All articles tagged with #memes
Earth, Wind & Fire’s Ioveable hit September helped push Sept. 21 into pop culture because the date sounded happiest, not for any deep significance—Allee Willis helped pick the date after trying alternatives; a late-2020s Questlove documentary notes Sept. 21 was also tied to the hoped-for birth of the band's member’s son, Kahbran, though he arrived in August, and memes about the date persist online.
Shailene Woodley capped Emmy night with an Outstanding Guest Actress win for Paradise, then sparked a meme frenzy with a daring periwinkle Balenciaga haute couture look on the red carpet, all while her ex-fiance Aaron Rodgers’ claims about their breakup circulated online. The bold outfit—complete with opera gloves—was met with sharp social-media reactions, highlighting the fashion moment amid ongoing celebrity gossip.
A viral meme trend on X reframes Jacob Coxon's extinction warning about OpenAI and Anthropic racing toward self-improving AI as spoof resignations and jokes about absurd workplace hazards (e.g., self-painting tunnels, self-closing books), highlighting ongoing AI-safety fears while poking fun at the rhetoric.
One year after Charlie Kirk’s assassination, Luke Winkie argues the incident did not expand MAGA’s cultural power but instead marked a tipping point: Kirk memes proliferated online, signaling a backlash and a shift away from peak MAGA culture toward a more skeptical, meme-driven political landscape.
AP reports that President Trump is using memes to portray himself as vigorous and in control, trying to shape voters’ impressions despite ongoing questions about his health and age. White House officials deny declines in energy, citing normal activity and aspirin use, while some memes—like a Jesus image or a racist video—caused controversy. So far, memes haven’t moved the needle in public opinion: about one-third of adults approve of his handling of the presidency, with only around 15% strongly approving. Analysts say memes may energize core supporters but don’t substitute for policy progress on issues such as Iran and rising gas prices.
Aura battles are a growing youth trend where contestants try to project the most ‘aura’ or charisma, judged by crowds online; the trend began in Latin America in early 2026 and has reached the U.S., with NYC hosting what’s billed as the first American aura championship. The activity resembles a breakdance or rap battle more than a traditional performance, and while what exactly constitutes aura remains unclear, the phenomenon could evolve into a new form of organic youth expression. The piece also surveys related memes and stories, like Cat in the Hat meme warnings, discussions of pheromone maxxing, and buzz around the Lesbian Space Princess film fueling cross-fandom chatter.
BuzzFeed’s 35-item roundup gathers funny text messages—from moms’ warnings to chaotic group chats and witty one-liners—celebrating relatable moments in modern texting and inviting readers to laugh and share with friends.
Live HuffPost political updates cover a busy day of midterm news, including Canada’s Mark Carney urging Trump to stop memes and take trade talks seriously, House funding votes to avert a shutdown, talks of Supreme Court reform, ethics probes, and foreign-policy headlines such as U.S. strikes on Iran and other geopolitical developments.
Netflix’s Untold Raygun: Breaking Badly follows Australian b-girl Rachael Gunn’s pre-Olympics panic and viral sprinkler moment, showing how her emphasis on originality earned global attention but sparked debate about breaking’s place in the Olympics and the gender dynamics within the scene.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney condemned the Trump administration’s social-media taunts amid a widening US-Canada trade dispute, saying serious negotiations are possible if the U.S. stops memes and shade; the comments followed mockery of Canada by Trump aides and other taunts at the G20 meeting, after Carney had suspended trade talks.
Senator Ed Markey, 80, touts his role as the voice of Massachusetts’ youth while facing a diminishing online support network known as the Markeyverse that helped him win previously, highlighting a tension between his appeal to young voters and changing online enthusiasm as he pursues reelection.
After tariff tensions with Canada, President Trump signed an executive order renaming Lake Ontario to Lake America, triggering a wave of online memes and playful takes from MapQuest; Canada’s PM Mark Carney insisted the original name would stand, while the reaction mirrored earlier branding stunts like Gulf of America.
Aura farming is a TikTok-born street competition where teens perform memes and viral gestures to earn 'aura' in front of crowds and judges. Since starting in Mexico City, the craze has spread across Latin America and into Spain, with battles built around references like Ronaldo's 'Siuuu', 'mewing' and other memes, often using props. Prizes vary from cash to bragging rights, and while supporters see it as a fun way to meet offline, critics worry about cultural decline and generational divides.
A TikTok-origin trend called 'aura farming' has moved from online memes to live street battles where teens perform viral gestures and references to earn 'aura'—a proxy for charisma. Competitions across Latin America and into Spain reward cash prizes or bragging rights, with showmanship and crowd reaction as key. The craze includes quirky props and references (e.g., Ronaldo’s 'Siuuu', memes, quirky gestures) and has even touched football culture (Boca Juniors) while drawing both praise for promoting face-to-face interaction and criticism for dumbing-down culture. Political backlash has also surfaced in places like Honduras.
A psychology-focused analysis in The Conversation argues Gen Z’s online reactions to Luigi Mangione’s case show alienation and a craving for authentic dialogue rather than nihilism; memes serve as coping tools to address real issues—like healthcare and inequality—while reactions link to political cynicism and distrust in institutions. The piece cautions that simplifying moral judgments can deepen estrangement, urging open, nuanced conversations about values.