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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
bc7isx | why don’t my eyes adjust to brightness reflected off snow, but do to the brightness of the sun? | So say I’m going outside after being inside for an extended period of time, and after my eyes get used to the relative darkness. If its bright outside, I’ll have to squint for a while, but eventually my eyes get used to it and they’re back to normal. BUT if there is snow on the ground (even if cloudy) so much gets refl... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bc7isx/eli5_why_dont_my_eyes_adjust_to_brightness/ | {
"a_id": [
"ekof2j8"
],
"score": [
6
],
"text": [
"Your eyes do adjust, but they simply are not capable of adjusting *enough.*\n\nReflected light from the snow is a lot brighter than you might think. Adjusting to a sunny day is one thing, but when the light from the sunny day is *also* coming at ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
2sygri | if hollywood is so accepting of homosexuality, why are some actors still in the closet? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2sygri/eli5_if_hollywood_is_so_accepting_of/ | {
"a_id": [
"cnu0gs6",
"cnu0iux",
"cnu0men"
],
"score": [
7,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"The industry is, but not the fans and the rest of the public.",
"Some actors are afraid that their roles will dry up or that they would possibly get slotted into only \"homosexual\" roles. This woul... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
46pngz | why are political endorsements in any way important for candidates? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/46pngz/eli5_why_are_political_endorsements_in_any_way/ | {
"a_id": [
"d06yafg"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Those who support or like the person endorsing the politician may be more likely to then support said politician. \n\nIf said endorser is an expert in their field, very influential, or very rich, their backing will likely give the politician a pu... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
7t0gya | when a wood screw is tightened into wood so much that it begins to just spin without tightening, how does it not just fall right out? | I assume after spinning past tightening, threading of the screw will have chewed the hole up to the point that it should just fall out, but somehow they remain rigid and tight. Can anyone explain this? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7t0gya/eli5_when_a_wood_screw_is_tightened_into_wood_so/ | {
"a_id": [
"dt8wxc1",
"dt8wz4n",
"dt8x84k"
],
"score": [
7,
2,
3
],
"text": [
"It can. But there is also a bunch of wood fibres in the space so it has friction to overcome before it can just \"slide out\" under pressure that screw will pop out but just the fact that the wood mater... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
5nqkgn | why are multiple blades needed for a closer shave? | Wouldn't the first blade do all of the work? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5nqkgn/eli5_why_are_multiple_blades_needed_for_a_closer/ | {
"a_id": [
"dcdhtm7",
"dcdix85",
"dcdmro2"
],
"score": [
13,
3,
5
],
"text": [
"They are not... They are needed for a $7/refill head shave.\n\nTry an old fashioned single blade: \n_URL_0_",
"They aren't, it's all marketing. I was using the $7/head Gillette blades and getting r... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://pb2000.nfshost.com/aw2k/LotImg424.jpg"
],
[],
[]
] | |
6xect7 | the mlb waiver trade deadline. | The trade deadline was a month ago, but yesterday many big deals went down (Verlander to Astros, Upton to Angels). Can someone explain the rules around the waiver deadline. It's like the MLB has two trade deadlines, which seems odd. I know players can be 'pulled back' from waivers too. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6xect7/eli5the_mlb_waiver_trade_deadline/ | {
"a_id": [
"dmf8q0z",
"dmfc88e"
],
"score": [
3,
2
],
"text": [
"Very basically, a player can be traded before July 31 without having to go through the waiver process. \n\nAfter July 31, a player first has to clear waivers before being allowed to go to another team, meaning, that he has t... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
39ylec | how do we know how a tesseract (4th dimensional object) looks when passing through a 3rd dimensional surface? | As far as I know we're unable to even imagine an object in the fourth dimension so how could we possibly know what it looks like when passing through our own dimension? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/39ylec/eli5how_do_we_know_how_a_tesseract_4th/ | {
"a_id": [
"cs7mfnx",
"cs7niw5",
"cs7njnt",
"cs7q18v",
"cs7xfia",
"cs86wlg"
],
"score": [
10,
15,
4,
2,
15,
2
],
"text": [
"It's a projection. You can look at a 3D object in 2D by looking at how it projects onto a 2D plane - say, by looking at its shadow. M... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://www.geom.uiuc.edu/~banchoff/Flatland/"
],
[],
[],
[
"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnURElCzGc0"
],
[]
] | |
47ym9x | how do coronal mass ejections affect the international space station? | I understand that the Northern Lights are a product of Coronal Mass Ejections interfering with the Earth's magnetic field. How do these Coronal Mass Ejections affect the International Space Station seeing that it is orbiting in a weak magnetic field compared to the magnetic field on the surface of the Earth? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/47ym9x/eli5_how_do_coronal_mass_ejections_affect_the/ | {
"a_id": [
"d0gavfc"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Slight misconseption here. Aurora Borealis and Aurora Austrialis occur because the magnetic field weakens at the magnetic poles of the Earth. Now while the ISS does not orbit around the equator, it never passes 51.6 degrees North, or South so it ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
f6v6gj | why do non-native english speakers from the same country make the same grammatical errors when speaking english? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/f6v6gj/eli5_why_do_nonnative_english_speakers_from_the/ | {
"a_id": [
"fi76ymy",
"fi77chy",
"fi7h22v"
],
"score": [
2,
6,
4
],
"text": [
"A lot of this has to do with the syntax being hugely different among different languages combined with the fact people that if people are uncertain about the translation, they often translate stuff lite... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
696eio | what would happen if a fusion reactor were to become unstable? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/696eio/eli5_what_would_happen_if_a_fusion_reactor_were/ | {
"a_id": [
"dh44ddz",
"dh44u74",
"dh46avl",
"dh46i5k",
"dh48w7e",
"dh495vm"
],
"score": [
356,
89,
14,
13,
7,
2
],
"text": [
"I am going to assume you are talking about a magnetic confinement fusion reactor, in which the fusion happens in a plasma that is c... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[
"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HD6dgzmXzho/T2oqdFmQ-9I/AAAAAAAAC3Y/aOt2KA178bE/s1600/NIF_target_chamber.jpg"
]
] | ||
cmcm7g | why is yellow text on a white background so hard to read? | It seems harder than any other color to make out, by a large margin | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cmcm7g/eli5_why_is_yellow_text_on_a_white_background_so/ | {
"a_id": [
"ew1bycf"
],
"score": [
5
],
"text": [
"Because the contrast is so low. Yellow and white pixels are actually quite similar."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
blspaj | how exactly do boats with massive sails not just blow over? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/blspaj/eli5_how_exactly_do_boats_with_massive_sails_not/ | {
"a_id": [
"emr2i38",
"emr3t6g",
"emr8v0o"
],
"score": [
7,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"Boats have a piece that extends into the water called a keel. Keels generally have a big, dense weight at the end of a long arm. So when the wind is pushing against the sail and wanting to tip the boat ... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://newt.phys.unsw.edu.au/~jw/graphics/heelforces.GIF"
],
[
"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYoTpdblHmg"
],
[]
] | ||
1zaqi4 | what is crossfit? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1zaqi4/eli5what_is_crossfit/ | {
"a_id": [
"cfrzqpa",
"cfrzydo",
"cfs3byu"
],
"score": [
3,
7,
4
],
"text": [
"Lift weights as fast as you can",
"It's an exercise system that emphasizes competition. You have to belong to a special gym to do Crossfit, and every day they give you a WoD (workout of the day). It... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
2cmfmk | i've heard that mouthwash can dry out your mouth, which can cause bad breath and cavities, but some mouthwashes are recommended by the american dental association. is mouthwash good for oral health? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2cmfmk/eli5_ive_heard_that_mouthwash_can_dry_out_your/ | {
"a_id": [
"cjgwmjb"
],
"score": [
4
],
"text": [
"Yes, mouthwash is good for oral health. While the ADA may be slow to adopt the latest practices and recommendations, my dentist is a bit more progressive; he recommends mouthwash that does not contain alcohol for the very reasons you mention. As ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
2qm2bg | how did led lights become so cheap to produce? | Through the 90s you never saw LEDs, and their lifespan was awful. Now, they are so ubiquitous you see them embedded in every cheap thing you can imagine -- and super bright ones, at that.
