q_id stringlengths 5 6 | title stringlengths 3 296 | selftext stringlengths 0 34k | document stringclasses 1
value | subreddit stringclasses 1
value | url stringlengths 4 110 | answers dict | title_urls list | selftext_urls list | answers_urls list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
37y5fi | what is the difference between belarus and belarussia? | Currently watching the European Rowing Championships. Most commentators refer to tthe crews from the country as 'Belarus'. But there's one commentator who keeps saying 'Belarussia'. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/37y5fi/eli5_what_is_the_difference_between_belarus_and/ | {
"a_id": [
"crqqyzk"
],
"score": [
6
],
"text": [
"The country is Belarus, the demonym for people from Belarus is belarusian.\n\nIn Russian the country is called Byelorussia. \n\nEither of those possible?"
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
s69ed | why the trend toward "sleek" and "smooth", luxurious cars? | It seems like every car/SUV/minivan made nowadays is being redesigned to be sleeker, slimmer, more luxurious (and IMO, most of the SUVs look girly, or mom-y). Why this trend all of a sudden?
On a related note, when "old-looking" cars like [this one](_URL_0_) first came out, were they considered "attractive" or "cool"... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/s69ed/eli5_why_the_trend_toward_sleek_and_smooth/ | {
"a_id": [
"c4bhphf",
"c4blg4f"
],
"score": [
3,
3
],
"text": [
"They are better on gas, and we have better construction techniques that use more fluid forming techniques out of single pieces of metal. In addition to what you said. ",
"There's design trends all through history. They t... | [] | [
"http://static.cargurus.com/images/site/2008/08/21/15/46/1993_toyota_camry_4_dr_le_sedan-pic-49064.jpeg"
] | [
[],
[]
] | |
3g5irr | how does the army national guard work? | Does the Army National Guard have boot camp? Do they pay your housing? What are incentives of the Army National Guard? Is it the same as the reserves? Do you need a diploma or just G.E.D.? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3g5irr/eli5_how_does_the_army_national_guard_work/ | {
"a_id": [
"ctv1eto",
"ctv1jj2",
"ctv1uez",
"ctv368a"
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"score": [
3,
2,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"I'm not sure about the requirements such as diploma / GED, but it works like this. I'm going to assume we are talking about an enlisted person, not an officer.\n\nWhen you decide ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[
"http://www.nationalguard.com/benefits"
],
[]
] | |
3oallv | why does a scalp feel bruised/sensitive after being in a ponytail for a long time? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3oallv/eli5_why_does_a_scalp_feel_bruisedsensitive_after/ | {
"a_id": [
"cvvh4bd"
],
"score": [
5
],
"text": [
"Hairdos that pull tightly on hair, particularly in a lateral direction along the scalp, actually hurt hair follicles. If you do it too tight for too long, the ones being tugged on the most will actually die, which leads to a receding hairline. "
... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
cd1d8l | - where does the carbon that trees store, go? | I have seen a lot of posts where trees can save us.
Things really don't dissappear AFAIK, so if the trees eats the carbon dioxide, where does it end up?
I did not spend my attention in school to learn, sadly enough. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cd1d8l/eli5_where_does_the_carbon_that_trees_store_go/ | {
"a_id": [
"etqr4kq",
"etqriyp",
"etqs9rt",
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"score": [
7,
4,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"It becomes part of the wood (the tree's own body). Trees are made largely of carbon.",
"Trees, like all organic matter, contain a lot of carbon, in the simplest terms, the carb... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
27gbrg | why do (more) women not take birth control pills continually to never have periods? | As a man, it sort of blew my mind reading in the thread on the front page that 1/4 of the "birth control" pills that come in a packet are placebos. Birth control pills prevent menstruation while they are being taken. It is only because women don't take these pills for 1 week out of a month that menstruation occurs.
Ap... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/27gbrg/eli5_why_do_more_women_not_take_birth_control/ | {
"a_id": [
"ci0jjix",
"ci0jl5d",
"ci0jp1w"
],
"score": [
3,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"It's actually a subject of debate whether taking oral contraceptive continuously has no medical consequences. The fact is that this is a fairly new idea, and there's no enough data to say what the long ... | [] | [
"http://www.optionsforsexualhealth.org/birth-control-pregnancy/birth-control-options/hormonal-methods/combined-hormonal-contraceptives/cont"
] | [
[
"http://www.webmd.com/women/features/no-more-periods"
],
[],
[]
] | |
8tdv9p | how do people who live in eastern asian countrys eat so much yet stay so healthy? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8tdv9p/eli5_how_do_people_who_live_in_eastern_asian/ | {
"a_id": [
"e16qeva",
"e16qkdg",
"e16so09",
"e16u7y9"
],
"score": [
5,
8,
8,
3
],
"text": [
"By healthy I assume you mean lean with a low body fat percentage. It all comes down to the units of energy consumed versus the units of energy burned; some people burn more calorie... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
5h1ben | why aren't password special characters universally agreed on? | I'm not asking about the length or use of caps. I'm wonder about why isn't there a universally agreed upon standard of special characters (the !@#$ most make you use) that can be used by all password programs? Some allow a ! but not a ?, but another does the opposite. I just want to come up with one sweet and difficul... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5h1ben/eli5_why_arent_password_special_characters/ | {
"a_id": [
"dawlu76",
"dawp2m2",
"dawpif5"
],
"score": [
6,
2,
3
],
"text": [
"Because there is no standards group maintaining this. And because some special characters have special meaning in certain locations. It wouldn't matter if the person writing the password code knew what ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
3xlvb5 | if the constitution protects against double jeopardy, how can trials go an appellate court? | If someone has already been convicted, how can they be tried for the same crime twice? Isn't this against the 5^th amendment? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3xlvb5/eli5_if_the_constitution_protects_against_double/ | {
"a_id": [
"cy5pxbn",
"cy5v3zv"
],
"score": [
3,
3
],
"text": [
"In what way would it violate the rule? Keep in mind that the *defendant* is the one who asks for the appeal; without the appeal, he is guilty, and the appeal can't actually convict him (it's not a second trial). ",
"The ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_education/resources/law_related_education_network/how_courts_work/appeals.html"
]
] | |
90z982 | why is it so hard to get that old 'hand drawn' look in modern anime/cartoons using computer animation? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/90z982/eli5_why_is_it_so_hard_to_get_that_old_hand_drawn/ | {
"a_id": [
"e2u9hg5",
"e2up2rj"
],
"score": [
10,
3
],
"text": [
"It's not done very often because animating something that high quality would take a really long time. It's possible, just insanely time consuming.",
"There's a lot of reasons why old hand drawn animation looks different... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
zhjnj | how american college applications work. | Basically I have to start applying for colleges and I have no idea what the fuck I'm doing. On the Chapman website, it says they have a school especially for film, Dodge, which has its own application specifications. If I want to minor in film but major in something else, do I have to apply to both Chapman and Dodge? A... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/zhjnj/eli5_how_american_college_applications_work/ | {
"a_id": [
"c64nbgp",
"c64ptmw"
],
"score": [
3,
2
],
"text": [
