The G.I. Joe PSA meme stems from the 1980s animated series 'G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero,' which featured short educational segments at the end of every episode to teach kids safety lessons. While the original PSAs were earnest and wholesome, they entered the internet hall of fame in the early 2000s when Eric Fensler of Fensler Film created a series of surreal, redubbed parodies that turned the characters into nonsensical or aggressive figures. These parodies transformed the 'Knowing is Half the Battle' catchphrase into a vessel for absurd humor. Today, the meme template is used to provide ridiculous life hacks, mock obvious advice, or simply pay homage to the chaotic energy of early internet remix culture.