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2tey9c
how did chopsticks get their name if they don't do any actual chopping?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2tey9c/eli5_how_did_chopsticks_get_their_name_if_they/
{ "a_id": [ "cnye90m", "cnyeakb", "cnyeft2" ], "score": [ 4, 10, 3 ], "text": [ "I believe it has something to do with the saying chop chop, as in quickly.", "\"Chop\" in pidgin English used to mean \"quick\". In Chinese their term translates to \"nimble one\", and so \"chopsti...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
6x6z1m
why are trailer tractors so boxy and non-aerodynamic?
So, first of all, there's a shape difference between tractors in Europe and the ones in the US. EU ones are pretty much a flat surface slamming against the wind at 100+km/h. US tractors have a front mounted engine, which gives them a seemingly more aerodynamic shape. However, when brought together together in the same ...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6x6z1m/eli5_why_are_trailer_tractors_so_boxy_and/
{ "a_id": [ "dmdk9qu", "dmdl6wt", "dmdlij3", "dmdmpns", "dmdmxf2", "dmdvyp4" ], "score": [ 33, 2, 9, 2, 6, 15 ], "text": [ "EU tractors generally have their passenger cabins mounted on top of the engine instead of having the engine be in front of the cab. Th...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://exa.com/sites/default/files/media-module/nikola_one.jpg", "http://gas2.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/airflow-bullet-truck-5.jpg", "http://www.donbur.co.uk/gb-en/images/products/uk-mail-teardrop-trailer.jpg" ], [ "http://www.bladehobbies.co.uk/ekmps/shops/33fb39/images/e-flite-um...
2h7b89
how can youtubers post videos of them singing popular songs without getting their videos taken down, but i can't upload a school video that has "eat it" (which was published in 1984)?
I thought that the copyright laws protected people from singing songs from within the last 20 years? In america, that is.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2h7b89/eli5how_can_youtubers_post_videos_of_them_singing/
{ "a_id": [ "ckq22i9" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ " > I thought that the copyright laws protected people from singing songs from within the last 20 years?\n\nThat's patent law (which only applies to inventions, product designs and manufacturing processes).\n\nCopyright typically lasts for the en...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
21n7ji
what really happens when country a's leader calls country b's leader, where the language isn't the same?
This sounds silly. When they say "Putin calls Obama to discuss Ukraine" what does that mean exactly? 1. Does Putin picks up the phone, makes a long distance call to Obama and they talk person to person? 2. What language do they speak? 3. Or is it something like Obama - > Translator - > phone < - Translator < - ...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/21n7ji/eli5_what_really_happens_when_country_as_leader/
{ "a_id": [ "cgenpuo", "cgep9v0", "cgeqtn7", "cger58m", "cger8k0", "cgerbz2", "cgerzq5", "cges3bz", "cgesjoy", "cget343", "cget4jz", "cgeu2cl", "cgeuzes", "cgevoiv", "cgeycyn", "cgeydjy" ], "score": [ 760, 88, 58, 30, 68, 78, ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
3a3pmz
why, on an evolutionary perspective, are humans hyper-evolving? we've grown in height just in the past few thousand years, and have much less hair than predecessors.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3a3pmz/eli5_why_on_an_evolutionary_perspective_are/
{ "a_id": [ "cs8zlt1" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "Height can be attributed to improved nutrition, look at NK/SK. NK are much shorter than SK even though they were the same people up until very recently. The hair thing requires a citation." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
9dvhct
electric force, electric field, coulomb’s law and gauss’s law
What are these and how do they apply to physics? Any examples regarding them? Background info: been sick lately and unable to go to class, so I don’t really understand these subjects much apart from their formulas.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9dvhct/eli5_electric_force_electric_field_coulombs_law/
{ "a_id": [ "e5ked1b", "e5khwbd" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Physics is, in a broad sense, the study of what things in the universe *are*, how they *move*, and how they *interact*.\n\nCharged objects generate a so-called \"electric field\" around themselves, similar in some ways to ho...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ed/VFPt_charges_plus_minus_thumb.svg/220px-VFPt_charges_plus_minus_thumb.svg.png", "http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/electric/elefor.html", "https://www.khanacademy.org/science/physics/electric-charge-electric-force-and-voltage", ...
1o6ofw
why do people with adhd/add not feel the "high" feeling that adderal and other amphetamine based medications give those without it?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1o6ofw/eli5_why_do_people_with_adhdadd_not_feel_the_high/
{ "a_id": [ "ccp91v8", "ccpallu", "ccpawbh", "ccpgod6" ], "score": [ 13, 14, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "People with add/adhd have a chemical imbalance in the prefrontal lob. Basically their dopamine levels are lower then average, so when they take drugs that raise dopamine it their...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
6zpkfr
what is a state comptroller?
Pretty much as simple as that, my state has an office called "the office of the comptroller" and I don't really understand what that person does. Thanks!
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6zpkfr/eli5_what_is_a_state_comptroller/
{ "a_id": [ "dmx28q3", "dmx2dby", "dmx3esg" ], "score": [ 9, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "They're basically a chief accountant/financial officer for the state. They oversee things like state budgets, government spending, government contracts, and paying state employees. ", "They are like...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
9rpd03
what is the difference between city court, high court, and supreme court, and how is it decided which trials are held where?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9rpd03/eli5_what_is_the_difference_between_city_court/
{ "a_id": [ "e8imy68" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "There are different courts that hold jurisdiction over different cases. City Court holds jurisdiction over anything within the city limits. A county magistrate would hold jurisdiction over misdemeanors within that county. A general sessions court...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
5fs2ex
why aren't prenuptial agreements standard for marriage licenses?
Tv makes it seem like the hardest part is asking your partner to sign one, so why aren't they just required? Are they still a big deal when both members work?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5fs2ex/eli5_why_arent_prenuptial_agreements_standard_for/
{ "a_id": [ "dan3pb3", "dan4l1f" ], "score": [ 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Some people dont want them?\n\nI'm getting married in May and insisted we don't have one (We earn ~ pay and I even had a higher savings). ", "The current regime is that state law functions as the default and if the parti...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
1ej4cw
why do clouds of tiny flying insects hover in the exact same spot?
We've all seen them, just a basketball-size cloud of gnats all circling each other, remaining more or less at the same altitude and without moving around. They don't swarm you if you get close, and you can walk right through the cloud and it will simply reconstitute itself and remain hovering in place after you've pass...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ej4cw/eli5_why_do_clouds_of_tiny_flying_insects_hover/
{ "a_id": [ "ca0qedy", "ca0u3vt", "ca0v9x3", "ca0w4nt", "ca0x1k4" ], "score": [ 11, 2, 2, 6, 7 ], "text": [ "Typically there is a female gnat in the center giving of pheromones.", "Yeap, just horny bug clouds making more bugs. They're everywhere from Feb-Oct aro...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
3oiz9f
where did replacement swears (heck, darn, shoot, etc.) originate?
