Staring Into the Abyss
Acrophobia is an anxiety disorder in which an individual experiences extreme fear of heights. But do you even need to suffer from acrophobia to shake at the mere sight of this picture? Taking the expression "staring into the abyss" way too literally, this brave young man is standing at the edge of two buildings.
If you've ever seen parkour videos on YouTube, then you know some people are either too bold or too reckless to care about falling and breaking every bone in their body. And this, ladies and gentlemen, is the world's riskiest facepalm moment!
She's Calm, We're Not!
There's nothing quite like going away and enjoying a relaxing stroll in nature. But the word 'relaxing' doesn't always apply to an afternoon of hiking. Take this lady, for instance: while she looks calm, she's making us feel very anxious on the inside. All because she wanted to take the perfect Instagram snap!
While we have to admit this makes for a stunning picture, we need to ask: was it truly worth it? Everybody wants to impress their friends on social media, but there are ways to do so that don't involve looking certain death straight in the eye.
Take It Out!
A food waste disposer is an anxiety-inducing object: it looks way too dangerous for something that's just sitting there in everybody's kitchen sink. We can think of a million ways these labor-saving devices can cause a serious accident, and this terrifying picture leaves little to the imagination.
We know everything's probably fine with that AirPod and that this was most likely a staged photo, but we cannot stop ourselves from screaming "take it out" on the inside! AirPods belong in their little protective white boxes, not in the food waste disposer.
Heart-Attack Snap
When normal people go to the top of one of the highest buildings in the city, they avoid stepping outside. Not this young woman, though. Determined to take a photo to impress her friends on social media, she decided it was a good idea to climb to a ledge as narrow as a foot and simply sit there.
This is yet another case of "yes, she looks good, but at what price?" When we look at this picture, we fail to enjoy it: while something is stunning about it, all we can think of is the fall. Is your heart racing too?
Oh, the Suspense!
Forget about mystery flicks and Alfred Hitchcock movies. To watch a great suspense story in this room, all you need to do is stare at the TV. And no, you don't even need to turn it on! The real cliffhanger in this situation is: how long do you think it will take before the TV gives and ends up on the floor?
This picture is anxiety-inducing because we're not accustomed to seeing a TV sitting in an uneven place. Who could've thought that bad hotel-room design could be so terrifying?
Next-Level Mountain Climbing
Mountain climbing is always exciting. But this man is taking things to the next level. Protective gear? There's no need for that! If life was a video game, this guy would be playing it at an extremely hard level. It's not just the absence of a rope that's making our brains go kaput.
What's truly unbelievable about this photo is how flat that mountain is. We honestly can't fathom how this man is holding onto those rocks! There's no apparent ledge or hole to grab on to, so how is he doing it? Not for the faint of heart!
Coffin-dam?
Have you ever heard of a cofferdam? Often used in building bridges and dams, a cofferdam is a temporary de-watered barrier meant to create a dry working environment. It's used, for instance, to safely make the foundation of a bridge. But why does it look so dangerous?
While we're pretty sure these guys are professionals and know what they're doing, we cannot stop fearing for their lives. Coffer-dam? Looks more like a ''coffin-dam'' to us! It takes a strong mind to work in the construction of massive urban infrastructures. Well, either that or blatant disrespect for danger!
Spider O'Clock Tea
Ah, the five o'clock tea; as every British citizen knows, there's nothing as calming as taking an afternoon break to enjoy a warm beverage. But sadly, even one of the most relaxing hours of the day can give way to danger...
Guess who seems to love tea as much as anyone else? Big spiders! This one is taking a tea bath inside someone's cup, much to the horror of every arachnophobe out there. If even the five o'clock tea can be terrifying, why do we even go through the trouble of getting out of bed?
Fashion Disasters Can Be Scary Too
This poorly-designed t-shirt isn't exactly terrifying. Disturbing? For sure. Scary? Not particularly. However, people who suffer from Trypophobia would disagree with us. They have an irrational fear of irregular patterns and clusters of small holes, and they might find this t-shirt to be nightmare-inducing.
To most people, a t-shirt with stripes that don't match is at most just a fashion fail. But we all have different personalities, different needs, and different fears. Next time you buy a piece of clothing that looks like that, do keep in mind that you'll be literally scaring a few people away!
