Why 70,000 People Watch the Uncanny: The Psychology of Humans Doing Human Things Weird Memes

We like to think we've got the human experience all figured out, but a corner of the internet is proving us wrong. It's a place where the mundane turns bizarre and the 'normal' feels alien.

Enter Humans doing human things (HDHT), a Facebook page that showcases the strangest moments of the human species. With nearly 70,000 followers, this project operates like an outsider's blog—perhaps an alien's—documenting behaviors that push the limits of imagination.

The Psychology Behind Humans Doing Human Things Weird Memes

Why are we so captivated by the uncanny? According to Bored Panda, the page taps into a deep-seated fascination with the darker, weirder side of our nature. Psychologist Robert Feldman from the University of Massachusetts notes that even mundane acts like lying are inherently strange, often driven by a need to maintain a self-image that aligns with social expectations.

British psychologist Lee Chambers further explains that our interest stems from our evolutionary journey. For most of history, humans were prey, leading to a negativity bias where we are instinctively drawn to potential threats or anomalies as a survival mechanism.

Testing Emotional Limits in a Safe World

In today's relatively sanitized world, we rarely face significant physical threats. Exploring gruesome or weird entertainment is one of the few ways we can visit the darker parts of humanity while remaining safe. It removes boredom, tests our emotional limits, and helps us understand the minds of those who deviate from social norms.