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9cedw3
why handguns, the cause of most firearms deaths, aren't controlled to the extent that other firearms are such as assault rifles?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9cedw3/eli5_why_handguns_the_cause_of_most_firearms/
{ "a_id": [ "e5a23vn", "e5a25dt", "e5a28me", "e5a2cdn", "e5a2iwi", "e5a2k42" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 3, 4, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "Actually in some places a semi auto ar 15 is easier to buy than a handgun, but full auto m16 is considered a military weapon so it it ve...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
2069ly
why do all visas start with 4, all mastercards start with 55, all amex's start with 37, and all discovers start with 6011?
I take phone orders all day and I noticed this after reading like 1000 credit card numbers.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2069ly/eli5_why_do_all_visas_start_with_4_all/
{ "a_id": [ "cg05yrc", "cg05zrp", "cg06f59" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "They start like that so the card can be easily tracked to the issuer. I own a shop, at the end of the day I need to tally up the sales by card issuer to know who to send the bill to. By looking at the f...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
e6iiug
how do wood-burning stoves heat an entire house?
When I have my oven on all day baking Christmas cookies, the upstairs is noticeably colder than downstairs (despite turning on the fan in our furnace to try to move the hot air around). How did old wood-burning stoves heat an entire house with no extra device to move the air?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/e6iiug/eli5_how_do_woodburning_stoves_heat_an_entire/
{ "a_id": [ "f9qe507", "f9qgkxd", "f9qh1sg", "f9qhgk7", "f9qwf3h", "f9s4p1y" ], "score": [ 7, 4, 3, 2, 3, 3 ], "text": [ "They didn't. They really only heated the room they were in. The same with any kind of stove that just makes heat in one place. I stay...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
765qqg
why are some of us not hungry when we're heartbroken? what exactly causes this?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/765qqg/eli5_why_are_some_of_us_not_hungry_when_were/
{ "a_id": [ "dobgp2a", "dobgqt7", "dobgvb9" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Yer not alone in askin', and kind strangers have explained:\n\n1. [ELI5: Why do some people binge eat when they're stressed, while others lose their appetite entirely? ](_URL_1_)\n1. [ELI5: Why do some ...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/25b7gm/eli5_why_do_some_people_lose_their_appetite_when/", "https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3m1euq/eli5_why_do_some_people_binge_eat_when_theyre/", "https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/742ehd/eli5_why_do_some_peop...
2qgfyt
what is better for a desktop pc, to leave it on at all times, to leave it in sleep mode when its not being used, or to shut it down completely between use, and why?
I built a gaming PC about a year ago and have heard several rumors (from friends, from the net, etc.) about this aspect of computer maintenance, but they all conflict with one another. I understand the answer may not be particularly clear as it depends on how the PC is used on a daily basis. Mine is used mainly for gam...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2qgfyt/eli5_what_is_better_for_a_desktop_pc_to_leave_it/
{ "a_id": [ "cn5uop9" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "This is assuming that your PC is properly maintained and cooled.\n\nLeaving it on at all times will wear out some parts faster, but in most PC's it's not fast enough to really matter. You'll probably end up upgrading parts or buying a new PC befo...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
9ubp75
how are tv shows and movies broadcast on tv
Something I have wondered for awhile. What is the actual process of getting a movie or show on tv? I mean the mechanical process. How do tv stations physically get the show on a television? How does your tv know what channel is which?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9ubp75/eli5_how_are_tv_shows_and_movies_broadcast_on_tv/
{ "a_id": [ "e936ni1" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Picture and sound gets turned into electrical signal, electrical signal gets turned into radio waves, radio waves get broadcast, radio waves get received by decoder, radio waves get decoded into electrical signal, electrical signal gets decoded b...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
3txsd0
when i'm playing video games, why does leaning forward make me concentrate more?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3txsd0/eli5_when_im_playing_video_games_why_does_leaning/
{ "a_id": [ "cxa3p5f", "cxa4gvr", "cxa5r7t", "cxa5yuh", "cxa6kh0", "cxa6s96", "cxa6ty9", "cxa7a6p", "cxa7pjx", "cxa8ia3", "cxa9dm4", "cxa9ut9", "cxabi9h" ], "score": [ 1130, 2, 47, 6, 3, 7, 35, 1426, 2, 2, 3, 2, ...
[]
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
8urqdx
how do countries communicate with each other to talk about things such as trade deals or meetings
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8urqdx/eli5eli5how_do_countries_communicate_with_each/
{ "a_id": [ "e1hmjdm", "e1hpw68" ], "score": [ 4, 2 ], "text": [ "They have an army of staffers who talk to each other and mostly decide everything and then tell the important people when it’s happening ", "A important part is embassies. So the ambassador and other stan know who they s...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
1o43dt
how the daily show correspondents can conduct interviews where they can basically make fun and destroy their interviewee without any problems.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1o43dt/eli5_how_the_daily_show_correspondents_can/
{ "a_id": [ "ccomobb", "ccomrpc" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "I'm sure the interviewee has agreed to some sort of agreement beforehand. These interviews are made to be laughed at and as humans, we are enthralled by this kind of stuff. ", "I don't know what you mean, \"without any p...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
38mar9
why do the girls processing drugs always wear nothing but bra and panties?
In all the shows and movies the girls that are tasked with processing all the heroine, coke etc. don't wear clothes, just underwear. Why is that?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/38mar9/eli5_why_do_the_girls_processing_drugs_always/
{ "a_id": [ "crw3892", "crw6y18" ], "score": [ 7, 3 ], "text": [ "Fanservice. In small scale production it's also to keep the girls from pocketing some of the drugs. In large production realistically they will all wear lab coat and mask both to protect themselves from the drug and retain t...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
2e45zy
how comes whenever i buy something, including water, it has a best before or expiry date, however there's none on any alcoholic beverage i get?
I found an old rev in the back of my fridge and it got me thinking...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2e45zy/eli5_how_comes_whenever_i_buy_something_including/
{ "a_id": [ "cjvvk7v", "cjvvlob", "cjvvm9g", "cjvvps4", "cjw67w0" ], "score": [ 4, 2, 3, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Water and the like are regulated by the FDA, while alcohol is regulated by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. The FDA requires expiration dates, wh...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
5qfya9
why does the speed of sound increase again after a certain altitude?
