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8e08ee
why is integral of velocity equal to displacement?
So if you graph the velocity as a function and then find the area under the curve, why does that give you the displacement? I get how velocity is the derivative of displacement and doing the opposite which is integrating velocity would obviously get you back to displacement but I just don’t get why that means you have ...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8e08ee/eli5_why_is_integral_of_velocity_equal_to/
{ "a_id": [ "dxrdl0p", "dxrgsgy" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "An area under a function is the definition of an integral.\n\nOr think of it this way: you have a height of a function on a graph. The slope of the function indicates if the height is getting bigger or smaller. Ex: if your f...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
ettsci
how exactly is a person's phenotype determined? does every gene in our dna influence our phenotype?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ettsci/eli5_how_exactly_is_a_persons_phenotype/
{ "a_id": [ "ffij14n" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "So to start, there are dominant and recessive genes. You have two sets of every gene (one from each parent), so when one is dominant and the other recessive, the recessive gene isn't contributing anything (in reality this can be a bit more compli...
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4tso90
how do laser range finders work? wouldn't the laser bounce away when it hits the target?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4tso90/eli5_how_do_laser_range_finders_work_wouldnt_the/
{ "a_id": [ "d5jwe7b" ], "score": [ 11 ], "text": [ "if there is a visible dot on the surface, than atleast *some* of that light is being reflected back at you.\n\ndoesnt even need to be visible to you, as the device is going to be far more sensitive." ] }
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[ [] ]
3ak1u6
The Anglican Church: Ancient Institution or Created by Henry VIII?
There are those who say that the church in England was founded independently of Rome and has existed since the early middle ages. Others contend that the it only came into existence with the Act of Supremacy. The first theory smacks of revisionism (like the "Trail of Blood") to me. Is there any evidence for a distinct,...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3ak1u6/the_anglican_church_ancient_institution_or/
{ "a_id": [ "csdjhor" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Not to any greater a degree than in other regions of Europe. The church in England, in all its guises, has possessed national character, expressed through saints' lives, relics, and architecture. In terms of a church hierarchy the Pope was the of...
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[ [] ]
4plcsp
Whats stopping us from using H2O electrolysis as energy storage for solar arrays?
I know that one of the bigger costs in solar energy is finding a way to store all the energy you gather during the day for later use, so my question is, why use batteries? Is it feasible to try and electrolyse water from the electricity created by your solar array, storing the oxygen and hydrogen gas to be used in the...
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/4plcsp/whats_stopping_us_from_using_h2o_electrolysis_as/
{ "a_id": [ "d4lxrm6", "d4ly909", "d4minbg" ], "score": [ 23, 3, 3 ], "text": [ "People have been talking about the \"Hydrogen Economy\" since the 70s, but there are some significant issues that have plagued it, although a lot of smart people are working on the problems.\n\nThe fir...
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[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen_embrittlement", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal-organic_framework" ], [], [] ]
6p4576
how did people who found other people who speak a previously unknown language translate it to the point of perfection?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6p4576/eli5_how_did_people_who_found_other_people_who/
{ "a_id": [ "dkmfg1e" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "The same way children who previously don't know any language learn it to perfection: someone learns the unknown language. As soon as you've got a few people that can translate, the accuracy of it snowballs. " ] }
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7te4qe
What happened to General Montgomery after Operation: Market Garden failed?
I know he bet big on Market Garden and it failed to achieve most of its goals. Was he still a high level commander or did he quietly retire? Who took over his position? Patton?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/7te4qe/what_happened_to_general_montgomery_after/
{ "a_id": [ "dtbzkfg" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "tl;dr - Almost nothing changed in Montgomery's situation, he continued in command of the 21st Army Group which included most (all?) of the Commonwealth combat divisions, and several US units, until the end of the war.\n\nFor a while since the inv...
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[ [] ]
am9ewk
Are there any good online sources on the Opium Wars?
It thought I should come here to look for help on this topic. I’m just looking for some online sources on the opium wars. Articles, newspapers, and other websites would help.
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/am9ewk/are_there_any_good_online_sources_on_the_opium/
{ "a_id": [ "efkxh0l" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "It is difficult to prove a negative, but from my experience the answer is 'basically no, unless you count output on this subreddit.' While academic consensus on the Opium War has swung decisively in the revisionist direction, most online articles...
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[ [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/wiki/profiles/enclavedmicrostate#wiki_opium_wars_and_opium_in_china", "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/wiki/profiles/enclavedmicrostate#wiki_saturday_showcases" ] ]
805q7a
How were the Persians able to field so vast armies? And what are the logistics behind such a monumental effort.
Pardon my English since i'm not a native speaker :) - And i'm also sorry if this have been asked before. There are records telling of the Persians in classical times, being able to field armies the size of more than 200 thousand soldiers. How and why was this possible and what logistics problems did they have to overc...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/805q7a/how_were_the_persians_able_to_field_so_vast/
{ "a_id": [ "dutsho2" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ "Hi! You might be interested in [this post](_URL_0_) I wrote recently about the Persian army numbers you find in sources like Herodotos and Xenophon. In short, these numbers are not reliable historic facts, but estimates that were meant to look pl...
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[ [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/7lkmwo/did_ancient_people_knew_their_quoted_numbers_of/drn48gt/" ] ]
qsbax
Is there a reason that the letters towards the end of the western alphabet (the last five in particular) are less frequently used than the others?
This seems to be an even more prevalent phenomena when looking at the number of words that begin with these letters, for example the number of words beginning with V is a lot fewer than N or B. edit: Just realised this isn't perhaps the most science-y (for want of a better word) question, but oh well, too late now...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/qsbax/is_there_a_reason_that_the_letters_towards_the/
{ "a_id": [ "c401t7a" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "keep in mind that they are less frequently used *in english*. spanish uses y and z quite a bit. french uses x all the time. italian also uses z a lot. so while they might not be common letters in english, they are common in other languages" ] }
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[ [] ]
2l9m2s
what are the us voting for today?
I'm from England, I don't understand politics the greatest, not in the UK nor the US. However I understand you elect a new president every 4 years and a president cannot be president for longer than 8 years (2 terms). What exactly do you vote for in what is being called a 'mid term'? I believe the UK has something si...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2l9m2s/eli5_what_are_the_us_voting_for_today/
{ "a_id": [ "clsoi9k", "clsosyu", "clsq2fx" ], "score": [ 7, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Congress gets voted in more often. The House of Representatives(like your House of Commons) gets completely re-voted every two years, so they're all up for election, and the Senate(vaguely similar to an...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Senate", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_House_of_Representatives" ], [] ]
3jn9fw
expiration dates for painkillers (details inside)
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3jn9fw/eli5_expiration_dates_for_painkillers_details/
{ "a_id": [ "cuqo1sg", "cuqr149", "cuqvjai", "cur08hw" ], "score": [ 5, 5, 4, 3 ], "text": [ "You are looking at date Filled vs date expired. Not date manufactured vs date expired. These drugs are created in large quantities but that doesnt mean they all get distributed at ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [ "http://www.emedexpert.com/tips/expired-meds.shtml" ] ]
u72k2
To what extent is modern US law derived from Roman law?
I know that US law is derived from English common law which developed as somewhat of an alternative to the Roman-based civil law of continental Europe; what I don't know is the extent to which common law and other US laws can be said to derive from the legal tradition of Roman and Romance civilization. Can anyone eluci...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/u72k2/to_what_extent_is_modern_us_law_derived_from/
{ "a_id": [ "c4swmkx", "c4sxhgn" ], "score": [ 6, 7 ], "text": [ "In *The Common Law* Oliver Wendell Holmes looks at similarities between Roman and common law but I can't remember if he establishes that any common law doctrines were derived from, as oppose to merely resemble, Roman doctrin...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
15wbgz
why do we say "on the plane", "on the train", but "in the car"?
