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AskReddit/dyck52s
8gl3s0
What is something that is considered easy to do, yet you can't do it?
I can’t make it through a day without injuring myself. EDIT: Not by self harm, but I injure myself due to clumsiness. I literally tripped over my feet and face-planted today.
2
AskReddit/c1xk0fc
hqp8t
If you were to wake from hibernation after 2000 years, what are the first few things you would ask?
I would point to my mouth, then point to myself and say "English". I would then point to their mouth. Hopefully, that's enough to suggest that I need a translator because I only speak an obscure dead language from 2000 years ago.
5
AskReddit/ddw0lnr
5uptvf
What are the essential single player games you have to play?
Terraria. Such an atmospheric game. It puts interesting twists on the usual sandbox tropes. You're rarely without a goal to accomplish, which is often the issue with most sandbox games.
1,223
explainlikeimfive/c6n8bx4
11kcu9
Why only the Republican and the Democratic parties participate in the debates?
Think of it like a market characterized by a monopoly and high barrier to entry. The dems and repubs have the power to exclude others, and they do, because it's just one way they consolidate power. Why would they risk their positions by having some random guy (in their reference frame) debate them, people to whom politics is a profitable career, and risk losing their status? The US does not have a democracy, you've got to remember that. Most european states are more democratic in fact than the state spreading democracy to the middle east. What the US has is closer to a plutocracy in a pejorative meaning of the word.
17
AskReddit/dkt1p2s
6pxz12
What are some quality household items that one should invest in to improve home life?
So this first one isn't necessarily an item in the context you mean, but shelves. My husband is an amateur woodworker (and also in an engineer/operations/lean manufacturing professional role) and has thoughtfully organized our house with just strategically designed/placed shelving. It makes all the difference when things have a place. A decent ceramic Dutch oven A pineapple and apple corer (assuming you love pineapples and apples) Heavy duty but versatile vacuum (my husband bought a Kirby years ago. Let me tell you, it sucks. In a good way.) Don't scrimp on any pots or pans really. Learn how to cook on and maintain cast iron, avoid nonstick, copper bottom minimum. If taken care of, these items could even be passed on to another generation. Bath towels. Go for the oversize, soft, genuine cotton towels. They'll last a long time and have more than just uses for baths and showers.
2
AskReddit/ekqionu
bcguu1
How much sleep to you need?
I need seven to function well, eight to feel fantastic. My job requires attention to detail; if I only get six hours of sleep, I can't do it. I feel like I'm drunk.
2
AskReddit/cdjbs2k
1r3xwo
What's the most humiliating thing you've done to yourself?
So, when I was growing up. my family didn't fart. Sure - maybe my dad would some times and then blame it on the kids. but there was not a lot of fart humor. We just kind of picked up that farting around people was rude and wouldn't do it. If you did pass gas you just said "excuse me", and hope no one smelled it. I don't know - weird. lol. But my husband comes from a very gassy family where farting is akin to hiccups and not even worth acknowledging. So after we got engaged he came to stay at my apartment for a long weekend, and he kept farting in front of me. I was really kind of grossed out. I'd never heard so many farts in my life. So we were laying on the bed snuggling and he was saying that I should probably get up and finish my homework so we could be scotch free for the weekend. I could feel a big fart coming on, and I said "You know what I think about homework?" and then I just let it rip. It was. louder. than I had anticipated and we both ended up laughing - but I still shudder thinking about it. He on the other hand continues to remind me. Each time I fart he'll ask if I'm trying to tell him something. So. not incredibly humiliating. but it was funny.
2
AskReddit/dmi3te0
6xsadn
What's your "Alright, I really don't wanna be your friend anymore" story?
My ex best friend would constantly have my (now ex) boyfriend come over to her place. At the time, I trusted them completely. One day, I went over her place with the ex bf. It was after school and she wasn't home yet. Decided to use the restroom and soon after, I heard her arrive. From inside the bathroom, I could hear her flirting with my bf. At one point, she asks, "I'm going to change in front of you, you don't mind, right?" We were literally in the living room and she could've easily gone into her room to change if she wished. Long story short, I walk out of the bathroom as she's going topless in front of my ex. Ditched them both.
24
AskReddit/cgn2glo
22iadj
How did you meet your SO?
My ex and I met at a seafood buffet. She was gorgeous, a real woman of the surf. You could always smell the salt on her. Unfortunately she passed away last year. She was murdered by a Chinese chef who escaped without punishment or retribution. They found her dismembered remains in a dumpster. The life of a crustacean is a hard one.
4
AskReddit/d5d0cx8
4sxoux
Do you think world war III is a possibility?
Last two wars have shown the world that no one ever really is benefited from them. People die, Money is lost and it only brings chaos. So, as far as I believe, the world will do anything to avoid them. But that doesn't deny the possibilities of it. For there are still many countries who cannot tolerate a threat to their superior status.
2
AskReddit/c8t1yuo
1a0s3l
What is the worst thing you've found out about one of your friends?
We had a really short-lived friendship, but I got dumped because I got bullied at school and she didn't want to associate with nerds like myself. Anyway, enough butthurt. She left to go join a group of the popular girls, some of which were a little sketchy. The lead popular girl was a wealthy child that had been repeatedly in those boot camps for violent kids with behavioral problems. (I had seen her try to get my friend to give her boyfriends sexual favors in the middle of class, try to get her to steal things for her, etc.) We all changed schools to the high-school roughly a year or two later, and I never saw any of them again. I made new friends and moved on to college. A few years ago the friend I made in high-school reported that the girl that I was friends with came into her restaurant with a bunch of strippers, and her four kids. We were all 21. Apparently, the whole clique got pregnant at the same time and they had dropped out of high-school. The wealthier girls were able to fall back on their parents, but my friend was relatively poor, so she could not. She got a job as a stripper and kept on having children. I ran into her a few times but she refused to acknowledge any of us, or our friend from a different school that she used to pal around with. TL;DR: My old friend got mixed up with the wrong crowd, and everyone got pregnant. The bad influences were okay because their parents regularly bailed them out, but my friend didn't have that luxury and became a stripper after getting pregnant multiple times as a teen.
8
AskReddit/esr0prt
c8wwe8
What song do you aggressively lip-sync to?
