q_id stringlengths 5 6 | title stringlengths 3 296 | selftext stringlengths 0 34k | document stringclasses 1
value | subreddit stringclasses 1
value | url stringlengths 4 110 | answers dict | title_urls list | selftext_urls list | answers_urls list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3ih2rn | what is bit width? | > In computer architecture, 32-bit integers, memory addresses, or other data units are those that are at most 32 bits (4 octets) **wide**.
What does it mean "32 bits **wide**"? Whats in the number "2,147,483,647" that is 32 bits wide? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ih2rn/eli5_what_is_bit_width/ | {
"a_id": [
"cugcqcv"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"A single wire in a digital computer can either have a voltage or not, and thus can carry one of two states - on (1) or off (0). It can carry a single binary digit (a bit).\n\nTwo wires in a digital computer can carry two of these signals, or 2 bi... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
2pi5e7 | why is it that at 2 or 3 pm people get tired all of a sudden? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2pi5e7/eli5_why_is_it_that_at_2_or_3_pm_people_get_tired/ | {
"a_id": [
"cmwwmm2"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"We have a 12-hour circadian rhythm as well as a 24-hour one.\nEDIT: Plus our blood supply is divided between our stomach and our brain. A nap after lunch works wonders!"
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
13sn02 | i have been wondering this lately, what exactly does the mayan calendar say that will occur on 12-21-2012? | I have heard theories. But what are they saying will happen then?
I forgot to put Li5 at the beginning of my post. My bad. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/13sn02/i_have_been_wondering_this_lately_what_exactly/ | {
"a_id": [
"c76t35k"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Nothing. The Mayan calendar does not say that anything will happen on 12-21-2012."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
1ofa69 | if i hypothetically built a fully functioning rocket and were able to fund the trip myself, would it be legal for me to leave earth? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ofa69/if_i_hypothetically_built_a_fully_functioning/ | {
"a_id": [
"ccrf40q",
"ccrf6o7",
"ccrfaml",
"ccrfatr",
"ccrfhkw",
"ccrfoxo",
"ccrfrlc",
"ccrftum",
"ccrfxyh",
"ccrg02t",
"ccrg7q5",
"ccrgds3",
"ccrgi71",
"ccrgj1v",
"ccrgj8v",
"ccrgllk",
"ccrgna0",
"ccrgw85"
],
"score": [
12,
254,
... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civilian_Space_eXploration_Team"
],
[
"http://www.bis.gov.uk/ukspaceagency/what-we-do/space-and-the-growth-agenda/uk-capabilities-for-overseas-markets/the-outer-space-act-1986"
],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outer_Spac... | ||
elv0en | the process of creating and using a "memory palace" aka method of loci | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/elv0en/eli5_the_process_of_creating_and_using_a_memory/ | {
"a_id": [
"fdkezl1",
"fdkgpqe"
],
"score": [
10,
3
],
"text": [
"So, you take a place you know well, I've been told it's a good idea to start with is your room but my room is a mess so I went with areas inside the legend of zelda: Ocarina of time because I've played that since I was five... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
2utx70 | why isn't snow dumped into rivers/lakes/oceans? | Where I live, Eastern Canada, we've got 4' - 4.5' of snow in the ground (and more falling as I type). Buffalo got ~7' back in November (December?).
Instead of worrying about "Where do we put this snow?" why not just dump it into the ocean (my case) or Lake Erie (Buffalo)?
When it melts, it'll run off into those bo... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2utx70/eli5_why_isnt_snow_dumped_into_riverslakesoceans/ | {
"a_id": [
"cobn2ym",
"cobn48u",
"cobne0l",
"cobogwn",
"coc2mbu"
],
"score": [
3,
14,
4,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"dunno why they don;t do this in the areas you mention. it **is** what they do in NYC - they dump it in the rivers when they have so much of it that they act... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
26eeki | why are we still limited to 160 character text? why does it split them up after that? | Will our cell phone technology get to the point where we can send more lengthy texts (that aren't MMS)? And I know iMessage can send longer ones, but being someone who is just switching back to android from iPhone, iMessage has screwed me now that I'm not using it. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/26eeki/eli5_why_are_we_still_limited_to_160_character/ | {
"a_id": [
"chq8z8o",
"chq910z",
"chqb90d"
],
"score": [
2,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"I was told wrong, disregard",
"I don't know the technical stuff around this a 100%, but is something like this. Your phone sends out signals to base-stations all the time, and in these signals there... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
290pwc | what's the difference between donating blood to a national program like the red cross and a regional like the new york blood center? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/290pwc/eli5_whats_the_difference_between_donating_blood/ | {
"a_id": [
"cigc38i"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Not much. Probably a local place works more closely with local places that need blood, whereas national ones work on a more global scale. As long as you're going somewhere reputable that's actually donating the blood and not selling it to labs fo... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
5dee4r | what is silica gel? | I am not sure if this has been asked before but may someone explain how silica gel works? Also, what is silica xerogel? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5dee4r/eli5_what_is_silica_gel/ | {
"a_id": [
"da3wpng",
"da40lgj",
"da41j6q",
"da43c16",
"da4atuw"
],
"score": [
14,
8,
5,
4,
2
],
"text": [
"Silica gel is what is known as a desiccant, it is used to control humidity levels in products so they don't spoil or start to smell. Basically, it absorbs wa... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quartz"
],
[]
] | |
394r2j | why it cost me so much more to mail a package than for amazon to mail the same package | I understand the concept of bulk, but why does it cost me a fair amount to ship something that Amazon can do for much less. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/394r2j/eli5_why_it_cost_me_so_much_more_to_mail_a/ | {
"a_id": [
"cs0cdj0",
"cs0cfut",
"cs0cp0r"
],
"score": [
4,
18,
6
],
"text": [
"They get a discount through FedEx or whomever. The company I work for gets substantial discounts as well. 2nd day air is almost the samE as regular ground. ",
"A large part of the reason Amazon ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
1bmpa4 | why you should learn to program (x-post from /r/learnprogramming) | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1bmpa4/eli5_why_you_should_learn_to_program_xpost_from/ | {
"a_id": [
"c9829dg"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"I'm a new coder, thnx for this. I've been taking some online courses for python and it looks pretty good."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
21q5m8 | why are there wars on religion? | Why do people feel the need to kill others just because they are not of the same religion or do not believe in the same things others do? Why can't people just accept that others have opinions and live their lives without debating/fighting about who is right?