"So, for a bit of clarification, mostly for the stuff below, a university is made up of colleges. a college of liberal arts a college of business, et cetera. \n\nyou only have to apply directly to college if you want to major... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
fpjh33 | i have a cpap machine for sleep apnea. how similar / different is it from a medical ventilator? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/fpjh33/eli5_i_have_a_cpap_machine_for_sleep_apnea_how/ | {
"a_id": [
"fllaqjj"
],
"score": [
6
],
"text": [
"The CPAP machine is simply designed to keep a small positive airway pressure (hence the name) in order to keep the airway open. You still must breathe, it doesn't do it for you. A ventilator actually will breathe for the person, so it will put ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
4regmv | what makes popular music recordings you hear on the radio sound so "good"? | Compared to home recording or local recording studios, what makes recordings bands like Maroon 5 sound "better" than other bands? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4regmv/eli5what_makes_popular_music_recordings_you_hear/ | {
"a_id": [
"d50f3jp"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Professional mixing and mastering engineers.\n\nBasically, for bands as large as Maroon 5, you have multiple professionals mixing the song to get it to sound as clean, clear and crisp as possible. The better the mix engineer, the better the song ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
a3bnsd | how come no one has prosecuted the president yet? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a3bnsd/eli5_how_come_no_one_has_prosecuted_the_president/ | {
"a_id": [
"eb4tmku"
],
"score": [
12
],
"text": [
"If your gonna take a shot at the king, you better not miss. Any prosecutor worth their salt is gonna make sure all of their ducks are in a row before bringing anything forward, and with something as big as impeachment there are a lot of ducks. F... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
6s3g83 | why isn't drug testing mandatory for politicians? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6s3g83/eli5_why_isnt_drug_testing_mandatory_for/ | {
"a_id": [
"dl9rlx4"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Politicians are the ones that would put these new laws in place. Also, some govern places where certain drugs are now legal. They also don't operate heavy machinery or have a direct impact on public safety. "
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
1k428c | if it takes so many processors to simulate one second of human neural activity, why are processors so much more accurate and faster than brains? | I read an article recently (if anyone could provide a link, that would be appreciated) that said that it took lots of processors (I forget the number, but it was a lot) and about 40 minutes to recreate one second of the brain working. What I don't understand is how I can perform long calculations, perform thousands of ... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1k428c/if_it_takes_so_many_processors_to_simulate_one/ | {
"a_id": [
"cbl599x",
"cbl59gt",
"cbl8vp1",
"cblh5me"
],
"score": [
12,
87,
7,
2
],
"text": [
"Short answer: because human brains are doing things WAY more complex that are also much more important, evolutionarily speaking. Math equations beyond \"two lions means twice the... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuron",
"http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1k428c/if_it_takes_so_many_processors_to_simulate_one/cbletuq"
]
] | |
7279r1 | if alcohol has been proven to cause cancer and other diseases, why aren't bottles covered in warning labels like cigarettes? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7279r1/eli5_if_alcohol_has_been_proven_to_cause_cancer/ | {
"a_id": [
"dnganxw",
"dngar6l"
],
"score": [
3,
2
],
"text": [
"Ahoy, matey! Yer not alone in askin', and kind strangers have explained:\n\n1. [ELI5: Why are there health warning labels on cigarettes and not McDonalds, soft-drinks, processed meat, or on the side of Supercars and Bikes? ]... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://www.reddit.com/r/NoStupidQuestions/comments/6bc9g8/why_is_alcohol_not_illegal_because_of_how_much/",
"https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3q7epx/eli5_why_are_there_health_warning_labels_on/",
"https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2w8xf9/eli5_why_are_tobacco_prod... | ||
lhcbs | how the nes zapper gun (like the one used in duck hunt) knew where you were pointing on the screen. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/lhcbs/eli5_how_the_nes_zapper_gun_like_the_one_used_in/ | {
"a_id": [
"c2soplx",
"c2ss7wy",
"c2soplx",
"c2ss7wy"
],
"score": [
59,
5,
59,
5
],
"text": [
"The Zapper doesn't actually \"shoot\" out light. Instead, it's the reverse: it's a light sensor. When you pull the trigger, the screen turns black and the targets (ducks, discs, ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://www.clanofthegraywolf.com/way-games-work/nes-zapper"
],
[],
[
"http://www.clanofthegraywolf.com/way-games-work/nes-zapper"
]
] | ||
12k486 | why does usa elect their president based on who gets the most electoral votes and not by popular vote? | It is to my knowledge that in 2000, 48.4% of every American who voted wanted Al Gore as president, yet George W. Bush who had 47.9% won. Why is that? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/12k486/eli5_why_does_usa_elect_their_president_based_on/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
3,
11,
4,
7,
3,
3
],
"text": [
"Cause the people who wrote the constitution realized that Americans could not be trusted to vote.\n\nTherefore the electoral colleges w... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wC42HgLA4k",
"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUS9mM8Xbbw"
],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
2bt3p4 | why is it that some people absorb information easily while others can't? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2bt3p4/eli5_why_is_it_that_some_people_absorb/ | {
"a_id": [
"cj8mlsd",
"cj8mmrt"
],
"score": [
2,
2
],
"text": [
"It is training. Also - we absorb different kinds of information differently. For example I usually have no problem picking up new math/logic concepts, but I can't keep up with history, and can only understand music from a ma... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
46xidt | georgia's "religious freedom" bill | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/46xidt/eli5_georgias_religious_freedom_bill/ | {
"a_id": [
"d08k7jn"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"When it passed through the House the main 3 points were as follows\n\n-- It cleared ministers from having to perform marriages that violated their religious beliefs; (meaning a minister that refuses to perform a LBGT marriage cannot be sued for d... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
c9vsg6 | why is it preferable for an airplane to have the propeller pulling at the front, instead of pushing from the back? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/c9vsg6/eli5why_is_it_preferable_for_an_airplane_to_have/ | {
"a_id": [
"et3ejjt",
"et3ht21",
"et4gmvm"
],
"score": [
2,
20,
2
],
"text": [
"They airflow from the propeller at the front creates more lift as it transfer across the fuselage. It also helps the vertical stabilizer.",
"Generally propeller placement actually comes down to eng... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convair_B-36_Peacemaker",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAAB_21"
],
[]
] | ||
3qm48s | nitrogen fixation | I've read a lot about it but my teacher did a crappy job of talking about it in class, anyone have any help? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3qm48s/eli5_nitrogen_fixation/ | {
"a_id": [
"cwgd4wm",
"cwghcxc"
],
"score": [
3,
2
],
"text": [
"Basically, nitrogen is really, **really** important for living organisms. Unfortunately, most of the nitrogen on Earth is in the atmosphere in the form of N2 and most creatures lack the tools to break it apart and make use o... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
3chhdg | why do some plants have red leaves instead of green? do they get less energy from sunlight? | Here are some examples.
