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We’re all guilty of having done something dumb in the past. Things that sometimes keep us awake at night or make us cringe in the middle of the workday. Remember that idiotic thing that you did way back in middle school that made everyone laugh at you? Yeah, let’s spend the next four hours obsessing over it and imagining how things couldn’t have gone worse and how everyone’s probably still laughing at you. However, getting some perspective can set us free.

That’s where the r/TerminallyStupid subreddit, an online community with just over 121k members, comes in. The group documents the times when “terminally stupid” people were “dumb in a way that threatens their safety or someone else’s.” And the things they post are most likely miles worse than anything we’ve ever done.

We’re featuring some of their best pics, so grab yourself some popcorn and get ready to dive deep into the abyss that’s known as human stupidity. We hear that, much like the universe, it’s thought to be infinite.

#1

I See You're As Intolerant As You Are Stupid

I See You're As Intolerant As You Are Stupid

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

Still, the fact that someone is writing in a foreign language is no reason to alert security. This was dumb on so many levels...

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#2

How Could Someone Even Begin To Think This Is How It Works?

How Could Someone Even Begin To Think This Is How It Works?

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

IIRC, the protest was led by a retired science teacher. Explains a lot really.

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

Feeling sad about the kids who were taught by that teacher..Might post later.

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

After electing Trump, nothing surprises me anymore about that country.

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

Yes, this was in the US. No, this thinking isn't exclusively American. That's the *really* sad part, IMO. (And since I'll immediately be told I'm a Trumpista b/c I don't think Americans are the only idiots in the world, kindly save your fingers the typing. I'm a leftist, even by EU standards, thank you. I'm also a realist, and I've traveled. A medical doctor from Indonesia is a flat-earther. An in-law in the UK thinks Covid is a hoax to get Labour back in power. And my fam in Quebec will often say that they won't use wind turbine-generated power b/c, wait for it, the blades will *cut the treetops*. They were born and raised in Canada. So... Does America suck? Yes. Are we the only idiots? No. Peace to your day.)

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

Sure there are idiots everywhere. But the concentration of idiots here in Texas is world class. Not sure any place can beat it. Well, maybe Alabama.

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

A town. A whole town believed they could suck up Sun’s energy. Good for them panels can’t work on brain power. Dark times would come.

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

No, not the whole town, but the loud minority got their press time, and what else matters to them? Not reality, I can attest to that.

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

If this is true then we have just solved the Global Warming situation!

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

Quick! Build more solar farms to save the planet. We have no time to waste!

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

This thinking DOES come from a country that elected Trump so yeah, I’m with you.

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

Facts on the story: https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/north-carolina-town-rejects-solar-panels/

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

Thank you. The concerns had to do with declines in property values as landowners sold out to solar and electric companies and opportunities for local young people disappeared. Solar farms were creating ghost towns in the area.

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

"That's 'merica for ya!" Bcuz there are absolutely no other dumbasses in any other countries on the planet. Stupidity is exclusive to the U.S. alone.

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

There is an agreement for it. It's albedo effect. Since most solar panels are dark in color they will absorb heat. This increases the heat of a localized area. So yeah it sounds bad if you stop there. Continue to explain the comparison between fossil fuel plants and suddenly it's like comparing a tic tac to a big Mac in calories. It's the same logic cycle of antivax mercury claims and they stopped the research just moments from seeing that it's a non issue.

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

But I'd think that large areas of solar panels covering previously vegetated areas would have some effect on the surrounding temperature and the moisture in the soil, and so would have a detrimental effect on the flora and fauna, similar to paving the area.

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

Well, that's what they do. Good thing the nuclear reactor in the sky keeps making more.

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

It's true mostly... there is a concern for property values but that's conveniently left out of most articles. Also: large panels do increase heat in close proximity to panels. Is it enough to stunt vegetation? I don't know.

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

There were already 3 solar farms. In addition to the asinine notion that it would suck up all the energy, the science teacher was also concerned about plants inability to photosynthesize.

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

Had neighbors in my town complain that the solar farm was too loud.

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

Somewhere in the deep south or middle part of the country, I'll wager.

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

Yep, it's going to suck up all the sun's energy and then we'll have to move to a new neighborhood where they still have more sun.

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QuotedPrawn7490
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

in mexico, the secretary of energy said something along these lines: she said "that mexico should not have solar panels because they steal energy from the town (mexico/its people)

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

I'm gonna guess these same people don't think humans could be responsible for climate change - yet we could somehow drain the sun from here.

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

After a gut splitting laugh I had to look this up and Snopes has it down as a mixture of true and false. But boy, oh boy is that headline funny

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

Just imagine: "The total world energy usage (coal+oil+hydroelectric+nuclear+renewable) in 2015 was 13,000 Million Ton Oil Equivalent (13,000 MTOE) - see World Energy Consumption & Stats. This translates to 17.3 Terawatts continuous power during the year.... if we cover an area of the Earth 335 kilometers by 335 kilometers with solar panels, even with moderate efficiencies achievable easily today, it will provide more than 17,4 TW power. This area is 43,000 square miles."

