q_id stringlengths 5 6 | title stringlengths 3 296 | selftext stringlengths 0 34k | document stringclasses 1
value | subreddit stringclasses 1
value | url stringlengths 4 110 | answers dict | title_urls list | selftext_urls list | answers_urls list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
8thv4r | how do spiders initially connect the first couple of threads to surrounding objects? | Specifically, I've seen spiders with threads connected to a street sign > to a tree > to another tree, etc.
Does the spider crawl along the ground? Wouldn't the original strand become tangled? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8thv4r/eli5_how_do_spiders_initially_connect_the_first/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
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"text": [
"Usually they will attach the line at one end, drop down, then walk across and up, extending silk all the time. Then they'll attach a new line at the other side, and eat the first line up while using it to get back across the gap, extending the n... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
23q8kp | the faraday effect | Wikipedia helps about not at all. "The Faraday effect causes a rotation of the plane of polarization which is linearly proportional to the component of the magnetic field in the direction of propagation. Formally, it is a special case of gyroelectromagnetism obtained when the dielectric permittivity tensor is diagonal.... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/23q8kp/eli5_the_faraday_effect/ | {
"a_id": [
"cgzilxi",
"cgzlt0r"
],
"score": [
3,
2
],
"text": [
"There really isn't any ELI5 way to explain this. The fact that you are talking about tensors means gradschool level physics. Try r/AskScience",
"Ok, I am not a physicist, and this stuff is hard. I'll try and go as slo... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
1w6y8d | how is sochi able to host the olympics with such bad conditions? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1w6y8d/eli5_how_is_sochi_able_to_host_the_olympics_with/ | {
"a_id": [
"ceza416"
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"score": [
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"text": [
"You mean how were they awarded? \n\nIt's pretty common for the winter olympics in particular to be awarded to mid-sized cities who promise to use the olympic dollars to improve their infrastructure. \n\nThe olympic committee also tries pretty h... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
5edf9d | the difference between illegal/legal immigrants and refugees | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5edf9d/eli5_the_difference_between_illegallegal/ | {
"a_id": [
"dabl86i"
],
"score": [
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],
"text": [
"**Legal Immigrant:** A friend's cat had a litter of kittens and now she wants to give them away to new homes. You accept one of them and make sure they get all their shots and spay/neutering (immigration legal processes) so they they can become a... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
18ufhk | why do "blank pages" in official documents always say "page intentionally left blank"? | I noticed that in a lot of documents, "blank" pages tend to have "INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK" or something of the like in really big, bold letters. Why say that the page was intentionally left blank if there is clearly a message printed on it, that makes it not-blank?
All of the standardized state tests I've taken have ... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/18ufhk/eli5_why_do_blank_pages_in_official_documents/ | {
"a_id": [
"c8i2kht",
"c8i2p5b"
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"score": [
2,
2
],
"text": [
"A true blank page may cause the reader to believe the blank page is accidental. Typing the 'intentionally left blank' message prevents that. ",
"You do that so if there is every any dispute, or if you have to refer back ... | [] | [
"http://apps.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/dl600.pdf"
] | [
[],
[]
] | |
34uk0l | why does a bell ring? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/34uk0l/eli5_why_does_a_bell_ring/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
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"text": [
"A bell rings because of it's shape. It's perfect for when it is tapped for the metal to wobble in such a way (known as oscillation) that it bumps around the air around it. Those sound waves are it's ring. Their shape is quit... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
99t228 | why is talking about politics in the united states taboo, socially, when that is what the nation was founded upon? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/99t228/eli5_why_is_talking_about_politics_in_the_united/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
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11,
3
],
"text": [
"Your friend groups are closed minded people. They don't like challenges to their status quo. ",
"The old axiom is that you never talk about religion, politics, or money in polite conversation. T... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
6p6qa5 | how can an individual providing testimony to the senate not be under oath? | I was under the impression that any time you are speaking to a judge or giving personal testimony, you are forbidden from telling anything BUT the truth. Is this correct? Is there a difference? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6p6qa5/eli5_how_can_an_individual_providing_testimony_to/ | {
"a_id": [
"dkn1inu"
],
"score": [
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],
"text": [
"To be out under oath, you literally have to make a formal declaration that you're going to tell the truth before an official who is authorized to administer oaths. In court, witnesses generally have to do this before their testimony is admissible... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
8oln7r | how did human go from thinking that dinosaur bones were dragon remains, to knowing that they belonged to dinosaurs? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8oln7r/eli5_how_did_human_go_from_thinking_that_dinosaur/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
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"text": [
"What's the difference? Mythological dragons came in all sorts. Likely the fire breathing ones have some root in history, some reason why they'd be associated with flames. For th... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gideon_Mantell",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Anning",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Owen"
],
[],
[]
] | ||
dcj6po | why do spots appear so much more readily on the face? why not the body? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dcj6po/eli5_why_do_spots_appear_so_much_more_readily_on/ | {
"a_id": [
"f28i73d"
],
"score": [
4
],
"text": [
"Your body is covered by clothing your face is not. Sun hits your face, triggering more oil production.\n\nMore oil production = more chance of zits and spots showing up."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
agzkck | what exactly was exile and whatever happened to it? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/agzkck/eli5_what_exactly_was_exile_and_whatever_happened/ | {
"a_id": [
"eea6p7c"
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"score": [
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"text": [
" > Exile is an unincorporated community located in the town of Rock Elm, Pierce County, Wisconsin, United States.\n\n\n_URL_0_\n\n\nI expect give it's location, it's about the same as it has ever been."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[
"https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exile,_Wisconsin"
]
] | ||
8iaqsm | how does webcam spying work? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8iaqsm/eli5_how_does_webcam_spying_work/ | {
"a_id": [
"dyq9djy"
],
"score": [
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"text": [
"Odds are slim, not what most people go for. Depends on if it's a known exploit/program. Fairly easy if you install programs from untrusted sources and/or have it rooted. If you only do it from the app/play store, not as likely but still possible.... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
4vee6m | why does windows 10 recommend i use a four-digit pin over an x-digit password? | Wouldn't a shorter, 4-digit PIN be easier to guess and thus crack, rather than a password that can be of a much longer length? Yet Windows 10 recommends I use a PIN to log in instead of a password. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4vee6m/eli5_why_does_windows_10_recommend_i_use_a/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
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"text": [
"The PIN only works for logging in from that one device. Your Microsoft account password works from anywhere. Needing that one device acts as additional security, like how you need both a debit card and ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/itpro/windows/keep-secure/why-a-pin-is-better-than-a-password"
],
[]
] | |
aflwr8 | why do bunker freezers still work in grocery stores even though they have no lids to trap cold air inside? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/aflwr8/eli5_why_do_bunker_freezers_still_work_in_grocery/ | {
"a_id": [
"edzn37x"
],
"score": [
23
],
"text": [
"1. Cold air sinks while warm air rises, so unless there's a strong breeze it's not really going anywhere.\n2. Some of them generate an artificial recirculating cold breeze (an \"air curtain\") to further limit unwanted air flow."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
