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2w71vc
can "playing dead" really trick bears? whats the reasoning behind this? bears dont eat/kill seemingly dead things?
Also, does this "trick" work on any other predators?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2w71vc/eli5_can_playing_dead_really_trick_bears_whats/
{ "a_id": [ "coo4ugh" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "Playing dead is only suggested for Brown and Polar Bears and it does two things.\n\n1 - It makes them think you're not something they would want to eat, bears aren't usually scavengers.\n\n2 - It makes them think you're not a threat and therefore...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
qd7cc
why do people's voices generally get higher when attempting to sound polite?
This is something I noticed the other day. I am a waiter at a local restaurant and I overheard one of my friends speaking to his table. Normally his voice is rather deep but when speaking with them it was at a higher pitch. I then began noticing this in a lot of other people, including myself. Is there a scientific rea...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/qd7cc/eli5_why_do_peoples_voices_generally_get_higher/
{ "a_id": [ "c3wnj1j" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "A low voice sounds big and intimidating. A high voice sounds like a harmless little child. So it implies \"no offense intended!\" instead of \"hey get out of my way\"." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
4i88c2
why do we do things, which we know are dangerous or bad for us long term?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4i88c2/eli5_why_do_we_do_things_which_we_know_are/
{ "a_id": [ "d2vxjti", "d2vxw6r" ], "score": [ 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Easy access to sugar and the use of fossil fuels have both been around for an extremely short time, evolutionary speaking. There hasn't been enough time for natural selection to gradually result in adaptations that discourag...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
3ujyey
why is the "black lives matter" toted towards police when statistically they seem to matter least to other black lives?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ujyey/eli5_why_is_the_black_lives_matter_toted_towards/
{ "a_id": [ "cxfhjcu" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Because the police aren't actually supposed to be killing people, perhaps? Besides, statistically, white people kill mainly white people, and the same for the other ethnic groups. \n\nThey're angry that a group who are supposed to *avoid* killing...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
1vdueh
how do websites, such as _url_0_, that have no advertisements and provide a free service stay in operation and even grow larger?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1vdueh/eli5how_do_websites_such_as_craigslistcom_that/
{ "a_id": [ "cer8xhh", "cer9cnx", "cerb6w8" ], "score": [ 2, 8, 3 ], "text": [ "The overhead to run craigslist is pretty minimal, meaning much of it is automated and web hosting is pretty cheap these days.\n\nSomeone, somewhere, is running craigslist as a business expense, and usin...
[ "craigslist.com" ]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://www.craigslist.org/about/help/posting_fees" ] ]
73h2yy
why is "w" pronounced "double u" and not "wee"?
English consonants are generally sounded out by adding "ee" after the letter, e.g., "Bee" for "B", "Dee" for "D," and so on. So why does W stand out, the only letter that is described using an adjective with another letter of the alphabet?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/73h2yy/eli5_why_is_w_pronounced_double_u_and_not_wee/
{ "a_id": [ "dnq8fbn", "dnq8mk4", "dnqbcuu" ], "score": [ 5, 13, 3 ], "text": [ "At a very basic level, it's because W literally came from two Us, hence \"double U\". Hundreds of years ago, there was no distinction between U and V. U was written as a V and so two Vs made W. Later, ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
37v4sg
what happens when someone declares bankrupcy in us.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/37v4sg/eli5_what_happens_when_someone_declares_bankrupcy/
{ "a_id": [ "crq1ygi" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Don't know about people. When companies go bankrupt, it actually can help. This is an ELI5 of what happens:\n\n0.) **why does it exist?** - the issue in bankruptcy is that there's not enough money left (in terms of assets) to pay off all of the ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
7e1at2
how do music/video editing programs isolate vocals, frequency, pitch, etc.?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7e1at2/eli5_how_do_musicvideo_editing_programs_isolate/
{ "a_id": [ "dq1pqbf", "dq1u5eg", "dq1v5dv" ], "score": [ 4, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "It’s pretty complex but I think what you don’t understand is that the editing softwares are not meant to isolate anything, they’re meant to take the isolated vocals and turn them into a final product. S...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
1uxu58
if your pouring molten steel into a cast, what prevent the cast from melting or distorting?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1uxu58/eli5_if_your_pouring_molten_steel_into_a_cast/
{ "a_id": [ "cemq73m", "cemrhhf" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "By having a different melting temperature than the metal that is being poured into it.", "sand and plaster in a container to hold them in place. internal distortion is controlled with binders in the sand. Bentonite and h...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
zwc9s
how do they get the caramel in the caramilk?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/zwc9s/eli5_how_do_they_get_the_caramel_in_the_caramilk/
{ "a_id": [ "c68bki5" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "First they form the top of the bar. Looks like an ice cube tray. They then turn it over and fill the depressions with caramel. Then they place a chocolate slab on top (and that is the bottom). \nLook at the bar and you can see the seam\n\nYou owe...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
2gemn1
why do all animals, even insects, seem to go nuts over the red dot?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2gemn1/eli5_why_do_all_animals_even_insects_seem_to_go/
{ "a_id": [ "ckielrb", "ckii8r9", "ckiogn0", "ckipbm7", "ckiq7d6", "ckiuchs" ], "score": [ 1497, 23, 3, 10, 195, 12 ], "text": [ " > Felidae (all kinds of cats from large to small) brains and eyes are geared to a) notice motion and b) play with their prey. P...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1j2tco/why_do_cats_chase_laser_pointers/" ], [], [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supernormal_stimulus#In_Biology", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_motion" ], [] ]
1nxj47
why are there so many atheists on reddit?
This isn't meant to be condescending to anyone's beliefs in any way. I'm just genuinely curious. Aside from the specific "atheism" themed subreddits, nothing about Reddit exactly seems to promote atheism in any way, but yet it seems as though the vast majority of people on here are atheist.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1nxj47/eli5_why_are_there_so_many_atheists_on_reddit/
{ "a_id": [ "ccmykxn", "ccmym5w", "ccmz4oj", "ccmzhx8", "ccmzmh9", "ccmzppk" ], "score": [ 3, 15, 6, 10, 9, 2 ], "text": [ "The site is generally full of younger people more likely to be Atheist, and a lot of the popular reddit sections are based on learning...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://www.pewforum.org/2010/02/17/religion-among-the-millennials/" ], [], [], [], [] ]
1pbdev
what (if any) is the practical biological purpose of my beard?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1pbdev/eli5_what_if_any_is_the_practical_biological/
{ "a_id": [ "cd0mkf8", "cd0mrj3", "cd0mzdr", "cd0n9ap", "cd0ncp0", "cd0nlou", "cd0nm5f", "cd0nopi", "cd0nq0p", "cd0nyhh", "cd0nytb", "cd0o6wm", "cd0og66", "cd0oguc", "cd0pcvn", "cd0rvw4", "cd0rz4f", "cd0sc6e", "cd0tysd", "cd0u87i", "c...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
3h90k1
how come people in america need $15/hr jobs if people from asia can apparently live off ridiculous wages like $2/hr?
