In an era defined by the rise of technology and social media, we have become accustomed to virtual connections that lack depth. We have stopped caring about things that actually matter and instead have started focusing on things that don’t.
One Redditor asked, “What do people NOT take seriously enough?” Now, this thread received thousands of comments but we have selected the top 20 ones for you!
1. Driving
A discerning Reddit user commented, “Driving. Stop texting. Pay attention. You’re behind the wheel of a formidable death machine. Edit: Thank you for the gold! Be safe out there, everyone.”
Another replied, “Yes to driving! And your car is not your therapist – please don’t use it to get out all your feelings. There are ways to process your bad day without endangering other drivers/pedestrians!”
Texting and driving should never be a thing, but unfortunately, it’s become all too common. And don’t even get us started on those who take selfies while driving!
2. Family Abuse
Family is supposed to be a safe haven, a place where you can let your guard down, not some war zone where you constantly fear for your safety.
One said, “Children reporting s**ual / other abuse. Families covering up abuse instead of facing the shame of outing a family member regarding abuse.”
Someone else added, “I’ll do you one worse. I knew a girl who was abused by her golden child brother, she told her parents, they blamed her, he resumed abusing her, she ran away to live with her aunt, GC got caught abusing a neighbor, but they disowned GC because he was caught with a boy. By the way, they still blame sister for turning him gay for “making a big deal about a little nothing”.”
Newsflash, people! It’s everyone’s business when someone is getting hurt. So, step up and speak out!
3. Health
A Reddit user wrote, “OP might also be referring to preventive health measures: nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress management, etc. People don’t take that stuff too seriously at all, and it leads to a lot of otherwise preventable health issues, whether you have insurance or not.”
Another added, “Came here to say this. If you have diagnosis please use the meds prescribed. If there is a problem with them, have an appointment. And please majority of Western people: lose some weight. Go outside, take walks, eat more salad. That solves a ton of health problems for many, many people.”
We live in a world where stress is the norm, but we must find healthy ways to manage it. Stress-eating a tub of ice cream every day isn’t going to solve anything!
4. Forest Fire Warnings
Forest fire warnings are not some silly suggestions or a way to kill your summer vibes. They’re serious business, and ignoring them can cost lives!
A Reddit user wrote, “Last year, a forest fire took out much of the forest view Santa Fe and Las Vegas (NM). One of the fires (it was so large two fires merged) was started by improperly putting out a controlled burn that had occurred over 2 months earlier.
A burn had occurred in late January, put out (or so they thought), snowed on several times, and still retained enough heat in the spring to cause the most devastating wildfire in New Mexico history. Forest fires can ignite super fast in dry heat and high winds. They can burn so out of control you can’t even stop them. They can spread insanely fast and will consume everything in their path.
My family has learned to start packing as soon as you see smoke even if there is no warning about evacuation yet. When you do get evacuated, it is because sticking around is an immediate threat to your life so don’t hesitate to GTFO. Don’t turn back for jewelry or photo albums, just go. Forest fires can’t be weathered like a storm. You can only get out and get out fast.”
Another person agreed to it and said, “Had to evacuate for a fire last year(luckily no loss besides missed work, time, and energy), another thing is if you have a large enough property to move as much potentially explosive stuff away from the house as possible. Gas, propane, lighter fluid, but also things with aerosol or other flammables like brake clean.
If you live in an area that tends to be at risk for wildfires it’s good practice to watch the local fire dept’s communication channels, they often have a Facebook or Twitter with frequent updates, and of course, take note of any smoke in the sky.
We were lucky to have a day or two watching the evacuation map and seeing the sky glowing to prepare by doing things like loading valuables and essentials up to make a quick departure, fixing any vehicles that were down for minor repairs in the driveway, moving valuables to a safer location, so on and so forth. A lot of neighbors were seen making fire breaks with whatever tractor they had as well as the evacuation zone got closer.”
5. Dental Hygiene
We get it, brushing your teeth can be a bit tedious, especially when you just want to hit your bed after a long day of work. But come on, people! We’re talking about the health of your mouth here so just give your pearly whites some love and attention.
One Redditor stated, “Ouch. Learned this the hard way. Floss daily and brush 2x daily. It would’ve saved me a lot of trouble.”
Someone else replied, “Yup!! People seem to forget the mouth is connected to their body and there is SO much bacteria in the mouth that can cause a lot of problems if it is not properly removed daily at home and 2x a year by a hygienist.”
