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1jahsv
the commercial use of an internet meme which contains intellectual property
I see companies everywhere using memes such as the Fry "Can't tell if" Meme _URL_0_ Why can a company use this fairly to promote their own products (or just keep their followers' attention on Facebook or whatever) without paying out or getting permission? And if they are not actually allowed to, how is this justified...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1jahsv/eli5_the_commercial_use_of_an_internet_meme_which/
{ "a_id": [ "cbcs7y8" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "In the specific case of the Fry meme, Fry is part of the intellectual property revolving around Futurama. In your question, it might not be that big of a deal if a company posted a Fry \"not sure\" pic on their facebook account, but if they start...
[]
[ "http://upboat.me/ff/Can't-tell-is-fair-use/Or-theft.jpg" ]
[ [ "http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/img-thing?.out=jpg&size=l&tid=21833935", "http://en.me-gusta-memes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/meme-history-yao-ming.jpg" ] ]
3caebu
who do countries owe money to?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3caebu/eli5_who_do_countries_owe_money_to/
{ "a_id": [ "cstowo1" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ "u/polyscifail answered this question before quite well: \n > To understand this, you have to understand debt. Your debt is someone elses asset. You can buy and sell Debt, just like you can buy and sell a stock.\nWhen I borrow money from a bank, a...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/pages/tg1285.ASPX", "http://www.nationaldebtclocks.org/debtclock/china", "https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1arrek/how_is_the_whole_world_in_debt_and_to_who_is_this/", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_debt_of_the_United_S...
vu7lb
why does america help and support israel so much?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/vu7lb/eli5_why_does_america_help_and_support_israel_so/
{ "a_id": [ "c57o8ry", "c57ob7z", "c57ocam", "c57ohp5", "c57pmz6", "c57qqag", "c57row7", "c57t6ci", "c57u9mp", "c57v6oh", "c57vq0o", "c57xbth", "c5801gu" ], "score": [ 108, 33, 2, 167, 3, 6, 28, 4, 2, 19, 2, 3, ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
20f5ng
technical explanation why charging a device does not slow it down. (my brother thinks that charging his ipad slows it down).
He will not believe that charging a device has nothing to do with the speed of a device. In my opinion when a device is running low on juice it would slow down (not noticeably) but because it's running low on juice it doesn't run all components at max capacity.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/20f5ng/eli5_technical_explanation_why_charging_a_device/
{ "a_id": [ "cg2mjv9", "cg2mkde", "cg2n6nx" ], "score": [ 3, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "You are correct. Unless the iPad is running on low power, it should not effect the capabilities of the ipad when it is charging.\n\nThe easiest way to explain it is like this:\n\nPicture a coffee maker....
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
1suh5s
how do they construct the middle part of a long-beam bridge?
How do they get the middle of the bridge constructed, since there is nothing underneath it?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1suh5s/eli5_how_do_they_construct_the_middle_part_of_a/
{ "a_id": [ "ce1cqum", "ce1o6mt" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "There's alway something beneath a bridge, firstly. But if the bridge is too tall, or over water, they use boom cranes (anchored cranes with telescoping arms). \n\nEdit: spelling", "They slip form, which means they have ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
72tfd0
why is gas heating so much cheaper than electric heating?
Wouldn't it be profitable for the utilities to build more gas-powered electric plants, increasing the demand for gas and the supply of electricity, until the prices equalized?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/72tfd0/eli5_why_is_gas_heating_so_much_cheaper_than/
{ "a_id": [ "dnl3a4m", "dnlaiec" ], "score": [ 5, 2 ], "text": [ "no, there are numerous losses in electricity production and transmission. all along the way heat is slowly lost to the atmosphere. While we need electricity, because its a convenient form of potential energy to do all kind...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
dw03c4
bandwidth speed tests (ie speedtestdotnet)--how do they work? does it measure total bandwidth including what's being used or only the free bandwidth?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dw03c4/eli5_bandwidth_speed_tests_ie_speedtestdotnethow/
{ "a_id": [ "f7ftp8k", "f7fttl5" ], "score": [ 2, 3 ], "text": [ "To clarify my question, if I have a max bandwidth speed of 200 mbps and I am downloading a file using half of that max bandwidth, will _URL_0_ show me a speed of 200 mbps, taking all active bandwidth into consideration or wi...
[]
[]
[ [ "speedtest.net" ], [] ]
fpp3mr
why does cranberry juice taste so tart. but is also so high in sugar?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/fpp3mr/eli5_why_does_cranberry_juice_taste_so_tart_but/
{ "a_id": [ "flm8qkx", "flm9rpb", "flmj27y" ], "score": [ 2, 8, 2 ], "text": [ "Cranberry juice is high in sugar *because* it’s tart. Sugar is added to counterbalance the tartness, otherwise it would be very hard to drink.", "Cranberry juice has a pH of around 2.3~2.5. That's *...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
1uoh46
why do people hate on prius owners? is it because the car is low quality? is it because of the audience the car attracts? or is it some sort of combination of these factors?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1uoh46/eli5why_do_people_hate_on_prius_owners_is_it/
{ "a_id": [ "cek4wr6", "cek50b4", "cek5odg", "cek75e7", "cek9kuj", "cekae4p", "cekb7t7" ], "score": [ 4, 16, 4, 5, 4, 6, 7 ], "text": [ "People HATE being told that they don't care enough about the environment, and seeing someone caring more than the...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
615z6s
what constitutes middle class in the united states currently?
People say (in passing) that the middle class is shrinking, but I am wondering if this is solely based on income or what factors contribute to the metric of upper/middle/lower class.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/615z6s/eli5_what_constitutes_middle_class_in_the_united/
{ "a_id": [ "dfbz5tq" ], "score": [ 11 ], "text": [ "It depends on what you mean by middle class. If you mean \"the people between the 30th and 70th income percentiles among US citizens\" then by definition it is the same size relative to the overall population as it has always been. If you define...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
6i80if
how was philando castile's shooter acquited of all charges?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6i80if/eli5how_was_philando_castiles_shooter_acquited_of/
{ "a_id": [ "dj455yj" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ " > Wikipedia says: \"the jury decided that the state had not met its burden for a conviction\" and \"the specific wording of the law regarding culpable negligence was the main factor among many leading to the verdict\", but, wasn't it pretty obv...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
4x8tof
what is the big deal with ipv4 addresses being exhausted?
I understand there were only 4.3 billion IP addresses made when the system was created as they though that would be enough (recent [article](_URL_0_) explains this). But now we have made IPv6, which is truly going to last forever (probably), so what's the big deal? Can't we just deal out these IPv6's from now on?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4x8tof/eli5_what_is_the_big_deal_with_ipv4_addresses/
{ "a_id": [ "d6de8m6", "d6def1j", "d6dfi46", "d6dgx09", "d6dhzdt", "d6dooto", "d6dtc20", "d6dugo3", "d6eq3vg" ], "score": [ 18, 11, 2, 4, 2, 2, 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Yea. There is the push to move to ipv6,. But theres a billion syst...