I have an LED police flashlight that could blind Zeus.
So, what advances were made that allowed them to be produced so cheaply, a... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2qm2bg/eli5_how_did_led_lights_become_so_cheap_to_produce/ | {
"a_id": [
"cn7desw",
"cn7ehtv",
"cn7jovx",
"cn7ng8w",
"cn7terd"
],
"score": [
68,
12,
2,
7,
3
],
"text": [
"I don't think that an extended lifespan is the main reason why they are so popular nowadays, but it's rather the color:\n\nLEDs have been invented in the 19... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
f12zm9 | how does the chickenpox vaccine not introduce the virus which lies dormant in your nervous system, potentially resulting in shingles later in life. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/f12zm9/eli5_how_does_the_chickenpox_vaccine_not/ | {
"a_id": [
"fh1vyfq"
],
"score": [
4
],
"text": [
"it can, its just incredibly rare. since the virus is weakened it doesn't turn into shingle the vast majority of the time"
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
aba2y2 | why does’t jello go back to its liquid state when kept out of the fridge? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/aba2y2/elif_why_doest_jello_go_back_to_its_liquid_state/ | {
"a_id": [
"ecyptuk",
"ecyt36o"
],
"score": [
7,
12
],
"text": [
"It was only in a liquid state because it was hot, like butter. Once it returns to room temperature or colder it gels. ",
"The stuff that makes Jello a gel is the gelatin. Gelatin normally has a gel texture. The stuff in... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
46vx9x | why do people who act in plays talk a certain way? | I don't know if this is just in my head, but people acting in plays have a certain way of enunciating across all genres and time periods, whereas in movies, they usually sound just like normal people speaking. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/46vx9x/eli5_why_do_people_who_act_in_plays_talk_a/ | {
"a_id": [
"d087ilm",
"d088txz"
],
"score": [
3,
3
],
"text": [
" > all genres and time periods\n\nAre you an immortal Highlander?\n\nActing schools teach a certain way of speaking that helps the actor's voice carry well enough to reach the entire audience. Most people's normal speaking... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
ale85b | how do devices reconstruct a piece of information that has been sent by radio waves? | I learned about frequencies and amplitude today but this brought me more questions. Devices understand 1's and 0's to make a program and I suppose that if a 1 is missing or a 0 the device won't understand what you are asking for and here comes what is troubling my mind when data is sent from your router to your device ... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ale85b/eli5_how_do_devices_reconstruct_a_piece_of/ | {
"a_id": [
"efdb3wi"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"There is a lot of error correction in digital communication! There's two basic techniques:\n\nWe can send a checksum along with the data. If I want to send you 01001001, I can also send \"btw there are 3 1s in the data I just sent.\" That way,... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
doo4ua | why does your ear sometimes hurt when you fly in an airplane? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/doo4ua/eli5_why_does_your_ear_sometimes_hurt_when_you/ | {
"a_id": [
"f5p37o0",
"f5pa09d"
],
"score": [
4,
2
],
"text": [
"Going up higher in the atmosphere, the pressure of the air changes. Your inner ear, basically an air pocket on the other side of your eardrum, needs to be the same pressure as the air outside your eardrum. So the pain you fe... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
1oteeu | why is black so much associated with death/nothingness in virtually all cultures? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1oteeu/why_is_black_so_much_associated_with/ | {
"a_id": [
"ccve6eg",
"ccvea9c",
"ccvecnl",
"ccvf5e4"
],
"score": [
9,
23,
2,
4
],
"text": [
"Black is darkness, we can't see in the dark. The dark is scary, the physical manifestation of the unknown. It conceals dangers and monsters that we can't see let alone fight and w... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
eikt5k | netcode in fighting games and why it's important | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/eikt5k/eli5_netcode_in_fighting_games_and_why_its/ | {
"a_id": [
"fcrbdv2",
"fcresge"
],
"score": [
3,
3
],
"text": [
"Delay based stops the entire game until it catches up which is bad for everyone. Rollback makes a best guess as to what would have happened and does that. Essentially making lag imperceptible. \n\n_URL_0_\n\nAs to why it's i... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://youtu.be/TtfArmKISpY"
],
[]
] | ||
3cnw42 | what is the new york stock exchange exactly? why is it where it is? who owns it? does the actual physical place matter at all? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3cnw42/eli5_what_is_the_new_york_stock_exchange_exactly/ | {
"a_id": [
"csxa74g"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"I can't answer all of your questions, but here's a start on on this.\n\nThe NYSE is basically a market. Think of it like the market in your town, where farmers go to sell their apples and bacon, as do people who are interested in buying apples a... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
1o6yia | why does a hospital charge $20,000 to administer rattlesnake anti-venom that only cost them only $2,700 to buy? | I was reading [this post](_URL_1_), which linked to [this article](_URL_0_) about a boy that was administered ~80 vials of rattlesnake anti-venom. Apparently the hospital charges $20K for each vial, but the company that makes anti-venom charges only $2.7K for each vial. The hospital says that it must charge that much m... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1o6yia/eli5_why_does_a_hospital_charge_20000_to/ | {
"a_id": [
"ccpc2y8",
"ccv3ala"
],
"score": [
17,
2
],
"text": [
"When people talk about hospital/medical costs, a particular fable comes to mind. It goes a little something like this.\n\nA man gets in his car to go to work. He puts the key in the ignition and attempts to turn on the car,... | [] | [
"http://www.gainesville.com/article/20130612/ARTICLES/130619841?p=1&tc=pg",
"http://www.reddit.com/r/todayilearned/comments/1o6l46/til_that_rattlesnake_antivenom_can_cost_20000_per/"
] | [
[],
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhabdomyolysis",
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fragment_antigen-binding"
]
] | |
6wlw1v | what effect does opening a dam have on areas that are under heavy flooding? ex: houston | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6wlw1v/eli5_what_effect_does_opening_a_dam_have_on_areas/ | {
"a_id": [
"dm8zx8b",
"dm905cr"
],
"score": [
3,
2
],
"text": [
"There are different kinds of dams, but generally speaking dams have a spillway, and they usually have floodgates as well. Spillways and floodgates are used to manage the water behind the dam in emergency situations, because ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
a85x9n | how does a generator spin at the same rpm, but can produce varying amounts of power? | For example on a steam turbine that rotates a generator @ 1500rpm. How can it produce 2MW then 15MW without spinning faster? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a85x9n/eli5_how_does_a_generator_spin_at_the_same_rpm/ | {
"a_id": [
"ec8attl",
"ec8b9og",
"ec8d53t"
],
"score": [
2,
2,
7
],
"text": [
"Wattage is a function of voltage and current. V x A = W. So, given that the voltage will be constant, the amount of power produced (and thus required by the prime mover for the generator to maintain spe... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
11l2w6 | why does my phone cord keep getting tangled even when i don't touch it? | I have a phone at work and I use a headset, only thing the phone does is go up and down an inch, why does it keep getting tangled? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/11l2w6/why_does_my_phone_cord_keep_getting_tangled_even/ | {
"a_id": [
"c6nftqi",
