Have you noticed that the more absurd something is, the more Gen Z seems to like it? We’re not just talking about memes like the ones in this list, but also everyday things. Think of aura farming, 6-7, mewing, silent rizz, or even the classic Skibidi Toilet.
Oddly enough, statistical evidence suggests Gen Z prefers absurd humor. Researchers even rated memes using an “absurdity factor rubric” that measured criteria such as low visual quality and a lack of context. The more absurd the memes, the higher Gen Z participants rated them.
But absurdity isn’t the only thing that draws people to these memes. As it turns out, a psychological concept developed by A. Peter McGraw helps explain this phenomenon. According to benign violation theory, something is funny when it breaks social or logical norms without feeling threatening.
In other words, these memes are harmless, but their weirdness makes our brains want to figure them out. When we can’t make sense of them, we may end up laughing instead.
Memes have also evolved in many ways. Most of us think of the classic format: a central image with bold white text outlined in black. It takes us back to the early days of web-based meme generators like Quickmeme. But nowadays, memes come in all kinds of forms.
Raw, unedited, and seemingly random images paired with floating text or TikTok audio are becoming the norm. Short-form video algorithms have completely changed the meme landscape, and some formats that were once popular may already feel outdated to many people.
In reality, though, there’s a deeper reason why people enjoy memes, and it’s not just because they’re funny. Psychologists actually note that humor can help people reframe stress and anxiety. Research by Dr. Umair Akram found that sharing memes during stressful moments can improve people’s coping ability.
Ultimately, memes can help people manage negative emotions, even when they focus on specific experiences like burnout or feeling overwhelmed. These memes reflect people’s own states of mind, making them feel understood and reminding them that they’re not alone.
