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
4d83un
how do you fight or eliminate an idea like terrorism from society?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4d83un/eli5how_do_you_fight_or_eliminate_an_idea_like/
{ "a_id": [ "d1ojkno" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Well terrorism isn't an idea, it's strategy some people use in pursuit of an idea - a means to an end. In the case of most terrorism today, that idea is Islamic supremacy (the notion that Islam should dominate the world, as preached by Muhammad)...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
9wjhsm
why does cooked food offer more calories than its raw counterpart?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9wjhsm/eli5_why_does_cooked_food_offer_more_calories/
{ "a_id": [ "e9l3ypl", "e9l9u6l", "e9lb6jp", "e9lbjb3", "e9leo72", "e9lf015", "e9lfac9", "e9lhwgy", "e9lurt4", "e9lvs0b", "e9lxxuw", "e9m0mzj", "e9mke4s", "e9mlbzc", "e9mqtci" ], "score": [ 9744, 361, 199, 10, 12, 15, 390, ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "https://www.businessinsider.com.au/calorie-counts-arent-accurate-2013-7?r=US&IR=T" ], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
2vdhzs
how does cement work?
How does mixing water with a load of powder, sand and other materials create a solid and sturdy building material?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2vdhzs/eli5_how_does_cement_work/
{ "a_id": [ "cognto9", "coh9meu" ], "score": [ 5, 2 ], "text": [ "The \"load of powder\" is really the kicker of cement. It's actually a carefully selected mixture of compounds that react with the water added in a series of exothermic reactions that interlock their crystal structures, prov...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
38wso5
how come sdd's are so expensive and small (storage wise) compared to hdd's
i'd really love to upgrade to an sdd but for me, the price of a HDD is infinitely better as 200 bucks can get you a 2-4tb HDD while the closest i saw was a 1TB SDD for 1 grand! so my question is, why are SDD's so expensive and/or small compared to HDD's (and yes, i know they're a considerably newer technology) A seco...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/38wso5/eli5_how_come_sdds_are_so_expensive_and_small/
{ "a_id": [ "cryfj46" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "SSDs aren't a new technology, they've been around for decades, they simply weren't feasible till recently. SSDs will likely never replace HDDs, don't wait for this. Get a good size SSD and install your OS onto it, get an HDD and put everything el...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
lxxp7
how do i buy stocks, bonds, etc?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/lxxp7/eli5_how_do_i_buy_stocks_bonds_etc/
{ "a_id": [ "c2whddl", "c2whj2b", "c2whddl", "c2whj2b" ], "score": [ 2, 7, 2, 7 ], "text": [ "Sign up for a brokerage account. I have a free one through my work, so I haven't researched any, but ETrade seems to be popular.\n\nThen, fill your account with some money.\n\nThe...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
506x5d
what are the tiny components on a computer's motherboard and what do they do?
I recently took apart my laptop to replace a wire, and looked closely at a motherboard for the first time and I was amazed by all the tiny things on it. What do they all do? I know there a lot of circuits on there, so I'm guessing a lot of them are switches, but are all of them?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/506x5d/eli5_what_are_the_tiny_components_on_a_computers/
{ "a_id": [ "d71nl6o", "d71nwah", "d71o5vf", "d72450y" ], "score": [ 3, 9, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Most of the switching logic happens inside silicon chips. These are covered in plastic to protect them. Most of the other components are capacitors and resistors. These are compone...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
36g0bx
i sometimes have dreams that i'm drowning, and after i wake up gasping for air. is this my my mind making an image for me not breathing, or my dream tricking my body into halting my breath?
Might be a long title, but is it my mind making an image for me suffocating (in a sense) or is my dream tricking my body into not breathing because the dream seems too real?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/36g0bx/eli5_i_sometimes_have_dreams_that_im_drowning_and/
{ "a_id": [ "crdomm6" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Might be you rolling over face down into your pillow, covering your mouth and nose. Your subconscious interprets this as drowning and incorporates this into your dream. Once the need for air gets bad enough you wake up and violently fulfill your ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
a051nj
why don’t we have replacement cartilage?
Why are NSIADs (ibuprofen, etc) the mainstay of treatment followed by replacement?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a051nj/eli5_why_dont_we_have_replacement_cartilage/
{ "a_id": [ "eaenrus", "eaeqaas" ], "score": [ 9, 5 ], "text": [ "Cartilage exists as a cushion between bones which means it needs to be soft and firmly attached. Anything we insert into the human body has the possibility to foster infections which means that the inserted substance needs t...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
1rzx9a
metallic bonding
I have a project due tomorrow and I don't understand the concept. Thanks
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1rzx9a/eli5_metallic_bonding/
{ "a_id": [ "cdskm1d" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "A metallic bonding is a chemical bonding between the same metal or between (many) different metals.\n\nThe electrons in the metal is delocalized, you can imagine there is a cloud of electron which can move freely (eg. cables can transport \"elect...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
213hq4
are you allowed to just turn off wifi/mobile data radios instead of flight mode during a flight?
On a flight, the usual instruction is to turn off any electrical devices or put them into airplane mode for the duration. However pictures taken whilst in airplane mode do not have location data recorded. If I turn off wifi and mobile data radios, the phone should still be able to pinpoint my location using GPS, righ...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/213hq4/eli5_are_you_allowed_to_just_turn_off_wifimobile/
{ "a_id": [ "cg98ul9" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Well, you can get latitude and longitude with GPS, but without access to the maps that the device gets over wifi or mobile data, it won't be able to render that on a map." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
1b35ox
what makes people distrust others that are different than themselves?
I grew up near San Francisco, California and maybe I just ignored it in my formative years (too busy with puberty), but it seems like people hate each other more. I live in Tennessee now, but it was getting that way in SF too. So tell me. Why? What makes straits hate gays, blacks hate whites, different cultures hate ot...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1b35ox/eli5_what_makes_people_distrust_others_that_are/
{ "a_id": [ "c934wti" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "The research says that it's a natural instinct. Researchers use what's called a minimal group paradigm, which is a methodology for discovering how little a difference between groups need to be for one to discriminate against the other group or fo...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minimal_group_paradigm" ] ]
4mnbky
how can a food scale measure fluid ounces?
I just got a new food scale that claims to measure fluid ounces. I thought fl oz were a measure of volume, not weight.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4mnbky/eli5_how_can_a_food_scale_measure_fluid_ounces/
{ "a_id": [ "d3wskhm" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "I would assume the scale knows how much a fluid ounce of water weighs. \n\nSome might just assume you are measuring water. If you are actually measuring water, then it will be 100% accurate. Milk will be close enough. Oils will be off quite a...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
a6gnfb
how do some houseplants live?
