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If you’ve been missing the ‘good old days’ from your childhood and teen years recently, you shouldn’t feel guilty. We’re right there alongside you, wishing that we had a time machine to go a few decades into the past. We’d be lying if we said that we don’t miss living in simpler times.

The ‘Geriatric Millennial’ social media project skillfully captures the nostalgic feeling of growing up in the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s. We’ve collected the pics and memes that best represent life as a millennial, and you can check them out below for a blast from the past.

More info: Instagram | Facebook | TikTok

#1

Text expressing a desire to keep physical memories like tickets, notes, and photos to cherish and transport millennials back to their childhood.

_geriatric_millennial Report

ginger
Community Member
1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

as someone who is definitely not a millennial, this!! physical things are so much better, especially because I forget to charge my phone all the time

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    #2

    Screenshot of a nostalgic social media post reflecting on how 2006 being 20 years ago challenges millennials’ childhood memories.

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    TotallyNOTAFox
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The 80s are now as far away as the 40s were during the 80s

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    Millennials (hey! How are you?), also known as Generation Y or Gen Y, are people born between 1981 and 1996. However, some researchers categorize anyone born between the 1980s and the early 2000s as a millennial.

    In the United States, they make up more than a fifth (22%) of the entire population and have become the largest generational group in the country.

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    Yes, they’ve even surpassed the number of baby boomers in the US, folks born from 1946 to 1964.

    #4

    Millennials childhood meme referencing reading analog clocks and nostalgic jokes from the past.

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    i got 7UP in my cup
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    a girl in my school has a watch.. I asked what time it is... she says "I dunno I can't read it!"

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    #5

    Purple VTech cordless landline phone nostalgic for millennials, instantly transporting them back to their childhood memories.

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    JayWantsACat
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yup, I still remember the landline number to the house I grew up in. It's hardcoded into my brain.

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    #6

    Text quote about missing when oldies station played parents music with nostalgic millennial childhood memories.

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    Paul C.
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wait until the best music you are likely to hear is in the local Co-op!

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    Investopedia stresses that, as consumers, millennials are a “pivotal economic force with substantial spending power.”

    They tend to be financially cautious and value research and peer reviews before buying things. They also prefer personalized interactions from businesses and brands. But in terms of challenges, members of Gen Y tend to be burdened with student debt and struggle with underemployment.

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    #9

    Text post contrasting excitement for the future in 1996 with wanting to return to childhood in 2026, nostalgic for millennials.

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    BC_Animus
    Community Member
    1 week ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Me in 2026: Get off mah lawn (shakes fist angrily in air).

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    Meanwhile, older generations might see millennials as lazy, spoiled, or selfish.

    “The laziness is perhaps understandable because millennials grew up as digital natives and seem to command technology capable of doing anything they don’t feel like getting up to do. The television remote is too far away? There’s an app for that. Don’t want to deal with a long commute every day? Work remotely half the week. To older generations, it seems like millennials are doing a whole lot of nothing,” Investopedia explains.

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    #12

    Truck carrying large logs on road with caption about Millennials rushing to pass it, evoking childhood nostalgia for millennials.

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    Talis
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They just try to quickly arrive at their final destination...

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    During an earlier interview with Tara Bee, the founder of the awesome ‘Geriatric Millennial’ project, Bored Panda found out all about its roots and dove into the world of nostalgic content.

    Tara opened up that she initially started posting on TikTok, though it took her “quite some time” to build a following there.

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    But that was just the start.

    Later, Tara tried her luck by taking the ‘Geriatric Millennial’ project over to Instagram, where she “immediately saw more success.”

    She wondered whether the secret behind the account’s popularity may have been that Instagram simply has more users in her own age range.

    #13

    Four characters from the movie Grease shown in close-ups, highlighting nostalgia for millennials' childhood memories.

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    Lara Verne
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Fast forward a few decades and teenagers are still portrayed by 35 years olds. But 35 years olds look younger now.

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    #14

    Reddit post reflecting millennial nostalgia and trust in old online communities over modern AI tools.

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    ginger
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    omg, everyone need to go to youraislopbores.me, its so fun- you get to pretend to be an AI or ask people pretending to be an AI questions and it honestly is better than chatgpt

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    #15

    Staircase leading into water, referencing childhood nostalgia and experiences that instantly transport millennials back.

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    Sam Trudeau
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Titanic. Probably the most unrealistic documentary ever lol

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    Tara, the creator of the account, previously explained to Bored Panda that she initially started making content about the ’80s, ’90s, and ’00s as a way to document her memories and “have visual references of my younger years to share with my teenage daughter.”

