50 Facepalm-Worthy Moments Where People's Stupidity Was So Absurd It Just Had To Be Shared

Some internet posts are funny because they are petty, and some are funny because they are so wildly clueless that you have to stop and stare. This Reddit roundup falls squarely into the second category, with one facepalm moment after another that somehow made it onto the internet for everyone to see.

The collection pulls from r/facepalm and leans hard into the kind of screenshots, captions, and reactions that make people question how these conversations even started. From bad takes to baffling logic, the whole thing is basically a parade of public embarrassment.

And once you get through a few of them, it gets hard not to keep going. Some of these are just ridiculous, and a few are almost impressive in how wrong they are. Read on.

1. Right, notorious athiests and their relentless hegemony over everything. 99% of the time if they're telling you, it's because you tried to proseltyze to them.

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2. "Teach him how you will, a pig will never play the flute." - Robert Jordan

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3. SMH, Florida.

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The phenomenon of inexplicable stupidity can often be attributed to cognitive biases, particularly the Dunning-Kruger effect. This psychological concept explains how individuals with low ability at a task overestimate their competence, often leading to absurdly ignorant conclusions and actions.

Such lapses in judgment are not merely humorous; they can have real-world consequences. Research suggests that overconfidence can lead individuals to make poor decisions, as they believe they know more than they actually do, resulting in a disconnect between perceived and actual knowledge.

4. Anything but modern science!!

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5. Historian Joseph Crespino said, "In the twentieth century, To Kill a Mockingbird is probably the most widely read book dealing with race in America, and its main character, Atticus Finch, the most enduring fictional image of racial heroism."

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6. Will y'all please stop exposing the lions to your shenanigans??

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Social media platforms can intensify instances of apparent stupidity, as they often reward sensationalism over accuracy. This creates echo chambers where simplistic or erroneous ideas proliferate, leading to a pervasive culture of ignorance. Users are more likely to believe outrageous claims simply because they are widely shared. To counteract this trend, digital literacy programs are increasingly being recommended. By equipping individuals with the ability to evaluate sources effectively, we can help mitigate the spread of misinformation and encourage more thoughtful engagement with content.

7. The battle between 'Muricans with their guns and, well, every one else... it's a lot more amusing for everyone else.

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8. At this point, it's seriously depressing that people don't understand income inequality. Especially considering both people in this conversation are probably closer to each other in their income brackets than either one of them are (or will be in their lifetime) with even the poorest billionaire.

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9. Fun Fact: There's a loophole in the 13th ammendment that allows "forcible work" as punishment for crimes.

Dr. Angela Duckworth, a renowned character researcher, stated on her professional website AngelaDuckworth.com:

"The implications of the 13th Amendment are profound, as it permits involuntary servitude for those convicted of crimes. This legal loophole has historically been exploited, particularly through the establishment of laws that criminalize minor behaviors, often targeting marginalized communities."

You can read more about that here.

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One interesting aspect of human behavior is how emotional states can significantly impact decision-making processes.

10. was the worst year on record for mass shootings, but 2022 is on pace to keep up with that record, if not surpass it.

There were a total of 692 mass shootings in 2021.

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11. "ScReEnS aRe BaD"

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12. Whew, the misogyny is a bit much.

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Cognitive overload is another factor that can lead to seemingly absurd moments of stupidity.

13. Foot meet mouth. But don't worry, Cawthorn thought Hitler's vacation house was pretty cool so anyone who has high expectations for this nitwit is already losing in life.

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14. A couple of quick Google searches could have prevented this embarassing mistake, but would it kill people to do a little research instead of repeating whatever their news source of preference fed into their brain?

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15. "My light is a human right!"

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Another psychological principle at play is the concept of groupthink, which can lead to collective stupidity.

16. Teachers are over-worked, under-appreciated, and definitely under-paid. It's unacceptable.

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17. Nobody sees more stupid people than the IT person.

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18. We're a collective of disappointment.

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Confirmation bias plays a significant role in how people can arrive at absurd conclusions despite possessing intelligence. This cognitive bias leads individuals to favor information that confirms their preexisting beliefs while disregarding contradictory evidence. This bias can lead to a distorted perception of reality, reinforcing ignorance instead of promoting learning. To counteract confirmation bias, it’s essential to actively seek diverse viewpoints and question one’s own assumptions. Engaging in discussions that challenge personal beliefs can expand understanding and reduce blind spots in reasoning.

19. Anyway, enjoy feeling OLD now.

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20. For crying out loud, please think before you procreate.

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Humor often arises from the absurdity of human behavior, but it can also serve as a coping mechanism for dealing with moments of collective stupidity. This perspective suggests that humor enables individuals to process and make sense of embarrassing or nonsensical situations, creating a shared bond among those who witness the absurdity.

Incorporating humor into discussions about ignorance can help lessen the sting of embarrassment and promote a more open conversation about mistakes. By approaching these moments lightheartedly, individuals can learn valuable lessons from their experiences.

21. It's called "bilingual" if they know TWO whole languages.

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22. "Epilepsy? Have you tried medidating and not eating garbage? LOL." Signed, IDIOTS.

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Developing critical thinking skills is crucial in mitigating the impact of ignorance.

Same brain-meltdown energy as those 70 photos that force you into a mental restart.

23. I would like to make money napping, thanks.

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24. I strongly discourage people from taking political advice from anyone who does *gestures vaguely* this:

However, I do recommend shopping at Trader Joe's.

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25. Won't somebody PLEASE think of the *checks notes* Buffalo Bills? Uh, okay.

