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1zc4f0
why do condoms have expiration dates?
They're just plastic, right? Do they deteriorate, or something?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1zc4f0/eli5_why_do_condoms_have_expiration_dates/
{ "a_id": [ "cfscngb", "cfscnxr", "cfsd9xu" ], "score": [ 2, 5, 6 ], "text": [ "Both lubricated and unlubricated condoms begin to lose strength and deteriorate. \n", "They're latex, which does indeed deteriorate. They go old and crumbly and break really easily past their expir...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
14zmmw
the situation in congo
While I get the gist of the idea, I'm shamefully ignorant of what's happening. I would like to be educated to the point where I could explain what's happening if someone asked. How did it start, what's going on now, why isn't it more publicized?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/14zmmw/eli5_the_situation_in_congo/
{ "a_id": [ "c7hza3j" ], "score": [ 33 ], "text": [ "So today, in Africa, there are two countries that are important to our story. One is Congo, which is a very large country, but filled with jungles. It is connected not by big highways, but by its river. The other is a much smaller country called...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_City_Agreement", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_East_D.R._Congo_conflict", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurent-D%C3%A9sir%C3%A9_Kabila" ] ]
4xpq0k
how do security software companies keep their computer systems safe when researching new computer viruses?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4xpq0k/eli5_how_do_security_software_companies_keep/
{ "a_id": [ "d6hf819", "d6hfc1e" ], "score": [ 2, 10 ], "text": [ "A really good way to test thing that may be dangerous to a computer system is to run a virtual computer on your PC, basically a computer simulator, it can be continuously reset no problem without affecting other things on y...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
9lp3pz
why do some notes sound well together and some don't
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9lp3pz/eli5_why_do_some_notes_sound_well_together_and/
{ "a_id": [ "e78e7h8" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "When you play two different notes, their frequencies make a ratio. If the ratio is something very simple like 1:1 (a unison) or 2:1 (an octave) we hear it as *consonant*. If the ratio is a more complicated fraction like 10:9 (a minor second) we h...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
bvwto6
why aren't iphone viruses more common? what does apple do that makes iphones so secure virus-wise?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bvwto6/eli5_why_arent_iphone_viruses_more_common_what/
{ "a_id": [ "ept1teu", "ept35tb" ], "score": [ 14, 2 ], "text": [ "They don't allow iPhone owners to modify and screw around with their products as much as Google does with Android. The devices are locked down more. \n\nAlso, they have much stricter quality control requirements for their A...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
5dwca8
how does costco sell gas so much cheaper? don't all gas companies buy gas in bulk?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5dwca8/eli5_how_does_costco_sell_gas_so_much_cheaper/
{ "a_id": [ "da7xmhd", "da7zety", "da84o9a", "da8727y" ], "score": [ 12, 2, 3, 3 ], "text": [ "I don't know where you're from, but from where I'm at Costco is rarely more than 5-10 cents a gallon cheaper than other gas stations in the area. They can get away with it because...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
3kayid
. pyramid scheme
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3kayid/eli5_pyramid_scheme/
{ "a_id": [ "cuw3vhx", "cuw3xt3", "cuwc3f1", "cuwf689" ], "score": [ 8, 2, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "There are many products similar to this that are classic pyramid schemes. The business model goes like this:\n\n- Huge hiring event with dozens of young people.\n\n- Hiring event ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://www.mlm-thetruth.com/" ], [] ]
8xnu3q
why does our skin get sunburn, and why does the skin turn red when it does?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8xnu3q/eli5_why_does_our_skin_get_sunburn_and_why_does/
{ "a_id": [ "e24brs0" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "The sun sends light in various forms to earth. One of it is Ultraviolet or UV light. Our human eyes can't see UV radiation (but some animals can), and this form of light is very energy intensive (it's very short waved) and literally burns your sk...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
w7yjy
why isn't everyone ambidextrous?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/w7yjy/eli5_why_isnt_everyone_ambidextrous/
{ "a_id": [ "c5b22n2", "c5b4yfo", "c5b7ols" ], "score": [ 254, 26, 4 ], "text": [ "Choice of a dominant hand is important for high dexterity tasks. The left and right hemispheres are separate and control different hands. \n\nDexterous hand movements are stored in parts of the motor...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
3tcun8
what would i see if i somehow removed one eye from it's socket and positioned it to make direct eye contact with the other eye?
Would my brain simply overlap two images? Would there be two separate images?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3tcun8/eli5_what_would_i_see_if_i_somehow_removed_one/
{ "a_id": [ "cx538jg", "cx544ps", "cx58dwy" ], "score": [ 5, 13, 8 ], "text": [ "If you somehow maintained its connection, you'd see something similar to what you see if you put your hand a couple of inches in front of one eye and, say, a coffee cup in front of the other. You'd see...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
8hm8od
why is it essential that the us is included in the iran deal?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8hm8od/eli5_why_is_it_essential_that_the_us_is_included/
{ "a_id": [ "dyktl2b" ], "score": [ 16 ], "text": [ "Because the US is the world's largest economy and it penalizes all companies that deal with Iran in any way, directly or indirectly, so no one wants that hanging over their head. It's an economic war with Israel and KSA/Sunni muslims trying to d...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
3903r0
how is it that even though terms of conditions are normally absurdly long to turn people away from reading them, but companies are still able to use them in legally binding contracts?
Sorry, i found it difficult in wording this question. Basically, they're too long, so even though most people never read them, how can they be upheld in court? Shouldnt they be voided due to their unfair nature?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3903r0/eli5_how_is_it_that_even_though_terms_of/
{ "a_id": [ "crz8ta3" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Legally speaking, there is nothing unfair about them. There is a ton of stuff that the terms of service needs to cover and it's as long as deemed necessary to express that.\n\n\nJust because you don't read it doesn't mean it doesn't apply. If you...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
e76j1p
what did medieval kingdoms have to do to be recognized by others as legitimate nations?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/e76j1p/eli5_what_did_medieval_kingdoms_have_to_do_to_be/
{ "a_id": [ "f9vr429", "f9vrgjk" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Typically it had to do with power; if you had the proper power projection--as in, you were able to defend the land and the people you claimed as yours--it gave your claims of lordship legitimacy.\n\nSo, let's say you're a fo...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
6nvvpc
why does our mind forget ideas that we come up with at night?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6nvvpc/eli5_why_does_our_mind_forget_ideas_that_we_come/
{ "a_id": [ "dkcnqx2" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Because you don't record the ideas.\n\nI try writing songs sometimes, so when I'm out and about I hum melodies to myself when nobody is around. Eventually, I'll start humming something else and I'll forget that melody. So I record a melody if I c...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
41mjm6
why is it more efficient to search on google and include "reddit" in the inquiry than to search on reddit's own engine?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/41mjm6/eli5_why_is_it_more_efficient_to_search_on_google/
{ "a_id": [ "cz3i68v" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Are you asking why one of the best and most refined search engines in the world is better than a non-cared about side feature? " ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
1zrsyu
i have a chipped tooth. why does my tongue want to play with it so much to the point where i have to make a conscious effort not to fiddle?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1zrsyu/eli5_i_have_a_chipped_tooth_why_does_my_tongue/
{ "a_id": [ "cfwcpe8", "cfwcr11", "cfwh13l", "cfwhsgd", "cfwkgv0" ], "score": [ 18, 6, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Reading this made me tongue my chipped tooth", "I think it has something to do with that \"new\" feeling you get. It's the same idea with filled cavities...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
9v00bc
in terms of technology and programming, what is an api? hearing that the homebrew scene is working on porting opengl to the nintendo switch, so makes "opengl" different than others?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9v00bc/eli5_in_terms_of_technology_and_programming_what/
{ "a_id": [ "e988koz", "e988t1g", "e989ejm", "e98ew9c" ], "score": [ 8, 2, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "API stands for [Application Programming Interface]( _URL_1_). When someone writes a big computer program, like Windows or Linux or the DirectX graphics library or the OpenGL graph...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/desktop/api/winuser/nf-winuser-createwindowexa", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Application_programming_interface" ], [], [], [] ]
6g1m3k
why does the moment before you start crying hurt?
