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Scrolling every day online can sometimes feel all the same, or, dare I say, even boring. With algorithms automatically delivering personalized content, it becomes even more difficult to branch out beyond our interests and discover something new and unexpected.

However, today we have something just for those who want to change up their daily browsing. Subreddit Hol’Up is full of surprising twists and turns that might leave you saying, “Wait a minute!” As an extra treat, the posts they share are sprinkled with dark humor, which folks online just can’t get enough of. Scroll down to find them, and don’t forget to upvote the ones that caught you off guard the most!

While you’re at it, make sure to check out a conversation with Tania Luna, a psychology researcher and co-author of Surprise: Embrace the Unpredictable and Engineer the Unexpected, who kindly agreed to answer a few questions about unexpectedness.

#1

Smackdown In The Courtroom

Smackdown In The Courtroom

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Stardust she/her
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I found a whole list of these courtroom conversations on Pinterest, definitely worth reading

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To learn more about the importance of unexpectedness and surprise in our lives, Bored Panda reached out to a psychology researcher, educator, and co-author of Surprise: Embrace the Unpredictable and Engineer the Unexpected, Tania Luna. 

In the book, Luna, together with Dr. LeeAnn Renninger, shines a light on the most intriguing emotion that we humans feel and shows us how surprise can turn daily life into an adventure.

#5

0-100 Real Quick

0-100 Real Quick

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#6

Pro Gamer Move

Pro Gamer Move

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Lotekguy
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Praise the Lord for granting you the bounty of the gullible! Yeah and verily, those are the ones who deserve to be fooled. Again.

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Luna tells us that, despite common belief, surprise (our reaction to something unexpected) isn’t a single emotion but a series of responses that are called the surprise sequence. 

Interestingly, the first thing our body does when reacting to an unexpected event is freeze for about 1/25 of a second. This probably happened quite a lot while you were scrolling through this list, only that you might haven’t noticed.

#7

Why Batman Doesn't Get Dad Jokes

Why Batman Doesn't Get Dad Jokes

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#9

Y'all Are Mean

Y'all Are Mean

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Lost Penny
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As good an explanation as any. In fact, quite a few things would make sense.

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Then Luna says, “Our brains rapidly analyze the situation to understand what’s happening.” After we grasped what was going on, she explained that “we adjust our perspective to make sense of the surprise.”

#10

Had Me In The First Half

Had Me In The First Half

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Lotekguy
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It takes guys longer to verbalize such things. Give it another year.

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#11

Dude's Got A Point

Dude's Got A Point

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Lastly, we get the urge to share what we went through. “We relieve the cognitive burden created by the experience by passing on our story of the surprise to others. Throughout this experience, our emotions intensify. We like to say that “surprise makes us -er” (happier, sadder, angrier, funnier, etc.),” Luna explains.

#15

Wait A Minute...this Is Getting Too Relatable

Wait A Minute...this Is Getting Too Relatable

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As the authors mention in the book, “We feel most comfortable when things are certain, but we feel most alive when they’re not. Even though most of us try hard to feel prepared and in control, surprise is at the heart of our most joyful and meaningful memories.”

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Additional benefits of inviting surprises into our lives include elevating the mood, boosting creativity, enhancing learning, deepening relationships, increasing our resilience, slowing our perception of time, and making life more memorable. 

#17

Holup A Minute Here

Holup A Minute Here

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To embrace unexpectedness in our lives (besides visiting the Hol’Up subreddit), Luna suggests against searching for big, elaborate experiences or adventures but instead finding small, frequent surprises, which provide more fulfillment.

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#21

Ayo What’s This Person Planning

Ayo What’s This Person Planning

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Susie Elle
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My boyfriend has me as "S" in his phone, because it makes my name come up first from all contacts starting with S (according to him) :')

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“Turn left where you’d usually turn right, sit in a different spot at breakfast, and shower in the afternoon. Spend more time in nature, look at people more fully, and say, “I don’t know, I wonder” often.” Accept an invitation, help someone who asks for it, and let your inner voice guide you to something spontaneous.”

#24

Accomodation 100

Accomodation 100

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Mohsie Supposie
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also the man in the closet was naked so you could dress him up any way you want!

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Additionally, she recommends seeking novelty, like visiting a new neighborhood, reading a new genre, or signing up for a random class. “Leave someone a small gift, compliment a coworker, and take your dog on an unexpected walk. Be unprepared: don’t check the weather forecast, don’t Google images of a place before you go there, and ask ChatGPT to assign you mini missions for the day.”

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For those who are really set on inviting more unexpectedness into their lives, Luna suggests giving themselves a surprise streak challenge. “Surprise yourself or someone else at least once per week!”

