Dystopia is a world or society in which people lead wretched, dehumanized, and fearful lives.

If you need a more vivid example, think of the novel The Children of Men (1992), by P.D. James where the human population has become infertile and lost all interest in politics, allowing the authorities to install various regulations such as mass "voluntary" suicides by the elderly, rampant cruel treatment toward prisoners of the state, and mandatory sperm testing and female inspections. Fatalism, boredom, crime, and religious hysteria are abundant, and it's not that pretty.

While such an environment might seem possible only in fiction, there is a subreddit whose members think we're actually on our way to making it a reality. It's called 'A Boring Dystopia' and these folks regularly share real-life examples of what they believe to be societal decay. Here are some of them.

#1

One Of The Two Remaining Northern White Rhinos In The World, Guarded 24 Hours A Day To Guard Against Poachers

One Of The Two Remaining Northern White Rhinos In The World, Guarded 24 Hours A Day To Guard Against Poachers

princess-sewerslide Report

RELATED:
    #2

    A Gallery Owner Was Arrested After Leaving A 10-Foot Heroin Spoon Sculpture Outside Oxycontin Maker Purdue Pharma

    A Gallery Owner Was Arrested After Leaving A 10-Foot Heroin Spoon Sculpture Outside Oxycontin Maker Purdue Pharma

    wiedmaier Report

    Nowadays, artificial intelligence (AI) is widely considered to be one of the primary suspects that can send us humans into doom and gloom. And for good reason: this technology has brought many good and bad things into our lives, and it will have an even greater impact in the coming decades.

    Naveen Joshi, who is the founder and CEO of Allerin, a company that develops engineering and technology solutions focused on optimal customer experiences, and has extensive experience in AI, big data, IoT, and blockchain, thinks that there are legitimate reasons to be concerned.

    "Current AI research is overly focused on making advances in a narrow set of domains and pays insufficient attention to the disruptive effects on society's fabric," Joshi wrote in Forbes.

    #3

    Three Socioeconomic Classes In The Philippines

    Three Socioeconomic Classes In The Philippines

    dapperKillerWhale Report

    #4

    First Time I've Seen A Message Like This On A Vehicle

    First Time I've Seen A Message Like This On A Vehicle

    Mc_Ribe Report

    #5

    There's Nothing Good About Goodwill

    There's Nothing Good About Goodwill

    may_sun Report

    According to Joshi, if AI technology continues on its current path, it will likely cause social upheaval for at least two reasons.

    "Firstly, AI will have an impact on the future of work. Our current trajectory over-automates work while refusing to invest in human productivity. Further advances will displace workers while failing to create new opportunities and, as a result, miss out on AI's full potential to boost productivity."

    "Also, AI has the potential to undermine democracy and individual liberties."

    #6

    Cheerfully Snipping Some Plastic Soda Packaging To ~save The Turtles~ And Realizing I Fully Expect This To End Up In The Ocean

    Cheerfully Snipping Some Plastic Soda Packaging To ~save The Turtles~ And Realizing I Fully Expect This To End Up In The Ocean

    i_just_haveaquestion Report

    #7

    Imagine getting hit by a freakin' UwU shell

    Imagine getting hit by a freakin' UwU shell

    UnderstandingJaded13 Report

    #8

    The Wheel Of Fugitives

    The Wheel Of Fugitives

    Sugarfree-Sugarmommy Report

    #9

    Nike Sending Plastic They've Taken From The Environment To Show They Care About The Planet. Wrapped In Plastic

    Nike Sending Plastic They've Taken From The Environment To Show They Care About The Planet. Wrapped In Plastic

    kingsley2 Report

    If things do not change, Joshi predicts that we will see massive unemployment, as many jobs will be replaced by machinery.

    "Wealth inequality will be created as AI investors take the lion's share of the earnings. The gap between rich and poor will grow wider. The so-called 'M' shape of wealth distribution will become more apparent," he continued.

    #10

    The System Is Broken

    The System Is Broken

    papyrussurypap Report

    #11

    The American Dream

    The American Dream

    --Anarchaeopteryx-- Report

    #12

    Passenger Photo While Plane Flew Near East Palestine, Ohio ... Chemical Fire After Train Derailed

    Passenger Photo While Plane Flew Near East Palestine, Ohio ... Chemical Fire After Train Derailed

    Limegem3 Report

    #13

    Why We Have Curfews, Can’t Make It Illegal To Protest, But Can Make It Illegal If There’s A Curfew

    Why We Have Curfews, Can’t Make It Illegal To Protest, But Can Make It Illegal If There’s A Curfew

    lineallyHurt Report

    "Issues emerge not only in the social sense but also in AI itself, as the AI that is trained and taught how to operate the given task can eventually take off to the point where human control is lost, resulting in unanticipated problems and consequences."

