ELI5 Explain Like I'm 5: Bite sized answers to stuff you should know about - in a mini podcast

Did you know that some of today's deserts were once seas, lakes, or lush forests? How do oases exist in such arid regions? Why does the US have huge cities in the desert? Why did people settle there? How is the Sahara linked to the thriving of the Amazon rainforest?

... we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: dreadmcyt, murky-entertainer-81, toddwhiskey, teelmetheworld, fehnboi, exponentials, a_saddler and chel_of_the_sea

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

Why do some countries have Presidents, some have Prime Ministers, and some countries have both? What is the difference? What about France, where there’s both a president and a prime minister. Why is it that in some places the President is more powerful but in others like Germany the Prime Minister is more powerful?

... we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: lawstuden2, lancashire_lad, feb914, winstonl, psyk60 and chickentrousers

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

How can just a few hundred cables under the ocean provide the internet to the entire world? Who actually owns and manages these cables? Who lays these undersea cables in the first place? What do these cables look like? Was it a shark or boat anchor that nearly took down the internet in several countries in 2008? 

... we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: tezoatlipoca, newpassionfruit and chaotic_lemming

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

What is the purpose of prison bail? If somebody should or shouldn’t be jailed, why make it contingent on an amount of money that they can buy themselves out with? What is a bond? If you are not denied bail, what are your choices? How much is typical bail?

... we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: lyghtpete, petwins, yglorba, umassmza, drafterman, red_atnight and willvasco

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

How are they and other surfaces you see around in public places considered antimicrobial without cleaning them? What does it even mean to be antimicrobial? How exactly does silver and copper kill bacteria? What did ancient civilizations do with copper?

... we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: secretantworshiper, ghosttrees, notrickwick, shinyafro and goldenslye.

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

Why do we have a limit on the amount of hand carry liquids when we travel, and how is the fluid limit in airports an effective security measure? How was the TSA formed? Are those full body scanners at airports safe?

... we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: thestarkreality, bunjay, mocha-shaka-khan, genxcub, newfocus1964 and xonth

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

How are scientists so sure that the Megalodon is extinct? Especially since I keep on hearing them say we’ve explored less than 5% of the earth’s deepest oceans? What did they look like? Where did they live? How did they become extinct?

... we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: blackwolfeone, m8asonmiller, rawrthedinosawrr, tomalator, theworthing, ippus_21 and indigoindica_za

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

Why do ships use “port” and “starboard” instead of “left” and “right?” Where did the terms originate? What does “aft” mean and why is it different from the stern? Why do large ships have their anchors in the bow and not the stern or either port or starboard sides? 

... we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: jattopotamus, dbht14, commissaraj, quintus_horatius and proofbox

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

What in energy drinks provides stimulus over and above that from caffeine? Are they superior to coffee or tea? How did Pepsi and Coca Cola start out as energy drinks? Why are their health warning labels on some energy drinks? What are the benefits of energy drinks?

... we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: svijetokonas, gingrpenquin, seaztheday, harrietbeadle, astroember, -kibbles-n-tits- and m_t_rv_s__n

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

What happens inside your brain when you inhale nitrous oxide? Why is it called laughing gas? When did we start using laughing gas for medical use cases? Is it safe?

... we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: linguista420, slugcunt69, infinitysquared and kodack10

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

How do sinkholes happen? What exactly are they? What are Cenotes? Why do sinkholes have so many different names around the world? What is the deepest sinkhole in the world?

... we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: jaded57, dixonmyaz, berkeleykev, back2beantown, francischarlesbacon and fish_823543

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

How is GPS free? How is it profitable for companies to offer services like navigation without subscription fees or ads? Why did the US government open GPS up to the public? Why does GPS work even when underground and in buildings? Explain triangulation like i’m 5!

... we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: gentlemantroglodyte, trick_individual_42, samkusnetz, thedankbank1021, bareback_cowboy, secretantworshiper and bbqroastgentlemantroglodyte, trick_individual_42, samkusnetz, thedankbank1021, bareback_cowboy, secretantworshiper and bbqroast.

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

What is nuclear fusion and how is it significant to us? How is it different to nuclear fission? What is the significance of the recent news that we have reached ‘ignition’ of nuclear fusion?

