q_id stringlengths 5 6 | title stringlengths 3 296 | selftext stringlengths 0 34k | document stringclasses 1
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value | url stringlengths 4 110 | answers dict | title_urls list | selftext_urls list | answers_urls list |
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2kqk53 | why are movie video game sounds so retro? | Is it some kind of in-joke? Any game in a movie seems to have been recorded in the PONG era.
Why is that? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2kqk53/eli5_why_are_movie_video_game_sounds_so_retro/ | {
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"text": [
"Because they're toys, and for geeks, and if they used real sounds with full orchestras like those that are used in games today, it would be too normal and not blatantly identifiable as something to do w... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
8oukis | what makes 0 such an odd number? (is it even odd, or even?). | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8oukis/eli5_what_makes_0_such_an_odd_number_is_it_even/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
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"text": [
"Most of its unusual properties come from the fact that 0 is the \"additive identity\": if you add 0 to anything, you end up with the same thing you started out with. This is basically the defining characteristic of 0, and using this and basic pro... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
buj2bv | preferential voting, specifically the irish voting system. | So the Irish local and EU elections are currently counting, could someone explain to me specifically how the process when a candidate exceeds their wrote works? Like how the votes are distributed amongst the other candidates. Examples are welcome! | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/buj2bv/eli5_preferential_voting_specifically_the_irish/ | {
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"text": [
"In preferential voting you score candidates in order of preference, 1, 2, 3 etc. \n\nThey count all the votes marked 1. If they get enough votes to win, then they win. If they don't get enough votes to win then they elimina... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8XOZJkozfI"
]
] | |
7sjuja | if you throw a wad of wet, scrunched up toilet paper at a wall, it sticks even after the water has evaporated out of it. how come? | I’m sure most people have seen wads of paper towel and toilet paper stuck on public restroom walls and ceilings, from people who wet them and then threw them against the surface. If you were to throw a dry piece of paper at a wall, it wouldn’t stick, so, on a more molecular level, how come the TP continues to stay in p... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7sjuja/eli5_if_you_throw_a_wad_of_wet_scrunched_up/ | {
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"text": [
"Paper is basically wood pulp (often with other additives), held together by glue. In toilet paper specifically, the glue is very soluble in water. This is so when you flush it, the glue melts, and the paper dissolves. If you throw wet toilet pap... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
f7u5bb | why does coffee get the pipes moving, so to speak, when other caffeinated drinks don’t do the same thing? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/f7u5bb/eli5_why_does_coffee_get_the_pipes_moving_so_to/ | {
"a_id": [
"fif8atv"
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"score": [
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"text": [
"All stimulants divert blood away from your digestive system and can trigger the need to use the bathroom. Coffee has a stronger effect primarily due to conditioning. Since many people have a daily habit of drinking coffee followed by using the ba... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
4d86f2 | why do microwaves interfere with some electronic devices when they are on? | Ex: When the microwave is running the display of the electronic device acts weirdly. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4d86f2/eli5_why_do_microwaves_interfere_with_some/ | {
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"text": [
"Most radio frequencies are super tightly regulated on what they are for. The spectrum microwaves use is in one of the rare \"we don't care, basically do whatever, just keep it unde... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
5aas3a | what incentive do credit card companies have to let you do 'chargebacks'? | So CC's give you 'buying insurance' and let you chargeback on purchases that were damaged (e.g. you buy a bike online and find out the handlebars are cracked)
Why would they bother with this? Why do credit card companies just say 'fuck it, go deal with the merchant' instead? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5aas3a/eli5_what_incentive_do_credit_card_companies_have/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
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"text": [
"The law requires them to give chargebacks for returned products and erroneously bought products. It is not something they do out of kindness. ",
"The chargebacks go all the way to the merchant. So if you did not get what... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
5pxn0m | who physically writes out things like executive orders? | There were Executive Orders ready to go on Jan 20th, so they had to have been prepared in advance, right? Who actually writes these out to be signed? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5pxn0m/eli5_who_physically_writes_out_things_like/ | {
"a_id": [
"dcum657"
],
"score": [
8
],
"text": [
"One of the numerous press or speech secretaries/aids that work at the Whitehouse. There are literally dozens of aids who specialize in writing that do things like this for the President. "
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
3wmyka | physically and structurally speaking, what exactly is a tcp/ip packet? | I know when you send information over the Internet, it ultimately comes down to machine-readable 1's and 0's being sent over the wires and airwaves.
How exactly is it that you can send the same data over a phone line, radio waves, infrared, doves or fiber optic without the protocol making any distinction? Is TCP/IP m... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3wmyka/eli5_physically_and_structurally_speaking_what/ | {
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"text": [
"Well, as a CCNA adept I know at least two ways of signal encoding: Manchester and Non-return zero. In both of them wattage is a key characteristic used for 1-0 encoding. Manchester... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://web.cse.ohio-state.edu/~kannan/cse3461-5461/Cse3461.C.SignalEncoding.09-04-2012.pdf"
],
[
"http://www.laneye.com/network/ethernet-network-packet-holding-an-ip-packet.gif",
"https://cdn.sparkfun.com/assets/e/b/3/b/4/51c4a21ece395f805a000000.png"
],
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P... | |
1gxg6n | what are the scheduled castes & tribes in india? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1gxg6n/eli5what_are_the_scheduled_castes_tribes_in_india/ | {
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"text": [
"Basically the Indian society was distributed into four major areas depending the profession one took, which directly reflected their education level and their capabilities. \n\nSo, there were 4 sections: \n\n1. The Brahmins: This group included p... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
arcq99 | uk currency. how much creates a pound, what are shillings/quid/pence how many of those go into what, etc. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/arcq99/elif_uk_currency_how_much_creates_a_pound_what/ | {
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"egm9g0n",
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"score": [
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"text": [
"Quid is slang for pound. 1 quid = 1 pound. We dont use shillings anymore. 1 pence is a hundredth of a pound. 100 pence is 1 pound. \nWe have 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1, £2 in coins.",
"A pound i... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[
"https://westminstercollection.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/nations-of-the-crown-1-pound-silver-proof-obverse-reverse.png",
"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LB8NGJIXd2A",
"https://satnavandcider.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/uk-coins-8843-800x6001-e1341929210236.jpg",
"https://www.msaltd.... | ||
9yxxv0 | why romaine lettuce is seemingly the only product to have a massive e coli outbreak twice in the last year? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9yxxv0/eli5_why_romaine_lettuce_is_seemingly_the_only/ | {
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"text": [
"Many of the farms in California back up to forested areas. Wild pigs are a problem, as ... | [] | [] | [
[],
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"https://www.reddit.com/r/news/comments/9yvtnj/cdc_food_safety_alert_outbreak_of_e_coli/ea4l1om/"
],
[],
[
"https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2018/08/24/641739640/episode-861-food-scare-squad"
],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
6gncxp | what do christians believe happened to people who lived before jesus? did they all go to hell? | So basically I grew up in a kinda Christian family, we weren't that serious but we still went to church almost every week. A lot of the messages in the church were about how no human being could live up to God's expectations for us, and we were all sinners doomed for hell. But then Jesus came along and took the punishm... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6gncxp/eli5_what_do_christians_believe_happened_to/ | {
