ADVERTISEMENT

With everything that's going around the internet, we have become hard to surprise. WTF stock photos, ridiculous real estate listings, and other similar gems have desensitized our 'Whoah!' sensors. But one online community consistently amazes even those who think they've seen it all. Of course, I'm talking about r/MildlyInteresting.

As we have shown you in our earlier publications here, here, and here, the members of this subreddit always seem to find the stuff that lifts your eyebrows. Either by showing off their own or reposting someone else's pictures, these folks know how to entertain. So continue scrolling and check out what they've got in store for us today.

#2

My Oven Shows The Time That You Started Cooking Incase You Didn’t Set A Timer

My Oven Shows The Time That You Started Cooking Incase You Didn’t Set A Timer

Fearless-Professor33 Report

For one of our earlier publications on r/MildlyInteresting, its moderator RedSquaree, 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.

It's hard to pinpoint what makes something 'mildly interesting' but as my colleague Innes highlight, there’s a certain theme running throughout the images: they depict things that go against the grain of what we consider as “normal” in everyday life. Or, they capture some bizarre coincidence that we would never have expected.

#3

My Cat Has One Eye And This Is How She Peeks Around Corners

My Cat Has One Eye And This Is How She Peeks Around Corners

TigerSpec Report

#4

My Public Library Tells You How Much Money You’ve Saved By Checking Things Out Instead Of Buying Them

My Public Library Tells You How Much Money You’ve Saved By Checking Things Out Instead Of Buying Them

banoctopus Report

Add photo comments
POST
samlomb avatar
Samantha Lomb
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Its a nice way to remind people of the important role libraries play in the community because many middle class people see no reason for their existence as they can buy books, use the internet or netflix.

n_castro101 avatar
Olive
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I work in a library and I love seeing the support in the wild. Thanks!

Load More Replies...
the_true_opifex avatar
Katie Lutesinger
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And don't worry, you're not depriving authors of income (or not in Australia, anyway) - the government compensates us with what's known as Public Lending Rights payments once a year. :)

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

At our library, residents pay 35 dollars in taxes every year (Non-residents pay 35 out of pocket). Books cost on average between 20~30, so if you borrow two books, you've already made your money back. Libraries are an incredible institution for helping the little guy and bringing the community together. There is a quote that goes something along the lines "I'm glad that libraries already exhist, because if someone tried to create them now they would be called socialist, and how dare they give books away for free."

ax2usn avatar
Bobby
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nice! Library apps saved my sanity during the initial lockdowns. Read 200 books the first couple weeks. Libby is still my go-to app for reading. [Hat tip to Mom for teaching me to read before I could even run. It's the best gift ever.]

ajburke424 avatar
Jamma
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Libby is a great app/resource. Just a heads-up that publishers are price-gouging libraries on e-books and States are starting to file legislation to prevent that (MD and NY did already, although NY's clueless governor then vetoed it!). If you hear that your State is considering such a bill, please call in your support!

Load More Replies...
eveliinalehti avatar
Eevi
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's awesome but am I the only one who is dying inside because the last letter of "librar y" goes to the next line.

dodemeister1 avatar
Dodie Rippentrop
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would have a cot installed in the basement off my hometown library if I could. It is one of my favorite places in the whole world.

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

"Without libraries what have we? We have no past and no future".-Ray Bradbury

caywoodmelissa avatar
Great Panda Mamu
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My husband and I realized very early in our marriage that we would go broke if we didn't make copious use of the library. And we still have way too many books. I'm curious now as to how much we would have spent.

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

Libraries are a forgotten treasure, i remember pouring over books back in 2006 even when working my thesis. Now my sons tell me to Google anything they need info about 😑

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

Mine (in Maryland) does the same thing. Now they are automatically renewing the books I have at home as long as there are no requests for them

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

I love libraries!!! From the first visit ever. Such a beautiful concept. I support my local library by buying and donating books.

rhodabike6 avatar
Seabeast
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A lot of public libraries do this - I get the same thing on my checkout receipts.

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

This is cool but you don't really save the money since you won't own it

doreenrobinsonburkey avatar
Doreen Robinson Burkey
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cool! You'd think they'd find someone who knew how to type and/or properly hyphenate words, though.

arshadhussainkhan77 avatar
Bobby
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But the only people came to library are those who know its actual value.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#5

The Roof Of This Small Chapel Collapsed, And Instead Of Rebuilding It Normally They Made It Out Of Glass

The Roof Of This Small Chapel Collapsed, And Instead Of Rebuilding It Normally They Made It Out Of Glass

Morpherman Report

But RedSquaree, who has been looking over the subreddit for some time, thinks the main ingredient of the formula is ambiguity. 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".