Or am I just unique (weird)
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6g1m3k/eli5_why_does_the_moment_before_you_start_crying/
{ "a_id": [ "din3l4b", "din7bl4" ], "score": [ 5, 2 ], "text": [ "My suggestion would be to ask a doctor, because I cry all the time and never experience physical pain before hand. ", "afaik it's some kind of pressure build up right? I am as curious as you, I thought it was a universal...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
2zbxck
what would happen if an undocumented person turned up somewhere and there was absolutely no way to identify them or their original country? would they just stay imprisoned forever?
submitted
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2zbxck/eli5_what_would_happen_if_an_undocumented_person/
{ "a_id": [ "cphkmvv" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Kind of what you're looking for, google \"Benjamin Kyle\"." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
f9pygz
how people take those insane night time photos with extremely detailed starry skies?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/f9pygz/eli5_how_people_take_those_insane_night_time/
{ "a_id": [ "fit4n3y", "fit4ov4", "fit6677", "fit8hft" ], "score": [ 9, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Answer: Long exposure.\n\nLike 5: The eye of the camera is left open for a long time to capture the most light possible", "You use a long exposure which lets more light into th...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [ "https://imgur.com/gallery/k2awDKk" ] ]
3e5j7q
the 2009 bailout of gm
Was the company essentially given a 33 billion dollar check or was it provided through a broad form of financing? Thanks!
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3e5j7q/eli5_the_2009_bailout_of_gm/
{ "a_id": [ "ctbph6f", "ctbpjux" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "the government bought a shit ton of their stocks, and gave loans. this kept the company from going bankrupt, and saved tons of jobs. the government then sold the stocks for millions in profits a few years later,and was consi...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
4c22ey
what are atoms made of? down to the deepest levels and newest theories.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4c22ey/eli5_what_are_atoms_made_of_down_to_the_deepest/
{ "a_id": [ "d1ed8kh", "d1eiq91", "d1eohpy", "d1euw5v" ], "score": [ 313, 13, 6, 2 ], "text": [ "Protons and neutrons are made up of fundamental particles called Quarks. Quarks come in 6 types called \"flavors\". Up, down, strange, charm, top, and bottom. Only up and down a...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LraNu_78sCw", "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKbZeUvPnWI&list=PLpH1IDQEoE8Q8842yVe-V8m7PN-R9rlwi" ], [] ]
3182df
why do we (mostly) call our parents mum and dad but we dont call our siblings brother and sister
So why do we call our siblings by their names when we dont with our parents?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3182df/eli5_why_do_we_mostly_call_our_parents_mum_and/
{ "a_id": [ "cpz6kl6", "cpz7gve", "cpz7lxz" ], "score": [ 3, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Some people call their siblings brother or sister. I think it's mostly a respect thing. It's generally considered (socially) rude to call adults (especially your parents) by their first names. Your s...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2014/11/curious-origins-words-mom-dad", "http://saigoninacup.com/2010/05/07/anh-em/", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mama_and_papa" ] ]
fslysq
what do governors do? how are they different from other state representatives?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/fslysq/eli5_what_do_governors_do_how_are_they_different/
{ "a_id": [ "fm26vb6", "fm2as3t" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Most states have a government that looks basically identical to the federal government. They all have three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. So just like we have the US Congress and the US President, every sta...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
eypdrm
how does a holographic optical element work?
I have tried to find information about it online however, everything I find is extremely technical and confusing. Also have tried to find a graphic explaining how it works but all the ones I've found are different from each other. Any information would be helpful!
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/eypdrm/eli5_how_does_a_holographic_optical_element_work/
{ "a_id": [ "fgja9yz" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "For holographics such as a Driver's license, the image that is holographic is essentially printed on a material that looks similar to window shutters(many angled ridges). These ridges cause the light that hits them to defract in visible wavelengt...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
5rgpqx
why do contest rules state "no purchase necessary" and require a skill-testing question to claim prizes?
With roll-up the rim back in Canada, I figured it was an appropriate time to get this question, that's haunted me for years, answered. I'm hoping to get an explanation as to why the rules state that there's "no purchase necessary", yet you certain contests require you to purchase something to play (like a hot drink wi...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5rgpqx/eli5_why_do_contest_rules_state_no_purchase/
{ "a_id": [ "dd72e72", "dd72n7c", "dd73e9p", "dd7d2s7" ], "score": [ 5, 63, 11, 4 ], "text": [ "Basically, if a purchase is necessary and all it takes is just buying a ticket, then it's a lottery. Many states legally consider lotteries to be something that can only be done ...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweepstakes" ], [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skill_testing_question" ] ]
11hhh8
how come some ice cubes are soft and chewy, while most ice is hard and brittle?
