q_id stringlengths 5 6 | title stringlengths 3 296 | selftext stringlengths 0 34k | document stringclasses 1
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bjgjn6 | how come we don't throw away cancered part of body and transplant healthy one of dying person who's ok to donate his organs? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bjgjn6/eli5_how_come_we_dont_throw_away_cancered_part_of/ | {
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"We can and do remove and transplant cancerous organs when possible. \n\nThe supply of suitable donor organs is limited though, and the operation is risky and carries lifelong problems. It's typically a last resort when oth... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
67aapb | why did we switch from breathing into someone's mouth during cpr to just compressions? | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/67aapb/eli5_why_did_we_switch_from_breathing_into/ | {
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"Because stopping circulating blood is more dangerous and time consuming for the benefit of a couple breaths. You take ~5 seconds to deliver 2 breaths, when you could just be con... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
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"http://cpr.heart.org/AHAECC/CPRAndECC/Programs/HandsOnlyCPR/UCM_473196_Hands-Only-CPR.jsp"
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735ja1 | can the pope still call for a crusade? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/735ja1/eli5can_the_pope_still_call_for_a_crusade/ | {
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"I'm sure he is fully capable of calling one in the eyes of the Church I suppose. He's the god damn Pope, he can do whatever. However in doing so he would no doubt be seen as a warmonger. Also Crusades are more he calls out and Catholics are compe... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
2rsp6t | why don't artists sell tickets that can only be used by the person that purchased them? | I listened to [this story](_URL_0_) on NPR about how artists don't want to charge ridiculous prices for their tickets, but if they don't want scalpers to make more money than they do.
If this is true, wouldn't a simple solution be to offer the tickets at two different prices?
For example, you can buy tickets for $3... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2rsp6t/eli5_why_dont_artists_sell_tickets_that_can_only/ | {
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"many artists dont have the resources, financially or otherwise to do their own ticketing so they go to ticketing sources. Usually tick... | [] | [
"http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2013/06/27/196277836/kid-rock-takes-on-the-scalpers"
] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
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2v2e05 | how to do i file my taxes correctly so that i don't go to jail? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2v2e05/eli5how_to_do_i_file_my_taxes_correctly_so_that_i/ | {
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"You're not going to go to jail over taxes. You have to do something big, and against the law, and on purpose to go to jail over taxes.\n\nNormally, you just fill out the forms and mail them in to the address on the forms. Un... | [] | [] | [
[],
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cq9svk | how do fridges, or the cold, preserve food? | On mobile so sorry about any format issues.
I get that a freezer might help prevent things from going bad, and canned food has preservatives (whatever that means) but how does a colder environment like a fridge keep food lasting longer? Like what is happening to my food that a fridge (cold) slows down or stops? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cq9svk/eli5_how_do_fridges_or_the_cold_preserve_food/ | {
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"Most types of concerning bacteria or mold cannot grow as quickly at refrigerator temperatures. One exception is the type of mold that usually ruins strawberries, which actually lik... | [] | [] | [
[],
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] | |
26egve | the chemical reaction in batteries. | I understand that in a battery you have two metals, an anode and cathode in an acidic medium, the electrolyte. Then science happens and you get electricity. Unfortunately, all of the explanations of the mechanics of the reaction that I have read either gloss over it or go way over my head.
So Reddit, explain it like I... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/26egve/eli5_the_chemical_reaction_in_batteries/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"So, some chemicals like to be *oxidized*, and some chemicals like to be *reduced*. Oxidation is the loss of electrons, and reduction is the gain of electrons (I know, it's confusing).\n\nSo, for example, suppose you have a b... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2f/Galvanic_cell_with_no_cation_flow.png"
],
[]
] | |
1zzmmu | how does a plane "disintegrate"? re: malaysia air 370 | Does this mean it was a huge bomb? Source: _URL_0_ | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1zzmmu/eli5_how_does_a_plane_disintegrate_re_malaysia/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"Even a powerful bomb would break the plane apart - it would **not** disintegrate it. Think about the Challenger explosion - that was millions of liters of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen exploding, and some of the remaini... | [] | [
"http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/09/us-exclusive-probe-plane-idUSBREA280FF20140309"
] | [
[],
[]
] | |
d044v6 | how does my car radio clock remember what time it is after i turn my car off and then back on later in the day? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/d044v6/eli5_how_does_my_car_radio_clock_remember_what/ | {
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"It's wired to your car battery, which it uses a tiny amount of power from in order to keep the time. If you were to replace your car battery or otherwise disconnect and reconnect it, your time would res... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[
"https://www.autozone.com/miscellaneous-non-automotive/memory-settings-saver/otc-professional-memory-saver/291295_0_0"
]
] | ||
108dzf | how a component of a computer (cpu, motherboard, memory etc) uses electrity to function and perform. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/108dzf/eli5_how_a_component_of_a_computer_cpu/ | {
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"text": [
"There is no 5 year old answer to this that I can think of. If you understood logic gates, you might begin to have a very rudimentary idea about how they work. It's not until you discuss processor design that you can really understand how things... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
3knkh2 | why are all the modules in the iss on the same plane? | I recently watched [this tour of the ISS by SmarterEveryDay](_URL_0_) and noticed that every model on the space station is constructed in the same plane (like a traditional building here on Earth.
Since in orbit you don't feel gravity, you go for more of a _3d arquitecture_.
Why is that?
