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e5mdxv
What were some of the other options brought up before settling on the 3/5's Compromise at the Constitution Convention?
I teach 8th grade U.S. History, and I had a student ask "Why didn't the North suggest slaves count as people for representation votes in Congress if slaveowners free their slaves?" This way, Southerners would have to decide which is more important to them -- representation or the institution of slavery? Were there ot...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/e5mdxv/what_were_some_of_the_other_options_brought_up/
{ "a_id": [ "f9l7cp7" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "I'm afraid I can only touch on the Great Compromise a bit, but the 3/5 is in my wheelhouse.\n\nYour student's suggestion was the actual position of the less-enslaving states: enslaved people count zero for representation because they are in essen...
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[]
[ [] ]
10ect6
why germany has maintained economic stability while greece has faltered
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/10ect6/eli5_why_germany_has_maintained_economic/
{ "a_id": [ "c6crelh", "c6cs329", "c6cskoe", "c6d3c4s" ], "score": [ 2, 7, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Germany produces a lot of stuff. ", "I think the answer that terminal_velocity gave has a lot of truth to it; namely Germany has a diverse exporting infrastructure, as well as ...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://articles.latimes.com/2012/sep/22/world/la-fg-greece-tax-protest-20120923" ], [], [] ]
vnr2j
Is it possible to kill a house fly with a static charge that you have accumulated?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/vnr2j/is_it_possible_to_kill_a_house_fly_with_a_static/
{ "a_id": [ "c562nzu", "c563y1a", "c5645nl", "c564ar6", "c5658cg", "c5659ls" ], "score": [ 80, 7, 5, 5, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Well you can accumulate a voltage of between [1000 and 10000 volts](_URL_0_) with static electricity and most electric fly swatters hav...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.amasci.com/emotor/stmiscon.html#nine" ], [], [ "http://www.itwifeuro.com/Products/index.asp?PMaction=product_view_details&Title=Ransburg+No.2+Electrostatic+spray+gun&RecordID=136" ], [], [], [] ]
83vszh
Nearly half of the people who died from the Spanish Flu of 1918 were 20-to-40 year olds, a normally resistant population. Do we know why? What steps were taken to curb the outbreak (which killed more people than the Great War)? What sort of advances had we made by 1998 to prevent a recurrence?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/83vszh/nearly_half_of_the_people_who_died_from_the/
{ "a_id": [ "dvl603z", "dvlddn4" ], "score": [ 76, 18 ], "text": [ "There have been some studies that have shown that people who were exposed to the Russian flu pandemic of 1889-90 were the most likely to die if they contracted the Spanish flu. \n\nExaminations of the virus structure of th...
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[]
[ [ "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23940526" ], [ "https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/review-1918-pandemic-flu-studies-offers-more-questions-answers" ] ]
7vo96p
why do our eyes/brains struggle to figure out how many numbers/letters are in something when one repeats it self vs when all are different (12333332 vs 60292813)
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7vo96p/eli5_why_do_our_eyesbrains_struggle_to_figure_out/
{ "a_id": [ "dttseex" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "This is because it is easier for the human brain to count different numbers since you can know at which number you are looking at (The criterion is that the next number is visibly different than the previous).\nWhen you have to deal with a repeat...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
1wu3cc
Why did China not discover Australia/ the Pacific Islands?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1wu3cc/why_did_china_not_discover_australia_the_pacific/
{ "a_id": [ "cf5finb" ], "score": [ 16 ], "text": [ "hi! there's always room for more info on this topic, but FYI, there have been several posts asking about non-European discovery/settlement of Australia. Catch up on previous responses here:\n\nChina\n\n[Why did the British/Europeans discover Aus...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1aamc1/are_there_any_evidences_for_preeuropean_contact/", "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1md46t/to_what_extent_did_asian_know_about_the_island_of/", "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1jgqt4/why_did_the_chinese_or_japanese_a...
4n8gv5
Why were D-Day landing craft designed the way they were? Opening the large ramp from the front seems almost suicidal to me.
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4n8gv5/why_were_dday_landing_craft_designed_the_way_they/
{ "a_id": [ "d41z5r8", "d41zedm", "d428ibn" ], "score": [ 39, 22, 29 ], "text": [ "The D-Day craft to which you are referring (the LCVP) was based heavily on the a boat designed by Andrew Higgins in the prewar years, ostensibly for \"oil workers\" but probably a smugglin' swamp boa...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daihatsu-class_landing_craft" ], [ "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/35/LCVP_line_drawing.svg/2000px-LCVP_line_drawing.svg.png" ], [] ]
3e0op2
how nearsightedness and farsightedness work
How does ones eyes only see objects far away or close up?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3e0op2/eli5_how_nearsightedness_and_farsightedness_work/
{ "a_id": [ "ctaerbd", "ctafo0c" ], "score": [ 2, 3 ], "text": [ "It has to do with a problem with the lens in your eye. Normally, your lens focuses the light onto the fovea of the retina, which is an area that has a high density of light sensing cells (called photoreceptors). When you are...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
1oebvs
why are savings account yields in australia 4%/year, and in the u.s. they are .025%/year?
My Sister in law just moved to Australia and she is getting 4% / year compounded monthly where in the states we have a negative real interest rate. Why is this?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1oebvs/why_are_savings_account_yields_in_australia_4year/
{ "a_id": [ "ccr7waz" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Because the Australian Federal Reserve bank has a cash target rate of 2.5% - banks charge more than that for lending (I pay 4.9% on my mortgage) and also more than that for certain high interest online bank accounts (the 4% your sister is getting...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.rba.gov.au/", "http://www.tradingeconomics.com/united-states/interest-rate" ] ]
5opvys
Limits of the Internet. What is the current limit of possible addresses?
Furthermore with the advent of the IoT. Is there a risk of hitting said limit? What if any are the solutions?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/5opvys/limits_of_the_internet_what_is_the_current_limit/
{ "a_id": [ "dcl4hmm" ], "score": [ 15 ], "text": [ "The most commonly used version of the Internet Protocol (IP), IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses (often represented as 4 numbers between 0 and 255 separated by dots, such as 192.168.1.1). Of these, a maximum of about 4 billion addresses are possible. Bu...
[]
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[ [] ]
2gsmmr
why does it often say when trying to download something "download should start soon, if it does not press this button" instead of triggering the function of the always working button.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2gsmmr/eli5_why_does_it_often_say_when_trying_to/
{ "a_id": [ "ckm4cdv", "ckm5sv4" ], "score": [ 7, 5 ], "text": [ "They're trying to load balance server requests so that no one server gets nailed with all of the download bandwidth. They give you the link so that if the fancy load balancer doesn't work you can still get the file from the ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
236vfg
What has the sleep schedule of the US President looked like historically?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/236vfg/what_has_the_sleep_schedule_of_the_us_president/
{ "a_id": [ "cgudhbz" ], "score": [ 175 ], "text": [ "During his presidency Coolidge supposedly would sleep around 11 hours a day. When writer Dorothy Parker was told in 1933 that Coolidge had died she replied, \"How can they tell?\" Source: The American Age: US Foreign Policy at Home and Abroad s...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
1ieb04
What causes pianos to go out of tune, and why do they go out of tune faster if unplayed or in high humidity?
Based on anecdotal and personal experience, pianos seem to go out of tune faster if they're unplayed for long periods of time compared to pianos that see occasional use. This seems counter-intuitive. Furthermore, how does humidity affect the tuning?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1ieb04/what_causes_pianos_to_go_out_of_tune_and_why_do/
{ "a_id": [ "cb3s4pg" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "I can answer some of these. A piano goes out of tune when the various components change shape and deform over time. For example, the strings are under quite a lot of tension and will eventually begin to stretch or slip ever so slightly. It doesn'...
