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9vnrik
if an underage person were to have non-consensual sex with a legal aged person, and the person of legal age was the victim, who would get in trouble?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9vnrik/eli5_if_an_underage_person_were_to_have/
{ "a_id": [ "e9dnm0m" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "The person who committed the rape would be legally responsible because the older person did not give consent. \n\n_URL_0_" ] }
[]
[]
[ [ "https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/7079461/13-year-old-boy-gets-just-three-year-detention-for-raping-woman.html" ] ]
37qkzi
why movies obviously photoshop the faces of the cast on "family" pictures that they could of easily just taken pictures of?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/37qkzi/eli5_why_movies_obviously_photoshop_the_faces_of/
{ "a_id": [ "croz013" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Well you can pay some low level photoshop monkey $15/hour to do the work on this in like just an hour, or pay for an entire photo shoot, actors, photographers, make up people, lighting and such, which can easily be in the tens of thousands of dol...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
41a091
if i developed my own spaceship and went to space and killed someone...how would i get in trouble and by who?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/41a091/eli5_if_i_developed_my_own_spaceship_and_went_to/
{ "a_id": [ "cz0p1bz" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "My reading of the international space treaty seems to indicate that your country's government bears the responsibilities for your actions in space, so most likely you would prosecuted under your own nation's laws. If your country is willing to e...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outer_Space_Treaty#Responsibility_for_activities_in_space" ] ]
4edri7
how can the new video game "no man's sky" have over 18 quintillion (1.8×10^19) planets, while other modern games can't even load exponentially smaller sized maps?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4edri7/eli5_how_can_the_new_video_game_no_mans_sky_have/
{ "a_id": [ "d1z7u51", "d1z81gu" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "It doesn't/won't actually have that. It's just a technical possibility based of the formulas they use.\n\nFor example there are: 80,658,175,170,943,878,571,660,636,856,403,766,975,289,505,440,883,277,824,000,000,000,000 way...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
1j3d38
when and how did banks switch from actual paper money to the computerized system they use today?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1j3d38/eli5_when_and_how_did_banks_switch_from_actual/
{ "a_id": [ "cbaocjo", "cbap356", "cbapitx", "cbaqile", "cbatgw8" ], "score": [ 9, 6, 60, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Banks have always dealt with \"virtual\" money, that is money they own but that they don't hold in their hands. The first banks were merchant banks. These ba...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
aofazm
during a siege on a castle, why didn't defenders make more stone walls behind the gate?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/aofazm/eli5during_a_siege_on_a_castle_why_didnt/
{ "a_id": [ "eg0e62c", "eg0evmo", "eg0fbv4", "eg0fowj", "eg0xujm" ], "score": [ 3, 5, 11, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "What?\n\nBecause it's a gate. it doesn't work if you brick it up.\n\nAlso: do you know how slow building castles was? They didn't have time/materials to quic...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
1gtzgp
what is lossless audio?
I hope to understand .FLAC file type and what the real distinction is. Thanks
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1gtzgp/eli5_what_is_lossless_audio/
{ "a_id": [ "cansi92", "cansqx1", "canvjxx" ], "score": [ 3, 6, 3 ], "text": [ "Lossless audio compression doesn't lose any information. If you compress a 100MB .WAV audio file to about half its size in a FLAC file and decompress it once again, the decompressed file will match the...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://i.imgur.com/SEyRJvx.png", "http://i.imgur.com/9akPdI4.png" ], [] ]
4bf728
how do microfiber cloths work?
Also, why do they clean better than, say, a regular cloth or wet paper towel?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4bf728/eli5_how_do_microfiber_cloths_work/
{ "a_id": [ "d18oxo6" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Microfiber cloths are cloths of a synthetic material of woven fiber finer than a silk thread. This makes it so the cloths won't deposit large fibers like other cloths do when they are used to wipe a surface. This makes them useful for cleaning de...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
dhbs8h
how does paint thinner work when mixing paint and why can't we just use water/etc?
Title, basically
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dhbs8h/eli5_how_does_paint_thinner_work_when_mixing/
{ "a_id": [ "f3lybtn" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ "There are paints that do use water.\n\nIt all depends on the makeup of the paint.\n\n[Thinner](_URL_3_) is a solvent -if you put brushes made of the wrong material (e.g. plastic into a thinner for [oil-based paints](_URL_1_) ) into a jar of thin...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acrylic_paint", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_paint", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airbrush", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paint_thinner" ] ]
5s1jol
what is it about potatoes that makes them go so well with so many different foods?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5s1jol/eli5_what_is_it_about_potatoes_that_makes_them_go/
{ "a_id": [ "ddbpz7w", "ddbx9y5" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Watch this short informational video about potatoes, it will clear everything right up. Potatoes are really amazing \n_URL_0_", "Potatoes are have a relatively neutral flavor. This means they can take on the flavors...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiqqC_fbP1c" ], [] ]
psas1
why it matters if a species like the tiger goes extinct
I think they're beautiful animals and it would make me very sad if they all died out. But from a scientific standpoint, what impact do they have now as it is? And how would that change? Edit: Thank you for all the answers, I really appreciate it. I could have been more specific, but some of you read my mind anyway....
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/psas1/eli5_why_it_matters_if_a_species_like_the_tiger/
{ "a_id": [ "c3ru2sk", "c3ru6s0", "c3rudps", "c3rukh5", "c3rulpa", "c3rut38", "c3ruyxb", "c3rva0k", "c3rvdvn", "c3rvfik", "c3rvjff", "c3rvnn4", "c3rvpr0", "c3rvxv4", "c3rwubt", "c3rxnrx", "c3rztce", "c3s08io", "c3s3di5", "c3s483t" ], ...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ohjud/eli5_why_should_i_care_if_pandas_go_extinct/" ], [], [], [], [], [ "http://www.recombinantrecords.net/2011/02/09/st-matthew-island" ], [], [], [], [], [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/psas1/eli5_why_...
2v0c7z
why we don't use kilo-seconds, kilohours, gigaseconds ?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2v0c7z/eli5why_we_dont_use_kiloseconds_kilohours/
{ "a_id": [ "codap8g", "codarkj", "codaz01" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 5 ], "text": [ "Kilosecond and gigasecond are actually used in some scientific things. Kilohour wouldn't be used because an hour is 3600 seconds so you'd be better using \"megasecond\".\n\nThese would only really be us...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
1jf101
how is data in a database indexed and how does it speed up queries?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1jf101/eli5_how_is_data_in_a_database_indexed_and_how/
{ "a_id": [ "cbe0jq3", "cbe0m10", "cbe37k4" ], "score": [ 10, 2, 8 ], "text": [ "They speed up queries because they make binary searching possible. I'll try to explain.\n\nImagine a database table with 10.000 records. If you would search this table for a certain record without inde...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
58uhyf
why was everything paid for in cents in the early 1900's and how did it come to change to dollars?
