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If you hear someone say, "I'm not scared of that," or, "I didn't want that promotion anyway," it doesn't necessarily mean they're mentally strong. In fact, there's a good chance it's just a facade.

To illustrate this, let's look at the subreddit which we at Bored Panda call "I Am Very Bad". From gun nuts to overly-protective boyfriends, this online community has plenty of examples to prove that overcompensation can be very, very obvious.

Here are the posts that got the most upvotes from the sub's 1.2 million members.

To learn more about "I Am Very Bad" we contacted its moderators and one of them, u/ergoegthatis, agreed to have a little chat.

"Some of the most popular ['tough' people on the subreddit are the ones who see] injustice in the news (e.g. someone being insulted or bear up), and say, 'If that happened to me I'd so and so and so and so!' With everyone on social media having a platform to air any opinion they have, this is incredibly common," u/ergoegthatis told Bored Panda.

"Also in the US, there are many intense political/social statements related to politics and guns. For some reason, Americans are religiously addicted to expressing their opinions on everything, in every possible way (including car decals)."

#2

And Murdered By Words Of Another Vet

And Murdered By Words Of Another Vet

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

Ah yes, the 'us' and 'them' mentality. Also the result of brainwashing. If someone cuts in line, say something. You don't immediately have to resort to violence like a little coward who can't communicate his feelings like a normal adult. (edited the bad word to coward)

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#3

Vaping In Front Of A Water Service Vehicle Thinking It's A Cop Car

Vaping In Front Of A Water Service Vehicle Thinking It's A Cop Car

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Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Even though it's not a cop car, why would it matter if he was vaping in front of one. Is it coz he is possibly under-age or something?

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According to the moderator, the subreddit's 'characters' usually overcompensate due to their fear of a scary, unpredictable, and hostile world.

"It depends on society too: we rarely see these ... expressions coming from Europe, the Arab world, Southern and Central America, Russia, China, Japan, etc. America is witnessing social, political, and economic implosions, so this seems to be a way for them to cope with that," they added.

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The subreddit's community, on the other hand, is way more diverse. "It's heterogeneous, [and has] got all sorts of people," u/ergoegthatis said. "I don't think there's any common factor in our userbase, except the desire to have fun and laugh at people who take their purported [toughness] to comical levels in public."

#4

A Birthday Well Wish Escalates To ”there Will Be Consequences”

A Birthday Well Wish Escalates To ”there Will Be Consequences”

easycoasterr Report

#5

Even My Local Police Department Had To Call Out This Guy's Bulls**t

Even My Local Police Department Had To Call Out This Guy's Bulls**t

reddit.com Report

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

I'm wondering in this scenario, what's the motivation of criminal nr 1000 to go test the door, when there's already a stack of 999 corpses festering in the spring sunshine?

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While acting tough may meet a person's needs in the short term by artificially boosting their ego or by getting others to back off, it's not a good long-term strategy. In fact, one study conducted by psychologists at Rutgers University found that guys who act tough may suffer serious consequences.

The paper, published in The Journal of Health Psychology, found that these men visit doctors less often. They're also less forthcoming about their medical symptoms when they see a male physician (interestingly, these same men were more likely to choose a male doctor because they believe male doctors are more competent than females).

#6

My Friend And His Wife Are Going Through A Mutual Divorce, Her New Boyfriend Is Wasting No Time Asserting Dominance

My Friend And His Wife Are Going Through A Mutual Divorce, Her New Boyfriend Is Wasting No Time Asserting Dominance

KaleBrecht Report

#7

If You Have To Advertise It, It’s Probably Not True

If You Have To Advertise It, It’s Probably Not True

ReformedCanine Report

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

Doesn't "Alpha" mean a version that's full of bugs and not in a condition to be released to the public?

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#8

She Always Told Me He Was Jealous But Dang

She Always Told Me He Was Jealous But Dang

TnTMassacre Report

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Researchers suspect that delaying medical appointments and minimizing symptoms could be one of the reasons why men in the US die, on average, five years earlier than women.

If you want to see whether or not you have a tendency to act this way, this article by Inc. provides a 7-point checklist that could help in evaluating yourself.

If you're also putting up a fake exterior that helps you feel superior, consider the toll it may take on your life. Instead, try to invest in building mental strength, so the way you feel on the inside matches how others see you on the outside. As your mental strength increases, your need to act tough decreases.