I'm not sure if this is the right subreddit, but this one seemed the most fitting. Where did these words come from? The first person to say them would probably be considered weird because they basically just made up a word, so how did they originate and become so popular?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3oiz9f/eli5_where_did_replacement_swears_heck_darn_shoot/
{ "a_id": [ "cvxmtpd", "cvxp46z" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "They sound sort of like the swear words they imitate. Heck=Hell, Darn=Damn, Fudge=Fuck, etc. They're sort of \"safe\" swears because they imply the meaning of the word without actually saying it.\n\nOn an interesting side no...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
4nvdg7
if i fuck up my sleeping schedule and start going to bed at five, what is the best way to go back to going to bed at 11?
Problem is if I try going to bed at eleven immediately I will just turn around and end up falling asleep at 5 anyway. So how earlier is OK to go to bed at a time?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4nvdg7/eli5_if_i_fuck_up_my_sleeping_schedule_and_start/
{ "a_id": [ "d478c8a", "d47cz1w" ], "score": [ 3, 8 ], "text": [ "The best thing you can do is just making yourself tired over the day.. be active, work-out, whatever..\n\nAlso make sure that just just stand up the time you have to stand up, even if you're fucking tired, just do it, and do...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
1tuolo
why was communism a particularly hostile threat to america (to the point of squashing even infant communist regimes via the cia), and why aren't north korea and china pursued in a similar way?
I suppose a common explanation against pursuing North Korea is "they don't pose any real threat to anyone", but historically America has jumped at the opportunity to thwart for example, a foreign communist rebellion, although I would argue that a rebellion is a long way from a threat. Additionally, North Korea is a pre...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1tuolo/eli5_why_was_communism_a_particularly_hostile/
{ "a_id": [ "cebmbgk" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "China, before Mao (before and during WWII), were allies to the US, since Mao's death relations have been improve with them.\n\nThe UN and the US went to war with North Korea, a significant war. At the time, Korea was supported by Moaist Chinese....
[]
[]
[ [] ]
3vxoc4
why does the cat in the video cease all movement when they simply put a clamp on its back?
This is the video I'm talking about: _URL_0_ It seems like magic! The cat just stops moving completely. Implied in my question is the expectation that this happens to many more cats, not just the one in the vid, is this correct? I apologize for the bad formatting and linking, I'm posting from mobile.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3vxoc4/eli5_why_does_the_cat_in_the_video_cease_all/
{ "a_id": [ "cxrjyhg", "cxrm5ha" ], "score": [ 4, 3 ], "text": [ "Cat mothers (and some other animals too) tend to carry around their offpring by holding them in the neck. This is a kind of natural mechanism that ensures that the kittens do not move and hurt themselves while being carried....
[]
[ "https://youtu.be/T9TmmF79Rw0" ]
[ [], [] ]
4h1d15
why are officials burning tons of ivory in order to fight smuggling?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4h1d15/eli5_why_are_officials_burning_tons_of_ivory_in/
{ "a_id": [ "d2mjbyx", "d2mje6a" ], "score": [ 2, 5 ], "text": [ "Well what are they going to do... sell it?", "Because they want to kill the market for ivory entirely. If they sell the ivory then they add on to the existing ivory market and if there's an ivory market there will be a w...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
5um48t
why dogs within 5 seconds of meeting each other know if they are friends or enemies.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5um48t/eli5_why_dogs_within_5_seconds_of_meeting_each/
{ "a_id": [ "ddv5s2h", "ddv6o5l", "ddv722h", "ddv7l8f", "ddv9oux", "ddva953", "ddvafzd", "ddvakli", "ddvathx", "ddvb1bn", "ddvb39u", "ddvbw0x", "ddvc3s1" ], "score": [ 4, 436, 26, 15, 7, 1290, 7, 66, 207, 30, 3, 3,...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "https://apdt.com/pet-owners/choosing-a-trainer/dominance/" ], [], [], [], [] ]
3yqzea
why is insurance federally required? how can the government force you to conduct business with a third party?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3yqzea/eli5_why_is_insurance_federally_required_how_can/
{ "a_id": [ "cyfv3ee" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "If i remember correctly, the supreme court allowed the aca mandate on the basis that it is essentially a tax that you are exempted from if you meet a certain requirement. The government can tax and it can decide what exemptions and deductions to ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
40qee2
how does an op amp work and is it similar to a transistor? please strictly eli5
Op amp had two inputs and one output. Transistor had two inputs and one output
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/40qee2/eli5_how_does_an_op_amp_work_and_is_it_similar_to/
{ "a_id": [ "cywb1ty" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "OP amp is a complicated topic for ELI5 but I can tell you something useful, an op-amp is made from several transistors hooked up together. \n\nWhat you're noticing is called *abstraction*. It's a very powerful concept when you go to make any com...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
5drqtv
why is this fruit rotted and the others are still good?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5drqtv/eli5_why_is_this_fruit_rotted_and_the_others_are/
{ "a_id": [ "da6szae" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "One might have been plucked earlier, or has been in contact with something else that was already rotting.\n\n" ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
3m7827
why did google chrome kill unity?
I don't understand why having it is a bad thing. If it crashes then it crashes and you reload the site. What's the deal?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3m7827/eli5_why_did_google_chrome_kill_unity/
{ "a_id": [ "cvck28m" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "It wasn't just Unity; Chrome stopped supporting everything using the NPAPI standard.\n\nThe reason is that Google wants to promote the use of its own, more modern PPAPI, which is a derivative of NPAPI." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
2ukuiu
why does it take so long to port pc games to macs?
It seems like Mac users have to wait about another year after games have been released to receive their version.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2ukuiu/eli5_why_does_it_take_so_long_to_port_pc_games_to/
{ "a_id": [ "co99y27", "co9ahte" ], "score": [ 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Macs have a very small share of the market, and many Mac users aren't gamers. There's not much incentive to try and make a port for a game on short notice. ", "Bobdole3-2 is basically right. \n\nMacs are essentially irr...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "www.neowin.net/news/steam-stats-show-its-windows-8-users-outnumber-mac-os" ] ]
5h1ko1
doctors, what difference does it make if the pain is sharp or blunt? why do you ask me this? what do different kinds of pain "mean"?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5h1ko1/eli5_doctors_what_difference_does_it_make_if_the/
{ "a_id": [ "dawpcer", "dawphvz", "dawqx33", "dawwec3", "dawxwyw", "dawykje", "dawyqfr", "dawyuqr", "dawz8te", "dawzcdg", "dawzd1x", "dax0qts", "dax180w", "dax1qch", "dax2ysy" ], "score": [ 1011, 5, 110, 23, 18, 4, 3, 2, ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
g2yk5g
why do wi-fi and bluetooth need my location?
I am concerned about my privacy and have turned on location only for essential services. Can I safely turn off networking and wireless in location services?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/g2yk5g/eli5_why_do_wifi_and_bluetooth_need_my_location/
{ "a_id": [ "fno9b44" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "If I remember correctly, it's because the SSID's (The name/fingerprint) of WiFi and Bluetooth can be used to figure out your location anyway\n\n[Yeeeee](_URL_0_)" ] }
[]
[]
[ [ "https://forums.developer.apple.com/thread/123342" ] ]
2hwd9h
why is the past tense of hang "hung" when talking about an object but "hanged" when talking about a person?
