People Share the Scariest True Stories They Know

I’m a sucker for all crime-related material and the spookier, the better for me.

And I think it’s safe to say that the true crime genre as a whole is more popular than ever with the general public.

So I think a lot of folks are gonna be interested in these stories.

What’s the scariest true story you know?

Here’s what folks on AskReddit had to say…

1. Missing.

“This one kid back in the early 20th century named Bobby Dunbar.

He went missing, and after like a year of searching for him, his parents came across a man with a kid who looked a lot like Bobby. They believed it was their kid, and after a legal battle with the kid’s supposed mother, they brought the kid home. A whole parade happened due to the missing kid’s return. He lived and d**d believing he was, in fact, Bobby Dunbar.

Well, a few decades later, his granddaughter asked Bobby’s (nephew I think?) for a DNA sample so she could see if her and Bobby’s nephew were related. Turns out, they weren’t. Meaning the real Bobby Dunbar is still missing and, probably d**d alone without his parents.”

2. Horrible.

“Nirbhaya Case – 2012 – Delhi

A female student boarded an off-duty bus with a male friend. They were returning home after watching a film. The six men, who were already on board, including the driver, attacked the couple, taking turns to r**e the woman in the moving bus around the city, before brutally assaulting her with an iron rod.

Her friend was beaten and tied to watch the assault. They were then thrown out onto the roadside to d**. Some passers-by found them naked and bloodied and called the police. Two weeks later – after widespread protests that demanded India reckon with its treatment of women – the victim d**d in a hospital in Singapore, where she was taken for further treatment after her condition deteriorated in a Delhi hospital.

All six people were arrested for the attack. One of them was found d**d in jail in March 2013, having apparently taken his own life.

Another, who was 17 at the time of the attack, was released in 2015, after serving three years in a reform facility.

The remaining four were hanged in the capital’s high-security Tihar prison.”

3. Frightening.

“My mother’s friend left her abusive husband. My mother met her while working at a women’s shelter.

They were really close, and my mother fought so hard to get her somewhere safe. They did everything right. She helped her file divorce papers. And then one morning my mom can’t get her on the phone, but they’d had plans to meet for lunch. And she checks the newspaper. And she calls in sick to work. Which she never did. And she sat my down in tears and told me what happened.

Her friend was home, with her son, when her ex broke in. He ki**ed her and left the baby there, in his mother’s blood. And then he hung himself outside of Raley’s. Last I heard their almost two year old went to live with his uncle. I can’t imagine how terrifying it was for the baby to cry to himself, in his mother’s blood, for the almost two days until he was found.”

4. Whoa.

“Happened to my boss’s best friend when they were around 17 yo:

Best friend’s parents were out of town one weekend and she had the house to herself. Went about her business having dinner, watching tv then decided to go to bed. She was lying in her bed with her back to her closet when she heard the door open. She somehow pretended to be asleep – the man who was hiding in the closet walked around her bed to the side she was laying/facing, gently stroked her hair and face then left.

She immediately called her boyfriend to ask him to come over then called her parents and then the police. Long story short this man had been getting into their home via a doggy door (they didn’t have a dog and didn’t bother to secure it) and he’d been living in a tent in the foresty area behind their home for months to creep on her. They found a ton of surveillance footage of her sleeping and pieces of her clothes and stuff.

If I recall correctly this happened somewhere in Alabama, most likely mid-2000s.”

5. Bizarre.

“I read a story recently about Paulette Gerbera Ferah, a 4 year old child who went missing from her room in 2010.

Her parents immediately notified authorities, and started a social media campaign to find Paulette. Paulette’s room was searched multiple times and used by her parents to do media interviews.

Here’s the terrifying part: Paulette was found d**d 10 days later… IN HER BED! She had wedged herself between the mattress and the footboard and suffocated.”

6. OMG.

“The blue-ring octopus has a venom that causes paralysis, causing people to d** of cardiac arrest or because of hypoxia. There is no antidote; the ”cure” is CPR or lif-support for the hour-or-so it takes for the the venom to leave the body.

There was a man who was bitten by a blue-ring octopus. As the life-guard was preforming CPR, he was lying on his back on the beach, facing the sky, eyes frozen open. Unable to close his eyes or communicate with the others, he lied there as the sun slowly burnt out his retinas. He became permanently blind.”

7. Inspired by…

“The story that inspired “Candyman” is pretty creepy.

A woman in a Chicago apartment was m**dered by some drug dealer who lived next-door.

How did he get into her apartment? Through a hole behind her bathroom cabinet/mirror.”

8. Horror story.

“The Nutty Putty Cave Incident

A spelunker got stuck upside down in a narrow cave for 26 hours. Crews tried to pull him out with pulleys, but had to be careful not to break his legs, because that could be fatal with the circumstances he was in.

