q_id stringlengths 5 6 | title stringlengths 3 296 | selftext stringlengths 0 34k | document stringclasses 1
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24439q | how does acid chemically breaks things down? | I am watching breaking bad and in order to dispose of evidence they disintegrate it with acid. I was wondering how does that work on a molecular scale? And why do some things ignore the acid (some plastics) | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/24439q/eli5_how_does_acid_chemically_breaks_things_down/ | {
"a_id": [
"ch3f09u"
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"score": [
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"text": [
"Acid doesn't work as dramatically in real life like it does in [Hollywood](_URL_0_). More often it slowly corrodes things than outright disintegrating things. \n\nWith that said, acid *can* be used to break things down because acids attack other ... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/HollywoodAcid"
]
] | |
55pj8t | how is a torn acl a potentially career ending injury if athletes like hines ward and thurman thomas played their entire careers without one? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/55pj8t/eli5_how_is_a_torn_acl_a_potentially_career/ | {
"a_id": [
"d8clvmr"
],
"score": [
20
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"text": [
"Imagine you're Go-Kart racing, and one of your wheels falls off. You're totally screwed! It's kinda possible to still drive, if you lean all your weight away from the missing wheel so you stay balanced on the three remaining wheels. But you c... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
2ibttm | is the fbi and nsa running tor? | Ever since the big bust of The Silk Road, why wouldn't the FBI or NSA build its own Tor network to track users in the dark web? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2ibttm/eli5_is_the_fbi_and_nsa_running_tor/ | {
"a_id": [
"cl0qcjl",
"cl0qi2l",
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"score": [
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"text": [
"The relevant software is open-source and known to be reasonably secure. The FBI itself said it was mostly helpless against Silk Road and whatnot until the people messed up in the... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
6iivo7 | why does a coughing fit subsequently make your eyes red and watery? | Currently recovering from bronchitis and almost coughed myself to death today. While recovering I noticed my eyes were super red and watery, something I'd never noticed before. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6iivo7/eli5_why_does_a_coughing_fit_subsequently_make/ | {
"a_id": [
"dj6nah6"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"I've heard the increased pressure in your upper respiratory system/behind the eyes causes tiny capillaries to burst."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
718n6d | why does salt cause corrosion on hard surfaces such as concrete? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/718n6d/eli5_why_does_salt_cause_corrosion_on_hard/ | {
"a_id": [
"dn8xmq4"
],
"score": [
6
],
"text": [
"Salt lowers the freezing point of water and will allow liquid brine to fill tiny cracks in the material. Then as it becomes diluted the freezing temperature rises and the water will freeze, forcing the cracks open. Over time this will break down ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
dw2k5a | many mirrors are labeled "objects are closer than they appear." why can't we make mirrors that correct for this? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dw2k5a/eli5_many_mirrors_are_labeled_objects_are_closer/ | {
"a_id": [
"f7g8w0d",
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"f7gf050"
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"score": [
4,
19,
2
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"text": [
"It's done on purpose to give a wider viewing area. You would have to basically look in a fish eye lens to achieve the same viewing area if it wasn't designed that way.",
"We want mirrors that have ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
necr4 | why january first isn't on the solstice every year? | This seems to make logical sense, but for some reason, we delay month startings by 8 days? What gives? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/necr4/eli5_why_january_first_isnt_on_the_solstice_every/ | {
"a_id": [
"c38ghgk",
"c38ghgk"
],
"score": [
7,
7
],
"text": [
"The calendar names and dates were established before the concept of science was know or at all understood. Thus picking a more natural way of breaking up the 365.26 days of the year was not undertaken. Notice that the Jewi... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
7sy8kq | a hung parliament. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7sy8kq/eli5_a_hung_parliament/ | {
"a_id": [
"dt8cn3i",
"dt8xijf"
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"score": [
3,
2
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"text": [
"In a parliamentary democracy with multiple political parties, it is possible that no party has a majority number of seats. Since they don't, typically anything they try and push will be voted against by all others, so that o... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
aovv62 | what's significance of 22 in catch 22? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/aovv62/eli5_whats_significance_of_22_in_catch_22/ | {
"a_id": [
"eg3xlba",
"eg4b1dl"
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"score": [
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2
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"text": [
"In the book Catch-22, the introduction of the term is as follows:\n\n > There was only one catch and that was Catch-22, which specified that a concern for one’s own safety in the face of dangers that were real and immediate... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
3t1sis | what are the pragmatic benefits of developing self-driving cars? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3t1sis/eli5_what_are_the_pragmatic_benefits_of/ | {
"a_id": [
"cx2b54s"
],
"score": [
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"text": [
"The Big 3:\n\n1. more time to do things that are not driving.\n2. vastly improved safety - fewer injuries, death.\n3. more efficient use of economic resources (one-person-one-car not needed).\n"
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
3ezmxh | assuming it doesn't meet any obstacles, would a bullet shot in space travel at the same speed indefinitely as there is no gravity or atmosphere to alter the trajectory? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ezmxh/eli5_assuming_it_doesnt_meet_any_obstacles_would/ | {
"a_id": [
"ctjwklh",
"ctjwrmb"
],
"score": [
7,
4
],
"text": [
"Yes. Newton's first law states that an object will maintain it's state of motion unless acted on by an unbalanced external force. In this case, there is no force acting on the bullet, so it will maintain it's state of motion... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
2hwbqc | how do celebrities keep their cell numbers and personal emails so locked down? | I know it really doesn't matter, but how do they give out their numbers or emails and how hasn't a privacy issue happened sooner? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2hwbqc/eli5_how_do_celebrities_keep_their_cell_numbers/ | {
"a_id": [
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"c... | [] | [] | [
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... | |
lz0am | how does cloud website hosting work | Can someone please explain what, if any effects "Cloud Hosting" can have as web server. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/lz0am/eli5_how_does_cloud_website_hosting_work/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
2,
2
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"text": [
"cloud hosting just means the \"server\" is owned by another company. i.e. you've contracted the server from them. \nAmazon is one of the biggest server companies. The cost of 'up keep/maintenance' is less for them because th... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
xc086 | how is the income of the british royal family determined? | I know that they have most all of it locked up in their estates/assets, but how does taxation work and how does the government play a role in their net worth? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/xc086/elif_how_is_the_income_of_the_british_royal/ | {
