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35 People Who Noticed An Alarming Number Of Individuals Not Knowing Basic Facts Share What They Were

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Common knowledge isn't that common. Sure, you can't know everything, and excelling in one area often means neglecting another, but things like first aid and the definition (and use) of free speech should be universally understood. At least, in the perfect world — it's in everyone's best interest.

But, again, they're not. So when Reddit user CasualBeers made a post on the platform, asking its users to share basic facts that they've noticed a surprisingly large number of people don't know, folks immediately started listing their suggestions. Here are some of the most popular ones.

This post may include affiliate links.

#1

35 People Who Noticed An Alarming Number Of Individuals Not Knowing Basic Facts Share What They Were that freedom of speech doesn't mean you can say whatever you want without consequences or other people giving you s**t about it. it just means you can't go to jail for criticizing the government.

fxm87 , Clem Onojeghuo Report

Final score:

516points

Buren 2 years ago

Yes. I am appalled that it's used to justify the right to spread lies.

198points

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#2

35 People Who Noticed An Alarming Number Of Individuals Not Knowing Basic Facts Share What They Were How vaccines work. If they “make you sick,” it’s because they’re working! Your body is mounting a defense and creating antibodies to help fight off infection. A lot of really smart scientists have devoted their entire lives to keep us safe against life-threatening infection and people who have no medical training refuse them. It seems pretty idiotic and cavalier to me

JennieFairplay , cdc Report

Final score:

504points

Buren 2 years ago

This is actually driving me crazy, especially when I hear it from folks who I thought were logical and smart. I have to say that pandemic has plummeted my judgement of human, and it wasn't high to begin with.

228points

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#3

35 People Who Noticed An Alarming Number Of Individuals Not Knowing Basic Facts Share What They Were Just because it's natural doesn't mean it is automatically healthy.

Just because it is artificial or synthetic doesn't mean it is automatically bad for you.

halosos , Alexander Schimmeck Report

Final score:

430points

Jaekry 2 years ago

Toxic plants, fish, food... All natural. And yes. Bad for you.

76points

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#4

35 People Who Noticed An Alarming Number Of Individuals Not Knowing Basic Facts Share What They Were Blinkers aren't for you; they're to warn other road users of your intentions. Blinking a fraction of a second before you turn, or worse, start to turn then activate the blinkers does f**k all.

Myrdraall , Tim Bernhard Report

Final score:

428points

William Teach 2 years ago

It's why it's called a signal: it signals your intention to slow down and turn. Do it. Do it before you put on your brakes. Give people that warning.

124points

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#5

35 People Who Noticed An Alarming Number Of Individuals Not Knowing Basic Facts Share What They Were Antibiotics do not work on a virus.

Edit: I did not expect this to blow up this much. Thank you so much for the awards and the shared information!

hushabyesecret , Towfiqu barbhuiya Report

Final score:

427points

Bunzilla 2 years ago

People abusing antibiotics are the reason why we're having so many antibiotic-resistant bacteria sprout up that can kill us. Don't use antibiotics for a virus. Please.

191points

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#6

35 People Who Noticed An Alarming Number Of Individuals Not Knowing Basic Facts Share What They Were Women don't pee through their vagina

Yetiman82 , Miriam Alonso Report

Final score:

402points

Buren 2 years ago

Nor they can control period flow and turn it on and off

341points

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#7

35 People Who Noticed An Alarming Number Of Individuals Not Knowing Basic Facts Share What They Were #DON’T BOTHER WILD ANIMALS

I’m sure it’s just natural selection at this point

but the amount of stupid people I see walking up to wild creatures for video footage is irritating tbh.

Bonus points if the human gets hurt haha

SyndrFox , Johannes Andersson Report

Final score:

393points

Joshua 2 years ago

Exactly! And then they want to put the animal down for attacking. 😡

148points

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#8

35 People Who Noticed An Alarming Number Of Individuals Not Knowing Basic Facts Share What They Were The difference between there, their, and they’re.

AristocratNJ80 , Green Chameleon Report

Final score:

383points

Andrea Delden 2 years ago

Or to, too, and two.

172points

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#9

35 People Who Noticed An Alarming Number Of Individuals Not Knowing Basic Facts Share What They Were It is very easy to not block the whole aisle with your cart at the grocery store.

atistang , Ananthu Ganesh Report

Final score:

376points

Appalachian Panda 2 years ago

But what if you, your spouse, and kids run into another family of five who you haven't seen since last Sunday and you have to spend 20 minutes catching up? /s

104points

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#10

Don't just pet someone's dog. Always ask first!

