Claim OwnershipELI5 Explain Like I'm 5: Bite sized answers to stuff you should know about - in a mini podcast
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Explain Like I'm Five, aka ELI5, is the mini-podcast series where we take the questions you always wanted to ask, and talk about them in a way that is easy to understand. Made possible by the amazing reddit community at r/explainlikeimfive. See episode show notes for user credits.
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If nuclear submarines can generate their own water and oxygen underwater, why do they need to surface at all? Why are submarine propellers always at the back, while airplane propellers are usually at the front? How did submarines and the US Navy play a part in the discovery of the Titanic?
... we explain like I'm five
Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: ilearnrussian, lokiorin, slobbie, hemingwavy, yancy_farnesworth, luckbot, omnipotentsandwich, r3dm0nk.
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What is the gold standard and how did it influence currency value historically? How did the transition from a gold standard to fiat currency shape modern economics? What led to the abolition of the gold standard in the US during the Great Depression? What impact did Executive Order 6102 have on private gold ownership in 1933? How does the US dollar derive its value without being tied to gold? What part did Isaac Newton play in helping gold become the standard precious metal of choice?
... we explain like I'm five
Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: ilearnrussian, lokiorin, slobbie, hemingwavy, yancy_farnesworth, luckbot, omnipotentsandwich, r3dm0nk.
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Did you know a standard lock might have thousands of combination possibilities, yet yours might open someone else's door? How does a master key work such that it can open multiple locks without compromising security entirely? What makes lockpicking more of an art than a science, requiring skill and a deep understanding of how locks function? How can a particular ""jiggle-and-twist"" method sometimes allow a key to open unintended locks successfully? What surprising connections do locks and keys have with human ingenuity and security throughout history?
... we explain like I'm five
Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: QvttrO, TehWildMan_, DJpng, thephantom1492, Childofglass, Jack_Chronicle, Git_Off_Me_Lawn, woofle07.
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Did you know that the original Monopoly board was circular as well as made from cloth? How have Monopoly games evolved over the years to create more engaging experiences for players? Can Monopoly actually reflect the negative impact of monopolies in the real world, rather than just an enjoyable pastime? What are some of the most interesting versions of Monopoly?
... we explain like I'm five
Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: mrpillowthegreat, amisspelledword, jakash, esploratore, nowhereweare, tscrandall, thr33beggars and rorynne.
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What inspired George Ferris to create the first Ferris wheel at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893? How tall was the original Ferris wheel, and what impressive structure did it aim to surpass? What unique challenges did engineers face to build the Ferris wheel, and how did they ensure its safety?
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Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: jake1oo6, rhomboidus, ez_does_it, demderdemden, thrashingmadness, iammagnuslol, black_magic_m-66 and 1poongoon3.
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What exactly are desiccants, and why are they commonly used in packaging? How does silica gel effectively trap moisture in humid environments? Can you explain the nanoporous structure of silica gel that makes it so efficient? Why do some silica gel packets change color when they reach capacity? Is silica gel really safe to use? Can you reuse them?
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Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: Em_Adespoton, DiamondIceNS, intchd, Gnonthgol, Bosstiality, LCIronmanX, Mr_Automatic, stugautz.
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How does sleepwalking work exactly? Are certain people more prone to it? What types of activities can sleepwalkers get up to? Are there specific triggers that cause sleepwalking? Is it true that waking a sleepwalker can be dangerous?
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Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: lindsey1151, xsnr, happycapsule, bandito21dema and reshkayden
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How did Poker evolve into a cultural phenomenon beyond just a card game? What makes poker different from other casino games in terms of player competition and strategy? Can you explain the betting process in poker and how players make decisions during each round? Poker on TV often shows those probabilities of a winning hand. How do players calculate this when they're playing? Are there some standard probabilities we should know about?
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Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: TheAireon, stanitor, puck1996, disillusionedJack, AaronSarm, NutellaPatella, Habanero_Eyeball, and lookawake.
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What makes washing machines such a vital household invention in the modern world? How did washing machines transform household chores from 8-12 hours to a fraction of that time? Could you explain the role of water temperature in washing effectiveness and fabric care? Why do some fabrics, like suits, require special cleaning methods instead of traditional washing machine cycles?
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Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: peteymcpetey, trutheality, flashwastaken, draftstone, caliph_ate, silverbolt2000, danielfaa, unique_username1.