I've always been confused why some restaurants have an ice that is almost chewy and easy to bite into. How is this possible? How is it made differently?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/11hhh8/eli5_how_come_some_ice_cubes_are_soft_and_chewy/
{ "a_id": [ "c6mii63", "c6mizfb" ], "score": [ 5, 6 ], "text": [ "Different ice machines either do or do not compress their ice nuggets to remove excess moisture from them after the ice is formed and before it is pushed out of the machine.\n\nI'm not sure about different ice shapes: cubes,...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
2odfx8
why do planes at major airports sometimes take off in the opposite direction than they usually do?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2odfx8/eli5_why_do_planes_at_major_airports_sometimes/
{ "a_id": [ "cmm2b98", "cmm6d33" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "They take off into the wind. If the wind shifts, they take off the other direction.", "Its easier to takeoff into the wind, less fuel needed as the plane can take off at lower speeds. For 1 takeoff its an extremely small...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
3ili1j
why is yesterday's shooting of two reporters not being covered as a hate crime the way the charleston shooting was?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ili1j/eli5_why_is_yesterdays_shooting_of_two_reporters/
{ "a_id": [ "cuhfbbf", "cuhfcgb", "cuhhx6m" ], "score": [ 10, 2, 4 ], "text": [ "Because the hate was targeted at individuals for who they where as individuals. His target wasn't largely selected because of the victim's race or an association with a type of lifestyle. He attacked p...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
6ypah5
why does the end of the financial year not coincide with the end of the calendar year?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6ypah5/eli5why_does_the_end_of_the_financial_year_not/
{ "a_id": [ "dmp37ri", "dmp5ncq", "dmp65hv" ], "score": [ 10, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "A business can choose when it starts it's fiscal year. It doesn't have to follow the calendar year. Ending a fiscal year in Feb or March allows you to not have to cram alot of year end work into the...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
l3qr8
how exactly is evolution overwhelmingly evident?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/l3qr8/eli5_how_exactly_is_evolution_overwhelmingly/
{ "a_id": [ "c2piwgv", "c2pj3gn", "c2pj8sm", "c2pjc0r", "c2pjeq4", "c2pjrig", "c2pkfmc", "c2piwgv", "c2pj3gn", "c2pj8sm", "c2pjc0r", "c2pjeq4", "c2pjrig", "c2pkfmc" ], "score": [ 24, 14, 3, 10, 7, 2, 2, 24, 14, 3, ...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/comdesc/" ], [], [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antibiotic_resistance" ], [], [ "http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lrwlvjDPjF1qzmowao1_500.jpg" ], [ "http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/comdesc/" ], [], [], [], [ "http://en.wi...
3dtbds
why is short shaming a thing, if skinny or fat shaming is so outright bad?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3dtbds/eli5_why_is_short_shaming_a_thing_if_skinny_or/
{ "a_id": [ "ct8fnil" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Removed because this is not a request for a simplified explanation of a complex concept.\n\nThis post may do better in a different subreddit.\n\nBy the way, a lot of people think it's very rude to insult people for being short." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
8qkbqe
why does talking about problems make you feel better?
This feels like a dumb question, but I'm curious. If something is stressing you out, or you're going through a lot, why does just simply talking about it actually make you feel better? Like, why does therapy and counseling work? Why does it help?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8qkbqe/eli5_why_does_talking_about_problems_make_you/
{ "a_id": [ "e0jyj91", "e0jyz4e", "e0k9nve", "e0kcdpj", "e0kgckr", "e0khuzt" ], "score": [ 21, 7, 2, 13, 3, 3 ], "text": [ "It gives you the ability to process feelings and thoughts and have preconceptions challenged as well as get a more objective opinion a...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
2d77o8
why is racism defined by many as discrimination from the majority onto the minority? why isn't any kind of racial discrimination considered "racism"?
I'm not trying to equate the discrimination white people face with the discrimination other minority groups face, but it seems to me that any kind of racial prejudice is "racism." What the power dynamic involved is definitely seems relevant to me, but I can't help but grind my teeth a little bit when the implication ...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2d77o8/eli5_why_is_racism_defined_by_many_as/
{ "a_id": [ "cjmrhk9", "cjmrhlr", "cjmto0j" ], "score": [ 15, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "There seems to be a profound culture war going on over this very subject: the definition of racism. Some say that racism is simply any discrimination or prejudice against people based on the color of t...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
3zvt2z
why do police use loud sirens when responding to bank/house robberies as it alerts the thieves they're coming?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3zvt2z/eli5_why_do_police_use_loud_sirens_when/
{ "a_id": [ "cypcwlm", "cypd1v7", "cypd4i6", "cypi9eu", "cypr4rp", "cypshx5", "cypzi51" ], "score": [ 3, 70, 20, 3, 15, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Why do you have to pull over on the side of the road when an emergency vehicle is passing? Sirens ", "Every...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
3saezv
how do us school voucher programs, which send tax dollars to religious schools, not violate the separation of church and state?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3saezv/eli5_how_do_us_school_voucher_programs_which_send/
{ "a_id": [ "cwvfnhn", "cwvfpna", "cwvft6g", "cwvftra", "cwvhhh7", "cwvqhug", "cww7rgi" ], "score": [ 5, 50, 7, 17, 3, 3, 3 ], "text": [ "Because they don't favor any particular religion(s). All religious schools are treated equally, and all those e...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
2fpk8i
why is it illegal to host sites such as the pirate bay when they are not directly providing copyrighted content?
Torrent sites aren't the ones that are providing the illegal content - the seeders are. So why are the sites being held responsible for it?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2fpk8i/eli5_why_is_it_illegal_to_host_sites_such_as_the/
{ "a_id": [ "ckbhivw" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Mainly because the website owners make no effort to stop copyright material from being uploaded/downloaded." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
571eii
ken bone
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/571eii/eli5ken_bone/
{ "a_id": [ "d8o4nt3" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "_URL_0_\n\n > Kenneth Bone was an audience member during the second of the United States presidential election debates in 2016. He asked \"What steps will your energy policy take to meet our energy needs, while at the same time remaining environ...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_Bone" ] ]
1t9s5a
what are "ports" (ex: tcp port)
What are ports (like the TCP port) and how do they compare to physical ports on my computer (like the USB port). Are ports specific to my computer? (Does my computer have a tcp port 5557? I don't even know what that means) How do programs accessing the internet use them?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1t9s5a/eli5_what_are_ports_ex_tcp_port/
{ "a_id": [ "ce5s3p4", "ce5sbgx", "ce5tbfs", "ce5uwpf", "ce5xh5d", "ce5y4x9", "ce5yffn" ], "score": [ 2, 6, 8, 4, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Think of ports like doors to your house.\n\nSome doors are for one specific thing, and that thing only - e.g. port...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_TCP_and_UDP_port_numbers" ], [ "http://google.com" ], [ "www.google.com" ], [], [], [], [] ]
g1iuij
how do microphones on some devices not pick up on their own sound?
Ex: When I put someone on speaker they can’t hear themselves on the other end.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/g1iuij/eli5_how_do_microphones_on_some_devices_not_pick/
{ "a_id": [ "fngkv2y" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "the speaker and mic cut each other off when one is active. \nsome cheaper ones dont do this and you can get feedback" ] }
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[ [] ]
1ijqka
a few questions on house-buying stuff
What is equity? I am planning on saving enough money in the next 5 years to buy a house in cash. I keep seeing stuff like this: "Moreover, if you have paid with all cash, you will have excellent equity in the house. In case of financial emergency, you can draw on that equity for quick cash." It sounds positive, but I d...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ijqka/eli5_a_few_questions_on_housebuying_stuff/
{ "a_id": [ "cb549hn", "cb54c46", "cb54ch8", "cb54eal" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Equity in something means how much of a stake you have in its ownership. If you pay for the house in cash, then you own it, and you can borrow against it. If you take out a loan ...