I've always wondered this, however you can really tell someone's aptitude for grammar if they can correctly use the past tense of hang.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2hwd9h/eli5_why_is_the_past_tense_of_hang_hung_when/
{ "a_id": [ "ckwl7qe", "ckwlstv", "ckwmoxi", "ckwnfev", "ckwugp2" ], "score": [ 2, 8, 70, 14, 2 ], "text": [ "The words hanged and hung can be used interchangeably as the past tense and past participle of the verb to hang. So, the bottom line is that you cannot make...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
2n7avq
why does an ipad mini or hybrid laptop sell for $200-300 but new iphones cost $600?
There are tablets with 4LTE technology so is the "phone" part really that expensive?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2n7avq/eli5_why_does_an_ipad_mini_or_hybrid_laptop_sell/
{ "a_id": [ "cmazvh5", "cmb0dxz" ], "score": [ 2, 4 ], "text": [ "The fact that they are smaller makes them more expensive.\n\nThey have to cram a comparable amount of computing power into a smaller container, so they require newer and thus more expensive technology.", "Someone mention...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://www.cnet.com/news/apples-ipad-air-2-costs-275-to-358-to-make-teardown-reveals/", "http://time.com/3426087/apple-iphone-6-cost/" ] ]
1lwr7o
why are newer smartphones so much easier to break than "old" ones?
I have a 2009 Nokia touchscreen phone. It's been through drops, falls, and thrown from the back of the car to the windshield, yet it's still in relatively good shape. However, my friend dropped his iPhone and it cracked. Badly. So why are newer phones so weak?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1lwr7o/eli5_why_are_newer_smartphones_so_much_easier_to/
{ "a_id": [ "cc3i6f2", "cc3i93h" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Nokia's are the beast. Although I did dropkick my iPhone 3g and drop my iphone 4 more than all my other phones combined and neither broke. Iphone 4 still in use by someone. I cringe when I drop my s3 though. ", "The big ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
2dz247
movie profits.
So say a movie does really well and sells a lot of tickets and eventually a lot of DVD/Blueray copies, to who does the profit go? Actors and staff get their salary, distribution fees and licenses take their toll.. but when a movie has paid it's dues and is still making money, where does it go to? Does this change ye...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2dz247/eli5_movie_profits/
{ "a_id": [ "cjugdlx" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Some people are given a lump sum for the job and never get paid again, others have \"points\", which means they keep getting paid a percentage for as long as the movie makes money." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
4enjwh
water jets. how can the water have so much pressure that it can cut steel?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4enjwh/eli5_water_jets_how_can_the_water_have_so_much/
{ "a_id": [ "d21nncg", "d21noyp" ], "score": [ 5, 8 ], "text": [ "How far something will penetrate into something else is a factor of one thing, and one thing only.\n\n**SPEED**\n\nWhen something under pressure, moves to a lower pressure environment it moves FAST. So fast that even steel i...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
2rlp8l
obama's power of veto.
I vaguely understand that Obama is allowed to veto bills, but what is stopping him from vetoing anything he disagrees with? What exactly is the extent of the veto power?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2rlp8l/eli5_obamas_power_of_veto/
{ "a_id": [ "cnh12br", "cnh13aj", "cnh1ym7", "cnh22r2" ], "score": [ 5, 4, 2, 5 ], "text": [ "basically, a bill is written by congress and is passed with a majority vote, which means that > 50% voted yes to it. It then goes to the president to be signed into law. However, ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
2de5nr
what is a second?
Why did did seconds become a unit of time? What is the meaning of it?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2de5nr/eli5_what_is_a_second/
{ "a_id": [ "cjon2wz", "cjon4v3" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "The second (symbol: s) is the base unit of time in the International System of Units (SI) and is also a unit of time in other systems of measurement (abbreviated s or sec); it is the second division of the hour by sixty, the...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
2fgrgv
why do people not like calluses and how can i create them 'automatically'?
I've often thought about this. I think calluses are awesome and super useful. Want to chop a bunch of wood but don't have a callus? You're screwed. My wife, however, hates them and removes them when she sees one forming. She's not the only one I know that does that. Also, why don't we have a machine that could const...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2fgrgv/eli5_why_do_people_not_like_calluses_and_how_can/
{ "a_id": [ "ck91jzh", "ck92qwa", "ck952u4" ], "score": [ 7, 3, 3 ], "text": [ "I was a gymnast and I would get calluses on my hands from doing the rings, high bar, and parallel bars. The problem with them is that they would form on certain parts of the hand, but if they were not ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
ewluzg
why 2 senators represent 39 million people in california and 2 senators represent 600,000 people in wyoming?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ewluzg/eli5_why_2_senators_represent_39_million_people/
{ "a_id": [ "fg2z606", "fg2zcw1", "fg309cv", "fg309t2", "fg30x2t", "fg318u3", "fg32qt4", "fg33ig2", "fg33wwx", "fg346mw", "fg34bra", "fg34c6c" ], "score": [ 92, 127, 69, 975, 10, 16, 3, 4, 17, 9, 2, 2 ], "text": [ ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
2nlh6n
what would happen if the internet "turned off" for 24-hours?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2nlh6n/eli5_what_would_happen_if_the_internet_turned_off/
{ "a_id": [ "cmemuli", "cmemwul", "cmenmuf", "cmer9zs", "cmesdf7", "cmewmt3", "cmexxt5" ], "score": [ 61, 10, 4, 19, 3, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "Well, there wouldn't be any internet for that day.", "Lots of automated systems and important devices would...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "reddit.com" ], [], [], [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beer_distribution_game" ] ]
4gfgp8
what is the process for producing algae fuel?
Essentially the title. Are only certain algae capable of producing the biodiesel or can any algae do it given the correct set-up?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4gfgp8/eli5what_is_the_process_for_producing_algae_fuel/
{ "a_id": [ "d2hddma", "d2hjx56", "d2hk336", "d2hkcts" ], "score": [ 7, 5, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "Some strains of algae have the ability to form pockets of fat inside their cells. These lipids are, just as in humans, a food reserve.\nWhen the algae is stressed by depriving it f...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
qu6gd
what is a headache and why loud/annoying noises cause them.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/qu6gd/eli5_what_is_a_headache_and_why_loudannoying/
{ "a_id": [ "c40mtvk" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Loud or annoying noises don't cause headaches. It's the other way around: a headache makes you more sensitive to noise.\n\nA headache is pain in the head caused by adenosine, which is a chemical your body makes. Anything that makes cells in your ...
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[ [] ]
3k2yz6
why do i, and a lot of people, still dream about going to school and forget about a test?
I graduated from school 18 years ago and still occasionally dream about going to school and forget about a super important test. Why is that?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3k2yz6/eli5_why_do_i_and_a_lot_of_people_still_dream/
{ "a_id": [ "cuubjbd", "cuuc4w9", "cuum2f7", "cuupfo9" ], "score": [ 8, 41, 2, 9 ], "text": [ "I have a dream where everybody is working on a class project. They all know what they're doing and I sit there with no clue.", "It's a fear that was never resolved, as it pre...
