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1y505y
are quantum fluctuations truly random (non-deterministic) or do we not yet possess the capacity to understand the perceived randomness of such fluctuations?
edit: simplified to single question to remove ambiguity.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1y505y/eli5_are_quantum_fluctuations_truly_random/
{ "a_id": [ "cfhekh8", "cfhf4ao" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "It is the general scientific consensus that the motion of these particles are truly random, and it would be impossible with any amount of technology to predict their behavior.", "You want to look into [Bell's theorem](_U...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell%27s_theorem", "http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/jvgun/can_someone_explain_how_exactly_bells_theorem/" ] ]
4s8nso
why is it so hard to know you dehydrated but really easy to know when you're hungry?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4s8nso/eli5_why_is_it_so_hard_to_know_you_dehydrated_but/
{ "a_id": [ "d57g8zw", "d57ibk1" ], "score": [ 27, 3 ], "text": [ "Cell utilizes interstitial fluid to balance out hydration of cells, which we have an abundance of, shifting fluids throughout the body to move waste and nutrients. A lot of people typically get a hunger (or an extreme cravi...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
ax9qlh
when women have their period, do they suffer effects from blood loss?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ax9qlh/eli5_when_women_have_their_period_do_they_suffer/
{ "a_id": [ "ehs1va6", "ehs20ph", "ehs23ta", "ehs2jjs", "ehs95dp", "ehscnzk" ], "score": [ 6, 8, 3, 8, 7, 2 ], "text": [ "Some women can become anemic from their periods. That’s why a lot of birth control packs have iron pills for the 7 days you are not taki...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
2aajz7
what is the point of the little dangly thing at the back of the mouth?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2aajz7/eli5_what_is_the_point_of_the_little_dangly_thing/
{ "a_id": [ "cit3v5q", "cit9duu", "citb10v", "citccdv" ], "score": [ 8, 3, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "The uvula prevents nutrients from entering your nasal cavity. It's the main reason water you drink doesn't come out your nose.", "The dangly thing is called a uvula. It has a l...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "https://www.inkling.com/read/clinical-anatomy-regions-snell-9th/chapter-11/table-11-9" ], [] ]
7e7cyx
propellers behind the engines vs propeller in front of the engines in bomber planes during world war 1.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7e7cyx/eli5_propellers_behind_the_engines_vs_propeller/
{ "a_id": [ "dq329ic" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "[This stackexchange discussion](_URL_0_) covers this topic pretty well.\n\nIt seems that pushers (props behind the engine and wing) lead to the wing having less turbulent flow over it and thus increasing the precision of the control surfaces. Th...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://aviation.stackexchange.com/questions/3306/why-are-push-propellers-so-rare-yet-they-are-still-around", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pusher_configuration#Advantages" ] ]
1a53sq
why if light is a particle, and sound requires particles to vibrate to produce sound, that when you try to make a noise in space, nothing is heard
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1a53sq/eli5_why_if_light_is_a_particle_and_sound/
{ "a_id": [ "c8u5p22" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "What you experience as sound is the change in pressure inside your ear. Light doesn't create pressure the same way as atoms do. So your ears have no way to pick up that you did something that affected the light partcles. That's what your eyes are...
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[]
[ [] ]
3ffw1o
do other languages have as many accents as english? why or why not?
There are wildly different English accents across the globe, but does this happen with other languages? I feel like it would, but I've never heard/seen anything about it.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ffw1o/eli5_do_other_languages_have_as_many_accents_as/
{ "a_id": [ "cto866j", "cto8mux", "cto93ny", "cto9j9h", "ctoiaa4" ], "score": [ 11, 6, 5, 33, 5 ], "text": [ "Yes. Each Spanish speaking country has a different accent from each other. And within Spain there are varying accents of Castilian (Spanish). There are al...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://imgur.com/gallery/lMrr3YC" ], [], [], [] ]
2rg48a
can human energy affect kinetic watches?
So my friend and his family swear that they can't wear kinetic watches and that their "magnetic fields" throw off the time. Is this even possible?I have looked this up and so far have only found websites for metaphysical health that use words like, aura, so needless to say I don't have much faith in their scientific da...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2rg48a/eli5_can_human_energy_affect_kinetic_watches/
{ "a_id": [ "cnfj3vr" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Stick a magnet next to any watch and see what happens...\n\nNothing.\n\nSounds like your friends might be a bunch of hippies." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
7104sf
would the horizon look any different on a considerably larger planet?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7104sf/eli5_would_the_horizon_look_any_different_on_a/
{ "a_id": [ "dn79gzq" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "It would look flatter, but because the curvature of the earth is undetectable by the human eye until you are a few miles up, it would look pretty much the same.\n\nOn a much smaller planet, the horizon would have a noticeable curve to it." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
2c3mjs
as a layman, why is trusting science/scientists not an appeal to authority?
What it says on the tin. My friend and I were arguing about climate change (he is a denier) and my argument boiled down to "because trends and numbers and science." His winding and somewhat off-topic response was (basically) "You shouldn't trust Neil de Grasse Tyson on astronomy because you haven't studied it yourself-...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2c3mjs/eli5_as_a_layman_why_is_trusting/
{ "a_id": [ "cjblhtz", "cjblmfq", "cjblz13", "cjbmae7", "cjbnjxp" ], "score": [ 2, 4, 13, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "It is, if you are making an argument with no facts besides \"people who know better say so.\"", "At a basic level, yes, it is an appeal to authority. But...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
euciuw
if i were in a spaceship traveling away from earth, how far would i need to go for the stars/constellations to be visibly different?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/euciuw/eli5_if_i_were_in_a_spaceship_traveling_away_from/
{ "a_id": [ "ffnx95y" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "To be *visibly* different, to the point where you could look out the window and honestly say \"wow the stars are different,\" then you'd have to go out at *least* several light-years and usually a lot more. It also depends on the direction you go...
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[ [] ]
240zaq
what happens to people that are stateless with no citizenship?
If for some reason a British or American person's citizenship was revoked and they were kicked out of the country, where do they go? are there countries that will allow them in?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/240zaq/eli5_what_happens_to_people_that_are_stateless/
{ "a_id": [ "ch2jm3a" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "I don't think there's really a single answer that covers situation.\n\nDon't know about the USA's nationality laws, but I know that generally British laws are designed to avoid leaving people stateless. Revoking someone's citizenship only happens...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
7idgmh
why can’t we feed and save polar bears?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7idgmh/eli5_why_cant_we_feed_and_save_polar_bears/
{ "a_id": [ "dqxy5gp" ], "score": [ 12 ], "text": [ "Because once you start feeding wild animals, they switch from hunting to feed themselves to sitting around and waiting to be fed. Now, although this isn't so much a problem for adult animals, it becomes a major issue when said adult animals stop...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
2h04v4
7th dimension. and how any of this works
_URL_0_ No idea what is going on there.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2h04v4/eli57th_dimension_and_how_any_of_this_works/
{ "a_id": [ "cko3yj4", "cko6tpd" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Imagine you live in a piece of paper. You have a concept of forward-backward and left-right, but not up or down. Now, we perceive three spatial dimensions (plus one of time) and thus have no concept of fourth-dimension-forwa...
