This article was originally published on Mako
In a world where content is often promoted for its shock value, it's easy to overlook things that many would consider only mildly interesting. Why would anyone care about some slightly unusual packaging or a set of footprints in the grass when controversy can be found on every corner of the internet? Subscribers to a growing Reddit page dubbed 'Mildly Interesting' are changing the idea that only the scandalous are worthy of our attention by sharing small, everyday things that capture their interest. Even the seemingly mundane can spark riveting conversation with a closer look. Read on for our favorites!
A Tangled Phone Chord
We have to admit, this is a pretty noteworthy picture. Maybe not front-page newsworthy, but when you think about how hardly anyone even uses phones like this anymore, it's interesting to see how this one just happened to take shape. Then again, the way phone cords tend to twist can be quite treble-some. This usually happens when whoever is answering the phone switches it between hands repeatedly during a call.
If you look at this phone cord and see the letter "G," you're right! It's shaped like a treble clef, whose design is actually a stylized "G" as it circles this note.
A Questionable Vegetable
Whoever grew this cucumber (que-cumber?) in their garden must be in a real pickle. Although it has a funny shape, when cucumbers grow with such an intense curve, it's actually a sign that something is wrong. Either the plant's flowers weren't visited by enough pollinators (like bees!) or needed to be given more water as it grew. Cucumbers like this may look a bit odd, but they're perfectly safe to eat.
Have you ever seen a cucumber shaped like this? Tons of companies now sell imperfect vegetables that would have gone to waste in the past. Ugly veggies need love, too!
The Responsibility Is on the Consumer
We would make a joke about this picture, but we'll pass - it's too corny. The ingredients in these two cornbread mixes are actually different; we checked and the fat-free mix replaces oil with skim milk. Apparently, Krusteaz doesn't want to encourage customers to undo all of the hard work that must have gone into creating the fat-free version though, because they made a point to remove the butter pat pictured on the original box.
The irony is that they've removed all of the oil but replaced it with tons of sugar, a common tactic practiced by food companies as a way to produce fat-free food that still tastes good.
Sparks Fly
The person who took this picture had been grinding a hydraulic cylinder and noticed that the sparks bouncing around inside presented a great opportunity for a photo, and we're glad they decided to go for it. It looks like a miniature galaxy filled with shooting stars, and for a photo taken with a cellphone, the quality is pretty spectacular. It'd be really cool to see a slow-motion video of the process.
Sparks like this happen as a result of the friction created when grinding metal. Small pieces of steel become very hot and let off a glowing effect as they burn in the air!
A Wandering "I"
It may have been featured on a page called "Mildly Interesting," but we'd go as far as to say that the subject of this picture is at least moderately interesting. It's certainly not something we've seen before, at least. The poster wrote a note to themself on their bathroom mirror one morning, and when they got out of the shower noticed that one single letter had slid down below the rest of the text.
When a bathroom fills with steam, it collects on surfaces and condenses into water droplets, which in this case "lifted" the ink off of the mirror, and gravity helped pull it downward.
Spotted
The hand in this photo is one of a person with vitiligo, a skin condition that causes the skin to lose pigment in patches. Rather than hide the effect, the poster decided to show it off by not only posting an image of their skin but by highlighting the patches by drawing around them with a pen. The result turned out to resemble some kind of map with a bunch of little islands!
This picture gives new meaning to the phrase "To know a place like the back of your hand." It may just be a skin condition, but it sure looks like a map.
Phantom Spoon
Is it science or is it a ghost? This mildly interesting picture may look like the spirit of a spoon left behind, but there's actually an explanation for how it came to be. When the person using this mug placed a spoon into it, crevices in the spoon's edge acted as a place for gasses dissolved in the water to collect as little bubbles. The spoon then sank to the bottom.
As it sank, however, the bubbles that had been created by the gas in the spoon's crevices floated straight up to the top of the water, maintaining the shape of the spoon.
Life in Miniature
We've all had a difficult couple of years. A certain pandemic has caused many people around the world to struggle with depression, which can often make it hard to get much of anything, including cleaning, done. Someone decided to make the most of their unfortunate situation by taking inspiration from their "depression room" and recreating it in miniature for an art project. The attention to detail is really quite impressive!
