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54cka6 | why are terraced houses in new york and possibly other places elevated? | I'm not from the US. Not sure how you guys call it, row houses, terraced, townhouses. You often see them being elevated in NY (in films at least). Is this just for possible flooding?
[Long Island, NY](_URL_0_)
[Brooklyn, NY](_URL_2_)
[Montreal](_URL_1_) | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/54cka6/eli5_why_are_terraced_houses_in_new_york_and/ | {
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"They have lower levels (originally servants quarters) besides the main entrance, they usually go below street level. Every place is different, but I would assume that the underground pipping as well as water level do not all... | [] | [
"http://c8.alamy.com/comp/C7X20W/attached-houses-under-the-elevated-subway-tracks-in-long-island-city-C7X20W.jpg",
"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d4/Montreal_rue_sherbrooke.JPG/1920px-Montreal_rue_sherbrooke.JPG",
"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2a/Row_houses_in_altern... | [
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8uakld | how does algae grow in extremely low light to no light places? | I just had to clean out my air conditioning drain and it made me wonder how that much algae can grow with what seems like no source of energy. I mean its condensed water draining so its not like it has a ton of stuff to "eat" and theres no light in the hose. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8uakld/eli5_how_does_algae_grow_in_extremely_low_light/ | {
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"text": [
"Some stuff called \"algae\" isn't actually algae, but instead is heterotrophic bacteria or fungi, so that's one possibility."
]
} | [] | [] | [
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72enc9 | the concept of friction (static friction)? | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/72enc9/eli5_the_concept_of_friction_static_friction/ | {
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"text": [
"Assuming no forces are operating on it, nothing. When forces begin interacting with it in the same direction as friction, friction will retard the force until the friction force is overcome."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
300kje | why can't iran have nuclear weapons | ELI25 is ok too :)
Can someone explain why would it be so bad if Iran developed a nuclear program?
Why does Israel have the right to have nuclear weapons or Pakistan or any other but Iran can't. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/300kje/eli5_why_cant_iran_have_nuclear_weapons/ | {
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"Because they can't be trusted with them. Kind of like why we are concerned with North Korea having them as well.",
"From a treaty standpoint, Iran signe... | [] | [] | [
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] | |
89pi4s | why do supermarkets constantly change the layout of where items are placed? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/89pi4s/eli5_why_do_supermarkets_constantly_change_the/ | {
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27iaeq | how come even great, well polished video games suffer from characters or objects passing through each other? is collision detecting one of the hardest parts when creating a game? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/27iaeq/eli5_how_come_even_great_well_polished_video/ | {
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7440z9 | where do other elements come from that aren't h, he, c, ne, o, si, and fe (elements made in stars) and li (at the beginning of the universe along with h, and he) | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7440z9/eli5_where_do_other_elements_come_from_that_arent/ | {
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"They were all made inside of stars. The heavier elements were made in much more massive stars that then exploded into nebulae, which coalesced into planets and smaller stars.\n\nThe only elements not made in stars are the few that we (humans) hav... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
3hpnx4 | what are "eye boogers" and how are they formed? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3hpnx4/eli5_what_are_eye_boogers_and_how_are_they_formed/ | {
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41d3vw | how do eye drops get rid of redness? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/41d3vw/eli5_how_do_eye_drops_get_rid_of_redness/ | {
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"\"Drops that \"get the red out\" contain chemicals that are called vaso constrictors. The most common one that is used is called phenylephrine. When these drops are put in the eye they cause the muscle... | [] | [] | [
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"https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080420033644AAlGNdh"
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3t4330 | why are saline/silicone breast implants used instead of just transplanting breast tissue from one woman to another? like if one woman has a breast reduction, and another needs an implant, can they not transplant the fat removed from one into another? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3t4330/eli5_why_are_salinesilicone_breast_implants_used/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"Because taking tissue from one person and implanting into another is more complicated than you might think. There are all sorts of antibodies that have to match, and even then the match is never perfect, so organ recipients... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
ejisju | what's the difference between a "front end developer", ui designer, ux designer, and what do they do? | What's the difference between a "software engineer" and "Front-end developer". For example, if someone is designing the code for Google, who is designing the look of the app?
Like take a popular app like Outlook. I understand that software engineers design the code and stuff, but who decides how it looks, where... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ejisju/eli5_whats_the_difference_between_a_front_end/ | {
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"text": [
"First off, none of these terms are an exact science. They are certainly not used consistently everywhere, so I'm just providing a decent rule-of-thumb from what I've seen in the in... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[
"http://steamattribution.com/"
]
] | |
2b8jnv | the parisian may 1968 riots- can someone clearly explain to me what happened? so much literature and philosophy stemmed from it, but i've never understood it. | I've had people explain it to me before, but it still goes over my head. I've even scoured the internet, but have struggled to find a concise explanation. Students were mad... at something? It's context I wish I had when I read continental philosophers like Deleuze or Derrida. I barely understand the 1968 riot at the C... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2b8jnv/eli5_the_parisian_may_1968_riots_can_someone/ | {
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"May 1968 was a time of protest in most of France. The President of France, General de Gaulle, had been in power for 10 years. \n\nIf anything, it was the new and young generation coming upon the scene. This generation was born after the Second Wo... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
2rf2a6 | if humans are natural predators, why don't most possess a natural desire to hunt? and why do some feel remorse after taking an animals life? | My conclusion might be because we can fulfill our desires at the grocery store, but I'm curious what others might think. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2rf2a6/eli5_if_humans_are_natural_predators_why_dont/ | {
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"text": [
"Because most of us don't need to hunt any more, and we have empathy.",
"Predators don't hunt because they can. They hunt because they must.\n\nFeed a lio... | [] | [] | [
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w3ya5 | the barclay's scandal and why it's garnering the amount of hype that it is. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/w3ya5/eli5_the_barclays_scandal_and_why_its_garnering/ | {
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"There's a group of 16 banks that get together to set LIBOR. LIBOR is the London Interbank Offered Rate. This is the rate used to determine interest of a lot of loans - from car loans, home loans, credit card loans, etc.\n\nIf you knew what the r... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
2tx693 | why the quality of anime blu-rays is so bad? | It's like they intentionally add very big amount of noise to every static scene (or encode in multiply threads).