I've been looking at some tables online of the speed of sound at different altitudes. A lot of the tables I'm seeing show that the speed of sound increases again after about 25,000 m or so. I thought air got less dense and the temperature got colder the higher in the atmosphere you are? What am I missing?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5qfya9/eli5_why_does_the_speed_of_sound_increase_again/
{ "a_id": [ "dcz0ta3" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "At ~18km up you leave the Troposphere, and enter the Stratosphere.\n\nUp there instead of it getting colder with increasing height, it gets warmer again. This is due to heating from the sun due to Ozone absorbing UV light. This means the top laye...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.phy.mtu.edu/~suits/SpeedofSound.html" ] ]
29wmkp
why do fat people tend to breathe louder than slim people?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/29wmkp/eli5_why_do_fat_people_tend_to_breathe_louder/
{ "a_id": [ "cip6s2a", "cipbsn1", "cipgd62" ], "score": [ 17, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "2 reasons:\n\n-They have so much fat their airway is restricted, even slightly.\n\n-Fat is living tissue, and needs food and oxygen like any other. So, because of all the extra fat, they have to move m...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
1uq3mi
why do dogs wink.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1uq3mi/eli5_why_do_dogs_wink/
{ "a_id": [ "cekmd2g", "cekmhmv", "cekq9jv" ], "score": [ 3, 3, 3 ], "text": [ "I don't really know, but I always thought it was my dog trying to say to me: \"I know I can't talk, but I'm way smarter than you think I am\"", "When one of our eyes are itchy, we scratch it with o...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
5t69op
when do babies gain awarness of themselves?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5t69op/eli5_when_do_babies_gain_awarness_of_themselves/
{ "a_id": [ "ddkgv42" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Sometime between 15-24 months. Babies/children will take a step in self-awareness. If you would place a child in front of a mirror before their 15th month, and they have for example a postit stuck on their forehead, they will not realise that it'...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
k87t7
how do tv writers/producers etc get the right amount of time for each episode?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/k87t7/eli5_how_do_tv_writersproducers_etc_get_the_right/
{ "a_id": [ "c2i8jyi", "c2i8u9h", "c2i8jyi", "c2i8u9h" ], "score": [ 7, 3, 7, 3 ], "text": [ "When TV writers and producers are writing the scripts for the show, if they have written a lot of episodes before, they know about how many pages they have to write.\n\nThen, when ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
34y4qv
what is clock cycle in cpu?
I googled it but I am very confused.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/34y4qv/eli5_what_is_clock_cycle_in_cpu/
{ "a_id": [ "cqz4qf5", "cqz5ps7" ], "score": [ 2, 8 ], "text": [ "Most modern CPUs perform operations based on the cycling of the internal clock. When you see a rating for speed such as 3.4 ghz that is how many times per second the clock cycles. Each time the clock 'ticks' a certain amou...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
1luky1
why do printers do "something" for 1-2 minutes each time i want to print a paper that prints in 5 seconds?
My printer will just spin the parts for a minute before printing a paper each time, I spend 95% of the time just waiting and listening to the sounds the printer makes when printing a document. I understand there are more expensive models that are faster, and that it cleans or unclogs the nozzles, but surely you don't ...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1luky1/eli5_why_do_printers_do_something_for_12_minutes/
{ "a_id": [ "cc2w8dm", "cc2x32h", "cc2yrqg", "cc2z5bm", "cc2ztqe", "cc3088l", "cc329o2", "cc32b20", "cc34b6g", "cc3566o" ], "score": [ 6, 3, 123, 3, 10, 30, 3, 3, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "A lot of printers have a self-diagnostics ch...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [ "http://www.amazon.com/Brother-HL2230-Monochrome-Laser-Printer/dp/B004H1PB9I/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1378482406&sr=1-1&keywords=brother+hl" ], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
3ebhww
what makes the age of 18 so special?
In other words, why is it at 18 that many previously restricted activities/things are now legally available?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ebhww/eli5_what_makes_the_age_of_18_so_special/
{ "a_id": [ "ctdaw5l", "ctdg6fe" ], "score": [ 5, 2 ], "text": [ "Well, that also depends where it is you are from.\n\nWhere I am from, in the province of Ontario in Canada, the legal drinking and cigarette purchase age is 19. We are allowed to vote and buy lottery at 18.\n\nThe province n...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
4z50m6
how does the vacuum in deep space differ from that made in a vacuum chamber on earth?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4z50m6/eli5_how_does_the_vacuum_in_deep_space_differ/
{ "a_id": [ "d6sxi0o", "d6szg8l", "d6t0gpj" ], "score": [ 6, 7, 2 ], "text": [ "It doesn't. A vacuum is a space devoid of matter. Emptiness. Nothing. Strictly speaking space is not a perfect vacuum and I doubt there is a perfect vacuum achievable on earth. There are some few p...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
6n21yz
why when an airplane closes its doors it can't open them again?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6n21yz/eli5_why_when_an_airplane_closes_its_doors_it/
{ "a_id": [ "dk62skd", "dk62tb0" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "They Could Technically reopen them. they could Disarm the door, reopen and let you on.\n\nBut when the plane closes it doors there is a decent amount of paperwork that has happen, passenger lists submitted, Gates moved back...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
44mirn
why do we often catch ourselves staring at other people when we zone out?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/44mirn/eli5_why_do_we_often_catch_ourselves_staring_at/
{ "a_id": [ "czr8u5u" ], "score": [ 13 ], "text": [ "It's not that you happen to stare at people. In fact, it's the opposite - that you're not staring at anything. Normally, you tend not to focus on people due to social inhibitions and etiquette. But if your mind is elsewhere, your (lack of) focus...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
bkcfae
how are cars protected from theft at dealerships?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bkcfae/eli5_how_are_cars_protected_from_theft_at/
{ "a_id": [ "emfm74q", "emfmdn3", "emfpa2o", "emfrr8l" ], "score": [ 4, 7, 3, 5 ], "text": [ "The actual theft is not normally prevented, however the dealers often place trackers in the cars that are likely to be of interest to thieves.", "you mean, how do they avoid th...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
41796i
why are grey hairs more crinkle-ey
Im a young guy with salt and pepper hair, and i noticed that my grey hairs are a different texture than my brown hair. they are more wire-like (almost pube-ish) Why is that?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/41796i/eli5_why_are_grey_hairs_more_crinkleey/
{ "a_id": [ "cz0711h" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Because grey hair has almost no melanin (what makes up the color), gray hair is thinner and more fragile than pigmented hair; it also has a thinner cuticle, so its outer layer is more easily damaged and dehydrated." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
371f6c
why is alcohol proof not double the % in some countries?
In the US, it is taught that proof is supposed to be double the percentage e.g. 40% (80 proof). But I noticed in India that a bottle of Smirnoff for instance would be 43.5% but it would be 75 proof. Why would it not be 87 proof then? Is proof being double the percentage a misnomer that has been taken as fact after all ...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/371f6c/eli5_why_is_alcohol_proof_not_double_the_in_some/
{ "a_id": [ "criup87" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "I would make an educated guess that it is something to do with the American 'Imperial' measurement system. Some American measurements differ slightly from the original British Imperial system (since superceded by the metric system). For example y...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
2txnxb
why is there such a huge debate about the drugs used for capital punishment but seemingly no problems with drugs used for death with dignity?
