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Wacky. Off-the-hook. Sarcastic. Bizarre to the point of making us giggle so hard we had to excuse ourselves and go outside to calm down. These are all apt descriptions for the r/madlads subreddit, an online community of 1.7 million members and a handful of fun-loving, energetic, and irony-adoring moderators.

Created way back in 2015, the subreddit is a place for some of the most impressive(ly mundane) ‘power moves’ ever to grace the digital landscape of the internet. Here, the madlads of the net celebrate genuinely jaw-dropping ‘power moves’ while gently poking fun at folks celebrating how awesome they are while they're actually doing nothing much out of the ordinary. A place of contrasts? Definitely. A place where some members don’t understand irony and what the sub is actually about? For sure.

Check out the best recent ‘power moves,’ and remember to upvote your fave pics as you scroll down, dear Pandas. In the mood for some more madlad weirdness? We’ve got you covered! Take a peek at our earlier post about the community right here once you’re done enjoying this list.

Meanwhile, be sure to scroll down for Bored Panda's exclusive interviews with social media experts Ariane Sherine from the UK and Mike Sington from LA. We had a chat about why people want to become famous online, how to compete with other content creators, and how to stand out on social media.

Writer, content creator, and media expert Ariane told Bored Panda that people need attention, approval, and love. "It’s a human need to want approval from others, and there are far more people available to provide approval online than in real life," she explained why so many individuals want to go viral and make a splash online.

"Online validation is also there forever for everyone to witness. It’s a rare person who is completely impervious to the thrall of millions of strangers liking what they do—it’s exciting and boosts your self-esteem."

Media expert Mike, from LA, sees people's desire for fame online as a way to massage one's ego. "Trying to go viral and get recognition online is really mostly about ego. Everyone wants recognition, everyone wants their fifteen minutes of fame, and getting it online is a relatively easy way to do it, all from the comfort of your home," he told Bored Panda.

According to Ariane, there are definitely more content creators now than ever, but that doesn't mean that all of their content is going to be especially strong. "If you’re an exceptional creator you’ll still stand out," she said that quality content tends to get noticed in the sea of information. "Of course, the more followers you have, the more chance there is that people are going to see, like, and share your content, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to break through."

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For her, the two main things that help creators stand out online are the quality of the content creator's work and how prolific they are. "Post content daily if you can, but don’t compromise on quality as a result," she told Bored Panda that consistency and quality are very important.

#4

Madlad Returned The Car After Stealing It. Then Yelled At The Owner For Bad Parenting

Madlad Returned The Car After Stealing It. Then Yelled At The Owner For Bad Parenting

wsvn Report

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

Well that's chaotic good in human form. Just imagine the convo between the thief and the kid on the way back. 'Oh heck no, no, nope we're going back I'm not a kidnapper. Who leaves their kid in the car?!'

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#6

Bought The 4th Of July M&ms Specifically To Do This

Bought The 4th Of July M&ms Specifically To Do This

GEN_Schady Report

"Speed is key if you produce topical/reactive content. But again, it’s better not to post than to post something substandard. Creating and maintaining an online presence does take work and effort, but it’s a really fun thing to do. If it feels like work, you’re doing it wrong!"

From Mike's perspective, it's very difficult to stand out online. "Anyone can create content, but you’re competing against literally tens of millions of users to create memorable content. It takes a lot of work, and can easily become what feels like a second job," he warned that internet fame can be very time-consuming.

#7

*insert Your Spiderman Meme Here*

*insert Your Spiderman Meme Here*

Infinitisin Report

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"To stand out online, what you post has to be carefully crafted. Quality content stands out online. Think it through carefully, ask yourself, 'Is what I’m posting memorable, inspirational, informative, funny, will it make people think, or feel good, or start a conversation?' If it doesn’t meet any of those benchmarks, it’s probably not going to stand out and go viral. There’s a lot of junk out there, it takes effort to rise above it," he said.

Previously, a few of the moderators helping run r/madlads spoke to Bored Panda and we got a feel for the (sometimes overwhelming) energy that the entire team has. They definitely love having fun, enjoy proper banter, and are living proof that the pen is mightier than the sword.

For instance, moderator u/RalphiesBoogers gave us an interview under the condition that we call them the greatest mod that Reddit has ever known. 

However, some moderators believe that the r/madlads subreddit was “completely ruined” after legendary YouTuber PewDiePie, Felix Kjellberg, uploaded a video about the community.

