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
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!
I mean yeah, that's definitely what I spend my sweet asss atheist time doing!
Me too, ""Excuse me Sir, do you have a moment to talk about .....ah, never mind."
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I now want to build statues of famous atheists. Plant them somewhere super visible.
And let's not forget the Atheist City and its ruler riding around in the atheist-mobile!
I've met more "Christian acting" atheists than I have so-called Christians who act like Christians should. 🤷🏾♀️
Once a friend told me I may not go to heaven cause I'm an atheist. I told her I consider myself a good person, don't judge, help whenever I can, do charity even i live paycheck to paycheck, am compasionate and believe in a better world if people think more about our neighbour than ourselves. She told me either way i wasn't going to heaven cause I clearly have Jesus in me, but would't accept it. Smh.
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Monotheists are atheistic about all deities except their chosen one. Polytheists are similar, excepting just their favorite divine gang. Humans have invented SO many deities! It's easy to forget some.
One person solely had that tower built. He isn't the president anymore. Relax
Load More Replies... I’ve seen this a million times and I hope it circulates on the internet until the end of time!
you know? i had a shower thought this morning. (showers are the best place for thoughts.) people who believe in god, nothing wrong with it but..., are WAY more vocal about than atheists are. like the post said. we don't wear atheist chains and have atheist monuments everywhere. but somehow atheists are judged a crap ton more. people get so mad whenever they realize you don't believe in god. i mean.. scopes trial! they had a WHOLE ASS court case about how the theory of evolution was wrong and should be illegal and everyone needs to believe in the theory and way of god. i'm sorry. but that way doesn't work for everyone. i pay attention to facts and the scientific evidence rather than an entity. why can't everyone just be happy with who they are and get out of each other's asses.
S**t! When I was a kid I was a very bad Catholic... now it seems I'm a really bad atheist.
On a side note, religion is just a way of thinking. Churches should pay taxes and religious leaders should be held responsible for hiding the crimes of their employees.
Last sunday I accidentally overheard the religious program my MIL was watching... I had to leave fast because the nasty man on the screen was screaming how Athiests are lonely lost people who purposefully reject knowledge and are scared of the real world. I'm not Athiest, but the utter lie and irony of his words reminds me why I am not religious.
Do you have a moment so I can brainwash you about our lord and savior?
I'm a member of the satanic temple I signed up online and bought some merchandise bc they're fighting Texas for a woman's right to healthcare and rights to her own body and I love that.
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I'm an atheist and I have read the bible and find it hard to believe that there is a man in the clouds watching everything that I do, just waiting for me to step out of line. Meanwhile, kids in school are getting blown to bits by military style rifles, likewise people in stores and churches. Babies are getting raped and murdered and Putin is trying to destroy an entire country. If there is a god, he's doing a pispoor job of being a loving god, isn't he?
There are two things I despise: People who stick their nose into my beliefs and people who stick their beliefs into my nose.
Personally I hate it when atheists strap explosives to themselves for the glory of no god, or persecute gays and women for thousands of years to please not having imaginary friends.
Also, I love standing on street corners near Planned Parenthood with my 'Merican flag and my atheist torture devices that I worship holding signs about how "Babies' Lives Matter because I evidently don't know where they come from. And also I don't believe in helping them or their mothers(?) Is that the word? after they're born. Pull yourself by your bootstraps, lazy babies! 'Merica!
atheists' don't give a s**t about converting people. Whenever i meet someone who's overtly religious, i simply judge them silently and make a mental note to ignore their opinions and avoid interaction as much as possible. You're an adult that continues to believe in fairy tales, and i don't have time for idiots.
And you are an adult who accuses others of believing in a fairy tale you can't prove is fakse
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While I AM Christian and unapologetic of the fact, I will admit we are rather.... erm.... vocal at times XD
Like trying to control women's bodies, gender roles, sexual relationships, education, all the racial implications and of course the bit about worming your way into politics to ensure that all your feelings...um, excuse me, FAITH based opinions are shoved down the throat of everyone else, while actively vilifying anyone that dares to see the whole exercise for exactly what it is and not play along.... Yeah i guess you could term that as "vocal"
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Some athiests are just as obnoxious & pushy about atheism as the other super religious people- its not about religion. Its about being self righteous & one upping someone else.
Couldn't you just... you know... ask them what they believe in? That could be a good way to find out I guess...
I (Sort of)understand everyones religion, or non, yes us Christains do ,do that, but we just want to help others, like if you needed others in yours, yes we do take it too far, but thats not all of us, we need justice not attacking us all, why not at least have hope in somethng? Yes I do understand that drags you into others mess, but why do adults do that? Why won't you just leave everyone else alone! Stop taking it too far! Leave others out of your mess!
