Memes have been around for a while now, so it’s not surprising that they’ve transformed so much over time. But the ones that the younger generations seem to be obsessed with can be extremely confusing for the rest of us to understand. Why isn’t there any context? Are they referencing something? Do they know that these pics don’t make any sense?
According to Theo Marlowe, absurd memes are dominating online spaces due to Gen Z’s strange sense of humor. He explains that Gen Z has developed this bizarre sense of humor because it mirrors the chaos that’s currently taking place in the world all around them. Memes today also tend to mutate extremely rapidly, so chronically online individuals will still understand the context or joke with very little information in the actual image.
Marlowe also notes that there are several key traits that set Gen Z humor apart. First, they’re often missing both a setup and a punchline. They might seem extremely random, but that’s why many people consider them funny. These memes are also often self-referential, making jokes about memes themselves.
You might have noticed that Gen Z humor often includes rapid shifts in tone as well. Something might seem wholesome or serious until it suddenly transforms into chaos or a sarcastic joke. Meanwhile, many Gen Z jokes and memes feature dark humor or irony that some might be offended by. And while they might often seem to lack context, there probably is some that you just don’t know about if you haven’t spent enough time on social media.
As far as why absurd humor works so well for Gen Z, Marlowe writes that it accurately reflects the world that they inherited. It’s no secret that there’s chaos all around us, and life feels extremely unstable. So how could Gen Z create jokes in any other way? Meanwhile, absurd humor can be great for building community. Those who actually get the joke will feel bonded to one another, which can strengthen their sense of belonging.
Another, perhaps more practical, reason for this type of humor may be that it “fits the mechanics of online platforms,” Marlowe says. Social media today is so fast-paced, and content is designed to grab users’ attention instantly. Bizarre, unhinged, confusing memes might just accomplish that. They’ll certainly stand out from the boring photos of weddings and babies that all of your friends from high school are posting.
These strange memes have even become so popular that some brands have jumped on the bandwagon. Duolingo and Ryanair are two of the most popular brands that have adapted to Gen Z’s internet, but they aren’t the only ones. Sports teams sometimes post funny edits after games, and even politicians use this kind of bizarre humor to try to stay relevant. Nowadays, silly memes that teens post online might result in a business meeting being held over what a company can get away with posting without alienating any of their audience.
When it comes to why memes, in general, are so popular, Knowledge Infinite writes that they’re a great way to exchange cultural information. Strangely, they can be a wonderful way to stay informed about what’s going on in the world. Meanwhile, making memes can be a collective coping mechanism. If you’re struggling with the harsh realities of what’s happening in the world, making or sharing some silly memes might be a welcome distraction for a little while.
