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3stfg4
why does baking soda and water remove scratches from plastic?
A while back ago I had a Timex watch and it was scratched beyond belief. I had no idea how to fix it but in that time I was obsessed with baking soda and it's multiple uses. Surprisingly it worked well but was curious why? (I assume it fills in the cracks?)
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3stfg4/eli5_why_does_baking_soda_and_water_remove/
{ "a_id": [ "cx07luk" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Baking soda is lightly abrasive.\n\nIt may have polished out the scratches or just taken the edges off to make them less noticeable." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
4ddpqc
what is a choke hold?
I always thought it was a fake wrestling move, but it turns out its real. How and why does it work?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4ddpqc/eli5_what_is_a_choke_hold/
{ "a_id": [ "d1pzu64", "d1pzvgg" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Respiratory and vascular chokeholds restrict blood flow to the brain, depriving it of oxygen. In turn, somebody being \"choked out\" loses consciousness. If the brain is deprived of oxygen for prolonged periods, serious brai...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
paw9j
syria, and why russia and china wont condemn assad's regime.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/paw9j/eli5_syria_and_why_russia_and_china_wont_condemn/
{ "a_id": [ "c3nw487" ], "score": [ 20 ], "text": [ "Countries like America and France condemn the Assad regime for mistreating its own people. Some people believe that when governments are mistreating their own people, ie. shooting, torturing, imprisoning them, that other countries have a respon...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
18w41s
who created the economic 'norm' where we work for five days and only get two off?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/18w41s/eli5_who_created_the_economic_norm_where_we_work/
{ "a_id": [ "c8iisa7" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "This wasn't the norm until well into the 20th century, and still isn't in many parts of the world. Resting on *one* day of the week is fairly common and is probably related to the Bible. Adding another day off was a move to improve working con...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
4fnkz0
what does it means that united health pulls out of obamacare?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4fnkz0/eli5_what_does_it_means_that_united_health_pulls/
{ "a_id": [ "d2acc72", "d2accqh", "d2acemv", "d2afoa1", "d2agryk", "d2ahs9f", "d2aim7v", "d2ajlls", "d2akevq", "d2av9gm" ], "score": [ 61, 2, 10, 2, 6, 5, 2, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "They aren't exiting from the ACA, they are exi...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [ "http://www.healthcarepayernews.com/news/unitedhealth-2015-profit-slides-720-million-insurance-exchange-loss#.VxeqP3pPV_M" ], [], [], [], [], [] ]
2sq1w3
why are so many roads paralleled by ditches?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2sq1w3/eli5_why_are_so_many_roads_paralleled_by_ditches/
{ "a_id": [ "cnrtxb0" ], "score": [ 15 ], "text": [ "Because perpendicular ditches have shown to be too bumpy.\n\nIn all seriousness though, it's for a lot of water run-off and stopping cars/providing security. In the city, there are storm drains and sewer grates that the water can run into during...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
63w92q
why does a 4 legged table wobble whereas a 3 legged does not?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/63w92q/eli5why_does_a_4_legged_table_wobble_whereas_a_3/
{ "a_id": [ "dfxh1ek", "dfxh5df" ], "score": [ 21, 3 ], "text": [ "Since any 3 points define a plane, it's guaranteed that the bottoms of any 3 legs can touch the floor at the same time. This cannot be said of any 4 legs.", "A three legged table is a tripod; very stable. If someone wer...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
9tca2y
why are watches worn on the non-dominant hand?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9tca2y/eli5_why_are_watches_worn_on_the_nondominant_hand/
{ "a_id": [ "e8v5dv8", "e8v5m8z", "e8v5oo9", "e8v5uuc", "e8v5xpo", "e8v61az", "e8v6ap8", "e8v6ii8", "e8v6iob", "e8v6ru9", "e8v79u6", "e8v8037" ], "score": [ 22, 3, 36, 2, 18, 16, 5, 2, 2, 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
50ghq8
how can enemy ai in video games have difficulty settings.
How is it possible for enemy AI to be programmed to miss on an easy difficulty but still have pin point accuracy on harder difficulties.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/50ghq8/eli5_how_can_enemy_ai_in_video_games_have/
{ "a_id": [ "d73tcsh", "d73ujqy", "d747a46" ], "score": [ 21, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "Simply by adding a random chance of missing. Easy difficulty? Each shot has a 75% of missing. Medium? 50%. Hard? Only 25%. These are of course random numbers I just made up, but I hope you get my point...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "https://youtu.be/iVOIG_BnBzI?t=131" ] ]
5plrp1
nonprofits (such as harvard) can and do make profits, but they cannot give them to owners or shareholders. then, what incentive do these owners or shareholders have for starting/owning it?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5plrp1/eli5_nonprofits_such_as_harvard_can_and_do_make/
{ "a_id": [ "dcs4kjk", "dcs4l4p", "dcs4mgr", "dcs9opt" ], "score": [ 5, 7, 6, 2 ], "text": [ "Non profits can't give any profits to their owners or shareholders, because they don't have any. They have a Board of Directors tasked with making decisions, but that's it.", "...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
4hb30q
how does cooking food change the texture and flavor of food? (i.e. meats become firm, vegetables become soft)
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4hb30q/eli5_how_does_cooking_food_change_the_texture_and/
{ "a_id": [ "d2osfbv", "d2ouvtc" ], "score": [ 7, 2 ], "text": [ "The heat of cooking denatures proteins, such as a cooked egg transforming from a gel like liquid to a semi-solid. Breaks down cell walls and makes vegetables softer and easier to eat. Gelatinizes starches such as in gravies,...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maillard_reaction" ], [] ]
6wg4e2
was cum and actual word in the english language or has it been derived from something "coming" out?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6wg4e2/eli5_was_cum_and_actual_word_in_the_english/
{ "a_id": [ "dm7rawh", "dm7ryjp", "dm7t7f3", "dm923f1" ], "score": [ 4, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "It may have first developed in 1440 as a reference to the product of the roasting of some grains during the malting process, which would produce a malt that rises to the top and so...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=cum" ], [ "https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/cum" ], [] ]
3tb5l9
how/why congress only works 111 days.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3tb5l9/eli5_howwhy_congress_only_works_111_days/
{ "a_id": [ "cx4mf89", "cx4mjn0" ], "score": [ 5, 3 ], "text": [ "They are *in session* 111 days. There's a difference. The rest of the time they are expected to be available to their constituents back in their district or doing other duties.", "Most of the real work is done in committ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
f126eg
how do stem cells repair parts of the body?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/f126eg/eli5_how_do_stem_cells_repair_parts_of_the_body/
{ "a_id": [ "fh1o0v3", "fh1ouys", "fh1vu46" ], "score": [ 4, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Stem cells are \"Generic\" cells that haven't specialized into other body parts. In some injuries, your body can tap into a limited, finite supply of stem cells to replace missing cells. They travel to ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
7fi10j
why are you asked to cover your card pin number when the other 16 digits of your card is also needed to access it
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7fi10j/eli5why_are_you_asked_to_cover_your_card_pin/
{ "a_id": [ "dqbyq0e", "dqbyxgc" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "The PIN number is intended to be a secondary form of authentication. \n\nIn the event that the 16 digits, name, and expiration date are compromised (by say, a magnetic stripe skimmer or the card being physically stolen), the...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
d7yphk
how does honey make money?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/d7yphk/eli5_how_does_honey_make_money/
{ "a_id": [ "f15vufb", "f15x42s", "f15xp3v" ], "score": [ 5, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "From their own website!\n\n > Honey works with merchant partners to provide a set of functionality that primarily improves conversion rate at checkout. As a result, Honey drives increased sales to thei...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2Fexplainlikeimfive&subject=Can%20you%20review%20my%20thread", "https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/wiki/detailed_rules" ] ]
9iuji3
why does the frequency of peeing increase during our presence in swimming pools?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9iuji3/eli5_why_does_the_frequency_of_peeing_increase/
{ "a_id": [ "e6mkvex", "e6mky5i", "e6mrr5i", "e6mvvpg" ], "score": [ 9, 5, 4, 19 ], "text": [ "Water makes us want to pee. Thats why having at bath or a shower or hearing a dripping tap make you more likely to want to pee. I can only assume it's so that running water will f...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [ "http://www.arkansasurology.com/blog/what-is-cold-diuresis" ] ]
1ojyny
how come in certain areas of the country (us) basements/cellars are very common and in other parts they're unheard of?
