q_id stringlengths 5 6 | title stringlengths 3 296 | selftext stringlengths 0 34k | document stringclasses 1
value | subreddit stringclasses 1
value | url stringlengths 4 110 | answers dict | title_urls list | selftext_urls list | answers_urls list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5c5qzs | if a non-smoker started a nicotine patch program prior to smoking, would they gain any benefit from this? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5c5qzs/eli5_if_a_nonsmoker_started_a_nicotine_patch/ | {
"a_id": [
"d9tv3od",
"d9tw3a5"
],
"score": [
3,
3
],
"text": [
"No, you cannot use patches to be immune to the damaging effects of chronic nicotine use.\n\nYou could however use them to elevate your nicotine tolerance and avoid some of the acute effects of nicotine intoxication. So if yo... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
15igx9 | why do (stray) dogs chase cars? | I've always wondered why dogs (especially stray dogs) chase cars? Is it about a trauma (got hit by a car and now it's all about revenge) or it's just about the "growling" of the engine?
So... why do dogs chase cars? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/15igx9/eli5_why_do_stray_dogs_chase_cars/ | {
"a_id": [
"c7mqvdb"
],
"score": [
5
],
"text": [
"Dogs chase things that move, be it a cat, chicken, jogger, bike, motor, or a car. It's part of its instinct to hunt and defend its territory."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
98e8i9 | why don’t police consistently pull over people that don’t use a turning signal? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/98e8i9/eli5_why_dont_police_consistently_pull_over/ | {
"a_id": [
"e4fb9zf",
"e4fbaey"
],
"score": [
5,
2
],
"text": [
"Because it's probably near the bottom of any list of \"good uses of my time\" any law enforcement officer might have. If they're out there to make the roads safer they're going to look for tailgaters, red light runners, and ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
850ffi | why do brands hide their ownership and location? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/850ffi/eli5why_do_brands_hide_their_ownership_and/ | {
"a_id": [
"dvtuij5",
"dvtvvd0"
],
"score": [
3,
3
],
"text": [
"Im certain it has to do with manufacturers having contractual obligations to only allow certain suppliers the right to sell that brand or that product. In order to buy from a manufacturer directly you usually have to show pr... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
69x0vd | how does the british program qi work? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/69x0vd/eli5_how_does_the_british_program_qi_work/ | {
"a_id": [
"dha09zm",
"dha0dg5",
"dha0rze",
"dha0t23"
],
"score": [
9,
4,
6,
2
],
"text": [
"It's pointless, nobody cares and as far as I'm aware there's no set metric. You get points for answering correctly or bringing up interesting facts. You lose points for saying obvi... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iakhtz5T2ss"
],
[
"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7SOLBuy8HI"
],
[]
] | ||
bjlorv | when blood is donated, how are the cells kept alive for so long in a bag? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bjlorv/eli5_when_blood_is_donated_how_are_the_cells_kept/ | {
"a_id": [
"em95wv6",
"em97w3g",
"ema20h3"
],
"score": [
4,
3,
3
],
"text": [
"Blood is generally just proteins suspended in water, so it’s much easier to keep viable as opposed to actual cell tissue. This doesn’t mean that it can’t “sour” per say, so they keep it just above freez... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
cbpdgv | what makes things more easily breakable than others? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cbpdgv/eli5_what_makes_things_more_easily_breakable_than/ | {
"a_id": [
"ethalkm"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"Things tend to break because the pressure on them exceeds the maximum pressure which they can take. This means that, in order to make something harder to break, you can either increase the maximum pressure something can withstand or decrease the ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
aq239e | how come a standard, bic lighter's flame creates more light in a dark room vs a torch lighter, whose flame typically is bigger and burns much hotter? | Just a thought I had while lighting up a Cigar. I find it a bit curious.
& #x200B;
& #x200B; | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/aq239e/eli5_how_come_a_standard_bic_lighters_flame/ | {
"a_id": [
"egcwgpx",
"egcwnrr"
],
"score": [
20,
11
],
"text": [
"The torch lighter's flame is so hot that some of it is ultraviolet — bright light if you're a bee, but invisible to our human eyes.",
"More of the light created by the Bic is the kind of light you can see (visible spec... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
3166oa | if ash was under or in a flame infinitely - what would happen ? | Not Ash Ketchum but,
Wood burns - It turns into a pile of ash..
What would happen if that ash was heated or placed in a flame forever ?
Edit: Thanks! | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3166oa/eli5if_ash_was_under_or_in_a_flame_infinitely/ | {
"a_id": [
"cpypdad",
"cpypk4f"
],
"score": [
5,
6
],
"text": [
"Well, assume your ash is carbon, then eventually carbon will react with the oxygen and turn into carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide. If the ash contains other impurities then those will also react with the oxygen to form ox... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
1u58hj | why can i eat large quantities of fast food but only small quantities of healthier food? | At family gatherings, for example, I really can't eat a lot of food; I get full so quickly! However, on numerous occasions I can eat two or three burgers from McDonalds along with fries and a burrito.
About me: I am 5'10 145 lbs relatively out of shape due to sedentary job. Never been fat or super skinny, though weig... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1u58hj/eli5_why_can_i_eat_large_quantities_of_fast_food/ | {
"a_id": [
"ch15poj",
"ceemrsu",
"ceemwzv",
"ceen9q6",
"ceentvc",
"ceenut6",
"ceenypl",
"ceeo053",
"ceeo3q3",
"ceeo7v6",
"ceeobne",
"ceeoeeh",
"ceeomyn",
"ceeoplr",
"ceeoqli",
"ceeoydk",
"ceep5ft",
"ceepexy",
"ceepf8u",
"ceephed",
"c... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[
"http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/10/01/dining/nacho-graphic.html?_r=0"
],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[
"http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=addicted-to-fat-eating"
],
[],
[],
[
"http://tidsskrif... | |
1zflke | why is it that cellphones seem to "go bad" after a few years? | I've noticed that most of my cellphones start dropping calls, requiring constant restarts, and some have simply stopped working after several years of use. Why don't radios, calculators, programmable thermostats, and battery-operated clocks (analog and digital) seem to suffer this demise?
