q_id stringlengths 5 6 | title stringlengths 3 296 | selftext stringlengths 0 34k | document stringclasses 1
value | subreddit stringclasses 1
value | url stringlengths 4 110 | answers dict | title_urls list | selftext_urls list | answers_urls list |
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3tme9n | the cause of the awkward silence that happens in classrooms or rooms full of people | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3tme9n/eli5_the_cause_of_the_awkward_silence_that/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"This happens quite often where I work in a room setting of 20 people (like if we have time for small talk / banter). Its mainly because no one really likes each other and all conversations are forced.\n\nyeah I work in a hostile environment lol. ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
2rha56 | what is the falcon 9 launch by space x? | Just saw Elon Musk's AMA, can someone give me a rundown of what is supposed to happen tomorrow? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2rha56/eli5_what_is_the_falcon_9_launch_by_space_x/ | {
"a_id": [
"cnfw0ue"
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"score": [
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"text": [
"They're sending a fairly standard payload of supplies and equipment to the ISS; the special bit, however, is that most rockets see the first stage destroyed, it runs out of fuel, seperates, and then crashes into the ocean. This launch is differen... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
apusva | when in a pc game, how can i tell the sound i hear is from behind with a stereo headset? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/apusva/eli5_when_in_a_pc_game_how_can_i_tell_the_sound_i/ | {
"a_id": [
"egbamkm",
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"score": [
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"text": [
"While there are some ways your ear/brain can tell a sound is behind you (slightly muffled sound for instance), I don't think games simulate this.\n\nMore likely, when you are playing a game you are constantly moving the came... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
3aa7iy | if we're conscious of our own addictions why do we still act on them? | Things like pornography, alcohol, nicotine are what common addictions are. If we are not proud of them and want to quit why do we still fall in the trap of them even if we are truly conscious of our own behavior at the time of consumption? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3aa7iy/eli5_if_were_conscious_of_our_own_addictions_why/ | {
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"score": [
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"text": [
"Probably because of the PHYSICAL discomfort that comes with the absen... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://www.huffingtonpost.com/johann-hari/the-real-cause-of-addicti_b_6506936.html"
],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
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466wze | how does a wet/soaked towel dry over a certain period of time? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/466wze/eli5_how_does_a_wetsoaked_towel_dry_over_a/ | {
"a_id": [
"d02xk6b"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"The water evaporates into the surrounding air, just like any moisture exposed to air. Same as a wet spot on the floor will eventually dry or the sidewalk after rain."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
8cuaex | why is it that there are 2 enter keys, 2 shift keys, 2 alt keys, etc. but only one tab and enter key on a keyboard? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8cuaex/eli5_why_is_it_that_there_are_2_enter_keys_2/ | {
"a_id": [
"dxhwddv",
"dxhwdmq",
"dxhwfzy"
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"score": [
2,
4,
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"text": [
"There is one enter key and one return key. The shift keys are for easier typing if capital letters. I assume the two ctrl keys are there for the same reason. ",
"It's all about typing efficiently.\n... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
695r5s | what makes us gassy? | I know that certain foods and other things make us gassy, but where does the gas actually come from? I don't imagine that 100%, or even 10% of expelled gas is just swallowed air. I assume the gas is formed somewhere in our body, but where and how?
| explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/695r5s/eli5_what_makes_us_gassy/ | {
"a_id": [
"dh4057u",
"dh42u35"
],
"score": [
2,
3
],
"text": [
"Chemical reactions! Molecules breaking apart and combining into new molecules. Some of those will include left over gasses. ",
"Gasses :)\n\nSo your intestines are full of microorganisms that do all kinds of things and a... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
41it22 | why do out door tv antennas need a seporate receiver on top of them? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/41it22/eli5why_do_out_door_tv_antennas_need_a_seporate/ | {
"a_id": [
"cz2n5zo",
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],
"score": [
2,
2
],
"text": [
"If you mean the little (usually black) plastic box on the dipole, that's usually just a connection box where the upcoming coaxial cable connects to the receiving element.\n\nSometimes it contains a masthead amplifier if the ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
551x0b | how do mlm like amway work? is there usual success? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/551x0b/eli5_how_do_mlm_like_amway_work_is_there_usual/ | {
"a_id": [
"dau1qkg",
"d874svo"
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"score": [
2,
2
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"text": [
"They work by distributing sales commission based on your ranking (how much money you put into the company) and based on who the customer bought from (if the customer bought from someone \"above\" you in the pyramid, you get ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
5b04og | what can one do to help the environment? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5b04og/eli5_what_can_one_do_to_help_the_environment/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
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19,
10,
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"text": [
"Go vegan :) (the easiest and most delicious way to help the environment) \nCompost \nRecycle\nAnd pick up trash off the streets. \nvolunteer with earth corp... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
2idljg | would the flight maneuver in the movie flight be possible in real life? | The maneuver that i'm talking about: _URL_0_
Would...uhm...anyone survive?
| explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2idljg/eli5_would_the_flight_maneuver_in_the_movie/ | {
"a_id": [
"cl1iv2s"
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"score": [
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"text": [
"Yes. Planes can fly inverted. Though under normal circumstances this would make the plane crash into the ground really fast, in the circumstance in Flight it would likely give you a few seconds of breathing room. Since low-velocity commercial jet... | [] | [
"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugsQQKn0muQ"
] | [
[]
] | |
4u8e7v | why is the australian government largely ignoring environmental issues in the country? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4u8e7v/eli5_why_is_the_australian_government_largely/ | {
"a_id": [
"d5nmuj6",
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"score": [
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81,
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"text": [
"as an Australian , it is rather easy to explain\n\nthe governing Liberal Party (equiv to GOP) are beholden to big business and their own equivalent \"tea party\" lead by moron senator Cory Bernardi , ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
5nla9m | what are the pros and cons to globalism, from an (as much as possible) unbiased perspective? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5nla9m/eli5_what_are_the_pros_and_cons_to_globalism_from/ | {
"a_id": [
"dcccrly"
],
"score": [
6
],
"text": [
"Globalization is when various facets of society operate at a truly global level rather than locally or regionally. The following is two examples dealing with trade and culture. \n\nFor trade and commerce that can mean businesses can operate globa... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
2a29sg | why does tiredness fade away when you stay awake too much? | I am now awake for about 27 hours straight, because I wanted to confirm that I am not as sleepy anymore than about 5 hours ago. I woke up yesterday at about 1pm. From then on I was awake until now. The most tiredness I felt was around 4-5am, so about after 15h of staying awake, but now after about 27h I don't feel slee... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2a29sg/eli5_why_does_tiredness_fade_away_when_you_stay/ | {
"a_id": [
"ciqrtuc"
],
"score": [
12
],
"text": [
"Second wind (in regards to sleep) is the result of circadian rhythms cycling into a phase of wakefulness.\n\n[Source](_URL_0_"
]
} | [] | [] | [
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_wind_(sleep)"
]
] | |
9tbodb | how come some books are hard to read even if you know the meaning of each word? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9tbodb/eli5_how_come_some_books_are_hard_to_read_even_if/ | {
"a_id": [
"e8v17ne"
],
"score": [
4
],
"text": [
"Probably. I have picked up plenty of books on subjects that I'm interested in and the style it is written in is just not for me. I'm a reader too.\n\nAlthough some difficult to read books are worth the struggle. "
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
1usm6b | when a cpu is being developed, what are the engineers doing that makes the chip better than the last? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1usm6b/eli5_when_a_cpu_is_being_developed_what_are_the/ | {
"a_id": [
"cel9uwy"
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"score": [
45
],
"text": [
"Obviously fabrication techniques improve to where the feature size of processors (referenced as things like \"22nm,\" which tells you the width of the smallest features, like an interconnect) gets smaller, letting you increase the clock speed an... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
5z7vyc | the internet of things | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5z7vyc/eli5_the_internet_of_things/ | {
"a_id": [
"devyuwm",
"dew1oc4",
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"score": [
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2,
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"text": [
"In short: the internet of things is about putting a tiny computer and internet connection into everyday objects.\n\nThis lets you do cool things like program your coffee maker to s... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
8is6u7 | the idea of half-life with pain medication | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8is6u7/eli5_the_idea_of_halflife_with_pain_medication/ | {
"a_id": [
"dyu77su",
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"score": [
4,
6
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"text": [
"Half life for medication is the time that it takes for half the taken medication to be eliminated from the body.\n\nIf you take 100mg of a drug with a half life of 12 hours. It is expected you will have 50mg left 12 hours la... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
4u2hep | how do hard shutdowns work even if device is frozen? | If a device is completely locked up and not accepting any inputs, how are we able to force it to shut down without physically removing power to get the device to start accepting inputs again? I'm talking about holding down the power button on computers, holding down power + home on an iPhone, power + volume on an Andro... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4u2hep/eli5_how_do_hard_shutdowns_work_even_if_device_is/ | {
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"d5m8v9i",
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"d5mx9ay",
"d5n4oyl"
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"score": [
21,
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"text": [
"They work basically as it is a low level function handled by the motherboard that tells ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
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] | |
q6js2 | if gravity is the weakest of the four fundamental forces of nature, how do black holes manage to become powerful enough to destroy or capture everything near them? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/q6js2/if_gravity_is_the_weakest_of_the_four_fundamental/ | {
"a_id": [
"c3v4pd4",
"c3v4rye",
"c3va0do"
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"score": [
9,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"Get enough TNT and you'll have enough power to match atom bomb. \n\n\nGravity is a force that is stronger when you get closer. Black holes are not necessarily very heavy, but rather very small. You can ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
3x3rm7 | why is it that every time i check in online to flights over 90% of the seats are unavailable? | I try to check in as soon as the time allows (usually 24-36 hours before departure) but I'm never able to get my choice of seats without having to pay for the better seats?
I booked the flight directly through the airline and yet they keep 90% of the seats unavailable during online check in. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3x3rm7/eli5_why_is_it_that_every_time_i_check_in_online/ | {
"a_id": [
"cy1828l",
"cy18612",
"cy18uwi",
"cy18ywj"
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"score": [
4,
4,
2,
2
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"text": [
"Specifically so you will pay for better seats. Simple as that. \n\nSome people are willing to pay a premium to get the seat they want, so, from the airline's perspective, there is ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
4g94wz | the dark souls universe (games 1-3) | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4g94wz/eli5_the_dark_souls_universe_games_13/ | {
"a_id": [
"d2fki7i"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"You really should play the first one, cursed one. DS1 > DS2 by far. \n\nAlso search /r/Gaming and /r/DarkSouls for lore threads.\n\nAnyway, [spoilers]. Be aware I could be wrong but this is the best I understand it without reading hundreds of l... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
