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339gee
why are isis and taliban announcing jihad against each other.
Follow up question. What do you think the outcome will be?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/339gee/eli5_why_are_isis_and_taliban_announcing_jihad/
{ "a_id": [ "cqir7tn", "cqirrzk", "cqizt6s" ], "score": [ 4, 8, 9 ], "text": [ "same reason gangs fight each other. ISIS is more powerful but Taliban is further away and much more asymmetrical in nature. I doubt any actual conflict of importance will ever happen between them. This ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
j7c4v
can someone explain li5 the difference between vitamins, drugs, and supplements?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/j7c4v/can_someone_explain_li5_the_difference_between/
{ "a_id": [ "c29qzmi", "c29qzmi" ], "score": [ 3, 3 ], "text": [ "Vitamins are organic compounds that an organism needs to perform its tasks but can not produce itself, and therefor must acquire through food.\n\nDrugs are chemical compounds that are designed to interact with your physiolog...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
cw6qcx
how is it possible for russia - a country with a governement revenue the size of sweden - to develop advanced nuclear and non-nuclear weapons?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cw6qcx/eli5_how_is_it_possible_for_russia_a_country_with/
{ "a_id": [ "ey8m2ru", "ey8ndo2" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Most of the initial development of this was done during the era of the USSR when Russia was much larger geographically and economically. They also had complete government control over the economy. The government dictated wha...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
g20pnf
if the speakers on my computer can replicate the sound of my voice, would i be able to create the sound of my voice or anybody else's from scratch without ever recording it?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/g20pnf/eli5_if_the_speakers_on_my_computer_can_replicate/
{ "a_id": [ "fnirk0b", "fnirrx8", "fnis0i2", "fnis2cg" ], "score": [ 11, 2, 8, 5 ], "text": [ "its possible, but difficult to make voice from scratch. mostly generated speech just stitches together lots of different voice clips, smooths it over so it sounds ok. There are c...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
3tkj51
what is blood?
My daughter is 5 and she asked me this question. I tried to explain but I guess I was explaining like she was 8 or 9 because she didn't understand me at all.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3tkj51/eli5_what_is_blood/
{ "a_id": [ "cx6waw5", "cx6wdmb", "cx6we6m" ], "score": [ 2, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "It's the roadway in your body that 'cell food' travels to feed all your cells, and which they send their trash on to get rid of after they eat. At least, that's the most genuine eli5 I can think of. Obv...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
1rqmls
why do the vibrations of bass in songs pump us up?
If you listen to an awesome song on speakers without any subwoofers it's not gonna be very inspiring, but when you've got a kickass sub pumpin some vibes, it's like you're fueled by adrenaline and feel like a badass. Why?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1rqmls/eli5_why_do_the_vibrations_of_bass_in_songs_pump/
{ "a_id": [ "cdpwqig" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "there are said to be some evolutionary factors, we associate many low frequency sounds with events that may be a be a threat to our life or sudden and unexpected danger, volcanoes, earthquakes, lightning, the thundering sound of being chased by a...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infrasound" ] ]
2t0xw5
how did harry potter become so well known when other similarly good fantasy tales are more obscure?
JK Rowling published Harry Potter in 1997 in the UK and 3 years later my elementary teacher read it to us in class in Canada. By that time, the 3rd and 4th books were already out so the series must had made traction in the UK with the first few titles. The first movie came out a year later and now there is a Harry Pott...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2t0xw5/eli5_how_did_harry_potter_become_so_well_known/
{ "a_id": [ "cnupkhi" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "The first book \"Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone\" reached the New York Times best seller list shortly after its release in 1997 and remained there for years. Its sales actually dwarfed the non-children's books on the NY Times best selle...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
341va4
if our body stops producing melatonin when we're exposed to light, why do i get tired and take a nap on really sunny days?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/341va4/eli5_if_our_body_stops_producing_melatonin_when/
{ "a_id": [ "cqqiouj", "cqqjb9d" ], "score": [ 6, 5 ], "text": [ "It never \"stops\" melatonin production, it controls it. Your body constantly forms melatonin for a variety of reasons, not just based on light sensitivity. For example, you could be in a very bright room, but have gone with...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15892914" ] ]
2h4xh8
how did hackers break into target's credit card information system?
The scandal that happened about a year ago
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2h4xh8/eli5_how_did_hackers_break_into_targets_credit/
{ "a_id": [ "ckpv6r3" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "They asked the hacker known as 4chan to use the password app to hack into the database of credit cards. " ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
5pd7rt
why do cringing memories from the distant past remain so persistent? do we know what triggers them instead of other memories?
Was just reading in another sub about this, and it seems fairly common for memories of cringing moments of your past to float up to the forefront of your mind when you're trying to get to sleep. They can also trigger an avalanche of similar memories. Why is this? What could be triggering it?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5pd7rt/eli5_why_do_cringing_memories_from_the_distant/
{ "a_id": [ "dcqadat", "dcqqk85" ], "score": [ 10, 2 ], "text": [ "Your sense of self, and who you perceive yourself to be are extremely important psychologically. \n\nYou're probably familiar with cognitive dissonance - when you hold two conflicting ideas in your head. This is somewhat ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
30bnmb
why does food in the usa taste so much sweeter than food in the uk? i've heard uk visitors describe even us loaf bread 'like cake'.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/30bnmb/eli5_why_does_food_in_the_usa_taste_so_much/
{ "a_id": [ "cpqwsqq", "cpqwwii", "cpqx4gv", "cpqx6fn" ], "score": [ 5, 3, 2, 9 ], "text": [ "Because we load up our food with a bunch of random shit.", "Because they do put sugar in loaves of bread here. Its kinda ridiculous, i went to make a fuckin sandwich and my bre...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
1k27ne
why don't colorized photos look like modern color photos?
Every colorized photo I've seen looks like it was painted. Is it even possible to achieve something that looks like a modern color photo?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1k27ne/eli5_why_dont_colorized_photos_look_like_modern/
{ "a_id": [ "cbklvlp", "cbkqm8x" ], "score": [ 5, 5 ], "text": [ "It is possible to make colorized photos look more realistic, but it takes a lot more time and effort.\n\nIn a lot of colorization attempts, the artist will simply apply a (semi-transparent) brush layer of a specified color o...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://fxh.worth1000.com/contests/15230/pleasantville-17" ] ]
509uol
experimental simulation of closed timelike curves.
I found this article titled the "Experimental simulation of closed timelike curves" but I lack the background in physics to fully understand the article. Is it actually possible that scientists have found a way to send a single particle back in time? EDIT: Article Link: _URL_0_
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/509uol/eli5_experimental_simulation_of_closed_timelike/
{ "a_id": [ "d72fim2" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "There are certain solutions in general relativity that allows for time travel. This has been known for a long time. Now, I think it's fair to say that most physicists don't think time travel is actually possible. \n\n\nThere's some serious proble...