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

I've met someone who programs computers who thinks solar power immediately stops working when the sun isn't directly shining down.

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

That would be incredible if we had the technology to "soak up all the energy from the sun"

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

This is one of those that makes me wonder, Is that what they really said? Or is that someone paraphrasing what they said to make them sound stupid? Not to say that people can't be that stupid, but, etc.

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

ah yes that's OBVIOUSLY why they don't want to invest in clean energy, totally not them worried about their precious dollars no way /s

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

Well as a matter of fact, there have been some instances where they are implemented in a big enough number they do stop the ground from absorbing enough heat, which do generates some problems know as microclimate. Because climate is dependant on the on the heat absorbed, so that teacher did not stray off too much.

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

They probably did that to prevent theories or panic or whatever

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

That claim sounds like something Donald J. Trump would believe and tout.

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

Evidently it was the sun that sucked up all their brains.

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

Reminds me of Joe Barton on windmills: "Now, wind is God’s way of balancing heat. Wind is the way you shift heat from areas where it is hotter to areas where it is cooler. That is what wind is. Wouldn’t it be ironic if in the interest of global warming we mandated massive switches to energy, which is a finite resource, which slows the winds down, which causes the temperature to go up?" I'm sorry the US is dead set on milking oil for all its worth instead of transitioning to renewable energy.

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

Whose surprised this is in the States? Yeah, me either, we apparently like to have the majority of stupid / ignorant / uneducated ppl on the planet.

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

There are many legitimate reasons to reject such a project... But this one is... Oh lord have mercy on us.

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

The scariest thing about USA is that utter morons like this elect other morons who have nuclear launch codes.

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#3

We Make Changes That Don't Need To Happen:

We Make Changes That Don't Need To Happen:

y2shaf Report

The subreddit is fairly fresh. r/TerminallyStupid was founded in late February of 2019 and will be celebrating its third birthday in less than two months.

If you’re planning on becoming a member of the community, then you should keep the rules the moderators set out in mind. First things first, the content that you post has to match the spirit and direction of the subreddit itself. “Any post that does not have some terminally stupid person in them will be removed. This does not include posts about the subreddit itself,” the moderators explain that things have to be relevant.

#6

To Destroy A Giant Snowman

To Destroy A Giant Snowman

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Meanwhile, even though at the core of the subreddit lies the desire to poke fun at people who do really dumb stuff, the moderators still care about those people’s privacy. On that note, all names have to be blurred or scratched out so that they’re not readable. The same thing applies to license plates.

The only exceptions are public figures and famous people who we, obviously, know and can comment on their behavior openly as much as we like. However, this doesn’t mean that the focus should be on politics. “Please, No politics. This subreddit is not going to devolve into a fight between the left and right. Users found to be in violation of this rule will be banned,” r/TerminallyStupid’s mods warn.

#7

We Are Always Eating Things We Shouldn't

We Are Always Eating Things We Shouldn't

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Previously, I interviewed Vanessa Bohns, an Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior at Cornell University. We spoke about embarrassment, knowledge blind spots, and how we should react when we make big blunders.

"We spend a lot of time and effort presenting an ideal version of ourselves to other people. When something happens that contrasts with the image we’ve been projecting—when we say or do something that shows we actually aren’t as graceful or as smart as we’d like people to believe—we feel embarrassed," Vanessa explained to Bored Panda what happens when our perception of how great we think we are doesn’t match reality.

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#10

Am Does Not Exist In The English Language!

Am Does Not Exist In The English Language!

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#12

Wow, Just Wow

Wow, Just Wow

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"Discovering you were wrong about something most everyone else around you has long known to be true is one of those moments. In that moment we learn, 'Wait a minute, maybe I haven’t been presenting the image of being smart or worldly that I thought I was presenting all this time,' which is embarrassing,” the expert said.

It’s not all doom and gloom when it comes to embarrassment. In fact, it can be a very positive force. That is if we react accordingly.

#13

Many Of Us Are Still Figuring Out This Whole Reproduction Thing

Many Of Us Are Still Figuring Out This Whole Reproduction Thing

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#15

Grown Adult Doesn’t Understand How Rainbows Work

Grown Adult Doesn’t Understand How Rainbows Work

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“One thing that’s interesting about embarrassment is that, for as much as we might experience it as painful in the moment, it’s actually very socially adaptive. Being embarrassed signals to other people that you care about what they think. And that actually draws people in to you,” Vanessa said.

“So blushing, burying your head in your hands, laughing, acknowledging how embarrassing something was, are all totally healthy ways to react,” Vanessa said that we shouldn’t feel embarrassed about feeling embarrassed. In fact, trying to hide our embarrassment can actually backfire on us.

#17

Just Give It A Snorkel

Just Give It A Snorkel

ProbablyNotKevin Report

#18

Just Don’t Buy It?

Just Don’t Buy It?

TheWaiterDebator Report

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

Free healthcare should be a human right, not a way to profit from misery.

