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“Hell No”: 50 Times This Online Group Made People’s Palms Sweat With Just Images
Interview
We often have a physical response to watching others in danger, even if we ourselves face absolutely no threat, and the subreddit r/SweatyPalms proves it.
Created back in 2012, this online community now boasts 2.3 million members who constantly share footage of people's stunts on tall skyscrapers, close encounters with wildlife, and everything in between.
So, we invite you to join us in scrolling through some of the subreddit's most popular posts and see which of them elicit a reaction from you. Let's test our limits!
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Active Volcano Looks Like Damned Souls Being Dragged To The Depths Of Hell
Wood Carver 1 year ago (edited)
One presumes this is where the subterranean flaming pit of punishment myth originates. Easy to see how people who already poorly understood the mechanics of the fire hole would come to that conclusion.... also that is scary as hell 😳 would not stand
#2
In 1990, An Accident Caused A British Airways Captain To Be Sucked Halfway Out Of The Cockpit. The Crew Held Onto Him For 20 Minutes As The Copilot Made An Emergency Landing. The Pilot Survived And Made A Full Recovery
We managed to get in touch with the moderators of r/SweatyPalms and they were kind enough to have a little chat with us about the subreddit.
"We actually don't have to do much policing," the team told Bored Panda. "Like any sub on Reddit, we get spam and repost bots. We guard against those, but that's mostly it."
#3
Diver Sitting On The Edge Of Underwater Sea Cliff
RandomPerson 1 year ago (edited)
Oh, thalassophobia! Its been a long time since I've seen you old friend!
#4
Getting Up On The Wrong Side Of The Bed Is Not An Option
Little Wonder 1 year ago
Let's stay on the ground together. Away from this madness!
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Laure 1 year ago
Clarification for everyone worried about falls: this kind of camping is common when doing multi-day climbs and the climbers have a harness and are secured to a solid anchor point. Not that they are not at risk of rolling over the bed, but they wouldn't fall far and would be able to get back on the bed easily. As scary as it looks it is not dangerous
Nikki D 1 year ago
Pretty sure it is more dangerous than my bed. I'll fall maybe 2 feet onto carpet! I'm glad they are as safe as can be about it.
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#ducko# 1 year ago
Imagine you roll off lol. you would be asleep so there would be no screams. Your climbing partner will just wake up and you're gone. :D
Laure 1 year ago
They usually wear a harness and are attached to the cliff, so they wouldn't fall much than a few meters
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Bill Swallow 1 year ago
Actually, it *IS* an option. Just NOT one you can exercise more than once.
LokisLilButterknife 1 year ago
This type of camping id typically done for multi day climbs. They are harnessed and clipped in, but falling out of bed still has to be one hell of a terrifying experience.
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Henry Thai 1 year ago
Had fell off twice at home bed throughout life... this, this is not my dream wish
Oskar vanZandt 1 year ago (edited)
I have MAJOR trust issues... both concerning people and things like anchors holding my sleeping platform fixed securely to a cliff wall.
Paul Pienkowski 1 year ago
...only if I had a terminal disease. It would be worth it even if I died.
Capt.Tangent and Col.Mittens 1 year ago
Hows a woman supposed to use the bathroom? I would think hanging your bottom over the side might pull your gear off the ledge?
Easily Forgotten 1 year ago
Ah The joys of living above miminum wage and the sense the gods gave a,, hmmm I am not sure what other living creature would be thats reckless.. Even mountain goats have the wherewithal not to do this stupid s**t
LokisLilButterknife 1 year ago
They are clipped and harnessed into. This type of camping is pretty popular for multi day climbs. Still batshit crazy in my opinion .
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MellonCollie 1 year ago
Rock climbing is not for the faint of heart. That's why I stay on the ground!
Procrastination 2.0 1 year ago
This is a no for me, considering the fact I tend to sleepwalk 😅 Still looks kinda cool tho.
Animal lover 1 year ago
Who is taking the picture? Doesn't anyone ever think of the photographer or the person doing the filming on the adventure programs. They are taking selfies
Animal lover 1 year ago
but who is taking the picture. Doesn't anybody ever think of the person taking the picture or filming when on these adventure programs
Rocket Surgeon 1 year ago
The mere concept of spending so long climbing a cliff that you need to sleep there.
Shelly Graham 1 year ago
NOPE, NOPE, just NOPE! Not to mention as a woman I'd be forced to pee using a rams horn! JUST NO!