[]
[ "http://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms5145" ]
[ [] ]
36cpng
why does congress have the power to redraw their congressional districts?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/36cpng/eli5why_does_congress_have_the_power_to_redraw/
{ "a_id": [ "crcsw30", "crctivn" ], "score": [ 4, 3 ], "text": [ "Gerrymandering always occurs. [Due to the perceived issues associated with gerrymandering and its impact on competitive elections and democratic accountability, numerous countries have enacted reforms making the practice eit...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerrymandering" ], [] ]
59kdhs
is there somewhere a land which doesn't belong to any country?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/59kdhs/eli5_is_there_somewhere_a_land_which_doesnt/
{ "a_id": [ "d995889" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Yes, there is a huge bit of land in Antarctica as described in [this CGP Grey video](_URL_0_) and a small part of Saharan Africa called \"Bir Tawil\" as described in [this WonderWhy video](_URL_1_). Cyprus also has a UN buffer zone that is not of...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbKNlFcg02c", "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtLxZiiuaXs&t=6m43s" ] ]
1xhs9n
this may sound stupid, but if oxygen's vital for our survival then why doesn't our body save up some of it in the body for "later use?"
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1xhs9n/eli5_this_may_sound_stupid_but_if_oxygens_vital/
{ "a_id": [ "cfbg94k", "cfbge4v", "cfbgip2", "cfbjpai" ], "score": [ 7, 2, 4, 3 ], "text": [ "The body does save up oxygen for \"later use\" via hemoglobin in our circulation. It's just limited. If it wasn't, there would be many other complications from the altered consiste...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellular_respiration", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myoglobin", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemoglobin" ], [] ]
4k98no
how does medicine work with our body to relieve pain in different parts of our body? back ache-take an asprin. tooth ache-take the same asprin.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4k98no/eli5_how_does_medicine_work_with_our_body_to/
{ "a_id": [ "d3d5hpk", "d3d62ra", "d3d8ckw", "d3dgmzn" ], "score": [ 6, 3, 22, 3 ], "text": [ "Pretty sure painkillers just affect the whole body, there is no selective pain reduction. If you were experiencing pain in two spots on your body the same dose would affect both t...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
6d91nm
basements? i see in a lot of us tv shows and movies people having basements. i have never seen a house with one in australia. do they add considerable expense to the building of a house? is it for hurricanes, tornadoes etc
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6d91nm/eli5_basements_i_see_in_a_lot_of_us_tv_shows_and/
{ "a_id": [ "di0rvt2", "di0rz1b", "di0s0h5" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Basements are simply subterranean living areas and are only present in certain locations depending on the water table. My last house had one and it added about $30k to the cost to build it as an unfini...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queenslander_(architecture)" ], [] ]
3alpxl
why can't i comprehend what people say to me when there are other people talking in the background?
Basically when I'm talking to someone and another person started talking, I lose my concentration, and i completely can't understand what the person in front of me is saying, I can hear it, but I can't understand it, what is happening and what's causing it?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3alpxl/eli5_why_cant_i_comprehend_what_people_say_to_me/
{ "a_id": [ "csdrph2", "csdxwwi", "cse73bu" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 4 ], "text": [ "It's your brain trying to accept information from multiple sources simultaneously. Given that you say you can hear them fine, it seems as though the issue is your brain is attempting to listen to all s...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/King–Kopetzky_syndrome" ] ]
ai5fyh
why doesn’t saliva make us vomit?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ai5fyh/eli5_why_doesnt_saliva_make_us_vomit/
{ "a_id": [ "eel9cqn" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Saliva is something you are used to and doesn't really have a taste or much volume. When you get nauseated your body doesn't want more intake because it is less to throw up later. Also, it stems from protection from harmful substances not wanting...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
c9t5ts
why was there a countdown on old film movies?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/c9t5ts/eli5_why_was_there_a_countdown_on_old_film_movies/
{ "a_id": [ "et2mqu8", "et2t3z4" ], "score": [ 3, 6 ], "text": [ "The film leader assists the projectionist in when to start the film and switch reels in longer films.", "Older films were so massive in terms of how many images were projected per second that they had to split them up in...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
4bzo2o
musical notes?
I understand most musical notes. They're a specific tone like 440HZ is an A and 880HZ is an a just 1 octave higher. But why are they labeled in such a way that B and E don't have sharps? A4 is 440hz A#4/Bb4 is 466.16 B4 is 493.8 C is 523.25 Why does it go to C instead of B#/Cb because the difference in HZ is similar ...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4bzo2o/eli5musical_notes/
{ "a_id": [ "d1dts34", "d1duthn" ], "score": [ 3, 4 ], "text": [ "It's not to do with the frequency difference between 2 specific notes. Back in days of yore, before standardised music theory and notation, monks would sing in certain scales that they decided sounded good. One of the most...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
21e7lf
in america, jewish people make up 2.1% of the population. why is there a far bigger percentage of jewish people in hollywood and on television?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/21e7lf/eli5_in_america_jewish_people_make_up_21_of_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cgc6uct", "cgc6ugc", "cgc6wv7", "cgc723n", "cgc7s9f", "cgc8vjp" ], "score": [ 3, 36, 6, 19, 2, 5 ], "text": [ "Before WW2 there were a lot of producers and directors in Germany, Hungary, etc making silent films. They came over here and continued...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
6eb5bw
how do major league sports sponsorships work for individual players?
I noticed in the last few games of the NBA Finals, players like Steph Curry are wearing brands they aren't sponsored by. For example, Curry is signed with Under Armour and has his signature shoe plus some apparel, but when he's warming up on the court he's wearing the Adidas sweater shirt without sleeves. Does his spon...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6eb5bw/eli5_how_do_major_league_sports_sponsorships_work/
{ "a_id": [ "di90mg3", "di97qxu" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Rules for sponsorships are governed by the Collective Bargaining Agreement(CBA) that is negotiated between the League and the Players Union. Every major sports League in the US has one of these things. Both the League itself...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
24ndrk
why do polar bears not suffer from snow blindness?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/24ndrk/eli5_why_do_polar_bears_not_suffer_from_snow/
{ "a_id": [ "ch8sypw" ], "score": [ 33 ], "text": [ "Polar bears have a third eyelid, otherwise known as a nictitating membrane. It allows them to minimize the amount of UV radiation entering their eyes, and thus prevent snowblindness.\n\n**EDIT:** By the way, humans used to have a third eyelid as...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
3gduyf
where does the taste come from when juices say they only contain 5% of real fruit juice on the side in small print?