Why do we say on in some situations and in in others for the same meaning? On the sub, On the blimp, In the cart. Edit: On a related note why do you go on vacation but into work?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/15wbgz/eli5_why_do_we_say_on_the_plane_on_the_train_but/
{ "a_id": [ "c7qdyzt", "c7qe10e", "c7qe1ys", "c7qe8cn", "c7qedlx", "c7qelru", "c7qeqkz", "c7qetxb", "c7qeuoa", "c7qevex", "c7qewam", "c7qey5w", "c7qezr9", "c7qfskw", "c7qfziz", "c7qg9gu", "c7qjhxm", "c7qlg2p", "c7qnvfm", "c7qo0sb", "c...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/15wbgz/eli5_why_do_we_say_on_the_plane_on_the_train_but/c7qfrze" ], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://aclweb.org/aclwiki/index.php?title=Multiword_Expressions",...
2iysqh
Light splits in all colors, so is light just a ray of photons with different colors?
For example, the first photon is red, second is blue, third is yellow, fourth is blue, etc... Or doesnt it work like that?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2iysqh/light_splits_in_all_colors_so_is_light_just_a_ray/
{ "a_id": [ "cl6q371", "cl6usyw" ], "score": [ 5, 2 ], "text": [ "Yes. You can think of sunlight for example as a very large stream of photons of a variety of colors (wavelengths). For sunlight, the distribution looks like [this](_URL_0_).", "Yes! \n\nWhen light splits (like when you p...
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[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunlight#mediaviewer/File:Solar_spectrum_en.svg" ], [ "http://coolcosmos.ipac.caltech.edu/cosmic_classroom/ir_tutorial/discovery.html", "http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/refrn/Lesson-4/Dispersion-of-Light-by-Prisms" ] ]
740d9n
How did the free peasant republic in Dithmarschen in the 15th and 16th centuries actually function?
As a political body, it was clearly effective enough to organize defence on multiple occasions. How would that have been carried out? How would the lives of Dithmarschers been different from peasants in other Hanseatic places?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/740d9n/how_did_the_free_peasant_republic_in_dithmarschen/
{ "a_id": [ "dnv1o0i" ], "score": [ 241 ], "text": [ "I've basically covered this on a podcast, so let me start with that.\n\nYour answer is in this episode:\n_URL_0_\n\nThat show was actually about the region south of Dithmarschen. But the cause of their freedom was the same:\n\nIt's swampy and t...
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[]
[ [ "https://www.acast.com/historyofgermany/026-frisianfreedom" ] ]
960p8g
Catharism was a militant heresy that gained strong support in Southern France in the 13th century before being suppressed in the two decade Albigensian Crusade. Two or three centuries later, Southern France again became a bastion of militant religious heresy with French Huguenots. Any connection?
Catharism seems like it completely dissippeared in the 14th century but I know other medieval Christian heresies like Lollardy survived in England until the 16th century when it merged with the Protestant Reformation, so is it possible that Catharism or some cultural elements or memories of it survived in Southern Fran...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/960p8g/catharism_was_a_militant_heresy_that_gained/
{ "a_id": [ "e3y8q0r" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "I've asked a few questions about Cathars on this sub, and it seems that a lot of historians question whether the Cathars even existed at all. \nYou might want to look at this answer about Cathars from u/sunagainstgold\n\n_URL_0_\n" ] }
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[ [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/49rn50/how_did_catharism_start_develop_and_become_so/" ] ]
5kmkqg
why is the tachometer (rpm counter) so large in a car's dashboard (as large as the speed dial)? how is the information useful to the average driver?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5kmkqg/eli5eli5_why_is_the_tachometer_rpm_counter_so/
{ "a_id": [ "dbp152l", "dbp1ins", "dbp1o03", "dbp3dic" ], "score": [ 6, 3, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "Great if you drive a manual. Tells you if your revs are too high and you need to shift up, or too low and you need to shift down. No idea why you'd want one on an automatic. ", ...
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[ [], [], [], [] ]
gn2uz
Would you hear an explosion in space from Earth/Endor?
In Return of the Jedi, when the 2nd Death Star is destroyed, everyone on Endor can see AND hear it. Could sound waves actually travel from space to a planet?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/gn2uz/would_you_hear_an_explosion_in_space_from/
{ "a_id": [ "c1os7i8", "c1osnf4" ], "score": [ 2, 3 ], "text": [ "IANA explosion expert. But being historically inclined, I remembered that there have been a few nuclear explosions in the very high atmosphere, and so I went looking for information there. You can find more information tha...
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[ [ "http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA955411&Location=U2&doc=GetTRDoc.pdf" ], [] ]
3gbdc4
Were there any universally agreed upon "rules of engagement" for hand-to-hand combat in pre-firearm era battles?
My question is basically what you would see when the phalanx broke, or when the initial charge ended. I know some of the bloodiest combat happened after formations broke, but were there rules to how you fought with the enemy, i.e. one-on-one.
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3gbdc4/were_there_any_universally_agreed_upon_rules_of/
{ "a_id": [ "ctwpmd0" ], "score": [ 14 ], "text": [ " > I know some of the bloodiest combat happened after formations broke\n\nThe bloodiest combat would happen after the formation of *one side* broke, and almost all of the blood would come from them.\n\n > but were there rules to how you fought...
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[ [] ]
bx3c4t
how does the brain create brand new words?
Is it started in Werneke’s area (or Broca’s area, can’t remember which does what at the moment)? How does the brain decide “oh I need a new word to describe this, here’s something I pulled out of thin air?” Like I called a pain I would get in my stomach as a kid “tummy crustles.” Obviously “crustles” isn’t an English w...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bx3c4t/eli5_how_does_the_brain_create_brand_new_words/
{ "a_id": [ "eq2z046" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Creativity. You could have merged together \"rustles\" with \"cramp\" or just added a c to the beginning because it was amusing to 8 year old you. Or you just randomly thought of it and it stuck.\n\nFor an example not involving language, imagine ...
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[ [] ]
1ri567
modern militia purposes?
What do modern militias do? I'm referring to state militias, but not the National Guard. Are they just for natural disaster relief?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ri567/eli5modern_militia_purposes/
{ "a_id": [ "cdngxh6", "cdnjnxn", "cdnktue", "cdnn128" ], "score": [ 16, 5, 7, 2 ], "text": [ "The are a remnant of an earlier time. The truth is they aren't all that important, but many states feel strongly about maintaining their right to have one (Which is the true poin...
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[ [], [], [], [] ]
5bmvxf
In theory and practice, how did the fascism of Italy and Austria differ from the fascism of Nazi Germany?
My understanding of fascism is very crude. From what I understand, all fascist movements are defined by the enforcement of hierarchy, the valorization of violence, the destruction of democratic governance, and a strong focus on the strength of the nation. However, the fascism present in Mussolini's Italy and, briefly, ...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/5bmvxf/in_theory_and_practice_how_did_the_fascism_of/
{ "a_id": [ "d9pxz1e", "d9pzakh", "d9qfqnn", "d9qvgvj", "d9r1g9c" ], "score": [ 46, 22, 2, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Italian Fascism was a hybrid ideology in practice: it drew elements from socialism (state interventions in economy, an emphasis on welfare policies like pub...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prelate", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Social_Party_(Austria\\)" ], [], [] ]
9i96y7
why and how do electronic devices draw only as much current from a power source as required in that very moment?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9i96y7/eli5_why_and_how_do_electronic_devices_draw_only/
{ "a_id": [ "e6htuna", "e6hvkwr", "e6hxsgx" ], "score": [ 6, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "Everything draws only as much as it needs.\n\nElectricity flows a little like water, for ELI5. You open the radio a little when you need just a little, or all the way when you want a lot.\n\nYour televi...