#28

That's How Homies Meet

That's How Homies Meet

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Passerby
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ditch the girl and just date each other. That will show her!

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#29

The Kid In Green Is The Strongest By Far

The Kid In Green Is The Strongest By Far

My_Memes_Will_Cure_U Report

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#31

I’m Crying

I’m Crying

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Ty Stratton-Quirk
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm sorry, but this is just ridiculously hard to believe! Now, if she was a Border Collie...

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#35

The Pilot On The Flight Today

The Pilot On The Flight Today

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#40

Wait What

Wait What

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#41

Love It

Love It

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BoredPossum
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So a comment made you change your appearance? Not what I would recommend.

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#42

Not So Incredible

Not So Incredible

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

amusing joke but not accurate. I assume it is similar to how two white people can have a black child. Because sometimes the genes come from farther back. I forget if it was two generations (like grandparent) or three.

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#44

American Math Team Has Finally Beaten The Chinese In A National Competition

American Math Team Has Finally Beaten The Chinese In A National Competition

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Panda Kicki
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If it is a national competition, shouldnt all teams be from the same country?

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#45

That’s What You Get For Inventing Calculus

That’s What You Get For Inventing Calculus

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Mika Parčić
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And whats wrong with dying a virgin? I want to die a virgin because sex is fuckiиg gross

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#46

My First Roller Coaster Ride Since This Pandemic Started

My First Roller Coaster Ride Since This Pandemic Started

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Verena
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is an excellent test to filter those people who have comprehensive reading skills/look information up and those firing their opinion at others, skipping the brain.

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#48

Can Someone Explain? Like Bruh, What?

Can Someone Explain? Like Bruh, What?

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Reviewer01
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I mean, I can ruin this for you guys if you want... Each flight plan has a list of invisible sky waypoints that you have to initially plan to go to along the route. For spacing and traffic management, this may not be the most direct straight line route. You may also be asked not to get into certain airspace because they're busy with their own arrivals and departures and have a giant stack of holds. Once you're underway, you ask nicely if you can get a shortcut and they look at the actual situation right now and go sure, this runway isn't as busy as we thought, the wind is blowing the other way so you can cut across that approach, the space around SORPA or whatever isn't that busy, why don't you forget the next 3 waypoints and go direct to the top of the descent. You might then even get lucky enough to skip the hold. Presto, you made shortcuts.

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#50

Jalifornia Vibes

Jalifornia Vibes

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Spocks's Mom
Community Member
3 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I thought it was Joe Higho.🤔 ETA I know it's not John Tario since his name is Canadian.

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Nicole Weymann
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Okay, I get Jeorgia, Jexas, Jermont, and Joregon, but Jidaho? Jonnecticut? And don't get me started on Jissouri and Jisconsin! 😂

Parmeisan
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Everybody's on here making jokes about funny possibilities, and I appreciate you, but I don't think I'm the only non-American trying to figure out if there's an "obvious" correct answer or not (and googling it and going through the list feels like sooo much work). Anyone want to help out?

ConstantlyJon
Community Member
3 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

as an American, I'm kinda lost on what the joke is supposed to be honestly. The only thing I can think of is Jane maybe with Maine. Is she saying he's got a girl's name?

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Shelli Aderman
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I, uh, actually was bored one day and did this when it was circling Facebook… 🤣 Jalabama Jalaska Jarizona Jarkansas Jalifornia Jolorado Jonnecticut Jelaware Jlorida Jeorgia Jawaii Jidaho Jillinois Jindiana Jiowa Jansas Jentucky Jouisiana Jaine Jaryland Jassachusetts Jichigan Jinnesota Jississippi Jissouri Jontana Jebraska Jevada New Jampshire New Jersey New Jexico New Jork North Jarolina North Jakota Johio Joklahoma Joregon Jennsylvania Jhode Island South Jarolina South Jakota Jennessee Jexas Jutah Jermont Jirginia Jashington West Jirginia Jisconsin Jyoming

Trisec Tebeakesse
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

*snorts coffee all over keyboard* I'm a Bostonian, and I went straight to "Jassachusetts" myself!

Israel Martinez
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I haven't lost my breath cracking up so much in a long time ... 💀💀💀💀💀💀

Richard Pennington
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

John Tanner? Jeff Varder? Jane? Joe Lorado? Jilly Noye? Jenny Sota? Jake Sass? Probably not a good idea to suggest Jew Jersey...

Lisa Delgado
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Jew York, Jillinois, Jindiana, Jermont, Jmaine, Jalabama, Jonnecticut.

Zena
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Jennsylvania is tired of being accused, but his cousins Jarkansas and Jichigan keep pointing fingers at him.

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Note: this post originally had 96 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.