What causes everything to be so expensive in America vs. other countries? Why don't prices fall to meet those other nations when things like outsourcing and free trade come up?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3h90k1/eli5_how_come_people_in_america_need_15hr_jobs_if/
{ "a_id": [ "cu5bfnb", "cu5bhse", "cu5bv3d", "cu5eo7d", "cu5fcds" ], "score": [ 46, 3, 5, 5, 15 ], "text": [ "Accepted standards of living, and societal expectations of what you will be capable of doing. \n\nOur standard of living requires that everyone have enough ...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://cdn.travelwireasia.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/JapanCapsuleHotel-654x424.jpg" ], [], [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purchasing_power_parity" ] ]
a6muwx
what is the difference between disk capacity and density with a ssd?
I'm trying to upgrade my system and have a vague idea. Want to clarify before I buy.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a6muwx/eli5_what_is_the_difference_between_disk_capacity/
{ "a_id": [ "ebw91ei" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "Capacity is what you really want, that's how much total storage the drive provides\n\nDensity is about how much storage we can fit in one flash chip. Higher density chips enable higher capacity drives in the same size, or drives with the same cap...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
2klv9y
eli:5 - what is with the giant outrage of texas demanding id for voting?
I understand a lot of underprivileged adults don't have the valid identification required to actively vote. If we don't hold up for voter fraud inciting instances that, like the 2000 request for recount by the Bush Administration, completely change the outcome of the election. Why are people saying doing these things a...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2klv9y/eli5_what_is_with_the_giant_outrage_of_texas/
{ "a_id": [ "clsobjo", "clmion5", "clmjufr", "clmkoms", "clml719", "clmmjyw" ], "score": [ 2, 7, 3, 3, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "I don't know how many Texans are commenting here but as one I'd like to believe that Americans are the only ones determining the outcome...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [ "http://thinkprogress.org/election/2012/06/25/505953/pennsylvania-republican-voter-id-laws-are-gonna-allow-governor-romney-to-win/", "http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2013/07/17/2313571/top-pennsylvania-republican-admits-voter-id-helped-suppress-obama-voters/" ], [] ]
9hcitw
how can the fbi seize a website?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9hcitw/eli5_how_can_the_fbi_seize_a_website/
{ "a_id": [ "e6avspd", "e6awhnk", "e6azs3g" ], "score": [ 5, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "The website is stored on a server which is physically located somewhere. If it's located in the United States then the FBI can get a warrant to take possession of it (or at least the section of it that ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
1tqmb6
does it rain over all the oceans and seas? are any areas over an ocean or a sea classified as deserts?
Well I was watching some documentary and they mentioned ancient dried up seas. This got me wondering why they dried up, the obvious answer was the geology changed. But then I thought to myself, so why didn't a giant lake form here instead and I realised that since the geology had changed, there had been so little rainf...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1tqmb6/eli5_does_it_rain_over_all_the_oceans_and_seas/
{ "a_id": [ "ceajsc0", "ceallor" ], "score": [ 11, 8 ], "text": [ "There are definitely bodies of water which get rained on more or less depending on where they are. The amount of precipitation which falls in the arctic is very small compared to that which falls in a tropical region. Areas...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
2sm36r
why is it ok to insult religion in name of freedom of speech, yet not ok to be a racist?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2sm36r/eli5_why_is_it_ok_to_insult_religion_in_name_of/
{ "a_id": [ "cnqr0or", "cnqrbxe", "cnqrcp0", "cnqre35", "cnqrilr", "cnqrqc2", "cnqs9wy", "cnqzvka", "cnr5cp6", "cnr7wbq" ], "score": [ 4, 2, 12, 3, 8, 10, 4, 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Because no-one is responsible for the colour o...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
5rorcg
was fighting in ice hockey allowed since the beginning of this sport, or was it introduced later - and if so how that happened.
I always wondered how it turned out. The first time I ever seen a fight in Ice Hockey game I was really surprised that referees allowed it to finish. I started questioning myself, if I was watching Hockey game where you score the goals or two guys fighting in a ring until the one falls on the ground. With time I start...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5rorcg/eli5_was_fighting_in_ice_hockey_allowed_since_the/
{ "a_id": [ "dd8yr8n", "dd8yru9", "dd90jp7", "dd9lm5y" ], "score": [ 8, 2, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "It's not allowed. That's why there are penalties for fighting. \n\nFighting is a result, usually, of three things. \n\n1. Get your team to raise their game. I'm willing to drop glo...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
6v8so3
why does damage to eyes not become apparent immediately and takes time ranging from a night's sleep to years to show up?
Read a few posts in an AMA request where people say it took years to see the damage in the eyes from viewing a earlier eclipse without appropriate protection.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6v8so3/eli5_why_does_damage_to_eyes_not_become_apparent/
{ "a_id": [ "dlyijs1" ], "score": [ 26 ], "text": [ "It's like a sunburn. At first, it's just all red and painful (but your retina has no pain receptors, so it doesn't hurt). The next day, your skin is literally falling off your body. In that time, the damaged cells were figuring out that irrepara...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
3v9uwj
why does the us senate always seem so empty?
Often when I watch a speech a Senator is giving or a Bill is being discussed the senate is practically empty. Shouldn't the Senators be in there doing their jobs? Or what am i missing?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3v9uwj/eli5_why_does_the_us_senate_always_seem_so_empty/
{ "a_id": [ "cxlkwdg", "cxllcim" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Most of them are doing their jobs. Their jobs just have very little to do with the debate floor. Think about it, how inefficient is it to have one guy speak to a room of a hundred about some issue while everyone else has to ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
1jz5ey
can someone explain the difference between a university and a technical school?
A technical school just seems like a far better option to me by far. But what are the pros and cons of each? P.s. Already applied and got accepted to one. Just don't fully understand why people are against it in my life.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1jz5ey/can_someone_explain_the_difference_between_a/
{ "a_id": [ "cbjpw3i" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "In the US, technical schools focus mainly on job training and associates degrees in specific fields. They're great if you want to be a plumber, electrician, automotive tech, or some other sort of skilled trade.\n\nThere may be a stigma against t...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
typsw
hare krishna
What is it? Why the yellow smudges? Basic teachings? Yes I am curious after seeing it on Mad Men.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/typsw/eli5_hare_krishna/
{ "a_id": [ "c4quwpr", "c4qwzbo" ], "score": [ 3, 3 ], "text": [ "They are a branch of Hinduism that started in New York in the 1960's. Sort of.\n\nSpiritually they try to grow closer to the Supreme Lord Krishna, through various methods.\n\nThey require members to be vegetarians and abstai...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
338xpk
why has no one crossed a dandelion with a carrot or parsnip, thus creating a nutritious vegetable that grows wild as a weed?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/338xpk/eli5_why_has_no_one_crossed_a_dandelion_with_a/
{ "a_id": [ "cqimc3n", "cqiq9lz", "cqir9dw", "cqj3n5e", "cqj5ize", "cqj5pc3", "cqjd89z", "cqjd8w3", "cqjfn7v" ], "score": [ 182, 18, 9, 5, 3, 2, 2, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "A few things. First, dandelions *are* nutritious vegetables that yo...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://www.ediblewildfood.com/queen-annes-lace.aspx" ], [], [ "https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=lawn%20weed%20type%20plantain" ], [], [], [], [], [] ]
5ahsb8
how does a barometer actually measure air pressure?
