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Fake it till you make it! Whether you’re terrified to ask out your crush or you’re worried about finally taking the practical exam to get your driver’s license, you’ll feel much better once you finally have the courage to go through with it. Pretending to exude confidence might also be the perfect way to land your dream job or trick yourself into riding a rollercoaster. But there’s a time and place for being extremely sure of yourself, and the internet will not be very forgiving if you’re overly confident and incorrect…

Below, you’ll find some of the best posts of all time from the Confidently Incorrect subreddit. This community, which has 1.1 million members, is dedicated to calling out people who should really check their facts before posting online. So enjoy scrolling through these screenshots, and keep reading to find a conversation with communication expert Dr. Michael Gerharz!

#1

Well Maybe That’s Her Favorite Kind Of Yogurt

Well Maybe That’s Her Favorite Kind Of Yogurt

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#2

Brb, Going To Dye My Hair Rainbow Colors So People Like This Will Be Repelled

Brb, Going To Dye My Hair Rainbow Colors So People Like This Will Be Repelled

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We’ve all been there. You swear that one actor is in that film- no, you’re not mixing them up with someone else! Or you know for a fact that this song came out in 1997, not a year earlier or later. But sometimes, we’re just wrong! Everybody makes mistakes, and as embarrassing as it may be to have to own up to them, it’s even worse to dig your heels in and get called out online.

That’s where the Confidently Incorrect subreddit comes in. If you respectfully try to correct someone, and you’re actually right, you don’t need to worry about ending up here. But if you’re incredibly smug and simultaneously wrong, well, you might end up learning the hard way that you should be careful what you post online. 

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#5

There's No "I" In Happiness

There's No "I" In Happiness

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CanadianDimes
Community Member
3 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The sentiment behind this is also BS. You're not going to be happy if you never put yourself first, if you are always putting others first. Not prioritizing yourself gets you burnt out, disappointed, overlooked, and stressed. We need to stop romanticizing the idea of giving selflessly all the time. That's a recipe for misery, not happiness.

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#6

Yea, No They Haven’t

Yea, No They Haven’t

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Fembot
Community Member
5 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Countries with decent sex education (and, measuredly, from an early age) have the lowest teen pregnancy numbers.

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To find out why people are so inclined to believe that they’re correct, even when they’re not, we reached out to communication expert and author Dr. Michael Gerharz. He was kind enough to have a chat with Bored Panda and break down why confidence is so important.

“Confidence is the duct tape of communication — it can patch over a lot of holes, at least temporarily,” Dr. Gerharz shared. “Speak boldly enough, and people might just overlook the fact that you’ve built your house on sand.”

#7

Flag Code? In My America?!

Flag Code? In My America?!

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David Morgan
Community Member
4 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"I demand you do it the way I half-understand it to be, not the way it actually is".

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#8

Økay

Økay

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James016
Community Member
5 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is Pepys’s one of the people who gets offended by the thumbs up emoji and correct punctuation?

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So why do we become overconfident even when we’re wrong? “Because it works – at least in the short term,” the communication expert says. “Confidently stated nonsense can sound convincing, and it often leaves others too uncertain to challenge it.”

“Plus, when we project certainty, it’s easier to convince ourselves that we’re right, even when we’re not,” Dr. Gerharz explained. “You could call it a psychological safety blanket: ‘If I sound confident, no one will notice I might be wrong—even me.’"

"As the saying goes: ‘A bold assertion beats weak evidence.’ It’s a quick fix for uncertainty that creates the illusion of truth,” he added.

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#12

But We've Been To The Moon

But We've Been To The Moon

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Penguin Panda Pop
Community Member
4 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also saying that the UK uses the metric system is an oversimplification. We do use it mostly, but then we travel miles to avoid it sometimes.

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Clearly, the people featured on this list didn’t do a great job of correcting others. But is there a polite and respectful way to do so?

“Correcting someone is a delicate art, like defusing a bomb,” Dr. Gerharz says. “If you’re too blunt, it blows up; too cautious, and it still blows up. The trick is to snip the ego wire first. Keep the conversation focused on the idea, not the person. For example, saying ‘That’s wrong’ can feel like a personal attack.”