* Would a structure using 3... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3knkh2/eli5_why_are_all_the_modules_in_the_iss_on_the/ | {
"a_id": [
"cuyw9jg"
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"score": [
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"text": [
"It is likely because of the solar panels. If you have a flat plane, that means you can have the panels on the z-axis which means they'd be more efficient as nothing would block their absorption of solar rays.\n\nThe more complex the shape of the ... | [] | [
"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uY1jYYhpGJM"
] | [
[]
] | |
oezjs | vermont single payer health care | Can someone please explain how the Vermont universal health care system will actually work day to day? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/oezjs/vermont_single_payer_health_care/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"Your question could be taken a few different ways. Are you coming at this from a consumer perspective, i.e. a citizen of Vermont who wants to know how you'd be receiving your health care from now? Are you coming at this from a policy perspectiv... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ppaca#Effective_by_January_1.2C_2017",
"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yFUbkVCsZ4",
"http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/vermont-closing-in-on-single-payer/2011/05/09/AFvtBmZG_blog.html"
]
] | |
3ajn2i | why is it so hard for game developers to get water aesthetics in-game to look good? | To be more specific, the splashing of waves or when something falls into water the spalshes and little particles of water make it look very similar to something out of an Xbox or PS2 (the Watch Dogs E3 trailer comes to mind) game. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ajn2i/eli5why_is_it_so_hard_for_game_developers_to_get/ | {
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"text": [
"Long story short, a splashing wave is a very complex shape, and because water is transparent and constantly in motion, you can't really fake it. \n\nFor stuff like people, cars, guns, whatever, you can ... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcgkAMr9r5o"
],
[],
[
"http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kk9f0elY_oI/maxresdefault.jpg"
]
] | |
4xtox4 | how did those weird bumpy mountains in china form? | The title may not sound too descriptive but I'm talking about the mountains like [this](_URL_0_) where they just seem to pop out of the flat ground. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4xtox4/eli5_how_did_those_weird_bumpy_mountains_in_china/ | {
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"text": [
"Disclaimer I'm not a scientist...\n\nBut i would imagine that the space around was carved out by water and those where just tougher bits of rock that didn't erode as fast.",
"It's called a Karst formation. There used to ... | [] | [
"http://homestaychina.org/files/image009.jpg"
] | [
[],
[]
] | |
6k22q5 | why does oxidation of iron (i.e. rust) typically happen when it's exposed to water but not air? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6k22q5/eli5_why_does_oxidation_of_iron_ie_rust_typically/ | {
"a_id": [
"djir4hi"
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"text": [
"So in air oxygen is bundled up as a nice stable gas in the form of O2. It's happy how it is and isn't looking to make any new bonds however water is a polar compound that's more than willing to create new bonds. The Iron gives up electrons which ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
1nt6w5 | when people say, "i don't want revenge, i want justice" what are they talking about? what is justice but institutionalized revenge? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1nt6w5/eli5_when_people_say_i_dont_want_revenge_i_want/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"Justice usually looks to set the offender on the right path, while revenge is usually just to fuck someone over",
"Justice means giving people what they deserve. Revenge (usual... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
3cz89b | do i come in contact with any radiation from the microwave if i put my hand in it to take something out as soon as the timer sounds (as opposed to waiting a few more seconds)? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3cz89b/eli5_do_i_come_in_contact_with_any_radiation_from/ | {
"a_id": [
"ct0brd2",
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"text": [
"I am curious of this too. My Microwave is broken and occasionally turns on with the door open. Is the radiation emitted like a lightbulb where it shoots in all directions or is it a straight flow of waves?",
"Short Answe... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microwave_oven",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faraday_cage"
]
] | ||
18k9pj | why aren't bullets shot upward capable of killing people on their way down? | Alternatively, if they are, why is it such common practice, e.g. "warning shots", salutes to dead soldiers, etc. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/18k9pj/eli5_why_arent_bullets_shot_upward_capable_of/ | {
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"text": [
"someone's going to have to do the exact physics but while a bullet fired perfectly straight upward (and then coming down) could certainly cause harm I doubt i... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
1en5kn | porn scenes, who's determines the order of the positions during the movie and is there any room for improvisation? [nsfw probably] | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1en5kn/eli5_porn_scenes_whos_determines_the_order_of_the/ | {
"a_id": [
"ca1uf6s",
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"score": [
29,
16
],
"text": [
"Depends on who's making the porn. Major studios like Hustler, Brazzers have directors on set directing the action, much like in film, \"Move over there\", \"more expression!\", \"now from behind!\" etc. This happens a lo... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
34hnnj | despite having 150+ songs on a playlist (itunes, spotify, etc.), when i listen on shuffle it seems like the same set of ~20 songs play. why does this happen? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/34hnnj/eli5_despite_having_150_songs_on_a_playlist/ | {
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[],
[],
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confirmation_bias",
"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xMaR8au-YU"
],
... | ||
6lmdpg | why is it so bad that 21st century fox is acquiring the portion of sky? | I understand that the media being controlled by the mogul in general is bad. But Sky is already run by his son James, Rupert founded it and already has a controlling stake in Sky...I don't understand what would change. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6lmdpg/eli5why_is_it_so_bad_that_21st_century_fox_is/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"He also has a controlling stake in several newspapers, radio stations and iirc a publishing house.\n\nIf he also had control over a tv network, he has too much influence in the production, distribution and dissemination of media.\n\nThe point bei... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
556dx0 | how do animals much bigger and fatter than humans (i.e. hippos, gorillas, bears) run much faster than humans? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/556dx0/eli5_how_do_animals_much_bigger_and_fatter_than/ | {
"a_id": [
"d87y3cs"
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"text": [
"For the same reason adult humans can run faster than children. A larger body generally means longer legs and bigger muscles. Add to that the sad fact that the average human isn't very fit"
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
bzr39p | if co2 is heavier than air and sinks to the bottom, how does it trap heat in the atmosphere? | Yes, I do believe in global warming. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bzr39p/eli5_if_co2_is_heavier_than_air_and_sinks_to_the/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"Unfortunately CO2 is only *slightly* heavier than air, which mean ordinary mixing from wind is enough to keep it up there for years.",
"CO2 traps heat by absorbing it, because it's opaque to certai... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://rmets.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/wea.2072"
],
[]
] | |
6yefdf | can someone explain to me how american school holidays work? | I have always wondered how American school holidays work, I am in Australia, I think we have very different ways. He in AU, every term (Usually 10 weeks but can be 9 or 11) we get a 2 week holiday, after all four terms, at the end of the year, we get a good 7 weeks or or so for Christmas. How do American holidays work... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6yefdf/eli5can_someone_explain_to_me_how_american_school/ | {
"a_id": [
"dmmvlx3"
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"text": [
"There is some variation regionally, but when I went to high school, we began the school year in late August, had a 2-week break for Christmas & New Years. Our semester ended about 2 weeks after the break (but I heard my old school shifted calen... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
14brf5 | why do crt monitors seem to flash (or have bars that "roll downward") when filmed or photographed? | I have noticed this on youtube, news, and other places for a long time now, but i never knew why. So why? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/14brf5/eli5_why_do_crt_monitors_seem_to_flash_or_have/ | {
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2,
4,
3,
2
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"text": [
"Old CRT monitors have low refresh rates, less than 60 Hz. Think of the screen constantly turning off and back on in a split second. A lower refresh rate means... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://express.howstuffworks.com/gif/tv-crt.jpg",
"http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/48/Refresh_scan.jpg",
"http://www.deviantart.com/download/61924527/Animated_Radar_by_mceric.gif"
],
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flicker_(screen\\)"
],
[],
[]
] | |
40exv8 | what causes pain in the body (like a headache) when there is no underlying disease or serious condition to blame? | Obviously hangovers, trauma, etc can be factors but is there something that can happen at random in the body to cause otherwise unexplainable pains? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/40exv8/eli5_what_causes_pain_in_the_body_like_a_headache/ | {
"a_id": [
"cytr9xx",
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"score": [
2,
2
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"text": [
"Disclaimer: not a doctor, just a chronic headache/migraine sufferer.\n\nPain is essential to survival in most animals. It prevents us from doing things or continuing behavior that could be dangerous (example: sitting too cl... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
6w17u7 | why is there often on music festivals an (identical) second row of bass speakers behind the first one and how does ist work? | I got told it has something to do with noise canceling. I want to understand if this is true and how it does work. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6w17u7/eli5_why_is_there_often_on_music_festivals_an/ | {
"a_id": [
"dm4vlqt"
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"score": [
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"text": [
"Yes, they can cancel noise output to the rear of the subs. \n\nSubs make noise in all directions and can make the stage very loud. It's also beneficial to the subwoofer arrays efficiency if the energy is directed to the audience and not wasted ... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://youtu.be/NpIANH0OCgg"
]
] | |
40kxuy | why does the quarterback in american football often lift up their knee eight before they snap the ball? | Title.