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[]
[ [], [], [] ]
vcq00
Is vaporizing really healthier than smoking?
I've Googled this, but most of the results were specific to weed or part of an e-cigarette forum. I'd like to know if there is actual evidence that supports the common idea that vaporizing is better than smoking. I ask this because I'm particularly interested in whether electronic cigarettes (which, from what I under...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/vcq00/is_vaporizing_really_healthier_than_smoking/
{ "a_id": [ "c53ch4t", "c53efjl" ], "score": [ 2, 4 ], "text": [ "It's healthier since you do not inhale the ash and carcinogens that are present when substances are burned. Smoking involves burning the weed/tobacco, thus chemically carcinogens are formed. Vaporizing relies on heating the ...
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[]
[ [], [ "http://phys.org/news/2010-12-evidence-e-cigs-safer-cigarettes.html" ] ]
1xig8h
Light travels so fast that, for all intents and purposes, it's either there or it's not. So what am I seeing when I turn a light off and slowly watch the bulb or housing dim and glow faintly in the dark?
I mean, it's giving off light, right? But how is the incredibly fast light lingering enough for my eye to even see it?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1xig8h/light_travels_so_fast_that_for_all_intents_and/
{ "a_id": [ "cfbq0wk", "cfbrh81" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "If this is a lamp you \"burn\"; one with a filament or an arc-lamp. These work by heating an excitable gas inside the bulb, that gas releases light. That gas and filament are pretty hot, and don't cool instantly, just b...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
199scy
How does Gesture Recognition work? (Computing)
Writing a report on how gesture recognition, which needs to include a technical explanation on gesture recognition, specifically within 2D cameras. I've done research into the including some other reddit [posts in gaming](_URL_1_) AND [tasker](_URL_0_). However, I can not find an explanation of how the computer transla...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/199scy/how_does_gesture_recognition_work_computing/
{ "a_id": [ "c8m3xoo" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "There's a lot of techniques for this, and it's an active research area in man-machine interaction and artificial intelligence. If all you have to do is write an introductory section, look up some survey or review papers on the field. [This](_URL_...
[]
[ "http://www.reddit.com/r/tasker/comments/14dr11/how_to_use_nova_launcher_gestures_to_give_you/", "http://www.reddit.com/r/compsci/comments/huge9/kinect_artificial_neural_networks_gesture/" ]
[ [ "http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpls/abs_all.jsp?arnumber=4154947", "http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F3-540-46616-9_10?LI=true", "http://students.sabanciuniv.edu/~kamer/Magitact/References/Other%20Papers/Vision_Gesture_Recog.pdf", "http://atenea.inf.udec.cl/~rafasepulveda/Gesture%20Recogniti...
1y0e72
how significant was finding the rosetta stone?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1y0e72/eli5_how_significant_was_finding_the_rosetta_stone/
{ "a_id": [ "cfg7x3k", "cfg7zoz" ], "score": [ 5, 2 ], "text": [ "From an archaeological and histological perspective, massively significant. Before the discovery of the Rosetta Stone we were unable to decipher hieroglyphics from ancient Egypt. The Rosetta Stone had 3 blocks of characters ...
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[ [], [] ]
1l0sbi
how were cameras allowed inside of concentration camps?
You see all of this footage of people being tortured in concentration camps in school and on the internet. How were these people allowed to record what was going on? I thought most people didn't realize that the holocaust was going on during that time.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1l0sbi/eli5_how_were_cameras_allowed_inside_of/
{ "a_id": [ "cbulry2", "cbulwmc", "cbulx7x", "cbummu6", "cbup54l", "cbur17m", "cburbek", "cburrqx", "cbuta2j" ], "score": [ 58, 23, 26, 2, 16, 4, 8, 2, 7 ], "text": [ "Well the Nazi's documented and kept thourough records of the conce...
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[]
[ [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohrdruf_concentration_camp#Liberation" ], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
br0njb
how does the price of the dollar affect the economy of foreign countries?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/br0njb/eli5_how_does_the_price_of_the_dollar_affect_the/
{ "a_id": [ "eo98isz" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "If the price of the dollar (exchange rate) is low, it means that countries with a different currency can buy the same US products for less money. Example: company A sells 100 products for 100 USD to a foreign company B. Now the exchange rate fall...
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[ [] ]
4hw4mf
what stops the bones in your foot from ripping through your flesh and skin with all the pressure from walking and running?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4hw4mf/eli5_what_stops_the_bones_in_your_foot_from/
{ "a_id": [ "d2stikk", "d2sv5ip" ], "score": [ 7, 3 ], "text": [ "The bones aren't that sharp and your skin isn't that weak. That's really the long and short of it.", "Where your bones bear on the outside world they have pads - your heel, for example, has quite a thick pad of for want ...
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[ [], [] ]
2b1grt
on reddit, why are links to youtube, sometimes written as "_url_0_" (dot after u, before b), next to the title
Sometimes it's _URL_0_
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2b1grt/eli5_on_reddit_why_are_links_to_youtube_sometimes/
{ "a_id": [ "cj0u216", "cj0u2e1", "cj0u4o9", "cj0ztvo" ], "score": [ 16, 12, 14, 10 ], "text": [ "Because that's what youtube gives you when you click the \"link\" option from the \"share\" box. It's designed to save a few extra letters for stuff like twitter where that mat...
[ "youtu.be" ]
[ "www.youtube.com" ]
[ [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/URL_shortening" ], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domain_hack", "http://redd.it/2b1grt" ] ]
4kw2is
Did the Persians really have massive casualties at the battle of Thermopylae?
I mean in most movies/comics/whatever you see/read that the persian casualties were massive. but could those few spartans really do "massive" casualties to the persian army?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4kw2is/did_the_persians_really_have_massive_casualties/
{ "a_id": [ "d3ip2nd" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "They suffered heavy casualties *but* that's relative to the losses incurred by a winning side. The thing with ancient and medieval battles is that the majority of losses in a battle were suffered by losers when they routed - the winners could cut...
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[ [] ]
7323do
physical nature of genes.
A friend of mine asked me about the physical nature of genes but I could not satisfy her. Have the genes any appearance like beads or anything like that? And how is one gene separated from another on a chromosomes locus?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7323do/eli5_physical_nature_of_genes/
{ "a_id": [ "dnmzjky", "dnn1d07" ], "score": [ 2, 4 ], "text": [ "DNA is a string of nucleotides. some of it codes for proteins, some of it controls the expression of genes, some of it is junk. All of it looks the same, it's the same four amino acids in billions of different patterns.\n\nS...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
5qzj1n
Clothing in Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic Greece
Heya :) I recently made a character for a p & p whose homeland is oriented towards ancient greece, and I'd like to know more about the clothing aspect. - What clothes were common, for what ocassion (work, travel, etc) and for whom (social class, gender)? - What were common colours? - How many (different) clothes did o...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/5qzj1n/clothing_in_archaic_classical_and_hellenistic/
{ "a_id": [ "dd4ilsy" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Clothes in ancient Greece are basically just a variety of rectangles. The most basic garment is a chiton and that is essentially piece of cloth folded around the body in a U shape. The opening fell on one side of the body, under the arm. The garm...
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[ [] ]
axn6g7
How did amber encapsulations happen?
