I’ll be completely upfront with you Pandas—one of my favorite parts about living on Planet Earth and being a human being (instead of, for example, a chill banana tree or a rat who can cook French cuisine) is the vast amount of new, creative, and interesting things I get to learn about each and every day. Life’s full of magic, even if it’s not as flashy and obvious as in the Harry Potter books and movies. And one of the cozy nooks on the internet that shows us just how neat the world can be is the ‘Mildly Interesting’ subreddit.

Rapidly closing in on the 19-million-member mark like a marathon runner in sight of the finish line, r/MildlyInteresting is a completely community-driven online group where people post photos of the things that interest them. Mildly, of course. And despite the name of the group, plenty of these photos are actually vastly and deeply interesting.

Redditor RedSquaree, who has been moderating submissions for r/mildlyinteresting for almost a decade now, went into detail with Bored Panda about how the type of content posted changes with the seasons and how much the subreddit has influenced people in real life. You'll find what they have to say below, so be sure to read on, dear Pandas.

While you’re checking out some of r/mildlyinteresting’s newest photos and upvoting the ones that made you smile, I’ll just quickly remind you that we’ve got some more of their amazing pics in Bored Panda’s earlier articles about the community here, here, and here. Happy scrolling!

#1

I Like To Make Little Drawings Of People That I See

I Like To Make Little Drawings Of People That I See

the_sneaky_artist Report

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    #2

    This Crack In The Pavement Filled With A Stained Glass Cat Portrait

    This Crack In The Pavement Filled With A Stained Glass Cat Portrait

    sanelib Report

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

    Mosaic, I think. Not stained glass. A ceramic mosaic would be a lot more durable and make more sense. It looks nice though!

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    #3

    These Chairs Made From Old Fire Hoses, In Front Of A Fire Station

    These Chairs Made From Old Fire Hoses, In Front Of A Fire Station

    i_heart_carrot Report

    "Yes, the seasons affect the type of content we get," moderator RedSquaree told me when I enquired about this.

    "This leads to content which is extremely common, particularly during the winter. Take frost on cars, for example. We get this kind of photo daily during winter months, and often we mark with an 'Overdone' flair because the people who hang about /r/mildlyinteresting will see these time and time again (whereas more casual readers probably still enjoy seeing them). Another common one is the pattern of ice or frost on the wheel, seen here," the mod gave Bored Panda a couple of examples of how the particular season, in this case, winter, affects what redditors are more likely to post.

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    Of course, holidays like Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving also influence what people tend to focus on. "We see posts about eggs, gifts, people receiving the same card from multiple people... and I'd bet, in the latter example, at least one person has lied about this and purchased two cards of the same type and posted a photo just for karma! Stranger things have happened," RedSquaree said.

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    #4

    My Rhododendron Looks Like It's Trying To Run Off

    My Rhododendron Looks Like It's Trying To Run Off

    phigene Report

    #5

    Many Vegetables In The U.k. Have The Name Of The Farmer Who Grew Them On The Packaging

    Many Vegetables In The U.k. Have The Name Of The Farmer Who Grew Them On The Packaging

    lockdownhype Report

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

    Everyone should do this. It gives credit to the people who deserve it.

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    #6

    Saw This Logo For A Pet Grooming Service On My Drive Home

    Saw This Logo For A Pet Grooming Service On My Drive Home

    EmiDoodlers Report

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    The moderator shared that one thing that they find interesting is that some people actually think about the subreddit when they spot something interesting and go to take out their phones to take a photo. That just goes to show how much influence the 'Mildly Interesting' community has on the collective psyche.

    "Being an original content-only subreddit—and quite a niche one at that—causes those chain of events which I find fascinating. If our (not-so, these days) wee subreddit changes someone's behavior in real life—to find something nice where others might let it pass them by without a second thought—that's a great thing. Maybe the sub does inspire some people to appreciate the smaller things in life."

    #7

    My Blinds Reflection Looks Like Lunar Phases On My Wall

    My Blinds Reflection Looks Like Lunar Phases On My Wall

    spaniard702 Report

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    #8

    I Ordered Some Sample Colors For New Blinds, And They Sent Me Actual Tiny Little Blinds

    I Ordered Some Sample Colors For New Blinds, And They Sent Me Actual Tiny Little Blinds

    vilebubbles Report

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    #9

    We Use Hulk Hands To Move Cacti At My Work

    We Use Hulk Hands To Move Cacti At My Work

    catnip4sale Report

    According to the moderator, if we want to keep our sense of curiosity burning bright as we grow older, we ought to expose ourselves "to more novelty and ambiguity" in our day-to-day lives. Seeing or experiencing something fresh and unexpected brings you out of your routine and provides you with a different perspective in life. Hopefully, one that inspires you to dig deeper and learn something new.

    "Much of our content is novel and/or ambiguous. Go about your day tomorrow and think, 'If I were to submit a photograph to /r/mildlyinteresting, what would it be?' Be on the lookout for things that are just novel and ambiguous enough to arouse only mild interest. Snap."