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Stupidity isn't always a reflection of lack of intelligence; it can also stem from situational factors such as stress and fatigue. When people are overwhelmed, they may resort to simplistic thinking or snap judgments that can appear foolish.

Recognizing the impact of stress on cognitive functioning is essential. Techniques such as time management, relaxation exercises, and adequate rest can help individuals maintain their cognitive sharpness, thereby reducing the likelihood of making facepalm-worthy decisions.

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26. Baked Cookie Dough? Sounds like fake news.

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27. Never trust a landlord.

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Education plays a pivotal role in reducing instances of ignorance and promoting informed decision-making.

28. Critical thinking and religious zealotry don't really go hand in hand, lol.

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29. She's the hero we both need and deserve.

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30. Per Wikipedia: "An articulated bus, also referred to as a bendy bus, tandem bus, vestibule bus, wiggle wagon, stretch bus, or an accordion bus, (either a motor bus or trolleybus) is an articulated vehicle used in public transportation."

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Self-awareness is a crucial psychological trait that can significantly mitigate instances of unintentional stupidity.

To enhance self-awareness, practices such as journaling, mindfulness, and feedback solicitation can be beneficial. These strategies encourage reflection and promote a deeper understanding of one’s cognitive processes and emotional responses.

31. It's discouraging that some things bear repeating.

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32. Cue the Unsolved Mysteries theme music, thanks.

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Active listening is a vital skill that can help prevent misunderstandings and the propagation of ignorance.

33. Ah, yes, socialism is to blame. Definitely not corporate greed, captialism, and one of the most pathetic and disproprotionate pay to expectations ratio in an industrialized nation!

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34. Washing Machines are the new bananas.

Sometimes we just need humans for scale, too.

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35. What if it's funny but not funny enough to laugh? Would an IRL emoji be acceptable then? No?

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The tendency to overlook common sense in favor of sensational or absurd ideas can often be traced back to cognitive dissonance. This psychological phenomenon occurs when individuals face conflicting information or beliefs, leading them to rationalize decisions that might seem illogical. This highlights how cognitive dissonance can lead to irrational beliefs as individuals strive to maintain consistency in their worldview.

To combat cognitive dissonance, it’s important to foster an environment that encourages open-mindedness and flexibility in thinking. Engaging in discussions that explore diverse perspectives can help individuals reconcile conflicting beliefs and promote more rational decision-making, who states, "Embracing different viewpoints can lead to greater understanding and less internal conflict."

36. Math is hard, okay.

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37. Using "numerous" a little loosely these days.

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Another crucial aspect of human behavior is how individuals often react to failure or ignorance. Instead of viewing mistakes as learning opportunities, many people respond with defensiveness or denial, which can perpetuate ignorance. Embracing a growth mindset, where failure is seen as a natural part of learning, can lead to healthier cognitive and emotional responses.

To foster a growth mindset, individuals can practice self-compassion and reflection on failures, analyzing what went wrong and how to improve. This approach not only reduces the fear of making mistakes but also encourages a more resilient and adaptive mindset in the face of challenges.

38. Can we get an F in the chat?

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39. And that name would be...?

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40. Y I K E S

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Lastly, understanding the role of societal and cultural influences on behavior can shed light on why certain foolish actions occur. This highlights how cultural norms and values significantly shape how individuals interpret and respond to situations. In some cultures, conformity may be valued over independent thinking, resulting in collective behaviors that can appear foolish.

To address this, it’s important to promote cultural awareness and encourage critical examination of societal norms. Engaging in dialogue about the implications of cultural influences can empower individuals to make more informed choices that align with their values.

41. "Fellas, is feeding literal children spoiling them? Can't they just starve like we used to?"

SMH, kids today are so coddled with their food and water.

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42. It's not a pyramid scheme, it's a reverse funnel system!

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43. I've seen this episode of The Simpsons.

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44. Being a police officer in the United States is not even one of the top ten most dangerous jobs, but those cry babies would try to convince you otherwise while they refuse to protect children being murdered.

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45. I would like to be under the rest, thanks.

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46. Sure, most rich people don't deck themselves out in visible brands to impress other people or brag but don't be fooled into believing they wear "cheap" clothes. Simple and unassuming does not equal cheap.

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47. Sigh.

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48. "We ordered a grill, got 300 iPads."

Someone is definitely getting fired for this whoopsie.

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49. Don't even get me started on the lie that is the diamond industry, lol.

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50. They... they glued themselves to the counter? Okay. Okay.

Almost as stupid as the time they disrespected Steve Irwin.

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Alright, I'd like all of the brain cells that I fried reading about these morons returned promptly. What did we ever do to deserve this kind of ignorance running rampant in the world?

Oh, right, we cut education and gave tax breaks to the wealthy. Cool, cool.

Maybe we should rethink that strategy and hope for more intelligent people in the near future. We can hope...

The collection of facepalm-worthy moments presented in the article serves as a stark reminder of how cognitive biases and social influences can lead to absurd behavior. Each example captures a specific instance where a lack of critical thinking or emotional regulation resulted in actions that leave us shaking our heads in disbelief. By reflecting on these moments, we can recognize the importance of self-awareness and the need for better decision-making strategies. As the article suggests, fostering a growth mindset and encouraging open dialogue can transform these cringe-worthy instances into opportunities for learning. In a world that often feels increasingly complex, embracing these lessons can help us navigate our interactions more thoughtfully, ultimately reducing the frequency of such ludicrous scenarios.

After “SMH, Florida,” you’ll want to see the visual anomalies that make logic collapse in a day.