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Damaged vending machines. "No change" messages on broken ATMs. Pepsi ads sponsoring diabetes research. These images may have little in common, but transmit a widely shared yet subtle sensation — they’re the unsettling reminders of a dark and strange twist in the reality we find ourselves in today. And unfortunately folks, it’s also a pretty bleak one.

Let me present to you the 'Boring Dystopia' subreddit, an online community dedicated to "chronicling how Advanced Capitalist Society is not only dystopic, but also incredibly boring." In case you've never heard of this term, it was coined by the late British academic and cultural theorist Mark Fisher. It refers to the feeling of unease in the form of mildly coercive signs that flourish in a late-stage capitalist society.

We at Bored Panda scoured the online group and handpicked some of the most vivid examples that illustrate there's something not quite right with this world. Continue scrolling and be sure to share your thoughts with us in the comment section below. And after you’re done reading this piece, take a look at our earlier compilations full of dystopian madness right here, here, and here.

#1

We're All Just Profit Potential

We're All Just Profit Potential

SharpieScentedSoap Report

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ThePanInPanda
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's so well-written as well, sounds like a passage from a dystopian novel, but the dystopia is our reality.

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#2

From A 7-11 In Allen, Tx

From A 7-11 In Allen, Tx

Daniel_Devito_Dong Report

#3

Real Nice System We Have Here

Real Nice System We Have Here

OperationKronos Report

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RK Barbo
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was prescribed an inhaler, Spuriva, but I didn't have insurance. $565. I did not get it.

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To learn more about boring dystopia, we reached out to Macon Holt, Ph.D., a researcher at Copenhagen Business School and author of Pop Music and Hip Ennui: A Sonic Fiction of Capitalist Realism. He told Bored Panda this phrase is related to Mark Fisher’s critical term capitalist realism, "which he used to describe the pervasive belief that capitalism is the only viable form of the political, social and cultural organization following the end of the cold war."

It may be difficult to wrap your head around the term "boring dystopia" but once you get the hang of it, chances are, you’ll start seeing it everywhere. "[It] is more about the aesthetic experience of living in capitalist realism at a point in time when the system appears ever more unsustainable (ecologically, [politically], and in terms of increasing inequality and decreasing standards of living) but in which no other way to organize society has emerged," Holt explained.

#4

“If I Had A Super Power, It Would Be To Fly. I Would Tell Other Children From Around The World To Come And Play With Me And My Sisters, And To Drink Tea Together!” – Mohamad, A Syrian Refugee In Lebanon

“If I Had A Super Power, It Would Be To Fly. I Would Tell Other Children From Around The World To Come And Play With Me And My Sisters, And To Drink Tea Together!” – Mohamad, A Syrian Refugee In Lebanon

thehumors Report

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Gigi
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This made me tear up. Lovely child. I cry over these babies daily

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#5

Sadly, This Situation Is Only Gonna Get Worse

Sadly, This Situation Is Only Gonna Get Worse

BurntLemon Report

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TonyTee
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's sickening how screwed up the economy is. All we can do is hope it gets better in time, but unfortunately, that seems like wishful thinking. I'm so used to living in apartments (and now a trailer in a trailer park because rents for apartments are ridiculously high) that I have no idea what it's like to live in a house. Maybe one day I'll be lucky enough. But only maybe.

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#6

Wait? Am European Lol

Wait? Am European Lol

stabbyoinkmain Report

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Alexandra Nara
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

While freedom is still a glorified statement against healthcare or weapon laws- my mind humming some lines of Bobby McGhee. and it 's gettin louder everyday

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Although most of us grew up imagining a dystopian future full of terrifying end-times scenes, brutal police states, and decadent rulers, it is more likely to consist of mundane and unappealing scenarios. Holt mentioned exciting movies like Blade Runner or The Matrix from the '80s and '90s that offered depictions of going out with a bang, "But as the years in which those images came around, none of the dreams or nightmares came true," he said.

"Instead, space travel is becoming the hobby of billionaires while they ignore the ecological crises they could perhaps help with, AI and robots seem either to be surveilling us while they vacuum or when we click on a link, and the VR worlds of the metaverse are just ways to charge us more rent for spaces that we can't actually occupy."

#7

"Letting The Cat Out Of The Bag", From United Auto Worker, October 1937

"Letting The Cat Out Of The Bag", From United Auto Worker, October 1937

denisebuttrey Report

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ThePanInPanda
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one made me kinda smile, but it is sadly true. 1937 authors knew what was up!