I've known it does for years but I never exactly knew how.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5ahsb8/eli5_how_does_a_barometer_actually_measure_air/
{ "a_id": [ "d9gjrdw", "d9gk6yy" ], "score": [ 132, 32 ], "text": [ "Inside a barometer is a sealed can, containing air. This makes it a bit like a metal balloon in that air is trapped, and can neither flow in or out of the can.\n\nIf the air pressure outside of the can changes, it'll squa...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://images.wisegeek.com/barometer.jpg", "http://2012books.lardbucket.org/books/principles-of-general-chemistry-v1.0/section_14/8cec964659fd2bb7ec4dc6c2c78eb4f9.jpg" ] ]
59qowq
how did all matter fit into an area less than an atom at the beginning of time?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/59qowq/eli5_how_did_all_matter_fit_into_an_area_less/
{ "a_id": [ "d9akl3b", "d9am3e2", "d9ba1tc" ], "score": [ 7, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "We don't know! But it probably wasn't really what we would consider to be \"matter\" at that point anyway as even subatomic particles wouldn't have been precipitated out yet.", "anything before t=1 ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
xfucu
why gas mileage goes up the slower you go
I've always heard how if you go 5 miles under the speed limit you get better mileage. Why is that?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/xfucu/eli5_why_gas_mileage_goes_up_the_slower_you_go/
{ "a_id": [ "c5lz5kt", "c5m04p2", "c5m1ff4" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Your gas mileage depends more on the RPMs (rotations per minute) than anything. Have you ever noticed when the pedal is pushed down, the RPM meter goes up? Well, that's when more gas is spent. Because n...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
180rzy
the usps is struggling financially and therefore eliminating saturday deliveries, while ups and fedex are doing just fine. why doesn't the usps try and model itself after them?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/180rzy/the_usps_is_struggling_financially_and_therefore/
{ "a_id": [ "c8ak3nn", "c8ak8ho", "c8ammou", "c8amzn0", "c8ao3r6", "c8aqn4y", "c8ar1mm", "c8ark0b", "c8art8p", "c8arxms", "c8as2ir", "c8atpb7", "c8atzt7", "c8auk2e", "c8auopq", "c8av0ww", "c8av4l5" ], "score": [ 235, 1367, 16, 165...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://iret.org/pub/ADVS-285.PDF", "http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/consumerawareness/a/USPS-Could-Learn-From-Foreign-Posts.htm", "http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2013/02/06/the_world_s_best_post_offices" ], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [...
642def
how can someone open a credit card under my name.
thanks all!
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/642def/eli5how_can_someone_open_a_credit_card_under_my/
{ "a_id": [ "dfyunyl", "dfyvxxp" ], "score": [ 6, 3 ], "text": [ "Did he actually open it under your name? If he did, you would see the bank summary and transactions as far as I know. He probably added you as an authorized card holder to one of his accounts. I have cards from my parents...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
7phbwc
how did the notion of sharing blood with family members came about in ancient and medieval times?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7phbwc/eli5_how_did_the_notion_of_sharing_blood_with/
{ "a_id": [ "dsh8ll7", "dsh8ob2", "dsh98qo" ], "score": [ 5, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Even before our understanding of DNA, there was still a conception and understanding of inherited traits. At the time, the blood was considered the essence of a person's life and contained your personal...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
2ps3sv
how come if a car sits for an extended period outside, the tires get dry rot, but the tires on my daily driver which sits outside all the time don't?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2ps3sv/eli5_how_come_if_a_car_sits_for_an_extended/
{ "a_id": [ "cmzi6hg" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Because tyres work via friction on the road. Friction generates heat. Heat cycling a tyre causes chemicals used in the curing of the tyre to be released which stops them from cracking/rotting. Tyres that do not get heat cycled by driving the chem...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
2yo1gk
why was it a trend to add 2000 and 3000 to the end of products?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2yo1gk/eli5why_was_it_a_trend_to_add_2000_and_3000_to/
{ "a_id": [ "cpbb2q2" ], "score": [ 26 ], "text": [ "There was a time when year 2000 was the future." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
2ycr8e
with websites using shortened links(reddit, youtube, twitter ect), why do they still use the full link at all?
_URL_1_ vs _URL_0_
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2ycr8e/eli5_with_websites_using_shortened_linksreddit/
{ "a_id": [ "cp8cc5m", "cp8h2gn", "cp8ie65", "cp8j8vg", "cp8zn71" ], "score": [ 17, 2, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "It's just semantic. With the long URL, you can tell what subreddit it's in and what the title of the post is. You only need the thread ID to grab the thread'...
[]
[ "http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2ycr8e/eli5_with_websites_using_shortened_linksreddit/", "http://redd.it/2ycr8e" ]
[ [], [], [], [ "http://searchengineland.com/seo-friendly-url-syntax-practices-134218" ], [] ]
dy7fos
how does a website know i mistyped my card number before i even click “place order”?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dy7fos/eli5_how_does_a_website_know_i_mistyped_my_card/
{ "a_id": [ "f7yzju9", "f7yzug6", "f7z09zz", "f7z3i37", "f7zrbfp" ], "score": [ 8, 3, 5, 3, 3 ], "text": [ "Part of the card number identifies the type of card so it can tell immediately if you have tried to put a debit card instead of a credit card (or vice versa) ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "https://www.creditcardinsider.com/learn/anatomy-of-a-credit-card/" ], [], [] ]
bfekp4
why iron is considered the most 'stable' element. wouldnt helium or the inert gases be it?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bfekp4/eli5_why_iron_is_considered_the_most_stable/
{ "a_id": [ "eld0ymp", "eld2et0" ], "score": [ 16, 8 ], "text": [ "It’s a different kind of stable. Helium is stable since it doesn’t react with other elements, while iron is stable in the way that if you have a single iron atom, it isn’t going to fall apart.", "Helium and the noble ga...
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[ [], [] ]
3dr9lx
is there an actual law stating that the opposite genders aren't allowed to go into the other's restroom in a public space, or is it just a common courtesy being practiced?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3dr9lx/eli5_is_there_an_actual_law_stating_that_the/
{ "a_id": [ "ct7vy32", "ct7x08p", "ct7xr8b", "ct7zf7m" ], "score": [ 4, 15, 6, 5 ], "text": [ "AFAIK, there are no existing laws at the federal level that make it illegal for a man to use the women's restroom, or vice versa. It could theoretically open you up to charges of ...
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[ [ "http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=53629" ], [], [], [] ]
2grkut
why is it i feel more comfortable walking around while im on phone? am i alone in this?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2grkut/eli5why_is_it_i_feel_more_comfortable_walking/
{ "a_id": [ "ckltkho", "cklud7u", "ckluiuj", "cklut9i" ], "score": [ 3, 3, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "I do the same thing and have always wondered why. I always guessed that it was because it's a habit to move away from other people while talking on the phone as to not be rude. ", ...
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[ [], [ "http://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/jan/30/benjamin-britten-composing-walks" ], [], [] ]
2jdhgy
why are spray bottles cold, instead of hot, to the touch?
