It's weird to think how far the art of the meme has come since its conception. Once a niche corner of the internet, it's become all-encompassing, with lists of memes on every website, and an appropriate one ready for the posting for every occasion you could possibly imagine.
It's been so long that it is ingrained into the way we communicate on the internet, and sometimes (god forbid) in real life too. The older generations that didn't grow up with this, or have barely interacted with this new bizarre language, are bound to get a little confused by the whole thing.
I mean, I wouldn't even consider bringing up the word 'meme' to my parents. I would get some blank stares, followed by a series of questions I have no clue how to answer. My mum still calls every video game console either a "Gamestation" or "Playcube" after all, so I'm going to assume it's not the best road to go down.
So the idea of someone's mother creating their own meme is funny enough, but when this Twitter user shared with the world what his mother had sent his way, we all collectively sighed at how endearing the entire thing was, especially given the typical mumsy tone:
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/Junglefushimi/status/899773945976692736]]
There's something about the comforting and protective sentiment, paired with the use of an image from the second X-Men movie (which is now 14 years old), that just makes the whole thing far funnier than it has any right to be. Adding further cuteness, she added: "hope it goes viral even though I didn't put my name on it lol".
But her wildest dreams have come true, and her Cyclops solar eclipse meme indeed went viral. Her daughter, Sasha, posted screenshots of their text conversation along with the caption "My mom made this meme don't let her down", and the internet turned up in full force.
The tweet currently has 90,000 retweets and over 200,000 likes, and the responses are still coming in:
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/calmadore/status/900124127188713472]]
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/mrkrabs173/status/900133641769975808]]
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/PoseysftBojsen/status/900287828155936768]]
Sasha was overwhelmed by all the replies, not ever believing her tweet would go so far:
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/Junglefushimi/status/900104982321664001]]
After getting such an unexpectedly passionate response from people all over the world, Sasha made sure to let her mother know exactly how people felt about her first ever meme:
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/Junglefushimi/status/900113085389836291]]
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/Junglefushimi/status/900122413677105156]]
That's right, her new alias is none other than "memer mom", which is the best name she could have possibly picked. Gripped by the newfound success and time in the spotlight of internet fame, she even started up her own Instagram account for more future memes to come, under the username "memermom11".
The older you are, the more difficult it will be to get used to new technology, but that doesn't mean that you can't eventually master it. Just look at this Japanese woman who released her first app at the age of 82.
The content of 4chan, like memes themselves, has grown and expanded from a small corner of the internet, like a darkened pustule of flesh, into a viral infection that has taken over society. Now, music and television shows live or die by the memes they inspire. Art, or memes, are mass-produced by nameless figures. Everyone knows the meme, but the creator of the meme is never of concern. They are the impersonal viral (in the sense of a disease) hive-mind genius of the internet.
Today, 4chan still exists of course, as a kind of progenitor of the entire web, a pre-human ape that would come to evolve into the world-dominating species. Boards like /pol rose out of the shadows to support Donald Trump through 'meme magic', and /b, the random forum, has always been home to shocking and inhumane content as well as moments of genuine insight and comedy.
This recent post, which went viral on Imgur, is an example of 4chan at its emotional heights. Prepare to be gutted:
Damn.
This is a beautiful, pristine, archetypal childhood until the boy's mother is taken from him, and his innocence, the pizza and the gaming, are left as monuments, old obelisks of a time long-gone. It's perhaps the cruelest fate for a family possible: one day, without warning, someone simply doesn't come home. The random brutality of the universe is now a part of your life forever, and has marked you in a way that will never relent, and will never cease to change you.
I'm the sure the poster wishes, always, that he was awake every night, no matter how late, to see his mother come home, and that regret only makes it more terrifying. The memories of gaming, half-listening to your mother late at night, made even more chilling by the wish that you had sat and reacted enthusiastically at every word.