"c6nh022",
"c6ni205",
"c6nismw",
"c6nji7m"
],
"score": [
2,
7,
4,
4,
9
],
"text": [
"Of all the ways it can go up and down an inch, there is basically one way that will prevent it from being tangled. There are thousands of ways that will tang... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://www.cracked.com/article_19866_5-scientific-explanations-behind-everyday-nuisances.html"
],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
1b3n7u | why do they refrigerate donated blood? why not keep it at body temperature? | I just donated blood and it reminded me of something I've often wondered about. Why do they refrigerate donated blood? It seems like it'd make more sense to keep it at body temperature, if that's what keeps it "good" while it's still in your body. What becomes different once it's no longer in your body? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1b3n7u/eli5why_do_they_refrigerate_donated_blood_why_not/ | {
"a_id": [
"c939vxi",
"c93bsyr"
],
"score": [
55,
14
],
"text": [
"Blood in your body is active. It is used, moved around, and its components are continuously replenished when needed. Donated blood just stays there.\n\nIt's quite similar to why we keep vegetables in the refrigerator onc... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
cm2swl | where do foreign objects that enter the eye end up to? such as sand, dust etc. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cm2swl/eli5_where_do_foreign_objects_that_enter_the_eye/ | {
"a_id": [
"evzjfxx",
"ew3fwlw"
],
"score": [
2,
2
],
"text": [
"Usually between blinking and flushing with tears, they make their way to the inner corner of the eye by your nose, and out that way.",
"Large objects can cause you to tear up and the object can exit straight out of your ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
1kzw3h | video game programming | I don't understand the basic concept of how the programming is done, also I don't understand how graphics are produced. I know a tiny bit of tech lingo, so be gentle. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1kzw3h/eli5_video_game_programming/ | {
"a_id": [
"cbucy43",
"cbudktu",
"cbue017",
"cbui6p7",
"cbui87r"
],
"score": [
5,
2,
2,
4,
5
],
"text": [
"In concept it's not really any different than programming a calculator or other interactive program. You have a data structure, a view of that data structure ... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenGL",
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DirectX"
],
[],
[],
[],
[
"http://www.asciitable.com/"
]
] | |
5p0e33 | how does reproduction between genetically similar organisms (e.g. incest) increase the likelihood of producing mutated offspring? | Human DNA is something like 99.9% similar to every other human, so why does reproduction between family members increase the likelihood of producing severely mutated offspring? How does that work? And how much more likely are they to have mutations? Also, I read somewhere that people are attracted to other people who l... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5p0e33/eli5_how_does_reproduction_between_genetically/ | {
"a_id": [
"dcng8dp"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"The human genome contains some 3 billion base pairs, so even the tiny amount that's different from person to person leaves room for a lot of variation.\n\nYou've probably learned this in school, but for the sake of explaining like you're five, a ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
366vok | what's the difference between all the versions of windows 7? | Titles! | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/366vok/eli5whats_the_difference_between_all_the_versions/ | {
"a_id": [
"crb9r9b"
],
"score": [
9
],
"text": [
"Windows 7 Home Premium: the version you probably want \nWindows 7 Pro: Adds the ability to join a work domain and act as a remote desktop server \nWindows 7 Ultimate: adds multi-language support, the Unix subsystem, and full-disk encryption. "... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
8db3cx | how exactly do health insurance companies contribute to the increase in cost of healthcare in the us? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8db3cx/eli5_how_exactly_do_health_insurance_companies/ | {
"a_id": [
"dxlq2nc",
"dxluupm",
"dxlxumg"
],
"score": [
6,
2,
7
],
"text": [
"The lack of a consolidated market puts the power in the suppliers hands, allowing the health care industry to drive up prices.\n\nIf you have one big insurance agency then they can threaten healthcare p... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
52zb9g | how can i play a 3d video game and have 60 frames per second at high quality but a 3d animation software can take 15 seconds to render a still image? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/52zb9g/eli5_how_can_i_play_a_3d_video_game_and_have_60/ | {
"a_id": [
"d7omayx",
"d7omn43",
"d7p0bj1"
],
"score": [
8,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"Because even high quality game graphics are nowhere near the quality that a 3D animation software outputs. Games take a lot of shortcuts to maintain framerate in double digits. For one thing animation s... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_tracing"
],
[
"http://forums.cgsociety.org/archive/index.php?t-838177.html"
],
[
"http://cgkit.sourceforge.net/tutorials/baking.html",
"http://cgkit.sourceforge.net/tutorials/_images/model.jpg",
"http://cgkit.sourceforge.net/tutorials/_images/final2.j... | ||
rtxnm | if our country has freedom of religion, why are gay rights even an issue? | The biggest issue people bring up with this is that the Bible says it's wrong, etc. I'm a straight, Christian and not an activist in any way - I'm just confused as to why this is such an issue and can't be passed. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/rtxnm/eli5_if_our_country_has_freedom_of_religion_why/ | {
"a_id": [
"c48mgv5",
"c48mjbv",
"c48mzym",
"c48nbtm",
"c48nqfz",
"c48nxrr",
"c48o3pd",
"c48o5ke",
"c48oau3",
"c48oj2d",
"c48omr1",
"c48pds8",
"c48pmxf",
"c48pnci",
"c48prya",
"c48q8ip",
"c48qtm0",
"c48qtxg",
"c48qvn8",
"c48reus",
"c... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
28kj12 | why is everyone upset about removal of the upvote/downvote count, when everyone knew those numbers were meaningless to begin with? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/28kj12/eli5_why_is_everyone_upset_about_removal_of_the/ | {
"a_id": [
"cibrzwv",
"cibs1xx"
],
"score": [
2,
2
],
"text": [
"Because people don't understand how Reddit's vote fuzzing works, and they previously thought they were seeing the exact number of up and down votes given. This was actually part of the reason for the change; reddit realized ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
3977wa | why is amtrak the only way to go cross country by rail, and why is it so expensive if it is a government owned company? | Weren't there many rail companies that could take you places back in the 1800s? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3977wa/eli5_why_is_amtrak_the_only_way_to_go_cross/ | {
"a_id": [
"cs0xc23",
"cs0xmzg",
"cs0y2ym"
],
"score": [
6,
6,
3
],
"text": [
"Amtrak isn't actually owned by the government. It's a private company that just receives a lot of government funding. However, traveling by rail isn't very popular in the US, considering we have planes ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
mgeim | why laptop charging cords have two parts. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/mgeim/eli5_why_laptop_charging_cords_have_two_parts/ | {
"a_id": [
"c30pclp",
"c30pclp"
],
"score": [
6,
6
],
"text": [
"The specifics of mains power differ greatly depending on where you are, so power bricks are usually made to handle a wide range of input voltages and frequencies (usually 100-240V at 50-60 Hz). This is because economies of s... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
1ljpuc | the appeal of nascar | It's just one of those things I've never understood... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ljpuc/eli5_the_appeal_of_nascar/ | {
"a_id": [
"cbzxc6t",
"cbzxe1r",
"cbzxr93",
"cc00uia",
"cc01z62"
],
