The 'TED Talk Gorilla' meme features a gorilla standing confidently in front of a presentation board, mimicking the format of a professional lecturer. It gained traction as a subversion of the 'Thanks for coming to my TED Talk' phrase, where users use the image to present absurd, overly simplistic, or surprisingly profound opinions as if they were high-level academic seminars. The meme relies on the visual juxtaposition of a wild animal engaging in a sophisticated human activity, making it the perfect vehicle for sharing 'unpopular opinions' or nonsensical explanations for everyday things. Its popularity stems from the deadpan expression of the gorilla, which adds a layer of unearned authority to whatever text is placed on the screen.