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LAUNCH Lab 13

AskReddit/c4hetow

svtrk

What does an "American accent" sound like to other cultures?

I'm a Northwestern American, and we have a pretty enunciated dialect up here. It's very hit or miss how people feel about it, apparently. A few of my friends from the UK really like how precise it sounds, but others find it to be extremely annoying and unattractive. On the other hand, I absolutely love British accents.

AskReddit/e26psn6

8xyyip

How could you produce a film about mental illness without glorifying it and rather spreading awareness?

I would probably produce a film that touches on mental illness - like the main character(s) could suffer from various illnesses - but it wouldn't be the sole focus. We would see how they get by in life and deal with it day to day and probably in various situations but it'd be a minor part of the story but very real. Or a documentary that follows the lives of several people living with mental illnesses and how they deal with it from day to day

AskReddit/elkonar

bgguza

When will Palestine give up and realize they can't beat Israel?

Give up and do what, then? Right now Palestieans are stateless noncitizens in a territory from which they can't get a permission to emigrate. Besides getting killed outright it can't really get much worse for them anyway and a lot of the more militant ones have already decided for battle.

askscience/c7y879u

16pn8w

How can two different molecules exist in different states at the same temperature?

Temperature is not defined as the average kinetic energy of the system. The definition is much more general, and is related to how much entropy a system will gain or lose when some energy is added or removed. Loosely speaking, for normal systems (forget exotic situations that can have negative/infinite temperature), if adding a unit energy increases your entropy a lot, then you have a low temperature. If adding a unit of energy increases your entropy by only a small amount, you are at a high temperature. (Formally, T=1/(dS/dU) where T=temp, S=entropy, U=energy, and d=partial differentiation operation). Now, starting with very basic physical arguments, if you don't take into account quantum mechanics, it can be shown that a system's internal energy (not just its kinetic energy) is indeed proportional to temperature. This treatment, however, generally neglects the fact that the different particles that make up the system interact. It turns out that at high temperatures/low densities, this approximation is pretty good, and the resultant expressions accurately reflect measurements. However, these arguments normally break down at a "critical temperature", where the random fluctuations in density will occasionally yield local densities that would require the inclusion of particle interactions in the underlying theory. Phase change phenomena like condensation and melting arise from this effect. Now, to answer your question. If I understand your question correctly, you are asking how one substance could be a gas at some temperature, whereas another substance is a liquid at that same temperature. As you mention, the differing intermolecular forces that are at play will dictate how important particle-particle interactions are, and thus determine the melting/condensation points. It's true that the gas molecules are moving faster and thus have a higher average kinetic energy, but the energy stored in the particle interactions is relatively low. In a liquid, on the other hand, a significant amount of energy is stored in the potentials of the interactions between molecules. (Note: everything above is based on classical, i.e non-quantum arguments. The basic idea should survive the transition to a quantum treatment, however).

explainlikeimfive/cc2t0v5

1lu697

In the 'Art' world how come everything isn't just considered opportunistic, why does everything have to be so thought through?

First, consider how limited language is. A dictionary may have upwards of 600,000 definitions for the English language while other studies show the total amount of words tipping past 1,000,000. It may seem like a lot -- but how many do you actually know? Or actually use? And, even if you knew them all, there is a limit. Second, consider what the purpose of language is. Words, strung together, are approximations of ideas. They allow people to communicate concepts to one another using the palette of words and sounds available to them via their native language. Yet, in the end, no matter how few or many words any one language may have, no language can ever completely communicate or approximate every idea. "Art" is a method of communication. It approximates emotions, spatial concepts, and other aspects of life that aren't as easy to communicate to others via other forms of communication, such as words. For example, let's say you go to the beach on a cool, clear night and as you watch the moonlight glimmer and bound about the waves, a shooting star falls into the atmosphere and, for a brief moment, lights up the sky in a brilliant, glowing streak. All those words I just used to describe that scene may have communicated exactly the image I have in my head so that you are able to see/feel/understand exactly the same image in your head. but that isn't really likely. So if I want to communicate that experience to you and my palette of words fail me, something like a picture can allow me to more accurately capture/approximate my experience into a form that will visually communicate that message to you. A photograph is a great example of an accepted form of realistic, visual information -- but what if your goal isn't so much to communicate the details? Emotions are an odd element to life, and it is one of the best examples of how poorly suited words are for capturing humanity. Ever get so flustered that you are speechless? Or see someone so beautiful that "beautiful" just isn't quite strong enough of a word to describe how you feel? This is where you start to get away from photo-realism art and drift towards "abstract." Granted, people like Pollock are on the extreme end of the spectrum, but he was also a very unique "voice" in art. Can just about anyone make a piece of "art" like Pollock? Sure -- but they didn't. Pollock had a unique nature and use of art to the point that he wasn't "making art" as much as he was, quite literally, "expressing himself." The result of his methods attempting to approximate emotions/ideas/concepts were labor-intensive works that--for whatever reason--entertained an audience. While his fame, in the end, was possibly due to bandwagoning -- his beginnings were the result of making a connection with people. A connection that escaped bounds of words or language. Maybe it was the colors, the proportions, the contrast between his work and other trends at the time -- but something about his "message" resonated with others to the point that people were willing to pay more than other people to own those ideas. With that said -- there is plenty of opportunistic artists out there. plenty of copycats attempting to plagiarize methods to make a buck. But at the end of the day, it's all about selling emotions. People connect with art, and they put a price on that connection. and those who are able to better communicate emotions/ideas to those who are unable to do it themselves. they make a lot of money. Edit: And, to answer your question, if you just carelessly threw paint at a canvas. The reason it may not be "art" (or considered art) is similar to how if you just blurted out jumbled sounds and words it may not be considered English (or any language). Art has a lot to do with the intent of the message. Then again, it also has to do with how the message is received. It's possible that the way you throw the paint, and the colors you choose, and the way you flick your wrist at the canvas so-happen to result in a visibly pleasing pattern that makes someone like it and want to buy it from you. If you sell it. You just sold an emotion. Congrats, artist.

AskReddit/c2toi1e

llnnl

What's the most interesting dream you've had?

I love talking about dreams. here's mine. It's always twilight in my dreams. It's usually some post-apocalyptic type theme maybe I'm rebuilding the world, maybe it's just a different world than what I know because it's already been rebuilt. I'm usually taking care of others in my dream which matches what I do IRL. Also there are a lot of recurring dream things that interest me. For instance there's this house I keep dreaming about, two stories, has balconies upstairs, its painted blue in a heavily wooded area, looks like it was built in the 70's or 80's. This house interests me since Ive never seen one like it that I know of.

AskReddit/c0foese

a3hn4

Why isn't there an affordable, satisfyingly delicious vegetable-based alternative to meat?