Now, in his 20s, this boy is left to replicate the pure days of his life, before this incident severed his memory in half and put him on the wrong side of his own life:
It's a microcosm of the millennial mind itself: a person in their 20s relentlessly seeks childhood, searching for nostalgia, the resurrection of old meaning, the pure meaning, when things made sense and the great Dionysian chaos was not an all-consuming void. But those days are gone, and the best we can do is try to fit into them once more, first as tragedy, then as a farce. The tragedy this poster underwent only makes his nostalgia a thousand times more powerful and unbearable.
If my mother, or my future wife, or sister or anyone like that was randomly killed, I too would fall into a kind of nostalgic-delusion, an eternal desire to return to the unmarred and un-shattered world of paradise, before the fall into this life that never should have been mine.
The lesson here is to value everything you have, and to live with gratitude. There are two modes of being: gratitude or resentment. At any given moment, you have a thousand reasons to pick resentment. But gratitude is the choice that comes with a certain faith in being, above pain.
Choose gratitude.
We look at memes all day on the Internet, because what else are you going to do? Work? I don't think so. Typically you scroll through Twitter, laugh at the images (like Woman Calling The Cops), and don't give them a second thought. But imagine if you looked at the latest meme, and it was someone you knew - like your father.
Dominique Robinson, a model, took a selfie of herself on the street in Manhattan, wearing a tight yellow dress. Normally Dominique's photos get attention because of her stunning good looks. However, this photo went viral because of someone in the background: An older guy, wearing a Jerry Garcia tie, who appeared to be staring at her chest.
Dominique shared the photo on Twitter, with the amused reaction, "Wowwwewww." (Well said.) The tweet got over 50,000 likes, as people found the older man's expression hilarious. He appeared to be thinking "Damn, ma."
As the photo spread around the Internet, it was eventually seen by Alex Leavey, the 23-year-old daughter of the older man. She wrote, "You ever check twitter and realize your f---ing father has turned into a meme?" (Hopefully for you, the answer is no!)
"I immediately knew it was my dad and was laughing at most of the replies to it," Alex told BuzzFeed News. "My dad has a really big personality so for people who know him it was so funny that of all people walking around in Manhattan of all places this picture was taken and he’s in it."
When asked how her father, Dennis Leavey, reacted to the photo, she said he couldn't remember when it was taken. Since he's blind in one eye, he may not even be looking at her, like so many people. "Looking at the picture, he says he was just looking down!" said Alex.
Alex's tweet got over half a million likes, and a hundred thousand retweets. In the replies, she explained to everyone that her father is blind in one eye, so he might not actually be checking Dominique out.
She also posted an update, revealing that her mom found out about all this. Surprisingly, she thought the photo of Dennis was "hilarious," but was "very mad " Alex used the f-word in a viral tweet.
Was Dennis really checking out Dominique? Or was he looking at something else? Is it funny when men are caught leering at women? Or is it offensive, because it shows much women are objectified?
Dominque responded to the frenzy of questions, saying, "I wish y’all would stop arguing over this photo and move on with your day! It’s harmless, who cares exactly where his eyes are? It’s a funny photo, laugh and move on."
It's no secret that moms can be savage. While there's no doubt that they love their kids with their whole heart, if they need to be brought down a peg or two, they'll be the first people to do it - no questions asked.
[post_page_title]The Internet's Most Savage Moms[/post_page_title]
However, sometimes a mom's savage nature can lead to her making a faux pas so bad she ends up going viral on Reddit. So here are the most savage moms (good and bad) to ever go viral the internet...
When you're a kid, being invited to a birthday party is a real highlight. But it turns out, that not every children's birthday party is as ideal. One mother, in fact, is opening up about one of the cruelest birthday parties in the history of children's birthday parties.
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[post_page_title]There Was No Limit On The Design Of The Bears[/post_page_title]
When they were done eating, the kids went to work on crafting their very own stuffed bear - they were told to design the toy exactly how they wanted. According to the mother who posted the story on Reddit, they each chipped in $30, as they knew how expensive it can be at Build-a-Bear.