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"text": [
"They sacrificed to God, which is the significance of Jesus. He was the ultimate sacrifice. They also adhered to the laws strictly in fear of punishment. Funny... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harrowing_of_Hell"
],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
7s0vdv | how do websites such as ebates work, where they claim to “pay you to shop”? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7s0vdv/eli5_how_do_websites_such_as_ebates_work_where/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"Stores often have referral bonuses for sending traffic to them. If a store offers Ebates 4% on purchases from traffic they send to the store, Ebates can then offer you a 2% rebate and still make money back. If you're a store, you might offer a ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
44u501 | why listerine at 26% alcohol burns and stings your mouth but vodka at 40% alcohol doesn't at all? | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/44u501/eli5_why_listerine_at_26_alcohol_burns_and_stings/ | {
"a_id": [
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2
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"text": [
"I would like to have the vodka you are having. \n\nYou dont swish vodka around in your mouth for 20 seconds.",
" Listerine burns your mouth because you are swishing it in your mouth for over a minute. Also there's other... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
196rh4 | why ab crunches/sit ups are much harder when ones's feet are not being held down comparative to when they are | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/196rh4/eli5_why_ab_crunchessit_ups_are_much_harder_when/ | {
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"text": [
"When you do situps with your feet being held, you are using two groups of muscles: your abs, which act to bend your spine forward, and a group of muscles called hip flexors, which connect your upper leg to your pelvis and sp... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hip_flexors"
]
] | ||
db2tq3 | how does water in a water tower stay "fresh" and not stagnant? from what i've read about them they're supposed to hold a days supply of water for the town they're in. is there a backup for this backup? 1 day? that's it? some of them look so small! no way that's enough water for the whole town. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/db2tq3/eli5_how_does_water_in_a_water_tower_stay_fresh/ | {
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"text": [
"Think of a water tower as a water pressure regulator not a back... | [] | [] | [
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"https://youtu.be/yZwfcMSDBHs"
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[],
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[],
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2o7a78 | when a white person kills a black person, why is races of the perpetrator and victim almost always mentioned in the media, but not when the races are reversed? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2o7a78/eli5_when_a_white_person_kills_a_black_person_why/ | {
"a_id": [
"cmke39p"
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"score": [
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"text": [
"Media companies make more money with controversial stories. It's more controversial for a white person to kill a black person. Whenever a white person is killed it's just considered a boring story and not published."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
14m424 | why 64bit is "x64" but 32bit is "x86" | **Edit: Frontpage??** | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/14m424/eli5_why_64bit_is_x64_but_32bit_is_x86/ | {
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"text": [
"The x86 name refers to the original Intel 8086 processor (which ... | [] | [] | [
[],
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"http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/yzhh1/eli5_is_x86_software_made_for_32bit_os_or_64bit/c60gm9h"
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1wnlxn | how does 3ds streetpass work in the technical level? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1wnlxn/eli5how_does_3ds_streetpass_work_in_the_technical/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"It probably works like most network handshaking protocol. Assume your 3DS is Red and someone else's is Blue.\n\nIn sleep mode, Red will constantly send out a call at a low volume (signal) to conserve power:\n\nRed: ^^\"Hello? ^^Hello? ^^Hello?\"\... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
1yumx5 | what counts as ocd | I've seen/heard people saying they're OCD about something (this isn't perfectly level, that isn't symmetrical etc.) only to have someone else say it's not OCD and they need to know the difference. Is there a difference between picky and being OCD. And if there is what exactly "counts" as being OCD? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1yumx5/eli5what_counts_as_ocd/ | {
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"text": [
"basically if it's self diagnosed I don't really count it as being 'real' ocd. it stands for obsessive compulsive disorder. if you just want something neat, or you want your hands ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[
"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK56452/"
],
[]
] | |
1r5v24 | the difference between rationalism and empirism | empiricism, of course | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1r5v24/eli5_the_difference_between_rationalism_and/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"Simplest version:\nEmpiricism - The belief that concepts or knowledge can only be acquired via sense experience of the world. \nRationalism - The belief that there are legitimate ways in which concepts or knowledge can be acquired without being d... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
dd82ng | why does water/liquid/wetness shine? | I was walking in the rain the other night and seeing all the streetlights reflected in the road made me curious as to why water reflects. Why, when something is coated in a liquid, does it shine, whereas it no longer shines when dry? Even if surrounded mostly by darkness, we can still see reflection, meaning the water ... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dd82ng/eli5_why_does_waterliquidwetness_shine/ | {
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"text": [
"Every visible material reflects light. \n\nMost dry materials, however, have an uneven surface which causes the reflected light to be scattered in every direction, while wet materials are pulled flat by... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
2efvyn | how does _url_0_ work? | How does _URL_0_ work? I don't understand how answering trivia questions allows this website to be able to afford to ship rice to starving countries? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2efvyn/eli5_how_does_freericeorg_work/ | {
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... | |
5878qc | how do ants and other insects instantly recognize humans and other animals as living creatures they should attack? | I was watching Brave Wilderness and this question popped into my head. What i was thinking was that since these ants are so small they shouldn't be able to recognize that they are in fact standing on a living being. I was thinking that maybe they sting/bite practically anything just to be sure but even then they seem t... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5878qc/eli5_how_do_ants_and_other_insects_instantly/ | {
"a_id": [
"d8y26rs",
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"score": [
2,
2
],
"text": [
"A guy shoving his hands into an ants nest? Obviously attack. \nBeing pressed up against something soft and warming releasing CO2? Sting the shot out of. \n",
"Smell. If you have the hives pheromones or smell on you, then... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
4gvadr | the syrian refugee crisis | Edit: Writing a huge research paper on the Syrian Refugee Crisis and partially the war going along with it. I have no idea what is going on over there and would like to know the highlights of what there is to know about it. Thanks! | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4gvadr/eli5_the_syrian_refugee_crisis/ | {
"a_id": [
"d2kzyns"
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"text": [
"In a nutshell:\n\nSyria has, since 2011, been in a state of civil war in which government authority has collapsed across a lot of the country. both the regime and the militias that are fighting it have been extremely brutal (like, the shit ISIS d... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
4ftor7 | why do videos get darker the higher the fps? | On channels like The Slow Mo Guys, they always talk about being in sunlight so you can actually tell what's happening. What causes this? In addition, I've noticed recently that on my new iPhone 6s, the videos I film are rather darker than they were on my 5c. Is this for the same reason? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4ftor7/eli5_why_do_videos_get_darker_the_higher_the_fps/ | {
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"text": [
"The faster the camera is grabbing frames the less time the camera has to capture each frame. Less time means less light for the film or digital sensor. So j... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
1rdz5v | why does the cherry of a burning cigarette have more cohesive strength than the resultant ashes? | When I flick my cigarette to knock the ashes off the end, they detach quite easily. If I flick really hard, I might also lose the burning part itself. However, only if it's really long will it ever break mid-cherry.
