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Capitalism, while it may have its merits, can often seem downright absurd. We live in a world where profits are very often put over people, and the pursuit of endless growth is prioritized over sustainability. Not to mention little things like companies using manipulative advertising tactics to convince us to buy things we don't need, the prevalence of unpaid internships and so on.

So let's take a moment to reflect on the absurdities of capitalism with some examples of what this economic and political system is actually like in our day-to-day lives. For this article, we’ve collected some of the best posts shared by the Instagram page “Humans of Capitalism”, documenting the most extreme and dystopian instances of corporate power. Scroll down to see what we mean.

If you liked this list and are interested in exploring further, you can take a look at Bored Panda's previous articles here and here.

#1

#humansoflatecapitalism

humans_of_capitalism Report

Luna Crow
Community Member
3 years ago

Wow. Sad and powerful..

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    #2

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    Take me to dinner first
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Daily doses of motivation

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    #3

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    Feathered Dinosaur
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Dystopia at its finest

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    #4

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    PunnyPanda
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Why group projects in school were a total sham and also an important lesson...

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    #5

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    Joe Reaves
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Now you own a house the council can take it from you if you need to go into care. Probably a bad move.

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    #6

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    blobby_grrl
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Okay this one is kinda funny...

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    #7

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    The Exquisite Pancake
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Ironic

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    #8

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    Take me to dinner first
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Can we talk about how everybody says therapy is the solution but you can't have that solution unless you have the money?

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    #9

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    Feathered Dinosaur
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    That's just sad. You need rest to heal, but can't afford to

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    #10

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    Tee Rat
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Protesting against a falsely installed country leader and demanding a free election. This was during a summit with other countries that the protesters wanted them to quit dealing with the fake Thai leaders.

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    #11

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    Debbie
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited)

    Awaiting the downvotes... Hmm torn on this one. Why? Imagine all the current "idols" are on peoples' gravestone. Elon Musk hovering over one stone, Disney princesses all around, Poohbears, Beyonce, DJ Khaled, Khardashians, Trump (just trying to pick out the most horrible ones). Gravestones should not be billboards/advertisements/amusementpark signs (sorry for the description). They could have made it smaller or without colour. (A spiderman engraved in the stone would suffice). I get they want to make the last resting place personal. Alas a graveyard is a public place, not a private place.

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    #12

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    PunnyPanda
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Seize the means of production! Viva le revolution!

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    #13

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    Donkeywheel
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Not unusual, many immigrants end up in Belgium, France, NL or Germany after trying UK and seeing what it is. They want to go there because it’s easier to settle and live with no papers but they are quickly disappointed.

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    #14

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    James016
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    This is more a British sense of humour thing rather than a dystopian capitalism.

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    #15

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    Best Behave
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Cos that’ll totally work🤦‍♂️. Remove facking echo from the room…

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    Never miss a story that brings joy to the world. Add us on Google

    #16

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    saw & order
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Wtf are shoes for then

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    #17

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    Feathered Dinosaur
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Hope they got a mountainous tip!

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    #18

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    Edgar
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Isn't it an incentive to emigrate from USA to UK ?

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    #19

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    PeeledPotato
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    poor girls!

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    #20

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    Donkeywheel
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    In Europe there are lots and lots of old churches and worship places that were desacralized (is that the word?). They still have the appearance of sacred places but are not anymore and could be pretty much anything: homes, libraries, stores, banks, even a skate park.

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    #21

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    Julie
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    The people there could actually pick it up. It's always left for someone else. It would take them a very short time to pick the litter up instead of waiting for someone else

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    #22

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    S Schmidt
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Considering sitting all day is supposed to be as bad for your health as smoking, this is kind of on point.

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    #23

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    Feathered Dinosaur
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    The freedom to slaughter people and act out my sociopathic tendencies? That's a great idea! /s

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    #24

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    Donkeywheel
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited)

    Useful advice: if you ever have to evacuate a plane (not as unusual as you may think, more common than a crash) the main danger after you’re out comes from the fire/assistance trucks that have to rush but have very low visibility. You’re tiny and unnoticeable next to a plane. There are numerous cases of passengers who got hit on the runways. Don’t make a selfie, go to safety far from the action.

