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There are times in life where it’s pretty easy to feel very, very alone. The truth is, while social media can leave people feeling out of touch, online content and memes have a way of revealing that we, as humans, often have a lot more in common than one might think. 

The “Relatable Tweets” internet page shares the posts from X (that name didn’t age well, did it) that sum up the human experience. From suggestions that deep down all of us agree with, to elusive emotions that, finally, someone put into words. We got n touch with Signy Sheldon, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychology to learn more about empathy. So get comfortable as you scroll through, upvote your favorites and be sure to share your thoughts in the comments below. 

Bored Panda got in touch with Signy Sheldon, PhD Associate Professor, Department of Psychology at McGill University and she was kind enough to share some thoughts and insights into the concept of empathy. After all, without it, relatability becomes a tad difficult. In general, we were curious about what causes humans to feel empathy. 

“Empathy is a really important response to another person’s distressful situation and it comes about when we understand the emotions that a person is feeling at that time – we understand their mental state. This understanding is critical because it helps motivate us to help that person in need,” she shared. 

#6

Yup

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Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My!
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd subscribe for this! Most of the time I play History's The Universe, on endless repeat. It's interesting, but easy to tune in or out, depending on how Stardew Valley is faring, and how many cute cat pics there are on BP that day.

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Kristal
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I do this with long running shows like Criminal Minds and Bones. I WAS going to do this with Supernatural but Amazon has commercials on prime, which is ridiculous and I refuse to use them now.

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pineapple87
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Other than the odd teaser at the before the start of something new, I haven't seen ads on prime

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pineapple87
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nah, just find it difficult to sit and do nothing, unless there's a really gripping plot

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Giles McArdell
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Okay, hear me out, a 20 minute show where the first 5 minutes is "Previously on..." then 5 minutes of the "Thrilling conclusion...", 9 minutes of end credits then a 1 minute teaser for the sequel.

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Id row
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. We've all seen them multiple times, a great background watch when you're playing on a tablet.

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Diane H
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hate when they speak another language and I have to look up to read subtitles.

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The Shark
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stand up comedy is a great option for both background viewing with minimal attention and falling asleep! 😁

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Bec
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

HULU has a category called 'easy to watch TV'

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May Calhoun
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That’s pretty much how I interpret the “Casual Viewing” category

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Dawnieangel76
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I "watch & listen" to certain subscribed videos on YouTube, while playing HayDay, checking social media, texting family, caring for my pup, etc. And I can still explain what the videos were about!

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Laydy Caramel
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That’s why I watch Brooklyn 99 and Superstore. Over and over

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Pollymere
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have found the BBC often read out questions and possible answers on quiz shows I can watch the whole of Bridge of Lies as if it's a radio programme...

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Bored Seb
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"fun" fact: netflix show already take that in account. That's why they use a lot of "tell don't show". They repeat a lot of things, and basically ruins the writing so that people can just don't only watch but do other things at the same time...

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TheBlueBitterfly
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Amazing World of Gumball, Adventure Time, Regular Show, all the Star Treks, Reno 911, Psych...

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JinxBox
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh come on just learn to control your phone addiction and do one thing at a time. Leave phone to other room while reading or watching a movie if you are otherwise compelled to look at it all the time.

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JayWantsACat
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I want a "relaxing prior to going to bed" category that isn't nature shows or documentaries.

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Say No to Downvoting
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just so I don’t even up watching the entire collection of Friends for the 800th time

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MP
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Agree with the category but Netflix is butt. Hulu or YouTube though 👀

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detective miller's hat
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes!! I'm usually writing or doing a art in the evenings and I like to have the tv on just for the noise, but this would be even better. I can't even count how many times I need to watch a series before I can follow who's who and what's going on.

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Miki
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's all of current movies and shows. No need for a category.

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CORGI QUEEN
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I watch kdramas and if I look at my phone for three seconds, they either kiss, break up, or someone dies.

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Tiny Dancer
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1 month ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Disney+ is just the Simpsons channel I've been wanting all my life. It's on in the background much more than I'd like to admit to.

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Rudo
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Right, I like some shows but there is too much reading. I'd rather listen and look at my phone. Then look at TV when I hear some interesting dialog.

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Sue User
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pluto is great for this. It has love boat, cooking shows , antique roadshows, etc. Stuff you can put on, go clean, read your phone, whatever, and be able to understand whats going on when you get back. And you dont have the" i paid for this, i shouldnt be ignoring it" feeling.

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I agree with you but...
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

On my 3rd rewatch of Seinfeld currently. It makes me acutely aware of what cell phones have done.

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Fembot
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They have that category: it’s called ‘Ryan Reynolds movies’ ;)

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Ken Beattie
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1 month ago

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No. No they shouldn't. If you want to d**k around on your phone then do it, if you want to watch a TV show/movie then actually devote some attention to it. I feel like people are trying to create ADHD in themselves.

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“The situations that make us feel empathy towards another person are those that we can understand the emotional toll on that individual. For instance, if you know what it feels like to lose a parent, you are going to be more empathic to a person going through a similar situation,” she shared with Bored Panda. This is perhaps why most groups feel the need to create memes about their own community. 

