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Not everything needs to be over the top to captivate our attention. Even the smallest of things to a wondering mind can turn out to be hiding a story behind them. That is why today, we have selected another list of mildly interesting photos for your forever curious minds.

Over 21 million members on this subreddit are proof that there is no shortage of observant people who are consistently ready to be surprised by, at first, seemingly ordinary things. With the help of these images, we can notice how different we all are, depending on where our attention is drawn, and appreciate all the randomness available all around us if we just keep looking.

So if you're feeling stuck in a rut, or just looking for a little inspiration, we invite you to dive into the complexity of the ordinary and discover something new to you. And for more on Bored Panda, visit our previous post here.

One of our characteristics that makes us especially interested in everything around us is curiosity. To learn more about that, Bored Panda got in touch with a brilliant astrophysicist, best-selling author, and popular speaker, Dr. Mario Livio. Read a full interview below.

More info: mario-livio.com | Facebook | Youtube | Twitter

#1

My Local Hospital Has Provided A House For A Cat That Frequently Visits

My Local Hospital Has Provided A House For A Cat That Frequently Visits

syncopant Report

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fanscious-c_a_t
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i miss my cats 😭 they rest in peace now, but they're still loved.❤ Edit: I'm sorry for everyone here who's loved companions who also passed or were lost. Lots of love, and we'll remember their memories, even if they're not here. Love to everyone, have a very good day/night❤

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#3

The Vegetable Shops Here Show A Pic Of The Farmer

The Vegetable Shops Here Show A Pic Of The Farmer

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Adam Chang
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

sweden have a show called "bonde söker fru" = "farmer seeks wife"...farmer version of Bachelor

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Curiosity is a fundamental human characteristic that drives us to explore and comprehend our surroundings. It is the spark that piques our interest in learning, discovering, and creating. That is how the book “Why: What Makes Us Curious” by Dr. Mario Livio was born.

Dr. Mario shared what inspired him to write and research curiosity. “I am a very curious person, and at some point, I became curious about curiosity itself. While doing the research for the book 'WHY?' I was surprised by the fact that not very many researchers are studying curiosity.” It seems that everyone was asking questions but not the core of where those questions come from.

#4

The Ceiling Lights In This Medical Test Lab Are In The Form Of Electrocardiogram (Ecg)

The Ceiling Lights In This Medical Test Lab Are In The Form Of Electrocardiogram (Ecg)

thesahilpatel Report

#5

I Toasted Bread To Absolute Perfection

I Toasted Bread To Absolute Perfection

InFlames235 Report

#6

Someone Knitted A Sweater For Their Car's Emblem

Someone Knitted A Sweater For Their Car's Emblem

bluemoonlighter Report

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Curiosity can manifest itself in a variety of ways. For some, it's a desire to understand how the world works that drives their interest in science and technology. Others are drawn to history, literature, or the arts because they are fascinated by the past and the stories that make up our collective human experience.

When learning about curiosity itself, it turns out there are more layers to it. Dr. Mario shared: “There are a few types of curiosity. 'Perceptual' curiosity is the curiosity we feel when things are surprising or ambiguous. 'Epistemic' curiosity is the one that drives scientific research. 'Diversive' curiosity is what we do to avoid boredom, and 'Specific' curiosity is about specific questions. There are more types (e.g. 'Morbid' curiosity, when people gather around accident sites).”

#7

Toaster Bath Bomb I Found At The Mall

Toaster Bath Bomb I Found At The Mall

frogmug Report

#8

A Local Pizzeria Started Using A Dough Ball Instead Of The Plastic Thingies To Keep The Pizza Intact

A Local Pizzeria Started Using A Dough Ball Instead Of The Plastic Thingies To Keep The Pizza Intact

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#9

A Park In My City Was Adopted By The Satanic Temple

A Park In My City Was Adopted By The Satanic Temple

ShowerStew Report

Each of these types of curiosity is responsible for different areas in that we, as humans, evolve and move forward. Dr. Livio shared that “perceptual curiosity is associated with an area in the brain that is related to conflict, or hunger, it represents an unpleasant state that we want to get out of. Epistemic curiosity is associated with an anticipation of reward (like when someone offers us a piece of chocolate.”