Lip-sync you say? How bout Memorizing it. Saints. i can't remember who its from but it goes, I'm sorry but your story isn't adding up think your religion is a lie to keep my mouth shut so I'ma testify the crimes you're keeping score of why don't you throw me to the wolves, I thought you were one.
2
AskReddit/c9txgcn
1dud25
What would be the fallout if Americans made a run on banks tomorrow morning as a sort of protest to all the bullshit that's going on?
Most of our money does not exist in a physical form. Most accounts have daily withdrawal limits and if the bank ran out of cash they'd tell you to come back tomorrow after the truck with money from a central bank arrived.
2
AskReddit/cnvt3q9
2t56aw
What is the biggest amount of money you lost?
Not stating the amount, but it was quite a lot (in the 10s of thousands). I was playing online poker and happened to get lucky a few times on stakes way higher than I ever should have been playing. I ended up blowing it all. It wasn't like I lost much of my own money, but I should have done the sane thing and cashed out my original deposit.
3
AskReddit/ebisnz6
a501o3
What’s the best way you have ever spent $100?
Got an excellent Chef’s Knife and now I use it daily when cooking. Trust me, it might sound stupid, but having a quality knife instead of a $1 knife makes all the difference when cooking, and it’s just so much more efficient and safe.
3
AskReddit/d23gnov
4euda5
If you had to come up with a title for your autobiography, what would you call it?
Well, when I wrote an "autobiography" for the first time - which was really just a collection of short stories from my life - I titled it "SuperMax." It was a terrible book. I've been very slowly compiling stories for another attempt, though, which I'm going to call "TL;DR."
2
AskReddit/d4er3x7
4oqlb8
What has been your biggest plot twist in real life ?
I left the Mormon church at 30. That's not really the twist, I always kind of struggled to believe. The twist was how quick and easily my husband left. He was in it to win it. Was going places in the church then within months of me leaving he just up and left. I would never in a million years have guessed he would leave. He never even doubted in all the time I knew him (we were married ten years before we left). It was a really good plot twist though!
3
AskReddit/e9pkkt6
9x4jdb
What's the most shocking thing you've heard a teacher say?
One of my teachers to me when I came up for help on a math worksheet for the 12th time (I still can't figure out math but this was my 4th grade) she did a LOUD sigh, rubbed her temples with her eyes closed and said loud enough for the whole class to hear (but quiet enough to make it look like it wasn't on purpose) 'If you're this stupid, just give up and cheat'. I don't even know where to begin on how this messed with me.
2
AskReddit/dytixk7
8ip8bd
What was that defining moment when you realized your parents weren't perfect/were only human/ weren't always right?
My father was a minister. I idolized him my whole life, but when I got into golf as a kid, he just took it way too serious and way personal, like he'd get mad at me when I played poorly in tournaments and stuff. Then I'd hear him preaching on the pulpit about how "God should be the most important thing in your life" and "Oh how our society likes to idolize sports and money and celebrity when we should be focused on God" blah blah blah. I realized he was a hypocrite, and then I realized he was human. He wanted to put God first, I truly believe that, but in reality he didn't. It was way more important for him that I be a good athlete. It also made me realize I didn't want to be religious.
17
AskReddit/ddvtu3c
5uphdx
How long would a food delivery have to take before you wouldn't tip for it?
If it really took too long, I would call and cancel, but if it arrives I would tip. Maybe the kitchen is slow, or there are not enough drivers in. If thats the case, and they are unreliable I'll go somewhere else next time, but if the food arrives I'll tip. Maybe management sucks, maybe the kitchen staff sucks, but I'm not going to take it out on an employee who is relying on tips to make a living.
2
explainlikeimfive/dcgmkjp
5o50k2
Who are the "regressive left" and why is their political stance a problem for society?
The 'regressive left' is a very small but very vocal group that could best be described as a "liberal" equivalent to the alt right. I put liberal in quotes because they really aren't that liberal. This question is loaded and will probably be removed, but here's what most people have a problem with. First is that they don't support free speech if it offends someone, which should not be the government's job to regulate. Second is that they aren't going for equality so much as revenge for actions that happened hundreds of years before they were born. Third and fourth is that they stick up for people who they see as oppressed whether or not that person wants people to stick up for them, and they go on witch hunts for people doing 'offensive' things that aren't actually offensive(such as going after someone wearing a kimono for being offensive to Japanese people even if a Japanese person gave them the kimono in question.)
7
Ask_Politics/dsknxym
7pvdxb
How did Franklin Roosevelt win his first election and create all these "big government" programs when Democrats were against big government until World War II?
A combination of circumstances. One, it's important to remember that american political parties were ethnic and regional coalitions, not really ideological parties. Two, there was no re-apportionment of house seats after the 1920 census, there was one after 1930, and that meant enormous gains in seats for the big northern cities, which were in coalition with the southern segregationists in the democratic party. Those big city democrats were all in favor of big government, and the southerners were offered huge amounts of patronage and federal funding to get them on board. The party that won in 1932 was pretty dramatically different than the one that existed in 1930 in terms of its political center of gravity and natural inclinations, despite running on a small government platform.
4
AskReddit/c7nesb2
15l2t4
Is it good for a man to have soft hands?
There's soft, and then there's too soft. I shook hands with a guy last week, he had baby soft hands and he had one of those dead hand limp shakes. It was unsettling.
5
AskReddit/ew0uosq
cma48v
What is your story of being badly manipulated by another person and how did you finally break free?
I don't really want to get into specifics, but she manipulated me and played with my emotions, my mind, and I broke free because she finally got bored with me. Funnily enough right as soon as I started putting my foot down about her manipulative ways.
2
Ask_Politics/d35pke0
4jd9ip
Why are bathrooms suddenly a huge issue?
People seem to forget 2004 when gay marriage was suddenly thrown into the spotlight as an issue, when republicans were struggling with a weak candidate. This spurred the base and with the same "scary downfall of our society by a different type of people" they scared enough seniors and social conservatives to the polls to help their elections. Same thing is happening this year.
16
askscience/c2xer61
m1epi
Why do we have separate systems for removing solid and liquid waste?
