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4x47lj
how safe am i on a plane?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4x47lj/eli5_how_safe_am_i_on_a_plane/
{ "a_id": [ "d6cbap6" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "I get creeped out sometimes when I think about it... and I work in aerospace. And I build the stupid things. I reassure myself like this:\n\nThe team that engineered your lawn mower spent thousands of hours making sure it would be safe and reliab...
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[]
[ [] ]
hpze0
Can someone explain gyroscopic forces?
After being astounded by the fact that I can make my Powerball spin at 10,000 rpm I realised I have no idea why that happens. ...and why it's hard to rotate a spinning object in a different plane.
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/hpze0/can_someone_explain_gyroscopic_forces/
{ "a_id": [ "c1xdsrr", "c1xekkn" ], "score": [ 5, 7 ], "text": [ " > ...and why it's hard to rotate a spinning object in a different plane.\n\nConservation of angular momentum.\n\nWhats a powerball?\n", "if you want to think about it in a more practical way, imagine a block sliding tow...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
m8mqg
why did nazi germany treat british/american pows half-decently, but russian/slavic pows horrendously?
I understand that the Nazis consider the slavic people to be subhuman rats and therefore had no morale issue with treating them so badly but why did they go to the bother of treating British/American POWs half-decently? Why not just put them in terrible concentration camps like they did with Soviet POWs? The only thin...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/m8mqg/elif_why_did_nazi_germany_treat_britishamerican/
{ "a_id": [ "c2yyzya", "c2z0agd", "c2z3uhm", "c2yyzya", "c2z0agd", "c2z3uhm" ], "score": [ 6, 4, 2, 6, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "You answered the question yourself. Russians were seen as subhuman, western Europeans and Americans not.", "The Germans never really...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
54ckp4
why do you never see large news companies being charged for libel?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/54ckp4/eli5_why_do_you_never_see_large_news_companies/
{ "a_id": [ "d80oqbi", "d80pqtj", "d80rcy9", "d80sajj", "d80t4dm", "d80w4zz" ], "score": [ 35, 10, 10, 2, 14, 2 ], "text": [ "Because they tend to be very careful about precisely what they say and how they say it so they aren't actually committing libel. The...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z49LjJj3VTI" ], [], [] ]
4ahv0q
why do people hate planned parenthood?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4ahv0q/eli5_why_do_people_hate_planned_parenthood/
{ "a_id": [ "d10gr2f", "d10hd2e" ], "score": [ 15, 2 ], "text": [ "This is older than any videos.\n\nPP is synonymous with abortions, even though only a small percentage of the facilities actually provide that service. Unfortunately, the conservative side of America (or whatever the fuck t...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
3l6yqk
What is this? (German WWII decoration)
_URL_0_
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3l6yqk/what_is_this_german_wwii_decoration/
{ "a_id": [ "cv3onvx" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "That is the \"Band\" ( Ribbon) of the Iron Cross second Class worn on the buttonhole. Higher honors were worn on the left breat pocket as you can also see in the picture. " ] }
[]
[ "http://imgur.com/CkhN5ri" ]
[ [] ]
16vh61
How is the 60hz electric power frequency and 60hz NTSC TV standards (refresh rate) related?
Should they be matched for the electric devices to work?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/16vh61/how_is_the_60hz_electric_power_frequency_and_60hz/
{ "a_id": [ "c7zrk18", "c7zrk72" ], "score": [ 3, 6 ], "text": [ "If you add two frequencies you get all combinations of those frequencies. If you have ever been in an airplane and heard the engines apparently throbbing, its because the RPMs are close enough matched that the difference bet...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
ht3uc
Why is the permeability of free space defined as it is?
I've been studying for my magnetism final, and I got to wondering, why is the permeability of free space exactly 4pi*10^-7? So I've been reading about it a bit, and I see that it's defined that way, based on two infinitely long wires, so I see where the 4pi comes from. But I would like to know why, exactly, they chose ...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/ht3uc/why_is_the_permeability_of_free_space_defined_as/
{ "a_id": [ "c1y55sg", "c1y6m55" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "The expression \"MKS unit of force\" which occurs in the original text has been replaced here by \"newton,\" the name adopted for this unit by the 9th CGPM (1948). Note that the effect of this definition is to fix the magnet...
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[]
[ [ "http://physics.nist.gov/cuu/Units/ampere.html" ], [] ]
57d21b
When the US interstate system was built through wide open and sparsly populated areas such as the Dakotas, why it did they curve the road every few miles rather than just go straight through the vast expenses of flat land?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/57d21b/when_the_us_interstate_system_was_built_through/
{ "a_id": [ "d8rh1sg", "d8rrsmg", "d8s14x9" ], "score": [ 78, 19, 8 ], "text": [ "Though I'm not completely sure about the Interstate Highway System, I can answer why highways/state highways will often have small offsetting curves: specifically every 6 miles.\n\nThe answer has to d...
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[]
[ [ "http://www.clui.org/section/fifth-principal-meridian", "http://nationalmap.gov/small_scale/a_plss.html" ], [], [] ]
e72vp3
Why did President Thomas Jefferson think the Louisiana Purchase was unconstitutional when he was already going to purchase New Orleans?
I have read that President Jefferson approached France to purchase New Orleans for $10 million. France then counters with an offer for the US to purchase all the Louisiana Territory for $15 million. Jefferson considered this deal unconstitutional because the US Constitution made no provisions for land sales, and the US...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/e72vp3/why_did_president_thomas_jefferson_think_the/
{ "a_id": [ "f9yein3" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Jefferson believed that the Federal Government's roll was a minimal one and was more of an arbitrator between the states. He believed that anything not specifically enumerated in the Constitution was unconstitutional and he took that very literal...
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[]
[ [ "https://bigthink.com/strange-maps/248-friends-polypotamians-countrymen", "https://jeffersonhour.com/blog/1243", "https://jeffersonhour.com/blog/1289" ] ]
wiegl
The Battle of Agincourt - Breaking down a few inaccuracies
A year ago I wanted to do a project on the Battle of Agincourt as part of my EPQ. However the vast amount of inaccuracy of the battle from whether the English had horses at the battle as this [painting shows] (_URL_0_) prevented me to do a proper investigation into the battle. I am now going to list a few of my iss...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/wiegl/the_battle_of_agincourt_breaking_down_a_few/
{ "a_id": [ "c5dlsf1", "c5dm3qo" ], "score": [ 27, 10 ], "text": [ "EDIT: Okay, I'm back at home. Here we go. \n\n > Did the English have horses?\n\nYes, definitely so. In the *Gesta Henrici Quinti* (possibly the most important source for the English side of Agincourt), mounted patrols are...
[]
[ "http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/be/Schlacht_von_Azincourt.jpg/300px-Schlacht_von_Azincourt.jpg" ]
[ [ "http://research.ncl.ac.uk/histos/documents/1998.02HansenTheLittleGreyHorse4663.pdf", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_longbow#Range_and_penetration" ], [] ]
4hdrcp
What does it mean to understand something or not understand it? What's going on in the brain and conscientiousness that allows this to happen?
[deleted]
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/4hdrcp/what_does_it_mean_to_understand_something_or_not/
{ "a_id": [ "d2q0gn4" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "I think it comes down to how \"black box\" a thing is to you. I know exactly how a toaster works... coils get hot, bread gets toasted. So I feel like I \"understand\" a toaster.\n\nBut a jet engine? I know air goes in one end, yadda yadda yadda, ...