I think there is more to this than just choice. I read somewhere about satiation (that is, feeling satisfied and full) differences between meat and vegetable food items. I think it's to do with the protein, or lack thereof. I'm too busy to look anything up now, but I think that is part of your answer, anyway.

AskReddit/d5ynrko

4vhqoq

What's something you've wanted to apologize for, but never got the chance to?

Right before my 9th birthday my brother got me a helmet so I could ride with him on his motorcycle for the first time ever. I got on the back of the bike but when he took off I got really scared because it was so loud. I started screaming and he immediately got off and walked me home. My mom saw I was crying and thought he went too fast or something and he got in trouble. He really didn't do anything wrong and I felt bad he was in trouble and wanted to say sorry but I was still upset and went to bed without saying goodnight to him. That night he was involved in an accidental shooting and we lost him. I never got to say sorry or that I loved him or that he was my best friend and meant everything in the world to me. It's been 14 years and I don't think it'll ever stop hurting. edit: sorry for the impromptu feel trip guys, just needed to get that out I guess. My brother was the most incredible person I've ever known and there is no doubt in my mind that he knew I loved him more than anything. He was 19 years old and would choose hanging out with his 8 year old sister over going out and partying any day. I've also taken great comfort in knowing his death saved several lives through the donation of his organs. Thank you everyone for the kind messages and comments, reddit can be a pretty neat place sometimes.

AskReddit/eoujnyi

bt6u2o

How do you deal with the loneliness when a loved one passes away?

(Currently grieving a loss) but so far I have found keeping their memory alive is the best thing for me personally. My niece passed away 6 years ago at the age of 5 and every year I still celebrate her birthday by watching her favourite shows and eating her favourite snacks. With other people who have passed away I have decided to write letters on my really bad day, I know they can’t read them but sometimes getting those feelings down on paper and being able say how you’re feeling without really saying it out loud helps a lot too. Some days are much harder than others and that heartache will still be there but you’ll find a way, your way of dealing with those feelings. There is no limit on grieving either, that’s something my doctor told me to be aware of, as long as you are eating and taking care of yourself, grieve for as long as you need. And seek help if you need it too. There is absolutely no harm in seeking help from a professional if you need one.

explainlikeimfive/dkdvfb0

6o1qs1

Do you burn different amounts of gas in a car going depending on the speed, even if the speed remains constant?

very different. ultimately they are counteracting drag, of which there is much less at 25mph. now if you asked, how much fuel has each burned to travel 10 miles at this pace, recognizing that the slower car burns much less per minute, but takes 2-3x as long to get there. the answer to that is more complicated, but this is where efficiency comes in. the peak efficiency of a car is probably around 65mph, it varies by car, depending on how its engineered.

AskReddit/ebpilhk

a5ualx

What's not as bad as everyone says?

Meatless meals. Tons of people act like the veggie option is always bad. I’m not vegetarian or anything, but pasta without meat sauce or a tofu stir fry is fine. My hot take: most people can’t cook/season well enough to make veggies seem delicious or like a main dish. They lean heavily on meat to pick up the interest or flavor.

AskReddit/dlo3otb

6twkfp

What habit or personality trait do you own that makes you disappointed in yourself?

I freak out when things are out of place or not the way it should be. Example: when there's water on the floor after someone showers or if they leave the curtain open, it bugs me to no end. Another example: if the dishes are slightly dirty after cleaning them, it makes me go nuts! I have no idea why though. I'm not OCD by far.

askscience/e19fdo9

8tqk01

What is our solar systems alignment in respect to the Milky Way?

Our solar system is tilted by something like 60 degrees with respect to the plane of the Milky Way. If I remember correctly, the Earth’s North Pole points away from the center of the Milky Way (Sagittarius is a Southern Hemisphere constellation, and the center of the Milky Way is Sagittarius A*, so I think I’m right . . . but maybe not).

AskReddit/do3rukj

7566vr

What would say is the greatest human invention, other than the obvious two, language and the internet?

My answer would be roads. The kind that the Romans and Sumerians made that connected great cities and civilizations together. These, I think, had a greater influence on human knowledge and societies than anything else, be it via trading or even war.

AskReddit/dzzxucv

8o1iz2

What's the most good a person can do with $100?

Just a $100? Buy dinner for a homeless person. Their stories about life before homelessness and how they got there are usually really interesting. I once bought dinner for a homeless woman I saw eating food from a garbage can. We talked for awhile. It turned out she became homeless after getting cancer. She had two young children who had died. It sounded like life had completely taken a dump on her. I've never met someone who was so grateful for a meal and company.

AskReddit/di4c6by

6dpa07

How did drugs change your life?

Smoked pot for about 4 years then found out I was pregnant. Stopped smoking all together until my kid was around the age of 2. His father and I got married and took some devil lettuce on our honeymoon. We thoroughly enjoyed it but new we weren't stoners anymore. Drugs changed my life because every now and again I get the sudden urge for a giant joint and I get depressed thinking about it. I'll have a "cheerleader beer" to calm my urges but alcohol and marijuana just do not compare.

AskReddit/e9ae9cp

9v8i8y

Have you ever been in a situation where you had to choose between your love and your family ?

Kind of. I was with my daughters dad for 8 years. Wasn't the worst relationship, but I was unhappy for a few years. I always stuck with him for our daughter. It was my family. A few years ago I got chatting with a guy over Facebook, and even though we had never met I could feel myself falling for him. It got to the point where I realised that this guy had made me smile more in a few weeks than my boyfriend had in years. I was torn. I had really fallen for this guy, but I didn't want to tear my little family apart. I chose love. Telling my little girls dad that I didn't love him anymore was probably the hardest thing I've ever had to do. He's a good guy, and I hated breaking his heart, but in the long run it just wouldn't have been fair on either of us if I stayed. The next hardest thing was trying to explain to a 4 year old that mummy and daddy won't be living together anymore. I felt so awful, but a couple of days later I went and met this other guy and within minutes knew I'd made the right choice. It's 4 years later and me and Facebook guy are engaged and have a beautiful baby boy. Me and my ex (little girls dad) remain on very good terms, and I class him as a good friend. He is with a lovely woman now who has 2 daughters of her own. My daughter is happy because, although me and her dad aren't together, she's gained a baby brother and has 2 "sisters" now. Things weren't smooth at first but they got there in the end and I'm so glad I decided to follow my heart

AskReddit/ek2o4sz

b972jn

What questions do you like to be asked (in a casual, or a romantic, or a get-to-you-know type of conversation)?

I love what I do, so I actually really like to be asked about work, even though that's become sort of "controversial" to ask about these days. I also like when people ask things like what was the last book I really liked or the last movie/docu I watched, or the last concert or show I went to. It opens it up to talk about music/arts/culture more smoothly than "what are your hobbies?"

AskReddit/cifskp0

28yzda

What are your best tips for keeping a house clean and uncluttered?