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[ [], [], [], [] ]
22ofw8
elia5: why do humans want to tell each other when they've done something bad?
Most of us have done something devious that we shouldn't have and feel the urge to tell someone about it afterwards. Why? Wouldn't it make more sense for us to just keep our traps shut and let life go on?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/22ofw8/elia5_why_do_humans_want_to_tell_each_other_when/
{ "a_id": [ "cgotsv1", "cgoupkg" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "An innate desire to correct \"mistakes\", that is, perceived mistakes. You want to own up to your mistakes because it means that if they affect others, then they can correct for them, and the results of your actions are null...
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[ [], [] ]
3hmvtp
why does the tsa limit liquids to 3oz? couldn't you easily create some kind of explosive out of far less than that?
Yes, I'm aware in probably on a list now.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3hmvtp/eli5_why_does_the_tsa_limit_liquids_to_3oz/
{ "a_id": [ "cu8qm2c", "cu8qmao", "cu8qmfh", "cu8qzik", "cu8r855", "cu8rewy", "cu8rss9" ], "score": [ 26, 22, 8, 12, 3, 4, 3 ], "text": [ "The TSA is an undertrained, undermotivated agency with little practical purpose beyond presenting the illusion ...
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[ [], [], [], [ "http://www.standard.co.uk/news/we-blew-hole-in-fuselage-with-mix-of-easily-disguised-liquids-6632486.html" ], [], [], [] ]
1lv7jw
the health insurance portability and accountability act of 1996 (hipaa)
What are all the rules? What does this mean for consumers, for providers, and for medical record companies?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1lv7jw/eli5_the_health_insurance_portability_and/
{ "a_id": [ "cc33koz" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Basically, it protects your medical records from anything outside of \"TPO\", which stands for: treatment, payment, or operations. If its not another hospital or an insurance company asking for records on a \"need to know\" basis, the hospital sh...
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2g35vf
why is government debt and spending always compared to gdp and not to government household volume.
English is not my first language so please excuse any errors. My question addresses reports that always compare the debts and spending of any government to the overall GDP of the country. However, the government does not have the GDP as an income. Would it not be better to compare spending and debt to the household or...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2g35vf/eli5_why_is_government_debt_and_spending_always/
{ "a_id": [ "ckf6sna" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Well, there's reasons why it's probably more relevant if one is looking at just one number to normalize government debt by GDP than by government revenues: the former reflects the fundamental state of the economy better because the latter depends...
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26x5ac
why do my earphones work perfectly fine after washing, but other electronics just break?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/26x5ac/eli5why_do_my_earphones_work_perfectly_fine_after/
{ "a_id": [ "chvbevs", "chvbf5b", "chvc55y" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Headphones contain: copper wires, a magnet and a small plastic wafer (among other things). Since these items can not be immediately destroyed by water, they can be dried out and used. Regular electroni...
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[ [], [], [] ]
3ape5j
what "babylon" means in rastafari culture?
I made [this](_URL_0_) meme and somebody asked what it meant. I tried to explain what Babylon was in Rastafari culture, but i didn't really have a good answer for it. I have a good idea of it, but i was wondering if anyone could shed some in-depth light on the subject.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ape5j/eli5_what_babylon_means_in_rastafari_culture/
{ "a_id": [ "csep61t", "csepag8" ], "score": [ 2, 3 ], "text": [ "The Jews were once held in Persia, in Babylon, as it was called at the time. This became a metaphor used in the early Christian church for.... sinful Rome holding Israel captive and often Christian in contempt.\n\nSoon, blac...
[]
[ "http://i.imgur.com/rvu5FYm.jpg" ]
[ [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whore_of_Babylon", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haile_Selassie" ] ]
95phza
why do some cities not get certain restaurants? what's the decision-maker that decides what restaurant goes into a city?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/95phza/eli5_why_do_some_cities_not_get_certain/
{ "a_id": [ "e3ufrcu", "e3umfun", "e3up80w", "e3uvbxg" ], "score": [ 7, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Some chain resturaunts work in franchises, which means you buy the rights to build a store. The company can set very specific rules about how they want their store built, and where...
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[ [], [], [], [] ]
25mpkt
tattoo copyrights & trademarks
I've tried Google. I've tried [reddit](_URL_0_), and I can't find an answer to something that has been bothering me. Tattoo artists work for money, i.e. they are business folk. They are making money off of designs they tattoo onto somebody. And, somehow, this is allowed for copyrighted/trademarked material without lice...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/25mpkt/eli5_tattoo_copyrights_trademarks/
{ "a_id": [ "chip3lk", "chiqsrg" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ " > How is tattoo artists making profit off copyrighted/trademarked material legal without licensing?\n\nIt isn't.\n\nAn artist who has a reference image of a trademark or copyrighted character in their window is asking for ...
[]
[ "http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ouizd/eli5_the_legality_of_tattooing_images_under/" ]
[ [], [] ]
28l1yp
why doesn't the iphone turn on straight away when plugged into a charger. like the galaxy for example you can turn it on soon as it's plugged in at 0% whereas iphone needs to wait till 4%
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/28l1yp/eli5_why_doesnt_the_iphone_turn_on_straight_away/
{ "a_id": [ "cibxmnr" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "To prevent damage to the battery or phone. It's a precaution." ] }
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[ [] ]
4hj1tj
why is it inappropriate to call certain ranked officers in some parts of the us military "sir/ma'am"?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4hj1tj/eli5_why_is_it_inappropriate_to_call_certain/
{ "a_id": [ "d2pym3g", "d2pz5z5", "d2q0yi4", "d2q23jn", "d2q243k", "d2q2lsn", "d2q36er", "d2qcrma", "d2qel4v", "d2qf9e1", "d2qfz8y" ], "score": [ 76, 11, 10, 2, 3, 2, 2, 2, 3, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "Only officers are addre...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
zs79y
why can't cell phone antennas support all bands in the same chip?
A few months ago I lost my iPhone 4 and got a cheapass Samsung Galaxy Y as a replacement. 3G wasn't working and I wondered why. Turns out I got the model with a 900 Mhz-compatible HSPA chip instead of the model with the 850 Mhz-compatible chip I should have got for my provider. I had to live with EDGE for several week...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/zs79y/eli5_why_cant_cell_phone_antennas_support_all/
{ "a_id": [ "c67bpqp" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "The cell phone is trying to pick up a *very* weak signal. The circuit that picks up the radio wave that is used to transmit the phone call information has to be \"tuned\" to that particular frequency so that it will resonate with it. It's kind of...
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1rhdqj
why is disney considered an evil corporation?
I've heard people mention this before but they never explain why.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1rhdqj/eli5_why_is_disney_considered_an_evil_corporation/
{ "a_id": [ "cdn9mca", "cdna41y" ], "score": [ 9, 16 ], "text": [ "The power of Disney stretch farther than one would think, (i.e.ESPN & ABC), and Walt may have been anti-semitic. Plus it's fun to imagine the \"happiest place/corporation on earth\" as a secretly dark entity.", "One o...
