...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
4z63n2
why can't you eat salmon after it spawns?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4z63n2/eli5why_cant_you_eat_salmon_after_it_spawns/
{ "a_id": [ "d6t52ti", "d6t5paz", "d6t6so2", "d6t75rv", "d6tarpd", "d6tgppu", "d6tgrqr", "d6tgs1a", "d6ti6jr", "d6tioyh", "d6tj5nn", "d6tj62o", "d6tjci9", "d6tjuos", "d6tjvpm", "d6tkhki", "d6tlb9w", "d6tlckz", "d6tlkix", "d6tm1io", "d...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://www.naturebob.com/zenphoto/albums/fish/Coho-Salmon-female-spawned-out-guarding-nest.jpg", "http://www.wildsalmonkitchen.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/silver-whole-e1304395488349.jpg" ], [], [], [], [], [], ...
tiuii
Sources for the Ainu and Emishi in Pre-Modern Japan
Hello folks! I'm taking an undergrad history course on Japan before 1800 and our research papers are coming due. I didn't have a foggy clue about Japanese history before I took the course, but I've always been interested in interactions between indigenous peoples and settlers - so, it seemed obvious to turn to interact...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/tiuii/sources_for_the_ainu_and_emishi_in_premodern_japan/
{ "a_id": [ "c4n2hkd" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "It's not the right era (up til 1600), but I checked my copy of [*Sources of Japanese Tradition vol. 1*](_URL_1_) and it has some primary sources that mention the Ainu.\n\n1. \"New History of the Tang Dynasty\" mentions the ainu arriving at the Ch...
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[]
[ [ "http://www.amazon.com/Sources-Japanese-Tradition-Introduction-Civilizations/dp/023112984X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1336791953&sr=8-2_", "http://www.amazon.com/Sources-Japanese-Tradition-Volume-One/dp/0231121393/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1336791953&sr=8-1" ] ]
13xlqd
How exactly does tea block the absorption of iron in your blood cells?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/13xlqd/how_exactly_does_tea_block_the_absorption_of_iron/
{ "a_id": [ "c782ybx", "c782yml", "c78713e", "c78b0iv" ], "score": [ 5, 13, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "The tannin in tea forms a bond with non-heme iron, causing it to be indigestible.\n\n(Source: _URL_0_)", "Tannins are an organic compound found in both green and black varieti...
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[]
[ [ "http://www.veetea.com/site/articles/Tea-and-Iron" ], [ "http://www.livestrong.com/article/533659-does-tea-affect-iron-absorption-in-the-body/" ], [ "http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=931228" ], [] ]
3xayzi
Was the Speed of Sound ever considered a theoretical speed limit?
This might be more of a history question, but I'm curious about scientific opinion of the speed of sound. The general consensus is, knowing what we know now, the speed of light is the ultimate speed limit of the universe. Before we could routinely break the sound barrier, was it considered a theoretical speed limit? W...
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/3xayzi/was_the_speed_of_sound_ever_considered_a/
{ "a_id": [ "cy3fzc0", "cy3hz4n", "cy3knjv", "cy3nrmk", "cy3pzbo", "cy3w76i" ], "score": [ 3, 126, 3, 3, 14, 6 ], "text": [ "I am reminded that at least one \"scientist\" thought that a carriage traveling at over 28 mph (something like that) would cause all ...
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[ [ "https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Dionysius_Lardner" ], [], [], [], [], [] ]
3vc5xn
cloning
I see many ELI5's about the ethics of cloning or how cloning fell of the news scene in recent years, but I am wondering about the process of cloning. Especially with the rise of Boyalife in the news, building a massive cloning facility in China. I am interested in how cloning happens! Any help is appreciated.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3vc5xn/eli5_cloning/
{ "a_id": [ "cxm76pd", "cxm79p8", "cxm79x8", "cxm9ns1", "cxmhg36" ], "score": [ 19, 6, 7, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Traditional reproduction has a sperm and egg. Both have half of a full set of chromosomes. When the sperm enters the egg it deposits its half of the chromoso...
