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70djm6
how hard is it for a country to develop a missile
First things first, I'm drunk, so please don't crush me. I just had an argument about how hard it can be to develop a rocket with trajectory control. I'm either totally kruger-dunning that shit or don't get why you can't tell an engineer to look that shit up on the internet and just do it. Is that information you ju...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/70djm6/eli5how_hard_is_it_for_a_country_to_develop_a/
{ "a_id": [ "dn2cjaq", "dn2n69g" ], "score": [ 6, 2 ], "text": [ "It's expensive. If it's a choice between keeping 100 young men employed all year in the military instead of on the streets, it's a better return of investment to fund the standing army than expensive weaponry.\n\nIt's not s...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-Powered-Rocket-Guidance-System/" ] ]
al4u1x
calculus- what is the significance of the second derivative's notation?
In calculus we all learned that the second derivative can be denoted by d\^2y/dx\^2. However, I cannot grasp intuitively as to the meaning of this notation. Why is d squared in the numerator, but x is squared in the denominator instead of d?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/al4u1x/eli5_calculus_what_is_the_significance_of_the/
{ "a_id": [ "efaqikb" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ "thats because y is the function and you are deriving it with respect to x.\n\nthink of first derivatives they are d/dx (y) \n\nsecond derivative is d/dx d/dx (y)" ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
9125rv
how do people and animals not impale themselves on tranquilizer darts when they fall?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9125rv/eli5how_do_people_and_animals_not_impale/
{ "a_id": [ "e2uvcpf", "e2uvgoz" ], "score": [ 23, 6 ], "text": [ "Nobody uses tranquilizer darts on people.\n\nUnlike in movies, in real life a darted animal doesn't just fall over. It slowly gets sleepier and more lethargic, and usually lays down.", "The darts are relatively small. T...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
qgypn
why sometimes my pen writes on my hand but not on paper
Sometimes at work a pen will seem to "dry out," and it won't write at all on paper. I can scratch a piece of paper for a good minute and nothing happens but as soon as I try to write on my palm, the pen works almost immediately. What's going on here?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/qgypn/eli5_why_sometimes_my_pen_writes_on_my_hand_but/
{ "a_id": [ "c3xjufm", "c3xjyhb" ], "score": [ 3, 10 ], "text": [ "some surfaces allow that ballpoint to roll easier. considering its a ballpoint...", "Ball point pens literally have a small ball inside them. When you write, the ball rolls along happily, smearing ink in its tracks. Eve...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
5phy6d
technicolor
How does it work and how does it affect the visuals of a product when compared to other types of effects?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5phy6d/eli5technicolor/
{ "a_id": [ "dcrat1y", "dcrba6i", "dcrgb7f", "dcrhf2o" ], "score": [ 2, 3, 6, 4 ], "text": [ "All films used to be black and white. Technicolor was a process to create a colour image on the screen, which was a big deal when it came out, and one of many competing methods. ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
3gbgk7
why can we "feel" sound waves?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3gbgk7/eli5_why_can_we_feel_sound_waves/
{ "a_id": [ "ctwl5m7", "ctwl616" ], "score": [ 3, 3 ], "text": [ "sound waves are vibrations that travel thru the air. At certain frequencies and volumes, these vibrations are detectable not just thru our eardrum, but also thru our skin and bones.\n\nThink of air as a liquid, and sound w...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
186umb
what is that puddle mirage i see off in the distance usually on roads?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/186umb/eli5_what_is_that_puddle_mirage_i_see_off_in_the/
{ "a_id": [ "c8c4ctd", "c8c4d2q", "c8c5nbw", "c8c5ote", "c8c64gz", "c8c67o8", "c8c6p15", "c8c9yz1" ], "score": [ 381, 7, 2, 2, 2, 5, 26, 3 ], "text": [ "As you say, it's a mirage.\n\nWhen it's very hot, the ground gets heated by the sun. The ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6x52290in9w" ], [], [ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvmq66op0G8" ], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_internal_reflection" ], [] ]
6s80zh
how did medieval peoples make anvils?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6s80zh/eli5_how_did_medieval_peoples_make_anvils/
{ "a_id": [ "dlaqxyt", "dlar24x" ], "score": [ 53, 4 ], "text": [ "Medieval European anvils did not look like the anvils we're used to seeing today. The classic anvil most people think of (probably from cartoons) looks like [this](_URL_1_). The large flat surface is known as the face and i...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://books.google.com/books?id=xucNJfS42PwC&lpg=PA450&ots=BFOG6cT1lb&dq=tattershall%20anvil&pg=PA450#v=onepage&q=tattershall%20anvil&f=false", "http://www.piehtoolco.com/contents/media/14169.jpg" ], [] ]
2brulv
why is harder for me to wake up on a workday morning than a non-workday morning despite getting exactly the same number of hours of sleep?
When I wake up for work I could easily have another hour or two in bed. Yet when I wake up on a weekend at exactly the same time with the same number of hours sleep, I'm wide awake and really struggle to have a lie in. I'd love to know what the psycho-physiological reasons are for this!
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2brulv/eli5_why_is_harder_for_me_to_wake_up_on_a_workday/
{ "a_id": [ "cj89ykv", "cj8c6pm", "cj8c78o", "cj8ctvd", "cj8e83h" ], "score": [ 3, 3, 3, 39, 4 ], "text": [ "Dread? That would be my best guess. No one wants to go slave for $ when they could have a promising day off to enjoy", "Because no one likes feeling obli...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
1ijwh2
keynesian economics vs hayek economics
In addition: why is it, after centuries of data collection, do economists seem so in the dark about these things?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ijwh2/eli5_keynesian_economics_vs_hayek_economics/
{ "a_id": [ "cb55sj3", "cb58boa", "cb58pso", "cb5c7qj", "cb5fvpg" ], "score": [ 8, 5, 10, 4, 3 ], "text": [ "The biggest difference between Keyesian and Hayekian economics is mainly the debate on the appropriate level of gov't intervention within a nations economy/m...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTQnarzmTOc" ], [], [] ]
91alp2
how are you supposed to drink a lot of water when you have a uti if you can't pee?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/91alp2/eli5_how_are_you_supposed_to_drink_a_lot_of_water/
{ "a_id": [ "e2wldl5", "e2wltrr", "e2wry2o" ], "score": [ 4, 5, 3 ], "text": [ "Water helps flush out the infection and it'll help you pee. Your badder isn't likely to fill and never empty, that's not how they work. It's not going to be pleasant, but it will help. ", "Drinking ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
5rxcpo
why is it so uncommon for the media to refer to lies with the term "lies"?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5rxcpo/eli5_why_is_it_so_uncommon_for_the_media_to_refer/
{ "a_id": [ "ddavskk" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Two reasons:\n\n1. It can sound juvenile to use the word lie. Journalism must sound mature, professional, and authoritative.\n\n2. There's an implication of intent in the word lie. Someone saying something that isn't true, isn't necessarily lying...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
2e5una
can you train/expand your bladder by holding your pee regularly?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2e5una/eli5_can_you_trainexpand_your_bladder_by_holding/
{ "a_id": [ "cjwd7z9", "cjwfym0" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "It will also weaken the muscles involved which can help cause incontinence. ", "The real answer is \"sort of\". Think about when you potty train a toddler. They have to be trained to \"hold it\" so yes, they are expand...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
v01eg
fever
*The only thing I know is that fever is part of the immune system response that's trying to fight a disease, not directly caused by the disease itself. But I might be wrong about that as well.* --- Why am I shivering cold even though my body temperature is high? Also, why am I sweating even though I'm feeling cold? ...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/v01eg/eli5_fever/
{ "a_id": [ "c503qhi", "c509wjj" ], "score": [ 25, 2 ], "text": [ "So, a lot of things do poorly in heat. You boil water to get it clean, for example, because the heat will kill just about any bacteria in that water. Your fever is generally your body increasing it's temperature in hopes of...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
30hioh
when the weather is very cold, why do some of my electronic devices operate slow?
