People Describe The Dumbest Preventive Measure Someone Has Ever Tried That Actually Worked

People Describe The Dumbest Preventive Measure Someone Has Ever Tried That Actually Worked
krakenimages on Unsplash

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.

From Your Site Articles
Related Articles Around the Web
bad ideas

People Share Their All-Time Favorite TV Sitcom Couples

Silhouette of a couple kissing
Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash

Among the many reasons people watch, and rewatch, sitcoms is to imagine your life was more like the one you were watching.

Being able to afford a two-bedroom apartment in Greenwich Village on a line cook's salary, somehow always having the comfortable sofa available at your favorite coffee shop whenever you pop in, or having your best friends always available at your beck and call whenever you need them.

For the romantics, however, it's wishing you could have a romance like you've seen on television.

True not all sitcom romances are exactly the sort that makes you go all aflutter (Were Ross and Rachel actually on a break? And don't even get me started about Ted and Robin.)

Other sitcom couples are so captivating, though, that we would have given anything to be at their wedding... or at the very least go to their home for dinner every Friday.

And this includes plutonic couples, as there is nothing more heartwarming than a lasting friendship.

Keep reading...Show less
sitcoms

People Divulge Their Biggest 'I F**ked Up' Experiences

a woman with her hands on her face
Photo by Kier in Sight on Unsplash

As an editor, I am not just in charge of proofreading and correcting style and format. I am also in charge of making sure all the contact information provided, such as phone numbers and emails, work.

After working for 10 hours straight a few months ago, I forgot to check the phone numbers and let a brochure go to publication with a phone number that did not work.

Luckily, a similar mistake had actually happened before with another editor for another client a year prior, so contact info on print materials like this brochure were checked by every department rather than just editorial, and the mistake was caught.

Since I didn't know this, when I heard the phone number was wrong, my heart dropped to my stomach and I thought I was sure fired. Luckily, I was just told to make sure this never happens again. I was relived that there was no fallout, but when I first heard what happened, my only thought was. 'I totally f**ked up!'

Redditors are no strangers to this feeling, as they've made egregious mistakes themselves. They are only too eager to share their experiences.

Keep reading...Show less
mistakes

People Break Down The Absolute Biggest Ways To Waste Your Money

A black and white photo of a seemingly distressed man holding a stack of 20s to his forehead
Travis Essinger on Unsplash

With the world's finances the way they are, it's a miracle if people can save their spare change.

Inflation has a stronghold on too many people.

Sometimes it feels like just breathing can cost you money.

It's hard to make and absurdly easy to lose.

So be vigilant with your wallet.

And try to spend on certain things in moderation.

Going out for meals three times a day adds up.

Even with Wendy's value menu.

Keep reading...Show less
money

People Debate Their All-Time Favorite Pasta Shapes

Freshly cooked rotini pasta noodles
Photo by Bozhin Karaivanov on Unsplash

We all have strong opinions about something, but when we think of opinions, we often think of hot button topics like political subjects.

But as it turns out, sometimes we can have just as strong of opinions of our preferred types of pasta.

Keep reading...Show less
favorite food