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43frjn
why are high winds always associated with cold weather?
Ive never experienced a hot day with any substantial amount of wind. Why do high winds almost exclusively happen in winter-time, cold weather? EDIT: Alright so turns out it's warm and windy in a lot of coastal areas. Why is it never windy in the summer in Colorado?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/43frjn/eli5_why_are_high_winds_always_associated_with/
{ "a_id": [ "czhvc9b", "czhvjzm", "czhvwju" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "The wind blows because of differences in air pressure from one location to another. Wind blows from areas of high pressure toward areas of low pressure. If the high pressure area is very close to the lo...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
1whlwe
tumblr and its "social justice warrior" user base
Why, of all places, is tumblr such a hotbed for talk of LGBTQ issues, racism, privilege, etc.?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1whlwe/eli5_tumblr_and_its_social_justice_warrior_user/
{ "a_id": [ "cf20wjk" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Can't say for sure, but the genesis was probably tumblr's status as a blogging site. A blog is a place for you to discuss how you feel and what's going on in your life, so you can see how that could blossom into discussions of Social Justice and...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
j9k79
explain why some 3d technology requires glasses (tvs, movies) and some don't (nintendo 3rd, new cell phones) li5
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/j9k79/explain_why_some_3d_technology_requires_glasses/
{ "a_id": [ "c2aaeou", "c2aapar", "c2aaeou", "c2aapar" ], "score": [ 2, 3, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "I cant go into specifics, but im pretty sure it has to do with light waves.\n\nOne lens of the glasses filters out horizontal waves (leaving the vertical) and the other does the op...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
7qfsx8
what is the concern with the use of mobile phones on aeroplanes?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7qfsx8/eli5_what_is_the_concern_with_the_use_of_mobile/
{ "a_id": [ "dsoufqm", "dsouijh" ], "score": [ 5, 2 ], "text": [ "There were (are) two main concerns - that cellphones and other wireless devices can interfere with radio communications onboard the plane, and that they can cause interference and confusion within ground network operations. ...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://wqad.com/2014/04/15/how-and-when-cell-phones-work-on-an-airplane/" ] ]
7gq2a7
what caused geese to be so aggressive despite their size and probable fighting ability?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7gq2a7/eli5_what_caused_geese_to_be_so_aggressive/
{ "a_id": [ "dqkwp4g", "dqkxfx8" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "First, not all geese are aggressive. Canada geese tend to be, though. \n\nSecond, nothing \"makes\" them aggressive. They *are* aggressive. They evolved in an environment where this behaviour lead to a survival advantage. \n...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
29okrt
why does my hair/head hurt when i take my ponytail down?
I took my ponytail holder off, and my hair hurt like a mother. I've had this happen many times before. I know don't do it, if it hurts. But, I got long hair, and it's summer in Texas. And it's hella hot. Why does this happen?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/29okrt/eli5why_does_my_hairhead_hurt_when_i_take_my/
{ "a_id": [ "cimyy0r", "cin1sla", "cin5oaf", "cin88bf", "cinh9kz" ], "score": [ 25, 31, 3, 4, 3 ], "text": [ "Because your hair follicles get set one say and then you release them.", "You know how a dog or cat will have their hair stand on end? There are little ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [ "http://www.amazon.com/Simple-Style-Spin-Clip-Styler/dp/B005A9L12C/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1404356752&sr=8-6&keywords=spin+pin" ], [] ]
91ngoj
how were hand-drawn cartoons transfered to newspaper printers before scanners were a thing?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/91ngoj/eli5_how_were_handdrawn_cartoons_transfered_to/
{ "a_id": [ "e2ze51r", "e2zes71" ], "score": [ 3, 3 ], "text": [ "There was a thing, coincidentally called a \"scanner\". Gadget inventors put all their imagination in the gadget, names not so much. You put the picture on one drum and a thin piece of metal on another drum. Then you turn...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
1plh0r
how investment in bitcoin works?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1plh0r/eli5_how_investment_in_bitcoin_works/
{ "a_id": [ "cd3j2a5", "cd3jlkn", "cd3km81" ], "score": [ 2, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Bitcoins IS NOT AN INVESTMENT!\n\nI repeat IT IS NOT AN INVESTMENT\n\n\nBitcoin is a CURRENCY.", ":)\n\n:(\n\n:)\n\n:(\n\n:(\n\nIt's the most wildly fluctuating market in the world,thank god I only ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
ab9smm
what are the major components and subsequent advantages that distinguish various household cleaners? (ex, soap and water vs 409, glass cleaners, mold/mildew type cleaners, etc?
I'm sure some of it has to do with some lipophilic solvent or stronger detergents to cut through grease, etc, but what about some specifics?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ab9smm/eli5_what_are_the_major_components_and_subsequent/
{ "a_id": [ "eczbf14", "ecze8zy", "eczf5a9", "eczjmeg", "eczk7lm", "eczloff", "eczyicf", "ed09nbc", "ecyn1y8", "ecyxqps", "ecyy0or", "ecz747d", "ecz9x85" ], "score": [ 165, 25, 22, 36, 2, 8, 3, 2, 2632, 70, 16, 11,...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "https://www.pilotchemical.com/products/calsoft" ], [], [] ]
chqkhj
why do so many trains in the uk (and possibly other places) get cancelled or delayed due to hot weather?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/chqkhj/eli5_why_do_so_many_trains_in_the_uk_and_possibly/
{ "a_id": [ "euwgfrk", "euwhn1m" ], "score": [ 5, 2 ], "text": [ "The excessive heat causes the tracks to expand, which can make switches sticky. The trains need to slow down for safety.", "Most things shrink and expands when it gets cold and hot respectively. This also includes the st...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
4cqlgj
if illegal drugs were made legal, what would happen to drug cartels and other criminal gangs?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4cqlgj/eli5_if_illegal_drugs_were_made_legal_what_would/
{ "a_id": [ "d1kjp4p", "d1kjtb8", "d1kk4fg", "d1kl28g", "d1kl8dz", "d1kla7u", "d1klc5o", "d1ko77q", "d1kptx2", "d1krcrw", "d1ksupg", "d1kvfwo", "d1kvj2j", "d1kwyjh", "d1kxt1x", "d1kxvi2", "d1kz4xr", "d1kzjxu", "d1kzoq0", "d1l49vf" ], ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [ "http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/mexican-drug-cartels-caused-rapid-increase-lime-prices-putting-squeeze-bars-cinco-de-mayo-rp/" ], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://www.cbsnews.com/news/study-us-marijuana-legalization-would-hurt-mexican-cartels/", ...
rywbx
why do sleep schedules always work like this?
