The 'Memes Then, Memes Now' format serves as a commentary on the rapid and often absurd evolution of internet humor over the last two decades. It typically contrasts the simple, punchline-driven logic of early 2010s 'Advice Animals' or 'Rage Comics' with the abstract, meta, and frequently nonsensical nature of contemporary 'Gen Z' humor. The template gained massive traction as long-time internet users began noticing that what used to be a coherent, relatable joke has transformed into layers of irony and deep-fried surrealism. It is widely used to highlight the 'weirdness' of modern digital trends compared to the relative simplicity of the early social media era.