Jason Russell's breakdown occurred in March 2012, shortly after his documentary 'Kony 2012' became the fastest-growing viral video in history. The incident, involving Russell running through San Diego streets, became a lightning rod for internet cynicism and the '#Horny2012' hashtag. It serves as a classic example of the 'cycles of the internet,' where a hero-like figure faces a sudden, public fall from grace. Today, the meme is used to reference public meltdowns, the fleeting nature of viral fame, or to poke fun at the intense earnestness of early 2010s internet activism.