It also appears as if they had a little fun by taking some creative liberties. We love that they printed out an image of the 'Windows' XP background and used it for the window!
Living Up to Its Name
This presumably non-stick pan came from the Ninja Kitchen company's Neverstick line of pots and pans, and while the label coming off doesn't necessarily say anything about the quality of the pan itself, it is a bit ironic that the exact part that highlights the non-stickiness of the pan happened to... unstick. Hopefully, the rest of the pan holds up better than the label, but at least they can claim truth in advertising.
There's much debate over whether or not non-stick pans are actually safe for human health. Do you use non-stick pans, or do you prefer to cook with iron or steel?
Truth in Advertising
The Big Ben clock tower in London has been under construction for so long that the UK sauce company HP Sauce decided they might as well incorporate the scaffolding that surrounds it on their packing. The irony is that the scaffolding has recently started to be taken down, so the updated image won't be accurate for very long. They'll have to update it again as the tower continues to be uncovered.
Even if there is a bit of a delay between the real-life status of Big Ben and this packaging, it is pretty cool that HP has tried to keep the image true-to-life.
A Certain Slant of Light
Diffraction occurs when light waves enter an obstacle and spread out as they pass through. Have you ever seen a rainbow on a wall inside and wondered how it got there? This is an example of diffraction - light waves are made up of all of the colors of the rainbow. The colors all appear individually as the waves are split when they pass through something like a window at a particular angle.
In this case, the angle of the wall on the right created a shadow that blocked all of the other colors and left only the blue and indigo waves visible.
Out With the Old, In With the New
The person who posted this picture of their shoes explained that they'd had the pair on the right for nine years and finally decided to replace them with a new pair - of the exact same Puma suede shoes. It's at least mildly, but maybe even moderately interesting to see such a different side by side, and it says something about Puma's quality that the original shoes held up for so long!
You can see that they look quite worn; the shape is fairly warped and the suede is fading in places, but overall they don't look too bad for being almost a decade in use!
Why So Salty?
More than mildly interesting, we think that this image is actually really cool and an amazing example that even the smallest things can hold beauty if we take the time to notice them. The poster's child had been experimenting by seeing what happens when salt and warm water are used to melt ice. A few drops of the mixture got left behind and the water evaporated overnight, leaving the salt behind.
For reference, the poster explained that the drop on the right had been about the size of a quarter before drying up. Props to them for encouraging their child to experiment with science!
2-For-1
Here's one way to approach the global plastic problem - this tomato juice company sells its product in a glass cup that can be used again and again after the consumer drinks the juice. It's a great solution that could help divert a ton of waste from landfills and save customers money by providing them with something that they can reuse. We'd love to see more companies making moves like this!
It's also kind of a cute glass; it's not very big, but the shape of it kind of reminds us of a goblet. It looks like it'd be fun to drink out of!
Footprints in the Grass
This image is so confusing at first glance. What could possibly have been on this person's shoes that would have killed the grass wherever they took a step? Well, we looked into it, and this kind of thing is actually the result of someone walking on grass that has been frosted over. You know, like on a chilly morning when the grass has been covered with dew that became frozen?
The ice causes the plant cells in the grass to freeze as well. When the grass gets stepped on, the cells get crushed which then causes the grass to die.
A Painted Pigeon
It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a... painted pigeon! Okay, we know pigeons are a type of bird, but how cool is this one? Apparently, there's a group of people in Spain who breed pigeons and then "race" them by hand painting them in distinct colors and sending them off to find a female to mate with. Whichever pigeon "woos most chivalrously" (whatever that means) is declared the winner.
It's a 'mildly interesting' hobby; we can certainly think of worse ways to pass the time. We just hope that the breeders use paints that are safe for the birds.
What's Better Than Free Food?
At least some governments know how to take care of their citizens during a pandemic. The person who posted this picture explained that the Japanese government sends free care packages to anyone stuck quarantining at home. Sure, it's probably paid for through taxes, but it's still a nice gesture and probably very helpful for many people. It's certainly a great way to prevent people from going out to buy food.
From the poster's description, the package came with a lot of instant food like ramen noodles but also contained coffee, water, beans, fruit, and other snacks! Not a bad deal!