#9

Comment On A Post About An Old Couple Having To Slowly Put Back Potatoes One At A Time At A Grocery Store Until The Price Was Low Enough Because They Are Poor

Comment On A Post About An Old Couple Having To Slowly Put Back Potatoes One At A Time At A Grocery Store Until The Price Was Low Enough Because They Are Poor

CaseyS447 Report

#10

If A Cop Is A D*ck You Are Legally Allowed To Beat Him Up Apparently

If A Cop Is A D*ck You Are Legally Allowed To Beat Him Up Apparently

reddit.com Report

#11

You Never Know What Will Go Down At A Subway Sandwich Shop

You Never Know What Will Go Down At A Subway Sandwich Shop

RichPaulsBurner Report

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

It's necessary because his masculinity is too fragile to survive without them.

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#12

Bad**s Boomer Responds To Being Ok'ed By A Journalist He Yelled At About Climate Change

Bad**s Boomer Responds To Being Ok'ed By A Journalist He Yelled At About Climate Change

FreezeSPreston Report

#13

High School Is A Hell Of A Drug

High School Is A Hell Of A Drug

Loof27 Report

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#14

His Daughter Took A Laptop Home From School To Message A Boy. So He Decides To Shoot The Laptop That Wasn’t Even His Property

His Daughter Took A Laptop Home From School To Message A Boy. So He Decides To Shoot The Laptop That Wasn’t Even His Property

howmanyletterscaniu Report

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

That's what happens when people are allowed to have more guns than IQ.

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#15

A Challenge From A Bad**s

A Challenge From A Bad**s

2DeadMoose Report

#17

Oh Man... Stay Away From This Guy!

Oh Man... Stay Away From This Guy!

whippedcreamcheese Report

#18

Shooting A Target From A Mile Away? Light Work

Shooting A Target From A Mile Away? Light Work

ANailBlaster Report

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

The (approximate) equivalent to the 13th furthest recorded sniper kill according to wiki.

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#19

Do Not Underestimate People With Multiple Font Tattoos

Do Not Underestimate People With Multiple Font Tattoos

ne_credibile Report

#20

Coronavirus Is Scared Of Catching Me

Coronavirus Is Scared Of Catching Me

irich Report

#21

Accidentally Added The Wrong Guy On Facebook. Guess I'm A Coward Now

Accidentally Added The Wrong Guy On Facebook. Guess I'm A Coward Now

HodlMeNow Report

#22

He Doesnt Need A Bed Just Sleeps In A Holster

He Doesnt Need A Bed Just Sleeps In A Holster

AnonymousAnalAssasin Report

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

That doesn't translate well to Scottish, calling someone a weapon up here isn't a compliment.

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#23

I Love My Friend But I Get These Often

I Love My Friend But I Get These Often

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

I bet you threw your aluminum can in the trash instead of the recycling bin and jaywalked next, and everyone on the street begged you not to hurt them!

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#24

Vegans Can’t Even Make A Dent

Vegans Can’t Even Make A Dent

Sasha__fierce Report

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

"I'm an asshole and I can't stand it when people try to make things better for anyone."

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#25

A Warm Welcome Back From My “Bad**s” Roommate

A Warm Welcome Back From My “Bad**s” Roommate

poser-genocide Report

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

Girlfriend is being held captive. Save that text and use it as reason to move out. . .

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#26

Dysfunctional Veteran Leave Me Alone!

Dysfunctional Veteran Leave Me Alone!

reddit.com Report

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

Sure, because no one would call the police if they actually believed these were bodies. No, they'd go about their business and be nice and polite to the psycho killer.

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#28

School Dropouts Are Very Bad**s

School Dropouts Are Very Bad**s

kenziiefox Report

#30

U Can Use Your Zip Ties To Make Sure Your Legs Stay Together In The New Wheelchair

U Can Use Your Zip Ties To Make Sure Your Legs Stay Together In The New Wheelchair

highvolkage Report

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

Obviously he does park like a jerk and feels threatened now.

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#31

Walmart Patriot

Walmart Patriot

domsak Report

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

Let me translate “I was walking down the aisle when a guy wearing a mask passed by me and we briefly made eye contact. Then when I got home and went to take my daily poop I thought up this story to make me look like a bad ass.”