_URL_0_ | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3chhdg/eli5_why_do_some_plants_have_red_leaves_instead/ | {
"a_id": [
"csvks8m"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"The colour green comes from a molecule called chlorophyll in plant cells. I believe chlorophyll can come in different types, that capture different wavelengths of sunlight. In most plants, all wavelengths except for green are absorbed, so green i... | [] | [
"https://www.google.com/search?q=plants+with+red+leaves&client=ms-android-uscellular-us&espv=1&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sboxchip=Images&sa=X&ei=T1ucVYrfNoyq-AHJnb74Aw&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ&biw=360&bih=559"
] | [
[]
] | |
2q9ito | what *is* the space that gets taken up when i add "data" to my hard drive, phone, memory card, ect., and how exactly does it work? | I really don't know how to properly explain, but when I add, say, music to my phone, what exactly happens that limits the phones capacity? The phone doesn't gain any weight, and nothing actually goes inside it. There is no physical "empty space" inside of a storage device, correct? What is causing the phone to just "no... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2q9ito/eli5_what_is_the_space_that_gets_taken_up_when_i/ | {
"a_id": [
"cn435wa",
"cn436ok"
],
"score": [
14,
65
],
"text": [
"Data is stored by a specific arrangement of the physical components of the drive. For example, in a standard HDD, the data is stored as the directions of magnetic fields on billions of different locations on a coated meta... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
33t899 | what causes rivers to suddenly be rapid in certain areas? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/33t899/eli5_what_causes_rivers_to_suddenly_be_rapid_in/ | {
"a_id": [
"cqo5q7j",
"cqo6o1f"
],
"score": [
3,
3
],
"text": [
"The speed of a river is determined by a lot of factors - the steepness of the ground it's flowing down, how deep the water is, and how wide, mostly. If those change suddenly, the speed of the river can change suddenly too.",... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
4e47f3 | how is it profitable for wineries to sell their wine cheaply enough to an import/export company that i can get it on another continent for $5.70/bottle? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4e47f3/eli5_how_is_it_profitable_for_wineries_to_sell/ | {
"a_id": [
"d1x3mgd"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"There is a world wide surplus of basic grade grape wine juice. Australia, Chile, Argentina, US all produce commodity grade grape wine juice.. Perhaps you've heard of [Charles Shaw](_URL_0_), aka Two Buck Chuck. A few years ago it was about $2 at ... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Shaw_wine"
]
] | ||
aanq1o | what spurred the usage of 'xmas' in place of 'christmas'? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/aanq1o/eli5_what_spurred_the_usage_of_xmas_in_place_of/ | {
"a_id": [
"ectfnov",
"ecthy1o"
],
"score": [
8,
3
],
"text": [
"\"X\" is the Greek Letter Chi, which is the first letter of \"Christ\" when written in Greek. The X is just an abbreviation, and was used for many years by Christians as a secret code that only others would know to show they... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/wiki/how_to_search",
"http://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2Fexplainlikeimfive&subject=Can%20you%20review%20my%20thread",
"https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/wiki/detailed_rules"
]
] | ||
2nxyc5 | how do vegetables get vitamins and minerals if they only "eat" water and sunlight? | Where does it all come from? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2nxyc5/eli5_how_do_vegetables_get_vitamins_and_minerals/ | {
"a_id": [
"cmhwec8",
"cmhwf9l",
"cmhx005"
],
"score": [
6,
2,
3
],
"text": [
"They also take in nutrients from the dirt. That's how you can get things like iron etc. ",
"In order to make sugars, a plant needs certain elements in its diet. It gets Carbon from the Carbon Dioxid... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
6ql1zc | what gives fire its shape? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6ql1zc/eli5_what_gives_fire_its_shape/ | {
"a_id": [
"dky2ge0"
],
"score": [
16
],
"text": [
"When air is heated, it tends to expand.\n\nTo explain why it expands - Heat is basically the measure of vibration and movement of the actual molecules within a substance. When something is solid, these vibrations don't have enough energy to stop... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
1d651z | how do free softwares like vlc player make any money? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1d651z/eli5_how_do_free_softwares_like_vlc_player_make/ | {
"a_id": [
"c9n9z6a",
"c9nazds",
"c9nbjln",
"c9nbncq"
],
"score": [
72,
9,
7,
58
],
"text": [
"Broadly speaking, they don't, but that's okay because they aren't trying to. VLC is \"community-developed\" software; it's just a bunch of people who got together to write a vide... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
85olxj | how do air brakes work? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/85olxj/eli5_how_do_air_brakes_work/ | {
"a_id": [
"dvyywvy",
"dvyz7bz",
"dvyzm3e"
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"score": [
2,
8,
2
],
"text": [
"The air is applied to a large gasket that pushes on an acutator rod. That in turn pushes a lever attached to a rod that goes into the brake drum, the rod has a double ended cam shaped like an S that fo... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
2av1ki | how does 'immigration reform" aka legalizing 11 million people and allowing for more foreign workers help create more jobs? | Bills Gates is laying off thousands of American workers yet at the same time says that we need to bring in more foreign workers. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2av1ki/eli5_how_does_immigration_reform_aka_legalizing/ | {
"a_id": [
"ciz1am4",
"ciz1gih",
"ciz740g"
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"score": [
4,
4,
3
],
"text": [
"As far as I know, it doesn't. The only thing it will do is further depress wages. Simple supply and demand. \n",
"Im not sure how it creates more jobs but it should create more revenue. Undocum... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
xisdd | what causes the static screen when you go to a nonexistent channel on your tv. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/xisdd/eli5_what_causes_the_static_screen_when_you_go_to/ | {
"a_id": [
"c5mpksx"
],
"score": [
5
],
"text": [
"It's just noise in the electronics.\n\nIn old televisions, where you were capturing things with an antenna and adjusting with a dial, a small portion of the static at night was caused by the cosmic microwave background radiation.\n\nNumerous othe... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
523jfq | how do returns work at retail stores? what does the store do with broken returns? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/523jfq/eli5_how_do_returns_work_at_retail_stores_what/ | {
"a_id": [
"d7h0858"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"I used to work at Best Buy. When we get a return, it goes into something called functionality check where someone checks the device for accessories or any damage/defects. If it's good, they mark it \"open box\" at a discount. If it's broken, they... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
dn3swo | how do podcasts make any money on advertising when their ads are just commercials for other podcasts? | I listen to a few podcasts from the iHeartRadio network and HowStuffWorks network. During ad breaks, most of the time it's just an ad for another podcast. Does the parent company just find these podcasts to bring up the amount of listeners and then eventually put ads for products and services? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dn3swo/eli5_how_do_podcasts_make_any_money_on/ | {
"a_id": [
"f57ri9q",
"f588olf",
"f597vfz",
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"score": [
3,
3,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"They also advertise other things that cost money, like Audible books, mattresses, website hosting/design, etc.",
"Casper, Hello Fresh, Blue Apron, _URL_0_, Audible... just to n... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"Stamps.com"
],
[],
[]
] | |
ecjj6i | with the release of last christmas in 4k, how are old music videos that are so low in resolution remastered in 4k? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ecjj6i/eli5_with_the_release_of_last_christmas_in_4k_how/ | {
"a_id": [
"fbbtdwy"
],
"score": [
7
],
"text": [
"The original was shot in very high quality to physical film (35mm probably) and then was compressed for the media standards and capabilities of the day.\n\nThey just get the original footage and compress to 4k instead of whatever the first releas... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
6g1ufa | the difference between architects and engineers in the design of a project, and how they work together | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6g1ufa/eli5_the_difference_between_architects_and/ | {
"a_id": [
"dimrpc7",
"dimsvme",
"din9359",
"dinfvko"
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"score": [
6,
5,
3,
2
],
"text": [
"In as simple terms as possible, the architect comes up with the design of the building/area/whatever itself, and engineers figure out how to make the design work as closely to what... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
5uovu0 | why did competing video stores not have any issues getting all new films, yet competing online services seem to have to fight over content? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5uovu0/eli5_why_did_competing_video_stores_not_have_any/ | {
"a_id": [
"ddvpdze",
"ddvur8f"
],
"score": [
97,
3
],
"text": [
"[First sale doctrine](_URL_0_), which was court ruling that stated that once you purchased something you could do with it as you pleased. If a video was available for sale, any video store was free to purchase it and rent i... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First-sale_doctrine"
],
[]
] | ||
4fg9rz | if food contains so much energy in the kilocalorie scale, why can't we use that energy to power our homes? | We can see the nutritional value of foods sold always provide lots of energy often in the kilocalorie scale (food calorie) and if you convert that to energy values like: joules and watts, it's quite a lot!