Drinking V8 mango peach and looked on back and it only has 5% juice... Is there any 100% juices out there on the market and why such a low Percentage common in juices? Is there a limit or something on how much can be preserved... i guess im just all around interested in any info on this. thanks guys and gals
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3gduyf/eli5_where_does_the_taste_come_from_when_juices/
{ "a_id": [ "ctx8rsn" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Take some fruit and get the juice out of them. Now you have 100% juice. Tastes great, but is very expensive to transport.\n\nNow remove water, until it only weighs 5%. Now it's much cheaper to transport.\n\nThen you add water again, the same amou...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
30t9rr
wtf is happening in the middle east with regard to the obama peace plan
I get hard left or hard right talking points all over the place but no clear-headed non-partisan information.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/30t9rr/eli5wtf_is_happening_in_the_middle_east_with/
{ "a_id": [ "cpvkws3" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Go outside the US for your news. I go to England's reporting - BBC, The Guardian, Telegraph - they give you a better view of what the world thinks of our politics. \n" ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
3x6ko3
why do we care so much about habitable planets that are several lightyears away when there is no feasible way to get there?
always struggled to grasp this concept when it seems hopeless to get any outcomes or information. is the hope that we (or rovers) may travel at light speed at some point?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3x6ko3/eli5_why_do_we_care_so_much_about_habitable/
{ "a_id": [ "cy1z296", "cy1z9t0", "cy1zvji", "cy1zzuw", "cy20inm", "cy22aj9", "cy255ux", "cy25gdy", "cy25n65", "cy25tj3", "cy2d0db", "cy2d55u", "cy2drtz" ], "score": [ 61, 8, 10, 5, 6, 8, 2, 2, 2, 5, 2, 3, 2 ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
1vdu3l
how the amount of energy used at the large hadron collider works
The LHC is designed to provide 14 TeV of energy. A TeV is approximately 1.6 x 10^-7 J, but there's 535 joules in your average slice of bread. Does this mean there's more energy in a slice of bread than there is being used at the Large Hadron Collider or am I completely misunderstanding this?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1vdu3l/eli5_how_the_amount_of_energy_used_at_the_large/
{ "a_id": [ "cer8vw4" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "The figure you cite (14 TeV) is the collision energy of *particles*. It's an enormous amount of kinetic energy to ascribe to a couple of particle sized pieces of mass.\n\nThe LHC itself uses a lot more energy to produce particles going at that v...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
3rp04n
how is milk made biochemically? do we understand it well enough and have the means to make it artificially (either cow or human milk)?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3rp04n/eli5_how_is_milk_made_biochemically_do_we/
{ "a_id": [ "cwq1zy5", "cwq5rdy", "cwq9q93" ], "score": [ 2, 7, 2 ], "text": [ "Milk is basically water that has proteins, sugar, fat and salt added to it. It is created by epithelial cells arranged in glands (called mammary glands). The glands then release it into the ducts. I'm s...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2678218/Would-YOU-drink-pint-man-cows-milk-Scientists-developing-artificial-beverage-spell-end-dairies.html" ], [] ]
7f1xbh
shaken not stirred
Can anyone explain why or what would be the difference between a shaken drink or a stirred one.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7f1xbh/eli5_shaken_not_stirred/
{ "a_id": [ "dq8w9b8", "dq8y1s1", "dq93eh7" ], "score": [ 4, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "For drinks it's much more \"high class\" to have it stirred and not shaken as many think it dilutes the ice more if it's shaken... That's why it was always odd when James bond would say shaken on stirre...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
3azegp
if some stars we see are probably nonexistent because their light takes a while to reach us, will there be a moment in the future when we see a star exploding into a supernova?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3azegp/eli5_if_some_stars_we_see_are_probably/
{ "a_id": [ "cshd6y6", "cshdb0y", "cshdf8l" ], "score": [ 7, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Yes.\n\nAnd it's happened before. _URL_0_\n\nIt's important to note that not all stars will go supernova, too. ", "Yep. There are plenty of stars in the sky that are going supernova right now (well,...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_supernova_observation" ], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betelgeuse" ], [] ]
3rs03u
why do languages originating from north europe use the latin alphabet, despite not being part of the roman empire at any point?
I know why languages like English, French, Turkish etc use the Latin alphabet, but why do languages like German, Norwegian or Estonian etc use the Latin alphabet and not a unique alphabet or Cyrillic.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3rs03u/eli5why_do_languages_originating_from_north/
{ "a_id": [ "cwqrmxi" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Those countries weren't Romanized as part of the Empire but were as part of the Church. I assume that with the arrival of Roman Catholicism, which at that time was still using Latin in all masses, so too came the Roman alphabet. /r/askhistorian...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
1unngv
why is fire so hypnotizing and satisfying to look at?
When next to a fireplace or a bonfire I always find myself staring deeply at it. It's so satisfying I could do it for hours.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1unngv/eli5_why_is_fire_so_hypnotizing_and_satisfying_to/
{ "a_id": [ "cejw5oh", "cejxo7s", "cejzav0", "cekbuyf", "cekc338" ], "score": [ 24, 8, 5, 7, 2 ], "text": [ "Probably goes back to our prehistoric affinity for it where fire kept us warm in the cold, cooked our food, and kept animals away during the night.", "Wh...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
2nquq9
why haven't companies reimagined and innovated printers? they seem to be stuck in the 90's, sure maybe they're wireless, but couldn't they be more?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2nquq9/eli5_why_havent_companies_reimagined_and/
{ "a_id": [ "cmg1jdq", "cmg3ehs" ], "score": [ 4, 2 ], "text": [ "There are a few reasons why. First, our current printing technology is hard to improve on. Mechanical devices are a pain to work with. Most consumer level robotics are terribly inconsistent - when iRobots are asked to move a...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.statista.com/statistics/252710/total-us-consumption-of-paper-and-board-since-2001/", "http://www.statista.com/statistics/270319/consumption-of-paper-and-cardboard-since-2006/" ], [] ]
d9l80e
how does our body converts external stimuli (like sound, light, etc) in electrical impulses that goes to the brain?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/d9l80e/eli5_how_does_our_body_converts_external_stimuli/
{ "a_id": [ "f1iobxu" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Light: Photoreceptive neurons have pigments (cone cells have one of three colored pigments for color vision while rod cells have a more delicate pigment for any color of light at lower brightness) in them that decay when struck by a photon. When ...
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[]
[ [] ]
6piaqg
how does a "harmonic sound" work, and why is it only on certain frets?
I've been playing around with harmonics for a while now and after I tuned my whole guitar one half-step down, I noticed that the harmonic points (is that what you even call it) remained on the same frets, 5, 7 and 12. So that's when I started to wonder why those frets are the best for harmonics and why they stay the sa...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6piaqg/eli5_how_does_a_harmonic_sound_work_and_why_is_it/
{ "a_id": [ "dkpiks3" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Harmonics involve the ratios between the notes that you play. For example if the ratio between the wavelength of your notes is 1:2, 3:2 or 4:3, it will sound good together. The Ratio of 1:2 is the note and it's octave, which is 12 semitones highe...
