Nobody has all the answers. Not even Wikipedia. So, generally speaking, we shouldn't be too hard on ourselves if our lack of understanding of the universe takes center stage. In fact, acknowledging the limits of your mind instead of giving into your insecurity to always appear smart is a sign of intelligence.
To show you that we all have our moments, Bored Panda is taking a look at a discussion on Reddit, started by user Big_Piccolo_8369 where people have been revealing what things they found out embarrassingly late in life. From preserving veggies to making decisions when you're horny, continue scrolling and check out some of the most popular entries!
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Percentages are reversible. So 8% of 25 is the same thing as 25% of 8 and sometimes the reverse is easier to calculate.
We managed to get in touch with Big_Piccolo_8369, and they said this post was a result of a conscious attempt to create a viral thread.
"I kept on trying to think of questions that would blow up. Since everyone has found out something way too late, and Reddit users love answering questions about themselves, I decided to ask that question," they told Bored Panda.
"I was kind of expecting lighthearted answers, but I was met with random things to do if you get sued or if you buy a house or something. I did see some funny ones so it sort of worked out."
Being well-educated in one area doesn't mean that a person can't be a total idiot in other areas.
Dr. Adi Jaffe, who holds a Ph.D. in psychology and teaches courses at UCLA that address addiction, pointed out that the more we learn, the more we realize how little we actually know. But when we lack this awareness, we fall victim to the Dunning Kruger Effect (DKE) — a cognitive bias in which people wrongly overestimate their knowledge or ability in a specific area.
"Because the world is full of know-it-alls who don’t actually have any idea of what they are talking about—and the more aware we become of this phenomenon, the better we'll be at deciphering the trolls spouting fake news from the truth-tellers," Jaffe explained on Psychology Today.
Don't ignore bullies. That's terrible advice.
The only way they will leave you alone is through the sight of their own blood.
Taking medication for mental illness actually helps
And don’t let anyone tell you that “you should just get some exercise or go for a walk and you’ll feel better”. That may help some but not all. Instead, I suggest, kicking the person in the shins and then start running. That way they can’t be mad since they were the ones that gave you the advice to go for a run
Many tend to overestimate their capabilities."People will rate themselves as average or above average on essentially all tasks," Jaffe said. "If you understand how averages work, you know this is impossible (some people have to be below average, some are average, and some are above average for the whole thing to work)."
But the incompetent fail, through life experience, to learn that they are unskilled. Why?
"One reason is that people rarely receive negative feedback about their skills and abilities from others in everyday life. We can call this tact, being diplomatic, or respect for others, but the end result is the same: We typically shy away from telling people they messed up. But what DKE teaches us is that people need honest feedback."
You can’t get lazy with birth control just because you turn 40.
Signed, Middle Aged Mom of a newborn
There's another reason why so many of us may not accept that we are incompetent or lacking knowledge. We may be ignorant of an important form of feedback: social comparison.
"One of the ways we learn about our competencies is by observing the actions of others. Research shows that, compared with people who are experts in particular areas, people who are incompetent in those same areas are less able to identify the skills in others," Jaffe explained. "Consequently, they are unable to learn that they had less competence in the area and were more likely to overestimate themselves."
So when you think you're really good at something, finding an objective way to assess your expertise might be really useful.
Flushable wipes are not to be flushed ever.
The people you work with aren't your friends. Always keep your guard up. Any and all of them can throw you under the bus at any time.
That's a bit harsh. I mean, they could be your friends. And on that note, your "friends" can also throw you under the bus, so...
When it comes to trying to save someone from addiction: love is not enough.
Just because I hold an opinion on something doesn't mean that I need to share it. I spent WAY too much of my early adulthood inserting my viewpoint into discussions that I wasn't really a part of.
A crypto investor, a vegan, a Trump supporter and The Last Jedi hater walk into a bar. How do you tell them apart? No need to, you'll know within five minutes.
It is possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life.
Just because they're older than you, doesn't make them more mature. Would've saved me from an entire marriage
“This little piggy went to market”.......the pig was not shopping.
That most people can actually see pictures in their mind. Growing up, I always thought 'counting sheep to fall asleep' meant using my head to think the words "1 sheep, 2 sheep, 3 sheep" etc, and so I was understandably puzzled as to why sheep, and not any other word?
Then, when I was 34 years old, so not exactly young, I actually figured out that I have aphantasia.
Turns out, nearly everyone can actually 'see' animals, or their family member's faces, or characters from a movie, in their head - whereas I've always built quite detailed descriptions, in words, because that's all I have in my head.
That's interesting. Like the people who have an inner monolog and those that don't
Never make an important decision if you are hungry or horny.
Both have a massive impact on your decision making abilities.
If you press Windows Key + V you can see a list of all the things you've copied
No one really cares about you. I don't mean that in a bad way. But everyone is so busy thinking about themselves, you are always an after thought.