[]
[ "http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-19600718" ]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
1so8m0
why is it when falling asleep in a loud environment, such as onboard a plane, all the ambient noise seems to disappear for a second, and then when you realize, it all comes back. what's happening?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1so8m0/eli5_why_is_it_when_falling_asleep_in_a_loud/
{ "a_id": [ "cdzlgkp" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "You hear things because your ears have little cells that respond to vibrations in the air. Different vibrations means different sounds. These cells feel the different vibrations and send signals to the brain to make sense of these vibrations.\n...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
2470c4
in movies they always smuggle money through customs. why?
Movies such as "21" or other gambling flicks, they smuggle lots of money through customs and airports. Why do they do this? Is there some form of restrictions with traveling with money or couldn't you just have money in a bank account and withdraw it on the other side? If your going to Vegas people are going to assume ...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2470c4/eli5_in_movies_they_always_smuggle_money_through/
{ "a_id": [ "ch47i2d" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Yes, there are restrictions on traveling with large amounts of cash, because there is no reason to deal in large amounts of cash unless you are doing something illegal. You would run into the same problem trying to deposit the money, banks are re...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
8vxljz
why does the light from the sun start looking orange while it’s setting?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8vxljz/eli5_why_does_the_light_from_the_sun_start/
{ "a_id": [ "e1r5087", "e1r5b49" ], "score": [ 2, 6 ], "text": [ "The light is coming through the atmosphere at a different angle to the rest of the day, so a different amount of light gets to you. The particular frequency of light that happens to come through is orange. \n\nThink about sl...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rayleigh_scattering", "http://science-at-home.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/sunset.gif" ] ]
ezeyh0
how does surplus electricity from someone's solar panels get put back into the main power grid?
If someone has solar panels or some other type of power-generating system at their house, you always hear that they can sell electricity back to the power company if they are producing more than they are using. Physically, how does this work? Can electricity travel 2 directions on the same wire/cable? Does it just joi...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ezeyh0/eli5_how_does_surplus_electricity_from_someones/
{ "a_id": [ "fgpmnqp", "fgmudy4" ], "score": [ 3, 7 ], "text": [ "I interned with a residential/commercial solar company while earning my Mech. Eng degree. When solar is installed on a house (or commercial property) a second meter is installed. ALL of the power generated by your panels is ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
40j3lr
how are we sure that humans won't have adverse effects from things like social media, and our wired culture where we are in increasingly constant contact with each other?
Inspired by this post, _URL_0_. Yesterday I got to thinking, we are the first generation to have internet access and in a lot of obvious ways, this has had a huge impact on human culture. We don't really know what the long-term psychosocial effects of social media are, and I wonder how likely it will be that, in the...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/40j3lr/eli5how_are_we_sure_that_humans_wont_have_adverse/
{ "a_id": [ "cyujjin", "cyuk11j", "cyuk6ww" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Plato, in [The Phaedrus](_URL_0_), decried the harm that writing would do. We wouldn't have to memorize things anymore, we would just write them down. As a guy who believed that everything in our world ...
[]
[ "https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/40gmtu/eli5_how_are_we_sure_that_humans_wont_have/" ]
[ [ "http://classics.mit.edu/Plato/phaedrus.html" ], [], [ "http://www.sciencemag.org/content/333/6043/776.abstract#aff-2" ] ]
2ycweg
why does the mlb have a 40 round entry draft while the nfl has only 7?
On top of that, NFL teams are huge, yet they make do with 7 rounds, while MLB teams are big yet smaller than NFL teams, they need 40 rounds and extensive farm systems.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2ycweg/eli5_why_does_the_mlb_have_a_40_round_entry_draft/
{ "a_id": [ "cp8cd2u", "cp8cpr3", "cp8dgvd" ], "score": [ 4, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "It's because of the minor league teams. Since NFL doesn't have minor league, they don't need to draft as many players each year. ", "Instead of a strong college presence, baseball has a very deep fa...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
1vne7n
if the players and coaches and owners constantly change, why do (how can) people have such fierce loyalty to particular sports teams?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1vne7n/eli5_if_the_players_and_coaches_and_owners/
{ "a_id": [ "cetzck4", "cetzhod", "cetzkhv" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Location, location, location... and season tickets. Players, coaches, and owners do not change that often.", "Owners rarely change. ", "It's more what the team stands for (community pride, etc) ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
2qyi9r
why is nat only an issue on consoles?
I was listening to the RT Podcast, and Burnie Burns asked a really good question; if NAT is router based thing, why do PC games never worry about NAT whereas console gamers struggle with (getting an Open) NAT in order to play with certain friends? All PC Master Race jokes aside, I am honestly pretty interested in why N...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2qyi9r/eli5why_is_nat_only_an_issue_on_consoles/
{ "a_id": [ "cnavjuu", "cnaphsi" ], "score": [ 2, 7 ], "text": [ "in addition to some of these comments:\n\n- many routers support UPNP, which allows a program to request that the router open (and forward) a specific port. This is not specific to PCs, but worth keeping in mind with the nex...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STUN" ] ]
dftd63
why do some old wires (e.g. headphones, charging cables) work when put in some positions but not others?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dftd63/eli5_why_do_some_old_wires_eg_headphones_charging/
{ "a_id": [ "f35pi1p", "f35s5ad" ], "score": [ 10, 4 ], "text": [ "Every cable you have is actually numerous small metal wires bundled together. The issue you've described is called a short in a cable, which means some or all of these wires have broken, so the connection is broken when the...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
4w6gjs
how do redness relieving eye drops work vs normal lubricating ones?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4w6gjs/eli5_how_do_redness_relieving_eye_drops_work_vs/
{ "a_id": [ "d64fs4c" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Normal lubricating eye drops contain water and some oils and mimics your own tear drops.\n\nRedness relieving eye drops contain an ingredient which makes the blood vessels in your eyes contract." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
875npc
how do fabrics absorb liquids and what factors determine their absorbency?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/875npc/eli5_how_do_fabrics_absorb_liquids_and_what/
{ "a_id": [ "dwahefu" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Fabrics absorb moisture through [capillary action](_URL_0_). The same principle that allows candle wicks to absorb wax and burn. Basically, liquids will almost always want to merge with dry materials.\n\nAs for the second part, it depends on how ...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capillary_action" ] ]
1btjfl
why does my iphone's safari browser auto-refresh a webpage when i return to its tab?