"score": [
3,
9,
3,
2,
3
],
"text": [
"The appeal of NASCAR is pretty easy to understand. It literally started as bootleggers determining who's car was fastest. Eventually, the cars became manufa... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smokey_Yunick"
]
] | |
2wzvp6 | why do desktop sites have mobile redirection while mobile sites don't have "desktop redirection"? | For example, if you go to _URL_1_ using your mobile phone, you'll get redirected to _URL_0_ (mobile version). On the other hand, if you go to _URL_0_ (mobile) from your desktop browser, you're not redirected to the default site view. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2wzvp6/eli5_why_do_desktop_sites_have_mobile_redirection/ | {
"a_id": [
"covlmv7",
"covlnkk",
"covmxx7"
],
"score": [
15,
6,
8
],
"text": [
"probably because the only way most people end up on m. sites is via redirection. so why bother. ",
"It's assumed that someone directly seeking the mobile site is doing so for a reason, since it's n... | [] | [
"http://en.m.wikipedia.org",
"http://en.wikipedia.org"
] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
195ew5 | how to make money off an idea? | Lets say I have an idea for something that would be for public use, what steps would I have to take to end up with some cash in my pocket? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/195ew5/how_to_make_money_off_an_idea/ | {
"a_id": [
"c8ky32q",
"c8l9m5y"
],
"score": [
2,
2
],
"text": [
"Convince people it's worth their money. \n\nYou can either convince investors that's it's worth money, and sell them your idea outright, or sell them a share in your business where you put your idea to use.\n\nRaising capita... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://www.freepatentsonline.com/5901666.html"
]
] | |
225bi6 | why do news headlines use a comma in place of the word "and"? why not use an ampersand? | News headlines always read strange to me because of those damn commas in place of the word "and". We have a single character that represents "and", the ampersand ( & ). Why use a comma? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/225bi6/eli5_why_do_news_headlines_use_a_comma_in_place/ | {
"a_id": [
"cgjhkz3",
"cgjhpg5"
],
"score": [
5,
6
],
"text": [
"Because a comma takes less space, which allows the headline type to be larger.",
"\" and \" is 5 characters\n\n\" & \" is 3 characters\n\n\", \" is 2 characters\n\nIt's all about space on headlines."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
b8lrib | why did various edible garden weeds not get cultivated and farmed by humans? | Those of you with gardens will probably know what a pain it is to have Dandelions, Chickweed or Clover popping up **LITERALLY EVERYWHERE** they can. But considering the fact that they are all edible, and seemingly grow in abundance with little effort on behalf of a farmer, why weren't they domesticated in the same way ... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/b8lrib/eli5_why_did_various_edible_garden_weeds_not_get/ | {
"a_id": [
"ejyiv58",
"ejyqpn1"
],
"score": [
7,
4
],
"text": [
"Basically all the grain crops were \"weeds\" which have been bred and developed to be the useful crops they now are, they bear very little resemblance to the original plants.",
"At one time dandelions were part of every ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
2mu2w7 | when it's cold outside and warm inside and i open a window, does the cold air come in or does the warm air go out? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2mu2w7/eli5_when_its_cold_outside_and_warm_inside_and_i/ | {
"a_id": [
"cm7lnfm",
"cm7no3l"
],
"score": [
5,
2
],
"text": [
"Both. the cold air falls pours down over the sill and sinks, while the warm air slips out the top of the opening. The difference in densities between warm and cold air encourages this motion",
"It isn't a matter of densi... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
2d4ayn | what is the actual science behind brain waves? i see it a lot and it seems kinda hokey, the whole idea of inducing brain waves to get certain states. | From what I understand without looking into it a lot, there are different patterns of brain waves that are typical for different activities, like deep creative thought or alertness or focus. People try to induce these brain waves with things like binaural beats, which is the part that seems a bit suspicious and pseudos... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2d4ayn/eli5_what_is_the_actual_science_behind_brain/ | {
"a_id": [
"cjm1hil"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"A lot of what you tend to hear about brainwaves sounds like pseudoscience because that's exactly what it is.\n\nBrain waves are measurements of the frequency of electrical activity, either in individual neurons or between synchronized groups of n... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/digital-drugs-do-not-cure-stupidity/",
"http://www.cell.com/trends/neurosciences/abstract/S0166-2236(07)00026-4",
"http://www.marriottsridge.net/~falcon9xr/postsecret_archive/2011_12_03/brain-wave-patterns-during-sleep.jpg",
"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.go... | |
ewzkyh | what is this feeling where you feel everything around you almost inflating like a balloon and becoming dense? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ewzkyh/eli5_what_is_this_feeling_where_you_feel/ | {
"a_id": [
"fg5em0x",
"fg5fdxl",
"fg5ijzw"
],
"score": [
6,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"This might be related to [Alice in wonderland syndrome](_URL_0_)\nand the related hallucination called \"lilliputian hallucinations\" (have you ever had your eyes closed and felt like your body was expa... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_in_Wonderland_syndrome"
],
[],
[]
] | ||
clgn4b | why does boiling something kill most bacteria? and is that threshold exactly 100 degrees celsius? | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/clgn4b/eli5_why_does_boiling_something_kill_most/ | {
"a_id": [
"evv70se",
"evv72bs",
"evv89pq",
"evv8b0p",
"evv94rf",
"evvxti6"
],
"score": [
11,
2,
8,
2,
3,
2
],
"text": [
"Because the heat causes proteins to denature (unfold and fall apart) which is fatal to living things.\n\nThe threshold isn't exactly 10... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
1j18cj | what are the main underlying differences between the world religions? (christianity, islam, hinduism, buddhism, sikhism, judaism, etc.) | I've never really understood the core beliefs of the popular religions and would like to not feel ignorant when the subject arises. When I search for an answer online there is often too much depth or they are trying to convert me. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1j18cj/eli5_what_are_the_main_underlying_differences/ | {
"a_id": [
"cba23td"
],
"score": [
6
],
"text": [
"This is an extremely complex and detailed question. Maybe you'll get a good response here, but I think you'd do well searching ELI5 for each of these individually, since all of them have had really good ELI5 questions about them specifically, an... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/xqirp/eli5_sikhism/",
"http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/jiuao/eli5_hinduism/",
"http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/r6234/eli5_christianity_i_dont_understand_any_of_it/c436xon",
"http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlik... | |
7srkcl | how does an authenticator app work? | With the release of 2FA today, this is on everyone's minds. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7srkcl/eli5_how_does_an_authenticator_app_work/ | {
"a_id": [
"dt6yowg"
],
"score": [
14
],
"text": [
" > How does an authenticator app work?\n\nThe idea behind an authentication app is to have an algorithm with two inputs: A static secret key and a publicly known, changing input. The output of this algorithm does not reveal what the secret key ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
2vgk9o | why do many electronics require two batteries? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2vgk9o/eli5_why_do_many_electronics_require_two_batteries/ | {
