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value | url stringlengths 4 110 | answers dict | title_urls list | selftext_urls list | answers_urls list |
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942aft | how do sodium and potassium help aid in hydration? | I feel like I have a vague understanding of the sodium potassium pump but can't fully conceptualize how this relates to (or if it does at all) hydration, or water getting into the cells. If the cells pump sodium out and bring potassium in, wouldn't the water stay outside of the cell? To go further, how does the sodium ... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/942aft/eli5_how_do_sodium_and_potassium_help_aid_in/ | {
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"You're on the right track with the sodium-potassium pump in relation to how muscle utilize the electrolytes.\n\nFor actual \"hydration\", sodium and potassium don't directly help with hydration. As muscles do their thing, and your body sweats, i... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
16kgcm | do abusive parents produce abusive children, or submissive ones? | It would make sense that an abused child would live life fearfully, but it also makes sense that abuse happens in unbroken cycles. Is one of these right? Or possibly both? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/16kgcm/eli5_do_abusive_parents_produce_abusive_children/ | {
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"They can produce fucked up kids who can be submissive and/or abusive at different places in their lives.",
"In cases of abused children, generally you end up with both situati... | [] | [] | [
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j2flh | can someone please explain exactly what a 'realist' person is? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/j2flh/can_someone_please_explain_exactly_what_a_realist/ | {
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"text": [
"Sorry, but could you clarify? In what situation did you hear this being used? International politics, US politics, everyday life?",
"A realist is best seen as an opposite to an 'idealist' (someone who is focused on idea... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
bvnzyy | why do some large, multimillion dollar companies have so much trouble making a website that works well on mobile ? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bvnzyy/eli5_why_do_some_large_multimillion_dollar/ | {
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"Those are usually riddled with ads, adware, tracking stuff for future ads and adware etc. Most news sites are now... | [] | [] | [
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967xa7 | how do domesticated pets know they're pregnant, especially that they're not surrounded by a community of themselves who might be familiar with pregnancy? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/967xa7/eli5_how_do_domesticated_pets_know_theyre/ | {
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"Domesticated animals are much less capable of knowledge than humans, so I'm not sure exactly what you mean by \"know.\" Certainly pregnancy results in a number of physiological changes that can act as triggers for instinctiv... | [] | [] | [
[],
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27n5i9 | why aren't we supposed to lock our knees when standing? | I don't understand why it's bad to lock your knees when standing. How else are you supposed to stand? Like you're riding a skateboard?
**edit: thanks guys! just to clarify i actually don't ride skateboards, i was just thinking that skateboarders kind of bend their knees, and i was wondering if i was supposed to stand... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/27n5i9/eli5_why_arent_we_supposed_to_lock_our_knees_when/ | {
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3cqycl | how did donald trump end up with so much money? | He obviously inherited a good chunk, but I've heard all sorts of tales about how (and how well) he handled his money after that: "He would be worth more if he had just put his money in the stock market"; "He took advantage of the bankruptcy system"; "He made back his money by selling his name"; etc., but I don't have a... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3cqycl/eli5_how_did_donald_trump_end_up_with_so_much/ | {
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"he made a business of getting investors to pay for a building to be built, called trump hotel, tower, ect. he didnt use his own money that had been used up with a previous failu... | [] | [] | [
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87zvzl | how does ovulation work? what are 'safe days' and 'fertile days'? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/87zvzl/eli5_how_does_ovulation_work_what_are_safe_days/ | {
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"Fertile days are the ones just before, during and just after ovulation, about 3-5 days depending on your cycle. It's the time you're most likely to get pregnant. Ovulation is when one of your ovaries re... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://youtu.be/WOi2Bwvp6hw"
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[]
] | ||
3e1cpt | why isn't the white house flag at half staff following the tn shootings? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3e1cpt/eli5_why_isnt_the_white_house_flag_at_half_staff/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
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"text": [
"short answer is it's unclear. They lowered after Fort Hood, but don't usually lower federally for soldiers killed in line of duty. \n\n_URL_0_"
]
} | [] | [] | [
[
"http://m.snopes.com/2015/07/19/chattanooga-flags-half-staff/"
]
] | ||
5ahxbr | why was the morse code discontinued? | It seems very versatile, not just for telegrams but for secret messaging and transmission of knowledge with just visuals. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5ahxbr/eli5_why_was_the_morse_code_discontinued/ | {
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"text": [
"Morse code became obsolete when people found ways to transmit voice over radio/wire. As for the \"secret\" messages - they are not really secret, since anyone who knows the Morse code can decode them. A... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
1q0sny | why the king of hearts (also known as the suicide king), is more often than not, depicted having a sword through his head | [Here's](_URL_0_) an example of 4 seperate card decks with the suicide king, including the King of Hearts from both The Simpson's and Futurama's decks (Although in the Simpsons deck, The jack of hearts is responsible for the barrel of the gun).