Iva Kazalova 1 year ago
Why the f**k would you do this, there are nicer ways to die if you have that much of a death wish 🤨
Toothless Feline 1 year ago
Getting up on either side of the bed doesn't appear to be an option.
Just Sayin 1 year ago
I think this is one of the dumbest ideas that people thought of seriously! Even though they may be tied down and stuff, I dont think its a good idea and so so many things can go wrong no matter how "safe" you make it. To me, my life is way too precious to gamble with!
Alisa LaVine 1 year ago
They are wearing a harness and connected to the rock. This is common on big, multi day climbs like El Capitan in Yosemite.
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#5
Let Me Quickly Nope Out Of Here
Krastina Dimitrova 1 year ago
I think this is in Ginnie Springs Florida, at least there is a sign just like this one in the spring there.
The moderators said that the members are fairly active, and the posts receive a fair number of comments, too. "We generally get a good representation of Redditors who appreciate a jolt of fear and a good, old-fashioned adrenaline rush."
"The pics that garner the most attention on our sub are the ones that involve everyday people in pretty extreme situations. I think those are the ones that resonate with members the most because it really doesn't take much imagination to see yourself in those (very) terrifying scenarios!" they added.
#6
Some Final Destination S**t
Bill Swallow 1 year ago
Looks like the Jupiter Mining Corporation has gotten off to a good start with their pickup trucks. But it's going to a long road from there to the mining ship 'Red Dwarf'!
#7
Talk About Sweaty Palms. Astronaut Bruce Mccandless Taking The First Untethered Space Walk
#8
Gorilla Family Checking Out Wildlife Photographer
A dude who likes to drum 1 year ago
Heh this one I kinda like they seem nice at least this family is
#9
9 Lives
According to Nathalia Gjersoe, who is a senior lecturer in developmental psychology at the University of Bath, there are various reasons why our body responds like this in the absence of any real threat.
For instance, do you wince when someone is punched in a movie or squirm when someone is shamed or humiliated on screen? "These reactions are triggered by empathy: feeling the same thing we believe someone else is feeling," Gjersoe says. "Empathy allows us to put ourselves in someone else's shoes."
#10
Safety Standards In The 1960's
Maureen Sullivan 1 year ago
Exactly what my mom would do “back in the day” when driving with us and had to hit the breaks a bit.. Those were the days.
#11
I’ve Been Told By Employers That My Current Linkedin Photo Makes Them Nervous
#12
This Ofroad Trail
"Brain imaging studies have shown that there is a great deal of crossover in brain networks when we experience pain ourselves and when we observe others in pain. For example, people shown videos of patients being injected in the mouth showed activation in many of the same parts of the brain as if they themselves were being injected in the mouth."
So when we turn on footage of people cycling down incredibly steep precipices or dangling from precarious overhangs, part of our physical nervousness on their behalf is because we are imagining ourselves in their situation and how scared we would be.
#13
Hell No
#14
Climbing The Hua Shan, China. The Old Path
#15
Oh No
#16
My Hobbies Are Smoking Weed And Rescue Stray Dogs In The Woods
Another contributing factor might be the fact that the sympathetic nervous system, which coordinates our fight or flight response, may not differentiate that much between real and not real.
"Visual information that conveys a threat might be translated directly into feelings of anxiety or urgency, which in turn trigger responses such as muscle contractions or increased heart rate," Gjersoe explains.
#17
Someone's Illegal Pet Tiger Got Loose In A Houston Neighborhood
#18
Extreme Camping
#19
Glass Bridge In China Breaks During High Winds
Menacing Duck 1 year ago
Imagine being on that bridge and your hear cracking sounds underneath you...
#20
Dropped My Phone On This & Had A Huge "Whew" Moment When It Didn't Fall In. Drove Off & Realized My S Pen Is Missing 20 Minutes Later. Came Back To The Scene Of The Crime And Couldn't Believe My Luck
Tamar Gendler, a Yale University psychologist, has proposed that we have two cognitive states for reacting to events in the world.
The first is our beliefs – those things that we believe to be true. We can say with considerable confidence that the protagonist of the movie will be okay in the end and that zombies will not subsequently break into our home and eat us.
#21
I Looked Over The Edge Of A Building In NYC And Saw This Crazy Reflection [oc]
![I Looked Over The Edge Of A Building In NYC And Saw This Crazy Reflection [oc]](https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/65045e9e93807_b54zx7c19om41__700.jpg "I Looked Over The Edge Of A Building In NYC And Saw This Crazy Reflection [oc]")
#22
Alex Honnold Free-Soloing The Walls Of El Patrero Chico. Mexico, 2014
Sue Denham 1 year ago
Please be one of those fake shots and he's really crawling on the ground?