They left the store which is when the mother told the young attendees that they had to hand over the bear - that they had created with their own two hands - to the birthday girl. And it gets even more awkward - there was still the second half of the party to attend at the stingy family's house.
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[post_page_title]Never Attend This Kid's Parties Again[/post_page_title]
Needless to say, users of the social networking site agreed that the parent who made the original post was completely right to have assumed that the children would be allowed to keep the bears they made.
[post_page_title]The Girl's Parents Need To Brush Up On Their Social Skills[/post_page_title]
Some users of Reddit were so shocked by the post that one of the most upvoted comments was a person remarking that the parents clearly had no idea what normal social customs at children's birthday parties were.
Informing someone who invited your child to a party that it upset them was never going to be an easy task, and while the mom was inevitably offended, the woman did get an explanation about why she kept the toys.
[[imagecaption|| Credit: Reddit]]
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[post_page_title]The Mom States The Obvious[/post_page_title]
The mom explained that she assumed that the children would be allowed to keep the bears, which is why she put money towards the cost, assuming that she was being polite by not putting the birthday girl's parents out of pocket.
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[post_page_title]She's Offended[/post_page_title]
The mom then explained that the children were upset that they had to give away the toys and wondered why this woman's daughter needed quite so many for herself.
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[post_page_title]The Mom's Savage Text[/post_page_title]
Because we grow up with our parents attending to almost our every need, once we're a little older, parents can use this as an excuse to have us attend to them for once. Case in point...
[post_page_title]The Mom Who Saw The Bright Side[/post_page_title]
Sometimes moms have the best interpretations of horrible situations. It's why their presence is so important even after we've left the next. This is probably the best example of a good-humored mom you'll ever see.
[[imagecaption|| Credit: Twitter / @SikhProf]]
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[post_page_title]Personal Space[/post_page_title]
Sometimes we want space from our moms. As much as they love us, their presence can be overbearing. Especially if we're still living in the family home as adults. But this mom made a fair point when her daughter complained.
[[imagecaption|| Credit: Twitter / @_Mo_lee_]]
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[post_page_title]The Mom Who Did It All Herself[/post_page_title]
It's no secret that moms can be left to do all of the cooking by their kids. So when it was time to take a picture of this delicious meal, this mom objected to anyone else being in the shot. Fair play.
[post_page_title]The Joke That Backfired[/post_page_title]
Since moms are typically the people who keep family homes in order, they are rarely amused when you mess their decor up. So when this daughter tried to pull a prank, she'd no idea it would backfire so badly...
[post_page_title]Harsh - So Very Harsh[/post_page_title]
As we grow older, it can be hard to believe that some parents spoil their kids as much as they do. I experienced something similar to this person when I saw a girl pick up hundreds of dollars worth of cosmetics and her mom paid for it like it was nothing...
A lot of parents send their kids care packages when they eventually fly the nest. After all, when you're new to independent adulthood, you can get things wrong (I dyed all my socks blue - classic).
[[imagecaption|| Credit: Twitter / @thedeal_5]]
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[post_page_title]Savage[/post_page_title]
One of my biggest fears about eventually becoming a parent is that I'll hate my kids. And if this series of texts is anything to by, this is something which this mom is experiencing...
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[post_page_title]Good Point[/post_page_title]
One of the most contentious issues in modern society is the anti-vax movement. Despite having no scientific evidence to back it up and once extinct diseases now making a comeback, some parents are convinced it's a good idea.
[[imagecaption|| Credit: Reddit / @Polymathyx]]
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[post_page_title]Brought Straight Back Down To Earth[/post_page_title]
Self-confidence is great, but no one likes cocky people. Sometimes, no matter what you've got going for you, it's a good idea to remember to stay humble. And if you ever need someone to help you do that, your mom will more than likely be willing to help...
