ELI5 Elevators - is the door close button a placebo?

ELI5 Elevators - is the door close button a placebo?

Author: ELI5 Explain Like I'm Five Podcast August 4, 2023 Duration: 8:51
Why does every elevator have a "door close" button if almost none of these buttons actually work? Is it a placebo? Why do some elevators have an up and a down button on their door, when they call the elevator to your floor regardless? If an elevator is falling to the ground, would jumping right before it hits save your life? Why do engineers say a space elevator would have to be built at the equator? ... 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: benignevil, elev8torguy, different_secret4912, ansuz07, captainpatent, flexipiezo, tomrlutong, ravingrook and professorferox 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

Ever find yourself wondering about something seemingly simple, but the answers online are full of jargon? That's where ELI5 Explain Like I'm 5: Bite sized answers to stuff you should know about-in a mini podcast comes in. Each episode grabs a curious question-maybe why the sky is blue, how electricity actually works, or the history behind a common tradition-and breaks it down into clear, digestible pieces. The aim is genuine understanding, not just a quick fact. Sourced from the vibrant curiosity of the Reddit community, this podcast transforms those everyday "how" and "why" mysteries into short, focused conversations. You'll hear about topics spanning science, culture, society, and our planet, all explained as if to a bright five-year-old, which turns out to be the perfect clarity level for anyone. It’s for the casually inquisitive, the lifelong learner, or anyone who just wants a straightforward answer without the lecture. Tune in for a few minutes and come away a little more informed about the world, one simple explanation at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

ELI5 Explain Like I'm 5: Bite sized answers to stuff you should know about - in a mini podcast
Podcast Episodes
ELI5 Mona Lisa - why is it the most famous painting in the world? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:25
Why is the Mona Lisa the most famous painting in the world when many other paintings are technically harder? How was it stolen? Who is Lisa? What is so captivating about her smile? What happened to Louvre visitor numbers…
ELI5 Blueberries - what makes them a superfood? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:35
Is there a nutritional difference between frozen and fresh blueberries? Why do some blueberries taste sweet while others are tart? How are blueberries cultivated, and what are the different types? Does the "blue raspberr…
ELI5 Three Body Problem - what makes it so intriguing? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:49
Why has the three body problem been puzzling mathematicians for centuries? What is a real world example? What is its connection to chaos theory? Who wrote the famous fiction novel? Is there really any solar system out th…
ELI5 Starlink - what makes it possible and how does it work? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:15
What is low earth orbit and how does it enable Starlink to deliver high quality internet? Do they need regulatory approval to operate in each country? With so many satellites, space debris and the risk of collisions must…
ELI5 Bubble Tea - how did it become a global sensation? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:54
Who invented boba? Are bubble tea, pearl milk tea and boba all the same thing? Where is Tapioca originally from? If many people in Taiwan are lactose intolerant, how is it that milk tea would be invented there? ... we ex…
ELI5 Higgs Boson - how it was named the God Particle? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:31
What exactly is the Higgs boson and why is it often referred to as the 'God Particle'? What is the significance of its discovery? What is a Boson? How does the Higgs Boson relate to the Big Bang Theory and the formation…
ELI5 El Niño and La Niña - what exactly are they? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:32
When did people start noticing El Niño and La Niña? What exactly are they? Where does the name come from? How do they affect global weather patterns? Do they really affect the Earth’s rotation? ... we explain like I'm fi…
ELI5 Horse Racing - what’s the role of the jockey? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:19
Can you explain the role of a jockey during a horse race? Why do horses start side by side in a race instead of a staggered start like in human races? How does horse racing differ from dog racing, and why is the latter o…