Why Is This So Frustrating?
Humans love symmetry. It's like a button we have inside our brains that can't be turned off. That may help to explain why it's so frustrating to look at this uneven set of dice. We know it's irrational, but we can't stop ourselves from wanting to correct that horizontal line of six. We love things that match, and we hate it when they don't!
Our love for symmetry is associated with biological and psychological reasons. Symmetry is a sign of good health (ideal, for instance, for choosing partners) and of order in the universe (something most humans crave for).
Look Away if You're Not a Needle Fan
There are two types of people in the world: the ones who look away when a shot of a needle appears in a movie and the ones who don't. If you belong to the latter group, congratulations! That means you can look at the photo above without shivering inside and grinding your teeth.
If you're not a big fan of needles, our apologies... we know this is a tough one to bear! Don't feel too bad about yourself, though: fear of needles is one of the most common phobias around.
They Worked Hard for That High Five!
Mountain-climbing bros do love a challenge. These two were exploring the wilderness when they saw a narrow rock that looked pretty much unclimbable. So, what have they decided to do? You guessed it: climb it!
In the end, all their hard work finally paid off, and they managed to take a lovely photo of the most ridiculously out-of-place high five. But while they look confident and happy, we cannot stop wondering: how is that slim rock holding their weight? How is this not Photoshop? And how on Earth are they supposed to get back down?
Panic Mode in 1, 2...
If you're an adrenaline junkie, you're probably into extreme sports that include throwing yourself off the biggest cliff around—you know, fun stuff like skydiving or paragliding! But when you're mid-air and realize your equipment is holding by a thread, does that still count as "good" adrenaline?
Call us old fashion, but we would undoubtedly panic if the only thing separating us from certain death was a small piece of fabric! And yet, someone in that very same situation was somehow still calm enough to grab his or her phone and take a photo...
Death-Row Glass
Some people claim that they're able to see the future. Whether you believe them or not, it's up to your personal experience and opinion! But while the future tends to be pretty elusive, no psychic powers are needed to know just exactly what's going to happen to that glass.
That, ladies and gentlemen, is a glass on death row. It's still there, holding up, but we all know it's going to fall sooner or later. If you saw this at a restaurant, would you intervene and save the glass? Or would you simply sit down, relax, and wait for it?
Does Your Gum Hurt Too?
They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, and we couldn't agree more. Some pictures are so poignant that they can have a physical effect on their beholder. Take this horrific photo, for instance: we know it's staged, but our gums are hurting like crazy nonetheless!
We guess that when we see a bowl of cereal pins, we automatically imagine what it would feel like to chew a mouthful of milk and pins. If you think Raisin Bran has too much fiber, what to say of this terrifying breakfast?
What's Under the Bridge?
Here's yet another snap that's not helping to cure our anxiety... To be fair, this photo would be a lot worse wasn't for the water below, which can at least reduce the violence of the impact. We've always wondered about what the other side of a bridge looked like, but we never thought it was this dangerous.
The young adventurer in the picture decided to check it for himself and was brave enough to try to cross to the other side. Did he make it through? Or did he fall? Well, we guess that's what's so terrifying about his picture!
Look, a Bee!
Say what you will, but we, for one, are pretty sensitive about our eyes. When even the tiniest particle of dust gets in, we cry like babies and scratch violently until the pain goes away. That said, we can't even begin to imagine what it feels like to have a bee resting on top of one of our eyes.
It's not just the fact that it's sitting there. What's truly scary about this close-up image is that you can see the bee's sting! Just how uncomfortable it would be to get stung by a bee in the eye.
Just Like the Movies
Every kid who's ever watched "Indiana Jones" knows how fun and dangerous rope bridges are. In the movies, these flimsy constructions break into pieces ten out of ten times, and yet our heroes always manage to get to the other side. But how does it work in real life?
Rope bridges aren't dangerous per se. Some rope bridges out there are made of sturdy materials and able to support lots of weight. However, old rope bridges made of wood or corroded wires can crack under pressure, just like in the movies!