It seems like people are constantly trying to stay executions by claiming the drugs aren't humane, but people regularly die peacefully with drugs given to them at a pharmacy for death with dignity. Why can't they use the same drugs?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2txnxb/eli5_why_is_there_such_a_huge_debate_about_the/
{ "a_id": [ "co39wpg" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "There isn't much debate over the drugs. There is a huge debate over capital punishment, the drugs are just a pawn in that battle." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
99q344
why do almost all foods have so much added salt?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/99q344/eli5_why_do_almost_all_foods_have_so_much_added/
{ "a_id": [ "e4pjqmn", "e4pjwv7", "e4pmmsp" ], "score": [ 8, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Why do almost all PREPACKAGED foods have so much added salt?\n\nIt's a useful natural preservative which increases shelf life, it often tastes good by itself and is also a flavor enhancer.", "Salt h...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
2qcg1r
why don't smartphones have moving screen-savers like desktop and laptop computers/ how do screen-savers work and when are they necessary?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2qcg1r/eli5_why_dont_smartphones_have_moving/
{ "a_id": [ "cn4u8mp", "cn4uc28", "cn4uc8g" ], "score": [ 5, 4, 5 ], "text": [ "LCD screens, unlike plamsa and CRT, don't need screen savers, and it would kill your battery life", "In truth, screensavers are no longer needed for modern monitors and is pretty much a relic of the...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
2fvf5y
a movie bad guy gets his neck snapped in the movies by good guy and dies instantly. yet people like christopher reeves break their neck and live for years. how do some people survive broken necks and others don't?
I appreciate there's a difference between a broken neck and a severed spine, but Reeves severed his spine and lived, while I think others can die instantly from a broken neck. This I don't understand.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2fvf5y/eli5a_movie_bad_guy_gets_his_neck_snapped_in_the/
{ "a_id": [ "ckd43u4", "ckd46y8", "ckd7f9o" ], "score": [ 5, 17, 2 ], "text": [ "Reeves didn't completely sever his spine, it was only severely damaged.\n\nTypically when you break a neck and kill someone, it completely severs it.\n\nNot to mention, he needed a breathing apparatus ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinal_cord_injury#Cervical", "http://neckpainsupport.typepad.com/.a/6a010534db265a970c01156f5172a5970b-320wi", "http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/spine-anatomy/cervical-nerves" ] ]
dcvrjs
looked at the clouds yesterday, they were going to my left, today looking the same way they are going to my right, what gives?
Probably a dumb question, but yeah.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dcvrjs/eli5_looked_at_the_clouds_yesterday_they_were/
{ "a_id": [ "f2bv47h", "f2bv7hr" ], "score": [ 8, 5 ], "text": [ "It's certainly not a dumb question. The wind changes patterns at several places in altitude. Knowing wind patterns is a necessary thing for hot air balloon operators, it is the only thing they have to steer with. Changing th...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
cdbbap
why is it that when you jerk off with a headache your fine during but it immediately gets worse than before when you stop?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cdbbap/eli5_why_is_it_that_when_you_jerk_off_with_a/
{ "a_id": [ "etstwa5", "etstx3f", "etstxtr", "ett1547" ], "score": [ 15, 2, 2, 5 ], "text": [ "Because when you are sexually aroused your body releases endorphins which are the body's natural painkiller / opioids.", "There’s a lot of “feel good” chemicals running around...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
5ebkg1
why does being lazy feel so good? shouldn't we naturally feel better working?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5ebkg1/eli5_why_does_being_lazy_feel_so_good_shouldnt_we/
{ "a_id": [ "dab4wa6", "dab79zf", "dabec0d", "dabg0rv", "dabi5zs", "dabi95c", "dabiiov", "dabiq1m", "dabj0bm", "dabj925", "dabjdtx", "dabjubv", "dabjzux", "dabk5f1", "dabkeqk", "dable6m", "dabmp1t", "dabn7bd", "dabnl9j", "dabocxh", "d...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://www.podles.org/dialogue/the-easy-life-of-a-hunter-gatherer-561.htm" ], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://www.stuartmcmillen.com/comics_en/supernormal-stimuli/" ], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [...
psjid
how does the reddit enhancement suite (res) work?
I understand how APIs work. But every other third party clients I've seen work on a different URL (Eg: Hootsuite for twitter,etc.). But in this case, RES seems to do all its magic on the _URL_0_ domain itself. How does that happen? Are the reddit admins part of the project as well?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/psjid/eli5_how_does_the_reddit_enhancement_suite_res/
{ "a_id": [ "c3rvrv6" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Works in the same way as greasemonkey scripts; RES is javascript that alters the html returned from the server." ] }
[]
[ "reddit.com" ]
[ [] ]
3erl23
if water boils/vaporates at 100 degrees celsius /212 degrees fahrenheit, why is the sun's radiation/heat enough to 'vaporize' water to form clouds?
I know basic science but this really wonders me..
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3erl23/eli5_if_water_boilsvaporates_at_100_degrees/
{ "a_id": [ "cthozu5", "cthp4eq" ], "score": [ 2, 4 ], "text": [ "Water *boils* at 100 C, but individual water molecules can have enough energy to evaporate at temperatures lower than this. ", "Water can evaporate at much lower than 100 Celsius. Boiling is the temperature at which *all...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
79rxoc
how're elevators replaced?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/79rxoc/eli5howre_elevators_replaced/
{ "a_id": [ "dp4bvea", "dp4c5uv" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Removing a old one can be done by taking it apart at the bottom level. Either disassembly the parts or just cutting it apart.\n\nThe new elevators are build from parts that fit trough the door on the lowest level. The harder...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4KV7Z6SknE" ], [] ]
3q78ds
psychologists, especially, why do the super wealthy still want more?
Ok, some of them are still working and creating and adding value. But there are so many who could be enjoying life and their ample money more, in place of working to game the system, change laws and regulations in their favor, get the better of others, make money illegally. Take the drug lords for example, or even Silv...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3q78ds/eli5_psychologists_especially_why_do_the_super/
{ "a_id": [ "cwcpvjw" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "I believe Andrew Carnegie once answered the question in this way:\n\n\"How much is enough?\"\n\nAC: \"Just a little bit more.\"" ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
1ypyrb
why does sprite loose carbonation faster than coke?