Does anyone know why this is a recurring thing? Just Google image search "... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1q0sny/eli5_why_the_king_of_hearts_also_known_as_the/ | {
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"c... | [] | [
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"http://i.imgur.com/Xx86un0.jpg",
"http://i.imgur.com/KNx0ejX.jpg"
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1qplad | why do the vast majority of government websites look old and outdated? | Adding on to this question, since their design was funded in the first place, why aren't they updated? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1qplad/eli5_why_do_the_vast_majority_of_government/ | {
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"text": [
"Changes in design require new funding. Web development for the government doesn't run cheap - you have tons of regulation that has to be dealt with in addition to normal development.\n\nThey will probably at minimum need to ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
no118 | the third prong on an electrical plug | I know it's called a ground plug, and I know that it's a safety measure, but beyond that I don't know why it's there and why it's better to have one. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/no118/eli5_the_third_prong_on_an_electrical_plug/ | {
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"I took this from my physics class (15 years old) what it does, assuming their was a fault like an opencircuit and the resistance sky r... | [] | [] | [
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"http://amasci.com/amateur/whygnd.html"
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j2grc | can someone explain stimulus package (like i'm 5)? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/j2grc/can_someone_explain_stimulus_package_like_im_5/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"Governments pay for projects, (like new highways or theatres,) so that more people can have jobs.\n\nThen more people will have money to spend, which will make more jobs for other people, (like shoemakers and dentists,) and soon enough people wil... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
1vgats | how is a spacecraft going to land on a meteor | I have been hearing a lot lately about new space probes landing on meteors. How is it possible that something that is moving so much faster than a planet and is also of a much smaller size can have any sort of gravitational pull for a probe to land on it. Some of the terminology I'm using is definitely off also. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1vgats/eli5_how_is_a_spacecraft_going_to_land_on_a_meteor/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"There doesn't have to be significant gravitational pull - the probe will essentially fly up alongside and match velocities so that it ends up touching the meteor. This is very similar to a spacecraft docking at the space sta... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
329x7a | what happens when we get "butterflys" in our stomach? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/329x7a/eli5_what_happens_when_we_get_butterflys_in_our/ | {
"a_id": [
"cq9966e"
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"score": [
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"text": [
"When you're nervous, your body floods with adrenaline. It's known as the fight-or-flight response as your body gets ready to react whatever way it needs to a danger. \n\nOne of the things that happens is your body reduces blood flow to nonessent... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
3ep5rc | why do extreme temperatures make me lethargic? | My AC is been out for a couple of days and its 100 degrees out. All I wanna do is loaf around. Same when its really cold. What up with that? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ep5rc/eli5_why_do_extreme_temperatures_make_me_lethargic/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
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"text": [
"It takes a lot of energy for your body to either heat itself up or cool itself down. Leaves less energy for things like exercise... which will in turn only heat you up further. Shivering when you're cold is a way for your body to generate heat ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
9vohww | why are fertility rates decreasing? | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9vohww/eli5_why_are_fertility_rates_decreasing/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"People are having less babies. Infant mortality dropped, women have other things to do than just parent, we have birth control. We can control when we get pregnant, and we don't need large families the way we use to.\n\nFert... | [] | [] | [
[],
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] | |
1wwcvf | how do they show events that have not happened yet on t.v.? (ads for the opening ceremonies in sochi) | I was watching a commercial for the Olympics in Sochi that Start on Thursday and they had footage from the opening ceremonies like the torch being lit and countries walking in the stadium and being introduced. How do they do that if these events have not happened yet? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1wwcvf/eli5how_do_they_show_events_that_have_not/ | {
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"text": [
"That's footage from past Winter Olympics, not Sochi. ",
"It's footage from past Olympics, or footage taken from dress rehearsals, etc.",
"Sometimes they show archived footage from previous even... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
49s9tr | when did wearing the jersey of your favorite sports team become popular, and why? | Edit: I should have been more clear, I meant why as in why did it become popular. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/49s9tr/eli5_when_did_wearing_the_jersey_of_your_favorite/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
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"text": [
"Showing support for your team has been a thing for a long time. I don't think that's changed appreciably in the last several decades.\n\nWhat has changed has been the availability of jerseys and the acceptability of wearing them in public. We'v... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
6kl2hr | is there no discernable brain activity that would allow us to read what a person is thinking? | If not, how come? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6kl2hr/eli5_is_there_no_discernable_brain_activity_that/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
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"text": [
"We can detect which parts of the brain are lighting up, if the person is in an MRI, but not what memories, words, or images they are actually picturing. Brains are mindboggingly complex, and there is no one spot responsible for every word, image,... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
2io6vx | the difference between the domain controller and an active directory. | This always confuses me, so I would appreciate the help. Thanks! | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2io6vx/eli5_the_difference_between_the_domain_controller/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"Active directory is the place where information about people and organizations are stored and accessed. The domain controller is the host(s) on the network that _manage_ membership within the network, often using active directory as it's source ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
1tn9jy | why do american trucks and european trucks look so different? | After playing Euro Truck Simulator, I noticed that Euro trucks are flat in the front and don't have noses, where American trucks have long noses. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1tn9jy/eli5why_do_american_trucks_and_european_trucks/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
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2
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"text": [
"Hahaha I WAS wondering, is this guy playing that trucking game? ETS2 is my current gaming addiction, I can't stop playing.\n\nAnyway it's mostly vehicle length regulations. For a while America had similar, either on a stat... | [] | [] | [
[],
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54w75b | why exactly are whole life insurance policies considered scams? | Almost everything I've read recently has said not to purchase and/or contribute to the policy. Doesn't the cash value grow within the policy as you contribute to it? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/54w75b/eli5_why_exactly_are_whole_life_insurance/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
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"text": [
"The school of thought that calls them expensive has several solid points in their favor:\n\n* Insurance is supposed to protect the buyer against risks that would wipe them out financially. Life insurance makes a lot of sens... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
eko88x | why do anime characters have to yell the name of their move? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/eko88x/eli5why_do_anime_characters_have_to_yell_the_name/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"It's so that the \"move\" is identifiable to the audience. Think about how many kids have tried the \"kamehamaha way\" irl. Do you think that happened by accident? That kind of playground nonsense is what keeps shows like dbz and powerrangers pop... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
86o7k6 | sperm competition | Im aware that sperm compete to get to the egg, but what im wondering is how is this helpful? wouldnt this just promote males that produce fast sperm but potentially have less than adequate genes or does having fast sperm correlate to good genes? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/86o7k6/eli5_sperm_competition/ | {
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"text": [
"I may be wrong, but I'm pretty sure it doesn't have much of an effect between males, but it is this way because then the healthiest, usually the fastest, will reach the egg first.... | [] | [] | [
[],
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xuaca | when i sneeze i only sneeze once or twice, my so sneezes up to seven times. elif why does this happen? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/xuaca/when_i_sneeze_i_only_sneeze_once_or_twice_my_so/ | {
"a_id": [
"c5ppb3m"
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"score": [
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"text": [
"Most likely, you are sneezing with more force than your SO is. Sneezing is a way of removing irritants from the nasal passages, whether this be pollen, dust, cat hair, etc. If you are sneezing at 40mph, and your SO is sneezing at 10mph, it will t... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
3mtq8n | why do car lock remotes not lock/unlock other cars within their range? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3mtq8n/eli5_why_do_car_lock_remotes_not_lockunlock_other/ | {
"a_id": [
"cvi06sr"
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"text": [
"Both the remote and the car use a pseudo-random number generator with the same seed. A psuedo-random number isn't truly random, but acts like it. Two computers with the same seed number and using the same random function will generate the same se... | [] | [] | [
[]
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1pbx9k | how does frostbite destroy and permanently damage flesh? and how do you know if you get it? | I feel like I have had mild cases of frostbite, where my hands would be hot once they are in a controlled environment, and my fingers look like they are swollen. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1pbx9k/eli5_how_does_frostbite_destroy_and_permanently/ | {
"a_id": [
"cd0ticv"
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"text": [
"I'm no medical expert, but my understanding is as follows:\n\nFrostbite is caused when tissue freezes after prolonged exposure. As your body cools, blood is drawn away from extremities such as fingers or toes and concentrated in the core to prote... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
4pxvnc | why do high-end restaurants do not show pictures of their food in their menu? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4pxvnc/eli5_why_do_highend_restaurants_do_not_show/ | {
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"text": [
"From what I've heard, food is very difficult to photograph well. That's why there are people who's job it is t... | [] | [] | [
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4jz93s | why does ~x = -x - 1? | I've always been confused about why the bitwise negation `~` of any number `x` equals `-x - 1`.