I know that in places like Florida the soil is too wet to build a basement and the water table is too high, but what about places like California, Texas, and some other South Eastern States? I've heard basements are very rare there. Here in the North East almost every house has a basement.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ojyny/eli5_how_come_in_certain_areas_of_the_country_us/
{ "a_id": [ "ccsoa0q" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Like previous post, water tables are a big factor. However, not mentioned was frost levels. Northern houses have to have their concrete foundations buried many feet in the ground (roughly 12 feet). Reason being that northern ground/soil \"shifts\...
[]
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[ [] ]
evbwm7
what is an ern in eeg erp research?
Looking for a straightforward answer for help working in my lab. I'm an RA and we are being tasked with analyzing ERN's (error related negatives) in our EEG research. Currently reading the Oxford Handbook but some straightforward answer would be nice as I dive into this dense text. EDIT: fixed miswording of what ERN...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/evbwm7/eli5_what_is_an_ern_in_eeg_erp_research/
{ "a_id": [ "ffuq1c4" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "ELI5 what the question means?" ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
6oxdlj
who decided to make all barns red and what is the purpose of all barns being red? drove down farm roads of indiana the other day and every single barn was red and it spawned this question for me
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6oxdlj/eli5_who_decided_to_make_all_barns_red_and_what/
{ "a_id": [ "dkkxg4f", "dkkxg4z", "dkkxjl1", "dkkxjyh" ], "score": [ 7, 3, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Nobody cares about the color of the barn. Just as long as it is painted. And with a big barn to cover the farmers order the cheapest paint they can get. The color of the paint come...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/zceo3/eli5_why_are_barns_always_painted_red/", "https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/67crxj/eli5_why_are_so_many_barns_painted_red/", "https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3mldmd/eli5_why_are_the_majority_of_barns...
5xxjxh
what it means to be knighted or have the title of 'sir' or 'dame' in modern society?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5xxjxh/eli5_what_it_means_to_be_knighted_or_have_the/
{ "a_id": [ "delok1z" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "You've probably heard of things like the Medal of Honor or the Presidential Medal of Freedom. These are medals awarded by the government to recognize people who have made some sort of major contribution to their field or society.\n\nOther countri...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
6r7bgi
is it really unhealthy to eat human meat as a human? if so, why?
I don't know how to ask this question without sounding like a prospective cannibal.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6r7bgi/eli5_is_it_really_unhealthy_to_eat_human_meat_as/
{ "a_id": [ "dl2v20d", "dl2voxe", "dl3iiza" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Yes. This is how prion diseases spread. A cannibal eats a victim with the disease, those malformed proteins now infect the cannibal.", "It's not \"unhealthy\" in the way that a high-sugar diet or sm...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
dgqlj2
what is it like to see things when suffering from schizophrenia?
Do you see only humans or other animals as well? Are these experiences clear as day? And how much does medication help? I recently saw the movie 'A Beautiful Mind' and am really curious to know more about what it's like to see a figment of your own imagination. Thanks!
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dgqlj2/eli5_what_is_it_like_to_see_things_when_suffering/
{ "a_id": [ "f3e43vc", "f3e65g9", "f3e7r2b", "f3eajr7", "f3f3nwe" ], "score": [ 13, 3, 17, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Many people see many different things. One of the tricky things is true visual hallucinations vs. substance induced damage. I worked with a few people who s...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pr8IyNGAqlw" ], [], [] ]
us2ct
why some sound systems use negative numbers in their volume displays.
No one that I've asked so far has any clue, but that's really not saying anything at all. Pre-emptive edit: I get that it has something to do with decibels, my personal one goes from -70 dB to somewhere around -20, but specifics would be very nice to come across. Edit: A good number of good answers, thanks all!
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/us2ct/eli5_why_some_sound_systems_use_negative_numbers/
{ "a_id": [ "c4y1krt", "c4y266w", "c4y37co", "c4y3obn", "c4y4qrb", "c4y5e9y", "c4y5fyo", "c4y7r7p", "c4y9boe", "c4y9gui", "c4ydh94" ], "score": [ 84, 12, 17, 8, 3, 2, 3, 2, 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Well, there are two bas...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeOXsA8sp_E" ], [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_pressure", "http://www.jimprice.com/prosound/db.htm" ], [], [], [] ]
4mc3ke
is y a vowel or not? and what the hell is a consonant and a vowel anyway?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4mc3ke/eli5_is_y_a_vowel_or_not_and_what_the_hell_is_a/
{ "a_id": [ "d3u9w9q", "d3uaeer", "d3ubuwh", "d3uejmz", "d3uf5yf", "d3ufj2e", "d3ugfas", "d3uhqf8", "d3uhsbu", "d3uiekn" ], "score": [ 410, 75, 4, 2, 3, 2, 2, 5, 2, 6 ], "text": [ "The thing is, \"vowel\" and \"consonant\" hav...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/semivowel" ], [], [], [], [ "http://imgur.com/qgVNfbe.jpg" ], [], [], [], [], [] ]
69lvop
could solar wind be somehow utilized for space craft propulsion?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/69lvop/eli5could_solar_wind_be_somehow_utilized_for/
{ "a_id": [ "dh7jv3n" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "The principle is used in a solar sail which uses radiation pressure to push a spacecraft - _URL_0_" ] }
[]
[]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_sail" ] ]
7ldrvd
if absorption of vitamin supplements is better on an empty stomach, why do the directions always say to take with food?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7ldrvd/eli5_if_absorption_of_vitamin_supplements_is/
{ "a_id": [ "drlhcu2", "drlhfdc", "drllby6", "drlpolz" ], "score": [ 19, 4, 7, 3 ], "text": [ "because some of them may make you nauseous and you will throw them back up.\n\nSource: took vitamins on empty stomach.", "It doesnt work better, just faster. They say to take ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
3k1bbi
why is papua new guinea one of the most uncharted regions in the world?