And yes, I know this isn't a perfect world, but I just want... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/21q5m8/eli5_why_are_there_wars_on_religion/ | {
"a_id": [
"cgfg92i"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"A lot of reasons, it'd be hard to list them all in an reddit post. But here are a few obvious ones:\n\n* Ego. People like seeming better than others, this includes being right. Some people value being \"right\", more than what's really true.\... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
6jit7w | what is devils advocate exactly? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6jit7w/eli5_what_is_devils_advocate_exactly/ | {
"a_id": [
"djek4lq",
"djek5z2",
"djek6zx",
"djek8xf",
"djekvtu"
],
"score": [
33,
6,
2,
2,
14
],
"text": [
"It's when you argue for a point that you don't agree with, because you want to explore the consequences of the debate. ",
"You're in a group of people w... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
72qiy1 | how do tow truck operators tow parked cars? | Personally, when I park my car, I shift it to park and engage the emergency brake. How do the operators get around that? Is there a way to disengage these features from the outside? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/72qiy1/eli5_how_do_tow_truck_operators_tow_parked_cars/ | {
"a_id": [
"dnkislt",
"dnkivbg"
],
"score": [
3,
7
],
"text": [
"I think they broke into my car (with a slim jim or something). When I recovered my car, the break was disabled and wet inside (rainy night). Otherwise, there's other means tow it; flatbed, etc. ",
"Auto tech here, I can ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
6bzfn8 | how could the usa test nuclear bombs in american soil like the in the nevada test site? | I grow up thinking that a Nuclear Bomb is the worst that could happen to a place. So I became very intrigued when I discovered that tests were conducted in American Soil... Weren´t they afraid of the radiation? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6bzfn8/eli5_how_could_the_usa_test_nuclear_bombs_in/ | {
"a_id": [
"dhqq7e5",
"dhqq9rw",
"dhqq9yy",
"dhqqa8m",
"dhqrg7w"
],
"score": [
2,
10,
4,
7,
5
],
"text": [
"Tests that occur underground keep the fallout underground. Atmospheric tests are worse, but not as bad as a test at ground level. You don't want ground le... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
2lhlx2 | why is ice, compression and elevation good for a sprain? | Typically, isn't healing done by allowing relatively large amount of oxygen and blood to an area? Isn't cooling, elevating and restricting bloodflow doing the exact opposite?
What is the difference when a sprain/swelling is involved? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2lhlx2/eli5_why_is_ice_compression_and_elevation_good/ | {
"a_id": [
"cluz5ht"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Swelling on a sprain is your body's way of immobilizing the joint. Since you can use braces, bandages, and your own will to do that instead of relying on your body's unthinking reaction, the inflammation that created the swelling is more a painfu... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
1vyje0 | do some casinos pay out better or have "looser" slots? | When reading reviews of casinos of tripadvisor, some posters claim the slots are "tighter," or "not as loose as slots at X casino," or that they didn't see anyone else winning.
Why would a casino deliberately set machines to pay out more anyways?
Is this actually the case or just confirmation bias? I'd think the o... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1vyje0/eli5_do_some_casinos_pay_out_better_or_have/ | {
"a_id": [
"cewztb1",
"cewzvrq"
],
"score": [
2,
3
],
"text": [
"all casinos have machines/games that are set to pay out a certain percentage of the time, at a ratio that keeps them profitable for the house over an extended period of time, because that's part of how they keep people hooke... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
4fec61 | why are fire departments funded by city governments while ambulance / paramedic services (which provide an equally important service) funded through private contracts? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4fec61/eli5_why_are_fire_departments_funded_by_city/ | {
"a_id": [
"d2842zc",
"d284ef5",
"d2854ky"
],
"score": [
7,
11,
2
],
"text": [
"The way EMS is handles will vary widely from city to city. I volunteered in my hometown and they take contract bids every so often for a 3rd party EMS provider (volunteer FD as well.) My first fire dep... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
39zj0t | what allows transistors to become smaller each year when it comes to computer processors and why and how is the growth linear? | ""Moore's law" is the observation that, over the history of computing hardware, the number of transistors in a dense integrated circuit has doubled approximately every two years"
What I always wonder is what is the limiting factor when it comes to this linear growth? Why do we never see larger leaps or smaller leaps? ... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/39zj0t/eli5_what_allows_transistors_to_become_smaller/ | {
"a_id": [
"cs7vs7j",
"cs7w6sa",
"cs7wr5a"
],
"score": [
10,
3,
3
],
"text": [
"About every 18-24 months, we can implement the same functions in a silicon integrated circuit \"chip\" as before but in 1/2 the silicon area. Since the circuit area is approximately related to the mini... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_H._Dennard"
],
[],
[]
] | |
2i6xlq | when building a skyscraper, which parts does the architect do, and which parts does the structural engineer do? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2i6xlq/eli5_when_building_a_skyscraper_which_parts_does/ | {
"a_id": [
"ckzfa8y",
"ckzi556",
"ckzi5rr",
"ckzjada",
"ckzjb7g",
"ckzkwbx",
"ckzm3n3",
"ckzoqbp"
],
"score": [
94,
69,
12,
4,
7,
5,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"An architect is responsible for basically how everything looks. What color everything is,... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[
"http://highrisefacilities.com/classic-pbs-mini-series-skyscraper-now-available-to-view-online/"
],
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_and_Clark_Bridge_(Columbia_River)"
],
[]
] | ||
99xqn3 | how does a memory pass from short-term to long-term? and if your short-term memory function is totally shot (because of weed), do those memories just die /never become long-term memories? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/99xqn3/eli5_how_does_a_memory_pass_from_shortterm_to/ | {
"a_id": [
"e4r98pe"
],
"score": [
11
],
"text": [
"The first thing you need to understand when you ask these questions is a distinction between long-term and working memory.\n\nIf I tell you a fact you've never learned before, like \"banging your head against the wall for one hour burns 150 calo... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
7p0xtg | how do smelling salts work. is it as fast as shown in movies? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7p0xtg/eli5how_do_smelling_salts_work_is_it_as_fast_as/ | {
"a_id": [
"dsdok5r"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Basically, smelling salts release ammonia (NH3)- a not-so-nice substance which \nirritates the nose and lungs. This triggers an inhalation reflex, restarting \nbreathing. As such, it acts as fast as in movies (or something similar).\n\n\nMenthol ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
4gf8qv | why do government contract companies who don't interact with the public very much still spend money to air tv commercials? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4gf8qv/eli5_why_do_government_contract_companies_who/ | {
"a_id": [
"d2h0exv",
"d2h20jh",
"d2h3ygv",
"d2h4vod",
"d2h5h36"
],
"score": [
39,
11,
3,
18,
2
],
"text": [
"This was answered fairly well on /r/NoStupidQuestions earlier today.\n\nThe short version is that there are other people to impress besides people who buy ... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://www.reddit.com/r/NoStupidQuestions/comments/4gdt2h/why_do_i_see_commercials_for_giant_companies_like/"
],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
9s76y6 | how does the seatbelt know that it's being pulled fast (crash) and stop extending but still extends when pulled slowly? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9s76y6/eli5_how_does_the_seatbelt_know_that_its_being/ | {
"a_id": [
"e8mlygx",
"e8mpw95",
"e8muwq9",
"e8mzdlk",
"e8n0vdf",
"e8n96nn",
"e8nd8qo",
"e8nevs3",
"e8o4oyl",
"e8ob3rx"
],
"score": [
4418,
64,
7295,
41,
8,
2,
18,
3,
3,
2
],
"text": [
"It uses what's a called a centrifugal c... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
1ljs2w | why (how) do black heads get so long that they stick out of your skin and look like hairs? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ljs2w/eli5_why_how_do_black_heads_get_so_long_that_they/ | {
"a_id": [
"cc01cwj",
"cc01dfq"
],
"score": [
3,
5
],
"text": [
"Do you even wash bro?",
"They might be sebaceous filaments and not blackheads. Google that shit, yo."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
5hn3u2 | what is the universe made of? | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5hn3u2/eli5_what_is_the_universe_made_of/ | {
"a_id": [
"db1e55h",
"db1f4vy"
],
"score": [
2,
2
],
"text": [
"Matter, energy and void, I think it pretty much sums it up, I'll try to elaborate but if anyone disagrees please procceed, I love astronomy",
"At the most basic level, the universe is made up of everything that makes up ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
6lus2h | why do tight socks prevent thrombosis? how does the compression actually improve things? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6lus2h/elif_why_do_tight_socks_prevent_thrombosis_how/ | {
"a_id": [
"djwpfjv",
"djwrzn1"
],
"score": [
9,
4
],
"text": [
"Tight/compression socks increase venous pressure, which encourages blood flow back to the heart for recirculation. Otherwise, low venous pressure would result in blood pooling within the veins.\n\nSlow-moving blood has a ten... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
zoqh3 | why is the chicago teachers union on strike? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/zoqh3/eli5_why_is_the_chicago_teachers_union_on_strike/ | {
"a_id": [
"c66f2ly"
],
"score": [
9
],
"text": [
"There are two major sticking points for the union.\n\n1. The city wants to increase the length of the school year, with a pay increase that the union does not believe is fair compensation.\n\n2. The city wants student test scores to compose 40% o... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
1rvtwf | el5: will popping a zit make it clear up faster or slower? | If the answer is yes, my entire life is a lie. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1rvtwf/el5_will_popping_a_zit_make_it_clear_up_faster_or/ | {
"a_id": [
"cdrf7wn"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"It does not necessarily make it heal faster than properly cleaning the comedone, the clinical name for a \"zit\", but it does make a fascinating YouTube video."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
16k707 | why do people take photographs and not just cut out frames from videos? | Seems like an easier way to get "the perfect shot", just film it and pick a frame?