Especially those always sitting on a dining room table or anything of the like, they get only a few hours of sunlight a day. Most people will water them daily; however, some are extremely leafy and green which I would imagine require a decent amount of sunlight. How do they stay alive and leafy (even all year long) for...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a6gnfb/eli5_how_do_some_houseplants_live/
{ "a_id": [ "ebuo3lw", "ebuvx9d", "ebv80gl" ], "score": [ 7, 3, 2 ], "text": [ ".....\n\nDifferent plants prefer different conditions to grow and thrive, often these are related to where they come from, as they have adapted and found their spot there., and so have ways of coping wi...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
w7xpg
why is the universe cold?
Edit: Can I add more to the question? What would it be like if it was warm?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/w7xpg/eli5_why_is_the_universe_cold/
{ "a_id": [ "c5b1l1o", "c5b218t", "c5batm2" ], "score": [ 2, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "Because most of the universe isn't within close enough proximity to a star to \"warm\" up the space.", "Imagine you've got a box you use for moving houses.\n\nWell here on earth, even if you don't p...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
9541ew
an observatory discovers we’re in peril as a cataclysmic sized asteroid is on a path for earth and we’ve only got a year before impact. what measures are in place to save our bacons?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9541ew/eli5_an_observatory_discovers_were_in_peril_as_a/
{ "a_id": [ "e3ptrns", "e3pv1a2", "e3pvbta" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Absolutely none\n\nAll of our asteroid avoidance measures are for an asteroid that is a few decades out and all of them are theoretical at best\n\nIf we discovered an multi kilometer wide asteroid on co...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
2mvvjs
where do tv shows & movies get music?
so it is obviously someone's job to add music into the film. where do they find all this music and how do they decide? is there just some guy with a bunch of music on his iphone and when he hears one he writes down what it is and the feeling it gave him? i know when i try to find a song off a show, it takes me to the d...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2mvvjs/eli5_where_do_tv_shows_movies_get_music/
{ "a_id": [ "cm81de0", "cm85smh" ], "score": [ 3, 3 ], "text": [ "A lot of shows and movies hire a composer who , often working with director, creates a majority of the background music or main themes - like John Murphy for 28 days later.\n\nAnd for the other music in the show or movie, ye...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
4cmv4u
where does money go when leaving over all your money to your dog?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4cmv4u/eli5_where_does_money_go_when_leaving_over_all/
{ "a_id": [ "d1jm0wm" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "You can't leave money to a non-human animal because they can't legally own property. You can establish a trust to take care of a pet in most states. However, the trust usually can't get passed on to your pet's children. What happens to any money ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
2yxbug
why does a high blood glucose (hyperglycemia) cause weakness and fatigue in a person?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2yxbug/eli5why_does_a_high_blood_glucose_hyperglycemia/
{ "a_id": [ "cpdu9mk", "cpdvctr", "cpdwuuc" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Type 1 diabetic here, that much sugar in your blood is very hard on your organs. Imagine pipes with flowing water. Now pour as much sugar possible until it becomes a slosh :-P I mean, your blood isn't a...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15451897", "http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2905388/" ], [] ]
2ak9bm
when something bad happens, and it seems to happen in "slow motion" what is really going on?
My dog almost fell down the stairs. When he slipped, what I *perceived* to have happened next is I moved at my normal speed, but he fell in slow motion, which enabled me to catch him, when I wouldn't have been fast enough otherwise. What really happened? I'm sure the brain's ability to slow things down so we can react...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2ak9bm/eli5_when_something_bad_happens_and_it_seems_to/
{ "a_id": [ "ciw04dw", "ciw17qq", "ciw1ulo" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "When something life threatening/bad/unexpected is happening, your body releases epinephrine, AKA adrenaline. This increases sensory reception, muscle movement, and reaction. It looks like things are goi...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
40upis
why are people predicting that the price of oil won't recover for 4-5 years, when it originally dropped in price so quickly, almost overnight?
Could it not recover in a similarly speedy fashion?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/40upis/eli5_why_are_people_predicting_that_the_price_of/
{ "a_id": [ "cyxctt1", "cyxcy76" ], "score": [ 4, 2 ], "text": [ "OPEC started a price war because Iran was entering the world market have decades of being excluded.\n\nSaudi Arabia, OPEC, and Iran are able to extract oil at a much lower cost than elsewhere in the world. Hydraulic frackin...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
uurwj
why do advertisements in non-english speaking sports arenas still spell out in english words?
Saw a McDonald's ad today on the Spain vs. Italy match. Its definitely not the first time this question has come into my mind but just a reminder to me to figure out the answer...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/uurwj/why_do_advertisements_in_nonenglish_speaking/
{ "a_id": [ "c4yqdve", "c4yqg6i", "c4yqh7u", "c4ysi61" ], "score": [ 3, 6, 7, 3 ], "text": [ "At some point the brands become so big and well known that by virtue of the logo alone, which is in english, is good enough for someone to recognize a product.", "You were watc...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euro_2012" ], [], [] ]
yorey
how do digital certificates work?
Struggling to understand this concept..could someone please explain? :)
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/yorey/eli5_how_do_digital_certificates_work/
{ "a_id": [ "c5xhv94", "c5xiwhb" ], "score": [ 4, 2 ], "text": [ "Once upon a time there was a magical land called \"cryptonia\", which was ruled by a number of kings (nobody there found anything wrong with this, as they were super trustworthy persons). Every time a merchant would send an ...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public-key_cryptography" ] ]
2qig8v
how are military documentaries, which include deployment footage interviews, made?
For example, I just watched Korengal on Netflix. * How are non-military people allowed to even be in those areas and interview soldiers? * Who do documentarians talk to in order to get the green light to go? * Do they fly to those areas with the soldiers? * Who pays for their travel, are they compensated at all? * Et...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2qig8v/eli5_how_are_military_documentaries_which_include/
{ "a_id": [ "cn6e6a4", "cn6e8xf" ], "score": [ 3, 4 ], "text": [ "We had a military photographer attached to our unit. He was a soldier, just carried a camera (several actually) with him all the time. I remember him video taping quite a bit as well. ", "Aside from being someone in ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
d996ab
how does sound have "texture"? how does a piano sound different from a clarinet when they play the same tone?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/d996ab/eli5_how_does_sound_have_texture_how_does_a_piano/
{ "a_id": [ "f1fgr9q", "f1fgxc5", "f1fgxfv", "f1fls2t", "f1ge4tt", "f1gtw1j" ], "score": [ 27, 133, 11, 3, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "When a tone is played, there are several harmonic frequencies that also play. Kinda like how a mother duck walks and her ducklings f...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timbre" ], [], [], [], [] ]
4947zr
why do apps vary in functionality between platforms?