I mean it's attached to indonesia which is completely charted..
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3k1bbi/eli5_why_is_papua_new_guinea_one_of_the_most/
{ "a_id": [ "cutzzgs" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Papua New Guinea is only heavily populated around its coast. It has [massive mountains](_URL_0_) along most of its interior. It has 4 of the top 5 highest peaks on its island, and even has permanent snow caps on some of its highest mountains desp...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b6/New_Guinea_Topography.png", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jungle_Patrol" ] ]
4xidfo
how do they distribute newspapers so fast and efficiently?
As I was travelling home on a coach I saw the Head Office of a major newspaper company in the UK. It made me wonder: How is it possible for journalists to put together a newspaper with recent stories, print thousands of copies and distribute them across the country overnight; and do all this every single day?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4xidfo/eli5_how_do_they_distribute_newspapers_so_fast/
{ "a_id": [ "d6fvgos", "d6fx0sb", "d6fxcws" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "In the US, the big national newspapers are printed all over the country, not just in their city of origin. NY Times, US Today, etc send their files electronically to local shops to be printed much clos...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
6tdtzq
what does japan use the federal/national age of consent for, if at all?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6tdtzq/eli5what_does_japan_use_the_federalnational_age/
{ "a_id": [ "dljwpmu" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "When you see things like this, it's generally because the national law was passed at a time when not all the prefectures had their own laws. Since there's no general mechanism to make useless laws disappear, somebody would have to make a conscio...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
1s59g6
what are the little rock things that form near our eyes in the morning ?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1s59g6/eli5what_are_the_little_rock_things_that_form/
{ "a_id": [ "cdu1rzw" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Throughout the day you get tiny bits of dust on your eyes. Your eyes produce mucus which is used to remove these bits of dust by coating them in layers. They get washed out of your eyes by your tears and deposited in the corners of your eyes to d...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
1fsm9p
why do all states in the us agree on legal drinking age while disagreeing on other laws (ie: marijuana, prostitution, etc)
I noticed that the legal drinking age in the US is 21, but it's not a federal law, it's a state law that's across the board. However, some states allow marijuana for medical purposes, some for recreational. On top of that, some states you can go to a brothel and purchase sex while most you can't. Same with gambling. So...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1fsm9p/eli5_why_do_all_states_in_the_us_agree_on_legal/
{ "a_id": [ "caddw48", "caddzqk", "cade44b" ], "score": [ 21, 10, 3 ], "text": [ "I'm certainly not an expert, but I do know that my state (Louisiana) was one of, if not the last, to have an 18yo legal drinking age. The federal government threatened to pull federal funding if it wa...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
34wcff
why are the wingtips on southwest's plane bent up?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/34wcff/eli5_why_are_the_wingtips_on_southwests_plane/
{ "a_id": [ "cqyp6qg", "cqyq18h" ], "score": [ 8, 6 ], "text": [ "They're called Winglets, and they're designed to reduce the amount of swirling air (vorticies) that are produced as the plane flies. It takes energy to make a vortex and that energy has to come from the plane (it causes dra...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
46zwjj
why do our voices sound more 'nasally' when we are congested?
I understand our sinuses become more constricted when congested, but how does this cause a more nasally sounding voice?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/46zwjj/eli5why_do_our_voices_sound_more_nasally_when_we/
{ "a_id": [ "d09387h", "d093rp9", "d09jira" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Part of the mechanics of talking involves breathing. The normal sound of your voice involves talking and breathing through nose and mouth. When you're congested, the nasal airways are blocked and the ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
3orqi4
how do clouds hold rain and hailstone?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3orqi4/eli5_how_do_clouds_hold_rain_and_hailstone/
{ "a_id": [ "cvzuivl" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "A cloud is water vapor, plain and simple. It's a puff of mist that floats in the air, and nothing more. No other particles besides little droplets of water held up by wind and heat.\n\nRain forms and falls from a cloud when these droplets clump t...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
46a7p2
why did humans develop to have a dominant side when ambidexterity would obviously be far more advantageous?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/46a7p2/eli5_why_did_humans_develop_to_have_a_dominant/
{ "a_id": [ "d03i64g" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Just because something is more advantageous doesn't mean we will 'develop' it. \n\nIt's the opposite that is true: if something is horribly disadvantageous, those with that trait/characteristic would be weeded out via natural selection.\n\n" ] ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
2lxcr5
why does a background need to be green for you to be able to put effects on it in film editing?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2lxcr5/eli5_why_does_a_background_need_to_be_green_for/
{ "a_id": [ "clz1820", "clz199v", "clz1an3" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "It doesn't. They can pick any color, but they pick that shade of green because it's uncommon and it's easy to avoid. Basically, they just take all instances of that color and overlay another image/video...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
57xrly
how do we confirm the authenticity of wikileaks' releases?
For example, how do we know the emails are from the people Wikileaks claims they are from and not just a sophisticated forgery?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/57xrly/eli5_how_do_we_confirm_the_authenticity_of/
{ "a_id": [ "d8vu59r", "d8vvano", "d8w6o35", "d8wcp40" ], "score": [ 4, 10, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Firstly, Wikileaks themselves puts tremendous effort into authenticating materials. They can't be perfect. So...the put it out there and it's up to us all to confirm or refute t...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [ "https://www.ltnow.com/how-does-email-encryption-work/", "http://security.stackexchange.com/questions/20803/how-does-ssl-tls-work" ] ]
4mp54c
how does overwatering kill a plant? why can they "drown"?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4mp54c/eli5how_does_overwatering_kill_a_plant_why_can/
{ "a_id": [ "d3x7viu", "d3x89so", "d3xc5vy", "d3xg6kf", "d3xganu" ], "score": [ 19, 3, 41, 7, 3 ], "text": [ "Roots need oxygen, which they get from the tiny amount of air in the soil. When you overwater a plant, you drown the roots. ", "Roots need oxygen. If yo...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
2tpdd7
why is the wrestling community so outraged over the recent wwe event?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2tpdd7/eli5_why_is_the_wrestling_community_so_outraged/
{ "a_id": [ "co15tud", "co19ab5" ], "score": [ 6, 6 ], "text": [ "_URL_0_\n\nBasically, the fans are angry that the writers for WWE are clueless as to how to tell the current 'story' (if you can call it that, I stopped following WWE after middle school and at least I'm glad the audience kn...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/SquaredCircle/comments/2topox/post_royal_rumble_discussion_12515/co0xxj5" ], [] ]
3a0lh3
how can greece draw up such a debt and then not pay it back? how will it effect the european/world economy if they leave the euro?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3a0lh3/eli5_how_can_greece_draw_up_such_a_debt_and_then/
{ "a_id": [ "cs86q55", "cs88b7h", "cs88k3j", "cs88m30", "cs8debh", "cs8qt3x" ], "score": [ 197, 5, 9, 5, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Well, since no one else replied yet, I will attempt to answer to the best of my limited abilities. \nBack when the Euro got started, ...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://media0.giphy.com/media/FlHuACrCGXkc0/giphy.gif", "http://www.tradingeconomics.com/charts/greece-gdp.png?s=wgdpgree&d1=20000101&d2=20151231" ], [], [], [], [], [] ]
ctt6y8
how does land ownership work in extremely poor nations?