1tw6i6 | why do i find things interesting? why does my brain like to learn about new things? | To be more specific, for example why do I sit here and read about North Korea? I find the subject fascinating but I don't really gain anything by knowing it. I hope this makes sense. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1tw6i6/eli5_why_do_i_find_things_interesting_why_does_my/ | {
"a_id": [
"cec21b3"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"It a defense mechanism or rather a survival one. The more you understand and can predict the higher your odds of survival. "
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
3ne6pv | in government, why is it that people with little or no knowledge of a subject are put in charge of that thing? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ne6pv/eli5_in_government_why_is_it_that_people_with/ | {
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"Government is not the only place where people get put in charge of things they have li... | [] | [] | [
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1ry0zx | church of scientology | What exactly is the Church of Scientology and what are their core beliefs? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ry0zx/eli5_church_of_scientology/ | {
"a_id": [
"cds17i9"
],
"score": [
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],
"text": [
"A prolific SF writer named L. Ron Hubbard reportedly said to some colleagues one time \"The real way to get rich is to start your own religion.\" He later wrote a book called \"Dianetics\" which gave people advice about how their own BS was holdi... | [] | [] | [
[
"About.com",
"http://altreligion.about.com/od/ritualsandpractices/a/auditing.htm"
]
] | |
472wv7 | how does a vr headset with its screen right near my eyes let me focus on an image when normally i need things at least a foot away to comfortably focus on them? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/472wv7/eli5_how_does_a_vr_headset_with_its_screen_right/ | {
"a_id": [
"d09qke0"
],
"score": [
17
],
"text": [
"The headset includes optics (lenses) to make the *apparent* distance to the display long enough for users to focus on it."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
3f1l41 | why bother with satellite communications? given the enormous expense of a build and launch, and the trouble once it's up there, wouldn't it just make more sense to propagate on-land (fibre optic) or ota (microwave?) communications? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3f1l41/eli5_why_bother_with_satellite_communications/ | {
"a_id": [
"ctkedv8",
"ctkekf6",
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],
"score": [
9,
5,
4
],
"text": [
"I think you have an odd perspective on how easy it is to build giant glass wires running everywhere compared to just building one satellite. ",
"Satellite communication has the ability to broadcast ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
2d6yqy | since the gravity on a celestial object like the moon europa is lower than earth, would that mean that the pressure in its ocean at an equivalent depth under earth's ocean would be less? | For example, if I was send a robotic probe 10 kilometres down under the ocean of Earth, it would experience a pressure of nearly 1,000 atmospheres. (Earth atmospheres, that is)
I'm assuming if I sent that same probe to that same depth under Europa's ocean (if indeed it has one), I'm assuming the pressure would not be... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2d6yqy/eli5_since_the_gravity_on_a_celestial_object_like/ | {
"a_id": [
"cjmongh"
],
"score": [
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],
"text": [
"Short answer: Yes.\n\nSlightly longer answer: pressure from fluids in an open container such as the ocean comes from the column of fluid above whatever point you're at. This is literally the weight (which is caused by gravity) of the air on your ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
1ht695 | skyrim/the elder scrolls' story | I've recently begun playing skyrim and while it's a fun game to walk around in vast open landscapes, i haven't gotten to understand the story to the game. There is a lot of text and i feel so overwhelmed to learn everything. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ht695/eli5_skyrimthe_elder_scrolls_story/ | {
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"text": [
"I think there was an eli5 to this a month or so ago with a great answer, try to search for it. I know it's ok to repost q's but there there was a really goo... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[
"UESP.net"
],
[
"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0Od2lbw9N4"
]
] | |
9ed07c | why couldn't vr headsets correct for prescription glasses when rendering images so you wouldn't need to wear them with a headset. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9ed07c/eli5_why_couldnt_vr_headsets_correct_for/ | {
"a_id": [
"e5nxaaq"
],
"score": [
8
],
"text": [
"They can. But you need modified lenses, basically same strength as your regular prescription. I read that Oculus Go will offer this. Won't be cheap, I bet.\n\nIf you wonder why the image can't be altered by the headset to be \"in focus,\" it does... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
3hakfe | how hackers can find and then get into various servers and systems | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3hakfe/eli5_how_hackers_can_find_and_then_get_into/ | {
"a_id": [
"cu5pp1u"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"depends on the system. The easiest and most universal way is to rely on human negligence and hubris. Similarly, email. most risky, studying a network for known vulnerabilities and attempting to covertly exploit them. "
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
5698pc | why our bodies can't synthesize vitamins? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5698pc/eli5why_our_bodies_cant_synthesize_vitamins/ | {
"a_id": [
"d8he14a",
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"score": [
4,
8
],
"text": [
"the short and sweet version of the answer is that evolutionary change happens by random mutation, followed by the less fit mutations dying off. It does not pick the best possible way of doing things. it only picks those tha... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
3vfm4r | does snoozing in the morning have any actual positive physical effect, or is it just denial of having to get up and doesn't actually help? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3vfm4r/eli5_does_snoozing_in_the_morning_have_any_actual/ | {
"a_id": [
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"cxnagdi",
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"cxnd9k0",
"cxnefq2",
"cxni0it",
"cxnicrc",
"c... | [] | [] | [
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"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6zcSFA7ymo"
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[]... | ||
64ak0b | why does it seem like no new large cities have emerged in the us lately? (ones with skyscrapers, etc.) | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/64ak0b/eli5_why_does_it_seem_like_no_new_large_cities/ | {
"a_id": [
"dg0mx4n",
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8,
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"text": [
"The cost to make them can heavily outweigh the projected value they'd bring to the area. Skyscrapers aren't cheap to build, taxes for anybody already living... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
52g4ck | what is it about trees that makes them want to take in co2? do they just store it away somewhere, or is it necessary for the roots/branches? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/52g4ck/eli5_what_is_it_about_trees_that_makes_them_want/ | {
"a_id": [
"d7jzkrz",
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"score": [
7,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"Trees turn carbon dioxide + water into sugar. They then either use that sugar for energy (the same way your body does) or covert it into cellulose which is a major component of the structural part of th... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
2brvdh | how is it that countries like australia are able to break un/international rules concerning asylum seekers and get away with it? | 'Stop the boats', was the Liberals main slogan to get into power in Australia. But by doing this they have broken laws concerning asylum seekers and human rights | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2brvdh/eli5_how_is_it_that_countries_like_australia_are/ | {
"a_id": [
"cj8a2ok"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"The UN is only as strong as its members. If the UN tried to punish a powerful country, and that country withdrew from the UN, the system would fail. So often powerful countries can get away with violations simply because the UN as a whole knows i... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
3tc0a0 | where does that style of writing that graffiti artists always use come from, and why do so many of them use it? | It seems like most graffiti artists use a font like [this one I found on Google](_URL_0_). Where does this come from, and why does it seem like everybody uses it? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3tc0a0/eli5_where_does_that_style_of_writing_that/ | {
"a_id": [
"cx4w6om"
],
"score": [
7
],
"text": [
"Grab a can of spray paint and start trying to write. With very thick lines created by the wide spray you are limited in the legibility if you don't write like that."