#23
Brown Bear Sneaks Up On Kid Who Actually Does An Amazing Job At Staying Calm Thanks To Dad's Help
Miss Frankfurter 1 year ago (edited)
And who helped dad stay calm? Calm enough to be recording/taking photos while your son is being eyed as lunch?
#24
This Is The Kind Of Sh#t We Have To Deal With In Aus. I Hate Huntsman Spiders
deforge 1 year ago
Despite their often large and hairy appearance, huntsman spiders are not considered to be dangerous spiders. As with most spiders, they do possess venom, and a bite may cause some ill effects. However, they are quite reluctant to bite, and will usually try to run away rather than be aggressive.
The second cognitive state, Gendler suggests, is our 'aliefs.' These states are triggered by associations, instead of consideration, and can be either conscious or unconscious. We then feel uneasy even though there is no direct threat to us.
#25
Imagine If He Didn't Check
#26
That's Kinda High
A dude who likes to drum 1 year ago
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO
#27
Bears Are Not Welcome Customers
#28
Why Would Anyone Attempt This
Yeet_girl360 1 year ago
You'd be surprised the amount of stupid things people do for "wows" and "oOoOos". . .
"Although our aliefs may differ from our beliefs, they trigger many of the same physical responses as a real threat such as trembling, sweating, and anxiety," Gjersoe explains Gendler's theory.
"This is why I sit rigid on the edge of my seat while watching the climber dangling from the top of the skyscraper with no apparent support. I believe he will be fine and that this video signals no threat to myself, but I alieve that some threat is occurring and my sympathetic nervous system responds accordingly."
I guess we humans aren't so different from one another, are we?
#29
A Bear Running Upstream, A Little Too Close
Interesting_Astronaut 1 year ago
dont judge, when you are hungry you also sprint to the fridge
#30
Installing A Glass Rail On Every Floor
#31
Spelunker Gets Stuck In A Partially Submerged Cave Section
Yeet_girl360 1 year ago
He is extremely lucky cause he was able to turn around and go back.. but still...
#32
Florida Citizenship Test
#33
Caress Your Pet Cobra
#34
A Tourist Sitting On Top Of The Pedra Da Gávea Mountain, Brazil
A dude who likes to drum 1 year ago
Yeesh some people just seem to disconnect from common sense sometimes 🙄
#35
Photographing My Friend In An Abandoned Theme Park
Miss Frankfurter 1 year ago
Friends don’t let friends walk out on way high up rollercoaster tracks just to prove how stupid they both are.,
#36
This Photographer Is Playing A Potentially Deadly Fight Or Flight Game With Polar Bear
#37
Graffiti Artists On 430ft Bridge
#38
Keep Swiming
#39
Always Check The Carabiners
#40
Bear With Me On This One
Miss Frankfurter 1 year ago
Doing my best bear voice impression. “ Just checking to see how your enjoying my river. I’ll be on my way now.”
#41
Professional Climber Uses A “Knee Bar” To Bring Blood Back To His Arms
Tuna Beach 1 year ago
How do you make money as a climber. I thought it was a hobby for zealots.
#42
Who Else Relates??
#43
This Guy Handling Those Giant Wasps
#44
Skydiving From A Hot Air Balloon
#45
Saw A Bentley Parked Like This In Zurich And It Immediately Gave Me Anxiety
#46
Amazing Jump
#47
Breathtaking View
#48
Descending Only By Stair Frames
#49
Longways Down
#50
On The Edge
Add New Image
What do you think ?
zena bena 1 year ago
These pics of peoole risking their lives pisses me off when there are terminal people who would give anything to have their lives and not risk it on stupid adrenalin / tiktok fame
Irishwoman abroad 1 year ago
And also a lot of people who would either have to risk their own rescuing them, or clean up the mes afterwards.
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Leo Domitrix 1 year ago
I had to stop scrolling. I am *terrified* of falling from heights. Naturally, tons of people without safety gear, way too high. If needed, I will be in a corner in a fetal position hugging the floor.
Magazine 1 year ago
Me too. So terrified I have given up on flying, unfortunately.
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Mike Fitzpatrick 1 year ago
Or, you're hungry as a bear in March, you open the cupboard and the only thing in there is an outdated can of beets. That's terror!
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David A Paterson 1 year ago
Love these. Amazing that people were so confident with these stunts that they photographed them. Frankly, videos of extreme skiing frighten me more.
