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cdkti2
why does everyone want nuclear weapons when we know the devastating long lasting effects?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cdkti2/eli5_why_does_everyone_want_nuclear_weapons_when/
{ "a_id": [ "etuj507", "etuk7in", "etun229" ], "score": [ 4, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "The goal of war is to ~~win~~ kill the enemy with minimum risk to you. If you're a big, technologically advanced country, you can rely on superior numbers (big armies) or superior technology (carriers,...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_on_the_Non-Proliferation_of_Nuclear_Weapons", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_on_the_Prohibition_of_Nuclear_Weapons", "https://www.iaea.org/topics/nuclear-weapon-free-zones" ], [] ]
2y8j1d
what evolutionary purpose does love serve for humans? surely it would be better from a reproduction perspective if we swapped sexual partners constantly?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2y8j1d/eli5what_evolutionary_purpose_does_love_serve_for/
{ "a_id": [ "cp77gyc", "cp77mrh", "cp77rwq" ], "score": [ 13, 6, 4 ], "text": [ "Love drives us to form strong family groups and pair bonds. An emotionally bonded couple that feels a strong drive to protect their children will be more evolutionarily successful than a couple promisc...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
5mex1k
why are there differences in each sperm/egg? shouldn't they all be the same (other than boy/girl for sperm) resulting in children that are more like twins?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5mex1k/eli5_why_are_there_differences_in_each_spermegg/
{ "a_id": [ "dc30ryt" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Genetics is a game of probabilities. \n\nImagine you've got a big jar with 10,000 jelly beans in it, with exactly 10% each of red, white, purple, orange, yellow, black (yick), pink, green, blue, and... light blue. Shake them up real good and then...
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[]
[ [] ]
4wrjhj
how hard is it to go to the moon?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4wrjhj/eli5_how_hard_is_it_to_go_to_the_moon/
{ "a_id": [ "d69asjt", "d69csqs", "d69dvry" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 11 ], "text": [ "It's about 1 000 000 000$ hard, and training to resist gravity and all that stuff, unless you got a personal small spaceship and ofc you're trained since birth to resist gravity", "Finding a compel...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
6riro5
how they determine what cities to list on those "miles to" signs on american highways, and also how they determine when to place a sign.
To explain the second part of the title: I'll see a sign saying "Austin 88 miles" and then not see another for 50-something miles...but then other times I'll see a sign every two or three miles. I never see signs at fixed intervals, like every ten miles or whatever.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6riro5/eli5_how_they_determine_what_cities_to_list_on/
{ "a_id": [ "dl5cik0", "dl5cr5e", "dl5q81i" ], "score": [ 4, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Depends on population density and proximity to city limits. If you're out in the middle of nowhere, chances are they will put those signs near highway mergers or mile markers on the exit of a town.\n\nI...
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[]
[ [], [], [] ]
o96bo
when a lady in an anatomically educational movie does the thing with the squirting from the vagina, what is that? where does she keep all that liquid? is it pee?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/o96bo/eli5_when_a_lady_in_an_anatomically_educational/
{ "a_id": [ "c3fdpxk", "c3fj1s1", "c3fl1c0", "c3fprsk" ], "score": [ 9, 4, 2, 4 ], "text": [ "Vestibular glands producing mucosa (not urine)\n\nYes, they are real.", "\"Anatomically educational movie?\" Is that a new euphemism for porn?", "I, for one, believe I spea...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
15l0jj
why commercial airliners don't use ejector seats?
If fighter jets use them, why don't we put them in commercial airplanes? And would they be safer than current safety measures?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/15l0jj/eli5_why_commercial_airliners_dont_use_ejector/
{ "a_id": [ "c7ne6gb", "c7nejmk", "c7nemuc", "c7ner80", "c7ng6wk", "c7nkce6" ], "score": [ 11, 3, 4, 4, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Two reasons, mainly.\n\n1. They're ridiculously heavy. You're flying, you see. Weight is the opposite of flying.\n\n2. They're ridicu...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
1xg2tu
over time, will all humans eventually look the same?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1xg2tu/over_time_will_all_humans_eventually_look_the_same/
{ "a_id": [ "cfb0gaj", "cfb0i7l", "cfb0x02" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "You might think that after an infinite amount of time all people would have the same genes so they would look exactly the same. \n\nThere are lots of reasons why we won't actually have the same genes, b...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
2uttuk
if the fcc regulates the internet as a utility, what's to legally stop them from censoring the internet like they do with tv, and blacklisting piracy?
I know little about politics but I know the FCC has blessed my life by censoring violence, sexual content, and profanity on my TV. I know that Congress basically gave them permission to do that. Now, if they oversee the internet, how hard would it be for them to approve censorship regulations on ISPs? Not talking abou...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2uttuk/eli5if_the_fcc_regulates_the_internet_as_a/
{ "a_id": [ "cobmfjd" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "A better comparison for the internet is to telephone, rather than to television. In television, you have content creators and providers delivering to end users over their own, regulated infrastructure. Unlike the telephone, the television opera...
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[ [] ]
2g50u2
was world war i really the first world-wide war? and if so, why wasn't there at least one before then, considering how recently it happened and how much time there was before then.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2g50u2/eli5_was_world_war_i_really_the_first_worldwide/
{ "a_id": [ "ckfohyq", "ckfp9ry" ], "score": [ 8, 3 ], "text": [ "Well, a worldwide war requires a certain level of globalization. Still, Winston Churchill argued that the Seven Years' War (1756 - 1763) should be counted as the first world war.", "There were numerous world wars before ...
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[ [], [] ]
3x3xul
why, when someone close dies, do i not feel anything, but once i start talking about it i get emotional?
My uncle just passed away overseas, and I received an email that was family wide ((since we're all in different places)) I was sad, but not that emotional when I heard. then I called my dad to give my condolences, and I started getting all "throaty" and felt a rush of emotion... I don't get it? Can't I get emotional...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3x3xul/eli5why_when_someone_close_dies_do_i_not_feel/
{ "a_id": [ "cy1a4d2" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "From personal experience, when I first found out about the death it was rough but it never really hit me until I said it out loud.\n\nActually hearing it was the trigger my body was waiting for, unfortunately. It was a reality instead of somethin...
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[ [] ]
1ewa7h
why has the dow jones increased 22% in the last year?