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[]
[ [], [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_equity" ], [] ]
8xwsss
why does almost every cop tv show portray internal affairs as a bad thing?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8xwsss/eli5_why_does_almost_every_cop_tv_show_portray/
{ "a_id": [ "e26c5zo", "e26hok7", "e26i2eo" ], "score": [ 8, 5, 4 ], "text": [ "Because when you're a cop, internal affairs doesn't really benefit you. Either they accuse you of misconduct, or they leave you alone. Their purpose is to protect the non-cop public.", "Because in a...
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[]
[ [], [], [] ]
672ttz
the dark net
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/672ttz/eli5_the_dark_net/
{ "a_id": [ "dgn8naq", "dgn8unx" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "The \"Dark Net\" is everything you do not find via normal means as google, this means it is \"dark\". \n\nMost of the internet is in the \"Dark Net\", but how does it go there?\n\nHere are examples:\n\n* You have a personal ...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
62m2z9
why won't instant pudding (us style) set with soy milk?
If you read the directions on a box of instant pudding, it generally involves adding milk to the mix, whisking, and chilling. However, there is a warning that the pudding won't set with soy milk. I've used almond milk and it semi-sets. So what's going on here? What does animal milk have that is lacking in the other typ...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/62m2z9/eli5_why_wont_instant_pudding_us_style_set_with/
{ "a_id": [ "dfnl8vo", "dfnm82y" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "If I'm not mistaken, the reason is because soy milk doesn't contain casein. Casein is a protein found in milk from mammals, and has certain properties that make it a good at being a \"glue\" when this type of milk is added t...
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[ [], [] ]
3o8xhl
if the value of our currency is dictated by the amount in circulation, what would happen if 1 trillion dollars were to be destroyed, would it raise the value of the dollar and/or be beneficial to the economy? why or why not?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3o8xhl/eli5_if_the_value_of_our_currency_is_dictated_by/
{ "a_id": [ "cvv0qdz", "cvv1pxa", "cvv2175", "cvv7ikn" ], "score": [ 16, 11, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "If one trillion dollars was destroyed (and not replaced), it would result in deflation. Whether or not it was beneficial would depend on whose $1 trillion was destroyed.", "T...
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[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
3ldh26
why does shaking your body reduce a sense of pain?
e.g. hitting your hand and shaking it to make it feel better.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ldh26/eli5why_does_shaking_your_body_reduce_a_sense_of/
{ "a_id": [ "cv5d604" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ "First lets establish why your body tells you to shake your hand. Your body doesn't know what is causing the pain. Shaking your hand won't help if you hit it with a hammer, but it would help if it was trapped under a rock, or you had a barbed plan...
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[]
[ [] ]
buvugz
why things that move fast in the dark have more "blur" behind them?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/buvugz/eli5_why_things_that_move_fast_in_the_dark_have/
{ "a_id": [ "epiclrd" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "In general things don't have 'blur'.\n\nThat's your brain filling in missing information with what it thinks should be there so visual information doesn't seem inconsistent.\n\n & #x200B;\n\nLike how if you wiggle a pencil just right it looks lik...
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[]
[ [] ]
2mplwg
why do so many games that are made in japan have so few japanese characters?
I've been replaying the Phoenix Wright games, which were created in Japan and translated to English later, and the majority of the characters have primarily Caucasian traits like blue eyes or blond hair. Then I realized that this is true of many games that are originally from Japan; Misty from Pokemon has red hair, Me...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2mplwg/eli5_why_do_so_many_games_that_are_made_in_japan/
{ "a_id": [ "cm6fggp", "cm6fkom" ], "score": [ 3, 4 ], "text": [ " > shouldn't a more significant number of the characters have Japanese features?\n\nThis is the key issue right here. To you, a character looks Caucasian unless it has \"Japanese features\". However, to someone Japanese, a...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
2w9gtu
what is phone cache and why does it bog down your phone? why don't phones automatically clear it?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2w9gtu/eli5_what_is_phone_cache_and_why_does_it_bog_down/
{ "a_id": [ "cooru7k" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Iphone clears it automatically, it has an intelligent tracking-system. Not 100% sure at Android, but very likely.\n\nIt’s data which an app stores locally, like fb-images, so they won’t get downloaded again and again." ] }
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[ [] ]
2w5dmj
why people say that lsd/shrooms "changed the way they see their life"
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2w5dmj/eli5_why_people_say_that_lsdshrooms_changed_the/
{ "a_id": [ "conqg0d", "cont5e9", "cony83v" ], "score": [ 8, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "Those drugs cause the part of the brain responsible for the ego to show decreased activity. This isn't the ego in the sense of someone being full of themselves, but rather the part of the brain responsi...
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[ [], [], [] ]
2j2p3m
what, exactly, led to the holocaust?
Was the hatred of Jews built up over many years? What led to the buildup of Anti-Semitism? How were the jews persecuted from 1933 to 1941?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2j2p3m/eli5_what_exactly_led_to_the_holocaust/
{ "a_id": [ "cl7ts93", "cl7u80g", "cl7ubyn", "cl7vbgl" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 7, 2 ], "text": [ "Yes they started with recording who all the Jews were, then segregating. It was a systematic demonization of the Jewish culture before the holocaust officially began with the arres...
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[ [], [], [], [] ]
5b8uz8
why is it basically impossible for an enlisted soldier to be promoted to an officer rank?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5b8uz8/eli5_why_is_it_basically_impossible_for_an/
{ "a_id": [ "d9mne6i", "d9mnxt7", "d9mq3g6" ], "score": [ 5, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "There is such a thing as a \"battlefield commission\" but it's incredibly rare and only used under extreme circumstances. \n\nThe reason for the separation is to maintain the idea that not everyone is c...
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[ [], [], [] ]
34t0pj
why are we focusing on curing cancer and not replacing the organs affected by it?
If an organ is dying due to a tumor, why not just replace it? It would be a short, long term solution to a lifelong problem. Edit: I meant through synthetic organs and not organ transplants.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/34t0pj/eli5_why_are_we_focusing_on_curing_cancer_and_not/
{ "a_id": [ "cqxsokm", "cqxsos8", "cqxsu82" ], "score": [ 4, 2, 4 ], "text": [ "Yes, and then we just wait for the cancer to spread *everywhere* and just replace the whole human. Yay. \n\nNo seriously though, as hard as curing cancer might be, it's most likely still easier than rep...
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[]
[ [], [], [] ]
11ic9i
how does the eye focus on objects that are less than an inch away? (google glass and floaties)
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/11ic9i/how_does_the_eye_focus_on_objects_that_are_less/
{ "a_id": [ "c6msl5j", "c6mtqbf" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Not sure about glass, but with most head mounted displays it's a trick with mirrors. A mirror at an angle is set into front of the eye and reflects a picture from a tiny LCD at the side of the glasses/your head. Your eye f...
