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One may think a dystopia is just a trope of science fiction writing. Outlandish possibilities of human or not-so-human realities, where all that we fear becomes an inescapable fact of daily life. Again, it’s just fiction, right? Well, sometimes the present is a lot more disturbing than meets the eye. 

The “Boring Dystopia” subreddit has been sharing posts that show just how broken the matrix is, or, mayhaps, the fact that one of those is just a matter of imagination, as a completely controlled environment would not allow for this much chaos. How did we end up here? Your guess is as good as mine. How do we get out is the question we need to start asking. 

As you scroll through this list, make sure to upvote the worst of the worst that reality has to offer, and leave some comments below, and if you’re craving some more bitterness to further ruin your day, here is another article for you. Now let’s get into it.

#1

Had I Also Given A Donation?

Had I Also Given A Donation?

mhdksafa Report

If we are to consider all of the things in life that are looming over us—global warming, the housing crisis, rising inflation, wars, famine, natural disasters, overpopulation, etc.—we’ll very quickly get overwhelmed by the increasingly blank picture that the future paints for us. So we run. We look the other way. 

But maybe our avoidance of the burning issues at hand is what’s caused it to get this bad in the first place. So today, let’s touch on just the tip of the iceberg of the dystopian present day we are living in. It may not seem that bad! But the more you read the posts shared by the subreddit r/boringdystopia, the more you may realize how bad we’ve let things get. And yet, it’s not even that interesting, all things considered. 

In many cases in life, dealing with problems head-on is the only way to get things to change, be it for the better or worse. After all, change is inevitable regardless of how much we want things to stay stable and undisturbed. However, there is only so much that each of us has control over, especially when it comes to problems that are far-reaching and globally concerning. 

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To protect ourselves from the unrelenting pressure and the constant gnawing feeling of doom, we escape. We look the other way. There are two things that coexist in the matter of escaping reality, and Michael Patanella identifies them as avoidance and dissociation. Both offer temporary relief when taken in moderation, but of course, this can get out of hand easily. 

#4

When A Dystopia With Hungry Children Is Painted As A Feel Good Story

When A Dystopia With Hungry Children Is Painted As A Feel Good Story

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secretly a kitten wallflower 2
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

SO TRUE!! We no longer have free lunches at our school, and it’s not cheap! (Although the lunches at our school are good)

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The coping mechanisms that come with escapism can be destructive and unhealthy, even in the short term. Cheap alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, overeating, endless mind-numbing activities, and easily available credit cards that lead to holidays, mindless purchases, and debt are just a few of the ways people choose to avoid the problems they face. 

As stated by Amanda Dacquel, when we avoid, we live on a repeat loop, until we hit a wall at full speed, with a poster on it that says “the real world.” Responsibilities will catch up to us in one way or another, so it’s best to use the tool of escapism in small increments to help restore our batteries rather than numbing us away from existing in the chaos that is life. 

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#7

Must We Apply Whatever We've Learned?

Must We Apply Whatever We've Learned?

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

Dial that back JUST a bit. What we LEARNED?? No, we experienced it, and we are whitewashing the whole affair so we don't need to learn anything. Just because you can demonstrate and prove something, has no connection to us necessarily learning it.

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For those of us who are a bit too comfortable with escapism, there are ways of getting out of the continuous cycle of mindless pleasure and avoidance of responsibility. According to Patrick Allan, enforcing the “real life-right now” rule may be a good place to start. The more fun you make real life seem, the less you may feel the need to escape it. 

Meeting up with your friends instead of blowing them off to play a video game, for example, is essentially substituting one positive experience for another. Just make sure the real-life thing is something you at least think you will enjoy, otherwise it could send you crawling back to escapism. Furthermore, realizing what you’re trying to escape from and why is key to grounding yourself. 

#10

Stealing Might Be The Word For It

Stealing Might Be The Word For It

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#11

A Big Sham

A Big Sham

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

I never understood this. If I hadn’t had my parents as co-signers on my mortgage my bf and I and the cats would be living in my car by now. And yet we both rented separately for years with no problem.