Can someone please explain what has caused the recent massive jump in the Dow Jones Industrial Average? Furthermore, what are the implications? And predictions for the future, like is this sustainable? I have had an interest in stocks and markets since middle school and continue to follow certain aspects of the market...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ewa7h/eli5_why_has_the_dow_jones_increased_22_in_the/
{ "a_id": [ "ca4e9z1", "ca4ea5k", "ca4erz1" ], "score": [ 2, 3, 2 ], "text": [ " > Furthermore, what are the implications?\n\nThe Dow does not have a lot of meaning compared to other indices. See [this episode of NPR planet money](_URL_0_) why that is.", "With the economy in re...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2013/03/12/174139347/episode-443-dont-believe-the-hype" ], [], [] ]
edw6f8
why when you are expecting to taste something (milk) and it's then something else (orange juice) it doesn't taste nice even though you like both?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/edw6f8/eli5_why_when_you_are_expecting_to_taste/
{ "a_id": [ "fblq510" ], "score": [ 12 ], "text": [ "Most of our experiences are filtered through our expectations. \n\nAnother example, although super weird, is why getting hit by someone else hurts worse than if we hit ourselves. Expectations change and filter our understanding." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
5r9z07
how is liquid transported inside of tanker trucks?
Things like lorries dragging tankers of petrol etc. How is this achieved? Surely leaving air would allow the liquid to move around inside the container, which could spin the lorry or mean it doesn't slow as expected, and that seems a hazard to the driver and other road users, especially if the liquid is hazardous or ha...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5r9z07/eli5_how_is_liquid_transported_inside_of_tanker/
{ "a_id": [ "dd5jwmr", "dd5jxsc" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "A number of small compartments, each compartment has baffles which stop the worst slosh effect. The fuel deliveries I was involved with had tankers with 6/7 compartments which could contain an assortment of fuels in each del...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
9c188w
why does applying pressure to cut fingers and stubbed toes mitigate how painful the injury is?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9c188w/eli5_why_does_applying_pressure_to_cut_fingers/
{ "a_id": [ "e579zbg", "e57bj98", "e57c7rv" ], "score": [ 6, 7, 52 ], "text": [ "\"To the extent of my knowledge\" disclaimer.\n\nYou are full of nerves. Nerves are fibers that are all through your skin, and they are what send information from your skin, muscles, and organs to your...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
75fck9
so the universe is expanding, is the matter of planets and stars allready there, or is it created on the spot?
Or something totally different? I've read dark matter is responsible for the ongoing expansion of our universe, but do we know if its expanding and creating or just 'shining' on existing matter? How does it work?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/75fck9/eli5_so_the_universe_is_expanding_is_the_matter/
{ "a_id": [ "do5rtei", "do5ryfs", "do60fjv" ], "score": [ 9, 8, 3 ], "text": [ "The matter is there, but the *space between* the matter is expanding, so that things are farther apart on average.", "The fact that the universe is expanding, doesn't mean that there is more matter ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
12yjfm
why can't i just lay in bed with my eyes closed for eight hours to get a full nights rest?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/12yjfm/why_cant_i_just_lay_in_bed_with_my_eyes_closed/
{ "a_id": [ "c6z7uxw", "c6z7xep", "c6z97mn", "c6zayra", "c6zcj73" ], "score": [ 13, 16, 3, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "We don't know. Actually sleeping seems to be necessary, but we don't know why.", "Because lying down and just relaxing is different to sleeping. When yo...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
3bvshf
how are checks considered a safe form of payment?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3bvshf/eli5_how_are_checks_considered_a_safe_form_of/
{ "a_id": [ "cspyhsx", "cspyxa1", "cspzkm4" ], "score": [ 8, 30, 4 ], "text": [ " > not only that but it has your name, address and phone number.\n\n > pay with echeck\n\n\nmaybe in the US, not in my country (the UK) they dont. We dont take cheques anywhere really any more.\n\n",...
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[]
[ [], [], [] ]
ebzibk
canadians, what are air miles?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ebzibk/eli5_canadians_what_are_air_miles/
{ "a_id": [ "fb85uq5", "fb86wiz" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Its a rewards program that connects with a number of companies throughout canada to offer flights, goods and services, consumer products and groceries. Most commonly run via gas stations and sobeys. Theres also optimum, run ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
19bokn
what's my brain doing at night?
sometimes when I'm trying to get to sleep my mind just goes insane. I would be just laying there and my brain is going into overdrive thinking and imagining COMPLETELY useless and strange things, situations. It more then thinking about things that I saw in that day, its everything and anything pops up. For example I co...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/19bokn/whats_my_brain_doing_at_night/
{ "a_id": [ "c8mkn43", "c8mkzru" ], "score": [ 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Not a doctor here or something, but this sounds like some kind of attention deficit or something. I think it would be ok otherwise, but if it keeps you awake for hours... Maybe try /r/AskReddit or /r/askscience. ", "I ex...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
1171zm
debt and equity
People always talk about raising money through debt or equity, what's the difference between the two and how does it work? How can you raise money through debt if debt means you owe somebody something? I've never been able to grasp this concept.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1171zm/eli5_debt_and_equity/
{ "a_id": [ "c6jvkwn", "c6jvmdw", "c6jvtl6", "c6jwzjn" ], "score": [ 11, 3, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Debt and equity are the two most common ways to raise money as a business. Debt means you are receiving money from a bank or investors with a contract that stipulates how you'll ...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accounting_equation" ], [], [] ]
5kwk9q
how does a ceasefire work?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5kwk9q/eli5_how_does_a_ceasefire_work/
{ "a_id": [ "dbr4gmt" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "A ceasefire is just an agreement between two sides that they'll stop shooting at each other at a given date and time. It works the same way any kind of treaty does: by relying on the signatories to abide by it. If one side doesn't and continues...
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[ [] ]
1rip30
why is it beneficial to the united states for every foreign nation to be democratic?
Doing a research paper and I just got this thought.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1rip30/why_is_it_beneficial_to_the_united_states_for/
{ "a_id": [ "cdnn6wv", "cdnnae7", "cdnx5z6" ], "score": [ 2, 7, 2 ], "text": [ "The ideal is that all people want to live in peace and so a democracy is less likely to warmonger, but one of the uncomfortable truths about our foreign policy is that oftentimes it *isn't* beneficial t...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
43azu2
stamps as a currency
What's the point of stamps as a currency? Why do they need to hold value? Can I use them to buy anything?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/43azu2/eli5_stamps_as_a_currency/
{ "a_id": [ "czgxrhz" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Stamps cost money to buy, and they hold 'value' in that they can be exchanged for a service: namely delivery of mail. However, they are not a currency per se. Sure, you could barter with stamps with someone, (i.e. \"Hey if you give me your pen, I...
