Remember When Jokes Took a Different Route? 5 Hilarious Ways We Shared Laughter Before Memes

Before the meme revolution, the internet had its own quirky ways of sharing jokes and spreading laughter. These methods were the building blocks of today’s viral culture, and they laid the groundwork for the meme-centric world we live in now.

Imagine a time when the internet was a bit like the Wild West—unstructured, chaotic, and full of hidden gems. Back then, humor was shared in ways that would make today’s meme aficionados scratch their heads in confusion. From email chains to quirky ASCII art, the digital landscape was a treasure trove of unique comedic expressions.

Let’s dive into the nostalgic area of pre-meme internet humor, exploring the various ways people used to pass jokes online. You might find yourself chuckling at the simplicity and creativity of it all.

Highlights

• The internet’s humor scene before memes
• Unique and creative ways jokes were shared
• Nostalgic look at the early digital culture

Email Chain Letters

Before social media, email chain letters were all the rage. These were emails that contained jokes, funny stories, or even urban legends, which people would forward to their entire contact list. The idea was simple: spread the humor far and wide. Some of these chain letters even promised good luck if you forwarded them to a certain number of people. (Spoiler alert: the luck part was just a gimmick.)

Chain letters were a communal experience. They often included a mix of jokes, riddles, and even heartwarming stories, making them a delightful break from the usual inbox clutter. While they might seem quaint now, these emails were a precursor to the viral content we see on social media today.

Interestingly, the popularity of chain letters highlighted the human desire for connection and shared experiences, even in the digital area. People loved the idea of being part of a larger network, sharing laughs and stories with friends and strangers alike.

• 75% of internet users in the late ’90s received chain emails
• Chain emails could be forwarded hundreds of times

ASCII art

In the days of text-based internet, ASCII art was a popular way to share humor. This form of digital art used characters from the ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) set to create images, often humorous or whimsical. Think of it as the internet’s version of doodling.

Creating ASCII art required a good deal of creativity and patience. Artists would painstakingly arrange letters, numbers, and symbols to form pictures, which were then shared in emails, forums, and early chat rooms. These pieces of art ranged from simple smiley faces to elaborate scenes and characters.

ASCII art was a proof to the ingenuity of early internet users. It showed that even with limited resources, people could find ways to express themselves and share a laugh. Plus, it was a great way to add a personal touch to otherwise plain text communications.

• ASCII art dates back to the 1960s
• Some ASCII art pieces could take hours to create

Newsgroups and Forums

Before social media, newsgroups and forums were the go-to places for online discussions. These platforms were like digital bulletin boards where people could post messages, share jokes, and engage in conversations. Each newsgroup or forum had its own community and culture, making them lively hubs of activity.

Humor in newsgroups and forums often came in the form of joke threads. Users would start a thread with a joke, and others would reply with their own jokes, creating a long chain of laughter. These threads could go on for pages, with users from all over the world contributing to the fun.

Forums also allowed for more interactive forms of humor, such as role-playing games and collaborative storytelling. These activities not only provided entertainment but also fostered a sense of community among participants.

• Usenet, an early newsgroup system, launched in 1980
• Popular forums could have thousands of active users

Flash Animations

In the early 2000s, Flash animations became a popular way to share jokes and humorous content. These short, animated videos were created using Adobe Flash and could be easily shared and embedded on websites. Sites like Newgrounds and Albino Blacksheep became hotspots for Flash animations, showcasing a wide range of funny and creative content.

Flash animations were often crude and amateurish, but that was part of their charm. They ranged from simple stick-figure animations to more elaborate productions with voice acting and sound effects. Many of these animations became viral sensations, spreading across the internet like wildfire.

One of the most famous Flash animations was “The End of the World,” a satirical take on global politics that gained widespread popularity. These animations were a precursor to the short, shareable videos that dominate social media today.

• Adobe Flash was released in 1996
• Popular Flash animations could receive millions of views

Early Web Comics

Web comics were another popular way to share humor online before the rise of memes. These digital comics were often created by amateur artists and posted on personal websites or platforms like Keenspace (now Comic Genesis). They covered a wide range of topics, from everyday life to fantasy adventures, and often had a humorous twist.

Web comics allowed creators to reach a global audience without the need for a publisher. This democratization of content led to a diverse array of voices and styles, making the web comic scene lively and active. Some web comics, like “Penny Arcade” and “xkcd,” became hugely popular and continue to thrive today.

For readers, web comics provided a daily dose of humor and entertainment. They were easily accessible and could be enjoyed during a quick break or shared with friends. The serialized format also encouraged readers to return regularly, fostering a loyal fanbase.

• First web comic, “Doctor Fun,” debuted in 1993
• Popular web comics could attract thousands of daily readers

The internet has always been a place for creativity and humor, even before the advent of memes. From email chain letters to web comics, early internet users found innovative ways to share jokes and spread laughter. These methods may seem quaint by today’s standards, but they were the building blocks of our current meme culture. They remind us that, at its core, the internet is a space for connection and shared experiences, no matter how the tools and platforms change.

So next time you share a meme, take a moment to appreciate the rich history of internet humor that paved the way. It’s a proof to human creativity and the enduring power of a good laugh.

References

1. Newgrounds
2. Penny Arcade
3. xkcd
4. A Collection of Terrible Puns
5. What is up with Gen Z humor? : r/OutOfTheLoop