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What is LiDAR? Why is it helpful in addition to seeing things through cameras? How does LiDAR time-of-flight measure distance when light travels so fast—what tricks give picosecond precision? Why can LiDAR detect single-photon returns from angled surfaces, yet mirrors and shiny objects cause false readings? What are some surprising places LIDAR is used that most people wouldn’t expect?
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How did we end up with the deck of cards that we use today? Did the standard 52-card deck derive from Tarot cards, and what does that mean for gameplay? Is it true that shuffling a deck creates a unique order that has likely never existed before? Can you explain the concept of 52 factorial and why it matters for card arrangements? What fascinating social dynamics emerge around shuffling cards and how it influences player interactions?
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Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: poindexter234, turkeypedal, bheidreborn, lowflier84, tp616, buffinita, the_laughing_lawyer, and stupidlemoneater.
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What is gout, and how does it uniquely affect your body compared to other forms of arthritis? Why does gout primarily affect the big toe? How do uric acid crystals form, and what role do diet and lifestyle play in this painful process? Can hydration truly prevent gout attacks, and what are the risks of dehydration for those already affected by it? What about Epsom salt? How does it assist in alleviating joint pain during painful gout flare-ups?
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How do competitive solvers manage to solve a Rubik's Cube in under 10 seconds, and what techniques do they use? What is the relationship between memorization and pattern recognition for record-breaking cube solvers? How do solvers memorize moves to successfully solve the cube blindfolded, and what techniques assist them in this process? How does the concept of ""God's number"" relate to the Rubik's Cube solving process? How did Erno Rubik initially create the cube, and what structural problem was he trying to solve?
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Why do home toilets typically have tanks, while public toilets often don't? What are some benefits of tankless toilets in public spaces from a design perspective? What is the S bend there for and how has this toilet design influenced modern plumbing? What are the implications of Hong Kong using seawater for toilet flushing in a densely populated city? What toilet innovations do you find most significant in improving sanitation and quality of life globally?
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Why are airplane black boxes not connected to real-time satellite data systems? What data does a black box contain and how does it contribute to improving aviation safety after an accident is investigated? How do black boxes manage to survive catastrophic accidents and remain so resilient under extreme conditions? What makes flight recorders, or ""black boxes,"" so crucial after airplane accidents? How could future advancements in technology improve black box capabilities, such as more robust communications or data handling?
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Which came first, wine or beer? Is it true that the birthplace of wine is Georgia, not France or Italy? Can any wine truly age forever, or does it have a finite lifespan where quality peaks and then diminishes? Why did California wines triumph in the Judgment of Paris, and what does this say about blind taste tests?
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How did ancient sailors rely on beer for hydration? What does history tell us about alcohol's role in survival? Why was beer so essential for laborers in ancient Egypt, especially during pyramid construction? Why is beer considered more important than other alcoholic beverages in historical contexts?
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What is creatine, and how does it work in our body during high-intensity activities like sprinting or weightlifting? Did you know creatine boosts ATP production, our body's immediate energy source, amplifying performance in short, intense workouts? What unique role does creatine play in muscle recovery and growth, especially regarding myosatellite cells? Is it true that creatine can lead to an increase in muscle volume by retaining water? Can creatine supplement usage extend beyond athletic performance, possibly benefiting neurological conditions like Parkinson's and ALS?
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Are induction stoves quicker than gas stoves? How does using an induction stove compare to using gas or conventional electric stoves? What is the secret behind how induction stoves can boil water so quickly? Can you explain how induction cooktops heat pans without heating themselves? Do induction stoves require specific cookware for efficient cooking?
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What is really going on when you get a bump in your back or neck muscle that hurts when you press on it? Do muscles really get knots? How do they form? Why are they not detected in scans like x-rays or MRIs? Why do deep tissue massages sometimes make them feel more sore? What are ways to prevent muscle knots?
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Great topic, I loved it! I have another example, I have raised birds from eggs who never had a parent or even saw another bird except through the window. And if a raptor... bird of prey, hawk, eagle, etc... flies by or over they go completely crazy, totally upset(screaming, flying, etc) clearly aware that they may be lunch and try to get away. And the raised birds have never had any interaction with birds of prey and it's not size related since then they don't care anything about crows, ravens, or much larger herons. Some inherited genetic memory of the size, shape or whatever makes them realize that those birds are something they have to worry about! Michael
nah bois. BAC of 0.50 does NOT mean your blood is 50% alcohol. Crazy. It means there are 0.5 grams of alcohol in every 100ml blood.