There is also a finding that complicates the popular idea that dark or self-deprecating humor is just an avoidance tactic. Global research published by Nature Research found that people experiencing depressive symptoms actually rated relatable, dark, and self-deprecating memes as having greater potential to improve their mood than non-depressed participants did. The humor validates what they are feeling, which is the least any of us can ask for at this point.
The most compelling case for the humble meme, though, comes from a study published in First Monday, which found that people who regularly share memes with close friends report higher relationship satisfaction than those who do not.
So you don't have to commit to long-winded conversations or painful moments of vulnerability. Just sending someone something that made you think of them, with no explanation needed, is enough. It is intimacy without the overhead, and it works precisely because it is low stakes. So use this thread as your point of contact for the day, and make a few friends feel seen!
How many memes have you already saved to your camera roll at this point? Tell us in the comments!
