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o4jjy
why israel seems a lot more developed and rich than many other middle eastern countries
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/o4jjy/eli5_why_israel_seems_a_lot_more_developed_and/
{ "a_id": [ "c3ebeqy" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "To begin with, Israel isn't much richer than most middle eastern countries, since (a lot of them) have oil. \nIsrael *is* more developed than most of those countries, and has a higher GDP(The amount the country produces in American $) per person...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resource_curse", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elbit_Systems", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NICE_Systems", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rafael_Advanced_Defense_Systems" ] ]
4ocslc
why does microsoft word sometimes reformat half my document just because i hit enter or delete a space?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4ocslc/eli5_why_does_microsoft_word_sometimes_reformat/
{ "a_id": [ "d4bhdge", "d4bhhfl" ], "score": [ 2, 4 ], "text": [ "This can be anything. You give it some guidelines in the formatting you do, and Word tries to format it as good as it can within the rules you give it. \n\nFor example when you put an enter or space that makes the last word ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
67f4la
why english distinguish between fingers and toes unlike other languages and what about thumbs?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/67f4la/eli5_why_english_distinguish_between_fingers_and/
{ "a_id": [ "dgpxqlg", "dgqjzp9" ], "score": [ 4, 2 ], "text": [ "English has been a language that loves to get unique and specific names for everything, especially Old English. Finger, toe and thumb are all very old words. The main reason they have their own names is really because the la...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
4d8w9l
air resistance and newton's second law
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4d8w9l/eli5_air_resistance_and_newtons_second_law/
{ "a_id": [ "d1orv0k" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "What's your question? \n\nNewton's 2nd Law states that the acceleration of an object is dependent on the net forces acting on the object & the mass of the object. Air resistance is part of those net force." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
es6fds
extra chromosomes
Why is it that having more chromosomes makes you have physical and mental problems? I get that having less than the correct amount could mean missing info and stuff but why does extra cause problems?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/es6fds/eli5_extra_chromosomes/
{ "a_id": [ "ff85aon", "ff86glu", "ff9ite6" ], "score": [ 6, 3, 3 ], "text": [ "Extra chromosomes would cause problems when our DNA and cells replicate. It would cause misalignments of DNA during cell separation, causing one cell to get extra copies and others to acquire none, or e...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
6gr0tf
why do tv shows use identical twins to portray one character?
For example, Michelle Tanner in Full House was portrayed by Mary Kate and Ashley Olson or Jamie from Malcom in the Middle was portrayed by James and Lukas Rodriguez.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6gr0tf/eli5_why_do_tv_shows_use_identical_twins_to/
{ "a_id": [ "diseft5", "diseg1y" ], "score": [ 7, 10 ], "text": [ "The common thread in your examples is that the characters are **children**. Children are not great actors. They are hard to direct on a set. Depending on age, it can even be hard to get them just to do or say what the scrip...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
34wiis
where does the bulk of our knowledge of ancient rome come from?
I've heard that most of the historical records were lost during the Great Fire of Rome in 69AD but I haven't really been able to turn up much reliable info on the net. I would love to hear from an expert.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/34wiis/eli5where_does_the_bulk_of_our_knowledge_of/
{ "a_id": [ "cqyrmpd", "cqz4391" ], "score": [ 4, 2 ], "text": [ " > I've heard that most of the historical records were lost during the Great Fire of Rome in 69AD\n\nI think you're confusing this with the loss of historical records during the [Gaulish sack of the city in the early 300s BC...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Allia" ], [ "http://classics.mit.edu/Augustus/deeds.html" ] ]
2efxqj
why is it that when we first wake up, our eyes don't work very well? i don't mean the re-adaptation from darkness into the lit environment, i mean that our sight is really bad even moments after adapting to the light.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2efxqj/eli5why_is_it_that_when_we_first_wake_up_our_eyes/
{ "a_id": [ "cjz31bk" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Film builds up on your eyeballs overnight. It has to be rinsed off by your tear ducts. " ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
4bcuav
; why is the qwerty keyboard configuration slower than the alphabetical form?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4bcuav/eli5_why_is_the_qwerty_keyboard_configuration/
{ "a_id": [ "d17yfky", "d17yfzv", "d17yglw", "d17ypkk" ], "score": [ 10, 5, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "It isn't that they specifically typed faster. It is that certain letters that are used frequently in combination were typed too fast...causing them to lock together in typewriters...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
2jzy1q
why don't the jehovah's witnesses churches have any windows?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2jzy1q/eli5why_dont_the_jehovahs_witnesses_churches_have/
{ "a_id": [ "clglcob", "clgmtk2", "clgru0s" ], "score": [ 2, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "They are called \"Kingdom halls\" not churches. Also, the ones I have been too have windows... ", "As far as I know, historically vandalism of JW Kingdom Halls has been decreasing over the years. St...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
44kcr4
if water has no nutrional information how does it support life to function?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/44kcr4/eli5_if_water_has_no_nutrional_information_how/
{ "a_id": [ "czqtlb9", "czqto4c", "czqtpe3", "czqtw7b", "czqu19v" ], "score": [ 5, 6, 2, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "You are 60% water, and you use it up everyday to maintain bodily functions, like breathing and other important shit. So technically, you have to replace it by...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
9j7b43
salt lamps??
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9j7b43/eli5_salt_lamps/
{ "a_id": [ "e6p7slx" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "They provide some light, and they look sort of cool.\n\nThere is absolutely no evidence they have any effect on your health." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
65fwao
why did slavery in the 1800s only exist in the agricultural economies of the south and not the industrial economies of the north in the us?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/65fwao/eli5_why_did_slavery_in_the_1800s_only_exist_in/
{ "a_id": [ "dg9wwsx", "dg9xig8" ], "score": [ 10, 4 ], "text": [ "Because oddly enough holding slaves was pretty expensive and in the north there were hordes of immigrants that would work themselves almost to death for almost no money at all. Also, tradition. ", "Part of the reason wa...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
76wm3t
how does advertisements actually profit? i find it hard to believe that they actually cover the cost that it took to run.
For example, a holiday inn running a commercial. Surely that commercial is not convincing anyone to go stay at a holiday inn. Or a ford commercial, how many people out there are actually convinced to buy a ford truck by watching a commercial?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/76wm3t/eli5_how_does_advertisements_actually_profit_i/
{ "a_id": [ "doh9sbd", "doh9wy5", "doh9zar", "dohadq8", "dohbvlr", "dohl6id" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 2, 5, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Advertising has really helped some products. This has been shown time over time. Therefore advertising agencies exist. They use these ex...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
3r0smg
how and why do some substances stay in our body 'forever', like heavy metals?
