q_id stringlengths 5 6 | title stringlengths 4 295 | selftext stringlengths 0 34k | document stringclasses 1
value | subreddit stringclasses 1
value | url stringlengths 27 110 | answers dict | title_urls list | selftext_urls list | answers_urls list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
24929o | aside from the obvious social stigma of eating another person, is there any biological/chemical reason that we can't? | Just something I've always wondered. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/24929o/eli5_aside_from_the_obvious_social_stigma_of/ | {
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"score": [
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"text": [
"You're more likely to pick up whatever diseases the person had. A germ that makes cows sick will not necessarily make people sick, but if you eat a person who was sick (or had germs that their body coul... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuru_%28disease%29",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creutzfeldt%E2%80%93Jakob_disease"
],
[]
] | |
y8t48 | is there water anywhere as long as the well is deep enough? | I always wondered in the drought ridden areas of the world can they find water. There are a lot of missionary projects to drill wells. Is all the world needs is deep enough wells? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/y8t48/is_there_water_anywhere_as_long_as_the_well_is/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
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"text": [
"Yes, but the water will become saline and non-potable.\n\nAlso it costs more and more to drill deeper so after a while it will become uneconomic to reach a certain depth - you would never be drilling that deep for potable water, though.\n\nSource... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
5pmmxz | why does the media refuse to call "alternative facts" outright lies? | I keep watching news anchors discussing "alternative facts" and doing everything they can to explain that they are lies without actually saying it. Are they afraid of being sued? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5pmmxz/eli5_why_does_the_media_refuse_to_call/ | {
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"text": [
"there are very few incontrovertible facts outside physics and related disciplines. they're probably just being careful.",
"Entertaining the possibility th... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
1pu7i0 | why can companies place advertisements on websites that are clearly illegal? | This has bothered me for a couple years. It doesn't make sense. How can they place ads on websites that are not legal websites? (i.e. torrent websites, passwords for websites that require passwords [mostly porn sites], including porn, illegal sports streaming sites)
I DON'T GET IT. HELP ME UNDERSTAND! | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1pu7i0/eli5_why_can_companies_place_advertisements_on/ | {
"a_id": [
"cd6387u",
"cd63o2s"
],
"score": [
3,
2
],
"text": [
"Providing a URL (clickable link) is not illegal. Neither is porn, nor providing a password (against TOS probably!)\n\nTo answer your question though, they work with advertising networks, not individual websites.",
"Many ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
2g37dq | what exactly does the bank do with my money when i deposit my paycheck? | I realize they credit my account with the money (after waiting a stupidly long period of time) but that money is still in their possession until I withdraw or spend it. What are they doing with that money in the mean time? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2g37dq/eli5_what_exactly_does_the_bank_do_with_my_money/ | {
"a_id": [
"ckf71xz",
"ckfaghe"
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"score": [
14,
2
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"text": [
"We utilize it for other customers and the economy. Setting up loans so people can buy property, cars, businesses, etc. We take in the money to disperse out to other people.\n\nEdit: Source: Teller",
"When I was 5 I just... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://pix-media.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/778/75135-Breaking-Bad-money-bed-Huell-5-pJrx.jpeg"
]
] | |
9ujfsn | how does a wireless signal travel between transmitter and receiver? how is it not affected much by rain or snow or wind? or even obstacles like walls and trees? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9ujfsn/eli5_how_does_a_wireless_signal_travel_between/ | {
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"score": [
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"text": [
"It *is* affected by all of those things. \n\nWiFi signals deteriorate a lot when travelling through walls for example. Which is why they say put the router in... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
6z5yaj | how does a bluetooth know what device to send data to. | For example: how does my portable Bluetooth speaker know to send and receive the music data from my phone? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6z5yaj/eli5_how_does_a_bluetooth_know_what_device_to/ | {
"a_id": [
"dmsrcej",
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"score": [
3,
4
],
"text": [
"All Bluetooth devices come with a passcode that you have to enter to connect it with another device. Although most updated devices do it automatically with the \"pairing\" feature.That passcode is the \"glue\" to making the ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
3cm7bf | why is alcohol aged in barrels? | You often hear of Alcohol like wine aged in barrels. Why isn't is just aged in a bottle? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3cm7bf/eli5why_is_alcohol_aged_in_barrels/ | {
"a_id": [
"cswyadv"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"As far as Bourbon... The whiskey expands and contracts into the wood as it ages and with seasonal changes. This mellows the whiskey and imparts the oak flavor. The longer it ages the more mellow the flavor. This process creates longer molecular c... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
csev1c | shouldn't all viable organs from the deceased be used for organ transplants without having them to have been a donor. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/csev1c/eli5_shouldnt_all_viable_organs_from_the_deceased/ | {
"a_id": [
"exebpab"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"Many countries make it so everybody is a donor and you have to opt out of it if you don’t want to be. The United States is behind the 8-ball on this"
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
9iw5u1 | why is it that some metals like zinc and iron are essential for our bodies while other metals like lead and mercury are toxic? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9iw5u1/eli5_why_is_it_that_some_metals_like_zinc_and/ | {
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"score": [
540,
6,
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3,
3,
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"text": [
"We have enzymes in our body called metalloenzymes that contain meta... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
3xdhai | how police ankle bracelet works. and why it's impossible to quietly remove this bracelet? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3xdhai/eli5_how_police_ankle_bracelet_works_and_why_its/ | {
"a_id": [
"cy3nml1"
],
"score": [
4
],
"text": [
"bracelet has constant communication with a base station.\n\nThe bracelet also detects that it is closed, any action of opening or cutting the bracelet will open the circuit and signal the base station.\n\nBlocking the signal will also be taken as... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
4kdbn4 | how do filmmakers make this effect? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4kdbn4/eli5_how_do_filmmakers_make_this_effect/ | {
"a_id": [
"d3e2joz",
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"d3eo1lv",
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"score": [
22,
6,
3,
3,
2
],
"text": [
"[Here is exactly how that scene was made.](_URL_0_) \n \nThey film them standing still, since its hard to be completely still, they edit it to make it sta... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://youtu.be/S_xGkwa6Qtw"
],
[],
[
"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-rGQVFyjTs"
],
[],
[]
] | ||
20wp4x | why does the military have its own justice system? | And why aren't crimes in the military just prosecuted in a "normal" civilian court? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/20wp4x/eli5_why_does_the_military_have_its_own_justice/ | {
"a_id": [
"cg7gui6",
"cg7j4kn",
"cg7lel4"
],
"score": [
8,
3,
3
],
"text": [
"Military members are subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) in addition to the \"normal\" civilian justice system. Meaning military members can be tried for crimes under the UCMJ which a... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
6u80ti | with skyscrapers being built so high, is the air inside them pressurized? and what happens if a window is broken? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6u80ti/eli5_with_skyscrapers_being_built_so_high_is_the/ | {
