The Rise and Potential Demise of Copypastas: The Evolution of Breaking News Alerts
In a world where news alerts are increasingly irrelevant, a new phenomenon has taken center stage: the copypasta. These sexually explicit and often humorous texts have become synonymous with breaking news alerts, particularly in the United States. But, as with all memes, their time in the spotlight may be limited.
The origins of copypastas date back to 2006 on 4chan, where they were initially used as a form of chain mail. They gained popularity in 2018, spreading quickly across social media platforms. Today, they’re a staple of online communication, often used to spread news and humor.
Copypastas have evolved significantly over the years, moving from holiday-themed texts to more political and sexually explicit content. Their popularity can be attributed to their ability to add levity to a world that has become increasingly dystopian. As several copypasta writers told Rolling Stone in 2018, “the meme format isn’t just a good laugh – it’s a way for people to use humor to address a world that has become increasingly dystopian.”
However, this evolution may be a sign of the copypasta’s impending decline. The people who write them aren’t concerned with accuracy, which allows them to quickly disseminate information. But, as they become more mainstream, their shock value is replaced with predictability – a sign of doom for any meme that hopes to maintain comedic value.
As comedian and staff writer Skyler Higley posted on X, “it’s all the same now. Joe Biden drops out. You get one of those long texts with the emojis. Someone posts the future meme ‘biden dropping out reminds me of how I quit you’. people post fake texts between them and Biden. Et cetera. I feel empty.” We’re reaching peak copypasta – and it’s likely that we’ll soon experience a new meme renaissance.
In conclusion, the rise of copypastas has been a fascinating phenomenon, but their time in the spotlight may be limited. As they become more mainstream, their shock value is replaced with predictability, signaling the end of their reign. It’s time to prepare for the next big thing in online communication.