I've noticed this many times. I can open a coke and it will stay carbonated for days and still fizz when I put it in a glass; Sprite looses that ability after about a day, even if the lid is shut tight.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ypyrb/eli5_why_does_sprite_loose_carbonation_faster/
{ "a_id": [ "cfmpmst" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Sprite solution must be less soluble to carbon dioxide, therefore loosing it \"fizz\" quicker." ] }
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[ [] ]
78gus7
why do our mouths get dry after eating salty food like pretzels?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/78gus7/eli5why_do_our_mouths_get_dry_after_eating_salty/
{ "a_id": [ "dotoxxo", "dotp0tq" ], "score": [ 3, 3 ], "text": [ "Salt causes dehydration.its just a property of the substance. This is why you can use it to preserve foods (microorganisms have trouble surviving in environments that are heavily salted, because salt literlaly forces water o...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
a6fknp
what happens when you get up after lying down for a period of time and you feel light-headed?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a6fknp/eli5_what_happens_when_you_get_up_after_lying/
{ "a_id": [ "ebuchj4", "ebug3gg" ], "score": [ 5, 3 ], "text": [ "Your blood pressure isn't high enough to get all the oxygen to your brain. The signal that says \"oh, do that work\" to maintain it doesn't turn on faster than you get up. ", "**Please read this entire message**\n\n---\n...
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[]
[ [], [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/wiki/how_to_search", "http://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2Fexplainlikeimfive&subject=Can%20you%20review%20my%20thread", "https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/wiki/detailed_rules" ] ]
516arc
why do communists and fascists both oppose liberalism despite being polar opposites?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/516arc/eli5_why_do_communists_and_fascists_both_oppose/
{ "a_id": [ "d79l6wo", "d79lhc1" ], "score": [ 4, 9 ], "text": [ "Can you clarify what you mean by liberalism? ", "As a Slavic Nationalist and National Syndicalist which is technically a form of fascism, I would love to answer this question. In order to fully comprehend why communists ...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
49omv4
why can the us have thousands of nuclear warheads but simultaneously coerce other nations into denuclearization?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/49omv4/eli5_why_can_the_us_have_thousands_of_nuclear/
{ "a_id": [ "d0tgbqj", "d0tgeua", "d0thr2j" ], "score": [ 4, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Most nations on the planet have signed the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty. The NPT says that those non nuclear states will not pursue a nuclear weapons program. In exchange, they get access to nuclear...
[]
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[ [], [], [] ]
2prg5l
why is it that it seems many people of foreign countries know how to speak english but we in the u.s. generally don't know any other language but our own?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2prg5l/eli5why_is_it_that_it_seems_many_people_of/
{ "a_id": [ "cmzcjhf", "cmzcs2m", "cmzd7y8" ], "score": [ 6, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "English is an important language for everyone to speak. The world's most popular music and movies are in English, a lot of important political and scientific publications are in English, and many compan...
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[]
[ [], [], [] ]
apt0lj
how do insurance companies justify charging more for living in a riskier area then increase your premium when that risk is realized?
I pay more every year to live in a higher crime area, got mirrors stolen from car and now paying even more. Is the risk of having the car damaged/stolen at my home without me being there not already calculated into the home address part of the premium?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/apt0lj/eli5_how_do_insurance_companies_justify_charging/
{ "a_id": [ "egawhgj", "egay2ae", "egbv7lr" ], "score": [ 6, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Two statistical reasons and one that has little to do with probabilities.\n\nIf I smoke, I am at higher risk for a costly heart attack. If I actually have the heart attack, I'm at even higher risk for a...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
5ue17f
for how much longer will we able to see the light from the first stars?
Maybe I am all wrong, but if the first light from the stars was emitted around 13 billions years ago, it means it has been travelling this entire time through the expanding universe while being redshiffted. This light is still reaching it since we can see it with HST and JWST in the future. My question is: will this in...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5ue17f/eli5_for_how_much_longer_will_we_able_to_see_the/
{ "a_id": [ "ddtejf2" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "The universe is believed to be infinite in all directions. We reside within an observable universe, which is the spherical region around us that has had time for its light to reach us. This is expanding and it is called the particle horizon. As t...
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[]
[ [] ]
46z4d2
why do dishwasher detergents recommend not pre-washing?
I would assuming cleaner dishes in would mean cleaner dishes out, however all of the dishwasher detergents I have used always recommend NOT pre-washing the dishes. Is there any advantage to this?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/46z4d2/eli5why_do_dishwasher_detergents_recommend_not/
{ "a_id": [ "d08xfgu" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "The chemicals in the detergent need something to attach to on the dishes or they'll simply drip off. Leaving some food particles on the plate lets them stick around to work." ] }
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[ [] ]
6geh83
bedouins cover their whole body with loose clothing to protect from the heat. why dоn't tribes from sub-saharan africa, australia and other hot places do the same?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6geh83/eli5_bedouins_cover_their_whole_body_with_loose/
{ "a_id": [ "dipokyy", "dippnc2", "diq3w0w" ], "score": [ 27, 15, 29 ], "text": [ "Well, in Australia, our tribes tend to wear flannel and small shorts with symbols and colors displaying the geographical location that the wearer belongs to. \n\nThe flannel is able to be worn half b...
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[]
[ [], [], [] ]
1hfy5i
what was obama's recent announcement regarding climate change, and how will it affect the average american?
I'm surprised I wasn't able to find an ELI5 about this when I searched, please let me know if I might have missed a thread about it. I've been hearing about the president making a crucial plan for climate change, but news sources haven't really been breaking it down for me - what the plan actually is, and how it might...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1hfy5i/eli5_what_was_obamas_recent_announcement/
{ "a_id": [ "catxs8c", "catz5t9" ], "score": [ 4, 3 ], "text": [ "The gist of it is that he basically said he is sick of the debate about whether climate change exists, and that it is no longer a debatable issue. His administration is moving forward with a number of initiatives and will no...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
ch8a5g
where does money from ftc fines go? how is it used?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ch8a5g/eli5_where_does_money_from_ftc_fines_go_how_is_it/
{ "a_id": [ "euqei41" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Federal fines are paid to the US treasury, where it's used for general government spending. Most agencies don't get to add the money they collect as fines to their budget. \n\nKeep in mind that most settlements report a number that's called a f...
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[ [] ]
20rwwr
how and why did humans evolve to find sex pleasurable?
?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/20rwwr/eli5_how_and_why_did_humans_evolve_to_find_sex/
{ "a_id": [ "cg65q8n", "cg661fe" ], "score": [ 3, 7 ], "text": [ "Any human that didn't bother to have any isn't going to be passing its genes on.", "That really isn't an evolutionary trait exclusive to humans. Sex is absolutely essential for a species to continue, so it either has to ...
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[ [], [] ]
1znxyw
what is the purpose of the images stored on the voyager?
_URL_0_ Explain any or all of them. I am particularly interested in the ones that appear to try and explain something. Like the math/physics ones.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1znxyw/eli5_what_is_the_purpose_of_the_images_stored_on/
{ "a_id": [ "cfvc2e4" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Well, basically they exist as a demonstration of our basic intelligence if an alien race were to stumble upon the probe. \n\nIt's generally agreed upon that however different aliens might be from us, mathematics are a universal truth in our unive...