What characteristics does the burning part have that results in it apparently having greater cohesion t... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1rdz5v/eli5why_does_the_cherry_of_a_burning_cigarette/ | {
"a_id": [
"cdmaznq"
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"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"By burning the tobacco you are breaking apart the molecules, this causes the ash to hold together by nothing more than very weak forces and friction. The 'cherry' holds together better because the tobacco has yet to burn completely and there are... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
2jnoyw | the buying and selling of student loans. | Also, can I buy my own loan and forgive the debt? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2jnoyw/eli5_the_buying_and_selling_of_student_loans/ | {
"a_id": [
"clddk2e",
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2,
3
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"text": [
" > Also, can I buy my own loan and forgive the debt?\n\nThat's called paying off your loan. ",
"They only sell loans to financial services companies. If you start one and happen to negotiate a deal... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
2xyt5e | why do all my dreams "make sense" when i'm dreaming them but seem ridiculous upon waking? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2xyt5e/eli5_why_do_all_my_dreams_make_sense_when_im/ | {
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2,
10,
2
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"text": [
"I think it's a lot to do with your perception on reality if some thing is physically happening to you you don't question it, if I floated off the ground right in front of you why wouldn't you believe i... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prefrontal_cortex"
],
[]
] | ||
ysn50 | why you can drink in public, so long as your booze is in a brown paper bag. | All right, I know this is probably self-explanatory, but hear me out.
---
Six years ago, I was 16 years old and waiting in line for a Slayer show (Unholy Alliance Tour 2006, if you care enough to verify that I'm not talking out of my ass) and actually went out of my way to meet some really cool people outside of the ... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ysn50/eli5_why_you_can_drink_in_public_so_long_as_your/ | {
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"She was just being nice. While they cannot legally search your bag without your consent, they can detain you until a warrant is filed or if there is probable cause to search (read... | [] | [] | [
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"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2fV-_eiKxE"
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32aos2 | are all generations told that they're worse than the previous? or is it just today's young people? | With no doubt you have heard many things along the lines of "Today's youth have no worth ethic. They're lazy, rude, and addicted to *insert latest technological advancement here.*" Surely today's young people aren't the first to hear this? Were my parents told the same thing? Or are we actually stupid? Surely humanity ... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/32aos2/eli5_are_all_generations_told_that_theyre_worse/ | {
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"text": [
"Back in the ancient Greece, we have records of philosophers and poets decrying the rise of writing, saying that it would make children into idiots who have no knowledge, who just r... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
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"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strauss%E2%80%93Howe_generational_theory"
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2mkb51 | if different races can have different dominant physical traits, why can't they have dominant mental traits as well? | . | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2mkb51/eli5_if_different_races_can_have_different/ | {
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"They can, but its considered politically incorrect to talk about because it it will be c... | [] | [] | [
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[],
[],
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"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inbreeding",
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Population_bottleneck"
],
[]
] | |
98nlzm | why so many different pasta lengths and shapes? what do they even add to the dish? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/98nlzm/eli5_why_so_many_different_pasta_lengths_and/ | {
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"text": [
"It can change a lot of things.. if you eat penne with some sauce like ragu, they can catch more of it. :) ",
"If I’m having a dryish pasta with lots of small bits (bacon, peas etc...) i’ll choose a smaller pasta like or... | [] | [] | [
[],
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1dn14k | passing on the right | I have never understood what "passing on the right" means. What explain does it mean and why is it so dangerous? Does "passing" mean simply driving past a car (requiring no lane changes) or does it actually mean going around a car (as in you change lanes to avoid a slow car, then change back to your original lane)
Is i... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1dn14k/eli5_passing_on_the_right/ | {
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"text": [
"The rule of thumb (sometimes actually codified sometimes not) is that faster traffic moves towards the left. As such, if you are passing someone you should be to their left. If you are passing someone on the right either y... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
6yaoye | why digital movie rentals cost so much money. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6yaoye/eli5_why_digital_movie_rentals_cost_so_much_money/ | {
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"text": [
"Because they can basically. People choose to pay that much so there is no reason to change it. ",
"Supply and demand. The gross profit the company makes e... | [] | [] | [
[],
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dvygnq | what does it mean when someone says "it's politics" in an office/work setting? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dvygnq/eli5_what_does_it_mean_when_someone_says_its/ | {
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"text": [
"That pleasing their boss or coworker is more important than what makes sense from your point of view in that moment.",
"\"That might not make sense, but we can't do it any differently because of the... | [] | [] | [
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17glmk | inadmissible evidence in court | How do courts deal with inadmissible evidence? Do they just ignore it even if it can solve the case by itself?
Say i'm accused of stealing a car. The prosecution cannot prove i did it until someone hacks my email and suddenly photos of the car parked in my garage emerge.