The energy one person should eat in a day according to the officials is quite a lot. 2,000 kilocalories as said i... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4fg9rz/eli5_if_food_contains_so_much_energy_in_the/ | {
"a_id": [
"d28l1ti",
"d28l3x0",
"d28l52l"
],
"score": [
5,
3,
2
],
"text": [
"We do, its called diesel fuel. They have similar energy densities, and this is why petroleum is the most common form of transportation fuel. For stationary power plans coal is more common, but it is pre... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
1ouu48 | the bank crisis 1837 | Can someone explain to me the causes and lasting effects of it? I kinda understand that inflation went way up, but all the websites I look at use complicated terms that I'm unfamiliar with. Thanks | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ouu48/eli5_the_bank_crisis_1837/ | {
"a_id": [
"ccvzdod"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Cause:\n\nLocal banks receive federal bank money and loan too much paper money (not gold or silver) out.\n\nDetails:\n\nJackson hated the national bank and decided not to recharter its bill in 1832. This was the start of the BANK WAR. Jackson bel... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
dvrxuz | how does turning down the temperature while away from home actually save energy? | It seems to me that maintaining an internal temperature would require less energy than letting the house cool and then having to crank the furnace on high for an hour or more to raise the temperature back up to a comfortable level, assuming the external temperature is much colder than the internal temperature.
Follow... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dvrxuz/eli5_how_does_turning_down_the_temperature_while/ | {
"a_id": [
"f7ebiua",
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"f7eeg43",
"f7eehdu",
"f7efy1l"
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"score": [
4,
28,
2,
2,
3
],
"text": [
"Heating the house back up is something of a fallacy. What you are doing is replacing heat lost to the outside. Think of it as a \"black box\". The only input... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
5un4u1 | why don't we treat addictions by putting the addicted people into medically induced coma for a long time? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5un4u1/eli5_why_dont_we_treat_addictions_by_putting_the/ | {
"a_id": [
"ddv9ldw",
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"ddv9lwp",
"ddv9mf6",
"ddvb0y2"
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"score": [
8,
2,
3,
2,
3
],
"text": [
"This wouldn't address the behavioral factors that brought people to their addictions.",
"I like to think half of it is a change of lifestyle.\n\nYou can g... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
6mrg3q | shouldn't many more of us have bed bugs? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6mrg3q/eli5shouldnt_many_more_of_us_have_bed_bugs/ | {
"a_id": [
"dk3sdzw",
"dk3vay1"
],
"score": [
3,
2
],
"text": [
"Oh they are a real problem. \n\nBut they don't get around too well by riding on people. \n\nThey aren't like fleas, who are highly mobile. Bed bugs are slow and don't jump. So if you sit on a couch with bed bugs, you might ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://www.slate.com/content/dam/slate/articles/health_and_science/Science/2011/10/111005_SCI_bedBugChart.jpg"
]
] | ||
500zby | what is the difference between decibel and sone? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/500zby/eli5what_is_the_difference_between_decibel_and/ | {
"a_id": [
"d70brik"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"The decibel (dB) is a unit used to express the ratio of two values of a physical quantity, often power or intensity. One of these values is often a standard reference value, in which case the decibel is used to express the level of the other valu... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
1a1ah2 | what is the big deal about "unlocked" smartphones? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1a1ah2/eli5_what_is_the_big_deal_about_unlocked/ | {
"a_id": [
"c8t6mkl",
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],
"score": [
4,
17
],
"text": [
"an unlocked smart phone would allow you to use it on any carrier, and in the case of Europe put in any SIM card that is prepaid (or pay as you go). It means that you can have a phone that can work on any carrier and not be ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
889wka | mechanical advantage | Could anyone explain me how does it become 4 times lighter in this system of pulleys?
_URL_0_ | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/889wka/eli5mechanical_advantage/ | {
"a_id": [
"dwj16ti"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Pulleys provide a mechanical advantage depending on how many wheels they have. \n\nThis can be explained using a few simple concepts. \n\nIf you were to tie a rope to an object (let’s say it’s a brick) and you threw the other end over a tree bran... | [] | [
"https://youtu.be/b7zWwo9dbiU?t=1m56s"
] | [
[]
] | |
f69j35 | why do some cuts heal quicker than others | Ever since i started working as an electrician i frequently get small cuts on my hands. Nothing serious but i noticed these cuts tend to heal a lot slower then when i cut my self while shaving for example. Can somebody please enlighten me? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/f69j35/eli5_why_do_some_cuts_heal_quicker_than_others/ | {
"a_id": [
"fi3chny",
"fi3fdel",
"fi3onpn"
],
"score": [
10,
3,
6
],
"text": [
"Some parts of your body, like the inside of your mouth, are \"primed\" to heal and will heal much faster than other parts. Cuts on your hands, or anywhere where the skin is constantly being stretched a... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
51xirr | advertising with use of a competitor's name | Apologies for that bad title but I'll explain more here..
I've recently seen an advertisement for the Microsoft Surface tablet where, within the advert, the proposed user of the tablet claims they "couldn't do that with my mac".