Rescuers even almost dislodged him, only for an anchor to fail at the last second, plunging him back into the crevice. He eventually d**d, and they sealed the cave shut with him inside.”

9. The expedition.

“The Franklin Expedition.

Somewhere in the neighborhood of 150 British sailors and military personnel on two ships embarked on a mission to find the Northwest Passage from the Atlantic across to the Pacific through arctic waters. The ships, named HMS Erebus and HMS Terror (two former warships reclassified as ice breakers thanks to their sturdier builds) departed British waters in the 1845 and were never seen again. In subsequent rescue attempts and investigations it was discovered that quite possibly everything that could’ve gone wrong on the expedition did so.

The weight of the ships with their reinforced hulls and decks designed to fire mortars and cannons off of worked against them as much of the waters crossed were shallow and filled with rocks and icebergs. The the time chosen to launch the expedition occurred at one of the coldest Arctic periods in recent history, meaning the polar ice and (particularly the pack ice) didn’t melt like usual as the ships became locked in the frozen water and essentially experienced an endless winter for over 4 years.

The food they stored which was supposed to last for years thanks to the revolutionary new process of canning was bought at the lowest bidder. Much of the food was improperly sealed and spoiled leading to food poisoning and even the ones that were properly sealed and kept intact were riddled with lead thanks to the soldering used to keep the food inside fresh.

In conjunction with the lead pipes in the ships the men would’ve been drinking out of for years meant the entire crews of both ships was slowly being infected with all manner of diseases (namely botulism, scurvy and heavy lead poisoning which also affects the mind leading to memory loss, heavy paranoia and general mental deterioration) combined with already present tuberculosis that ki**ed a small number of the crew before departing to the Arctic.

After about 2-3 years stuck in the ice, the captain in charge of the voyage John Franklin and many other crew members d**d in unknown circumstances and the remainder decided to abandon ships and try and hike out together to the nearest trading outpost and Back Fish river in Canada, hundreds of miles away, by loading up their rowboats with supplies and fixing them on sleds to be pulled. All remaining crew perished on that journey.

Their remains discovered by local Inuits/Netsilik tribes, who described desolate campsites of skeleton-like corpses with hazily built, half-open tents and even human body parts in cook pots, heavily implying that the men resorted to cannibalism in their last desperate hours.”

10. Deranged.

“The m**der of the Groene family.

A deranged pe**phile named Joseph Edward Duncan was already on the run from the cops for a past s**ual assault. He was incredibly charming and manipulative, and was truly pure evil. He camped outside a family’s rural home, unseen by them. He picked it out after driving past it and seeing children’s toys outside. He watched them from afar, got to know their routine with the intent of kidnapping the children, ten year old Dylan, eight year old Shasta.

Jed found the lock on the door was broken, entered the home in the middle of the night and tied up the mom, dad and teenage son. He put Shasta and Dylan in his car and ki**ed the rest of the family with a hammer.

He travelled around various campsites and cabins with Shasta and Dylan captive, s**ually abusing, t**turing and raping them. He eventually shot Dylan but Shasta talked him out of ki**ing her. Jed ended up telling her she “taught him how to love”

The scariest part is a cctv footage of Jed and Shasta at a gas station. Because you could easily believe they were just a normal dad and a grumpy daughter if you were an onlooker https://youtu.be/ZttD-myqdaw

Eventually, he took her to a diner where he was finally apprehended when a waitress noticed something was up and Shasta was saved after 7 weeks in his clutches. As he was dragged away, he called to her “promise me you’ll visit me in prison” and she said she would. I don’t know if she ever did.

Jed was put on death row and found to be guilty of three previous child m**ders. He d**d a few months ago from cancer.

But the worst part of it all is how horrible Shasta’s life has been afterwards. Drug addiction, in and out of jail, losing her children etc. Just the most horrifying story ever.”

11. The cult.

“In the 1980s there was a Mexican cult led by an American named Adolfo Constanzo.

They used to kidnap random people from tourist towns and nearby cities and perform human sacrifice on them in their rural Mexican desert compound, usually t**turing in elaborate rituals for hours or days before finally letting them d**. These rituals included vivisections, castrations, eyeball removal, tongue removal, teeth pulling, skin flaying, hanging, etc.

They used amphetamines and cocaine to force the victim to stay awake during the t**ture and not pass out from shock.

The cult believed the more pain and fear they could generate in the sacrifice victim the more powerful the body parts would be as ritual trinkets and also for food for the cult’s “nganga” which is a large ritual cauldron used to store bones, blood, meat, and other valuable items that the cult believed gave them power. They used to make staves out of wired together spinal columns and they would often eat the victim’s eyeballs during the rituals.

