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Damaged vending machines. "No change" messages on broken ATMs. Pepsi ads sponsoring diabetes research. These images may have little in common, but transmit a widely shared yet subtle sensation — they’re the unsettling reminders of a dark and strange twist in the reality we find ourselves in today. And unfortunately folks, it’s also a pretty bleak one.
Let me present to you the 'Boring Dystopia' subreddit, an online community dedicated to "chronicling how Advanced Capitalist Society is not only dystopic, but also incredibly boring." In case you've never heard of this term, it was coined by the late British academic and cultural theorist Mark Fisher. It refers to the feeling of unease in the form of mildly coercive signs that flourish in a late-stage capitalist society.
We at Bored Panda scoured the online group and handpicked some of the most vivid examples that illustrate there's something not quite right with this world. Continue scrolling and be sure to share your thoughts with us in the comment section below. And after you’re done reading this piece, take a look at our earlier compilations full of dystopian madness right here, here, and here.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
We're All Just Profit Potential
ThePanInPanda 2 years ago
It's so well-written as well, sounds like a passage from a dystopian novel, but the dystopia is our reality.
RELATED:
#2
From A 7-11 In Allen, Tx
#3
Real Nice System We Have Here
To learn more about boring dystopia, we reached out to Macon Holt, Ph.D., a researcher at Copenhagen Business School and author of Pop Music and Hip Ennui: A Sonic Fiction of Capitalist Realism. He told Bored Panda this phrase is related to Mark Fisher’s critical term capitalist realism, "which he used to describe the pervasive belief that capitalism is the only viable form of the political, social and cultural organization following the end of the cold war."
It may be difficult to wrap your head around the term "boring dystopia" but once you get the hang of it, chances are, you’ll start seeing it everywhere. "[It] is more about the aesthetic experience of living in capitalist realism at a point in time when the system appears ever more unsustainable (ecologically, [politically], and in terms of increasing inequality and decreasing standards of living) but in which no other way to organize society has emerged," Holt explained.
#4
“If I Had A Super Power, It Would Be To Fly. I Would Tell Other Children From Around The World To Come And Play With Me And My Sisters, And To Drink Tea Together!” – Mohamad, A Syrian Refugee In Lebanon
#5
Sadly, This Situation Is Only Gonna Get Worse
TonyTee 2 years ago
It's sickening how screwed up the economy is. All we can do is hope it gets better in time, but unfortunately, that seems like wishful thinking. I'm so used to living in apartments (and now a trailer in a trailer park because rents for apartments are ridiculously high) that I have no idea what it's like to live in a house. Maybe one day I'll be lucky enough. But only maybe.
#6
Wait? Am European Lol
Alexandra Nara 2 years ago
While freedom is still a glorified statement against healthcare or weapon laws- my mind humming some lines of Bobby McGhee. and it 's gettin louder everyday
Although most of us grew up imagining a dystopian future full of terrifying end-times scenes, brutal police states, and decadent rulers, it is more likely to consist of mundane and unappealing scenarios. Holt mentioned exciting movies like Blade Runner or The Matrix from the '80s and '90s that offered depictions of going out with a bang, "But as the years in which those images came around, none of the dreams or nightmares came true," he said.
"Instead, space travel is becoming the hobby of billionaires while they ignore the ecological crises they could perhaps help with, AI and robots seem either to be surveilling us while they vacuum or when we click on a link, and the VR worlds of the metaverse are just ways to charge us more rent for spaces that we can't actually occupy."
#7
"Letting The Cat Out Of The Bag", From United Auto Worker, October 1937
ThePanInPanda 2 years ago
This one made me kinda smile, but it is sadly true. 1937 authors knew what was up!
#8
Normal Country
#9
Cool Era We're Living In
muffin woman 2 years ago
The media needs a dose of reality. (also, yes we should allow trans bathrooms)
Typically, the most evident samples of boring dystopia are senseless ads and ordinary images of broken machinery. When asked about other examples of this experience, Holt mentioned we can find it in bureaucracy, "like the terms of a rental contract that forbid tenants to use cooking oil on the stove, so a landlord can keep the deposit if a single drop is found on the extractor fan hood."
"NFTs are perhaps a good example of boring dystopia,” he continued. "If a sci-fi writer were to dream up a situation in which people paid the money they had earned doing actual work for a certificate of verification that they own a .jpeg of a bored ape, their editor would probably say the world the story depicted would be too depressing to publish."
#11
One Day The Masses Might Cotton On
#12
You’re Not Wrong
He also noted that outlets such as Bored Panda draw attention to the conditions of contemporary boring dystopia in its name and try to break up the monotony of the everyday. "In boring dystopia, people are often anxious about work, housing and the future of the planet, and there's very little to alleviate this. As Mark Fisher put it 'No one is bored, everything is boring.'"
#13
Unions Are Needed!
#14
The American Dream: Move Out
InfectedVoice 2 years ago
Don't assume it's all peaches and daises in Europe, people are broke here too, with the same ridiculous housing costs and everything else, In the U.K. for example we just have universal healthcare, no guns and nowhere near as much racism but it isn't perfect by any means.
May 2 years ago
I'm in Scandinavia, so in the most privileged part of Europe, but 'plenty of savings' isn't the norm (unless you're a boomer) even here. And only in the cities (where housing costs are beyond the average person) can you get by without a car.
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Jennifer De Casterle 2 years ago
If you have free health care you don't need to have 'plenty of savings'.
Drea Benoit 2 years ago
As a US citizen, don’t worry, we know it’s a struggle everywhere. There are pros and cons to every government and society. Memes aren’t reality.
Immortal Emperor Paradox 2 years ago
I think memes are actually quite dangerous, since they reduce every conversation to a joke or taunt. An answer doesn't recieve popular vote because it was logical, but just because it was funny.
Karmen vrt 2 years ago
Europe is not perfect, but compared to the USA its definitely much much better, yes I lived on both continents and Europe wins.
Kevin Hickey 2 years ago
I'll take "flawed" over "f##cked up beyond comprehension" any day. The U.S. is filled with people fighting over peanuts while we gleefully flush trillions of dollars down the toilet for useless war machines and prisons. People who gleefully drive gigantic gas hogs and then complain about the cost of fuel, completely disconnected from reality.