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agx9rs
why are south americans not « white »?
So I don’t really know how to phrase that, but both South America and North America were colonized by Europeans. Spanish people are generally as white as people from other places in Europe so how come their colonies in South America made a new ethnicity? Edit: to clarify where that question comes from, I’m from Europ...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/agx9rs/eli5_why_are_south_americans_not_white/
{ "a_id": [ "ee9o1eu", "ee9o3oa", "ee9scal", "eealqiq" ], "score": [ 8, 7, 6, 2 ], "text": [ "They were colonized but the settlers didn't take over unoccupied territory. The Inca and Maya people's had major civilizations beforehand for example and they form a large portion ...
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ah6asx
how do non-liquid millionaires pay for things
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ah6asx/eli5how_do_nonliquid_millionaires_pay_for_things/
{ "a_id": [ "eebs6h8" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "buying stocks is basically buying a portion of the company's profit, so once a year the total profit that the company made is distributed to the people who bought the stocks instead of going to the workers. " ] }
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103npt
hivemind
You know, the whole Hivemind/bandwagon effect where everyone just kind of goes with something for no apparent reason. Why do we do this? What causes this to happen? How would one cause something like this to happen?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/103npt/eli5_hivemind/
{ "a_id": [ "c6a5nzw" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Psychology, more or less. And people tend to agree with others. And most people only read the top comments, so they get an excessive amount of upvotes compared to the others." ] }
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b5y06v
what are "germs"? when a dirty kitchen has "harmful germs," which specific bacteria or viruses are present?
People always say that having a clean house or bathroom is important, but being "too clean" can promote allergies, and having pets in a house makes it "dirtier," but is associated with better health and longer lives. So which specific bacteria/viruses are the bad ones? Are there hundreds of baddies, or just a few that ...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/b5y06v/eli5_what_are_germs_when_a_dirty_kitchen_has/
{ "a_id": [ "ejgs7br" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "\"Germs\" in common use can mean a virus or bacteria.\n\nBactria make up the bulk of biomass on the Earth. In fact, most of the DNA in your body isn't \"you\". When it comes down to it we're nothing more than very successful hosts for a whole r...
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[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salmonella", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escherichia_coli", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listeria_monocytogenes", "https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100614171907.htm" ] ]
aidaxz
why is shuffling a youtube playlist not actually random?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/aidaxz/eli5why_is_shuffling_a_youtube_playlist_not/
{ "a_id": [ "eemviyf" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "It is actually random. \n \nYou can get recurring entries in a random sequence. iTunes was actually faced with the same question as you are asking. People complained that the shuffle function didn't \"feel\" random, as listeners would get the s...
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4ewdja
when do we observe red shift?
Let's say you're on a spaceship moving towards a red shifting Galaxy (observed from Earth). The spaceship is approaching the galaxy faster than the galaxy is moving away from the ship. Would an observer on the spaceship not be able to see any signs that the galaxy is red shifting away from the Earth?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4ewdja/eli5_when_do_we_observe_red_shift/
{ "a_id": [ "d23vqf7" ], "score": [ 10 ], "text": [ "RobusEtCaleritas is right. You can imagine it this way: \n\nImagine you're standing in the ocean at the beach, a short distance from the shore. Waves move toward you at a constant pace. Let's say you are hit by one swell every 10 seconds. If you...
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8nd9uq
how did pre-clothing female humans thousands of years ago do anything remotely physical without breast support?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8nd9uq/eli5_how_did_preclothing_female_humans_thousands/
{ "a_id": [ "dzuo4hm", "dzuol63" ], "score": [ 3, 3 ], "text": [ "A major aspect of this is that breasts are fatty tissue, and humans living outside modern affluent society are much less likely to have a high percentage of body fat. Obviously there are some thin people who happen to have l...
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[ [], [] ]
egrbm4
why is the year counted from the birth of jesus all over the world, even by non-christians etc? how has that come to be?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/egrbm4/eli5_why_is_the_year_counted_from_the_birth_of/
{ "a_id": [ "fc8xzzo", "fc8yges", "fc8yrbk", "fc8zg7d", "fc91sqs" ], "score": [ 3, 13, 4, 2, 37 ], "text": [ "Is Jesus' bday on 1 January? (Honest question)", "The people who used that calendar colonized or otherwise exerted political influence over many other p...
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[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
2lk5s8
how do military tank members relieve themselves in combat?
How do military tank members relieve themselves in combat if it is unsafe to leave the tank? There's been talk about integrating women into tank units as well as infantry, will this have any impact on current standard procedures? [yes yes the is about how soldiers pee and poop in a tank, no I could not find information...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2lk5s8/eli5_how_do_military_tank_members_relieve/
{ "a_id": [ "clvjna9", "clvk0yh" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "I've known some that just... go. Others when the flight or fight response kicks in say they simply dont feel the need to go anymore.", "Piss on the next unloaded round so you can add insult to injury." ] }
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[ [], [] ]
60ho41
the byford dolphin explosive decompression accident.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/60ho41/eli5_the_byford_dolphin_explosive_decompression/
{ "a_id": [ "df6i0vb" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "There is a practice called saturation diving where commercial divers working at great depth, usually on oil drilling installations, stay at the pressure of their seafloor work site for weeks at a time since decompressing safely from those depths ...
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5trqq1
cars - do you require more steering input to get the same turning circle at higher speeds?
*providing traction between tyre and tarmac is not broken. Long ongoing debate between friends. Friend A says: If I'm cruising along the motorway at 70 and I approach a bend, I turn my wheel let's say 10deg to make the bend. If I approach at 90 and turn the wheel the same 10deg the car will travel along the same line...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5trqq1/eli5_cars_do_you_require_more_steering_input_to/
{ "a_id": [ "ddoj1tf" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "You both are kind of right.\n\nAs the question is phrased, your friend is mostly right, the cars will travel along most the same line...**if traction between tyre and tarmac is not broken**.\n\nBut, it will require more force to maintain that 10^...
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390of2
why can i focus and concentrate so much better when it's late at night?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/390of2/eli5_why_can_i_focus_and_concentrate_so_much/
{ "a_id": [ "crzcdgf", "crzcwjp", "crzcxpi" ], "score": [ 5, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Serotonin levels? I am full of creativity and energy when it's time to go to bed and feel like ten pounds of shit in a five pound bag when I first wake up.", "I think it's partly stress reduction. ...
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[ [], [], [] ]
5ddxvj
how chemicals such as those used by exterminators can be classified as 'safe for humans' if they aren't tested on humans?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5ddxvj/eli5_how_chemicals_such_as_those_used_by/
{ "a_id": [ "da3t7nj", "da3u57f", "da3z2ji" ], "score": [ 2, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "It would be unethical to test chemicals on humans for the purpose of determining if they're harmful. What if you accidentally make something highly poisonous and make a bunch of people sick? Also, who w...