It's a McMess in the Making
Forget about a Big Mac: this is about to go down as Big Mess! This picture may be the perfect visual representation of the expression "playing with fire," but we expect someone's car to get very wet. If you're feeling dizzyingly anxious about this scene, don't worry: you're not alone.
Can you imagine being in the passenger's seat in this situation? That cup of coke is one road bump away from spilling, and it's making us more uncomfortable than we've ever thought possible. We don't know what that hole's meant for, but we're pretty sure it was never supposed to be a cup holder!
Every Step's a Cliffhanger
Mountain climbers are fierce individuals who take on any challenge. There's no way up the mountain? No problem. Just grab some mountaineering stakes and build yourself a nice set of stairs. The only issue? These fragile stakes can give at any moment...
It's a case of holding your breath before making a move and hoping for the best. Every step's a cliffhanger when you're a man or woman who loves to hang on a cliff. We don't know if this is admirable or simply reckless, but we appreciate the courage involved in the process either way.
Not Your Common Tourist
Sitting in the United Arab Emirates, the glamorous city of Dubai is filled with architectural wonders that include the world's tallest building and a series of palm tree-shaped artificial islands that can be spotted from space. It attracts about 16 million tourists per year, but none quite like Mustang Wanted.
Mustang Wanted is a Ukrainian stunt performer/Instagram celebrity who loves to take pictures of himself standing on narrow edges and hanging on top of buildings. Needless to say, he's not an ordinary tourist, not by any stretch of the imagination!
Sleep Tight
Climbing to a mountain's peak isn't always a one-day experience. Sometimes, mountain climbers are forced to take a night break, have some rest, and get back to it the following morning. But how do they sleep? On tents hanging from the side of a cliff, of course!
Details as trivial as a bit of extra light or a loose spring on a mattress can cost us a good night's sleep. And yet, some people get to nap like babies while suspended in mid-air. It goes to show that mountain climbers are made of a different substance!
You Had One Job!
Have you ever wasted a whole hour of your life looking at satisfying videos on YouTube? We have, and it's worth it! Binging satisfying videos is like feeding your brain with little dopamine snacks. However, some very unpleasant people out there love to create content based on the opposite idea.
Few things are as un-satisfying as watching someone trying to pour water from one cup to another and fail miserably. This man has done such a terrible job that we can only guess he did it on purpose. Karma will get you, buddy!
The Peeled Watermelon
There are days when it seems like some folks just want to watch the world burn. Up until now, we were pretty convinced that watermelons couldn't be this terrifying. After all, they're a delicious fruit that's perfect for a warm summer's afternoon! But how weird is a watermelon without its rind?
At first glance, a watermelon that was 100% peeled doesn't even look like an object you'd find in nature. It's just a bizarre, squishy blob that looks as edible as a red brick. We know it's still tasty, though, so why does it look so appalling?
Fork No Apparent Reason
Cutlery shouldn't get on a person's nerves. Forks, spoons, and knives are used to eat food, and that should be the end of the discussion. But in today's frantic world, even an object as uncontroversial as the mundane fork can cause our blood pressure to go off the chart.
Why is the middle hole in this fork bigger than the other two? How did it happen? And who's the villain behind this unfortunate prank? We don't have the answer to any of these questions, but we're pretty sure we've lost our appetite.
Mind-Blowing Geometry
Ready to have your mind blown? The image you're seeing is 100% real, and the square in the picture was drawn using an actual geometry compass. That's right! Even though this scene looks like something coming straight out of an M. C. Escher painting, it's possible to use a compass to make a perfect square.
Geometry compasses are most commonly used for drawing circles, but they're also great for drawing arcs. Arcs help define the vertices of a perfect square, determining the exact point at which the lines in a square should intersect.
Look, Mom, One Leg!
Here's how the mind of an adrenaline junkie works. You're hanging out in the city when you see an incredibly high crane. Instead of just taking in the view and moving on with your life, you decide you should climb it. It's freezing and slippery out there, but that just adds to the fun!
Once you get to the top, you're not satisfied with the view. You go to the very end of the crane; the narrower the edge, the better! But because it all still feels too safe up there, you decide to rest on top of one leg to truly test your balance. Yep, 'bonkers' is the word!
