q_id stringlengths 5 6 | title stringlengths 3 296 | selftext stringlengths 0 34k | document stringclasses 1
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2wo1n4 | how does the court decide who gets to pay child support? | How does child support work? I've read that the majority of people that pays child support are the fathers, why is that? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2wo1n4/eli5_how_does_the_court_decide_who_gets_to_pay/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"The person who does not have custody of the child has to pay child support to the person that does. Usually the amount is based on how much they make.",
"In my case, and this was pretty typical for Minnesota anyway there... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
lekau | multiplication | Title says it all. I've always been terrible at multiplication, even though I've got a firm grasp on other basic math functions. How do you do guys do it? I've seen a method for, lets say, 89(56) in long format that has someone multiplying like, 6 by 8 and 5 by 9 or something like that, but I've never understood it. Ha... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/lekau/eli5_multiplication/ | {
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"score": [
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"text": [
"Like, what do you even want to know? What is multiplication?\n\n[Maybe this?](_URL_0_)",
"Okay, it's simple enough. Long-form digit-by-digit arithmetic splits numbers into c... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiplication"
],
[],
[
"http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiplication"
],
[]
] | |
901hf1 | what is a positron and how come it's positively charged but does not weigh like a proton and is more like an electron? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/901hf1/eli5_what_is_a_positron_and_how_come_its/ | {
"a_id": [
"e2n1p43",
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"score": [
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"text": [
"A positron (also called an anti-electron) is the antimatter version of the electron. So its exactly the same as an electron witb opposite charge.\nThe amount of charge something has is nothing to do with how big it is. \n\nT... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
5yffss | why is this in the constitution and what is a fair justification for it? | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5yffss/eli5_why_is_this_in_the_constitution_and_what_is/ | {
"a_id": [
"depj4fy"
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"score": [
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"text": [
"They have to be paid because if they weren't, only rich people could hold the positions. The same way the president cannot refuse his salary. \n\nSenators and congressmen cannot be arrested at/on the way to sessions to prevent authorities from tr... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
c02va3 | what is the difference between sound and heat? | Sound is the vibration of particles; heat is the vibration of particles. So why can we not hear hot things or feel the temperature of sounds? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/c02va3/eli5_what_is_the_difference_between_sound_and_heat/ | {
"a_id": [
"er0e93t"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"Sound is a wave. It means it's a perturbation that propagates over time and space without (in general) a macroscopical displacement of particles. If I talk to you, you'll ear me but none of the molecules I had in my lungs have made their way into... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://scenari2.irem.univ-mrs.fr/lexiqueINEFLP-2BPS/res/Translational\\_motion.gif",
"http://scenari2.irem.univ-mrs.fr/lexiqueINEFLP-2BPS/res/Translational_motion.gif",
"https://www.physics.byu.edu/research/acoustics/images/gifs/LongitudinalWave.gif"
]
] | |
1jb00x | how does shaving cream make steam not stick to the mirror? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1jb00x/eli5_how_does_shaving_cream_make_steam_not_stick/ | {
"a_id": [
"cbcvyxv"
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"score": [
2
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"text": [
"The mirror is made of glass. Glass is a relatively good conductor of heat. That means heat gets transferred to it quite well. \n\nIn a hot shower, water vapour meets the mirror, transferring heat to it and goes through a process called condensati... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
561pda | batteries - generic vs. name brand | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/561pda/eli5_batteries_generic_vs_name_brand/ | {
"a_id": [
"d8flfzw",
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"score": [
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3
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"text": [
"More than likely you got a bad batch of batteries.\n\nMost \"generic\" batteries that I know of are made by one of the big guys (i.e. Duracell or Energizer) and just repackaged and sold at a lower price... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
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] | ||
2783zb | why do they grade some final exams on a curve. how do they figure out the curve? | High school student here, curious as to how this works. Is the curve a set number or is it taken from class average or something? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2783zb/eli5_why_do_they_grade_some_final_exams_on_a/ | {
"a_id": [
"chy9uo6"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Imagine a test is 100 points. Usually, a 90/100 would be a 90%. If the exam is graded, the curve could be maybe the top score of the class (usually) or some other number. Say its the top score and the best score in the class is 96/100, all the te... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
3xfcpc | humans land on a new planet, teeming with life. how do we efficiently find out what plants and animals are safe to eat, and what ones are toxic? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3xfcpc/eli5_humans_land_on_a_new_planet_teeming_with/ | {
"a_id": [
"cy46kvq",
"cy47v02",
"cy4celi"
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"score": [
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6,
2
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"text": [
"I'm reminded of some science fiction stories by Vonda McIntyre, where the ambassadors from Earth and from the Four Worlds (the aliens who were sponsoring Earth's application into the Galactic Civilizati... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
5hbtp1 | why do colleges have weed out classes for different majors? | Why do colleges want to make people drop out of certain majors? (Engineering especially) | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5hbtp1/eli5_why_do_colleges_have_weed_out_classes_for/ | {
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2,
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"text": [
"They aren't officially weed out classes. They are prerequisites. If you can't master algebra you can't move on to calc. If you can't master basic algorithms y... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
3kad08 | how does little caesars stay competitive when they don't deliver/keep their prices low? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3kad08/eli5_how_does_little_caesars_stay_competitive/ | {
"a_id": [
"cuvygsh",
"cuvykix",
"cuw1lzo",
"cuw1utw"
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"score": [
12,
7,
2,
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],
"text": [
"Because if I want a pizza and am willing to drive the short distance to get it, I can have pizza in my mouth in less than 10 minutes. That's magic. ",
"They have fast service ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
jd0og | hydraulic fracturing and the controversy surrounding it | The Eagle Ford shale around my area and there's talk about its impact on the environment and whatnot. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/jd0og/eli5_hydraulic_fracturing_and_the_controversy/ | {
"a_id": [
"c2b3zy3",
"c2b3zy3"
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"score": [
3,
3
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"text": [
"Hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as \"fracking\", is using high-pressure water to open or widen cracks in rock. The reason you do this is because oil and natural gas are often trapped in the rock, so you crack it open to... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
cme90c | why do some trains make a loud “violin-like” sound when they accelerate and decelerate? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cme90c/eli5_why_do_some_trains_make_a_loud_violinlike/ | {
"a_id": [
"ew1on8p"
],
"score": [
7
],
"text": [
"That's an electrically powered train with AC induction motors. These motors can produce huge amounts of torque at low rotating speeds. One side effect is that the high currents they use to do this alternate in a speed that's low enough that huma... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
3d9814 | why is there never stars in the backgrounds of planet photos? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3d9814/eli5_why_is_there_never_stars_in_the_backgrounds/ | {
"a_id": [
"ct2x4l3",