I was a full time professional with a toddler and no spouse, somehow kept the house clean. Do a little each day, pick up messes as they happen, and tidy up before bed. If you never let it GET messy, it will never BE messy. I make a mess every day, I then clean it up. I'm trying to instill this value into my son as well.

Ask_Politics/cxwv4uw

3wjh92

Would the United States be better off with a German-style democratic federal parliamentary republic?

Well our system is designed to have gridlock, and that's not entirely a bad thing. You have to remember, our system has worked pretty well for the past 230 years (longest of any country, iirc). There's a tradeoff between tyranny and inefficiency. The United States has accepted a high level of inefficiency to guard against tyranny, and so far that's worked pretty well. If the U.S. had a parliamentary system, it is quite possible that 2008 would have brought in a progressive-left coalition followed by 2012 bringing in a far-right coalition. I think that this would be too much change too quickly. The interests of the American people are so varied that I think a lot of gridlock does well to keep any group from getting too much power.

AskReddit/eof7w0j

brnpoe

What do you think existed before the universe was created?

Bob Ross and Dr Phil existed before everything. Bob Ross and Dr Phil had the idea to create the universe. Ross took his paint brush and painted the universe onto dr Phil’s glorious forehead. They both took residence in this new universe as gods.

AskReddit/ebzguwu

a715lo

What are some fun and interesting things to track throughout the year to reveal before the new year starts?

Carefully reviewing your finances at the end of each year wont be interesting but it will be eye opening. And looking back and realizing you had fast food 200 times last year will be sobering and save you money the next year.

AskReddit/ep9stoi

bubo3l

What useless information do you have rattling around in your head?

One ounce of gold can be stretched into a thin wire of 50 miles or 80km or hammered flat to nearly 100ft square got it from a fact book 35+ years ago when i was a kid but never really needed this information Until now lol but now you'll all be telling your friends and SO's because you now also know this pretty useless information

AskReddit/ejedz6k

b5m19m

What’s the most interesting teacher you’ve had in Highschool/College?

First year University Introduction to Writing. The Prof and the TA were the realest teachers I’ve had. They were always down for having a casual conversation and loved to poke fun at everybody. At one point the school had a strike and I was the only one coming to class and the TA and I just watched the strike live on the news and laughed about how stupid it was. Good times.

askscience/cb2cliz

1i9p9t

How dirty are library books?

I don't think there is any health risk, no. Most bacteria don't thrive too much outside the human body (anywhere from like an hour to a day or two), especially on books, they need a certain level of humidity (>10%) and a food substrate, too! Viruses also don't live too much without a host, they need one to survive. As long as you wash your your hands thoroughly after handling them everything should be fine.

AskReddit/cxbn74d

3u2tcx

What is impossible to "sort of" be a fan of (you either love or hate it)?

Jazz. Personally I love it, but everyone I've talked to pretty much hates it. My wife can deal with it, but she really hates the improvisational parts.which is quite a bit in jazz, if you weren't aware.

explainlikeimfive/cucl265

3i1g1s

Why doesn't anyone make a reasonably sized truck anymore?

*In America. Got a hundred different makes and models of reasonable sized utes elsewhere in the world. Driving around in a ridiculous American aircraft carrier of a 'truck' in other countries is just asking to be mocked.

askscience/enviyzp

bpo1qd

How long would the communication delay be from Mars to Earth?

The distance between Earth and Mars depends on where they are in their orbit, but it can vary between approximately 55 million and 400 million km. Light (or any other electromagnetic signal) travels 18 million km per minute, so sending a signal from Mars to Earth (or the other way around) would take anywhere between 3 and 22 minutes.

explainlikeimfive/euxgjee

chssp1

How is emotional and mental therapy used to help people overcome depression or other cognitive conditions?

It really depending on the tpye of therapy. For example, I am working with CBT, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy at the minute, which key principles revolve around changing your current thought patterns without focusing on the past (too much). Other therapy or counselling techniques, such as exposure therapy involve exposing someone to th source of anxiety in a safe setting to diminish the anxiety it causes over time. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy involves changing your thought patterns and behaviour linked to those thought patterns. So you look at the SITUATION, FEELINGS, THOUGHTS and BEHAVIOUR. The basic principals are you look a situation, say you are invited to a party, this makes you feel anxious, nervous or depressed. Your thoughts might be, I was invited out of pity, I don't have anything to wear, I'm not as pretty as everyone else who will be there, I'm the only single one. So you make the decision to not go. So as a result you feel better, more relaxed. This means next time you are invited somewhere you are less likely to go because you didn't last time and you felt better because of it. So this creates a negative feedback loop. You conclude, I feel better when I dont socialise. CBT aims to challenge and alter this thought pattern. You challenge you own thoughts. 'I was invited out of pity' - Is this likely, would my friends have invited me if they didn't want me there? 'I don't have anything to wear' Maybe I should look at what I do have, do so have time time/money to buy something else/ could I borrow something. 'I'm the only single one' - Why does this bother me? Do I feel I should be in a relationship by now? If so, why? Because of my age? Or comparing myself to my friends? From all of these thoughts I might still decide not to go, but the aim is to work towards diminishing intensity of the negative emotion. So my anxiety might have been a 80% but now I have worked through my thoughts it has lost some of its power now it might be at 40%, and I might feel a little happy that I was invited and included. CBT is primarily about looking at the thought you are having about a particular situation. NOT the feelings, feelings will happen no matter what, it's the thought you focus on. And slowly start to try and pick out the facts. If the thought is 'I was only invited out of pity, no one wants me to go', this can leads to other thoughts, 'No one likes me' 'They will have a better time if I'm not there' 'Even if I go noone will talk to me' NONE of these are facts, they are just thoughts that are shaped by a core belief you have about yourself. For example if you suffer from depression, one of your core beliefs might be I'm useless, or noone likes me they all just pretend. CBT overtime aims to challenge these core beliefs by changing your thought pattern, by trying to differentiate between facts and negative thoughts. There is other elements as well such as focusing on the present using mindfulness and meditation techniques but I don't want to ramble forever.

explainlikeimfive/cefc1as

1u7l64

Why are non-sexual nudity and toplessness considered harmful to children?

Children are generally seen as innocent and in need of protection. Grown adults not so much. So instead of saying "Think of how I feel about it!" which sounds selfish they say "Think of the children!" Its not that people actually think it would harm a child. Its just a lot easier to gather sympathy by sticking an innocent face on the issue.

AskReddit/dmcvmyg

6x3ggt

What does Cultural Appropriation mean to you?