They are believed to have kidnapped and sacrificed over 26 people to their nganga in their three years that they were active from 1986 to 1989. The leader committed suicide when the police showed up at their compound. They arrested 14 cult members but most people believe there were at least a dozen more that escaped and are still out there.”

12. Scary.

“Personal story.

When I was 10, I regularly attended a choir club for kids. One day, I was picked up by my dad to drive me home. I was confused about it, as it was always my mum who did, but did not think much on it until half-way through the drive. My dad began to mumble about how sorry he was, and how I would never see him again.

More than a bit frightened and confused at that point, I kept asking what he meant, but he wouldn’t say. Until we were home, but he did not leave the car, and instead urged me to get out. Finally, he told me I would not see him again because he will be d**d very soon for what he did, and that the police would answer me.

After he practically kicked me out of the car I rushed home, but no one was there. But I found the door open, and a puddle of blood on the floor.

The police was nearby and explained what had happened:

My dad was obsessively jealous and had found a pack of old condoms in the cupboard, so he drew the conclusion that my mum must have cheated on him. Never mind the fact that we only recently moved into this apartment, and they could have been left by previous tenants, or the fact that he controlled my mum’s very step and never let her go anywhere alone. The police took me to the hospital, where my mum, luckily alive, was being treated.

My dad had smashed her skull in with a full wine bottle. The only reason she survived was because my little brother, 7 at the time, intervened. If it weren’t for him, my dad would have ki**ed my mum in a fit of jealousy.

When he said that I would not see him again, he meant that he had planned on ki**ing himself shortly after dropping me off. He did not succeed, and police managed to get him into a mental ward.

This, to this date, is the scariest thing that had ever happened to me, but I keep thinking of my brother all the time. To witness your own mum being beaten half-d**d by your dad. We both suffered extreme mental trauma from this event later down the line, but somehow turned into decent people. I never really told him how grateful I am he was there, but I think that I really, really should.”

Do you know any really scary true stories?

If so, tell us about them in the comments.

We’d love to hear from you!

The post People Share the Scariest True Stories They Know appeared first on UberFacts.

Man Refuses to Pay for Anything Anymore for This Stepdaughter. Is He Wrong?

Every parent is different when it comes to how far they’ll go money-wise for their kids or their stepkids.

And we’re about to read a story from a guy on the “Am I The A**hole?” page on Reddit because he’s locked in a battle about how much he’s willing to pay for his teenage stepdaughter.

Let’s see what he had to say.

AITA for not paying for anything anymore for my stepdaughter?

“My stepdaughter (14) who we’ll A doesn’t like me because she thinks her real dad is better but he doesn’t do anything to help. All he does is do crack and use his girlfriends for money.

A believes her dad buys all the things she gets. Her birthday presents, toys, clothes, and gadgets are from all from me or her mom but she honestly believes he gets them for her. She isn’t just rude to me, she’s rude to everyone. Like her mom or neighbor, or just people that bump into her.

My wife has tried counseling and therapy but it’s only effective for a couple of days before she snaps. I haven’t grounded her or anything. I leave the punishing to her mom but she still can’t behave. Recently her birthday came up and I bought her a phone she had been wanting and she called her dad and thanked him while still being rude to me.

I honestly am at my limit. I can’t take this disrespect anymore. I know she’s just a child but it stills gets to me. I told my wife I won’t be paying for anything she needs or wants anymore.

I’m not going to tolerate disrespect while still being financially responsible for her. My wife is saying I’m insensitive and an a**hole but I completely disagree.

AITA?”

Now let’s take a look at how people responded on Reddit.

This reader said that this can be fixed in one very easy step…

Photo Credit: Reddit

Another Reddit user said that people can be delusional and can create their own realities in their heads.

And that might be what’s going on here…

Photo Credit: Reddit

This person said that maybe the stepdad needs to do some things with his stepdaughter instead of not giving her gifts anymore and maybe that would make her realize what’s really going on with her father.

Photo Credit: Reddit

Finally, this person who is an admitted addict said that people who are addicts become very good at lying. And you know the dad in this story is most likely feeding his daughter all kinds of BS.

Photo Credit: Reddit

What do you think?

Is this guy being a jerk or is his behavior justified?

Tell us what you think in the comments. Thanks!

The post Man Refuses to Pay for Anything Anymore for This Stepdaughter. Is He Wrong? appeared first on UberFacts.

We Have Now Connected the Human Brain to a Computer

If you enjoy science fiction, then you’re probably thinking that you’ve seen this movie before (and you definitely have). People imagining the future, or ways human beings might be able to live forever, have long turned their eyes toward possibly “uploading our consciousness” into a machine as a way to make that happen,

Now, with scientists connecting a human brain wirelessly to a computer, well…maybe it doesn’t sound so farfetched after all.