I realise organic molecules eventually break down, but this isn't the case for heavy metals. Say we 'store' Mercury as an example, where does it go? Does it concentrate in one of our organs or something? Why does the heavy metal not leave our bodies as we grow new cells and get rid of old ones? I remember reasons eve...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3r0smg/eli5_how_and_why_do_some_substances_stay_in_our/
{ "a_id": [ "cwk0asd" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Every metal has what is called a biological half life. IF you up take it though ingestion, absorption or inhalation, it takes some amount of time to move through your system. \n\nThe concept is used quite a bit for body burden determinations when...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
cc4793
how does _url_0_ work? i find it is very accurate; the thunder projection is almost always spot on, but i don't get how they can detect lightning.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cc4793/eli5_how_does_lightningmapsorg_work_i_find_it_is/
{ "a_id": [ "etkd571", "etkfvvu", "etktjls" ], "score": [ 7, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "There are lots of antennas that are registered with _URL_0_\n\nThose antennas detect lightning by means of picking up their electromagnetic waves they create when lightning occurs. If you get an AM radi...
[ "lightningmaps.org" ]
[]
[ [ "lightningmaps.org" ], [], [] ]
1lohjn
why did the term milliard (now billion) seemingly vanish in the english language while it still exists in many other lanuages?
Or why did the affix '-ard' vanish in english counting?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1lohjn/eli5_why_did_the_term_milliard_now_billion/
{ "a_id": [ "cc18iu7" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "I was going to take a wild guess and say that in English, million and milliard are too close to each other phonetically, but that doesn't seem to be the right explanation.\n\n\nIt looks like in Europe billion originally meant a million million, u...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=billion" ] ]
3jn2gk
what is super symmetry and how does breaking it create new universes?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3jn2gk/eli5_what_is_super_symmetry_and_how_does_breaking/
{ "a_id": [ "cuqo8ee" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Supersymmetry is the idea that every particle has a heavier \"superpartner.\" Each particle come in two flavors, the lighter regular particle (like an electron) and the very heavy big brother (let's call it a selectron).\n\nThe electron is a ferm...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
2r2yn4
why don't oreos absorb almond milk as fast as cow's milk?
So this is the first time I've consumed Oreos in a long while. I was dipping and dapping them in some almond milk and noticed they weren't acting the same. Thoughts, knowledge, ideas?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2r2yn4/eli5_why_dont_oreos_absorb_almond_milk_as_fast_as/
{ "a_id": [ "cnbzl1h" ], "score": [ 9 ], "text": [ "I don't want to be the bearer of bad news, but oreos have changed their recipe. They're using cheaper fats. They do not act the same in cow's milk, either." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
70o5cf
why can't our mind just shut up?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/70o5cf/eli5_why_cant_our_mind_just_shut_up/
{ "a_id": [ "dn4lgrf" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Our mind's \"job\" is to keep us alive, so it uses its spare capacity to think about things that might harm us (and what to do about it), or opportunities to improve our situation.\n\nYou can learn to control it somewhat. See /r/mindfulness or (m...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
9w3vm8
when a whale dives to depths of thousands of feet, why does the extreme pressure not force seawater through its anus into its colon?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9w3vm8/eli5_when_a_whale_dives_to_depths_of_thousands_of/
{ "a_id": [ "e9ham1l", "e9hd8ic" ], "score": [ 28, 5 ], "text": [ "By having colon muscles strong enough to prevent that.\n\nAlso they have eyes, mouths, blowholes... why would you single out their anus?", "Cause mr whale sqeezes his bum hole shut, just like you do at the pool when you...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
5exk0a
why are neo-nazis even a thing?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5exk0a/eli5_why_are_neonazis_even_a_thing/
{ "a_id": [ "dafw01w", "dafwdi7" ], "score": [ 4, 2 ], "text": [ "The logic is fear. Neo-nazis see themselves as surrounded by other people that have things they don't. So, they subscribe to a philosophy that allows them to tear those people down and negate their achievements. Thus, they a...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
2qa6oy
how come computer hardware is getting better and better, but at the same power cost?
It just seems odd and amazing (yeah, both at the *same* time) how it just got better without any losses.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2qa6oy/eli5how_come_computer_hardware_is_getting_better/
{ "a_id": [ "cn48obq" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "It's not always about the NUMBER of circuits they can fit onto a board, but also about the efficiency of those circuits, and building a physical electrical layout that will provide better computational processes.\n\nThink about the switch from HD...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
1zzypu
if we could farm lightning and did so, would there be any negative consequences?
Like, if lightning doesn't hit the ground but instead a big battery that powers the world would this cause the earth's electromagnetic activity to whack out. At a 5 right now
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1zzypu/eli5_if_we_could_farm_lightning_and_did_so_would/
{ "a_id": [ "cfyi231" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "I dont think so... they're more or less seperate; ground and live are relatively isolated systems.\n\nSource: none, I'm basing this on nothing" ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
3h4dcm
why aren't time zone borders straight and equidistant from each other like longitude/latitude lines?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3h4dcm/eli5_why_arent_time_zone_borders_straight_and/
{ "a_id": [ "cu43ssi", "cu43v5m", "cu43x10", "cu4dy79", "cu4e783", "cu4gban", "cu4geih" ], "score": [ 24, 91, 56, 3, 4, 6, 3 ], "text": [ "Because all countries can choose what time zone they observe.\n\nThat's why all of China observes the same time...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
1t54it
why do some cars make springing, popping noises when parked after a long drive?
I hope people know the noises I'm talking about. As a kid I always noticed it from my moms van, and now experience the same noises from my own past cars(the newest of which is from 2002, so it may be an older car thing.)
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1t54it/eli5_why_do_some_cars_make_springing_popping/
{ "a_id": [ "ce4f1pv" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "The noises come from the exhaust components and heat shield. As they cool off, they contract and create the noises. It happens to all cars, but some cars may create more of these noises than others." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
1php0t
if humans are multitasking capable, why is it not possible to count 2 different things in our head at the same time? (for example, heartbeat and seconds).
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1php0t/eli5_if_humans_are_multitasking_capable_why_is_it/
{ "a_id": [ "cd2ejhw" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "We don't actually actively multitask. We shift our concentration from one idea/action to another. We can passively multitask however. Example: walking and chewing bubble gum." ] }
[]
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[ [] ]
17dkwx
acid vs. base?
One always thinks of acids as what burns. But I've learned that substances that are strong bases will do this too. Can someone ELI5 acid vs. base? Bonus questions: would a neutral substance be equally good at counteracting both an acid burn and a base burn? Or would a strong base be best at counteracting a strong a...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/17dkwx/eli5_acid_vs_base/
{ "a_id": [ "c84jb9e", "c84pnw4" ], "score": [ 14, 2 ], "text": [ "This might get a little tricky to try to explain to a five year old, and I'm certainly no university level scientist, but I'll give it my best shot in layman's terms:\n\nAcids and bases are two groups of chemical substances...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
2m3n6n
why is it so common to dream you are flying?
