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
53a9kc
vpn proxies, what do they do and should i be using one?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/53a9kc/eli5_vpn_proxies_what_do_they_do_and_should_i_be/
{ "a_id": [ "d7rbh19", "d7rd03r", "d7rdysi" ], "score": [ 6, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "VPN stands for Virtual Private Network and is exactly that, it allows you to create a private network that you can access over the internet. \n\nIt's private because the information is scrambled before ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
54uivu
how did people know where to build water wells in roman times and before?
Additionally, were wells built on underground rivers or lakes? And do we know which civilisation came up with the idea first?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/54uivu/eli5_how_did_people_know_where_to_build_water/
{ "a_id": [ "d85629n" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "The truth is they didn't know.\n\nThe exact location of a well doesn't matter, as if you go down far enough in most places you'll hit the water table eventually.\n\nEven today a lot of wells are dug because of the convenience of the location as o...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
7ey00p
why do most eli5 questions seem to get answered?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7ey00p/eli5_why_do_most_eli5_questions_seem_to_get/
{ "a_id": [ "dq87yww", "dq897rv" ], "score": [ 7, 2 ], "text": [ "Most ELI5 questions are honestly LMGTFY territory.\n\nMuch of the rest is stuff that a lot of people know off hand.\n\nOnly a slim minority are really in depth questions requiring deep knowledge of the subject to answer. \n\...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
44mygw
why are there four "-ber" months clustered at the end of the year and no where else on the calendar?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/44mygw/eli5_why_are_there_four_ber_months_clustered_at/
{ "a_id": [ "czralzs", "czrb043" ], "score": [ 2, 6 ], "text": [ "The \"-ber\" months come from Latin: septem = 7, okto=8 etc. They were the 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th months of the year. Basically they stopped using names of Gods and Cesars to name the months. Later the Romans added January ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
20rmdf
why are there play-in games in the ncaa tournament for 11 and 12 seeds?
I understand the logic behind a play-in game for a 16 seed, but why on earth would there be a play in game for an 11 or 12 seed?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/20rmdf/eli5_why_are_there_playin_games_in_the_ncaa/
{ "a_id": [ "cg62zlb" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "32 teams qualify for the tournament by winning their conference, 36 win by getting an \"at-large\" bid, which essentially means they're the top teams out of those that didn't win their conferences. The at-large bid teams are all going to be bette...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
a9j9kv
why do computers make that electric cracking sound when loading something?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a9j9kv/eli5_why_do_computers_make_that_electric_cracking/
{ "a_id": [ "ecjt513", "eck3tlt" ], "score": [ 4, 3 ], "text": [ "New SSD based computer do not make this noise nowadays. \n\nThe noise comes from the head of the hard drive moving around to find files. See this for example _URL_0_", "Older drives have disk/disks inside them that spin ...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://youtu.be/BlB49F6ExkQ" ], [] ]
44dbk4
how is seagulls making noise when finding food, an advantage in evolution?
I was in the parking lot of an almost abandoned mall, and bought some popcorn from a vendor. It was stale. So when I was walking to my car, I saw this lone seagull on a street lamp. I threw all the popcorn in the parking lot for the bird. He suddenly makes that annoying seagull call while diving down to eat the popcor...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/44dbk4/eli5how_is_seagulls_making_noise_when_finding/
{ "a_id": [ "czpdugw", "czpfral" ], "score": [ 9, 7 ], "text": [ "It might be safety in numbers, but it's not just that. They are social birds, who live in a flock. The flock is their family, and the survival of your relatives is also the survival of your genes, to some degree. Also, if yo...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
6dvt2x
how do websites like youtube, wshh, and liveleak get footage from surveillance videos from around the world
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6dvt2x/eli5_how_do_websites_like_youtube_wshh_and/
{ "a_id": [ "di5qzye" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "It is usually someone who works at the place of the incident who will record the footage of the incident on his phone or by using a screen capture software and upload it. Equally companies and police sometimes will release footage to raise awaren...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
3c331w
how do power companies sense and locate a power outage?
Or "shortage" for those in the UK. I don't think I've ever called in to report an outage, yet it gets fixed. I live in an area where there are very few permanent residents so there's a possibility that it never gets reported. Since the power companies don't make money unless the power is on, they have a way to find ...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3c331w/eli5_how_do_power_companies_sense_and_locate_a/
{ "a_id": [ "csrsvxe", "csrtwg2", "csru8zf" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Outages usually have a reason (eg. cable snaps, voltages cannot be sustained - > \"brownout\", power station blows up, ...) which is clearly visible in how the energy flows in the network (eg. resistan...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
2fj49i
why does my phone charge so much quicker when it's charging in my car (12v dc) compared to a wall charger at home (240v ac)?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2fj49i/eli5_why_does_my_phone_charge_so_much_quicker/
{ "a_id": [ "ck9q0n0", "ck9q3ar", "ck9q3u9" ], "score": [ 4, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Voltage ahs nothing to do with that. You should look at the Ampere output (the A value of your charger). The bigger the better.", "My charger in my truck is way slower than my home. ", "The inpu...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
4xmywb
how do onomatopoeia words translate?
Words like buzz and purr that are formed based on how they sound seem to work well when speaking English, but how does it work when these words get translated into different languages?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4xmywb/eli5_how_do_onomatopoeia_words_translate/
{ "a_id": [ "d6gtn02" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Same as all other translation: Maybe the language also has a word for it, in which case you can use it, or sometimes it just... doesn't. And then you have to find some other way to deal with it and convey the meaning. Perhaps you're translating i...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
14vv7j
. how do news organizations benefit from being biased?
Why are some in favor of Republican and others Democrat? Aren't they supposed to be objective. Whenever I turn on news, all I see is a bunch of adults televising their opinions which are often in favor of one of the groups. Maybe I'm just being young and naive, but I would really like this explained to me. How did this...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/14vv7j/eli5_how_do_news_organizations_benefit_from_being/
{ "a_id": [ "c7gwj0l" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "Being partisan can build them a loyal following. People like having their preconceived notions affirmed. Going to a news source where they have their notions affirmed over and over can gain them very loyal watchers.\n\nPlus, it allows advertise...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
6wi49b
when an object is above water, the shadow is distinct. when an object is below water, the shadow is also distinct. but if the object is on the surface of the water, the shadow is distorted. why does this happen?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6wi49b/eli5_when_an_object_is_above_water_the_shadow_is/
{ "a_id": [ "dm87qgd" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Let's confirm that you're talking CALM water here, because your three conditions during choppy water, such as a ball on or over a windy lake, completely differs. In that case the shadow is distorted when the object is above the water too. \n\nThe...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.easttennesseewildflowers.com/gallery/var/albums/Beetles_Bugs/Copy_of_Water_strider_shadow4.jpg?m=1348908667" ] ]
63nnz6
what roles did we, the u.s., play in creating isis and the current state of syria.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/63nnz6/eli5_what_roles_did_we_the_us_play_in_creating/
{ "a_id": [ "dfvj854", "dfvkf72" ], "score": [ 8, 2 ], "text": [ "ISIS rose to power due to the lack of a stable government in place in Iraq. This was due to George W. Bush taking out Saddam Hussein coupled with lack of a follow-through to establish a stable enough government in the region...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
3nsgq0
why do youtube channels sign away their ip and ad revenue to join multi-channel networks?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3nsgq0/eli5_why_do_youtube_channels_sign_away_their_ip/
{ "a_id": [ "cvqv5bg", "cvqv60w", "cvr4y5h" ], "score": [ 2, 19, 3 ], "text": [ "Probably the same reason anyone starting out small-ish would sign with a larger entity: exposure to a wider audience.", "The YouTube channels typically always retain full ownership of their channel...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
fsw9f4
what is a pareto analysis and what are common use cases for it in research?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/fsw9f4/eli5_what_is_a_pareto_analysis_and_what_are/
{ "a_id": [ "fm3q81d" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "basically to tell you the main thing(s) that drive what you are studying. for example there are a ton of reasons why people buy ice cream when outdoors, temperature, if they have kids pestering, if it's weekend, if they ate well day before maybe...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
2s0h3g
how do directors and actors get money from viewers? who are all of the middle men and who gets how much?