It happened at Brown University in Rhode Island, where some very smart people established a connection between a human brain and a computer that’s capable of transmitting signals with ‘single-neuron resolution and in full broadband fidelity.”

The study saw two clinical trial participants with paralysis (men with spinal-cord injuries) and used the BrainGate system with a wireless transmitter to point, click, and type on a standard tablet computer.

The researchers involved published their findings in the IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineeringstating that the system works using a small transmitter that weighs more than 40g.

They place the unit atop the user’s head where it “connects to an electrode array within the brain’s motor cortex using the same port used by wired systems.”

Here’s what it looks like…

Image Credit: BrainGate

Yeah… ALL of that on top of somebody’s head. We didn’t say it looked sexy!

John Simeral, an assistant professor of engineering at Brown and the study’s lead author, was pleasantly surprised about how accurate the wireless transmission turned out to be.

“The signals are recorded and transmitted with appropriately similar fidelity, which means we can use the same decoding algorithms we used with wired equipment.”

It’s better, even, because people no longer need to be physically attached to the equipment, which means there are more and more possible applications and uses on the horizon.

Leigh Hochberg, the trial’s leader, sounded equally excited about the achievement.

“With this system, we’re able to look at the brain activity, at home, over long periods in a way that was nearly impossible before.

This will help us to design decoding algorithms that provide for the seamless, intuitive, reliable restoration of communication and mobility for people with paralysis.”

It sounds crazy, but it’s true – and I mean, what amazing breakthrough of the past 20 years didn’t sound crazy and impossible the first time you heard about it? Team Science!

What do you think about this innovation? Should we keep well enough alone?

Let us know in the comments!

The post We Have Now Connected the Human Brain to a Computer appeared first on UberFacts.

This Artist Proves That a Little Chalk Can Bring a Lot of Magic to the Block

For me, one of the coolest things to come out of the pandemic was people being forced to find new (distanced) ways to connect with friends, family, neighbors, and even strangers who cross our paths on a daily basis.

Companies found new and innovative ways to find customers, education systems had to revamp to reach out to every willing student, and even artists unearthed brilliant ways to continue to connect and inspire the public.

In Ann Arbor, Michigan, David Zinn does street art with chalk – on brick, concrete, or whatever else will take – and the images stick with people, long after they’re washed away by the rain.

Below are 16 images that will make it easy to see why once you’ve seen some of his work, you aren’t likely to forget it!

16. Francine is going places, y’all.

Don’t you love to see it?

 

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A post shared by David Zinn (@davidzinn)

15. These characters could star in a children’s book.

I would definitely read that.

 

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A post shared by David Zinn (@davidzinn)

14. What a great place for a chat.

They look so serious and cozy!

 

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A post shared by David Zinn (@davidzinn)

13. Oh my goodness.

I wonder if he sees his shadow or just a bunch of smiling faces.

 

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A post shared by David Zinn (@davidzinn)

12. What a metaphor this one is.

Emerging from the tunnel, striking a match.

 

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A post shared by David Zinn (@davidzinn)

11. You have to tickle both hedgehogs.

That’s just the rules of the universe!

 

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A post shared by David Zinn (@davidzinn)

10. Flying pigs and adorable squirrels.

What more could one want from a piece of art?

 

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A post shared by David Zinn (@davidzinn)

9. Such a lovely piece of art.

It looks like he could just hop right off any second!

 

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A post shared by David Zinn (@davidzinn)

8. What sweet little friends.

These pictures are gentle and so heartwarming!

 

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A post shared by David Zinn (@davidzinn)

7. Hands are made for clapping.

Music lovers everywhere can relate.

 

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A post shared by David Zinn (@davidzinn)

6. I want to give them both a big hug.

For them AND for me.

 

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A post shared by David Zinn (@davidzinn)

5. Doesn’t it just make you happy?

How can it not?

 

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4. Flying pigs love daffodils.

Who doesn’t? They bring the SPRING!

 

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A post shared by David Zinn (@davidzinn)

3. I would love to see this guy welcome me on my way.

He’s way happier to see me than most humans are!

 

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A post shared by David Zinn (@davidzinn)

2. I am in awe of this.

The skill AND the feeling.

 

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A post shared by David Zinn (@davidzinn)

1. Just zooming along.

Don’t you want to know where he’s going?

 

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A post shared by David Zinn (@davidzinn)

I wish I had talent like this – wow!

Which of these was your favorite piece? Tell us why down in the comments!

The post This Artist Proves That a Little Chalk Can Bring a Lot of Magic to the Block appeared first on UberFacts.

People Share Absurd Pieces of Clothing and Their Outrageous Price Tags

When I want to buy an unusual new product, I remind myself that without risk there’s no reward.

Sometimes it works, and the unusual new product is a massive success!

