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There's something special about sharing an inside joke that only you and a handful of other people actually understand. It's like having VIP passes to the backstage of a very elite comedy club. One short sentence and everyone starts laughing. Except, of course, for the poor soul who just stares blankly, wondering what the heck they just missed. As soon as someone starts explaining it to them, the humor is lost.

That's the vibe over at an online community where feigned intelligentsia, geek things, and offbeat laughter are the order of the day. The Delusions of Adequacy page is filled with "vague and mostly harmless posts" that only certain people will truly get. And as the mods warn: "If you need it explained, you won't understand." Bored Panda has put together a list of the page's best ones, for you to scroll through while you contemplate your own inadequacy.

#1

Also, The United States Have Oil

A Mohamad Safa tweet about delusions of adequacy, stating the US would invade itself to liberate itself.

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WindySwede
Community Member
1 month ago

Though they would place someone loyal to them and demand 50% of the oil for them selves?

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    #2

    The Right Is Deliberately Undermining Public Services That People Love Inorder To Put More Money In The Pockets Of Those Who Already Have Too Much

    A tweet by David Osland about delusions of adequacy regarding pensions, Post Office, and NHS sustainability.

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    Auntriarch
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    Fact.

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    #3

    Church Is Honestly The Worst Bookclub Ever, If It Wasn't For The Wine No One Would Go Xd

    A social media exchange about essential services, comparing churches and abortion clinics, featuring delusions of adequacy.

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    WindySwede
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    Then they would sell all their possessions and give it to the poor! If not, they will not get into heaven!

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    Wiktionary defines "delusion of adequacy" as the belief that one is doing a competent job when one is actually incompetent. The phrase was first coined by American writer and Broadway theater critic Walter Kerr in 1951.

    "Mr. Robinson is not up to the course he has set for himself. In the play, the character concludes by giving up his dreams of overnight stardom and deciding to learn his trade from the bottom up. All Mr. Robinson can honestly do now is to take his own advice. At the moment, he is suffering from delusions of adequacy," Kerr wrote in a New York Herald Tribune review of a Broadway play called Buy Me Blue Ribbons. He was referring to Jay Robinson, the play's producer and star.

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    A modification of "delusion of grandeur," the phrase has since stuck.

    #4

    Well, Obviously We Can't Have Graffiti That Might Incite Thinking About Our Leaders Priorites

    Graffiti on a wall saying If you don't like graffiti then just look away like you do for human suffering, a wild post.

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    sbj
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 month ago

    Harsh but fair

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    #5

    Like All Holidays, I Hate Halloween, But This I Like Xd

    A child in a witch costume from the online group Delusions Of Adequacy, with a caption about a religious party.

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    WindySwede
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    "She turned me into a newt!"

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    #6

    When A Leader Uses The Military To Control The People That's How You Know They're A Dictator

    Quote about the separation of military and police, highlighting delusions of adequacy and harsh truth in online groups.

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    WindySwede
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    And defund education to make people not so knowledgeable to make the easier to control?

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    There's something called the Dunning-Kruger effect, and it's pretty much the same as delusions of adequacy.

    "The Dunning-Kruger effect is a cognitive blind spot where people with low ability overestimate their competence," explains Fast Company. "The theory has its critics, but three decades of qualitative data and observations in hundreds of organizations back this up: The worst bosses often believe they’re crushing it, while employees are silently unraveling."

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    #7

    Which Is Why Everyone Hates Insurance Companies And Everyone Loves The Fire Department

    A meme contrasting socialism as a fire department and capitalism as insurance refusing to pay. A post from Delusions of Adequacy.

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    WindySwede
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    So someone that votes mäga would never use a commi service like the fire fighters? 🤔

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    #8

    Think About That!

    A tweet from Delusions of Adequacy discussing Marjorie Taylor Greene hiring security after being hated by the right.