This drives me crazy. So very much.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1btjfl/eli5_why_does_my_iphones_safari_browser/
{ "a_id": [ "c99wy9y" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "It doesn't auto-refresh. \n\nWhen you load a website, all the information you downloaded gets moved to your browsers cache. The cache is special memory that browsers use. On a PC your cache can be in the hundreds of megabytes. On your smartphone ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
299q2i
who pays for the renovations on reality tv shows like bar rescue or kitchen nightmares?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/299q2i/eli5_who_pays_for_the_renovations_on_reality_tv/
{ "a_id": [ "ciisgtv", "ciist8c" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "The show pays, it's part of their budget. The don't have to build sets or pay actors so they can do expensive renos and they're still pretty cheap shows to make.", "Combination of the show's budget and products provided ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
1mp0hj
why does the color blue appear calm/soothing to the eyes even though it has more energy (shorter wavelength) than most other colors?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1mp0hj/eli5_why_does_the_color_blue_appear_calmsoothing/
{ "a_id": [ "ccbbynt" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Yes, blue light does contain more energy than red light, but difference between them is infinitesimally small, hence you don't feel it very much.\nRed color is more distressing probably because most people associate it with blood, and blue color ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
80m5mj
why does america drive with automatic transmission for the most part, while most of the world still drives manual transmissions?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/80m5mj/eli5_why_does_america_drive_with_automatic/
{ "a_id": [ "duwij5c", "duwir3d", "duwiw46", "duwkrmz", "duwkt5z", "duwlrt9", "duwm77v", "duwmntk", "duwn07d", "duwndlk", "duwnesk", "duwnj0r", "duwnk8r", "duwnppo", "duwnuxr", "duwnw7n", "duwoeph", "duwoiiq", "duwon0s", "duwoumc", "d...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://www.afr.com/lifestyle/cars-bikes-and-boats/cars/manual-cars-face-extinction-as-congestion-triggers-a-clutch-backlash-20150614-ghni7m" ], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], ...
12g7sy
why do we want to buy more although we have enough? for example, i like leather wallets and, although i have a very nice one, when i see another nice one, i want to have that one too...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/12g7sy/why_do_we_want_to_buy_more_although_we_have/
{ "a_id": [ "c6urhdq", "c6us4c2" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "I mean, you didn't *need* the first one either. Plenty of people make do without a very nice leather wallet.\n\nWe want to buy more than we need because our society (like almost all societies) places value on the ability to ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
a3j164
why do some fruits need peeling (like a banana needs to be peeled before being eaten) while other fruits have a edible skin (like how an apple doesn’t need to be peeled before eaten)?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a3j164/eli5_why_do_some_fruits_need_peeling_like_a/
{ "a_id": [ "eb6mn2k", "eb6nttd" ], "score": [ 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Apples have a skin that is easily digested. Bananas do not. Banana peel also doesn't taste very nice.", "It's not that most fruits have a wholly inedible (i.e. poisonous) skin, it's that the flesh inside is sweet while m...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
41ty00
how can whatsapp plan on making money after they have scraped the subscription fee when they don't plan on using ads for revenue.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/41ty00/eli5_how_can_whatsapp_plan_on_making_money_after/
{ "a_id": [ "cz537m4", "cz53dl1" ], "score": [ 12, 2 ], "text": [ "Imagine your girlfriend tells you on whatsapp that she wants to eat Chinese tonight. You then go check Facebook, and you see an add for a Chinese restaurant dropping the food to your home if you need it.\n\nYou're a simple ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
92910b
why do electrical short-circuits create fire
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/92910b/eli5_why_do_electrical_shortcircuits_create_fire/
{ "a_id": [ "e33z2f9", "e34076k", "e348onv" ], "score": [ 17, 4, 3 ], "text": [ "A short circuit can carry a *huge* amount of energy per second. This can get the wires so hot that they set nearby materials on fire.", "Electricity generates heat equal to current squared times re...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
z1wcs
why is it legal for me to brew my own beer, but not to distil my own whiskey?
I don't understand why home brewing is a legal hobby, but moonshiners still can't make their own liquor.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/z1wcs/eli5_why_is_it_legal_for_me_to_brew_my_own_beer/
{ "a_id": [ "c60r1w1", "c60w8vu", "c60wp10", "c613tpk", "c615rnu" ], "score": [ 78, 13, 4, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "A distillery can be dangerous and is a significant fire hazard, while a homebrewing setup is not. Also, the distillation process can yield at times types of...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
2ebcn4
when someone dies wrongfully and the family sues somebody, how is the amount of money the family gets determined?
For instance, if I get hit by a drunk driver or something and my family sues, how do they come up with a monetary number and say "bootpackin was worth 12.5 million dollars" or whatever?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2ebcn4/eli5_when_someone_dies_wrongfully_and_the_family/
{ "a_id": [ "cjxu94d", "cjxvv83" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "When they bring the case, the number is kind of arbitrary. There are all sorts of formulas that can be used. The lost expected income from the rest of his career, the cost of emotional distress/therapy, lost wages on your en...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
3kdxg9
can something orbit the earth indefinitely?
Supposing the satellite has no engines, could it maintain the same orbit indefinitely? Let's say the moon...is the current orbit the same as it was million of years ago? Would it eventually get closer and closer to the earth and crash?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3kdxg9/eli5_can_something_orbit_the_earth_indefinitely/
{ "a_id": [ "cuwng04", "cuwru5f" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Theoretically, yes? Practically, no?\n\nWe have the necessary equations to determine, for two objects of a given mass, what would be a perfect orbit that would last forever. But things in reality aren't perfect. There are ex...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta-v_budget", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kessler_syndrome" ] ]
3p4cnk
at the end of ww2, what happened to ordinary german soldiers? did they just put away their guns/gear and resume civilian life?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3p4cnk/eli5_at_the_end_of_ww2_what_happened_to_ordinary/
{ "a_id": [ "cw2zuvo", "cw303sp", "cw30chm", "cw32leg" ], "score": [ 11, 6, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Yes. Only the high ranking war criminals were taken to trial. It's entirely impractical to persecute an entire country after they've already been beaten. It costs insane amounts m...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58mah_0Y8TU" ] ]
3zh7az
why cant a space shuttle take off using a method similiar to an an aeroplane?
As the title may indicate, physics is not my forte. However, I just saw a video of a space shuttle taking off, when i suddenly thought 'why must it take off in an explosive, vertical manner?' Can't it just take off in the same way an aeroplane does, but continue it's ascent past our atmosphere and into space? I am n...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3zh7az/eli5_why_cant_a_space_shuttle_take_off_using_a/
{ "a_id": [ "cym3nqx", "cym3ok7" ], "score": [ 4, 12 ], "text": [ "It takes an awful lot of fuel to get up to orbital velocity (which is about 17,500 mph). Most of the fuel to get up to that speed is burned escaping the first 40,000 feet or so, which is the thickest part of the atmosphere....
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
9dtn4b
why is it generally a bad idea to use your computer while it’s charging?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9dtn4b/eli5_why_is_it_generally_a_bad_idea_to_use_your/
{ "a_id": [ "e5jue5j", "e5jvg18" ], "score": [ 3, 20 ], "text": [ "The problem were the batteries. The old ones we used to have could not handle the stress of being charged halfway and powering the computer, or being charged halfway only and then used. This lowered the power the battery ca...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
dtpryw
what happens physically, mentally, etc. across the world that makes fireworks almost universally enjoyed?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dtpryw/eli5_what_happens_physically_mentally_etc_across/
{ "a_id": [ "f6z2rbv" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "I’m guessing it’s because people know it’s a tradition and it’s colourful and sparkly and it just looks cool in general." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
36fh86
how is carl icahn, top 10 apple shareholder, allowed by the sec to pump apple stock in the media?