"a_id": [
"c5l57in"
],
"score": [
7
],
"text": [
"Ok since the current top comment is based around the Crown Estate, which most people could tell you is ([and always has been](_URL_0_)) part of government and the bottom one isn't made simple enough for upvotes I'm going to have a go at explainin... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/xc086/elif_how_is_the_income_of_the_british_royal/c5l4seb"
]
] | |
og5sn | what is s & p and why should i care about how they
rate countries' credit? | And additionally, what's the difference between a AAA, AA, and A rating? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/og5sn/what_is_sp_and_why_should_i_care_about_how_they/ | {
"a_id": [
"c3gzc8b"
],
"score": [
12
],
"text": [
"TL,DR-S & P grades investments on their risk, AAA is the least risky investment, you should care insomuch as you would care about economics and growth (which is either a lot or a little).\n\nStandard's & Poors (S & P) is a credit rating agency... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
1hou3q | why i can send/be sent a text message that won't appear until hours later? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1hou3q/eli5_why_i_can_sendbe_sent_a_text_message_that/ | {
"a_id": [
"cawed98",
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"cawtdk3"
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"score": [
17,
9,
3
],
"text": [
"Text messages are \"store and forward\" - they don't go directly from your phone to the other phone. And although they're not guaranteed delivery (they can and sometimes do just get lost), they do get... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
fwin68 | netflix streaming | Why do Netflix not buffer while YouTube and other streaming site buffers? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/fwin68/eli5_netflix_streaming/ | {
"a_id": [
"fmogz94",
"fmovfqw"
],
"score": [
4,
3
],
"text": [
"They do. It’s just that it does in very small amounts of data that you don’t even realize.\n\nAlso their structure is far more different than YouTube. They’re probably closer to you than YouTube is.",
"They do, but their... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
3gz2lq | the protestant view of mary | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3gz2lq/eli5_the_protestant_view_of_mary/ | {
"a_id": [
"cu2qjo4",
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"score": [
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5,
2
],
"text": [
"The was the mother of Jesus, but has no special religious significance after she died than any other person. She's a \"saint\" in the sense that she's in heaven among all of the rest if the saints ther... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
52o2f9 | could a taser be used as a defiblerator if nothing else was available? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/52o2f9/eli5_could_a_taser_be_used_as_a_defiblerator_if/ | {
"a_id": [
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"d7ltxjl",
"d7ltxzy",
"d7lusvk"
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"score": [
5,
2,
4,
2
],
"text": [
"No.\n\nDespite what the Crank series would have you believe a defibrillator is a rather sophisticated piece of kit and it takes more than just applying a whole bunch of voltage to ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[
"https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precordial_thump"
]
] | ||
1ag8kc | why do japanese/european cars tend to be of higher quality than american cars? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ag8kc/eli5_why_do_japaneseeuropean_cars_tend_to_be_of/ | {
"a_id": [
"c8x3ybd",
"c8x4134"
],
"score": [
15,
3
],
"text": [
"This is an out-dated fallacy that is no longer true. Compare a Volkswagen to a Ford on Consumer Reports, for example, and you will find the Ford to have better quality reviews.",
"Foreign cars in general began producin... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
cblsdf | how do shows like agt acquire the rights for all the songs performed on the show? do acts need to get the rights before hand, does the show have a list of songs that can be performed, or does the show seek out the rights for each performer? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cblsdf/eli5_how_do_shows_like_agt_acquire_the_rights_for/ | {
"a_id": [
"etgfu03",
"etgidud"
],
"score": [
5,
3
],
"text": [
"You don't need to ask permission first to do a cover of a song. You get an automatic license and pay a fee. AGT may per clear the songs to make life easier but its not strictly legally required.",
"In the contest shows... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
8npm5k | when food says: 150 calories per serving, does your body digest/process all 150 calories? or do some calories slip through right to the chute? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8npm5k/eli5_when_food_says_150_calories_per_serving_does/ | {
"a_id": [
"dzxdbnh"
],
"score": [
5
],
"text": [
"The calories listed in food is the amount of energy that your body is capable of absorbing from the food. There are conditions such as Crohn's Disease, or Celiac Disease which can cause you to have malabsorption and not be able to take in all the... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
37juyx | when somebody makes a stink and i smell it, am i literally ingesting particles of their fecal matter? or is something else going on? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/37juyx/eli5when_somebody_makes_a_stink_and_i_smell_it_am/ | {
"a_id": [
"crnbdrh"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"Yeah, sorry bud. Any time you smell something, its because parts of whatever you're smelling become suspended in the air and hit receptors in your nose."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
36ui6u | of the sun blew up we wouldn't be able to tell for 8 minutes. would we be dead before we knew? or would we be able to watch the sun explode? | Edit: Just wanted to say that this was my first time on the front page and I'd like to thank everyone that answered and upvoted my question. I'm glad to see so many people interested in this topic. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/36ui6u/eli5_of_the_sun_blew_up_we_wouldnt_be_able_to/ | {
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"c... | [] | [] | [
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2zkm1v | how my perception of somebody's physical attributes can be different than perception of others while we are looking at the same person ? | Sometimes when you see somebody he/she can look very similar to some another person that you know, but others might argue with you and says "not even close". So how our perception of somebody's physical properties can be different ? I mean it is not a subjective thing, it is physical and it should look the same for eve... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2zkm1v/eli5_how_my_perception_of_somebodys_physical/ | {
"a_id": [
"cpjr5h0"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Because you might not be looking at the same physical properties. It's similar on how people disagree on cloud shapes. You could be looking at jawbones,forehead width,eye color,hair color,hips,length,weight while the other person might be looking... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
3jr31w | in old cartoons, why did certain objects look more vivid and better drawn when they were going to be used in the scene? | This is a little hard to explain if you never noticed it, but in cartoons like Silvester and Tweety or the Coyote and the Road Runner, most of the background drawings would look like a painting. But if there was an item they were going to use in the scene like a broom, it would have a much richer color. You could even ... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3jr31w/eli5_in_old_cartoons_why_did_certain_objects_look/ | {
"a_id": [
"curk2i8",
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"curm6ks",
"curpq3o",
"currn1i"
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"score": [
4,
6,
187,
15,
2,
3
],
"text": [
"In many older Cartoons, the cartoon was drawn in layers, the foreground and background, in order to save time. The overlaying layer o... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[
