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“Hell No”: 50 Times This Online Group Made People’s Palms Sweat With Just Images
Interview
We often have a physical response to watching others in danger, even if we ourselves face absolutely no threat, and the subreddit r/SweatyPalms proves it.
Created back in 2012, this online community now boasts 2.3 million members who constantly share footage of people's stunts on tall skyscrapers, close encounters with wildlife, and everything in between.
So, we invite you to join us in scrolling through some of the subreddit's most popular posts and see which of them elicit a reaction from you. Let's test our limits!
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Active Volcano Looks Like Damned Souls Being Dragged To The Depths Of Hell
Wood Carver 2 years ago (edited)
One presumes this is where the subterranean flaming pit of punishment myth originates. Easy to see how people who already poorly understood the mechanics of the fire hole would come to that conclusion.... also that is scary as hell 😳 would not stand
RELATED:
#2
In 1990, An Accident Caused A British Airways Captain To Be Sucked Halfway Out Of The Cockpit. The Crew Held Onto Him For 20 Minutes As The Copilot Made An Emergency Landing. The Pilot Survived And Made A Full Recovery
We managed to get in touch with the moderators of r/SweatyPalms and they were kind enough to have a little chat with us about the subreddit.
"We actually don't have to do much policing," the team told Bored Panda. "Like any sub on Reddit, we get spam and repost bots. We guard against those, but that's mostly it."
#3
Diver Sitting On The Edge Of Underwater Sea Cliff
RandomPerson 2 years ago (edited)
Oh, thalassophobia! Its been a long time since I've seen you old friend!
#4
Getting Up On The Wrong Side Of The Bed Is Not An Option
#5
Let Me Quickly Nope Out Of Here
Krastina Dimitrova 2 years ago
I think this is in Ginnie Springs Florida, at least there is a sign just like this one in the spring there.
The moderators said that the members are fairly active, and the posts receive a fair number of comments, too. "We generally get a good representation of Redditors who appreciate a jolt of fear and a good, old-fashioned adrenaline rush."
"The pics that garner the most attention on our sub are the ones that involve everyday people in pretty extreme situations. I think those are the ones that resonate with members the most because it really doesn't take much imagination to see yourself in those (very) terrifying scenarios!" they added.
#6
Some Final Destination S**t
Bill Swallow 2 years ago
Looks like the Jupiter Mining Corporation has gotten off to a good start with their pickup trucks. But it's going to a long road from there to the mining ship 'Red Dwarf'!
#7
Talk About Sweaty Palms. Astronaut Bruce Mccandless Taking The First Untethered Space Walk
#8
Gorilla Family Checking Out Wildlife Photographer
A dude who likes to drum 2 years ago
Heh this one I kinda like they seem nice at least this family is
#9
9 Lives
According to Nathalia Gjersoe, who is a senior lecturer in developmental psychology at the University of Bath, there are various reasons why our body responds like this in the absence of any real threat.
For instance, do you wince when someone is punched in a movie or squirm when someone is shamed or humiliated on screen? "These reactions are triggered by empathy: feeling the same thing we believe someone else is feeling," Gjersoe says. "Empathy allows us to put ourselves in someone else's shoes."
#10
Safety Standards In The 1960's
Maureen Sullivan 2 years ago
Exactly what my mom would do “back in the day” when driving with us and had to hit the breaks a bit.. Those were the days.
#11
I’ve Been Told By Employers That My Current Linkedin Photo Makes Them Nervous
#12
This Ofroad Trail
"Brain imaging studies have shown that there is a great deal of crossover in brain networks when we experience pain ourselves and when we observe others in pain. For example, people shown videos of patients being injected in the mouth showed activation in many of the same parts of the brain as if they themselves were being injected in the mouth."
So when we turn on footage of people cycling down incredibly steep precipices or dangling from precarious overhangs, part of our physical nervousness on their behalf is because we are imagining ourselves in their situation and how scared we would be.
#13
Hell No
#14
Climbing The Hua Shan, China. The Old Path
#16
My Hobbies Are Smoking Weed And Rescue Stray Dogs In The Woods
Another contributing factor might be the fact that the sympathetic nervous system, which coordinates our fight or flight response, may not differentiate that much between real and not real.
