Human idiocy, just like our creativity, knows no bounds. Whether it's a temporary brainfart or something more severe, it seems that we always find a way to push the limit.
And you couldn't find better proof of this than the subreddit r/facecpalm. Created all the way back in 2009, this online community describes itself as "a gallery of inexplicable stupidity" and currently has over 6 million members constantly looking for new 'artworks' for its 'collection.'
Over the years, they have collected plenty of examples of people making a complete fool of themselves both online and in real life, so we thought it would be interesting to make an exhibit, featuring the most memorable ones. Continue scrolling and enjoy!
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Well You're Not Wrong
It Is Insane
We reached out to the people who look after r/facepalm and one of them agreed to tell us more about the community.
"We moderate according to Reddit's content policy and that means that most of the comment moderation we do is to remove bigotry and racism," they told Bored Panda.
"The subreddit's community is fine, for the most part. A lot of people come here to have a laugh at whatever silly thing is being posted and that's ok."
What About Nurses Who Wear Them 8 To 10 Hours A Day
In Fact, It’s Happened 7 Times
You can see a lot of different themes on the subreddit, and the mod said they can change quite fast. "[What's popular] really depends on what is on people's minds at the time. Currently, a popular topic is the insane lengths people go through to deny the facts about Covid."
But there's a way to determine what we can expect from r/facepalm. According to research, people see actions as stupid for three primary reasons: the actions reflect a foolhardy level of risk, an absent-mindedness and lack of practicality, or an impulsive lack of control.
So even though the word 'stupid' sounds subjective, scientists have discovered that people are very quick to identify it.
"People don't spend time on judging if something is stupid or not," study researcher Balazs Aczel told Live Science. "It comes instantaneously, and as our results showed, they have high agreement. If one person calls something stupid, there's a high likelihood others will do the same thing."
The First Women In The Epitome Of Stupid
This is inhumane on so many levels.... Please never ever say things like this... these days, even babies get raped... old women are getting rape... the fact is a sick mind can do such a thing and will think of any excuse possible...
You Can Still Breathe Idiot
"Let's Spend 10 Grand On Jewelry"
Scientific Name = Poison
It might seem unusual or even strange to investigate how people decide that something is stupid. But scientists love a challenge and researchers who study decision-making had no information, beyond anecdotes, as to how people decide whether an action is stupid.
So the team collected news stories and other online content that someone had described as stupid.
One example was a news story about a robber who set out to steal cellphones, but lifted GPS devices instead — and failed to switch the devices off, allowing the police to discover them (and him) immediately.
Next, the researchers invited 154 different students to gather examples of stupidity from their day-to-day life and read the stories, asking them whether each qualified as stupid.
The students (who were all Hungarian) then chose possible reasons from a long list as to why they'd decided each example would qualify for the label.
Hint Hint
Logic
Who Ever Runs That Station Is Dumb
"It harms everyone, but it harms some vulnerable people even more, so it is, worth it" is not stupid. Nobody is that stupid. That's just evil.
Now Your Own Decisions Belong To A Man You Haven't Met
This makes me very mad. Even after I had 2 kids I still had to fight to get my tubes tied because "what if you and your husband wan't more kids?" Grrrrr
The reasons fell into three categories. The first, dubbed "confident ignorance," is when someone tackles something high-risk without the required skills. The cellphone/GPS caper was a prime example of this kind of stupidity.
The next category was "absent-mindedness," which applied to situations where people knew the right thing to do, but for some reason weren't paying close attention. Aczel said one example would be walking out of the store without paying for your groceries.
The third kind of stupidity was described by a lack of control. It occurred when people knew they shouldn't do something but couldn't resist their impulse to do it anyway. Reaching for the third slice of cake when you know you'll get a stomachache later is an example of this kind of stupidity, Aczel explained.
I Get It Now
Ditto everytime I used the expression "avoid it like the plague." I was wrong. Shockingly, I've learned people don't avoid plagues.
Well Well Well... How The Turntables
I Wonder Why America Is So Unhappy?
As an america we need to learn and evolve from other countries example
She Didn't Deserve It
According to Aczel, stupidity is an interesting concept because it doesn't always track with intelligence.
Even people who possess a very high IQ can make extremely dumb moves. The research revealed that judging a behavior "stupid" reveals the observer's expectations of how someone should behave, he said. But the person doing the stupid thing might be operating according to a different set of expectations or goals.
Gun Ownership
Apparently Canada’s Healthcare Is Bad
It Was Media Control All Along
Checkmate
Clearly you havent been burdened with an over abundance of brain cells
On a more practical level, you might be wondering if any of this matters. But understanding why people call something stupid might provide better ways to call out dumb behavior, Aczel highlighted. For instance, it might be more helpful to tell someone they're being overconfident than that they're being stupid.
They’re Everywhere Man!
"Going Everywhere"
70,000 Covid cases came directly as a result of Donald Trump's rallies. We don't need propaganda, we have the votes.