Should the bitwise negation flip each bit from 1 to 0 and vice versa?
For example, `~10 = -11`, but the binary representation of `10` is `1010` and the binary representation of `-11` is `-1011`?
How come that works? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4jz93s/eli5why_does_x_x_1/ | {
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"score": [
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2
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"text": [
"In binary math, for most systems, we use what is called Two's complement. It is a way to eliminate the possibility of a positive and negative 0.\n\nThe highest bit (the left-most bit in a binary sequen... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
58h2bv | why pens appear 'bendy' | As a kid we always used to do that thing where you hold a pen/pencil between your index finger and thumb and 'wobble' it, why when you do this does the pen appear to 'bend' back and forth, even though it is rigid and is obviously staying straight, it is that our eyes simply can't keep up, or something more? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/58h2bv/eli5_why_pens_appear_bendy/ | {
"a_id": [
"d90herw",
"d90i99v"
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"score": [
2,
2
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"text": [
"Believe it or not, like a camera, our brain has a \"frame rate\" or amount of information we can take in per second and process. It's about 15 f/s. (Side note: any motion slower than that doesn't really seem smooth to us.)\n... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
2x9egw | why is society so averse to people taking their own lives? | I mean I understand the social stigma around suicide, but with the /r/videos post on the front page showing a guy getting shot to "save his life", I can't help but wonder why a society would make it illegal to claim one's own life. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2x9egw/eli5_why_is_society_so_averse_to_people_taking/ | {
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"text": [
"Because we are wired to want to live. Things like fear and 'flight or fight' mechanisms were evolved to help us survive and stay alive. So when someone wants to kill themselves so... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
3z8nwb | why do songs on the radio sound higher pitched than songs played digitally or on cds? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3z8nwb/eli5_why_do_songs_on_the_radio_sound_higher/ | {
"a_id": [
"cyk3sy2",
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],
"score": [
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3
],
"text": [
"The pitch is the same. It can be altered but is not. Your radio is not producing the bass portion as well as the other two. So you pay attention to the treble part more.",
"Sometimes radio stations will speed up songs to... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
1trk6p | how does software know that you have already used their 30 day free trial after you uninstall and then re-install the software? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1trk6p/how_does_software_know_that_you_have_already_used/ | {
"a_id": [
"ceaqrr9",
"cear4o5"
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"score": [
3,
2
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"text": [
"The application could have written the original installation date into the *windows registry* and this information would usually remain untouched after the de-installation.",
"A few possibilities:\n\n* The installer inst... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
4j4i42 | what makes japanese bullet trains much faster and efficient than regular trains? | The question is mostly directed toward the magnetic motor | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4j4i42/eli5_what_makes_japanese_bullet_trains_much/ | {
"a_id": [
"d33n2jy",
"d33pald"
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"score": [
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52
],
"text": [
"EDIT: /u/L8BCIFPOouJHjFMTFQdY gives a better answer. maglev bullet trains are being introduced, but they are very much a minority.\n\nThey (maglevs) float above the track. With magnets and superconductors and shit. That... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinkansen#Technology"
]
] | |
4f329c | national socialism/fascism | How does this system work?
Is racism and genocide a required concept in this ideology?
why did Germany, one of the first countries to adopt this ideology seemed so successful economically and technologically before they ruined themselves in ww2?
