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Archimedes' fourth law says that cats plus the Internet equals comedy squared. It's as simple as that. You capture a kitty -- it doesn't matter if it's skinny, thicc, fluffy or sleepy -- in a humorous scenario, upload the photo to social media, and voila, you're disrupting the status quo of the online world; even the 4chan trolls are taking a break from making up green texts to enjoy an innocent laugh.

Bored Panda has already compiled lists of the best cat posts, for example, here, here, and here, but people continue using the aforementioned equation to produce unforgettable kitty content, so we have to continue giving them the attention they deserve. From ruining their human's breakfast to building a tent, these felines are going viral whether you like it or not.

Interestingly, the good people at the Media School at Indiana University tried to investigate why do people love internet cats. Jessica Gall Myrick, an assistant professor of journalism, got nearly 7,000 people to complete her online survey.

"It is possible that viewing of online cat media improves mood, but this activity may also foster negative outcomes linked to using the Internet for procrastination," the researchers wrote.

#2

When You Lie On Your Resume And Still Get The Job

When You Lie On Your Resume And Still Get The Job

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"Some people may think watching online cat videos isn't a serious enough topic for academic research, but the fact is that it's one of the most popular uses of the Internet today," Myrick said. "If we want to better understand the effects the Internet may have on us as individuals and on society, then researchers can't ignore Internet cats anymore."

"We all have watched a cat video online, but there is really little empirical work done on why so many of us do this, or what effects it might have on us," Myrick added. "As a media researcher and online cat video viewer, I felt compelled to gather some data about this pop culture phenomenon."

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Internet data show there were more than 2 million cat videos posted on YouTube in 2014, with almost 26 billion views. Believe it or not, cat videos had more views per video than any other category of YouTube content.

Myrick's study revealed that the most popular sites for viewing cat videos were Facebook, YouTube, Buzzfeed and I Can Has Cheezburger.

Among the possible effects Myrick hoped to explore: Does viewing cat videos online have the same kind of positive impact as pet therapy? And do some viewers actually feel worse after watching cat videos because they feel guilty for putting off tasks they need to tackle?

Of the participants in the study, about 36 percent described themselves as a "cat person," while about 60 percent said they liked both cats and dogs

The participants in the study reported they were more energetic and felt more positive after watching cat-related online media than before.

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Also, they had fewer negative emotions, such as anxiety, annoyance and sadness, after watching cat-related online media than before.

They said they often viewed Internet cats at work or during studying, and the pleasure they got from watching cat videos outweighed any guilt they felt about procrastinating.

#5

Himb Goomba. (He Is Here To Bring Joy, Please Skip This Post If You Want To Say Anything Negative About His Appearance)

Himb Goomba. (He Is Here To Bring Joy, Please Skip This Post If You Want To Say Anything Negative About His Appearance)

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Emerald Joanna
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Honestly, how could you ever be negative about this beautiful, sweet wee face?

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All in all, the response to watching cat videos was largely positive.

"Even if they are watching cat videos on YouTube to procrastinate or while they should be working, the emotional pay-off may actually help people take on tough tasks afterward," Myrick explained.

The results also suggest that future work could explore how online cat videos might be used as a form of low-cost pet therapy, she said.



#7

Sarah (Dog) Stole A Bite Of Stella's Food And Stella Came Running To Me In The Kitchen To Literally Bitch About It 🤣 🤣

Sarah (Dog) Stole A Bite Of Stella's Food And Stella Came Running To Me In The Kitchen To Literally Bitch About It 🤣 🤣

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#8

A Bunch Of Fools

A Bunch Of Fools

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Doris Won-Lee
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Am I the only one to want to put a magnet on the paper lizard and go to the other side of the wall to move it to make the cats chase it???

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#9

About A Month Ago I Introduced My New Dog To My Cat. Here's How Their Relationship Is Progressing

About A Month Ago I Introduced My New Dog To My Cat. Here's How Their Relationship Is Progressing

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#10

My Mom Adopted A Cat That Brings Her Slippers To Her Every Morning. I Didn’t Believe Her Until She Got It On Camera Finally

My Mom Adopted A Cat That Brings Her Slippers To Her Every Morning. I Didn’t Believe Her Until She Got It On Camera Finally

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#12

She Realized She's Pregnant

She Realized She's Pregnant

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#13

Cat Returns Home After, What Can Only Be Assumed To Be, A Fight With Spider-Man

Cat Returns Home After, What Can Only Be Assumed To Be, A Fight With Spider-Man

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#15

Like Cat, Like Human

Like Cat, Like Human

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#16

Even Smol Cats Get A Step

Even Smol Cats Get A Step

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#17

Those Eyes

Those Eyes

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Fish Boden
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm going to have to have a little break. All the cuteness is wearing me out.