In the developed world there are property records, titles, boundary maps, listed roads, etc How would this work in say, the remote areas of the Congo? Is the land that a small hut in a village sits on part of any officially documented property deed? Or is the whole area simply listed as property of a certain tribe an...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ctt6y8/eli5_how_does_land_ownership_work_in_extremely/
{ "a_id": [ "exnew3o" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Depends on the specific place, but in some areas yes it is communally owned. In practise that can lead to issues, for instance if you have traditional leaders (Like a village chief) they might officially own the whole village. Some businesses lik...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
274hkj
the bible and its crafting over the years. do we have original copies?
Im more interested in where it originated. Who wrote the originals. DO we know this? **Not looking for anything 'religious' im looking more for information on the book itself.**
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/274hkj/eli5the_bible_and_its_crafting_over_the_years_do/
{ "a_id": [ "chxart4", "chxb9tp", "chxba49", "chxbfyu", "chxbub1", "chxew68" ], "score": [ 3, 3, 3, 20, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "No, the actual original text is long gone", "There isn't **one** Bible. There's thousands of versions and translations, with some ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [ "https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=au%3AEhrman%2C+Bart+D" ], [] ]
amnnl0
what is the origin of the dutch language?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/amnnl0/eli5_what_is_the_origin_of_the_dutch_language/
{ "a_id": [ "efnd7v6" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ " > but how did people structure the language in the first place\n\nWith a few modern exceptions like [Esperanto](_URL_0_), languages are not intentionally structured. They evolve naturally over time without anyone deciding the rules.\n\nMost of t...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esperanto" ] ]
3ed5iu
why are there no big loopholes in the legality of prostitution in the us?
I'm not entirely sure about what counts as prostitution and what doesn't. I've always thought that when someone is arrested for prostitution or hiring a prostitute, they could simply argue that the exchange of sex and money were two separate events (IE: Claim that the two involved decided to have sex, and the money giv...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ed5iu/eli5_why_are_there_no_big_loopholes_in_the/
{ "a_id": [ "ctdse84", "ctdsuv5" ], "score": [ 11, 19 ], "text": [ " > I've always thought that when someone is arrested for prostitution or hiring a prostitute, they could simply argue that the exchange of sex and money were two separate events\n\nThey can claim this, but the judge will ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
8i3i6d
why does your body (hands) shake when you have low blood sugar? wouldn't that use it up faster?
Shaking when you have low blood sugar seems counterintuitive to conserving what little blood sugar you have left.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8i3i6d/eli5_why_does_your_body_hands_shake_when_you_have/
{ "a_id": [ "dyooanq" ], "score": [ 11 ], "text": [ "Shaking is used incorrectly for the behavior you are describing. It is more accurate to call the motions unsteady. \n\nYou tend to shake while exerting a muscle or holding two muscles in a balance like when holding an arm straight out. It takes...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
4tjj5o
why is it a rolling stone gathers no moss, but my always on fan gathers so much dust?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4tjj5o/eli5_why_is_it_a_rolling_stone_gathers_no_moss/
{ "a_id": [ "d5hu1vo", "d5hu4pl" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Well, first, dust and moss are two different things. Second, since it's an electrical appliance, it's more susceptible to dust, even when it's moving air.", "I'm no scientist, but, dust doesn't really \"grow\". It's jus...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
29zyps
what exactly is wrong with the current mpaa movie ratings?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/29zyps/eli5_what_exactly_is_wrong_with_the_current_mpaa/
{ "a_id": [ "ciq5clw", "ciq6fk9" ], "score": [ 4, 2 ], "text": [ "There is a movie called This Movie is Not Yet Rated that addresses this. The main issue is that the rating is subjectively determined by an anonymous group of reviewers, and if they give a movie an NC-17 rating (based on wha...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
1pxsv2
how does a country / nation / state become independent?
Why are countries like South Sudan and Timor-Leste able to declare independence and get international recognition, while others (such as Kosovo and Palestine) are only partially recognised and others still (such as Azawad or the Bangsamoro Republik) fail to get any recognition, despite declaring independence?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1pxsv2/eli5_how_does_a_country_nation_state_become/
{ "a_id": [ "cd7672t" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Other nations recognize it as being such, and don't interfere with its autonomy." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
4sh23g
why is it easier to see a white undershirt through a white shirt than it is to see a gray undershirt through a white shirt?
It seems like it should be the other way around, but [that clearly isn't the case](_URL_0_).
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4sh23g/eli5_why_is_it_easier_to_see_a_white_undershirt/
{ "a_id": [ "d596n0y", "d59jfdm" ], "score": [ 7, 5 ], "text": [ "Light passes more easily through the finer, higher-quality threads of a lightly colored dress shirt than the less-refined, opaque threads of an undershirt\n\nGrey is a closer match to the color of your skin so a lot of the l...
[]
[ "http://i.imgur.com/DxKxKSb.png" ]
[ [], [] ]
6sn78e
why do things still blur in and out of focus when one of my eyes is closed?
