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1ik3kw
why does my cars air conditioner burn fuel and not just use the battery like my car radio?
The AC in my office uses electricity instead of diesel so why not my car ?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ik3kw/eli5_why_does_my_cars_air_conditioner_burn_fuel/
{ "a_id": [ "cb57ayf", "cb57b33", "cb57bog", "cb57del", "cb57kvh", "cb5bcg8", "cb5cze6", "cb5h87m" ], "score": [ 2, 8, 17, 2, 2, 2, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "because if they did that then they would have to install another electric motor in your car...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
e7fe4u
why is there a risk of rejection of donated organs, but not of donated blood?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/e7fe4u/eli5_why_is_there_a_risk_of_rejection_of_donated/
{ "a_id": [ "f9ypeh7", "f9ypgob", "f9yt08a", "f9ytk8z" ], "score": [ 3, 13, 7, 3 ], "text": [ "There is a risk of rejected blood. If they test it, and it has something in it that makes it unusable in a human they may experiment on it or throw it out. It also expires and the...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "https://www.llscanada.org/treatment/types-of-treatment/blood-transfusion", "https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/14/well/live/blood-type-race-racial.html", "https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/news/this-is-why-more-black-blood-donors-are-needed/" ], [] ]
3v63h2
why can expedia offer half off on hotels regularly, yet rarely has specials on flights?
I noticed this after receiving many many emails from them. They offer seemingly absurd discounts on hotel rooms very often, but it seems that their flights are basically the same price I can get from the airline and not discounted very frequently.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3v63h2/eli5_why_can_expedia_offer_half_off_on_hotels/
{ "a_id": [ "cxklsjb", "cxkm0do" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Actually, you can get some great deals on flights, but you have to basically be at the airport ready to go before the deals become available. Why? Because the airlines often don't know which seats are open and need to be fil...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
5u37xu
how do antidotes stop poisons from working?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5u37xu/eli5_how_do_antidotes_stop_poisons_from_working/
{ "a_id": [ "ddqzh3t", "dds2ju5" ], "score": [ 16, 2 ], "text": [ "It depends on the poison and antidote, but some work by directly disabling the poison itself. The toxin might be a chemical that binds to specific receptors within the body and the antidote binds to the toxin instead, filli...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
33mbj1
why is there so much crazy lightning in the pictures of chile's calbuco volcano erupting?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/33mbj1/eli5why_is_there_so_much_crazy_lightning_in_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cqm8mhg" ], "score": [ 12 ], "text": [ "Volcanos emit a whole bunch of matter into the air which bumps into each other, creating a static charge which leads to lightning once the charge builds up sufficiently." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
4s62s8
why can djs make money by playing copyrighted music when youtubers can't have copyrighted music in their videos?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4s62s8/eli5_why_can_djs_make_money_by_playing/
{ "a_id": [ "d56rnmo", "d56u6qo", "d56u8s9" ], "score": [ 14, 2, 9 ], "text": [ "They (or, more commonly, the venue) pays for the right to play those songs. \n\nYour own YouTube video can have copyrighted music if you pay for that right. It's just people who don't pay who get their...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
3ajqp0
does the united states have secret laws?
I have heard of secret executive orders.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ajqp0/eli5_does_the_united_states_have_secret_laws/
{ "a_id": [ "csd8qhk" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "It depends on your definition of \"law\".\n\nIf your definition includes the effects of legal precedent, then yes there are secret laws. There is a secret court, the FISA court, which hears certain cases related to national security. The ruling...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
eitr6y
how do crickets make such a loud noise with their tiny legs?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/eitr6y/eli5_how_do_crickets_make_such_a_loud_noise_with/
{ "a_id": [ "fctl7nj", "fctu9bj" ], "score": [ 132, 113 ], "text": [ "The bottom of a cricket wing is covered with teeth-like ridges that make it rough. The upper surface of the wing is like a scraper. When crickets rub the upper and lower parts of their wings together, they create a chirp...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
mhfh6
why does ray tracing take such an immense amount of processing power?
It seems like the future of graphics, but real time ray tracing also seems like it's a long ways out due to the amount of processing power required ( As seen here - _URL_0_ )
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/mhfh6/eli5_why_does_ray_tracing_take_such_an_immense/
{ "a_id": [ "c30y209", "c30yfdy", "c311rm7", "c30y209", "c30yfdy", "c311rm7" ], "score": [ 3, 3, 2, 3, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "With rasterisation (what is currently done, i.e. not ray tracing) a scene is only as complicated as the pieces that make it up. A single...
[]
[ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbokPe4_-mY" ]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
2ctuf2
how can stores such as ross and t.j. max sell their clothing for so cheap?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2ctuf2/eli5_how_can_stores_such_as_ross_and_tj_max_sell/
{ "a_id": [ "cjixj5y" ], "score": [ 10 ], "text": [ "Say you have some clothing item that costs x to produce. Normally, it retails for 10x. At the end of the season, the store has to clear out their stock, so they sell this item (along with others) in bulk to stores like Ross/TJ Maxx, at a rate of...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
6eotbm
if your brain was split vertically, would your conscience split for the remainder of life? i.e would either side of you brain experience it's own conscience?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6eotbm/eli5_if_your_brain_was_split_vertically_would/
{ "a_id": [ "dic4j3k" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Splitting the brain is actually a very common procedure used to treat epilepsy. It's called a corpus calloscotomy.\n\n_URL_1_\n\nAn interesting excerpt:\n > \"several patients who had undergone a complete calloscotomy suffered from split-brain sy...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCv4K5aStdU", "https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-superhuman-mind/201211/split-brains" ] ]
dvzqvu
why does cold wind have a higher pitch than warm wind?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dvzqvu/eli5_why_does_cold_wind_have_a_higher_pitch_than/
{ "a_id": [ "f7frcie" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "In all likelihood what you’re feeling isn’t so much “colder” wind as it is “faster” wind. When the wind is blowing faster then it blows away your body heat faster, so it feels colder, even if the air itself is still the same temperature. (And in ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
1k70x0
the die hard: with a vengeance water bottle scene
How do you fill a 5 gallon water bottle with 4 gallons only with a 5 gallon jug and a 3 gallon jug?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1k70x0/eli5_the_die_hard_with_a_vengeance_water_bottle/
{ "a_id": [ "cbm0e3m", "cbm123e" ], "score": [ 4, 4 ], "text": [ "Have you tried googling? I googled your text verbatim and the first link is very clear with pictures 'n all: _URL_0_", "- fill 3 gallon jug\n- pour into 5 gallon bottle\n- fill 3 gallon jug\n- pour into 5 gallon bottle\n...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.wikihow.com/Solve-the-Water-Jug-Riddle-from-Die-Hard-3" ], [] ]
2xfjee
how can the department of homeland security actually run out of money? (since the house just failed to extend funding) a
Apparently 90% of its operations will cease at midnight. How is this possible? Are there no reserves, etc?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2xfjee/eli5_how_can_the_department_of_homeland_security/
{ "a_id": [ "coznxxp", "cozof7y", "cozp4i9" ], "score": [ 4, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Congress doesn't budget for departments to build reserves like that, so when they stop cutting checks that's all she wrote", "_URL_0_\n\nActually it is funded for a week. ", "Government money fo...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://news.yahoo.com/republicans-prepare-pass-homeland-security-funding-080933043--politics.html" ], [] ]
2l95cq
why does oil pop and fly out of pans when cooking?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2l95cq/eli5_why_does_oil_pop_and_fly_out_of_pans_when/
{ "a_id": [ "clskoy4" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "That is actually water.\n\nOil has a much higher boiling point than water. Oil and water do not mix. Oil is less dense than water.\n\nWhen a droplet of water gets in the oil, it sinks. However, the oil it hot, so the water is instantly heated up ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
6iowpi
how come you can be falling asleep watching tv, then wide awake when you go to bed five minutes later?
