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The internet is awash with content designed to provoke a harsh reaction. Whether it’s spite for celebrities and their drama, anger from sensationalist reporting, or one of the latest cringe compilations, consuming all this can leave you with a bad taste in the mouth.

That’s why we’ve decided to help you with a little palate cleanser. It’s time to put on your slippers, grab a glass of room-temperature tap water and make yourself comfortable. When you’re ready, enjoy a few of Bored Panda’s latest entrées of ‘Mildly Interesting’ morsels.

The name of the Reddit page that collects these photos is a bit of a misnomer. Although /r/MildlyInteresting doesn’t post jaw-dropping content, there’s always something fascinating and it injects a little wonder into the everyday. We love the page here at Bored Panda, that’s why we’ve written on it once, twice, thrice and uh… four times before. So, be sure to check them out after this one!

#1

My Hotel Phone In Iceland Has A Special Button That Will Wake You Up If There Are Northern Lights In The Sky

My Hotel Phone In Iceland Has A Special Button That Will Wake You Up If There Are Northern Lights In The Sky

KristjanHrannar Report

/r/MildlyInteresting has captured the intrigue of over 19M people, so it goes to show that the content is more than just a little bit interesting.

Bored Panda spoke with one of the moderators, RedSquaree, on the continuing success of the page. They said, "I think we've done an amazing job of curating a subreddit that is still niche despite being hugely popular."

"The content is roughly the same today as it was almost a decade ago. Most subs change (for the worse) as they grow, but we've kept things mild—just the way people want it," they explained.

#3

My Apartment Complex Rented Out 200 Goats To Eat Away At The Overgrown Path And Riverbed Behind Our Buildings!

My Apartment Complex Rented Out 200 Goats To Eat Away At The Overgrown Path And Riverbed Behind Our Buildings!

clairvoyantweed Report

#4

Missing Cat Owner Posted A Follow Up Where The Previous Missing Posters Were

Missing Cat Owner Posted A Follow Up Where The Previous Missing Posters Were

Coffygrier Report

#5

I Came In My Kitchen To Find A Lizard Using A Sponge As A Raft In The Sink. (I Live In New Mexico)

I Came In My Kitchen To Find A Lizard Using A Sponge As A Raft In The Sink. (I Live In New Mexico)

bassmansrc Report

#6

I Gave My Wife LEGO Flowers For Her Birthday

I Gave My Wife LEGO Flowers For Her Birthday

CapnFancyPants Report

It's hard to define what makes something 'mildly interesting' but in my opinion, there’s a certain theme running throughout. The images shared usually go against the grain of what we consider as “normal”. Or, they highlight some bizarre coincidence that we would never have expected.

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However, everyone sees it differently. Since RedSquaree has been moderating the page for some time, I asked for their views on the secret formula behind the photos posted and how they would define them. They said, "Everyone probably has a slightly different interpretation or idea of what is mildly interesting." But they believe that the concept of relatability is most important—it has to be "nothing spectacular but something novel".

But this can also make it difficult to moderate the content being posted on the page. They explained further, "Sometimes we see users post to /r/mildlyinteresting first (because if they didn't, it would break rule 3 of our page). Then, they go on to crosspost to /r/damnthatsinteresting. And we're thinking to ourselves, '/r/HolUp, it can't be both'."

#7

This Incredibly Detailed Picture I Took Of A Bonfire

This Incredibly Detailed Picture I Took Of A Bonfire

awake69 Report

#8

When I Went To Switzerland And Happened To Look Exactly Like This Random Wood Statue

When I Went To Switzerland And Happened To Look Exactly Like This Random Wood Statue

Blueskyblonde Report

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#9

Miniature Traffic Playground In Copenhagen Where Kids Learn To Bike In Traffic

Miniature Traffic Playground In Copenhagen Where Kids Learn To Bike In Traffic

ledigtbrugernavn3 Report

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JuJu
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Driver training course (Verkehrsübugsplatz) - We have those for children and bigger ones where you can learn a bit of driving outside a driving school.

