q_id stringlengths 5 6 | title stringlengths 3 296 | selftext stringlengths 0 34k | document stringclasses 1
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value | url stringlengths 4 110 | answers dict | title_urls list | selftext_urls list | answers_urls list |
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335akk | why was it a bad idea of america to be backed up by the gold coin? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/335akk/eli5why_was_it_a_bad_idea_of_america_to_be_backed/ | {
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"One of the biggest problems with it is how inflexible it is.\n\nIt removes a lot of the techniques used to combat recession and depression.\n\nIt prevents running deficits, which are necessary for stat... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/330y2a/eli5if_inflation_decreases_the_value_of_ones/"
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15smlq | how do traders make money on currency swaps? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/15smlq/eli5_how_do_traders_make_money_on_currency_swaps/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"Let's say I'm a currency trader. I have a belief that in 2013 people will be doing more business with Japanese companies. So, I buy Yen today. If my guess was right then more people will be needing yen n in order to do business with those Japanes... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
lx3zs | what happened to antitrust laws? | Were they repealed, no longer enforced or do corporations take advantage of loopholes? And why/ how did this situation get to where it is today? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/lx3zs/eli5_what_happened_to_antitrust_laws/ | {
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"score": [
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"text": [
"They still exist, and they still get used.\n\nSo first, you need to know what the laws have always said:\n\n* you can't do things that... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[
"http://www.ftc.gov/bc/index.shtml",
"http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1679749",
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_reason",
"http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/lx3zs/eli5_what_happened_to_antitrust_laws/c2wcfnt",
"http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/pa... | |
xdu17 | the bush tax cuts | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/xdu17/eli5_the_bush_tax_cuts/ | {
"a_id": [
"c5ljccl"
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"text": [
"There's a theory called Supply Side Economics (derogatorily referred to as Trickle Down Economics). The theory goes that rich people supply the economy with jobs by investing money into businesses. Proponents believe that by giving huge tax brea... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
8mmyz6 | my doctor read my pulse at 70 over 110. what do those individual numbers mean and how can i get them better? lower? | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8mmyz6/eli5_my_doctor_read_my_pulse_at_70_over_110_what/ | {
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"dzovef0",
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"text": [
"It was 110 over 70.\n\nThe first number is the blood pressure when your heart is pumping, and the second number is your blood pressure in between beats when your heart is resting.",
"Your pulse is ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
1ha3go | what does it mean that the universe is expanding? is everything continuously stretching? idunno | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ha3go/eli5what_does_it_mean_that_the_universe_is/ | {
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"text": [
"It means that space is \"stretching\", but things that are held together by gravity or other forces, like you, me, an atom, a rock, the planet, the galaxy, and even some large groupings of galaxies are... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
6pldqz | what are the heights of mountains measured against on planets without seas? | Like Everest is the highest on Earth at nearly 9km above sea level, but Olympus Mons, on Mars is the highest mountain in our solar system at 25km, but above what? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6pldqz/eli5_what_are_the_heights_of_mountains_measured/ | {
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"score": [
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"text": [
"The Datum. Simply put, imagine running a bulldozer over the surface, smoothing down everything that sticks up, and using that stuff to fill in all the troughs and holes. The res... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6pldqz/eli5_what_are_the_heights_of_mountains_measured/dkqalkv/"
],
[],
[]
] | |
20qt5l | how does the protection of businesses by organized crime groups work? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/20qt5l/eli5_how_does_the_protection_of_businesses_by/ | {
"a_id": [
"cg5v26f",
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"score": [
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11,
2
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"text": [
"You pay them money to not smash your store up. They're \"protecting\" you from themselves. However, if a rival were to try to move in, they would \"protect\" you then because they don't want your mone... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extortion"
]
] | ||
a7o4jr | why don’t planes have/use wings to fly like birds do? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a7o4jr/eli5_why_dont_planes_haveuse_wings_to_fly_like/ | {
"a_id": [
"ec4fdsy"
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"score": [
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],
"text": [
"It's not nearly as practical. Many early plane designs attempted to do this but it is extremely difficult to produce enough lift in this manner to elevate an airplane. It also results in a really really really bumpy ride.\n\nBirds specifically ev... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMyGtIyblbM"
]
] | ||
3jsqbp | how iphones detect if a charger is genuine or not | A basic iPhone charger seems simple, take power from the source, and deliver it to the phone. Sometimes when not using an Apple charger I am presented with a message that says "This accessory may not be supported." How does the phone detect that? The cable seems too "dumb" to be the advanced. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3jsqbp/eli5_how_iphones_detect_if_a_charger_is_genuine/ | {
"a_id": [
"curydv1"
],
"score": [
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],
"text": [
"I lightning cable is actually fairly advanced for a cable. It has a small microprocessor in it that can detect which was it was inserted and then reassign the pins to their correct function. The iPhone can also communicate with this processor and... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
3tyr6i | why are overhead power cables not rubber coated? if they are, why are people and birds getting electrocuted like those on r/wtf? | Isnt it a safety issue? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3tyr6i/eli5_why_are_overhead_power_cables_not_rubber/ | {
"a_id": [
"cxacd9c"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"Cables are always insulated. You're referring to overhead high tension transmission lines.\n\n\nThere are a few reasons transmission lines aren't insulated with a rubber or other coating:\n\n\n1.) the insulator would have to be very thick to not ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
32v8w7 | what happens to your body when your arm/leg goes numb? | My foot just went numb - I was wondering what happens to your body when this happens? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/32v8w7/eli5_what_happens_to_your_body_when_your_armleg/ | {
"a_id": [
"cqf3pou"
],
"score": [
5
],
"text": [