Edit: Fell asleep a few minutes after posting this. Woke up to 1,200 replies! I'm not going to get much work done today...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6iowpi/eli5_how_come_you_can_be_falling_asleep_watching/
{ "a_id": [ "dj80g96", "dj81jew", "dj81r04", "dj84tgz", "dj853rm", "dj85p46", "dj86e9f", "dj870nl", "dj88m8g", "dj8al0i", "dj8ehk6", "dj8ewln", "dj8hd9q", "dj8iyrn", "dj8l8yg", "dj8ldk5", "dj8s57d", "dj8ty9j", "dj8tyla", "dj8v1jw" ], ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
cagrvn
how do animals/insects know they are the same and don’t attack each other
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cagrvn/eli5_how_do_animalsinsects_know_they_are_the_same/
{ "a_id": [ "et8u8ua" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "I don't know the answer to this. I just wanted to second the question. I wondered the same thing mostly about dogs. Dogs come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes but somehow they recognise their own species, even at distance (i.e not using scen...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
2xwna5
why are mandatory arbitration clauses not considered to be unconstitutional in the us, under the 7th amendment?
Is it just because private entities aren't bound by the 7th amendment, only the government?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2xwna5/eli5_why_are_mandatory_arbitration_clauses_not/
{ "a_id": [ "cp41x6h" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "The 7th amendment states that in civil cases, your right to a jury is preserved. By signing an agreement with an arbitration clause, you are waiving your right to bring a lawsuit in the first place. There is nothing in the Constitution that pre...
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[]
[ [] ]
4alol2
how is the outcome of a contested or brokered convention determined?
I understand how a contested convention is triggered (if no candidate gets enough delegates to win the nomination), but I don't understand how exactly it's decided who wins. Is it most likely just the frontrunner? I've heard it explain as being decided by "backroom deals" but who is making those deals? The delegates th...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4alol2/eli5_how_is_the_outcome_of_a_contested_or/
{ "a_id": [ "d11imrt" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "After the first ballot, delegates are free to vote for whichever candidate they like, even one who wasn't running. Candidates and party leaders are free to lobby those delegates and try to get them to change their mind. Party leaders can also t...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
2ume1w
what exactly went wrong at the end of the superbowl for the seahawks?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2ume1w/eli5_what_exactly_went_wrong_at_the_end_of_the/
{ "a_id": [ "co9oma3" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Generally speaking, when you are close to the opponent's end zone, it is a safer option to run the ball rather than pass it, for precisely the reason shown in this game - passes can be intercepted.\n\nThis is doubly true for the Seahawks, whose r...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
4manyj
what are aftermarket graphics cards and what is the difference between aftermarket and normal cards?
For example, the new NVIDIA 1080/1070 models. Everyone is saying to get an aftermarket card. I know a bit about computers but not too much insanely technical stuff
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4manyj/eli5_what_are_aftermarket_graphics_cards_and_what/
{ "a_id": [ "d3ty0v1" ], "score": [ 9 ], "text": [ "So, NVIDIA has released the 1080 and 1070 with what is called the reference cooler, this is the cooler that NVIDIA made.\n\nNormally, NVIDIA does not want to make coolers/cards. It will pass on that responsibility to other companies such as MSI, ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
4fmtyx
if somebody commits a crime before they're 18, but the crime is only uncovered after they turn 18, would they be tried as an adult, or a minor?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4fmtyx/eli5_if_somebody_commits_a_crime_before_theyre_18/
{ "a_id": [ "d2a5zrq", "d2a79br", "d2a7sgf", "d2a87f7", "d2aesyn", "d2ag3tk", "d2ahlu5" ], "score": [ 72, 2, 26, 2, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "It may vary from state to state, but I'm most familiar with people being tried as the age they committed the cri...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
4458jn
why is the new nuclear fusion success of germany important?
What is exactly does it do? What effects will it have in physics?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4458jn/eli5_why_is_the_new_nuclear_fusion_success_of/
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[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2016/0203/How-Germany-took-big-step-toward-nuclear-fusion", "http://www.sciencealert.com/germany-s-massive-nuclear-fusion-machine-just-produced-its-first-hydrogen-plasma" ], [], [], [ "https://www.youtube.com/wat...
34ty79
why can we have such huge hard-disk space but comparably so little ram?
Mid-range computers nowadays often have over 1TB of space yet when it comes to RAM we're still restricted to 8/16GB slots tops. Obviously theres a fundamental difference in the way computers use RAM compared to storage which restricts us from making RAM slots that are 500GB, Im just wondering if anyone could it expla...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/34ty79/eli5_why_can_we_have_such_huge_harddisk_space_but/
{ "a_id": [ "cqy0q73" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "RAM is much more expensive per gigabyte than disk storage is. There are systems out there that will allow you to install more than 16GB, but they tend to be professional-class workstations, again more expensive than basic computers." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
3hgwbr
how can america rank so low in education yet reject workers with degrees from other countries?
I had a friend of mine confide in me how frustrating it is to work as a security guard. He said in his country he had a degree in computer science. What would it take for him to get work in his field? How does he get his degree to be recognized? EDIT:thanks for all of thoughtful replies. Hadn't considered primary vs ...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3hgwbr/eli5_how_can_america_rank_so_low_in_education_yet/
{ "a_id": [ "cu78rfv", "cu797kf", "cu7bvuh" ], "score": [ 12, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "In American education, it's important to note the difference between primary and secondary schools, and higher education. America ranks very low on the first group, but very high on the second. Our uni...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
1t19qg
why are many craft beers made in the us often sold as imports at bars in the us?
I remember being in Texas and seeing Shiner Bock on the imports list at a bar. I've seen that happen in other states as well. I have my theories on why this is, but I'd like to hear an answer from someone who knows the industry.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1t19qg/eli5_why_are_many_craft_beers_made_in_the_us/
{ "a_id": [ "ce3aqpz", "ce3at68" ], "score": [ 4, 2 ], "text": [ "Because the bar/restaurant in question has two beer prices. One price for Miller/Budweiser and a slightly higher price for imports.\n\nThey want to sell the craft beers for import prices so they just list them under imports...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
a9nxlk
why is the volkswagen advertisement "lemon" so famous?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a9nxlk/eli5_why_is_the_volkswagen_advertisement_lemon_so/
{ "a_id": [ "ecldehv" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Lemon was a clean break with the conventions of American advertising, not just automobile advertising, in 1959. You will see references to the ad appearing \"in 1960\". This refers to the American convention of \"model years\" which conventionall...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
12nfic
photosystems in photosynthesis
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/12nfic/eli5_photosystems_in_photosynthesis/
{ "a_id": [ "c6wmlc5" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "in *photosystem II*, a photon (packet of light energy) comes in and excites an electron (subatomic particle) in what's called a *chlorophyll B* molecule in the *light harvesting complex*. the excited electron jumps from chlorophyll molecule to ch...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://imgur.com/An85F" ] ]
3lqs3c
what is stopping me from living a life of debt?