"a_id": [
"dlqnms0",
"dlqpjvi",
"dlqt5ac"
],
"score": [
5,
3,
2
],
"text": [
"No the air is not pressurized, some of those windows even open. You have to go significantly higher than the worlds tallest building to have pressure be an issue. Its not even an issue on most mountains... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
2am2t9 | the difference between a mechanic, technician, engineer, etc. i hear the terms used (seemingly) interchangeably. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2am2t9/eli5_the_difference_between_a_mechanic_technician/ | {
"a_id": [
"ciwihp1",
"ciwik5f"
],
"score": [
5,
4
],
"text": [
"Mechanic generally only means someone working on engines. Technicians are doing practical work with something at least vaguely technical. You could call a mechanic an auto-mobile technician or something if you want to.\n\nAn... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
cmau3y | how is the asian diet so high in sodium, but so much healthier than the american diet? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cmau3y/eli5_how_is_the_asian_diet_so_high_in_sodium_but/ | {
"a_id": [
"ew0zwgy",
"ew0zwu2",
"ew121b6",
"ew128cp"
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"score": [
3,
12,
2,
3
],
"text": [
"Less fat and many asian cuisines are based on a share or small plate style dining. When you go to most asian restaurants you order a dish for the whole table to share not just for... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
359dlx | how do tv stations generate video and effects on-the-fly? | Video like the charts shown by BBC during the UK General Election. How do they generate those fancy charts without previously rendering the video? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/359dlx/eli5_how_do_tv_stations_generate_video_and/ | {
"a_id": [
"cr29cv5"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Considering a video toaster could do it they probably use a knackered 486dx machine coated in dust they found at the back of a cupboard. In all seriousness they'll do it on the fly parsing the video through a computer before broadcast.\n"
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
38qqfh | considering that kidney stones are notoriously painful (as well as common), why is it so difficult to develop a painless method of extraction? | Furthermore, why can't they use some form of anesthesia? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/38qqfh/eli5_considering_that_kidney_stones_are/ | {
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"score": [
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"text": [
"The stones are inside ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
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] | |
1wjt82 | what is needed in order for me to write a mobile (android and iphone) application | I've been dumstruck on getting precise info with all these "make your own app" websites, they just give you templates and you're pretty limited with options.That being said I've spent hours on google with no avail. I'd like to create an app for personal use between friends, where one can create a event, the app will in... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1wjt82/eli5what_is_needed_in_order_for_me_to_write_a/ | {
"a_id": [
"cf2mv3d"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"For Android you need the Android Software Development Kit\n\n_URL_0_\n\nIt is completely free, and awesome. It's basically Java with special libraries. \n\nFor iPhone/iPad you need the iOS SDK, but it isn't free, you have to pay Apple for it. iOS... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html?utm_source=weibolife"
]
] | |
6x1is7 | how are we so much smarter than the next-smartest apes? i mean it seems like a truly huge leap. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6x1is7/eli5_how_are_we_so_much_smarter_than_the/ | {
"a_id": [
"dmcc715",
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"dmcclvi",
"dmccomw",
"dmck1po"
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"score": [
29,
7,
10,
38,
10
],
"text": [
"We killed off the neanderthals and denisovans...so is it that hard to imagine that our early ancestors killed off other yet discovered species who stood a... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
3r4kis | the workings of share price? | What are share price defined for a company? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3r4kis/eli5the_workings_of_share_price/ | {
"a_id": [
"cwkt9xu",
"cwktf1m"
],
"score": [
7,
3
],
"text": [
"The market decides the price of a stock, the company does not, except during their IPO (initial public offering), but even then its sorta market decided anyways.\n\nThis is actually one of the fundamental aspects of the stoc... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
bzspuz | what causes needles (injections, drawing blood) to hurt? it's a very tiny piece of metal. what is the mechanism to cause so much pain? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bzspuz/eli5_what_causes_needles_injections_drawing_blood/ | {
"a_id": [
"eqw7twi",
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],
"score": [
6,
5
],
"text": [
"That all kind of depends on nerves, what part of the body it's going in, skill of the person doing the sticking, and how big of a baby you are.",
"\"so much pain\" is very relative. Personally, needles don't bother me, t... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
16pd2p | what is private equity? and how is it different from investment banking? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/16pd2p/eli5_what_is_private_equity_and_how_is_it/ | {
"a_id": [
"c7y3swq"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Private equity is when you have a bunch of money, and then you say \"I want to invest this money into something.\" So, you go out and meet a bunch of budding entrepreneurs and say \"Hey, I'll give you $100K for a 10% stake in your new company cal... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
4j4lar | in the army, can an order be disobeyed if the order is to massacre civilians? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4j4lar/eli5_in_the_army_can_an_order_be_disobeyed_if_the/ | {
"a_id": [
"d33myqh",
"d33n1ld",
"d33n27z"
],
"score": [
3,
3,
2
],
"text": [
"Yes. One can ignore an order they deem unlawful, though a tribunal may determine later that you're wrong and you'll be punished anyway.",
"If the order is illegal, you can disobey it. However, you s... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
3bfqem | if speakers have magnets, and magnets can mess with hard drives, then how can they put speakers in computers? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3bfqem/eli5_if_speakers_have_magnets_and_magnets_can/ | {
"a_id": [
"cslppkf",
"cslpqpj",
"cslpy5a"
],
"score": [
2,
6,
2
],
"text": [
"The magnets in speakers aren't powerful enough to disrupt a hard drive from further than a few centimetres, if even then. If you want to mess up a hard drive, you need a pretty powerful magnet. Problems... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
68yf70 | why do people look away from the point of focus to think? | Example:
1. Looking up at the ceiling during a test
2. Looking away from someone during a discussion to think | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/68yf70/eli5_why_do_people_look_away_from_the_point_of/ | {
"a_id": [
"dh2ddvn"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"If you look away there's no stimuli trying to get your attention. You can look at a blank wall and not have anything stimulating you while you search your head for the answer."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
3n8ccm | how does audio play from a cd, tape, vinyl, or digital file? how does the recieving side make the sound it's told to ? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3n8ccm/eli5how_does_audio_play_from_a_cd_tape_vinyl_or/ | {
"a_id": [
"cvlphya",
"cvlpswu"
],
"score": [
2,
2
],
"text": [
"Sounds is a pressure wave in air. It's particles moving back and forth, vibrating. A microphone captures sound when the moving air pushes and pulls against it, which moves a coil of wire around a magnet inducing an electric ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
84rjhr | we have two ears, so surely two decent headphone drivers and some good software on the part of the game or film can perfectly replicate surround sound? why do headphones come out with "virtual surround sound"? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/84rjhr/eli5_we_have_two_ears_so_surely_two_decent/ | {
"a_id": [
"dvrsn0a",
"dvrt1bm"
],
"score": [
3,
4
],
"text": [
"You can certainly get really really close, yeah (though earphones tend to be unidirectional per ear, so realistically you'd need to cram a couple speakers into each cup since they aren't actually inside of your ear).\n\nThe ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
16kbe5 | what exactly happens when someone transfers money between two different banks? | Is there any physical cash being taken from Bank A and being given to Bank B to account for the transfer?