This happens every single day and it's really starting to become a problem with school. _URL_0_ I go to bed at 11pm, wake up at 6am. I'm exhausted almost the entire morning and afternoon and that entire time I'm saying "Oh I'll just go to bed at 9 and get lots of extra sleep". It never works! Why does this happ...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/rywbx/why_do_sleep_schedules_always_work_like_this/
{ "a_id": [ "c49qvab" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Make sure that the rest you are getting in that time frame is of good quality. Nice mattress, optimal room temperature, no heavy foods or big carbohydrate spikes before bed.\n\nWays to improve your quality would be to try sipping a glass of water...
[]
[ "http://imgur.com/2nD07" ]
[ [] ]
2ejlxf
if sealevel is constant, why does the panama canal need the locks? if they just dug a canal and opened it on both ends, wouldn't the level equalize?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2ejlxf/eli5_if_sealevel_is_constant_why_does_the_panama/
{ "a_id": [ "ck0383l", "ck076hp" ], "score": [ 23, 2 ], "text": [ "The canal doesn't work quite like you think.\n\nThe locks are used to raise the ships to Gatun Lake level (26 m over average sea level) and then lowered back on the other side, [this profile](_URL_0_) of the Panama Canal s...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.czbrats.com/CuPA/bfall/ProfilePC.jpg" ], [] ]
1tcpws
does eating too little hinder weight loss?
I'm told if I cut too much food out of my diet that it will hinder weight loss because your body goes into "holy shit he's not feeding us" mode. Is there truth to this?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1tcpws/does_eating_too_little_hinder_weight_loss/
{ "a_id": [ "ce6ma5p" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Yes this is true. When trying to lose weight you want to keep your daily calorie intake above 1200 calories to avoid going into starvation mode." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
1o8686
are radio waves three dimensional? how would they look if simulated/visualized?
radio waves are popularly symbolized like [this](_URL_0_). though my intuition tells me that they are not simple two dimensional circles. i bet they are 3D. but what shape? spherical? some other fuzzy shape? are there any models that would help me visualize radio waves?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1o8686/eli5_are_radio_waves_three_dimensional_how_would/
{ "a_id": [ "ccpmyvs" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "There are two things to consider:\n\n**Propagation**\n\nThis one is simple - it's where the radio wave goes to. The image you've linked to is a representation of 2-dimensional propagation. In 3 dimensions, radio waves simply propagate in a sphere...
[]
[ "http://www.clker.com/cliparts/q/j/O/N/7/5/wifi-logo-hi.png" ]
[ [] ]
66y40u
if hcl is released from cells in the stomach, how do the cells remain safe from the acidity?
And how does the stomach lining not get digested?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/66y40u/eli5_if_hcl_is_released_from_cells_in_the_stomach/
{ "a_id": [ "dgm822z" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "The stomach's epithelium is protected by its own coating cells which produce bicarbonate, a buffer substance that neutralizes the liquid acid and also attracts water so that the acid's effect is diminished." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
a6jt9y
are you born double jointed or do you train for it?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a6jt9y/eli5_are_you_born_double_jointed_or_do_you_train/
{ "a_id": [ "ebvg64y", "ebvh942" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Born. You aren't really double jointed. The tendons and soft tissue connection is loose and /or flexible allowing them to bend more without injury.", "The way I \"trained\" to be double jointed was I slammed a car door l...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
42ia1m
why hasn't the 2016 election produced more moderate republicans to run?
Most of the GOP candidates are far too radical, even though there are many moderate republicans out there.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/42ia1m/eli5_why_hasnt_the_2016_election_produced_more/
{ "a_id": [ "czajnys", "czalk32", "czall2k" ], "score": [ 2, 9, 2 ], "text": [ "There are, they just are sidelined because the radical ones get all the press because they are radical.", "\"Far too radical\" is 100% subjective. During the last 2 election cycles the GOP has been...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
1twhhk
the whole process of creating a steel knife from the ore that was just mined.
I tried to read up on it, and want to understand basic metals, but the articles I've found used big cimplicated words, which just got me lost. So when I say process, i mean the details of metallurgy too (is this the right word to use here?), but somehow simplified. I really am just a curious kid.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1twhhk/eli5_the_whole_process_of_creating_a_steel_knife/
{ "a_id": [ "cec6jjm" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "1: The ore is purified, usually via extreme heat which causes the various bits of the ore to separate. Iron, being usually the heaviest part of the ore, sinks, and impurities, being lighter, rise and can be skimmed off. Many impurities vaporize...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
5b0wpk
why are some apples crisp and some mushy, even within the same variety?
I love cold, crisp Fuji apples. But half the time I buy them they are mushy even though they are not damaged or rotted. Why is this?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5b0wpk/eli5_why_are_some_apples_crisp_and_some_mushy/
{ "a_id": [ "d9kwcce" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Because all apples are inferior to honey crisp! But probably age picked. They all just get jumbled up together so you could have apples picked one time, and apples from two months earlier in the same bag or batch" ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
3pn4z5
how come there aren't any commercials or any form of media marketing for cars such as lamborghini or ferrari?
EDIT: I appreciate the answers, probably should of realized people who drove Lambo's probably don't watch TV
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3pn4z5/eli5how_come_there_arent_any_commercials_or_any/
{ "a_id": [ "cw7o3vc", "cw7o5n1", "cw7o751" ], "score": [ 7, 5, 6 ], "text": [ "They don't need it. Those are the kinds of cars where if you have to ask how much they cost, you can't afford them.\n\nBesides they get plenty of press in car magazines and shows like Top Gear. Also eve...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
3d8qgs
why do some people get cold sores while others will never get them in their life?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3d8qgs/eli5_why_do_some_people_get_cold_sores_while/
{ "a_id": [ "ct2srbx" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Coldsores are the herpes simplex virus. As such they are contagious (never have oral sex while suffering a coldsore). They are passed from mother to child in the womb." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
7vqy65
air pressure in flight?
I understand that a wing is shaped in a fashion to create low pressure on top and high pressure on bottom. But what exactly is air pressure? Why does faster moving air "cause" pressure to drop, thus lifting the plane/helicopter? Bonus question: since the wing is manipulating the air pressures, does that mean air temp...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7vqy65/eli5air_pressure_in_flight/
{ "a_id": [ "dtuey7m", "dtufb0t", "dtufw2i" ], "score": [ 4, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "In any given amount of air, the air molecules aren't stationary; they're flying around in all directions. And if you put a wall in the way, the molecules will collide with that wall. \"Air pressure\" ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
5dufuc
how does the full body scanner in airport security work?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5dufuc/eli5_how_does_the_full_body_scanner_in_airport/
{ "a_id": [ "da7ebjg", "da7f4xs" ], "score": [ 7, 49 ], "text": [ "While I don't have an answer grounded in knowledge of the internal system, I travel just about every week and I noticed that when I had to go through the full scanner (which is pretty rare nowadays), it would consistently a...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
azpbki
how come yellow highlighter doesn't show up on paper when you photocopy it?