[]
[ "http://imgur.com/a/CvEvO" ]
[ [] ]
4bwtkf
how were anti-psychosis medications discovered?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4bwtkf/eli5how_were_antipsychosis_medications_discovered/
{ "a_id": [ "d1d5nrx", "d1d953e" ], "score": [ 20, 3 ], "text": [ "Just a student so take what I'm about to say with a grain of salt. Chlorpromazine was used as an antihistamine is the late 1940s. It was observed that preoperative clients would become calm if they were given the drug befor...
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[ [], [] ]
bl0if3
why does a man's penis hurt if he continues masturbsting/having sex after orgasm.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bl0if3/eli5_why_does_a_mans_penis_hurt_if_he_continues/
{ "a_id": [ "emkoelw", "eml2mw4", "eml3kw1", "eml4lbn", "eml5egw", "eml5evl", "eml7e30", "eml7pv8", "eml890f", "emla6n7", "emlej4l", "emlg08o", "emlgktp", "emlj2oa", "emlshxu", "emlzyi6", "emm6vcc", "emm9o4f", "emmfju9" ], "score": [ ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
3x2hap
why are bank accounts seemingly free? where is the profit for the bank if i don't have a lot of money?
Most of the question is in the title. As a college student my account fluctuates from about $300 to $0 regularly, and I'm using my card all over the place.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3x2hap/eli5_why_are_bank_accounts_seemingly_free_where/
{ "a_id": [ "cy0wgjg", "cy0wnau", "cy0wnqh", "cy0wrt1", "cy12ix2" ], "score": [ 10, 2, 6, 2, 4 ], "text": [ "Banks make money off of having your money. The federal reserve requires that banks can only make loans if they have X% of the loans they make in solid cash b...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://money.cnn.com/2015/05/27/investing/overdraft-fees-over-1-billion-big-banks/" ], [], [], [] ]
4ljwdu
how do museums get items for exhibits?
I was recently at the Imperial war museum in London and saw a window frame from the twin towers. It was heartbreaking to see it and i was wondering how the museum got it, do they ask? is it offered? is it paid for? (Thanks for any help you can give and sorry if I sound like a idiot.) Sorry if this in the wrong Flair I ...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4ljwdu/eli5_how_do_museums_get_items_for_exhibits/
{ "a_id": [ "d3nw5bl", "d3nw6v4" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Most of them are loaned to them by private collectors. Many people buy art as an investment (or because they are passionate for it) and then loan it to museums for exhibitions. \n\nAs in the window frame I guess that pieces ...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
1baa89
why does hot meat/food taste better than raw?
I saw a thing about how cooking our meat releases nutrients that we can't normally get from raw meat. This had a great impact on the evolution of our brains. History Channel... but just wondering how credible that theory is. The title is possibly related to this.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1baa89/eli5why_does_hot_meatfood_taste_better_than_raw/
{ "a_id": [ "c9525jy" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "The act of \"cooking\" can have wildly varied effects, and so there's not just one answer. In some foods, such as carrots, it's been shown that cooking them releases more antioxidants. But in other foods, such as some meat products, it can *reduc...
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[ [] ]
6oi8pm
when passing a person in a narrow hallway, why is it that sometimes you pass with no trouble, and other times, you have to stop and do a little dance since you keep trying to pass the same way?
The thought occurred to me as I was passing a guy in the hall today. Literally took a whole 5 seconds before I had to physically grab his shoulders and move him out of the way. Most awkward 5 seconds of my life.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6oi8pm/eli5_when_passing_a_person_in_a_narrow_hallway/
{ "a_id": [ "dkhspbu" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Once someone realizes that they are in the way their usual reaction is to move the other way to get out of the way. Problem is if both people do this you are just moving into each others way.\n\n\nWhen you meet someone in the hall if both people...
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[]
[ [] ]
2nfqmx
why are some cars more efficient? why can't be just make all cars the most efficient?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2nfqmx/eli5why_are_some_cars_more_efficient_why_cant_be/
{ "a_id": [ "cmd7pb9", "cmd7sk7" ], "score": [ 3, 5 ], "text": [ "Efficiency usually has large tradeoffs, such as weight, power, top speed, acceleration, etc. These are all things that people want and are willing to forgo efficiency for.", "In engineering everything is a trade-off. Th...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
5wg1yg
how do gemologists tell lab-grown gems from natural gems when the crystal structure is the same?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5wg1yg/eli5_how_do_gemologists_tell_labgrown_gems_from/
{ "a_id": [ "de9rvqh" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "Naturally formed gems are not perfect. \n\nThey have atoms of other elements dispersed within their crystal structure. \n\nWhen a gem is grown in the lab, it is usually 100% pure. There are no imperfections, (or nearly none). So when a gemologist...
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[]
[ [] ]
1pso83
where does all of the dirt and grime from our clothes go in the washing machine? wouldn't all of it just be redistributed among all of the clothes?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1pso83/eli5_where_does_all_of_the_dirt_and_grime_from/
{ "a_id": [ "cd5lgxo" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Soap dissolves in both water and oil. It surrounds the dirt particles, even if they are oily, so they don't stick to anything. Then the soap and dirt particles are washed away by water. " ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
yx1u8
quantum physics and semiconductors
I keep on hearing how semiconductors couldn't *be* without quantum physics, but i have no idea how/why!
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/yx1u8/quantum_physics_and_semiconductors/
{ "a_id": [ "c5zn87h" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "The key principle is the \"*band gap*\". According to classical physics, if you have an electron in an atom, you can give it just a bit more energy. And that \"little bit\" can be any value. But that's not how things actually work. Since electro...
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[ [] ]
3rnsnm
full text of tpp, what it means to the people and countries involved?
The [full text](_URL_1_) of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) * What countries are involved in the TPP? * What does it mean for the people in those countries? * What are the important sections of the TPP and what do they mean? Also see related threads in other subs: Political discussion on TPP _URL_0_ News disc...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3rnsnm/eli5_full_text_of_tpp_what_it_means_to_the_people/
{ "a_id": [ "cwpvcue", "cwpwbq2", "cwpwijs", "cwpwu6g", "cwpx2ty", "cwpxt04", "cwpyqz2", "cwpyw34", "cwpzi4r", "cwpzwgx", "cwq06wp", "cwq1oh4", "cwq2pjm", "cwq32y7", "cwq3ee5", "cwq3khj", "cwq4tbq", "cwq6ydp", "cwq7177", "cwq8we8", "c...
[]
[ "https://www.reddit.com/r/PoliticalDiscussion/comments/3rn16m/the_tpp_can_anyone_explain_it_succinctly_for_me/", "http://www.mfat.govt.nz/Treaties-and-International-Law/01-Treaties-for-which-NZ-is-Depositary/0-Trans-Pacific-Partnership-Text.php", "https://www.reddit.com/r/worldnews/comments/3rlu3g/full_text_of_...
