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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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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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Phunny Philosopher
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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)."

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."

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Kevin Donegan
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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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Stille20
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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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Lil Bare
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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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Jace
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

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Sergio Bicerra Descalzi
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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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CelSlade
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hardly - 'Sexual abuse of women and girls and a society which forces them to stay silent about it is unacceptable and needs to end'. Please illuminate me: How many possible 'opinions' are there on that statement? I dare ya...

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pusheen buttercup
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hey, I'm not saying men don't rape... But so do women. You have to be careful, don't assume you're safe just because of gender. Rape happens to anyone. If you see anyone acting suspicious, don't pass it off

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Clem
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

True, though women are more likely to be raped. But it is very important to believe male victims of rape as well and give them the support they need

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Kori K. Warriner
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thank you for that. On behalf of women everywhere, and if men who have also experienced abuse.

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Mipam Moudry
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I sort of disagree with this one. Having my favorite franchises ruined by gender politics is sort of hard even if you have nothing to hide. Thanks Kathleen Kennedy!

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Truth Monster
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3 years ago

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The problem with #metoo is the fact that sometimes the person who claims they were raped/harassed lied and while i am all for outing predators, those men (and women) should be given a fair chance to defend themselves. Lives are being ruined by lies.

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K O
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lives are being ruined by being raped. It's pretty silly to complain or focus on the small amount of liars when people are standing up to abuse and rapists

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Stille20
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3 years ago

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I disagree, much like the current black lives matter movement, some people have to learn to modify behavior they didn't realize was a problem. Not all sexism/racism is malicious or violent. Neither is a black and white matter.... no pun intended.

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K Witmer
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is about sexual assault. If you don't understand the me too movement than there is something really wrong w u. If you can't take no for an answer there is something wrong w u. If you rape or sexually assault someone there is something wrong w u. There is no gray area in rape and sexual assault and sexual harassment if you think there is there's something wrong w u

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Monika Soffronow
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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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Cori
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

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Stille20
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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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Lil Bare
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

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Jace
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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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River wolf
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9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

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Christina Uhlir
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

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Jace
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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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Tabitha L
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3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was in my 20s, I was so hungry for success that it made me angry when others succeeded. Once I got into my 30s, I felt that rage unclench. I can now be happy and enjoy everyone's success knowing that it doesn't limit my own.

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Tabitha L
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

While I am a fan of both, I think it is ok to just be a fan of Drag Race. It is a great show, and is many people's first exposure to this culture. Let's call it gateway drag. Could lead to habitual drag consumption.

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Mal
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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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