Could the prosecution obtain an order to go ch... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/17glmk/eli5_inadmissible_evidence_in_court/ | {
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"score": [
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"text": [
"In the USA, evidence obtained illegally cannot be used in court, ever, even if it proves you did it. So there's no chance the photos could be used in court.\n\nThere is a concept known as \"fruit of the poisonous tree\", where evidence obtained a... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
1awpb4 | what is e-ink and how is it any different from a tablet screen? | I've heard about how Kindle has E-Ink and I was wondering what makes it so different compared to a tablet or laptop screen and if there is any true advantages | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1awpb4/eli5_what_is_eink_and_how_is_it_any_different/ | {
"a_id": [
"c91fsbn"
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"text": [
"Computers usually have either CRT or LCD screen. CRT is a big box that has a layer of glowing stuff on the front, while LCD is a sheet of shutters and some sort of lightbulb at the back. The thing is, they both glow and when you look at glowing ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
6pzb7h | which is better for brain health, exercise or studying? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6pzb7h/eli5_which_is_better_for_brain_health_exercise_or/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"I studied brain science in university.\n\nThere is no single thing known as \"brain health.\"\nEach of these things has some benefits.",
"The brain is USED for storing and using knowledge. The brain BENEFITS FROM exercis... | [] | [] | [
[],
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35ady4 | the viking mars lander general relativity experiments | [This article](_URL_0_) on the X band deep space communications radio frequencies states:
> An important use of the X band communications came with the two Viking program landers. When the planet Mars was passing near or behind the Sun, as seen from the Earth, a Viking lander would transmit two simultaneous continuou... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/35ady4/eli5_the_viking_mars_lander_general_relativity/ | {
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"text": [
"Basically, they knew the distance from Earth to Mars, and they knew how long light would take to cross that distance, since the speed of light is a known constant. Relativity, however, predicted that the signals would take l... | [] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X_band"
] | [
[],
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_relativity"
]
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3i1xxw | why do north americans have different accents than the countries that colonized us | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3i1xxw/eli5_why_do_north_americans_have_different/ | {
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"text": [
"Well we Live so far away and with others constantly coming in and influencing younger generations how to speak, it would be strange if we still talk anything like the way the spoke back in the day. \n\nBut what's surprising... | [] | [] | [
[],
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] | ||
akdjbm | how do materials scientists develop new materials? | As in, how do they figure out the properties of the thing they're making? Is it all just guessing and checking? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/akdjbm/eli5_how_do_materials_scientists_develop_new/ | {
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"text": [
"There is some standardized tests that are used to determine properties of materials. Tensile strength test pull on a small bar or strip of material and measure the deformation vs load applied. A Charpy impact test is used t... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
2mfay6 | why do i (male) pee in spurts, especially when my tank is almost empty? why don't i have a steady stream all the way through? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2mfay6/eli5_why_do_i_male_pee_in_spurts_especially_when/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"you have a muscle that contracts and relaxes when you pee. it controls the flow of pee and needs to relax more to let more pee out. but then it contracts, causing pee to be held in. it needs to relax again to let more pee ou... | [] | [] | [
[],
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1dcxl4 | explain the most relevant government systems (democracy/monarchy/socialism etc,) in today's world. | What are the ideals of each? Why can't/can they function well in today's society? What are some judgements about each that aren't actually true? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1dcxl4/explain_the_most_relevant_government_systems/ | {
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"text": [
"Do your own damn homework!\n",
"Democracy is a system of distributing positions of power, monarchy is a power structure and socialism is an economic system. It's really hard to compare them, you cou... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
15z231 | what is happening when scientists go "below absolute zero"? | [Scientists recently announced that they achieved below absolute zero.](_URL_0_). But if absolute zero is "no energy" then how can you have "less than no energy"? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/15z231/eli5_what_is_happening_when_scientists_go_below/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"When particles are below absolute zero that just means that when they add energy they become more organized rather than less organized. ",
"When at absolute zero, there is zero entropy. Normally, adding energy makes some... | [] | [
"http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2013/01/below-absolute-zero/"
] | [
[],
[]
] | |
csq8vm | why do you burp when you swallow pool water? | Does the clorine make you burp or something? How do you not burp when you drink drinking water? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/csq8vm/eli5_why_do_you_burp_when_you_swallow_pool_water/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
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"text": [
"I've never heard of this but maybe it is the chlorine. Chlorine is a base and your stomach is full of acid so it could react sort of like baking soda and vinegar",
"When water enters the mouth, you have a reflex that sto... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
3a36vq | why do almost all sports teams name themselves after animals? | Whether at the high school, college or professional levels almost all teams do this. Theres the eagles, falcons, dolphins, etc ad infinitum. There are some teams that buck the overwhelming trend like the Giants, Vikings and Buccaneers but these are far less common. Some teams even go so far as to make up animals, like ... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3a36vq/eli5why_do_almost_all_sports_teams_name/ | {
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"text": [
"\"almost all\" \n\nI don't think that is the case. \n\nOff the top of my head, the NFL is 50/50 (16 animals, 16 non) \n\nOnly 11/30 NBA teams are named after animals",
"I was thinking about this las... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
5fbpnl | what are the small circular mettalic holes on the sides of shoes for? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5fbpnl/eli5_what_are_the_small_circular_mettalic_holes/ | {
"a_id": [
"daiz11q"
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"text": [
"The holes in the converse is for venting air. The shoe is specifically designed as a sports shoe for dry flat surfaces (basketball) and can therefore become quite sweaty. The holes provides good ventilation to prevent the buildup of sweat."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
29twtn | why does my car vibrate while stopped in drive but not in neutral? | When I'm stopped at a light I realized that my car vibrates when it's in drive, but not when I put it in neutral. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/29twtn/eli5_why_does_my_car_vibrate_while_stopped_in/ | {
"a_id": [
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2,
2,
2
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"text": [