ADVERTISEMENT

However, this can also make it difficult to moderate the content. As RedSquaree 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.'"

#6

These Statues In Front Of A Finnish Train Station Are Vaccinated

These Statues In Front Of A Finnish Train Station Are Vaccinated

MonsieurWhiteToad Report

#7

There Is A Sharing Point For Walking Sticks At The Beginning Of My Favourite Hiking Path

There Is A Sharing Point For Walking Sticks At The Beginning Of My Favourite Hiking Path

nils4i20 Report

#8

This Welcoming Sculpture At A Truck Stop Tire Store In Co

This Welcoming Sculpture At A Truck Stop Tire Store In Co

weedmunkeee Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#9

Snake Looking Through My Glass Door

Snake Looking Through My Glass Door

jaxpaboo Report

Researchers understand human curiosity as being linked to learning and information seeking. In terms of evolution, it makes sense for people to be curious about the world around them.

Professor Celeste Kidd studies curiosity and learning at the University of California, Berkeley where she runs the Kidd Lab. “Curiosity is the driving force behind everything we know,” she said.

Celeste’s research suggests we’re most curious when we feel uncertain about something. This could explain the popularity of r/MildlyInteresting!

ADVERTISEMENT
#10

A Cheese Vending Machine In A Mountain Village In Switzerland

A Cheese Vending Machine In A Mountain Village In Switzerland

SuspiciousLizardo Report

#11

Table I Made Out Of Old Skateboards In My Clients House

Table I Made Out Of Old Skateboards In My Clients House

BiloWaegons Report

#12

My Bachelor's Degree Is Signed By Arnold Schwarzenegger

My Bachelor's Degree Is Signed By Arnold Schwarzenegger

Herp_McDerp Report

#13

I’m The Only Apartment With The Holiday Spirit

I’m The Only Apartment With The Holiday Spirit

Benicio_Del_Tacos Report

"Uncertainty indicates that there’s valuable knowledge available," she highlighted. "By contrast, certainty indicates you know everything there is to know so there's no point in continuing to be curious because there’s nothing further to be gleaned."

This is sensible, she explains, because it guides us towards what is most useful for us to learn.

In uncertain times, curiosity can help us to focus on the most pressing issues. This could explain the growing interest humans show in fields like sustainability, the circular economy, and ethical data use.

#14

My Grandma's Collection Of 544 Different Cookie Cutters That She Has Been Expanding For 50+ Years

My Grandma's Collection Of 544 Different Cookie Cutters That She Has Been Expanding For 50+ Years

astonishedplant Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#16

The Gas Station Near Me Has The Price Of Coffee Also Listed

The Gas Station Near Me Has The Price Of Coffee Also Listed

businessbee89 Report

#17

Someone Put A Bob Ross Toaster In Our Breakroom, And It Burns An Image Of Bob Ross Onto The Toast

Someone Put A Bob Ross Toaster In Our Breakroom, And It Burns An Image Of Bob Ross Onto The Toast

DictatorTot23 Report

#18

This Painting In A Waiting Room Is The Same Print As My Phone Case

This Painting In A Waiting Room Is The Same Print As My Phone Case

YetiPie Report

Add photo comments
POST
blasphemousriots avatar
Rick
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m so dumb, I was like “but why is there a massive see-through part where the camera lens normally is” 🤦🏽‍♂️

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#19

My Orange Had Segments In Two Shades Of… Orange

My Orange Had Segments In Two Shades Of… Orange

soandsoyaknow Report

#21

I Recorded The Quality Of Each Of My Days During 2021

I Recorded The Quality Of Each Of My Days During 2021

pink_snoo Report

#22

Garlic…but Each One Is A Single Clove

Garlic…but Each One Is A Single Clove

hertoyleesh Report

#23

The Hotel I'm Staying At Has A Tiny Door That Says "John Malkovich"

The Hotel I'm Staying At Has A Tiny Door That Says "John Malkovich"