Hello ELI5, we had a very cold winter this year, and I noticed that some of my electronic devices would operate slower than normal. For example, when I shovel my driveway I listen to music on my iPhone. I noticed when I wanted to switch songs via the touch screen it seemed slower than normal(swiping from song to song f...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/30hioh/eli5when_the_weather_is_very_cold_why_do_some_of/
{ "a_id": [ "cpsgeae", "cpsnmqv" ], "score": [ 54, 8 ], "text": [ "Both cases you described use a LCD screen, liquid crystal display.\n\nAs the liquid gets colder, it responds more slowly. The device, the processor, the electronics, are working as fast as ever (maybe even faster, processor...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/discharging_at_high_and_low_temperatures", "http://www.explainthatstuff.com/lcdtv.html", "http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~wkaufmyn/ENGN45/Course%20Handouts/15_ElectricalProps/06_TemperatureConductivitySemiConductor.html" ] ]
6795kh
in the u.k.- when you buy property/land, to what depth is the land yours? is it limited, or do you own everything down to the core?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6795kh/eli5_in_the_uk_when_you_buy_propertyland_to_what/
{ "a_id": [ "dgoluu6", "dgopm4q" ], "score": [ 2, 6 ], "text": [ "There has not yet been a test case where the depth of a persons land has been debated therefore precedent created.\n\nPlanning permission is required for anything greater than 10% of the area of the current property (per 15 ...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/7/section/43" ] ]
dbmp3g
why do bright lights leave a fluorescent impression in your line of vision?
I have experienced this for as long as I can remember. I also see rainbow static when I close my eyes, and faint impressions of other things I have seen throughout the day. I know other people experience this, but I don't know what it is.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dbmp3g/eli5_why_do_bright_lights_leave_a_fluorescent/
{ "a_id": [ "f22w2f9" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Specifically with bright lights, the rods and cones in your eyes use chemicals to function. When you look at something bright for a long period of time the rods and cones run out of the chemicals they use to function. When this happens, they st...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
4sr864
why do so many names/nouns have "ia" at the end. examples being, scandinavia, croatia, serbia, romania, britannia, latvia, estonia, etc...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4sr864/eli5_why_do_so_many_namesnouns_have_ia_at_the_end/
{ "a_id": [ "d5bjc5m", "d5bk4xf", "d5bkm56", "d5bxmmb" ], "score": [ 2, 3, 10, 2 ], "text": [ "Going to guess it has something to do with Roman naming convention (Britannia, Caledonia, Germania, ect...)", "Is it kind of like how there are so many countries that end with...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
11xd11
how does the president keep up with his presidential duties properly while campaigning for re-election?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/11xd11/eli5_how_does_the_president_keep_up_with_his/
{ "a_id": [ "c6qdn22" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "congress is not on the hill during this time and thus he has no legislation to look at, and he can manage other day to day operations via his mobile office that is the various presidential vehicles " ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
4nlxws
how does a company like spacex remain a functional and profitable company?
How does it fund all of its operations as well as employees? Who is purchasing/funding their products/services?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4nlxws/eli5_how_does_a_company_like_spacex_remain_a/
{ "a_id": [ "d44z3ce", "d44zk3t", "d44zlyn", "d46z51y" ], "score": [ 2, 8, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Companies don't necessarily have to be profitable when they first start. Amazon and Google both ran at losses for years in order to gain market share so they could get profit later...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/04/17/how-profitable-is-spacex-how-much-more-profitable.aspx" ], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceX#Funding" ] ]
4hfb41
are there any advantages/disadvantages to having a non-o blood type? (except for transfusion issues)
Thanks to a great explanation to another blood type ELI5 I understand why there are different blood types, but why do some people have different blood types and does it make a biological difference?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4hfb41/eli5_are_there_any_advantagesdisadvantages_to/
{ "a_id": [ "d2phdoj" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "So [in another ELI5](_URL_1_) I mentioned how type O blood has been found to increase resistance to the effects of blood parasites like malaria. Which is why type O blood is more common in areas where mosquitoes carry malaria, but you're right to...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0009898115000790", "https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4f197f/eli5_why_are_there_different_blood_types_have/", "http://iai.asm.org/content/73/11/7422", "http://jid.oxfordjournals.org/content/185/9/1335", "http://science.scienc...
4lngkb
how is time warped by matter/energy? is time a substance that we ought to be able to detect?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4lngkb/eli5_how_is_time_warped_by_matterenergy_is_time_a/
{ "a_id": [ "d3opy1m" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Time is not a substance, it's a dimension of the universe you live in. You live in a 4 dimensional universe. Three dimensions are distance (spacial) and one is time (temporal). The speed of light (C) is the ratio of the distance in the temporal ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
4b55sm
electrical impedance.
I've always been a tinkerer, and some of my favorite things to play with were giant 10-pound transformer cores or various types of motors. I understand electricity pretty well, but one of the things I could never grasp was what impedance of an electrical component was. I don't think I need to know how to calculate it a...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4b55sm/eli5_electrical_impedance/
{ "a_id": [ "d164t5j", "d164wau", "d166dt2" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Impedance is basically resistance, for AC circuits. While for DC circuits resistance is constant, in AC circuits it varies. A motor running with no load has a higher impedance than one under load. That...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
1mgor3
how can bears, lions, polar bears, etc. eat the raw, fresh-killed, bloody meat of other animals but if we don't cook our bloody meat we'll get sick?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1mgor3/eli5_how_can_bears_lions_polar_bears_etc_eat_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cc9234u" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "You can eat raw meat and be fine, the issue is you dont go kill something and directly eat it.\n\nMeat gets contaminated with germs in the process of getting it from the inside of an animal to a store shelf, so you have to cook it to kill any ger...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
2abpja
what makes people with speech disorders unable to correctly enunciate?
