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

Agreed. Maybe, just maybe - balloons aren't a great medium to convey something that actually requires some nuance.

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

This one is just gatekeeping. You can't be held responsible for the misguided beliefs of other adults.

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

I would never date / marry someone who is homophobic. However, you are saying that someone can't be for something even though the person they married 15 year ago isn't? Also, this specifically targets strait women and says they aren't doing enough for the gay community. Easy friend.

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

I agree with your second point! It is an attack on only straight female allies. It should just say "significant other or partner".

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

Since when are people responsible for the opinions of others. This one is nonsense. No-one can control or force a change of mind on someone else

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

I don't think they are asking you to control someone else's opinion. I think they are saying that if you choose a partner that is a bigot, then you are not an ally. Because an ally wouldn't associate with bigots.

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

This is a difficult issue. People sometimes don’t know what issues matter to them when they marry or get involved with people. If an issue doesn’t affect them, they might not realize how strongly they might one day feel about it. If you’ve spent a long time entangling with someone and they reveal a s****y ideology, it might be difficult to decide to leave them over it, especially if you don’t feel personally harmed by it. This kind of thing is why I don’t think marriage is sensible. It’s bad enough that we need to financially entangle just to f*****g survive in our f****d-up societies (like the USA), but it’s even worse to put a dogdamned legal contract on top of it. And yeah, you’re not responsible for the s****y ideologies of others unless YOU pushed it to them (like my mother being responsible for my sisters being religious and woo-y).

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

Interesting he only chose to talk to people who date men.

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

This is a sign of a cult, you know. Shunning those who don't share your beliefs.

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

This is just a childish, stupid and ineffective attempt at bullying. If you [...fill-in-your-own-conditional-demand-here...] then you’re not my friend because you’re different from me.

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

For those who are confused: I don't care how much you love someone, if your significant other is a bigot and you're making the conscious decision to overlook that and stay with them, you are not an ally. You're not responsible for their beliefs, but you ARE responsible for deciding to continue to date (and maybe even marry) someone WITH those beliefs. This is such a big issue that I would never even consider dating someone who was homophobic. Never. Stop acting like this is some kind of surprise that can come out after falling in love or years of marriage. You know damn well where your partner stands.

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

You... do realize people can change AFTER they get married. Right? Like, you could get married as a bigot yourself and then CHANGE. Are you supposed to throw away your whole marriage and family because your partner hasn't changed (hopefully YET)?

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

Sooo you're supposed to just divorce someone if youve changed and they haven't?

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

That might be the case, if your change makes their lack of it a problem for the two of you. Doesn’t even necessarily matter what the actual change is.

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

Very well said. Some of the things you said are profound. Thanks

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

Since when does discrimination needs nuance? This statement is plain, simple and true. An ally is more than just a supporter. As an ally, you support minority groups with actions (and money) in their struggle for recognition, independence and equality. Since one is not responsible for the ideas and opinions of other people, nor is it easy (if possible even) to change them, an Ally can only distance herself from that person. Even if it is her boyfriend/husband. If not, you’re not an ally. You’re with those people who say “it’s okay to be gay” but still think two men shouldn’t hold hands or kiss in public.

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María Hermida
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3 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

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

Allies are the name for people who support LGBTQIA, but are not LGBTQIA. The point they are making is that you cant be an ally if you are married to a bigot.

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