I thought that was a function of having two eyes working together. Why isn't everything at roughly the same depth with just and one eye?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6sn78e/eli5_why_do_things_still_blur_in_and_out_of_focus/
{ "a_id": [ "dle08r7", "dle0vlk" ], "score": [ 6, 2 ], "text": [ "Focus is mostly controlled by the shape of the lens in your eye. I think that you're thinking of depth perception which is primarily determined by having two views of the same object.", "Because things are still closer o...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallax", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Focal_length" ] ]
e7zs5h
how do faucets not explode from the water pressure?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/e7zs5h/eli5_how_do_faucets_not_explode_from_the_water/
{ "a_id": [ "fa8584r", "fa85ld4" ], "score": [ 11, 6 ], "text": [ "Once you close a faucet, that's the pressure it will remain. Your water system has a certain pressure that is maintained. Closing the faucet doesn't make the pressure continue to build up to infinity.\n\nThink of your blo...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
5l9hdq
is there anything special about earths position when a new year starts
I know that when the earth rotates around the sun a year has passed. Is there anything special about the earths position at the start of a new year?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5l9hdq/eli5_is_there_anything_special_about_earths/
{ "a_id": [ "dbtyi9k" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "No, it's fairly arbitrary. \n\nIt's close to (about 11 days later than) the position where the earth's axial tilt points away from the sun (from a northern perspective). This is the winter solstice. The 'new year' was most likely decided upon due...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
2jwm2x
why does a cell phone call go straight to voicemail if you call within a minute of their last call?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2jwm2x/eli5_why_does_a_cell_phone_call_go_straight_to/
{ "a_id": [ "clfqmir" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "I have never noticed this phenomenon, and I often get calls within a few seconds of each other.\n\nPerhaps they are using a really shitty phone or network?" ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
5m5t12
why do animals hit on road always end up in the shoulder (of the road)?
When driving I always see birds and animals in the shoulder of the road, but do they always get hit there.. which is odd because you shouldn't drive there. If not, do people actually move the squirrels and birds to the shoulder of the road?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5m5t12/eli5why_do_animals_hit_on_road_always_end_up_in/
{ "a_id": [ "dc15rh0" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "they are often running when they are hit. so they have momentum going across the street. so when you are running from left to right, and then you are being hit from the bottom (if you're looking from a birds eye perspective), so will move diagona...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
5v2j0t
where do all the massive amounts of bones and skulls come from in major catacombs such as the ones in france and why did people use these catacombs instead of conventional graves?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5v2j0t/eli5_where_do_all_the_massive_amounts_of_bones/
{ "a_id": [ "ddytx9t" ], "score": [ 18 ], "text": [ "They didnt get put in the catacombs right at death. They'd get buried first, but graveyard space was limited and when people were buried, it wasn't for forever. After a few years, those people were dug up and their bones were put into the cata...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
6gfuia
how is nitrogen able to suffocate people in large amounts?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6gfuia/eli5how_is_nitrogen_able_to_suffocate_people_in/
{ "a_id": [ "dipxotp", "dipxr7f", "diq2efs" ], "score": [ 13, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "It displaces oxygen and doesn't trigger any signs of suffocation that people normally associate with it. Pure nitrogen will still allow co2 to leave the blood but there will be no oxygen available. Eve...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
3egvc8
how was kepler 452b spotted with a telescope when it's 1400 lightyears away and travelling would take +-20million years?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3egvc8/eli5_how_was_kepler_452b_spotted_with_a_telescope/
{ "a_id": [ "ctet18a", "ctf2n1d", "ctfdg8v", "ctfhnal" ], "score": [ 52, 7, 3, 5 ], "text": [ "It passed in front of its star. That dimmed the light from the star a tiny bit. By measuring how long it took to pass in front of the star, we know how fast (angular velocity) i...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3egvc8/eli5_how_was_kepler_452b_spotted_with_a_telescope/ctet18a" ], [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_meter", "https://www.cfa.harvard.edu/ssp/images/SolarCCD.jpg" ] ]
bkna3p
why are there sometimes people with 6 fingers, but never people with 3 arms?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bkna3p/eli5_why_are_there_sometimes_people_with_6/
{ "a_id": [ "emhykgc", "emhywqe", "emhz5bu" ], "score": [ 3, 16, 5 ], "text": [ "There have been people with 3 arms, it just happens that often the third arm would not be usable enough and it will be removed whereas sixth finger is more likely to be a non-issue.", "IIRC, finger...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
1x14uj
how come i can put credit cards next to my magnetic money clip but not hotel room cards.
I have a wallet with a magnetic money clip. I keep all my credit and debit cards in this wallet but as soon as I put a hotel room card even in the same pocket as the wallet it immediately doesn't work.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1x14uj/eli5how_come_i_can_put_credit_cards_next_to_my/
{ "a_id": [ "cf7781h" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "High coercivity vs. low coercivity.\n\nYou're never going to need to re-write the information on the magnetic stripe of your credit card, so its stripe has high coercivity. That means it took a lot of energy to produce, but will take a lot of en...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
5t0qst
why do we randomly stutter or horribly mispronounce words we know even thought we have no actual speech impediment?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5t0qst/eli5_why_do_we_randomly_stutter_or_horribly/
{ "a_id": [ "ddjaz51", "ddjb38z", "ddjbyaq", "ddjczlx", "ddjdbjr", "ddjdl05", "ddjduz7", "ddjfdpx", "ddjffyg", "ddjhuxd", "ddjlb0b", "ddjlydl", "ddjm81x", "ddjpwmx", "ddjpxi9", "ddjqeiv", "ddjqur1", "ddjqw11", "ddjr2gg", "ddjtjk3", "d...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://www.definitionmining.com/2017/01/animal-learning.html" ], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2127686/How-stress-shut-command-centre-brain.htm" ], [ "http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-128ydhC3j88/T7QuW8Ib1YI/AAAAAAAABZI/kWEXT4Wn1VU/...
4kbc6q
how and why did the chinese develop their writing system?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4kbc6q/eli5_how_and_why_did_the_chinese_develop_their/
{ "a_id": [ "d3dq1pm" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Great question! Like the Egyptians, Chinese writing has its roots as a hieroglyphic language. As one of the oldest written languages in the world, Chinese characters have a history of about 4,000 years. The Chinese writing system has undergone ma...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.omniglot.com/images/writing/chinese_evolution.gif" ] ]
2rga8s
why do fast food meals include fries and soft drinks?
Also when did it become a thing for meals to include fries and soft drinks?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2rga8s/eli5_why_do_fast_food_meals_include_fries_and/
{ "a_id": [ "cnfktwi", "cnfkuru", "cnflefg", "cnfme1p" ], "score": [ 3, 9, 5, 3 ], "text": [ "In a lot of Europe a \"proper\" meal consists of meat and vegetables and starch. Meat, potatoes, carrots, cabbage. Maybe wash that down with beer or wine.\n\nChicken nuggets or ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
fsulmc
how do porn studios/ movie companies have such a variety of homes and locations to film at?