[ [], [], [], [], [ "http://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/the-corporate-friendly-world-of-the-t-p-p" ], [], [], [], [], [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3nl4sz/z/cvp5gid" ], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/06/busine...
6422bo
why does almost everyone agree that sweet tastes good?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6422bo/eli5_why_does_almost_everyone_agree_that_sweet/
{ "a_id": [ "dfyrvw8", "dfysskh" ], "score": [ 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Sugar is a high-energy food. When food was hard to come by, our species learned to seek out the foods that would provide a lot of energy, which meant fruits. ", "Your body has evolved to love sugars and fats because th...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
6g4n5k
why do worms always crawl on the hot sidewalk to die?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6g4n5k/eli5_why_do_worms_always_crawl_on_the_hot/
{ "a_id": [ "dinfwym", "dinfze3" ], "score": [ 10, 4 ], "text": [ "I think you are confusing cause and effect. The worms crawl out of the ground when it rains, so that they don't drown. Some of them get trapped in the concrete and can't find their way back to the dirt before the water dr...
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[ [], [] ]
ejd2jf
what is the legal justification for the us killing qassem soleimani?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ejd2jf/eli5_what_is_the_legal_justification_for_the_us/
{ "a_id": [ "fcwyuzz", "fcwyvw9" ], "score": [ 4, 9 ], "text": [ "I thought it had something to do with attacking the US embassy in Iraq. But yeah still doesn't make sense, if foreign countries assassinated the vp or some high ranking government official everytime the US attacked a foreign...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
4x347f
the psychology behind waifu-ism
There has to be something driving it, right?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4x347f/eli5_the_psychology_behind_waifuism/
{ "a_id": [ "d6c1bwd" ], "score": [ 11 ], "text": [ "Real people are messy, unpredictable and needy. Your digital or imagined waifu is always there, always perfect. \n\n\nWhile you can't touch them, they can fulfill certain other emotional needs. They can be validating, loving, funny, sincere and ...
[]
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[ [] ]
32jk67
why is it that transparent materials adopt reflective qualities in the correct light? for instance, looking through a window at night.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/32jk67/eli5_why_is_it_that_transparent_materials_adopt/
{ "a_id": [ "cqbssnd" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "The surface of glass always reflects stuff. During the day the light from the outside is so bright that you can't see the dim reflections from the inside.\n\nBut during the night, the inside of your house is much brighter than the outside. So the...
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[ [] ]
216hns
this may be obvious, but why aren't our educational systems creating more millionaires?
It seems like our educational system is designed to pump out lower and middle class workers like nobody's business. There aren't any real personal finance classes to my knowledge, and risk seems very discouraged. Everything seems to create pretty obedient average people who move on to college and continue this trend on...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/216hns/eli5_this_may_be_obvious_but_why_arent_our/
{ "a_id": [ "cga2pii", "cga2qr5", "cga339p", "cga440r" ], "score": [ 3, 4, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "I guess it's because not everyone can be \"rich\". The school system makes people who can do a job that is specifically explained to them. Maybe they assume that the people who a...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
1x9qjk
why doesn't gravity pull us all into one point in the universe?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1x9qjk/eli5why_doesnt_gravity_pull_us_all_into_one_point/
{ "a_id": [ "cf9cvhs" ], "score": [ 10 ], "text": [ "It's a very weak force, and gets markedly weaker with distance. Over large distances gravity is overwhelmed by the expansion of space itself, and just can't overcome that. " ] }
[]
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[ [] ]
4n5qon
are marine animals at risk of infection when wounded the same way that land animals are?
After recently seeing a photo of a scarred whale from a boat propeller incident, I wondered whether or not bacteria are capable of infecting marine animals when they are wounded. I know the salinity in the ocean would be the most important factor but I am curious if its strong enough to prevent infection and if there...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4n5qon/eli5_are_marine_animals_at_risk_of_infection_when/
{ "a_id": [ "d417jgw", "d41nuew" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Not sure if this is 100% right or not but I know fresh water fish have a slime on the outside of there body that keeps them for getting infections/helps heal", "Yes! Many bacteria, viruses and other micro-organisms live ...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
afgwhz
how do public and private ip addresses work?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/afgwhz/eli5_how_do_public_and_private_ip_addresses_work/
{ "a_id": [ "edyhrzd", "edyhym6", "edyij93", "edyivjq", "edyjhz5", "edylt7w", "edym136" ], "score": [ 3, 3, 3, 2, 2, 3, 5 ], "text": [ "Yes much. Your ISP likely assigns a single IP in address to your modem, which creates a local private network wit...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
24rgn7
do animals perceive us as being smarter than them?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/24rgn7/eli5_do_animals_perceive_us_as_being_smarter_than/
{ "a_id": [ "ch9xvnd", "ch9y9j2", "ch9z741", "ch9ze46", "ch9zgp7", "cha570u", "cha5i9o", "cha5srz", "cha65zy", "cha7eke", "cha8c25" ], "score": [ 27, 6, 2, 98, 435, 2, 2, 5, 4, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "No. I don't think anim...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
304esf
what exactly determines my internet speed?
Even moving from one house to another, my internet is consistently slower than average. Why would that be?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/304esf/eli5_what_exactly_determines_my_internet_speed/
{ "a_id": [ "cpozlcs", "cpp0p5r", "cpp0q7z" ], "score": [ 32, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "How much slower? If you're only getting ~1/8th the speed you were promised as your \"up to\" speed, it's just because you're making the common mistake of directly comparing megabits (what your ISP off...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
3errr4
what are conductors of symphonies doing? dancing with their hands?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3errr4/eli5_what_are_conductors_of_symphonies_doing/
{ "a_id": [ "cthqqs9" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "They're doing different things at different times because the players in the band or orchestra are playing differently. When you're playing, you can hear yourself more than anything else, and don't really hear the big picture. The conductor is po...
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[ [] ]
4vld0n
why did audio quality become so much better in the late 90s/early 2000s?
I hear it mostly in soundstage. Everything before then sounded so wide, but with less depth. Now everything is narrower, but crisper. And it all seemed to unfold in a single decade. Who struck gold in the audio engineering industry?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4vld0n/eli5_why_did_audio_quality_become_so_much_better/
{ "a_id": [ "d5zdlrd" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "funny... actually sound quality in general has gone down. \n\nBut reproduction equipment has gone up in quality. \n\nBetter cuality DAC´s from companies like Wolfson, Cirrus Logic and AKM have allowed portable devices like cellphones and DAP´s to...
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[]
[ [] ]
2hzmqf
when i have a small cut, sore or bruise why do i have the urge to poke at it?