Can it be implemented today without all its negative qualities? (rac... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4f329c/eli5national_socialismfascism/ | {
"a_id": [
"d25i1p7",
"d25im42"
],
"score": [
2,
3
],
"text": [
"It's not a specific system, but has several parts, but it is very common for these parts to get referred to by a variety of names.\n\nFascism has come to largely be associated with an ideology of reduced tolerance for cultur... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacification_of_Libya"
]
] | |
7984e8 | why can't we see very small things? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7984e8/eli5_why_cant_we_see_very_small_things/ | {
"a_id": [
"dozxsd3"
],
"score": [
7
],
"text": [
"It doesn't even get down to physical properties such as wavelengths. The simple fact is that your eyes have *limited resolution*. Any light that passes into your eye has to be captured by the light-sensitive parts of cells at the retina (the so-c... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
6svs3a | how do investors who invest into apps like snapchat make their money back? | Hello. So I want to venture into business so I am currently doing a lot of research. I want to know why so many people invest into snapchat and pour millions of dollars into it. What makes snapchat inc worth the billions of dollars it is proclaimed to be? How do these investors make their money back after investing lar... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6svs3a/eli5how_do_investors_who_invest_into_apps_like/ | {
"a_id": [
"dlfxm24"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"This is a bit long to explain, but I'll try to keep it as simple as possible.\n\nImagine Snapchat as a bigass pie. An investor will buy up a percentage of that pie. As Snapchat grows, each piece of its pie will grow and become more valuable. Howe... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
6q19if | how much of humanity's creation accounts for earth's mass? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6q19if/eli5_how_much_of_humanitys_creation_accounts_for/ | {
"a_id": [
"dkts8hy",
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"score": [
3,
5,
8
],
"text": [
"Pretty much none of it. One way of looking at it is to consider a globe with accurate raised mountains. But in fact, if such a globe were the size of a china teacup, it would be smoother than the cup. S... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
3yuf3u | why do police body cams have such bad quality when camera's like gopro's are so cheap? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3yuf3u/eli5_why_do_police_body_cams_have_such_bad/ | {
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116,
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2
],
"text": [
"it's about how long you plan on recording. \n\nhow many gigabytes would you need to record on your gopro for 8-12 hours? i bet that's a lot more than the... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
5t1lf7 | why do poorer people tend to have more children? | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5t1lf7/eli5_why_do_poorer_people_tend_to_have_more/ | {
"a_id": [
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6d034l | what someone can do with your ssn | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6d034l/eli5_what_someone_can_do_with_your_ssn/ | {
"a_id": [
"dhyr9bo"
],
"score": [
4
],
"text": [
"A person can do several things if they gain access to your personally identifiable information. The \nSocial Security Sumber (or Social Insurance Number in Canada) is connected with several aspects of a citizen’s life. If a hacker has access to i... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
3tn7h4 | how is our brain able to accurately pinpoint the area of our body that is feeling pain or being touched? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3tn7h4/eli5_how_is_our_brain_able_to_accurately_pinpoint/ | {
"a_id": [
"cx7m5dc"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"You have sensory receptors all over your body and they are there to detect input and communicate that with the brain. When you are touched, that is input, and the receptors generate a message that travels to the spinal cord and then up to the bra... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
2mk7fg | why did columbus think he had found india, and not china or japan? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2mk7fg/eli5why_did_columbus_think_he_had_found_india_and/ | {
"a_id": [
"cm4zml5",
"cm50c46"
],
"score": [
10,
5
],
"text": [
"He knew where he was at relative to the equator. Both India and the West Indies occupy territory around 21ºN. China and Japan are further north than that.",
"The indies were a general term for the East at the time. This... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
6i0kd4 | why do some peoples have reddish, yellowish etc. tints to their skins? | I understand that peoples who moved to less sunny areas developed paler skin because they could not get the necessary vitamins from the sun. I am not wondering why some people are paler, but instead why some people are more reddish/ yellowish etc.
Edit: I mean more why are certain ethnicities and races tinted differe... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6i0kd4/eli5_why_do_some_peoples_have_reddish_yellowish/ | {
"a_id": [
"dj2jt5f",
"dj2kxfb"
],
"score": [
2,
3
],
"text": [
"I tend to get yellowish skin from time to time and it's due to Gilbert's syndrome, which is basically elevated level of bilirubin in bloodstream.",
"Yellow skin is caused by [Jaundice](_URL_0_) \n\nRed skin can be caused... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaundice"
]
] | |
1xp87d | - curling | It may be because I am under 60 years old but, what is curling and why is it in the Olympics? I don't understand the purpose of sliding a rock across ice and why its considered a sport. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1xp87d/eli5_curling/ | {
"a_id": [
"cfdd8wg"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Archery is a sport and it's basically the same thing, with arrows. Golf is a sport and it's basically the same thing, with a stick. Croquet is a sport and it's basically the same thing, with wickets. Shotput, hammer, discus, and javelin throws... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
52toka | railroad crossings don't seem to have sensors or something to warn conductors of a vehicle/object stuck on the track, why? | We have sensors at traffic lights that allow the lights to know when a car is/isn't present so that it will/won't change.
Shouldn't we have something along those lines for the railroad crossings so we won't have to see anymore videos of cars and trains being destroyed. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/52toka/eli5_railroad_crossings_dont_seem_to_have_sensors/ | {
"a_id": [
"d7n85bv",
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"score": [
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2,
3
],
"text": [
"Small subway style trains might be able to stop within a .25 mile or so depending on their speed. A large freight train with hundreds of cars, some of of which maybe be carrying tankers of flammable or ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
ouxbj | what is "individual mandate" and what does it mean for the u.s.? | What is it exactly and why do people think it's bad or good. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ouxbj/what_is_individual_mandate_and_what_does_it_mean/ | {
"a_id": [
"c3ka8dy"
],
"score": [
4
],
"text": [
"It requires people to buy some kind of health insurance, or pay a tax penalty if they don't. \n\nPeople think it's good because we want everyone to have medical care - but it is difficult to provide that care without everyone be required to pay ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
3zzox1 | why apple is switching to swift from objective c? | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3zzox1/eli5why_apple_is_switching_to_swift_from/ | {
"a_id": [
"cyqax9s"
],
"score": [
6
],
"text": [
"I do not code, but from what I've seen at the Keynote's, it is more efficient in terms of the amount of code you have to write, some things that used to take 5 lines can now be written in 1 line. \n \n**EDIT**: [Here is a short article listing ... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://www.infoworld.com/article/2920333/mobile-development/swift-vs-objective-c-10-reasons-the-future-favors-swift.html"
]
] | |
1p0l0v | if everyone uses wikipedia, but everyone says it is unreliable, why doesn't wikipedia stop third party edits and edit themselves? | I understand third party editors edit Wikipedia usually and Wikipedia does not have enough editors to edit every page, but with a sight as popular as wiki don't you think they could throw an advertisement in there or ask for more donations to increase valid editors?