I have a windows phone, my sister has an android and I sometimes use an apple tablet. Often, I use the same app on several devices, and what confused me is that there is often differences in functionality between platforms, in ways that don't seem to be due to platform differences. For example, on android, wordfued sh...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4947zr/eli5_why_do_apps_vary_in_functionality_between/
{ "a_id": [ "d0p204x" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "It's exactly as you said in your last statement. \"If I made a cross platform app I would TRY to make it the same as possible\" \n\nThis isn't always possible, you might haven't different developers doing different platforms with all the same tim...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
35p88d
why is it that when we have a foot or an arm hanging off the bed we sometimes get scared?
Some people even worry about being uncovered. Where do these irrational fears come from?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/35p88d/eli5_why_is_it_that_when_we_have_a_foot_or_an_arm/
{ "a_id": [ "cr6p1m7" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Two words my friend: Bedroom Sharks. Huge, great white sharks that can survive outside of water and hide under a queen sized bed...just waiting, biding it's time until I let one of my precious limbs dangle off my bed." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
2vnzvc
why does drinking milk before excersizing make me throw up?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2vnzvc/eli5_why_does_drinking_milk_before_excersizing/
{ "a_id": [ "cojhgkg" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Simply put, it is heavy and takes a long time to digest so moving around while it's sloshing around in your stomach causes gastrointestinal distress. It also has a decent amount of sodium which makes you feel dehydrated during workouts. Plus ther...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
373xpe
why do win chances in poker games do not always sum up to 100%?
I have seen it alot - for instance, just two players are left: One has a win chance of 9%, the other player gets 80%. Where are the missing 11%?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/373xpe/eli5_why_do_win_chances_in_poker_games_do_not/
{ "a_id": [ "crjgz98" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "The missing percentage would be in case of a tied hand. Where they have the same overall level of hand and split the pot equally. " ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
a7e6j6
whats the difference between a person with adhd and a person without adhd saying they can’t focus?
I’m asking if there’s any difference in how their inattentiveness and disability to concentrate would present themselves.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a7e6j6/eli5_whats_the_difference_between_a_person_with/
{ "a_id": [ "ec29qm3", "ec2bylm", "ec2osyx", "ec3fllj" ], "score": [ 6, 24, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Some things cause people without ADD/ADHD to have trouble focusing: A noisy environment, stress, distractions, and tons of other things.\n\nThe difference is that with ADD/ADHD pe...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
1sy58l
how do sites like gamespot, ign etc. not get sued for copyright infringement?
And could i make my own blog with game reviews and screenshots from games without getting into legal trouble?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1sy58l/eli5_how_do_sites_like_gamespot_ign_etc_not_get/
{ "a_id": [ "ce2yjtj" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Gamespot and IGN are considered part of the Press. They profit from their coverage of games and game makers allow these sites to cover their product.\n\nIf you were to make a blog that covers games and profit off that, it wouldn't really be copy...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
7n7nvt
why does media audio on a phone sound distorted whilst on a call?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7n7nvt/eli5_why_does_media_audio_on_a_phone_sound/
{ "a_id": [ "ds10qhj", "ds0aeux" ], "score": [ 5, 2 ], "text": [ "Tom Scott did am excellent video on this topic...\n\n_URL_0_\n\nbasically, in order to make a call more economical, companies realized that they could just clip the extremities of the sound being transmitted since it isn't r...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://youtu.be/w2A8q3XIhu0" ], [] ]
3hkups
how does the middle income trap work?
My understanding is that the middle income trap describes countries that have risen from extreme poverty, but not into first world status. Malaysia is often cited as a textbook example. What is the prevailing though of why this happens.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3hkups/eli5how_does_the_middle_income_trap_work/
{ "a_id": [ "cu88cpq", "cu88m7n", "cu8d2mq" ], "score": [ 11, 7, 3 ], "text": [ "when you have an economy that has a lot of workers that can be fairly low-paid workers (compared to more 'developed' countries), companies will start up factories there to take advantage of the lower c...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
3a2vz1
why does so much commercial real estate sit empty for years? why not lower the rent to attract tenants/stores?
Hi, Please explain why landlords/owners of commercial real estate leave properties vacant for so long? Sometimes I see properties for least/rent for ages and I just wonder "why don't they lower the rent and get someone, ANYONE in there?? to open a business/storefront??, why let it be empty with a "For Lease" sign up ...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3a2vz1/eli5_why_does_so_much_commercial_real_estate_sit/
{ "a_id": [ "cs8rjdg", "cs8rnot", "cs8rw0n", "cs8sqvh", "cs8v59n", "cs92jok", "cs9325c", "cs9f2ap", "cs9hgh4" ], "score": [ 57, 22, 6, 21, 3, 5, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Low commercial rent doesn't attract retail / storefronts nearly as ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
5m7kfr
if autonomous vehicles are to be the future of transportation, what steps are being taken to ensure they function in extreme weather conditions such as blizzards or black ice?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5m7kfr/eli5_if_autonomous_vehicles_are_to_be_the_future/
{ "a_id": [ "dc1dfrx", "dc1e6s4" ], "score": [ 6, 3 ], "text": [ "Extensive testing of these systems on all terrain has been conducted and will continue to be conducted. \n\nThere are standard responses to certain situations that we should all do. For example if you're skidding, you turn i...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
3vdqet
why do some companies seem to be judged as a whole (disney, time warner, cinemark) whereas some companies are judged by their chief officers/founders (facebook, microsoft)?
Why is it that when companies like Disney or Time Warner do something wrong we tend to respond with "I hate that company" but when companies other companies commit similar wrongdoings we pass judgement on to very high-ups in the company?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3vdqet/eli5why_do_some_companies_seem_to_be_judged_as_a/
{ "a_id": [ "cxmnlzi" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "most people dont know who the current CEOs or executive officers of old companies like Disney, Exxon Mobil, BP, Walmart. everyone knows who mark zuckerberg is and what he's done. not many people know that satya nadella is the current CEO of MS th...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
4gdnn4
what's happening when i'm talking on the phone and i hear my own voice with about a 1-second delay? (not on speakerphone)
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4gdnn4/eli5_whats_happening_when_im_talking_on_the_phone/
{ "a_id": [ "d2gv9j5" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "It's called \"echo\" and is in a problem in both voice over IP and POTS (plain old telephone service, \"traditional\" phone lines.)\n\nThere are several causes for it, some are physical/electrical having to do with the way POTS systems work, othe...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.voip-info.org/wiki/view/Causes+of+Echo" ] ]
4d0164
when you're sick (e.g. with a cold) and you sleep, you feel quite a bit better than if you'd simply stayed awake for that long. what happens in say, that 1-2h of napping that makes you feel better?