What is stopping me from living a life of debt? What if I worked for an average salary but have everything payed on credit. I'd be working to pay my minimal payments off each month. I'd live a life full of debt, but also full of toys and fun. I'm going to die one day anyways right, so why not bring on the debt? (No I'm...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3lqs3c/eli5_what_is_stopping_me_from_living_a_life_of/
{ "a_id": [ "cv8ii2k", "cv8iiyr", "cv8ivat", "cv8k6wk" ], "score": [ 9, 5, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Eventually people will stop loaning you money, they might take you to court, and you can forget ever buying a house or even slightly expensive car.\n\nEDIT: You will also never be ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
1cg4os
why comcast "xfinity" ads are allowed to continue claiming they are the fastest isp in the country when they are clearly lying?
Aren't there laws against being overtly misleading in advertising?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1cg4os/eli5_why_comcast_xfinity_ads_are_allowed_to/
{ "a_id": [ "c9g5s01", "c9g8gqe", "c9g8vy7", "c9g8zxy", "c9g96z9", "c9g9kbt", "c9ga3w9", "c9gai2v", "c9gb6rk", "c9gbjp5", "c9gcivk", "c9gcrdc", "c9gczda", "c9gdaqq", "c9gegc9" ], "score": [ 54, 454, 18, 24, 2, 13, 10, 7, ...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://gigaom.com/2012/07/24/and-here-it-is-comcasts-305-mbps-tier/" ], [], [], [], [], [ "http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puffery" ], [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doublespeak" ], [], [ "http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/14/comcast-told-to-stop-sayi_n...
3wuscn
why is it easy and common for health insurance companies to pay for 90% of my medical bills(after the deductible has been met) but impossible and unheard of for them to pay 100%?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3wuscn/eli5_why_is_it_easy_and_common_for_health/
{ "a_id": [ "cxz9956", "cxz9ki3" ], "score": [ 6, 2 ], "text": [ "These plans do exist and some employers do offer them, but it's hard to find them as individual plans now, and employers are phasing them out for most employees.\n\nThe Affordable Care Act specifically discourages these plan...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
3vy37q
what's wrong with mental health care in the u.s.? what are some potential ways to fix it?
Whenever there is some kind of mass shooting the topic of mental health reform always seems to come up. However, I never really seem to see any concrete ideas for reform, or explanations of what is wrong with the current system from politicians. It's seems like a lot of people just use it as a vague buzzword after ever...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3vy37q/eli5whats_wrong_with_mental_health_care_in_the_us/
{ "a_id": [ "cxrs705", "cxrs8up", "cxrtf2k", "cxrubww", "cxruu2e", "cxruyn4", "cxruzzw", "cxrx069", "cxrzvcg", "cxs5voc" ], "score": [ 14, 10, 24, 15, 9, 5, 2, 4, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Really? No comments yet? Well I'll give a *v...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deinstitutionalisation" ], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "https://www.congress.gov/bill/97th-congress/house-bill/3982", "http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/asylums/special/excerpt.html" ], [] ]
ej5w1n
how does something being in orbit around something else not violate the conservation of energy?
Doesn't it take energy for, say, the Earth to keep the moon in its orbit? Is that energy spontaneously generated or is it like a reservoir? Could we ever run out of gravity?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ej5w1n/eli5_how_does_something_being_in_orbit_around/
{ "a_id": [ "fcvoe27", "fcvojee", "fcwxbo4", "fcxl882" ], "score": [ 2, 7, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "I think you're confusing energy with force here.\n\nAs the moon is in a vacuum, and (as far as I know) is moving at a constant velocity, then it has no net force acting on it. It i...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
1ok8vg
why can animals eat all sorts of crazy things (grass, rotting flesh, their own shit) but we have to eat things that are cleaner/healthier/cooked?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ok8vg/eli5_why_can_animals_eat_all_sorts_of_crazy/
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[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8L62rInB5U", "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32MH5jR6Zz8&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PL6CE8593C143554CD" ], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravlax", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surstr%C3%B6mming", "http://en....
7skvl6
how did interface(sites, ui) designs get switched from non-flat to flat designs that we see in modern interfaces?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7skvl6/eli5_how_did_interfacesites_ui_designs_get/
{ "a_id": [ "dt5jjpk", "dt5kff4" ], "score": [ 2, 12 ], "text": [ "\"how\"? Well, you can just create a new icon or format for your interface and replace the old one. Its mundanely easy to do so for anyone working on the interface or site. There's even graphics programs that can take ico...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
2wr7f2
why is most of the world still underdeveloped
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2wr7f2/eli5_why_is_most_of_the_world_still_underdeveloped/
{ "a_id": [ "cotdco2", "cotdk81", "cotfxfr" ], "score": [ 4, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Lack of stability, to develop you need time, money and long term goals, without stability people and organisations don't have that long term view.", "The world is undeveloped on purpose.\n\nWe are a...
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[ [], [], [ "http://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2013/07/afghanistan-in-the-1950s-and-60s/100544/" ] ]
c1frg8
how do people get a count for large gatherings such as the protest in hong kong, where it’s approximated that 2 million people are gathered
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/c1frg8/eli5_how_do_people_get_a_count_for_large/
{ "a_id": [ "ercy1ym", "erdiia3", "erdlikv" ], "score": [ 44, 8, 13 ], "text": [ "It’s a lot of estimating... someone will overlay a grid on a picture of the crowd. count several grids squares, get an average, then count the number of grid squares and there ya go... and decent esti...
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[ [], [], [ "http://course1.winona.edu/eerrthum/math395/CapstoneReport2.pdf" ] ]
2jxvgb
why is baseball the only sport where the coaches/managers wear the same uniforms as the players?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2jxvgb/eli5_why_is_baseball_the_only_sport_where_the/
{ "a_id": [ "clg2g2f", "clg3w0a" ], "score": [ 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Tradition of baseball that other sports don't have. I believe it goes back to the days of players being the base running coaches and that took hold and continued as they became the coach. ", "In the early years of baseba...
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[ [], [] ]
vba4x
vatican ii
Reddit probably isn't the best place to go for explanations of religious doctrine but since I was raised Catholic (if you squinted real hard) I still find theology interesting, much in the same way I find Moby Dick interesting. The Catholic Priest AMA brought up Vatican II which I had heard mentioned before but never r...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/vba4x/eli5_vatican_ii/
{ "a_id": [ "c52yllw", "c52zwzd", "c532hjk" ], "score": [ 3, 7, 2 ], "text": [ "Vatican II was a MASSIVE shift in the church, it was the point where the church switched from the \"old\" Latin mass to the \"new\" current format you see performed today. There are still many churches ...
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[ [], [ "http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decl_19651028_nostra-aetate_en.html", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syllabus_of_Errors" ], [ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvvwNR3vF44" ] ]
370on0
why some socialist/communist countries forbid possessing of foreign currencies?