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    Balseraph
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    Hmm. I wonder why? It couldn't be that political violence is overwhelmingly committed by certain people... (Before the nutbars and arseholes come out of the woodwork: Yes, there are crazy and criminal people of all backgrounds, but statistically the likelihood that any act of political violence was committed by someone on the right is high)

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    #9

    Ask Yourself, Which Was There First?

    A deer crossing a road through a forest, a visual metaphor for delusions of adequacy in perspective.

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    WindySwede
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    I can't see the forest for all the tarmac..

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    Fast Company goes on to explain that bosses with delusions of adequacy often aren't acting out of malice but rather a lack of self-awareness. That's because they're praised by the very people who are too afraid to say what’s really on their minds.

    "Instead, they tell their boss what they think will keep them in their good graces—or out of their crosshairs—which only reinforces the boss’s belief that they’re a rockstar leader," the site notes, adding that bad leadership isn’t always intentional—it’s often about blind spots and unchecked power.

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    #10

    And Also Why Isn't It Declining Faster?

    Online group post about declining birth rates, questioning care and relevance, reflecting delusions of adequacy.

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    Luke || Kira (he/she)
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    There are exactly two reasons people worry about declining birth rates: one is rooted in racism, and the other is an economical reason which can be easily solved by taxing the rich.

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    #11

    If Nationalists Go Global Then Who Are They Going To Start Wars Against, That's The One Thing Nationalists Know How To Do! Xd

    A screenshot from the online group Delusions Of Adequacy showing two tweets about nationalism and globalism.

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    WindySwede
    Community Member
    1 month ago (edited)

    FES is [comparing] someone who buys cristals because they are shiny, with someone (a 'true flerf') that would harass people for not knowing the secrets of the crystals, feeling specially selected with this secret knowledge they have trying to convince you to see the truth that every glober have been indoctrinated to believe. (But when they do experiments, only show the earth is a ball, and when realising deleting the video...)

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    #12

    Correcting People Is An Annoying And Fun Activity You Can Do From Home Xd

    A tweet from the Delusions of Adequacy online group, discussing Wikipedia and the modern library of Alexandria.

    osamabishounen Report

    WindySwede
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    You are thinking about Murphy's law I see!

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    The experts over at The Decision Lab warn that when you "feel like you're excelling at something new or challenging, you might accidentally fall prey to the belief that you have stumbled upon one of your talents." In other words, you might suffer from delusions of adequacy. "In reality," they add, "you may just be a poor performer, finally approaching average levels."

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    They further note that being blind to our unique strengths can have a negative impact on our our well-being and mental health.

    #13

    Capitalism Is Great!

    A meme with billionaire faces among planets, contrasted with a man needing a dentist due to capitalism's harsh truth.

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    Bonesko
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    Personally, I am all for Elon Musk going to Mars. Just get this guy off the planet.

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    #14

    Under The Thumb Of Capitalist Rule

    A meme depicting Delusions Of Adequacy where Science is suppressed by Oil Industry Execs and Politicians.

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    WindySwede
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    *gives billions in support to fossil fuel*, "It's just not economically viable! "

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    #15

    The Holy Grail > Game Of Thrones, It Is Known!

    A meme from Delusions of Adequacy saying Gonna tell my kids this was Game of Thrones, depicting knights in armor.

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    Floeckchen
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    Ni!

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    What the experts are referring to is something commonly known as imposter syndrome, or persistent feelings of being a fraud.

    "People suffering from imposter syndrome may feel undeserving of their own success or may worry constantly about what will happen when others realize the 'truth.' The effect can also cause you to become disappointed when your self-recognized 'talents' are not recognized by others," The Decision Lab site explains.

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    #16

    As A Middle Aged White Man, I Approve This Message For Our Culture Xd

    Social media post by Brian Kibler about AI appropriating culture, a wild post from delusions of adequacy online group.

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    Anne Jones
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    What about As a white woman? Do I have a say?

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    #17

    I Mean She's Not Wrong, Maybe Poison Ivy Was The Hero We Needed All Along?