"Large possibilities.\n\nIn Drive, the transmission is engaged. which is causing drag on the engine. If could be a mount going bad. But honestly it could be anything. Oh and in Neutral the transmission i... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
bvqehp | before electrics, how did pipe organs work? | I'm aware of the manual bellows to provide air. But how was the keyboard "the manual" connected to the pipes? Modern organs use small electronic air valves at the base of each pipe. The electricity is diverted to the correct pipes by relays depending on which stops are pulled. Before electricity, wires or relays, how d... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bvqehp/eli5_before_electrics_how_did_pipe_organs_work/ | {
"a_id": [
"eprntvp",
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"score": [
11,
5
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"text": [
"A *lot* of adjoined levers and pulley systems. Before the advent of electronic and digital systems everything was based on mechanical principles.\n\nEdit: [here is a YouTube video giving a rough explanation of a mechanical ... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://youtu.be/5mzvfJ7279s"
],
[]
] | |
74j3uu | what is drawing unemployment? do you have to pay it back? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/74j3uu/eli5_what_is_drawing_unemployment_do_you_have_to/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"The laws/rules vary from place to place, but generally, no, you don't have to pay unemployment back. The money comes from taxes or insurance rates paid by your employer.\n\nIn most places, you become eligible for unemployme... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
1twxxs | why our solar system is a disk | Galaxies, too. I'm wondering why everything seems to orbit on about the same axis. I mean, isn't it possible for another planet to orbit the sun perpendicular to us? Why does this generally not happen? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1twxxs/eli5_why_our_solar_system_is_a_disk/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"It's possible for a planet to orbit in a perpendicular path, and in fact some comets do that.\n\nThe thing is, as far as we know all the planets in the Solar System formed together out of the same original dust cloud. It turns out that when you h... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
1xakww | why is there a high population of nomads in mongolia? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1xakww/eli5_why_is_there_a_high_population_of_nomads_in/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"Because for most of their history, people in the steppe have always lived a nomadic lifestyle. The weather and land is not suitable for agriculture. Its like the dothraki sea where the land can only support grass and shru... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
35i3e6 | pixels vs. megapixels | Why aren't cameras measured in pixels? How many pixels are in a megapixel if they are even related? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/35i3e6/eli5_pixels_vs_megapixels/ | {
"a_id": [
"cr4l6pm"
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"text": [
"A mega- anything is one million of it\n\nA megapixel is one million pixels\n\nA megabyte is (approx.) a million bytes\n\nSo when you see a camera that says it has ten megapixels, that means that the total amount of pixels in the sensor is ten mil... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
1bho45 | what is a libertarian? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1bho45/eli5what_is_a_libertarian/ | {
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"A consequentialist l... | [] | [] | [
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[
"http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/search?q=libertarian&restrict_sr=on",
"http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/tckcp/eli5_what_exactly_do_people_who_call_themselves/"
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[],
[],
... | ||
3mjw28 | why do many african americans speak ebonics while most french speaking africans in former colonies speak clear, standard french? | African Americans have been speaking English in their regional variation for many generations now, but I've found that most African French speakers use clear, standardized French in countries such as Senegal. Although their may be some regional words, most people speak the textbook version of French. In Haiti, French ... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3mjw28/eli5_why_do_many_african_americans_speak_ebonics/ | {
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7,
29,
2,
7
],
"text": [
"France has always been very concerned with maintaining the \"purity\" of the French language. French colonial schools were very tough when it came to teaching spoken French.\n\nAm... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
8vdwx2 | why are most sounds muffled underwater, but if you drop a coin on a hard surface underwater it sounds as clear as it would in the air? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8vdwx2/eli5_why_are_most_sounds_muffled_underwater_but/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
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3
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"text": [
"Sounds you hear when underwater are transferred from the source to the water, then to your ear/microphone.\n\"Air\" contains particles which scatters sound. So a coin hitting a hard surface will carry s... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
6h9bon | how can a gaming headset reproduce 7.1 surround sound | I got got my first 7.1 capable headset and I'm blown away at the fact that I can actually tell the difference between someone in front of me vs. behind me in games. How? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6h9bon/eli5how_can_a_gaming_headset_reproduce_71/ | {
"a_id": [
"diwk2f9",
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4,
2
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"text": [
" The sound is coming from same set of speakers (technically called drivers). However the sound is postprocessed and distorted differently based on if it's from front or back. Your ear is pretty much same as every other pe... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
2ndghk | in states with more than 1 representative, how do they "share" the state? | For example California has 53 - do they take a city/county each? How does it work? Do they all perform the same job? I'm in the UK so have no idea how US politics work | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2ndghk/eli5_in_states_with_more_than_1_representative/ | {
"a_id": [
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5
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"text": [
"The state is split into districts which elect one representative each, basically the same as our MPs.",
"No, the state isn't split up by counties -- that would make sense, and we can't have that.\n\nInstead the state is ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
80e7pv | why haven't they built video cards with the possibility of using your own ram like they do on every motherboard? | For example, Why can't I purchase a GTX 1080 and use any variety of DDR5 ram I also purchased and installed. Wouldn't that help solve the current crazy of overpriced video cards? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/80e7pv/eli5_why_havent_they_built_video_cards_with_the/ | {
"a_id": [
"duuv7qn",
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"score": [
7,
6
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"text": [
"Replaceable gddrx modules would add quite a bit of design complexity and cost to a card, while having little benefit as few users would even consider adding more vram (something that also isn't commercially available) as a w... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
2edceo | why are there no checks and balances on the prices of medical procedure prices in the us? | I don't mean universal health care but an agency or something to help regulate (standardize?) the prices of medical bills to make sure people are not being EXTREMELY overcharged. The game is rigged in a straight capitalistic sense because demand will ALWAYS out weigh supply since the demand is essentially your life.
| explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2edceo/eli5_why_are_there_no_checks_and_balances_on_the/ | {
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2,
10,
6
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"text": [
"The free market will ~~gouge~~ regulate itself. Except when it can't, or has been deregulated by laws written by special-interest groups.",
"[This guy](_URL_0_) explains it in 7 minutes and is ente... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://youtu.be/qSjGouBmo0M"
],
[]
] | |
m1z0q | javascript | I'm taking a class online for JavaScript and I'm having a hard time understanding how the hell it works. Any help would be appreciated. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/m1z0q/eli5_javascript/ | {
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"text": [
"It's code that runs within a web browser, and can be attached to various things that happen on the webpage. So for example, you see the \"formatting help\" link in the reply box o... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://www.jerseyhut.com/image_466244026_Florida-State-Seminoles-FSU-Go-Noles-Interactive-Childrens-Book.jpg",
"http://www.reddit.com/r/learnprogramming"
],
[],
[
"http://www.jerseyhut.com/image_466244026_Florida-State-Seminoles-FSU-Go-Noles-Interactive-Childrens-Book.jpg",
"http://ww... | |
dabwbb | how do electrical currents in a cpu translate to different processes in a computer? | I believe I understand that when programming (in Python, C++, etc.), the computer translates it into bytes, binary code, and eventually into a specific series of electrical currents in the transistors, which basically act as on-off switches. However, what I don't understand is how the computer knows which series of ele... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dabwbb/eli5_how_do_electrical_currents_in_a_cpu/ | {
"a_id": [
"f1ojtyp"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"Think in binary. The computer knows off/on, and that translates to bytes via bits. Eventually those bytes turn into data types that make it possible for you to utilize object oriented languages via their data structures. On a side note, 32 bit co... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
5lg0ci | dslr camera lenses (focal length) | So [this picture](_URL_0_) fairly easily explains what the focal length *does*, but all the lenses that you can buy seem say something like 14-140mm ...does that mean that lens can be used from 14mm to 140mm? If so, then what would be the point in buying a 12-35mm lens versus a 14-140mm lens? If not, then I'm gonna be ... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5lg0ci/eli5_dslr_camera_lenses_focal_length/ | {
"a_id": [
"dbvebey",
"dbvelsd"
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"score": [
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2
],
"text": [
"TL;DR: Lenses are hard to design, and every criteria makes them harder. So a 24-70mm lens that costs the same as a 14-140 will be \"better\" in a lot of ways.\n\nThere are two kinds of lenses out there, prime and zoom. \n\nP... | [] | [
"https://i.stack.imgur.com/Bc9KG.jpg"
] | [
[],
[]
] | |
22gcq4 | why does rapidly turning the light on and off use more energy than just keeping the light turned on? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/22gcq4/eli5why_does_rapidly_turning_the_light_on_and_off/ | {
"a_id": [
"cgmj68p"
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"score": [
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"text": [
"Assuming you're talking about a common light bulb, it's because when there's a constant current going on, the filament inside the bulb gets hot until a 'sweet spot' where it (kinda) stops getting hotter, and instead eliminates the provided energy... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
3abfjv | why does the u.s. presidential election depend on winning in enough states, rather than a simple nationwide vote count? | I'm from Europe, and as far as I know every country in Europe and many other places in the world with a democratically elected government, it was chosen by simply counting the party votes. In the U.S. you hear terms like 'red states', 'blue states' and 'swing states'. Why does it even matter? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3abfjv/eli5_why_does_the_us_presidential_election_depend/ | {
"a_id": [
"csb0vqe",
"csb0xid"
],
"score": [
3,
5
],
"text": [
" > As I'm sure you know, America is made up of 50 states. There are two houses in Congress (our legislature) and each state is represented in both houses. In the Senate, each state is represented by two senators, for a total... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
5w1hip | could a person survive on coffee and food or would she dehydrate due to coffee being a diuretic? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5w1hip/eli5_could_a_person_survive_on_coffee_and_food_or/ | {
"a_id": [
"de6kmmu"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"Coffee is still 99% water. It doesn't hydrate you as well as water but it is a myth that it dehydrates you."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
1li1xv | what is the difference between pilgrims and puritans? | Also who settled in the Massachusettes Bay Colony? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1li1xv/eli5_what_is_the_difference_between_pilgrims_and/ | {
"a_id": [
"cbzfvzz",
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3,
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],
"text": [
"Pilgrims is a word referring to people who go on a long journey for religious reasons.\n\nPuritans were a subgroup of European Christians who had a different philosophy about how to practice Christianit... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
4baywy | how is it that so many chemicals found in nature just happen to be perfect fits for receptors that exist independently in our brain? | Specifically referring to chemicals that act as drugs. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4baywy/eli5_how_is_it_that_so_many_chemicals_found_in/ | {
"a_id": [
"d17jvp9"
],
"score": [
5
],
"text": [
"* Describing ligand-receptor fits as \"perfect\" is generous. Pretty much all the time they're more of a \"Eh, close enough\" affair, and there's a lot of room for different molecules other than whatever the receptor usually binds to fit too. In ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
50l3cg | how the surface of the sun is colder than it's atmosphere? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/50l3cg/eli5_how_the_surface_of_the_sun_is_colder_than/ | {
"a_id": [
"d7542v2"
],
"score": [
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],
"text": [
"If you're talking about the *Coronal Heating Problem*, where the multi-million degree corona is (obviously) much hotter than the ~5800K surface (even accounting for the change in density), then the short answer is *we don't know*!\n\nIt's been th... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corona#Coronal_heating_problem"
]
] | ||
332913 | why sometimes when i lie on my bed and breathe in i feel sharp pain at my left lung preventing me from breathing in fully? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/332913/eli5_why_sometimes_when_i_lie_on_my_bed_and/ | {
"a_id": [
"cqgtepf",
"cqgtf2d",
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"score": [
3,
2,
2
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"text": [
"That is a very good question. I have the same problem",
"Seriously, please go ask a doctor. The internet, especially ELI5, is not the place to find medical answers. Go ask a doctor, it's what they'r... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
1s64f0 | financial crimes | Inspired by this article from /r/politics, but I am looking for general explanations, not specifics of this case.
_URL_0_
The article touches on the fact that financial crimes are well-hidden, complicated, and take years of investigation to unravel.
