The long-running series in which readers answer other readers’ questions on subjects ranging from trivial flights of fancy to profound scientific and philosophical concepts The dramatic chipmunk, ...

Italian Brain Rot exploded in 2025 as a surreal, AI-fueled meme genre featuring over-the-top Italian stereotypes, exaggerated accents, operatic music, and nonsense visuals that felt intentionally ...

Unlock the full InfoQ experience by logging in! Stay updated with your favorite authors and topics, engage with content, and download exclusive resources. Vivek Yadav, an engineering manager from ...

As we say our goodbyes to 2025, we must bid adieu to the memes that came with it. It was a surreal year on the internet — many of this year’s memes leaned heavily into the brain rot that’s come with ...

In response, TikTokers proposed an idea that started as satire but quickly became a rallying cry for users who felt overwhelmed by chaotic, hyper-ironic formats. Although the proposal began ...

On TikTok, some reckon that memes are less funny than they used to be, and have proposed drastic action. Hence, in 2026, TikTok memes are scheduled to change, wiping away the current slate of trends, ...

The kids of South Park Elementary are not starting a dangerous cult with the phrase; they are merely embracing the existential meaninglessness of it all. By Kevin Dolak For those who found themselves ...

This is an edition of The Atlantic Daily, a newsletter that guides you through the biggest stories of the day, helps you discover new ideas, and recommends the best in culture. Sign up for it here.

You likely don’t know Drew Scanlon’s name, but odds are you’ve seen his face — especially if you’ve spent any time on social media over the past eight years. Maybe you thought the man behind the ...

If you’ve ever peeked over your teen’s shoulder and wondered why they’re doubled over at a video of a guy in a hot dog suit running into a bush or a TikTok with a completely random punchline, you’re ...

Costco. If you’re not obsessed with the membership warehouse club, do you even have a pulse? There are the free samples that constitute a legitimate lunch strategy. The $1.50 hot dog combo that hasn’t ...

Beverly is a writer, editor, and paralegal specializing in personal finance and tax law. She covers personal financial and legal topics, as well as tax breaks, tax preparation software, and tax law ...