To me it seems as if money is just represented by figures on a computer screen. Are there vast amounts of physical cash being transferred on a daily basis between banks? How does this work? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/16kbe5/what_exactly_happens_when_someone_transfers_money/ | {
"a_id": [
"c7wtelp",
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"score": [
3,
3,
26,
2
],
"text": [
"I second this ELI5. I really wanna know.",
"I can give a partial answer:\n\n > Is there any physical cash being taken from Bank A and being given to Bank B to account for the... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[
"http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/423/the-invention-of-money"
]
] | |
202726 | feminists and rape | So you've probably come across [this post](_URL_0_) already. I wanted to know what the OP meant about how feminists **trivialize** rape and consider everything to be rape. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/202726/eli5_feminists_and_rape/ | {
"a_id": [
"cfz330u",
"cfz33o0",
"cfz37e4"
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"score": [
13,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"When you use the same word for slapping a girl's ass at a bar and brutally forcing her to have intercourse in a back alley after drugging her, you start to devalue the word \"rape.",
"I don't quite... | [] | [
"http://www.reddit.com/r/AdviceAnimals/comments/201ksu/as_a_rape_victim_i_have_to_say_this/"
] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
2dw9c4 | why can't we harness plasma like the weaponry in halo? | Dusted off the old Xbox and wondered how the covenant could launch massive balls of plasma at me but we can't do that today | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2dw9c4/eli5_why_cant_we_harness_plasma_like_the_weaponry/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
2,
9,
2
],
"text": [
"Because plasma requires a ton of energy. If you were to shoot a ball of plasma at someone, any device capable of doing so would be too big to carry, and the plasma would cool off significantly before re... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
7bh7m3 | how does pressing down on the gas-pedal result in faster piston movement? | So when we accelerate, what happens in the engine, to move the pistons faster, is it brake related?, physics related? fuel related? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7bh7m3/eli5_how_does_pressing_down_on_the_gaspedal/ | {
"a_id": [
"dphybym",
"dpi8ajq"
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"score": [
7,
3
],
"text": [
"Fuel. Pressing the throttle opens a valve, allowing more fuel which creates a bigger combustion inside the engine, pushing the pistons harder and resulting higher rpms. \n\n(Agreed, more fuel and air). ",
"The throttle c... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butterfly_valve#/media/File%3AYagisawa_power_station_inlet_valve.jpg"
]
] | |
3qrr7p | huntington's disease question | My 26yo daughter just tested positive for Huntington's Disease. Both her grandmother and great grandmother died from Huntington's Disease. That being said, does that mean that my daughter's mother also has Huntington's Disease or could it have skipped that generation? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3qrr7p/eli5_huntingtons_disease_question/ | {
"a_id": [
"cwhro6b"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Huntington's disease is dominant, unlike most genetic conditions. Hence it does not skip generations; it is either passed on or not (50%). The age of onset does vary, but it is very likely your daughter's mother also has the gene for Huntington's... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
1utjyb | the origin of the phrase: quitting cold turkey. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1utjyb/eli5_the_origin_of_the_phrase_quitting_cold_turkey/ | {
"a_id": [
"celit7h",
"celvmwo"
],
"score": [
6,
2
],
"text": [
"[The Word Detective](_URL_0_) is smarter and funnier than I am, so I will just send you there rather than paraphrase his answer.",
"I quit cold turkey years ago. Heat it up now, tastes better."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[
"http://www.word-detective.com/2008/11/cold-turkey/"
],
[]
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41cvct | how do the different kinds of food we eat power our bodies? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/41cvct/eli5_how_do_the_different_kinds_of_food_we_eat/ | {
"a_id": [
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"It all comes down to a structure in every cell of our bodies called the mitochondrion (plural mitochondria).\n\nIn this structure, carbohydrates, fats and proteins (the basic calorie-containing entities) that come from digestion are broken down a... | [] | [] | [
[]
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2ndikk | why do musicians and authors seem to do their best work when they're younger but their work seems to become "stale" as they get older? | I understand that taste in music and books are completely subjective, but it seems to be a common sentiment that artists produce their best work when they're young and not so much when they're older. For instance, I love both Steven King and Paul McCartney and their earlier works have this edge and magic to them. But w... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2ndikk/eli5_why_do_musicians_and_authors_seem_to_do/ | {
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"text": [
"1. You've heard their style before, so it's growing stale to you.\n\n2. They used all of their A material when they were younger and trying to break into the... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
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3vajvn | why do neurons have a synaptic gap between them? | Our biology professor asked us to find out why neurons have a synaptic gap between them? As always....I searched on Google. But the stuff was way more than I could understand. So, can someone please explain it to me? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3vajvn/eli5_why_do_neurons_have_a_synaptic_gap_between/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
" Because if they didn't, there'd be no option of transmitting a signal or not.\n\nCrudely, the synapse is a switch, conditional on other things it can allow or block a nerve impulse. If it didn't, there's be no choice, no op... | [] | [] | [
[],
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] | |
4q7fkk | why does molten cheese stick to things so effectively? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4q7fkk/eli5_why_does_molten_cheese_stick_to_things_so/ | {
"a_id": [
"d4qu6n6"
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"text": [
"Cheese is mostly protein and fat suspended in a little bit of water. Protein molecules are like long chains that have been coiled and twisted, and then coiled even more. Fat molecules are usually like straight chains but may have some branches. \... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
fdallz | google search working | How google is able to understand everything I type even it has spelling mistakes. Whenever I type something in browser i see that each word will be seperated by a '+' what is the significance of that? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/fdallz/eli5_google_search_working/ | {
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" > How google is able to understand everything I type even it has spelling mistakes.\n\nBasically Google creates lots of large dictionaries with lots of words. Because Google constantly crawls the web to find new pages, it ... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percent-encoding"
],
[]
] | |
9a4mr3 | how did hurricane lane weaken so quickly? | So, for the past week, Hawaii has been preparing for the impact of Hurricane Lane, which was measured at its worst as a Cat5, which basically means catastrophic damage will occur.