I remember that in ex-SFRJ (Socialistic Federal Republic of Yugoslavia) possessing of dollars or german marks was something that could get you in jail back in the time. I think that I read that USSR did the same thing. Why was it illegal to own foreign currency? At least in bigger amounts. Did that had something to do ...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/370on0/eli5why_some_socialistcommunist_countries_forbid/
{ "a_id": [ "criohve" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Because having foreign money might indicate that you are a spy accepting money from a foreign government; because under normal circumstances, there should be no reason for you to own foreign currency (e.g. why would an American have a stack of ru...
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[ [] ]
vj7bx
-eli5- can someone here explain what this guy is alluding to? -- (implications of chinese sustained denial of local currency appreciation)
-ELI5- In this video: _URL_0_ The speaker talks about problems with the American economy as if they are anchored around the idea that 'free market capitalism' only works of no significant powers are manipulating the local economy as to artificially impact the global economy. He claims that China's sustained denial o...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/vj7bx/eli5_can_someone_here_explain_what_this_guy_is/
{ "a_id": [ "c553e0a" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "There are two main parts to this: how do they fix the exchange rate, and what are the main effects of that. I'll skip the first part because it sounds like you're concerned about the second part.\n\nThe main effect of an artificially imbalanced ...
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[ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC-ulGJ-tLU" ]
[ [] ]
frygxo
how do stem cells replicate? what are they made of?
How do embryonic stem cells replicate? What are they made of? So I read that in a regular animal cell there's a nucleus with DNA, and a way for that cell to make proteins, can stem cell do any of that? How does it know how to turn into a different type of cell?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/frygxo/eli5_how_do_stem_cells_replicate_what_are_they/
{ "a_id": [ "flyfzc2" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "A STEM cell is just a cell that isn't differentiated. What does this mean?\n\nWell, all of the cells in your body have the same set of DNA in them, but a neuron is obviously very different from a muscle cell. That's because although they have the...
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[ [] ]
3ie489
if a 50 story building collapsed, what floor would i be the safest on?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ie489/eli5_if_a_50_story_building_collapsed_what_floor/
{ "a_id": [ "cufln4z", "cufloh3", "cufnvtk", "cufqgze" ], "score": [ 5, 2, 2, 5 ], "text": [ "The furthest sub-basement? I think you're done regardless, but I would think the foundation levels would have more reinforcement in the concrete and hopefully thicker walls.", ...
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[]
[ [], [], [ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWdCzX1ieOw", "http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/september-11-attacks/9530013/911-survivor-tells-how-he-surfed-15-floors-down-the-collapsing-tower.html" ], [] ]
1kkqk7
how does inflation work? couldn't someone just print off money, spread it around, and just not tell anyone?
If you don't tell anyone that there's more money, then inflation shouldn't be able to happen.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1kkqk7/eli5_how_does_inflation_work_couldnt_someone_just/
{ "a_id": [ "cbpwwie", "cbpwyot" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "How are you going to give people money without telling them that you're giving them money?", "Nope. Once you spend it, it's in circulation and will cause inflation. And it's not as though you can just make up a rule t...
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[ [], [] ]
4d3lnt
why is netflix throttling such a controversial issue?
I live in Australia and do, as far as I know, have my Netflix quality throttled. I don't understand though why it's a problem of net neutrality, or a problem at all. Could somebody please explain? :)
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4d3lnt/eli5_why_is_netflix_throttling_such_a/
{ "a_id": [ "d1nfum6", "d1nqij7" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "It's when the ISP is hand picking what websites are fast or slow that really gets people. It's an incredible amount of power where companies that used to be just neutral pipes to turn into places that hand pick what websites...
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[ [], [] ]
9uf27r
if alcohol is very effective when it comes to killing germs and bacterias, why isn’t it effective to fight a bacterial throat infection by gargling with a alcohol?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9uf27r/eli5_if_alcohol_is_very_effective_when_it_comes/
{ "a_id": [ "e93q431", "e93ru5x", "e93ruqj", "e93yi6k" ], "score": [ 27, 5, 2, 12 ], "text": [ "It actually is, depending on the alcohol. Listerine is alcohol, and that is exactly what it is designed to do. You dont want to use a germy wheatie or sugary alcohol. But vodka f...
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[ [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mouthwash#Alcohol" ], [], [] ]
78b6mr
stephen hawking’s properties of expanding universes
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/78b6mr/eli5_stephen_hawkings_properties_of_expanding/
{ "a_id": [ "dost7fz" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "His thesis was just released and it is basically what he has been studying to prove since 1966. It considers the implications and consequences of the expansion of the universe, and its conclusions include things you may have seen as news on Reddi...
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[ [] ]
6mhsmj
if you're cooking a pizza for 25-27 minutes, why is the difference between 25 and 27 so huge?
In terms of difference, I mean 27 is burnt and 25 is well cooked.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6mhsmj/eli5_if_youre_cooking_a_pizza_for_2527_minutes/
{ "a_id": [ "dk1pjn2", "dk20yen" ], "score": [ 9, 2 ], "text": [ "Guess: 25 min is how long it takes for the majority of surface moisture to evaporate, leaving behind an unprotected layer of dry and therefore burn-prone crust and toppings.\n \nEdit: to elaborate on this, you cant really t...
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[ [ "http://www.seriouseats.com/2013/06/the-food-lab-7-old-wives-tales-about-cooking-steak.html", "SeriousEats.com" ], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maillard_reaction" ] ]
d96c7r
what is the fate of a cell after a virus hijacks it?
When we get a cold it doesn't last long. So that could only mean that either the hijacking was temporary (like a joyride where you get your car back later after the culprits abandon it), or that your immune system destroys the entire cell in order to destroy the virus. If your cell does survive after the virus leaves...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/d96c7r/eli5_what_is_the_fate_of_a_cell_after_a_virus/
{ "a_id": [ "f1ewvjc", "f1ex047", "f1ex34q" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 10 ], "text": [ "Many cells, if the immune system either marks them as infected, or the cell notices it is infected before it is too late, will simply self destruct. If the virus infects the cell, the cell is most cert...
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[ [], [], [] ]
6ccnmr
how were premium subscription (spice, playboytv) channels "scrambled" back in the day? what was the method to do this and how were they "unscrambled"?
We all remember the old scrambled premium channels on our cable box. The Pay TV channels such as spice and playboy where one could buy a certain amount/block or time and be able to tune in without issue. How were these channels "scrambled" (what was the method/science behind this). Also, one could buy a "descrambler/ho...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6ccnmr/eli5_how_were_premium_subscription_spice/
{ "a_id": [ "dhtlwz0", "dhtm3ny", "dhtm83x", "dhu0qui" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "This is a great question. And if somebody could elaborate on why I could use a magnet to make out the slightest hint of boob, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks for the piggybac...
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[ [], [], [], [] ]
2fi2vx
when did minimum wage employment become an option for a career?
