18 People Who Proved That Competence Doesn’t Equal Competence

Last Updated on September 10, 2025 by Matt Staff

There are plenty of people who power-walk into a problem like it’s a stage. Then, the set collapses. I’ve seen it happen more times than I can even remember. Every time, without fail, it also quickly renders one completely speechless. This roundup salutes the brazen, the boldly wrong, and the “I’ve got this” moments that had their own crashes into the unwavering wall of reality.

1. Yeah, that’s definitely British spelling

A social media thread with three comments: one person says, "Exactly you can't that's why you came up with a lame joke." Another replies with "*exactly," and a third says, "*British spelling... still waiting for that song buddy.
confidentlyincorrect / via reddit.com

2. That’s just a theory

A screenshot of a TikTok video with a man wearing glasses speaking at the top, displaying the subtitle "THEY WEREN'T PLANNING." Below are three comments debating the difference between theory, suggestion, and fact, with emoji reactions at the bottom.
confidentlyincorrect / via reddit.com

3. “The math ain’t mathin”

A crowded theme park queue with text: "I may be broke, but I'm not '120 minutes in line' broke." Below are social media comments joking about how to say 120 minutes, including "Just say an hour and 20 minutes.
confidentlyincorrect / via reddit.com

4. Wrong Henry

A YouTube Shorts screenshot shows a painting of a man playing on all fours with children, labeled "Henri IV, King of France, was playing with his children on all fours." Below, comments debate if the king is Henry IV or Henry VIII.
confidentlyincorrect / via reddit.com

5. Someone needs to explain what alphabetical order means

A standard wall clock is shown with numbers replaced in alphabetical order: 1=8, 2=11, 3=5, 4=4, 5=9, 6=1, 7=12, 8=2, 9=10, 10=3, 11=7, 12=6. A Facebook comment below humorously reacts in confusion.
confidentlyincorrect / via reddit.com

6. Just some weightless floating water

A TikTok screenshot shows a person blowing at a "cloud" with overlaid text. Below, comments debate how much a cloud weighs, its makeup (smoke or water), and question how water can float. Some words are highlighted in blue.
confidentlyincorrect / via reddit.com

7. “Please learn how to spell before you try and act intellectually superior”

A social media thread shows a meme about a pirate refusing to transport slaves. Replies discuss the character's depth, with one correcting another's spelling of "spelled." Replies show likes and usernames are redacted.
confidentlyincorrect / via reddit.com

8. I’m dieing with this one

A Reddit comment advises that a few hundred dollars isn’t worth dying over. Another user replies, explaining the difference between "dye" (a coloring substance) and "die" (to pass from life), correcting the original comment’s word use.
confidentlyincorrect / via reddit.com

9. Wireless PC’s don’t exist

A social media post jokes about wireless PCs improving productivity, with a reply pointing out that describes a laptop; the original poster insists they meant PCs.
confidentlyincorrect / via reddit.com

10. Apparently, the U.S. is part of Europe now

A social media thread with three comments. The first says, "It should be my ancestry as a European." The second replies, "She’s from America though." The third adds, "and thats in Europe." Each comment has likes.
confidentlyincorrect / via reddit.com

11. “End of story”

A screenshot of a Reddit post showing a math problem about a blind man taking pills, with a user comment pointing out flaws in the question’s logic. The post has 428 likes, 290 comments, and 4 shares.
confidentlyincorrect / via reddit.com

12. Confusing real life with fiction

A screenshot of a Facebook comment thread where one person mistakes a TV show for a real courtroom, another replies it's just a TV show, and a third insists it's real, showing confusion about reality versus fiction.
confidentlyincorrect / via reddit.com

13. “Then what are they, smart guy?”

A screenshot of a social media comment thread discussing whether bugs are animals, with users debating and correcting each other about the classification of bugs and animals. Usernames and profile pictures are obscured.
confidentlyincorrect / via reddit.com

14. Okay, big brain without a doubt

A social media comment thread shows one person confusing Samoa with Somalia, another correcting them, and playful replies suggesting a need for better geography knowledge. Colored highlights cover user names.
confidentlyincorrect / via reddit.com

15. There was an attempt to teach math here

A math worksheet problem asks why Marty ate more pizza when he ate 4/6 and Luis ate 5/6. A handwritten note explains it’s not possible since 5/6 is greater than 4/6, so Luis ate more, not Marty.
confidentlyincorrect / via reddit.com

16. If only a place like that existed… Oh… wait!

A Facebook post proposing a homeschooling center where adults supervise students during the day, allowing parents to work; the writer seeks community interest in the idea.
confidentlyincorrect / via reddit.com
A screenshot of a social media comment thread debating COVID-19’s impact on the human population, with users discussing if COVID killed 7 billion people and arguing about population growth.
confidentlyincorrect / via reddit.com

17. Maybe it’s time to teach how time works over here

A white rabbit holding a clock looks anxious. The meme text says, "How mfs feel after saying 'a quarter till 8' instead of 7:75," with a broken heart emoji. Beneath, a confused user comments about how a quarter till 8 equals 7:35.
confidentlyincorrect / via reddit.com

18. “Go school”

A social media thread where one person explains date notation incorrectly, another corrects them, and a third sarcastically repeats “go school.” Each comment is highlighted in different colors.
confidentlyincorrect / via reddit.com

Explore more humorous content:

Confidence is a vibe; competence is a receipt. These people brought the vibe, then taught us why instructions exist. If you’re in the mood for more grin-worthy scrolls, try these 25 Quippy Messages and Notes Discovered in Department Stores, or these 20 Boating Fails That Are So Bad They Made a Nasty Splash in History. You can also check these 19 Public Notices That Were Thought Out Comedy Gold.