Phoenix Storm 2 years ago
Gotta say, still sounds a sh1t ton better than whatever the hell is going on here
coleby worthen 2 years ago (edited)
I’ve been to Eastern EU countries that are far more racist and homophobic. Just a comment from my personal experience
Carl Liuzzo 2 years ago
“Nowhere near as much racism” you forgot to say jk. This is a big lie you all like to perpetuate. Tribalism is technically racism. Everyone’s so much better than us huh
Anna 2 years ago (edited)
yeah a lot of people here in the US think Europe is some kind of paradise, in Switzerland, barely anyone could afford a house even before the economy was this crazy, healthcare is mandatory (and you pay at least 250 a month) (but don’t get me wrong, Switzerland is still one of the nicest places to live in in Europe), a lot of countries have crazy unemployment problems (such as spain) and the amount of people living in poverty is going up
Manuel Delgado 2 years ago
Maybe you should expand your circle of acquaintances. While yes, there are pros and cons, for the vast majority of people just the healthcare, education, wellfare, gun-free standards of many European countries are enough arguments to make the difference.
Drea Benoit 2 years ago
Eh, to each their own. My point is that the “vast majority” of US citizens actually aren’t dying to move to Europe, and it’s just plain silly to argue which is better. We see the world news and know it’s no paradise. And I’ve lived and worked in the US, UK, Belgium, France, Netherlands, Germany, and China for a big Dutch tech company whose US branches were 80% expats. My comments come from actual experience on both sides.
Jennifer De Casterle 2 years ago
I submit that you perhaps do not know many Americans who choose to live in Europe. Because I don't know a single one who thinks the good ol' USA is better and I am one of them..
Yana Markova 2 years ago
We don't have any savings, they're in the previous generation, we're also broke. But yeah, we (France) have a way better social system compared to the USA, also health system, working laws, waaaaaay less racism, better education... The American dream is long gone,
Kate Johnson 2 years ago
I'm sorry, InfectedVoice, but free secondary education is enough for a lot of us. Add Universal Healthcare and many of us would give our right arm to live there. Oh, and no guns? Not as much racism? Nowhere is all peaches and cream, obviously, but what you have is still so much more than what we have here in the States. Maybe if I went to one of those online schools I could learn a new job that could be done remotely! But I'll never know: there's simply no way that I can pay for the schooling. I'm 47, disabled since 2009, haven't seen the inside of a classroom since 1993, and I can't work. I wouldn't mind trading situations for a wee bit...
Hybrid_Hydra 2 years ago
Maybe not, but I'd give my soul for a snippet of that life any day. Here in the United states, my wife who was born with a disease that is caused her to become disabled still can't get seen by a doctor who will take her seriously, still struggles every day to work a little bit she can to help pay for a tiny two bedroom apartment for me and my daughter, all the while I work 40 to 50 hours trying to figure out how the hell to make ends meet so that my daughter doesn't starve and my wife is able to afford the insurance that barely pays for her medication that is required for her to live.
Alexandra Henderson 2 years ago
Yeah but you also have it easier to get out of bad financial situations (unless B Johnson decides to have Manchester pay for things again 🙄) in the US if you're poor and have a SO there's little to no chance of you getting any help... They purposefully split families apart just so kids can eat once a day
Iva Sativa 2 years ago
Half the world lives under the poverty line but let's complain about how in Britain it's not perfect.
Bob Cakin 2 years ago (edited)
Yeah, but at least you don't have to worry about someone calling an ambulance to "help" you if you get into a medical emergency. It's actually fairly common for injured people here to tell people around them NOT to call an ambulance because they can't afford it. I have known people who told me I should just let them die if they are ever in that situation because they would rather be dead than have to live with the medical debt they would undoubtedly rack up from the cost of an ambulance/medical treatment for the rest of their life.
TahJia Williams 2 years ago
Screw that American is complete TRASH compared to Europe. NO we didnt say your perfect but compared to America your a diamond in the rough
Jerry Hennelly 2 years ago
America is the polished gem compared to many places around the world where I've lived and worked.
RoseTheMad 2 years ago
The UK cost of living is just getting more and more expensive, but peoples pay etc isn't getting any higher along with this, so we're just suffering :')
Vain Black 2 years ago
I'm pretty sure Europe isn't less racist as an entity. The EU is helping by making borders easier to cross but it's about the same everywhere. It's always those dirty foreigners taking the jobs, not that nobody wants to pay a living wage.
Katinka Min 2 years ago
Yup, thanks to the insane financial politics that made housing and property a prime speculation object, we are all struggeling, nowadays, to find affordable place s to live, while the amount of newbuilts os relentless. But it's all offices, hotels and luxuryappartments noone ever stays in. It's insane and it needs to be stopped!
Susie Kamper 2 years ago
Yeah they should have written “scandinavians” instead of Europeans. Cause this is how we live in Denmark. Except we get 2 months paid vacation - not 1.
GettheOtis 2 years ago
That 2 month vacation is something no American will ever see, barring the ultra wealthy elite
Lisa Intally 2 years ago
You can have a 2 month vacation in the US just as long as you don't expect to get paid...or get your job back.
May 2 years ago
5 weeks is not two months, we have it pretty good in Denmark, no need to exaggerate
InfectedVoice 2 years ago
That's something else I should've mentioned, actual employment laws, mandatory holiday days and a year of paid maternity leave for new mothers, that is a great thing that sadly, a lot of the USA doesn't seem to have, at least if the s**t you see on the internet is to be believed.
Lisa Intally 2 years ago (edited)
We have a lot of idiots in the US who vote against their best interests because they like idiot reality TV stars.
lakitha tolbert 2 years ago
And by less racism that means less. Police brutality against black and brown people, instead of a killing a day. There’s a reason black Americans will emigrate to Europe!
Melissa Gallo 2 years ago
Amen, been unemployed for 2+ years with few prospects, despite being a competent professional with a 25-year international career...