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[ [], [], [], [ "http://www.popsci.com/researchers-grow-first-ever-beating-hearts-stem-cells" ], [] ]
phpua
What could be the consequences of extreme harvesting of tidal energy?
One of my favorite ponderings is what the extreme outcomes of normal activities could be. For example, if we took solar power energy TO THE EXTREME, and covered most of the surface of the earth in solar panels, we could end up affecting - among other things -the temperature of the planet by reducing the amount of heat...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/phpua/what_could_be_the_consequences_of_extreme/
{ "a_id": [ "c3pgrss" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "_URL_1_\n\n_URL_0_\n\ntl;dr: \n\nCurrently, water hitting already extant natural barriers in the world causes a slowing of the rotation rate that lengthens the day by about 2.3 milliseconds per day per century. \n\nThat's because of friction of ...
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[ [ "http://bowie.gsfc.nasa.gov/ggfc/tides/intro.html", "http://physics.ucsd.edu/do-the-math/2011/12/can-tides-turn-the-tide/" ] ]
bqhwy2
How much sailing did Native Americans do on the Great Lakes?
Inspired in part by having just heard "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" on the radio; Gordon Lightfoot opens with: "The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down Of the big lake they called 'Gitche Gumee' The lake, it is said, never gives up her dead When the skies of November turn gloomy" But how much seafari...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/bqhwy2/how_much_sailing_did_native_americans_do_on_the/
{ "a_id": [ "eojbloh" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Lots of paddling but no Sailing\n\nThere is significant physical evidence that Native Americans traveled to various islands in the Great Lakes. There are hunting artifacts on Pelee Island and pictographs on Kelley's Island in Lake Erie.\n\nThere...
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[ [] ]
3o8gtk
el salvador switching all of its currency to the us dollar. where did the dollars come from?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3o8gtk/eli5_el_salvador_switching_all_of_its_currency_to/
{ "a_id": [ "cvuwipq" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "They come from banks in the US. The US doesn't officially sanction other countries using her currency, but you can't keep those slips of paper from going on vacation." ] }
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[ [] ]
2fit3c
why people with asperger's syndrome are genius or prodigious?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2fit3c/eli5why_people_with_aspergers_syndrome_are_genius/
{ "a_id": [ "ck9my1g", "ck9o4u0", "ck9ojgx", "ck9oppj", "ck9ul0s" ], "score": [ 37, 7, 11, 5, 3 ], "text": [ "Nobody talks about the ones that become janitors.", "Science is still working on an answer to what exactly autism is, but one recently popular theory is...
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[ [], [ "http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3010743/" ], [], [], [] ]
1i7c6a
why chargers (phone, tablet, computer) get so hot while charging.
I know it's happening in millions of homes around the world, but why, and is it dangerous?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1i7c6a/eli5_why_chargers_phone_tablet_computer_get_so/
{ "a_id": [ "cb1ogsp" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Chargers must convert Alternating Current (which is easy to transmit efficiently from the generating station, across the electrical grid, then to your home) to Direct Current (which is easy for digital electronic devices to use to process informa...
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[ [] ]
7kaewk
In pop culture, there's a lot of resistance to discussing movie/story spoilers without having an appropriate warning. Is this new behavior, or were people equally wary of spoilers for that brand new Shakespeare production?
This was prompted by the Dec. 15 discussion about spoilers on the Waypoint Radio podcast at around the 55 minute mark. Is there any historical evidence of humans trying to avoid story spoilers for theatre productions during earlier periods of human history? If I was going to see the newest Shakespeare/Chekhov/Sophocles...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/7kaewk/in_pop_culture_theres_a_lot_of_resistance_to/
{ "a_id": [ "drd3ynv", "drd4j3y", "drdbknz" ], "score": [ 4, 78, 13 ], "text": [ "A follow-up question: To what extent were the storylines of Shakespeare's plays already known to the average audiences of his shows? I recall learning about a Greco-Roman work with a similar storyline...
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[ [], [], [ "http://variety.com/1960/film/reviews/psycho-1200419814/" ] ]
3z2e3h
Did the city-states of Greece, like Sparta or Athens, have a concept of "Just War," did they fight with certain rules?