Puzzleheaded_Pie_978 Report

Final score:

336points

Mabelbabel 2 years ago

Especially if its a service dog, like a seeing eye dog. He's working, so don't distract him.

14points

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#11

35 People Who Noticed An Alarming Number Of Individuals Not Knowing Basic Facts Share What They Were How long it takes a semi truck to stop

atomek_xxi , Shay Report

Final score:

317points

Performingyak 2 years ago

Or train

99points

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#12

35 People Who Noticed An Alarming Number Of Individuals Not Knowing Basic Facts Share What They Were Don’t dive in the water to save a drowning person. They WILL kill you. Throw them a flotation device. Hand them a broomstick and pull them to safety. Do NOT get in the water with a panicking person. Wait until they are unconscious and then dive in to retrieve them.

Source: years of swim lessons and unfortunately knowing somebody who has died trying to rescue somebody

ArmchairTeaEnthusias , Klara Kulikova Report

Final score:

316points

Slim Bluesbender 2 years ago

Reach, Throw, Row, Go

88points

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#13

35 People Who Noticed An Alarming Number Of Individuals Not Knowing Basic Facts Share What They Were That you should wait for people to get off the elevator when it arrives at your floor, instead of cramming yourself in when the doors open, blocking their departure.

DVWhat , Liliana Drew Report

Final score:

313points

DforDory 2 years ago

Same goes for every form of transportation, as well as for any kind of doors that connect "in" with "out", may it be a building, a store, a classroom or whatever. It's not just about manners, but logic too .

128points

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#14

This one is for my fellow men out there. Washing your booty hole DOES NOT make you gay. I have seen comments being made by a plethora of males stating that. It’s basic hygiene yo.

Ok_Plate_6053 Report

Final score:

308points

censorshipsucks 2 years ago

whaaaaat? it stinks, wash it!

156points

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#15

You can pick the better of two evils and still not like either choice.

Related:

You don't need to be 100% for one thing and 100% against something else.

delayedsunflower Report

Final score:

288points

Catherine Graffham 2 years ago

So many people don’t seem to understand grey area or nuance. I see it a lot with politics and opinions. I learned early on growing up with my siblings that sometimes you can both be kinda right or wrong and that just because someone did something hurtful doesn’t necessarily mean it was their intent to hurt, but so many people are so quick to vilify others for deeds or opinions (obviously this isn’t counting objectively wrong stuff like most crime or bigotry)

83points

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#16

Woman is singular, women is plural. Hate seeing inspirational comments that are intended to be moving start off with “As an independent women, I feel xyz”

Also that being a feminist doesn’t mean you hate men

Murph523 Report

Final score:

263points

Bunzilla 2 years ago

If you hate men, you're a misandrist, not a feminist. A feminist, by definition, feels that men and women should be treated equally and fairly.

180points

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#17

35 People Who Noticed An Alarming Number Of Individuals Not Knowing Basic Facts Share What They Were Women can get pregnant on their period.

LolaCordelia , Jonathan Borba Report

Final score:

252points

Mad Dragon 2 years ago

I did! She’s 15 and the best thing that ever happened to me!

83points

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#18

35 People Who Noticed An Alarming Number Of Individuals Not Knowing Basic Facts Share What They Were That not all internet news is real ….

OutsideBox4855 , Taras Shypka Report

Final score:

249points

Headless Roach 2 years ago

Oh no! And I am reading it on the Internet, so confused now 🙃

80points

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#19

The Earth is not flat.

annoymous_911 Report

Final score:

248points

Pieter LeGrande 2 years ago

I had flat-earthers neighbour. He was a pretty good artist so I got him to do a mural of the solar system for my son's bedroom. Did a good job but he left out the Earth. Just couldn't bring himself to do a sphere, or a pancake so totally at odds with everything else.

62points

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#20

A guest requested their chicken to be cooked medium rare this week. I don't understand why I have to stress that chicken only leaves the kitchen when it's completely cooked

Gorr-of-Oneiri- Report

Final score:

239points

Buren 2 years ago (edited)

These people would argue with you that chicken doesn't give you salmonella because it is not salmon

163points

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#21

That the scientific meaning of “theory” isn’t what the colloquial sense means.

magicmulder Report

Final score:

229points

Mike Crow 2 years ago

It’s funny how some people choose not to believe science and say theory is only a guess but will swear the bible is true.

110points

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#22

That epipens and narcan do not stop reactions/overdoses. They slow them down so getting a person to proper care is still a necessity

HUE_nicorn Report

Final score:

220points

TKA 2 years ago

TIL….definitely not what you learn from tv shows.