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[ [], [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Median_lethal_dose" ] ]
dcyin7
why are desktop pc components still so large?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dcyin7/eli5_why_are_desktop_pc_components_still_so_large/
{ "a_id": [ "f2cv8c0" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "To use your specific example, the mobile and desktop versions of PUBG (and most other games) are not the same. Even if they run at the same resolution and framerate, and feature the same gameplay, the desktop version can use models with a higher ...
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1apgva
what does it feel like to have cancer?
Followup: What does Chemo feel like?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1apgva/eli5_what_does_it_feel_like_to_have_cancer/
{ "a_id": [ "c9018nk" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "currently doing chemo. unless you have cancer in your eye or something, you dont feel it. there are effects, like my tumor is on my optic chiasm so i have slightly decreased vision. you also dont feel the chemo unless its cold or something. my...
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1uymia
lawyers of reddit: does the affordable care act mandate insurance coverage? what about 42 usc 18115?
[42 USC 18115:](_URL_0_) "No individual, company, business, nonprofit entity, or health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage shall be required to participate in any Federal health insurance program created under this Act (or any amendments made by this Act), or in any Federal health ...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1uymia/eli5lawyers_of_reddit_does_the_affordable_care/
{ "a_id": [ "cemxuqv" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Well, the way it's worded, this *sounds* like it's talking about organizations/entities who provide insurance to others. It isn't saying that no one is required to participate in the ACA -- that would be ridiculous to include a caveat in a new l...
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[ "http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/18115?quicktabs_8=1#quicktabs-8" ]
[ [] ]
2l6z5m
no shave november / movember - where did it come from? what's the point?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2l6z5m/eli5_no_shave_november_movember_where_did_it_come/
{ "a_id": [ "cls1j4v" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Most of these \"No Shave\" things are promotions intended to raise awareness and money for men's health issues - things like prostate and testicular cancer.\n\nIt's like the ALS Ice Bucket thing - it's just a viral way to spread the message. Peo...
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3rky0y
why is the currency euros unstable?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3rky0y/eli5why_is_the_currency_euros_unstable/
{ "a_id": [ "cwozlme" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Euros are a stable currency, it's at a relative low to teh past 5 years, but it's traded in a +/- 20% bnd that whole time." ] }
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zret6
how does epigenetics work? how much can your actions change the genes you pass on, and in what way?
What's it all about? How much can your actions change the genes you pass on, and in what way? Can I use this to influence physical and/or mental capability of my offspring? EDIT. For clarity.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/zret6/eli5_how_does_epigenetics_work_how_much_can_your/
{ "a_id": [ "c672a3t" ], "score": [ 16 ], "text": [ "Your genes are made of DNA. We think of DNA as a pretty static molecule, that never changes or varies once we've inherited it. As it would turn out, there are lots of chemical processes that can happen to the DNA (such as chemicals sticking to i...
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27u0zy
how does ipv6 ip addresses work?
IPv4 is fairly easy to understand. Whenever I read anything describing IPv6, my eyes glaze over. I've read the typical end user lan has roughly 2x10^19 available IP addresses - is this true?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/27u0zy/eli5_how_does_ipv6_ip_addresses_work/
{ "a_id": [ "ci4d0y7", "ci4ddyl", "ci4eglh" ], "score": [ 7, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "IPv4 is a 32 bit address. IPv6 is 128 bits. IPV4 is noted in a format called the dotted quad, made of 4 decimal numbers separated by a period. IPv6 is 8 groups of 4 hexadecimal numbers. There any man...
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cq8ndx
why are ancient greek so important that we have to study them at school?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cq8ndx/eli5_why_are_ancient_greek_so_important_that_we/
{ "a_id": [ "ewuk6wg", "ewul6lp", "ewumhkx" ], "score": [ 6, 3, 4 ], "text": [ "They advanced a lot of fields in ways we still use. Mathmatics, philosophy, language, aspects of our government. A lot of what we do today is rooted in how the Greeks did things.", "Much of the worl...
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[ [], [], [] ]
6otte3
antifa
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6otte3/eli5_antifa/
{ "a_id": [ "dkk5r20", "dkk5r73", "dkk8gar" ], "score": [ 8, 2, 4 ], "text": [ "Extreme left wing political group.\n\nTends to be full of Anarchists and/or Communists.\n\nUses violence and intimidation to further their political goals.\n\nResponsible for riots and firebombing cars,...
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[ [], [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/Ask_Politics/comments/67i322/what_is_antifa/" ], [ "https://www.njhomelandsecurity.gov/analysis/anarchist-extremists-antifa", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-fascism" ] ]
27aha2
if everyone is so against racism, why do we label races, offer benefits and scholarships to certain minorities, and expect certain ethnic groups to like certain politicians just because of their ethnicities?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/27aha2/eli5_if_everyone_is_so_against_racism_why_do_we/
{ "a_id": [ "chywqqk", "chywr4k", "chywuti", "chywz17", "chyx94f", "chyxbh7", "chyxdjx", "chyxrqp", "chyxv3r", "chyyf1b", "chyylxt", "chyyys1", "chyz21c", "chz014k", "chz09sn" ], "score": [ 150, 6, 2, 4, 8, 6, 16, 3, 1...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
27gh9s
what happens if apple, amazon, or google go belly up? unlikely though it may be, what would happen to all the digital content i've purchased from them?
No I haven't read the fine print on the user or license agreements. I can't. I'd rather be in a human centipad.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/27gh9s/eli5_what_happens_if_apple_amazon_or_google_go/
{ "a_id": [ "ci0kzgm" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "That's a billion a year for over 100 years, just like I said buddy." ] }
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3iskk5
are us cops really racist or is there just a crazy reaction whenever its a black guy getting shot?
Are these cops REALLY discriminating? From what ive seen these are just twitchy ass cops that perhaps should be trained better going overboard, cant help but feeling that the rioters and protesters are making it more about race than it is Would like an explanation as im not too deep into the details
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3iskk5/eli5_are_us_cops_really_racist_or_is_there_just_a/
{ "a_id": [ "cuja0gh", "cuja100", "cujam1z", "cujao7b" ], "score": [ 9, 3, 7, 3 ], "text": [ "This is a tough one, and I absolutely don't want to undersell the issue, as its terrible no matter how you slice it.\n\nNumbers are tough to come by, but there are something like 3...
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[ [], [], [], [ "http://csgjusticecenter.org/reentry/posts/researchers-examine-effects-of-a-criminal-record-on-prospects-for-employment/", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adrian_Schoolcraft" ] ]
91rjzr
how come films that are old (20+ years) can be put on blu-ray and look like they were filmed nowadays?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/91rjzr/eli5_how_come_films_that_are_old_20_years_can_be/
{ "a_id": [ "e3053e6", "e3054xt", "e306c0p" ], "score": [ 5, 8, 2 ], "text": [ "Because film is analog and therefore has incredibly high resolution. You can keep scanning the original film using better and better cameras to make increasingly good digital copies. ", "Film grain ...
