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If you have even a dollop of empathy, it hurts to watch someone make a fool of themselves in public. Unfortunately for anyone allergic to secondhand embarrassment—but fortunately for anyone who enjoys unintentional humor—the world is full of delusional people who think they’re better, smarter, and wiser than they really are.
The r/im14andthisisdeep online community gently mocks folks who think that they’re sharing deep and meaningful insights, but they end up being super cringey. We’ve collected some of the worst offenders to show just how real the Dunning-Kruger effect is. Remember, if you feel awkward reading these, you’re human.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
The Hustle Lives On
RELATED:
#2
Thinking About The Future
Roman Arendt 19 hours ago
What's "deeply embarrassing" about this? Seems pretty accurate to me.
#3
I’m 14 And This Is Deep
The (in)famous Dunning-Kruger effect is a cognitive bias that refers to people overestimating their skills because they don’t know enough to see their own lack of knowledge or ability. Essentially, some individuals are incompetent, have low cognitive ability, and have little self-awareness, which leads them to think that they are both smart and capable when they are, in fact, lacking in those departments.
In fact, people who have the worst abilities tend to think that they are great at doing something. That being said, absolutely everyone is susceptible to this phenomenon. This cognitive bias affects all of us to a greater or lesser degree, no matter how smart and educated we (think we) are.
However, actual experts tend to be better at assessing their abilities than amateurs. What’s more, women “generally make more accurate self-assessments than men,” Verywell Mind explains.
#4
Incredible
UnclePanda 20 hours ago
"Ooh, do deformed rabbit! That's my favorite!" ~ overheard somewhere on Discworld
#5
Yeah The Whole World Is Filled With Hypocrites. Such A Deep Message
Beak Hookage 17 hours ago
I have an atheist friend who became seriously ill and could have died. No miraculous religious conversion happened. The only people who think we atheists are just "Christians in denial" or otherwise super easy to convert have obviously never spoken with one. Or at least no further than "I'm here to tell you the Good News" followed by "not interested, get off my doorstep".
#6
He Failed One Test
“The basic idea behind the Dunning-Kruger effect is this: if you don't know something, you also don't have the ability to recognize that you don't know it.”
The Dunning-Kruger effect rears its head in many situations throughout your day. For example, you might talk to a relative, friend, or coworker who thinks that their opinion is correct. They might dismiss everyone else’s perspectives when it is clear that they are quite ignorant of the topic in question.
#7
Dyeing Hair Bad
#8
What??!
#9
Found This AI Gem From Quora
In a nutshell, incompetent individuals have a tendency to:
- Overestimate their skill levels;
- Fail to recognize their mistakes and lack of skill;
- Fail to recognize genuine skill and expertise in others.
“The very knowledge and skills necessary to be good at a task are the same qualities that a person needs to recognize that they are not good at that task. So if a person lacks those abilities, they remain not only bad at that task but ignorant of their inability.”
In essence, having a bit of knowledge in a subject is dangerous because it can lead you to (mistakenly) think that you’re an expert and come to misinformed conclusions.
#10
I'm Too Complex, Unlike U
#11
Saw This On Fb
Roman Arendt 19 hours ago
Looks like you cloned them. And that you could only do because of ✨science✨. So you should thank the nice lady for your children of the corn.
#12
Have You Seen These People?
Jeremy James 16 hours ago
Bet there's a crisp dollar bill in it for you. Think of all the marbles and penny candy you could get.
If the Dunning-Kruger effect is so widespread, what exactly can we all do to push back against it? Well, one thing that all of us can do is to keep learning and practicing, no matter the topic or skill. “Once you gain greater knowledge of a topic, you will likely recognize how much there is still to learn. This can combat the tendency to assume you’re an expert, even if you're not.”
You have to be willing to question what you know, even if (especially when?) it feels uncomfortable.
Another ‘antidote’ to this cognitive bias is actively asking for feedback and constructive criticism from other people. There’s nothing quite as humbling as seeing yourself through other people’s eyes.
#13
Name Them
#14
”no Taxes”
Doug Moyer 8 hours ago
How do you know that they had no worries? How do you know there were no taxes?
#15
This Is So True
Beak Hookage 17 hours ago
Where on earth am I supposed to keep three cows when I live in the suburbs?
The fact of the matter is that we all make mistakes, and sometimes we behave in cringeworthy ways. In other words, social embarrassment is part and parcel of being human. The best, healthiest thing we can do is own up to our errors, embrace all the awkwardness, learn from our mistakes, and plug any glaring knowledge gaps.
If you think back to all the dumb things you’ve done and how you embarrassed yourself when you were young(er), you probably regret a lot of things. On the positive side of things, recognizing that you erred is proof that you’re growing, maturing, and improving. On the negative end, however, if you don’t accept your imperfections, your past regrets can haunt you for years to come, and that’s unhealthy and exhausting.