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"score": [
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7
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"text": [
"Because stars are really dim. If you had enough exposure to see the stars, the planet would be a washed out white smear. ",
"Photographer here. Because the stars are too dim.\n\nLonger explanation: taking photos of thing... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
bdojzl | what is the actual significance of the notre dame cathedral? | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bdojzl/eli5_what_is_the_actual_significance_of_the_notre/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
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2
],
"text": [
"\" I get that it's a huge loss of culture and history, but I just cannot bring myself to wrap my head around why it's actually so significant. \"\n\n & #x200B;\n\nIt's a huge loss of culture and history. That's why it's ac... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-47937775"
],
[]
] | |
5e0v1a | how do plants generate heat, how to they stop freezing when the droplets of water that are on them are frozen, when they plants are made up, mostly of, water? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5e0v1a/eli5how_do_plants_generate_heat_how_to_they_stop/ | {
"a_id": [
"da8t95t"
],
"score": [
15
],
"text": [
"Plants generally do not generate meaningful amounts of heat. They deal with freezing temperatures by: dying, like orange trees; freezing, but in a way that doesn't cause permanent damage, like most deciduous broad-leaf trees; or pumping themsel... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
51j72w | if locks are based on the point of the pins, does that mean that my house key can open someone else's house, since there's only a certain number of different combinations? | Basically the title. If my house key is a certain combination of pins, and there's only a certain number of combinations until it repeats, does that mean my key can open someone's house then? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/51j72w/eli5_if_locks_are_based_on_the_point_of_the_pins/ | {
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13,
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"text": [
"Yup. There's usually 5 or 6 pins and they have maybe 6 or 7 possible lengths. So that's 7^6 combinations or 117,649. However, with some jiggling and twistin... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
3zcci8 | how do (did some) hunting tribes survive living of an all-meat-diet (like some inuit tribes)? | Reddit, please explain to me how these people survive on just meat. I eat too much steak or game at Christmas and I shit black bricks the whole weekend. Do they die younger? Different digestive evolution? Are vegetables and their nutritional value just a conspiracy? How do these tribes survive by only eating seal, and ... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3zcci8/eli5_how_do_did_some_hunting_tribes_survive/ | {
"a_id": [
"cykyrq6",
"cyl0diq"
],
"score": [
10,
2
],
"text": [
"They eat a lot of things like organs, fat, and bone marrow that contain more nutrients than the normal cuts of meat you'd find at the grocery store.\n\nIt's entirely possible to meet your nutritional requirements on a total... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
4b0irq | why do they usually keep the train tracks when filling in new areas of cement? | I mean couldn't they just remove the track? I thought they do that occasionally to replace functioning ones anyway. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4b0irq/eli5_why_do_they_usually_keep_the_train_tracks/ | {
"a_id": [
"d152epu"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"They could. But that would cost additional money in labor to remove and transport it away. "
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
5zka75 | why can't an electric car power itself? | Couldn't you create a system that uses the circular motion of the wheels to crank a generator/alternator to create electricity to recharge a battery? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5zka75/eli5why_cant_an_electric_car_power_itself/ | {
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"text": [
"No, because taking energy away from the wheels as they're turning will make the car slow down. You can never get back the same amount of energy you put in a... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
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] | |
2pjm4w | how does the taliban avoid widespread retaliatory violence from the communities they victimize? | Reading about the school siege in Pakistan I'm curious as to how the Taliban manages to avoid widespread retaliation from a grassroots level. Presumably each child murdered by those scumbags has a large network of family filled with people driven to despair by the act. Would they not be looking to root out the Taliban ... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2pjm4w/eli5_how_does_the_taliban_avoid_widespread/ | {
"a_id": [
"cmxdrcn"
],
"score": [
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"text": [
"You mean, why don't the good people in Taliban-controlled villages rise up and throw them out? Because there's a civil war going on. The Taliban are terrorists, sure--but the Pakistani Air Force's gunships are pretty damn terrifying, too. \n\nMa... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_in_North-West_Pakistan"
]
] | |
49ecl3 | why do humans need vitamin d to survive, but nocturnal animals do not? do they find vitamin d somewhere else? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/49ecl3/eli5why_do_humans_need_vitamin_d_to_survive_but/ | {
"a_id": [
"d0r4sou"
],
"score": [
7
],
"text": [
"Even when we are talking about mammals - we still have very different metabolism and some mammals can produce biological stuff that other mammals can't.\n\nTake cats for example: they are incapable of producing taurine while most mammals can."
... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
5rzypk | what is ethereum and how is it different/related to btcoin? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5rzypk/eli5_what_is_ethereum_and_how_is_it/ | {
"a_id": [
"ddbge2q"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"It's a wallet. A way to store, send, and receive bitcoin. Many people buy bitcoin from say, Coinbase, send them to Ethereum, tumble them, and use em for the darknet."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
39r4rr | why is everybody supporting caitlyn jenner's transsexuality but up in arms about rachel dolezal's transethnicity? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/39r4rr/eli5_why_is_everybody_supporting_caitlyn_jenners/ | {
"a_id": [
"cs5o696",
"cs5ox7z"
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"score": [
6,
3
],
"text": [
"There are thousands of cases of transgendered people, doctors agreeing that it's a real condition that requires treatment, scientific studies suggesting that trans people have different brain chemistry, and organized groups ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
b1z087 | how is dyeing the chicago river safe and how does this process not damage the ecosystem? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/b1z087/eli5_how_is_dyeing_the_chicago_river_safe_and_how/ | {
"a_id": [
"eip3qb0",
"eipdh90"
],
"score": [
8,
2
],
"text": [
"Think of the dye they use to turn beer green for St. Patrick’s Day. It’s food grade, safe for consumption. They don’t dye the River using industrial textile dyes that are toxic.",
"A dye or pigment is just something that... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
2ectmb | why does my internet upload speed double when i use a vpn? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2ectmb/eli5_why_does_my_internet_upload_speed_double/ | {
"a_id": [
"cjy8mci",
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"score": [
2,
4
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"text": [
"Any changes in the speed only happen between the server and your VPN server, so you can't download or upload any faster than your own connection goes to.",
"Because your isp sucks and your government is too stupid to man... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
4cmdf5 | why are taxes in the north generally higher than taxes in the south? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4cmdf5/eli5_why_are_taxes_in_the_north_generally_higher/ | {
"a_id": [
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"d1jjfjr",
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"d1joicw"
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"score": [
14,
16,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"The North, having a more liberal populous and more Democrat governors, frequently have more government programs which require tax income.",
"That's a good question, and the a... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://theprogressivecynic.com/2014/08/15/red-america-vs-blue-america-state-maps-illustrate-the-difference"
],
[],
[]
] | ||
1f7pqx | the mike duffy scandal in canada. | How did it start? What did this Duffy guy do? Why is the Prime Minister involved? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1f7pqx/eli5_the_mike_duffy_scandal_in_canada/ | {
"a_id": [
"ca7lq1s"
],
"score": [
5
],
"text": [