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[]
[ [] ]
2if79t
Has there ever been an attempt to create a SI unit of time?
I know seconds, minutes, milliseconds, etc. are SI units now, but has there ever been an attempt to create one more like grams and liters? That is, grounded in some naturalistic value and scaled only by powers of ten?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2if79t/has_there_ever_been_an_attempt_to_create_a_si/
{ "a_id": [ "cl1p6nu", "cl1txlo" ], "score": [ 16, 4 ], "text": [ "The second is based on something physical - it's defined as \"the duration of 9,192,631,770 periods of the radiation corresponding to the transition between the two hyperfine levels of the ground state of the caesium-133 at...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
95ylhp
how did manual telephone switchboards work?
Thank you
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/95ylhp/eli5_how_did_manual_telephone_switchboards_work/
{ "a_id": [ "e3wfhyk", "e3wpl53" ], "score": [ 5, 6 ], "text": [ "Your phone (and all phones) were wired to the switching center, where a person would have to manually complete the circuit between the two phones and then manually disconnect when you were done.\n\nLong distance calls requir...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://78.media.tumblr.com/052b9cc3d70ea4647eab5054db0549c7/tumblr_ny82rhxd8r1umbo56o1_1280.jpg" ] ]
1yuhj0
The movie zeitgeist
I recently watched the movie and tried to do some research the on the subject of jesus, mithra, dionysus, attis, and maybe a few others (I cant remember). Is there any truth to the claims of the similarities?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1yuhj0/the_movie_zeitgeist/
{ "a_id": [ "cfnweza" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "You may be interested in [this section of the FAQ](_URL_1_).\n\nWith Zeitgeist specifically, the answer generally is that no, there's no truth to it. [This](_URL_0_) lists some of them. A few illustrative examples:\n\n1. Horus wasn't born of a ...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://conspiracies.skepticproject.com/articles/zeitgeist/part-one/", "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/wiki/religion#wiki_did_jesus_exist.3F" ] ]
2jupix
Did the original Boy Scouts (British) have a tendency to wander into the army as they got older? What kind of effect did the early Scouts have on patriotism in Britain?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2jupix/did_the_original_boy_scouts_british_have_a/
{ "a_id": [ "clfbfg8" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ "The early Boy Scout movement emerged hand in hand with patriotism in Britain at the beginning of the 20th century. The Boy Scouts creator, Robert Baden-Powell, noted the general despair amongst soldiers during the Boer war in South Africa because...
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[ [] ]
1xffbb
Regarding the Large Hadron Collider, what else in terms of the standard model are we still looking out for? Has finding the Higgs made any significant impact?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1xffbb/regarding_the_large_hadron_collider_what_else_in/
{ "a_id": [ "cfaysg0", "cfayvxu", "cfaz380" ], "score": [ 5, 33, 5 ], "text": [ "Not much in terms of the standard model. There is still some work going on to determine the spin/parity of the Higgs, and there are always lots of measurements that we can make (production rate\\*, int...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
efmziw
Was the father of philosophy Thales of Miletus Greek or Phoenician?
According to Herodotus Thales was from a Phoenician family but many other philosophers imply he's a native of Miletus. Also it's been said Thales' name and his parents names are of Greek and Carian origin. Can someone clear this up?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/efmziw/was_the_father_of_philosophy_thales_of_miletus/
{ "a_id": [ "fc2j4sv" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "The short answer is: we're not sure, but it's likely Thales came from a Phoenician family that migrated to Miletus. As far as I know, Herodotus is the earliest source we have that talks about Thales. And even this source is written about a hundre...
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[ [] ]
3fg0tv
What am I missing in Einstein theory of relativity?
I am currently reading Walter Isaacson's biography of Einstein. I am going to paraphrase this example he cites Einstein as using to explain relativity: Two people are at a train station a certain distance way from each other. Lightning strikes, and the person close to the middle of the two lightning strikes perceives ...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/3fg0tv/what_am_i_missing_in_einstein_theory_of_relativity/
{ "a_id": [ "ctobqlg", "ctoci3r", "ctonk7u" ], "score": [ 11, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "If that is the example in the biography used to explain how simultaneity of events is relative, then it is not only a terrible example, but it just entirely misses the point of relativity.\n\nIn the ex...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wteiuxyqtoM" ] ]
eky3te
What were the reasons the U.S. attempted to pull off a coup of the Iranian government in the 50s and eventually imposed the Shah?
It's my understanding that the U.K. was upset that the Iranian government had nationalized their oil industry and asked the U.S. for help. Iran had been getting a pretty terrible deal from the U.K. and was just trying to take back control of it's natural resources. I thought the Iranian public had a very positive view ...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/eky3te/what_were_the_reasons_the_us_attempted_to_pull/
{ "a_id": [ "fdeyms8" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "This is a complex topic but I'll give it my best stab!\n\n > I thought the Iranian public had a very positive view of the U.S. at the time and this started off a chain of events that led the very hostile relationship we currently have\n\nFirstly,...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/coup-detat-1953" ] ]
1dypz7
If someone was hemorrhaging uncontrollably, could you keep them alive by transfusing blood in at the same rate they were losing it?
That is, if someone had a life threatening hemorrhage out of a major artery, if you did nothing to control the bleeding, but transfused whole blood in at the same rate they were losing it, would that person survive? Could they have their entire blood volume replaced and survive?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1dypz7/if_someone_was_hemorrhaging_uncontrollably_could/
{ "a_id": [ "c9v57za" ], "score": [ 17 ], "text": [ "People can certainly have more than their entire blood volume replaced and survive. Normal blood volume is around 70ml/kg, so about 5L on average. One unit of blood (packed red cells) is around 250ml, so once someone has received more than 20 un...
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[ [] ]
445wzb
Do all plants metabolize (convert CO2 to O2) at the same rate or do some plants generate O2 more efficiently than others?
I'm wondering if some plants can generate more oxygen with less sunlight, or if crating sugars faster than other plants would yield more oxygen.
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/445wzb/do_all_plants_metabolize_convert_co2_to_o2_at_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cznu0cq", "cznv07o" ], "score": [ 4, 2 ], "text": [ "There's variation among plants generally, but specifically an alternative carbon fixation pathway called Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) used in plants that are found in arid climates that is less efficient, but with the ...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RuBisCO#Genetic_engineering" ] ]
acj8mw
scientifically speaking, is there a hypothetical cure for every disease?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/acj8mw/eli5_scientifically_speaking_is_there_a/
{ "a_id": [ "ed8b2ig", "ed8bjhp" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "the short answer is that we don't know.\n\nWe've cured a lot of diseases and accomplished amazing things with science. at times it seems that everything is possible. But unless we cure ever disease, we won't really know. \...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
6hmn3m
what does the 'end task' command do differently than normally exiting out of a program?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6hmn3m/eli5_what_does_the_end_task_command_do/
{ "a_id": [ "dizfj8l", "dizhmt6", "diziqge", "dizjmmn", "dizk6hx" ], "score": [ 78, 5, 168, 4, 13 ], "text": [ "Imagine you are in a restaurant. And then you're asked to leave. You pick up your shit and leave. That's closing a program normally. Now when you end task...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
6fp08l
how someone can have a big belly but is relatively skinny/normal?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6fp08l/eli5_how_someone_can_have_a_big_belly_but_is/
{ "a_id": [ "dijwqww", "dik1qj1", "dik69be", "dikb8id" ], "score": [ 8, 3, 2, 4 ], "text": [ "Fat deposits vary from person to person and from source to source. A few of the hormones racing through your body affect the location of fat (cortisol directs it to the abdomen, fo...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
4i0a08
why does windows 10 take over 2 gb of ram to sit there doing nothing, while windows 95 needed less than 0.004 gb?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4i0a08/eli5_why_does_windows_10_take_over_2_gb_of_ram_to/
{ "a_id": [ "d2tv9hw", "d2txfai" ], "score": [ 31, 7 ], "text": [ "1. It's not sitting there doing nothing. There's tons of stuff running in the background- updaters, anti-virus, Cortana, and more.\n\n2. It doesn't actually need a full 2GB. But RAM that's not being used is just wasted, so ...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
33iigz
does the united states government heavily regulate media outlets?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/33iigz/eli5_does_the_united_states_government_heavily/
{ "a_id": [ "cql72n2" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "No. The concept of [prior restraint](_URL_0_) is almost completely foreign to the US legal system.\n\nNow, the government can always *ask* an outlet not to run a story, or at least to delay it, and sometimes the network or newspaper will oblige. ...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prior_restraint" ] ]
e64kn2
what is a name server, what is a network domain, and how are the two related?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/e64kn2/eli5_what_is_a_name_server_what_is_a_network/
{ "a_id": [ "f9nq6f0", "f9nsk4h" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "So a name server is like a telephone book, it takes the name of a website and converts that information into a usable IP address which is an internet protocol series of numbers like 8.8.8.8 which is used in this case to conn...