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    #25

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    Sheila Stamey
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    For those like me who needed more info: This couple contaminated a city of Brazil's main water supply by painting a waterfall blue for a gender reveal. They have been charged.

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    #26

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    Feathered Dinosaur
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    If that's supposed to be a joke it's a sick one

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    #27

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    Take me to dinner first
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Lara Croft decided to ignore tombs from now on

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    #28

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    Best Behave
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited)

    All kinds of things are biodegradable but still pollute, and in this case it’s a public health hazard due to parasites and diseases. Please please do not leave your dog’s 5h1t lying around. The vast majority of dog owners are scrupulously responsible on this front - don’t be the a**ehole

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    #29

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    Ian Reynolds
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    I don't see a problem with people being buried in coffins covered in something they love.

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    #30

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    Feathered Dinosaur
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    'But I paid for that Venice trip, I WILL enjoy myself!'

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    #31

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    James016
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Isn't this the one where Samsung are basically funding the repairs but in return they get to show adverts until the work is completed

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    #32

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    MichelleDonut
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Weird? Yes. Funny? Maybe. Capitalism? No.

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    #33

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    PunnyPanda
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Would love to know who produced this image and what their intention was... Anyone?

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    #34

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    giku T
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    hope the flames caught up with her. i am all for natural selection

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    #35

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    Kobe
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    I would do too - as a nickname. But in USA wouldn't be surprised if it were to be the official name...

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    #36

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    Feathered Dinosaur
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    I REALLY hope they were evacuating!

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    #37

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    Ember
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Either this guy didn’t think this through or he doesn’t like the baby

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    #38

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    S Schmidt
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Yeah it's every girl's fantasy to be a poor Victorian.

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    #39

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    Sassawrasse
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Folks on trail rides would ask for something like this (can you hold the horses while we pose?) and I would always be happy to accommodate. And Especially if I got to get in the river. If I was in the shot I'd pop underwater for a second. In this photo or looks like he just popped up for air at the end of the shot. I feel like we should get the actual story on the situation before we assume this is a bad situation.

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    #40

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    MargyB
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    They must have won a radio station competition

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    #41

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    Katarzyna Drozd
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Maybe that's a reminder for him to discipline himself xD

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    #42

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    Yonel Lenoy
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    I think he walk in the poo. look his shoe.

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    #43

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    Stephanie Did It
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Modern icons, literally worshipped

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    #44

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    The Exquisite Pancake
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    That spacecraft looks like a d**k

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    #45

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    Ian Reynolds
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited)

    JESUS: Hey guys I am back, so what's with this dude on a cross everywhere? PEOPLE: It's you? It is how we decided to honour you. JESUS: Really?! Do you know how painful this was? Why would you pick should an horrific depiction of me? PEOPLE: Something to do with sacrifice, and we thought this is how you would like to be remembered. JESUS: Jesus Christ Guys!! This is so f#cked up!!

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    #46

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    Saint Tim the Godless
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Can we get Zuckerberg to test these himself and make sure they work?

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    #47

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    Donkeywheel
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    … used especially in operating and radiology rooms that are almost all the time in the basement or ground floor (= little or no direct sun light) because of the weight of the equipment.

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    #48

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    Dani M
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    please, this must be satire

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    #49

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    rob
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Maybe the statue farted

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    #50

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    Nikolaj
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Might be cringe, but nothing morally wrong in this pic

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    #51

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    Jean McCutchan
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    They even have the shovel and clumps of dirt.

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    #52

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    Feathered Dinosaur
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Any Panda willing to dial that number?

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    #53

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    S Schmidt
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Isn't this a good thing, they can support themselves, gives them something constructive to do and a sense of purpose.

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    #54

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    Feathered Dinosaur
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Whelp, I'll just put my emergency on hold until I've gone somewhere else

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    #55

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    Sassawrasse
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    This thread is full of people who immediately take things at face value.

