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We all have that friend who pollutes our Facebook or Instagram feed. Now the actual toxic waste they spill might differ, but whether it's cringy boomer comics or their very, very amateur nature photos, even the most mundane posts can become poisonous in huge amounts.

I usually try to distance myself from these people without actually confronting them; I unfollow them. But Michael James Schneider, a writer and artist living in Portland, Oregon, has found a more creative way to deal with them.

When he got fed up with the ridiculous amounts of balloons popping up on his social media feeds, Michael decided to point out how ridiculous they can be by becoming part of the cult.

"I try to make commentary about, or poke fun at, social media. The balloons were a social media trope often used in bridal showers and gender reveals, so they were a natural progression of that idea. I love the contrast of profound, funny, or challenging quotes spelled in silly balloons. And since another common cliche is endless selfies, I tend to put myself in most of the photos. They often make people cringe, but the cringe is the point," Michael told Bored Panda.

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#1

Funny-Balloons-Signs-Blcksmth

Blcksmth , Mantra Wellness Magazine Report

Scagsy
Community Member
6 years ago

Exactly

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The artist usually gets the phrases from the Internet. "I source them online, most of the quotes are curated from other, far wiser people, and me and my friend slash assistant, Andrew Jankowski, try to attribute them as accurately as possible." Michael is also asking people who repost his art to please do their best to credit the people who originally said these phrases too.

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    #2

    Funny-Balloons-Signs-Blcksmth

    Blcksmth , katherine henson Report

    Phunny Philosopher
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    Thank you. I needed this today. I was just having this discussion with friends yesterday. I always see the good in people, and often that view hurts me deeply. What is wrong with me? It's like I can't learn.

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    Words aside, another important part of each photo is its background. "One of my favorite things to do is spot a brightly colored wall when riding my bike in Portland, and make a mental note to visit it later," Michael explained his location scouting. "I choose colorful walls based on what direction they're facing (for lighting reasons), how public they are (so that I can set them up subtlety), and how textured the wall is (since very textured walls won't hold the type of tape I use)."

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    #3

    Funny-Balloons-Signs-Blcksmth

    Blcksmth , chionesoo Report

    Scagsy
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    Absolutely bang on the money

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    After the photoshoot is over, the balloons go back to Michael's basement, waiting to be used for the next shoot. The artist said these types of air-filled Mylar balloons aren't great for the environment, so he discourages people from buying them if their intention is to throw them away after use. "I reuse them from shoot to shoot and I have an alphabet in each color. I sometimes choose to use different colors if I’m out of a letter, rather than purchase more, and then I photoshop the colors to match afterwards."

    #4

    Funny-Balloons-Signs-Blcksmth

    Blcksmth , Adam Ellis Report

    Kevin Donegan
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    Both statements are true. The morbidly obese pathological lying vindictive narcissistic imbecile with the emotional maturity of a toddler (AKA tRump) is simply a horrible, horrible person.

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    Michael has been trying to make it as a creative ever since he put his 20-year experience in retail management on pause. He paints, directs, writes, is an amateur interior designer, and has done theatrical set and production design. "I don’t claim to have the answers for anyone, least of all myself, but I’m having fun on the journey. Or at least pretending to on social media."

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    #5

    Funny-Balloons-Signs-Blcksmth

    Blcksmth , Mantra Wellness Report

    Stille20
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    I had to learn this the hard way... twice. These relationships are hard to walk away from, but when you find someone who doesn't give you mixed signals, you suddenly realize how crazy you were to settle for anything less.

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    #6

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    Blcksmth Report

    Lil Bare
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    The (male) ego often tries to protect itself and thus would rather leave the other feeling low and s****y instead of admit that it did sth wrong. May the ppl beware of how ridiculous the ego makes us

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    #7

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    Blcksmth , Ayishat Akanbi Report

    Jace
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    This is why we need to stop arguing with alt-right nutjobs on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, forums, etc...

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    #8

    Funny-Balloons-Signs-Blcksmth

    Blcksmth , hunter_pauley Report

    Scagsy
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    I may have been outgrown :(

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    #9

    Funny-Balloons-Signs-Blcksmth

    Blcksmth , Idris Elba Report

    Sergio Bicerra Descalzi
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    omg, litterlly the first time I saw the top comment is with negative votes. Such a hard theme to make an opinion.

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    #10

    Funny-Balloons-Signs-Blcksmth

    Blcksmth Report

    Monika Soffronow
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    The only one you can change is yourself - by making different choices and realizing that how we react to what life serves us is often not by choice but by lazy habit.

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    #11

    Funny-Balloons-Signs-Blcksmth

    Blcksmth , Rainer Maria Wilke Report

    Cori
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    As a 36 year old college student, I can attest to this. Also, I love that table!

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    #12

    Funny-Balloons-Signs-Blcksmth

    Blcksmth Report

    Lil Bare
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    This is needed SO badly omg

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    #13

    Funny-Balloons-Signs-Blcksmth

    Blcksmth , Glennon Doyle Report

    Fact Perils
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    And in that way you are still beating it

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    #14

    Funny-Balloons-Signs-Blcksmth

    Blcksmth , Glennon Doyle Report

    Stille20
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    Yea, it depends on the context. Expecting someone to accept you from your gambling addiction or negative attitude is different then accepting that you have a health issue or went through some trauma.