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[ [], [], [] ]
5kdxsc
kwanzaa
I mean no offense by this question but.. as it starts today, I'm reading news articles that discuss the long standing tradition of Kwanzaa. Reading about it from Wikipedia and other sources suggests it's a fairly new holiday. I never know what to think about this holiday and would love insight for those who celebrate i...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5kdxsc/eli5_kwanzaa/
{ "a_id": [ "dbn8l1y", "dbndtz4", "dbnlzw7" ], "score": [ 13, 5, 4 ], "text": [ "Kwanzaa is a secular holiday, meaning that it's not religious in nature. The festival itself is observed by a large number of African Americans, between the 26th of December until the 1st of January. K...
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[ [], [], [] ]
36nxzk
antibiotic resistance
There is a lot of discussion all over the internet about Antibiotic Resistance. However, I can't seem to get a clarification on something. Antibiotic Resistance is partly caused by the over prescription of antibiotics. Natural selection happens, and bacteria in the body eventually builds a resistance to certain antibi...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/36nxzk/eli5_antibiotic_resistance/
{ "a_id": [ "crfjzep" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "The reason overuse of antibiotics cause resistance is that the bacteria that are resistant to the antibiotic are selected for quicker (i.e. the only survivors). This is mainly due to genetic factors that alter the bacteria's physical make-up like...
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5ipi4r
how does home equity really work?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5ipi4r/eli5_how_does_home_equity_really_work/
{ "a_id": [ "db9yr7t" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "It's simply a term for the percentage of the value of the home you do not owe to a mortgage (or similar lien).\n\nFor example, you take out a mortgage for a home valued at $100k with a down payment of $20k, thus a mortgage of $80k. Your equity is...
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35djrf
how video game backwards compatibility works, and why don't any of the new consoles feature bc if they've had it for their previous consoles?
Besides Nintendo and their consistent addition of backwards compatibility to their consoles, home and portable, the new consoles don't allow it. Is there a technical reason why? Or are they somehow profiting from it? How does BC work in general? Surely similar but advanced hardware can support games of previous consol...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/35djrf/eli5_how_video_game_backwards_compatibility_works/
{ "a_id": [ "cr3fa81", "cr3fnv2" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Cost.\n\nThere are 2 ways of running older games on the newer consoles. Emulation or having the hardware.\n\nEmulation costs a lot in terms of computing power. This is because it literally involves translating different lang...
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[ [], [] ]
3u1uae
how does cutting tinfoil with scissors sharpen them?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3u1uae/eli5how_does_cutting_tinfoil_with_scissors/
{ "a_id": [ "cxba8lt" ], "score": [ 12 ], "text": [ "This works by cutting several pieces of folded foil.\n\nAs you cut the top layer of foil that layer is \"pushed\" sideways by the angle of the blade and rubs along the blade. \n\nAs you cut more layers the combined pressure of the sheets means t...
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[ [ "http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/narsil_draug/sharpness.jpg" ] ]
2h8h3h
why are home fridges not transparent like in convenience stores?
I'm referring to the doors. It would let people see what's inside... but it hasn't caught on it appears.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2h8h3h/eli5_why_are_home_fridges_not_transparent_like_in/
{ "a_id": [ "ckqbkir", "ckqbli4" ], "score": [ 6, 3 ], "text": [ "Because the doors are filled with insulation, which is more important for home use than convenience store use, since at convenience stores people are constantly opening and closing them all the time.", "Often home units ...
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3tgak3
why does the federal government allow states like north carolina (and probably others) to monopolize liquor sales?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3tgak3/eli5_why_does_the_federal_government_allow_states/
{ "a_id": [ "cx5uwur", "cx5v1fo", "cx5xqm8" ], "score": [ 3, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "State's rights.\n\nThere is no constitutional article or amendment saying that alcohol sales can't be monopolized or state-run. Additionally, the constitution for the most part reserves powers to the st...
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[ [], [], [] ]
58m4c9
we're crossing paths with halley's comet... but how near did we come to colliding?
Later today, as I understand, Earth will pass through the debris 'trail' of Halley's Comet. Since we're passing through the trail it has left behind, does that mean that the Comet has recently passed through where we currently are? And if so, how long ago?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/58m4c9/eli5_were_crossing_paths_with_halleys_comet_but/
{ "a_id": [ "d91ingu", "d91iun5", "d91mnlr" ], "score": [ 14, 5, 6 ], "text": [ "Not even close\n\n[\"Halley's Comet is arguably the most famous comet. It is a \"periodic\" comet and returns to Earth's vicinity about every 75 years, making it possible for a human to see it twice in...
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[]
[ [ "http://www.space.com/19878-halleys-comet.html" ], [], [] ]
1ju21b
why does electricity require a circuit?
Why can't the electrons just flow from point A to point B. Why do they need to flow back to point A again?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ju21b/why_does_electricity_require_a_circuit/
{ "a_id": [ "cbiai55" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "The problem here is that electrons are negatively charged, and like charges repel. So if you start pumping electrons to one end of a wire, that end will get more and more negatively charged, and the opposite end will get more and more positively...
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e3zsep
since metabolizing alcohol is a constant rate, how do you build up alcohol tolerance?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/e3zsep/eli5_since_metabolizing_alcohol_is_a_constant/
{ "a_id": [ "f95t3wm" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "Alcohol metabolism isn’t done at a constant rate and varies between people and from day-to-day. So you can get better (or worse) at metabolizing alcohol.\n\nYou also get used to operating in an impaired state if you do it a lot. Your nervous syst...
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61a8u9
why has no one disrupted the home printer and ink industry yet?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/61a8u9/eli5_why_has_no_one_disrupted_the_home_printer/
{ "a_id": [ "dfcwpbi", "dfcxvay" ], "score": [ 6, 4 ], "text": [ "They have, sort of. Black and white laser printers have a significantly cheaper cost of ownership (when you include not just the price of the printer, but also the toner). So if people would realize that (a) they never pri...
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[ [], [] ]
5wbodl
how does google photos know what is on my pictures?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5wbodl/eli5_how_does_google_photos_know_what_is_on_my/
{ "a_id": [ "de8t1c0", "de9eqkg" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Image recognition and detection. It's really cool stuff, to show a computer thousands/millions photos of dogs, and you program it to learn from those photos and recognize what a dog looks like, and Google Images is a great s...
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[ [], [] ]
6phvfp
why is there so much more food in cold oceans than warm oceans? aren't warm oceans more favorable for plant and animal growth?