"Basically, Mike Duffy (an independent senator) spent about $90k and illegally charged it to the government. He expense claimed personal items (like living expenses, vacations etc), and had the taxpayers pay for them. When he was ordered to pay th... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
1ch9y4 | why would stocks drop after something like the boston bombings? | "Stocks plunged late in the day after explosions at the Boston Marathon." -Chicago Trib. Why would the bombings cause this? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ch9y4/eli5_why_would_stocks_drop_after_something_like/ | {
"a_id": [
"c9ggqx3",
"c9gjedl"
],
"score": [
4,
3
],
"text": [
"Anything that causes fear of economic disturbance of any type will cause people to reduce risk by removing money from volatile sources of wealth (like stocks) to something more stable (like cash). There is also a bit of sel... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
2rxbv0 | if we have the ability to see beyond our own galaxy, why aren't we certain about "dwarf planets" and other objects at the edge of our solar system? | I was just reading about newly discovered dwarf planets in the Oort Cloud at the edge of our solar system. Why aren't we able to know with greater certainty what lies at the edge of our solar system when we can view other objects that are deeper in space? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2rxbv0/eli5_if_we_have_the_ability_to_see_beyond_our_own/ | {
"a_id": [
"cnk5fa7",
"cnk5ieb",
"cnk5xed",
"cnk6pfi"
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"score": [
5,
7,
5,
2
],
"text": [
"They are very tiny. The things we see beyond our galaxy are many orders of magnitude larger for the most part. Additionally, the dwarf planets in the Kuiper belt are often obscur... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
22kggx | why can people find jokes, movies, etc to be funny or entertaining more then once? | EDIT: *than. Sorry my grammar sucks. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/22kggx/eli5_why_can_people_find_jokes_movies_etc_to_be/ | {
"a_id": [
"cgnp3q1"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"I'm no expert. But I think laughter is the mind's way of coping with the absurd. The same thing can still seem absurd even after witnessing it multiple times. \n\nAlso... Than"
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
606kei | how come when you skydive they tell you to pull your parachute at 5000-6000 ft altitude but people that base jump pull their parachutes at like 2000 ft altitude? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/606kei/eli5_how_come_when_you_skydive_they_tell_you_to/ | {
"a_id": [
"df3ubhp",
"df3y3zx"
],
"score": [
11,
3
],
"text": [
"The reason they have you pull the parachute at about 5000 feet is solely for your own safety. You *could* pull it at a much much lower altitude, but the lower you get the more risk there is of something going wrong.\n\nPara... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
3r90dt | how do we know where to search for precious metals? how do we know that 100 ft underneath my yard isn't the largest gold deposit in the world? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3r90dt/eli5_how_do_we_know_where_to_search_for_precious/ | {
"a_id": [
"cwlxy7g",
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"cwmcdfg",
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"score": [
9,
23,
5,
14,
2,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"Many different ways. Land gets eroded away and reveals metals, so they excavate the area to find more of it. S... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
59119e | how do shirt sponsorships etc actually make a company money? | Take Fly Emirates... They pay stupid money to be Arsenal shirt sponsors and to have the stadium named after them... But what do they gain from it?
Like, nowadays people use websites to find the best price for a flight. Nobody is surely going to choose Fly Emirates simply because they have heard of them, because an Airl... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/59119e/eli5how_do_shirt_sponsorships_etc_actually_make_a/ | {
"a_id": [
"d94sc0z",
"d94ses7"
],
"score": [
7,
5
],
"text": [
"The mere fact that you know that fly Emirate exists as a brand is proof that their advertising worked. \n \nAdvertising increases future sales through brand recognition. People is more likely to buy something they recogniz... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
1oa9gg | the federal reserve is increasing the money supply to create jobs? how does this work? | ELI5: The Federal Reserve is increasing the money supply to create jobs? How does this work?
I've heard that the "tapering" will end when unemployment reaches some X% or what not.
What is the reasoning behind how more $ in the overall $ supply allows for companies to hire more employees or gets more businesses start... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1oa9gg/eli5_the_federal_reserve_is_increasing_the_money/ | {
"a_id": [
"ccq73od",
"ccq74e5"
],
"score": [
20,
7
],
"text": [
"US Treasury bonds are considered the safest possible investment historically. Risk/Reward trade offs in investing means that the absolute lowest risk will have the lowest rewards. Treasuries therefore generally set the ba... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
8qqob6 | the us federal reserve system and effectively how much of it is under private control and how much under public control? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8qqob6/eli5_the_us_federal_reserve_system_and/ | {
"a_id": [
"e0la1ru"
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"score": [
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"text": [
"0% of the Fed is under private control.\n\nThe Fed uses its own set of terminology in which it uses words in a manner that is totally inconsistent with those words' dictionary definitions. For example, the Fed uses words like \"stock holder\" to... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
4cdadm | is there actually a solution to 'this statement is false'? (liar's paradox) | I mean, surely there's a Solution, right? Surely things can either be true or not true... I mean, does this statement really demonstrate that the law of excluded middle isn't right? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4cdadm/eli5is_there_actually_a_solution_to_this/ | {
"a_id": [
"d1h50v9",
"d1h57cr",
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"score": [
9,
6,
3
],
"text": [
"The solution is pretty simple, but unsatisfying.\n\n\"The assumption you can create a logical system where all propositions are either true or false is incorrect.\"",
" > Surely things can either b... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
8ftu9g | how can the cdc trace the exact specific source of an e. coli outbreak? | Genuinely curious given the recent outbreak - they have not yet located the exact source of the outbreak, all they know is that the romaine lettuce came from Yuma. How can they figure out which farm or facility it came from? Is it just as simple as interviewing anyone with symptoms, figuring out where they ate recently... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8ftu9g/eli5_how_can_the_cdc_trace_the_exact_specific/ | {
"a_id": [
"dy6gacz",
"dy6zupq"
],
"score": [
6,
2
],
"text": [
"Pretty much. Supply chains are tracked and catalogued pretty extensively, so when dozens of people get sick with the same (relatively rare) bacterial infection spread across multiple states, it's relatively easy for investi... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
blu0ei | if you can get gingivitis so easily, how did people survive before proper dental hygiene existed? | This is always my first question after I go to the dentist but it feels like too dumb of a question to ask. Since gingivitis can be fatal, it baffles me how people even made it to 15 years old before toothpaste was invented. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/blu0ei/eli5_if_you_can_get_gingivitis_so_easily_how_did/ | {
"a_id": [
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8,
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"text": [
"My dentist once attributed it to the high amount of sugar in modern diets, where it was pretty scarce historically.\n\nAlso, people *did* clean their teeth i... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
52um46 | how does the foreign exchange program work? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/52um46/eli5_how_does_the_foreign_exchange_program_work/ | {
"a_id": [
"d7nhcp7"
],
"score": [
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"text": [
"What context please?\n\nLike in an educational institution? You go to another country to study, while the other school sends students to your school?\n\nIf so,\n\n* Choosing who goes / Requirements\n - Typically academically excellent, active i... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
qwejc | the pirate bay's switch to magnet links instead of torrent files and what it changes in the big picture. | I always used to download the .torrent files, because it was easier to exclude things like sample videos and dumb usenet group txt files from certain videos, or pick out parts of a HUGE torrent that you want. Because the .torrent contains information about what you're getting.
