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

Latest Episodes:

ELI5 Spicy Food - if water is not a good antidote, what is? Dec 20, 2024

Show notes

Ever wondered why biting into a chili feels like setting your mouth on fire? Is it a taste or is it something else entirely? Why do some people seek out this fiery sensation? Can you build spicy food tolerance? Does drinking water help deal with the spice? Is there a limit to how spicy food can get? What are the hottest peppers out there?

... 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: racoononbeers, vadered, rapafon, copnonymous, gramoun-kal and mathikaru

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

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ELI5 Rubber Bands - why do they become brittle over time? Dec 13, 2024

Show notes

What are rubber bands actually made of? Why do they become brittle over time? Why is it near impossible to let go of a stretched rubber-band with both hands at the same time? Which drug cartel was spending a reported $2500 per month on rubber bands?

... 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: party-pupper, tdscanuck, jozer99, uhly, carlmmii,readdit___4score, and iklegemma

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

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ELI5 Mint - why it became associated with freshness? Dec 06, 2024

Show notes

How is spearmint and peppermint different? How did mint become associated with freshness and cleanliness in products like toothpaste and gum? Why does mint create that feeling in our mouths? Why do mint and citrus flavors clash?

... 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: much_blank, thectcamp, redcat_51, jellyel88 pinkie3141, kakapo117, ilmt206 and socks405

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

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or send us an e-mail:

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ELI5 Black Friday - why is it called Black Friday? Nov 29, 2024

Show notes

Why is it called Black Friday? Why is thanksgiving itself always on a Thursday? Was Macy’s the first American department store to sponsor a parade in celebration of Thanksgiving? How did American football become such a big part of the thanksgiving tradition? Is it true that the day after Thanksgiving is the busiest day for plumbers?

... 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:

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ELI5 Myopia - why can’t you buy myopia glasses off the shelf like reading glasses? Nov 22, 2024

Show notes

How common is myopia around the world? Is it caused by genetics or lifestyle? How has myopia evolved with human activities? In aAmerican drug stores you often see a wide variety of reading glasses. Why are there no pre made options for myopia or near sighted people?

... 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: notofyourworld, forams__galorams, cultish_alibi, pearlsb4pigs, explosivelydehiscent, norrisn and queltis6000

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

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ELI5 Volcanoes - can they be used for dumping trash? Nov 15, 2024

Show notes

Why can't we just throw our trash into volcanoes to incinerate it? Why do some volcanoes erupt explosively while others have gentle lava flows? Why is Yellowstone National Park considered a super volcano? Which volcano created the loudest sound ever recorded? Can we use volcanos as energy sources?

... we explain like I'm five

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

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or send us an e-mail:

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ELI5 Lab Grown Diamonds - why do they have lower resale values? Nov 08, 2024

Show notes

How are lab grown diamonds made? Are they exactly the same? Why do they have different prices and resale values? Which is more environmentally friendly? How have cultural and social attitudes evolved?

... 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: pahpichulo, greenstrong, h0ly_s0x, twin_spoons and krimmson_

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:

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ELI5 MRIs - how do they work and why are they so noisy? Nov 01, 2024

Show notes

How do MRIs work? Why are they so expensive? Why are they so noisy? Are MRIs related to other scans like x-rays, CT scans and PET scans? Why aren’t full body MRIs more part of routine checkups? Why are they so expensive? If there is iron in our blood, is this affected by the magnetic fields in an MRI? Why was there controversy with the nobel prize awarded for MRI technology?

... 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: danielaumbrella, superdad0206, duferino, 8daysuntiltheweekend, war-ear, glittering-ocean1, let_me-out, one2manythrees and truguido

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

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or send us an e-mail:

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ELI5 Aircraft Engines - why propellers on military planes vs jet engines? Oct 25, 2024

Show notes

Why do military planes like the Hercules C-130 and Airbus A400M military transport planes use propellers instead of jet engines? What makes them more versatile for shorter runways? Why is a turboprop engine not the same as regular piston propeller engines? Explain the difference between a turbojet, turbofan and turboprop.

... 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: elena1995x, dirschau, airbornerodent, frat_guy_pa, arztnur, noxious89123 and kaiisim

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

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or send us an e-mail:

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ELI5 Speed of Light - why can’t we exceed it? Oct 18, 2024

Show notes

How did we even measure it if it’s so fast? Why can’t anything go faster than the speed of light? If I were to take a really really really (light years) long stick and push something on the end of it, would it happen “instantly”? What are some of the loopholes that would allow us to theoretically exceed the speed of light?

... 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: sometimesokayideas, diogeneskuon, maadmaxx, acrazygerman and tofuattack, thrasher1236969 and javanator999

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

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