56points

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#23

Frankenstein isn’t the name of the moster. It’s the name of his doctor who created him.

Completely worthless information still.. I thought it may fit here. :|

Moonlightros3 Report

Final score:

220points

Nicole Weymann 2 years ago

...until you get philosophical and realize that indeed, Frankenstein was the monster.

17points

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#24

35 People Who Noticed An Alarming Number Of Individuals Not Knowing Basic Facts Share What They Were That Africa is not a country.

Waffles1502 , Maksim Shutov Report

Final score:

215points

Jiminy 2 years ago

And neither is Europe. Or the EU.

102points

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#25

How you should vote in elections. Just because your parents were one side or the other, doesn't mean you have to be. You don't have to tell anyone how you voted. Do your research and vote smart.

trying2moveon Report

Final score:

212points

Mike Crow 2 years ago

Do your research and vote for those you think that is needed this time. Don’t vote for teams or because they say the right thing.

52points

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#26

Any soap is antibacterial, You do not need soap labeled as such to kill germs effectively

Mary10123 Report

Final score:

198points

Guido Pisano 2 years ago

And most of all: friction is more important than the soap... So when you wash your hands rub accurately...

59points

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#27

35 People Who Noticed An Alarming Number Of Individuals Not Knowing Basic Facts Share What They Were Ponies are *small* horses, not *baby* horses.

TheMightyGoatMan , Ursula Drake Report

Final score:

197points

indiecognition 2 years ago

Then what's a baby pony?

22points

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#28

35 People Who Noticed An Alarming Number Of Individuals Not Knowing Basic Facts Share What They Were Gender, sex and sexuality are all separate.

SarahRoseLives , Elyssa Fahndrich Report

Final score:

192points

Lauren Copland 2 years ago

Just checking- are there 2 sexes and hundreds of genders?

25points

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#29

35 People Who Noticed An Alarming Number Of Individuals Not Knowing Basic Facts Share What They Were How to tell if food has gone bad. When I worked in a meat department, we got like one call a day from people saying “I bought this X days ago, is it still good?” Lady, I’m not there with you. This ain’t a smellophone. You’re going to have to use your own senses and brain on this one.

lettherebemorelight , Darrien Staton Report

Final score:

178points

Toolkit 2 years ago

🤣 Smellophone

98points

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#30

35 People Who Noticed An Alarming Number Of Individuals Not Knowing Basic Facts Share What They Were How to merge in traffic.

DVWhat , Derek Lee Report

Final score:

176points

Robert T 2 years ago

Like a zip!

46points

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#31

Evidence based reasoning and what evidence means.

nutfeast69 Report

Final score:

173points

WonderWoman 2 years ago

Just because you don't like the evidence does NOT make it false.

82points

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#32

35 People Who Noticed An Alarming Number Of Individuals Not Knowing Basic Facts Share What They Were Fact checking.

Most of people are prone to fake news and propaganda nowadays.

InvalidUsernamePH , Firmbee.com Report

Final score:

173points

censorshipsucks 2 years ago

fact checking is easy. 1. Is it exciting or outrageous? 2. Does it make you angry or scared? 3. Does it contain exclamation marks? 4. Does it threaten your personal ingroup/identity? 5. Does it refer to, or imply, a massively powerful cabal controlling everything? If the answer to any of the above 5 is "yes", then it is likely fake news.

66points

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#33

35 People Who Noticed An Alarming Number Of Individuals Not Knowing Basic Facts Share What They Were How to spot an obvious scam. Look how many people fall for those clickbait articles and chain posts and propaganda and stuff

stitchmidda2 , Stephen Phillips - Hostreviews.co.uk Report

Final score:

137points

indiecognition 2 years ago

I will teach YOU how to avoid scams. Just send me your bank account info to get started.

116points

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#34

35 People Who Noticed An Alarming Number Of Individuals Not Knowing Basic Facts Share What They Were First Aid

rabidpuppy007 , Martin Splitt Report

Final score:

127points

indiecognition 2 years ago

Not really a fact so much as a body of knowledge. Or knowledge of body.

40points

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#35

35 People Who Noticed An Alarming Number Of Individuals Not Knowing Basic Facts Share What They Were It's better to use water that's not quite boiling when you're making your tea.

Ok-Environment-7970 , 五玄土 ORIENTO Report

Final score:

117points

Andrea Delden 2 years ago

Yes, you should "hot the pot", but not put the kettle back on the boil. The few minutes it cools is perfect to make the tea. So, warm your tea pot with a small amount of water after the kettle boils, swirl the water in the pot, pour out that water, put the tea in the pot and add the rest of the water. Then enjoy!