I've never thought that I will see this in almost every BDMV.
What am I missing here?
| explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2tx693/eli5_why_the_quality_of_anime_blurays_is_so_bad/ | {
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"text": [
"It depends on a few factors. If it's an older show, they might only have shitty copies to work with. If it's a new show, it could just be low quality shovelware and they don't care about quality control. \n\nOr they could intentionally be putting... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
x7c22 | will screen resolutions get higher and higher? | I look at pics from 5 years ago and they almost look like thumbnails. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/x7c22/will_screen_resolutions_get_higher_and_higher/ | {
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"text": [
"The sizes are stagnating because they've outpaced content. I've got a 1080p television, and there are still no broadcasts in 1080p - I'm limited to bluray if I want full resolution content. 1440p screens are growing in popu... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://www.pcworld.com/article/198402/does_the_iphone_4_really_have_a_retina_display_updated.html"
]
] | |
33s9k0 | why is there such distaste for millennials in the business world, and why are many afraid of the future they will create? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/33s9k0/eli5why_is_there_such_distaste_for_millennials_in/ | {
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"text": [
"Old people like to think their better its not a new idea its been happening since Aristotle ",
"Ugh. Hippies. I'll never humor a criticism from that generation. Whatever they say is invalid.\n\nI got hired to this job. T... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
157b4e | when the optician dilates your eyes and your pupils get enormous, why don't well-lit areas become unbearable blinding? | If pupils adjust their size to the light level, and dilation makes your pupils huge, wouldn't everything be too light to see? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/157b4e/when_the_optician_dilates_your_eyes_and_your/ | {
"a_id": [
"c7jwxrg"
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"score": [
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"text": [
"It does become pretty unbearable.\n\nWearing sunglasses is a must if you're driving during the day time."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
5h87qv | how do multiple elevator systems work? why is one elevator always still while people are waiting? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5h87qv/eli5_how_do_multiple_elevator_systems_work_why_is/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"Elevators have become much more complex with new ideas and technology. At first they were single shafts, single boxes, with living elevator operators. Then automation came in. Elevator operators persisted for a while. \n\nNow there can be multipl... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
8jtylj | what makes some game consoles easier to emulate than others? | Zelda Breath of the wild can be played on the PC using CEMU, and has been for some time now. It was emulated far quicker than any Xbox or Playstation game. Why? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8jtylj/eli5_what_makes_some_game_consoles_easier_to/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"Usually the cause is the hardware used in the console. \n\nNewer consoles use the so called X86 Architecture for their CPUs, that's also the one used in your Computer, so those are often easier to emulate.\n\nThe PS3 for e... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
6whulu | why are some mobile games not also available on pc (or any platform)? | And I'm not talking about those games that require touch screen specific mechanics or cams.
There are a lot of apps that are all just point and click. Which is what the mouse is built for. Yet the developers aren't inclined to sell those or make their free apps available on PC, which is practically a big market like ... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6whulu/eli5why_are_some_mobile_games_not_also_available/ | {
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"text": [
"Mobile games are build for mobile hardware and operating systems. While to a user many of these will work similarly to PCs and consoles, to someone developing software for the platform, they are very different. If someone wants to alter a mobile ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
1ujru7 | what would the world look like if we went with dc over ac current? | What would be the biggest differences, how would our technology look, and how would society be different if we use DC current as our primary current? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ujru7/eli5_what_would_the_world_look_like_if_we_went/ | {
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"Dim, with lots of noisy machines everywhere. DC power is hard to transmit over distance, so you would need more power lines, more substations, more power plants, and the amount of energy reaching homes wouldn't be as great, ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
ep1hks | why is 2% inflation rate good, and what would happen if the rate falls below this? | Would people notice sudden changes in daily life? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ep1hks/eli5_why_is_2_inflation_rate_good_and_what_would/ | {
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"https://mises.org/library/austrian-business-cycle-theory-brief-explanation",
"https://mises.org/library/what-has-government-done-our-money"
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29vbhy | edward snowden | I dont know why but ever since the start of this i have been totally out of the loop and it seems harder and harder to catch up as time goes by. Could someone give me a brief synopsis on the whole situation with him?
| explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/29vbhy/eli5edward_snowden/ | {
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"text": [
"dude worked for a govt contractor.....decided on day to leak a bunch of sensitive govt files.....fled the country.....eneded up in Russia when the united states revoked his passport, leaving him strande... | [] | [] | [
[],
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] | |
30xz21 | if it is widely known as a failure, why do we still have standardized testing for all students, including special needs students? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/30xz21/eli5_if_it_is_widely_known_as_a_failure_why_do_we/ | {
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"text": [
"Because there is a notion that we need to measure success, and America chooses to do so through standardized tests. While there has always been some form of measuring success, No Child Left Behind really instilled testing as a school/county/natio... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
2pdece | why is breathing harder when you think about it? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2pdece/eli5_why_is_breathing_harder_when_you_think_about/ | {
"a_id": [
"cmvmp5x"
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"text": [
"The way that the mind works about breathing is that it runs on 2 different processes: Automatic and manual.\n\nAutomatic processes include things like heartbeat, breathing, blinking, and generally body processes that are needed for survival. Thes... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
5l0nst | how does electricity running through a filament produce light? | If electric current is just the movement of electrons how does a filament produce photons (light)? Are electrons and photons related in some way? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5l0nst/eli5_how_does_electricity_running_through_a/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
3,
9
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"text": [
"The electric current is heating the filament until it glows. It is glowing just as heated metal glows or a candle glows. This is different from a cfl or led lamp. \n\nElectrons are electrons. But electrons can absorb photons... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
4w3q1m | my account is blocked for 15 min after i type my password 3 times incorrectly. so how come hackers can break my password in few seconds/minutes? | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4w3q1m/eli5my_account_is_blocked_for_15_min_after_i_type/ | {
"a_id": [
"d63pnxh",
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"score": [
5,
4
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"text": [
"There's two primary ways this occurs.\n\nNormally, attackers aren't just entering things into the website's log-in form. Through a security flaw in the site, they manage to obtain the password database. The site should have ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"example.com"
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] | |
1ya0r9 | what do maxwell's equations tell us and why are there so important in quantum physics? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ya0r9/eli5_what_do_maxwells_equations_tell_us_and_why/ | {
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"text": [
"(Sorry for my bad English) Maxwell's equations are the foundation of electric and magnetic dynamics. Maxwell's equations are 4 equations which underlie, together with the Lorentz law, the dynamics of a classical physical electro-magnetic system. ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
5vnikg | why do scientists not care about certain places like pluto having water, yet care so much about places like mars | I'm guessing they only care to find other life. Well, why not look at Pluto instead of spending so much time looking through other planets?