Over the past few days, the hurricane has quickly lost speed and has devolved into a tropical storm. Besides some flooding in certain area... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9a4mr3/eli5_how_did_hurricane_lane_weaken_so_quickly/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"I've heard it described as wind shear, and that a hurricane is like a spinning stack of dishes and when there are different speed winds at different altitudes, it starts to topple and then it spins out of control.\n\nI like the ruler demonstratio... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Foe_sLdGkvg"
]
] | |
r7xil | the different main branches of islam | I mean like Sunni, Shia, Sufism... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/r7xil/eli5_the_different_main_branches_of_islam/ | {
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"text": [
"We just began discussing this in my Comparative Religion class today! I still know very little about it, but since there aren't any other answers here, I'll go for it.\n\nThe Sunni/Shia split occurred v... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
6z77uu | is there a way to distinguish a polar and non-polar compound when given models of each? | I'm a Middle Schooler so please actually explain like I'm five | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6z77uu/eli5_is_there_a_way_to_distinguish_a_polar_and/ | {
"a_id": [
"dmt1sla"
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"text": [
"\nYou have to look at two things:\n\n1 - are there any polar bonds in the molecule? (is one atom more electronegative than another, which means there will be a dipole)\n\n2 - is the molecule symmetrical ? (if the molecule is symmetrical then any ... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://www.scientificamerican.com/sciam/cache/file/9B1E1977-3A5E-4A78-8E0CF9BB7B9B89BE.jpg?w=590&h=393&E03C4B9F-607B-4A0D-9A2409FCB7DC3D78",
"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/23/Carbon-tetrachloride-3D-balls.png"
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43ojyy | why do fruits like pinneapples and kiwi leave a rough feeling on the tongue? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/43ojyy/eli5_why_do_fruits_like_pinneapples_and_kiwi/ | {
"a_id": [
"czjoz37"
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"text": [
"Human skin contains oils which aid in blocking out the absorption of chemicals which would harm or irritate the skin. Those oils contain proteins. Pineapple contains a chemical compound called bromelain which has the ability to break down these ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
6wv9ad | why do americans put their parents in nursing homes? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6wv9ad/eli5_why_do_americans_put_their_parents_in/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"Well, nursing homes are for adults who are unable to take care of themselves anymore, and for whom living alone has become dangerous. Since it's pretty standard in the US for both spouses to work, an elderly parent living a... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
7tsqh8 | why are local politicians trying so hard to get amazon to move their 2nd headquarters there? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7tsqh8/eli5_why_are_local_politicians_trying_so_hard_to/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"In the end, governments want more money in the form of taxes, and Amazon is a huge monster when it comes to potential tax revenue. \n\nHaving the new headquarters could mean a few thousand jobs created in the general area, which is a huge goal f... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
3i85uy | why does weed show up in drug tests for almost a month after you're smoked it but more harmful drugs only show up for a few days after you've done them? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3i85uy/eli5_why_does_weed_show_up_in_drug_tests_for/ | {
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"THC stores itself (binds to) in fat cells. Your body generally burns away fat at a slow pace. You can actually speed up the process to pass a drug test if you burn off fat beforeha... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://www.drugs.com/article/drug-testing.html#how-long-drug-detection"
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1p6xqt | why does anyone care about the kardashians? | They don't act or sing or even have jobs. How do you become a celebrity when there is no apparent reason for it? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1p6xqt/eli5_why_does_anyone_care_about_the_kardashians/ | {
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"score": [
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"text": [
"Sextape was wack..",
"I have wondered about that for a long time, the only answer I can offer is that the me... | [] | [] | [
[],
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1mmmd3 | explain why time is dependant on the mass of an object | I watched The Stephen Hawking Time Travel episode on Netflix, and I couldn't find any sufficient answer. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1mmmd3/explain_why_time_is_dependant_on_the_mass_of_an/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"It's tough to give a simple explanation, but here it goes...\n\nImagine that you have two points, A and B. Now imagine that we connect these two points with two different paths. One path is a straight line, and the other is a curved line, [as dep... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://i.stack.imgur.com/4vS0w.png"
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3ry6fm | recently the video of yale students showed people snapping instead of clapping; how and why does clapping trigger people? | I'm definitely not trying to have an argument about triggering, I'm wondering what could clapping possibly represent that triggers such a severe emotional reaction?
