The "what are those" meme originated from a viral video featuring a strange, lizard-like creature that captivated online audiences in 2016. The clip, which showcased an unusual animal with a distinctive appearance, prompted a wave of humorous commentary and questions across social media platforms. Viewers were drawn to the creature's odd morphology, which sparked a flurry of internet speculation and creative parody. This moment marked the birth of one of the most enduring and adaptable memes of the decade, transforming a simple video into a cultural phenomenon that continues to resonate online.
Tracing the Viral Origins
The specific source of the "what are those" meme can be traced back to a Facebook video posted by the Travis County Park Rangers in Texas. The video featured a bizarre, reptilian-looking creature discovered in a local park, which the rangers struggled to identify. Its elongated snout, scaled texture, and unusual stance created an immediate visual impact that was perfect for the emerging meme culture. The creature's alien-like appearance provided a blank canvas for internet users to project their humor and creativity, leading to its rapid dissemination across Reddit, Twitter, and Instagram.
The Initial Social Media Explosion
In the summer of 2016, the video began to accumulate thousands of views and shares as users encountered the strange animal for the first time. The initial comments were filled with genuine confusion and curiosity, with many people asking, "what are those?" This authentic question became the foundational text for the meme, as it perfectly captured the bewilderment of the viewers. The phrase was simple, relatable, and easily adaptable, allowing it to be inserted into countless other contexts beyond the original video.
Evolution and Memetic Adaptation
As with most successful memes, the "what are those" format quickly evolved beyond its original context. Users began to replace the original creature with images of other bizarre animals, fictional characters, or even inanimate objects that possessed an uncanny or surreal quality. This adaptability is a key reason for the meme's longevity, as it provided a flexible template for humor. The structure allowed creators to comment on the absurdity of various topics by juxtaposing the mysterious question with a shocking or funny image.
Impact on Internet Culture and Language
The meme transcended its viral video origins to become a staple of internet lexicon, demonstrating the power of visual humor in digital communication. It highlighted how a simple, earnest question could be transformed into a versatile tool for satire and commentary. The phrase "what are those" is now frequently used ironically to describe anything that is confusing, unsettling, or exceptionally strange. This linguistic integration signifies the meme's deep penetration into online culture, where it continues to be referenced in forums, comments, and casual conversation.
Enduring Legacy and Cultural Presence
Years after its initial surge, the "what are those" meme remains recognizable to internet users who were active during the mid-2010s. Its imagery has been repurposed in countless reaction GIFs, remixes, and derivative content, ensuring its place in the digital archive of viral moments. The meme serves as a case study in how online communities collectively create meaning through shared humor. It proves that even the most niche viral videos can leave a lasting imprint on the broader cultural landscape, influencing how we express confusion and amusement online.
Comparative Analysis of Similar Viral Phenomena
To fully understand the impact of the "what are those" meme, it is helpful to compare it to other viral sensations of the same era. Unlike fleeting trends that disappear quickly, this meme demonstrated remarkable resilience due to its structural simplicity.