Edit: Ah I see. Thanks for the answers! | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5vnikg/eli5_why_do_scientists_not_care_about_certain/ | {
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"text": [
"Based on our understanding of life, water is one of the important elements of life.\n\nHaving warm enough temperatures is another. Pluto is just far too cold to care about because it will all be frozen.... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
9moh05 | what are the alignment charts with “chaotic good” (etc.) actually mean, and what’s its backstory? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9moh05/eli5_what_are_the_alignment_charts_with_chaotic/ | {
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"text": [
"A 'chaotic good' person is more than willing to assist his fellow man, and has no problems with breaking the law to do it. The guy that ignores ordinances against feeding the homel... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
et1o1h | why do cigarettes feel better than vaping? | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/et1o1h/eli5_why_do_cigarettes_feel_better_than_vaping/ | {
"a_id": [
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3,
3
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"text": [
"I used to work for the company that made nicotine patches for smoking cessation and was in charge of the scientific substantiation for the advertising. \n\nThe nicotine from the smoke you draw into your lungs is absorbed int... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
36wiok | how can a video uploaded 3 years ago at 24fps be converted to 60fps now? | The game I'm watching wasn't even recorded at 60fps, how does this work? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/36wiok/eli5_how_can_a_video_uploaded_3_years_ago_at/ | {
"a_id": [
"crho4ca",
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"score": [
3,
2
],
"text": [
"Interpolation. Basically they use computers to fill in the gaps between frames, adding in frames that never existed, but are simply averages of the ones that did. ",
"It's called interpolation. It basically guesses wha... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
fh9jpd | why is covid-19 being treated different than previous epidemics? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/fh9jpd/eli5_why_is_covid19_being_treated_different_than/ | {
"a_id": [
"fk9ri9l",
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"score": [
2,
2,
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"text": [
"The interesting thing about it is that people can have it and just think they have the flu, but can infect people around them before, during, and after symptoms.\nThe main difference between this and th... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
bwo9f8 | how exactly does our brain "direct" blood to a specific body part, e.g. for an erection? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bwo9f8/eli5_how_exactly_does_our_brain_direct_blood_to_a/ | {
"a_id": [
"epyw273",
"epyw722",
"epywd8v"
],
"score": [
2,
11,
2
],
"text": [
"It, for the most part, does not direct blood. It controls muscle contractions, which can clamp down vessels to slow blood flow to regions, such as reducing blood flow to one's hands or feet when it's c... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
7xrjh8 | why do white supremisists adopt the nazi swastika and hitler himself as symbolic of their beliefs when none of them would pass nazi "racial purity" standards? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7xrjh8/eli5_why_do_white_supremisists_adopt_the_nazi/ | {
"a_id": [
"duajbym"
],
"score": [
4
],
"text": [
"You're absolutely correct. However the rise of white supremacy doesn't start off targeting EVERYONE who isn't \"pure\" rather it starts with obvious targets. Then slowly moves in to a narrower and narrower definition. First they target those who ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
1tu8su | how is audio created with only 1s and 0s? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1tu8su/how_is_audio_created_with_only_1s_and_0s/ | {
"a_id": [
"cebh9v1",
"cebhb1v"
],
"score": [
3,
3
],
"text": [
"At a very low level, any audio can be described as (more or less) how loud it is at any given point in time. When you hear a note played on a piano, what's happening (roughly) is that the volume is getting louder and softer... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
1x79uf | why is it that when it's a really cold night outside, the sky is so much clearer & crisper to see the stars more clearly? [serious] | I've noticed this my whole life living in southwest N. America, & amp; I've always wanted an explanation. Can anyone help explain this to me in detail please? Is it an air pollution/pressure/moisture thing, or something else entirely? Why does this happen? Would really appreciate it :)
Edit: Thank you for your helpful... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1x79uf/why_is_it_that_when_its_a_really_cold_night/ | {
"a_id": [
"cf8pu72",
"cf8puri"
],
"score": [
8,
6
],
"text": [
"The sky isn't clear because it's cold, it's cold because the sky is clear. Clouds act like a blanket that keep the warmth radiating from the earth's surface escaping into the upper atmosphere so easily. Without the clouds, t... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
regmd | how murder trials and sentencing work. | (Obviously not an appropriate topic for a 5 year old, but can someone dumb this down for me?)
More specifically, why do some people that knowingly commit murder (knowingly as in they aren't deemed legally insane) get sentenced to a life sentence or 10 years in prison, but others get the death penalty? How do they dec... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/regmd/eli5_how_murder_trials_and_sentencing_work/ | {
"a_id": [
"c455w00"
],
"score": [
4
],
"text": [
"ELI5: Murder.\n\nWell, I'll give this a shot. Sit down, 5 year-old, and I'll tell you a tale. \n\nFirst, we need to understand what **murder** actually means. **Murder** is the *unlawful* killing of another person with **malice aforethought**. Un... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
5wo9ao | how can videos that were recorded in 30 fps can be reencoded in 60 fps ? | I was talking about this with a friend, he said that it was still looking smoother | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5wo9ao/eli5_how_can_videos_that_were_recorded_in_30_fps/ | {
"a_id": [
"debpqb0",
"debs5xo"
],
"score": [
7,
3
],
"text": [
"Interpolation. Encoding software basically \"makes up\" a frame in between every frame. If you look at it closely enough you can see that it is not true 60 FPS. ",
"The easiest way is you can just double the frames.\n... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
6jjlxz | if survival is the primary goal of life forms, then why do we age to death? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6jjlxz/eli5_if_survival_is_the_primary_goal_of_life/ | {
"a_id": [
"djeqe9q",
"djeqef9",
"djeqmy7",
"djeqp9f"
],
"score": [
3,
3,
11,
2
],
"text": [
"It's survival to reproduction, not survival forever. If something only needs a year to be able to reproduce, then it won't need to continue living after it has reproduced. ",
... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
38scle | why do humans like pillows to support their heads when they sleep? | Other animals don't need any sort of head support, and if museums are correct, humans have sought out sleep-time head-supporting objects for millennia. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/38scle/eli5_why_do_humans_like_pillows_to_support_their/ | {
"a_id": [
"crxjab8",
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"crxk63y",
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"crxor5i",
"crxozbz",
"crxp485",
"crxpw18",
"crxq3k4",
"crxq716",
"crxr4d9",
"c... | [] | [] | [
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[],
[],
[],
[],
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[],
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[],
[
"https://bousiesinmwanza.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/img_7126web.jpg"
],
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[],
[],
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[],
[],
[],
[
"http://morfis.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/apes.jpg",
"http://www.ufovideo.net/Ape_Sleeping_Large.jpg",
"... | |
4c0c7r | what percentage of ticket sales in movie theaters go to studios and when do they start profitting from a certain film? | Mainly, my question is concerning when and how studios move into profit on a certain film. For example, Batman v Superman is expected to take in $350 million worldwide (around $150 million domestically) this weekend, but I cannot imagine all of it goes to Warner Bros. Or does it?