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[ [] ]
csnq4q
what is end to end encryption in messaging apps? how secure is the data on these apps? what are the levels of security of messages sent on different messaging apps such as whatsapp, messenger, signal, telegram, discord, wechat, line?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/csnq4q/eli5_what_is_end_to_end_encryption_in_messaging/
{ "a_id": [ "exfzy34", "exg09lu" ], "score": [ 3, 4 ], "text": [ "The underpinning technology is something called 'perfect forward secrecy' which means that at no point in the transmission can any of the information derived be used to reverse engineer the encryption key. The app then decry...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
d4ze0s
how games can continue playing without a disc
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/d4ze0s/eli5_how_games_can_continue_playing_without_a_disc/
{ "a_id": [ "f0i08sq", "f0i4soz", "f0j2piw" ], "score": [ 4, 2, 9 ], "text": [ "The game loads the entire files from the disc into the console's memory. When it reaches a part that wasn't loaded it prompts you to re-enter the disc.", "The console isn't constantly reading from t...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
3rpf5i
why the fuck do fish keep falling for bait?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3rpf5i/eli5_why_the_fuck_do_fish_keep_falling_for_bait/
{ "a_id": [ "cwq4l81", "cwq4meg" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "How do they learn? As soon as they realise the mistake, they die.\n\nAlso, fish don't think like me and you. They have a hard time learning anything as their brain doesn't really allow it. They can perhaps pass along some th...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
5k04bu
how does a minigun work?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5k04bu/eli5_how_does_a_minigun_work/
{ "a_id": [ "dbkab4y", "dbkc8yb" ], "score": [ 10, 20 ], "text": [ "It shoots out of one barrel at a time, rotating thru barrels to spread out hear build up evenly. So every six shots(on a six barrel mini gun) each barrel will have fired once, and then it repeats. ", "One barrel is bei...
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[ [], [] ]
3ivynr
when we count seconds without looking at a clock, how does our brain estimates how long a second takes?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ivynr/eli5when_we_count_seconds_without_looking_at_a/
{ "a_id": [ "cuk3kjw", "cuk4saz" ], "score": [ 4, 16 ], "text": [ "Hijacking this for a follow up question:\nHow can we keep a steady rhythm when we have no idea how long each beat is (and even if we did, I don't think I can accuratly measure small periods of time like OP asks)?\n", "T...
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[ [], [] ]
4mkzrn
how does the youtube autoplay algorithm work?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4mkzrn/eli5_how_does_the_youtube_autoplay_algorithm_work/
{ "a_id": [ "d3wbjwo" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "It has to do with **tags**. When a channel uploads, they tag their videos. It could look like this:\n\nEPIC PRANK GONE WRONG GONE SEXUAL \n[Fail] [Epic Fail] [Best] [Gone Sexual] [Gone Wrong] [Prank] [Epic Prank]\n\nWhen you choose a video with ...
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[ [] ]
az6uwj
why is it that our senses of sight and hearing seem to be much more prone to being defective at birth than our other major senses? ex: i have never heard of someone being born without taste. or is it just as common, but less noticible in that in doesn't interfere as much with every day life?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/az6uwj/eli5_why_is_it_that_our_senses_of_sight_and/
{ "a_id": [ "ei5ou5m", "ei5p77z", "ei5qyxv", "ei5xnma" ], "score": [ 5, 9, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Total blindness at birth is quite rare. Some people have poor vision, but many folks also can't taste all those things the wine snob tastes. We don't have the equivalent of glass...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
3e5yk9
what are torrents used for, other than pirating?
EDIT: Thanks for the great examples!
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3e5yk9/eli5_what_are_torrents_used_for_other_than/
{ "a_id": [ "ctbtdla", "ctbtfs0", "ctbtfv6", "ctbtgvw", "ctbthmh", "ctbuvst", "ctc2wxp" ], "score": [ 6, 5, 8, 3, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Sharing files legally. Say you want to share videos or pictures with family and friends. Before YouTube and pictur...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
5acq0m
when my body jerks as i'm falling asleep but the last thing i remember was a dream about tripping, was i dreaming that i tripped or did i have a hypnic jerk and my brain tried to find an explanation?
Or is this like the chicken or the egg?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5acq0m/eli5_when_my_body_jerks_as_im_falling_asleep_but/
{ "a_id": [ "d9feczj" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Hypotonic jerk, your body was going into rest mode faster than your brain, so your brain thought you were dying, thus causing the jerk \"alive\". " ] }
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[ [] ]
30w8oy
why does "a grand" mean one thousand
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/30w8oy/eli5_why_does_a_grand_mean_one_thousand/
{ "a_id": [ "cpwe6c8" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ " > The term \"grand\" is American slang from the early 1900s, presumably from the expression \"a grand sum of money\" to mean $1,000. As with most questions of etymology, we don't know who first used the phrase. The best we can do, in most cases...
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[]
[ [ "http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2044/whats-the-origin-of-grand-meaning-1-000" ] ]
aphwhr
why are patients given general anesthesia directed to count backwards by 7s? why not just talk?
I was already stressed out; making me do math seemed aggressive. LOL.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/aphwhr/eli5_why_are_patients_given_general_anesthesia/
{ "a_id": [ "eg8ds00", "eg8dtyk", "eg8duc7", "eg8e05h", "eg8g3dl", "eg8pzy9", "eg90gc9", "egjvwbu" ], "score": [ 3, 10, 3, 3, 4, 2, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "Because people react differently to the drugs, they should be out fully before they reach 1...
[]
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
1xknic
what do people mean when they refer to the "death rate"? isn't the death rate 100%
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1xknic/eli5_what_do_people_mean_when_they_refer_to_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cfc6zb3", "cfc70dv" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "What are you looking at?\n\nYes, technically, the death rate is 100%. But if you don't count the people who die of old age and other predictable natural causes, the death rate is much much lower.", "Death rate is usually...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
4n5cwe
in china they use masks when biking/commuting through the city. is it really helpful for your health?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4n5cwe/eli5_in_china_they_use_masks_when_bikingcommuting/
{ "a_id": [ "d40wvm0" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "It's generally done to prevent infecting other people.\n\nDroplets of water from your nose and mouth are the ways a lot of infectious agents get around.\n\nBlocking those definitely does reduce transmission rates of droplet-borne diseases." ] }
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[ [] ]
2plxjo
why can't a dog "sniff" its way back home (if it's lost)?
I've wondered about this question for a while. If a dog's nose is able to do incredible things (for example, detect cancer) why can't they use it to find their way back home?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2plxjo/eli5_why_cant_a_dog_sniff_its_way_back_home_if/
{ "a_id": [ "cmxvqwu" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Dogs have great noses but they have to be trained to use them in a way we would like to see.\n\nSo if you were to train your dog to follow his nose to find you or his home, he would be able to do so. Some dogs even do this without training." ] ...
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[ [] ]
5i81vd
what would happen if i stopped bathing/ showering altogether?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5i81vd/eli5_what_would_happen_if_i_stopped_bathing/
{ "a_id": [ "db64zr7", "db69krt" ], "score": [ 7, 8 ], "text": [ "For the first week, very little. You're body would begin to adjust to the new bacterias building up on your body and essentially you would smell alittle worse for wear.\n\nDepending on your activity level, your joints, parti...
