ELI5 Explain Like I'm 5: Bite sized answers to stuff you should know about - in a mini podcast
Explain Like I'm Five, aka ELI5, is the mini-podcast series where we take the questions you always wanted to ask, and talk about them in a way that is easy to understand. Made possible by the amazing reddit community at r/explainlikeimfive. See episode show notes for user credits.
Episodes
June 29, 2025 • 7 mins
How did ancient sailors rely on beer for hydration? What does history tell us about alcohol's role in survival? Why was beer so essential for laborers in ancient Egypt, especially during pyramid construction? Why is beer considered more important than other alcoholic beverages in historical contexts?
... we explain like I'm five
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June 23, 2025 • 8 mins
What is creatine, and how does it work in our body during high-intensity activities like sprinting or weightlifting? Did you know creatine boosts ATP production, our body's immediate energy source, amplifying performance in short, intense workouts? What unique role does creatine play in muscle recovery and growth, especially regarding myosatellite cells? Is it true that creatine can lead to an increase in muscle volume by retaining...
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June 13, 2025 • 7 mins
Are induction stoves quicker than gas stoves? How does using an induction stove compare to using gas or conventional electric stoves? What is the secret behind how induction stoves can boil water so quickly? Can you explain how induction cooktops heat pans without heating themselves? Do induction stoves require specific cookware for efficient cooking?
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June 6, 2025 • 7 mins
What is really going on when you get a bump in your back or neck muscle that hurts when you press on it? Do muscles really get knots? How do they form? Why are they not detected in scans like x-rays or MRIs? Why do deep tissue massages sometimes make them feel more sore? What are ways to prevent muscle knots?
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May 30, 2025 • 6 mins
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 actua...
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May 23, 2025 • 7 mins
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?
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May 16, 2025 • 8 mins
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?
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May 9, 2025 • 7 mins
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?
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May 2, 2025 • 7 mins
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 o...
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April 25, 2025 • 8 mins
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?
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April 18, 2025 • 7 mins
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 ...
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April 11, 2025 • 7 mins
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?
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April 4, 2025 • 6 mins
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?
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April 4, 2025 • 8 mins
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?
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March 28, 2025 • 7 mins
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?
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March 21, 2025 • 7 mins
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?
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March 14, 2025 • 7 mins
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?
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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-a...
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March 7, 2025 • 7 mins
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 coordin...
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February 28, 2025 • 7 mins
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?
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February 21, 2025 • 8 mins
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?
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