Épisodes

  • ELI5 Poker - which US president used poker to launch his election campaign?

    ELI5 Poker - which US president used poker to launch his election campaign?
    Aug 31 2025
    How did Poker evolve into a cultural phenomenon beyond just a card game? What makes poker different from other casino games in terms of player competition and strategy? Can you explain the betting process in poker and how players make decisions during each round? Poker on TV often shows those probabilities of a winning hand. How do players calculate this when they're playing? Are there some standard probabilities 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: TheAireon, stanitor, puck1996, disillusionedJack, AaronSarm, NutellaPatella, Habanero_Eyeball, and lookawake. To the 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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    8 min
  • ELI5 Washing Machines - more consequential than the internet?

    ELI5 Washing Machines - more consequential than the internet?
    Aug 22 2025
    What makes washing machines such a vital household invention in the modern world? How did washing machines transform household chores from 8-12 hours to a fraction of that time? Could you explain the role of water temperature in washing effectiveness and fabric care? Why do some fabrics, like suits, require special cleaning methods instead of traditional washing machine cycles? ... 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: peteymcpetey, trutheality, flashwastaken, draftstone, caliph_ate, silverbolt2000, danielfaa, unique_username1. To the 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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    8 min
  • ELI5 LiDAR - how it sees the world?

    ELI5 LiDAR - how it sees the world?
    Aug 15 2025
    What is LiDAR? Why is it helpful in addition to seeing things through cameras? How does LiDAR time-of-flight measure distance when light travels so fast—what tricks give picosecond precision? Why can LiDAR detect single-photon returns from angled surfaces, yet mirrors and shiny objects cause false readings? What are some surprising places LIDAR is used that most people wouldn’t expect? ... 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: mmomtchev, lexi_bean21, already_______taken, isnomad, gurumeditationerror, sniper1rfa, 317locc, doxysqrl410. To the 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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    8 min
  • ELI5 Deck of Cards - why 52 playing cards and why so mysterious?

    ELI5 Deck of Cards - why 52 playing cards and why so mysterious?
    Aug 8 2025
    How did we end up with the deck of cards that we use today? Did the standard 52-card deck derive from Tarot cards, and what does that mean for gameplay? Is it true that shuffling a deck creates a unique order that has likely never existed before? Can you explain the concept of 52 factorial and why it matters for card arrangements? What fascinating social dynamics emerge around shuffling cards and how it influences player interactions? ... 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: poindexter234, turkeypedal, bheidreborn, lowflier84, tp616, buffinita, the_laughing_lawyer, and stupidlemoneater. To the 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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    7 min
  • ELI5 Gout - what is it and why is the big toe a target?

    ELI5 Gout - what is it and why is the big toe a target?
    Aug 1 2025
    What is gout, and how does it uniquely affect your body compared to other forms of arthritis? Why does gout primarily affect the big toe? How do uric acid crystals form, and what role do diet and lifestyle play in this painful process? Can hydration truly prevent gout attacks, and what are the risks of dehydration for those already affected by it? What about Epsom salt? How does it assist in alleviating joint pain during painful gout flare-ups? ... 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: helghancosmos, the_original_retro, tastelesscommenter, joelyfish, matt_kezy, th3miteeylambo, whatsamattahere, marmorset. To the 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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    9 min
  • ELI5 Rubiks Cubes - how do some people solve it in seconds?

    ELI5 Rubiks Cubes - how do some people solve it in seconds?
    Jul 25 2025
    How do competitive solvers manage to solve a Rubik's Cube in under 10 seconds, and what techniques do they use? What is the relationship between memorization and pattern recognition for record-breaking cube solvers? How do solvers memorize moves to successfully solve the cube blindfolded, and what techniques assist them in this process? How does the concept of ""God's number"" relate to the Rubik's Cube solving process? How did Erno Rubik initially create the cube, and what structural problem was he trying to solve? ... 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: notmiefault, equationtaken, mrrookwood, ilyanep, ap1303, _jwmo_, rocuroniumsuccs, djzzx. To the 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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    8 min
  • ELI5 Toilets - why are public toilets tankless unlike those at home?

    ELI5 Toilets - why are public toilets tankless unlike those at home?
    Jul 18 2025
    Why do home toilets typically have tanks, while public toilets often don't? What are some benefits of tankless toilets in public spaces from a design perspective? What is the S bend there for and how has this toilet design influenced modern plumbing? What are the implications of Hong Kong using seawater for toilet flushing in a densely populated city? What toilet innovations do you find most significant in improving sanitation and quality of life globally? ... 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: metrumax, rinsetorepeat, wouldbewanderer, toosmalley, jlowu571, j4ckr4bb1tsl1ms, dysgraphical, and guywithasockpuppet. To the 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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    7 min
  • ELI5 Black Box Flight Recorders - what’s inside the orange mystery?

    ELI5 Black Box Flight Recorders - what’s inside the orange mystery?
    Jul 11 2025
    Why are airplane black boxes not connected to real-time satellite data systems? What data does a black box contain and how does it contribute to improving aviation safety after an accident is investigated? How do black boxes manage to survive catastrophic accidents and remain so resilient under extreme conditions? What makes flight recorders, or ""black boxes,"" so crucial after airplane accidents? How could future advancements in technology improve black box capabilities, such as more robust communications or data handling? ... 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: greenishstones, prototypist, ukshj, baktru, alihb, turkstache, hpanandikar, elabril. To the 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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    7 min