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[ [], [] ]
eelwer
is holding your breath after someone sneezes or coughs a very effective way to avoid their germs?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/eelwer/eli5_is_holding_your_breath_after_someone_sneezes/
{ "a_id": [ "fbuk6fb", "fbuk9pe" ], "score": [ 4, 12 ], "text": [ "Your eyes your ears your mouth your nose and any cuts you have open to the air are a portal of energy for any viral or bacterial vector to enter your body and make you sick.\n\nBest to keep it covered and keep moving .\n\nS...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
eo514a
why do trains only have a single gear?
Trains accelerate incredibly slowly and often have a single gear that is optimised for high speed. Similar to trying to pull away in your car in too high of a gear this makes trains really slow and takes along time for them to hit their high speed. Most cars will often have 4 (for very old cars) - 6 gears to keep acce...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/eo514a/eli5_why_do_trains_only_have_a_single_gear/
{ "a_id": [ "fe8l2tg", "fe8mbf6", "fe8ne01", "fe8olkr", "fe8ovnm", "fe8u6w3", "fe9xurs" ], "score": [ 14, 370, 6, 43, 3, 31, 7 ], "text": [ "Electric cars don't have gears, too. Electric vehicles don't need them.\nTrains accelerate slowly because of ...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
69iabd
why does the house vote on a bill, then it gets modified for a senate vote? how can they pass a bill if they're all not voting on the same bill?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/69iabd/eli5_why_does_the_house_vote_on_a_bill_then_it/
{ "a_id": [ "dh6srir", "dh6tzw2", "dh70l0a" ], "score": [ 10, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "It's not passed at that stage. If the two houses pass different versions then a conference committee with members of both houses will meet to come up with one version of the bill. Then that new joint v...
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[]
[ [], [], [] ]
7ebf56
how can a seismometer be sensitive enough to detect an earthquake on the other side of the earth without being affected by local vibrations (i.e. people walking, cars, construction, etc.)
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7ebf56/eli5_how_can_a_seismometer_be_sensitive_enough_to/
{ "a_id": [ "dq3s6f6" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "They are affected by local vibrations. The trick is to pick out the patterns. Earthquakes have a distinct pattern that can be seen through the noise. For this reason, seismometers can also be used to detect nuclear blasts because of the unique...
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tvo26
what all is happening on a molecular level when water is being heated?
I'm still kind of fuzzy with my HS chemistry class, so I'm wondering if anyone could tie everything that's happening to an H2O molecule together into a single, unified explanation.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/tvo26/eli5_what_all_is_happening_on_a_molecular_level/
{ "a_id": [ "c4q44jw", "c4q5ms1", "c4q5onu", "c4q7um7", "c4q7vff" ], "score": [ 4, 2, 2, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "H2O molecules start moving around a lot faster. Energy is being transferred as kinetic energy. The movement of the water molecules is converted to heat.", ...
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[ [], [ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3pYRn5j7oI" ], [], [], [] ]
c65ttx
how does a reddot/holographic sight work?
When using iron sights, you need to line up the front and the back, so two points of an axis for a line 3D space. Makes sense. But these attachments only show one singular point, so whenever it's not lined up, it's not on the target or doesn't show at all. How?? (I feel like I didn't explain the question like I'm 5...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/c65ttx/eli5_how_does_a_reddotholographic_sight_work/
{ "a_id": [ "es69hmu", "es6bkwx" ], "score": [ 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Red dot and holographic sights are about superimposing a reticle over the vision of the user, who is looking past the sight rather than through it. The user has to pre-sight onto the dot before using it, so when the dot is f...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallax" ] ]
42l1by
if nikolas tesla's apparently huge contributions to discovering and studying x-rays and radio waves is (now) known, why are these discoveries still not attributed to him?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/42l1by/eli5_if_nikolas_teslas_apparently_huge/
{ "a_id": [ "czb57js" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Because who gets credited for \"discovering\" something most often has more to do with who was commercially successful with the idea first rather than who thought it up. Especially when multiple people are working on the same ideas at the same ti...
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[ [] ]
bezeqz
why are people donating so much money to repair norte dame? surely that place is insured?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bezeqz/eli5_why_are_people_donating_so_much_money_to/
{ "a_id": [ "el9ng85" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "It appears that Notre Dame actually isn't insured, and that it is owned by France.\n\nRegarding why it's attracting so much money, Notre Dame has some qualities that attracted a pretty wide variety of different people.\n\n1. It's a religious site...
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[ [] ]
44mw9l
why do out of focus lights on film have a hexagonal shape?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/44mw9l/eli5_why_do_out_of_focus_lights_on_film_have_a/
{ "a_id": [ "czr9nku" ], "score": [ 15 ], "text": [ "Because the aperture of the camera has [six blades](_URL_0_). This will cause lens flares to look hexagonal. If there are more blades, it will have a different geometric pattern." ] }
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[]
[ [ "http://www.gannett-cdn.com/media/USATODAY/promo/2013/06/05/1370445545000-Aperture-1306051120_x-large.jpg" ] ]
124rlx
are musical notes objective or subjective? could music have come about with all notes at a slightly lower pitch than they are now?
For example, what if the musical note 'C' had been somewhere in between a 'C' and a 'C#'? To us, that note would sound sharp...but is that just conditioned? Or is there something more significant behind the exact frequencies we've decided notes are at?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/124rlx/eli5_are_musical_notes_objective_or_subjective/
{ "a_id": [ "c6s5hxw", "c6s5imu", "c6s6nu6", "c6s8jsr" ], "score": [ 5, 3, 2, 4 ], "text": [ "To answer your question, they are subjective, and they could easily have come out to refer to different pitches. It's kind of like the length of a meter: it could have been any wa...
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[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A440_(pitch_standard)" ], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_pitch_standards_in_Western_music#History_of_pitch_standards_in_Western_music", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A440_(pitch_standard)" ], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal_temperament"...
1hdhft
guantanamo bay
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1hdhft/eli5_guantanamo_bay/
{ "a_id": [ "cat9bhc", "catciqv" ], "score": [ 5, 3 ], "text": [ "Its a US base in Cuba.", "It's a US Military base slash terrorist prison in Cuba. We jail terrorists there because they are not subject to US laws and do not have the right to a lawyer, phone call, speedy trial, know cha...
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[ [], [] ]
3ia3iu
how the hell did any crimes get solved before modern forensics were developed?
I know this is a stupid question, but I'm finally getting around to playing LA Noire, and it seems like half these cases are only getting solved because you're getting lucky with some very shaky connections and Cole intimidates people into cracking. I feel like if you could keep your cool and you watched your paper tra...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ia3iu/eli5_how_the_hell_did_any_crimes_get_solved/
{ "a_id": [ "cueng7m" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Good ol' fashioned sleuthing. There's far more to detective work than forensics, despite what modern day procedurals would have you believe. Questioning and interrogation, for example, both of witnesses and suspects, is still very much a vital pa...