[EDIT] eight to right | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/40kxuy/eli5_why_does_the_quarterback_in_american/ | {
"a_id": [
"cywcb3c"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"I played highschool football, and on my team when the qb stomped his leg it was the signal for a player to go in motion before the play starts. Also like many others have pointed out, it's nice to have a non verbal cue when it gets loud"
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
1tzr56 | why aren't hydrogen fuel cells being used in place of lithium-ion batteries? | People having been talking about using Hydrogen Fuel cells for years and you see devices out there claiming to work. Is the technology really ready and if so why are we not using them in production now? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1tzr56/eli5_why_arent_hydrogen_fuel_cells_being_used_in/ | {
"a_id": [
"ced4342",
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"score": [
2,
3
],
"text": [
"Expensive, bulky, requires you to carry around charging packs.",
"Electricity can be had pretty much anywhere for recharging your battery; hydrogen for refilling your fuel cell is pretty much nowhere. "
]
} | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
3gftt3 | how we alter the dna in gmo's | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3gftt3/eli5_how_we_alter_the_dna_in_gmos/ | {
"a_id": [
"ctxqt0d",
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4
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"text": [
"We use vectors - small circular DNA molecules derived from bacterial viruses. These vectors contain the gene we want to insert in the genome of the plants and also DNA sequence identical with the DNA of the plant adjacent to... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
1c6o50 | i have a question about dividends. how can dividends pay off an initial investment in a reasonable amount of time. answer in layman's terms because i don't know a lot about investing. thanks | If I buy 100 shares of Walmart stock today at $77.79 a share it would cost $7779. Walmart pays annual dividends in 2013 of $1.88/share. So in one year I would get paid $188 dollars in dividends. So it would take 7779/188= 41 years to pay off the initial investment? Am I thinking of this wrong. Thanks for answering. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1c6o50/eli5i_have_a_question_about_dividends_how_can/ | {
"a_id": [
"c9djo8n"
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"score": [
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"text": [
"You still have the value of the stock, which has a tendency to increase with time as well. Over the last 10 years Walmart is up 38%. To get the value out of the increase in the stock price though, you would have to sell your shares. Dividends,... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
3zq3f7 | what is a visa and how is it used? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3zq3f7/eli5_what_is_a_visa_and_how_is_it_used/ | {
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"text": [
"A visa is a document issued by a country that grants permission to citizens of foreign country to stay in it. Some countries don't require visas, meaning anyone can normally travel to them. Other countries require visas. You... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
1lbcs6 | how does casino craps work? | I can never find a basic explanation that i can follow along, the game always moves too fast. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1lbcs6/eli5how_does_casino_craps_work/ | {
"a_id": [
"cbxj9gn"
],
"score": [
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"text": [
"One player rolls the dice, everyone bets. You either bet the roller will Pass, or fail. On the first roll, 7 and 11 are automatic passes. 2, 3, and 12 are automatic fails.\n\nIf the person rolls any other number, it's called the point. They keep ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
4sifzh | difference between pointers and references in c++ | Fairly straightforward. a lot of documentation is super confusing and I have a hard time figuring out what all of the extra operators in c++ do (like *, & , ^, etc). What is the reason for having a pointer instead of referencing a variable? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4sifzh/eli5_difference_between_pointers_and_references/ | {
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"text": [
"Some people say that references are \"syntactic sugar\". They are similar to pointers, but they can be more convenient because you don't have to dereference them with * or - > \n\nBut there are some dif... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
5d5i5s | what makes black licorice taste horrid? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5d5i5s/eli5_what_makes_black_licorice_taste_horrid/ | {
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"text": [
"That's subjective. I personally like it.\n\nThe flavor comes from [a plant called anise](_URL_0_) which you can also find in alcohol like Jaegermeister and Sambuca. You can also find it in some root b... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anise"
],
[],
[]
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path3 | what is the argument against medical marijuana? | I've just never really understood why it's legal in only 16 states. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/path3/what_is_the_argument_against_medical_marijuana/ | {
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"text": [
"Federal law supersedes state law, and cannabis, for medical or recreational use, is still prohibited by federal law. The reasons they give for keeping it illegal never hold water,... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
29vyst | the difference between lte, cdma, gsm, evdo, and wcdma | Could someone explain the differences between these and what effect it has on speed of data connections? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/29vyst/eli5_the_difference_between_lte_cdma_gsm_evdo_and/ | {
"a_id": [
"cip16i3"
],
"score": [
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"text": [
"LTE\n\nWhile Long Term Evolution (LTE) is part of the GSM path, it will be the only cellular technology going forward. It has been introduced in data form by most carriers and in widespread use by Verizon. Voice over LTE (VoLTE) will eventually h... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
9zgmk3 | how are atomic weights calculated, and why are they in decimal places? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9zgmk3/eli5_how_are_atomic_weights_calculated_and_why/ | {
"a_id": [
"ea8zqkt",
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"score": [
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"text": [
"The main reason is that atoms come in more than one isotope — some have an extra neutron — so the atomic weight is a weighted average of the isotopes.\n\n",
"The only atomic **mass** without a decimal is carbon-12, as it... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
8f9g1o | how does ink stick to paper? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8f9g1o/eli5_how_does_ink_stick_to_paper/ | {
"a_id": [
"dy1ugzt"
],
"score": [
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"text": [
"The ink doesn't stick per se. At a smaller scale, the paper is a bunch of wood fibers that are matted together in a sheet, almost like cloth! Here's an image of paper under a microscope: _URL_0_\n\n & nbsp;\n\nWhen the ink touches the paper, ... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://imgur.com/r/MicroPorn/UBlsXe8"
]
] | ||
jpeja | what is folding@home? | I read about this and all I understand is a protein in 3D. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/jpeja/eli5_what_is_foldinghome/ | {
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"text": [
"Protein folding is a natural process that happens inside cells, so scientists are really interested in it, because if they can understan... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
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[],
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] | |
2fs32p | why can't they use the same effective measures on the ebola patient in omaha as they used on the first 2 people that are now cured? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2fs32p/eli5_why_cant_they_use_the_same_effective/ | {
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"text": [