"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRKWRMbTvWs"
],
[
"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1qPPq7jsUA"
],
[
"http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ConspicuouslyLightPatch"
],
[]
] | |
5aflyl | how/why does it start to get darker as it gets closer to the end of daylight saving time? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5aflyl/eli5_howwhy_does_it_start_to_get_darker_as_it/ | {
"a_id": [
"d9g4rs5"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"Okay, imagine a ball with a pencil stuck straight through it and a bare light bulb (i.e. no lamp shade and it puts out roughly the same amount of light in every direction except where its screwed into the fixture). The ball is the Earth, the pen... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://weloveteaching.com/0bio105/lectures/earth/season.gif"
]
] | ||
1mb08z | the human genome. | What is it? Don't we all have different DNA? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1mb08z/eli5_the_human_genome/ | {
"a_id": [
"cc7hxzd"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Each and every one of use (excluding identical twins) has a different genome which consists of 3 billion base pairs (A is connected to T and C to G).\n\nSo by coding the genome we get the sequence of ATCG that in itself doesn't mean much. But whe... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
r4qqr | thunder | What actually makes the loud noise? Why does it only happen when it hits the ground? Does the sound come from the sky or the ground? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/r4qqr/eli5_thunder/ | {
"a_id": [
"c42w6ft"
],
"score": [
6
],
"text": [
"Sound is just pressure waves in the air, right? So, where a large electrical potential between two systems exists, the lightning strike occurs. This rapidly heats the surrounding air, and hotter air takes more space than colder air.\n\nSuch a rap... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
34o0jf | why are mail order steaks (like from allen bros) so much better than grocery-store meat? | Was blown away by the difference when trying mail order fillets and veal chops. Of course, the price is astronomical....So what's the difference??? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/34o0jf/eli5_why_are_mail_order_steaks_like_from_allen/ | {
"a_id": [
"cqwhrrz"
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"score": [
10
],
"text": [
"Imagine two farmers: Bill & Ted.\n\nBill believes in making money through making as much meat as possible, and selling that to other people and companies who eventually get that meat into your local supermarket. There are many people like Bill... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
5yqe2v | why do runners stretch and weight lifters don't? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5yqe2v/eli5_why_do_runners_stretch_and_weight_lifters/ | {
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15,
2,
2,
5
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"text": [
"Stretching essentially \"loosens\" your muscles. By not stretching before lifting heavy weight, you are taking advantage of your muscles being taut and are better able load your m... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
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] | ||
47c9j8 | why does mustard, even the medium ones, sting so much more in your nose than other, even spicier food? | I really don't understand this and another mustard-related question in this subreddit didn't really touch this specific issue. Now I really like spicy food, so I tried hot mustard once, but I couldn't eat it, not due to the spiciness, but because it was as if someone was putting toothpicks into my nose and brain. Why i... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/47c9j8/eli5_why_does_mustard_even_the_medium_ones_sting/ | {
"a_id": [
"d0buhs6"
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"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"When you grind mustard seeds, enzymes and other compounds present in the seeds react to form, among other things, allyl isothiocyanate, which is the compound responsible for that pungent, eye-watering flavor. It's also found in garlic, wasabi, an... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
2vnj56 | why do so many parents (dads especially) dislike/have a problem with their son or daughter being gay? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2vnj56/eli5_why_do_so_many_parents_dads_especially/ | {
"a_id": [
"coj8bjq",
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"score": [
3,
6,
2,
3,
3,
5,
2
],
"text": [
"A large portion of the country (assuming US) and an even larger portion of the world considers being gay immoral. ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
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[],
[],
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79a0yu | why can't the brain and spine heal like other body parts? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/79a0yu/eli5_why_cant_the_brain_and_spine_heal_like_other/ | {
"a_id": [
"dp0ajbb",
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"score": [
67,
12,
4,
2
],
"text": [
"The brain can and does try to repair itself. Brains form scar tissue. Unfortunately, it's so complex that basic natural healing can't do much.\n\n\nThe spine can and does try to ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
40bi5d | why is instant coffee cheaper per cup than regular coffee? | I would think that the process of brewing, then dehydrating it would raise the price. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/40bi5d/eli5_why_is_instant_coffee_cheaper_per_cup_than/ | {
"a_id": [
"cysw35j"
],
"score": [
4
],
"text": [
"You have to remember that instant coffee is often times made from lower quality beans, whereas ground coffee can often times be made to have a certain smell and taste to it. It really does come down to quality. Instant coffee is of low quality an... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
c059yw | why dont we use xlr outputs on guitars? | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/c059yw/eli5_why_dont_we_use_xlr_outputs_on_guitars/ | {
"a_id": [
"er1j43s",
"er1mm9f"
],
"score": [
7,
2
],
"text": [
"There's no advantage to switching to XLR (except maybe that it locks in).\n\n & #x200B;\n\nThere is a pretty big disadvantage that guitars, amps, and pedals, are all designed to use 1/4\" already.\n\nAlso lots of gear that u... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
jafba | what/who exactly is the s & p and why do they have control of what the _url_0_ credit rating is. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/jafba/whatwho_exactly_is_the_sp_and_why_do_they_have/ | {
"a_id": [
"c2ahb47",
"c2ahbqb",
"c2ahb47",
"c2ahbqb"
],
"score": [
2,
5,
2,
5
],
"text": [
"they are a firm that figures out how safe it is to invest in a certain thing (bonds, stocks, etc.). it's not that they specifically control the USA credit rating, but they are a re... | [
"U.S.As"
] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
4559fn | how can a modern ship sail into a known storm/hurricane? | Recently we had a cargo ship sail right into a hurricane and now a cruise ship sail into a really bad storm. Given all the modern weather and navigation equipment these ships have, how did they wind up sailing right into the storm? Is it simply the pressure to stay on schedule or is there something else at work? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4559fn/eli5how_can_a_modern_ship_sail_into_a_known/ | {
"a_id": [
"czvebrs",
"czvfunr"
],
"score": [
3,
3
],
"text": [
"Not a sea captain, but at least two things here:\n\nThe ships today have been built to handle huge storms, so they are able to go through them without too many issues that would compromise seaworthiness of the ship. But thes... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
1czk3j | why are almost all medications bitter? | Given the wide variety of chemicals used as medications, why are the vast majority bitter? Why are sour and sweet chemicals rarely pharmacologically useful? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1czk3j/eli5_why_are_almost_all_medications_bitter/ | {
"a_id": [
"c9lgsm1",
"c9lm7my",
"c9ltr2x"
],
"score": [
10,
4,
3
],
"text": [
