The 'Now I Am Become Death, the Destroyer of Worlds' meme stems from the haunting 1965 NBC interview where J. Robert Oppenheimer, the father of the atomic bomb, recalled his thoughts upon witnessing the first nuclear test. Quoting the Bhagavad Gita, Oppenheimer's somber delivery became a symbol of monumental regret and the weight of scientific discovery. In internet culture, the quote has evolved into a versatile reaction image. It is frequently paired with footage or photos of Cillian Murphy from the 2023 Oppenheimer biopic or the original black-and-white footage. Users apply the high-stakes quote ironically to trivial mishaps, such as accidentally breaking a glass or causing a minor inconvenience, highlighting the hilarious contrast between the quote's gravity and the user's actual situation.