Same goes for when you fall asleep at night too, I guess.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4d0164/eli5_when_youre_sick_eg_with_a_cold_and_you_sleep/
{ "a_id": [ "d1mpbeb" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "So you know how when you start off the day sick you feel ok and then by the end of the day you feel like shit. Well, that's because you body is not only getting more tired, but it's having to fight the infection harder through out the day as the ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
2o617j
set theory and the concept of different infinities.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2o617j/eli5_set_theory_and_the_concept_of_different/
{ "a_id": [ "cmk1l61", "cmk1r6d", "cmk255b" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "We say two infinite sets are the same infinity if you can match up each element in one set to an element in the other (or at least define a rule to do so - obviously actually doing it would take infinit...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpwUVExX27E" ], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleph_number#Aleph-naught", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cantor%27s_diagonal_argument" ] ]
5t3pfd
what makes people enjoy scary video games and movies? doesn't it go against humanistic nature of avoiding dangerous things?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5t3pfd/eli5_what_makes_people_enjoy_scary_video_games/
{ "a_id": [ "ddjvsr8" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "The thing is, people go into those knowing that it's not a dangerous thing. You get to experience the adrenaline rush of being scared but while remaining in a safe environment." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
ka1d0
what is the reasoning behind raising interest rates during a recession? what actually tends to happen?
Pertaining to James Surowiecki's Financial Page "Europe's Big Mistake" in the New Yorker
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ka1d0/eli5_what_is_the_reasoning_behind_raising/
{ "a_id": [ "c2im3wo", "c2im3wo" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "When you raise interest:\n* People have to pay more for lending money.\n > People will tend to not lend money and thus will not be able to spend money.\n* People will put their money on a savings account because they get mo...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
58d3b0
how did the polls get it so wrong in the uk about brexit, and how does the same phenomenon apply to the us for this election?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/58d3b0/eli5_how_did_the_polls_get_it_so_wrong_in_the_uk/
{ "a_id": [ "d8zg2ri", "d8zoi2y" ], "score": [ 11, 5 ], "text": [ "The BREXIT polls weren't \"so wrong.\" They pretty consistently depicted about equal amounts of support for each side and the final vote ended up being 51-49.\n\nThere is no \"phenomenon\" in play here and the BREXIT pollin...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
6exmtg
how does government sanctioned marriage benefit society? why can't people who love each other just live together without meaningless vows and signed paperwork?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6exmtg/eli5_how_does_government_sanctioned_marriage/
{ "a_id": [ "didu9pm", "diduskw", "didwwmi", "die1hyq", "die1tu6", "die5nhz", "dief4ww" ], "score": [ 5, 18, 3, 3, 3, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "Government sanctioned marriage comes with certain economic benefits (tax breaks are one of them) but if we're tal...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
l7a2k
fundamentals of kites.
More specifically, how to construct one and the scientific principles behind it. Thanks.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/l7a2k/fundamentals_of_kites/
{ "a_id": [ "c2qdiao", "c2qdiao" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "I'm not sure of the construction aspect, but I am an aerospace engineer, so I'll try to help\n\nKites generate lift along the same principles as wings on airplanes, by creating higher air pressure on the bottom of the wing t...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://imgur.com/SnBiH", "http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/heli-angle.gif", "https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8GgyoUKCcw4/TYJNcJcU9WI/AAAAAAAAAs4/jJrpkZAoa-w/s400/BackofKite2_v1.jpg" ], [ "http://imgur.com/SnBiH", "http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/heli-angle.gif", "https://lh3...
8yzu7n
when youre intoxicated, why do your eyes stutter back and forth when following a pen during a field sobriety test?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8yzu7n/eli5_when_youre_intoxicated_why_do_your_eyes/
{ "a_id": [ "e2f1ttb", "e2f2vov", "e2f6suu", "e2f7ghc", "e2fa0ef", "e2fkn4w" ], "score": [ 187, 14, 9, 2, 8, 2 ], "text": [ " I don't know exactly how much info y'all want, so I'll do a tl;dr at the end. \n\nBrain signals that initiate muscle movement start ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
1q3ofk
why, as time goes on, do video players on the internet seem to be getting worse instead of better?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1q3ofk/why_as_time_goes_on_do_video_players_on_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cd8u7wo", "cd8z0ht", "cd8z40d", "cd904my" ], "score": [ 52, 7, 10, 2 ], "text": [ "For some reason, the people responding to you seem to think you said \"video game players\", when you actually said \"video players\".\n\nAnd video players are *not* getting wors...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
7c3s58
how does biomimicry work?
All I know is biomimicry is copying nature when creating structures like cars and trains. How does it work and where are the applications?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7c3s58/eli5how_does_biomimicry_work/
{ "a_id": [ "dpmykal" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Man builds technology. Man sees technology doesn't work as well as man wants it to work. Man sees animal doing what the technology does but better. Man makes new technology that's modeled after the animal and it fits man's standards now.\n\nBiomi...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
5qqh1j
how do video game servers differ from web servers?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5qqh1j/eli5_how_do_video_game_servers_differ_from_web/
{ "a_id": [ "dd1a1ln", "dd1o0gc" ], "score": [ 5, 3 ], "text": [ "Oh boy, something I can explain!\n\nGenerally, the two are very similar. (The software is the only difference) A server's job is to serve (hence the name *server*) content to a user that is asking for it, and receive and pro...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://reddit.com" ] ]
3vc6tw
why does the american government work off an electoral system instead of a direct democracy for all large decisions?