Smarty Panda 2 years ago
No one said perfect lol that sounds pretty freaking awesome to me. I wish every day that I could move out!
Anne Mitchell 2 years ago
Beats the hell out of not being able to afford insulin or asthmatic meds though, or relying on tips to pay your rent.
Mega Tron 2 years ago
Don't believe everything you hear, there isn't nearly as much racism here in the states as you'd be led to believe
Cass Malone 2 years ago
I think you underestimate the amount of racism in the UK. And there are guns there, talk to the farmers
Jason Schleman 2 years ago (edited)
Are you assuming there's racism in America or do you actually know it for a fact?? Don't believe the hype from the news, I live in Tampa Florida in the hood and we have all kinds of races living right next to each other and there isn't any problems! The news outlets are full of it! Are there racist here, of course but it's not a problem like they want you to believe. Haven't you ever noticed that when it's election time is when the news media starts putting forth all their racism stories so the Democrats can try to get an edge!!??
CA3 2 years ago
Based on your last sentence, I'm guessing you turned off Fox News long enough to read something on Bored Panda and post this ill-informed comment. I'm happy you live in a harmonious neighborhood and trust what you said about it is true. However, it's the equivalent of someone living in the Arizona desert telling everyone it doesn't rain much in the USA, despite all the flooding they see reported on their televisions.
Cara Michelle 2 years ago
There's lots of racism here in the us. I've lived in ga, SC and now MO....it's bad
Csaba Horvath 2 years ago
People from Hungary are migrating there, because life is much better in the UK :D
SilverStar Heggisist 2 years ago
We don't really have much racism, that's why Jesse Smollett had to fake a hate crime. The demand for racism wildly outstrips the actual supply of racism.
Vonev Kalinsk 2 years ago
But European Welfare like America Runs on the Slavery of the Global South Workers of the World Unite we must tear down this Rot!
Sharon Dean 2 years ago
Well that healthcare and no guns are a great starting point, but we don't have that either. Good ole USA!!
Jason Schleman 2 years ago
Are you assuming there is a lot of racism in America or you just believe the news? I live in Tampa,Fl. in the hood and all kinds of races live here next to each other with no problems! Don't believe the hype!
Nonya Bidness 2 years ago
Yay, you haven't experienced racism. Good for you. Meanwhile, there's still redlining, the school to prison pipeline is a thing. Heck, come out to a rez and see how "well" us indigenous folx get treated by neighboring towns.
InfectedVoice 2 years ago
We haven't actually moved our island, we are still in Europe mate we're just not a member of the European Union, which was a real s**t mistake to make, we should've stayed.
Michael Mathers 2 years ago
everybody ever born is racist. it's impossible to not be racist. it's a survival technique
InfectedVoice 2 years ago
I can only speak on behalf of England but no we are not divided in the way you guys are, we have small pockets of racist people but we are a very diverse place and 99.99999999% of people get along just fine, we don't have the seething undercurrent of racism that seems to be present there, racism is not something to see on the street on an average day.
Charlotte 2 years ago
God, I remember when the US was the promised land. Growing up in the 80s and 90s, watching all those American TV shows, it seemed like the center of the world. Nowadays I wouldn't want to live there if they paid me a million dollars.
KC Lancaster 2 years ago
As a US "army brat" (my dad was a Capt.) we were taught that, too. Later. while in High School in the 80's I didn't understand Koch Brothers politics, Reganomics and the PR machine behind it, or the beginning of the division we seem to have now in much of the country. Tbh, I don't understand it all now, but with what little I do get, I think we all need that million dollars just to pay part of our medical bills/student loans/rent.
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InfectedVoice 2 years ago
Totally, I grew up on American music and films, it seemed like a cool place with all the best stuff and the kids didn't have to wear school uniform and all that 80s jazz, America was cool man, not so much now, still make great music, films and tv shows though.
Christophe Beunens 2 years ago
As an european, I have never felt that my freedom is restricted. Ok, we are less free to wear guns and speak hate speech, on the other hand, the streets and schools are pretty safe over here
Nicole Weymann 2 years ago
Yupp, priorities. I will gladly do withour hate speech and guns (and others abusing them) in exchange for public health care services, social security and less police brutality.
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Al Upinya 2 years ago
As long as I'm in the hood my Glock keeps me alive so if you want to help your politicians take guns, you guys gotta take the hoods away, and that means taking major cities away, and too many politically obsessed people live in them so you gotta take them out too then you gotta take the blue party away because major cities are their bread and butter. Instead of relying on all that govt hand out bs. Doubt you know what exactly " police brutality" is either.
Carl Liuzzo 2 years ago
You either have free speech or censorship. You can’t have both. Doesn’t mean you have to like what people say but they have the right to say it.
Al Upinya 2 years ago
America is the only place believing that. Every other country is also fully aware of that painful fact and stays away from that indoctrination. It's prejudice. "Racism" is Trotskyism, and if gays are allowed to have it for the straight general public that general public is also allowed it's preferences and prejudices as well.
Anna Dybich 2 years ago
Birds born in a cage think flying is an illness. Alejandro Jodorowsky
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Frank Miller 2 years ago
Don't worry, the Republicans are doing everything they can to get as much of that pesky freedom taken away from you as possible.
Mir Adwari 2 years ago
Get glasses online. Goggles4u I just got a pair of varifocals and a pair of prescription sunglasses for £42. You just need your prescription and your pupillary distance and it is a doddle. Been buying glasses for years this way.
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Iifa A. 2 years ago
You can buy prescription glasses online if you know your prescription. I have done this for years, every two years visit optician. She gives you the prescription, you either get lenses changed in current glasses or you take the prescription details and enter it when purchasing online. Same goes for contact lenses, get prescription from the optician and go online and buy them while entering you specific needs example left eye, diameter 8.6, -2.75, right eye diameter 8.6, -1.0 Gets dropped into Post box.
Mir Adwari 2 years ago
Maurettis, I clearly said you need a prescription. You 'should have gone to Specsavers' if you didn't see that! Your not knowing that this is feasible doesn't make it untrue. I have been doing it for years and saving a fortune.
