17 Weird Internet Communities Arizonans Don’t Realize Exist

The internet is like the world’s biggest small town.

You’ve got your main streets: social media, shopping sites, and cat videos. And then you’ve got the weird side alleys where things get really interesting.

Ice chewing, anyone?

Here’s a tour of some of the weirdest online communities that many Arizonans (and, let’s face it, Americans across the country) didn’t know existed.

People Who Staple Bread to Trees

At first glance, stapling a slice of bread to a tree seems like a prank you’d pull in high school. But online, it’s a movement.

Thousands of photos circulate of white bread, wheat bread, and even the occasional bagel, stapled to trees in parks, forests, and backyards.

The odd part? Nobody agrees on why.

Some say it’s an art project, others say it’s a comedy performance, and a few insist it’s “for the birds.”

But really, it’s the randomness that makes it fun. A slice of Wonder Bread hanging on a maple tree looks ridiculous, but also oddly perfect.

Competitive Duck Feeding

Feeding ducks is usually something you do on a lazy Sunday stroll.

But in certain online groups, it’s treated like a competitive sport. Members post photos of ducks swarming them like they’re celebrities, and others applaud or critique their technique.

There are debates about which foods are healthiest.

White bread? A sin.

Seeds, oats, and peas? That’s championship-level material.

People even swap notes on how to scatter food for maximum duck appreciation.

It may sound silly, but the enthusiasm is contagious. And honestly, who wouldn’t want to be known as the Michael Jordan of duck feeding?

Potato Chip Shape Collectors

Most of us rip open a bag of Lay’s, shove chips into our mouths, and call it a day.

But not everyone.

Some online communities are filled with collectors who hunt for chips that look like objects, animals, or famous faces.

A Pringle shaped like Texas? Frame it.

A Dorito with a hole shaped like a star? Into the archives.

The rarer the shape, the bigger the brag. Some even auction their chips, though keeping them intact is its own challenge.

People Obsessed with Abandoned Shopping Carts

Abandoned carts aren’t just parking lot annoyances.

For some online groups, they’re art and a way to make a point. Members take dramatic photos of lone carts stranded at Walmart, Target, or Kroger, and add captions that sound like poetry.

A cart tipped on its side becomes “fallen in battle.” A cart left on a curb is “a rebel refusing to conform.”

Some even Photoshop halos or glowing lights onto the carts for dramatic effect.

Suddenly, you see grocery carts in a whole new way.

Fans of Tiny Plastic Food

If you’ve ever seen a dollhouse sushi roll smaller than a pencil eraser, you’ve already glimpsed this world.

Miniature food collectors in online communities adore tiny replicas of burgers, cakes, and noodle bowls.

Members share photos of their collections, sometimes arranging them into full “meals” served on toy plates.

Others proudly show off rare finds, like a tiny cheeseburger with removable lettuce.

It’s strange but oddly comforting. And it proves that joy can be served in snack-sized portions.

Extreme Coupon Swap Groups

Couponing has been around forever, but these online groups take it to another level.

People brag about walking out of Walgreens with a cart of shampoo, toothpaste, and snacks for less than five bucks.

Members swap coupons like trading cards and strategize like generals planning a battle. Entire threads are dedicated to who stacked the best deals at Kroger or Publix.

It may sound extreme, but saving 90 percent on groceries feels like winning the lottery.

And hey, who doesn’t love a haul of free deodorant?

Fans of Obsolete Technology

Flip phones. VHS tapes. Floppy disks. Things most of us shoved into the attic years ago are prized possessions in some online communities.

Members show off collections of outdated gadgets, swap repair tips, and argue about which old technology was superior.

Think debates over “VHS versus Betamax” or the glory of early iPods.

The nostalgia is real. For these fans, the sound of a dial-up modem isn’t annoying. It’s music.

Soap Carving Enthusiasts

There’s something weirdly satisfying about slicing into a fresh bar of soap.

Entire online communities exist just for that feeling. Members carve soaps into roses, geometric cubes, or just satisfying slices.

Videos of soap shavings falling in neat curls get millions of views. People describe the sensation as calming, almost like therapy.