Cultural appropriation is the adoption or use of elements of one culture by members of another culture. The term is actually completely neutral, but is used a lot to mean cultural misappropriation. Not all cultural appropriation is bad. If you're not Irish and you wear an Irish ring, that's an example of cultural appropriation, but you're going to be hard-pressed to find someone who cares about that. The thing that gets tricky is considering what forms of cultural appropriation are actually cultural misappropriation. The rule of thumb is basically that if cultures that were historically exploited by colonialism are appropriating a historically colonizing culture, nobody cares. Nobody cares if Mexico appropriates elements of German culture in their music. But people do start to care when a historically colonist culture appropriates a culture that was exploited by colonialism. Seeing a white girl in a music video covered in tribal tattoos and wearing a headdress is going to ruffle some feathers. That being said, different people draw the line differently on what is and isn't acceptable cultural appropriation. I personally think it's disrespectful and cultural misappropriation to wear native american costumes or "oriental" costumes for Halloween, but I think cultures absolutely should share their culture with one another. The thing personally for me is that the sharing of this culture is respectful and has insight as to what those symbols and objects mean to the people of the other culture.

AskReddit/c4frg1u

sowyx

What commonly loved things do you hate?

Oh god, I love 2 out of those 3. Just to be a food and coffee snob for a bit, have you ever had "real" coffee or "real" Chinese food (I feel OK asking this since you asked a similar thing regarding beer)? Starbucks and Panda Express don't count, if you know what I mean. To each his own though.

AskReddit/eb7fp9g

a3mzvr

What TV Show ended in the best way possible?

I think that considering it ran 10 seasons, Friends ended pretty well. It did not ruined anything, and the fans were fine with the ending. Comparing it to other long running sitcoms, they handled it with grace and respect

explainlikeimfive/d64ui0b

4w7xut

How was the speed of sound initially measured?

A clever trick is to beat a drum exactly once a second, then walk away, looking back. As you recede, the sound will get more and more behind the sight of the drum being beaten, until eventually it's in synch with the next beat. Then you know you're exactly one sound-second away. Do this in several directions to average out errors, and you have the speed of sound. Doing this with a group of 11 year olds we got to within 5% of the correct value.

AskReddit/ed9yupw

aco7dr

What's a strong belief you have now, which you used to think you'd never get behind, and what made you change your view?

I’m vegan now. I used to make fun of vegans and say I’d never ever be vegan. Then I got an ad on YouTube about a guy explaining why he went vegan, it interested me so I watched it then I saw he made a documentary aswell (Land of hope and glory). I watched that and after crying for about an hour I threw all of my animal products away and went vegan overnight.

AskReddit/c3052n9

mdyte

How and when did you know what you wanted to do with the rest of your life?

I was very lucky. I knew what I wanted to do when I was very young (about six). My grandparents retired from the space center and I grew up really close by, so aerospace and aeronautics have always been a part of my life. My plan didn't really change so much as develop. I realized I didn't actually want to work for NASA, but I still loved the field so for a while I didn't know what I wanted to do with my degree when I got it. It was actually only in the past year that I finally figured out what I want to do.

AskReddit/dimdjtj

6g00us

What movie quote did you successfully use in real life?

"I'm not a smart man, but I know what love is" 3 months later she saw the movie, realized I stole it and was less than thrilled. However, at that point my hooks were in and she ended up marrying me later in life. Creativity - 0, Happiness - 1

explainlikeimfive/d7yzn0x

5455yl

What do climate change deniers feel the motivation is behind the claim of man-made climate change?

> In other words, what's the perceived motive? The assignment of motives doesn't start until you propose to do something about human caused climate change. Even deniers accept that the scientists are making measurements, most just don't share the conclusion that Government needs to do something. Once you see the problem as Government: do something, motives become clear. Anti-government people don't like the idea that Government needs more power to regulate more of our lives. To them, denying the need to do something means that government should not get more power, which resonates with their belief system. Then it depends on what the something is. If the something is to spend a lot of money on projects like solar and nuclear power, then the anti-government spending types are unhappy because these projects are hugely expensive. The NIMBYs are upset that a nearby power facility might hurt their property values. They see denying the need to do something as a means to prevent a something they don't like. Finally there are the pro-carbon folks. These folks benefit financially from the current energy system. If changes make that into a different something, then they lose money. They tend to try to get the government to pick a different something that won't work, like carbon capture and sequestration. That way the government action will fail and nothing will change.

AskReddit/cz8dm7b

42888h

What's the biggest problem you'll face if alphabetical order is officially reversed tomorrow?

I can say the alphabet backwards as quickly as most people say it forwards. If alphabetical order was switched, then everyone would easily be able to say the alphabet backwards. I like having a useless ability that most people don't have.

AskReddit/csofb7f

3bpyrk

How do you talk with a bunch of teenagers?

Depends on the teenagers. Even though they are younger than you everyone is different. Not all teens are pot heads and listen to rap music. Like how not all adults are boring and cookie cutter. It all depends on the people.

AskReddit/ebv02u7

a6i0zg

How much do you spend on Christmas gifts (total)?

This year, zero. I've always spent stupid amounts on people because I'm surrounded by materialistic fuckwits. Every year the same arguments happen, though, and this year I decided enough is enough: Can't argue about Christmas if I don't take part. So I will be spending it on my own, a little over a hundred miles away from them. Shortly after I'll be moving out and never speaking to them again. It's gonna be good, OP. I can't wait.

askscience/edmruq7

ae6eii

Why does Radiation sickness happen, and how does radiation affect your body?

There are two types of radiation effects: deterministic and stochastic Stochastic effects are associated with low radiation doses, and can take a long time to develop. As the name implies, it is "only" a higher probability/chance of developing cancer, due to mutations induced by the radiation, with limited/no immediate effect. On the other hand, deterministic effects are associated with high doses. the level of cellular damage is so high that cells die quickly, this is what is usually called "radiation sickness", or "acute radiation syndrome/poisoning". Radiation sickness can be treated, and if the exposed person survives, he still may develop cancer due to stochastic effects in the longer term.

AskReddit/c30x8i0

mhd4o

What's next on the agenda for human evolution?

Being able to function and survive in warmer climates perhaps? Really at this point, I think any major future evolution in humans is not going to be natural. Our ability to create and use technology in the way we do really changes the concept of 'natural selection'. If you have money, you can survive illnesses that people without money don't survive. So the illness isn't what kills people, it is the illness combined with a lack of money to cure the illness. This wouldn't lead to the illness eventually disappearing due to evolution.

AskReddit/dcge8ko

5o3rz4

What are your 10 movies to watch before you die?

In no particular order: If anyone is interested in these I'll leave my thoughts and a short description. Waking Life (2001): About a young man that explores trippy dream like realities where he encounters others and has philosophical conversations with them. The Big Short (2015): Based on the crash of banking system that caused the recession in the U.S a little less than a decade ago. Hard to explain, but a great watch. Pulp Fiction (1994): Great monologues, also hard to explain, little stories that all interconnect. The Goonies (1985): Rebel Without A Cause (1955): Coming of age movie, really cool because it's among the first (I think.) turned James Dean into an icon. Saving Private Ryan (1998): Set during the invasion of Normandy in WWII. Very intense, has some of the best most iconic film scenes. Scream (1996): Old slasher flick, 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968): Really good sci-fi, iconic. Alien (1979): Had to have an alien movie, this one might be the token alien movie though hah. Spirited Away (2002): A great animated movie by Hayao Miyazaki. Main character and her family wander into a magical world.