"a_id": [
"cohfct6"
],
"score": [
12
],
"text": [
"Because they need 3 volts to operate...and the most common battery is 1.5 volts (2 of which, when connected in series, gives you 3 volts).\n\nIt would be economically un-feasible to market batteries made in many different voltages."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
7n4qek | why can the processors in self-driving cars be trusted to work without hanging up or freezing? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7n4qek/eli5_why_can_the_processors_in_selfdriving_cars/ | {
"a_id": [
"drz08kw",
"drz0sb2"
],
"score": [
2,
2
],
"text": [
"Your car *now* has millions of lines of code running. Why do you trust it? Why did NASA trust the computer on it's billion dollar rockets? Why does SpaceX trust their computers? Why do you and millions of people every day tr... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
4otgu8 | how do microphone windscreens effectively diffuse wind noise? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4otgu8/eli5_how_do_microphone_windscreens_effectively/ | {
"a_id": [
"d4fe1tj",
"d4ffpf4"
],
"score": [
4,
6
],
"text": [
"A windscreen simply deflects the full force of wind (or even a person's breath) away from the diaphragm of the mike, the part that vibrates and is used to convert mechanical to electrical energy. It also helps keep dust, gr... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
220mgp | what really happens when my stomach "shrinks" from eating less? | I've been eating less due to a diet recently, and I constantly hear the term that my stomach is "shrinking" - what is really going on? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/220mgp/eli5_what_really_happens_when_my_stomach_shrinks/ | {
"a_id": [
"cgi62x0"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"Quite literally that. It's shrinking. The stomach wall is quite elastic by nature, and regularly expands and contracts as we fill it with food. If we continually fill it with LOTS of food it will expand in size to accomodate our regular behavi... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
2njudz | if a grand jury decides not to indict, has double jeopardy attached? why or why not? | ... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2njudz/eli5_if_a_grand_jury_decides_not_to_indict_has/ | {
"a_id": [
"cme8wdk",
"cmeg1f9"
],
"score": [
7,
2
],
"text": [
"No. Double jeopardy only prevents you from being tried for a crime when when there has been a final adjudication of the case on the merits and all appeals have been exhausted. If a grand jury decides not to indict, there ha... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
3mp5iu | why some songs have the same music playing through both headphones and others have different music. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3mp5iu/eli5_why_some_songs_have_the_same_music_playing/ | {
"a_id": [
"cvgukqd",
"cvgup1d",
"cvgyi1m"
],
"score": [
2,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"Examples? \n\nIt probably has to do with the stereo mix that the engineers preferred, but we need examples to know exactly what you are talking about. ",
"Stereo sound. You can turn this feature off... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
ezejjj | what's an scp? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ezejjj/eli5_whats_an_scp/ | {
"a_id": [
"fgmqi46"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"It stands for [Secure, Contain, Protect](_URL_0_). It's basically a bunch of short stories, written by many different people but set in the same world. In the setting, there's an organization called the SCP Foundation, whose mission is to protect... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://www.scp-wiki.net/"
]
] | ||
2hc1pz | why do photographs from 100 years ago look to be hi-res and so clear; but pictures from the 60's seam so blurry and low detailed. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2hc1pz/eli5_why_do_photographs_from_100_years_ago_look/ | {
"a_id": [
"ckr8xi8",
"ckr8xiq",
"ckr9d5v",
"ckregst"
],
"score": [
2,
6,
27,
2
],
"text": [
"100 years ago, professional photographers owned cameras. 50 years ago, everyone did.",
"One of the issues was that, 100 years ago, the only people who could take photographs w... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
f5oady | how cold can a human survive exposed, and what causes freezing to death? | I’ve taken a nap at -5F before, while wearing winter gear. So of course it’s possible to camp or sleep in extreme temps.
What I’m wondering is how cold someone can survive if they’re wearing nothing but a T-shirt. And for extended periods/sleeping as well. Not just living through force of will. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/f5oady/eli5_how_cold_can_a_human_survive_exposed_and/ | {
"a_id": [
"fhzw6xb"
],
"score": [
4
],
"text": [
"Nobody knows how cold someone can survive because there are too many factors aside from temperature and clothing - windchill, humidity, how old and fat is the person in question and so on.\n\nThe actual cause of death in hypothermia is usually h... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
zcx4d | why is scary or dangerous stuff intriguing? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/zcx4d/why_is_scary_or_dangerous_stuff_intriguing/ | {
"a_id": [
"c63hto6",
"c63hwyd",
"c63j4yj"
],
"score": [
2,
3,
2
],
"text": [
"I don't have a good answer but I suspect it has something to do with triggering the panic response and us enjoying the emotional rush that gives us.\n\nOn a related note, I find it fascinating that the ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://www.dana.org/media/detail.aspx?id=23620"
],
[]
] | ||
500651 | can i get malware without actually running a bad exe? | Say someone goes to some YT-MP3 converter, does the thing and get a working MP3. And at least he was smart enough to turn off "Hide extensions for known filetypes", this totally isn't an exe. Then he stops being smart, notices an ad for ram, and downloads RamDownloader.EXE. But then he realizes that ram is a physical p... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/500651/eli5_can_i_get_malware_without_actually_running_a/ | {
"a_id": [
"d703s44",
"d7050gk",
"d708j87",
"d70aovr"
],
"score": [
3,
3,
3,
3
],
"text": [
"It's possible and this usually happens when the virus targets a vulnerability in how your browser/OS handles new files. Without getting into the technical reasons a virus can cause... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
2yfntt | why does it take so long to cancel when you're copying files? | When you're copying files, and for whatever reason, you have to cancel... It takes forever! Why? What is the computer doing that it can't just can it all and move on? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2yfntt/eli5_why_does_it_take_so_long_to_cancel_when/ | {
"a_id": [
"cp91xle"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"When you hit cancel, it's un-copying whatever that has been copied."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
6kqpw1 | why has the number of scientific breakthroughs and discoveries seemingly decreased compared to the recent past where they were made every several years or so and credited to individuals? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6kqpw1/eli5_why_has_the_number_of_scientific/ | {
"a_id": [
"djo5ntt"
],
"score": [
6
],
"text": [
"There is only so much out there to be discovered, and the easy things already have been discovered.\n\nIt's relatively easy to point a telescope at the sky and discover that Jupiter has moons. It's relatively hard to send probes to the moons and ... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relativity_priority_dispute",
"https://www.reddit.com/r/Physics/comments/385oj3/is_the_rate_of_scientific_discovery_slowing_down/",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leibniz%E2%80%93Newton_calculus_controversy",
"https://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jun/23/sexism-in... | ||
edlxxe | why does your tongue stick to metal in cold weather? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/edlxxe/eli5_why_does_your_tongue_stick_to_metal_in_cold/ | {