I would think that spray bottles with compressed air would be hot because, according to the ideal gas law and what not, air gets warmer as it is compressed and colder as it expands. So why is it that it is the opposite of just that?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2jdhgy/eli5why_are_spray_bottles_cold_instead_of_hot_to/
{ "a_id": [ "claoupb" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "1. they aren't hot or cold when resting. If they stayed hot while under pressure then you'd have just discovered infinite energy! The bottle may _feel_ cold because it absorbs heat readily (e.g. it's made of aluminum).\n\n2. you may be feeling th...
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4fzhk4
why do we have to go through us customs in canada, but not the canadian customs in the us?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4fzhk4/eli5_why_do_we_have_to_go_through_us_customs_in/
{ "a_id": [ "d2dbbgw", "d2dbdwd", "d2dbmzc" ], "score": [ 4, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "It used to be that you went though US customs in the US, and Canadian customs in Canada. Some smaller airports continue to work this way.\n\nBut then the US introduced customs pre-clearing, so instead o...
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[ [], [], [] ]
vycop
ocams razor and the burden of proof
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/vycop/eli5ocams_razor_and_the_burden_of_proof/
{ "a_id": [ "c58t6kz" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "**Occam's razor:** The original, from William of Occam, is: *\"plurality should not be posited without necessity.\"* This means that you shouldn't add assumptions that are not needed to explain something.\n\nNowadays it is used to say that, of s...
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2re1zi
what happens to a copyright when the company that holds it goes out of business?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2re1zi/eli5_what_happens_to_a_copyright_when_the_company/
{ "a_id": [ "cnezr6i" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "The rights would be considered an asset by the liquidators and sold in order to pay creditors" ] }
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dq33ya
why do objects that are the same temperature as our average body temperature feel hotter than our hand when we touch them?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dq33ya/eli5_why_do_objects_that_are_the_same_temperature/
{ "a_id": [ "f607x0g", "f60da71" ], "score": [ 5, 4 ], "text": [ "Because 37 degrees is the body core temperature. Your fingertips are often colder than that, especially the skin, where your thermoceptors are.", "We can not feel \"temperature\", our senses measure \"heat loss\".\nBecau...
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[ [], [] ]
8v2itq
how are deisel-electric engines more energy efficient than direct-drive deisel engines?
Why are deisel-electric engines more efficient than direct drive systems? Wouldn't it be more efficient to remove the "extra step?"
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8v2itq/eli5_how_are_deiselelectric_engines_more_energy/
{ "a_id": [ "e1k1tsy", "e1k1uva", "e1k2cbi", "e1k2jas", "e1k5bh5" ], "score": [ 3, 10, 3, 2, 4 ], "text": [ "It comes down to being able to run a diesel electric engine at the optimum efficency while a straight diesel engine is responding to the load of the train. "...
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[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
24pxho
why do i find it so hard to change my eating habits? how do i get myself to like eating something?
I haven't really eaten vegetables or fruit since I was around 12. I was spoiled and wasn't made to eat them and now I've fallen out of habit and can't stand the texture. Why do I find it so hard to eat healthy and how do I get over the texture of something so I can appreciate taste? Any time I've looked it up nutrition...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/24pxho/eli5why_do_i_find_it_so_hard_to_change_my_eating/
{ "a_id": [ "ch9iswy" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "The way I see it is that the keyword is habit. It's amazing how closely related food and smells are to conditioning, think Pavlovian conditioning and the salivating dogs. When we eat or smell something high in fat or sugar our brain releases ch...
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1n3b8y
why does steam/valve insist that linux is the future of gaming?
I can't wrap my head around this idea that Steam/ Valve are pushing forward. Firstly the range of games available at the moment (which I know is ever increasing), but then the issue of hardware drivers not being great, graphics cards being the primary problem. Why does Gabe have such confidence in an OS that accounts f...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1n3b8y/eli5_why_does_steamvalve_insist_that_linux_is_the/
{ "a_id": [ "ccf0dyo", "ccf0pdj", "ccf2ohj", "ccf45vz", "ccf4hwf", "ccf4k00", "ccf569y" ], "score": [ 18, 91, 12, 3, 2, 15, 2 ], "text": [ "There are a variety of reasons, I'm probably not the best person to try and answer this, but I'll give it a sh...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
67t1ld
title ll of net neutrality. how could isp's benefit from having control of internet speed on certain websites and apps?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/67t1ld/eli5_title_ll_of_net_neutrality_how_could_isps/
{ "a_id": [ "dgt1rn2" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "They would get the power to censor as they see fit (we don't want you to visit site X, so we'll just restrict all data flow to and from it) and they would get the opportunity to add extra fees - an example would be to limit data speeds to the poi...
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[ [] ]
9dc72a
how do arms deals work?
Here in the UK there is seemingly never ending controversy about UK sales of arms to counties like Saudi Arabia. The news often talks about government involvement in these deals but presumably it's private companies delivering the arms so is it accurate to say "the UK sold arms" rather than, for example, BAE systems?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9dc72a/eli5_how_do_arms_deals_work/
{ "a_id": [ "e5gqhig" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ "The deal is between the UK government and the Saudi government. Regulations prevent BAE Systems (or anybody else) from just selling dangerous weapons on a retail basis. They sell them to the UK government, deliver them in Saudi Arabia, and get ...
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[ [] ]
1szbb2
the egg grading system, ie are there grade b eggs?
Also, who decides egg grades and what are they based on?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1szbb2/the_egg_grading_system_ie_are_there_grade_b_eggs/
{ "a_id": [ "ce2rx8l", "ce2sk3d", "ce2tau5" ], "score": [ 6, 14, 3 ], "text": [ "\"A very fresh egg has a small air cell and receives a grade of AA. As the size of the air cell increases, and the quality of the egg decreases, the grade moves from AA to A to B. This provides a way o...
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[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egg_%28food%29#Anatomy_and_characteristics" ], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haugh_unit" ], [] ]
1h1jrc
how were measuring systems created? why are less convenient methods still being used?
How do we came to the consensus that 1 pound/1 inch/1 second/1 gram was just that? And why, when we have more convenient methods such as the metric system, are pounds and inches still being used?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1h1jrc/eli5how_were_measuring_systems_created_why_are/
{ "a_id": [ "capx0s8", "caq2eaw" ], "score": [ 3, 3 ], "text": [ "A lot of the imperial meausres are derived from what was practical..\n\nFor example in the middle ages, an Acre was the area that could be plowed in a day with a single yoke of an oxen...\n\nCheck out [this article](_URL_0_)...
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[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_measurement" ], [] ]
18vtrl
why do i look skinnier/more attractive when i wake up in the morning?
