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2iz85p | how do amazon used booksellers stay in business selling many books for $0.01? | I understand that sellers have to play by Amazon's rules or be undersold. Do they make a small margin on handling? Are these free book stores staffed by volunteers? I'm trying to decide whether I'm taking advantage of someone by getting text books this cheap. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2iz85p/eli5_how_do_amazon_used_booksellers_stay_in/ | {
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1xku5z | how did dial-up never be busy? | I have something that has been a noodle scratcher to me.
Back in the days of dialup, I know people still use it, you'd dialup and the number would ring and answer.
My question is, why was this number never busy? What crazy black magic was happening on the Phone Co. end that allowed this? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1xku5z/eli5_how_did_dialup_never_be_busy/ | {
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"ISPs had a phone system with one incoming phone number that rolled over to multiple lines.\n\nSo, for example, the company might have 1000 lines, and when you dialed 1-800-myispphonenumber, that would roll over to the first available line.\n\nEDI... | [] | [] | [
[]
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abdx0v | why are 1.75 l bottles of vodka only a couple more bucks than 1l bottles? | Edit: yes I meant 750 mls not 1L | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/abdx0v/eli5_why_are_175_l_bottles_of_vodka_only_a_couple/ | {
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"Bulk buying. Imagine you're a vodka manufacturer. What would cost you the most between making ten 10ml vodka mini-bottles, or one 100ml vodka bottle?\n\nIn the end, the same amount of vodka was processed and sold, but you ha... | [] | [] | [
[],
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3nki6c | if color ink is so expensive, how do companies afford to send me so many full color hd ads and coupons in the junk mail every day? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3nki6c/eli5_if_color_ink_is_so_expensive_how_do/ | {
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"They probably don't print those on shitty inkjet printers, but on large professional printers that are much more expensive to buy and maintain but have a certain economy of scale when it comes to raw ... | [] | [] | [
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26m6ki | how can any brute force method of password hacking work when almost all systems lock you out after 3 failed attempts? | EDIT: thank you all for the insight!!
Wouldn't, say Apple, or Microsoft, or Google, etc, just disable your account after 3 attempts of aaaaaaaaaaaaaa, aaaaaaaaaaaaab, aaaaaaaaaaaaac? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/26m6ki/eli5_how_can_any_brute_force_method_of_password/ | {
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6s61yi | how do usb devices handshake with a charger and how do they know the necessary amperage? | [A computer supplying 0.5 amps can slowly charge devices, but what about a device that wants only 1 amp, when a normal charger supplies two amps? Why does one of my phones have difficulties with a non-proprietary charger that supplies the same amperage?
Trying to travel light and not carry many chargers....] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6s61yi/eli5_how_do_usb_devices_handshake_with_a_charger/ | {
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"Just because a charger is rated for 2A doesn't mean it will \"force\" 2A to the device. The device and charger negotiate using the USB data lines in a couple of different ways, depending on if you've plugged your device into a computer's USB po... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
cvkp6n | principles of non-contradiction and excluded middle | I've heard it referenced several times, and I've tried reading it over as well. As soon as I think I understand them, my brain seems to just jam. Is there a way to ELI5? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cvkp6n/eli5_principles_of_noncontradiction_and_excluded/ | {
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"Non contradiction means that something cannot be both true and false at the same time. Excluded Middle means that is has to be either true or false, it can't be none of them !"
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
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8317q5 | how do potholes form in a road, and why is tar used to fill them instead of asphalt? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8317q5/eli5_how_do_potholes_form_in_a_road_and_why_is/ | {
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"Car wheels are like 500 lb rolling hammers, and truck or bus wheels are even heavier. To say vehicles 'pound' the road is an understatement.\n\nOver time, heat, cold and water cause cracks in the road surface. Water and deb... | [] | [] | [
[],
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634z88 | we see meteor showers around the same time every year.i would assume they would come at different dates as we rotate around the sun. how are they predictable? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/634z88/eli5_we_see_meteor_showers_around_the_same_time/ | {
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"They occur when Earth passes through a large collection of space rocks. Since we go around the Sun on a round path that repeats every year, we know we are going to be back in that spot on about the same... | [] | [] | [
[],
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"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rx5fT1aauM"
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3tjyw9 | what do physicists mean when they say that our theories of physics 'break down' at the time right after the big bang? | Does it have anything to do with the forces being unified? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3tjyw9/eli5_what_do_physicists_mean_when_they_say_that/ | {
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"It means that conditions in the moments following the Big Bang were so radically different from what they are now that our conventional understanding of phy... | [] | [] | [
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emm1qr | why salt sprinkled on snowy roads | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/emm1qr/eli5_why_salt_sprinkled_on_snowy_roads/ | {
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"Water normally freezes at 32F or 0C. When salt is added, it drops the the temperature water freezes at to somewhere between 20F, and potentially as low as 2F (depending on the amount of salt added). \n\nGiven that snow can form when the temperatu... | [] | [] | [
[]
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57efob | is there any benefit in lining a public toilet before you sit on it? | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/57efob/eli5_is_there_any_benefit_in_lining_a_public/ | {
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"Most places that offer the liners clean the toilets once a day or more. Which is more than most people in their own homes. In addition, if you're in a public place, you're puttin... | [] | [] | [
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5q8rpd | politics aside, can the mexican border wall actually happen? | I know that the Founding Fathers added lots of checks and balances between the three branches of government. An executive order like this would require lots of funding, and approval for that funding. Would congress approve that, and how would that be paid for (other than Mexico)? Also, there is a large nationwide debat... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5q8rpd/eli5_politics_aside_can_the_mexican_border_wall/ | {
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"Theoretically? Yes. It's entirely possible.\n\nIn actuality? No. The funding is gonna be the biggest issue, and there's no way (outside of invading them and going to war), to force Mexico to pay for it, and it's highly unlikely congress will fund... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
4adauv | lenz law, induction etc. what causes this effect and how? | _URL_0_
What causes this effect and how?
| explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4adauv/eli5_lenz_law_induction_etc_what_causes_this/ | {
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"A change in magnetic flux will induce a current in the conductor. At the same time a current in a magnetic field will experience a force following Lenz Law. \n\nBy moving the magnet you change the flux and you get this inter... | [] | [
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[],
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85212c | would sound travel faster in a different atmosphere? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/85212c/eli5_would_sound_travel_faster_in_a_different/ | {
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"Yes. Sound travels at different speeds in every medium, and that includes any gas or gas mixture. That's why when you inhale helium, the pitch of your voice gets much higher; helium is much less dense than air and thus sound... | [] | [] | [
[],
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2lx5p8 | why is it no matter how many times you swat a fly, they come right back into your general area. are insects really not capable of learning anything? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2lx5p8/eli5_why_is_it_no_matter_how_many_times_you_swat/ | {
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"Quite possibly. I saw something on TIL the other day about how pain is a sensation that's exclusive to more adva... | [] | [] | [
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2l31r4 | what is stopping us from just replacing our natural adult teeth with synthetic ones? | Cost?
It seems to me that we are at a point where we have materials much stronger and much more resistant to decay than bone and that it should not be a problem to come up with a way to permanently replace teeth.
EDIT: I'm assuming that money is not an issue. I know it is expensive. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2l31r4/eli5_what_is_stopping_us_from_just_replacing_our/ | {
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1b84vi | what is this mesh they put on large open wounds? (picture included) | _URL_0_ | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1b84vi/eli5_what_is_this_mesh_they_put_on_large_open/ | {
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"That is a skin graft. They remove a patch of skin from somewhere else on your body, then they run it through a roller that basically pokes those holes in it and stretch it. This increases the area it can be applied to. Th... | [] | [
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38ajzd | . why don't newer cars tell you the engine problem, instead of just a little engine light? | Car's now have touch screens in the car, they have a spot for you to plug into a computer that tells you what's wrong. Why can't they just display on your screen that your engine is miss firing or you need oil? Now you have to bring your car in to get checked out and hope you don't blow something up on your way to the ... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/38ajzd/eli5_why_dont_newer_cars_tell_you_the_engine/ | {
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"They don't trust you to do the right thing, which is take the car to the dealer. If you put in the wrong oil you can mess up your car. They simply aren't adjustable with normal t... | [] | [] | [
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6l7ezd | ice cream made the traditional way requires ice with salt. why is the salt needed? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6l7ezd/eli5_ice_cream_made_the_traditional_way_requires/ | {
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"The addition of salt to the ice allows the temperature of the ice to drop below freezing. The reason is that salt water has a much lower freezing temperature than fresh water. This allows the ice cream mix to freeze, otherwise it would just get r... | [] | [] | [
[]
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dk5eym | how does a pulse oximeter measure the blood oxygen levels without actually taking blood? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dk5eym/eli5_how_does_a_pulse_oximeter_measure_the_blood/ | {
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cmjri7 | how do some animals, such as aquatic birds, swallow other animals alive without worrying about getting their innards injured? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cmjri7/eli5_how_do_some_animals_such_as_aquatic_birds/ | {
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"It really depends on each individual creature. Some of them have evolved to have incredibly tough linings to their stomachs and their insides in general while others have developed an environment so caustic as to incapacita... | [] | [] | [
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1oyhl9 | why isn't education free? isn't putting your future population in debt detrimental to your economy more so than not having that revenue? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1oyhl9/eli5_why_isnt_education_free_isnt_putting_your/ | {
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"Nothing is free. \n\nIn the United States, higher education is a choice some people decide against. If the government paid for people to go to college, it is very likely that every... | [] | [] | [
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4iracx | if the universe has no center, would a star located on the edge of our observable universe be able to see the stars on the edge of its observable universe and so on? | If so, doesnt this mean that the universe is truly infinite, as each star is the centre of "its universe"!so to speak or can the be a hypothetical star at the "edge" that does not see any other stars?
This really fucks with my head. If there is no centre there should be stars that are on the edge of expansion. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4iracx/eli5if_the_universe_has_no_center_would_a_star/ | {
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"Probably, and it would appear to be at the center of its own \"universe\".\nHowever, the edge of that universe cannot be observed by any known means. \n\nIs this certain, though? No, it might be that if you could hop from st... | [] | [] | [
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201h64 | how do antibiotics destroy gut flora / lead to weight gain? how do you restore it? | An article was published yesterday in the New York Times called 'The Fat Drug', about how scientists have discovered a link between antibiotics and weight gain, particularly in it's use on livestock, but now recently discovered in humans.
I've taken antibiotics several times over the course of the past year to fight o... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/201h64/eli5_how_do_antibiotics_destroy_gut_flora_lead_to/ | {
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"Gut flora is just bacteria in your gut. Antibiotics kill bacteria, and they don't discriminate between \"good\" and \"bad\" bacteria. One way to restore gut flora is to [eat yogurt,](_URL_0_) or other sources of [probiotics.](_URL_1_)"
]
} | [] | [] | [
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454bzb | why are independent presidential candidates (practically) not a thing? | I don't this whole "party" thing.
Why do candidates have to associate to a party instead of basically being able to say "these are my views", without necessarily having to fall into being "democratic" or "republican"?