ELI5: How do directors and actors get money from viewers? Who are all of the middle men and who gets how much?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2s0h3g/eli5_how_do_directors_and_actors_get_money_from/
{ "a_id": [ "cnkzclr", "cnkzd78" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "The studio that is making the film/TV show gets all of the money that it needs from either its own bank, or from investors. They use this money to hire writers, directors, actors, film crews, etc... These people are all paid...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
up5ej
google's upcoming stock split (and stock splits in general)
Google is doing a "2-for-1" stock split in June with "non-voting shares" or something. What does any of that mean? And why would any company split its stock in the first place?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/up5ej/eli5_googles_upcoming_stock_split_and_stock/
{ "a_id": [ "c4xawcz" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "A company has a quantity of shares, and each share has a price. Multiply the two together, and you get market capitalization, which is the value of the company.\n\nIf a hypothetical company had a million shares, worth $10 each, the company is wo...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
ataz77
how did computer science and information technology , through its fifty-plus years of existence, was able to avoid having a college degree being mandatory, unlike most, if not all, lucrative paying jobs?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ataz77/eli5how_did_computer_science_and_information/
{ "a_id": [ "egzvugv", "egzx49m", "egzx56l" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Because to be a tech or admin is much closer to being a mechanic or an electrician that to being an astrophysicist. ", "IT is more similar to a trade than other professions. Hands on experience and...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
1j5im3
what's the difference between coke, coca-cola and pepsi and what is the point in producing all these near-identical drinks?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1j5im3/eli5_whats_the_difference_between_coke_cocacola/
{ "a_id": [ "cbbazss", "cbbc1nk", "cbbcw2q", "cbbdghm" ], "score": [ 7, 2, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Coke is just a short-hand way of saying \"Coca-Cola\" (although a lot of people use it to mean any generic cola-flavoured drink).\n\nPepsi and Coca-Cola are produced by two differe...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
2lcbct
now that the gop controls the senate, what can we expect for the future?
Sorry, politics noob here
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2lcbct/eli5_now_that_the_gop_controls_the_senate_what/
{ "a_id": [ "cltfjvr", "cltg5pg" ], "score": [ 9, 7 ], "text": [ "More gridlock. They have a majority, but not a 2/3 majority. Expect very little to happen for two years.", "Basically nothing, and I'll give you two competing explanations for why nothing will happen.\n\n1. The GOP will ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
81gvqv
why does popcorn seem lighter after it's popped?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/81gvqv/eli5_why_does_popcorn_seem_lighter_after_its/
{ "a_id": [ "dv32ih6" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "It actually gets lighter! Because some of the water particles get evaporated from the kernel. Also, the density gets reduced, which makes you think even more that it became lighter." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
384zsd
why do lawyers advise their clients not to talk to the press?
It seems like people who are accused of crimes often go silent on the advice of their lawyers. Since they can't tell their side of the story, they take a big hit to their reputation. Why is the silence still worth it?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/384zsd/eli5_why_do_lawyers_advise_their_clients_not_to/
{ "a_id": [ "crsbzra", "crsdhve" ], "score": [ 6, 2 ], "text": [ "Because your public reputation is not legitimate evidence against you in court. \n\nBut if you say something stupid and potentially incriminating, it can become evidence against you. \n\nSure, the public might form opinions ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
4o7i1u
how is that the colors we see organize into a repetitive pattern (roygbivroy...) while their physical wavelengths are linear (390-700nm)?
The visible spectrum is VIBGYOR-ish. I do fluorescent microscopy and it always takes me a minute to remember how the colors I'm looking at fit the visual spectrum. There are two dyes we use commonly that are purple/blue to the eye but they're at opposite ends of the spectrum. One is referred to as violet or ultraviolet...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4o7i1u/eli5_how_is_that_the_colors_we_see_organize_into/
{ "a_id": [ "d4a6v2n", "d4a83ug" ], "score": [ 2, 4 ], "text": [ "Our color vision is our body recognizing varying signals from our three different types of cone cells which are sensitive to different frequencies of the visible spectrum.\n\nThe thing is, our body doesn't know about wavelen...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://www.viewsoniceurope.com/asset-files/images/uk/vp2772/30515.jpg", "http://www.colorhexa.com/ff00ff.png" ] ]
6ksquc
does shaving your legs for cycling have a noticeable difference for an average cyclists, or will have it only have a noticeable impact for professionals?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6ksquc/eli5_does_shaving_your_legs_for_cycling_have_a/
{ "a_id": [ "djoin9e", "djoinh3" ], "score": [ 2, 10 ], "text": [ "For aero reasons or crashing?\n\nAero perhaps not, but it's apparently easier to scrape the grit out of road rash.", "There's a misconception that cyclists shaving their legs is for aerodynamics. Those gains are minima...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
37ww4w
china's presence in the democratic republic of congo
I've noticed that there are always new deals and partnerships between China and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Their relationship seems to be a little neo-colonialistic. So, I come asking what's on the tin, why does China invest and corporate so much with the Congo?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/37ww4w/eli5_chinas_presence_in_the_democratic_republic/
{ "a_id": [ "crqg8gw", "crqof13", "crqog4i" ], "score": [ 5, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "I think it's because of all the mining taking place in DR Congo. The following is from _URL_0_ :\n\n\"DR Congo's largest export is raw minerals, with China accepting over 50% of DRC's exports in 2012.\"...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Republic_of_the_Congo" ], [], [] ]
1x3xez
what's the point of usb 3.0 hard drives?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1x3xez/eli5_whats_the_point_of_usb_30_hard_drives/
{ "a_id": [ "cf7vfew", "cf7vmb9", "cf7vowp" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "No, USB 2.0 barely provides 30 MB/s. USB 3.0 is up to 500 MB/s.", "Nope. USB 2.0 has a theoretical max of 60MB/s. USB 3.0 has a theoretical max of about 625MB/s. Many modern hard drives can reach...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB#USB_2.0" ] ]
a53cap
how do people end up with tens of thousands of dollars worth of credit card debt?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a53cap/eli5_how_do_people_end_up_with_tens_of_thousands/
{ "a_id": [ "ebjkpfa", "ebjkpjn", "ebjl5a9", "ebjpi74", "ebjucke" ], "score": [ 20, 10, 4, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Once you've been making payments for a while, you can get your credit limit increased. As long as you're making minimums, they'll happily give you more mon...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
23z54q
why was it so hard to survive the south korea ferry disaster?