A common theme in dreams is to be able to fly, or at least hover at a small altitude. What causes it and why is it so common? All the explanations I found have to do with desire for freedom or such, but I'd like to see other answers if possible.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2m3n6n/eli5_why_is_it_so_common_to_dream_you_are_flying/
{ "a_id": [ "cm0nbs5", "cm0nqm1", "cm0q0e9", "cm0r0pw", "cm0wkfk", "cm1dgc4" ], "score": [ 12, 2, 2, 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "I want to know why I have never had such a dream, but it seems everyone else has. ", "Its probably to do with your mind interpretin...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
8why1t
why is virginity something you “lose”, or else “take” from someone else? where did this idea originate?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8why1t/eli5_why_is_virginity_something_you_lose_or_else/
{ "a_id": [ "e1vn5hx", "e1vnaj3", "e1vpu0k", "e1vroxp" ], "score": [ 10, 9, 33, 179 ], "text": [ "I don't know the orgin, but I always thought about it as innocence. Like virginity and innocence are almost interchangeable. \n\n\"He took her innocennce\" \n\"He lost his inno...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
2wd85s
why is getting water in the car engine bad?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2wd85s/eli5_why_is_getting_water_in_the_car_engine_bad/
{ "a_id": [ "copqzcf" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "A car engine will compress air to about a tenth of it's volume before firing. If it sucks water in it cannot compress it. The momentum in the engine will cause the crankshaft to twist or the cylinderhead to fail." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
28nbte
why is the un often accused of being corrupt?
Also how much has the organisation actually helped in the areas of peace and human rights?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/28nbte/eli5_why_is_the_un_often_accused_of_being_corrupt/
{ "a_id": [ "cicj82j" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Because the UN board has permanent members and rotating members. The permanent members (US, russia, etc.) can veto involvement in places where it isn't in their best interest (also why Taiwan can't claim sovereignty). " ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
21rlqi
what would happen if a plane tried taking off in an extremely hot atmosphere? like surrounded by fire
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/21rlqi/eli5_what_would_happen_if_a_plane_tried_taking/
{ "a_id": [ "cgfuazv", "cgfuklz", "cgg0z49" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Taking off when it's hot requires a faster takeoff speed, because hot air is less dense than cold air.\n\nFireballs usually travel **much** faster than an aircraft, so no, that wouldn't work.", "A p...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
3lm98t
what happens in your brain when you are reliving a memory and stop paying attention to your sight.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3lm98t/eli5_what_happens_in_your_brain_when_you_are/
{ "a_id": [ "cv7g3g1", "cv7n2cn", "cv7n2lf", "cv7nou5" ], "score": [ 327, 8, 24, 4 ], "text": [ "If you've ever seen the Tim Burton Batman, there's a scene where the Joker breaks into a news broadcast, disrupting the programming that was originally playing. (There are othe...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schizophrenia", "http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17359922" ], [], [ "www.charlierose.com" ] ]
46tov7
how would this (cost effective 3d printed houses) affect the economy and housing prices in america's future when america starts doing it?
[story](_URL_0_) So would that mean most people would be able to afford a big house because that mansion cost about $171,000 . Where im from you cant even afford a townhouse for that much. are like mansions going to be the norm for living standards?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/46tov7/eli5_how_would_this_cost_effective_3d_printed/
{ "a_id": [ "d07snav", "d07tdka", "d07tx1o" ], "score": [ 3, 5, 3 ], "text": [ "The cost to actually construct a house is only part of the total price. The price is based on what people are willing to pay, which will depend heavily on how much demand there is for houses in the area...
[]
[ "https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/innovations/wp/2015/02/05/yes-that-3d-printed-mansion-is-safe-to-live-in/" ]
[ [], [], [] ]
8d0e06
if diet alternatives to sodas are so common, why aren't there more "diet candy"? is it harder to produce?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8d0e06/eli5if_diet_alternatives_to_sodas_are_so_common/
{ "a_id": [ "dxj8kev", "dxj9czo", "dxjddis" ], "score": [ 14, 3, 30 ], "text": [ "There are tons of sugar free candies produced. The issue is that the volume of sweetner needed to make candy appropriately sweet also tends to act as a laxative for many people. So you mostly see long...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
2jnm4z
; in the event of a global disaster/disease etc like wwz or resident evil, how long would the internet be functioning? is there anything that would stop it at this point if you could reach an access point?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2jnm4z/eli5_in_the_event_of_a_global_disasterdisease_etc/
{ "a_id": [ "cldcpva", "cldcr4n" ], "score": [ 2, 3 ], "text": [ "As long as there's power to the infrastructure. One of the first internets, ARPANET, was made to survive nuclear war. You need a working access point. If the power goes out and there's no backup generators, you wouldn't be a...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
bbzj6i
how does bone cancer occur
I thought cancer cells moved through the blood? Are bones directly connected to vessels? Am i dumb
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bbzj6i/eli5_how_does_bone_cancer_occur/
{ "a_id": [ "ekmm0dp", "ekmzimy" ], "score": [ 4, 3 ], "text": [ "Bones are alive! They are indeed connected to the blood stream and actually play an important role in the development of the immune system. But they also contain living cells, wich can sadly become cancerous with various con...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://www.histology-world.com/factsheets/bone1" ] ]
2fza5m
how did i just drive normally for 20 minutes while lost in thought?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2fza5m/eli5_how_did_i_just_drive_normally_for_20_minutes/
{ "a_id": [ "cke5as5", "cke5gx4", "cke5p1s", "ckeedl9" ], "score": [ 6, 2, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "Your brain is really, really good at following routines. Things you do all the time, like driving a specific route, it can do on autopilot.\n\nThere was actually a study done where...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highway_hypnosis" ], [], [] ]
db84oq
how does a bank adjust its accounts after a robbery.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/db84oq/eli5_how_does_a_bank_adjust_its_accounts_after_a/
{ "a_id": [ "f1z0jfz", "f1z0l9u", "f1zkr8b", "f1zqbb8" ], "score": [ 3, 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "A bank will file for their insurance benefits that they have for this very scenario. Maybe some banks just write it off as an expense in small cases of petty theft.", "It does ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
8q1tvb
why does the rain make plants and stuff look more green?