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[ [], [] ]
2tug3d
what are the risks of not washing my hair
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2tug3d/eli5_what_are_the_risks_of_not_washing_my_hair/
{ "a_id": [ "co2e88i", "co2em3u", "co2mrp3", "co2msin", "co2odqh", "co2s0my", "co2yolq" ], "score": [ 2, 33, 26, 7, 4, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "Can you be al little more specific? \nHealth risks? Social risks? \nWashing without shampoo, or just not washing...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
1slcev
in the case of diseases that have been wiped out for decades or centuries, how do they manage to reappear, as the bubonic plague has in madagascar?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1slcev/eli5_in_the_case_of_diseases_that_have_been_wiped/
{ "a_id": [ "cdyp6w8", "cdypfjj", "cdyqdov" ], "score": [ 4, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "The bubonic plague hasn't been wiped out, although it's much less common than it used to be. There are a few cases reported each year around the world.\n\n_URL_0_", "A disease has only been eliminat...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.cdc.gov/plague/maps/" ], [], [] ]
2dtphk
do dogs play favorites?
My pet cockapoo follows me around everywhere, and wiggles out of people's arms when they're holding her so I will hold her instead. I'm not the person in charge of feeding her, so I don't understand why she would like me so much more than the other members of my family, especially since I am away at University for most...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2dtphk/eli5_do_dogs_play_favorites/
{ "a_id": [ "cjt1arn", "cjtbrqe" ], "score": [ 29, 3 ], "text": [ "Dogs are much more complex than Pavlov's bells would suggest. Food is not the only concern of hers. Dogs are extremely social animals that cling to humans for shelter, food, companionship, safety, entertainment, and espec...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode/your-dog-wants-your-food-12-04-26/" ], [] ]
btf3f4
how and why does the hairs on your body stand during different conditions?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/btf3f4/eli5_how_and_why_does_the_hairs_on_your_body/
{ "a_id": [ "eowxmog" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "The skin is not a perfectly smooth, continuous surface even though it may look like it. When you look very closely, you'll notice little dots called pores. Skin pores are linked to sweat glands under the skin, which are parts of your skin that pr...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
3hxyyw
why are typical cds limited to 80 minutes when 700 mb can hold tracks that are hours long?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3hxyyw/eli5_why_are_typical_cds_limited_to_80_minutes/
{ "a_id": [ "cubkxsx", "cubl0n5" ], "score": [ 7, 15 ], "text": [ "An audio CD contains raw, uncompressed audio data, which will run a little over 9MB per minute. You can fit a lot more audio when you compress it, as is the case with MP3 files.", "Typical music CDs are encoded in WAV,...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
3x90pf
what goes through the mind of someone who intentionally spoils a book/movie/show? what do they get out of doing it?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3x90pf/eli5_what_goes_through_the_mind_of_someone_who/
{ "a_id": [ "cy2j3kc", "cy2j6zb" ], "score": [ 4, 6 ], "text": [ "It can no longer be ruined for them, and some people are assholes. I don't really know if there is much of an explanation beyond that. Its not violent or harmful, they are never going to go to jail and there will probably be...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
crzjzs
what is happening when you downshift gears to accelerate in a manual transmission car ? (how does the lower gear provide more rpm and power)
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/crzjzs/eli5_what_is_happening_when_you_downshift_gears/
{ "a_id": [ "exb64v4", "exb6oqa", "exb726y", "exb7w4c", "exbbraq" ], "score": [ 7, 18, 4, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "This is a video from American automobile whatever, which beautifully describes this concept.\n_URL_0_", "It works similar to the gears on a bike, in simp...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://youtu.be/JOLtS4VUcvQ" ], [], [], [], [] ]
38m7s6
how did shampoo become popular if there aren't any benefits to using it?
I can see why once people start using it they don't want to stop due to greasy hair, but why did it start if its not useful? Also, if there are benefits that I don't know about, what are they?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/38m7s6/eli5_how_did_shampoo_become_popular_if_there/
{ "a_id": [ "crw2lam", "crw2mc3", "crw2ssv", "crw2yk2", "crw41nt", "crw8d7k", "crwfqfo" ], "score": [ 45, 7, 10, 13, 10, 7, 4 ], "text": [ "There are a lot of benefits to using shampoo, you simply are not suppose to use it more than once or twice a w...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://www.popsci.com/scitech/article/2004-08/healthy-glow-drink-radiation", "http://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/how-reliable-are-tv-doctors" ], [], [], [], [] ]
3lyt8l
why are cartoons so weird now?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3lyt8l/eli5_why_are_cartoons_so_weird_now/
{ "a_id": [ "cvagq6w", "cvagu92", "cvaiq9t", "cvajc62", "cvajr9e", "cvakr9t", "cval2uv", "cval6ow", "cvam00o", "cvam1z9", "cvamnvb", "cvampc7", "cvamt2r", "cvamzp1", "cvano41", "cvaoyuv", "cvap9kj", "cvapks2", "cvapks8", "cvapmnf", "c...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRSkvoS42fI" ], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/katy-t3h-pengu1n-of-d00m" ], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "https://www.youtub...
4ewcdk
has downgrading the us credit rating done anything as detrimental like the politicians said it would? and how come no one talks about it anymore?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4ewcdk/eli5_has_downgrading_the_us_credit_rating_done/
{ "a_id": [ "d23ynfu", "d242sw0" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "This did affect some financial institutions as some investors have hard rules on the minimum ratings required for them to invest and sometimes it was tied to the country of said institution. ", "The downgrade was less ab...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
up5gb
why do energy drinks cause you to "crash"?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/up5gb/why_do_energy_drinks_cause_you_to_crash/
{ "a_id": [ "c4xaw2y", "c4xbo1z" ], "score": [ 24, 5 ], "text": [ "Let's say you have 100 points of energy to use. A whole bunch of different factors will cause you to use more/less energy and gain/lose energy. Food/drinks will add energy, activities will reduce them. Your body tries to co...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
fge798
how is low calorie orange juice made?
I notice there is orange juice that is low calorie. Since orange juice just juice from oranges how is that possible?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/fge798/eli5_how_is_low_calorie_orange_juice_made/
{ "a_id": [ "fk406ea" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "There is less orange juice in it. The same thing happens with the low calorie Naked juice or V8 Fusion juice, the ones that are just 100% juice...the diet ones are just a lower percentage of juice. It’d be better to drink less juice and keep the ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
efcnp5
how do flushless urinals work?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/efcnp5/eli5_how_do_flushless_urinals_work/
{ "a_id": [ "fbzw5pe" ], "score": [ 9 ], "text": [ "They have a cartridge in them with a thick fluid that floats on water (and urine). When you pee into the toilet, your urine flows into the chamber and the thick fluid floats on top of it and forms a seal that mostly keeps the smell from getting t...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
2refaq
we know there are some life forms in the deep sea (mariana trench for example). how can they exist?
There are some flat like life forms but there also seem to be other normal-ish looking fish. How are they not crushed by the incredible pressure? Thank you in advance!