6. 18-Wheelers
Someone commented, “18 wheelers on the road. I work in the office at a construction company and now see just how much weight can be put on before needing escort or permits. Trust me they are not leaving that much room so you can cut in. They are leaving that room cause they need it to stop, and if you are in that area and they have to break fast your car is going to be destroyed while they have a scratch on their front end.”
Another responded, “If ever I’m behind a truck with a whole bunch of metal poles, bars, girders, and whatnots, I’ll switch to the furthest lane away and blitz past that bast quick-smart. Bugger that, I’ve seen Final Destination.”
Look, we understand that you’re in a hurry to get where you’re going. But riding right up the truck’s tailpipe isn’t going to get you there any faster. In fact, it’s going to make things worse for your life!
7. Sleep Deprivation
Someone on Reddit said, “Sleep deprivation. In the UK, Australia, and New Zealand (add more if you can think of any) if you work a construction/tradie job which by nature are physically demanding, theres this BS culture of being able to do full days’ work with as little sleep and/ or as much residual alcohol in the blood as possible.
I’ve heard workers bragging about having a pissup, two hours sleep, then necking a beer curbside whilst they wait to get picked up. God forbid you’re one of those types that like to get as much good sleep as possible because now you’re the laughingstock of the site. Such foolishness, it’s unreal.”
Another person added, “Your reaction time is greatly reduced while sleep deprived. It’s similar effects to drunk driving, and many drivers drive while too tired…”
Some people think they’re superheroes who can survive on just a few hours of sleep like it’s some weird flex. They don’t know that a lack of sleep messes with your brain and health!
8. Mental Health
First, let’s acknowledge that mental health isn’t some made-up thing. It’s real, and it affects a whole lot of people.
One said, “I know I’m a hypocrite for saying this… when someone is asking for help when it comes to mental struggles.”
A user responded, “Period. It’s better to take things more seriously than less seriously when it comes to someone’s life”
Another added, “This is quite literally the reason I’ve debated ending my 5.5 year relationship with my live-in boyfriend 🙁
I’ve had random panic attacks and asked simple things or said I was going to be doing something to help myself and was met with yelling and him saying to “chill tf out”…it’s already tough dealing with panic attacks as it is, so that doesn’t help…
I was driving one time, and there was lots of wind and lightning, so my legs began to shake like crazy and I told him I was going to pull off the road for a bit, and he screamed, “No! Keep driving!” And in front of his mom, he was speaking to over the cellphone too…underneath all of my anxiety, I’m severely depressed, and I feel really alone sometimes…it’s been a few months since he yelled at me during a panic attack, but that’s mostly because I’ve been internalizing a lot of things and it’s been very hard..”
9. Politics
Politics affects every aspect of our lives – from how much money we make to what kind of healthcare we get. So we’d suggest you start taking this more seriously!
Someone shared, “Politics. People treat it like sports teams, but if even just half of us were serious about politics and our country, all bills would be single-issue bills, congress wouldn’t be able to sit out or phone in votes, and we’d have a wide variety of candidates.”
One wrote, “Being apathetic is also detrimental. Political decisions and policies permeate every facet of people’s lives, yet so many people are indifferent.
Aristotle said that “man is a political animal” (substitute man for humankind in today’s terminology), but sometimes I look around me at the masses being distracted by fast food, TikTok, porn, and social media outrage, and wonder if there’s actually any veracity to this statement.
If people put half as much effort into being outraged by the things that truly matter, then maybe they could affect change.
Marx said that “religion is the opium of the people”. A few years ago, I would have said that the modern-day equivalent of this is; consumerism is the opium of the people, but now I think the most apt description is; social media is the opium of the people.”
10. False Information
Like seriously, you scroll through your social media feed, and BAM! There’s a headline that claims aliens have taken over the White House. And instead of raising a skeptical eyebrow, people click and spread the word. It’s like a domino effect of foolishness that keeps on going!
One Reddit user wrote, “Disinformation on the internet. It has helped swing many elections worldwide, and it’s going to get worse before it gets better.”
Another commented, “It’s so strange. I remember forever. The rule has been. Don’t believe what you read on the internet. But for some reason, this simple basic concept has been thrown away.”
One wrote, “Also bias that blinds you to facts because people say it’s disinformation. Skeptics can be just as off-base as conspiracy theorists in a lot of situations. Sometimes what you see is exactly what you saw. Trying to convince others is like arguing with a brick wall.”