[]
[]
[ [ "Google.com" ], [ "reddit.com", "microsoft.com", "Reddit.com" ] ]
1r9av2
how can long water fasting periods be healthy?
My best friend Is overwieght and has been fasting for four days but he plans on going for fourty days in total. How can this be healthy? Should I encourage him to rethink things? A person needs to eat right?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1r9av2/eli5_how_can_long_water_fasting_periods_be_healthy/
{ "a_id": [ "cdkvjxp", "cdkw23t", "cdkztnm" ], "score": [ 4, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "That is insanely unhealthy. I had a friend one time do a 40 day fast, did it more for some personal factors, not weight loss. He discussed it with his doctor and took the proper precautions and he did i...
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[]
[ [], [], [] ]
1c5doq
How dependent is oceanic life on phytoplankton? Not just fish, but mammals and all life forms that live off or in the ocean?
If there were a virus that drastically lowered the amount of, or killed all the phytoplankton , is there any animal that we commonly associate with ocean life that would not lose their food chain, or even thrive?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1c5doq/how_dependent_is_oceanic_life_on_phytoplankton/
{ "a_id": [ "c9d8efd" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "[Extremeophiles](_URL_0_) would be okay." ] }
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extremophile" ] ]
5qufpa
why us telecos still use cdma technology, when majority of the world uses gsm for the communication?
What's benefit of using CDMA in the US ?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5qufpa/eli5_why_us_telecos_still_use_cdma_technology/
{ "a_id": [ "dd294jr", "dd2eyxc" ], "score": [ 11, 6 ], "text": [ "The main reasons are a matter of timing, corporate greed and legacy.\n\nBack when the US networks where starting to form, the switch from analogue to digital cellular technology was also happening and CDMA had some interest...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
xaiu9
Jesus Christ and John the Baptist - Bibical Scholars wanted
A while back, I remember reading a theory (might have even been on r/AskHistorians) that Jesus was a disciple of John the Baptist or a member of a cult (or whatever the proper terminology is) led by him and that much of the doctrine passed down by Jesus originated with that man. I remember him using textual evidence fr...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/xaiu9/jesus_christ_and_john_the_baptist_bibical/
{ "a_id": [ "c5kzxvg", "c5l4jqv" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "The association of Jesus with John is more or less universally accepted. There are a number of clues.\n\nFirst is the baptism. John offered baptism for the remission of sin, a fact that caused the last three evangelists app...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://www.era.lib.ed.ac.uk/bitstream/1842/5467/2/Aplin2011.pdf", "http://books.google.com/books?id=Ng9JaKKaeCIC&lpg=PP1&dq=e%20p%20sanders%20jesus%20and%20judaism&pg=PA91#v=onepage&q&f=false" ] ]
5rk0bm
what is the difference between relative humidity and dew point?
What is relative humidity and dew point? What is the differences?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5rk0bm/eli5_what_is_the_difference_between_relative/
{ "a_id": [ "dd7uusu" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ "They are related in that they are both measures of the amount of water in the air.\n\nRelative humidity compares how much water vapor is in the air to how much water vapor the air could possibly hold at the current temperature. It is a measure o...
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[]
[ [] ]
4jd20l
How did the Roman aristocracy treat/view plebeians? Were they treated differently at different points in the republic?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4jd20l/how_did_the_roman_aristocracy_treatview_plebeians/
{ "a_id": [ "d35ngfh" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Much of the historical narrative that we have for the early Republic is dominated by the so-called struggle of the orders. This was sort of a civil rights campaign by the plebeians for equal rights. At this stage the patricians were a handful of ...
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[]
[ [] ]
3sgu4l
why are governments post-actively banning the filming of slaughter house cruelty instead of pro-actively following animal abuse laws?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3sgu4l/eli5_why_are_governments_postactively_banning_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cwx3khl" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "I don't know where the government is specifically making it illegal to film that - it already is based on normal privacy and employment law. If you trespass onto a private property to film, that's illegal. And if you gain employment there to fi...
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[ [] ]
1qfqto
Can anyone recommend any books or articles on ancient cultures and sharks?
How they interacted with them, utilized them, regarded them or generally what type of knowledge did these cultures have of them. I'm really interested in how our collective knowledge of sharks grew and haven't been able to find much online other than historical accounts of encounters. Thanks for any help.
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1qfqto/can_anyone_recommend_any_books_or_articles_on/
{ "a_id": [ "cdcn6s2" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "This article might not quite fit the bill -- it's not specifically situated in an ancient period -- but it does do a good job of exploring the place of sharks in Hawaiian religion and culture.\n\nGoldberg-Hiller, Jonathan, and Noenoe K. Silva. “S...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
77y8tw
how do recycling plants process liquids?
Like if a water bottle still has some water in it, or a soda can still has some soda in it.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/77y8tw/eli5_how_do_recycling_plants_process_liquids/
{ "a_id": [ "dopot57", "doqegln" ], "score": [ 25, 2 ], "text": [ "Yay! Something I can finally answer! \nI work as a chemist at a waste disposal facility. At our plant we sort liquids into various catergories depending on what we think is in the containers.\n\nThese containers are then sh...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://youtu.be/CUmHDH7C-e8?t=41s" ] ]
6vuxyw
why do we feel the weird banging in our body when listening to loud live music
When the music (mostly at the concerts) is loud, I feel like the music vibration is shaking my lungs and heart. What is that?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6vuxyw/eli5_why_do_we_feel_the_weird_banging_in_our_body/
{ "a_id": [ "dm36s7x", "dm36u2s" ], "score": [ 4, 2 ], "text": [ "Sound is pressure waves moving through the air that vibrate your eardrums.\n\nYour ribcage doesn't have much that is solid behind it to stop it vibrating to large, low frquency pressure waves.", "Sound is just waves of p...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
2nx0kq
Kingdom of Sardinia's place in Italian Unification in the nineteenth century
_URL_0_ In this fun map it shows the Kingdom of Sardinia was the main push behind Italian unification. Why were they the ones to do this and not another part of Italy? Nationalistic reasons? Power? Economic influence?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2nx0kq/kingdom_of_sardinias_place_in_italian_unification/
{ "a_id": [ "cmhtyiv" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Well, there is no clean cut explanation.\n\nHistorically the Duchy of Savoia (mainly centered in Piedmont, capital Turin), was the more expansionist Italian state from the late seventeenth century onward.\n\nThe dukes played an active role in all...
