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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2ftfxm | how much of your body can you have amputated and still be alive? | Moisturise me?
Edit: Including organs and whatnot. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2ftfxm/eli5_how_much_of_your_body_can_you_have_amputated/ | {
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"There are people who have lost all their arms and legs... Assuming you don't remove any vital organs, and the amputation is done without bleeding you out, you can keep on cutting. \n\nSo long sex orga... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ub7l1D7_B2I"
],
[]
] | |
30nn79 | weigh stations | What is the purpose of a highway weigh station if it is closed all night when trucks pass it by? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/30nn79/eli5_weigh_stations/ | {
"a_id": [
"cpu27jj",
"cpu3yjc"
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"score": [
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"text": [
"Not all of them are. As a truck driver I've been flagged into weigh stations at just about every hour of the day. Some might be closed for weeks or months at a time then open 24/7 for six months straight. The randomness of i... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
23uuh4 | how do reddit mods and subreddit owners of popular subreddits spend that much time moderating subreddits if they are on a voluntary basis? | i mean is it a paid position? do they make money and if so, how do they do it? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/23uuh4/eli5_how_do_reddit_mods_and_subreddit_owners_of/ | {
"a_id": [
"ch0s45m",
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"score": [
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"text": [
"ELI5 mod here. No, we don't get paid!\n\nTo answer your question, how does *anyone* spend that much time on Reddit?\n\nRight now, I'm sat in the back of a flight simulator watching a student. I don't have very much to do, so... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
16pgn2 | why is /r/shitredditsays considered generally to be an unsavory place largely looked upon with disdain? | I've seen /r/ShitRedditSays being put down a lot and the general idea that I got is that it consists of probably overly sensitive people who are easily offended or rather a subset of people in reddit who hate reddit. Am I wrong, and why is SRS hated so much? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/16pgn2/eli5_why_is_rshitredditsays_considered_generally/ | {
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"text": [
" > Am I wrong, and why is SRS hated so much?\n\nWell, there entire purpose is to criticize and point out the things that people on reddit say that they think are offense or generally horrible.\n\nIt's not hard to imagine why people might dislike... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
yqum7 | why does a cars battery die so fast while the engine is off, but doesn't die when the engine is running. | After having to go jump my brothers car last night, I began wondering why his engine died so fast when he had the key in the ignition set so that the radio would play, but if he were to have had the engine fully running it would have never died. Please help me put this troubling question to rest! | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/yqum7/eli5_why_does_a_cars_battery_die_so_fast_while/ | {
"a_id": [
"c5y07vo",
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"text": [
"The alternator (driven by belt via the crank) creates an electrical current that charges the battery and powers the electrical devices while the engine is running.\n\nYour brother's car was consuming charge from the battery... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
7mddun | store brand and name brand medicine | Mucinex is double the price of the local drug store's brsnd of severe cold and flu cough syrup, however they have the same increments of the same ingredients. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7mddun/eli5_store_brand_and_name_brand_medicine/ | {
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"score": [
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"text": [
"It's called a generic formula. Anyone can produce it and sell it. Tylenol is brand name. Acetaminophen is the chemical that Tylenol and generics contain. Thats the medicine.... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
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"https://image.slidesharecdn.com/ipr-150718143610-lva1-app6892/95/ipr-nda-and-anda-9-638.jpg?cb=1437231326"
]
] | |
2t5un2 | what's does googles $1b investment in spacex get them? 10% of all staff, marketing and business decisions? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2t5un2/eli5_whats_does_googles_1b_investment_in_spacex/ | {
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"cnvyu11",
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"score": [
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"text": [
"Just ownership and soft influence, not direct control of a specific fraction of the employees or business decisions. _URL_0_",
"The get a seat at the \"big table\", which means they will have a say... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://www.investopedia.com/terms/n/noncontrolling_interest.asp"
],
[],
[]
] | ||
fdp42c | the fed repo agreements and repo market | Having a hard time wrapping my head around this and could use some ELI5 examples | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/fdp42c/eli5_the_fed_repo_agreements_and_repo_market/ | {
"a_id": [
"fjjwmim"
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"score": [
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"text": [
"Repo stands for repurchase agreement. Think of it like an extremely short term loan--usually for a single day. It is called a repurchase agreement because what you are really doing is selling something (usually a government treasury--which is j... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
16o2ge | why do many russian letters look like backwards english letters? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/16o2ge/why_do_many_russian_letters_look_like_backwards/ | {
"a_id": [
"c7xrclz",
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"score": [
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"text": [
"Or why do many English letters look like backwards Russian letters!",
"Short answer: Because Russian and Greek sound different. And politics.\n\nLonger Answer: \n\n\nMany Slavic languages (Russian included) use what's ca... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://www.google.com/search?num=10&hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1774&bih=839&q=glagolitic+alphabet&oq=Glagolitic&gs_l=img.3.1.0l2j0i24l8.840.840.0.2932.1.1.0.0.0.0.79.79.1.1.0...0.0...1ac.1.ORkGazbk2tE#hl=en&tbo=d&site=imghp&tbm=isch&sa=1... | ||
88iqqm | how do movie studios actually get paid for their movies in theaters? do movie theaters send them a check every month or something? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/88iqqm/eli5_how_do_movie_studios_actually_get_paid_for/ | {
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"text": [
"In some countries they get a flat fee, in others it's a percentage. China is particularly strict about foreign movies and the few that mange to get approved have to abide by str... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_v._Paramount_Pictures,_Inc"
],
[]
] | ||
5rlzt3 | (and not american): what is "alt right" and why is it a big deal that their sub was banned? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5rlzt3/eli5_and_not_american_what_is_alt_right_and_why/ | {
"a_id": [
"dd8b5mk",
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"score": [
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12
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"text": [
"Alt right is a term used to describe a group of mostly young white males who feel that they have become disillusioned and lost in the shuffle. With things such as affirmative action, there has been a big push for women, mi... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
1xxv1q | what does x86 mean in computer design? | I'm new to the IT industry, and everyone uses the term x86 to describe some kind of computer standard. What is it exactly? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1xxv1q/eli5what_does_x86_mean_in_computer_design/ | {
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"text": [
"It's a certain kind of processor, with a certain instruction set. It's the most common one for laptop and desktop computers. Modern CPUs with 64 bit instruction sets should more properly be termed x64, ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
1d9t05 | the difference between stockbroking, investment banking and hedge funding. | . | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1d9t05/eli5_the_difference_between_stockbroking/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
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"text": [
"The three things are totally different; there's basically no overlap between them.\n\n**Stock Brokerage: ** Ordinary investors want to buy and sell stock (or commodities, bonds, whatever kinds of investments). Investors don't have direct access t... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
3vhzd9 | what makes professional eaters different enough to eat such massive quantities of food? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3vhzd9/eli5_what_makes_professional_eaters_different/ | {
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"text": [
"I do amateur-level competitive eating - county faires and what not - but what these professionals do completely blows my goddamn mind.\n\nDon't you need to eat like.. 200 or 300 hotdogs just to qualify ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[
"http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=11175224"
]
] | ||
j8tt8 | why the usa government is being allowed to borrow more money from the rest of the world. | I am not from the USA and I don't really understand world politics. What I am trying to understand is why we as a world continue to let the USA do what they do and just sit here watching and hoping they don't tank the world economy.