#16
I Just Know He Calls Himself A Loner
#17
Certified Treasure
Roman Arendt 19 hours ago
Awww, it's like seeing a dog pretending to be a human. Just not as cute.
#18
“Based”
Luke || Kira (he/she) 8 hours ago
While pretty privilege most definitely IS a thing, this victim mentality really isn't the way to go
The r/im14andthisisdeep online community has been a mainstay on Reddit for over 13 years now.
Originally, it was founded in April 2013 as a way to (ever so gently) poke fun at and shame slightly delusional people who share their ‘deep and meaningful’ philosophical insights online.
#19
Modern Men Bad :(
Kate Johnson 18 hours ago
I've got to say, I'm pretty impressed with this lion's man bun! Also the lion tat is pretty cool too! LOL!!!
#20
Thought We Were Celebrating Life.. Turns Out We Are Celebrating Just A Space Lap
#21
What?
These are types of ‘wise’ comments that you’d find on people’s blogs, Tumblr, Facebook, Reddit, etc., that people “should have outgrown by the time they were 14.”
They are proof that there are plenty of people out there who haven’t quite matured yet, but they think that they already know everything there is to know about the world. This lack of humility can be dangerous and help spread misinformation.
#22
Omg Space Exploration Is Ending Us!
Roman Arendt 19 hours ago (edited)
We adapted models we found in nature since the beginning of humankind, if something works, why not learn from it?. So, what's your point?
#23
Never Get Married Guys
#24
Nobody Said Anything Like This
astheshadowsfall 20 hours ago
It's not. The world as we know it would fall to pieces without truckers. Upmost respect.
The r/im14andthisisdeep community continues to be massively active to this day. At the time of writing, a jaw-dropping 422k internet users visit the group every single week, leaving a whopping 16k weekly contributions.
According to the moderators, the posts you share on the subreddit have to be ‘deep’ but have to avoid topics like politics, religion, shower thoughts, cartoons, caricatures, and boomer humor. What’s more, hilariously, you are not allowed to post about Billie Eilish.
#25
I’m 8 And This Is Deep
#26
I Was Deep Before It Was Hip!
#27
Born Too Late To Pass Of The Bubonic Plague
Annika Kremer 17 hours ago (edited)
You're supposed to at least open your visor before you kiss...
The mod team stresses that, ideally, everyone shares original content that they received or stumbled upon themselves. However, “obviously, that’s not always possible,” so they urge everyone to be “as original as possible.”
Satire, personal information, frequent reposts, self-promotion, spam, bad cropping, video content, incivility, and rude behavior will draw the moderators’ ire, so you’d best avoid those.
#28
Woke Looney Tunes
DrBronxx 18 hours ago
In 1975, there were 45,500 deaths due to car accidents in the USA, population 216 million. In 2025, those numbers were 36,640 out of 345 million. Total deaths fell by 20%, and the per mile rate fell by more than 60%. This is from the NHTSA website. All this is to say.....f**k you, whoever made this, you absolute moron.
#29
So Many Layers Of- TH??????
#30
Men Are The Most Mistreated Marginalized Group
Beak Hookage 17 hours ago
NO women were harmed in either world war! All the nurses who treated the wounded were men, only men were sent to the d.eath camps, no women disguised themselves as men in order to enlist, no women were taken out in the various b0mbings involved... yeah, that makes sense!
Once you’ve upvoted the ‘deepest’ Dunning-Kruger and delusion-fuelled posts in this list, we’d like to hear your insights and all about your experiences.
What are the most awkward things that you have ever said or done, in public or online, that make you laugh and cringe to this day? How do you deal with social embarrassment? Spill the tea in the comments!
#31
Gen Z Evolution
Sam Trudeau 9 hours ago
Every gen has its rebel phase. They just forget that when their kids do it
#32
What A Reality We're In
#33
So Tuff
Lukas (he/him, it/its) 17 hours ago
Why is this just the start of a (likely gay) Elon x Y/N smut fic?
#34
This 100% Should Be The New Banner Of This Sub
#35
A Deep Thought
WhyamIhere? 19 hours ago
Eh, not really, as all that money re-enters the economy and makes it prosper
#36
How Do I Even Caption This
Colleen Glim 20 hours ago
No. No. No. Especially when children are involved. A woman needs a partner. Not another child to raise. I am not your mama
#37
I Can't Believe My Friend Liked This
Xythen Jones 20 hours ago
So, He's trapping her with the diamond engagement ring? Checks out- but I doubt that was the intent.
#38
Because You’d Rather Go To War Than To Therapy?