[deleted]
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/axn6g7/how_did_amber_encapsulations_happen/
{ "a_id": [ "ehvhb2j", "ehvwxk1" ], "score": [ 79, 13 ], "text": [ "It probably landed on this poor guy or he fell into it. The weight of the Amber is irrelevant, once it's encapsulated the antenna have plenty of time to spring back before the Amber hardens. Bugs die of oxygen deprevation ...
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[ [], [] ]
9sgnxo
if 52*7 is 364 where do we get our extra day to make a 365 day calendar year?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9sgnxo/eli5_if_527_is_364_where_do_we_get_our_extra_day/
{ "a_id": [ "e8oli6j", "e8oljc9", "e8olk5e", "e8olmp4", "e8om225", "e8pqwph" ], "score": [ 2, 5, 2, 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "52 is just a rough enough guide to how many days there are in a year but if you add the days of each month, you'll get 365.", "There...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
2wkwh4
Can something be genetically modified "on the fly" and see results in a (relatively) short period of time or is that something that has to be done before birth?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2wkwh4/can_something_be_genetically_modified_on_the_fly/
{ "a_id": [ "cos3hk3" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "You can't just re-engineer a somatic cell (non-sex cell) and expect to see changes in the whole body just because of that one change (all of its daughter cells will be different, but only them). You can re-engineer somatic cells with a virus (a.....
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[ [] ]
zzd7f
How can I make water boil faster?
Say I pour water in a pot getting ready to make some noodles. It usually takes around/over 10-15 minutes for the water to come to a steady boil. I use a gas stove, not an electric. Is there a way to make the boiling process faster? I've heard that adding salt to the water breaks the bonds of the hydrogen and oxygen, wh...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/zzd7f/how_can_i_make_water_boil_faster/
{ "a_id": [ "c690y79", "c6910cy", "c6911p5", "c69157t", "c6919cv", "c691q63", "c6920vm", "c693btb", "c69eibc" ], "score": [ 6, 12, 13, 9, 4, 4, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Start with hot water", "change your elevation", "If you aren...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://www.swri.org/10light/water.htm" ], [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://voices.yahoo.com/does-salt-water-boil-faster-5411319.html?cat=5" ] ]
p3ou9
how to legitimately change your last name?
So I've been contemplating this for awhile and I just need to know what one has to go through to change a last name. I am a freshman in college and wanted to change to my mother's maiden name. Anything can help!
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/p3ou9/eli5_how_to_legitimately_change_your_last_name/
{ "a_id": [ "c3mano5" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "I just recently did this! I can't tell you about maybe something weird in your county, but you go to your county of residence. It was super easy. I filled out forms and showed up on the date and time that they have open for name changes. The judg...
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[ [] ]
114kfu
Would there ever be a way to dissolve plaque without damaging teeth?
Plaque is a form of crystallization, right? Is it the same compound that teeth are made of?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/114kfu/would_there_ever_be_a_way_to_dissolve_plaque/
{ "a_id": [ "c6jbsj4" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Not quite, dental plaque is a biofilm formed by bacteria, not a crystal. Certainly not made of enamel. As for alternative methods to remove it, I'm not in the field, so I not sure what's available." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
1tzb5w
Did medieval armies have NCO's or something like a centurian to help lead troops into battle?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1tzb5w/did_medieval_armies_have_ncos_or_something_like_a/
{ "a_id": [ "ced9smv", "cedatds", "cedazja" ], "score": [ 5, 4, 6 ], "text": [ "For the albeit limited examples of the Holy Orders, the Templars had Sergeants. [Literary Source here](_URL_1_), as did the Hospitallers. [Additional source here, ](_URL_0_) \n\nI do not know about the...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://books.google.de/books/about/The_Central_Convent_of_Hospitallers_and.html?id=C5FOrh6O_cEC&redir_esc=y", "http://books.google.de/books/about/The_New_Knighthood.html?id=DhdfTczmwWoC&redir_esc=y" ], [], [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1sbjda/which_were_the_military_...
3qn8vd
why do some radio stations (usually more popular or "mainstream ones) raise the pitch or speed up the songs they play?
I *thought* I have noticed this before a few times but I felt like maybe I was just imagining things. But then I confirmed it that some do. I was covering a song at one point and then it came on the radio. Because I was covering, I was basically studying the song to a "T". So I knew it inside and out. Then I noticed th...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3qn8vd/eli5_why_do_some_radio_stations_usually_more/
{ "a_id": [ "cwgo1s0", "cwgod7o", "cwgon73", "cwhb0rz" ], "score": [ 19, 2, 13, 2 ], "text": [ "Just so the song is shorter. Sometimes they will cut sections out of songs too. What comes to mind is when Metallica released death magnetic back in '08.\n\n[The shortest song ...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_Magnetic#Track_listing" ], [], [], [] ]
20dxn5
"for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction". is there anything in the universe where this isn't true?
I'm no scientist but I did read somewhere that that statement is not true for everything, in what cases is it not true? Does anything spontaneously happen without an action causing it?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/20dxn5/eli5_for_every_action_there_is_an_equal_and/
{ "a_id": [ "cg2as4d" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Well, sure. There are all kinds of situations of one thing \"acting\" on another without getting \"acted\" on back, because \"acting\" is not a scientific word. That definition of Newton's Third Law is very vague and actually has no real meanin...
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[ [] ]
3gyt91
Why did the silk road and the other primary east-west trade routes cross through the desert instead of going north through the Eurasian steppes?
I know that the steppes weren't particularly hospitable either but it seems like at least in terms of grazing for caravans' horses and beasts of burden as well as water sources the steppes would be easier to pass through than the mountains and deserts of central Asia and the middle east.
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3gyt91/why_did_the_silk_road_and_the_other_primary/
{ "a_id": [ "cu2sx7e" ], "score": [ 15 ], "text": [ "It's important to remember that very few (if any) traders travelled the entire length of the silk road- it was more like a relay of different traders.\n\nThe central Asian deserts were already populated by nomadic people with a long tradition of...
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[ [] ]
12g9ax
What obscure folk tale/s from your area of speciality might have rivalled Grimm's fairytales if they had been helped to spread among Western culture at the right time?
I'd love to discover some of the best stories that are now lost outside of academia.
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/12g9ax/what_obscure_folk_tales_from_your_area_of/
{ "a_id": [ "c6urwfc", "c6uvet4" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "The tales of Hershele of Ostropol are quite entertaining. They're relatively well known amongst some Jews and Ukrainians.", "I'll refer you to [this story](_URL_0_), which isn't even very well known among Russians, I don...
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[]
[ [], [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/12ci5b/classical_scholars_what_are_your_favorite_obscure/c6u5yp1" ] ]
2a78y0
WW2 - U-boats vs the D-Day invasion fleet
Were German submarines put to use in patrolling possible routes to detect/attack the Allied invasion fleet during the run-up to D-Day? Or would that have been infeasible?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2a78y0/ww2_uboats_vs_the_dday_invasion_fleet/
{ "a_id": [ "cis80ks", "cis93mi" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "It was infeasible because it was suicidal. The invasion convoys were escorted by several dozen destroyers, frigates or other escort ships with Anti Submarine weapons on board. The RAF coastal c...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exercise_Tiger#Battle_of_Lyme_Bay", "http://s-boot.net/sboats-km-channel44.html", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-boat", "S-boot.net" ] ]
2qqx2h
how /r/adviceanimals isn't a default sub even though it has more subscribers than /r/explainlikeimfive?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2qqx2h/eli5_how_radviceanimals_isnt_a_default_sub_even/
{ "a_id": [ "cn8nilx" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "It used to be, and redditors got tired of the same misused full-of-shit memes clogging the page. I'm guessing reddit admins did as well." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
42lgk0
how much money is there in the world in total and how's it measured?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/42lgk0/eli5_how_much_money_is_there_in_the_world_in/
{ "a_id": [ "czb872o" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "For a while counting is the simplest way to measure money. I say that because eventually it gets tricky.\n\nThere is of course the cash money. Money in our pockets and in the cash drawers of registers. That is the smallest amount. It is counted a...
