In the theme park of the internet, no ride is as funny and compelling as the statement, “The horrors persist, but so do I.” This phrase has gone viral, with people sharing it everywhere on social media, eliciting laughter. The pink-wearing guinea pig driving a miniature pink toy car is too cute to miss. Quintessentially silly (still cute), this meme has created an appeal in many people’s hearts while simultaneously encouraging them to overcome life’s challenges.
Well, let’s explore where it came from and why this meme is such a mood.
Origin of “The horrors persist, but so do I”
The journey of this meme began with another phrase that first surfaced on Tumblr: “The horrors are endless, but I stay silly.” A wonderful piece of advice was posted by the user junoinfernal on January 25, 2023.
Fast forward to March 31, 2023, and the specific phrase “The horrors persist, but so do I” is credited to the X (formerly Twitter) account @MajorasMouse. The timing of this post – on Trans Day of Visibility – added to it a cultural undertone. It promoted the ability to persevere through hardships.
Enter the guinea pig
All this became a really big thing when a Facebook user by the name of Aria Carter combined the slogan with the current popular image of a guinea pig in pink glasses on May 24, 2023. The post received over 26,000 shares and 2,400 reactions to cement the guinea pig as the flag bearer of perseverance.
Why a guinea pig? The fact that it is absolutely absurd only increases the meme’s appeal. This small creature driving a tiny pink car gives off the vibes as if saying I’m going to keep going, no matter how absurd things get. It’s something you would say when life knocks you down and you roll back in style.
Cultural context
It ties up with the contemporary world where jokes become mascots for dealing with mental health and the insanities of the world. It’s as if the internet as a whole decided - If life wants to give us horrors, then we will give it guinea pigs and attitude.
But this is not just a rock hilarious meme; there is more to it than that. When March 31 (Visibility Day) approached, it was no longer the punchline for many in the trans community. In a world that can be unfriendly, simply living, succeeding, and being fabulous is a rebellion.
But the masterstroke behind the meme is the optimism. It doesn’t sugarcoat difficulties; instead, it says: Yes, the horrors are there, but so am I. And I’m rocking these sunglasses.
Adaptations
That’s why the meme doesn’t fade away – it is flexible and changes with the times. Here are some of the ways people have made it their own:
Personal Anecdotes: Lurking beneath the hashtag is a raw and powerful mantra for anyone with a goal, a grievance, or a crisis at work and home.
Character Redraws: Some artists have switched the guinea pig with characters from shows, anime, or video games, layering on fandom humor.
TikTok and Reels: On sites such as TikTok, the phrase is said along with some performative storyline or presented through slides in slide show format with dramatic or comedic backing music.
Trending
It’s not just a meme; it’s a motto. Just a gentle reminder that no matter how tough things can get, you can always keep pushing forward (in a cute pink car, of course). So, the next time the horrors persist, remember: so do you. And maybe throw some sunglasses over there while you are at it.
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