First World Problems
Awkward moments are a common topic in memes. Michael Cera is a common person referenced when discussing awkward moments—it’s a match made in meme heaven. This can be attributed to Cera’s now archetypal role as “that awkward teenager” in films. Social anxiety plagues us all, and memes have a way of bringing those to light in a humorous way. With memes, the more specific, the better. So by citing an awkward grocery store moment while also citing a classic awkward person, the meme purposes itself as a pillar of awkward awareness.
This meme theme aligns with the one of laziness and avoiding responsibilities mentioned earlier, however the purpose of this meme inclusion is to show how anything can become a meme. This image is a still from an episode of the show Friends. All it takes is the caption—a piece of everyday writing—to transform an image into a meme that people can relate to. Other captions that could work with this meme would be: “When a stranger tries to strike up a conversation,” or, “When you’re not a pet person.” In this sense, the image can be re-circulated while simultaneously being repurposed for a different audience.
Netflix and other streaming sites have become an integral part of today’s culture. People bond over binge watching their favorite shows, which can often lead to impromptu yet in-depth debates about these shows. This meme capitalizes on not only the popularity of shows, but the human connection made by talking about them—oftentimes in animated and passionate ways. Meme themes are often re-circulated and adjusted to fit a certain audience. In this instance, the community of binge watchers and serial-commentators would relate most.