ELI5 do cell carriers pay... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1zflke/eli5_why_is_it_that_cellphones_seem_to_go_bad/ | {
"a_id": [
"cft706w",
"cft8yk3",
"cft9fw0",
"cftaoqy",
"cftb2x5",
"cftcf0f"
],
"score": [
21,
25,
9,
3,
3,
7
],
"text": [
"One thing that (and a lot of other people) have noticed is that a phone's performance seems to degrade with every OS update.",
"Lo... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planned_obsolescence"
],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
4jufqw | how has obama extended overtime pay to millions? | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4jufqw/eli5how_has_obama_extended_overtime_pay_to/ | {
"a_id": [
"d39q2kr"
],
"score": [
5
],
"text": [
"there are labor laws requiring that people get overtime pay if they work overtime. But managers and salaried workers are exempt from those laws. So what happened was that employers would start calling most of their employees \"managers\" so that ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
1oigwq | why is fast food so addicting? | (good examples would be Wendy's, Whataburger, and Papa John's) | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1oigwq/eli5_why_is_fast_food_so_addicting/ | {
"a_id": [
"ccs8gc4",
"ccsb5du"
],
"score": [
2,
15
],
"text": [
"There actually was some research on that & they have worked very hard to hit a \"sweet spot\" its the perfect combination of fat, salt and sugar the hits some primal bit inside humans.\n\nIf you scrounge around google you... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
3iocab | star wars: the force awakens. what do we know about the characters and the plot from the books and games? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3iocab/eli5_star_wars_the_force_awakens_what_do_we_know/ | {
"a_id": [
"cui7dzh",
"cui7eo8"
],
"score": [
2,
9
],
"text": [
"Very little. The books that are canon so far are very uninformative to the future, as they take place during the original trilogy. What we know so far is basically what you get out of reading cast lists and watching trailers... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
327v4b | if something has its colour because light get deflected, does that mean that an object in a fully dark room has "no colour"? | What I'm asking is...
Let's say we have a blue piece of paper. We look at it and it's blue, because it absorbs all "kind" of light and reflects the blue wavelenght. What if we put it in an absolute dark room, with no light at all? Can we say he has "no colour" but still has the property of "reflecting blue light"? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/327v4b/eli5_if_something_has_its_colour_because_light/ | {
"a_id": [
"cq8pcmf",
"cq8pcoh",
"cq8pk7u",
"cq94yfe"
],
"score": [
2,
9,
5,
2
],
"text": [
"Yes. Color isn't even a true physical attribute. Color is our body's interpretation of a certain band of electromagnetic waves. If there are no waves available, then there is no... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
2a62t5 | how do phishers obtain information? | Follow up questions: How do they know to target? How much information can they get out of one click?
I searched first but there's just a ton of PSA's saying "don't get tricked" and all that... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2a62t5/eli5_how_do_phishers_obtain_information/ | {
"a_id": [
"ciru1by",
"ciru5d4",
"cirucpq",
"cirw291"
],
"score": [
3,
2,
2,
3
],
"text": [
"They don't target, they use the shotgun approach. Here's an example tactic:\n\n1. send a bazillion people an email that looks exactly like a Wells Fargo account statement email. ... | [] | [] | [
[
"wellsfargo.com"
],
[],
[
"usbanking.com",
"usbank.com"
],
[]
] | |
1vir07 | how does bidding websites like 'madbid' actually work? | They sell products that are worth £200 for less than £20. How does this work and how do they profit from it? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1vir07/how_does_bidding_websites_like_madbid_actually/ | {
"a_id": [
"cesnlo5"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"You have to deposit money to bid. Then you get outbid and you make another deposit, rinse and repeat. It's automated to outbid you, slowly crushing your dreams and smashing your hope of a $50 iPad. If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is.... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
eemrpn | what is the smallest unit possible? if you cut something in four parts, and then cut each of those four parts in four again and so on, it would never really disappear. therefore, something has to be the smallest thing on earth, like the smallest thing possible before it’s no more left or? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/eemrpn/eli5_what_is_the_smallest_unit_possible_if_you/ | {
"a_id": [
"fbuqi64",
"fbuqqgz"
],
"score": [
3,
3
],
"text": [
"There seems to be a minimum size in the universe, it is called Planck length.\n\n\n\nIt is very very very very small.\n\n\n\n\nMost things about it are not very Eli5-friendly.\n\n\n\n\n_URL_0_",
"Planck length is the sma... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planck_length"
],
[]
] | ||
1v7zid | when i look at a mirror while somewhere private like home or at a closed bathroom, i see myself as really good looking, but outside or somewhere with people i somehow don't seem to look that good. why is this? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1v7zid/eli5_when_i_look_at_a_mirror_while_somewhere/ | {
"a_id": [
"ceplawz",
"cepljfi",
"ceplo9n",
"ceplxt3",
"cepow56"
],
"score": [
2,
4,
2,
3,
3
],
"text": [
"Why not carry your home mirror with you at all times? Then you will always look good.",
"There's a very, very good chance that you just have flattering li... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mere-exposure_effect"
]
] | ||
3pplz3 | why are the constellations so weirdly connected and yet create so much imaginary pictures? | I know nothing about astronomy but all i saw in the night sky were dots of stars. Wondering how astronomers even connect a certain star to another. Why are some constellation box-like instead of just lines drawn across/over each other? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3pplz3/eli5_why_are_the_constellations_so_weirdly/ | {
"a_id": [
"cw8d8cl"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Most constellations were first described in ancient times and were based off religion and folklore. There's no real use to them (except maybe for identifying the North Star). It's just human imagination extrapolating simple shapes into complex im... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
cl38tc | how do worker's co-ops actually work? | No pun intended.
I'm aware that the basic idea is to have workers own the company and make decisions democratically, but I'm more interested in what that actually means in terms of logistics, legality, how it's different from a "normal" business, etc. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cl38tc/eli5_how_do_workers_coops_actually_work/ | {
"a_id": [
"evskzao"
],
"score": [
15
],
"text": [
"A normal company is owned by shareholders. If a company has 10 shares, those shares are divided between people, and they can sell their share to other people. The shareholders elect a CEO and approve major decisions at stockholder meetings, ofte... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
5322fk | why are there no sentient plant-based species? why is base intelligence so abundant and diverse in animals, but non-existent in the plant kingdom? | Is there something inherent to "plant cells" that prohibits that possibility? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5322fk/eli5_why_are_there_no_sentient_plantbased_species/ | {
"a_id": [
"d7p9gt2"
],
"score": [
5
],
"text": [
" > Is there something inherent to “plant cells” that prohibits that possibility?\n\nIt is more something inherent to plant biology that prohibits the possibility, and is related to the lack of nerves within plants. Brains require *a lot* of ener... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
3suudw | what's happening when my tv's randomly (seemingly atleast) make the clicking sounds like they're about to turn on but don't? | To elaborate, there are no remote controls, so that is ruled out. It happens with all of my TV'S in different rooms at different time..
Let me know if you need more detail.
