People Break Down The Absolute Worst Trends Of 2021

As 2021 draws to a close, people are taking time to reflect on the year that was, is and could’ve been.

Regarding work-life, education and parenting, the uncertainty of the pandemic’s future prevented many of us from going back to a sense of normalcy. But one thing remained constant and that is our use of social media.

With many of us glued to our phones more than ever, you may have noticed trends have come and gone or have stuck around.

Curious to hear of the more disastrous viral events, Redditor SweatyCure asked:

“What is the dumbest trend of 2021?”

Observe the examples below to determine which do you think were the lamest trends of this year.

The Video Sharing App

“Anything on tik tok.” – CryptographerOwn3688

“Case in point: That school shooting day rumor last week.” – BayushiKazemi

Dance Trends

“Moms tik tok dancing next to their new born baby who’s either dead or dying.” – ThatOneFilmPerson

“All this booty and stomach stuff. All those dances that are so sexual. I don’t know if that’s so good for the youngsters to learn. I just find it cringey.” – iiipzy

Social Media In General

“Literally all of it.” – 44untrue

“twitter and tik tok.” – E190wings

“Tiktok is mainly children under 10.”

“Children are dumb.”

“It adds up.” – tuwabau

The Root Cause

“I’m not sure, but I’m 99% sure it started on Tik Tok.” – InfiNicty

Wreaking Havoc In Schools

“Hard to say, but maybe the whole ‘devious lick’ thing.” – Writy_Guy

“Devious licks licking icecream and dec 17 school shooter challenge.” – BobOfBrazil

“God the devious lick trend was so stupid.” – pyjamapants14

“Except that disappearing clothes trend. I’m good with that one.” – LexLuthorJr

“Milk crate challenge was one of the dumbest but also one of the most entertaining.” – Filtaido

School Shooter Challenge

“Devious licks licking icecream and dec 17 school shooter challenge.” – BobOfBrazil

“December 17th – School Shooting Trend.” – sfisher923

A Violent Challenge

“You remember the skull breaker challenge?”

“It was a while ago. Three people would stand shoulder to shoulder, and the one in the middle would jump. The two people of the sides would then kick the middle’s legs in mid air, so they would fall backwards and crack their skull on the ground.”

“A few people died.” – uninterestedcrab

Gun Violence

“The new trend where they are threatening to shoot up schools on Tik Tok.” – OnasoapboX41

“What the actual f’k is wrong with people? How do they not know that threatening to shoot up a school is illegal?” – DogsAreCool69420

“That’s the exact reason why my parents didn’t let me go to school last Friday, there were too many threats towards my school.” – garvin1313

“My middle school was threatened to be shot up by a killer clown when that was going around 2017.” – OnasoapboX41

The Hair Don’t

“I hate that mullets have come back strong in Australia.” – flibblewobble88

“2020 wtf is the point of a crop top hoodie???” – Gilligan_Gurl

Pushing A Cause

“Making your political affiliation a major part of your personality and then cheerleading politics like it’s a goddamn sport.”

“And the worst part? Maybe 10% of these people actually knows sh*t about politics and political issues. And maybe 5% knows sh*t about how the government works.” – PunchBeard

Investments

“Gamestop and meme stock investing. Ruins price discovery and the entire equity market turned to sh*t.” – CapableScholar16

Conflicting Responses

“Treating CRT[critical race theory] like a pandemic, and COVID like a theory” – MacSanchez

“Honestly, the CRT thing gets under my skin. They can’t define it nor describe it to save their lives, but they hate it anyways because that’s what they’ve been told.” – BayushiKazemi

Anti-Biden Slogan

“Let’s Go Brandon” – cowboybluebird

COVID Reaction

“Antivaxxers” – gixanthrax

“Not wearing a mask in public.” – Laurence_Bloke

“Not washing your hands and using hand sanitizer.”

“COVID IS STILL AROUND.” – Dimple_from_YA

“Vaccine refusal and fake vaccine passports.” – muusandskwirrel

“Making the decision not to have a vaccine that could save your life because needles are sharp.” – AncientZebra0

The 5G Conspiracy Theory

“COVID shots give you 5g!!!”

“Then sign me the f’k up.” – muusandskwirrel

COVID Deniers

“The continued refusal of the general population of the planet to accept that covid has no easy solutions. Only one very hard solution.”

“Like a broken ankle, they would rather walk on it than get it taped up, plastered and immobilised giving it time to heal.” – BraveLittleToaster77

“During the height of Covid we stopped my stepdaughter from visiting her bio dad or his parents. The grandparents went absolutely crazy over this becuase according to them.Covid didn’t exist in their house.”

