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Jesse Margolis, the man behind Overheard LA, started the Instagram account on a whim in 2015, after listening to a stereotypically L.A. conversation at a health food store. It now has 1.6 million followers and numerous spinoffs, including Overheard London and Overheard New York. This time, we'll focus on the latter.

"We're curating user-generated content, but we're also directing it toward millennial themes," Margolis told The New York Times. "The reason the accounts are successful is because we're not just posting some dumb quote — we're focusing on these themes of dating and digital life and food and fitness and Instagram culture and all that stuff. So we definitely do our best."

And that definitely shows. While scrolling through these snippets, you get a feeling that you're not just eavesdropping on a random conversation. Rather, immersing yourself in a unique environment and getting to know the people living there; their wants and desires, insecurities and fears. So continue scrolling and let's take a walk in the streets of NYC.

More info: Instagram | OverheardLA.com

The Overheard project has come a long way since its humble beginnings. High follower numbers aside, Margolis is steering the brand in a new direction too. With a printed "newspaper" called The Overheard Post, which has seen features such as the "millennial weather report" and satirical "obituaries".

"We've got these ... accounts now with cities and themes, and we're kind of exploring how that brand manifests itself in different areas," Margolis explained.

"The newspaper idea is our first foray — it's half a marketing stunt. We're essentially going to be doing a newsletter. My idea for our newsletter is it's offline only, and then if you want to actually read it online, you might be able to get it 24 hours later or a week later."

Margolis said the account that started it all, Overheard LA, plays to the more absurd elements of the city, but interestingly enough, it captures the sort of extremes that his team have all seen a little bit living in L.A.

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"We're trying to make fun of the bubble and occasionally we can get caught in the bubble ourselves by doing that, and not necessarily showing just how unique and diverse L.A. has become. I wish the whole of L.A. was reflected more in the account."

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#9

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Dave P
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

average bagel with lox and cream cheese in NYC, at least where I live is $6-7, bagel with just cream cheese in about $3. I mean lox is expensive, but where it is $18

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What he thinks he has learned from his time on the project is "how clearly we are now living in two worlds: the real world, IRL. And this 'Black Mirror' thing."

What makes him laugh about the newspaper is that he's old enough to remember when everyone was offline scrambling to establish a presence on the internet and now the phenomenon has gone full circle and publishers are trying to establish their presence offline.

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Hans
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But think of the doctors! As you said, they need them even though they do not stop viruses....oh, nevermind. Just leave them to those who need protection from dust.

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Laura Mende (Human)
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There was once a subway driver here who was probably kicked out by an airline. Every time I sat in the subway, he not only announced the stops, he also explained what there was to see in these places. And in the most f*****g friendly tone in the world! IT IS 6 O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING YOU INSANE !! ONE MORE WORD AND I WILL COME IN TO YOU! But that won't go very nicely ... 😈🤬😂

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Deborah B
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How about remove your backpack on the subway, like a civilized human being, and don't scream at strangers for mildly inconveniencing you, like another civilized human being?

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Laura Mende (Human)
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Burn the guy! Burn his crocs! BURN THE KIDS!!! They already have this PLAGUE in them!!! 😈😈

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WilvanderHeijden
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But they are. And they probably also admire the 24/7 mentality.

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Mazer
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Okay, wait. That’s like asking someone in India if honking their car horn is really necessary. It’s just going to happen

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Note: this post originally had 59 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.

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