With magnets you have to wait for the fi... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/qwejc/eli5_the_pirate_bays_switch_to_magnet_links/ | {
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"text": [
"Magnet links prett... | [] | [] | [
[],
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"http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/search?q=magnet+links&restrict_sr=on"
],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
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"anonymouse.org"
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365vg4 | who is winning the syrian civil war? | Hey guys,
Civil war in Syria has been going on for almost 5 years. What is the current situation in 2015? Who is winning right now? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/365vg4/eli5_who_is_winning_the_syrian_civil_war/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
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"text": [
"I'm not sure who is winning. But what I know is that everybody is losing. Hundreds of thousands are dead. Millions are refugees. The country is almost completely destroyed. ",
... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Syrian_civil_war.png",
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cities_and_towns_during_the_Syrian_Civil_War"
],
[
"http://cdn.static-economist.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/original-size/images/print-edition/20150509_MAM983.png"
],
[]
] | |
2p6ss1 | brands used to be kept at almost all cost, why are big companies now changing their brand (like finish and charmin for example after so many years)? | I was surprised when I first saw big companies changing their brands, I was wondering how it wouldn't hurt them by losing notoriety compared to "younger" brands. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2p6ss1/eli5_brands_used_to_be_kept_at_almost_all_cost/ | {
"a_id": [
"cmtx0jc",
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"score": [
2,
2
],
"text": [
"Product life cycle (introduction, growth, maturity, decline). A typical product introduced will increase sales to a peak then slowly decline. \n\nThis is why Gillette comes out with new razors every few years. They're the ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
nzu3a | why do americans get to choose from among a dozen or so republicans for president, and *one* democrat? | I realize it's because the sitting President is a Democrat, but what if we want another Democrat? We simply *can't* have one, no matter how qualified? Where does this rule come from? What is its purpose? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/nzu3a/eli5_why_do_americans_get_to_choose_from_among_a/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
3,
3,
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],
"text": [
"You can vote for anyone that stands for president, including third party candidates who may hold any positions at all. The problem is re... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Party_presidential_candidates,_2012"
],
[],
[]
] | |
1q5z8j | what is the difference between software, a program and an application ? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1q5z8j/eli5_what_is_the_difference_between_software_a/ | {
"a_id": [
"cd9j7da"
],
"score": [
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"text": [
"The differences are mostly contextual.\n\n\"Software\" can refer to the entire field, or in the specific to the general part of something that isn't hardware or to a collection of things that aren't necessarily part of the same program/app.\n\n\"... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
1ze4dm | russian foreign policy | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ze4dm/eli5russian_foreign_policy/ | {
"a_id": [
"cfsuk8d"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"There is no way someone can explain the entirety of the foreign policy of any great power in a single reddit post. Russian foreign policy where, regarding what? Russia has a \"foreign policy\" that regards 190 states individually. Ask a more spec... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
2em1on | what are idealism and realism? what are the differences between the two? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2em1on/eli5_what_are_idealism_and_realism_what_are_the/ | {
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3,
4,
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"text": [
"Idealism is a perception of the present and future encompassing very positive and optimistic circumstances. Realism is a perception of t... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
bu7tlv | how can scientist view the atoms of something with an electron microscope without seeing the atoms that make up the lenses of the microscope? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bu7tlv/eli5_how_can_scientist_view_the_atoms_of/ | {
"a_id": [
"ep83b9t",
"ep89jc7",
"ep8rh1l"
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"score": [
32,
14,
3
],
"text": [
"Electron microscopes do not see things in the same sense as a microscope; it's an incredibly sensitive machine that detects the wavelengths of things with sensors. Think like echolocation or cat\\fish... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
2rb53g | why are laptop speakers commonly found on the bottom of the computer? | It is not very practical for times like right now when I am very hungover and in bed trying to surf the interwebs and listen to music. The sound is drowned out by my blanket. Is this just poor design or is there a reason? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2rb53g/eli5_why_are_laptop_speakers_commonly_found_on/ | {
"a_id": [
"cne6e67"
],
"score": [
6
],
"text": [
"If the computer sits off of a hard surface, like a table or desk, it allows the music to bounce off of the hard table giving it a fuller sound. "
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
dljdv9 | why do injured people cough up blood? | It's often seen in film/books/etc. that when someone receives a chest injury, is smashed against a wall or similar, he coughs up blood or has blood coming out from his mouth. Does this actually happen? Why?
If the lungs get damaged it makes sense that blood gets coughed up, but what about injuries that affect other or... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dljdv9/eli5_why_do_injured_people_cough_up_blood/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
39,
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],
"text": [
"They don't. It's just a good visual representation for the movies that clearly, easily, and quickly depicts \"he's really hurt\"",
"If there is an injury anywhere from the mo... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
2brvt4 | what happened with the dot com bubble in 2000? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2brvt4/eli5_what_happened_with_the_dot_com_bubble_in_2000/ | {
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"score": [
40,
5,
606,
3,
2,
20,
... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"Flooz.com",
"http://archive.wired.com/wired/archive/7.11/digiscent.html",
"Ritmoteca.com",
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CyberRebate"
],
[],
[],
[
"http://youtu.be/EsVpNB2Lv3U"
],
[],
[],
[],
[
"Kozmo.com",
"Pets.com"
],
[],
[
"Pets.com"
],
[
... | ||
f99d2w | how ram in mobile phones differs from ram in pc's. are they interchangeable?? | So much brouhaha over the 16gig ram variant of Samsung S20 Ultra with everyone immediately referring to laptops of similar or lower specification as if the RAM is interchangeable.
I'm a noob so clearly there's plenty I don't know. I'd like people in the know to help explain this.