I was thinking about people who are unable to pronounce certain language sounds. For example, someone with a lisp. I am able to feign a lisp, but why is a person with a lisp unable to make the sound of 's'? Is it the way their mouth is shaped or is it or mental thing?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2abpja/eli5_what_makes_people_with_speech_disorders/
{ "a_id": [ "citix53" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "In some cases, it's either. Sometimes, a physical defect (i.e. cleft lip, larger-than-typical tongue or other physical abnormality) can cause a speech impediment. Sometimes (i.e. stuttering), there is a mental issue at work.\r\n\r\nRegarding li...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1504320/?ref_=nv_sr_1" ] ]
25apsy
how even with out backing up data like pictures and word documents, it's possible to retrieve the data from the hard drive after it has been 'deleted'? (besides checking the recycling bin) and how.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/25apsy/eli5_how_even_with_out_backing_up_data_like/
{ "a_id": [ "chfbyif", "chfdi4q" ], "score": [ 4, 2 ], "text": [ "Deleting a file doesn't actually overwrite the data on the hard drive, it basically just marks it as space that's free for the computer to use. Presuming it hasn't yet been overwritten with new data yet, the file can be ret...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
5rkuh8
how can some people have an eidetic memory while the vast majority of other people don't?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5rkuh8/eli5_how_can_some_people_have_an_eidetic_memory/
{ "a_id": [ "dd82kqo" ], "score": [ 12 ], "text": [ "Because it's a myth. \n\nMemory is HIGHLY subjective and very easily influenced. Some people may have better recall, but \"perfect\"? They could just be convincing themselves of that, rather than actually possessing it. \n\nThere is no proof ...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eidetic_memory#Skepticism" ] ]
5sly6y
why are people so opposed to the betsy devos nomination?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5sly6y/eli5_why_are_people_so_opposed_to_the_betsy_devos/
{ "a_id": [ "ddg0p3j" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "It's not because of what she's done, it's because of what she hasn't done. \n\nShe has never worked in education in any capacity. She hasn't been a teacher, a school nurse, a professor, a principal, nothing. She has pushed for years for school...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
33kd2o
why can't kids pick which classes that they want to attend in school?
This question has always been bothering me ever since I was in elementary school, I have problems with math, physics, pretty much nearly all classes that involve numbers. Heck, math and physics are the reason why I barely passed high school. My teachers would often preach about how everything that you learn in school w...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/33kd2o/eli5why_cant_kids_pick_which_classes_that_they/
{ "a_id": [ "cqlqizg", "cqlqkp4", "cqlqm98", "cqlqo9j", "cqlr1rt" ], "score": [ 11, 6, 2, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "Because they are children, and children don't make good decisions. ", "Just because you're bad at it doesn't mean you shouldn't learn it. You _do_ learn ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
3sprc4
what caused judaism to keep existing for 2000 years under christian and muslim rulers.
Religions such as paganism or zoroastrinism all practically disappeared after their followers ended up under Christian or Muslim kings, yet followers of Judaism have lived under Christian and Muslim rulers for centuries and still exist.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3sprc4/eli5_what_caused_judaism_to_keep_existing_for/
{ "a_id": [ "cwzdq4r", "cwzk0h5" ], "score": [ 2, 3 ], "text": [ "This is just a guess, but I believe that other, more different religions were assimilated into the Christian religion, as \"traditions\". This was at least the case in Romania, where the Dacian religion is still traceable, t...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endogamy", "https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/judaica/ejud_0002_0006_0_05565.html" ] ]
5q5jaf
what is the difference between explaining yourself and making excuses?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5q5jaf/eli5_what_is_the_difference_between_explaining/
{ "a_id": [ "dcwgr9f" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "An excuse is made in order to assign less guilt to the person attempting to be excused. *Making* an excuse usually refers to a person who is trying specifically to be excused and isn't actually a legitimate reason for being less guilty.\n\nAn ex...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
3lnph3
what happens if someone claims they are guilty of a crime, after been found not guilty?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3lnph3/eli5_what_happens_if_someone_claims_they_are/
{ "a_id": [ "cv7r3p4", "cv7r67h", "cv7srir", "cv7thg6", "cv7u9kd" ], "score": [ 6, 15, 3, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "If there is new evidence that has been found the case could be re-opened but in general they get away free due to the principle of Double Jeopardy preventing...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emmett_Till#Trial" ], [], [] ]
d3zzhy
how come if you hard-boil an egg you need to refrigerate it, but if bake with an egg (cookies) they don’t need refrigerated?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/d3zzhy/elif_how_come_if_you_hardboil_an_egg_you_need_to/
{ "a_id": [ "f068s7z", "f07nmzn" ], "score": [ 5, 2 ], "text": [ "Baking is chemistry, the ingredients that go in are profoundly changed by the process. Even putting the eggs in at the wrong step of the process changes the result in baking. The proper baking process completely negates the ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
m1dg6
network administration
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/m1dg6/eli5_network_administration/
{ "a_id": [ "c2x9zu3", "c2x9zu3" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "~~ummm well a network is a series to tubes~~\n\nYou work for the post office, you need to make sure that the letters arrive on time. You need to make sure distribution points are all working. You need to make sure that all p...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
3ivae2
why do jehova's witnesses preach in the street even though the bible says not to?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ivae2/eli5_why_do_jehovas_witnesses_preach_in_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cujxt5p" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "Matthew 6:5-8 isn't about proselytizing: Jesus is telling the faithful not to do good deeds just to get public recognition. The first two verses of the chapter say,\n\n > \"Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be s...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
3y3hsi
single payer healthcare
Just everything about how it works, what we have now, why some people support it or not.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3y3hsi/eli5_single_payer_healthcare/
{ "a_id": [ "cya6nx8", "cyabvta", "cyacwf0", "cyadacq", "cyaf9je", "cyafqt3", "cyagb20", "cyaiwrk", "cyao1gc", "cyaq71v", "cyar1z1" ], "score": [ 232, 35, 2, 41, 2, 6, 2, 4, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Canadian here. Single ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TPr3h-UDA0" ], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
76i6mk
how so subreddits like eli5 and advice get people to respond to posts?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/76i6mk/eli5how_so_subreddits_like_eli5_and_advice_get/
{ "a_id": [ "doe5wmr", "doe5yzj", "doe62nx", "doe6a21" ], "score": [ 5, 3, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "Well they get fuelled by questions like these and then people that are knowledgeable in the topic give an answer. ", "Easy one: karma.\nThread goes big, some smart guy writes t...
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2v7sjg
what does the "ion" setting on my blow dryer and my lamp actually do?
