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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!

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."

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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

livfenty Report

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

I actually knew a guy (grown a*s adult) who sold his blood to buy drugs. Scary to think that his blood was ending up in a blood bank.

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

You shouldn’t have to sell plasma for any reason other than just helping others. If the cost of living, food, medical care (even with insurance) wasn’t ridiculously high people wouldn’t be desperate for money.

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Moriarty2
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah but if you've had certain medicines and diseases they won't take your blood. So you're screwed regardless.

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Moriarty2
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You can donate it and plasma as well but plasma takes longer to donate so it's in short supply. They incentivize it to get what they need.

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

$50 for your three hours of pain for something they sell for $800-$1200.

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

My son received five years of plasma treatments for an immune deficiency. I am eternally grateful for donors, they saved his life.

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

I was wondering the same. Here in Finland people donate blood for free. At some places the blood donors may get a free cup of coffee, tea or juice as a reward.

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

you're 'lucky' in canada we can't be paid for blood donation

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Lillukka79
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Same in Finland. You get coffee, juice and a sandwitch. And men can only donate every 60 days and women 90 days. Same for plasma. But if you happen to need transfusion, it's free.

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klynch4 avatar
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Literally- it is absolutely disgusting how much University tuition costs in the U.S. Are students in the U.S. taught about or told about opportunities to attend Uni abroad?

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M O'Connell
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Have you people not figured out how textbook publishers scam you? Buy whatever the previous edition of the book is for 98% off the retail price of the "current" text. 98% of the information can be found on the exact same page from one 'edition' to the next.

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

But they all come with software andor a code to get on a website for required coursework.

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

Such blood and plasma quite literally has saved thousands of people's lives around the world, the medicines derived from it have had great therapeutic value to many patients. Selling plasma provides small but badly needed additions of income for those who sell it. I only just landed a good job, was financially insecure until recently. When that was the case I sold my plasma many times. I would have been significantly worse off had it not been for that extra money. There were several times that was why I was able to get groceries or get more than just the bare minimum of groceries.

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

I get that many poor Americans need to sell blood. The problem is that there are people who need money so badly they sell blood. Higher minimum wages would help more than $xx every now & then. Still with your health system being all about $$$ this is definitely a ride you'll never be able to get off.

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

You shouldn’t have to sell plasma for anything, it’s certainly immoral and should be illegal.

smithjordan480 avatar
CbusResident
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If people (such as myself until I landed a good recently), agree to do this, it doesn't harm us (sure it's boring and time consuming, but no worse than how you feel at a boring job), and it saves thousands of peoples lives in hospitals every year, how is that industry immoral? Wouldn't it be morally wrong to take this life saving medicine away from the world?

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

I’ll give you money if you give me your life liquid

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

I still remember when i took my master degree. The book costs were very expensive and we only used it for 1 month per subject. Silly me i disposed those book after i passed my exam. I should sell them away.

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Just Me
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We do not get paid to donate blood in Canada. It is on a voluntear basis

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

Don't forget the plasma donations for cash to buy cigarettes, back in the day.

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

I worked two jobs while going to school to pay for it. If you don't want to work while going to school, this is what happens.

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

we do that for free out of kindness in Australia. should not have to be paid to something good.

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

College isn't for everyone. It's not a right. Not all who complete high school are smart enough to get in and complete it. College entrance exams are great at keeping the dumber people out.

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Jose Antonio Garcia Sampedro
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You should check where the Grifols company is from, and his... dabbling in some national politics. More than a few would be surprised.

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

for my fellow Indians " meri degree mere khoon paseene ki kamayi ha "

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

Wait isn't this basically selling a part of your body? i though that's illegal.

rugulah avatar
Stephanie Fox
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I+did+this+with+plasma+when+I+was+in+grad+school+in+the+1980s.+This+is+not+new.

rugulah avatar
Stephanie Fox
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I did this with plasma when I was in grad school in the 1980s. This is not new.

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

Plasma is not blood, as such. If you donate plasma, it is extracted and the rest is immediately returned to you. "...Plasma is the clear, straw-colored liquid portion of blood that remains after red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and other cellular components are removed..."

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

Son donated blood to help get him through college. I couldn't help. I felt so useless and grieving. Dammit anyway.

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C. Peirce Terry
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Who would use their own blood to pay for their education? Truly you can just get a job and learn how to use your education.

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

I remember selling plasma as a teen to get money for a prom dress. This is real life, World. I'm a better person for coming from so little but it didn't feel like it at the time. When the blood was returned to my arm, it infiltrated and my entire arm from wrist to armpit was a lovely shade of eggplant at said prom. Would have been great for zombie prom.

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

Or you could, you know, go to a school you can afford and work to pay for it like the rest of us did.

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Grumble O'Pug
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In the two colleges near me, both towns have plasma centers. The funny thing was that in a genetics lab I overheard a couple student employees talking about how bad they were at their needle sticks. The place closed then reopened a few years later under a new company. Still it must suck.

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

I knew that collage was life sucking and soul destroying but now they want blood too when is it to much.

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

... patience.... Female students in different parts of the (rich west) world are already playing call girl to pay their studies.

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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

StephenMerchant Report

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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"

LivingRaccoon Report

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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

nokia621 Report

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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

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

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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

heyspacequeen Report

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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

ItsDanSheehan Report

#26

Ambulances For 3k? Lets Just Call An Uber

Ambulances For 3k? Lets Just Call An Uber

deray Report

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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

alcumist Report

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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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