BigOrangeTractor 2 years ago
In case you didn't know: if you're on a low income you should qualify for NHS cost assistance unless you have assets over so many thousand pounds. https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/nhs-low-income-scheme-lis/ for more information.
Na Schi 2 years ago
@Backlass: your comment sounds like you need to review your spendings... or not showing of to be a (poor) manager. I'm also an (EU) European and the start into paying/living on your own was hard (not to mention the struggle when studying). However, I don't have to pay back absurd high amounts for my education and all the basic things are definitely being taken care of by my health insurance. However if I prefer to have fancy glasses I have to pay for them by my own.
Vicky Zar 2 years ago
But you don't need to worry about being ill or having an accident.
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Karolína T. 2 years ago
Uhm, not really. Medical care is payed by public insurance, but the income shortage can lead into debts very quickly. We have some social support but there is incredible bureaucracy and even though the people have life or accident insurance, they experience financial crash while processing their request.
Carito alias La Cototina 2 years ago
I am British, my husband works only 32 hours a week on minimum wage and I am a newly qualified nurse and in the year since I started working we have saved £15,000+ plus. Working in the NHS I don't understand how your neurosurgeon brother cannot afford to buy a house?! Where is he looking for a house...Knightsbridge?
Iifa A. 2 years ago
I'm in Ireland. I have no savings, but I also have no debts due to health or education. Third degree, o going health issues, off work nearly a year now and yes it's hard, prices go up, rent went up, but I'm bloody grateful to be eating and having a place to sleep. I don't have money for entertainment or fun activities currently, but public transport allows me to do walking trails in Ireland. Europe is not greener, but comparing to my friend who lives in Florida I am better off. Still broke, unemployed, but I am covered by the government while being sick, supporting my studies, glasses when vision detoriated. I have always worked 35-50hrs a week and while working I could afford 4-7 trips a year and two long holidays because a month off is a standard paid holiday legally.
J. F. 2 years ago
It's not all that good in Europe - Here in Germany a car is still necessary as the public transportation usually only is good in / or to get to bigger cities, outside in the rural areas it's very lacking.
RK Barbo 2 years ago
It's still better there than here. I live in a town in Montana of 65,000 people. Our city bus system only runs until 6pm. On Saturday, it doesn't start until 10 and ends at 4. On Sunday it doesn't run at all. And the actual routes are pretty limited. That makes it very hard for people without cars to even get jobs. Also, there's only two ways to leave town. Car, or plane. And our airport is very expensive. There are no trains or busses that go through my town. The closet train is a two hour drive away.
Carl Liuzzo 2 years ago
You’re in Montana. I cannot imagine people are looking for a statewide transportation system. Move to any one of our big cities and you can ride the trains all you want.
Martha Meyer 2 years ago
We've had governments for the past 40 years that did everything in their power to make it stay that way. I'm hopeful public transport will finally get the attention it should have gotten ages ago, now that we don't have a stupid CDU government anymyore.
Francisco Manuel Teruel Gutiérrez 2 years ago (edited)
Sorry to say that, but in the UE [EU] we have freedom, too.
PandaPops 2 years ago
So yeah. UK here. Yes I have one job (12hr shifts) , don't have the time for another. No savings as living hand to mouth. Cant afford the deposit on a house as rent and bills is so high. I have to have a car as the buses dont run at my shift times, always get messages about covering extra shifts on my days off... But i do get 6 weeks paid annual leave
Your Life Sucks 2 years ago
USA is very money-centric, a lot of us here define ourselves by our jobs, not by our hobbies. I think this is more of a sociological problem, you know, not necessarily that the government has a role in it. For instance, a lot of degrees colleges and universities offer here are pretty obsolete and in low demand, but American society pressures young adults to go to college--when you can be just as successful getting accredited for developing skills elsewhere--and we don't even know what the hell we want to major in yet. So what you get is a bunch of students wasting money on college just because America told them to "get a life," and then you get totally inflated tuition costs a million times worse than they were 10, even 15 years ago.
Max Blancke 2 years ago
I don't understand why everyone thinks "a degree" is a valuable thing, without specifying what the degree is in. If you have a degree in, as examples, medicine or some sort of engineering, paying your rent is going to be easier than if you studied revolutionary poetry. It is not like this is some kind of secret. A person smart enough to attend college has got to be smart enough to do a web search for "college degrees that lead to prosperity" or whatever.
Doug the Special one 2 years ago
The only thing wrong with the European list is that not all of us have access to "great public transport" If you live outside of major conurbations there is no "great public transport"
Mir Adwari 2 years ago
Yet the US is officially a Flawed Democracy and all too many of you put up with horrendous health care costs and have poor work life balance. Why aren't you fighting back about that? Many other countries have the same freedom of speech and most of us SERIOUSLY cannot emphasise enough how little we want the freedom to bear arms, you really can keep that utter crap. Though most can get a licence to have a gun if we really wanted... just that hardly anyone does. 'Only people with the freedom to fight back' my a r s e!!. Then do it! Hilarious that you believe your own propaganda!!
felicia wills 2 years ago
Doesn't help that the poor continue to procreate and don't teach their kids how to better themselves.. I came from such a family...ties can be broken. No sympathy.
Klas Klättermus 2 years ago
My father worked 3 jobs and my mother 2 jobs and we still lost our house in a financial crisis in the 90s in Sweden. If not the majority of their money would have went to taxes perhaps we could have kept our house instead of being left with $100k debt and no house.
another one 2 years ago
They don't even have freedom--they rank quite low on global freedom standards.
Mr Zipperface 2 years ago
I live in Scotland, I have no savings, I'm living month to month, I would get rid of my car if I could but public transport isn't cheap or convenient enough to use for getting to my work, 15 miles away.
Got Myself 4 Pandas 2 years ago
I know this isn't the case for a lot of the uk, but we're a family of 6 who manage fine on a single wage, mainly because the cost of childcare makes it harder for me to work, why would I work just to pay someone else to watch my children - once they're older I hope I'll be able to work,more for something to do than anything.
