When serious issues become memes, does it mean we love laughing and being entertained because we are desensitized or just too ignorant to know the difference? Let's discuss.
If you're unaware, a trend has recently been making the rounds on social media, where people are seen mimicking the awkward walk and dance moves of a man popularly referred to as the "Pookie Don", a character that, for unclear reasons, has become a subject of internet amusement. This man, identified as Surendra Patil and a resident of Thakurli in Dombivli, has unexpectedly found himself at the centre of online attention, with many users engaging in parody content purely for its perceived comedic value, often without any understanding of who he is.
What remains largely unknown to the masses participating in or consuming this trend is the deeply troubling background of the Patil, who has been named in a police case recently registered in the Thane district. He stands accused of allegedly raping a 19-year-old woman under the pretense of offering her a job. Disturbingly, this is not an isolated incident. Multiple cases have reportedly been filed against him in the past. Knowing his history of delinquency and how the internet perceives him raises concerns about the kind of people the internet sometimes unknowingly turns into celebrities. What does this ignorance and the urge to find content in everything say about us?
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Unfortunately, this practice of turning anyone and anything into a meme is not an isolated incident. We often come across content that not only makes us question our ethics as a society but also people's naivety towards it. It was only recently that influencer Mansi Suravase shared a video that shows a man walking past, making an inappropriate attempt to touch her while she is filming content. The video went viral, but instead of it leading to a serious conversation on public safety or why that man felt entitled to behave that way without fear of consequences, the video was quickly picked up and turned into meme content.
Many might argue that it's just making fun of someone’s walk, or that the reaction makes for a good trend. What harm could a meme possibly do, right? But what's not often talked about is how humor, especially when repeated and shared widely, can dial down the gravity of the real incident and change the public's perception towards it. Repeatedly associating a person with humor or ridicule leads to something called a "cognitive shortcut," where we start recognizing and remembering those incidents and people only through that filtered lens. With trends like 'Pookie Don', the fun and light-hearted framing rewrites the image in our heads, subconsciously influencing how we feel about the person and, in some cases, shifting attention away from serious allegations and instead turning him into a comedic figure.
The use of humor to obscure the uncomfortable personalities of people has been a recurring pattern. Memes have long played a role in reshaping public perception, sometimes softening the images of people who may otherwise be associated with controversy, misconduct, or even criminal behavior. Like how Andrew Tate gained mass appeal through meme culture, with many seeing him as a meme-worthy “alpha male,” rather than someone to be critically examined. Even globally, when details about Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes and the alleged involvement of several high-profile individuals came to light, it was a meme fest for the internet that quickly latched onto the names associated with the scandal. It was no different for the Indian social media. Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the controversial leader of Dera Sacha Sauda, became a popular meme for his flashy fashion sense and bizarre music videos. While people laughed at his theatrics and turned his public persona into a joke, many ignored or maybe were unaware that he had been convicted of multiple serious crimes. This memeification of his image, long before his legal trials concluded, played a role in masking the dangerous cult-like influence he held, trivializing the impact of his actions on real victims.
Whether it's political figures suddenly trying hard to be relatable or serious social issues being reduced to punchlines, humor has repeatedly been used as a veil that distracts, desensitizes, and distorts. What begins as satire or irony often becomes the dominant narrative, allowing the real weight of a situation to be overlooked entirely.
Perhaps the biggest irony is that even as we read and reflect on these examples, our feeds are already curating the next trend, joke, or situation to be turned into a meme. It becomes difficult to draw a line between organic comedy and subtle manipulation. With the pace at which we consume the sheer amount of content, it becomes nearly impossible to separate ourselves from the narrative. And in this process, we don’t just lose our ability to question, but also our sensitivity. We start laughing at things that would have once made us uncomfortable, and become numb to the very real consequences.
What are your thoughts on this? Tell us in the comments below!
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