j7emx | explain shock to me like i'm 5 | I've taken first aid and CPR courses, and they always give you warning signs for someone going into "shock" which can be lethal. I asked what shock was in one of these classes and they told us that the body shuts down your organs. Why does this happen? How did a mechanism like this evolve? It seems terribly disadvantag... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/j7emx/explain_shock_to_me_like_im_5/ | {
"a_id": [
"c29rwfg",
"c29rwfg"
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"score": [
15,
15
],
"text": [
"It depends on the type of shock. from what you are talking about, i'm assuming what you are referring to is circulatory shock.\n\nyour body is like one big container filled with little tiny tubes and a pump to move the liq... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
lfm98 | how haarp apparently "affects" weather and why some people go nuts when you mention it. | I've seen a million conspiracy theories about the places but really have no idea how people think it would control weather. Isn't it just a radar station of sorts? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/lfm98/eli5_how_haarp_apparently_affects_weather_and_why/ | {
"a_id": [
"c2sa07d",
"c2sa07d"
],
"score": [
2,
2
],
"text": [
"People think everything from contrails to genetics have secret evil motives. Doesn't mean they're right.",
"People think everything from contrails to genetics have secret evil motives. Doesn't mean they're right."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
e44au1 | why is the colonial acquisition of the americas considered so much worse than other conquests throughout the history of the world? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/e44au1/eli5_why_is_the_colonial_acquisition_of_the/ | {
"a_id": [
"f96tvug",
"f96v6pq"
],
"score": [
2,
2
],
"text": [
"Idk i think it probably depends on where you learn it from... it’s all about perception. As someone who had my education at a US public school, I went a lot in depth about US history. At early ages, I wasn’t taught that the ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
1s08sf | what is going in with amazon the past few days, and why are so many people on reddit talking about it? | URL or Text Here | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1s08sf/eli5_what_is_going_in_with_amazon_the_past_few/ | {
"a_id": [
"cdsmxqw",
"cdsqanv"
],
"score": [
5,
2
],
"text": [
"Jeff Bezos (the CEO of Amazon) did a 60 Minutes interview where he announced an R & D effort to switch to drone (unmanned aircraft) delivery of products. This has caused a lot of debate about the technology involved, and ho... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://money.cnn.com/2013/12/01/technology/amazon-drone-delivery/"
]
] | |
28x7uz | why do bike tires go flat with non use, but stay inflated with daily use? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/28x7uz/eli5_why_do_bike_tires_go_flat_with_non_use_but/ | {
"a_id": [
"cifcr7s",
"cifcw87"
],
"score": [
35,
4
],
"text": [
"With daily use, the rider re-inflates his tires whenever they start to get low.",
"Until someone else comes along with the correct answer, I was always told when working at a bike shop that rubber was porous, and riding... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
4im0ym | how has mercury maintained it's orbit around the sun? | Ok now I understand the high school science class explanation to this being that Mercury has it's own gravitational field and has essentially managed to maintain it's own orbit around the Sun. Even with that oversimplified explanation don't we still take the Sun's mass into consideration? I don't know in exact terms ho... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4im0ym/eli5_how_has_mercury_maintained_its_orbit_around/ | {
"a_id": [
"d2z5p2k",
"d2z61ls",
"d2z6iob"
],
"score": [
2,
5,
3
],
"text": [
"Alright Neil Degrasse Tyson is going to explain this to me lol ",
"Mercury is in orbit because it has enough sideways velocity to miss the object it's orbiting, the Sun. If it didn't, then it woul... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
jhezt | why would anonymous want to shut down facebook? and ... what is anonymous? | Is it like a philosophical thing against facebook or like a ... hey look what we can do? And, I'm not being funny, who are they? Where did they come from? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/jhezt/eli5_why_would_anonymous_want_to_shut_down/ | {
"a_id": [
"c2c4oor",
"c2c4oor"
],
"score": [
8,
8
],
"text": [
"I'll explain this in terms of Reddit. On Reddit you have many subreddits dedicated to different interests. For example, ELI5 is dedicated to simplistic explanations of sometimes difficult concepts. There's a website called 4... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://piratepad.net/nQ61THe8ht"
],
[
"http://piratepad.net/nQ61THe8ht"
]
] | |
6omp8u | if anger is considered such a negative and bad emotion that brings trouble and we need to avoid it, why do we have it in the first place? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6omp8u/eli5_if_anger_is_considered_such_a_negative_and/ | {
"a_id": [
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"dkizle1"
],
"score": [
3,
10,
3,
3,
2,
6,
2,
6,
2
],
"text": [
"Anger is a holdover from the caveman days. It is a hell of a motivat... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
2ioect | how did humans become civilised? | Sounds silly but how did we become a species that learned to communicate, make languages and start to discover the world? Maybe I missed a history lesson but I am very interested to find out where we started! | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2ioect/eli5_how_did_humans_become_civilised/ | {
"a_id": [
"cl3xomv",
"cl3y321"
],
"score": [
7,
3
],
"text": [
"There's no consensus on how languages started. We evolved over millions of years and most likely had rudimentary hooting and grunts like we see in other animals today.\n\nAbout 13,000 years ago we began growing crops and do... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behavioral_modernity"
]
] | |
nzona | " how does a engine increase/decrease it's revolutions per minute? | Explain this to a 5 y/o who understands the workings of a 2 and 4 stoke ICE.
(And if it is really as simple as to have the spark plug ignite a miniscule fraction of a second earlier or have a miniscule fraction more of gas in the chamber)
kthx | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/nzona/eli5_how_does_a_engine_increasedecrease_its/ | {
"a_id": [
"c3d7pk7",
"c3d98h5"
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"score": [
2,
3
],
"text": [
"The throttle [does it](_URL_0_) it restricts the flow of fuel and air into the combustion chamber",
"First, this is how engines work:\n\nThe main objective of most types of engines is to get a cylindrical rod to rotate. ... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Throttle"
],
[]
] | |
1at5d1 | why does biting open plastic containers, like ketchup packets, "sting" my teeth sometimes? | I'm really curios as to why when biting into thin sheets of plastic and flimsy plastic containers to tear them open I often feel a sharp, shooting pain in my teeth. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1at5d1/eli5_why_does_biting_open_plastic_containers_like/ | {
"a_id": [
"c90jray",
"c90jx96"
],
"score": [
15,
2
],
"text": [
"These packets/containers actually have metals such as aluminum in them. These interact with your teeth & any fillings you may have:\n\n_URL_0_",
"If I remember correctly, my dentist told me that is a sign of weakening... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://science.howstuffworks.com/question564.htm"
],
[]
] | |
2klcl0 | how does the post office redirect your mail when you change addresses if the info is handwritten on envelopes? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2klcl0/eli5how_does_the_post_office_redirect_your_mail/ | {
"a_id": [
"clmdckg",
"clmgxg3"
],
"score": [
12,
3
],
"text": [
"The post office scans the address and uses optical character recognition (OCR) to digitize the address. The computer then helps sort the mail to the correct destination and can apply any address changes.\n\nIf the writing ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
