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

Donald Trump
@atrupar/X

Nebraska MAGA Rallygoers Erupt In Cheers After Trump Makes Bonkers Claim About Lawnmowers In Surreal Rally Clip

MAGA Republican President Donald Trump is on the campaign trail trying to maintain the GOP's majority in both the House of Representatives and Senate in November's midterm elections. On Monday, Trump was in Grand Island, Nebraska, in front of a crowd of his MAGA faithful.

Since Trump was late to his own rally, Right Side Broadcasting Network (RSBN) talking head Toria Brooke had to entertain the audience tuned in to see the president, so while live on-air, she sang along to The Who's "Pinball Wizard" playing in the background.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots of Abdul El-Sayed and JD Vance
MS NOW

Adbul El-Sayed Just Gave JD Vance A Hilariously Brutal New Nickname—And Ouch!

During an interview with MS NOW about the attacks he and his campaign have weathered from Republicans, Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed mocked Vice President JD Vance with a fitting nickname.

El-Sayed has been accused of being a member of the "radical left" and has also been the target of Islamophobic rhetoric. He was speaking to Ari Melber on The Beat when Melber shared footage of multiple Republicans making derogatory remarks about El-Sayed.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots of Dr. Mehmet Oz and Laura Ingraham
Fox News

Dr. Oz Just Made An Absurd Claim About The Price Of Butter—And Even Laura Ingraham Pushed Back

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz was fact-checked by Fox News host Laura Ingraham of all people after he claimed that butter only costs a dollar.

As Americans continue to feel the crunch of a nationwide affordability crisis, Trump administration officials are doing their best to temper the public's concerns in the weeks before the midterm elections, which are already projected to go pretty badly for Republicans.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of Gabe Poirot
Fox News

Christian YouTuber Claims He Went To Heaven For 18 Days And Met Jesus In Bonkers Fox News Clip: 'Talk About Testosterone!'

Christian YouTuber Gabe Poirot raised eyebrows after he told former White House Press Secretary turned Fox News host Kayleigh McEnany that he met Jesus Christ while in an 18-day coma, describing him as a manly "mustang" filled with testosterone.

In October 2021, Poirot was seriously injured in an electric-skateboard crash. He was traveling at roughly 30 mph without a helmet when he flipped backward, striking his head and suffering a fractured skull.

Keep ReadingShow less
Gavin Newsom; Screenshot of Donald Trump
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images; @Acyn/X

California Leaders Slam Trump After He Offers To Let Iran 'Take Out' Los Angeles And San Diego In Unhinged Speech

California Governor Gavin Newsom and other Democratic leaders in the state condemned President Donald Trump after he seemingly offered to let Iran bomb Los Angeles and San Diego as a "small price" for war.

Trump was speaking at a midterm campaign rally in Grand Island, Nebraska, on Monday to boost the campaign of GOP Senator Pete Ricketts when he argued that that high gas prices are a "small price to pay for keeping the world safe."

Keep ReadingShow less