Other times it’s a huge disappointment, and I kick myself for days.

The point is, we all make weird choices sometimes. And the luxury goods industry exists to feed those retail therapy choices.

When a woman went viral recently for posting her ridiculous discovery from Nordstrom, the post took off, with others joining in to share the weirdest and most expensive items they’ve seen for sale as well.

She wrote:

The $895 price tag may sound like a lot, but at least you won’t have any money left that you need to carry around, since, as one keen-eyed user pointed out the fine print:

This bedazzled objet d’art doesn’t actually carry anything, except for a conversation.

It sounds like something David Rose would say.

In addition to outrageously expensive and useless “purses”, there were a number of examples of horrifying (and useless?) clothing trends in the thread.

User @chelbee611 shared these bizarre underwear-exposing trousers.

Good thing they have free returns.

And who can forget this aptly described travesty, which I guess you could wear with those pants.

If you’re really looking to be classy, there’s this dress, which I would describe as “tarp & bungee chic” – perfect for any occasion.

And to really kick it up a notch, pair that dress with these matching gloves.
(They match the bungee cords.)

If the tarp dress isn’t to your liking, because, idk, you’re worried about rain on your back? Never fear, there’s always this shower curtain dress option shared by Ellen Grace.

Perfect for a rainy day or a chili dog eating contest.

And if you’re worried about getting cold (maybe in that backless dress) user @TSatch17 has you covered with this… sleeping bag wrap?

Another user, @jamiesanpedroo, who really got into the exercise, found these wacky toe-sock-boot-gizmos, and I don’t even know what to do with them.

Is Nordstrom okay?

Not to single out high end retailers, @my_tv_life pointed to her favorite source for the ridiculous, Etsy, and these fabulous handmade pants.

Mars OBSESSED responded to the original post with a joke, but these glasses (?!) are blowing my mind.

Several users shared the same $1300 hat, which I personally thought looked like an attempt to imitate an orca.

And don’t forget about the bling. There was the bike lock necklace that costs more than any actual bike lock.

Just in case, you know, you’re worried someone’s going to steal your head.

Honestly, these all make me feel better about the electric toothbrush I bought last week.

What about you? What’s the most absurd item to come into your social media ads?

Tell us in the comments!

The post People Share Absurd Pieces of Clothing and Their Outrageous Price Tags appeared first on UberFacts.

15 People Share Their Best Good Neighbor Stories

If you’re anything like me, you have no idea who your neighbors even are. You’ve never met them, you don’t know their names – if you’re lucky you might RECOGNIZE them as, in fact, people that live around you.

If you’re like my dad on the other hand, you know all of them, and have a strict friend/enemy list onto which each one has a slot.

But either way, we can all appreciate the truly GOOD neighbors, which is what makes these posts from Reddit so special.

15. Special delivery

Gotta give it up for ’em.

A UPS driver went above-and-beyond this year, delivering nearly 200 packages a day through lockdowns and the flurry of the Holiday season. This week, hundreds of neighbors came out to give him a hero’s salute from aww

14. Never forget

Now get out there and party!

So my 102 year old neighbour was emiddited to hospital with a stroke and she still remembered my 21st from pics

13. Love over hate

Keep tryin’, you’re gonna get defeated every time.

Some guy spraypainted some very explicit anti-gay slurs on a garage down the street (a gay couple live there), so our neighborhood got together and painted this. from MadeMeSmile

12. The plate

Now I’ve really got something to be thankful for.

My neighbors brought me a "plate" since I didn’t go anywhere for Thanksgiving. from pics

11. The sweet treats

Kids are just puppies that slowly learn how to talk.

Our neighbor gives treats through the fence. Recently he has been giving my daughter treats too. This is them waiting patiently today. from aww

10. The flood

The greatest note you can possibly come across in a situation like this.

Apartment complex flooded at least 3 feet. Good neighbors saved dogs trapped inside. from HumansBeingBros

9. The smile

Look at that little half-stash booger. What a cutie.

Lost my husband suddenly 6 months ago, lost my cat last week. Today, my neighbor brought me this baby girl. Smiled for the first time in days and haven’t stopped from MadeMeSmile

8. Notes from abroad

Oh man, I wonder how long they’d been waiting!

Our neighbour doesn’t have Wi-Fi, so we talked her through joining ours. Once on she received 70 messages from her children living overseas from HumansBeingBros

7. God bless

That’s what compassion looks like.

In 2019, this 15-year-old kid started to take care of his elderly neighbors every single day after they had medical setbacks. God bless you Romemylion. from MadeMeSmile

6. I’ve got time

En excellent use of your time.

After bad storms, this retired old man goes around our neighborhood and cleans the debris out of yards and catch basins. When I asked him why he said “because I am retired and have the time to help”. 10/10 great dude from HumansBeingBros

5. A burning fire

It’s bad, but you can make it a little bit better.