"A bitterant (specific chemical to make the medicine taste bad) is often added, in increasing amounts, for medications as the danger factor rises. This is to keep little kids from killing themselves me... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alkaloid"
],
[]
] | |
2ppofd | why does my puppy always take a little leak whenever i merely get near him? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2ppofd/eli5_why_does_my_puppy_always_take_a_little_leak/ | {
"a_id": [
"cmyuvr8",
"cmyuz2m",
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"cmyve0g",
"cmz1abu",
"cmz2yur"
],
"score": [
27,
6,
7,
2,
3,
2
],
"text": [
"It's submissive/excitement. Your dog is either nervous of you, or so excited they make themselves nervous. It's not unheard of, althoug... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
10b84t | why do men not get engagement rings? | I suppose this means a little bit more to me since I am in a long distance relationship and I would want my boyfriend to have one as well. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/10b84t/why_do_men_not_get_engagement_rings/ | {
"a_id": [
"c6bxtgl",
"c6by2g0",
"c6c0cnw",
"c6c0jf0",
"c6c0k5t",
"c6c0m63",
"c6c0qjp",
"c6c0wuu",
"c6c21v0"
],
"score": [
3,
42,
2,
4,
2,
8,
5,
4,
6
],
"text": [
"Because engagement rings originally existed to show the man's ownersh... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
8pdhvp | why do computers need to update? | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8pdhvp/eli5_why_do_computers_need_to_update/ | {
"a_id": [
"e0act23",
"e0ajk43"
],
"score": [
16,
5
],
"text": [
"For security purposes mainly. There's always new exploites people can use to put malware into your system. Updates help to try and prevent it. ",
"There is a wide category of cases why you might need an update.\n\n**Bug... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
24ewts | why do people back into parking spots? | Why do people back into parking spots? It seems like it's much harder to park (you have to do a two-point parking job) and you're more likely to hit the two cars on either side of you. And it doesn't get you out of the spot any faster. Am I missing something? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/24ewts/eli5_why_do_people_back_into_parking_spots/ | {
"a_id": [
"ch6g1l0",
"ch6g1vn",
"ch6goyo",
"ch6hay0",
"ch6m61f"
],
"score": [
13,
3,
3,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"I learned it in the military. You back in so you can pull out quicker. Now I do it because it's easier to pull out forward so I can see if people are coming ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
7twute | how do things catch fire without flame i.e just from heat? | My wife is adamant that things can’t catch fire without flame. I know you can burn them with just heat, but can’t really explain why. Save our marriage! | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7twute/eli5_how_do_things_catch_fire_without_flame_ie/ | {
"a_id": [
"dtftodb",
"dtftq2v",
"dtfts5w",
"dtfxxc4",
"dtfzwjf",
"dtg540b",
"dtg8dsv",
"dtgkav1"
],
"score": [
36,
28,
264,
2,
8,
30,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"Inorder to burn something you need heat, fuel, and oxygen. For example you create a fir... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[
"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrje73EyKag"
]
] | |
9gq0ru | what makes beer so bad for you? | and in moderation, can beer and any beneficial effects? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9gq0ru/eli5_what_makes_beer_so_bad_for_you/ | {
"a_id": [
"e65zw6y"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"In short:\n\nLarge amount of calories with little nutrition\nand the alcohol essentially pickles your brain over time. \n\nIn moderation beer can have some positive blood pressure effects, and it can relax someone. But other than that I cant real... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
2fud3d | how is it possible for someone to hear a volcano eruption 4000 miles away? | From a TIL earlier today.
Link: _URL_0_ | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2fud3d/eli5_how_is_it_possible_for_someone_to_hear_a/ | {
"a_id": [
"ckcsxcj"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"The atmosphere carries the sound waves."
]
} | [] | [
"http://www.reddit.com/r/todayilearned/comments/2ftec0/til_the_1883_eruption_on_krakatoa_produced_the/"
] | [
[]
] | |
z7szi | how does food turn into poop? | So does our body take things out of the food we take in znd all thats left is poop, does our body take stuff out and put waste back in, some combination of both? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/z7szi/eli5_how_does_food_turn_into_poop/ | {
"a_id": [
"c627gw8",
"c62d4qn"
],
"score": [
2,
3
],
"text": [
"it takes nutrients out in the small intestines, mostly within the first 8 inches (in the duodenum). Water is reabsorbed in the large intestines. There is nothing that is added to poo, except for maybe bacteria thats living i... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
1ikmqj | the differences between the house of lords and the house of commons in today's era. | Also, if one could explain which party is more liberal/conservative than the other and how they compare in that sense to Democrats/Republicans (mor liberal or conservative etc) | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ikmqj/eli5_the_differences_between_the_house_of_lords/ | {
"a_id": [
"cb5e7tq"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Commons is elected MP's, Lords is mostly inherited positions and some due to profession (I think the church of England gets a couple of people in there). They can't really be compared to political parties, but in general Lords is likely to be mor... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
9vp33y | is there a way out of the usa two party system and how does a two party system represent the whole population of voters? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9vp33y/eli5_is_there_a_way_out_of_the_usa_two_party/ | {
"a_id": [
"e9dzohy",
"e9dzrk9",
"e9e03h0",
"e9e92q8"
],
"score": [
8,
8,
14,
2
],
"text": [
"The only way would be to change the rules as to how people win elections. We have what is called First Past the Post.\n\n & #x200B;\n\nThis means once you receive 1 vote above t... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
ao217q | what is a social security number and why is it so important for a person to not leak it above anything else? (am from germany) | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ao217q/eli5_what_is_a_social_security_number_and_why_is/ | {
"a_id": [
"efxn00s",
"efxn21j",
"efxoya3",
"efxqqom"
],
"score": [
14,
88,
11,
2
],
"text": [
"Isn't it just like a tax file number?",
"There's an excellent video by CGP Grey here ([_URL_0_](_URL_0_)).\n\nTL;DR it was a number that the U.S Govt created for their Socia... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Erp8IAUouus"
],
[],
[]
] | ||
1m5brl | why do traditional economists think austrian economics is hokum? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1m5brl/eli5_why_do_traditional_economists_think_austrian/ | {
"a_id": [
"cc5y7o6"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Some big objections are that the Austrian school doesn't integrate statistical and experimental analysis into their theories. A lot of their ideas can't really be tested, so their theories can't be proven right or wrong. Many people don't want to... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
1s2vv5 | why half-life (pc) was never actually expanded upon after episode 2? | I see tons of jokes about HL3 and whatnot but what is the real reason why they seemed to abandon the franchise entirely? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1s2vv5/eli5_why_halflife_pc_was_never_actually_expanded/ | {
"a_id": [
"cdtckbe",
"cdtcqdv"
],
"score": [
2,
2
],
"text": [
"Hard to say. No one outside of Valve really knows why, since they're being very secretive about it. It's likely that like in many other cases of \"vaporware\", they just ran into problems during development.",
"Valve is ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
5e857u | how do comedy writers (especially for sitcoms) keep pumping out scripts week after week, while simultaneously still making their material consistently funny? | What is their solution when they can't be able to be funny or even come up with a full episode one week?