“Then they went silent for a few months. Found out later it was because grandma got covid.” – Kanagaguru

A Neglected Routine

“Not washing your hands and using hand sanitizer.”

“COVID IS STILL AROUND.” – Dimple_from_YA

Over The Variants

“Delta and Omicron.” – YashSrivastav17

Stupid Inconveniences

“Losing the tv remote and masks.” – doomslayercurse

Social Disgraces

“Inviting someone out to brunch whwn it’s obviously ypur treat and tgen expecting them to pau half.” – CollegeAssDiscoDorm

Baring It All

“Naked in front off your loved ones.” – Hugosimpon

Fashion Disaster

“The ‘big t-shirt as a dress’ look. The only thing frumpier is those god forsaken high wasted pants.” – BEJimmy

In The Buff

“Naked in front off your loved ones.” – Hugosimpon

In Summary

“2021 itself.” – MarvelSanctuary

“Its ability to pass by in the blink of an eye.” – Own-Jacket-1929

“I don’t know, if this is from 2021, but I really don’t like when something is funny, I don’t get it.” – Kalle579

Back in the day, trends focused more on fashion and food. While those still apply, the introduction of social media was a game-changer in many of our daily interactions.

Madonna was a huge trendsetter in the 80s, thanks to visual media like MTV showing her ground-breaking and very risque music videos. Soon, fans started dressing like her and wearing gummy bracelets–often purchased at grocery store toy dispensers.

Now, anyone can be a trendsetter as an influencer on various social media platforms like Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.

However, this time, trends have become harmful “challenges.”

From TikTok challenges to COVID deniers, there were many trends from 2021 people could do without and are looking forward to a clean slate in 2022.

One thing’s for sure, many of the viral challenges that encouraged violence were the ones most Redditors detested and hoped would never continue as we head into the new year.

July 24, 2021

Tumblr Users Discussed the Mouth-Itching World of Fruit Allergies

The thing about food allergies is that some people don’t even realize they have them.

Recently a Tumblr thread went viral with users talking about their physiological responses to certain foods and mostly making light of the allergies.

It started when user @circusbutch posted about their love of orange juice, and the nostalgia it evokes.

Image credit: Cheezburger

Good on @spacefroggity for not simply scrolling on by.

I have family members whose tongues itch when they eat certain fruits, otherwise I would not have known this was a thing.

Another user responded with either a mistyped question or statement about the OJ inducing itchy tongue.

Then another poster reposted an old conversation with @kramergate describing their their own potato allergy–and how, like many of us, it doesn’t stop them from enjoying potatoes!

Image credit: Cheezburger

Potato sweats. That sounds pretty horrifying if I’m being honest.

Image credit: Cheezburger

I mean, I like fries as much as the next person (or maybe not), but usually when I have an adverse reaction to food I’m less inclined to eat in the future.

Like ice cream. And wheat.

And mushrooms. (shudder)

Other users went on to describe additional bad reactions to different kinds of fruit.

@darkersolstice talked about kiwis which, fun fact, I learned were in the melon family when I gave one to my then-boyfriend and his tongue swelled up.

Image credit: Cheezburger

I had to go verify that claim, because depending on how fresh it is, I absolutely have that burning sensation with pineapple.

And @solarpunkarchivist is right! According to Spoon University:

Pineapple is the only food known to contain bromelain, an enzyme that digests protein. The truth is, pineapple hurts to eat because bromelain is digesting the tender skin inside of your mouth.
The pineapple is eating you.

Wow.

Another user chimed in about peanut allergies and @demonsgold had enough.

Image credit: Cheezburger

But the very best comment came at the end of the thread.

Image credit: Cheezburger

I’m with you @calamity-ashley. That’s what I focused on too.

Do you have any foods that you didn’t always know you were allergic to? Tell us in the comments.

The post Tumblr Users Discussed the Mouth-Itching World of Fruit Allergies appeared first on UberFacts.

July 24, 2021

This Teen Turned Loss Into an Inspiring College Admissions Essay

Teens and young adults amaze me all the time. Their passion and drive and boundless energy, their potential for good, their advancement of change.

Obviously I’m not the only one because recently, a young valedictorian went viral for her TikTok video sharing her Harvard application essay.

Abigail Mack, a drama kid at the top of her high school class, has drive and ambition. She likes to stay busy.

On her TikTok account she has dedicated a lot of videos to offering advice to other students going through the college admissions process. She discusses topics like which standardized test to take (the SAT or the ACT).