Especially if you're like a paparazzi. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/16k707/why_do_people_take_photographs_and_not_just_cut/ | {
"a_id": [
"c7wrlce",
"c7ws4tg"
],
"score": [
8,
3
],
"text": [
"A video is not necessarily a series of professional photography quality images.\n\nIn short, frames in a video don't look as good.\n\nEdit - For example, HDTV looks nice as video, but the frames have a resolution of 1920×108... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://io9.com/5867719/watch-light-particles-travel-through-a-coke-bottle-at-a-trillion-frames-per-second"
]
] | |
3dvqh3 | what's that dark swirly stuff in the milky way, as seen from earth? | Looking at [this amazing photo of the Milky Way](_URL_0_), you can see what looks like swirls of dark dust, gas or vapour. It's in most photos of the Milky Way that I've seen. What is it? Aren't there more stars in the centre of the band so wouldn't it be brighter there? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3dvqh3/eli5_whats_that_dark_swirly_stuff_in_the_milky/ | {
"a_id": [
"ct92s4p"
],
"score": [
4
],
"text": [
"Those are clouds of dust, \"interstellar clouds\", sometimes \"molecular clouds\" depending on what's in them.\n\nThey're basically just regions where the interstellar dust is *denser*. They're still nearly vacuum, but compared to other areas the... | [] | [
"http://www.abc.net.au/cm/lb/6630806/data/stellar-riches-by-troy-casswell-data.jpg"
] | [
[]
] | |
1rzqdc | colors, or rather, how would we know what they are if we couldn't see them. | As in, how would you describe a color to someone who is colorblind or blind. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1rzqdc/eli5_colors_or_rather_how_would_we_know_what_they/ | {
"a_id": [
"cdshydd"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"Different wavelengths of light are not only perceived by sighted eyes differently, but they have different physical characteristics. Very famously, infrared light was discovered by leaving a thermometer next to a prism, with all the colors sprea... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
7dbzwo | why does insulin injection cause bumps of insulin, is it not delivering correctly? | Been diabetic for 4 years now and I know that skin can become tough and resistant to insulin and that’s why it’s important to rotate injection spots which I do. I’ve noticed recently that when I inject; more commonly
In my arms and stomach; there will be a little bubble near the injection spot post injection. I’m assum... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7dbzwo/eli5_why_does_insulin_injection_cause_bumps_of/ | {
"a_id": [
"dpwq88i"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"Medical advice is best gained from speaking with your doctor, or your diabetes specialist nurse in this case. \n\nIn this case it sounds to me like you're not depositing the insulin into the fat layer, but between it and the skin or even within t... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
e4wq0h | what do the numbers next to graphic cards and other pc hardware mean? | For years it has annoyed me that I don't know and I need clarity, thanks in advance. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/e4wq0h/eli5_what_do_the_numbers_next_to_graphic_cards/ | {
"a_id": [
"f9fmmno",
"f9fndfm",
"f9fyzy1"
],
"score": [
5,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"What exactly are you referring to?.\n\nBut in general, model numbers are completely arbitrary and are used to place a particular offering in a specific spot in the company's line of offerings.",
"No... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
bb8msz | is there any difference between forcing a computer shutdown with the power button vs manually clicking shut down? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bb8msz/eli5_is_there_any_difference_between_forcing_a/ | {
"a_id": [
"ekgzh16",
"ekgzmfd",
"ekgzxnc",
"ekh0zcj",
"ekh781n"
],
"score": [
52,
36,
7,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"Yes there is a difference! Imagine falling asleep, this is like clicking shutdown, your brain stores all the information from the day and you remember it wh... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
5dezs1 | if telomeres shorten with every cell division how is it that we are able to keep having successful offspring after many generations? | EDIT: obligatory #made-it-to-the-front-page-while-at-work self congratulatory update. Thank you everyone for lifting me up to my few hours of internet fame ~(‾▿‾)~ /s
Also, great discussion going on. You are all awesome.
Edit 2: Explicitly stating the sarcasm, since my inbox found it necessary. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5dezs1/eli5_if_telomeres_shorten_with_every_cell/ | {
"a_id": [
"da414rl",
"da414yd",
"da45lls",
"da45mw5",
"da475pw",
"da47dhn",
"da47kp2",
"da4842x",
"da485u3",
"da48hs5",
"da48jiy",
"da49v13",
"da4awf7",
"da4c9vd",
"da4ebty",
"da4fnao",
"da4g7fo",
"da4jzpu",
"da4ls3p",
"da4pbmb"
],
... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[
"https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9mdPbeK_qE4"
],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[
"https://www.quora.com/Do-telomeres-get-regenerated-during-meiosis-or-after-fertilization-in-humans"
],
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HeLa"
],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
... | |
49ko54 | why colonize mars and not antarctica? | Wikipedia claims that the average temperature on Mars is -85 degrees F, which is pretty darn cold. When you add other terrible things like radiation, extreme distances between the Earth and a lack of a huge water supply, why are we considering colonizing Mars when there is an entirely uninhabited continent on Earth? ... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/49ko54/eli5why_colonize_mars_and_not_antarctica/ | {
"a_id": [
"d0sjmok",
"d0sjsus",
"d0sk5yf",
"d0smh36",
"d0sozmh",
"d0srhoo",
"d0st8rp",
"d0sujf6"
],
"score": [
7,
64,
4,
15,
3,
2,
2,
2
],
"text": [
" > Is it merely the romantic idea of space travel and exploration?\n\nSort of yes.\n\nThe... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
3xrshl | why do american sports (e.g. american football, basketball) have quarters whereas most european sports (e.g. football) only have halves? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3xrshl/eli5_why_do_american_sports_eg_american_football/ | {
"a_id": [
"cy7irje"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"One reason for quarters in American football: wind and field conditions. If a team has to throw/pass the football into a stiff wind, then their offense will suffer. Likewise, one end of the football field might be muddier and harder on the offens... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
1fsh18 | why do tennis pros need coaches? | What do they do? Surely the big pros are way better at their sport than their coaches ever were.
