The evolution of humor on the internet has been a fascinating journey. From the early days of the internet, where humor was shared via email chains and message boards, to the explosion of social media and memes, the way we create and consume humor has changed drastically.
One of the earliest forms of internet humor was the “joke chain email.” These emails would contain a list of jokes or funny stories that would be forwarded from person to person. While these types of emails are less common now, they were a precursor to the way we share humor on social media.
The rise of social media has brought about a new era of internet humor. Platforms like Twitter and Instagram have given rise to a new breed of comedians who create content specifically for these platforms. Memes, which are images with captions that are often humorous or satirical, have become a dominant form of online humor.
One of the most popular types of memes is the “reaction meme.” These memes use images or videos of people reacting to something and then add a caption to make it funny. These memes are often used to express a feeling or reaction to a situation, and they have become a staple of online humor.
Another popular type of internet humor is parody. Parody is the use of humor, irony, or exaggeration to imitate or mock something. The internet is filled with parodies of everything from TV shows to political speeches. One of the most famous examples of internet parody is the “Bad Lip Reading” series, where popular videos are dubbed over with nonsensical dialogue that matches the lip movements of the speakers.
The rise of video sharing platforms like YouTube has also had a significant impact on the evolution of internet humor. YouTube has given rise to a new generation of internet comedians who create content specifically for the platform. One of the most popular types of YouTube content is “viral videos,” which are videos that spread rapidly through social media and email.
The way we consume humor has also changed. With the rise of smartphones, we can now consume humor on the go, and many people use humor as a way to take a break from their daily routine.
In conclusion, the evolution of humor on the internet has been a wild ride, from joke chain emails to viral videos and memes. As the internet continues to evolve, so too will the way we create and consume humor online. However, one thing is for sure: humor will always be a crucial part of our online experience.
Further reading:
- “The Internet is Remaking Comedy” by Elizabeth Segran (Fast Company)
- “Why Memes Will Never Die” by Alex Hern (The Guardian)
- “The Funniest Things on the Internet This Year” by Brian Raftery (Wired)