]
} | [] | [
"http://beej.us/graffiti/archive/tag14/tag14_1280.png"
] | [
[]
] | |
2n99op | why do they have heaters on right next to the entrance in retail shops? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2n99op/eli5_why_do_they_have_heaters_on_right_next_to/ | {
"a_id": [
"cmbijo5",
"cmbikc6",
"cmbity3"
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"score": [
23,
4,
17
],
"text": [
"To keep the outside air out, and to maintain the temperature indoors. Also aren't heaters, they're called [Air Doors](_URL_0_)",
"If you warm the coolest spot in the room (doors, windows and etc) ... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_door"
],
[],
[]
] | ||
8b6vzb | how come when on a vehicle, reading a physical book makes me feel sick after a few minutes but reading text on a phone when on a vehicle has no effect on me? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8b6vzb/eli5_how_come_when_on_a_vehicle_reading_a/ | {
"a_id": [
"dx4f2e2"
],
"score": [
7
],
"text": [
"It may be that with a book you're blocking the view of the road but with your phone you could see that you're moving.\n[from _URL_4_](_URL_2_)\n \n > But when you're reading in a car, your muscles and eyes tell your tha... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://www.reddit.com/r/books/comments/3sqd6l/how_can_i_read_in_the_car_without_getting/",
"https://m.wikihow.com/Avoid-Nausea-when-Reading-in-the-Car",
"https://curiosity.com/topics/why-reading-in-the-car-makes-you-carsick-curiosity/",
"https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3vgpbt... | ||
dvxtlt | could shoes with good arch supports be a substitute for orthotics to solve foot problems? or would the orthotics be preferred? | If a doctor recommends orthotics due to falling arches, ankles that bow out slightly, swollen bones in the foot, and one leg being shorter than the other (thus causing gait problems), would a higher-end pair of shoes with good arch supports serve the same purpose? Or would orthotics be preferred? Why? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dvxtlt/eli5_could_shoes_with_good_arch_supports_be_a/ | {
"a_id": [
"f7fettz",
"f7fkcvx",
"f7fn2pr"
],
"score": [
2,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"Orthotics can be customized. Shoes with better arch support put less load on tendons & stuff. Not that you should get medical advice from the Internet, but it seems like you have a lot going on and ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
5uk7uf | the whole pewdiepie saga. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5uk7uf/eli5_the_whole_pewdiepie_saga/ | {
"a_id": [
"dduopok"
],
"score": [
6
],
"text": [
"Felix Kjellberg (PewDiePie) gets famous playing videogames and talking about stuff on youtube. I don't know why kids even like this junk. I guess I'm old. \n\nHe's \"signed\" with Makers Studio. I also don't know what they do. \"produce\" I guess... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
6xt45q | high-functioning autism. | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6xt45q/eli5_highfunctioning_autism/ | {
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"score": [
4,
3,
2,
2,
2,
3
],
"text": [
"I highly recommend speaking with a professional in this case; head to your local college/university and speak with one of the psychology... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[
"http://neurowonderful.tumblr.com",
"https://www.youtube.com/user/neurowonderful",
"http://nbnightwing.tumblr.com/post/115589517351",
"http://www.wrongplanet.net"
]
] | |
egtkh1 | how do documentary film makers get interviews with fugitives? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/egtkh1/eli5_how_do_documentary_film_makers_get/ | {
"a_id": [
"fc9qxcn"
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"score": [
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"text": [
"Chances are that those various agencies know where the fugitive is but they have no authority to prosecute them or remove them from that location/country. The technical term is a non extradition treaty."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
78ldd8 | how can people not get source code for a game even though they have the exe and files | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/78ldd8/eli5how_can_people_not_get_source_code_for_a_game/ | {
"a_id": [
"dour6ck",
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3
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"text": [
"The .Exe just contains the compiled code, which is pretty hard to reverse engineer into source code. This compiled code is what the computer actually reads and for the most part is just long strings of ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
66rkvk | why does the brain come up with solutions to problems at random times ,sometimes even weeks after when we aren't even thinking about them? | For example coming up with a comeback after someone bested you like 2 weeks ago or something like that. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/66rkvk/eli5why_does_the_brain_come_up_with_solutions_to/ | {
"a_id": [
"dgkq2hm"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"Because you continue to think about it, even if you're not really paying attention to thinking about it.\n\nThe best way to compare this is, imagine you click on a website and begin loading a webpage. You get bored of waiting and open a new windo... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
31d979 | narcotics. | Sorry if this is a stupid question, but can someone explain to me why exactly narcotics are harmful? I understand that they're addictive and that if taken in excess can slow/stop breathing, but if someone was consistently taking them at a regulated dose are they really all that bad? Why?