EDIT: I'm saying I understand how reading a long passage graphically describing rape can cause a survivor some grief. Accepting the concept of "triggeri... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ry6fm/eli5_recently_the_video_of_yale_students_showed/ | {
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"It doesn't unless they have severe PTSD, and if that is the case they need to be getting treatment. Changing societal behavior is not needed and coddling them rather than helping them deal with the trau... | [] | [
"http://www.returnofkings.com/60130/uk-feminists-ban-clapping-at-conference-because-it-triggers-anxiety"
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[],
[
"https://www.reddit.com/r/tumblrinaction"
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2sfj69 | how do homeless people get fat? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2sfj69/eli5_how_do_homeless_people_get_fat/ | {
"a_id": [
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5
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"text": [
"Because cheap/crap food is usually high in fat and will make you fat.\n\nObesity is more prevalent in the poor demographic because of this.",
"Cheap food is not healthy food. And as homeless have told me, there's plenty ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
4yzdg1 | why do you taste blood in your throat when you overexert yourself? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4yzdg1/eli5_why_do_you_taste_blood_in_your_throat_when/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"First off, you shouldn't, and if you are I recommend going to a large hospital where they can run some tests on you while you exercise.\n\nNow that that is out of the way, the reason is MOST LIKELY (but not 100% sure) that when you're overexertin... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
1p29xx | what does it mean to verify permissions in a unix system and, if you are a grandma on a mac, do you need to repair them? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1p29xx/eli5what_does_it_mean_to_verify_permissions_in_a/ | {
"a_id": [
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"Each file and folder in a UNIX system has a list of permissions, which are a list of rules describing \"who is allowed to do what to this file\". \n\nFor example, Bobby can read, modify, or delete a particular file but Charlie can only read it (... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
5cr2t9 | how can we have pain index scale? | My girlfriend and I have completely different measurements of pain. I saw something on YouTube showing animal stings that are on the top 5 of some universal gauge or index scale. I know that I am a total wimp when it comes to pain compared to my girlfriend so how can we measure something that is so relative to each uni... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5cr2t9/eli5_how_can_we_have_pain_index_scale/ | {
"a_id": [
"d9ynjek"
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"score": [
5
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"text": [
"From my understanding the scale is just an aggregation of individuals subjective ratings of various different insect stings. The entomologist behind it, Justin O. Schmidt, set the scale from 0 to 4 with no real empirical justification, it was jus... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
1wggz8 | how do they make chains? | Particularly small, delicate ones used in jewellery. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1wggz8/eli5_how_do_they_make_chains/ | {
"a_id": [
"cf1q3i8",
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"score": [
3,
3
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"text": [
"they start with a short metal bolt that is being bent into the shape of a single chain link. Then they push another metal bolt through that link and bent that again. Rinse and repeat. If needed the gaps in the chainlinks can... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://i.imgur.com/lgCDCa0.gif"
],
[
"http://media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/chain.gif"
]
] | |
5dh0l8 | what has india done with its currency and how does that help fight the black market. the news hasn't made it very clear. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5dh0l8/eli5_what_has_india_done_with_its_currency_and/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
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"text": [
"People using black markets or are trying to avoid taxes are paying in cash. This is normally kept in high value notes because it's easier to keep 10 x $100 bills than 50 x $20. The government is taking 2 of the highest value notes out of circulat... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
5rhqgw | how can the senate go about invoking a nuclear option? | I understand a nuclear option allows the Senate to vote on something with a simple majority. However, how does this get invoked if generally you need 60 votes to approve something. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5rhqgw/eli5_how_can_the_senate_go_about_invoking_a/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"The 60 vote thing is regarding bills and SCotUS appointments and is due to long-standing rules that the Senate created fo itself (granted, these are pretty old rules). However, it does not apply to the rule making process itself, which only requi... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
222io0 | how come you never see baby crows? | I see crows all over the place, but how come you never see any baby crows around or at least younger ones? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/222io0/eli5_how_come_you_never_see_baby_crows/ | {
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"http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Carrion_Crow_Nest_16-05-10_%284612735510%29.jpg",
"http://www.birdsofwestwood.com/images... | |
a6sfqt | why, in a fan, the push feels much stronger than the pull? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a6sfqt/eli5_why_in_a_fan_the_push_feels_much_stronger/ | {
"a_id": [
"ebxiwxf",
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"score": [
4,
10
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"text": [
"I'm pretty sure it's inertia. In the pull, stationary air is drawn from all angles. But on the push, the particles continue in a straight path, rather than blowing equally out to the sides.",
"Without getting too compli... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
7jzzwl | us election fraud | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7jzzwl/eli5_us_election_fraud/ | {
"a_id": [
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"drag2gt"
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"score": [
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"text": [
"Voter fraud is an almost unmeasurably small part of US elections.\n\nMany places do not require photo ID. This is because poor people are unlikely to have ID, since they cost money. Not all poor people, mind you, but the 1... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
1y7wz5 | what is happening when you slowly turn your neck sometimes and it feels like it squeaks? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1y7wz5/eli5_what_is_happening_when_you_slowly_turn_your/ | {
"a_id": [
"cfie57e"
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"score": [
3
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"text": [
"It's tissues stretching. Ligaments and joint capsules that surround your spine stretch and move across other tissues creating the sound you describe. Most likely comes from C0/C1/C2 as they are closest to your ear, and are responsible for a lot o... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
33u10w | why do redditors prefer the term "so" over boyfriend/girlfriend? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/33u10w/eli5_why_do_redditors_prefer_the_term_so_over/ | {
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d6891k | is the head the locus of consciousness because that's where most of our sensory organs are, or because that's where our brain is; and if the latter, what is it about the brain (a silent, unseen, and inanimate organ) that creates a sense of physical location of the consciousness? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/d6891k/eli5_is_the_head_the_locus_of_consciousness/ | {
"a_id": [