"a_id": [
"fbinr4i",
"fbinrle"
],
"score": [
4,
2
],
"text": [
"Because it's wet and water freezes upon contact with cold things that transfer heat, like metal. If your finger, or anything else really, was wet, it would stick too.",
"Basically the water on your tongue freezes solid a... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
62zxv5 | crime in the usa | I'm studying abroad and the people in this country have asked me why there is so much crime in the US especially related to children- like kidnappings and murders, and here children play in the streets and it would never occur to someone to harm someone else's child. Why is crime especially towards children higher in ... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/62zxv5/eli5crime_in_the_usa/ | {
"a_id": [
"dfq8zbf"
],
"score": [
16
],
"text": [
"Crime in the US is **very well reported**. Particularly crimes involving children, they have high drama and that makes them good TV that gets a lot of clicks on the Internet. The kids in my neighborhood walk down to the park and play every day... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
1osw1h | how do you actually get consent to use a song? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1osw1h/eli5_how_do_you_actually_get_consent_to_use_a_song/ | {
"a_id": [
"ccv8o6b"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"You ask. Call the owner of the rights and start negotiating. If you can't find a number for that purpose call a general company number and ask for the person that can make that sort of arrangement."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
57ekkl | how is it possible to instantly develop feelings for someone when you dream? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/57ekkl/eli5_how_is_it_possible_to_instantly_develop/ | {
"a_id": [
"d8rdfw4",
"d8rdx1d",
"d8rf2dv",
"d8rf7u2"
],
"score": [
7,
2,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"same way that it's 'possible' in a dream to very convincingly feel that you're weeks behind on a certain class' homework and the final exam is tomorrow - your brain draws on what i... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
1ohi53 | the different government systems. | I know a bit about a few of them, however I just really want a really simple explanation on others. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ohi53/eli5_the_different_government_systems/ | {
"a_id": [
"ccrzdo4"
],
"score": [
5
],
"text": [
"FEUDALISM:\nYou have two cows. Your lord takes some of the milk.\n\nPURE SOCIALISM:\nYou have two cows. The government takes them and puts them in a barn with everyone else's cows. You have to take care of all the cows. The government gives you a... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://business.illinois.edu/broker/twocows.htm"
]
] | |
e1lg3b | if i open a soda to release the initial pressure of the carbonation, close it again and then cool it, would it cool faster or slower, or wouldn't there be a difference? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/e1lg3b/eli5_if_i_open_a_soda_to_release_the_initial/ | {
"a_id": [
"f8q7713"
],
"score": [
8
],
"text": [
"It would cool down slightly faster.\n\nWhen you open it, some of the pressurized gas escapes, and you have less mass to cool down."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
8cto86 | what affect do psychedelics have on the optic nerve and what does your brain do with the actual stimuli it takes in? | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8cto86/eli5_what_affect_do_psychedelics_have_on_the/ | {
"a_id": [
"dxhr84w"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"It doesn’t have anything to do with your optic nerve. Your nerves just send signals to your brain which are than interpreted into what you see and feel. \n\nDrugs can basically screw around with how your brain understands these signals, and your ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
7l5p2s | why does red light seem 'weaker' than other colors? | This year we bought a pre-lit Christmas tree. The LED lights can be set to slowly cycle through a range of colors.
With the tree providing the only light in the room, I can read just fine when the lights are shifting through the white-green-blue part of the cycle but it's harder to read when they're purple. And it's i... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7l5p2s/eli5_why_does_red_light_seem_weaker_than_other/ | {
"a_id": [
"drjqau5",
"drjs3eu"
],
"score": [
9,
2
],
"text": [
"[The human eye isn't very sensitive to reds](_URL_0_).\n\nI can't say exactly how your LED system works or if it's actually outputting the same light intensity in the different colors, but all things equal a red light will s... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://www.oneminuteastronomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/em-spectrum_human-eye.gif"
],
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planck%E2%80%93Einstein_relation"
]
] | |
5qanyu | what causes the "helicopter noise" when you roll the backseat windows down in a vehicle, while the front are still up? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5qanyu/eli5_what_causes_the_helicopter_noise_when_you/ | {
"a_id": [
"dcxnmif"
],
"score": [
13
],
"text": [
"When the air tries to move around your car, it creates a lower pressure outside than inside. This makes air want to go out the window - so it does, but then the pressure inside gets lower so it wants to go back in. It does this rapidly so you h... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
1npybh | how do animals become domesticated and why are some not able to be domesticated? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1npybh/eli5_how_do_animals_become_domesticated_and_why/ | {
"a_id": [
"ccky71j",
"cckyoly",
"cckyplp",
"cckyv8r",
"ccl0erk",
"ccl0i1i",
"ccl0lbc",
"ccl1sjg",
"ccl1yov",
"ccl2qqt",
"ccl2w50",
"ccl3hlz",
"ccl4rcv",
"ccl510t",
"ccl5ii9",
"ccl6hz8",
"ccl78s1",
"ccl7mjk",
"ccl7ykh",
"ccl9dgh",
"c... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[
"http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/03/130302-dog-domestic-evolution-science-wolf-wolves-human/",
"http://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/mystery-of-the-domestication-of-the-horse-solved",
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/dog_pack",
"http://news.nationalgeographic.... | ||
385y0f | why does my dog act like my phone doesn't exist when i try to show it something? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/385y0f/eli5_why_does_my_dog_act_like_my_phone_doesnt/ | {
"a_id": [
"crsk95j"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"you're showing it a shiny box that smells like electricity and doesnt do anything. And fro mits point of view, the phone is always the same when you try and show.\n\nI bet if you threw it, it'd get the dogs attention. But it just has no reason to... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
3zqmcc | why do we call some foreign cities by their native names (berlin, salerno, etc.) whereas others get an anglicized name (rome/roma, munich/munchen)? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3zqmcc/eli5_why_do_we_call_some_foreign_cities_by_their/ | {
"a_id": [
"cyoam8h",
"cyob4bg"
],
"score": [
35,
9
],
"text": [
"There's no real rule for this, but basically the more well-known the city is, the more likely it is to have a different name in other languages, especially if the native name is difficult to pronounce.\n\n\"München\", for e... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
3i179y | why do humans need water? isn't food enough to keep your body going? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3i179y/eli5why_do_humans_need_water_isnt_food_enough_to/ | {
"a_id": [
"cucdozj",
"cucdvf2",
"cuce636"
],
"score": [
5,
9,
3
],
"text": [
"Because you are constantly losing water. It evaporates in your lungs with you breath, it sweat it from your skin and use it to flush out waste when you pee.\n\n",
"Water is a great solvent. The che... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