When picturing myself in this type of event, I would just jump out with a life jacket and wait or swim to the coast if it's not more than 5 miles away.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/23z54q/eli5_why_was_it_so_hard_to_survive_the_south/
{ "a_id": [ "ch1zua9" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "The water temp was about 50 degrees. You would not survive the swim. Also its in an area of strong currents complicating the swim time\n\nIn retrospect people would have been much better off if they had just gone in the water in life vests. The...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
quupd
how do dvd rips of movies get leaked to sites like the pirate bay?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/quupd/eli5_how_do_dvd_rips_of_movies_get_leaked_to/
{ "a_id": [ "c40pdo0" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "How about for films that are still in theaters (Beyond the obvious guy with a camcorder method)? " ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
fllpns
how are the wet markets common in east asia so much different/worse than a typical farmers market in your local town? is it the type of or amount of or sanitation of food products?
I just dont get what is so egregiously different about these markets that justify articles be written about banning their practice.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/fllpns/eli5_how_are_the_wet_markets_common_in_east_asia/
{ "a_id": [ "fkza5tp", "fkzf0d1", "fkzhuiu", "fkzqtf3" ], "score": [ 6, 4, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "I’m not an expert at all but I would assume that a lot of these “wet markets” in Asia peddle in many hunted or trapped wild animals so there’s little control, testing or health reg...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
30okeg
why does drinking alcohol make eyes appear brighter and more vibrant?
When I drink alcohol, I'll often be surprised by how bright my eyes look when I see my reflection in a mirror (like washing my hands in the bathroom, for example). Is this an effect of drinking alcohol or is this just my perception? My eyes aren't bloodshot, so I dont think its a contrast thing, and nothing else app...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/30okeg/eli5_why_does_drinking_alcohol_make_eyes_appear/
{ "a_id": [ "cpuds8m" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "I've never observed or heard of this phenomenon. You're probably just more affected by the appearance of your eyes while under the influence." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
5gjrqh
. please explain the nfl pass interference rule.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5gjrqh/eli5_please_explain_the_nfl_pass_interference_rule/
{ "a_id": [ "dasu723", "dasu9mm", "dasvucb" ], "score": [ 4, 5, 3 ], "text": [ "Real answer: ¯\\\\\\_(ツ)_/¯\n\nMost peoples answers: 20 paragraphs of sections, subsections, sub-sub sections, exclusions, sub-exclusions, specialty clauses, time of day clauses, which current DB or SS ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
16ajrb
stellar nucleosynthesis
I have a semester exam coming up and I really need to know this. I missed a week of school when we reviewed it so I know nothing about it. Please help me!
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/16ajrb/eli5_stellar_nucleosynthesis/
{ "a_id": [ "c7uboyg" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Tl;dr Every generation of stars smashed atoms together making heavier stuff until you get to iron, from then on only supernova have enough energy to smash stuff together.\n\nSo from the Big Bang, hydrogen, some helium and small (very small) amoun...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
76r3jt
what does it take to convert matter into energy, and would it cause an explosion?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/76r3jt/eli5_what_does_it_take_to_convert_matter_into/
{ "a_id": [ "dog1ehh", "dog1zp7", "dog47zw", "dog4xxd", "dog55wa", "dog5pkf", "dog72df", "dogaig9", "dogbah3", "dogeac9", "dogidd5", "dogiu4p", "dognptk", "dogqyjg", "dogu0xw", "dogwq3o", "doh0vsi", "doh2qvy", "doh48mi", "doh53b1" ], ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass–energy_equivalence#Practical_examples" ], [], [], [], [], [ "https://profmattstrassler.com/articles-and-posts/particle-physics-basics/mass-energy-matter-etc/matter-and-energy-a-false-dichotomy/" ], [ "https://m.youtube.com/wat...
axryel
what's the difference between 1080p and 1080p60?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/axryel/eli5_whats_the_difference_between_1080p_and/
{ "a_id": [ "ehvnq8a", "ehvnrry", "ehvo1ew", "ehvokmx", "ehw8324" ], "score": [ 8, 5, 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "1080p is a resolution, 1920x1080 pixels.\n\n1080p60 is the same resolution + 60 frames per second.", "1080p60 is notation to specifically mentioned a 60 f...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
30d1e9
difference between gas brands
Like how arco is cheaper than other brands, i can't understand why.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/30d1e9/eli5_difference_between_gas_brands/
{ "a_id": [ "cpraek3" ], "score": [ 27 ], "text": [ "I manage a gas station, so I can give you some general answers.\n\nFirst is cost. Unlike a Shell or Exxon station, a non branded station is free to shop around for the cheapest supplier of gasoline. Because gasoline is federally regulated, the q...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
20lnni
why does the number '256' seem so significant in video games?
Pac Man had 256 levels. Using a cheat device during the Playstation era, items would often max out at 256. I'm sure there are more examples but nothing comes to mind right now. Why does the number 256 seem to be the 'max' number for many games?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/20lnni/eli5why_does_the_number_256_seem_so_significant/
{ "a_id": [ "cg4gjw3", "cg4gl3t", "cg4gqps", "cg4h1b6" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 6, 3 ], "text": [ "A byte is the most simple form of meaningful data storage in a computer. A byte is 8 bits, which is 256 individual representations. \n\nNumerically, with a byte, you can represent ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://errors.wikia.com/wiki/Pac_Man_-_Infamous_Kill_Screen_Bug" ], [] ]
4mv6ea
what would have happened if antimatter "won" over matter.
Basically having 1 billion and 1 antimatter for every 1 billion matter. The exact opposite of what happened.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4mv6ea/eli5_what_would_have_happened_if_antimatter_won/
{ "a_id": [ "d3yjyqi" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "We honestly couldn't tell the difference (as far as modern physics has determined). The only difference between Matter, and Anti-Matter is that **we** are matter. \n\nIn the cosmic scheme of things anti-matter could have won and humanity's defini...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
c2mjma
how do they know how long my donated blood lasts before it is no longer usable? they told me it will be usable for 30 days, does it suddenly become unusable on day 31? or does it slowly become less effective/usable? and how do they decide it?
I donated for the first time yesterday and now I'm curious :)
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/c2mjma/eli5_how_do_they_know_how_long_my_donated_blood/
{ "a_id": [ "erl4c94" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "A regulation is in place to make sure no one accidentally uses actual aged blood. So blood banks are only allowed to *have it available for use* for 30 days and then must dispose of it regardless of actual shelf life." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
7yr4tb
the president of the united states can "pre-emptively" pardon before federal charges are brought. would this not imply guilt?