Neighbours helping out strangers during the Australian bushfires. Everything helps and it all adds up!! from HumansBeingBros

4. Now, scoot!

What kind of dingus steals from a kid.

Someone stole a kids razor scooter in our neighborhood. An anonymous neighbor decided to restore some joy back for the kid. from HumansBeingBros

3. Garden cheer

I just think they’re neat!

Left this in my neighbor’s garden to cheer them up. from pics

2. The sled hill

There’s a perfect one in every neighborhood, and not all the owners are as cool as this.

Neighborhood kids were using this lady’s yard for sledding without asking. She responded by blasting Xmas music out her window, putting on a Santa hat with a beard and joining them. from MadeMeSmile

1. Sebastian

It’s the light in the eyes.

[Crosspost from /r/nextdoor] A note left for a neighbor from MadeMeSmile

Just warms your heart all over!

What’s your best neighbor story?

Share it with us in the comments.

The post 15 People Share Their Best Good Neighbor Stories appeared first on UberFacts.

Parenting Mistakes That Are Very Common

If there’s one thing that’s true about almost every parent out there, it’s that we’re doing our best. We might not have all of the tools, we might be overworked, emotional, struggling with our own mental health, or stretched too thin, but we’re not ever intending for those things to wreak havoc on our kids.

That said, we all make mistakes. According to parenting experts, a lot of us make the same mistakes, which can make us think that maybe they’re not mistakes, if everyone is doing them?

If you’re curious what the most common mistakes are that experts see, we’ve got 15 run-of-the-mill things you can work on fixing right here!

15. Making topics taboo.

Image Credit: Pexels

There are plenty of things that aren’t comfortable to discuss, like bodies and sex and predators, or even things like money, but avoiding it will just mean that they learn about it from someone else and not you.

If you want to make sure that you’re the one to give your kid the facts as well as nuance, you’ll need to make sure that you get there first.

14. Offering too many choices.

Image Credit: Pexels

Choices are good. They give our kids confidence and let them exercise control over their lives, and over time, help them become good decision-makers.

Just make sure you give them two or three options (all approved by you) and not unlimited ones – that’s overwhelming and could have the opposite effect.

13. Being hyper-critical of mistakes.

Image Credit: Pexels

Kids raised feeling unable to please their parents have a tendency to view everything through a lens of perfection – or lack thereof – and struggle with the fallout when they make inevitable mistakes.

This could lead to poor self-esteem or even self-harm, neither of which are components of a healthy human being.

12. Doling out too much praise.

Image Credit: Pexels

You want your child to try their hardest and do their best even if there’s no verbal “payoff” at the end.

It’s also important to praise the effort more than the outcome, and try to avoid praising your child for things they cannot control, such as their intelligence or looks.

11. Not limiting screen time.

Image Credit: Pexels

Screens are tempting for all of us, and I don’t know a single parent out there who hasn’t given in to the begging for more television time just so they can get another hour of alone or work time in the house.

That said, experts know best, and too much time removed from reality isn’t good for any of us.

10. Trying to force your child to be happy.

Image Credit: Pexels

No one can make you happy – it’s something you have to learn to do for yourself.

Letting your child figure that out from a young age will help them avoid numerous relationship pitfalls as they grow.

9. Not letting them get bored.

Image Credit: Pexels

Boredom is where creativity begins, but too many parents these days think that kids need to be entertained and stimulated all the time.

It’s not your job to constantly engage and perform for your kids – if you do, they’ll never learn how to do it for themselves.

8. Overindulging them.

Image Credit: Pexels

Things don’t equal happiness – at least not the kind that lasts – and giving your kids everything they want the moment they want it will set them up for disappointment and failure in the future.

The more they chase that shiny new thing, only to get it and realize they’re still not satisfied, is behavior that leads to addictions, compulsions, and never being content with where they are.

7. Shielding them from (reasonable) consequences.

Image Credit: iStock

Chickens always come home to roost, and for every action we take and decision we make, there exist natural and sometimes inevitable consequences.

If your child is physically safe, it’s important to let them feel these consequences so that they’re able to learn from them – you might be a great teacher, but I promise experience is an even better one.

6. Signing them up for too many activities.

Image Credit: Pexels

Kids need down time and to be able to relax as much as adults do, and research shows that kids who are over-scheduled tend to burn out at best.

There are plenty of case studies that show their own unhappiness spilling over to others, too, with kids becoming bullies to take out their frustrations.

5. Not letting them take risks.

Image Credit: Pexels

Schools like the Forest Kindergarten prove that there are multiple and proven benefits for letting your kids have a long leash while exploring, especially outdoors.