11. Voting
Voting is the ultimate power move. It’s our chance to have a say in who’s running the show and making all the decisions that affect our lives.
A Redditor wrote, “My daughter who is in college argues that both choices suck. I counter with NOT CHOOSING is the worst option. One party does want to control her body, make it harder to vote, pushes religion into politics, and makes EVERY EFFORT not to help people (seniors, working mothers, the poor, even veterans).”
Someone else agreed, saying, “Not choosing is basically voting for whomever you want least. It’s standing by and letting your worst choice by in our two-party winner take all system. It is not a protest; it is not a statement. It’s rolling over and playing dead.”
12. Narcissistic Parents
Someone said, “Most people growing in a normal or common family situation would think the parents did their best for the children; this always ends up victim-shaming the child. As if the children are acting up or lying.”
Another person shared similar thoughts and mentioned, “And even as an adult, people think you are an absolutely horrible person if you don’t praise and practically worship your parents.”
Dealing with narcissistic parents can feel like walking on eggshells. One wrong step, and boom, you’re in for a world of drama!
13. Nursing Homes
One user said, “You have a fairly good chance of ending up in a nursing home waiting to die, and with for-profit healthcare, this means sitting around all day in your own waste waiting to be cleaned up, poor quality food and people who care but are overworked, understaffed, underpaid with the cheapest equipment management can get away with. Medicare for All with nonprofit nursing homes!”
Someone else added, “I’m a nurse, and me and all my nurse friends say just OD me on morphine and Ativan when I get to that point. Or we hope we die of a major heart attack so we don’t even have to experience that. Even the best nursing homes are not a fun experience. And I will say even nonprofit nursing homes don’t make a difference. They still care about the profits at the end of the day and that means sacrificing quality of care.”
Nursing homes can also be tough. It’s like dealing with the reality that life isn’t always rainbows and unicorns. But you know what? It’s also a reminder to cherish every single moment!
14. Environmental Issues
We go about our daily lives completely oblivious to the planetary mess we’re creating. Sure, climate change might make headlines once in a while, but amid our own personal dramas and distractions, it’s easy to brush it off as someone else’s problem.
Someone commented, “It blows my mind when people say they don’t care about the environment. Bro, you live in the environment; how do you not care?”
Another replied, “I thought to myself Climate Catastrophe should be at the top, and when I didn’t see it and had to scroll this far, it’s saddening.”
15. UTIs
Let’s address the elephant in the room: the embarrassment factor. UTIs involve our privates, and we treat them like taboo topics for some reason. We’re more comfortable talking about the latest Netflix series or what we had for breakfast than admitting we have a burning sensation in the restroom!
Someone said, “UTIs. I’m a nurse, and UTIs can go septic real quick, especially if the patient isn’t cognizant enough to explain that they have symptoms. Any infection, really, I’ve seen a lot turn into sepsis.”
Another responded, “Yes! I came to post UTIs and UTI risks as well. I was asymptomatic for UTI that worked its way up to my kidneys. About 3 and 1/2 weeks ago, I ended up in the ER with a fever of 103.6 on fever reducers, shaking so bad I couldn’t open a Tylenol bottle on my own, and had tons of vomiting. I’m learning now after the fact that if I had not gone and gotten antibiotics, this could have easily killed me.
I literally could not stand up and walk the 20 ft from the sofa to the kitchen to microwave myself soup. I don’t know what I would have done if I didn’t have a wonderful partner living with me who helped take care of me for that week. 3 and 1/2 weeks out, and I’m so much better but still have aching around my kidneys, low energy, and slight nausea. UTIs are no joke; anything you can do to avoid them is worth doing.”
16. Sedentary Existence
We’re surrounded by the comforts of technology that keep us entertained and occupied. Netflix binge-watching, social media scrolling, and endless hours at our desks have become the norm. We’re so addicted to our screens that we’ve forgotten what moving our bodies is like.
A discerning Reddit user commented, “Had a doctor tell me that sitting is the new smoking. I quit smoking 2 years ago but sit at a computer for most of my workday, so I’m trying to utilize a standing desk and treadmill to combat the unhealthy trade. Learning to walk and type at the same time has been a bit of a challenge. haha”
Another replied, “Haha, I can imagine, but props to you for taking action! I was watching a millionaire interview and they asked him what are traits of successful people. He said the most successful people he knows have a treadmill desk and do their work upright at a comfortable speed. And have some sort of diet with regular exercise.”