I know that it probably is different i... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4c0c7r/eli5_what_percentage_of_ticket_sales_in_movie/ | {
"a_id": [
"d1dz8t6",
"d1e1kfd",
"d1e4nxw",
"d1e53ez",
"d1edeic",
"d1ee4c8"
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"score": [
12,
3,
5,
2,
4,
2
],
"text": [
"Quite a lot. First the cinema will take a cut to pay expenses, which depends on all different things. The money left after in-house exp... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
a7ny7j | why do some cities have enough allotted phone numbers (based on area codes) for 10x their population? | Houston has ~4 million residents, and now has 4 area codes. Each area code has 10,000,000 number possibilities, so Houston theoretically has 4 million people and 40 million available phone numbers. Why the massive jump? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a7ny7j/eli5_why_do_some_cities_have_enough_allotted/ | {
"a_id": [
"ec4du97",
"ec4e1n4"
],
"score": [
4,
3
],
"text": [
"Well, there's a couple reasons for this. One is that not all phone numbers are valid.\n\nFor example, any number of the form XXX-555-01XX is reserved for directory assistance and information numbers. Certain businesses or un... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
29a55b | if russia is so lawless and corrupt what are scammers actually gaining by jumping in front of cars pretending that they were hit? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/29a55b/eli5_if_russia_is_so_lawless_and_corrupt_what_are/ | {
"a_id": [
"ciizk2u",
"cij1f0o"
],
"score": [
4,
6
],
"text": [
"Russia really isnt as corrupt and lawless as you seem to think it is",
"Wow, anti-russian propaganda does its work pretty well"
]
} | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
3uk1vc | what good would a gun owner registry do in preventing crime? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3uk1vc/eli5_what_good_would_a_gun_owner_registry_do_in/ | {
"a_id": [
"cxfi70i"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"It really wouldn't prevent crime. In some cases it might help solve crimes. If you look at Australia they had a mandatory gun registry and told everyone if they registered their guns they'd be grandfathered into compliance. When it didn't help... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
q4u8b | what is "irreducible complexity" in regards to the theory of evolution? | I've read a few things but still don't think I get it.
1. What does the term originate and what does it mean?
2. Why do creationists use this as "proof" against evolution?
| explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/q4u8b/eli5_what_is_irreducible_complexity_in_regards_to/ | {
"a_id": [
"c3uqb7g",
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"c3uraeb",
"c3ursx4",
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"score": [
21,
4,
12,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"One of the main ideas of evolution is that small changes add up, resulting in big adaptive changes over time. For instance, fish using fins to crawl across ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[
"explain.by"
],
[]
] | |
1y5mhv | reddit's "we took too long to make this page for you" error message. | You know, [this one](_URL_0_).
At first glance, it seems like a bad user experience to say the equivalent of "we failed, try again" when you could easily automate the trying again or increase the timeout.
Does anyone understand why they do it this way?
Edit: amusingly enough, I got that error when I first loaded thi... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1y5mhv/eli5_reddits_we_took_too_long_to_make_this_page/ | {
"a_id": [
"cfhjqqu"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"The general idea is \"Okay, this should have taken THIS long. It's gone far past that, and it's tying up the system, get rid of it.\" \n\n1. Stop doing what you're doing. This frees up resources.\n2. Tell the user you gave up, and tell THEM to ... | [] | [
"http://i.imgur.com/d2kDLcR.png"
] | [
[]
] | |
49c58k | why can't we just make the face value of a penny 2.5 cents? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/49c58k/eli5_why_cant_we_just_make_the_face_value_of_a/ | {
"a_id": [
"d0qmoox",
"d0qnyzm"
],
"score": [
3,
29
],
"text": [
"We already have a five cent coin. There's no need for a 2.5 cent coin as well. ",
"You hear a lot about this as though the cost of the penny is huge issue - but it's not. A penny is not single use. Coins stay in circu... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
68edgg | why is all life on earth based on rna/dna ? | I often wondered why there aren't other life forms based on a different chemistery. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/68edgg/eli5why_is_all_life_on_earth_based_on_rnadna/ | {
"a_id": [
"dgxv1bn",
"dgxwp8n"
],
"score": [
4,
2
],
"text": [
"The simple answer is that it works so well. A system which works well has advantages of anything else. So there are more descendents using it than any other.\n\nOne interesting variant is mad cow disease and its relatives. T... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
1fqf4w | how do components of electricity work?(i.e. power/wattage, potential difference/voltage, current/amperage) | I've usually tried to understand most things using analogies to everyday life. Before being introduced to the concept of these in an Academic setting, i've always thought of electricity being like Water through a pipe, Voltage is the water pressure, Amperage is the Amount of water, but then what would Wattage be? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1fqf4w/eli5_how_do_components_of_electricity_workie/ | {
"a_id": [
"cacsir4",
"cacts0u"
],
"score": [
2,
2
],
"text": [
"Power is a change in energy per unit time (measured in Watts). A circuit uses up a certain amount of energy. The power is how much energy is used every second.\n\nYour ideas of voltage and current are pretty much spot on. Th... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
6cpxor | does communism and capitalism have an end goal? if so what are they? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6cpxor/eli5_does_communism_and_capitalism_have_an_end/ | {
"a_id": [
"dhwhcsg"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"I would say that he end goal of both is maximum human prosperity, but that communists have a more optimistic view on how properous humanity can get. Total equality is also an important end goal of communism that is not shared by capitalism (not t... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
2ag0yq | how does one sports team pay another? | With Luis Suarez going to Barcelona for (reportedly) $130 million, how does one team pay another? Writing a check for $130 million seems too simplistic and cash doesn't seem logical either. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2ag0yq/eli5how_does_one_sports_team_pay_another/ | {
"a_id": [
"ciup00z",
"ciup037"
],
"score": [
2,
2
],
"text": [
"Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) or bank wire transfer. ",
"they play 5 games of rock, paper, scissors and if the paying team wins, the debt is forgiven. "
]
} | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
802ygh | why can't you martingale bet 1st and 2nd 12 on roulette and walk away with better odds than the house | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/802ygh/eli5_why_cant_you_martingale_bet_1st_and_2nd_12/ | {
"a_id": [
"duslyft",
"dusmhmp"
],
"score": [
3,
5
],
"text": [