So my blowdryer and a "daylight" imitating lamp I have both have buttons that say "ion" on them that can be turned on when the item is in use. The only difference I have noticed is that it emits a kind of high-pitched hum. What is it actually doing, and is it necessary or sort of like a marketing feature scam? Thanks!
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2v7sjg/eli5_what_does_the_ion_setting_on_my_blow_dryer/
{ "a_id": [ "cof6qzi" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "\"Ionic hair dryers are ideal for reducing frizz and setting any style. Heat infused with negatively charged ions from an ionic blow dryer quickly locks in moisture, making freshly washed hair easier to comb and style. An ionic blow dryer helps r...
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9ijsl8
how does a freezer freeze?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9ijsl8/eli5how_does_a_freezer_freeze/
{ "a_id": [ "e6k4omv" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Freezers and refrigerators (also air conditioning) work on the principle that when a gas gets compressed down into a liquid, it absorbs a lot of heat from the air around it (making the air cool), and when that liquid gets decompressed back into a...
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87woj0
why can’t snapchat prevent screenshots in a similar way to netflix? (it makes the picture black)
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/87woj0/eli5_why_cant_snapchat_prevent_screenshots_in_a/
{ "a_id": [ "dwg4654", "dwgfgiv" ], "score": [ 7, 2 ], "text": [ "I don’t think they’d want to block the ability to stop screenshots, they just let the other person know that it was screenshot in case it was a......sensitive snap", "You see a black screenshot because that's what's actu...
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7fyfsv
why are chickens more likely to be contaminated with salmonella and not other animals
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7fyfsv/eli5why_are_chickens_more_likely_to_be/
{ "a_id": [ "dqfal5y", "dqfaud7" ], "score": [ 34, 6 ], "text": [ "Just like reptiles, chickens have Salmonella bacteria in their digestive tract. Adaptation in both the bacteria and animal has resulted in a situation where infection is often asymptomatic. Issues arise, however, when slaug...
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[ [], [] ]
38jox3
why would a restaurant only accept cash if not for money laundering?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/38jox3/eli5_why_would_a_restaurant_only_accept_cash_if/
{ "a_id": [ "crvjc3w", "crvjtsz" ], "score": [ 8, 2 ], "text": [ "It costs businesses money to accept credit cards. Specifically, a small fixed fee, plus a percentage of the transaction. If a restaurant is operating on a very thin margin, and especially if their merchant agreement with a...
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bfl4i0
how do apps such as sweatcoin pay you to walk? where do they get the money from, and how do they make profit?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bfl4i0/eli5_how_do_apps_such_as_sweatcoin_pay_you_to/
{ "a_id": [ "eleia88", "elem4t2" ], "score": [ 15, 3 ], "text": [ "Knowing all that, and then understanding it's a cryptocurrency has made me 100% uninterested in checking it out. Even if it does make you money, I bet it's literally pennies on the dollar.\n\nThe value of the coin comes fro...
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[ [], [] ]
6q74wo
how do pigeons know that i'm sneaking up behind them no matter how quiet i am?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6q74wo/eli5_how_do_pigeons_know_that_im_sneaking_up/
{ "a_id": [ "dkv2v8i" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ "_URL_0_ \n\nThis is the field of view of a pigeon. They can see *almost* all around them all at the same time, a slight turn if the head can fill in the last little bit.\n\nBirds also generally have fairly fast reflexes, important when you're fly...
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[ [ "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1b/Fieldofview01.png/800px-Fieldofview01.png" ] ]
38tq6z
considering all my car does is beep that the key is missing, what prevents someone from stealing a running car with keyless go if the key isn't with the car?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/38tq6z/eli5_considering_all_my_car_does_is_beep_that_the/
{ "a_id": [ "crxsx6o", "crxttd5" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "They aren't more or less secure than standard keys, just more convenient. Yes, if you leave any car running, it's much easier to steal", "Something that might help is to ask yourself, why does it beep when the key is mis...
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[ [], [] ]
3tzd25
how is windows compatible with mac? and why does windows allow the use of their operating system on their main competitor's computers?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3tzd25/eli5_how_is_windows_compatible_with_mac_and_why/
{ "a_id": [ "cxaidt7", "cxaiek0", "cxaiffu" ], "score": [ 7, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Apple and Microsoft have different business models for their OS. Apple is fundamentally a hardware manufacturer, and Microsoft is fundamentally a software developer. Apple's Mac OS was made specifically...
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2h68ez
will you feel the same whether you drink 3 6% beers in 18 minutes or 2 9% beers in 18 minutes?
Im not sure if drinking different alcohol content can be easily related like this or not. Will the volume difference between these two give you different results?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2h68ez/eli5will_you_feel_the_same_whether_you_drink_3_6/
{ "a_id": [ "ckpqxam" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "If you stop right there, you'll feel very similar since the alcohol content is the same. But, you'll be a little more hydrated (and a little fuller) from the 6% beers, which may slow you down\n\n9% beers sneak up on you, let me tell you." ] }
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343cg5
why isn't the for-profit business model of hospitals in the us under more fire than the healthcare system?
I feel like if the hospitals had more regulation then healthcare in turn would go down. Or do the hospital owners have enough wealth where they can just pay to have the attention taken away?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/343cg5/eli5_why_isnt_the_forprofit_business_model_of/
{ "a_id": [ "cqqunbw" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Even \"nonprofit\" hospitals are generally out to make a profit, or at least break even. The parent organization needs to be financially stable. " ] }
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3fppaf
what led to the "top 1%" economic gap? and compared to how the general population perceives it, what is the actual economic spread? is the government doing anything about this?
We've all heard of the top 1% of America holding all of the economic assets. A segregation has occurred where we distinguish ourselves as the 99% or the 1%. Is it really as bad as it looks? And if it is, is there anything actively working against this inequality? Pardon my ignorance.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3fppaf/eli5_what_led_to_the_top_1_economic_gap_and/
{ "a_id": [ "ctqvdfr" ], "score": [ 9 ], "text": [ "This is not a new phenomenon. The [power curve](_URL_0_) has shown up in economics and various other disciplines again and again. This was first analyzed in a scholarly context by Vilfredo Pareto, who in 1896 noted that [80% of the land in Italy ...
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[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pareto_distribution", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pareto_principle", "http://www.npr.org/news/graphics/2011/05/gr-pm-income-brackets-462.gif" ] ]
ceolt1
how do electrodes detect voltage changes in ecgs
To do a variety of medical procedures, such as ECGs, EEGs, EMGs, etc., physicians use pairs of electrodes to measure the voltage changes associated with neurons, heart cells, and other cells depolarizing. But I'm curious how this actually occurs. That is, how is it that a movement of ions across a cell membrane can tra...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ceolt1/eli5_how_do_electrodes_detect_voltage_changes_in/
{ "a_id": [ "eu3z6ma" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "The simplest way to describe this is that an electric charge causes a magnetic field to form and change when the charge moves. This magnetic field can be detected by the electrode by the \"reverse\" process - called magnetic induction. A moving/c...