Certain decisions throughout the country's history have obviously been controversial and consistent topics for presidential debates (Should we go to war about X? Should Net Neutrality be a thing? Should gay people be allowed to marry? etc, etc). Why do these things never get put to true democratic votes instead of t...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3vc6tw/eli5_why_does_the_american_government_work_off_an/
{ "a_id": [ "cxm7duk", "cxm81jg", "cxm83bb", "cxm8ke2", "cxmah58" ], "score": [ 5, 18, 7, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Two reasons.\n\nFirst when elections began in the 1700s is would have been super difficult to have a direct vote. Your talking the logistics of collecting an...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
1uq4w8
why does weed in uruguay cost around $1 dollar a gram but in colorado it's more expensive than illegal weed?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1uq4w8/why_does_weed_in_uruguay_cost_around_1_dollar_a/
{ "a_id": [ "cekkjn7", "cekl9gx", "cekm2zg" ], "score": [ 2, 3, 4 ], "text": [ "Economic disparity, then taxes.", "As others have said, market & tax...\n\nBut the price in Colorado will probably go down over time. Right now the demand is high (because it's new and exciting) ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
3f4m75
what does the moon have to do with our oceans?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3f4m75/eli5what_does_the_moon_have_to_do_with_our_oceans/
{ "a_id": [ "ctl91w9", "ctl93ez" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Gravity. Depending on where the moon is, there's different strengths pulling on the tides from the moon. ", "The moon is a big ball of mass that orbits our planet. Standard physics tells us that anything with mass will p...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
32cc0o
how come athletic records keep on getting broken? wouldn't humans reach a point where we couldn't exceed a certain physical limitation?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/32cc0o/eli5_how_come_athletic_records_keep_on_getting/
{ "a_id": [ "cq9vawv", "cq9vsi9", "cq9xvuc" ], "score": [ 3, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "No, humans are naturally better now than ever. Then consider the diet and fitness advances that have been made over the years. \n\n", "Because the science of athletic performance is getting better. ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
v5s1m
iraq war
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/v5s1m/eli5_iraq_war/
{ "a_id": [ "c51l8qx", "c5217cj" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "President George Bush purposely munipulated data so it would appear that Saddam Hussein had WMD's and was connected to Al-quada. He gave Saddam to relive of claim to Iraq or he would attack. Saddam did not leave, and the war...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
y0i2g
anthroposophy
_URL_0_
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/y0i2g/eli5_anthroposophy/
{ "a_id": [ "c5r7xxf", "c5rbso2" ], "score": [ 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Here is the extremely simplified version: Just like *anthropology* is the study of man, *anthroposophy* is the study of man's knowledge.\n\nI went to a Waldorf school from grade 1-8, and my parents were pretty into this stu...
[]
[ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthroposophy" ]
[ [], [] ]
5qs5kx
if i always feel mentally and physically better after exercising, why do i still avoid it like a whiny toddler?
Motivation not correlating to effect is absolutely befuddling.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5qs5kx/eli5if_i_always_feel_mentally_and_physically/
{ "a_id": [ "dd1pdce", "dd1pzxb", "dd1qguy", "dd1ql1x", "dd1qxk8", "dd1rnl1" ], "score": [ 4, 2, 7, 4, 2, 100 ], "text": [ "Because you feel miserable while exercising and instinctively avoid that discomfort maybe?", "It's hard. It is uncomfortable and s...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "BusinessDictionary.com", "http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/motivating-factors.html" ], [], [], [] ]
4clfd4
certain institutions (the catholic church, british government, subway, etc.) seem to put an incredible amount of effort into covering up pedophiles in their ranks. why? what's the logic there? is there an argument for protecting sexual predators?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4clfd4/eli5_certain_institutions_the_catholic_church/
{ "a_id": [ "d1j799k", "d1j7dxe", "d1j7ep6", "d1j8sqm", "d1jaw5g", "d1jbw82" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "In what way did Subway protect Jared Fogel? I never once heard them accused of that.", "1. Sometimes the people being protected have...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/handofgod/", "http://www.pbs.org/video/2365187642/", "http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/the-silence/" ] ]
1lf3hr
why don't your palms grow hair?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1lf3hr/eli5_why_dont_your_palms_grow_hair/
{ "a_id": [ "cbylclh" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Animals evolved to not have hair on palms/soles of feet in order to have better traction for movement. Dogs, cats, primates, etc - all mammals have areas of hands/feet without hair.\n\nPrimate have broader palms instead of the pads you see on th...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
20t6c6
if doctors can detect cancer through a blood test for "tumor markers", why isn't that a standard yearly checkup type of test?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/20t6c6/eli5_if_doctors_can_detect_cancer_through_a_blood/
{ "a_id": [ "cg6gyb6" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "There is always a false-positive rate with a test, and these false positives can cause more problems than the test solves.\n\nA good test like this might pick up 90% of persons with the cancer, but also trigger on 10% of people who do not. If the...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
6xhro5
why do our phones appear as if it can read our minds?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6xhro5/eli5_why_do_our_phones_appear_as_if_it_can_read/
{ "a_id": [ "dmg0qne" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Your going to hate this answer because it shows how much privacy you don't have. \n\nCompanies like Google, Facebook, Amazon, pretty much every major site you go to or nearly every site in general, collects everything you do. They sell all nonper...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
5pudl2
how does 20th century fox, universal, sony pictures and lionsgate own rights to some of marvel's characters in film even though marvel made those characters originally?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5pudl2/eli5_how_does_20th_century_fox_universal_sony/
{ "a_id": [ "dctx1wv", "dcu1kd0", "dcu54vg" ], "score": [ 15, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Marvel sold movie and TV rights and such to a lot of their characters (such as Spider-man, X-Men, and the Fantastic Four) many years ago when they were going through some troubles in their business. I...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
1l8f1t
eclipse's, and how the other side of the earth still receives light
If there is an eclipse, then the sun and the moon are on one side of the earth, but then why isn't the other side of the earth completely dark?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1l8f1t/eli5_eclipses_and_how_the_other_side_of_the_earth/
{ "a_id": [ "cbwya5l" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "The other side of the earth during an eclipse IS completely dark. Due to the earth's rotation, at any one time half the planet is in daylight, half in darkness. By definition a solar eclipse can only happen during daylight hours, and therefore th...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
1pjeym
when i transfer money to someone, the balance is immediately debited from my account, and three to five working days later it is credited to the beneficiary. where is my money during those 3-5 days?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1pjeym/eli5_when_i_transfer_money_to_someone_the_balance/
{ "a_id": [ "cd2xeda" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "Working for the man. You are essentially loaning the bank the money during the interim period. They day-trade with everyone's float and keep the profits." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
3metqu
why does it make sense for netflix to produce additional seasons of shows that were not continued elsewhere? ex: arrested development, black mirror, others
If it ceased to be profitable for the original producer, how is it profitable for Netflix to continue it?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3metqu/eli5_why_does_it_make_sense_for_netflix_to/
{ "a_id": [ "cveenic", "cvef1i4" ], "score": [ 4, 2 ], "text": [ "I believe shows are not cancelled because they are not profitable necessarily, but because they are predicted to not be profitable in the future by using viewer counts. Netflix can toss some of their capitol towards continui...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
4lmss3
how does diversity enhance workplace productivity?
Diversity seems to be the craze these days at companies and colleges, but I never really understood the justification for it. I've heard that it actually makes the workplace more productive? Is this true, and if so, what ways are employees made more productive, and why? EDIT: By diversity, I mean racial and gender div...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4lmss3/eli5_how_does_diversity_enhance_workplace/
{ "a_id": [ "d3ojt83", "d3ojtzt" ], "score": [ 13, 3 ], "text": [ "If everyone has the same ideas, you have a shallow pool of ideas from which to draw.\n\nIf you have people from lots of backgrounds (and I don't mean just racial) you have more chance of finding solutions your shallow pool ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
1n3lht
how is it that cameras are so far ahead in technology when compared to televisions?