The most embarrassing thing in your life, probably doesn't matter than much to someone else.
We live in an egoistic world. Everyone only thinks of themselves. I'm the only one who ever thinks of me! (I heard this from a teacher maybe 40 years ago)
Your brain isn't trying to make you happy or your life easier.
It's trying to keep you alive. Everything else is secondary.
In fact it's just trying to keep you alive long enough to breed and multiply your genes. Ideally by having grandchildren.
That gargling saltwater works way better than cough drops for colds and sore throats.
Do all the crazy stuff when you are Young. By the time you can afford it, you no longer have the stamina to.
Your oral health is just as important as your general health.
Life can literally change forever in the next second, hour or day and that when people say to enjoy every moment of life as if it’s your last, it’s actually good advice to maintain a positive attitude and feel like you have no regrets.
I’m speaking from personal experience - my SO has been diagnosed with a major issue and the good days are limited, so we are living our best life, just enjoying the simple things.
That’s why it makes me so mad when people make fun of YOLO, yea it’s become a stupid term now but it really is a good saying to live by, you shouldn’t get it tattooed on you but it’s made me realize i wasn’t going to get anywhere in several years and made me reconsider many bad relationships
So very true! Working as a nurse for 20 years I learned this young. I also learned that not one single person on their death bed has ever said they wished they spent more time cleaning their house, had a fancy car, etc. It is always they w wished they spent more time with their loved ones, traveled more, went after their dreams. There are also so many people who had mental health issues preventing them from really living and never got proper treatment or medication, most of the time by their own choice. .Therapy and/or medication can help a vast majority of the time. Don't let any stigma or people insisting that just being in nature, exercise, just choosing to be happy, etc is just as good or better. This is the only life we have, please live it and love to the fullest!
Learned it this past January when my best friend of 52 years was at the physiotherapist, said she felt a little tired and was going to go sit down and rest a bit. She had no sooner sat down and had a massive heart attack. Dead before she hit the floor. When her husband called to tell me I couldn’t even process the words. She was 66. She’s not supposed to be gone.
Oh, this is so sad... I'm sorry for your loss. I know from my own experience that it can be over in no time and totally unexpected. My father suffered a sudden fatal CVA when he was only in his fifties. It's not fair, all those beloved people that go way to early. But it absolutely taught me to set my priorities to what really makes me happy, because life is short and you never know when your time is up.
Load More Replies... Learned this years ago when my 2 year old was diagnosed with cancer. Everyday is a gift, live your best life. (She was fine after 2+ years of treatment)
Learned this exact thing last year when my 18yr old Nephew was killed in a freak Jet ski accident by his best friend. My life was forever changed. Not all in a sorrow way. I learned life is so short and we are not here long. Since then I have gotten married to the love of my life and next month I am moving to a new state and starting a new job. Live every day like it is your last.
I have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and since it affects my organs I'm really feel life has an ending. Actually it's a good thing, but sad I just feel it now. It make me more aware of thing I really want. Or things I do cause someone expects me to do it. Like spending weekends with my family who is not very nice to me.
As an existential nihilist, I accept this is my one and only life. But having a positive attitude is merely the cherry on top, not the main ingredient to living. As for regrets, we all have them. The trick is not to obsess over them.
On August 7th my daughter got into a car accident (not her fault that an idiot ran thru a red light...). She only got an ugly scratch and a huge bruise (she was on a motorcycle) and nothing else. I couldn't stop thinking with immense gratitude that on August 8th I wasn't forced to bury my child and that she's still with me alive and well! Literally from one second to another my whole world would have gone dark.
No one is guaranteed tomorrow. Love and live as much as you can today. Make those mistakes and learn from them. Love yourself, you are doing great!
Hard work isn’t always the answer.
When I worked a minimum wage job, I would work hard and not take breaks, so a great job, and always finish early. I just then got told to pick up the slack for the employees who spent their time goofing off. Never got a promotion, raise, or even a “Hey, good job”
Basic living skills
My parents were hoarders and neglected me growing up, we lived in filth and wore dirty clothes, rarely bathed etc. So I never learned what goes into keeping a house clean, or good hygiene practices, or the basic skills needed for normal life.
I know "in theory" how to do those things now, but the underlying core organizational, management, etc skills still aren't there. It's kinda hard to explain but it just feels like there will always be a gap for me.
I grew up with a chronically sick mom. Same, it is hard for me to get motivated
That kitten's baby teeth also fall out. Found out when playing with my cat he was young.
Rollercoaster of emotions between it happening and me googling while holding a little ~~canine~~ fang in my hand.
Jeeezus, I almost made an idiot of myself. I was going to post "*Feline", then googled it just in case, and learned that corner teeth/fangs are called canine 🤣🤣🤣
Apparently you’re not supposed to rinse off your toothpaste.