P.S. don't tell me it's the NSA or ghosts.. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3suudw/eli5_whats_happening_when_my_tvs_randomly/ | {
"a_id": [
"cx0pyi3",
"cx0rqbq",
"cx0sthf",
"cx0uvpr"
],
"score": [
2,
4,
2,
3
],
"text": [
"My TV does the same thing. I normally hear it when I'm up early before everyone else and the house is quiet. It makes a click sound like capacitors discharging, the same as when I... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
cf4p41 | why doesn’t everyone have an eidetic memory? and what is the difference between a “photographic” and eidetic memory? (if there is one) | Edit: thank you to everyone who has responded and keeps responding, I appreciate all your answers! | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cf4p41/eli5_why_doesnt_everyone_have_an_eidetic_memory/ | {
"a_id": [
"eu7aujl",
"eu7dmep",
"eu7eyey"
],
"score": [
3,
4,
3
],
"text": [
"They are not the same. Eidetic memory refers to being able to recall an image with great detail, even if you only saw it for a short time.\n\nPhotographic memory is about recalling things like a text so... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/is-there-such-a-thing-as/"
],
[]
] | |
1fyo1r | why isn't widescreen a television standard, like it is with film? | Television came after film, and film has always been widescreen... Why did television start out in the wrong aspect ratio, and why has it still not caught up to speed? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1fyo1r/eli5_why_isnt_widescreen_a_television_standard/ | {
"a_id": [
"caf2946",
"caf5l73",
"caf6eoi"
],
"score": [
8,
4,
2
],
"text": [
"It was easier to make TVs in the old aspect ratio back when tvs were giant, cumbersome monstrosities. You wanted as much surface area as possible with as little glass as possible.\n\nSince many TVs fro... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Widescreen#Types",
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16:9#History"
]
] | |
3z7rib | why is a gay man considered perfectly normal if he does not pursue women, but a straight man who does not pursue women is considered abnormal? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3z7rib/eli5_why_is_a_gay_man_considered_perfectly_normal/ | {
"a_id": [
"cyjvwoj",
"cyjvx0z"
],
"score": [
2,
3
],
"text": [
"Do you understand what 'gay' means?",
"Well... the primary reason for a man to pursue women is to have sex, which leads to reproduction.\n\nHomosexual men have no interest in sex with women... so it is normal that they w... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
6tywgv | why are there such weird terms for groups of birds (e.g., murder of crows, unkindness of ravens)? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6tywgv/eli5_why_are_there_such_weird_terms_for_groups_of/ | {
"a_id": [
"dlomdvx",
"dlomkd0",
"dlomm29",
"dlomovv"
],
"score": [
3,
7,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"_URL_0_\n\nIt's not just birds.\n\nAristocratic British hunters came up with these terms as a way to show appreciation for groups of animals.",
"You are talking about the \"Ter... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rkrGwI4rZA"
],
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_English_terms_of_venery,_by_animal"
],
[],
[]
] | ||
58jxk1 | why is cultural appropriation wrong, when we live in a melting pot society and global society where integration rather than segregation is the ultimate goal? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/58jxk1/eli5_why_is_cultural_appropriation_wrong_when_we/ | {
"a_id": [
"d911r1h",
"d915cn0",
"d916smt"
],
"score": [
4,
4,
3
],
"text": [
"Because some people want to see problems where there are none. \nThey want some kind of justice for the \"offended\" party, even when that party says that they don't find \"offenders\" actions offensive... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
wi2j4 | shared networks. how can someone sharing an unsecured wifi connection view information from my computer? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/wi2j4/eli5_shared_networks_how_can_someone_sharing_an/ | {
"a_id": [
"c5dhmnw",
"c5di45c",
"c5diqwp"
],
"score": [
5,
2,
12
],
"text": [
"I'm at starbucks, and always hesitant to even use their unsecured wifi. Am I being too paranoid?\n",
"The wifi on your computer is basically a radio, broadcasting to anyone who cares to listen. \n... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
434nbs | how are leds able to be any colour? | . | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/434nbs/eli5_how_are_leds_able_to_be_any_colour/ | {
"a_id": [
"czff2mk"
],
"score": [
4
],
"text": [
"They actually don't change color, they are actually 3 small LED's, one red, one green, and one blue; so just like pixels on a computer monitor, they mix together to form a bunch of colors."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
49rna0 | what is happening psychologically to people whom appear to be possessed or in a trance in pentecostal church services? | Like in this video
_URL_0_ | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/49rna0/eli5_what_is_happening_psychologically_to_people/ | {
"a_id": [
"d0u9dj6",
"d0uc6f6"
],
"score": [
2,
3
],
"text": [
"Assuming that this is not just a set up and the people in \"trances\" are not just paid actors...\n\nHypnotism in generally is less about actually controlling somebody and more it is putting them in the right state of mind t... | [] | [
"http://youtu.be/IviOGt68ipk"
] | [
[],
[]
] | |
3mbhtn | how can democratic states like canada and us keep drafts of trade agreements (like the tpp) secret from its citizens? | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3mbhtn/eli5_how_can_democratic_states_like_canada_and_us/ | {
"a_id": [
"cvdlhuo"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"Citizen input is at the point of electing our officials. From that point forward there is little to no citizen involvement in the creation of law and that is how it is intended to operate. We do not have time to spend 8+ hours a day being briefed... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
98ya92 | how are satellites able to take such clear images if they're moving extremely fast? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/98ya92/eli5_how_are_satellites_able_to_take_such_clear/ | {
"a_id": [
"e4jn14m"
],
"score": [
6
],
"text": [
"They're really far away. \nWhen in the car, look outside the passenger window at some thing close and it will blur. \nThen look at something in the distance and it will be clear. \n"
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
57z3fa | how do cameras in films prevent water from showing on the lens during raining or underwater scenes. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/57z3fa/eli5how_do_cameras_in_films_prevent_water_from/ | {
"a_id": [
"d8w3f6t",
"d8w3hhw",
"d8w9bb0"
],
"score": [
5,
3,
2
],
"text": [
"It depends if they are actually shooting in rain or not. Most of the time the 'rain' is artificial and doesn't come near the camera. If they do happen to be shooting in real rain, then a hood protects t... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[
"https://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2008/10/front-element-scratches/"
]
] | ||
j6y96 | basic microeconomics? | I'm in an AP Microeconomics class and my english isn't perfect, so can someone explain the basic themes of microeconics to me in simple terms? just summary it. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/j6y96/eli5_basic_microeconomics/ | {
"a_id": [
"c29nr05",
"c29ntxo",
"c29nr05",
"c29ntxo"
],
"score": [
2,
2,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"By no means am I an expert, however I have taken introductory level micro- and macroeconomics in university. Economics is the study of why people make certain choices based off sca... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
5vjnms | why don't we use a slingshot, like an aircraft carriers, to launch rockets and shuttles to space. wouldn't that reduce the onboard fuel needs? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5vjnms/eli5_why_dont_we_use_a_slingshot_like_an_aircraft/ | {
"a_id": [
"de2k1kk",
"de2kqob"
],
"score": [
2,
12
],
"text": [
"A slingshot to get objects both through the atmosphere and anywhere approaching orbital speeds would necessarily subject the vehicle and any occupying people/probes/things to tremendous acceleration. It'd be like trying to ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
1qxizv | what does thomas malthus believe in regards to population control and what did he think the most effective policy? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1qxizv/eli5what_does_thomas_malthus_believe_in_regards/ | {
"a_id": [
"cdhigbo",
"cdhjubv"
],
"score": [
2,
3
],
"text": [
"From what I have read, he did a lot of whining about population growth without offering any effective solutions. I say this because he was against birth control in or out of marriage (Malthus was a stickler for morality and ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