Deeply Undecided
There's something super stressful about swimming through a very deep hole. It's not about drowning but rather about the uncertainty involved. It's a bit like the fear of the dark: it's the not seeing it all and the hidden prospect of danger that's truly scary, not the darkness itself.
We know we're getting a bit too deep (no pun intended), but that's what happens in the face of the unknown. Just ask that young man: he's standing there for hours, and he's still trying to figure out whether he's going for a swim or not.
Everybody. Stop. Right. Now.
Are you also having a mini heart attack? Losing car keys in a street drain is one of the most unfortunate things that can happen to someone. Getting them back is very hard, if not impossible at all. Luckily, these keys are standing right at the edge of the precipice.
Props to the person who found himself or herself in this situation and still had the peace of mind to see the humor in it and take a photo! We know we wouldn't be as calm. Plenty of cliffhangers have made it to the list, but this has to be one of the most stressful.
Showing up Without an Invitation
This picture will inspire you to take a close look at your sneakers before putting them on. It's hard to find the motivation to jog already, but the prospect of stumbling upon a sneaky spider only makes it more difficult.
Showing up without an invitation, this spider decided it was a good idea to build a web in someone's shoe. The most anxiety-inducing aspect of it all is that the jogger could've easily missed the spider and crushed it. We guess this photo is as stressful to the spider as to the rest of us!
Anxiety-Triggering
Now, this has got to be the work of a mad man! There are so many things wrong with this photo that we're pretty sure this anxiety-triggering scene was staged. We hate to see any object sitting at the edge of a table, so what can we say when there are about 13 of them?
What's interesting is that we can't figure out which object makes us feel more anxious. Is it the light bulb that can break so easily? The fragile glass bowl? Or the dangerous scissors, which can easily fall on top of someone's toe?
A Lunatic's System
Computer programmers aren't exactly known for their tidy, neat lifestyle. But they're perfectionists when it comes to taking care of their gear. Their computer desktops are flawless, and so is their hardware. Not the lunatic programmer behind this mess, though: he or she just wants to watch the world burn!
That VGA cable is somehow still hanging in there, supporting the entire weight of the computer. But if there ever was a recipe for disaster, this is it! Sooner or later, someone is going to have to buy a new PC...
Childhood Ruined
We don't know about you, but math lessons weren't among our favorite childhood moments. There was one good thing about them, though: graph paper! Graph paper was fun because it was easy to make geometrical shapes on the spot by painting over the little lines and squares.
We used to love graph paper so much that we can only find it insulting when someone draws a dot or line in the wrong spot. The person behind this enraging picture had a ruler and still failed to do the job properly! Is your childhood ruined too?
Well, That Escalated Quickly!
That escalated quickly—get it? Because it's an escalator. Well, never mind! Terrible puns aside, escalators can be downright terrifying, especially if you're a lady rocking a beautiful long dress in the mall. In a tight spot like this, the only thing one can do is save themself and leave the dress behind.
Once again, we have to praise the person involved in this situation for seeing the funny side of it and taking a photo. Stair-related accidents can happen too, but only an escalator will try to undress you out of nowhere.
Please Don't Sneeze!
Pennies are somewhat annoying. On the one hand, nobody wants to have a collection of dirty coins in the bedroom. On the other, pennies are still money, meaning it's almost a crime to throw them away. Luckily, there are numerous ways to get creative with pennies, especially if you have the time.
In what was probably the most boring afternoon in history, someone decided to take a few hours to do this with his or her pennies. It's a hymn to human patience, yes. It's beautiful in its way, for sure. But isn't it also a bit mad?
For the Love of Likes
The Pythagoras theorem was created approximately 500 years before the birth of Christ, and it's still in the curriculum of most modern-day schools. But not even the inventive genius of the mighty Pythagoras could've guessed his beloved triangles would one day be explored for the sake of Instagram likes.
This lady was hungry for some new Instagram followers, so she decided to go to an icy river, make a triangle-shaped hole in there, and take a bath. We've seen worse things on social media, but we're still amazed by the lengths some people go to just for a few likes.
Duct Tape? Really?
"
Snakes on a Plane" is a 2006 blockbuster action film starring Samuel L. Jackson. The movie's kind of scary because of its plot: a bunch of snakes make it into an airplane and start terrorizing the passengers. But while snakes on a plane sound bad enough, isn't duct tape on a plane an even scarier premise?