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[]
[ [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright_Term_Extension_Act" ] ]
e1l1ig
why does zyrtec make you drowsy even though its a second generation anti-histamine?
Can anyone explain the mechanics and how it interacts with your brain?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/e1l1ig/eli5_why_does_zyrtec_make_you_drowsy_even_though/
{ "a_id": [ "f8q3gdq", "f8q3wt6", "f8q4ani", "f8q55wq", "f8q5abx", "f8q5gtu", "f8q69zu", "f8q99xi", "f8qfwcr", "f8qn0ks", "f8qt1hx", "f8rbgsr" ], "score": [ 97, 4, 12, 4, 5, 13, 82, 2, 2, 2, 12, 2 ], "text": [ ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood%E2%80%93brain_barrier?wprov=sfla1" ], [] ]
10k8ya
beer bellies.
I've heard some things recently about beer not actually giving you a beer belly. I drink a ***lot*** of beer regularly and have a beer belly. I assumed this made sense until I started hearing these things. If beer does cause beer belly, then why does it all go into the belly? Why is it that people who eat tonnes of f...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/10k8ya/eli5_beer_bellies/
{ "a_id": [ "c6e67rq", "c6e7cgj" ], "score": [ 12, 2 ], "text": [ "It's called a \"Beer Belly\" because it's associated with people who drink a lot of beer. Think about your drinking habit. Do you have a single beer and then go on about your day? Probably not.\n\nAdults tend to have a b...
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[]
[ [], [ "http://www.cracked.com/article_19293_the-5-most-ridiculous-drinking-myths-you-probably-believe.html", "http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3175488.stm", "http://www.nature.com/ejcn/journal/v57/n10/full/1601678a.html" ] ]
3zx0hf
how come some people get rich during stock market crisis?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3zx0hf/eli5_how_come_some_people_get_rich_during_stock/
{ "a_id": [ "cypnslm", "cypp7qe" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "You can short sell stocks, which means that you borrow stock from someone who owns it, sell it on the market at the going rate, keep the cash, hope the stock falls in price, buy the stock back, and return it to the original ...
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[ [], [] ]
2zhbl5
why do some people hate being in photos?
Never fully understood this- any suggestions /ideas?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2zhbl5/eli5_why_do_some_people_hate_being_in_photos/
{ "a_id": [ "cpivsbx", "cpixtev" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Cause they have low self-esteem / confidence and feel ugly in said photo.", "I don't like being in photos, not the best looking guy don't like the way I look. That being said - that's not my biggest issue with having pi...
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[ [], [] ]
2b7hy5
why dont all movies go to the theatres? why decides they'll go right to dvd?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2b7hy5/eli5_why_dont_all_movies_go_to_the_theatres_why/
{ "a_id": [ "cj2iyt0", "cj2j5wz", "cj2kgxh" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "The distributor will make a determination on that based on the quality of the movie, and they market at the time. Many movies are destined for DVD from the outset. Some may go straight to DVD based on w...
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[ [], [], [] ]
2gq1qi
why do subreddits need mods? isn't the point of reddit that content is either voted up or down by all the users?
I seriously want the answer to this. With all the mod drama that goes on, I've always wondered why mods are even needed on a website that is suppose to be run by the votes of users. Having that extra layer seems unnecessary.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2gq1qi/eli5_why_do_subreddits_need_mods_isnt_the_point/
{ "a_id": [ "cklgql6" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Often times a subreddit has rules that go against what the average user will vote on. Before a subreddit hits \"eternal september\" (a point at which there are too many new users each day for the existing users to train how to behave), it could a...
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euv6o7
why do the back wheels of a cart go over a bump easier than the front wheels?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/euv6o7/eli5_why_do_the_back_wheels_of_a_cart_go_over_a/
{ "a_id": [ "ffrqofb" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "Leverage. When the front wheels of a cart go up, the cart turns into a lever and the front wheels want to go up and back. Whereas the back wheels go up and forward because the cart is pivoting on the front wheels. \n\nSo pushing the back wheel...
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cd2xr7
what’s the difference between white smoke and black smoke?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cd2xr7/eli5_whats_the_difference_between_white_smoke_and/
{ "a_id": [ "etr2smt", "etr2u2t", "etr4s0s", "etr8fyq", "etr9f8p", "etraq9j" ], "score": [ 25, 3, 2, 10, 7, 2 ], "text": [ "White smoke can often mean material is off-gassing moisture and water vapor, meaning the fire is just starting to consume material. Wh...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
3p242j
what's the point of a hov lane? why not just let everyone use it to prevent traffic backups?
There's a lot of highways around here that are 3 lanes wide, with one being a hov lane, that you have to pay for, why not just open that lane to everyone and have 33% more road for drivers?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3p242j/eli5_whats_the_point_of_a_hov_lane_why_not_just/
{ "a_id": [ "cw2he2c", "cw2hhb1", "cw2hhef" ], "score": [ 6, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "It's to provide an incentive for people to carpool. If more people had 2-3 passengers in their cars, that would make the regular lanes less congested.", "1. Because you would have 50% more. \n\n2. ...
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[ [], [], [] ]
2raj77
what does goldman sachs have to do with the eurozone and why do they seem to be such a big player in it?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2raj77/eli5_what_does_goldman_sachs_have_to_do_with_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cne19ij", "cne26sc", "cne5y2v", "cnea6im" ], "score": [ 7, 8, 3, 3 ], "text": [ "Last I checked, an ex Goldman Sachs employee ran the European Central bank. So that's fairly significant.", "Basically, Goldman Sachs helped to mask greeces debt.\n\n_URL_0_",...
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[]
[ [], [ "http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/greek-debt-crisis-how-goldman-sachs-helped-greece-to-mask-its-true-debt-a-676634.html" ], [], [] ]
3inl4f
why does putting a spoon in the top of a bottle champagne, bear ect. keep the fiz in the bottle even over night
a friend told me about this. it worked. and now im just confused and have more questions than i thought i would have for asking how to keep a beer from going flat.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3inl4f/eli5why_does_putting_a_spoon_in_the_top_of_a/
{ "a_id": [ "cuhzzwd", "cui00ff" ], "score": [ 5, 3 ], "text": [ "It doesn't. Sparkling wine keeps its fizz for longer than most people realise so the spoon trick appears to work even though it has no effect b", "1. The spoon in champagne theory has not really been confirmed scientifi...
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[ [], [] ]
47k2x0
are there accounting and investor-related benefits to hiring contractors instead of employees?
Not interested in the employee cost savings, which has been covered in previous posts. But more the accounting and investing reporting reasons why having less headcount and more contractors would be beneficial to a large company.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/47k2x0/eli5_are_there_accounting_and_investorrelated/
{ "a_id": [ "d0dhnrj" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Depending how contractors are paid, there could be a cash flow benefit. Most employees expect regular payments. Many contacts are set up in such a way that much of the payment is deferred to the completion date. " ] }
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4gvvp9
can blind people see light?