Is there a whole trade of companies renting out houses or companies renting out whole where houses to be used in porn/movies. Also sorry for posting this it’s 4 in the morning where I live and I could not sleep for around 20 hours.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/fsulmc/eli5_how_do_porn_studios_movie_companies_have/
{ "a_id": [ "fm3j60e", "fm3kuae", "fm3kyf1", "fm3xxtx" ], "score": [ 6, 3, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "I used to work in posh hotels. We found ourselves the unwitting set of a couple of porn films.\nI assume a lot of them are air BnBs now", "Yes -- there are companies and people...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
7x11iv
why is florida, which is closer to the equator, sometimes really cold in spring and fall yet places like arizona are still in the 90-100’s.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7x11iv/eli5_why_is_florida_which_is_closer_to_the/
{ "a_id": [ "du4mwb5", "du4vhvl" ], "score": [ 15, 2 ], "text": [ "The local climate depends on the locale. To be serious Arizona is in the middle of the continent and has a low rainfall. Florida is a peninsula surrounded by ocean on both sides. It can rain every day in the afternoon in Fl...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
3lw8mr
what type of data do companies usually "sell", to whom and what's so bad about it?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3lw8mr/eli5_what_type_of_data_do_companies_usually_sell/
{ "a_id": [ "cv9ulba", "cv9ut04", "cv9vv04" ], "score": [ 3, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Name, Email, interests, phone number, maybe even purchase history but the first four at the very least. I speculate its mostly for relevance for ads. If they know what type of products you buy they can ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
27043e
why is 2,147,483,647 the highest 32-bit integer? why so specific?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/27043e/eli5_why_is_2147483647_the_highest_32bit_integer/
{ "a_id": [ "chw3zbl", "chw40cb", "chw4jv4", "chw4l4v", "chw6lo0" ], "score": [ 2, 8, 9, 5, 4 ], "text": [ "Because that's the decimal representation of the binary number 1111111111111111111111111111111. That's 31 1's. The final, 32nd digit is used to indicate nega...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
2ws0yl
in car engines, what's the relationship between number of cylinders and liters to horsepower and torque? why do they vary so much? also is this related to turbocharged and supercharged engines? what's the difference?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2ws0yl/eli5_in_car_engines_whats_the_relationship/
{ "a_id": [ "cotkyeo", "cotle5u", "cotll2e", "cotlnmb", "cotm2k9", "cotmaj2", "cotq8e2", "cou0pch", "coudw6o" ], "score": [ 3, 4, 8, 2, 111, 2, 2, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "Latching on to ask in an ELI5 how Turbo and Supercharging works, bec...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://animagraffs.com/how-a-car-engine-works/", "http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torque" ], [], [] ]
bf4jyb
how do fuses blow? can it be from disuse?
I'm curious and stupid. I bought a Sega CD recently, and it has a blown fuse. How could something like this happen? Because it hasn't been used in a few decades? Or did someone plug in the wrong power adapter?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bf4jyb/eli5_how_do_fuses_blow_can_it_be_from_disuse/
{ "a_id": [ "elata9g", "elavndx", "elaxaw6" ], "score": [ 14, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "Fuses blow because the amount of electricity coming in was higher than the fuse rating. Could have been a wrong adapter. Could also have been a power surge. Lightening strike or problem with the grid ...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://8bitplus.co.uk/your-consoles/sega-mega-cd-recap/", "https://www.amazon.com/Capacitor-Replacement-sound-video-power/dp/B01N4X2686" ], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whisker_\\(metallurgy\\)" ] ]
31z92p
how come i understand stuff better after not doing it for a while
So throughout my life I've noticed I've had a weird way of learning things. I start off having no idea what the fuck is going on then I mess around a little bit and then I pretty much stop trying and go on and do something else. I eventually end up coming back to it a few months or years later and suddenly understand...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/31z92p/eli5_how_come_i_understand_stuff_better_after_not/
{ "a_id": [ "cq6dra7", "cq6o91n", "cq6sgv7" ], "score": [ 6, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "Not a neurologist here, but I had read certain articles way back that explain our learning process. It was sort of like: we learn a certain thing while we are conscious, but this certain thing we learne...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
22vc5x
how do we automatically limp when injured?
What's going on in the brain to make us start walking differently, without consciously doing so?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/22vc5x/eli5_how_do_we_automatically_limp_when_injured/
{ "a_id": [ "cgqqkcj", "cgqr1f3", "cgqt6ly" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "It is not the brain, it is the limb. Your leg is no longer working properly and/or it is giving pain signals with each step. As such it is either slower/has less range of movement than the other limb th...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
7jb1qo
how do you judge the quality of chef knives?
There are so many brands and handles, how do you know what’s good quality and what’s just a gimmick. Are there certain things i should look for? Or a certain brand i should research?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7jb1qo/eli5_how_do_you_judge_the_quality_of_chef_knives/
{ "a_id": [ "dr4yhff", "dr4zjfx" ], "score": [ 2, 5 ], "text": [ "Things you should care about:\n \nThe quality of the steel. Obviously the knife is made of the stuff and its what decides who well the knife holds an edge. You want a high quality steel.\n\nThe Tang. Basically how the kni...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
ayooed
why are normal pencils erasable but coloured pencils aren't?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ayooed/elif_why_are_normal_pencils_erasable_but_coloured/
{ "a_id": [ "ei27mr7", "ei27rrv", "ei2ayj5", "ei2e4d7" ], "score": [ 519, 65, 24, 9 ], "text": [ "Basically it is because they are based on wax/oil rather than graphite, and erasers will just 'slide' over the mark rather than pick it up.\n\n & #x200B;\n\nFrom Wikipedia:\n\n...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
2a3n87
what exactly is a social justice "warrior" and why are they bad?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2a3n87/eli5_what_exactly_is_a_social_justice_warrior_and/
{ "a_id": [ "cir63mt", "cir6aus" ], "score": [ 2, 6 ], "text": [ "Reddit defines a Social Justice Warrior as someone who goes on Tumblr and posts about how unjust the world is. Not a bad thing on the surface but SJWs are usually complaining about how privileged everyone else is or whine ab...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
88ovre
how does mineral oil not destroy the pc parts?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/88ovre/eli5_how_does_mineral_oil_not_destroy_the_pc_parts/
{ "a_id": [ "dwm7px1" ], "score": [ 13 ], "text": [ "Mineral oil is non-conductive, so there is no damage to the components. Water, on the other hand, is conducive, so it would totally wreck the system by creating shorts everywhere. " ] }
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3wcb01
why are we vulnerable to the the suns harmful uv rays, why haven't we evolved natural defences?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3wcb01/eli5_why_are_we_vulnerable_to_the_the_suns/
{ "a_id": [ "cxv3nzg", "cxv3x59", "cxv77mx" ], "score": [ 18, 8, 2 ], "text": [ "Evolutionary pressures mainly come into play if they affect humans before or during the peak of reproduction. Since skin cancers from UV rays are acquired over time, they usually appear after the peak...
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[ [], [ "http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2671032/" ], [] ]
zzvls
how are rocks formed
Yeah. So how are rocks formed :p
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/zzvls/elif_how_are_rocks_formed/
{ "a_id": [ "c69ku8u" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "When lava comes out of a volcano and cools off, it creates rock and that's called igneous rock (granite, obsidian, pumice). \n\n\nWhen igneous rock has been ground down and combined with with other material and water (like at the bottom of a lake...