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[ [] ]
4hke88
why isn't the surgeon general called the "physician general"?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4hke88/eli5_why_isnt_the_surgeon_general_called_the/
{ "a_id": [ "d2qbhsh", "d2qpgwe", "d2qq7zs", "d2qrlkt" ], "score": [ 259, 7, 18, 2 ], "text": [ "Because it grew out of a tradition of military surgeons- though you should think of them as general-purpose medical men assigned to the Army, rather than scalpelers. At the time...
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[ [], [], [], [] ]
3hel0t
regarding bill cosby's downfall
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3hel0t/eli5_regarding_bill_cosbys_downfall/
{ "a_id": [ "cu6piv0", "cu6ropc", "cu6sfvu", "cu6x04g" ], "score": [ 7, 5, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "Comedian makes jokes about allegations that have been around for a long time. People take notice, more victims come out of woodwork. Now nobody will air re-runs of Cosby Show. ", ...
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[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
2ikf1p
how is reddit a full-fledged company?
I mean, it's a just a simple, straightforward message board. A large-scale one with loads of users, sure, but ultimately still just a website. And all the content is user-generated, right? So I don't understand how it takes more than one person with a shitload of server space (or whatever, I'm not a techie) to run. Sur...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2ikf1p/eli5_how_is_reddit_a_fullfledged_company/
{ "a_id": [ "cl2vhzl", "cl2vi27", "cl2wd5i" ], "score": [ 3, 3, 25 ], "text": [ "You have no idea how much personnel it takes to keep a large site running. *Nothing* with 174 million unique visitors per month is a set-it-and-forget-it business.\n\nThen there's the entire hurdle of ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://www.quora.com/How-many-employees-does-Facebook-have" ] ]
c16odj
are we somehow responsible for the weapons our country is selling to other countries ?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/c16odj/eli5_are_we_somehow_responsible_for_the_weapons/
{ "a_id": [ "erb6jav" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Government is run by people you elect (democracy of course) but since there is currently no direct democracy anywhere (you are not personally involved in decision making), you cannot be personally responsible for government actions. If you do not...
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[ [] ]
2ycq5y
how does our mind decide what our voice sounds like when we read things in our head?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2ycq5y/eli5_how_does_our_mind_decide_what_our_voice/
{ "a_id": [ "cp8bu9d", "cp8e8ao", "cp8ejo2", "cp8nal3", "cp8rk5k", "cp8xgbv" ], "score": [ 73, 38, 5, 2, 42, 4 ], "text": [ "Been asked before but don't have the link for answer. Basically, your voice in your head is the same you hear when you're talking so ...
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[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
2yhdwy
how does a thermostat switch things (ac, header, lights) on/off?
Does it have to be connected to some centralized circuit system in an apartment? If so, does that mean your apartment's circuit has to be designed in a certain way for a thermostat to work? Note: I'm thinking of getting one installed in my apartment but I don't understand what is required for it to work.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2yhdwy/eli5_how_does_a_thermostat_switch_things_ac/
{ "a_id": [ "cp9isf8", "cp9on3y" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "How it actually switches it is by using a logic based circuit with relays that switch high voltage power sources on and off once a given threshold, ie set temperature, is met. They're not very hard to install if you know wh...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
1mn2zw
what does a programmer have to do when he ports his program from one type of process to another one for example the ps3 cell processor to a pc processor?
Dont all the processors understand the same computer languages?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1mn2zw/what_does_a_programmer_have_to_do_when_he_ports/
{ "a_id": [ "ccaqkxi", "ccaqxw3" ], "score": [ 2, 5 ], "text": [ "The processor does not understand any computer language, but only machine language. ML for every platform is different. That's why a common source code must be compiled (translated) to ML that your processor understands.", ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
2w5lv4
how is it that old but massive games like mario 64 take up less space than an hd background photo?
_URL_0_ vs. _URL_1_ I know these are ultra-HD pictures, but I have some 1920x1080 ones that go well over a megabyte. I just think it's weird that a solitary picture can be far larger than a game with a bunch of sounds, graphics, data, events, and code.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2w5lv4/eli5_how_is_it_that_old_but_massive_games_like/
{ "a_id": [ "conshxd", "conw7ue" ], "score": [ 6, 2 ], "text": [ "It's not that weird. The largest part of a video game will be the media assets (graphics, sound, video) and in Mario 64 these are very low quality and therefore very low in size. The code, data, events, etc. will be very sma...
[]
[ "http://i.gyazo.com/ca2811d5c476f2d1497c4d21f837537f.png", "http://i.gyazo.com/5e6df426d40b87e314801705606f811f.png" ]
[ [], [] ]
1t9zz6
why can't you touch a halogen bulb?
Why can't you touch a halogen bulb? And why if you do, it won't work anymore?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1t9zz6/eli5_why_cant_you_touch_a_halogen_bulb/
{ "a_id": [ "ce5ubr0", "ce5uhtk" ], "score": [ 8, 4 ], "text": [ "The oil on your hands creates a hot spot on the bulb. It won't immediately break, but that spot is getting a lot hotter than any other part of the bulb, so its under a lot more stress. The bulb weakens into a more crystaline...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
5hobae
how do athletes compete in freezing temperatures?
After watching the MLS finals in Toronto tonight in sub-freezing temperatures (-6C/21F) I'm fascinated by the fact that the players still wore shorts and although they were wearing double layered shirts, everyone on the sidelines and in the stands were wearing hats and scarves. How do they do it?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5hobae/eli5_how_do_athletes_compete_in_freezing/
{ "a_id": [ "db1oewb", "db1omhe", "db1qi2e", "db1qp4e" ], "score": [ 5, 5, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Athletes get warm by moving a lot. Legs don't get very cold and they sweat a lot, so no need for thick pants. Torso can easily get cold, good to cover. ", "Humans, like any mec...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [ "http://pro32.ap.org/article/football-and-frostbite-remembering-ice-bowl" ] ]
l4s7w
the feeling i sometimes get after my foot falls asleep, the painfully ticklish feeling not the prickly feeling.
It feels like my foot is a big cave of some kind and when it touches anything it vibrates throughout my foot being painfully ticklish. Not the painful prickling feeling.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/l4s7w/eli5_the_feeling_i_sometimes_get_after_my_foot/
{ "a_id": [ "c2pryas", "c2pryas" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "That's because nerves becomes extremely sensible when they lack of proper blood flow. \n\n_URL_0_\n_URL_1_ ", "That's because nerves becomes extremely sensible when they lack of proper blood flow. \n\n_URL_0_\n_URL_1_ " ...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://medtempus.com/archives/hormigueos-y-adormecimientos-de-las-extremidades-parestesias/", "http://www.healthhype.com/causes-of-tingling-and-numbness-paresthesia.html" ], [ "http://medtempus.com/archives/hormigueos-y-adormecimientos-de-las-extremidades-parestesias/", "http://www.healthhype...