They're Confused
Math Is A Myth
After the research, the team said they plan to concentrate on the cognitive mechanisms people use to monitor others' behaviors. One mystery, Aczel said, is the question why people find stupidity so amusing, a fact that drives more and more people to become members of r/facepalm.
"People want to watch other people doing something stupid as a source of amusement," he said. And it's hard to argue with that.
An 8 Year Old Shouldn’t Have To Do This
Yeah, How Dare He
Yes, shame on him for kissing and probably saying "I love you, I'm proud of you" to his son.
Just Your Average Pro Life Hypocrite
She is apparently answering her own question. She is not pro life, just anti abortion.
Cops Pepper Sprayed Their Own Senator Without Realizing He's An Authority Figure
For Me It Feels Weird To See 6:00 Instead Of 18:00
How Can People Break-Up For Such Stupid Reasons!
"Risk ginger grandchildren" - wtf. But a boyfriend who dumps his woman on command of his mom is a bullet dodged, no matter what.
Having A Functioning Circulatory System
No, perverts are criticizing women for not having the photoshop boobs they usually jerk off to.
Hospital Bill
Debt free regarding healthcare and some education. There are plenty of poor europeans that cannot afford rent, university or struggle to get by. My partner and I need to pay around 200 euros a month for health insurance (nothing compared with usa but high), a extremely high loan for the house and struggle to live with 1 income. But no government (mine or his) will give us any help for my disabilities.
Load More Replies...Hey- at least he believes there was a moon landing... That's a step above a lot of them lol
Always looking for the bright side Kimi!!!!
Load More Replies...Ah yes, such freedom. I'm not even allowed to drink in public because heaven forbid someone sees! Not even allowed to have an abortion in some states. The freedom to be arrested and prosecuted for doing drugs. The freedom to run for president, unless you happen to be born abroad. The freedom to vote - as long as you register first, didn't get your voting rights revoked because you committed a crime and are willing to wait in line for hours. Such freedom, much wow.
You even have the freedom to sell your Nobel Prize to "help" pay for your inhumane medical bills, like Leon Lederman.
Load More Replies...Why do they care so much about the moon landing? Like, it's great, good for your country but what does it does for you? Because yes my country didn't land on the moon but right now I graduated from university with a bachelor for which I was literally paid (my student apartment was also partially paid by a housing allowance everyone in the country can ask for) and until I find a job I receive an allowance. I also don't even think about health issues so I'm completely focusing on finding a job I will like. So yeah, no moon landing, such bummer :)
It's a flex. US won a pissing contest against Russia, and they expect everyone else to be impressed by this - not as a scientific feat in which we respect the collaborative efforts of a select few, but more like an international sporting trophy where people are supposed to root for a flag.
Load More Replies...We have rich guys heading to the moon cause moon meanwhile: welp marge sell the car and my kidney to pay the hospital bill.
It isn't the private sectors responsibility to cover public cost, Elon musk did just pay over 11 billion in public taxes ( most in us history) let's see how the government uses that money, shall we?
Load More Replies...Ah, America, land of the free, home of the brave, also ironically, the country with the largest number of prisoners. But you lot have to be #1 in everything so I'm not surprised.
Largest number of gangs, too. About 33,000 different gangs with millions of feral members.
Load More Replies...The land of the brave and the free where the Brave is stuck on some shithole reservation and medical costs a fortune
Meanwhile Bernie literally admitted on the debate stage that our healthcare cost (via taxes) would go UP if we were to have Medicare for All. LOL The net cost of healthcare would go up for folks who don't stuff their face with junk.
Load More Replies...And we recover from our hospital stay on our paid sick leave, without losing a single day of our paid holidays, usually three weeks minimum.
Yet no one holds a standard higher than made in the USA
Load More Replies...Does he need a quick reminder who build the first rocket that reached space? I love how everybody forgets who supplied both the US and the USSR with the technology to reach space.
why is the first thing my eyes go to is “my pepe is slightly below average”
Now I'm starting to think that they're actually ruled by flags, if they worship them like that
Whoever you are or whatever gender you are, just know this; You're awesome no matter what!
I'm American and never got the whole "America is the most free country" thing. They are acting like ALL the other countries have barely any rights.
The flag on the moon is most likely to be white by now. Bleached from the sun.
How does he really think we live our lives over here? In what way does he think we're not free? Genuinely wondering that.
As an American I have no idea what these people are thinking. All I can come up with is that they aren't well traveled and don't have any interest in learning about anything that's not "American".
Load More Replies...I'm proud as f**k to be an America. I think you got who the douche bag is wrong.
Load More Replies...I'm wondering when Americans will realize they've been "enslaved" for many decades and have been brainwashed into thinking that they aren't fast becoming a 3rd world country.
I am not allowed to burn yard debri and credit card offers without a permit for 6 months, but they ban all burning almost every day the other 6 months. I get a $2,500.00 fine if i have an intact Kinder Suprise. My neighbor can fire guns all damn day and i can't escape the noise and the police won't stop them but if i play music loud enough he can hear it i can get a fine. Freedom my a*s.