"I think I read somewhere there were only six courses of experimental meds that were available and they were used up already. It would take several months to make new ones.",
"T... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[
"http://www.latimes.com/science/la-sci-ebola-zmapp-20140903-story.html#page=1"
]
] | ||
dw451g | why is it when humans feel depressed, anxious, sad we feel it in our chest? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dw451g/eli5_why_is_it_when_humans_feel_depressed_anxious/ | {
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2nz2dl | why does only the top layer of a body of water freeze in cold weather instead of the whole thing? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2nz2dl/eli5_why_does_only_the_top_layer_of_a_body_of/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
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"text": [
"It freezes from the top down. The water temperature competes between the air temperature and the ground temperatu... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
1m1530 | the different practical uses of the most used programming languages (i.e. java, c++, python, etc.) | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1m1530/eli5_the_different_practical_uses_of_the_most/ | {
"a_id": [
"cc4sfta",
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"score": [
5,
38,
2,
3,
4,
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2,... | [] | [] | [
[],
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"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Programming_paradigm",
"ASP.NET"
],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[
"http://worrydream.com/EarlyHistoryOfSmalltalk/",
"http://www.catb.org/esr/faqs/hacker-howto.html"
],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[
"http://www.cs.bsu.edu/homepages/dmz/cs697... | ||
2td8b2 | why do apple products need charging time between no battery - > 4%? | Its so frustrating, whats stopping us from using our iPhones as soon as they're plugged in? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2td8b2/eli5_why_do_apple_products_need_charging_time/ | {
"a_id": [
"cny0lnz",
"cny3wsw"
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"score": [
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3
],
"text": [
"The reason for this is that phones draw their power from the battery, always. If the battery doesn't have enough of a charge to boot and function normally then it can't boot. ",
"On an unmodified iPhone it doesn't show t... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
13dqpp | why in wwii movies are there always blimps over britian? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/13dqpp/eli5_why_in_wwii_movies_are_there_always_blimps/ | {
"a_id": [
"c7310cf"
],
"score": [
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],
"text": [
"The blimps are used to protect people on the ground from low altitude air raids. When you fly a bunch of them in close proximity, an aircraft could get fowled up in the tether cables, so the aircraft usually avoid them."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
7shu6w | how is shorting companies not gambling? | I understand how buying shares in a company isn't because that money is used to allow the company to function. But when you short a company, isn't none of the money going to the company involved so the investment has no direct influence on the outcome? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7shu6w/eli5_how_is_shorting_companies_not_gambling/ | {
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"text": [
"Your question relies on the premise that people say that shorting companies is not gambling. \n\nIt's not gambling in the legal sense but that's only because... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
34tqya | what happens to tenants/renters if an apartment complex is foreclosed on? | An apartment complex in my town recently got foreclosed on and busted for bad bookkeeping. What happens to all the people renting apartments there? Are they legally forced to find new housing? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/34tqya/eli5_what_happens_to_tenantsrenters_if_an/ | {
"a_id": [
"cqxylmv",
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"score": [
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2
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"text": [
"It depends on the local laws. Usually there are rules designed to prevent renters from suddenly getting kicked out due to a change in ownership. Odds are that if the bank wants to kick them out, they'll have to give them som... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
3a12ze | if an electron microscope works because it uses electrons rather than photons, does this mean electrons are smaller than photons? | I was watching a documentary about microscopic photography, and it said that when the resolution limits of microscopes that use light are reached, electron microscopes are used. Does this mean the electron is a "smaller" particle in some way than the photon? I thought these elementary particles didn't actually have siz... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3a12ze/eli5_if_an_electron_microscope_works_because_it/ | {
"a_id": [
"cs89p2l"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"Electron microscopes are effective because the wavelengths of the electrons in the microscope are several thousand times shorter than the wavelengths of visible light. This allows a beam of electrons to resolve much more small detail. To som... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
62r8no | why does shuffle/random play in any music player untrue? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/62r8no/eli5_why_does_shufflerandom_play_in_any_music/ | {
"a_id": [
"dfoods2"
],
"score": [
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"text": [
"There will be an algorithm behind the randomness. That's a necessity because computers can only do as they are told. So when it is told to come up with something random it follows a set of instructions to give the appearance of random.\n\nThat be... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
3g4j74 | when a person gains weight, the skin stretches. but why doesn't it shrink back when they lose weight? pregnant ladies gain back their shape don't they? | Thank you so much for the answers! | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3g4j74/eli5_when_a_person_gains_weight_the_skin/ | {
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"ctuqeoo",
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"score": [
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2,
2,
2
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"text": [
"It does shrink back when they lose weight.\n\nBut there're a lot of factors at play here: \n\n1) Age. The older you are, the less elastic your skin is. That's essentially what wri... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hysteresis"
]
] | |
5phlhw | why social media sites, such as reddit, tend to have a heavier presence of politically left people, than is representative of the population? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5phlhw/eli5why_social_media_sites_such_as_reddit_tend_to/ | {
"a_id": [
"dcr8d56",
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"score": [
172,
31,
6,
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"text": [
"Young people tend to be much more liberal. The age group 18-26 was recently characterize... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[
"http://graphics.wsj.com/clinton-trump-twitter/",
"http://www.pewinternet.org/2016/11/11/social-media-update-2016/",
"http://www.businessinsider.com/fake-news-outperformed-real-news-on-facebook-before-us-election-report-2016-11",
"http://www.pewinternet.org/2016/10/25... | ||
bchexu | how come your eyes don’t notice the smudges on your glasses unless it’s really bad? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bchexu/eli5_how_come_your_eyes_dont_notice_the_smudges/ | {
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"score": [
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"text": [
"Same reason you don't notice the bits of stuff floating in your eye, the brain can filter out the noise.",
"You don't notice all the smudges?",
"I have glasses but I don't ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
5hsy6k | what is the difference between hindus and sikh people? | I am an aithist, but I often see people who are Hindu go into a Sikh worship place (gurudwara). I have also seen sikh people going to a temple.