I mean... when you look at the sun, you look away because it is too bright. Do blind people have the same reaction as well?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4gvvp9/eli5can_blind_people_see_light/
{ "a_id": [ "d2l5sar" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "It depends on how blind they are (there are degrees of blindness). Some people can see light/dark or shadows, some can see certain areas of their vision but not others, some can't see anything at all, so the answer is both yes and no." ] }
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721ywa
how can a cable possibly be stretched across the entire atlantic ocean?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/721ywa/eli5_how_can_a_cable_possibly_be_stretched_across/
{ "a_id": [ "dnf48c4", "dnf497c", "dnf4bu2", "dnf4qz2" ], "score": [ 6, 6, 3, 4 ], "text": [ "Very long cables, carried out on large vessels. They lay on the ocean floor where they dont see too much marine life. Even so, they have a thick casing to guard against animal curi...
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[ [], [], [], [ "https://www.wired.com/1996/12/ffglass/" ] ]
4fonzq
the uk investigatory powers bill
What exactly is it? And how exactly does it affect technology users in the UK?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4fonzq/eli5the_uk_investigatory_powers_bill/
{ "a_id": [ "d2an6zp" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "It's a bill to allow the government to retain the browsing history of everybody in the UK for at least a year, without suspicion or probable cause.\n\nIt's being championed by Theresa May, someone who is demonstrably incompetent and also the quee...
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[ [] ]
5b2bpj
why do we consider electric cars "green" if we need fossil fuel to produce electricity ?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5b2bpj/eli5_why_do_we_consider_electric_cars_green_if_we/
{ "a_id": [ "d9l81f8", "d9l89xo", "d9l8esi", "d9l8ogg", "d9l9dov", "d9lz91g" ], "score": [ 57, 18, 4, 6, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "There are other ways to produce electricity - solar, wind, hydro, nuclear.\n\nAdditionally, even fossil-fuel power plants are more eff...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
qmg6j
why the prices of milk are like this (pic inside)
At my local Walmart, the prices of milk have been weird for the last 3 months. It used to be for 2% milk, the prices for gallons and half gallons were [$2.43 for a half gallon, and $2.39 for a full gallon.](_URL_1_) At first I thought something along the lines of "Well, they must have gotten a lot more full gallons in ...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/qmg6j/eli5_why_the_prices_of_milk_are_like_this_pic/
{ "a_id": [ "c3yrgfv", "c3yu05b", "c3ywi0k", "c3z0208" ], "score": [ 3, 11, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Relate it to Coke bottles:\n20oz bottle: $1.50\n-Easy to carry and drink quickly\n-Fit in cup holders\n-Convenient\n-Good for on the go\n\n68oz (2liters): $1.09\n-Large, bulky\n-U...
[]
[ "http://imgur.com/a/rqzOm#1", "http://imgur.com/a/rqzOm#0" ]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
40cp4o
what does "safely remove hardware and eject media" do to make it "safe"?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/40cp4o/eli5_what_does_safely_remove_hardware_and_eject/
{ "a_id": [ "cyt50hi", "cyt59qi", "cytiotj" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "It prevents the computer from trying to write to the media while it is being physically removed. If it's removed while the computer it trying to write to it, it can damage all the data on the disc.", ...
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[]
[ [], [], [] ]
3scj0j
what is end-to-end encryption that everybody is talking about with regards to the uk and how does passing that bill to end it effectively be a bad thing?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3scj0j/eli5_what_is_endtoend_encryption_that_everybody/
{ "a_id": [ "cwvzbvz" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "End to end encryption means that the data get encrypted before it is ever transmitted, and not decrypted until after it is received on the other end. This is the only way to guarantee that it's protected from somebody listening in somewhere in be...
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[ [] ]
5xw0af
if transubstantiation means the body of christ is being eaten, doesn't that mean it's cannibalism?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5xw0af/eli5_if_transubstantiation_means_the_body_of/
{ "a_id": [ "delaej8" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Not exactly. Denominations that believe in transubstantiation also don't think that Christ was merely human, but in fact the son of God. This includes the belief that he is *consubstantial*, that is, made of the same essence, as God the father. T...
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[ [] ]
eyh4z4
why, in todays high tech age, do we still use film stock and lenses for movies and pictures, when it could all be done on a computer?
People spend tens of thousands on anamorphic lenses and such, when you could just film in 4K, add a lens flair filter, and crop it to desired ratio. Clearly im missing something
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/eyh4z4/eli5_why_in_todays_high_tech_age_do_we_still_use/
{ "a_id": [ "fgh4gud", "fgh4ubp", "fgh5w9h", "fgh95xu" ], "score": [ 3, 10, 23, 4 ], "text": [ "Many people feel that using traditional filming methods makes the movies look better, as they prefer the way images appear when filming on film stock rather than going digital. E...
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[]
[ [], [], [], [ "https://parlaystudios.com/blog/feature-film-budget-breakdown/", "http://annawu.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/focal-length-comparison.jpg", "https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/video/features/anamorphic-lenses-key-widescreen-cinematic-imagery" ] ]
2rdeen
why doesn't one horse equal one horsepower?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2rdeen/eli5_why_doesnt_one_horse_equal_one_horsepower/
{ "a_id": [ "cneu7vo", "cnev9f2" ], "score": [ 7, 5 ], "text": [ "Because horses are not mass-produced at standardized specifications.\n\nIt's the same reason your foot isn't one foot long.", "Watt (Yeah, that Watt) measured that a brewery horse could pull 32,400 foot pounds per minute...
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[]
[ [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horsepower" ] ]
6skosl
outside of academia, who employs modern philosophers and what is their role in modern society?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6skosl/eli5outside_of_academia_who_employs_modern/
{ "a_id": [ "dldgbdg", "dldhx22", "dlducuc", "dldxxlj", "dldxyzy", "dle39el" ], "score": [ 3, 17, 7, 11, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "I'd say lots of them write books and/or articles and essays which they sell to magazines or even get invited to tv talk shows to discu...
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[ [], [], [], [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5q99r6/eli5_how_do_philosophers_make_money_how_did_they/" ], [], [] ]
3i9kam
how does companies like steam get away with not charging sales tax?
The only explanation I came up with is the game is free, but you just buy the license. Is this correct?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3i9kam/eli5_how_does_companies_like_steam_get_away_with/
{ "a_id": [ "cueh4x8", "cuehmv8", "cuej48c" ], "score": [ 4, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Depending on where you live, they **do** charge sales tax. Here's what that looks like from a purchase in Illinois: _URL_0_", "Sales tax is for the state in which the item is purchased. Until recen...
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[ [ "http://i.imgur.com/qswCv1G.png" ], [], [] ]
2uq22b
why is the hydrogen car not getting more attention?
When I read that Toyota released the Miraj, they said it runs on hydrogen, is cheaper than petrol and emits clean exhaust fumes. I thought this would be a huge thing and great for the world etc. But there is nothing else coming out and no media or internet fanfare. Is this not a viable alternative to petrol cars?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2uq22b/eli5_why_is_the_hydrogen_car_not_getting_more/
{ "a_id": [ "coanuyq" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "There are a couple of really big drawbacks to the hydrogen car with current technology. The first is hydrogen storage. Although hydrogen has a terrific energy density for it's weight (1 pound of hydrogen has ~3x the energy of 1 pound of gasolin...