What's the loophole I'm not aware of? Seems like pure manipulation. Is the opposite of message board "bashing" totally fair game? Even if he's posting a hypothetical future valuation based on some rumor of a hypothetical product? _URL_0_ "Apple is poised to enter and in our view dominate two new categories (the t...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/36fh86/eli5_how_is_carl_icahn_top_10_apple_shareholder/
{ "a_id": [ "crdikkp" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "The only people restricted by the SEC from saying whatever they want, are people with \"material knowledge\". This means they know what is actually going to happen. Icahn doesn't have any control over what Apple does, and Apple doesn't tell him (...
[]
[ "http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/05/18/us-apple-icahn-idUSKBN0O31LU20150518" ]
[ [] ]
5xkvsa
how does arizona ice tea keep its 99c price when there's inflation?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5xkvsa/eli5_how_does_arizona_ice_tea_keep_its_99c_price/
{ "a_id": [ "deiuwu6" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "- It costs pennies on the dollar to manufacture a drink\n\n- [The company has found ways to lower their production cost over the years,](_URL_0_) offsetting the losses from inflation\n\n- The price is part of brand identity and is a form of cheap...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://www.thrillist.com/drink/nation/arizona-iced-tea-price-don-vultaggio-interview" ] ]
203v86
why couldn't imperial empires maintain their colonies?
Why couldn't empires like Britain, France, and Spain control all their overseas possessions? Britain couldn't control America or India. France couldn't control modern day Vietnam, Cambodia, or Laos. Spain couldn't control the Caribbean or Latin America. Why couldn't these "world powers" settle revolts made by weak civi...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/203v86/eli5_why_couldnt_imperial_empires_maintain_their/
{ "a_id": [ "cfzmsiw", "cfzn470", "cfzn5ug", "cfznecm" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Each empire is unique but with lots of overlap. One of the common problems was that, to oversimplify it, success leads to indulgence. All the big empires, starting with Rome (in fi...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
1n4a5d
why americans say "dude"
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1n4a5d/eli5_why_americans_say_dude/
{ "a_id": [ "ccf8rb7", "ccf8s7i", "ccf8tpq", "ccf8ue5", "ccf8w67", "ccf91oe" ], "score": [ 3, 3, 5, 2, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Better question, why do Europeans say \"cunt\" when they mean friend.. Here in the US \"cunt\" is a pretty vulgar word..", "They cam...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnLweMNQoiE" ], [], [], [], [] ]
1ikbsf
free jazz
Why do jazz musicians sometimes play their saxophones and trumpets all crazy sounding? This is called free jazz, correct? And is it supposed to be accessible to the listener?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ikbsf/eli5free_jazz/
{ "a_id": [ "cb5bciv" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Okay, so check this out.\n\nJazz is \"musician's music\". While you and I listen to rock, or hip-hop, or soul, or whatever, Jazz musicians are listening to each other. They feel each other's tracks, and take parts of them that they like and impro...
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[]
[ [] ]
24fe94
how come i can have two loud noises right next to me, like the shower/hairdryer and the stereo, and the shower/hairdryer will drown out every word from the stereo but someone on the other end of the house can clearly hear every word from the stereo over the sound of the shower or hairdryer?
Assume I'm equally far from the running shower or hairdryer noise and the stereo (in other words, I'm not blowing the dryer right near my ear when the stereo is 5 feet away).
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/24fe94/eli5_how_come_i_can_have_two_loud_noises_right/
{ "a_id": [ "ch6lwpq" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "I suspect that the house is acting like a low-pass filter, meaning that the walls transmit higher frequencies (shower/drier) *less* than they transmit lower frequencies (voices)." ] }
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[]
[ [] ]
5yw778
why do humans make eye contact, look down, then look back up when they're attracted to each other?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5yw778/eli5_why_do_humans_make_eye_contact_look_down/
{ "a_id": [ "detd23u", "detdw8f", "detex2z" ], "score": [ 29, 2, 7 ], "text": [ "Step 1. We're staring\n2. We realise we're staring\n3. We stop staring\n4. We realise that person was also staring\n5. We go back to staring to show our interest", "After checking someone out, you ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
82bjp2
if saltpeter is so dangerous and outdated, why do recipes still list it as an ingredient?
I finally managed to get some brisket in time to make corned beef, but I couldn't find saltpeter at HEB, and don't want to blow up the house or kill the family. If I find it, should I use it? recipe here: _URL_0_
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/82bjp2/eli5_if_saltpeter_is_so_dangerous_and_outdated/
{ "a_id": [ "dv8v9q7" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "It's still available. Google search is your friend.\n\n_URL_0_\n\nsaltpeter or potassium nitrate, like many other nitrates are possible carcinogens. Sometimes it's necessary in food, but there are risks with using it. It's up to you to do the re...
[]
[ "https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/corned-beef-recipe-1947363.amp#ampshare=https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/corned-beef-recipe-1947363" ]
[ [ "https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=saltpeter" ] ]
5rauy0
our vote (the popular vote) does virtually nothing in america. why is this ok? why is no one concerned or actively trying to change this?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5rauy0/eli5_our_vote_the_popular_vote_does_virtually/
{ "a_id": [ "dd5ri8z" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "It DOES a lot of things. Local elections and State-level elections are all about the popular vote, and that matters. The electoral college is also determined in pretty much every state by the popular vote. So it's not as if the popular vote doesn...
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[]
[ [] ]
3ogg25
how do the camera men get the angles for a vehicle moving at high speeds? (example included)
In a car commercial, for instance [this one](_URL_0_), How do they get those angles of the car at :20-:22? Also in the movies, they'll have an angle of a plane in the sky and the camera will swivel around the plane slowly.. I've always wondered how they did that.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ogg25/eli5_how_do_the_camera_men_get_the_angles_for_a/
{ "a_id": [ "cvwxy73", "cvwy1gd" ], "score": [ 8, 3 ], "text": [ "They ride in a vehicle beside it?", "They will use a camera car with a jib/crane on it (they aren't necessarily always cars either, they can be some sort of electric vehicle, motorised trolley, anything which has wheels ...
[]
[ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uLBtPuiSg4" ]
[ [], [ "http://www.pursuitsystems.com/" ] ]
5tarjd
why does nail polish last so much longer on acrylic/fake nails than on regular finger nails?
Even higher end nail polishes will chip within days but on fake nails it'll last weeks. Why?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5tarjd/eli5_why_does_nail_polish_last_so_much_longer_on/
{ "a_id": [ "ddlf043", "ddlqklm" ], "score": [ 4, 2 ], "text": [ "The solvents in nail polish will melt acrylic allowing the two to mix and form a very strong bond. Nails don't really melt with those solvents, so the nail polish is just kinda stuck on top, not well bonded.", "The solve...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
6t5cvl
why is it so hard for cruise control to keep a steady speed when going up hill.