[]
[ "http://m.imgur.com/r/MapPorn/rmWSGZ3" ]
[ [] ]
1k8ye7
Do we know of any chants that galley sailors would sing while they rowed?
Or was there a standard speed that galleys usually travelled at? I'm mostly interested in the galleys around the Hellenistic period, but I'll take information on sailors from any of the Mediterranean cultures.
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1k8ye7/do_we_know_of_any_chants_that_galley_sailors/
{ "a_id": [ "cbmk4i5" ], "score": [ 12 ], "text": [ "It's unlikely that they sung - that would not be conducive to rowing, which is physically tiring. It has been theorised that they may have hummed, which is less tiring, but there is no substantial proof of this. [A reconstructed trireme was test...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.hoplites.org/HAmember/The%20Trireme%20by%20Boris%20Rankov.pdf", "http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=wVT71_6zLygC&pg=PA252&lpg=PA252&dq=ancient+greek+trireme+hum&source=bl&ots=dRkXO5vDJl&sig=M_9iIcAEi-ScqNfWmgzML5fZvJ4&hl=en&sa=X&ei=vJEJUtvuKqmq7QaYiYGIAg&amp...
umi4r
Why do certain musical scales sound happy, scary , eerie, etc?
Some of my oldest memories is of being scared and saddened by songs in minor scales, and cheered up by songs in major scales. Is this something learned or in our DNA?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/umi4r/why_do_certain_musical_scales_sound_happy_scary/
{ "a_id": [ "c4wnuks", "c4woa2u", "c4wqnmv", "c4wqshn", "c4wrtnl", "c4wttch", "c4wvy1r", "c4ww7kt" ], "score": [ 23, 4, 142, 16, 17, 9, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Im not aware of a ton of work in this area, but one guy who is sorta studying this is G...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://homepage.psy.utexas.edu/homepage/group/GildenLAB/groove.htm", "http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=why-does-music-make-us-fe" ], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consonance_and_dissonance" ], [ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SK75WCcUDkM&feature=youtu.be&t=19m24...
rjisw
Is depression more frequent amongst people in developed countries?
I live in a highly privileged country (Norway), and yet my impression is that a lot of people here are depressed. In a peaceful society you don't have to tackle a lot of serious day to day-problems of the kind you might see in underdeveloped countries, or even in America. Things like fighting for your life, your rights...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/rjisw/is_depression_more_frequent_amongst_people_in/
{ "a_id": [ "c46bme5", "c46byht", "c46c4im", "c46cff1", "c46dq58", "c46e1ro", "c46egfq", "c46esy9", "c46f2qe", "c46f5p2", "c46fjrx", "c46fky6", "c46g4v9", "c46ga8i", "c46gkid", "c46gpip", "c46h10v", "c46iiq3", "c46kcut" ], "score": [ ...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seasonal_affective_disorder#Incidence", "http://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sesongavhengig_depresjon" ], [ "http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19855219", "http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7015/9/90/abstract" ], [ "http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/22/magazin...
9zdrzx
what is more dangerous for the human body. high ac or dc and why?
We had a Discussion in physics if high ac or dc is more dangerous since high frequent ac isnt as dangerous as low frequent so we were not sure
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9zdrzx/eli5_what_is_more_dangerous_for_the_human_body/
{ "a_id": [ "ea8atld", "ea8dtmd", "ea8hjs9" ], "score": [ 17, 3, 4 ], "text": [ "The biggest advantage to AC is that it fluctuates the level, which gives you more of a chance of disconnecting from it. DC will lock your muscles and keep you from letting go.", "Low-frequency AC i...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
16b161
How do changes in Earth's global temperature caused by Milankovitch cyclicity compare to other climate change sources (anthropogenic and other)?
I am currently studying geology at a very conservative university (Texas A & M), If someone mentions climate change in any of my classes there is immediate laughter. Not because the idea is ridiculous, but because of the fuss people(from my experience usually non scientists) make about it. As geologists it is the mo...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/16b161/how_do_changes_in_earths_global_temperature/
{ "a_id": [ "c7ueuzr" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "[This page at skeptialscience](_URL_0_) discusses Milankovitch Cycles and cites the variation of solar forcing due to orbital eccentricity as ~0.45 W/m^2. Current estimates of anthropogenic alterations to the radiative balance ([see IPCC](_URL_1...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.skepticalscience.com/Milankovitch.html", "http://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/ar4/wg1/en/figure-ts-5.html" ] ]
3rl322
Washing clothing that was not color fast.
About washing clothes. Before modern dyes most colors would not have been color fast. Yet clothing had to be cleaned at least occasionally. I realize that layering garments would have permitted washing like colors together and that sashes, lace, and other ornamentation could be removed and resewn after cleaning. Painti...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3rl322/washing_clothing_that_was_not_color_fast/
{ "a_id": [ "cwpgnod" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "To cover the basics first, dyes before modern dyes were color fast and dry cleaning did exist. One of the most popular dyes still today is indigo. Interestingly it doesn't dissolve in water nor adhere to fabric, so how does this work? You need an...
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[ [] ]
yjenl
Suppose we had working fusion reactors with the output and specifications we're working towards? What implications would it realistically have for other energy sources and humanity in general in terms of the other problems we have?
By output and specifications we're looking for, I mean based on what size we predict them to be, amount of output per generator etc. What it cast all form of existing electricity generation into obsolescence? How big would they need to be, including surrounding safety equipment? Would they be mobile? Would they requ...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/yjenl/suppose_we_had_working_fusion_reactors_with_the/
{ "a_id": [ "c5w5hi6", "c5w6x67" ], "score": [ 2, 18 ], "text": [ "Engineering student here.\n\nRegarding size, mobility - large, more or less immobile. ITER is large - it's a technology demonstrator for a power station. The reactor itself, plus all the necessary hardware to actually produ...
[]
[ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcYZYN4Qtws" ]
[ [], [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/qdbxg/askscience_ama_series_we_are_nuclear_fusion" ] ]
2ciivm
How have norms against attacking civilian populations developed and been applied by Western countries post WW2?
In the Second World War, the UK began a bombing campaign against German cities, with the aim of damaging the 'morale of the enemy civil population'. The US later joined in the bombing campaign (though maybe not with the same explicit aims?), and began its own bombing campaign in Japan. Firebombing of Tokyo killed up to...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2ciivm/how_have_norms_against_attacking_civilian/
{ "a_id": [ "cjfwwjq" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ " > The more specific question is: what instances after 1945 are there of Western militaries attacking civilian targets with the explicit or implicit aim of coercing the civilian population?\n\nWell, for one, the Korean War which began in 1950 saw...
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[]
[ [] ]
244y1q
how do enzymes actually lower activation energy?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/244y1q/eli5_how_do_enzymes_actually_lower_activation/
{ "a_id": [ "ch3mz3j", "ch3mzjf", "ch3n1az", "ch3rzwv" ], "score": [ 3, 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "The reactants don't immediately form products, they'll form a transition state first, and the energy needed to form it corresponds to the activation energy.\n\nA catalyst (includin...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Structural_Biochemistry/Enzyme_Catalytic_Mechanism/Proteases/Chymotrypsin" ], [] ]
57ss1w
why do some people believe ai (artificial intelligence) will take over the world
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/57ss1w/eli5_why_do_some_people_believe_ai_artificial/
{ "a_id": [ "d8umfll", "d8umhe2" ], "score": [ 3, 6 ], "text": [ "One of the larger concerns with AI is that if not programmed correctly, it will pose various risks to humans by simply being too good at its job. This is illustrated pretty well with the \"paperclip \nmaximizer\" thought exp...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instrumental_convergence#Paperclip_maximizer" ], [] ]
2sfem0
how is normalizing relations with cuba going to affect the us economy?