6c9x21 | how do birds not break their eggs when they sit on them? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6c9x21/eli5_how_do_birds_not_break_their_eggs_when_they/ | {
"a_id": [
"dht17b4",
"dht17gd",
"dht3jax",
"dhtdkrq"
],
"score": [
16,
6,
4,
3
],
"text": [
"Eggs are actually pretty strong when the force is applied from top to bottom. Holding up heavy books with a couple of eggs is a classic grade school experiment.\n\nThe bird is als... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[
"http://www.ourwildontario.ca/ourteam/birds/apollo.html"
],
[]
] | ||
bxi09p | why do endorphins release when we utilize tools like stress balls during stressful moments? | I am guilty of having bad habits such as picking my fingers so I have turned to stress balls when I’m feeling anxious or stressed out. Is there a particular endorphin released? If so, why does this happen with the help of a stress ball. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bxi09p/eli5_why_do_endorphins_release_when_we_utilize/ | {
"a_id": [
"eq71upv"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"During anxiety and stress, our body releases hormones that activate our fight or flight response. Notice that fighting or fleeing are both actions that we need to do and our body rewards us for doing those actions by releasing endorphins to cance... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
bsojbj | why is bacteria so quickly becoming resistant to antibiotics and yet cooking your food still effectively kills all the bacteria? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bsojbj/eli5_why_is_bacteria_so_quickly_becoming/ | {
"a_id": [
"eooq3as",
"eooqebo",
"eooql1g",
"eooqmf7"
],
"score": [
2,
2,
30,
2
],
"text": [
"As a human for example you can grow resistance to some chemicals, some bacteria, virus, environmental conditions... but you won't be able to grow resistance to getting shot in the... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
40uuqk | why can't the us have a mail-in ballot system in place? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/40uuqk/eli5_why_cant_the_us_have_a_mailin_ballot_system/ | {
"a_id": [
"cyxa55q",
"cyxa5ji",
"cyxaaag"
],
"score": [
2,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"The US does have a mail-in ballot. In fact in many states you can always vote this way if you choose. It's handled on a state by state basis for who/what they allow mail-in ballots for.",
"Voting is... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
cpa7an | how do graphics cards input graphics to screens? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cpa7an/eli5_how_do_graphics_cards_input_graphics_to/ | {
"a_id": [
"ewo58c4",
"ewo5r7h"
],
"score": [
6,
39
],
"text": [
"If you've never done dioramas as a kid, this explanation might not make a whole lot of sense, but bear with me.\n\nYour graphics card is (simplistically) a large diorama box, and it's got all the elements of the game world ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://youtu.be/l7rce6IQDWs"
]
] | ||
7wwdjf | how can old games be put into resolutions like 4k and 1080p or maxed at 60fps? | I've watched a few videos of people playing games like Goldeneye on emulators at full HD at 60fps, which I know the N64 was not capable of. So how is it done? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7wwdjf/eli5_how_can_old_games_be_put_into_resolutions/ | {
"a_id": [
"du3q81i",
"du3ss9y",
"du46dt3"
],
"score": [
4,
5,
10
],
"text": [
"3D games are environments described with 3d object of geometrical data often reduce to triangles. Then calculation are done to create the representation as a 2D images. The code in principle have the r... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
bk5dea | why are veins larger in diameter than arteries? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bk5dea/eli5_why_are_veins_larger_in_diameter_than/ | {
"a_id": [
"eme172c",
"eme1d2h",
"eme29oj"
],
"score": [
2,
2,
5
],
"text": [
"Arteries are smaller in diameter but have a thicker wall to withstand the outflow of blood pressure from the heart.",
"I hope this is correct, but...\n\nSmaller diameter= higher blood pressure= gett... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
3b4375 | how do photons get to the source of a light? | I know this sounds like a stupid question.
So I know light is made up of (or is) photons. When I light a match, the fire gives off light, and the photons go everywhere. But how did they get to the source of the fire? Did the fire make them? Are there some photons we can't see and only under certain conditions become l... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3b4375/eli5_how_do_photons_get_to_the_source_of_a_light/ | {
"a_id": [
"csimyiw",
"csinxk3"
],
"score": [
2,
2
],
"text": [
"The fire made them. The number of photons in the universe just isn't constant; photons can easily blink into and out of existence.",
"Photons are basically packets of energy in the form of electomagnetic radiation (light... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
7ismnr | does plugging my ears with earplugs do any damage to my ears? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7ismnr/eli5_does_plugging_my_ears_with_earplugs_do_any/ | {
"a_id": [
"dr14mmg"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"No, soft foam earplugs can cause no damage unless you leave them in for days at a time or somehow manage to stick them in far enough to hit your eardrum. This should be next to impossible though."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
24d0e9 | a cold sweat and why you get one through fear? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/24d0e9/eli5_a_cold_sweat_and_why_you_get_one_through_fear/ | {
"a_id": [
"ch63368"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"Fear triggers your body's \"Fight of Flight\" response. \n\nMuch of that response is preparing you for sudden, extreme, exertion. Essentially, the cold sweat is your body preemptively activating its cooling system, in anticipation of fighting/run... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
7h1hb0 | how it that our ears hear so bad compare to other animals? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7h1hb0/eli5_how_it_that_our_ears_hear_so_bad_compare_to/ | {
"a_id": [
"dqnf8eh",
"dqnfn74",
"dqng2lo",
"dqnhjv3"
],
"score": [
2,
2,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"Compared to which animals? \nWe may have less hearing functions, but we also don't rely on them as much. Natural selection has brought us many advantages, but also some things we'r... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
160wcu | did humans "invent" language? what separates human languages from methods of communication used by other animal species? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/160wcu/eli5_did_humans_invent_language_what_separates/ | {
"a_id": [
"c7rnn11"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"We aren't actually entirely certain that language use by humans is unique, and humans certainly didn't invent language per sé. Some other animals communicate in surprisingly complex ways. Elephants, dolphins, birds, and even prairie dogs have com... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://www.elephantjournal.com/2011/08/michael-a-gorilla-that-knew-sign-language-described-his-mother-being-shot-as-he-watched/",
"http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/03/0303_040303_elephants.html"
]
] | ||
9cmrvm | what should i know about money as a teen? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9cmrvm/eli5_what_should_i_know_about_money_as_a_teen/ | {
"a_id": [
"e5br525",
"e5bsx0c",
"e5bt0j3",
"e5btbnn"
],
"score": [
5,
2,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"It does NOT matter how much money you make.. it matters how much you spend.\n\nI know people who make way more than I make and are living paycheck to paycheck.. they work over 40 h... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[
"https://www.ally.com/"
],
[]
] | ||
2jpi8v | since we as humans percieve colors in our brain, does that mean in reality our world is colorless? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2jpi8v/eli5_since_we_as_humans_percieve_colors_in_our/ | {
"a_id": [
"clduqb9",
"clduu7v",
"cldxzhu",
"cldzly7",
"cle37me",
"cle5d4d"
],
"score": [
37,
3,
5,
16,
2,
4
],
"text": [
"A bit apples and oranges. What wavelengths are absorbed and what are reflected are physical properties of given materials. It have not... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
p75q5 | what is harmonics? | I'm trying to understand the topic of harmonics in terms of signals (analog/digital) for my networking class, but I cant find any place that explains it in simple terms to me. I'm a visual learner and seeing formulas as the only way of explaining it just doesn't sink in.
