Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

People Describe The Dumbest Preventive Measure Someone Has Ever Tried That Actually Worked

Make us preferred on Google

What the hell made them think of that?

You've probably asked yourself that from time to time, especially when looking through history's weirder moments. And guess what?

Your average Joe has had to be a creative problem solver at least once or twice, too. Whether it's to avoid losing a job or to get out of a crappy meeting, we must never doubt human ingenuity.

Join us as we roll our eyes yet nod appreciatively at people who somehow made it through despite committing acts that would otherwise be seen as glitches in the matrix!


But before you do, feel free to thank Redditor KiraCosmicGod, who asked the online community:

"What is the dumbest thing humans did to prevent something and it actually worked?"

"Native Americans..."

"Native Americans who were in Florida won a battle against the settlers by using crocodiles, preventing them from taking their land."

eeepsis

Brilliant! Weaponzing the local wildlife. I will have to remember this for next time.

"Wearing a motorcycle helmet..."

"Wearing a motorcycle helmet while snowblowing. I did it because I missed riding, it kept my face warm and when snow would fly back at me the visor would protect me."

Fortknoxgaming

You probably looked like some creepy serial killer but that's okay, the snow was cleaned up!

"When I was younger..."

"When I was younger I got called into HR because I drew a very detailed picture of a penis. It was really really good."

The HR meeting happened like a week after I drew it and my only defense was 'I dont recall doing that, do you happen to have the picture? It might jog my memory.' They didnt have it of course because I had it, and because I didnt confess they couldn't do anything."

"Investigation results inconclusive, have a nice day."

Flynn_10

You're sneaky, aren't you?

Are you still employed by the same company?

"Bloody worked too..."

"A RNZAF co-pilot in WWII once climbed outside his bomber, onto the wing, to put out a fire. Bloody worked too and he got a Victoria Cross for his efforts."

light_engine

This person is braver than I will ever be. All I can think reading this is noooope.

"I forgot to bring my resume..."

"I forgot to bring a resume to a job interview, but I had an index card in my bag. I cut the index card in half and wrote my name, my contact info, and "creative problem solver" in my best handwriting, and gave a copy of my 'business card' to both the interviewers."

"I got the job."

kayification

Well, that's certainly one way to make an impression! Glad it worked out!

"Our power was out..."

"Our power was out due to a storm. I had a camp stove to use for boiling water to make a coffee pour-thru, but I couldn't use my electric grinder for the coffee beans. I tried fashioning a mortal and pestle but it was taking too long."

"So I put the coffee beans in a couple of ziplock bags, placed the bag right behind a car tire, then ran over it back and forth a couple of times to crush the beans. Worked like a charm."

EugeneStargazer

Brilliant. I might call you if I need some help during the zombie apocalypse.

"There was a natural gas mine..."

"There was a natural gas mine in Uzbekistan that had a gas leak. To fix the leak, the Soviets nuked the mine with an atom bomb. It worked."

Some-Basket-4299

When there's a problem, just throw an atom bomb on top of it.

But don't.

Please don't actually do that.

"At one point..."

"At one point in the American Revolution, a portion of the American army was completely out of gunpowder and saw British troops approaching, so they heavily fortified their position to make it appear they would win a decisive battle and prevent the British troops from engaging."

Mr_Henslee

This truly lends further credence to the saying, "Fake it until you make it."

"The security guard..."

"A friend and I once snuck 15 people into a Warped Tour by giving them some bracelets from a party supply store and clipboards full of paper. Walked up to the side gate and said we were with Rock The Vote. The security guard waved us right in."

GoodgoodGodgod

Why didn't I think of this?!

I am disappointed in myself.

"When I was young and broke..."

"When I was young and broke I bought a sofa from a used furniture store. I had no way to take the sofa home. I went to a used car lot a couple of blocks away and took a truck for a test drive."

luckyhenry

A creative solution to a big problem.

Genius.

You know, come to think of it, some of these ideas aren't dumb at all. I don't know what that says about me...

But seriously though... if you ever have the opportunity to drop an atom bomb on something, just don't do it. That's the biggest takeaway here.

Have some stories of your own? Feel free to tell us more in the comments below!

Want to "know" more?

Sign up for the Knowable newsletter here.

Never miss another big, odd, funny, or heartbreaking moment again.

More from Trending/best-of-reddit

Dennis Haskins
Michael Tullberg/Getty Images

'Saved By The Bell' Cast Shares Poignant Tributes To Dennis Haskins After His Death At 75

Actor Dennis Button Haskins IV was best known for the role he played off and on for 28 years, from 1987 through 2015, which included a couple of memorable cameos culminating in a 2015 reunion sketch with most of the kids from the first hit series, Saved by the Bell, on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

The sketch featured Fallon alongside original cast members Mark-Paul Gosselaar as Zack Morris, Mario Lopez as A.C. Slater, Elizabeth Berkley as Jessie Spano, Tiffani Thiessen as Kelly Kapowski, and Haskins as the befuddled but beloved Principal Richard Belding.

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Trump
Matthew Maxey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Video Of Trump Getting Handsy With Handsome Male Golfer Has The Internet Weirded All The Way Out

MAGA Republican President Donald Trump served as the honorary chairman of the Presidents Cup international golf tournament at Medinah Country Club in Chicago.

It was Trump's first time in the Illinois city since his second term began in 2025. Chicago, its leadership, its people, and Illinois Democratic Governor JB Pritzker have been frequent targets for ridicule and puerile insults from the POTUS.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots of Donald Trump before and after he fell asleep
MeidasTouch Network

Trump Mocked 'Sleepy Joe Biden' During Oval Office Press Event And Then Promptly Fell Asleep—And It's Beyond Parody

President Donald Trump was widely mocked after he attempted to call out "Sleepy Joe Biden" during an event in the Oval Office only to fall asleep just moments later with the cameras still rolling.

Trump was speaking during an event that served as a launching pad for a $15 billion steel plant construction project in eastern Iowa. At one point, he took the opportunity to once again attack his predecessor.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots of Eric Schmitt and Jack Smith
@atrupar/X

MAGA Senator Ripped After Confusing Basketball Teams In Embarrassing Attempt To Link Jack Smith And Fani Willis During Senate Hearing

Missouri Republican Senator Eric Schmitt was widely mocked after confusing his basketball teams when he attempted to link former special counsel Jack Smith with Atlanta prosecutor Fani Willis by claiming Smith went to an Atlanta Hawks game to collude with Willis about bringing charges against President Donald Trump.

During a Senate hearing on Tuesday, Schmitt accused Smith of perjury after repeatedly questioning him about whether he had attended an NBA game in Atlanta on Feb. 3, 2024. The Atlanta Hawks hosted the Golden State Warriors that evening.

Keep ReadingShow less

Ben Affleck Opens Up About The Hilariously Savage Way His Kids Roast Him—And Fans Are Cracking Up

Twenty-four years ago, Ben Affleck was People’s Sexiest Man Alive. These days, his toughest critics live under the same roof.

The Oscar winner may have spent decades charming moviegoers, but apparently none of that star power works on his three kids—especially when Dad starts handing out relationship advice. Affleck shared that lesson during a recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, where he revealed how his kids keep him humble while promoting his new film, Animals.

Keep ReadingShow less