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10anr3
i come from european country where knock-knock jokes are unknown. can somebody explain to me this game because i still don't get it when i hear it on tv.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/10anr3/i_come_from_european_country_where_knockknock/
{ "a_id": [ "c6btk6t", "c6bxwv2", "c6bzbbq" ], "score": [ 11, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "People keep answering you with non-jokes so I'm going to try to give a better answer.\n\nThis is the formula for a knock-knock joke:\n\nperson1: Knock knock\n\nperson2: Who's there?\n\nperson1: \"somet...
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[ [ "http://www.elistmania.com/juice/10_funniest_knock_knock_jokes/" ], [], [] ]
6qkwwe
while peeing, why does your urine flow suddenly stop when you sneeze
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6qkwwe/eli5_while_peeing_why_does_your_urine_flow/
{ "a_id": [ "dky0z4p" ], "score": [ 9 ], "text": [ "Because when you sneeze your muscles contract so your sphincter contracting will stop the pee :) " ] }
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75rtlt
how can creators of items on sites like etsy, redbubble, etc. get away with using quotes from tv/movies/music?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/75rtlt/eli5_how_can_creators_of_items_on_sites_like_etsy/
{ "a_id": [ "do8fey8", "do8g1gx", "do8h761" ], "score": [ 10, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Because it is impossible for even large companies to scour the internet and world for every single unauthorized use of their intellectual property and demand take downs and issue cease and desist order...
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[ [], [], [] ]
xh48l
romney vs obama's education plan
Pretty simple, I don't want to know their other policies just their stance on education and what they're planing on doing. edit: may be a bit too much for ELI5, but perhaps some more specifics too?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/xh48l/eli5_romney_vs_obamas_education_plan/
{ "a_id": [ "c5mazk8", "c5mae0v" ], "score": [ 7, 3 ], "text": [ "Basically, Obama says that higher education (college) should be a right. People should all be able to go to college with help from scholarships, loans, or grants. \n\nRomney thinks that it should be reserved for those who ca...
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k02z3
how are some apartments rent-controlled but not others? why isn't there an equivalent for buying a house?
How does any one apartment become rent-controlled? Also, say specifically, a man owns his house for 5 years - why aren't there any examples of houses being 'controlled' where the price stays the same, so someone else can move in there for cheap - just like an apartment?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/k02z3/eli5_how_are_some_apartments_rentcontrolled_but/
{ "a_id": [ "c2gj8jz", "c2gj8jz" ], "score": [ 6, 6 ], "text": [ "\nRent control is only in New York City. It was an experiment. Here's what happened:\n\nAlice moved into an apartment in Manhattan back in the 1940s. Back then, Manhattan was just another neighborhood, full of regular peo...
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4hax9g
how can we edit genetic code and implant it into our bodies?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4hax9g/eli5_how_can_we_edit_genetic_code_and_implant_it/
{ "a_id": [ "d2oqzb2" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "Great question on a great topic. Editing the DNA of a cell or an organism is relatively easy. There are three major issues that make it difficult to go from this to genetic therapy to cure inherited disease and what not.\n\n1. All the genes in an...
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ap6vu1
how do the engines of submerging vehicles (submarines, diving machines) work? as a lamen, are these combustion engines? where do they get air from?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ap6vu1/eli5_how_do_the_engines_of_submerging_vehicles/
{ "a_id": [ "eg659yf", "eg65bio", "eg669hz", "eg67jkg" ], "score": [ 5, 2, 10, 2 ], "text": [ "Most of the time submersibles are powered by batteries as in old diesel submarines (the diesel engine recharges the batteries through drawing air in a snorkel, meaning they must s...
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[ [], [], [], [] ]
clv6w2
why does alcohol make a person dehydrated
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/clv6w2/eli5_why_does_alcohol_make_a_person_dehydrated/
{ "a_id": [ "evy0nlk", "evybde0", "evyokyi", "evyynos" ], "score": [ 93, 6, 13, 3 ], "text": [ "There are two stages in producing urine. The first stage uses a lot of water to help the kidneys filtrate waste products. The second stage recycles the excess water and recircles...
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3rsucm
what would happen if the us cut funding to israel in the space of a year. (in regards to what happens in the middle east)
I'm not looking for answers like "we would have 3 billion more to spend on education". I would assume some sort of war in the middle East may start. But what else?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3rsucm/eli5_what_would_happen_if_the_us_cut_funding_to/
{ "a_id": [ "cwr071d" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "It's hard to get into hypotheticals like that, but it's honestly hard to imagine any of Israel's neighbors attacking: Egypt is run by a military dictatorship that is actively putting Israel's interests above those of the Palestinians, and they ha...
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9zmdev
why is canadian and american thanksgiving celebrated on separate days?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9zmdev/eli5_why_is_canadian_and_american_thanksgiving/
{ "a_id": [ "eaaa91z", "eaab2xu", "eaakc53" ], "score": [ 7, 3, 4 ], "text": [ "Because they're two separate holidays, which only share some history. Neither had a set date until the 19th century, which was long after they started being celebrated.", "What's the origin of Canad...
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3ni74k
why do people think it is racist to be against illegal immigration?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ni74k/eli5_why_do_people_think_it_is_racist_to_be/
{ "a_id": [ "cvoaxig", "cvocp42", "cvojnod" ], "score": [ 28, 7, 4 ], "text": [ "You're not racist for opposing illegal immigration. You might be racist if you decide to pre-judge an entire group of human beings of a single ethnic or racial background without regard for their motiv...
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[ [], [], [] ]
613nmk
why does water (ice) expand when cold while metal expands when hot. why does human tissue shrink when cold while fabric shrinks when hot.
I know these may not necessarily be related but why is it not a universal effect?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/613nmk/eli5_why_does_water_ice_expand_when_cold_while/
{ "a_id": [ "dfbfxcw", "dfc5k5d" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "You're comparing several different things. Water/ice expands during phase change. From 100C down to about 4C, water contracts when cold and expands when hot. The reason water expands when freezing has to do with how the crys...
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2v1lj3
what exactly is happening when a computer or phone is 'booting up' when you turn it on?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2v1lj3/eli5_what_exactly_is_happening_when_a_computer_or/
{ "a_id": [ "codn76g" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "The hardware is all saying hello to one another, tests are performed to ensure that everything is responding as expected. There's also an order that things need to be powered on in, so it can't be done all at once.\n\nOnce it's all turned on, it...
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2ugtvv
in football, why does it always seem like the defense can lock down the last 10 yards, in a manner they couldn't seem to up until that point?