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[post_page_title]Fair[/post_page_title]
Sometimes, the working day can feel impossible to get through without a little extra, um, help. Spend any time in a major city and I can almost guarantee you'll see a pack of suits out hunting for a lunchtime pint...
[[imagecaption|| Credit: Twitter / @nathanzadow]]
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[post_page_title]Ouch[/post_page_title]
When you start dating someone new, one of the most nerve-wracking milestones can be introducing them to your parents for the first time. Clearly, this mom did not appreciate her kid's humor... or their girlfriend.
[[imagecaption|| Credit: Twitter / @juan4yeezus]]
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[post_page_title]Awesome[/post_page_title]
If you annoy your parents enough, as we've already seen on this list, sometimes they will think that their life would be better if they'd never reproduced. This mom, for example...
Few things have outraged modern society more than the untimely death of Harambe. In case your memory needs refreshing, the incident happened in 2016 when a child fell into a gorilla pen and the poor gorilla was shot...
[post_page_title]Why Are You So Obsessed With Me?[/post_page_title]
When it comes to double, nay, multiple texting, there are some people we have no shame around. Namely, our parents and best friends. And while they might love us, they do not love having their phone go off incessantly...
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[post_page_title]This Mom Is A Ruthless Savage[/post_page_title]
The great thing about being a pet parent is that they can never give you grief like a human can - even if they keep you up at night and poop on the carpet.
[post_page_title]When Your Mom Calls You A Clown[/post_page_title]
Like I've said, life is better when you're humble. It means you can enjoy your wins even more, and if things don't go quite your way, well, at least your expectations weren't astronomically high to begin with.
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[post_page_title]Your Mom Will Always Have Something To Say About Your Fashion Choices[/post_page_title]
Moms can't help themselves when they see their baby wearing something a little risque. I moved out of my parents' house years ago, but when my mom saw a little bit too much cleavage in an Instagram picture, she told me exactly what she thought...
On the subject of parents stalking you on social media, it's not just the pictures of you that they will have something to say about, they'll be more than happy to tell you what you think of what you're writing too.
[post_page_title]When Your Mom Mocks Your Dating Life[/post_page_title]
I'm at the age now where my Mom's starting to question why I've never found myself in a lasting relationship. She went as far as suggesting I go to a matchmaker psychic... But not quite as far as this savage Snapchat mom...
[[imagecaption|| Credit: Twitter / @kevinillest]]
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[post_page_title]Hygiene[/post_page_title]
As you've probably gathered, sometimes kids ask their moms some pretty innocuous question and get some seriously savage replies. Here's another LOL-worthy example of this phenomenon.
When you're a grownup and get your mom to do some shopping for you, you can't be picky, but you can't be too not fussed either. Like this guy who said he wouldn't be fussed if he got Hannah Montana facewash.
[[imagecaption|| Credit: Twitter / @vndressss]]
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[post_page_title]Ouch[/post_page_title]
I'm not sure what's worse, being single and getting a Snapchat of an empty lecture theatre from your mom, or a text like this one...
[post_page_title]There Were No Other Options[/post_page_title]
Even when you're lucky enough to get a public compliment out of your mom, chances are she won't take your opinion into consideration when it comes to the picture she uses.
[[imagecaption|| Credit: Facebook]]
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[post_page_title]Some Moms Won't Even Let Others Compliment Their Kids[/post_page_title]
When you're a baby, moms love nothing more than people complimenting your looks. But as soon as you're older and self-aware, some savage moms won't even accept the compliments you receive from other people.
One of the hardest lessons that children learn is that they have total responsibility for their belongings. If they lose something, it's on them. Their parents don't have an unlimited supply of money, after all.
We've all had that moment where we've sent a message to the wrong person. Sometimes it's little more than a white lie, but other times it can be much more incriminating. Whether it's sending a screenshot of a conversation you're having to the person you're having it with, or pinging an accidental nude to your best friend, it's embarrassing, cringe-worthy, and can have horrific consequences.