Update:
I really appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions. I think I unde... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/j8tt8/eli5_why_the_usa_government_is_being_allowed_to/ | {
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"text": [
"There's really no simple answer, but the gist of it is that the U.S. still seems to tbe a pretty stable economy. Especially when you compare it to other economies across the world,... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
xix1c | why does an entire power grid go down when it's overloaded, even though the power stations are still making electricity? where does that electricity go, if not to consumers? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/xix1c/eli5_why_does_an_entire_power_grid_go_down_when/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
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"text": [
"Circuit breakers are opened up to disconnect the failed piece of the grid so that the problem doesn't ripple throughout the entire grid (at least, that's what is supposed to happen). If this isn't done, the voltage falls and... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
2r6gmm | why do i get acid reflux in the middle of the night? it's been approximately 11.5 hours since i last ate. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2r6gmm/eli5_why_do_i_get_acid_reflux_in_the_middle_of/ | {
"a_id": [
"cncwqn4",
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"score": [
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],
"text": [
"That's a question for your doctor. Not reddit. ",
"Well if we say the middle of the night is about 1AM then you last ate at 1:30PM the previous day so it may be due to that."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
2infsp | how do separate organisms evolve with similar traits? | How do separate organisms evolve with similar traits. For example, most animals tend to have respiratory and digestive systems, although not all species are related to each other. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2infsp/eli5how_do_separate_organisms_evolve_with_similar/ | {
"a_id": [
"cl3o2nw"
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"score": [
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"text": [
"All species are related at some length. All land animals stem from a common ancestor with lungs (a fish with lungs that moved to land), digestive systems have been around for extremely long too, they are seen in very primitive animals (originatin... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
12a865 | how can i be very skinny (5ft, 10.5in, 136lbs) and not gain any weight, yet eat anything i want? | I am a very active person, but even years ago when I had surgery and was unable to do any sports for a few months I gained only a few pounds. Can someone explain a little more than just "your metabolism is faster." Thanks! | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/12a865/eli5_how_can_i_be_very_skinny_5ft_105in_136lbs/ | {
"a_id": [
"c6tfq20",
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"score": [
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7
],
"text": [
"Your metabolism is faster is a really shitty explanation, as while there is variation, *it isn't that much.* What is probably happening is you fill up faster. Eating less is easy when you feel full faster. \n\nAt the end of... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
2su79d | how does a conductor practice/start out? you can't just buy an orchestra and jam around on it like you can with instruments. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2su79d/eli5_how_does_a_conductor_practicestart_out_you/ | {
"a_id": [
"cnsv2id"
],
"score": [
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],
"text": [
"You go to music school and study music composition, theory, or education. Then you go to grad school and study conducting underneath whoever is in charge of the ensembles there. If you're hardcore and want to conduct on the higher levels you get ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
389uaa | why is rape considered worse than say murder or torture? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/389uaa/eli5_why_is_rape_considered_worse_than_say_murder/ | {
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"text": [
"I think it might be considered worse because when you are murdered, you don't have any flashbacks or memories, you are just dead. When you are raped, there is so much trauma you have to go through and y... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
1xgti7 | how does a phone recognize when someone else takes a screenshot of your text/snapchat/etc | I have an android phone, and have never noticed when someone screencaps me, but some friends of mine have that ability where they get a notification whenever someone screencaps them. What is up with that?
| explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1xgti7/how_does_a_phone_recognize_when_someone_else/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"The way I would have done it, were I to be developing snapchat, would be to \"hook\" the Android-provided function for a screenshot.\n\nThat is, I would program software that forced my code to be ran whenever a screenshot was taken, and, if appro... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
ep2948 | why do some police in high-risk situations seemingly opt to wear little-to-no protection (body armour/helmets etc...)? | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ep2948/eli5_why_do_some_police_in_highrisk_situations/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"Depends on the situation.\n\nHostage negotiators try to look as non-threatening as possilbe, often going in civilian clothes.\n\nA SWAT team wants to look as intimidating as possible so they don't have to shoot.",
"I th... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
4ll98a | why is afrikaans significantly distinct from dutch, but american and british english are so similar considering the similar timelines of the establishment of colonies in the two regions? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4ll98a/eli5why_is_afrikaans_significantly_distinct_from/ | {
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"https://www.youtube.com/watch?... | ||
42ufay | i tried to superglue part of my shoe together and it started smoking. | I had a shoe that the insert inside the shoe was coming apart so i superglued them together but it got really hot and started almost like smoking. I know there must have been a chemical reaction but of what and how? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/42ufay/eli5_i_tried_to_superglue_part_of_my_shoe/ | {
"a_id": [
"czd6va1",
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"score": [
7,
3
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"text": [
"The cyanoacrylate in super glue reacts with the cotton to create heat. You actually could've started a fire! Pretty cool, huh?\n\nIIRC, the MSDS for super glues actually says, \"NO COTTON.\"",
"If there was any cotton in... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=7665.0"
]
] | |
fqyv2d | why are cancerous lumps more often painful and benign more often painless? | Was thinking about this earlier and was curious of the answer. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/fqyv2d/eli5_why_are_cancerous_lumps_more_often_painful/ | {
"a_id": [
"flsx28e"
],
"score": [
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],
"text": [
"There is no hard and fast rule for painful/not. I work in a cancer hospital, its more the location of the growth than whether malignant or benign.\nSome people have 15cm huge lymphoma cancer growths they can't feel and some have .2mm bony metasta... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
8gy65z | what happens to the seddiments when they reach the bottom of the ocean? | What happens to the seddiments when they reach the bottom of the ocean? If they deposit then the bottom isnt basaltic, so what happens? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8gy65z/eli5_what_happens_to_the_seddiments_when_they/ | {
"a_id": [
"dyflvud"
],
"score": [
5
],
"text": [
"It collects and collects and collects. As it collects the weight and pressure increases and it becomes sedimentary rock."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
31jtv4 | how can a comet 6 miles wide wipe out all of humanity? | If it impacts Earth.
| explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/31jtv4/eli5_how_can_a_comet_6_miles_wide_wipe_out_all_of/ | {
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"text": [
"Your average comet is traveling at around 89,000 miles per hour. \n\nThe formula for kinetic energy is: \nKE = 1/2 x mass x velocity^2 \n\nThat means the energy, given our speed, equals the mass time... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=%281%2F2%29*%284%2F3*pi*%283+miles%29^3%29*%282+g%2Fcm^3%29*%2860+km%2Fs%29^2",
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicxulub_crater"
],
[]
] | |
1hwjgf | what stops a foreign comet/asteroid from hitting earth at any time? could one randomly show up and do some real damage? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1hwjgf/eli5_what_stops_a_foreign_cometasteroid_from/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"We would (hopefully) see it coming and deflect it before it could hit us.\n\nBut it's important to remember how **big** space is. The probability of a large object being on a collision course with Earth is astronomically (no pun intended) low."
... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
5s5uwl | why do the contents in tap water in different countries make non-natives sick? | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5s5uwl/eli5why_do_the_contents_in_tap_water_in_different/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
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2
],
"text": [
"The baseline reason is that water in different areas of the world contain different microbes. The tap water you drink has virii, but you've built up an immunity to it over your lifetime. Not so for the virii in other regions... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
bfmnth | the sky is blue because the blue wavelengths get scattered - but isn't that just how colours work? | As a liquid, oxygen is blue, so why isn't that the answer to 'why is the sky blue?'? How is that different from observing something as red, when it's scattering the red wavelengths but absorbing the rest of the spectrum? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bfmnth/eli5_the_sky_is_blue_because_the_blue_wavelengths/ | {
"a_id": [
"eleumcw",
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2
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"text": [
"So air is most definitely colourless, not blue. Gaseous Oxygen has a very pale blue tinge to it, but only makes up ~20% of the atmosphere. The remaining content is mostly Nitrogen, which is colourless and dilutes the alread... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
kmwc9 | how ouija boards work. | And I don't mean with things like *magic, demons, the dead* or anything else ridiculous like that. I mean, the scientific reasons that people are fooled into thinking that their talking to a supernatural being. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/kmwc9/elif_how_ouija_boards_work/ | {
"a_id": [
"c2lj22s",
"c2ljcfe",
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"c2lk7sw",
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"score": [
2,
18,
2,
2,
2,
2,
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2,
2,
2,
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],
"text": [
"Mo... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ideomotor_effect"
],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ideomotor_effect"
],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
c3bh9f | why do you imagine hearing a sound from a purely visual stimulus? | One example I found was this: _URL_0_
I swear I hear a thud in my head everytime. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/c3bh9f/eli5_why_do_you_imagine_hearing_a_sound_from_a/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"Your brain stores data in a really fascinating way. Everything stored inside your brain is not just for example a simple block, its a small part of a puzzle. Every little piece has connections with other pieces (that is different data inside your... | [] | [
"https://i.imgur.com/7uRSo.gif"
] | [
[]
] | |
3eqm55 | what is the light that dentists use to harden fillings, and how does it harden it so quickly? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3eqm55/eli5_what_is_the_light_that_dentists_use_to/ | {
"a_id": [
"cthhnf8"
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"score": [
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"text": [
"That light is an LED curing light. The fillings contain a certain chemical that reacts to light emitted at very specific wavelengths on the blue part of the spectrum. When exposed to that light, it triggers a reaction that causes thefilling to c... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
se4vz | electricity and the various vocabulary with it. i.e. voltage, amps, ohms, hertz, etc. | Its one area in car mechanics and home repair that I just havent taken much time to learn. I looked at some stuff on the internet but alot of it was confusing. I need a more comprehensive and basic explanation. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/se4vz/eli5_electricity_and_the_various_vocabulary_with/ | {
"a_id": [
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"There's these guys call electrons, and they don't like being with each other, so they will try to spread out and go towards places that have less electrons.\n\nVoltage/potential difference is basically the difference in how ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
cjtdlo | where do head lice come from? not how they spread. | All the info i find online talks of causes being contact with already going infestations. But if head lice require human blood to live. And i do not come in contact with anything new or from an infestation, how does one start?
The difference is in the words spread and cause. I want info on originating infestations.
... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cjtdlo/eli5_where_do_head_lice_come_from_not_how_they/ | {
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"text": [
"Lice spread by very, very small eggs. These eggs can get off the scalp and onto the hair. Then anything that touches the hair can collect them. If that something provides them ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
1a0wr9 | why are cigarettes legal? | I just can't wrap my head around it. They are known to cause cancer and to contaim a large amount of toxic materials, so how come are they still legal? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1a0wr9/eli5_why_are_cigarettes_legal/ | {
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"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tobacco#Contemporary",
"http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/15/arts/people-argue-just-to-win-scholars-asser... | |
2gjv5n | what does 'return' in javascript really do? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2gjv5n/eli5_what_does_return_in_javascript_really_do/ | {
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"text": [
"I'm not on Code Academy, so I'm not sure at what scenario you are looking at, but console.log and return have quite different meanings. Could you provide an example on some site li... | [] | [] | [
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"https://gist.github.com/",
"http://plnkr.co/",
"https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Statements/return"
],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
1xo7dv | how do governments just collapse? | Specifically the Soviet Union. What was the transition like between the Soviet Union and the current Russian government? How did the leadership become enplaced? Did they take from the previous regime or were these new guys or what? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1xo7dv/eli5_how_do_governments_just_collapse/ | {
"a_id": [
"cfd580x"
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"text": [
"Governments collapse for a general number of reasons, but by and large it is because the government no longer has \"legitimacy.\" This is usually defined by the citizens willing to accept its authority, but it could also mean that the government ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
8gvwkb | how do nuclear submarines and nuclear marine engines such as pressurised water reactors prevent or treat the radioactive waste going into the ocean? | And i suppose a follow up.. do we see higher levels of radiation in the waters around trade routes where these vessils are operating? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8gvwkb/eli5_how_do_nuclear_submarines_and_nuclear_marine/ | {
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"text": [
"high strength steel containers. the coffin surrounding the reactor is strong enough to survive a torpedo hit. the rest of the submarine will be destroyed b... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
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] | |
99psey | why do things look blurry when they are out of focus? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/99psey/eli5_why_do_things_look_blurry_when_they_are_out/ | {
"a_id": [
"e4phxy5"
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"text": [
"The light entering your eye/camera is focused onto a receptor through a lens, sort of like a magnifying glass focusing light into a single point. If the lens is at the wrong distance or damaged, light rays that should be next to each other are sp... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
a87n2k | on what basis are stores able to request that customers all leave their bags with staff at the counter? what happens if it gets stolen? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a87n2k/eli5_on_what_basis_are_stores_able_to_request/ | {
"a_id": [
"ec8js72",
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"text": [
"I was at a used bookstore and a customer got very upset because his bookbag got stolen under watch by staff. He said that the staff should have yelled \"Thief!\" and tried to stop the person from taking... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
3tlp3y | why a networks firewall may block a site with http but its https counterpart? | Last year in my previous collage campus we had a network with a firewall that blocked the popular site YouTube. A common workaround I found was changing its URL from "HTTP://" to "HTTPS://"... Why is this, or what could this possibly be? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3tlp3y/eli5_why_a_networks_firewall_may_block_a_site/ | {
"a_id": [
"cx77qd0",
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"score": [
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"text": [
"As for the \"why\", it's simply a choice made by the administrator of that firewall. There is no inherent reason to block unencrypted traffic, since most websites don't contain anything that needs securing, as long as encryp... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"Youtube.com",
"youtube.com"
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] | |
rqdt8 | where does my physical money go when i pay for things electronically? | The idea of my bank sending off notes for every electronic payment made seems like a waste of time, so what happens? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/rqdt8/eli5_where_does_my_physical_money_go_when_i_pay/ | {
"a_id": [
"c47sl06"
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"score": [
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"text": [
"The number representing your money is not directly tied to physical cash. When you pay for something, your number is simply reduced by the appropriate amount, and the recipient's number is incremented appropriately. Banks have large, complex comm... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
4yspk4 | the current problems facing canada's northern populations | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4yspk4/eli5_the_current_problems_facing_canadas_northern/ | {
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"text": [
"Most likely he's referring to the recent rash of suicides among Inuit and other Aboriginal groups in Northern Canada. Areas with about 30,000 people are seeing over 1,000 attempted suicides per year and... | [] | [] | [
[],
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[]
] | ||
11tyks | why has my link and comment karma not improved, despite my links and comments getting upvoted? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/11tyks/why_has_my_link_and_comment_karma_not_improved/ | {
"a_id": [
"c6pknby",
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"text": [
"There is a period of time between getting upvotes, and having it reflected in your account. So you might be up by x karma for some period of time before you see the numbers change.",
"Also note that you don't receive lin... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
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3hipyg | (physics) how come when the break is done in snooker/pool/billiards it is always unique? | Even if the white ball is hit at the exact same angle and speed, why will the break still be different every time?
Couldn't think of a better way to phrase the question. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3hipyg/eli5_physics_how_come_when_the_break_is_done_in/ | {
"a_id": [
"cu7pie0",
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"score": [
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"text": [
"It's not exactly the same. There are always differences that you can't control. How much dust is on the table, the wear on the felt and balls, your heart beat as you hit the ball, any airflow/wind, the subtle vibration from ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
2ngcu1 | what aspects of music make it so powerful and emotional to the point that you can feel a "shock" or "buzz" in your body? | I'm sorry if this is the wrong subreddit for a question like this.
Its hard to explain that feeling of something so emotional when listening to music but if you've experienced it you most likely know what I'm talking about and referring to. So, what parts and aspects of music cause a great sensation or tingling feelin... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2ngcu1/eli5_what_aspects_of_music_make_it_so_powerful/ | {
"a_id": [
"cmdh1ur"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"I'm not sure of the cause, but you're talking about frisson. Check out /r/frisson for more"
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
ca88oq | why is the middle east important to the us? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ca88oq/eli5_why_is_the_middle_east_important_to_the_us/ | {
"a_id": [
"et6kucj",
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"score": [
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3
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"text": [
"Oil. Control of trade routes. Buffer communism. It’s important to us because it’s important our adversaries.",
"Oil, Major trade routes, and they have been a proxy war location for the US and the communist powers for th... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
2diq14 | do castrated males even feel the urge to masturbate or have sex? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2diq14/eli5_do_castrated_males_even_feel_the_urge_to/ | {
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22,
53,
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4
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"text": [
"If they leave the prostate gland, the pressure still builds and that needs to be released.",
"AMA Request: A castrated man",
"Wow. A lot of terribl... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
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[]
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et3wdh | do animals not feel cold the same way as us? | Curious because of all the videos of animals running around in the snow like it doesnt even bother them! | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/et3wdh/eli5_do_animals_not_feel_cold_the_same_way_as_us/ | {
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"text": [
"They do feel cold like we do. However animals diddnt figure out fire. Or wearing other animals for warmth. So they make themselfs warm and have fur. With enough exposure to elemen... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
1ldkfs | how are cysts formed and why does it contain so much fluid/pus? | I've been watching a lot of cyst removals on youtube for the past few hours and I have no clue how they are formed. I know there's cyst that form on the skin, but is it true that there's ones that can be formed in the longs and other organs? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ldkfs/eli5_how_are_cysts_formed_and_why_does_it_contain/ | {
"a_id": [
"cby5vx1"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"I've dealt with Ovarian Cysts frequently.\nThe way my doctor explained to me is that a cyst typically forms when your bodys' immune system senses some type of foreign body/infection and to protect the rest of your body from this infection, the im... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
4wxsii | what keeps wild animals from depending on cannibalism? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4wxsii/eli5_what_keeps_wild_animals_from_depending_on/ | {
"a_id": [
"d6aqnbx"
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"score": [
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"text": [
"I'm not sure I understand the question - are you asking why carnivorous wild animals hunt other animals instead of just eating each other?"