#7

Why Is This So True?

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Weirdo with Internet
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just like how she can find the thing you've been looking for for the past 20 mins, and YET can't find her glasses or keys that's in her hands. Mom magic

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#9

The Human Body Is A Mystery

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Betta Fish
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Proof that babies know more about the universe than us (jk idk its 3 am)

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“However, this empathic response is going to be driven by how much you see yourself in that person. We tend to be more empathic to people that we feel are more alike than us.” At the same time, there are people out there who don’t seem to have any empathy or compassion for others so we wanted to hear her thoughts on how this happens. 

#10

Relatable

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Ranger Kanootsen
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wished I was an adult as a kid. I was right to wish and am living much better now than I did then. Childhood trauma, people!! :)

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“People can appear to lack empathy if they don’t understand the emotional experience of another person, either because they haven’t gone through a similar situation or can’t even imagine what that experience is like,” she shared with Bored Panda. Unfortunately, this sort of thing is a lot more common than one might think. 

So we also wanted to know what people can do to cultivate empathy in their own lives. “The basis of empathy is being able to understand another individual's mental experience during a time of distress – how are they feeling and what are they thinking? Our research has shown that our episodic memory system, one that allows us to both remember our own past experiences, is fundamental for reaching this understanding and cultivating empathy.”

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#17

Lol

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Multa Nocte
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It do be like that much of the time. My excuse - "I want other people to be able to hear the movie."

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“So, if you want to cultivate empathy, you would want to engage in episodic memory. You can do this by recalling having experienced something similar in your own past to what a person is currently experiencing, say a bad break-up. Trying to bring that memory to mind in detail, and reflect on how you felt in your past memory.”

#19

Me Irl

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a piece of toast
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

MUAHAHAHAHA no I can't help you move, because I am tired from work, I feel the evil inside me

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#20

Everytime

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Kate
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And no one's ever like, hey, colleges don't have bell schedules, that must be the fire alarm....

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“What is really important is that we can use episodic memory to engage empathy, even if we don’t have a similar experience to what someone is going through. This is because we can use our episodic memory system not only to help remember the past but also to build imagined hypothetical events. Once we create these events in our minds of what another person is currently experiencing, we can simulate what they are going through and this will lead us to empathy.”

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#23

Dad Please Im Trying My Best :(

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Gillbella
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Me this week: so the book says you do this and this. Kiddo: I don't get it. Me: umm so how about like this? Kiddo: no- me: nah me neither. We'll skip this. Ask your teacher tomorrow!

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#24

Can Anyone Else Relate To This? 😂

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“A lot of the research on empathy has suggested that people have more empathy for others that they are similar to, so a great tool to help us become more empathic is to look at the commonalities between you and a person in distress rather than focus on the differences,” she shared. So, when in doubt, always try to focus on what is relatable, not what sets you apart from others. 

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#29

Probably In Your Best Interest To Avoid The Harpy Eagle

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Warpath81
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This what Gandalf will look like when angry birds makes a version that uses lord of the rings characters, like they did with transformers or star wars

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#30

True Though

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Isaac Harvey
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Overthink overthinking until you don’t want to overthink overthinking anymore.

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#31

They Have To Know What They’re Doing, Right?

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Multa Nocte
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's so us ladies can have "just one" from our significant other's order of fries.

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#33

My Ideal Saturday Night

jacobgc75 , ch000ch Report

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cerinamroth
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Honestly, putting time locks on my most-used apps has revitalised me beyond my wildest dreams. I sleep better, I'm more present for my kids, I have more time for my hobbies. It's amazing the difference it makes.

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#36

The Next Billion Dollar App

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Mark
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, STOP IMAGINING THAT EVERYONE HATES YOU, no, yes, maybe?

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#37

It So Do Be Like That

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Shayne Randlett
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Call me weak until you're blue in the face, if it makes you happy. It won't bother me a bit, as I'll be taking a nap

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#44

Fr

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Stygtand
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1 month ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I sometimes get angry at my mom. Then ifeal guilty for being angry at her. Then i go hug her. Im 44.

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#45

👍

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Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My!
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cats do not like lemonade. We do like lemon cake with that white drizzly icing and a saucer of coffee, though. No, our soft can-opener won't give us coffee. We have to sneak from her cup when she's not looking. A proper soft can-opener wouldn't make us steal it.

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#46

#growingupwithglasses

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Surenu
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Touching my glasses is an absolute no-go. Taking them away, well, you made an enemy for life. Your life specifically.

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#47

It May Not Be Relatable, But It's Relatable To Me

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Shayne Randlett
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't keep it a secret - I tell everyone in case I ever meet someone who can make it happen

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#48

It Would Be A Hit!

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censorshipsucks
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

there is in fact a movie about just this. It's called As Good as it Gets starting Jack Nicholson.

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#49

Hi I’m James And I Like To Party

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Mark
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

and the 5th best school 50 km from city limits in the upper tristate area for contemporary digital arts

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