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#8

Normal Country

Normal Country

Xi_Pimping Report

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#9

Cool Era We're Living In

Cool Era We're Living In

brokenteeth2342 Report

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muffin woman
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The media needs a dose of reality. (also, yes we should allow trans bathrooms)

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Typically, the most evident samples of boring dystopia are senseless ads and ordinary images of broken machinery. When asked about other examples of this experience, Holt mentioned we can find it in bureaucracy, "like the terms of a rental contract that forbid tenants to use cooking oil on the stove, so a landlord can keep the deposit if a single drop is found on the extractor fan hood."

"NFTs are perhaps a good example of boring dystopia,” he continued. "If a sci-fi writer were to dream up a situation in which people paid the money they had earned doing actual work for a certificate of verification that they own a .jpeg of a bored ape, their editor would probably say the world the story depicted would be too depressing to publish."

He also noted that outlets such as Bored Panda draw attention to the conditions of contemporary boring dystopia in its name and try to break up the monotony of the everyday. "In boring dystopia, people are often anxious about work, housing and the future of the planet, and there's very little to alleviate this. As Mark Fisher put it 'No one is bored, everything is boring.'"

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#14

The American Dream: Move Out

The American Dream: Move Out

Sayl0 Report

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InfectedVoice
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't assume it's all peaches and daises in Europe, people are broke here too, with the same ridiculous housing costs and everything else, In the U.K. for example we just have universal healthcare, no guns and nowhere near as much racism but it isn't perfect by any means.

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#15

2% Of Musk's Wealth Could Help 42m People

2% Of Musk's Wealth Could Help 42m People

Indian_FireFly Report

Boring dystopia tells us that while capitalism is often labeled as the most efficient economic system out there, it is not necessarily geared toward human flourishing. "Depending on who you ask, it can be argued that in some particular corners of the world at a certain point in history when there was a relatively strong welfare state and high tax regime, capitalism was part of what brought a good number of people out of poverty."

#16

Siri To Stop Bad Cops

Siri To Stop Bad Cops

Vespasian79 Report

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RK Barbo
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Says so much about our country that people seriously need to do this to interact with cops who are supposed to serve and protect.

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#17

Back To School

Back To School

travelingjay Report

#18

Validating Your Employees By A Pointing System

Validating Your Employees By A Pointing System

AnalUkelele Report

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InfectedVoice
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If my boss tried any of that s**t (not that she would), I would sue the company to the ground, holy s**t!

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However, other people will point to the historical and contemporary violence, the destruction of the environment, and the inequality and exploitation required to make such "market dynamism" possible. According to Holt, capitalism has only ever been efficient at producing more capital. But "capital doesn't care who holds it. How it is made, what it is spent on or invested in and who gets to decide these things have always been political questions. And the answers to these questions have been, largely, deferred to the market for a long time, which has produced a world of increasing inequality, anti-democratic power structures, ecological ruin and boredom," he told us.

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#19

Glad Critical Medical Care Is Being Taken Care Of By Private Companies That Definitely Give A S**t

Glad Critical Medical Care Is Being Taken Care Of By Private Companies That Definitely Give A S**t

reddit.com Report

#21

After The Government Let Companies Influence School Curriculums, My Exams Now Look Like This

After The Government Let Companies Influence School Curriculums, My Exams Now Look Like This

AydanZeGod Report

For some, pictures pointing out our dull dystopian reality could be a source of entertainment. For others, they may create a daunting sense of a lost future. Speaking of the latter one, Holt said that the material things that make people feel that way (skyrocketing housing prices, student-loan debts, insane medical bills — the list goes on) stem from actions at various levels of society. "It is just what happens when the interests of people with power align," he added. "Boring dystopia is the experience of our faith in the future having been betrayed. There is not a quick fix. Instead, to quote Donna Haraway, we have to "stay with the trouble" if we want to commit to a future we can flourish in."