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So, should the content be strictly regulated before posting? RedSquaree doesn't think so, at least for now. They said, "Many people have recommended we make a Rule 7, so content must be mild or it gets removed. But it would be so problematic to enforce that we haven't gone that far... yet."

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They also told us about their personal favorites handpicked by the moderator team. RedSquaree said, "We have a 'Quality Post' link flair which we use (sparingly) to tag on submissions we find particularly mildly interesting. Everything we've marked 'Quality Post' can be considered officially mildly interesting."

#10

A Supplier Of Ours Now Fills His Packages With Air-Cushions Made Out Of Paper Instad Of Plastic

A Supplier Of Ours Now Fills His Packages With Air-Cushions Made Out Of Paper Instad Of Plastic

zusakipcg Report

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Lorraine Geater
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How much does a packet of air cost? Because I want in on this ASAP.................

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#11

How Well Our Movers Tetris’d Our Stuff

How Well Our Movers Tetris’d Our Stuff

Chrenen Report

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Lance d'Boyle
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dang, that is genius level! it should never be touched again: a monument to perfection.

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When we’re so accustomed to seeing something in one way, our thoughts are suddenly shaken up when it suddenly appears differently or juxtaposed with something else. It’s a great reminder to rethink what we know and open ourselves up to new possibilities. But there’s a reason why we build these cognitive biases in our minds. 

#13

I Was Trying To Take A Picture Of The Guy In The Costume And A Person With With Opposite Colors Walked Into The Frame

I Was Trying To Take A Picture Of The Guy In The Costume And A Person With With Opposite Colors Walked Into The Frame

plsbabylemonade Report

#14

My Butter This Morning Looks Like A Happy Naked Man

My Butter This Morning Looks Like A Happy Naked Man

kaatastrof Report

#15

My Local Library Has Cake Pans Available To Check Out!

My Local Library Has Cake Pans Available To Check Out!

Museumgirl82 Report

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A research paper called the Theory of Cognitive Pattern Recognition seeks to find out how and why we build these links in our minds. The paper defines pattern recognition as “a process of inputting stimulating (pattern) information and matching it with the information in long-term memory, then recognizing the category that the stimulation belongs to. Therefore, pattern recognition depends on people’s knowledge and experience.”

#17

The Banisters At My Hotel Were Held Up By Little Metal Men

The Banisters At My Hotel Were Held Up By Little Metal Men

delicatedead Report

#18

Townhouse In Dc Has A Cute Little Model Townhouse In Its Front Yard (And The Model Has Its Own Model!)

Townhouse In Dc Has A Cute Little Model Townhouse In Its Front Yard (And The Model Has Its Own Model!)

tomveiltomveil Report

#19

My Fiancé Capped The End Of A Cut Banana With Banana Skin

My Fiancé Capped The End Of A Cut Banana With Banana Skin

TimpaniSymphony Report

#20

Before It Was Sprouted, This Tree Went To The Moon

Before It Was Sprouted, This Tree Went To The Moon

bigmalakili Report

#21

This Ornamental Hand At My Local IKEA With The Middle Finger Ziptied Down

This Ornamental Hand At My Local IKEA With The Middle Finger Ziptied Down

OranguPanda Report

#22

The Tailgate Of This Truck Is Painted To Look Like There’s A Bulldog In The Bed Of The Truck

The Tailgate Of This Truck Is Painted To Look Like There’s A Bulldog In The Bed Of The Truck

Vintage_AppleG4 Report

#23

This Group We Came Across In A Forest Casually Hiking In Medieval Outfits

This Group We Came Across In A Forest Casually Hiking In Medieval Outfits

ksanyee Report

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Kira Okah
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We did this too for a uni fundraiser. Up the hill and through the woods in full garb and armour. Really fun, very comfortable.