The idea of "pre-emptive" pardons are certainly controversial but as far as I've seen it is generally lawful as a matter of precedent. But in my mind it implies guilt. Wouldn't this encourage a legal team to dig further? How far reaching is a pardon? Could one still be brought up on related charges?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7yr4tb/eli5_the_president_of_the_united_states_can/
{ "a_id": [ "duijrq8" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "Yes, this implies guilt, because pardons legally imply guilt. Not that this matters because the pardon means they wont be punished for it. \n\n > could one still be brought up on related charges?\n\nSure as long as they weren't already tried for ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
aepr1n
why do breast flattens from breastfeeding?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/aepr1n/eli5_why_do_breast_flattens_from_breastfeeding/
{ "a_id": [ "edrglla", "edrgt0z" ], "score": [ 4, 3 ], "text": [ "\nTake a balloon that is blown up a little.\n\n-Blow it up some more\n\n-Let the air out so that it is back to the same amount of air it began with\n\n- Observe sag", "You swell up with more blood flow and enlarged milk ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
45eya4
how is it possible to take a hundred billions frame per second slow motion video, and see the light beam? isn't that faster than light itself?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/45eya4/eli5_how_is_it_possible_to_take_a_hundred/
{ "a_id": [ "czxb2vy" ], "score": [ 26 ], "text": [ "It's not possible. They repeat the experiment many times, taking the photographs at slightly offset intervals each time. Then they splice it all together to look like a video." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
3j2snj
why in the racing video games you always started at the back of the line/queue
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3j2snj/eli5_why_in_the_racing_video_games_you_always/
{ "a_id": [ "culqwhv", "culr4h6" ], "score": [ 2, 3 ], "text": [ "To give you a challenge. Winning without any contest is often less fun than almost winning but then losing. and its always less fun than a hard earned victory.\n\nThe computer can't hope to beat you otherwise without blatant...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
2mkz25
what exactly is an escort service?
What are they supposed to be legally? and what are they really? and how is this allowed?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2mkz25/eli5_what_exactly_is_an_escort_service/
{ "a_id": [ "cm577ar", "cm57gon", "cm58fl7", "cm58rc4", "cm5a8hh" ], "score": [ 6, 5, 4, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "It's a service that advertises \"company.\" You pay them, and they provide one of their employees to spend time with you, accompany you to dinner, an event, ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
4huow6
why do magnetic refrigerator doors sometimes require super strength to open?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4huow6/eli5_why_do_magnetic_refrigerator_doors_sometimes/
{ "a_id": [ "d2sg26m", "d2shv1k", "d2sotxw", "d2sx5wl" ], "score": [ 25, 3, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "One explanation I can guess is that - like non-magnetic fridge doors - a fridge is always harder to open a second time. \n\nAnd that's because the first time let in a bunch of war...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
kea10
why do electrical sockets need a pin for "grounding". what is this grounding-thing, anyhow?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/kea10/why_do_electrical_sockets_need_a_pin_for/
{ "a_id": [ "c2jk98l", "c2jkuwh", "c2jkxtx", "c2jlqop", "c2jk98l", "c2jkuwh", "c2jkxtx", "c2jlqop" ], "score": [ 8, 7, 3, 21, 8, 7, 3, 21 ], "text": [ "It provides a safe place for the current to travel if a wire becomes exposed. The current...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
fzpwpa
what does this quote by james baldwin mean?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/fzpwpa/eli5_what_does_this_quote_by_james_baldwin_mean/
{ "a_id": [ "fn5i1u3", "fn5kh5u" ], "score": [ 3, 6 ], "text": [ "Possibly that the former victim has now become a threat to an established order--in that they are able to articulate a wrong, and be a voice for change.", "If you’ve been wronged and then you are able to talk about / dis...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
2tsr03
why do hedge fund managers earn multihundred million dollar salaries when hedge funds earn less over the long term than throwing darts at the stock pages?
(and for that matter, why does anyone in finance earn multi-million dollar compensation packages just for handling OPM?)
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2tsr03/eli5_why_do_hedge_fund_managers_earn_multihundred/
{ "a_id": [ "co1zrbh", "co205jt", "co245hd" ], "score": [ 6, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Because OP with M are willing to pay them.\n\nIf you think that that is bizarre, consider how some people are willing to pay their own money to see Will Ferrell movies. \n\nThere is no accounting for t...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
3l3aro
why has the new england region kept it's nickname for so long?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3l3aro/eli5_why_has_the_new_england_region_kept_its/
{ "a_id": [ "cv2t0hj" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Why not? Plenty of other places have done it; we still have Nova Scotia despite it not being Scottish in any political sense, New York is still New York despite having little to do with York, etc.\n\nIt's easier to keep up the naming rather than ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
6cjvor
what are the pros and cons for fasting for a whole month the way muslims fast to the human body?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6cjvor/eli5_what_are_the_pros_and_cons_for_fasting_for_a/
{ "a_id": [ "dhv74mz", "dhv7kxs", "dhvc15f", "dhvdokd" ], "score": [ 78, 13, 26, 5 ], "text": [ "Just to ensure we are all on the same page: muslims only don't eat or drink during the daylight hours of Ramadan. They are free to do whatever after that.", "Well, if you a...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2995774/", "https://youtu.be/4UkZAwKoCP8" ], [], [] ]
e8qqix
what about type 1 diabetes prevents the pancreas from producing insulin?
My girlfriend is T1D and she's always excited about a new pump or dexcom item and this morning I started thinking rather than creating a synthetic pancreas, why not create a synthetic way to get the pancreas to work. But I don't know the biology of the pancreas so I can't make any educated suggestions to advance this n...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/e8qqix/eli5_what_about_type_1_diabetes_prevents_the/
{ "a_id": [ "fadt3et", "fadt4qi" ], "score": [ 11, 7 ], "text": [ "The immune system makes a mistake and thinks it needs to destroy the cells in your pancreas that make insulin. Since she no longer have the cells that make insulin, her body can't respond appropriately when she consumes a m...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://www.nature.com/subjects/type-1-diabetes-mellitus", "https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/what-is-diabetes/type-1-diabetes", "https://www.healtheuropa.eu/artificial-pancreas-type-1-diabetes/90942/", "https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/over...
3onf35
why do planes make a high-pitched whistling sound when they are falling out of the sky/crashing?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3onf35/eli5_why_do_planes_make_a_highpitched_whistling/
{ "a_id": [ "cvytfi2" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "When the air is rushing past an object, it can create soundwaves, like the cracking of a whip. Objects moving very fast and being reasonably aerodynamic will produce more of a whistle.\n\nWhat you usually hear in movies and on television is much ...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junkers_Ju_87" ] ]
5n62ev
how come alcohol triggers hunger even though its caloric itself?