Firkin Dirkin 2 years ago
I the uk; if you are born in England/Wales you pay for university and end up with huge debt. If you are born in Scortand then a University education is free. Why? Scotland has a Labour (Democrat) government, England has a Conservative (Republican) one. And this in a country made up of a "united" kingdom!
Got Myself 4 Pandas 2 years ago
Eh, Scotland doesn't have a labour government, labour is pretty much dead in Scotland. We consistently vote SNP, we consistently vote against the conservatives. If England keep voting to keep them to govern the whole of the uk then that's something Scotland and wales can't do anything about, England vastly outnumbers us. Scotland votes in a party that will try to take the edge off of a conservative government but we're still stuck with them regardless of the fact we don't vote for them. There's only so much power that holyrood has but it's used in ways to help people. If England would stop moaning about how unfair it is that we get this and they don't and look at the reason why that's the case and vote according to what party will provide these things then they could change how the country is run. There's been many opportunities to do so, but more people have voted conservative - go figure
Load More Replies... Mr Zipperface 2 years ago
Well said, while by no means perfect, the SNP at least gave us free prescriptions.
zan 2 years ago (edited)
And the numbers of homeless people in the US... many of them working hard, sleeping in their cars, taking showers in gyms..., somehow I think the Europe is next, public healthcare is slowly going to an end, hard work nor degrees can guarantee a decent level of living (for me it means debt free); in Poland in public hospitals you need to wait for your planned surgery for YEARS (2-5 depending on the issue), yet the same hospital offers you surgery with the same equipment within 2-3 MONTHS if you willing to pay for it; we are yet to see the dystopia.. I guess there no longer will be private property due to unrealistic taxes, cash replaced by all sorts of electronic 'money' (with expiration date so people will be forced to spend it, creating money flow) which will lead to total control of anybody; US seems like a testing field...
Michelle Drew 2 years ago
Oh yeah, life's just a dream over in Europe....said the guy whose never been there
Loretta Hines 2 years ago
I live in Australia, okay we have health care, waiting lists are high though, we have housing crisis both renting or buying and those studying have similar problems to your country with large debt. It’s a global problem currently with the great divide between wealthy and poor. Brought about by selfish government system. Unfortunately we have gone backwards and not forwards in wanting a equal society.
Josie Sangione 2 years ago
Because I work three jobs that are meant for high schoolers. I don't want a real job. Waahh
Jakub Kořínek 2 years ago
You can get called on days off if you have it in your cobtract but he must pay you for 24/7 minor wage even if you are at home.
Randy Kitchens 2 years ago
European citizens have a rich and colorful history of lopping off heads and destroying kings for sowing discontent and misery. Handy tools they had for bettering their futures. Ah well.
Oscar Fausto Pelosi 2 years ago
In Italy we have normal payrolls, many are "Average Joe" for their income and... And we DO love our Country for all that is mentioned in the meme. You know what's the only thing we really hate about our Country? Politicians. Our politicians are PoS and should die straight away.
Katerina Huskova 2 years ago
The part about Europe isn't truth. It's not completely wrong but doesn't fit for all Europeans.
Beenie Cat 2 years ago
Some European countries though make you pay up the wazoo in taxes to accommodate those expenses so there's a give and take to everything
Mindframe 2 years ago
I'm solidly top-row, minus the public transport, here in Midwest America, and the only folks I know that are quotable bottom row have degrees in sociology or gender studies that they were tricked into by the universities. You have the freedom to riot at the University too, not just burn down a black owned Wendy's
Goddess of Peanut Butter 2 years ago
I make almost 4x the minimum wage here in the US. I have to choose between going to the doctor or feeding my kids. Feeding my kids won out, which is why I ended up with stage iv cancer
Shelley Dawson 2 years ago
You have a very skewed and inaccurate view of Europe. You should visit us sometimes. Check out Ukraine for one.
AverageWeeb 🇬🇧 2 years ago
Yay, European utopianism. “If we pretend we don’t have problems we won’t have to solve them!”
Abdul Karim 2 years ago
I Can only recommend to move to Germany. It's so lovely here. I moved with all my family and all of us didn't have to work a day since we arrived here. We live in a house, have plenty of food, big TV, all the stuff other people dream of and don't have to worry about anything. The Germans pay for everything with pleasure. Such a nice country. So move to Germany. You don't even have to speak their language. They eat her learn yours or use some apps to understand you. It's fantastic in every way
Ziggy van Gijsel 2 years ago
Here in Holland Thay are now glorifying the American system for being more profitable... We are really going to end up in an ridiculous distopían world. The politicians not there for there people just for the buisnesses and the money
Bryan John 2 years ago
What freedom with the "Disinformation governance board" that allows Democrats to arrest us for disagreeing with them? I'm more upset with the international community for allowing this to happen and not saying anything. BBC, where the f**k are you when it matters?
CA3 2 years ago
Are you really saying "allows Democrats to arrest us for attempting an insurrection?" Otherwise, I don't understand your point.
Load More Replies... Bryan John 2 years ago
You're allowing bored Panda to control our speech. We're Americans and YOU aren't.
daniel280456 2 years ago
Maybe stop immigration for a few decades, create some employee scarcity. Europe didn't have constant mass immigration. It does now, let's see what happens.
ckcl 2 years ago
These are true but vary wildly depending on where you live in Europe and what your situation is. Ireland has 20 days paid holidays plus the 10 public holidays, relatively inexpensive (but not free) healthcare and heavily subsidised (again, not free) 3rd level education. On the other hand, there's a generation that cannot afford to buy a house and can barely afford rent. Dublin public transport is a lottery and areas that have good transport have overblown prices. It's a city of 1.3 million that has no metro and no rail link to the airport. In the rest of Ireland, public transport is piecemeal - you realistically need a car.
SewingStaffy 2 years ago
I'm in the UK, no savings, 2 jobs, barely making rent and all the other bills each month. Fuel and electric costs are going up. My electric is already double what it was last year, yet I'm using the same amount!! Yes, we may have health care (if you can get an appointment) but we struggle just as much
Tamara Kroonen 2 years ago
Yeah, we have healthcare, but you pay a 10th of your minimal wage to healthcare insurance and yet have to pay extra costs because each year they take something out of the insurance package (called personal contribution) and another trick: personal risk. Since they privatised healthcare you pay pay pay and you receive less and less. For the poorest families this is not payable and they too suffer from lack of medicines.