Longer story: I've been sick w... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/31d979/eli5_narcotics/ | {
"a_id": [
"cq0iiv2"
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"score": [
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"text": [
"It can harm you by making you addicted.\n\nIf you get into larger doses and stronger narcotics, you become unable to function as a normal person when using them.\n\nIf you become addicted, you become unable to function without the drugs. Since y... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
3rnjwb | why, when using yeast, can people still make carbonated drinks without alcohol? do they distil it out or prevent it from forming? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3rnjwb/eli5why_when_using_yeast_can_people_still_make/ | {
"a_id": [
"cwpr01y"
],
"score": [
2
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"text": [
"Yes, just stop it early and don't give it much sugar to work with.\n\n_URL_0_\n"
]
} | [] | [] | [
[
"http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/ginger-ale-recipe.html"
]
] | ||
1tnjck | markov chains | Can you explain what these are, and maybe offer some resources that a third year physics student can learn about them from? Wikipedia is a bit too advanced | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1tnjck/eli5_markov_chains/ | {
"a_id": [
"ce9pb41"
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"score": [
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"text": [
"Markov Chains are a way for you to model situations with discrete, different states with defined probabilities of moving between individual states. \n\nA simple example is what's called a random, unbiased walk. Say you have five states labeled 1,... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
5y4qmi | why do so many churches and banks claim to be "first"? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5y4qmi/eli5_why_do_so_many_churches_and_banks_claim_to/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
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"text": [
"Marketing.\n\nYou make more money with more people, if you are the \"first church of Jesus\" it sounds better.\n\nSo if that means that a few more people come to you than the \"church of Jesus\" you make more money, and so i... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
2u0a6y | how animals can evolve to copy colors around them into their own bodies? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2u0a6y/eli5_how_animals_can_evolve_to_copy_colors_around/ | {
"a_id": [
"co48a5e"
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"score": [
3
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"text": [
"Say you have a species of some kind of wild predator. Let's say they're wolflike animals that live in a savannah like grassland. (This is a totally made up scenario, and I am no kind of scientist.) These wolves come mostly in dark browns and blac... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
8it1dc | why does aspirin increase chances of reye's syndrome? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8it1dc/eli5_why_does_aspirin_increase_chances_of_reyes/ | {
"a_id": [
"dyugcu5"
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"score": [
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"text": [
"[This paper](_URL_0_ ) goes over the mechanism in some detail. However, it's not ELI5, it's written in doctor rather than English.\n\nIn the liver there is an ongoing process of fatty acid metabolism called b-oxydation. If this process is disru... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10354521"
]
] | ||
31zp5d | how come you can sue despite signing a paper that says your employment is at will? | When you get a new job, you sign acknowledging the job is at will and that you can be terminated at any point, even without reasons. How come people still sue (even when they are at fault) and sometimes win despite their signed agreement? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/31zp5d/eli5_how_come_you_can_sue_despite_signing_a_paper/ | {
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"score": [
21,
4,
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"text": [
"Because contracts can't trump laws. For example, we can't sign a contract where I get to kill you. And currently, there are laws that govern how employers can treat their employees. Additionally, other... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
37n74y | why does blasting the heat help with an overheating car? | Summer time is here and my car over heats. Seems to cool down as soon as I blast the heat, but it's getting unbearable in 30+ degree weather (Celsius). | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/37n74y/eli5_why_does_blasting_the_heat_help_with_an/ | {
"a_id": [
"cro4mmx",
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"score": [
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"text": [
"How the heater works: It diverts the heated water from the engine to a small \"radiator\" in the cabin where a blower fan heats the car by blowing the air across it into the car. This is an extra bit of cooling for the engin... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
m9yof | my leg falling asleep (or other body parts) | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/m9yof/eli5_my_leg_falling_asleep_or_other_body_parts/ | {
"a_id": [
"c2z9d2r",
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"score": [
4,
4
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"text": [
"You feel tingles when a bug crawls across your arm right? When you touch something very hot, your hand moves away before your body can even react as if you were shocked. These sensations are caused by nerve impulses which re... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
75bg2y | how practical would a society of vegans have been before agriculture became widespread? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/75bg2y/eli5_how_practical_would_a_society_of_vegans_have/ | {
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"text": [
"Not very,but then again agriculture isn't exactly a new concept. They would probably survive better than any modern person placed into the same conditions (... | [] | [] | [
[],
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[],
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207n30 | how do ships keep time when travelling? | Say i'm a modern day ship captain and I want to roster my crew for sentry duty across multiple days, and perhaps I might not know beforehand where the ship is going to go. Do modern ships have a time system that can deal with this?
(i know there is a wiki article called "nautical time", but I need a simpler explanatio... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/207n30/eli5_how_do_ships_keep_time_when_travelling/ | {
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"text": [
"They use the same principle as countries that move the clocks forward or back in the middle of the night for Daylight Saving. Ships move relatively slowly so that helps for a start. Even going quickly across timezones, the s... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
1wasnz | the hormone functions occuring in the ovarian and menstrual cycle | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1wasnz/eli5_the_hormone_functions_occuring_in_the/ | {
"a_id": [
"cf0aw7d"
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"score": [
3
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"text": [
"OK, your cycle is all about preparing the uterus like a bed for a baby, making a baby, and growing a baby. If a baby isn't made, then it becomes about getting rid of that bed.\n\nThe cycle begins when a woman gets her period. This is the shedding... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
cl7xit | why are federal judges / justices appointed by presidents? does this not innately politicize the decisions? is there no other method of a neutral committee making the choices? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cl7xit/eli5_why_are_federal_judges_justices_appointed_by/ | {
"a_id": [
"evti782",
"evtibe7"
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"score": [
3,
3
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"text": [
"You can’t have democratically elected judges. They’d be too focussed on maintaining their public image instead of just making the right decision. The most just decision isn’t always the most popular one. \n\nYou also can’t h... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
qwk13 | can someone please explain gramsci's cultural hegemony? i'm a bit lost. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/qwk13/can_someone_please_explain_gramscis_cultural/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"Gramsci's theory of cultural hegemony states that the dominant class manipulates culture to reinforce its own dominance by naturalizing its own ideologies. In other words, the people in power (for example, rich straight whit... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
4dbyve | "one person, one vote" and the recent supreme court decision about it | I saw [this article from NPR](_URL_0_) which talks about a lot of things I'm not familiar with. Could someone elucidate this for me?