"Visual information that conveys a threat might be translated directly into feelings of anxiety or urgency, which in turn trigger responses such as muscle contractions or increased heart rate," Gjersoe explains.
#17
Someone's Illegal Pet Tiger Got Loose In A Houston Neighborhood
#18
Extreme Camping
#19
Glass Bridge In China Breaks During High Winds
Menacing Duck 2 years ago
Imagine being on that bridge and your hear cracking sounds underneath you...
#20
Dropped My Phone On This & Had A Huge "Whew" Moment When It Didn't Fall In. Drove Off & Realized My S Pen Is Missing 20 Minutes Later. Came Back To The Scene Of The Crime And Couldn't Believe My Luck
Tamar Gendler, a Yale University psychologist, has proposed that we have two cognitive states for reacting to events in the world.
The first is our beliefs – those things that we believe to be true. We can say with considerable confidence that the protagonist of the movie will be okay in the end and that zombies will not subsequently break into our home and eat us.
#21
I Looked Over The Edge Of A Building In NYC And Saw This Crazy Reflection [oc]
![I Looked Over The Edge Of A Building In NYC And Saw This Crazy Reflection [oc]](https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/65045e9e93807_b54zx7c19om41__700.jpg "I Looked Over The Edge Of A Building In NYC And Saw This Crazy Reflection [oc]")
#22
Alex Honnold Free-Soloing The Walls Of El Patrero Chico. Mexico, 2014
Sue Denham 2 years ago
Please be one of those fake shots and he's really crawling on the ground?
#23
Brown Bear Sneaks Up On Kid Who Actually Does An Amazing Job At Staying Calm Thanks To Dad's Help
Miss Frankfurter 2 years ago (edited)
And who helped dad stay calm? Calm enough to be recording/taking photos while your son is being eyed as lunch?
Lydsylou 2 years ago
It is actually real. It was on the news a year or 2 ago
Load More Replies... Barong 2 years ago
You don’t need to be faster than a bear. Just faster than the person you are with. No wonder the dad felt safe enough to take photos.
Anna Stephenson 2 years ago
And as someone with mobility issues - THIS is why I treat any and all invites from friends to go hiking with great suspicion!
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Id row 2 years ago
I live in bear country and we had a hiker come up and thought it would be cool to take a selfie with one. Last pic he ever took on his camera was of the bear charging at him. Why people don't respect them for just how dangerous they are is amazing. This person with the camera thought it was better to start taking pics than to take measures to save the boy. Simply astonishing. I think it's blind luck they didn't get mauled.
Elizabeth 2 years ago
When I moved to AZ, one of the first things my family saw was a sign literally warning people not to take selfies with bears. I guess there really is a story behind every sign (and people stupid to try and take selfies with bears)
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Sam Barazas 2 years ago
Why no one is asking what is wrong with the child's clothes. They look so weird
Hypoxia Smurf 2 years ago
Family went to visit Crater Lake Nat'l Park when I was a bothersome adolescent. They slept in a big tent whilst I unrolled my sleeping bag out under the stars. Sometime around oh-dark-hundred hours I was awakened by bears rattling nearby trash cans. Then a little shadow passed over me, and then another, and then a BIG shadow. I surmised that two bear cubs and their mama had leapt over me. Yikes!
Omima mimi miki 2 years ago
we found an abandoned camera that was still on record here is what it had on it : "that's right walk to me..... walk very slowly toward me...good good....keep walking.....ok now ruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuun run boy.....camera falls...screams can be heard a large growl a crunch more screams another crunch....
MichelleDonut 2 years ago
It's a screenshot from a blurry video that's zoomed too far in
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E2U&U2 2 years ago
I remember the video being posted somewhere when it happened. Absolutely terrifying, but Dad was in the zone and the kid just kept walking.
Duck 2 years ago
I think the only reason he got away was because he is displaying bright colors which is a warning to predators/j
Becky Samuel 2 years ago
Nah. Bears just aren't that bothered by people generally so long as you behave calmly. Most animals understand the difference between an adult and a child. The bear was probably thinking something along the lines of "I've heard they're really dangerous when they're protecting their cubs."