AskHistorians/caymsgf

1hvli6

How did the average Parisian live during the Paris Commune?

Slightly out of my subject area, but I still know a fair bit. The short of it is, that they did not live that well. The city was quickly surrounded, and cut off from outside supplies by the larger French army. The initial spark for the commune was a combination of upset at Napoleon III's failed government, a power vacuum after his capture (they wouldn't even ransom him back), and a debate over the next type of government that should be implemented. The chief question was how to address the balance between interests of the entitled, versus interests of the common man/woman. The former won out. During the commune, many people began to starve due to lack of bread and food within the city, which was further exacerbated by the former Prussian occupation less than a year prior. This was before the age of the canned food and preservatives, so butchers and granaries quickly exhausted their stores. My understanding of the situation was that the de-facto leader, Aldoph Thiers, intentionally let the Parisians go hungry before launching his week long bloodshed to reclaim the city. Inside the city, the Central Committee had nearly the entire Paris Zoo emptied, rationed, and consumed for food, giving some a taste of rather exotic dishes. At one point, the hunger was reportedly so bad that citizens were peeling wallpaper off walls and licking the glue, which was a paste with a wheat flour base. In short, the commune faired poorly primarily because they were isolated politically and ideologically from their country, poorly supplied, and poorly equipped.

AskHistorians/e528htb

9b9heh

What caused Galveston, Texas to have such a strong, vibrant African-American community in the latter half of the 19th century?

I’m a Texas Historian, and I think I can help answer your question. At the turn of the century, Galveston was the economic hub of southeastern Texas. Since the time of the Civil War, it’s population had exploded to over 20,000 residents. In 1875, a hurricane struck and destroyed the only other major port city in Texas (Indianola) and left it entirely devastated. Following Indianola’s destruction, Galveston became the largest port of goods in the state.and it even started to rival New Orleans. Because of the immense quantity of jobs, Galveston attracted a large number of former African slaves. Although I wouldn’t necessarily say that Galveston was completely devoid of racism, the residents were far more eager to hire the African Americans because they were good workers and would work for less. Additionally, unlike the New England states, there wasn’t a huge flow of foreign immigration into Galveston following the Civil War. Most of its minority population came from the old plantations and the Caribbean, resulting in a much more accepting place to live. Due to this, Galveston was one of the very first places in Texas to readily assist the African Americans in starting new lives. A number of Galvestonians created concepts and techniques to help combat racism that were actually followed by other portions of the state. So, to try and sum it all up, Galveston became the economic hub of southeastern Texas following the 1875 destruction of its rival, Indianola. With the sudden influx of jobs, came the sudden need for laborers and workers, and at the time there were not many options available in Texas for the former African slaves. With progress came acceptance, and by the 1900 storm, Galveston was a leading city for racial acceptance and cultural diversity. Hope this helps.

AskReddit/d0v6c68

49v88x

What is the most destructive misconception people have about the world?

Maybe not the most destructive, but people have awful misconceptions about Africa. All that the media really shows us is the corruption and starving people wearing little clothing. We sort of get a barbaric image. In reality, Africa is fairly civilized with many powerful countries and educated people fA decent amount of corruption yes, but you see my point.

AskReddit/eipv6mf

b22uec

What was the most stupid thing that you have ever done?

Boy scout camp. First thing we were told by the supervisors were the 3 rules Dont be stupid If you're going to be stupid, don't be caught being stupid If you're caught being stupid, make sure nobody gets hurt First night and I accidentally spray mosquito spray into my eyes and have to get them washed out.

AskReddit/dcjce0g

5ohm5c

Who has had an experience with skin cancer?

I once got so sun burnt that my back was literally as red as a lobster, and it went all stiff, and my family looked at me as if my funeral was around the corner. It started to blister and was so awful, I thought it would never look normal again. Then when it went down, there was ugly freckles that didn't really worry me, it's just embarrassing. But now, years later, I'll get random dark, misshaped mole things popping up in random places. I think skin cancer would be pretty hard to treat, so I'm just gunna not get them seen to, die randomly. It's a nice feeling to not know I'm dying.

AskReddit/d5c54z2

4sttd9

What's the strangest thing you've come across whilst playing Pokémon GO?

I've begun going on regular walks because of the game. I live out in the country, so I see a LOT of stray cats running around the fields. One day I saw a kitten. I smiled, pet it, told it it was cute, etc., then went on my way. Got home, heard a meow, and turned around. Turns out the cat followed me home. He lives on my porch now, he's like my Pikachu. I take him with me on walks.

explainlikeimfive/ewree43

cpt4ol

Why do cables between pylons have slack in them?

One big reason is thermal expansion. Normally this effect is small, but when you’re talking miles of cable, a big change in temperature can make a noticeable impact on the length of a cable. On hot days when there’s a lot of load cables tend to sag a bit more, it’s something utility companies have to monitor to avoid damage. If you made the cable super tight, especially considering most of this kind of maintenance work is usually done in the summer when it’s warm, when the cold causes the cables to shrink in the winter it can lead to damage or snapping. It also makes the cables a bit more resilient in general. If the cable is super tight and something like a heavy branch falls onto it, it’ll snap right off. If it’s got some wiggle room that force is spread out a bit more and the cable might rock or shake but is less likely to snap entirely.

AskReddit/dbogq6d

5kjyyi

What's the coldest you could stand being outside in, in just shorts and a t-shirt?

I took the trash out last year in shorts and a t-shirt because I was way too lazy to go to the closet and grab a coat. I'm pretty sure it was around 10 degrees. Needless to say it wasn't comfortable, but for a short duration, it was fine.

AskReddit/eijxn5m

b1837i

What’s the line between assertive and “I want to talk to the manager”?

Meh, when I worked customer service, I usually didn’t care if someone wanted to speak to the manager. When it occurred, I’d just inform the manager of what kind of attitude the person had and basically set up the manager’s interpretation in advance. If you wanted to speak to the manager about a problem and were reasonable in your anger or frustration, I’d set it up so you could get helped. If you were a total jackass throwing a fit, I’d make sure you weren’t going to get what you wanted. When I was a manager, I loved when my employees did the same. It all comes down to aggressiveness vs normal cordial social behavior. Being firm but reasonable is good. Being a vehement jackass isn’t conducive to your wants.

AskReddit/eettkec

aj8x1v

What song do you want played at your funeral?