    "It refers to AI's ability to function autonomously after being loaded with all necessary algorithms, ignoring the command given by the human controller," Joshi said.

    #14

    U.S. Wealth Inequality

    U.S. Wealth Inequality

    NullSurplus Report

    #15

    A Beer Bottle Discovered At Challenger Deep, The Deepest Point On Earth At -35,000ft

    A Beer Bottle Discovered At Challenger Deep, The Deepest Point On Earth At -35,000ft

    GR34SE Report

    Never miss a story that brings joy to the world. Follow on Google News

    #16

    Ah The Good Old Times

    Ah The Good Old Times

    maarrutks Report

    #17

    Words Fail Me

    Words Fail Me

    emil_ Report

    Many AI experts have openly spoken out about the negative effects of AI going rogue on human society, asking researchers to investigate these scenarios. The rapid advancement of AI technology necessitates constant regulation and monitoring before the negative consequences become too severe.

    #18

    Findings From An Undercover Shein Investigation

    Findings From An Undercover Shein Investigation

    lilac-latte Report

    #19

    Huangjuewan Interchange

    Huangjuewan Interchange

    reddit.com Report

    #20

    McDonald's In The 1980s Compared To Today

    McDonald's In The 1980s Compared To Today

    RonSwazy Report

    #21

    Won This At The Xmas Bingo At Work

    Won This At The Xmas Bingo At Work

    CrumpetBadger Report

    "AI takeover will be limited to the entertaining plots of dystopian movies and fictional worlds if proper laws protect the users," Joshi said. "The omniscient and nearly omnipotent power of AI has been called into question. There may be no definitive answer to the question of AI replacing humans in various industries. Only predictions and observations are available."

    The future of AI remains hazy, but if you would like to explore the current state of our society a bit deeper, check out Bored Panda's earlier publications 45 Pics That Show That We’re Already Living In A Dystopic Nightmare and This Online Group Is “Showcasing The Idea That We Live In A Dystopia That Is Boring” One Post At A Time.

    #22

    Malthus Would've Blushed Looking At This

    Malthus Would've Blushed Looking At This

    Flimsy-Map8750 Report

    #23

    Feel Like This Fits Too Well. The Rich Stay Rich/Get Richer

    Feel Like This Fits Too Well. The Rich Stay Rich/Get Richer

    Robertorgan81 Report

    #24

    Privatized Prisons Lead To More Inmates, Longer Sentences, Study Finds

    Privatized Prisons Lead To More Inmates, Longer Sentences, Study Finds

    StcStasi Report

    #25

    Mumbai, India. The Divide Between The Richest People In India vs. One Of The Poorest. Extreme Wealth Inequality On Display

    Mumbai, India. The Divide Between The Richest People In India vs. One Of The Poorest. Extreme Wealth Inequality On Display

    dapperKillerWhale Report

    #26

    My Wage Cage. Nature Is Begging Me To Leave!

    My Wage Cage. Nature Is Begging Me To Leave!

    let-shit-go Report

    #27

    Silicon Valley Everyone

    Silicon Valley Everyone

    Cranberryvacuum Report

    #28

    I Can’t Put The Feeling Of This Picture Into Words

    I Can’t Put The Feeling Of This Picture Into Words

    not_andrew_a Report

    #29

    Middle Class Neighborhood In Dubai, UAE

    Middle Class Neighborhood In Dubai, UAE

    sikeig Report

    #30

    Crime Against Humanity, But Ecological

    Crime Against Humanity, But Ecological

    RonaldDoal Report

    #31

    Not Even Death Stops Work

    Not Even Death Stops Work

    Ironlord456 Report

    #32

    This Old Toys R Us Is Now A Gun Store

    This Old Toys R Us Is Now A Gun Store

    teedeeguantru Report

    #33

    A Stroll Through The Ruins. Parisians Rioting Against Pension Reform

    A Stroll Through The Ruins. Parisians Rioting Against Pension Reform

    dapperKillerWhale Report

    #34

    Most Grateful Employer

    Most Grateful Employer

    Drostiiwu Report

    #35

    UK's Oldest First-Time Buyer Finally Gets His Own Bungalow Aged 86

    UK's Oldest First-Time Buyer Finally Gets His Own Bungalow Aged 86

    guppygirl103 Report

    #36

    Local Supermarket Has Started To Put A Protective Barrier Around The Employees Whilst They Put The Reduced Food Out On The Shelves. Out Of Shot Is A Horde Of Eager Pensioners Ready To Pounce