Could someone explain the difference between the hindu and a sikh person?
Can they go to eachothers place of worship? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5hsy6k/eli5_what_is_the_difference_between_hindus_and/ | {
"a_id": [
"db2se29",
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3,
8
],
"text": [
"There is no harm but it's like a muslim going church and a christian going mosque. \n\nPerhaps the confusion is the fact that the word temple and gurdwara is interchangeable for sikhs?",
"Completely different religions. ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
pk2mt | what constitutes racism? | People always tell me that it’s not racist to make wholesale negative remarks about white people because they are in the majority and therefore “in power”.
So, doesn't that mean the idea is that you can only be a racist if you are in a position to oppress someone?
I remember someone was throwing a bitchfit online abo... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/pk2mt/eli5_what_constitutes_racism/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
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"text": [
"Racism is a discrimination against race ... *any race*. I don't see why racism should only be a one way street. I mean if i was to beat up a black guy i would probably be accused of being racist but if ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
3i1akv | why do you get car sick while not paying attention to the road, but not while closing your eyes? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3i1akv/eli5_why_do_you_get_car_sick_while_not_paying/ | {
"a_id": [
"cuceplv"
],
"score": [
10
],
"text": [
"Basically your brain is receiving conflicting signals from your eyes and ears. If you are looking at the floor when in a car or on a bus or a book your eyes are telling you that you are not moving. But your ear is telling your brain that you are... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
zducc | what is the motivation behind quebec's want of a referendum/sovereignty movement? is it viable? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/zducc/what_is_the_motivation_behind_quebecs_want_of_a/ | {
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6,
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2,
3,
2
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"text": [
"Quebec is an anomaly within greater Canada. Their language, culture, politics and, to some degree, legal system differs from English Canada and their economy ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
2hbxhu | if i put my very cold feet in warm water that feels painfully hot only because my feet started off cold, do i still get burned? does anything bad happen? | To clarify, I touch the water with my hands and it's not even remotely hot but my ice cold feet say that they feel like they're burning. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2hbxhu/eli5_if_i_put_my_very_cold_feet_in_warm_water/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
38,
4,
2
],
"text": [
"It's the feeling of your nerves responding to the sudden shift in temperature. I recommend not doing it because it can cause permanent nerve cabbage.\n\nEDIT: Obviously I meant damage. Fucking phones..... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
68gpxp | can being an introvert or extrovert be genetic? | I know that being an introvert or extrovert can largely affect views and actions but is it just the surroundings and upbringing that affect introversion ,extroversion or can it be genetic too ? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/68gpxp/eli5_can_being_an_introvert_or_extrovert_be/ | {
"a_id": [
"dgyflj2"
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"score": [
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"text": [
"Yes. It looks [about 50% genetic](_URL_0_).\n\nHow did we find this out? By comparing identical twins with fraternal twins. If something is genetically influenced, you'd expect identical twins to be more similar, on average, than fraternal twins ... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8776880",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genome-wide_complex_trait_analysis"
]
] | |
649ad5 | please explain how nuclear fussion works in a hydrogen bomb? | I need a clear, precise, and detailed explanation for some indapendant research iḿ doing. Im having trouble grasping the subject. Thanks a lot! | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/649ad5/eli5_eli5_please_explain_how_nuclear_fussion/ | {
"a_id": [
"dg0cyf8"
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"score": [
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"text": [
"Fusion or fission? They are two separate mechanics."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
2a5zrl | why do so many people seem to hate hippies? | Like the title says! Anyone who I've met you is a 'hippy' has been a great person, and they have jobs so it's not like they are bumming off the economy | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2a5zrl/eli5_why_do_so_many_people_seem_to_hate_hippies/ | {
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"score": [
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17,
3,
2
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"text": [
"Many people feel \"Hippie\" is short for \"hypocrite,\" for a lot of different reasons. Personally, I've never been a fan of the lets-all-get-together-and-party-or-do-effectively... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
cocb7v | why is it sometimes easier to fall asleep while watching a ken burns documentary than it is while simply lying in bed? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cocb7v/eli5_why_is_it_sometimes_easier_to_fall_asleep/ | {
"a_id": [
"ewhd7wx"
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"score": [
3
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"text": [
"This is different for everyone so the answer isn’t completely objective. But many times, noises in the background can provide a more relaxed state, aiding in the ability to fall asleep. \n\n\nThat relaxed state can come from many things. Comfort ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
74d43u | how does our lungs clean the trash we inhale like flies or pieces of paper? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/74d43u/eli5_how_does_our_lungs_clean_the_trash_we_inhale/ | {
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"score": [
2,
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],
"text": [
"Those things wouldn't make it that far I believe. The bodies coughing reflex is an amazing thing.",
"You lungs don't. Your nose does. Nose hair combined with nasal mucus is t... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
bhlvrp | why do big things like giants,gods,monsters etc. move slower in movies? would that be accurate in real life? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bhlvrp/eli5_why_do_big_things_like_giantsgodsmonsters/ | {
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"e... | [] | [] | [
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"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Square%E2%80%93cube\\_law",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Square%E2%80%93cube_law"
],
[],
[
"https://www.nsta.org/publications/news/story.aspx?id=51826"
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[],
[],
[],
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"h... | ||
o928c | where does air pollution end up? | Specifically the airborne particulate matter we see in the large, dense cities like Bangkok, Beijing, etc... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/o928c/eli5_where_does_air_pollution_end_up/ | {
"a_id": [
"c3fcwgg"
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"score": [
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"text": [
"It ends up either dissolved in oceans which makes them more acidic or it cakes onto stuff like a black grime/dust. If you ever went to a city like that I can pretty much assure you that wiping a wetcloth across a pole or surface would make that r... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwsBBIIXT0E"
]
] | |
8nt97o | why do wires have different rates and types of data transfer and how is this improved? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8nt97o/eli5_why_do_wires_have_different_rates_and_types/ | {
"a_id": [
"dzy7nbo"
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"score": [
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"text": [
"Imagine you're talking to someone in a noisy room. You probably speak slowly and loudly. You might have to repeat yourself often. But in a quiet room you could speak quickly and quietly without repetition.\n\nThe same is true for electromagnetic ... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Square_wave.svg"