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2refaq/eli5_we_know_there_are_some_life_forms_in_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cnf3wzn" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Liquid does not compress (for the most part). The pressure of the liquid inside the bodies of the fish is the same as the pressure out in the ocean, so nothing gets crushed." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
4mkvrt
why are certain ideals considered "right" or "left", where did those terms come from?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4mkvrt/eli5_why_are_certain_ideals_considered_right_or/
{ "a_id": [ "d3w98cq" ], "score": [ 20 ], "text": [ "During the French Revolution, at the National Assembly, radical revolutionaries like the Jacobins sat on the left-hand side of the chamber. More conservative members sat on the right. The left-right distinction carried over even after the Revolu...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
1s8g5t
how come storms on the gas giants can last for hundreds of years while those on earth last only a few weeks?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1s8g5t/eli5how_come_storms_on_the_gas_giants_can_last/
{ "a_id": [ "cdv335o" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Earth is mostly warmed by the sun, while Jupiter has some fantastic internal processes that produce its own warmth, along with a giant magnetic field. Jupiter's atmosphere goes all the way down, while Earth's atmosphere is a then veneer of air c...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
k5xjv
- why do harmonies sound good to our ears?
Not melodies, harmonies. [Here](_URL_0_) is a good example. I'm sure some of you will launch into complex descriptions of what harmony is, but I'm curious if anyone has cracked *why* it sounds good.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/k5xjv/eli5_why_do_harmonies_sound_good_to_our_ears/
{ "a_id": [ "c2hqxwu", "c2hrhz1", "c2hrpbd", "c2hs6ql", "c2hsgut", "c2ht2n8", "c2ht6ap", "c2hu6vh", "c2hui03", "c2i7byu", "c2hqxwu", "c2hrhz1", "c2hrpbd", "c2hs6ql", "c2hsgut", "c2ht2n8", "c2ht6ap", "c2hu6vh", "c2hui03", "c2i7byu" ], ...
[]
[ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgE0OUyhkmI" ]
[ [], [], [], [ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sgI7S_G-XI" ], [ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_0DXxNeaQ0" ], [], [ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_0DXxNeaQ0&feature=feedu" ], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overtones" ], [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://ww...
8cx9yr
how we can see back to the big bang?
Okay, So I get that we can see back a loooooooong time ago, it makes sense... I get it. Distant bodies (stars, galaxies, etc) give off light, that light takes millions /billions of years... Okay. Not what Im asking Im more interested in seeing as far back as light remnants resultant from the big bang. This is problem...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8cx9yr/eli5_how_we_can_see_back_to_the_big_bang/
{ "a_id": [ "dxihkil", "dxihvr9", "dxjvg6f" ], "score": [ 4, 6, 2 ], "text": [ "It's not that we outran it, but we came from the remnants of it. When the big bang first happened, particles were moving faster than light. And we can notice that because it was proven that the universe...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
ftyovf
what happens when we water plants?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ftyovf/eli5_what_happens_when_we_water_plants/
{ "a_id": [ "fm9tsgm" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "The water sinks into the dirt and the roots are able to absorb it through osmosis (basically: I don’t have as much water as the stuff outside me so I’m gonna take some). Water is kinda like plant blood and bones. It fills the plant to make it sta...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
b6bmfi
why is the english language so phoetically inconsitent?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/b6bmfi/eli5_why_is_the_english_language_so_phoetically/
{ "a_id": [ "ejja8vk", "ejjeipr", "ejjvqbe", "ejl2jx8" ], "score": [ 15, 11, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "It becomes much less 'Phonetically inconsistent' when you spell the words correctly. /s\n\nThe primary reason is because English borrows so many words from other languages. It bo...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
1hx7fi
on the tv show "to catch a predator" is it technically illegal for what the criminals do, since they weren't technically talking to an underage girl?
I understand talking to underage females is wrong, but on the show the girls they were instant messaging with, were all above 18.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1hx7fi/eli5_on_the_tv_show_to_catch_a_predator_is_it/
{ "a_id": [ "caytcn5", "caytds2", "cayu2k9", "caywe4g" ], "score": [ 5, 2, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Yes. In most states (I want to say *all* states, but I'm not sure about that), attempting to solicit sex from a minor is itself a crime. It doesn't matter if there was no actual mi...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
ot4cm
- how do aircraft carriers not sink when they weigh so much?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ot4cm/eli5_how_do_aircraft_carriers_not_sink_when_they/
{ "a_id": [ "c3jttay", "c3jua52", "c3juaxm" ], "score": [ 2, 18, 6 ], "text": [ "The simple answer is buoyancy, which is basically the amount of water an object displaces or \"moves\".\n\n\nBouyancy was discovered by Archimedes. While taking a bath, he noticed that the level of the...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/74/Buoyancy.svg/250px-Buoyancy.svg.png" ], [], [] ]
322t04
why is french a romance language?
I've been doing some language courses on Memrise and Duolingo. Something I've noticed is that many of the words are alike in the Romance language category, like Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese (somewhat). But then, there's French. Yes, it's a Romance language, but the words aren't really like the others. What I mean i...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/322t04/eli5_why_is_french_a_romance_language/
{ "a_id": [ "cq7cdr7", "cq7chvh", "cq7codk", "cq7crqv", "cq7d14j", "cq7gmv4", "cq7gv17", "cq7kd2j" ], "score": [ 5, 2, 2, 3, 8, 3, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "The definition of a Romance language is that it evolved from Latin, so French is romance. I ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romance_languages" ], [] ]
4kbzh6
why do certain animal cruelty laws not apply to the meat industry?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4kbzh6/eli5_why_do_certain_animal_cruelty_laws_not_apply/
{ "a_id": [ "d3dt7lt", "d3du13r" ], "score": [ 7, 2 ], "text": [ "Farms *are* held to certain cruelty standards. We regulate how animals can be killed so that it's as humane as possible while still being safe for human consumption later and economically feasible (EDIT: See the [Humane Slau...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humane_Slaughter_Act#Content_of_the_Humane_Slaughter_Act", "http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/96407439-2142-40c7-8e16-c24949f637ce/humane_handling_booklet.pdf?MOD=AJPERES", "https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aT1Ia_eh1pg" ], [] ]
3z4x6p
with the amount of memory we can store on a memory card compared to a disk, why don't we start using cartridges instead of disks for games again?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3z4x6p/eli5_with_the_amount_of_memory_we_can_store_on_a/
{ "a_id": [ "cyj8rzy", "cyj8szu", "cyj8tng", "cyj99bo", "cyjagtb", "cyje4jc", "cyjhsuv", "cyjilc2", "cyjmerj", "cyjna41", "cyjnhd1", "cyjo381", "cyjow2f", "cyjoxjx", "cyjpflv", "cyjqyxt", "cyjsrx0", "cyjuw6r" ], "score": [ 1240, 9, ...