It's just a shame wikipedias reliability is always ... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1p0l0v/eli5_if_everyone_uses_wikipedia_but_everyone_says/ | {
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"ccxia6n",
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"ccxiftf",
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"ccxlbfj"
],
"score": [
3,
3,
2,
3,
3
],
"text": [
"The entire idea of Wikipedia is that it's a world wide, public collaboration. You might as well ask why Reddit doesn't stop letting people post links and just... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[
"http://www.livescience.com/32950-how-accurate-is-wikipedia.html"
],
[]
] | |
djeglx | what causes heart palpitations to actually be felt? what makes them different from regular heart beats that you can't feel at all? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/djeglx/eli5_what_causes_heart_palpitations_to_actually/ | {
"a_id": [
"f44mcv4",
"f44ykdo"
],
"score": [
14,
3
],
"text": [
"For \"skipped\" heart beats, which is one type of palpitation, typically what happens is part of your heart beats out of sync. This causes your heart to beat inefficiently; it can't properly get all the blood out. So the *n... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
82knzx | why are other stocks effected so much when one stock crashes? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/82knzx/eli5_why_are_other_stocks_effected_so_much_when/ | {
"a_id": [
"dvavn6z",
"dvax2cp",
"dvb0xw9"
],
"score": [
2,
7,
2
],
"text": [
"When my supplier of wine goes out of business, I get cranky and people buy stuff from me less.\n\nCompanies have the same sort of relationship between themselves.",
"There are multiple reasons.\n\n1... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
3j86pv | what is the difference between fuel economy and fuel efficiency? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3j86pv/eli5_what_is_the_difference_between_fuel_economy/ | {
"a_id": [
"cun212t",
"cuncch7"
],
"score": [
5,
2
],
"text": [
"Although if you are having a conversation with a regular person, they are basically interchangeable, I think the difference is that while fuel economy means your cars mile per gallon, fuel efficiency is the percent of potent... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
8afrs4 | how the government can/does seize a website? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8afrs4/eli5_how_the_government_candoes_seize_a_website/ | {
"a_id": [
"dwybx0m",
"dwyd3gl"
],
"score": [
3,
9
],
"text": [
"The find whoever is hosting it. Get a subpoena, and issue the subpoena to the hosting agency. The hosting agency then shuts it down and turns it over to the government.",
"The way website names work is basically a phone ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"reddit.com"
]
] | ||
1iw7ct | how does the canadian government and economy function compared to america's? | From a citizen's perspective, what differences are there? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1iw7ct/eli5_how_does_the_canadian_government_and_economy/ | {
"a_id": [
"cb8mogu",
"cb8n82t"
],
"score": [
10,
5
],
"text": [
"We don't elect our Prime Minister directly. We vote for a member of parliament, and the leader of the party with the most members after all the votes are counted gets appointed Prime Minister by the Governor General. The ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
4dydar | why is reddit just coming out with an app and why did it take so long | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4dydar/eli5_why_is_reddit_just_coming_out_with_an_app/ | {
"a_id": [
"d1vgg5c",
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"score": [
2,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"Did I miss something? A new app? Is it better than \"reddit is fun\"?",
"What the heck is AlienBlue then?",
"I think they are inspired by the success of apps like Bacon Reader. Why did it take s... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
8zylan | why does sleeping in a particular direction unblock a blocked nose? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8zylan/eli5_why_does_sleeping_in_a_particular_direction/ | {
"a_id": [
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2,
2,
3,
2,
3,
3,
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"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nasal_cycle"
],
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30qt84 | what are a few of the most elementary financial scams, and how exactly do they work (e.g. exit scam, ponzi scheme, etc.)? | I've heard of an exit scam time and time again but I can't find an explanation. I know a bit about the ponzi scheme, but I'm sure there are other devious plots! Let's discuss! | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/30qt84/eli5_what_are_a_few_of_the_most_elementary/ | {
"a_id": [
"cpux2ma",
"cpuyif5",
"cpuyzej"
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"score": [
4,
3,
2
],
"text": [
"An exit scam is basically just selling things to people but not actually delivering once you got the money. More relevant in less-legitimate markets where trust is a factor in the transaction (since you... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
2lkfge | interstellar and the science involved | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2lkfge/eli5_interstellar_and_the_science_involved/ | {
"a_id": [
"clvom9v"
],
"score": [
9
],
"text": [
"Normally you think of moving as going from point A to point B in a physical sense within our 3-dimensional world.\n\nBut many believe that we \"move\" through time in a similar way, that that's the 4th dimension. The only difference being that w... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
38uslm | why does having noise in the background (tv, music, etc.) make me feel safer when i'm home alone? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/38uslm/eli5_why_does_having_noise_in_the_background_tv/ | {
"a_id": [
"cry063t",
"cry08wd",
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"cry8nz4",
"cryc8x4",
"cryjh6b"
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"score": [
118,
3,
16,
8,
5,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"Your ears are sensitive through a wide ride of volumes. When it is very quiet, you hear faint noises you are u... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
6mwnz5 | how can certain areas of the world be so dominant in online gaming? | For instance why can Korea consistently have teams win against the rest of the world in Mobas, while Europe generally has the best CSGO players? Also how come different areas play the same game with different strategies? With enough experimenting shouldn't the same optimal strategy be found? I understand in some place... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6mwnz5/eli5_how_can_certain_areas_of_the_world_be_so/ | {
"a_id": [
"dk4ytnh",
"dk4zh31"
],
"score": [
3,
3
],
"text": [
"It's just popularity. Like if you grow up in Canada dang near everyone grows up playing at least a little hockey. If you're good you practice against other good locals. Go up a few levels and you're playing playing with the ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
536ob6 | besides the battery, what is keeping us from creating a full artificial permanent heart that can replace the organic one? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/536ob6/eli5_besides_the_battery_what_is_keeping_us_from/ | {
"a_id": [
"d7qeokj",
"d7qeszr"
],
"score": [
3,
2
],
"text": [
"I think we still lack the material or coating material that is not rejected by the body. \nNowdays you would have to take Immunosuppressive medication and similar stuff to make your body hopefully accept the organ. \nThat re... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
2vunus | why do people hate thomas edison so much? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2vunus/eli5_why_do_people_hate_thomas_edison_so_much/ | {
"a_id": [
"col2rag",
"col2wpb",
"col30r1",
"col315h"
],
"score": [
2,
3,
5,
2
],
"text": [
"Honestly, I don't know many people who \"hate\" Thomas Edison at all.",
"Most people tend to go on about the animal torture. That's a valid complaint, but I'm more opposed to t... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla%27s_oscillator",
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_of_Currents"
],
[
"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eh_mJfWKNTI"
]
] | ||
6y2igu | why does our body sometimes moves or shakes when we remember a cringy situation from the past? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6y2igu/eli5_why_does_our_body_sometimes_moves_or_shakes/ | {
"a_id": [
"dmkqn5t",
"dmktcj9",
"dml44iq"
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"score": [
24,
6,
5
],
"text": [
"If the situation triggers a flight or flight response, the body's first impulse is movement. \n\nA loud noise behind them will cause most people to start. This is your brain telling your body to fire u... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