]
] | ||
4yivet | what the difference is between a normal cpu (e.g. intel i5/i7)and a server/workstation cpu (xeon series) | Just looking at computer parts, and some benchmarks for CPUs and saw that some Xeons top that list. But why would I not want one for my gaming PC? What's the difference? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4yivet/eli5_what_the_difference_is_between_a_normal_cpu/ | {
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"text": [
"Gaming PCs desire a CPU which can run very few tasks at a very high speed. This means they want a high clock speed and a relatively small cache.\n\nServers on the other hand desir... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
am8a42 | why do most piracy websites have ..tv or .eu and never .com or .net? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/am8a42/eli5_why_do_most_piracy_websites_have_tv_or_eu/ | {
"a_id": [
"efk2x25"
],
"score": [
5
],
"text": [
"Because .com and .net are being controlled by the US and those websites don't want to deal with US laws since US copyright law is pretty strict."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
3m6rxi | why do time zones have definitive lines and change strictly on an hourly basis instead of gradually changing time as you move around the globe? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3m6rxi/eli5_why_do_time_zones_have_definitive_lines_and/ | {
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3,
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"text": [
"Because then you would have to change your watch every few miles if you were traveling east and west instead of only a few times across... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
2uah7z | why are the shapes of rockets so different? | I was looking at [this](_URL_0_) photo that was posted on reddit a few hours ago ago. You'd assume that if something works, you stick to it.
Also, some rockets have a range of dates and opposed to a date when they were used. Do countries reuse the same rockets, are we dealing with multiple rockets of the same type or ... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2uah7z/eli5_why_are_the_shapes_of_rockets_so_different/ | {
"a_id": [
"co6muh9",
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"score": [
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"text": [
"You built different rockets for different purposes. Need one small satellite to get into orbit? Built a small, non manned rocket. Need to place two guys and a car on the moon and back? Built a different one. Also there was o... | [] | [
"http://i.imgur.com/c4fUpbl.jpg"
] | [
[],
[]
] | |
1nbm1l | if panda bears are so incompetent at survival, how have they managed to survive for so long and why have they only just begun to go extinct? | I heard many things on both here and on other sites about how Pandas are terrible at survival. Apparently they don't breed as often as they should, they have low cognitive ability due to the lack of nutrition in their diet, and they have a tendency to eat their own young. If all this is true, then how are they still ... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1nbm1l/eli5_if_panda_bears_are_so_incompetent_at/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
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"text": [
"They are adapted to live in bamboo groves which are lacking in any other source of nutrition, so they have no competition that they need to outclass. And even with all their shortcomings they manage to take down plants with ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
4yange | the difference between the innate immune system and the adaptive immune system? | Specifically the presence of innate vs adaptive in insects and humans. Thanks! | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4yange/eli5_the_difference_between_the_innate_immune/ | {
"a_id": [
"d6mb6qn"
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"score": [
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"text": [
"The innate immune system is just a general and primarily local response to a \"foreign\" invader. The main players in the innate immune system are white blood cells called granulocytes, such as basophils, neutrophils, eosinophils, and mast cells.... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
mqdjm | why a woman who is giving birth can't breathe while she pushes | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/mqdjm/eli5_why_a_woman_who_is_giving_birth_cant_breathe/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
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"text": [
"It's not that she *can't* breathe, it's that our breathing tends to become irregular when we're in pain (often holding our breath). This actually makes pain worse as it causes your body to become more excited (your brain doe... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
1m6nie | i've heard european cars are more advanced and fuel efficient than american cars. why are these cars not sold in america? | It's obvious that fuel efficient cars exist, why aren't cars sold in Europe also sold in the US? And I don't mean brand names, I mean specific models of car.
Can one buy cars and Europe and sell them in the US? How would that work? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1m6nie/eli5_ive_heard_european_cars_are_more_advanced/ | {
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... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
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"http://www.bmw.com/com/en/newvehicles/1series/3door/2012/showroom/design/visualizer.html"
],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
a99nw1 | how christmas carols came to be. we’re they made around the same time or did they become included as more popular later on? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a99nw1/eli5_how_christmas_carols_came_to_be_were_they/ | {
"a_id": [
"echk88m"
],
"score": [
2
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"text": [
"Some where hymns sung during the religious services of the Christmas season. Others were basically modified drinking songs sung at bars and parties during the season. And some were made to entertain children. They were not all made around the sam... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
8zf78t | why are some words on ambulances and police cars backwards? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8zf78t/eli5_why_are_some_words_on_ambulances_and_police/ | {
"a_id": [
"e2i8n3l",
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"score": [
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2
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"text": [
"The words are printed backwards on the front of emergency vehicles so when you're not vacating the lane and the vehicle is right on your bumper and you somehow don't hear the siren, horn or see the flashing lights telling yo... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
2ez4z6 | why don't we constantly see skeletons from dead animals/birds everywhere? do they hide before they die? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2ez4z6/eli5_why_dont_we_constantly_see_skeletons_from/ | {
"a_id": [
"ck4cfp6",
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"ck4dkwh",
"ck4gjqa",
"ck4h0en"
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"score": [
9,
5,
3,
2,
10,
3
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"text": [
"Although some do hide before death, I think the main reasons are that people throw away the animal's bodies that end up in their areas ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
psuda | scientific theory vs. layman's idea of theory. | For the record I understand the difference myself, but I can't explain it for shit. I'm completely awful at explaining these sorts of things. Though it could be argued that if you can't explain it simply you don't fully understand it, and perhaps I don't. Thanks anyways reddit. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/psuda/eli5_scientific_theory_vs_laymans_idea_of_theory/ | {
"a_id": [
"c3ryfe0",
"c3ryzcy",
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16,
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"text": [
"Scientific concept of a theory: \"Based on our testing and observations we believe this is the way things generally work.\"\n\nLayman's concept of a theory: \"All that science and you guys only have a ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
2h0uaa | i need your help on derivative functions. | first thing is first. Im not that bright. Can someone explain without far out analogies or something by explaining what exponential functions are.
