The Real Shit meme, featuring NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal, originated from a series of photos depicting him sleeping and suddenly waking up. Often paired with the phrase 'I Sleep' for the first panel and 'Real Shit' for the second, it typically includes deep-fried filters and glowing eyes to emphasize sudden intensity. It first gained traction on platforms like Reddit and Tumblr in 2016 as a way to contrast indifference toward important topics with extreme interest in niche or absurd subjects. Since its inception, it has become a staple reaction image for internet culture.