302jiu | how do economies grow? if there is more buying and selling wouldn't the net amount of money stay the same, isn't money is only changed from one hand to another? | Really confused in general about economics | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/302jiu/eli5_how_do_economies_grow_if_there_is_more/ | {
"a_id": [
"cpoi1f8",
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2,
4,
2
],
"text": [
"Your (and everyone's) labor also has value. With work, you can change low-cost resources into high-value end products. The more this happens, the more the economy grows.",
"Buying and selling might ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
bqib4b | how the moon can drift away from earth despite earth’s immense gravity on the moon relative to other celestial objects | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bqib4b/eli5_how_the_moon_can_drift_away_from_earth/ | {
"a_id": [
"eo4pz56",
"eo4qd3a"
],
"score": [
3,
2
],
"text": [
"The Moon's gravity causes tidal bulges on the Earth directly bellow it. Because the Earth spins faster than the Moon orbits, the Moon gets pulled along by the bulges causing it to speed up while the earth slows down. Because... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
93u24i | why are the platypus and echidna the only mammals to lay eggs? | Why do only 2 kinds of mammal lay eggs? Pretty much every other kind of vertebrate does. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/93u24i/eli5_why_are_the_platypus_and_echidna_the_only/ | {
"a_id": [
"e3fzgn5",
"e3g3tbm",
"e3g45ys",
"e3gam5o"
],
"score": [
4,
2,
2,
3
],
"text": [
"Because nature is weird and evolution is fickle. Presumably at some point in the past the ancestor to these two animals laid eggs and it just never got selected out of their geneti... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
1xis7x | why does snow seem so much harder to predict than rain? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1xis7x/eli5_why_does_snow_seem_so_much_harder_to_predict/ | {
"a_id": [
"cfbp59c"
],
"score": [
14
],
"text": [
"It's harder because it happens under a much more specific set of circumstances, and predicting when those circumstances will occur is therefore much more difficult. For rain, all you have to do is look at current saturation levels in the cloud ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
2oxali | why does it feel colder to get out of the shower in the winter than in the summer, even if the inside temperature is the same? | If room temperature is kept at the same 72F in the summer and the winter, why does it feel colder getting out in the winter? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2oxali/eli5_why_does_it_feel_colder_to_get_out_of_the/ | {
"a_id": [
"cms9ze8"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"I too have given this a lot of thought... Are you perhaps underweight or, to put it bluntly, skin and bones? This would make you more susceptible to the cold temperature in the winter. Is it too much to ask for you to post a picture of your upper... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
3w08fp | why are buildings/freeways built so slow now compared to before, when there were none of those? | How was all of America's buildings and freeways all built before, when now it seems like it takes years to build a freeway overpass or to make a road detoured or build buildings? It seems like it would have taken way longer. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3w08fp/eli5_why_are_buildingsfreeways_built_so_slow_now/ | {
"a_id": [
"cxs8kwy",
"cxsdu38"
],
"score": [
2,
3
],
"text": [
"A couple things at play here. The main being that to do construction on a structure that is in use is much more difficult. You can't shut down a major freeway in a big city for weeks to build around the clock, so they have... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
5yg5z8 | why does music trigger vivid memories? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5yg5z8/eli5_why_does_music_trigger_vivid_memories/ | {
"a_id": [
"deq3drm",
"deqlhv4"
],
"score": [
2,
3
],
"text": [
"I'm no expert but my best guess would be because different music has all types of feelings and moods which can be related to the same moods and feelings in that of \"vivid\" memories. Thus your brain triggers a memory becaus... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
8c56n8 | why do ice rinks need brine, if the salt would just melt the ice? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8c56n8/eli5_why_do_ice_rinks_need_brine_if_the_salt/ | {
"a_id": [
"dxc7mqf",
"dxc7oqk"
],
"score": [
4,
3
],
"text": [
"The brine has a lower freezing point and is cooled below 0°C, lower than freshwater freeze at.\n\nThis brine is pumped through pipes set into the concrete floor of the rink under the ice. This cools the concrete to below fre... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
6iqqnf | why do major competitors such as burger king and mcdonalds put their restaurants right next to each other? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6iqqnf/eli5_why_do_major_competitors_such_as_burger_king/ | {
"a_id": [
"dj8ct40",
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"dj8dg0u",
"dj8eg5j",
"dj8pq72",
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"dj8yrli",
"dj9axmf"
],
"score": [
13,
3,
46,
6,
2,
3,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"Sometimes putting a restaurant next to an existing restaurant can improve trade for both, ... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://mindyourdecisions.com/blog/2012/10/23/why-are-mcdonalds-and-burger-king-usually-located-near-each-other-fast-food-location-game-theory/"
],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
9s5hkf | how do animals know when it's time to leave "home"? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9s5hkf/eli5_how_do_animals_know_when_its_time_to_leave/ | {
"a_id": [
"e8m7qc5"
],
"score": [
17
],
"text": [
"They often don't. Moose calves, for example, leave the cow because she forces them away.\n\nWhen she starts to instinctively feel that she needs to get in some good and solid eating before the nest rut, she refuses to serve the calf any more. An... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
2easo7 | hypothetical child support question | If one man with an income of $30,000/year decided to father as many children as he could - let's say he fathered 200 babies - would he be forced to pay child support for them all? It doesn't seem like that would even be financially possible to do, let alone while supporting himself, so how would the courts handle this ... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2easo7/eli5_hypothetical_child_support_question/ | {
"a_id": [
"cjxoau2",
"cjxobvn",
"cjxoidd"
],
"score": [
2,
5,
2
],
"text": [
"It seems likely that if [they don't pay child support they can end up in jail](_URL_0_). If that's the case for a guy with 22ish kids from 14ish women, I suspect the same would happen with that hypothe... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/father-22-children-14-women-sued-support-article-1.1365207"
],
[
"http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/231/chapter1910/s1910.16-7.html"
],
[]
] | |
7eq25t | how can people weld under water? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7eq25t/eli5_how_can_people_weld_under_water/ | {
"a_id": [
"dq6vb3v"
],
"score": [
6
],
"text": [
"Underwater welding uses electricity. Electricity flows through the welding cable to the rod to the metal structure being welded and back to the generator. While water conducts electricity a little, it's not nearly as good a conductor as metal o... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
9b8pqw | what does it mean when someone describes something as “kafka-esque”? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9b8pqw/eli5_what_does_it_mean_when_someone_describes/ | {
"a_id": [
"e515vxi",
"e5166px",
"e518nqc"
],
"score": [
3,
9,
2
],
"text": [
"The people in charge are insane and everyone is going along with it. Also everything is awful, surreal, and inexplicable.",
"“Kafkaesque” refers to the works by author Franz Kafka, whose central cha... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