    Comic panel showing Poison Ivy with a tied-up CEO, highlighting delusions of adequacy about corporate value.

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    Anne Jones
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    Why is she called a villain?

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    #18

    Are We Talking In One Sitting Or Can I Get A Doggy-Bag For The Leftovers?

    Lisa Simpson presenting to a group about the harsh truth of climate change solutions and CEOs.

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    WindySwede
    Community Member
    1 month ago (edited)

    A BBC [BBQ 🤔 d**n autocorrect] with Mario and Luigi?

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    "Thinking you are better than you are at something can cause you to miss out on opportunities to learn from truly knowledgeable and skilled people," they warn.

    So, if you believe that you are already doing an incredible job and excelling, you’re less likely to ask for feedback that might actually help you improve your actual performance.

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    "On the flip side, thinking you are average at something when you really demonstrate great skill can cause you to miss out on opportunities for self-advancement or to guide and mentor others," the add.

    #19

    Favorite Nixon Quotes?

    A meme from the Delusions of Adequacy online group, featuring a character in a jar with text about computers and voters.

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    Anne Jones
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    A sad truth.

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    #20

    Hypocrisy At Peak

    An image showing an ATM room with multiple ACs and tubelights, humorously illustrating delusions of adequacy.

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    Annik Perrot
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    I remember a drawing I saw. A man has just finished fueling up his sixteen-wheeler and the (talking) machine says: "You chose the recycled paper ticket, the planet thanks you."

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    #21

    Do You Want Terminators, Because That's How You Get Terminators

    A meme from the online group Delusions Of Adequacy showing Sarah Connor looking concerned about ChatGPT.

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    Balseraph
    Community Member
    1 month ago (edited)

    Remember that Sarah Connor would want us to destroy data centres. Live by the rule of WWSCD?

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    According to The Decision Lab's experts, overconfident people, or those with delusions of adequacy, are extremely resistant to being taught because they firmly believe they know better. But on top of this, they are also guilty of sharing the most information.

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    "When these individuals confidently announce their stance, we are more likely to believe them, regardless of whether or not the information is well-founded," warns the site, adding that, "On a global level, the Dunning-Kruger effect can have dangerous consequences, whether that be in education, healthcare, or politics."

    #22

    The Puns Of Your Hall Is Somewhat Lessened Of Late

    A meme with a conversation about an acorn and a tree. A humorous post from Delusions of Adequacy.

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    Anne Jones
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    Dad jokes.

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    #23

    It's Not A Wonderful Life After All

    A social media post from kingreggieisreal discussing Bob Cratchit's wage adjusted for inflation, revealing harsh truth.

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    Ace
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 month ago

    1. They've used some weird economic marker for the comparison, in actual purchasing power it's equivalent to roughly $2.00 to $3.00 per hour. 2. The Cratchits were not portrayed in the book as destitute, just not particularly well off, They lived in a four-room house in a fashionable area of London, had food on the table every day, but had to make do with a (cheaper) goose instead of a Turkey for Christmas dinner.

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    #24

    Necromancy And Romance Go Togheter Like Gasoline And Fire

    Screenshot of a Tumblr post discussing a goth dating app, an example of delusions of adequacy in humor.

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    Anne Jones
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    Necromancy is d**d boring….

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    To avoid falling victim to the Dunning-Kruger Effect, or delusions of adequacy, experts advise that you be open to feedback and don't always assume that you're great at something.

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    "Remember that thinking that you’re bad at something likely puts you in the middle of the pack because it means you have enough insight to recognize your own incompetencies," explains The Decision Lab. "Being overconfident could also signify that you have some growing to do. It is important to take a step back and seek input from other sources." 

    #25

    Laugh In The Face Of The Absurdity Of Existance Xd

    A meme with a person's face against a starry background, featuring text about the harsh truth of existence.

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    WindySwede
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    Holly from Red Dwarf?!

