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While we may imagine a dystopian future of thought police, killer robots, and nuclear fallout, the real future predictions are much more boring. Instead of being brutally brainwashed and enslaved by fascist, authoritarian regimes, we have willingly enslaved ourselves. By allowing the top 1% to get exponentially richer, we drown in a sea of debts, tech, advertising, endless wars, environmental destruction, addictions, depression... the list goes on.

Brilliant, isn't it? But it's ok; there's always Facebook to scroll through (Bored Panda too, obvs), Netflix to watch, chemical-laden meals to consume, manufactured outrages over a mermaid's skin color to comment on. Who's got time for thoughtful resistance in this sick, sad world? Even those that think they are resisting by electing bigoted billionaires, bankers and Eton toffs to represent them are simply playing into their hands, as their dishonest, scaremongering claptrap divides us ever further over political, racial and gender lines!

Sometimes we need to take a step back and see the forest for the trees. This list, compiled by Bored Panda, contains some pretty terrifying examples of present-day dystopian society, things that make you realize that beyond all the distractions of trying to survive and thrive in the rat race, something's not quite right with this world.

So if you didn't find the sinister scenes of mindless automatons chanting “send her back” chilling enough, scroll down below to get a reality check on the spookily Orwellian society we are allowing to be constructed, and let's see if we can fix our near future in the comments! If you want to see even more proof of our dystopian world, be sure to check out our previous list!

The term 'boring dystopia was coined by the late academic and cultural theorist Mark Fisher in 2015. He used it to refer to the "bland, mildly coercive signs that abound in late-stage capitalist society, which foster a vague sense of isolation or unease."

He started a Facebook group that documented these signs as a way to develop consciousness about the world around us. "It was understood from the start to be a consciousness-raising exercise, encouraging people to perceive the actual state of Britain rather than the PR state," Fisher said in an interview with Vice. "Which is surprisingly hard, because there's this mixture of Silicon Valley ideology, PR and advertising which distracts us from our own aesthetic poverty, and the reality of what we have. Which is just all these crap robots…"

#2

This Is Caleb. Caleb Has A Degree In Zoology And Asks His Customers What Their Favorite Animal Is. He Gives Them Facts While Completing Their Orders!

This Is Caleb. Caleb Has A Degree In Zoology And Asks His Customers What Their Favorite Animal Is. He Gives Them Facts While Completing Their Orders!

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"Boring Dystopia was partly about the fact that no one can care about stuff any more," said Fisher. "It's not that they don't care, but in a city like London, or any intensely pressured urban metropolis—add to that the pressures of capitalist cyberspace and people just feel like they perpetually have no time."

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"Our resources for caring are depleted, and that has aesthetic consequences."

#4

Charity

Charity

JAFD74 Report

#5

Put The Blame Where It Belongs

Put The Blame Where It Belongs

RelevantSwimmer Report

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Kathie Leonetti
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Let's not forget the politicians and celebrities who fly all over who have huge SUVs .

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The Facebook group was short-lived, with Fisher quickly becoming disillusioned with Facebook itself. "For me the point at which the group started to go downhill was when it became like every other Facebook group. It was just recirculating 'content' and sending links, keeping people inside what I would call capitalist cyberspace instead of looking outside at their own environment. It felt like it was reinforcing the condition it was intended to displace," he explained.

"It didn't work at that scale, and you could feel that it wasn't the right place for it… It was just an experiment, and Facebook probably wasn't the right platform. I didn't want it to be diluted."

#6

A Child Can’t Stay On The Transplant List, Solely Because He’s Homeless

A Child Can’t Stay On The Transplant List, Solely Because He’s Homeless

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#7

Calling An Ambulance In USA

Calling An Ambulance In USA

thetrudz Report

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giovanna
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is just RIDICULOUS. I really, honestly don't understand how come the American people are not crazy mad in the streets protesting about that. Like, protesting all the time.

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After Fisher's tragic death in 2017 at the age of 48, his work remains as his legacy and is as important and relevant as it's ever been. His 2009 book Capitalist Realism is a must-read for anyone wanting to understand the modern world, and his 'Boring Dystopia' group lives on mainly in the subreddit r/ABoringDystopia.

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What do you think? Are we truly living in a boring dystopia? Scroll down below to see the rest of the examples for yourself, and let us know what you think in the comments!

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#9

Need Books? Donate Plasma!

Need Books? Donate Plasma!

ContraMuffin Report

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Bill
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You are supposed to sell plasma for beer at that age. This isn't right

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#10

I Had To Pay $39.35 To Hold My Baby After He Was Born

I Had To Pay $39.35 To Hold My Baby After He Was Born

halfthrottle Report

#11

Anything Different Would Simply Be Un-American

Anything Different Would Simply Be Un-American

Tacoking Report

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Beverly
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is one thing we can do: Get out and vote. Vote for the senators and representatives who aren't afraid to push for single-payer, universal health care. And if someone calls you a socialist, tell them to look at Japan, which a) is hardly socialist, b) has the world's longest life expectancy, and c) has a well-established universal health care system.

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#12

Health Care

Health Care

Lons Report

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Tamara Neimet
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't have to wait for it. Come to Ukraine, we are constantly crowdfunding some sick child's care.

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#13

Watch This Advert Or Choke To Death

Watch This Advert Or Choke To Death

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María Hermida
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you need to watch a video before trying to do something to help, it doesn't matter whether there are ads or not; the person will probably die anyway. That's the reason why everybody should learn some very basic first aid skills, like the Hemilich Maneuver, at school, instead of soooo much useless rubbish.

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#14

Only In America Would A Restaurant Display On The Wall That They Don’t Pay Their Staff Enough To Live On

Only In America Would A Restaurant Display On The Wall That They Don’t Pay Their Staff Enough To Live On

M7plusoneequalsm8 Report

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nanashi
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always wonder why they made it that it's the customer's job to make sure if the workers/servers are paid or not. does this system works?

