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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!

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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

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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

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

In Australia and New Zealand an ambulance is free. We pay a levy with our power bills that covers it. We also have free healthcare as well.... so there’s that.

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

I broke my foot one evening and took an Uber to the ER. The driver felt so bad for me that he gave me his personal number so that I could get a free ride home. As he said "Your emergency room bill is going to be high enough; no need to add another $20 ride to it"

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

Driving to the hospital is often faster than waiting for an ambulance, simply due to accessibility. ie there are more cabs / ubers / cars in your own driveway, than there are ambulances. :(

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

The thing is, sure you arrive sooner, BUT if you want to be SEEN ASAP, you have to arrive by ambulance— unless you're super incredibly close to death, in which case you wouldn't have been able to drive yourself anyway.

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

Im going to rent a limo. One could get to my house quicker abd cheaper than the ambulance. I wanna go in luxury

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

I would have to be missing a limb before I called an ambulance. That's an absolute last resort.

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

But so many call on for non-life threatening injuries, which drives up the costs. When people fail to pay their bill the costs are past along to other consumers via high bills.

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

So - we have to choose between an ambulance to maybe save our lives - or something less efficient? The ambulance bill seems to equal the cost of an average funeral. Is irony involved here?

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

If you arrive in an ambulance, you get seen immediately. Any other method, and you get triaged. If you were in severe pain, but stable, you're going to wait a while. Also, the ambulance has the medication and equipment to begin treatment immediately, before you get to the hospital.

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

Fair points. That doesn’t make charging gangster level fees acceptable. One medical emergency should not destroy a person’s finances. The system is broken. If you argue that it isn’t, you are either insulated from its effects through privilege, have never had to personally deal with it, or are benefiting from it. It’s not because it’s right. Look at any other first would country.

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

When Uber costs less than an ambulance, that's a symptom of a seriously effed-up society. And health-care system.

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

but why? are they trying to deter people from seeking help?

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

Not really...ambulances are emergency vehicles. The offer on-sight medical attention. In the case of a heart attack, stroke, or serious injury, they save lives. If you use an ambulance to transport you for a minor issue, for example, a cut finger from a knife while cooking, it’s like cutting a flower with a chainsaw. And you are using a limited resource that was desperately needed by the 80 year old woman that fell three blocks away. When I volunteered at an emergency room, there was a lot of ambulance abuse. One guy called the ambulance and complained of chest pains just to get a free cup of coffee in the waiting room in the ER! He wasn’t paying the bill for that ambulance ride. It gets passed on to the rest of us. So no, not a deterrent for seeking help. But if you’re able to call an Uber, you don’t really need the ambulance anyway. Let the guy who just got cut out of his car on the interstate have it. Volunteer at a hospital. The things you’ll learn will change the way you look at healthcare.

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

I want to hear from American conservatives about the US healthcare problem. Why do you keep voting against universal healthcare if you and/or your loved ones are affected by the lack and cost of it? Are you suicidal but think you deserve to die slowly, while taking your loved ones' future with you? Why don't you want a healthier life? Do you have stock in insurance companies? Are you really that short-sighted? We ALL get old. We will ALL die.

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

DotC are you actually interested in learning the genuine reason why we are against universal healthcare or are you just looking to pick a fight where you repeatedly hurl insults and unsubstantiated allegations like saying that we want people to die, etc? Because I would be happy to actually educate you on the ramifications of universal health care and how universal health care would actually reduce healthcare quality for everyone in America. I am also an immigrant who actually moved to the US from a socialist country where we had universal healthcare, and I can tell you that the healthcare we have here in the US is much better. IF you're willing to actually have this conversation and are actually interested in learning the real reasoning for why we oppose universal healthcare i'd be happy to engage with you but I have a feeling you're just looking for a fight

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

To be honest, where I live anyways, many people abuse ambulance services for the most ridiculous things. Or use it as a taxi service by homeless to get closer to where they want to go :/

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

Because everything about healthcare in this country is a complete rip-off

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

I took an Uber to the emergency room while bleeding from a cut hand. Apologized to the driver profusely.

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

It would seem the whole U.S. Medical system is set up to extort the vulnerable for as much money as possible... Everyone in the whole industry would seem to be just in it for the money.

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

We have what is essentially an Uber ambulance in our city. It’s called “ Ambulnz” : http://www.ambulnz.com/

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

Yes, and before that people called cabs if family or neighbors weren't available. It's what my old roommates sister did back in 1988

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

The VA told me to go the ER because you can't get care on the weekends. I went to the ER. They couldn't figure out what was wrong with me. The VA then declared it wasn't emergent, so now they're demanding $6,800 or they'll take my house.

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

That's what I did when I sprained my hand, the worst pain I've ever had (and I've had childbirth!) - stood in the street for Uber, got to the hospital in five minutes, cost $8

thinkback avatar
Jon Payne
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It cheaper to use a taxi, than use an ambulance as a taxi -go figure.

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

I had to do this when my sister tried to commit suicide I barely scrapped by

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The Cute Cat
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Same here (Indonesia). Sorry, but ambulance is by any mean more expensive then any type of taxi. Because hospital (or clinic or any other type of owner) should specially bought, equip and man it with chauffeur and medic (either paramedic, doctor or both). None of them is subsidized by the gov.

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Tardis42
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you are physically able to get yourself into a car, you shouldn't be calling an ambulance anyway. I understand this is trying to illustrate the ridiculously high cost of ambulances in the U.S., but it also illustrates that if something were free, it would be taken advantage of.

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

Well someone has to pay for the immigrants using the service without insurance..guess that lucky person is you..isn't socialism grand

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

lol the triggered libs just downvote the truth away so it cant hurt them anymore

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Amber Robinson
Community Member
4 years ago

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Good! Ambulances are for real emergencies! Take an Uber and let the poor medics go to a real emergency

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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

sweis Report

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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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