Abigail also filmed reaction videos when she opened her college acceptance letters, like this one, where she found out she got into Harvard:

@a_vmackHarvard 2025 acceptance! ##harvard ##harvard2025 ##ivyleague ##college ##collegedecision ##accepted ##fyp ♬

In addition to Harvard, she was also accepted to Northwestern, Notre Dame, Georgetown, and Dartmouth. The girl is going places.

Based on her reaction, I think you can guess which school she chose.

In four subsequent videos, Abigail also shared herself reading her essay that, along with her stellar grades, helped gain her admittance to all those prestigious schools.

In the essay, she speaks about the pain of losing her mother to cancer at the age of 12.

@a_vmack

♬ original sound – Abigail Mack

The theme of hating the letter “S” in parents because of her loss is one that spoke to a lot of users, and with their encouragement, Abigail went on to post the rest of her essay.

After losing her mom, she controlled the one thing she could–her schedule–throwing herself into academics and activities.

@a_vmack

♬ original sound – Abigail Mack

While some of us are stifled under the burden of over-scheduling, Abigail found a rhythm and thrived.

As long as she was active, she didn’t have to think about what was missing.

She filled up the void her mother left in her life with activities.

@a_vmack

♬ original sound – Abigail Mack

Like any good story, Abigail’s essay takes a positive turn.

She learned to dial it back, to focus on the things that were most important to her, and excel in those.

As she explained to BuzzFeed:

“I grew up in a very artistic family–my mother opened a dance studio that my father still runs, and my father is a piano teacher–so theater has always been part of my life. There [is] something cathartic in escaping to a new world and being someone else for even just a few hours on stage.”

Abigail found her passion, and her motivation to succeed keeps her moving forward instead of dwelling on the past.

@a_vmack

♬ original sound – Abigail Mack

It’s an inspiring essay, moving and well written, and Abigail delivered it with a powerful speaking voice obviously trained in the dramatics.

But theater isn’t her only passion.

Over the past year, the Massachusetts teen has been awakened to the political movements happening across America, and there, too, she has found voice and meaning.

“Politics is a newer passion. When the Black Lives Matter demonstrations were occurring this past summer, I realized how passionately I felt about politics. I knew that I could no longer stand idly by and watch as the world made leaps forward without me. I became a fellow on Senator Ed Markey’s re-election campaign and also taught volunteers how to phone bank for Joe Biden’s campaign. It was extremely gratifying to feel like my voice was being heard.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Abigail Mack (@abigail_vmack)

Now that she’s headed to Harvard in the fall, Abigail plans to combine her interests, focusing on humanities and social sciences. She may also add classes in French and foreign policy.

According to BuzzFeed, she doesn’t know what she wants to do with her life, which is frankly the best way to enter college.

Who knows? This bright young thing might one day become an ambassador or political leader herself. Or maybe she’ll write impassioned speeches that would make Aaron Sorkin proud.

We’ll be watching.

What did you think of Abigail’s essay? Share your thoughts in the comments.

The post This Teen Turned Loss Into an Inspiring College Admissions Essay appeared first on UberFacts.

July 24, 2021

This Video of a Wife Teasing Her Husband about Men She’d Rather Be With Went Viral

Everybody has a celebrity “list”, right?

People that it wouldn’t technically be cheating to cheat with?

It’s a fun, easy little joke because we all know it’s never going to happen.

Well recently a couple of boomers got in on the joke with a little video that their son posted to TikTok.

The Meles are a family of pranksters.

For this particular prank, wife Karen made a Power Point presentation called “Men I would replace my husband with,” and called her husband Frank over to see.

Image Credit: TikTok

Unimpressed, Frank assumes that the title slide is the joke and that his picture will be on the next slide.

He advances the presentation while his son Joe, filming the exchange, giggles in the background.

The next slide was not Frank.

Image credit: TikTok

As he advances through the slides, and their son continues to cackle, Karen names off the celebs: “Jason, Gerard, Dwayne.”

Frank was far from amused.

“What, are you on a first name basis with these guys?”

Image credit: TikTok

Eventually they get to a slide that is actually what Frank had expected all along–a picture of himself.

That soothes him a bit. He relaxes and nods his head.

You can tell he wants to say, “Aw, that’s sweet.”

Perhaps he assumed the prank was over, that the prank was pretending there were all these other men but that Karen was actually saving the best for last (him).

Except Frank’s picture wasn’t the last one!

Watch the full video here:

@mmmjoemele

HAHAHA MOM

♬ original sound – Joe Mele

Joe found it hilarious enough to upload to TikTok and so far over 6.7 million viewers agree.

Personally, my husband hates practical jokes (watch out April Fool’s Day!), and he would not have been amused by this little stunt.

What do you think? Should Frank seek his sweet revenge in a follow-up? Tell us in the comments.

