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If morbid curiosity is the name of the game, then the subreddit r/WTF is the cheat code that unlocks all of its levels.

As you might've already understood from our first publication on this online community, it has plenty (and I mean plenty) of things that you probably haven't seen before.

Only this time, we'll focus on the macabre. Like an octopus with 32 tentacles. Or a huge sinkhole opening up in someone's living room. You know, the kind of stuff that nightmares are made of.

#1

Started Work This Morning, Put My Headset On, Felt Something Furry In My Ear, Looked And There Is A Bat In My Headset

Started Work This Morning, Put My Headset On, Felt Something Furry In My Ear, Looked And There Is A Bat In My Headset

soulhacler Report

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    #2

    Seagull Riding On Another Seagull. Wait What?

    Seagull Riding On Another Seagull. Wait What?

    louyplays Report

    Author and behavioral scientist Coltan Scrivner, who is a research fellow at the Recreational Fear Lab at Aarhus University, and has pioneered the psychological study of morbid curiosity, says that our initial instinct is to avoid looking at these things because we fear that what we see will not be pleasant.

    But just think of horror movies. There's a jump scare and the bad guy is on the screen. Half the audience covers their eyes in terror, while the other half is glued to the screen. However, even the people that are covering their eyes peak through their fingers from time to time to keep an eye on the killer. 

    Why do we do this? Why do we subject ourselves to fear and anxiety?

    #3

    A Small Herd Of Cows Found Their Way Into A Newly Built Home In Montana And Lived Inside For About A Month Before Being Noticed

    A Small Herd Of Cows Found Their Way Into A Newly Built Home In Montana And Lived Inside For About A Month Before Being Noticed

    asadali0786 Report

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    #4

    A Guy Comes Back From Work To Find This In His Living Room

    A Guy Comes Back From Work To Find This In His Living Room

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    #5

    I Am Not In Danger. I'm The Danger

    I Am Not In Danger. I'm The Danger

    Wirpvp Report

    To understand it, Scrivner suggests starting with real situations. "The car wreck story is a bit old and tired, but it's a good example because it's something that almost everyone has experienced and can intuitively understand," he writes.

    "It's true for almost everyone that you don't want to see someone injured and you don't hope anyone died in the wreck. But, if they did, you do feel compelled to look at it."

    #6

    I Freaked Out A Little When I Met This While Cross Country Skiing

    I Freaked Out A Little When I Met This While Cross Country Skiing

    Dronas Report

    #7

    My Dad Cleans Out Hoarders Homes After They Pass Away. He Discovered This Collection Under All The Trash

    My Dad Cleans Out Hoarders Homes After They Pass Away. He Discovered This Collection Under All The Trash

    pilatesbody Report

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    #9

    Sleep Outside, They Said... It'll Be Fun, They Said. I'm Never Sleeping Again

    Sleep Outside, They Said... It'll Be Fun, They Said. I'm Never Sleeping Again

    whoanellie418 Report

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

    Better on the outside. Imagine leaving the tent door open.

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    That's mainly due to the simple fact that our ancestors lived in dangerous places. "The world today can also be dangerous, but even the most basic treatments that are available today can severely decrease the seriousness of an injury. If you got injured 10,000 years ago (or even 100 years ago), your chances of surviving were far less than they are today with modern medicine," Scrivner explains.

    "Even if the blood loss didn't kill you, an ensuing infection might. This placed a premium on avoiding danger—or at least avoiding the consequences of danger."

    #10

    John Wayne Gacy Did Construction For My Grandparents And We Found His Business Card While Going Through Some Stuff Today

    John Wayne Gacy Did Construction For My Grandparents And We Found His Business Card While Going Through Some Stuff Today

    watchperson1 Report

    #12

    I Have Been Losing My Mind Over How My Work Shoes Are Always Spotless In The Morning After Being Out On My Porch Overnight, I Wore Different Shoes To Work Last Night And I Found Out Why When I Came Home

    I Have Been Losing My Mind Over How My Work Shoes Are Always Spotless In The Morning After Being Out On My Porch Overnight, I Wore Different Shoes To Work Last Night And I Found Out Why When I Came Home

    megawaveoven Report

    #13

    Coconut Crabs Are Attracted To The Smell Of Food

    Coconut Crabs Are Attracted To The Smell Of Food

    jcdehoff Report

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

    so what the actual hell are you doing sitting there those mfs ate amelia earhart

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    But to avoid danger, you must first know something about it. You have to recognize it. After all, the more you know about something, the better you can predict it. And the better you can predict it, the better you can deal with the consequences if it does occur.