Bonus question: Why does the process take so long to do so? I completely understand the reasons for lifting the embargo, but everyone I speak with says it's going to completely improve our economy. The most research I've found is by the US Chamber of Commerce, who said we're losing $1.2 billion in potential exports ea...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2sfem0/eli5_how_is_normalizing_relations_with_cuba_going/
{ "a_id": [ "cnoxlo7", "cnoz6rw" ], "score": [ 6, 5 ], "text": [ "It will have some positive effect, but I think you're right that it's not going to be hugely impacting one way or the other.\n\nLifting the embargo will take quite some time because our laws will have to change. There's no c...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
ieekm
Is there a correlation between race and intelligence?
This is going to be touchy but I had a debate on whether one race's is superior to another in terms of intelligence (This might be touchy). To quote from [another askscience post](_URL_0_): > The cultural bias in IQ is one that most wouldn't touch with a 20-foot pole. Needless to say, many studies find differences in...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/ieekm/is_there_a_correlation_between_race_and/
{ "a_id": [ "c232qs3", "c233tv8", "c2360vu" ], "score": [ 7, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "It turns out that there is an arguably large cultural bias on many of these intelligence tests, combined with confounding factors like low socioeconomic status (poverty) and minority status in the US. F...
[]
[ "http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/hyaz4/is_iq_still_relevant/" ]
[ [], [], [ "http://psychology.uwo.ca/faculty/rushtonpdfs/PPPL1.pdf" ] ]
6ostsb
why does baking soda help get rid if mouth ulcers?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6ostsb/eli5_why_does_baking_soda_help_get_rid_if_mouth/
{ "a_id": [ "dkkeno3" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Baking soda is a base and often ulcers are irritated by the acidity of our saliva. So if you the baking soda with the saliva create a neutral environment for the sore to heal. " ] }
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[ [] ]
1u2f14
What was Lenin's real nature in comparison to Trotsky or Stalin?
I had just begun reading Robert Gellately's *The Age of Social Catastrophe*, and in the introduction he notes the existence of a myth regarding a "Good Lenin"; he states that the Lenin that post-Stalin Communists and Socialists revere is a sham, and that Lenin's real nature was that of a merciless dictator. He goes on ...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1u2f14/what_was_lenins_real_nature_in_comparison_to/
{ "a_id": [ "cedzhhf" ], "score": [ 23 ], "text": [ "I would absolutely agree with the first part of his thesis: that Lenin was a brutal dictator and that the myth of Lenin being a good Bolshevik and Stalin being a bad Bolshevik is unsupported by evidence. Lenin clearly wanted to provoke a civil w...
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[ [] ]
2o1u9j
Tuesday Trivia | Never Done: Women’s Work in History
(The title of this theme is cribbed from [one of my favorite history books.](_URL_0_) And this theme definately wasn’t thought up while pissily doing housework.) [Previous weeks' Tuesday Trivias and the complete upcoming schedule.](_URL_1_) **What sort of work was done by women in your favorite time and place?** It...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2o1u9j/tuesday_trivia_never_done_womens_work_in_history/
{ "a_id": [ "cmj1z1r", "cmj9us1", "cmjgdfg", "cmjgtfx", "cmjhx93", "cmjk3py", "cmjkmof", "cmjlx3v" ], "score": [ 16, 8, 7, 11, 6, 6, 4, 5 ], "text": [ "Is today’s theme just an excuse for me to post a long winded ramble about my hobbies? Of c...
[]
[ "http://www.worldcat.org/title/never-done-a-history-of-american-housework/oclc/7976057", "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/wiki/features/trivia" ]
[ [ "http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter09/FEATwin09SIT.php", "http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0249/6132/products/8472427210_d893d2f5de_o_grande.jpg?v=1404515570", "http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/r/regional-knitting-in-the-british-isles-and-ireland", "http://www.lionbrand.com/yarns/moonlightMoha...
2c55li
why do commercial airplanes board passengers using the seemingly inefficient "zone" system, rather than filling the seats chronologically?
It seems crazy to me from both a customer satisfaction standpoint, and an economic standpoint for the airlines (wasted turnaround time). It seems like they would both save money AND have happier customers, if they would just board passengers more efficiently. There have been studies (linked in comments) by mathematici...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2c55li/eli5_why_do_commercial_airplanes_board_passengers/
{ "a_id": [ "cjc05i6", "cjc06ct", "cjc1zk5" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "[This](_URL_0_) article from CNN implies that airlines are indeed doing some research in this area, maybe even testing. \n\nHere is a description of a [method](_URL_1_) modeled by Dr. Steffen, a physic...
[]
[ "http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/25beb0/eli5why_dont_airplanes_board_from_the_back_first/chfkg1e" ]
[ [ "http://edition.cnn.com/2013/12/17/travel/four-innovative-ways-cut-boarding-planes/", "http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2011-08/fermilab-astrophysicist-devises-method-cuts-plane-boarding-times-half" ], [], [] ]
10xcdl
If the Earth is shaped like a pear does that mean atmospheric pressure at sea-level differs depending on latitude?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/10xcdl/if_the_earth_is_shaped_like_a_pear_does_that_mean/
{ "a_id": [ "c6hgy62" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "Where have you heard that the earth is shaped like a pear?" ] }
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[ [] ]
8248hw
Henry VIII jousting in The Tudors
Good morning everyone. I've recently picked up the show The Tudors and one thing that surprised me was Henry VIII 's jousting armor. It seems like there is nothing to protect the neck or the forearms in there. Considering the dangers of having wood splinters all over the place, would people really go to jousting mat...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/8248hw/henry_viii_jousting_in_the_tudors/
{ "a_id": [ "dv7gtrv" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Jousting armour typically had excellent neck and forearm protection. As you note, it would be very dangerous to not have it.\n\nOne example of one of Henry's jousting armours:\n\n_URL_4_\n\nI believe this is the armour he wore for jousting at the...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://collections.royalarmouries.org/object/rac-object-36557.html", "https://collections.royalarmouries.org/object/rac-object-17505.html", "https://collections.royalarmouries.org/object/rac-object-41076.html", "https://collections.royalarmouries.org/object/rac-object-19.html", "http://www.t...
4nfa7k
where do nicknames for enemy soldiers come from?
In the US the bad guys are "Charlie" in the UK they are "Jerry" I assume that other countries have similar names for enemy troops. Where do the names come from?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4nfa7k/eli5_where_do_nicknames_for_enemy_soldiers_come/
{ "a_id": [ "d43eauc", "d43eiun", "d43fm1s", "d43ln7t", "d43q6g2", "d43vx61", "d4452av" ], "score": [ 98, 24, 15, 23, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ " > In the US the bad guys are \"Charlie\"\n\nNo they aren't. That specifically refers to Vietnamese forces in ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
1ld379
what exactly fills up when computer memory is full?
When a computer, hard drive, mp3 device, etc is full why can't any more information be saved. I know there is a maximum amount of information that can be put on drives, but is it physical space or is it simply that the device cannot process more information? Very large drives that hold vast amounts of information are l...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ld379/eli5what_exactly_fills_up_when_computer_memory_is/
{ "a_id": [ "cby0l79", "cby1d7y" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Imagine your device as a blank notebook. Now start writing all the 'data' or 'songs' down in the notebook. When it's full, so is your device. To put it as simply as possible. As far as the physical size of the device is conc...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
1nt5d0
why do we use radioactive metals in nuclear power plants?