My mom showed me this when we worked at a hotel together. They would keep a master copy of papers that needed to be copied frequently. These master copies would say "MASTER COPY" across the paper in yellow highlighter. When you photocopied it, the highlighter didn't show up. Why??
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/azpbki/eli5_how_come_yellow_highlighter_doesnt_show_up/
{ "a_id": [ "ei9bvq4" ], "score": [ 17 ], "text": [ "It's just a matter of contrast. Most copy machines only print black and white; they can't even produce gray except with dithering. So every color on the page has to be converted to either black or white. Yellow is very close to white, so it disa...
[]
[]
[ [ "Paint.NET" ] ]
aa7kgu
why higher fevers mean shorter sick times
Just had a high fever. No thermometer but I could tell because I'm in a 68 degree house shivering with a sweater, heavy coat, and multiple heavy blankets. I bundled up super warm and let it burn itself out, and within 5 hours I feel much better. It was super intense for that short time frame though. I literally felt th...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/aa7kgu/eli5_why_higher_fevers_mean_shorter_sick_times/
{ "a_id": [ "ecpn8e5", "ecpno0e" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Fevers are not the infection. Fevers are the body *fighting* the infection. The greater that fight, the less time you'll be sick. ", "Single cell organisms are a lot less resilient than a whole organism. They usually hav...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
4p616c
why are swimming pools color light blue?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4p616c/eli5_why_are_swimming_pools_color_light_blue/
{ "a_id": [ "d4ia6va", "d4iaqg8", "d4iarma", "d4igmtb" ], "score": [ 3, 13, 9, 2 ], "text": [ "Usually pools use blue liners or light colored tiles and it gives the illusion of the clear water being a light blue color. ", "One of two reasons. First, water naturally refl...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [ "http://photo.net/learn/optics/edscott/h2o.jpg" ] ]
3o6bum
in interstellar, why does one minute on one planet equal four years on earth?
In the recent movie Interstellar, the protagonists raced against time to find a suitable planet for colonization. Now, among the many things I never understood from that movie, I genuinely don't understand how one minute of a planet can equal four years on earth. I get that, due to some planet's sizes, one minute und...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3o6bum/eli5_in_interstellar_why_does_one_minute_on_one/
{ "a_id": [ "cvufxz4", "cvumiud" ], "score": [ 26, 3 ], "text": [ "ELI5: \n\nIf you move very very fast, or if you are nearby a strong gravitational pull (black hole), you experience time slower relatively to when you are not moving fast/no strong gravitational pull. This is a fact and is ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
4npv5d
why do only people in the military widely use 24-hour (further than 12)?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4npv5d/eli5_why_do_only_people_in_the_military_widely/
{ "a_id": [ "d45vr87", "d45vrqq", "d45vt9k", "d45ynqb", "d462ci7" ], "score": [ 11, 15, 28, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Because if read too quickly, 8:38AM could be mistaken for 8:38PM. A can look similar to P (especially on the digital clock displays), and both of them end ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
9gzj3a
why has inflation in the uk been so much higher than in the us?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9gzj3a/eli5_why_has_inflation_in_the_uk_been_so_much/
{ "a_id": [ "e680wxx" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "1970's were an economic disaster for the UK. Along with that there has been exchange rate changes which have had opposing effects on inflation in the two countries." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
7tzmwp
what exactly does a director do in the filming process?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7tzmwp/eli5_what_exactly_does_a_director_do_in_the/
{ "a_id": [ "dtgfr3m", "dtgfzdr" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "They work with the main actors on getting the performances they need. Every director has different techniques/styles. ", "The director is basically the artistic manager of the film - they are in charge of making their a...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
11h142
why does bacon smell stick to everything and is hard to get off?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/11h142/eli5_why_does_bacon_smell_stick_to_everything_and/
{ "a_id": [ "c6mmcd7" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "A lot of the compounds that give characteristic smells are oil-based and thus they mix with oil well. When they contact the skin (lips/face/hands), the oil is absorbed into the skin. You can help this initially by washing with soap and warm water...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
cj0jx3
how does recycling get “contaminated” ?
I was always under the impression you separate it by respective types then melt/shred/pulp it into new stuff. Saw a thread today where someone mentioned recycling getting kicked back, using an example of food waste contaminating paper. I’d hate to think the grocery bags I recycle get tossed because I left a receipt in ...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cj0jx3/eli5_how_does_recycling_get_contaminated/
{ "a_id": [ "evafhmd" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "The issue with contamination is that you cannot separate or sort it. Recyclable material get contaminated if they get into contact with un-recyclable materials that you cannot easily separate. For example, although a cardboard box is recyclable, ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
3nfjmu
why do we sometimes get butterflies in our stomach and feel extreme dread, like something very bad is about to happen, but nothing seems to be wrong?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3nfjmu/eli5_why_do_we_sometimes_get_butterflies_in_our/
{ "a_id": [ "cvnlea6", "cvnu369" ], "score": [ 7, 2 ], "text": [ "Because you are suffering from anxiety if this is a frequent occurrence. You might want to bring this up with a doctor", "Anxiety is often felt in the gut because we have a large cluster of nerves there called the [Enter...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enteric_nervous_system" ] ]
6quzoq
why do some waveforms contain more 'harmonics' than others?
For example, slowly reducing the filter cutoff of a resonant sawtooth wave will create an arpeggiated sequence of what I've heard are called 'harmonics'. What are they and why are sawtooth waves (as an example) more harmonically rich than sine waves?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6quzoq/eli5_why_do_some_waveforms_contain_more_harmonics/
{ "a_id": [ "dl07i9o" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Harmonics are just notes of a higher frequency that is a multiple of the fundamental frequency. A pure sine wave doesn't have any harmonics, while a pure sawtooth has them in a precise sequence of frequencies and levels: \n\n* f (fundamental)at a...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
4uvxrd
why do shops charge you to pay by card?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4uvxrd/eli5_why_do_shops_charge_you_to_pay_by_card/
{ "a_id": [ "d5t99ra" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Because it costs them to do the transaction. Basically if you don't spend enough, they could lose money (profit)" ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
6kt28o
why do some webpages/applets only load if you're actually looking at them in your browser?
It seems strange that pages frequently won't load if the page is open in your browser but you're looking at another tab or you've scrolled past the applet.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6kt28o/eli5_why_do_some_webpagesapplets_only_load_if/
{ "a_id": [ "djomni8", "djowjh8" ], "score": [ 10, 2 ], "text": [ "Page Visibility API (_URL_0_). The JavaScript running on the site can detect whether the tab is currently being viewed.", "In order to improve performance, the site is designed to detect if parts of the page are actuall...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/Page_Visibility_API" ], [] ]
36i782
how do rivers just "end"? a river like the amazon - how does it just end somewhere on land and not flow completely across africa?