... we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: wickinked, straight-faced_solo, km89, aetius476, nerdofnight and hurricanebrain

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

Why is there a ring at the end of the opening of a balloon? What creates the noise of a ballon popping? Who invented the ballon? Why do helium balloons shrink in size over time?

.. we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: marv1nnn, trooper_x, secretantworshiper, fujikitakyusho, brian_vogel, 18_usc_47 and moskau50

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

How did people maintain their teeth before toothpaste? If the first modern toothpastes were not sold in tubes, what were they sold in? When did they add fluoride? Why can't our teeth heal like our skin and bones?

.. we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: dude-e, wenchister, the-illusiveman, duplojamaal, nemesis24k, perseus_turambar, who_cares_about_name and radbadtad

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

What was the point of the skull and bones pirate flag? why would you give away that you are a pirate? What does no quarter mean? What is the jolly roger? With pirates in literature like Blackbeard, Calico Jack, Long John Silver and Captain Jack, which pirates were historical and which were fictional? 

.. we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: hairweawekiller, stairway2evan, caesar_, pegajace, bulbliksmaz and tmahfan117

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

Why is the abbreviation for the unit of weight, pounds LBS? Where did the metric system come from in the first place? Why is it so confusing to figure out if the USA an adopter of the metric system or not? Is there a metric system for time?

.. we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: stratocast7, londonpilot, wengerista, foxmt, tmdaniel, invincibill, voltronforlife and carbondnb

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

Where did the word ketchup come from? Why do the Cantonese and Malaysians both claim it originated from their languages? Where does the Indonesian, French and Arabic connections come in? What makes Ketchup special as a non-Newtonian fluid?

... we explain like I'm five

Thank you as always to the r/explainlikeimfive community.

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

Are tomatoes a fruit or vegetable? Why is ketchup considered a legal vegetable in California? Why are sun-dried tomatoes safe to eat, while eating a tomato you left on the windowsill for too long would probably make you ill? How can restaurants leave ketchup and mustard out all day but the bottles you buy in the store say to refrigerate after opening?

... we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: spczippo, cbd03b, lolgobbz, kgisaboss, amoeba, sadoni, oneandonlyjackschitt and barrysquatter

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

What is the Streisand effect? How was Barbara Streisand involved? Why is it such a universal from China to South Africa? What are the implications of the Streisand Effect in recent ‘right to be forgotten’ legal cases?

... we explain like I'm five

As always, thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community.

To the ELI5 podcast community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

Could you give a person with Alzheimer's a fact sheet to carry with them, reminding them of every truth about them, including the fact that they have Alzheimer's? What is the difference between Alzhiemers and Dementia? What causes Alzheimer's disease? What were the breakthroughs of the 1990s? What were the recent breakthroughs that made the news?

... we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: lordica, waspocracy, angelamotorman, carduus_benedictus and mistermarchmont

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

If I send a letter or postcard from the UK to the USA, who gets money from my stamp? Once it reaches the receiving country, what makes them obliged to deliver my letter if they are not receiving payment for it? When was the global system for postage established? How does overnight shipping get where it's going faster than a normal package? Why not make everything overnight?

... we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: riconquer2, riphitter, rhynod, psunavy03, prudent-artist-274, p33k4y, arcturusflyer and admirable_cry_3795

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

How and when did the food pyramid originate? What has since replaced it? What is the Sweden connection? Why have many people been critical of the food pyramid? What is the hamburger question?

... we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: paul277, andyfox1979, comissaraj, jbass55, caboosetp and overim

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

Why do cardio machines require you to put two hands on them to measure your heart beat when a wrist watch can do it just with one wrist? What’s the difference between an ECG and EKG? Which types of monitor is most accurate?

... we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: saltyson32, internetboyfriend666, blindedbythesight, iuse2bgood, vexx_nl, angryocelot and notwearingatie

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

What is a run on the bank? Why it can happen in a fractional reserve banking system? What’s the best thing to do when there’s a bank run? When was the first bank run? Can we prevent bank runs?

... we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion.

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

What is the difference between swiping my bank card as a credit vs. a debit? Why do you need to use credit to get rewards points?  What role does Visa and Mastercard play in the process?