Edit: Title should be "What are harmonics?" | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/p75q5/eli5_what_is_harmonics/ | {
"a_id": [
"c3n5vw7"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Harmonics are the different waves that make up a sound/signal.\n\nWhen you hear a sound, different things make different noises because of their partial frequencies. A piano and a guitar sound different because they have different partials. When ... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsZKvLnf7wU",
"http://www.techmind.org/dsp/fig2.gif",
"http://www.amateur-radio-wiki.net/images/thumb/1/13/Vk4yeh_harmonics.jpg/450px-Vk4yeh_harmonics.jpg",
"http://cnx.org/content/m11118/latest/Harmseries3.png"
]
] | |
2fuabm | in the us why do most teachers not teach in the area they live in but instead teach almost an hour away? | If you're in the US and don't know what I'm talking about maybe it's not common in your area. I live in NJ. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2fuabm/eli5_in_the_us_why_do_most_teachers_not_teach_in/ | {
"a_id": [
"ckcs3at",
"ckcs6e4",
"ckcsipl"
],
"score": [
7,
3,
3
],
"text": [
"Most teachers do not live almost an hour away, but they do have a commute like everyone else",
"There are a variety of reasons but the main one is just that you work where you can find work. Let's s... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
1x65p5 | how come we only pop corn? can we pop other foods? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1x65p5/eli5_how_come_we_only_pop_corn_can_we_pop_other/ | {
"a_id": [
"cf8fx53",
"cf8ghyj"
],
"score": [
2,
3
],
"text": [
"You could pop an egg technically, I don't know how tasty it would be though. You just need something that has moisture enclosed in it. when the moisture heats up it expands until the pressure gets too high and causes an ex... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
39xn9g | evolutionary purpose of crushes | Why am I sexually attracted to a girl I've never talked to before when there are more attractive girls that I'm not sexually attracted to? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/39xn9g/eli5_evolutionary_purpose_of_crushes/ | {
"a_id": [
"cs7d1jn",
"cs7d38v"
],
"score": [
2,
7
],
"text": [
"The girl must have defining features, such as large hips, breasts etc. These are a sign of sexual maturity.\n\nYour primal brain's main purpose is to breed, carrying on your species. Therefore it recognises these 'defining' ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
cw8l36 | why does a sticker slowly peel off, but if it is pulled quickly it tears? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cw8l36/eli5_why_does_a_sticker_slowly_peel_off_but_if_it/ | {
"a_id": [
"ey8zgf5"
],
"score": [
4
],
"text": [
"The strength of the sticker's a factor of how much force it can withstand at a given time, while the adhesive keeping it on is generally resistant to a certain amount of total energy.\n\nThe faster you want to exert energy, the more force it take... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
3087k3 | what exactly is happening when my heart suddenly feels like it's having difficulty pumping for a few beats? | Every once in a while, I can feel my heart beat really forcefully. Not quickly though, it almost seems like my heart beat is in slow motion, and arduous. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3087k3/eli5_what_exactly_is_happening_when_my_heart/ | {
"a_id": [
"cpq0ehv",
"cpq0hnb"
],
"score": [
2,
4
],
"text": [
"If you have an unexplained rapid heart beat when it shouldn't be, have your doctor test you for tachycardia. It's potentially a life threatening condition. \n\n_URL_0_",
"It could be a number of things, but the most like... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tachycardia/basics/definition/con-20043012"
],
[
"http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/guide/what-causes-heart-palpitations"
]
] | |
2032x6 | what's the most common reason a urine drug analysis will result in a false positive? | Is it faulty test equipment or something in your urine that closely resembles the chemical make-up of a drug? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2032x6/eli5_whats_the_most_common_reason_a_urine_drug/ | {
"a_id": [
"cfzcsrx"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"I work in pharma testing, not illicit drug testing, but the principles are similar. Cross-contamination, using the wrong sample/mislabeled tubes, or a compound that is very similar COULD do so depending on compound. \n\nWhat'd you pop for?"