Also, historically speaking, at the end you have to choose between person A (democratic) or person B... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/454bzb/eli5_why_are_independent_presidential_candidates/ | {
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bpt8ke | exercise is supposed to be good for the heart - how does forcing a finite organ to work harder not just wear it out faster? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bpt8ke/eli5_exercise_is_supposed_to_be_good_for_the/ | {
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1j4da3 | how does jet fuel make an airplane fly? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1j4da3/eli5how_does_jet_fuel_make_an_airplane_fly/ | {
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"It doesn't. Not directly at least. The jet fuel only propels the aircraft forward. With enough speed, air will collect under the wings and lift them up.",
"Edit: This 10 min video about jet engines shows nicely what I'm ... | [] | [] | [
[],
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"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qfhW2yOTb0"
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zqu10 | how do we get pieces of wood bigger than trees? | Or do we even have that technology? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/zqu10/how_do_we_get_pieces_of_wood_bigger_than_trees/ | {
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"You basically can't. If you want to build a piece of furniture with, say, a three-foot wide panel of wood, there are two ways you can do that. You can try to find a tree that's more than three feet wide, and cut a board from that, but trees have ... | [] | [] | [
[]
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18bcwh | what is happening when someone is "seeing stars?" | I just sneezed four times in a row and was seeing stars for a few seconds. What exactly happens to make you "see stars" and how bad is it? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/18bcwh/eli5_what_is_happening_when_someone_is_seeing/ | {
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"This is caused by pressure on the back of your eye or optic nerve. Your brain interprets signals from the nerves associated with vision as light. So if you rub your eyes and put pressure on them you'l... | [] | [] | [
[],
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[]
] | |
691yf4 | why do plastic bottles with soda in them compress and not be as solid as they use to be over a few years? | Basically I'm asking what causes bottles to do [this](_URL_0_)
| explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/691yf4/eli5_why_do_plastic_bottles_with_soda_in_them/ | {
"a_id": [
"dh33wq9"
],
"score": [
2
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"text": [
"The plastic leaks water (slowly, over YEARS), some of the water will evaporate.\n\nPlastic is chains of molecules strung together chemically (plastics are [polymers] (_URL_0_)). At the microscopic level, they look more like a sponge than like a ... | [] | [
"http://imgur.com/a/46MIl"
] | [
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymer"
]
] | |
2spj7q | with all of the data and discoveries from kepler why not upgrade/fix the telescope | It seems like almost every other day now there is something amazing and awesome being pulled out of the data collected from the Kepler telescope. Why doesn't nasa simply fix its broken gyroscopes? Is it simply a mater of not having the shuttle program or is there more to it? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2spj7q/eli5with_all_of_the_data_and_discoveries_from/ | {
"a_id": [
"cnrpr5e"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"Fix it how? It's orbiting the sun, millions of miles away, was never built to be serviced, and the broken components are all extraordinarily sensitive ones in the belly of the scope. Getting a crew there, opening it up, pulling out the old gear, ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
8bmkdq | why are fortnite br and pubg so popular? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8bmkdq/eli5_why_are_fortnite_br_and_pubg_so_popular/ | {
"a_id": [
"dx7xofp",
"dx85149",
"dx859vs"
],
"score": [
9,
2,
3
],
"text": [
"Battle royale games are fun and just really popular at the moment, and in fortnite's case, it's free and available on consoles, so lots of people can play it.",
"Fortnite got popular because of pubg... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
2ncvzk | how come the typical maximum number of players in online shooters is still 64? | I remember playing Battlefield 2 almost ten years ago (though this probably also applies to some even older games as well) and the maximum number of players for one server was 64. On modern games, this still appears to be the maximum. Given that both computer hardware and internet connections are many times faster than... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2ncvzk/eli5_how_come_the_typical_maximum_number_of/ | {
"a_id": [
"cmcgvuz",
"cmch62f"
],
"score": [
4,
5
],
"text": [
"Well i certainly would NOT want a 128 man Metro game on Battlefield 3/4...",
"The shortest answer would be \"Play Planetside 2 and you'll know\".\n\nFirst of all, technical limitations. The problem here is not your PC, o... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
6hxlf6 | how can the purchasing power of a dollar in another country be so different from its value based on the exchange rate? | I often hear about how much cheaper things are in other (usually poor/third-world) countries, how the equivalent of a dollar can buy you so much more. But if this is the case, why wouldn't the exchange rate change so that the purchasing power of a dollar or its currency equivalent be the same? In other words, how can e... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6hxlf6/eli5_how_can_the_purchasing_power_of_a_dollar_in/ | {
"a_id": [
"dj1zgzm"
],
"score": [
4
],
"text": [
"A large part of the cost of an item is tariffs and shipping. This is in addition to the fact that many multinational corporations are willing to sell items cheaper to poor countries to establish market dominance. However non-basic necessities are... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
2pmg83 | why do we prefer cold pillows to warm pillows? | Even though warm pillows are more comforting, why do we still prefer cold ones? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2pmg83/eli5_why_do_we_prefer_cold_pillows_to_warm_pillows/ | {
"a_id": [
"cmy1mzy"
],
"score": [
40
],
"text": [
"When you're awake, the normal functioning of your body is generally producing more heat than your body needs to maintain its preferred internal temperature. So your body is often trying to dump that heat out into the world, or else you'd overhea... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
rf14n | explain the sigmund freud thing to me li5. | I saw [this](_URL_0_) post which seems to be about Sigmund Freud. What makes him famous, and what's the point of the [joke](_URL_1_)? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/rf14n/explain_the_sigmund_freud_thing_to_me_li5/ | {
"a_id": [
"c45af47",
"c45anng"
],
"score": [
3,
5
],
"text": [
"Freud's psychological analysis concentrated on a lot of sexual dynamics. In a nutshell, everything we do is related to sex in one form or another.\n\nHe also had a theory about young females having 'penis envy' - that upon d... | [] | [
"http://www.reddit.com/r/funny/comments/reav8/probably_the_most_clever_facebook_prank_i_have/",
"http://i.imgur.com/78tLD.png"
] | [
[],
[]
] | |
9js3x1 | why does a hot shower make a hangover feel more bearable, and why does it kick right back in when you step out of it? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9js3x1/eli5_why_does_a_hot_shower_make_a_hangover_feel/ | {
"a_id": [
"e6ttilg"
],
"score": [
9
],
"text": [
"Hot water causes your blood vessels to dialate (open) which decreases the blood pressure which makes your hangover less. Most of a hangover is the dehydration and withdrawal symptoms, one of which is a constricting of blood vessels. So the two ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
bvcyym | why aren't great danes and chihuahuas considered separate species? when does speciation occur? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bvcyym/eli5_why_arent_great_danes_and_chihuahuas/ | {
"a_id": [
"epo2vbo",
"epo2w4a",
"epo3go1",
"epo4b8w",
"epo8s6u"
],
"score": [
6,
5,
3,
21,
4
],
"text": [
"They are the same species because they can mate and produce fertile offspring. It may be dangerous for a male great Dane to mate with a female chihuahua. H... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
9237jx | how can a geothermal heating system take ground-cooled water that is 50 degrees f and turn it into 70 degree f heat for a building? | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9237jx/eli5_how_can_a_geothermal_heating_system_take/ | {
"a_id": [
"e32ou9z",
"e33kobb"
],
"score": [
6,
3
],
"text": [
"Heat pumps move heat from cold to hot or hot to cold. They're most efficient when the temperature is the same on both sides.\n\nIf you're trying to heat a house in the winter then it might be 0 outside and you're trying to r... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
7vp13t | what does it mean for a song to be well mastered/mixed? | How can you tell from listening to a song, if it's well mastered or not?