Becky Samuel 1 year ago
Apparently it's not socially acceptable to do anything beyond sitting behind a screen and judging others any more.
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Zophra 1 year ago
I think these people have a different brain activity with adrenalin, fear, pleasure, euphoria etc. I'll just stick with chocolate for euphoria.
My O My 1 year ago
Actually that's what it is! Adrenalin is addictive too
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Stardust she/her 1 year ago
I remember we once went somewhere and we were standing on these cliffs without any fencing and my mum wanted to take a photo of the waterfalls but she wasn’t getting the right angle so she took one step forward and realised the danger she was putting herself in and decided to not take that photo. Even after many months I still feel so much anxiety every time I remember that
Amelia Jade 1 year ago
I make a point to avoid pics of spiders. I'm all cozied up in bed, cat curled up close by, X-Files on in the background, happily scrolling BP and then BAM! Big flippin spider. Now I can't relax. Keep thinking one is on me, or think I see one out of corner of my eye.
Liz Downing 1 year ago
All of the "heights" photos made me wanna vomit. Why did I keep scrolling?!
The Problem With Censorship Is ******* 1 year ago
For anyone who also loved Kenan & Kel back in the day... WHHHYYYYYYY!?
Kevin J. Henning 1 year ago
Every human being should have the right to either be this daring or this stupid. Take your pick. I'm not judging anyone.
Sand Ers 1 year ago
You called them stupid. You are absolutely judging other people.
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censorshipsucks 1 year ago
I have a horror of heights > 2m so no chance, ever, of doing any of this.
Apatheist Account2 1 year ago
So many where you shouldn't stop to take a picture, just deal with it.
Steve Robert 1 year ago
I'm pretty sure flattened organs aren't suitable for donation.
Load More Replies... zena bena 1 year ago
These pics of peoole risking their lives pisses me off when there are terminal people who would give anything to have their lives and not risk it on stupid adrenalin / tiktok fame
Irishwoman abroad 1 year ago
And also a lot of people who would either have to risk their own rescuing them, or clean up the mes afterwards.
Load More Replies... Leo Domitrix 1 year ago
I had to stop scrolling. I am *terrified* of falling from heights. Naturally, tons of people without safety gear, way too high. If needed, I will be in a corner in a fetal position hugging the floor.
Magazine 1 year ago
Me too. So terrified I have given up on flying, unfortunately.
Load More Replies... Mike Fitzpatrick 1 year ago
Or, you're hungry as a bear in March, you open the cupboard and the only thing in there is an outdated can of beets. That's terror!
Load More Replies... David A Paterson 1 year ago
Love these. Amazing that people were so confident with these stunts that they photographed them. Frankly, videos of extreme skiing frighten me more.
Becky Samuel 1 year ago
Apparently it's not socially acceptable to do anything beyond sitting behind a screen and judging others any more.
Load More Replies... Zophra 1 year ago
I think these people have a different brain activity with adrenalin, fear, pleasure, euphoria etc. I'll just stick with chocolate for euphoria.
My O My 1 year ago
Actually that's what it is! Adrenalin is addictive too
Load More Replies... Stardust she/her 1 year ago
I remember we once went somewhere and we were standing on these cliffs without any fencing and my mum wanted to take a photo of the waterfalls but she wasn’t getting the right angle so she took one step forward and realised the danger she was putting herself in and decided to not take that photo. Even after many months I still feel so much anxiety every time I remember that
Amelia Jade 1 year ago
I make a point to avoid pics of spiders. I'm all cozied up in bed, cat curled up close by, X-Files on in the background, happily scrolling BP and then BAM! Big flippin spider. Now I can't relax. Keep thinking one is on me, or think I see one out of corner of my eye.
Liz Downing 1 year ago
All of the "heights" photos made me wanna vomit. Why did I keep scrolling?!
The Problem With Censorship Is ******* 1 year ago
For anyone who also loved Kenan & Kel back in the day... WHHHYYYYYYY!?
Kevin J. Henning 1 year ago
Every human being should have the right to either be this daring or this stupid. Take your pick. I'm not judging anyone.
Sand Ers 1 year ago
You called them stupid. You are absolutely judging other people.
Load More Replies... censorshipsucks 1 year ago
I have a horror of heights > 2m so no chance, ever, of doing any of this.
Apatheist Account2 1 year ago
So many where you shouldn't stop to take a picture, just deal with it.
Steve Robert 1 year ago
I'm pretty sure flattened organs aren't suitable for donation.
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