I'm currently writing a series of stories based upon the premise that the Spartans never lost a battle since the Battle of Thermopylae so I am trying to understand their concept of war better. If they invaded another country, would they accept surrenders or kill without mercy? Also, this is more of a religious questi...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3z2e3h/did_the_citystates_of_greece_like_sparta_or/
{ "a_id": [ "cyj0y5k", "cyj5cls" ], "score": [ 4, 2 ], "text": [ "I can give you some answers on this, at least according to Herodotus. The Greeks generally had some rules of war, but they were also great \"innovators\" when it came to waging war, so sometimes these rules went out the win...
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[ [], [] ]
311rpw
can a body get an infection from a single cell of bacteria or do they need to be in quantity to start an infection?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/311rpw/eli5_can_a_body_get_an_infection_from_a_single/
{ "a_id": [ "cpxqkpc", "cpxqnm8" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Yes and yes.\n\nTechnically, a single cell of bacteria or a single virus can infect you.\n\nBut, they are far more likely to make you sick if your initial exposure is bigger.", "Probably require to come into contact with...
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[ [], [] ]
mx5yb
proper eye contact
Hey, I'm 20 (male) and I've never understood eye contact. I am near-sighted and never wear glasses unless I have to so I don't really focus onto things but really just look at everything at once. The problems occurs when I'm talking to someone and they're in the non-fuzzy range (1.5m). How often do I look at their ey...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/mx5yb/eli5_proper_eye_contact/
{ "a_id": [ "c34uijj", "c34uijj" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Use it as an accent to your conversation. If you never look at someone you're either ignoring them or submitting to them, so when you've finished your conversation you stop making eye contact and look away until they get th...
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[ [], [] ]
eb5yaj
Can anyone help decipher this WWII unit from a gravestone?
[deleted]
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/eb5yaj/can_anyone_help_decipher_this_wwii_unit_from_a/
{ "a_id": [ "fb2r8e3" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Edgar's F. Raines's *Eyes of Artillery: The Origins of Modern U.S. Army Aviation in World War II* ([link](_URL_0_)) seems to mention this unit on page 257. According to Raines, during the Battle of Leyte in 1944:\n\n > Resupply became the main, ...
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[ [ "https://history.army.mil/catalog/pubs/70/70-31.html" ] ]
jfzd7
{eli5} how do guitar fret harmonics work?
Basically, why does putting your finger on a natural harmonic (12th, 7th, 5th fret etc) create that nice ringing sound. What is happening in the vibration and sound wave to do that? Especially as opposed to a non-natural fret for it. Thanks.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/jfzd7/eli5_how_do_guitar_fret_harmonics_work/
{ "a_id": [ "c2bsm3i", "c2bsmiu", "c2bsm3i", "c2bsmiu" ], "score": [ 3, 5, 3, 5 ], "text": [ "You sound fairly intelligent, so here's a nice [article](_URL_0_) that explains the physics relatively simply (not like you're 5, but maybe like you're 17).", "When a guitar st...
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[ [ "http://www.guitarlessonworld.com/lessons/harmonics.htm" ], [], [ "http://www.guitarlessonworld.com/lessons/harmonics.htm" ], [] ]
89s3xp
how can you get stuck inside something?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/89s3xp/eli5how_can_you_get_stuck_inside_something/
{ "a_id": [ "dwt30iu" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "The bones are rigid but the flesh can distort. Moving one direction it may be spread down, becoming narrower; moving in the other direction it may be bunched up, becoming wider." ] }
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[ [] ]
1kyyz3
when pro athletes admit to using ped's (such as ryan braun today), why aren't they arrested for using illegal drugs?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1kyyz3/eli5when_pro_athletes_admit_to_using_peds_such_as/
{ "a_id": [ "cbu1vuj", "cbu1vwk", "cbu2czs", "cbu3ajh", "cbu3bcd", "cbu3lzz", "cbu3mwj", "cbu4tas", "cbu6bhh" ], "score": [ 36, 11, 18, 3, 2, 11, 3, 5, 3 ], "text": [ "I don't know exactly what drugs were used, but just because a drug...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
1l4eam
How does our brain interpret wildly-different accents as the same language?