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[]
[ [] ]
1bd8fm
Has the grieving process always been as painful as it is in the current time? In Europe 1,000 years ago or the Middle East 3,000 years ago etc would death have been viewed as more commonplace and consequently less emotional?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1bd8fm/has_the_grieving_process_always_been_as_painful/
{ "a_id": [ "c96111p", "c9689ia" ], "score": [ 21, 3 ], "text": [ "Okay, before I start, it's pretty much impossible to compare subjective experiences like grief between *individual people today*, much less between cultures and across vast gulfs of time; it's also true that some cultures s...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www2.cnr.edu/home/araia/senecaconsolatio.html", "http://www.attalus.org/docs/cil/epitaph.html", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seneca%27s_Consolations" ], [] ]
1vyjrz
why do countries require visas and limit the people who can enter the country? (china, north korea?)
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1vyjrz/eli5_why_do_countries_require_visas_and_limit_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cewzx48" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Unknown quantities of foreigners in a country can present a security threat and stress public services. For example, how do you know if they leave?" ] }
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[]
[ [] ]
dxvpfq
Does the movement of plates have any effect on the axial tilt of Earth?
[deleted]
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/dxvpfq/does_the_movement_of_plates_have_any_effect_on/
{ "a_id": [ "f7x2vb9" ], "score": [ 10 ], "text": [ "Yes, the plates can and occasionally do cause Earth's axis to move. Most of the time, the movement of the plates are so slow it doesn't have a big effect. Earthquakes, on the other hand, shift the mass quick enough that there are measurable chan...
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[]
[ [ "https://futurism.com/a-rocky-relationship-is-the-moon-leaving-the-earth", "https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/3/100302-chile-earthquake-earth-axis-shortened-day/" ] ]
6cb7g8
Can someone please help me identify the WW ll rank of my grandpa?
[deleted]
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6cb7g8/can_someone_please_help_me_identify_the_ww_ll/
{ "a_id": [ "dhtgp2p" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "I am not sure, however:\n\n1) His collar stripes indicate, of course, that he is an officer\n\n2) As for the officer rank. It doesn't help much that the picture is black and white. Also, I can't really make out the shapes of the objcets on the sh...
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[ [] ]
1l5rrw
what is germ theory?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1l5rrw/eli5_what_is_germ_theory/
{ "a_id": [ "cbw0v2q", "cbw11iz", "cbw1gcf" ], "score": [ 2, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "That germs exist and that is what makes you sick. ", "Germ theory is a scientific theory that explains how germs - small microscopic organisms - are the cause of illness and disease.\n\nBefore germ ...
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[]
[ [], [], [] ]
xrlqt
How does a spacecraft come back from the moon?
In the manned missions to moon, how were they able to escape the moon's gravity and have enough force to come back to Earth? I can only think it requires less force than on Earth simply because the moon is smaller but if we were to ever set a manned mission to a hypothetical large planet (not necessarily the gas giants...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/xrlqt/how_does_a_spacecraft_come_back_from_the_moon/
{ "a_id": [ "c5oyr0d", "c5ozwi7" ], "score": [ 4, 3 ], "text": [ "The lunar landers carried enough fuel to where they were able to leave the moons orbit, hitch up with the command pod and float towards Earth orbit. If we were on a much larger planet with more gravity, we'll just have to ca...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://xkcd.com/681/" ] ]
25g48t
How much art was lost during WW2?
Was watching Monument men and wondered how much art was destroyed by the Nazis.
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/25g48t/how_much_art_was_lost_during_ww2/
{ "a_id": [ "chh3g9b", "chh8lra" ], "score": [ 7, 17 ], "text": [ "[Approximately 20% of Europe's art was destroyed during the Nazi plunder](_URL_1_). The monument men, which were of course founded to protect European artwork from both Allied and Axis forces, did [sieze over 700,000 pieces...
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[]
[ [ "http://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2002/summer/nazi-looted-art-2.html?template=print", "http://www.archives.gov/research/holocaust/records-and-research/documenting-nazi-plunder-of-european-art.html", "http://www.h-net.org/reviews/showrev.php?id=10388" ], [ "http://maca.contentdm.oc...
2jjub4
why does every shower, no matter how hot i have it set for, always have that initial burst of ice cold water?
That half-second is the worst half-second of your life if you haven't pre-adjusted the shower head to point straight down.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2jjub4/eli5_why_does_every_shower_no_matter_how_hot_i/
{ "a_id": [ "clcdvbw", "clcdx69", "clcdxt8" ], "score": [ 2, 4, 6 ], "text": [ "The initial burst of water is the water that is sitting in your pipes. It is the temperature that your house is kept at. ", "Because the hot water comes from the water heater. There is water in the ...
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[]
[ [], [], [] ]
2fpvy6
What were different between modern time people and 2 century AD Rome
Like question says. I want know what are difference in mentality between modern people and people in Rome of 2 century or 150 AD. Can anybody could help me?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2fpvy6/what_were_different_between_modern_time_people/
{ "a_id": [ "ckbtj4w" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "This is currently a rather vague question. Is there any particular subject you'd like to know more about the Roman mentality towards? You can also check the [FAQ](_URL_0_) and see if it has your answer." ] }
[]
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[ [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/wiki/faq/wdrt" ] ]
2ut8pk
In the 1800s, American congress seemed to have a much more informal and rowdy tone similar to British parliament today. When did that start to change and why?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2ut8pk/in_the_1800s_american_congress_seemed_to_have_a/
{ "a_id": [ "cobqaed", "cobz8xm" ], "score": [ 29, 22 ], "text": [ "Aren't you begging the question here? I think you need to establish that your premise is correct in the first place; that the US congress *was* rowdier and that it *did* change. I am not an expert on the subject, but my ...
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[ [], [] ]
1jnprt
Did the Roman Senate ever get 'gridlocked'?
This came to me after hearing that the current US Congress has been the least productive one. I was wondering if the Roman Senate (during the Republic obviously) ever got into a state of gridlock where they were passing very little legislation or not really making many decisions.
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1jnprt/did_the_roman_senate_ever_get_gridlocked/
{ "a_id": [ "cbgnm03" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Especially in the last years of the republic we have a vast account on obstruction tactics in the senate, mainly archieved by long speeches which are to some extent comparable to a filibuster. Somebody who is quite famous for this approach would ...
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[ [] ]
a3dvys
why are hispanics counted as white in demographics when there's a follow up question asking white people if they have hispanic heritage?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a3dvys/eli5_why_are_hispanics_counted_as_white_in/
{ "a_id": [ "eb5cevq", "eb5cmaa", "eb5cp79" ], "score": [ 5, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Because there are white Hispanics, black Hispanics, mestizo Hispanics, indigenous Hispanics, and even Asian Hispanics. The life experience and reality of a black Hispanic is likely dramatically differe...
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[ [], [], [] ]
11698s
What were the primary causes for the rapid decline in Indigenous Latin-american People's populations post-European contact?
Most of what I've heard in popular opinion in classes has attributed it to smallpox. However, a professor today said in her opinion and research it was more forced labor and murder that did so than disease. (She focused in a little bit on people around the Andes mountains, too) Any other perspectives or recommended re...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/11698s/what_were_the_primary_causes_for_the_rapid/
{ "a_id": [ "c6joahg", "c6job52" ], "score": [ 4, 2 ], "text": [ "You may find [these threads in our FAQ](_URL_0_) helpful as a starting point.", "Smallpox was the big one, but the general treatment of the native \"savages\" by the conquistadors definitely contributed to a decline in p...