    Local Supermarket Has Started To Put A Protective Barrier Around The Employees Whilst They Put The Reduced Food Out On The Shelves. Out Of Shot Is A Horde Of Eager Pensioners Ready To Pounce

    tonypotenza Report

    #37

    £2100 Per Month For This Airbnb In Central London

    £2100 Per Month For This Airbnb In Central London

    Round-Beyond5477 Report

    #38

    Get Back To Work Toilets

    Get Back To Work Toilets

    flappy-doodles Report

    #39

    Londoners Trying To Survive Like

    Londoners Trying To Survive Like

    SNVOR Report

    #40

    “Finally, No Human Employees At Our Grey Minimalist Mcdonalds”

    “Finally, No Human Employees At Our Grey Minimalist Mcdonalds”

    sailorsensi Report

    #41

    Can't Even Get A Bathroom Break At Home

    Can't Even Get A Bathroom Break At Home

    1100101001101 Report

    #42

    No Worries

    No Worries

    Adorablyflow Report

    #43

    Sacred Advertising

    Sacred Advertising

    Logan_Mac Report

    #44

    It Will Cost An Extra $50 To Use The Fridge In My Hotel Suite

    It Will Cost An Extra $50 To Use The Fridge In My Hotel Suite

    diddone119 Report

    #45

    The Matrix Is Here

    The Matrix Is Here

    English999 Report

    #46

    El Salvador - Center For The Confinement Of Terrorism (Cecot)

    El Salvador - Center For The Confinement Of Terrorism (Cecot)

    plopplopfizzfizz1 Report

    #47

    We Steal Your Water And Sell It Back To You

    We Steal Your Water And Sell It Back To You

    Artistic-Monitor4566 Report

    #48

    This Packaging Uses An Optical Illusion To Make The Vegetables Look More Green

    This Packaging Uses An Optical Illusion To Make The Vegetables Look More Green

    NitroThunderBird Report

    #49

    Paid Toilets With Ad Displays Instead Of Mirrors

    Paid Toilets With Ad Displays Instead Of Mirrors

    vegan__atheist Report

    #50

    When A Billboard Is More Important Than A View. A New Way To Crush The Souls Of Office Workers

    When A Billboard Is More Important Than A View. A New Way To Crush The Souls Of Office Workers

    kittybeer Report

    #51

    The Company We Keep

    The Company We Keep

    confusedinnv Report

    #52

    My Friend's School Lunch

    My Friend's School Lunch

    YellowLid30 Report

    #53

    “Incredible” Initiative From Rock Of Hope In South Africa

    “Incredible” Initiative From Rock Of Hope In South Africa

    freethezoo314 Report

    #54

    In Japan, There Is A Hotel Where You Can Stay For Just $1 A Night. The Catch Is You Must Agree To Live Stream Your Entire Stay On Youtube

    In Japan, There Is A Hotel Where You Can Stay For Just $1 A Night. The Catch Is You Must Agree To Live Stream Your Entire Stay On Youtube

    ArchdukeFerdie Report

    #55

    Repelling Teenagers From Public Parks Using Sonic Weapons

    Repelling Teenagers From Public Parks Using Sonic Weapons

    "In a city that is trying to address gun violence and safe spaces for young people," Gym said, "how dare we come up with ideas that are funded by taxpayer dollars to turn young people away from the very places that were created for them?"

    StcStasi Report

    #56

    Why Aren't We All More Worried About This? Https://Www.statista.com/Statistics/203961/Wealth-Distribution-For-The-Us/

    Why Aren't We All More Worried About This? Https://Www.statista.com/Statistics/203961/Wealth-Distribution-For-The-Us/

    PremiumBrownSugar Report

    #57

    This Is The Border Between Arizona And Mexico

    This Is The Border Between Arizona And Mexico

    TheDude9737 Report

    #58

    “Alexa, Thank My Driver!”

    “Alexa, Thank My Driver!”

    MrSATism Report

    #59

    Global Anti-Depressant Usage

    Global Anti-Depressant Usage

    Vast_Chipmunk9210 Report

    #60

    The Great Outdoors (Nyt)

    The Great Outdoors (Nyt)

    special_kitty Report

    #61

    Make Sure Your Litter Is Still Effectively Advertising Your Company

    Make Sure Your Litter Is Still Effectively Advertising Your Company

    AotVashey Report

    #62

    A Circulating Picture Shows Israeli Policemen Holding A "Community Day" In Ashkelon For Israeli Children In Special Education. As The Picture Shows, The Day Includes Training Children On The Use Of Firearms

    A Circulating Picture Shows Israeli Policemen Holding A "Community Day" In Ashkelon For Israeli Children In Special Education. As The Picture Shows, The Day Includes Training Children On The Use Of Firearms

    osirisredd Report

    #63

    Children Of The Meat

    Children Of The Meat

    gizmohut Report

    #64

    All Wars Are Business

    All Wars Are Business

    Logan_Mac Report

    #65

    Man Tattoos Shop Loyalty Card

    Man Tattoos Shop Loyalty Card

    flammablequiche Report

    #66

    This Truck Is Currently Parked Outside My Apartment Building. The Entire Thing Is A Screen Playing Ads