...I have no further questions.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5n62ev/eli5_how_come_alcohol_triggers_hunger_even_though/
{ "a_id": [ "dc8yae8", "dc8yjjf", "dc8ykrb", "dc9hm5p", "dc9jpvg", "dc9lv4h", "dc9mhx3", "dc9mq33", "dc9rrqg", "dca3on8" ], "score": [ 310, 6, 54, 13, 9, 3, 3, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "I found this website that has a good explain...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.just-eat.co.uk/blog/why-does-alcohol-make-you-hungry/" ], [], [], [], [ "http://www.bbc.com/news/health-38562048" ], [ "https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/drunk-mice-get-the-munchies/?WT.mc_id=SA_TW_MB_NEWS" ], [], [], [ "http://www.bbc.com/news/health-385...
1zykg3
why is it that the e. coli evolution project has not definitively proved that evolution is correct
There is ofcourse (for some absurd reason) a debate on whether the "theory of evolution" is correct and it seems to split religious folk and athiests to the point where there is the feeling of - prove evolution and you prove christianity (amongst others) to be wrong. After reading and hearing about the E. coli long-te...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1zykg3/eli5_why_is_it_that_the_e_coli_evolution_project/
{ "a_id": [ "cfy5372", "cfy5a2n", "cfy5dj0", "cg05vi5" ], "score": [ 2, 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Bible says that god created everything perfectly and in the way in exists today. Basically even if creationists had the definitive proof in front of them, they'd go \"Were you ther...
[]
[ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E._coli_long-term_evolution_experiment" ]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
83ndem
how come if i eat 4 pounds of macaroni and cheese then step on the scale immediately after it doesn't say that i gained 4 pounds?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/83ndem/eli5_how_come_if_i_eat_4_pounds_of_macaroni_and/
{ "a_id": [ "dvj3idl", "dvj3oez", "dvj3wli", "dvj3wu8", "dvj40pl", "dvj4dzi", "dvj4pkn", "dvj4z1q", "dvj5038" ], "score": [ 156, 2, 281, 19, 4, 11, 9, 3, 5 ], "text": [ "Gonna jump in here with the semi-obvious \"it should\".\n\nIf yo...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
aws5ry
what exactly is shame? how do one experience it?
How can things that we did or say or else and later be ashamed of interrupt sleep? Why do I make strange noises when I suddenly remember something shameful? Do all people do that? Why is it sometimes, that shame starts long after we did something wrong? Sorry for so many questions, I'm new to reddit
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/aws5ry/eli5_what_exactly_is_shame_how_do_one_experience/
{ "a_id": [ "ehp9bhn" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "Kursgesagt on youtube did an excellent video on Loneliness that explained. Shame is an evolutionary driver of social behaviour, and being social means humans are more likely to survive as we used to watch out for predators and help feed one anoth...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
5mnjj5
is it actually possible/legal to take an uninvolved citizen's car during a chase?
I've seen this in a lot of movies where a police officer will commandeer a random persons car in order to chase down a subject. Is that an option for police IRL?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5mnjj5/eli5_is_it_actually_possiblelegal_to_take_an/
{ "a_id": [ "dc4vzzv", "dc50616" ], "score": [ 5, 5 ], "text": [ "Technically, yes.\n\nIn practice, no.\n\nIn a purely legal sense, bystanders are normally required to aid law enforcement as much as they are able. However, if you simply refuse the police officer use of your vehicle there ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
23fyr4
why do we say "jesus came back after three days.", when clearly, the bible says he died on a friday and was resurrected on a sunday?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/23fyr4/eli5_why_do_we_say_jesus_came_back_after_three/
{ "a_id": [ "cgwl7ld", "cgwl88d", "cgwl8bf", "cgwlsia" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 5, 3 ], "text": [ "I think this is relevant. \n\n_URL_0_", "Early friday morning, late sunday and therefore all day friday,saturday and sunday. Hence three days.", "People are simply mis-quot...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://carm.org/how-long-was-jesus-dead-tomb" ], [], [], [] ]
3mw812
given they are all emitting pollutants above federal levels, how can vw diesels still legally operate on the road?
Why isn't VW replacing cars or implementing an immediate buy back program?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3mw812/eli5_given_they_are_all_emitting_pollutants_above/
{ "a_id": [ "cviu01f" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Because no decision has been made yet. There is an investigation going on and I'd imagine several other things need to happen before any moves are made concerning the ones on the road. One complicated issue is that some states don't do yearly/biy...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
2jr8gm
the united states spends a vast sum on the military, and leads a coalition of 40 other nations. why can't they wipe isis off the earth in days or weeks?
It seems like it really shouldn't be that difficult to get rid of them immediately given the massive uprising against the terrorist organization. What factors are contributing to estimates of it taking months or even years to eliminate them?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2jr8gm/eli5the_united_states_spends_a_vast_sum_on_the/
{ "a_id": [ "clecm36", "clecnml" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "We could. But carpet bombing an entire country with indiscriminate killing of civilian and enemy militants is frowned upon. We try to limit civilian casualties as much as we can. ", "Because they are attempting to do so ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
1p2yg2
how servers work on xbox 360 and ps3 games such as battlefield 3, halo, etc.?
Is it like PC gaming where a player is hosting the server or are the games hosted by the developers i.e. Dice or Xbox Live?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1p2yg2/eli5_how_servers_work_on_xbox_360_and_ps3_games/
{ "a_id": [ "ccy84lo" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "For CoD I know that one player acts as the 'host' rather than having a dedicated server, and I know this is the case with a lot of other games. (Most games that allow for creating your own multi-player lobbies).\n\nBut I'd imagine that some games...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
38qiu1
; how does water pressure change from huge pressure(fire hydrant strength) to a relatively low pressure(like a faucet) considering all water comes from the same system of pipes?
What is the math/logic behind this, and what tool is used to reduce/ increase pressure like so?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/38qiu1/eli5_how_does_water_pressure_change_from_huge/
{ "a_id": [ "crx1q7s", "crx3e6n" ], "score": [ 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Simple answer, they do not come from the same system of pipes. \n\nRelated answer, the water to a faucet come from a small pipe, which along with other small pipe is connected to a bigger piper, which in turn is connected t...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
63svb7
why does coal an coal ash contain higher amount of heavy metals and radioactive elements?
How did coal become rich in radioactive elements and heavy metals, was soil in which this ancient forest grown more rich than in this elements or did it somehow soaked and concentrated this elements when wood become buried underground?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/63svb7/eli5why_does_coal_an_coal_ash_contain_higher/
{ "a_id": [ "dfwq7tf", "dfwtwpv" ], "score": [ 4, 2 ], "text": [ "Ok so I actually looked this up myself before because I was curious. Specially for the case of Mercury it turns out that when plants are exposed to air which contains some Mercury ( which might be from volcanoes historically...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2005AM/finalprogram/abstract_92805.htm" ], [] ]
776a9u
how were banks able to transfer large sums of money before the internet?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/776a9u/eli5_how_were_banks_able_to_transfer_large_sums/
{ "a_id": [ "dojbc4b", "dojbh7g", "dojdbop", "dojqj2p" ], "score": [ 9, 2, 2, 4 ], "text": [ "They had private computer networks for a long time before the Internet.\n\nPrior to that, they could send written instructions instead of electronic instructions.\n\nPrior to that,...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Large_denominations_of_United_States_currency" ], [] ]
2spc8m
what is happening when i receive a duplicate of a text message in my inbox.