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6t5cvl/eli5_why_is_it_so_hard_for_cruise_control_to_keep/
{ "a_id": [ "dli4a71", "dli60u3" ], "score": [ 2, 4 ], "text": [ "Some cruise controls are pretty shabby engineering. They don't anticipate the effect of the slope, or of gear changes, on what they will need to do with the throttle -- things you do without trying very hard.", "[Hystere...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hysteresis" ] ]
2tdo7m
when people point out how many exceptions and changes there are in the english language, is its case really that unique compared to other languages?
I hear a lot of people complain how weird the English language is and how its rules don't make any sense half the time. But I have no idea if it is that much more common or not in other languages (only knowing English) and if most of these contradictions only exist in the English language. I'm not asking for a "scale...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2tdo7m/eli5_when_people_point_out_how_many_exceptions/
{ "a_id": [ "cny2ypn", "cny45zw" ], "score": [ 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Some do, some don't. English words have origins in Latin, Greek, Germanic, Celtic, Norse, and more, which leads to major variance in grammar and conjugation.", "Many languages do have special exceptions like English, par...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
4cgzof
is drinking a little wine actually good for you/have health benefits?
Title^
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4cgzof/eli5_is_drinking_a_little_wine_actually_good_for/
{ "a_id": [ "d1i2hh8" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Usually when there is talk about benefits of drinking wine, they're usually referring to something like resveritrol, an antioxidant found in red wines.\n\nIt does have benefits. You could get the same benefits if you ate the grapes they used to ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
c056o5
how do motorcyclists see through their helmet visors when riding in the rain?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/c056o5/eli5_how_do_motorcyclists_see_through_their/
{ "a_id": [ "er19x9f" ], "score": [ 12 ], "text": [ "Rain is see through. No different to a car driver. Except the wind caused by moving clears the visor. Or they wipe it.\n\n & #x200B;\n\nSource - Riding a motorbike." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
6umvtp
why do some websites such as online streaming services or even pornography website contain pop up websites that appear after clicking anywhere on the page?
Reputable (per say) websites such as Gomovies, Putlocker, Xvideos, etc. contain the well known "You've won $1000 dollars" or "Your computer has been infected" websites that open in a new tab, or behind your current browser window after you click on any part of the page. In what way do they benefit? As a rare consumer ...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6umvtp/eli5_why_do_some_websites_such_as_online/
{ "a_id": [ "dltw5w2", "dltwmwq" ], "score": [ 7, 4 ], "text": [ "Simply put, eventually that shit works. Advertisements like that don't work on almost anyone but they are super cheap to produce and if they make $1000 here or there, paying the site a few cents per click probably works out ...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "youporn.com" ] ]
6lys4r
why can an area be too wet for a some types of plants to grow?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6lys4r/eli5why_can_an_area_be_too_wet_for_a_some_types/
{ "a_id": [ "djxn1ax", "djy3a96" ], "score": [ 4, 2 ], "text": [ "If I said \"humans drink water\" and then put you in you in a fish tank, you wouldn't do so well either.\n\nToo much of things is by definition too much and bad for them.", "If the soil has too much water it can:\n\n1.) ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
3qcoig
wtf is human chimera?
[Linnk to article](_URL_0_)
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3qcoig/eli5wtf_is_human_chimera/
{ "a_id": [ "cwe6x3e" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "This is not a case of \"he absorbed his twin.\" It's a case of twins fusing together in the womb, and early enough that they meld into one organism, and part of that organism, a person, is made up of genes from one twin, and part of that organism...
[]
[ "http://news.yahoo.com/for-yahoo-health-dad-learns-that-unborn-twin-162421331.html" ]
[ [] ]
6cfecu
why do we say our descriptive words in a particular order? for example: "big red ball," not "red big ball."
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6cfecu/eli5_why_do_we_say_our_descriptive_words_in_a/
{ "a_id": [ "dhu8me9", "dhu8u2w", "dhua5ij", "dhubdc9" ], "score": [ 29, 13, 9, 2 ], "text": [ "There actually is a \"correct\" order, although most people don't learn it. We often pick it up without realizing it, but that's why certain orders sound \"weird\"\n\n_URL_1_\n\n...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/29hf92/eli5_why_does_saying_a_small_wooden_table_sound/", "https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2noyqz/eli5_how_do_we_automatically_know_to_say_black/?ref=search_posts" ], [ "http://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar...
761s2y
car blinkers - timing seems arbitrary?
You’re sitting at a red light in a left turn lane at night. You notice a lot of turn signals flashing, but none of them are blinking at the same rate! Why?! I’m assuming there’s a ‘blink rate’ setting programmed in the car, so Someone must be programming the number of milliseconds between each flash? Why is there n...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/761s2y/eli5_car_blinkers_timing_seems_arbitrary/
{ "a_id": [ "doan1qq", "doan2wy" ], "score": [ 9, 4 ], "text": [ " > I’m assuming there’s a ‘blink rate’ setting programmed in the car\n\nNope. The blink rate isn't computerized at all. There's a [thermal switch](_URL_0_) that makes a connection to the blinkers. When the switch heats up...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_cutoff#Thermal_switch" ], [] ]
2p0d81
why do we always know something isn't quite right with a scene if a green screen is being used? why can't they fool us more reliably?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2p0d81/eli5_why_do_we_always_know_something_isnt_quite/
{ "a_id": [ "cms5sy3", "cms603m", "cmsb0r2" ], "score": [ 3, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Actually, they do it more than you think and you're not aware, especially in TV scenes that require a background landmark. Movies can usually afford to shoot on-location, but TV doesn't have the time o...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.snotr.com/video/3610/Sneaky_green_screens" ], [], [] ]
1ubbjr
with colorado now allowed to legally sell pot on a state level, can the feds still shut down the dispensaries? if so, what are the punishments for the seller and/or user that are in the store?
Sorry if this was asked and answered before.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ubbjr/eli5_with_colorado_now_allowed_to_legally_sell/
{ "a_id": [ "cegbluu" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "The feds can shut down the dispensaries, but have indicated they will not, for now.\n\nThe punishments would be drug trafficking and drug possession.\n\nThere is an outside chance those charges could be overturned, if a federal court to a narrowe...
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[]
[ [] ]
5tqyih
why is copper a better conductor than francium?
Francium has a lower ionization energy and wants to give away an electron more than copper. Shouldn't this make it the best conductor?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5tqyih/eli5_why_is_copper_a_better_conductor_than/
{ "a_id": [ "ddodvqr", "ddokff0" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Gold and silver are also better conductors than copper. The reason copper is so commonly used as a conductor is that it's relatively cheap for its conductivity. ", "Because when metals conduct electricity, they aren't ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
36enu4
why can i feel completely full and unable to take one more bite of food a, but have no problem moving onto something else (food b).