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#32

Shoot First, Ask Questions Later, I Guess

Shoot First, Ask Questions Later, I Guess

Birdie49 Report

#33

Going To The Gym Makes You Invincible

Going To The Gym Makes You Invincible

Here-For-The-Comment Report

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#34

A Comment: "I Bet You Spent More On This Than Your Kids Since They Were Born"

A Comment: "I Bet You Spent More On This Than Your Kids Since They Were Born"

Zorkonio Report

#35

Who Would Dare After That

Who Would Dare After That

barsby456 Report

#36

This Kid’s Shirt

This Kid’s Shirt

Jackizback0 Report

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

I'm willing to bet money this guy throws the world's most spectacular baby tantrums when anyone slightly inconveniences him.

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#37

When You Are In An Aviation Unit And Post A Bad**s Pic To Your Ig, Your Unit Makes It A Poster And Hangs On The Wall

When You Are In An Aviation Unit And Post A Bad**s Pic To Your Ig, Your Unit Makes It A Poster And Hangs On The Wall

SeanDow103 Report

#38

Disney Land Riot

Disney Land Riot

StormtrooperAiming Report

#39

An Instagram Girl's Wet Dream

An Instagram Girl's Wet Dream

jake-a-doodle Report

#40

Tough Guy Gave Me A Glare On The Way Out. I’m Shaking

Tough Guy Gave Me A Glare On The Way Out. I’m Shaking

ChocolateTrousers Report

#41

Roid Rage For Jesus

Roid Rage For Jesus

DucDeLOmelette Report

#44

Don't Wanna Get Him Mad

Don't Wanna Get Him Mad

reddit.com Report

#45

Local Man Too Bad**s For Afterlife

Local Man Too Bad**s For Afterlife

TotallyUnrelatedMeme Report

#46

Do Not Test Him. He Watches Naruto

Do Not Test Him. He Watches Naruto

jackmayfield16 Report

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#47

Manliest Sip Of All Time

Manliest Sip Of All Time

sedatelycry45 Report

#48

Don't Get Shot At This Local Establishment!

Don't Get Shot At This Local Establishment!

sugar-biscuits Report

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cybermerlin2000
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So if a high risk disabled old man walked in with a mask on you would shoot him? Wow! We have a real tough guy here!

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#49

I Am Very Bad**s And Scientifically Illiterate Too Weakling

I Am Very Bad**s And Scientifically Illiterate Too Weakling

Snarky_McBegtodiffer Report

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Laura1985
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think it is an excellent idea if creatures such as this take their convictions to the test.

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#50

Watch Out, We Got A Bad**s Over Here

Watch Out, We Got A Bad**s Over Here

helicotremor Report

#52

You Can't Look Bad**s While Lip Syncing T-Pain

You Can't Look Bad**s While Lip Syncing T-Pain

Butt_Man_Plumber_ Report

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

When somebody is rude to your wife you... you take the dog for a walk? That''ll teach 'em.

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#54

No Name Food?

No Name Food?

ok_noah Report

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

I was going to say that I was disturbed that this had a like however they probably liked it themselves

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#55

I Am S H O O K

I Am S H O O K

coreynj Report

#56

Left Handed, Right Handed, And Back Handed Gun

Left Handed, Right Handed, And Back Handed Gun

cylemmulo Report

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

If they are loaded, someone can take the one from his back and have him at gunpoint before he can even reach for his other guns. Quite unsafe this.

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#57

Conversation Over

Conversation Over

Adawee Report

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

Sure, because tattooing a word on your back makes it real! I tattooed 'richest woman in the world' in Japanese on my back and look at me now! Still broke :(

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#58

Who Needs A Therapist When You Have Deadlifts

Who Needs A Therapist When You Have Deadlifts

_bil_ Report

#59

My Friends Unnecessarily Hostile Thermometer In The Backyard Patio

My Friends Unnecessarily Hostile Thermometer In The Backyard Patio

reddit.com Report

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

So if grandma goes down with a heart attack you're gonna shoot her? Whatta guy.

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#60

Stay Back 100 Meters Or You Will Be Shot

Stay Back 100 Meters Or You Will Be Shot

LeeeMcLeod Report

#62

Had To Catch My Breath For A Few Minutes Afterwards Because My Hands Shook Too Much

Had To Catch My Breath For A Few Minutes Afterwards Because My Hands Shook Too Much

perfekt Report

#64

Look Out Massachusetts Lawmakers, You Just Got Put On A List

Look Out Massachusetts Lawmakers, You Just Got Put On A List

ItsJustTheSmells Report

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

he looks like he would pull a Draco if asked to leave and say "wait till my father hears about this"

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#66

Literally Shaking And Crying Rn

Literally Shaking And Crying Rn

reddit.com Report

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#67

Rip Xbox

Rip Xbox

mikeylma0 Report

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

If she used shellac on top of her fake nails, there is a big chance they were NOT vegan.