Thanks Y'all | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/f99d2w/eli5_how_ram_in_mobile_phones_differs_from_ram_in/ | {
"a_id": [
"fiq365w",
"fiq378d"
],
"score": [
5,
6
],
"text": [
"The RAM chip is basically the same for phones, desktops/laptops and all electronics. The difference is the hardware they have to accomodate.\n\nComputer components produce alot of heat, so desktops and laptops require coolin... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
84ddv8 | why do men in samurai movies have that haircut? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/84ddv8/eli5_why_do_men_in_samurai_movies_have_that/ | {
"a_id": [
"dvomii6"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"The shaved pate,in combination with the chonmage (basicly an ancient manbun) was a traditional hairstyle which apparantly was indeed supposed to make wearing a helmet less hot. It became so iconic that they kept it even when not donning a helmet.... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
3kgbsc | why do states educations vary so wildly? and how? | I went to high school in a state that ranks very very poorly every year in education. I've also had several jobs in multiple states working at companies of various sizes and I haven't seemed to be at a disadvantage based on my education. What makes X state's education system better or worse that others?
| explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3kgbsc/eli5_why_do_states_educations_vary_so_wildly_and/ | {
"a_id": [
"cux8vu8"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"A lot has to do with money. NY spends $22.5k per year per student, ID spends $7.4k ([Census data](_URL_0_)). School spending is associated with better outcomes for poor students much more so than non-poor students. Really the best predictor of an... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2015/econ/g13-aspef.pdf"
]
] | |
2s0z87 | how are movies, music, etc. available for nomination in an annual award ceremony over a year after commercial release? | For example, "Bound 2" by Kanye West was released as a single on **August 28, 2013**. It later released on the studio album *Yeezus* on June 18, 2013.
That single is currently nominated for not one, but **two categories of the 2015 Grammy Awards** (Best Rap/Sung Collaboration & Best Rap Song).
As far as I am aware... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2s0z87/eli5_how_are_movies_music_etc_available_for/ | {
"a_id": [
"cnl6akj"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"It's not so much about the year an album was released but about the year it achieved prominence. It's just that most of the nominated work achieves prominence the year it is released. \n\nKanye released Yeezus in June 2013 but Bound 2 only got ki... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
3qn2tw | why do some words end in -or instead of -er? | Such as conductor, carburetor, instructor, counselor, radiator etc., Why don't they just end in -er? Both endings mean "somebody or something that does something." They are both used to make a verb into a noun, but what influences which ending is used? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3qn2tw/eli5_why_do_some_words_end_in_or_instead_of_er/ | {
"a_id": [
"cwgnvfm"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"Taken from literally the first link when you google \"or vs er\":\n\n > Generally speaking, -er is much more common in English (which should come as no surprise since it has deep Germanic roots, see the link) and can be easily attached to any Eng... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
f1vo8e | how did insane conspiracies spread before the internet? | How did absurd and ridiculous theories spread before the days of the Internet or Social Media? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/f1vo8e/eli5_how_did_insane_conspiracies_spread_before/ | {
"a_id": [
"fh8ojrk",
"fh8riqt",
"fh8wsd6"
],
"score": [
4,
5,
2
],
"text": [
"The same way witches were called witches and murdered, through gossip, then in the modern era through stupid pseudo science supported by false photos and false articles.",
"People rote pamphlets and... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
cocnyt | why did french suppress other languages like occitan to become the national language? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cocnyt/eli5_why_did_french_suppress_other_languages_like/ | {
"a_id": [
"ewhjkm7",
"ewhm9yl",
"ewhn9ja"
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"score": [
45,
7,
11
],
"text": [
"This is somehow \"normal\" when it comes to nation building. Many countries as we know them today had to push their national language from varieties spoken in the capital city, which was usually consi... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Académie_française"
],
[]
] | ||
5no96n | what would the physical process of gene editing through such things as crispr look like? | Curious to how an average person could have their genes edited. What instruments would be used? How would it all go down? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5no96n/eli5_what_would_the_physical_process_of_gene/ | {
"a_id": [
"dcd3y4j"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"Well, gene editing in a grown person is still not really a well-developed technology. Things like CRISPR are usually done on cell cultures in petri dishes. A common procedure, lipfection, mostly looks like mixing clear liquids together with using... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://www.copybook.com/media/pharmaceutical/profiles/cardiff-university/migrated/images/Microcentrifuge-Tube-1b.jpg",
"http://wheaton.com/media/catalog/category/variable-volume-single-channel-pipettes.jpg"
]
] | |
3ibhla | what is the actual reason for why stupid decisions and mistakes in our lives suddenly replay in our minds as we are trying to fall asleep? | Is it satan or psychology, guys? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ibhla/eli5_what_is_the_actual_reason_for_why_stupid/ | {
"a_id": [
"cuexxkh"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"I think we think about them and assess them to learn from it to make sure we dont do it again"
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
3knrt9 | while big internet websites have hundreds of servers,how the website has one ip address ? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3knrt9/eli5while_big_internet_websites_have_hundreds_of/ | {
"a_id": [
"cuyxth3"
],
"score": [
10
],
"text": [
"There's something called a [load balancer](_URL_0_) that does nothing but take traffic from one IP address and sends it out to all of the servers associated with it.\n\nSo each of the servers will have their own IP address (likely only visible t... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Load_balancing_\\(computing\\)"
]
] | ||
8busaj | what causes evaporation rings in a cup? | For example, if you leave a coffee cup sitting for days while the coffee evaporates, when you come back to it there are multiple rings inside the cup, like tree rings. To me it seems the coffee would evaporate relatively evenly, leaving perhaps one ring at the very top.