The digestive system is the end of the pathway that food takes through your body. Your body excretes substances into this pathway and absorbs substances from it. The body is really efficient at pulling the water out of the food and drink you consume and that is why solid waste usually leaves the body this way (barring pathological states). The urinary system on the other hand isn't really a "liquid waste system", rather it is a blood filtering system. It basically is the body's way of trying to maintain certain concentrations of different substances in the blood. The body can only concentrate urine up to approximately 1200 milli osmolar (there will always be some water in your urine), and therefore you cannot pee solids (kidney stones are a pathological disease process that breaks this rule).
2
AskReddit/dhx70o1
6ct30t
Where did the term "Gingers have no souls" originate from?
In the 19th century a bunch of redhead Irish people's were working in potato farms when a blight occurred. The Irish people translocated to America. They didn't have shoes on their feet and the ones who did had them worn down. It originated as a slur describing them as poor and fashion-less. Through time it was adapted to meaning redheads have no spiritual soul. This may be the strangest coincidence to every be recorded in the annals of history.
2
AskReddit/en71rm8
bnmivu
What is the most stupid/annoying situation with a teacher you've experienced?
When I was in middle school (years ago) I wore a shirt to school that had a kitten sitting in a pet food bowl, and the bowl said “Killer” on it. This was soon after the Columbine shooting. A teacher thought I was making a mockery of the shooting because of my shirt, so she chewed me out in front of the class and made me sit in the hall for the whole period. It was ridiculous and my parents agreed when they found out. I think I got the shirt from Hot Topic the year before. Haven’t forgotten that day because it was so stupid.
2
explainlikeimfive/c29pr3r
j722y
What are the sanctions against Iran and what are they supposed to do?
So you don't get an unanswered question here we go. The sanctions are usually enforced by a group of countries (through the united nations) or in a national basis. For Iran they were the ban of exports to Iran (nuclear related material, technology, arms, etc); the ban on imports from Iran; the freezing of financial assets of iranian individuals and companies abroad. The general objective of sanctions is to weaken economically a country, to force them to do, or not, a specific thing. In the case of Iran, it is a way of pressure so they abandon their alegged weapons nuclear program.
2
AskReddit/cxy5zup
3wq0b0
What is something that is extremely satisfying to you?
That moment when you pull a stuck calf out. Or just pulling baby pigs out. Pop.oink. Pop.oink. Pop.oink. So satisfying. Disclaimer: Piglets do not oink upon birth.
911
AskReddit/eme92qx
bk6gm7
What was the dumbest thing you did when you were drunk and almost ruined your life?
Drove drunk from a party and have no idea how I made it home. Since then I refuse to drink and drive. My life or worse, someone else’s could’ve been ended that night because of my stupid decision to drive. Never again.
2
AskReddit/dj0zj6y
6ht5ii
What were you scared of as a child?
I was scared of the witch who walked past my room every night. One night he heard the noises the witch made, so I screamed and my mom went to, tell me that witches don't excist etc. etc. I was such a small girl, like 3 or 4 year old and the memory to this day still haunts me. My mom decides to stay the night (or a part of the night) with me because I'm not sleeping a few nights in a row because of the witch. And then. It happens. I hear the sound of the witches footsteps and I burry myself between my sheets. I scream, I cry because the witch will walk past my bedroom door and it's scary and I'm frightned. My mom is nervous because she hears it too. And indeed, there she is. Thanks to our literal glass ceiling the moon illuminated the hallway. Standing there is a person with a long sleeping gown, messy black hair and walking really slowly towards my bedroom, across the hallway and walking further. AND THAT, ladies and gentlemen, would be the day we discovered my sister is a sleepwalker.
1,189
AskReddit/cpek6rr
2z09so
When did you realise it was time to stop trying and you were never going to learn that particular skill/task?
In general, I don't think you should even give up learning a new skill if you really want to learn it, even if you realise that on average you're slower than everyone else at learning it. This is because you may discover other better ways of doing it along the way, or end up being better at it than everyone else in the long run. The only exception to this is if dropping it and learning something else is more profitable or attractive to you. Then it becomes an easier decision. But in general, if you want to learn it, don't give up.
2
AskReddit/e4lngg5
9982e7
What is a common thing that makes you comfortable?
Carrying a full powerbank with me, it's just comfortable knowing that if my phone/earbuds/speaker/friends phone dies, i can just plug it in anywhere, Also, carrying a pocket knife, not really a comfort, but practicality thing, it's just useful in lots of situations
3
explainlikeimfive/ctaydh7
3e2d9z
Would a 6.0L V8 perform the same as a 6.0L V12?
A v12 of the same displacement, and using the same materials would have smaller and lighter pistons per cylinder, and thus less rotating mass per cylinder, so it could hypothetically rev higher than a v8 of the same displacement. However the additional number of moving parts needed in making the v12 would mean there would be another 4 cylinders, and another 16 valves (assuming a 4 valve per cylinder design) where something could go wrong and cause a mechanical failure. The v12, as grepcdn pointed out, would be more harmonically balanced based on it configuration alone, but as a result of it's lighter pistons and rods, and it would likely make it peak power higher in the rev range than a v8 of the same design. However the additional mass added by a longer crankshaft, and additional cam lobes, rods, and pistons would probably make the v12 ultimately heavier.
2
AskReddit/d180mo5
4bd1rh
Why do women, generally and historically, have longer hair than men?
From an historical view Roman soldiers usually wore short hair so their enemies could not grab on to it in battle. Same for some other cultures. Also many cultures did not bathe (soap did not exist then) and the Romans who were very clean saw long hair as a trait belonging to barbarians.
7
AskReddit/eaiqsrl
a0m8t8
What are some fun mobile games with levels and that can be completed/Beat?
Mobile games are build fundamental as micro transactions, secondly as making you wait hours, then as a game. Not saying all mobile games but Jesus, too hard to find any good ones.
2
AskReddit/dbtoszu
5l85cc
What's the weirdest thing you've ever experienced in a movie theater?
While watching the Craft. The crowd in the theater was me and a group of seven or so hispanics. The movie said something offensive to them. Something about "not speaking Mexican." They got mad. One walked towards the screen talking mad at it. He got to the front and cut the screen with a knife. I muttered something about getting popcorn and left. Never saw the end. Saw a movie in the same theatre later and I saw a scar on the screen where they repaired it.
4
AskReddit/erb624t
c16hv2
What is the worst thing that has happened to you on a camping trip?