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
2mwd2u | why can we not find an analytic solution for three body problem or n body problem? | Judging by the precise maneuver of the Rosetta spacecraft and numerous other space explorations, I find it hard to believe that we can only solve 2 body problems. If we can't even solve three body problems, how did we design the control of a spacecraft that would need to account for more than 3 body? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2mwd2u/eli5_why_can_we_not_find_an_analytic_solution_for/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
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"text": [
"Even though there isn't an analytic solution, we have very, very good numerical solutions, good enough to navigate spacecraft."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
5zy97r | why does your heart hurt after a breakup | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5zy97r/eli5_why_does_your_heart_hurt_after_a_breakup/ | {
"a_id": [
"df1zbja"
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"score": [
2
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"text": [
"A mixture of the chemicals released during the grieving process and the placebo affect. The term \"broken heart\" obviously does not refer or a literal broken heart, but people assume that love and the heart have a connection."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
kdkmj | what is this big thing showing up on google sky... it looks scary | _URL_0_ | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/kdkmj/eli5_what_is_this_big_thing_showing_up_on_google/ | {
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"score": [
9,
5,
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9,
5,
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"text": [
"Looks like a diffraction spike that they tried to filter out. You know how when you see a picture taken into the sun, you see huge spike... | [] | [
"http://www.google.com/sky/#latitude=12.661777510388525&longitude=-30.8935546875&zoom=6&Spitzer=0.00&ChandraXO=0.00&Galex=0.00&IRAS=100.00&WMAP=0.00&Cassini=0.00&slide=1&mI=-1&oI=-1"
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30itfc | how and why does california continue to grow most of america's fruits and veggies while it is in a generational drought? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/30itfc/eli5how_and_why_does_california_continue_to_grow/ | {
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"My guess is that the long growing season and existing infrastructure has something to do with it.",
"California has water from the... | [] | [] | [
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37hisn | how come new york city is so expensive yet 8,000,000 can live there? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/37hisn/eli5_how_come_new_york_city_is_so_expensive_yet/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"There's cheaper areas in New York City. It's bigger than you think. Manhattan is ridiculously expensive, Brooklyn is pretty expensive. Queens is somewhat reasonable. Staten Island and the Bronx aren't bad.\n\nAlso peopl... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZSdrtEqcHU"
],
[]
] | ||
bl23p2 | how do birds like the cormorant swallow whole fish don’t fish have hard/sharp fins and scales and what about the bones do they just digest the fish bones?? | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bl23p2/eli5_how_do_birds_like_the_cormorant_swallow/ | {
"a_id": [
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4,
3,
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"text": [
"Swallow head first and all the fins, spines and scales lie flat. They don't do it randomly. Most fishing birds turn the catch lengthwise before swallowing.\n\nVideo of a Kingfisher turning a minnow hea... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=a6NDWPtSrqA"
],
[],
[]
] | |
1wqc9x | how do we know that company sales numbers are true? could the company make them up? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1wqc9x/eli5_how_do_we_know_that_company_sales_numbers/ | {
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"text": [
"They could, but usually public companies have their financial reports audited before posting. \nSource: I'm a business student ",
"Companies lie or make up numbers, or are misl... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
ak6znn | how do numbers stations work? can't everyone listen to them? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ak6znn/eli5_how_do_numbers_stations_work_cant_everyone/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"Yes, but the idea is that nobody but the right target knows what is being sent and what the data sent means.\n\nA station might just have a few valid messages, such as \"attack\", or \"cancel mission\", which may be transmit... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
aueyee | why a fractal has an infinite perimeter | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/aueyee/eli5_why_a_fractal_has_an_infinite_perimeter/ | {
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... | [] | [] | [
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"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space-filling_curve"
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a3bd56 | why are redwood trees such a big deal? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a3bd56/eli5_why_are_redwood_trees_such_a_big_deal/ | {
"a_id": [
"eb4rvjx",
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19,
6
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"text": [
"Well for one, they’re fucking huge. And humans like large phallic object. Two, they’re old as shit. We’re talking hundreds of years. Three, they’re awesome. I rest my case. ",
"They're useless for firewood though. Bits ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
cq440o | why is decreasing biodiversity bad? | Sorry if I sound ignorant, but how SPECIFICALLY does decreasing biodiversity effect our planet and us? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cq440o/eli5_why_is_decreasing_biodiversity_bad/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"(I’m not a biologist, so if any are reading this, feel free to elaborate or correct me)\n\nEvery native organism (anything that has life, meaning animals, plants, bacteria, etc) in any specific environm... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
2lgk59 | which ancient british tribes/cultures influenced the various areas of modern britain? | Difference between the Clets/Gaels, and where they left a direct cultural influence, or if all influence can be dated to before these cultures even existed. Picts also get thrown in, but everyone ignores them as an influence. Is Britain so small that these cultural identities eventually merged?
