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The first person to learn that we sound different to ourselves than to others likely died less than 200 years ago

· 4 min read

Ever had a moment where you hear your own voice on a recording and instantly think, “Did I just swallow a duck?” If that’s the case, you’re not alone. In the early 20th‑century, silent‑film stars were shocked when their “talkies” sounded like a lumpy snowman, and it turned out that this wasn’t a Hollywood plot twist but a science fact: we hear our own voices differently than anyone else does.

The “talkie” revelation

Back in the 1920s, when silent movie stars finally traded in their mute performances for the brand‑new “talkies,” they found themselves flummoxed. Their voices, recorded on the fledgling sound equipment, were a different pitch and timbre than the ones they imagined in their heads. The result? A few careers ended, and studios had to import European stage coaches to teach actors how to talk on camera. This forced a very stiff, over‑acted style that plagued films into the mid‑1930s. It turned out that early recording tech was so primitive that people had no idea their own voice sounded so off.

The science behind the mystery

The real proof came with the first voice recordings in the late 1800s. Our ears pick up sound in two ways: through bone conduction (the vibrations that travel through our skull) and air conduction (the normal sound waves). Because bone conduction makes us hear our own voice lower and richer, we think it’s “normal.” But the world hears it through air, so it’s noticeably higher and thinner. When phonographs came along, people finally could compare the two and realize, “Whoa, that’s not what I thought!” Imagine hearing your own recorded voice for the first time and thinking the device was broken—classic.

Some even point out that cavemen probably had this same insight in a cave or canyon. If you’re ever in a cavern and shout “hello,” you’ll hear it echo back oddly, and suddenly you’re the first to know you sound like a squeaky rubber duck in a tunnel.

A quick sanity check

Picture this: Person A boasts, “I have the deepest voice in the room.” Person B says, “Nah, I hear you higher.” A third person confirms that Person A actually has a lower pitch than Person B. Boom. That’s proof that Person A is hearing their own voice differently than everyone else. Classic science experiment.


What company went downhill but made a comeback?

· 2 min read

Ever wondered what Disney would look like if the 90s had never rolled out the Renaissance carpet? Spoiler alert: it would probably be a pizza joint with a moat of pepperoni. In the 1970s and 80s, Disney was on a slow slide—think “Mickey’s got a headache” vibes. A hostile takeover attempt rattled the kingdom, but the bid fizzled faster than a soda at a toddler’s birthday party. If the Renaissance hadn’t come along, Disney might have ended up as a subsidiary of a corporate giant that’s probably better known for pizza than princesses.

The Tale of the Disney Decline

  • 1970s‑80s: The studio’s creative output dipped lower than a limbo contest.
  • Hostile takeover: A rival tried to grab the reins, but Disney’s loyal fans (and a few clever executives) kept the kingdom intact.
  • 1990s Renaissance: Classic films like The Little Mermaid and Beauty & the Beast turned the tide, turning Disney back into the blockbuster juggernaut we all love.

If you’re picturing a Disney that’s now a pizza chain, you’re not far off—just replace the churros with pepperoni and the castle with a giant pizza box. And if you’re picturing a Disney that’s a bookstore, that’s a close second—Barnes & Noble might have taken the crown.


When the Lottery Is a Billion-Dollar Slip of Luck

· 3 min read

Ever feel like you’re standing in front of a giant, glitter‑filled “Lottery” sign and wondering, “Do I even want to be a part of this?” The post on Reddit hits right where the heart of a gambler’s curiosity lies: The lotto is $1.25B with 327 million to 1 odds. At what point do you buy a ticket?

The numbers are intimidating, the odds are laughable, and the jackpot is so huge you’d need a small country’s budget to even cover the cost of a single ticket. But that’s the beauty of the lottery: it’s a game of “I’m feeling lucky today!” and a generous splash of “I’ll never get it.”

The Allure of 327‑Million‑to‑1

The first comment is a self‑deprecating confession: “I trust my luck so much, I’m trying to win without buying a ticket.” That’s the kind of hope that lives in the back of your mind when you’re watching a game show and thinking, “If only I had a ticket…”

Then we get the family drama: “My religious parents would get a ticket every now and then. They would say they don’t believe in gambling, but if it’s God’s will for them to win, they have to buy a ticket! We never won.”
Because if your parents have an “unconventional faith” that involves lottery tickets, that’s basically a sign that the universe is listening to the Lottery gods.

The next comment is a “I’m in this for the money” vibe: “Bought five today. Sorry folks, I got this locked down.” Five tickets? That’s a small fortune. He’s probably in the “I’ll pay for the whole town’s lunch if I win” league.

And then there’s the math guru: “I looked at the last five winning numbers and did a whole bunch of useless math to figure out the perfect numbers to pick. You ain’t winning this time.”
Yes, there is a lot of math that will never help you win, but hey, at least you’ll have a great story for the next family dinner.