One memorable camping trip with my now-ex I had many years ago: the first night it rained.and rained.and rained. I didn't realize we were afloat until my air mattress started a gentle rocking motion from the water puddling under it. The next night a bunch of hunting dogs ran through our camp on the scent of.whatever, and it was like the Bumpass's dogs in A Christmas Story. The third night a herd of skunks drifted through our campsite, about five or six of them. Fortunately no one was sprayed. The fourth night we huddled in our tent listening to the sounds of a mountain lion fighting with a dog, down the hill from us--the mountain lion won. There was no fifth night because we packed up and left shortly after dawn. Did I mention this was in the Black Hills? As we struck camp we were making nervous little jokes about perhaps someone or something didn't want us there.
3
askscience/cm3vlxp
2meu4g
If a brown dwarf collided with a dying star, would that star be 'revived'?
> losses/depletes all its helium/hydrogen No. It depletes (fuses into larger nuclei) the hydrogen in its core. It has plenty of hydrogen left in the outer layers. So, a dwarf would only speed up the death of the star as the core will be depleted even faster.
5
AskReddit/dz0pdvc
8jmcp3
As a teenager, what songs did your parents listen to that you also thought were cool?
My mom loved Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon, which I thought was super cool. She was also a fan of NIN's song "Closer." Every time she listened to it she would say, "I don't like these lyrics. but the music is so catchy!"
2
AskReddit/dcaud56
5nejn9
What are some good entry-level jobs for a teen that is looking for their first job?
I was considering working at Gamestop until I read a bunch of stuff about it being one of the worst jobs that people have ever worked at. Many others said retail in general is terrible. I'm 17 years old and looking for my first job, so I'll have to be pretty lucky to get accepted to anything that isn't minimum wage. Any ideas?
3
AskReddit/ef7ynfd
akufsb
What amazing idea did you “invent”. and then find out already exists?
I don’t know how amazing this is but as a child I thought a good gum flavour would be Lemon Meringue pie and sure enough a few days later I saw an ad for a desserts collection of gum which included that flavour Edit: gum*
3
explainlikeimfive/c9t0ymi
1dr30q
Why is Feminism called Feminism and not Equalism?
Feminists believe that the reason for all sexism (be it anti-female or anti-male) is gender roles. These gender roles are skewed towards creating a male-dominated society. An example of gender roles resulting in discrimination against men and women is the view that men are bread-winners and women are care-givers. This results in women being discriminated against in that they don't have as many career prospects and are indeed expected to wind down their own career and take care of children if they have any. It also results in men being discriminated against in that they often lose custody cases. Because our society is dominated by men and for the most part it is women who are victims of sexism the movement is called feminism.
32
askscience/cwkdbcu
3r1o8c
Why do multi-plate clutches in cars have high friction if surface area doesn't affect friction force?
Friction being independent of surface area is only a good aproximation when the pressure (force per area ) involved is reasonable. For things like clutches and breaks you need to worry about the durability of the material involved, heat dissipation, and things like the coefficient of friction not necessarily being independent of pressure. If you try to achieve sufficient friction by simple applying a large enough force on a small area, you may find that there are few materials that are able to perform adequately under such strong pressures. -- It will also result in higher temperature and reduced durability because the transition between static friction and free motion will not always be instant. If the clutch slides even a little, a tiny surface area will likely result in more material degradation, and thus lower durability and reliability. -- Basically, in an ideal physical model, using small area and higher pressure works the same, but in practice your materials will not perform as well. This is so because while total force may well be constant, the pressure is not. For modest pressures this does not matter, but at higher pressures the materials can start to behave in a more complex fashion.
8
AskReddit/e8vcm8n
9td2n9
What type of noises do you make when you cry?
If I'm crying hard (crying is rare because I've been abused because I cried and I'm a boy), my wails are high pitched and is sometimes accompanied with the breathing noises of hyperventilation.
2
AskReddit/eiigw72
b11532
Why is professional wrestling considered a sport and not performance art?
Because the men and women who participate in Professional Wrestling genuinely get out there and have an athletic competition. Sure the results are entirely predetermined but that doesn't take away from the athleticism these people have. The promos and such fall into a more entertainment genre but that's why men like Vince McMahon came up with terms like Sports Entertainment
3
AskReddit/ey5s02b
cvqser
What final words did you receive from a loved one that helped you find peace in their passing?
Well this was a year ago maybe longer. I had a friend from my school and she moved to a different school we never got to say goodbye but then we bumped into each other when I was walking home and we then hugged each other and said bye. A few months later she was murdered and I was glad that I got to say goodbye before she died. So Yh that’s what helped me when I was informed she was murdered
3
AskReddit/c98id97
1bofv8
What nostalgic songs will our generation listen to as grandparents that remind us of our past?
For me it's already happening. Personally, I can't stand listening to the same songs over and over again for years and years but many of my friends haven't graduated past the 1990's since college. I can't count the number of times that I've been at someones house or in someones car and didn't hear any music play that wasn't at least 15 to 20 years old. Big songs on rotation in my neck of the woods - 1979 by the Smashing Pumpkins, Girl by Nirvana and pretty much anything that the Red Hot Chili Peppers ever recorded leading up to Californication.
2
AskReddit/d371eny
4jj7sy
What's a life skill you learned early in your life that you still use today?
Came from an abusive home and so I learned how to read people's micro-expressions, tones, and body language pretty well so that I could predict when the next big rampage was coming. It's not the worst skill to have!
2
AskReddit/e3m0xri
94m7jy
What foods have fewer calories than you would expect?
Pulled Pork. I've been counting calories for a few months now, but I was shocked to discover that just straight pulled pork, obviously BBQ sauce not in the picture, is low calorie. My father likes to roast boston butts fairly often, especially for family events. Just season lightly and you're good to go; though as soon as you start adding bread and sauce, things skyrocket pretty fast.
3
explainlikeimfive/dwhnhia
883xn5
How are HD Re-Releases of old films produced?
The original film quality doesn't change. If you filmed it on poor grade film, it'll be poor forever. If you filmed it on professional grade film (basically every movie with anything resembling a budget), the quality of the film exceeds the quality achieved by the scanning process to convert to VHS or DVD. If a new, better scanning technique or better media (like BluRay) is invented, then the original film (professional quality) can be rescanned to produce a higher quality copy than the old VHS or DVD.