"The general problem with martingale bets is that the exponential increase of the betting amounts will quickly bankrupt most gamblers. Simply put, you don’t have an infinite amount of wealth to put up on the table. ",
"Yo... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
1prsdh | why are skateboarding and bicycle helmets designed so differently? | Seems like there would be one design for protecting your head best? Are different types of injuries more common on each? do aerodynamics play a part? is it just so skateboarders can look cooler? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1prsdh/eli5_why_are_skateboarding_and_bicycle_helmets/ | {
"a_id": [
"cd5bx87",
"cd5ci95"
],
"score": [
2,
2
],
"text": [
"Beyond style (and the hottest trend right now is bicycle helmets that look more like skateboard helmets- think Nutcase and Bern- Bicycle helmets are designed to protect against a single hard collision- say you hit a rock whi... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
4iuulh | if the multiverse theory is true, and if there are an infinite number of universes, does it logically follow that every possible universe exists? couldn't there be an infinite number of universes which exclude one particular kind of universe (i.e a fictional universe like s. wars) | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4iuulh/eli5_if_the_multiverse_theory_is_true_and_if/ | {
"a_id": [
"d318ws5",
"d3195fu",
"d319cb9",
"d319eah",
"d31cd83",
"d31d6zf",
"d31gkgb"
],
"score": [
2,
38,
18,
2,
3,
4,
3
],
"text": [
"You'd have to temper it a bit to \"every universe that could exist would exist\". So if the laws of physics were... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
3bc7ww | if i were to stand at the geographic north/south pole, would someone looking at me from space see me as spinning around? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3bc7ww/eli5if_i_were_to_stand_at_the_geographic/ | {
"a_id": [
"cskt8b8",
"cskt90u"
],
"score": [
5,
5
],
"text": [
"Yes, but not nearly as fast as you are imagining it. The earth rotates at 1000 mph at the equator, but it still only completes one rotation every ~24 hours. Likewise, you standing on the pole would only rotate once every ~24... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
t2ybo | spherical harmonics | What do they represent? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/t2ybo/spherical_harmonics/ | {
"a_id": [
"c4j4kdd"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Before we look at spherical harmonics, let's first look at another harmonic oscillation: Standing waves on a rope.\n\nTake a rope and attach one end to a solid wall. Now move the other end. If you hit the right \"beat\" you will get the whole of ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
6o1o15 | what is happening when you zero a rifle? | ??? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6o1o15/eli5_what_is_happening_when_you_zero_a_rifle/ | {
"a_id": [
"dkdvlif"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"you are setting the bullet impact at range to match the line of sight you view through the optic. Example: you have a rifle that has an optic that is 2\" about the centerline of the bore, being that there is a difference between the 2 lines (bore... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
3f4ti2 | if the earth is heated by the sun, why are places that are higher up and closer to the sun significantly colder than the surface? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3f4ti2/eli5_if_the_earth_is_heated_by_the_sun_why_are/ | {
"a_id": [
"ctlaswz",
"ctlau3i"
],
"score": [
2,
4
],
"text": [
"Can't explain like your 5 because alcohol but it's because our atmosphere traps heat so basically the higher you go the less atmosphere their is, could be wrong like I said alcohol ",
"Moving up/down on Earth's altitude ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
3x54rh | what pets and animals think when we're on computers/cell phones/reading and other idle activities | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3x54rh/eli5_what_pets_and_animals_think_when_were_on/ | {
"a_id": [
"cy1lmim",
"cy1nvgq",
"cy1rcls"
],
"score": [
9,
4,
4
],
"text": [
"nothing, they have no concept of things we do for our entertainment. Any attempt to say that they do is anthropomorphising them too much",
"They don't really have opinions but they can pick up on ch... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
9v6z8u | when a website asks you to prove you are not a robot by identifying storefronts/busses/streetlights/etc, how is it determining you are not a robot? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9v6z8u/eli5_when_a_website_asks_you_to_prove_you_are_not/ | {
"a_id": [
"e99vst1",
"e99ygk8"
],
"score": [
5,
2
],
"text": [
"Those tasks are not easy to solve for computers without reasonable effort put into making robust algorithms that probably aren’t worth the time for spammers, etc. \n\nWithout such obstacles, websites receive a lot of automat... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
f3ta0o | why does arms crossed over your chest being perceived as a rejection rather than acceptance? (i find it super comforting. if i’ve crossed my arms, i’m actually enjoying our conversation) | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/f3ta0o/eli5_why_does_arms_crossed_over_your_chest_being/ | {
"a_id": [
"fhkw7vz",
"fhkx22g"
],
"score": [
2,
3
],
"text": [
"The theory is that you are protecting yourself if you've got your arms crossed. Your arms cover the most vulnerable part of your body, your heart and organs. You are most vulnerable with arms outstretched, exposing this are... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
acfjsf | why does smoke get sucked out the window when you open the front door? | 17th floor, friends smoke in their apartment. with the window open the smoke still mostly floats around the room, but once we open the apartment door, the smoke goes out the window. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/acfjsf/eli5_why_does_smoke_get_sucked_out_the_window/ | {
"a_id": [
"ed7jbm8"
],
"score": [
7
],
"text": [
"Generally, this is due to permitting a flow of air through the building. With just a window open, the only air flow is in/out of the window...and that isn't going to happen very powerfully, without some sort of fan. With a door open, this allows ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
1xhdpf | why do i think about horrible things around people i care about? | The other day I was around my dad, and I thought about what would happen if I stabbed him. Why is this? I am not mentally ill or anythings and I would NEVER stab him, but why does this happen? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1xhdpf/eli5_why_do_i_think_about_horrible_things_around/ | {
"a_id": [
"cfbebqm"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"There is a technical term for this. As soon as I find the information I will post about it. But it has been addressed by many experts. Just can't remember the term..."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
3cs7ws | with the recent news of a sixth mass extinction how would this affect us? | If say 100 different species were to go, what affect would this have on humans? (Environmental or social impacts.) | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3cs7ws/eli5_with_the_recent_news_of_a_sixth_mass/ | {
"a_id": [
"csym5dd"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"If all these species are going extinct I really pray that mosquitoes are one of the next species to go"
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
