Image Credits : Yendex
In the ever-evolving landscape of internet culture, few phenomena have captured the collective imagination quite like the “always has been” meme. This viral sensation, which spread rapidly across social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, has become a staple of online humor and commentary. Its simple yet effective format, often featuring a realistic image of Earth, has resonated with users worldwide, from America to France and beyond.
The “always has been” meme has an impact on more than just online laughter. It serves as a lens to analyze contemporary issues, sparking conversations and encouraging people to think critically about their assumptions. From its humble beginnings on image boards to its current status as a widely recognized cultural touchstone, this meme has undergone numerous variations and adaptations. Meme generators have made it easier than ever to create personalized versions, leading to its application in diverse contexts, from political commentary to pop culture references like Bugsnax. This article aims to explore the origins, structure, and cultural significance of this enduring internet phenomenon.
The Origin Story: From 4chan to Viral Sensation
The original 4chan post
The “always has been” meme has its roots in the depths of internet culture. On August 7th, 2018, an anonymous user on 4chan, a platform known for shaping online trends, posted the earliest known version of the template. This initial iteration featured a crude MS Paint-style drawing depicting America as the surprising revelation.
Early iterations and adaptations
From its humble beginnings, the meme started to gain traction across various online platforms. It spread to Tumblr, where users began creating their own edits. The template’s structure proved to be highly adaptable, leading to numerous variations. Know Your Meme, a website dedicated to documenting internet phenomena, played a significant role in popularizing the meme by featuring it, thus exposing it to a broader audience.
The Ohio version that sparked widespread popularity
The meme’s popularity surged in late 2019 with the emergence of the “Ohio” version. This iteration, posted on iFunny by user iOhioian on October 17th, 2019, depicted the Earth with America entirely replaced by Ohio. The astronaut’s realization, “Wait, it’s all Ohio?” followed by the iconic response, “Always has been,” struck a chord with internet users. This version received over 46,000 reactions and 1,700 comments in less than a year, spreading rapidly across Twitter, Reddit, Tumblr, and Instagram.
Anatomy of the Meme: Decoding Its Elements
The two astronauts: roles and symbolism
The “always has been” meme features two astronauts in space, each playing a distinct role. The first astronaut, often depicted as a Soviet cosmonaut, represents the observer who comes to a startling realization about the world below. The second astronaut, typically portrayed as an American, serves as the revealer of truth, confirming the observer’s discovery with the iconic phrase, “Always has been.” This dynamic creates a tension between discovery and pre-existing knowledge, adding to the meme’s humor and appeal.
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The Earth view: subject of revelation
The Earth, as seen from space, is the central element of revelation in the meme. It often depicts an absurd or unexpected reality, such as the entire world being America or Ohio. This exaggeration plays on the idea of people who believe in unconventional theories about Earth’s shape or existence. The meme humorously suggests that these outlandish concepts are actually true, only visible when viewed from space.
The gun: element of surprise and finality
The gun, wielded by the second astronaut, adds an element of surprise and finality to the meme. It implies that the truth being revealed is so shocking or important that it must be kept secret, even at the cost of silencing the observer. This dramatic element parodies action movie tropes where a character discovers a great secret, only to be confronted by a traitor. The gun also serves as a focal point for variations, with some versions replacing it with other objects for comedic effect.
Cultural Impact and Variations
Popular themes and subjects
The “always has been” meme has evolved to encompass a wide range of themes and subjects. From its origins as a reaction to a post about the United States, it has expanded to include various topics. One popular iteration features the Earth replaced entirely by Ohio, playing on the absurd notion that everything is actually Ohio. This version gained significant traction, receiving over 46,000 reactions and 1,700 comments in less than a year on iFunny.
Cross-platform spread
The meme’s popularity has led to its spread across multiple social media platforms. It has found a home on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and even TikTok, where users incorporate it into video edits. The meme has also made its way into gaming communities, with versions featuring Minecraft and other video game references.
User-generated content and remixes
The template’s adaptability has resulted in numerous user-generated variations. Meme generators have made it easy for people to create their own versions, leading to a diverse array of content. Some iterations focus on conspiracy theories, such as flat Earth beliefs, while others use the format to comment on global issues like climate change or political unrest. The meme has even been combined with other popular memes, such as the hyper-realistic cake meme, demonstrating its versatility and enduring appeal in internet culture.
Conclusion
The “always has been” meme has shown its staying power in the world of internet culture. Its simple yet effective format has made it a go-to for people to comment on everything from silly jokes to serious issues. The meme’s ability to adapt to different topics and platforms has helped it stay relevant and popular. What’s more, it has given people a fun way to think about and discuss complex ideas.
In the end, this meme is more than just a passing trend. It has become a part of how we communicate online, showing how internet culture can shape our conversations and thinking. As the online world keeps changing, the “always has been” meme stands out as a prime example of how a simple idea can grow into something much bigger. It’s likely to keep influencing how we share ideas and make jokes on the internet for a long time to come.
FAQs
1. What is the “Always Has Been” meme?
The “Always Has Been” meme features two astronauts in space, with one discovering a surprising or absurd truth about Earth, and the other confirming it with the phrase “Always has been,” often while pointing a gun at the first astronaut.
2. Where did the “Always Has Been” meme originate?
The meme originated on 4chan on August 7th, 2018, with a crude MS Paint-style drawing. It gained significant popularity after being featured on iFunny in late 2019 with the “Ohio” version.
3. What is the significance of the astronauts in the meme?
The two astronauts represent a dynamic of discovery and revelation. The first astronaut makes a surprising discovery about Earth, while the second astronaut, usually armed, confirms it, adding an element of surprise and finality.
4. Why is the Earth view central to the meme?
The Earth view is the subject of the revelation in the meme. It often depicts an absurd or unexpected reality, humorously suggesting that these outlandish concepts are true when viewed from space.
5. What role does the gun play in the meme?
The gun, held by the second astronaut, adds a dramatic and final element to the meme. It implies that the truth being revealed is so significant that it must be kept secret, often at the cost of silencing the observer.