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#68

I Don’t Know What Made Him Think This Shirt Was A Good Idea

I Don’t Know What Made Him Think This Shirt Was A Good Idea

RokuEGGSD Report

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

Pretty sure the devil within him is so small it wields a toothpick instead of a pitchfork.

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#69

Ex-Cop, Current Bad**s

Ex-Cop, Current Bad**s

Adk318 Report

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

Bad training if you can't spot the difference between a slow fist bump and a fist coming at you fast to hit you.

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#70

Bad**s Spotted Watching Gordon Ramsey Eat Wings

Bad**s Spotted Watching Gordon Ramsey Eat Wings

YaboiNoel Report

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

that episode is so funny :D i love eating really hot but i felt bad for him. he isn't used to it :(

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#71

Red Thinks They Could Beat Up Gordon Ramsay

Red Thinks They Could Beat Up Gordon Ramsay

Lortep Report

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Ryan-James O'Driscoll
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If your response to logic and facts is to attack someone, you are beyond stupid

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#72

Doors Are P**sys

Doors Are P**sys

Jhobbster Report

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

i wanna see a fight between him and the guy punching a dry wall "the fight of the weak"

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#73

Back Home After 3 Days Of Shows Fixing To Run 5 Miles. Testosterone Levels Over 900 This Is What Libtards Fear

Back Home After 3 Days Of Shows Fixing To Run 5 Miles. Testosterone Levels Over 900 This Is What Libtards Fear

foxwilliam Report

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

Trump trash still haven't figured out brains over brawn any day. That's why they continue to lose.

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#74

Male Karen Thinks He Owns The Road

Male Karen Thinks He Owns The Road

BloodChildKoga Report

#75

It’s Hard Being So Strong

It’s Hard Being So Strong

orchid_breeder Report

#76

Kid On Xbox Live Who Was Mad At Me For Saying “What A Save!” In Rocket League Thinks He Is A Psychopath

Kid On Xbox Live Who Was Mad At Me For Saying “What A Save!” In Rocket League Thinks He Is A Psychopath

griv51 Report

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

In twelve years he stumbles over this post and then sinks into an endless depression.

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#77

This Is Why I Still Have Facebook

This Is Why I Still Have Facebook

Jacadaca Report

#78

You Merely Adopted The Dark

You Merely Adopted The Dark

brandoncjames Report

#79

Terrorize Everyone And Everything

Terrorize Everyone And Everything

Donald-Funk Report

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

This post will end up in an evidence folder some day.

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#80

This Is Your First Warning Do Not F**k With Me

This Is Your First Warning Do Not F**k With Me

ABucs260 Report

#81

Comment On An Article About Ps5 Preorders Not Being Fulfilled

Comment On An Article About Ps5 Preorders Not Being Fulfilled

tombeardo Report

#82

He Posts Stuff Like This Occasionally

He Posts Stuff Like This Occasionally

hey-beter1234 Report

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

That guy sounds like he's knee-deep in a depression and needs some therapy.

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#84

Oh My God The Terror

Oh My God The Terror

RedditWasAnAccident Report

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

We know exactly how mentally damaged you are 😅🤣

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#85

I'm Guessing They Listen To The Rocky Sound Track

I'm Guessing They Listen To The Rocky Sound Track

lizardscum Report

#86

Casually Kicked A Hole In My (Moms) Wall

Casually Kicked A Hole In My (Moms) Wall

QueenAnneBoleynTudor Report

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

It's not really an accomplishment to kick a hole in those weird weak walls they have in the US. I've seen so many 'funniest homevideos' where one trips and barely hits the wall and it makes a hole. It's ridiculous.

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#88

We Get It. We Won’t Hurt Your Baby

We Get It. We Won’t Hurt Your Baby

FeminaCanadiana Report

#89

A New Organic Bad**s Appears

A New Organic Bad**s Appears

Gingersnapies Report

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

Tbh this is kinda reasonable ( rlly depends ofc) but why post it online?

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