How is it that a movie like Star Wars from the 1970s or something similar can be released on Blu-Ray in such a high definition format - literally decades ahead of its time? What is it about movie cameras in general that allow them to capture film that is years away from having anything to display it in its complete qua...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1n3lht/eli5_how_is_it_that_cameras_are_so_far_ahead_in/
{ "a_id": [ "ccf2efj" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Film was generally meant to be projected on a extremely large screen for wide screen performance. This allowed people to invest the time and money to create a light sensing service of appropriate quality to record the information for that display...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1f-kfRREA8M&t=2m15s" ] ]
2jjjpp
why was the citigroup and travelers merger allowed. even though it was illegal under the glass steagall act ?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2jjjpp/eli5_why_was_the_citigroup_and_travelers_merger/
{ "a_id": [ "clcbdu4" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "The Graham-Leach-Bliley Act was passed in late '99 and repealed the Glass-Steagall prohibitions on combinations of banks and insurance carriers." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
36r2ud
why is david letterman so popular?
I never found the Late Show Funny. Am I missing something?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/36r2ud/eli5_why_is_david_letterman_so_popular/
{ "a_id": [ "crgbq47" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Edit: Also try reading this:\n_URL_0_\n\nLike everything else, it's subjective. But here's my take on it, which is probably one that you'll hear from a lot of people who love him. \n\nYou have to remember the guy has been on the air for over 30 ...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/david-letterman-year-one-20110929" ] ]
1i3vnb
botox
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1i3vnb/eli5_botox/
{ "a_id": [ "cb156tr" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "[Botulism](_URL_0_) is a bacteria that releases a paralyzing chemical. If the bacteria grows out of control, it can cause fatal paralysis.\n\nThe paralyzing chemical takes effect for a long time - maybe a month. By killing the bacteria, they ca...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botulism" ] ]
5cyggi
can someone explain section 1688 of title ix in the us education amendments of 1972?
Section 1688: Neutrality with respect to abortion Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require or prohibit any person, or public or private entity, to provide or pay for any benefit or service, including the use of facilities, related to an abortion. Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit a penal...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5cyggi/eli5_can_someone_explain_section_1688_of_title_ix/
{ "a_id": [ "da0cyy9" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "It basically says that Title IX is unrelated to abortion. You can't use it to penalize anyone who has had an abortion, you can't use it to force a facility to allow itself to be used for performing abortions, and equally you can't use it to forc...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
avkrzk
- why does heat help myalgia (muscular pain)?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/avkrzk/eli5_why_does_heat_help_myalgia_muscular_pain/
{ "a_id": [ "ehfvf2y" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "Your nerves are bad at multitasking. If you add heat, they have to send a signal to the brain that there is something hot on your body. Temperature also have precendence over pain, hence a lot of your nerves will stop telling your brain about the...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
9xf8p7
what happens between almost (but not fully) falling asleep that leaves you feeling rested?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9xf8p7/eli5_what_happens_between_almost_but_not_fully/
{ "a_id": [ "e9s6yyd", "e9sx31m", "e9t75l7" ], "score": [ 2, 3, 6 ], "text": [ "That is your body putting you directly through a sleep cycle, typically light non-rapid eye movement sleep. (NREM) Thats when the body's repair process starts to take place. The outside stimulus ", ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
2a3x8f
why are lottery tickets not taxed?
I can buy a MegaMillions ticket for $1 and a Powerball ticket for $2. Those are the prices that are advertised, so why is the final cost not larger than that? (Note: this question is referring to lottery tickets in the US)
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2a3x8f/eli5why_are_lottery_tickets_not_taxed/
{ "a_id": [ "cir8sli", "cir8t7o" ], "score": [ 8, 12 ], "text": [ "They are, the government is the people that sell them, most of the price is tax.", "Because lottery tickets are all tax. The money goes to the state or states hosting the lottery. No sense to add sales tax. " ] }
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
4ejsgw
how can international trade be profitable for both countries?
If somebody is making money, doesn't it mean that somebody else is losing that money? I always get confused about how trading between countries can be so important for both sides.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4ejsgw/eli5_how_can_international_trade_be_profitable/
{ "a_id": [ "d20qqac", "d20qvpp", "d20r6cf", "d20rald", "d20vwrn", "d20xs6d" ], "score": [ 3, 3, 4, 2, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "By trading goods the other doesn't have can be beneficial. One country could have resource X, while the other doesn't and has resource Y...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
1st0pp
when we drink the juice of a fruit, what are we drinking? what does the juice do for the plant?
It must serve some kind of function other than being delicious. Is it the floral equivalent of blood? Does it contain the nutrients the flower requires to survive? How does it work?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1st0pp/eli5_when_we_drink_the_juice_of_a_fruit_what_are/
{ "a_id": [ "ce0xc11", "ce0yo1b" ], "score": [ 12, 2 ], "text": [ "Fruits are usually bait. The plant puts sugar and water in it to tempt some animal to come along and eat the fruit. In exchange for this food, the animal then distributes the seeds from that fruit elsewhere allowing the pla...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
d487rg
after a boil order has been lifted, how are things like a hot water heater or ice machine ever really "clean" or not contaminated again?
Just seems weird to me because contaminated water and clean water does not equal clean water
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/d487rg/eli5_after_a_boil_order_has_been_lifted_how_are/
{ "a_id": [ "f08n7wn", "f08nu23" ], "score": [ 2, 4 ], "text": [ "If the lines in them are clean flushing them once or twice is really about all you need tot do to be safe. Usually a breach in a municipal water system doesn't introduce a huge amount of biological contamination, so after it...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
39ll2n
shouldn't antibacterial soaps *reduce* the spread of resistant bacteria by reducing the likelihood that such a mutation will occur?
This is a question that has been bothering me for a long time, and while the search function gave me a LOT of questions related to antibacterial soaps and sanitizers, I didn't see an answer to this question specifically. When we talk about the dangers of overuse of hand sanitizer and other [triclosan](_URL_0_) produ...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/39ll2n/eli5_shouldnt_antibacterial_soaps_reduce_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cs4cq0x", "cs4cqqp", "cs4cr5m", "cs4cr7h", "cs4crmg", "cs4crzb", "cs4cvry", "cs4cy68" ], "score": [ 3, 19, 2, 2, 2, 2, 8, 3 ], "text": [ "Suppose you have a lake that has a stable population of fish. 99% of the fish are species A...