Thank you :) Makes sense. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1fsh18/eli5_why_do_tennis_pros_need_coaches/ | {
"a_id": [
"cadcghe",
"cadchuh",
"cade57g",
"cadlqfp",
"cadmng0"
],
"score": [
10,
6,
2,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"Some people don't have the capacity to BE the best, but they can analyze the best, and give tips on technique or even just be there to push players and set u... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
4j1t49 | the difference between muslim, islam and jihad extremism. | I would like an unbiased answer as possible. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4j1t49/eli5_the_difference_between_muslim_islam_and/ | {
"a_id": [
"d32xl9g",
"d32xqnq"
],
"score": [
5,
9
],
"text": [
"Islam is to Christianity as Muslim is to Christian as Jihad Extremeism is to extremist Christianity\n\nIslam is the religion that has a couple of spinoffs, namely Shia and Sunni as the biggest 2. \n\nMuslim is just what you ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jihad"
]
] | |
a5xv68 | why do so many animals, large or small, cold or warm blooded, seem to enjoy human affection? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a5xv68/eli5_why_do_so_many_animals_large_or_small_cold/ | {
"a_id": [
"ebq3zt3",
"ebq5i0n",
"ebqf1hb"
],
"score": [
13,
23,
5
],
"text": [
"I think it's because humans are generally incredibly affectionate towards these creatures, and we're also very good at displaying emotion and affection. Like, humans will adopt and care for other anim... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
4q4hrw | why aren't there separate sports leagues for people who do steroids/performance enhancing drugs? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4q4hrw/eli5_why_arent_there_separate_sports_leagues_for/ | {
"a_id": [
"d4q2zub",
"d4q3ati",
"d4q44fu"
],
"score": [
2,
5,
2
],
"text": [
"Steroids and other drugs are pretty dangerous when used for prolonged periods of time. Sanctioning a league where there were no restrictions on what you could do to yourself to get faster and stronger w... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
cas5s7 | fourier and harmonic series | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cas5s7/eli5_fourier_and_harmonic_series/ | {
"a_id": [
"etb6tv7"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"These are mostly different things. A harmonic series is merely a kind of infinite series. It is the sum of x (some variable) +x/2+x/4+x/8 etc... This series sums up to infinity, and can be useful with some calculations. Now; a fourier series is a... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
3a5nkc | doctors stopped routinely removing an appendix if they were doing any sort of abdominal surgery anyway. | It seems like it made sense. If you're under anesthesia anyway, why not go ahead and take it since there's always a chance it might get infected and doesn't really do anything good anyway. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3a5nkc/eli5_doctors_stopped_routinely_removing_an/ | {
"a_id": [
"cs9hp4j",
"cs9hpla",
"cs9ku1h",
"cs9kzb9",
"cs9of9l",
"cs9qikh",
"cs9wxtr",
"cs9yesg"
],
"score": [
10,
403,
43,
10,
13,
15,
5,
7
],
"text": [
"We could discuss whether or not the appendix actually does anything. There is the th... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://www.livescience.com/10571-appendix-fact-promising.html",
"http://www.livescience.com/10489-appendix-slimy-worthless.html"
],
[],
[],
[],
[
"http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/04/25/treating-appendicitis-without-surgery/"
],
[],
[]
] | |
avh3zq | are plastic cooking utensils (spoons, spatulas) safe to handle hot food for years? and how can i determine what types of plastic is better than another for this use? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/avh3zq/eli5_are_plastic_cooking_utensils_spoons_spatulas/ | {
"a_id": [
"ehf13px"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Most plastics made for cooking are made to be resistant to heat and not to leak out plasticizers much, as long as you don't melt them. If you seriously melt or burn the plastic into food, then it should not be considered safe to eat."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
d2sgfs | why does the ground get cracks in it during a drought? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/d2sgfs/eli5_why_does_the_ground_get_cracks_in_it_during/ | {
"a_id": [
"ezxf186"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"The ground cracks when drying out due to surface tension. Visualize two particles in water and then start drying the system by evaporation. Eventually you'll get a neck of water between the two defined by the water-particle and water-air surface ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
3bevnl | why does heating batter up solidify it? wouldn't it just stay a liquid? | So everyone knows that letting an ice cube stand at room temperature causes it to melt. Also cooling water below 32F/0C causes it to freeze. Anyways, if you have ever made a recipe with runny batter such as brownies, you probably know that heating it solidifies it. Why does this happen? Shouldn't it stay a liquid? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3bevnl/eli5_why_does_heating_batter_up_solidify_it/ | {
"a_id": [
"csli4zl"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"The protein in the flour (gluten) and eggs of the batter link up and form a network. This network also traps air bubbles formed from the rising agents (either baking soda or yeast) making bubbles and pockets of air inside the cake. Brownies don't... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
jbmna | jury duty/jury nullification (usa) | Specifically, how do they decide whether to use you or not? Under what circumstances is someone dismissed from the jury?