However, one thing worse than sending the message yourself is receiving one from your parents. As a general rule, parents shouldn't really be allowed to have mobile phones. It may sound harsh, but if we're being honest, they're completely and utterly useless when it comes technology - especially phones.
It's likely that we've all received a bizarre text from our parents at some point or other. I remember when my cat died. Obviously, I was struck with grief and was in a severe state of mourning at the time. Then, just when I thought my mood couldn't sink any lower: up steps my auntie. Appearing via the medium of a text message, she says: "Sorry to hear about Meg ?"
Yep. Laughing at my dead cat. Nice, isn't it?
However, the latest instalment of "why parents shouldn't have phones" is slightly less morbid.
NY Times writer Mike Isaac uploaded a series of screenshots of texts that his mother sent him before she went off to the casino.
Firstly, his mom sent him an emoji-clad text, telling him that she was heading off to the casino with his dad.
"Guess what!!?? Dad and I are headed to WINSTAR CASINO for the day!! Wish us luck," she wrote, alongside a series of money, cloves, hearts and old people emojis.
After Isaac sent back a good like text, things quickly went wrong when his mom sent him a rather inappropriate GIF.
Yep, that is a slot machine that reads "YOU! EAT! ASS!"
If there's one thing we've learnt so far, it's this: please make sure you watch the GIF before you send it over.
Obviously realising her mistake, his mom quickly backtracks, saying:
"OMG!!! Didn't realize what the slot machine said, I am so sorry - I just read it PLEASE IGNORE".
Understandably, Twitter couldn't help but laugh at the entire thing, with plenty of people sharing their love for the unsuspecting mother.
While we don't know how the parents got on at the casino, it's safe to say that Isaac's mom hit the jackpot on Twitter, with her becoming a star overnight.
Once again, though, the story gives more evidence to the argument that parents simply should not have mobile phones. If you see your mom loading up a text, slap the phone out of her hand and save someone the trouble of trying to decipher what it was that she was trying to say.
When we look at celebs like Jennifer Lopez or George Clooney, we only lament the fact that they only seem to get better-looking with age for a second. Because we know that they're super rich and famous, which means they have the means to pay for nutritionists and skin-care advisors who hook them up with magical elixirs made from exotic ingredients we've never even heard of. Not to mention that their careers consist of huge audiences looking at them all the time, so self-grooming and keeping up appearances is kind of a job requirement.
We all think, "eh, I don't have the time and money to do all that", so will excuse ourselves when the inevitable grey hairs start to show up and the dad bods begin to emerge (and so what, it's only natural!?). However, the occasional person comes along who, despite being a mere mortal like the rest of us, has somehow managed to avoid the effects of ageing.
I mean, it's good for us all to wear sunscreen, drink plenty of water and exercise regularly for our general well-being - as well as to fend off the signs of ageing - but it's never going to obscure the fact that we are normal human beings who do indeed grow older as the years press on. But for some people, it actually does...
Like this mother, who recently captivated the attention of the internet due to the fact that she looks the same age as her daughter. Twitter user Krissy Nicole uploaded two pictures of her standing with her mother in a post dedicated to her, writing in the caption: "Thank you for literally everything you do for me mother. I love you". It's pretty cute, and they do look very glam standing together.
Only... people found it very difficult indeed to figure out who was the mother, and who was the daughter. You've got to admit, they both look like they could be the same age - like sisters or best friends!
Alright, I'll put you out of your misery, in case you haven't figured it out yet: Krissy is the one with dark hair, and her mother is the blonde one. All it takes is a glance at Krissy's Twitter avatar to figure it out.
Who knows what her mother's secret is - but, even though she's gorgeous on the outside, it seems she's beautiful on the inside too, based on Krissy's original post.
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