Those kids who are allowed free, outdoor play tend to get sick less, are better adjusted, and get along better with their friends than those who are always in indoor, structured environments.

4. Treating intelligence like the most important character trait.

Image Credit: Pexels

Intelligence isn’t something a child can achieve; it’s something they’re born with or not. Smart isn’t the best or most important thing a child can be – they can be kind, involved, helpful, or dedicated, too.

Kids who are led to believe that being smart is the best thing to be can lead to arrogance, judging people they believe are “stupid,” or putting on an act to constantly seem like the smartest person in the room.

These kids? They don’t have many friends.

3. Not checking in at bedtime.

Image Credit: iStock

Kids need to know that they have a soft place to land, and a ready ear to share the ups and downs of life with – you need to be that person.

Whether it’s dinner time, bath time, or bed time, make sure you’re making time to ask “what happened today?” before your kids lay down to sleep.

It’s easier for all of us to sleep when we’re unburdened, and nothing feels better than knowing someone is there who cares.

2. Leaning too hard on religion to teach morality.

Image Credit: Pexels

Putting anything or anyone on too high a pedestal is a recipe for disaster – the first time the church, someone in the church, or even you or your partner do or say something you’ve told them is “bad” they’ll lose all sense of direction.

There’s no way to stop that house of cards once it starts to fall, so it’s better to talk about the fact that everyone is human, no matter how strong their belief system, and we all falter in our attempts to become “good” people.

1. Not reading to your kids.

Image Credit: Pexels

Reading teaches young children to sit still, to listen instead of talking, to use their imagination, and it also provides a sense of connection between the reader and the child.

Not only does it prepare them for listening in school and to use their imagination, their vocabulary will grow by leaps and bounds.

I’m definitely guilty of some of these, how about you?

What would you like to fix the most about your own parenting style? Let’s confess in the comments!

The post Parenting Mistakes That Are Very Common appeared first on UberFacts.

This Person Asked if They’re a Jerk for Not Getting Their Own Streaming Services

I’ve heard countless stories about people figuring out how to use the streaming services of their friends and family members…and sometimes people get really upset at folks who aren’t buying these services on their own.

And here’s another tale of streaming service drama from a girl whose being called out for using their boyfriend’s passwords to watch all kinds of content.

Check out this story from Reddit’s “Am I The A**hole?” page.

AITA for getting my own streaming services?

“My boyfriend (28m) has given our streaming service passwords to several of his friends (Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, etc).

If you’re someone who shares a streaming service with several people, you’re probably aware that there’s a cap on how many people can stream at once. Since our streaming services are being shared with so many people (he doesn’t remember how many people and which of his friends he shared it with.) It’s very difficult to watch anything since there’s always multiple people at any given time.

Whenever we try to watch a show or movie together and we can’t proceed because of limitations, he’ll excuse it by saying “we’ll just try later when they’re not watching.” The issue is someone is always watching lol.

My patience began to wear thin. So I told my boyfriend “I don’t mean to be nasty, but your friends are being freeloaders. They have jobs and if they want to use HBO Max, they can pay for their own subscription. It’s really hard to watch anything I, or we want to watch with so many people on.”

He told me I was being selfish and that since he pays for it, he can share it with whoever he wants to. So I subscribed to a few services on my personal devices and paid for them.

I was watching a show that I had been dying to watch on my laptop and my boyfriend asked if I wanted to watch something with him. I said “No thanks, I’ve been dying to catch up on this.” He then said “See? Just be patient, not everyone is watching all the time.”

I said “Oh actually I made my own account.” He got offended because he said he already pays for subscription services, so i’m just wasting my money and being childish.”

Now let’s see how readers responded to this story on Reddit.

This person said this person isn’t an a**hole and they can do whatever the hell they want with their own money.

Photo Credit: Reddit

Another Reddit user agreed they aren’t wrong in this story and they offered a possible plan of attack to fix the situation.

Photo Credit: Reddit

This individual said that the boyfriend in this story just seems to be majorly disconnected.

Here here!

Photo Credit: Reddit

And this person said that they could relate because they had a similar situation…and they quickly realized how to fix it.

Photo Credit: Reddit

Do you think this person is acting like a jerk?

Sound off in the comments and let us know.

We’d love to hear from you!

The post This Person Asked if They’re a Jerk for Not Getting Their Own Streaming Services appeared first on UberFacts.

Scientists Make Mistakes…and Sometimes They Create New Fish

Science is a process. It follows a method, but it’s all about learning.

And sometimes the best learning comes from mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes, right?

Well last year, scientists at a lab in Hungary had a real OOPS moment.

But after the OOPS comes the learning.

Their hearts were in the right place. At the Research Institute for Fisheries and Aquaculture, they just wanted to try to preserve critically endangered species.