The post This Video of a Wife Teasing Her Husband about Men She’d Rather Be With Went Viral appeared first on UberFacts.

July 24, 2021

It’s About Time to Normalize Therapy for Men

These days we could probably all use some therapy.

Life is hard, and it seems like people who do have a therapist tend to find the experience very helpful.

Getting started can be difficult though: making that first phone call, finding the right person that you connect with.

It can be daunting.

And in general, men are a lot less likely to seek out therapy as a coping mechanism than women are.

That doesn’t mean they need it any less.

Image credit: Guillaume de Germain via Unsplash

In fact, the stigma surrounding men and therapy has become something of a joke on social media, with users posting all the things men will “literally” do instead of therapy:

men will literally try to change the moon’s orbit instead of going to therapy

— blaire erskine (@blaireerskine) June 10, 2021

It’s a funny sort of commentary on current events:

Men will literally set fire to water instead of going to therapy

— Dr. Parik Patel, BA, CFA, ACCA Esq. (@ParikPatelCFA) July 3, 2021

But all jokes aside, it can be a real problem.

As LifeHacker explains:

The idea that men must be strong in the face of mental distress is deeply entrenched, leading to higher rates of substance abuse, homicide, suicide, and a lower life expectancy than women in the United States and beyond.

Instead, men are often left drifting, finding their own ways to cope.

men will literally teach you how to open a can of beans for 6 hours instead of going to therapy

— first-mate prance (@bocxtop) January 3, 2021

People have all kinds of reasons for seeking or not seeking professional help.

A person with anxiety, for example, may be too anxious to reach out.

men will literally call into the Dave Ramsey Show instead of going to therapy

— Olivia Price (@olivia_nina_ann) July 8, 2021

Reluctance to seek mental health assistance can affect anyone, of any age or gender.

So why the emphasis on the gender gap? Because some of them are culturally ingrained.

A lot of men’s reservations about therapy today are rooted in archaic notions of masculinity. The outdated conventional wisdom hoists men up as paragons of emotional stability, who are expected to be wage-winners and protectors of the family. That notion endures, coloring the aversion that lots of men have to talking about their problems in present day.

Men would rather watch the second half of game 1 of the 2020-21 NBA Finals between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Phoenix Suns than go to therapy.

I'm still going to go though, but hopefully they'll want to talk about pick and roll coverages this session.

— Muscleman69 (Real) (@deathsocks) July 7, 2021

The way I see it, men are conditioned to believe that not being self-reliant is a sign of weakness. Women, on the other hand, are taught that being self-reliant is a display of strength. It’s a subtle nuance, but an important one.

It means that for men, even the slightest hint that you might not be able to do it on your own, asking for help, is a sign of weakness. Whereas for women, advocating for yourself, asking for help when needed, is seen as contributing to your own self-reliance, and therefore to your strength.

So what’s the solution? London journalist Edward Clowes explained it perfectly to LifeHacker:

“The framing of therapy for men should never be about being broken and needing fixing.

Men should look at therapy the same way they look at any other act of self-improvement.

Like going to the gym but for your mental health, instead of your physical health.”

Well said!

Image credit: Brooke Cagle via Unsplash

And that’s just it. We all need training and conditioning to be stronger. We all need a little help sometimes. There’s no shame asking for it.

What do you think? Should we normalize therapy for all, including men?

Tell us in the comments.

The post It’s About Time to Normalize Therapy for Men appeared first on UberFacts.

July 24, 2021

People Shared Their Ode to Cool Libraries

Libraries are amazing, and they rarely get the credit they deserve.

My library for sure got me through the pandemic with a steady supply of ebooks.

They do so much for the most under-served areas of our communities every day.

So it was great to see Buzzfeed do a roundup of Reddit posts from the r/mildlyinteresting subreddit, entirely dedicated to library awesome-sauce!

Here are 18 of the most exciting things going on in libraries these days.

1. Cone of Silence

Keeping people quiet has always been an uphill battle for librarians, especially in a world of group projects and shared technology.

Cell phones just add to the trouble because people don’t always police their own etiquette and when you can be reached anywhere, you WILL be reached anywhere.

Now you can take your calls in private!

My local library has vault you can go into to talk on your phone. from mildlyinteresting

2. Self Monitoring

Like I said – group projects.

Sometimes it’s necessary to talk in the library.

And that’s okay, just don’t be screaming about it.

For those who need a little help with keeping an eye on their volume, technology can help!

Click on the image to see the full effect!

My school’s library has noise-level guides that change colour when it gets too loud from mildlyinteresting

3. Secret Complaint Line

Neighbor’s not monitoring their own volume?

Loud cell phone conversations interrupting your flow?