I’m not gonna have a funeral. I’m gonna be cremated and flush down the toilet. Feel free to play “You spin me round” by dead or alive

AskReddit/cbjio2o

1jy5xs

What is the joke at your workplace that customers always say thinking they're original but in reality you hear it every day?

I have a soft spot for these kind of dumb, hear-it-everyday kind of jokes. I see them as social lubrication, there shouldn't be any pressure for originality here: it's a little flag to indicate a relaxed friendliness, that we're on the same side. Your attempts to have fun with me were not novel, i am now angry for some reason.

explainlikeimfive/cr5xldu

35mxxe

Why does licking a popsicle stick make my skin crawl?

I get this too. Only it's not just wood. It's also paper. The thought of paper in my mouth, or licking an envelope is absolutely horrible. It must be a phobia, but fear of wood or wood byproducts in ones mouth seems a bit odd.

AskReddit/exco161

cs5dvg

What is a good counter-argument to “If smoking and drinking are so bad, nobody would be doing it”?

Because they arent JUST bad. they also have desirable qualities,(as with any drugs) which come before the bad ones start to affect you, therefore people dont think about the bad things because theyre preoccupied with the good ones, or the good qualities just outweigh the bad ones in their specific situation, and potential dependecy on certain drugs can also make it very hard to quit if the person wasnt fully aware of the risks beforehand

AskReddit/ehvhg6q

axr4jf

What is your best time saving tip for the morning?

Lay off the "snooze" button. Any time you hit snooze and drift off, you're restarting your brain's sleep cycle, which will make you feel even groggier when you finally roll out of bed. Do some quick stretches. If you don't have time for a full-blown exercise routine, it's worth setting aside a moment for some easy stretches. Let the sun in. When light hits your eye in the morning, it taps into your brain's circadian rhythm and helps you wake up.

askscience/cr8xtai

35wrjx

Does improving long term memory hurt short term memory?

No, they're two separate mechanisms, and function in different ways. Without needing to dig into the underlying neuronal structures, long term memory acts as just that. Simply put it's a storage box that lots of things can sit in for long periods of time. Short term memory on the other hand has a physiologically determined size, and if you attempt to hold too much information in short term memory you simply lose some of the other pieces (typically keeping the first and last).

AskReddit/e9ht3yz

9w5r00

What are interesting story’s for your or your friends nicknames?

A friend of a friend is called "Beansy". When I asked where that came from, I was told that as his surname is Rolls, that led to sausage rolls, which led to Sausage rolls and beans, which led to Beansy. Doesn't make any sense to me, but all of his friends just know him as Beansy. Weird.

AskReddit/cpbd9mv

2yo89u

What is the most shocking thing you've ever found out about a family member/friend?

That she existed, my little sister. Some woman, she was my father's friend ex-girlfriend that they're still friends with, visited our house one Christmas with two kids in tow. I didn't want anything to do with them so I stayed in my room. I stepped out of my room to get something when I saw my father go to his room and one of the little kid say, "That's my father, isn't it?" a hushed, excited voice. The woman quickly shushed her. I was 14. The girl was around 5 years old. That was shocking. The fact that my father cheated on my mother was not.They still visit every Christmas. I wanted to set our house on fire every time.

AskReddit/ccik3yr

1nh83p

What is a book that you were forced to read (for a class and such) but ended up liking anyways?

I liked quite a few of the classics I was made to read in school, but that wasn't too surprising cause I figured they are called classic for a good reason. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead by Tom Stoppard is a book I really liked that I probably wouldn't have ever read if it wasn't for class.

explainlikeimfive/cjy27er

2eb5lv

What's happening when a commercial plays for a second or two before skipping to the next one?

The satellite feed has advertising that the local distributor (network affiliate, or cable provider) is allowed to put it's own ads on top of. This is how your local tv stations make money, and partially how your cable company makes money. If they didn't have an ad to run there the the one on the satellite feed would play instead. So the one you see for just a few moments is the sat feed ad, and the on that plays is a local one.

AskReddit/d86m75m

550vbd

Who would be the most intimidating person to debate politics with?

The first person that comes to mind is Christopher Hitchens. He read omnivorously, especially books pertaining to politics; he was a consistently articulate and forceful debater, even on stances of his that changed over the years; and his voice--my ^god , what a voice!

Ask_Politics/cbwb2hy

1l6rnw

What is the evidence that Syria used chemical weapons?

If you visit most major news sites, you'll see photographs and witness accounts that chemical weapons were utilized. It is possible that all of it is being fabricated, but at this point it is probable that it occured. Up to now there has been no concrete evidence released to the public that the chemical weapons attack was executed by the government of Syria. That does not mean it doesn't exist, we're just not aware of it yet.

AskReddit/ebu16n3

a6e29a

What’s the best course of action to take during the day after a night of little to no sleep and tossing and turning?

Coffee, tea, energy drinks. Frequent exercise breaks and fresh air. Complete at least two tasks that have been bothering you. Turn off all electronics by 7pm. Read some non-fiction, do some gentle yoga, and sleep for nine hours.

askscience/chavlrs

24ujgn

When we go long periods of time without eating, does our body have a "priority system" to decide what to use first for energy (fat, muscles, something else)?

Yes it does. Fat goes first. Since fat is basically stored sugar for later use. Our bodies when processing food we ate can store energy from it as fat. After you run out of sugar and fat usually protein comes third. Which essentially is what muscles are made off. So first sugar, then fat and then protein. When you keep going without food after that i dont know what happens. My guess is the body starts shutting down non essential parts like limbs then after a while organs. Untill you die.

explainlikeimfive/etoxqzq

ccs3bn

Why does light seem to spin the opposite direction when it starts to spin really fast?

Your question is not really clear, so I'm gonna take stab at what I think you mean and you can correct me if I'm wrong. "Why do some things look like they're spinning the wrong direction when they spin really fast?" The answer has to do with cameras and lighting. Take a camera, for instance, that records at 60 frames per second. This means that it takes a picture sixty times every second, and compiles these pictures into a video. If you are filming a spinning wheel, then every picture catches the wheel at a different point in its spin. If the wheel spins fast enough, every picture is taken when the wheel is at the same point in its spin, so it looks like it is not moving - every single picture looks the same so it looks like nothing is happening. If the wheel spins even faster, it looks like it is moving backwards. Faster still, it goes forward again, and the cycle goes on. Now, that is why it is true for cameras, but sometimes you see it with your own eyes. This happens because the lights in your house work like camera shutters. The lights flicker at 50/60 to 100/120 times per second. Since you can only see when the lights are on, your eyes basically experience the world at 50/60 to 100/120 frames per second. It is especially pronounced with those long fluorescent tube lights and some LEDs.

AskReddit/c9s9jtj

1dof8h

What's the worst advice you have seen you've seen given on Reddit?