I find it quite hilarious how much everyone absolutely hates & despises The US, & how their Country is SO, SO VERY MUCH, ABSOLUTELY BETTER IN EVERY WAY, SHAPE & FORM!!
There is no moon flag, their is a scrap of bleached white fabric that could now be claimed as belonging to almost any country since most Americans don't believe anybody landed on the moon😂
And the one bragging about the flag on the moon probably doesn't believe we actually landed there.
When you want to brag about your country's achievements, make sure they are beneficial to the average citizens' daily lives.
Like how America has the most medical advancements in history?
Load More Replies...What does a moon flag have anything to do with freedom? Good job America and all but a flag on the moon doesn't instantly make America the greatest most blessed land on Earth.
No our guaranteed constitutional rights and ease of financial mobility make it a blessing.
Load More Replies...According to who? Who is stopping you from living other than yourself.
Load More Replies...I cannot stress this enough. The average american has no idea what freedom is, what freedoms they actually have or why they are actually less free because of the liberties they think they have.
Actually the flag on the moon is White now because of the radiation of the Sun... But at least France and free healthcare !
And a refugee problem and a tax rate that touches 45% for anyone who earns real money
Load More Replies...It's free for people who can't afford it. It's called medicaid
Load More Replies...That was too easy - The lyric should be "Proud to be an American because I don't know s**t"
Sorry Buddy, It's Not Christmas Yet
It's A Great Time To Be A White Debt Collector
It Is Pride Month
Slayed
“If Masks Were Necessary We Would Have Evolved One By Now”
But Nasa Uses The
Antivax Logic
The State Of The World
Most people make decisions unconsciously, because of feelings or bias or whatever is floating around in the depths of the brain... and then they look around for facts to validate a decision that's already been made without benefit of facts. This is why sane people make decisions that seem irrational, and it's also why the Universal Basic Intelligence Test is seeing whether a person will change their mind about something when provided with information that proves a previous decision or opinion wrong. Intelligent people change their minds according to the best information available, stupid people cling to stupid decisions.
Technically The Truth
High Iq Destruction
I know plenty of people who didn't learn a language, didn't read a poem and didn't memorize a fun fact ánd have no muscles to show for it.
Not A True Catholic!
It-It's Almost As If Services Become Easier With A Modernized World? And That Baby Boomers Laughing That Millennials Can't Use A Rotary Phone Is-Pathetic?
What If We Made An App That Would Endanger Lots Of Women?
Apparently There’s Something Wrong With Using A Stock Photo
Ah Yes, Chemistry
She has exploding, vagina-smelling candles. And people buy them. People are stupider than I thought...
Yoga>homeless People
Note: this post originally had 130 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.
🤦🏻♀️🤦🏼♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏾♀️🤦🏿♀️🤦🏻🤦🏼🤦🏽🤦🏾🤦🏿🤦🏻♂️🤦🏼♂️🤦🏽♂️🤦🏾♂️🤦🏿♂️ (Idk which one is you)
Load More Replies...I haven't even read this yet but I'm willing to bet that 80% of them are dumbass Conservatives.
I was wrong. I admit it. Only 70%. The rest are dumbass conservatives commenting.
Load More Replies...Is this a repeat of another BP post or three? I swear we've seen most of these before.
Most of these post are done by left wing liberals whining because not everyone wants to be exactly like them.
Such overt propaganda with no alternative views actually given any respect. You don't want to listen to any countering ideas because it doesn't fit your narrative. Well done you close minded fool.
Which one triggered you the most? Perhaps these hit a little too close to home for you?
Load More Replies...Well, Q-anon has a lot of followers so that makes them sheeple too, right?
Load More Replies...Because prevention is better than cure. Because natural immunity means that at risk population will get it and clog healthcare services. Yeah natural immunity worked for the plague too, millions of deaths later. Just get vaxed already
Load More Replies...🤦🏻♀️🤦🏼♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏾♀️🤦🏿♀️🤦🏻🤦🏼🤦🏽🤦🏾🤦🏿🤦🏻♂️🤦🏼♂️🤦🏽♂️🤦🏾♂️🤦🏿♂️ (Idk which one is you)
Load More Replies...I haven't even read this yet but I'm willing to bet that 80% of them are dumbass Conservatives.
I was wrong. I admit it. Only 70%. The rest are dumbass conservatives commenting.
Load More Replies...Is this a repeat of another BP post or three? I swear we've seen most of these before.
Most of these post are done by left wing liberals whining because not everyone wants to be exactly like them.
Such overt propaganda with no alternative views actually given any respect. You don't want to listen to any countering ideas because it doesn't fit your narrative. Well done you close minded fool.
Which one triggered you the most? Perhaps these hit a little too close to home for you?
Load More Replies...Well, Q-anon has a lot of followers so that makes them sheeple too, right?
Load More Replies...Because prevention is better than cure. Because natural immunity means that at risk population will get it and clog healthcare services. Yeah natural immunity worked for the plague too, millions of deaths later. Just get vaxed already
Load More Replies...