Is it just because the darker wet bark contrasts with the leaves and makes it look greener? Or does the rain wash off dust or something? Or does it look greener for the same reason wet bark is darker?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8q1tvb/eli5_why_does_the_rain_make_plants_and_stuff_look/
{ "a_id": [ "e0frd1y", "e0ft523" ], "score": [ 51, 9 ], "text": [ "It does indeed wash off the dust. It also coats over the rough surfaces, which contain tiny hairs (and other rough materials) that make the colors look a bit more grayish.", "I think leaves absorbing water also changes ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
js9t8
how sat's are supposedly "slanted against african-americans"
Apparently people think this. I don't understand how someone can slant a question so that, due to someone's skin color, they will answer incorrectly.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/js9t8/eli5_how_sats_are_supposedly_slanted_against/
{ "a_id": [ "c2eporu", "c2eq3lj", "c2eqap3", "c2er7ok", "c2eporu", "c2eq3lj", "c2eqap3", "c2er7ok" ], "score": [ 5, 7, 3, 5, 5, 7, 3, 5 ], "text": [ "[Stereotype threat](_URL_0_). Knowing that there is a stereotype out there that your race (o...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereotype_threat" ], [ "http://www.alternet.org/story/13826/" ], [], [ "http://xkcd.com/552/" ], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereotype_threat" ], [ "http://www.alternet.org/story/13826/" ], [], [ "http://xkcd.com/552/" ] ]
33jgbo
why are there restrictions on liquid containers for planes? i know an attempted terror attack caused it, but how does it make sense?
[found this on r/funny](_URL_0_) It's actually quite true, you can bring lots of small liquid containers, but not one big one. I know hydrochloric acid is a popular way of mutilating people and you could easily fit it into a tiny can of deoderant, or several cans of deoderant, so how would taking a large bottle of con...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/33jgbo/eli5_why_are_there_restrictions_on_liquid/
{ "a_id": [ "cqlgmbs", "cqlh58p", "cqlha0v" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "It does not make sense. It's only in the US, where TSA is a bunch of old guys on a power trip. ", "On the contrary, Smaller containers = smaller amount of substance that is brought into the plane. E...
[]
[ "http://i.imgur.com/75dBsHx.jpg" ]
[ [], [], [] ]
4jnxfc
are there any species that are both sexually and asexually reproductive?
If so, how do they fare?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4jnxfc/eli5_are_there_any_species_that_are_both_sexually/
{ "a_id": [ "d384ah1", "d384ncd" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Well, many flowering plants are. They have both male and female parts, they can pollinate themselves, or others. And they fare pretty well.", "There are some species that can alternate between both sexual and asexual rep...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
aageh4
i recently got into a physical altercation where afterwards i had to explain the situation and my voice was shaky and words wasn’t forming at all. no matter how hard i tried to slow down . and i tried to sit down and but my leg shook uncontrollably, why did those two things occur ?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/aageh4/eli5_i_recently_got_into_a_physical_altercation/
{ "a_id": [ "ecrst02", "ecrsudh", "ecrsxue", "ecrt2qr" ], "score": [ 14, 3, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Adrenaline dump. Your body reacted to a dangerous situation by dumping adrenaline and other hormones into your system, so that you could fight or fly. It can take an hour or more ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
292kqb
cold welding in space
I recently read a short article about cold welding in space. Where if you touch to like metals together (ex copper on copper) they stick together. How and why does this happen?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/292kqb/eli5cold_welding_in_space/
{ "a_id": [ "cigts8w", "cigu7l9" ], "score": [ 3, 4 ], "text": [ "On earth, metals are almost always covered by a very thin film of oxide. This means that actual metal-to-metal contact is rare.\n\nIn space there is no atmosphere to provide oxygen, which would renew the oxide coating. When ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
8rkkc9
why do city birds sing at night? do the city lights prevent them from ever sleeping?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8rkkc9/eli5_why_do_city_birds_sing_at_night_do_the_city/
{ "a_id": [ "e0sn0we", "e0t3lgq" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Birds in/around large human populations usually adapted \"singing\" before humans wake up, simply due to the fact that their shouts will not be overwhelmed by the sounds of the cities... a Bird is much easier to hear at 5am ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
a1on3q
why dont humans replace teeth more than once like animals such as sharks do?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a1on3q/eli5_why_dont_humans_replace_teeth_more_than_once/
{ "a_id": [ "earhqj5", "eark2d1", "earlz01" ], "score": [ 8, 8, 5 ], "text": [ "Humans have bred all the children before their second set of teeth wears out. That means there is no evolutionary pressure to have more sets. Other long-lived mammals do have multiple sets of teeth, e...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
1nenie
why are tobacco products behind the counter, while alcohol is on shelves in stores?
I don't understand why tobacco is behind counters and you have to be 18, and alcohol is on shelves in the store, available for everyone to see, but you have to be 21?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1nenie/why_are_tobacco_products_behind_the_counter_while/
{ "a_id": [ "cchvfjn" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ "It's easier to steal a small package than a large bottle" ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
1c8bwo
how can this guy drink this much alcohol at once at not die?
_URL_0_ I'm watching this video and apparently this guy Shoenice is the real deal. These aren't fake stunts. How in the world can one person consume this much alcohol at once at not die? *Sorry for bad title, meant to put and instead of at.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1c8bwo/eli5_how_can_this_guy_drink_this_much_alcohol_at/
{ "a_id": [ "c9e0hr5", "c9e16gi", "c9e3fcv", "c9e42jn" ], "score": [ 6, 3, 3, 4 ], "text": [ "I have to assume he immediately went and threw it all up. It would probably kill him if he didn't.", "That or it's fake.", "[Here's a little documentary](_URL_0_) about him...
[]
[ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2nRWP10HEA&lc=b8NEOdD4ykysMzn1BT42Zp5ufYhAw1x3RJyEFHbD71c" ]
[ [], [], [ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsHaE6F-nr8" ], [ "http://www.clemson.edu/campus-life/campus-services/redfern/alcohol/bac.html" ] ]
3eez0l
eye color
I am a white male with blue eyes, my GF is Mexican with brown eyes. What is the chance of us having a blue eyed baby?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3eez0l/eli5_eye_color/
{ "a_id": [ "cteavjq", "ctec7f9" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Well, it isn't just a matter of what you and your partner have. There's a chance that there are some recessive genes that simply aren't showing up in either of you. To get a better idea of the actual chances you have to go b...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://genetics.thetech.org/online-exhibits/what-color-eyes-will-your-children-have" ], [] ]
1r1n28
what set apart google from yahoo, facebook from myspace (etc.) such that one failed where the other succeeded?
