ADVERTISEMENT

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!

JendolsWRGaming Report

"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."

ADVERTISEMENT

"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

Add photo comments
POST
kathieleonetti avatar
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 .

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

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

livfenty Report

#7

Calling An Ambulance In USA

Calling An Ambulance In USA

thetrudz Report

Add photo comments
POST
giovannat1979 avatar
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

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!

ADVERTISEMENT
#9

Need Books? Donate Plasma!

Need Books? Donate Plasma!

ContraMuffin Report

Add photo comments
POST
dirigobill avatar
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

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#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

Add photo comments
POST
beverlyhasegawa avatar
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#12

Health Care

Health Care

Lons Report

Add photo comments
POST
eglantine_thorn avatar
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#13

Watch This Advert Or Choke To Death

Watch This Advert Or Choke To Death

StephenMerchant Report

Add photo comments
POST
haoyun2001 avatar
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.

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

You are right, except the Heimlich maneuver is no longer recommended by St Johns first aid teachers. Also if you need to do cardio pulmonary resuscitation, do NOT worry about the breathing part. 1- the movement of the chest during the "push push" part is enough to move air.

Load More Replies...
idil-sonmez avatar
Trix
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ugh, some of you have no idea what sarcasm is. He obviously gave an exaggerated example to show how ridiculous the situation is. It doesn't have to be choking, if someone's choking around you, calling 999 wont help either. What he says isn't illogical, just agree and move on. There are other emergencies in the world that you could try to deal with or learn more about while watching a damn video and you'd be pissed off if there was a commercial break every 10 seconds.

doreenpinkham avatar
Doreen Pinkham
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Uhh, maybe call 911 instead? What kind of world is this that there's a life or death emergency and someone's first thought is, "I know! I'll check YouTube!".

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

Not sure it's their fault you have never learned any lifesaving skills. I could be wrong.

facebook_radek avatar
Radek Suski
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To be fair, it's actually the content creator who has control over that

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

In the time it would take to search and watch that first aid vid, by the time you could implement the info... your gran is dead. Probably for several minutes.

idrow avatar
Id row
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are ways to not see ads. I haven't seen one in many years.

koryo_1988 avatar
Signe Manat Hansen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Guys. Stephen Merchant is a comedian. He plays Wheatley in Portal 2 amongst others.

janealexander37 avatar
Jane Alexander
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you're ever alone and choking, slam yourself backward against a hard wall or surface. It may take several tries. That wall was concrete, but I'm still here.

docbravo avatar
Doc Bravo
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That idiot should have called 911. The dispatchers can walk anyone through helping someone with First Aid; even a 5 year old child.

heather_resendiz avatar
Heather Resendiz
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Damn grandma hold that in a sec let me Youtube it..." Hope he dialed 911 with the other 2 brain cells...

idrow avatar
Id row
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've never had to sit through an ad before watching a youtube vid.

nosxman avatar
Viet Nguyen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is just a joke. Only an idiot has time for a YouTube video but no time for 911 in an emergency. Only an idiot watching a YouTube video instead of calling 911 for instruction in an emergency. Only an idiot prefers instruction from watching a video to real-time human interaction from a professional in an emergency. And last but not least an idiot doesn't understand that a video isn't for an emergency, a video is for preparation only.

rubyiat100 avatar
Anet Arteacher
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow I don’t think I would have the time to save anybody’s life if I had to watch a YouTube video first anyways. First aid courses are taught in our health classes in our state and so many students learn CPR as Seniors. There are also apps would you can immediately hit on your phone which will give you information.

charleyx avatar
Charley CharleyEx
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You are on YouTube for a fish bone? Moron! Ever heard of taking a life saving class BEFORE YOU NEED IT?

dysamoria-accounts avatar
Jace
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Marketing is one of the absolute WORST things in capitalism.

casper_slinkman avatar
Slinkman
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So let me get this right ; your gran is choking on a fishbone, and the first thing you can think of is grabbing your phone, open an app or browser, search for a first aid vid, watch it and then you are going to help your choking gran? And on top of al that your blaming Youtube advertising because it made you take longer to help a choking relative? Sorry, but if that is the way you handle these things, then i think even without the ads your gran will choke to death. What is wrong with you? Just follow your instincts or call 911 for help. Don't go on frigging Youtube in situations like these. My mind is a bit blown actually.

zonikita avatar
Rosanna Zobrist
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You are taking this too seriously. Stephen Merchant is a British writer, director, radio presenter, comedian and actor. As Trix pointed out in another comment, he is being sarcastic and exaggerating to point out how stupid all the ads are

Load More Replies...
alanwilkening avatar
Podunkus
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Accidental ingestion of a pinbone is not an emergency, and you can’t choke or suffocate from it. It may be irritating and scary, but it certainly doesn’t require a trip to the ER. Read up on the dozen different ways to self-manage this common situation.

unequalpod avatar
mintyminameow avatar
Mewton’s Third Paw
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Pay for premium. I don’t even remember what YouTube was like with ads.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#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

Add photo comments
POST
khairunisaasyikinnoordin avatar
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?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#15

Public Relations

Public Relations

JordanUhl Report

Add photo comments
POST
miklosnagy avatar
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...

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#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"

LivingRaccoon Report

Add photo comments
POST
jksimm515 avatar
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#18

I Don't Like This Episode Of Black Mirror

I Don't Like This Episode Of Black Mirror

nokia621 Report

Add photo comments
POST
anne-karina avatar
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#19

Capitalism In A Nutshell

Capitalism In A Nutshell

zechareyah Report

#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”

twentysixdoubleO Report

Add photo comments
POST
danielmichaelmorgan avatar
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#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

Add photo comments
POST
wil_vanderheijden avatar
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#22

Not A Bad Plan

Not A Bad Plan

heyspacequeen Report

Add photo comments
POST
jksimm515 avatar
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#25

Teeth Are A Luxury Only Paying Customers Are Allowed

Teeth Are A Luxury Only Paying Customers Are Allowed

ItsDanSheehan Report

#26

Ambulances For 3k? Lets Just Call An Uber

Ambulances For 3k? Lets Just Call An Uber

deray Report

Add photo comments
POST
luismilian avatar
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#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

alcumist Report

Add photo comments
POST
carolynrehmer avatar
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#30

Open Office

Open Office

sweis Report

Add photo comments
POST
miklosnagy avatar
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...

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Note: this post originally had 62 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.