You don’t have to handle it yourself, and this library doesn’t expect you too.

This sign at my University with the number for the library police. from mildlyinteresting

4. When All Else Fails

Grab a pair of ear plugs while you wait for the librarian to sort the loudmouths out.

My library gives out earplugs on the silent floor from mildlyinteresting

5. Stools For All

Libraries are more than just a quiet place to work in solitude these days.

Now, instead of having to find a workroom with enough space for your group, you can just pull up a chair from anywhere.

Take one literally right off the wall!

My university library has a wall where you can quite literally take a seat from mildlyinteresting

6. Try It Before You Buy It

Or maybe you are working alone, but you need to be moving around.

Well now you can!

I have always wanted to try a standing desk or a treadmill desk, but I couldn’t quite commit.

Being able to do this once in awhile, throughout a long writing day, would be amazing.

Basement floor of my campus library has a treadmill with a computer, so you can exercise & study at the same time. from mildlyinteresting

7. Up-Cycle Aesthetics

When you’re tired of working and walking, this library invites you to put your feet up–on old discarded books!

Had a volunteer help me make these stools out of our discarded books for new library seating. from mildlyinteresting

8. Bee-Hive Yourself

If you need a break from working, mosey on down to the children’s section and check out this incredible living bee exhibit!

My local library has bee hive in the kids section, with a tube that leads to the outside. from mildlyinteresting

9. Bottoms Up

Libraries are changing, but they still have a great selection of books to check out.

They’re also finding unique ways to get books into the hands of eager readers.

Like turning the books on the lower shelves so that you can read the spines without doing squats.

The library places the books on the lower shelves on their sides so the titles are easier to read. from mildlyinteresting

10. Don’t @ Me

Librarians are also the best at coming up with clever book display ideas.

All to help books find readers, and readers find books.

When libraries troll their patrons. from pics

11. Spy On Your Neighbors

What better way to find your next big read than to check out what other people are reading too?

Word of mouth always was the best way to find the next great thing.

Library has "Recently Returned" section so you can see what other people have been reading from mildlyinteresting

12. LibGuides to Tough Topics

They’re sensitive to the fact that sometimes you need a book you don’t want to ask for, and not everyone knows how to use the catalog to find it on their own.

This library has a directory for topics people might be embarrassed to ask for. from mildlyinteresting

13. Surprise Me

For when you just don’t know what you WANT, but you know what you LIKE.

Because sometimes you don’t have the time or brain space to decide.

Let a librarian do it for you.

At my library you can pick up bags of books in a certain genre without knowing what those books are from mildlyinteresting

14. Marathon Movie Night

Sometimes you want to have a marathon, but you can’t get all the things.

Well now you can.

This library has grouped them together into marathon kits so you can binge to your heart’s content.

My library loans out themed "Binge Boxes" from mildlyinteresting

15. Book 1A Please

Available 24-7, book vending machines really are a thing now.

They’re quick, easy, convenient, and freaking brilliant!

This train station has a library book vending machine from mildlyinteresting

16. Rolling Library

If you thought the book vending machine was cool, check this out.

Libraries have always been great about meeting people where they are.

Remember book mobiles?

Well now there are libraries built into actual subway trains! BECAUSE WHY NOT?

This subway car in Seoul has a mini library from mildlyinteresting

17. Not Only Books

I’ve heard of libraries that will let you check out art prints to hang on your wall.

Well this library has figured out a cool niche.

After all, how many times is your kid going to want the Darth Vader birthday cake?

At this library in Philadelphia you can rent cake pans from mildlyinteresting

18. It All Adds Up

The value of libraries is continually debated and called into question.

You can’t put a number on many of the services, like story time for the kids and reading groups and meeting spaces and community events.

But some libraries are fighting back, finding ways to remind us just how much they are worth, when it IS quantifiable.

Amazing!

My library receipt shows how much money I’ve saved. from mildlyinteresting

I love these posts, and I think maybe “cool library things” need a dedicated subreddit all their own.

Everyone has a library story. Share yours in the comments!

The post People Shared Their Ode to Cool Libraries appeared first on UberFacts.

July 24, 2021

People Shared Their Ode to Cool Libraries

Libraries are amazing, and they rarely get the credit they deserve.

My library for sure got me through the pandemic with a steady supply of ebooks.

They do so much for the most under-served areas of our communities every day.

So it was great to see Buzzfeed do a roundup of Reddit posts from the r/mildlyinteresting subreddit, entirely dedicated to library awesome-sauce!

Here are 18 of the most exciting things going on in libraries these days.

1. Cone of Silence

Keeping people quiet has always been an uphill battle for librarians, especially in a world of group projects and shared technology.