[]
[ "http://imgur.com/gallery/tNk4f" ]
[ [], [ "http://www.daviddarling.info/images/tesseract.jpg" ] ]
6e3ehq
what use does vitamin a have in your body and how is it stored?
Hello! Just a Chem student working on a project for my final. Was wondering if I could get more of an explanation on it to help improve my presentation. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6e3ehq/eli5_what_use_does_vitamin_a_have_in_your_body/
{ "a_id": [ "di7bh98" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "My masters thesis is on Vitamin A! This may get removed because it's sort of high detail and not really ELI5, but PM me if you want more info.\n\nVA basically exists as a few different forms in the body. We don't make VA in our body, but we obtai...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
405k8g
why is rem sleep in humans usually calm but dogs bark, run and growl in their sleep almost daily?
sleep talking for humans doesn't happen nearly as often.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/405k8g/eli5why_is_rem_sleep_in_humans_usually_calm_but/
{ "a_id": [ "cyrmxqt" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "In humans, there are two chemical processes that keep the body paralyzed during REM sleep.\n\n > Researchers conducted their study in rats to find that there are two separate chemical systems that seem to be at play in helping the body stay paral...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/18/muscles-paralyzed-sleep-sleep-act-out-dreams_n_1677587.html" ] ]
3tg02h
why are students snapping their fingers instead of clapping?
Recently saw a video of college students and they were snapping their fingers instead of clapping. I've been out of school for over ten years. What did I miss?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3tg02h/eli5_why_are_students_snapping_their_fingers/
{ "a_id": [ "cx5sc60", "cx5sxuf", "cx5t5fa", "cx5wu3x" ], "score": [ 3, 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "When I was in school that was a sorority thing. Clapping isn't lady like or something. I think only one actually followed that thought. ", "Basically, among some students in so...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://www.browndailyherald.com/2013/01/23/dorris-15-snap-out-of-it/" ], [] ]
2kp925
why is it i can type without looking at my keyboard and i know where everything is, but if you ask me to draw a keyboard i don't know where half the letters go?
It's like I can remember the keyboard layout but I can't at the same time.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2kp925/eli5_why_is_it_i_can_type_without_looking_at_my/
{ "a_id": [ "clnf7ft", "clnf8ba", "clnf93x", "clnggw7", "clnht5z", "clni9db", "clnidx6", "clnlf28", "clnlzy8", "clnqjt1", "clnvedj" ], "score": [ 14, 53, 7, 2, 4, 9, 2, 2, 2, 2, 5 ], "text": [ "Spell out the alphabet a...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
6h5ny6
can your genome be used to determine that you have a preexisting condition and, if yes, how?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6h5ny6/eli5_can_your_genome_be_used_to_determine_that/
{ "a_id": [ "divq8po" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "In some cases, yes. There are some conditions (Huntington's, Fragile X, etc) that are identifiable in your genome through what we call \"trinucleotide repeats\"... basically a lot of repeats of 3 bases in the DNA. In the case of Huntington's for ...
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[ [] ]
24pmzd
why do i get nauseated before i have to speak in front of people in a presentation?
It happens everytime and I'm tired of it. I just want it to stop
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/24pmzd/eli5_why_do_i_get_nauseated_before_i_have_to/
{ "a_id": [ "ch9fd0j" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "You're just worried about making a mistake or looking silly in front of a group of people. One side effect of anxiety is to tell you it's not the time to eat, so you can flee some threat fast if you need to. Hence the upset stomach. Some suggest...
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[]
[ [] ]
4ilnfj
why do planes explode when they hit the ground?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4ilnfj/eli5_why_do_planes_explode_when_they_hit_the/
{ "a_id": [ "d2z2gxl", "d2z2kjm", "d2z2klu", "d2z2xmk" ], "score": [ 8, 2, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "Airplanes usually have A LOT of fuel on board. Fuel that is even more flammable than gasoline. Hit the ground, cause a spark and boom. Also, the fuel is generally kept in the wing...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
uiasp
what happens when i click on "safely eject hardware" in the windows tray?
Here's what normally happens: * I have one (1) USB stick in the computer * I click the "safely Eject Hardware" thing * Up comes a window asking me what I want to Eject which lists one thing: "USB Mass Storage Device" * I have to click on that * Up comes a window with *three* things in it: * one of them is "USB Ma...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/uiasp/eli5_what_happens_when_i_click_on_safely_eject/
{ "a_id": [ "c4vn66b", "c4vnejx", "c4vp3ir", "c4vqbwk", "c4vqwnb" ], "score": [ 41, 3, 13, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "If you're asking what happens when you click on the icon, it is just giving you a list of removable storage devices that you can disconnect. The repetition...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://i.imgur.com/9Xzvz.png", "http://i.imgur.com/tlbl6.png", "http://i.imgur.com/O3NPM.png" ], [], [] ]
68dmye
why is fentanyl being cut into heroin?
I understand that it's much much more potent than typical opiates, but from what I've heard from interviews, it sounds like it's just being cut physically into heroin instead of using any sort of actual dilution or volumetric dosing which is causing the overdoses when people get the actual Fentanyl in their dose. Comin...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/68dmye/eli5_why_is_fentanyl_being_cut_into_heroin/
{ "a_id": [ "dgxnze6", "dgxo7rt", "dgxof2v", "dgxplwu", "dgyhayc" ], "score": [ 3, 3, 9, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "My understanding is that fentanyl is much cheaper than heroin. So the cash saved cutting dope exceeds any lost in consumer death. \n\nAnd I'm not sure how pre...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
bfudu1
why do inflamed areas of the mouth taste more salty?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bfudu1/eli5_why_do_inflamed_areas_of_the_mouth_taste/
{ "a_id": [ "elgeu8x" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ " There can be lots of different reasons: dehydration, nasal drip, dry mouth, blood in mouth etc. [_URL_0_](_URL_0_)" ] }
[]
[]
[ [ "https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321202.php" ] ]
1pu5k8
how can animals such as the horse eat only one type of food and still be powerful versus humans who must eat many sources of food?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1pu5k8/eli5_how_can_animals_such_as_the_horse_eat_only/
{ "a_id": [ "cd642c2" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "To add to the previous comments and to clarify, you don't mean just grass with \"one type of food\" or do you? Because horses basically eat all the green plant material around them which apart from grasses includes many other herbaceous (i.e. gre...