It’s so sad like pretty much any religious person (mostly Christian’s) are so overboard like Dude Maybe READ the Bible instead of saying you did Maybe respect other people Control your life and not others Maybe realize that NOT EVERYONE WANTS TI HEAR ABOUT IT. Christians can be good, but a lot of ‘Christian’s’ aren’t really. They just say they are. Sorry for the rant
Omg, I remember when I was in a fight with my Christian bff over text and she said “save your self from the devil, do u even know who god is? Ur turning evil, ur not the nice aria I used to know” I’m atheist (which she knows) and that was the first time she ever brought up religion (except for when we first met) Also, like all of my friends are Christians, so everyone just idiomatically assumes I am too. Which is good I guess bc it makes sure they don’t ask. That would lead to a 20-30 minute conversation about religion. Whenever anyone starts talking about or even slightly mentions something religion related I get super uncomfortable. Edit: one of my other bffs is like super Christian and I cuss all the time. So I have to make sure she dosen’t hear me cuss. Cause if anyone cusses, she slaps them. Cause “true Christians don’t cuss” or “it’s going against god wishes” or “if u cuss, then ur not a true Christian”. It’s actually rlly annoying. Also, bonus: my bf ish is also in the large friend group, he’s a Christian (of course) but he cusses, u see, him and the person I was just talking about used to date as well (like 2 yrs ago. That was hilarious while it lasted😸😹 but sometimes I have to literally stop her from slapping somebody (most often myself, him, or this other girl who’s name is Laila; another Christian who cusses)
Omg, I am SO Srry for my rant 🫤😐😬😑 👁🫦👁 Oops 💁🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️🤷🏼♀️🙍🏼♀️
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Odd, I've never heard of an atheist do any of those... I believe this was a sarcastic rant taken out of context, as the events described completely match Christianity.
I know I stand on street corners asking people if they want to meet our lack of lord and non-savior.
You probably mean those atheists who never ring my doorbell on saturday mornings, or since the beginning of this pandemy, don't send bulky letters to show me their devotion to a fictive character?
No, they just spend all their time forcing other religions to kowtow to their ideas! Atheism is definitely a religion, just like any other religion who are determined to “convert” as many people as they can to their religion.
More like using more words than necessary. Like all of them. NOOOOBODDDDDYYYY CAAAAARRRREEESS!!
Well, there is Ron Reagan frequently appearing on my TV asking me to join unabashed atheists and agnostics in supporting (contributing to) the Freedom From Religion Foundation. I am a Christian but I do support the foundation's goal of preventing the incursion of religion, usually one religion's beliefs, into secular government. Much as I believe in both freedom of religion, and freedom from the imposition of religion on others. But I am not going to lend my support to an organization which chooses as its spokesperson someone who throws shade at people of faith, any faith. His sign off in the commercial is. "Ron Reagan, life long atheist - not afraid of burning in hell."
Oh, but the Christians will still tell you they're being oppressed.
All jokes aside, atheists aren't nearly as annoying about outing themselves in a crowd as vegans. Vegans are the only people that I know that will invite you to lunch, pick the restaurant, and then wait to see what you order so that they can immediately start harassing you about it.
You don't have to be an atheist to not believe in god. There are those who genuinely and honestly don't know. Not believing is not the same as repudiating and idea. And who says god is like a human, and thinks that way? To me, any god wouldn't have any aspects of humanity. My thoughts only.
The Bible says to spread the word. I'm still waiting for an atheist to explain where they get their morals and who let's them know they are correct.
I don't murder anyone, rob and steal, lie, deliberately harm anyone because I'm afraid of burning in hell. I don't know or care where or how I got morals. I'm just glad I have them. And I now plenty of bible thumping christians who don't have the morals of an alley cat.
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I'll tell you I'm an atheist because I'm trying to stop the incredibly long verbal essay you're giving me on Jesus and Christianity. Oh, I gotta add my own example here. I'm a pagan. My father-in-law is a seriously devot Jehovas Witness. Sadly bringing up any hint of my religious beliefs around him does NOT stop the verbal essay but makes it go on forever.
No they just scream at Christians for not believing the same things they do instead.
Yeah you just described all Christian fundamentalists, the Catholic Church, and every single other organized religion. Atheists only call out the lies not the feelings.
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"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
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.
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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?
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Well, Q-anon has a lot of followers so that makes them sheeple too, right?
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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
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