How does a badly mastered song sound like? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7vp13t/eli5_what_does_it_mean_for_a_song_to_be_well/ | {
"a_id": [
"dttyn6q",
"dtu2nnw"
],
"score": [
3,
12
],
"text": [
"Depends really.\n\nFor example, the Beach Boys were famous for aiming for a specific sound, as if they were on the beach. They recorded most of the band in one set instead of individually recording everyone on separate tra... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
6f9gdt | why is graphene stronger than graphite if graphite is composed of many layers of graphene? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6f9gdt/eli5_why_is_graphene_stronger_than_graphite_if/ | {
"a_id": [
"digft8y",
"digfxss"
],
"score": [
7,
2
],
"text": [
"What makes graphite weak is that the layers are not connected. They slide over each other and separate. Each individual layer is strong. ",
"think of it like a bag full of legos sprayed with glue to make a solid as oppos... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
1vqz48 | how countries with high income taxes have much more wealthy people than other countries? | In countries like Sweden, Australia, Norway and US, the income tax in general is much higher than other countries like Middle East countries, Russia, China and others.
According to this [article on USAToday](_URL_0_), in the "% Increase" of wealthy people, high tax countries are doing much better than low tax countrie... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1vqz48/eli5_how_countries_with_high_income_taxes_have/ | {
"a_id": [
"ceuy0ja",
"ceuyrth",
"ceuytcn",
"cev0gl0"
],
"score": [
5,
4,
13,
2
],
"text": [
"I think you've got it backwards.\n\nIt's not that countries with higher tax have more people doing better.\n\nIt's that countries where people are wealthy can afford to tax those ... | [] | [
"http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/01/20/davos-2014-oxfam-85-richest-people-half-world/4655337/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+UsatodaycomWorld-TopStories+%28USATODAY+-+World+Top+Stories%29"
] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
fwyxo3 | why are you not supposed to remove the jewelry if you suspect a piercing is infected? | More importantly I heart this about an infected nipple piercing, but am not sure if it applies to piercings in other locations as well | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/fwyxo3/eli5_why_are_you_not_supposed_to_remove_the/ | {
"a_id": [
"fmr9i57"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"If your piercing is infected and you remove the item keeping it on, it can close, which can create an abscess -- a pocket of infected tissue and excreta such as pus. The abscess will have to be drained and properly treated, or it can promulgate m... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
1ksmqn | why do i need more dish-washing liquid for greasy plastic kitchenware than for metal/glass/ceramic? | Does the plastic make the dish-washing liquid less effective? Does grease stick better to plastic? Or does the plastic just feel more "greasy" for some reason? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ksmqn/eli5_why_do_i_need_more_dishwashing_liquid_for/ | {
"a_id": [
"cbs76xk"
],
"score": [
89
],
"text": [
"Plastic is like grease - it's hydrophobic, so grease sticks to plastic like grease sticks to grease. Detergents are amphipathic, ie they have a part that likes water, and a part that likes grease. So, the part that likes grease sticks to the g... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
2a9zby | do artists such as rihanna, one republic, train, etc write their own songs? | I'm assuming they did when they were less popular. But so record companies take control of all that? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2a9zby/eli5_do_artists_such_as_rihanna_one_republic/ | {
"a_id": [
"cisxlcv",
"cisxmof"
],
"score": [
5,
2
],
"text": [
"No, they have ghostwriters. The process works like this. The writer either writes the lyrics and music, this is rare, and sells it to the Singer. Or a producer makes a song, sends it to a writer, then back to the artist it w... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unapologetic#Track_listing"
]
] | |
5vlcmt | why do humans instinctively look away when we get caught staring at someone? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5vlcmt/eli5_why_do_humans_instinctively_look_away_when/ | {
"a_id": [
"de2zmin",
"de2zpjt",
"de36kcu",
"de3a5xj"
],
"score": [
4,
7,
22,
5
],
"text": [
"It is mainly due to instinctive discomfort either the person is naturally or temporarily shy or feeling shame (terrible haircut, acne that day etc) or the other person is very goo... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://ieee-npss.org/PlasConf/plasma_meetings.html"
],
[],
[]
] | ||
2uig8s | the numbers in american football | How do the rules work on the plays like 1st & 20, 2nd & 11 etc? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2uig8s/eli5_the_numbers_in_american_football/ | {
"a_id": [
"co8o55a",
"co8o68x"
],
"score": [
2,
7
],
"text": [
"You have 4 tries to get 10 yards. So the first play is 1st & 10. You can get pushed back if the ball gets downed behind the starting line (line of scrimmage), so if someone holding the ball get tackled 5 yards behind the s... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
5zwta7 | why "in god we trust" is the official motto of the united states | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5zwta7/eli5why_in_god_we_trust_is_the_official_motto_of/ | {
"a_id": [
"df1ob1x",
"df1tzih",
"df1wwfw",
"df2q3e6"
],
"score": [
9,
73,
7,
2
],
"text": [
"It comes from the Star Spangled Banner, written in the War of 1812 against Britain/Canada. America sees this war as a patriotic victory over their old colonial overlord. It being ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[
"https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceremonial_deism"
]
] | ||
1c9awh | what is that sharp pain that grows exponentially as i inhale sometimes, to the point where i have to take short breathes for a while and how do i get it? | And erm, how do I get rid of it besides waiting it out should I ever get it again? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1c9awh/eli5what_is_that_sharp_pain_that_grows/ | {
"a_id": [
"c9eamrg",
"c9edd3x"
],
"score": [
2,
9
],
"text": [
"It's most likely an inflammation of the material surrounding the lungs.",
"**I have this too and know what it is.**\n\nI discussed this with a doctor two months ago, as in, I told him that on-occasion, I would feel sharp... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precordial_catch_syndrome"
]
] | |
5zy0wo | how much electricity, if any, does leaving something plugged in/on standby actually use? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5zy0wo/eli5_how_much_electricity_if_any_does_leaving/ | {
"a_id": [
"df1x7li",
"df1yusk"
],
"score": [
2,
3
],
"text": [
"It depends on what the thing which is plugged in does when on standby. Some soak up a significant amount of power while some don't. Modern devices often are compliant with a third-party agency which sets energy conservation ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
2jkbdx | why can't break-action revolvers handle higher calibers? | I've never really understood this, mostly because I've never actually seen, let alone fired a handgun in real life.