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[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://shop.sandisk.com/store/sdiskus/en_US/DisplayProductDetailsPage/productID.297292500?ClickID=cseqqqpisqkl77fwzl4fnevepe4xppfkazkk" ] ]
2nf8af
why do some people's hair get really "greasy" if they don't shower for a day, and others can go 3 or more days without their hair getting "greasy".
Its strange. I have to wash my hair every day because it gets "greasy" and some people can go three days and their hair looks fine.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2nf8af/eli5_why_do_some_peoples_hair_get_really_greasy/
{ "a_id": [ "cmd4eeh" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "They are not washing their hair, but maybe they are rinsing it? Rinsing it makes it less greasy." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
237zff
why have we become less conservative over the last 100's of years?
I'm no conservative but while I was drunk last night I was thinking what happened to change the way we dress and our mannerisms and so on? I realize that it took hundreds of years to transform but why? Is it that there are enough wild people saying, "lets take a few layers off" and then things start to change?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/237zff/eli5_why_have_we_become_less_conservative_over/
{ "a_id": [ "cgudcp1", "cgudnd2", "cgugjck", "cgugza8", "cguil22", "cguinbn", "cgujutu", "cgulf65", "cguli88", "cgulyve", "cgumbni", "cgumppr", "cgupp2f", "cguwutd" ], "score": [ 391, 6, 40, 37, 39, 9, 2, 2, 13, 2, ...
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[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIdBuK7_g3M", "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrt6msZmU7Y", "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VggFao85vTs" ] ]
flmaho
how can companies completely unrelated to face masks or hand sanitizers convert their production to those so quickly?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/flmaho/eli5_how_can_companies_completely_unrelated_to/
{ "a_id": [ "fkze695", "fkzeyqn" ], "score": [ 4, 3 ], "text": [ "They aren’t as unrelated as you might think. Most of the companies share raw materials of whatever they’re temporarily making. A company that makes computer stuff has all or most of the raw materials to make medical stuff. S...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
31nwdv
are cults in the usa illegal?
I recently watched the 'Going Clear' doc and also 'The Source Family' doc. Is creating a cult illegal? I understand if they do illegal things like the assault and false imprisonment described in 'Going Clear' are illegal, but if those things didn't happen would Scientology still be illegal by itself.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/31nwdv/eli5_are_cults_in_the_usa_illegal/
{ "a_id": [ "cq3a4gl", "cq3a69v", "cq3abmv", "cq3er9a" ], "score": [ 10, 3, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "At times if they do illegal activities such as polygamy or kidnapping. But simply existing is not illegal. It is protected under the right of assembly and the right of religion. "...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hole_(Scientology)" ] ]
2x6838
why does society direct its animosity at older men who date much younger women, but not at the women who date them?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2x6838/eli5_why_does_society_direct_its_animosity_at/
{ "a_id": [ "cox9ex4", "coxhrf2" ], "score": [ 6, 2 ], "text": [ "The woman are often viewed as shallow gold diggers.", "I don't believe this to be true (e.g. the term gold diggers) but I'll give a shot:\n\nThe older partner is often more experienced while the younger partner is more n...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
5cbpur
why do our brains have trouble visualizing more than 3 dimensions?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5cbpur/eli5_why_do_our_brains_have_trouble_visualizing/
{ "a_id": [ "d9v88f2", "d9v8ckw", "d9vas6y", "d9vbwgl", "d9ve6ox", "d9vemou", "d9vhgnb", "d9vhz6m", "d9vjdcd", "d9vjew0", "d9vkymt", "d9vlk9n", "d9vllz3", "d9vlm5o", "d9vltix", "d9vlymz", "d9vm6bx", "d9vmpfc", "d9vmsrv", "d9vmw14", "d...
[]
[]
[ [ "much.it" ], [], [ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2s4TqVAbfz4", "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SId9DNZdlKw" ], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flatland:_The_Movie" ], [], [], [ "https://youtu.be/N0WjV6MmCyM" ], [], [], []...
2fn74p
how do we know what a complete dinosaur skeleton looks like if most of the skeleton has never been found?
Recently saw a post to r/funny (_URL_0_) which came from an article about a large dinosaur known as Dreadnoughtus. The article has a diagram showing the found bones, and then claims that over 70% of this species' bones have been found. However, nearly all of the bones come from the body of the dinosaur and only a few c...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2fn74p/eli5_how_do_we_know_what_a_complete_dinosaur/
{ "a_id": [ "ckatklo", "ckavmhg" ], "score": [ 8, 3 ], "text": [ "We actually dont know for certain what any dinosaur looked like. The depictions of dinosaurs are just our best educated guess of what they possibly might have looked like, which we make based on similarities between the bone...
[]
[ "http://i.imgur.com/L7moLyd.png" ]
[ [], [ "http://svpow.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/futalognkosaurus-illo.jpg" ] ]
bh03z4
when dams are being built, how do they build it with all the water still there?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bh03z4/eli5_when_dams_are_being_built_how_do_they_build/
{ "a_id": [ "elovx3g", "eloxi6t", "eloyimr", "elp0yqt", "elp1i7c", "elp1p03", "elp237r", "elp64n3", "elp78k9", "elp81fh", "elpexp1", "elqdtvw", "elqgutg" ], "score": [ 12013, 10, 713, 185, 78, 932, 18, 2, 36, 9, 6, ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [ "https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EHEEhSQ-5Vw" ], [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cofferdam" ], [], [ "http://xroads.virginia.edu/~1930s/DISPLAY/hoover/front2.html" ], [], [], [], [], [] ]
1n0ysf
how come there's no physical difference between 1gb and 64gb microsd cards?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1n0ysf/eli5_how_come_theres_no_physical_difference/
{ "a_id": [ "cceexuc", "ccefftt", "cceg0kv", "ccegb7p", "ccegr2h", "ccem79i", "ccemjp6" ], "score": [ 2, 4, 6, 3, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Because they have to fit in the same sized slot (?) ", "Technologically speaking, the difference is in time. \...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moore%27s_Law" ], [], [], [], [], [] ]
1yvrvs
why does a bottle/jar filled with hot water and shaken burst open when the cap/lid is loosened?
What causes the pressure to increase in the bottle? It doesn't happen when there is cold water in there, so I assume it has something to do with the temperature increasing the pressure, but how?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1yvrvs/eli5why_does_a_bottlejar_filled_with_hot_water/
{ "a_id": [ "cfo77y4" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "The hot water causes the air inside the jar to expand due to heat, since the jar is closed that pressure builds and builds until you losen it enough for it to **pop**!" ] }
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3763o8
how did ireland have a popular vote on gay marriage and why don't other countries use popular vote on pressing matters more often (e.g. gay marriage, war, etc.)?