1jf353 | how does china get away with paying it's workers so poorly? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1jf353/eli5how_does_china_get_away_with_paying_its/ | {
"a_id": [
"cbe0zwt",
"cbe4hyg"
],
"score": [
3,
2
],
"text": [
"The problem isn't necessarily limited to China: There are more workers than there are jobs. \n\nYou don't have a job, and having a shitty job is better than having no job at all, so you take whatever you can. This job you se... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
6mrztt | when you hold your breath with your mouth open underwater, what is happening internally to prevent water from entering your lungs? | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6mrztt/eli5when_you_hold_your_breath_with_your_mouth/ | {
"a_id": [
"dk3wzpq"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"Your epiglottis (a little flap of cartilage in the back of your throat) closes is pulled tight against the opening to your windpipe. This is the same function it provides which allows us to drink without fluid entering our lungs. "
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
f5eid2 | what stops anybody else from making their own lottery? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/f5eid2/eli5_what_stops_anybody_else_from_making_their/ | {
"a_id": [
"fhy694g",
"fhy7517"
],
"score": [
3,
4
],
"text": [
"Usually there are laws passed by local government that prevent this, by giving only the government the ability to make a lottery. Simple solution to a simple problem.",
"It's against the law. Organized crime does just as... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Numbers_game"
]
] | ||
77z0df | the term dialectic used by marx | As in dialectically related for example! | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/77z0df/eli5_the_term_dialectic_used_by_marx/ | {
"a_id": [
"doprpv9",
"doq57ob",
"doq8j26",
"dordk0p"
],
"score": [
5,
7,
3,
2
],
"text": [
"It comes from Hegel's philosophy : _URL_0_\n\nThe basic idea is that ideas & society progresses through 3 phases:\n\n1. You've got a popular idea (the *thesis*).\n2. Eventually, ... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dialectic"
],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
5c0y9i | how has polling become so unreliable and what alternative methods do pollsters have to improve reliability? | I assume the game has changed in the Internet era, but why hasn't the ability to reach more people improved polling reliability? Has there actually been a drop in reliability or am I just noticing the inherent inaccuracy now at crucial moments (POTUS, Brexit)? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5c0y9i/eli5_how_has_polling_become_so_unreliable_and/ | {
"a_id": [
"d9srbcw",
"d9su25s",
"d9swfhm",
"d9sximl",
"d9syfnt",
"d9szktb",
"d9t19yq",
"d9t6ju6",
"d9tfk9z"
],
"score": [
3,
13,
3,
3,
2,
9,
5,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"It appears the DNC collaboration with news media may be a concern. Wh... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[
"FiveThirtyEight.com"
],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
3u6t37 | why are lg's 55" and 65" tv's $3500 difference in price? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3u6t37/eli5_why_are_lgs_55_and_65_tvs_3500_difference_in/ | {
"a_id": [
"cxce5j4"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"The oled technology is still relatively knew which means that it can still be quite costly to make that extra 10 in. \n\nOther note . with both tv's having the same pixel count you will get a better picture out of the 55."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
1wy9rh | gel nail polish vs regular? | What is the chemical difference between "gel" nail polish that lasts longer by binding to your nails, rather than normal polish that just sits on the top of your nails? Why is it not more widely used? Does it impact the wearers health more than regular polish does? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1wy9rh/eli5_gel_nail_polish_vs_regular/ | {
"a_id": [
"cf6gvjj"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"I don't buy gel polish because you need to buy a UV light in order to harden it. Reviews I've read say gel polish lasts for about two weeks, which is not that huge a difference if you are very good at applying normal nail polish. In the nail poli... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-susan-taylor/gel-nail-polish_b_1333236.html"
]
] | |
39jrlw | what happens when a currency 'dies'? | Like Zimbabwe's about to experience? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/39jrlw/eli5_what_happens_when_a_currency_dies/ | {
"a_id": [
"cs3yji0"
],
"score": [
5
],
"text": [
"Typically the government prints a new currency, and for a limited-time period, they offer you to exchange the dying currency with the new one. In Zimbabwe's case, they abolished their old currency in 2009 and just started using foreign countries'... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
81apzj | pressure and fluids - why lowering the pressure pulls fluids? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/81apzj/eli5_pressure_and_fluids_why_lowering_the/ | {
"a_id": [
"dv1rvuj"
],
"score": [
6
],
"text": [
"Lowering the pressure doesn't \"pull\", it reduces resistance to pushing. Lowering pressure at the top of a straw for example allows the atmospheric pressure on the surface of the fluid outside the straw to push the fluid up the straw until equal... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
2nfd40 | why astronauts don't seem worried about liquid floating off into iss or shuttle paneling whenever we see footage of them drinking or experimenting with liquids. wouldn't a stray drop or two cause a short? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2nfd40/eli5_why_astronauts_dont_seem_worried_about/ | {
"a_id": [
"cmd7jxq",
"cmd8ezz"
],
"score": [
7,
11
],
"text": [
"Surface tension will keep the big drops together, and the astronauts plan to eat those. As for the very small droplets, they're not particularly more likely to cause a short than the sweat or humidity in their breath since ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
1xrqci | apparently, foreign governments hold about $4.5 trillion of us debt. how is this possible? | What I'm confused about is how this occurs, what the ramifications are and how it is eventually solved. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1xrqci/eli5_apparently_foreign_governments_hold_about_45/ | {
"a_id": [
"cfe169w",
"cfe16wy"
],
"score": [
2,
2
],
"text": [
"By purchasing government bonds -- just like people inside the country can do.\n\nThe Treasury Department issues bonds, that are paid off at after a specified time at a specified interest rate.",
"It happens when foreign ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
2dmweo | why do companies like google and microsoft spend so much money on, and care so much about you using, their web browers they give you for free? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2dmweo/eli5_why_do_companies_like_google_and_microsoft/ | {
"a_id": [
"cjr09cu",
"cjr0h9u",
"cjr0m1u",
"cjr0p3l",
"cjr0pzg",
"cjr0qh7",
"cjr2avo",
"cjr2e2r",
"cjr2edn",
"cjr2fl6",
"cjr2k8r",
"cjr2txa",
"cjr3dsj",
"cjr3m46",
"cjr3pjs",
"cjr3t9m",
"cjr3tc6",
"cjr45k5",
"cjr4ioo",
"cjr4ixp",
"c... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Browser_wars"
],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[
"http://mashable.com/2009/07/11/google-equation/",
"Mashable.com"
],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]... | ||
1lvm1d | why does almost everyone seem to acknowledge that the us government is very corrupt but simultaneously believes it's still somehow subject to voting? if the government isn't trusted in everything else, what makes people trust it to have honest elections? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1lvm1d/eli5_why_does_almost_everyone_seem_to_acknowledge/ | {
"a_id": [
"cc36ndy",
"cc3717l"
],
"score": [
3,
4
],
"text": [
"That is a good question. I bet you will have a difficult time getting an answer that is not a little wishy-washy.",
"Who says anyone trusts it to have fair, honest elections?"