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[ [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/zirmo/meta_lets_do_this_faq_together/c65hblx" ], [] ]
pwnet
Is it truly unsafe to pump petrol/ gasoline while your engine is running?
I feel like this is a pretty common practice, especially in the winter.
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/pwnet/is_it_truly_unsafe_to_pump_petrol_gasoline_while/
{ "a_id": [ "c3t1t0j" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "With petrol, it is the vapour that is the really flammable bit. I got to go on a training course where we \"played\" with fire and petrol. Setting an actual puddle of petrol on fire is much harder than it's made to look in the films (and diesel i...
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[ [] ]
2vihnc
what is the rational basis of a no-knock raid in a country where guns are legal? how do you prevent police officers from being killed?
_URL_0_
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2vihnc/eli5_what_is_the_rational_basis_of_a_noknock_raid/
{ "a_id": [ "cohxszs", "cohyi06", "coij2ya" ], "score": [ 6, 15, 2 ], "text": [ "No knock warrants are suppose to be reserved for cases that you already believe the occupants have weapons and are likely to use them on police if given a warning before entering. In such cases the sa...
[]
[ "http://thefreethoughtproject.com/prosecutor-seeking-death-penalty-officer-killed-knock-raid/" ]
[ [], [ "http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_Frederick" ], [] ]
1nsokl
What is the longest duration a human-made satellite could last in Earth's orbit?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1nsokl/what_is_the_longest_duration_a_humanmade/
{ "a_id": [ "cclo89e", "ccluelr" ], "score": [ 3, 3 ], "text": [ "It depends on altitude, space weather, and on board power requirements.\n\nThis explains it better than I could:\n_URL_0_", "Satellites in low-Earth orbit typically last less than a decade. Parts of the International Spa...
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[]
[ [ "http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/524891/satellite-communication/288217/How-satellites-work" ], [ "http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATS-3" ] ]
6lldbx
how does the tour de france work?
How is it team based but only individuals win the different stages?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6lldbx/eli5_how_does_the_tour_de_france_work/
{ "a_id": [ "djun72y", "djuq0fz" ], "score": [ 8, 3 ], "text": [ "The primary objective of any sport is to get as much attention for the sponsor as possible. They are the ones who pay the salary. There are a few ways of doing this in a bicycle race. For example leading the race means there...
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[ [], [] ]
22zjo9
When scientific articles mention that they have "adjusted for" various factors, how is it done and how accurate are the results?
[This study](_URL_0_) has gotten a lot of attention in the media, as it suggests that eating fruits and vegetables is very good for you. My first thought (before looking at the article), was that people who eat fruit are well-educated and from a high social class and therefore live healthily. In the study, these factor...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/22zjo9/when_scientific_articles_mention_that_they_have/
{ "a_id": [ "cgs3r47", "cgth9z4", "cgv6sf7" ], "score": [ 4, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "You can adjust for certain things by choosing the right things to measure and by trying to diversify your sample. For example, a common question is \"Do men and women make the same amount of money?\" ...
[]
[ "http://jech.bmj.com/content/early/2014/03/03/jech-2013-203500" ]
[ [], [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Covariate", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generalized_linear_model" ] ]
3ho0nm
Is there any correlation between California's lowering water tables and Earthquakes?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/3ho0nm/is_there_any_correlation_between_californias/
{ "a_id": [ "cu91rbf" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Changes in water level are related to earthquakes, yes! They have been observed many times, as was noted by Roeloffs et al. in 2003. However, variations in the water table generally tend to return after a few weeks to month to pre-earthquake leve...
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[ [] ]
2puwob
Are Black Holes and White Holes connected?
So i'm decently sure this has already been asked/theorized/questioned, but what if the singularity inside a Black Hole is a Wormhole to a singularity inside a White Hole, explaining where matter goes inside a Black Hole, as well as where White Holes might get their matter from. Maybe all Black Holes have a matching Whi...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2puwob/are_black_holes_and_white_holes_connected/
{ "a_id": [ "cn0bgqu", "cn0ef9n" ], "score": [ 26, 9 ], "text": [ " > explaining where matter goes inside a Black Hole\n\nThe matter in a black hole stays in the black hole, that's why it still has gravity. Also, there's no evidence for the existence of white holes. They probably aren't re...
[]
[ "http://imgur.com/mo6OHTD" ]
[ [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawking_radiation" ] ]
gpszg
I'm fascinated by space travel, I have some questions that I hope you can give an answer to.
I'm agglomerating the questions here because I don't want to spam. * Is it possible to create artificial gravity in space like in the movies? If so have any experiments in this regard been made? * From what I understand we are centuries behind actual space travel beyond our solar system, what can I expect in the next...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/gpszg/im_fascinated_by_space_travel_i_have_some/
{ "a_id": [ "c1pczo5", "c1pd27j", "c1pd2x3" ], "score": [ 14, 6, 5 ], "text": [ "Artificial Gravity - There are no devices that you can turn on and create \"gravity\". What you can do however is to have the ship move in such a way as to create the same effect as gravity. This means...
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[ [], [], [] ]
5i69hy
why do caffeine tablets taste absolutely disgusting but caffeinated drinks taste nice?
Caffeine tablets on their own tastes extremely bitter - a lot like a powder. When drinking fizzy drinks or energy drink, I can barely taste the bitter taste. How do they mask the flavour?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5i69hy/eli5_why_do_caffeine_tablets_taste_absolutely/
{ "a_id": [ "db5pxu7" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Sugar and other chemicals in such drinks overpower the taste of caffeine, especially because there's so much less caffeine and so much more sugar eg 30 grams of sugar vs 200 mg of caffeine. That's not an accurate measurement, but a good example."...
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2b60fp
why does it appear that certain ethnicities originated from certain locations around the world.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2b60fp/eli5why_does_it_appear_that_certain_ethnicities/
{ "a_id": [ "cj245l5" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Can you be clearer on your meaning? or is it simply why do Asian people look like they come from Asia why do etc etc ?" ] }
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[ [] ]
3emcmx
Has the relationship between major United States political parties been always been tense, or have there been time to relative cordiality?
I'm researching the relationship between the major political parties in this country's history. I wanted to know if the parties in this country have always been at odds with one another with extreme gridlock or were there periods where they compromised with one another and weren't so polarized with eachother. If you ha...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3emcmx/has_the_relationship_between_major_united_states/
{ "a_id": [ "ctgghcf" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ "I had a professor that argued that the advent of the 24-hour news cycle was a catalyst for our current state of \"hyper-partisanship\". He cited past accounts of legislators from both parties going out after session for some beers and steak. Sitt...
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szqhp
A question about early civilizations.
Why didn't any major civilizations evolve prior to Sumerian/Egyptian or Indus valley civilizations? Any specific trigger that caused the rise of these civilizations with in a span of few hundred years.
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/szqhp/a_question_about_early_civilizations/
{ "a_id": [ "c4ibjm1", "c4icpqm", "c4icpr2", "c4icrye", "c4icsnd", "c4idp2g", "c4ifv7m", "c4in1zk" ], "score": [ 29, 15, 14, 9, 3, 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Not an expert on prehistory, but the development of agriculture, instead of hunting and g...
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[ [ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yocja_N5s1I&list=UUX6b17PVsYBQ0ip5" ], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%B6bekli_Tepe" ], [], [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connections_%28TV_series%29" ], [], [] ]
fdn70
How can scientists can give the Universe's expansion a speed?