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
1pdlkj | why does pre-existing black hair turn white? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1pdlkj/eli5_why_does_preexisting_black_hair_turn_white/ | {
"a_id": [
"cd19m4x"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"It's not so much that black hair turns white, it's more that it stops being black. The default colour of hair is white, but it is coloured because your body produces a pigment called melanin. When the body stops producing melanin in the hair, the... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
3hmlt4 | can someone explain tectonic plates and what they physically are and what they do? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3hmlt4/eli5_can_someone_explain_tectonic_plates_and_what/ | {
"a_id": [
"cu8nuq3",
"cu8ori3",
"cu8plvt",
"cu8q5tw",
"cu8q8gb",
"cu8rpnx",
"cu8tlev",
"cu8uh98"
],
"score": [
14,
2,
2,
2,
2,
17,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"The earth is molten in the middle, but the surface is cool enough to solidify into big roc... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[
"http://geology.com/plate-tectonics.shtml"
],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_tectonic_plates#/media/File:Plates_tect2_en.svg",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asthenosphere#/media/File:Earth-cutaway-schematic-english.svg",
"N.Am",
"http://study.... | ||
btgyoc | what are some signs that someone has a personality disorder (sociopathic and such)? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/btgyoc/eli5_what_are_some_signs_that_someone_has_a/ | {
"a_id": [
"eoxpn4j"
],
"score": [
6
],
"text": [
"Personality disorders are really serious and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Symptoms would need to be continuous and persistent. \n\nsome of them include a fear of being unstable, funny enough. You might be constantly worried there’s something wrong... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
5r3kjg | how do noble gases produce light if they don't react, combust, ect.? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5r3kjg/eli5_how_do_noble_gases_produce_light_if_they/ | {
"a_id": [
"dd456fk"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"The electricity takes electrons in the gas and excites them to a higher electron shell. When they fall the energy released is in the form of light. "
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
80hn2a | why we can't use non-drinking water to do things like wash hands or dishes since fresh water is relatively scarce. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/80hn2a/eli5_why_we_cant_use_nondrinking_water_to_do/ | {
"a_id": [
"duvmyff",
"duvn2qw",
"duvn89k",
"duvnots",
"duvnwid"
],
"score": [
4,
4,
2,
4,
5
],
"text": [
"Some places don’t. Just depends on the municipality. In the US it’s just expected that water from the tap can go in your mouth and on your fresh foods etc. Bu... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
1yvnef | why haven't we been able to keep a brain alive without being attached to a body yet? | Surely we could just find a way to pump oxygen and nutrient enriched blood into it without the need for a body? Obviously you would loose all your senses and such but I'm sure we could figure out a way to artificially regain those in the future. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1yvnef/why_havent_we_been_able_to_keep_a_brain_alive/ | {
"a_id": [
"cfo6ap3"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Not an answer, but you may not lose all your senses. People who have had a limb amputated sometimes experience pain in the missing limb. This may tie into Richard's answer about ethical boundaries: if we kept a brain alive it wouldn't be able to ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
dos56l | what's the difference between a dynamic microphone and a condenser microphone? | I'm shopping for a microphone to record vocals and instruments, and every article about the difference between the two is just too much for my brain to handle. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dos56l/eli5_whats_the_difference_between_a_dynamic/ | {
"a_id": [
"f5pyqge",
"f5pzewu"
],
"score": [
4,
7
],
"text": [
"The main difference is that condenser mics are “electric” and dynamic mics are passive. What this means is that condensers need to powered by a special (48v) switch called “phantom power.” This allows them to be much more se... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
9ntmf3 | difference between: ductility & malleability, and toughness & brittleness | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9ntmf3/eli5_difference_between_ductility_malleability/ | {
"a_id": [
"e7owmgm",
"e7oxbhj"
],
"score": [
12,
135
],
"text": [
"Ductility is the ability of a material to deform with out fracturing. Brittleness is the opposite of ductility as brittle materials will deform very little before breaking. Materials like glass are considered brittle and ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
91sz1k | asmr (autonomous sensory meridian response) | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/91sz1k/eli5_asmr_autonomous_sensory_meridian_response/ | {
"a_id": [
"e30izn7"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"You know that tingly feeling down your spine and the goosebumps you get when someone scratches your back, or plays with your hair, or softly caresses your skin? Or when you hear a really good song, or watch a great movie/tv and you get chills? Th... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
20h22x | what is different about my butt muscle that stops it from cramping! | If I tense any muscle in my body for too long, it loses strength, or cramps. But my butt muscle (anus, sphincter - whatever - not my glutes) is "tight" and tensed almost all day. What is so special about it that allows it to remain tense all day without cramping or relaxing? Is there anything about it's abilities that... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/20h22x/eli5_what_is_different_about_my_butt_muscle_that/ | {
"a_id": [
"cg35lgo"
],
"score": [
17
],
"text": [
"Believe it or not, your external anal sphincter that you can voluntarily control (skeletal muscle) isn't contracted all day. It is in fact relaxed most of the day. Your internal anal sphincter is contracted all day. When the stretch receptors in... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
4d7rut | how did infantry equipped with muskets deal with the loud sound of a musket during a battle. | I have the same question for the world wars, where people were told orders. Did they wear earplugs? If so how did they hear their orders? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4d7rut/eli5_how_did_infantry_equipped_with_muskets_deal/ | {
"a_id": [
"d1ogoah",
"d1ogoid"
],
"score": [
4,
9
],
"text": [
"Infantry formations in the musket and front-loading rifle era fired in volleys and all reloaded at once. They'd stagger firing so that the whole formation wasn't reloading at the same time but there was enough \"quiet\" tim... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
5e4zc0 | how is google's deepmind ai able to lip-read? | Would it be possible for the AI to lip-read those old war movies without sound where you can see soldiers talking? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5e4zc0/eli5_how_is_googles_deepmind_ai_able_to_lipread/ | {
"a_id": [
"da9oo8c"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"typically, AI is programmed for pattern recognition. Lips make certain shapes when they're making certain sounds, which Deepmind can then compare to what it knows about speech. Once it knows what sounds the person was likely making, it can prin... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
adave0 | how does putting your foot on the car accelerator make the car move | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/adave0/eli5_how_does_putting_your_foot_on_the_car/ | {
"a_id": [
"edfabaa",
"edfeqce"
],
"score": [
12,
4
],
"text": [
"Opens the throttle valve on the engine allowing more air/fuel mixture to flow in and be combusted. Historically your accelerator pedal was mechanically coupled to the throttle, these days it's mostly done electrically with ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
bjv8qc | why can't we keep organs functional indefinitely by donating them, and when the recipient dies, donating them again? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bjv8qc/eli5_why_cant_we_keep_organs_functional/ | {
"a_id": [
"embfjep",
"embfqxd"
],
"score": [
6,
2
],
"text": [
"Cell degeneration, after a while the cells themselves will die. Doctors are on the edge of being able to influence cells to prosper instead of dieing but nobody has found the potion of immortality yet",
"Because you can'... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
uf5fz | dental insurance | I just got dental insurance for the first time since i have been living on my own. Its really embarrassing but here is my dilemma, i am really scared to get something done and not have enough money to pay my share. How does this work? Say i need a filling and i go to the dentist, will he be able to tell me what the cos... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/uf5fz/dental_insurance/ | {
"a_id": [
"c4vd3wx"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"First, know your \"deductible.\" Your insurance company can tell you how much this is. This is the amount that you have to pay per year before the insurance company will pay anything. (Generally, insurance companies will pay for cleanings and ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