[]
[ "https://illumin.usc.edu/68/what-makes-antibacterial-soap-antibacterial/" ]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
ats7a2
what is the point of wi-fi calling?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ats7a2/eli5_what_is_the_point_of_wifi_calling/
{ "a_id": [ "eh3564b", "eh35928", "eh35x5a", "eh38gwy" ], "score": [ 5, 6, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Call quality. Theoretically you’ll get better voice quality over your ISPs data network than your cell providers voice network.", "Cost, if you’re international and don’t have ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
3w82p4
if an anchor can keep a ship from floating away, how can the anchor be pulled back up?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3w82p4/eli5_if_an_anchor_can_keep_a_ship_from_floating/
{ "a_id": [ "cxu2fiw", "cxubpri", "cxuctfj", "cxufkge", "cxuh94v", "cxuj4pw", "cxujg57", "cxv1tez" ], "score": [ 200, 3, 64, 3, 2, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Most of the work of the anchor is actually the heavy anchor chain. It sits on the bottom...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://alain.fraysse.free.fr/sail/rode/anchor/images/fig44b.jpg", "http://afeamarine.com/anchoring-scope.html" ], [], [], [], [], [] ]
3tr5r9
what does "70mm" mean in film, and why are people excited about it?
So I saw a bunch of comments fawning over having the chance to watch *Hateful Eight* "in 70mm" when it comes out. Does this mean a special kind of camera? What (if anything) makes it an improvement over the current standard? What even is the current standard?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3tr5r9/eli5_what_does_70mm_mean_in_film_and_why_are/
{ "a_id": [ "cx8ig0q", "cx8ihrv" ], "score": [ 4, 2 ], "text": [ "\"70mm\" means that the film on which the image was collected and later projected is itself is 70mm wide. Think of older cameras that used 35mm film as a standard, but up this to 70mm and apply it to cinema.\n\nThe reason 7...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
9b91ov
nasa's parker solar probe has radiators, how do these radiators radiate heat in a vacuum? thank you.
& #x200B;
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9b91ov/eli5_nasas_parker_solar_probe_has_radiators_how/
{ "a_id": [ "e516w5p", "e5191f7" ], "score": [ 11, 3 ], "text": [ "Well, by radiation. \n\nThere are 3 methods of heat transfer - conduction (by touch), by convection (through a moving fluid - think of a cool breeze), and radiation - by emitting light. \n\nAny object with a temperature ove...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
95xc4p
how did the conflict between saudi arabia and canada start; what is the timeline of events?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/95xc4p/eli5_how_did_the_conflict_between_saudi_arabia/
{ "a_id": [ "e3w5oga" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Saudi Arabian government sucks at being good to their people. They are chock full of shitty human rights violations. This has been going on for years. \n\nDemonstrators got arrested and then the Canadian government twitter account posted this ...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://www.vox.com/world/2018/8/6/17656864/saudi-arabia-canada-ambassador-persona-non-grata-samar-badawi" ] ]
2z98e5
why doesn't dubai have taxes?
You'd think that with all the billionaires/millionaires living there a 2% yearly tax can't hurt too bad, right? Am I missing something? Is there a good explanation?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2z98e5/eli5_why_doesnt_dubai_have_taxes/
{ "a_id": [ "cpgses8", "cpgudbx" ], "score": [ 5, 5 ], "text": [ "Because they don't need it. The government makes enough money off of selling the country's oil to do everything that they want to do.", "Same reason Texas doesn't have a state income tax. The other income taxes for corpo...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
4l6ev0
why is it harder to identify a song before you get the rhythm?
Whether it's playing in another room, there are machines blasting, or it's just warbled (Noise distorted), a song can sound completely different before you catch the beat. You might even confuse the words of a song you know! Afterwards though, even moving around you're more likely to follow along.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4l6ev0/eli5_why_is_it_harder_to_identify_a_song_before/
{ "a_id": [ "d3kolxl", "d3l8o9e" ], "score": [ 7, 2 ], "text": [ "Music is nothing more than organized sound. If your mind cannot perceive the organization (i.e., the downbeat, the tonality), your mind will not perceive it as music, just noise.", "As a musician myself, this only happen...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
j9o0q
why do we think we sound better when singing than we really are?
I know I suck at singing, but only after recording myself. Problem is, in my head, I think I sound good. Why?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/j9o0q/eli5_why_do_we_think_we_sound_better_when_singing/
{ "a_id": [ "c2aahp0", "c2abrdt", "c2aahp0", "c2abrdt" ], "score": [ 15, 2, 15, 2 ], "text": [ "Because of how we hear our own voice is actually not like how others hear your voice. Your voice sounds different to you than to others.\n\nThe voice originates in you and the so...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
39sptl
if exercise makes us healthier, why does it suck so much?
Shouldn't evolution have made exercise feeling great, since it makes us healthier and therefore more likely to survive longer? But instead I think exercise is so boring and shitty that I am neglecting it, probably leading to my downfall.. How come?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/39sptl/eli5_if_exercise_makes_us_healthier_why_does_it/
{ "a_id": [ "cs644f0", "cs6482b" ], "score": [ 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Actually exercise does have some ways in which your body encourages it. After exercising, the body releases endorphins which lift one's mood. I know that after exercise I feel great, whether it is because of endorphins or th...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
9elr7t
what are the odds of you being born?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9elr7t/eli5_what_are_the_odds_of_you_being_born/
{ "a_id": [ "e5pse6r" ], "score": [ 9 ], "text": [ "There are thousands of sperm cells and thousands of egg cells, but the chances that \"My sperm and egg cells\" ended up being the two that made me are irrelevant because if that one sperm wasn't first, it would have been a different one. Having t...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
3s9rfr
why do cars not have fail-safes that prevent the battery draining to a point where the car won't start?
