What surprising fruit is botanically classified as a berry but often confuses people in everyday conversation? How do the definitions of ""berry"" and ""fruit"" differ between botanical science and everyday cooking? Did you know that watermelons, tomatoes, and cucumbers are also classified as berries? What implications does this have for our cooking? Can you share some mind-boggling examples of fruits we think are berries but actually aren’t? ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r/expla...
Jun 01, 2025•7 min•Season 1Ep. 324
What’s the historical reason for the U.S. using "Letter" paper size over the international standard A4 paper? What inconveniences do people face in North America due to the different paper sizes compared to the rest of the world? How does the unique aspect ratio of A4 paper help in scaling paper without wasting space? What about B and C format paper? ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments form...
May 23, 2025•7 min•Season 1Ep. 323
What exactly is a defibrillator? Why is the analogy of jump starting a car incorrect? What’s happening in the heart when a shock is delivered? What is the AED and how do you spot one in public? What happens when you activate an AED? Who invented it? ... 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: yllibjkrauss, only_sometimes_haiku,letsdothisepic, marmorset, smileyli...
May 16, 2025•9 min•Season 1Ep. 322
Why do dragons capture our imagination across different cultures and eras when it isn't a real creature? What psychological factors contribute to our collective fascination with dragon legends around the world? What fascinating connections exist between ancient civilizations and the stories of dragons they created? Why do dragons symbolize chaos in the West but represent good fortune in cultures like China? ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in partic...
May 09, 2025•8 min•Season 1Ep. 321
Could jaw surgery be the faster solution for realigning teeth, and what are the risks? How exactly does wearing Invisalign gradually shift your teeth into the desired position? What’s the biggest misconception people have about Invisalign compared to traditional braces? How has aggressive direct-to-consumer marketing made Invisalign a household name despite its origins? What role does 3D printing technology play in the production of custom Invisalign aligners? ... we explain like I'm five Thank ...
May 02, 2025•7 min•Season 1Ep. 320
What is Stoicism, and how does it apply to our modern lives today? How does Stoicism differ from popular self-help interpretations of its principles? Can you explain the four key Stoic virtues: Wisdom, Courage, Temperance, and Justice? What makes Stoicism relevant during challenging times, such as the recent pandemic? How can mastering emotions enhance our practice of Stoicism in daily life? ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the followi...
Apr 25, 2025•9 min•Season 1Ep. 319
What makes the Panama Canal’s lock system so essential compared to the Suez Canal’s lack of locks? How do locks help manage the canal’s significant elevation change across mountainous terrain? Why was constructing a wide trench connecting the Pacific and Atlantic oceans deemed too complicated and risky? Why did the U.S. ultimately choose Panama for the canal after initially considering Nicaragua as a better option? What historical challenges did the French face while attempting to build the Pana...
Apr 18, 2025•8 min•Season 1Ep. 318
What fascinating adaptations led to the evolution of diverse blood types in humans over millennia? How does our immune system interact with foreign entities to determine blood type responsiveness? Why is Type AB blood considered rare, and how does intermixing populations contribute to its existence? ... 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: greengulred, foxtof...
Apr 11, 2025•8 min•Season 1Ep. 317
Does fish oil actually help? What makes it help? What are the specific types of Omega-3 that are good for you? If it’s so good for us why not use it more for cooking? Why are there some eggs that have Omega-3 on the label? ... 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: adapid, baggier, dvlpr404, ridcullylivces, siznit, mandolele and scarydare5. To the community tha...
Apr 04, 2025•7 min•Season 1Ep. 316
How intelligent are traffic light systems? What sensors are used? Why not use pressure sensors under the pavement? How do traffic systems coordinate across intersections in a city? Do emergency services like fire trucks and ambulances have the ability to control traffic signals? ... 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: anthonypalumbo, blipsman, powerclean, na...
Apr 04, 2025•8 min•Season 1Ep. 152
What distinguishes CPUs from GPUs in architecture, and how does this impact their performance in computing tasks? Why are GPUs considered better at handling tasks like graphics rendering compared to CPUs? How do different rendering techniques in games versus offline programs affect the processing demands on CPUs and GPUs? ... 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 discussi...
Mar 28, 2025•8 min
What makes sunrises and sunsets visually unique experiences despite being technically the same phenomenon? Why do atmospheric conditions lead to warmer reds during sunsets and cooler blues during sunrises? How do variations in dust, humidity, and pollution change the colors we perceive at sunrise versus sunset? ... 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: usernam...
Mar 21, 2025•8 min
What makes sliced bread the “greatest thing since” anything? How did the invention of sliced bread in 1928 change consumer habits? Why do traditional French and Italian breads mold faster than commercially sliced bread? ... 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: zeusthunder369, fallenjoe, much-apricot, de-bunker, lyd_euh, glm409, lordginger_, immortal_azrael. T...