Let me know if I need to be more specific. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4dbyve/eli5_one_person_one_vote_and_the_recent_supreme/ | {
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"text": [
"So, when states draw their congressional districts, they are required to make the equal, so that there's the same number of people in ... | [] | [
"http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/04/04/472968704/supreme-court-rejects-challenge-to-one-person-one-vote"
] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
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1j70yn | what did "the breakfast club" do that made it such a milestone of a movie? also, why was it called "the breakfast club"? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1j70yn/eli5_what_did_the_breakfast_club_do_that_made_it/ | {
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ap6kve | how are new graphics cards and similar technology made so quickly? are advances in that area really being made that frequently? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ap6kve/eli5_how_are_new_graphics_cards_and_similar/ | {
"a_id": [
"eg63akc",
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"text": [
"They aren’t really groundbreaking technology changes. They’re basically refinements on the same tech to make each individual part smaller, and as a result more power efficient and often faster. You can also fit more into the... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://www.nvidia.com/object/gpu-applications-domain.html",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/65-nanometer_process",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semiconductor_device_fabrication"
]
] | ||
oj11s | what was so controversial about the reagan administration? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/oj11s/what_was_so_controversial_about_the_reagan/ | {
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"text": [
"I'm no expert on the topic, but Reagan was a proponent of what he called \"Trickle down economics\" or \"Reagonomics.\" Basically, the idea was that if the government drastically cut taxes on the rich,... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran%E2%80%93Contra_affair"
]
] | ||
cs7x7i | how does national debt work? and if the debt is astronomically high, is it commonplace for a strategy to be followed to pay it off or is the expectation that it'll never actually be paid back? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cs7x7i/eli5_how_does_national_debt_work_and_if_the_debt/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
2,
20,
6,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"National debt is good for two things: 1) it lets government spend more money than they have on hand; and 2) it lets investors balance their bond portfolio ri... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
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[]
] | ||
3v70xm | how does the party doing the gerrymandering know in advance which regions will vote for whom? | All explanations of gerrymandering I’ve seen assume that the party that redraws the district boundaries knows where their supporters and their opponents live. In a democracy in which elections are fair and votes are secret, how do they know? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3v70xm/eli5_how_does_the_party_doing_the_gerrymandering/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
3,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"In some cases you base it on demographics and assumptions. In some cases you base it on polling. But depending on the scale, you. An also base it on returns for local and national elections as aggregate... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
9u6ntq | if myself, and millions of other americans, pay into social security with every pay check, how are the funds not going to be there when we are older like everyone says? that is, if future generations continue to pay into ss. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9u6ntq/eli5_if_myself_and_millions_of_other_americans/ | {
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"score": [
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3,
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4,
4,
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"text": [
"Because more and more people are living longer and longer. Eventually, the fear is that the pay in won't be enoug... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
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8y5ajt | why aren't there more tiny houses in cities in the developed world? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8y5ajt/eli5_why_arent_there_more_tiny_houses_in_cities/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"Often building codes prevent this. Even more modest sized homes in the 800-1200 Sq ft range are not allowed in new construction ",
"Population density is a predominant factor in making building code... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
190re0 | why isn't it illegal for big trucks to completely block traffic? | I feel like there is always a UPS truck or beer delivery truck that is parked all janky, and in order to get around them, I have to drive in the opposing lane of traffic. Why isn't it illegal for them to do this? Or is it, but no one ever calls them on it? I've even seen a beer truck park completely across my street... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/190re0/why_isnt_it_illegal_for_big_trucks_to_completely/ | {
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... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
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"http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/14/when-a-fedex-tr"
],
[],
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[],
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62yflj | how are comic books printed? | Why pictures like this (_URL_0_ the way they are? I can't seem to find out. How were comic books printed? Was is a process of colors being printed sequentially (first red, then blue, then yellow, then black)? Were they all printed at once? Why are only some sections blocks of color? Why is black almost always the only ... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/62yflj/eli5_how_are_comic_books_printed/ | {
"a_id": [
"dfq33ea"
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"score": [
14
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"text": [
"AFAIK the process was usually a standard 4 colour process (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow & Black), so each 'plate' of colour would've been printed in that order. The decision to use dots allows 'different' colours to be used - also allowing a closer p... | [] | [
"http://imgur.com/a/lVoRt"
] | [
[]
] | |
2dtuc7 | what happens when you mix antidepressants with marijuana? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2dtuc7/eli5_what_happens_when_you_mix_antidepressants/ | {
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3,
3,
2
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"text": [
"Not much, really. \n\nAntidepressants don't actually have recreational value. They affect your brain chemistry quite a bit, but the effects are felt subtly. If you react poorly, you might feel a little ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
4devi3 | how do doctors know where a blood clot originated? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4devi3/eli5_how_do_doctors_know_where_a_blood_clot/ | {
"a_id": [
"d1qc4g0",
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"text": [
"They generally don't without further investigation, but more often than not it's the legs, and if it's not there it's at the site of some trauma or recent surgery.\n\nThere are multiple risk factors for blood clots, the big ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
737sjo | why jehovah’s witnesses have no online presence? so instead of going door to door they can get involved in people’s facebook, twitter, ig etc? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/737sjo/eli5_why_jehovahs_witnesses_have_no_online/ | {
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... | [] | [] | [
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10488d | the ending of fight club | I get the dynamic between Brad Pitt and Edward Norton, but the final gunshot still doesn't make sense to me 13 years after the movie's release.
I am Jack's confused moviewatcher. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/10488d/eli5_the_ending_of_fight_club/ | {
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34,
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"text": [
"Im not sure if theres a real explanation, remember the scene where hes being pulled by brad on the camera? How the f$ & k did he \"drag\" himself across the... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
8waw1f | why does glyceryl trinitrate cause headaches? | Glyceryl Trinitrate is found in various medications. How does this cause headaches when applied to the skin or ingested? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8waw1f/eli5why_does_glyceryl_trinitrate_cause_headaches/ | {
"a_id": [
"e1u1xz4"
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"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"They use nitroglycerin as a vasodilator in some heart conditions, it causes blood vessels to expand. \n\nThe blood vessels expanding in your brain can cause some discomfort (headaches like you said, and also some migraine-like symptoms). Blood ve... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
17uyda | how do websites like amazon and netflix generate suggestions for every entry? | I curious to know how much of it is based on some kind of 'human' input from an Amazon/Netflix employee with and how much of it is just machine logic based on algorithms and such. Or do these complement each other? Thanks!