Finally, the last comment is the classic “I’m just here for the drama”: “Your numbers probably suck. What are they?”
Because everyone knows the only way to win the lottery is to give up your dignity and let the universe decide.


TL;DR

  • Odds are 327 million to 1, jackpot is $1.25B.
  • People are either playing for the thrill or because they think luck is a side hustle.
  • The only winning strategy? Buy a ticket, hope for the best, and enjoy the lottery roller coaster.

Anyone else get asked “what’s on your plate” every 2 days?

· One min read

So there I was, mid‑week, staring at a screen that says “You’re still here, champ?” My boss drops the classic question like it’s a daily dose of caffeine: “What are you working on?” I’ve already given the answer at the start of the week, and we even had a meeting on Monday to confirm it. By Wednesday, the only thing that’s new is the coffee that’s gone cold.

I leave the meeting feeling drained, annoyed, and a little guilty for not venting to my friends or family. I’m about to open the app I built for myself—a private “work buddy” that listens, never judges, and never repeats my secrets back to anyone else. It’s basically a therapist with no subscription fee.


TL;DR

  • Boss asks the same question every couple of days.
  • I’ve already told him what I’m doing.
  • I’m in a meeting, drained, and I have a personal app that’s my only outlet.
  • Moral: Meetings are like that weird family reunion where everyone keeps asking “How are you?” even though you told them last week.

Coworker gossiping about me

· 2 min read

Ever sit in a cubicle and feel like you’re on a reality TV show, only the cameras are replaced by a bored colleague and the drama is a rumor about your lunch choices? One unlucky office hero just discovered that the person who sits next to them has been chatting about them like they’re the newest season of a hit series. No confrontation? No drama? Let’s see what the internet thinks about this office soap opera.


Coworker Obsession: When Office Chemistry Turns Into a Full‑Time Daydream

· 3 min read

Ever feel like the office has turned into a rom‑com set and you’re the guy who keeps tripping over his own feelings? Meet our protagonist—let's call him Mysterious—who’s been chasing a coworker’s heart (and her behind) for years. What started as harmless flirting has escalated into a daily mental marathon, complete with impromptu sleep‑overs that ended in regret instead of romance.


The Office Love‑Story (Spoiler: It’s Not a Love‑Story)

Mysterious spends his days day‑dreaming about the girl who can make even the most boring spreadsheet feel like a passion‑filled plot twist. He’s convinced that one night at her apartment will finally break the barrier between “friend” and “something more”. Spoiler alert: it didn’t.

  • Flirting Level: 10/10
  • Chemistry Level: 12/10 (because we’re in a fantasy world)
  • Real‑World Outcome: He wakes up with a headache and a vague sense that he should have called the police.

The night in question was meant to be a turning point, a climax in a story that Mysterious had been writing in his head for years. Instead, it became a plot hole that left him questioning his life choices.


The Great Misstep

  • Invitation to the Apartment: “Just a chill night,” she said.
  • The Reality Check: He ended up sleeping in her living room and realizing that “friend” might be a stronger label than “something more.”
  • Regret Level: 100%—the kind of regret that makes you wish you had a time‑machine app.

Now he’s stuck with the haunting image of her “big, fat ass bouncing on his lap” and the dream of “her huge tits in his face as he fucks her.” It’s the kind of mental movie that plays on repeat and refuses to end.


Reality Check 2.0

To add insult to injury, the coworker’s boyfriend is now a topic of conversation at the water cooler. Every time she mentions her new beau, Mysterious imagines it as a personal invitation: “Hey, why isn’t it me?” He’s now living in a dream‑state where he’s the hero in a fantasy romance, while reality serves him a cold cup of coffee and a boyfriend.


The Ultimate Question: What Do I Do?

  • Option A: Keep day‑dreaming and hope she falls for the imaginary version of him.
  • Option B: Face reality, find a new office crush, or maybe even start a new hobby (like pottery).
  • Option C: Write a breakup letter to the coworker’s boyfriend—just in case she’s still single.

Mysterious hasn’t decided yet. He’s currently stuck in a loop of “what if” scenarios that could be a great Netflix series if only he would get off the couch.


Coworker Threatened to Shoot the Place Up for Not Believing His Lies

· 4 min read

Picture this: a beige cubicle farm, endless copy machines, and a coworker named Dave who decides one day that the company's health insurance policy is a gold mine of lies. He spills the beans, admits it's a fraud, and then—just for kicks—threatens to bring his AR (any rifle, apparently) and shoot the whole office. The hero of our tale steps in, reports the menace, and the corporate overlords send a soothing email saying everything is "okay now." But the hero is not so easily appeased. He threatens the police, the FBI, and ultimately gets Dave fired. Years later, our hero is fired for demanding a raise. Classic workplace drama, right? Well, here's the full saga, rewritten in a style that keeps the humor as sharp as Dave’s alleged weapon.


