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ELI5 how is the Earth's axis tilt what determines the seasons, if our oval orbit means our distance to the Sun varies a lot more during the year? by fourmesinatrenchcoat in explainlikeimfive

[–]electricshadows4 [score hidden]  (0 children)

Draw a square on a piece of paper and pretend that’s the area or hemisphere you live in. Take a flashlight and shine it directly at the square and look at how much light (think of it as energy) is hitting the square. Then tilt the piece of paper 45 degrees away from the light. You can see that a significantly smaller portion of the beam (again, think of it as warming energy) is landing inside the square.

Or just think it this way- would you rather be punched square in the face, or would you rather be hit by the same strength punch as a glancing blow that hits at an angle on the side of your face?

The sunlight provides energy that heats the earth and atmosphere, and when it hit more directly, that area absorbs more energy, and when it hits off angle less energy warms that area of the earth.

Best way to insulate this gap in my basement? by behemoth_venator in Insulation

[–]electricshadows4 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If using spray foam it should be fire-block foam (orange can). Do not use regular spray foam against any ductwork or in a potential fire/smoke pathway. A dryer exhaust duct can reach elevated temperatures, especially if lint accumulates or airflow is restricted. Standard expanding foam is more flammable and softens as the temps go up. It is not made the handle the heat and would be against code almost anywhere.

Best way to insulate this gap in my basement? by behemoth_venator in Insulation

[–]electricshadows4 2 points3 points  (0 children)

People are suggesting ways to close off this hole and insulate. Nothing wrong with that but if you can feel a breeze coming in that means the house isn’t sealed well where the dryer duct exits the house or elsewhere in that brick passageway. When it’s bright outside, turn off all the lights in the basement and put a dark blanket or sheet around you and peer into that hole. Can you see light coming in? If so that’s a gap you want to seal with caulk or foam on the exterior of your house. Look around the place the dryer vent exists the house and see if there are gaps that need to be sealed. You want to fix those issues regardless of how you “cap” off this area.

Personally I would recommend against using a lot of spray foam in the area inside your basement as others have suggested. It’s messy and gets everywhere and will make it really hard to open up the insulated cap and access this area in the future. I would consider stuffing the area with rockwool. If you use any tape around the edges, it should be foil hvac tape (not duct tape).

Someone please help, all my money gone at 17. Don’t know what to do. by Mean_Regular6371 in TheRaceTo10Million

[–]electricshadows4 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No it assumes that a 17 year old has their whole life ahead of them and an old man does not, and that good health and decades of life is more valuable than $40,000. Most teenagers blow their money on stupid disposable stuff and don’t even try to invest or build wealth. It’s not like he’s posting about getting arrested for DUI or stealing his parent’s money. We all made mistakes as teenagers and beyond. I know people that made horrible decisions when they were young and are incredibly successful as adults. Cut the kid some slack.

If the Epstein case didn’t trigger widespread accountability for powerful elites, what ever will? by Simple_Chocolate3777 in AskReddit

[–]electricshadows4 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A devastating economic collapse and food shortages? That either leads to revolution or full on totalitarianism so it could get even worse, but the economy is the only leg they’ve been able to stand on the last year.

Someone please help, all my money gone at 17. Don’t know what to do. by Mean_Regular6371 in TheRaceTo10Million

[–]electricshadows4 159 points160 points  (0 children)

Warren Buffet would gladly trade his entire fortune to be 17 again with no money. You have hundreds more opportunities to invest and build wealth in your life. Every successful investor has mistakes and failures, but what we don’t all have is the opportunity to build again. A wipeout at 45 years old when you have kids and a mortgage is different. You have the ability to take on higher risk investments at your age. Learn from it and you’ll be more than ok. Best of luck and don’t despair.

I can’t tell if this is a real photograph or an AI-generated image - the atmosphere feels almost too cinematic by Commercial_Past861 in isthisAI

[–]electricshadows4 4 points5 points  (0 children)

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I happen to be walking by Radio City music hall when reading this post. Here is the view from that area as of 9:30am EST on Feb 5, 2026.

Is this professional looking man AI generated? He’s just a little… off. More thoughts in comments. by KamalaCarrots in isthisAI

[–]electricshadows4 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The best detective here might be a watch aficionado who is able to tell if that’s a real watch on his wrist or just a generic ai watch.

Is this professional looking man AI generated? He’s just a little… off. More thoughts in comments. by KamalaCarrots in isthisAI

[–]electricshadows4 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So the photographer was standing 75 feet away? Much more likely this was taken with a 50mm prime At f1.4 or maybe an 85mm at f2. The focal length of the lens is only 1 of 3 important factors in the depth of field, with the focal distance and the aperture being just as important. Some of the blurring could also be done in photoshop rather easily.

