Article #34305

The long-running series in which readers answer other readers’ questions on subjects ranging from trivial flights of fancy to profound scientific and philosophical concepts

• Next week’s question: if an alien landed and asked you, ‘What is this thing you call music,’ what would you play for them? And why?

You’re supposed to be quiet in the cinema. So why are the snacks so loud? Michael Rivera, London

Send new questions to nq@theguardian.com.