How can they always come up with jokes?
How does the situation in the writers' room look like?
I've read many critics' reviews on later seasons of sitcoms that been going for more than 6-7 seasons (Family Guy, Th... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5e857u/eli5_eli5_how_do_comedy_writers_especially_for/ | {
"a_id": [
"daakf8x",
"daasjmc"
],
"score": [
6,
2
],
"text": [
"The common pattern for sitcoms is for everyone to get together before the season starts to get a head start - they'll pitch broad ideas for episodes, get a basic outline together, then assign each to an individual writer who... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
5xrprv | how do formula 1 cars produce such an iconic sound? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5xrprv/eli5_how_do_formula_1_cars_produce_such_an_iconic/ | {
"a_id": [
"dekdbpr"
],
"score": [
12
],
"text": [
"A very basic answer: a relatively small engine, producing huge amounts of power, with no sound restriction, and then running at well over 10,000 rpm. Where most engines would be exploding, formula 1 are just getting started, and redline near 20,... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
4hjynh | what are interfaces actually used for in object oriented programming? | I'm an AP computer science student and recently we were told "this is an interface, and this is how it's used." I am just curious what the real world applications for such a system are because it seems to just create more work for the programmer. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4hjynh/eli5_what_are_interfaces_actually_used_for_in/ | {
"a_id": [
"d2q738l",
"d2q7rsh",
"d2qfp80"
],
"score": [
5,
4,
3
],
"text": [
"Imagine that I make cars, and you drive them.\n\nMe, as the car manufacturer, don't want you to be messing around with it's internals (motor, ECU, etc), but I do want you to drive it.\n\nSo I create the... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dependency_injection"
],
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymorphism_\\(computer_science\\)#Subtyping",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liskov_substitution_principle"
]
] | |
2u1uwt | how lucid dreaming works | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2u1uwt/eli5_how_lucid_dreaming_works/ | {
"a_id": [
"co4gad6",
"co4gj0s",
"co4gjuk",
"co4gqpx",
"co4hmja",
"co4hwio",
"co4i6fe",
"co4j2ko",
"co4j3m9",
"co4j4q4",
"co4j5v3",
"co4jlql",
"co4jm2l",
"co4kt5x",
"co4lgvm",
"co4lhkm",
"co4lkyr",
"co4ln7w",
"co4lrzr",
"co4ltc7",
"c... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[
"http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/cdkkr/so_if_a_person_is_born_blind_what_do_they_dream/",
"http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/2mqqw3/blind_people_of_reddit_what_are_your_dreams_like/",
"http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1d8mw8/blind_people_of_reddit_what_i... | ||
215zx6 | why does baby shampoo work to unshrink clothes? | So today I shrunk a top in the dryer. I read online that I can use baby shampoo to 'relax the fibres' of the shirt, and then stretch it back to normal size. I tried it, and it worked, very well! I was wondering, why? What is special about baby shampoo that makes the fibres 'relax'? Why not regular body wash? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/215zx6/eli5_why_does_baby_shampoo_work_to_unshrink/ | {
"a_id": [
"cg9xg5i"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"If it's real, you're my hero and I like you very much"
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
1jo7p7 | why can't i brush my teeth repeatedly until they're white? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1jo7p7/eli5_why_cant_i_brush_my_teeth_repeatedly_until/ | {
"a_id": [
"cbgmktx",
"cbgvhmc"
],
"score": [
35,
4
],
"text": [
"Because teeth are not white naturally. You need chemicals to whiten or bleach them to make them that colour. Also you are only brushing the enamel, its the dentine that determines the colour of teeth and this is usually yel... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
bn2lrk | what's the difference between fermentation and rot? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bn2lrk/eli5_whats_the_difference_between_fermentation/ | {
"a_id": [
"en1q4ka",
"en1q71t",
"en1qd3n"
],
"score": [
5,
3,
2
],
"text": [
"Generally, fermenting stuff produces something that tastes good and is safe, rotting produces something that tastes bad and might be unsafe.\n\nAt least, from a food consumers perspective.",
"Rot is... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
1uy4pp | why can't i import any car i want to the u.s.? | I've always wanted to own a Nissan Skyline R34 GTR, why is is so difficult to import one to the U.S.? How does one go about doing so? If you've successfully imported a rare vehicle, please share your story, thanks! | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1uy4pp/eli5_why_cant_i_import_any_car_i_want_to_the_us/ | {
"a_id": [
"cemtoid",
"cemtqd9"
],
"score": [
2,
2
],
"text": [
"It violates federal law, simply put. All vehicles less than 25 years old must conform to FMVSS rules, and possibly others as well. There was one company importing them, but they were found to have been doing so illegally, an... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
48s2ud | why are the repeating radio signals quickly dismissed as being potential signals from extraterrestrial lifeforms? | From what I'm reading, the most common theory of yesterdays radio signals news seems to be pulsars *yawn* Why so quickly dismissive when peculiar events take place like this or even the Kepler megastructure? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/48s2ud/eli5_why_are_the_repeating_radio_signals_quickly/ | {
"a_id": [
"d0lzqv1",
"d0m0anf",
"d0m0cps"
],
"score": [
8,
3,
3
],
"text": [
"They compare them to what manmade signals would sound like. They dont appear similar at all.\n\nThey arent dismissing them easily. They are heavily investigating them and can tell they likely arent from... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
44r4hz | what is oxidation exactly? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/44r4hz/eli5_what_is_oxidation_exactly/ | {
"a_id": [
"czs7mxa",
"czs7qkp"
],
"score": [
18,
3
],
"text": [
"Oxidation is the process by which an atom or molecule loses electrons in a chemical reaction. \n\nSince this happens pretty much any time oxygen reacts with something and oxygen reacts with lots of things easily (see: burni... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
1u306e | what is a headache and how does ibuprofen make the pain go away? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1u306e/what_is_a_headache_and_how_does_ibuprofen_make/ | {
"a_id": [
"cee0odo"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Their can be multiple causes of headache, that's why you can feel it in diffrent places (example: front of the head, side of the head, where your head goes into your neck), some of these have to do with muscles, bloodpressure, brainpressure and s... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibuprofen#Mechanism_of_action"
]
] | ||
2rco33 | why does my phone sometimes say i have bars, yet have no service? | It's frustrating! | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2rco33/eli5_why_does_my_phone_sometimes_say_i_have_bars/ | {
"a_id": [
"cnemhxh",
"cnepmpu"
],
"score": [
16,
2
],
"text": [
"That bar thing on your phone is kinda a lie, by design. The \"real\" reception you have is hidden in the phone and is actually super variable. Obviously if you see your phone going through wild reception variations a cons... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
38iecy | why does skype eat so much resources while not making calls? | I've noticed it's always eating up more than 100 mb in Ram even when not downloading video. Does it have to keep all those ads and 4k Smileys in memory?