ymmh4 | magnetic door locks. how do they work? | So I get the basic concept. Magnets, force, etc. My question us more this:
At work, we have magnetic door locks. It's a fire code violation if they lock from inside. So to get out, you push the door and it opens. To get in, though, you have to scan your badge and it "deactivates" the locks. How does the door know if ... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ymmh4/magnetic_door_locks_how_do_they_work/ | {
"a_id": [
"c5wxzl2"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"The magnet is a simple electromagnet. There is an iron block welded or bolted to the door on one side, and there's a mounted system with more iron bars on the frame of the door. When it's active, (you can't open the door) there is electricity goi... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
54yyak | why are forests cut in square shapes in the us? | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/54yyak/eli5why_are_forests_cut_in_square_shapes_in_the_us/ | {
"a_id": [
"d864rgj",
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"score": [
2,
5,
3,
2
],
"text": [
"These areas were logged at some point, notice the new growth in the areas that aren't as densely covered. I don't know if there is a specific reason for the grid pattern, I imagin... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[
"http://osupress.oregonstate.edu/blog/checkerboard-effect"
]
] | |
33p2ng | why is that so many people appear to be unaffected by a huge knife sticking directly into their brain, but almost always, a knife to the neck or chest will more than likely result in a fatality? | This question is due the large number of posts recently of people seeming nonchalant about a knife sticking out of their head | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/33p2ng/eli5_why_is_that_so_many_people_appear_to_be/ | {
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"text": [
"Knife in brain guy? Is that you?",
"I suspect its more that people who survive shocking injuries to the brain are relatively rare and thus noteworthy.",
"Maybe because if t... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[
"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2911188"
]
] | |
2pgqbo | why is my smoke detector so sensitive to burned toasts but not to a burning towel left on the stove? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2pgqbo/eli5_why_is_my_smoke_detector_so_sensitive_to/ | {
"a_id": [
"cmwio0q"
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"score": [
4
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"text": [
"Smoke detectors detect smoke particulate, not the presence of fire (usually they also have system that detects excessive heat). Burning toast tends to produce a nice cloud of smoke while a burning towel tends to burn more cleanly (not very much s... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
6wpz8j | how were the japanese warned of the dprk missile? | I've been reading comments from Japanese people saying that they've gotten alerts on their cell phones from the government warning them of the missile heading towards Japan. And then another when it flew over, and another when it was confirmed that it was completely safe.
So how is it done? Does the government send a... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6wpz8j/eli5_how_were_the_japanese_warned_of_the_dprk/ | {
"a_id": [
"dm9vagk",
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"score": [
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3
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"text": [
"They can send text messages to anyone but modern cellphones have options like AMBER. \n\nIn Japan especially, a lot of people have iPhones, and if you're american, they're an option in Settings > Notifications , scroll all... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
3yv8tr | what's going on when we have a bad headache/migraine? is the brain telling itself that it feels pain or is the brain itself actually in pain? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3yv8tr/eli5_whats_going_on_when_we_have_a_bad/ | {
"a_id": [
"cygxatb"
],
"score": [
3
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"text": [
"It's never your brain. The brain doesn't have pain receptors and can't actually feel pain. The membrane around your brain can feel pain, but the brain itself cannot. \n\nThe pain you feel is not your brain - it's usually blood vessels being eithe... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
893fr7 | why do most nerve tracts crossover so that neurons in the brain's cortex innervate muscles on the opposite side of the body? | Functionally and from an evolutionary perspective, what is the advantage of having nerve tracts decussate to the contralateral side of the body? For example, the optic chiasm, the corticospinal tract, etc. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/893fr7/eli5_why_do_most_nerve_tracts_crossover_so_that/ | {
"a_id": [
"dwp7k6d"
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"score": [
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"text": [
"Asking this question in this manner rather obfuscates it. Perhaps to a community like the ELI5 it would be better to say: \"Why do the brain's hemispheres control the opposite side of the body?\" \nOr something to that extend.\n\nOne interesting ... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15664541"
]
] | |
6eo12g | what happens if you defend yourself against a bounty hunter? | Saw a news article and it made me think of what would happen if i successfully defended myself against a bounty hunter.
For instance: The perp has an outstanding charge and did not show up to court. A bounty hunter gets assigned and finds the perp. The perp defends himself against the bounty hunter which results in ... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6eo12g/eli5_what_happens_if_you_defend_yourself_against/ | {
"a_id": [
"diboraa",
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"score": [
19,
6
],
"text": [
"Bounty Hunters aren't supposed to attack with deadly force in the first place. In theory, they're supposed to approach peacefully and ask the guy to comply, and can make it clear they're armed if necessary.\n\nThis way, the... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
3y5942 | how fast would a santa have to be to deliver all the presents to everyone in the world? | Yeah I know Santa isn't real. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3y5942/eli5_how_fast_would_a_santa_have_to_be_to_deliver/ | {
"a_id": [
"cyamznt",
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"score": [
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19
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"text": [
"If we look at it as Santa only visits homes, and thus only has to make one stop per home. Additionally because of time zones we will assume he has a 24 period of time to stop at all the locations.\n\nThe best estimate I can... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_number_of_households",
"https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2212.html#xx",
"https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/graphics/population/XX_popgraph%202015.bmp",
"https://www.cia.gov/library... | |
p56q8 | will someone please eli5 "dues ex machina" | I don't understand that saying. Is it a reference? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/p56q8/will_someone_please_eli5_dues_ex_machina/ | {
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"score": [
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"text": [
"It's simply something written in by the writer that either explains away other things in the plot or makes it s... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
26h1lk | how can weather forecasting website show so much detail of the weather, even for small cities? | I know they use satellites. But how is it possible to get wind speed, temperature, humidity, etc. of every city on earth by just taking some satellite pictures? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/26h1lk/eli5_how_can_weather_forecasting_website_show_so/ | {
"a_id": [
"chqzdmt"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Well, most of those things you mention are really not gathered by satellite, but instead through LOTS of weather stations scattered around the country/earth. Especially at airports. Those little weather stations measure lots of different things l... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
308cyq | what's stopping us from drilling to the center of the earth (other than economical reasons) | Hi I'm writing a book and was curious how would one get to the center of the earth. What roadblocks are we faced up against? Are there any limitations of modern technology? How would we get there, and what's stopping us from doing so?