Edited for clarity. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8busaj/eli5_what_causes_evaporation_rings_in_a_cup/ | {
"a_id": [
"dx9tobt"
],
"score": [
4
],
"text": [
"The water evaporates, the suspended solids don't. \n\nCoffee has small coffee ground particles, and whatever dissolved out of the coffee, various minerals in the water, sugar, etc. When you take away the water, all those things form precipitates ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
8cik58 | article 1 section 8 of the us constitution? | > The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;
I kind of get the main idea I suppose but I'm confused... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8cik58/eli5_article_1_section_8_of_the_us_constitution/ | {
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"dxf7710",
"dxf78m3",
"dxf7q2w",
"dxf8wwa"
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"score": [
11,
2,
5,
2
],
"text": [
"All the federal taxes will be the same for everyone. No taxing one place or group more just because of who they are. That's how I understand it, anyway. Could be wrong.",
"It ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
9tfe1s | do magnets work in space? are they the same as they are on earth? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9tfe1s/eli5_do_magnets_work_in_space_are_they_the_same/ | {
"a_id": [
"e8vvmjd",
"e8vvwr6",
"e8vvypm"
],
"score": [
2,
4,
2
],
"text": [
"Well technically the Earth is a giant magnet, and it's in space, so yeah magnets work in space. ",
"Yes they work in space the same as the work on earth. Compasses work the same way as well but not ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
4e2exk | there are pot farms and meth labs in the us. why aren't there cocaine farms or heroine farms? | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4e2exk/eli5_there_are_pot_farms_and_meth_labs_in_the_us/ | {
"a_id": [
"d1weipl",
"d1wf2p2",
"d1wf49a"
],
"score": [
2,
6,
3
],
"text": [
"Coca grows primarily in the Andes mountains, which have a rocky mountainous soil rich in minerals, lots of sunlight, and cool temperatures. Coca has also been grown at lower elevations even down into th... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
2bynrt | what is actually happening to the sound we hear coming from something moving faster than sound? | I've been googling for like 15 minutes and either am not asking the question right, or google can't ELI5. When a plane flies overhead travelling faster than sound, we hear the 'boom.' Or at least sometimes, according to some stuff I read. Anyway, why is it a boom? Why wouldn't the 'sound trail' of the engine and ev... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2bynrt/eli5_what_is_actually_happening_to_the_sound_we/ | {
"a_id": [
"cja6ma9",
"cja6ymd",
"cja8d9i"
],
"score": [
3,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"[From Wikipedia:](_URL_0_)\n\nWhen an aircraft passes through the air it creates a series of pressure waves in front of it and behind it, similar to the bow and stern waves created by a boat. These wave... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonic_boom"
],
[],
[]
] | |
558faj | what use is it using antidepressants since the brain chemistry goes back to its pretreatment level on stopping medication? | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/558faj/eli5_what_use_is_it_using_antidepressants_since/ | {
"a_id": [
"d88elap",
"d88fgp0",
"d88fo8t",
"d88g3n4"
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"score": [
8,
4,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"Because they can help you function while you take them. And sometimes that means you will be on them the rest of your life. Sometimes they are a way to support you while you incorp... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
e8s54d | why have we yet found evidence of extraterrestrial life? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/e8s54d/eli5_why_have_we_yet_found_evidence_of/ | {
"a_id": [
"fae3gvz"
],
"score": [
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"text": [
"Space is vast and technology evolution is super fast. Lift of earth is 4.54 billion years, homo sapiens are 200,000 years, but we are using radio wage for only the last 120 years. The Milky way, our galaxy, is 200,000 light year in diameter, whic... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
159pev | do planes travel "faster" when they fly against the earth's rotation? are the air and ground speed the same? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/159pev/do_planes_travel_faster_when_they_fly_against_the/ | {
"a_id": [
"c7khhar"
],
"score": [
12
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"text": [
"No, because the air is moving with the earth. Jetstreams and winds are the reason it can be faster going one way on a flight than the return trip.\n\nThe Earth's rotation does, however, come into play when it comes to rockets. That's why they're... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
10mf4i | what the going on in a router/server? | IP address? subnet? Subnet mask? Defaut Gateway?
More words we don't know?
| explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/10mf4i/what_the_going_on_in_a_routerserver/ | {
"a_id": [
"c6eprh4",
"c6epzm9"
],
"score": [
7,
3
],
"text": [
"1. Router = mail dispatcher or post office worker.\n2. IP address = address.\n3. Subnet (mask) = zip code (you are pretending to be 5... so this is roughly correct).\n4. Gateway = nearest post office.\n5. Packet = mail.\n\nY... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Routing"
],
[]
] | |
1kijqh | how can pandas survive on a diet of 99% bamboo while humans have to eat a diverse range of food?. | Humans are told that they require various types of food to ensure optimum health. Why is it that Pandas are able to thrive on diets solely based on Bamboo when they are quite large animals. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1kijqh/eli5_how_can_pandas_survive_on_a_diet_of_99/ | {
"a_id": [
"cbpacv4",
"cbpakji",
"cbpdxzs"
],
"score": [
13,
110,
13
],
"text": [
"courtesy of _URL_0_:\n\n > As the nutrition level of bamboo is low, giant pandas take four measures to meet their needs. The first is to eat bamboo in huge amounts. The second is to choose the bes... | [] | [] | [
[
"edinburghzoo.org.uk"
],
[],
[]
] | |
2osrnb | what happens during an employee background check? | I'm responsible for conducting interviews as a hiring manager, but not all that involved in the HR/bureaucracy-related stuff. After I decide to hire someone, HR runs a background check on the candidate, and I'm told that it takes 5-10 days, closer to 10 in most cases. What I'm not told is why does it take so long and w... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2osrnb/eli5_what_happens_during_an_employee_background/ | {
"a_id": [
"cmq5oo2",
"cmq627c"
],
"score": [
2,
3
],
"text": [
"The majority of background checking is credit history and criminal history. Also if they have judgments like child support, liens and other civil matters. They also usually have to pass a drug test, which takes some time. Cr... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
8yxq6y | why are there random times when everything looks very detailed and surreal? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8yxq6y/eli5_why_are_there_random_times_when_everything/ | {
"a_id": [
"e2eklvb",
"e2et3dm"
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"score": [
4,
4
],
"text": [
"For me those moments always seem related to either wind (moving certain types of leaves or plants in an interesting way) or something strange which has changed the color of sunlight (such as smoke from a distant fire making ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
6w8jhn | why does resign v fired make a difference, either way you're out right? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6w8jhn/eli5_why_does_resign_v_fired_make_a_difference/ | {
"a_id": [
"dm63wh5",
"dm63xzf",
"dm643we",
"dm6485h",
"dm6eksy"
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"score": [
2,
3,
3,
7,
3
],
"text": [
"It makes a difference for things like unemployment payments. You can't resign and then go collect unemployment.",
"There are laws that might require your ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
61vr2y | if an inmate on death row wants a very specific and elaborately detailed meal prepared, who cooks it? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/61vr2y/eli5_if_an_inmate_on_death_row_wants_a_very/ | {
"a_id": [
"dfhnrdy"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"There's no right to get whatever you want for your last meal. If you make a ridiculous request, I'm pretty sure most prison wardens will just tell you to try again."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
4gjmxt | when a bilingual person is speaking in a non-english language, why to they pronounce the english words with such accent? | My experiences that lead to this question are in an environment where I work with many home improvement laborers that are American born, speak perfect English, but fluently bilingual. As an example they will be conversing with a customer about a counter top made of Formica (For·mi·ca) and they will turn to their biling... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4gjmxt/eli5_when_a_bilingual_person_is_speaking_in_a/ | {
"a_id": [
"d2i3lvf",
"d2i3ojo",
"d2i4tiq",
"d2i8myc"
],
"score": [
3,
12,
3,
3
],
"text": [
"There are certain ranges of sounds which exist within a language, called phonemes. These are not shared between languages although some may sound similar, and so when someone is s... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
3uxz6t | why do some commercials get interrupted by some number tones? | The tones are exactly the same like when you press the number on a telephone. I wonder why and their purpose. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3uxz6t/eli5_why_do_some_commercials_get_interrupted_by/ | {
"a_id": [
"cxiqill"
],
"score": [
4
],
"text": [
"These are signals from the cable network to the local cable TV company that it's time to play a commercial. You aren't actually supposed to hear them.\n\n[source.](_URL_0_)"
]
} | [] | [] | [
[
"https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070505172842AAIneei"
]
] | |
1pyupu | why do people have so much pride or feel embarrassment when their favorite sports team wins or loses a game that they themselves haven't contributed to the outcome? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1pyupu/eli5_why_do_people_have_so_much_pride_or_feel/ | {
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"cd7fsyb",
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"score": [
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13,
3,
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"text": [
"As a Bills fan who regularly has his weekend ruined by the predictable loss of his favorite team...I wish you g... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
f89oqz | why does electricity appear blue but sparks from electricity are yellow-ish orange | Driving down the road yesterday they were repairing some electrical lines and I guess one of them sparked and it left a trail of blue sparks on the ground. But when I hook up a battery and short it with a wire sparks appear an orangish-yellow color.