Cell phones just add to the trouble because people don’t always police their own etiquette and when you can be reached anywhere, you WILL be reached anywhere.

Now you can take your calls in private!

My local library has vault you can go into to talk on your phone. from mildlyinteresting

2. Self Monitoring

Like I said – group projects.

Sometimes it’s necessary to talk in the library.

And that’s okay, just don’t be screaming about it.

For those who need a little help with keeping an eye on their volume, technology can help!

Click on the image to see the full effect!

My school’s library has noise-level guides that change colour when it gets too loud from mildlyinteresting

3. Secret Complaint Line

Neighbor’s not monitoring their own volume?

Loud cell phone conversations interrupting your flow?

You don’t have to handle it yourself, and this library doesn’t expect you too.

This sign at my University with the number for the library police. from mildlyinteresting

4. When All Else Fails

Grab a pair of ear plugs while you wait for the librarian to sort the loudmouths out.

My library gives out earplugs on the silent floor from mildlyinteresting

5. Stools For All

Libraries are more than just a quiet place to work in solitude these days.

Now, instead of having to find a workroom with enough space for your group, you can just pull up a chair from anywhere.

Take one literally right off the wall!

My university library has a wall where you can quite literally take a seat from mildlyinteresting

6. Try It Before You Buy It

Or maybe you are working alone, but you need to be moving around.

Well now you can!

I have always wanted to try a standing desk or a treadmill desk, but I couldn’t quite commit.

Being able to do this once in awhile, throughout a long writing day, would be amazing.

Basement floor of my campus library has a treadmill with a computer, so you can exercise & study at the same time. from mildlyinteresting

7. Up-Cycle Aesthetics

When you’re tired of working and walking, this library invites you to put your feet up–on old discarded books!

Had a volunteer help me make these stools out of our discarded books for new library seating. from mildlyinteresting

8. Bee-Hive Yourself

If you need a break from working, mosey on down to the children’s section and check out this incredible living bee exhibit!

My local library has bee hive in the kids section, with a tube that leads to the outside. from mildlyinteresting

9. Bottoms Up

Libraries are changing, but they still have a great selection of books to check out.

They’re also finding unique ways to get books into the hands of eager readers.

Like turning the books on the lower shelves so that you can read the spines without doing squats.

The library places the books on the lower shelves on their sides so the titles are easier to read. from mildlyinteresting

10. Don’t @ Me

Librarians are also the best at coming up with clever book display ideas.

All to help books find readers, and readers find books.

When libraries troll their patrons. from pics

11. Spy On Your Neighbors

What better way to find your next big read than to check out what other people are reading too?

Word of mouth always was the best way to find the next great thing.

Library has "Recently Returned" section so you can see what other people have been reading from mildlyinteresting

12. LibGuides to Tough Topics

They’re sensitive to the fact that sometimes you need a book you don’t want to ask for, and not everyone knows how to use the catalog to find it on their own.

This library has a directory for topics people might be embarrassed to ask for. from mildlyinteresting

13. Surprise Me

For when you just don’t know what you WANT, but you know what you LIKE.

Because sometimes you don’t have the time or brain space to decide.

Let a librarian do it for you.

At my library you can pick up bags of books in a certain genre without knowing what those books are from mildlyinteresting

14. Marathon Movie Night

Sometimes you want to have a marathon, but you can’t get all the things.

Well now you can.

This library has grouped them together into marathon kits so you can binge to your heart’s content.

My library loans out themed "Binge Boxes" from mildlyinteresting

15. Book 1A Please

Available 24-7, book vending machines really are a thing now.

They’re quick, easy, convenient, and freaking brilliant!

This train station has a library book vending machine from mildlyinteresting

16. Rolling Library

If you thought the book vending machine was cool, check this out.

Libraries have always been great about meeting people where they are.

Remember book mobiles?

Well now there are libraries built into actual subway trains! BECAUSE WHY NOT?

This subway car in Seoul has a mini library from mildlyinteresting

17. Not Only Books

I’ve heard of libraries that will let you check out art prints to hang on your wall.

Well this library has figured out a cool niche.

After all, how many times is your kid going to want the Darth Vader birthday cake?

At this library in Philadelphia you can rent cake pans from mildlyinteresting

18. It All Adds Up

The value of libraries is continually debated and called into question.

You can’t put a number on many of the services, like story time for the kids and reading groups and meeting spaces and community events.

But some libraries are fighting back, finding ways to remind us just how much they are worth, when it IS quantifiable.

Amazing!

My library receipt shows how much money I’ve saved. from mildlyinteresting

I love these posts, and I think maybe “cool library things” need a dedicated subreddit all their own.

