Pawan Kumar
Ben Affleck became the most popular meme in the world
Many of us would kill for the life that Ben Affleck leads. He’s wealthy. He looks good. He has reached the pinnacle of his career both in front of the camera and behind it, having won two Oscars for writing and directing (the guy was literally Batman). He is currently married to Jennifer Lopez, but he has had love relationships with some of the world’s most stunning ladies. No matter how you look at it, Affleck’s life is outrageously idealistic in practically every single way.
Look at him at the Grammy Awards this weekend, though. Affleck appears utterly despondent in photo after photo. He is unperturbed by his proximity to glitz as he stares off into space. He makes no attempt to smile, much alone do so. He has the appearance of someone who has managed to dissociate himself from everything around him and who would prefer to withdraw into the soothing mental vortex rather than partake in any of the festivities.
Unfortunately for Affleck, people online noticed these pictures as well and had their opinions. That’s correct, I regret to inform you that Affleck is now again a meme.
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He’s gone down this road before, so it’s not brand new. Affleck unintentionally becomes a meme these days almost as soon as he steps out in public. Do you recall how he kept glancing over during the Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice press conference while wearing an expressionless death mask? Remember the picture of him smoking outside and exhaling with all the sad vigour of someone who has obviously Been Through Something? Remember the picture of him standing by himself on a beach with a towel around his waist, glumly looking out into the distance, with the ugliest phoenix tattoo ever etched deep into his back? Memes, all of them. They’re all flawless.
You speculate that this discrepancy is what makes Affleck so meme-able. He has everything, but he doesn’t seem to be content with any of it. Do you recall the Affleck of yore—young, good-looking, and so arrogant that you couldn’t help but dislike the guy? Affleck is no longer there. He is replaced by a guy who is burdened by the harsh, constant burden of Earthly existence. And it is far more our speed, as you have no doubt realised for yourself.
Because, in our hearts, don’t we all want to find someone who resembles how we feel? Don’t we all yearn to peer into the dark, pitiful crevices of a celebrity’s face? Wouldn’t it be nice if someone would approach us, hold our hand, and say, “Hey, me too”? Affleck offers that as his service. Don’t think that expression of ennui. It would be outrageous for a guy of his height to just be bored with the riches around him. No, Affleck appears overwhelmed and worn out. His life is demanding too much of him, and the cost is great. Now tell me: don’t you feel exactly that way all the time?
Of course, it helps that every single Affleck meme is, contextually, 100% accurate. He obviously felt terrible at the Batman junket, which makes perfect reason. Every single person who participates in a junket, including a star, a journalist, or a member of the press, experiences unspeakable misery. It is torment. Similarly, despite never having smoked, the image of Affleck smoking while taking a break from all the nonsense nevertheless spoke to the deepest parts of my soul.
Affleck obviously wore that attire at the Grammys. It seems like an awful idea to spend an evening watching the Grammys. They are unbearable to watch on television. But picture yourself there, surrounded by those throngs of prim, egotistical celebrities. If you attended the Grammys, you would unquestionably have the same expression that Ben Affleck did over the weekend, counting down the minutes until you could go for good.
Ben Affleck is an excellent actor and screenwriter, and his work deserves to be appreciated for years to come. But in contrast to his work’s status as a meme, all that disappears. Affleck is unsurpassed for his work creating memes. It has it all: is heartfelt, funny, and relatable. Every time Affleck appears in a meme, he momentarily assumes our collective identity, and for that, we should be grateful.
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