Oh, Instagram: the home of food photos, trip goals, and the ever-elusive “influencer” lifestyle. People, hold on to your selfie sticks, because there is a section of Instagram that is taking the world by storm, one bizarre photo at a time.
Welcome to the strange world of the Instagram page “Images That Need More Context”! This page is like a rabbit hole because it has more turns than a pretzel and more questions than an episode of your favorite mystery show. In the picture below, you can see some of their funniest and strangest posts.
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Image source: imagesthatneedmorecontext
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Image source: strangest.media
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Image source: imagesthatneedmorecontext
When you don’t know what’s going on, pictures can be funny because they’re strange and unexpected. The same is true of the posts on the Instagram account “Images That Need More Context.” When you see an odd or strange picture, your brain tries to figure out what it means. What makes them funny is how they surprise you and how creative they are.
But the situation is important.
It is very important for conversation. You can’t go a day without hearing from someone. During those times, it’s very important that the word we get is clear and easy to understand. It’s pretty annoying to hear something that doesn’t make sense! So, how do we make sure that people understand what we’re saying? We make sure our messages make sense.
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Image source:Â imagesthatneedmorecontext
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Image source:Â imagesthatneedmorecontext
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Image source: imagesthatneedmorecontext
The Oxford Dictionary says that context is “the conditions in which an act, statement, or idea takes place and in which it can be fully understood.” “I’m sorry” and “My bad” mean the same thing, unless you’re at a funeral.
Languages are usually vague and hard to understand. Even professionals like lawyers and engineers can’t use language in a way that’s so clear that it can’t be interpreted differently than what was meant. Think about what it means to say, “I can’t do that.” When you change which word you stress in that line, the meaning changes. “I can’t do that” isn’t the same as “I can’t do that.” When someone is about to jump out of a plane and says this line, it means something different than when someone is asked to lift a car.
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Image source: imagesthatneedmorecontext
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Image source:Â imagesthatneedmorecontext
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Image source: imagesthatneedmorecontext
There are some ways to set the scene so that people can communicate well. Put yourself in the other person’s place—not physically, of course (see what we did there?). Imagine the other person hearing your words for the first time. What knowledge would you need to understand the message if you were in their shoes? Is there any important history you should tell? Would letting people know how you came to a certain opinion help them understand it?
People might not remember exactly what you said, but they will remember how you said it. It’s important to match your body language and voice to what you’re saying, especially in virtual talks where only your voice can be heard. Be sure that your tone fits what you’re saying.
Be ready to answer questions without jumping to conclusions. Don’t get defensive, and remember that everyone thinks and sees things differently. After all, that’s why we need background in the first place, right? Sharing information is the best way to talk to each other. Use open-ended questions and give people room to explain what they mean. Then, check or make changes to make sure your message gets across clearly.
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Image source: imagesthatneedmorecontext
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Image source: strangest.media
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Image source: strangest.media
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Image source: imagesthatneedmorecontext
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Image source: imagesthatneedmorecontext
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Image source:Â imagesthatneedmorecontext
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Image source:Â imagesthatneedmorecontext