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[ [] ]
bge2yw
how exactly do trees get sick and how do plant related sicknesses spread?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bge2yw/eli5_how_exactly_do_trees_get_sick_and_how_do/
{ "a_id": [ "elk5uns" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "There is various ways, via pathogens or insects such as earwigs,apheids, mealy bugs that eat the leaves and the bark, spreading from tree to tree. Dead rotten tissue spreads. \n They can spread if not contained. They are contained using a range...
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[ [] ]
1r9y49
why is over penetration from a bullet a bad thing?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1r9y49/eli5_why_is_over_penetration_from_a_bullet_a_bad/
{ "a_id": [ "cdl2ht7", "cdl2imy", "cdl2mc8" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "If a bullet goes into the target and comes out the other side, it is dangerous to anyone nearby. It might go straight through or ricochet in unpredictable ways. When dealing with firearms, you want the ...
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[ [], [], [] ]
18dsau
why is rope so strong?
Why not just have straight strands?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/18dsau/why_is_rope_so_strong/
{ "a_id": [ "c8dvxh2" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Imagine you have to try and lift a giant cube of iron by some handles on top. Likely, it'll be too heavy for one arm. However, use your other arm as well, and get a friend to help - it will be much easier, because you're splitting the weight amon...
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[ [] ]
mosk1
why do so many politicians abuse their power ?
Hardly a week goes by without a report on some elected official abusing the system or taking kickbacks etc. What causes so many supposedly good people to turn bad ?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/mosk1/why_do_so_many_politicians_abuse_their_power/
{ "a_id": [ "c32mcd7", "c32mt9e", "c32nmj0", "c32oba7", "c32mcd7", "c32mt9e", "c32nmj0", "c32oba7" ], "score": [ 26, 3, 3, 2, 26, 3, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "You are assuming they are good in the first place. To reach that level of political succe...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
1t43a2
what is the consumer price index, cost-of-living adjustment, and why is there debate about which is better to use?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1t43a2/eli5_what_is_the_consumer_price_index/
{ "a_id": [ "ce444a4", "ce44y4l" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "I think you might've gotten confused somewhere along the line. The COLA (cost-of-living adjustment) is directly based on the CPI (consumer price index).", "The Consumer Price Index is a calculation performed by the Feder...
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[ [], [ "http://www.bls.gov/cpi/cpifaq.htm" ] ]
2q87jw
what's so hard about human cryo-tech? preserving a healthy human and then defrosting 100 years later alive?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2q87jw/eli5_whats_so_hard_about_human_cryotech/
{ "a_id": [ "cn3r5gv", "cn3r65k", "cn3shd4", "cn3xd8p" ], "score": [ 31, 7, 4, 3 ], "text": [ "When water freezes, it forms tiny ice crystals. When those crystals form inside cells, they rip apart the cell membrane causing irreparable damage. ", "When complex multi-cel...
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[ [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryopreservation" ], [] ]
83m7ue
why does coughing tear up your throat when all you are doing is expelling air?
Sick and random thought occurred, thought I'd ask.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/83m7ue/eli5_why_does_coughing_tear_up_your_throat_when/
{ "a_id": [ "dvivqh9" ], "score": [ 10 ], "text": [ "A cough is a vigorous expulsion of air to eject a foreign object or whatever is irritating you airways. To get that you are closing off your throat at the epiglottis, then building up some pressure behind it before opening the airway so the air...
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1itfr7
what's the difference between a tube amp, solid state amp, amphead, stack, etc?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1itfr7/eli5_whats_the_difference_between_a_tube_amp/
{ "a_id": [ "cb7vfjo" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "A tube amp uses vacuum tubes in its amplifier stages. It supposedly has a warmer cleaner sound.\n\nSolid State amps use transistors or ICs for amplification.\n\nA hybrid amp uses both transistors and tubes. Most often a Hybrid amp uses tubes in t...
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3zotja
why are vegans against dairy and eggs?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3zotja/eli5_why_are_vegans_against_dairy_and_eggs/
{ "a_id": [ "cyntrk5" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Yeah, it's generally because the cows and chickens and such that non-meat animal products come from are horribly mistreated. " ] }
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[ [] ]
cco0wb
how is the scrotum able to react to temperature changes by tightening or loosening but when i’m in the shower with hot water running over them they still shrink if it’s cold.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cco0wb/eli5_how_is_the_scrotum_able_to_react_to/
{ "a_id": [ "eto67d1", "eto698e" ], "score": [ 8, 141 ], "text": [ "The temperature range for ideal sperm production is actually quite narrow. The [cremaster muscle](_URL_0_) is responsible for lowering (cooling) or raising (warming) the testicles in an attempt to maintain that ideal tempe...
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[ [ "https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cremaster_muscle" ], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gray1143.png" ] ]
eh52v1
before language was invented was an internal dialogue possible for humans? how would it have worked?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/eh52v1/eli5_before_language_was_invented_was_an_internal/
{ "a_id": [ "fcegxk3", "fcei4qn", "fcei9s1", "fcej1sj", "fcemgq3" ], "score": [ 2, 6, 2, 26, 3 ], "text": [ "That's an interesting question, and I doubt anyone can tell you since you'd need to experience it to know for sure, but I can tell you that this morning whil...
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[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
a3pelg
what is abductive reasoning?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a3pelg/eli5_what_is_abductive_reasoning/
{ "a_id": [ "eb7zw58", "eb803le" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "It is trying to figure out the best explanation for something without needing to prove it. Sort of trying to figure out the cause due to the effect.\n\nIt's not great for proving something is true, but can be helpful for fin...
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[ [], [] ]
aztebp
why do the tv shows produced by local stations on a budget look so terrible, while those produced by hbo/netflix/etc look so good? how exactly does the extra budget money make them look so much better?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/aztebp/eli5_why_do_the_tv_shows_produced_by_local/
{ "a_id": [ "ei9wxpu", "ei9wzbx", "ei9xx66", "ei9yzl5" ], "score": [ 14, 8, 5, 3 ], "text": [ "It funds better lighting, and cinematography instead of just video recording. Using much more expensive cameras and knowing what you are doing produces vastly better results than...
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[ [], [], [], [] ]
2sp3w6
how does the curiosity rover take pictures of itself?
When looking at pictures like [this](_URL_0_) it appears there is nothing attached to the rover itself that is taking the picture.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2sp3w6/eli5how_does_the_curiosity_rover_take_pictures_of/
{ "a_id": [ "cnrl2ly", "cnrl2st", "cnrt93z" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "I won't be able to explain any better, so have a look here: _URL_0_", "I'm trying to post you this link but the stupid automoderator of this sub has removed my post so here I am writing a lengthy se...
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[ "http://i.imgur.com/2aWKxtd.jpg" ]
[ [ "http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/multimedia/pia16457.html#.VLnNJHXcdhE" ], [ "http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/121204-curiosity-mars-rover-portrait-science-space/" ], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selfie_stick" ] ]
3r6zvb
the speaker of the house is not nonpartisan?