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    "This is where curiosity steps in. I don't want to be in a car wreck myself to find out how bad a car wreck is. I also don't want someone else to be in a car wreck. But if they are, I do want to know how bad it is. This could inform my current decisions and behavior," Scrivner says.

    #14

    The Aftermath Of Recent Flooding In Germany

    The Aftermath Of Recent Flooding In Germany

    Ideal_Jerk Report

    #16

    Just Learned That Standing This Close To A 380 Feet Waterfall Is A Thing (Devil's Pool - Victoria Falls)

    Just Learned That Standing This Close To A 380 Feet Waterfall Is A Thing (Devil's Pool - Victoria Falls)

    Morganga200 Report

    #17

    The Actual Wtf?

    The Actual Wtf?

    Arkady2009 Report

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    For example, if the car wreck is particularly gruesome, it might cause a person to slow down or be extra cautious the rest of the day, which will decrease the chances of the same unfortunate event happening to them. (If it's just a fender bender, it may not affect their driving behavior very much.)

    #18

    Found In Random Estate Sale Box - Pile Of Notepads Full Front And Back Of Obsessive Notes On The Next Door Neighbors Every Move. Meticulous Detail. Several Times A Day For Years

    Found In Random Estate Sale Box - Pile Of Notepads Full Front And Back Of Obsessive Notes On The Next Door Neighbors Every Move. Meticulous Detail. Several Times A Day For Years

    EarnSneakySneaky Report

    #19

    Found In Downtown Fresno, Ca. Someone Covered A Geo Metro With Pennies. Possibly Doubled The Value Of The Car

    Found In Downtown Fresno, Ca. Someone Covered A Geo Metro With Pennies. Possibly Doubled The Value Of The Car

    rbbass Report

    "The consequences of threats have left their mark on our psychology and influence our behavior in response to 'morbid' situations," Scrivner says. "This has resulted in most of us having some morbid curiosity, and some of us having a lot of it."

    This psychological tendency has also played out in large-scale human behavior numerous times. Whether we're talking about the Roman gladiatorial games or the presence of death in rituals and religion. The spectacle of public executions. Or the massive fan base surrounding the true crime and horror genres. Coloring each of these phenomena, according to Scrivner, is a tendency for humans to be morbidly curious.

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    #22

    Martin Laurello Could Turn His Head 180° & Was Known As The Human Owl. He Was A Sideshow Performer Who Lived From 1886 To 1955

    Martin Laurello Could Turn His Head 180° & Was Known As The Human Owl. He Was A Sideshow Performer Who Lived From 1886 To 1955

    Browndog888 Report

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

    "Eyes in the back" becomes a whole new meaning here. But seriously, it's a cool thing. Have to read about him more!

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    #23

    A Postman With A Baby In His Mailbag, When It Was Legal To Send Children Through The Us Postal Service, 1913

    A Postman With A Baby In His Mailbag, When It Was Legal To Send Children Through The Us Postal Service, 1913

    raffaele2406 Report

    So now we know that the best way to avoid the consequences of a threat is not to simply avoid it. "Avoidance might get you away once or twice, but it's not a good way to deal with future encounters," Scrivner explains. "It's more efficient and more productive to first learn something about the threat. This way you can know how to identify, avoid, or deal with it in the future."

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    #26

    Garter Snake Mating Ball Found In Manitoba, Canada

    Garter Snake Mating Ball Found In Manitoba, Canada

    devdevo1919 Report

    #27

    The Beginning Of A Disaster?

    The Beginning Of A Disaster?

    HattoriHanzo983 Report

    #28

    Someone In Oregon Caught This Ling Cod, Complete With A 'Belly Full' Of Octopus...