(sorry for my English, my Dutch is better) | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/17uyda/eli5_how_do_websites_like_amazon_and_netflix/ | {
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"text": [
"If you watch Lesbian Vampire Killers and Super Bad, Netflix will suggest other movies that have the same \"tag words\". It's not so much algorithms. It's more easily described through Venn Diagrams and ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
1jvvus | why is it on movie posters actor names are rarely in the order that they appear on the cover art? | Some googling came up with mixed results and a lot of people guessing. Some people suggested that the bigger names go to the left and others said the biggest name goes in the middle.
Wouldn't it be counter productive in terms of marketing the for the actor? A lot of people (I still get a some stars mixed up, only exa... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1jvvus/eli5why_is_it_on_movie_posters_actor_names_are/ | {
"a_id": [
"cbis7d3",
"cbisd49"
],
"score": [
2,
2
],
"text": [
"The goal of the movie poster is to promote the movie, not the actors themselves. Therefore, they will put the names in an order that suits this goal, attempting to highlight the bigger names in the movie.",
"It's unbelie... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
4xjs0l | what causes my shower to regurgitate that extra dribble of water while i'm toweling off? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4xjs0l/eli5_what_causes_my_shower_to_regurgitate_that/ | {
"a_id": [
"d6g0jtf"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"After you shut off the pressure, there is basically an inverted column of water open to the atmosphere at the shower head, and closed at the faucet's valve. The water is held in place by the cohesiveness of the water to its self and the ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
atoeuc | how can a fast chargers only work on specific brand and now the others? | For example google and OnePlus chargers only fast charge their own brand phones. Both are type c but won't fast charge the other | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/atoeuc/eli5_how_can_a_fast_chargers_only_work_on/ | {
"a_id": [
"eh2etwx",
"eh2euiy",
"eh2eum2"
],
"score": [
4,
3,
2
],
"text": [
"Google's Pixel chargers use the USB Power Delivery standard. So, they can indeed be used to fast charge another brand of phone that supports USB-PD.\n\nOnePlus's dash chargers use a proprietary method t... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
7wqyvc | what is benign cancer and what can you do to cure it? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7wqyvc/eli5_what_is_benign_cancer_and_what_can_you_do_to/ | {
"a_id": [
"du2ic3j",
"du2ifj8",
"du2j7zw"
],
"score": [
11,
3,
4
],
"text": [
"There is no such thing as benign cancer. You may be thinking of benign tumors. These form in different areas of the body, and occur for a variety of reasons. This link has a good explanation:\n\n_URL_0... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/benign-tumors-causes-treatments#1"
],
[],
[]
] | ||
210tnu | why do news channels consider twitter a reliable, relevant, and serious source for different things? | I thought Twitter was just for teens and young adults but apparently it's relevant for news. Can someone explain this to me? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/210tnu/eli5_why_do_news_channels_consider_twitter_a/ | {
"a_id": [
"cg8jk5x",
"cg8jkbs",
"cg8joqn",
"cg8kgfp"
],
"score": [
3,
6,
6,
41
],
"text": [
"It gets the attention of a variety of viewers. They're trying to be relevant with young adults. It's all a game.",
" > Twitter was just for teens and young adults\n\nWhen repu... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[
"http://twitter.com/jenkuhney"
]
] | |
4kdsic | how do animals/insects develop patterns that match their surroundings? (e.g. moth with what looks like branches on its wings - how did the moth's genes "know" what a branch looks like?) | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4kdsic/eli5_how_do_animalsinsects_develop_patterns_that/ | {
"a_id": [
"d3e4o0m"
],
"score": [
9
],
"text": [
"By having the animals/insects who stand out get killed off.\n\nThink about it like that:\nThe only ones left alive are the most camouflaged specimens. When they reproduce, there’s a chance they produce a better-camouflaged offspring. Those who st... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
abohpn | how do car intakes keep rain from getting in when driving in the rain? | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/abohpn/eli5_how_do_car_intakes_keep_rain_from_getting_in/ | {
"a_id": [
"ed1vt1o"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"Well, the primary way is that the intake is usually under the hood where it's out of the rain.\n\nBut, even for ram air intakes there isn't usually that much water in the air. The little air that is there usually splatters on the back of the duct... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
5i1wd5 | why does apple cider vinegar work so well as a wart remover? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5i1wd5/eli5_why_does_apple_cider_vinegar_work_so_well_as/ | {
"a_id": [
"db4t319"
],
"score": [
7
],
"text": [
"Ok, so I can answer this. ACV basically breaks down the very top layer of your skin. If you just put ACV on a wart or a mole (like I did), all that will happen is that the very top layer will get rubbed off and it will often lose a little pigment... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
64zuc0 | why is coffee brewed, but tea is steeped? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/64zuc0/eli5_why_is_coffee_brewed_but_tea_is_steeped/ | {
"a_id": [
"dg69ygy",
"dg6fi46"
],
"score": [
34,
3
],
"text": [
"Tea is also brewed; steeping is just the technique used to do it. *Brewing* covers pretty much any process where you produce a potable beverage by treating materials with hot water.",
"I wondered the same thing, more sp... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://www.seriouseats.com/2017/03/science-of-tea-versus-coffee-brewing.html"
]
] | ||
1r7fvw | modern file systems | Okay, so I know that the two main file systems currently in use on Windows NT-based systems are FAT32 and NTFS. I've also heard of exFAT on GNU/Linux systems, and ReFS in Windows Server 2012.
