q_id stringlengths 5 6 | title stringlengths 3 296 | selftext stringlengths 0 34k | document stringclasses 1
value | subreddit stringclasses 1
value | url stringlengths 4 110 | answers dict | title_urls list | selftext_urls list | answers_urls list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3oayoc | why is bill cosby's deposition sealed and kept secret for now? | Why couldn't the public know what he actually confessed to so this trial wouldn't have to linger on for so long? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3oayoc/eli5_why_is_bill_cosbys_deposition_sealed_and/ | {
"a_id": [
"cvvle2g"
],
"score": [
6
],
"text": [
"Because what the public knows or thinks has NOTHING to do with a trial. That's not how the legal system works, and the more the public is biased for or against him, the harder it will be to have a fair trial."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
6w5gdg | if my body wakes up naturally after only a few hours of sleep, is it still bad for me? | Lately I've been waking up after about 5 or 6 hours of sleep (usually I try to sleep for 8)
If my body is naturally waking up after a short period of sleep, is it being negatively affected as if I'm forcing myself to wake up after a similar amount of time? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6w5gdg/eli5_if_my_body_wakes_up_naturally_after_only_a/ | {
"a_id": [
"dm5g6p8",
"dm61eas",
"dm63mzf"
],
"score": [
20,
5,
3
],
"text": [
"From what I've heard, you need less sleep as you get older. Teens need more sleep than adults (_URL_0_). \nDepression and other mental illnesses can also affect how long you sleep and how tired you fee... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://sleepcenter.ucla.edu/sleep-and-teens"
],
[],
[
"https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/wired-success/201403/nightly-8-hour-sleep-isnt-rule-its-myth"
]
] | |
3xapxm | what function do the ridges on the palm of your hand serve? | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3xapxm/eli5_what_function_do_the_ridges_on_the_palm_of/ | {
"a_id": [
"cy2zxrq"
],
"score": [
6
],
"text": [
"They serve to increase surface area of your hands and improve traction and friction when gripping. If your hands were completely smooth, things would slip through your fingers like they were coated in butter. The ridges provide points on your fin... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
6leo7s | why do helicopters need to slowly discharge when touching power lines, but birds can land right on them? | I've long been told that the reason birds can land on power lines is because they're not connected to ground.
By contrast, I saw a youtube video showing high voltage power line maintenance techniques (_URL_1_), and in it, a line worker holds out a long metal rod to synchronize the helicopter's electrical potential wi... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6leo7s/eli5why_do_helicopters_need_to_slowly_discharge/ | {
"a_id": [
"djt7re2",
"djt7u5w",
"djt8qoz",
"djtbfyi"
],
"score": [
5,
7,
6,
3
],
"text": [
"As an aside, this MIT article is surprisingly bad:\n\n\"The electrons are essentially being pulled from the ground by the power station. They move through the power lines, through ... | [] | [
"https://engineering.mit.edu/engage/ask-an-engineer/how-do-birds-sit-on-high-voltage-power-lines-without-getting-electrocuted/",
"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2amZGto_Hc&t=1m1s"
] | [
[],
[],
[
"https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/108128/why-does-arcing-occur-on-helicopter-power-line-repair"
],
[]
] | |
1x20o0 | why do ballpoint pens become unusable even though their see-through cartridges are shown with full ink? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1x20o0/eli5_why_do_ballpoint_pens_become_unusable_even/ | {
"a_id": [
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"cf7f3os",
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"cf7gty3"
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"score": [
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2,
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],
"text": [
"If the ink can't flow, it doesn't matter how much there is. Ball point pens can become damaged, or clogged with crap far before they run out of ink.",
"The ink may be there but... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
w4oy7 | why england is always rainy | it has been raining for 40 straight days. I know england is usually rainy, but WHY and what whether phenomenon is happening to cause such excessive rain this summer? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/w4oy7/why_england_is_always_rainy/ | {
"a_id": [
"c5a7oa3",
"c5a8q23",
"c5a9i72",
"c5a9x6n"
],
"score": [
16,
3,
2,
7
],
"text": [
"If it didn't rain all the time, there is a risk that English people might start being cheerful.",
"its not always raining here its just the face that we will talk about the la... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London#Climate",
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City#Climate"
],
[]
] | |
6ln26q | why does touching the contacts on a 9-volt battery not shock you, but something like putting your finger in an electrical outlet will? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6ln26q/eli5_why_does_touching_the_contacts_on_a_9volt/ | {
"a_id": [
"djv1is8",
"djv3pzz"
],
"score": [
2,
2
],
"text": [
"If I remember correctly, it takes somewhere in the neighborhood of 17-20 volts of electrical potential to pass the poorly conductive barrier of dry skin. If you wet your finger you will feel it. Try connecting 4 of those bat... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://www.physics.ohio-state.edu/~p616/safety/fatal_current.html",
"http://www.sci-supply.com/Van-De-Graaff-p/lc2910-hc.htm?gclid=Cj0KCQjwv_fKBRCGARIsAL6R6ejwDUWGHcFou_oFVZBVI66_8LlEIg_LRp6-NU5tFiXvlAitGbegW-caAuKYEALw_wcB",
"http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/2002-03/1015513767.Eg.r.html"
... | ||
es787g | how do large companies like microsoft & sony keep their projects secret for so many years? | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/es787g/eli5_how_do_large_companies_like_microsoft_sony/ | {
"a_id": [
"ff898ts"
],
"score": [
5
],
"text": [
"They force their employees to sign(Non-disclosure agreements) NDA. Basically if you break that contract, you will be found out and prosecuted, you will also be used and a bunch of other crap. They have ways of figuring out whom is the one who ble... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
2ckk3e | why would vast methane plumes escaping from arctic seafloor be bad for us? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2ckk3e/eli5why_would_vast_methane_plumes_escaping_from/ | {
"a_id": [
"cjgdt50",
"cjgduot",
"cjgeeq2",
"cjgggp3"
],
"score": [
4,
16,
2,
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],
"text": [
"the methane would exacerbate global warming",
"Methane is an extremely potent greenhouse gas, many many times more potent than gases like CO2 (though the life of methane in ou... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[
"http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_dioxide_equivalent"
],
[]
] | ||
2vaps9 | why can't i use the stuff (drugs?) transgender men use to grow boobs instead of getting breast enhancement? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2vaps9/eli5_why_cant_i_use_the_stuff_drugs_transgender/ | {
"a_id": [
"cofxw9z",
"cofy1wk"
],
"score": [
11,
4
],
"text": [