Also, I'm mostly curious about the concept of jury nullification. When is it appropriate or necessary? When is it not valuable or impractical? I've heard the concept of using it in drug possession c... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/jbmna/eli5_jury_dutyjury_nullification_usa/ | {
"a_id": [
"c2as23m",
"c2as73n",
"c2asmay",
"c2asmdz",
"c2as23m",
"c2as73n",
"c2asmay",
"c2asmdz"
],
"score": [
9,
6,
2,
3,
9,
6,
2,
3
],
"text": [
"In the US, a jury of your peers, or other citizens just like you, decides whether or not you... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
22bb9u | what if a country doesn't accept a surrender? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/22bb9u/eli5_what_if_a_country_doesnt_accept_a_surrender/ | {
"a_id": [
"cgl4jwk",
"cgl4rs2"
],
"score": [
3,
3
],
"text": [
"Well... usually killing more people (including your own) is viewed as a bad thing.\n\nBut also, it means that nobody will offer you surrender in future. They'll just murder you.",
"It depends on a few factors. The proce... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
k2rry | how some people can have voices like freddie mercury while others can barely sing an octave | Edit: To clarify the question I suppose I'm more interested in learning how important genetics are relative to training. Could someone potentially train from a young age and get a voice like Freddie? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/k2rry/eli5_how_some_people_can_have_voices_like_freddie/ | {
"a_id": [
"c2h3045",
"c2h5bt7",
"c2h5oys",
"c2h3045",
"c2h5bt7",
"c2h5oys"
],
"score": [
15,
2,
2,
15,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"The same reason that some people get taller and some don't. The same reason some people have darker skin than others. Simply put- we... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[
"http://www.slate.com/id/2121187/"
],
[],
[],
[
"http://www.slate.com/id/2121187/"
]
] | |
6s6qpv | how is it that the overall wealth of the earth is increasing over centuries though the resources are the same as what it was before? | What determines the overall wealth of all the countries put together? Is it just the perceived wealth? It's not like the Earth is doing business with other planets and hence can see an increase in it's wealth. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6s6qpv/eli5_how_is_it_that_the_overall_wealth_of_the/ | {
"a_id": [
"dlaf9xl",
"dlafqeb",
"dlaftl6",
"dlah6w9"
],
"score": [
4,
2,
3,
3
],
"text": [
"The amount of stuff on the Earth is (roughly) the same, but we've put more of it to use. CO2 in the air, open ground, and fixed nitrogen within it is less valuable than the crops i... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
5w9f7a | the latest controversy in the white house between the us and russia | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5w9f7a/eli5_the_latest_controversy_in_the_white_house/ | {
"a_id": [
"de8c0vb"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"One of the key points is that Donald Trump is complaining that the FBI is failing to stop leaks. He wants the FBI to act as his secret police agency to stop leaks.\n\nThe leaks are that members of his staff communicated often with Russia during t... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
1af5pm | reverse mortgages and why they are targeted to old people all the time. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1af5pm/eli5_reverse_mortgages_and_why_they_are_targeted/ | {
"a_id": [
"c8wu7d4"
],
"score": [
8
],
"text": [
"Regular mortgage:\n\n1. start with no money\n2. take out loan\n3. buy house\n4. pay off loan over many years\n\nReverse mortgage\n\n1. start with paid off house\n2. sell house to company\n3. instead of a lump sum, the company pays you over many y... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
fi6nq6 | what do these wall street "quants" actually do? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/fi6nq6/eli5_what_do_these_wall_street_quants_actually_do/ | {
"a_id": [
"fkg4u6h",
"fkfhmwd",
"fkfp4ot"
],
"score": [
2,
9,
2
],
"text": [
"Originally (the 80's & 90's), the job of quants was to determine how much brokerage houses would charge clients for derivatives like futures and options based on how much it would cost to hedge the ri... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
349ivi | hawala and hawaladars | I know it has something to do with transferring money but I just don't get it. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/349ivi/eli5_hawala_and_hawaladars/ | {
"a_id": [
"cqsiqyo",
"cqsln5b"
],
"score": [
2,
2
],
"text": [
"They're usually small, semi-formal loans and money transferring services based more on personal links than organized institution. They're really popular in Africa and the Middle East from what I remember.\n\nLet's say you're... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
2m6uae | can deaf people be hypnotized through sign language? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2m6uae/eli5_can_deaf_people_be_hypnotized_through_sign/ | {
"a_id": [
"cm1kkhy"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Yes, they can, but it's more difficult than auditory hypnosis for non-deaf people. Although /u/oklahom0 is correct and that hypnosis includes highly suggestive conversation (and for some people, just conversation is enough), but there are also a... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
eqwflw | why does the archimedes crown work? | I would have thought that any object of the same size, no matter the material would displace the same volume of water because its the same volume of object. Why does the heavier crown displace more water?
Unless I've just completely misunderstood it | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/eqwflw/eli5_why_does_the_archimedes_crown_work/ | {
"a_id": [
"fey8jgv",
"feya3wn",
"feya7v5"
],
"score": [
15,
9,
3
],
"text": [
"It doesn’t Measure the weight. The Archimedes crown teaches us how to measure VOLUME of non-platonic solids. The importance of knowing Volume is to measure DENSITY (Mass/Volume) because THEN you can ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
2v3hrs | why can't humans stay in one position without feeling uncomfortable. | When we try to sleep, we need to find one specific position to sleep. Why Is it like this? Thanks. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2v3hrs/eli5_why_cant_humans_stay_in_one_position_without/ | {
"a_id": [
"coe4b3e"
],
"score": [
4
],
"text": [
"We move around while sleeping/trying to get to sleep so that we avoid injury. If you sleep in one position you can cut off blood flow to a limb, cause strain on muscles stretched in odd angles, cause pressure wounds to form (bed sores), and form ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
4ep6cp | why do imgur posts tend to get higher scores than reddit posts? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4ep6cp/eli5why_do_imgur_posts_tend_to_get_higher_scores/ | {
"a_id": [
"d226bbd"
],
"score": [
9
],
"text": [
"Because people are lazy and it's much easier to look at a picture and keep scrolling than reading through all of those WORDS (oh the horror)"
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
mwb3j | seriously, why is/was nobody successfully prosecuted for the financial crisis? | Someone must have been doing some fraudulent selling in order for that level of a collapse to occur on the back of the sub-primes. And please, spare your hyperbole for r/politics. What I'm asking is, on what grounds did they protest their innocence? And why can't/didn't we close that loophole? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/mwb3j/seriously_why_iswas_nobody_successfully/ | {
"a_id": [
"c34cidn",
"c34cu4j",
"c34d8u9",
"c34e0q7",
"c34f30u",
"c34f7fh",
"c34ff23",
"c34fv7j",
"c34h9yh",
"c34ib6q",
"c34cidn",
"c34cu4j",
"c34d8u9",
"c34e0q7",
"c34f30u",
"c34f7fh",
"c34ff23",
"c34fv7j",
"c34h9yh",
"c34ib6q"
],
... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[
"http://www.wsws.org/articles/1999/nov1999/bank-n01.shtml"
],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[
"http://www.wsws.org/articles/1999/nov1999/bank-n01.shtml"
],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
f6vo7h | why do colds/flu/bugs seem to end with an annoying cough that lasts for ages? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/f6vo7h/eli5_why_do_coldsflubugs_seem_to_end_with_an/ | {
"a_id": [
"fi7dqxf",
"fi7g8la",
"fi7o9jd",
"fi7rseb",
"fi7yuim",
"fi82ifn",
"fi837n7",
"fi86d3f",
"fi8oca4"
],
"score": [
64,
11,
10,
183,
45,
5,
6,
5,
13
],
"text": [
"A lingering cough is usually just a side-effect from your body ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[
"https://www.thedailybeast.com/miles-weinberger-the-doctor-behind-the-miraculous-habit-cough-cure"
],
[],
[]
] | ||
3j40xf | why does the usa union work, but the uk doesn't? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3j40xf/eli5_why_does_the_usa_union_work_but_the_uk_doesnt/ | {
"a_id": [
"cum2417",
"cum2n7t"
],
"score": [
7,
3
],
"text": [
"The UK union has a pretty good track record. For one, it won that referendum. For another, it's been around since at the very least the 18th century. So far, with the exception of most of Ireland, the UK has held together fo... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
9amolg | how do you know if a restaurant will give free refills on soft drinks/coffee or not? (usa) | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9amolg/eli5_how_do_you_know_if_a_restaurant_will_give/ | {
"a_id": [
"e4wk5zp",
"e4wkovq",
"e4wkpe1",
"e4wmk4y"
],
"score": [
2,
4,
8,
6
],
"text": [
"Sometimes it's on the menu. In some places, you can just tell. Otherwise, just ask how much refills are.",
"Generally, at sit-down restaurants, softdrinks, water, coffee (plain... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
jb7ai | the appeal to atheism | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/jb7ai/eli5_the_appeal_to_atheism/ | {
"a_id": [
"c2anxlt",
"c2anyia",
"c2ao1v7",
"c2ao8kb",
"c2aocjy",
"c2aoqfv",
"c2ap62m",
"c2ap6tv",
"c2apfdm",
"c2apohx",
"c2arbqx",
"c2as39h",
"c2anxlt",
"c2anyia",
"c2ao1v7",
"c2ao8kb",
"c2aocjy",
"c2aoqfv",
"c2ap62m",
"c2ap6tv",
"c... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
xz4lo | the difference between a temple and a church | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/xz4lo/the_difference_between_a_temple_and_a_church/ | {
"a_id": [
"c5qumer"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"A church is solely Christian, whereas a temple is just any designated place of worship"
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
352ykh | how come in football (soccer) the referee's decision is final even if slow motion replays show he was wrong? | Similarly for goals that may not have been goals like the infamous England world cup non-goal - why did the referee's decision stand even though proved wrong? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/352ykh/eli5_how_come_in_football_soccer_the_referees/ | {
"a_id": [
"cr0fwlk",
"cr0fyjz"
],
"score": [
5,
13
],
"text": [
"Because the sports that have replay challenges made those new rules to the game. That hasn't been incorporated yet into football/soccer.",
"There are no replays in soccer. The rules dont allow for video evidence to be t... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
5ok52c | if our sun goes supernova, what will it look like to us? | So I know that it takes approximately 8 mins for light to reach Earth from the sun, and presumably nothing travels faster than light so it would take a supernova roughly that long to reach us as well.