I remember a time when Myspace was big while Facebook was just coming up, a time when "Yahoo and Google" would be mentioned in the same sentence often enough. Yet now in hindsight, Google and Facebook clearly won out, while Yahoo/Myspace were to most either forgotten or relegated to uses secondary to their initial offe...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1r1n28/eli5_what_set_apart_google_from_yahoo_facebook/
{ "a_id": [ "cdintll" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "For me both were based on the lack of clutter. I never joined myspace because it was a cluster fuck and google was very simple and always gave me results without spamming the page full of non-sense. A lot of it has to do with how it was managed b...
[]
[ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_effect" ]
[ [] ]
700u7m
how do manufacturers of vehicles make car keys that are unique such that not 1 car key is identical to the other?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/700u7m/eli5_how_do_manufacturers_of_vehicles_make_car/
{ "a_id": [ "dmzivga", "dmzj12f", "dmzj3uu", "dmzj5zs", "dmzjw53", "dmzk3zz", "dmzm132", "dmzms06" ], "score": [ 14, 5, 2, 2, 2, 5, 2, 6 ], "text": [ "Certainly with normal keys, it's more than possible that there do exist keys that will open...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "https://www.aol.com/article/2015/07/07/does-your-car-key-have-a-twin/21206195/" ], [], [], [], [], [] ]
1vkyc0
does having more blades on a helicopter make a difference?
Title mostly says itself. So if one was to have 4 blades as opposed to 2 blades on a helicopter, would it make a difference? EDIT: To clarify, I mean in terms of speed or height or other things
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1vkyc0/eli5_does_having_more_blades_on_a_helicopter_make/
{ "a_id": [ "cet9xrp", "cetad0a", "cetcnrj", "cetd2ue" ], "score": [ 13, 9, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "It would make a difference. But what difference? That extremely complex to answer.\n\nMore blades would be capable of lifting more weight.\n\nBut after that, you need to know the ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
5zkayt
why is heaven most commonly referred to as being up above the earth while hell is most commonly referred to as being down below the earth or in the ground? when did this tradition come about?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5zkayt/eli5_why_is_heaven_most_commonly_referred_to_as/
{ "a_id": [ "deyqehd", "deyqjqp", "deyr5c4", "dezkvya" ], "score": [ 11, 4, 7, 2 ], "text": [ "It's really old. The ancient Egyptians had this notion, 5000 years ago. The Jews, and then the Christians, and then Dante colorized them as we think about them today, but the id...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
22rhwz
given that life has existed far longer in our oceans than on land, why hasn't there been species that evolved with the same intelligence level has higher primates?
An earlier question concluded that dolphins are an example of an aquatic intelligent species and yet humans have been far more successful. This also doesn't account for the fact that life existed in our oceans far, far longer than it has on land. Basically, I want to know why we aren't having epic battles with mermen ...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/22rhwz/eli5_given_that_life_has_existed_far_longer_in/
{ "a_id": [ "cgpnz7n", "cgpps2d", "cgppxd8", "cgpr6wv", "cgpr9yn", "cgpt27y", "cgptck0", "cgpwy68" ], "score": [ 25, 67, 6, 2, 2, 9, 3, 6 ], "text": [ "Human-style intelligence, while very cool, is not easy to evolve, and it is not free. It ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tool_use_by_animals", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cephalopod_intelligence" ] ]
2p1ehn
why do some people hear noises prior to falling asleep.
This happens to me and I found out it happens to others too, I just can't find why. It doesn't happen right before falling asleep, but I use it as an indicator that lets me know I'll be asleep soon. The sounds range from random noises to voices, but they go away when I focus on them. Edit: I realized I didn't put a q...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2p1ehn/eli5_why_do_some_people_hear_noises_prior_to/
{ "a_id": [ "cmsg3tu", "cmsgajy", "cmsgcym" ], "score": [ 2, 4, 3 ], "text": [ "As I am falling asleep I usually loose my hearing and the realization of silence startles me and then two seconds later I am asleep.", "It could be [hypnagogia](_URL_0_)\n\nAs you fall asleep, there...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypnagogia" ], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypnagogia#Sounds" ] ]
307u31
how am i supposed to analyze the double toilet flusher buttons?
As someone that has been flushing successfully for several decades, the new flush buttons confuse me. Almost all new toilets have two buttons to flush the toilet. One is typically larger than the other. Is the larger one made that way to indicate it gives a larger flush? Or is it larger because it is supposed to d...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/307u31/eli5_how_am_i_supposed_to_analyze_the_double/
{ "a_id": [ "cppxj8f", "cppzfqf" ], "score": [ 2, 9 ], "text": [ "You don't have to analyze it, you can just take a few moments to Google \"[toilet button flush](_URL_1_).\"\n\nYou don't even have to search through the results, just select image results, and you'll get results like [this](...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.kudzu.com/blogs/hot-off-the-vine/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/dual-flush-toilet11.jpg", "https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=toilet%20button%20flush", "http://images.oyster.com/articles/661-2010-01-marriott-dual-flush-toilet.jpg" ], []...
1jotka
how are the child/baby pictures of grown up actors in movies made?
Are they actual child/baby pictures of the actor/actress or of a look-alike or photoshoped or....?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1jotka/eli5how_are_the_childbaby_pictures_of_grown_up/
{ "a_id": [ "cbgsuwn", "cbgsx9d" ], "score": [ 2, 3 ], "text": [ "All of the above. Whatever works, works. ", "All of the above and make-up. Sometimes with hilarious results. \n\nIn Star Trek, they've shown how Wesley Crusher would look at 25. [Here's](_URL_0_) how he would look like a...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://en.memory-alpha.org/wiki/Wesley_Crusher?file=Wesley_Crusher%252C_age_25.jpg", "http://en.memory-alpha.org/wiki/Wil_Wheaton" ] ]
3jkz68
source of streaming videos
When a TV show or movie is given permission to be streamed over an online service like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, etc., how is it uploaded to the site? I'm sure with some of the newer TV shows/movies (~2010), they already have digital copies ready to go but what about older movies and shows? Are they burned from a D...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3jkz68/eli5_source_of_streaming_videos/
{ "a_id": [ "cuq5ii3" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Most all movies are cataloged digitally. For older vcr and film movies they use special converters" ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
9lefh4
why do some restaurants add an automatic gratuity for groups of a certain size even if the patrons ask for separate bills?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9lefh4/eli5_why_do_some_restaurants_add_an_automatic/
{ "a_id": [ "e760oaw", "e760xq5", "e760zwc", "e7612h6", "e762kaq", "e768z00" ], "score": [ 8, 5, 2, 4, 3, 3 ], "text": [ "Because not everybody tips, simple as that. Make sure a tax is added so now everybody has “to tip” and no one is tipping more than the o...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
afchpw
how do wetsuits/diving suits keep your body warm?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/afchpw/eli5_how_do_wetsuitsdiving_suits_keep_your_body/
{ "a_id": [ "edxfhql" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "A wet suit traps a pool of water between you and the ocean. Your own body heat warms that water. The thickness of the neoprene insulated that inner layer of water from ocean. \n\nEdit there are also dry suits, which keep you from getting wet in t...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
5q9hr3
what does a misspelled word or bad grammar look like in chinese?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5q9hr3/eli5what_does_a_misspelled_word_or_bad_grammar/
{ "a_id": [ "dcxfhp1", "dcxfrgv", "dcxh59w", "dcxif8v", "dcxj3bf", "dcxj7na", "dcxjyu4", "dcxl2b7", "dcxl3vj", "dcxl57z", "dcxldup", "dcxle7k", "dcxlmed", "dcxmm0n", "dcxms83", "dcxom81", "dcxp9ld", "dcxpi5b", "dcxprb4", "dcxprg4", "d...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2-o7YKqF-DELUw2Y1U4RXNrTUk/view?usp=drivesdk", "https://d2mllj54g854r4.cloudfront.net/images/type_chinese/win8/usage2.png" ], [ "http://news.mydrivers.com/1/471/471490.htm" ], [ "http://i.imgur.com/eEaQzI1.j...