3g8skl
why don't politicians have facial hair anymore?
Mustaches, beards, not even stubble Why do we have a shortage of furry leaders? Wow everyone, thank you so much for the answers! I live in South Korea, so when most of these comments came on and it hit the front page, I was asleep. I woke up this morning to the surprise of being on the front page. Thank you for that...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3g8skl/eli5_why_dont_politicians_have_facial_hair_anymore/
{ "a_id": [ "ctvwlu6", "ctvx4sm", "ctvxeo6", "ctvzbtc", "ctw0cq5", "ctw0jyg", "ctw0vtn", "ctw1pn5", "ctw3imi", "ctw502p", "ctw57v2", "ctw5r0i", "ctw5rdd", "ctw5uem", "ctw5y0q", "ctw6ja1", "ctw6tuh", "ctw8b6e", "ctw8s0c", "ctw8vxy", "c...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://www.cbsnews.com/news/want-a-great-job-then-shave/" ], [ "https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Presidents_of_the_United_States_with_facial_hair" ], [], [], [ "http://www.academia.edu/180527/Perception_of_mens_personal_qualities_and_prospect_of_employment_as_a_function_of_fa...
5v7ayp
do water treatment plants have special methods to remove pharmaceutical drugs (and metabolites) from the waste water? are they effective at preventing trace amounts of drugs from going back into the drinking water?
Just wondering how water treatment plants remove drugs (and their metabolites) from water that is peed out after human consumption. I've heard that there are traces of drugs in drinking water and I wonder sometimes about how those traces can affect humans. Do the plants have to do different things to take out differe...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5v7ayp/eli5_do_water_treatment_plants_have_special/
{ "a_id": [ "ddztifd", "ddzu9pb", "ddzuhuf" ], "score": [ 9, 2, 4 ], "text": [ "There is no method. If the drug or metabolites has a nitrogen or phosphorus in usable form, it gets ate. Otherwise no. The bacteria and other higher order life enjoy phosphate and nitrate primarily, (...
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[]
[ [], [], [ "https://www.asme.org/engineering-topics/articles/environmental-engineering/blackwater-becomes-a-sparkling-resource", "https://water.usgs.gov/edu/wwreclaimed.html" ] ]
6g8c19
how the british parliamentary elections work
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6g8c19/eli5_how_the_british_parliamentary_elections_work/
{ "a_id": [ "dioasyr", "diof2ii" ], "score": [ 24, 37 ], "text": [ "The British Parliament is similar to the US Congress. In the House of Commons (the lower house, and the counterpart to the US House of Representatives), there are 650 constituencies, also called seats. These are geograph...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
8l5y7l
what is the difference between declaring war, and a conflict, peacekeeping mission, policing action, etc.? what do you gain/lose by not declaring it an official war?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8l5y7l/eli5_what_is_the_difference_between_declaring_war/
{ "a_id": [ "dzd43v0", "dzd4qo3", "dzdnbfq" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 5 ], "text": [ "\"Declaring war\" is no longer a thing in modern diplomacy. It has been replaced by other, more modern concepts and procedures.", "A declaration of war (in the US) is a legal procedure undertaken by...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
40bt41
what is the biological advantage to urination occurring in or near the sex organs?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/40bt41/eli5_what_is_the_biological_advantage_to/
{ "a_id": [ "cysy99o", "cyt1geb", "cytdv13", "cytpmxf" ], "score": [ 3, 22, 9, 2 ], "text": [ "Urine is decently sterile, it washes bacteria away from the urethra and for guys, when they ejaculate into a woman it changes the pH of her vagina to not be so acidic and thus hos...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
4763sg
how has china been allowed to build an artificial island in disputed waters; and then militarise said island?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4763sg/eli5_how_has_china_been_allowed_to_build_an/
{ "a_id": [ "d0agi2w", "d0agi41", "d0agi4b", "d0agpy9", "d0agsvq", "d0agt1i" ], "score": [ 9, 12, 3, 2, 2, 4 ], "text": [ "China has big guns.\n\nBig guns allow you to do anything you want without anyone doing anything about it.\n", "The Islands are not ...
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[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
58q2fg
why do our taste buds prefer ingredients compiled into a recipe instead of just the base ingredients by themselves?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/58q2fg/eli5_why_do_our_taste_buds_prefer_ingredients/
{ "a_id": [ "d92hayu", "d92iyqu", "d92k3mi", "d92vo6j", "d92vvto" ], "score": [ 247, 27, 4, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "A meal isn't simply the sum of it's ingredients on a plate. When you mix ingredients, cook food, etc. they undergo chemical reactions that make them entire...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "https://m.reddit.com/r/FoodPorn/" ], [], [] ]
2mppr8
will we ever be able to make "better" hd? would our eyes be able to differentiate it?
720p and 1080p are both HD, but you (or at least I) can vaguely tell a difference between the two - 1080p obviously being a little better. That being said, are we still coming out with better quality stuff today? I know about 2KHD and 4KHD, but can it actually get any better than *that*?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2mppr8/eli5_will_we_ever_be_able_to_make_better_hd_would/
{ "a_id": [ "cm6fvbj" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "It can always get better in terms of pixels/quality, all you need is a better sensor and processing capabilities for the camera, whether we can really tell though is another matter. Im sure there are custom cameras that shoot video 10 times bette...
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[ [] ]
a4n5n0
black holes colliding cause mass to be shot out as energy?
I was taught that mass cannot be converted to energy or the other way around. Energy can radiate in the form of heat and so on, I know that. Now I just read an article about gravitational waves that said that 2 black holes coliding gave out vibrational energy (sorry if it's the wrong term, google translate). "In fünf M...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a4n5n0/eli5_black_holes_colliding_cause_mass_to_be_shot/
{ "a_id": [ "ebfzure" ], "score": [ 11 ], "text": [ " > I was taught that mass cannot be converted to energy or the other way around.\n\nThis is incorrect. It only really seems like you can't convert mass and energy because for the vast majority of experiences on the human scale, you can't. Or mor...
[]
[ "https://www.spektrum.de/news/der-maechtigste-crash-von-allen/1611666" ]
[ [] ]
1zqgk1
how come when i play a youtube video on my modern laptop, my laptop gets super hot and the fans spin up. but when i play the same video on my modern smart-phone, i don't notice any increased heat at all?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1zqgk1/eli5_how_come_when_i_play_a_youtube_video_on_my/
{ "a_id": [ "cfvzarp" ], "score": [ 19 ], "text": [ "I'll try to create a comparison.\n\nImagine I have 2 pop-tarts and I want to heat them up before I eat them.\n\nI put 1 in the toaster, and 1 in the oven. Both will heat them to the point I want, but one of them is going to generate more heat t...