I know it's not just happenstance. Are there multiple scenarios which can breed this error? Or is it always on the receiving device that it occurs? I've had it happen where my recipient informs me they're receiving my messages twice and it's not apparent to me. And I've also been on the receiving end of this phenomen...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2spc8m/eli5_what_is_happening_when_i_receive_a_duplicate/
{ "a_id": [ "cnro8fk" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "One scenario: My phone once continued to receive the same text message over and over. Hundreds of this same text. I could not use the phone at all, since everything I did was interrupted by receiving the text again. I was told something in my p...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
48113n
why did capitalism become the dominant economic system?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/48113n/eli5_why_did_capitalism_become_the_dominant/
{ "a_id": [ "d0gqp0z", "d0gqp65", "d0gvym9", "d0gw1lr", "d0gw4ra", "d0gxn00", "d0gy7yx", "d0gzie8", "d0gznse", "d0h3gd5", "d0h4wup", "d0h772d", "d0hii9c", "d0his65", "d0hnj2p" ], "score": [ 29, 189, 5, 16, 3, 3, 35, 2, ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1877351_1877350_1877322,00.html", "http://www.economist.com/news/business-and-finance/21614076-rethinking-low-cost-and-high-cost-manufacturing-locations-when-...
f8ntt9
i found a meme and have been trying to figure out why it doesn’t work for about ten minutes i’m confused as hell, can one of y’all please help me figure out why this doesn’t work?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/f8ntt9/eli5_i_found_a_meme_and_have_been_trying_to/
{ "a_id": [ "fimh6p8", "fimh7ik", "fimhasa" ], "score": [ 3, 3, 12 ], "text": [ "The guy buying the box has put $20 in plus $30 for the box, that makes him $50 short, he gets $40 out of the box - he’s $10 short in the end.", "Two people put $20 in the box; there is $40 in the b...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
23apye
why do unoccupied houses fall apart?
Why is it that, in houses left alone, things like the stairs rot and fall in? As opposed to houses where people walk up and down the stairs all the time, but don't have to constantly repair them?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/23apye/eli5_why_do_unoccupied_houses_fall_apart/
{ "a_id": [ "cgv4zyb", "cgv504b", "cgv57dt", "cgv75w9" ], "score": [ 18, 3, 11, 2 ], "text": [ "Wood in old houses left alone won't rot on their own. They need stuff like broken windows to let in moisture, burglars to steal the copper pipes and get stuff wet, and melting s...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
zqhnj
can you please eli5 what the hell is going on in movies depicting underground sporting events when drunk men are shaking fistfulls of bills at each other. how exactly does that betting system work?
I've seen it a many times in movies, but never really understood what was going on. It's similar to the trading floor in Wall Street. There's a bunch of people shouting at each other and holding up pieces of paper, but what is really going on? How could it possibly be organized and under control?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/zqhnj/can_you_please_eli5_what_the_hell_is_going_on_in/
{ "a_id": [ "c66u98m", "c66ueey", "c66wko1", "c66xxa6", "c6733qg" ], "score": [ 5, 3, 5, 30, 2 ], "text": [ "It's not realistic, it just looks good on camera and makes the event look more dynamic. All betting in real life would be handled before the event in an orga...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
9tvuez
how does water know that there's higher concentration of sodium on other side of membrane and it needs to move over there via osmosis?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9tvuez/eli5_how_does_water_know_that_theres_higher/
{ "a_id": [ "e8zkkxf", "e8zku92", "e90bsqy" ], "score": [ 24, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "It doesn't. The reason that water diffuses across a membrane from higher to lower concentration has to do with collisions. On the side with a higher concentration of water, it will collide more frequen...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "https://www.reddit.com/user/pruningpeacock", "https://www.reddit.com/user/Randeisell", "https://www.reddit.com/user/rshepy62", "https://www.reddit.com/user/jerbthehumanist", "https://www.reddit.com/user/Megalomania192", "https://www.reddit.com/user/agate_" ] ]
34kppl
is there a strategy to competitive fishing?
It just seems like luck more than anything, what fish ends up on your line.... Thoughts?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/34kppl/eli5_is_there_a_strategy_to_competitive_fishing/
{ "a_id": [ "cqvly5d", "cqvnfeq" ], "score": [ 2, 6 ], "text": [ "There's a degree of skill and luck mixed I'd say. The skill is determining where fish are, based on weather patterns and feeding zones, or setting the hook correctly as to not lose your catch. Luck is getting the huge monste...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
aqkvfy
how is being taxed on the private sale of a used vehicle even possible?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/aqkvfy/eli5_how_is_being_taxed_on_the_private_sale_of_a/
{ "a_id": [ "eggn893", "eggn91m" ], "score": [ 2, 6 ], "text": [ "The same way that taxes in the supermarket are possible. The supermarket is a legal person selling you stuff and it gets taxed. Person A sells a car to Person B and it can get taxed.", "When the vehicle is re-titled in t...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
ch2reh
what is code and why is a lot of it in 0’s and 1’s?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ch2reh/eli5_what_is_code_and_why_is_a_lot_of_it_in_0s/
{ "a_id": [ "euoadhi", "euoam0e", "euobu67", "euoclns" ], "score": [ 4, 5, 2, 11 ], "text": [ "Code simply means \"language\". There are countless computer languages. 0s and 1s are what's known as \"binary\". That's the most basic language there is. Yes or No. On or Off. Si...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
1plw0s
affordable care act and the homeless
If having insurance is going to be mandatory, how will this effect the homeless? Will they suffer the same consequences as others who do not sign up, and/or pay their premiums?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1plw0s/eli5_affordable_care_act_and_the_homeless/
{ "a_id": [ "cd3nl2i" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "As a homeless person they're almost certainly eligible for medicaid. So they shouldn't really have to pay for premiums.\n\nThe fines for not paying also don't apply to those who are very poor." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
1jszkv
why most people on reddit care about karma
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1jszkv/eli5_why_most_people_on_reddit_care_about_karma/
{ "a_id": [ "cbhzflz" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "It's because they don't have anything else meaningful in their lives going on, so they apply the meaningfulness to trivial shit instead." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
4617b3
what happens to our bodies when we faint?
I've never fainted before. Is there any changes in blood pressure or brain activity or anything like that? And do people dream when they faint like if they were just sleeping?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4617b3/eli5what_happens_to_our_bodies_when_we_faint/
{ "a_id": [ "d01nmmp", "d01ntei", "d01o551", "d020jqg" ], "score": [ 14, 39, 3, 3 ], "text": [ "I've fainted a fair amount of times. It suuuuuuucks. Your body just shuts off. Only takes a few seconds but it feels like an eternity. Hearing goes, vision goes, then bam. I've ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
15mh0b
why do so many us congressional seats go uncontested?