I like watching documentaries on ocean life. Many of them mention that much of the nutrition in the pacific comes from arctic currents. Why wouldn't their be more abundant food in warm water vs cold water, like there is on warm land vs cold land?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6phvfp/eli5why_is_there_so_much_more_food_in_cold_oceans/
{ "a_id": [ "dkpeptt", "dkpf94a", "dkpgies" ], "score": [ 11, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Cold water can hold on to more oxygen than warm water so more life can grow and thrive in colder waters.", "Cold waters are more nutrient-rich. This means more tiny critters can grow in the cold. ...
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1dox4t
why are pickles so much smaller than cucumbers?
Does the pickling process shrink the cucumber?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1dox4t/eli5_why_are_pickles_so_much_smaller_than/
{ "a_id": [ "c9sem6e" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "Whole pickles are not made with the same cucumbers you buy for salads. Pickling cucumbers tend to be much smaller and have a firmer texture and stronger flavor than salad cucumbers." ] }
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2oq51g
why does an execution by firing squad have blank shots?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2oq51g/eli5_why_does_an_execution_by_firing_squad_have/
{ "a_id": [ "cmph304", "cmpi1nc" ], "score": [ 8, 2 ], "text": [ "I'm pretty sure it's so that nobody actually knows who fired the kill shot so no individual needs to feel guilty. I would assume at the very least", "It helps assuage the guilt of the firing squad participants, each can ...
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a2cxbb
why is the download speed of a file always less than the speed shown on an internet speed test like ookla?
For example, my current internet speed is roughly 30mb/sec... but my Sims 4 update is only downloading at roughly 1mb/sec. Where does the rest of my internet go?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a2cxbb/eli5_why_is_the_download_speed_of_a_file_always/
{ "a_id": [ "eax263f", "eax2m5x", "eax39c7", "eaxk927" ], "score": [ 5, 18, 4, 3 ], "text": [ "You are limitless by the file hosts available bandwidth. Many times they limit the speed to an individual user so that it is more fairly spread amongst everyone. ", "First of ...
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3w4o2e
supply-side (trickle down) economics and their impact on the american economy today
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3w4o2e/eli5_supplyside_trickle_down_economics_and_their/
{ "a_id": [ "cxtbqp9", "cxtf2af" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Supply-side and trickle down are not the same thing.\n\nSupply-side, shockingly enough, concerns itself with the supply curve. In macroeconomics there is the aggregate demand and aggregate supply curve. Business cycle theory...
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3xfahu
why do most advertisements leave out the name of the "competing brand"?
In [this promo video](_URL_0_), they purposefully make it very clear what brands A, B, and Y are. However, they never name them explicitly. I have also noticed that many commercials talk about "competing" and "industry leading" brands, but never actually name them.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3xfahu/eli5_why_do_most_advertisements_leave_out_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cy455he", "cy4571z" ], "score": [ 7, 3 ], "text": [ "It'd be free advertising for their competitors. Even if the comparison is bad for the rival company, just saying the name is advertising. Similar to political ads", "Most companies don't want to be accused of Libel or sl...
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[ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1EKhIXlSfc&feature=youtu.be&t=54s" ]
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1uz60w
why does more data cost more?
Why do phone companies charge more for data overages/usage. (e.g. Verizon charges $10 for each gigabyte of data you use that exceeds your plan) In this modern day and age, I can't imagine any reason why this is a thing. Well, unless it's just greed.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1uz60w/eli5_why_does_more_data_cost_more/
{ "a_id": [ "cen3rto", "cen67ry" ], "score": [ 4, 3 ], "text": [ "Cell networks are oversubscribed, meaning that under normal circumstances, the average user does not hit their limit. This allows the provider to resell excess capacity to more subscribers at presumably at a lower cost. Your...
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p9rw4
how someone can be charged with multiple counts of murder for one act.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/p9rw4/eli5_how_someone_can_be_charged_with_multiple/
{ "a_id": [ "c3nn42l", "c3nnk28" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "If you drunk drove and killed a family, should you be on the hook for 1 count, or 1 count for each person of the family? ", "You get charged by the death not by the act. They can try you several times, or just once and ...
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37wfn5
why does a scale read more weight when force is exerted on it?
Say someone weighing 180lbs steps on a scale. If they were to exert force on the scale with their legs, why does the scale read more weight for a second? Don't they weigh the same no matter how much force they're exerting?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/37wfn5/eli5_why_does_a_scale_read_more_weight_when_force/
{ "a_id": [ "crqc144", "crqcanj", "crqcd20" ], "score": [ 6, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "There's a difference between weight and mass; mass is the amount of physical matter that makes up an object, while weight is a measure of force--specifically the force that gravity exerts on a mass.\n\n...
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91xw65
how does your eye react to small things that you can't see and close on its own.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/91xw65/eli5_how_does_your_eye_react_to_small_things_that/
{ "a_id": [ "e31o480" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Your brain reacts to a threat it \"sees\" before it processes what it has seen. That combined with your body naturally also getting on high alert in this situation help it to respond quicker than what we can physically see. \n\nTheres always a sl...
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7259zv
why is it that racecar tires wear out with a few laps while the tires on a regular car can last years?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7259zv/eli5_why_is_it_that_racecar_tires_wear_out_with_a/
{ "a_id": [ "dnft2s0", "dnfvs68" ], "score": [ 10, 7 ], "text": [ "Race car tires are usually softer in order to increase grip, but this makes them less resistant to wear. Also, race cars tend to accelerate, brake, and turn *much* harder than normal driving, which increases friction agains...
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dmddax
what is the tor network and what should /shouldn't i be using it for?
What is the Tor network and what should /shouldn't I be using it for? From what I gather, Tor network is not a secure internet, it is *another* internet. How does one pull off such a thing on the same infrastructure? Does a person doing regular internet stuff need to know how and when to use it? Will using it put yo...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dmddax/eli5_what_is_the_tor_network_and_what_should/
{ "a_id": [ "f4zg0x3", "f4zp8ka", "f4zzidj", "f50kyt2", "f53l3h5" ], "score": [ 10, 2, 8, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "It is not illegal to use it, and nobody will put you on a watchlist. Except if you're from a country where it's banned like China, but I assume you live in t...
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[ [], [ "https://thehiddenwiki.org/" ], [], [], [] ]
2w6ni8
how do youtube videos from brand new accounts go viral?
How do these videos get discovered? Especially with new musicians since no one is going to be searching for the exact song name and artist.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2w6ni8/eli5_how_do_youtube_videos_from_brand_new/
{ "a_id": [ "coo23c1" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "The artist promotes the video themselves. Just because they don't have a large YouTube channel they might still have a significant number of followers on social media like Facebook/Twitter/Instagram. They can also post links to sites like reddit ...
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1ufk0g
how come when i punch in my dreams, it feels like i am punching underwater?
