ADVERTISEMENT

We all know very well that things in this world tend to backfire. Call it a law of nature, a frequent twist of fate, or destiny. “Look who’s laughing now” is a phenomenon that has happened to virtually every one of us, and no matter what you do, it repeats again and again, and again.

The Reddit community “There Was An Attempt” is dedicated to precisely the comic absurdity of all the attempts in life that went against the plan, or turned in the wrong direction. Created in August 2015, the subreddit now has 1.9m members that are not immune to the funny attempts that “were there.”

“People enjoy the slapstick comedy of it. At the end of the day, everyone is laughing,” the subreddit’s moderator told Bored Panda in the interview that you can read in full below. And now we leave the stage to the ensued hilarity.

#2

To Complain About A Child Selling Hot Dogs

To Complain About A Child Selling Hot Dogs

reddit.com Report

Bored Panda spoke to redditor u/F4T4-M0RG4N4, the moderator of the r/ThereWasAnAttempt subreddit, who said that the community has evolved a lot since it was created 5 years ago.

“When I first joined the team, it was mostly a screenshot sub. A few months back, there was some drama about how there were only three mods who ran the subreddit (which at the time had around a million members).” As a result, they invited more people to join the moderator team and removed the screenshot posts.

#5

To Make Speaking 2 Languages Sophisticated

To Make Speaking 2 Languages Sophisticated

reddit.com Report

#6

To Sound Literate

To Sound Literate

reddit.com Report

For those who’re wondering what, precisely, “there was an attempt” refers to, u/F4T4-M0RG4N4 explained that it’s basically about “someone attempting something but ultimately failing.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Conceptually, it’s similar to “if someone tried jumping off a trampoline into a pool but when they tried to jump, the trampoline tore. In that case, you could say, 'Well... there was an attempt, at least' and that’s where our subreddit comes into play.”

The posts are mainly about “some people having a dumb idea, trying out that idea, and failing.” This misery is what makes it so funny. 

#7

To Prevent The Homeless From Sleeping Here

To Prevent The Homeless From Sleeping Here

reddit.com Report

#8

To Start Cat Racing

To Start Cat Racing

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
jihana avatar
Jihana
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is just adorable 🤣 Also: why would you think a cat would get out of a box?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

To Prove That Patton Oswalt Is A Failed Comedian

To Prove That Patton Oswalt Is A Failed Comedian

reddit.com Report

Today, the moderator team only allows video submissions and cross-posts, “which are posts that were in one subreddit but were reposted to another (kind of like retweeting.” This format works better for r/ThereWasAnAttempt, since screenshots can more easily become reposts, for one.

Especially when there’s one similar subreddit that’s specifically for social media clapbacks and comebacks, but its content mainly features screenshots.When it comes to their 1.9 million member count, the moderator said that “I don’t think we have the exact same post frequency as, say, a meme subreddit.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Partly, it’s because it isn’t easy to repost something from r/ThereWasAnAttempt. “I could probably look at the new section for r/memes and see quite a few frequent reposts.”

#14

To Shame Atheists And Take Away Their Holidays

To Shame Atheists And Take Away Their Holidays

reddit.com Report

#15

I Mean... You Tried..?

I Mean... You Tried..?

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
s_p_barnett avatar
Steve Barnett
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

'Having Voldemort trying to kill him at every opportunity finally took its toll on Harry Potter'

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#17

To Arrest A “Drug Dealer

To Arrest A “Drug Dealer

reddit.com Report

#18

To Make Fun Of A Bird

To Make Fun Of A Bird

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
officialjob-p-d avatar
DforDory
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At least he realised it. If you can't laugh at yourself, you're doomed.😁

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#19

To Shame Men

To Shame Men

reddit.com Report

#22

To Convince People To Be Pro-Life

To Convince People To Be Pro-Life

ZedU_KOh Report

Add photo comments
POST
crabcrab avatar
Hans
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you got a tiny Voldemort in your womb, abortion might not be the worst idea.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#23

To Defend God

To Defend God

reddit.com Report

#25

To Be Racist

To Be Racist

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
fatimakazir avatar
Queen fhk
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Am proudly a Muslim just like a Christian proudly a Christian and also like an atheist who is proudly an atheist!!!!!!! It's our believe when people think about freedom of speech, they forget about hurting other people's religion, but when we stand for our rights we are themed as paranoid. Just leave us alone, stop looking for trouble which you wouldn't get and exercise Human Rights fairly not partially degrading other people's religion. I quote everyone is different yet you try to make everyone the same religion, race, tribe all " Differences matters, yet that makes us who we are, denying our differences is denying the truth " I am A PROUD MUSLIM, it's me not you allow me to practice my religion in peace and stop popnosing on my affairs, everyone deserves right to religion just as u think!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#26