Anyone know why? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/f89oqz/eli5_why_does_electricity_appear_blue_but_sparks/ | {
"a_id": [
"fijxfr0",
"fik7jrq",
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"fikkzmm",
"fikmqeg",
"filymox"
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"score": [
126,
10046,
6,
17,
336,
7
],
"text": [
"Sparks are, generally, not actually the electricity itself. Instead, they are small slivers of super-heated metal. The color ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
5l1ljo | why can't we survive in space without spacesuits? | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5l1ljo/eli5why_cant_we_survive_in_space_without/ | {
"a_id": [
"dbs9gs2",
"dbsfzvr"
],
"score": [
4,
19
],
"text": [
"we are largely composed of water and space is a vacuum (and very very cold, though the aforementioned vacuum makes this less of an issue since there is so little mass to actually absorb the heat)\n\nwater boils in a vacuum,... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
1jqhhx | the phrase "the observable universe." why are some parts of the universe unobservable? how large is the observable universe relative to the whole universe? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1jqhhx/eli5_the_phrase_the_observable_universe_why_are/ | {
"a_id": [
"cbha2ut",
"cbha3lo"
],
"score": [
4,
3
],
"text": [
"Because light travels at a fixed speed (299,792,458 m/s) and the universe (as we know it) has a finite age (roughly 13.77 billion years or 4.354±0.012×10^17 seconds), there are some areas of our universe which we cannot \"se... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
2v15fr | why is the range from boiling to "absolute hot" much, much longer than the range from freezing to absolute cold? | Per [this post](_URL_0_) from /r/space, temperatures go from absolute cold, -273.15 degrees C, to water freezing at 0C, to water boiling at 100C, then all the way to fuck-all 1 decillion degrees. Why is the range of hot so much longer than the range for cold? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2v15fr/eli5_why_is_the_range_from_boiling_to_absolute/ | {
"a_id": [
"codj48o",
"codj9f1",
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"score": [
5,
3,
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],
"text": [
"Because you choose to think of freezing point as what should be the middle. It's like saying why is A-D a shorter than D-Z.",
"Because what you think of as hot or cold are rela... | [] | [
"http://www.reddit.com/r/space/comments/2uzgpa/from_absolute_zero_to_absolute_hot_the/"
] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
4p2fpg | how do flies deal with all the bacteria they attract? | Their main source of food being havens for bacteria, how do they themselves last any amount of time being covered in the stuff? Does it just not matter if they begin to be affected because their life span is so naturally short? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4p2fpg/eli5_how_do_flies_deal_with_all_the_bacteria_they/ | {
"a_id": [
"d4i076z"
],
"score": [
6
],
"text": [
"Flies have an immune system that's fairly similar to our own.\n\nThey share the ancient 'innate' system that's made up of anti-bacterial molecules and certain cells that kill bacteria, but lack the more specialised and sophisticated 'adaptive' im... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
4e9j8t | why is it important to land rockets on barges? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4e9j8t/eli5_why_is_it_important_to_land_rockets_on_barges/ | {
"a_id": [
"d1y6o2s",
"d1y6sm5",
"d1y7ejf"
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"score": [
2,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"Well, the rockets are extremely expensive. If we can get the rocket back, we can refill it with fuel and we don't have to pay to build a new one. The barge catches the rocket so we can get it back. And ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[
"https://youtu.be/lEr9cPpuAx8**",
"https://youtu.be/lEr9cPpuAx8?t=1m18s"
]
] | ||
fxubzk | programmers, aside from cost, what is preventing porting or otherwise modernizing the 220 billion lines of cobol that still run the world? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/fxubzk/eli5_programmers_aside_from_cost_what_is/ | {
"a_id": [
"fmwh98o",
"fmwhf01"
],
"score": [
7,
4
],
"text": [
"Nothing. It ultimately all comes down to cost.\n\nIt costs money to hire people to write the new code. It takes time, and therefore money, for those people to understand the existing systems. It costs a lot to rigorously tes... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
3ukelm | why do things floating in pools, lakes etc, tend to eventually float toward the edge? | EDIT: so much response! thanks!
I suppose it's a combination of most of the factors different people mentioned (specially evolution, hahaha), but its enough to calm my sudden curiosity. Thank you explainers. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ukelm/eli5why_do_things_floating_in_pools_lakes_etc/ | {
"a_id": [
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"cxfwxvx",
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"score": [
102,
5,
3,
26,
2,
3,
3
],
"text": [
"Lakes and pools have water surrounded by edges in all directions. If something that is floating has any sort of... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://cranbournestone.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Radius-Roman-End-Pool-Deck-Level-Grille-in-Danebury-Sandstone-by-Cranbourne-Stone-Ltd.jpg",
"http://imgur.com/zaYKshK",
"http://www.miamiinjurylawyer-blog.com/files/2014/02/090730NS-Inspections30_t607.jpg"
],
[],
[
"https://www.y... | |
9cwn48 | public-key cryptography | How does the public-private key system work? Why does it work? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9cwn48/eli5_publickey_cryptography/ | {
"a_id": [
"e5dplq4",
"e5dq2hx",
"e5dr2fm",
"e5e2ocg",
"e5etipy"
],
"score": [
7,
21,
53,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"In one word: maths\n\nThe fundamental idea is this: some mathematical operations are pretty quick and easy to perform, but almost impossible to reverse. A s... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://youtu.be/YEBfamv-_do"
],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
278f6a | why can't "the people" get together and kickstarter a cable company that actually cares about its customers? | It seems ridiculous to me that there isn't ever a new corporation on the scene. There's no rising stars or new players. What is it about the current state of American politics that allows these companies to fuck everyone over?