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[ [] ]
vmiuc
(2)1tb hard drives. 1st is completely full of data, the other is factory sealed & unused. will one hd weigh just slightly more than the other?
Even just a flake of dust more?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/vmiuc/eli5_21tb_hard_drives_1st_is_completely_full_of/
{ "a_id": [ "c55r0mw", "c55r5ij", "c55u9d9", "c55ufor" ], "score": [ 68, 5, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "No there wouldn't, assuming they are completely identical apart from the data. The data is encoded as the direction of the magnetic field in a cell. So a magnetic field pointing o...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [ "http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=361792", "http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/8858355/E-readers-get-heavier-with-each-book.html" ] ]
60n9z3
why are r rated movies and m rated video games considered appropriate for ages 17+ but adulthood is considered 18+?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/60n9z3/eli5_why_are_r_rated_movies_and_m_rated_video/
{ "a_id": [ "df7p5rl" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "According to what I have heard, rating systems are pretty arbitrary in the way that they score and categorize games/movies/TV. For example, films with intense violence can pass for PG-13, but an otherwise violence-free film with some swear words ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
9vgr69
why do an all electric car needs a 12v battery.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9vgr69/eli5_why_do_an_all_electric_car_needs_a_12v/
{ "a_id": [ "e9c27ry", "e9c404w", "e9cc4qg", "e9ce50u" ], "score": [ 17, 3, 2, 8 ], "text": [ "Because they don't want to reinvent everything that's already developed for cars. Window motors, headlights, radios, various sensors and every electronic device you can think of t...
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[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
3e9e56
why is nicki minaj's outburst on twitter being backed as an exposing the racist side of the music industry?
I can understand that there are racial biases in the world and in the music industry, but i can't understand why this specific instance is getting at. 3 of the nominated videos are by black artists. 1 other features a black artist. She also states that only "thin bodies" are being celebrated when Beyonce's 7/11 feature...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3e9e56/eli5_why_is_nicki_minajs_outburst_on_twitter/
{ "a_id": [ "ctctcs5", "ctcuknt", "ctcxonz" ], "score": [ 7, 7, 2 ], "text": [ "Probably a slow news cycle, and right now race relations are a hot topic. It's a real good way to cause controversy which in turn draws viewers. ", "Second-hand answer: \nNicki made several commen...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ea00t/eli5why_is_nicki_minaj_claiming_racism_for_not/" ] ]
7hdu26
do marketing companies intentionally make certain commercials annoying? what is the purpose of this?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7hdu26/eli5_do_marketing_companies_intentionally_make/
{ "a_id": [ "dqq8y63", "dqq9ijv", "dqq9tlo", "dqqbi6b" ], "score": [ 11, 6, 2, 4 ], "text": [ "Yes. Because it gets people talking about the brand. There is no such thing as bad press. They just want you to talk about it weather its a great add or shitty", "Puppymonkeyb...
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[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
20wzh0
why is dust-free cat litter so dusty?
Most [clay] cat litter claims to be 99% dust free, yet clouds of dust waft into the air and cover the room each time I scoop. What's going on here? I assume that there's some scientific standard that the litter makers are using to back up this claim, but whatever that standard is seems profoundly divorced from real...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/20wzh0/eli5_why_is_dustfree_cat_litter_so_dusty/
{ "a_id": [ "cg7ig1u", "cg7lr6s", "cg7on3t" ], "score": [ 13, 11, 5 ], "text": [ "I'm sure there is not much regulation on the claim, other than general advertising laws/regulations. It's worth noting, that if your house was 1% dust you'd move out, it'd be so disgusting. What doe...
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[ [], [], [] ]
4k5ck3
how do live audience shows such as snl or studio c work?
The audience often doesn't laugh until the camera pans over to whatever the joke is, and sometimes they use green screen effects. Do they watch on separate tv's while the cast performs somewhere else?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4k5ck3/eli5_how_do_live_audience_shows_such_as_snl_or/
{ "a_id": [ "d3c9hyx" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "There is a big \"Applause\" sign that lights up to signal the audience to laugh.\n\nFor green-screen stuff, there is a separate screen that they can look at it to see it's full glory." ] }
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[ [] ]
9v5r4y
what are ionic, covalent, and metallic bonds? what makes them different from each other?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9v5r4y/eli5_what_are_ionic_covalent_and_metallic_bonds/
{ "a_id": [ "e99m0te", "e99mdp9" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "An ionic bond is when two atoms trade an electron, one atom gives it up, the other gets it. The two atoms become ions because of this. Then the electric charge of the two atoms attracts them together.\n\nA covalent bond is w...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
etjiw8
why does spacex land it's used boosters on a drone ship in the sea and not on land? why take the risk of the booster toppling over or the whole mission getting scrubbed due to choppy seas?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/etjiw8/eli5_why_does_spacex_land_its_used_boosters_on_a/
{ "a_id": [ "ffgrmkt", "ffgs9xp", "ffgt4b7", "ffgxika", "ffh8qxf" ], "score": [ 14, 6, 3, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Rockets have to go stupendously fast to get their payload going, and they have to do it while tipping sideways. That means, when the Falcon stages separate, ...
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[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
aadaku
how do credit card companies make money with all of their cash back deals?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/aadaku/eli5_how_do_credit_card_companies_make_money_with/
{ "a_id": [ "ecqzbvy", "ecqzt47", "ecr070h", "ecr0em6", "ecr3d20" ], "score": [ 6, 15, 2, 3, 3 ], "text": [ "They make money from transaction fees charged to merchants and interest from people who don't pay them off every month.", "Two ways.\n\nCredit card compa...
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[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
r6jjs
- school funding in america.
I'm primarily asking about how the differences of local wealth/poverty play into the school's funding, but a good once over on the whole system would be appreciated as well.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/r6jjs/eli5_school_funding_in_america/
{ "a_id": [ "c43bdw9", "c43c4p6" ], "score": [ 9, 7 ], "text": [ "Schools are funded based on property taxes paid in that school's district. The higher the property values, the more taxes paid into the system, the more money the schools get. Schools also receive government money based on t...
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[]
[ [], [ "http://www.utaheducationfacts.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=85&Itemid=56" ] ]
1qbhrv
uk redditors - why is the gov proposing introducing the 'living wage' rather than raising the national minimum wage?