Hello. I'm looking for an explanation as to how come I can feel full while eating one dish or type of food, but then discover I have room to eat something entirely different. It doesn't even have to be a "traditionally" filling meal. For example, maybe I'll be eating a big salad and after a while, I'll feel like I can'...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/36enu4/eli5_why_can_i_feel_completely_full_and_unable_to/
{ "a_id": [ "crdcasz" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "No your not. It's quite a common effect in people. Have you ever heard the term \"There's always room for dessert\"? :)\n\nThe part of your brain that tells you that you are full is called the hypothalamus. There is a condition called Prader-Will...
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[]
[ [] ]
omjka
gyroscope.
I just got a new Gyroscope and I realized I am at a loss as to how it is so awesome...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/omjka/eli5_gyroscope/
{ "a_id": [ "c3ieykt" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "NOT LY5 but here goes: gyroscopes demonstrate a very simple principle of physics called angular momentum. When you spin up the disk you give it a lot of energy because it's spinning so fast and the disk is kinda heavy. Now this angular momentum p...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.daviddarling.info/images/gyroscope_diagram.jpg" ] ]
3d0l0c
how does construction engineers / architects make sure a building won't collapse when they're designing it?
Can someone please elaborate on the math / sorcery required?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3d0l0c/eli5_how_does_construction_engineers_architects/
{ "a_id": [ "ct0p0k6", "ct1m6ad" ], "score": [ 4, 3 ], "text": [ "In order to design the building's foundations, they will first take samples of the soil by boring into the earth. These boring samples reveal the type of soil and its density (or bearing capacity). It will also indicate at...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
4akjbn
why can't we make an android rom that is impenetrable by hackers, let alone the government?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4akjbn/eli5_why_cant_we_make_an_android_rom_that_is/
{ "a_id": [ "d114m3i", "d115hrw" ], "score": [ 9, 5 ], "text": [ "You can have a perfectly secure house by removing all possible entrances into the house. But then, you wouldn't be able to enter and live in the house.\n\nLikewise, to interact with programs, we have to have doors and window...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://xkcd.com/538/" ] ]
nykup
what the mayan's said would happen in 2012 and why people believe it
My vague understanding is that the Mayan's made some sort of calender, and they stopped making days after Dec 21, 2012, so people assumed it would be the end of the world. Maybe this calender was accurate in predicting other things, so people actually pay attention to it? This could be 100% wrong, I'd like to have a si...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/nykup/eli5_what_the_mayans_said_would_happen_in_2012/
{ "a_id": [ "c3cygnf", "c3d062l", "c3d0bri", "c3d0t8p", "c3d122b", "c3d1ebl", "c3d3rfl" ], "score": [ 96, 4, 8, 35, 6, 8, 4 ], "text": [ "_URL_0_\n\n'December 2012 marks the conclusion of a b'ak'tun—a time period in the Mesoamerican Long Count calend...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_phenomenon" ], [], [], [], [], [ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcc_KAhwpa0" ], [ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HghEBxHvgg" ] ]
2jqf0a
what are the functions of the department of state?
After looking up the functions of the state department, I was met with some incredibly complex wording. I think I understand most of it, but there are some things that don't make sense to me. The four main functions of the State Department are, according to _URL_0_, **Facilitate broad dissemination of all source infor...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2jqf0a/eli5_what_are_the_functions_of_the_department_of/
{ "a_id": [ "cle4m2v" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "The Dept of State at the end of the day is in charge of facilitating all contact between the US and other nations. \n\nTheir professional staff corps, the US Foreign Service, are the staff for all our embassies around the world. They handle corre...
[]
[ "http://www.state.gov/m/ds/hstcenter/functions/" ]
[ [] ]
48fo1o
what is the significance of the honorific traditions in japan, china and korea?
How does this work? How did it start?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/48fo1o/eli5_what_is_the_significance_of_the_honorific/
{ "a_id": [ "d0jalsx", "d0jyhod" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "It started because there are strong social hierarchies and humility is an important factor in Confucianism, so knowing everyone else's social standing in comparison to your own is very important. Note that this isn't at all ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
1wczns
when porting video games to other platforms (e.g. ps3 to ps vita, ios to android) do the developers have to recode everything in a different programming language?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1wczns/when_porting_video_games_to_other_platforms_eg/
{ "a_id": [ "cf0u1f3", "cf0u3d9" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Going along with /u/UglierThanMoe, porting iOS to Android there are ways to package the port without rewriting the entire program, however there are a few problems that arrive from this (the app responds slower, less precise...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
7l6qng
why does car exhaust have such a stronger smell during the winter months?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7l6qng/eli5why_does_car_exhaust_have_such_a_stronger/
{ "a_id": [ "drjyupv", "drjzldc" ], "score": [ 7, 4 ], "text": [ "The engine runs richer (more fuel) especially at engine start-up until it gets to normal operating temperature. The extra fuel is why the exhaust smells stronger. ", "Your car has a catalytic converter that, amongst othe...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
16o853
why did lance armstrong confess?
Why
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/16o853/why_did_lance_armstrong_confess/
{ "a_id": [ "c7xshr7", "c7xsuik", "c7xv2o2" ], "score": [ 6, 8, 4 ], "text": [ "Cause he was caught.", "From what I gather doing so may enable him to return to competition in other events that he cannot do with the ban. He's become a triathlon athlete and to go pro in it he nee...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
3sjt7o
how a non-shutterbug iphone photographer like myself could snap the pics of space like i see on here. some of you seem to be taking this pics while in space.
I'm more than willing to purchase a camera, but even on that subject I wouldn't know where to start.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3sjt7o/eli5_how_a_nonshutterbug_iphone_photographer_like/
{ "a_id": [ "cwxtibc", "cwxuhej" ], "score": [ 5, 2 ], "text": [ "You'd have to link some examples for us to see exactly what you're talking about, but it sounds like you're talking about people taking pictures through a telescope. You simply put the camera lens up the telescope where you ...
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[ [ "http://lifehacker.com/take-awesome-astronomy-photos-with-a-smartphone-and-a-t-1561948593" ], [] ]
6t809j
why can we capture images of celestial objects which millions of lightyears away but not capture detailed images of uranus or neptune?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6t809j/eli5_why_can_we_capture_images_of_celestial/
{ "a_id": [ "dlilzf1" ], "score": [ 9 ], "text": [ "We're taking some fabulous new photos of Jupiter, but only because there's a fabulous new space probe *at* Jupiter. (Juno). When a similar mission orbits Uranus & Neptune we'll get some new images. Our current images of Neptune (Voyager 2 flew ...
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[ [ "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/63/Neptune-visible.jpg" ] ]
2qa90a
how can the sea temperature be higher than an unheated swimming pool that is shallow and in direct sunlight?