"The feeling of \"pins and needles\" you get after a limb falls asleep is a result of your muscle fibers rubbing against one another at thousands of different points. It's actually happening all the time, but your brain grows accustomed to the sen... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
8vbtgu | “breaking the 4th wall” is when movie/tv actors address the audience. so what are the first 3 “walls”? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8vbtgu/eli5_breaking_the_4th_wall_is_when_movietv_actors/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
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"text": [
"The 3 walls you see of a room when the fourth does not exist because it's not a real room and that's where the camera is. Think about bi... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
3d972j | what does the discovery of the pentaquark mean for science? | After reading:
_URL_1_
_URL_0_
What does this mean for science? I understand breakthroughs and research done at the LHC are big but contextually what does it actually mean - what will become of this/can this be applied to, to help science? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3d972j/eli5_what_does_the_discovery_of_the_pentaquark/ | {
"a_id": [
"ct2yqod"
],
"score": [
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"text": [
"Theories are a higher order of knowledge than facts. Theories take all the facts and explain how they're related. So theories not only explain what we already know, but you know you have a good theory when you can use it to make predictions that ... | [] | [
"https://www.reddit.com/r/worldnews/comments/3d89yc/hadron_collider_discovers_new_particle_the/",
"http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-33517492"
] | [
[]
] | |
5jnxbs | if i ate way too many calories in one day, let's say 2000 more than usual (yes this is after holiday party shame...) how much of that turns to fat? meaning, about how much of the extra calories turns to fat? is some excreted?? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5jnxbs/eli5_if_i_ate_way_too_many_calories_in_one_day/ | {
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"text": [
"The general rule of thumb is 3000 Cal's = 1 lbs.\n\nSo as long as you go back to normal eating habits, not much if any.",
"1 day wou... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
qku3m | how this ruling protects civil rights. | Shouldn't all voters be required to prove that they are citizens? [Link](_URL_0_) | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/qku3m/eli5_how_this_ruling_protects_civil_rights/ | {
"a_id": [
"c3ydfps",
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"score": [
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2,
3
],
"text": [
"The thing is that voter fraud is fairly insignificant, even without a photo ID law. So the only real effect of having such a law is preventing certain citizens (those without a photo ID) from voting.",
... | [] | [
"http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-03-06/wisconsin-judge-temporarily-blocks-state-s-voter-photo-identification-law.html"
] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
1x7pdv | since bacteria grows best in the 60-140f degree temp range do we wash our hands in "hot" (120-130f) and not cold (35-50f) water? | Please explain. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1x7pdv/eli5_since_bacteria_grows_best_in_the_60140f/ | {
"a_id": [
"cf8u1wc",
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"score": [
8,
4
],
"text": [
"Washing isn't an attempt to kill bacteria or stop it from growing. It's an attempt to *physically remove it*, and that kind of cleaning is more effective at higher temperatures. Additionally, antibacterial soaps kill bacteri... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
2nfgi3 | why aren't we using the international space station as a base for launching outbound satellites / other spacecraft? | It takes so much energy to escape Earth's atmosphere but after reaching space, it doesn't take much energy (relative to doing so within Earth's atmosphere) to propel a spacecraft towards its destination. Why don't we segment missions into two pieces -- "into space" and "into deep space". We could dock resources at th... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2nfgi3/eli5_why_arent_we_using_the_international_space/ | {
"a_id": [
"cmd4woi",
"cmd5a5o"
],
"score": [
7,
2
],
"text": [
"It's neither designed nor constructed for that purpose ",
"Because you would still need to get all the stuff that would be sent \"into deep space\" \"into space\" first. As of now, the bigger the rocket used, the lesser ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
e3twwm | how does noise-cancelling devices work or create a silent bubble? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/e3twwm/eli5_how_does_noisecancelling_devices_work_or/ | {
"a_id": [
"f94wlxo",
"f94wrrs"
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"score": [
3,
15
],
"text": [
"The have a microphone that detects the noise frequency and they digitally create a same frequency with a phase shift of 180deg cancelling each other...",
"In true ELI5 fashion:\n\nSound is created by vibrations in the a... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
1lbqdk | if the government wants to spy on people, why doesn't it just pass another amendment which nullifies the fourth amendment? they've done that before with repealing prohibition. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1lbqdk/if_the_government_wants_to_spy_on_people_why/ | {
"a_id": [
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"cbxrft5",
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"score": [
6,
5,
3,
3,
2
],
"text": [
"the government isn't one individual, nor is it a lot of individuals with a single goal. There are enough people in congress that wouldn't let it happen, so th... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
86ufrn | why are car cabin fan speeds preset so disproportionately? with 4 settings, the first and second speeds the fan may as well be off- whereas the last speed is relatively extremely fast. i thought it might be an engineering slip up in a few instances but this seems to be the absolute norm. | I figured it was across a few models or one manufacturer but I’ve seen this with countless GM models as well as many by Toyota, Ford, Honda, and Dodge/ Chrysler - new AND old - and even on digital HVAC systems. Sometimes I only want a little air but that never seems to be an option. RPMs across a 4 setting fan might go... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/86ufrn/eli5_why_are_car_cabin_fan_speeds_preset_so/ | {
"a_id": [
"dw7wxok",
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],
"score": [
8,
2
],
"text": [
"The first few fan settings are for people who want some air movement but want it to be silent and unobtrusive. The last setting is for when people want maximum air movement and they don't care what it sounds like.\n\nThey ar... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
18phnk | the process that goes into making a music album. | From recording, production, singles, distribution etc. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/18phnk/eli5_the_process_that_goes_into_making_a_music/ | {
"a_id": [
"c8gy11s"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"* Bands have demos before they go into the studio.\n* They go into the studio, and record them track by track. (drums, bass, guitars, and vocals) Because of the digital age, most bands record one instrument at a time while playing along to others... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
3nqv1v | how are stocks tracked in a new corporation? | One thing that I've always found mysterious - someone incorporates a new venture and issues 10 million shares of stock, split between a couple people. How is that stock tracked when it changes hands? How is the par value updated when it increases?