Also, the idea (probabl... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2lgk59/eli5_which_ancient_british_tribescultures/ | {
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2,
3,
2
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"text": [
"The Scots take their name from the tribe that came from Ireland - The Scoti or Scotti depending on which book you read. \n\nThe links between the main land of Europe and the British Isles cannot be over... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
2h56t4 | how does rebar work in concrete? | I've always wondered ... can't seem to get a good explanation anywhere out there. What is the purpose and how does it help? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2h56t4/eli5_how_does_rebar_work_in_concrete/ | {
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],
"text": [
"Concrete is strong in compression, but weak in tension. Rebar is strong in tension. So combining the two you get the best of both.",
"concrete has low tensile strength. meaning it can crack \"easi... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
2rm2sm | do planes need to compensate for the curvature of the earth? | Or does this happen automatically? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2rm2sm/eli5_do_planes_need_to_compensate_for_the/ | {
"a_id": [
"cnh4aac"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"Compensate in what way?\n\nObviously, since planes stay a certain height above the ground, they curve with the Earth - like everything else on the surface.\n\nYou're probably thinking of the way flight paths look like curves on a map. This is bec... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
22hyyh | why is the press allowed in the courtroom for oscar pistorius' murder trial, yet they weren't allowed to film his testimony directly? | Pistorius' trial (in South Africa) is clearly open the press, but when he gave his statement today, none of the cameras were pointed at him directly.
Why would this be the case, and furthermore, why are some courtrooms open for press while others are only visualized secondhand through sketch artists? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/22hyyh/eli5_why_is_the_press_allowed_in_the_courtroom/ | {
"a_id": [
"cgn0h47",
"cgn0h8i"
],
"score": [
3,
2
],
"text": [
"[This news article](_URL_0_) sums it up nicely:\n\n > A South African high court ruled Tuesday that cameras will be allowed in court for part of athlete Oscar Pistorius' trial in the killing of his girlfriend.\n\n > Judge ... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://edition.cnn.com/2014/02/25/world/africa/south-africa-pistorius-trial/"
],
[
"http://www.saflii.org/za/cases/ZAGPPHC/2014/37.html"
]
] | |
7ky06f | why do some working americans believe their money they earn goes to welfare/foodstamps/govt assistance? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7ky06f/eli5_why_do_some_working_americans_believe_their/ | {
"a_id": [
"dri16p1",
"dri5njn"
],
"score": [
2,
2
],
"text": [
"Because it does. All taxes go into the general fund and are distributed from there so on the ELI5 level anybody who pays taxes, pays a percentage of everything the government pays out as the government does not make its own ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
5zb2zs | what is a simple analogy for major depression? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5zb2zs/eli5_what_is_a_simple_analogy_for_major_depression/ | {
"a_id": [
"dewpcvx",
"dewpdva",
"dewpecv",
"dewpftg",
"dewpi2w",
"dewpkww",
"dewpnq7",
"dewt1sr",
"dewvc8d",
"dewvyna",
"dewy64w",
"dewytt1",
"dex0wrz",
"dex1oyx",
"dex1tm4",
"dex3snw",
"dex7u92",
"dex7x2e",
"dex8h0c",
"dexbyrk",
"d... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[
"http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.ch/2013/05/depression-part-two.html",
"http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.ch/2011/10/adventures-in-depression.html"
],
[
"https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/enhanced/webdr06/2013/9/11/18/enha... | ||
1n5xep | how does metal polish (eg. autosol, brasso) work? | I always wondered how does the metal polish actually polishes metal. Anyone able to answer this?
Also, why does the polish turn black after polishing (I'm not sure about Brasso, but Autosol paste turn black after polishing)
Edit: Added a sub-question | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1n5xep/eli5_how_does_metal_polish_eg_autosol_brasso_work/ | {
"a_id": [
"ccfo6xd"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"It's a very fine abrasive powder in a liquid solution. It essentially rubs off a thin layer of metal to reveal a new layer underneath. This is why over polishing can ruin detailed engraving. "
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
1t34yi | quantitative easing, bond buyback, and eventual tapering. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1t34yi/eli5_quantitative_easing_bond_buyback_and/ | {
"a_id": [
"ce3u2qv",
"ce3u7we",
"ce3zfi5"
],
"score": [
2,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"I am going to presume you don't understand the details of bond trading. A bond doesn't actually pay out until its 'maturity date', but people can trade them before this date. The price you might pay to ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
5w1dh1 | how can we, the people of the united states, collectively, impeach our president? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5w1dh1/eli5_how_can_we_the_people_of_the_united_states/ | {
"a_id": [
"de6jgc9"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"First off, you have to wait for him to do something grossly violating his oath of office. You know, like Cliton did.... "
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
bzyzyj | what are the differences between cognitive and emotional empathy and how is it people with aspbergers lack one of them? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bzyzyj/eli5_what_are_the_differences_between_cognitive/ | {
"a_id": [
"er1vvwa"
],
"score": [
4
],
"text": [
"You are wrong to think aspies lack anything. The best description I have ever heard is it is more like an overload than a deficiency. An overload to the point that you can't distinguish others emotions from your own. And so the mental coping proc... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
2f65mg | how did natives figure out remedies and medicine from plants? | How did they know which plants could be beneficial? Was it just a lot of trial and error over hundreds of years? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2f65mg/eli5_how_did_natives_figure_out_remedies_and/ | {
"a_id": [
"ck69152"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"It has to have been trial and error. How else?\n\nThough, I have to say I've found the question fascinating for quite some time. For example: olives. They are nigh inedible if not processed, but have been cultivated for thousands of years (5000-6... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
5eqduf | why are all these security laws passing in the uk and how are they not considered an invasion of privacy? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5eqduf/eli5_why_are_all_these_security_laws_passing_in/ | {
"a_id": [
"daenx2b",
"daettcv"
],
"score": [
3,
5
],
"text": [
"They **are** an invasion of privacy - that's why you're hearing about them. There isn't a guaranteed & absolute right to privacy in British law, so that doesn't really stop anything.",
"There is no law that gives the ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
7lxosk | how exactly does alka-seltzer make someone feel better? | I see people taking Alka-Seltzer for many different ailments, including hangover. How does putting bubbly water in your stomach make you feel any better? I feel like it would make me want to throw up even more. The same with heartburn. What else is in Alka-Seltzer to make people feel better? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7lxosk/eli5_how_exactly_does_alkaseltzer_make_someone/ | {
"a_id": [
"drpsoos",
"drpsplw"
],
"score": [
13,
6
],
"text": [
"1. It contains an alkalizer that neutralizes excess stomach acid.\n2. It also contains aspirin that helps with aches.",
"It's just a combination of antacid and aspirin. Aspirin can reduce pain and fevers and antacid can... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
5oqmcs | what limitations stop us from receiving a fax directly onto a cell phone the analogue way? | I am fully aware of efax services. I know that the easiest way to send and receive faxes is through an efax service.