I am on holiday and have found the sea to be much warmer than the unheated swimming pool. I would of thought that because the pool is significantly shallower than the sea it would get warmer when being heated by the sun?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2qa90a/eli5_how_can_the_sea_temperature_be_higher_than/
{ "a_id": [ "cn49c49", "cn49c57" ], "score": [ 5, 3 ], "text": [ "[Currents!](_URL_0_) For example the gulf stream sends millions of tons of warm water from the gulf of mexico and the caribbean up the east coast. Trace a current from where you are in that picture above, I bet it is coming ...
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[ [ "http://www.ilibrarian.net/science/ocean_currents_lg.gif" ], [] ]
4wzof7
there are many kinds of metal. what qualifies metal as metal and what are different types of metal?
There are many terms I don't understand. For example, alloys, metal alloys, rare metals, heavy metals.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4wzof7/eli5_there_are_many_kinds_of_metal_what_qualifies/
{ "a_id": [ "d6b8c6g", "d6b8upu", "d6b9bko" ], "score": [ 5, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "A metal is generally a material that is hard, usually shiny, and can be shaped. It can either be an element or a mixture of elements.\n\nA metal that's made up of a mixture is called an alloy. Steel for...
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[ [], [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4wxs8l/eli5the_different_subgenres_of_metal/" ], [] ]
5ee6l5
how come seconds always feel almost exactly the same but hours, days, weeks, etc. can feel like they take forever or "fly by?"
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5ee6l5/eli5_how_come_seconds_always_feel_almost_exactly/
{ "a_id": [ "dabu3ii" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "In general speaking you do not possess a sense for long period of times. Therefore your measurement of small amounts of time will be more accurate - and you are much more easily able to compare them.\n\nHowever even small periods of time can be f...
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4il3f3
why do conservatives believe there is a strong correlation between lower tax rates for businesses and job creation?
If I own a company that is being taxed 80% one year, and 20% the next, what incentive is there for me to hire or create more jobs rather than keep the untaxed profit?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4il3f3/eli5why_do_conservatives_believe_there_is_a/
{ "a_id": [ "d2yxmci", "d2yxu12", "d2yyrn9", "d2z03ex", "d2z0yjo", "d2z628a" ], "score": [ 5, 15, 4, 7, 5, 3 ], "text": [ "Because you could make more money by reinvesting those untaxed dollars into your business...\n\n\"Why start a business at all and not j...
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8ggjuv
how do imports and exports between countries work?
Are governments trading with other governments or is it private companies trading with one another? How do different countries tax laws work? How do you trade with countries with different currencies?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8ggjuv/eli5_how_do_imports_and_exports_between_countries/
{ "a_id": [ "dybirvz", "dybivxl", "dybxtcr" ], "score": [ 5, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "It is both government and business trading. In some countries there is no difference between the two. At the macro level it’s not hard. Goods made in one country get sold in another country. Once yo...
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[ [], [], [] ]
3amn2p
why the earth is spinning and moving through our solar system, our solar system is moving through our galaxy, and our galaxy is also moving all at such immense speeds, but on earth we can't feel any of this.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3amn2p/eli5_why_the_earth_is_spinning_and_moving_through/
{ "a_id": [ "cse0iu1" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "The rotation of the Earth around its axis is the source of a centrifugal force acting on you. The direction of this force is exactly opposite to the direction of the gravitational force acting on you so you perceive the rotation as a small decrea...
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4jajtq
why do lymph nodes hurt when swollen?
I know why they swell, I am curious about the odd kind of pain of a swollen gland. I understand muscles and skin hurting, headaches etc but we don't usually get much sensation from internal organs that aren't in the digestive system. How come some organs get nerve endings and some don't?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4jajtq/eli5_why_do_lymph_nodes_hurt_when_swollen/
{ "a_id": [ "d35593x", "d35f1uo" ], "score": [ 7, 2 ], "text": [ "Lymph nodes have a fibrous capsule surrounding them that is innervated with pain fibers. It's kind of like a sack tightly bound around the node. If you get an infection and the node swells rapidly, the capsule is stretched, ...
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bar963
why is it a big deal that 1 in 200 of people alive today can trace their lineage back to genghis khan?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bar963/eli5_why_is_it_a_big_deal_that_1_in_200_of_people/
{ "a_id": [ "ekdj2ne", "ekdj4bz" ], "score": [ 4, 2 ], "text": [ " > So Genghis Khan's DNA has had 800/25 = 32 generations (more if 20) to spread around the world. In that time, an unbroken line would need to average less than 2 progeny per person per generation (1.73^32 = 40 million) to g...
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[ [ "http://www.ecology.com/population-estimates-year-2050/" ], [] ]
21ik42
if the president dies and the vice president is sworn in and then later pardons himself before he reveals that he was the one who killed the president, what would happen?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/21ik42/eli5_if_the_president_dies_and_the_vice_president/
{ "a_id": [ "cgdcjnx", "cgdcmnd", "cgdcs0k" ], "score": [ 4, 3, 3 ], "text": [ "How do you think he is going to pardon himself for a crime without telling anyone what it is? In any case, you can't pardon yourself.", "~~The constitution says that the President can't pardon himse...
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cqvru5
end to end encryption
More specifically, how is it possible for one entity to create a cipher, use that cipher to encrypt information and then send both the encrypted information and the means to decipher that information over it’s own network and still claim that it does not have the ability to view or modify the original information.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cqvru5/eli5_end_to_end_encryption/
{ "a_id": [ "ewzz1ae", "ewzzdr6", "ex167wk", "ex2xjab" ], "score": [ 4, 5, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "If Bob encrypts a message, and writes it on a piece of paper, and gives the piece of to the Post Office (where Eve works) to deliver to Alice - it's pretty clear that Eve can't rea...
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am9vgd
why does the human body need darkness to produce melatonin?
And how can the body/brain tell the difference between complete darkness and covering ourselves entirely with a blanket or wearing an eye mask?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/am9vgd/eli5_why_does_the_human_body_need_darkness_to/
{ "a_id": [ "efkgq97" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Light goes into your eyeball. The signal from your eyeball goes to a handful of places. One of them is called the suprachiasmatic nucleus. The SCN sends a signal to your pineal gland which is where melatonin is produced. So there is a connection...
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5luxlk
people say keeping the lights on drives up the electric bill, but isn't it simply using the electricity that is already on standby?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5luxlk/eli5_people_say_keeping_the_lights_on_drives_up/
{ "a_id": [ "dbynhfi", "dbynixe" ], "score": [ 2, 12 ], "text": [ "No. Electricity is the movement of electrons. If nothing is using the energy, more won't be added to the wires. It's not much different than the water in your pipes. ", "There is no such thing as \"Electricity on Standb...
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2aizrv
how does refusing a resignation work?
Say an official like the Secretary of State wants to resign and he submits his letter to the President, but he denies his it. What's to stop him from simply quitting his job?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2aizrv/eli5_how_does_refusing_a_resignation_work/
{ "a_id": [ "civl9tb", "civla6s" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Typically you refuse a resignation in order to be able to fire someone, not to keep them working for you. Sometimes you can refuse the resignation to make a statement that you really like the person and want them to continue...