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    #15

    Funny-Balloons-Signs-Blcksmth

    Blcksmth , arahthequill Report

    Lil Bare
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    Very true. In fact, relationships that result out of an extreme shared experience are said to be very fragile

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

    #16

    Funny-Balloons-Signs-Blcksmth

    Blcksmth , James Baldwin/ Son of Baldwin Report

    Phunny Philosopher
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    Wonderfully put.

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    #17

    Funny-Balloons-Signs-Blcksmth

    Blcksmth , Margaret Sanger Report

    Jace
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    Aaaand cue all the ignorant, sexist, anti-abortion comments from the weird minority of right-wing people who create accounts on left-wing Bored Panda in some kind of misdirected effort at changing people’s minds with their abusive, judgmental, and ignorant comments...

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    #18

    Funny-Balloons-Signs-Blcksmth

    Blcksmth , Tiny Dreams Puppet Slam Report

    River wolf
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Um… does it still count when I instinctively shrink from fear, embarrassment, or scolding?

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    #19

    Funny-Balloons-Signs-Blcksmth

    Blcksmth , Ian Goff Report

    Isabella R.W.
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    Hahahaha

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    #20

    Funny-Balloons-Signs-Blcksmth

    Blcksmth Report

    Christina Uhlir
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    "Don't try to mend a broken heart with the same person who broke it." - Steven Ailchison

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    #21

    Funny-Balloons-Signs-Blcksmth

    Blcksmth , Mantra Wellness Report

    Shauna
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    Or don't settle for less because its easier.

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    #22

    Funny-Balloons-Signs-Blcksmth

    Blcksmth , Lauren Morrill Report

    Raven
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    i do care about people

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    #23

    Funny-Balloons-Signs-Blcksmth

    Blcksmth Report

    Jace
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    All that matters is if it accomplishes something for you. For some people that’s a sense of accomplishment. For others, it’s earned income, attention & acknowledgement, better opportunities, etc.

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    #24

    Funny-Balloons-Signs-Blcksmth

    Blcksmth Report

    Fact Perils
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    Haha

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    #25

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    Blcksmth Report

    Lea Springstead
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    This saying would make a good tattoo.

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    #26

    Funny-Balloons-Signs-Blcksmth

    Blcksmth , Mantra Wellness Magazine Report

    Meyer Weinstock
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    *single sobs at prospect of dying alone*

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    #27

    Funny-Balloons-Signs-Blcksmth

    Blcksmth , Brianna Wiest Report

    Lil Bare
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    ...and there s only one way to find out if its worth it

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    #28

    Funny-Balloons-Signs-Blcksmth

    Blcksmth , Nina Simone Report

    Blue of the yams (They/He)
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    Ah yes. I too enjoy staring lovingly at disembodied hearts. XD jk why is that there?

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    #29

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    Blcksmth , Ann Landers Report

    Jon S.
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    How?

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    #30

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    Blcksmth , Mantra Wellness Report

    Kika González
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    Keep your love until there is someone worthy of it

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    #31

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    Blcksmth , Mantra Wellness Magazine Report

    Phunny Philosopher
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    Sometimes you have to break in order to grow.

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    #32

    Funny-Balloons-Signs-Blcksmth

    Blcksmth , Irina Dunn Report

    Hans
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    People need people.

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    #33

    Funny-Balloons-Signs-Blcksmth

    Blcksmth , Leonard Cohen Report

    MomaBear
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    Leonard Cohen

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    #34

    Funny-Balloons-Signs-Blcksmth

    Blcksmth Report

    Lil Bare
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    Too true, too scary

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    #35

    Funny-Balloons-Signs-Blcksmth

    Blcksmth , Mantra Wellness Magazine Report

    Something
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    How are you supposed to if you never succeed at anything?

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    #36

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    Blcksmth , Ms. MICHL Report

    Jace
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    With extra batteries.

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    #37

    Funny-Balloons-Signs-Blcksmth

    Blcksmth Report

    Scagsy
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    And so might a big steaming pile of dog s**t. Be cautious people

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    #38

    Funny-Balloons-Signs-Blcksmth

    Blcksmth Report

    Titas Burinskas
    BoredPanda Staff
    6 years ago

    Yeah, it's just racism.

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    #39

    Funny-Balloons-Signs-Blcksmth

    Blcksmth , Mika Kauffman Report

    Paige Jordan
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    Indeed, "they" are people too. ❤

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    #40

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    Blcksmth , Ayishat Akanbi Report

    Jace
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    Repeat.

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    #41

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    Blcksmth Report

    Sue Prewitt
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    Is that a show? I never heard of it. I thought they were talking about drag racing and it made no sense. BTW, I think drag queens are fabulous and fun.

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    #42

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    Blcksmth Report

    Mal
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    This is a little all-or-nothing kind of statement, but I think here he is trying to say something about complacency. Do you stay silent when your partner makes comments or micro-aggressions that are homophobic? An ally ought to try to open a dialogue with their partner to find why they say things or the root of their misunderstanding, etc.

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