What benefits do exFAT and ReFS have over NTFS, which was Microsoft's replacement for the ridiculously sagging FAT32 system, wh... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1r7fvw/eli5_modern_file_systems/ | {
"a_id": [
"cdl17uc"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"ReFS is a newer filesystems that is designed to have more resiliency then NTFS by doing things like having checksums to validate that a disk drive isn't corrupting data (what you wrote is what you read) and store more data then NTFS can safely, a... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://blogs.technet.com/b/askpfeplat/archive/2013/01/02/windows-server-2012-does-refs-replace-ntfs-when-should-i-use-it.aspx"
]
] | |
3rp28i | how do reality tv shows pull contests aside to ask for their opinion without interrupting the flow of the show? | If they do it after filming. Then how do they make their comments seem genuine? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3rp28i/eli5_how_do_reality_tv_shows_pull_contests_aside/ | {
"a_id": [
"cwq1fq4",
"cwq1pn0"
],
"score": [
3,
2
],
"text": [
"They do it afterwards. The comments are genuine, but they ask the question in a way to put them back in that situation. \"x just happened, what were your thoughts at that time?\"",
"They do it afterwards. They don't m... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
6xe91l | how police finds criminals with no or nearly no details about them? | Like when someone get mugged and can only remember that the mugger was from a specific color, or a murder with no witnesses? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6xe91l/eli5_how_police_finds_criminals_with_no_or_nearly/ | {
"a_id": [
"dmf73o6",
"dmfgxl1",
"dmfvhc8"
],
"score": [
6,
6,
2
],
"text": [
"Many of those cases remain unresolved and the criminal goes free. But later on they may leave some trace behind them in another crime, and when the police get them for that, they can connect them to the... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
nrtfv | arab spring. how/why did it start? who is involved? how has it progressed? where is it now? | . | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/nrtfv/eli5_arab_spring_howwhy_did_it_start_who_is/ | {
"a_id": [
"c3bh185",
"c3bh185"
],
"score": [
10,
10
],
"text": [
"How/why did it start?\n\nThe Arab Spring began with the self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi, a Tunisian street vendor. Bouazizi was operating a street vending cart without a permit and an inspector came around. As was cust... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
1q7m7q | how have there been so few fatalities due to the storm in the philippines? | Somehow it seems, especially not in a fully industrialized country, that a lot of people would have gotten killed by a storm of this magnitude? Anybody know how they stayed so resilient? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1q7m7q/eli5_how_have_there_been_so_few_fatalities_due_to/ | {
"a_id": [
"cda0ayr",
"cda1fae"
],
"score": [
6,
2
],
"text": [
"This isn't the first time its happened. When you live out on an island in the pacific where these storms happen regularly, you get used to it.\n\nIts kind of like how Florida can regularly get hit by high category Hurricane... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
7f69ma | what is dwarf fortress and why it is made difficult? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7f69ma/eli5_what_is_dwarf_fortress_and_why_it_is_made/ | {
"a_id": [
"dq9r0om"
],
"score": [
67
],
"text": [
"**Long response incoming because I love this game.**\n\n > why it is made like this\n\nDwarf Fortress is made by one person (Toady), with some help from his brother. Simply put, in Dwarf Fortress you embark with a small band of dwarves, which yo... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
56ijx3 | the difference between enthalpy, entropy, and free energy | I get them in a science way but I can't really visualize them in a simple way. I understand they're related, but what makes something Entropy instead of Free Energy? Why isn't Entropy + free energy equal to the Enthalpy? Why is one Free Energy different from another? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/56ijx3/eli5_the_difference_between_enthalpy_entropy_and/ | {
"a_id": [
"d8jjpa5"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"First, entropy needs to be separated from the others. Because entropy is fundamentally a different quantity than the others. Entropy is related to the number of ways to rearrange your system on a microscopic level and have it look the same on a m... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
8a0kf8 | if the evaporation temperature of water is 100°c, why on warm days does it not rain? | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8a0kf8/eli5_if_the_evaporation_temperature_of_water_is/ | {
"a_id": [
"dwuumj8",
"dwuxzil"
],
"score": [
4,
2
],
"text": [
"The boiling temperature of water is 100 degrees. Water evaporates at almost any temperature. Thats why puddles disappear of you leave then. Boiling means it is all evaporating, but if its not boiling then still some of it ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
2986q7 | our current water systems. how safe is it to drink water out of a sink? | Right, so we can't drink water directly from lakes because of parasites and bacteria, and so the water goes to pump stations where it's purified. But then water has to to travel through pipes before it arrives at your kitchen sink, and so I'm wondering, how safe is it to drink said water? Does water build up residue fr... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2986q7/eli5_our_current_water_systems_how_safe_is_it_to/ | {
"a_id": [
"ciicygh",
"ciiefx7"
],
"score": [
4,
2
],
"text": [
"The answer to your question differs very greatly depending on where you live.",
"Depends on where you live and what type of water source you have. If you have municipal water, that is \"city/state water\" then it's very ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
2cb8dj | what is a motif, and how do i use it? | I'm a self taught musician with very little technical know how. I understand that it's a "theme", but I'm not entirely sure how this is applied to music. I watched a video, and the guy said "This is a motif." and then started banging the same key, maybe 8 times, and then moved on to some other keys, and did the same. H... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2cb8dj/eli5_what_is_a_motif_and_how_do_i_use_it/ | {
"a_id": [
"cjdqwfl"
],
"score": [
4
],
"text": [
"A very simplified definition of a motif is \"a recurring subject, feature, theme, idea, etc/a dominant idea or feature.\" In music the motif of a song or piece is the central recurring core, a note/line/riff/segment that keeps appearing and which... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glsyYJksGtg"
]
] | |
2goggp | after a file finishes downloading it goes into a period of "processing" before it can be accessed. what is happening to the file during this time? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2goggp/eli5_after_a_file_finishes_downloading_it_goes/ | {
"a_id": [
"ckl0pe3"
],
"score": [
5
],
"text": [
"Oftentimes a file is downloaded in pieces. This way if the download is interrupted for whatever reason your computer doesn't have to start all over again from the beginning. \n\nOnce all the pieces have been downloaded your computer checks them f... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
45v0hr | why does the fate of syria seem to be so important to the world powers? | What's the real no bullshit reason behind the giant goatfuck that is now the Syrian conflict, and why does the world seem to give a fuck? There are tons of wars going on in other countries...and people dying horrible deaths all over the world which get no attention. Why is Syria special? (Serious) | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/45v0hr/eli5_why_does_the_fate_of_syria_seem_to_be_so/ | {
"a_id": [
"d00ditk",
"d00djbx"
],
"score": [
2,
8
],
"text": [
"countries care for different reasons. The biggest reasons are for security and economic reasons. Economy = oil in the region. Security = terrorists and destabilization in the region. \n\nAlso, if your enemy/definitely-not-fr... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
373jgb | how do cats know when they'll get fed like clockwork when they can't tell time? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/373jgb/eli5_how_do_cats_know_when_theyll_get_fed_like/ | {
"a_id": [
"crjj54z"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"If events happen at roughly the same time every day then they become part of our \"circadian rhythm\". A scientific term for our internal biological clock.\n\nSome people's clock is more precise or they are better at taking cues from their clock.... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circadian_rhythm"
]
] | ||
3qw6fh | why do american pharmacies use those orange containers? | Why do American pharmacies use those orange containers? In Europe, we use the original packaging sealed by the manufacturer. What is the advantage? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3qw6fh/eli5_why_do_american_pharmacies_use_those_orange/ | {
"a_id": [
"cwiuely",
"cwiuhd6",
"cwiuioe"
],
"score": [
4,
3,
4
],
"text": [
"It is to designate it as prescription medication, and because original packaging is not given in the prescription sizes that doctors issue. Original packaging is large containers of pills. You may need ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
evc0mi | why does breathing on an "empty" pen make it write again? | You all know this situation: your pen stops to write all of a sudden. You start to draw invisible circles on one side of your paper, but your pen seems to be dead. Then you remember: once you were a child, you've been told to breathe on a pen to make it write again.