260pdc
web 3.0?
I saw something about Web 2.0 just now (I know what Web 1.0 and 2.0 are, you don't need to explain that to me) and it got me wondering about a Web 3.0. What would actually change? Moving from 1.0 to 2.0 we changed from static to interactive, so what's next? A couple of sites I found gave examples of asking complex ques...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/260pdc/eli5_web_30/
{ "a_id": [ "chmiz78" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Web 2.0 was just a catchphrase that some journalist came up with. It's just a vague, handwavey term that can be used to talk about whatever a speaker wants. Nobody spoke of \"Web 1.0\" prior to it becoming widely used.\n\nI hope we can avoid usin...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
9is0p4
why does mostly the top of our feet hurt when our feet land on something hard?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9is0p4/eli5_why_does_mostly_the_top_of_our_feet_hurt/
{ "a_id": [ "e6lwllt" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "If you look at a human skeleton, you will see that there are long bones at the top of our feet. Those are called metatarsal bones. The force of the impact of landing hard on your feet will travel through those bones, which is painful." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
28b01y
what's the difference between the different types of anti-aliasing?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/28b01y/eli5_whats_the_difference_between_the_different/
{ "a_id": [ "ci9ogiv" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "There's different methods involved to get rid of the jaggies with varying levels of effectiveness and performance penalties.\n\nThe most brute force one being super sampling. The image is rendered much higher than the target resolution and then s...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
5ha6ew
what do people mean when they say that all birds are dinosaurs?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5ha6ew/eli5_what_do_people_mean_when_they_say_that_all/
{ "a_id": [ "daylix8", "dayljnk", "dayljqv", "daylob2", "daynmsv", "dayplus" ], "score": [ 2, 6, 3, 5, 5, 3 ], "text": [ "Dinosaurs most likely evolved into modern day birds. As an attempt to evade the auto mod I will explain why we think that. It mainly com...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [ "http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2005/06/images/revuelto_tree_big.jpg", "https://image.freepik.com/free-vector/family-tree-icons_23-2147511229.jpg", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primate", "http://www.nature.com/nrg/journal/v15/n5/fig_tab/nrg3707_F1.html" ], ...
1z0bkk
why china has both an overcrowding/pollution problem and ghost towns.
I've seen a lot about China's pollution issues recently (and its highly probable link to overpopulation). But I also see random articles on these "ghost" towns where either they've been built in anticipation of people moving in or were abandoned after some market went under. Moving successful businesses (and therefore ...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1z0bkk/eli5_why_china_has_both_an_overcrowdingpollution/
{ "a_id": [ "cfpc9k4", "cfpcpss", "cfpmif1" ], "score": [ 5, 7, 2 ], "text": [ "The ghost towns are largely a myth.\n\n_URL_0_", "The non-myth ghost towns are in the middle of nowhere and usually lack essential services. Nobody wants to move to a city with no grocery stores, no...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2013/09/24/chinas-ghost-cities-may-not-be-so-spooky/" ], [], [ "http://www.thechinabeat.org/?p=3610" ] ]
3v3r4p
why does rubbing your finger across your lips make them softer?
seriously have no idea, but it works!
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3v3r4p/eli5_why_does_rubbing_your_finger_across_your/
{ "a_id": [ "cxk393o", "cxk3doy", "cxk4gp1" ], "score": [ 3, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Anyone else try rubbing their lips with their finger after reading the title?", "Your lips require oil or else they get chapped. Your fingers have oil on them, and some of it comes off onto your li...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
4en0jy
why do video game discs have loading screens but nintendo cartridges don't?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4en0jy/eli5_why_do_video_game_discs_have_loading_screens/
{ "a_id": [ "d21iblz", "d21ihxe" ], "score": [ 3, 9 ], "text": [ "Nintendo (or really any) cartridges never take more than a few seconds to load so there is no need for a loading screen.", "Video game cartridges are like the solid state drives (SSDs) of the past. They had much faster d...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
3l2vjg
rfid protection
How does RFID protection technology work? Is it just a coating that prevents a reading or is there more to it? Background: I have an [RFID protection wallet](_URL_0_) that I put my student ID card in. If i put it in the outside id window, it CAN'T be read by the sensors however if i put it in the inside id window, it ...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3l2vjg/eli5rfid_protection/
{ "a_id": [ "cv2od0d" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "At a high level, the wallets that offer RFID protection are very small [Faraday cages](_URL_0_) which block all EM radiation from coming in or going out.\n\nThe ID window is a hole in the cage, which allows the RFID signal to pass through." ] }
[]
[ "http://ep.yimg.com/ay/yhst-88464523396784/tumi-delta-rfid-multi-window-card-case-8.gif" ]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faraday_cage" ] ]
epejuu
how do drug companies decide what the dosage should be for different over the counter medication?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/epejuu/eli5_how_do_drug_companies_decide_what_the_dosage/
{ "a_id": [ "feiyg17" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "Extensive testing, through a bunch of different phases, starting with animals and, when it’s deemed safe enough and worth the effort to move into the market, on humans" ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
2jo63v
why is it that we don't know much about ancient civilizations? shouldn't the information get passed across generations?