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6wonh1
if the universe is always expanding, does that mean more atoms are being created to fill the space?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6wonh1/eli5_if_the_universe_is_always_expanding_does/
{ "a_id": [ "dm9m3eu", "dm9n8cz" ], "score": [ 6, 2 ], "text": [ "Not exactly. It's the space between galaxies that's increasing. The matter and energy in our universe is believed to be finite. Scientists have a theory of dark energy that \"fills the space\" of an expanding universe. \n\nE...
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[ [], [ "http://curious.astro.cornell.edu/about-us/104-the-universe/cosmology-and-the-big-bang/expansion-of-the-universe/623-what-is-the-universe-expanding-into-intermediate" ] ]
1lz2yu
why every time the usa has a war or conflict, its always on foreign soil and not domestic
Keeping the Civil, revolutionary, and french indian war aside, why is it that wars for the usa are always foreign? think like WW1 WW2 operation iraqi freedom etc.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1lz2yu/eli5_why_every_time_the_usa_has_a_war_or_conflict/
{ "a_id": [ "cc45wy4" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ "Because the USA has two borders in North America, neither with a country with the will or power to take them on militarily. Short of having another civil war, how is the USA supposed to have a war on its own soil? Non-civil wars are by definition...
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4qo0on
how do super famous rappers and producers make money off of free mixtapes?
For instance, Future and DJ Esco just dropped "Esco Terrestrial" for free on datpiff... How could such huge names in the modern music industry afford to waste their time by making a mixtape that will essentially earn them zero direct profit from sales? Is there some kind of ROI I'm not seeing here? Couldn't they be uti...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4qo0on/eli5_how_do_super_famous_rappers_and_producers/
{ "a_id": [ "d4uik5v" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "They don't make money off of the actually release of the mixtape tracks. However if the song becomes popular they will get request to perform live." ] }
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341mvj
are these statistics of crime/poverty in the black community skewed somehow?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/341mvj/eli5_are_these_statistics_of_crimepoverty_in_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cqqdeoz", "cqqdjau", "cqqhwv7" ], "score": [ 8, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "The statistics are accurate, but the conclusions people like to draw from them are not. For one, poverty correlates with crime everywhere in the world, and the relationship is likely causative. If the p...
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[ [], [], [] ]
2lhitm
when someone's constipated for several days but keeps eating normal meals, where does all that food go? how com the intestines don't burst after a while?
the volume of food matter I eeat over several days always seems larger to me than the volume of my abdomen.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2lhitm/eli5_when_someones_constipated_for_several_days/
{ "a_id": [ "clustcx", "clut4dv", "clutciy" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "A large amount of most foods is water, and a lot of the rest is carbohydrates (which, when burned, produce carbon dioxide and water). You pee out the water and breathe out the carbon dioxide, so the vol...
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[ [], [], [] ]
fiptfu
what makes a cough dry?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/fiptfu/eli5_what_makes_a_cough_dry/
{ "a_id": [ "fkikhf4", "fkimw2a", "fkj3wu4", "fkjcndr", "fkjh1vk", "fkjol2p" ], "score": [ 11, 52, 8, 113, 8, 3 ], "text": [ "You feel the need to cough but doing hack up any gunk. Can feel like the need to clear your throat or a tickle in your throat/lungs....
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
2r2lx5
why do gas/burp sometimes really hurt my chest?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2r2lx5/eli5why_do_gasburp_sometimes_really_hurt_my_chest/
{ "a_id": [ "cnbvj9x" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "There is literal gas in your system trying to escape, it pushes up on things that don't like to be pushed on, like your diaphragm. When the gas exits, it can leave you with pretty much a muscle spasm. It usually goes away soon after, try taking a...
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2spi36
why are liberal arts majors considered worthless?
I have always been puzzled by this. As far as I'm concerned, if you have a degree you're well off
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2spi36/eli5_why_are_liberal_arts_majors_considered/
{ "a_id": [ "cnrotba", "cnrou43", "cnrp8bm", "cnrrnch" ], "score": [ 8, 2, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "If you have a degree, you're well off because you paid for that education and will now use it to get a good job that pays far more money than an uneducated role.\n\n\"Liberal arts\...
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[ [], [], [ "http://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox/2014/05/08/unemployment_and_the_class_of_2014_how_bad_is_the_job_market_for_new_college.html" ], [] ]
56hm6d
how does the navy prevent boat damage during hurricanes?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/56hm6d/eli5_how_does_the_navy_prevent_boat_damage_during/
{ "a_id": [ "d8jbk43", "d8jc6mj", "d8jcuh3", "d8jggw2", "d8jghy3", "d8jng2h" ], "score": [ 6, 14, 4, 11, 3, 3 ], "text": [ "They go out to sea or to another port not in the path of the storm if they can. If they are caught in port or at the dock there is not...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
3z4z9i
why the older or more famous older actor of a cast is often appearing last in the credits and with a and in front of the name. example : blablabla and robert deniro
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3z4z9i/eli5_why_the_older_or_more_famous_older_actor_of/
{ "a_id": [ "cyj8y19", "cyj9omk", "cyjcn7s" ], "score": [ 6, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Calls more attention to it as a special cast member.\n\n\"Look, viewers! Sure we got all these other people. But we scored ROBERT DENIRO!\" \n\nThey often do it in recurring series where that actor will...
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[ [], [], [ "http://movies.stackexchange.com/questions/1468/what-rules-govern-how-tv-show-opening-credits-are-structured", "https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billing_(filmmaking)" ] ]
1l6rbc
[meta] thanks for the feedback - here's what we're doing!
Two weeks ago we [posted a thread](_URL_0_) asking the ELI5 community for help to shape the future of the subreddit. Firstly thanks to all those that participated in the discussion! It's clear to see that a lot of people are passionate about keeping ELI5 a high quality subreddit, and rest assured that we read every s...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1l6rbc/meta_thanks_for_the_feedback_heres_what_were_doing/
{ "a_id": [ "cbw9ozk", "cbwahr5", "cbwb669", "cbwbape", "cbwbpmy", "cbwwtci", "cby2xme" ], "score": [ 2, 9, 13, 3, 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "It would be nice if rule 1 automatically occurred when someone hit the submit button - it just did a search based...
[]
[ "http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1kbg9f/meta_help_us_shape_the_future_of_eli5/", "http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1kbg9f/meta_help_us_shape_the_future_of_eli5/cbnpjyt", "http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/wiki/rules", "http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comm...
[ [], [ "http://i.imgur.com/MlSSuxQ.png" ], [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/search?q=accents+sing&restrict_sr=on&sort=relevance&t=all", "http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/search?q=Boltzmann+Brain&restrict_sr=on", "http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/sea...
rbbtu
why do people hear that "ocean sound" when putting a shell to their ear?