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[]
[ [] ]
1vno20
why you can get a heart attack if you're shocked or scared.
I'm not sure if it has something to do with blood pressure, but if it is, how is it so quick?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1vno20/eli5_why_you_can_get_a_heart_attack_if_youre/
{ "a_id": [ "ceu2acf" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "An increase in heart rate and/or blood pressure can dislodge fatty deposits in the arteries that feed the heart. If they break off they can block the supply of blood to parts of the heart. That's a heart attack. The heart muscle then begins to...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
2ofydt
Why did French revolutionaries prefer an emperor to a king?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2ofydt/why_did_french_revolutionaries_prefer_an_emperor/
{ "a_id": [ "cmmyl9f" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "In 1799, the French Directory was a corrupt political machine that used war to divert attention away from problems within France (such as how corrupt they were) and using war to gain funds for both the government and themselves. The coup of 18 Br...
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[ [] ]
1foogw
What is the most significant historical artifact that has been stolen or appropriated by a state after rediscovery?
For example, either outright stolen and sold in the black market only to disappear into some private collection, or something that may be sitting in a museum; which its country of origin is asking to be returned, while the current host country declines. Thank you.
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1foogw/what_is_the_most_significant_historical_artifact/
{ "a_id": [ "cacar9o" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "I can't say that this was a re-discovery, but one of the more interesting examples of something like this was when Texas revolutionists attacked and killed General Santa Anna and his army. They stole his wooden leg, and it was held in a museum in...
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[ [] ]
1gte4l
What makes gecko feet walk on whatever surface?
I watched a documentary about geckos which pretty much said that their feet are so unique that they interfere with the surface on a molecular level. Can I get a more specific answer on how exactly do they interfere?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1gte4l/what_makes_gecko_feet_walk_on_whatever_surface/
{ "a_id": [ "canmu5i", "cannfs5" ], "score": [ 4, 12 ], "text": [ "The idea is that Van der Waals force comes into effect as the \"hairs\" on the bottom of gecko's feet are so small.\n\n\nWiki has a good explanation of what this force is:\n > \"The van der Waals force is the sum of the att...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_der_Waals_force#Use_by_geckos" ], [ "http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2002/08/27-02.html", "http://www.pnas.org/content/99/19/12252.full.pdf+html" ] ]
dxmbcq
5: why is it so hard to replace plastics with another material with similar properties?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dxmbcq/elif5_why_is_it_so_hard_to_replace_plastics_with/
{ "a_id": [ "f7soiee", "f7sonp6", "f7tpnwm", "f7tw9dj" ], "score": [ 138, 3, 12, 6 ], "text": [ "Cost: plastic is extremely cheap to produce (also to recycle), currently nothing as cheap exists so companies will keep using what makes them the most money. \n\nProperties: the...
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[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
2rgt4a
why farmers give their cows nose rings
I've seen a few pics of cows (male cows, I think) with the nose ring. Is there a purpose there?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2rgt4a/eli5_why_farmers_give_their_cows_nose_rings/
{ "a_id": [ "cnfq5ez" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "It's to attach a leash to. It's very painful for a cow to pull against a lead when it's attached by the nose, so this allows humans to walk them around. If it were around their neck, there's no wah you'd get them to move unless they wanted to."...
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[ [] ]
4ajrel
how does mental illness start?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4ajrel/eli5_how_does_mental_illness_start/
{ "a_id": [ "d10x8e1", "d10xq2o" ], "score": [ 6, 2 ], "text": [ "It's a large category, including different illnesses with several different causes. These can include:\n\n- Chemical imbalances\n- Traumatic experiences\n- Inadequate care during the first 3 years of life\n- Brain injury\n- ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
9l0yl8
Why doesn't the water from the river mix with the water from the sea?
[_URL_0_](_URL_1_)
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/9l0yl8/why_doesnt_the_water_from_the_river_mix_with_the/
{ "a_id": [ "e7506z6" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "It is mixing. Just slowly and in places you can't see. The different densities, salinities and turbidities are very large so it will always take a long time to mix. Furthermore both bodies of water are being replenished so the mixing is counterba...
[]
[ "https://www.reddit.com/r/BeAmazed/comments/9l0s1q/where\\_yellow\\_river\\_meets\\_the\\_sea/", "https://www.reddit.com/r/BeAmazed/comments/9l0s1q/where_yellow_river_meets_the_sea/" ]
[ [] ]
fdhmsz
I don't understand how a serf and a slave in Medieval Europe were different? Was serfdom just slavery with extra steps?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/fdhmsz/i_dont_understand_how_a_serf_and_a_slave_in/
{ "a_id": [ "fjik17g" ], "score": [ 11 ], "text": [ "Serfs were a bit similar to slaves, but a slight bit more well off. While slaves were considered the property of their owners, serfs were not. And while they did not live the luxurious lifestyles of those they served, they still had their place,...
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[ [] ]
4ti7z2
why does it mess up my counting when someone starts saying random numbers
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4ti7z2/eli5_why_does_it_mess_up_my_counting_when_someone/
{ "a_id": [ "d5hlks9" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "It's not just counting which is effected by other people talking. A similar experience can be had when someone else talks to you about a similar topic at the same time as you try to speak (it's often used as a demonstration of what it's like to l...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://youtu.be/GaWhr7-X7sU?t=8m45s", "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnt8qWZAflI" ] ]
6k90nb
How did the Romans communicate their laws to newly conquered, non-Latin speaking territories?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6k90nb/how_did_the_romans_communicate_their_laws_to/
{ "a_id": [ "djkpcts" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "I'm going to speak in broad and general terms here, since you've asked a question that concerns a wide area both geographically, as well as temporally and in terms of existing, previous legal practices (conquered Greek or Hellenistic cities, f.e....
[]
[]
[ [ "http://avalon.law.yale.edu/ancient/charter_of_urso.asp", "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/49/Lex_Ursonensis_-_tabla_1_%28M.A.N._16736%29_01.jpg/1280px-Lex_Ursonensis_-_tabla_1_%28M.A.N._16736%29_01.jpg" ] ]
2xwfo9
What were the most sought after professions in the Ancient and Classic era?
Also some not so sought after professions would be interesting too. I know in Ancient Egypt that Scribes were seen as elite and skilled but I would like to know some other jobs that would have been up there in the food chain.
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2xwfo9/what_were_the_most_sought_after_professions_in/
{ "a_id": [ "cp4ccb3" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "Could you please specify more exactly what you're interested in? Antiquity encompasses a period of several thousand years, with myriad peoples and cultures interacting with each other for every moment of that time. Depending on time and place the...
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[ [] ]
153rk4
is there an actual quote from bible that condems homosexuality?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/153rk4/is_there_an_actual_quote_from_bible_that_condems/
{ "a_id": [ "c7j0fw4", "c7j135d", "c7j7kb1", "c7kcnm9" ], "score": [ 4, 4, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "It depends on what you believe 1 Corinthians 6:9 says\n\nThe Apostle Paul warns people against being \"arsenokoitai\" in the original Greek language text. Arsenokoitai were male sh...
