Cursed images emerged as a distinct subgenre of internet culture around 2015, popularized by social media accounts like @cursedimages on Twitter and Tumblr. These photos are defined by their low image quality, strange flash lighting, and inherently nonsensical or eerie subject matter that leaves the viewer feeling deeply uncomfortable. Unlike typical memes that rely on clear punchlines, a cursed image draws its power from the total lack of context, leaving the 'who, what, where, and why' completely unanswered. They often evoke a liminal space aesthetic or capture moments that seem to defy the laws of logic, making them a staple for surreal humor and alternative internet storytelling across platforms like Reddit and TikTok.