Aviophobia (the fear of traveling by plane) is one of the most common phobias in the world already, but this picture of a duct-taped airplane window is probably going to make matters even worse. No matter what anyone says, we would never say yes to staying in that seat!
Nice View, Terrible Predicament
How far would you go for a nice view? And is risking life worth it? Skyscraper climbers are lucky because they get to see what the city looks like from places where virtually no other human being has ever been to. But most of all, they're lucky because they're still alive!
We guess climbing skyscrapers has more to do with feeling the adrenaline and getting likes on Instagram than enjoying the beautiful view. The city may not be as pretty when you're down in the street, but it's alot safer, and that's good enough for us!
And They Say the Sea Is Relaxing...
The idea that traveling by boat is relaxing isn't entirely a myth. Yes, feeling the breeze of the ocean can restore one's soul—if it's summertime and you're in calm waters. For fishing and cargo boat crews, cruising the Mediterranean Sea in mid-July isn't always part of the schedule.
We know that modern-day boats are very well made, and on-sea accidents are relatively rare. However, we cannot avoid shivering when we look at this picture. We guess the men and women who get us fish and other goods from overseas deserve to be treated as heroes.
Finally, One Lovely Photo!
How's your blood pressure? It can't be easy to go through so many anxiety-inducing pictures in a row, so we thought we would give you a treat now. Look at it: it's a collection of shiny, pink marbles that's fascinating to look at. There's nothing wrong with them. Nothing terrifying at all.
Just kidding! These are eggs from an amphibian caecilian known as the Chikilidae. It's a rare animal from Southeast Asia, and it looks like a skinless, blind snake. And in case you're thinking, "well, these eggs are not so bad," please keep in mind their pretty scary mommy is most likely nearby...
Is Anything Even Sacred Anymore?
As we've learned, there are plenty of stressful things out there. But there's comfort in knowing you can always get home after a long day and enjoy some tasty M&Ms while watching TV. In today's frantic world, chocolate should be sacred. However, we guess even candy can be downright annoying...
If you thought M&Ms would never trigger your OCD, think again! A poor chocolate lover found this bizarre I-shaped yellow M&M and decided to share it online for the whole world to see. It's maddening, yes, but it also looks like one of those bizarre items that would sell for hundreds of dollars on eBay.
The World's Rashest Nap
Only a bonafide thrill-seeker would be able to enjoy a nap in a spot so dangerous it's making us bite our nails! Yes, we know this photo was staged and that this man is most likely pretending to be asleep. However, the idea of closing your eyes when you're a wrong move away from sudden death is nonetheless impressive.
Some people are either very brave, very reckless, or way too desperate for a new profile pic! Either way, you got to respect this guy's boldness. Our knees are shaking just by looking at this photo.
Moisturize Daily
If you're into celebrity beauty tips, you should know that Hollywood's most gorgeous men and women are all about moisturizing. Nivea creams are perfect for avoiding dry skin, but we get the feeling that not all people understand exactly how they work...
For one, you will not get a prettier glow by putting the Nivea cream on a slice of bread and eating it. Instead, you will get a stomach ache and the reputation of a madman. This person's life is upside down. Where does his butter go to? His face?
Everything's on Edge
We hate to see a dirty window as much as anyone else, but we wouldn't risk our lives just to get rid of it. Raising the bar on what being a neatnik means, this man was so desperate to get rid of a stain he forgot everything he knew about safety. This situation would only be acceptable if this guy lived on the building's ground floor!
It's not just the fact he has no sort of protection. What's worse is that he's barefoot and standing on the tiniest ledge. Even the cleaning spray is making us feel anxious right now.
What if That Rope Gives?
Can you imagine the aftermath if that rope gives? That's the one thing we can think of when we look at this picture. There's the guy, all smiles and confidence, going down the biggest hole we have ever seen—as if dying never even crossed his mind. And here we are, trembling just by looking at him!
This is why we have got nothing but respect for the hardworking professionals who risk their lives daily to build, maintain, and operate large infrastructure projects. Hopefully, they're doing so as safely as possible; keep up the excellent work!