The Social Contract meme derives from the political philosophy concept that individuals consent to surrender some freedoms to an authority in exchange for protection. In internet culture, this abstract idea is turned into a relatable joke about the frustrations of modern life, specifically focusing on the 'terms and conditions' we never actually read. It often features characters looking confused at documents or signing away their rights for minor conveniences. The meme gained traction in academic circles before becoming a mainstream way to express the feeling of being trapped by societal expectations you never explicitly agreed to join.