8mknb5 | why on iphone, when you take pictures it flips them around while on snapchat it keeps them the way you took them? what’s the point of flipping it? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8mknb5/eli5_why_on_iphone_when_you_take_pictures_it/ | {
"a_id": [
"dzobb0h"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"I believe _both_ are showing you a flipped version while you preview the picture. They show you the mirror version because that's the main way most people have looked at themselves in their life — otherwise most people would have a more difficult... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
eq6pup | why can fnger print scanners and such correctly scan my fingerprint no matter how long ago it was since they copied it but my phone fingerprint scanner struggles if theres a slight bit of dust on my fingers | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/eq6pup/eli5_why_can_fnger_print_scanners_and_such/ | {
"a_id": [
"feo9oa2"
],
"score": [
11
],
"text": [
"The grooves on your fingers remain the same over time, they don't change their positions, so no matter when you first had your finger print entered it will still always work, however dust, ink and other substance can make it look like the groove... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://youtu.be/FB3Tt2ZLyUQ"
]
] | ||
259do0 | why does warm beer make me sick but cold beer doesn't? | American here. Wondering why warm beer upsets my stomach while cold beer does not.
I can enjoy a nice cold beer but if I become occupied and leave it out then take a sip, that same beer will make my stomach feel uneasy.
If I drink warm soda, it doesn't taste as good but it doesn't bother me. I assume the coldness i... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/259do0/eli5_why_does_warm_beer_make_me_sick_but_cold/ | {
"a_id": [
"cheyzmq",
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"score": [
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"text": [
"Assuming it is not spoiled, and that you have no allergies (as the cold beer not affecting you shows) it is most likely psychological. ",
"because you're likely american and your beer is urine to begin with\n\nwhich\n\nw... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
fdyxs8 | why do some cheap usb cables actually *discharge* the phone? how does that even work, even if the phone shows charging? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/fdyxs8/eli5_why_do_some_cheap_usb_cables_actually/ | {
"a_id": [
"fjkntxh"
],
"score": [
11
],
"text": [
"None of them discharge the phones. They're just charging very slow and your phone is running out of battery faster than it's being charged."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
475zps | do astronauts still experience "weightlessness" out of earth's orbit? | I understand that astronauts and cosmonauts experience "weightlessness" in orbit due to essentially being in continuous freefall. But if they were say travelling to Mars, would they still experience that same weightlessness, or would they be able to stand and move around on their ship due to them travelling in a straig... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/475zps/eli5_do_astronauts_still_experience/ | {
"a_id": [
"d0ag57b",
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"score": [
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"text": [
"Yes you can think of it that astronauts experience weightlessness in orbit because they are in a freefall, and their sideways speed is so large that they are falling sideways which keeps them from entering the atmosphere (an... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
1vdtxf | after having their first large-scale success, why don't all musicians produce their own albums? | Wouldn't this be like cutting out the middle man? They already have the fan base, it seems they could make substantially more money this way. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1vdtxf/eli5_after_having_their_first_largescale_success/ | {
"a_id": [
"cer8t6x",
"cer8tp3"
],
"score": [
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"text": [
"Producers also manufacture and distribute the physical (and digital) media that music comes on.\n\nThose resources can be pretty expensive, so it's cheaper (or just easier) to have another company do it for you.",
"Its n... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
31l3pe | is dying in my sleep actually painless? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/31l3pe/eli5is_dying_in_my_sleep_actually_painless/ | {
"a_id": [
"cq2kui2",
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"score": [
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"text": [
"We think so. The actual answer is, nobody knows.",
"How would we know? It's not like we can ask someone who actually died how it felt.\n\nIt seems so and there isn't much reason to think it's painful (in most cases, ther... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
4h1nz0 | how do animals know how to build stuff. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4h1nz0/eli5_how_do_animals_know_how_to_build_stuff/ | {
"a_id": [
"d2mm7h2"
],
"score": [
8
],
"text": [
"It's just in their DNA. \n\nEven now, science can't fully explain the phenomena we call \"instincts\", even though we can see them in action, and have them ourselves."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
1l9525 | why do asians usually have no body hair and arabs have a lot? | Im talking about the chinese, koreans etc.
Edit: I'm talking about the Yellow race, not all asians as Arabs are also considered Asians. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1l9525/eli5why_do_asians_usually_have_no_body_hair_and/ | {
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"score": [
976,
51,
361,
21,
5,
6,
6,
543,
... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://books.google.co.id/books/about/Prehistoric_Mongoloid_dispersal.html?id=9SQSAQAAIAAJ&redir_esc=y",
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongoloid#Features"
],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[
"http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21729055.200-sweat-mutation-may-have-helped-us-colonise-as... | |
2foke9 | why do we shit in clean drinkable water? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2foke9/eli5_why_do_we_shit_in_clean_drinkable_water/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
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8,
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22,
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"text": [
"Because the water will be recycled and the cost of implementing two different plumbing systems would be extreme... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
9ncg0f | how to not become homeless | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9ncg0f/eli5_how_to_not_become_homeless/ | {
"a_id": [
"e7l7okf",
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"e7l7zcu",
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7,
2,
2,
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],
"text": [
"Get a job, if you can't drive, walk or use public transportation. Find a cheap apartment you can afford with your income (personal finance sub can help with f... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
18h22x | why don't police departments all over the united states just up the prerequisites, the salaries, and the training to become a cop. | Redditors are always bitching about thugs, idiots, and criminals in the police departments that don't know what they're doing and sometimes take very rash actions that is shown by the media.