What are the investigators spending years looking at/for to build... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1s64f0/eli5_financial_crimes/ | {
"a_id": [
"cdu9mis"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"So, I'll talk just from the CFTC standpoint as far as collection of audit trail data from exchanges.\n\nSo the CFTC requires exchanges of all shape and form to store audit trail data - this includes Order data, timestamps, IMs (instant messages),... | [] | [
"http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/blogs/taibblog/another-batch-of-wall-street-villains-freed-on-technicality-20131204"
] | [
[
"http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=1&SID=374688e5aff1dc82f2f5963b8947566b&ty=HTML&h=L&r=SECTION&n=17y1.0.1.1.31.3.7.3",
"http://www.cftc.gov/LawRegulation/FederalRegister/index.htm"
]
] | |
1ymujc | conservatism | I'm a complete retard when it comes to ideologies, so please use the simplest of words! | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ymujc/eli5_conservatism/ | {
"a_id": [
"cflwuc4"
],
"score": [
4
],
"text": [
"\"Conservatives\" want to \"conserve.\" This most often means being in favor of things the way they are and have been. Conservatism tends to oppose change, or favor gradual change over sudden change. Tradition and stability are key values.\n\nExa... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
3ajr0h | what is the difference between leasing and renting? | Edit: lots of car responses so I felt the need to clarify that I meant in housing circumstances. Sorry. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ajr0h/eli5_what_is_the_difference_between_leasing_and/ | {
"a_id": [
"csd8swm",
"csd93eu",
"csdbqtl"
],
"score": [
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6,
2
],
"text": [
"A lease is a number of payments over a fixed term. A rent is a fixed payment for one period. Typically in neither case are you gaining equity in the thing you're paying for (you don't get an ownership... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
1w6zbi | why the american political system never gets anything done | I am Australian | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1w6zbi/eli5_why_the_american_political_system_never_gets/ | {
"a_id": [
"cez9h5k",
"cez9vyk"
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"score": [
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2
],
"text": [
"Part of it has to do with the fact that the members of the lower chamber of Congress (the House of Representatives) are elected every two years. According to Alan Grayson (a Congressman from Florida), most members of Congres... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
5tyrdt | why do certain body parts like eyeballs or hearts look the same across different species of animals? | For example, human hearts look fairly similar to cow hearts, sheep hearts, chicken hearts, etc. or eyeballs of different animals | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5tyrdt/eli5_why_do_certain_body_parts_like_eyeballs_or/ | {
"a_id": [
"ddq21xm",
"ddq2b4h",
"ddq39sn",
"ddq4f29"
],
"score": [
6,
3,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"Because these animals all are descendants of a common ancestor that had similar organs as well.\n\nMost animal eyes are very different from human eyes but they do share many common... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evolution_of_the_eye#/media/File:Evolution_eye.svg"
],
[],
[]
] | |
bhwk5y | how does a vhs tape work? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bhwk5y/eli5_how_does_a_vhs_tape_work/ | {
"a_id": [
"elwbr6g"
],
"score": [
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"text": [
"The black tape inside the cassette is magnetic. By running it past a recording head, you can rearrange the magnetic stuff. Then when you run the tape past a reading head, it reads that signal and sends it to a processor that converts it into audi... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
6lygem | tesla's massive new battery in australia | How much can the battery power? Will it be used to power Australian cities or private ventures by the company? How will the solar power be gathered, massive solar panel fields? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6lygem/eli5_teslas_massive_new_battery_in_australia/ | {
"a_id": [
"djxnxkx"
],
"score": [
5
],
"text": [
"So you have people who use power when they need it. Hot day : crank up the AC (lots of power). Everyone getting home from work around the same time: stuff turns on. Rise and shine wake up, endless coffee kettles. Power plants work best when const... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
5se05x | what is enthalphy | Note : a teacher I asked just failed to explain it to as if I were 5 yo, and I still don't get it, so you have to shift maximum power To Help me
(talking of enthalpy in thermodynamics BTW) | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5se05x/eli5_what_is_enthalphy/ | {
"a_id": [
"ddeblrn"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"Assuming you know what the following are:\n\n * Energy, heat\n\n * Heat Capacity (Specific heat)\n\n * Calorie (exact definition)\n\n * Work (energy)\n\n Q=m*cp*ΔΤ, W=p*ΔV, U=m*cv*ΔT\n\n**Enthalpy** is a measure of how much **energy** a syste... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
2uj4vr | why does putting my phone on a scanner make the screen appear to be in grayscale? | Just to see what it would look like I tried scanning my cell phone, and the image came out in grayscale. After making sure all the settings were correct, I tried it again but this time with a pack of gum laying next to it. [This was the result.](_URL_0_) Other than some cropping, that's a completely unedited image. So ... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2uj4vr/eli5_why_does_putting_my_phone_on_a_scanner_make/ | {
"a_id": [
"co8x397"
],
"score": [
55
],
"text": [
"Because of how liquid crystal displays work. Basically, each pixel is composed of three colors, each behind a liquid crystal \"shutter\". This shutter can adjust its transparency, and by doing that it changes the color of the pixel. The backligh... | [] | [
"http://i.imgur.com/0Cbs8v2.png"
] | [
[]
] | |
2uztox | where did the idea of a "high power" or "god" come about? what was the first religion? and how did so many variations of religion come about? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2uztox/eli5_where_did_the_idea_of_a_high_power_or_god/ | {
"a_id": [
"cod5ra0"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"people are afraid of unknow so they created highter beings to explain that, for example why tree grows? it must be tree/nature god right? why does other animals exist it must be animal god right? people back then didint know that stuff, thats why... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
24h11c | why is type 2 diabetes so prevalent in american indian populations? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/24h11c/eli5_why_is_type_2_diabetes_so_prevalent_in/ | {
"a_id": [
"ch713vo",
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"score": [
6,
2,
3
],
"text": [
"the demographic is more likely to be poor, which is tied to poor diets, which in turn leads to diabetes.\n\nthere could be a genetic aspect as well, in terms of an inability to efficiently process sugar... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[
"http://vltakaliseji.tripod.com/Vtlakaliseji/id2.html"
]
] | ||
1jftbs | if we can resurrect an extinct mammoth, why didn't we save the white rhino with this technology? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1jftbs/if_we_can_resurrect_an_extinct_mammoth_why_didnt/ | {
"a_id": [
"cbe869e"
],
"score": [
7
],
"text": [
"[I wouldn't count on the resurrecting thing.](_URL_0_)"
]
} | [] | [] | [
[
"http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/mar/23/de-extinction-efforts-are-waste-of-time-money"
]
] | ||
25bnko | if i were to travel back to, say, the middle ages, how would i be able to "invent" electricity? | This has always interested me | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/25bnko/eli5if_i_were_to_travel_back_to_say_the_middle/ | {
"a_id": [
"chfl701"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Early batteries were created by stacking alternating plates of zinc and copper with some porous material soaked in salt water between them. Assuming you could actually source large amounts of both metals, it wouldn't be too difficult."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
bxr3mm | why are some clouds darker than others? is this water saturation and if so, how does this work with light and fluffy(very technical term) clouds? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bxr3mm/elif_why_are_some_clouds_darker_than_others_is/ | {
"a_id": [
"eq9diud"
],
"score": [
3
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"text": [
"The perceived darkness of a cloud depends on which part of the cloud you're looking at, how dense the cloud is, the sun's orientation to the cloud, and your orientation to the cloud. \n\nLet's say there's a dense cumulus cloud overhead. Cumulus c... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
799f27 | if temperature is the agitation of molecule, why stir my coffee makes it colder faster? | I think entropy plays a role here somewhere, but I spent most of my high school time smoking weed and try to find the meaning of life, so I am kind of lagging back behind basic concept.