"Hormone therapy only works if you lack the hormone in the first place. \n\nYour modest development is most likely due to other reasons than a lack of female hormones. \n\nRejoice in your individuality, if you can. It would ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
3y4b5q | how can people be allergic to synthetic substances? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3y4b5q/eli5_how_can_people_be_allergic_to_synthetic/ | {
"a_id": [
"cyadubh",
"cyae582"
],
"score": [
4,
4
],
"text": [
"There's no reason one couldn't. Allergy is just an unnecessarily extreme reaction to something harmless. Doesn't matter if it's a medicine or an animal.",
"Allergies are hypersensitivity of the immune system to something... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
6ye15w | why are ancient buildings (e.g. pyramids) build with such large stones? wouldn't it be way easier to use many small? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6ye15w/eli5_why_are_ancient_buildings_eg_pyramids_build/ | {
"a_id": [
"dmmoik0",
"dmmpulf",
"dmmq4qu",
"dmn18wk"
],
"score": [
4,
2,
3,
2
],
"text": [
"When these ancient civilizations were building megastructures, they didn't have anything in the way of mortar or glue. This meant they designed and built these amazing, massive str... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://www.quora.com/Why-did-ancient-builders-so-often-incorporate-supermassive-masonry-when-building-with-ordinary-sized-stone-blocks-would-have-been-so-much-easier-and-faster"
],
[
"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DytatZpwIsg"
],
[],
[]
] | ||
4butms | what exactly are they doing when a city's water department is just letting a fire hydrant run for no apparent reason? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4butms/eli5_what_exactly_are_they_doing_when_a_citys/ | {
"a_id": [
"d1cm57p",
"d1cmfbg",
"d1cmg66",
"d1cmyfq",
"d1cqpok"
],
"score": [
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3,
4,
2,
3
],
"text": [
"Usually it is flushing the water line. All water carries a bit of sediment through the water mains. At the ends of the lines, the water flows slower or not at... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
a1mbsu | can we change the language of the voice in our head? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a1mbsu/eli5_can_we_change_the_language_of_the_voice_in/ | {
"a_id": [
"eaqytdr",
"eaqzd5u",
"eaqzs4o"
],
"score": [
6,
3,
4
],
"text": [
"When I was learning a second language I would sometimes catch my self thinking in the second language. It was usually when I was more immersed in that second language and wasn’t using my native tongue m... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
240ept | liver cirrhosis | Need an explanation of what a liver cirrhosis is, one that is NOT caused by alcohol. Thanks. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/240ept/eli5_liver_cirrhosis/ | {
"a_id": [
"ch2d9dw"
],
"score": [
4
],
"text": [
"Cirrhosis is pretty simple, the liver cells get damaged and are replaced by scar tissue. The scar tissue doesn't function as normal liver cells do, and so the liver function degrades. The damage to liver cells can be caused by alcohol, viruses,... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
3j3xgw | why are over easy eggs safe to eat if the yolk is still uncooked? wouldn't bacteria still live in it? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3j3xgw/eli5_why_are_over_easy_eggs_safe_to_eat_if_the/ | {
"a_id": [
"cumhxcw",
"cumlxt3",
"cumo7w0",
"cumqpm8",
"cumsbma",
"cum18a1",
"cum1a8p",
"cum3n78",
"cum3r9w",
"cum88re"
],
"score": [
3,
2,
2,
3,
2,
7,
167,
8,
7,
6
],
"text": [
"While some people are mentioning the egg white... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[
"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FSNVv5FvCIw/TqjgR-zLpOI/AAAAAAAAC10/PmE1Sl63rx0/s400/eggchart.jpg"
],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[
"http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2014/09/11/336330502/why-the-u-s-chills-its-eggs-and-most-of-the-world-doesnt",
"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/article... | ||
3lp9px | do astronauts on the iss just not fap? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3lp9px/eli5_do_astronauts_on_the_iss_just_not_fap/ | {
"a_id": [
"cv84dn5",
"cv865jn"
],
"score": [
3,
2
],
"text": [
"Why would you think that? They're up their for awhile, if they're not having sex with eachother, masturbation seems like an obvious thing that would happen",
"_URL_0_ \n \n#SPACETURBATION CONFIRMED"
]
} | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/r62jp/iama_nasa_astronaut_that_recently_returned_to/c437nfi"
]
] | ||
33bf57 | why do they need multiple medications for the same disorders? | Like, what makes certain medications not work even if they're for the exact same thing.?
Like Adderall is for ADHD, when then do they need Concerta and Ritalin, among others? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/33bf57/eli5_why_do_they_need_multiple_medications_for/ | {
"a_id": [
"cqjba3u"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"Brain chemistry is not as simple as a bacterial infection, where a few pills can fight several different types of infections. \n\nA mood stabilizer that works for one person, may not work for another, so a different type of drug will need to be ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
22obd8 | how come all of our electricity is produced by turbines? | Even nuclear plants just heat water to make steam turn a turbine. Why do we make electricity like this? Couldn't there be a better way? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/22obd8/eli5_how_come_all_of_our_electricity_is_produced/ | {
"a_id": [
"cgos321",
"cgos6pp"
],
"score": [
3,
2
],
"text": [
"its a very efficient way of turning heat into mechanical energy, to drive the generator",
"You're going to need to explain your self. What makes a turbine bad? In what way could another process be better? The only method... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
3s1kj3 | why as are professional sports teams such as the nfl and nba owned by private individuals and not by the city they represent? | Why are professional teams such as the NFL and NBA non profit organizations and why are they not owned by the city? Why are the profits of the teams not going to the cities they represent yet the cities have to build and pay for the stadiums, complexes, etc.. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3s1kj3/eli5_why_as_are_professional_sports_teams_such_as/ | {
"a_id": [
"cwt7h83",
"cwt7mz3"
],
"score": [
2,
2
],
"text": [
"They don't represent a city. Sports teams start out as private entities, many of which incorporated and tried to make a profit. There's no requirement that they have any financial ties to a city.\n\nHowever, cities try to en... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Fan_Owned_Teams"
]
] | |
7yi4xb | how are mice cloned? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7yi4xb/eli5_how_are_mice_cloned/ | {
"a_id": [
"dugysb1"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"There are two theoretical categories of cloned animals: cellular clone and genetic clone (not technical terms). A 'cellular' clone would be taking some cells from an animal and growing a new one from it. No one knows how to do that (stem cells se... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
20dfmc | why don't we "miss" text messages when our phones are off? | Does the sending phone keep on sending the message until it knows it got delivered or something? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/20dfmc/eli5_why_dont_we_miss_text_messages_when_our/ | {