Does Microsoft have to gain permission from Apple to do this? Do they have to pay Apple... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/51xirr/eli5_advertising_with_use_of_a_competitors_name/ | {
"a_id": [
"d7fmrt5"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"A Mac is a real thing that exists. You don't need permission to call something by its name. It's honestly that simple. "
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
1jzcx8 | how come bottled water is such a hot commodity while other animals can still drink water from unfiltered lakes and rivers? | I understand that pure water = good for you, however why do we place such a high priority for it when any other mammal can drink lake water without any repercussions? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1jzcx8/eli5_how_come_bottled_water_is_such_a_hot/ | {
"a_id": [
"cbjrqki",
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"cbjvtfm",
"cbjxe7s",
"cbjz3ke"
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"score": [
80,
6,
5,
14,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"Wild animals have lots of parasites and DO face serious repercussions. There's a reason the animals in zoos live longer and grow bigge... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giardia"
]
] | |
5u5xxe | why does it always feel like there's somebody behind you in the dark? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5u5xxe/eli5_why_does_it_always_feel_like_theres_somebody/ | {
"a_id": [
"ddrlxpi",
"ddrlztm"
],
"score": [
5,
11
],
"text": [
"Most human instincts are based on a time and place when it was super dangerous to be out and about in the dark. There were no street lights or flashlights to guide the way. There was little to no protection from dangerous a... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
9rwmgg | why doesnt earthing a connection discharge all the electricity in the circuit? | And if there need to be a completion of a circuit for current to flow, how can the earth ever complete a circuit? Even lighting isnt a complete circuit, is it? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9rwmgg/eli5_why_doesnt_earthing_a_connection_discharge/ | {
"a_id": [
"e8k7ub2",
"e8kj16o"
],
"score": [
3,
2
],
"text": [
"In normal circuit operation, you need a closed loop to keep the current flowing. But that is only true in \"steady state\"; you can have short term current flow without a closed loop. \n \nAll you really need to get cur... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
3i91uf | why are some people able to survive huge falls while some die instantly from much smaller ones? | Vesna Vulovic survived a fall from 33,333 feet. There are people that fall from apartments windows, much lower down yet they often die. Is it just down to how they land? Or something more complex? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3i91uf/eli5_why_are_some_people_able_to_survive_huge/ | {
"a_id": [
"cued33n",
"cueh3yi"
],
"score": [
6,
2
],
"text": [
"A mixture of extreme luck and what you land on. If its concrete your dead, if its grass or dirt you have a very small chance of bouncing a few times breaking lots of bones but still potentially surviving. Human terminal ve... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
7o4q5u | why does perception of color change after taking off ski goggles? | I was out shoveling in the snow storm that hit NYC wearing red-pink ski goggles. When I came back into the house and took them off, everything had a greenish hue. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7o4q5u/eli5_why_does_perception_of_color_change_after/ | {
"a_id": [
"ds6rvw1",
"ds6vryf",
"ds6w0b6"
],
"score": [
7,
2,
13
],
"text": [
"The brain automatically tries to balance our perception to a reasonable white balance which means a tinted lens or lighting will be compensated for given time. But once they are removed it also takes a... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
5gngc3 | why can't you pay for gift cards with a credit card? | I get the redundancy of it. You're basically transferring money from one card to another. But why is it not allowed as opposed to not being recommended? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5gngc3/eli5_why_cant_you_pay_for_gift_cards_with_a/ | {
"a_id": [
"datkq6o",
"datkrsb",
"datlcug",
"datlnki"
],
"score": [
4,
2,
3,
2
],
"text": [
"At some stores, the 2-3% bank charge on a credit card transaction isn't worth it. Let's say you buy a $100 gift card with your credit card, the store only gets $97.50. That's los... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
cki7ls | what is a motif in music? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cki7ls/eli5_what_is_a_motif_in_music/ | {
"a_id": [
"evnlcnz"
],
"score": [
5
],
"text": [
"Your motif is part of music that's repeated to invoke a specific emotion or feeling in a musical piece.\n\nI'm some styles of music a motif will come back always the same to create familiarity, In other pieces a motif can change a little bit ever... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
3uu5lh | why do astronauts wear white? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3uu5lh/eli5_why_do_astronauts_wear_white/ | {
"a_id": [
"cxhsq7m",
"cxhsrwi"
],
"score": [
8,
13
],
"text": [
"Astronauts wear white to reflect sunlight. Otherwise the spacesuit would get too hot and the person inside could be in serious danger, or even die, from being too hot. One layer of the space suit is called the [Liquid Cooli... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquid_Cooling_and_Ventilation_Garment"
],
[]
] | ||
2tlhls | whatever happend to kony2012 and why isnt there something similar for boko haram who's actions have been much worse? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2tlhls/eli5_whatever_happend_to_kony2012_and_why_isnt/ | {
"a_id": [
"co038bi",
"co03c6x",
"co044f5"
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"score": [
3,
11,
5
],
"text": [
"Probably because Kony2012 didn't do anything. ",
"If I recall correctly, there were two main reasons why the Kony 2012 hype quickly died down:\n\n1) People who were actually familiar with the situa... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
fblc3y | why does vasoconstriction lead to better blood flow? | I keep reading, as a science student, that when blood flow or pressure goes down, arterioles constrict in order to raise blood pressure. But vasoconstriction actually increases resistance, thereby depriving the tissue further of blood flow.
So what is it that I'm not understanding? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/fblc3y/eli5_why_does_vasoconstriction_lead_to_better/ | {
"a_id": [
"fj4zlnr"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"Vasoconstriction does not increase blood *flow*. It increases blood *pressure*. If all things were equal, that would normally increase blood flow. But as you note, making the blood vessels smaller increases the resistance to flow. \n \nIf y... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
79fbf6 | why are "girl" pushups so much easier than regular ones? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/79fbf6/eli5_why_are_girl_pushups_so_much_easier_than/ | {
"a_id": [
"dp1iftw",
"dp1im59"
],
"score": [
2,
3
],
"text": [
"There was an r/askscience post that blew up a couple days ago about what percentage of you body weight do you lift up while doing push ups. \nIIRC: Knee push ups had a smaller percentage, meaning you were pushing up less wei... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://i.imgur.com/2PagQIv.png",
"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20179649"
],
[]
] | ||
3kgh0w | how long does holy water stay holy? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3kgh0w/eli5_how_long_does_holy_water_stay_holy/ | {
"a_id": [
"cux6yly",
"cux7svq",
"cuxa4kv"
],
"score": [
2,
3,
3
],
"text": [
"Any water blessed by a priest is Holy Water. \n\nIt's mostly used for anointing something. We would dip our fingers in Holy Water and do the sign of the cross when entering and exiting mass, for exampl... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
25fcpw | is it possible for humans to choose their own personalities? | This seems a bit philosophical… There is no limit for age of the individual (early adult/later in life). I am just curious in general.