Litterally explain like im five, my daughter asked me this question today and I want to give her an answer she would understand?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/58uhyf/eli5_why_was_everything_paid_for_in_cents_in_the/
{ "a_id": [ "d93d25l", "d93n073" ], "score": [ 19, 2 ], "text": [ "The government creates more money over time and therefore there are too many dollars chasing too few things, meaning the whole economy will adapt to to needing more dollars for each thing. This means both wages and prices g...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
2aobmv
what is the connection between birds, reptiles, and dinosaurs?
As the title says, does anyone have a ELI5 answer for their connection? Are reptiles and birds from dinosaurs or are birds a subset of reptiles? Sorry for seeming uniformed. :(
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2aobmv/eli5_what_is_the_connection_between_birds/
{ "a_id": [ "cix5f0p", "cix6v3q" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Dinosaurs are a diverse clade of reptiles. Birds are descendants of dinosaurs, and technically by the phylogenetic system (which classifies an organism based upon its ancestry) thus are dinosaurs and also reptiles.\n\nHoweve...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
1u383k
what is the strange tingly feeling i get when i consciously relax or 'reverse-flex' my legs?
Maybe I'm the only one this happens to, but I find that I can relax my legs in a strage way when lying down. It involves no motion, and almost feels like I'm flexing in reverse (rather than tightening, it feels like my muscles are loosening). I get a weird tingly/empty feeling in my legs, but can only hold the relaxati...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1u383k/eli5_what_is_the_strange_tingly_feeling_i_get/
{ "a_id": [ "cee23mr" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "I can also do this but have never been able to describe it and thought I was alone. I can seem to do it with my entire body." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
5zg9v3
why are there no high quality videos of planets, or probes crashing into the planet?
If a signal is sent from the probe before it de-orbits to let's say jupiter, can we pick it up and see the full video before the impact point (or the point in which the whole probe burns)?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5zg9v3/eli5_why_are_there_no_high_quality_videos_of/
{ "a_id": [ "dexvh2s" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "The bandwidth probes send data over is very limited. That's not a huge problem when you have days or weeks to take and transmit images, but it greatly limits your ability to steam live data." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
6znq78
why do rovers such as the mars curiosity rover have wheels instead of tracks, like a tank?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6znq78/eli5_why_do_rovers_such_as_the_mars_curiosity/
{ "a_id": [ "dmwlxj1", "dmwmhyh", "dmwoem9" ], "score": [ 3, 10, 5 ], "text": [ "Because even if it was tracks it still need to have wheels to guide and drive those tracks. It adds unnecessary weight, which is a huge deal for anything going into space. It also adds unnecessary comp...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocker-bogie" ] ]
copg5t
what happens in your brain when your getting better at a certain skill?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/copg5t/eli5_what_happens_in_your_brain_when_your_getting/
{ "a_id": [ "ewkcfqn" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "So when you do actions (and everything else) neurons fire in your brain. They connect to other neurons. If you're going to kick a ball you raise your foot and swing it forward to try to make it go where you want to. If you do this enough times, a...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
1tnkfu
does mixing ingredients separately actually affect how the end product turns out? if so, how?
I was baking Christmas cookies and I realized that it always has you mix ingredients separately, and then blend them all together. Why is this? If you're just mixing them all together in the end anyway then what difference does it make?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1tnkfu/eli5_does_mixing_ingredients_separately_actually/
{ "a_id": [ "ce9p87d", "ce9p9j0", "ce9pwxc" ], "score": [ 2, 5, 30 ], "text": [ "Say you have vinegar, baking soda and water. If you mix the baking soda and vinegar it will quickly expand and if you add water it will just be foam on top of water. If you mix the baking soda with wat...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://bakingbites.com/2007/08/what-is-overmixing/" ], [] ]
1on9hn
how can liquid coffee creamer be left at room temperature without going bad?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1on9hn/how_can_liquid_coffee_creamer_be_left_at_room/
{ "a_id": [ "cctniv6", "cctpkpx", "cctq7za", "cctvmiz" ], "score": [ 8, 3, 9, 2 ], "text": [ "Doesn't the creamer have to go in the fridge after opening it? The sealed creamer shots stuff lets in no oxygen and no chance to breed bacteria, but ......idk", "One word. Salt...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [ "http://blogs.howstuffworks.com/2010/09/17/good-question-why-dont-little-half-and-half-creamers-for-coffee-need-refrigeration/" ] ]
2gzelj
why does spain claim english control gibraltar is illegal when spain itself has the enclaves of ceuta and melilla in north africa?
Spain signed a treaty ceding Gibraltar to Britain over 300 years ago, but claims that it is part of Spain and should be returned. But Spain itself has two enclaves in Africa, Ceuta and Melilla, which Morocco has demanded be ceded. How does Spain distinguish between these two cases.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2gzelj/eli5why_does_spain_claim_english_control/
{ "a_id": [ "cknw2c0" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Not an answer to your question but I believe you mean 'exclaves'." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
7xhff8
how can scientist determine things like top speeds of dinosaurs if all they have to go off of is bones?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7xhff8/eli5_how_can_scientist_determine_things_like_top/
{ "a_id": [ "du8at43", "du8lk14" ], "score": [ 13, 2 ], "text": [ "The bones are pretty informative really.\n\n\nWhen put together into a skeleton the same way you can roughly imagine the way the original dinosaur looked scientists have developed methods to very accurately figure out how t...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/diapsids/buzz/locomotion.html", "http://faculty.msj.edu/kritskg/tracklab.pdf", "https://www.amnh.org/content/download/49379/751532/file/dinoactivity_speed.pdf" ] ]
3h02w3
why are there so many firefighter death with the explosion in tianjin,china
I recall the feed saying 120 rescue personnel died. My understanding is that the blasts were close together and that firefighters and police where dying as they were trying to get it under control. Given modern firefighting techniques why are so many dying?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3h02w3/eli5why_are_there_so_many_firefighter_death_with/
{ "a_id": [ "cu30ec3", "cu30kj2" ], "score": [ 7, 2 ], "text": [ "The second explosion was huge. First responders went to the scene of the first explosion and were caught by the second one.", "I heard there was a fire 3 hours before the first explosion. Many firefighter tried to kill ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
1lrbq5
weather maps and how to read them.
I cannot seem grasp this! I'm more interested in Wave Forecast maps, not sure if these are different. Any explanations welcome.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1lrbq5/eli5_weather_maps_and_how_to_read_them/
{ "a_id": [ "cc1zl3c" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "If you're talking about regular maps. [This looks like a nice key to everything.](_URL_1_) Wave maps [like this](_URL_0_) show how tall the waves are and in what direction they're going in." ] }
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/charts/viewer/index.shtml?type=windWave&tz=AEDT&area=Au&model=CG&chartSubmit=Refresh+View", "http://i.imgur.com/6GFDP1i.jpg?1" ] ]
1ukfln
why do credit cards have those extra 3 numbers on the back?