It causes a little pain and seems like it would slow healing but the urge is there.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2hzmqf/eli5_when_i_have_a_small_cut_sore_or_bruise_why/
{ "a_id": [ "ckxj11g" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "From what I can tell, both are somewhat psychosomatic responses, though one makes more \"scientific\" sense than the other. Bruising, a common affliction, happens when we rupture blood vessels under the skin (usually by whacking a limb on somethi...
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1src9a
the holographic principle and string theory
I've always tried to read up about the holographic universe theory, but I always seem to get in over my head and have to read about five other things just to being to understand, as I don't have a strong science background. Can anyone make this a bit more lucid for me?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1src9a/eli5_the_holographic_principle_and_string_theory/
{ "a_id": [ "ce0fg20" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "I'll link you to a similar concept, and before everyone jumps all over my shit for this... I will make the disclaimer that I am NOT an expert BUT, this is a pretty good explanation of dimensional projections in a general sense of the word and may...
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[ [ "http://youtu.be/UnURElCzGc0" ] ]
ng1nk
how can colleges require students to buy new books for hundreds of dollars year after year with books often having little to no changes between each publication?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ng1nk/eli5_how_can_colleges_require_students_to_buy_new/
{ "a_id": [ "c38sqtf", "c38uc85", "c38vxgv", "c38ww2f", "c38zc2g", "c38sqtf", "c38uc85", "c38vxgv", "c38ww2f", "c38zc2g" ], "score": [ 4, 16, 2, 3, 2, 4, 16, 2, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "The publishers can add more supplemental mater...
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[ [ "http://www.masspirg.org/news-releases/higher-education/higher-education-news/new-report-shows-college-textbooks-are-rip-off-101-publishers-increase-prices-through-gimmicks-faculty-are-concerned" ], [], [], [], [], [ "http://www.masspirg.org/news-releases/higher-education/higher-education-news...
7yp586
why do some floating-point operations result in long decimals?
As an example, 1.2 - 1.0 = 0.199999999999999996
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7yp586/eli5_why_do_some_floatingpoint_operations_result/
{ "a_id": [ "dui5p4o", "dui6k93", "dui6s54" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 6 ], "text": [ "Binary conversion to decimal is fairly accurate, but not that precise. It's not easy to store one-fifth in binary. ", "Floating point in computers does use decimal fraction but use binary fraction. ...
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[ [], [ "https://docs.python.org/3/tutorial/floatingpoint.html" ], [] ]
1ibq8e
what is radiology?
What it says on the tin.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ibq8e/eli5_what_is_radiology/
{ "a_id": [ "cb2zdd4" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Radiology is a branch of medicine which uses *images* to detect and monitor disease.\n\nExamples of radiology include:\n\n* X-Rays (and the images they create - radiography)\n* MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)\n* CT (Computerised Tomography) or C...
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3ttbot
why does american thanksgiving land on the last thursday of november instead of a specific day?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ttbot/eli5_why_does_american_thanksgiving_land_on_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cx905mt", "cx9069m", "cx90798" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Usually Thanksgiving commemorated end of harvest. In US being south its celebrated later than in Canada when it colder and harvest happens earlier. Why thursday? Most likely because its end of the week....
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aata8l
why do humans have the urge to do stupid things that would hurt yourself or other people (i.e. open car doors that are in motion or jump off a high ledge)?
Surely I can’t be the only one to experience this?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/aata8l/eli5_why_do_humans_have_the_urge_to_do_stupid/
{ "a_id": [ "ecutkvt" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ "Its called the call of the void and no one is entirely sure why it happens. the best explanation seems to be that it's your brain running a \"bug check\", making sure you don't actually want to jump, or whatever you were tempted to do." ] }
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vmbfu
the answer to the math problem about the game show where there's three doors with either goats or a car behind them. (variable change)
The question goes something like: You're on a game show where there are 3 doors, and you want to pick the correct one. Behind one door is a car, and behind the other two are goats. You select door 1, after which the host opens door 2 to reveal a goat, and says you may change answers now if you wish. Why is it in your...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/vmbfu/eli5_the_answer_to_the_math_problem_about_the/
{ "a_id": [ "c55p87r", "c55p8jg", "c55p8mw", "c55qj15", "c55qn9q" ], "score": [ 5, 2, 13, 10, 2 ], "text": [ "Notice first that the host is making a deliberate choice. He's not picking randomly, because he needs to make sure the door he picks has a goat behind it.\n...
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[ [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monty_hall_problem" ], [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/search?q=monty+hall&restrict_sr=on" ], [], [] ]
eep867
why are some websites/apps/pictures you visit on your phone, not able to be screenshotted?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/eep867/eli5_why_are_some_websitesappspictures_you_visit/
{ "a_id": [ "fbve59u" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "There are no hardwired functions in an android phone. All those buttons are just inputs to software. One of those pieces of software, that does the screen shots, checks the FLAG_SECURE layout parameter flag. If this flag is TRUE, then the scre...
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3o68xg
why do people say that cows are "killing the environment"?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3o68xg/eli5_why_do_people_say_that_cows_are_killing_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cvueoa5" ], "score": [ 12 ], "text": [ "Two reasons: global warming, and resource consumption.\n\nCows produce lots and lots and lots of methane. They are gigantic highly productive engines of fart. Methane is an intense greenhouse gas, much more effective at retaining atmospheric hea...
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65ztab
if sound doesn't have mass, why is it not travelling at the speed of light?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/65ztab/eli5_if_sound_doesnt_have_mass_why_is_it_not/
{ "a_id": [ "dgegzc8", "dgehxdd" ], "score": [ 19, 3 ], "text": [ "Sound itself isn't really a thing. Sound is caused by vibrations of air (or another substance). This means that air particles are bouncing into each other, and this \"wave\" of bouncing particles continues until it reaches ...
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1xrji2
why does socially conservative japanese culture tolerate weird trends and sexual fetishes?
Generally speaking, Japanese culture seems to operate from a very strict set of social rules and courtesies...so why does it seem to tolerate weird stuff like anime, hentai, and weird fashion trends like Ganguro and Elegant Gothic Lolita?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1xrji2/why_does_socially_conservative_japanese_culture/
{ "a_id": [ "cfdz7us", "cfdzkwo", "cfe5etx" ], "score": [ 4, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "It doesn't have the same Christian puritanism that you find in the US, because Christianity is not pervasive there.", "It's not tolerated by the mainstream culture, really. The average Japanese pers...
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1iysdz
what happens to the excess electricity produced by a power plant?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1iysdz/eli5what_happens_to_the_excess_electricity/
{ "a_id": [ "cb9cvz1", "cb9ec6s", "cb9edlu", "cb9ehvt" ], "score": [ 25, 8, 9, 7 ], "text": [ "They normally sell it to other power companies that need it, they can store a small amount of it (with some loss) by pumping water upwards at a hydro dam to let it fall back down ...