This has probably been answered before, but Why doI look skinnier/more attractive when I wake up in the morning? Something to do with you spine not being compressed by gravity all night?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/18vtrl/eli5_why_do_i_look_skinniermore_attractive_when_i/
{ "a_id": [ "c8if9dl" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "You're on avarage taller in the morning and you often have an empty stomach. It should be that simple." ] }
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[ [] ]
lc2eo
why bus fare (for example) keeps going up
When I was in junior high (in the early 90s), bus fare was 75 cents. Now it's $2.45. Same goes for the cost of other small items like chocolate bars, canned drinks, newspapers, etc. The prices seem to go up by small increments every year. Are we going to get to the point where a newspaper costs $5 and the bus costs $...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/lc2eo/eli5_why_bus_fare_for_example_keeps_going_up/
{ "a_id": [ "c2rgehj", "c2rgfgm", "c2rh0jg", "c2rh2eq", "c2rho6m", "c2rgehj", "c2rgfgm", "c2rh0jg", "c2rh2eq", "c2rho6m" ], "score": [ 6, 10, 5, 3, 3, 6, 10, 5, 3, 3 ], "text": [ "One word: Inflation", "Simple answer is in...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Components_of_US_Money_supply.svg" ], [], [], [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Components_of_US_Money_supply.svg" ], [], [] ]
35acww
is our perception of time relative to our mass? eg: an ants lifetime seems to them, the same amount of time as what our lifetime seems to us?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/35acww/eli5_is_our_perception_of_time_relative_to_our/
{ "a_id": [ "cr2hmr6", "cr2qdq9" ], "score": [ 4, 2 ], "text": [ "There's no particular evidence to support this idea, although since it regards perception, I don't know that you could absolutely rule it out. I'd just say 'Probably not.' There are, after all, humans more than twice the mas...
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[ [], [] ]
5g72jc
what is the difference between daydreaming and psychosis?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5g72jc/eli5_what_is_the_difference_between_daydreaming/
{ "a_id": [ "dapzcsb" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Daydreaming is mostly controlled, Psychosis is mostly uncontrolled. \n\nDaydreaming you still understand what is reality and what is not. Psychosis and other mental disturbances can make those distinctions much more difficult. \n" ] }
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[ [] ]
fmvf1a
how does a company know how many shares to make public?
How would a company that wants to go public decide how many shares to put out? Why do some companies issue 100 million shares while others issue 1 billion shares? How much percent wise does a company hold in 1 share? Why isn't there a fixed amount of shares for all companies to issue when going public?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/fmvf1a/eli5_how_does_a_company_know_how_many_shares_to/
{ "a_id": [ "fl69b0r" ], "score": [ 29 ], "text": [ "How many shares to make.public is based on what a company wants their stock price to be. \n\nSo the two biggest reasons that different companies have different numbers of shares when going public is that 1) not all companies have the same valuat...
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[ [] ]
816icz
with bee populations being decimated why haven't we seen major shortages of any produce?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/816icz/eli5_with_bee_populations_being_decimated_why/
{ "a_id": [ "dv0t66u", "dv0ug5p", "dv0wnol", "dv0xz87", "dv0ygz0", "dv0yjvx", "dv0yxl5", "dv0z12n", "dv100qr", "dv10nc1", "dv10sim", "dv112nx", "dv1299l", "dv138k9", "dv16txv", "dv1821n", "dv188dr", "dv1ebne", "dv1ef13", "dv1ew3w", "d...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2017-08-13/the-bees-are-better-but-they-re-not-all-right" ], [], [], [], [ "https://www.chinadialogue.net/article/show/single/en/5193-Decline-of-bees-forces-China-s-apple-farmers-to-pollinate-by-hand" ], [], [], [], [ "https://youtu.be...
4lphf1
if a baby is born on the iis, and the mother and father are astronauts/cosmonauts from different countries (usa+russia), what is the citizenship of the baby?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4lphf1/eli5_if_a_baby_is_born_on_the_iis_and_the_mother/
{ "a_id": [ "d3p413y" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Citizenship is determined by the citizenship of the parents rather than the location. A person born in Germany to two English parents would get English citizenship by birth. So in your example the baby would have duel US + Russian Citizenship." ...
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[ [] ]
76skd7
what causes chromosome abnormalities?
Besides smoking, drinking, drugs. What are other reasons of errors in cell division, and what causes it to happen?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/76skd7/eli5_what_causes_chromosome_abnormalities/
{ "a_id": [ "dogicq9" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "There are lots, but one *major* issue that contributes to many cancers is recombination. \n\nNormally recombination isn't really a bad thing, and gives us genetic diversity. When your cells are dividing to make sperm or eggs, the chromosome you h...
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[ [ "https://i.ytimg.com/vi/WcfAeZ0nEc8/maxresdefault.jpg" ] ]
1e6n75
everyone in the world raises their arms/fists to represent success and victory. why is that?
Every culture (to my knowledge), every country, and every civilization that all developed independently of eachother, and yet everyone raises their fists or arms up in the air to proclaim 'yes!' or 'victory!'. Why is that?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1e6n75/eli5_everyone_in_the_world_raises_their_armsfists/
{ "a_id": [ "c9xa7pj", "c9xaaj2", "c9xaupm", "c9xbfs1", "c9xfhq8", "c9xfjj5", "c9xhuqu", "c9xira4" ], "score": [ 63, 5, 28, 7, 2, 6, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "It is just a human reaction. Recently, saw a video on TEd talks about body language. It sa...
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[]
[ [], [], [ "http://ubc-emotionlab.ca/wp-content/files_mf/pnaspublished.pdf", "http://ubc-emotionlab.ca/people/dr-jessica-tracy/", "https://www.paulekman.com/" ], [], [ "http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are.html" ], [], [], [] ]
47w4or
slow charge vs fast charge overnight
So is it better to slow charge a smart phone (nex 6p) overnight with a low amp charger (750 mah), vs plugging it in to the included fast charger(I think it's 3amps)? Info: I have a cheap charger that's only 750mah and it obviously takes FOREVER to charge my phone to full. Before going to bed I imagine the slow trickle...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/47w4or/eli5_slow_charge_vs_fast_charge_overnight/
{ "a_id": [ "d0fw8uk" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "It doesn't matter. It automatically regulates power supply to prevent anything from damaging the battery; for instance, when the phone reaches 100% it stops charging, and only starts charging when it falls below like 98%-95%." ] }
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4l24o1
what is the significance of splitting an atom, and how does it make nuclear weapons so much more devastating than conventional ones?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4l24o1/eli5what_is_the_significance_of_splitting_an_atom/
{ "a_id": [ "d3jo746", "d3jof04", "d3jwty0" ], "score": [ 15, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "When you \"split\" an atom, what you're doing is making the big, heavy atom into two lighter ones. \nThe curious thing is that the two lighter ones combined weigh less than the original. \nWhere did ...
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[ [], [], [] ]
1slbze
how do solid state devices store information
I Understand how HDDs work along with CD's, DVD's, and Floppy disks, but how do things like flash drives and SSDs store memory?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1slbze/eli5how_do_solid_state_devices_store_information/
{ "a_id": [ "cdyquz2" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "[This](_URL_0_) pretty much explains it." ] }
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[ [ "http://computer.howstuffworks.com/solid-state-drive2.htm" ] ]
1pjcwb
if george washington warned us about the power of parties, how was he imagining the government to work?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1pjcwb/eli5if_george_washington_warned_us_about_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cd2w61b", "cd2wczq", "cd2wtro", "cd2xg1f", "cd2xh9t", "cd2xqs8", "cd2xvz7", "cd2xypa", "cd2y4kh", "cd2y7bs", "cd2yhon", "cd2yvxs", "cd2zhok", "cd300jv", "cd302s8", "cd30fwy", "cd30god", "cd30in0", "cd31n5t", "cd32kgu", "c...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1pjcwb/eli5if_george_washington_warned_us_about_the/cd2xg1f" ], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federalist_No._10" ], [], [ "http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=s7tWHJfhiyo#" ...
emaso4
how do products like static guard work to reduce static cling?
