Introduction
The Darkside Kermit meme has been ingrained in online culture due to its capacity to relatably depict the difficulties of making decisions. The meme was inspired by a sequence in the 2014 movie “Muppets Most Wanted,” in which Kermit the Frog has a criminal genius doppelganger named Constantine (Know Your Meme). Typically, this meme shows a picture of the well-known children’s character Kermit the Frog with a black hood over his head and his eyes half-closed (Peter). The text that typically accompanies the image depicts Kermit’s “good” and “evil” sides as they engage in a conversation, with Kermit’s darker side frequently winning the debate. While the Darkside Kermit meme is a clear illustration of everyday internal struggles, it is crucial to be aware of its possible consequences, such as pessimism and complacency.
The Meaning of the Meme
Conflict and Duality in Decision-Making
This meme emphasizes the conflict that occurs when making decisions, as well as the duality of human nature. The popularity of the meme indicates that many individuals can identify with the struggle between their good and evil impulses. For instance, one meme depicts the conflict between procrastination and studying, as “good” Kermit considers finishing his homework while “evil” Kermit tells him to forget about it (Don). The struggle between doing what is right and giving in to temptation is one that many people experience inside.
Innate Imperfection and Succumbing to Instincts
On the other hand, some would counter that this meme supports the notion that people are innately imperfect, helplessly giving in to their worst instincts. The argument that the Darkside Kermit meme supports a pejorative perception of human nature stems from the notion that it implies that individuals are intrinsically flawed and unable to control their darker inclinations (Brighi 114). According to this perspective, the meme perpetuates a pessimistic view of human nature and may cause people to lose self-control because they believe they are unable to manage their darker side. Although it is true that all people have good and bad sides, it is somewhat pessimistic to believe that the evil side will always win.
Normalizing and Glorifying Negative Behavior
Furthermore, the meme’s portrayal of Kermit’s “evil” side as dominating and in charge of the circumstance may be interpreted as normalizing or even glorifying lousy behavior. As a result, those who connect with the “evil” side could feel justified in their deeds and give in to their darker impulses instead of making an effort to control them. Because of the meme’s enormous appeal and repetitiousness, people may get desensitized to the internal struggle between good and evil and lose the will to improve themselves and their self-control (Akil et al. 6). It may lead to a lack of effort and initiative in trying to change one’s conduct if people continuously believe they are powerless to conquer their darker side.
Conclusion
To conclude, while the Darkside Kermit meme is a relatable representation of the internal conflict between people’s good and evil sides, it is essential to be mindful of the potential adverse effects it may have. Keeping in mind that one’s “evil” side need not be in charge and that people are capable of development, change, and progress is essential. The success of the meme generally reflects its capacity to humorously depict a universal human experience. However, while human beings are fallible and prone to making mistakes, they can also learn to identify and repress their darker impulses in order to make wiser decisions.
Works Cited
Akil, Atakan M., et al. “Exposure to Depression Memes on Social Media Increases Depressive Mood and It Is Moderated by Self-Regulation: Evidence from Self-Report and Resting EEG Assessments.” Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 13. 2022. Web.
Brighi, Elisabetta. “The Global Politics of Ugly Feelings: Pessimism and Resentment in a Mimetic World.” Springer International Publishing eBooks. 2020, pp. 101–117. Web.
Don. “Evil Kermit – Damn I have a lot of homework / No you don’t.” Know Your Meme, n.d. Web.
“Evil Kermit.” Know Your Meme. 2020. Web.
Peter [@chucklz86]. “It is for me!” Twitter, 2020. Web.