#10

This Sneaky "Put Pocketer" Probably Made That Womans Whole Week

This Sneaky "Put Pocketer" Probably Made That Womans Whole Week

ifallupthestairsalot Report

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#11

Dad Just Had To Point That Out

Dad Just Had To Point That Out

j__para Report

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

College more proud of Justin than his dad. And excuse me, a degree in Mechanical Engineering is worthy of praise! You go, Justin

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#12

Madlad 1 Pretends She Doesn't Know Harvard. Madlad 2 Intentionally Angers Tesla Owners

Madlad 1 Pretends She Doesn't Know Harvard. Madlad 2 Intentionally Angers Tesla Owners

bitchyswiftie Report

"We got flooded with his meme-spewing preteen fan army who are incapable of understanding that 'madlad' is ironic,” redditor u/steveofftheinternet told us that a subreddit that was purely ironic was ‘invaded’ by a lot of new members who completely misunderstood what the group was all about.

“Mad-laddery is when you do something incredibly mundane, such as making spaghetti, sweeping the hallway, or being a Bored Panda writer, and then acting like it's the craziest thing ever,” moderator u/N8theGr8 gave a few examples of what the original intent of the subreddit was. However, the culture of the sub changed after the group went viral online.

#13

Mad Lad Walks Into Fire Station, Asks If He Can Go Into The Fire Truck, And It Works

Mad Lad Walks Into Fire Station, Asks If He Can Go Into The Fire Truck, And It Works

Parvak07 Report

According to u/N8theGr, r/madlads was created in response to an image of "a guy putting a pan or something on his head and everyone else being like whaaaaaaaaat.” That’s all you really need to know about the roots of the community. Deeply steeped in irony. So sarcastic, you can practically feel it through the screen.

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"I don't know if I want to encourage too many madlads, since the last time we got too popular some impressionable kid put sugar on their already Frosted Flakes, and it was chaos,” the moderator suggested that too much popularity on the internet isn’t always a good thing. Quality members might be better than having a ton of random followers in some cases.

#17

My Goose Is Cooked Or My Goose Has Flown The Coop?

My Goose Is Cooked Or My Goose Has Flown The Coop?

CyberOgre Report

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

PETA the owners of HIGH KILL ratio shelters across the USA

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

They have this issue with follow through. They "liberate" farm animals in my area that I and several of my fellow retired farmers have to take on and nurse back to health because the people they're entrusting these animals to don't have the resources to take care of them. I'm sick of it. If you REALLY want to help rescue animals look into conservatory efforts made by conservation groups, not PETA.

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

I love how PETA still tries to pretend to be for the good of animals. Steal happy healthy dogs to add to your 85% kill rate isn't good for anyone, except you.

gabelumbus avatar
Gabe Lumbus
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yet they kill more animals than they save, like almost all of them.

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

Do they have an alternate saying for "stealing pets from their homes and then killing them?"

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

I've literally seen peta workers throw a live stray dog in to a trash compacter. I don't think they get a say in this matter.

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

If I was in your shoes I would end up in prison on hate crime charges.

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

My friend just said "Kill two birds with a scone" - aside from him, I just wanna say I remember Peta making a fuss over Wooloo. They said shearing sheep is bad. Bro not shearing them will cause them heatstroke.

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William The Guinea Pig
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It will cause them skin problems too. They have been selectively breed to have long wool so that we can shear them. The would be absolutely miserable and would probably die early if we didn't.

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

"Skinning a Cat" refers to the old "mule-skinners" or teamsters, that would drive mules pulling earthmoving equipment. When earthmoving equipment started running on gasoline instead of grass, the prime maker of earthmoving equipment was Caterpillar, or Cat. So they called the drivers "cat skinners" instead of "mule skinners." So it's actually animal friendly anyway because the mule skinners would actually remove bits of skin from the mules, with their whip...

bayoubilly avatar
Bayou Billy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Peta ... Always ... Everytime getting it wrong and making it worse... They're reverse Greta... She accomplishes stuff solo they can't get one thing right in thirty years...

virgilblue avatar
Virgil Blue
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If the horse is dead it won’t care if you beat it. Just saying.

loganduffy avatar
Logan Duffy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

peta is the opposite of what they say they are. didn't they send a dude's dog to the pound,inadvertently killing it,then proceeded to apologise with a fruit basket?

aruneishade avatar
Arunei Shade
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would say "how is 'beat a dead horse' anti-animal if it's already dead" but given how many animals PETA kills every year, they probably care more about dead ones than living ones.

fmc avatar
Niall Mac Iomera
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

While I can kind of see the first one, although their replacement doesn't make sense, their suggestions for the other two completely change the meaning. You CAN feed a fed horse, they're really greedy, and grabbing a flower by the thorns (ignoring that flowers don't have thorns, the stems / branches do) is just the wrong way to do it. "bull by the horns" is about taking on a problem in the most direct way possible.

