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Memes have remained relevant in this fast-moving digital world. Many other trends have come and gone, but these easily crafted images with funny one-liner texts continue to be a mode of communication and expression for people online.

It’s likely why online communities like the Funny Memes subreddit continue to thrive. With 1.1 million members and counting, these people are so far living up to the page’s profile that says, “Where Laughter Lives.”

We’ve picked out the best memes that touch on almost every facet of life, from being a kid in the ‘90s to the disparities in a romantic relationship. As you scroll through, you may find at least one or two to relate with.

#1 The Pain Is Real

Image credits: distraction29

#2 That’s Smart Ngl

Image credits: No-Medicine-7437

#3 Ahh Yes, The Ol’ Landlord Special

Image credits: MeatTwister

One possible reason memes remain relevant today is because they have become an effective form of self-expression. As psychology professor Dr. Constance de Saint Laurent explains, memes allow us to express our imperfections.

“Memes are often an invitation to stop taking ourselves so seriously,” Dr. de Saint Laurent wrote in an article for the Maynooth University website, adding that a meme’s shareability makes it a communal experience.

#4 Lottery

Image credits: Lopsided-Celery-772

#5 Facts

Image credits: CoteTrevor137

#6 I Know. I Should Get Over This Delusion

Image credits: FedPoasting

Another reason memes haven’t gone out of style is their ability to draw on the current cultural schema. People create memes to construct narratives about current events.

According to media psychology expert Dr. Pam Rutledge, memes can digest complex ideas and translate them into “short-form cultural commentaries.” They can also “humanize and simplify conflict.”

#7 Do They Really Exist

Image credits: Whotfismick

#8 So It Was All A ….lie??

Image credits: jturnerdds

#9 Funny, Not Funny

Image credits: SoulSoother009

Memes perfectly fit the era of short-form content and visual content consumption. They can encapsulate an entire issue into one image, making them a preferred method of news delivery. Author and educator Kyla Scanlon summed it up perfectly: “Memes are visual. News articles are not.”

“Memes bring levity to the intensity of what we are experiencing,” Scanlon wrote in an article for Medium, adding that these images also hold enough power to “take a step back and reconsider.”

#10 No Food? No Photos!

Image credits: SpiritedOil944

#11 Oh Hell Yeah… Windows Xp

Image credits: Kayotic_6

#12 Doctor

Image credits: jacksmith9

Because they are presented in a lighthearted and often humorous way, educators have used memes to deliver information to their students. A 2024 paper published in the Journal of Science & Justice concluded that memes not only boost a student’s interest in taught content but also help them retain knowledge better.

#13 Greatest Dragonslayer

Image credits: _ladyLO_

#14 IKEA

Image credits: Alone_Cup5781

#15 Thanks Google

Image credits: sehnaoui

Now, it’s your turn to give insights. Why do you think memes have remained relevant in the last decade since they entered the mainstream? Are they really an effective form of expression? Share your thoughts in the comments!