17. Global Warming
Global warming can feel like an abstract concept, like some distant problem we don’t have to deal with now. We see the news and hear about rising temperatures and melting ice caps, but it’s hard to grasp the full impact it’ll have on our everyday lives. So, we go on sipping our iced coffees without a care in the world.
A Redditor wrote, “Global warming, for sure. Not that most people aren’t at least somewhat aware of it, but the problem is so serious in severity and scope that it requires orders of magnitude more attention than it’s getting:
It will lead to mass migration, as all kinds of places from Bangladesh to the Sahel to Puerto Rico become unbearable to live in due to changing weather patterns.
It will cost a fortune. Even if we succeed at limiting warming to two degrees Celsius, the world will still have to spend several percent of the entire world’s GDP every year adapting to climate change and mitigating the damage. Not acting will cost far more than aggressive change now.
Global warming raises serious questions about the supply of food and water. I don’t want to find out what happens if we can’t get enough. Despite all the protests and all the next zero by-2050 pledges, we are still emitting more CO2 than ever in human history. It’s still climbing.
We have to act on this right now. Any and every sort of political compromise should be on the table to get decisive action done today.”
18. AI
Hollywood has given us some crazy sci-fi flicks where AI robots turn evil and try to take over the world. Yeah, it makes for an entertaining movie night, but it also plants this idea in our heads that AI is some futuristic, far-off concept. We think, “Ah, that’ll never really happen!” But hold up, people, because AI is already here and changing the game!
Someone on Reddit said, “AI scares the h*ll out of me. I just don’t see how it will maximize the happiness and general well-being of humanity on a grand scale. In my limited understanding of it, it seems like it will put tens of millions of people out of work on an exponential scale and that it will benefit a tiny percentage.
I know that the potential is obviously fascinating, and there is the idea that all emerging tech is scary but that they serve a greater good, but I think AI is a different animal, and it’s something that is truly terrifying and worrisome, and not in some sci-fi perspective. I genuinely worry about the grand scale effects on humanity it will cause, and it is shocking to me how many people are just fine with it.”
Another replied, “Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to significantly impact humanity, but it also raises concerns. One worry is the potential for AI to outperform humans in various fields, leading to widespread job displacement and economic inequality.
As AI systems become more autonomous, there are concerns about the ethical implications of decision-making by machines, such as biased algorithms perpetuating discrimination or unethical behavior. The lack of transparency and accountability in AI systems can also be worrisome, as it can result in unintended consequences and loss of control. Additionally, the potential for AI to be weaponized in the form of autonomous weapons poses serious ethical and security concerns.
Finally, the concentration of AI capabilities in the hands of a few powerful entities raises concerns about the unfair distribution of benefits and power imbalances. Society must address these concerns and ensure that AI is developed and used responsibly and ethically to safeguard humanity’s well-being.”
19. Drinking Alcohol
Someone commented, “Drinking alcohol. The consequences of regular drinking can be anything from a massive bleed to a coma. It can make you quite literally incoherent and mentally unstable. Pretty much every system your body uses for metabolic balance is affected. It can cause heart issues. Withdrawal can be deadly. People regularly end up in the hospital incoherent from alcohol.
It is so so so harmful to the body, not to mention to our society. I cannot believe it is so ubiquitous when other, less harmful drugs are seen as taboo and banned. If people knew how $_&$ed you are from regularly drinking, I think the way it was viewed would radically shift. The healthy amount of alcohol to consume is 0. Be safe and responsible out there, folks!”
Another person pitched in to say, “Cutting out altogether is the way. However, I do enjoy a drink. But I do not drink on weekdays at all, and it strictly a Friday/Saturday “reward” for me. And it always tastes that much better!”
So, cut back on your drinking habits!
20. Screentime
One Redditor stated, “Putting screens in the hands of little ones. In order for a child to have the vocabulary needed to be successful, you pretty much have to interact with them constantly. Vocabulary and success with reading are closely interwoven. Stop putting babies on screens in restaurants, talk with them, color with them, literally anything except a screen. Signed, Teachers of the World”
Another user replied, “I used to work as a daycare assistant, and one of the reasons I quit was because the lead teacher would put that d**n Cocomelon (and similar YouTube videos) on for the babies and toddlers all day long. And she tried to justify it by saying it was educational. I can’t even emphasize how much I DESPISE YouTube Kids and those weird new kiddie shows on streaming apps.”
Do you think more screen time for kids is justified if both parents work full-time?
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This article was produced and syndicated by A Dime Saved.