Kobbero Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#26

Flew On A New Delta Plane, And They Put A Window In The Lavatory

Flew On A New Delta Plane, And They Put A Window In The Lavatory

MaximumEngineering8 Report

#27

My Aunt Has This Birthday Calendar, Names On Disks Using Hooks

My Aunt Has This Birthday Calendar, Names On Disks Using Hooks

Pantelima Report

#28

The Penguin Classics Version Of '1984' By George Orwell Has Its Title And Author Censored

The Penguin Classics Version Of '1984' By George Orwell Has Its Title And Author Censored

ItsFlamingYeti_ Report

#29

I Haul The Windmill Blades For Electric Wind Turbines

I Haul The Windmill Blades For Electric Wind Turbines

FinzClortho Report

#30

Found A Check From 1879 For $105 In My Dresser That I Inherited From My Grandfather

Found A Check From 1879 For $105 In My Dresser That I Inherited From My Grandfather

Spaloonbabagoon Report

Add photo comments
POST
keith-johnson avatar
KJ
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Got to be doing well to be able to misplace a cheque like that back then.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#32

This Burger Puzzle Has A Piece Shaped Like The Whole Puzzle

This Burger Puzzle Has A Piece Shaped Like The Whole Puzzle

zephyrjg Report

#33

This Dish That I Ordered That Kinda Looks Like Homer Simpson!

This Dish That I Ordered That Kinda Looks Like Homer Simpson!

dwo0D Report

#34

This 100-Year-Old Perfume Bottle That Glows Under Blacklight

This 100-Year-Old Perfume Bottle That Glows Under Blacklight

SleepingWillows Report

#35

Emergency Room Guide Listing The Order Of People Who See The Doctor

Emergency Room Guide Listing The Order Of People Who See The Doctor

Toxic_venom2221 Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#38

My Dad Found A Face As The Pocket Of His Pepperoni Pizza Pants

My Dad Found A Face As The Pocket Of His Pepperoni Pizza Pants

cosmosclover Report

#39

The Pumpkin Pie I Bought Contains "Finger"

The Pumpkin Pie I Bought Contains "Finger"

MarieCakeAntoinette Report

Add photo comments
POST
samanthamelnychuk avatar
Samantha Melnychuk
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At least it was declared? I hate it when I bite into a chunk of finger that wasn't on the ingredients list...

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#41

My Eco Friendly Packaged Toothpicks Are Individually Wrapped In Plastic

My Eco Friendly Packaged Toothpicks Are Individually Wrapped In Plastic

Wind-wheel Report

#42

My 10 Trillion Dollar Zimbabwe Bank Note I Use As A Book Mark

My 10 Trillion Dollar Zimbabwe Bank Note I Use As A Book Mark

Krazykid678 Report

#43

My Dads Salt And Pepper Shaker Collection

My Dads Salt And Pepper Shaker Collection

tobm2509 Report

#44

I Bought A $14k Staircase Today And It Came With A Little Example Model

I Bought A $14k Staircase Today And It Came With A Little Example Model

ibemuffdivin Report

#45

This Bath Bomb Is Labia Safe

This Bath Bomb Is Labia Safe

Bassline05 Report

Add photo comments
POST
justathought avatar
Joonscrab
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I never used any bath bombs until now for this reason.......... To all the people who don't understand, what this means is that unlike normal Bath bombs that might (do) contain chemicals that are harmful for a sensitive organ like the labia, this is safer and won't cause discomfort, dryness etc etc.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
See Also on Bored Panda
#46

My Dad Burnt A Pancake So Bad It Camouflages With The Black Pan

My Dad Burnt A Pancake So Bad It Camouflages With The Black Pan

sms42069 Report

#47

Drove By A Helicopter Wrapped In Plastic This Morning

Drove By A Helicopter Wrapped In Plastic This Morning

cantread4content007 Report

Add photo comments
POST
samanthamelnychuk avatar
Samantha Melnychuk
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How do you know it's a helicopter? Maybe it's actually a smart car in disguise under there.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#48

The Nicu At The Hospital Had Masks With Mouth Windows So The Baby Can See Your Expressions

The Nicu At The Hospital Had Masks With Mouth Windows So The Baby Can See Your Expressions

JohnIsaName Report

#50

I Saw Mark Zuckerberg And His Wife, Pricilla Chan, At Mcdonald’s

I Saw Mark Zuckerberg And His Wife, Pricilla Chan, At Mcdonald’s

Fruit_snacks_addict Report

Note: this post originally had 112 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.