system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: Why is it easier to pull than to push?
gpt
There's a lot that contributes to it. When you push, you lean into the object and you tend to be applying force into a partially downward direction, increasing the resistance of friction, while you lean away and tend to lift up a bit when you pull, lowering said resistance. Due to that same tendency, pushing with that downward force takes some of your weight off of your feet, decreasing traction. The upward force of pulling makes you push down on your feet harder, increasing traction. Basically gravity is the enemy if you're pushing and your friend if you're pulling.