Edit 1: Explain like I'm Cletus the Slack-Jawed Yokel if you want to. I didn't go to busines... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/278f6a/eli5_why_cant_the_people_get_together_and/ | {
"a_id": [
"chyd14x",
"chydanj"
],
"score": [
5,
2
],
"text": [
"Basically the rent is too damn high. \n\nIt takes billions of dollars to lay cables and set up the infrastructure and current cable companies already have deals with cities to be exclusive. ",
"This is cost on some of th... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
78kc0v | how do they track baseballs during a game and turn it into a visualization for the audience? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/78kc0v/eli5_how_do_they_track_baseballs_during_a_game/ | {
"a_id": [
"douo15f"
],
"score": [
6
],
"text": [
"There are three cameras set up at known locations in the ball park and the distances and angles between them, the plate and pitchers mound are known precisely. Each camera records the ball as it moves from the pitcher toward the plate and the loc... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PITCHf/x",
"https://baseball.trackman.com/"
]
] | ||
bwk2yd | lightning scarring | Why does being struck by lightning leave scarring resembling lightning itself rather than just a large burn at the points of "impact"? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bwk2yd/eli5_lightning_scarring/ | {
"a_id": [
"epya5ui",
"epyd06k"
],
"score": [
3,
2
],
"text": [
"Lightning, because it is a series of rapid pulses of current, is “high frequency”. High frequency currents travel along the outside of the conductor (in this case, the body of poor dude standing out in the middle of the gol... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
3gcbif | why do pictures taken with a microscope camera look like paintings? | For example this one: _URL_0_ | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3gcbif/eli5_why_do_pictures_taken_with_a_microscope/ | {
"a_id": [
"ctwugsr",
"ctwv2uf"
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"score": [
2,
13
],
"text": [
"You are projecting a pattern you've experienced previously on something unknown. This is how humans internalize new information. \n\nAlso you are asking for an objective explanation for a subjective experience. Which nobody... | [] | [
"https://np.reddit.com/r/creepy/comments/3g8omz/spider_eyes_taken_with_a_microscope_camera/"
] | [
[],
[]
] | |
qu5f2 | why we couldn't just pull out of iraq once we found out there were no wmds | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/qu5f2/eli5_why_we_couldnt_just_pull_out_of_iraq_once_we/ | {
"a_id": [
"c40gsm1",
"c40ivdz"
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"score": [
2,
7
],
"text": [
"Lets say you made a bet with your friend that you would have sex with this crazy porn star. In order to get her in bed you end up spending a TON of money anyway (dinner, gifts, etc) but it finally happens. You are so excited... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
8mdjav | does sautéing food effect it's nutritional values? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8mdjav/eli5_does_sautéing_food_effect_its_nutritional/ | {
"a_id": [
"dzmq6dd"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"All cooking affects food's nutritional value.\n\nSautéing obviously adds oil (fat) to the food. It'll break down some of the less stable nutrients, like vitamin C. Carbohydrates may break down into sugars. Some nutrients may not change but become... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/search/list",
"https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/11286?fgcd=&manu=&format=&count=&max=25&offset=&sort=default&order=asc&qlookup=sautee&ds=&qt=&qp=&qa=&qn=&q=&ing=",
"https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/... | ||
7jkfx0 | why aren't noise cancelling headphones as effective in cancelling high pitch sounds as their in cancelling low pitch sounds? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7jkfx0/eli5_why_arent_noise_cancelling_headphones_as/ | {
"a_id": [
"dr76h0o",
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"dr7sj3u",
"dr7tspr",
"dr8cpbh"
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703,
14,
3,
8,
28
],
"text": [
"The way noise cancelling works is that it has a microphone pick up some noise and then a speaker produce that noise phase shifted 180 degrees. The resulti... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
ad9qf0 | why does lettuce turn pink shortly after you cut it? | I should specify the ends, not the whole leaves themselves | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ad9qf0/eli5_why_does_lettuce_turn_pink_shortly_after_you/ | {
"a_id": [
"edey8k8",
"edf34hw"
],
"score": [
4,
4
],
"text": [
"Lettuce contains iron. When the lettuce is cut the iron is exposed to the air and combines with oxygen to form rust, which is red.",
"It's the same reaction that causes Apples and other fruit and veg to brown.\n\nThey co... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
522e2r | gc/ms testing substances | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/522e2r/eli5_gcms_testing_substances/ | {
"a_id": [
"d7gs11k"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"It identifies molecules two ways (it's basically two machines -- a GC machine and an MS machine).\n\n1. Separates the molecules and measures characteristics like their weight (mass). This is a *mass spectrometer.*\n2. Heats up the substances and ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
4d4e85 | how do we sing in key when our voices sound different in our heads? | So I know that our own voices sound different to us because they resonate differently to our ears then to someone elses, but how does this affect singing? My voice sounds a lot deeper in my head so when I listen to a recording of talking I sound higher, so when I sing along wouldn't I be singing in a higher key then I... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4d4e85/eli5_how_do_we_sing_in_key_when_our_voices_sound/ | {
"a_id": [
"d1nnimm"
],
"score": [
11
],
"text": [
"Your head isn't thick enough to have an effect on the frequency that you hear. When you listen to a recording of your own voice, what's missing is the deeper harmonics that result from the sound travelling through you skull to the bones in your... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
7fu4ro | how come a mechanical watch changes it’s time over a long period of time | Found an old watch from a few years ago and it’s around 20 minutes behind what my current time is. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7fu4ro/eli5_how_come_a_mechanical_watch_changes_its_time/ | {
"a_id": [
"dqee8vh",
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"score": [
3,
2,
12,
2
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"text": [
"It's essentially impossible to create a mechanical watch that counts time completely accurately, especially given that the internal mechanism changes its timekeeping based on the ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[
"https://www.theverge.com/2015/4/22/8466681/most-accurate-atomic-clock-optical-lattice-strontium"
],
[]
] | |
3s4q38 | given enough time, could other animals, such as cats or dogs evolve to a similar intelligence level to humans? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3s4q38/eli5_given_enough_time_could_other_animals_such/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
122,
2382,
... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Domesticated_Red_Fox"
],
[],
[],
[
"http://rstb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/362/1480/587.short"
],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
aedv6c | air con in cars | Why does running you AC in your car use more fuel | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/aedv6c/eli5_air_con_in_cars/ | {
"a_id": [
"edog8ek",
"edormcm",
"edow7mz"
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"score": [
10,
2,
5
],
"text": [
"Because it takes energy to drive a compressor to make the air conditioner work. Energy doesn't come from nowhere, so the fuel consumption is slightly increased.",
"The AC runs on electricity. The e... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] |
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