    #10

    Coffee Stain That Looks Like Earth

    Coffee Stain That Looks Like Earth

    its_hard_to_explain Report

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    #11

    I Found A Pidgeon With One Feather Sticking Out Of It's Head

    I Found A Pidgeon With One Feather Sticking Out Of It's Head

    Volmarras Report

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    #12

    A Vibrant And Clear Spectrum Of Colors Refracting Through My Apparently Prismatic Window Onto My Arm

    A Vibrant And Clear Spectrum Of Colors Refracting Through My Apparently Prismatic Window Onto My Arm

    SubZro432 Report

    For our last article about the ‘Mildly Interesting’ community’s enrapturing photos about life from different perspectives, I had a chat with redditor Cowbeller1, one of the group’s moderators, helping maintain the standards and the quality of the content. Luck, according to the moderator, is an important part of getting attention online.

    #13

    My Girlfriend Bought Some Particular Measuring Spoons

    My Girlfriend Bought Some Particular Measuring Spoons

    Chicken_Wing Report

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    #14

    There Is A Free “Period Pack” At My School For Girls Who Are Unprepared For Their Periods

    There Is A Free “Period Pack” At My School For Girls Who Are Unprepared For Their Periods

    thicc-nibba420 Report

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    leia's emotional cupcake
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think every school should have this, especially for girls who don't know or are shy.

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    #15

    This Shopping Cart Has A Magnifying Glass Attached To It

    This Shopping Cart Has A Magnifying Glass Attached To It

    YamhillScrub Report

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    Laura Mende (Human)
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Rossmann is a German drug store chain, so this cart is designed for old people needing health stuff. But other stores have these too, but not that big... 😂

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    The moderator divulged that we can’t always predict what posts will become very popular on the subreddit. “A lot of it has to do with luck. Maybe you come across something interesting in your day-to-day life and remember to take a picture, maybe you're just lucky enough that something is interesting to the community. No real rhyme or reason aside from that," the moderator said that it’s not an exact science.

    Which, in a way, is actually inspirational and chill: that means that you can focus on sharing pictures of what you love and what you find interesting instead of vying for karma on Reddit.

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    #16

    This LEGO Set Has Loose Change In The Couch

    This LEGO Set Has Loose Change In The Couch

    burstaneurysm Report

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    Laura Mende (Human)
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    These details nowadays ...! My mom had one of the first Lego sets (she was born in 1959) there were only red and white bricks, later very primitive windows were added to her Legos.

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    #17

    Found Band-Aids For Different Skin Tones At Target

    Found Band-Aids For Different Skin Tones At Target

    Frings_Chicken_House Report

    #18

    Calf In The Checkout Line

    Calf In The Checkout Line

    rasta4eye Report

    The subreddit’s moderators value stability and original content above all else. “We will just continue doing the same thing. We've found that being boringly consistent is the best way to remain fair to the community. There haven't been any major changes in a while," moderator Cowbeller1 told Bored Panda earlier.

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    #19

    My City Has Public Defibrillation Stations And The Sign For It Looks Like A Video Game Health Bar

    My City Has Public Defibrillation Stations And The Sign For It Looks Like A Video Game Health Bar

    Phyierpickle Report

    #20

    Septic Truck I Got Stuck Behind The Other Day

    Septic Truck I Got Stuck Behind The Other Day

    anoki87 Report

    #21

    The Apartment That I Just Moved Into, Has A Picture Of A Pig Jumping Off A Dock

    The Apartment That I Just Moved Into, Has A Picture Of A Pig Jumping Off A Dock

    The____Wizrd Report

    #22

    My Phone Took This Photo When It Fell On My Face

    My Phone Took This Photo When It Fell On My Face

    SmolMagicBoi Report

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    #23

    Got Vaccinated And Just Realized They Gave My Fox An Eyepatch

    Got Vaccinated And Just Realized They Gave My Fox An Eyepatch

    Kehbechet Report

    #24

    I Have A One Third Of A Dollar Bill From February 17th, 1776, Making It A Couple Months Older Than The USA

    I Have A One Third Of A Dollar Bill From February 17th, 1776, Making It A Couple Months Older Than The USA

    that-weird-writer Report

    #25

    My Great Grandfather’s Oscar Nomination From 1944

    My Great Grandfather’s Oscar Nomination From 1944

    TheIndigoCrafter Report

    #26

    These Two UK Phone Booths Have Been Repurposed

    These Two UK Phone Booths Have Been Repurposed

    axnu Report

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

    Most of the red phone boxes in the UK have already been repurposed, from everything to mini library's to restaurants. The remaining one are available to purchase and are half price if you take them away.

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    #27

    Dobby’s Fan-Made Grave In The Precise Location Of The Film!

    Dobby’s Fan-Made Grave In The Precise Location Of The Film!

    my-bug-world Report

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

    😭😭😭😭 Dobby has been given a sock, DOBBY IS FREE!!!!!