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#24
This Is The Kind Of Sh#t We Have To Deal With In Aus. I Hate Huntsman Spiders
deforge 2 years ago
Despite their often large and hairy appearance, huntsman spiders are not considered to be dangerous spiders. As with most spiders, they do possess venom, and a bite may cause some ill effects. However, they are quite reluctant to bite, and will usually try to run away rather than be aggressive.
The second cognitive state, Gendler suggests, is our 'aliefs.' These states are triggered by associations, instead of consideration, and can be either conscious or unconscious. We then feel uneasy even though there is no direct threat to us.
#25
Imagine If He Didn't Check
#26
That's Kinda High
A dude who likes to drum 2 years ago
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO
#27
Bears Are Not Welcome Customers
#28
Why Would Anyone Attempt This
Yeet_girl360 2 years ago
You'd be surprised the amount of stupid things people do for "wows" and "oOoOos". . .
"Although our aliefs may differ from our beliefs, they trigger many of the same physical responses as a real threat such as trembling, sweating, and anxiety," Gjersoe explains Gendler's theory.
"This is why I sit rigid on the edge of my seat while watching the climber dangling from the top of the skyscraper with no apparent support. I believe he will be fine and that this video signals no threat to myself, but I alieve that some threat is occurring and my sympathetic nervous system responds accordingly."
I guess we humans aren't so different from one another, are we?
#29
A Bear Running Upstream, A Little Too Close
Interesting_Astronaut 2 years ago
dont judge, when you are hungry you also sprint to the fridge
#30
Installing A Glass Rail On Every Floor
#31
Spelunker Gets Stuck In A Partially Submerged Cave Section
Yeet_girl360 2 years ago
He is extremely lucky cause he was able to turn around and go back.. but still...
#32
Florida Citizenship Test
#34
A Tourist Sitting On Top Of The Pedra Da Gávea Mountain, Brazil
A dude who likes to drum 2 years ago
Yeesh some people just seem to disconnect from common sense sometimes 🙄
#35
Photographing My Friend In An Abandoned Theme Park
Miss Frankfurter 2 years ago
Friends don’t let friends walk out on way high up rollercoaster tracks just to prove how stupid they both are.,
#36
This Photographer Is Playing A Potentially Deadly Fight Or Flight Game With Polar Bear
#37
Graffiti Artists On 430ft Bridge
#38
Keep Swiming
#39
Always Check The Carabiners
#40
Bear With Me On This One
Miss Frankfurter 2 years ago
Doing my best bear voice impression. “ Just checking to see how your enjoying my river. I’ll be on my way now.”
#41
Professional Climber Uses A “Knee Bar” To Bring Blood Back To His Arms
Tuna Beach 2 years ago
How do you make money as a climber. I thought it was a hobby for zealots.
#42
Who Else Relates??
#43
This Guy Handling Those Giant Wasps
#44
Skydiving From A Hot Air Balloon
#45
Saw A Bentley Parked Like This In Zurich And It Immediately Gave Me Anxiety
#46
Amazing Jump
#47
Breathtaking View
#48
Descending Only By Stair Frames
#49
Longways Down
#50
On The Edge
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What do you think ?
zena bena 2 years ago
These pics of peoole risking their lives pisses me off when there are terminal people who would give anything to have their lives and not risk it on stupid adrenalin / tiktok fame
Irishwoman abroad 2 years ago
And also a lot of people who would either have to risk their own rescuing them, or clean up the mes afterwards.
Load More Replies...
Leo Domitrix 2 years ago
I had to stop scrolling. I am *terrified* of falling from heights. Naturally, tons of people without safety gear, way too high. If needed, I will be in a corner in a fetal position hugging the floor.
Magazine 2 years ago
Me too. So terrified I have given up on flying, unfortunately.
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Mike Fitzpatrick 2 years ago
Or, you're hungry as a bear in March, you open the cupboard and the only thing in there is an outdated can of beets. That's terror!
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David A Paterson 2 years ago
Love these. Amazing that people were so confident with these stunts that they photographed them. Frankly, videos of extreme skiing frighten me more.
Becky Samuel 2 years ago
Apparently it's not socially acceptable to do anything beyond sitting behind a screen and judging others any more.
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Zophra 2 years ago
I think these people have a different brain activity with adrenalin, fear, pleasure, euphoria etc. I'll just stick with chocolate for euphoria.