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#24

A Cast Iron Cauldron I Found Buried In My Forest

A Cast Iron Cauldron I Found Buried In My Forest

BoosterSqueak Report

#25

There Was A Massive Pirate Ship Driving Around My Neighborhood

There Was A Massive Pirate Ship Driving Around My Neighborhood

ceqwz Report

#26

This Shopping Cart Has A Spot For Kids To Stand On While The Parent Pushes

This Shopping Cart Has A Spot For Kids To Stand On While The Parent Pushes

zOneNzOnly Report

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Caro Caro
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Better than putting little kids in the carts standing up. Jees. I once saw a child fall out, bang its head real hard on the marble floor. OMG

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#27

The Way My Wife Eats Cheetos Without Messing Up Her Mouse

The Way My Wife Eats Cheetos Without Messing Up Her Mouse

PCMRbannedme Report

#28

One Of Our Local Libraries Moved Into An Old Marsh Supermarket

One Of Our Local Libraries Moved Into An Old Marsh Supermarket

blt08 Report

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Jessica Combrink
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Feels like one of those dreams where you see familiar places but get confused too.

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#31

The Gap In My Bedroom Window Became A Pinhole Camera

The Gap In My Bedroom Window Became A Pinhole Camera

scarebulging Report

#32

Color Coordinated Wristbands For Back To Work Post Covid

Color Coordinated Wristbands For Back To Work Post Covid

CooterMcSlappin Report

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lgeater avatar
Lorraine Geater
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ha ha yes or the missing colour for I'm socially distancing for the rest of my life so stay away please.

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lenka
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They should have "Im fully vaccinated and Ok with hugs and high fives with other vaccinated folks". And.... "I'm not vaccinated but I'm ok with high fives and hugs because I dont give a fck about other people".

simerese avatar
Full Name
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Look, I'm pro-vaccine but I think there are too many people that don't understand that even vaccinated folks still contract and spread the virus.

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Anita Pickle
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Notice how the green is almost out compared to red an yellow... I wonder if they only filled it up that far to limit the amount of people that would be hugging. Or if this office is full of hugging people.

vickyz avatar
Vicky Z
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah i found it strange there are not so many green ones but didn't think of what you said

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Frankenfrog
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How's about the "fully vaccinated, please stay away from me anyway"

wianjama avatar
Rissie
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, well with the current knowledge on how the virus spreads about as easily amongst vaccinated people, please ditch the green ones...

tessasilva489 avatar
og-juankeaton13 avatar
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Miss Cris
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd take the yellow (or sometimes red?) for after the aftercovid, when everything's okey. If it happens.

ahovey1009 avatar
moose man
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

hmmmmmmm why are all the green ones almost gone? hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

lordmysticlaw avatar
Lord Mysticlaw
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What if I'm OK with a high-five but not with a hug? There's a very big difference.

alexia_1 avatar
Alexia
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Great idea. Just that I would have made these of fabric or paper instead of plastic

kayneates avatar
Kayne Ates
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'll pass. My natural immunity from having Covid has been shown to surpass any vaccine currently made. I will wear a mask in the presence of others, for their benefit,and carry on with life.

johntopper avatar
John Topper
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I cannot express how badly I want to put up one more jar with black wristbands labeled "DTF".

lesliebudge avatar
les
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

there should be an empty bowl with working from home written on it

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Piet Puk
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wish there was one to indicate the dumbasses that did not vaccinate.

vickyz avatar
Vicky Z
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We need red! More red!! GIVE ME THE RED ONES TO COVER ALL OVER!!!

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LivingTheDream
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What about the the "I don't want to wear one and out my social difficulties" ?

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Tristan J
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Red and green together, which would mean I'm not going to treat you like a leper because of Covid, but I never liked you talking to me or invading my personal space before it.

hafida avatar
Hafida
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What about I am not vaccinated and still want distance from people and even don’t need to talk. I just want to work, I have my own social life with who I can socialize.

kkathleen517 avatar
kkathleen517
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's stupid. Everyone at work should be keeping their distance, not high-fiving. And hugging? Seriously? Wtf people?

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Linda Robinett
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

we use colored dots at Mensa conventions. Red is no hugs, yellow is ask, and green is hug away. (pre COVID)

kirkcedrick avatar
Moannnaaaa
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's shouldn't even be green ones. Vaccinated doesn't mean we can go around hugging everyone. The virus is continually mutating. Until we completely eradicate it everybody has to keep their distance for now.

blue-stars avatar
cursed--alien
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't read the yellow. Not enough contrast with the white background

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LesAnimaux
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd take a red one and a yellow one. I can still talk to people from a reasonable distance. Also I have never been okay with hugs at work. Fluck off.