3
explainlikeimfive/dr1hlx3
7iupb9
Why do people enjoy tastes of food?
Because we evolved to. Most things that taste good do so for a reason, usually because they're very high in energy or nutrients. For example sugar tastes so good because it is jam packed with energy so the more sugar our ancestors ate, the less likely they were to starve, meaning those that liked the taste of sugar were more likely to survive and we evolved an affinity for sugar. This goes for nutrients too, for example sodium is an essential electrolyte so things high in sodium, such as salt, often taste good.
2
AskReddit/cqgalh8
330811
What do you wish more people understood?
I wish more people understood what it's like to be casually suicidal. I think that with suicidal and depressed people it can be hard to talk about these thoughts out of fear of being committed. But sometimes you don't want to kill yourself, or you do but you won't and it would be nice to be able to say " today I want to kill myself" without everyone going nuts. TLDR: mental health
15
explainlikeimfive/dw5s70y
86jvrq
Why did Eastern armies prefer curved swords over the straight swords of their western counterparts?
Ok several reasons here, a lot of it down to the style of fighting, so will try to cover some of it. 1) A curved blade is easier to draw on horseback due to the lack of space. Eastern armies used to have more troops mounted and on smaller horses so this was more of an issue. 2) A curved blade has the centre of balance more towards the tip meaning a slashing blow would do more damage. It also meant that for the same weight of sword it could be made longer. This allowed lightly armed mounted troops to slash rapidly a few times and gallop away. Western mounted troops were intended to blast through the opposing troops rather than harass. 3) A curved blade though lacks the penetrating power of a straight blade against thick armour, western armies were more likely to encounter heavily armoured opposition (or heavy shields). 4) Western troops would sometimes fight dismounted to form a shield wall, whilst curved blades can be used on foot they are not able as easily to be used in a wall like formation where the straight blade can be used in a coordinated stabbing motion.
2,821
AskReddit/c86axo1
17kf56
How do you handle another party's insurance company when they reject your claim even when you are not at fault?
Talk to your insurance company first and ask them to file the claim with Allstate for you. They usually will have no problem doing that. I had a similar incident over the summer; my company was willing to cover it but I didn't want to pay the deductible, so I asked them to handle it. They dealt with all the paperwork etc, and all I had to do was talk to the other company's adjuster about what happened. The whole process took about a month, but the at-fault woman's insurance wound up covering everything and neither I nor my insurance had to pay anything. If that doesn't go anywhere, then it's time to get a lawyer. That shouldn't cost you anything out of pocket either. However, if you go through your insurance first, Allstate will know you are serious and will most likely just pay the claim, since going through lawyers is more expensive.
2
AskReddit/chd2hij
252pq9
If we sent a special forces team back in time with no advanced technology, do you think modern tactics would be enough to change the outcome of a major war?
Depends on the point in time. If we're talking WWI, Civil War, maybe the Napoleonic Era, where there had been big technological shifts and tactics hadn't caught up yet, if you sent a "special generals team", they could make a huge difference. But modern tactics aren't exactly useful in the 1200s when the weaponry available doesn't support them.
2
AskHistorians/edhjuvj
adilti
Why couldn't the Mongols conquer India during both the 13th and 14th centuries?
Not through lack of trying. But we do have some theories about this. For reference, my sources for this will be primarily the pages dealing with this in 'Genghis Khan: The Man Who Conquered the World' by Frank McLynn, as I actually have that to hand. However, I'd be willing to dig through his citations for the primary work if there's any major contentions about my answer. With that out of the way, let's get started. In the aftermath of the destruction of Transoxiana by Genghis's forces, primarily between 1219 and 1221, it did seem as if the Mongols at the peak of their military efficiency might invade the Sultanate of Delhi. Specifically, to pursue the Khwarezmian Shah's heir, Jalal al-Din. However, with Jalal's forces broken and the Mongol tumens under Genghis worn out after the clashes, they turned away. Some Delhi commentators later claimed that this was out of fear of Indian cavalry, despite the fact that such claims were made about the Jin, Khwarezmian, and later Hungarian cavalry. McLynn, instead, notes >In the first place, the summer heat in India was almost unberable. Whereas temperatures in Lahore and Delhi were between 60 and 65 degrees in winter, this rose to over 90 degrees in summer. Furthermore, the problem of forage for the Mongolian armies was rapidly becoming egregious; and the actual supply of horseflesh an even more pressing concern. The wastage of mounts increased dramatically once the Mongols entered inhospitable terrain such as the forested area of Northern India and the mountains of Afghanistan. Even the sturdy, resistant steppe horse of Mongolia was finding the constant campaigning hard going. An invasion of Delhi without a surplus of remounts was a daunting prospect even for the Mongolian war machine at it's fighting peak. Lastly, there were outside influences. The Xia Xia had repudiated their treaty to aid Muqali in Jin China, and Genghis desired to break them. He saw them as far more pressing matter, for he fundamentally associated Mongolian prestige with their ability to maintain their conquests. Add into this a growing 'sick-list' in his army, and we can clearly see some of the logic behind Genghis turning away from Delhi. However, we must also ask ourselves why a later invasion by the Ilkhanate and Chagatai Khanate did not succeed in the 1290s. In essence, these armies no longer possessed the same advantages that their forefathers had, but their opponents had also not been idle. Not only were they able to fight the Mongolian armies in passes and at river crossings. Furthermore, many of the 'Mongolian' forces had actually returned to Mongolia; the vast majority of these armies were from Central Eurasian tribes such as the Cumans, but also from the inhabitants of Transoxiana and Persia. They utilised larger proportions of infantry in a central role, and were no longer backed up by the nomadic pastoral system of supply that Genghis's armies had undertaken. Culturally and militarily, the Chagatai Khanate and the Ilkhanate were vastly different from the tumens of their forefathers. No military exists in a vacuum, and so the rulers of Delhi, Jalauddin and his successor Alauddin, had studied the armies of their neighbours closely. Their correct conclusions about the lack of discipline amongst the conscripted levies as opposed to the more martial nomadic horseman led to decisive victories over Mongolian armies. So, there's my answer. I'm not sure the Mongols under Genghis lacked the ability to conquer India, but I do side with that view. However, the decision to turn away from Delhi was driven primarily by logistical and political issues. Later invasions were unable to conquer India because the Sultanate of Delhi had developed effective counter-measures to the military style of the surround Khanates. I do hope this helped!
