- Joined
- Feb 9, 2024
Honestly, letting AI write Reddit post is one of the funniest things I've done in a while.
Edit: I think I've just created the most based man ever imagined
AITA for refusing to let my girlfriend keep a Funko Pop of the Challenger Disaster astronaut after she cheated, and also because I'm an atheist?
Alright, so I (25M) have been dating my girlfriend (24F) for about 6 months. Things were going pretty well until recently, and now I’m not sure if I’m in the wrong or if she’s the one being unreasonable. Here’s the full story:
First, I should mention that I’m an atheist. I don’t have a problem with people having different beliefs, but I do feel strongly about not idolizing things or people in a way that’s detached from their true significance. That said, I’m a big Funko Pop collector, and my collection includes some rare pieces that I’m really proud of.
So, my girlfriend recently got a Funko Pop of one of the astronauts from the Challenger disaster. This happened a while ago, so the astronaut is part of a collection released by Funko, and I can’t help but feel it’s kinda disrespectful. The Challenger disaster was a tragic moment in history where seven people lost their lives, and I just don’t think it should be turned into a “cool collectible.” For me, it feels like they’re kind of idolizing the astronauts in a way that takes away from the gravity of what happened. I told my girlfriend I wasn’t comfortable with it being in our apartment, especially since it feels like people are just buying it for the novelty of it, without understanding the true significance of the event.
Here’s where it gets more complicated. I found out that she got this Funko Pop after I discovered some messages on her phone where she was texting her ex. Turns out, they were discussing the Challenger Pop, and she said it was something they’d “bonded over” in the past. When I confronted her about it, she admitted that she had been emotionally cheating on me with her ex. It wasn’t physical, but they’d been talking and reconnecting in a way that crossed a line for me.
I was pretty devastated, and I told her that not only did I feel betrayed by her emotional cheating, but I also really didn’t want the Challenger Pop in our place anymore. She got upset, calling me controlling, saying I was overreacting and that it’s just a toy. She also mentioned how it was something she liked because of the historical context, and that it meant a lot to her because it represented courage and tragedy. But I’m still bothered by the fact that she’s idolizing something connected to such a sad, tragic event without fully grasping the weight of it.
And then there’s the other thing: As an atheist, I really don’t vibe with the idea of giving any kind of undue reverence to objects, whether it's religious symbols or, in this case, a pop figure. I feel like it’s all about respecting history and the people involved, and not treating everything as some kind of commodity. My girlfriend, on the other hand, says I’m being narrow-minded and too rigid because, to her, the pop is just a collectible, not a shrine. She also said I’m being hypocritical because I own other Funko Pops of famous figures, some of whom have similarly tragic histories. But none of those feel like a mockery in the way this one does.
Now I’m wondering if I’m being unreasonable. AITA for asking her to get rid of the Challenger Funko Pop, especially given that I also found out about the emotional cheating? Am I overreacting because of my own perspective on atheism, or is she out of line for how she’s handling both the toy and the betrayal?
Alright, so I (25M) have been dating my girlfriend (24F) for about 6 months. Things were going pretty well until recently, and now I’m not sure if I’m in the wrong or if she’s the one being unreasonable. Here’s the full story:
First, I should mention that I’m an atheist. I don’t have a problem with people having different beliefs, but I do feel strongly about not idolizing things or people in a way that’s detached from their true significance. That said, I’m a big Funko Pop collector, and my collection includes some rare pieces that I’m really proud of.
So, my girlfriend recently got a Funko Pop of one of the astronauts from the Challenger disaster. This happened a while ago, so the astronaut is part of a collection released by Funko, and I can’t help but feel it’s kinda disrespectful. The Challenger disaster was a tragic moment in history where seven people lost their lives, and I just don’t think it should be turned into a “cool collectible.” For me, it feels like they’re kind of idolizing the astronauts in a way that takes away from the gravity of what happened. I told my girlfriend I wasn’t comfortable with it being in our apartment, especially since it feels like people are just buying it for the novelty of it, without understanding the true significance of the event.