Occasionally tried this when I was little, but never really thought about why this happens.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/rbbtu/eli5_why_do_people_hear_that_ocean_sound_when/
{ "a_id": [ "c44flh9", "c44fpsd", "c44g6t2" ], "score": [ 58, 5, 8 ], "text": [ "It's because of air bouncing around. \n\nThink about how you can hear the wind because it moves things around and even if there's nothing to move, you can hear it whistling past buildings or thumping ...
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[ [], [], [ "http://science.howstuffworks.com/question556.htm" ] ]
3om7r3
what is a "1099" job?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3om7r3/eli5_what_is_a_1099_job/
{ "a_id": [ "cvyeupa", "cvyev7s", "cvyewwr", "cvyezgg", "cvyfc1z" ], "score": [ 2, 5, 2, 3, 7 ], "text": [ "1099 means you are technically a self-employed independent contractor or a freelancer, not an employee of the company. At the end of your contract they have ...
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[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
5ltz5a
how are dances choreographed?
Whenever I see dances I always wonder how choreographers come up with the end product. What's the writing process like? Do they just go with the feel of the music?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5ltz5a/eli5_how_are_dances_choreographed/
{ "a_id": [ "dbyvqwx" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "They record it or they repeat it many times until they memorize it.\nWhen I was a choreographer I would create moves by dancing to a song and when I made one I liked i just built up on that, and then repeat until memorized.\n\nIt was like writing...
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1a1d8s
why do we find comfort in eating, well, comfort food?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1a1d8s/eli5_why_do_we_find_comfort_in_eating_well/
{ "a_id": [ "c8t7ojz", "c8uhn2i" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "I believe it's connected to the endorphin release when you eat food, particularly high-sugar/fat content food. Endorphins make you happy, roughly speaking. The body is geared to reward behaviour that leads to consumption o...
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1qf8wl
if there are reports of concentration/death camps in north korea, why doesn't anybody do anything about them?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1qf8wl/eli5_if_there_are_reports_of_concentrationdeath/
{ "a_id": [ "cdc7u3k", "cdc89nf", "cdca13u" ], "score": [ 19, 15, 2 ], "text": [ "Everyone mentioning China is mistaken, China doesn't really consider itself an ally of NK in the same way that we traditionally think of allies. China often criticizes the actions of North Korea, it j...
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[ [], [], [] ]
333jz3
why hasn't algae fuel caught on yet?
For those of you don't know, Algae Fuel is just that: Oil made from algae. It works just like gas or diesel when refined, meaning it doesn't require engine modifications, unlike ethanol. Natural gas, propane and ethanol all seem to very popular, so why isn't Algae fuel?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/333jz3/eli5_why_hasnt_algae_fuel_caught_on_yet/
{ "a_id": [ "cqh72rq", "cqh7hnz", "cqh7ijw", "cqh9l06" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 23, 12 ], "text": [ "If what you're saying is accurate, then it likely just boils down to money. If someone stands to lose money, then they will spend millions lobbying against it.", "scale and f...
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7nbn7h
since one year equals one revolution around the sun, shouldn’t we all celebrate new years at the same time regardless of what timezone you are in?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7nbn7h/eli5since_one_year_equals_one_revolution_around/
{ "a_id": [ "ds0ks80", "ds0kuwv" ], "score": [ 8, 4 ], "text": [ " > Since One Year Equals One Revolution Around The Sun, Shouldn’t We All Celebrate New Years At The Same Time Regardless Of What Timezone You Are In?\n\nNo, because a year *doesn't* equal a revolution around the sun, it equ...
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[ [], [] ]
42zexc
why is it impressive that google can now win at the game of go?
After [Google's announcement of AlphaGo](_URL_0_) and reading some accompanying articles, I'm wondering why this is such a focus? What makes Go important for machine learning? Why are humans so much better (historically) at winning something that is complex, where it seems like AI would have been much better all along ...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/42zexc/eli5why_is_it_impressive_that_google_can_now_win/
{ "a_id": [ "cze95l3", "cze9gav", "czed5jy", "czeh5ob", "czej2x7", "czej3p2", "czejftk", "czemhjv", "czeqbxn", "czf077v", "czf8k21" ], "score": [ 111, 14, 10, 6, 4, 7, 11, 4, 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "For decades, GO has b...
[]
[ "https://googleblog.blogspot.com/2016/01/alphago-machine-learning-game-go.html" ]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minimax" ], [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shannon_number", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go_and_mathematics" ], [], [], [] ]
3d1meo
why is there a large number of comedians who are also depressed?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3d1meo/eli5_why_is_there_a_large_number_of_comedians_who/
{ "a_id": [ "ct0ybgq", "ct0yfw7" ], "score": [ 6, 31 ], "text": [ "Great quote from the comic \"Watchmen\" about this\n\n > Man goes to doctor. Says he’s depressed. Says life seems harsh and cruel. Says he feels all alone in a threatening world where what lies ahead is vague and uncertain....
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[ [], [] ]
5ucr30
how did a phone connect to another phone overseas pre-1950's?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5ucr30/eli5_how_did_a_phone_connect_to_another_phone/
{ "a_id": [ "ddt2y88", "ddt3yfx", "ddt6k8s", "ddt9efi", "ddtc1j1", "ddtcfw8", "ddtd3ck", "ddteqnh", "ddtl0dg", "ddtn3d6", "ddtvvlg", "ddu40k7" ], "score": [ 1016, 111, 20, 6, 9, 4, 7, 20, 28, 17, 2, 2 ], "text": [ ...
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[ [], [ "https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Submarine_communications_cable", "http://twentyfiveyears-assets.telegeography.com/submarinecablemap.png", "https://personalpages.manchester.ac.uk/staff/m.dodge/cybergeography/atlas/teleglobe_large.gif", "http://californiadiver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/c...
5xgww9
why devil's advocate is a negative characteristic?
I am a Software Developer and after one meeting we had where we discussed some potential solutions to a technical problem I was called a devil's advocate. As not being English I had to Google to to understand what it means and from what I saw it has mostly negative description. Is it undesirable to discuss alternative...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5xgww9/eli5_why_devils_advocate_is_a_negative/
{ "a_id": [ "dehyg95", "dehykon", "dei249d", "dei4l1n", "deia5do" ], "score": [ 6, 12, 2, 10, 5 ], "text": [ "It is not a negative characteristic -- it's an important technique to look for flaws in the group's current thinking.\n\nBut as you say, some \"people just ...
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[ [], [], [], [ "http://thehill.com/homenews/media/320680-video-bill-maher-condoned-sex-between-35-year-old-woman-12-year-old-boy" ], [] ]
7jxaat
at what scale are things so small that color doesn't apply?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7jxaat/eli5_at_what_scale_are_things_so_small_that_color/
{ "a_id": [ "dr9wbxm", "drado1e", "drbgvfr" ], "score": [ 55, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "When they get smaller than about half the wavelengths of visible light. So about 200 nanometers or less", "Some materials change color when they get small. This is from crystal interactions becomin...
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[ [], [], [] ]