32points

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Note: this post originally had 58 images. It’s been shortened to the top 35 images based on user votes.

Rokas Laurinavičius

Rokas is a writer at Bored Panda with a BA in Communication. After working for a sculptor, he fell in love with visual storytelling and enjoys covering everything from TV shows (any Sopranos fans out there?) to photography. Throughout his years in Bored Panda, over 300 million people have read the posts he's written, which is probably more than he could count to.

Rokas is a writer at Bored Panda with a BA in Communication. After working for a sculptor, he fell in love with visual storytelling and enjoys covering everything from TV shows (any Sopranos fans out there?) to photography. Throughout his years in Bored Panda, over 300 million people have read the posts he's written, which is probably more than he could count to.

Indrė Lukošiūtė

I am a Visual editor at Bored Panda, I'm determined to find the most interesting and the best quality images for each post that I do. On my free time I like to unwind by doing some yoga, watching all kinds of movies/tv shows, playing video and board games or just simply hanging out with my cat

I am a Visual editor at Bored Panda, I'm determined to find the most interesting and the best quality images for each post that I do. On my free time I like to unwind by doing some yoga, watching all kinds of movies/tv shows, playing video and board games or just simply hanging out with my cat

What do you think ?

BoredPandaSucks 2 years ago

Freedom of religion really means freedom FROM religion

16points

Brobro McDuderson 2 years ago (edited)

Freedom to believe anything you want, including nothing if someone prefers.

2points

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wowbagger 2 years ago

How to navigate the city/town/area they're living in without GPS. GPS is great, especially when going somewhere new, but it's very useful to have an internal map of your own town in your head.

14points

The Other Guest 2 years ago (edited)

My sense of direction is...shaky, at best. Although I live on the West Coast, because of the weird coastline shape the fastest way to get to the beach from here is to head directly south; you'll arrive in 10 minutes as opposed to over an hour going due west. This kinda messed with my whole N/S/E/W perceptions. Additionally, I have to envision the living room of the home I grew up in, and orient it in my head to match where I am to figure out directions. "OK, it's early afternoon and I'm pretty much facing the sun, which means it would be shining in the side window, not the front, so behind me is roughly North."

4points

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2picklesinabun 2 years ago

95% of boredpanda is reddit and tiktoks. Wtf happened to you, BP??

10points

censorshipsucks 2 years ago

that's what it is. But at least it's curated and neat. I find Reddit impossible to follow because it's such a mess, and the tiktok reposts save you the nusance of watching a moronic video.

19points

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David Leick 2 years ago

Serious question: Was BP content entirely original at one time? I've only been browsing for a few years now and all I remember are the "If Disney princesses were real people" posts. I assume those were from elsewhere, as well.

3points

Nikki Sevven 2 years ago

Content farming is more profitable than content creation.

2points

Seabeast 2 years ago

If you don't like it, then create some content yourself and submit it.

1point

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BoredPandaSucks 2 years ago

Freedom of religion really means freedom FROM religion

16points

Brobro McDuderson 2 years ago (edited)

Freedom to believe anything you want, including nothing if someone prefers.

2points

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wowbagger 2 years ago

How to navigate the city/town/area they're living in without GPS. GPS is great, especially when going somewhere new, but it's very useful to have an internal map of your own town in your head.

14points

The Other Guest 2 years ago (edited)

My sense of direction is...shaky, at best. Although I live on the West Coast, because of the weird coastline shape the fastest way to get to the beach from here is to head directly south; you'll arrive in 10 minutes as opposed to over an hour going due west. This kinda messed with my whole N/S/E/W perceptions. Additionally, I have to envision the living room of the home I grew up in, and orient it in my head to match where I am to figure out directions. "OK, it's early afternoon and I'm pretty much facing the sun, which means it would be shining in the side window, not the front, so behind me is roughly North."

4points

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2picklesinabun 2 years ago

95% of boredpanda is reddit and tiktoks. Wtf happened to you, BP??

10points

censorshipsucks 2 years ago

that's what it is. But at least it's curated and neat. I find Reddit impossible to follow because it's such a mess, and the tiktok reposts save you the nusance of watching a moronic video.

19points

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David Leick 2 years ago

Serious question: Was BP content entirely original at one time? I've only been browsing for a few years now and all I remember are the "If Disney princesses were real people" posts. I assume those were from elsewhere, as well.

3points

Nikki Sevven 2 years ago

Content farming is more profitable than content creation.

2points

Seabeast 2 years ago

If you don't like it, then create some content yourself and submit it.

1point

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