Thanks! | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3nqv1v/eli5_how_are_stocks_tracked_in_a_new_corporation/ | {
"a_id": [
"cvqhh61"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"Well, I'm a shareholder in a small unlisted company, and we keep ours on a spreadsheet. Every time new shares are issues, and each time shares are awarded to someone, there are records kept. These are all summarized in a 'who has how many share... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
5vjav9 | how does the "at will employee" law work? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5vjav9/eli5_how_does_the_at_will_employee_law_work/ | {
"a_id": [
"de2hbk7"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"If your firing someone that would be part of a protected class (minority, older, gay, ect) then you should probably be covering your butt and have a documented reason for it.\n\nSimple fact is, companies dont often fire people for *no* reason, ev... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
2vrgiy | why does coffee seen to only be enjoyable at extreme temperatures? anything in between tastes like mocha-vomit. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2vrgiy/eli5_why_does_coffee_seen_to_only_be_enjoyable_at/ | {
"a_id": [
"cok90mt"
],
"score": [
11
],
"text": [
"Your premise is wrong. Get better coffee.\n\nNo, really. When I had trouble with gastritis, I went ot of my way to buy coffee roasted at a small, local roastery that was still OK for me to drink. What the owner of the shop told me was this: \n\n... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
jac26 | what is the kaaba? why is the rock so special? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/jac26/what_is_the_kaaba_why_is_the_rock_so_special/ | {
"a_id": [
"c2agi9c",
"c2agi9c"
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"score": [
3,
3
],
"text": [
"IIRC, The Kaaba is a building said to have been built by Abraham and his son to house a rock from Heaven brought to him by an angel.",
"IIRC, The Kaaba is a building said to have been built by Abraham and his son to hous... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
4qcu3m | if the universe is always expanding at a constant rate, how come the moon and the earth aren't moving apart? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4qcu3m/eli5if_the_universe_is_always_expanding_at_a/ | {
"a_id": [
"d4rz9p1",
"d4rzcl6",
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"score": [
11,
6,
2
],
"text": [
"[The earth and moon are moving apart, but for completely unrelated reasons.](_URL_0_)\n\nThe expansion of the universe is only relevant at cosmic scales between galaxies. Objects bound together by grav... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://curious.astro.cornell.edu/about-us/37-our-solar-system/the-moon/the-moon-and-the-earth/111-is-the-moon-moving-away-from-the-earth-when-was-this-discovered-intermediate"
],
[],
[]
] | ||
e2ifo9 | why does winter make people sad? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/e2ifo9/eli5_why_does_winter_make_people_sad/ | {
"a_id": [
"f8vlty7",
"f8vm0ug"
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"score": [
13,
10
],
"text": [
"Sunlight actually helps our moods, so the less sunlight (like in winter), the more sad people tend to be. It’s called seasonal depression and is surprisingly common.",
"There is a correlation between sunlight (the UV l... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
4zq5fm | why does mexican food have a reputation for giving people diarrhea? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4zq5fm/eli5_why_does_mexican_food_have_a_reputation_for/ | {
"a_id": [
"d6xyrpq",
"d6y2ltv",
"d6y687b"
],
"score": [
9,
7,
2
],
"text": [
"Americanized Mexican food (Taco Bell, etc.), I eat authentic mexican all the time and nothing happens. But then again I am hispanic so its not too different. A lot of it has to do with the spices. I tho... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
2t9chk | what is the reason we just don't have rover on all of the planets, besides money? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2t9chk/eli5_what_is_the_reason_we_just_dont_have_rover/ | {
"a_id": [
"cnwxo61",
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"score": [
7,
2,
3
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"text": [
"Besides money there is the problem of having a rover than can survive the more extreme conditions on other planets. The Moon and Mars are pretty tame compared to Venus, Mercury or Jupiter.\n\nThe distan... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
272jfl | why is it much harder to retain information when studying for exams/texts than if you were to read a book or magazine? | I am a British student studying for exams known as A-levels which are, admittedly, quite difficult. I spent the past 3 hours trying to retain information only to attempt to recall it later on and discovering that I've forgotten a lot of it. However, a few weeks ago, I read "The boy in the striped pajamas" (awesome book... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/272jfl/eli5_why_is_it_much_harder_to_retain_information/ | {
"a_id": [
"chwzgy6",
"chx2a0e"
],
"score": [
2,
2
],
"text": [
"Im just speculating but my guess is that when you read a book orva magazine you are reading a flowing story, especially true for books, and it is easier for the brain to retain a free flowing story versus studying for an exa... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
1geb12 | the mining strikes in northern england in the 80s and why margaret thatcher was hated for it | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1geb12/eli5_the_mining_strikes_in_northern_england_in/ | {
"a_id": [
"cajdo6f",
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"score": [
24,
20
],
"text": [
"I posted this a while back\n_URL_0_",
"Margret Thatcher came into power in a similar fashion to David Cameron, i.e. the country was spending way too much money and she had to reduce this deficit.\n\nWhile in power she ... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1c7xle/eli5_the_margaret_thatcher_kerfuffle/c9e64ng"
],
[]
] | ||
5apn4j | digital signage, how does it work? | Those screens you see in the post office/ waiting room of some place, or at the bus stop, I assume that is Digital Signage? How does it work and what does the creator use as a program? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5apn4j/eli5_digital_signage_how_does_it_work/ | {
"a_id": [
"d9ib08h"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"It's basically just a computer hooked up to a TV, or a tablet.\n\nThe actual content is a webpage, with HTML5 or flash-based videos and maybe some live content, like weather or a twitter feed. There's some custom software to handle things like u... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
a7gtjt | what makes a product "military grade"? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a7gtjt/eli5_what_makes_a_product_military_grade/ | {
"a_id": [
"ec2up8h",
"ec2uvv9",
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"ec2yl5p"
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21,
10,
17,
10
],
"text": [
"It's usually related to durability, imagine fighting off the Taliban with your knife in your teeth and OD bandana blowing in the wind when your shoelaces ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
2kuttf | how are these corner shots captured without a camera arm coming off of the car? | _URL_0_ | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2kuttf/eli5_how_are_these_corner_shots_captured_without/ | {
"a_id": [
"clox4la"
],
"score": [
8
],
"text": [
"I believe they're edited out in post processing digitally. \n\nAlso those shorts are amazing. The Hire was a brilliant stroke by BMW."