I realize this is currently a politically and socially loaded question, but with all the talk of this "living wage" I was hoping someone could explain from a social and economic stand point how over the last 50 years or so minimum wage jobs at Walmart, Mcdonalds and other fast food places, etc have evolved from steppin...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2fi2vx/eli5_when_did_minimum_wage_employment_become_an/
{ "a_id": [ "ck9eq33", "ck9ewv7", "ck9ezj4", "ck9fbdy", "ck9fcvt", "ck9fu74" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 4, 7, 3, 4 ], "text": [ "You should Google \"the decline of industry in the west\". It might never apply to you, and hopefully you won't be outsourced, replaced ...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
5ctjg2
if humans possess bilateral symmetry,why aren't we ambidextrous?
Also do other mammals favor one side over the other?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5ctjg2/eli5if_humans_possess_bilateral_symmetrywhy_arent/
{ "a_id": [ "d9z9hgp", "d9zaec5" ], "score": [ 3, 3 ], "text": [ "For 99% of stuff we'd ever do we are ambidextrous. You can do almost everything with your right or left hand just fine. \n\nThe amount you are better with your right hand is extremely minor and only matters for really made u...
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[ [], [] ]
2cf7yt
why can't we generate fake voices as well as we can generate realistic looking cgi?
I just saw Guardians of the Galaxy (great movie). Groot was voiced by VIN Diesel. **Very minor spoiler to follow**. I love a good Vin Diesel movie but Groot didn't require a great deal of inflection in his voice and had very few lines. Why couldn't they just computer generate a deep voice saying "I am Groot". I gu...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2cf7yt/eli5_why_cant_we_generate_fake_voices_as_well_as/
{ "a_id": [ "cjeuyh4", "cjewpmm", "cjexbk7", "cjezff4", "cjf38fp" ], "score": [ 30, 2, 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "The benefit of CGI is that you can use it to create scenes that you couldn't easily produce with traditional methods, but it still takes artists a lot of wor...
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[ [], [], [], [], [ "http://youtu.be/XI7x_cuyVw4?t=1m30s", "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoOdaEK4ceU" ] ]
2r1qva
linux users, what's the controversy surround ubuntu and/or canonical?
I've heard from several people that they don't like where both Ubuntu and Canonical are going in terms of development or something. I'm new to all of this. What's the history of Ubuntu when it comes to controversies? Same goes for Canonical.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2r1qva/eli5_linux_users_whats_the_controversy_surround/
{ "a_id": [ "cnblmyv", "cnbnm09", "cnbyuks" ], "score": [ 2, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Not sure but I will tell you that Ubuntu took a turn down commercial lane and that's not the Linux way. ", "iirc, the search bar in Unity sends the text to Amazon and shows products that might be re...
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[ [], [], [] ]
653j2j
how do "satisfaction guarantees" protect companies from people lying about their satisfaction?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/653j2j/eli5_how_do_satisfaction_guarantees_protect/
{ "a_id": [ "dg76qpy" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "They don't! It is in fact very easy to lie or exaggerate a problem and get free stuff you're not really entitled to.\n\nBut for the most part, people rarely do this, only jerks do. Also, most people don't care enough to put in the effort of calli...
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[ [] ]
9hxsux
why do sports such as boxing and ufc win belts for being champion? when was this ever a thing and why belts?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9hxsux/eli5_why_do_sports_such_as_boxing_and_ufc_win/
{ "a_id": [ "e6fd4ay", "e6fd5m0", "e6fd8uc", "e6fdk77", "e6feocn", "e6ff4p3", "e6fgbgk", "e6fhwyx" ], "score": [ 17, 103, 57, 529, 106, 7, 2, 7 ], "text": [ "It's much more dignified for a boxer than changing shorts or shoes in the ring, and ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [ "http://www.masisboxingbelts.com/johnlsullivan.htm", "http://espn.go.com/magazine/vol4no06answerguy.html" ], [], [], [], [] ]
3dt686
why are most logos on shirts located on the left pec?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3dt686/eli5_why_are_most_logos_on_shirts_located_on_the/
{ "a_id": [ "ct8ehji" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "It is because of our traditional handshake. We reach across our bodies with our right hand to shake, which covers the right chest area. Hence left side to be seen by viewer. " ] }
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[ [] ]
1pqv2i
why does someone who's depressed because they're lonely also not want to socialize?
I'm really sorry if the title is unclear and if this is too much of a broad question. If so, just let me know and I'll delete it. EDIT: You might tell me to "ask them" but as one of those people, I couldn't tell you why... I don't know...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1pqv2i/eli5_why_does_someone_whos_depressed_because/
{ "a_id": [ "cd51td2", "cd52n35", "cd536y9", "cd546j7", "cd55fhn", "cd56k1a" ], "score": [ 13, 8, 8, 2, 6, 3 ], "text": [ "Generally because these people are afraid of being in social situations. These people, are often socially anxious or awkward.\n\nWhat i...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
2ozw6x
what does it mean when video games run on different engines? i.e. crytek, unreal.
I think it has to do with game physics and mechanics but I'm unsure.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2ozw6x/eli5_what_does_it_mean_when_video_games_run_on/
{ "a_id": [ "cms0xfb", "cms132c" ], "score": [ 5, 2 ], "text": [ "The game engine is the underlying software that handles all of the graphics rendering and physics of the game. Game developers then take that engine and use it to build their gameplay 'rules' and art/textures on, thus creati...
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[ [], [] ]
49gbf6
why is molten salt(?) used for heat transfers?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/49gbf6/eli5_why_is_molten_salt_used_for_heat_transfers/
{ "a_id": [ "d0rlcts", "d0rok6c", "d0rrsa4", "d0ruewa", "d0ruosg", "d0rw54l" ], "score": [ 31, 155, 3, 8, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "Salt is really, really good at retaining heat, so you lose less energy when you use it for that. Metal, for example, is very bad at r...
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[ [], [], [], [ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8F4i9M3y0ew" ], [], [] ]
3tdfc1
there are 48,828 american troops in japan and 37,704 in germany, what are they doing?
Are they just all logistical people or something?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3tdfc1/eli5_there_are_48828_american_troops_in_japan_and/
{ "a_id": [ "cx57tna" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "The US has bases all over the world, and these bases need all sorts of personnel to operate. American troops also may be on loan to other militaries for training/coordination efforts, coalition activities, NATO stuff, American embassies, etc." ...
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[ [] ]
owh6c
how does mining for metal work?
Where do metals come from? Do metals like iron appear as deposits that are dug out of the ground, or is it dispersed in small bits in the soil?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/owh6c/eli5_how_does_mining_for_metal_work/
{ "a_id": [ "c3klat4", "c3klj5c" ], "score": [ 5, 9 ], "text": [ "There are multiple ways. Some elements are massively prevalent, like titanium, but most often you find them only in a bonded state. These you have to go through a chemical process to extract and refine. \n\nThen there are...
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[ [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mineral_processing" ] ]
6lrxgy
what exactly is happening when a video game is loading?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6lrxgy/eli5_what_exactly_is_happening_when_a_video_game/
{ "a_id": [ "djw4v7f", "djw8j63", "djw9gkg", "djwbfb8", "djwf7mo", "djwgd00", "djwiotp", "djwjvsy" ], "score": [ 894, 2452, 34, 21, 2, 2, 2, 7 ], "text": [ "The computer moves needed data from its hard drive to RAM.\n\nWhen doing all the calc...