]
} | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
8bwf6y | how are companies like metropcs and t-mobile able to say they cover 99% of americans? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8bwf6y/eli5_how_are_companies_like_metropcs_and_tmobile/ | {
"a_id": [
"dxa7luz",
"dxa7r5u"
],
"score": [
2,
3
],
"text": [
"Why do you believe they can't say this? and why do you believe it isn't true? Both companies have coverage in nearly all of the US.\n\nPlus marketing people are great-- they will find a way to make that statement true.",
... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
1j2bya | diffie-hellman key exchange | I searched and found this asked a couple times, but no good answers. Anyone? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1j2bya/eli5_diffiehellman_key_exchange/ | {
"a_id": [
"cbaeaj8",
"cbaej4e"
],
"score": [
4,
2
],
"text": [
"In cryptography, one often relies upon a shared secret to enable secure/private communication. DH key exchange is the solution to a problem in cryptography: How do distant parties agree upon a shared secret (a \"key\") witho... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/46/Diffie-Hellman_Key_Exchange.svg",
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diffie%E2%80%93Hellman_key_exchange#Description"
],
[]
] | |
534do6 | why do we roll our eyes back a certain things like lame jokes? | ? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/534do6/eli5_why_do_we_roll_our_eyes_back_a_certain/ | {
"a_id": [
"d7pz6kb"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"You've picked it up by watching others in your culture do it. There's no biological reason, it's just the \"appropriate\" response to convey your feelings in certain situations. It's like how you clap to show approval or nod your head 'yes', or s... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
6msqcm | if the existence of jesus can’t be proven/isn’t widely accepted in the scientific community, why do we still use bc (before christ) to measure time? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6msqcm/eli5_if_the_existence_of_jesus_cant_be_provenisnt/ | {
"a_id": [
"dk419so",
"dk41kbl",
"dk41kqf"
],
"score": [
2,
4,
3
],
"text": [
"Science measures time in seconds, milli seconds etc. \nBC and AD are to describe a year rather than measuring anything. ",
"At this point, because it would be too difficult to switch off, and there ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historicity_of_Jesus"
],
[]
] | ||
a9jeei | why does the cold air feel "cleaner"? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a9jeei/eli5_why_does_the_cold_air_feel_cleaner/ | {
"a_id": [
"ecjurwh",
"eck6ok9",
"eck86u6",
"eck8hwb",
"eck9fyp",
"eck9q49",
"ecka64k"
],
"score": [
2075,
344,
3,
7,
5,
8,
8
],
"text": [
"Your sense of smell works better with warmer air. Cold air will seem almost entirely devoid of smell. We asso... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
1900gj | why do coaches of various sports dress like they do during games? | Basketball, hockey and soccer coaches wear suits; baseball coaches wear the team uniform; football coaches dress like your dad at a golf game, etc. Why the divergences? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1900gj/why_do_coaches_of_various_sports_dress_like_they/ | {
"a_id": [
"c8jiv5r"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"I think a lot of it has to do with what the coach is doing. During a game Basketball, Hockey, and Soccer coaches just stand there and coach the game. They present themselves as professionals and wear a suit for the same reason I wear one at my jo... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
2evon1 | why do i stutter when i drink? | I've always had shuddering problem, but seem to be fine until I've had a couple beers. After all the therapy, why does it still surface after drinking? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2evon1/eli5_why_do_i_stutter_when_i_drink/ | {
"a_id": [
"ck3e0cw",
"ck3erhw"
],
"score": [
2,
5
],
"text": [
"Two things might be happening.\n\n1.you're getting relaxed, you think much less about what other people think about you. \n\nAnd or\n\nYou're motor control goes downtown. \n\nSo expect moderate drinking to ease stuttering, a... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
dxz8bv | why are some books completely mispriced on resale marketplaces? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dxz8bv/eli5_why_are_some_books_completely_mispriced_on/ | {
"a_id": [
"f7xhppa",
"f7xhw1i",
"f7xi0if"
],
"score": [
2,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"Was it the same edition? Were the books you’re looking for known for something? The only reason I can think of for the same book selling at that different a price are two:\n\n1) They are technical books... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
amubv9 | what does offsides and icing mean? | Went to some NHL games with my family and I was too embarrassed to ask. Thanks for any responses! | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/amubv9/eli5_what_does_offsides_and_icing_mean/ | {
"a_id": [
"efolqb8",
"efolz61",
"efome3m"
],
"score": [
6,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"Offsides in hockey is when a player crosses the opponents blue line before the puck does. This is to avoid people sitting at the net waiting for a pass.\n\nIcing is when a team shoots the puck past the ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[
"https://www.rookieroad.com/ice-hockey/basics/icing/",
"https://www.rookieroad.com/ice-hockey/basics/offside/"
]
] | |
19abyk | why are wedding dresses white? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/19abyk/eli5_why_are_wedding_dresses_white/ | {
"a_id": [
"c8m7v49",
"c8m99tr"
],
"score": [
16,
3
],
"text": [
"Because Queen Victoria wore a white dress when she married Albert in the middle of the 19th century. A white wedding dress became fashionable, then the fashion turned into a tradition.",
"And just to add: not *all* wedd... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
3fnk9q | physical side of the internet. | I mean, I obviously know the internet is, but I don't know the physical side. All I know is waves from somewhere reach my modem and those waves reach my computer lol.
Also what is the physical side of websites? Or are they all code that is loaded? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3fnk9q/eli5physical_side_of_the_internet/ | {
"a_id": [
"ctq8002",
"ctq80bq"
],
"score": [
5,
2
],
"text": [
"The internet is (to oversimplify it slightly) a bunch of wires that connect every computer on Earth. When you open up a web browser and type in _URL_0_, your computer receives a web document from a server (which is basically... | [] | [] | [
[
"www.reddit.com"
],
[]
] | |
3uaabu | how can parasitic infections control minds? | Just watched a doco where ants got infected my fungus spores which made them leave the colony, climb a tree then die. How does this happen? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3uaabu/eli5how_can_parasitic_infections_control_minds/ | {
"a_id": [
"cxd7ee6"
],
"score": [
11
],
"text": [
"The parasite has been evolving along with the ants for so long that it has evolved the ability to cause specific behaviors by messing with the ant's brain. It likely either uses some sort of chemical agent to activate a series of behaviors in th... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
6p1fn2 | what is the benefit in having hairs in your butt crack? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6p1fn2/eli5_what_is_the_benefit_in_having_hairs_in_your/ | {
"a_id": [
"dkltt8w",
"dklu49j",
"dklu8ys"
],
"score": [
13,
18,
4
],
"text": [
"You know how your hairs allow you to feel if a bug is crawling on you? \n\nLike if a bug hit your nose hairs, you'd smack it out so the bug didn't crawl up your nose.\n\nSame concept, except with your... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[
"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgsdhmLrLPA"
]
] | ||
9oit98 | why pain from dry socket onsets couple days after teeth extraction? | If dry socket is caused by nerve endings being exposed due to failure of blood clot formation, why is the pain not immediately felt until couple days after teeth extraction?
& #x200B;
With the following two conditions
& #x200B;
1) Analgesic wears off
2) Blood clot has not been formed yet / no blood clot can be f... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9oit98/eli5_why_pain_from_dry_socket_onsets_couple_days/ | {
"a_id": [
"e7uhyoh"
],
"score": [
6
],
"text": [
"The thing with dry socket is, normally, right after your teeth are extracted you obviously bleed and a blood clot will form. That's why they tell you to keep gauze in your mouth for several hours after the procedure. To help those clots form. If ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
3pgupy | why do people think the iraq war was about oil when economically the war has cost 1000x more than any covert oil extraction could produce? | Covert because they would not be able to make it public due to negative impacts/public outcry...