And on top of that the mobile version is the biggest app in my phone and it barely even works. What's up with all that? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/38iecy/eli5_why_does_skype_eat_so_much_resources_while/ | {
"a_id": [
"crvigl8"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Well you have a listener, which is a continuously running program that is the equivalent of refreshing your inbox every second. But more importantly, calls are URGENT. Skype has to keep the call handling programs in your RAM so that they can be... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
37e7cx | when sand runs through an hour glass it looks like it goes faster when there are fewer grains left. is that what's actually happening? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/37e7cx/eli5_when_sand_runs_through_an_hour_glass_it/ | {
"a_id": [
"crlz1l7"
],
"score": [
23
],
"text": [
"Lets pretend I am drawing a hourglass. this : v : is the bottom half of the hourglass. This : V : is the full hourglass. I know the capital V isn't twice the height as the lower case v but use your imagination. \n\n\nThere is far less than half ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
2g8l0g | why are springs safe to drink from? | I live in Maryland next to the Appalachian trail and when my dad would take me and my siblings to Annapolis rock (a scenic overlook that is part of the trail) we would never have to bring water with us because we would drink from the spring there. I never got sick from this and I always thought it was cool that we coul... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2g8l0g/eli5why_are_springs_safe_to_drink_from/ | {
"a_id": [
"ckgyq7o"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"It's simply that everything in the water that makes it dirty gets caught on trees, roots, plants, moss, dirt, rocks, etc., until it reaches a larger body of water like a river or lake. Not to mention all the water that becomes absorbed into the e... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
579hni | why do fur hats have a big, solid piece of fur at the front, above your eyes? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/579hni/eli5_why_do_fur_hats_have_a_big_solid_piece_of/ | {
"a_id": [
"d8q4y5w"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"It is to give extra protection from the elements around your face. It helps direct the wind away from your face and also catches snow and ice in the wind before it hits your face. It also prevents icicles building up around your face from your ho... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
cw6zo0 | why is it so easy to dwell on negative thoughts but so hard to focus on positive ones? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cw6zo0/eli5_why_is_it_so_easy_to_dwell_on_negative/ | {
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"Because your brain's job is to keep you and... | [] | [] | [
[],
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"https://ubwp.buffalo.edu/ccvillage/wp-content/uploads/sites/74/2017/06/hand02.pdf"
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9byldc | - why do brain cells regenerate so slowly compared to other cells? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9byldc/eli5_why_do_brain_cells_regenerate_so_slowly/ | {
"a_id": [
"e575zzd"
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"text": [
"When a cell is undergoing the process of mitosis (cellular division) it needs to tone down its activity in order to duplicate its DNA and all of the essential stuff that makes the cell a cell. This process follows an order: G1, where the cell is ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
rji55 | what do color blind people see? | I understand that red and green are difficult to tell apart when next to each other, but are they distinct colors when they're far apart?
What shade takes over?
Do all shades of various colors look the same?
Is there a shade that only color blind people see because of their unique way of perception?
What are so... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/rji55/eli5_what_do_color_blind_people_see/ | {
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"text": [
"Depends on the type of color blindness. But yes, the most common type is red-green. Basically, red and green both look like another third shade, making it difficult or impossible t... | [] | [] | [
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"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_blindness",
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Braeburn_GrannySmith_dichromat_sim.jpg"
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"http://imgur.com/9uj97"
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j34kl | can someone explain diabetes to me? | So I went to The Doctor's office the other day, and had some blood tests run. He called this morning saying that the tests showed conclusively that I had diabetes. I am afraid and confused.