Is it pressure alone, or something else?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2ugtvv/eli5_in_football_why_does_it_always_seem_like_the/
{ "a_id": [ "co89s32" ], "score": [ 10 ], "text": [ "Same amount of guys. Way less area to cover. It's a simple madder of player density " ] }
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5hrk4z
back in the olden days, movies showed the majority to all of their credits before the actual movie. now, the credits roll after the movie. when was the official transition between the two, and why did cinema change it?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5hrk4z/eli5_back_in_the_olden_days_movies_showed_the/
{ "a_id": [ "db2el2h", "db2eq3a", "db2fmkw", "db2g68m" ], "score": [ 10, 3, 11, 39 ], "text": [ "I'm not a film major or anything but I do know that back when George Lucas released Star Wars 4, 5, and 6 he got fined by the Director's Guild of America for not showing any cre...
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[ [], [], [], [] ]
jhp93
how you can become an american citizen.
At least enough to live there on a permanent basis have a job, etc. I've looked at doing it some many times but it seems impossible? If it helps I'm currently 20 years old from the UK, no degree.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/jhp93/eli5_how_you_can_become_an_american_citizen/
{ "a_id": [ "c2c8e0j", "c2c8thk", "c2c91nd", "c2catkk", "c2c8e0j", "c2c8thk", "c2c91nd", "c2catkk" ], "score": [ 7, 3, 6, 3, 7, 3, 6, 3 ], "text": [ "I'm no expert, but typically USA wants to be importing highly educated immigrants from other...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
1ru8z9
what is litecoin?
Also, how would one get started on it?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ru8z9/eli5_what_is_litecoin/
{ "a_id": [ "cdqxrlf" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Litecoin is a basically identical technology to bitcoins (For the average user it IS identical technology).\n\nIt's a cryptocurrency, that is to say it's a digital currency which uses cryptography to validate transactions, and uses that and its s...
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[ [ "bitcoin.org", "litecoin.org" ] ]
3ajmnq
why does forcing pornstars to wear condoms kill the porn industry?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ajmnq/eli5_why_does_forcing_pornstars_to_wear_condoms/
{ "a_id": [ "csd7lwq", "csd7p3c", "csd80t8", "csd8bk5", "csdcrt1" ], "score": [ 5, 2, 14, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Cuz no one likes to watch porn with condoms. What about creampies for fuck sake! (Sarcasm level: 45% )", "For real, I don't like watching porn where the ...
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[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
a4e6px
why are there so many different dc connectors? like for laptops, etc. i probably have a dozen different devices and none of the connectors are the same.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a4e6px/eli5_why_are_there_so_many_different_dc/
{ "a_id": [ "ebdncj5" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Power connectors are sized by the Voltage they deliver to whatever is being powered - you then can't accidentally fry a device by giving IT too much voltage than safely needed... " ] }
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5r4okt
why if an object falls at the same speed (gravity), if i jump from 2m i receive less impact than jumping from 4m
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5r4okt/eli5why_if_an_object_falls_at_the_same_speed/
{ "a_id": [ "dd4e9q0", "dd4ecc0" ], "score": [ 2, 8 ], "text": [ "In that distance, you will not have reached terminal velocity.\n\n\"A falling person at low altitude will reach terminal velocity after about 12 seconds, falling some 450 m (1,500 ft) in that time. He will then maintain this...
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[ [ "https://socratic.org/questions/how-does-mass-affect-the-speed-of-falling-objects" ], [] ]
54abb3
why does paper yellow with age?
I was originally going to post something to the cooking subreddit about old recipes on old, yellowed notecards. But.. I don't know how old they are and assumed they where old because of their yellowed, stiff feeling. Then I realized I didn't know why paper yellows at all. Is it like wood aging?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/54abb3/eli5_why_does_paper_yellow_with_age/
{ "a_id": [ "d805k6a", "d80p7wv" ], "score": [ 52, 4 ], "text": [ "There are two main components to wood. Cellulose structures which make up the cells, which is what most paper makers are after, and lignin which is what makes trees rigid. Lignin basically glues the tree's cells together. S...
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1vdcmv
what happened to the star that created our solar system and the non-hydrogen elements on earth?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1vdcmv/eli5_what_happened_to_the_star_that_created_our/
{ "a_id": [ "cer3tj4" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Most likely, it wasn't a single star. The heavy elements - beyond carbon and oxygen - are mostly produced in stars that go supernova. In fact, the solar system lies in a \"bubble\" called the [Local Bubble](_URL_0_) that is believed to be a remna...
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[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_Bubble" ] ]
81uvm8
in the english language, why do some words end in "ow" and have an "ow" sound, and some end in "ow" and have a long "o" sound - what's the point of the "w" in those words (such as yellow or mellow), why not just end in "o" like hello?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/81uvm8/eli5_in_the_english_language_why_do_some_words/
{ "a_id": [ "dv5criy", "dv5cspx" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "W is a relatively new letter, and used to literally be two U's, often inconsistently. -ow evolved from the vowel sounds made by -ou and -ouu.\n\nThe sounds made by these words have shifted over time, and in some cases, word...
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nolzh
why would people be in support of sopa?
Most people I know that actually knows about SOPA either doesn't want to see if passed or is indifferent. I have yet to meet someone that actually wants it. So why would GoDaddy and other companies (that don't own copyrighted materials that are often pirated) actually want it?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/nolzh/eli5_why_would_people_be_in_support_of_sopa/
{ "a_id": [ "c3apsp2", "c3aq0f7", "c3axp4d", "c3apsp2", "c3aq0f7", "c3axp4d" ], "score": [ 13, 4, 4, 13, 4, 4 ], "text": [ "Part of the enforcement of this bill will be taking down domain names, updating DNS records, etc, which all put a lot of responsibilit...
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[ [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright_Term_Extension_Act" ], [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright_Term_Extension_Act" ], [] ]
8t20zu
why haven't prions infected every living system/organism, around 1 billion / 500 million years ago?
* 1) Prions can arise spontaneously (very rare, but over the course of billion years doesn't matter, will happen). * 2) Prions are more difficult than regular proteins to denature. * 3) If they're in a living system, AFAIK impossible to eradicate without destroying that organism. * 4) Can be passed down to progeny....
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8t20zu/eli5_why_havent_prions_infected_every_living/
{ "a_id": [ "e142c57", "e143pmz", "e144y1y", "e149lsz", "e14i3vu", "e14ilr2", "e14inla", "e14j6o1", "e14kqyw", "e14lg8p", "e14pnfb", "e14tv2g", "e15a886", "e15b1f4", "e15cnck", "e15ekzs", "e15fbj7", "e15h3mu" ], "score": [ 45, 527, ...
[]
[ "https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8t20zu/eli5_why_havent_prions_infected_every_living/e14ku37/", "https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8t20zu/eli5_why_havent_prions_infected_every_living/e15zi2d/", "https://www.reddit.com/r/PDFs/comments/8u0eht/201205_five_questions_on_prion_di...