Meet and Greet
It's always nice to hear stories of celebrity encounters where the person who meets the celebrity describes them in a positive light. There's no bigger disappointment than meeting someone you look up to and discovering that they're entitled or unkind. Steve Martin is a great comedian (and according to some people on this Reddit thread, a pretty mean banjo player too) so seeing that this fan's experience with him was enjoyable makes us happy.
The laminated card is also a cute little souvenir that this person can hang on to for years. Have you ever met a celebrity? If you have, what was the experience like?
Top-Shelf Cuisine
Most American grocery stores have some kind of 'international' aisle where you'll usually find things like soy sauce and taco shells, maybe the occasional European candy bar. How many Americans have stopped to consider what this aisle might look like when you're shopping in another country? This grocery store in Ireland has an entire section devoted to American foods, and from the looks of it, it's jam-packed with processed snacks.
This is what the rest of the world thinks of as "American Food" - candy disguised as breakfast cereal, an array of barbecue and hot sauces, and five varieties of Mike & Ike's.
Airport Man Cave
Have you ever wanted some alone time while traveling through an airport with your husband? Maybe you wanted to go shopping or take some quiet time to read but they got bored and wouldn't leave you alone? If so, this airport in China has got you covered should you ever find yourself in such a position while transiting through it. Honestly, though, it's a pretty sexist name for a waiting room.
They could have called it anything else without implying that husbands are children. Regardless, it seems like an okay space to pass the time. Those chairs in the back look mighty comfortable.
Invincible Twinkie
Most of us have heard stories about foods that seemingly last forever, like McDonald's burgers that never decompose, but this 20-year-old Twinkie takes the cake. Any pastry that looks this "good" after such a long amount of time has to be absolutely loaded with preservatives, although that doesn't mean it's safe to eat. The packaging of Twinkies is sterile which helps to fend off mold, but otherwise, it probably tastes pretty funky by now.
The texture has most likely changed a lot as well - we'd guess it's almost as hard as a rock. Sometimes what makes something "mildly interesting" is simultaneously "majorly gross."
Patti the Platy
Beanie Babies were all the rage in the '90s, and although the Ty toy company still makes plush animals today, they just don't compare to the originals. What's interesting about this old price guide is the projected future value of each individual toy based on factors such as how many were produced or "born." The projected values weren't based on anything in particular, but that didn't stop people from buying into the craze.
Whoever predicted that Patti would hold such value in years to come was right on the money. A quick Google search shows that the platypus now sells for about $9,000.
Days Go By
Whoever thought to keep track of the quality of their days like this was really onto something. It's much simpler than writing in a journal or diary - the color-coding speaks for itself and the way it's all laid out makes it super easy to fill in each day. We love the idea of taking some time to reflect at the end of each day, even if it's just for a moment.
It's also a great way to notice any patterns that may come up and to look more closely at what factors might influence whether a day is good or bad.
Men Vs. Women
The person who posted this photo explained that the items on the left are what she packs for a weekend away and the items on the right are what her husband packs. It could be a statement on the high maintenance-ness of women versus the low-maintenance-ness of men, but it's also quite possible that their packing styles are nothing more than a personal preference. It never hurts to be prepared.
Which style of packing do you resonate with more? Are you an over-packer or do you prefer to stick to only the essentials? Which items do you have to have when taking a trip?
The Keystone
Somebody walking around LaGuardia Airport happened to look down and notice a key embedded into the floor. Sure, we'll probably never know whose it was or what it unlocks, but it's mildly interesting to imagine what it could be for. Maybe it's some construction worker's house key and it just happened to fall out of his pocket as the floor was being built, but maybe it unlocks everything in the airport!
Regardless of where it came from and what it opens, it looks pretty cool. Maybe nobody noticed it when the floor was being poured, but if they did we're glad they decided to leave it.
Mmm Coffee
The logos coming off of the M&Ms in this person's coffee were probably the result of the same thing that caused the "i" to slide down the mirror in someone's bathroom after a shower. The liquid coffee got between the candy itself and the M's, which separated as the chocolate melted. The ingredients that the m's are made of happen to not dissolve in water, so they remained floating in the coffee.
It's an interesting science experiment, though we're also a bit curious as to why someone would decide to drop a bunch of M&M's into their coffee in the first place.