My question is if it did supernova, what would it look like to someone standing on the ground looking up? Would they s... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5ok52c/eli5_if_our_sun_goes_supernova_what_will_it_look/ | {
"a_id": [
"dcjw1j6",
"dcjx6rh",
"dcjxoef"
],
"score": [
2,
3,
2
],
"text": [
"UY supernova may pose risk of neutron bombardment. It's ionizing and would make for some incredible aurora borealis and australis. It would also destroy all the DNA on the planet. All life would die in ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
3ygk7k | how is it legal for companies to have a "no competition" clause, when that basically creates a monopoly? | For example, I live in North Georgia and Windstream has a "no competition" clause for competing Internet providers. Unfortunately, this means competitors can't come here to provide us with a quality Internet connection. How is this legal? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ygk7k/eli5_how_is_it_legal_for_companies_to_have_a_no/ | {
"a_id": [
"cydae7m",
"cydayyr",
"cydcdyj"
],
"score": [
4,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"They aren't competing for individual customers, they are competing over towns. Setting up the infrastructure is expensive, so in order to at least break even they need to guarantee they'll get enough b... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
18islp | why are the japanese so obsessed with cute things? | They just seem to have a fixation with turning everything all colorful, cute and squeaky-voiced. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/18islp/eli5_why_are_the_japanese_so_obsessed_with_cute/ | {
"a_id": [
"c8f5rj0"
],
"score": [
6
],
"text": [
"Why are the Americans so obsessed with sexy things? They just seem to have a fixation with using an attractive female body to sell everything.\n\n(Different cultures like different things. It's weird and kinda offensive to frame these differences... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
6aofcr | why do uneducated people tend to have more children? | I would like to know specifically regarding first world nations. I know many people in developing nations don't have access to contraception. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6aofcr/eli5_why_do_uneducated_people_tend_to_have_more/ | {
"a_id": [
"dhg6if8",
"dhg6ku7",
"dhg6tm2",
"dhg7mjp",
"dhg7n7v",
"dhg8s3g",
"dhgazw8",
"dhgde7k",
"dhgdyym",
"dhge2q6",
"dhge7rx",
"dhge8el",
"dhgedzg",
"dhgeff5",
"dhgeo53",
"dhgesv0",
"dhgf27h",
"dhgf4c8",
"dhgf4wq",
"dhgfih5",
"d... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://www.quora.com/Why-does-it-seem-like-people-who-are-poor-have-more-kids"
],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[
"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzbWXgM0ygU"
... | |
1lowp6 | if dreaming most typically happens during the rem sleep cycle, why do i start vividly dreaming the moment i doze off? | I dream every night and can remember multiple dreams in detail. There have been countless times where I start falling asleep and get woken up by a very vivid dream leading to me checking how long I've been asleep and seeing it's only been 5-10 minutes since I fell asleep. I always know I'm dreaming when I'm dreaming, t... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1lowp6/eli5_if_dreaming_most_typically_happens_during/ | {
"a_id": [
"cc1brqy"
],
"score": [
5
],
"text": [
" This is known as Hypnagogia.\n\n > hypnogogic (toward sleep) or hypnapompic (from sleep) for the purpose of identifying the specific experiences under study.[4]\n\n > Mental phenomena that occur during this \"threshold consciousness\" phase incl... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypnagogia"
]
] | |
1ugywh | why do i only get 1.2 mbps as a download speed whenever i torrent something or download an update for a game on steam when i pay for 15mb down? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ugywh/eli5why_do_i_only_get_12_mbps_as_a_download_speed/ | {
"a_id": [
"cehyo7x",
"cei007s"
],
"score": [
5,
19
],
"text": [
"The advertised speed that an ISP brags about is typically a maximum speed and not an average. You will never see the advertised speed since there are other users, distance, etc that all slowdown network speed.\n\nGo read t... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
5c8yjy | what is that tingling/itchy/hot/pain that dots across our body when we enter a warm building after being in the cold while wearing really warm clothes? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5c8yjy/eli5_what_is_that_tinglingitchyhotpain_that_dots/ | {
"a_id": [
"d9uvihj"
],
"score": [
12
],
"text": [
"When you're cold, blood moves to more needed areas, like your chest, head, and anything else more vital than simple areas like your hands and feet. When you move from cold to hot, the blood rushes back to these smaller areas. Think of it like a ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
6dwljd | how come northern africa sees little to no rain while s.america and the philippines are rainforests? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6dwljd/eli5_how_come_northern_africa_sees_little_to_no/ | {
"a_id": [
"di5z7gp",
"di661e0",
"di66fp5",
"di66y8l"
],
"score": [
5,
11,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"Northern Africa has a number of very unique aspects of its climate. The short version is that air from the upper atmosphere is being constantly pulled down. This warm descending a... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sahara"
]
] | ||
x33yj | how does evolution occur and how did the first living organisms come about | While studying the origins of our world, I have always been a little confused about life coming from non-life. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/x33yj/eli5_how_does_evolution_occur_and_how_did_the/ | {
"a_id": [
"c5itirv"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"I'll link you to one of the best YouTube channels out there, Crash Course, both biology and history, and they explain things better than I ever could.\n\n_URL_0_\n\nSecond half of your question. How does life come from non-life? This is called ab... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://www.youtube.com/user/crashcourse?feature=results_main"
]
] | |
3g9xwj | why don't we find fossils everywhere? | If life had been all over the world for millions upon millions of years, why don't we find fossils every time we dig pretty much anywhere new? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3g9xwj/eli5_why_dont_we_find_fossils_everywhere/ | {
"a_id": [
"ctw6xsl",
"ctw70dp",
"ctw74wk"
],
"score": [
3,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"There need to be special conditions so fossils get formed. The fossilization process has to happen before the body gets eaten by bacteria and such which usually take care of dead bodies.",
"Only a v... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
76okwv | how can sites like green man gaming and humble sell steam keys at significantly reduced prices than whats available on steam? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/76okwv/eli5_how_can_sites_like_green_man_gaming_and/ | {
"a_id": [
"dofljra",
"dofmu07",
"dofnqz1",
"dofnrne",
"dofnto5",
"dofnulx",
"dofnwfo",
"dofnxiz",
"dofnzzh",
"dofo1ic",
"dofo5ua",
"dofovov",
"dofoxxl",
"dofp0gj",
"dofqxnk",
"dofriyg",
"dofsfsr",
"dofu2ia",
"dofu57x",
"dofuqex",
"d... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[
"https://support.humblebundle.com/hc/en-us/articles/204303718-Submitting-Your-Game-To-Humble-Bundle",
"https://support.humblebundle.com/hc/en-us/articles/202742080-Humble-Store-FAQ-For-Developers",
"https://support.humblebundle.com/hc/en-us/articles/205798228-How-to-Sched... | ||
4r1wk1 | could there be another universe made by a big bang a long way away from our universe? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4r1wk1/eli5_could_there_be_another_universe_made_by_a/ | {
"a_id": [
"d4xma7r",
"d4xmu2z",
"d4xmui1",
"d4xnmh8"
],
"score": [
11,
43,
8,
5
],
"text": [
"Yes, but we could never know about it and it would be scientifically untestable so it would always remain a hypothesis rather than a theory. In fact, what you describe is the con... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
e82oi0 | if i have an ssd with 400mb/s write speeds, should it take 2 seconds to transfer 800mb from a disk to it? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/e82oi0/eli5_if_i_have_an_ssd_with_400mbs_write_speeds/ | {
"a_id": [
"fa8tt3f",
"fa8xw9t",
"fa93fvx"
],
"score": [
7,
3,
2
],
"text": [