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
38p9ok
why do we always reminisce about "the good ol' days" as if the present is never up to par?
But 5-10 years later we are reminiscing about now?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/38p9ok/eli5_why_do_we_always_reminisce_about_the_good_ol/
{ "a_id": [ "crwqd7y", "crwqe9c", "crwqowm", "crwqwj8", "crwrri2", "crwtxmr", "crwu8wk", "crwupo1", "crwvdfr", "crwwd28", "crx3upi", "crx6fq3" ], "score": [ 41, 6, 8, 17, 3, 2, 4, 3, 3, 6, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "[N...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nostalgia" ], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/e08ybj/even-better-than-the-real-thing" ], [], [], [], [] ]
36xi2l
what is going on with the duggar family exactly? who are they, what did they do and why is it such a big deal nowadays?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/36xi2l/eli5_what_is_going_on_with_the_duggar_family/
{ "a_id": [ "crhx8qb" ], "score": [ 14 ], "text": [ "The Duggar family is a family of quiver-full conservative Christians (AKA those christians who are all about having as many children as possible for god) who had a TV show on TLC, mainly due to the ridiculous number of children (19) they had.\n\...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
7vxid3
does your body digest foods with less important nutrients quicker than foods with more important nutrients?
Is my body going to digest foods with nutrients I currently need quicker than ones without? In addition to that will my body digest higher quality foods longer than lower quality foods? Lets say i go to McDonald's and eat 2 cheeseburgers with fries and a soda. Would my body digest the McDonald's food quicker than say i...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7vxid3/eli5_does_your_body_digest_foods_with_less/
{ "a_id": [ "dtvv7py", "dtw6lq7" ], "score": [ 5, 3 ], "text": [ "Carbohydrates, as the body's primary source of energy, generally pass through the digestive tract more rapidly than either protein or fats. Protein digests faster than fats. Some carbohydrates digest more quickly than others...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
2wbt57
how is allowing only native americans to run casinos not racism?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2wbt57/eli5_how_is_allowing_only_native_americans_to_run/
{ "a_id": [ "copcu79", "copcyng", "copd6l1", "copf5ox", "copkn4z" ], "score": [ 11, 28, 8, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "Basically, as sort of a condolence for the government taking their land, Native Americans were given reservations. That is, areas where they're, to a certai...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
2wwrin
why don't private jets fly faster than mach 1?
Concorde was retired cause it was too expensive for the average person to fly, makes sense, but people who own private jets have shitload of money, so why don't they make private jets that fly as fast (or faster) than the Concorde? Wouldn't the 1% be able to afford them?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2wwrin/eli5_why_dont_private_jets_fly_faster_than_mach_1/
{ "a_id": [ "cout1k2", "cout2p0", "couutxk" ], "score": [ 5, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "There are restrictions on flying faster than Mach 1 over populated areas in the US. That's why Concorde only ever flew to coastal airports in the US (JFK, Dulles, Miami).", "I'm pretty sure there a...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
g06kgm
why do some drugs last longer whereas others don't?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/g06kgm/eli5_why_do_some_drugs_last_longer_whereas_others/
{ "a_id": [ "fn822ob", "fn82yyi" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Ya, you guessed it. Some of these drugs bind to their targeted cells longer than others, which causes different “highs”", "Yes! The body handles different drugs in a multitude of different ways. Mostly enzymes in your li...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
5pzsqk
what is phagocytosis?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5pzsqk/eli5_what_is_phagocytosis/
{ "a_id": [ "dcv4x86", "dcveb4u" ], "score": [ 5, 9 ], "text": [ "Phagocytosis is when a big thing really wants to have a little thing inside of it so it gives it a big hug and absorbs it :)", "Literally, phago means \"eating\", and the \"cyt\" part comes from the word \"cyte\" meaning...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
ewmh3d
why can the defending party in a presidential trial deny witnesses? isn't a trial all about hearing the important witnesses?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ewmh3d/eli5_why_can_the_defending_party_in_a/
{ "a_id": [ "fg33s74", "fg34hu5", "fg35meu", "fg367pc" ], "score": [ 7, 6, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "It's not a criminal trial. Trump isn't at risk of going to prison. The absolute worst thing that could happen to him is that he's removed from office. Therefore, the normal rules o...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [ "https://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_education/resources/law_related_education_network/how_courts_work/discovery/" ] ]
7m6io9
how do drug purity tests work when testing drugs like cocaine and mdma?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7m6io9/eli5_how_do_drug_purity_tests_work_when_testing/
{ "a_id": [ "drrrmnf", "drrsh8n" ], "score": [ 6, 3 ], "text": [ "The test kits include specific molecule which change the active ingredients in the drugs to other molecules which have specific colors. It may also have molecules which will interact with common adulterants to provide other ...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://www.reagent-tests.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Raw-reagent-table.jpg" ] ]
bvjzlk
what do those short metal cored cylinders do for usb cables?
Do they make the signal faster? What could they be protecting the signal from? Why do only some USB cables have them? Do they really work?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bvjzlk/eli5_what_do_those_short_metal_cored_cylinders_do/
{ "a_id": [ "eppsvki", "eppt6w2", "eppz90a" ], "score": [ 2, 8, 2 ], "text": [ "It sounds like you are talking about a ferrite bead (or ferrite choke or even just a 'choke')\n\nWhen signal passes through the cord it can generate electromagnetic interface. Depending on the strength ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
328gy9
why it not illegal for food companies to distribute products that clearly look nothing like the packaging? (ie. fast food, frozen dinners, etc)
Wouldn't that fall under false advertising?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/328gy9/eli5_why_it_not_illegal_for_food_companies_to/
{ "a_id": [ "cq8usgy", "cq8w6el" ], "score": [ 6, 6 ], "text": [ "False advertising is a bit more overt, such as promising a product will do something that it does not, or offering a completely different product altogether. Just about all food is \"dressed up\" in advertisements to look as...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
f2cmoo
why do some muscles hurt when massaged while others feel good? what does it say about the muscle's tightness?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/f2cmoo/eli5_why_do_some_muscles_hurt_when_massaged_while/
{ "a_id": [ "fhduv8b" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "The muscles that hurt when press are called trigger points. Also commonly called knots, these are basically little bunches of muscles that got too excited and are bunched up. When you press on them you decrease the blood flow and when you release...
[]
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[ [] ]
1slqoc
if conservatives want less government, then why do they typically want to give greater powers to the police forces and national security agencies than liberals?