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“The unhealthy way to react is to pretend you’re not embarrassed, that you didn’t make a mistake, or to get angry. Those things undo the positive effect of embarrassment typically has on other people by conveying insincerity and pushing people away rather than drawing them in,” she said. In short, owning up to having done something downright dumb and incredibly stupid by embracing our embarrassment is the mature, emotionally healthy way to react. Trying to hide the fact that we messed up, however, won’t win us any friends.

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#19

Brexit At A Whole New Level

Brexit At A Whole New Level

WeirdB1NarY Report

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

I am all for democracy and all but some people really are too stupid to be allowed to vote and especially hold office.

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#23

Wow. Just Opened Themselves Up For All The Jokes

Wow. Just Opened Themselves Up For All The Jokes

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troufaki13
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I swear, every time I read these kinds of things, some of my brain cells commit suicide :(

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#24

Excuse Me Ma'am...that's Not How That Works...

Excuse Me Ma'am...that's Not How That Works...

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#25

Dumba**

Dumba**

"Just sitting here.....eating popcorn....cell phone in hand with 9-1-....already punched in..."

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#26

15 Idiots Decided To Park On A Frozen Lake During 45 Degree Weather

15 Idiots Decided To Park On A Frozen Lake During 45 Degree Weather

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#28

Free

Free

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

I would like to think that behind the grey boxes it says "ninjas". Damn ninjas stealing condoms. Yep. I'm going to go with that.

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#29

No Matter How Unsafe It Sounds

No Matter How Unsafe It Sounds

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#30

Oh America

Oh America

FUDTASTIC Report

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

we in the UK celebrate the 4th of July as the day we banished you from the empire

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#31

This Idiot Who Was Going Over 80mph With They’re Dog Not Secured To The Back Of The Truck. I Called The Nhp On Them. It Was Scared To Death. I Was Afraid I Was Going To See A Dog Smear On The Side Of I-80

This Idiot Who Was Going Over 80mph With They’re Dog Not Secured To The Back Of The Truck. I Called The Nhp On Them. It Was Scared To Death. I Was Afraid I Was Going To See A Dog Smear On The Side Of I-80

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#33

This Guys Asking The Important Questions!

This Guys Asking The Important Questions!

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

No sir you must upgrade to a compatible windows ten mouse pad which costs 50% more!

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#35

We Take Dumb Risks

We Take Dumb Risks

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

Don't put anything in a place where you wouldn't put "Richard" in - Security rule 101

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#36

I Have No Words

I Have No Words

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#37

We Have No Idea How To Stay Healthy

We Have No Idea How To Stay Healthy

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troufaki13
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some anti-vaxxer once said to a friend of mine "I won't take the vaccine. I'd rather die healthy" like wtf!!

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#38

Kids And Their Cell Phones

Kids And Their Cell Phones

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

You know that as we get more and more technologically advanced some of us are getting proportionately more stupid?

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#39

Mind Blowing

Mind Blowing

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#40

We Are Powerless To Things That Look Like Chocolate

We Are Powerless To Things That Look Like Chocolate

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#41

Grown A** Man Got His Finger Stuck In The Wall At Chipotle

Grown A** Man Got His Finger Stuck In The Wall At Chipotle

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#42

My Brother Put A Chopping Board Under The Pizza To Catch The Stuff It Drops

My Brother Put A Chopping Board Under The Pizza To Catch The Stuff It Drops

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

Sensible thought, poorly executed. Next time, try a baking sheet and for goodness sake use oven mitts when you pull it out!

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#43

Friend Of Mine Started Their Day Off Poorly

Friend Of Mine Started Their Day Off Poorly

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#44

We Confuse Syrup And Sanitizer

We Confuse Syrup And Sanitizer

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#45

We Are A Little Too Eager To Play With Mysterious Substances

We Are A Little Too Eager To Play With Mysterious Substances

"I accidentally broke my thermometer and this liquid came out. It's so fun to play with !"

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

I'm calling shenanigans on this one. That's far more mercury than you'd get in the average thermometer.

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#47

Ice Isn’t Real And Snow Is Made Of Chemtrails

Ice Isn’t Real And Snow Is Made Of Chemtrails

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#48

Painted Himself In A Corner

Painted Himself In A Corner

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

'Nope boss, can't move on to the next site, if I move it'll disturb the paint. I just have to wait here for a while..." All he needs is a chair

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#49

Wasn't Paying Attention While Painting And Drinking Tea, Guess Which One I Just Took A Sip Of?

Wasn't Paying Attention While Painting And Drinking Tea, Guess Which One I Just Took A Sip Of?

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

Yep, done that. It was late, Saturday evening, glass of rosé and I sipped the water for my paintbrush and didn't even notice so I guess I'd had enough rosé already Haaaahaha.

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#50

Never Bake Cookies In A Crop Top

Never Bake Cookies In A Crop Top

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

I don't see how this one belongs here. It's an accident, and the poster is fully aware of the silliness of it.

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Note: this post originally had 93 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.