I'm sitting her in my sweatshirt that has decided to be an electrical generator today and thinking, i wish I had some of that stuff that makes static charge go away. And then I'm like, how does that stuff work, anyhow?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/emaso4/eli5_how_do_products_like_static_guard_work_to/
{ "a_id": [ "fdo04gy" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "When two objects bump against each other, there is a chance that electrons will jump from one object to the other. If the two objects are made from a different material, it is possible that one holds on to its electrons more tightly, so it is mor...
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[ [] ]
7n2kxs
how come you can have a good or bad sleep?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7n2kxs/eli5_how_come_you_can_have_a_good_or_bad_sleep/
{ "a_id": [ "dryk3mi", "drykcal" ], "score": [ 14, 5 ], "text": [ "Simplest answer: variance.\n\nBetter answer: there are multiple factors involved. Light sources in the room or before you go to bed mess with melatonin production, which signals your body to sleep. If you wake up in certain...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
ty708
why google+ has so much fewer users than facebook.
From everything I read before it was open to the public, people seemed really happy with it, some claiming it was going to kill Facebook, and many more saying they liked it better than Facebook. But as it stands now, there are very few people who use Google+, and I was just wondering why that is.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ty708/eli5_why_google_has_so_much_fewer_users_than/
{ "a_id": [ "c4qpqwg", "c4qprol" ], "score": [ 14, 2 ], "text": [ "There's a concept called the \"network effect\". Basically, the more people you have using something, the more useful it becomes. To be dead simple, people use Facebook because their friends are on Facebook. Google+ didn't ...
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[ [], [] ]
6qgxo8
why does dirt on my glasses always show as a perfect circle when my eyes don't focus on them?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6qgxo8/eli5_why_does_dirt_on_my_glasses_always_show_as_a/
{ "a_id": [ "dkx69fd" ], "score": [ 9 ], "text": [ "That's an effect you get from point light sources (or shadows) being out of focus, and the shape is down to the shape of your own [pupil](_URL_0_). \n\nPhotographers use that same phenomenon in cameras, to artistic effect, and they call it \"Boke...
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[ [ "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9c/Close-up_Image_of_a_Human_Iris.jpg/1126px-Close-up_Image_of_a_Human_Iris.jpg", "https://pursuitofillumination.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/xmas_bokeh.jpg", "http://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2014/10/aperture1.jpg" ] ]
1nxsca
eli 5: why does my iphone get slower each time a new iphone or software update comes out?
So.... Yeah.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1nxsca/eli_5_why_does_my_iphone_get_slower_each_time_a/
{ "a_id": [ "ccn1aw8" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "Because each new update uses more and more power that your phone does not have. They do this A: to advance technology and compete with other companies and B: to make you feel like your phone is slow so you go buy another" ] }
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[ [] ]
45yyap
standard shift... why does shifting into second gear before first make going into first gear easier?
Similarly, reverse can be much easier to engage after shifting into fourth from a standstill.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/45yyap/eli5_standard_shift_why_does_shifting_into_second/
{ "a_id": [ "d015c7q", "d015sxv" ], "score": [ 5, 2 ], "text": [ "It won't if the gearbox isn't worn. \n\nIn the gearbox is a mechanism called the [synchromesh](_URL_0_). This brings the gears you're going to engage together up to the same speed before allowing them to slide together. \n\n...
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[]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manual_transmission#Synchromesh" ], [] ]
5wotm2
why can the potus be caught blatantly lying, red handed, time after time, without any consequences.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5wotm2/eli5_why_can_the_potus_be_caught_blatantly_lying/
{ "a_id": [ "debp6z0", "debp89x", "debpgxv", "debpixh", "debr9ki", "debs03q", "debya99" ], "score": [ 2, 16, 10, 12, 5, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Rs have the executive, legislative and soon the supreme court. They can do nearly anything they want for at lea...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "https://www.google.com/amp/amp.usatoday.com/story/9962817/" ] ]
2upzrq
what aol actually does, in 2015?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2upzrq/eli5_what_aol_actually_does_in_2015/
{ "a_id": [ "coalzvo", "coan0p8", "coano3f", "coaoi3r", "coaoity", "coaop1f", "coar03z", "coarlkn", "coasech", "coasf9f", "coavmpe", "coavmti", "coavonh", "coavv58", "coaw6na", "coawp03", "coax9ym", "coaxe2t", "coaxfup", "coay612", "c...
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[ [ "http://www.cnet.com/news/3-percent-of-american-adults-still-cling-to-dial-up-internet/" ], [], [ "About.me" ], [], [], [ "http://help.aol.com/help/microsites/search.do?cmd=displayKC&externalId=11605" ], [], [ "http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2014/08/07/ao...
1ym71s
why are there security levels higher than the one the president of the usa has?
There are 21 security clearances above the one the President of the USA has. Why is this, considering he's the most powerful man in the world? Also, who may obtain the higher levels and what kind of jobs do they have?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ym71s/eli5_why_are_there_security_levels_higher_than/
{ "a_id": [ "cflqxs3" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Well... Number one, don't believe everything you read or hear. Most likely, this is not entirely accurate information. 21 levels above the President? That seems highly unlikely. So many levels? What would you need that for? Think about it f...
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[ [] ]
1pudqa
how do celebrities manage social media accounts with millions of followers?