What the gov seem to be saying is that the minimum wage isn't enough to live on. If that's the case, surely it makes sense to raise the minimum wage rather than introduce a slightly higher 'living wage'. Why would you have both?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1qbhrv/eli5_uk_redditors_why_is_the_gov_proposing/
{ "a_id": [ "cdb4qco" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "So this is the labour party making a proposal, not the government, and they intend it to be part of their party platform.\n\nLiving and minimum wages are different things - though similar. A living wage in London and a living wage in Manchester ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
2ojzc4
gene therapy and how it works in this article about my disease
_URL_0_
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2ojzc4/eli5_gene_therapy_and_how_it_works_in_this/
{ "a_id": [ "cmntz85" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "So your body's \"blueprint\" is kept in a giant molecule called DNA, and a small section of that DNA is flawed causing your disease. It's like a lengthy instruction manual with a page ripped out or smeared. So that part of your instruction book i...
[]
[ "http://smanewstoday.com/2014/12/05/dosing-completed-for-type-1-spinal-muscular-atrophy-clinical-trial/" ]
[ [] ]
ek3mot
how do those underwater flares work?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ek3mot/eli5_how_do_those_underwater_flares_work/
{ "a_id": [ "fd5wr25", "fd5g1oo", "fd5w8er" ], "score": [ 3, 5, 5 ], "text": [ "You need a fuel, like magnesium, an oxidizer (something that releases an oxygen containing molecule) to react with the fuel, and a water repellant binder, like linseed oil mixed with certain other stuff...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
3kr7vv
how ac can be converted to dc without a source of electrons. does dc drain electrons?
Is AC using alternating movement of electrons "back-and-forth" to transmit energy. Is so, how is this converted to DC which (so I imagine) is a single-directional flow of electrons to transmit energy to things like Batteries. This has always puzzled me, a complete moron.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3kr7vv/eli5_how_ac_can_be_converted_to_dc_without_a/
{ "a_id": [ "cuzt41y" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Using things called diodes. More specifically, a diode bridge. Even more specifically, a full wave bridge rectifier. A diode is like a one-way check valve. Current can only flow through in one direction, but not the other. Putting diodes in ...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSHVg9Cdg1s" ] ]
2o44aw
what happens to the animals killed during crop harvesting?
I'm not a farmer, but I've always been curious about it. All of the animals that are killed by harvesting machinery... what happens to their carcasses? I tried Google searching but I just get a bunch of arguments against being vegan.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2o44aw/eli5_what_happens_to_the_animals_killed_during/
{ "a_id": [ "cmjjbgb", "cmjjf4w" ], "score": [ 2, 5 ], "text": [ "What animals?\n\nAre you talking about things like field mice and rabbits killed when harvesting plants? Or animals that die and are unsuitable for consumption?", "A farmer friend of mine said, yes they do occassionally ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
1l986g
why isn't it over 'til the fat lady sings?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1l986g/eli5why_isnt_it_over_til_the_fat_lady_sings/
{ "a_id": [ "cbwy0qa" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "It's a term that emerged in reference to operas.\n\n_URL_0_" ] }
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It_ain%27t_over_till_the_fat_lady_sings" ] ]
1qw3ek
how is a ghetto/ bad neighbourhood formed?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1qw3ek/eli5_how_is_a_ghetto_bad_neighbourhood_formed/
{ "a_id": [ "cdh37ai", "cdh3xfb", "cdh7kt1" ], "score": [ 23, 33, 4 ], "text": [ "1. population density\n\n2. poverty- lack of jobs\n\n3. isolation caused by infrastructure (highways that create a physical barrier, large buildings, etc.)\n\n4. drugs\n\n5. lack of access to resource...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
2w45m6
how do other countries program in languages such as php?
I countries such as Japan, I know English is a part of the curriculum, but how do they program in languages westerners use? Do the languages themselves get translated, or is it English-or-Bust? If we need to make sure something is on the server, we use `file_exists()`. Do they need to use that too? Or would they have...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2w45m6/eli5_how_do_other_countries_program_in_languages/
{ "a_id": [ "conempi", "conenol", "conepee" ], "score": [ 6, 3, 5 ], "text": [ "It's English-or-Bust.\n\nIt's not all that weird though. A lot of industries operate in English; computer programming is one of them. Even though it might be easier for a native English speaker to lea...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
a1psmm
being knighted?
ELI5. Can women be knighted? What benefits are there to it? Somehow I only hear about celebrities being knighted?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a1psmm/eli5_being_knighted/
{ "a_id": [ "earscua", "eartmuo", "earty0p" ], "score": [ 2, 5, 3 ], "text": [ "Yes. Well, no. Women become dames-are given imaginary titles. There is no SirThatcher, but there was a Baroness Thatcher.", "It differs a bit from country to country, but for example in Britain if a...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/714829/Birthday_Honours_2018_-_notes_on_the_higher_awards.pdf" ] ]
5lq78v
the main difference of a fruit and vegetable is that fruits have seeds. so, where the heck do vegetable seeds, used in gardeningand such, from?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5lq78v/eli5_the_main_difference_of_a_fruit_and_vegetable/
{ "a_id": [ "dbxn7gb", "dbxn9l2" ], "score": [ 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Fruits are the seed-bearing structures of a plant while vegetables are the other parts of plants such as leaves (lettuce), roots (potatoes), and stems (celery). But this doesn't mean that vegetables don't *have* seeds, just ...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-blog/fruit-vegetable-difference/bgp-20056141" ] ]
a0w1sv
why plea insanity?