What does tangent of a gradient have to do with derivative functions and also what the relationship between exponential functions and their derivatives are. It seems ... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2h0uaa/eli5_i_need_your_help_on_derivative_functions/ | {
"a_id": [
"ckoaik2",
"ckoal09"
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"score": [
6,
2
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"text": [
"a derivative is the rate of change.\n\nLet's say you are walking from point A to point B. We could plot out how far your are from point A over time. It would start at 0 (since you started at point A) and go up until you got ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
1qnu69 | why does this image look different in different browsers? | _URL_0_ | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1qnu69/eli5_why_does_this_image_look_different_in/ | {
"a_id": [
"cdens3s",
"cdensdo"
],
"score": [
9,
3
],
"text": [
"It's an animated PNG. Yes, animated PNG *does* exist, but only Firefox currently has native support for it. The animation shows the first frame (blue with \"...now open this in Firefox\") for only a split second (too short... | [] | [
"http://i.imgur.com/LhZ9Ofd.png"
] | [
[],
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/APNG",
"https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/apng/ehkepjiconegkhpodgoaeamnpckdbblp?hl=en"
]
] | |
3yibth | why is it so hard to climb mount everest? and why there are so many dead bodies there? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3yibth/eli5why_is_it_so_hard_to_climb_mount_everest_and/ | {
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"score": [
4,
8,
4,
4
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"text": [
"Cold, low oxygen, and bad weather.\n\nAs for why there are so many bodies - it would involve a lot of risk to more humans to remove them, and it would cost. Nepal isn't a particula... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[
"http://www.alanarnette.com/blog/2015/03/13/the-8000-meter-mountains/"
]
] | ||
3pz50s | why don't flu shots need to be administered intravenously? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3pz50s/eli5_why_dont_flu_shots_need_to_be_administered/ | {
"a_id": [
"cwaopbw",
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"score": [
3,
2
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"text": [
"The vaccine itself is a modified virus, and it doesn't require assistance to infect your body. Once it contacts your respiratory system, it can get to work. The virus is modified to make it weaker than the real flu, so the i... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
17ehgi | eli17: how would a cashless/moneyless society work? | I read on wikipedia that communism aims to create a moneyless society. How exactly would the economy work without money? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/17ehgi/eli17_how_would_a_cashlessmoneyless_society_work/ | {
"a_id": [
"c8504rb"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Money is mostly needed to allow credit and profit. If you only exchange goods and labor for other goods and services of equal value, then money is not necessary. In that type of system, nobody 'builds' wealth, they just exchange what they have-... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
4xdkyp | how long does it take to trace a phone call? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4xdkyp/eli5_how_long_does_it_take_to_trace_a_phone_call/ | {
"a_id": [
"d6eiwm8"
],
"score": [
6
],
"text": [
"Several minutes.\n\nAlthough I should clarify... that's several minutes of work for the person tracing it, not several minutes of keeping the caller talking.\n\nWith today's all-digital networks, every part of the routing of a call is recorded so... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
40jud0 | why do we say thing happen "on" days but "at" times? | Why would we never say "I saw him at Saturday on four o'clock"? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/40jud0/eli5_why_do_we_say_thing_happen_on_days_but_at/ | {
"a_id": [
"cyuq8oh"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Because the specific time is just that, specific, while the day covers a longer period of time.\n\nI saw him on Saturday at four o'clock works because \"on Saturday\" indicates a specific day but not exactly when, while \"at four\" tells you what... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
61gko9 | why is there so much testing in public schools when private schools have much less and provide an equal or superior education? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/61gko9/eli5_why_is_there_so_much_testing_in_public/ | {
"a_id": [
"dfebazs"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Government funding for public schools is based on performance, and performance is based on testing. Private schools don't have to worry about government funding, so they generally provide both broader and deeper education."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
5s3yx0 | why isn't the queen of the uk and commonwealth called elizabeth windsor ii instead of elizabeth ii, after her house name? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5s3yx0/eli5why_isnt_the_queen_of_the_uk_and_commonwealth/ | {
"a_id": [
"ddc7bok",
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"score": [
6,
2
],
"text": [
"As a princess she was Elizabeth Windsor, but as the Queen she is just the Queen. Surnames are for differentiating people of the same name; the Queen's differentiator is the number II. You'll notice that throughout history - ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
2vrs9k | how can sandbags be so effective at retaining water and preventing floods, yet when i try to make a moat for my sandcastle at the beach, the water vanishes instantly? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2vrs9k/eli5_how_can_sandbags_be_so_effective_at/ | {
"a_id": [
"cokcgd0",
"cokfoou"
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"score": [
4,
2
],
"text": [
"You don't wrap your moat with fabric..\n\nThe \"bag\" part is important. The grains can easily be moved, but if they're held together, it is a densely packed material that slows water movement quite a bit. ",
"Consider t... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
4gdy6y | where would dogs' intelligence be had we not severely domesticated and selectively bred them? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4gdy6y/eli5_where_would_dogs_intelligence_be_had_we_not/ | {
"a_id": [
"d2gnt00",
"d2gnwqd",
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"score": [
44,
8,
9
],
"text": [
"That of wolves. Simple as that. \n\nIt's worth noting that there are plenty of breeds of dog that are actually smarter than wolves; it all depends on what the dogs were bred for. Herding dogs like Bord... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
9ncqyy | why is using the wrong fuel killing an engine? | Let's say i put diesel in a gasoline engnine. both fuels explode and propell a piston. why is the one damaging while the other one is fine? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9ncqyy/eli5_why_is_using_the_wrong_fuel_killing_an_engine/ | {
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"score": [
27,
186,
5,
6,
2
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"text": [
"Why is it okay to put wood into your fireplace as opposed to gunpowder? They both burn and make heat right?\n\nIn this case it’s a difference between *how*... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