"a_id": [
"cg25jz5",
"cg25kle"
],
"score": [
4,
2
],
"text": [
"Cell phones do not generally communicate directly with each other.\n\nIn the case of SMS, the sending phone sends the message to the network once, and normally the network will send it to the recipient immediately. If the ne... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
bdt961 | why was it so hard to extinguish the notre dame fire? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bdt961/eli5_why_was_it_so_hard_to_extinguish_the_notre/ | {
"a_id": [
"el0inj0",
"el0is6p"
],
"score": [
8,
6
],
"text": [
"Due to older building techniques, the roof was full of tar, which when ablaze, science refers to as a \"big nope\"",
"From this article _URL_0_\n\n\n > Vincent Dunn, a fire consultant and former New York City fire chief,... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/15/world/europe/notre-dame-fire.amp.html"
]
] | ||
1a3hcn | the difference between an illness and a disease. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1a3hcn/eli5_the_difference_between_an_illness_and_a/ | {
"a_id": [
"c8trmwr"
],
"score": [
11
],
"text": [
"An illness is when you feel bad. You have pain, soreness, dizziness, you might feel tired, etc. You are not sure why you fell bad, you just do. Basically, illnesses are feelings, a list of complaints.\n\nA disease is when there is something a... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
5myazk | how does induced hypothermia extend the window of treatment for stroke and cardiac arrest? | Could I help a stroke victim immediately by liberally applying ice to the cranium until help arrives? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5myazk/eli5how_does_induced_hypothermia_extend_the/ | {
"a_id": [
"dc787cj",
"dc7a5oe"
],
"score": [
9,
2
],
"text": [
"All of the processes that a cell does require energy and that energy comes from oxygen. After you've had a cardiac arrest blood is no longer flowing around your body. And blood is what carries oxygen. So no oxygen means no e... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://eccguidelines.heart.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/2015-AHA-Guidelines-Highlights-English.pdf"
]
] | |
4zp9m0 | if i'm travelling at, say, 70% of light speed (0.7c) in one direction, and you're travelling at the same speed in the opposite direction, would the relative speed between us be 1.4c? how does this work relativistically? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4zp9m0/eli5_if_im_travelling_at_say_70_of_light_speed/ | {
"a_id": [
"d6xniqi"
],
"score": [
5
],
"text": [
"A neutral observer would see one person traveling 0.7c in one direction and another person traveling 0.7c in the other direction, so in that reference frame the relative velocity between them would appear to be greater than c. This is fine, thoug... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
dl1rw3 | how do people measure statistics of things like what state has the most human trafficking? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dl1rw3/eli5_how_do_people_measure_statistics_of_things/ | {
"a_id": [
"f4lrea4",
"f4ogpfg"
],
"score": [
13,
3
],
"text": [
"Very hard. In general, data on this and similar issues comes from multiple sources, some of which include official crime statistics countries report to various international organizations such as Europol, Interpol, UNOCD et... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
24i9kl | how can i run a speed test and get 70+mbps down, but can't even stream 360p videos on youtube without constantly buffering? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/24i9kl/eli5_how_can_i_run_a_speed_test_and_get_70mbps/ | {
"a_id": [
"ch7etqz",
"ch7fl6b",
"ch7ohgw",
"ch7ok3q",
"ch7oxie",
"ch7r8qg",
"ch7sgka"
],
"score": [
20,
7,
2,
4,
2,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"So essentially there can be different reasons (or a combination of them) for this:\n\n-A stream of video is a lar... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://lifehacker.com/preload-entire-youtube-videos-by-disabling-dash-playbac-1186454034",
"Speedtest.net"
],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[
"http://www.youtube.com/html5"
],
[]
] | ||
1ra4z5 | why is coffee described as a drug? | Yesterday in class a student called my teacher a drug addict, because she was drinking coffee every morning. She declined saying its not a drug, and that its just small amounts of caffeine that classifies it to become one.
I did some research on my own, looking up on wikipedia and such. I did find info that convinced... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ra4z5/eli5_why_is_coffee_described_as_a_drug/ | {
"a_id": [
"cdl4dp3",
"cdl63mq"
],
"score": [
5,
4
],
"text": [
"It's a drug because it causes an effect in the body. The active ingredient in coffee is caffeine which has a stimulant effect on the central nervous system. \n\nCoffee is the most widely consumed drug on the planet. ",
... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
eo6vux | how do peolpe go missing when ending up in a sinkhole? | There have been many stories in the past of sinkholes opening up around the world, and in some occasions they include a count of missing person(s). How do these people typically go missing? It seems like the sinkholes that open up would not be that deep, and the person would be on top of any rubble rather than undernea... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/eo6vux/eli5_how_do_peolpe_go_missing_when_ending_up_in_a/ | {
"a_id": [
"fe98f7u",
"fe9sdfk",
"fe9wvzu",
"fe9ym8t"
],
"score": [
10,
7,
2,
3
],
"text": [
"Some sinkholes are hundreds of feet deep and were formed when an underground cave collapsed or by the action of water underground carrying away supporting soil\nIt’s flowing water... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[
"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nszesv5A38"
],
[
"https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/giant-sinkholes/"
]
] | |
6c502b | why do sugar puffs make your urine smell so strongly of sugar puffs when other cereals/food do not? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6c502b/eli5_why_do_sugar_puffs_make_your_urine_smell_so/ | {
"a_id": [
"dhs1gd6",
"dhs4ejn",
"dhsdohk",
"dhskm9t"
],
"score": [
24,
5,
5,
2
],
"text": [
"I've never heard of this being the case, but as an FYI if your urine is smelling sweet sugary that's a sign of diabetes. ",
"No one seems to know why but it's accepted as norm... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
70g0vf | why exactly do we need differential calculus? | I have just started learning calculus, and I get the gist of differentiation and integration and stuff, but why exactly do we need to use it ? I mean, for example, velocity/time is already acceleration, so why can't we just use that in place of dv/dt? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/70g0vf/eli5why_exactly_do_we_need_differential_calculus/ | {
"a_id": [
"dn2vre6",
"dn2vuoq",
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"text": [
"It is no exaggeration to say that anything university level that requires mathematics will need calculus. In fact it is probably the basics of what you need. Things only get mo... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
3f7lye | what does the term 'stoner' actually come from? | Always just wondered why this was a word used for pot smokers.