... we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: bringer_of_words, tehwildman_, herohas, niuniu1218, civil_politics, goldzatfig, londonpilot and loodog

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

What causes turbulence? How do airplane pilots sometimes know when they about to hit turbulence? Why have heat waves caused airlines to ‘bump’ passengers? How did Van Gough depict turbulence before physicists had even discovered it?

... we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion, especially the following users: miles_by_the_inch, 9country, optionsquare, apleima2, interneerd9 and p_u_c_k_iv

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

Why is it called Coca Cola? How did we get the nickname Coke? Where does the logo come from? Who invented it and who is responsible for all the advertising that Coca Cola has been associated with? Why is it made with different types of sugar in different parts of the world?

... we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion.

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

What two fears are we all born with? What is the most common phobia? Why are phobias categorized as specific and social phobias? Who are some famous people with phobias?

... we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion.

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

What’s the difference between a pyramid scheme and a Ponzi scheme? Why is it called a Ponzi scheme? What are some of the most famous Ponzi schemes in history?

... we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: brentrs89, megatron_mclargehuge, eyeheartboobs, fifth_down, rodneymunch11, lazydracula and kevlarbuns

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

How exactly does turning a device off and on fix such a wide array of tech problems? Why are you sometimes asked to turn something off and wait 20 seconds before plugging it in again? Why did ctrl-alt-delete get invented and why this particular key sequence?

... we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: anthraxl0l, damienwithrice, additional-you-5979 and nit3fury

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

Why do "bad smells" like smoke and rotting food appear to linger longer and are harder to neutralize than "good smells" like flowers or perfume? Why is the smell of garlic so hard to get rid of? Why does airplane food universally taste bad? How do our genetics affect our sense of smell and taste with herbs like cilantro / coriander?

... we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: faerlina, bostwickenator, bigdipper80, darth_mufasa, bobatsfight, darwins_dog, unsubtleflounder, godsenfrik and cyberneticpanda

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

Why do European trucks have their engine below the driver compared to US trucks which have the engine in front of the driver? What are the weightstations on US interstates used for? Is Optimus Prime European or American?

... we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: shaaeft, sgrumpy, holyhand_grenade, missionred, krimin, sliceoflife and serath62

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

How do ants deal with raindrops? Why don’t they hurt or drown them? How do ants cling to a surface so well that blowing at them hard doesn't budge them, even if the surface is somewhat smooth?  How do queen ants get so big?

... we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: raydenbrough, wutzupples69, roydragoon89, graebot, rickyy1900 and notsocoolnow

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

Why is the discovery of e=mc^2 such a big deal? How important was it really? In what way did it make smartphones possible? What was special about the way Einstein was taught algebra? Why do we always think of the iconic photo of Einstein with his tongue out?

... we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: cumoisseur, grungyit, rasye and polar_roid

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

If we breathe out carbon dioxide, why does CPR work? Why does modern CPR training de-emphasize rescue breaths? CPR manuals talk about doing 100-120 chest compressions per minute - why so much faster than the average pulse of around 60-80? What does Michael Jackson have to do with CPR?

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: derstherower, voijarisa, cakeday173, marconidas, vaingloriou5, mavetju, joetomic, cashmoneykat, tezoatlipoca and rumble_n_the_bronchs

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

Is it ok to pee in the swimming pool? Is pee poisonous or sterile? Which famous swimmers admitted to peeing in the pool? Why is it ok for sea creatures in the ocean, if all the creatures are peeing in there? How does urine indicator dye work? (hint it doesn’t)

... we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: nybiggs, sciviasknows, wubaluba_dubdub, that_biology_guy, gumburcules and bananajesus

Details on the Canadian study we referenced:

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/mar/01/how-much-pee-is-in-our-swimming-pools-new-urine-test-reveals-the-truth

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

What do they mean when they say Jupiter is a "gas" planet? Could a rocket be shot through it? Can a space ship land on it? If Jupiter’s Great Red Spot is a storm, why has it been there for so long? Why was the Juno mission one of NASA’s most difficult?