I've read up about it, but I still don't quite get it. It's something about the frame (what's a "frame" in this context?) not being solid, and a clamp loosening up over time, but how? Why? Can someone gi... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2jkbdx/eli5_why_cant_breakaction_revolvers_handle_higher/ | {
"a_id": [
"clcjg2x"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"[Here's a top-break revolver](_URL_0_). There is literally a hinge that swings open to give you access to the cylinder for reloading. Over time, the clip that keeps the gun shut can weaken.\n\nIn comparison, the modern [swing-out cylinder revol... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://carteach0.blogspot.com/2008/09/hr-top-break-38-sw.html",
"http://www.shootingtimes.com/files/2010/09/st_coltnewservice_200905-a.jpg"
]
] | |
37ylip | the penrose diagram as it relates to black holes. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/37ylip/eli5the_penrose_diagram_as_it_relates_to_black/ | {
"a_id": [
"crqzblt"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Penrose diagrams are just a way of representing spacetime near a black hole. Do you have a specific one you're interested in?"
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
36khjh | today, large countries like china, russia, and the us, are also the most powerful. in the past, how could relatively small countries like england and japan occupy large countries like india and china? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/36khjh/eli5_today_large_countries_like_china_russia_and/ | {
"a_id": [
"creqqk8",
"creqwmk",
"creqxkr",
"crer6h4",
"crerhtn",
"crf5091"
],
"score": [
3,
2,
2,
2,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"Industrialization basically. Other nations required more people to farm to get food and sustain themselves. Industrialization made it po... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
3gfrvw | why is it easier to break a longer stick than it is to break a shorter stick when they are of the same thickness? | I took karate classes and it was always easier to crack the longer 12 inch board than the 4 inch length board. What physics effect is happening, and how does it work? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3gfrvw/eli5why_is_it_easier_to_break_a_longer_stick_than/ | {
"a_id": [
"ctxsn6g"
],
"score": [
6
],
"text": [
"The effect is called torque which is proportional to the length of the board and the force. \n\nYou may notice how firefighters use wrenches with long handles to unscrew those bolts on fire hydrants (that mere kids cannot unlock) this is the same... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
wqlmn | how come when i bat a fly away, the force doesn't knock it out? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/wqlmn/elif_how_come_when_i_bat_a_fly_away_the_force/ | {
"a_id": [
"c5fl8sk"
],
"score": [
6
],
"text": [
"This is my guess:\n\nWhen getting knocked out, you lose consciousness. Flies don't have a conscious, therefore they can't lose it. Or something with the fact that their brains are so small and compact in their heads that it has no more to move ar... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
6llj7u | why is it so hard for some people to gain weight? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6llj7u/eli5_why_is_it_so_hard_for_some_people_to_gain/ | {
"a_id": [
"djunw8k",
"djurvyg",
"djuryhj",
"djuu98l",
"djuuasm",
"djuw7in"
],
"score": [
10,
2,
4,
17,
6,
3
],
"text": [
"Basically you can cut it down to 4 major reasons:\n\nLifestyle\n\nMany people who can't gain weight don't realize they are not getting... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
9b08e6 | what happens when pavement changes from black to grey? | If black is the absence of color, what is happening? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9b08e6/eli5_what_happens_when_pavement_changes_from/ | {
"a_id": [
"e4zcxy1",
"e4zf3a4",
"e4zg982"
],
"score": [
10,
5,
3
],
"text": [
"The asphalt tar that holds the aggregate material together is a dark black, but the aggregate material itself (gravel) is a usually a light grey color.\n\nOver time cars and rain wear the top layer of ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
2a7xsy | why are some leaves (like lettuce, grape leaves, and rosemary) digestible to humans while others (like oak leaves, grass, and most other pine needles) are not? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2a7xsy/eli5why_are_some_leaves_like_lettuce_grape_leaves/ | {
"a_id": [
"cisdbp6",
"cisf745",
"cisfpuh"
],
"score": [
6,
4,
2
],
"text": [
"We are not good at digesting plant matter. So the leaves have to be soft, because our teeth are not made for chewing up tough vegetation, and contain sugars and starches, not only cellulose which we can... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
5no62c | deep learning | Not fully grasping the what and why, and definitely no the how. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5no62c/eli5_deep_learning/ | {
"a_id": [
"dcd0z7q"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"it's covered pretty well here\n\n_URL_0_"
]
} | [] | [] | [
[
"https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2psgpp/eli5_what_is_deep_learning_and_how_does_it_work/"
]
] | |
1ytr13 | retainer (lawyer, not dental) | How does the notion of keeping an attorney "on retainer" work? What are the advantages for the attorney and the client? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ytr13/eli5_retainer_lawyer_not_dental/ | {
"a_id": [
"cfnoci2",
"cfnpiqm"
],
"score": [
2,
2
],
"text": [
"It means you are paying in advance. \"I'll give you ten grand now and I'll call you when I need you to do something.\"\n\nIt works for the attorney because they get money up front. It works for the client because then they... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
2mwfrn | why is it that internet infrastructure is so bad compared to "utility" infrastructure such as water and electricity? | I was on the phone with my dad complaining about how my modem doesn't work right anymore after my ISP cut the internet for a couple of hours the other night for maintenance, when it hit me.