To Suggest A New Idea

To Suggest A New Idea

MatthewKeysLive Report

Add photo comments
POST
crabcrab avatar
Hans
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Flawless! And you should be able to make a audio contact with other people in real time so you can tell them, instead of typing a message for them.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#28

To Eat A Mozzarella Stick

To Eat A Mozzarella Stick

reddit.com Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#32

To Replace I'm Sorry With Thank You

To Replace I'm Sorry With Thank You

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
charlotte_18 avatar
Charlotte
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But actually this is a technique I used in customer service. For example when you put a customer on hold to go get more info, you ask them if they’re happy to wait. When you get back you thank them for waiting. If you say “sorry for the wait” it suggests you did something wrong, when really you were just doing your job. It leaves a different impression on the customer and genuinely impacts satisfaction.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#33

To Prove How Unfashionable These Jeans Were

To Prove How Unfashionable These Jeans Were

reddit.com Report

#35

To Provide Front, Side, And Rear Photos For The Car Insurance Rep

To Provide Front, Side, And Rear Photos For The Car Insurance Rep

reddit.com Report

#37

To Get A Cardi B Tattoo

To Get A Cardi B Tattoo

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
jamiebyrnes avatar
Some Cool Guy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I never realized that there is a level of messed up that someone would want to get an Anne Frank tattoo on your damn FACE

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#39

To Display Plus Size Clothes Without Causing Offence

To Display Plus Size Clothes Without Causing Offence

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
ilovethebacon avatar
Roger Haywood
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Considering that there are no plus sized mannequins, I think its good improv. (I'm on the larger size myself, and I'm nowhere near offended)

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#40

To Stand Up For The Joker

To Stand Up For The Joker

kigucunt Report

Add photo comments
POST
crabcrab avatar
Hans
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Welcome to the Internet, where you can be offended by literally everything,

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#42

To Fuck The Police

To Fuck The Police

reddit.com Report

#45

To Pass Security

To Pass Security

ahmierda Report

Add photo comments
POST
jihana avatar
sujanchanthiran avatar
mintyminameow avatar
Mewton’s Third Paw
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

IVE LITERALLY NEVER NOT BEEN SELECTED SINCE 2002. I’ve flown like 30 times since then, I guess. Literally every single time. I am Iranian American. As soon as it’s safe to travel again, my boyfriend said he’s going to raise hell at the airport for me and accuse these people of profiling. I’m literally so so so so so so so sick of it.

redinflorida avatar
_
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's not just you, I'm straight-up Irish decent, red hair and green eyes, and it happens to me every time I fly.

urszulat avatar
urszulat
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This has got to stop. It's cruel, unjust and often humiliating.

mimichaha avatar
YoChicken
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i had a muslim friend whose family was very hardcore, and she and her mom regularly wore hijabs. in airports, her mom was always pulled aside for random security checks

smlarnder avatar
Canadian Girl
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My best friend's husband gets selected every single time. He's the whitest least suspicious looking person ever. Our guess is that he has the same name as someone on "the list".

teduzz avatar
Dann999
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

randomly selected based on random facial recognition algorithm method. my a$$.

kidnplay-childcare avatar
Colin Mochrie At Its Finest
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Random selection my ass. I am a caucasian female and have only once been pulled aside-because I was hella nervous about missing the flight and was tapping my fingers and feet..of course the cameras pick up on that. I was more nervous that they would separate me and|or my husband from our 1 year old.

ae_3 avatar
あんぱんまん
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

he was so happy... why are people selected for random checks like tht...

firescales22 avatar
Firescales 22
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hate to be “that guy” (I mean no offense, please don’t take any) but if you look at statistics, people of Arab nations (more specifically, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Libya etc) are the ones who make acts of terrorism the most often, but still, being pulled aside just because your from there, is not okay.

Load More Replies...
twilight_mist avatar
Astrid Nineor
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've been stopped once wearing bright clothes and ten (or more) times wearing all black and baggy clothes. Maybe they thought I was trying to smuggle ten kilos of something :p

kathrynbaylis_2 avatar
Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I used to work for TSA (2012-2017, and my last day was my happiest). It’s the airlines who flag people for this, supposedly randomly (though never white people, hmmm), with TSA’s blessing. It’s one way to profile without looking obvious—-unless you’re an employee paying attention, which is not a TSA job requirement.