    She opened up about her love for these decades, too.

    “I love the ’80s/’90s/’00s because, in my personal opinion, that was the best time to grow up. I love that there’s not a ton of evidence of all our shenanigans,” Tara told Bored Panda.

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    #18

    Text about the unique bond millennials have with old VHS movies from their childhood memories in nostalgic posts.

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    detective miller's hat
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In our house it was the movie Krull, recorded off the tv. I have never met anyone else who has seen this movie.

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    She also revealed what her process is like when it comes to posting things online. Tara noted that some things or memories might pop into her head, and she will “just kind of go with that.”

    “I use a mixture of my own belongings/stuff from my parents’ house, things I’ve sourced online, and the occasional submission from followers to make memes and other content,” the founder told us earlier.

    #21

    Text post with humor about millennials using "lol" in sentences, reflecting childhood nostalgia and millennial culture.

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    GenuineJen
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    But how will anyone know I'm saying this in a light-hearted way? Or sarcastically? Lol

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    “It’s actually quite hard to find pictures of certain things because we didn’t take as many pictures back then, so often when I make a post, it’s inspired by something I’ve seen someone selling on Facebook Marketplace or eBay, etc.,” she said.

    “My parents’ house is also a huge time capsule. Often when I visit, they send me home with items from my childhood. My daughter has inherited a lot of my childhood toys, clothes, and decor, so I often draw inspiration from those items as well,” Tara said.

    Meanwhile, she added that if younger generations want to learn more about the culture from the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s, they should start off by talking to anyone older, like their parents, aunts, uncles, teachers, or coworkers.

    She also suggested that younger people can follow pages like hers to get to grips with the culture from decades past. “I love reminiscing and comparing stories with people of all ages. We can all learn from each other.”

    #27

    Scene from movie with kids gathered around a giant ant, evoking millennial childhood memories and nostalgia.

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    Bewitched One
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is this honey I shrunk the kids? It’s been so long since I’ve seen it but I know this seems familiar lol

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    ‘Geriatric Millennial’ continues to be a popular online niche where social media users get their fill of nostalgic content, mainly aimed at millennials.

    On Instagram alone, the project boasts 473k followers. Meanwhile, it also has 290k followers on Facebook, as well as a big online presence on TikTok. 139.7k people follow the account on the video-sharing site, and the account has garnered a jaw-dropping 10.9 million likes on its posts there.

    We’d love to hear your thoughts, dear Pandas! Share your thoughts in the comments at the bottom of this list after you’ve upvoted your favorite pics.

    Be honest, which of these millennial memes genuinely made you miss your childhood and teen years?

    What do you miss the most about the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s? On the flip side, what do you think those decades lacked that we have in the present?

    #32

    Text post about millennials struggling not to post song lyrics as cryptic messages during unprecedented times, referencing nostalgia transport.

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    ginger
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "the words of the prophets are written on the subway walls"

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    #33

    Text image describing millennials as a nostalgic generation homesick for a time with flip phones, burned CDs, local shows, and real connections.

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    Fire Singer
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I remember spending basically every weekend hanging out with friends, my nieces and nephews seem to never hang out with friends. Are they anti social or is hanging with friends just not done anymore?

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    #36

    Cast of Cheers with ages labeled, highlighting nostalgia that might instantly transport millennials back to their childhood.

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    BC_Animus
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's depressing when you find yourself thinking "they looked so old" and then looking at yourself in the mirror and realising you're thinking the same thing.

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    #38

    Vintage bunny dolls in handmade dresses, evoking nostalgia and childhood memories for millennials.

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    PrettyJoyBird
    Community Member
    1 week ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Still have mine lol lol lol. Was the millennial now the Auntie. Full circle.

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    #42

    Old red Nokia phone screen showing a received text message, evoking nostalgia for millennial childhood memories.

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    JuJu
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And sometimes you had to delete an old one to be able to open the new one

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    #43

    Fried egg image with text referencing childhood nostalgia and millennial memories from the 1980s era.

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    PrettyJoyBird
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Your brain on d***s commericals by celebrities during TGIF shows on ABC

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    #49

    Floral daybed with white metal frame and plush toys, evoking millennial childhood nostalgia from the mid-nineties.

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    Fire Singer
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My sister and I shared a room, so having the trundle bed under the day bed really was a game changer for us. Except when my dad would hide under the bed after we got the trundle ready and scared the snot out of us!!

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    #52

    Pink iPod, digital camera, and flip phone representing millennial childhood nostalgia and retro tech gadgets.

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    tom (bat/man)
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    loved my razor..in fact two out of 3 didnt have the apple thingy

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    #54

    Denim dresses with 90s school-themed patches evoking nostalgia in millennials from their childhood memories.