Does the individual have agency in personality change?
Any personality psychologists out there?
| explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/25fcpw/eli5is_it_possible_for_humans_to_choose_their_own/ | {
"a_id": [
"chgmkie"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"There are some things you can't change. For instance, I am a very anxious person. I don't like that about myself, but I can't just stop being one. With a lot of personal effort and some counseling, I will become a slightly less anxious person, bu... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
5nua75 | is there a science behind photographers telling us to say cheese? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5nua75/eli5_is_there_a_science_behind_photographers/ | {
"a_id": [
"dcecw4i"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"The \"eeeeeeeeeeeeee\" bit results in a kinda-natural looking smile. And everyone knows that word, it's a very common word with a drawn out long e sound.\n\nIf you tell people \"make a natural smile\" you get everything from \"not a natural smile... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
e7scmc | what is pencil tip made up of? lead or graphite or both? why? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/e7scmc/eli5_what_is_pencil_tip_made_up_of_lead_or/ | {
"a_id": [
"fa470b8",
"fa47yzk",
"fa4cr0v"
],
"score": [
6,
2,
3
],
"text": [
"It contains no lead at all. It's made of graphite. The term \"pencil lead\" is only a reference to graphite's color, which is similar to lead's color.",
"There is no lead in pencils. Rather, the cor... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
9yhdqh | when you're awaiting surgery why will they not even let you have a glass of water if you're thirsty as hell? why aren't all the iv fluids quenching the thirst anyway? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9yhdqh/eli5_when_youre_awaiting_surgery_why_will_they/ | {
"a_id": [
"ea1amwn",
"ea1at5u",
"ea1axnw"
],
"score": [
18,
24,
2
],
"text": [
"If you throw up while you’re asleep you can choke to death. IV fluids are all salt water, they keep you hydrated but don’t keep you from getting thirsty.",
"You can't drink anything because there ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
acfjrs | how do locks and keys work when it comes down to uniqueness? is every lock-key combination unique? or could i get lucky and could i find another door or bike lock that matches my key? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/acfjrs/eli5_how_do_locks_and_keys_work_when_it_comes/ | {
"a_id": [
"ed7jk2h",
"ed7pr2y",
"ed8ga28"
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"score": [
15,
4,
2
],
"text": [
"Great minds think alike. I may have found yer answer, matey. Yer not alone in askin', and kind strangers have explained:\n\n1. [ELI5: Is each lock and key combination unique, or do I share the same hou... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://np.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3omzyv/eli5_if_every_lock_is_unique_and_requires_a/",
"https://np.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1vb1ev/how_are_there_enough_variations_for_keys_that/",
"https://np.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2zkuvz/eli5_is_each_lock_and_key_com... | ||
70mzfk | why is there such a loud sound when we clap? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/70mzfk/eli5_why_is_there_such_a_loud_sound_when_we_clap/ | {
"a_id": [
"dn4i140"
],
"score": [
55
],
"text": [
"You're compressing the air between your hands rapidly, creating a pressure wave. Which is, you know, what sound is.\n\nThe best, loudest claps involve cupping your hands to trap more air between them. Your hands squeeze that air together before ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
1d76ak | why does lettuce, the white part, get all brown and slimey? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1d76ak/eli5why_does_lettuce_the_white_part_get_all_brown/ | {
"a_id": [
"c9ntgvz"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"It's residue from bacterial decomposition. Basically, the lettuce is going bad (rotting). "
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
7bw706 | why is it seemingly impossible to sync your blinker with the car in front of you? even if it's the same make/model? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7bw706/eli5why_is_it_seemingly_impossible_to_sync_your/ | {
"a_id": [
"dpl87i8"
],
"score": [
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"text": [
"(This may not be true for all cars, but it has been on the cars I've owned). The on/off blink timing for your turn signals isn't controlled by a chip, its controlled by an analogue circuit that uses the relative resistances of the lights/lamps ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
fzujof | how can people with alzheimers/dementia remember to speak and understand, for the most part, general conversations - but can forget things like their children, to eat, basic personal hygiene, etc? | Are these memories held in different parts of the brain? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/fzujof/eli5_how_can_people_with_alzheimersdementia/ | {
"a_id": [
"fn6670l",
"fn68dq9"
],
"score": [
3,
2
],
"text": [
"Things like speech and understanding are impacted as well, but they are distributed in the brain over many neurons, not necessarily in the same spot, so they are easier to access even with impediments. Specific memories will... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
66o562 | why do athletes get heart attacks? | I've known of two professional athletes that have died of a heart attack in the last few days. Both past their prime but definitely not old either and still fit (retired from competitive sport). why would someone still very fit get a heart attack? If anything id have thought professionally fit people who look after the... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/66o562/eli5_why_do_athletes_get_heart_attacks/ | {
"a_id": [
"dgjz53e"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"Exercise and activity is good for your body and for being fit, but athletes by definition go much farther than the state of being fit with the activity that they do. As such it is not uncommon for them to over tax their hearts and lungs, and if t... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
2nm49l | if somebody shot a gun directly at you, how far away from the shooter would you have to be to realistically jump out of the way of the bullet in time? | I realize it also depends on the kind of gun. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2nm49l/eli5_if_somebody_shot_a_gun_directly_at_you_how/ | {
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"score": [
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"text": [
"W... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://www.mythbusterstheexhibition.com/science-content/dodge-a-bullet/"
],
[
"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hbh6lEfwFyg"
],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
cffyeh | where and how do mountains, rivers, forests, and deserts form? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cffyeh/eli5_where_and_how_do_mountains_rivers_forests/ | {
"a_id": [
"eu9oal2"
],
"score": [
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"text": [
"Generally speaking mountains form in one of two ways.\n\nThe primary way is due to plate tectonics. The surface of the Earth, the continents and sea floor are broken up into a series of plates which sit on top of the mantle which is made up of li... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
6ofrt5 | what happens to the newly "dead" bacteria on your hands after you use hand sanitizer that "kills" bacteria? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6ofrt5/eli5_what_happens_to_the_newly_dead_bacteria_on/ | {
"a_id": [
"dkh3gr0",
"dkh5klv",
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"score": [
9,
1119,
664,
108,
77,
13,
60,
99,
49,
3,
703,
... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[
"https://np.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5640rc/eli5_if_bacteria_die_from_for_example_boiled/d8g5638/?st=j5cl6s7i&sh=47fa9c1d"
],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[
"https://redd.it/5640rc",
"https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/about/rules#"
],
[],
... | ||
4bxdcd | why do our eyes "burn" when they are red? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4bxdcd/eli5_why_do_our_eyes_burn_when_they_are_red/ | {
"a_id": [
"d1d9pcy"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"Red eyes usually mean there's a degree of inflamation going on. During inflamation, several chemicals are released and they cause blood vessels to become swollen and they become visible. Burning and Itching sensations are transmitted through unmy... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
2pl6uv | how did they make glass 1,500 years ago? | Referring to the post on the front page about the discovered mummies:
_URL_0_
There were glass artifacts dug up, how did they manage to make them without modern tools and machines? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2pl6uv/eli5_how_did_they_make_glass_1500_years_ago/ | {
"a_id": [
"cmxobds"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"You just need a really hot kiln.\n\nIf you can make iron things you can make glass.\n\nGlass isnt hard to make."