I figured it would have something to do with online card number theft (since if someone steals the card they have access to both the 16-digit number and the additional numbers). How do they, and why do they, provide additional security? Just curious. Thanks!
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ukfln/eli5why_do_credit_cards_have_those_extra_3/
{ "a_id": [ "ceiz3hb", "ceiz40t", "ceizuua" ], "score": [ 2, 3, 5 ], "text": [ "It's called the CSC and stands for Card Security Code. It's simply an extra verification to up the security.\n\nYes, your credit card is usable when stolen. \n\nAlthough in Europe we also use pincodes a...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
1ne7qw
what would hallucinogens be like for blind people?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ne7qw/eli5_what_would_hallucinogens_be_like_for_blind/
{ "a_id": [ "cchs8mp", "cchsh65", "ccht34h", "cchtb8q", "cchtd3m", "cchte9n", "cchvn0l", "cchwjjc", "cchx7cw", "cchya64", "cchyfsp", "cchypgx", "cchz75z", "cchzu7g", "cci3c6x", "cci3ff4", "cci411e", "cci6yr9" ], "score": [ 3, 3, 7...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://archopht.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=627109" ], [], [], [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/cppdf/iama_blind_person_from_birth_who_has_used/" ], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synesthesia" ], [], [], [],...
4c9zyg
how are newer lights produced to generate more light and less heat?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4c9zyg/eli5_how_are_newer_lights_produced_to_generate/
{ "a_id": [ "d1g9uuo", "d1g9yts" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "The basic mechanism behind incandescent bulbs is \"get the filament hot enough to glow white\". Getting hot is necessary for them to function.\n\nModern bulbs are typically fluorescent or LEDs which function by a different m...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
6g93k6
the usa military ranking system.
I just finished watching band of brothers and I'm curious what ranks there are and how long it would take to reach them.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6g93k6/eli5_the_usa_military_ranking_system/
{ "a_id": [ "diof8vc", "diofix3", "dioge94", "diolluq", "diomvnx" ], "score": [ 4, 5, 10, 5, 42 ], "text": [ "in the US (i'm in Canada) it's pretty much a linear curve, but I think this article does a much better job ELI5 than I could _URL_0_", "There is a huge ...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://www.thebalance.com/enlisted-promotions-made-simple-3331909" ], [], [], [], [] ]
bmobed
what is the purpose of fainting? what are the benefits of this mechanism? in extreme situations (e.g. being under attack) humans and animals sometimes faint but i see this as counterproductive and it would probability be better to become more alert in these situations, right?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bmobed/eli5_what_is_the_purpose_of_fainting_what_are_the/
{ "a_id": [ "emy7ptt", "emzb4l7" ], "score": [ 81, 3 ], "text": [ "Our brains need a *lot* of blood to stay alive. Normally, our bodies work just fine pumping blood against gravity and up to our noggins, but sometimes things go wrong. If for any reason there's a drop in blood pressure or h...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
5z1lzg
if wifi is an electromagnetic wave travelling at the speed of light, and it's digital, why does it slow down at distances from the router?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5z1lzg/eli5_if_wifi_is_an_electromagnetic_wave/
{ "a_id": [ "deuk1gn" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "It doesn't. The radio waves are getting to you at the same speed they always are. However, they might not *all* be reaching you because there are obstacles in the way. Furthermore, the *protocol* that is transmitted over those radio waves is limi...
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[]
[ [] ]
57cl5r
how is the environment affected if we draw enough energy from the sun through solar power for the entire planet?
I assume, the law of conservation of energy dictates that this energy is being taken from somewhere, therefore does this mean we would be effectively cooling the planet by not allowing energy to reflect back into the atmosphere?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/57cl5r/eli5_how_is_the_environment_affected_if_we_draw/
{ "a_id": [ "d8qt5s3", "d8qt6gu", "d8qu1la", "d8qu815", "d8qus3l", "d8r2sxr", "d8rgcao" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 4, 4, 2, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Energy used by humans is so much smaller than the total energy hitting the Earth that it's completely negligible",...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
6px3og
if windows 10 is the final version of the os with updates being free, doesn't that mean microsoft would lose a lot of money?
There will be people who haven't bought a PC yet and need to get a new computer and OS - fair enough. But how about millions like me who already have Windows 10? We likely won't be upgrading for a long time. Isn't Microsoft just losing a lot of money here? But they're a massive company and are much smarter than that so...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6px3og/eli5_if_windows_10_is_the_final_version_of_the_os/
{ "a_id": [ "dksty9k", "dksu4u3", "dksvpca", "dksxpmi", "dktakrx", "dkthl28", "dktz3qs" ], "score": [ 4, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "People will always buy new PCs, and hence new Windows licenses. Sure they lose out on money from people upgrading ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
66xw8t
how do people with metal body parts go through metal detectors at airports?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/66xw8t/eli5_how_do_people_with_metal_body_parts_go/
{ "a_id": [ "dgm36tp", "dgm39li", "dgmmop6", "dgmovz8" ], "score": [ 15, 5, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "They don't. \n\nThese days they are directed through the millimeter wave detectors. Or they can opt for a hand screening. ", "My father has 2 fake knees. He carries a note say...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
71g914
why is jewelry and antiques placed on velvet and not other fabrics?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/71g914/eli5_why_is_jewelry_and_antiques_placed_on_velvet/
{ "a_id": [ "dnaiw15" ], "score": [ 20 ], "text": [ "Velvet photographs better when trying to capture something that sparkles. Most other fabrics will seem faded when you use a flash. Velvet stays as black as you see it with the naked eye. On or off film it makes things pop more.\n\nVelvet is a...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
6kx54n
if a magnet is 'hovering' by being repelled by another magnet, is it's weight placed on the bottom magnet?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6kx54n/eli5_if_a_magnet_is_hovering_by_being_repelled_by/
{ "a_id": [ "djpgweu", "djphh26", "djpjg80", "djpoceb", "djpp67t", "djpzd5u", "djpzh89" ], "score": [ 552, 11, 2, 44, 28, 17, 73 ], "text": [ "Yup. They will follow Newton's Third Law, for equal and opposite forces.\n\nAlthough I'd be careful about s...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://imgur.com/a/rpQ3A" ] ]
5lwfev
why do all old movie trailers have narration in them?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5lwfev/eli5_why_do_all_old_movie_trailers_have_narration/
{ "a_id": [ "dbz0n54" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Because people generally want to know what a movie is about before they go see it and in the ~2 minutes a trailer lasts voiceover narration is the best way to communicate to the viewers what the movie is about." ] }
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70dip2
why is the internet polluted with political extremism?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/70dip2/eli5why_is_the_internet_polluted_with_political/
{ "a_id": [ "dn2dpdq" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "It is because of anonymity and abstraction. People say things on the internet that they would never say to each other in person. The first reason is because their comments are anonymous. They perceive that there will be no repercussions for what...