    Someone In Oregon Caught This Ling Cod, Complete With A 'Belly Full' Of Octopus...

    indelibleice Report

    #29

    An Octopus With 32 Tentacles

    An Octopus With 32 Tentacles

    criteriaz Report

    #30

    Met This Guy Who Had His Wife's Eye Professionally Turned Into A Ring

    Met This Guy Who Had His Wife's Eye Professionally Turned Into A Ring

    reddit.com Report

    #31

    It Is Made Out Of Cat Hair

    It Is Made Out Of Cat Hair

    MrGaash Report

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

    Some people have too much time. Like me, commenting on crazy stuff on the internet:D

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    #34

    A Shoebill Visiting You Literally Sounds Like A Shootout At The Arcades

    A Shoebill Visiting You Literally Sounds Like A Shootout At The Arcades

    vynziii Report

    #35

    Coax Cable Removed From A Man's Bladder. "It Had Become Encrusted With Phosphate And Had Coiled To The Anatomical Curves Of The Bladder." Only One Way It Got Up There

    Coax Cable Removed From A Man's Bladder. "It Had Become Encrusted With Phosphate And Had Coiled To The Anatomical Curves Of The Bladder." Only One Way It Got Up There

    jimrob4 Report

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

    As I'm sure he told the doctors, there's perfectly reasonable explanation. He was using his coax cable, in the nude, when he slipped and fell. Happens all the time.

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    #36

    Saharan Sand From Africa Covering Snow In Europe

    Saharan Sand From Africa Covering Snow In Europe

    Blackbird1251 Report

    #37

    Found A Scorpion Under A Gas Hob In Our Kitchen (Photo With It Under UV Light)

    Found A Scorpion Under A Gas Hob In Our Kitchen (Photo With It Under UV Light)

    HaykoKoryun Report

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

    Some have cockroach, some have scorpions. Grew up with scorpions in the house (in France). Looks pretty normal to me 🙃

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    #38

    Someone Shot My Car On The Highway

    Someone Shot My Car On The Highway

    rationaljackass Report

    #39

    Finger Turned White After Staying Out In The Cold Rowing

    Finger Turned White After Staying Out In The Cold Rowing

    aydenbear05 Report

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

    Reynaud's syndrome. I have this, it isn't fun - but more numb than painful

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    #40

    Just Moved Into A New Apartment And Happened Upon What I Thought Was A Piece Of Painted Over Tape Stuck To A Bookshelf. Peeled It Up To Find It Was Concealing A Mystery

    Just Moved Into A New Apartment And Happened Upon What I Thought Was A Piece Of Painted Over Tape Stuck To A Bookshelf. Peeled It Up To Find It Was Concealing A Mystery

    OiMooi Report

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    #41

    Thought I Had A Broken Knuckle For The Last 2.5 Years, Last Night This Splinter Popped Out

    Thought I Had A Broken Knuckle For The Last 2.5 Years, Last Night This Splinter Popped Out

    Rutherford_b_Krazy Report

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

    How do you not know that you've got a foreign body that big in the back of your hand? I garden a lot and I can feel a tiny rose thorn. That must've stunk when it came out.

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    #43

    Ct Scan Shows A 10 Inch Sausage Within Rectum

    Ct Scan Shows A 10 Inch Sausage Within Rectum

    Wise-Serve5730 Report

    #45

    Lina Medina, With Her Son, The Youngest Girl Ever To Give Birth At The Age Of 5

    Lina Medina, With Her Son, The Youngest Girl Ever To Give Birth At The Age Of 5

    reddit.com Report

    #46

    Stellar Sea Lions Can Reach 2,500 Lbs

    Stellar Sea Lions Can Reach 2,500 Lbs

    killerbunnyfamily Report

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    #48

    Melted And Damaged Mannequins After A Fire At Madam Tussaud’s Wax Museum In London, 1925

    Melted And Damaged Mannequins After A Fire At Madam Tussaud’s Wax Museum In London, 1925

    pumpkinmum Report

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

    That head looks pretty nervous about the posture of that mannequin above it...

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    #49

    Did Some Maintenance At A Supermarket. They Showed Me A Return They Got Today

    Did Some Maintenance At A Supermarket. They Showed Me A Return They Got Today

    Darth-Regnos Report

    #50

    My Brother Is A Home Inspector, This One Is Definitely Going In His Report

    My Brother Is A Home Inspector, This One Is Definitely Going In His Report

    NikolaiBullcry Report

    #51

    This Was Outside A Dollar Tree, In Sacramento

    This Was Outside A Dollar Tree, In Sacramento

    Firstworldreality Report

    #52

    He’s Built Different

    He’s Built Different

    SurvivalGrid Report

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

    Maybe they're doing an underwater production of the Hunchback of Notre Dame 😅

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    #53

    Ladies And Gentlemen, I Give You Roadside New Orleans East. (Taken A Few Days Ago, Not From A Storm)

    Ladies And Gentlemen, I Give You Roadside New Orleans East. (Taken A Few Days Ago, Not From A Storm)

    DNGRHLVTCA Report

    #54

    Whatever The Hell This Advertisement Is Meant To Be

    Whatever The Hell This Advertisement Is Meant To Be

    Maddybear167 Report

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

    Hope they don't really understand the meaning of 'friends with benefits'.