It’s strange, but also strangely relaxing. If stress relief came with a pleasant lavender scent, this would be it.

Online Pillow Collectors

Most people just want a pillow that doesn’t hurt their neck.

Not some folks. They collect, rank, and trade pillows like they’re sneakers.

Detailed reviews break down firmness, fluff, and cooling technology. Heated debates pop up about down versus memory foam.

Some even rate hotel pillows after trips, giving Marriott or Hilton unofficial scores.

It may sound odd, but considering how much time we spend on pillows, maybe they’re onto something.

People Who Love Watching Paint Dry

Yes, this is literal. Online groups exist where people upload photos and videos of paint drying on walls, canvases, or wood.

For some, it’s meditative. They compare drying times, colors, and finishes with the seriousness of art critics. “

Eggshell beige drying in 42 minutes” might not sound exciting. But in these circles, it’s a thrill.

It’s the ultimate example of finding entertainment in life’s slowest moments.

Communities Devoted to Chewing Ice

If you love crunching Sonic’s nugget ice, you’re in good company. Certain online forums rank ice quality from restaurants, gas stations, and even hospital machines.

Members post freezer hacks for making the perfect chewable cubes at home.

Others argue passionately about crushed versus nugget.

It may sound odd, but the obsession is real.

Chewing ice even has a medical term: pagophagia. It’s sometimes linked to iron deficiency, though many people just genuinely enjoy the crunch.

Fans of Useless Machines

Imagine a box with a switch. You flip it, and a tiny arm pops out and flips it back.

That’s it. That’s the machine.

Online communities celebrate these gadgets for their sheer pointlessness. Videos rack up views as people laugh at the machines’ stubborn refusal to be “useful.”

It’s silly, but maybe that’s the point.

In a world obsessed with productivity, these machines are delightfully rebellious.

Collectors of Hotel Soaps and Shampoos

Some people take hotel toiletries without thinking. Others build entire collections and share them with online communities.

Tiny shampoo bottles from Marriott. Mini conditioners from Holiday Inn. Rare soaps from boutique hotels.

Collectors organize them by brand, scent, or even trip. Some display them like trophies, while others keep them as souvenirs of their travels.

It’s strange, but there’s something charming about a drawer full of little bottles, each with a memory attached.

Rubber Duck Enthusiasts

Rubber ducks may seem like simple bath toys. But for some online collectors, they’re treasures.

Photos with shelves of ducks dressed as pirates, superheroes, or celebrities fill entire rooms.

Rare ducks sell for surprising prices online. Members trade them like baseball cards, hunting down limited editions.

It’s quirky, playful, and proof that nostalgia never really leaves the tub.

People Who Role-Play as Inanimate Objects

Why role-play as a wizard or a warrior when you can role-play as a toaster?

In these online groups, people pretend to be lamps, cones, or random objects.

They write backstories, daily routines, and sometimes interact with other “objects.”

A lamp might “talk” to a chair, or a traffic cone might complain about standing in the sun all day.

It’s bizarre, but it’s also peak internet creativity.

Elevator Enthusiasts

Yes, elevators. These online groups are filled with people who love riding, photographing, and cataloging elevators.

They can tell you the difference between an Otis and a Schindler, and they’ll happily debate about which hotels or malls have the smoothest rides.

Videos of elevators opening and closing get thousands of views. The ding of a floor bell is music to their ears.

It’s one of those hobbies you never think about until you realize someone out there cares deeply about it.

Pen Spinning Communities

You know that trick where someone spins a pen around their fingers in class? Entire online communities are devoted to it.

Members post tutorials, competitions, and slow-motion videos of their spinning skills.

What started as a fidget habit has become a full-blown art form. Some even design custom pens balanced perfectly for spinning.

It’s niche, but mesmerizing to watch. And it proves boredom in school can lead to internet fame.

People Who Build Virtual Nations

This one takes role-play to the next level. Online groups exist where people create entire countries, complete with flags, laws, and national anthems.

They call it “micronations,” and the dedication is real.

Members hold elections, draft constitutions, and sometimes even go to “war” with other virtual nations.