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Vladimir Bozic
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am glad to see much more greens are used. Meaning the people are not scared anymore. It's not the vaccine but people are coming to their own senses. :)

siddharthtampi avatar
Mangoes'nRum
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Visitors who don't know of this are gonna get very confused. Because now everyone is gonna stick their arm up in some secret greeting flashing rank bands and then high fives if you wore the green band of the upper echelon, or no one would talk to you if you wore the red band of ostracism.

tsweda avatar
Thomas Sweda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Do you have to carry one of the signs too, so that everyone knows what the wristband means?

heathervance avatar
AzKhaleesi
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I want to work here... most of the green are gone and it doesn't look like the other two were touched. whoo hoo.

kylee-veskovich avatar
Kye
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a thing?? Can’t people just communicate with each other?

thirdmolar avatar
third molar
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Need a flag as well at the desk. Some may be too close to see the band..

neilbidle avatar
Devil's Advocate
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How are there so many greens gone? Can I order an orange for occasional talking?

magnadar avatar
magnadar
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The pink one for "i'm vaccinated" and the black one for "i'm not vaccinated" are missing

lunanik avatar
Nikki Sevven
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I need a color that says, "I'm vaccinated and wear a mask. If you aren't both too, get tf away from me."

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Cori
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It causes me instant stress that there are more green ones missing than red or yellow.

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Kitti B.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would wear yellow all the time. Why would ANYONE touch me at work?

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NsG
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is this before anyone uses them? i.e. the bowls are set to baseline? I notice far fewer green than red. Until the virus is confirmed endemic, this is the proportion we should expect.

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#33

Bought 2 Different Sizes Of Shoes, But The Boxes Align Perfectly With One Another

Bought 2 Different Sizes Of Shoes, But The Boxes Align Perfectly With One Another

Greenveins Report

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#35

Found An E Than Survived The Recycling Process On The Cardboard We Use At Work

Found An E Than Survived The Recycling Process On The Cardboard We Use At Work

GodNasua Report

#38

The Crack In The Door Splits My Grow Light Into Different Colors

The Crack In The Door Splits My Grow Light Into Different Colors

babygirl-des Report

#39

My Wife And I Had Plane Snacks That Matched Our Books On Our Way To Our Honeymoon

My Wife And I Had Plane Snacks That Matched Our Books On Our Way To Our Honeymoon

SodaBoda1 Report

#41

The Air Filter I Just Took Out Of My Lawnmower vs. The One I Replaced It With

The Air Filter I Just Took Out Of My Lawnmower vs. The One I Replaced It With

CourteousEnd785 Report

#42

This Pressure Washer Looks Like Mike Wazowski

This Pressure Washer Looks Like Mike Wazowski

flxxnn Report

#43

The Hallway To My Dentist Office Looks Like A Stanley Kubrick Scene

The Hallway To My Dentist Office Looks Like A Stanley Kubrick Scene

Calmblue1968 Report

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Lorraine Geater
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It does! So does the hallway outside my floor. Every single time i see the twins. Every single time...........

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#44

The Door Into My Work Casts A Solid Rainbow For A Few Minutes In The Mornings

The Door Into My Work Casts A Solid Rainbow For A Few Minutes In The Mornings

NickLoss_ Report

#47

This Is A Truck Carrying The Signs You See On The Interstate

This Is A Truck Carrying The Signs You See On The Interstate

person7849 Report

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Rabbit Carrot
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Really gives you perspective on how big they are (obviously I know they’re huge but you can’t always tell how big while driving in a car)

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#49

A 130 Year Old Crypt Found While Renovating A Church In Sc, They Put A Glass Window On It So You Could See The Face

A 130 Year Old Crypt Found While Renovating A Church In Sc, They Put A Glass Window On It So You Could See The Face

Dullahen Report

#50

My Mom Still Has Napkins From The Original Space Jam

My Mom Still Has Napkins From The Original Space Jam

DragonBlad3z Report

Note: this post originally had 89 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.