Explain the history of the word to me like I'm 5! | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3f7lye/eli5_what_does_the_term_stoner_actually_come_from/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
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"text": [
" \"stoned\" used to describe someone under the influence. Stoned was first used in the 50s to describe someone drunk or high. In the late 70s, stoner came into being as a noun. Instead of saying he was stoned. one would call... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
549pel | why does it feel more mentally exhausting to read educational materials (e.g. lecture notes) as compared to comics? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/549pel/eli5_why_does_it_feel_more_mentally_exhausting_to/ | {
"a_id": [
"d8062aw"
],
"score": [
5
],
"text": [
"Because it literally is more exhausting for your brain, linguistically speaking. It's an issue of amount of words and type of words: educational materials in school generally have a lot more words in them that comic books do, page by page; educat... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
6j5258 | why does breaking a nail hurt so badly but cutting your nails is essentially painless? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6j5258/eli5_why_does_breaking_a_nail_hurt_so_badly_but/ | {
"a_id": [
"djbkw1n"
],
"score": [
6
],
"text": [
"Nails don't have nerves so they don't feel pain. When you break a nail the impact that broke it transfers to your nail bed which is very very sensitive under the nail. "
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
8jnp5n | why do schools buy macs but install windows on them? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8jnp5n/eli5_why_do_schools_buy_macs_but_install_windows/ | {
"a_id": [
"dz10lgu",
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"score": [
3,
2
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"text": [
"I genuinely have never experienced this, but probably because windows is a more familiar platform for the general public, and all the school programs are probably windows formatted. Something along those lines, i’m explainin... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
2mpoww | does anyone know what a dietary antigen is? | I'm annotating a research paper for my AP Bio class, and one of the terms I don't understand is "dietary antigen." I've looked it up everywhere, yet I still don't know what it is... None of the definitions make sense to me, or actually explain it... Thanks in advance for helping me :') | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2mpoww/eli5_does_anyone_know_what_a_dietary_antigen_is/ | {
"a_id": [
"cm6hfxb"
],
"score": [
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"text": [
"Just take it at face value. It basically means an antigen that is in the food you eat.\n\nWhatever antigen causes a peanut allergy would be an example. Technically, it's just a molecule that causes an immune response (an antigen) but you classify... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
31zjeo | what are those strings and things we see inside our eyes that move as we look around | [Like this](_URL_0_) , what is this? how do they form and why. Is there any way of getting rid of them? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/31zjeo/eli5_what_are_those_strings_and_things_we_see/ | {
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"score": [
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"text": [
"I'd also be interested in finding out. \n\nI always thought that they were bits of dust that settled on my eyeballs ",
"See the inside of the eye as a sort of ball filled wit... | [] | [
"http://images.medicinenet.com/images/slideshow/eye_diseases_and_cond_s17_floaters3.jpg"
] | [
[],
[],
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[]
] | |
2vowtg | why does rent continue to rise even when there is an abundance of empty space? | Specifically I'm speaking of commercial real estate. For example: A really good sandwich shop in town had to close because they couldn't afford the new rent. That was six months ago, and nothing new has moved into the space. There are plenty of empty spaces around it too. How is it in the best interest of the landl... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2vowtg/eli5why_does_rent_continue_to_rise_even_when/ | {
"a_id": [
"cojojrq"
],
"score": [
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"text": [
" > How is it in the best interest of the landlord\n\nStop.\n\nThe landlord is an hourly or salaried employee of the property owner. Also, much of the commercial space in the world is owned by major companies who only deal in commercial propertie... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
4d7092 | why do schools always assign dystopian novels as required reading for english classes? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4d7092/eli5_why_do_schools_always_assign_dystopian/ | {
"a_id": [
"d1o9t7c"
],
"score": [
39
],
"text": [
"Why not? It's a fairly expansive genre, and books like *1984*, *Brave New World*, and *Atlas Shrugged* are some of the most widely referenced works in today's culture. Not only that, but they are fairly encompassing when it comes to human nature... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
3b95rq | why do fast-food chains in america (particularly mcdonald's) taste different to fast-food chains in australia? | I went to America a couple of years ago and noticed that the fast-food at McDonald's tasted significantly different than the product that was being served here in Australia. I don't understand why the taste would be so different, is it a matter of how they feed the cows or something to do with quality standards? I'm pr... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3b95rq/eli5_why_do_fastfood_chains_in_america/ | {
"a_id": [
"csk1mvq"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"The joke answer is because in America you aren't concerned that your McD's is a lure attached to some kind of massive meat-eating kangaroo.\n\nThe serious answer is that they adapt their food to each location. Sometimes that's small things, like ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
6h2xh2 | why does losing water pressure make your water susceptible to bacteria/viruses? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6h2xh2/eli5_why_does_losing_water_pressure_make_your/ | {
"a_id": [
"div392m",
"div3am5"
],
"score": [
5,
14
],
"text": [
"It's the threat of water going backwards, especially from dirty things to the drinking water. The big one is water mains, they are generally underground, and frequently submerged in mud and water. Thus they are always in na... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
68o0p0 | how does off-brand products not get horribly sued? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/68o0p0/eli5_how_does_offbrand_products_not_get_horribly/ | {
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18ef69 | why does light not travel at its maximum speed when it goes through a medium like air? | is it because it interacts on the way - what happens to the light - are they photons? where is the friction? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/18ef69/why_does_light_not_travel_at_its_maximum_speed/ | {
"a_id": [
"c8e21qf",
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"score": [
2,
138
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"text": [
"One common explanation is a peloton of soldiers marching. Suddenly, they encounter a patch of muddy territory. That slows them down.\n\nNow, that is clearly due to friction.\n\nElectromagnetic (EM) radiation, of which visi... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
2lzu46 | how do american phone contracts work? | When I'm reading an article about phones, I come across something like "If you’re willing to sign a contract, the prices are the same ($199) on AT & T and Verizon Wireless"
So if the phones are priced differently without a contract and the down payment is the same, shouldn't the price of the contract be different?
If t... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2lzu46/eli5how_do_american_phone_contracts_work/ | {
"a_id": [
"clznypa",
"clzpd5e"
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"score": [
5,
3
],
"text": [
"I used to pay $200 for an iPhone with AT & T, then I would be stuck with AT & T for 2 years. If I wanted a new phone, or wanted to cancel my plan and go with someone else, I'd have to pay an early termination fee. Usually it... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
8v1vfu | – why is sex such a big deal in marriage? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8v1vfu/eli5_why_is_sex_such_a_big_deal_in_marriage/ | {
"a_id": [
"e1jurt2",
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"e1jvkf7",
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"score": [
6,
2,
5,
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],
"text": [
"With some exceptions sex is a healthy and integral part of any relationship. It’s kinda the whole point of seeking a mate, biologically speaking. ",
"It keeps people happy. it ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
46wdpt | if you need yogurt to make yogurt, how was the first ever yogurt made? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/46wdpt/eli5if_you_need_yogurt_to_make_yogurt_how_was_the/ | {
"a_id": [
"d08aq58",
"d08bb95"
],
"score": [
24,
2
],
"text": [
"You don't actually need yogurt to make yogurt. The acidophilus bacteria needed to make it occur in the stomach linings of most young mammals. Cheese and yogurt could be made by accident if you carry milk in a bag made fro... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
j3tnh | why we are in a "war" right now? | I understand that it's not considered technically a "war," but why are our troops in the Middle East (and ect.)?
I was pretty young when 9/11 happened, and I really feel clueless. I'm actually pretty embarrassed at my lack of knowledge of it all. (Almost made a throwaway and all) Can anyone explain to me why our troo... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/j3tnh/eli5_why_we_are_in_a_war_right_now/ | {
"a_id": [
"c28ws1c",
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"score": [
26,
2,
11,
11,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"The invasion of Afghanistan occurred as a direct response to 9/11. The goal was to go after the terrorist organizations that planned ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
khkl9 | travelling salesman problem | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/khkl9/eli5_travelling_salesman_problem/ | {
"a_id": [
"c2kap87",
"c2kcixw",
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"c2kcixw",
"c2kcpy9"
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"score": [
4,
6,
3,
4,
6,
3
],
"text": [
"The idea is that you want to travel to a number of cities in the shortest route possible.\n\nYou're in city A and you want to travel to ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://www.khanacademy.org/video/optimization-with-calculus-1?playlist=Calculus",
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linear_programming"
],
[],
[],
[
"http://www.khanacademy.org/video/optimization-with-calculus-1?playlist=Calculus",
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linear_programming"
],
... | ||
2r9h45 | whats with the meme/retarded/stereotype-comments on youtube videos that end up on /r/videos? | So I've come across these for months now, these stupid comments on YouTube videos that get posted on /r/videos (the 'feminist', the 'redditor', the 'alphamale', the 'gamer')
They aren't funny and it's always the same kind of replies and more important, it's always the same amount of upvotes (on YouTube) which leads me... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2r9h45/eli5_whats_with_the/ | {
"a_id": [
"cndpgwo"
],
"score": [
2
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"text": [
"The comments get on the videos AFTER they are posted on Reddit. A bunch of trolls surf the subreddits for videos and post stupid comments once they find them. They have their own subreddit /r/RedditArmie and I guess they just haven't nothing bet... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
7dga0c | why do we "feed" bad emotions? | For example why do we listen to sad songs when we're feeling like shit? Feeding that emotion and becoming even sader.