6
AskReddit/ci0h93c
27g3k4
Why can't I buy alcohol or cigarettes with an expired ID?
Because the ID is no longer valid. The day after its expiration date basically puts it on the same level as a fake ID no matter how valid it was 24 hours ago. Some times the clerk will let it pass if its a few days after but most of them due to legalities and store policies can't accept it because they want to keep a job and stay out of jail.
3
AskReddit/e7ds44j
9md4sm
Do you think global warming could somehow save us from an ice age?
It could cause an ice age Its been over a decade but I red about global dimming from all the pollution smog blocking out the sun. I'm not a science guy but it made sense to me at the time.
2
AskReddit/dgxt5yu
68eav3
What is too serious to joke about?
Nothing, because people will offended by different things. If we make a certain subject taboo because it offends a certain group of people, what's to say a separate group of people wanting another subject made taboo to joke about, and so on and so forth.
2
AskReddit/dcx8jvc
5q8i1k
What do you remember most about your last day of High School?
I specifically remember being very reminiscent of all the memories I had made there, and being grateful that I had such a good experience. My friends stood next to me in silence in the parking lot as we looked up at the school one final time as students before life took us our separate ways.
4
AskReddit/evbrmh7
cj8esl
Should kids under 13 be allowed on Social Media and why?
My 12 year old is required to be on social media for school. That's the moment kids go to secondary school and get more freedom, in my country. So 12 would be a reasonable age to go on social media. I'd like an option to have more parental supervision, though. Like warnings when a much older person tries to contact them. I don't need to read every message or see every picture, but would like to know when a complete stranger who's 3 times their age tries to talk to them.
2
AskReddit/dlbp6aq
6saic8
What sports-related opinion do you hold?
That sports is taken way too seriously. Yes i find sports entertaining some people turn it into a religion. Like calm tf down just cause your team didnt win doesnt mean you should go on a rampage (unless you bet money, then go on a rampage, then again why would you bet on a game anyway).
2
AskReddit/d50ik4x
4revuk
How can you make some money with no proper 9am to 5pm job?
Just got back from my postgrad course abroad and surprise, big recession at home, no jobs left. Any tips on how I can make some money until something starts to happen on LinkedIn? I up for dog walking stuff or basically anything.
2
AskReddit/cgg1m90
21r033
What's the most interesting question you can ask someone in order to get to know them?
"What do you do that's creative?" If they have creative interests, they will love you for this question. If they don't they'll usually still tell you a bit about themselves and what really does interest them. It's also a question that people don't get very often so it tends to be met with curiosity and a willingness to share.
2
AskReddit/c0tzpzx
co7uf
Does your pet react differently to your foot than your hand?
> Do you think they understand that our feet is dirty? Or maybe we just don't pet them as well as our hands. I don't think we have as great a control on pressure when we're stroking something with our feet as opposed to our hands, so maybe while we think we're stroking them with our feet, we might actually be pushing them down a bit too much.
6
AskReddit/cxk0znp
3v3hmf
What is your favorite book you read for school?
Calculus. Talk about a book with curves in the plot. I cried many nights while reading it. Not to go off on a tangent, but I found that book to be an integral part of my life. I've been able to derive so much meaning from this one.
5
AskReddit/cyubaup
40i6tq
How do you create patience to do things, also when things don't work out in one time trying?
Patience is a skill like any other. Generally, it involves creating constructive waiting behaviors. So if you're waiting for a pot to boil, you take a couple minutes to sweep the room. You're in a doctor's office, you read the book you brought with you for that purpose. When at first you don't succeed, the big point is not blowing up about it. Instead of getting angry, you put your energies into the next thing. Take a breath, count to ten, then try to examine the problem. Write it down if it helps. Break it down into distinct steps. Just the act of breaking a problem down into steps, or making a list of what to do next, is often very helpful.
3
AskReddit/dkvlv7p
6q9jco
What are some cool things companies give for work anniversaries?
acrylic awards are pretty popular and many companies partner with companies that offer a variety of products that employees can pick from and the items are shipped to your home and paid for by the employer at my last employer I got a sleeping bag for my 3 year anniversary, and a set of corningware cookware for my 5 year anniversary, and with my next company I got a dyson vacuum for 3 years. those are really just an extra little goodie because when you look at the cost for something like that the sleeping bag was only worth about 2 hours of my pay rate. It is more the fun of getting some free thing than an actual financial boost.
2
explainlikeimfive/cbvtqae
1l50t0
What is Ayn Rand's philosophy and why do people now hold it in a negative light?
The basic tenet of Rand's worldview was that things exist independent of our perceptions and opinions. That's why it's called "objectivism," because it's based on the idea that there is objective reality. Working from this premise, Rand opined that the only sensible moral purpose in life is the advancement of the self. Seeking one's own happiness and fulfillment is the only moral framework that makes any sense, in her worldview. A just world, then, is one in which each person is free to seek his own happiness and fulfillment. Obligations we place on each other are morally defensible only when those obligations benefit all people equally, and serve to guarantee our freedom to advance ourselves. In short, nobody "owes anything" to anybody else, except to be left alone to find their own way in the world. So the moral way to live one's life, then, is to rationally pursue one's one self-interest, independent of and without imposition on others. There are basically three broad categories of people who have opinions about Ayn Rand. The first is made up of teenagers who've just read something of hers for the first time and think it's remarkable and new. The second is made up of teenagers who read something of hers a while ago and think it's evil and malicious. The third group is made of of people who've outgrown both of the first two groups and who see that there's absolute validity in the objectivist philosophy, but it runs up against real-world challenges when one remembers that precious few people are actually rational actors. The world would be a much nicer place if we all were, but the fact is we're not, and we have to live with that.
7
AskReddit/e2tz0mn
90y3m7
What is the absolute worst smell you have ever smelled?
Worked a shutdown at a pulp mill in Hinton Alberta . water to puke every day I was there an smelled it at night too from my hotel room in town. it's a sweet and sour smell.like nothing else .
3
AskHistorians/cegz4xy
1udjib
Why didn't Asian countries expand and colonize?