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

More than one way to kin a cat - give one to your mom, one to your sister, one to your kids, adopt one....

patricia_smith_1 avatar
Patricia Smith
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just read the children's books Ferdinand the bull, Chicken Little, and Black Beauty

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

Instead of "PETA is an animal rights organization" say "PETA has no problem with kidnapping and euthanizing your pet".

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

I'd like to say PETA successfully brings happy, full, long lives to 100% of the animals they rescue....

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

Yes let's over feed a horse cuz that's so healthy for the animal or give a bird food bigger than it is that's not meant for it to eat

djraz avatar
DJ Raz
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you feed a horse too much, pretty soon, you will still be beating a dead horse... One you killed yourself. Way to go, PETA.

sheila_stamey avatar
Sheila Stamey
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

More than one way to defur a feline? Peel a pussycat? Eh PETA,?

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

This is why people think vegans are lunatics. Thanks PETA 🙄

ehall avatar
E Hall
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, I hate PETA as much as the next guy, but it's been some vegans that make me think vegans are lunatics.

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

My mom & grandma would say "skin the cat" when they took off my shirt when I was little. I thought they were saying "skinny cat." Was kind of grossed out when I realized what they were saying, but now I say it to my granddaughter.

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

Seriously this is the stupidest thing I've ever seen 😂 what the fūck PETA

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#18

I Dont Know What To Title This

I Dont Know What To Title This

jackyolo23 Report

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

The photoshopping is extra creepy considering that editing the photo involves staring at the parts they deemed inappropriate.

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Bored Panda wanted to know where the line is between something madladdish and something that clearly isn’t. 

"Contrary to popular belief, it's not an actual physical line like the International Date Line or that line you dance on when line dancing. It's also not a picket line, as those individuals who are fighting the bourgeois against the exploitation of labor under a system of capital are not to be dismissed as mere mad lads, but compatriots in the fight against our chains of oppression. It's also not rickrolling, since that joke is like 30 years old," the moderators had fun misinterpreting the question and showing off their banter skills.

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#19

Madlads Convinces Anti-Vaxxers To Cover Themselves In Mustard

Madlads Convinces Anti-Vaxxers To Cover Themselves In Mustard

Galastique Report

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

🤦‍♀️ You know, at least the dinosaurs had the asteroid excuse for extinction. We...we are just going to stupid our way there.

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#21

Gotta Keep The Customer Happy All The Time

Gotta Keep The Customer Happy All The Time

makaylathinks , kblonergan Report

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

I did this too. I didn't mess up often but if I was having an off day it would sometimes (not always) make people more patient. My boss thought it was hilarious.

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“For the most part, we just try to manipulate the price of GME. The main point of this subreddit really is to manipulate the NYSE and various other currency markets. The majority of our posts are code for market movements. We decisively curate and control the information here in order to send clear market signals that our followers use as predictors. I understand your skepticism, but that's how it works,” mod u/RalphiesBoogers joked that the main goal of r/madlads is to manipulate the stock market for financial gain.

#24

Madlad Wins Gold In The Olympics... In Cosplay

Madlad Wins Gold In The Olympics... In Cosplay

heiranseinaka , veegsredds Report

They added, jokingly, “The other mods will say what they're paid to say. Just to be clear though, everything I said is true.” 

Mod u/RalphiesBoogers stressed that the term madlad itself is very open to being misinterpreted by the public.

“It's about people who take something very mild and comment on social media as though it is not. However, most of the users here are like 12 so they think it's all about being actually wacky or being a first-world anarchist or something,” they said that the art of recognizing irony has been lost (or never learned in the first place) by many.

#25

You Might Want To Pull The String To Make Sure There’s No Secret Compartments

You Might Want To Pull The String To Make Sure There’s No Secret Compartments

Anointed_Mouf Report

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#27

I Guess Finding Outdoor Seating Is No Longer A Problem!