Why can't we just use like, iron, or something? Is it impossible to split the atom of a non-radioactive element?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1nt5d0/eli5_why_do_we_use_radioactive_metals_in_nuclear/
{ "a_id": [ "ccls116" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "We don't choose uranium and plutonium because they are radioactive. We choose uranium and plutonium because they happen to split easily when they absorb a neutron.....AND produce more neutrons when they split to continue the reaction on their own...
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[ [] ]
46hvu3
If we ever get to do brain transplants, what would happen? Would the person with the new brain have the new brain old memories, or would all memories be forgotten?
Or... would he have he's old memories...?(I think thats impossible)
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/46hvu3/if_we_ever_get_to_do_brain_transplants_what_would/
{ "a_id": [ "d05jn1o" ], "score": [ 12 ], "text": [ "**IF** it were ever possible, and that is a big if, you, and every conscious aspect of you, would be transported with your brain. Your mind is the product of the pink squish stuff between your ears. Move the squishy stuff around, and the mind fo...
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[]
[ [] ]
2fkllu
I can't think of the name of painting, nor the artist, that I can write a perfect paper about.
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2fkllu/i_cant_think_of_the_name_of_painting_nor_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cka5url" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "I think /r/tipofmytongue might be a better place for this." ] }
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[ [] ]
3e6fp6
What reasons made Justinian’s conquest of Italy take so long?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3e6fp6/what_reasons_made_justinians_conquest_of_italy/
{ "a_id": [ "ctc40mw", "ctc814s" ], "score": [ 7, 2 ], "text": [ "The conquest of Italy started off well in 536 with the quick taking over of Sicily and then Naples after some resistance. Once Belisarius reached Rome however things slowed down. He entered the city unopposed but there were...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gothic_War_(535%E2%80%93554)#Fall_of_Sicily_and_Dalmatia_to_the_Byzantines", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine_fault_tolerance#Origin" ], [] ]
1jebwg
How is it that different dogs breeds have specific personality types?
Everyone knows specific breeds are good caretakers, or good hunters, or aggressive etc. Is it a neurobiological thing? Or does it have to do with their hormone profile, or evolution maybe?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1jebwg/how_is_it_that_different_dogs_breeds_have/
{ "a_id": [ "cbdz3e3", "cbf043t" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Selective breeding by humans. If you want a good hunter then you breed the best hunters together, if you want a guard dog then you breed the animals that are more territorial. If you want a lap dog then you need to select th...
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[ [], [ "http://research.nhgri.nih.gov/dog_genome/" ] ]
mnedq
How can animals sense danger and humans can't?
I remember seeing videos of animals going absolutely berserk before a catastrophe (e.g. Hurricane Katrina, Earthquake in Japan, etc.) I know when a storm is about to approach because my dog starts to become afraid and goes and hides. Is it dealing with pressure changes in the atmosphere or something else that humans ...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/mnedq/how_can_animals_sense_danger_and_humans_cant/
{ "a_id": [ "c32bfef", "c32cea2", "c32bfef", "c32cea2" ], "score": [ 13, 2, 13, 2 ], "text": [ "Animals have adapted to react to a variety of sensory inputs that are associated with weather changes or imminent disasters.\n\nDogs can sense the pressure and humidity changes i...
[]
[ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MFzcl-kZHo&feature=related&wadsworth=1" ]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
1111w0
why are you supposed to always add acid to water and never water to acid?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1111w0/eli5_why_are_you_supposed_to_always_add_acid_to/
{ "a_id": [ "c6icspw", "c6ie2us", "c6ifamg" ], "score": [ 6, 6, 2 ], "text": [ "If water splashes up at you, it's not a big deal. If acid splashes up at you, it can be.", "Water can absorb a great deal of heat. Acid, not so much.\n\nSo if you add acid to water, there's more wa...
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[]
[ [], [], [ "acid.So" ] ]
4kfgyt
I know that the Civil War armies were said to make a miserable show to Europeans, but how did the Continental Army perform by European standards?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4kfgyt/i_know_that_the_civil_war_armies_were_said_to/
{ "a_id": [ "d3ez2po", "d3ffzpi" ], "score": [ 49, 2 ], "text": [ "Great question!\n\nThe answer to this will depend firstly on when in the way you're asking about, and secondly on what scale you grade an army's capabilities on. \n\nAt the start of the war, the Continental Army was, by alm...
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[ [], [] ]
dvr30j
what is a cocaine analogue?
Hi Everyone! I work in a Nuclear Medicine department in a hospital. We use Ioflupane (Otherwise known as DaTSCAN) as a means to diagnose Parkinson’s Disease. Ioflupane is a cocaine analogue. My question is: Why does ioflupane not cause the same effects as cocaine in patients if it is a cocaine analogue? Thanks!
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dvr30j/eli5_what_is_a_cocaine_analogue/
{ "a_id": [ "f7e86tq", "f7k3ocp" ], "score": [ 4, 2 ], "text": [ "It means it acts on the e.g. brain receptors or whatever it is you're interested in, in the same way as cocaine does without all the other effects. Usually such analogues either take cocaine as a starting point for their syn...
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[ [], [] ]
1smota
What are the actual bytes made up of in a computer?
Also bonus question: What is the difference in how data is stored on a HDD as opposed to SDD and how does a computer read it?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1smota/what_are_the_actual_bytes_made_up_of_in_a_computer/
{ "a_id": [ "cdz5jv0", "cdzk0v5" ], "score": [ 13, 2 ], "text": [ "That depends entirely on the type of medium. On a mechanical harddrive, those bits are magnetic. In RAM or within the CPU, they're represented by electrical currents or charges. Data could be written to paper as visual or p...
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[ [], [] ]
9qyyre
Is the ethical debate over killing and farming animals only a recent thing? Or did it span back further?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/9qyyre/is_the_ethical_debate_over_killing_and_farming/
{ "a_id": [ "e8cx328", "e8dc0b8" ], "score": [ 2, 22 ], "text": [ "Related question, how and when did the practice of vegetarianism and similar diets go from being associated mostly with religious asceticism to being a non-denominational choice based on animal rights? Basically, if ancient...
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[ [], [] ]
2ih061
what led to the end of people's beliefs in mythology as a religion?
EDIT: Specifically, Greek Mythology (e.g. Zeus, Hera...). To say that the vast majority of religions today are based on a mythology doesn't really answer the question.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2ih061/eli5what_led_to_the_end_of_peoples_beliefs_in/
{ "a_id": [ "cl233w3", "cl23e2d", "cl23ewf", "cl23jfk", "cl23raj", "cl23w7p" ], "score": [ 8, 4, 2, 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "That never happened. The vast majority of religion today are based on a mythology. Abrahamic mythology is still very prevalent today as...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
o4rli
Why does gravitational potential start at zero and become infinitely negative?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/o4rli/why_does_gravitational_potential_start_at_zero/
{ "a_id": [ "c3eco9l", "c3ecx7n" ], "score": [ 4, 4 ], "text": [ "Potential energy is relative, not absolute.\n\nOne way of saying it is that you define where your zero point is and that becomes your reference.\n\nAnother way of saying it is that the you are really looking for a potential ...
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[ [], [] ]
3vk9nm
if nothing can exceed the speed of light, how can we measure something as being 10,000 light years away without it taking 20,000 years to measure?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3vk9nm/eli5_if_nothing_can_exceed_the_speed_of_light_how/
{ "a_id": [ "cxo85g6", "cxo85rn", "cxo8apj" ], "score": [ 9, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "If we were measuring the distance with something like a laser range finder, that would be true.\n\nObviously nobody measure the distance to such far away object be pointing a beam at them and waiting un...