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[ [], [ "https://www.quora.com/Why-do-games-have-loading-screens" ], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
65t2f4
if we all came from africa, what parameters do genetic heritage tests use to decide if someone is of asian descent vs. african vs. european descent etc.?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/65t2f4/eli5_if_we_all_came_from_africa_what_parameters/
{ "a_id": [ "dgd14l2" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "There are inherited genetic markers - that started out as random, favorable mutations - that happened after people first left Africa. By the time the second wave migrated out of Africa, there were new markers in both the Africans and the first gr...
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[]
[ [ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cf7EcSkYivQ" ] ]
2ukgcv
how do bookies at an event keep track of wagers when everyone's shouting at them and handing them money?
In movies/television, sometimes there's a scene where a bookie is taking wagers from the crowd on the outcome of an event. How do they keep track of who gave them money, how much they owe, etc? As far as I can tell they're not writing anything down, people are just handing them wads of cash and shouting at them...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2ukgcv/eli5_how_do_bookies_at_an_event_keep_track_of/
{ "a_id": [ "co96m5q", "co99ua5" ], "score": [ 8, 2 ], "text": [ "It's overly dramatized in movies. You can't actually just shout at a bookie and throw them money and expect your bet to be recorded.", "I'm more interestsd in the stock exchange scene in Trading Places" ] }
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[ [], [] ]
2i06tq
why don't computers use cable instead of ethernet to communicate.
I know cable modems translate the cable signal to an ethernet signal but why dont computers just use cable for data transfer. Wouldn't cable be faster? Why use ethernet if we could all just use cable?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2i06tq/eli5why_dont_computers_use_cable_instead_of/
{ "a_id": [ "ckxl164", "ckxl4h2", "ckxnz09", "ckxqqzo" ], "score": [ 10, 9, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "They used to.\n\n_URL_0_\n\nCoax cable only has two lines - the center and the ring. Ethernet (CAT5/CAT6) cables have 8, in 4 twisted pairs. Twisted pairs allow for less interfere...
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[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/10BASE2" ], [], [], [] ]
xal5g
why do we become infatuated with/"fall in love" with celebrities?
I've been thinking about how much I like Emma Stone and why I do. I've never even met her.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/xal5g/eli5_why_do_we_become_infatuated_withfall_in_love/
{ "a_id": [ "c5kpjf3", "c5kqhel", "c5krt3x", "c5kuew8" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 3, 3 ], "text": [ "We don't. You got problems.", "I don't, you do simply because you idolize their fairy tale lives, obviously the media usually do not portray the nasty stuff (sometimes they do)...
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[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
761jxo
is it more efficient to put your food in the middle, or the outer portion of the rotating tray in your microwave
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/761jxo/eli5_is_it_more_efficient_to_put_your_food_in_the/
{ "a_id": [ "doakqro", "doamh1c", "doavzca" ], "score": [ 2, 9, 3 ], "text": [ "There are always various spots in your microwave that will receive more or less heating. Putting your food on the outside of the tray ensures it gets moved around and it's less likely any one part of th...
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[ [], [], [] ]
2muyza
when a slightly overweight person loses weight how does their skin get tighter?
Just to clarify I don't mean extremely obese people, just people who might weigh 10-20 lbs too much and then lose it. How does the skin in say the abdominal area tighten up to show off their newly gained abs?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2muyza/eli5when_a_slightly_overweight_person_loses/
{ "a_id": [ "cm7ul95", "cm7vu5m", "cm7vzzp", "cm7x9md", "cm7zll6", "cm7zuhk", "cm80atz", "cm84zkd", "cm8l9xj", "cm8tuv7" ], "score": [ 126, 18, 18, 7, 6, 6, 2, 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "There's elasticity to skin. Just like there'...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FW7x3c8Ouew" ], [], [], [], [ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAQr77QMJiw" ], [], [], [] ]
2bo5x0
what are computer specs? what is cpu, gpu, ram and all that other computer talk and how does it computer?
When people post their computer "specs", they always include all these weird acronyms and whatever else. I have 0 knowledge of computers, and I have no idea whats considered good or bad. I'd like to know what the common terminology means and how it effects my computer. Help! edit: messed up the title. it was supposed ...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2bo5x0/eli5what_are_computer_specs_what_is_cpu_gpu_ram/
{ "a_id": [ "cj78uak" ], "score": [ 9 ], "text": [ "The important components of a personal computer are the hard drive sometimes called the Hard Disk Drive (HDD) or Solid State Drive (SSD), important for storing large volumes of information in a compact manner. The Random Access Memory (RAM), impo...
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[ [] ]
16rpsp
why/how can gas stations place a $125 hold on my account when i buy significantly less than that amount of gas?
_URL_0_ Chevron has $165 hold and QT does $125 - if I only buy $5 of gas, why are they allowed to hold an additional $120 of my money? What benefit does it serve them?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/16rpsp/eli5_whyhow_can_gas_stations_place_a_125_hold_on/
{ "a_id": [ "c7ystla" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Credit card pre-authoritization-- it is how credit cards work. Gas is a metered sale.\n\nMost times when you shop at a merchant, you pay with your credit card and it is approved/declined on the spot. \"Pay first.\"\n\nGas stations, by habit allow...
[]
[ "http://i.imgur.com/fMHBh.jpg" ]
[ [ "http://blog.unibulmerchantservices.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Submission-Clearing-and-Settlement-of-Credit-Card-Transactions.jpg" ] ]
3alnwv
why do cellphones in movies have fake os's
I always see people who clearly have iPhones or other popular phones, but always a completely different OS.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3alnwv/eli5_why_do_cellphones_in_movies_have_fake_oss/
{ "a_id": [ "csdr59s", "csdr5dm", "csdreis" ], "score": [ 6, 4, 3 ], "text": [ "The same reason they you don't see them use google when searching for things but always use some generic search engine. There are strict laws regarding product placement in movies and TV shows. In Franc...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
2d0e0f
how do "sobering" moments work?
How can a brain "stop" being drunk because something has happened? There is still the same amount of alcohol in the brain and blood, surely?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2d0e0f/eli5_how_do_sobering_moments_work/
{ "a_id": [ "cjkthqd", "cjkv6mg" ], "score": [ 5, 2 ], "text": [ "It can't.\n\nSobering moments don't work.\n\nA slap won't work\n\nCoffee won't work\n\nCold water dunk won't work\n\nYou are still as drunk as you were before.", "I've been high as fuck, but once pulled over I feel 110% ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
5yu2ya
is there anything that says you can't cheat in a us election? if cheating was proven true, would it have any effect on the results?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5yu2ya/eli5_is_there_anything_that_says_you_cant_cheat/
{ "a_id": [ "desw4ks", "deswkjw", "desx7qa" ], "score": [ 7, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "It is illegal to vote multiple times. Illegal to vote under someone else's name. Illegal to vote in a jurisdiction you do not live in. Illegal to stuff the ballot with false votes. Illegal to take away ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
3i4n25
what's to stop someone from outside us from simply taking a "vacation" and never leaving?