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    #26

    Yeah, Yeah, The Bible Sucks, Where's My Free Ice Cream Already?

    A post from the online group Delusions of Adequacy, contrasting news about America and Finland.

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    WindySwede
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    Hmm, are bullets and guns in the bible? 🤔

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    #27

    As Easy As Stealing A Shirt From A 3yo I What I Say Before Every Spectacular Failure Xd

    A humorous text conversation showing a child's blunt comment about someone's weight, exemplifying delusions of adequacy.

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    P R
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    Why is Bored Panda's title-generator/word processor set to capitalize every word? And, why won't BP spend a little time and effort to proofread before publishing? Makes it harder to read and understand the writing.

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    #28

    A Threat To Their Ability To Wage War On Their Neighbours, Which Is Russia's Only Talent

    A meme from Delusions of Adequacy showing a man explaining Russia is right that NATO is a threat to their domination.

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    Anne Jones
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    Oh, those Russians…

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    #29

    Snowflake Billionaires Afraid That Words Will Hurt Their Little Feelings Xd

    A Twitter thread discussing Elon Musk avoiding Jon Stewart, highlighting the harsh truth of his interview fears.

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    Geoffrey Scott
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    Especially someone like Stewart, who (with his staff) are able to devastatingly call out hypocrisy.

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    #30

    Or To Put It Another Way, One Wants The Past To Be The Future, The Other Wants An Actual Future

    A two-panel image from the Delusions of Adequacy online group, contrasting the future the Left and Right want.

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    WindySwede
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    In the startrek universe it was a really s****y time before what was portrait in the series and movies though?

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    #31

    Why Just Like? I Think We Should Agree To Let Him Be A Teenage Girl If That's What He Wants

    A meme comparing Voldemort to a teenage girl, highlighting a diary, tiara, cup, pet, and obsession. A post from Delusions of Adequacy.

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    Luke || Kira (he/she)
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    And he was conceived by a bitter transphobe

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    #32

    They're Just Jealous Of Your Superior Arabian Numerals

    A meme from the Delusions of Adequacy online group, depicting a historical figure inventing zero and getting roasted.

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    Anne Jones
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    Sorry…I laughed.

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    #33

    The Future Is Now!

    A red toy truck driving off a cliff, representing a meme about self-driving cars and critical opinions, revealing delusions of adequacy.

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    David Paterson
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    Sontar-Ha!

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    #34

    Copying His Buddy's Homework But His Buddy Is Also A Sociopathic Dictator

    A meme from Delusions of Adequacy showing Putin writing while Trump looks over, labeled Trump’s Ukraine peace plan.

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    Reemerger
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    He's planning on selling out Ukraine again, but with some gaudy gold trim and the words America or Trump printed on it somewhere, isn't he?

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    #35

    All Worries Is My New Mantra! Xd

    A social media post from Maxie Shepard about accidentally saying all worries, highlighting delusions of adequacy.

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    Cristi nah
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    No good

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    #36

    Psa: If Your Country Doesn't Give You This Right, There's Something Fundementally Wrrong With It, The More You Know

    Finland's Everymans Right, allowing free roaming, berry picking, and camping, shared in online delusions of adequacy group.

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    Auntriarch
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    Cloudberries?

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    #37

    And I Can't Tell Which Of These Character Descriptions I Like Best

    A social media post detailing the diverse and woke characters in Star Trek, revealing the harsh truth.

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    Luke || Kira (he/she)
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    Same with "Star Wars are woke now". You mean the movie from 1977 about a ragtag, diverse group of freedom fighters in a war against an oppressive, totalitarian regime who reigns with an iron fist over subjugated planets?

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    #38

    Earth Needs To Be Cancelled Xd

    A tweet from the online group Delusions Of Adequacy about people booing Earth at a planetarium.

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    Khavrinen
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    "One star. Would not recommend."