An Coen 2 years ago
This is very incorrect and generalised…. Every country AND company has different laws and regulations. Saving money is irrelevant as interest rates are negative. Healthcare insurance cost is high, wages are lower, tax rates are through the roof. Public transport is old, routes non-existing. What takes you 20minutes by care can take you 2 hours by bus or train. So, please stop generalising. Europe is not the promised land 😂
Jerry Royal 2 years ago
It helps if one gets a degree in a field that actually is needed like nurse, engineer, etc..art history pays zero!
Mike Ipsen 2 years ago
Yeah this was clearly written by an American that knows nothing of the European situation.
Ivana Bašić 2 years ago
Other than plenty of savings... Most people I know are working class and have to be careful with their budget.
UpupaEpops 2 years ago
I've just spent two years watching paint dry, practically locked in my room, because I couldn't find employment due to the pandemic, but lost my tax-funded medical coverage due to my age. I have a compromised immune system and I'm living with my mother who is a key worker. So yeah. It's not quite as straightforward as it is in the post.
Edurne 2 years ago
The last sentence isn't correct, at least in Spain.. Your boss totally CAN call you on your day off, and also ask you to go to work on your day off if it's necessary. It doesn't happen very often and you can refuse, but your boss might take it to count when you ask for an extra day off or a small raise and say no. Usually, the more flexible the employee is, the more benefits he/she gets
Paul Ellis 2 years ago (edited)
These days politicians - primarily on the right - use 'Freedom' as a weapon of mass dysfunction.
Karolína T. 2 years ago
As a European, yes I have paid vacation and do not care about healthcare costs, but I have 2 jobs cause even I have a degree, I have been payed a handout (normal in education a health system) and rents and mortgage are ridiculously high and a good public transport is true only in big cities.
UpQuarkDownQuark 2 years ago
Freedom to go hungry, freedom to be homeless, freedom to work every day of your life…
Pedro Botas 2 years ago
Try living in Portugal on minimun wage.. "free healthcare" in Portugal isnt very good, you wait months to see a doctor, you wait years to get an operation, houses are very expensive because of "gold visas" that the goverment gave away for foreigners to invest in real estate, house pricew are trough the roof, fuel is 2€.. minimum wage is 700€ per month.. welcome to socialism
Mia D 2 years ago
I am from a country that has free education and free healthcare. We have very little homeless population. We also have a president since 1994, yes the same one. We have no freedom. Most of my friends have been political prisoners or still in prison for their political views as I am typing this message. Some of them will spend there 5-11 years just for speaking out loud about unhappiness with the president and his politics. the Average pay a moth in my country is 450 us dollars. The jeans cost 40-70 us dollars.
guesswho2who2 2 years ago
try moving to Cuba or Venezuela to see how well that fantasy "socialist paradise" dream you have will work out...
Stutter271 2 years ago
Sadly though, this European stereotype is so far from the truth. We get to see the successes, not the hardships
Wilko Lunenburg 2 years ago
And then you think about that there are more guns than people in the US, children cannot be left unattended even for a few minutes, anti-abortion laws, gerrymandering, closing almost all polling stations to prevent people from voting out the conservatives.... yeah real freedom.
Load More Replies... Anonymous Person 11 months ago
You must be a woke SJW commie that believes everything Biden tells you. Capitalism forever baby!
#15
2% Of Musk's Wealth Could Help 42m People
Boring dystopia tells us that while capitalism is often labeled as the most efficient economic system out there, it is not necessarily geared toward human flourishing. "Depending on who you ask, it can be argued that in some particular corners of the world at a certain point in history when there was a relatively strong welfare state and high tax regime, capitalism was part of what brought a good number of people out of poverty."
#16
Siri To Stop Bad Cops
#17
Back To School
June’s Very Own 2 years ago
Honestly heartbreaking that they have to take precautions like that.
#18
Validating Your Employees By A Pointing System
InfectedVoice 2 years ago
If my boss tried any of that s**t (not that she would), I would sue the company to the ground, holy s**t!
However, other people will point to the historical and contemporary violence, the destruction of the environment, and the inequality and exploitation required to make such "market dynamism" possible. According to Holt, capitalism has only ever been efficient at producing more capital. But "capital doesn't care who holds it. How it is made, what it is spent on or invested in and who gets to decide these things have always been political questions. And the answers to these questions have been, largely, deferred to the market for a long time, which has produced a world of increasing inequality, anti-democratic power structures, ecological ruin and boredom," he told us.
#19
Glad Critical Medical Care Is Being Taken Care Of By Private Companies That Definitely Give A S**t
#20
American Healthcare In A Nutshell
#21
After The Government Let Companies Influence School Curriculums, My Exams Now Look Like This
For some, pictures pointing out our dull dystopian reality could be a source of entertainment. For others, they may create a daunting sense of a lost future. Speaking of the latter one, Holt said that the material things that make people feel that way (skyrocketing housing prices, student-loan debts, insane medical bills — the list goes on) stem from actions at various levels of society. "It is just what happens when the interests of people with power align," he added. "Boring dystopia is the experience of our faith in the future having been betrayed. There is not a quick fix. Instead, to quote Donna Haraway, we have to "stay with the trouble" if we want to commit to a future we can flourish in."
#22
Epstein's Homie
#23
Capitalism At Its Finest. Smh
Christophe Beunens 2 years ago
the $150 is a fair price, giving that they need to do a mass amount of tests (aids on of them) and store the blood. They also do a lot of non-profit support. But charging thousands for a blood transfusion is criminal
#24
Found On Linkedin. Fantastic
"One piece of advice that is really easy for coming to terms with and starting to imagine a way out of boring dystopia would be to read Fisher's Capitalist Realism: Is there no Alternative? It is an incredibly accessible piece of critical theory and is only about 86 pages long. It is a great jumping-off point for finding out more. Read it with friends and talk about it after. It is a great way to feel less alone in a world that seems to be ever more isolating," Holt concluded.