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2kc5jh
why are cars shaped aerodynamically, but busses just flat without taking the shape into consideration?
Holy shit! This really blew up overnight! Front page! woo hoo!
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2kc5jh/eli5_why_are_cars_shaped_aerodynamically_but/
{ "a_id": [ "cljvcem", "cljvgmb", "cljvjpr", "cljvn1h", "cljvwra", "cljy72k", "cljyahq", "cljyije", "cljys2h", "cljywla", "cljz9yl", "cljza9p", "cljzhdd", "cljzo46", "cljzo4b", "cljzo6h", "cljzsuf", "cljzxrt", "clk02fz", "clk0763", "c...
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[ [], [], [], [], [ "http://fuelcellsworks.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/cola82.jpg" ], [], [ "http://imgur.com/Hhbqwc8" ], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://www.chinabuses.org/uploadfile/news/uploadfile/201205/20120515060...
bv6n21
why are planetary rovers built in clean rooms if they're just going to get covered in dust when they arrive at destination planet?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bv6n21/eli5_why_are_planetary_rovers_built_in_clean/
{ "a_id": [ "eplvqfx", "eplvvqj" ], "score": [ 4, 2 ], "text": [ "part of the idea is that *we really don't want to introduce foreign bacteria to other planets*.\n\nForeign in this case means our own.\n\nIf we are going to another planet to study bacteria, to learn about the evolution of o...
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1vspbe
how animals (birds, squirels ect) dont freeze to death when its negative degrese outaide.
It's below zero here in Ohio today, how do te geese that are all sleeping in a field not become frozen?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1vspbe/eli5_how_animals_birds_squirels_ect_dont_freeze/
{ "a_id": [ "cevey57", "cevf30k" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "their feathers insulate them extremely well. and then they all huddle together. ", "Most of them have enough protective fur/plumage.\n\nLet's take birds for example. Species that live in cold climates have excellent ther...
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[ [], [ "http://beyondpenguins.ehe.osu.edu/files/2011/07/web_countercurrent_heat_exchanger.jpg" ] ]
3hdury
why does the us have middle/junior high schools?
It's something that has always made me wonder. I don't rember hearing about them existing before about the 1960's from things I have read or from older relatives in the past. Was it something that was started post World War 2 because of Baby Boomers becoming teens made for overcrowded high schools?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3hdury/eli5_why_does_the_us_have_middlejunior_high/
{ "a_id": [ "cu6j0ww" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "The original idea, at least in the US, was introduced to some schools in Columbus, Ohio in 1906. This is also around the time that going to high school started to become much more common, from 7% in 1890 to 32% in 1920. \n\nMiddle schools becomin...
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3ydwyc
what the big deal is about the hateful 8 being filmed in "70mm."
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ydwyc/eli5_what_the_big_deal_is_about_the_hateful_8/
{ "a_id": [ "cycnn01", "cycodym", "cyd3fe6", "cydl2g3" ], "score": [ 107, 10, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "Short answer: before digital filming, movies were recorded on physical film. Roles of film come in different sizes, 70mm being one of the biggest used by Hollywood studios. Some...
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[ [ "https://youtu.be/En__V0oEJsU" ], [], [], [] ]
2d4aaw
what is the reasoning behind the kosher dietary laws?
I'm aware of many of the kosher laws, but I've never really heard the reasoning behind their existence. Could anyone clarify for me? Some of the laws seems so restrictive and unnecessary, I have to wonder what the purpose is.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2d4aaw/eli5_what_is_the_reasoning_behind_the_kosher/
{ "a_id": [ "cjlwxzq", "cjlxi3t" ], "score": [ 2, 10 ], "text": [ "Much of it was for hygienic and health reasons back in the day; found some seafood in the middle of the desert? Yeah probably not a good idea to eat it.", "If you look at them in terms of not killing your entire tribe ...
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1b18kz
what are the advantages of filming tv shows in front of a live studio audience?
mostly for sitcoms, eg. the big bang theory.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1b18kz/eli5_what_are_the_advantages_of_filming_tv_shows/
{ "a_id": [ "c92n2hi" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "Do you mean a live audience vs a laugh track or a live audience vs no laughter at all?\n\nWith a live audience the actors know if a joke is really funny or only in the mind of the writer. If a joke really does not land they can change it up a bit...
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adc2v1
how are daily contact lenses made?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/adc2v1/eli5_how_are_daily_contact_lenses_made/
{ "a_id": [ "edfzakv" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Contact lenses are injection molded like any other plastic product. They are made from a highly detailable PDMS material. " ] }
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f8y5qk
why is it called "outer" space?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/f8y5qk/eli5_why_is_it_called_outer_space/
{ "a_id": [ "fio9r4b" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Well from a technical standpoint everything around you is space. So when you want to refer to space outside our planet, it's outer space. That being said, I actually never use outer space, I just say space, because outer space sounds a bit childi...
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6i6hjp
why is reverse engineering sometimes impossible?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6i6hjp/eli5_why_is_reverse_engineering_sometimes/
{ "a_id": [ "dj3t4yu", "dj3tkw8", "dj3tp32" ], "score": [ 7, 2, 7 ], "text": [ "Likely because the rockets in question are the precise size that we need, and it's cheaper to use theirs than build our own. Alternatively, we can't build enough of our own rockets to put stuff into spa...
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4lz1vv
how come mobile devices (smartphones, tablets) are developing faster than larger devices (computers, smart tv, some game consoles)?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4lz1vv/eli5_how_come_mobile_devices_smartphones_tablets/
{ "a_id": [ "d3r97ig", "d3r9nn3", "d3ramy3", "d3rcw57", "d3redou" ], "score": [ 33, 7, 4, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "They aren't, really. However, people are willing to pay for bells and whistles on their phone that they don't buy for their PC, and people are more inclined ...
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brnd5l
if vesicles can fuse to membranes fairly easily, what’s there to stop a whole bunch of cells fusing together?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/brnd5l/eli5_if_vesicles_can_fuse_to_membranes_fairly/
{ "a_id": [ "eof76pz", "eof98tj", "eofbxmm" ], "score": [ 6, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "Cell membranes are different from vesicles. They contain anti-fusing lipids like Lysolipids. Also, they have phospholipids that are negatively charged and repel each other.\n\nBasically, it is energetic...
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[ [], [], [ "https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fistula" ] ]
4tv8js
why do we as a society look at women who have sex with minors in a less serious way than men who have relationship with minors?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4tv8js/eli5_why_do_we_as_a_society_look_at_women_who/
{ "a_id": [ "d5kkjmy", "d5kkrqh" ], "score": [ 5, 4 ], "text": [ "Because of the view that women are the 'weaker' sex often means they're viewed more positively, more easily forgiven, and generally more innocent.\n\nMen are seen as the evil predatory monsters. So are treated harsher/", ...
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