The Riot Hipster meme, also known as the Barricade Hipster, features a photograph of a young man in a scarf looking nonchalant amidst a chaotic protest setting. Emerging around 2011 during various global civil unrest movements, the image quickly became a vehicle for mocking individuals who seem to participate in serious social causes for the aesthetic or subcultural status. It typically utilizes the 'Before it was cool' trope, framing the subject as someone who views a riot as just another niche trend. Today, it remains a popular way to comment on the intersection of hipster culture, irony, and performative political involvement.