Do you have any particular countries &/or time-frame in mind? I'm thinking of counter examples e.g. that the entire Americas were populated via Siberia, the Mongols conquered a vast territory, and China engulfed Mongolia (although they later lost Outer Mongolia) & Tibet.
4
AskReddit/c3yy5gf
qnhav
Why aren't convex side mirrors standard on all vehicles to minimize/eliminate blind spots?
I love those mirrors, but you can eliminate blind spots by positioning your mirrors correctly to begin with. If you can see the side of YOUR vehicle in your mirror, your mirrors are adjusted incorrectly.
3
AskReddit/dk8ohhk
6ndlt2
What seems to smell better than it tastes?
Cigarettes. Always loved the smell growing up, and after having smoked from 18 to 29, I never had a puff that tasted as good as it smelled. (As long as you're not swimming in it)
11
AskReddit/evuk71d
cld5us
What song tells the best story?
Cherry Wine by Hozier. It's so beautifully written, the tune itself is so soulful and the story it tells is sad- about a man in an abusive relationship. As a woman myself, I have to agree that we don't get to see/hear stories of men being abused. It's usually the other way 'round. Which is what makes this song even more special.
5
AskReddit/c2sxu1a
liez7
How to make a kid smile on her first day of school?
Put in a slip of paper that entitles her to one free day from school of her choosing. Otherwise known as skipping school. That way she knows that she can pull the plug on this school thing any day she chooses for one day. Might be her first day. Might never happen.
4
explainlikeimfive/eb6ucvh
a3jxn7
Why is it so hard to take care of yourself when you are depressed?
They said they removed my post the basic answer is due to your depression you just don't care what happens to you. You don't want anything bad or good to happen you just exist. So it's hard to put any energy towards anything sometimes even your survival.
49
AskReddit/c31rfyw
mkzcy
What was the worst "White" lie that your parents told you as a child?
My dad had a scar just above the belt line on his side. I asked him about it once and he told me a very long involved story about overrunning a German foxhole and getting stuck with a bayonet (picture overrunning of the 88mm's scene in Saving Private Ryan). I was pretty impressed. A couple years later I asked my mom why he never talked about the war. My mom said "What on earth are you talking about?" I told her about the scar and she replied "Your father got that running into a table at work. He was 10 when WW2 ended. Just how old do you think we are?"
3
AskReddit/c2uzrbs
lre3x
What's the best way to approach someone that you don't know, but are attracted to and would like to know?
I was immediately attracted to one person in my chemistry class, and for half a semester, I merely "observed" him. I didn't stalk him or anything, just listened to what he said in class and found out that we enjoyed many of the same activities and interests. Luckily, my lab table was filled with mutual friends of ours, and I was eventually introduced to him. My lab partner and I lured him over to our table once we could choose our own seats, and I began striking up conversations about our favorite shows, books, and hobbies. It helped that we built a potato cannon together and delved into pyrotechnics frequently. best way into a guy's heart is through fire! Yeah! Anyways, we're still great friends (about 4 years later). Funnily enough, this type of thing happened to me again 2 years later. College this time around, but still a chemistry class. Again, just brought up the topic at hand (chem), and then segued into mutual interests.
14
askscience/c4qljvq
txpr1
How do scientists prevent the submerged water in Lake Vostok from exploding out of the bored hole like a geyser?
The density of glacial ice is actually slightly lower than the density of water, so the column of water that would go up the borehole (in theory, as in practice there is no space around the drill) would not actually reach the surface. This is because a 4km thick layer of ice generates a pressure of 4000m x 926 kg/m^3 x 9.8m/s^2 = 36.2MPa (at that temperature and pressure, ice is still hexagonal and thus the same density as the stuff you put in your drinking glass), while a 4km tall column of water would generate 4000m x 1000 kg/m^3 x 9.8m/s^2 = 39.2 MPa. If it were a lake under rock this thick, it would create a powerful geyser, but because the density is almost the same for both, no geyser will be happening here.
8
explainlikeimfive/cwwfizy
3seban
Why is Hiroshima vastly populated while Chernobyl is still a ghost town and advised to stay away from?
Chernobyl has far more radiation in the area than Hiroshima does, for a number of reasons. First, the Chernobyl reactor had a lot more nuclear material in it than the bomb used at Hiroshima. The bomb was one of the very early ones, so it wasn't all that large compared to the kinds of weapons we have today. Less than a kilogram actually fissioned at Hiroshima, whereas tens of kilograms of nuclear material were released at Chernobyl. Second, the types of radioactive material that're generated after a nuclear weapon explodes generally decay very quickly, so after 60 years the area doesn't have all that much extra radiation (though certainly it has some). The kinds of elements that are created from a nuclear meltdown, though, are less radioactive in the short term (per unit mass, since as mentioned above there was a lot more of it) but decay less quickly, so it's going to take thousands of years for Chernobyl to return to reasonable levels. Finally, Hiroshima used what's called an "air burst", which means they detonated the weapon a couple thousand feet in the air. That tends to spread the radioactive material over a much wider area, and a bunch of it gets carried away by the wind. When the reactor at Chernobyl exploded, it was obviously at ground level, so a much higher proportion of the radiation stayed in the immediate area.
9
AskReddit/c84pb6y
17dw4r
What is the most useful thing you own that is under $50?
Roll of gaffer tape. Spendy, at $23 a roll, but it makes duct tape look like scotch tape. Easier to tear off the roll, doesn't leave a sticky residue when you take it off, has a more grippy surface so it's better for laying down things like carpet, and has a stronger tension strength so it holds things together better.
66
AskReddit/dxry85j
8e2yea
What's the best state of the US?
The best state depends on what you like or dislike. If you like sun and sand, Minnesota is probably not for you. If you like cool weather and snow, Florida is probably not for you. If you like a little bit of both, try Virginia. It really does depend on what you want. That said, if you like the smell of sewage in the morning, New Jersey.
2
AskReddit/d9rgm7u
5bv5k7
What happened in that one dream of yours that you've never forgotten?
The first time I had sleep paralysis I dreamt about an old man following me around a shopping mall. At the end of the dream he cornered me and stared at me with completely black eyes and grinded his teeth together. I could hear his teeth grinding together was the worst part and they had bits of wire and cloth between them. I woke up and was stuck frozen with the noise of his teeth grinding still going. Stuck there for a good 5 minutes. Worst experience of my life, will never forget it!