My question is: WHY? Why can't cell phones receive, interpret, and convert fax signals *directly* by listening to and translating the scary fax noises like a fax machine does? If my smartphone receives ... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5oqmcs/eli5_what_limitations_stop_us_from_receiving_a/ | {
"a_id": [
"dcla954",
"dclb4hq"
],
"score": [
2,
2
],
"text": [
"could I theoretically hook the audio directly into the fax machine to receive it?\n\nNo. That wouldn't work as your fax machine would be trying to send things back to the other one as well, and would expect responses to tha... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
408qyb | why is college so important when finding a job? | There is tons of sources online where you can learn pretty much anything, for free. If you can't find it online then you can easily just buy a book and learn it yourself. Also just because you know the information doesn't mean you can apply it. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/408qyb/eli5_why_is_college_so_important_when_finding_a/ | {
"a_id": [
"cysaqou",
"cysarm4",
"cysbqfb"
],
"score": [
5,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"It's a market signal. It shows that you're capable of seeing something through from start to finish. Most people don't learn a lot about their job through college (of course there are exceptions). It... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
2k4z47 | why do stuff fall down? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2k4z47/eli5why_do_stuff_fall_down/ | {
"a_id": [
"clhy6sb"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"As simply as I can put it, gravity is the force pulling objects toward each other. Objects with less mass (\"lighter\" objects) get pulled more easily toward larger objects than the opposite.\n\nMass curves space. Just like rolling a marble aroun... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
2r56t4 | does the catholic church perform actual exorcisms? how do they determine which report of a possession is "true" and which is not? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2r56t4/eli5_does_the_catholic_church_perform_actual/ | {
"a_id": [
"cnckxlu",
"cncmxq9"
],
"score": [
3,
3
],
"text": [
"I believe the quick and dirty of it is that yes, the Catholic Church still performs exorcisms, and they try to document all they perform.\n\nMy understanding is that they do try to discern between mundane mental illness and ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p2s2c4a1.htm"
]
] | ||
2lwb3k | does obama's declaration mean that net neutrality will happen? might happen? | With the overwhelming public wanting net neutrality, does it mean that FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler will be forced to capitulate? As a publicly appointed official, how can he legally ignore public will? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2lwb3k/eli5does_obamas_declaration_mean_that_net/ | {
"a_id": [
"clyrfre"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"It's more of a symbolic gesture on Obama's part. Roughly 1% of the country (4 millionish) are demanding net neutrality. It's going to take more than that to see Wheeler dethroned.\n\nI believe we'll see fast lanes and such and it will suck suffic... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
8kvxwo | since babies are fed through umbilical cords, how do they just know to suck on their mothers breast if they’ve never eaten through their mouths? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8kvxwo/eli5_since_babies_are_fed_through_umbilical_cords/ | {
"a_id": [
"dzawxbi"
],
"score": [
4
],
"text": [
"Baby’s instinctually suck on their thumbs within the womb and this habit is passed on to the nipple"
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
4fl50l | if you were hooked into an iv that pumped all the nutrients and calories you need every day, directly into your bloodstream, would you feel hunger? | Your stomach and digestive system would be empty, and your body wouldn't be taking in any food, but you'd get all the nutrition you need. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4fl50l/eli5_if_you_were_hooked_into_an_iv_that_pumped/ | {
"a_id": [
"d29s4h6",
"d29thzv"
],
"score": [
8,
2
],
"text": [
"Hunger is a surprisingly complex sensation. The answer is yes, you'd still feel some hunger since your stomach etc. would be empty, but you wouldn't feel *as much* hunger since you'd not be lacking in nutrients.",
"This ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hprQASYvurc"
]
] | |
ciz0yx | why do cable internet providers offer such asymmetrical speeds compared to their fiber counterparts? e.g. their upload speeds are so much slower than their download speeds. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ciz0yx/eli5_why_do_cable_internet_providers_offer_such/ | {
"a_id": [
"eva27gn",
"evaqucy"
],
"score": [
10,
3
],
"text": [
"There is almost always a bigger need for downloading information than there is for uploading it, and the cables that cable internet travels over are more limited than fiber optic. So, cable and DSL companies prioritize down... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
d5eptr | what is meant by absolute motion, and why is it not possible? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/d5eptr/eli5_what_is_meant_by_absolute_motion_and_why_is/ | {
"a_id": [
"f0lev30",
"f0lf2yz",
"f0m0tpa"
],
"score": [
13,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"Say there are two objects, A and B, floating in space, moving away from each other.\n\nHow do you know which is moving. It's in the middle of space, there are no other reference points. Is A stationary... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
8tly5v | how the optical illusion works for the new ant man and the wasp campaign works (link inside) | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8tly5v/eli5_how_the_optical_illusion_works_for_the_new/ | {
"a_id": [
"e18hqmo"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"This is known as Forced Perspective. You can use it to make things appear larger or smaller than they actually are by having it in the same visual field as something else where the size is known (or assumed). We assume Paul Rudd is normal huma... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
1gcls0 | why did any matter ever exist in the universe? | Particularly the materials that caused the big bang. Science often explains the actual big bang, but I have yet to hear a good explanation of how the first matter came into being. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1gcls0/eli5_why_did_any_matter_ever_exist_in_the_universe/ | {
"a_id": [
"caiwjy7",
"caiwqo9",
"caiwy0y",
"caiydah",
"caj05nc",
"caj34so"
],
"score": [
2,
5,
3,
8,
3,
2
],
"text": [
"No one knows for sure, and it seems very likely that the Universe was created from nothing.",
"That's because no one can really give... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
g19via | how do tank tracks operate with one engine? | In order for tanks to turn while moving forward, they have to run the outside treads faster than the inside, but how is that done with a single engine powering both? Does an M1 Abrams accomplish this the same way as the M4 Sherman did? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/g19via/eli5_how_do_tank_tracks_operate_with_one_engine/ | {
"a_id": [
"fnead60",
"fnecoc8"
],
"score": [
3,
4
],
"text": [