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#12

The Root Of Our Dysfunction

The Root Of Our Dysfunction

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General Anaesthesia
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Let's all thank the Supreme Court and Citizens United. I'll believe "corporations are people, too" [Mitt Romney] when a corporation gets sentenced to death in Texas.

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But now we enter the phase where we’ve stopped running away from the problems and come to realize what a mess life is. Can we really prevent the current-day dystopia from spreading further, ruining lives and potentially making us go extinct? According to Duncan Jefferies, the one way to stop sleepwalking towards it all is through an informed citizenry. A what? 

He continues to argue that teaching critical thinking in schools and having researchers work across different disciplines so that they’re better prepared to tackle the ethical questions that will shape the 21st century, are ways to achieve this. We need more dialogue between the people working on new technologies and the policymakers who create the laws around them, as well as greater openness about the risks. 

Essentially, stay informed and trust the lawmakers to do the right thing. Grand. Guess it’s time to unionize and protest against the system. Just a thought. 

#13

America Is A Joke At This Point

America Is A Joke At This Point

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

Someone posted a photo of their itemised maternity bill from a US hospital on another forum a while back-it included a $50 charge for "skin to skin care." Skin to skin is literally putting the naked baby onto the mother or father's bare chest. It's meant to help with temperature regulation, and is alleged to help soothe the baby immediately after birth, but its not a medical procedure. Mum picks up the baby, puts it on her chest, and the hospital charges $50 for a midwife to watch? It's utterly ludicrous. The American healthcare system is beyond a joke.

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#15

Pro-Life? Nah, I Think The Right Term Is Pro-Birth

Pro-Life? Nah, I Think The Right Term Is Pro-Birth

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

But they give "thoughts and prayers" every time something happens! Isn't that enough!?!

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As a dystopic future looms over us and lawmakers become complacent, forgetting to look at the bigger picture, we must remain vigilant and remember that the shape of the world is in our hands. What we do matters and, truthfully, the sheer number of us doing a little every day can lead to something very substantial in a little bit of time. If there is a livable planet in the next 50 years or so that is… 

As you continue scrolling through this depressing list, make sure you upvote the ones that are the most important, most shocking, and most… well, the most. Leave some comments, especially those that could restore some faith in humanity, and I shall see you in another, hopefully, happier article! 

#16

1y Ago.. And What Has Changed? Shouldn’t Happen In A Developed Country

1y Ago.. And What Has Changed? Shouldn’t Happen In A Developed Country

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

I get my diabetes medication free. After reading all this stuff, I'm so glad I was born in the UK. It's certainly not perfect, but 1000x better than living in the 'Land of the free'.

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#18

The Minimum Wage Workers Called "Heroes" But

The Minimum Wage Workers Called "Heroes" But

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

Because clapping and banging pots and pans is the new rental currency, obviously/s

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#19

Please Be Careful

Please Be Careful

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#20

What Do You Do?

What Do You Do?

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

Unfortunately, it's very American nowadays. At least our government thinks so... and the people who try to stop it are shut down or too scared to be able to make a difference.

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#21

The Part At The Bottom Does Make Me Angry

The Part At The Bottom Does Make Me Angry

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

My taxi driver today was asking about healthcare in the US and I told him about people not having money for insulin just dying. He is a dialysis patient and wondered if the cost was covered. i honestly don't know but I am not super hopeful. But imagine the poor kid and thinking you could have killed your parent via a simple mistake cause health insurance sucks

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#22

I'm A Buffalo Fan And I Hate This

I'm A Buffalo Fan And I Hate This

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

:'( The wrong people are in charge because we believe that an object has incredible value.e

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#23

Saw This On Another Sub And Thought You Guys Would Like It

Saw This On Another Sub And Thought You Guys Would Like It

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#25

This Is What We Are Here For?

This Is What We Are Here For?

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

No, if we lost the cold war the cockroaches would be in charge. Maybe it's time to give them a shot...

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#26

Word Of The Day Is Respect

Word Of The Day Is Respect

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#27

It Shouldn't Matter

It Shouldn't Matter

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

It's still a terrible story regardless of race: girl sees boy, girl falls in love with boy based on appearance, girl gives up EVERYTHING to be with boy... Catchy songs but I absolutely hate the premise.