If the water is constantly flowing, isn't it constantly eroding more at the end of the river? Does it just go underground? EDIT: Africa < > South America.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/36i782/eli5_how_do_rivers_just_end_a_river_like_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cre5qwr", "cre5rpr", "cre5s4v", "cre5sn9", "cre5t9x", "cre5vu8", "cre97nx", "crenge6" ], "score": [ 6, 2, 2, 3, 6, 4, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "The end of most rivers is a lake or ocean.\n\nSome like the Colorado river end by being used...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [ "http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/80/Amazonrivermap.png", "http://www.cruiseinturkey.net/wp-content/uploads/Mississippi-river-2.jpg" ], [], [], [] ]
8pwnjx
why is that salty foods make us thirsty yet many sport drinks meant to rehydrate us contain sodium?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8pwnjx/eli5_why_is_that_salty_foods_make_us_thirsty_yet/
{ "a_id": [ "e0elnv9", "e0epxjy" ], "score": [ 7, 2 ], "text": [ "Because sports drinks are meant to replenish the sodium lost through sports during intense exertion. They really aren’t meant for just thirst. ", "The insides of our bodies have a carefully balanced amount of salt and wa...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
538kgh
12 mega pixel cameras on phones vs 23 mega pixels, whats the actual difference?
If "it doesn't matter" like most people say, why are companies still using 23 mega pixels cameras then? Why not just drop anything above 12 all together. What can a 23 MP do that a 12 can't & vice versa, the strengths & weaknesses of each? Also, the differences in picture quality on & off the phone ( if the p...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/538kgh/eli5_12_mega_pixel_cameras_on_phones_vs_23_mega/
{ "a_id": [ "d7qumow", "d7qyio3", "d7r49el" ], "score": [ 9, 5, 3 ], "text": [ "It's not that it doesn't matter, it's that megapixels are only one of the properties that define the quality of the camera. There are many other properties such as the sensor size, maximum aperture, ima...
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[]
[ [], [], [] ]
9kex3f
. how are you able to descend 9-10m/s in an elevator, yet never feel that sinking or falling sensation?
After a recent trip to Dubai and touring the Burj Khalifa building, it got me thinking. Here I was failing at the rate they claim, yet I never actually "felt" like I was failing. Yet any other time, I'm in a situation where I'm failing; it kicks right in ex. roller coaster or airplane rides.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9kex3f/eli5_how_are_you_able_to_descend_910ms_in_an/
{ "a_id": [ "e6yk5wk", "e6yk7ws" ], "score": [ 10, 3 ], "text": [ "It's not about speed, it's about acceleration. Think about it, when you're in a car, on a highway, going straight at a constant speed, do you feel your body moving? But when you accelerate to pass another car, you are press...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
a1xh7c
how do empty shipping containers get shipped from manufacturing to distribution? do they just put empty ones on boats/trains?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a1xh7c/eli5_how_do_empty_shipping_containers_get_shipped/
{ "a_id": [ "eatiisp" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Yes, though they try to find stuff to out in them, most of then are owned by the shipping companies, after the US company unloads them they try to find another US company to fill it back up with stuff going to China, and they'll give them really ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
er6w9i
how does looking at technology (phones, laptops, tvs, etc.) strain your vision?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/er6w9i/eli5_how_does_looking_at_technology_phones/
{ "a_id": [ "ff1zuwm", "ff239ey", "ff247vg" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 5 ], "text": [ "For me it's mostly the distance that strains my eyes, but the light is also an issue if there's a contrast with the environment [eg a bright screen in a dim room]. I'm nearsighted, so if I close one eye...
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[ [], [], [] ]
4otcim
why can't sms and mms messages be received over wifi if there is no reception? don't we have the technology to implement it?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4otcim/eli5_why_cant_sms_and_mms_messages_be_received/
{ "a_id": [ "d4fd4wf", "d4fd66r" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Bear in mind that this has been implemented in the software for some carriers (T-Mo, for example). You can see this most obviously when someone flashes stock ROMs onto their phone; they lose the Wi-Fi calling and texting.\n\...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
3ahs90
as a non-american, i'm not quite sure what the difference is between republicans and democrats, and why they're such rivals. could anyone explain?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ahs90/eli5_as_a_nonamerican_im_not_quite_sure_what_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cscrepx", "cscs7lr" ], "score": [ 2, 3 ], "text": [ "As an addition to OP's post, does anyone know why it's Democrat and Republican? Would a Democrat actually opt for a democracy and a Republican a republic? \n\nEdit: autocucumber", "Democrats and Republicans today are div...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
37h1bq
why don't they put solar panels on the top of electric cars to increase their driving range/battery life?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/37h1bq/eli5_why_dont_they_put_solar_panels_on_the_top_of/
{ "a_id": [ "crmlfux", "crmlg5l", "crmlq0l", "crmn8jz", "crms2jp", "crmsby6", "crmtiia", "crmuwn6", "crmuwri", "crmvoyo", "crmwvxk", "crmx38i", "crmx3vd", "crmx73k", "crmxkdp", "crmxkr7", "crmxkxh", "crmxuyv", "crmxvdt", "crmxwev", "c...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://www.boronextrication.com/2011/08/13/prius-solar-panel-roof-option/", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_Leaf" ], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisker_Karma" ], [ "http://www.worldsolarchallenge.org/", "http://i.imgur.com/lrUGs66.jpg", "http://i.imgur.com/fcj...
32nvqp
why do children victims of pedophiles have a higher chance of becoming one?
Wouldn't the trauma cause them to not seek it out?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/32nvqp/eli5_why_do_children_victims_of_pedophiles_have_a/
{ "a_id": [ "cqcyc22", "cqcyk7p", "cqdvex1" ], "score": [ 16, 6, 3 ], "text": [ "I'm a male and got raped on new year' eve when I was 10.\n\nI never felt the desire to reproduce what I had to suffer, but there's this strange feeling I had when I was giving my kid a bath, it took me...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
dq8qma
interpolation and extrapolation in statistics
I am struggling with this
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dq8qma/eli5_interpolation_and_extrapolation_in_statistics/
{ "a_id": [ "f618a3i" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "interpolation is when you estimate the outcome of a process somewhere within the range covered by your data set. \n\nExtrapolation is when you estimate the outcome of a process somewhere outside of the range covered by your data set.\n\nIf I have...
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[]
[ [] ]
21mww5
what exact was the new big bang evidence?
I googled it and read some reports but nothing makes it really clear. Essential what I got from it is it's like if you threw a grenade along time ago and they just found the soot marks?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/21mww5/eli5_what_exact_was_the_new_big_bang_evidence/
{ "a_id": [ "cgekpqc" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Basically, they observed the shock wave of the \"inflation\" of the universe from the size of an atom to the size of a grapefruit. In order for that to happen, the outer edge of the universe had to travel faster than the speed of light. This in t...
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[ [] ]
d38aou
why is it that men are more likely than women to die in so many situations?(drug overdose, gun deaths, alcohol-related deaths, etc.)