For example, when I listen to american news, why do I get the impression that Republicans are mostly the ones advocating policies which make my souther neighbour look like a police state? Ex: Patriot act, prohibition, forbidden to film police abuse, etc.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1slqoc/eli5_if_conservatives_want_less_government_then/
{ "a_id": [ "cdytblb", "cdyucoz", "cdyvgm3" ], "score": [ 9, 6, 5 ], "text": [ "It's not that they want less government, it's that they want government to do less jobs. Conservatives feel government should only do stuff like security, etc. Thus, they want all the \"non-essential\"...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
dq4wft
why don’t military jets have missiles that fire to the rear to shoot down enemy fighter planes?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dq4wft/eli5_why_dont_military_jets_have_missiles_that/
{ "a_id": [ "f60j75u", "f60jb22", "f60jdi4", "f60jj1q" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Great minds think alike. Yo ho ho! Yer not alone in askin', and kind strangers have explained:\n\n1. [ELI5: Why can't fighter jets fire missiles backwards toward an enemy in pursui...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/47rkn8/eli5_why_cant_fighter_jets_fire_missiles/", "http://reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1q1khi/eli5why_dont_modern_fighter_aircraft_have_weapons/", "http://reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2uqq8v/eli5_why_are_there_no_fighter_jets_with_...
3mpoyv
how does a flu shot work to prevent someone from getting sick? i heard some years it does not work and others it's better.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3mpoyv/eli5_how_does_a_flu_shot_work_to_prevent_someone/
{ "a_id": [ "cvgzk3n", "cvgzw9z" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "There are more than one mutations (versions) of the flu virus, so a flu shot (a vaccine) cannot protect you from all of them. But, it will protect you from some major strains.", "So think of your immune system like a sma...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
48u6y7
why do we need a month dedicated to women's history, or black history?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/48u6y7/eli5_why_do_we_need_a_month_dedicated_to_womens/
{ "a_id": [ "d0mjqnm" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Due to racism and sexism, the contributions that black people and women have made to our society have often been overlooked, and are still unfortunately often overlooked today. These history months are about having a month where such contribution...
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[ [] ]
2s6py5
how is it possible that rolls and breads lay on the counters in bakeries all day and stay fresh, but when i leave them at home uncovered they get stale in an hour?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2s6py5/eli5_how_is_it_possible_that_rolls_and_breads_lay/
{ "a_id": [ "cnmnwdt", "cnmo47b" ], "score": [ 4, 4 ], "text": [ "The bakery is probably baking fresh rolls throughout the day. They toss them when they go stale. Bread dough is pretty cheap so they can afford to throw some away.", "I know someone, who worked at a bakery. She told me t...
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[ [], [] ]
2fm62a
ok, so the universe is finite, but unbounded. what would eventually happen if i picked a perfectly straight direction through spacetime and traveled 1000% the speed of light past it's theoretical edge?
Or at least traveling faster than the expansion of the universe.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2fm62a/eli5_ok_so_the_universe_is_finite_but_unbounded/
{ "a_id": [ "ckakcpj", "ckakf2x", "ckal40y", "ckal6gg", "ckanp0h" ], "score": [ 4, 21, 2, 4, 10 ], "text": [ "I vaguely remember something about because the universe is curved you would just go round in a loop, don't quote me on it though.\n", "The universe is n...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
354o6s
why do we recognize certain sounds (such as a gentle "hey wake up"), but not others when we sleep, given that they are the same volume?
I wake up when my family/SO make the gentlest wake up sounds, but sleep through birds, TVs and other environmental noise even if they appear abruptly and of the same or slightly higher volume. I am curious if our brain can recognize the pattern of wakeup sounds even when we sleep. Thanks!
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/354o6s/eli5_why_do_we_recognize_certain_sounds_such_as_a/
{ "a_id": [ "cr10ifb", "cr1myof" ], "score": [ 371, 2 ], "text": [ "You are surrounded by noise, all the time. Unlike your eyes, which have built-in-light-blockers, your ears remain open and receiving stimuli 24/7 to the little hairs inside of your ear that translate vibration into signals...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
e7odby
before the germ theory of disease what rationale did people have for washing their hands or engaging in sanitary activities?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/e7odby/eli5_before_the_germ_theory_of_disease_what/
{ "a_id": [ "fa1wdun", "fa1z02h", "fa1zc8g", "fa2jymm", "fa4g78y" ], "score": [ 36, 18, 6, 7, 2 ], "text": [ "The first guy to suggest it was laughed at.\n\n\"Semmelweis could offer no acceptable scientific explanation for his findings, and some doctors were offende...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
1xlt96
if it is reasonable to buy stocks low and sell them high, who are you selling/buying them to/from, if everyone else is probably also selling/buying?
For example I buy 1 BTC at $600 and decide to sell when it reaches 800$, who am I selling to? Perhaps it is not right to assume everyone else wants to sell?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1xlt96/eli5_if_it_is_reasonable_to_buy_stocks_low_and/
{ "a_id": [ "cfches7", "cfchfyd", "cfcho90" ], "score": [ 2, 9, 2 ], "text": [ "If you succesfully buy 1 BTC at $600, it means at that precise moment someone else wanted to sell at least 1 BTC at $600 or less. If you sell 1 BTC at $800, it means at that precise moment someone else ...
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[ [], [], [] ]
3k50l7
through internet and personal experiences, it seems that most american citizens 'support their troops'. how is it that so many veterans are homeless and suffer from mental illness without the ability to get help?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3k50l7/eli5through_internet_and_personal_experiences_it/
{ "a_id": [ "cuutn15", "cuutn9l", "cuuugw5", "cuv0bxm", "cuv0ob5" ], "score": [ 8, 12, 5, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "Most countries (and this goes WAY back in history) support their troops while they are actually serving, but once they're not very few people care any more.\...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [ "http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lip%20service" ] ]
9nsj95
what is mein kampf about?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9nsj95/eli5_what_is_mein_kampf_about/
{ "a_id": [ "e7ongqh", "e7opkkm" ], "score": [ 14, 27 ], "text": [ "Adolf Hitler's account of his experiences and ideas that he started writing in prison. It's part self-adulation, part psychotic conspiracy theory against Jews.\n\n", "It's Hitler's autobiography mixed in with his pers...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
2oe6vo
is there a purpose to the countdown to liftoff besides dramatic effect?
Why dont they just say "hey is everybody ready? ok? hit launch"
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2oe6vo/eli5_is_there_a_purpose_to_the_countdown_to/
{ "a_id": [ "cmmaf5f", "cmmah86", "cmmaj56" ], "score": [ 3, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "There's a lot of things that have to be done before the launch, and the countdown is a key way to schedule those.\n\nFrom a safety point of view, let me illustrate it like this: let's say part of your j...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/launch/delta_IV_count_101.html" ] ]
1y1gxz
why does comment graveyard happen on reddit?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1y1gxz/eli5_why_does_comment_graveyard_happen_on_reddit/
{ "a_id": [ "cfgidqk", "cfgj7zt" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Either the mods remove a string of comments or they are so downvoted everyone removes them their self. ", "In subreddits like /r/science it happens because it could be a joke thread and those are banned there." ] }
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[ [], [] ]