It seems like such an obvious and simple measure that doesn't exist...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3s9rfr/eli5_why_do_cars_not_have_failsafes_that_prevent/
{ "a_id": [ "cwva7oq", "cwvc7iy", "cwvcx0o", "cwvfju4", "cwvnwkz" ], "score": [ 2, 4, 100, 31, 4 ], "text": [ "Many modern cars do they will turn off the lights and 12V outlets some time after the AUX is turned off.\n\nOlder cars tend not to. My 2007 Focus didn't. ...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peukert%27s_law" ], [], [ "http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1989-08-20/travel/8901050963_1_gnb-cold-cranking-battery" ], [] ]
6242nb
what does https everywhere do?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6242nb/eli5_what_does_https_everywhere_do/
{ "a_id": [ "dfjkxy8", "dfjlvnl" ], "score": [ 3, 3 ], "text": [ "The s in Https means secure, that means its encrypted before it goes over the network so that some one listening over the networks can not read it. when ever a password, credit card number, or any other private information y...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "www.example.com", "http://www.example.com" ] ]
2hls76
which one is healthier, or better, sleeping on flat ground or sleeping on bed? and why?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2hls76/eli5which_one_is_healthier_or_better_sleeping_on/
{ "a_id": [ "cktv2j5", "cktv52n", "cktv786", "cktvfxd", "cktw0or" ], "score": [ 2, 14, 49, 3, 9 ], "text": [ "Probably the mattress. You really concentrate your mass onto points when you sleep on bare ground, especially when you sleep on your side. At least a mattre...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
10k8fv
what is meant by a federalist approach to europe and what would a (more) federal eu look like?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/10k8fv/eli5_what_is_meant_by_a_federalist_approach_to/
{ "a_id": [ "c6e7iee" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ "Think federalism, think the United States of America; several bodies (i.e. states, like California and Florida) are bound together under a set of (generally) broad, common rules (i.e. the US constitution) whilst being allowed freedom to legislate...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
11vkji
what is the evidence against lance armstrong and why did he fight it for so long?
I've heard the evidence against him is overwhelming. Why would he choose to just deny and fight? Wouldn't other strategies be better for his reputation, especially in the long run?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/11vkji/eli5_what_is_the_evidence_against_lance_armstrong/
{ "a_id": [ "c6q25v2", "c6q2cop", "c6q2tyf", "c6q5w6m" ], "score": [ 45, 9, 12, 3 ], "text": [ "The evidence: about 20 of his former teammates, who are mostly still in the sport (riders, but also teamleaders and such) have testified, knowing that it could be harmful for the...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
1m162o
what are the advantages (for a company) when buying a company car?
For example in Belgium the company gets a tax exemption of 75% for an ordinary car, 90% for hybrid cars and 120% for electric. What does this mean exactly?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1m162o/eli5_what_are_the_advantages_for_a_company_when/
{ "a_id": [ "cc4rz23" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "That means that the company can claim a portion of the price as an allowable deduction. When the company does a tax return at the end of the financial year, they calculate how much tax they need to pay.\n\nTax is payed on all income except for in...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
3fbxg0
is there any reason for big game hunting other than for sport?
I live in North Dakota and everyone here hunts. I don't mind hunting, I understand the benefits, I just don't do it. But with big game hunting, are there any benefits? Do people actually take any meat with them or use any part of the animal? Do the lion, leopard, rhino, etc. populations even need to be controlled? The ...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3fbxg0/eli5_is_there_any_reason_for_big_game_hunting/
{ "a_id": [ "ctn95jr" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Most hunters eat what they kill. There are exceptions; for example, you are not permitted to bring meat into the US from Africa, so most of the meat there goes to the staff at the hunting lodge, and to the surrounding villages. When I hunted in A...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
41iw4r
how is gas in michigan below $1 yet here in seattle i just paid $2.25?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/41iw4r/eli5_how_is_gas_in_michigan_below_1_yet_here_in/
{ "a_id": [ "cz2nuds" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Shipping routes, local taxes, state taxes, refinery locations, crude source, local competition, etc. all play a role in determining the price of gas in your particular area. The area in Michigan is taking the minimum price of a likely rural area ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
1whm1q
why does the fda allow poor transparency of artificial sweeteners in u.s. nutrition labels?
How do they get away with not detailing allotments/serving the way sugar is? If the answer involves the research not being complete, why's the FDA still allowed them? It would seem to be counter-intuitive to me.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1whm1q/eli5_why_does_the_fda_allow_poor_transparency_of/
{ "a_id": [ "cf21967", "cf21zzd" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "They don't demand the concentrations of things like dyes, surfactants, stabilizers, etc., either. ", "Companies want to give away as little information on their products' compositions as possible, and generally only want...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
6bdj72
what does a computer's cpu do while usage is at 0%?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6bdj72/eli5_what_does_a_computers_cpu_do_while_usage_is/
{ "a_id": [ "dhlr1bt", "dhlr2lz" ], "score": [ 7, 5 ], "text": [ "In a modern computer CPU usage almost never drops to literally zero operations per second, but it can get close. When not working, the CPU will enter a power-saving state, where it either (A) executes the same \"wait for a s...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
d4s5g6
what exactly happens inside our body that gives us cramps around spleen level while running?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/d4s5g6/eli5_what_exactly_happens_inside_our_body_that/
{ "a_id": [ "f0g06rk", "f0hfhhk" ], "score": [ 14, 3 ], "text": [ "There’s no clear answer, but the diaphragm has generally been ruled out because swimmers get it and their muscle use doesn’t put the same pressure on the diaphragm. In walking and running, it is almost always caused by unev...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
1ri01d
why do cheesemakers polish wheels of cheese like gruyere or beemster?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ri01d/eli5_why_do_cheesemakers_polish_wheels_of_cheese/
{ "a_id": [ "cdnfper" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Are you referring to the washing given to these cheeses during ripening, or the wax coating these cheeses are given before they ship?\n\nIn the first case, gruyere (and I think beemster) is usually \"washed\" while it's ripening by applying a sol...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
b4i7p0
what is a think tank and what do they do?
In political news stories you often see mentions of "think tanks" that lean either left or right. I'm curious what exactly a think tank is. How are they formed? How are they funded? What do they do?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/b4i7p0/eli5_what_is_a_think_tank_and_what_do_they_do/
{ "a_id": [ "ej6tq50", "ej748bq", "ej7806e", "eja2q4w" ], "score": [ 29, 4, 22, 2 ], "text": [ "Think tanks are a specific kind of lobbyist organizations that advocates for certain things by employing university level academics to write white papers, policy documents and mo...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
3types
why so many of the refugees are men
Using data from the UN, it's said that 66% of refugees from the middle east are men. I was wondering how this happens and if there was an explication.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3types/eli5_why_so_many_of_the_refugees_are_men/
{ "a_id": [ "cxabckj", "cxabeih", "cxabtri" ], "score": [ 2, 3, 8 ], "text": [ "Most wives and children are in neighbouring countries.\nThe journey is dangerous, and women and children have a much bigger chance to drown, get raped/kidnapped and slow the journey down. Plus it costs ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
80tl27
why does carbon-14 not degrade until the death of the carrier?
The whole carbon-dating thing makes no sense to me...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/80tl27/eli5_why_does_carbon14_not_degrade_until_the/
{ "a_id": [ "duy4i2g", "duy4mxb", "duy4sjo", "duyd134", "duz6knz" ], "score": [ 13, 9, 4, 2, 4 ], "text": [ "It *does* degrade, but then the plant or animal gets more from the atmosphere. But once the thing dies, it doesn't eat or breathe anymore, so it's not gainin...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]