If you’re a mass murderer why would you ever plea insanity? Is there a benefit for being deemed insane instead of guilty?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a0w1sv/eli5_why_plea_insanity/
{ "a_id": [ "eaksvov", "eaksxzc", "eal8l8b" ], "score": [ 5, 3, 7 ], "text": [ "The trick is proving temporary insanity, in which case you are not really responsible for the murder and are not likely to commit one again, leading to a lighter or possibly suspended sentence.", "T...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
52g72e
why wasn't there massive latino immigration to the us until the 1970's?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/52g72e/eli5why_wasnt_there_massive_latino_immigration_to/
{ "a_id": [ "d7jzz9f", "d7k09om" ], "score": [ 5, 9 ], "text": [ "Latin American immigration still existed it was just different. Look up info about the Bracero program if you want a little understanding on one of the things that started the major shift towards higher numbers of Latinos im...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bracero_program" ], [] ]
z302n
if we are living in a simulated universe, created particle by particle, are there any ways we could tell?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/z302n/eli5_if_we_are_living_in_a_simulated_universe/
{ "a_id": [ "c61088v", "c610guf" ], "score": [ 5, 3 ], "text": [ "Not unless we could see outside the universe and someone was there to tell us it was fabricated or left behind something for us to infer that from.\n\nBut would it matter?", "Depends on how good the simulation is.\n\nIf ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
491ytb
in space which way is up?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/491ytb/eli5_in_space_which_way_is_up/
{ "a_id": [ "d0oepe4", "d0oeq1w", "d0oeucc" ], "score": [ 4, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Any way you choose.\n\nSome choices are made for you - for example if you're under thrust then your down will be towards the rockets - assuming they're at the back - and control panels often have writin...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Docking_and_berthing_of_spacecraft#List_of_mechanisms.2Fsystems" ], [], [] ]
8bf7is
what is the difference between a normal person's brain and the brain of someone who has a personality disorder?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8bf7is/eli5_what_is_the_difference_between_a_normal/
{ "a_id": [ "dx69nwn", "dx9s6hl" ], "score": [ 6, 2 ], "text": [ "Am layman who has spent lots of time in research of this, and also unfortunately has experience in this area. Other answers that get posted may do a better job of explaining or at least have specific sources to link. \n\nPer...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
cg36hr
why do children fight the urge to sleep?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cg36hr/eli5_why_do_children_fight_the_urge_to_sleep/
{ "a_id": [ "eue9jri", "euec3kw", "euec8xb", "euev6nw" ], "score": [ 6, 6, 18, 2 ], "text": [ "I don't have a biological/psychological answer for this, but kids are energetic and would rather have fun even if they're being made to go to bed. It's a lot easier to sleep if yo...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
23pwx1
why is air invisible to infrared cameras? why isn't the entire image the temperature of the air? also, what is the relationship between infrared light and heat?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/23pwx1/eli5why_is_air_invisible_to_infrared_cameras_why/
{ "a_id": [ "cgzelyv" ], "score": [ 17 ], "text": [ "Infrared light is just like any other color of light, its just below the level that we can see. Heat is a measure of how much motion particles have. We know that hot things give off light- this is why metal glows when it gets hot, or why the sun...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
5lkcvi
why goats climb on top of stuff, please.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5lkcvi/eli5_why_goats_climb_on_top_of_stuff_please/
{ "a_id": [ "dbwcvq6", "dbwd0qt", "dbwdk0y" ], "score": [ 4, 2, 4 ], "text": [ "This just my guess but most animals try to climb on to stuff so they can see more. That way they can see predators that might come and attack them, and find prey (if they need to) or other food sources ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
35k0vc
is it possible for a planet to exist in open space without orbiting anything?
Like would it eventually reach an orbit or what?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/35k0vc/eli5_is_it_possible_for_a_planet_to_exist_in_open/
{ "a_id": [ "cr54m4u", "cr55oqs" ], "score": [ 7, 2 ], "text": [ "yes, rogue or orphan planets orbit the galaxy alone. They are likely to be numerous, but they are near impossible to discover since they are not lit and their gravitational effects cannot be detected as a wobble in its star...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://www.amazon.com/Lockstep-A-Novel-Karl-Schroeder/dp/0765337266" ] ]
61vnmg
why do birds never shut up?
There's an enormous tree outside my window where the birds are making noise day and night. It never stops. Doesn't it take a lot of energy? Doesn't it reveal their location to predators?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/61vnmg/eli5_why_do_birds_never_shut_up/
{ "a_id": [ "dfhn8ne", "dfhn9ec", "dfi0mtn", "dfi9lfp" ], "score": [ 3, 35, 9, 3 ], "text": [ "You know the Reddit-ism, *doesn't matter, had sex*? That's a big part of it; bird songs are often a mating display.\n\nThey're also not all that costly: they don't take a lot of e...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
9gl6o3
what causes that echo/screech noise when driving across bridges?
I’ve noticed this mostly when I drive on the interstate, it’s hard to describe the noise. Sometimes it’s louder or softer, or at a higher or lower pitch. It’s more obvious with windows down. Is there something specifically that causes this?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9gl6o3/eli5_what_causes_that_echoscreech_noise_when/
{ "a_id": [ "e64wxf0" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "It's the vibration of wheels due to a repeating pattern on the road. Usually these are grooves cut in to the road to improve drainage. The closer the interval, the higher the pitch.\n\nThere are [musical roads](_URL_0_) where artists have used ...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musical_road" ] ]
3xew4w
how are artificial waves created?
Oh, yeah sorry I didn't specify. I was talking about the waves on the water pools.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3xew4w/eli5_how_are_artificial_waves_created/
{ "a_id": [ "cy41eup" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "\"Waves\" is an extremely broad term and \"artificial\" does little to narrow it. As a kid I produced artificial waves in a pool by bobbing up and down in an inner tube at just the right speed that the pool had rather tall waves. A flashlight a...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
7hod92
one belt one road initiative
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7hod92/eli5_one_belt_one_road_initiative/
{ "a_id": [ "dqskb4l" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "What do you want to know?\n\nIt is basically China's revived silk road. It is basically their overall strategy for trade and development with the rest of Eurasia and parts of Africa. \n\nThis encompasses several fronts: \n\n* Infrastructure - w...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
3e3tcz
how can cats/dogs smell a disease inside of a person?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3e3tcz/eli5_how_can_catsdogs_smell_a_disease_inside_of_a/
{ "a_id": [ "ctb7mun" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "We don't really know. It's likely that certain disease cause your biochemistry to change and this might cause you to emit different levels of certain things the animals can smell. So they don't so much as smell the disease as they probably smell ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
2l88pi
how can we have gpus that have a lot of cores with a decent clock rate, but our modern cpus have at best a handful of cores at a fast?
Why is it that I always hear about how some GPUs have thousands of cores at several hundred MHz, but when I look up CPUs, they have less than 20 cores, and around 4 GHz at best? EDIT: Title should say fast clock rate* at the end. EDIT 2: I should elaborate a little bit. I am asking how we can make GPUs with so many ...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2l88pi/eli5_how_can_we_have_gpus_that_have_a_lot_of/
{ "a_id": [ "clsd6fo", "clsd7s7", "clsda6z" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "GPS cores are very simple and can only perform a small number of types of calculations. They are useful for doing a few things that need to be done massively in parallel, but they cannot function as a g...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
chalsq
how stock owners pay for stuff
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/chalsq/eli5_how_stock_owners_pay_for_stuff/
{ "a_id": [ "euqylxk", "euqz3vz" ], "score": [ 3, 4 ], "text": [ "Either dividends, sale of stock, or borrowing against their stock holdings. \n\nIf the company pays dividends, even a small dividend becomes a large amount of money when one owns millions of shares. \n\nSelling stock reduc...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
19mzzt
what is with all the gold-buying shops popping up all of the sudden?