#13

Hercules Doesn't Know What The Word Boycott Means

Hercules Doesn't Know What The Word Boycott Means

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Dorothy Reiser
Community Member
4 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Steve was our babysitter when my kids were growing up. You did good, Steve!

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Instead of immediately telling someone they’re wrong, Dr. Gerharz recommends instead trying, “That’s interesting—I’ve always heard it differently. What do you think about this perspective?” 

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“Questions like these gently nudge toward the truth. They invite a conversation instead of launching a debate,” he explained. “Also, remember: nobody likes a know-it-all, especially one who doesn’t. If you’re swooping in to correct someone, make sure you’ve done your homework. Otherwise, you might end up as the next feature on the subreddit.”

#17

Smart Enough To Lead... Smart Enough To Breed?!?!

Smart Enough To Lead... Smart Enough To Breed?!?!

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Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
Community Member
2 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the weirdest false equivalency I've ever seen. It makes my brain hurt analyzing this. Greta isn't guiding anything. She's an advocate and a protestor trying to save the world. She's famous but she has no political power. Epstein was a disgusting POS who abused undergage women for fun and profit. This isn't apples to oranges, it's apples to used tires.

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And if you realize that you’re made a mistake, Dr. Gerharz suggests simply taking accountability. “We’ve all been there: halfway through a passionate argument, only to realize we’ve been confidently—and gloriously—wrong. The best approach? Own it. Fast,” he told Bored Panda.

“Something like: ‘Wow, I totally goofed there. Let me set the record straight.’ This not only clears the air but shows you value getting it right over saving face,” the expert explained. “Bonus: it also makes you more relatable. People trust those who admit their flaws more than those who act flawless.”

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#20

Hmm... Yes. That Sounds Right. Zeus, Mr Horny Year Round, Has Only One Son

Hmm... Yes. That Sounds Right. Zeus, Mr Horny Year Round, Has Only One Son

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OneWithRatsAndKefir
Community Member
5 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dionysus, Ares, Apollo, Hermes, in some versions Hephaestus, Heracles, Pollux and Castor, Perseus, Minos, Tantalus… and that’s only about 1/5th or 1/10th of Zeus known offspring, I believe.

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“Think of it this way: correcting yourself is like rebooting your reputation. It might be a little awkward in the moment, but it keeps the whole system running smoothly in the long term,” Dr. Gerharz added. “Mistakes are inevitable, but doubling down on them? That’s optional.”

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“The next time you’re tempted to speak confidently without really knowing, ask yourself: ‘Am I trying to be right, or am I focused on getting it right?’ One feeds the ego; the other feeds the truth,” Dr. Gerharz noted. “And only one of those is going to keep you out of the Confidently Incorrect subreddit.”

#25

And He Mixed Up Black Bear vs. Brown Bear Behavior

And He Mixed Up Black Bear vs. Brown Bear Behavior

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Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het
Community Member
4 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For the BP women, explaining is defined as the explanation of something by a man, typically to a woman, in a manner regarded as condescending or patronising.

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We hope you’re enjoying your scroll through these facepalm-worthy pics, pandas! Keep upvoting the ones that you find particularly hilarious, and let us know in the comments below what the most ridiculous “confidently incorrect” thing you’ve ever heard someone say was. Then, if you’d like to check out even more screenshots like this, you can find Bored Panda’s last article featuring this group right here

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#29

On How To Be Cool, And Not A Fool

On How To Be Cool, And Not A Fool

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mandy the capibara
Community Member
3 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To be honest, the original post feels like a prime example of baiting or intentionally using Cunningham's law ( stating a wrong statement to get a correct answer quickly). I'm not sure why he'd want that, but it doesn't seem to be genuine ignorance

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#30

Hunting Vegies

Hunting Vegies

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LillieMean
Community Member
4 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, if we think about languages ​​other than English, the matter is no longer so clear-cut. The best example is the Japanese term キノコ狩り (kinoko kari) whose translation is literally mushroom hunting. I also wouldn't say in Finnish that I go to collect mushrooms, but it has its own word that contains the word mushroom, sienestys. You can also say that you are going to a berry forest, marjametsälle or a game forest, riistametsälle. The word hunting is completely missing even though both are about it. the Finnish term metsästys contains the word forest and does not really explain what is being hunted there in the forest. Stones, plants, berries or people. who knows.