Their focus was the Russian sturgeon, also known as the diamond sturgeon.

Image credit: GlobalP via iStock

As Popular Mechanics explains:

The research team tried to breed more Russian sturgeons via gynogenesis, a type of asexual reproduction in which sperm is necessary but leaves no traces of its DNA behind.

As a result, the offspring ends up with 100 percent maternal DNA (and none from the paternal contributor.)

Easy-peasy, right?

The plan was to use sperm from another endangered species, the American paddlefish.

Image credit: tunart via iStock

What came next was completely unexpected.

Instead of merely fertilizing the eggs and then disappearing into the ether, the sperm actually fused with the eggs, creating a hybrid fish, affectionately known as a “sturddlefish.”

SCIENCE, am I right?

This new, uninentional hybrid species had some interesting differences.

Again, Popular Mechanics explains:

Some are close to an even 50/50 genetic split between their two parents, but others appear more sturgeon-like while others have stronger paddlefish traits.

The differences include things like what the fish like to eat.

Sturgeons are carnivores. They feast on smaller sea creatures like mollusks and crustaceans.

Paddlefish, however, prefer plankton, which are not exactly vegetables, but are microscopic organisms quite different from the usual sturgeon diet.

Not all of the hatched hybrids survived, but of those that did, some preferred a sturgeon diet and others preferred the plankton.

According to The New York Times about 100 of this new species survived.

And while the accident has proven an interesting one, the team has no intention of creating any more hybrids.

Sorry little sturddlefish.

What do you think about this wild story? Are you here for creating weird new animal hybrids? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.

The post Scientists Make Mistakes…and Sometimes They Create New Fish appeared first on UberFacts.

This is Why You Should Never Complain When You Accidentally Get More Than You Bargained For

Servers are able to keep their cool most of the time.

Working with the public, serving food and drinks, it can always get a little hairy, and on the worst of days, people get under your skin – you learn to get used to it, both for the sake of our jobs and our sanity (plus the tips).

That said, there are also times when you have to stand up for yourself and your dignity, and if you work for an employer who appreciates those who work for them, they’ll understand and look the other way when you do.

This tale of malicious compliance comes from an enamored co-worker, who tends bar with the fabulous person who knows exactly what and how much they’re willing to take.

It begins with a busy night and a customer who’s determined to ruin everyone else’s night (as jerks are wont to do).

I’ve worked in bars for years and this has to be one of the best “f*** yeah!” moments of my time.

I worked with this guy who was always on it. Super smart, never lost for words, very funny and genuinely one of the most professional bartenders I’ve worked with. This was an exceptional night. We worked 2 to a station on really busy nights (like 3/4 deep kinda night) so I had a front row seat to this gem:

Greasy douchebag is waiting in front of our station with his elbow on the bar not facing us. Getting a little annoyed that he is blocking people getting served, Sam taps him on the arm, “Hey, man! You want anything?”

“In a sec, mate.” as he shoos him off and continues greasing on this drunk girl.

The second bartender has no time for it, asking the guy to order or get out of the way of all of the people who do want to order.

He orders a Coke, and the bartender replies with style.

Starting to change his attitude, Sam quips back “You are blocking people from the bar, man. Shit or get off the pot!” (oooo… I start to slow down. Where’s this going??)

Greasy douche face screws up and looks Sam up and down.
“Gimme a Coke” he barks with no manners.

Sam whips a glass behind his back and catches it in his left hand, ice in the glass, glass on the bar and throws a straw in the air as he pours Coke from the soda gun.

“$2.50 thanks” as Sam spins around an enters it into the till.

The guy, however, is not done being a douche.

He complains about the ice in his drink, which he “didn’t order.”

Douche is staring at the drink….. “What is this?”

“A Coke… as you asked.” Sam said with impatience and vex.

“That is not what I asked for…” he responded. “… If I wanted ice, I would have asked for ice!” pushing the glass back at Sam.

Sam picks up the glass with both hands and did something that I was not expecting. He apologised!

The other bartender apologized…but of course that isn’t the end of the story.

“You are so right! I am so sorry! How stupid of me! Let me fix that for you.”

Sam grabs the soda gun, pours Coke all over the bar counter. The douche jerks his arm away, not because he notices it, but because his shirt getting wet. His anger, palpable.

“If you wanted a fucking glass, you would have asked for one!” Sam spouts as he throws a straw in the puddle, turns his back, walks off and flips the bird.

This is amazing, and I don’t know a server in the world who isn’t grinning and wishing they’d had the opportunity to pull something like this in their day.

Be careful what you ask for, my friends. You never know when your server is at the end of their patience and will give you exactly what you asked for – and nothing more!

The post This is Why You Should Never Complain When You Accidentally Get More Than You Bargained For appeared first on UberFacts.