can someone please explain diabetes and the effect that it will have on my life? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/j34kl/can_someone_explain_diabetes_to_me/ | {
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"text": [
"[r/diabetes](_URL_0_) will be of help in the future.\n\nAs said before, depends on which diabetes you have. Type 1 or type 2?",
"It all depends on the typ... | [] | [] | [
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"http://www.reddit.com/r/diabetes"
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"http://annadiabetesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Diabetes-Insulin-Pump.jpg"
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5iv60i | why do people start to freeze when they're heavily injured? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5iv60i/eli5_why_do_people_start_to_freeze_when_theyre/ | {
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"No experience whatsoever, but I guess this is how it goes. Strangle a finger with a string or something, then after a while it gets cold, right? Maybe it's because of the lack of blood. With a heavy injury, I guess a lot of... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
2jhja5 | boogers? | what are they, why do we get them, why do they always come back, why do they come in different shapes and sizes | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2jhja5/eli5boogers/ | {
"a_id": [
"clbtge4"
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"score": [
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"text": [
"what are they - dust, etc. filtered from the air we breathe.\nwhy do we get them -because the nose hairs do their job and keep the junk out of the body.\nwhy do they always come back - the more you breathe, the more junk is filtered out. Sometime... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
1yee1x | why do we so heavily vilify co2 as a greenhouse gas when there are other far more potent greenhouse gases? | Say you're trying to reduce crime in a big city. Wouldn't cracking down on CO2 be like trying to arrest all of the city's jaywalkers, HOA violators, those with unpaid parking tickets, and those with overdue library books instead of arresting the rapists, murderers, arsonists, etc? Sure, there's a lot more CO2 in the ... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1yee1x/why_do_we_so_heavily_vilify_co2_as_a_greenhouse/ | {
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"It's a complicated answer because it's a complicated system. If you hear people talking about “carbon” as the problem, with carbon credits or a carbon tax or so forth, it's specifically because they're grouping CO₂ and CH₄ (methane) together as p... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
8mtxes | why do cars sometimes ‘snap’ ‘crackle’ and ‘pop’ after they’ve been driven? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8mtxes/eli5_why_do_cars_sometimes_snap_crackle_and_pop/ | {
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"dzqbaoo",
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"text": [
"Metal expands as it heats and contracts as it cools.\n\nYou're hearing the engine contract, cool, and go back to its cold shape.",
"If you referring to that like tinging noise after you turn the e... | [] | [] | [
[],
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32ngye | why is it that when i'm in a quiet room with my earbuds up full volume, it hurts my ears, but when i'm in a plane or somewhere noisy with the volume all the way up, the full volume doesn't bother me? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/32ngye/eli5_why_is_it_that_when_im_in_a_quiet_room_with/ | {
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"text": [
"Might be a stupid question but is it equally as bad for your ears to blast the volume in a quiet room and in a loud room? ",
"There is some sensory ada... | [] | [] | [
[],
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[],
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] | ||
3mrbvr | how does the vw tdi scandal affect other vw drivers? | I'm under the impression that only the diesel models were affected directly, but how are people who own a VW non-diesel affected by this? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3mrbvr/eli5_how_does_the_vw_tdi_scandal_affect_other_vw/ | {
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"The damage to the brand has been done. The value of your car may be lower than if this whole thing never happened. That depends on when you are selling it, if ever. 20 years down the line, the buyer may just want a car that ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
1vzl0h | why do romance languages and germanic languages share an alphabet? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1vzl0h/eli5_why_do_romance_languages_and_germanic/ | {
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"They all belonged to a common cultural sphere, namely the Roman Empire and, later on, the Roman Church. Latin was the language of learning and religion, and the Latin alphabet was used to write the various vernacular languag... | [] | [] | [
[],
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9c6dj2 | why are some electric poles clad in aluminum while others are bare? | Solved
ELI5: Recently, new electric poles were put up in my area. In addition to being enormous, some of them have been left bare wood and some clad in (I think) aluminum. There does not seem to be a patter for bare vs. clad. Can someone please explain why this is done?
ETA: link to images of the poles _URL_0_ | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9c6dj2/eli5_why_are_some_electric_poles_clad_in_aluminum/ | {
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"text": [
"Looking at your picture the gray poles are not clad the are a galvanized metal pole. I have seen metal poles used where they don’t have room to run guy wires to counter act another line being run without another line being r... | [] | [
"https://imgur.com/gallery/ThoCJix"
] | [
[],
[]
] | |
6kr8ol | how is sexual dimorphism preserved? | Shouldn't genetic recombination following fertilization balance out the heights/sizes/coloration/etc. of the two parents in the resulting offspring, at least somewhat?
Are certain traits somehow flagged to only be passed on to male or female offspring? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6kr8ol/eli5_how_is_sexual_dimorphism_preserved/ | {
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"text": [
"Sexual dimorphism is preserved as the genes that determine those traits are found on the sex chromosomes. Mate selection behaviour is one factor that ensures certain traits are preserved, particularly ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
aj4a17 | if the great lakes were formed by melted glaciers from the ice age then how did they develop a fish population? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/aj4a17/eli5_if_the_great_lakes_were_formed_by_melted/ | {
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"eeskjg3",
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... | [] | [] | [
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3axt8u | why are anime characters drawn with such large overly exaggerated eyes instead of eyes that are more characteristic of normal asian eyes? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3axt8u/eli5_why_are_anime_characters_drawn_with_such/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"From [_URL_0_](_URL_0_): \n\n > Anime characters having large eyes is generally attributed to Osamu Tezuka{1}, an artist prolific enough to be called the \"father of manga\", and the creator of Astro Boy, the source of the i... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://anime.stackexchange.com/questions/4748/why-do-anime-manga-characters-have-big-eyes"
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[]
] | ||
ciez30 | how do stabilisers work? | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ciez30/eli5_how_do_stabilisers_work/ | {
"a_id": [
"ev4nuz0"
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"text": [
"There is a small sensor built into the device that detects movement - similar to the one on your phone that detects tilt.\n\nThe system is then setup so that when the sensor detects some movement, the motors offset it by moving in the opposite wa... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
3p16gy | the la metro has 6 lines and 140km of system length. this dwarfs most cities, so what in particular makes the la metro so bad? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3p16gy/eli5_the_la_metro_has_6_lines_and_140km_of_system/ | {
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"text": [
"What do you mean bad? Service? The schedule? The Smell? \n\nIt probably has less to do with how long it is vs how the system is managed and how the system is funded. You can have a... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
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] | ||
1q0iv7 | why does japan get to eat coconut curry doritos and strawberry kitkat bars, when we have the more diverse population. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1q0iv7/eli5_why_does_japan_get_to_eat_coconut_curry/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"It's the result of market research. I'd like to try those too but as long as people choose Cool Ranch over more unusual choices we're never going to get them. Shelf space is not unlimited, and it's es... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://www.akagi.com/company/release/m130312.html"
],
[]
] | ||
3gaaxu | why does this light not flicker when looking at it, but does flicker when in my peripheral vision? | _URL_0_
The light shining down onto the box was "normal" light from an LED when looking at it, but then when looking up at the LED light on the hood the light on the box was flickering. I had my wife look at the light on the box and then up at the hood and she said she saw it flickering as well.