3
AskReddit/cwhcs4t
3qpcs3
When Marijuana becomes legal to use recreationally in the U.S., do you think employers still won't hire Marijuana users because of their drug tests?
My small company wouldn't, simply because our insurance costs would probably double if not more. What people don't realize is that even if you make it legal, its this kind of stuff that is going to make companies think twice. Especially if you have people operating vehicles or heavy equipment. It only takes one accident and a major claim for insurance to cost too much or be dropped, and every industry nowadays especially in our litigious society needs to have it, bottom line, besides the fact that in most occupations its a requirement. The loss or serious increase in those costs because of an accident because someone smoked a bit too close to the time they got in an accident (and that will be another interesting thing-how do you determine if someone has been "sober" for X number of hours before starting a shift, like you can measure with alcohol?) will be the reason its not universally adopted. The problem in treating it like alcohol is there isn't a BAC test you can give for it. Its positive or negative. You can't measure the level, as far as I know, and then come up with a .05 BMC (Blood Marijuana Content) level that, if you're below it, you're "not impaired" but if you're above that, you're "legally impaired." So in the eyes of the legal system, if you test positive, you're instantly liable.
2
AskReddit/dcxxvzo
5qbpxh
Have you ever caught someone spying on you, and how did you react?
We caught a guy spying on my sister through the window we held him there at gub point until the cops pulled up. He ran I chasing him a scuffle ensued. He jumped a fence when I jump the fence he was waiting for me with a trash can and hit me in the face with it. After I ran a bit further a cop ran into me and asked me which way he went and told me to stop. They never caught the guy.
3
AskReddit/coc4u38
2uvvhy
Do you do your job cause you love the job or just because you need a paycheck?
I can honestly say I do my job because I love it. If I was after just the paycheck there are so many ways to earn more money with less effort. I've had jobs like that in the past, and I couldn't be happier that I am no longer doing them.
2
AskReddit/d209j93
4egttl
What TV series did you enjoy that isn't very popular?
Fringe! An amazing show and I was so upset there were only three five seasons, I'm still astonished it didn't become more popular, I've probably watched the series 2 or 3 times. edit: well i'm embarrassing since i was trying to type i had seen it three times and typed three seasons.
3
AskReddit/e72zygd
9l028g
What does your dog, or cat, do while you are in the bath or having a shower?
My cats usually leave us alone, but if I hop in the shower before feeding them, one will stand on their hind legs with their front paws on the edge of the tub while the other sits on top of the toilet and paws at the toilet paper, unrolling it and making it all fall to the floor. If I close the door, I will always open it to find they have broken something or found something to spill.
23
AskReddit/dzv8ztx
8ng1fd
What makes your day?
OP’s like yourself that respond enthusiastically to responses on your thread. Keep doing you, OP! EDIT with an actual answer: I just got back from seeing a concert of one of my favorite guitar players and that made quite a few days.
4
AskReddit/ded6zh3
5wvrs8
Why are the bikes at gyms not used to create power and charge batteries?
They are? The ones at my gym have big touch displays with many functions (training program, TV, heart monitor, cooling fan etc.) as well as a phone charger that are all powered by you.
2
askscience/chlc7e5
25vt1x
Are electromagnetic and color charges discrete qualities, or do these characteristics exist on any kind of continuum?
Electromagnetic charge is a continuous variable, a real number. The transition from negative to positive charge is a smooth one. Color (QCD) charge is not a continuous variable. Quarks come in three colors - that's it. The antiquarks have anti-color. Anti-Red cancels Red, leaving a color neutral object. R, G, and B can also combine to be color neutral. Due to the nature of the QCD interaction, all free particles (e.g. protons and mesons) must be color neutral. This effect is known as "color confinement".
4
AskReddit/cm02blh
2m1dkp
What are some things that people do that is seemingly normal that you find disgusting?
I moved to Chicago about a year ago, and since then I've had people cough directly into my face while on a train and not say sorry or act like that this isn't an offensive thing to do. I complained to a friend who's lived here her whole life and she couldn't believe the big deal I made out of this. I don't believe they teach the germ theory of disease in the Chicago public school system.
3
explainlikeimfive/ctcowqu
3e955l
Why is not required for cops to provide a reason to arrest someone in the US?
You do have the right to know why you are being arrested. They are not required to tell you at the moment of arrest though, they simply have to tell you during the processing period (which can be up to 72 hours). Habeas Corpus can also be suspended due to ties to terrorism or other national security issues.
3
AskReddit/dent4u2
5y7q86
How much time it takes for grave robbing to turn into archaeology?
It's not just about time. It's more about your intent and methods. If you do it in secret, take no regards to protect and maintain the surrounding conditions, don't document your findings, and use whatever you take for personal profit, it's grave robbing, regardless of how long the grave has been there. If, however, you alert the appropriate officials to your actions before taking them, dig with the intent of scientific discovery, meticulously document everything you do, take care to protect the surrounding environment and other possible items/sites of archaeological interest, etc, then it's archaeology.
7
AskReddit/dhtusno
6casxw
What item is acceptable to buy in small amounts, but seems creepy to buy a lot of?
Fertiliser. Buy a small amount and people assume its for your garden. Buy a lot of it, and people assume the only thing homegrown about your garden is the terrorist who looks after it
50
AskReddit/e7gcjr0
9mofyx
What was the final straw, what made you leave your SO?
His refusal to follow up with anything, constant manipulation and empty promises to allow him to continue living as a man-child final straw was the SECOND time he accused me of cheating (while we were broken up), because one of his friends saw me at a bar with my coworkers. Now seeing someone who treats me like a person. It’s great.
7
AskReddit/ccd91pp
1mwhk9
What is the oddest, disturbing, or most interesting form of torture you've ever heard of, or read about?
I once heard of a (chinese?) form of torture where they would show you images of naked women until you were sufficiently hard, and then slide a glass rod up the urethra and smash it. If that wasn't bad enough they would force you to drink vinegar and water only.
2
AskReddit/eg4ew6b
aoycwn
What is the worst thing you have seen a parent do at a youth sports game?
Youth? You should see the parents at my husbands adult soccer league games. Theyre the worst. But in high school track, a dad got banned because he kept trying to coach practices over the actual coach. After they banned him, he sat under the bleachers to watch.
3