Everyone has a library story. Share yours in the comments!

The post People Shared Their Ode to Cool Libraries appeared first on UberFacts.

July 20, 2021

This Midwife Meets People Where They Are with Reproductive Health TikTok Videos

Menstruation can be an ever-complicated and mysterious thing.

Even to us women.

That’s probably why a TikTok midwife went viral for videos explaining the anatomy and mechanics of childbirth.

It started with a silly, brief video about a speculum during quarantine, and then her following exploded.

@midwifemama

#midwife #obgyn #inyourface #fyp #happyfriday

♬ ac butunstable –

Midwife Sarah Pringle, @midwifemama, has been using TikTok to educate the masses, including her more than 700 thousand followers, for the past year.

As she told BuzzFeed:

“I posted a funny speculum TikTok and started to gain followers. I realized that people want to know about their bodies and their health. This led me to create educational content featuring common office procedures, women’s health products, and the basics of childbirth.”

She’s made dozens of videos–enough to support a 9th grade Health class for the entire semester.

Using 3-D models and set to catchy music, Sarah demonstrates things as mundane as where a tampon rests after insertion:

@midwifemama

#fyp #period #menses #PerfectGifts #NBAIsBack

♬ Plastic – Unghetto Mathieu

And a clear representation (at last!) of exactly what the doctor is poking and squeezing during your annual pelvic exam.

@midwifemama

#PajamaJam EDUCATION #gyn #midwife #pelvic #pelvicexam #pelvicfloor #womenshealth #FallGuysMoments

♬ Out the Frame – Marv Allen

She shares specifics on different types of birth control from the ring:

@midwifemama

#birthcontrolring #birthcontrol #baby #womensrights #womenshealth #rbg #OhNo

♬ Paper Planes – M.I.A.

to IUD insertion:

@midwifemama

#iud #birthcontrol #smear #RnBVibes #HolidayTikTok

♬ Stuck in the Middle – Tai Verdes

She also offers advice for products to quell troublesome yeast infections.

@midwifemama

Link in bio!!!! #bv #yeastinfection #yeast #bacterialvaginosis #boricacid #boricacidsuppositories #midwifemama #feminiva #healthfare

♬ THE BEST THING – Cecilia Grace

But it’s Sarah’s videos about dilation and childbirth that have proven the most popular.

This one, demonstrating checking fetal position within the cervix, garnered over 10 million views:

@midwifemama

#cervix #baby #labor #birth #nidwife #ob #JingleJangleWithMe

♬ Adderall (Corvette Corvette) – Popp Hunna

And this cervical check illustrating different dilation ranges has been viewed more than 13 million times.

@midwifemama

#baby #preg #pregnant #labor #labour #rn #laboranddelivery #laboranddeliveryrn #laboranddeliverynurse #midwife #midwifemama #YesDayChallenge #tt #springbreak

♬ Renai Circulation (English Cover) [TV Size] – Lizz Robinett

Sarah is definitely providing a much needed service, and people are here for it, as evidenced by her views, likes, and shares.

Sexual health education is so important.

It’s great when educators can find a way to meet people where they are.

What do you think? Did you learn anything? Tell us in the comments!

The post This Midwife Meets People Where They Are with Reproductive Health TikTok Videos appeared first on UberFacts.

July 20, 2021

Borzoi + German Shepherd = Giraffe? A Family of Long-Necked Dogs Say…“Maybe.”

My dog is a rescue, so we don’t really know what all is in there.

She’s a smallish cattle dog, with terrier traits, and based on her teeth, our vet said, “daddy must have been a traveling salesman.”

But even when you know your dog’s breeding history, or think you do, there can be surprising results.

Meet Gatsby, the two-year-old Borzoi and German Shepherd mix.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gatsby and Gary (@followgatsby)

Gatsby’s family told Bored Panda that they fell in love with him immediately, even before he was old enough to leave the litter.

“In 2019, I decided our family needed a new member. I stumbled across someone who had a litter of pups from a Borzoi father and German shepherd mother. They had a wonderful, unique look that I was immediately drawn to.
On August 19th, 2019, we took the 3-hour trip to meet the pups. First look at Gatsby, and I knew he was the right one, and the look he gave me, I knew he thought I was the right one.”

Turns out, they were more right about the “unique look” than they realized.

The pooch has a very sweet face, but as he has grown up from puppy to ginormous full-sized canine, one particular feature stands out.