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6,
6,
2
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"text": [
"You are your brain. Nothing you do is not your brain. It doesn't matter what it is, really we could exist as we are with a brain in a jar if all other vital organs were simulated at their natural capaci... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://www.nature.com/news/2008/081222/full/news.2008.1328.html"
],
[]
] | ||
5xcui5 | why does it hurt when you fall in water? | READ FOR VITAL INFO:
I've read in scientific videos that when you fall "lying down", you spread the impact damage, and thus you will get the least damage when you impact the ground. If so, why does it hurt so much more if you fall flat on water than if you fall with your toes in water? (Assuming there are no obstacles... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5xcui5/eli5_why_does_it_hurt_when_you_fall_in_water/ | {
"a_id": [
"deh28vo",
"deh29n4"
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"score": [
2,
2
],
"text": [
"You push the water out of the way when you fall into it.\n\n\nThe ground is a harder surface or it's more difficult to push out of the way so you want to just spread the impact.",
"This is better as a biology question. Y... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
6bmy6u | how do atms give you your money? | When you get cash out from an ATM, where does all the money come from, and how does it get put in there in the first place? Does someone open up the actual machine and throw notes and coins in there? Also, how come do they never seem to run out of money to give you? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6bmy6u/eli5_how_do_atms_give_you_your_money/ | {
"a_id": [
"dho41mu"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"to answer the question first: yes, some bank employee opens up the machine and fills in the notes.\n\nmachine DO run out of money - there is an atm close to where i live that frequently runs out of 20 euro notes. its annoying.\n\nanyway - i live ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
1ujsgq | what problems do cockroaches and other "household pests" create in our homes? | Why do we need to exterminate them? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ujsgq/eli5_what_problems_do_cockroaches_and_other/ | {
"a_id": [
"ceisacq"
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6
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"text": [
"These pests, such as cockroaches, leave feces which can attract or carry pathogens. And when they dry out, disturbing them while cleaning may result in parts becoming airborne.\n\nA deadly example is the hantavirus which is carried by rodents and... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
7czt8v | why do cash advances on credit cards carry so many restrictions? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7czt8v/eli5_why_do_cash_advances_on_credit_cards_carry/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"Its what you are more likely to run away with. People are way more likely to take out cash, dump the card and run then they are to go through the buying and reselling process. Thats why they charge a lo... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
2ebw2p | why is produce at ethnic stores so cheap? | **Edit**: Cheers! So, some combination of tiering in the quality of produce, in which 'ethnic' stores buy the least pretty but otherwise totally fine stuff (TLDR; Japanese will kill you for a pretty watermelon), and maybe also non-food factors, like non-union labor, greater share of revenue from cash-based transactions... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2ebw2p/eli5_why_is_produce_at_ethnic_stores_so_cheap/ | {
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... | [] | [] | [
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b1fgw2 | how does arch support in shoes work and should the average person get it? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/b1fgw2/eli5_how_does_arch_support_in_shoes_work_and/ | {
"a_id": [
"eim37g2"
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"score": [
2
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"text": [
"as someone with very flat feet I can really advice against getting arches. They MUST be tailor made for you to not blow your knees.\n\nBasically as you don't have the arch your feet tilt inwards sort of giving you X leggs as your knees come toget... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
1zguzk | is there any way the u.n. can hit back at russia diplomatically? | Would they be able to suspend Russia's presence at the Security Council, in the P5+1 talks, or Syrian Peace talks? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1zguzk/eli5_is_there_any_way_the_un_can_hit_back_at/ | {
"a_id": [
"cftivww"
],
"score": [
4
],
"text": [
"Nope, Russia could just veto it since they are on the security council. It's a fundamentally broken system."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
6m8up2 | why was the idea of a currency for the eu (the euro) conceptualised? | When and why did the EU start thinking about this? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6m8up2/eli5_why_was_the_idea_of_a_currency_for_the_eu/ | {
"a_id": [
"djzst2i"
],
"score": [
10
],
"text": [
"The idea of a common european currency is fairly old. It first started appearing after WWI in the hopes that it would unite countries and prevent another world war. Obviously, this didn't get very far, what with world war II breaking out and all... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maastricht_Treaty",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Economic_Community",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Werner_Plan"
]
] | |
4h9tk1 | how was that buddhist monk able to self immolate without showing/feeling pain? | Im sure you have heard of the famous event where a Buddhist monk burnt himself to death. There are several vids on youtube of Monks self immolating. Apparently their meditation allows them to detach themselves to an extent from the pain.
But I still dont understand how it is possible to be so calm during such extreme ... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4h9tk1/eli5how_was_that_buddhist_monk_able_to_self/ | {
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147,
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55,
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"text": [
"I believe the nerves are very quickly destroyed. When your body goes into pain overload ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
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[],
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[]
] | |
28tn5i | what is licorice made from? and why does it taste not like candy | I personally think licorice is gross | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/28tn5i/eli5what_is_licorice_made_from_and_why_does_it/ | {
"a_id": [
"ciecha2"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"It's made from the liquorice (or licorice) root. It tastes not like candy because it was created back in the day when candy tasted not like candy. "
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
212mph | the new satellite photos of the object in the indian ocean that could be wreckage of the missing malaysian flight were taken 4 days ago, why can't the satellites be used to take live surveillance? | I don't understand why someone can't just sit behind a computer and aim the cameras to search the seas. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/212mph/eli5_the_new_satellite_photos_of_the_object_in/ | {
"a_id": [
"cg90u9j",
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"score": [
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7
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"text": [
"Most satellites aren't in a geostationary orbit - they're not sat above a fixed point; and the ones that are take time to move to where you want to look, and are seriously limited in exactly what they can see and how quick y... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
6igx07 | why can we move? | This is a stupid question and you can tell right away that the brain sends the signal so the muscles move, and i know that it should be taken as granted but, what makes the muscles be able to move? This question is so stupid that im afraid nobody will understand what im trying to ask | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6igx07/eli5why_can_we_move/ | {