... we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: simonowens, billandteds69 and spriddler

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

How is it possible to get the caffeine out of coffee beans? How was the process accidentally discovered? What percentage of caffeine needs to be removed for it to be considered decaf? Is it true that coffee makes you want to go to the toilet?

... we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: realnotfake, subzerot, another1mitesthedust, darthvirgin, gregw134, brackattack27, yalloc, gnonthgol and jwstap

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

How common is dyslexia? How does dyslexia work? Is it genetic or environmental? Who are the famous dyslexics? Are you dyslexic in all languages? Why is the font Comic Sans notable for people with dyslexia?

... we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: blitzwolf, -monarch, fl-etchersketch, ezferns, firestorm8880, faaizk and plebdog

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

Why do powdered donuts feel cold? Why are donuts often associated with the police? Where does the donut come from? How did the hole get invented?

... we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: cmonster194, speckledeggs, informationhorder, daracmarjal, liamthebobbitt, zyreal and crazykiahl

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

Why does the ampersand exist? Why do movie credits have a specific use of the ampersand? When did it stop being the 27th member of the alphabet? What does ‘per se’ mean in the context of the ampersand? Why is the ampersand written the way it is?

... we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: moongosling, uniqueusername014, jayman419 and kaffekalle.

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

How did they disprove the common assumption that our skin wrinkles or water aging occurs because water makes it swell? What did they observe and how is this fact used in the medical field today? What evolutionary purpose does wrinkled fingers serve? What other medical conditions could wrinkled fingers be linked to?

... we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: forgivethepast, axel927 and dday0123.

Nature article referenced in episode:

https://www.nature.com/articles/nature.2013.12175 

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

Why does it feel so strange to step onto a stationary escalator? What do the brush type things on the side of escalators do? Why are escalator steps jagged with the brushlike shape at the top and bottom? Why do escalator handrails often run at slightly different speeds than the steps? Why does it feel so strange to step onto a stationary escalator?

... we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: ferdinand00, v0kun, banauuuuh, teddyjules, rashikun, south5, ac7ss, voltenic and aptom203

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

What is Occam’s Razor? Why is it so commonly misunderstood? Why do people talk about hooves and zebras when describing it? Who was Occam, and why is it his razor? What is Occam’s broom? What are other philosophical razors that we should know about?

... we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: shadowofthewild, stairway2evan, bakanobaka, albatroopa, zjm555, lukavwolf and mredding

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

Why is it called a bear market? How did it become used to describe financial markets? What does it have to do with bear skins? What does a stock market ‘dead cat bounce’ mean?

... we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: tallahazey21, lazerslayer, azotta and willtheyeverlearn

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

We talk so much about oxygen and carbon, but 80% of the atmosphere is nitrogen. How does it fit in? Why does it not get talked about? Why does 1% of the world’s energy go into speeding up the nitrogen cycle? Why do divers know a lot about nitrogen? Why is liquid nitrogen so useful?

... we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: chicagofaucet, edman007-work, topomouse and scarabic.

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

How did white become the standard color for golf balls, when a more vibrant color would make it easier to see as it’s flying through the air? How do TV camera people follow golf balls so accurately? How is ‘par’ determined for a golf course? And of course, the classic golf question - why are there dimples on golf balls?

... we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: thepainapple, the_original_retro, cyb0ninja, zippo16, tezoatlipoca, xmosse, fringeaverage, robbak, toro816, akylax

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

Why did we settle on chicken eggs as our standard eggs? Why not quail eggs, duck eggs or even ostrich eggs? What in evolution made chickens so productive? How did cow’s milk win over goats milk or bison milk? What is the concept of the butter line and why does it matter?

... we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: budford12, misanthropeX, greenstrong, acceptablemadness, alexl14, darkalman and cavemanjoe47

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

What’s the difference between natural gas, gasoline and crude oil? Why doesn’t the flame from a gas stove ignite the supply line? How is natural gas transported via pipeline if it’s a gas? Why do gas pipelines have bendy sections? How come we see clean air natural gas buses, but not really any natural gas cars?

... we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: cheetahs_never_win, cerebralaccountant, darkalman, Badcat7, hezec, bigflagellum, evr-, individual-manner-27, loydhenderson, diamondicens and gazzaggerty

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com