Memes have become quite a huge part of how people use social media nowadays, as they provide another level of fun and context to pop, cultural, and even simple everyday moments.
These memes are often pictures with text captions that make light of stressful situations on social media, which have global and cultural contexts that help in collective coping, Make Use Of writes.
One of the most popular memes that went viral a decade ago was a picture of a crying woman with texts on it that are often about problems that only people with privilege have.
These memes became known as the "First World Problems" meme, and here are five things you might not know behind the viral sensation:
1. The Original Photo Of The Crying Lady Was For A Photography Portfolio
Pepe Silvia, an actress and model at the time, was the face of the "First World Problems" memes with her hand raised to her forehead and tears running down her face.
According to Cosmopolitan, the photo was originally intended to be a stock image for her boyfriend at the time's website as part of his portfolio.
However, in an unexpected turn, the photo was passed around and turned into a staple piece of internet history, with over 60 million memes patterned around it.
2. The Meme Was A Mockery Of What Is Known As 'White Whine'
"White Whine" is another term for the frustration and complaints only experienced by a privileged sector in the society, which are often predominantly White.
The meme of Silvia's face became the image of individuals, mainly from wealthy backgrounds, complaining about the most trivial inconveniences someone can have, Know Your Meme details.
Because of its content's absurdity, the memes easily spread among family, peers, co-workers, and were even shared with strangers on the internet.
3. The Term 'First World Problems' Is Actually Problematic
The term "First World" is often pertaining to a rich country in contrast with a country which is often a victim of exploitation by either capitalism or colonialism.
While the phrase "First World Problems" is often taken with a comical indication, critics say that using the term is actually smug and politically incorrect.
According to The Guardian, the phrase has a different power and implication when used in a context where someone's privilege is thrown in someone's face.
4. The First World Problem Memes Started As Tumblr Blog Posts, Not Pictures
It was on November 2008 when a Tumblr blog called "The Real First World Problems" was created, and the following year, a post entitled "#firstworldproblems" was written.
This post made a comedic attempt at making a picture of various problems that those from rich countries and privileged sectors, which seems to be the origin of the essence of the viral meme.
Know Your Meme says that it was American stand-up comic Louis C.K. who emphasized how these complaints show the extreme gap between rich countries and developing societies.
5. The Crying Lady On The Meme Feels Uncomfortable About It
While the meme made Silvia's face one of the most recognizable ones on the face of the internet over the past couple of years, the lady featured on the "First World Problems" did not like the fame.
In an interview with Cosmopolitan, Silvia said that it made her quite uncomfortable, and it even made her feel somehow violated that people have profited from her photos.