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#18

Tasty Watermeowlon

Tasty Watermeowlon

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#19

Heard My Husband Screaming While In The Shower..walked In On This

Heard My Husband Screaming While In The Shower..walked In On This

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Francis
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My cat once bit my bf through the shower curtain... Cats will be cats

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#20

He Loves Getting Raked By The Back Scratcher. He Is My Zen Garden

He Loves Getting Raked By The Back Scratcher. He Is My Zen Garden

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Mike Crow
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A flame point, so cute! I have an elderly one who rules our house with an iron paw. Our English Mastiff is afraid of her.

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#21

My Husband Bought Our Cat His Own Couch, And He Just Sits There And Judges Everyone Now

My Husband Bought Our Cat His Own Couch, And He Just Sits There And Judges Everyone Now

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#22

My Cat Just Came Back From One Of Her Evening Strolls With Someone Else's Keys In Her Mouth

My Cat Just Came Back From One Of Her Evening Strolls With Someone Else's Keys In Her Mouth

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#24

I Don't Knwo What This Cat Is Going Through But I Can Relate

I Don't Knwo What This Cat Is Going Through But I Can Relate

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#25

Oliver,the Cat With Thumbs.

Oliver,the Cat With Thumbs.

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#26

He's Having An Identity Crisis..

He's Having An Identity Crisis..

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Munhu Afro
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm identifying as an avian now. Bow down before catbird king, or queen before I smack you twice, or thrice. Just do it!

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#27

This Man Saved Our Dog. You Can See Our Cat Jumping Out The Window

This Man Saved Our Dog. You Can See Our Cat Jumping Out The Window

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#28

He's Going To Be There Awhile...

He's Going To Be There Awhile...

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#29

When A Cat Runs To The Fridge Every Time It Opens, A Sign Is Necessary

When A Cat Runs To The Fridge Every Time It Opens, A Sign Is Necessary

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#30

Don't Listen To Her Lies

Don't Listen To Her Lies

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nanashi
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

even after reading the sign, I would fall for that b******t anyway.

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#31

One Of Our Kittens Only Sleeps In My Daughters Doll Bathtub...

One Of Our Kittens Only Sleeps In My Daughters Doll Bathtub...

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#32

You're Not Fooling Anyone, Bill

You're Not Fooling Anyone, Bill

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#33

Just As The Prophecy Foretold

Just As The Prophecy Foretold

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#34

Take Care Of Yourself, My Friends

Take Care Of Yourself, My Friends

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#36

Spotted At My Local Agway

Spotted At My Local Agway

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#37

We Have Two Sane Cats. Pushed Our Luck Getting A Third

We Have Two Sane Cats. Pushed Our Luck Getting A Third

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#38

Day 2 Of Quarantine: The Cats Are Plotting To Kill Me...

Day 2 Of Quarantine: The Cats Are Plotting To Kill Me...

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#40

“Black Cat” Is The Name Of The Wine

“Black Cat” Is The Name Of The Wine

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#43

Don't Worry About The Cake, I Got An Idea.... Wait

Don't Worry About The Cake, I Got An Idea.... Wait

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#44

The Toilet Is Occupied

The Toilet Is Occupied

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Skye Kelly
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Ahhhhh, what a nice bed my human has made for me!" other cat "but... but i want to go to the toilet!"

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#45

Taken From My Parents’ Kitchen Window. They Don’t Have Any Cats...

Taken From My Parents’ Kitchen Window. They Don’t Have Any Cats...

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#46

This Is Manchester. He Was Not Sticking His Head In The Flour Jar. He Does Not Have A Flour Problem. That Is All

This Is Manchester. He Was Not Sticking His Head In The Flour Jar. He Does Not Have A Flour Problem. That Is All

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Dalek Bunny
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How could you even accuse him of that serious crime, he is obviously innocent

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#48

Thanks For Ruining My Breakfast

Thanks For Ruining My Breakfast

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#49

Gizmo's Not The Brightest Tool In The Shed

Gizmo's Not The Brightest Tool In The Shed

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

Such temptation - I don't know if I could avoid teaching this little fella a valuable lesson in life

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#50

Nothing To See Here

Nothing To See Here

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Note: this post originally had 126 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.