Hey science! I love accents and I'm always incredibly impressed that even if a speaker has a very pronounced and heavy accent (different from whichever I have, of course) - I still recognize the words as being in my language. I wonder - where is the line drawn in the brain between heavily-accented speech in a language...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1l4eam/how_does_our_brain_interpret_wildlydifferent/
{ "a_id": [ "cbvqoid", "cbvrhqq", "cbvt7vn", "cbvtwkk" ], "score": [ 20, 15, 14, 8 ], "text": [ "Certain sounds within a language are [allophones](_URL_0_). This means that they can be interchanged while not altering the meaning of the word. \n\n\nOne example is /t/. If yo...
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[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allophone" ], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speech_perception#Categorical_perception" ], [] ]
2tvvhm
does it cost internet providers more money to give as an individual faster internet?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2tvvhm/eli5_does_it_cost_internet_providers_more_money/
{ "a_id": [ "co2ruxk", "co2rvlu", "co2rxnd" ], "score": [ 5, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Directly... No. Any individual is virtually nothing on the scale that the ISPs operate.\n\nIndirectly... Yes. Its not as simple as providing one person faster internet, you would have to provide every...
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[ [], [], [] ]
2h2mma
considering the level of climate change denial and inaction, how on earth was the montreal protocol implemented (and successfully so)?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2h2mma/eli5_considering_the_level_of_climate_change/
{ "a_id": [ "ckosqtk" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Don't post loaded questions. \n\nClimate change is not in denial, it's the cause of which that is in dispute." ] }
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[ [] ]
20bwh9
Why hasn't the world's most fascinating monument, the Mausoleum of the First Emperor of China, been excavated?
They know where it is, why not dig?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/20bwh9/why_hasnt_the_worlds_most_fascinating_monument/
{ "a_id": [ "cg1qbvq", "cg1r5pc", "cg1wlx2" ], "score": [ 5, 11, 4 ], "text": [ "It's still in the process of being excavated, but some of the discoveries we've made are already very interesting. The terracotta warriors are one of them. However, when they first opened the room cont...
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[ [], [], [] ]
5bnqpa
why dont we ever hear about people born without a sense of taste/touch/smell?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5bnqpa/eli5_why_dont_we_ever_hear_about_people_born/
{ "a_id": [ "d9punaa", "d9puvs1", "d9pw8y8", "d9pxogu" ], "score": [ 8, 7, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "We do. I knew a guy that couldn't feel pain or temperature. He had to be careful not to burn himself and constantly had to check himself to make sure he didn't get injured that day...
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[ [], [], [], [] ]
5wcrc1
How deep would I have to dig into the earth to stop finding life?
I assume dirt, soil, earth is home to lots of different bacteria and organisms. So how deep would I have to dig to stop finding them?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/5wcrc1/how_deep_would_i_have_to_dig_into_the_earth_to/
{ "a_id": [ "de97g4e", "de9rk2r" ], "score": [ 271, 72 ], "text": [ "Pretty darn deep. If I recall correctly, organisms have been found in boreholes 4km deep, though I can't find a source for anything deeper than 2.7 km.\n\nHere is a brief discussion of it: _URL_1_\n\nThis is also full of...
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[]
[ [ "https://microbewiki.kenyon.edu/index.php/Deep_subsurface_microbes", "http://geology.gsapubs.org/content/39/3/287.full" ], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geothermal_gradient" ] ]
7ez97f
When did pornography come about in human history?
What is the earliest evidence of pornographic images, or are there any recorded sexual acts that people could pay to watch or something similar?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/7ez97f/when_did_pornography_come_about_in_human_history/
{ "a_id": [ "dq8ykix" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "I'm adapting this from some older answers. \n\n\nHere's the tricky thing about your question--do you mean 'porn' in the sense of moving visual art of people doing erotic things? Then in 1894 Edison's studio recorded a vaguely erotic short, titled...