Wouldn't it be more logical if your brain did everything it could to fight off conscious decisions that fucks with it. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7dga0c/eli5_why_do_we_feed_bad_emotions/ | {
"a_id": [
"dpxomah"
],
"score": [
3
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"text": [
"To be honest, it's really hard to say from a scientific perspective\n\nThere are a few theories, depending on how you tend to associate yourself in psychology.\n\nSome theorize that it's a catharsis effect, similar to Greek tragedy. You sit throu... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
32fs3w | why do my dogs take a few steps forward and strut the dirt backwards after they do a #2? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/32fs3w/eli5_why_do_my_dogs_take_a_few_steps_forward_and/ | {
"a_id": [
"cqarri2"
],
"score": [
5
],
"text": [
"I think it depends on both breed and age. Some breeds will try to kick dirt over their.... waste, to try to bury it so their scent and presence is disguised. In the right breeds, this happens more frequently when they're weak, old, or aware of a ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
1v81m1 | why is steel colder than plastic when touched in freezing temperatures? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1v81m1/eli5_why_is_steel_colder_than_plastic_when/ | {
"a_id": [
"ceplpil",
"ceplqhg",
"cepozij"
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"score": [
18,
3,
3
],
"text": [
"We don't feel temperature. We feel the rate of heat transfer. Metal is a good conductor of heat, and thus \"sucks heat away\" from our hands faster than plastic at the same temperature. Thus is feel... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[
"http://youtu.be/vqDbMEdLiCs"
]
] | ||
1szw82 | why does sometimes we feel that the light flickered off for just a moment? | This pic describes it the best: _URL_0_ | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1szw82/eli5_why_does_sometimes_we_feel_that_the_light/ | {
"a_id": [
"ce2x7mf",
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"score": [
6,
2,
2
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"text": [
"maybe it did",
"It probably did.. especially in some older homes with modern electronclics. someones using the big screen, someone else is using a hair dryer, then someone turns on a vacuum cleaner ... | [] | [
"http://d24w6bsrhbeh9d.cloudfront.net/photo/axNoXEL_700b.jpg"
] | [
[],
[],
[
"http://xkcd.com/505/"
]
] | |
2cqyzq | why are office buildings so cold? | Isn't it a waste of energy? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2cqyzq/eli5_why_are_office_buildings_so_cold/ | {
"a_id": [
"cji560f",
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"score": [
2,
2,
11
],
"text": [
"Workers can't fall asleep if it's freezing! More energy = more productivity!",
"Part of it is a productivity thing, if it gets too warm you might get sleepy. \n\nPart of it might be that you were i... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
48ypex | how come you cannot carrier unlock a mobile phone without paying for a "code", even with custom firmware and root access? | Basically where do these codes come from and how do you (or the people that run websites that sell them) obtain them and why is there no way to get around using them to unlock your phone from a certain carrier? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/48ypex/eli5_how_come_you_cannot_carrier_unlock_a_mobile/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
65,
13,
5,
2
],
"text": [
"The cellular radio is controlled by a separate processor (often called a baseband processor) with completely separate firmware.\n\nIn order to bypass the lock, you either need to... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baseband_processor"
],
[],
[]
] | |
1j8bd0 | why are the bodies left on mt. everest and are not returned to the families? | I've read in a lot of articles that some of the bodies are used as landmarks? Why don't they return the bodies to the families?
It's something I always was curious about and never found an answer online. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1j8bd0/eli5_why_are_the_bodies_left_on_mt_everest_and/ | {
"a_id": [
"cbc3yww",
"cbc4xtl"
],
"score": [
12,
8
],
"text": [
"Summiting Everest requires a great deal of money, and it's quite treacherous.\n\nEvery corpse you see on Everest is someone who died on the way to the summit or on the way back. It's hard enough to do it carrying all of th... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
27afwh | why do asian people (primarily women) cover their faces/mouths when smiling/laughing? | This is something I've seen pop up in various Asian media, where women would cover the lower part of their faces when they are smiling or laughing.
Why do they do this? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/27afwh/eli5_why_do_asian_people_primarily_women_cover/ | {
"a_id": [
"chywoar",
"chz10vu"
],
"score": [
3,
2
],
"text": [
"In Japanese culture it's impolite to show bone (your teeth)",
"It shows weakness to lose composure so to appease a sense of politeness they symbolically hide the body part that betrays their emotions. I.e. they cover the... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
2fmyx4 | how does digital radio work? why is there still occasional signal interference with digital? | Thanks for all your explanations; I think I just about grasp how radio works now! | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2fmyx4/eli5_how_does_digital_radio_work_why_is_there/ | {
"a_id": [
"ckarrxk",
"ckasrph",
"ckat1pa"
],
"score": [
2,
3,
2
],
"text": [
"Well, let's start with how radio works without interference. This example uses a simplified version of radio -- the reality is a little different, but the basic ideas are here.\n\nIn both analog and dig... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[
"http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2fmyx4/eli5_how_does_digital_radio_work_why_is_there/ckarrxk"
]
] | |
60xrm1 | how could disappear over 4 trilion usd during the financial crisis from 2007? | I mean how can money get lost, so no one has it anymore? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/60xrm1/eli5_how_could_disappear_over_4_trilion_usd/ | {
"a_id": [
"dfa54fr",
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"score": [
4,
2,
6,
2
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"text": [
"Don't think of it necessarily is money lost but wealth lost.\n\nFor example, if a company has a share price of $50 and is valued at $1B and the share price falls to $25 $500 millio... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
9zu8gs | before midi, how did musicians time the beats exactly right? | When I listen to something old like Thriller, I notice that the beats of the drums seem to be timed exactly right with the rhythm, with the same amount of time between each beat. Or so it seems. Because now, with MIDI, you can have the instruments timed to be exactly right with the rhythm, but Thriller was made before ... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9zu8gs/eli5_before_midi_how_did_musicians_time_the_beats/ | {
"a_id": [
"eac25vm",
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"eac2cqs",
"eac4950",
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"score": [
4,
7,
4,
3,
2
],
"text": [
"The traditional method, for musicians lacking a natural great sense of timing, was to use a metronome. That's a swinging pendulum, or electronic device, that ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
4jwe1v | how are pets that spend all year inside in a temperature controlled house able to synchronize their shedding cycles with the seasons? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4jwe1v/eli5_how_are_pets_that_spend_all_year_inside_in_a/ | {
"a_id": [
"d3abo2w",
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"d3ad7jz",
"d3adwmi",
"d3aeh0x"
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"score": [
76,
2,
36,
6,
2
],
"text": [
"I'm pretty sure that stuff is regulated by amount of uv radiation and color temperature, not room temperature",
"A groomer once told me that dogs and ca... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[
"http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/ask/curiosities/curiosities-why-do-indoor-only-pets-still-shed-seasonal-coats/article_aa2d5644-6ed2-11e1-800e-0019bb2963f4.html"
],
[],
[]
] | ||
637dcn | why do many people enjoy messing with others to a certain extent? | Could be a harmless prank, burning someone online, or even a kick in the nuts, and this is particularly noticable during early adolescence when kids love calling each other names and playing pranks on each other.