Some high profile politicians like John Boehner were elected unopposed in November. Why does this happen? I'm British, and here the main parties go out of their way to have candidates contesting as many elections as possible, even very low profile and/or totally unwinnable ones. What's different in the US? With all t...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/15mh0b/eli5_why_do_so_many_us_congressional_seats_go/
{ "a_id": [ "c7nrxph" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Do you know/understand what [gerrymandering](_URL_0_) means?\n\n(I don't mean this as an answer, but to fully answer your question it's helpful to know whether you're familiar with the word.)" ] }
[]
[]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerrymandering" ] ]
s5m1d
collusion
Extra points if the analogy represents [the US suing Apple](_URL_0_)
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/s5m1d/eli5_collusion/
{ "a_id": [ "c4b9z0z", "c4b9z4b", "c4ba408" ], "score": [ 2, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "In order for a market to function efficiently, there needs to be competition. Without it, there are is no downward pressure on prices.\n\nCollusion would be people that are supposed to be competing, in...
[]
[ "http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17681137" ]
[ [], [], [] ]
5awzup
why do british colonies seem to have turned out more well-off than colonies of other colonial powers?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5awzup/eli5why_do_british_colonies_seem_to_have_turned/
{ "a_id": [ "d9k0bw0", "d9k0dei", "d9k12kb", "d9k1ct8", "d9k1kk5", "d9k3vou", "d9k4ds4", "d9k581m", "d9k6nz7", "d9k8rbi", "d9k8v8p", "d9k8vrd", "d9k9x1m", "d9kakq3", "d9kc7kn", "d9kdbcg", "d9kdmn6", "d9kes9q", "d9ki93d", "d9kjik0", "d...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Why_Nations_Fail", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encomienda" ], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
t86kg
what's the deal with rap music? what makes rap music, and what's the criteria for "good" rap music?
I listen to rap from time to time, and do enjoy it, but I don't exactly understand why it's "music." Although there are instrumentals, there are no pitches to the lyrics. Is it just supposed to be a sort of vocal percussion? And when music critics (or you) evaluate this kind of music, what makes it good?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/t86kg/eli5_whats_the_deal_with_rap_music_what_makes_rap/
{ "a_id": [ "c4kd8y6", "c4kd92c", "c4kdlio", "c4kdpxh", "c4kdzp0", "c4kehst", "c4kewpx", "c4kfcp9" ], "score": [ 20, 3, 7, 2, 2, 13, 5, 4 ], "text": [ "There are things like:\n\n* Clever lyrics and humor\n* Rapping before or behind the beat\n...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foot_\\(prosody\\)", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alliteration", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Literary_consonance", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assonance" ], [], [], [ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpYeekQkAdc&ob=av2n", "http://ww...
zb3ur
robot.txt
I'm trying to teach myself SEO from a non-technical point of view (too advanced for a 5yo I know lol) but I just don't understand what robot.txt is and what its significance is. Is it supposed to help with SEO?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/zb3ur/eli5_robottxt/
{ "a_id": [ "c631aib" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Search engines automatically browse websites to find and categorize its content.\n\nWebsites can help the the automated browsers (robots) out by listing directories and files the robot should *not* browse. These areas might be private, or they m...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
2zrmwz
not that either way is wrong/right, but why is there such a drastic difference in how coaches dress for games in baseball vs. many other major sport (uniform vs suits)?
Personal opinion: you'd think it would make sense a coach would either wear the uniform or something slightly different, but still representing the team. But a $500 suit while yelling, screaming and sweating on the sidelines for 3 hrs?! That's a weird dichotomy, isn't it?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2zrmwz/eli5_not_that_either_way_is_wrongright_but_why_is/
{ "a_id": [ "cplo9yk" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "In baseball, the manager used to be a player and the tradition stuck. As for wearing a suit, I think it gives an air of professionalism and commands respect. " ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
3aty9u
why are certain people's brains so good at predicting where an object will be at a certain time?
I've noticed this in several occasions, mostly in sports and esports. Baseball and football players have almost a sixth sense for knowing exactly when the ball will be in the optimal position for catching, and exactly when their hand(s) should be there. As well in esports (or any similar irl situation) if you're shooti...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3aty9u/eli5_why_are_certain_peoples_brains_so_good_at/
{ "a_id": [ "csfwccp" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Human brains are pattern recognition machines and, with practice, can become exceptionally good at judging where something like a baseball will land and where to go to catch it.\n\n > I can just imagine in super-slow motion the person seeing the...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
2wa7w7
how do you compare economies of different countries?
I've always found it annoying when people mentioned wages and cost of life in foreign countries. It's really hard to actually have an idea if X wage is actually decent or not. I've always thought that a way to make this easier would be calculating the average salary of the whole country (but eliminating the out-lineres...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2wa7w7/eli5_how_do_you_compare_economies_of_different/
{ "a_id": [ "cop2xwn" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "There is an idea in economics called Purchasing Power Parity (PPP), which most economic theories begin by assuming it holds. PPP is basically the idea that if I can buy a Big Mac in New York for $2 then I should be able to convert that $2 into X ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
8nic7c
if plastics decay in sunlight why are common plastic pollutants listed as lasting decades and centuries?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8nic7c/eli5_if_plastics_decay_in_sunlight_why_are_common/
{ "a_id": [ "dzvob8k", "dzvp5n9", "dzvudir" ], "score": [ 4, 10, 8 ], "text": [ "Photodegradation (plastics or other materials decaying from sunlight) is a very slow process. It can take 50 years for a plastic bottle to decompose from sunlight. And that is if the bottle is in dir...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
35ixxx
what happens when somebody (a normal civilian) gets sued/countersued for millions of dollars?
Do they never get to keep any income ever again? What would incentivize them to work after that?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/35ixxx/eli5_what_happens_when_somebody_a_normal_civilian/
{ "a_id": [ "cr4t9oz" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "They would keep some income. The court would set a garnishment of wages that allows for them to meet, at the very least, their basic necessities." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
31hmq1
why are avocados so expensive at fast food places?
I live in Southern California and there are tons of avocado groves all over the area yet almost every fast food place I go to (Subway, Chipotle, etc.) charge an extra $1.50 just to add a couple slices of avocado. Is it because they know people want it, they go bad more quickly, they're just greedy..?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/31hmq1/eli5_why_are_avocados_so_expensive_at_fast_food/
{ "a_id": [ "cq1njzr", "cq1nxrs", "cq1ogfa", "cq20n64" ], "score": [ 4, 7, 12, 2 ], "text": [ "You're always going to pay much more at a restraunt for food than at the store. You're paying for someone to prepare it, to keep it cold or warm all day, rent, labor, and somewhe...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
2s14i5
how can soy milk by labelled as milk when the fda has defined milk as a 'lacteal secretion?'