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[ [ "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A_Free_Ride_\\(1915\\).ogv" ] ]
15azan
What's a Good Book To Learn About the Hanseatic League?
I'm into simulation games and there are a lot of economic simulations featuring the era of the Hanseatic League, but that's a pretty osbscure era of history for a Canadian who isn't a historian. Is there a good book on the subject I could read to get a firm grip on what things were like in that period? The story rathe...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/15azan/whats_a_good_book_to_learn_about_the_hanseatic/
{ "a_id": [ "c7kzg9r" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Do you read German? If so, get the standard work on the Hanseatic League: *Bracker, Jörgen / Henn, Volker / Postel, Rainer (Eds.): Die Hanse. Lebenswirklichkeit und Mythos, 3rd edition, Lübeck 1999.*, a German language collection of various texts...
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229zsp
What do we know about the long-term effects of nicotine, as distinct from the long-term effects of tobacco?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/229zsp/what_do_we_know_about_the_longterm_effects_of/
{ "a_id": [ "cgksess", "cgktvkt", "cglc4wx" ], "score": [ 39, 5, 3 ], "text": [ "We do not have long term human studies yet. However, we have done studies in rats (so take that as you will).\n\nFindings from one such study show that long term, heavy usage (twice the blood plasma le...
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[ [ "http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8614291" ], [], [] ]
254xmp
Did the ancient Romans have a system for writing music?
If so, are we able to play any music from this period?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/254xmp/did_the_ancient_romans_have_a_system_for_writing/
{ "a_id": [ "che1fmm", "cheair9" ], "score": [ 10, 2 ], "text": [ "They used the old Greek letter notation as well as Greek music theory. This was, as far as we can tell, a matter for the educated in theorising about music, rather than a tool for musicians to help remember and communicate ...
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[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seikilos_epitaph" ], [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1wq9ht/what_musical_instruments_were_there_in_0ce/", "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/13uo2p/is_there_any_surviving_sheet_music_from_the_roman/", "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHist...
7i6p6v
Timothy Snyder states that there is no official French history of WW2 because "more French soldiers fought on the Axis side than the Allied side."- Is this true?
Video with the comment : _URL_0_
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/7i6p6v/timothy_snyder_states_that_there_is_no_official/
{ "a_id": [ "dqwh94e" ], "score": [ 45 ], "text": [ "So I'm not entirely sure that Snyder is being serious there? Right after he states it, he then goes on to say \"OK, you didn't think that was as funny as I did.\" If he *is* serious, well, it is an hilarious silly thing to state. At the outbreak...
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[ "https://youtu.be/wDjHw_uXeKU?t=1198" ]
[ [] ]
2kfbmd
With high magnification and low exposure, can telescopes see the shape of the nearest stars to the Sun (like the Alpha Centauri system, or Barnard's Star)? Or are these stars still too far away and appear only as points?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2kfbmd/with_high_magnification_and_low_exposure_can/
{ "a_id": [ "clks1h2", "clktwyq", "cllfdxq" ], "score": [ 22, 6, 2 ], "text": [ "Larger stars can be resolved, for example [Betelgeuse](_URL_0_).\n\nSirius, a large and close star, when imaged with Hubble, basically looks like a point spread function. _URL_1_", "Typically indiv...
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[ [ "http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/92/ESO-Betelgeuse.jpg/640px-ESO-Betelgeuse.jpg", "http://www.spacetelescope.org/static/archives/images/screen/heic0516a.jpg" ], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Very-long-baseline_interferometry", "http://arxiv.org/abs/1305.1934", "http...
8q21xk
how is it decided whether someone is sane or insane during a trial?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8q21xk/eli5_how_is_it_decided_whether_someone_is_sane_or/
{ "a_id": [ "e0ftx9f", "e0fuuuu" ], "score": [ 3, 4 ], "text": [ "I studied brain science in university, but am not a lawyer.\n\n\nThat's not actually what they are trying to decide. They decide something more specific: if the person was *unable to appreciate the consequences of their acti...
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