"a_id": [
"dj658g7"
],
"score": [
4
],
"text": [
"The muscles themselves are composed of lots of long cells. They contain proteins that are structured in a way that allows them to contract. The specifics are a bit complicated, but picture the proteins able to \"pull\" themselves up a rope made o... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
1owoil | why are people upset that ceos make so much more money than low level workers? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1owoil/eli5_why_are_people_upset_that_ceos_make_so_much/ | {
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"score": [
4,
15,
10,
6,
17,
108,
... | [] | [] | [
[],
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"http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/25/ceo-pay-highest-salaries-typical-workers_n_1545189.html"
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[],
[],
[
"http://www.princeton.edu/main/news/archive/S33/87/54K53/index.xml"
],
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_compensation_in_the_United_States"
... | ||
n878c | the big bang theory. | Explain the Big Bang Theory and what is believed to have happened. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/n878c/eli5_the_big_bang_theory/ | {
"a_id": [
"c370izf",
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"score": [
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"text": [... | [] | [] | [
[],
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[
"http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/j55b9/can_someone_explain_to_me_the_big_bang_theory_li5/"
],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
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"http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/j55b9/can_someone_explain_to_me_the_big_bang_theory_li5/"
],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
3o6iyt | why is the audio for police radios still so poor? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3o6iyt/eli5_why_is_the_audio_for_police_radios_still_so/ | {
"a_id": [
"cvuhbri"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"The third comment in the post you linked addresses your question. Under the right conditions radios sound just as good as, if not better than, phones."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
4csx8d | how can people post pictures of themselves smoking weed on instagram and not be arrested? (in states that do not have medical exemptions...) | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4csx8d/eli5how_can_people_post_pictures_of_themselves/ | {
"a_id": [
"d1l67zr"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"No way to prove it's weed. No way to prove it is in a jurisdiction where it's illegal. Pictures can be fake. \n\nAlso, because nobody gives a shit about weed."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
2knm72 | in conjoined twins, who controls the arms, legs, etc? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2knm72/eli5_in_conjoined_twins_who_controls_the_arms/ | {
"a_id": [
"cln1gsh"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"It depends on each individual case - where the individuals are joined is a huge factor in this."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
143rif | why don't they make 2 liter soda bottles rectangular? | If they were rectangular they could be stacked, take up less room and stop rolling around in the back of my car after grocery shopping. A little modification and they could have a handle too. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/143rif/eli5_why_dont_they_make_2_liter_soda_bottles/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
483,
47,
9,
3,
11,
46,
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"text": [
"Storage containers for items under pressure (soda, propane), are round because the ite... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[
"http://imgur.com/gallery/4bxIJ"
],
[],
[]
] | |
5c9cb5 | why do things off in the distance start to get a white tint to them? | When ever i'm looking at something farther away, such as a town when i'm on a mountain, the town has a white tint to it. Why does this happen? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5c9cb5/eli5_why_do_things_off_in_the_distance_start_to/ | {
"a_id": [
"d9un74h"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
" > Why does this happen?\n\nBecause there is air and various things suspended in it which is reflecting light as well. This tends to wash out the colors of what you see through it."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
fx9lqf | what is different about the insides of wires that transmit power (charger), data (aux, ethernet), or both (usb-c)? | Basically what is inside that allows wires to transfer only energy, only data, or both? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/fx9lqf/eli5_what_is_different_about_the_insides_of_wires/ | {
"a_id": [
"fmsxpl8",
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"score": [
15,
5,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"It's more about the connections between the two ends of the cord. Cords that are only for power only have connections at the pins that carry power, so a power only cord will have... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
9hw560 | what is wax and why does it burn the way it does? | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9hw560/eli5_what_is_wax_and_why_does_it_burn_the_way_it/ | {
"a_id": [
"e6f0nod"
],
"score": [
15
],
"text": [
"Wax is basically made up of a certain type of organic molecule.\n\nThe reason it burns so slowly is that it generally is not flammable as a solid or as a liquid. However, it is flammable as a gas.\n\nSo, for wax to burn, it first has to melt, a... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
2056gz | how does everything fall at the same speed? if i drop a feather and a book, they don't fall relative to eachother. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2056gz/eli5_how_does_everything_fall_at_the_same_speed/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
13,
3,
3,
4,
13,
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"text": [
"Everything falls at the same speed *in a vacuum*. The reason things in our atmosphere fall at different rates ar... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[
"http://youtu.be/5C5_dOEyAfk"
],
[]
] | ||
mb13f | what is so revolutionary/what is happening in iceland's economy right now | I know that Iceland is handling its debt in a very unconventional way, but I don't quite understand what's happening. Thanks. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/mb13f/eli5_what_is_so_revolutionarywhat_is_happening_in/ | {
"a_id": [
"c2zieat",
"c2zieat"
],
"score": [
3,
3
],
"text": [
"Basically, Iceland was in a similar situation as the rest of the world. Large banks held a lot of the money, and the government owed money elsewhere. The banks bet against their loans, much like banks did in America, however... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
1tii2f | how can infomercials offer me 2 blenders, 5 cake pans, 3 choppers, a soda creating device and a small child all for a limited time offer of 1 payment of 39.99(normally 10 payments of an arm and leg) | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1tii2f/eli5_how_can_infomercials_offer_me_2_blenders_5/ | {
"a_id": [
"ce8bi1u"
],
"score": [
4
],
"text": [
"Sometimes the extras they throw in are products that were already produced and marketed on their own, but have a surplus. If company x has a bunch of knives left over that they aren't able to sell, but they think they can boost sales of their new... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
1mjep9 | conway's game of life and gliders | I've tried to comprehend the point behind Conway's Game of Life but I am truly dumbfounded with its complexity and meaning. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1mjep9/eli5_conways_game_of_life_and_gliders/ | {
"a_id": [
"cc9swj0"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"Conway's Game of Life is an example of a finite state automaton. Finite state automata are examples of how very simple sets of rules can create emergent complexity. So in conway's game of life each cell only has one of two states, and there are... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