How is it that my water or electricity is always stable, even when utility workers have to do maintenance on the pipes/wires, yet... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2mwfrn/eli5_why_is_it_that_internet_infrastructure_is_so/ | {
"a_id": [
"cm86vh9",
"cm89qbi"
],
"score": [
6,
3
],
"text": [
"What your ISP is providing is a hell of a lot more complicated that water, sewer, and electric. Also they have had a hell of a lot more time to get water, sewer, and electric working right. With internet, you have routers, a... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_water_supply_and_sanitation#Ancient_plumbing_systems"
]
] | |
22p3tf | why can't/haven't scientist created life from scratch by recreating the conditions present on earth when life first began? | I've searched and I haven't found any information on this experiment ever being conducted. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/22p3tf/eli5_why_canthavent_scientist_created_life_from/ | {
"a_id": [
"cgozcak"
],
"score": [
5
],
"text": [
"The most famous attempt at this is the Miller-Urey experiment. Although it was based on the then current, now outdated, understanding of the early atmosphere, it had some success in producing the chemical building blocks of life. Later experime... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
f28om9 | what's the difference between a integrated circuit and a conventional processor? | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/f28om9/eli5_whats_the_difference_between_a_integrated/ | {
"a_id": [
"fhayt04",
"fhayxt8"
],
"score": [
13,
3
],
"text": [
"A conventional processor is an integrated circuit. All processors are integrated circuits, but not all integrated circuits are processors. An integrated circuit is any piece of electronic hardware in which all of the part... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
2bspvh | why internet providers (like verizon now) are throttling certain websites and streams | What with the newest scandal out now (Verizon) I figured I'd ask this as I've always been confused about it.
What exactly do ISPs gain from throttling internet? Are they paying less by not having to provide as much data? It seems like high risk almost no reward.
Thanks for any explanations! | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2bspvh/eli5_why_internet_providers_like_verizon_now_are/ | {
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"text": [
"Simply because they can. The FCC hasn't set out a good guideline for internet providers to follow. This lets them throttle and speed up certain \"high paying\" peoples."
]
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[]
] | |
17mpp7 | why is it considered a bad thing for property prices to fall in the uk, when they are already many orders of magnitude beyond the financial reach of most people, and much less affordable than in a lot of other countries? | I always wonder this, when the press report about the housing market being 'in trouble' when prices aren't increasing, as if property tycoons are the only people who matter, rather than the millions of ordinary people who are priced out of the market.
From my perspective, as a young person looking to move out, a 50% ... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/17mpp7/why_is_it_considered_a_bad_thing_for_property/ | {
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"Confidence. Houses cost a lot of money, they are probably the most expensive things people own. If their houses are worth thousands of pounds less than they were a few years ago, they aren't going to f... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
6zg9l6 | in laboratory experiments that test illegal drugs, like the effects of cocaine on rats, how do scientists legally acquire and store the drugs? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6zg9l6/eli5_in_laboratory_experiments_that_test_illegal/ | {
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"Cocaine is used legally by doctors, particularly in the sinus surgery field, because it's an unsurpassed anesthetic and vasoconstrict... | [] | [] | [
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],
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1moy91 | if powerball odds are 1:175,223,510; why doesn't someone buy every combination? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1moy91/eli5_if_powerball_odds_are_1175223510_why_doesnt/ | {
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"text": [
"If they bought every combination then that would be 175 million tickets, at what is it, $2 per ticket? That's over 350 million dollars. Occasionally the jackpot is more than that, but it typically isn't. Also, keep in mind that the money from ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
3dvbda | how do animators with different styles still make their cartoon consistent with the rest of their team? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3dvbda/eli5_how_do_animators_with_different_styles_still/ | {
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"It varies. \n\nDigital puppetry and CGI are done with models either 2D or 3D that are ma... | [] | [] | [
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"http://img08.deviantart.net/9ed4/i/2010/084/8/e/batman_model_sheet_1_by_nes44nes.jpg"
],
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"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JK9uQNBDxQ"
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1oq90s | what makes someone a philosopher? | I've been studying philosophy at high school for four years now, and while reading pages and pages about people like Hobbes, Kant etc. i've always wondered: what makes them philosophers?
Are they people who have a new way of seeing something and then they write it down on a book? Are they some sort of teachers? Of cour... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1oq90s/what_makes_someone_a_philosopher/ | {
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"Philosophers are almost always scholars, that is, they are people who read, study, and teach at a university. In other words, they are professors. Philosophers write books about large, complex questions. Here are some exampl... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
86tp8v | how does an exception prove a rule and not negate it? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/86tp8v/eli5_how_does_an_exception_prove_a_rule_and_not/ | {
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"text": [
"Well it's not like *an exception proves the rule* is like, a rule anyone is enforcing.\n\nIt's just a phrase and it doesn't hold any authority ",
"The expression \"the exception proves the rule\" us... | [] | [] | [
[],
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"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exception_that_proves_the_rule"
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b61spa | why do companies continue to cut down the rain forest if they know they’re running out of forest to cut down? | I mean, do they even bother to replant any trees? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/b61spa/eli5_why_do_companies_continue_to_cut_down_the/ | {
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"A company's management has to report to its shareholders, who are only interested in maxim... | [] | [] | [
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wm2hj | powerline networking equipment | I understand it runs through your electrical system but how would one set up a Powerline equipped network and does the equipment work as a router and a modem? So confused #_# | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/wm2hj/eli5_powerline_networking_equipment/ | {
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"Depends on the equipment and network. Most of the stuff you're likely to find uses your home's existing power wiring as a local network. It sends radio signals down the wires in the walls, on top of the slow-changing AC power signal. The signa... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
1us5ht | planets orbit | why do planets have an elliptical orbit?
| explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1us5ht/eli5planets_orbit/ | {
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"text": [
"Strictly speaking, the path of an object can take the shape of any conic section. But parabolic and hyperbolic \"orbits\" don't stay around, they're escape trajectories that leave the object flying off into interstellar space - lots of comets hav... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
pxqyn | presidential elections | So whenever I'm over at /r/politics I see people throwing around terms like the primary, GOP, etc. but I'm going to admit I have no idea what it actually means. Can anyone explain how a presidential election works from beginning to end? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/pxqyn/eli5_presidential_elections/ | {
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"This is going to stretch the 'no bias' rule. I'm British, so hopefully I can help in this manner.\n\nThe presidential elections work like this:\n\nEach party puts just one person forward for the presid... | [] | [] | [
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"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_95I_1rZiIs&list=PL2B8F81F37B66B492&index=10&feature=plcp"
]
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4nquzk | how have demagogues risen to power in formerly functional states? why have citizens given them power? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4nquzk/eli5_how_have_demagogues_risen_to_power_in/ | {
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"Fear and stress (financial or otherwise) leads to a narrowing of altruistic behaviour. When this happens it leads to increases in racism and nationalism which pit the majority (skin color, religion, language, culture) against everyone else.\nThis... | [] | [] | [
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1r6ub9 | if a nfl player is out for the season due to injury, how does payment for him still work? | If he's on a contract for three seasons, but he doesn't even play for one, is he still paid the same? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1r6ub9/eli5if_a_nfl_player_is_out_for_the_season_due_to/ | {
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"text": [
"Yes there are usually clauses in place for this sort of thing. "
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
7748xr | how do animals change color to their environment? | Just saw a video of an octopus change color to perfectly match its surroundings, how do animals do this? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7748xr/elif_how_do_animals_change_color_to_their/ | {
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"text": [
"I did a project on cuttlefish way back. Octopuses use the same mechanism.\n\nThey have cells in their skin called chromatophores that contain a coloured pouch surrounded by tiny muscles like a star shape. When the creature changes colour, the cel... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
3dlui3 | why do humans hate bugs? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3dlui3/eli5_why_do_humans_hate_bugs/ | {
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3
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"text": [
"Historically bugs have either carried diseases, eaten our food, given us horrific oozing bite wounds, or some combination of the three. Many bugs can make us quite ill, others are just pests that threaten our food supplies.... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
2oiw7d | at 29 years old, my hair/beard is turning strange colors! is this common? | I'm 29 years old. When I was a kid I had pure white hair that went blonde for a while then went dark brown. At 18 I started growing and keeping a beard and it has always been jet black. Now at 29 years old patches of hair in my beard have started growing in BRIGHT RED! I've not really heard of people experiencing this.... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2oiw7d/eli5_at_29_years_old_my_hairbeard_is_turning/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
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"text": [
"Different coloured beard hair from head hair is quite common. My beard is auburn while my head hair is dark brown. Why it would change colours later in your life, i'm not sure."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
9fmyyq | hilary putnam's "brains in a vat" argument | I understand the underlying scenario in "Brains in a Vat" (a disembodied brain is connected to a computer that generates images to form a simulated reality), but I don't understand Putnam's arguments that, from his perspective, prove we are not brains in vats. How is it that the statement "I am a brain in a vat" inhere... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9fmyyq/eli5_hilary_putnams_brains_in_a_vat_argument/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"So, Putnam argues that in order for something to be referenced, that thing must exist or at least have some link to physical reality. If a BIV sees a tree in it's simulation, that is only because the mad scientist has seen a non-simulated tree, a... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
9mbqze | what is variance and why in the world would i want to square the "distance" from my mean? | Math will n e v e r be my forte. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9mbqze/eli5_what_is_variance_and_why_in_the_world_would/ | {
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"Variance is how much your range of values vary from a formulaic approximation of all the data.\n\nYou square the “distance” to remove the sign. If you take the mean minus the data, then data above ar... | [] | [] | [
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2tl20u | when humans receive upsetting news, why do we try and ball-up/collapse? | I have realized that when people in hospitals (for example) receive upsetting news their first reaction is to just fall to the ground...sit down... potentially even cuddle up into a ball; is there any biological basis for this? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2tl20u/eli5_when_humans_receive_upsetting_news_why_do_we/ | {
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"text": [
"It's called the [fetal position](_URL_0_), and you're right, there is a biological basis for it. It's a defense mechanism. Your most weak and vulnerable points (eyes, face, neck, genitals, chest) are protected from the outside. "
]
} | [] | [] | [
[
"https://23thorns.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/2991103-fetal-man.jpg"
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clexxk | - how do ice machines make crunchy ice? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/clexxk/eli5_how_do_ice_machines_make_crunchy_ice/ | {
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"The ice freezes in a mold. If the mold has a jut in the middle, then the ice will be hollow and therefore crunchy.",
"If you’re referring g to “sonic ice” when I worked at Jimmy Johns we had a simil... | [] | [] | [
[],
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3cuwj5 | why does all popular posts on reddit lose nearly half their points after a couple of hours? | Prime example with today's new CEO post, I saw it has over 20.000 points at one point but now it's at 16k, do people just downvote it? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3cuwj5/eli5_why_does_all_popular_posts_on_reddit_lose/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"Fake/un-properly counted up-votes. When Pao made the apology, pretty much every up-vote was fake, or real, but made by people who saw the post first. More people see it, then down-vote like hell. Up-votes could also be counted twice, then changed... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
lxdu9 | the differences between .com, .net, .org, and all the other website endings. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/lxdu9/eli5_the_differences_between_com_net_org_and_all/ | {
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"I was always informed it was based on the focus of the website.\n\nA **com**pany would... | [] | [] | [
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1jtsdn | why do banks put a hold on debit card charges even if that charge is immediately voided? | One of my employees mistakenly charged a customer $560 instead of $56 the charge was voided at once. Customer will have that $560 pending for several days, even after I spoke with the bank. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1jtsdn/why_do_banks_put_a_hold_on_debit_card_charges/ | {
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"I've never understood this... | [] | [] | [
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5zgk1y | what is a positron? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5zgk1y/eli5_what_is_a_positron/ | {
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"text": [
"It's a particle that has all the properties of an electron save for having an opposite charge. It is an example of antimatter.",
"It is the anti-matter counterpart to an electron. It is almost exactly the same as an ele... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
39me8x | why on a bottle of juice that says contains 2 oranges 1 mango 1 apple as the ingredients is it only one portion of fruit and veg? | 1 Portion for the whole bottle | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/39me8x/eli5_why_on_a_bottle_of_juice_that_says_contains/ | {
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"text": [
"Does the bottle claim that it only counts as a single serving toward your daily total? Does that claim pertain to drinking the entire bottle, or is the serving size not the full bottle?\n\nEdit: My first thought is that the ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
12m3mk | thoughts on eli5. (we can, and should, do better than this) | When I first subscribed to this subreddit, it was awesome. I saw complex theories and practices written with wit and intelligence in a simple and concise manner.