Mar 14, 2025•8 min
We explain the fascinating concept of nautical miles, an essential unit for navigating our oceans. What exactly is a nautical mile, and how does it relate to the way we navigate? How does a nautical mile differ from the standard road mile we’re used to, and why does this difference matter for sailors and pilots? What practical advantages does using nautical miles provide in terms of ease of navigation, especially when using coordinates and charts? Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community a...
Mar 07, 2025•8 min•Season 1Ep. 309
What makes AA batteries the go-to choice for so many devices when alternatives exist? Why do we have so many different battery sizes like AA, AAA, C, and D? What led to the standardization of battery sizes in the 1920s? Why do some devices require two AA batteries instead of just one? What factors contribute to the performance difference between name-brand and generic batteries? ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whos...
Feb 28, 2025•7 min•Season 1Ep. 311
How does meditation physically alter our brain’s grey matter? Is it true that the amygdala shrinks after mindfulness meditation? How do Tibetan monks increase body temperature through meditation? What training techniques enhance focus and mental stamina through meditation? How does meditation compare to other stress-relief practices, like exercise or art? ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments...
Feb 21, 2025•8 min•Season 1Ep. 310
Why are there big cats but not big dogs in the wild while there are lots of big cats? Why are wolves so hard to tame? How were prehistoric men able to domesticate wild wolves? How have wolves been portrayed in different cultures and mythologies throughout history? ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: minntyy, avec_serif, fiendishrabbit, logicalbasher, lit...
Feb 14, 2025•8 min•Season 1Ep. 310
What exactly is E. coli, and why should we care about it? Why is it used a lot in scientific research? What does E. coli pop up often in food contamination cases? What are the symptoms? What are some notable outbreaks? ... 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: pckman, jacksmith8001, coldpizzza4, mistercortez, cutegun, likesmoonpies and ehcksit To the ELI5 comm...
Feb 07, 2025•6 min•Season 1Ep. 309
Explain Schrödinger's Cat in simple terms. Why did Erwin Schrödinger propose this thought experiment in the first place? What was Schrödinger trying to argue against with his cat example? Which other scientist inspired Schrödinger to devise the cat? ... 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: culturedgoat, flurb4, use-paragon, tenor1, hackey_sack, western_ground...
Jan 31, 2025•6 min•Season 1Ep. 308
What makes these metals so special and why are they called ‘rare’? What technologies are they used in? Why are they so hard to substitute? Where are they found geographically? What about unobtanium and adamantium? .. 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: wookiebadass, wrsaunders, commentingrobot, chauncy_prime, undyingcorn and diavolo_rosso_ To the ELI5 commun...
Jan 24, 2025•7 min•Season 1Ep. 307
What exactly is LASIK, and how does it differ from other vision correction procedures? Is it painful? How does it differ from PRK as a procedure? How does the cornea heal after a LASIK procedure if there is no blood flow going to the cornea? Which celebrities have famously had LASIK surgery? ... 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: aggressive_elevator, razzba...
Jan 17, 2025•7 min•Season 1Ep. 306
Why are Ligers larger in size than both Tigers and Lions? Why can only certain species interbreed? Why are Lions and Tigers polar opposites in terms of their character and physical attributes? Lions and tigers have a significant cultural presence in art, literature, and media. How do these representations influence public perception in different countries? Who would win in a 1 on 1 fight between a lion and tiger? ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in ...
Jan 10, 2025•8 min•Season 1Ep. 305
How does sleepwalking work exactly? Are certain people more prone to it? What types of activities can sleepwalkers get up to? Are there specific triggers that cause sleepwalking? Is it true that waking a sleepwalker can be dangerous? ... 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: lindsey1151, xsnr, happycapsule, bandito21dema and reshkayden To the ELI5 community th...
Jan 03, 2025•7 min•Season 1Ep. 304
What exactly is that sensation we feel with wasabi? Is it the same as the heat from chili peppers? Why does it go straight to the nose? How does it differ from similar foods like mustard and horseradish? Is wasabi outside Japan really fake? How do you tell if it’s real? Why is it paired with sushi? ... 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: stuthulhu, followups...
Dec 27, 2024•8 min•Season 1Ep. 303
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...
Dec 20, 2024•6 min•Season 1Ep. 302
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...
Dec 13, 2024•7 min•Season 1Ep. 296
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 ...
Dec 06, 2024•7 min•Season 1Ep. 300
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 th...
Nov 29, 2024•7 min•Season 1Ep. 299
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, pear...
Nov 22, 2024•7 min•Season 1Ep. 298
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 Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: notofyourworld, foram...
Nov 15, 2024•9 min•Season 1Ep. 297