I am aware that not all celebrities actually manage the official accounts that are titled after them, but unless I am mistaken, some of them actually do own the accounts and post to them daily. For example, Snoop Dogg(Lion) has 2,300,000 followers on Instagram. He frequently posts pictures of him with friends, selfie...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1pudqa/eli5_how_do_celebrities_manage_social_media/
{ "a_id": [ "cd64xoc" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ "You can turn notifications off. " ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
2h07at
why does mega download your file into your local cache and then save it, as opposed to downloading through your browser's download manager?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2h07at/eli5_why_does_mega_download_your_file_into_your/
{ "a_id": [ "cko6g9t" ], "score": [ 85 ], "text": [ "It is *probably* because the file stays encrypted on the server. Mega downloads the file onto your computer and at the same time it is decrypting the file so when it is done downloading/decrypting, You can tell the browser where you want it save...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
30swua
why is the uk parliament being dissolved ahead of the general election?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/30swua/eli5_why_is_the_uk_parliament_being_dissolved/
{ "a_id": [ "cpvgy2m" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "It's a formality that signifies that each seat is now vacant and every seat is up for election. The ministers still do their respective jobs until the election results come in, they just have to put themselves forward for re-election." ] }
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[ [] ]
amc2jf
what, why, and from whence are these super tiny flies that congregate in tiny swarms at face-level?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/amc2jf/eli5_what_why_and_from_whence_are_these_super/
{ "a_id": [ "efkwd8e", "efkwh6c" ], "score": [ 3, 4 ], "text": [ "Would help to know which country you are in and even which region of the country as the little bugs will vary considerably from place to place including thrips.", "I believe they're basically gnat orgies. They all come t...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
uwdtm
if water makes up 70% of our earth and we have things such as water purifiers, why are we running out of drinking water on our planet?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/uwdtm/eli5_if_water_makes_up_70_of_our_earth_and_we/
{ "a_id": [ "c4z59i6", "c4z5ald", "c4z6ia8", "c4z6q2h", "c4z8sth", "c4zakd7" ], "score": [ 6, 40, 3, 11, 13, 2 ], "text": [ "Because large scale water purification and desalinization is expensive and inefficient. ", "We're *not* running out.\n\nThe probl...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Earth_water_distribution.svg" ], [ "http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/earthwherewater.html" ], [ "http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/2010/pictures/full-size/global-water-volume-large.jpg" ], [] ]
792n9k
why has hdr been so common in cameras for so long but is only now beginning to move into mainstream tvs, smartphones and games consoles?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/792n9k/eli5_why_has_hdr_been_so_common_in_cameras_for_so/
{ "a_id": [ "doyoc2q", "doyoch1" ], "score": [ 3, 14 ], "text": [ "HDR-photos are typically just composite images of several photos, taken with different exposures.\n\nWhat proper HDR is about, is being able display/capture truely dark and really bright parts of the image, both at the same...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
57mukn
if a country has birthright citizenship i.e. all those born there are automatically citizens, couldn't a woman go there on vacation/business/illegally, give birth, then the child would be a citizen giving the parent rights to stay/move there too?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/57mukn/eli5_if_a_country_has_birthright_citizenship_ie/
{ "a_id": [ "d8t7r32", "d8t7w50", "d8t81wc", "d8t8nmq" ], "score": [ 10, 5, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "Contrary to popular belief, if an illegal immigrant has a kid in the US, they're still at risk for deportation if caught, in which case the child is sent back with them.\n\nAlso, ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birth_tourism", "https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anchor_baby", "http://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/b-c-aware-of-26-baby-houses-as-birth-tourism-from-china-booms" ], [ "https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anchor_baby" ] ]
32mrgs
how do professional sports teams turn a profit?
I live in South Florida and I'm currently watching the Marlins game and I'm thinking "How does a team like this stay alive?". Here are some numbers I'm looking at: * The [payroll](_URL_0_) for the players alone for 2015 is : $85,531,500 * The [average](_URL_2_) attendance for 2014 was: 20,997 * The [average](_URL_1...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/32mrgs/eli5_how_do_professional_sports_teams_turn_a/
{ "a_id": [ "cqcnapp", "cqcnbo3", "cqcncwz", "cqcnd0t", "cqco25s", "cqcogvj", "cqcqqzo" ], "score": [ 4, 2, 2, 2, 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "You forget money from licensing, clothes, hats, figurines, etc. Plus advertising at the stadium. Sales of the priv...
[]
[ "http://espn.go.com/mlb/team/salaries/_/name/mia/miami-marlins", "http://www.statista.com/statistics/203469/mlb-average-ticket-price-for-florida-marlins-games/", "http://espn.go.com/mlb/attendance" ]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://www.fangraphs.com/library/business/revenue-sharing/" ] ]
1jihja
why is it legal to drink 1 beer and then drive, but illegal to drink 1 beer while driving?
I understand that you aren't "allowed" to drink beer while driving due to the "open container" law, but what is the reasoning behind this? You'd have just as much alcohol in your system either way.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1jihja/eli5_why_is_it_legal_to_drink_1_beer_and_then/
{ "a_id": [ "cbf1w43", "cbf28kk", "cbf3k6w", "cbff3tt", "cbfm3si" ], "score": [ 25, 4, 6, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "I always figured it was because it's not very practical to pull someone over and ask,\"Is that your first beer? Okay good, just checking. Have a nice day.\"\...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
35aaqj
why do dogs (and foxes) like balls so much?
See this: _URL_0_ The fox went for the ball. It isn't domesticated, so it's not been taught. Thanks in advance.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/35aaqj/eli5_why_do_dogs_and_foxes_like_balls_so_much/
{ "a_id": [ "cr2hox8" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "It's part of an old instinct to chase small quick animals. They are naturally attracted to things that are small and move quickly and their natural instinct is to chase them" ] }
[]
[ "http://www.reddit.com/r/gifs/comments/358jo5/baby_fox_practicing_its_sneak_attack/" ]
[ [] ]
65uvqm
please. how do you milk an almond to make almond milk?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/65uvqm/eli5_please_how_do_you_milk_an_almond_to_make/
{ "a_id": [ "dgdd0hf", "dgdo5yo" ], "score": [ 5, 2 ], "text": [ "With a screw press. Roughly chop, then sqeeze them like olives or peanuts to get the moister out. The remaining paste can be used as a thickening agent.", "What Druid posted about the press is correct but typically they ...
[]
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[ [], [] ]
9x3btd
how does gps jamming work? like what the russians did during the recent nato exercise.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9x3btd/eli5_how_does_gps_jamming_work_like_what_the/
{ "a_id": [ "e9p8w9l", "e9p9n04", "e9p9rrl", "e9q0gp3" ], "score": [ 29, 2, 6, 2 ], "text": [ "The same as normal jamming, they sent out a bunch of signals on the frequency that GPS satellites use to confuse the receivers- like trying to hear a code someone is telling you(T...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
nj984
what is wireless spectrum scarcity and why is it a problem now?
AT & T cited wireless spectrum scarcity as the reason it wanted to acquire T-mobile. Verizon is also buying smaller companies to secure more wireless spectrum. What puts strains on this spectrum and why is it so scarce right now? Is wireless spectrum the same thing as the frequency bands (like AT & T running on 850 MHz...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/nj984/eli5_what_is_wireless_spectrum_scarcity_and_why/
{ "a_id": [ "c39jcho", "c39jcho" ], "score": [ 7, 7 ], "text": [ "[this](_URL_1_) gives you a great explanation, but i'll give you the TLDR\n\nSpectrum is allocated from 3 kHz to 300 GHz. Basically different devices require a certain amount of bandwidth to send signal. When you create 4G (...
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[]
[ [ "http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/45/United_States_Frequency_Allocations_Chart_2003_-_The_Radio_Spectrum.jpg", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spectrum_management" ], [ "http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/45/United_States_Frequency_Allocations_Chart_2003_-_The_Radio_Spect...
2c4s5j
why does my back itch if i'm not wearing a shirt, but nothing else on my bare body does?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2c4s5j/eli5_why_does_my_back_itch_if_im_not_wearing_a/
{ "a_id": [ "cjbxrgd", "cjc20p0" ], "score": [ 6, 5 ], "text": [ " > Looked it up and didn't really find anything\n\n\nObviously you didn't try WebMD... it's cancer, definitely cancer.", "Not an expert at all, but I read that some evolutionary psychologists believe that the reason you ...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
5xzxa7
why can we see faraway light source (e.g. cars, lamps, stars) clearly when it doesn't seem to illuminate my position?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5xzxa7/eli5_why_can_we_see_faraway_light_source_eg_cars/
{ "a_id": [ "dembx3o" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "The difference is this: For you to see light, the light has to be strong enough to reach your eye and produce a reaction there. For it to illuminate you, it would have to reach you, scatter off you, reach someone else's eye, and produce a reactio...