I've noticed that the new Speaker of the United States congress (Paul Ryan) listed repealing Obama care as one of his top priorities, which seems incredibly partisan to me. In Canada (where I live) the speaker of the house (federally) and of the legislatures (provincially) are usually nonpartisan and don't push specifi...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3r6zvb/eli5_the_speaker_of_the_house_is_not_nonpartisan/
{ "a_id": [ "cwlggi4", "cwlh19b" ], "score": [ 2, 5 ], "text": [ "The Speaker, in the U.S., is usually a major figure in the majority party and is usually partisan (at least recently). In fact, Boehner's relative willingness to compromise was a big part of why he had so much trouble gettin...
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[ [], [] ]
32s6g4
inflammation and atherosclerosis
Contemporary medical research is focusing a lot on diet-induced inflammation, and how this may be the leading cause in ailments such as atherosclerosis. What I have not understood, is the mechanism behind this inflammation? How do the arteries get inflamed? A chemical 'irritates' the cell walls? If so, how? If not...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/32s6g4/eli5_inflammation_and_atherosclerosis/
{ "a_id": [ "cqe93ag" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "The basics of this are that inflammation occurs when cells are damaged, the source of damage doesn't matter but when a cell IS damaged they release chemicals that cause inflammation.\nAtherosclerosis is also a process based in cell damage. Your b...
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[ [] ]
3z6alj
possible solutions to xeno's paradox
Could anyone ELI5 the possible solutions to Xeno's Paradox? In case you may be unfamiliar with it, it is a series of paradoxes developed by the ancient Greeks. Essentially, it is states that moving from point 'A' to point 'B' is physically impossible because you must pass through an infinite series of midpoints. Fo...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3z6alj/eli5_possible_solutions_to_xenos_paradox/
{ "a_id": [ "cyjjgmh", "cyjn51l" ], "score": [ 5, 2 ], "text": [ "The solution is that at the same time you're halving distance, you're also halving time. So while you have an infinite number of steps, most of them take an infinitesimal amount of time.\n\nYou could state Xeno's Paradox th...
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[ [], [] ]
59is37
how does shampoo and body wash work so effectively when it only stays on our body for a few seconds before getting washed off?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/59is37/eli5_how_does_shampoo_and_body_wash_work_so/
{ "a_id": [ "d98rldf", "d98v4j8", "d98vxrm", "d98z2ft", "d98zjna", "d9917zz", "d9926qk", "d992c8n" ], "score": [ 343, 65, 19, 30, 2, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "If I understood correctly, you are basically asking how soap works. \n\nSoap/shampoo/bo...
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[ [], [ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4tkp6ieldw" ], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
8k810h
are there any benefits to regressive taxation? has it ever been used?
Hey! I'm currently taking econ in high school and have been reading into the different forms of taxation. I find regressive taxation to be quite fascinating because of it's inherent awfulness (tax more to the poor, less to the rich). When doing research online I haven't found a single example of a country actually usin...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8k810h/eli5_are_there_any_benefits_to_regressive/
{ "a_id": [ "dz5k6sh", "dz5kgny", "dz5ovi4", "dz5vt5a", "dz69yss" ], "score": [ 2, 3, 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "There are many forms of regressive taxes in common use. Sales taxes, for example, are regressive, which is why food is often exempt from them.", "Not much...
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[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
1btkn4
the challenger (space shuttle) crash.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1btkn4/eli5_the_challenger_space_shuttle_crash/
{ "a_id": [ "c99xmo3" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "The Challenger disaster was technically a structural failure leading to an explosion. It was caused by a design flaw in the solid rocket boosters (SRB's) which are the two big white rockets stuck to the outside of the big orange tank (look at a p...
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pyqd3
how is it that an equation is able to describe the nature of reality?
While I was watching a video it said, "Einstein's equation suggested the universe was either expanding or condensing." How can abstract numbers define something like the nature of the universe?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/pyqd3/eli5_how_is_it_that_an_equation_is_able_to/
{ "a_id": [ "c3ta6rh", "c3ta8oo", "c3tagfx", "c3tif9e" ], "score": [ 3, 6, 7, 2 ], "text": [ "Equations aren't about numbers. You put numbers into them and get numbers out of them, but that's not the point. The point of equations is to express *concepts*, by describing how ...
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[ [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fibonacci_numbers#In_nature" ], [] ]
2zu53h
why do you see more in the camera app, depending on the orientation of your phone?
My friends were freaking out about this today. Why when you rotate your phone while taking a picture, doe do you see more depending on your phone's orientation? Like, in portrait you see more up & down, and in landscape you see more left to right.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2zu53h/eli5_why_do_you_see_more_in_the_camera_app/
{ "a_id": [ "cpmaf8q", "cpmbybc" ], "score": [ 5, 2 ], "text": [ "Your scene is a rectangle not s square so the camera is cropped to fit the display. ", "A smartphone's camera is 4:3 in landscape, so when you take a portrait shot it's 3:4. Almost all camera sensors are rectangular, DSL...
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[ [], [] ]
42cugu
does alcohol increase or decrease dopamine levels
I know at first alcohol raises dopamine levels but what about in the long run?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/42cugu/eli5does_alcohol_increase_or_decrease_dopamine/
{ "a_id": [ "cz9bxje" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "[Read this](_URL_0_)\n\nI am the walking hedonic dysregulation theory" ] }
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[ [ "http://www.hamsnetwork.org/dopamine.pdf" ] ]
2r1nch
why are republicans against giving the lgbt community equality?
I read an article about Democrats wanting to introduce a bill in Congress that would ban discrimination and the like targeted at the LGBT community. For what reasons would conservatives not be in support of this?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2r1nch/eli5_why_are_republicans_against_giving_the_lgbt/
{ "a_id": [ "cnbknnw", "cnbkohy", "cnbkowx", "cnbkpjn" ], "score": [ 4, 12, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "IMO, it's got not much to do with human's rights then it has to do with the religious wing. \n\nIf I'm not mistaken, many of the active conservative communities oppose to the LGBT...
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[ [], [], [], [] ]
35j39o
why do people use itunes even though there are may other ways to download music.
^
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/35j39o/eli5_why_do_people_use_itunes_even_though_there/
{ "a_id": [ "cr4usc2", "cr4v4w4", "cr4v5tz", "cr4z8vq" ], "score": [ 5, 6, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "I believe you have to use iTunes to download to apple devices, and if you want to legally purchase music why not use iTunes as opposed to any other format", "The Itunes store ...
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[ [], [], [], [] ]
4u6i7z
does ice go bad? if i found some ice cubes that had been sitting in a freezer since 1945, could i eat them?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4u6i7z/eli5_does_ice_go_bad_if_i_found_some_ice_cubes/
{ "a_id": [ "d5n9893", "d5n99ql" ], "score": [ 2, 3 ], "text": [ "If the ice was made from good water in the first place it is probably good. Glacier ice is sold as a novelty. It is thousands of years old.\n\nIce made from contaminated water is not good and probably stays contaminated for ...
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[ [], [] ]