A Precious Heist of 30 Memes

Ally Perry • Writer and Editor

Dec 29, 2023 10:00 AM EST

One of the many ways in which meme culture is kind of wild is how so much of it is based on straight-up thievery. Those who bless us with the internet humor that is all too easy to procrastinate with frequently rely on repurposing or reposting content to do so. It results in a lot of repetition but also allows us to receive messages we wouldn't otherwise. Personally, I value the privilege of being exposed to the 1000th take on Deez Nuts since 2015.

We can't deny the truth about how much theft makes the world of memes go round, but that's what makes it special. For all our disagreements, there is a tacit acceptance that this is how things work when it comes to stupid internet pictures. It's one of the few parts of the modern internet that is almost generous, even if those who are behind it aren't.