Although I do agree that some police officers, LEOs, sheriffs etc. are just legitimately dumb and bad employees (they're in ever... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/18h22x/eli5_why_dont_police_departments_all_over_the/ | {
"a_id": [
"c8eqoxi",
"c8et8fo",
"c8ew40n",
"c8ex553"
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"score": [
11,
2,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"You're talking about raising the bar to become a police officer. That won't help. You can never raise the bar high enough to prevent all bad apples (in part because some bad app... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
xb5w1 | the complete process of home brewing beer. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/xb5w1/eli5_the_complete_process_of_home_brewing_beer/ | {
"a_id": [
"c5kuo6f"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"First, you boil grains (wheat, barley, oat, whatever the specific beer calls for) and hops, as well as whatever spices you might be adding. You boil this for a while to get the starches and sugars out of the grains and into the liquid (this is f... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
2ch0ty | how is it possible that canned/pouched tuna can have an expiration date of 2017, yet still be safe/healthy? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2ch0ty/eli5_how_is_it_possible_that_cannedpouched_tuna/ | {
"a_id": [
"cjfdsqa"
],
"score": [
7
],
"text": [
"The tuna is sealed and pasteurized, if not sterilized. If there's nothing in there to grow and produce toxins it could presumably last forever. Sometines the consume by or sell by date isn't so much about safety as it is about food quality. The ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
qm7ws | having to turn your head and cough during a physical? | What is the doctor actually looking for in your Testicles when he asks you to turn your head and cough? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/qm7ws/eli5_having_to_turn_your_head_and_cough_during_a/ | {
"a_id": [
"c3yohor",
"c3yqdb9"
],
"score": [
29,
3
],
"text": [
"The doctor is checking for a hernia (usually an inguinal hernia) which is when a part of your belly pokes through where it shouldn't.\n\nCoughing can make it more noticeable. Turning your head prevents you from coughing on ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
54bvsg | why do we get tired when doing something boring/repetitive ? | By tired I mean that we feel sleepy. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/54bvsg/eli5_why_do_we_get_tired_when_doing_something/ | {
"a_id": [
"d81u5tu"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Maybe the lack of stimulation lets sleepiness set in. Rather than thinking of it as making you sleepy, think of is as not making stimulating you or making you alert"
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
196ws2 | if china is communist, and the u.s. is very anti-communist, why does the u.s. withhold a good relation with them. how is it different than say, cuban communism? | Enlighten me guys. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/196ws2/eli5_if_china_is_communist_and_the_us_is_very/ | {
"a_id": [
"c8lbpps",
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],
"score": [
3,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"Because blocking trade and travel with China would destroy our economy. Cuba is economically insignificant in comparison.\n\nThey're not really completely \"communist\" anymore though. They're progres... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
tyzmv | 5.1 sound within headphones. | Hey guys. Can someone explain how 5.1 sound work within headphones? How can there be two components (left and right ear) yet there are an odd number of 'speakers'?
Here's and example:
_URL_0_ | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/tyzmv/eli5_51_sound_within_headphones/ | {
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"c4qxeul",
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"text": [
"Each ear has 3 speakers. Center, front and back. They are placed to simulate sound coming to your ear from those places.\n\nThere are headphones that simulate 3D with only 2 spakers, but the ones you po... | [] | [
"http://www.amazon.com/Zalman-ZM-RS6F-surround-sound-headphones/dp/B0001OYMFO"
] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
2dvxzh | how do the site owners of popular forums like stackoverflow make money if posting is free and no ads? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2dvxzh/eli5_how_do_the_site_owners_of_popular_forums/ | {
"a_id": [
"cjtkyz1",
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"score": [
10,
22,
2
],
"text": [
"_URL_0_\n\nStack overflow CEO discussing how they monetize",
"They sell statistics about their user base. This is how all free services generate money. You are not the customer, you are the produc... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://www.businessinsider.com/exclusive-qa-quora-may-be-turning-down-billion-dollar-offers-but-its-still-losing-to-this-guy-2011-2"
],
[],
[
"http://stackexchange.com/mediakit"
]
] | ||
c10cup | other than ownership, what are the differences between an apartment and a condo? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/c10cup/eli5_other_than_ownership_what_are_the/ | {
"a_id": [
"er9h17r",
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"score": [
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2,
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],
"text": [
"Ownership is really the only real difference. That said, in a condo building, there’s usually some kind of owners’ association where the residents as a whole are members and pay du... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
46vlt1 | if all humans disappear from the earth, how long would it take for a nuclear power plant to go chernobyl? | Can you also explain why/the process behind it. Also assuming it was completely untouched, not hit by a tsunami like Fukushima. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/46vlt1/eli5_if_all_humans_disappear_from_the_earth_how/ | {
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"score": [
6,
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],
"text": [
"I suggest you read some more about [Chernobyl](_URL_0_) since nuclear plants don't really explode by themselves. ",
"Mostly they will not. it took active decisions to generate ... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chernobyl_disaster"
],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
3w7zi2 | plane emergency landings | I have seen movies and TV shows where the plane must land on a road since there are no nearby airfields (see: leverage for one such example) and the interstate was apparently built to handle aircraft if needed. My question is: can you explain the logistics in landing like this? How do you not hit any cars? How do you m... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3w7zi2/eli5_plane_emergency_landings/ | {
"a_id": [
"cxu1sx5",
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"score": [
3,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"You don't. You crash land and hope the cars move out of the way.\n\nYou don't. A plane that emergency lands on a highway doesn't take off again. FAA regulations forbids flying until a thorough mech... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[
"https://goo.gl/maps/ynGSFPQm35K2"
]
] | |
wgulr | how are toll roads legal? i thought that taxes payed for roads? | Question in the title plus a bonus: can you get a ticket for using the fast pass or pike pass lane without having the pass? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/wgulr/how_are_toll_roads_legal_i_thought_that_taxes/ | {