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#28

That's How Inflation Comes

That's How Inflation Comes

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

I think we’ve established by now that the whole trickle down thing just doesn’t work.

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#29

This Hurts My Soul

This Hurts My Soul

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

Have you thought of training to become a parking space? If you really had ambition, you'd be in parking space college.

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#30

You Will Grow Nothing, And Be Happy About It

You Will Grow Nothing, And Be Happy About It

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

Wow, that's some kind of Big Brother action going on there. How the he|| did it come to corporate Pepsi's attention the kind of seed potatoes the planted!?!

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#31

Government Failouts

Government Failouts

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#33

Leasing People Is Slavery

Leasing People Is Slavery

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

The 13th amendment allows prisoners to be treated as slaves as punishment. See the exclusion clause right in the middle of the text?Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.

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#35

Any Narrative Claiming Our Current Inflationary Environment Is Due To Anything Other Than Price Gouging Is Disinformation

Any Narrative Claiming Our Current Inflationary Environment Is Due To Anything Other Than Price Gouging Is Disinformation

BelleAriel Report

#36

I Think Certain Straight White Men Literally Being Above The Law Counts As Dystopian

I Think Certain Straight White Men Literally Being Above The Law Counts As Dystopian

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

Gross. Should publish his name like they did with the Stanford swimmer who also got a slap on the wrist. Public opinion did punish him as he deserved.

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#37

Just In Case You Didn't Know

Just In Case You Didn't Know

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

It’s certainly not good for all those Africans mining for cobalt in the Congo. I saw pictures the other day, I almost cried.

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#38

This Journalist Retweets Every Statement Made In Light Of The Recent Shooting With The Amount Of Money The Person Speaking Has Gotten From The Nra

This Journalist Retweets Every Statement Made In Light Of The Recent Shooting With The Amount Of Money The Person Speaking Has Gotten From The Nra

NotErikUden Report

#39

Does This Fit? I’m Still Figuring Out This Sub

Does This Fit? I’m Still Figuring Out This Sub

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

Definitely fits. Teachers do it because there's also that quiet kid who has a spark that needs to be nurtured. Huzzah for teachers!!

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#40

That's Why No One Has Kids?

That's Why No One Has Kids?

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#41

How Long Until They Get Ones For Chickens?

How Long Until They Get Ones For Chickens?

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

Its because there is a law requiring all dairy herds to remain in barns. I think it is supposed to be disease prevention measures but it seems cruel

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#42

Nestle

Nestle

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

Nestle has done terrible things everywhere it goes from stealing water rights from indigenous peoples to selling tainted baby formula

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#43

God Save Us All

God Save Us All

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

The royal families properties could be put to much better use too

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#44

Don't Know What To Say

Don't Know What To Say

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#45

Should They Have To Charge?

Should They Have To Charge?

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

Because they can buy the good lawyers; another reason this world is so skewed. And remind me, what's the career path of most politicians?

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#46

100%. Not Even A Question

100%. Not Even A Question

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#47

“ … In Case Anyone’s Wondering How Seriously We’re Taking The Climate Crisis”

“ … In Case Anyone’s Wondering How Seriously We’re Taking The Climate Crisis”

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#48

I Always Wondered How And Why "Public" Universities Got So Expensive In The U.s

I Always Wondered How And Why "Public" Universities Got So Expensive In The U.s

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

Interestingly the Reagan advisor wasn't wrong, only wrong in thinking it was a bad thing (it is bad for the tiny minority in power but not for the rest of us)

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#49

Ahhh, No Wonder The End Of Civilization Is So Boring

Ahhh, No Wonder The End Of Civilization Is So Boring

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#50

If You Protest When Cops Kill People... * Checks Notes * They'll Let Children Die?

If You Protest When Cops Kill People... * Checks Notes * They'll Let Children Die?

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

They are demonized because they earn it.How many people get nervous when they see a police car while driving around or when they see one walking around a store when you stop for gas or groceries?

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