2b0rjm | why do schools have to choose only creationism/evolution to teach children? why can't they give classes in multiple world religions and evolution/sciences and allow students to develop their own beliefs? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2b0rjm/eli5_why_do_schools_have_to_choose_only/ | {
"a_id": [
"cj0nj1d",
"cj0njei",
"cj0nkl2",
"cj0nlno",
"cj0nosk",
"cj0nrtc",
"cj0nswa",
"cj0o2i7",
"cj0odbl",
"cj0orlw",
"cj0qcb0",
"cj0sfpd"
],
"score": [
13,
18,
21,
4,
7,
2,
4,
3,
3,
2,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"S... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[
"of.my"
],
[]
] | ||
5mc4hz | why do kettle chips get different bags? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5mc4hz/eli5_why_do_kettle_chips_get_different_bags/ | {
"a_id": [
"dc2fwyv",
"dc2ic3w"
],
"score": [
16,
3
],
"text": [
"I haven't noticed that, but it's probably meant to make you think you're buying a premium product...",
"All part of the marketing. Brands want to have a point of difference. If Kettle is the exact same as another brand,... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
2dywob | how do cities, such as rockport, maine; chattanooga, tennessee; and layfayette, louisiana go about setting up these city run fiber-optic networks? | I feel silly, but how do they "set these things up"?! I'm imagining city workers in orange safety vests in cherry pickers running cables all over a city. And I'm also imagining that I'm super hilariously wrong. I know that Fiber-Optic cables are basically just glass cables that transmit light, making the data sent o... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2dywob/eli5_how_do_cities_such_as_rockport_maine/ | {
"a_id": [
"cjuii6n"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"First, your city has to decide that it wants to build and maintain a municipal network. Good luck with that. Then, it has to make sure it's even legal, because the big industry providers have lobbied to make it illegal or damn hard for anyone to ... | [] | [
"http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/25563-should-the-internet-be-like-the-public-library"
] | [
[]
] | |
4sof66 | how do our bodies know how much tissue to regrow after an injury? | My son recently scraped some skin off of his ear. It has a deep cut that I'm assuming will heal back to normal. It made me wonder how exactly our bodies know how much of his skin and tissue is needed to repair his ear back to normal. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4sof66/eli5_how_do_our_bodies_know_how_much_tissue_to/ | {
"a_id": [
"d5aw9t7"
],
"score": [
5
],
"text": [
"This question is much more complex when dealing with animals that truly have the capacity to regenerate lost tissue (like some amphibians and reptiles can do with lost limbs). Humans actually have extremely limited capacity for tissue regeneratio... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
1xlo1u | why can't i use dish washing liquid to wash my face? | As far as I know dishwashing liquid cleans better, is nowadays gentle for hands and also is non-toxic. Other than it drying the skin (which doesn't bug me that much) why can't we use it to wash our face? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1xlo1u/eli5_why_cant_i_use_dish_washing_liquid_to_wash/ | {
"a_id": [
"cfcgcak"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"It may be gentle for your hands, but your face is a sensitive area.\nIt may seem safe, but you'd be surprised as to what isn't safe to put on your face that is for most of your body."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
5m473n | how does ssl certificates work exactly? | How do they encrypt the data exactly and couldn't eventually be "crackable"
Also, without the S. How would someone be able to gather the data once they're on your network / Host? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5m473n/eli5how_does_ssl_certificates_work_exactly/ | {
"a_id": [
"dc0upwf",
"dc0x5ih",
"dc11lhw",
"dc1xv6n"
],
"score": [
29,
51,
4,
2
],
"text": [
"It's like passing encrypted notes back and forth to a friend in class. You use a cipher so the teacher or other students cannot read the message. Except your 3rd friend who is re... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
54v2ui | why do people walking on opposite sides of a corridor towards each other make eye contact, look down for ten feet, then look up at the last minute? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/54v2ui/eli5_why_do_people_walking_on_opposite_sides_of_a/ | {
"a_id": [
"d857xu0",
"d85829b",
"d85872t",
"d858cd7",
"d85asej",
"d85d028",
"d85eql1",
"d85fz9g"
],
"score": [
5,
30,
87,
6,
103,
2,
9,
8
],
"text": [
"Just checking to see if the other guy is still staring. Ya know since staredowns can be ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
j7s2i | please explain to me what is the house of representatives, the senate, congress. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/j7s2i/eli5_please_explain_to_me_what_is_the_house_of/ | {
"a_id": [
"c29u79f",
"c29u79f"
],
"score": [
9,
9
],
"text": [
"Each state elects two people to represent them in the Senate. There are 50 states, so that means there are 100 senators. They vote on and propose laws. Senators are elected every 6 years. \n\nRepresentatives are from the dis... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
apvje7 | how come all digital screens use rbg (red, green and blue) pixels to make up images by creating different colours but when mixing paints to make different colours the primary colours are red, yellow and blue? why is there a difference? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/apvje7/eli5_how_come_all_digital_screens_use_rbg_red/ | {
"a_id": [
"egbgf84"
],
"score": [
15
],
"text": [
"Red, Green, and Blue are the primary colors of light. Light is additive -- no light is black and all light is white.\n\nMagenta, Yellow, and Cyan are the primary colors of pigment. Pigment is subtractive - no pigment is white and all pigment is ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
3c7a46 | what would happen to personal debt if a war was on american soil? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3c7a46/eli5_what_would_happen_to_personal_debt_if_a_war/ | {
"a_id": [
"cssvmw5"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"I don't think that you actually could have a war happening in the continental US without the global economy crashing to the point where how many dollars you have ore owe becomes totally irrelevant."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
4gsqoa | how can companies offer money back guarantees for purchased downloads since you can't exactly return them? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4gsqoa/eli5_how_can_companies_offer_money_back/ | {
"a_id": [
"d2kfkc3"
],
"score": [
6
],
"text": [
"Companies like Steam and Origin let you refund your games sometimes. \nCant link their policies because i'm at work atm. \n\nBut **Steam** let you refund **ANY** game if you bought them for less than 2 weeks ago and you have played less then 2 ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
g3nltf | why do men end up with big beer belly but not or rarely women? | My dad as an enormous beer belly and he's had it for years... Of course he drinks beer every day. But in the mean time i know few women as well that drink beer every day and they are no were near having that hard beer belly. I always see men with that '' problem " and never seen a woman with it.. Can someone explain t... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/g3nltf/eli5_why_do_men_end_up_with_big_beer_belly_but/ | {
"a_id": [
"fnsbpk9",
"fnsbzz4",
"fnsdr21"
],
"score": [
14,
3,
17
],
"text": [
"You’ve never visited Wisconsin, huh? It’s less common, for sure, but I’ve met several women with the hard “beer belly.”\nIt’s caused by a high accumulation of internal organ (called “visceral”) fat. T... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
9pg2i5 | why do hides have to be tanned? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9pg2i5/eli5_why_do_hides_have_to_be_tanned/ | {
"a_id": [
"e81im6q",