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[ [] ]
4uhslp
when coming to a stop in a car, why do the brakes suddenly grab at the end?
Specifically speaking, if one was to hold the brakes at a constant pressure during deceleration, when the car comes to a rest, why do the brakes suddenly grab and make the car lurch at the final moment rather than easing to a stop? (Making people have to lift pressure at the end of a stop)
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4uhslp/eli5_when_coming_to_a_stop_in_a_car_why_do_the/
{ "a_id": [ "d5pslbs", "d5pt74h" ], "score": [ 2, 5 ], "text": [ "Basically, when applying the brakes at a constant pressure, you apply constant torque to the wheels which will give you constant deceleration of your car i.e. you lose X amount of speed for every second. \n\nAll of that appl...
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[ [], [] ]
cbqssa
we do we sometimes not crave specific foods, but at other times we crave that same food?
Like if right now I want some Taco Bell, but on a different day Taco Bell’s sounds disgusting.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cbqssa/eli5_we_do_we_sometimes_not_crave_specific_foods/
{ "a_id": [ "eti092x" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "It all comes down to what nutrients your body needs. Take an orange, for instance (not the best stand-in for a taco, but it'll work.) Oranges are high in Vitamin C, so if your body starts running low on Vitamin C, that orange you pass in the gr...
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[ [] ]
93mdy9
how are vines for seedless grapes planted if there are no seeds to plant them from?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/93mdy9/eli5_how_are_vines_for_seedless_grapes_planted_if/
{ "a_id": [ "e3ecebf" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Most likely grafting and cloning. Taking a green cutting from a plant, you can root it and grow another identical plant. That's how a lot of commercially grown fruits are made. Apples come to mind." ] }
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[ [] ]
6q38m7
why are macs always used in adverts, instead of anything else?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6q38m7/eli5_why_are_macs_always_used_in_adverts_instead/
{ "a_id": [ "dku7al5", "dku7pzb" ], "score": [ 6, 10 ], "text": [ "Apple probably pays them to use Macs as it a form of advertisement for them. So when they are getting paid for it , the and companies are only too happy to use Macs on their ads. Also it might be because a Mac is widely use...
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[ [], [] ]
87wmyg
why do children like stories that rhyme?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/87wmyg/eli5_why_do_children_like_stories_that_rhyme/
{ "a_id": [ "dwg5onk", "dwgd559" ], "score": [ 49, 4 ], "text": [ "Why do children like stories that rhyme?\n\nI'll tell you about it, I've got lots of time.\n\nPatterns are recognized even in utero.\n\nSlant rhyme counts too, until your funeral.\n\nGames and stories are tools for the mind...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
7v0hgp
why does chocolate milk last longer than regular milk?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7v0hgp/eli5_why_does_chocolate_milk_last_longer_than/
{ "a_id": [ "dtojubp" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "If you take a look at the ingredient label on chocolate milk, you'll not that it's nit just \"Milk\" and \"Cocoa\". There's a whole bunch of other things in there. This changes the environment in which bacteria could develop, which is what makes ...
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838pbl
how do soda machines at fastfood restaurants keep soda from going flat?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/838pbl/eli5_how_do_soda_machines_at_fastfood_restaurants/
{ "a_id": [ "dvfxdgr", "dvfxg6h", "dvg1ppv" ], "score": [ 8, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Restaurants don't serve pre-mixed soda like you buy at the store unless it's in a can or bottle. Due to quantity they go through it's cheaper to order it in concentrated syrup form.\n\nA keg/box of conc...
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[ [], [], [] ]
l84rh
linux/unix
I have used Windows all my life and have no idea what Linux/Unix is and what it's good for or how it's different....
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/l84rh/eli5_linuxunix/
{ "a_id": [ "c2qjmqp", "c2qm7vv", "c2qjmqp", "c2qm7vv" ], "score": [ 9, 7, 9, 7 ], "text": [ "[Here is a great introduction.](_URL_0_)", "Unix is an operating system for computers that started it's life back in 1969 at Bell Labs. It was designed to allow multiple users...
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[]
[ [ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dcxtEKShXA" ], [], [ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dcxtEKShXA" ], [] ]
7wax6l
when did big dicks become “a thing”.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7wax6l/eli5_when_did_big_dicks_become_a_thing/
{ "a_id": [ "dtyxhr0", "dtyxhtm" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "I'm pretty sure small dicks meant you were smart and stuff in older times. That's why a lot of nude paintings and statues depict famous men with small penises. ", "Don’t know when it became a thing, but I know that the G...
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[ [], [] ]
5u0wa4
what exactly are we smelling when we breathe in a nice or unpleasant fragrance? is it the actual bacteria that comes when someone passes gas, or just air particles filled with chemicals that pass through our nostrils?
Sorry if this is worded weirdly. Someone farted on the train today and I wanted to know what foul part of them was forcing its way up my nostrils, particularly since we can't "unsmell" things once we detect them.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5u0wa4/eli5_what_exactly_are_we_smelling_when_we_breathe/
{ "a_id": [ "ddqi8nd", "ddqie2d", "ddqwgve" ], "score": [ 3, 6, 3 ], "text": [ "Your nose in an incredible machine. Smells come in a variety of chemicals, but the most common are ethers (usually nice smells) and carboxylic acids (nasty smells). Sometimes bacteria will make your nos...
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[]
[ [], [], [ "http://www.sciencealert.com/do-farts-carry-germs-depends" ] ]
dsjncr
why are we evolving technologies at such a fast pace now a days, when contrasted to the thousands and thousands of years it took humans to move on from stone tools?
Is it just like a big domino effect?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dsjncr/eli5_why_are_we_evolving_technologies_at_such_a/
{ "a_id": [ "f6ppzv1", "f6pqezq", "f6ptbv1", "f6pwtm9", "f6px3ne", "f6r16oj" ], "score": [ 11, 3, 2, 7, 28, 3 ], "text": [ "It's basically an exponential process. That is, earlier gains make future gains easier.\n\nFiguring out how to do more things make it ...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
3c5t2p
how did factory workers in the 19th century work 12 hour shifts 6 days a week.
For me and I'm sure for most people even just 40 hours 5 days a week is very tiring and 72 hours would be almost impossible especially considering how much more manual the labor was back then.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3c5t2p/eli5how_did_factory_workers_in_the_19th_century/
{ "a_id": [ "csshvcu", "csshwgv", "cssj7kt" ], "score": [ 2, 6, 2 ], "text": [ "In order to keep their jobs and not starve they did it. Often they got very ill or died from exhaustion. ", "It was very tiring for them too. but if they wanted to take a break someone else was alwa...