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    M O'Connell
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In high school, one of my friends talked about really wanting to go to college to become a teacher, but she was apprehensive about it because she didn't like denim dresses.

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    #57

    Black platform slide sandals representing nostalgic fashion trends that might instantly transport millennials back to their childhood.

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    Debby Keir
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    But they're still selling the exact same ones at Primani.

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    #59

    Text on a white background referencing time change and nostalgia for the 90s and 2000s childhood for millennials.

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    WindySwede
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Best time is summertime! 4 days until the time changes! Better with longer evenings!

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    #61

    Humorous meme featuring a vintage purple car and nostalgic text about financing a car, evoking millennial childhood memories.

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    Lottie
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is my car but mines red. No payments tho 🤷🏻‍♀️

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    #62

    Colorful polar fleece hats from the 90s popular among millennials evoking childhood memories and nostalgic fashion trends.

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    Debby Keir
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    TIL they're not in fashion any more - what should I do with them now?

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    #69

    Tweet about watching Cold War-era claymation Christmas specials, featuring vintage stop-motion characters nostalgic for millennials.

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    Lost Panda
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Even in another country, I still do this. Just search them up and plop down to watch them like I'm still 8 XD

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    #70

    Millennials childhood nostalgia with Ronald McDonald shoe rack at a play area reminding kids to leave shoes behind.

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    Floof
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Where can I get one to put by my front door? Our shoe rack is always full!

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    #71

    Millennials enjoying nostalgic cartoon scene with pizza, evoking childhood memories from the 1990s era.

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    Beak Hookage
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've finally found it. A new pizza and pasta joint opened in town near me and IT HAS THIS EXACT PIZZA. Complete with the super stretchy cheese. Mmm, maybe I'll go there for dinner tonight... 🤤🍕

    #76

    Collage of nostalgic TV shows, childhood games, and classic video games that instantly transport millennials back to their childhood.

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    Deta Rossiter
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Rescu 911. the episode where the child ran through the plate glass sliding door is still hauting me

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    #77

    Collection of vintage children's dresses with floral patterns and puffed sleeves, evoking millennial childhood memories.

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    SPV
    Community Member
    1 week ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh how I fought my mom to wear the strawberry embroidered dress with puff sleeves and lace trimmed collar on random regular days. Once I got up early, dressed all by myself in The Dress and the coolest white socks with ruffle and embroidered cherries and went to the garden to play in dirt. My mom was thrilled to find me and the aforementioned attire soaked in mud.

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    #80

    Bus seats with distinctive patterned carpet upholstery, evoking nostalgia for millennials' childhood memories.

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    tom (bat/man)
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    well, do I have a story for you, Africa 1998, similar bus. windows blown out, mum at front of bus holds kid to pee out the window, sprays back onto the passengers in the back seats.

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    #83

    Cartoon character adjusting sunglasses with caption referencing the nostalgic millennial childhood phrase scrub fly.

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    Helena
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Always talkin bout what he wants and then just sits on his broke axx. So no I

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    #86

    90s mini backpack with leather flap and ethnic pattern, a nostalgic childhood item for millennials.

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    Lost Panda
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That just made me remember that song "Little Black Backpack" XD not sure if that's the actual name, or who even sung it but

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    #87

    Colorful retro balloon hair clips worn on brown hair, nostalgic childhood accessory for millennials shown in new pics.

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    Fire Singer
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh the shoelace barrettes, the neon shoelace barrettes. I hated them, but miss them now!

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    #88

    Collage of nostalgic childhood toys and gadgets popular with millennials, evoking instant childhood memories.

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    Auntriarch
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I loved the upside down able sand pictures

    #91

    Vintage What To Expect When You’re Expecting book cover, evoking nostalgia in millennials’ childhood memories

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    Sam Trudeau
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No more book, now people use Google and anti-vaxxers on Facebook

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    #95

    Pink Talkback Dear Diary electronic organizer toy from the 90s, popular millennial childhood nostalgia item with voice record feature.

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    JuJu
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Paper and ink. Dear diary, today is my birthday and guess what? You are one of my presents!

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    #96

    Feet wearing black platform flip-flops, referencing millennial childhood fashion nostalgia and retro trends.

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    Kay C
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The ankle rollers. I lived them, my ankles didn't not feel the the same

    #99

    Vintage Royal Dansk cookie tin repurposed as a makeup palette with eyeshadows and a tomato-shaped brush, nostalgic millennial item.

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    GenuineJen
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wait... this is neither sewing kit nor cookies. I'm so confused.

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