Here’s where it gets more complicated. I found out that she got this Funko Pop after I discovered some messages on her phone where she was texting her ex. Turns out, they were discussing the Challenger Pop, and she said it was something they’d “bonded over” in the past. When I confronted her about it, she admitted that she had been emotionally cheating on me with her ex. It wasn’t physical, but they’d been talking and reconnecting in a way that crossed a line for me.
I was pretty devastated, and I told her that not only did I feel betrayed by her emotional cheating, but I also really didn’t want the Challenger Pop in our place anymore. She got upset, calling me controlling, saying I was overreacting and that it’s just a toy. She also mentioned how it was something she liked because of the historical context, and that it meant a lot to her because it represented courage and tragedy. But I’m still bothered by the fact that she’s idolizing something connected to such a sad, tragic event without fully grasping the weight of it.
And then there’s the other thing: As an atheist, I really don’t vibe with the idea of giving any kind of undue reverence to objects, whether it's religious symbols or, in this case, a pop figure. I feel like it’s all about respecting history and the people involved, and not treating everything as some kind of commodity. My girlfriend, on the other hand, says I’m being narrow-minded and too rigid because, to her, the pop is just a collectible, not a shrine. She also said I’m being hypocritical because I own other Funko Pops of famous figures, some of whom have similarly tragic histories. But none of those feel like a mockery in the way this one does.
Now I’m wondering if I’m being unreasonable. AITA for asking her to get rid of the Challenger Funko Pop, especially given that I also found out about the emotional cheating? Am I overreacting because of my own perspective on atheism, or is she out of line for how she’s handling both the toy and the betrayal?
Edit: I think I've just created the most based man ever imagined
Need advice: My boyfriend’s obsession with looksmaxxing, Mr. Beast, the Persian Empire, and now the "revival of Imperial China" is ruining our relationship.
Okay, so here’s the deal: I (24F) have been dating my boyfriend (26M) for about a year, and lately, things have gotten really weird. I’m genuinely not sure if I’m being unreasonable, but I need some outside perspectives because this is honestly starting to feel like something out of a movie.
To start, my boyfriend has recently become obsessed with looksmaxxing. If you don’t know, that’s when people go to extreme lengths to optimize their physical appearance, usually through things like intense workouts, skincare, diet hacks, and even considering cosmetic procedures. I’m not against self-improvement or being healthy, but it’s pretty much consumed him. It’s not just a part of his routine anymore; it’s all he talks about. It’s like he’s got this checklist in his head of how he needs to look to be “perfect,” and if he doesn’t meet the standards, he gets incredibly frustrated.
On top of that, he’s become obsessed with Mr. Beast. I get it—he’s a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist—but my boyfriend is starting to see him as some kind of personal idol. He talks about how Mr. Beast is changing the world and says, “I just need to be like him, give away millions, and I’ll become a legend.” It’s honestly a bit much, and whenever we hang out, he’s either watching Mr. Beast videos or discussing his "strategies" for how he can mimic his success.
But it doesn’t stop there. The weirdest part is his recent obsession with ancient empires. First, it was the Persian Empire. He started reading about their rulers, especially the kings, and he claimed their “regal appearance” and “aesthetic” were a major part of their power. He said something like, “Imagine how powerful I’d be if I looked like a Persian king—like Xerxes. You could literally conquer the world if you looked like that.” I thought it was a one-off fascination, but no, it’s grown into a full-on obsession. He keeps talking about how he wants to channel their "aura of authority."
But here’s where it really took a turn: he’s now obsessed with the idea of reviving Imperial China. No, seriously. He keeps bringing up how modern China could “reclaim its imperial glory” and how he could be part of it. He’s started reading about the history of the Qing Dynasty, and he genuinely believes that by embodying the appearance and traits of a powerful emperor, he could somehow usher in a new era of leadership. He says stuff like, “The rise of Imperial China was all about looks, power, and dominance, and if I adopt that mindset, I could be the next big thing. I’m going to bring back the empire—in a modern way.”
I’m sitting here thinking, “What in the world?” I’ve tried to talk to him about it, and he brushes me off, claiming I don’t understand his “vision” or his “growth journey.” He says, “I’m creating an empire, just like Mr. Beast, just like ancient rulers.” Honestly, it’s starting to feel like he’s lost touch with reality.