Thanks for helping! | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/799f27/eli5_if_temperature_is_the_agitation_of_molecule/ | {
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6,
2,
9,
2,
2,
2
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"text": [
"Because you can't possibly stir fast enough to make it hotter. Hot molecules move fast. Like really fast. Stirring your coffee is nothin... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
8pcjwg | why is it possible to conect your hands behind your back one way, but almost impossible to do same thing contrary? (one hand over the shoulder, other up your back) | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8pcjwg/eli5_why_is_it_possible_to_conect_your_hands/ | {
"a_id": [
"e0a5b7d"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"The way we use phones has a big part in this, we have our neck looking down all day and right arm strecthed out (if right handed) while one side of the arm is not being stretched out. Over time this is going take a toll on you and limit your flex... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
5zifc6 | why is it that we don't remember falling asleep or the short amount of time leading up to us falling asleep? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5zifc6/eli5_why_is_it_that_we_dont_remember_falling/ | {
"a_id": [
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"deyl7u5",
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"deyqy18",
"deyrf0k",
"deyv0wu",
"dez0ytn",
"dez67fi",
"dez9n79",
"dezbgox",
"d... | [] | [] | [
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[
"https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/112rqp/why_cant_we_remember_the_moment_before_we_fall/c6iu3bo/?utm_content=permalink&utm_medium=user&utm_source=reddit&utm_name=frontpage"
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[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
... | ||
cgxa80 | why are insulated metal containers always hand wash only? what harm would the dishwasher do to metal? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cgxa80/eli5_why_are_insulated_metal_containers_always/ | {
"a_id": [
"eum3pcd",
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"score": [
3,
6
],
"text": [
"I assume by insulated you mean vacuum insulated or \"thermos\" style containers. Like Yeti and rtic \n\nThe main reason is dishwashers use fairly strong detergents, stronger than dish soap that you'd use to wash them by hand... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
4alxf1 | what the hell happened here after folding a sheet of paper 7 times? | Take a look at this video
_URL_0_
tldw; paper "explodes" on the 7th fold and becomes very brittle.
Can anyone explain why? Thank you. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4alxf1/eli5_what_the_hell_happened_here_after_folding_a/ | {
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"score": [
66,
25,
5,
4,
4,
7
],
"text": [
"With each fold you are increasing the height of the paper. As the number of folds increase, the amount the paper at the crease has to... | [] | [
"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuG_CeEZV6w"
] | [
[],
[
"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67fSwIjYJ-E"
],
[
"http://pomonahistorical.org/12times.htm"
],
[],
[
"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRAEBbotuIE"
],
[]
] | |
2bnqrn | why do some bugs with no defense mechanism, such as crickets, make so much noise? it seems like it would just attract their predators to them. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2bnqrn/eli5_why_do_some_bugs_with_no_defense_mechanism/ | {
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"cj767sr",
"cj78fp7",
"cj7ag39"
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"score": [
30,
3,
11,
3,
4
],
"text": [
"They need to find mates. If predators come near they quiet down.",
"They may not care. In my area every year there's fields where you can find several ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
29ndlo | how can text messages be used as evidence in court? | -how can they prove the plaintiff/defendant was actually the person behind the messages?
-are texts between a husband and wife included in spousal privilege?
-what is done to prove that a screenshot is authentic?
-what if (for example), I change my friend Larry's contact name to Jessica because I want to... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/29ndlo/eli5_how_can_text_messages_be_used_as_evidence_in/ | {
"a_id": [
"cimlc64"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
" > how can they prove the plaintiff/defendant was actually the person behind the messages? \n\nIt depends. If the phone is locked with a password, you can be reasonably certain that the person was behind the messages. In general, this is going ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
25s7oo | why is it subs like /r/cutefemalecorpses are still allowed to operate? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/25s7oo/eli5_why_is_it_subs_like_rcutefemalecorpses_are/ | {
"a_id": [
"chk83is"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"The dead have very few rights and freedom of expression should remain enshrined no matter how offensive it may be to an individual. "
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
3lic77 | sure we all know about classical music, it's its own genre, but what about other genres from that time? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3lic77/eli5sure_we_all_know_about_classical_music_its/ | {
"a_id": [
"cv6jrjs"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Classical music is a genre awarded in retrospect. Contemporary analysis of the music of a period certainly took a different tact. "
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
43gw7p | how are car locks so varied that i never accidently lock/unlock another vehicle when using my key fob? | Does each vehicle have such a unique unlocking frequency or combination of sorts that there is no chance of ever unlocking/locking a nearby vehicle as well? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/43gw7p/eli5_how_are_car_locks_so_varied_that_i_never/ | {
"a_id": [
"czi3soo",
"czi4u7h"
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"score": [
3,
6
],
"text": [
"I am relying off memory here, because I looked this up years ago. Every one of the same model has the same \"combinations\" programmed into them. For example, I have a Prius. Every Prius has the same combinations—around 2.5 ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
2sjvez | why do more asians wear glasses than any other race? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2sjvez/eli5_why_do_more_asians_wear_glasses_than_any/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
5,
5,
4,
5
],
"text": [
"Is this a fact, or a personal observation?`",
"Honest opinion here. It is probably due to the fact that schooling is much more emphasized in Asian families, with the required ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[
"http://www.economist.com/news/china/21631113-why-so-many-chinese-children-wear-glasses-losing-focus"
]
] | ||
5kaov2 | does standing for a minute an hour have a significant impact on a person's health if they would've spent most of those hours sitting down otherwise? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5kaov2/eli5_does_standing_for_a_minute_an_hour_have_a/ | {
"a_id": [
"dbmoect"
],
"score": [
4
],
"text": [
"Not significant, no. Though it takes 80 muscles to stand, our bodies were built for it. You will only get fatigued from standing after a few hours doing it, unless you weigh too much. So no, standing for 1 minute out of sixty does not offset the ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
f2pe9o | why does a zipper sound different during opening from during closing? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/f2pe9o/eli5_why_does_a_zipper_sound_different_during/ | {
"a_id": [
"fhdvx9c",
"fheqywp"
],
"score": [
2,
3
],
"text": [
"The individual pieces of a zipper are not symmetrical so therefore the sound they make will be different",
" Zipping uses the joining side of the zipper and unzipping uses the separating side of the zipper, very differen... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
71fj4a | why do humans crave regular variety in the the types of meals we consume? | For example, I don't want to eat Thai food now because I had it last night. Or I won't eat a turkey sandwich for dinner because I had one for lunch. What's the science behind that? Is it because our bodies naturally crave a well rounded variety, or is it just psychological? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/71fj4a/eli5_why_do_humans_crave_regular_variety_in_the/ | {
"a_id": [
"dnacsdr",
"dnacz31"
],
"score": [
3,
9
],
"text": [
"Lots of people eat the same thing or the same few things every single day. I don't think there is any special science that all humans want to eat huge variety. Lots of people eat one of maybe 10 meals every day for a lot of... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] |
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