"There is a gearbox that takes the output of the engine and turns two drive shafts, one for each track. To pivot the tank, one track goes forward and the other backward. There are clutches and other controls tied to these t... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
1vuq98 | how come it's somewhat painful and hard to stick 2-3 fingers into my anus, but it's completely nonchalant for feces that's larger than that to come out? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1vuq98/eli5_how_come_its_somewhat_painful_and_hard_to/ | {
"a_id": [
"cevymk2",
"cew0nc2"
],
"score": [
10,
4
],
"text": [
"the \"push\" has a lot to do with loosening the sphincter. this is why many first timers are advised to push like your dropping off a load to make entering easier.",
"I believe the sphincter is only under semi conscious... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
685u4e | how has thousands of employees of wells fargo not been charged with id theft? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/685u4e/how_has_thousands_of_employees_of_wells_fargo_not/ | {
"a_id": [
"dgvymcm",
"dgw4tya"
],
"score": [
63,
5
],
"text": [
"Wells Fargo was fined $185 million for identity theft in relation to those practices. \n\nCharging the fired employees with criminal charges of identity theft leads to a very big problem for whoever wants to prosecute that ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
5jokjp | how long is a light year in comparison to earth years? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5jokjp/eli5_how_long_is_a_light_year_in_comparison_to/ | {
"a_id": [
"dbhrolv",
"dbhrz6n",
"dbhs57h",
"dbhsgre",
"dbhsm52"
],
"score": [
3,
3,
3,
7,
2
],
"text": [
"It would take 8 earth years to get there. Travelling at the speed of light. Approx 300,000 km per second. \n\nEdit: Santa is real. Thanks /u/PolishPrince\n\nT... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[
"https://media.giphy.com/media/kz9wuY3MIuOru/giphy.gif"
],
[]
] | ||
4clogo | for those of us confused about us primary: where do delegates come from? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4clogo/eli5_for_those_of_us_confused_about_us_primary/ | {
"a_id": [
"d1ja2z0",
"d1jabau",
"d1jag3v",
"d1jaoc1",
"d1jcck3"
],
"score": [
3,
2,
2,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"They are chosen by the state's party or are elected to the position at a state's party convention. Superdelegates are chosen by the party and consist of party... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[
"http://www.berniesandersvideo.com/how-to-become-a-delegate-for-bernie-sanders.html"
],
[]
] | ||
30mutx | how did ancient cultures know which foods are suitable as meat replacements before the chemistry behind nutrition was understood? | For example, in India milk products seem to be widely used by vegetarians while Middle-Eastern vegetarian dishes often contain chickpeas or lentils. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/30mutx/eli5_how_did_ancient_cultures_know_which_foods/ | {
"a_id": [
"cptup0l",
"cptuus8",
"cptyhpc",
"cpu2kel"
],
"score": [
2,
4,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"They did not try to replace meat. They simply were trying to make food from what resources they had. ",
"Since the dawn of time there have been both charlatans and scientific m... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
3lziy5 | how come our population more than doubled between 1960 to present day, yet projections of the future show only a minor increase in numbers of people. wouldn't we grow as a population exponentially, or at a steady rate? | Was reading an article (_URL_0_) and one statistic I saw was that our population doubled to over 7 billion between 1960-2013. So how come an increase of up to only 9 billion is projected for the year 2050? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3lziy5/eli5_how_come_our_population_more_than_doubled/ | {
"a_id": [
"cvanoo0"
],
"score": [
4
],
"text": [
"Fertility rates (how many children each woman has on average) have been consistently dropping due to higher standards of living around the world. As it decreases, so will the rate of population increase until it plateaus at about 9 billion in 205... | [] | [
"http://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/sep/01/20-big-questions-in-science"
] | [
[]
] | |
74bo2w | why can children eat nearly any food and gain no weight but adults will quickly gain weight when eating unhealthy | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/74bo2w/eli5why_can_children_eat_nearly_any_food_and_gain/ | {
"a_id": [
"dnx0f35"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Because children have a fast metabolism, and that slows down as an adult - you process food slower as you get older"
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
e4c9ib | - what exactly is the "exposure" in photography? | Like, for instance, I've seen photos of the night sky with crazy details of the stars and they say that this picture was taken with "12 hours exposure". What does that mean exactly and what does it do? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/e4c9ib/eli5_what_exactly_is_the_exposure_in_photography/ | {
"a_id": [
"f98r2bk",
"f98r2sl",
"f98tyf7",
"f9903g3"
],
"score": [
3,
3,
2,
4
],
"text": [
"No expert here, but I think it comes from having to expose film to light for chemical changes on the film to happen. The longer the film was exposed to light, the more details you ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
2f45sp | why am i able to set the date on my phone back to 1970? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2f45sp/eli5_why_am_i_able_to_set_the_date_on_my_phone/ | {
"a_id": [
"ck5qle1",
"ck5qlka",
"ck5qnft"
],
"score": [
10,
5,
12
],
"text": [
"_URL_0_\n\nEssentially, your phone counts \"time\" as \"how many seconds since 1-1-1970\". Going before 1970 would mean negative numbers, which would confuse the system.",
"Computers nowadays use ... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unix_time"
],
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unix_time"
],
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unix_time"
]
] | ||
9zvmmf | how do they come up with an actual monetary figure for emotional damages in court? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9zvmmf/eli5_how_do_they_come_up_with_an_actual_monetary/ | {
"a_id": [
"eacet66",
"eacf52a"
],
"score": [
38,
28
],
"text": [
"Most settlements are comprised of special damages (medical bills, lost wages etc) and general damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of normal life, etc)\nUltimately the latter is a judgement call by the jur... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://www.alllaw.com/articles/nolo/personal-injury/two-ways-calculate-pain-suffering-settlement.html",
"https://www.caoc.org/?pg=facts"
]
] | ||
4cey2j | why do 32-bit and 64-bit programs need separate 'program files' folders on a 64-bit os? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4cey2j/eli5_why_do_32bit_and_64bit_programs_need/ | {
"a_id": [
"d1hiw5x",
"d1hiwv2"
],
"score": [
3,
3
],
"text": [
"If nothing else, it's always a good idea to keep things nice and tidy. \n\nAlso, very often 32- and 64-bit libraries will have the same names, and the same filenames. So you can't keep them in the same directory for obvious ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] |
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