I Guess Finding Outdoor Seating Is No Longer A Problem!

castawayinlondo Report

“Truly, this misconception plagues the subreddit in ways that have cost the dow several hundred points this past week. r/madlads isn't about being mad. It's about taking way too much excitement in mildness or mundane things, and also driving Dogecoin to the moon,” the moderator quipped.

#28

Madlad Goes Full Scooby Doo And Robs His Own Store

Madlad Goes Full Scooby Doo And Robs His Own Store

steamshifter Report

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

And he would have gotten away with it if it weren't for those meddling, underpaid, overworked kids!

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#29

Ice Cream Company Doesn’t Care About Nutrition

Ice Cream Company Doesn’t Care About Nutrition

TheKarmaWizard Report

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

Fat and sugar are nutrition. They may not be the nutrition most people are looking for, but still.

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#30

Madlad Creates Company For Extra Credit

Madlad Creates Company For Extra Credit

notinprogres Report

According to the mod, more people now than ever want fame and love, and attention online. “I see everyone, everywhere, screaming for attention and trying to stand out all the time endlessly, and careers being constantly pursued to become the next wacky social media star,” they told Bored Panda.

#31

A Former White House Intern With No Chill

A Former White House Intern With No Chill

MonicaLewinsky Report

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

Lewinsky scandal is a shameful chapter in our nation's history. A powerful man had a relationship with a subordinate and that woman has been s**t-shamed and mocked since. I made jokes too about her, but I was too young to realize what my elders were doing and why it was wrong.

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#33

Madlad Lives In Aol's Hq For Months While Working On His Own Startup!

Madlad Lives In Aol's Hq For Months While Working On His Own Startup!

coneheadZombie Report

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

Ah the gossip in that place as they all discuss who he is then decide he works in a different department.

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#34

Madlass Steals Declaration Of Independence Because She's Vaccinated

Madlass Steals Declaration Of Independence Because She's Vaccinated

audgehowell Report

#35

This Reminds Me Of The Why Are You In Jail Meme

This Reminds Me Of The Why Are You In Jail Meme

BithcLasagna Report

#36

He Must Not Get Embarrassed Easily

He Must Not Get Embarrassed Easily

baabsheepish Report

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

Pro tip from a teacher: getting into a power struggle with an ultimatum with a student never goes well for the teacher

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#38

Ksi Being A Madlad And Serving The Community Well

Ksi Being A Madlad And Serving The Community Well

Holys**t_1787 Report

#41

Full Credit Given, Of Course

Full Credit Given, Of Course

horsthorsthorst Report

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

Give way to bikes at the merging traffic point of an effing freeway?

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#42

Publicly Calling Out A Company You Worked With For Being A Hypocritical S**t

Publicly Calling Out A Company You Worked With For Being A Hypocritical S**t

_AlexHirsch Report

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

Yeah right, Disney totally didn't almost can Owl House because it was too gay for the Boomers

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#43

Chuck Yeager, First Man To Break The Sound Barrier (Who Unfortunately Passed Last Year), Responds To Question About Ufos

Chuck Yeager, First Man To Break The Sound Barrier (Who Unfortunately Passed Last Year), Responds To Question About Ufos

Popular-Swordfish559 Report

#44

Showing Respect To A Deceased Friend

Showing Respect To A Deceased Friend

ElBigotePerfecto Report

#45

Madlad S**ts On A Company Ad And Gets Hired To Remake Their Ad

Madlad S**ts On A Company Ad And Gets Hired To Remake Their Ad

Leaper29th Report

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

https://www.reddit.com/user/Crypto-Hedgehog/comments/nmi1xn/hello_fellow_apes_uthemaloneranger_thought_our/

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#46

Madlad Still Looking For The Link 6 Years Down The Line

Madlad Still Looking For The Link 6 Years Down The Line

EDS77 Report

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#47

Dictionary.com Responds To A Person Who Is Using The Stan Lee Account For Promotion

Dictionary.com Responds To A Person Who Is Using The Stan Lee Account For Promotion

TheRealStanLee , Dictionarycom Report

#49

Classic Bait And Switch..!

Classic Bait And Switch..!

gokuisjesus Report

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

Actually, no country in Africa begins with "Abcdefghijlmnopqrstuvwxyz."

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#50

Madlad Orders Every Protein Possible And Eats It All

Madlad Orders Every Protein Possible And Eats It All

Joshunzz Report

Note: this post originally had 128 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.