2mo3xk | what are laser beams & how are they different from light beams? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2mo3xk/eli5_what_are_laser_beams_how_are_they_different/ | {
"a_id": [
"cm5zlre",
"cm61buk"
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"score": [
3,
6
],
"text": [
"Laser is an acronym. Light amplification stimulated by emissions of radiation. Lasers are concentrated beams of light. But light any beam of light they still expand after so much length. ",
"A laser beam is a beam o... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
2c7jim | if alcohol dehydrates you, why did a patient i had as an emt years ago, who drank 18-36 12oz cans of beer per day, as he was working construction, never have complications involving dehydration? | For some further specifics, he was likely drinking a pilsner or ale with a slightly lower than average alcohol content (3%-4%). He actually had worked his way down to about 16 beers a day (down from the 36) when he began experiencing chest pain and upped his intake again thinking the lack of alcohol was causing this is... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2c7jim/eli5_if_alcohol_dehydrates_you_why_did_a_patient/ | {
"a_id": [
"cjcpglp",
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"score": [
18,
2,
2,
3
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"text": [
"alcohol dehydrating you is real but wildly overblown, something that is 4% alcohol is like 95% water, and you don't absorb as much as if you hadn't drank alcohol but you absorb pl... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
1wf0q8 | how is my bank making money? | I have a no fee bank account with Wells Fargo. I also have a credit card that I pay every month and they give me rewards for. I get about $50 in gift cards every month. How are they able to do that? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1wf0q8/how_is_my_bank_making_money/ | {
"a_id": [
"cf1cyq2",
"cf1hxby"
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"score": [
6,
2
],
"text": [
"They use your money. They lend your money to others, the others pay them interest, and they keep 100% of that profit minus the 50 bucks.",
"Every time you use your credit card at a store, the store has to pay some of tha... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
1rk6o4 | how do computers with one hard drive move different data to different locations at the same time? | For example, say I'm moving my movies from my main HD to and external HD, and at the same time I'm moving my music to a different external HD. How can it access all of the correct information on the main HD and move it to the right places? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1rk6o4/eli5how_do_computers_with_one_hard_drive_move/ | {
"a_id": [
"cdo2d0z"
],
"score": [
5
],
"text": [
"1. Move a little of the movie file.\n2. Move a little of the music file.\n3. Repeat 1 and 2 until the files are copied.\n\nThe computer isn't doing two things at once (the disk won't allow that) it just gives the impression that it is.\n\n"
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
3w2g50 | what is so special about mitochondria that allows respiration to be so efficient compared to the efficiency we can achieve when burning fossil fuels? | If both are just combustion, why is respiration so efficient? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3w2g50/eli5_what_is_so_special_about_mitochondria_that/ | {
"a_id": [
"cxss8c8",
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"score": [
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2
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"text": [
"It [isn't](_URL_0_), the efficiency is about 40% which can also be reached by various combustion engines, though most don't. ",
"Less energy is lost as heat because the process traps energy in chemicals, which are then u... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://science.jrank.org/pages/5826/Respiration-Efficiency-cellular-respiration.html"
],
[]
] | |
2cbx06 | why are there no two legged animals with small front legs like dinosaurs? | When I see pictures of most Tyrannosaurs or Raptors they tend to have a pair of strong looking rear legs and some stunted looking little front legs.
Why does this trait no longer exist in modern animals? Was it just a predecessor to wings and all the animals that had this type of arm 'became' birds or went extinct or ... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2cbx06/eli5_why_are_there_no_two_legged_animals_with/ | {
"a_id": [
"cjdwjyb",
"cjdz97m"
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"score": [
3,
2
],
"text": [
"I would say there are such animals. For instance, the kangaroo (or the far more adorable and less dangerous kangaroo mouse) and the wallaby.",
"My guess is just blind luck. Bipedalism is [very rare](_URL_0_) and most of ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bipedalism#Bipedal_animals"
]
] | |
421rkw | why do some websites warn you that they need to collect cookies in order to 'improve service' but you're not really given an option. all you can do is click 'i agree' | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/421rkw/eli5_why_do_some_websites_warn_you_that_they_need/ | {
"a_id": [
"cz6wbh5",
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"cz6y2sf"
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"score": [
9,
8,
5
],
"text": [
"There's a EU law that says the website have to notify you. If you don't agree, don't visit the site.",
"You do have another option, and that option is 'close the browser tabe and leave the site'.... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
7jxuuh | what is the sole purpose of a credit card? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7jxuuh/eli5_what_is_the_sole_purpose_of_a_credit_card/ | {
"a_id": [
"dra0pda",
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2,
2
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"text": [
"There's more than one purpose. The immediate one is to spread out the payment of a purchase over time, so that you can buy things now that you would otherwise have to save up and wait to buy.\n\nThe less obvious one is to b... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
4k6ghy | why are narcotics such as morphine and fentanyl used as medically and socially accepted pain medication, while heroin is chemically similar, and similarly potent, but is illegal and isn't used medically? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4k6ghy/eli5why_are_narcotics_such_as_morphine_and/ | {
"a_id": [
"d3cjjkd"
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"text": [
"Heroin is still prescribed in the UK as a pain killer. It goes under the name 'diamorphine.' It WAS used as a cough suppressant in the 1800's.\n\nMorphine actually predates heroin. Heroin was supposedly a non-addictive replacement for morphine... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
1gsh3z | why can't windows accurately predict file transfer times? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1gsh3z/eli5_why_cant_windows_accurately_predict_file/ | {
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"text": [
... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[
"http://blogs.msdn.com/b/oldnewthing/archive/2004/01/06/47937.aspx"
],
[
"http://www.vanityfair.com/business/2012/08/microsoft-lost-mojo-steve-ballmer"
],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] |
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