The thing is, I’ve tried to support him in other ways—encouraging his hobbies, helping him with his goals—but this new obsession with aesthetics, imperialism, and chasing fame through extreme means is really starting to push me away. He seems more focused on how he looks and how he can fit into a mythical version of history rather than on the present or our relationship. It feels like I’m losing him to this fantasy world of hyper-idealized self-image and ancient grandeur.
I don’t know how to approach this without sounding unsupportive. I understand wanting to improve yourself, but this feels unhealthy and almost delusional at this point. He’s not interested in normal conversations anymore, and whenever I try to ask him to focus on things that matter in our relationship, he goes on about how I “just don’t get it.”
So, Reddit, am I overreacting here? Is this just a phase or is this an actual problem? How do I talk to him about this obsession without making it worse? Should I just let him keep going down this rabbit hole, or should I be more firm about how I feel?
Okay, so here’s the deal: I (24F) have been dating my boyfriend (26M) for about a year, and lately, things have gotten really weird. I’m genuinely not sure if I’m being unreasonable, but I need some outside perspectives because this is honestly starting to feel like something out of a movie.
To start, my boyfriend has recently become obsessed with looksmaxxing. If you don’t know, that’s when people go to extreme lengths to optimize their physical appearance, usually through things like intense workouts, skincare, diet hacks, and even considering cosmetic procedures. I’m not against self-improvement or being healthy, but it’s pretty much consumed him. It’s not just a part of his routine anymore; it’s all he talks about. It’s like he’s got this checklist in his head of how he needs to look to be “perfect,” and if he doesn’t meet the standards, he gets incredibly frustrated.
On top of that, he’s become obsessed with Mr. Beast. I get it—he’s a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist—but my boyfriend is starting to see him as some kind of personal idol. He talks about how Mr. Beast is changing the world and says, “I just need to be like him, give away millions, and I’ll become a legend.” It’s honestly a bit much, and whenever we hang out, he’s either watching Mr. Beast videos or discussing his "strategies" for how he can mimic his success.
But it doesn’t stop there. The weirdest part is his recent obsession with ancient empires. First, it was the Persian Empire. He started reading about their rulers, especially the kings, and he claimed their “regal appearance” and “aesthetic” were a major part of their power. He said something like, “Imagine how powerful I’d be if I looked like a Persian king—like Xerxes. You could literally conquer the world if you looked like that.” I thought it was a one-off fascination, but no, it’s grown into a full-on obsession. He keeps talking about how he wants to channel their "aura of authority."
But here’s where it really took a turn: he’s now obsessed with the idea of reviving Imperial China. No, seriously. He keeps bringing up how modern China could “reclaim its imperial glory” and how he could be part of it. He’s started reading about the history of the Qing Dynasty, and he genuinely believes that by embodying the appearance and traits of a powerful emperor, he could somehow usher in a new era of leadership. He says stuff like, “The rise of Imperial China was all about looks, power, and dominance, and if I adopt that mindset, I could be the next big thing. I’m going to bring back the empire—in a modern way.”
I’m sitting here thinking, “What in the world?” I’ve tried to talk to him about it, and he brushes me off, claiming I don’t understand his “vision” or his “growth journey.” He says, “I’m creating an empire, just like Mr. Beast, just like ancient rulers.” Honestly, it’s starting to feel like he’s lost touch with reality.
The thing is, I’ve tried to support him in other ways—encouraging his hobbies, helping him with his goals—but this new obsession with aesthetics, imperialism, and chasing fame through extreme means is really starting to push me away. He seems more focused on how he looks and how he can fit into a mythical version of history rather than on the present or our relationship. It feels like I’m losing him to this fantasy world of hyper-idealized self-image and ancient grandeur.
I don’t know how to approach this without sounding unsupportive. I understand wanting to improve yourself, but this feels unhealthy and almost delusional at this point. He’s not interested in normal conversations anymore, and whenever I try to ask him to focus on things that matter in our relationship, he goes on about how I “just don’t get it.”
So, Reddit, am I overreacting here? Is this just a phase or is this an actual problem? How do I talk to him about this obsession without making it worse? Should I just let him keep going down this rabbit hole, or should I be more firm about how I feel?
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