Gatsby has an unusually long neck.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gatsby and Gary (@followgatsby)

“We returned one month later when he was old enough to be adopted and brought him home. I wanted to teach him many things, and the bond between us has grown stronger than I could have imagined. Today we enjoy parkour, blood tracing, balance training, nose work, and just taking long walks together. I decided early to document our life together through videos on YouTube, regular Instagram postings, and recently took our life to TikTok. We have many adventures planned in the future and are expecting a new brother for Gatsby soon. Most folks claim that he has giraffe DNA in there somewhere, but in truth, it is most likely mythical creature DNA some have hinted at.”

Now, pretty much everyone is familiar with what the German Shepherd breed, so I thought maybe the Borzoi was responsible for the long neck.

As I soon discovered, Borzoi have extremely long legs, and although they are included on lists of long-necked breeds–relative to the proportions of the rest of their body, I don’t think their necks are unusually long, not like Gatsby’s.

Image credit: Karolina Wv via Unsplash

It almost seems like Gatsby’s DNA got a little mixed up somewhere.

TikTok users agreed, and Gatsby’s family made a multi-part video of some of their best comments.

@followgatsby

More quotes from my comments @carriecraftsagain @dawnynotblonde #dogsoftiktok #goodestboi

♬ A Thousand Miles – Vanessa Carlton

Still curious about their giraffe dog, they also ordered a DNA Test to hopefully solve the mystery once and for all.

@followgatsby

Are you guys ready? #dogsoftiktok #dogdnatest #wisdompanel

♬ original sound – EricaB_1083

When the results came in, the family was a little surprised: 50% Borzoi, 25% German Shepherd, and 25% mutt on his mother’s side.

@followgatsby

Little did we know!#viraldogsoftiktok #wisdompaneldna #dogsoftiktok #mixedbreed

♬ Blade Runner 2049 – Synthwave Goose

Maybe there’s a little giraffe mixed in there after all.

His family have fun letting the dog get his wiggles out, and posting his antics to social media.

This recent compilation video, perhaps underappreciated in terms of views, will give you a good taste for the fun he gets up to with his family and brother.

@followgatsby

Jumping on this trend #sighthounds #twentyonevideo #viraldogsoftiktok

♬ swing lynn – ✮❦lovdfilmz❦✮⋆

Thanks to the social media documentation of his adventures, Gatsby the long-necked pup has developed a fan base, complete with amazing artwork!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gatsby and Gary (@followgatsby)

I always wanted a dog I could ride like a horse when I was little.

What do you think about Gatsby? Part giraffe, part mythical creature? Let us know in the comments.

The post Borzoi + German Shepherd = Giraffe? A Family of Long-Necked Dogs Say…“Maybe.” appeared first on UberFacts.

July 20, 2021

Hotels and Foster Dogs Are a Match Made in Heaven

As fun as it can be to travel, being away from home can be hard, as well.

So hotels try to do things to make you feel as comfortable as you would be at home:
Free wine in the lobby, hot popcorn. Cookies.

But one hotel in Mississippi is going the extra mile to make its guests feel welcome–and to help out the local canine population too.

The Home2 Suites by Hilton located in D’Iberville, Mississippi, just north of Biloxi, has been piloting a program called “Fostering Hope” since 2018.

Together with the Humane Society of South Mississippi, the hotel helps dogs find their forever home.

One at a time, each lucky doggo gets to visit the hotel.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by HSSM (@humanesocietyofsouthms)

Dog friendly guests are invited and encouraged to interact with the dogs.

According to Mental Floss:

They can take the dog for a walk and feed them during their stay. They’re even allowed to bring the pet into their hotel room overnight.

So far, more than 60 dogs have been adopted since Home2 Suites began fostering them in October 2018.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by HSSM (@humanesocietyofsouthms)

It’s a brilliant plan! People don’t even know they want a dog, until they fall in love with a specific dog.

They don’t even know they have room for a dog, until it’s too late because the dog has already taken up residence in their hearts.

These people know what they’re doing.

Who can say “no” to these faces?

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by HSSM (@humanesocietyofsouthms)

Since 2018, the program has been a huge success.

In their first year, they found homes for about 30 dogs.

And things may have slowed a little due to the pandemic, but Home2 Suites aren’t deterred.

They’re looking to roll out this program in more locations across the US soon.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by HSSM (@humanesocietyofsouthms)

If you’re not planning on visiting Biloxi any time soon, you can still check out some of the eligible fur-babies on the Humane Society’s Instagram @HumaneSocietyOfSouthMS.

And if doggos aren’t really your thing, they have gorgeous kitties available for adoption too!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by HSSM (@humanesocietyofsouthms)

What do you think about this program? Would it make you book a room at Home2 Suites on your next trip?

Tell us in the comments!

The post Hotels and Foster Dogs Are a Match Made in Heaven appeared first on UberFacts.