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[ [], [], [], [] ]
afzqqn
how do you get four first degree murder charges from one death?
Sad story if the allegations are true, but the charges confuse me. _URL_0_ TLDR: A 19 year old man allegedly killed his gf’s 4 year old daughter for spilling juice on his Xbox. He has been charged with four counts of first degree murder.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/afzqqn/eli5_how_do_you_get_four_first_degree_murder/
{ "a_id": [ "ee3uref" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "This is a case of 'throwing everything at the wall and seeing what sticks'.\n\nOr to put this another way - if you really piss the government or wrong person off they can really fuck up your life.\n\nNormally if you punch your girlfriend that's o...
[]
[ "https://www.ctvnews.ca/mobile/world/man-accused-in-death-of-girl-4-who-spilled-juice-on-xbox-1.4251640" ]
[ [] ]
a6w7zv
why do foreign names get spelled and pronounced differently in english?
I️ always see English translations of Chinese words or names and they utilize letters that can in no way phonetically produce the sound of the word. A close example would be “Zhou.” So what’s the purpose of spelling a word that does not translate correctly letter for letter but also does not phonetically have the corre...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a6w7zv/eli5_why_do_foreign_names_get_spelled_and/
{ "a_id": [ "ebyhukf", "ebylyyu", "ebysmvz", "ebyta2k" ], "score": [ 8, 4, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Because they have different origin languages. English is Germanic in origin, converts semi-ok to Romanic languages but not really. Nordic languages have different letter sets, and...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
3bvb0b
What is the actual rarity of male calico cats?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/3bvb0b/what_is_the_actual_rarity_of_male_calico_cats/
{ "a_id": [ "cspv1u3" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "It's a surprisingly complicated question as there's more than one way to get a calico/tortie male cat, including mutant coat patterns that look like calico but aren't produced by the same genes that produce a calico pattern in females. As such, t...
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[]
[ [ "http://messybeast.com/mosaicism.htm" ] ]
2e9yc3
why does starting task manager when my computer is frozen seem to unfreeze it?
I've been remedying my frozen computer this way for as long as I can remember, and with many different computers. Does it have something to do with the priority the computer places on starting up the task manager? Thanks!
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2e9yc3/eli5_why_does_starting_task_manager_when_my/
{ "a_id": [ "cjxfpkd", "cjxgc72", "cjxii0x", "cjxlnl0" ], "score": [ 14, 3, 6, 4 ], "text": [ "Task manager has top priority, so if any other program is hogging up the computer in an endless cycle you can force it to shut down.", "Well, I can't say the same for my compu...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://i.imgur.com/kBd2Pya.png" ], [], [] ]
5n6daw
what's the deal with yellowstone?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5n6daw/eli5whats_the_deal_with_yellowstone/
{ "a_id": [ "dc8zcan", "dc8zxno", "dc905op" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 5 ], "text": [ "Yellowstone National Park sits over what is known as the Yellowstone Caldera. This is the mouth of what's called a supervolcano. There are many predictions online on what would happen if the supervolcan...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://io9.gizmodo.com/what-will-really-happen-when-yellowstone-volcano-has-a-508274690" ], [], [] ]
1ua3k7
why do people get diarrhea when they are dehydrated?
Why do you get diarrhea when you are dehydrated instead of constipation? Doesn't it lead to further dehydration?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ua3k7/eli5_why_do_people_get_diarrhea_when_they_are/
{ "a_id": [ "cefz5qv", "ceg0ctp" ], "score": [ 2, 3 ], "text": [ "It does, and it's responsible for quite a lot of deaths annually in less developed areas.\n\nThe mechanics of diarrhea are not your body having too much liquid, but rather the balance of things dissolved on one side of your ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
m5cum
What is the best scientific paper you have read?
I have to teach a course on scientific literature next spring, and I'm looking for exemplary scientific papers. I'm not primarily interested in papers that are important because of their content, but ones that are well written, concise, cleverly conceived, or for whatever reason a pleasure to read (which is a unfortuna...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/m5cum/what_is_the_best_scientific_paper_you_have_read/
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[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.nature.com/nature/dna50/watsoncrick.pdf" ], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hallmarks_of_Cancer", "http://www.weizmann.ac.il/home/fedomany/Bioinfo05/lecture6_Hanahan.pdf" ], [ "http://www.plosmedicine.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pmed.0020124" ], [], [ "ht...
eqs5re
why are other standards for data transfer used at all (hdmi, usb, sata, etc), when ethernet cables have higher bandwidth, are cheap, and can be 100s of meters long?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/eqs5re/eli5_why_are_other_standards_for_data_transfer/
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[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "https://www.hdmi.org/spec/hdmi2_1" ], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "https://www.amazon.com/Q4Tech-Ethernet-Adapter-Extender-Sockets/dp/B01N99EYH7", "https://www.amazon.com/Converter-MACTIS-Ethernet-Adapter-Female/dp/...
2i4ze3
how do the moon's phases work
I have heard so many conflicting views and evidence I don't know what to believe.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2i4ze3/eli5_how_do_the_moons_phases_work/
{ "a_id": [ "ckyv4uv" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "The bright part of the moon is simply light reflecting off the sun. So the phase completely depends on the angle between the sun, earth, and moon. So you'll notice on a night with a full moon, the moon is approximately on the complete opposite si...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
3x37yd
what is so special about the blu-ray format?
What is it that makes Blu-Ray Blu-Ray? And what differs it from regular 1080p video?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3x37yd/eli5_what_is_so_special_about_the_bluray_format/
{ "a_id": [ "cy12u5z" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "Blu Ray isn't a type of video. It is a type of data storage system.\n\nBlu-Ray just uses lower wavelength (bluer) light in the laser it uses to read the disk when compared to a DVD. This lets the system read smaller spots on the disk. The ability...
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[]
[ [] ]
f12kb
I've always wondered: if I am in an airplane that is traveling JUST under the speed of sound, and I sprint down the aisle, would I break the sound barrier?
I know this sounds like a "troll physics" suggestion and I'm SURE there's some obvious loophole I'm missing, but I know that if I am driving a car at x speed and hit a tree, causing the car to immediately stop, I would continue traveling at x speed (at least momentarily). Likewise, in an airplane traveling x speed, ar...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/f12kb/ive_always_wondered_if_i_am_in_an_airplane_that/
{ "a_id": [ "c1ch900", "c1chbgp", "c1chcup", "c1chz63", "c1ci0qt", "c1cifwp", "c1cjlpa", "c1cjqqd" ], "score": [ 100, 34, 4, 9, 2, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "No because the air that you're in is moving as fast as you are so your person is never ne...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonic_boom", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doppler_effect", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_barrier" ], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transonic" ], [], [], [] ]
20gj0v
Can a beam of light bend if the source rotates or moves in the same way water does from a rotating sprinkler?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/20gj0v/can_a_beam_of_light_bend_if_the_source_rotates_or/
{ "a_id": [ "cg3nxvm" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "I am as far from an expert on this subject as you can get, but I'm pretty sure that once water or a laser beam, or any other sort of \"stream\" of particles or molecules leaves whatever source releases it, the source no longer has any effect on i...
[]
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[ [] ]
1hs9zm
i'm 27 and i'm starting to notice something. are adults looking and acting younger? or is it my perspective on age that's changing?