]
} | [] | [
"http://www.livescience.com/49147-egyptian-cemetery-million-mummies.html"
] | [
[]
] | |
3l0lrt | how can a color blind person correctly name previously unseen colors when wearing enchroma glasses? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3l0lrt/eli5_how_can_a_color_blind_person_correctly_name/ | {
"a_id": [
"cv24p7q",
"cv24qm0",
"cv24spw",
"cv24swm",
"cv2637s"
],
"score": [
2,
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12,
3,
2
],
"text": [
"My guess is that they already know what color the object they're looking at is, but can't see it correctly.",
"Just a guess but I would assume they have ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
63es0h | why does zalgo text seem to display everywhere regardless of localization? | I'm talking about t̠͚̺̝̠̤̟h̜͙̤i͏s̵ ̞͇̝k̛̗͉i̭͕͓̻̲ņd͍̼ ͍̮o̙̯̬͔͍̗̝͜f̘͕̠͕͕͓ ͙̘̠̖̞̠b̘͝i͕̲z
I understand that they're combinations of "stacked" characters. What I don't understand is that it seems to break localization restrictions. Take a phone messaging service - why are the combined characters able to go beyond the spee... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/63es0h/eli5_why_does_zalgo_text_seem_to_display/ | {
"a_id": [
"dftkj2d"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"Zalgo text takes advantage of tricks built into unicode. \n\nUnicode is a standard for how text in all the world's major languages should be handled. It includes support not just for the latin alphabet but quite a few writing systems, including o... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
733jpf | why do (most) americans reject cars with a manual shift stick? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/733jpf/eli5_why_do_most_americans_reject_cars_with_a/ | {
"a_id": [
"dnnbb9q",
"dnnbcq8",
"dnnbkj4"
],
"score": [
4,
5,
2
],
"text": [
"1. Automatic transmissions are price-competitive here (and in many models the auto is actually cheaper).\n2. Gas prices in the US have historically been very low by European standards. So the gas-saving... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
bi1ddn | how are artificial color dyes made differently from natural color dyes? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bi1ddn/eli5_how_are_artificial_color_dyes_made/ | {
"a_id": [
"elxa4ux"
],
"score": [
27
],
"text": [
"Natural dyes are made by taking something that's the right color and processing it into a dye.\n\nArtificial dyes are made by putting generic, commodity chemicals into a chemical reaction process that ends up with a dye."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
2gw40r | what did roger goodell do to cause such an uproar for him to resign? | I'm from London, and so not a lot of talk about Goodell here, but all I see on reddit is that he should resign, but not much of why. Any explanations will be appreciated. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2gw40r/eli5_what_did_roger_goodell_do_to_cause_such_an/ | {
"a_id": [
"ckn243q",
"cknj6mg"
],
"score": [
2,
2
],
"text": [
"He is the commissioner of the NFL and a lot of people are angry over how he handled the domestic violence controversy plaguing the league right now.\n\nRay Rice was allowed to stay on the team and play while the issue played... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
dvzfnp | how do children acquire word meaning? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dvzfnp/eli5_how_do_children_acquire_word_meaning/ | {
"a_id": [
"f7fok1i",
"f7fqaek"
],
"score": [
4,
9
],
"text": [
"Tell someone to pick something up and make up a word. boom. They pick up a \"rock\" nah, that's a gangalafuck.",
"Most of it is context and repetition. You see a dog, you point at the dog, you say \"dog\". Your kid assoc... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
1m718d | how do employer personality assessment tests work and how could someone possibly fail one? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1m718d/eli5_how_do_employer_personality_assessment_tests/ | {
"a_id": [
"cc6dcfe",
"cc6f0pt"
],
"score": [
3,
2
],
"text": [
"If you're applying for a sales position (or any customer-facing position), but your personality test indicates that you're strongly shy and introverted, they might consider that a \"fail\". It's not a judgement of you as a p... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
80hfk7 | if the sun and moon are both visible (and well above the horizon), how could the moon still have a shadow? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/80hfk7/eli5_if_the_sun_and_moon_are_both_visible_and/ | {
"a_id": [
"duvlfu8",
"duvlgbt",
"duvnd71"
],
"score": [
2,
3,
3
],
"text": [
"About half of the Moon is always in shadow, just like Earth. The lit side of both spheroids is the side facing the sun. The only time we can't see that shadow is when the moon is on the exact opposite s... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
72xnok | why are polygons in 3d modelling software by default triangles/rectangles (pentagons & up) | title is sort of vague, but I've worked in a few 3D modelling programs and while you can have as many vertices to one polygon as you please, and even make your own shapes, but they are by default only made as triangles or rectangles,
(excluding circles.) I've always wondered why instead of using less vertices, and pol... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/72xnok/eli5_why_are_polygons_in_3d_modelling_software_by/ | {
"a_id": [
"dnm2n1g",
"dnm2zd6",
"dnm6pdj",
"dnm7igg",
"dnmda7s"
],
"score": [
2,
17,
6,
7,
3
],
"text": [
"Any polygon can be divided up into multiple, adjacent triangles without changing the vertex count. Math for interacting with 3D object can be quite complex, ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
1d6a20 | when does it stop being an homage or reference to another great work and cross over to becoming plagiarism/stealing copyrighted works? | I often hear stories about how certain movie or TV show lines are references to other movies/TV shows. How come these are okay, when I doubt that the writers tracked down the original creators and asked permission to use those lines? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1d6a20/eli5_when_does_it_stop_being_an_homage_or/ | {
"a_id": [
"c9nalvb"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"When the copyright owner decides to sue you."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
2wjdju | why is a 'swiss bank account' such a bigger thing than other countries bank accounts? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2wjdju/eli5_why_is_a_swiss_bank_account_such_a_bigger/ | {
"a_id": [
"cordhz3",
"cordidi",
"cordkce",
"coriyjn",
"corj2dw",
"corjblr",
"corjd9s",
"corjqb0",
"corkxvo",
"corl7tu",
"corlg39",
"corlj3x",
"cormm7n",
"cormsbo",
"cormsvp",
"cormufu",
"cormvaf",
"cornl0b",
"cornvyg",
"coroldz",
"c... | [] | [] | [
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[],
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[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
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[],
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[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
6dnu84 | how do farmers make sure that no fertilized/developing eggs make it to market? | I assume hens and roosters aren't put together, but especially for free range, I'm sure at some point a rooster and hen must have found a way to get frisky | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6dnu84/eli5_how_do_farmers_make_sure_that_no/ | {
"a_id": [
"di40r4s",
"di41gwb",
"di422w1",
"di4cr2n",
"di4dzr8"
],
"score": [
30,
13,
6,
2,
4
],
"text": [
"Eggs can only get fertilized when there are roosters around to fertilize the eggs. No roosters, no fertilized eggs. So the way farmers make sure that no fer... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