So why is that? Are we just messed up by nature? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/637dcn/eli5_why_do_many_people_enjoy_messing_with_others/ | {
"a_id": [
"dfruei0",
"dfs444p"
],
"score": [
2,
4
],
"text": [
"There's a psychological term called schadenfreude. Defined as taking pleasure from someone else's misfortune. It's basically the opposite of empathy/sympathy. Instead of feeling what they feel, you are glad that you do not ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
3xdyu8 | why do my lips get so dry in the winter? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3xdyu8/eli5_why_do_my_lips_get_so_dry_in_the_winter/ | {
"a_id": [
"cy3t2kj"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"Cold air holds less moisture than warm air - and if you take in cold air and warm it up, its relative humidity drops. So the air really can be dryer in the winter, which affects your lips and other parts (eyes, skin). "
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
5vccwp | if the constitution clearly states we have the right to bear arms why is it illegal to have unregistered weapons or to carry weapons without a permit? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5vccwp/eli5_if_the_constitution_clearly_states_we_have/ | {
"a_id": [
"de0wdx8"
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"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"There are at least two responses to that. The first is that nearly all Constitutional text has to be interpreted for modern times. Justices like Scalia and Gorsuch try to stick to the original intent more than other justices, but even they agree ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
abr6jr | why can the human body heal stuff like flesh but not hearing or vision? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/abr6jr/eli5_why_can_the_human_body_heal_stuff_like_flesh/ | {
"a_id": [
"ed2fqcm",
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"score": [
12,
21
],
"text": [
"So the actual sound sensing cells in your ear are called \"hair cells\". In mammals, they don't regenerate - so any damage is permanent - but in birds and fish, they do. The culprit appears to be a protein called \"Retin... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
3su9lk | why is it that the french and americans have such a bond? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3su9lk/eli5_why_is_it_that_the_french_and_americans_have/ | {
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3,
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"text": [
"France is our oldest ally. They helped tremendously during our fight for independence. We may not always see eye to eye, but we have each others backs.",
"France helped our c... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
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2yflu7 | difference between un and nato | Why was NATO set up in 1949 when in 1945 there was already the UN? seems like both org are for peacekeeping purposes. Are they both necessary organizations or are they somewhat of an overlap? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2yflu7/eli5_difference_between_un_and_nato/ | {
"a_id": [
"cp916u7",
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"score": [
7,
3,
7
],
"text": [
"NATO is not for peacekeeping, it's a military alliance made initially in order to defend Europe against the USSR and its allies.",
"United nations is virtually al of the worlds countries which coope... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
9fpwba | what are balanced and unbalanced connections in audio? | I heard there are no balanced cables, just balanced connections which just means it all depends on the electronic equipment and not cables.
& #x200B;
In other words, I can use any cables XLR, RCA, 1/4 inch, and they still can function as "balanced" if the equipments allow them? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9fpwba/eli5_what_are_balanced_and_unbalanced_connections/ | {
"a_id": [
"e5ycaao"
],
"score": [
5
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"text": [
"I've searched tha seven seas fer an answer. Yer not alone in askin', and kind strangers have explained:\n\n1. [ELI5 Balanced vs. unbalanced audio signals ](_URL_4_) ^(_5 comments_)\n1. [ELI5: What's the difference between a \"balanced\" and \"unb... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://np.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9e7ajb/eli5_what_does_lowhigh_impedence_and/",
"https://np.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/34ww7d/eli5_line_level_audio_balanced_vs_unbalanced/",
"https://np.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6l0k4y/eli5_what_is_the_difference_between_b... | |
2mqqpu | how was the middle east before the us first got involved? and why did they get involved there? | I read the other post about Germany and became interested in the US role in the Middle East. How is the area so unstable now? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2mqqpu/eli5_how_was_the_middle_east_before_the_us_first/ | {
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"cm6q7fm",
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"score": [
8,
8,
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"text": [
"The better question to ask is 'how was it before Europe got involved?'. Before the Europeans started picking away at the region (roughly early 19th century) there was the Ottoman Empire. Things were pre... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[
"http://ic2.pbase.com/o6/54/14154/1/83230527.Hehstghw.PaghmanBeforeAfter.jpg"
]
] | |
1clrme | why are some japanese games aren't localized in the us, even when there is a large demand? | My friend and I recently had a conversation about how it took a long time for Xenoblade Chronicles to come out in the US, despite it having been made available in the UK. It seems to me that if a game is already translated, it would be smartest to release a game in the US where there is a larger audience and surely mor... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1clrme/eli5_why_are_some_japanese_games_arent_localized/ | {
"a_id": [
"c9hq319"
],
"score": [
4
],
"text": [
"Because Japanese companies do market research just like any other company. If the cost of translating, marketing and distributing the game outweighs the return they predict they'll get, then they won't bring the game to the west. \n\nKeep in min... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
2pw1ix | how does a star (such as sol) work? | They are just floating balls of energy, how do they just not explode or collapse on themselves?
please go to into detail | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2pw1ix/eli5how_does_a_star_such_as_sol_work/ | {
"a_id": [
"cn0hsdj",
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"score": [
2,
10,
2
],
"text": [
"The energy flowing outward from their core pushes the outer layers out with the same force that gravity tries to compress them in. It's an equilibrium.",
"A star is an immense ball of gas, mostly h... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
3vb4gy | how come we seem to stare at someone as they walk by? what really gets our attention | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3vb4gy/eli5_how_come_we_seem_to_stare_at_someone_as_they/ | {
"a_id": [
"cxlxzod",
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"score": [
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2,
5
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"text": [
"Not really an answer for your question but I had a similar thing happen recently, it was bizarre.\n\nI was sitting in my car waiting for someone and just kinda spaced out.\n\nA car is passing by and out... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
6001tm | what are the dangers and warning signs of mob mentality? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6001tm/eli5_what_are_the_dangers_and_warning_signs_of/ | {
"a_id": [
"df2f3qs",
"df2iezp",
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"score": [
6,
3,
2
],
"text": [
"Dangers: civil logical people become less so as tensions build causing people to do things they never normally would if on their own. The perpetuation of emotional response overshadows logical reason an... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
2fltp2 | does wind or particle movement drag light with it? | For example, if the wind is blowing quickly towards my right, does a light source far away appear slightly farther to the right than it's actual location? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2fltp2/eli5_does_wind_or_particle_movement_drag_light/ | {
"a_id": [
"ckahlge"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"Nope. The light you see from the object just travelled in a straight line (minus any gravitational effects which will be absolutely negligible). Depending on the air clarity and distance to the object, a certain amount of the light it emits/refle... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
2cdx4k | if you get disemboweled, and someone touches your organs outside of your body, do you feel it inside of you or wherever your organ is? | My friends and I wondered this back in high school, when a little girl from our area got stuck on a pool drain that didn't have a cover while the pool was draining. A large amount of her intestines came out, which is absolutely terrible. Good news, she lived. But it had our curiosity going, and I still wonder about tha... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2cdx4k/eli5if_you_get_disemboweled_and_someone_touches/ | {
"a_id": [
"cjei0ep",
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"cjejj67",
"cjep02a"
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"score": [
4,
16,
7,
11,
6,
2
],
"text": [
"Not a medical professional, but the words \"unconscious\" and \"in shock\" and \"dead' come to mind. \n\nRead about a girl that sounds... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
5o3p78 | why is horse racing such a tossup? | I'm wondering what it is about horse racing that makes it so consistently ideal for gambling.