"e81in4y",
"e81irn9",
"e81nh0f"
],
"score": [
6,
2,
5,
3
],
"text": [
"Hides have to be stretched and tanned because leather shrinks, it helps with coloring the hide and gets rid of the bacteria. Smelly bacteria would reside on the skin if left alone.... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
a41a2d | why are molecular mass and mole mass the same? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a41a2d/eli5_why_are_molecular_mass_and_mole_mass_the_same/ | {
"a_id": [
"ebapf0u",
"ebarar0"
],
"score": [
3,
2
],
"text": [
"Because the number that defines what a mole (Avogadro's Constant) is just the ratio between an AMU and a gram. Mathematically, the multiplier that is used to go from a molecule to a mole of molecules is the same divisor tha... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
a112as | could a person survive off of drinking beer alone daily? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a112as/eli5_could_a_person_survive_off_of_drinking_beer/ | {
"a_id": [
"ealz8oe"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Depends on the timeframe. \na couple of weeks would be possible.\nBut at some point you would need additional nutrition and vitamines or you will get issues like Scurvy. "
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
78e6yi | how are artificial flavours made? how is a flavour replicated/created? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/78e6yi/eli5_how_are_artificial_flavours_made_how_is_a/ | {
"a_id": [
"dot6c7y",
"dot9avu",
"dotcuai",
"dotfgzg",
"dotievx",
"dotjq8o",
"dotlnnr"
],
"score": [
6,
19,
142,
7,
13,
2,
5
],
"text": [
"_URL_0_\n\nI can't explain it really but... it has something to do with known compounds that produce certain s... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aroma_compound"
],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[
"https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castoreum"
],
[]
] | ||
1iwemp | why do keys only fit one lock but master keys open many locks? | I understand the teeth on a key only correspond with one lock. How come master teeth's keys override the locks for which they are under juristiction. If that's the case, why isn't there a master master key for every single lock ever. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1iwemp/eli5_why_do_keys_only_fit_one_lock_but_master/ | {
"a_id": [
"cb8oye6",
"cb8p2gz",
"cb8vhpa"
],
"score": [
3,
86,
3
],
"text": [
"[Source](_URL_0_).\n\nTo answer your second question first, locks in a group can only have a master key if they are specifically designed to have a master key.\n\nHere's how you make them:\nA few of th... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/household-safety/security/question7101.htm"
],
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pin_tumbler_lock"
],
[
"http://youtu.be/8U6rdI_uG2c",
"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kI3XxLcaiFs"
]
] | |
4d8xz3 | what would happen if in the middle of a sports season a team's stadium were to be destroyed by a natural disaster? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4d8xz3/eli5_what_would_happen_if_in_the_middle_of_a/ | {
"a_id": [
"d1osaae"
],
"score": [
4
],
"text": [
"This has already happened, and recently too. The vikings roof caved in due to all the snow. They played at the gophers stadium after that. "
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
e5htq1 | how does chinese government keep the population happy without any elections? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/e5htq1/eli5_how_does_chinese_government_keep_the/ | {
"a_id": [
"f9jqn6b"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Mostly economic growth. The government also very tightly controls or crushes any external organization to the CCP. However, plenty of other totalitarian states haven't had the longevity or stability of China. The big difference is that China has ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
dyxi1g | how does a motherboard work and what does it do for the computer? | I get just about everything else - CPU, GPU, RAM, etc. But for some reason I can't figure out what motherboards really do or how they work. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dyxi1g/eli5_how_does_a_motherboard_work_and_what_does_it/ | {
"a_id": [
"f842ivm",
"f8457jp"
],
"score": [
4,
12
],
"text": [
"The mobo networks the rest. You can't just glue a GPU to a graphics card and expect it to work. The mobo handles input/output for everything from USB to fans to graphics (if your CPU supports integrated graphics).",
"Th... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
28vsgz | how do insurance companies make money? who insures insurance companies? | If I pay $150/month and total my car after 12 months, I've only paid in $1800, yet I will get back ~$10,000 (depending on the vehicle, of course). How do insurance companies make a profit from that, and how are said companies insured? Can they insure themselves? Who do they pay? Wouldn't it be like writing a check to y... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/28vsgz/eli5_how_do_insurance_companies_make_money_who/ | {
"a_id": [
"ciex6z1",
"ciexfgs",
"ciexm2n",
"ciexomr",
"cif3lk7",
"cif3qru",
"cif4232",
"cif6en8"
],
"score": [
8,
62,
9,
8,
2,
2,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"Insurance is a gamble. They may lose money on *you* for the example you cited, but they gai... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutual_insurance#United_States"
]
] | |
58qb05 | how come some days scars are more apparent than other days? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/58qb05/eli5_how_come_some_days_scars_are_more_apparent/ | {
"a_id": [
"d92smok"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"It's to do with blood supply mostly. There are other factors such as sun exposure and various treatments, but different temperatures can have a pronounced effect on it (as blood vessels/circulation are effected by temperature), as can the state o... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
69939y | how do neutron stars spin so much so quickly? | A neutron star is an extremely massive high density object, so where and how do they get the angular momentum to rapidly spin in the first place? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/69939y/eli5_how_do_neutron_stars_spin_so_much_so_quickly/ | {
"a_id": [
"dh4pjwu",
"dh4pqvf"
],
"score": [
2,
5
],
"text": [
" > so where and how do they get the angular momentum to rapidly spin in the first place?\n\nFrom their prior rotation when they were very large, and conservation of that rotational momentum. Like an ice skater when they pul... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
80gpk8 | why do our knees seem to get weak when experiencing strong emotions? | Ex: Falling to your knees/having to sit down when hearing devastating or life changing news | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/80gpk8/eli5_why_do_our_knees_seem_to_get_weak_when/ | {
"a_id": [
"duvifz2"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"This kinda happens on the opposite side of the spectrum as well. Laughing so hard you fall to the floor. Sorry, not an answer just adding. "
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
2b0lst | why do automotive engineers design vehicles that are next to impossible to repair without taking to a shop? | It has always blown my mind. I don't understand how mechanics can even access some components when on lifts or with special tools either. Is it even the engineer's fault? Does a bunch of board members conspire to make the consumer's and mechanic's life miserable to save a buck or two? Is it a conspiracy to make us buy ... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2b0lst/eli5_why_do_automotive_engineers_design_vehicles/ | {
"a_id": [
"cj0lz9t",
"cj0m3f0",
"cj0n2at",
"cj0y7vz"
],
"score": [
3,
6,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"Because dealerships make their money almost entirely off of service. ",
"The #1 reason components are hard to access is weight. If you add 8\" all the way around the engine ba... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.