]
} | [] | [
"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrLYQnjzH7w#t=300"
] | [
[]
] | |
9bfwxn | if vomiting is meant to be the body's defense against eating harmful things, why can too much motion (e.g boats, cars, rollercoasters) induce vomiting? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9bfwxn/eli5_if_vomiting_is_meant_to_be_the_bodys_defense/ | {
"a_id": [
"e52qul0",
"e52qwwb"
],
"score": [
5,
2
],
"text": [
"Because your body feels motion, but your eyes don't detect motion. This asymmetry is what makes the brain think you're poisoned.",
"The short version: Our bodies didn't change much from 1000-2000 years ago, back then it ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
1hv00e | kickstarter | You hear about this everywhere and it is kind of self explanatory, but what happens if the monetary goals are not met? Does the recipient still keep the money? Is this government money? What are the in's and out's? Can rich celebrities still cash in even though most are declining to start one? Gimme all you know ELI5! | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1hv00e/eli5_kickstarter/ | {
"a_id": [
"cay6foe",
"cay728g"
],
"score": [
4,
2
],
"text": [
"The money is only kept when the final goal has been met and the funding time reaches 0.",
"Kickstarter is a private company developed to enable private people to gain funding for their projects and ideas. Funding which t... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/559914737/the-veronica-mars-movie-project"
]
] | |
3ubobf | workers comp | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ubobf/eli5_workers_comp/ | {
"a_id": [
"cxdjxxv",
"cxdk2d3"
],
"score": [
2,
2
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"text": [
"It's an insurance program. Companies pay into workers comp and when one of their employees is injured on the job, workers comp pays for their medical bills & some of the lost wages.",
" If you are actually injured wh... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
40uyq0 | how do they get the president's limo (and the rest of the motorcade) to him when he flies to different places in the country? | It seems like a big deal to get that beast from point A to point B and back again. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/40uyq0/eli5_how_do_they_get_the_presidents_limo_and_the/ | {
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"cyxb2xz",
"cyxbg1g",
"cyxc8i3",
"cyxeray"
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"score": [
8,
19,
6,
3
],
"text": [
"They put the limo and the decoy limo in another plane that flies with the rest of the entourage. Also something like 4 helicopters.",
"Air force 1 doesn't just fly around by i... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_C-17_Globemaster_III",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidential_state_car_(United_States)#/media/File:Presidential_limousine_loaded_in_aircraft.jpg"
],
[],
[]
] | |
2iqf1r | why can we sleep through thunder but an alarm clock wakes us up instantly even if it's quiet? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2iqf1r/eli5_why_can_we_sleep_through_thunder_but_an/ | {
"a_id": [
"cl4hwn4"
],
"score": [
6
],
"text": [
"There's a lot of variables that go into this; some people wake up for either, and some people wake up for neither. Some theories that effect the reason of \"why\" is the pitch of the tone - \n\n* from an evolution standpoint women hear higher pit... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
7wy2l2 | modal verbs | I can find lists of them and even some definitions, but I cant wrap my head around the concept. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7wy2l2/eli5_modal_verbs/ | {
"a_id": [
"du4f1a0"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Modal verbs modify another verb by conveying something about your ability to or need to perform that action.\n\nFor example, consider the sentence \"You eat.\" it's a complete sentence and thought all on its own and simply states the fact that yo... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
2gaieq | why, in north america, is diesel more expensive than gasoline? i just learned that in europe gasoline is more expensive than diesel. | Edit: also what's the price differences right now between North America and Europe in both gas and diesel? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2gaieq/eli5_why_in_north_america_is_diesel_more/ | {
"a_id": [
"ckh6j0e",
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"ckh8pn6",
"ckh8qc1",
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"ckh92h0",
"ckh96ap",
"ckhakcg",
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"ckhc5nx",
"ckhcn4y",
"ckhcobo",
"ckhgo8s",
"ckhgrlf",
"ckhhkc0",
"ckhi267",
"ckhpzrx",
"c... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
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[],
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[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
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[],
[],
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[],
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"http://www.businessinsider.com/why-diesel-costs-more-than-gasoline-2013-10",
"http://www.nacsonline.com/YourBusiness/FuelsReports/GasPrices_2013/Pages/Why-Diesel-Costs... | |
8qcj0p | how can jerryrigeverything scatch the crap out of a fingerprint scanner on a phone and it still works flawlessly? | How do phone fingerprint scanners work? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8qcj0p/eli5how_can_jerryrigeverything_scatch_the_crap/ | {
"a_id": [
"e0i3ygw"
],
"score": [
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],
"text": [
"A similar technique is used in fingerprint scanners as in capacitive touch screens, but on a smaller scale, so the capacitance between the ridges of a fingerprint and the valleys of a fingerprint and the scanner surface is different, and a large ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
3nwoz1 | how does "horror music" make people anxious? | Is it low tones/infrasound? Is there some kind of disharmony that triggers fright? Is it because we're taught to associate it with horror movies?
[Music like this for example.](_URL_0_) | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3nwoz1/eli5_how_does_horror_music_make_people_anxious/ | {
"a_id": [
"cvrysx0"
],
"score": [
7
],
"text": [
"One of the reasons has to do with nonlinear sound. \n\nA good explanation of nonlinear sound: _URL_0_\n\nBasically because animals make nonlinear sound when they are scared, our brain associates it with scary things.\n\nThis might not be the best... | [] | [
"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnhhgOPMHy0"
] | [
[
"http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/why-calls-of-the-wild-are-the-secret-of-a-good-horror-film-1982965.html"
]
] | |
4a3q2l | what are recurrent neural networks and how do they work? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4a3q2l/eli5_what_are_recurrent_neural_networks_and_how/ | {
"a_id": [
"d0x9bkc",
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"score": [
20,
3,
4
],
"text": [
"Let's back up a bit and talk about decision problems in general. Let's say you want to make an AI that can look at a person's medical records and their current symptoms and determine what disease they... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_neural_network#/media/File:Colored_neural_network.svg",
"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qv6UVOQ0F44"
],
[
"http://mypage.iu.edu/~rdbeer/Papers/Beer1992.pdf"
],
[]
] | ||
2yu59l | how are we able to find dinosaur bones from millions of years ago when there have been millions of other animals dying and leaving their bones behind? | Shouldn't there just be so many bones that we couldn't even find any dinosaur bones left? I feel like there should be soooo many bones everywhere. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2yu59l/eli5_how_are_we_able_to_find_dinosaur_bones_from/ | {
"a_id": [
"cpcyt5s",
"cpcyw09",
"cpcyxer",
"cpd7qhs"
],
"score": [
44,
10,
5,
3
],
"text": [
"Your question has kind of an incorrect premise because it sounds like you're assuming all of the bones should be mixed together. The age of the fossils you find depends on the r... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_human_evolution_fossils",
"http://library.sandiegozoo.org/fossil_dating.html",
"http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ancient/americas-bog-people.html",
"http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Big-Pig-Dig-was-treasure-trove-of-fossils-3199415.php",
"h... | |
1n2d8z | how do you catch a cold? | As far as I know, the common cold is a viral infection, and I also read somewhere that there are over 200 different viruses, but what I can't understand is how exposure to low temperature is infectious. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1n2d8z/eli5_how_do_you_catch_a_cold/ | {
"a_id": [
"cces062",
"ccese4a",
"ccettzd"
],
"score": [
3,
3,
3
],
"text": [
"The only theory worth looking at so far in regards to how lower temperature means higher infection rate is the fact that cold air holds less water. With less water, the water droplets, in which the vir... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
603fym | why does iron welding require a mask? | How much brighter is it compared to other objects that emit light? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/603fym/eli5_why_does_iron_welding_require_a_mask/ | {
"a_id": [
"df361p0",
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"df3crzc",
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"score": [
3,
16,
6,
10,
2,
2,
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"text": [
"You can get something call \"arc eye\" or \"welder's flash\" if you don't wear them\nIt's incredibly bright, you... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
458zze | why do instant mac and other microwaveable noodles only need 3 minutes to cook, but regular pasta takes 10-15 minutes on the stove? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/458zze/eli5_why_do_instant_mac_and_other_microwaveable/ | {
"a_id": [
"czw0vdh"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"First, not all pasta takes 10-15 min on the stove. Angel hair takes like 4 min I think. It depends on the thickness of the pasta, or how much pasta the water has to penetrate. It also depends on the type of pasta, as some pastas are more easily s... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
b98y6t | what is the difference between a fertilized egg splitting for normal growth and splitting to make an identical twin? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/b98y6t/eli5_what_is_the_difference_between_a_fertilized/ | {
"a_id": [
"ek375he"
],
"score": [
45
],
"text": [
"A fertilised egg is one huge cell. It splits up into a LOT of smaller cells as it develops. One important thing is that when it's still one cell, it picks a point on its surface and decides that's 'up'. It creates a chemical at 'up' that spreads... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
10e09a | why the light on my dell ac adapter doesn't go out immediately after unplugging it. | Sometimes electricity "goes away" the instant I unplug whatever it is that was being powered. Other times, it appears to hang around for a few seconds.