As I become more of an adult I see what seems like grown people look less like grown people to me. A forty year old looks a lot younger than what a forty year old looked like to me at fifteen. Even when I look at older pictures of forty year olds from the past they look older. Not that I don't see forty year olds who l...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1hs9zm/eli5_im_27_and_im_starting_to_notice_something/
{ "a_id": [ "caxdu3l", "caxdyci", "caxed42", "caxh0ce", "caxia3y", "caxj8lm", "caxllne", "caxm7x9", "caxmd1q", "caxmkvd", "caxmxlf" ], "score": [ 6, 70, 3, 2, 3, 31, 3, 12, 6, 6, 3 ], "text": [ "That's just ageing. Ev...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
4ja8zo
how can margins of error be trusted?
I am not sure how to explain this. I was recently in a wiki hole when I came across two different measurements of Pluto's diameter. < > Current New Horizons Measurement puts Pluto at 2372±4 km "After New Horizons measured Pluto's diameter as 2372±4 km in July 2015, it was determined that Eris is slightly smaller...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4ja8zo/eli5_how_can_margins_of_error_be_trusted/
{ "a_id": [ "d34zy4j", "d350njv" ], "score": [ 14, 5 ], "text": [ "The margin of error isn't \"We know we're only possibly wrong by this much\" it's \"This is the known accuracy of our instrument under what we believe are operational conditions.\"\n\nYou can still be wrong.", "Physics ...
[]
[ "http://www.mikebrownsplanets.com/2010/11/how-big-is-pluto-anyway.html", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pluto#Mass_and_size" ]
[ [], [] ]
3vgiyq
in the u.s. why are female locker rooms (showers etc.) so private when male locker rooms are almost always wide open practically forcing young boys and men into group showering etc.?
I work in schools a lot, from middle schools to colleges, and I am yet to see a female locker room with the wide open, group shower situation as the boys/men. In fact, I have been in over 200 locker rooms in the past 2 years and have not seen a single locker room, for boys or adult males, that gives the privacy that f...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3vgiyq/eli5_in_the_us_why_are_female_locker_rooms/
{ "a_id": [ "cxnc5c2" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "As a guy who found the shower situation in highschool to be extremely awkward, I think men are just raised to be cool with it. I was never cool with it but my class mates had absolutely no problem with it. I was unaware the girls showers were dif...
[]
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[ [] ]
465wv3
what will happen with opec planning to halt production? how does it affect oil prices? who is winning and losing?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/465wv3/eli5_what_will_happen_with_opec_planning_to_halt/
{ "a_id": [ "d02p8zz", "d03p80g" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "No one is planning to halt production. Saudi Arabia and Russia have agreed to freeze production at current levels. Considering Russia is already running 100% production and Saudi Arabia is damn near 100% and neither Iraq nor...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
62w1df
why aren't our pupils always dilated so that we see more all the time?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/62w1df/eli5_why_arent_our_pupils_always_dilated_so_that/
{ "a_id": [ "dfphwys", "dfpir6t" ], "score": [ 34, 3 ], "text": [ "Stare into a bright light. How much can you see?\n\nWhen your pupils dilate it is to allow more light into your eyes. Letting in more light in dark situations helps you see better, but letting in more light in a bright situ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
6rq8s0
how can there be cameras with large resolutions like 42mp and be just a couple thousand dollars, yet a video camera of that resolution be $40-70,000? why does it seem to be so much more difficult to make?
I'm comparing something like the a7rii vs a RED Helium.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6rq8s0/eli5_how_can_there_be_cameras_with_large/
{ "a_id": [ "dl6ypte", "dl733tn", "dl74rv2" ], "score": [ 6, 2, 2 ], "text": [ " Take your phone into a dim room and take a picture. Now take a video. The picture will be brighter and more detailed even though it's using the exact same sensor. It requires a lot more light sensitivi...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
681wvm
How wide are rainbows if we consider all wavelengths?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/681wvm/how_wide_are_rainbows_if_we_consider_all/
{ "a_id": [ "dgwgyw5" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "This has been asked before: _URL_0_\n\nThe gist of it is that water absorbs most light below about 200nm and above perhaps 2000nm, so the edges of the rainbow beyond the visible spectrum start to get dimmer. " ] }
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[]
[ [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1iatme/do_rainbows_have_ultraviolet_and_infrared_bands/cb2pspf/" ] ]
au1umt
why dont car batteries need recharging?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/au1umt/eli5_why_dont_car_batteries_need_recharging/
{ "a_id": [ "eh4yuig", "eh4yye9", "eh4yz41", "eh4z2sd" ], "score": [ 5, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "The alternator uses engine power to charge it while you’re driving. So it is being recharged, but you don’t need to plug it in. ", "They actually do have to be recharged, and t...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuLl_Z9_T9E" ], [], [] ]
8tpl4i
AskScience AMA Series: I'm Andrew Revkin, the strategic advisor for environmental and science journalism at the National Geographic Society-AMA!
Hi, my name's Andrew Revkin and I've been writing about global environmental change and risk for more than 30 years. I've reported from all kinds of places, including the North Pole, the White House, the Amazon, and the Vatican. Before becoming a strategic advisor at the National Geographic Society, I worked at the non...
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/8tpl4i/askscience_ama_series_im_andrew_revkin_the/
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[]
[ "https://twitter.com/Revkin/status/994752818287439872", "https://on.natgeo.com/2IiICR4", "https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114029917" ]
[ [ "https://www.theguardian.com/science/the-lay-scientist/2010/sep/24/1" ], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://fb.com/andrew.revkin.5" ] ]
24jiw1
What kind of sounds does a human fetus hear in the womb?
I imagine a lot of low thrumming sounds and muffled environmental sounds. Would it hear anything that sounds like white noise, a vacuum, or a hair dryer? Would it hear any high frequency sounds?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/24jiw1/what_kind_of_sounds_does_a_human_fetus_hear_in/
{ "a_id": [ "ch7v92k", "ch7w9zf" ], "score": [ 201, 48 ], "text": [ "Babies hear the lower end of the frequency spectrum when they're in the womb. They can get a lot out of that, though. Byers-Heinlein 2010 presents some compelling evidence that newborns of bilingual mothers actually come ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
3j99br
Concerning the SR-71 Blackbird: What did the USSR know about the plane? What did they think it was capable of? Did they attempt any similar designs of their own?
Specifically: 1. What did the USSR know about the plane and its capabilities? Did they believe it also functioned as a nuclear bomber / space plane / experimental weapons platform? Did they vastly overestimate its speed and ceiling or other capabilities? 2. Many Soviet plane designs often take after US bombers and fi...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3j99br/concerning_the_sr71_blackbird_what_did_the_ussr/
{ "a_id": [ "cungfg6", "cunmoh0", "cunw6h4" ], "score": [ 38, 706, 49 ], "text": [ "You might consider asking r/aviation too.", "Finally something I can help answer! My senior thesis was done on the A-12 program. \n\nSo firstly, I need to mention that the SR-71 was a variant of...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://www.foia.cia.gov/collection/12-oxcart-reconnaissance-aircraft-documentation" ], [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/306pav/what_was_soviet_aerial_reconnaissance_like/" ] ]
5qq755
Why is it impossible for objects weighing less than 0.02 milligrams to form a black hole?
Whats so special about that mass that you cant form a black hole below it?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/5qq755/why_is_it_impossible_for_objects_weighing_less/
{ "a_id": [ "dd17q82" ], "score": [ 709 ], "text": [ "A black hole of mass less than around .02 milligrams or so would have a Schwarzschild radius of around a Planck length or less. At this scale, general relativity cannot be trusted; we need a theory that incorporates general relativity and quan...