As an Animal Science major, I learned that milk had to once be legal defined because people were selling chalk like water and calling it milk during the depression. My question is how can beverages like soy milk and almond milk pass as being labeled as milk, since it is legally defined as a lacteal secretion? Shoul...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2s14i5/eli5_how_can_soy_milk_by_labelled_as_milk_when/
{ "a_id": [ "cnl6dw2", "cnl6eyl", "cnl6jny" ], "score": [ 2, 12, 3 ], "text": [ "If they called it soy juice, nobody would buy it.\n\nMarketing.", "It is not labeled as \"milk\". It is labeled as \"soy milk\". It in no way claims to be milk but rather a milk substitute. Having ...
[]
[ "http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=131.110" ]
[ [], [], [] ]
836r1i
what would be an accurate definition of gravity that can be easily explained?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/836r1i/eli5what_would_be_an_accurate_definition_of/
{ "a_id": [ "dvfi4h5", "dvfipru", "dvfmbr9", "dvfqule", "dvfudes", "dvfxcar", "dvg02oz" ], "score": [ 5, 53, 2, 22, 5, 4, 9 ], "text": [ "Any object with mass pulls every other object with mass towards itself. Objects with more mass pull harder than ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlTVIMOix3I" ], [ "https://youtu.be/Xc4xYacTu-E" ], [], [] ]
4joq1k
is the skin just one big organ? are they interconnected?
Lets say I got a 3rd degree burn on my left leg, would the skin on other parts of my body be affected in any way? For example, if I got a cut on my arm while my leg is severely burned, would the cut on my arm heal slower than it would've, had my leg not been burned?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4joq1k/eli5_is_the_skin_just_one_big_organ_are_they/
{ "a_id": [ "d38bhu6", "d38c939" ], "score": [ 15, 2 ], "text": [ "No. An organ is a group of tissues.\n\nCell > Tissue > Organ > Organ System\n\nIt is a single organ but if you got cut in one place no other tissues would necessarily be \"affected\"", "No, your skin as a whole wo...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/3vx6mi/do_multiple_wounds_heal_slower_than_just_a_single/" ] ]
25t6rw
when you're upside-down and blood rushes to your brain, does it mess up the flow in some of your veins and arteries?
When you're upside down some of the blood in arteries and veins would have to reverse their paths right? Or does blood just move faster when reaching the head and slower when heading toward the feet? Thanks in advance for answering!
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/25t6rw/eli5_when_youre_upsidedown_and_blood_rushes_to/
{ "a_id": [ "chkhh2c", "chkji1w", "chklm5k", "chksto9" ], "score": [ 3, 7, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "are you trying to kill someone by cutting their head off?", "First, your head is closer to your heart, so blood will get there faster.\n\nAnd no, the blood doesn't reverse dire...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7633617.stm" ], [ "http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CURHfFBjmJg/USCWhL5utyI/AAAAAAAABGM/usca8IEL6mw/image%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" ], [] ]
3ivtwz
how does colored detergent not stain clothes?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ivtwz/eli5_how_does_colored_detergent_not_stain_clothes/
{ "a_id": [ "cuk5ce9", "cukel9o" ], "score": [ 5, 4 ], "text": [ "The detergent is water soluble and dissociates when water is added. The color is also dissociated in the water and doesn't show the color.", "There are some fabrics and some detergents that actually can stain cloths. Usu...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
fthv56
why are rhino horns valuable but not the rest of its bones?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/fthv56/eli5_why_are_rhino_horns_valuable_but_not_the/
{ "a_id": [ "fm73tvd", "fm73up2", "fm73zyr", "fm74txc", "fm763wd", "fm76c35", "fm7cpee", "fm7dlcw", "fm7fqa8", "fm7g79d", "fm7gxwi", "fm7h9q0", "fm7kfac", "fm7kp57", "fm7ksic", "fm8fk85", "fm8ht3q" ], "score": [ 12, 416, 3077, 15,...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [ "https://www.nature.com/articles/448106a", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditional_Chinese_medicine", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditional\\_Chinese\\_medicine" ], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
ak9snv
hiw do monitor/tv companies make so many pixels so quickly? like some have millions and i could imagine that that would be quite diffacult to mass produce at the price that they are.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ak9snv/eli5_hiw_do_monitortv_companies_make_so_many/
{ "a_id": [ "ef33s0y" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "I'm not sure I correctly understand your question.\n\nMost displays today are LEDs or OLEDs. The actual \"pixels\" on those displays are tiny pockets of a special liquid on a kind of plastic sheet/film. \n\nThese sheets can be sort of \"printed\"...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
2bbomw
why do so many celebrities want to be photographed by terry richardson?
It seems like every US celebrity and their mother craves to be in one of his photoshoots. What is it about him and why is he (apparently) still so heavily in demand?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2bbomw/eli5_why_do_so_many_celebrities_want_to_be/
{ "a_id": [ "cj3qpjv" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Question 1: Am I a celebrity?\n\n* Yes: Move onto question 2\n* No: Who gives a shit about you?\n\nQuestion 2: Do I like to look terrific in photographs?\n\n* Yes: Move onto question 3\n* No: Use your iPhone for nude selfies\n\nQuestion 3: Do I m...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
yq09z
zizek's criticism(s) of democracy
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/yq09z/eli5_zizeks_criticisms_of_democracy/
{ "a_id": [ "c5xwsh8" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Democracy is not democratic enough is his main one if my understanding is correct. Capitalism has corrupted the process, where by decisions are decided within the confines of the predominant ideology. As a result we're now facing issues that the ...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.abc.net.au/religion/articles/2011/10/03/3331164.htm" ] ]
2r93yh
how do we learn about ancient or "dead" languages?
How can modern linguists interpret ancient or "dead" languages such as Sumerian or Egyptian (I can't think of any others). As far as I know these languages haven't had first hand speakers in thousands of years. How are we able to translate what these texts say, how the syllables sound, or even how their language's gram...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2r93yh/eli5_how_do_we_learn_about_ancient_or_dead/
{ "a_id": [ "cndlji0" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "By studying texts and comparing them to bilingual texts, linguists are able to create a 'dictionary' of these languages.\n\nCheck the Rosetta stone for example" ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
63p3db
how is it beneficial for certain vegetables to be spicy (hot) if that deters animals from eating them and spreading the seeds?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/63p3db/eli5_how_is_it_beneficial_for_certain_vegetables/
{ "a_id": [ "dfvviz3" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "While land animals feel capsaicin & avoid chili peppers, birds can not. The seeds pass unhindered through their digestive systems and get pooped out.\n\nBirds travel a lot further than land animals, helping the plant spread further." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
1r8jug
how are singers allowed to earn money on songs they cover from other singers? like adele on bob dylan's song "make you feel my love" and numerous others? isn't that copyright?
EDIT: I never knew they get a slice of whatever the covering artists make. Thanks!
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1r8jug/eli5_how_are_singers_allowed_to_earn_money_on/
{ "a_id": [ "cdknqd3", "cdko2n8" ], "score": [ 6, 3 ], "text": [ "Copyright only applies if they used it *without* permission.\n\nBob Dylan gets a slice of whatever Adele makes on \"Make You Feel My Love\". ", "Why would someone who created something deny themselves the ability to get...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]