The 'I Have Hired This [X] to Stare at You' meme format typically features an image of an animal or person making intense, unwavering eye contact with the viewer. It first gained traction on platforms like Tumblr and Reddit as a form of low-stakes psychological humor, implying that the viewer is being constantly monitored by a hired professional. The humor lies in the absurdity of the premise and the often-piercing gaze of the subject in the photo. It is widely used as a playful reaction to someone's online activity or as a way to 'bless' or 'curse' a friend's timeline with a permanent observer. The template's versatility allows users to swap in everything from cute pets to creepy statues, shifting the vibe from wholesome to surreal in seconds.