#22

Epstein's Homie

Epstein's Homie

ratkin-work Report

#23

Capitalism At Its Finest. Smh

Capitalism At Its Finest. Smh

Bizarre_World Report

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Christophe Beunens
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the $150 is a fair price, giving that they need to do a mass amount of tests (aids on of them) and store the blood. They also do a lot of non-profit support. But charging thousands for a blood transfusion is criminal

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#24

Found On Linkedin. Fantastic

Found On Linkedin. Fantastic

No_Discipline_512 Report

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Cold Contagious
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's a very powerful image. Too bad he didn't receive a recognition on this level, because it would have been more than appropriate for the occasion. He was in complete disregard of his own life, could have easily been killed by the mob that was chasing him, it's difficult to think on your feet in a situation like what he faced, but he did it successfully. He deserves more recognition than he got, but I realize as a officer, that's not why they do it or what is done after an incident like this. When I see stories about that day, I often think to myself how terrifying it must have been to have all those insurgents forcing their way into that building and so many causing damage, chaos, and injuries, and it's such a shame that it was allowed to happen at all. If they'd been given the coverage that they asked for, it likely wouldn't have been what it turned out to be. It's a abominable failure on the part of the chain that denied the extra coverage for that day. Cont below.

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Dre Mosley
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That January 6 event showed the hypocrisy of the "Blue Lives Matter/Back the Blue" people. Every cop working that day was disrespected verbally and in some cases, physically. Several cops who were there that day have since committed suicide. I recommend watching "Four Hours at the Capitol."

jdennis115 avatar
JDog
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hyposcracy runs both ways. Doubt you're as supportive of the cops at the Portland courthouse

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Mz Phit
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

During the Jan 6 storming of the Capitol building in Washington DC, This lone police officer lured the incensed mob away from the area where a large number of Congresspersons (and then Vice President Pence)were sheltered. His doing so probably saved numerous lives and the stability of the US government during a messy, chaotic transition.

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Jaguarundi
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He has truly earned what little he has been given in gratitude and he deserves so .much.more. Like a full pension with lifetime full medical included.

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Gabe Lumbus
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Isn't it sad that even in the comments of this post we think that Healthcare is a prize?

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Kaioz
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Boy oh boy.... Mr. Goodman deserves soooo much more, like, idk, maybe.... the people he was protecting to stand up for him. Not say it never happened smfh... Good job Mr. Goodman, Thank you.

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El Dee
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had to Google who he is. Why haven't I heard of him before? He saved many lives and took on an entire coup by himself. Cool under pressure doesn't even describe him!

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Anna Tribe
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

140 other law enforcement officers were injured during the riot. Anyone want to bet that they didn't get all medical and medications for free for injuries caused during the riot?

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commie pinkofag
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Hero" is a class invented by the powerful to make the weak feel proud of being exploited.

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Richard Henderson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Eugene Goodman. He lead traitorous trump supporters trying to overturn a democratic election away from lawmakers in the Capitol building.

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daniel280456
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

During Occupy Wall Street, they had to set up womens only sleeping tents, to keep them safe from predators.

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oceandizzle7
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What I don't get- is that anyone who was "blue lives" UNTIL this happened. No one seemed to really give any s**t about this becuase it didn't fit their narrative. Which further explains that the people, they really don't care in the first place.

jdennis115 avatar
JDog
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those cops at the Portland courthouse deserve one too.

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Bryan With a Why
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is this the one who murdered Ashli Babbitt or was that someone else?

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Hope Cows&Chickens
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, this is Officer Goodman, who lead rioters away from where Senators were hiding, thus aaving many members of congress, both Dems and Repubs were saved by this guy getting the mob to keep after him instead of going down the other hallway.

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daniel280456
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is that the event where AOC was afraid for her life, while in her office, a few blocks away ?

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Carl Liuzzo
Community Member
1 year ago

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So sick of this. Move on please. Don’t talk about anything else

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Robert DeWindt
Community Member
1 year ago

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Yes January 6, right up there with 9/11 and Pearl Harbor. Kamala said it herself. What a joke you liberals are.

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Dxcay
Community Member
1 year ago (edited)

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lmao they compare events with thousands of deaths to an event with a few deaths, they say it's so bad because they were in "danger" at the time and therefore it's worse than actual terrorist attacks

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"One piece of advice that is really easy for coming to terms with and starting to imagine a way out of boring dystopia would be to read Fisher's Capitalist Realism: Is there no Alternative? It is an incredibly accessible piece of critical theory and is only about 86 pages long. It is a great jumping-off point for finding out more. Read it with friends and talk about it after. It is a great way to feel less alone in a world that seems to be ever more isolating," Holt concluded.