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/d38aou/eli5_why_is_it_that_men_are_more_likely_than/
{ "a_id": [ "f00435m", "f00i538" ], "score": [ 7, 2 ], "text": [ "Men have higher testosterone which is a chemical that encourages risk taking behavior. Women who for one reason or another take testosterone, or have higher natural testosterone, begin to exhibit the same behaviors.\n\n\nTh...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
3nam20
why don't militaries invest in anti-nuclear weapons, rather than the weapons themselves?
My thought of it is, aerial nukes are bigger than a bird, and not something to slip under the radar. And even if they did slip under the radar, etc., why is, for example, the UK spending £100bn on Trident for 25 years, than researching a type of missile/radar system which stops nukes getting too far into their airspace...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3nam20/eli5_why_dont_militaries_invest_in_antinuclear/
{ "a_id": [ "cvmc17a", "cvmd5ji", "cvmdbzm", "cvmekgp", "cvmuk41" ], "score": [ 9, 3, 2, 7, 3 ], "text": [ "We have. Anti-ballistic missile defense systems (ABM) have comprised a huge research and development cost since the 1980's. The US alone has spent something...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strategic_Defense_Initiative" ], [], [] ]
21yz8z
why does a steering wheel lock up when a car is off and you try to turn it? is this a safety feature? (more in post)
I was searching old issue with GM, found this _URL_0_ I mean it is obviously a problem in the past. But I don't understand why, when the car is off steering wheels need to lock.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/21yz8z/eli5_why_does_a_steering_wheel_lock_up_when_a_car/
{ "a_id": [ "cghraqf" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Anti-theft. You can't tow a car away if you can't steer it." ] }
[]
[ "https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090107153730AAWF0db" ]
[ [] ]
9wz4j0
why do fruits and vegetables still mature once harvested ? shouldn’t they just rot ?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9wz4j0/eli5_why_do_fruits_and_vegetables_still_mature/
{ "a_id": [ "e9qqnmi" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Actually, only a certain classification of fruits do still mature once harvested. They are called climacteric fruits. Unlike non-climacteric fruits which stop their ripening process once harvested, climacteric ones still actively continue their r...
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[]
[ [] ]
1pskbo
what could a "hacker" actually do if they got my ip adress?
Just wondering
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1pskbo/what_could_a_hacker_actually_do_if_they_got_my_ip/
{ "a_id": [ "cd5kxn9", "cd5n05e", "cd5nxiw", "cd5pk68", "cd5q2y5" ], "score": [ 295, 58, 8, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "That is kind of like asking what a burglar could do if they got your street address. If you've left a ground-floor window open, they could climb in and st...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
3dmout
why does violent/sexual trauma of children at a young age sometimes cause them to grow up and commit those same acts on other victims when they are older?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3dmout/eli5_why_does_violentsexual_trauma_of_children_at/
{ "a_id": [ "ct6n5p2", "ct6qjqo", "ct6s4w0", "ct6sxrv", "ct6u84g", "ct6vo7u", "ct6wk8h", "ct6xyiu", "ct6z7nz", "ct77mn8", "ct7f38u", "ct7gkqu" ], "score": [ 135, 11, 49, 36, 9, 3, 8, 2, 3, 11, 6, 2 ], "text": [ ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://www.helpguide.org/articles/abuse/child-abuse-and-neglect.htm" ], [], [ "http://www.aic.gov.au/publications/current%20series/tandi/421-440/tandi429.html" ], [] ]
38mhfp
why are civil asset forfeiture "abuse" not protected by the 4th amendment in the us? particularly for innocent and/or people not charged with a crime?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/38mhfp/eli5_why_are_civil_asset_forfeiture_abuse_not/
{ "a_id": [ "crw5pt5", "crw7hx5", "crw84n1", "crw8lki" ], "score": [ 10, 2, 35, 12 ], "text": [ "The 4th Amendment requires that there be due process.\n\nGetting a court order, and having a process to reverse it qualifies as due process. Once might argue it is not sufficie...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
4hlbd6
why didn't america stick with the westminster model when choosing how to run a government?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4hlbd6/eli5_why_didnt_america_stick_with_the_westminster/
{ "a_id": [ "d2qkyzo", "d2qldoa" ], "score": [ 12, 8 ], "text": [ "Because each State in the Union was a sovereign entity that chose to create a federation to increase total military strength and trade negotiation power with other nations. They only gave up a part of their sovereignty to t...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
3l9fge
why do countries, such as brazil, still chop down rain forests?
I was reading [this](_URL_1_) article and [this] (_URL_0_) one, and remember learning a lot about the damage being done to the rain forests as a kid, and I was wondering, what economic benefits outweigh those of environmental destruction or international opinion on a countries actions? ((Edit: Oh wow..didn't expect ans...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3l9fge/eli5_why_do_countries_such_as_brazil_still_chop/
{ "a_id": [ "cv4cowx", "cv4eaxq" ], "score": [ 4, 2 ], "text": [ "The individual people/companies who actually cut down the forests get to make money. They reap all the economic benefits, but they're not *personally* seeing the long-term environmental downsides, and international opinion i...
[]
[ "http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-24950487", "http://www.thelocal.no/20150915/norway-pays-brazil-1bn-for-slowing-amazon-loss" ]
[ [], [] ]
aqz8tj
why do fully healed tattoos rise sometimes?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/aqz8tj/eli5_why_do_fully_healed_tattoos_rise_sometimes/
{ "a_id": [ "egjnf4m" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "It can have to do with the type of needle that was used, how deep it was used/pressure, combined with your particular skin. Some artists’/types of tattoos get raised for me when I’m stressed or hot, but most of mine never raise. The one that is m...
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[]
[ [] ]
5t84q0
why doesn't donald trump sign an alternative eo that covers immigration/terrorism while the courts decide on the first?
I mean if there's such a high threat of "Terror", isn't there other less controversial things he could order?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5t84q0/why_doesnt_donald_trump_sign_an_alternative_eo/
{ "a_id": [ "ddkta72", "ddktdmq", "ddkzih5", "ddl75dk", "ddlatvk" ], "score": [ 6, 4, 5, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Couple of reasons. (that I see)\n\n1 - That would require that Trump is capable of admitting he might lose the court battle. I don't think Trump's ego can ta...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [ "problem.In" ], [] ]
cyfjax
how do car alarms know if a window is broken, and why do they go off of the car is shaken?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cyfjax/eli5_how_do_car_alarms_know_if_a_window_is_broken/
{ "a_id": [ "eyrlzor", "eyrmfsb", "eys5rjp" ], "score": [ 4, 11, 2 ], "text": [ "Some cars have interior motion detectors \n\nAlso - some cars have tilt sensors which will trigger an alarm", "To detect breaking glass, car alarms use either a microphone or a pressure sensor.\n\n...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-alarm3.htm" ], [] ]
49n62q
why public buses have different numbers, like 285, 377 instead of having a normal sequence 1,2,3?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/49n62q/eli5_why_public_buses_have_different_numbers_like/
{ "a_id": [ "d0t656c" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Somewhere sometime the busses did get sequential numbers. It could have been during acquisition. Actually they probably began with sequential number generated as they were built. But the company also produced other vehicles. So things start getti...
