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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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#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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#31

His Gofundme Goal Was Only $750

His Gofundme Goal Was Only $750

KoolaidKooler Report

#33

This Is Just Sad

This Is Just Sad

mountaindynamic Report

#34

Well Ok Then

Well Ok Then

0wangutan Report

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

Perpetuity? Wow, that's nice of them. /s Seriously, how do they still win millions of dollars by selling overpriced stuff and treating their customers like this? How?

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#35

Quite The Town Character

Quite The Town Character

zerbey Report

#36

Oh..

Oh..

khodor2012 Report

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

And this is the generation we are raising. Kids being nannied by computers, video games and digital assistance. I can't imagine what personal interaction is going to be like for these kids when they become adults.

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#37

Actors Dressed As Homeless

Actors Dressed As Homeless

lilyhuggins Report

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

They also move the general public from public film locations and replace them with actors who play the "general public". It's about having control over what is being filmed. The demographic of those being moved to accommodate a public film location, is not the issue at hand.

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#38

Really Makes You Think...

Really Makes You Think...

make-that-monet Report

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

Prisons are nothing more than a corporation. Someone is getting paid and it’s absolutely disgusting. You clearly don’t see them as people at this point

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#39

Equality Award

Equality Award

KellenOnWheels Report

#40

Breaking: Billion Dollar Company Does Bare Minimum

Breaking: Billion Dollar Company Does Bare Minimum

cnn Report

#41

A 6 Year Old Having To Even Think About This Is Tragic

A 6 Year Old Having To Even Think About This Is Tragic

cazminda Report

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

That’s appalling. Like something a child in a war zone might say.

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#42

When You Raise Money To Keep Those Without Money Out

When You Raise Money To Keep Those Without Money Out

Lieandcomplain Report

#43

And They Wonder Why Pirating Is On The Rise Again

And They Wonder Why Pirating Is On The Rise Again

MatthewDMerrill Report

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

This is why I have a hard time buying things digitally. You don't own any of the music or movies, you own a license to watch/ listen to that media. Sure there are still license agreements with physical copies of media- but as long as I have something that can read the disc I don't have to worry about it.

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#44

This Is (Not) How You Increase Employee Morale

This Is (Not) How You Increase Employee Morale

PhenomenalPancake Report

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

This employer should be sent to a work camp in North Korea, or to a factory I'm China. Forever.

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#46

"Hey Siri, I'm Getting Pulled Over"

"Hey Siri, I'm Getting Pulled Over"

Heerokazen Report

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

In America a broken taillight could kill you, if you're black. At least the jury would have another piece of evidence to dismiss.

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#47

Kids Can Pick Themselves Up At School. Work Won't Do Itself

Kids Can Pick Themselves Up At School. Work Won't Do Itself

countGockula Report

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

"commitment" may not be the issue here at all. 2 key points: 1. employer must be clear on the expectations of their staff, and hire accordingly. 2. employees must be clear on the expectations of their job, and behave accordingly. (if the boss agreed to let them go home 30mins early, 3 times a week, the boss needs to honour that agreement, or renegotiate with the appropriate notice). Besides, there are MANY solutions to this, that has nothing to do with how "committed" a person is to a job. eg shorter lunch breaks on the days she needs to leave early / longer days on the other days when she doesn't need to collect her kids / other staff can pick up overtime to cover the extra 30mins / ensure she completes her required tasks within her day, regardless of the length of the day. Often, it's about *productivity* while working, vs the hours working. (from a manager who fought to keep my VERY productive staff, who needed some compromises due to outside commitments)

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#48

Mass Shootings Are Becoming So Common There Now An Event On Snapchat

Mass Shootings Are Becoming So Common There Now An Event On Snapchat

Athanasuis Report

#49

Global Warming Is Exciting!

Global Warming Is Exciting!

RSpeers Report

#50

British Army Recruitment Ads...

British Army Recruitment Ads...

joe1up , Army Jobs Report

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

It’s clever marketing. Playing on both the famous World War recruitment poster and the negative stereotypes of modern young people.

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#51

It Would Actually Be Cheaper To Give Home To The Homeless

It Would Actually Be Cheaper To Give Home To The Homeless

wweek Report

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

You could fight the cause or you could fight the symptoms. Oregon officials are obviously unaware of the fact that fighting the symptoms will never solve the problem.

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#52

More Depressed Workaholics

More Depressed Workaholics

RyanMUFC Report

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

"You have a heart attack, a cancer or a stroke before the age of 40. Then we discard you like a used tissue. But we don't care, because there are hundreds of doers queueing to replace you" this should be the second part of the ad.

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#53

Imagine Covering The Stars With Advertisements

Imagine Covering The Stars With Advertisements

Futurism Report

#54

Fair And Balanced

Fair And Balanced

donaldjtrump.com Report

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Magic567
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I just want someone who actually gives a s**t about not only their country but about the world and the future!

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#55

Monopoly, A Game Originally Made As A Commentary Of Landlords And Property Costs, Now Openly Mocks Millennials For Their Collective Poverty. Nice

Monopoly, A Game Originally Made As A Commentary Of Landlords And Property Costs, Now Openly Mocks Millennials For Their Collective Poverty. Nice

wiseal Report

#56

Buy A "Video Game System" Instead Of Unionizing Please

Buy A "Video Game System" Instead Of Unionizing Please

EoinHiggins_ Report

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

With a strong union, you might actually be able to afford both.

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#57

Can't Afford Housing? Be Homeless!

Can't Afford Housing? Be Homeless!

amhchi Report

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

I did that as a mom when I was 28 years old. It was awesome. No. No it wasn’t. It f*****g sucked. It took 5 months to save up enough money to get a place. It wouldn’t have taken so long, but day care is expensive when you don’t have any family to help you. Or to be more specific, your family doesn’t really give a s**t about you or your child. (I’m not being an a*s here. I was actually told this.)

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#58

"Using Alcohol To Cope With Crushing Poverty-Now With Friends!"

"Using Alcohol To Cope With Crushing Poverty-Now With Friends!"

Dick_Joustingly Report

#59

Comcast Truth

Comcast Truth

sr0me Report

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

Mathemathically, I would argue that we have a slight problem here. Linguistically, too. But hey, legally everything is fine, and that is what counts in life, doesn't it?

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#61

It's A "Moral Responsibility"

It's A "Moral Responsibility"

Gizmodo Report

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

If the FBI is looking for you for something that involves DNA samples, i have no problem with them having your DNA

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#62

"Why Is A Donut Shop In Charge Of Opening A Train Station?"

"Why Is A Donut Shop In Charge Of Opening A Train Station?"

Andrew121215 , NJTRANSIT Report

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

Because they are there earlier than everybody else to prepare. Makes total sense to let them do this instead of sending somebody just to unlock the door.

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