    This Truck Is Currently Parked Outside My Apartment Building. The Entire Thing Is A Screen Playing Ads

    AntagonistApologist Report

    #67

    Lahore This Time Of The Year, Especially In The Non Posh Areas

    Lahore This Time Of The Year, Especially In The Non Posh Areas

    dapperKillerWhale Report

    #68

    Bermuda Is Nearly 7% Golf Course. Golfing Covers Roughly 1.4 Sq Miles Of The 20.5 Sq Mile Island

    Bermuda Is Nearly 7% Golf Course. Golfing Covers Roughly 1.4 Sq Miles Of The 20.5 Sq Mile Island

    BiscochoGarcia Report

    #69

    U.S. Army Has A Scheme So Recruits Can Lose Weight Before Joining Basic Training. America's Obesity Problem + Army Recruitment From Underprivileged Groups =

    U.S. Army Has A Scheme So Recruits Can Lose Weight Before Joining Basic Training. America's Obesity Problem + Army Recruitment From Underprivileged Groups =

    ioannas Report

    #70

    This Is How Capitalists See Humanitarian Disasters:

    This Is How Capitalists See Humanitarian Disasters:

    TheSimulacra Report

    #71

    My Youtube Recommendations Are Spitting Facts

    My Youtube Recommendations Are Spitting Facts

    timejumper13 Report

    #72

    Rentable Cubicle

    Rentable Cubicle

    Pitcrashers1 Report

    #73

    So This Is A Thing Now. As If We Weren't Under Enough Constant Surveillance Already

    So This Is A Thing Now. As If We Weren't Under Enough Constant Surveillance Already

    Bacontoad Report

    #74

    A Condemning Stare

    A Condemning Stare

    Apocafeller Report

    #75

    Sleeping At Work. Japan

    Sleeping At Work. Japan

    Trekker519 Report

    #76

    What Purpose Does It Serve When Law Enforcement Seek To Deceive The General Public?

    What Purpose Does It Serve When Law Enforcement Seek To Deceive The General Public?

    peteyH Report

    #77

    Plastering Ads On A Giant Christmas Tree At A Christmas Market

    Plastering Ads On A Giant Christmas Tree At A Christmas Market

    Georyx Report

    #78

    "The Cruise Ship Promises To Let Guests Live Permanently At Sea – At A Price. Permanent 237-Square-Foot Studios Went On The Market This Year For $1 Million."

    "The Cruise Ship Promises To Let Guests Live Permanently At Sea – At A Price. Permanent 237-Square-Foot Studios Went On The Market This Year For $1 Million."

    spiritedmaple Report

    #79

    Landlords Taking Self Defense Classes

    Landlords Taking Self Defense Classes

    LoneShark81 Report

    #80

    Police In UK Utilised A Metal Detector In In Order To Tackle And Deter Knife Possession

    Police In UK Utilised A Metal Detector In In Order To Tackle And Deter Knife Possession

    m4m249saw Report

    #81

    "The Automatic Teller Machines Will Only Be Available When Human Tellers Are In The Building." I Just Wanted Some Cash On A Sunday. (Pretty Certain This Is Due To Homeless People Crashing In The ATM Room After Hours.)

    "The Automatic Teller Machines Will Only Be Available When Human Tellers Are In The Building." I Just Wanted Some Cash On A Sunday. (Pretty Certain This Is Due To Homeless People Crashing In The ATM Room After Hours.)

    Hour-Stable2050 Report

    #82

    People Can Now Work As Walking Billboards

    People Can Now Work As Walking Billboards

    thegirlwithtwoeyes Report

    #83

    The First Picture On A Colorado County’s Website Asking You To Donate To Help The Homeless (Instead Of Directly Giving Them Money Or Resources)

    The First Picture On A Colorado County’s Website Asking You To Donate To Help The Homeless (Instead Of Directly Giving Them Money Or Resources)

    whynotajb Report

    #84

    Non Stop. Breaking News?

    Non Stop. Breaking News?

    fate_plays_chess Report

    #85

    "Save Lives"

    "Save Lives"

    Fadingwalker Report

    #86

    Never Stop Consuming! 😍😊

    Never Stop Consuming! 😍😊

    boombox-1 Report

    #87

    Wait Till You Get A Hit And Run

    Wait Till You Get A Hit And Run

    F1r57N4m3 Report

    #88

    Atomization And Alienation. Smh

    Atomization And Alienation. Smh

    dapperKillerWhale Report

    #89

    Former Cop Featured On Broken Window

    Former Cop Featured On Broken Window

    dapperKillerWhale Report