In essence, why is it in the U.S. we use a select few of representatives to decide on major things like gay marriage instead of a popular vote to pass legislation?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3763o8/eli5_how_did_ireland_have_a_popular_vote_on_gay/
{ "a_id": [ "crk0p4g", "crk0z70", "crk1y31" ], "score": [ 5, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Because Ireland has 4.6 million people and the US has 319 million. The US is so much larger that we prefer to set policy on the state level instead of the national level, which is why you see gay marria...
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[ [], [ "http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/usconstitution/a/constamend.htm", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amendments_to_the_Constitution_of_Ireland" ], [] ]
4wa93n
why does reading a lot cause short-sightedness (myopia)?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4wa93n/eli5why_does_reading_a_lot_cause_shortsightedness/
{ "a_id": [ "d65dhcq" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "check out this article in Nature looking at the causes of myopia _URL_0_ new research indicates that it is likely cuased my a lack of light reaching the eye. If you read a lot you are likely inside in low light, not in the sun, so you are more pr...
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[ [ "http://www.nature.com/news/the-myopia-boom-1.17120" ] ]
1rehjd
if someone donates a kidney and the recipient dies a few years later, can the original donor get their kidney back?
Would a donor's body recognize their own organ if it was re-transplanted into their body? Is it even a good idea, or would the risk of major surgery outweigh the benefit of having your kidney back?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1rehjd/eli5_if_someone_donates_a_kidney_and_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cdmgovl", "cdmgq6q", "cdmh19j", "cdmh1c8", "cdmh6jk", "cdmhcw1", "cdmhmb4", "cdmhsf5", "cdmi3a5", "cdmjiai", "cdmjrrs", "cdmkea7", "cdmlalu", "cdmlsfp", "cdmm981", "cdmmbrz", "cdmmcxd", "cdmn1h2", "cdmn3fj", "cdmooqb", "c...
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[ [], [], [ "woukd.it", "has.no" ], [], [ "http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1432-2277.2009.01031.x/abstract" ], [], [], [ "http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-94-011-0201-8_20" ], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], ...
2ie8x1
in monotheistic religions, why is god always referred to as a male/masculine force as opposed to a female/feminine force?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2ie8x1/eli5_in_monotheistic_religions_why_is_god_always/
{ "a_id": [ "cl1e5n2" ], "score": [ 11 ], "text": [ "Historically, most cultures (as far as we know!) have been patriarchal - the father sits at the head of the family. Now I don't mean to bring any anti-religious crap into this discussion, but my take is that religions are created by humans in o...
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6uyf80
how can babies breath in the womb? can adults go back and 'breath' like babies in the womb?
IDK, I just dont get it how we can stay in the womb and not use our lungs and breath. We are kinda like a fish!?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6uyf80/eli5_how_can_babies_breath_in_the_womb_can_adults/
{ "a_id": [ "dlwb61v", "dlwbdvx", "dlwdg5x" ], "score": [ 6, 6, 4 ], "text": [ "As a fetus, you had an umbilical cord, and your blood replenished its oxygen that way, via the mother's blood supply through her placenta. You didn't need to breathe, and you didn't have gills: you did...
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6uje2p
if you get a skin graft onto your face, will it take on the properties of the skin around it (oily, dry), or be a different skin type?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6uje2p/eli5_if_you_get_a_skin_graft_onto_your_face_will/
{ "a_id": [ "dlt9khq" ], "score": [ 18 ], "text": [ "I remember a post on r/wtf where a guy used skin from his foreskin to put on a burn on his finger or something when he was a child. Lo and behold, when he reached puberty the finger grew pubes. That answer your question? \n\nEdit:clarification...
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4113gc
why are so many republicans getting angry over endorsing sonia sotomayor?
Am I correct in saying that they don't have a say and that it is only the president decision alone?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4113gc/eli5why_are_so_many_republicans_getting_angry/
{ "a_id": [ "cyyr49g" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "You are incorrect. Federal judges require the approval of the Senate, as do all high-level federal officers. " ] }
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33t8bu
what would happen if you purposefully held in going to the bathroom?
What sort of damage would you cause or would you eventually just involuntarily go?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/33t8bu/eli5_what_would_happen_if_you_purposefully_held/
{ "a_id": [ "cqo5pd0", "cqo5swo", "cqo8ggd", "cqo8pxy", "cqo8t9p", "cqoc9yi" ], "score": [ 14, 9, 3, 3, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "You would probably involuntarily go.\n\nBefore that - the immediate problem people tend to get when they delay using the restroom is bl...
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[ [], [], [], [], [ "http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tycho_Brahe" ], [] ]
b3um55
what is a codependent relationship?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/b3um55/eli5_what_is_a_codependent_relationship/
{ "a_id": [ "ej29i26", "ej2b4iv" ], "score": [ 5, 2 ], "text": [ "A codependent relationship is one wherein the two people are reliant on eachother to a degree that's unhealthy.\n\nWhich, might sound counter-intuitive as a lot of societal messages seem to encourage this sort of relationshi...
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9prxo7
why do cream-based soups becomes thinner and more watery as they cool down?
PS: I’m not sure if this should be flaired as chemistry or others
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9prxo7/eli5_why_do_creambased_soups_becomes_thinner_and/
{ "a_id": [ "e83wshf" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ "So think of like orange juice with pulp. If you let it sit for a while, the pulp settles to the bottom, right?\nLots of cream based soups have like fats suspended in the liquid. The heat and stirring keep it looking consistent, but when it cools,...
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1drf89
the differences between american and uk government
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1drf89/eli5_the_differences_between_american_and_uk/
{ "a_id": [ "c9t60px" ], "score": [ 15 ], "text": [ "United Kingdom: The UK is a parliamentary democracy. They're nominally ruled by a Monarch who technically has a lot of power but is usually not supposed to use it (Ex. Block Legislation, etc.). The ultimate seat of power in the UK is the British...
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[ [ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUS9mM8Xbbw" ] ]
538qt9
are blind people able to imagine things (i.e. a color, a tree, a basketball) accurately in their mind or what do they "see"?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/538qt9/eli5are_blind_people_able_to_imagine_things_ie_a/
{ "a_id": [ "d7qw3ce", "d7qw4v9", "d7qxft7", "d7qyaey", "d7r46ql" ], "score": [ 4, 2, 2, 14, 2 ], "text": [ "If they were blind from birth, no. They never experienced those things so they can't imagine it. I talked to a blind person and they said the concept if colo...
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1vj8sd
in this picture, what are the tugboats doing with the giant hoses of water?
_URL_0_ In this picture, I see tugboats with huge 3-story jets of water. What are they doing? Are they shooing away the smaller boats? Does this do something to disrupt the wake of the ship?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1vj8sd/eli5_in_this_picture_what_are_the_tugboats_doing/
{ "a_id": [ "cessfpm" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "It's a sort of a salute to the famous ship coming through, it also may be celebratory for holidays and other events. Kind of like a water version of fireworks..." ] }
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[ "http://www.relevantsearchscotland.co.uk/ships/Oasis_of_the_Seas_top_Large.jpg" ]
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oiehx
what does the world look like if you're color blind?