For example, when I unplug my television or vacuum, it turns off instantly. When I unplug my dell laptop AC Adapter, yes, the computer stops being powered instantl... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/10e09a/eli5_why_the_light_on_my_dell_ac_adapter_doesnt/ | {
"a_id": [
"c6co6gd",
"c6corfa"
],
"score": [
30,
45
],
"text": [
"The adapter converts the alternating current (AC) that comes out of the wall socket into direct current (DC). This means that it has to convert a voltage that's swinging between positive and negative voltages 60 or 50 time... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
1y5x5e | how can determinism and free will not be mutually exclusive? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1y5x5e/eli5_how_can_determinism_and_free_will_not_be/ | {
"a_id": [
"cfhmfq0",
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"score": [
5,
2
],
"text": [
"It depends on how you define determinism, and how you define free will.\n\nAn example, if you define free will as being able to make any choice, then you can absolutely have free will and determinism. You are able to make a... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual_process_theory#Dual-process_accounts_of_reasoning"
]
] | ||
161fi5 | why do multiple formats exist for music or texts such as mp3/mp4 or epub/pdf/txt etc? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/161fi5/why_do_multiple_formats_exist_for_music_or_texts/ | {
"a_id": [
"c7rsfan",
"c7rzwsg"
],
"score": [
14,
2
],
"text": [
"Different formats are useful in different circumstances. For text, a txt file is great if you *only* want to convey content. A pdf is a bigger file, but it conveys the way you want the text displayed, and will look the same... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
451ws0 | what stops our eyes from seeing anything outside of the colour spectrum | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/451ws0/eli5what_stops_our_eyes_from_seeing_anything/ | {
"a_id": [
"czuld01",
"czumc3d",
"czunkae"
],
"score": [
3,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"Our eyes see a great many colours, as well as black and white. We break them down into the three primaries because those can be used to make any other colour in combination, not because those are the on... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photoreceptor_cell#/media/File:1416_Color_Sensitivity.jpg"
],
[]
] | ||
2bhgfo | when i'm really tired why does my nose run and why do my eyes water? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2bhgfo/eli5_when_im_really_tired_why_does_my_nose_run/ | {
"a_id": [
"cj5dbia",
"cj5dhyq"
],
"score": [
3,
3
],
"text": [
"Your nose running is a direct consequence of your watery eyes. The excess fluid on your eyes drains into your nose, causing it to run. Your eyes can water for a number of reasons, but it's probably because they're dry and/... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
14zvv2 | why electric currents are defined as moving electrons, but their direction is the opposite of that of a moving electron? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/14zvv2/eli5_why_electric_currents_are_defined_as_moving/ | {
"a_id": [
"c7hz0z2"
],
"score": [
5
],
"text": [
"When electricity was first discovered, it was believed that it was the movement of positive charges that made electricity. So the convention was defined around moving positive charges. The higher voltage is the higher positive charge - electric... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
652xt0 | why do pressurized gasses (like butane) come out cold when expelled from a container that is stored in room temperature? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/652xt0/eli5_why_do_pressurized_gasses_like_butane_come/ | {
"a_id": [
"dg71go2",
"dg7222x"
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"score": [
2,
2
],
"text": [
"As gas expands, the amount of heat it has per unit mass stays constant, but its volume goes up, which means it has less heat per unit volume, which is the definition of lower temperature.",
"Temperature is a measure of c... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
31z1tu | what's the difference between a unit that is divided by a second (like velocity m/s) and a unit multiplied by a second (like coulombs a*s)? | I think I can certainly imagine that an Ampere is a flow of one charge per second pass, but how can I imagine, (or if I had to take as a definition) a Coulomb?
PD. Sorry if it's too obvious and (if I have to be sorry) for my english :) | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/31z1tu/eli5_whats_the_difference_between_a_unit_that_is/ | {
"a_id": [
"cq6blvg",
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"score": [
5,
3
],
"text": [
"When it's divided by seconds then it like saying \"per second\" - it's a rate.\n\nWhen it's multiplied by seconds then it's dependent on how long it has been going on for - it's an amount of force.",
"A unit multiplied b... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
3swwg7 | why does grinding or cutting steel produce sparks? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3swwg7/eli5_why_does_grinding_or_cutting_steel_produce/ | {
"a_id": [
"cx11xen",
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"score": [
9,
2
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"text": [
"Steel will burn, provided you can get it hot enough. Large bits are difficult to ignite, obviously, but small bits that come off a grinder have three things that make them easy to burn. First, they're very hot, having just b... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://livinginanotherlanguage.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Steel-Wool-Photography-3-of-11-682x454.jpg"
],
[]
] | ||
8m05zr | why can't people make screenshots vector images? | Not sure "vector images" is a proper terminology here. I can only describe that as something like fonts, which are defined by mathematical formulas.
Imagine how handy would it be if screenshots were scalable to any size. What's more, the size would be much less compared to an image and the text could be selectable.
... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8m05zr/eli5_why_cant_people_make_screenshots_vector/ | {
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6,
2,
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"text": [
"Vector image are defined in terms of lives and curves. Raster images are defined in terms of pixels.\n\nA screen is a a raster image. Capturing it doesn't change that. If you want a vector image, you n... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
50fkln | what is home equity? | I was watching [The Big Short] (_URL_0_) and I just want to know what exactly "home equity" is. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/50fkln/eli5_what_is_home_equity/ | {
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"score": [
2,
2,
2,
6,
2
],
"text": [
"Home equity refers to the value of the property minus any loans on the property. If the loan is more than the value of the property it is refered to as negati... | [] | [
"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgqG3ITMv1Q"
] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
61763d | how is the ld50 (the dose that will kill 50% of the population) of a drug determined without killing at least one person? | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/61763d/eli5_how_is_the_ld50_the_dose_that_will_kill_50/ | {
"a_id": [
"dfca0kp",
"dfcby1b"
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"score": [
6,
4
],
"text": [
"They do a lot of testing on animals and then extrapolate to humans based on weight and what we know about the difference between species. It's not a hard number, just an estimate",
"In addition to what u/ameoba mentioned... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
8fya7p | why is more use not made of the lateral pass in american football? for example, when a pass to a teammate would make for an easy touchdown. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8fya7p/eli5_why_is_more_use_not_made_of_the_lateral_pass/ | {
"a_id": [
"dy7dvzc",
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"dy82uqo",
"dy8azy7"
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"score": [
2,
4,
2,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"It’s clumsy and easily defeated. Used only in desperation end games when clock is running out as a play is still running game doesn’t end until ball is dead. ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
8zsknx | why is discussing pay from work a bad thing? | So I got a job as a summer internship at a fairly big company. I wanted to take this chance to learn more about how companies work, so I asked a lot of questions. The employees there were very friendly and helpful to me, and answered all of them. However, when I asked about the pay they were getting, they weren't willi... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8zsknx/eli5_why_is_discussing_pay_from_work_a_bad_thing/ | {
"a_id": [
"e2l5fhp",
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"e2lm4kl"
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"score": [
17,
8,
13,
15,
2,
2,
3
],
"text": [
"It may be discouraged by management for the simple fact that people in the same positions or with similar exper... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
9az4p1 | why is gravity now not considered a force, but a space-time curvature? | I can't get arround this idea.
Though I have somehow managed to understand that space distorses depending on the speed, I don't get how is that supposed to have something to do with gravity.
Maybe I am not getting something essential?
Thanks. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9az4p1/eli5_why_is_gravity_now_not_considered_a_force/ | {
"a_id": [
"e4z63ne",
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"score": [
7,
2
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"text": [
"Let's say person A is in a windowless elevator on the ground on Earth, and person B is in a similar elevator in space (no gravity) accelerating upwards at 9.8 m/s/s. Both people toss a ball horizontally and it travels in an... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
3xzzqf | ddosing | What is DDoSing and how does one DDoS (not too in-depth as I'm not an IT guru nor am I looking to DDoS anyone lol). | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3xzzqf/eli5_ddosing/ | {
"a_id": [
"cy9a2ig",
"cy9a754"
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"score": [
3,
2
],
"text": [
"You know that thing where people make a popular post and get flooded with upvotes, comments, and gold and they're all like:\n > EDIT: LOL RIP MY INBOX\n\nNow imagine those comments are data, and those posters are computers,... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
2za5vd | why do the [american] republicans oppose free healthcare and education when it has been working in many european countries for over 50 years? | I realize this might be a controversial question, but as a young European it just seems really odd to me. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2za5vd/eli5why_do_the_american_republicans_oppose_free/ | {
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"Republicans are big believers in the idea of small, local government and are inherently distrustful of large national programs ran by the federal government. A national education ... | [] | [] | [
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31ic0t | is it theoretically possible to predict the future using a super quantum computer? | I was thinking, if you knew every single thing about how the universe started, (which we don't but it's a hypothetical question) and we had an unimaginably powerful quantum super computer that could simulate the universe EXACTLY as it is, then would it theoretically be possible to speed up the simulator and see what ha... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/31ic0t/eli5_is_it_theoretically_possible_to_predict_the/ | {
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"The problem is that in order to simulate the universe, you need to know exactly what it looks like. This includes the computer.\n\nSo... | [] | [] | [
[],
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8c8l9k | what are 1- electric potential 2- potential difference 3- electric potential energy 4- difference in electric potential energy | i don't want the difference between them, i want to know what are they? they just don't make sense to me.. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8c8l9k/eli5_what_are_1_electric_potential_2_potential/ | {
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"text": [
"Elec. Potential is the Voltage. IE: 120V\n\nPotential Difference is the Change or Difference in Voltage of two objects. IE: the difference between the Ground and the Hot is 120V of... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
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] | |
b2f6q2 | how did ancient libraries work before the dewey decimal system? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/b2f6q2/eli5_how_did_ancient_libraries_work_before_the/ | {
"a_id": [
"eisef9v",
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"score": [
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"text": [
"The history of library classification (organization systems) is pretty interesting.\n\nPrior to more modern systems, a scholar called Callimachus (3rd century BCE) devised a system where tablets and scrolls would be organis... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
258w1l | why doesn't rain seriously harm us when it falls from the sky? | Shouldn't gravity cause objects to fall with increasing speed? Is there something about rain that prevents it from causing us any serious injury? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/258w1l/eli5_why_doesnt_rain_seriously_harm_us_when_it/ | {
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"Gravity does cause things to fall with increasing speed, but as they speed up air resistance increases (think of sticking your hand out the window while driv... | [] | [] | [
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2pfuct | during hostage crises, why don't police just use sleeping gas to knock the perpetrators (and hostages) out? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2pfuct/eli5_during_hostage_crises_why_dont_police_just/ | {
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"Because there aren't any that work instantly, so they leave plenty of time for the hostage... | [] | [] | [
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"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moscow_theater_hostage_crisis"
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3n06t6 | why does norway (as well as most land bordering the north atlantic) have such a rough and jagged coastline? | I saw [this post](_URL_0_) yesterday on /r/all, and the little quip about Norway's coastline being terribly designed got me wondering about why its coast, and others in the north atlantic, are so sharp and jagged when the rest of the world is relatively smooth. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3n06t6/eli5_why_does_norway_as_well_as_most_land/ | {
"a_id": [
"cvjn0xh",
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"score": [
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"text": [