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[ [] ]
7mgyvh
why do return envelopes not require a stamp?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7mgyvh/eli5_why_do_return_envelopes_not_require_a_stamp/
{ "a_id": [ "drtu3go" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "The Postal Service offers a service called Business Reply Mail (BRM). By opening an account with the local Post Office, a business may supply their customers with return envelopes or labels. This allows customers to send a reply via First-Class M...
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[]
[ [ "https://www.uspsoig.gov/blog/business-reply-mail" ] ]
8g9e6s
please can somebody explain how to use pgp (version: gnupg v2) encryption to decipher messages?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8g9e6s/eli5_please_can_somebody_explain_how_to_use_pgp/
{ "a_id": [ "dy9uppk" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "This subreddit is not for \"how to guides\". If you provide me with some details as to what you have tried, and where you are stuck, I can definitely assist though.\n\nI would recommend attempting this yourself from both sides. Pretend you are ...
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[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pretty_Good_Privacy#/media/File:PGP_diagram.svg" ] ]
6hesyb
why if food takes 24-48hours to digest properly do we get almost all of the nutrition in the first 4 hours? what's happening in those other 20-44 hours?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6hesyb/eli5_why_if_food_takes_2448hours_to_digest/
{ "a_id": [ "dixqxr1" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Different things happen at different points in the process. Carbs, for instance start being digested even by your saliva as soon as they enter your mouth. But most water is extracted from your food by your large intestine, right at the end of the...
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[ [] ]
9xl6qv
if a girl has the name kimberly, her nickname is kim or kimmy. if a boy is named michael, his nickname is mike or mikey. but if a guy is named robert, why can his nickname be bobby? if his name is james, how can his nickname be jimmy?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9xl6qv/eli5_if_a_girl_has_the_name_kimberly_her_nickname/
{ "a_id": [ "e9t4nmt", "e9t54hp", "e9t5bmq" ], "score": [ 4, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "Really it's just what we're culturally used to. There are reasons for each example. Here is another: A girl called Elizabeth might be Liz, Lizzy, Beth or Betty (or others)", "Names like Robert and J...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://mentalfloss.com/article/24761/origins-10-nicknames" ], [] ]
62h178
why does diamond plating have the ridges all over it?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/62h178/eli5_why_does_diamond_plating_have_the_ridges_all/
{ "a_id": [ "dfmh5yv" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "The ridges help give traction, which is why you often see it on stairs, walkways, and in the backs of work vehicles. With diamond plate you get the the durability of steel plate without the slipperiness of a piece of smooth steel." ] }
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[ [] ]
1lwaac
how oxford university is set up.
I always thought Oxford was a university then I was reading a Stephen Fry biography he made it seem like there is no actual Oxford Uni but rather lots of university's or colleges in the town of Oxford. Is there an actual Oxford university?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1lwaac/eli5how_oxford_university_is_set_up/
{ "a_id": [ "cc3fdqy" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "There *is* an Oxford University, but it's an administrative rather than teaching institution.\n\nOxford, and some other British universities which use the collegiate system, is actually a grouping of many separate small colleges. Each of these in...
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[ [] ]
58a577
why do cars run on gasoline instead of readily-available renewable resources like ethanol?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/58a577/eli5_why_do_cars_run_on_gasoline_instead_of/
{ "a_id": [ "d8ynxc2", "d8ynz6q", "d8yo4rf" ], "score": [ 2, 9, 3 ], "text": [ "Gasoline is/was easier to obtain, store, transport, etc when the modern vehicle engine was developed as well as having built in lubrication and less corrosive features than alcohol based fuels.. \n\nAn...
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[ [], [], [] ]
4825sq
why do some electronics have a maximum point to where you can expand the memory?
The latest Samsung phone can have it's memory expanded up to 200 GB. Why couldn't someone get a larger memory card that expands it beyond that number?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4825sq/eli5_why_do_some_electronics_have_a_maximum_point/
{ "a_id": [ "d0gusxg", "d0gwdej", "d0gwdx3", "d0gxxdd", "d0gyh0m", "d0hwuze" ], "score": [ 15, 12, 9, 2, 24, 2 ], "text": [ "The phone itself would have to have the capability to handle more than 200GB. This would be within the controller part of the phone,...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
3qa6zw
why are there so many saudi arabian princes?
In these threads some people talk about 13,000 or 20,000 people in the royal family. How many princes? Who does this include? [Saudi Family Tree shows descendants](_URL_0_) of Abdulaziz ibn Saud. Is this the only royal family line?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3qa6zw/eli5_why_are_there_so_many_saudi_arabian_princes/
{ "a_id": [ "cwddcir", "cwdg757", "cwdjari", "cwdjv1v", "cwdkagk", "cwdl7jg", "cwdr9q4" ], "score": [ 116, 11, 50, 4, 10, 17, 11 ], "text": [ " > Is this the only royal family line?\n\nIn Saudi Arabia, yes. Ibn Saud had dozens of children. Not sure...
[]
[ "http://graphics.wsj.com/saudi-arabia-family-tree/" ]
[ [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polygyny" ], [], [], [], [ "http://reuters.com/article/idUSTRE71R2SA20110228" ], [] ]
5uwe1t
difference between photographic and eidetic memory or is it the same thing?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5uwe1t/eli5difference_between_photographic_and_eidetic/
{ "a_id": [ "ddxdbg0" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Same thing, and *extremely* rare. 'Eidetic Memory' is the formal term for 'photographic memory'." ] }
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[ [] ]
e2cexo
what does 5g give other than faster internet?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/e2cexo/eli5_what_does_5g_give_other_than_faster_internet/
{ "a_id": [ "f8uqv11" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Stable connections and better availability are nice to have things. The real perk is lower latency which will be really useful for self driving cars which are in constant need for (quick) information. Only the future will show the whole potentia...
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[ [] ]
eqdq15
why do people not want their kitchen knives to go into the washing machine?
I mean a dish washer (unable to edit the title). I understand that it makes a kitchen knife blunt to go in there, but it takes literally 30 seconds to sharpen it once in a while. So why do so many people chose this time costly trade off to manually rinse their knives? What am I missing?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/eqdq15/eli5_why_do_people_not_want_their_kitchen_knives/
{ "a_id": [ "fepyp4q", "fepz9kk", "fepzb3v", "feq2tc3", "fet568w" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 5, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "It might be a lame explanation but I don’t put mine in the wash because the machine or the detergent scratches the handles of my knives and I don’t want to ru...
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[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
1sgtt7
what does the term 'adjusted for inflation' mean when talking about money over a time period?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1sgtt7/eli5_what_does_the_term_adjusted_for_inflation/
{ "a_id": [ "cdxfmsj", "cdxfn4f" ], "score": [ 4, 2 ], "text": [ "Inflation is a way to measure how much prices increase by over time. Therefore, if annual inflation is 2%, something that cost you £1 a year ago will cost you £1.02 today. \n\nThat means that your money won't go as far in th...
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[ [], [] ]