With all the immigration debate going on, I was just curious. This is not political whatsoever. EDIT: Vacationing to the US.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3i4n25/eli5_whats_to_stop_someone_from_outside_us_from/
{ "a_id": [ "cud8t0n", "cud8t78", "cudcb3z" ], "score": [ 5, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "Nothing. Until your money runs out. Then you need a job. Which requires you to have a visa, or other valid document. Which you won't have, because you never did the paperwork. You can offcourse do vario...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
1g6a3l
how we can breed dogs in all shapes and sizes, yet we can't make a cat-sized elephant.
Oh I assure you, the demand is there.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1g6a3l/eli5_how_we_can_breed_dogs_in_all_shapes_and/
{ "a_id": [ "cah5cfb", "cah8n7n" ], "score": [ 8, 4 ], "text": [ "Because we haven't been trying for tens of thousands of years to breed elephants.", "Dogs are one of the very few species that can be bred into dozens of distinct breeds. Most species only have the genetic complexity fo...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://youtu.be/zKSf7H8gU0k?t=1m42s" ] ]
1wx50i
why do humans like to watch things break, get destroyed, or crash?
We all enjoy watching controlled building implosions, Will It Blend? is popular on YouTube, and there are countless videos of crash test vehicles available online. What is it about destruction they we're so attracted to?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1wx50i/why_do_humans_like_to_watch_things_break_get/
{ "a_id": [ "cf683vf", "cf68cd9", "cf68u13", "cf6e6ap", "cf6ip4a" ], "score": [ 5, 21, 5, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "I suspect it has to do with our natural state as creators. You cannot give order to something without chaos preceding it. On a subconscious level, we must vi...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
5t9ky5
how do ants know where to make an anthill.
They seem to work methodically to generate an anthill, how do they decide where is a good location?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5t9ky5/eli5_how_do_ants_know_where_to_make_an_anthill/
{ "a_id": [ "ddlehrq", "ddlir1m" ], "score": [ 5, 5 ], "text": [ "I'm no ant expert but from my understanding where ever the queen goes the rest of the colony goes too. And all that dirt on an ant hill is from the worker ants moving dirt out to make their little ant highways in the ground....
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
19z9dp
why/how does covering a bomb with one's own body 'muffle' the explosion?
Like in situations where people dive on top of grenades, mines, etc to protect others...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/19z9dp/eli5_whyhow_does_covering_a_bomb_with_ones_own/
{ "a_id": [ "c8snet8" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "The most deadly aspect of a grenade is the shrapnel, the metal case of the grenade that is sent flying away at high speed, essentially thousands of little sharp metallic bullets.\n\nJumping on the grenade is going to cause most if not all of that...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
ey8v7b
how does not wearing warm clothes in winter get you sick
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ey8v7b/eli5_how_does_not_wearing_warm_clothes_in_winter/
{ "a_id": [ "fgfpzn6" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Its false. You get sicker in winter likely due to being in close quarters with people more frequently due to weather/temperature.\n\nCold, dry air irritates your nasal lining, and as a result, your nasal glands produce excess mucus to keep the li...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
57kt0e
why do some american bridges have little roofs on them?
its like little barns over a river - what is the point of this? it seems like a waste of resources considering the rest of the road doesn't have a roof.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/57kt0e/eli5_why_do_some_american_bridges_have_little/
{ "a_id": [ "d8ssmi4", "d8ssrpd", "d8su7v9" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 6 ], "text": [ "It protects the wooden bridge from the weather. The road doesn't need a roof because the rest of the road isn't made of wood which can rot or otherwise be degraded.", "Bridges are sometimes built of...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
14iyt6
what is the difference between cannabis/hemp/marijuana
I hear all used, are they just the same thing with multiple names?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/14iyt6/what_is_the_difference_between/
{ "a_id": [ "c7dgznq", "c7dk1bs" ], "score": [ 3, 3 ], "text": [ "As far as I know. Cannabis is the medical term. And hemp is all the parts of the plant that are not psychoactive agents", "cannabis is the genus of the plant, hemp is the stalk used to make products like paper or rope, a...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
6fmqga
all these facebook ads where you get their product for free and 'only' pay the shipment fee
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6fmqga/eli5_all_these_facebook_ads_where_you_get_their/
{ "a_id": [ "dijcha1" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Because you have to pay more for the shipping than the product is worth. They still make a profit." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
x4mxv
the business behind gps?
I don't know much about how my sat-nav works, but I do know that putting things into space costs a lot of money. When I watch satellite TV I pay (subscription or ads), when I make a phone call I pay, but for some reason I never pay a cent to have a complex network of flying space computers tell me to "take a left turn...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/x4mxv/eli5_the_business_behind_gps/
{ "a_id": [ "c5j4573", "c5j498n", "c5j4swl" ], "score": [ 5, 6, 3 ], "text": [ "It was paid for decades ago by the government for military use. It was already paid for through taxation. \n\nJust another case where military spending provides benefits for the public", "To supplem...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/x4mxv/eli5_the_business_behind_gps/c5j4573" ], [] ]
8qnstj
in space, what opposing force keeps orbiting entities, like planets/satellites, orbiting against the constant pull of gravity?
Is the opposing force unlimited (never runs out) like gravity? I understand that lateral motion along the orbit keeps it from "falling in", but how can it go on _forever_ without some force compensating for slowly decreasing speed due to pull of gravity?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8qnstj/eli5_in_space_what_opposing_force_keeps_orbiting/
{ "a_id": [ "e0kmq93", "e0kmqa0", "e0kp6xy", "e0ktxu8" ], "score": [ 2, 13, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "It doesn't go on forever. Orbits decay over minutes, hours, years, eons, whatever. It depends on the system, but all orbits decay.", "There is no opposing force. Orbiting is w...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
89q4q0
if part of wwii's explanation is germany's economic hardship due to the treaty of versailles's terms after wwi, then how did germany have enough resources to conduct wwii?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/89q4q0/eli5_if_part_of_wwiis_explanation_is_germanys/
{ "a_id": [ "dwsnq8c", "dwso92p", "dwt5h9x", "dwt85th", "dwt99qj", "dwta8xf", "dwtai2s", "dwtam79", "dwtdwo4", "dwte4f9", "dwtepus", "dwtf5bz", "dwtfqe0", "dwtfxn8", "dwtfyjj", "dwtgbgy", "dwtgnni", "dwtgzxi", "dwth074", "dwthhbv", "d...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "https://youtu.be/eYqzcqDtL3k?t=25m34s", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Banana" ], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "https://youtu.be/aySN0FGJYpM" ], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], []...
c67b0l
why is it taking so long to develop gene therapies to address all our health issues? we have giant computers, and a fully sequenced genome for over 15 years.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/c67b0l/eli5_why_is_it_taking_so_long_to_develop_gene/
{ "a_id": [ "es6ksxd", "es6kuei", "es6nh33", "es6udx7" ], "score": [ 26, 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "The computers aren't big enough. \n\nThey're nowhere near big enough. \n\nThey're so far from big enough it's not even funny. \n\nIt takes the world's most powerful supercomputers...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://xkcd.com/1430/" ], [], [], [] ]
1o2tll
why do people's moods and emotions change when seasons transition?
(the transitions from summer to fall then fall to winter. Why do people tend to have more sudden mood changes when it gets colder?)