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    #55

    In The Middle Of Mi-Toe-Sis

    In The Middle Of Mi-Toe-Sis

    sBroz410 Report

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    #56

    Man With Radium Poisoning, Ukraine 1990's

    Man With Radium Poisoning, Ukraine 1990's

    glasses_the_loc Report

    #57

    This Is A Jack-O-Lantern With Mold Growing From The Inside

    This Is A Jack-O-Lantern With Mold Growing From The Inside

    B-L-O-C-K-S Report

    #60

    How Does This Even Happen

    How Does This Even Happen

    B-L-O-C-K-S Report

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

    A display model of a fish? Ring attachment 3/4 down the back?

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    #62

    Hyper Realistic Mask To Be Sold In Japan

    Hyper Realistic Mask To Be Sold In Japan

    ContentArsenal Report

    #63

    There Are Plants Growing Through My Electrical Socket

    There Are Plants Growing Through My Electrical Socket

    GemmTheCosmic Report

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    #64

    There's An Optometrist Business Near My House That Has This Giant Poster Outside Advertising Colored Contacts. It Seems To Have Aged In A "Wtf Is That A Demon?" Way

    There's An Optometrist Business Near My House That Has This Giant Poster Outside Advertising Colored Contacts. It Seems To Have Aged In A "Wtf Is That A Demon?" Way

    philosophyfirst1989 Report

    #65

    Too Much Waste Along The Riverside

    Too Much Waste Along The Riverside

    Lovesinica Report

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

    Ah, India. Where they believe in reincarnation and STILL s**t on every inch of Mother Nature

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    #67

    I Wish This Wasn't Real

    I Wish This Wasn't Real

    HelloAvram Report

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

    Who figured out which mushrooms were good to eat? Just like:this tastes good in soup,this one makes you smell colors,and this one killed Jerry immediately

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    #68

    When The Electrician Gives F@cks About Structural Stability

    When The Electrician Gives F@cks About Structural Stability

    Rpilla001 Report

    #69

    And Connecticut Just Created Its New Tourist Attraction...a Mini Grand Canyon In Cromwell!

    And Connecticut Just Created Its New Tourist Attraction...a Mini Grand Canyon In Cromwell!

    ILovePublicLibraries Report

    #70

    Flyart

    Flyart

    This monitor lizard Report

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    POST
    g90814
    Community Member
    2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Many bodegas have a cat, we like to be different."

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    #71

    A Caiman With An Unusual Tail

    A Caiman With An Unusual Tail

    TheRoach Report

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

    after all these millions and millions of years... are they evolving to be even more apex?!?

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    #72

    Ceiling Snake

    Ceiling Snake

    madethisjustforpewds Report

    #73

    "I'll Take The Pure Speculation Meat Please"

    "I'll Take The Pure Speculation Meat Please"

    Takemeto-yourmother Report

    #74

    Our Office Stays Mostly Empty These Days, But I Popped In Today And Made Some Coffee. After It Brewed I Lifted The Pump Lever I Found This

    Our Office Stays Mostly Empty These Days, But I Popped In Today And Made Some Coffee. After It Brewed I Lifted The Pump Lever I Found This

    F4L2OYD13 Report

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

    And no one in management can figure out why remote workers would rather quit than go back to the office every day…

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    #75

    This Thing My Dad Found On The Beach

    This Thing My Dad Found On The Beach

    ActuallyF-edUp Report

    #76

    Damage From Recent Flooding In Germany

    Damage From Recent Flooding In Germany

    MoBuckeye Report

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

    That is so monumentally huge that it took me a while to get the right perspective.

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    #77

    This Elevator

    This Elevator

    She_a_trap Report

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

    If I was ready to move my body I wouldn't have taken elevator for the second floor!

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    #79

    I Think This Is Amazing

    I Think This Is Amazing

    Great_Air1547 Report

    #80

    Yes It's A Woman Walking Down The Street With A Pet Racoon. Never Seen Anything Like It In The UK

    Yes It's A Woman Walking Down The Street With A Pet Racoon. Never Seen Anything Like It In The UK

    Mention-Agile Report

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    kath morgan
    Community Member
    2 years ago (edited) <