4310b8 | why do hotel rooms keys become demagnetized but credit cards do not? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4310b8/eli5_why_do_hotel_rooms_keys_become_demagnetized/ | {
"a_id": [
"czemnl4"
],
"score": [
6
],
"text": [
"Credit cards are designed to last for years, hotel keys are designed to last for days or weeks, so hotel keys use cheaper magnetic materials."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
2yuyuc | why is it so much more difficult to carry a cup without spilling when it's on a tray? | Or am I just weird? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2yuyuc/eli5_why_is_it_so_much_more_difficult_to_carry_a/ | {
"a_id": [
"cpd7j8u"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"When carrying a cup by hand, people usually grasp around it — nearer the center of gravity — rather than balancing it on the palm of their hand."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
75t2hz | what are the pros/cons of privatising a business? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/75t2hz/eli5_what_are_the_proscons_of_privatising_a/ | {
"a_id": [
"do8pzyc"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"The pro-privatization people generally argue that government is wasteful, expensive & inefficient so a private company taking over their jobs will get the same or better results at less money to the taxpayer.\n\nIs it true? Debateable - you ca... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
32yhfn | why are prime numbers so difficult to find? | I was looking at the Ulam Spiral and was wondering: shouldn't there be a geometric relationship among primes from which a predictive formula could be determined? After all, they "exist" in a geometrically defined space (our universe). What is it about prime numbers which makes the sequence in which they appear so myste... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/32yhfn/eli5_why_are_prime_numbers_so_difficult_to_find/ | {
"a_id": [
"cqft4b4",
"cqfte73",
"cqftgab"
],
"score": [
8,
8,
4
],
"text": [
"They don't have a real pattern. Even numbers are every other number. Numbers that can be divided by 7 are every 7th number so you can make a simple formula to find them all X=(7K) where K is any number.... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
5gf08d | why do some people have "bad posture"? | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5gf08d/eli5_why_do_some_people_have_bad_posture/ | {
"a_id": [
"darqcy8",
"das9nvg"
],
"score": [
2,
2
],
"text": [
"if you spend enough time reclining in an office chair your rhomboid muscles get weak from being supported and inactive all day. That will make unsupported sitting agony.",
"I slouch because I'm pretty tall at 6'-4\", it'... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
20mhrm | if a space probe, like the voyagers, from alien provenance would enter our solar system, under what conditions would we detect it? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/20mhrm/eli5_if_a_space_probe_like_the_voyagers_from/ | {
"a_id": [
"cg4osof",
"cg4p47b",
"cg4pfa0",
"cg4ql0b",
"cg4qyzu",
"cg4s3ye",
"cg4u7qt",
"cg4voz9",
"cg4w2yi",
"cg55zbf"
],
"score": [
151,
7,
34,
32,
18,
2,
2,
2,
2,
8
],
"text": [
"If it was the size of a Voyager probe, it w... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://articles.adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-iarticle_query?1995Obs...115...78S&data_type=PDF_HIGH&whole_paper=YES&type=PRINTER&filetype=.pdf"
],
[
"http://gigaom.com/2013/06/18/nasa-vows-to-track-every-asteroid-near-earth-as-soon-as-it-figures-out-how/"
],
[],
[],
[],... | ||
3tkqex | why is it called "pants/slacks" when singular? | Is it because there are two areas for your legs? If that's the case, wouldn't it be the same for a shirt? Shouldn't it then be shirts (singular) instead of shirt. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3tkqex/eli5_why_is_it_called_pantsslacks_when_singular/ | {
"a_id": [
"cx6y907",
"cx6ybpw"
],
"score": [
3,
3
],
"text": [
"Back in the early days of tailoring, leg coverings were actually made of two pieces, one for each leg. And the various names for leg coverings have simply maintained the plural over the years because of that.",
"Origina... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
2mgazc | what are the 1, 2 and 3 gears on my automatic car shifter and how do they differ? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2mgazc/eli5what_are_the_1_2_and_3_gears_on_my_automatic/ | {
"a_id": [
"cm3xgn7"
],
"score": [
9
],
"text": [
"If you're driving a manual car, then you get to choose your gears yourself, and so this question is something that you get to understand from the first time you start to drive.\n\nEach gear is a trade off between the amount of effort it can put i... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
2rg0kx | why do british bands like the who and the rolling stones sound like they have a southern accent? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2rg0kx/eli5why_do_british_bands_like_the_who_and_the/ | {
"a_id": [
"cnfih53",
"cnfii9e",
"cnfk9pm"
],
"score": [
2,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"One thing was the huge influence of [American Blues music](_URL_0_) on the British invasion kids. I know some bands that's singers do the same today and adopt a stage persona when they sing, it might b... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/may/01/keith-richards-blues"
],
[],
[]
] | ||
ambzk9 | why do certain animals carry salmonella in their body? why does it make humans sick? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ambzk9/eli5_why_do_certain_animals_carry_salmonella_in/ | {
"a_id": [
"efkw1dl"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Salmonella is a bacteria that lives in digestive tracts of all warm blooded animals, and another type of salmonella is in cold blooded animals, mostly reptiles. \n\nCertain species of salmonella bacteria cause food borne illness, also called salm... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
4aml34 | why do toothbrushes need replacing? | I understand if they are totally frayed but if a toothbrush's bristles have just gone a bit soft then it's still works OK right? I mean you can purchase toothbrushes with soft bristles, isn't this the same as a worn one? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4aml34/eli5_why_do_toothbrushes_need_replacing/ | {
"a_id": [
"d11p6yf",
"d11pxkz"
],
"score": [
3,
2
],
"text": [
"bristles wear out, get bent, or too soft and no longer scrub the tooth, or enter the gaps between the tooth and the gumline, or between the teeth as well as they could have when the brush was new. \n\nOlder brushes might hav... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
1erw7k | how do computer networks work? | I know that's probably a really broad question. I guess I'm specifically interested in definitions of things like IP addresses, LANs and routers and all that computer jargon. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1erw7k/eli5_how_do_computer_networks_work/ | {
"a_id": [
"ca34umq",
"ca34x8w",
"ca34xs7",
"ca352yt",
"ca35csg",
"ca3fixd"
],
"score": [
13,
8,
3,
2,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"Every computer on a network needs to have a unique identifying number, which is the IP (Internet Protocol) address. Actually, the IP ad... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[
"www.google.com"
]
] | |
2dgp0c | how can windows and other os's recycles bins can hold several files with the same name, but the file manager throws an exception when i try to create two file with the same name | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2dgp0c/eli5_how_can_windows_and_other_oss_recycles_bins/ | {
"a_id": [
"cjpawtg",
"cjpaxoz"
],
"score": [
7,
3
],
"text": [
"because the recycle bin is a pointer to deleted items located on the disk. It is *NOT* a folder.\n\nThe windows filesystem disallows two files of the name name in the file/folder hierarchy. The 'recycle' bin is not a folder,... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
ym2ru | what is functionalism? (psychology) | I don't understand. I read the definition but it doesn't click in my head at all what it means. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ym2ru/what_is_functionalism_psychology/ | {
"a_id": [
"c5wxkso"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Functionalists believe that the mind does the stuff it does because of how we perceive our surroundings. The reason we behave in certain ways is because our brains are trying to adapt to changes in the environment.\n\nThis differs from other scho... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
3y3mgd | how much do we have to go back in the time in order to be able to say that we are studying history? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3y3mgd/eli5_how_much_do_we_have_to_go_back_in_the_time/ | {
"a_id": [
"cya74jd",
"cya86lt",
"cyaawsg",
"cyanrtk"
],
"score": [
22,
2,
4,
3
],
"text": [
"Anything in the past is history. For example, the Paris shootings were a historical event. It doesn't matter how recently something happened to be considered history.",
"There... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
5enct8 | what makes a study more accurate/legitimate or worthy of being cited? | I sometimes see Redditors in the comment section of a post debating whether or not the linked study is bias, has a large enough sample size, etc. Why?