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    #39

    If You Think Things Got Worse On Your Watch, Guess Whose Fault It Is Xd

    Four-panel comic illustrating an argument about millennial work ethic, a post about delusions of adequacy.

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    Michael Largey
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    My mom when I was 25: "You never really grew up!" ME: "Goodness sake. Whoever was in charge of me in the years when that was failing to happen?"

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    #40

    Now I Get Why The Aviators Xd

    Image of Emmanuel Macron and Elon Musk, illustrating delusions of adequacy regarding political attacks.

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    WindySwede
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    Right looks like someone who's been convicted of stuff that would get censored here on bp?

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    #41

    This Is Mariah Carey's Reserves Spot In Hell I Bet Xd

    Mariah Carey shopping, looking annoyed, in an aisle filled with gift boxes. A funny post from Delusions of Adequacy.

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    Bonesko
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    Can we stop playing this song over and over for 2 months a year? Working in customer service is annoying enough

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    #42

    If You Allow Threaths To Work, You Will Be Threathened Anytime A Bully Wants Something

    A comic featuring a crow representing Russia threatening to nuke, with Finland and Sweden reacting. A post from Delusions of Adequacy.

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    keyboardtek
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    What is a "threath"?

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    #43

    The Nation State As A Concept Has Played Out It's Usefulness

    A two-panel meme illustrating the concept of debating the state's right to exist, a harsh truth.

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    WindySwede
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    Vote! Or register to vote! (Which is a wild concept, here you just vote when turned 18)

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    #44

    I Think They Understand It Perfectly, Who Deserves To Be Crucified More Than The God Of Greed And Over-Consumption?

    A storefront display in Japan with Santa Claus crucified, a post reflecting delusions of adequacy and cultural misunderstandings.

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    Min (she/her)
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 month ago

    He died for your presents.

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    #45

    No Comment

    A social media post critiquing a jewelry slogan, a wild post from the online group delusions of adequacy.

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    WindySwede
    Community Member
    1 month ago (edited)

    What am I to you, but a Plug?

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    #46

    Homework Seems More Fun Than I Remember :p

    A child's drawing about the planet Uranus, making a funny comment, highlighting a wild post from Delusions of Adequacy.

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    Anne Jones
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    BART rules!

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    #47

    Nihilism Was Created By Big Nihilism To Sell More Nihilism Xd

    A screenshot defining nihilism, a post from the online group Delusions of Adequacy.

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    Luke || Kira (he/she)
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    You'll never meet a more miserable person than a nihilist.

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    #48

    "Lawn-Care" Xd

    A meme from The Landscape of Memes about suburbanites and their lawns, showcasing delusions of adequacy.

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    Geoffrey Scott
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    Lady I cut grass for: "I'd like you to fertilize my lakefront property"..."Probably not".."Why?"..."doesn't your owners association pay for lake weed control?".."yes"..."there are weeds due to fertilizer runnoff".. "but what can I do to make my lawn green and lush?".."tell ya what, instead of hauling off the leaves from those 2 big maples, I'll just chop 'em up"...worked fine, she saved money in the fall and got a lush lawn in summer.

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    #49

    The Only True Evil Is Acting Evil When You Have The Sense To Understand It Is Evil

    A four-panel meme from the Delusions of Adequacy online group, illustrating human nature and philosophical arguments.

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    WindySwede
    Community Member
    1 month ago (edited)

    ? Edit: the dude in the upper right

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    #50

    Not Staying In Bad Relationships, Familly, Friend, Or Otherwise, Is A Key Ingredietn To Happiness

    A meme from Delusions of Adequacy showing Finland reaching for the happiest country while a high divorce rate pulls it back.

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    Becky Samuel
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    We need to change our outlook on relationships. A relationship that ends is not the same as an unsuccessful relationship. It can just be that it has run its course. An amicable breakup is not the end of the world. The expectation that relationships or marriages will be lifelong was a product of patriarchal control over women, and led to a huge toll in human misery.

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