I know LEDs are ofte... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3gaaxu/eli5_why_does_this_light_not_flicker_when_looking/ | {
"a_id": [
"ctwajt5"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"Your eyes have different sensory cells in the middle and on the sides. Those on the sides can't detect colors, but they are more sensitive to changes in brightness."
]
} | [] | [
"http://i.imgur.com/oq1JKeV.jpg"
] | [
[]
] | |
1uqfq0 | i tried to sign up for health insurance through _url_0_ but i don't make enough money to get subsidized...what do i do? [from florida] | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1uqfq0/eli5i_tried_to_sign_up_for_health_insurance/ | {
"a_id": [
"ceknmmo",
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"score": [
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"text": [
"Are you eligible for medicaid?",
"If you do not make enough money to get subsidized, you may make little enough money to qualify for Medicaid. \n\nUnfortunately, due to Florida's decision not to expand the Medicaid progr... | [
"healthcare.gov"
] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
53co6i | is there enough paper currency to support every person, and business in the united states withdrawing their money all at the same time? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/53co6i/eli5_is_there_enough_paper_currency_to_support/ | {
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"No...There's only a f... | [] | [] | [
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"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Money_supply"
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xfpmi | why would lenders rather foreclose or short sell than modify mortgages? | I am going through a short sale with my home. I am not pissed off, I'm just trying to comprehend why banks don't want to modify loans.
I have never missed a payment or been late, but have a legitimate hardship. Our credit scores are 800 and 850. We've asked the bank to give us a lower interest rate (market), they ref... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/xfpmi/why_would_lenders_rather_foreclose_or_short_sell/ | {
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"score": [
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"text": [
"I'll give it a shot, though I'm by no means an expert in the exact details of modern banking.\n\nThis is likely because the bank sold your mortgage payments, or otherwise isn't the only group of people who care about the money you send the bank. ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
6b1tco | that if global warming is a hoax like some people suggest, then what is the motive behind propagating such a lie? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6b1tco/eli5_that_if_global_warming_is_a_hoax_like_some/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"The main argument is money. Some people are under the odd impression that scientists profit handsomely from their research. Others claim there are individuals and businesses who wi... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
4wwek6 | is it possible or feasible to de-denature ethanol? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4wwek6/eli5_is_it_possible_or_feasible_to_dedenature/ | {
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"text": [
"There are many, many ways of denaturation, different mixtures are used and it helps to know which you have. \n\nIn general, every mixture can be separated. For liquids the method of choice usually is distillation, but most a... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
2fqhrq | why can't computers use a single type of memory/storage system? | I've seen high capacity fast RAM - as much as 32 GB in some systems.
I know there are some cost limitations to high speed solid state memory compared to hard disks, but whats to stop people making non volatile storage from sticks of SDRAM for example? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2fqhrq/eli5_why_cant_computers_use_a_single_type_of/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"If you want to you can make computers with a single data store, it's just not the best way to make general computers. It's an Certain forms of memory fit different use-cases better. \n\nUp until today the fastest memory is volatile necessarily. I... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
5w6gpx | how does the government of japan work | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5w6gpx/eli5how_does_the_government_of_japan_work/ | {
"a_id": [
"de7ni9n"
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"text": [
"Constitutional monarchy, with three branches:\n*Legislative, with a Diet composed of two houses, both directly elected by the people.\n*Executive, with a Cabinet made of a Prime Minister (head of government) and up to 19 other ministers. The Prim... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
4vp22d | saw a tifu about a nuclear reactor. how does water provide a better shield against radiation than air/land? wouldn't the contamination spread through all the water molecules? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4vp22d/eli5_saw_a_tifu_about_a_nuclear_reactor_how_does/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
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"text": [
"Water is used as a shield against radiation because it is effective and cheap. It's effective because it's dense. \n\nThere are lots of different types of radiation. In general, materials \"shield\" aga... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/18wyzs/why_is_water_such_an_effective_radiation_shield/"
],
[],
[]
] | ||
3mha09 | how come the vast majority of the world's top universities are american? what historical circumstances gave us universities an edge over other ones? also, how does the us manage to have amazing universities, yet have such a poor primary education system? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3mha09/eli5_how_come_the_vast_majority_of_the_worlds_top/ | {
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"The simple answer to all your questions i... | [] | [] | [
[],
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[],
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"http://www.bbc.com/news/education-34132664",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G.I._Bill",
"http://www.shanghairanking.com/ARWU2015.html"
],
[],
[],
[],
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"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helmholtz_Association_of_German_Research_Centres",
"https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/... | ||
xfr13 | why in some places people can live off $1-/day and why that isn't possible everywhere | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/xfr13/eli5_why_in_some_places_people_can_live_off_1day/ | {
"a_id": [
"c5lz3zb"
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"score": [
4
],
"text": [
"It's called [purchasing power parity](_URL_0_). On a smaller scale, it's the same reason why living in rural Iowa is cheaper than living in NYC. \n\nThere are several reasons why cost of living differs. In some areas there aren't a lot of luxury ... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purchasing_power_parity"
]
] | ||
5k87ey | how can a number be irrational if it has fixed length? (sqrt of 2) | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5k87ey/eli5_how_can_a_number_be_irrational_if_it_has/ | {
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3,
7,
4
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"text": [
"A common misconception about irrational numbers is that \"they have no end\" or \"they're infinite\". They are quite finite. What doesn't have an end is the decimal representation of irrational numbers,... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
a5hkh7 | why are servers where they are | On every game that I play, the servers are always in one location for that region (German servers for EU, Singaporean servers for South Asia, Japan servers for East Asia). Why are these servers not placed at other countries? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a5hkh7/eli5_why_are_servers_where_they_are/ | {
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4,
3,
3
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"text": [
"Generally for online games, especially anything that's not turn-based, latency is a huge issue. Latency is the length of time it takes a packet of data to travel to the server and ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
2o978y | during press conferences, why is it necessary to have a crowd of people behind the speaker? | Especially in political press conferences there is always a group of people behind the speaker. What purpose do they serve? When did this start? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2o978y/eli5_during_press_conferences_why_is_it_necessary/ | {
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],
"text": [
"They're powerful and influential people to the person speaking and represent the body of whoever is speaking.\n\nIf President Obama makes a press conference, his chief of staff will be there, his VP (if it's relevant enough) and other members of ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] |
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