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[ [], [], [] ]
4hhcca
how does light pollution prevent us from seeing stars?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4hhcca/eli5how_does_light_pollution_prevent_us_from/
{ "a_id": [ "d2pmaj2", "d2pr0bw", "d2ptf17" ], "score": [ 6, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "The light from the stars is very faint. The light from cities, streetlamps, and so on, washes it out. While you may not be looking directly at the light source, it is scattered in the atmosphere. This m...
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[ [], [], [] ]
6j4rw7
if photons are much smaller than electrons, why can we see better small things with electrons than with photons? [physics]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6j4rw7/eli5_if_photons_are_much_smaller_than_electrons/
{ "a_id": [ "djbl1ym" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Photons and electrons are both elementary particles, so they don't really have a size. They couple to other particles as if they were single points.\n\nTo determine what you can \"see\" with a given particle as a probe, the relevant length scale ...
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[ [] ]
3eq31n
why do people write graffiti on other people's property instead of their own property?
Answer: it's "fun". [No wonder I don't understand it. Get off my lawn!]
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3eq31n/eli5_why_do_people_write_graffiti_on_other/
{ "a_id": [ "cthbe0s", "cthbe2y", "cthbfl7", "cthbis0" ], "score": [ 2, 7, 3, 3 ], "text": [ "Because this\n\n_URL_0_\n\nis more fun to tag than this\n\n_URL_1_\n\nEdit: Graffiti is a sort of counter culture. It goes against this corporate white washed world we all find our...
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[ [ "http://metalis.co/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/perfect-white-brick-wall-with-content-uploads-2014-07-white-brick-wall-with-grey-concrete-floor-jpg.jpg", "http://i43.tinypic.com/2ugyjrr.png" ], [], [], [] ]
aqwskl
why is crying physically exhausting?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/aqwskl/eli5_why_is_crying_physically_exhausting/
{ "a_id": [ "egj4ycf" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "I’d say it’s not physically exhausting but instead it is mentally exhausting.\n\nYour brain secrets a lot of chemicals when you are very emotional. When you are upset and crying you brain runs low and needs to replenish. You brain makes you fee...
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a1lu23
what's the pourpose of kilowatt-hours and ampere-hours measurement units?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a1lu23/eli5_whats_the_pourpose_of_kilowatthours_and/
{ "a_id": [ "ear97pg" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Regurgitating [a comment I made in /r/electricians a while ago](_URL_0_):\n\nKilowatt-hour (kWh) is a unit of energy. The SI unit of energy is indeed a joule (J); 1 kWh = 3,600,000 J (or 3.6 MJ). kWh is used especially by electrical utility compa...
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[ [ "https://old.reddit.com/r/electricians/comments/9jnouf/why_is_the_power_bill_based_on_kwh_not_ah/e6t5wq4/" ] ]
7u4svx
why is it impossible to increase the volume as far as the speakers allow it on youtube, smartphones etc?
As in, why do volume adjusting bars have a maximum even though different files will still not be equally loud at it?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7u4svx/eli5_why_is_it_impossible_to_increase_the_volume/
{ "a_id": [ "dthk7g5", "dthkems" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Because the volume slider goes up to a maximum decibel level, but the videos themselves have different recorded volume levels that the youtube player isn't going to adjust. It's the same principle as if you had someone sit a...
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[ [], [] ]
8a3c1f
the logic of beer calories
So I've been counting calories for a while now, and the one thing that continues to baffle me is how inconsistent and confusing the calorie count of beer can be. Normally I assume if a beer is heavy, full\-bodied, and sweet \(the kind I typically like\) that it will be much higher in calories than something more crisp...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8a3c1f/eli5_the_logic_of_beer_calories/
{ "a_id": [ "dwvitpp", "dwvj5kl" ], "score": [ 3, 3 ], "text": [ "Alcohol itself has calories, so higher ABV beers will almost always have more calories than lower ABV beers. Golden Monkey, at 9.5%abv, has a lot of calories.\n\nBourbon barrel stouts, being both fuller-bodied and higher ab...
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[ [], [] ]
19a0e9
what is understeer and oversteer?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/19a0e9/eli5_what_is_understeer_and_oversteer/
{ "a_id": [ "c8m4s86", "c8m4w0b", "c8m5e2t", "c8m63nr", "c8mariw", "c8mfxek" ], "score": [ 3, 10, 18, 5, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Understeer is when your car isn't turning enough, relative to how far your steering wheel is turned. This happens when your front whee...
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[ [], [], [], [], [ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoICf55jED8" ], [] ]
1kcg47
how can people without insurance who are taken to the er after having a heart, stroke, car accident etc be required to pay their hospital bill when they're unable to consent to any of the services being performed?
I recall going to the ER in college and signeing a form consenting to paying my bill for any services performed. How can people who are unconscious be forced to pay for something they never agreed to. Can't they just say after the fact that they never agreed to anything and would have been happy to have been left dying...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1kcg47/eli5how_can_people_without_insurance_who_are/
{ "a_id": [ "cbnigq1", "cbnirjf", "cbnkn9y", "cbnkq62", "cbnm0e7", "cbnm2n0", "cbnn0ns", "cbnn7sd", "cbno4hx", "cbnpkfp", "cbnqbvk", "cbnr2a6", "cbnt2q1", "cbnztst", "cbo4g6b" ], "score": [ 110, 13, 23, 2, 11, 2, 2, 2, ...
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[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_Medical_Treatment_and_Active_Labor_Act" ], [] ]
6zpj7z
why do washing machines have concave glass doors instead of flat glass doors?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6zpj7z/eli5_why_do_washing_machines_have_concave_glass/
{ "a_id": [ "dmx3z9g" ], "score": [ 24 ], "text": [ "Two reasons, assuming a front loading washing machine:\n\nFirst, the concave glass window pushes inwards on the rubber water seal. This makes it so that clothes that hit it push the seal further into the glass rather than have the possibility wi...
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4406td
did people of all nations involved in the cold war call it "the cold war"?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4406td/eli5_did_people_of_all_nations_involved_in_the/
{ "a_id": [ "czmazs4", "czmb2b0", "czmcg09" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "The USSR and it's satellites most definitely viewed themselves as a bloc of nations opposed to a US led bloc and in a state of subdued conflict with one another. People in non-aligned countries definite...
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[ [], [], [] ]
4d0hdf
how is the power of an irrational number calculated?
I was always taught that if a exponent is a fraction, then it becomes a square root (for example: 2 to the power of 3/7 equals the seventh root of 2 to the power of 3). So what about decimal numbers that cannot be made to fractions? For example, how is a number to the power of pi calculated?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4d0hdf/eli5_how_is_the_power_of_an_irrational_number/
{ "a_id": [ "d1mrpc5", "d1mw3cw" ], "score": [ 6, 2 ], "text": [ "With a Taylor series. There's a method using calculus where, for most functions, including, say, f(x) = 2^x , you can find an infinite series, like\n\na_0 + a_1 x + a_2 x^2 + a_3 x^3 + ...\n\nthat's equivalent to the origina...