Edit: Answered; it is more about controlling who buys the oil, at what cost and to who rather than directly packing it up and shipping it home. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3pgupy/eli5_why_do_people_think_the_iraq_war_was_about/ | {
"a_id": [
"cw66xvc",
"cw672fs"
],
"score": [
2,
3
],
"text": [
"Because it didn't cost the people who were making the money. If you can spend $1 billion in public dollars to make $1 million of your own, that's worth it if your own wealth is all you care about.",
"First you need to un... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
3f5pn7 | why is pink treated as it's own colour when light blue and light green don't? | It gets its own name and place in culture and I'm curious why. Is it actually because it has a name in the first place? Or does it have a name because its treated differently? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3f5pn7/eli5_why_is_pink_treated_as_its_own_colour_when/ | {
"a_id": [
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"ctlio27",
"ctlq6r2",
"ctlqqfn",
"ctm047b"
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"score": [
36,
31,
6,
3,
2
],
"text": [
"I think it's a cultural thing. There are some cultures that have more words for green than we do in English, and as a result people from these cultures have... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://uk.businessinsider.com/what-is-blue-and-how-do-we-see-color-2015-2?r=US&IR=T"
],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
9pv5lc | why is it difficult to pee when under the influence of opiates ? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9pv5lc/eli5_why_is_it_difficult_to_pee_when_under_the/ | {
"a_id": [
"e84h688"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Counter question: How does OP know?"
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
3b3ag2 | why do the appearance of things change the longer i stare at them? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3b3ag2/eli5_why_do_the_appearance_of_things_change_the/ | {
"a_id": [
"csiheg9"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"I'll take this one. Your brain is like a computer. It is taking in a LOT of information through your eyes, ears, nose, skin, and tongue. It speed tracks a lot of this information by recognizing things that you've perceived before. You may glance ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
614j2c | why do you rarely come across dollar bills with rips in them even though they are really easy to rip? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/614j2c/eli5_why_do_you_rarely_come_across_dollar_bills/ | {
"a_id": [
"dfbmjem"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"When banks come across damaged bills, of any denomination, they send them back to the federal reserve, which takes them out of circulation and replaces it with a new bill."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
4d5dev | how are we sure a black hole doesn't have a surfaces just past the event horizon? | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4d5dev/eli5how_are_we_sure_a_black_hole_doesnt_have_a/ | {
"a_id": [
"d1nvox1"
],
"score": [
6
],
"text": [
"We aren't. It's impossible to say what's beyond the event horizon for certain because physics packs up and goes home past that point."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
zxund | why do women shave their legs, but not their arms? | Just wondering
Edit 1: Sorry for my sweeping generialization in the title. I know some women shave their arms. Just wondering why some and not the others. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/zxund/why_do_women_shave_their_legs_but_not_their_arms/ | {
"a_id": [
"c68nacs",
"c68nbja",
"c68ng6i",
"c68p4bu",
"c68pt1o",
"c68rwud",
"c68sew6",
"c68tq2e",
"c68ucq7"
],
"score": [
27,
5,
10,
9,
5,
2,
2,
6,
3
],
"text": [
"A lot of women actually do shave their arms! \nAlso, Some girls have... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
f06ru4 | what actually is a carat and why/how do we “measure” gemstones with it? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/f06ru4/eli5_what_actually_is_a_carat_and_whyhow_do_we/ | {
"a_id": [
"fgrup75",
"fgrytxx"
],
"score": [
53,
9
],
"text": [
"It’s a unit of weight. It’s equal to 200 mg since 1907, but from 1881 until that point it was 205 mg. Before that, most countries had their own unit of weight called a carat that varied between about 180mg and 215 mg.",
... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
16iwvf | why do some parasites kill their hosts? if the parasite wanted to live for as long as possible, wouldn't they allow the host to live? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/16iwvf/why_do_some_parasites_kill_their_hosts_if_the/ | {
"a_id": [
"c7wgk6d",
"c7wgnli"
],
"score": [
3,
2
],
"text": [
"Mostly they don't. It's an evolutionary balance, and it doesn't always work out. If the parasite eats too little, it may starve and not create future generations of parasites. If it eats too much, it kills the host, and... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
4ey7zk | why does the face turn grey, green, or lose color right before throwing up? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4ey7zk/eli5_why_does_the_face_turn_grey_green_or_lose/ | {
"a_id": [
"d24d6iz"
],
"score": [
44
],
"text": [
"This has been asked before here is the answer. \n\n > The blood is rushing away from your face and towards the vital organs, like in most stress responses we have. The green color, I believe, is a combination of Caucasians' yellowish skin tone, ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
9nam7f | why do electronic cigarettes use glycerine/pg instead of just using water? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9nam7f/eli5_why_do_electronic_cigarettes_use_glycerinepg/ | {
"a_id": [
"e7ks1os"
],
"score": [
6
],
"text": [
"Have you ever tried inhaling water? It doesn't do very good things to you. \n\nAdditionally PG and VG are very good and carrying flavour. "
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
c3vgg1 | how exactly computers work, and what exactly computer code is. i've been trying to wrap my head around how they work and what the applications on them actually do. additionally, how do websites work? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/c3vgg1/eli5_how_exactly_computers_work_and_what_exactly/ | {
"a_id": [
"erth33h",
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"ertpcjo",
"eru3vla",
"erufldr"
],
"score": [
2,
2,
8,
2,
2,
3
],
"text": [
"Computers operate on the most basic level by using binary code. Basically 1 means in and 0 means off. This is extremely simplified but e... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://www.tutorialspoint.com/computer_logical_organization/logic_gates.htm",
"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5nskjZ_GoI&list=PL8dPuuaLjXtNlUrzyH5r6jN9ulIgZBpdo&index=2"
],
[
"www.reddit.com"
],
[
"www.reddit.com",
"reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive"
],
[],
[]
] | ||
1bl7lw | why did the dreamcast never take off? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1bl7lw/eli5_why_did_the_dreamcast_never_take_off/ | {
"a_id": [
"c97ozcj",
"c97s0qc",
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"c97t3ti",
"c97trzc",
"c97yefq"
],
"score": [
46,
4,
3,
4,
83,
3
],
"text": [
"The Dreamcast was weird. The controller was oddly shaped (although Nintendo has proven time and time again that weird controllers sell... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[
"http://edition.cnn.com/2001/BUSINESS/asia/03/18/tokyo.okawalegacy/index.html",
"http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/gamesblog/2008/sep/11/gamesinterviews.microsoft1"
],
[]
] | ||
16u8hy | what keeps objects separated? | Why doesn't everything stick together if everything is made out of the same elements? I know some elements attract and some don't, but for some reason I can't grasp that all life and objects somehow hold their own shape against one another.
| explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/16u8hy/eli5_what_keeps_objects_separated/ | {
"a_id": [
"c7zeoho",
"c7zoq7b"
],
"score": [
7,
2
],
"text": [
"I think Richard Feynman does a great job of explaining this (like you are five) when asked about the nature of magnetism. Sorry that I can't give you a good answer myself, but this video probably has exactly what you are loo... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MO0r930Sn_8"
],
[]
] | |
55itqw | when dna evidence proves a convicted person could not have committed the crime, why are they not automatically released? | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/55itqw/eli5_when_dna_evidence_proves_a_convicted_person/ | {
"a_id": [
"d8ax5nu",
"d8axo6w"
],
"score": [
3,
10
],
"text": [
"I think the first part of this is that we need to distinguish between justice and the justice system.\n\nIf someone is exonerated, for whatever reason, what usually happens is that prosecutors have the right to retry the ca... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://floridainnocence.org/content/?p=13430",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hobson%27s_choice"
],
[]
] | |
8lppv1 | how does the music synchronize with the action in classic cartoons? | In shows like Looney Tunes and Tom and Jerry, it always blew me away that every episode had an original orchestral score that always accentuated the action and was always perfectly in sync to the cartoon, especially in an age before sophisticated audio editing software. What was the process behind writing the music for... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8lppv1/eli5_how_does_the_music_synchronize_with_the/ | {
"a_id": [
"dzhhg2m",
"dzhlk13"
],
"score": [
7,
2
],
"text": [
"Typically the cartoons were designed to synchronize with the known beat of the music.\n\nEven so, sometimes a live orchestra would play the music for recording while watching the newly made cartoon, to ensure they hit the hi... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
18yxlb | what's the deal with these places wanting me to switch my electric provider? | I must have like 8 FB friends now who all "own their own business" and want me to give them my electric bill because they can save me money. What's the deal with it? Anything I should be concerned with if I do it? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/18yxlb/eli5_whats_the_deal_with_these_places_wanting_me/ | {
"a_id": [
"c8j9p1u",
"c8jb3eq"
],
"score": [
2,
2
],
"text": [
"It is a pyramid scheme. Like cutco knives or that make-up one (Mary something?). You can certainly make money, but off of your friends and family.\n\nMy advice is to not get involved. Just smile, nod, and say no thanks when ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
6zum7i | how did the us expand the landline phone network to every household? | With the conversation heavily surrounding Title II and net neutrality now, what are the parallels and what are the contrasts between the lack of broadband in every household today, and the lack of a phone line in every household back in the early 20th century?
More specifically, how were phone companies incentivized t... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6zum7i/eli5_how_did_the_us_expand_the_landline_phone/ | {
"a_id": [
"dmy5cjw",
"dmy7nad",
"dmyhg3j"
],
"score": [
2,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"The two major differences are, users of the phone network generate all the content, and there was only one phone company. The phone network becomes more valuable (users have more people to call) the mo... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
blpti6 | public transport in the usa | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/blpti6/eli5_public_transport_in_the_usa/ | {
"a_id": [
"emqcj35"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"A lot of cities developed and grew around the idea of personal vehicle ownership, and many cities' existing streetcar networks were torn up to allow for a bus network instead. \n\nFast forward to present times, and heavy passenger rail lines ar... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
2erqdj | the argument that the universe as we know it is a 2d hologram. | I just don't understand that we can't confirm that its not. Things seem obviously 3D to me. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2erqdj/eli5_the_argument_that_the_universe_as_we_know_it/ | {
"a_id": [
"ck2bl40"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"[here](_URL_0_) is a good explanation.\n\nNow for your other question \"things seem obviously 3D to me\". It doesn't matter how things look to you, your brain could be interpreting information in whatever way, anything is possible.\n\nFor all we ... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1sl6jf/eli5_the_theory_that_the_universe_is_a_hologram/"
]
] | |
52199o | why do aussies get upset when called "sir" or "ma'am"? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/52199o/eli5why_do_aussies_get_upset_when_called_sir_or/ | {
"a_id": [
"d7gl7wh",
"d7glahp",
"d7gle17",
"d7gltlt",
"d7glwi4",
"d7gm88t"
],
"score": [
8,
4,
4,
2,
8,
2
],
"text": [
"As an Australian, this is completely news to me. Sounds like someone is pulling your leg, or you just live in area full of ass holes. ",... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memento_mori"
],
[]
] | ||
5v16ls | why can animals recognize their owners in person, but can't over the phone or on video? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5v16ls/eli5_why_can_animals_recognize_their_owners_in/ | {
"a_id": [
"ddyfczq"
],
"score": [
6
],
"text": [
"Much of animals' means of identification is through smells/pheromones, which clearly don't transmit over video."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
bnhoft | if photons travel with constant speed and direction, why does light fades away over distance ? | Sorry if this title isn't grammatically correct, English is not my native language | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bnhoft/eli5_if_photons_travel_with_constant_speed_and/ | {
"a_id": [
"en5qj09",
"en5qwpj",
"en5uocv"
],
"score": [
4,
2,
3
],
"text": [
"It is called the inverse square law, basically the light spreads out over a larger area as the distance from the light source increases. _URL_0_",
"The fading of light is primarily due to something... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://youtu.be/HcsOngKjtKI"
],
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverse-square_law",
"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/28/Inverse_square_law.svg"
],
[]
] | |
bdpaoz | why would old structures like norte dame or sisten chapel take awhile to restore. don't we have 1000 times better architecture technology? what makes them hard to restore in the case of notre dame i hear it might take years. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bdpaoz/eli5_why_would_old_structures_like_norte_dame_or/ | {
"a_id": [
"ekzvzo9",
"ekzwgme"
],
"score": [
7,
2
],
"text": [
"Restoration is painstaking work, because the goal isn't just to build something, it's to preserve as much of the original as possible, while filling in the missing parts.\n\nThe first question is how much filling in do you w... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://www.npr.org/2018/12/20/678335148/chip-by-chip-restoring-the-damaged-washington-national-cathedral"
]
] | ||
bz2toy | why do some file transfers have such variable transfer speeds? | like for example if there is a lot of smaller files, it seems to really make the transfer speed slow down. but some transfers in general seem to have completely random transfer speeds, why aren't they able to use the full bandwidth of the connection? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bz2toy/eli5_why_do_some_file_transfers_have_such/ | {
"a_id": [
"eqpe595"
],
"score": [
5
],
"text": [
"Fragmentation and connection protocol message size limits.\n\nWhen files are stored in a drive the drive allocates contiguous blocks of data to most files if they need it. But if you have lots of small files the drive needs to search for them all... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
8xkofq | when shrinking a picture on the computer, how does the computer know which pixels are important in keeping the thumbnail looking like the original picture? | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8xkofq/eli5_when_shrinking_a_picture_on_the_computer_how/ | {
"a_id": [
"e23ur2v"
],
"score": [
7
],
"text": [
"In general, downsampling an image doesn't keep pixels from the original image. It averages out multiple pixels to generate a new replacement. This is why hard edges can end up looking soft and worse defined after a downscale has occurred.\n\nIf y... | [] | [] | [
[]
] |
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