Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

People Break Down What Is Actually Much More Fragile Than People Think

People Break Down What Is Actually Much More Fragile Than People Think
FLY:D on Unsplash

When I was a kid, I was given a recorder. You know the ones. Simple flutes.

Just about every kid in my day had a music class in which they learned how to play one (or at least attempted to).

One day, I took it out of my bag only to have the damn thing snap in half right in front of me. I had no idea it was so fragile!

As an adult, I've accepted that it was just cheaply made and that we're probably better off without such a crappy device as the one I played masquerading as a musical instrument.

There are more things out there that are equally sensitive, if not moreso.


People shared their stories with us after Redditor Traffic_Great asked the online community:

"What have you discovered is much more fragile than you thought?"

"As a kid..."

"A lot of construction. As a kid I always trusted that things like walls, railings, and other infrastructure was built to actually be durable and withstand a bit of 'roughhousing.' When I got to be a teen I realized I couldn't always count on that and the world as a whole became a lot less solid feeling."

yParticle

There are numerous construction-related accidents each year – it's wild!

"I used to pride myself..."

"My memories. I used to pride myself on remembering all sorts of obscure things. I'll look through my old stuff and have no recollection of ever doing or thinking about some things. Time has eroded a lot of old memories away, and it's scary."

boulomai

Have you considered getting checked out for this?

"I’m 35 years old..."

"My father. I’m 35 years old and two years ago my dad retired at the age of 67. A few months after that the doctors told him he has cancer."

"He is/was a Marine and has always been a good dad. I’ve seen a fragile side of him these past two years while he comes to grips with his odds of survival. Life’s a bitch."

Hazz526

For someone who used to be so strong and independent, it's natural that this would be devastating.

"I'm about done..."

"My tolerance for BS. I'm about done watching the news."

Soggy-Macaron-4612

As I've grown older, I've discovered that my patience gets shorter and shorter each year.

"Literally..."

"Literally any given relationship. Don’t ever take it for granted."

MagyarCat

This is solid advice – value the people around you. Relationships are a two-way street.

"In today's world..."

"A person's spirit. In today's world, it is so easy to lash out and be mean. One spiteful remark and it can diminish that person's self worth and lead them to more discouragement."

chip2sr

We must be kind to people. We never know what they might be going through.

"I've had small ones..."

"Larger glass jars. I've had small ones fall and hit my fridge rug and not break even from 6 ft up. Knocked a larger size jar of the bottom shelf (maybe 2.5ft) and shattered to pieces on the fridge rug."

pilotdarko

Oh, don't remind me. I've shattered a couple in my day. Cleaning that up is not fun. And sometimes you find tiny shards for months!

"My dad was strong..."

"Life. My dad was strong and never ill. Two weeks ago he died in our arms from an aneurysm. He said he had a big sudden headache, 30 mins later he was gone."

all-rider

Sorry for your loss. Brain aneurysms are scary.

For those of you who don't know: Up to six percent of people in the United States have an aneurysm in their brain that isn't bleeding (called an unruptured aneurysm). Ruptured aneurysms are rare.

"Metal is..."

"Metal is surprisingly fragile when stressed the wrong way."

Not_Adobe

Indeed! It can surprise you. Enough stress can absolutely snap even the strongest metal in half.

"The hinge..."

"The hinge on my new air fryer thing. It popped back into place but you would think a bit more effort would have gone into keeping the front on."

YetAnotherRCG

I did this earlier in the pandemic and was forced to purchase another one due to an outdated warranty. So frustrating!

Be kinder and try not to take life for granted. Oh, and stay away from construction sites. If those are the major lessons you take away from reading these, then my work here is done.

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

screenshot of Fox News report from Newark, New Jersey ICE protest
Fox News

Fox News Reporter Gets Hit With Brutal Insult Live On Air After Criticizing ICE Protester's 'Dirty Mouth'

Fox News reporter Alexis McAdams was dispatched to Newark, New Jersey, to cover a protest at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility for the The Will Cain Show.

Wading into the crowd of protesters, McAdams decided to approach, then touch, and then tone-police one of them.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of James Talarico; Ken Paxton
MediasTouch Podcast; Ron Jenkins/Getty Images

Texas Democrat James Talarico Has Epic Response To MAGA Opponent's Accusation That He's A Secret Vegan

Texas Senate nominee James Talarico had the perfect response after MAGA Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton accused him of being a secret vegan.

Talarico is not actually vegan—though there is nothing inherently wrong with veganism. Even so, Paxton has already begun attacking his likely Democratic challenger before he has officially entered the race, arguing that Talarico is unfit to represent Texans partly because of his supposed veganism.

Keep ReadingShow less
Russell Crowe
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Russell Crowe Shuts Down Accusations He Was Rude To Fans In Paris After Video Goes Viral—But People Are Torn

While staying in a hotel in Paris, Gladiator star Russell Crowe was met with a crowd of fans outside, eager to take selfies and receive autographs.

Crowe took the time to work his way through the crowd while still honoring his schedule and other guests at the hotel, and he was able to do that by setting firm boundaries, which were soon met with mixed reviews.

Keep ReadingShow less
Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander
@variety/X

Journalist Slammed After Only Addressing South Korean Film's Two White Actors During Q&A At Cannes

A journalist is being hotly criticized for all but ignoring the Asian stars of a South Korean film at Cannes in favor of the film's two white headliners.

Stars Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander are being criticized as well for not calling out the journalist's behavior and sticking up for their castmates.

Keep ReadingShow less
screenshot of Kevin Hart on The Breakfast Club
The Breakfast Club/YouTube

Kevin Hart Just Tried To Defend Tony Hinchcliffe's George Floyd Joke At His Netflix Roast—And Fans Aren't Having It

Comedian Kevin Hart is facing heightened backlash after picking the worst venue to defend and make excuses for the racist jokes of MAGA comedian Tony Hinchcliffe. Hinchcliffe was included as a featured performer on Netflix's roast of Hart.

Despite getting his backside handed to him by Chelsea Handler, Hinchcliffe still managed to spew some of the bigotry passed off as humor that is his shtick. Hart then decided to go on the popular morning radio show The Breakfast Club to defend him.

Keep ReadingShow less