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[ [] ]
2lnwvz
why are humans and most other species dependant on water? is it just coincidence that 70% of earth is covered in it?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2lnwvz/eli5_why_are_humans_and_most_other_species/
{ "a_id": [ "clwj3y9", "clwjasb", "clwqoyo", "clwqtwr", "clwr7ga", "clx84n9" ], "score": [ 3, 25, 2, 5, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "If 70% of earth was covered in liquid methane, it's likely we would have evolved to drink methane.", "We need a liquid that can act...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
4uv4jt
How well does the movie "Master and Commander" portray the life of 19th century British sailors?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4uv4jt/how_well_does_the_movie_master_and_commander/
{ "a_id": [ "d5t3cre" ], "score": [ 28 ], "text": [ "Pretty well, actually. The costumes, props, sets, everything was pretty meticulously researched and they do a very good job of avoiding anachronisms or introducing stuff that's just flat out fiction. About the only thing that *really* made me ...
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[ [] ]
7a4hzm
Musketball vs. Bayonet
Are there any statistics or anything likewise that would tell us which was the primary cause of injury and death during early modern battles? Whether it was the musket or the bayonet that caused more casualties?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/7a4hzm/musketball_vs_bayonet/
{ "a_id": [ "dp70376" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "You may be interested in [this older answer](_URL_0_) from u/PartyMoses on bayonets and their (non)use in warfare, which posits that bayonets were never much actually used for stabbing, but for intimidation. " ] }
[]
[]
[ [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/5i0pkg/why_were_bayonets_underused_in_the_american_civil/db52r6p/" ] ]
1ukwox
why do middle/high schools start so early when students are going through growth spurts and need the most sleep?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ukwox/eli5_why_do_middlehigh_schools_start_so_early/
{ "a_id": [ "cej3xit", "cej49wr" ], "score": [ 4, 9 ], "text": [ "It's mostly for extra-curricular activities. Most sports need reasonable daylight hours, and it would be tough to get faculty to work later through normal dinner / family hours.\n\nIt students need more sleep, they can go t...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
a4nmr5
how do you order complex numbers?
More specifically: If imaginary numbers don't belong to the real number line, does it make sense to say 3i > 2i? This is talking about pure imaginary numbers, but I extend the question further with ''mixed'' complex numbers. Does it make sense to say 2+i < 2+3i? Or 3+i > 2+i?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a4nmr5/eli5_how_do_you_order_complex_numbers/
{ "a_id": [ "ebg1fj9", "ebg3gvj", "ebg50ya" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 7 ], "text": [ "There's no total order for complex numbers, at least not one that is consistent with the arithmetic operations on the complex numbers. ", "I suppose if you want order, the magnitude would help not o...
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[]
[ [], [], [] ]
1yuuzq
what is groundhog day and why is it important? (i'm from the uk)
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1yuuzq/eli5_what_is_groundhog_day_and_why_is_it/
{ "a_id": [ "cfnyx2e", "cfnz2c6" ], "score": [ 5, 3 ], "text": [ "It's February 2nd. If the groundhog sees its shadow (i.e. if it's sunny), then there will be six more weeks of winter, otherwise spring will come early. It is not important whatsoever.", "Groundhog day is a movie directe...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
8ae7be
What is the current state of Japanese historical scholarship in Japan itself?
I am kind of curious, because when people ask questions about Japan the topics that often most reliably answered tend to be those for which Europeans were around in some form, leaving records, letters and transcripts there were passed down and interpreted by western historians. There seems to be less ability to reliab...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/8ae7be/what_is_the_current_state_of_japanese_historical/
{ "a_id": [ "dwxyx6p", "dwyf3d3" ], "score": [ 7, 4 ], "text": [ " > how much access do Western (English-speaking, primarily) historians have to Japanese primary sources?\n\nAre you asking how easy is it for foreign historians to gain physical access to Japanese primary sources or are you...
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[ [], [] ]
2zty7o
In one my my professor's lectures, he mentioned that Japan tried to surrender before Hiroshima, and the US rejected the proposal. After Nagasaki, they accepted a nearly identical proposal to the one they rejected. Is this true?
This was years ago and I just assumed it was a little-known fact among historians. The other day I was trying to find more information about the treaty that was rejected, and I wasn't able to find out if the version of events he told was true or not. I think that this article may have summed the story up: _URL_0_ Ba...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2zty7o/in_one_my_my_professors_lectures_he_mentioned/
{ "a_id": [ "cpmevmu", "cpmf6j7", "cpmtzv8" ], "score": [ 1187, 74, 22 ], "text": [ "Like most stuff that gets introduced in lecture courses, it's mostly right, but more complicated.\n\nPrior to the decision to drop the bomb, some members of the Japanese political leadership were w...
[]
[ "http://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2008/08/hiroshima_hoax_japans_wllingne.html" ]
[ [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme_War_Council_(Japan\\)", "http://books.google.com/books/about/Racing_the_Enemy.html?id=iPju1MrqgU4C" ] ]
1sxrw4
why did it snow recently in the middle east and why does it happen so rarely?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1sxrw4/eli5eli5_why_did_it_snow_recently_in_the_middle/
{ "a_id": [ "ce29xej", "ce2a8mg", "ce2azon" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Deserts aren't big on precipitation of any kind. They also play host to violent temperature extremes. Below zero temperatures in winter nights contrast with sun hot enough to kill. The cold is just as b...
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[]
[ [], [], [] ]
5nz8cg
if someone really did have multiple personalities and each personality had no idea what the others do, what would happen if one of the personalities murdered someone or committed another terrible crime?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5nz8cg/eli5if_someone_really_did_have_multiple/
{ "a_id": [ "dcfdubs", "dcff3hs" ], "score": [ 9, 2 ], "text": [ "Realistically, if we're assuming this is in the United States, this condition would be brought forward and evaluated by a designated mental health official. If it was determined that the crime was committed as a result of th...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
8j7jlm
what is that pressure sensation we feel in our chest when we get a spike of anxiety?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8j7jlm/eli5_what_is_that_pressure_sensation_we_feel_in/
{ "a_id": [ "dyxir0t", "dyxku7f", "dyxm77g" ], "score": [ 17, 4, 3 ], "text": [ "I believe it is adrenaline, the fight or flight reflex. But modern man doesn’t necessarily have the same fight or flight reflex as our ancestors - it’s more fight, flight or freeze. Most people freeze ...
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[ [], [], [] ]
662tph
why are people so polarised?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/662tph/eli5_why_are_people_so_polarised/
{ "a_id": [ "dgf3wct", "dgf8bl9" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "In my opinion, that polarization has been there. The difference is that now everyone has an anonmomous voice and the more extreme elements are the ones that get all the attention. Not every Christian wants to kill abortion d...
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[]
[ [], [ "https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2014/06/23/americans-have-not-become-more-politically-polarized/" ] ]
anfgg8
how does removing a storage device from a computer too soon damage the files on the storage device?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/anfgg8/eli5_how_does_removing_a_storage_device_from_a/
{ "a_id": [ "efsw72o", "efsweie" ], "score": [ 3, 5 ], "text": [ "The computer could be in the middle of writing to the device and you'd get corrupted stuff. Especially bad if it was updating the file index which tells the computer where everything is on the drive.\n\nGenerally if you've w...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
7zf0fz
Is there any evidence to suggest that biracial people are less susceptible to genetic diseases?
Being that they are created from very different gene pools.
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/7zf0fz/is_there_any_evidence_to_suggest_that_biracial/
{ "a_id": [ "dunle11", "duoqi9z", "dupx7yn" ], "score": [ 17, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "There are certain diseases that are more common in populations with more restricted gene pools--Tay-Sachs and Ashkenazi Jews, for example.\n\nHowever, keep in mind that what we think of as \"race\" is ...
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[]
[ [ "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2953791/" ], [], [] ]