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#31

Basic Math

Basic Math

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CanadianDimes
Community Member
3 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Many years ago, I took a training class in which we had to solve a maths problem. Everyone - including the trainer! - got the wrong answer because they did the equation left to right without following the order of operations. When I explained why it doesn't work that way and explained the order of operations, one of the other participants tried to claim they didn't have the order of operations when they were in school.

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#32

What Kind Of A Monster Writes Their Memoir In The First Person?

What Kind Of A Monster Writes Their Memoir In The First Person?

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#33

Who Controls The Control Group?

Who Controls The Control Group?

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David Morgan
Community Member
3 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"I do not understand science or it's methods, but I have a strong opinion on it".

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#35

Someone Doesn’t Understand How The Food Supply Chain Works... Or Agriculture, For That Matter

Someone Doesn’t Understand How The Food Supply Chain Works... Or Agriculture, For That Matter

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#36

When You Can't Tell Antennas And Solar Panels Apart

When You Can't Tell Antennas And Solar Panels Apart

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#38

Redditor Thinks Atheists Are The Obnoxious Ones

Redditor Thinks Atheists Are The Obnoxious Ones

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#39

Incorrect On Multiple Levels

Incorrect On Multiple Levels

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#41

What’s The Welsh Word For ‘Overconfident’?

What’s The Welsh Word For ‘Overconfident’?

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CanadianDimes
Community Member
3 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What about a language that is fairly widely spoken in its country of origin makes it dead?

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#42

When Americans Think English Is The Only Language

When Americans Think English Is The Only Language

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Nilsen
Community Member
4 hours ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

According to BP there are entire countries that are offensive: N***r and Nigeria - N I G E R and N I G E R I A, two of the biggest in Africa (they seem to have changed their policies regarding Nigeria...)

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#45

Do The Basic Math, People!

Do The Basic Math, People!

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WindySwede
Community Member
4 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So someone born in 1999 is now, checks excel spreadsheet, 123 years old..

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#46

Glenn Beck Is Bad At History

Glenn Beck Is Bad At History

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Strings
Community Member
3 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well... you can go with the argument that the government doesn't grant rights, and the Constitution only enumerates them. But saying that it doesn't evolve is stupid, even so...

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#49

Still My Most Favorite One Yet

Still My Most Favorite One Yet

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Child of the Stars
Community Member
4 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is scientific proof, but they will still deny it and tell you that God created the Earth as "mature" and "fully-formed," just as Adam was created as a full-grown adult from dust. Trust me, there's no actual, real proof you can give these people that they won't have some answer for.

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#52

"I'm Not Sure If I Agree But Ok"

"I'm Not Sure If I Agree But Ok"

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David Morgan
Community Member
3 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why (apart from stupidity) isn't the obvious counter-answer 'I'll drive at more than 75mph then'? And for those asking where you could possibly do that, this screenshot doesn't state that it's point-to-point. It could be laps on a NASCAR race circuit. They do an average of 180mph, so 11.1 hours continuously.

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#54

They're So Close To Getting It

They're So Close To Getting It

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David Morgan
Community Member
3 hours ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Educated does not always equal intelligent, but this post shows the inverse IS correlated.

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#55

Covid Has Brought Out The Best In Everyone!

Covid Has Brought Out The Best In Everyone!

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#56

Communism Is When You Are Only Allowed To Buy One Share Of A Stock

Communism Is When You Are Only Allowed To Buy One Share Of A Stock

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Rizzo
Community Member
3 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always chuckle when I see Americans argue about things they got no freakin' clue about.

#57

Almost Like They Was Wrong

Almost Like They Was Wrong

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WubiDubi
Community Member
52 minutes ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Even heart damage is extremely low and benefits outweigh risks by normal medical standards. 1 in 10,000 and only for Pfizer. Read any medicine pack for context.

#59

1) Star Is A Shape And 2) Oranges And Blackberries

1) Star Is A Shape And 2) Oranges And Blackberries

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OneWithRatsAndKefir
Community Member
4 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Blackberry, sure, is like blueberry that it is a fruit called after a colour. But orange (colour) was named after orange (fruit); before then we called the colour ‘red-yellow’.

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