Ah memes, they come and they go as quickly as the internet's attention span...which is probably that of a sugar addled 3 year old. Last time I got to show you SleeveFace, where people hold up records up to their heads and pretend to the artist on the album cover. This time we have a whole bunch because every week there seems to be a new one and I just can't keep up.
Meet "Hadoukening": A fad that's become popular in the land of the rising sun. For those who aren't complete nerdos like us, a Hadouken is a special move performed by Ryu of Street Fighter where he emits a fireball from his hands. It's easy to perform and repeating the move is cheapest way to beat your friends in battle. Not cool bro.
Naturally, Japanese school girls decided that they would emulate this in the medium of photography. The formula is fairly simple. Take a picture of someone looking like they're shooting a fireball out of their palms (with the appropriate stance of course) and have one or more of your friends jump sideways into the air, looking as if they've been sent flying by an invisible gut-punch. Click here to see more
Naturally, fads start small and are then blown out of proportion, being emulated by the masses until they're bored of it and go on to the next dumb thing. Some of the examples look more like they're doing the Star Wars Jedi force-push thing...this led to the force choke pictures, or Vadering.
This fad seems to be at the height of its popularity as every nerd on the planet seems to be nonchalantly choking out their friends mid air. It only means the bubble will burst...20 minutes ago.
I can already smell a new fad brewing...one anon has been trying to liven up their otherwise boring trek by giving unsuspecting commuters a face swap. Using a daily paper and the magic of forced perspective he or she creates these ridiculous scenarios that turn bored people on a train into celebrities.
It's only a matter of time before you start seeing similar images pop up on your newsfeed. Be wary of those holding their papers up to their head.
Well that's all I've seen in a matter of two weeks, which is basically a year in meme-time. Actually, there was one I won't link to because it's equal parts disturbing and weird...a growing fad in China is dogs wearing pantie hose. Seriously, you can't make this stuff up. Google with caution.
What will the future hold for photo memes? Your guess is as good as mine. Maybe it will be Aladdining...I imagine it would involve throwing a carpet into the air and trying to ride it. Either way, please don't bring back Planking. Some things are better left in the digital graveyard.