We don't know much about ancient Egypt for example.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2jo63v/eli5_why_is_it_that_we_dont_know_much_about/
{ "a_id": [ "cldikvh", "cldiqtk", "cldjq00", "cldlqc8" ], "score": [ 6, 3, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "But if Civilization gets slaughtered or decimated by illness who are they going to tell their history? Our knowledge of history is based mainly on documents. If we don't have them...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
bh2k4z
what makes some glass surfaces reflective while others are transparent?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bh2k4z/eli5_what_makes_some_glass_surfaces_reflective/
{ "a_id": [ "elphhif" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Light. If an object behind glass repels photons, it reflects. If it doesnt, it appears transparent as the photons continue passed it. That's how mirrors work." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
3y51yf
what causes that "old" metallic-like smell in antique typewriters/cameras/sewing machines?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3y51yf/eli5_what_causes_that_old_metalliclike_smell_in/
{ "a_id": [ "cyaloi7" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ "It's actually a kind of body odor. When you touch the metal, it catalyzes the decomposition of oils on your skin and makes smaller, more volatile compounds that make up the \"metal smell.\"" ] }
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9atznv
what happens in your skin when you get calluses.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9atznv/eli5_what_happens_in_your_skin_when_you_get/
{ "a_id": [ "e4y5r7b", "e4yibko", "e4yn0r0", "e4z4ooh", "e4z9oka" ], "score": [ 446, 109, 2, 4, 3 ], "text": [ "Your skin gets tired of repairing the damage, so it over-does the repair operation - thickening the outer protective layer.", "Podiatrist here. Thicke...
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[ [], [ "https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Callus" ], [], [], [] ]
2gebi7
i get told beer is bad because it is all carbs and soda is bad because it is all sugar. which one is worse on my gut and why?
What am i supposed to drink?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2gebi7/eli5i_get_told_beer_is_bad_because_it_is_all/
{ "a_id": [ "ckia518", "ckiaeds", "ckibr66", "ckiiuzk" ], "score": [ 17, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Water. You're supposed to drink water", "sugar is a form of carbohydrate. The amount of carbs in beer differs greatly depending on the type, same as the amount of sugar in so...
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mfp3j
selling short in stocks, mutual funds, and margins
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/mfp3j/eli5_selling_short_in_stocks_mutual_funds_and/
{ "a_id": [ "c30j4q5", "c30j4q5" ], "score": [ 21, 21 ], "text": [ "**Short selling: **\n\nYou have 100 stocks in a company that you plan on keeping regardless of what happens to its price. Lets say they're worth 100$ a piece. Now I think that the price is going to take a shit-kicking. So ...
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1rl88r
why does the pitch of an emergency siren change when it has gone past you?
I wonder why the pitch of a siren changes when it is going past you at a fast speed. It sounds different when it is moving at you and when it is moving away from you. As an example Swedish siren: _URL_0_ Is there any physical explanation to this?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1rl88r/eli5_why_does_the_pitch_of_an_emergency_siren/
{ "a_id": [ "cdoccos", "cdoehyz", "cdoelqv" ], "score": [ 11, 2, 5 ], "text": [ "The sound waves bunch up ahead of the vehicle, making out sound higher, and as it passes you, they spread out behind out, lowering the frequency. Google \"Doppler effect\"", "[The Doppler Effect](_...
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[ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALnMzTC-144" ]
[ [], [ "http://www.sheldonquotes.com/uploads/Doppler.gif" ], [] ]
3jqo3b
why do we clinch our teeth while applying force?
Whenever we open a box lid which is very tight or push something heavy (like a car), we tend to clinch our teeth. Was curious why this happens.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3jqo3b/eli5_why_do_we_clinch_our_teeth_while_applying/
{ "a_id": [ "curmr77" ], "score": [ 11 ], "text": [ "Imagine force as pressure, like the pressure of soda in a bottle. We feel the pressure because the soda is pushing against the walls of the bottle. If the cap is off the bottle, there is no pressure: the walls of the bottle are squishable. When...
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3rnz3m
nasa's latest announcement about mars' atmosphere
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3rnz3m/eli5_nasas_latest_announcement_about_mars/
{ "a_id": [ "cwpqokd", "cwprgfm", "cwpuzcs" ], "score": [ 2, 27, 5 ], "text": [ "Mars' Atmosphere is being stripped from a tiny fraction of its' Gas every second (about 100g/seconds globally on rough estimates) due to Solar Winds. \n\nI just tuned into the Livestream myself, if you...
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1zrnjk
why do restaurants offer and promote "healthy options" and then give you a tiny water glass?
So one of the easiest and Healthiest decisions I have made lately is totally ditching sugary drinks in exchange for water. Now this is lovely but a ton of restaurants (specifically fast food places) offer a tiny water glass. Is there a reason for this?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1zrnjk/eli5_why_do_restaurants_offer_and_promote_healthy/
{ "a_id": [ "cfwaz7g", "cfwb7ba" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "The most expensive part of a fountain drink is the cup itself so many fast food restaurants is to hand out the cheapest container they have. ", "For most restaurants, it's because it doesn't make money. Not only do they ...
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6yligy
why was the recent eclipse scientifically important?
I read online that scientists went crazy during the day of the eclipse to get some important data on the corona or whatever. That I get. What I *don't* get is why is it important that the moon block the sun? Why can't we just put a vantablack circle in front of a telescope and have an eclipse 24/7? TL;DR: Why can't we...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6yligy/eli5_why_was_the_recent_eclipse_scientifically/
{ "a_id": [ "dmoazw0", "dmob5jp" ], "score": [ 3, 3 ], "text": [ "The result would not be the same. The sun's light is being blocked from outside the atmosphere. There is only one way to do that, that being with a celestial body with the same apparent diameter. It's also remarkable because...
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4zwjac
if you flew a spacecraft into a gas planet, would you go straight through it or would you hit some form of ground?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4zwjac/eli5_if_you_flew_a_spacecraft_into_a_gas_planet/
{ "a_id": [ "d6zf9y6", "d6zfirm", "d6zge0k" ], "score": [ 2, 3, 3 ], "text": [ "Your be crushed by the gravity of the planet long before you reached the center let alone got to the other side.", "It's believed that most, if not all, gas giants have solid cores. However, the pre...
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[ [], [], [ "http://stateschronicle.com/hydrogen-fifth-state-of-matter-phase-v-16033.html" ] ]
2vwmyl
how does old and worn money get out of the circulation?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2vwmyl/eli5_how_does_old_and_worn_money_get_out_of_the/
{ "a_id": [ "colizsj", "colkmo0" ], "score": [ 4, 2 ], "text": [ "One thing that banks do is when they see a bill that's getting too worn out is they send it back to the treasury department and get a replacement. The treasury department destroys them.", "Banks don't keep the cash that...
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be64sl
why do large scale fires take so long to be put out?
I'm thinking more in terms of localized fires like the Notre Dame one rather than a forest/bush fire.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/be64sl/eli5_why_do_large_scale_fires_take_so_long_to_be/
{ "a_id": [ "el3b30n", "el3dv74" ], "score": [ 7, 3 ], "text": [ "Thats happens because of how the fire works. In order for fire to burn, you need fuel, heat, and oxygen. Now, its not enough to just locally remove oxygen or energy for a moment. You need an orchestrated effort to keep sit...
