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The internet is notorious for providing shelter for all kinds of content. That means that even the most miscellaneous things find a place here.

Cursed images are one such internet phenomenon that, if you’ve ever spent more time here, you must know pretty well. The term refers to images that are somewhat unsettling because there is something not quite right about them. However, what makes them even more interesting is that we often cannot pinpoint exactly why they are disturbing.

This Instagram page “Cursed.image5” is dedicated to sharing exactly that – bizarre, yet totally captivating visuals from different contexts. The result is an entertaining gallery right below that you can enjoy with caution! Psst! More cursed images can be found in our previous features here and here.

#2

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Liv
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wait a minute- Edit: I said 3 words and it got 137 upvotes. Well thank you lol

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If you’ve ever been on the internet, you have most probably encountered a “cursed image.” The term refers to pictures that are seen as uncomfortable to look at or even disturbing for the viewer. This can happen for various reasons, from poor quality to the content, which appears to be lacking common sense or is totally abnormal.

According to Know Your Meme, “Images of this or similar nature are sometimes seen as the visual equivalent to CreepyPasta. They have inspired several popular social media accounts devoted to posting various cursed images. The opposite of cursed images are referred to as 'blessed,' while images that are both cursed and blessed are referred to as 'blursed,'” the website explains.

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The question remains what makes a cursed image “cursed.” Is it in the nature of an image, or rather is it due to a viewer’s interpretation that can create scenarios and meanings which were not initially present in the same image? It’s true that our imagination tends to deceive us, but the internet is just as notorious in blurring boundaries between real and fiction.

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Lina Survila, a connoisseur of internet culture and the creator of metaverse news newsletter The Wearables Daily, argues that cursed images have become a certain alternative for memes.

“Now, it's used to visually show how absurd the situation can be. Something unpleasant to watch can be anything from a baby without a hat in cold winter to just a moment of bizarre surroundings,” she told Bored Panda in an interview. She added that “in real life, it looked and felt just so normal.”

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#12

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grafxgal60073
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know another place where toast can be used effectively: The grounds of Mar-a-Lago. I wonder though if Trump would understand the metaphor.

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Gabby M
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would really like to know the context behind this one.

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Kimberly Mejia-Zavala
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wait i've never thought of that thats like actually very smart. also not to mention the sun is semi-cooking it

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Janis Wise
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They ALL have Jesus’s face on them? Too much of a coincidence, you sure those others are the disciples?

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Moreover, Survila argues that cursed images are an interesting phenomenon because they illustrate that sometimes when you're looking from a different perspective, the whole thing can look like a different story.

Having said that, “cursed images can also be damaging if used in not the right context. It could help to illustrate a false story or even propaganda,” Survila explained. “Without any explanation, images can circulate on the internet, hyping people with very wrong intentions.”

“My advice would be, don't always assume that everything you see is true. I guess this is why those images are so popular after all - because, in the right context, they can do a good job at misleading people,” she concluded.

#13

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Suzanne Tilson
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

" Not to be that guy, but... technically it's not drunk driving without a car, officers"

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#19

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"I mean he could literally name his son Rick and call him pickle rick, he doesn't have to ruin his life in the process"

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#21

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Suzanne Tilson
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah I want three scoops of void, because it's black,like my soul......with sprinkles

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#27

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"There's orange juice in my Ice"

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#30

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Nunya Business
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Killing three birds with one stone . . . Jeep's washed, clothes clean, bath taken.

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#35

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Artsy Bookworm
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Insert the spider man meme. (I don't know how to post pictures in the comments)

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#38

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Castles
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cmon everyone has done a diy long straw at some time in their lives!

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#40

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Jihana
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am not sure...I think I might have had a stroke looking at this.

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#41

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Liv
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don’t really think anyone would steal those shoes in the first place-

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#50

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Note: this post originally had 89 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.