#25
Gen Z And Millennials Are Ruining This Country! How Dare They
#26
Capitalism Leads To Concentrated Wealth. Concentrated Wealth Means Concentrated Power. Therefore Capitalism Is Incompatible With Real Democracy, Which Requires Dispersed, Not Concentrated Power
#27
A Grim Reality Sets In
June’s Very Own 2 years ago
I feel this. You just work and work everyday with the aim of life or economic status getting better. But it feels as though it never does.
#28
The Way Most People Engage In Online Discussion Today Is On A Handful Of Centralized Platforms Owned And Operated By A Few Very Large For-Profit Tech Companies
#29
Don't Solve The Problem, Just Spend Tons Of Money To Ignore It
#30
Reality Is Often Disappointing
#31
Supercops
#32
Walmart Is Selling “Support Local” Shirts
#33
In The Modern Dystopia, You Become The Ad
#34
State Trooper Fired For Disloyalty Simply For Speaking Out And Telling The Truth
#35
How Might This Have Happened
#36
Reddit, I Just Discovered The Meaning Of Life
#37
Arrested For Holding Up A Blank Sign
#38
Facebooks Re-Brand Did Nothing
#39
Anti-Ai Face Paint
Lawrencium 2 years ago
There's an AI technique called universal perturbations which subtly changes pixel values which are entirely indistinguishable to humans but completely mess up classification algorithms. You can even train them to cause the algorithm to mistake you for something specific: like a panda! 🐼
#40
Whoever Made This Billboard Can Shove It Up Their A**
#41
Texas Lawmakers Posing As Human Beings, After Passing The New Abortion Ban
#42
After Working From Home For Two Years, "Return To Work" Today
#43
Nbc Is Turning Water Into Thousands Of Pounds Of Real Snow For Their 'Once In A Lifetime' Superbowl Coverage... In Southern California... During A Drought
#44
Haha, There Was A Tussle At The Rich People's Gold-Statue Party
June’s Very Own 2 years ago
“I think I’ll just watch from here. From my balcony. In my million dollar mansion”
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Chinmayee Kalghatgi 2 years ago
If you are a bit too mad here is a cat to lower your bp. imagesqtbn...sqpCAU.png 
Madeleine Flowers 2 years ago
And here's a cute picture I saved on my computer. Hedgehog-P...f91f3b.jpg 
guesswho2who2 2 years ago
answering back with a pic of mine... yep, the old BP is already going down, thanks! my-useless...fea8d9.jpg 
mitch dominick 2 years ago
No! Don't lower your BP! Stay mad, get madder don't move on to something else and try and forget about it. Get furious and help change the sick pit of s**t we live in.
VeninTheNonBinaryRogue 2 years ago
Im honestly scared for the future right now
Load More Replies... 
Crowsgoin*brrr* 2 years ago
And sadly our govt might have a escape clause but if anyone decides that they wish to redo our govt people will be hurt
Load More Replies... whodunnitfan2013 2 years ago
I hate how in society, especially American society, everyone is just another cog in the machine, and people aren't treated like actual people.
Emmydearest 2 years ago
Every time I read or watch a movie about an apocalyptic future, or those articles about "what would you do in a zombie apocalypse?" I'm like "Die. I would happily die. Hopefully fast enough. Why would I fight to live in a frickin' apocalyptic world plagued by creatures who kill everything that makes a sound?!" (A bit off-topic? Mmm, maybe... But that's what this article made me think of, soooooo... 🤔)
Virtually Fabulous 2 years ago
oh what the hell. I hate these articles because they make me feel so hopeless and useless but I always read them. I'm scared, so scared for the future. I'm really into sci-fi and dystopia right now, and those realities keep seeming a little more realistic :(
Bryan With a Why 2 years ago
If you made it to the end and haven't realized more government isn't the solution, go back and review the pics. And then your life...
Csaba Horvath 2 years ago
This is not about distopia, it's mostly stupidity, and some of them are simply not understanding how the society works, or not understanding that people are living from money. I think mostly collected by r/antiwork, what i basically like, but there are some wild ideas connected to it :D
Wondering Alice 2 years ago
Today I was explaining a conspiracy theory to my husband (not supporting it just telling him) I found he had never heard of Q Anon, and he had missed the story about the White House invasion. I think I might change to his news source
Idalia 2 years ago
I was feeling pretty bad today. Depression and anxiety really has its grip on me at the moment. And then I read this article. It reminds me how I can't treat my depression and anxiety issues properly. So I feel a lot worse. I shouldn't be here.
Namonaki Tokumei 2 years ago
I'm in the same boat. This really makes me feel hopeless, like I'd be better off gone than living on this horrid world
PixelShroom 2 years ago
And only one or two was even about Ukraine. There's so much more that isn't on the list.
Grace Singer 2 years ago
I realized today that most everything is "rant -able" nowadays. Except for cat videos, discussion of the real world leads directly to a rant. Every example above is rant -worthy. So, cat videos!
Gandalf the Pink 2 years ago
Is this the world we want to live in? Is this the world we want to leave for our grandchildren/grandpets?
Embrik Chloraker 2 years ago
Nope. So I'm not having kids. It's the kindest thing you can do. #antinatalism
Mer☕️🧭☕️ 2 years ago
My appendix was in the process of bursting yet I had to sit waiting in a shi**y plastic chair in front of a woman to fill out forms on a messed-up computer before being eventually wheeled back for emergency surgery. Had to wait for her computer to go back online with the internal system before I could "complete the intake paperwork" - ie: deal with the financials. I didn't, and still don't, have insurance...
Alexa Saltz 2 years ago
All of this was heartbreaking. This is our reality. What are we leaving for the next generations? Woke? Are we really?
Marlowe Fitzpatrik 2 years ago
" Holt mentioned exciting movies like Blade Runner or The Matrix from the '80s and '90s that offered depictions of going out with a bang". - - - - I think Holt has not watched Bladd Runner.