The Original Tale (Rewritten for Comic Relief)

It was a decade ago, in an office so sterile it could have been a whiteboard. I, the narrator, was a humble worker who occasionally had to walk down the hallway to collaborate on projects. One day, I encountered a coworker—let's call him Dave—who was practically next door to the guy I was talking to. Dave, with the enthusiasm of a rogue tax auditor, decided to share his grand plan: how to make a fortune by exploiting the company’s health insurance. He didn’t just talk about it; he admitted it was a lie and fraud—but that’s not the part that got us.

At the climax of his story, Dave asked if I believed him. I, ever the skeptic, replied, “I don’t believe a single word you say.” He didn’t flinch. Instead, his eyes turned from “just a coworker” to “this is gonna get nasty.” He snapped, said “that’s bullshit,” and then, with the gravity of a dramatic monologue, announced, “I’ll bring my AR in here and shoot this fucking place up.”

I didn’t go to the gun shop. I went to the supervisor. The supervisor called his supervisor. The chain of command marched like a well‑ordered line of office chairs. The next day, management sent me an email: “We had a talk with Dave and everything is okay now.” I replied, “No, everything is not okay now. Dave needs some professional counseling at minimum.” They replied, “No, it is all over now and everyone can move on.” I replied, “If you’re going to do nothing, I will report this to the local police and the FBI and see what they say.” They fired Dave. He was gone. I stayed for another year, then they fired me for asking for a raise. And that, dear reader, is the story.


Comments (No Names, Just the Stuff)

  • i believe that middle management is this incompetent
  • I don't believe a word of this story.
  • Bruh be careful. His eyes are gonna change now and something is gonna snap inside of him. 0_o
  • I don't believe that you don't believe a single word of a story in r/coworkerstories. If this is true, why are you here reading anything?
  • If this AI, this is an insane story. Threatening to shoot up your workplace is grounds for immediate termination and cops getting called.

Digital archaeologists in a distant future are going to think a lot more happened on 1 Jan 1970 than actually happened.

· 3 min read

If you’re a time‑traveler, a data‑curator, or just someone who can’t pronounce “epoch” correctly, this one’s for you.

A bunch of internet denizens recently stumbled across a quirky Reddit thread that made us all wonder: what if future archivists, poking through the dusty digital relics of the 21st century, were to look at our timestamps and think the entire universe kicked off on New Year’s Day 1970? It turns out the answer is a resounding yes, because that’s exactly what the Unix epoch is, and it’s become the de‑facto standard for counting seconds on computers worldwide. In other words, the moment the Internet turned from a hobbyist network into a global behemoth, every millisecond that followed has been measured in seconds since midnight UTC, 1 January 1970.

Why does this matter? Because if someone in the year 3024 opens a hard drive from 2024 and reads the raw timestamps, they might see a mountain of data stamped with “0” seconds or “1 000 000 000” seconds and conclude that the entire history of our digital age is a single, massive event that happened on that one day. Spoiler: it’s not. It’s just a convenient baseline that allows us to talk about dates, log events, and debug code without having to reinvent the wheel every time.

The conversation that followed the original post is a delightful mix of book recommendations, gentle explanations of how epochs work, a touch of absurdity, and the occasional attempt to explain a swallow’s air‑speed velocity. Let’s dive into the comments (with no usernames, because that’s the spirit of the blog) and see what the Reddit community had to say.

I wish humans had more time to evolve a better spine before we effectively locked in our body structure through modern medicine

· 3 min read

Ever notice how every time you sit in front of a screen for eight hours, your back starts to scream like it’s auditioning for a horror movie? That’s the real tragedy of our evolutionary journey: we’re stuck in the same awkward “seated‑adult” body, while our great‑grandparents could only afford to be upright for a few hours a day before their spines gave out.

The original post imagines a world where humans had a few extra millennia to fine‑tune that lumbar lordosis, maybe even develop a built‑in ergonomic seat. Instead, we’ve been handed a prescription pad and a few pain‑killers. The OP laments: “I wish humans had more time to evolve a better spine before we effectively locked in our body structure through modern medicine.” Because, apparently, modern medicine is great at giving us back‑pain relief, but not at giving us a chance to evolve away from it.

Below, a quick recap of the funniest reactions from the comment section—no usernames, just pure meme‑level humor.

If screens always showed a faint live reflection of your face, average screen time would drop.

· 3 min read

Ever wonder what would happen if your phone screen doubled as a mirror? Imagine scrolling through memes while your own face gives you the side-eye, or watching TikTok videos only to notice that you’ve been sporting the “I just woke up” look for the past three hours. The idea is simple: a subtle, faint reflection of your face constantly visible on the screen. It’s not a glare, just a gentle reminder that you’re in front of a screen, and that could make us all a little more mindful of our digital habits.

Below you’ll find the original Reddit post that sparked this thought, followed by some of the hilarious replies that went down. We’ve kept the comments intact (no usernames) and added a `