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He added: “Epistemic curiosity has indeed led to progress in science. We are most curious when we already know something about a subject, but we know or feel that there is more to be known. Human curiosity has always surpassed the one needed for mere survival.”

#10

Took A Small Squirt Of My Shaving Gel, And Got A Little Chicken!

Took A Small Squirt Of My Shaving Gel, And Got A Little Chicken!

DetailFactory Report

#11

This 1969 Dollar Bill We Found In My Dad's Small Money Collection With A 00000001 Serial Number

This 1969 Dollar Bill We Found In My Dad's Small Money Collection With A 00000001 Serial Number

Miss_Behaves Report

#12

This Bottom Left Window Is Actually A Painting

This Bottom Left Window Is Actually A Painting

BannedFromEarth Report

Curiosity is a driving force behind innovation and progress. Many of the inventions and discoveries that have shaped our world today would not have been possible without curiosity. Therefore, we wanted to know some practical strategies that individuals and organizations can use to cultivate and leverage curiosity in their daily lives and work.

“Always start with something the person (or organization) is already curious about (and not with something you want them to be curious about) and then, find a way to connect what they are already curious about to what you think they should be curious about. Also, I coined the phrase, 'curiosity is the best remedy for fear.' If you are afraid of something, try to learn more about it,” shared Dr. Mario.

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If you are interested in learning more about curiosity, there is no better way than reading Dr. Mario Livio’s book “Why: What Makes Us Curious”.

#13

The Bubbles At The Bottom Of My Water Glass Look Like A Script Of Some Kind

The Bubbles At The Bottom Of My Water Glass Look Like A Script Of Some Kind

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#14

This Company Ships Their Product In Boxes Marked As Plain Flour To Deter Porch Pirates

This Company Ships Their Product In Boxes Marked As Plain Flour To Deter Porch Pirates

CondeNastyDigital Report

#15

Tall Skinny Snowman Made With A Bucket

Tall Skinny Snowman Made With A Bucket

randalwon Report

#16

I Have An Uncanny Resemblance To The Freya Carving At Epcot’s Stave Church

I Have An Uncanny Resemblance To The Freya Carving At Epcot’s Stave Church

norskunna Report

#17

We Found Neighbouring Houses With The Same Colours As Our Jackets

We Found Neighbouring Houses With The Same Colours As Our Jackets

pantalooon Report

#18

Cat Bed Instructions: “Your Cat Will Figure It Out”

Cat Bed Instructions: “Your Cat Will Figure It Out”

TuxedoFloorca Report

#19

Our Garbagemen Left Us A Christmas Card In Our Mailbox

Our Garbagemen Left Us A Christmas Card In Our Mailbox

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Annik Perrot
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ours visit us in holiday season, "selling" calendars, in fact asking for "étrennes", à traditional holiday season tip. We are always generous. First it's a hard job... and also it doesn't do to be on your garbage man's sh*t list ;-))

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#21

This Snow Puppy My Wife Casually Threw Together

This Snow Puppy My Wife Casually Threw Together

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#22

Batteries With “Bitter Coating” To Prevent Kids From Swallowing Them

Batteries With “Bitter Coating” To Prevent Kids From Swallowing Them

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Raine Soo
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a good idea. Children tend to put almost everything in their mouths.

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#23

My Local Five Guys Is Being Run By Five Girls Tonight

My Local Five Guys Is Being Run By Five Girls Tonight

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wendillon avatar
Monday
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd be disappointed if they didn't great me with "hi there and welcome to five gals" or something.

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#24

This 57-Year Old Telegram My Grandpa Sent My Grandma

This 57-Year Old Telegram My Grandpa Sent My Grandma

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Auntriarch
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a postcard my grandfather sent to my grandmother during the war, it's in morse code. My nephew translated it for me, it said to my amazing sweetheart, love Bob.

