The Great Meme Succession Crisis: Why “56” Is Trying (and Failing) to Be the New “67”
Oh, the internet. Just when you thought you’d mastered the sacred rites of meme-dom, understood the esoteric wisdom of image macros, and could fluently speak in reaction GIFs, along comes a fresh dose of digital chaos to remind you that you’re merely a passenger on this wild ride. This week’s contender for “most utterly pointless yet fascinating internet drama”? The valiant, if utterly doomed, attempt of the “56” meme to usurp the throne of the venerable “67.”
For those blissfully unaware (congratulations, you probably have a healthy relationship with reality), the “67” meme has been a staple of ironic commentary, usually denoting a vaguely unsettling or off-kilter vibe. It’s like the internet’s quiet, knowing nod that something isn’t quite right, but in a funny way. It had a good run. A solid run, even. But apparently, the meme overlords decided it was time for a refresh. Because, you know, internet. We can’t just enjoy things; we have to constantly iterate, innovate, and occasionally, instigate.
Enter “56.” Its mission? To be the new “67.” Its success rate? Well, let’s just say it’s currently hovering somewhere between a dial-up modem and your uncle’s attempt at TikTok dances. The buzz, if you can even call it that, is less a roar and more a bewildered whisper. “Is… is 56 happening?” people are tentatively asking, mostly to themselves, in dimly lit rooms. And the answer, my friends, is a resounding, awkward silence, occasionally punctuated by someone stubbornly still posting “67.”
Why this uphill battle? Perhaps it’s the internet’s collective resistance to forced fun. Or maybe “56” just doesn’t have the same je ne sais quoi as its predecessor. It’s a testament to the fact that you can’t simply declare a meme; it has to earn its stripes through organic confusion, relentless reposting, and a healthy dose of “why is this funny?” validation. So, pour one out for “56,” the meme that tried too hard. And long live “67,” the meme that simply was. The internet moves fast, but sometimes, it refuses to move at all.