It seems illogical to think you can calculate any speed since the theory of relativity directly correlates light speed with distance traveled based on the compression of space. Wouldn't we need a base that is outside the Universe to create any calculations? Edit: Title fail can fail
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/fdn70/how_can_scientists_can_give_the_universes/
{ "a_id": [ "c1f5gg0", "c1f6cim" ], "score": [ 5, 3 ], "text": [ "Well any time someone talks about an \"expansion speed\", it is non-nonsensical, and one of my greatest pet peeves. Expansion is a rate, not a speed. Statements like \"the universe was expanding faster than the speed of ligh...
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[ [], [] ]
427ule
why is it autocorrect struggles with simple mistakes like 'convienent' but always finds a way to make inconvenient changes like 'one sec' into 'one sex'?
I have been ruined one too many times by auto correct!
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/427ule/eli5_why_is_it_autocorrect_struggles_with_simple/
{ "a_id": [ "cz8ax9w" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Could this be due to confirmation/selection bias? The number of times that it worked correctly was not noticed, but when it works wrong, you notice and remember it. Over time, it makes you believe that autocorrect doesn't work as it should." ] ...
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[ [] ]
66h7mh
how do companies design their products such that they are very likely to break/malfunction/deteriorate short after warranty ends?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/66h7mh/eli5how_do_companies_design_their_products_such/
{ "a_id": [ "dgifwoh", "dgig690", "dgip9du" ], "score": [ 20, 6, 5 ], "text": [ "There are a handful of examples where a company builds an expiry date into a product. The companies that do this are assholes that everyone hates and are opening themselves up to massive, massive, gov...
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[ [], [], [] ]
24a1st
why does the american education system (primarily elementary and middle school) insist on the "everyone wins" policy.
It seems counter-productive that teachers are told not to necessarily tell their students they are wrong. A teacher of mine said this is to prevent "hurting the feelings" of students?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/24a1st/eli5why_does_the_american_education_system/
{ "a_id": [ "ch51sxg", "ch52pdt", "ch580j9", "ch5qrlk" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Could you provide some background for why this isn't a loaded question? Why do you think the education system \"insists\" everyone wins?\n\nMy wife works in schools all the time a...
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[ [], [], [], [] ]
w4rt5
What effects does stress have on blood flow?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/w4rt5/what_effects_does_stress_have_on_blood_flow/
{ "a_id": [ "c5acmhb" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Overall, stress causes vasoconstriction, which decreases blood flow and increases blood pressure.\n\nIf you are talking about short-term stress, a few things would happen. First, your [sympathetic nervous system](_URL_1_) would be activated and c...
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[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cortisol", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sympathetic_nervous_system", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adrenaline" ] ]
2vat1g
what is ameristralia (in reference to r/ameristralia)
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2vat1g/eli5what_is_ameristralia_in_reference_to/
{ "a_id": [ "cofzzde" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "It was a 2013 reddit meme going around where the joke was basically while Americans sleep Australians take over providing content on reddit and vice versa." ] }
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[ [] ]
bbiu6h
how/why the length of a wire affects the output electricity.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bbiu6h/eli5_howwhy_the_length_of_a_wire_affects_the/
{ "a_id": [ "ekj4rf8", "ekj4v86", "ekj4yiq", "ekj56sc" ], "score": [ 2, 5, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Bonus: How to reduce/minimize the loss.", "The wire has electrical resistance to the flow of electricity. It's kind of like friction and the longer a wire is, the more resista...
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[ [], [], [], [] ]
5x3wm8
how can we distinguish something that is real news and fake news?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5x3wm8/eli5_how_can_we_distinguish_something_that_is/
{ "a_id": [ "deezvpw", "deezxpn", "deezz1w", "def01ti", "def0rbz", "def15c7", "def2anz", "def3dc8", "def3tx0", "def557r", "defcwz4" ], "score": [ 3, 58, 5, 2, 12, 5, 7, 12, 6, 58, 5 ], "text": [ "Follow the sources. If...
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[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "https://www.popehat.com/2017/01/19/how-to-read-news-like-a-search-warrant-application/" ], [] ]
3vbuf4
why do fish never bump into one another while swimming?
So when you walk down a busy street, you bump into people all the time, but when you see a large school of fish, or fish in an aquarium, they all seem to fluidly move past one other without any contact.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3vbuf4/eli5_why_do_fish_never_bump_into_one_another/
{ "a_id": [ "cxm46v2", "cxm5n7f" ], "score": [ 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Many fish have a line of sense organs along each side, which helps detect what is in the water nearby. \nGoogle \"fish lateral line\" to learn more.", "When you're milling around in the park, you're the fish in the aqua...
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[ [], [] ]
6qi8j1
how do one-way windows actually work?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6qi8j1/eli5_how_do_oneway_windows_actually_work/
{ "a_id": [ "dkxgl47" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "They are just heavily-tinted windows. What makes them one-way is that the room that's supposed to be visible is well-lit, and the room that's not supposed to be visible is dark (same way tinted windows on cars hide what's inside).\n\nThe window ...
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[ [] ]
3gxh5a
how do they work out the death count for disasters?
Do they go by physical body count? People who are missing? Roll call of people who are generally in the vicinity? Like schools rolls and timesheets? Reports from family of friends of the deceased? What if an entire family goes missing and their bodies are never found? Are they counted?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3gxh5a/eli5_how_do_they_work_out_the_death_count_for/
{ "a_id": [ "cu2jl70" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "All of the above. In the UK for example during a major incident one of the responsibilities of the police is to set up temporary mortuaries for the dead and reception centres for everyone else. There are lots of operational plans in place to en...
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[ [] ]
1vmham
How expensive would a tapestry have been? (1600s or so on)
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1vmham/how_expensive_would_a_tapestry_have_been_1600s_or/
{ "a_id": [ "cettct9" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "There would be quite a difference between tapestries based on size, materials and craftsmanship. \n\n[One of Henry VIII's tapestries from 1537 cost an estimated £2,000- £3,000 which is the price for two warships. Its materials included gold and ...
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[ [ "http://youtu.be/Xzp6CVZnh8c" ] ]
12kvar
what are the "brain zaps" people experience during ssri withdrawal?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/12kvar/eli5_what_are_the_brain_zaps_people_experience/
{ "a_id": [ "c6vz3g1", "c6vzdlq", "c6vzop9", "c6w00hi", "c6w02tq", "c6w1dgq", "c6w1jl4", "c6w1ly5", "c6w1x9t", "c6w40rq", "c6w595d", "c6w5hub", "c7vwf03" ], "score": [ 4, 21, 10, 18, 2, 2, 7, 10, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3 ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SSRI_discontinuation_syndrome" ], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
4np33e
The Bible references Inns such as during the birth of Jesus they attempted to stay at an inn. Or in the parable of the good Samaritan the Samaritan took the hurt man to an inn to care for him. What were these inns like at the time? What sort of services were provided and how common were they?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4np33e/the_bible_references_inns_such_as_during_the/
{ "a_id": [ "d45yodw", "d45zrxk", "d463jff" ], "score": [ 68, 13, 52 ], "text": [ "Luke 2:7 (the birth narrative you're referring to), likely doesn't have in view a formal inn like we would think of. The Harper Collins Study Bible (a standard in academic Bible courses at secular in...