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    #56

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    Feathered Dinosaur
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Ok, that's a new one

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    #57

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    A B C the Third
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    What's way worse IMO than her taking a pic of elephant poo, that she has probably never seen before and wants to show her family (who probably have never seen an elephan or elephant poo live either) as one aspect of her travelling, is the person behind her wearing white shoes on a hike through muddy paths. That's just stupid and unprepared.

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    #58

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    Annik Perrot
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    No sh*t to pick...

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    #59

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    Stardust she/her
    Community Member
    Premium
    3 years ago

    When we said to expand out into space this is not what we meant! >:(

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    #60

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    Verena
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited)

    They do exist (google horsekicks/sneakers for horses), Puma and another brand. In addition to what is very well explained already, another reason for hoove-covering shoes (sole and top) are medical: injuries to the sole or therapeutic/podologic/orthopedic(?). PLEASE be aware that fabric horse shoes need to be custom tailored to the exact measurements of the respective hoof. Don't buy anything off the shelve, the need to get fitted by a professional to meet the exact needs of the very complex functionality of a hoese's foot. Otherwise the foot and leg can be severely damaged.

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    #61

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    Oais Wright
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    At least they're being honest

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    #62

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    K K
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    "You'll need this lesson later in knife"

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    #63

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    Cardboard Box (He/She)
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Is this one of those obvious plant things? Cuz I love them!

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    #64

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    Ian Reynolds
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Damn it! I am a 3 minute and 30 second kisser, this will not do

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    #65

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    Lolly Gagger
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    This is a very stupid article - hardly any explanations!

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    #66

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    Ione Alva-wies
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    That’s a huge billboard

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    #67

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    Liz Clarke
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Isn't she a postulant? They go through a stage where they live with the nuns to learn about their lives to see if they want to be one. I presume there's some rules but they haven't taken vows so they're not the same as a nun.

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    #68

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    Feathered Dinosaur
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    They can't prove im secretly a Pepsi drinker

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    #69

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    Ian Reynolds
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    PETA runs kill shelters!!! Check your house before screaming at others!

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    #70

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    BewilderedBanana
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    That is one of my least favourite logos... I always think it says Hello :)

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    #71

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    ravenhorse
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    😂😂🙄

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    #72

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    Feathered Dinosaur
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    It's not stupid if it works 🤷🏻‍♀️

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    #73

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    E Schmitt
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    I would have thought Justin Beiber could afford better shoes than that.

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    #74

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    Stephanie Did It
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    I see nothing in this picture except those half-on shoes! Somebody make it stop!

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    #75

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    David Paterson
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Only one person under there?

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    #76

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    Lauren S
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    People do go out to eat on holidays. I think it was Christmas and not Thanksgiving this past year, we went to a Chinese food restaurant. It was lovely and they were incredibly sweet with my picky eater kid. We ordered some plainish chicken and broccoli and it was a no go because… sauce. (Which my child just quietly says he’s not hungry and he’s done when he doesn’t want it, it’s sweet actually, polite, we didn’t teach him that). They brought him just steamed chicken and broccoli with nothing (no seasoning, no butter, etc) and he at the sh!t out of it.

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    #77

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    Feathered Dinosaur
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    At least they appreciate classic art...in their own way

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    #78

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    Feathered Dinosaur
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Stange flex, but ok...

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    #79

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    David Paterson
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    America for sale. What's your highest bid?

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    #80

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    K K
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Are those climbing walls in the background or some sort of art?

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    #81

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    Feathered Dinosaur
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    I guess the baby doesn't care. All hail the mighty Lego!

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    #82

    Peppa The Pig At Your Request. #humansoflatecapitalism

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    Feathered Dinosaur
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Ah give the parents a break. If you have extremely bored but overexcited toddlers and want to have just ONE dinner outside in peace for a change... You're not supposed to whisk out the tablet every time you want your peace of course, but I think it's OK on special occasions.

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    #83

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    Sassawrasse
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    How is a photography tour a sign of a capitalist dystopia?

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