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[]
[ [] ]
63t7pd
does night mode have a practical function, or is it purely cosmetic?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/63t7pd/eli5_does_night_mode_have_a_practical_function_or/
{ "a_id": [ "dfwr0kt", "dfwr1yc" ], "score": [ 3, 4 ], "text": [ "Most people have a hard time looking at bright screens when the room is dark. So night mode makes the screen darker so you do not strain your eyes.", "It is easier on your eyes.\n\nBright light is especially bad at night...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
1glfjt
when you hear about the "us" giving other countries weapons, who exactly is doing the giving?
Is it just private companies deciding to sell to them? Or does the government buy from American gun makers and then give them to these other countries?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1glfjt/eli5when_you_hear_about_the_us_giving_other/
{ "a_id": [ "calcl2j", "calgm55", "calotm9" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Specifically in the case of Syria, and most famously in Afghanistan, such arms supplies are managed by the CIA, using funds appropriated by Congress.", "Congress authorizes the CIA to purchase weapo...
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[]
[ [], [], [] ]
7g7jwi
how do we know that irrational numbers are neverending?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7g7jwi/eli5_how_do_we_know_that_irrational_numbers_are/
{ "a_id": [ "dqh3ow3" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "It's not clear exactly what you are asking.\n\nA number which has a finite decimal expansion is rational.\n\neg 0.147 is just 147/1000\n\nAs such, irrational numbers must be never-ending.\n\nA slightly more interesting fact is that any infinitely...
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[]
[ [] ]
5pz4qt
why are our eyes spherical?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5pz4qt/eli5_why_are_our_eyes_spherical/
{ "a_id": [ "dcuzd6s" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Ancient natural selection, a round eye is just more efficient than other shapes. It can pivot and roll in its sockets, a curved lens is better at focusing and dispersing light, things like that." ] }
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[]
[ [] ]
1xqpka
if light from, say, a star billions of light years away is observable by us today, are we then seeing that star as of billions of years ago? if so, then if we could travel instantaneously to the location of that star, would it be different from it as seen from earth, even gone entirely?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1xqpka/eli5_if_light_from_say_a_star_billions_of_light/
{ "a_id": [ "cfdr3cx", "cfdr9n7", "cfdrbaw", "cfdtm27", "cfdveve" ], "score": [ 12, 3, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Yes, you are correct.", "Yes, the light you are seeing is possibly billions of years old and just finally reaching Earth. It is very likely that some of ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
69vq86
what's the reason we experience time slow down during a stressful situation?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/69vq86/eli5_whats_the_reason_we_experience_time_slow/
{ "a_id": [ "dh9qxs9", "dh9r5n8", "dh9vzsa" ], "score": [ 7, 5, 21 ], "text": [ "A large part of how we perceive time can actually be linked to our heart rate. The faster our heart beat the slower everything else seems (granted this is a theory, it may be proven false in the future...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
3joy7l
how does microsoft and apple prevent people from viewing/modifying the source code of their os?
Also, what do they do if someone is able to hack into their copy, if anything?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3joy7l/eli5_how_does_microsoft_and_apple_prevent_people/
{ "a_id": [ "cur5rqu", "cur7d0i" ], "score": [ 16, 2 ], "text": [ "The source code is written in a high level language that is compiled into the machine language that the computer actually runs. The copy of Windows you have is just the machine language. There are programs that attempt to w...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trusted_Computing" ] ]
6ed44d
what does icann do?
I often hear ICANN being mentioned when people speak of the internet. What is it though? Who are they and what is their power? Is it possible that ICANN can shut down the internet? If so how? . Edit: I am aware there are previous answers to similar questions, but i could not understand it. So asking again.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6ed44d/eli5_what_does_icann_do/
{ "a_id": [ "di9f19h", "di9f87p", "di9h8zq" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "They do two things:\n\n1. Every device connected to the Internet has an address. This is how they send messages to each other and the messages actually get to their intended recipient. ICANN organizes h...
[]
[]
[ [ "reddit.com", "google.com" ], [ "reddit.com" ], [] ]
556rfg
what does the emdrive have to do with an alcubierre warp bubble?
I don't understand. I thought an EmDrive was for achieving sublight speeds. So, when reading [this article](_URL_0_) on Wikipedia, I WTF'd at seeing the EmDrive mentioned as relating to the effect. But I don't understand, I have two questions: 1) What would prompt scientists to believe an EmDrive is creating an Alc...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/556rfg/eli5_what_does_the_emdrive_have_to_do_with_an/
{ "a_id": [ "d8861gk" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "What the two have in common is that *neither of the two* is permitted by existing physics, and a certain scientific measuring device being applied to both.\n\nThe fact remains, nobody, not even its designer, has the slightest idea what is the ope...
[]
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White%E2%80%93Juday_warp-field_interferometer" ]
[ [] ]
2onasy
if i were to buy an island and want to start my own republic or kingdom, what would be the requirements to make it official and also be recognized as a sovereign nation by other countries?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2onasy/eli5_if_i_were_to_buy_an_island_and_want_to_start/
{ "a_id": [ "cmopl8f", "cmopn36", "cmoucdd", "cmp56od", "cmq8aer" ], "score": [ 6, 8, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "You'd need whatever country owns the island already, and as far as I know there are not any unclaimed ones, to allow you to do so. It's probably not going to...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [ "http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0d/CountriesRecognizingKosovo.svg" ], [] ]
1lv67k
peer review article
What counts as a peer-review article and what is the process involved in writing and reviewing one?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1lv67k/peer_review_article/
{ "a_id": [ "cc31xb6" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "To get it peer reviewed you submit it to respected conference/journal. They have a committee of well respected scientists that understand the topic of your article. There's a handful scientists(sometimes their phd students) that read and evaluate...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
1upaah
why have certain cultures "demonized" the naked human body, and sex?
Just wondering.. I actually couldve googled it but this is more fun..
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1upaah/why_have_certain_cultures_demonized_the_naked/
{ "a_id": [ "cekcl5s", "cekddu3" ], "score": [ 3, 3 ], "text": [ "It's just cultural association. We keep clothed and associate nudity with sex, and unfortunately we are a rather insecure society, who largely think public nudity is inappropriate. Therefor we associate nudity and sex with f...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
4gfovp
if air particles travel from a high pressure zone to a low pressure zone to create wind, why hasn't all air been put in a equal pressure zone?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4gfovp/eli5if_air_particles_travel_from_a_high_pressure/
{ "a_id": [ "d2h4gy3" ], "score": [ 10 ], "text": [ "Because the sun is constantly heating the ground, causing air to rise. Different surfaces heat differently, so some air rises faster, creating areas of lower pressure." ] }
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[]
[ [] ]
1iyj52
why does soft water make your skin feel slippery/soapy even after you rinse off the soap?
