For the perpetually online, 2025 wasn’t a year of progress, but a descent. It was the year of “brain rot,” AI-generated content bordering on the absurd, and the weaponization of outrage. A year where consuming Labubu matcha Dubai chocolate while endlessly looping “nothing beats a Jet2 holiday” and “six-seven” felt less like leisure and more like a form of digital torture. But amidst the chaos, these moments, however bizarre, connected us – a shared experience of collective bewilderment in an increasingly fractured world.
The Year in Digital Culture: A Retrospective
The TikTok Ban That Never Was
January began with a wave of panic as rumors of a TikTok ban swept across the platform. Users, fearing the loss of their digital lives, flocked to alternatives like RedNote, a Chinese-owned app, and engaged in a flurry of last-minute confessions. Yet, the ban never materialized, leaving many to question the initial alarm and highlighting the power of online speculation. The episode served as a stark reminder of the platform’s cultural grip and the anxieties surrounding data privacy and geopolitical tensions.
The Curious Case of the “American Woman in Pakistan”
February brought the viral story of Onijah Andrew Robinson, an American woman who traveled to Pakistan seeking marriage with a 19-year-old she met online. Rejected upon arrival, Robinson didn’t return home. Instead, she embraced the spotlight, holding press conferences and even proposing plans to “rebuild” the country. Her story, a blend of internet romance gone awry and unexpected celebrity, captivated audiences and sparked debate about cultural differences and online relationships.
A Moment of Grief for a Deep-Sea Wanderer
In a poignant turn, a lone anglerfish, typically dwelling thousands of feet below the surface, was filmed swimming towards the light in Tenerife. The creature’s brief appearance, tragically followed by its death, resonated deeply online. The internet mourned the “brave little fish,” a symbol of resilience and the fragility of life in the face of the unknown. It was a reminder that even in the vastness of the ocean, and the vastness of the internet, we can find empathy and connection.
The Cybertruck Cancellation
Perhaps the most unified moment of 2025 was the widespread disdain for Tesla’s Cybertruck. The vehicle, often described as aesthetically challenging, became a target for online mockery and real-world pranks. A dedicated group of TikTokers, dubbed the “Cybertruck Hunters,” actively sought out the vehicles, while others documented their Tesla trade-ins with a soundtrack of Taylor Swift’s “Look What You Made Me Do.” Even Cybertruck owners found themselves defending their purchases, with some suggesting harassment should be classified as a hate crime – a darkly humorous escalation of the online feud.
The Great Meme Depression
By March, a peculiar phenomenon emerged: the “Great Meme Depression.” A TikTok user, @goofangel, lamented the lack of original memes, sparking a wider conversation about the state of internet humor. The perceived dearth of creativity led to discussions about a potential “Great Meme Reset” in 2026, highlighting the cyclical nature of online trends and the constant pressure to innovate in the meme economy.
OpenAI and the Ghibli Aesthetic
The launch of “Images for ChatGPT” in March allowed users to transform photos into Studio Ghibli-style artwork. While initially a lighthearted trend, it quickly raised ethical concerns about copyright and the use of AI in artistic creation. A resurfaced clip of Hayao Miyazaki, the founder of Studio Ghibli, calling AI “an insult to life itself” added fuel to the debate, prompting reflection on the role of artificial intelligence in art and culture.
“Chicken Jockey” Chaos at the Cinema
April saw a bizarre phenomenon erupt in movie theaters during screenings of A Minecraft Movie. Audiences, seemingly compelled by an inside joke, would repeatedly yell “Chicken Jockey!” at the top of their lungs, disrupting the viewing experience for others. The incident underscored the power of online communities to translate digital trends into real-world behavior, even if that behavior is disruptive and perplexing.
Pope Leo XIV and the Rise of “Diva Sightings”
In May, the election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as Pope Leo XIV sparked a unique online trend. Social media was flooded with “diva sightings” – memes and updates related to the conclave process and the Sistine Chapel chimney. The event demonstrated how even traditionally solemn occasions can be reinterpreted and shared through the lens of internet culture.
The Mystery of Velvet Sundown
July introduced Velvet Sundown, a mysterious indie rock band that seemingly materialized out of nowhere on Spotify’s Discovery Weekly playlist. Their rapid rise fueled speculation that they might be AI-generated, a suspicion the band members neither confirmed nor denied. Velvet Sundown became a symbol of the blurring lines between human and artificial creativity.
The Boom in Etsy Witchcraft
2025 witnessed a surge in the popularity of Etsy witches. From sports fans seeking luck to brides hoping for perfect weather, more people than ever turned to online spellcasters for assistance. This trend reflected a growing interest in alternative spirituality and the accessibility of magical practices through online marketplaces.
Coldplay’s Kiss Cam and the Viral HR Saga
A Coldplay concert in Massachusetts went viral in July after an HR executive was caught on the jumbotron embracing her company’s CEO. The clip sparked a flurry of memes and ignited a debate about workplace relationships and privacy. It was a classic example of a seemingly innocuous moment transforming into a widespread internet sensation.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Attempts Memes
The official X account of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security attempted a foray into meme culture, with disastrous results. Their use of copyrighted music and tone-deaf messaging drew widespread criticism from artists and the public alike, highlighting the challenges of government agencies navigating the complexities of social media.
The Ubiquity of “6-7”
Perhaps the most baffling trend of 2025 was the inexplicable popularity of “6-7.” The two digits became a ubiquitous meme, infiltrating classrooms, banned from In-N-Out Burger, and ultimately crowned Dictionary.com’s word of the year. While its origins and appeal remain elusive, “6-7” became a symbol of the internet’s capacity for generating and embracing the utterly nonsensical.
What does it all mean? Is this a sign of a collective descent into absurdity, or simply a reflection of our increasingly fragmented and hyper-connected world? What will 2026 bring?
Frequently Asked Questions About 2025’s Internet Culture
A: “Brain rot” refers to the feeling of mental exhaustion and disorientation caused by excessive consumption of low-quality, repetitive, and often absurd online content.
A: The Cybertruck’s polarizing design, combined with anti-Elon Musk sentiment, made it a prime target for online mockery and pranks.
A: The “Great Meme Depression” highlighted the cyclical nature of internet humor and the pressure to constantly innovate in the meme economy.
A: The “6-7” trend’s origins and appeal remain largely unexplained, making it a symbol of the internet’s capacity for generating and embracing the nonsensical.
A: The DHS’s attempt to use memes and popular songs without permission led to widespread criticism and accusations of tone-deafness.
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