"Norway's coastline is jaggy because of fjords. A fjord is a long, narrow, steep-sided inlet. They're formed by glacial erosion. \n\nYou typically only see fjords in the north and the south, because that's where there was ... | [] | [
"https://www.reddit.com/r/worldbuilding/comments/3mu9w2/what_terrible_map_design/"
] | [
[],
[]
] | |
101irs | brushless electric motors. | i've been using them for awhile in my RC cars but i still don't know how they work. i know they're faster, more reliable, cheaper, and all around better. but how? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/101irs/eli5_brushless_electric_motors/ | {
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"c69mv9d"
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"score": [
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"text": [
"There are various ways to make an electric motor; you usually want to have a time-varying magnetic field pushing against fixed magnets. \n \nIn an electric motor with brushes, you make the magnetic part of the rotor using electromagnets. This ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
3fp9xy | what does "ozone" mean on the list of a water bottle's ingredients? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3fp9xy/eli5_what_does_ozone_mean_on_the_list_of_a_water/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"Ozone is 3 oxygen atoms, it's fairly unstable, and often used as a sanitizer/sterilizer. Water bottling companies use ozone and UV light to treat the water before bottling, because when ozone breaks down, the result is O2, or the normal oxygen yo... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
o4qvd | negative feedback loops in the body. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/o4qvd/eli5_negative_feedback_loops_in_the_body/ | {
"a_id": [
"c3ee213"
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"text": [
"The best way to explain it is with an example. You have a nightclub. You have people counting the number of people going in and out of the club, to make sure you aren't over capacity. If too many people go in, you close the entrance until some pe... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
9mommo | resonance in lewis stuctures | Somebody explain this please. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9mommo/eli5_resonance_in_lewis_stuctures/ | {
"a_id": [
"e7gesds"
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"text": [
"Both of the current answers are wrong. I'm not a chemist but I'll explain it as far as I understand it.\n\n & #x200B;\n\nA Lewis Structure is used to diagrammatically represent the molecular structure of a molecule; dots to represent lone electro... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
1ovpb1 | how did the civil war in syria start? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ovpb1/eli5_how_did_the_civil_war_in_syria_start/ | {
"a_id": [
"ccw9lgf"
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"text": [
"**The Short:** The Arab Spring. Like in Libya, it started as protests, but when the government violently cracked down, it became a revolt.\n\n**The Long:**\nInspired by pro-democracy demonstrations in Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt, Syrians gathered i... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
c8kkj2 | how did hard drives become so small over the course of 1956 to today? | With the size of 2 fridges, the first hard drive managed only 5mb of data. Although I'm impressed for a first hard drive in the world, how are people able to fit multiple terabytes inside a 3.5 inch factor? Even 2.5 inch? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/c8kkj2/eli5_how_did_hard_drives_become_so_small_over_the/ | {
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"text": [
"The discovery of the \"giant magnetoresistant effect\", honored by a Nobel price, allowed the magnetic read head (and such the magnetic track) to become substantially smaller since the 1990s. \nThen of course improvement int... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
2ee8du | how does paypal benefit from giving 1% cashback on their debit card? | I always have a $0 balance in my PayPal account. I have my checking account linked to it as the primary source. I never, ever use my actual debit card. I always use my PayPal Business Debit card for the 1% cash back each month.
How does PayPal benefit by giving me 1% cash back when I'm pretty much just using their com... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2ee8du/eli5_how_does_paypal_benefit_from_giving_1/ | {
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"cjym0um"
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"score": [
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"text": [
"_URL_0_\n\nPaypal charges the seller 2.9% on sales. So giving you 1% cashback is losing a chunk of profit, but still making money for Paypal. Plus, it looks good to you; hey, I'm getting money back!\n\nCredit card companies do the same thing. All... | [] | [
"http://i.imgur.com/8tyay6b.png"
] | [
[
"https://www.paypal.com/webapps/mpp/paypal-fees"
]
] | |
1pwvs2 | why, when i drive a vehicle much bigger than mine (i.e., pickup truck, suv), i feel as though i'm going noticeably slower when, really, i'm not? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1pwvs2/eli5_why_when_i_drive_a_vehicle_much_bigger_than/ | {
"a_id": [
"cd6wimv"
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"score": [
16
],
"text": [
"You are higher above the road, and thus the road seems to be going by slower, kind of like when you are in an airplane at 30,000 feet the ground seems to move slowly even though you're going 500mph."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
9v8q6z | how do various countries, like the us, seize the oil of countries they invade? does this oil become available to consumers and if so, by what means? | More specifically, do militaries actually siphon off an occupied areas oil and then pass them off to commercial oil companies? That sounds pretty illegal if that's the case.
Edit: If commercial companies are involved, which ones are they? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9v8q6z/eli5_how_do_various_countries_like_the_us_seize/ | {
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15,
2,
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"text": [
"They don't directly sieze the oil, they install a government that allows companies to invest in oil drilling operations for profit. ",
"The typical playbook as I understand is to approach the count... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petroleum_industry_in_Iraq"
]
] | |
5kshcq | in a series circuit, why does the position of the resistor not matter? | I've been trying to learn some basic electronics and circuit stuff (such as Arduino). The first project had a 220ohm resistor before the LED to protect the LED from the 5v power. (Power- > Resistor- > LED- > Ground) This makes sense. In the second project though, the resistor was put behind the LED yet it still protect... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5kshcq/eli5_in_a_series_circuit_why_does_the_position_of/ | {
"a_id": [
"dbq9g53",
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"score": [
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2
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"text": [
"The current is the same everywhere in a series circuit. The purpose of the resistor in that circuit is to limit the current which flows through the LED. For this purpose, it doesn't matter if the resistor comes before or aft... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
dxnpdh | since there is a lot of space debris circling earth at the moment, how do spacecrafts maneuver through it in order to go to different planets? will they or won't they hit these debris? what happens when they do hit it? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dxnpdh/eli5_since_there_is_a_lot_of_space_debris/ | {
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66,
11,
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"text": [
"There is a lot, but not so much that we can't get through it, the so called [Kessler Limit](_URL_0_). Many things have been hit by tiny bits, they have to be tough enough to ta... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kessler_syndrome"
],
[
"https://youtu.be/Km2uemAqbbM"
],
[],
[]
] | ||
3ukcmy | why is your imagination much more vivid as a child than as an adult, even though the brain is less developed? | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ukcmy/eli5_why_is_your_imagination_much_more_vivid_as_a/ | {
"a_id": [
"cxfkixd",
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"score": [
2,
4,
2
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"text": [
"The brain is more active and spongy. The imaginative nature kids typically have is one where the brain is trying to find creative answers for everything. In adulthood, you're conditioned to not always g... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
9ssjwy | why do migraines happen, what causes a visual aura and why is the brain hurting itself? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9ssjwy/eli5_why_do_migraines_happen_what_causes_a_visual/ | {
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"e8rl508",
"e8rlltt",
