ADVERTISEMENT

A picture can really be worth a thousand words. But sometimes, they're "written" in a foreign language.

As you might've learned from our previous article on 'Images That Require More Context', there's a reason why people should provide captions for the photos they post online. If there isn't one, the rest of us might have more questions than answers.

"Why is that duck riding the subway?" "Did it pay for a ticket?" "How does the bird know when to get off?" "Can it read?" And so on.

But in case you missed the memo, let's take another look at what the Twitter account has been posting lately.

(Spoiler alert, it continues to stay true to its name.)

More info: Twitter

If you feel uneasy when browsing these pictures, don't worry. There's nothing wrong with you. In fact, Dr. Clay Routledge, who is a social psychologist and professor of Psychology at North Dakota State University, points out that we humans need meaning. So whenever there is a lack of it — as it seems with many of these images — we're triggered.

"According to terror management theory, a prominent theory in social psychology, humans are like all other animals in that we strive to survive. Our bodies consist of systems that work to keep us alive. And as conscious beings, we deliberately engage in efforts to avoid death. We are motivated to live. However, unlike other animals, humans are intelligent enough to realize that death is certain. That is, we are uniquely aware of our mortal nature. We understand that despite our best efforts to stay alive, death is inevitable," Routledge writes in Scientific American.

ADVERTISEMENT

Terror management theory asserts that this juxtaposition of a desire to live and an awareness of death can cause a significant amount of anxiety, and that humans need to manage this terror in some way if we want to keep functioning.

"We would not be a very productive species if we lived our lives in constant fear of death. Thus, according to the theory, people seek out a sense of enduring meaning that makes them feel more than mortal," Routledge explains.

#6

Confusing-Images-Require-More-Context

ConfusingImages Report

Add photo comments
POST
allenlavine avatar
Allen Lavine
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Everyone talking about the truck no one talking about how strong the wires are

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#7

Confusing-Images-Require-More-Context

ConfusingImages Report

Add photo comments
POST
heidi_1217 avatar
lou_delue avatar
Zenozenobee
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"what is love" playing loud and Jim Carrey's dog is in the middle

keving87 avatar
Kevin Garren
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

After a full night out on the town partying, they'll be feeling ruff in the morning.

lblsj65 avatar
Liz-ard
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Quickly! Throw out the goodies! Cop’s gaining on us!!!

al_20 avatar
Al
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I want to see the look on the officers face as he watches the video of the “express lane” on the interstate. WOOF !

tabordalton59 avatar
Peekingsmeargle
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So the all canine version of Wayne's world looks like it's going well

vampkat avatar
Mickal Sylvara
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Just act Human....." Officer knocks on window, "What's up Officer? Dogs? What Dogs? Just us Humans....."

michelelein avatar
Michele Lein
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The dogs had no choice but to use the shortest canine to drive the getaway car, because the one in the back has a DUI, and the dog in the passenger seat never learned to drive. He's a nervous nelly!

kevinfelton avatar
Kevin Felton
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Dude you're drunk. Just pull over." "Nah ish ok. We're like tree blocks from my house."

kingmae-1313 avatar
that.bitch.mae
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"It's a grey light! You're not gonna make it, it's gonna turn grey!" "Oh yes I will."

badgersnadgers avatar
Banana for scale
Community Member
1 year ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Still image from a CardiB "music" video about looking for bitches or some other puerile profanity

badgersnadgers avatar
Banana for scale
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Which would be the correct use of the word bitches unlike said artiste's use in songs such as "Up". Lyrics at https://www.lyricshost.com/all-you-bitches-lyrics-cardi-b/ if you downvoters want to discuss them.

Load More Replies...
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

Confusing-Images-Require-More-Context

ConfusingImages Report

Add photo comments
POST
rogersmary523 avatar
Mary Rogers
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Um...I am not sure this is what Jesus meant when he said to carry your cross..

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

To put it simply, we know our lives are brief and so we try to be part of something that transcends biological existence. "This sense of death-transcendence can come from having children, creating works that will leave a lasting legacy, investing in a group or organization that outlasts the lives of any individual member, and so on," the social psychologist says.

ADVERTISEMENT

Naturally, spirituality is a particularly powerful meaning-making tool as most religious beliefs explicitly afford humans with an afterlife.

"Research supports terror management theory," Routledge highlights. "Specifically, studies find that when people are exposed to stimuli that remind them of their mortality, they exhibit increased investment in the social and cultural identities that provide meaning and perceptions of death-transcendence."

For instance, if someone actively contemplates mortality, it increases their desire to have children, level of patriotism, religious faith, and commitment to romantic partners.

"In short, heightening the awareness of death heightens efforts to find and preserve transcendent meaning"

#14

Confusing-Images-Require-More-Context

ConfusingImages Report

Add photo comments
POST
tystrattonquirk avatar
Ty Stratton-Quirk
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Park the van under a tree in a parking lot, and leave it there for a few hours. Then tell us that birds aren't real.

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

Confusing-Images-Require-More-Context

ConfusingImages Report

Add photo comments
POST
ayeshakhadija avatar
Esha
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Under water camping challenge!! Who ever doesn't die first gets $1000!!!!! GOT INTENSE!!!

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

Similarly, Routledge says that meaning mitigates the threat of death awareness. In fact, studies show that having people think about death increases their fear of it, but this effect is only observed among those who do not perceive their lives as meaningful.

"People who have meaning are not as terrified about the fact that they are mortal," Routledge says.

#21

Confusing-Images-Require-More-Context

ConfusingImages Report

Add photo comments
POST
paigehdiem avatar
The Silly Stellar Jay
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Gun or photoshop? I hope it's photoshop, otherwise this is a waste of a perfectly good billiards table.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Research suggests that the realization that life is finite is the driving force for our efforts to feel that our lives are purposeful and meaningful.

People want to be more than mere mortal beings who, at some point in time, disappear forever. To feel meaningful is to feel like you've made a lasting mark, and that your contribution will endure.

ADVERTISEMENT

I know it's a stretch, but maybe, just maybe, viewing seemingly random pictures with no apparent reason behind them somehow challenges our notion of a greater purpose? But maybe that's just maybe. Maybe you're completely unfazed by this list.

#23

Confusing-Images-Require-More-Context

ConfusingImages Report

Add photo comments
POST
wellyman73 avatar
Jake stenhouse
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A truck carrying hagfish crashed on a road with the car in the picture. Hagfish release slime when disturbed, car covered in slime. Think I’ve got that right?

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

Research indicates that people who report having a strong sense of meaning in life are better able to cope with mentally and physically taxing experiences.

"Meaning can give people the inner strength they need to overcome many of life’s hurdles. Meaning motivates. It makes people want to productively move forward in life," Routledge says.

I don't want to sound overdramatic, but I hope you found your meaning. If not, let's keep searching. Whether it's a dumb image on the internet or something bigger.

#26

Confusing-Images-Require-More-Context

ConfusingImages Report

Add photo comments
POST
paigehdiem avatar
The Silly Stellar Jay
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Minimum wage worker in the US forced to work with no air conditioning. Understandable to me.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#27

Confusing-Images-Require-More-Context

ConfusingImages Report

Add photo comments
POST
krisdargan avatar
Who Panda 420
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's Vecna! Quick what's your favorite song? Edit since I got so many responses mine would be brain damage by Pink Floyd I think. I love music!

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

Confusing-Images-Require-More-Context

ConfusingImages Report

Note: this post originally had 64 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.