The Chernobyl meme phenomenon exploded following the 2019 HBO miniseries chronicling the 1986 nuclear disaster. The most enduring format features Anatoly Dyatlov during the initial crisis, uttering the line '3.6 roentgen—not great, not terrible,' which has since become a universal symbol for willful ignorance or comedic understatement. These memes often blend historical tragedy with modern office culture or political satire, highlighting the absurdity of bureaucratic failure. Today, the format remains a staple for anyone looking to describe a situation that is clearly worse than people are willing to admit.