Honestly, there's no specific advice that's the worst, just a worst advice type and I see it all the time on this website: OP: Comment/post with little to no context or additional information Redditor: Enraged overly-opinionated advice to OP from an armchair expert Need examples? Look at the comments for any real Confession Bear. Neckbeards flock in droves to give their brilliant analysis on an entertaining 12-word statement painted over a bear.

AskReddit/ebc1iqf

a472la

What are some exams study tips that worked for you?

Little and often. 20-30 minutes of work, 5-10 minutes of break. Test your knowledge by getting someone who doesn't know what you study and try and explain to them. ​ Trying to explain things to others has helped me out a lot.

AskReddit/dy4bmtj

8fkwgf

What are some fun PC games that don't require good reflexes?

Civ 5, Dragon Age, most point and click adventure games (Check out GOG.com it's like steam with older games/a whole bunch of point and click games )

AskReddit/ejssjv2

b7n4ao

What's the most awkward things you did as a kid that humiliated parents in public?

i was at Applebee's with my parents one night. Out of nowhere I started screaming "BULLSHIT BULLSHIT" my dad had to take me out of the restaurant. My dad still tells me this story all the time. I kind of feel bad honestly.

AskReddit/e7cyq4o

9m9fr2

What guilty pleasure do you have that goes against the Reddit Hivemind?

I defend trump. I also oppose identity politics. It’s a guilty pleasure only because after I while I kind of enjoyed starting to argue on reddit with people about it. It’s fun even if I get downvoted. But I only do it on my spare time.

AskReddit/d77i7gd

50w60d

What have you kept that's broken, and why have you kept it?

I kept a lego Bionicle action-figure, even though the leg joint is completely broken off, the ball-sockets are cracked, and I have lost most of it's accessories. But I still keep it since it was the first that I ever built and the only one that I played the most out off. Now that I am older I can go online to order replacement for the damaged parts, but to me it won't be the same guy.

AskReddit/c3vxmoa

q9z4x

How do you want your remains dealt with when you are dead?

Casket with thermite, my body will burn in a torrent of molten iron. Forge the iron with my burnt remains into a crowbar. Let my still living friends use the crowbar to hit evil people in the face.

AskReddit/cj7ae3q

2boc4s

If you could only eat 1 specific food for the rest of your life, what food would you choose, and how long do you think you would live?

Burritos. Particularly a barbacoa burrito from chipotle with black beans, brown rice, medium sauce, cheese, guac and lettuce. I could probably live a long life on that. Damnit I'm hungry.

AskReddit/d3ikk5n

4kxgk2

What's the nicest thing a kid said to you?

Not the nicest thing but today there was a line up of kids on the sidewalk with their teacher going somewhere and we had to stop to let them all pass so their group wasn't broken up. One of the kids said "Désolé, Monsieur." So cute and so kind.

AskHistorians/c6pvmin

11urf0

Are there any traces of Carthaginian identity well after the Punic wars?

The Carthaginians were descendants of Phoenicians, and their identity was heavily dependent on that. However, the ascendency of the Roman Empire meant that Phoenician culture was essentially assimilated into the Greco-Roman culture that dominated the Empire. It is worth remembering that the amount of native Phoenician Carthaginians was quite small, even at their height, which is why they used lots of mercenaries. The Carthaginians had a trade empire that ruled over large areas that were distinctively non-Carthiginian. Modern-day North Africans rarely claim to be successors of Carthage. However, the figure of Hannibal is quite popular. Many North Africans do recognize their Roman links, since Roman ruins are common in the region. Culturally, however, North Africa is distinctively Arab and Berber, as opposed to Punic or Roman.

AskReddit/dga0rnf

65gaxc

What's the strongest sense of freedom you've ever felt?

Every time I see a friend of mine complaining about living with their parents, or when they sai things like "oh, I can't hang today, my mom asked me to help with something something something". Leaving my parent's home gave me the strongest sense of freedom I've ever had.

AskReddit/c06qhet

7ibmq

If you saw a psychiatrist, what would you say?

Going to a psychiatrist to talk about your personal problems is not really a good idea. Psyciatrists are basicly doctors and all they know is how to prescribe pills. Psychologists are usually much better at solving personal problems and have a better understanding of the human mind.

AskReddit/e9xtf9n

9y2rj5

Who is the most famous person you’ve touched?

Leonardo DiCaprio. I went trick or treating with him and a bunch of other teenage actors in the 1990s. It was the funniest thing because there were about ten of us in the group and there we were, trick or treating in the Hollywood Hills, we all had masks on so nobody knew that there were all these famous people at their door trick or treating. Just me and one other person in the group were the only ones in the group that were not famous.

AskReddit/dys0d3x

8iiius

How will a full scale war between Israel and Iran turn out?

Poorly for Iran. Israel has been training its army for decades to defend itself against a region that wants them wiped off the face of the Earth. The Israeli military is one of the best in the world. Also, despite never admitting it, the whole world knows Israel has nukes.

AskReddit/c7krbnh

15asvd

Why isn't alcohol considered the "gateway drug"?

Because it's legal. The idea is that you buy illegal drugs such as cannabis (The 'classic' gateway drug) off of drug dealers. These dealers often have other, more dangerous drugs which they may offer to sell you. Therefore, you are less likely to be exposed to hard drugs if you only drink alcohol than you are if you do drugs like cannabis. Edit: Just want to point out that this is only my view and experience - When I get a new dealer they often offer me harder stuff, unlike when I go to the shops for alcohol.

AskReddit/e9bw3fi

9vg2nd

Where do these people get the time to go and protest/march?

People who believe in democracy make time for it because they know that it is the most important, most patriotic thing that they can do. To all of the shills, trolls, or whoever you are, paid or unpaid, who denigrate the contributions of people who protest for a better country and a better world, ask yourself whether your life adds anything positive to the world. If the answer is no, think about why you are living this way. There are a lot of people who would love to help you find a better path.

AskReddit/chhs96m

25jgtp

What do you do in your relationship that you worry some people could take as a "red flag"?

Instead of saying "babe" or "baby" or what have you, my boyfriend and I tend to call each other dorks/dumbasses/morons/losers/idiots. It worries me when I see my friends give each other looks when we say those things, because our relationship is very healthy, and the rude names are entirely jokes.

AskReddit/c0k7lm1

azmv5

What does it take for you to call in sick at work?

I always go into work if I'm sick (unless I'm contagious) because I save up that "karma" to cash in on days I just don't want to work. I am never questioned about being sick because they just assume I must be in really bad shape to call in. I've managed 3 days off in a row once and nobody thought twice about it.

explainlikeimfive/e07ui5f

8p1yjk

What is the definition of a "single" ray of light and how it is different from a beam of light?

The fundamental unit of light is a photon. A ray is a mathematicial construct that defines the path/trajectory of light; it starts from a point and goes in a straight line for infinity. A beam is multiple photons following the same ray. Practically speaking, a beam and a ray of light are interchangeable, since you almost never have just one photon.