"e... | [] | [] | [
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"https://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/abdominal-migraines-children-adults#1"
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... | ||
f2pkzi | why is there a part of our nails that hurts to clip and a part that doesn't? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/f2pkzi/eli5_why_is_there_a_part_of_our_nails_that_hurts/ | {
"a_id": [
"fhdwtr3",
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"score": [
3,
7
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"text": [
"There is a part that is connected to your skin and a part that grows beyond. Clipping hurts accordingly.\n\nWhen growing, the nail gets pushed forward, and some part gets pushed beyond the part",
"Fingernails exist to pr... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
bz5lvl | why is zipper merging (when a lane ends) better? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bz5lvl/eli5_why_is_zipper_merging_when_a_lane_ends_better/ | {
"a_id": [
"eqq6dek",
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"score": [
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7,
2
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"text": [
"It's effective for the same reason stop signs are effective - and by that I mean it's effective only when EVERYONE does it. If everyone knows to let one go on one side, then one on the other side, repe... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
blskk6 | why can't the body just excrete the excessive fat after absorbing the required amount ? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/blskk6/eli5_why_cant_the_body_just_excrete_the_excessive/ | {
"a_id": [
"emr0fy6",
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"score": [
8,
5
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"text": [
"Because for most of human history, consistently eating more than you needed was a *rare* thing. There was no evolutionary pressure towards the kind of mechanism you're talking about.",
"The body doesn't know the next tim... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
chlz9m | why does using an ad blocker cause the youtuber not to earn ad revenue? how does youtube know that ads are being blocked? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/chlz9m/eli5_why_does_using_an_ad_blocker_cause_the/ | {
"a_id": [
"euuvb2c"
],
"score": [
16
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"text": [
"I'm not sure which method YouTube uses. But one common method of measuring ad displays is looking at how often an ad image is displayed.\n\nWhen you see an ad on a website, it means the image for that ad has been downloaded to your computer to d... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
6c325k | how do they fix dents in cars? | When your car gets hit and you get a dent, what's the process a mechanic goes through to actually recover that part of the car? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6c325k/eli5_how_do_they_fix_dents_in_cars/ | {
"a_id": [
"dhrgz60",
"dhrh9z9",
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"text": [
"There are two main ways to do it\n\nOne way is literally just a strong suction cup, you stick it in the middle, pull really hard, and *POP* no more dent\n\nThe other way is to hammer the dent out, this ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
4jl5g3 | us taxes | As a person who worked in a hospitality for several years, i was asked what VAT (value added taxes), stands for, usually by Americans. Seeing your prices for electronics on american websites, i.e. Apple store, prices seem to be not including taxes.
Why is that? How do you pay taxes in the US? How about regular weekly s... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4jl5g3/eli5_us_taxes/ | {
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"text": [
"In the US, sales taxes are levied by state, county and city governments, so the tax rate changes from place to place. As a result, prices here are advertised without the taxes, which are calculated and added at the register ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
1ydxid | why do the same few sicknesses spread at this time every year? why now, and why haven't we developed better immunity to them? | Every February, people across the world get colds, flu, strep, bronchitis, etc. Why does this happen every year during February?
I know the cold weather lowers people's immune systems, but why not during December? Or late March? Do these diseases lie dormant until a specific time of year? They say it's "flu season" o... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ydxid/eli5_why_do_the_same_few_sicknesses_spread_at/ | {
"a_id": [
"cfjn9eu"
],
"score": [
9
],
"text": [
"Why sickness happens more often in February: \nDuring cold months (like February) people tend to spend more time in indoor environments, where closer contact means easier spread of viruses (sneezing, coughing). Furthermore, viruses like the rhino... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
338zb1 | how in the world did a climate change skeptic become the head of the senate's environment committee? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/338zb1/eli5_how_in_the_world_did_a_climate_change/ | {
"a_id": [
"cqimn7h"
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"score": [
7
],
"text": [
"Committee membership is appointed. Normally for a 5 member committee there are 3 appointments from the majority party and 2 from the other. Obviously one of the 3 from the majority will become the committee chairman.\n\nThere are ZERO roadblock... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
4obxwt | how in the hell do i use and effectively read a compass and apply it when using a map? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4obxwt/eli5_how_in_the_hell_do_i_use_and_effectively/ | {
"a_id": [
"d4ba397",
"d4ba3j0"
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"score": [
2,
2
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"text": [
"Maps are made with north toward the top. All of them. Turn the map to match the compass north and you are lined up. ",
"Well put the compass on a table and see where the North needle is pointing. Align the North arrow of... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
evlw1x | why do cars automatically start moving after you release the brake? | When you come to a stop at a traffic light, you stop the car from moving. When you release the brake, why does the car still move even if you don’t press the gas at all? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/evlw1x/eli5_why_do_cars_automatically_start_moving_after/ | {
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... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
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2d3b8q | why is it that a collage artists can use the works of others with out permission or royalty, but legally sampling a song requires a license and a lot of money? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2d3b8q/eli5_why_is_it_that_a_collage_artists_can_use_the/ | {
"a_id": [
"cjlmirz",
"cjm34ba"
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"score": [
2,
2
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"text": [
"If its used for educational purposes copyright laws pretty much don't apply. As long as you don't make money off of it.",
"I also thought at first you were talking about college, not collage. Good on you for correct spel... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
27n0x3 | what is it about kissing that makes a person feel really good? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/27n0x3/eli5_what_is_it_about_kissing_that_makes_a_person/ | {
"a_id": [
"ci2eazq",
"ci2iejr"
],
"score": [
2,
3
],
"text": [
"Chemical release in the brain. ",
"It releases oxytocin, a bonding hormone that calms us. The rush of a first kiss or an intensely passionate one is caused by the release of dopamine and norepinephrine. This makes us fee... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
5k3esy | what is going on here? how does it work? (domino bricks settling) | _URL_0_ | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5k3esy/eli5_what_is_going_on_here_how_does_it_work/ | {
"a_id": [
"dbkyuut"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"Explained in the original thread.\nExplanation: _URL_0_\nThread: _URL_1_\n\nThanks mocmocmoc81"
]
} | [] | [
"https://streamable.com/6c89d"
] | [
[
"http://i.imgur.com/KG1YPN0.jpg",
"https://www.reddit.com/r/videos/comments/5k2ogd/wait_for_it/"
]
] | |
1quy9a | what is actually in a game update and what determines it's size? | I don't really understand what goes into the actual update. Why are some bigger than others? And is it simply the size of the game that determines the size of the update? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1quy9a/what_is_actually_in_a_game_update_and_what/ | {
"a_id": [
"cdgr4xv"
],
"score": [
5
],
"text": [
"A game update is exactly what it sounds like - its some code to update your game in one way or another. The size is dependent upon what that update is.\n\nLets say that they want to modify the damage that a certain gun does. That information is... | [] | [] | [
[]
] |
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