"Only if the other disk also has 400MB/s read speed, and whatever connectivity between the two disks you have supports this. For example, having two of these discs connected to your motherboard, you sh... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
38p7k8 | what is exactly happening when we burn wood? | Bonus question: why does it turn black and then from black to white? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/38p7k8/eli5_what_is_exactly_happening_when_we_burn_wood/ | {
"a_id": [
"crwq6di"
],
"score": [
6
],
"text": [
"So when you're burning wood (or anything), what you're doing is reacting the material with excess oxygen in the air. Oxygen, believe it or not, is highly reactive and tends to react with nearly anything. Iron rusting is actually the same exact pr... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
cckwes | why do people think there’s aliens in area 51? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cckwes/eli5_why_do_people_think_theres_aliens_in_area_51/ | {
"a_id": [
"etnkkxl",
"etnm39k"
],
"score": [
6,
3
],
"text": [
"The US military used to do some experimental aircraft testing out of the base.\n\nSome of the lights and objects were spotted and wildly misconstrued.",
"The location popularly know as \"Area. 51\" is called Groom Lake, ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
mj3cd | . phone call tracing. | In movies they need to stay on the phone for x amount of seconds so they can be traced, is that bullshit? If not, how many seconds does it take and how is it traced? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/mj3cd/eli5_phone_call_tracing/ | {
"a_id": [
"c31bsr8",
"c31c5qa",
"c31bsr8",
"c31c5qa"
],
"score": [
5,
8,
5,
8
],
"text": [
"Nowdays, you can trace the call before you even answer it. Check out caller ID. The way a call is traced, the phone line that you received the call on is connected to a switchboard... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
1rdkdp | why do my eyes appear to 'change color' depending on my mood? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1rdkdp/eli5_why_do_my_eyes_appear_to_change_color/ | {
"a_id": [
"cdm5s4y"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Eye color does not change based on mood. The way the eye reflects light off of the iris does though. Although it is somewhat possible over time based on light activating pigments in your eye, short and quick changes in color (like mood) is usuall... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
2qly4s | why are have most units converted to metric but time has not? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2qly4s/eli5_why_are_have_most_units_converted_to_metric/ | {
"a_id": [
"cn7apbb"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"24 is easily divisible by 2,3,4,6,8 and 12, while 10 is only divisible by 2 and 5.\n\nAnd since we like to cut up our day in equal parts it's just more practical to do it that way. It's the same reasoning for using 60 minutes in an hour instead o... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
36bh5z | why do we blink with unexpected loud noises such as a hammer, for example? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/36bh5z/eli5_why_do_we_blink_with_unexpected_loud_noises/ | {
"a_id": [
"crch050",
"crcjcj3",
"crcq8ni"
],
"score": [
117,
49,
13
],
"text": [
"to shield our eyes from potential shrapnel. It's an instinct that has developed over thousands of years of sitting by fires that tend to pop and throw tiny particles at our eyeballs. ",
"It's du... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
33jovg | when im charging my phone, do the electrons that flow from the outlet and into my phone's battery actually stay there and "push" out the "used" electrons? or does the energy from the electrons "rub" onto the battery? | Just in case I didnt make myself clear, is it just the energy from the electricity that is stored in the battery or are the whole electrons being stored?
Was wondering about this after trying to learn about circuits. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/33jovg/eli5_when_im_charging_my_phone_do_the_electrons/ | {
"a_id": [
"cqljsme",
"cqlk0y0",
"cqllpsh"
],
"score": [
2,
2,
3
],
"text": [
"Batteries work by using chemical reactions to pump electrons around a circuit. This happens as electrons want to get from one end of the battery (the positive end) to the other (the negative end), as th... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[
"http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/explaining_lithium_ion_chemistries"
]
] | |
858aov | why isn't water at the bottom of the mariana trench extremely hot/boiling? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/858aov/eli5why_isnt_water_at_the_bottom_of_the_mariana/ | {
"a_id": [
"dvvhcg7"
],
"score": [
7
],
"text": [
"So as you may know, water is a very finicky substance. It already sort of bends the rules by expanding when it freezes. So at the bottom of the ocean an interesting process is happening that can basically be thought of as the opposite of boiling.... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
2rzr2x | why are hard drives marketed in gigabytes, terabytes, etc (which divide by a factor of 1,000), while computers read data in gibibytes, tebibytes, etc (factor of 1,024)? | This is why you buy a "2 TB" hard drive but your computer reads it as 1.81 TB. Why doesn't your computer use the "correct" denotation of "TiB" since it's measuring in tebibytes?
I get that measuring in a base 10 format (units of 1,000) is easier for humans to grasp than base 2 (units of 1,024), but why is there this d... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2rzr2x/eli5_why_are_hard_drives_marketed_in_gigabytes/ | {
"a_id": [
"cnkrybv"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"Because the idea of making the distinction between KiB and KB came after people had already gotten entrenched into using KB to mean either. Now, since almost nobody would understand KiB if written on the boxes or anything user-facing people don't... | [] | [
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mebibyte"
] | [
[]
] | |
374ezf | if gas prices go up on holiday weekends due to demand, how is that not considered price gouging? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/374ezf/eli5_if_gas_prices_go_up_on_holiday_weekends_due/ | {
"a_id": [
"crjlhvo",
"crjltgs",
"crjm68v",
"crjrpc6",
"crjs640"
],
"score": [
14,
7,
3,
6,
3
],
"text": [
"They go up in a reasonable amount to account for supply and demand and the natural flow of the invisible hand. If they were to say bump prices up by $3/gall... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
24um0h | why does the dea bother with raiding dispensaries, particular in co and wa where it's legal, given how futile and unpopular it is? | I get the legal reasoning what with weed being federally illegal and all. But why does the federal government even bother raiding a dispensary in CO or WA where it is legal on the state level, given how unpopular it is with just about everyone; how futile the effort is in the first place; and that it must cost a decen... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/24um0h/eli5why_does_the_dea_bother_with_raiding/ | {
"a_id": [
"chathgu",
"chatihn",
"chatsp1",
"chau44v",
"chavrw0",
"chb02cj",
"chb2aqy",
"chb2ha4"
],
"score": [
19,
12,
3,
5,
6,
2,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"The word is that the Denver Colorado dispensary was funded by money received from Mexican ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[
"http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/05/dea-michele-leonhart-mandatory-minimums_n_5269074.html",
"http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/524/i-was-so-high?act=5#play"
],
[]
] | |
2kqlvc | the electronic signature of money | The bank has a computer sitting in a dark room somewhere that says I have $500 in my bank account. The credit card company also has a computer somewhere that says a have 300$ on my debit card. Why do hackers go out and steal money/the banking information from other people? Wouldn't it be easier to just change the numbe... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2kqlvc/eli5_the_electronic_signature_of_money/ | {
"a_id": [
"clnsb9g",
"clnvl0w"
],
"score": [
4,
2
],
"text": [
"The bank's systems simply will not process an increase in person A's account balance without a corresponding decrease in person B's account balance. It'll be automatically rejected as an invalid transaction.",
"In the en... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
2qb1la | why collision detection does fail so often in videogames | Hi everyone, I know that it's more of a /r/programming or /r/gaming question but I just wanted it explained, you know, like I'm five.