I know it's not usually that you see the world in black and white. I know that there are different types of color blindness. I still don't actually understand what it all amounts to, though.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/oiehx/eli5_what_does_the_world_look_like_if_youre_color/
{ "a_id": [ "c3himp2" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ "Look at the pictures on the right side of this wiki article: _URL_0_\n\nBasically some colors look like each other. In a lot of cases, red and green." ] }
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[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_blindness" ] ]
4j454b
why do internet sports streams often lag a bunch? gamers on twitch usually deliver flawless hd streams. why is a good sports stream hard?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4j454b/eli5_why_do_internet_sports_streams_often_lag_a/
{ "a_id": [ "d33isqf", "d33qmj4" ], "score": [ 9, 3 ], "text": [ "A lot more people watch sporting events, maxing out the ESPN servers bandwidth (or whoever is streaming the video). \n\nI work for a cable company and we are flooded with calls on Sunday's during football season about ESPN o...
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2bxr9v
if water can be filtered from waste water and turned into potable water, why should we be worried about companies buying freshwater sources?
Like the title says, if we can just keep filtering waste water, why should we be so worried about companies buying sources of freshwater?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2bxr9v/eli5_if_water_can_be_filtered_from_waste_water/
{ "a_id": [ "cj9xlnx", "cj9y2q0", "cja13tu", "cja23mk", "cja251x", "cja2tif", "cja49lv", "cja4bkt", "cja4m6j", "cja93pj" ], "score": [ 70, 4, 12, 2, 29, 6, 13, 3, 3, 3 ], "text": [ "Because water treatment and water desalinati...
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56dtf8
why feminism seems to use pro-female language rather than gender-neutral language.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/56dtf8/eli5_why_feminism_seems_to_use_profemale_language/
{ "a_id": [ "d8igwtg" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Because they are profemale. \n\nThe Feminist movement seeks to obtain social equality by focusing on those areas that women are treated unequally in a negative way and working to change them. Feminism does not work for equality by correcting all ...
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ble07y
how is the usa simultaneously at it's lowest rates of unemployment in recent history and highest rates of welfare (being called welfare state)?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ble07y/eli5_how_is_the_usa_simultaneously_at_its_lowest/
{ "a_id": [ "emnmsrf" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Department of Labor is only using those that are receiving unemployment benefits as unemployed while those that use any from of government assistance (WIC, foodstamps, etc.) are a welfare recipient. This means more people are working (most likel...
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2b0k71
how does your brain change from when you are a kid to when you are an adult?
Your brain is growing? How does the growth affect the brain? How does damage along the way impact the strength of the brain? Sorry if this is on here I tried searching first.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2b0k71/eli5_how_does_your_brain_change_from_when_you_are/
{ "a_id": [ "cj0meeo", "cj0oa8z" ], "score": [ 8, 3 ], "text": [ "Physically the brain is almost done growing by like age three or so. The brain only gets slightly bigger afterwards. However as you getting older, the brain develops. This means when learning the brain makes new electrical p...
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56wy06
what's the difference between alcohol that has only been distilled once versus triple distilled?
I have a bottle of Jameson and a bottle of Black Velvet, I saw that Jameson was distilled three times and the Black Velvet once, what's the difference in the distillation?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/56wy06/eli5_whats_the_difference_between_alcohol_that/
{ "a_id": [ "d8n2q1a", "d8nb9ig", "d8ne4d2", "d8nfy8u" ], "score": [ 7, 3, 5, 3 ], "text": [ "The distillation process is not perfect. You mostly get ethanol but there is also a fair bit of water in addition to aroma and color from the original brew. If you run it through t...
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374ebc
how come `60s technology got us to the moon but today`s tech cant get us to mars?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/374ebc/eli5_how_come_60s_technology_got_us_to_the_moon/
{ "a_id": [ "crjl4nw", "crjlapr", "crjlvow", "crjm3pd", "crjmrns", "crjxx9k" ], "score": [ 5, 20, 2, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "It has a lot to do with finances. In the 60s a considerable amount of the country's gdp was spent in the space race. Account for inflat...
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[ [], [], [], [ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbIZU8cQWXc" ], [], [] ]
mcnu3
the movie 'memento'
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/mcnu3/eli5_the_movie_memento/
{ "a_id": [ "c2zwnns", "c2zwnns" ], "score": [ 5, 5 ], "text": [ "It is a movie about a guy who forgets everything after a few moments. To simulate this, the movie is cut in reverse chronological order (except for the black & white sequences) so that at any given time we know what will ...
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25sdwy
when shining a laser at planes, how do they locate you?
Always see on the news of people getting caught shining a laser at planes, how do they find your position?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/25sdwy/eli5when_shining_a_laser_at_planes_how_do_they/
{ "a_id": [ "chk9mmb", "chk9y1e" ], "score": [ 9, 3 ], "text": [ "Well at least in the US there is $10,000 reward so your neighbor will probably report you.\n\nEdit: Do not offer the homeless people in your area $1,000 to shine a laser at an airplane.", "From your perspective, the lase...
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9jh7sy
why does a red led light looks less bright than a blue one?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9jh7sy/eli5_why_does_a_red_led_light_looks_less_bright/
{ "a_id": [ "e6rh3vg" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "For a given electrical power in, red LEDs look about twice as bright as blue. That is measured in lumens per watt. \n\n_URL_0_" ] }
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[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light-emitting_diode#Efficiency_and_operational_parameters" ] ]
70kwwt
how does a canister of gas have only that gas? how does someone isolate the gas from the air?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/70kwwt/eli5_how_does_a_canister_of_gas_have_only_that/
{ "a_id": [ "dn3x15l", "dn3x5sd" ], "score": [ 5, 3 ], "text": [ "They purge the tank. They pump that gas into the tank until it overflows and then seal it. ", "Gases can be isolated by their different properties, or can be produced.\n\nOne example of separating gases by properties: yo...
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bicc8v
how are lumens and candela related and what each represents.
In trying to learn more about each, I was curious if my analogy was appropriate. Is candela sort of like a decibel? In the sense that you can double the lumens, but that doesn't double the intensity of the light. Like four hands clapping isn't twice as loud as two hands clapping.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bicc8v/eli5_how_are_lumens_and_candela_related_and_what/
{ "a_id": [ "elzqu2x", "elzr2nm" ], "score": [ 27, 4 ], "text": [ "A lumen is the total amount of light coming from a source; its \"luminous power.\" It's equivalent to Watts, the measure of power, but weighted for human vision, e.g., an infra red lamp could put out 100 Watts but, if we c...
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