"a_id": [
"c5d7bon",
"c5d7fd0",
"c5d7gj4",
"c5d812d",
"c5db0r3"
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"score": [
24,
78,
2,
6,
2
],
"text": [
"Different roads are funded by different taxes and different governments. Some roads are paid for by the cities, others by the states, and some by the federa... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
ns0oh | why referring a pakistani 'paki' is a racial abuse? | Aussie, Brit, Indian, African is all okay but 'paki' is so wrong. Why? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ns0oh/eli5_why_referring_a_pakistani_paki_is_a_racial/ | {
"a_id": [
"c3bgzx0",
"c3bh06p",
"c3bh0l1",
"c3bh0vl",
"c3bi37u",
"c3bidoh",
"c3bini4",
"c3bj9fc",
"c3bjcm9",
"c3bjepl",
"c3bkcho",
"c3bgzx0",
"c3bh06p",
"c3bh0l1",
"c3bh0vl",
"c3bi37u",
"c3bidoh",
"c3bini4",
"c3bj9fc",
"c3bjcm9",
"c... | [] | [] | [
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[],
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[],
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] | |
5bebpd | physiologically... what happens when someone opens your eyelids when you're asleep? | when we were young, i would open my brother's eyelids when he's asleep (that's fucked yes i know)... what happens? if anything at all? does the brain register anything? or is it just dumb and cruel to do that to your brother? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5bebpd/eli5_physiologically_what_happens_when_someone/ | {
"a_id": [
"d9nvhit"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
" > what happens? if anything at all? does the brain register anything?\n\nThe retina doesn't stop working when you close your eyes, it is just that the eyelids block most of the incoming light. When you sleep the part of your brain that interp... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
1pupnb | why is there always(what i think is) an unrealistic amount of downvotes on great reddit submissions? | When you look at the top posts to reddit you see a huge amount of upvotes(for example the top post today has 22841 upvotes so far) as the post is funny, interesting etc. However, it also has 19105 downvotes. This strikes me as ridiculous and I have a hard time believing that that many people felt the need to downvote. ... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1pupnb/eli5_why_is_there_alwayswhat_i_think_is_an/ | {
"a_id": [
"cd68uxr"
],
"score": [
6
],
"text": [
"Reddit has a vote-fuzzing algorithm that adds fake upvotes and downvotes (keeping the overall score stable), so that people who run bot networks for automatically upvoting/downvoting content can't tell if their bots are working or not."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
33ybcp | why do people with blond hair look like their hair is dark or black at the base by scalp, but the rest of it is blonde? why doesn't that dark hair grow and make their hair dark? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/33ybcp/eli5_why_do_people_with_blond_hair_look_like/ | {
"a_id": [
"cqpn3jq"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"It's usually either dye or sun related. Since your hair is dead, it can't increase melanin production to absorb light better, and the sun will kill off the melanin that's there. The roots are new hair and haven't been as affected by the light, so... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
38donw | why does music conservatories/academia put so much emphasis on jazz and classical music? | Been to graduation concerts since Monday, and 19 of 20 have been either pure Jazz/Fusion or a Mix of old and new Classical music. One student did play some more rock-ish instrumental stuff, but that's about it. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/38donw/eli5_why_does_music_conservatoriesacademia_put_so/ | {
"a_id": [
"cru9dcx",
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"score": [
13,
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10,
8,
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2,
7,
136,
6,
... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yngwie_Malmsteen"
],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
2teeky | why is ocean water so hard to process to make it drinkingn water? | I've seen new inventions like Bill Gates poop water, and still wondering, why if most of our planet is non-drinkable water, hasn't there been a way to purfiy it? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2teeky/eli5_why_is_ocean_water_so_hard_to_process_to/ | {
"a_id": [
"cny8wy4"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"It's hard to get salt out of something it has dissolved into, without it costing you so much energy it becomes pointless from a cost perspective. You can do it, but only up to a point, which is why a lot of island nations don't have drinkable tap... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
1k06ch | lavabit shutting down | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1k06ch/eli5_lavabit_shutting_down/ | {
"a_id": [
"cbk2w7e"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"Us government said either comply with our domestic spying demands or stop operating. Rather than violate the constitutional rights of Americans, they chose to suspend operations while they try to prove in court the demands are in violation of our... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
3ub4hr | why does my cat want to cuddle then suddenly attack me viciously? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ub4hr/eli5_why_does_my_cat_want_to_cuddle_then_suddenly/ | {
"a_id": [
"cxdi7fl"
],
"score": [
20
],
"text": [
"He doesn't want to cuddle, he wants warmth, just let him do his thing, then, pat his head, don't over stimulate him. \n\nYou'll want to know your cat well, after the Facebook thing... "
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
42hgcy | why is "if man evolved from monkeys, why are there still monkeys?" not a good argument against evolution? | I was raised in a religious cult that has and still does preach against evolution, and while I have woken up from the mind control and now realize that evolution is fact, I still do not fully understand it. I would love some help in this area! | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/42hgcy/eli5_why_is_if_man_evolved_from_monkeys_why_are/ | {
"a_id": [
"czabd58",
"czabdhz",
"czabfa8",
"czabxum"
],
"score": [
3,
13,
4,
3
],
"text": [
"Say you want to do a little selective breeding. You take 2 golden retrievers that each have a specific trait you want to breed into a new animal, like unusually coloured fur or wh... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
r3x2f | how trees know when to start blooming. what does the temperature to do initiate budding? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/r3x2f/eli5_how_trees_know_when_to_start_blooming_what/ | {
"a_id": [
"c42r800"
],
"score": [
11
],
"text": [
"OK, it has nothing to do with the temperature. Plants use light, as it is far more consistent than the temperature, to gauge when they begin blossoming. Basically, plants need an uninterrupted period of darkness of a certain length. You can do a... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photoperiodism"
]
] | ||
1zsys5 | how do rockets combustion stay lit in space? | Even in an environment with no oxygen? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1zsys5/eli5_how_do_rockets_combustion_stay_lit_in_space/ | {
"a_id": [
"cfwnj3t"
],
"score": [
6
],
"text": [
"Rockets carry both the fuel and the oxygen for combustion. "
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] |
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