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[ [], [] ]
2y7z9n
why do we still not have a cure for headaches and migraines?
Headaches and migraines are suffered by (likely) billions of people with varying frequency. Obviously we have pain killers, but I mean that we still have trouble explaining exactly what causes (triggers) headaches and migraines. We can only give people vague advice like "drink less coffee and you'll likely get fewer of...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2y7z9n/eli5_why_do_we_still_not_have_a_cure_for/
{ "a_id": [ "cp731mz", "cp77i2k" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "From my understanding the large majority of headaches are stress related so I guess the cure for those could be Prozac or something similar. Other types of headaches have a long list of causes so if you wanted a cure it woul...
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[ [], [] ]
3ly08u
is there any benefit to trying to go back to sleep when you wake up 15 minutes before your alarm is going to go off?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ly08u/eli5_is_there_any_benefit_to_trying_to_go_back_to/
{ "a_id": [ "cvac6je" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Most people will be better off just getting out of bed if they naturally wake shortly before their alarm goes off. Going back to sleep may start another sleep cycle, which when interrupted would leave you feeling more tired. The time between fall...
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[ [] ]
20dqzi
how do nuts raise my hdl cholesterol when the package says it has 0mg of cholesterol?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/20dqzi/eli5_how_do_nuts_raise_my_hdl_cholesterol_when/
{ "a_id": [ "cg28t26" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "2/3 of the cholesterol floating in your blood is made by your liver. The nuts stimulates your liver to make more HDL and less LDL." ] }
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[ [] ]
cthkfc
how does steam not condense on the inside of our lungs in a place like a sauna?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cthkfc/eli5_how_does_steam_not_condense_on_the_inside_of/
{ "a_id": [ "exktt2c", "exkuzsi" ], "score": [ 6, 5 ], "text": [ "For steam to condense you need the right temperature and pressure. \n\nNeither are right inside your lungs or sauna", "The dew point of sauna air is still below 98.6F - you need to be colder than lung temperature to gene...
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[ [], [] ]
4687tb
my left palm has a straight line instead of two lines. i have not come across any one with this so far. why it is like this?
I have it only on my [left palm](_URL_0_)
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4687tb/eli5my_left_palm_has_a_straight_line_instead_of/
{ "a_id": [ "d035r13" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "I have it that way too. Haven't ever met anyone other than me who does, although another post says it occurs in 10% of the population." ] }
[]
[ "http://i.imgur.com/qOg3PrD.png" ]
[ [] ]
ap4bwz
what drug do doctors use for anesthesia during surgery? and why do people act like high after the surgery
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ap4bwz/eli5_what_drug_do_doctors_use_for_anesthesia/
{ "a_id": [ "eg5o54l" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "General anesthesia is a medically induced coma by using anesthetic agents.\n\nMost of the time, coma is induced by a short term anesthetic -like Propofol- but since its action is quite short the coma is maintained with other drugs so you dont wak...
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[ [] ]
29qo9q
how a ant queen can reproduce other ant queens if they normally makes only ant workers
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/29qo9q/eli5how_a_ant_queen_can_reproduce_other_ant/
{ "a_id": [ "cinizfy", "cinj854", "cinjdrz" ], "score": [ 6, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Ant queens produce both male and female ants. A queen ant is just a female ant that leaves its nest, reproduces with a male and begins its own colony - becoming the queen of that colony.", "Many (bu...
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[ [], [], [] ]
27tbt9
how medicare/medicade is not the same a socialized or government funded healthcare? (i am not american)
I frequent the different subreddits sites here a lot and someone asked how low income people can have so many children if the cost of delivery and hospital stays were so expensive and many people said that if you are low-income it;s all covered by the government. A poster in personal finance wrote about how his parents...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/27tbt9/eli5_how_medicaremedicade_is_not_the_same_a/
{ "a_id": [ "ci45prg" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Yes, to a degree. Medicare is for the elderly, Medicaid is for the poor. Both are essentially government-funded single-payer systems. " ] }
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[ [] ]
4ccddh
do elderly women lose height when they grow older and if so, why?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4ccddh/eli5_do_elderly_women_lose_height_when_they_grow/
{ "a_id": [ "d1gvyux", "d1gw0dk", "d1gw0e4", "d1gycvo" ], "score": [ 15, 5, 51, 4 ], "text": [ "Not just women. The last time I looked it was reckoned both sexes start to lose about 12mm per year after the age of 40.\n\nChanges in muscles, joints and posture account for it....
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[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
1u3u5f
if ginger hair started as a mutation, couldn't we purposefully 'mutate' genes to give 'natural' blue hair?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1u3u5f/eli5_if_ginger_hair_started_as_a_mutation_couldnt/
{ "a_id": [ "cee8bnv", "cee8mdb", "cee8x4q" ], "score": [ 9, 7, 4 ], "text": [ "Probably not. Reds and browns are already produced by our body, mostly in the form of melanin (the same pigment that colors skin). So far as I know, humans don't have any blue pigments.", "The mutat...
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[ [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanin" ], [] ]
1nfu9k
why don't armored transport companies such as g4s and brinks use unmarked vehicles?
Just seems to me like they would get robbed less frequently.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1nfu9k/eli5_why_dont_armored_transport_companies_such_as/
{ "a_id": [ "cci6fwm", "cci6pmm", "cci7l10" ], "score": [ 4, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "An armoured car is an armoured car, they don't pull them out for nothing so it's already obvious you're doing some valuable cargo anyway... or maybe just moving it to pick up some valuable cargo.\n\nSo ...
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[ [], [], [] ]
akxkgl
what is it called when you want something you cannot get, but if you end up having it, you no longer want it?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/akxkgl/eli5_what_is_it_called_when_you_want_something/
{ "a_id": [ "ef8tf0z", "ef8tl31", "ef8uta4" ], "score": [ 5, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Be careful what you wish for\n\n(or to address the other post, the grass is always greener on the other side \\[of the fence\\])", "I don't believe there is a term, if anything it's just a part of l...
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[]
[ [], [], [ "https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surfeit" ] ]
7ry92i
in music what is the overtone series, how does it work, and why is it important.
I'm a percussionist that had to learn a few brass instruments for a class and they talked about the overtone series and I had no idea what they were talking about. Please ELI5.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7ry92i/eli5_in_music_what_is_the_overtone_series_how/
{ "a_id": [ "dt0io85", "dt0qr07", "dt0vmyi" ], "score": [ 4, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "The overtone series, or harmonic series is the series of tones that resonate with the base tone. They do that when their frequency is a whole multiple of the base tone’s frequency because then every tim...