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[ [], [], [ "http://www.poetryintranslation.com/PITBR/Latin/TheGoldenAssI.htm#anchor_Toc346614953" ] ]
26rlfu
Historically speaking, what are the key signs of an empire or dominant power in decline?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/26rlfu/historically_speaking_what_are_the_key_signs_of/
{ "a_id": [ "chtv0kv" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Sorry, we don't allow [throughout history questions](_URL_0_). These tend to produce threads which are collections of trivia, not the in-depth discussions about a particular topic we're looking for. If you have a specific question about a histo...
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[ [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/wiki/rules#wiki_no_.22in_your_era.22_or_.22throughout_history.22_questions", "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/wiki/features/trivia" ] ]
o6pog
Is "totally drug-resistant TB" real? Should we be afraid of it right now?
_URL_0_ This article about "totally drug-resistant TB" made the front page. The article mentions how first- and second-line drugs have no affect on this particular strain and patients are urged to try experimental drugs and/or surgery. How scary is this article, really? Is this something that has never happened befor...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/o6pog/is_totally_drugresistant_tb_real_should_we_be/
{ "a_id": [ "c3etbz2", "c3eujo6", "c3ewaaj", "c3ewvo1" ], "score": [ 52, 2, 23, 2 ], "text": [ "Yes, it is real. Here is the [publication of the original discovery in 2009](_URL_2_). It is scary. For people who have the disease, TDR-TB is awful. I'm not going to say that it...
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[ "http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_first-cases-of-totally-drug-resistant-tb-in-india-one-dead_1634439" ]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacterial_conjugation", "http://peds.stanford.edu/Tools/documents/AntibioticResistanceLLD.pdf", "http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19349380", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transduction_%28genetics%29", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacillus_Calmette-Gu%C3%A9rin",...
n06c9
Would touching your organs hurt?
If it did would it be a slight pain or a strong pain and could you move your organs around if it didnt hurt?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/n06c9/would_touching_your_organs_hurt/
{ "a_id": [ "c35aw2w", "c35awl6", "c35aw2w", "c35awl6" ], "score": [ 3, 3, 3, 3 ], "text": [ "Your brain, no, because you don't have pain receptors on your brain. Everywhere else that I can think of, yes you'd have some discomfort if you handled them roughly. The degree o...
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[ [], [], [], [] ]
76m0bs
Were there any Historical attempts to make bullet-proof armour in the 16th and 17th centuries?
I know that it is possible to make armour Bullet proof as the Ned Kelly gangs armour was able to stop bullets but are there historical examples of similar attempts to make amours that could withstand bullets. Were the armours of Cuirassiers and harquebusiers bulletproof?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/76m0bs/were_there_any_historical_attempts_to_make/
{ "a_id": [ "dofalam" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "There were always historical attempts to make bulletproof armour ever since the very first gunpowder weapons. In fact, the very term \"bulletproof\" comes from the practice of early modern armourers firing a bullet into their armor as proof that ...
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[ [] ]
3pifpi
Why was the First Mexican Empire so focused on getting a European Emperor?
I recently started reading about the First (and second) Mexican empires and had this question in the back of my mind the whole time. Why were the Mexicans so hell bent on having a European as monarch? And why did Ferdinand decline the offer of Mexico becoming a Commonwealth? Edit: I'll expand the question in hopes som...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3pifpi/why_was_the_first_mexican_empire_so_focused_on/
{ "a_id": [ "cw6mfqy" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "For one thing, you have to understand that the separatist movement that succeeded in Mexico was an essentially conservative one (conservative with a lower case c, not upper case Conservatism as it would exist in Latin America in the following dec...
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8ix7ko
how does melanin protect the skin by making it darker? doesn't a darker skin tone mean that the skin absorbs even more light?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8ix7ko/eli5_how_does_melanin_protect_the_skin_by_making/
{ "a_id": [ "dyv9lck" ], "score": [ 19 ], "text": [ "Absorbing the light is how it helps. Light skin will allow UV rays to penetrate the skin and get absorbed by cells and their DNA which can lead to either the cell going through cell death or mutations such as thymine dimmers where two thymines b...
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[ [] ]
et9xx8
In old America (1799-1900), did towns or states restrict guns in some sort of way? And if so, how did it work out?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/et9xx8/in_old_america_17991900_did_towns_or_states/
{ "a_id": [ "fff22wn" ], "score": [ 91 ], "text": [ "Yes, it was not particularly controversial given jurisprudence of the time, however. I'll repost an older thing I wrote on the topic which touches on this issue a bit although it is more broadly focused.\n\nWhen originally written, the Bill of R...
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[ [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/74o082/how_did_official_state_churches_work_in_the_early/dnzw1si/" ] ]
1k2pyf
if the human body is around 70% water, how come we don't have pure h2o in our bodies?
It's a bit confusing to ask, but I'll try to make the question more sensible: Excluding things like urine and sweat, I just can't visualize how 70% of our *entire* bodies are made of H2O! I mean, if we hurt ourselves I don't see water pouring out; I would mostly see blood. Is H2O just found in little places throughout ...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1k2pyf/eli5_if_the_human_body_is_around_70_water_how/
{ "a_id": [ "cbkrfk0", "cbkrgas", "cbkruw4", "cbks75e" ], "score": [ 7, 5, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "So 80% water doesn't mean that there are bags of water in us, it means that parts of us are made, in part, with water. \n\nThink of orange juice: its mostly water, but you don't se...
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[ [], [], [], [] ]
33se81
why is it okay to call a british person a brit but it's not okay to call a japanese person a jap? also is it offensive to call a communist a commie?
I only ask because I want to see someone actually try and explain this as though they were talking to a five year old.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/33se81/eli5why_is_it_okay_to_call_a_british_person_a/
{ "a_id": [ "cqnylb5", "cqnylj9", "cqnzv7y", "cqo0gu8", "cqo2jx1", "cqo3fq3" ], "score": [ 2, 30, 9, 3, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "Well Jap was a derogatory term that rose up during WWII. Brit was never used in a derogatory form to describe people from Britain or th...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
4mia7r
when a calf got rejected by its mother after having been in touch with humans
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4mia7r/eli5_when_a_calf_got_rejected_by_its_mother_after/
{ "a_id": [ "d3vpcbe" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Herds are huge, calves can't survive that long without their mothers, and it would be almost impossible to find that calf's mother. \n\n\nIf you read the story about the recent bison calf, it was rejected *by the herd*, not by its mother. There w...
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[ [ "http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/fact-or-fiction-birds-abandon-young-at-human-touch/", "http://www.usask.ca/wcvm/herdmed/applied-ethology/articles/maternal.html" ] ]
24nho7
Where do photons of light go?
I was watching the episode of Deeper, Deeper, Deeper Still of Cosmos and during it they kept mentioning photons of light. It got me thinking about how things absorb light allowing us to see different colors and stuff. So where exactly do the photons of light that initially bounce of off "things" and into our eyeballs...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/24nho7/where_do_photons_of_light_go/
{ "a_id": [ "ch8w7jk", "ch8wvi0" ], "score": [ 10, 2 ], "text": [ "The \"end of the road\" is when they are converted into another form of energy. This could be heat when absorbed by a non-reflective surface, or the movement of an electron (photosynthesis and photoelectric effect).\n\nWhe...
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[ [], [] ]
5pef88
If a high wattage laser is invisible, you still need eye protection to use it?
If its an infrared laser, can it damage your eyes if you use it without laser protective goggles?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/5pef88/if_a_high_wattage_laser_is_invisible_you_still/
{ "a_id": [ "dcr14zq", "dcr18k0" ], "score": [ 12, 16 ], "text": [ "Yes an invisible laser is still very dangerous. Depending on the wavelength it can burn your cornea (not too bad) or your retina (very bad). The issue with invisible laser is that it's not always immediately obvious that y...