Thank you for any responses. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/308cyq/eli5_whats_stopping_us_from_drilling_to_the/ | {
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"text": [
"Well once you get through the mantle, the inside of the planet is molten magma. You can't drill through a liquid. Plus I think there's also an issue of lots o... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
318f7l | why do i need to drink water more often than eat food? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/318f7l/eli5_why_do_i_need_to_drink_water_more_often_than/ | {
"a_id": [
"cpz9kx3"
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"score": [
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"text": [
"We use water for all sorts of things in our body, food is pretty simple, broken down and used or stored. food can be stored in different forms, water cannot be stored as easily. so we have to replenish more often because we cant store it as easil... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
4z0jze | how is code converted to software, how is graphics and code linked together? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4z0jze/eli5_how_is_code_converted_to_software_how_is/ | {
"a_id": [
"d6ru635"
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"score": [
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"text": [
"Code is a human readable set of computer instructions. You can for instance say that \"x = 1 + (2 / y)\" which is very easy for humans to understand. However computers are made up of billions of transistors and resistors that change currents in w... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
5w2lug | why does watching a movie on a projector instead of a computer screen feel like a more satisfying cinematic experience? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5w2lug/eli5_why_does_watching_a_movie_on_a_projector/ | {
"a_id": [
"de6vmfk",
"de6wdj6"
],
"score": [
3,
2
],
"text": [
"The way that things are presented to you has a strong influence on how you feel about what is being presented. For example, companies go through extraordinary lengths to brand themselves in a certain way, have their stores l... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
fu1inw | all light we see is a mix of three colors with our rods. is how we hear sound the same? | Specifically, we perceive color three-dimensionally, how many dimensions does our perception of sound have?
Edit:
I'm apparently having trouble expressing the question. I'm not asking about the physical mechanism, but the number of capacities of sensation. Many people have trichromacy, some have tetrachromacy. Is the... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/fu1inw/eli5_all_light_we_see_is_a_mix_of_three_colors/ | {
"a_id": [
"fmaa2oz"
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"score": [
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],
"text": [
"Sound is perceived by hair cells in the cochlea. Each hair cell is sensitive to a specific frequency. There are thousands of hair cells. So yes, there are similarities, but sound is perceived by a much more high-dimensional system. \n\nAlso our ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
avzu35 | why aren't charger/data ports in phones shaped more like a headphone jack? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/avzu35/eli5_why_arent_chargerdata_ports_in_phones_shaped/ | {
"a_id": [
"ehj1yeo",
"ehj3n36"
],
"score": [
2,
3
],
"text": [
"It might be related to the size and complexity of a headphone style jack, which has to grip the tip mechanically with a spring steel part.",
"Headphone jacks aren't really a great design, but they usually work OK if you ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
5simkl | why do all currencies undergo inflation over time? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5simkl/eli5_why_do_all_currencies_undergo_inflation_over/ | {
"a_id": [
"ddfc5vg",
"ddfihkw"
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"score": [
3,
4
],
"text": [
"That's an over-generalization. The underlying resources that give value to a currency tend to expand over time. In the rare instances where they contract over the long-term - such as the Japanese population declining - cur... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
2rr1wu | if you were to rip out a person's eyeball without snapping the optical nerve, and then made it face the other eyeball (aside from pain and whatnot) how would your brain put together the image? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2rr1wu/eli5_if_you_were_to_rip_out_a_persons_eyeball/ | {
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4,
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"text": [
"I assume it would try its best to make \"sense\" out of the information.\n\nYou might get two superimposed images and just see a \"single\" eye.\n\nYou can definitely do this with... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
ft195s | how can factories that use specialized machinery to produce a certain thing quickly change production to a completely different thing. (i.e. automobiles to ventilators) | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ft195s/eli5_how_can_factories_that_use_specialized/ | {
"a_id": [
"fm4fso0"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"It is never quick as you are thinking. You need to set up an assembly line for different components in a spare space and you need to order any needed assembly machines and you need to order the raw components going into the finished product and ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
tp169 | what is 4chan and 9gag? | ... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/tp169/eli5_what_is_4chan_and_9gag/ | {
"a_id": [
"c4ohznw"
],
"score": [
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"text": [
"4chan is a forum, comprised of unadulterated core of the internet. There are no rules in 4chan. It's the Internet, unrated, XXX edition. What you may see there may scar you for life.\n\n9gag is a website that takes funny content from reddit and ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
1ue0gr | why can't the hpv be cured? | While cancer and other deadly diseases can be cured in this day and age, why is it not possible to get rid of HPV (or the herpes virus) for good once you've contracted it? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ue0gr/eli5_why_cant_the_hpv_be_cured/ | {
"a_id": [
"ceh3dk3",
"ceh6kbg",
"cehgyzn"
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"score": [
2,
4,
2
],
"text": [
"If i'm not misstaken you can get HPV vaccine... that is a cure.",
"There are exactly zero viruses that we know how to cure. Influenza? Nope. Chicken Pocks? Nope. HPV? Nope.\n\nWhen people give you m... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
zrgv2 | why is interference with digital tv signals so seemingly mysterious and unpredictable? | I have two digital TV's in my house. Both are hooked up to a wall socket (with a splitter leading to two long RF cables) which is connected to an internal roof antenna with an amplifier and all the usual stuff connected to a powerful antenna.