Sink or Simmer
Le Creuset cookware may have a cult following around the world, but its headquarters is located in France. Whoever designed the office apparently decided to incorporate the company's iconic cookware wherever space permitted, including as an alternative to traditional sinks in the bathroom. We love the idea, they look really cool and even pay homage to the company's history. The first pots they sold were made in this shade of orange.
While they now sell cookware in every color of the rainbow and then some, this shade, known as "Flame Orange," was inspired by the color of molten cast iron as the pots are being formed.
Try Both. Pick a Side.
Twix's well-known campaign encouraging consumers to try both the left and right candy bars included in each pack takes on a different meaning when one bar is completely missing the chocolate. While cookie and caramel alone certainly sound delicious, the absence of such a key ingredient really does change things, although based on this picture we can't know whether the naked candy bar came from the left or the right side.
When candy bars are made, the inner components are assembled and then go through a special machine called a chocolate enrober. The machine somehow skipped over this particular bar, which got en-robbed.
Matters of Life or Death
Be sure to check out Blackhawk Hardware in North Carolina for all of your life and death-related product needs. Management put these signs up one year around Halloween in order to bring some festiveness to the store, but they were so popular that ultimately it was decided they would stay up year-round. There's a slight irony to the fact that the signs are located at either end of the same aisle.
Apparently, Blackhawk is not the only hardware store to christen the aisles containing weed and bug killers in this fashion. Some other stores have even gone with the equally-creepy moniker "Kill Aisle."
Love Them Northern Lights!
This is way cooler than "mildly interesting" in our opinion, though it still ended up on the page. Many people travel to the world's northernmost countries in pursuit of catching a glimpse of the northern lights, though it's not always possible to predict when they'll be visible. For travelers interested in seeing the lights, this hotel in Iceland offers the option for a wake-up call when they appear in the sky.
What other natural phenomena would be worth waking up in the middle of the night for? Maybe an eclipse or meteor shower, although those may not require a wake-up call.
PSA From the SLQ
Mildly interesting and majorly considerate - thankfully, no one actually stole this person's laptop while they were gone, but based on the note that the library left behind, it's quite possible that the computer could have been stolen, so hopefully they'll be more careful with their belongings in the future. It's annoying to have to pack everything up and then take it all out again, but it's the best way to keep your possessions safe.
Studies have also shown that if you ask a specific person to watch over your things, they're much more likely to step in if someone tries to steal them than if you don't say anything.
What's the Deal With Airplane Food?
As airports closed and flights were canceled amidst the panic at the start of the pandemic, many airlines were left with a surplus of preprepared meals that had been intended for in-flight service. Rather than throw all of that food away, some companies decided to recoup the costs by selling the meals at local supermarkets. This was also a great way to prevent the food from having to go to waste.
One problem, though, is that our sense of taste is slightly reduced when flying due to the pressure at high altitudes, so extra salt is added to the food to make up for it. These meals probably taste pretty salty!
Honda Line
Mildly interesting, but still something you don't see every day: four generations of white Honda Civics in a row, positioned in age order. Not that there's much one could gain from witnessing such a sight, but we have to imagine that this is a pretty rare occurrence. It's possible that the drivers all know each other and decided to go out for a drive in advance, but we like to think it's a cool coincidence.
Some cities have car meets where fans of a particular brand will get together to bond over their love of cars. Maybe these drivers are on their way to a Honda party.
Lizzie McGuire
Mildly interesting but majorly adorable. Somebody left their kitchen sink filled with soapy water and a sponge, only to return to discover a new friend using the sponge as a raft. The poster lives in New Mexico where coming across lizards like this one is relatively common, but to find one in such a cute position is definitely not something you see every day. She looks like she's having a great time.
What would you do if you walked into a room and saw a little lizard like this one making herself at home in your sink? Would you let her stay?
Nice of Them
Have you ever gone to the movies and sat through what felt like endless end credits waiting to see if there was another scene only to be disappointed when it turned out there wasn't one? This theater had the great idea of putting up a sign that indicates whether or not it's worth sticking around after a particular movie. If only all theaters were so considerate as to save us from wasting time.
There's also an app that tells you what point during a movie is best to leave if you have to get up and go to the bathroom. It'd be great if theaters did this too.