How can I determine if the material published from a study is good information or worthy of being used in, let's say, a Univeristy paper? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5enct8/eli5what_makes_a_study_more_accuratelegitimate_or/ | {
"a_id": [
"dadq2dj",
"dadq50x",
"dadq8lb"
],
"score": [
2,
14,
2
],
"text": [
"It depends on who wrote it, who checked it and then obviously on the content.\n\n****\n\n* Who writes it - conflict of interest:\n\nIf someone working for company A writes about how one of their Produc... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
bkftdn | hello, i was recently wondering why the united states uses social security numbers while most countries use identification cards.. also i am wondering the benefits of social security. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bkftdn/eli5_hello_i_was_recently_wondering_why_the/ | {
"a_id": [
"emgd9j5",
"emgdvtd",
"emge2xy"
],
"score": [
11,
3,
3
],
"text": [
" > why do we use social security numbers.\n\nBecause we dont have Nationwide IDs. Thats literally the only reason. For a really long time after this country was founded, the states didn't want the fede... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[
"https://youtu.be/Erp8IAUouus"
]
] | ||
2mr4so | how does this happen? see graphic. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2mr4so/eli5_how_does_this_happen_see_graphic/ | {
"a_id": [
"cm6t99r",
"cm6ta5x"
],
"score": [
2,
2
],
"text": [
"Supply and demand and a set minimum wage. If people aren't buying burgers at more than a certain price then you can't sell them above that price. No matter what you are paying people ",
"As a result, there will be less ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
1wicfn | wouldn't an increase in minimum wage discourage large companies from insourcing jobs? | Maybe I'm missing something (tax exemptions, other incentives) but wouldn't a company whose goal is to make the biggest profit want to put their workers in the least expensive place? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1wicfn/wouldnt_an_increase_in_minimum_wage_discourage/ | {
"a_id": [
"cf28eui"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Can you explain what you mean by 'insourcing'...?"
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
3b6dq8 | why do hollywood movie makers still use film instead of full digital? | I just saw a camera being made on "how it's made" for Hollywood movies that still uses film. I was wondering why we still use film when digital photography seems much easier and gives the same results. I searched and didn't find my answer on here, but excuse my ignorance if I missed it. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3b6dq8/eli5why_do_hollywood_movie_makers_still_use_film/ | {
"a_id": [
"csj9j7w"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"It's more about the look of film and some people usually older directors or cinematographers are just comfortable with the workflow working with film so they choose that over digital. Steven Spielberg and Christopher Nolan I think have said they'... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
egppmj | what are germs? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/egppmj/eli5_what_are_germs/ | {
"a_id": [
"fc8d6ag",
"fc8kb6h"
],
"score": [
7,
9
],
"text": [
"Very small things that live in filth and dirty stuff and eat/poison you from the inside out making you ill",
"For a little kid, I think I'd explain that there are all kinds of living things in the world. Some of them, li... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
70seow | does jerking off affect the maturity of the sperms and ones ability to fertilize? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/70seow/eli5_does_jerking_off_affect_the_maturity_of_the/ | {
"a_id": [
"dn5lb6m"
],
"score": [
6
],
"text": [
"Not at all.\n\nMen produce literally a billion of them or so every single month. When you ejaculate, the sperm in that ejaculate is going to be fairly young. \n\nOld sperm, after just a couple days, get cannibalized by your body. \n\n"
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
32esik | why does it take so long for my cablebox to restart? | My internet can connect in seconds but my cable box takes forever. What's it doing in there? What does the countdown mean? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/32esik/eli5_why_does_it_take_so_long_for_my_cablebox_to/ | {
"a_id": [
"cqak6st",
"cqaz5x9"
],
"score": [
5,
2
],
"text": [
"It's the Comcast people playing with their nipples and laughing at you.",
"In the older days of single direction cable, you'd hook up the box to the line, power it up, and then call the main office to send a \"hit\" to i... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
1c5txe | why isn't the amount of legal tender in circulation fixed? | Wouldn't it be better for the economy to have a fixed amount of banknotes and coins? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1c5txe/eli5_why_isnt_the_amount_of_legal_tender_in/ | {
"a_id": [
"c9dasb7",
"c9dfgae"
],
"score": [
7,
2
],
"text": [
" > Wouldn't it be better for the economy to have a fixed amount of banknotes and coins?\n\nNo, because there is not a fixed amount of products, goods, or people. So if you had a fixed amount of legal tender then you would ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
1jfrv4 | what causes albinism and why is it seen in so many different species? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1jfrv4/eli5_what_causes_albinism_and_why_is_it_seen_in/ | {
"a_id": [
"cbe8jw2"
],
"score": [
6
],
"text": [
"It is caused by a complete or partial absence of tyrosinase. It's an enzyme used for production of melanin, which gives darkness to skin. The cause of its absence is genetic malfunction, if you may call it so. Any clearer? \n \nNinja edit: Albi... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
1u9amy | why haven't niagara falls slowly eroded into a slope rather than a cliff? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1u9amy/eli5_why_havent_niagara_falls_slowly_eroded_into/ | {
"a_id": [
"cefqym9",
"cefqzp8",
"cefr2a5",
"cefr4tb"
],
"score": [
2,
4,
10,
2
],
"text": [
"They've actually done projects to preserve the shape of Niagara Falls.",
"I believe this is because of the geology of the area. There is a cap of harder stone on top of softe... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
m1x1a | how are organisms able to to think and visualize things in their minds? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/m1x1a/eli5_how_are_organisms_able_to_to_think_and/ | {
"a_id": [
"c2xevrs",
"c2xevrs"
],
"score": [
6,
6
],
"text": [
"Here's my notion of how it works. This might not be right, but I'm pretty sure it's consistent with all the cognitive science I've read on the subject:\n\nThere's some part of your brain that you use to recognize things you ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.