John Dilligaf 18 hours ago
the 1944 generation also lost their s*it if a black person sat in the wrong part of the bus or drank from the wrong water fountain. And by "lost their s*it" I mean would often [unalive] the black person in question.
#39
I Have No Girlfriends Because I'm Too Smart
#40
Does This Fit
Colleen Glim 20 hours ago
Not wrong. A college/university degree does not mean you know everything about everything. People who’ve been in the trenches are valuable and should also be appreciated
#41
Men's Mental Health Matters
#42
The Good Old Days
Beak Hookage 17 hours ago
Because fine art no longer exists somehow! When was the last time this moron went to an art gallery?
#44
I’m 15 And Huh?
#45
How Can You Not Realise (Real Eyes)
#46
Title
#47
Good Guys Don't Have Friends
Colleen Glim 20 hours ago
Friends don’t just drop into your life like manna from heaven. If you never leave your house, don’t whinge at me that you don’t have any friends
#48
Brains Are Bad
DrBronxx 18 hours ago
Studies have shown the exact opposite of this to be true - people with higher IQs tend to be happier than those with lower IQs. Look up a study titled "The relationship between happiness and IQ: The contribution of socio-economic and clinical factors", out of University College London.
#49
This Was Not Made By A Gen Z
#50
What The Hell Does This Even Mean
#51
I Hate When Women Remember Things
Beak Hookage 17 hours ago
MORE AI slop. Awesome. At least an actual woman would know that guy's hand shouldn't be falling off.
#52
I Think This Belongs Here
Farah (she/her) 19 hours ago
Again wheres the stupidness of this? He's right. Some of the listed traits may not relate to the point, but he's right.
#53
What’s It Even Mean..?
#55
Why Is Bro Up??
#56
Loyalty
#58
Suffering
astheshadowsfall 20 hours ago
I must be too low class to get this. I mean, the words alone are comprehendible, but the pictures lose me.
#59
*realization* 😱
astheshadowsfall 20 hours ago
Poor English, very good point, that no one could refute, with a moral compass.
#60
😭😭😭
Daisydaisy 14 hours ago
... and it's harder for men, because they have to give birth through their ear
#61
Very True
#62
“I Was Born In The Wrong Era!”
astheshadowsfall 20 hours ago
Jeans are functional and comfortable. You are not being forced to wear them however.
#63
Not All Men Just Think Boobies
#65
Found On Youtube Posts
#66
The Stuff Bro Sends Me After Failing
Beak Hookage 17 hours ago
Uh, when kids go to school the day includes outside play and other activities that involve running around, including sport. Even back in the "good old days" when the teacher was allowed to whack you with a ruler there was still lunchtime period for socialising outside.
#67
I'm So Mature For My Age
#68
Evils Of The World
#69
Humans A Species Really Known For Being Historically Isolationist
#70
That Looksmaxxing Stuff Is So Corny, Man
#71
We Sacrificed Our Lungs🫁🥀 To Save Our Minds😥💔💨💨
#72
The Perfect Man Is Gay?
#73
Does This Fit To The Sub? I Can’t Tell If It’s Satire Or Not. Found It On R/Genz
astheshadowsfall 19 hours ago
Dumb. I don't find myself ugly, nothing special of course, but somehow I have managed to remain loyal to my wife.
#74
The Sad Reality Of This Generation 💔
Kevin Hickey 1 hour ago
“Our youth love luxury. They have bad manners and despise authority. They show disrespect for their elders and love to chatter instead of exercise. Young people are now tyrants, not the servants of their household. They no longer rise when their elders enter the room. They contradict their parents, chatter before company, gobble up food and terrorize their teachers.” - Socrates
#76
What The Heck Does That Even Mean 🤦😭🙏?
#77
"No One Accepts Me"
#78
Found This Crazy AI Post In The Wild
#80
😔😡👍
astheshadowsfall 19 hours ago
What, they don't even bother to bury you if you sacrifice your personality for religious worship?
#81
Spotted This Gem
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What do you think ?
Mrreoww 18 hours ago (edited)
R/im14andthisisdeep is a gold mine for nonsense. My friend and I used to scroll there until even we got tired of the ridiculousness.
PenguinEmp 5 hours ago
The title warned me not to read. I just came to see the comments at the end. Delulu... Wow. This is where we are now? We can't write delusional?
Load More Replies... Mrreoww 18 hours ago (edited)
R/im14andthisisdeep is a gold mine for nonsense. My friend and I used to scroll there until even we got tired of the ridiculousness.
PenguinEmp 5 hours ago
The title warned me not to read. I just came to see the comments at the end. Delulu... Wow. This is where we are now? We can't write delusional?
Load More Replies...
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