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[ [], [], [ "http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/astronomy/distance.html" ] ]
3mgqp5
what happens to food when exposed to air that justifies having a "consume within x days of opening" date?
My bottled smoothie has a shelf life of 4 months, but needs to be consumed within 24 hours of opening. What happens when it comes into contact with air that doesn't happen during production?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3mgqp5/eli5_what_happens_to_food_when_exposed_to_air/
{ "a_id": [ "cves87r" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ "Air has bacteria in it. Smoothies are great environments for bacteria to live in. Once it's opened, the number of bacteria will rapidly become high enough to threaten your health (and the taste of the smoothie). \n\n" ] }
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[ [] ]
3g8j76
kernels (computing)
I hear they're important, but I've never heard a good explanation of them.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3g8j76/eli5_kernels_computing/
{ "a_id": [ "ctvueaz", "ctvvcak", "ctvwbf6" ], "score": [ 18, 2, 68 ], "text": [ "A kernel does all kind of commonly needed stuff for you:\n\n* interacting with hardware and provide a standardized interface (so you don't have to write separate code for - as an example - each differ...
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[ [], [], [] ]
6lcr5e
When did people start calling themselves "Italians" and "Germans"?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6lcr5e/when_did_people_start_calling_themselves_italians/
{ "a_id": [ "djt4q2u" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "[This question came up about a year ago](_URL_0_), although it's a good question that can certainly merit more discussion.\n\nFor Italy, the short answer is, \"When Napoleon crowned himself King of Italy.\" Prior to then the concept of an Italian...
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[ [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/47f42y/what_did_italy_and_germany_mean_before_the/" ] ]
2shkpc
In the second world war, was there ever an incident of a ship being captured by one side, then pressed into service for use against its former operator?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2shkpc/in_the_second_world_war_was_there_ever_an/
{ "a_id": [ "cnpvxr4" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "The IJN used several ships captured from the British, Dutch and Americans as convoy escorts. These weren't captured in the traditional sense - they were never boarded. Instead, they were scuttled in port by their former owners when capture of the...
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[ [ "http://www.combinedfleet.com/kaigun.htm", "combinedfleet.com" ] ]
2uunfv
If one were to throw a magnet at a metal object, would it accelerate before it hits the metal? If so, where does the change in kinetic energy come from?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2uunfv/if_one_were_to_throw_a_magnet_at_a_metal_object/
{ "a_id": [ "cocaui1" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ " > would it accelerate before it hits the metal?\n\nYes, it would. The extra kinetic energy comes the potential energy that was stored in the system due to two magnets between positioned at a distance from each other." ] }
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[ [] ]
6wkps8
according to data we have discovered 14% of all organisms on earth. where does this number come from, if the other 86% of haven't been discovered yet (and therefore we don't know if they exist)?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6wkps8/eli5_according_to_data_we_have_discovered_14_of/
{ "a_id": [ "dm8qycx", "dm8spf8", "dm8tqsm", "dm8tsty", "dm8wftn", "dm8wxhj", "dm8xwxe", "dm8yabp", "dm8z50t", "dm91ild", "dm942dr", "dm94qwb", "dm94xzy", "dm950mf", "dm952l9", "dm9538o", "dm95r8g", "dm96gm7", "dm96lgt", "dm96sxe", "d...
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[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6wkps8/eli5_according_to_data_we_have_discovered_14_of/dm9p05t/", "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdPDWGqjWh4&app=desktop", "https://www...
1p73hf
How do I calculate laser divergence?
I was reading [the wiki page on beam divergence](_URL_0_) and here's what (I think)I understand: First I need to find the divergence angle(theta?) using the equation: (laser wave length) / (pi * initial beam width) So a 500nm laser with initial beam with of 1cm(10,000,000nm) would be: 500 / (pi * 10,000,000) = 0.00...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1p73hf/how_do_i_calculate_laser_divergence/
{ "a_id": [ "cczrztg" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "The units of the result are [radians](_URL_0_). \n\nThis is a unit that is actually dimensionless. That is, an angle of one radian is an angle that forms a circular arc with a length equal to its radius. Meaning, radians measure the ratio between...
[]
[ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beam_divergence" ]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radian" ] ]
ar9n23
how do showers pump water to the highest floor?
So a "pushing" is applied to water in a pool somewhere underground. But what is doing that pushing? & #x200B; Is it air pushing onto the surface of the liquid? How do they fit the extra air in without some leaking back out? Is the liquid essentially being compressed and its volume maintained by being forced up a n...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ar9n23/eli5_how_do_showers_pump_water_to_the_highest/
{ "a_id": [ "eglmr2h", "eglsp0t" ], "score": [ 6, 2 ], "text": [ "I would say that it mostly depends on your location. A lot of places such as New York City have water towers placed on top of the buildings that feed via gravity.\nA lot of small towns where you see large water towers up hig...
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[ [], [ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZwfcMSDBHs" ] ]
ue5bx
Do Large Lakes Serves as Natural Storm Breaks?
I live about 20 miles due east of a relatively large lake/reservoir near the outside of where most Midwest thunderstorms develop. When I view them on public radars I've noticed a trend where large or severe storms will tend to split or break up as they approach this lake. I know that the air conditions around large bo...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/ue5bx/do_large_lakes_serves_as_natural_storm_breaks/
{ "a_id": [ "c4umpc5" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Yes, you're correct. **Lake modified air** can have an impact on these types of storms. Mostly in a way directly [opposite to this](_URL_2_) in the winter. In the spring/summer the lake is relatively cool compared to the land and induces subside...
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[ [ "http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/Atmosphere/tstorm/tstorm_formation.html", "http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9a/Rainshadow_copy.jpg", "http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/buf/lakeffect/form.html" ] ]
2l1j5i
During the Carboniferous, O2 levels were 163% modern levels while CO2 was 800ppm. With so many plants, why were CO2 levels so high relative to modern levels?
If anyone can provide a detailed figure for the varying levels of O2 and CO2 that would be fantastic (because obviously these values fluctuated). Curious to know why the CO2 was so high relative to modern levels though - was it due to stomata size / density? With such high CO2 was ocean acidification far more prominent...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2l1j5i/during_the_carboniferous_o2_levels_were_163/
{ "a_id": [ "clqzb7i", "clr0azc" ], "score": [ 5, 3 ], "text": [ "Are you sure you mean the Carboniferous here? That period actually saw a huge drop in global CO2 level, indicated by \"C\" [in this graph](_URL_0_) around 300-350 million years ago. \n\nThose pCO2 levels had been steadily fa...
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[ [ "http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/76/Phanerozoic_Carbon_Dioxide.png" ], [] ]
27jxv7
What are the neurological differences, if any, between reading a physical book and reading online?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/27jxv7/what_are_the_neurological_differences_if_any/
{ "a_id": [ "ci1o537" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "I'm not entirely sure about the standards of this journal, but it does have citations. I'll try to sum up the author's major points that are at least supported by studies:\n\n1) Reading online requires much more \"cognitive space\" for a number o...
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[ [ "http://firstmonday.org/ojs/index.php/fm/article/view/3340/2985#p10" ] ]
a8avzp
Does Mars have enough mass to support a habitable atmosphere?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/a8avzp/does_mars_have_enough_mass_to_support_a_habitable/
{ "a_id": [ "ecadv7h" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Titan, a moon of Saturn, has about 1/5 the mass of Mars but holds an atmosphere with 1.5 times Earth's atmospheric pressure. So theoretically yes.\n\nOne big difference is that Titan is much colder than Mars and nowhere near habitable, but it tu...
