Buzz
As the new school year approaches, the attention of young people is largely centered on trendy items like North Face backpacks and Stanley water bottles, making this a relatively quiet period. This makes it an ideal moment to explore one of the internet's most enduring meme formats: the wojak.
Exploring the expansive world of wojaks
For over fifteen years, the collective creativity of the internet has given rise to wojaks: straightforward illustrations that function as a visual language widely recognized by those deeply immersed in online culture, yet largely unfamiliar to others. Let’s bring you up to date.
To start, here’s a definition: The term 'Wojak' translates to 'soldier' in Polish, but in the digital realm, it refers to simple human drawings used either as reactions or combined with other wojaks to convey more intricate concepts.
The first wojak was a plain depiction of a bald individual that surfaced online around 2009. Its design appears intentionally neutral, and initially, it was commonly used to express empathy in memes like this:
Wojaks rapidly gained traction, and soon, internet users began sharing modified versions of the initial illustration to depict various personalities or stereotypes.
Below are some of the most popular wojak categories and their meanings:
Wojak: The classic wojak typically symbolized the 'average person,' representing the individual behind the keyboard.
Crying wojak: This teary-eyed wojak signifies someone who is frustrated or not achieving their desired outcome.
NPC: Emerging around 2018, this wojak is inspired by non-player characters in video games. It symbolizes individuals who lack independent thought.
Coomer: This version of wojak portrays someone with excessive masturbation habits, often illustrated with an exaggeratedly muscular right arm.
Doomer: The doomer wojak embodies a person experiencing depression or embracing nihilism.
Chad: This wojak illustrates a highly attractive and confident man.
Soyjak: In contrast to the chad, the soyjak represents a submissive or less dominant male archetype.
Big-brain: This wojak is typically employed sarcastically to ridicule individuals perceived as pseudo-intellectuals. The most iconic big-brain wojak features a brain so massive it doubles as a seat.
CHUD: Initially created to satirize alt-right individuals, CHUD wojaks were soon embraced by the alt-right community itself.
Trad-wife: This wojak illustrates a woman who embraces conventional gender roles.
Masks: A weeping wojak donning a smug mask is a common sight. It conveys the idea, "You're genuinely upset, even if you're masking it."
Numerous other wojak categories exist, along with countless unique adaptations. Those that resonate (i.e., are relatable to meme enthusiasts) endure, while less impactful versions fade into obscurity.
Wojak memes are widely used to convey a range of ideas, though they frequently center on the theme of 'why individuals like me are superior to others,' as seen in the example below:
However, wojaks are adaptable enough to also communicate the complete opposite perspective:
Initially, wojaks served as a way for internet users to portray themselves as anonymous, everyday individuals. However, later iterations have shifted almost entirely to ridiculing others. It's noteworthy how the Chad is supplanting the original wojak, as Chad in memes often signifies 'cool individuals like me share this perspective,' whereas wojak represents a more modest self-representation.
What does “o7” mean?
When someone replies with 'o7' online, they're offering a salute. This emoticon is commonly used in chats to convey respect, akin to saying 'yes, sir/ma'am,' or as a general greeting or farewell. It's particularly popular in online gaming, where it signifies 'it's been an honor to play alongside you' as a match concludes.
Asking chatGPT to roast your instagram feed
The latest viral trend involves requesting to humorously critique your Instagram feed. The process is incredibly simple. Here's how to do it:
1) Capture a screenshot of your Instagram feed.
2) Sign in to
3) Click the paperclip icon and upload your screenshot.
4) Type 'roast my Instagram.'
5) Sit back and enjoy the roast.
I decided to give this a shot, and although I'm not typically a fan of AI, I found it intriguing to see how it analyzed my Instagram feed (refer to the image above).
As anticipated, most of its 'roasts' are average and predictable, like this:
However, I must confess, this particular comment struck a chord:
(It was actually our kid's friend's bar mitzvah.)
Viral video of the week: A$AP Rocky - Tailor Swif (Official Video)
A$AP Rocky's 'Tailor Swif' video is beyond description. Released just an hour ago (as of this writing), I'm certain it will have exploded in popularity by the time you see this. Its humor, strangeness, and surreal quality make it a must-watch, compelling you to view it multiple times before sharing it with others.
Directed by Vania Heymann & Gal Muggia and filmed in Kyiv, Ukraine, two months prior to the Russian invasion, Tailor Swif is a relentless onslaught of bizarre visuals. It blends the charm of childhood 'spot the difference' puzzles with the surrealism of Luis Buñuel's films. This near-masterpiece deserves your immediate attention—watch it before anything else.