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1ydmmy
why did some animals evolve to become nocturnal while others did not ?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ydmmy/eli5why_did_some_animals_evolve_to_become/
{ "a_id": [ "cfjjum3", "cfjkdo9" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "To share the habitat effectively with other animals. If every single animal was active during the day there would be too much competition and nobody would benefit from that.", "Well basically no living thing gets a say i...
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1rrlhw
how are shells on the beach made?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1rrlhw/eli5_how_are_shells_on_the_beach_made/
{ "a_id": [ "cdq5cfs" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Shellfish dies. Shell left behind. Washes up on beach." ] }
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am2g13
does the constant salting of our roads in the more frigid locales lead to a hardening of the local water?
Today it seems like there was more salt on the roads near me than there was asphalt. When this is eventually washed away, the salinity in our water table must at least temporarily rise. I have also noticed that the municipal water (tap water) provided to me has been steadily hardening over the past few years. It’s go...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/am2g13/eli5_does_the_constant_salting_of_our_roads_in/
{ "a_id": [ "efis1pe", "efiuezs" ], "score": [ 11, 10 ], "text": [ "Not usually.\n\nRoad salt is mostly sodium chloride, which does not contribute to hard water. However, Colder temperatures require blends that include magnesium, potassium and calcium chloride compounds. These can cause h...
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35uo8q
when does my scalp hurt when i fix my hair after it's matted down from wearing a hat for am extended period of time?
Edit: That am should be an. Goddamn this alien blue app. Edit 2: Why not when. I swear to god if you met me in person you'd think I was a normal functioning human being who can speak correctly.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/35uo8q/eli5_when_does_my_scalp_hurt_when_i_fix_my_hair/
{ "a_id": [ "cr7yjmp", "cr81yec", "cr87agt" ], "score": [ 19, 7, 7 ], "text": [ "Something about oil forming and congealing around the roots of your hairs. When your hair is moved, the congealed oil pulls on your scalp which creates discomfort.", "The follicles that are being m...
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60swba
why do people react negatively (or even violently) when presented with evidence that challenge their world view?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/60swba/eli5_why_do_people_react_negatively_or_even/
{ "a_id": [ "df91o10", "df91odr", "df920hb", "df92c5d", "df94esq" ], "score": [ 7, 2, 3, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Psychology major here. We've focused (in my social psychology classes, in particular) on the idea of cognitive dissonance. What this means is:\n\nYou perceive...
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1wsvhk
do women who have a heavy period get pregnant easier because their womb "builds a better nest" than women who have a light period?
Does a heavy period mean that their body makes more of an effort to make a good nest for the egg than women who have a light period, thus resulting in higher fertility?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1wsvhk/do_women_who_have_a_heavy_period_get_pregnant/
{ "a_id": [ "cf54hno", "cf557ki" ], "score": [ 3, 4 ], "text": [ "No, not really. Overall, menstruation volume seems unrelated to fertility. Some women have inherently low menstruation without any medical issues, and have normal fertility rates. While on the other hand very heavy periods c...
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41ke8z
why can some murderers plea insanity? surely all murderers are on the insanity scale to be able to carryout such an act?
I've always been confused how some people get their sentences either quashed or reduced or changed from prison to a hospital by pleading insanity. In my map of the world I see people who take other peoples life as insane regardless of why they do it, murder is not the act of a sane person. Why do the courts differenti...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/41ke8z/eli5why_can_some_murderers_plea_insanity_surely/
{ "a_id": [ "cz2zrwh", "cz30e6j", "cz323ho" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "I think the defining characteristic of the insanity that reduces sentences is a lack of understanding of what they did. Yeah, all murder could be considered somewhere on the crazy scale, but they're loo...
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77dmzh
why is therapy effective? what is it about the brain that allows talking about your problems to help fix them?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/77dmzh/eli5_why_is_therapy_effective_what_is_it_about/
{ "a_id": [ "dol2zfs", "dol3wzw", "dol876q", "dolg6kr", "doliq65", "dolm374", "doln6nv", "dolw8qu", "dom2yb1", "domt4ct" ], "score": [ 220, 11, 26, 5, 4, 12, 2, 2, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "There aren’t really good answers to this qu...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://www.medicaldaily.com/memory-selective-forgetting-brain-alters-past-every-time-we-try-remember-it-325890" ], [], [ "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2896818/" ] ]
8a6xio
what is a college credit hour and how do they work?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8a6xio/eli5_what_is_a_college_credit_hour_and_how_do/
{ "a_id": [ "dwwcewv" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "It's just a measurement of how long you spend in lecture each week, really. They're a good basis of how* much learning you're doing at a time. For example, you may need at least 12 credit hours to be considered a full time student. In general, th...
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3i5iq5
why does milk taste so good after eating something with syrup or peanut butter?
Edit: My first post to make it to the front page is the stupidest question I've ever thought of while high and binge-eating Eggo Waffles.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3i5iq5/eli5_why_does_milk_taste_so_good_after_eating/
{ "a_id": [ "cudiszl" ], "score": [ 1465 ], "text": [ "**Likes disolve likes. Polar substances like water disolve polar substances like sugar. Non-polars like oil, fat, and gasoline dissolve non-polars. We've all seen this, oil doesn't mix with water. Chocolate and peanut butter have fat which don...
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391u49
is there an actual economic benefit to increasing diversity in corporations?
More and more companies talk about increasing diversity in the workplace, but is it actually beneficial for the corporation, or is it more for publicity? Is increasing diversity a better strategy, than simply hiring the most qualified person for each position?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/391u49/eli5_is_there_an_actual_economic_benefit_to/
{ "a_id": [ "crzm7f5", "crzm9q0", "crzmb2k", "crzmbpn", "crzmi3s", "crzmztz" ], "score": [ 2, 5, 6, 2, 4, 4 ], "text": [ "The short answer is \"probably\". This is based on the fact that corporations *are* doing it... which means it is either A) legally req...
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2apfki
why do these folks go on these talk shows like maury, springer, dr. phil and share with the world their "dirty laundry"???
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2apfki/eli5_why_do_these_folks_go_on_these_talk_shows/
{ "a_id": [ "cixg023", "cixv0v2" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "they are getting paid or just like attention", "I was recruited to be on Jerry Springer's show back in the late 1990s. I used to hang out at a club in Chicago called the Exit, and I was approached by the owner to go on t...
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459r0d
why do web browsers change default search engines without prompt?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/459r0d/eli5_why_do_web_browsers_change_default_search/
{ "a_id": [ "czw6uf0" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "As far as I know, they don't. Something else (usually something you install, like a Java update) will hide it away as an addition to their installer. You are being prompted, just not directly and obviously." ] }
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51facc
why is sandwich meat round when the bread is not?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/51facc/eli5_why_is_sandwich_meat_round_when_the_bread_is/
{ "a_id": [ "d7bh0fh" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Bread is risen in a square tray while the meat is ground up and compressed in a tube of cloth. They are made differently and it isn't worth trying to match up their shapes." ] }
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