#25

Gen Z And Millennials Are Ruining This Country! How Dare They

Gen Z And Millennials Are Ruining This Country! How Dare They

UnReal_Monster Report

#26

Capitalism Leads To Concentrated Wealth. Concentrated Wealth Means Concentrated Power. Therefore Capitalism Is Incompatible With Real Democracy, Which Requires Dispersed, Not Concentrated Power

Capitalism Leads To Concentrated Wealth. Concentrated Wealth Means Concentrated Power. Therefore Capitalism Is Incompatible With Real Democracy, Which Requires Dispersed, Not Concentrated Power

Aug415 Report

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Charlotte
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bill Gates is the odd one out here. He's spent billions on initiatives that are improving the world, as opposed to denying his workers bathroom breaks, or building a giant penis to fly to space for fun.

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#27

A Grim Reality Sets In

A Grim Reality Sets In

DieMensch-Maschine Report

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June’s Very Own
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel this. You just work and work everyday with the aim of life or economic status getting better. But it feels as though it never does.

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#28

The Way Most People Engage In Online Discussion Today Is On A Handful Of Centralized Platforms Owned And Operated By A Few Very Large For-Profit Tech Companies

The Way Most People Engage In Online Discussion Today Is On A Handful Of Centralized Platforms Owned And Operated By A Few Very Large For-Profit Tech Companies

tveastman Report

#29

Don't Solve The Problem, Just Spend Tons Of Money To Ignore It

Don't Solve The Problem, Just Spend Tons Of Money To Ignore It

werdmouf , nypost.com Report

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RK Barbo
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's one of the saddest things I've read in a while. Won't even let the desperate eat their scraps. Dogs are treated better.

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#34

State Trooper Fired For Disloyalty Simply For Speaking Out And Telling The Truth

State Trooper Fired For Disloyalty Simply For Speaking Out And Telling The Truth

FerrousDerrius Report

#35

How Might This Have Happened

How Might This Have Happened

celeloriel Report

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Hedgeh og
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Americans: Vote Blue. At every level of every election until the Red party gets their heads out of their a*sses and rejoins democracy with at least a modicum of decency and a tiny bit of care for regular people.

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#37

Arrested For Holding Up A Blank Sign

Arrested For Holding Up A Blank Sign

acharnis Report

#38

Facebooks Re-Brand Did Nothing

Facebooks Re-Brand Did Nothing

LilPeep1k Report

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RK Barbo
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We took a right at common sense, then a left at compassion, did a U-turn at greed and ended up in hell.

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#39

Anti-Ai Face Paint

Anti-Ai Face Paint

fuzzyshorts Report

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Lawrencium
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's an AI technique called universal perturbations which subtly changes pixel values which are entirely indistinguishable to humans but completely mess up classification algorithms. You can even train them to cause the algorithm to mistake you for something specific: like a panda! 🐼

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#40

Whoever Made This Billboard Can Shove It Up Their A**

Whoever Made This Billboard Can Shove It Up Their A**

zuzuofthewolves Report

#41

Texas Lawmakers Posing As Human Beings, After Passing The New Abortion Ban

Texas Lawmakers Posing As Human Beings, After Passing The New Abortion Ban

Nem48 Report

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Hedgeh og
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Monsters, all of them. And hypocrites!!! "My body my choice" for masks but not for abortions. "Parents get to decide" for vaccination but not for all the books they've banned. Party of small government my A**E.

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#42

After Working From Home For Two Years, "Return To Work" Today

After Working From Home For Two Years, "Return To Work" Today

CherenkovsWake Report

#43

Nbc Is Turning Water Into Thousands Of Pounds Of Real Snow For Their 'Once In A Lifetime' Superbowl Coverage... In Southern California... During A Drought

Nbc Is Turning Water Into Thousands Of Pounds Of Real Snow For Their 'Once In A Lifetime' Superbowl Coverage... In Southern California... During A Drought

WittsandGrit Report

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#44

Haha, There Was A Tussle At The Rich People's Gold-Statue Party

Haha, There Was A Tussle At The Rich People's Gold-Statue Party

Hoorizontal Report

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June’s Very Own
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

“I think I’ll just watch from here. From my balcony. In my million dollar mansion”

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#45

Yea... Let's Go Ahead And Bring Back Slavery

Yea... Let's Go Ahead And Bring Back Slavery

Working_Class_Pride Report

Note: this post originally had 130 images. It’s been shortened to the top 45 images based on user votes.