Whenever I get into a fight in my dreams, I always have trouble throwing punches. Why is this?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ufk0g/eli5_how_come_when_i_punch_in_my_dreams_it_feels/
{ "a_id": [ "cehjz4l", "cehk1v6" ], "score": [ 18, 42 ], "text": [ "Tell me about it. I have the most frustrating time trying to run away from zombies.", "As answered [here](_URL_0_), \n\n > It's because punching (like running) is a highly-coordinated activity that relies on proprioce...
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[ [], [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/gg3dj/why_cant_i_throw_good_punches_in_my_dreams_i_cant/c1nbibg" ] ]
2a7wq8
why do you have to pay taxes on a house you build yourself, given that you have already paid taxes on all materials and outside labor?
Assume you find raw, unadulterated land and decide to build a house on it. I kind of get paying property tax for the land as you are a resident of that community and your taxes help maintain roads and build public offices, etc. But, why would you have to pay taxes on something that was nonexistent until you thought it...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2a7wq8/eli5_why_do_you_have_to_pay_taxes_on_a_house_you/
{ "a_id": [ "ciscx3m", "ciscxha", "cisdmvv", "cisdxkq", "cisehaz", "cisk2mz", "cislphl" ], "score": [ 2, 21, 9, 8, 2, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "I like this question.", "You pay taxes on the property based on its value. Having a house on it increases its...
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[ "http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2a7wq8/eli5_why_do_you_have_to_pay_taxes_on_a_house_you/cislphl" ]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_value_tax" ], [] ]
99kl9o
why does bass travel through objects so well?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/99kl9o/eli5_why_does_bass_travel_through_objects_so_well/
{ "a_id": [ "e4oep6z" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Higher frequency has a short, tight wave. Lower frequency has a long rolling wave. The higher frequency bounces off objects easier, because it's more likely to hit on a \"flat\" side of the wave. Because lower frequency isnt as wavy, it can penet...
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6lfr7a
how do corn farmers make a profit when corn is so cheap?
I live in a farming area, so it's a little embarrassing that I don't know the answer to this question. But, my boyfriend pointed out the other day that Giant had a special, 10 ears of corn for $2 - a great deal, but sweet corn is pretty cheap to begin with and we were wondering how a farmer could possibly profit from t...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6lfr7a/eli5_how_do_corn_farmers_make_a_profit_when_corn/
{ "a_id": [ "djtgkyc", "djth7nf", "djti6y2", "djtkoyy", "djtkuir", "djttfs9" ], "score": [ 2, 3, 2, 24, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Even if corn is cheap, if they can grow it more cheaply, they make a profit.\n\nAlso, just because one supermarket bought too much corn...
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[ [], [], [], [], [ "http://markets.businessinsider.com/commodities/corn-price", "http://www.cornandsoybeandigest.com/blog/usda-projects-record-corn-and-soybean-crop-2016", "http://www.fooddialogues.com/agriculture-101/", "http://www.macrotrends.net/2532/corn-prices-historical-chart-data" ],...
5r3y10
why do many babies sleep with their butts in the air?
My 1 year old sleeps with his bum in the air. I was wondering about that, and apparently many babies do. But why? It seems so uncomfortable really
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5r3y10/eli5_why_do_many_babies_sleep_with_their_butts_in/
{ "a_id": [ "dd47zvj" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "They're comfortable in the fetal position, usually when they can't roll over they will curl up in the position they were put down, so put face down, butt goes up!" ] }
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3jkkoq
if you can't get an erection in space, does anything abnormal after the first erection when you get back ( from like a 6 month journey or soemthing )
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3jkkoq/eli5_if_you_cant_get_an_erection_in_space_does/
{ "a_id": [ "cuq157u" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Can you not get an erection in space?!" ] }
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1pee3i
according to people who blame the jews for killing jesus--why do they even think that jesus' death was a bad thing?
I've always wondered this. The entire religion seems to be predicated on the concept that Jesus died for humanity's sins and was then resurrected. So, his death was then a GOOD thing, because, y'know, it's a fundamental concept of the religion. No Death/Resurrection = no Christianity. So, I don't care who you blame f...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1pee3i/eli5_according_to_people_who_blame_the_jews_for/
{ "a_id": [ "cd1glrz", "cd1gpoy", "cd1hm26" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Two points, strictly theology.\n\n1. The death of Jesus is *necessary* in the ideas Christianity, but that doesn't mean it's \"good\".\n2. Canonically, Jesus FORGAVE those who killed him, so ignorant Ch...
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3zpff0
why do some people with type 1 diabetes need to eat sugar if their pancreas still releases glucagon which releases sugar back into the body?
It's probably very simple but I don't get it...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3zpff0/eli5_why_do_some_people_with_type_1_diabetes_need/
{ "a_id": [ "cynxdy1", "cynxp2k", "cyny4s4" ], "score": [ 4, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "It's not glucose that the body needs, it's insulin. Which the pancreas no longer produces and why people w/ type 1 diabetes need to take insulin.", "Insulin drives glucose out of the blood into cell...
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4lhwvn
why do most tech can't go past january 1, 1970? or have errors when they do?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4lhwvn/eli5_why_do_most_tech_cant_go_past_january_1_1970/
{ "a_id": [ "d3nffml" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "This is day zero in informatics. The base of computed day/time calculation. There is a number that can't be negative, increasing every second to figure out the current time/date since 01.01.1970 0:00. This date is represented by the number zero o...
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82a93l
how does hand sanitizer "evaporate"?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/82a93l/eli5_how_does_hand_sanitizer_evaporate/
{ "a_id": [ "dv8kgyi" ], "score": [ 9 ], "text": [ "Hand sanitizer has a high alcohol content which requires less energy to evaporate than water. Also, because it's on your hands, it is pulling heat from you very quickly (you'll notice it makes your hands cold)." ] }
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3bf4gx
why do doctors test the "knee-jerk" reaction? why is it important?
What are they looking for and what are the implications if someone doesn't have the reaction?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3bf4gx/eli5_why_do_doctors_test_the_kneejerk_reaction/
{ "a_id": [ "cslklwl", "csll3d7", "csllkt9", "cslm94y", "cslo2h4" ], "score": [ 3, 23, 2, 21, 2 ], "text": [ "~~They're looking for neurological issues. Each reaction that they can test (knee jerk is the most common) can be traced back to a part of the brain. If the...
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3spmal
why does micro usb have five pins on one end, if there are only four wires in the cable, and the other end has only four pins?
I never found a satisfying explanation for this. Is there a reasonable use for the fifth pin? (Is it ever used in real life? Or is it just a theoretical use?) Why couldn't they just do that same thing, but with four pins? Also, I'm aware there are five pins in Mini USB, but likewise, I have no real idea why.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3spmal/eli5_why_does_micro_usb_have_five_pins_on_one_end/
{ "a_id": [ "cwzcavh" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "The first USB standard required that a plug either be a dedicated master or slave device and this is why standard usb cables have different shaped plugs on each end. With later versions, it was decided that a device should be able to choose wheth...
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