16q17m | what does java do for the computer? | With the problems with having to disable it, I'm just wondering. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/16q17m/what_does_java_do_for_the_computer/ | {
"a_id": [
"c7yax27",
"c7ybkpi"
],
"score": [
2,
2
],
"text": [
"Java is an environment that programs can run in, kinda like Flash Player.\n\nWithout Flash Player, you cannot watch Flash animations or play Flash games. Similarly, without Java, you can't play Java games or use Java program... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
qxadu | - xkcd comic #1028 | I don't really understand [it](_URL_0_). Does this mean I'm bad at communicating information to others, or understanding pictorial array's attempts at communicating? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/qxadu/eli5_xkcd_comic_1028/ | {
"a_id": [
"c416oyi",
"c418q3u",
"c419aq1"
],
"score": [
6,
7,
5
],
"text": [
"White hat sees a dangerous trench, tries to warn others verbally. \n\nShort Hair and Woman don't understand (or at least don't pay attention to) the danger until they experience it for themselves by fal... | [] | [
"http://xkcd.com/1028/"
] | [
[],
[
"www.explainxkcd.com"
],
[]
] | |
803vxi | why do you feel unsafe when limbs are sticking out under your blankets? | And why does this not apply to your head? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/803vxi/eli5_why_do_you_feel_unsafe_when_limbs_are/ | {
"a_id": [
"dussdcr",
"duuanxn"
],
"score": [
18,
2
],
"text": [
"I’m not a psychologist but I imagine it has to do with feeling exposed. When you sleep you’re at your most vulnerable so I think the body is trying to protect itself as best as possible before falling asleep. It’s that or ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
3jnnqx | why is there so many muslims in indonesia, malaysia ... ? | Edit : My question may seems a bit racist for some of you but I am not. I thought it would have been more logical for these countries to be animist or buddhist. I don't have any problem with muslims and people from there ! I just wanted to understand why that's it. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3jnnqx/eli5why_is_there_so_many_muslims_in_indonesia/ | {
"a_id": [
"cuqs43j"
],
"score": [
17
],
"text": [
"Back in the day the Indian Ocean was host to a lot of trade (for the time). Monsoon winds helped reliably carry trade from as far as China to East Africa. \n\nA lot of the trade came to be dominated by Muslim merchants. In much the same way that... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
bglqtz | why are some gun calibers stronger than others, yet going by name 7.62mm is weaker than .338? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bglqtz/eli5_why_are_some_gun_calibers_stronger_than/ | {
"a_id": [
"ellsvtw",
"ellsxtd",
"ellw0m0",
"ellytag"
],
"score": [
12,
6,
5,
4
],
"text": [
"The caliber refers to the size of the projectile, not the amount of powder used to propel that projectile.",
"Different calibers use different amounts of powder and different ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
2s8bjt | how does using cough medicine help your health? | I always thought cough medicine would be worse for you in the long run, since it stops you coughing up stuff that shouldn't be where it is. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2s8bjt/eli5how_does_using_cough_medicine_help_your_health/ | {
"a_id": [
"cnn38dp"
],
"score": [
4
],
"text": [
"It doesn't help your health, it simply suppresses your cough. IOW: It alleviates a symptom; it doesn't cure an infliction. "
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
5y7lh8 | what happens to dead bodies without any family or friends? | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5y7lh8/eli5_what_happens_to_dead_bodies_without_any/ | {
"a_id": [
"denr8vn",
"denwurh"
],
"score": [
2,
2
],
"text": [
"Depends on the state but if there is no will or estate left behind then they will usually be cremated. In my area if organ donors are found this way they sometimes make it to our forensic labs to help with decomp analysis or... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
65prfd | how did nail polish become a thing? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/65prfd/eli5_how_did_nail_polish_become_a_thing/ | {
"a_id": [
"dgc6w1a",
"dgcx12x"
],
"score": [
8,
2
],
"text": [
"In Ancient Egypt and a few other ancient cultures the wealthy lacquered or otherwise painted their nails as a sign of status. The fact that they were able to afford the make-up and lived a leisurely enough life that they did... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
2z52yz | why do humans seem to be the only animal that actively helps and feeds other strange* animals? | How many times do you see people helping a baby after it hurts itself. Or how many people feed wild animals.
How come you never see (I guess my question is DO they) a wild animal help another wild animal? Like, I've heard stories of wild lions and snakes taking care of a human baby. (Okay, not take care of but prote... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2z52yz/eli5_why_do_humans_seem_to_be_the_only_animal/ | {
"a_id": [
"cpfq9l4",
"cpfwqon"
],
"score": [
3,
2
],
"text": [
"There are cases, noy entirely sure why(instinct?) but there are cases.\nFor instance when X female mammal breastfeeds some other X mammal.",
"Many animals have a protective/parenting instinct. Dolphins are known to prote... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
1zosjs | if there was a nuclear strike, why wouldn't be able to make the missiles explode at a safer distance with a drone or a different missile? | I know that we can use missiles to shoot down other falling objects, so why couldn't we scramble a missile or drone to intercept and explode one before it reached its destination? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1zosjs/eli5if_there_was_a_nuclear_strike_why_wouldnt_be/ | {
"a_id": [
"cfvnbzt"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"ICBM's are extremely fast (upwards of Mach 23 on the LGM-30 Minuteman) towards the re-entry phase of the missile as it returns into earth's atmosphere. \n\nThe best odds would be to strike one before it re-enters earths atmosphere which would inv... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
96n2qp | why do so many game devs tie physics and other calculations to frame rate? | So many games ported to PC have horrendous support for higher refresh rates, which I know is because the developers have tied certain things like physics calculations to the frame rate. Is this done for a good reason today, or is this a relic of the bronze age of gaming that should and will get better? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/96n2qp/eli5_why_do_so_many_game_devs_tie_physics_and/ | {
"a_id": [
"e41tbg4",
"e41tfmw",
"e41tk5c",
"e41tl19"
],
"score": [
33,
8,
6,
3
],
"text": [
"Because it's easier. There are two other options:\n\n1) make physics and logic still tied to the actual framerate but scale it by the time between each frame\n\n2) run physics sep... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
a2tu83 | what happens in the us when a president dies? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a2tu83/eli5_what_happens_in_the_us_when_a_president_dies/ | {
"a_id": [
"eb148bm",
"eb148un",
"eb14a96",
"eb18e55"
],
"score": [
4,
3,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"You haven't been paying attention. When Gerald Ford died they closed the stock market on January 2, 2007. When Reagan died the markets were closed on June 11, 2004. Not a new thing... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] |
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