1ubhcg | why do we enjoy killing people in video games or think it's "cool" when we see people die in movies? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ubhcg/why_do_we_enjoy_killing_people_in_video_games_or/ | {
"a_id": [
"cegd98q",
"cegei6f"
],
"score": [
17,
8
],
"text": [
"Play fighting is a natural thing. Watch puppies for a while and sooner or later they'll start biting at eachother. The winner is usually the one that wraps his mouth around the other's neck first or at least the one that co... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
435aud | siri's very good at understanding what i say, and yet youtube's auto-generated subtitles are incredibly wrong. how so ? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/435aud/eli5_siris_very_good_at_understanding_what_i_say/ | {
"a_id": [
"czfocbs"
],
"score": [
91
],
"text": [
"When using Siri, Cortana, etc. they use two microphones, one to listen to you, and another to listen to background noise, by comparing the two recordings, it's able to better isolate your vocals so no/little background noise is present. \n \nW... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://youtu.be/05ic8Jvou1I"
]
] | ||
495dpy | in hawaii, how did spam become one of the staple foods to that island state? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/495dpy/eli5_in_hawaii_how_did_spam_become_one_of_the/ | {
"a_id": [
"d0p5roo",
"d0p5rw4",
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"score": [
3,
3,
6
],
"text": [
"Spam is a vestige of the massive Naval operations on the islands during WWII in which there were tens of thousands of sailors coming and going along with their supplies which consisted of many canned/pa... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[
"http://tastyislandhawaii.com/images12/grindz_of_the_day/mcdonalds_hawaii_breakfast.jpg",
"http://www.cookeatdelicious.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Spam-Fried-Rice-14-500x407.jpg",
"http://media4.popsugar-assets.com/files/upl2/0/3986/22_2009/DSC_0099_1/i/Spam-Musubi-From-7-Eleven.jpg",
... | ||
97du7x | why are video-game fan art commissions sold for money not affected by copyright issues? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/97du7x/eli5_why_are_videogame_fan_art_commissions_sold/ | {
"a_id": [
"e47glej",
"e47gtln",
"e48a86a"
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"score": [
15,
9,
2
],
"text": [
"They absolutely are affected by copyright issues; technically they are all infringing on the copyright of the owner of that IP. But in most cases the single fan art sale isn't worth the time of the com... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
a7yp5k | how are skyscrapers able to bend and sway without breaking? | For clarification, I read about how they stay steady- but haven't found how something on a concrete foundation can move without cracking and crumbling apart. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a7yp5k/eli5_how_are_skyscrapers_able_to_bend_and_sway/ | {
"a_id": [
"ec6q8bs",
"ec7049d"
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"score": [
2,
4
],
"text": [
"The movement is (relatively) very small. \n\nThe sears tower can sway about 2' at the top, which sounds crazy, but... that is over the entire length of its nearly 1500' - this means that at 10' above ground, the movement is... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://youtu.be/j-zczJXSxnw?t=125"
]
] | |
2gtwb2 | why do people feel the need to use a "throwaway" account if reddit accounts are anonymous anyway? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2gtwb2/eli5_why_do_people_feel_the_need_to_use_a/ | {
"a_id": [
"ckmh5wx",
"ckmh682",
"ckmh7ih"
],
"score": [
5,
7,
4
],
"text": [
"Because they're only anonymous if you put forward to make them anonymous. (or are a hermit)\n\nMost of my friends and family know what my reddit username is, so if I'm going to make a post saying \"I to... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
3bvz72 | what would happen if you placed a spherical magnet on a flat magnetized plane? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3bvz72/eli5_what_would_happen_if_you_placed_a_spherical/ | {
"a_id": [
"csq04pn",
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"score": [
6,
2
],
"text": [
"I don't think there is enough information here. A flat magnetized plane isn't really a thing. \n\nDo you mean that the whole magnet is the flat top of the N side of a large magnet that extends below it? In that case the sp... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pc629U1NyzQ"
]
] | ||
2v8iln | how do films get their funding? who pays 3 millions up front so easy? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2v8iln/eli5how_do_films_get_their_funding_who_pays_3/ | {
"a_id": [
"cofdkzf",
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"score": [
4,
8,
2
],
"text": [
"A production company. Sometimes a private investor or group of investors.",
"Films are an investment, just like any other. They can be funded by a studio like Fox, or by particularly wealthy individ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
5cxx9o | why is it so hard to make a totally 'clear' or 'transparent' powder? | Specifically in terms of makeup/cosmetology. When pressed or loose powders are advertised as 'clear' or 'transparent', they appear to be white in the pan and leave a white layer on the skin. Why is it so hard, or impossible, to make a clear powder? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5cxx9o/eli5_why_is_it_so_hard_to_make_a_totally_clear_or/ | {
"a_id": [
"da083tr"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"In order for something to be transparent, light has to be able to travel through it without getting reflected, bent, or scattered too much. Sharp corners or curved pieces scatter, reflect, and/or bend light really well. A good example of this is... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
1tzyha | what is the thought process of someone who was born both blind and deaf? | I'm wondering this since it occurred to me that a standard person's thought process is comprised of mainly of words and images. In this case, if someone who cannot see anything in addition to not having heard a word; what do they think in? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1tzyha/eli5_what_is_the_thought_process_of_someone_who/ | {
"a_id": [
"ced8507"
],
"score": [
7
],
"text": [
"slselsenmlknwklekvm.x,dlssjskjskjesmncv,js,ka;aqw;w;[pz.mmc.kelkjn blzsfm.elkdr;gojzslkjndw,kxrg.llbx;kknc.mxd..knaliawjxr,mknv ,kselk s,n,drg,,kbtlinc,jn,zafw nxcfb.lzsjdzlhnw,3nr;oqieng;iaufvn;kjqnr4l9i8a3pojnql,2nmes.kjojal2k3n. ll 'ianwkbwaq2... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
60aow7 | how can it be cheaper for nasa to contract spacex instead of running their own missions? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/60aow7/eli5_how_can_it_be_cheaper_for_nasa_to_contract/ | {
"a_id": [
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... | [] | [] | [
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cl2puz | how big is tree(3)? | Like seriously, Im so stupid I can't comprehend the formula explanation. Can you please explain as simple as possible that it's going to make sense to a 5 year old brain? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cl2puz/eli5_how_big_is_tree3/ | {
"a_id": [
"evsipqz",
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"score": [
8,
5
],
"text": [
"ELI5: What is Tree(3)?",
"Actually there isn't a formula for Tree(3) because we have absolutely no idea how big it is. All that's known about it is that it's finite and that it's unimaginably bigger than other ginormous ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://waitbutwhy.com/2014/11/1000000-grahams-number.html"
]
] | |
20zybf | when a civilian ship is asked to aid in a search and rescue operation, who covers the costs? | I.e. gas, salaries of seamen, possible shipping delays, etc | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/20zybf/eli5_when_a_civilian_ship_is_asked_to_aid_in_a/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
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2
],
"text": [
"Its considered an ancient tradition and responsibility of all seafarers to provide aid to vessels in distress, in recent times this has been enshrined in international maritime law.\n\nThere is no payment, just the knowledge... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] |
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