Edit: Just Google it. Apparently it’s better to leave the toothpaste residue in your mouth so the fluoride can work on your teeth.
"Every action made in anger ends in sorrow."
An attorney, when I was 24
That when people ask to borrow money especially if it's a friend or family just expect to never see it again.
I tell people that I don't LEND money. If I have it to give I do but I never expect to see it again. I also tell them they can choose to return it if they wish (so far no one has lol). If I don't have it to GIVE I just say No.
If you're a parent of a child who has had psych evaluations done by their school district you need to read each and every single thing that's documented in those papers. Then ask yourself if your child may not have the correct diagnosis after all.
I went 32 years without knowing I was Autistic. I just found out last year. Who I'd be today if I had only known... I'm traumatized as hell from this.
The documents from my schools psych evals had loads of evidence to support this, but no one ever said a word to me! No one!
Take matters into your own hands and never EVER rely on the system.
That after high school it's incredibly hard to find real friends.
Team events are a good way to meet people and it doesn't always have to be sports. Maybe the local pub runs a quiz where you can join a team, or a dominoes team, or allsorts. Even a dog-walking club or down at the dog park? I think you probably need a dog for the last two but if you arrive before someone, talk only to them and then leave after them, they will never know. At the dog park, that is. They will definitely notice if you join a dog-walking club without a dog and they will think you are strange. And that hurts. Or so I've been told.
On Wednesday I learned that pancakes are so called because they are a cake made in a pan. smh
I’m 61yo
you can preserve fresh vegetables by getting plasting containers and putting paper towels on the bottom and the top. it absorbs the water. its the water from condensation that makes them go bad so fast. then just change the paper towels every few days and wipe out the container. Makes them last WAY longer.
i wonder how i am not dead that i did not know this. Especially as a single guy. My fresh veggies can last 3 weeks. I dont have to get little bits and keep going back to the store.
My name is Aaron. Turns out when you go to the bank, and the post office and the store, you are running Errands. Not Aarons.
A pony is not a baby horse.
Edit: the number of people who are responding to this saying that they didn't know this makes me feel so much better for having learned it last year from reddit. At 36 years old. Glad I'm not the only one it took a while for! Cheers.
That you can get pregnant the very first time you have sex.
Well, according to a high ranked member of the Greek Church, a woman cannot get pregnant if she doesn't participate (I really don't know what that means) and also she can't get raped unless she wants to (again... I have no words...)
Note: this post originally had 105 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.
Just because it usually doesn't work out doesn't mean it never does. 15 happy years so far with my first boyfriend, thank you very much. 21 if you count the years spent dating. Just.... think carefully. Be sure you're sure. You're both likely to change much and divorce is expensive (financially and mentally). But don't throw a good relationship away just because everyone thinks they know better than you, either.
Load More Replies... That doctors are not superhuman. Yes, they went to school for many years are they know more than you do - but they make mistakes, too. Don't trust blindly, listen to your body, question them & get second opinions as necessary. And especially, if you have a bad allergy, always ask the pharmacist to double-check. I have been saved by that TWICE when the doctor assured me that they were not prescribing me a beta lactam antibiotic but in fact they were.
If the doctor says probably the pain is indegestion or whatever comment to get you to leave, then ask them back what evidence they have. Unfortunately, we all make mistakes but to disregard a patient with no evidence is lazy. Because the person might have stage 4 cancer by the time they decide to run any tests.
Load More Replies... When you get paid, pay your bills before you spend money on anything else. If you have money after that, save a good chunk of it.
In the joke "Why did the chicken cross the road? To get to the other side", 'the Other Side' is death. The chicken crossed the road because it wanted to die.
Just because it usually doesn't work out doesn't mean it never does. 15 happy years so far with my first boyfriend, thank you very much. 21 if you count the years spent dating. Just.... think carefully. Be sure you're sure. You're both likely to change much and divorce is expensive (financially and mentally). But don't throw a good relationship away just because everyone thinks they know better than you, either.
Load More Replies... That doctors are not superhuman. Yes, they went to school for many years are they know more than you do - but they make mistakes, too. Don't trust blindly, listen to your body, question them & get second opinions as necessary. And especially, if you have a bad allergy, always ask the pharmacist to double-check. I have been saved by that TWICE when the doctor assured me that they were not prescribing me a beta lactam antibiotic but in fact they were.
If the doctor says probably the pain is indegestion or whatever comment to get you to leave, then ask them back what evidence they have. Unfortunately, we all make mistakes but to disregard a patient with no evidence is lazy. Because the person might have stage 4 cancer by the time they decide to run any tests.
Load More Replies... When you get paid, pay your bills before you spend money on anything else. If you have money after that, save a good chunk of it.
In the joke "Why did the chicken cross the road? To get to the other side", 'the Other Side' is death. The chicken crossed the road because it wanted to die.