Then yesterday, a problem cropped up. Basically, the "Secondary" TV stopped... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/zrgv2/eli5_why_is_interference_with_digital_tv_signals/ | {
"a_id": [
"c672qzm"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"I'm not so great at explaining things, but here's my attempt:\n\n\"Digital\" signals are transmitted between the source and destination as analogue transmissions (voltages on a wire, radio waves, etc). The source will typically add redundant info... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
2nwkkw | how does dominos pizza tracker work? or is it not even real? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2nwkkw/eli5_how_does_dominos_pizza_tracker_work_or_is_it/ | {
"a_id": [
"cmhklp3",
"cmhqep9"
],
"score": [
8,
3
],
"text": [
"They have buttons to press on their display screens that tell them what to make. In theory it's real and shows the real names of the people that are really logged in. But how real it actually is depends on how much you trust... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
2uf1hk | why to the label wood 2"x4"/ 2"x6" / 2"x8" etc when the true measurements are irregular and actually 1.75"x3.5" and so on | *they | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2uf1hk/eli5_why_to_the_label_wood_2x4_2x6_2x8_etc_when/ | {
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"score": [
12,
4,
5,
2
],
"text": [
"That is the original dimensions of the rough cut lumber. Older houses actually have 2\" x 4\" 2x4s but later they began to plane 1/4\" off each side for nicer wood, as a result, e... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[
"http://imgur.com/pW8NSl0"
],
[
"http://twentytwowords.com/wp-content/uploads/Exploded-log-cross-section-634x495.jpg"
]
] | |
8el93g | chimerism and how it happens in humans. | Asking due to [this comment](_URL_0_) from a /r/showerthoughts post. Credit to /u/yumyumsmoothie for the post mentioning Chimerism.
| explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8el93g/eli5_chimerism_and_how_it_happens_in_humans/ | {
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"dxw0wex",
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6
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"text": [
"I heard about this case also, and just did a little research. Basically, two separate fertilized eggs merge together, and the DNA is combined. Certain parts of the body have different DNA. [Here](_UR... | [] | [
"https://www.reddit.com/r/Showerthoughts/comments/8ej3xp/men_may_never_know_the_pain_of_childbirth_but/dxvsaci/"
] | [
[
"https://www.livescience.com/61890-what-is-chimerism-fused-twin.html"
],
[],
[]
] | |
3nrmv7 | when drinking, why don't liquids flow straight down instead of us having to swallow them? | Tried Wiki - couldn't get through the Latin medical terminology. When you drink something, you make an active decision to swallow the liquid already held in your mouth, why isn't this automatic so that the drink flows straight down? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3nrmv7/eli5_when_drinking_why_dont_liquids_flow_straight/ | {
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2,
2
],
"text": [
"It gives you the chance to hold something and breath without swallowing. Imagine if the substance was blood, poison, or saltwater: would you really want to sw... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
4b83wk | why does the ethernet cable from the router to the modem need many conductors when the coaxial cable from the modem to the "internet" only need 1(plus sheath)? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4b83wk/eli5_why_does_the_ethernet_cable_from_the_router/ | {
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53,
3,
57,
63,
2
],
"text": [
"Your modem (modulator-demodulator) changes the digital signals being carried by the Ethernet cable into an analog signal which is mor... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
48orfm | us serving sizes | can someone explain how US food products determine how much a serving size is? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/48orfm/eli5_us_serving_sizes/ | {
"a_id": [
"d0lbgmc",
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3,
2,
2
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"text": [
"The FDA has serving size guidelines, which are codified in [21CFR101.12](_URL_0_). Manufacturers are not required to use those sizes, but they usually seem to when it's a bulk product, or, for single-s... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/21/101.12"
],
[],
[]
] | |
332qmq | there are more and more posts about how other countries have much better education systems than the us, so why does the us seem to have the greatest scientific advances? | Sorry if I sound like a condescending asshole. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/332qmq/eli5_there_are_more_and_more_posts_about_how/ | {
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"score": [
10,
13,
12,
3,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"When they talk about education system they usually arent talking about higher education like universities.. We have a metricfuckton o... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[
"http://www.epi.org/publication/us-student-performance-testing/"
],
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academic_Ranking_of_World_Universities#Results",
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_research_and_development_spending"
],
[],
[]
] | |
c93pwp | how is the universe expanding, but it's not expanding *into* a larger containing space? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/c93pwp/eli5_how_is_the_universe_expanding_but_its_not/ | {
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"text": [
... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[
"https://xkcd.com/895/"
],
[]
] | ||
9ylvtl | gauge theory | I heard about it for the first time from Eric Weinstein on Joe Rogan’s podcast, but it all kind of went over my head. Every explainer video I’ve found goes into some pretty complex math - so if it’s possible to explain like I’m 5, reddit please help me. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9ylvtl/eli5_gauge_theory/ | {
"a_id": [
"ea2eol7"
],
"score": [
7
],
"text": [
"I'm going to give this a red hot go for that sweet Karma. \n\n\nGauge theory: The first thing to take from this is the word gauge refers to a measurement, and isn't some dudes last name tied to a complex formula. Gauge can refer to things such a... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
fupjio | why isn't there a pattern in prime numbers? | I have always wondered, even though prime numbers can be understood by a fifth grader. We were never able to crack the inherent pattern in them. I don't understand how something could just be random in Mathematics. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/fupjio/eli5_why_isnt_there_a_pattern_in_prime_numbers/ | {
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17,
16,
4,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"They have a kinds of pattern, because numbers that aren't prime numbers have a pattern.\n\nEvery second number after 2 is not a prime. Every third number af... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMkIiFs35HQ"
],
[],
[],
[
"https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.abc.net.au/article/9338876"
]
] | |
3cgwpu | why do many democracies have a president? | Why don't countries highest power lie in the senate, so that the whole country(the highest-clearance actions) doesn't lie in one person's hands? Also, why the fuck does the opinion of one person determine whether nuclear weapons will be used? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3cgwpu/eli5_why_do_many_democracies_have_a_president/ | {
"a_id": [
"csvelsn"
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"score": [
2
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"text": [
"Because it just doesn't work practically to have a country led by 100+ people. When another country wants to communicate with it, who would they talk to? One of the 100? Wouldn't that de facto make that one guy the leader?\n\nTo the second par... | [] | [] | [
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6igkfs | how do craft like voyager and pioneer propel themselves through space? are the using the gravity of the bodies they pass by to slingshot along, or do they use thrusters of some sort and propel themselves along? a combination of both? | The idea of zooming around in space fascinates me and I wonder how it works. Are all the "directions" pre-programmed before the mission or are there people on Earth giving inputs? So many questions! | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6igkfs/eli5_how_do_craft_like_voyager_and_pioneer_propel/ | {
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"They travel at constant velocity in a straight line because that's what Newton's law tells them to do. There is no friction, nothing stops them. They will continue moving at consta... | [] | [] | [
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