The 'Plague of Gripes' meme centers around the persona of Eli, an artist and animator famous for his incredibly detailed and often cynical critiques of media, character design, and logic. Originally gaining fame within the Super Best Friends Play community, Eli's avatar—a farmer-like figure—became synonymous with long-winded, intellectualized rants often delivered while 'building a fence' in rural Kentucky. The meme is typically used to express highly specific grievances, over-analyze fictional tropes, or mock someone for having an 'incorrect' opinion on niche topics. Its enduring popularity stems from Eli's unique blend of artistic expertise and grumpy, yet charismatic, internet personality.