My O My 2 years ago
Actually that's what it is! Adrenalin is addictive too
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Stardust she/her 2 years ago
I remember we once went somewhere and we were standing on these cliffs without any fencing and my mum wanted to take a photo of the waterfalls but she wasn’t getting the right angle so she took one step forward and realised the danger she was putting herself in and decided to not take that photo. Even after many months I still feel so much anxiety every time I remember that
Amelia Jade 2 years ago
I make a point to avoid pics of spiders. I'm all cozied up in bed, cat curled up close by, X-Files on in the background, happily scrolling BP and then BAM! Big flippin spider. Now I can't relax. Keep thinking one is on me, or think I see one out of corner of my eye.
Liz Downing 2 years ago
All of the "heights" photos made me wanna vomit. Why did I keep scrolling?!
The Problem With Censorship Is ******* 2 years ago
For anyone who also loved Kenan & Kel back in the day... WHHHYYYYYYY!?
Kevin J. Henning 2 years ago
Every human being should have the right to either be this daring or this stupid. Take your pick. I'm not judging anyone.
Sand Ers 2 years ago
You called them stupid. You are absolutely judging other people.
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censorshipsucks 2 years ago
I have a horror of heights > 2m so no chance, ever, of doing any of this.
Apatheist Account2 2 years ago
So many where you shouldn't stop to take a picture, just deal with it.
Steve Robert 2 years ago
I'm pretty sure flattened organs aren't suitable for donation.
Load More Replies... zena bena 2 years ago
These pics of peoole risking their lives pisses me off when there are terminal people who would give anything to have their lives and not risk it on stupid adrenalin / tiktok fame
Irishwoman abroad 2 years ago
And also a lot of people who would either have to risk their own rescuing them, or clean up the mes afterwards.
Load More Replies... Leo Domitrix 2 years ago
I had to stop scrolling. I am *terrified* of falling from heights. Naturally, tons of people without safety gear, way too high. If needed, I will be in a corner in a fetal position hugging the floor.
Magazine 2 years ago
Me too. So terrified I have given up on flying, unfortunately.
Load More Replies... Mike Fitzpatrick 2 years ago
Or, you're hungry as a bear in March, you open the cupboard and the only thing in there is an outdated can of beets. That's terror!
Load More Replies... David A Paterson 2 years ago
Love these. Amazing that people were so confident with these stunts that they photographed them. Frankly, videos of extreme skiing frighten me more.
Becky Samuel 2 years ago
Apparently it's not socially acceptable to do anything beyond sitting behind a screen and judging others any more.
Load More Replies... Zophra 2 years ago
I think these people have a different brain activity with adrenalin, fear, pleasure, euphoria etc. I'll just stick with chocolate for euphoria.
My O My 2 years ago
Actually that's what it is! Adrenalin is addictive too
Load More Replies... Stardust she/her 2 years ago
I remember we once went somewhere and we were standing on these cliffs without any fencing and my mum wanted to take a photo of the waterfalls but she wasn’t getting the right angle so she took one step forward and realised the danger she was putting herself in and decided to not take that photo. Even after many months I still feel so much anxiety every time I remember that
Amelia Jade 2 years ago
I make a point to avoid pics of spiders. I'm all cozied up in bed, cat curled up close by, X-Files on in the background, happily scrolling BP and then BAM! Big flippin spider. Now I can't relax. Keep thinking one is on me, or think I see one out of corner of my eye.
Liz Downing 2 years ago
All of the "heights" photos made me wanna vomit. Why did I keep scrolling?!
The Problem With Censorship Is ******* 2 years ago
For anyone who also loved Kenan & Kel back in the day... WHHHYYYYYYY!?
Kevin J. Henning 2 years ago
Every human being should have the right to either be this daring or this stupid. Take your pick. I'm not judging anyone.
Sand Ers 2 years ago
You called them stupid. You are absolutely judging other people.
Load More Replies... censorshipsucks 2 years ago
I have a horror of heights > 2m so no chance, ever, of doing any of this.
Apatheist Account2 2 years ago
So many where you shouldn't stop to take a picture, just deal with it.
Steve Robert 2 years ago
I'm pretty sure flattened organs aren't suitable for donation.
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