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[ [] ]
2v15bd
do people who hear for the first time, after something like getting hearing implants, know what the other people are saying?
They may be able to still read the lips of the person who is talking to them, but wouldn't it all really just be meaningless sound if you heard it for the first time?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2v15bd/eli5_do_people_who_hear_for_the_first_time_after/
{ "a_id": [ "codkub2", "codqpih" ], "score": [ 7, 7 ], "text": [ "When the senses are developing there is a time called the [critical period](_URL_0_) in which sensory neurons physically become associated with certain parts of the brain, with the result being that different functions can b...
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[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_period#Auditory_Processing" ], [] ]
xqgio
why do some men's button-up shirts have the last buttonhole horizontal while the rest are vertical?
I was just doing some laundry and noticed that the bottom buttonhole on some of my shirts are horizantally stitched while the rest of the buttonholes are vertically stitched. What's the reason for this?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/xqgio/eli5_why_do_some_mens_buttonup_shirts_have_the/
{ "a_id": [ "c5ooybu", "c5oqe9m", "c5otqnh" ], "score": [ 89, 5, 5 ], "text": [ "Stress concentration. \n\nButtonholes are weakest along their long dimension. If you pull on that vertical buttonhole, it will want to rip in the corner of the buttonhole. The lowest button is usual...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shirt_garter" ], [], [] ]
41a8tm
how do herbivorous animals that birth only one offspring at a time, maintain higher populations than their predatory counterparts that birth multiples in a litter?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/41a8tm/eli5_how_do_herbivorous_animals_that_birth_only/
{ "a_id": [ "cz0qpuh" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "because plants are a more common form of food and requires less energy to collect. predators have to compete with eachother to survive and most of the time an entire litter doesn't survive" ] }
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[ [] ]
2cpidg
what is actually going on when water "opens up" whiskey?
You read the advice to add a little water to a glass of whiskey to "open up" the taste. I've noticed the difference, but of course I can't be sure that's not just because I was looking for it. But assuming it does make a difference, is anything going on besides simple dilution--any kind of chemical changes? If not, doe...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2cpidg/eli5_what_is_actually_going_on_when_water_opens/
{ "a_id": [ "cjhq8b0", "cjhr1aw", "cjhw94k", "cjhzkad" ], "score": [ 29, 3, 2, 10 ], "text": [ "It's dilution, pure and simple.\n\nBecause most whiskey has high alcoholic content, there is likely to be some \"burn\" in the taste or smell. By adding some water, you dilute th...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absinthe", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cis-3-methyl-4-octanolide" ] ]
6e6ud9
why does an orchestra need a chief to perform? what is the man with a stick doing?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6e6ud9/eli5_why_does_an_orchestra_need_a_chief_to/
{ "a_id": [ "di80i8e", "di80k56" ], "score": [ 2, 6 ], "text": [ "The conductor? He's keeping time. Imagine a group of people trying to read a book out loud together. The \"man with a stick\" makes sure everyone is literally, on the same page, by giving cues and in general maintaining a be...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
96ft3k
why does corn pop and expand into yummy cinema treats?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/96ft3k/eli5_why_does_corn_pop_and_expand_into_yummy/
{ "a_id": [ "e4049yp", "e4052km" ], "score": [ 3, 5 ], "text": [ "All grains pop with enough heat... Rice, corn even wheat, ragi etc. I don't know why they pop but they do pop if heated. ", "The hard kernel provides resistance, allowing pressure to build then pop. \n\nThe pressure is c...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
2nhcze
why is piracy and copyright law such a derisive issue on the internet? shouldn't artists be entitled to distribute how they want and charge what they feel is appropriate?
Edit: To clarify, why is piracy considered okay by the internet community at large?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2nhcze/eli5_why_is_piracy_and_copyright_law_such_a/
{ "a_id": [ "cmdl3ir", "cmdle48", "cmdlikj", "cmdlkqs" ], "score": [ 2, 3, 3, 3 ], "text": [ "Artists can and do distribute how ever they want. Unless they have a contract with a big studio such as Sony, whose sole purpose is to squeeze every last cent out of them.\n\nThere...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
f41lzj
why does the engine of this plane rumble?
[_URL_1_](_URL_0_) & #x200B; Even the window shakes...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/f41lzj/eli5_why_does_the_engine_of_this_plane_rumble/
{ "a_id": [ "fhnhj0w" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Resonance frequency, basically the structure is receiving a little push in step with how the material normally flexes since each push is perfectly timed it is like pushing someone on a swing at the perfect time when the swing has reached its peak...
[]
[ "https://youtu.be/4W9t2Bw_mqE?t=109", "https://youtu.be/4W9t2Bw\\_mqE?t=109" ]
[ [ "https://youtu.be/l2QVRkF0d2M" ] ]
6snjgy
how do headphones create sound by connecting a metal post into a metal housing and sending information through a wire into speakers?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6snjgy/eli5_how_do_headphones_create_sound_by_connecting/
{ "a_id": [ "dle31ob", "dle5gly" ], "score": [ 4, 2 ], "text": [ "They don't send \"information\", they send an analog electrical signal. That signal is run through a coil to produce a magnetic field. A small permanent magnet reacts to the field, moving a small speaker cone back and fort...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
5qlea5
why do so many people equate abortion with murder when an unwanted baby is often subject to a lifetime of pain and depression due to their parent's inability to care for the child?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5qlea5/eli5_why_do_so_many_people_equate_abortion_with/
{ "a_id": [ "dd06dgd" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Because apparently a life full of suffering and pain that likely ends tragically, is better than not being alive at all." ] }
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[ [] ]
9av5ku
if dust in houses is mostly caused by dead human skin cells then why are old abandoned houses always so dusty?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9av5ku/eli5_if_dust_in_houses_is_mostly_caused_by_dead/
{ "a_id": [ "e4ycm75", "e4yek0q", "e4yib2q", "e4z4s6a" ], "score": [ 31, 81, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "There's no-one there to clean them. Dust, which comes from many sources of which dead skin cells are only one, builds up over time. Most people do at least a little cleaning of t...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
12zccz
why can't i become the president of the united states (i was born in canada)?
Why is it that because I am not a natural born citizen of the United States, I can not become the President (or vice-President), but I can be appointed to the cabinet, or become a senator, or a governor, or even the General of the Army? I doesn't make much sense to me.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/12zccz/why_cant_i_become_the_president_of_the_united/
{ "a_id": [ "c6zelco", "c6zeq09" ], "score": [ 3, 3 ], "text": [ "Its the rules\n\n**US Constitution, Article II, Section 1**\n\nNo person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States, at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the office of ...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
xtlnz
what does curiosity do besides taking pictures of mars?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/xtlnz/what_does_curiosity_do_besides_taking_pictures_of/
{ "a_id": [ "c5pg9na", "c5piis6" ], "score": [ 14, 7 ], "text": [ "It's got a chemical sniffer, a laser, and a drill. All for looking for chemistry of one form or another that might indicate prior life, or the possibility of future life. And when it meets Spirit and Opportunity they can ...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/mission/instruments/" ] ]