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#25

This Puzzle Is Actually A Prank Puzzle

This Puzzle Is Actually A Prank Puzzle

icemage27 Report

#26

A Broken Tube TV In My Work Has "Game Over" Burnt Into The Screen

A Broken Tube TV In My Work Has "Game Over" Burnt Into The Screen

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VonBlade
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's not a TV, it's a monitor from an arcade game. Judging from the placement of the Speed in the top right, I think it's Pole Position. In fact let me quickly load it up. Tada, screenshot as proof. Screen-Sho...9594af.jpg Screen-Shot-03-07-23-at-1230-PM-64072e99594af.jpg

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#27

1956 Truck Looks Brand New

1956 Truck Looks Brand New

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Peppy
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is a thing of beauty and the colour is perfect 😍

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#28

This Pizza Shop Offers Two Types Of Straws, But Questions Your Reasoning

This Pizza Shop Offers Two Types Of Straws, But Questions Your Reasoning

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YourSecretSanta
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What I hate about the paper straw thing is that we were led to believe that we as individuals are the problem, when corporations cause more sea and air pollution than the population combined

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#29

My Takeout Rice Container Was 100% Filled

My Takeout Rice Container Was 100% Filled

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#30

I Bought An Old Math Textbook And It Has The Original Pledge Of Allegiance In The Front Without "Under God"

I Bought An Old Math Textbook And It Has The Original Pledge Of Allegiance In The Front Without "Under God"

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#31

Doll Came With A Tiny Phone That Has A Tiny Broken Screen

Doll Came With A Tiny Phone That Has A Tiny Broken Screen

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#32

The Result Of My Family Putting All Of Our Fruit Stickers On Our Fridge For The Past Several Years

The Result Of My Family Putting All Of Our Fruit Stickers On Our Fridge For The Past Several Years

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Liz
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It looks like that crochet blanket you’d find at your grandmother’s house.

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#34

This Enormous Mountain Of Saffron In A Bazar In Tehran

This Enormous Mountain Of Saffron In A Bazar In Tehran

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Heather Resatz
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Only 3 pistils per crocus for saffron .. I'm sure those fields of flowers are gorgeous! But no wonder they're so expensive

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#35

This Restaurant In Monterrey, Ca Doesn’t Allow Children

This Restaurant In Monterrey, Ca Doesn’t Allow Children

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#36

At My Job We Have 2 Of These Foam Things Hanging, Specifically For People To Poke, So That The Other Ones Don't Get Destroyed And We Don't Have To Throw Them Away

At My Job We Have 2 Of These Foam Things Hanging, Specifically For People To Poke, So That The Other Ones Don't Get Destroyed And We Don't Have To Throw Them Away

Jamie_logan Report

#39

Our Office Received A Pallet Jack On A Pallet Today

Our Office Received A Pallet Jack On A Pallet Today

efjer Report

#40

There's A Desserts-Only Mini Mcdonalds Outside My Hotel

There's A Desserts-Only Mini Mcdonalds Outside My Hotel

umichscoots Report

#41

The Prize Car At This Dying Mall Is An 18 Year Old Corvette

The Prize Car At This Dying Mall Is An 18 Year Old Corvette

EyeLike2Watch Report

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#42

Home Made Cheese Aging In One Of My Refrigerator "Cheese Caves"

Home Made Cheese Aging In One Of My Refrigerator "Cheese Caves"

5ittingduck Report

#43

The Top Of The Boston Skyline Is Just Barely Visible From Cape Cod

The Top Of The Boston Skyline Is Just Barely Visible From Cape Cod

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#44

Waffle House Includes Sales Tax

Waffle House Includes Sales Tax

Jove108 Report

#45

My 1 Euro Coin Fell Apart

My 1 Euro Coin Fell Apart

AddAFucking Report

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Raine Soo
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is it possible that it's a counterfeit coin? Years ago, Canadians were warned of counterfeit toonies (2 dollar coins). The bad quality of the coin was a clue.

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#47

This Building Im In Has Chairs And Desks Mounted On The Wall

This Building Im In Has Chairs And Desks Mounted On The Wall

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#48

Opened A Clif Builder Bar To Find A Piece Taken Out

Opened A Clif Builder Bar To Find A Piece Taken Out

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#49

An Egg I Bought From A Farmer's Market (Bottom) Compared To A Store Bought One

An Egg I Bought From A Farmer's Market (Bottom) Compared To A Store Bought One

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CV Vir
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It depends on the breed, and what they are fed. Not necessarily an indicator of quality.

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#50

This Public Restroom At A Hotel Has Black Toilet Paper

This Public Restroom At A Hotel Has Black Toilet Paper

nothochiminh Report

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Raine Soo
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's chic, but how are you supposed to know if you cleaned up properly?

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Note: this post originally had 130 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.