AskReddit/di2igx9

6dgq4f

What is acceptable for a child to do, but an adult would go to jail for?

Throwing a tantrum in public - I guess it's not really acceptable in the sense that people think it's fine, but if an adult was screaming and crying at the grocery store someone would call the cops.

AskReddit/cvvka11

3o9fl1

Which company or brand STILL HAS the quality they were known for?

The question is: Were these actually ever good quality or did better quality products come along and showed consumers that the established brand wasn't all that good after all. I say that in context to the likes of Sony, Samsung and LG which have their loyal fans but were they really all that good - was the Galaxy smartphones from Samsung ever actually good or has the myth perpetuated because how ubiquitous the brand is?

AskReddit/d46bl3f

4nrn80

What is the nicest thing you've ever done for someone genuinely just out of kindness?

I make homeless kits with water, food, clothes and a list of resources/places to go. I also try to put something nice like a cookie, because it is the small things that remind you of good. I don't have much but I do what I can.

AskReddit/d92799j

58p60b

If you found out the world was ending and you couldn't prevent it or tell anyone, what would you do with your final days?

Family time. Take the kids out, no tablets, no distractions. Maybe Camping. Maybe a nice hike out together. Maybe just ice cream and the arcade and whatever makes them happy. Encourage my friends to take a couple days off to spend with family too, some trust me enough that even if I couldn't tell them why they'd do it. Give my parents a hug, tell them I love them. Call my brother. Tell him too.

explainlikeimfive/d79s9uq

5173sz

How do these tax loopholes work for the rich?

For capital gains. You have some assets, and you sell them for a profit. You get hit with a capital gains tax. Seems reasonable, right? Well, they're taxed lower than your income from working a 9 to 5. That's why people call it a loophole. If you are wealthy enough, you can generate a lot of income off trading assets and pay a smaller tax than you would if you made that same amount of money at a job somewhere.

AskReddit/d1lt2cw

4cvhgz

How long could a well built snowman last in the Antarctic if left alone by people/animals?

You need to specify where and when in Antarctica. It's not all the same. Late summer, on the coast of a peninsula island, maybe a few days until it melted. Mid-winter, on the plateau, probably 4-6 months until it was buried or compressed itself into a blob (they do that). Oh, and in most inland locations, you can't actually build a snowman the normal way. It's too cold, the snow doesn't stick together. To make a snowman, you have to carve out and stack blocks of firn, compressed snow (it sort of has the consistency of Styrofoam) and carve away anything that doesn't look like a snowman. Channel your inner Michelangelo.

AskReddit/c7wym9p

16kimy

What's the weirdest thing you've ever witnessed that you can't explain to this day?

Absolute oddest thing that ever happened to me that I think would have been a delusion if I hadn't been with someone at the time. It was around 1998-1999 I was with a high school group and we were attending a conference of some sort at Portland State University. Our teacher had split us up into groups of 2 and we were assigned different presentations we were suppose to go see. We got our list of presentations & the time they were being held and sent on our way. Me and my classmate Jacob were to go to the second or third floor to go see a talk on invasive species in Oregon so we looked at the map & found the room we were supposed to go to. We decided to take the elevator since we were both lazy and wanted to avoid the crowd on the stairs. So we get in the elevator go up to, I forget if it was the second or third floor. I believe the 3rd as I think we started out on the second floor. Once we got off we were definitely in the same building but everything seemed duller and there was NO ONE anywhere. The entire place looked like it was from the 60's or something. Nothing had been updated and there were entire area's blocked off and taped up and dusty. All the doors leading out of the small area we were at when we got off the elevator were locked and the windows were black. We couldn't tell if there was black paper taped over the windows or not but we couldn't see anything through the windows on the doors. Looking out the windows onto the street we saw cars but no people anywhere. Keep in mind this is in the middle of Portland Oregon so there should be hippies all over the place but not a soul was seen. I finally found a door that was open and went through but the whole building seemed to be abandoned so I went back to the elevator and met Jacob who hadn't seen anything more than I did. At the time there was several hundred people at PSU for this conference so the 3rd floor should be buzzing with activity but we saw, nor heard a soul. You couldn't even hear the activity downstairs. Jacob had a very uneasy feeling and I agreed we should probably go back downstairs. So we got back on the elevator and got off on the second floor where we came from (IIRC) and we were back, bright lights a bunch of people all over the place. We looked at the map again and found the location for our assigned presentation and it said it was up one floor from where we were. So this time we took the stairs. We found ourselves right where we had been but everything was shiny and new, updated and looked like new paint. None of the doors were locked and there was people everywhere. Looking outside on to the street the hippies were in full frolic. I have no idea where Jacob and I went that day on the elevator but it was probably a good thing we came back.

AskReddit/e1zhfuf

8wyozw

What are some of the lesser known symptoms of depression?

A generalized disinterest in everything in your life. I used to think depression was feeling extremely sad, like crying all the time, but apparently one of the major symptoms is simply feeling flat, feeling like nothing that used to excite you interests you any more.

explainlikeimfive/cgzsbqz

23qxef

Why does my head produce a seemingly infinite amount of mucous when im sick?

When we get sick from an infection, the body produces an inflammatory response to protect us from the bacteria or virus. As part of this response, signalling substances are produced and released by the mucous-producing cells lining our nose. More blood flows to the area and body water leaks out between the cells of the membranes in an attempt to wash away the dead tissue, white blood cells, and bacteria/virus (hence the yucky yellow/green colour) leading to a runny nose. Unfortunately, swelling of tissues is also part of the inflammatory process, and that is why we get congested sometimes as well.

askscience/czvf5fd

45320f

Will more stars be visible in the night sky as time goes on?

No. The heat death of the universe will mean that after a long, long time, stars will go out. Additionally, expansion will push all Stars that aren't in nearby galaxies out of earth's light cone. So, the opposite will happen. Of course, both of these will happen slowly, over much longer time spans than our lives, and possibly even the life of our species.

AskReddit/c2mbesj

kqaie

What is your favorite underrated TV show?

Community. I know it gets a lot of love on Reddit, but as far as ratings go it overall just bombs with the 18-49 demographic. Plus it gets overshadowed by shows like Glee and Big Bang Theory. In my opinion it is the most creative and funniest show on TV right now. It is streets ahead everything else.

AskReddit/dre8vof

7kgzji

Why do ice cubes make things cold?

All heat gained equals all heat lost. When ice is placed in something warmer like a liquid energy is transferred from the ice to the water making the water colder and ice warmer

AskReddit/cptxh62

30n5jz

What was your first car, and what did you love and hate about it?

2002 Chrysler Intrepid. I loved that it was a comfy ride and pretty good on gas. I hated how big it was! It was so long, a lot of poles kept jumping behind me when I backed up.