The dilemma is: why can something so simple like "DO NOT let two objects made of polygons intersecate" fail so often even in modern games with multimillionaire budget?
Shouldn't it be l... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2qb1la/eli5_why_collision_detection_does_fail_so_often/ | {
"a_id": [
"cn4gukz",
"cn4hc4z",
"cn4hxgg",
"cn4jtf5",
"cn4l6zq"
],
"score": [
5,
6,
3,
3,
2
],
"text": [
"Perfect collision detection is very computationally expensive, especially for objects with complex shapes. Most games use some form of workaround for performa... | [] | [
"http://youtu.be/NGEMiWhQ7jk?t=40s"
] | [
[],
[],
[
"http://home.comcast.net/~jpittman2/pacman/pacmandossier.html#CH3_Just_Passing_Through"
],
[
"http://www.cem.brighton.ac.uk/staff/alb14/CI322/Lectures%20&%20Tutorials/Physical%20Simulation/Week10_Havok4.htm",
"http://docs.autodesk.com/3DSMAX/13/ENU/Autodesk%203ds%20Max%202011%20Hel... | |
3s6x30 | why is there a fast lane when "everybody should do the speed limit" | am I stupidly missing something | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3s6x30/eli5_why_is_there_a_fast_lane_when_everybody/ | {
"a_id": [
"cwum918",
"cwuma0k",
"cwumesx",
"cwumi8t",
"cwunrea"
],
"score": [
4,
24,
9,
3,
3
],
"text": [
"Who says everyone should do the speed limit?\n\nFor a start, at least in the UK, certain classes of vehicle have [different speed limits](_URL_0_) and anyway... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://www.gov.uk/speed-limits"
],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
12xk52 | what is the universe suspended in? | Every graphic explanation of the Big Bang i can find displays an "orb" suspended in black, that then explodes and starts expanding into the Universe. But what was this "orb" suspended in?
| explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/12xk52/eli5_what_is_the_universe_suspended_in/ | {
"a_id": [
"c6yyy3a",
"c6yyypj"
],
"score": [
2,
3
],
"text": [
"Our current knowledge of the Big Bang begins shortly *after* the Big Bang occurred. Anything at the moment of the Big Bang or before the Big Bang is just guesswork, and it sounds like the image you've seen is just artistic ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
3s5kks | what are mu students currently protesting? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3s5kks/eli5_what_are_mu_students_currently_protesting/ | {
"a_id": [
"cwu914x",
"cwu941t",
"cwu94iv"
],
"score": [
4,
4,
3
],
"text": [
"[Here](_URL_0_) is an article containing a timeline of \"racial incidents\" since this September. ",
"I found your post trying to figure out the same thing. I've been watching ESPN cover it all morn... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/higher_education/racial-climate-at-mu-a-timeline-of-incidents-to-date/article_0c96f986-84c6-11e5-a38f-2bd0aab0bf74.html"
],
[],
[
"http://www.themaneater.com/special-sections/mu-fall-2015/"
]
] | ||
11wmtl | dmt, and how it causes you to dream when it is naturally produced in your body. | I was just wondering how the process works and what happens while DMT is released. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/11wmtl/eli5_dmt_and_how_it_causes_you_to_dream_when_it/ | {
"a_id": [
"c6q9tc8"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Very hard to answer. Nobody is 100% sure of what purpose it serves in our body.\n\nThere are theories put out there, which hypothesize that DMT is the stuff of dreams and may also be released during near-death experiences. However, the guy behind... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
3t6cla | pyrex with boiling water in microwave blew out the door and landed on the floor. why? | A couple days ago my son is complacently making himself some ramen. He grabs some tupperware, throws in the ramen, leaves out the water, and throws it in the microwave. 3 minutes later, there's smoke everywhere and my wife pulls it out. Took us a couple days to get the smell out of the house. The smell is still in the ... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3t6cla/eli5_pyrex_with_boiling_water_in_microwave_blew/ | {
"a_id": [
"cx3g6su"
],
"score": [
34
],
"text": [
"You should never boil water in the microwave in a perfectly-smooth container, as you just discovered.\n\nWhat happens is that the water becomes super-heated. That is, it rises above its boiling point, but the glass is so smooth that there are n... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
51dj2z | how do people go unconscious in seconds when breathing an inert gas, but can hold their breath for several minutes? | I thought that either way your body isnt getting any extra oxygen, so why can we hold our breaths and stay conscious much longer than breathing an inert gas like nitrogen or helium | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/51dj2z/eli5_how_do_people_go_unconscious_in_seconds_when/ | {
"a_id": [
"d7b52vd",
"d7b6o9w"
],
"score": [
6,
6
],
"text": [
"Your body doesn't use all the oxygen from each breath, so when you hold your breath, there's still plenty of oxygen to use for a minute or two. However when you breathe inert gas (like Nitrogen), it displaces all the oxygen... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
je8dn | what the hell is happening to england? | WTF British people? I'm so confused on all of this. Ive been isolated from world for last week and I'm so confused. Any help? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/je8dn/eli5_what_the_hell_is_happening_to_england/ | {
"a_id": [
"c2bdorr",
"c2bdv33",
"c2beidx",
"c2bevlz",
"c2bf3kh",
"c2bdorr",
"c2bdv33",
"c2beidx",
"c2bevlz",
"c2bf3kh"
],
"score": [
5,
24,
22,
10,
4,
5,
24,
22,
10,
4
],
"text": [
"I think it was a long time coming kind of ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
dx827j | how is it that our thinking speed and potential is much more sophisticated than our conversations? why is it that sometimes we have so much to say but can’t describe them into words? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dx827j/eli5_how_is_it_that_our_thinking_speed_and/ | {
"a_id": [
"f7nyi7l",
"f7o54j9",
"f7o6el9",
"f7o733s",
"f7o7krj",
"f7o7qdz"
],
"score": [
236,
48,
6,
4,
3,
3
],
"text": [
"Language is limiting. \n\nThere was an experiment that recently showed that for certain memory tasks (like a sort of modified game of... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.