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[ [], [] ]
6kma8m
why you can put in the recycling bin same files with the same name but you cannot do that in any other folder ?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6kma8m/eli5why_you_can_put_in_the_recycling_bin_same/
{ "a_id": [ "djn4fca", "djo7x7h" ], "score": [ 89, 3 ], "text": [ "The recycling bin is a \"virtual\" folder that shows a list of deleted files that can be undeleted. Deleted files aren't actually *moved* in to a different folder: they stay where they were, they're just *marked* as deleted...
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[ [], [ "http://resources.infosecinstitute.com/recycle-bin-forensics", "http://www.infocellar.com/winxp/Recycle-Bin.htm" ] ]
chdgdr
Regarding the cause of climate change, why is all the emphasis on greenhouse gases? What about all the thermal energy being produced from electricity and other technology?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/chdgdr/regarding_the_cause_of_climate_change_why_is_all/
{ "a_id": [ "eus8b9d", "eusw92b" ], "score": [ 30, 18 ], "text": [ "Two reasons:\n\n1. The direct heating from humans releasing energy is at least an order of magnitude less impactful than the extra heating from greenhouse gasses trapping IR radiation ([this study estimates it at 1%](_URL_...
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[ [ "https://www.nature.com/articles/sdata2017116" ], [] ]
b9u4sq
how do they flavor “naturally flavored” and “essenced” sparkling waters without any listed additives?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/b9u4sq/eli5_how_do_they_flavor_naturally_flavored_and/
{ "a_id": [ "ek6x915" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ "“Natural flavors” don't need to be named individually in the US at least. This is probably just as well when you consider that there's a natural raspberry flavoring that comes from the anal glands of beavers." ] }
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[ [] ]
uxcds
Hi, I am interested in pursuing a career in History and..
was wondering what have you been able to do with it? Make any money with it? Was it worth it? Sorry about this not being a "history" question but just wanted to get some info from historians to see if I could be one.
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/uxcds/hi_i_am_interested_in_pursuing_a_career_in/
{ "a_id": [ "c4zejrf", "c4zekma", "c4zfonp", "c4zgcu6", "c4zghnf", "c4zgsv9", "c4zh0xf", "c4zjdm1", "c4zjrln", "c4zk675", "c4zk8ok", "c4zl9o1" ], "score": [ 6, 15, 2, 3, 4, 2, 2, 3, 2, 2, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Wha...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://www.h-net.org/~hist-thr/" ] ]
3gy89a
why are some states classified as midwest when they are clearly on the east side of the u.s.
_URL_0_ Why does Michigan, Ohio, Indiana etc fall under "mid-west" categories when they are clearly in the eastern part of the U.S. _URL_1_
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3gy89a/eli5_why_are_some_states_classified_as_midwest/
{ "a_id": [ "cu2kagz", "cu2leto" ], "score": [ 11, 2 ], "text": [ "For a long time, the United States was just New England and The South. Everything else was The West. The Midwest is west from all the older stuff, but it's not quite as west as The West. It's in the middle. ", "Michigan...
[]
[ "http://i.imgur.com/j1TufCo.jpg", "https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midwestern_United_States" ]
[ [], [] ]
tt7ym
Does raising the heat setting in a vehicle while running the AC, put less strain on the AC?
It seems the AC is either on/off - does raising the temp setting reduce output from the AC, thereby lowering fuel consumption, or just mix in warm air? Edit: Not sure if it matters, but some newer vehicles have electronic temp regulation controls. I'm referring specifically to older mechanical systems (ie a knobs/dia...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/tt7ym/does_raising_the_heat_setting_in_a_vehicle_while/
{ "a_id": [ "c4pjtam" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "In a classical automotive air conditioner, the air conditioner is controlled by engaging and disengaging the AC clutch that couples and decouples the AC compressor from one of the many belt-pulley systems under the hood of your car. The temperatu...
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[ [] ]
6lmyi1
how do personality tests predict with accuracy your personality based on questions that are somewhat unrelated.
Examples like hypnoid: _URL_1_ Mbti: _URL_0_ Etc.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6lmyi1/eli5_how_do_personality_tests_predict_with/
{ "a_id": [ "djv0h72" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "First of all, personality testing in general is not that accurate. The problem is that often there are flaws in the questions such as questions that don't measure what they intend to measure, issues with culture or preexisting knowledge and pro...
[]
[ "http://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/mbti-basics/home.htm?bhcp=1", "http://www.hypnoid.com/psytest2.html" ]
[ [] ]
21mk84
how do we know wireless internet is harmless?
When living in any big city or even small town, inevitably we are subjecting our bodies to the relentless streaming of wireless information passing through our bodies. How can we be certain this is not harmful over a lengthy exposure period ? Example: if a router was placed on one side of your brain and a wireless devi...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/21mk84/eli5_how_do_we_know_wireless_internet_is_harmless/
{ "a_id": [ "cgehcbq", "cgehw39" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Because we've had radio since 1896, and microwaves since the 1930s. This is the part of the EM spectrum that is used for WiFi. If there was a problem we would have noticed long before now. It is non-ionizing radiation, whic...
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[ [], [] ]
bmimw6
The Federalist Papers
Good morning my fellow historians; & #x200B; I'm an avid bookworm, and love all things history related. My specialty is WWII history, and I've recently (after becoming OBSESSED) with the musical HAMILTON by Lin-Manuel Miranda, I have ordered a copy of The Federalist Papers. Being a Canadian, my knowledge of US histo...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/bmimw6/the_federalist_papers/
{ "a_id": [ "emxwu1a" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "The Federalist Papers were written as a justification for voting for the Constitution and were intended to be read by the people of New York. The Articles of Confederation was the first government framework and it had several problems the Constit...
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4hub8v
why can a battery never be recharged to its full capacity once it has been used once?
I have read that once a battery has been used, recharging it will never allow it to contain the same amount of energy that it had when it was made. Is this correct?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4hub8v/eli5_why_can_a_battery_never_be_recharged_to_its/
{ "a_id": [ "d2sclhu" ], "score": [ 19 ], "text": [ "Actually, this is wrong. \nSome batteries (Lithium Polymer, for example) even have to get (dis-)charged several times, until they get their full capacity." ] }
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syjo9
Would it be possible to create a population of sexually-reproducing organisms whose offspring are of only one gender?
I came across something pretty gut-wrenching/disgusting on reddit today about the egg hatching industry: hatcheries that supply hens to egg producers have no use for male chicks, and apparently dispose of said chicks by (and excuse the complex terminology) "chucking them into a giant goddamn grinder". At one of the wor...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/syjo9/would_it_be_possible_to_create_a_population_of/
{ "a_id": [ "c4i28sq" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Yes they do it with fish in fish farms. Similar to chickens, the best eating fish are females as they grow bigger and taste better. You can treat young female fish with hormones to make them develop male sexual organs despite still have the genes...
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[ "http://www.mercyforanimals.org/hatchery/" ]
[ [] ]
2dtz3o
if we can get ear damage from a shooting a handgun in enclosed space, how can soldiers in wwii could protect their ears from firing huge coastal/naval guns in bunker?