Xenia Granados 2 years ago
I'm about to head into the workforce 2 years... I REALLY don't want to rn
Jose Cabanas 2 years ago
Hahaha, lies, propaganda and fear mongering, 1st world problems as usual. People rather complain then see how good they really have it. =XD
Embrik Chloraker 2 years ago
Whataboutism, "appeal to bigger problems" fallacy. Many of them are simply things that are expected in modern Western democracies. America just sucks too much to provide them.
Load More Replies... oceandizzle7 2 years ago
No, these are rampant in every country.. Just swept under a rug like, "whhhaaat problem" They are not Lies/propaganda or fear mongering - that just means you are not paying any attention to anything around you. - when looking for an article on a subject use .gov, .edu, .org ensure said article is UNBIASED via More Research.
daniel280456 2 years ago
Left-wing Americans: too proud to learn a trade, too lazy to get a useful college degree, but stupid enough to think socialism/communism will work.
Lavender Oak 2 years ago
daniel280456: too ignorant to understand the current situation in society, too lazy to look into it, but self righteous enough to speculate societies problems.
Load More Replies... 
SilentBob731 2 years ago
These idiots think fairy tales will help. No wonder the world is going to sh*t.
Chinmayee Kalghatgi 2 years ago
If you are a bit too mad here is a cat to lower your bp. imagesqtbn...sqpCAU.png
Madeleine Flowers 2 years ago
And here's a cute picture I saved on my computer. Hedgehog-P...f91f3b.jpg
guesswho2who2 2 years ago
answering back with a pic of mine... yep, the old BP is already going down, thanks! my-useless...fea8d9.jpg
mitch dominick 2 years ago
No! Don't lower your BP! Stay mad, get madder don't move on to something else and try and forget about it. Get furious and help change the sick pit of s**t we live in.
VeninTheNonBinaryRogue 2 years ago
Im honestly scared for the future right now
Load More Replies... Crowsgoin*brrr* 2 years ago
And sadly our govt might have a escape clause but if anyone decides that they wish to redo our govt people will be hurt
Load More Replies... whodunnitfan2013 2 years ago
I hate how in society, especially American society, everyone is just another cog in the machine, and people aren't treated like actual people.
Emmydearest 2 years ago
Every time I read or watch a movie about an apocalyptic future, or those articles about "what would you do in a zombie apocalypse?" I'm like "Die. I would happily die. Hopefully fast enough. Why would I fight to live in a frickin' apocalyptic world plagued by creatures who kill everything that makes a sound?!" (A bit off-topic? Mmm, maybe... But that's what this article made me think of, soooooo... 🤔)
Virtually Fabulous 2 years ago
oh what the hell. I hate these articles because they make me feel so hopeless and useless but I always read them. I'm scared, so scared for the future. I'm really into sci-fi and dystopia right now, and those realities keep seeming a little more realistic :(
Bryan With a Why 2 years ago
If you made it to the end and haven't realized more government isn't the solution, go back and review the pics. And then your life...
Csaba Horvath 2 years ago
This is not about distopia, it's mostly stupidity, and some of them are simply not understanding how the society works, or not understanding that people are living from money. I think mostly collected by r/antiwork, what i basically like, but there are some wild ideas connected to it :D
Wondering Alice 2 years ago
Today I was explaining a conspiracy theory to my husband (not supporting it just telling him) I found he had never heard of Q Anon, and he had missed the story about the White House invasion. I think I might change to his news source
Idalia 2 years ago
I was feeling pretty bad today. Depression and anxiety really has its grip on me at the moment. And then I read this article. It reminds me how I can't treat my depression and anxiety issues properly. So I feel a lot worse. I shouldn't be here.
Namonaki Tokumei 2 years ago
I'm in the same boat. This really makes me feel hopeless, like I'd be better off gone than living on this horrid world
PixelShroom 2 years ago
And only one or two was even about Ukraine. There's so much more that isn't on the list.
Grace Singer 2 years ago
I realized today that most everything is "rant -able" nowadays. Except for cat videos, discussion of the real world leads directly to a rant. Every example above is rant -worthy. So, cat videos!
Gandalf the Pink 2 years ago
Is this the world we want to live in? Is this the world we want to leave for our grandchildren/grandpets?
Embrik Chloraker 2 years ago
Nope. So I'm not having kids. It's the kindest thing you can do. #antinatalism
Mer☕️🧭☕️ 2 years ago
My appendix was in the process of bursting yet I had to sit waiting in a shi**y plastic chair in front of a woman to fill out forms on a messed-up computer before being eventually wheeled back for emergency surgery. Had to wait for her computer to go back online with the internal system before I could "complete the intake paperwork" - ie: deal with the financials. I didn't, and still don't, have insurance...
Alexa Saltz 2 years ago
All of this was heartbreaking. This is our reality. What are we leaving for the next generations? Woke? Are we really?
Marlowe Fitzpatrik 2 years ago
" Holt mentioned exciting movies like Blade Runner or The Matrix from the '80s and '90s that offered depictions of going out with a bang". - - - - I think Holt has not watched Bladd Runner.
Xenia Granados 2 years ago
I'm about to head into the workforce 2 years... I REALLY don't want to rn
Jose Cabanas 2 years ago
Hahaha, lies, propaganda and fear mongering, 1st world problems as usual. People rather complain then see how good they really have it. =XD
Embrik Chloraker 2 years ago
Whataboutism, "appeal to bigger problems" fallacy. Many of them are simply things that are expected in modern Western democracies. America just sucks too much to provide them.
Load More Replies... oceandizzle7 2 years ago
No, these are rampant in every country.. Just swept under a rug like, "whhhaaat problem" They are not Lies/propaganda or fear mongering - that just means you are not paying any attention to anything around you. - when looking for an article on a subject use .gov, .edu, .org ensure said article is UNBIASED via More Research.
daniel280456 2 years ago
Left-wing Americans: too proud to learn a trade, too lazy to get a useful college degree, but stupid enough to think socialism/communism will work.
Lavender Oak 2 years ago
daniel280456: too ignorant to understand the current situation in society, too lazy to look into it, but self righteous enough to speculate societies problems.
Load More Replies... SilentBob731 2 years ago
These idiots think fairy tales will help. No wonder the world is going to sh*t.
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