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    #28

    The Air Vents On A Subway In Stockholm Have A Hidden Pacman Easter Egg

    The Air Vents On A Subway In Stockholm Have A Hidden Pacman Easter Egg

    Oluge2009 Report

    #29

    This Is Me Wearing My Great Grandmothers Traditional Finnish Dress From 1936

    This Is Me Wearing My Great Grandmothers Traditional Finnish Dress From 1936

    real_life_martian Report

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    #31

    Found This Aarowhead While Digging A Hole In My Backyard

    Found This Aarowhead While Digging A Hole In My Backyard

    Jonahw8 Report

    #32

    The Note I Found In This Second Hand Book

    The Note I Found In This Second Hand Book

    holdmeturin Report

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

    When you're finished, add your own note: [John Doe] bought this book from [secondhand books] X.X.21. [Opinion/review/insight] Resolved to donate it X.Y.21. Pass it on.

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    #33

    I Found The Elusive Skin Colour Crayon Box At Michael's Today

    I Found The Elusive Skin Colour Crayon Box At Michael's Today

    BustedFutaBalls Report

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    POST
    Heike
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We, the people of Avatar are very upset! Our Smurf brothers and sisters won't take it!

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    #34

    I Ordered A 119 Year-Old Book Online And Quite A Few Pages Are Uncut- Meaning No One Ever Read It

    I Ordered A 119 Year-Old Book Online And Quite A Few Pages Are Uncut- Meaning No One Ever Read It

    Not_Bekki Report

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

    Been there! Love it, you feel so special reading such an old book for the first time

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    #35

    There's A Cute Little Excavator Graphic On The Window Of This Excavator

    There's A Cute Little Excavator Graphic On The Window Of This Excavator

    NotGettingInvolved Report

    #36

    The Tiles Around Our Apartment Complex Is Made Up Like The Enemies In Space Invaders

    The Tiles Around Our Apartment Complex Is Made Up Like The Enemies In Space Invaders

    HandsomeCO2 Report

    #37

    My Son Was Born With A Black Spot Of Hair In His Blonde Hair. It Grows In Black, And There Is No Birth Mark Or Discoloration Under It

    My Son Was Born With A Black Spot Of Hair In His Blonde Hair. It Grows In Black, And There Is No Birth Mark Or Discoloration Under It

    maceparks Report

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

    My hair is black, but I remember I used to have one peculiar red hair years ago. But it seems to be gone now.

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    #38

    This Hair That Got Caught In A Zipper

    This Hair That Got Caught In A Zipper

    bubzies Report

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    #39

    There Is A Live Crayfish Defending The Rice Aisle In My Local Asian Market

    There Is A Live Crayfish Defending The Rice Aisle In My Local Asian Market

    SucksToYourAssmar3 Report

    #40

    The Sun On My Window Made A Rainbow That’s Split In Half By My Chair Leg

    The Sun On My Window Made A Rainbow That’s Split In Half By My Chair Leg

    RichardMcLuvin Report

    #41

    This Random Swing In The Middle Of A Field

    This Random Swing In The Middle Of A Field

    Aukrust Report

    #42

    Got A Deep Space Telescope For My 38th Birthday. Me For Size!

    Got A Deep Space Telescope For My 38th Birthday. Me For Size!

    MadameKittyRae Report

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    #43

    The Font Size On My Contact Packaging Increased With My Prescription

    The Font Size On My Contact Packaging Increased With My Prescription

    lrishhhhhhhh Report

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

    Hmm it's a negative prescription meaning that the large the absolute number, the easier it is to read for a short sighted person

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    #44

    3D Printed My Skull From A Ct Scan Of My Sinuses (Hence It's Got No Top, No Data). Makes For The Perfect Headphone Holder

    3D Printed My Skull From A Ct Scan Of My Sinuses (Hence It's Got No Top, No Data). Makes For The Perfect Headphone Holder

    deelan1990 Report

    #45

    Our Electrician Left All Of The Screws In A Vertical Position In Our New Kitchen

    Our Electrician Left All Of The Screws In A Vertical Position In Our New Kitchen

    wobwobwob42 Report

    #46

    The Sand In Tahoe Is Magnetic And Stuck To My Phone

    The Sand In Tahoe Is Magnetic And Stuck To My Phone

    bopete1313 Report

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    #47

    Bought Bathroom Scales And My Weight Is Exactly The Same As On The Box

    Bought Bathroom Scales And My Weight Is Exactly The Same As On The Box

    RobYoun Report

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

    Plot twist: number on the picture is the maximum load it can weigh. :p

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    #49

    One Of The Eggs I Bought Was All Wrinkly

    One Of The Eggs I Bought Was All Wrinkly

    bake-lite Report

    #50

    My Cola Exploaded Inside The Freezer

    My Cola Exploaded Inside The Freezer

    ReformedShady Report

    Note: this post originally had 115 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.

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