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

I knew this guy who was Samoan - in other words swarthy with a dark beard and dark eyes. He got picked out at the airport. Every. Single. Time. First time I ever witnessed racial profiling with my own eyes.

xwhireevxpnbpghcmm avatar
Oscarina
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I get "randomly" selected every time I fly, and every time I take Eurorail.

kdreetz avatar
Kimberly Reetz
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m a mid-40s blonde/blue eyed woman who travels for business and I get randomly selected more than half the time.

cruzarts avatar
Steve Cruz
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I bet Ahmed left extra time for harassment. Must have felt like being stood up.

el_dee avatar
El Dee
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My ex used to get randomly picked for searches at airports every time we travelled, not dark skinned just suspicious looking lol! Then 9/11 happened, never got searched again..

skaxamax avatar
Andrew Jenkins
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe stop taking photos in the security areas of airports then

anitai25 avatar
TV Junkie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I used to travel a lot for work, I was picked almost every time I went to the airport. I am a white woman and was in my 30's at the time. I don't know what caused it, but it really made me wonder.

ltweezie avatar
Louise Stange-Wahl
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Congrats--that is not fair at all...a real shame this EVER has to happen!

h-illum avatar
Heidi I
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That would literally happen every time I'd travel with my ex. Being a white Scandinavian, I'd never get pulled aside when going by myself or just our daughters, but travelling with my black ex, we were "randomly selected 100%. Go figure....... 😒

mandydelaforcepcgirl avatar
Mandy Delaforce (PC Girl)
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My husband (english parentage, 100% white caucasion) gets "randomly" selected every.single.time.

sexychick4421475 avatar
captaindash avatar
Full Name
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Are you saying that the middle east is extremely overrepresented in airline shenanigans? Sucks for this guy, but it's not like it comes from literally nowhere.

Load More Replies...
ii_3 avatar
I I
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

poor lad , bad enough just going though an airport when you dont like flying , i must look shady as hell sweating and shaking , but im white so i guess thats my golden ticket

monika-soffronow avatar
Monika Soffronow
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My dad, who never smoked nor ever touched alcohol was always checked at customs. On top of it, he was almost ridiculously honest. It used to piss him off so much!

mishte_tine avatar
Mishte Tine
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Gosh. I can’t believe how racist this country is. Racism is a mental health disorder and should be seen as such - and in need of treatment.

andatehim avatar
andate him
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So... You're a fascist? There is this thing they people have called freedom of belief. It's like freedom of speech but it literally cannot be taken from you except by torture or some sort. Is this what you are proposing?

Load More Replies...
ryandeschanel avatar
Ryan Deschanel
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a funny coincidence. Coincidence I tell you! It could not be anything else, right?

lordnazar avatar
Scyth
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

It's called statistics and acting on them, not the sad excuse which passes for racism these days.

sorlag110 avatar
sanukjim avatar
James F. Wilson Jr.
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Well we are putting you on our watch list now,Thank you for the photo.Ahmed.

mallee49 avatar
Anne Mitchell
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

What is your problem? I am constantly "random" selected. I am 68, female Caucasian. I thought I was being selected for ? drugs but was told, "No, explosives".

fenderfan85 avatar
fenderfan85
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Well....you don't see white people trying to blow up planes......

mintyminameow avatar
Mewton’s Third Paw
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes you do. White terrorism in America is bigger than any other kind of terrorism. They love to use explosives. You’re on the internet, look it up, ugly.

Load More Replies...
michel_2 avatar
Marcellus the Third
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Well if you're making pictures in the zone full of "No telephones/ no cameras" signs (as always at security & passport controls)... kinda this time they're really doing their job.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#47

To Criticize A Garbage Man

To Criticize A Garbage Man

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
saihoekstra avatar
Sanne H.
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don’t know how it’s in other countries, but here in NL apparently it’s one of the best paid low-education jobs available. A friend of mine did it as a student job while in university and apart from the smell he was quite happy with it.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#48

To Be A Professional Company

To Be A Professional Company

mckenziedenisee Report

Add photo comments
POST
jitka-zachova avatar
Pamela24
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All that's gonna do is make more people drive drunk. If Uber is so concerned about people throwing up in their cars or being violent (which is understandable) they should charge a deposit and/or allow the drivers to have pepper spray or something to defend themselves if necessary (not guns!).

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
See Also on Bored Panda
#49

To Create 3 Mexican Countries

To Create 3 Mexican Countries

reddit.com Report

#50

To Hide

To Hide

reddit.com Report

Note: this post originally had 150 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.