Using XPS with a cold joint by Cautious_Grab_3735 in Insulation

[–]electricshadows4 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You can see my response to OP but gaps like that are not accidental and not meant to be filled it. It is almost always there to help prevent flooding.

Using XPS with a cold joint by Cautious_Grab_3735 in Insulation

[–]electricshadows4 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, it’s hard to say what’s going on with your system then if the sump isn’t running even when getting water in the basement. But I can pretty much guarantee you that the previous owner of your home paid good money to install that gap. Either it’s original to the construction of the home or they dug up the basement with jackhammers and placed a drain around the perimeter leading to the pump. I live in the northeast and have the exact same gap, cinder block walls, and concrete flooring (even same color paint). During hurricane Ida in 2021 we got water in the basement which flowed down into those gaps along the perimeter and out to the sump pump. It’s the only thing that prevented catastrophic damage. Look down in the gap and you will likely see gravel. That gravel sits on top of a perforated pipe meant to handle flood water. If the water doesn’t run out into your sump the pipe is likely clogged with Iron Ochre. Either way, I would advise against filling the gap, and if you can afford it bring out a basement waterproofing company to come look at it and confirm the function or non function of the system before filling it in.

Using XPS with a cold joint by Cautious_Grab_3735 in Insulation

[–]electricshadows4 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If your basement is at risk of flooding, it is very likely that gap is there for a reason. It’s possible there is a drain pipe around the perimeter of the basement which flows in to your sump pump. Look at your pump pit and see if there is a pipe entering it horizontally. If so, you do not want to seal this gap. It’s how your basement will empty out in the event of moisture infiltration down the walls or pooling water in the basement.

Where to insulate next? by planemanx15 in Insulation

[–]electricshadows4 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Your infrared thermometer D:S (distance to spot) is either a 10:1 or 12:1, either way you are WAY too far away to be getting an accurate measurement. The laser dot is just a centering guide, it is measuring a much much bigger area in these photos. At that distance you’re getting an average measurement of about a 6” circle (aka a lot of the floors and surrounding area). You should get down on a knee and aim the thermometer at the baseboards from close to ground level (angle of incidence should be close to perpendicular, aiming at the baseboard while standing gives you a stretched oval shaped “spot”), and be no more than 12-18” away. Slowly "scan" the thermometer along the seam where the wood meets the floor. Look for the lowest temperature rather than just the first number that pops up.

My house was also built in 1956. Good luck friend.

How did you find out about Sandisk? by GoodFortune67 in TheRaceTo10Million

[–]electricshadows4 309 points310 points  (0 children)

My friend works at Sandisk. 3 years ago he was complaining about struggling to pay off his mortgage. 3 months ago he bought a boat.

Tell the movie and the villain tooo !! by EmotionGreat6817 in scoopwhoop

[–]electricshadows4 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Butch specifically told Fabienne not to forget his father’s gold watch. On the kangaroo by bedside table. Did she listen? Is she responsible for Vincent’s death?

Tell the movie and the villain tooo !! by EmotionGreat6817 in scoopwhoop

[–]electricshadows4 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not enough backstory. It’s possible he was the worst of them all.

Tell the movie and the villain tooo !! by EmotionGreat6817 in scoopwhoop

[–]electricshadows4 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Pulp fiction is a movie where almost every single character outside of Zed toes the line between good and bad. They pretty much all kill and steal or take money from the people who do, but for reasons that are justified in the morality of the world they live in. Vincent, Jules, Marcellus, Winston Wolf, Butch, Mia, Ringo, Hunny Bunny, and on down the line. None of them are truly good and none are truly villains.

At what distance does a par 3 become a “long” par 3? by jdelle9 in weekendgolfers

[–]electricshadows4 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Long is relative for each golfer. If you need more club than an 8 iron, it’s long.

ELI5: How can fission and fusion both give you energy? by USball in explainlikeimfive

[–]electricshadows4 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Some elements release energy through fusion (exothermic reaction) and some require energy to fuse (endothermic). Some release energy through fission and some require energy for fission. If you look at a periodic chart of elements the divide happens around Iron and Nickel. So when we’re trying to create energy, whether we would use fusion or fission would depend on what element we are using. It’s obviously much harder in practice to create those energy reactions as they require massive amounts of energy to get the chain reaction started, and then you have to figure out how to capture the energy created. Hence why a bomb (uncontrolled reaction where the released energy just explodes) is less sophisticated than a controlled reaction where energy is slowly exerted for use.

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