But why is that? Why and how does this work? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/evc0mi/eli5_why_does_breathing_on_an_empty_pen_make_it/ | {
"a_id": [
"ffur3iv"
],
"score": [
8
],
"text": [
"You’re getting just enough moisture from your breath to let the ball get rolling again. The pen isn’t empty, it’s just stuck/dry and if the ball isn’t rolling you aren’t writing."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
au0dg0 | what is political polarization? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/au0dg0/eli5_what_is_political_polarization/ | {
"a_id": [
"eh4o5jx",
"eh4u1wd"
],
"score": [
3,
2
],
"text": [
"Polarization is the act of becoming extreme one side or the other such as a magnet, it's side is either positive or negative. There is no neutral. \n\nSo in politics it means either full conservative or full liberal. Only is... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
awdxia | why are esports so much more popular in south korea than other places? | I've been watching a lot of Overwatch League and one pretty apparent thing is that a ton of players come from South Korea. I've heard the explanation to this is that eSports in general is extremely popular in South Korea. Is this true? If so, why aren't they more popular other places? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/awdxia/eli5_why_are_esports_so_much_more_popular_in/ | {
"a_id": [
"ehm2v7k",
"ehm3od1",
"ehm41jk",
"ehm4k8o"
],
"score": [
3,
26,
3,
2
],
"text": [
"Their culture is much more accepting of gaming then most of western culture. Especially when it comes to gaming as a career. They even have college courses on how to be a pro game... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
z9hfu | please eli5 why do we have to turn off our cellphones and electronic devices whenever we fly in a commercial airplane? would we have to do the same on private planes? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/z9hfu/please_eli5_why_do_we_have_to_turn_off_our/ | {
"a_id": [
"c62n9zu",
"c62rt7g"
],
"score": [
6,
2
],
"text": [
"Takeoff and landings are the most dangerous part of flying and the staff want your full and undivided attention during them. \n\nNo you probably would not have to do the same on a private flight. ",
"Put your cell next t... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
3gb9pj | how/why do car dealerships adgertise "guaranteed financing or the car is free."? does anyone actually get a free car? | This always confused me when listening to the radio. What's the catch? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3gb9pj/eli5_howwhy_do_car_dealerships_adgertise/ | {
"a_id": [
"ctwjaxr",
"ctwji3v"
],
"score": [
2,
4
],
"text": [
"Not at all. If you were a car dealership, which would you do: give a car out for free or give out a car on a loan? The latter is going to make more sense in any case.",
"A lot of dealerships also own their own finance co... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
46m8qa | how is creativity measured? | Sometimes I see studies about how certain types of people are more creative, or that certain things make you more creative. For example, one study found that walking while thinking about something made someone more creative. Does creativity have units of measure? I've never understood how you could measure creativity t... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/46m8qa/eli5_how_is_creativity_measured/ | {
"a_id": [
"d0678m9"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"No tests are perfect in this area, but there are rough ways to measure someone's creativity. Imagine I asked you to name as many possible uses of a brick. I can score your responses on a few things like how many responses you could come up with a... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
c74u5k | why do some us electrical plugs have a "ground" and many do not? | I don't know much about how plugs or electricity works, obviously, but I was taught that one side is the "positive", one side is the "negative", and the bottom (seemingly quite optional) is the "ground". It's odd to me that so few plugs use the "ground", so it made me curious why it exists, and why it's optional. Are t... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/c74u5k/eli5_why_do_some_us_electrical_plugs_have_a/ | {
"a_id": [
"esd1lc1",
"esd5vvx",
"esd8ama",
"esdi56v",
"ese82uc",
"eseik36"
],
"score": [
9,
18,
2,
2,
2,
3
],
"text": [
"The alternating current coming out of a power socket is like a dog zooming back and forth between the positive and negative plugs repre... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appliance_classes"
],
[]
] | |
3k8qr0 | if a black hole has only as much mass as the star that created it, how is it more dangerous? why didn't the star itself have an event horizon? | So, a black hole is formed by a collapsed super massive star. But it still can only have as much gravity as that star. As such, it shouldn't really be able to "suck in" anything that the original star couldn't, right?
The best I've been able to explain this to myself is that the gravity of the star is less concentrate... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3k8qr0/eli5_if_a_black_hole_has_only_as_much_mass_as_the/ | {
"a_id": [
"cuvks9b",
"cuvktad"
],
"score": [
8,
2
],
"text": [
" > But it still can only have as much gravity as that star.\n\nWell, no. It can have a lot *more* gravity. This is because gravity is a function of both mass *and distance*.\n\nIf you were falling toward a normal star, onc... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
bs9or2 | it's 2019. why do callers on the radio still sound awful? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bs9or2/eli5_its_2019_why_do_callers_on_the_radio_still/ | {
"a_id": [
"eokgmy8"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"The way a telephone works is by making an approximation of your voice that doesn't have all of the detail of your real voice, and transmitting that to the destination. If your phone, and the recipient, has HD voice or HD calling, then you would h... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
g23ccy | do our smartphones constantly check (i.e. every second) for push notifications? | Or do they just receive it without even checking?
If I were sitting on a chair and a banana hit me, I’d know it hit me just by being conscious. Is it the same with phones or would I need to constantly ask someone if there are any bananas coming my way?
Hope I formulated the question right. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/g23ccy/eli5_do_our_smartphones_constantly_check_ie_every/ | {
"a_id": [
"fnk0x7o",
"fnj7b9z",
"fnj8dln"
],
"score": [
2,
8,
6
],
"text": [
"On iOS, the device establishes a persistent TCP/IP connection to the Apple Push Notification (APN) service. Messages can then be pushed through this connection to the device. [Source](_URL_0_).\n\nAndro... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/NetworkingInternet/Conceptual/RemoteNotificationsPG/APNSOverview.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40008194-CH8-SW1",
"https://developer.android.com/training/efficient-downloads/regular_updates"
],
[],
[]
] |
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