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[ [], [], [] ]
2fsffs
why do some tv remotes work when you point it in any direction, yet others only work when you're pointing it directly at the tv?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2fsffs/eli5_why_do_some_tv_remotes_work_when_you_point/
{ "a_id": [ "ckcawab" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "Radio frequencies (RF) versus infrared signals (IR). IR requires line of sight (LOS), whereas RF just needs to be within a certain distance in order for the signal to be passed." ] }
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bvhboj
how do landmines work and how much damage can they do?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bvhboj/eli5_how_do_landmines_work_and_how_much_damage/
{ "a_id": [ "epp6ydn", "epp71zb", "epp92lx" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Bury a bomb and put the detonator button on top. Boom!\n\nDamage depends on bomb design and the size of the bomb. Fragmentation and high explosive are common.", "They're basically bombs that you pla...
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[ [], [], [] ]
5p4ii2
where do they get the vitamins and minerals to make multivitamins?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5p4ii2/eli5_where_do_they_get_the_vitamins_and_minerals/
{ "a_id": [ "dcobeqh", "dcon98f" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "The cheapest way possible. They are capitalists. Every few years a new important nutrient is discovered. Guess What? It was not in the packaging of the multivitamin. It might not make it for years.\n\nBut if you eat a variet...
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[ [], [] ]
eg9bww
what causes that mental notification we get when someone calls our name?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/eg9bww/eli5_what_causes_that_mental_notification_we_get/
{ "a_id": [ "fc56mqk" ], "score": [ 19 ], "text": [ "That feeling comes from the medial prefrontal cortex— a section of your brain that often runs on a sort of dormant autopilot until stimulated by things that you associate with yourself.\n\nThe same part of your brain lights up when you use prono...
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1keiqg
if it's bad for the battery for a computer to be plugged in while at 100% charge, why can't the charger detect a full charge and disconnect the power?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1keiqg/eli5_if_its_bad_for_the_battery_for_a_computer_to/
{ "a_id": [ "cbo40fq", "cbo7i5s", "cbo7xnl", "cbo84z3", "cbo9g7f", "cboa6o5", "cbobkjl", "cbocuzz" ], "score": [ 187, 13, 6, 2, 4, 6, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "It can and does.\n\n(Speaking for Lithium-Ion batteries)\n\nIf it didn't, the battery wou...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
5m7agk
why didn't we make seconds slightly slower so that we could have seconds, minutes, and hours in base 10?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5m7agk/eli5_why_didnt_we_make_seconds_slightly_slower_so/
{ "a_id": [ "dc1b6p7" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "\nThe French tried this but it didn't catch on. They tried to use \"decimal time\" (dividing the day into 10 hours with 100 minutes in each hour and 100 seconds in each minute) a couple years before their revolution occurred and people didn't lik...
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1syajk
how do dog food makers know if their food tastes good or not?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1syajk/eli5_how_do_dog_food_makers_know_if_their_food/
{ "a_id": [ "ce2fmx1", "ce2fys1" ], "score": [ 7, 6 ], "text": [ "Actually, there are people that do taste dog food. I've seen an episode of dirty jobs. [Here's a women that does it for a living](_URL_0_)", "They get a dog to taste it. The dog who works for pedigree barks once for good...
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[ [ "http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/eats/meet-woman-eats-dog-food-living-article-1.1445406" ], [] ]
6ac8eo
why is the integral sign on violins?
What is the shared history that makes the integral sign appear on musical instruments and in mathematics?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6ac8eo/eli5why_is_the_integral_sign_on_violins/
{ "a_id": [ "dhdchlj", "dhdcigi", "dhdqbl1" ], "score": [ 8, 8, 6 ], "text": [ "It's a [sound hole](_URL_0_), specifically one shaped like the letter f. It's meant to help the instrument project its sound.\n\nThe integral symbol comes from the [long S](_URL_1_) which is similar to ...
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[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_hole", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_s" ], [ "https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schallloch#/media/File:F-hole.jpg" ], [] ]
3nrg3o
why are most (if not all) shootings performed by guys?
Like, are us guys really THAT much more violent that girls? Why is that?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3nrg3o/eli5_why_are_most_if_not_all_shootings_performed/
{ "a_id": [ "cvqm446", "cvqmcph" ], "score": [ 2, 4 ], "text": [ "Not going to attempt to answer the question - sorry about that - but there has been at least one instance of a female shooter...[Brenda Ann Spencer](_URL_1_) who famously [didn't like Mondays](_URL_0_).", "You may want t...
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[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Don't_Like_Mondays", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland_Elementary_School_shooting_%28San_Diego%29" ], [] ]
5t5byy
the decline of the heavyweight boxer.
Ali. Frazier. Lewis. The heavyweight class was the pinnacle of boxing for a long stretch of the 20th century. What happened? Is there any truth to the idea that this weight class was a peer (in terms of popularity) of the MLB?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5t5byy/eli5_the_decline_of_the_heavyweight_boxer/
{ "a_id": [ "ddkbwgt", "ddkd5th", "ddkf4oy" ], "score": [ 2, 3, 3 ], "text": [ "Certain sports were much more popular in the no mass media and then radio era - horse racing and boxing are perhaps the two most prominent. But there is just a lot more options - NBA, NHL, NFL - the big...
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9ni0fy
how do companies that seem to have a monopoly in their space (google, collegeboard, just to name a few) circumvent anti-trust laws?
Does the government just let it slide? Are the companies doing something shady? Does a company being "non-profit" change anything? EDIT: TIL what antitrust laws really are! Thanks, guys!
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9ni0fy/eli5_how_do_companies_that_seem_to_have_a/
{ "a_id": [ "e7mgy52" ], "score": [ 9 ], "text": [ "Well, first of all, governments don't let it slide forever. For example: _URL_0_\n\nBut more importantly, just being a monopoly is not inherently illegal. What's illegal is using your position as a monopoly to stop others from competing with you,...
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[ [ "https://www.theverge.com/2018/7/18/17580694/google-android-eu-fine-antitrust" ] ]
3iygra
commercial intelligence vs industrial espionage
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3iygra/eli5_commercial_intelligence_vs_industrial/
{ "a_id": [ "cukrd6h" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "Commercial intelligence is a process whereby you purchase competitors goods, carefully examine any of their publicly available materials (marketing info, patent applications, sales trends and the like) to try to figure out what your competition i...
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3g7oxk
why don't white americans rise up against police brutality like black communities do?
It seems like black communities seem to be able to respond in massive ways to police brutality. And while the majority of black murders at the hand of police go unnoticed, it seems like almost no white murders are noticed. I know the media has a role but the media usually comes up AFTER black folks have taken some sort...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3g7oxk/eli5_why_dont_white_americans_rise_up_against/
{ "a_id": [ "ctvn778", "ctvn912", "ctvnac2", "ctvnjmw", "ctvnmgn", "ctvnsce", "ctvnsr3", "ctvo0wv", "ctvo2ei" ], "score": [ 2, 3, 5, 13, 2, 4, 3, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "In my community there's been police brutality on every race ever sinc...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
42pcjo
why do some people find it easier to study and remember things very late at night?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/42pcjo/eli5_why_do_some_people_find_it_easier_to_study/
{ "a_id": [ "czc498l", "czc5tli", "czc712k" ], "score": [ 2, 5, 9 ], "text": [ "It's mainly to do with stress. The feeling that you've got to work with no time to spare for the next day really drives some people", "Remembering, no. People find it easier to study because there ...