Like this one : [Nazi 38cm coastal gun](_URL_0_)
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2dtz3o/eli5_if_we_can_get_ear_damage_from_a_shooting_a/
{ "a_id": [ "cjt1am4", "cjt6jxt" ], "score": [ 5, 2 ], "text": [ "They didn't. and they were all deaf. They did cover their ears with their hands, but that doesn't do much.\n\nPreventing hearing loss wasn't much of a concern until the 80s. ", "Modern audiology actually got its start fr...
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[ "http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/29/Bundesarchiv_Bild_146-1986-104-10A%2C_Atlantikwall%2C_Batterie_%22Todt%22.jpg" ]
[ [], [] ]
9v2b0z
are coalitions possible in the voting system of the united states?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9v2b0z/eli5_are_coalitions_possible_in_the_voting_system/
{ "a_id": [ "e98rtlh", "e98srru" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "So, while it is theoretically possible, the way that US elections are held make it effectively impossible for third parties to get elected to higher office. Unless we switch to ranked voting, and remove the \"first past the ...
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dzfjqj
Exactly how does water temperature affect Dissolved Oxygen?
I heard in class that the temperature of water can affect its ability to hold dissolved oxygen, How that that work?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/dzfjqj/exactly_how_does_water_temperature_affect/
{ "a_id": [ "f8aihy7" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Temperature effects the amount of any gas that can be dissolved in water. When oxygen dissolves in water, intermolecular forces between the water and oxygen \"hold\" them together. As the water-oxygen solution gains energy, heat, the bonds betwee...
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5r9dgm
Why was the National Endowment for the Humanities established?
The NEH is under threat right now, which got me thinking about its establishment. I'm aware that in 1963–64, three humanities associations sponsored a committee recommending a national humanities foundation, making way for NEH legislation the following year. The [committee's report](_URL_1_) makes some breathtaking cla...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/5r9dgm/why_was_the_national_endowment_for_the_humanities/
{ "a_id": [ "dd5enyy" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "u/restricteddata talked about some of this in the stickied NEH thread we posted yesterday -- [see this comment](_URL_0_)" ] }
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[ "https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/STATUTE-79/pdf/STATUTE-79-Pg845.pdf", "https://www.acls.org/uploadedFiles/Publications/NEH/1964_Commission_on_the_Humanities.pdf" ]
[ [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/5r1dlk/the_trump_administration_and_the_national/dd52t3d/" ] ]
6robzo
Why do I only hear bass and low tones outside of clubs and shows?
I'm super curious as to why it seems like no treble or high pitches can make it through to the outside, and why the music sounds so muffled.
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/6robzo/why_do_i_only_hear_bass_and_low_tones_outside_of/
{ "a_id": [ "dl7311e", "dl7dzib" ], "score": [ 6, 10 ], "text": [ "Basically, the waves of deeper sounds like bass are larger than higher sounds, meaning that they come into less contact with whatever they travel through. Smaller waves get caught up in the walls, while larger waves make th...
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[ [], [ "https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmonic_oscillator" ] ]
7tj58n
how does it work when you sync those buttons in your car to transponders (e.g. garage door openers)?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7tj58n/eli5_how_does_it_work_when_you_sync_those_buttons/
{ "a_id": [ "dtcwga2" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "The garage door opener responds to a particular code. You can set the buttons in your car to produce that code. Push the button and the garage door opens." ] }
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kwc36
A friend claims that bread mold is entirely harmless to eat, is this a myth?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/kwc36/a_friend_claims_that_bread_mold_is_entirely/
{ "a_id": [ "c2nr4l1", "c2nr5se", "c2nrdrc", "c2nsdke", "c2nt91e", "c2ntjfa", "c2nu756", "c2nr4l1", "c2nr5se", "c2nrdrc", "c2nsdke", "c2nt91e", "c2ntjfa", "c2nu756" ], "score": [ 99, 16, 2, 2, 4, 3, 2, 99, 16, 2, 2...
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[ [], [ "http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19472954", "http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1147614" ], [ "http://www.damninteresting.com/bad-rye-and-the-salem-witches/", "http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/wong/bot135/lect12.htm" ], [], [ "http://www.disclose.tv/action/viewvideo/1078...
63qqd0
why if you throw, for example, a spider from a tall height, chances are it will survive with no injuries, but if a human is thrown from the equivalent height, we'd be badly injured/die?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/63qqd0/eli5_why_if_you_throw_for_example_a_spider_from_a/
{ "a_id": [ "dfw9wvr", "dfwap5m" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Spiders aren't heavy enough for them to be greatly damaged by a fall, plus their skeletons are outside, so it acts like armor. Humans are heavy, and our skeleton is inside, for support rather than protection (skull, spine, a...
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4q6a9i
why we need 70+ gender terms
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4q6a9i/eli5_why_we_need_70_gender_terms/
{ "a_id": [ "d4qldq0" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Why does the number matter though? How is having 4 terms any different than having 2 in any way lol. " ] }
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3ng9oz
Do Historians Tend To Be More Or Less Religious?
This isn't really a history question, but I'm trying to get a consensus here. While I'm aware that many in the fields of science and philosophy tend to be less religious, I am unable to find a good insight into what most historians believe. Do you consider yourself personally religious, and if so/not did your study of...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3ng9oz/do_historians_tend_to_be_more_or_less_religious/
{ "a_id": [ "cvnr48j", "cvnsncr", "cvnwhnv", "cvnz35m", "cvogyef" ], "score": [ 13, 12, 5, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "~Not really a question that can be sourced, so this is all anecdotal~\n\nIt seems to depend on the field. I know a Catholic medievalist who has told me that...
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2ojqpe
How much were the Orthodox involved in the crusades?
As an Orthodox i'm curious to know how much did the Orthodox do in the crusades. I know that they asked for help from Rome against the Seljuk empire but did they do any fighting against the muslims or give other kinds of support to the crusaders?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2ojqpe/how_much_were_the_orthodox_involved_in_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cmnwxbb" ], "score": [ 55 ], "text": [ "During the First Crusade, the Byzantine Emperor Alexius I provided extensive support to the Crusaders, but with ~~ulterior~~ his own motives: his intent for the Crusaders was that they would retake the portions of Asia Minor that had been taken ...
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ctig3g
How are lab rats given specific diseases?
I remember seeing a post about rats with pancreatic cancer, how are they given this cancer? Are a bunch of rats bread and the "lucky" ones get sorted out?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/ctig3g/how_are_lab_rats_given_specific_diseases/
{ "a_id": [ "exl0kkt", "exlc5u0", "exlik99" ], "score": [ 4, 8, 2 ], "text": [ "Gene editing can be a large part of this, knocking out certain genes can produce some diseases. By knocking out I mean removing/suppressing a certain gene from the rat which then means the proteins enco...
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[ [ "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4013310/" ], [], [ "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3417415/", "https://www.jax.org/jax-mice-and-services/find-and-order-jax-mice", "https://www.nature.com/articles/nrc.2016.91" ] ]
v1btk
Relationship between cannabis and mental health?
I have heard that cannabis is alleged to bring on certain types of mental illness in people prone to that illness earlier than they would normally get it, but I wonder has there been any research on the possibility people with mental illness in its early stages gravitate towards cannabis as an attempt to self medicate ...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/v1btk/relationship_between_cannabis_and_mental_health/
{ "a_id": [ "c50fe6w", "c50g3n7" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "There are a number of correlating factors that can produce symptoms of mental illness in a person with a genetic predisposition. Drugs could be one of those factors, but it's more common that it arises from stress factors. ...