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2zmfpa
i'm making hot dogs in the microwave. the packaging says "1 hot dog is 30 sec but 2 or more are a minute and 10 sec" why do i have to increase time when making more than one? won't they cook the same for the time of 1 hot dog?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2zmfpa/eli5_im_making_hot_dogs_in_the_microwave_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cpk97h3", "cpk9rtp" ], "score": [ 2, 3 ], "text": [ "The waves have to go through more matter to do their thing. So you increase the time of exposure to the waves to compensate.", "Your microwave oven outputs microwaves (pretty self-explanatory), for regular cooking (not d...
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2x9ken
how exactly does one "evade" taxes? kinda curious how ~100 billion euros could be missed. (assuming story truth)
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2x9ken/eli5_how_exactly_does_one_evade_taxes_kinda/
{ "a_id": [ "coy4400", "coy4tb1", "coy8o3l" ], "score": [ 5, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "When you work at a company, they keep track of how much you are being paid, and then tell the tax authority that number - so when you file your taxes, the number you say you earned had better match the ...
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1y2wff
how do people get caught for illegal downloads and prosecuted?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1y2wff/eli5_how_do_people_get_caught_for_illegal/
{ "a_id": [ "cfgv805", "cfgxa6x", "cfgyefe", "cfh4jqg", "cfh8hkm" ], "score": [ 16, 3, 3, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "The overwhelming majority of people do not get caught. Piracy is treated in a similar manner to drug dealing. They let the little guys operate and go after t...
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[ [ "https://torrentfreak.com/five-undercover-police-cars-sent-to-arrest-single-alleged-movie-pirate-130525/" ], [], [], [], [] ]
529lyr
what laws in europen union is uniform throughout? what kind of laws can vary between the member countries?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/529lyr/eli5_what_laws_in_europen_union_is_uniform/
{ "a_id": [ "d7ip677" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "There are EU directives, decisions and EU regulations\n\nDirectives aim to achieve a specific outcome but it's up to the member state how to implement it\n\nRegulations are binding laws throughout every Member State and enter into force on a set...
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[ [ "http://www.usda-eu.org/eu-basics-questions/difference-between-a-regulation-directive-and-decision/" ] ]
amzpo4
if anything is moving away with constant speed from each other, why distant objects appear faster?
Edit : I'm talking about the expansion of the universe.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/amzpo4/eli5_if_anything_is_moving_away_with_constant/
{ "a_id": [ "efpqbgi", "efpqzlc" ], "score": [ 4, 3 ], "text": [ "In what context does that happen? \n\nIf you stand and look at moving objects the closer they are the faster they appear because the angular size changes faster. Angular size there size in your field of view. \n\nThe size of...
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247n8h
cherenkov effect: how can something travel faster than the speed of light?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/247n8h/eli5cherenkov_effect_how_can_something_travel/
{ "a_id": [ "ch4dpqj", "ch4mqcp" ], "score": [ 10, 2 ], "text": [ "The particles that cause Cerenkov radiation don't actually travel faster than *c*, the speed of light in a vacuum, they travel faster than the speed of light in the medium in which that light is propagating.\n\nYou can kind...
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eem80e
why do humans have a natural tendency to seek approval? what makes humans social beings?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/eem80e/eli5_why_do_humans_have_a_natural_tendency_to/
{ "a_id": [ "fbuqdzg" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "We evolved as such. We cannot survive well on our own, and our survival is tied to the herd. The dynamics of the herd, what we consider being social, are thus very important to our survival." ] }
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8cuozx
how to properly use articles in english?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8cuozx/eli5_how_to_properly_use_articles_in_english/
{ "a_id": [ "dxhz2me", "dxhzglr" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "\"a\" is for a non-specific noun. If you're talking about \"a dog\" its usually just any dog. The concept of a dog. Or some random dog.\n\n\"an\" is the same as \"a\" but you use it if the following word starts with a vowel....
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arzoa8
why can't we see living cells through electron microscope?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/arzoa8/eli5_why_cant_we_see_living_cells_through/
{ "a_id": [ "egqp6um" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Mostly because an electron microscope has to operate in a vacuum. Living cells don't care much for those.\n\n & #x200B;\n\nAlso, sometimes what you're looking at under a scanning electron microscope has to be covered with a very very very very t...
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bgfg2g
how does someone die by swallowing his tongue?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bgfg2g/eli5_how_does_someone_die_by_swallowing_his_tongue/
{ "a_id": [ "elkd6ks", "elkdhuq" ], "score": [ 4, 7 ], "text": [ "You don’t literally swallow your tongue. Basically as your on your back your tongue moves to the back of your mouth and blocks your air passage.", "Almost 100% certain this is a myth your tounge is attached to the bott...
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jum1h
what is the current role of the national guard?
My best friend recently joined the guard and with the state of things nowadays I really have no idea what that means she will be doing. Can someone please explain to me what exactly people in the National Guard have traditionally done and what it is they do now?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/jum1h/what_is_the_current_role_of_the_national_guard/
{ "a_id": [ "c2f9bgr", "c2f9bgr" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "To send you mail asking you to join.", "To send you mail asking you to join." ] }
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7w7104
why can a defibrillator help reset abnormal cardiac rhythms but can’t restart a heart?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7w7104/eli5_why_can_a_defibrillator_help_reset_abnormal/
{ "a_id": [ "dty086e", "dty7fo8" ], "score": [ 7, 2 ], "text": [ "A defibrillator effectively stops an abnormal rhythm by briefly stopping the heart's activity, interrupting the irregularity and allowing the normal rhythm to resume. In a stopped heart, \"stopping the heart more\" doesn't h...
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dy3qgc
why can we control body functions like are hands and feet, or even when we have to pee, but we can’t control the inside of our body?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dy3qgc/eli5_why_can_we_control_body_functions_like_are/
{ "a_id": [ "f7y5ja6", "f7y7tds" ], "score": [ 6, 2 ], "text": [ "Because during evolution it didnt provide people with statistically significant advantage.\n\nThe way evolution works is, random mutations happen, and if these mutations help the creature survive, that creature can produce m...
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419seq
- who are corrupt bankers and why are they so evil?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/419seq/eli5_who_are_corrupt_bankers_and_why_are_they_so/
{ "a_id": [ "cz0nneg", "cz0ns0g" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "From an article on island\n > \n > Their crimes include market manipulation, embezzlement, and breach of fiduciary duties. Their market manipulation destroyed the country’s economy and to this day Iceland is still having t...
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