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[ [ "https://www.amazon.com/Principles-Planetary-Climate-Raymond-Pierrehumbert/dp/0521865565" ] ]
177lwi
the american game-show 'jeopardy'
As a Brit I have never been exposed to the game-show apart from the odd bit through pop culture. Would anyone mind explaining it to my simple British mind?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/177lwi/elif_the_american_gameshow_jeopardy/
{ "a_id": [ "c82y4m9", "c82y5gf", "c82y5ra", "c82y68k", "c82y6eh", "c82ygga", "c82zvod", "c837a04" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 14, 3, 3, 2, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "just a trivia show. There are three rounds. First and Second rounds have 7 (I think) cate...
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[ [], [ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sy8Zdjkpmzk" ], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
6zlgr0
what is the premise of the 'shadow' that carl jung wrote about?
I've tried reading about it but it keeps going over my head, it won't stay in!
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6zlgr0/eli5_what_is_the_premise_of_the_shadow_that_carl/
{ "a_id": [ "dmw6uc8" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "The idea is that we look at ourselves in a good light, and this casts a shadow that hides from us our true selves.\n\nHe believed that we had to face that shadow in our journey to self realization. Facing that shadow means recognizing that all th...
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40le3p
how can the suns rays make you feel mentally/psychologically better?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/40le3p/eli5_how_can_the_suns_rays_make_you_feel/
{ "a_id": [ "cyv6k69" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Mostly your brain (pineal gland) produces two kinds of \"drugs\" (hormones): one for the day (serotonin) and one for the night (melatonin). This is part of your inner clock. Serotonin keeps you awake and melatonin makes you sleepy. Light, special...
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fq5jqz
how can people take old videos and upscale them to 4k?
The video that made me ask this is this one [_URL_0_](_URL_0_) A-ha: Take on me in 4k. How is this possible when 4k didn't exist when the video was made?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/fq5jqz/eli5_how_can_people_take_old_videos_and_upscale/
{ "a_id": [ "flopklt", "floqgtz" ], "score": [ 9, 2 ], "text": [ "That video was recorded in 1985 on film from my understanding.\n\nFilm itself has a resolution way beyond 4K depending on the grain size. As long as the film is preserved, it can be re-scanned using a higher resolution scann...
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[ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djV11Xbc914" ]
[ [], [] ]
byeeg1
why does water and air feel different at the same temp? full question below.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/byeeg1/eli5_why_does_water_and_air_feel_different_at_the/
{ "a_id": [ "eqgny9b" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Transmission of energy. Water holds and absorbs tremendously more energy than air, that's why it takes so much more airflow volume to create the same cooling effect as water." ] }
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bndjtz
The Great Arab Revolt
I've been reading about the period of 1915 - 1918 which is when the Great Arab Revolt happened. & #x200B; My question is: Arabs revolted against the Ottoman Empire alongside the British and French while at the same time, Arabs fought (Might have been forceful) with the Ottomans against the Colonial forces. How did ...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/bndjtz/the_great_arab_revolt/
{ "a_id": [ "en6czra" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ "I'll try to answer your question, sorry if it doesn't satisfy you.\n\nFirst, despite its name (and what was believed to be by Arab and Turkish nationalist historiography), there was no general \"Arab Revolt\" against the Ottoman Empire. Firstly, ...
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4tfbu3
A poor family living in the woods circa 1500; how did they find husbands and wives for their children?
I recently saw the movie "The Witch" (terrible), but it made me wonder where they would find spouses for their children. The village shunned them, and there's no one else around. Edit: Specifically England and settlers of New England.
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4tfbu3/a_poor_family_living_in_the_woods_circa_1500_how/
{ "a_id": [ "d5h0cuj", "d5h5f3y" ], "score": [ 9, 55 ], "text": [ "Hi, can you specify which region/culture you're asking about? That will greatly assist anyone contemplating answering here. Thanks! ", "The average woods-living family would not have been quite as isolated as the family...
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[ [], [] ]
285h83
What is the largest molecule, and how is a single molecule defined (as opposed to an amount of a certain compound)?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/285h83/what_is_the_largest_molecule_and_how_is_a_single/
{ "a_id": [ "ci7nowa", "ci7tak1" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "My guess (depending on your definition) would be some sort of plastic, seeing as how they basically form long chains from repeating units (*monomers* forming *polymers*). For plastics, this size can either be defined as the ...
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[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mole_%28unit%29" ], [] ]
dy1d3b
why does some movie theaters get to show a movie a day or two before it's actual release date?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dy1d3b/eli5_why_does_some_movie_theaters_get_to_show_a/
{ "a_id": [ "f80w7at" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "They're called advanced screenings, and they have several purposes.\n\nThey're leveraged for publicity and marketing for many shows. A private screening for film critics means getting reviews out early. Including a few VIPs and well-connected peo...
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6q0dhp
how are damages caused by disasters calculated and reported? how accurate should i expect them to be?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6q0dhp/eli5_how_are_damages_caused_by_disasters/
{ "a_id": [ "dktlq02", "dktnrc9" ], "score": [ 2, 4 ], "text": [ "Hi there molycow,\n\nJust as a disclaimer, I'm not an expert in disaster losses calculation.\nHowever, based on my experience from the hail storms that occurred in Sydney (it's happened many times, always every 2-3 years).\n...
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519pa8
how does social science work?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/519pa8/eli5_how_does_social_science_work/
{ "a_id": [ "d7ab1xv" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "Social science is very much a soft science. It is a science, in that the Scientific Method is applied to try and find facts. However, there is an inherent, recognized difficulty in accurately measuring and testing in these fields.\n\nPhilosophy i...
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1k6mmy
How far has the crown gone through the royal family tree to find the closest living relative?
I was doing my summer history project and I read something that reminded me about [this CGPGrey video](_URL_0_). In the video it says that the crown will go however far it needs to through the royal family tree to find a living candidate for the crown. What is the furthest "distance" the crown has had to go?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1k6mmy/how_far_has_the_crown_gone_through_the_royal/
{ "a_id": [ "cbmif0t" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "Depends how you look at the War of the Roses. In terms of the most distantly related successor, Henry VII was the third cousin once removed of Richard III. However, this took place in the Wars of the Roses when there were often several competing ...
[]
[ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUY6HGqYweQ&feature=c4-overview&list=UU2C_jShtL725hvbm1arSV9w" ]
[ [] ]
1p1rsx
Did the 'Cult of the Feathered Serpent' play a significant role in the end of Mayan civilization?
I was watching a documentary on PBS called 'In Search of the Lost Maya' and, among other things, they mentioned (kinda offhand) how the 'Cult of the Feathered Serpent' was beginning to take hold in the northern regions of Mayan civilization just as their governmental structure etc was falling apart. I'm not sure how th...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1p1rsx/did_the_cult_of_the_feathered_serpent_play_a/
{ "a_id": [ "ccxx46z" ], "score": [ 112 ], "text": [ "No, not really.\n\nThe \"Feathered Serpent Cult\" is a name that archaeologists and iconographers have given to a pan-Mesoamerican explosion of imagery associated with Quetzalcoatl/Kukulkan dating to the Epiclassic period (around the time of th...
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36tsg4
why, despite the various laws against it, is vigilantism wrong?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/36tsg4/eli5_why_despite_the_various_laws_against_it_is/
{ "a_id": [ "crh0p3v" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Per the Constitution, accused criminals have a lot of rights. They need to be investigated by the police, tried by the DA, represented by a lawyer, found guilty by a jury, and sentenced by a judge. There's a lot of people involved in that, who sh...
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