You’ve probably noticed the bored-looking robot flooding your feed lately. But where does this viral meme come from, and why is it making such a splash on X and TikTok?
The origin of the I Robot “no” meme
The robot causing all the buzz is none other than Sonny, a character from the 2004 film “I, Robot.” This movie stars Will Smith in a future where robots are ubiquitous. Sonny, with his blank stare and neutral expression, has become the perfect symbol for illustrating our awkward moments. His emotionless “No” response, from which the image is taken, had already gone viral when the film was released.
Twenty years after the film’s release and five years after the first known meme, Sonny is experiencing a new life thanks to social media. The I Robot “no” meme has exploded on X and TikTok, becoming a go-to for expressing our small moments of discomfort.
Why has it resurfaced?
Good question. Pure chance? A moment of nostalgia?Some say the return of the “I, Robot” meme might be linked to plagiarism accusations made by Alex Proyas, the film’s director, against Elon Musk. Proyas allegedly claimed that Musk copied designs from his film for Tesla’s new innovations, particularly during an event where he presented vehicles and robots that strongly resemble those from the movie. But take this with a grain of salt.
The success of this meme lies in its ability to make us laugh at our own moments of solitude. It helps us defuse these instances of shame by transforming them into a source of collective amusement.
Spiky Truth or Dare app: embracing embarrassment, but, with friends!
In this spirit of sharing and self-deprecation, the Spiky Truth or Dare app 🌵 is perfect for creating embarrassing but funny moments among friends. It offers amusing challenges that can lead to comical situations.
Here are some examples of challenges that could put you in Sonny’s shoes:
Imitating an animal’s cry in the middle of a restaurant ;
Making a love declaration to an inanimate object in public.
These challenges create memories you won’t soon forget and strengthen the bonds you have with your friends. They’re your buddies, so don’t be afraid to be embarrassed! They might even inspire your own “I, Robot” meme.