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#15

Public Relations

Public Relations

JordanUhl Report

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Miklós Nagy
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And people working in the media industry earn way more than any manual laborer or most of the engineers, scientists, medical doctors...

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#17

"Today My Client Was Excited To Push The Elevator Buttons On The Way To Her First Deportation Hearing"

"Today My Client Was Excited To Push The Elevator Buttons On The Way To Her First Deportation Hearing"

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Koalamonster
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My niece is 5. I cannot imagine her having to represent herself in any legal matters. I'm 30, and I can't imagine representing myself in any legal matters.

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#18

I Don't Like This Episode Of Black Mirror

I Don't Like This Episode Of Black Mirror

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Anne
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well.. we are too far in killing bees and the environment.. so.. we will need to do both at the same time. There is no planet B.

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#19

Capitalism In A Nutshell

Capitalism In A Nutshell

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#20

Good Article. No Surprises. “It’s Not About Wanting A Pay Raise Or Extra Income, It’s Just About Wanting A Livable Wage”

Good Article. No Surprises. “It’s Not About Wanting A Pay Raise Or Extra Income, It’s Just About Wanting A Livable Wage”

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Daniel Morgan
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And yet Trump has the audacity to say how amazing the country is doing and how everyone is wealthier than ever. Prick.

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#21

Both Are In The Wrong But Look At How The Pictures Are Depicted

Both Are In The Wrong But Look At How The Pictures Are Depicted

Choreutic Report

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Wil Vanderheijden
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The blindfold of Lady Justice is eaten by the moths and she turns out to be a racist, conservative b!tch.

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#22

Not A Bad Plan

Not A Bad Plan

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Koalamonster
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I knew a girl who got Hep C from her ex-boyfriend. Her insurance would not pay to fix it unless she was very very ill. As far as I know she still has it. Had she gone to jail she would have been treated and it wouldn't be an issue anymore.

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#23

It's All About Priorities

It's All About Priorities

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Pan Da
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To be fair California already had loads of giant world-leading universities and research centres before the 80s

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Marcus Heslop
Community Member
4 years ago

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BusLady
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Unfortunately, prisons are big business, and quite profitable.

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okpkpkp
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At last count, California had 33 prisons and I have been to about twelve. Folsom. San Quentin. Pelican Bay. Solano. My wife worked for California Corrections and after I retired I'd travel some weeks when she had to go audit those prisons. Usually one week at each prison. She traveled about 11 months a year. It was fun. She'd go to work and I'd stay at the hotel and drink beer all day. Hic.

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D.J. Thorb
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

.U.S. has more people per capita in prison than Russia or China .... think about it. Its all to make money and nothing else.

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Sue Clasen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Did you ask yourselves why? the Sanctuary State and health for everybody?

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Ed Kocialski
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe if they weren't shielding Illegal alien criminals, they could have had the money to build more universities.

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KT Trondsen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Perhaps more people there decide to commit crimes than better themselves. It's their choice, the businesses build to accomodate

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Fran Morasco
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe we could start re-opening trade schools where 3/4's of college student should do their learning

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Louise Brigance
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Even more prevalent in other parts of the country. No schools get built...they're too busy putting POC into private prisons and making white people richer.

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Douglas Meyer
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Guess what ? They'll have to build more. Of course the people that are paying for these prisons are getting tired of paying for them and are now moving to locations that don't have the same crime problem. Unfortunately they are bringing the same attitude that has turned California in to a S*ithole with them.

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Maureen DelaDermott
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why would they build universities when many already exist? Likewise, who'd prefer an "Established in 1980" institution over one with over a century of credibility?

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Gin Marie
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Build prisons or schools. One makes the other less necessary.

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Steve Moody
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because a lot more people are working hard to get into prison than university. Don't blame the state.

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Dave G.
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

a lot of people in the ghetto are unironically working hard to get into prison instead of university. it also just happens that california is home to a wide variety of such ghettos, including but not limited to deep east oakland, south central la, stockton, east palo alto, sacramento, hunters point, sunnydale, fillmore districts of san francisco, etc.

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Snowy Tundra
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The US has the highest rate of incarcerated people per capita in the world. IIRC, drugs are the most common reason for imprisonment.

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Pamela
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If people did not commit crimes needing punishment, there would be more money for universities!

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Hellysal
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's logical, as these days in America a prison sustains your life at a better level than a college.

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Leo H
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe they need the prisions for all the influx of " immigrants"

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Paul Dixon
Community Member
4 years ago

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You don't need to go to uni to be educated. You don't need to go to university to get a job. You don't need to go to uni to stay out of prison. This just shows that more people are choosing crime and to accommodate for these people's decisions money has to be wasted to build prisons. Arguably if people stopped committing crime and made a demand for uni then less prisons will be built.

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Parmeisan
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These days, actually, you do need university to make a living wage. A few can manage without it, but mostly those without are living paycheck to paycheck and barely surviving.

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#25

Teeth Are A Luxury Only Paying Customers Are Allowed

Teeth Are A Luxury Only Paying Customers Are Allowed

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#26

Ambulances For 3k? Lets Just Call An Uber

Ambulances For 3k? Lets Just Call An Uber

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Luis Milian
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

in the US, the cost for an ambulance to take you to the ER is as expensive as buying a new car.

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#29

This Is How Expensive It Is To Attempt Suicide In The US

This Is How Expensive It Is To Attempt Suicide In The US

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Care
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hope they're doing better now. Debt definitely doesn't help depression.

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#30

Open Office

Open Office

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Miklós Nagy
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The 90s when people were angry about their well paid, stable jobs and about their peaceful life...

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