Found a few questions in ELI5 discussing soft water, but none about this specifically. When I shower with hard water, my skin feels fine, but if there is soft water, I feel like I can never rinse all the soap off.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1iyj52/eli5_why_does_soft_water_make_your_skin_feel/
{ "a_id": [ "cb9an4y", "cb9ar6z", "cb9djcy", "cb9nlhr" ], "score": [ 3, 6, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Ok I'm going to use [this article](_URL_0_) as a source, and try and explain it in simple terms. \n\n > Hard water contains calcium and magnesium ions. Water softeners remove thos...
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[ [ "http://chemistry.about.com/od/howthingsworkfaqs/a/softwaterrinse.htm" ], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soft_water#Soap_scum" ], [], [] ]
3bfir0
how to rockets headed for space still explode when we've had so many advances in technology since their inception?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3bfir0/eli5_how_to_rockets_headed_for_space_still/
{ "a_id": [ "cslquh6" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "The reason they can't \"perfect it\" is because what \"it\" is keeps changing. But that's a good thing. Exactly because our technology has advanced so much, we've been able to make rockets better and better in lots of important ways. But every ti...
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6ak1c3
why does us have gun-free zones ? shouldn't the whole country be gun-free, and have gun-allowed zones, like the rest of the western world ?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6ak1c3/eli5_why_does_us_have_gunfree_zones_shouldnt_the/
{ "a_id": [ "dhf3hqy", "dhf3w0x", "dhf3y14", "dhf4ict", "dhf50d9" ], "score": [ 5, 4, 8, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "The US constitution established the right to bear arms, the full amendment is \"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the...
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[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
eoinu2
why do the roosters completely go motionless/hypnotized when forced to stare at a straight line drawn on ground?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/eoinu2/eli5_why_do_the_roosters_completely_go/
{ "a_id": [ "feczx2d" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "I’m pretty sure it’s because the rooster thinks the line is a snake, and their survival tactic is to stay motionless, hoping the snake doesn’t see them." ] }
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2p4f8s
diffrence between licenses? (creative commons and others, such as public domain etc)
I've searched ELI5 and it seems there is no answer to this question as of yet. I wanna be indie game developer and I don't want to get in trouble. There are websites that have assets that you can download, but those have some "conditions" (licenses) that you have to agree to. Can someone explain them to me? Thank you...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2p4f8s/eli5diffrence_between_licenses_creative_commons/
{ "a_id": [ "cmt9d0v", "cmt9gtq", "cmt9yum" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "* None - Copyrighted by default. No legal right to use it.\n* Public Domain - Anyone can use.\n* GPL - No proprietary program usage allowed\n* LGPL - No proprietary program usage allowed, BUT can be li...
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[ [], [], [] ]
9yil3m
how does the medical industry in countries with privatized healthcare justify asking blood donors to donate for free?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9yil3m/eli5_how_does_the_medical_industry_in_countries/
{ "a_id": [ "ea1l6a8", "ea1m4c9", "ea1n7ic" ], "score": [ 16, 3, 4 ], "text": [ "The problem is ethical; as soon as blood becomes a commodity, there's the worry that unscrupulous medical personnel may look the other way on donors with blood-borne diseases, or engage in lackluster t...
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[ [], [], [] ]
2vt7iv
when a mass burial site is discovered and excavated (like the recent one at liverpool street station where 5,000 human remains were found) what is done with the remains once they are excavated?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2vt7iv/eli5_when_a_mass_burial_site_is_discovered_and/
{ "a_id": [ "cokq3yf" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Typically they are reburied in a known location. \n\nIf the site that is uncovered is part of an active war crimes or other criminal endeavor the ultimate resting place is usually a public cemetery in another grave only for remains not claimed by...
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6igef7
why do so many employers neglect to list the pay rate on their job listings? how does one politely and professionally get that information?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6igef7/eli5_why_do_so_many_employers_neglect_to_list_the/
{ "a_id": [ "dj60q83", "dj60r8z", "dj613v7" ], "score": [ 2, 3, 10 ], "text": [ "They do not want their current employees knowing what they are willing to pay to get new staff. If the employer publishes a job offering with 20% higher pay then the current employees doing the same jo...
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[ [], [], [] ]
23kqgq
when watching a fight, why does a crowd form a circle?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/23kqgq/eli5_when_watching_a_fight_why_does_a_crowd_form/
{ "a_id": [ "cgxyp0b", "cgxysqm", "cgxytho", "cgxz7oh" ], "score": [ 5, 8, 3, 5 ], "text": [ "Basically like a colluseum, think of it as the people being walls while chanting out whoever they wanted to win.", "Thats the best way to get a view? ", "I think it's rathe...
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[ [], [], [], [] ]
eq532z
how come in hand-drawn, older animated films the objects that will move in a shot stand out so much from things that dont move?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/eq532z/eli5_how_come_in_handdrawn_older_animated_films/
{ "a_id": [ "fenqn0r", "fensoga" ], "score": [ 2, 6 ], "text": [ "As far as Disney goes, they were actual different objects. Disney would draw the backgrounds, then add the foreground stuff. Search Disney Animation on YouTube and find the old stuff that Walt himself narrated. It is supe...
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6hrb5x
after donating/losing blood, how long does it take for your body to make back what you lost?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6hrb5x/eli5_after_donatinglosing_blood_how_long_does_it/
{ "a_id": [ "dj0k4fz", "dj0nbl7" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Depending on the amount of blood lost and intake of food and water, it usually takes anywhere from a day to a week. In severe cases eg mutilation, doctors can administer *plasma expanders*, which keep blood pressure steady b...
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4q5mlz
how do domesticated dogs know the difference between an intruder in the home vs someone who is welcome in the home?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4q5mlz/eli5_how_do_domesticated_dogs_know_the_difference/
{ "a_id": [ "d4qdefb", "d4qh167" ], "score": [ 13, 6 ], "text": [ "Dogs are excellent pattern checkers. If you act like a friendly visitor, meet the people at the front door, people seem to like you, people invite you to come in and you pet the dog = welcome. If you sneak in when the peo...
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6vq5ml
explain the following to someone with no knowledge of physics: force, momentum, power, work.
This is actually an interview question for engineering at Cambridge University. I didn't manage to get a decent answer from my physics teacher and this question is really bugging me. I know all of the aforementioned "things" in the context of equations or physics problems, I just can't explain them in layman's terms.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6vq5ml/eli5_explain_the_following_to_someone_with_no/
{ "a_id": [ "dm23j0o", "dm24ei0" ], "score": [ 15, 3 ], "text": [ "You push a rock and it moves, that's force, \n\nyou stop pushing but it keeps moving, that's momentum,\n\nthe rock is in new place now, that's work done,\n\nif you pushed harder it would be there faster, that's power.", ...