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1o2tll/eli5_why_do_peoples_moods_and_emotions_change/
{ "a_id": [ "ccobxfi" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "In winter the amount of daylight is reduced. When it is dark a chemical (also known as a neurotransmitter) in the brain called melatonin is produced from another chemical called serotonin. Melatonin's job is to make you get ready to go to sleep. ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
3xlzcp
how is social security not a ponzi scheme?
I'm not an expert on fraud (yet haha) but I've understood Ponzi schemes to generally consist of two things: 1. Paying current investors with funds from new ones AND 2. Constantly recruiting new members so it doesnt all collapse. This seems like our SS system in a nutshell.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3xlzcp/eli5_how_is_social_security_not_a_ponzi_scheme/
{ "a_id": [ "cy5r8tg", "cy5r9zu", "cy5thr8", "cy5tik3", "cy60mev" ], "score": [ 3, 30, 3, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "It looks like a ponzi scheme now because it has survived into an age where everyone is living ten or more years longer. When Social Security was instituted, ...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/is-social-security-a-ponzi-scheme/2011/08/25/gIQA2t0dcL_blog.html", "forever.it" ], [], [], [ "http://angrybearblog.com/2008/11/why-bill-gates-gets-social-security.html" ] ]
1ssdn4
what are the differences between cigarettes and cigars?
Which one is more dangerous? What makes a cuban cigar such a prestigious smoke?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ssdn4/eli5what_are_the_differences_between_cigarettes/
{ "a_id": [ "ce0qtmc", "ce0qtxu", "ce0rxcz" ], "score": [ 2, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Cigars are 100% tobacco. Most mainstream cigs add in a crap ton of excess chemicals. \nCubans are more scarce due to the embargo between US and Cuba.", "A cigar is shredded tobacco wrapped in a toba...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
6cbc7r
why does it seem like people of jewish descent are so common in so many areas of life, when there are relatively few of them? surprisingly many scientists/comedians/actors/businessmen are jewish or of jewish descent.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6cbc7r/eli5why_does_it_seem_like_people_of_jewish/
{ "a_id": [ "dhtc7sm", "dhtcgga", "dhtcubd", "dhtd8zc", "dhthc5y", "dhtm6gy" ], "score": [ 5, 7, 2, 3, 6, 2 ], "text": [ "is it surprising that a culture and people who promote intelligence and education are in rather highly educated professions?", "That...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_population_by_country#Table" ], [] ]
1auzdo
why am i scared of spiders and not ants?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1auzdo/eli5_why_am_i_scared_of_spiders_and_not_ants/
{ "a_id": [ "c911e1r", "c913y65", "c9150gq", "c916vow" ], "score": [ 5, 11, 4, 4 ], "text": [ "This is actually a really good question. And I'm afraid you wont find a concrete answer, but I shall try my best. \n\nOne theory is **conditioning**. When you were young, you prob...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
fe2rp2
can bugs hear? i was at a loud symphony yesterday and there was a moth just flying around. i also heard that for humans, a sound so loud can cause like a heart or lung embolism. is the same true for insects?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/fe2rp2/eli5_can_bugs_hear_i_was_at_a_loud_symphony/
{ "a_id": [ "fjlgyjr", "fjln8di", "fjlp6e1" ], "score": [ 8, 4, 3 ], "text": [ "Im not sure about all bugs but female crickets are attracted to the song of males before they mate. Mute males even detect the vocal males and can intercept their potential mate by hanging close by lol"...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
3dsezf
why do children tickets cost less than adult tickets? for example at the movies etc...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3dsezf/eli5_why_do_children_tickets_cost_less_than_adult/
{ "a_id": [ "ct86uzh", "ct87oah", "ct87s5c", "ct880br", "ct8hbw0" ], "score": [ 33, 8, 13, 5, 4 ], "text": [ "It's usually done as a courtesy. Most kids obviously don't have a source of revenue. It also encourages parents to bring their kids if they know they can ge...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
3qjyvw
why is it sometimes (on a 3g phone connection) a better idea to refresh a page rather than waiting for it to load?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3qjyvw/eli5_why_is_it_sometimes_on_a_3g_phone_connection/
{ "a_id": [ "cwft12a" ], "score": [ 13 ], "text": [ "Your browser send a request for data, and it received a response that data would be send, but never actually received the data (it got lost somewhere along the way), the browser keeps waiting until it times out, in the event of the time out, it ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
6mslox
when a country gives financial aid to a poorer country, how does it guarantee that it is used for its intended purpose?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6mslox/eli5_when_a_country_gives_financial_aid_to_a/
{ "a_id": [ "dk40hl4", "dk40its", "dk40swk" ], "score": [ 5, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "They don't. In any way. If they give food, they have no way to guarantee it gets to the people starving, if they give money they have no way to make sure it is directed toward the projects it is intende...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
7c1r0f
how do explosions trigger car alarms?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7c1r0f/eli5_how_do_explosions_trigger_car_alarms/
{ "a_id": [ "dpmgbis", "dpmgdhw" ], "score": [ 5, 11 ], "text": [ "When an explosion occurs, regardless of the source, it creates a shockwave. In large explosions, say like a nuclear blast, shockwaves can level cities/infrastructure just as well as the actual blast itself. Shockwaves can a...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
3nfbil
are spam/fake facebook accounts like this one (screen shots in description) automated, or controlled by actual humans, and what is the purpose of them?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3nfbil/eli5_are_spamfake_facebook_accounts_like_this_one/
{ "a_id": [ "cvnjaxj" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Probably spam accounts. It can artificially inflate the numbers/popularity of certain groups/interests. For example, it can make it seem like a certain candidate for office has millions upon millions of followers, when that number may be much les...
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[ [] ]
45ytlf
who actually benefits from so many people being in jail?
I am asking specifically about people being incarcerated within the US, and non-violent offenders. Obviously people who committed heinous crimes, such as rape and murder, should be locked up and it does society good for them to be unable to harm anyone else. However, there are a lot of people who are spending a good ch...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/45ytlf/eli5_who_actually_benefits_from_so_many_people/
{ "a_id": [ "d013so9", "d013v1u", "d014ctk", "d0177t1", "d01cd2b", "d01dqzq" ], "score": [ 14, 19, 6, 2, 4, 16 ], "text": [ "Lots of people - the people who are involved in incarcerating people - benefit. Probably the most obvious benefit, though, is that po...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [ "https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2015/04/28/how-for-profit-prisons-have-become-the-biggest-lobby-no-one-is-talking-about/" ] ]
4a9bpn
why is music by mozart, bach, etc. considered intellectually stimulating?
Deciding to call one type of music supremely complex to others and then say it helps learning, focus, etc. seems very arbitrary to me. Objectively speaking, Mozart and Bach are just sound, and likewise Drizzy Drake, JBeebs, and LDR are all just sound––but this doesn't mean Drake is intellectually stimulating. Feel fr...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4a9bpn/eli5why_is_music_by_mozart_bach_etc_considered/
{ "a_id": [ "d0yhfrq", "d0yhhkq", "d0yi1x7", "d0yiuk2", "d0yiz2u", "d0ylqkj", "d0ymjea", "d0ypefq", "d0z3mrj" ], "score": [ 7, 234, 31, 16, 14, 2, 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "There's a limited amount of research into the [Mozart effect](_UR...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mozart_effect" ], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]