To clarify, I'm not asking why people use horse racing for gambling, that answer is evident (because its never a sure thing). More I'm curious about why it's never a sure thing to begin with. Why is there so much variance to ... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5o3p78/eli5_why_is_horse_racing_such_a_tossup/ | {
"a_id": [
"dcgdot6",
"dcghcwv"
],
"score": [
3,
2
],
"text": [
"They are set up that way. Track stewards assign weights to horses to even out the odds. A very good horse must carry more weight. The less weight the faster the horse runs. More weight also means more injuries. The horse's t... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
212wmg | - if helium is one of the most common elements in the universe, how are we "running out of helium" on earth? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/212wmg/eli5_if_helium_is_one_of_the_most_common_elements/ | {
"a_id": [
"cg93bal",
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"score": [
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250,
42,
7,
9,
2,
27,
15,
... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://www.universetoday.com/75719/where-is-helium-found/"
],
[],
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protoplanetary_disk"
],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
5qygcp | about industrial engineering... | Hi guys! I'm currently taking Industrial Engineering course, I'm at my 2nd semester in 1st year. But lately, I've been worried about it, 'coz, I'm not really good at Math, I'm not exactly bad at it, I mean I can actually understand some parts if I take it seriously. But even so, once I take a break for let's say a mont... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5qygcp/eli5_about_industrial_engineering/ | {
"a_id": [
"dd32n4o"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"engineering generally is highly reliant on math. forgetting the formulas is not an issue, that can be fixed and most of them are only used in very narrow circumstances. however forgetting the methods and approaches is a much bigger issue, as thos... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
79qgll | how would our lives be different if gravity was halved or doubled tomorrow? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/79qgll/eli5_how_would_our_lives_be_different_if_gravity/ | {
"a_id": [
"dp4006u",
"dp405fb"
],
"score": [
2,
2
],
"text": [
"To be clear, are you asking if the fundamental force of gravity was different, or just that wherever you happen to be is is experiencing a local change in the *sensation* of gravity?",
"If gravity were doubled I doubt ou... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
e4ulqm | why can we not clearly see/look at ultraviolet lights? what makes them seem blurry? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/e4ulqm/eli5_why_can_we_not_clearly_seelook_at/ | {
"a_id": [
"f9ff8oz",
"f9gtxqd"
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"score": [
16,
3
],
"text": [
"UV lights generate a small level of top end blue/violet light, and that's what you can see. \n\nUV light by definition is light that falls beyond the upper limit of our visual spectrum. If the light gave out nothing but UV ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
jjxkd | why are macbooks so popular when there are pcs with much better specs and are cheaper? | ITT: How do I justify spending over $1200 on my Macbook in 2008? I haven't had any problems with it since purchasing it, so that's a plus. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/jjxkd/eli5_why_are_macbooks_so_popular_when_there_are/ | {
"a_id": [
"c2cq7j8",
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"c2cqbxr",
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"score": [
5,
3,
2,
5,
3,
2
],
"text": [
"Because... They're shinier.",
"Good company image, brand loyalty, and people seem to like the operating system. They are also good f... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
2ltmea | what are dog tags for ? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2ltmea/eli5_what_are_dog_tags_for/ | {
"a_id": [
"cly1rfc",
"cly1rse",
"cly1rza",
"cly2fau",
"cly6tn8"
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"score": [
4,
4,
3,
14,
2
],
"text": [
"For easy identification of a person and their blood type in battle. A dog tag will always be around their neck or one laced in their boots.",
"So the de... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
bjy4t2 | sas / sata / scsi? | I just don’t get it. Are they drives or cables? Some websites mention they’re cables and others mention drives and one of them said SCSI is a protocol? Please help. Thanks! | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bjy4t2/eli5_sas_sata_scsi/ | {
"a_id": [
"emc633h",
"emc9qyi"
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"score": [
5,
3
],
"text": [
"They are all communication standards for connecting devices together. There are cables and drives which comply with the standards so they are referred to with the standards.",
"Is is a bit of everything you mention.\n\n ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_Attached_SCSI#Connectors",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial\\_Attached\\_SCSI#Connectors"
]
] | |
23d3ze | surrogacies...if donor a fertilizes donor b's egg, and it's implanted in donor c, does the baby have any of donor c's genetic characteristics as a result of the incubation? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/23d3ze/eli5_surrogaciesif_donor_a_fertilizes_donor_bs/ | {
"a_id": [
"cgvsvrr",
"cgvt8ds"
],
"score": [
2,
2
],
"text": [
"The fertilized egg will have A and B's chromosomes. Because all cells are then produced from this egg, all the baby's cells will have A and B's characteristics. C has nothing to do with the baby genetically.",
"Genetic c... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
5thmnf | is the universe losing mass and gaining energy? | I think I understand the conversion of mass to energy in natural settings, like burning of firewood, or fusion in the sun. But does that mean every day, the universe is losing mass, and on an infinite timeline there will be no mass, and the universe will be converted to total energy? Or is it more complicated than that... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5thmnf/eli5_is_the_universe_losing_mass_and_gaining/ | {
"a_id": [
"ddmk1m3"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Broadly speaking, yes, although we could also be losing energy to whatever form mass-energy takes within black holes.\n\n > I think I understand the conversion of mass to energy in natural settings, **like burning of firewood,** or fusion in the ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
9rzydm | why does watching rooftop parkour videos give me butterflies, even though i'm viewing from the safety of my home with no chance of falling to my death? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9rzydm/eli5_why_does_watching_rooftop_parkour_videos/ | {
"a_id": [
"e8kytge",
"e8kytxw"
],
"score": [
3,
2
],
"text": [
"Humans have the ability to put themselves in the positions of others, to put it simply, part of your brain believes the person you are watching is you, this is why we can feel the pain of others or feel fearful when watching... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
z57f1 | why is a single currency causing the eurozone so much trouble while the dollar is much more stable over a larger zone? | Basically, why is Greece threatening to tank the Euro while California isn't destroying the value of the dollar? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/z57f1/why_is_a_single_currency_causing_the_eurozone_so/ | {
"a_id": [
"c61k6a8"
],
"score": [
5
],
"text": [
"Greece is allowed to hold ridiculously large national debt, while also not being in control of the euro. California is not allowed to hold significant debt, and the federal government that *is* allowed to has complete control over the dollar."
... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
2vu0p0 | do domesticated animals (cats in this situation) recognize the difference between adults and kids? | My cat can be nice sometimes, if he is in my room. But when he is just wandering around the house (Desert Lynx doesn't hide under a bed all day) he doesn't want anyone touching him. He will swat and bite after you second or third pet. But my 5 year old nephew can pinch his cheeks, rub is head, hold him down and the cat... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2vu0p0/eli5_do_domesticated_animals_cats_in_this/ | {
"a_id": [
"cokxc94",
"cokxknh"
],
"score": [
9,
4
],
"text": [
"So animals, regardless of species, are very in tune with the age of another animal (humans in this case). They understand that the little ones are probably harmless and should be treated as such.\n\nThere are stories of whe... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
46jhru | why does venezuela post 3 official usd/vef exchange rates (plus some black market ones?) | With Venezuela's currency devaluation in the news, how does their currency work in the first place? Why can the government post 6.3-1, 13.5-1, and 200-1 exchange rates, plus black market rates at 1000-1?
What the heck are these 4+ concurrent exchange rates, and how do the economics/finance work? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/46jhru/eli5_why_does_venezuela_post_3_official_usdvef/ | {
"a_id": [
"d05n7bf"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"The two lower rates are gov't subsidized rates used to prop up companies who import critical goods. The gov't sells dollars to these companies, they they in theory import food and medicine and machine parts. In practice, a lot of those dollars ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
aigvig | why are people who have 1 white parent and 1 black parent (e.g. obama) always classified as black? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/aigvig/eli5_why_are_people_who_have_1_white_parent_and_1/ | {
"a_id": [
"eenlvqv",
"eenmw1o",
"eennar6"
],
"score": [
6,
5,
2
],
"text": [
"When you say “always classified” what classification system are you referring to?",
"Depends who is making the comment.\nMy nephew has English and Gambian heritage and when he's here in England peop... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
2jt36u | two part question 1. why is there so much weird shit that comes out of japan (even excluding the crazy tentacle hentai, theres a lot of pissing, shitting, and vomiting on)? 2. with all their weird shit why do they censor their naughty bits? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2jt36u/eli5eli5_two_part_question_1_why_is_there_so_much/ | {
"a_id": [
"cleuglc",
"cleupig"
],
"score": [
6,
2
],
"text": [
" Japan's modern depiction of pornography stems from the turmoil in Japan's 20th century conflicts between modernity and classicism. \n\nFor most of Japan's history sex and sexuality was quite open. During the shogunate High ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"Cakefarter.com"
]
] | ||
2erupm | how come anyone can't just get their own internet tower and connect to the internet without the use of a carrier? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2erupm/eli5_how_come_anyone_cant_just_get_their_own/ | {
"a_id": [
"ck2byo8",
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"score": [
4,
3,
3,
3
],
"text": [
"Well, there's no such thing as an \"Internet tower.\" But in theory, you could become your own carrier. It would cost you far more to do so than to pay your ISP $34.99 a month or w... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Level_3_communications"
],
[]
] | ||
lgtva | the military system under the articles of confederation | Did each state have their own army? Was there any central army? Could each state tax their citizens to support the state army? I'm really confused. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/lgtva/eli5_the_military_system_under_the_articles_of/ | {
"a_id": [
"c2skum1",
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"score": [
3,
2,
3,
2
],
"text": [
"The Continental Army was formed during the Revolutionary War, and was made up of troops from all the colonies. After the Treaty of Paris, the Continental Army was drastically downs... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
q924b | in song lyrics, why is "baby" often referred to as a woman? | A lot of song lyrics use "baby", meaning a woman or a partner. Why is that referred to as "baby"? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/q924b/eli5_in_song_lyrics_why_is_baby_often_referred_to/ | {
"a_id": [
"c3vq1n4",
"c3vreru"
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"score": [
11,
2
],
"text": [
"It's a term of endearment. Babies are generally cherished and everyone loves them, especially women. The word in our society has a \"warm, fuzzy, cuddly, loving\" tone and feeling to it.\n\nPlus it's a different word than \... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
70a1jz | what exactly happens to the human body when a "regular american eater" becomes vegan? | This is kind of a follow up to one of my other posts about something I asked earlier. I find a bunch of information about this on Google, but it's hard to tell bias from fact. What would happen if I, an average American, switch to a vegan diet? What does my body go through and why?
Other post: _URL_0_ | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/70a1jz/eli5_what_exactly_happens_to_the_human_body_when/ | {
"a_id": [
"dn1jeal",
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4,
13,
4
],
"text": [
"you would likely lose a lot of weight, but if you balanced your nutrition properly then nothing major. You would get all the nutrients you need, without as much excess fat/grease that meat contains. Ve... | [] | [
"https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/709wrl/eli5_a_good_chunk_of_people_are_vegetarian_but/"
] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
5qutol | where did our modern standard of beauty (tall, fit/thin, strong facial structure, etc) come from? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5qutol/eli5_where_did_our_modern_standard_of_beauty_tall/ | {
"a_id": [
"dd2913t"
],
"score": [
7
],
"text": [
"The modern preference for thin people comes from the current economics of food. In poor times, being fat was a sign of wealth: one could afford plenty of food. Today, being fat in a rich country is a sign of being poor. Fattening food is cheap an... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
1mx6k8 | how do subcellular molecules move and know what to do? | watch this: _URL_0_
like where does that rotary thing (mRNA?) get its energy from? how does it know when to stop rotating? how does that motor protein walk? etc.
i mean they're proteins and molecules but they already can do very complex tasks. how the fuck?! | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1mx6k8/eli5_how_do_subcellular_molecules_move_and_know/ | {
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"(Ap bio student, so take this comment for what its worth)\nBasically, its just chemistry. The interaction of the atoms and compounds make the mRNA move. Its like when you combine, say, baking soda and vinegar, the reaction occurs not because of c... | [] | [
"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_zD3NxSsD8"
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[]
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2a60t6 | what does handwriting say about people? | Is it a matter of one's organizational skills? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2a60t6/eli5_what_does_handwriting_say_about_people/ | {
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"It's a lot like trying to analyze someone by the clothes they wear, or the car they drive. Anything you think you've uncovered MIGHT be accurate, but there are a thousand confoundi... | [] | [] | [
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"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphology#Validity"
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"http://skeptoid.com/episodes/4363"
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6i66yz | i've heard that recent neuroscience has debunked the "left brain-right brain" idea. what do we know about the two halves of the brain? | I started reading "Drawing on the right side of the brain" from the 90s, and it spoke with great conviction of the split brain. However, I've heard from some neuroscientists (directly) that this has been debunked in modern science. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6i66yz/eli5_ive_heard_that_recent_neuroscience_has/ | {
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