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[ [], [ "http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-20031003-10391704.html", "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Snz-o10A3v8" ] ]
pzof2
In Earth-like conditions, how much stronger gravity can a planet have to support life? If Earth had a stronger gravity (2x, 5x, 10x?), how life would have evolved differently?
I've always wondered about this. If Earth was twice the size, and with twice the gravity, would we be 4 meters tall? Or twice stronger? Does gravity influences the speed we age? This may be specially pertinent given this: _URL_0_
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/pzof2/in_earthlike_conditions_how_much_stronger_gravity/
{ "a_id": [ "c3tjn66", "c3tkgil" ], "score": [ 2, 3 ], "text": [ "heavier the gravity the smaller and more compact the life. we would all be dwarves with great beards and axes! if the earth were larger and gravity was less... life would grow in size but be comparatively weaker.", "Sure...
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[ "http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17117030" ]
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bg5pmt
how do you know what temperature to set to defog car windows?
I never seem to set the right temperature and it drives me nuts when the window fogs up. How do you know what temperature to set it to in order to defog it?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bg5pmt/eli5_how_do_you_know_what_temperature_to_set_to/
{ "a_id": [ "elijc21" ], "score": [ 13 ], "text": [ "You set it to warm to evaporate the water on the windshield and set the AC on to dehumidify the air." ] }
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e6e5o3
In Antiquity, how long would it have taken an army to move from the City of Rome to the Island of Britain??
Hypothetically speaking, lets say a Roman general set out from the city of Rome with an army of 10,000 men. Assuming ships were prepared ahead of time for when the army reached the sea, about how long total would it take to transport this army from Rome to the Island of Great Britain? This includes the march, sea voyag...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/e6e5o3/in_antiquity_how_long_would_it_have_taken_an_army/
{ "a_id": [ "f9qswkz" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "From Rome to Gesoriacum, the port at Boulogne-sur-Mer, with two legions, at normal marching speed, overland, is about 60 days, covering about 1700km. With a few stretches of forced marches, you could cut that down to about 50 days. This route goe...
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2r79np
Do we know of any planetary systems that have a black hole instead of a star?
So, as I understand it, a black hole with the same mass as the sun would have the same gravity as the sun. Does this mean it's perfectly possible to have the equivalent of a solar system with planets but with a black hole in the center? If so, do we know of any?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2r79np/do_we_know_of_any_planetary_systems_that_have_a/
{ "a_id": [ "cnd5vst", "cnda1ck", "cndd0ee" ], "score": [ 51, 11, 3 ], "text": [ "A black hole is a remnant of a supernova, and supernovas are pretty violent and would likely destroy any close planets. That's not to say that planets far from the star couldn't survive a supernova. T...
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[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulsar_planet" ], [], [ "http://www.eso.org/public/usa/videos/eso0846a/" ] ]
58y5um
how does motion tracking working in programs such as after effects?
Over the years motion tracking has overcome editing each frame individually however how does the computer/program physically identify each object and where it moves throughout the video?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/58y5um/eli5_how_does_motion_tracking_working_in_programs/
{ "a_id": [ "d944sxj" ], "score": [ 13 ], "text": [ "You track the pixels, this is one big benefit of shooting in 4K or higher even if your movie is 2K, this is a reason why most CGI-blockbusters, like say Avengers, shoot in 4K+ but only release in 2K (because 4K CGI takes way too much time/money)...
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[ [ "https://youtu.be/BgAdeuxkUyY" ] ]
fgu346
Where is the best place to start researching if one wanted to understand the collapse of the Weimar Republic?
This is a time in history I have always found particularly interesting not just in Germany but across Europe. I was looking for any recommendations on books that provide a solid account of the time period. I have always thought that the collapse was inevitable due to German attitudes post World War One, the stock marke...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/fgu346/where_is_the_best_place_to_start_researching_if/
{ "a_id": [ "fk7q2ad", "fk8d7jp" ], "score": [ 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Studied this in high school and I think a really good place to start for basics on why the Weimar Republic collapsed and how the whole system contributed to the rise of the nazis is; Weimar & Nazi Germany: The Schools Hist...
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cfxvx8
What does it mean to have better depth perception than the others?
Do you see the edges of objects better? I see the world just fine and my depth perception is not as good as other people.
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/cfxvx8/what_does_it_mean_to_have_better_depth_perception/
{ "a_id": [ "euebyz9" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Depth perception is your understanding of how far away things are. You still \"see\" the same way as other people (usually), but you have a harder time figuring out the distance to things. One example of this is when someone gets a new pair of gl...
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3m7nxm
fiber internet
Fiber internet is now in my area: How does it work, Is it better, and should I get it?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3m7nxm/eli5_fiber_internet/
{ "a_id": [ "cvconjm" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Fiber optic internet works by shining a light down a long glass or plastic cylinder (fiber). The light reflects toward the center of the fiber because of the design and coating of the fiber. If you want a thorough explaination of the physics invo...
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5u4805
why are animal foods so often cheaper than plant foods?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5u4805/eli5_why_are_animal_foods_so_often_cheaper_than/
{ "a_id": [ "ddr82xx", "ddr8aze", "ddrc3ka" ], "score": [ 4, 11, 3 ], "text": [ "Because the vegetation that animals can eat is much easier to grow in bulk than the vegetation that humans will eat.\n\nAlso, if you're buying groceries, produce is often going to be a *ton* less expen...
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[ [], [ "http://www.trueactivist.com/this-sheet-shows-exactly-how-much-mcdonalds-menu-costs/" ], [ "https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=cost+of+cheeseburger+without+subsidies&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8" ] ]
2ldtue
How were lawyers of Ancient Greece and Rome viewed? Was being a lawyer a profession like it is today?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2ldtue/how_were_lawyers_of_ancient_greece_and_rome/
{ "a_id": [ "clu414y" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "According to Cicero, a person could become a lawyer in 3 days if they really put their mind to it [Cicero, Pro Murena]. Cicero himself is considered a lawyer based off our standing right now, but he officially referred to himself as an orator, ho...
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[ [ "http://www.ancient.eu/Roman_Law/" ] ]
hfhy5
What's happening when my eye gets red?
This question is spurred by my contact lense suddenly deciding it hates my eye. Within a minute of something being wrong, when I go to take the contact lense out my eye is filled with red lines. Of course, as you all know, this doesn't only happen for contact lenses spazzing out, but also for particles in the eye, sm...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/hfhy5/whats_happening_when_my_eye_gets_red/
{ "a_id": [ "c1v0563", "c1v07qb" ], "score": [ 4, 16 ], "text": [ "The irritation of your cornea causes a histamine response in response to a possible foreign object in the eye. This causes the blood vessels in the sclera (the white part) of your eye to dilate some and get more blood to th...
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9qudky
How were the people of Martinique and the wider French Caribbean affected by the Nazi takeover of France?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/9qudky/how_were_the_people_of_martinique_and_the_wider/
{ "a_id": [ "e8ci1p5" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ "Martinique, Guadeloupe, and French Guiana were all Vichy-aligned during the War. This answer will focus primarily on Martinique, as it was the political center for the Vichy regime in the Caribbean.\n\n & #x200B;\n\nAt the conclusion of the Battl...
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6h8883
how is man-made land created and what prevents it from collapsing or washing into the ocean?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6h8883/eli5_how_is_manmade_land_created_and_what/
{ "a_id": [ "diw927p", "diwm778" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "With cement walls. Or erosion barriers like giant concrete pilings. or low tech with piles of big rocks", "You will typically have to start with something that the sea is unable to shift around. Large rocks is a good...
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