If you look at the front page now, there are really not too many posts that require the lens of a 5 year old. Rather, they are simple questions that require... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/12m3mk/thoughts_on_eli5_we_can_and_should_do_better_than/ | {
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"c... | [] | [
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fnplqj | when you pay tax money, where does it go? like does it go into one central bank account? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/fnplqj/eli5_when_you_pay_tax_money_where_does_it_go_like/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
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"text": [
"In the US, your federal taxes end up in the US Treasury. And yes they have bank accounts that aren't a ton different than your own personal bank account. \n\nFrom the US Treasury they then disperse the tax money to the places that need it, whic... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
oa8s4 | poker. not the strategy so much, but the actual process of betting, calling, raising, etc. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/oa8s4/eli5_poker_not_the_strategy_so_much_but_the/ | {
"a_id": [
"c3fmvfe",
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"c3fprt0"
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"score": [
5,
8,
3
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"text": [
"Referring to how Texas Hold'em is normally played, although many other games work just like this.\n\nIf it's your turn to act and you have put the same amount of chips into the pot as everyone else you ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_poker_hands"
],
[]
] | ||
2jdfxd | where do isps like comcast connect their internet cables to? | Like at what point do Comcast and AT & T etc connect? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2jdfxd/eli5_where_do_isps_like_comcast_connect_their/ | {
"a_id": [
"clao707"
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"score": [
7
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"text": [
"The ISPs plug their cables into each other. They have buildings called [Internet exchange points](_URL_0_) where they can physically plug the networks together.\n\nSometimes one company will pay the other for the privilege, wheras other times th... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_exchange_point"
]
] | |
2n9vz2 | why can i no longer speak my second language, but understand it perfectly. | As a child I used to speak Russian daily. I have since stopped. While I can no longer speak it well, I can understand perfectly, why is this? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2n9vz2/eli5_why_can_i_no_longer_speak_my_second_language/ | {
"a_id": [
"cmbpgl5"
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"score": [
4
],
"text": [
"When you say speak well, you mean pronunciation or just overall inability to find the right words to express your thoughts?\nIf you mean the latter, than the question is not really obvious. There are great disputes in Linguistics when it comes to... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
bhxq1g | what benefits do fossil fuels have in the environment or are they only useful to humans? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bhxq1g/eli5_what_benefits_do_fossil_fuels_have_in_the/ | {
"a_id": [
"elwj9rb",
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"score": [
15,
4,
4
],
"text": [
"Fossil fuels have no benefit to the environment. They are somewhat useful to humans because they are used as energy. But their use has negative effects on the environment, like creating greenhouse gase... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
1a4t77 | how does manual labour produce electricity? | Like when you turn a crank and it makes electricity. I don't mean with gears.
Remember to ELI5! | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1a4t77/eli5_how_does_manual_labour_produce_electricity/ | {
"a_id": [
"c8u388h"
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"score": [
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"text": [
"Through a process known as [Induction](_URL_0_). When something that can conduct electricity (like a wire) passes through a varying magnetic field, an electrical current is produced in the wire. \n\nWhen you turn the crank on a dynamo, it moves a... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_induction"
]
] | |
2zibom | why purchase a physical synthesizer rather than a computer emulator or digital rack? | My buddy and I are having an argument. He wants to purchase a Moog synthesizer. I suggested he find a computer emulator or software rack with a Moog, like Reason, and use that. It seems you get a lot more for your money. He thinks the product would be inherently inferior to buying the "real thing." He is comparing... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2zibom/eli5_why_purchase_a_physical_synthesizer_rather/ | {
"a_id": [
"cpj7mxs",
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],
"score": [
3,
2
],
"text": [
"Physical synths have no latency - even the fastest software will have latency.\n\nPhysical synths are always going to work without a hitch - you never have to worry about software glitches or overloading the system. They mig... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
jputx | why does the act of observation change the object being observed? | Such as quantum particles changing by being observed, or even the time it takes for water to boil. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/jputx/eli5_why_does_the_act_of_observation_change_the/ | {
"a_id": [
"c2e5djs",
"c2e5we5",
"c2e5djs",
"c2e5we5"
],
"score": [
6,
5,
6,
5
],
"text": [
"Watching a pot, does not make it take longer to boil, that's just a figure of speech that says something about human perception of time.\n\nFrom the quantum perspective, it is expl... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://i.imgur.com/hIgYp.jpg"
],
[],
[
"http://i.imgur.com/hIgYp.jpg"
]
] | |
8fcukh | why are the sides on a ship called aft, port, bow, and starboard, instead of front, left, right, and back? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8fcukh/eli5_why_are_the_sides_on_a_ship_called_aft_port/ | {
"a_id": [
"dy2f245",
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"dy2m72v"
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"score": [
51,
5,
3,
2,
11,
5,
10,
4
],
"text": [
"because then it doesn't matter where you are standing. They reference portions of the boa... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
86dmqq | can humans survive on only vegetables, no drinks? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/86dmqq/eli5_can_humans_survive_on_only_vegetables_no/ | {
"a_id": [
"dw47yso",
"dw480ks"
],
"score": [
4,
2
],
"text": [
"No. We are not designed to get our water only from food and you cannot get sufficient amounts from just eating fruits and vegetables. In fact it is fairly difficult to get all the nutrients we need just from vegetables. You ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] |
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