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70vdi0
christmas music really just seems to be the same 20 or so songs covered by 100s of artists. why does no one ever release new christmas songs?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/70vdi0/eli5_christmas_music_really_just_seems_to_be_the/
{ "a_id": [ "dn648ns", "dn655sd", "dn659hk", "dn65jo5", "dn65yy8", "dn66jy2", "dn66ltl", "dn69o8i", "dn6e6wn", "dn6ku4d", "dn6njn3", "dn6nk9w", "dn6okg9" ], "score": [ 11, 12, 105, 92, 2, 44, 31, 3, 19, 9, 2, 2, ...
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[ [], [], [ "https://xkcd.com/988/" ], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "https://youtu.be/fh79619xxk8" ], [], [] ]
2iuvr1
among all the systems of measurement (m.k.s.,c.g.s), why has the unit of time remain fixed throughout?
Several units of measurement exist, like F.P.S., C.G.S., M.K.S. and of course S.I. But all of them invariably end up measuring time in seconds. Why is this so, since perceptions of time should vary for different societies, as was the case with quantities like length, temp. etc.?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2iuvr1/eli5_among_all_the_systems_of_measurement_mkscgs/
{ "a_id": [ "cl5olcx", "cl5oth8", "cl5ruym" ], "score": [ 5, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "I know some organizations, such as the us postal service, like to use \"clicks\" or hundredths of a minute when estimating time needed. Also I think around the French revolution they tried changing thei...
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8tnuym
what does it mean that the federal reserve central bank in the usa is "private"?
If it is private, this means it is not owned by the government? so who owns it?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8tnuym/eli5_what_does_it_mean_that_the_federal_reserve/
{ "a_id": [ "e18wtzf" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "It's misleading to call it private. It was created by Congress, and its surplus profits belong to the US Treasury.\n\nBut the various Federal Reserve Banks are organized like corporations, and other banks do own shares of them.\n\n > Some observ...
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[ [ "https://www.federalreserve.gov/faqs/about_14986.htm" ] ]
1wbbop
matrices in math
They look so confusing, tried reading up on them, but with no avail.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1wbbop/eli5matrices_in_math/
{ "a_id": [ "cf0d88y" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "uh, its just a grid of numbers. Nothing crazy about it. Adding them and subtracting them is pretty easy. They only get weird when you try to multiply them." ] }
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2s2q24
why the u.s. cannot view uk/european tv stations?
What is the legality as to why those in the United States cannot view stations from across the ocean?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2s2q24/eli5why_the_us_cannot_view_ukeuropean_tv_stations/
{ "a_id": [ "cnllk5r" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "A program made by a British company, let's say the BBC, is owned by that company. They will probably specifically prevent it from being shown in the USA (or any other country, for that matter) initially, because they want to keep hold of the abil...
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b7k0qa
how does running improve cardio?
How does a person who tires out quickly become more endurant by running regurarly?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/b7k0qa/eli5_how_does_running_improve_cardio/
{ "a_id": [ "ejse01k", "ejskkkp" ], "score": [ 5, 2 ], "text": [ "Your body is always adapting.\n\nIf you start running regularly , your body will start to strengthen its energy storage , think of your energy storage as a health bar from a video game, the more you run the longer the bar ge...
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5pz858
how can something start trending on twitter when there is just one single tweet (with zero retweets and favorites) about the subject?
As I'm typing this, "ATL'S NEW WAVE" is trending on Twitter. When I click on that trend, there has only been one single tweet with those exact words - and that tweet has zero retweets and favorites. How did those words and/or that tweet become a Twitter trend?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5pz858/eli5_how_can_something_start_trending_on_twitter/
{ "a_id": [ "dcuzo8y" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Homosexuality on artificial Intelligence is trendy for months now! \nBut no one talks about it..." ] }
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dvuhb6
why do speakers in a very cold car project a different quality of sound?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dvuhb6/eli5_why_do_speakers_in_a_very_cold_car_project_a/
{ "a_id": [ "f7ertq4" ], "score": [ 11 ], "text": [ "You got it exactly right. The sound is created by deformations in the speaker cone. If it's extremely cold the material stiffens up." ] }
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8pou3b
how are kidney stones formed so rapidly in comparison to actual stones being created in nature?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8pou3b/eli5_how_are_kidney_stones_formed_so_rapidly_in/
{ "a_id": [ "e0cvryu", "e0cw4zt" ], "score": [ 6, 3 ], "text": [ "Kidney stones are mineral deposits, and not actually stones.\n\nThere are similar deposits in nature, and they can build at about the same rate as kidney stones, providing the flow of minerals and other conditions allow.\n",...
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[ [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stalactite", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kidney_stone_disease" ] ]
1l6xdc
relationship between fixed rate mortgages and bond yield rates
Could someone explain why fixed rate mortgages move in somewhat alignment with the bond yield rate? More so why the bond yield rate specifically?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1l6xdc/eli5_relationship_between_fixed_rate_mortgages/
{ "a_id": [ "cbwg2k6", "cbwge5a" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Assuming that the bond yield rate you are referring to is the rate that the US government borrows at:\n\nThe reason that the rates move in lockstep has to do with risk premiums. In today's financial world, the US government ...
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2mt36b
how come i can hear the chants of football fans, even though the stadium is far away? if it was a small group or just one person chanting at the same volume you wouldn't hear anything.
Do all of the sounds from each person collectively combine into a super sound you can hear from a long distance?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2mt36b/eli5_how_come_i_can_hear_the_chants_of_football/
{ "a_id": [ "cm7c68e", "cm7i0vn" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "That's part of it. Another part is that stadiums generally act like parabolic dishes because of their bowl-shape, which focuses sound in the same sort of way that a lens or a concave mirror focuses light.\n", "Basically,...
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[ [], [ "http://i.imgur.com/HVJ7C0r.jpg" ] ]
2yzupy
how does a blade-less fan work and how far is mankind from evolving the technology into blade-less helicopters (vtol-level blade-less)?
I've got crappy fans that are old and clogged and was thinking of replacing them with the new bladeless fans that have been out for a little while. It got me thinking of VTOL which I've always thought was cool.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2yzupy/eli5_how_does_a_bladeless_fan_work_and_how_far_is/
{ "a_id": [ "cpeh51s", "cpeh8kk", "cpeiggt" ], "score": [ 9, 7, 3 ], "text": [ "If you look closely at blade less fans, like the Dyson ones for example, there's actually a bunch of little blades neatly tucked away. They're position in such a way that when they spin, they sort of ca...
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[ [], [], [ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdEWzqsfeHM" ] ]