Memes 101
You might have seen these things popping up on facebook and various other sites. A humorous photo with one line of text on top, one line of text on the bottom. You don’t know quite what to make of it, but damn they’re funny. These mysterious little pieces of web-culture are called memes, or image macros, and there are hundreds of them floating around the interwebs. Here are some of the more popular ones:
Socially awkward Penguin: Ah yes, the majestic penguin. By far the most socially awkward of all god’s creatures. This meme is for all those cringeworthy moments we all have in our daily interactions with other humans. You know when someone is waving at you and you wave back – only to realize they’re waving at someone behind you? Classic socially awkward penguin. Ever go to a party where you don’t know anybody so you pretend you’re texting? You might just be a socially awkward penguin.
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Bad luck Brian: This kid just can’t catch a break, it seems like everything he tries to do backfires in the most horrible way possible. Overlaid on a photo of an unfortunate looking teenager, this meme sets up a premise with the top line, and then details the most unlucky way in which it can backfire. Maybe it’s Schadenfreude that draws us to this meme or maybe it’s our own collective experience with Murphy’s law, but Brian might just be unluckiest kid of all time.
Success Kid: If Bad Luck Brian is the biggest loser, then success kid is the preeminent winner. The sheer look of satisfaction on his face…the clenched fist of victory. Surely this child is destined for greatness. This meme communicates the sweet feeling of unexpected success. Ever show up late to work – and you’re the first one there? Success kid. Ever toss up a half-court shot as a joke – only to nail it? Pure success kid.
Lame Pun Raccoon: There’s always one guy in every group of friends that is the ‘pun guy’. His puns are so bad it’s like getting punched in the brain. This is the meme version of that guy. How much do dead batteries cost? Nothing, theyre free of charge. Good one, lame pun raccoon, I hope you’re proud of yourself.
Conspiracy Keanu: You can’t help but read this meme in Keanu Reeves’s voice. It’s a photo of him looking incredulous from back in his Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure days. You can almost hear his trademark ‘whoa’ as the meme displays his out-there conspiracy theories. What if air is really poisonous, and it just takes 80 years to kill us? What if what I see is blue, is what you see as green? Thanks conspiracy Keanu.
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