Why don't you explain that to me like I'm five?
By Greg SullivanSept. 26 2024, Updated 7:25 p.m. ET
The "Explain Like I'm Five" (ELI5) subreddit is a vibrant online community dedicated to breaking down complex topics into simple, easy-to-understand explanations. The goal is to provide clear, layperson-friendly explanations that make intricate concepts accessible to everyone. Whether you're curious about biology, economics, or any other field, ELI5 offers a space where no question is too basic, and every answer aims to educate and clarify. Here, we've compiled some of the most intriguing questions and their top responses to highlight the breadth of knowledge shared on this platform.
What happens if a morbidly obese person only drinks water and stops eating?
In a thought-provoking thread in the ELI5 subreddit, a user asked what would happen if a morbidly obese person stopped eating entirely and only drank water. Would their fat reserves sustain them until eventual starvation, and how long could they theoretically survive compared to an average person?
According to Consistent_Bee3478, it's crucial to consider vitamins and minerals. “Without those vitamins, you will develop conditions like scurvy within a couple of months (hair falls out, wounds don’t heal, old scars break open) as well as other vitamin deficiency disorders.” Additionally, the lack of minerals could result in fatal heart arrhythmias within weeks. If the necessary vitamins, minerals, and minimal protein are provided, the person can survive until their fat reserves are depleted. For example, someone 100 pounds overweight could survive 70-100 days before reaching a normal weight and an additional 30-60 days before starvation becomes critical. Thus, the theoretical survival time varies greatly based on individual factors and nutrient intake. File under Don't Try This At Home!
Why do we need two full-time breadwinners now compared to one less than a century ago?
User Zman1718 asked what happened to the financial reality of the world. It used to only take one person to get that mythical two-car garage and the white picket fence. But now, economic shifts over the last century have made it necessary for many households to rely on two incomes. User cavscout43 explains that while consumer goods have become cheaper, essential costs like healthcare, education, and housing have soared. “The things that you need to live a healthy and happy life cost far more now in real dollars relative to earning power than they used to,” they note. The societal expectation of dual-income households has driven market adjustments, further complicating single-income sustainability. The rise in essential living costs and stagnant wages have created a financial environment where two incomes are often necessary to maintain a household.
They don't make them like they used to, they only seem to know how to make them better.
Why isn't there an incredibly cheap, basic car on the market?
A user asked why there's no bare-bones car available, akin to an Ikea product. User guitarp11 notes that fleet vehicles come closest to this concept, offering basic models with minimal features. However, these are typically sold in bulk to businesses, not individual consumers. Margins on such cars are low, so dealerships don't prioritize them. Additionally, modern safety standards and consumer expectations for features like air conditioning and power options drive up costs. The market for ultra-basic cars is limited, as most consumers expect certain amenities, making it unfeasible for manufacturers to produce and sell them at a significantly lower price.
Interestingly, MonsieurBon shares their experience with a fleet Ford F-150, describing it as “indestructible” with “vinyl bench seats, no headliner, rubber floor, manual windows, manual locks.” While these vehicles exist, their availability is restricted due to market dynamics and consumer expectations.
The ELI5 community had great answers on this important topic. One users shared this insightful video.
Why do humans need to eat a lot to build muscle, but gorillas get strong from grass and fruits?
User padumtss wanted to know why an all veggie diet doesn't do for us what it does for a silver-back. Humans and gorillas have different metabolic and genetic makeups. PrincessBucketFeet explains that humans produce a protein called myostatin, which inhibits muscle growth. This prevents excessive muscle mass, which would require unsustainable calorie intake and strain the heart. Just look up the Rock's diet to get the basic idea. Gorillas lack this protein, allowing them to build muscle more efficiently from their plant-based diet. Additionally, gorillas have a different digestive system, enabling them to extract more nutrients from fibrous plants.
Adding to this, user TheMonkus notes, “People tend to…not understand how muscles work, and think that if you just somehow get jacked, you’re jacked. No, you need to constantly feed those muscles, and the amount of eating can quickly become very unpleasant.”
What is autism?
Former-Storm-5087 came to the ELI5 community to help his son who, he shares, has autism. He pointed out that it's difficult to explain the condition and wanted a good answer he could share with his son. The community came through with a great answer that one user said was impossible to read in any other voice than that of Mr. Rogers.
The most popular answer likened the brain to a computer with different wiring. Autism is a different type of brain wiring affecting communication, social interaction, and sensory processing. Autistic individuals may have strong interests and find comfort in routines. They might communicate differently, requiring patience and understanding from others. Emphasizing that being autistic is just one of many ways people can be unique helps preserve self-esteem and promotes inclusivity.
“Everyone has a brain. Brains tell us how to think, feel, move, and sense things. Brains are wired up like a computer or other electronics with their own circuits and connections,” explains the user. This analogy helps children understand that autism is simply a different way of experiencing the world.
There's a lot more to your pharmacist than just counting pills.
What do pharmacists do besides counting pills?
That can't be all they do, right? Well, right. It isn't! Pharmacists play a crucial role in healthcare beyond dispensing medications. One user, who says that they're an ICU doctor, emphasizes that pharmacists in hospitals assist with treatment decisions, suggest cost-effective alternatives, and ensure medication safety. They adjust doses for specific conditions, preventing adverse interactions, and improving patient outcomes. “They catch mistakes, and they do it better than any other allied health professional,” the doctor notes, highlighting the critical role pharmacists play in patient care.
Farnsworthson adds, “In the UK, at least, the pharmacist is the final and primary person legally responsible for making sure that the prescription you're given won't do you any harm.” This responsibility underscores the pharmacist’s role as a safeguard in the healthcare system. They do also, occasionally count the pills, but that's just a fraction of the job.
How does the moon affect the ocean but not us?
The moon's gravitational pull causes ocean tides but has a minimal effect on humans due to our smaller size and mass. Octogon324 explains that while the moon's gravity does affect us, the effect is extremely minor. “The ocean, being both very very massive along with fluidity, makes gravity very noticeable on it,” they state. Humans, in contrast, experience an imperceptible change in weight based on the moon's position.
woailyx elaborates, “It's not the mass exactly, it's the size. Tidal forces are the difference between the gravitational force over an object or a region, so the issue here is that people aren't large compared to the length scale on which the Moon's gravitational field changes significantly” This subtle difference in gravitational force explains why we don’t feel the moon’s pull in the same way the oceans do.
Of the over 600 replies to the thread about the moon, this video was the most popular response.
These ELI5 explanations provide clear, accessible insights into complex topics, illustrating how everyday questions can lead to deeper understanding and discussion. Each response not only clarifies intricate concepts but also highlights the interconnectedness of various aspects of our lives, from economics and health to technology and natural phenomena.
Editor's Note: The article was originally published in May 2024.
This article was written with assistance from artificial intelligence. Megaphone creates content primarily driven by people but aims for full transparency in how our storytelling is produced. To learn more about our policy on artificial intelligence, click here.