In case location is relevant, I live in the Bay Area, California. I've been noticing all these gold buyers pop up out of nowhere. They're becoming as common as Starbucks over here, with a new one opening every week it seems. Is there any reason behind this? Is the gold economy booming? I have no idea...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/19mzzt/eli5_what_is_with_all_the_goldbuying_shops/
{ "a_id": [ "c8phmi5", "c8phwf7" ], "score": [ 5, 3 ], "text": [ "The price of gold isn't at the highest ever, but it's pretty close. And people are still in a bad state so selling that gold is more necessary then it was in other times.", "Gold buyers work on an arbitrage model: they ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
1tdb5v
why is it that when people read orders from others such as "you're now breathing in manual mode", they become aware of breathing and find it laborious?
I just read several comments telling people that they're now aware of their breathing, or that they've now got an itch somewhere on their body that they just *have to* scratch, or manually blink, and others below are cursing the guy out for making them feel uncomfortable. Why do people become "aware" of these facts, w...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1tdb5v/eli5_why_is_it_that_when_people_read_orders_from/
{ "a_id": [ "ce6si77", "ce6slqr", "ce6y4l4" ], "score": [ 14, 6, 2 ], "text": [ "All of the functions you describe are semi-autonomous. Normally, your body just kind of takes care of blinking and breathing by itself, like it does with your heart and digestive system. \n\nThe abilit...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
2l2jpd
why does it take hours to install big programs and games but seconds to uninstall it?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2l2jpd/eli5_why_does_it_take_hours_to_install_big/
{ "a_id": [ "clqu2lx", "clqu4xj", "clqwrk3", "clqyaip", "clqyucn", "clqz2hz", "clr1955", "clr1jbe", "clr1lgi", "clr3lj2", "clr468p", "clr96t7", "clrbe9g", "clrggtp", "clrh7cz", "clrjwov" ], "score": [ 198, 26, 10, 2, 2, 2, ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
5a3nf9
how are traditional film-based movies duplicated for mass distribution?
I know that film is film. It begins as a raw product, it's put in to a camera and becomes exposed, the film is developed, and then hits the cutting room, where the director selects scenes to cut and stich together into a movie. So now the movie is made. Presumably, there's a master cut. I've always wondered, how is t...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5a3nf9/eli5_how_are_traditional_filmbased_movies/
{ "a_id": [ "d9dflod" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Photography! \n\nThe original bit that the camera makes is a negative of the image it recorded. Passing light through that negative doesn't noticeably degrade the original in the slightest bit, and allows you to make a (nearly) perfect copy of t...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
1s8c4b
why are computer science and other computer related fields male-dominated?
Me and my roommates are talking about this and right now I understand why some fields are male-dominated because (like politics) because women were disadvantaged from the start by not being allowed to participate. However, I'm under the impression that the technological field developed relatively recently when women ha...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1s8c4b/eli5_why_are_computer_science_and_other_computer/
{ "a_id": [ "cdux8dm", "cduxjey", "cduxlj8", "cduxu5l" ], "score": [ 3, 6, 9, 2 ], "text": [ "Computer science is male-dominated because it fits in with a lot of fields that are also male-dominated--things like electrical engineering, or engineering in general, as well as m...
[]
[ "http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/16/business/16digi.html?_r=0" ]
[ [ "http://xkcd.com/385/" ], [], [], [] ]
dxrhvk
does the moon peak the most at midnight just like how the sun does at noon?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dxrhvk/eli5_does_the_moon_peak_the_most_at_midnight_just/
{ "a_id": [ "f7v47n8" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "moon is on a different orbit to the planet than the earth to the sun so it varies with the moon" ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
2edyu8
why does it seem as though dry cleaners are universally closed on sundays?
Hear me out, I realize that businesses need a break, but this a business that thrives mostly off of business people who work during the week. If a day off is so important why would it not be during the week like Monday or Tuesday?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2edyu8/eli5why_does_it_seem_as_though_dry_cleaners_are/
{ "a_id": [ "cjykfkk" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Because Sunday is a standard day for businesses to be closed or have reduced hours. " ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
3sag5c
why are coding languages so hard to understand?
I don't mean this as in they have a learning curve, I mean in the sense of their intuitiveness. For example Javascript's regex's: function toTitleCase(str) { return str.replace(/\w\S*/g, function(txt){return txt.charAt(0).toUpperCase() + txt.substr(1).toLowerCase();}); }
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3sag5c/eli5_why_are_coding_languages_so_hard_to/
{ "a_id": [ "cwvg58a", "cwvg60g", "cwvgdoc", "cwvge3w", "cwvgszg", "cwvgzrk", "cwvil87" ], "score": [ 15, 30, 27, 8, 5, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "The languages were made to be easy to understand without limiting functionality. Many of the functions in your ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
71y74i
why is there so much activity with the ring of fire recently? how do we know which earthquakes are directly linked? should california be as worried as the media makes out?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/71y74i/eli5_why_is_there_so_much_activity_with_the_ring/
{ "a_id": [ "dnee2sk", "dnefvdb", "dnei3rr", "dneo4bg" ], "score": [ 26, 63, 13, 18 ], "text": [ "The surface of the earth is collection of huge 'plates' that float over a layer of partly solid and partly molten rock called magma; collectively referred to as the earth's '...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
183uhi
why do perishable ingredients such as butter, milk, or eggs no longer have to be refrigerated after they've been baked into a cake or cookies?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/183uhi/why_do_perishable_ingredients_such_as_butter_milk/
{ "a_id": [ "c8bd5mk", "c8bh004", "c8bn46d", "c8bn9mz" ], "score": [ 24, 69, 4, 3 ], "text": [ "Butter, milk and eggs don't have to be refrigerated. It's *customary*, particularly in the United States, to keep them in the refrigerator, but it isn't necessary.\n\nInteresting...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_butter_dish" ], [], [] ]
5rn3tj
what happens if you only eat rarely/one small meal a day?
I know starvation/dehydration have their horrible side effects, but what would happen if a person just goes extremely long periods without eating?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5rn3tj/eli5_what_happens_if_you_only_eat_rarelyone_small/
{ "a_id": [ "dd8k4kf" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "An important thing to remember about fasting and starvation is that the only fuel that the brain can use is glucose. Other tissues can use protein, fat or glucose to get energy - but the brain can only use glucose. \n\nBut glucose gets used prett...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
3mn59p
why are total lunar eclipses so rare?