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[ [], [], [] ]
7k5pjk
how are few companies able to own majority of the brands i use?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7k5pjk/eli5_how_are_few_companies_able_to_own_majority/
{ "a_id": [ "drbrzmo" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "this is end game capitalism. lets say you have 100 companies all in one area. some do well, some don't. the ones that do well might buy out the smaller ones or the smaller ones go out of business. eventually once they become big enough, they ...
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52frb2
how was the numerical order decided?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/52frb2/eli5_how_was_the_numerical_order_decided/
{ "a_id": [ "d7jxdmf" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Numbers have always existed, even before are species was aware of it. Once humans discovered what 1 of something was, they needed a name for all these numbers. " ] }
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[ [] ]
l7d8j
near field communication (nfc)
Ok, make this "Explain me like I'm a 9 year old geek that loves to build robots with legos and can dissasemble a clock and hopefully reassemble it back". So every new android has it, iPhone 4S doesn't and it's supposedly a big thing. NFC or "Near field communication" and supposedly allows you to pay stuff with your ph...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/l7d8j/eli5_near_field_communication_nfc/
{ "a_id": [ "c2qdapp", "c2qedms", "c2qdapp", "c2qedms" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "You know what infrared is? Well basically infrared is just a light which we can't see blinking on and off. There are two real types of modern NFC one which involves radio waves and...
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[ [ "http://www.sprags.com/images/mainpower_sine_wave.jpg", "http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/archive/ra/topics/mpsafety/school-audit/mobileimages/fig1.gif" ], [], [ "http://www.sprags.com/images/mainpower_sine_wave.jpg", "http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/archive/ra/topics/mpsafety/school-audit/mobi...
f2xtx2
they say my phone has more computing power than the computers that got apollo 11 to the moon. does that mean, theoretically, my iphone could orchestrate a moon landing from take off to touchdown?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/f2xtx2/eli5_they_say_my_phone_has_more_computing_power/
{ "a_id": [ "fhfcu32", "fhfcyfe", "fhfeu2m", "fhffk4i", "fhfljoq", "fhfr7m9", "fhfs9n6", "fhft6c9", "fhftd2i", "fhftnkb", "fhfv1wx", "fhfwqz0", "fhfx7k3", "fhfxzl2", "fhfzcxi", "fhg072s", "fhg1hl9", "fhg50lb", "fhg862f", "fhg9lme", "f...
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[ [], [], [], [ "https://smile.amazon.com/Sunburst-Luminary-Apollo-Don-Eyles-ebook/dp/B07L9YQ9WV" ], [], [ "https://www.extremetech.com/extreme/306119-your-phone-charger-is-probably-smarter-than-the-apollo-guidance-computer" ], [], [], [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patched_con...
3oc32k
if isil/isis income is from conquered oil fields - why don't nato just bomb the oil terminals?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3oc32k/eli5_if_isilisis_income_is_from_conquered_oil/
{ "a_id": [ "cvvultb", "cvvuoj7", "cvvv752", "cvvvt27", "cvvvz89", "cvvx46z" ], "score": [ 2, 6, 57, 2, 15, 7 ], "text": [ "Not Just that but tankers heading to borders should be pretty obvious and relatively easy targets for drones to both see and eliminate...
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[ [], [], [], [ "http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/06/the-isis-guide-to-building-an-islamic-state/372769/" ], [ "http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/mosul-seized-jihadis-loot-429m-citys-central-bank-make-isis-worlds-richest-terror-force-1452190", "http://www.bloomberg.com/bw/articles/20...
6p247l
how can animals eat other animals and not destroy their insides from the bone shards / teeth?
When I accidentally eat a salmon bone I feel it poking me and spit it out while it is still in my mouth! I just saw a video of a killer whale eating a great white shark. I've touched a great white shark tooth before and it was incredibly sharp. How does the killer whale eat the shark without those teeth cutting its t...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6p247l/eli5_how_can_animals_eat_other_animals_and_not/
{ "a_id": [ "dkm9cih" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Some animals have specific enzymes that can break down bones, nails, and such hard materials. I think I remember reading somewhere that crocodiles can actually digest steel" ] }
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4b2l1n
why can the usa interfere with military actions outside of their territory?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4b2l1n/eli5_why_can_the_usa_interfere_with_military/
{ "a_id": [ "d15jw9z", "d15k88w" ], "score": [ 5, 3 ], "text": [ "We are a superpower. One of the aspects of being a superpower is that the entire planet is our territory so far as military actions are concerned. ", "They have the \"right\" to do it. Good reason for using military forc...
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8i8gru
how does white reflect light and black absorb light? whats the process behind this?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8i8gru/eli5_how_does_white_reflect_light_and_black/
{ "a_id": [ "dypq5b5" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Our eyes interpret light with frequencies covering all visible colors as white and the absence of light as black. When you shine white light on a white object, it'll reflect all of it, and our eyes will interpret it as such. If you shine light on...
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dumlzw
why can we not feel temperature differences of beverages consume navigating to stomach
Why when we consume a beverage that is extremely cold (e.g. ice water) or extremely hot (e.g. herbal tea) we cannot feel it going down our esophaguous and whilst navigating through our body though it is extremely cold in the mouth and on teeth, or if that liquid was poured on our skin we could feel the extreme cold / h...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dumlzw/eli5_why_can_we_not_feel_temperature_differences/
{ "a_id": [ "f774jqc", "f776x2d" ], "score": [ 3, 4 ], "text": [ "Because first of all that would be a stupid feature to have in the body because what purpose would it serve, and second of all, receptors for those things don't exist in the digestive system because, like I said, why would w...
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24c5l3
why is it easier to fall asleep "unintentionally" then when i'm trying?
I fall pretty easily a sleep when I'm laying down on the couch watching a movie, or just "chilling out" on the couch/bed, but when I actually go to sleep at night, I often take half an hour or more to fall asleep?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/24c5l3/eli5_why_is_it_easier_to_fall_asleep/
{ "a_id": [ "ch5oht2" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "When you naturally fall asleep, your brain and your body is probably tired enough to do so.\n\nWhen you're consciously trying to fall asleep, you focus your attention on the act of falling asleep, which makes you more aware that you are awake alo...
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21ustb
how does a mental or personality disorder affect someone's ability to control their behavior?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/21ustb/eli5_how_does_a_mental_or_personality_disorder/
{ "a_id": [ "cggrnoj" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "This is a very broad question with different answers depending on the specific disorder being discussed, but broadly-speaking there are two different answers to your question. Certain disorders can cause certain types of hallucinations which conv...
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[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hallucination", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insight#Psychology" ] ]