32 Memes That Inspire Wonderment

JR Atkinson • Writer and Editor

Aug 25, 2024 7:00 PM EDT

People often misuse the word "awesome." They usually just say it to mean "very cool" or "amazing," when it really should be epic levels of mind-altering wonderment. Like something so crazy or beautiful or unbelievable that you drop to your knees and thank the heavens. Not that mid kickflip that Jason just did.

When was the last time you were truly, sincerely, in awe? For me, it was when I was riding the subway and I saw a rat stare down the barrel of a moving train and wait until the very last millisecond to make a break for it. It was amazing to watch the hair-trigger reflexes of the city's favorite animal. Or perhaps when I watched a sunset and I was just sincerely overwhelmed by its sense of natural beauty. These are the two poles of awe. And somewhere in between is the feeling you get when you look at these memes.