I'm having a hard time visualizing exactly why it is that lunar eclipses are so rare. Shouldn't the earth's shadow project onto the moon relatively often? What is it that I am missing?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3mn59p/eli5_why_are_total_lunar_eclipses_so_rare/
{ "a_id": [ "cvgenxq", "cvgeo82" ], "score": [ 4, 5 ], "text": [ "The Moon's orbit goes \"above\" and \"below\" the Earth's (if you think of Earth as orbiting in a flat plane). It has to be both _behind_ the Earth, and aligned with its plane, for an eclipse to occur, and that usually doesn...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://www.uni.edu/morgans/astro/course/Notes/section1/nodes.gif" ] ]
6fuuvq
why are white rats mainly used for studies instead of other rodent species?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6fuuvq/eli5_why_are_white_rats_mainly_used_for_studies/
{ "a_id": [ "dil4o01", "dil4ufq" ], "score": [ 2, 6 ], "text": [ "They are a standadized lab rat, bred for this purpose, readily available in large numbers. But actually, mice are used more.\n\n_URL_0_", "Lab rats are often of a particular strain, or a family that mice are taken from t...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laboratory_rat" ], [] ]
61y73f
why are the edges of transparent objects (glass, plastic, acrylic) almost opaque?
Examples: [Image](_URL_0_), [Image](_URL_1_)
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/61y73f/eli5_why_are_the_edges_of_transparent_objects/
{ "a_id": [ "dfi82vk" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "Because light entering the edges is entering at a sharp angle, is bent to travel through the length of the material, bouncing off the sides until it exits the other end. Similarly, the light you see coming out of the edges has already travelled t...
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[ "http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/powerlisting/images/1/15/Glass.png/revision/latest?cb=20170107211823", "https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51dGY%2BgwP1L.jpg" ]
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19chvt
why do we curse as a reflex?
Well, when something gets messed up we often react by cursing. It's almost a reflex. I say almost because I never curse in front of my father and am otherwise doing it around friends.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/19chvt/eli5_why_do_we_curse_as_a_reflex/
{ "a_id": [ "c8mtp01", "c8muslj", "c8mvwer", "c8mvwl0" ], "score": [ 2, 7, 18, 8 ], "text": [ "I would think it is just a learned behavior. As children we see swearing from our parents, the media, and our peers and some of us develop the desire to swear because it's new and...
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26qcyb
what would be the protocol for abandoning the current us constitution?
Is this even possible?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/26qcyb/eli5_what_would_be_the_protocol_for_abandoning/
{ "a_id": [ "chtgv2e", "chtgv7a", "chtgwp4" ], "score": [ 2, 3, 5 ], "text": [ "We couldn't remove the constitution, but with a 2/3 vote in congress and then 3/4 of the state's ratifying we could delete and replace everything within it.", "Theoretically, you could pass an amend...
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8bdi90
what exactly is a light year?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8bdi90/eli5_what_exactly_is_a_light_year/
{ "a_id": [ "dx5v3v0" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "A light year is the distance light can travel in one year. It is equivalent to 5.879e+12 miles or 9.461e+12 kilometers. " ] }
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3vka1a
why can't tv channels just upload their shows to youtube?
I mean, it's a win for everybody! Viewers can watch it whereever they are on the globe for free, and the companies will get more people watching their show.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3vka1a/eli5_why_cant_tv_channels_just_upload_their_shows/
{ "a_id": [ "cxo7ybz", "cxo843v", "cxo86h1" ], "score": [ 3, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "TV companies don't make money from you watching their show. They make money selling advertisements, which you would be less likely to do on YouTube. Unless they use product placement, which if cord cutt...
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ew10km
rain water has no salt, but eventually gets back to an ocean from streams and rivers. surface water on the ocean condensates into clouds to repeat the cycle, but where does the salt go?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ew10km/eli5_rain_water_has_no_salt_but_eventually_gets/
{ "a_id": [ "ffz6ill", "ffz6imf" ], "score": [ 3, 4 ], "text": [ "if you try to boil salt water you'll se once the water has completely evaporated the salt is left on the bottom", "The salt stays in the ocean; it doesn't evaporate with the water. Only the water evaporates into vapor." ...
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3h4q40
how do people learn to float?
When learning to swim, the first thing you must learn is how to float. Based on my understanding of basic physics, buoyancy force is equal to the mass of fluid displaced by an object. Assuming this is correct, how is floating an acquired skill?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3h4q40/eli5_how_do_people_learn_to_float/
{ "a_id": [ "cu46zkk", "cu47527" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Not an answer to the question, but I wanted to ask where you have to learn how to float first before learning how to swim? Yes you have to be able to keep your head over the water using thrust created by your feet, but never...
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put0m
stock market from a corporation and stock buyer view.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/put0m/eli5_stock_market_from_a_corporation_and_stock/
{ "a_id": [ "c3sgc5y" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Suppose that you want to start a company, but don't have enough money. So you ask a friend for money and in return you give him some ownership in the company. This is private ownership since only you and your friend have control of it.\n\nCorpora...
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n2sfx
how is gravity a theory.
I hear it many times but never understood what it means.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/n2sfx/eli5_how_is_gravity_a_theory/
{ "a_id": [ "c35tcug", "c35w8do", "c35tcug", "c35w8do" ], "score": [ 7, 2, 7, 2 ], "text": [ "Wikipedia has two great explanations.\n\n > Some scientific explanations are so well established that no new evidence is likely to alter them. The explanation becomes a scientific...
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88ki5m
what is gpg encryption and how does it work?
I tried using it once but got lost in the multiple directions given considering I'm not a super computer 'geek' (no offense intentions). I have something coming up where I will need to learn this and what it's about and how to encrypt a message or letter.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/88ki5m/eli5_what_is_gpg_encryption_and_how_does_it_work/
{ "a_id": [ "dwlamah", "dwlbi8w" ], "score": [ 2, 3 ], "text": [ "You generate a private key and a public key. The person encrypting should do so with the public key. The one receiving/decrypting should use the private key along with a passphrase. Kleopatra is an easy program to use to m...
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1xfzyp
why do videos from middle-eastern countries always have someone repeatedly saying 'allahu akbar'?
I know it means God is greater, but why do they constantly repeat it again and again and again throughout videos?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1xfzyp/eli5_why_do_videos_from_middleeastern_countries/
{ "a_id": [ "cfazmek", "cfb0nsc" ], "score": [ 9, 6 ], "text": [ "It means \"God Is Great\" and seems to be the words that fit for a number of occasions - victories, fearful times, in mourning, you name it.\n\nCompare to \"Oh My God!\" in the US and UK where we use it when we see something...
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13azt9
why everyone is dressed up in paintings and photos pre-20th century.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/13azt9/eli5_why_everyone_is_dressed_up_in_paintings_and/
{ "a_id": [ "c72cim2", "c72clo0", "c72cqnn" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "There were no digital cameras or iPhones to take pictures. Photos were taken and developed by professionals and took relatively longer. As such, they were a lot more expensive and getting your photo tak...
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5d1y97
why do devs with completely free apps, not make it open source?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5d1y97/eli5_why_do_devs_with_completely_free_apps_not/
{ "a_id": [ "da14tf3" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Usually, open sourcing something takes more work than not open sourcing it. If you're just doing something on a lark or to learn something, you generally don't want to bother putting unnecessary effort into it." ] }
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8mp9cr
how do stars burn or react for millions of years in the cold vacuum of space?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8mp9cr/eli5_how_do_stars_burn_or_react_for_millions_of/
{ "a_id": [ "dzpbl3a", "dzpcspp" ], "score": [ 9, 3 ], "text": [ "There's two false assumptions here\n\n1) About the \"dissipation of heat\" in a vacuum\n\nand \n\n2) Stars don't burn\n\nSo, about 1), note that there are 3 ways to transfer heat: conduction, convection, and radiation. Condu...
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1soe0s
why are so many baby animals "fuzzy"? babies of mammalian species (i'm thinking ducks, bears, kittens, etc) are all fuzzier when they're young. anyone know why?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1soe0s/eli5_why_are_so_many_baby_animals_fuzzy_babies_of/
{ "a_id": [ "cdzkyxk", "cdzmf4i", "cdzo3hu", "cdzowlu" ], "score": [ 12, 10, 15, 10 ], "text": [ "ducks are not mammals", "I would guess because fine and fluffy hair/feathers would provide better insulation and keep them warm.", "As a trained biologist, I feel the n...
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67yrlr
why is it that there are so many advancements in the world, yet it never feels like anything revolutionary is happening?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/67yrlr/eli5_why_is_it_that_there_are_so_many/
{ "a_id": [ "dgua0oj", "dguaa0i", "dgub5hd" ], "score": [ 4, 5, 9 ], "text": [ "We live in an age where increments between improvements of products are much smaller than \"back in the day\". Coupled with this, we are constantly being informed about these changes, so we never really...
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1u87nl
why do i find male comedians consistently funnier than female comedians, is there a reason behind this?
Apologies to anyone who finds this sexist, it's not intended to be and I am just inquisitive as to whether there is an explanation behind this.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1u87nl/eli5_why_do_i_find_male_comedians_consistently/
{ "a_id": [ "ceffwtd", "cefg1za", "cefg5wk", "cefifyl", "cefkd7k", "cefkxo0", "cefohf2", "cefoj7x", "cefqbhw", "cefqfaw", "cefqzma", "ceftyjm", "cefvhz3", "cefyeg2", "cefyj7n", "ceg5n6v" ], "score": [ 16, 12, 7, 2, 10, 6, ...
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[ [], [], [], [ "http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/early/2012/03/06/rspb.2012.0311.full" ], [], [], [ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aX26k5ZNzI" ], [], [], [], [ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYIwPu50Fic", "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnOg01N1u3w" ], [...
c8mocp
how are logic chips (and/or/nand/etc) actually built to work like their chosen logic gate?
Like with an AND gate I understand how it works in that an input of 1 AND 1 make an output of 1, but how do the logic chips actually perform the function? How would you build a logic gate without using logic chips?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/c8mocp/eli5_how_are_logic_chips_andornandetc_actually/
{ "a_id": [ "esnvr36", "esnvxrr", "eso6iwu" ], "score": [ 23, 7, 10 ], "text": [ "The basic building block of electrical/electronic gates is the transistor. You can think of a transistor as an electrically operated switch. This switch has an input, output and a \"switch\" (also an ...
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[ [], [], [ "https://youtu.be/VNzkhZBjo5k" ] ]
2pm2en
why did the us and cuba hate each other?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2pm2en/eli5why_did_the_us_and_cuba_hate_each_other/
{ "a_id": [ "cmxxa8q", "cmxxg6k", "cmxy2h4" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "The US and Cuba were best friends 1898-1959. Cuba was a US territory for a time, and was considered for admission into the union.\n\nIn 1953 Fidel Castro led a communist revolution against the Cuban Ba...
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[ [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuban_missile_crisis" ], [] ]
3f2c6s
what exactly is vevo?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3f2c6s/eli5_what_exactly_is_vevo/
{ "a_id": [ "ctknyhm" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "It's a video hosting site that owns the rights to show music videos from major music labels. It has a separate site, which is intended to attract advertisers. However, they also have approved Youtube channels for their most popular artists. I gue...
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[ [ "http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/seven-ways-musicians-make-money-off-youtube-20130919", "will.i.am", "https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vevo", "http://www.digitalmusicnews.com/permalink/2013/10/30/williamstuffvevo" ] ]
5z7n2b
how are reflections of camera men/women avoided in films?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5z7n2b/eli5_how_are_reflections_of_camera_menwomen/
{ "a_id": [ "devxsli" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "In the editing process, ideally once the movie has what they call \"picture lock, (meaning all the cuts are in place but the special effects havent been done yet) they find each surface where there are reflections and paint them out.\n\nOne commo...
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1u9zqx
why does ice make alcohol more drinkable?
Cold alcoholic drinks go down much much easier than room temperature, why?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1u9zqx/eli5_why_does_ice_make_alcohol_more_drinkable/
{ "a_id": [ "cefy6wu" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Cold temperatures cause molecules to move slower, which liquids to release fewer molecules into the air when cold. This decreases the scent of the liquid, and one's sense of taste is dominated by one's sense of smell." ] }
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3kwqpx
why are school textbooks so large and complex, when teachers never have time to use the whole book in a year?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3kwqpx/eli5_why_are_school_textbooks_so_large_and/
{ "a_id": [ "cv149q5", "cv14bts" ], "score": [ 13, 5 ], "text": [ "Because they want to cover as many different topics as possible and some teachers might want to cover different things than other teachers. Also they should offer pupils the possibility to read them by themselves and thereb...
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1b2a1w
what is culture?
I'm doing a project in my research class and we are trying to figure out how to explain culture to young children.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1b2a1w/eli5_what_is_culture/
{ "a_id": [ "c92wvtd", "c930k91", "c9310tp", "c931fyp", "c932f3v" ], "score": [ 2, 3, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "cul·ture /ˈkəlCHər/\n\nNoun: The arts and other manifestations of human intellectual achievement regarded collectively. \n\nVerb: Maintain (tissue cells, bact...
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6ka75s
how does my brain allow me to start a sentence without knowing exactly how it will end while still making coherent sense
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6ka75s/eli5_how_does_my_brain_allow_me_to_start_a/
{ "a_id": [ "djkhk23" ], "score": [ 19 ], "text": [ "Unless you're reading a speech or other pre-written work you always make up what you're going to say as you go. Because everyone does this the thing that we call \"coherent\" has room for small errors in continuity, word choice, etc. We also usu...
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