Memes and internet challenges come and go – some are destined for lasting greatness, others are doomed to become obscure punchlines.
Luckily, the internet is forever, so even the more niche trends get permanently archived, like in this #BroomstickChallenge compilation.
https://twitter.com/mikaiylaaaaa/status/1226959129157259266
This all started, apparently, with a viral twitter video claiming that “NASA said” your broom could stand up on its own today only (because…gravity? I guess?).
For the record, that’s not how anything works. Getting a broom to stand up on its own is just a balancing trick, and no special circumstances are required.
But it was one of those ideas that creates an itch in the human brain. A feeling of “That’s dumb…I wanna try it.” And thus… a meme was born.
Enjoy how people made fun of other people on the internet.
1. Twitter got in on the fun
The real masterminds behind the #broomstickchallenge 🧹 pic.twitter.com/1c7O2cdhKJ
— Gabriella Thomas✌️✨☮️ (@GabbyGabbs24) February 11, 2020
2. Then historians chimed in
You all are posting broom pics like 1901 never happened… #broomstickchallenge pic.twitter.com/gNiDujHYIO
— Fred Rewey (@GodFadr) February 11, 2020
3. Retail employees everywhere were deeply annoyed
Can’t decide which one to take 🤔#broomchallenge pic.twitter.com/g1LLpwioWR
— JayTea (@jayttea) February 11, 2020
4. The “Nobody:” meme got used in a big way
Nobody:
Broomsticks in a kitchen right now: pic.twitter.com/92E9PqhFn7
— DDOT. (@DDotOmen) February 11, 2020
5. Demons were summoned
When you see your broom standing in a place you didn’t leave it 😩😩 #BroomChallenge #NASA pic.twitter.com/omj1oe2q0t
— 🗣Wassup Bri 🦄✨ (@BlatantlyBri) February 11, 2020
6. Interventions were held
Everyone’s posting pictures of their brooms standing up… I think mine is drunk. #broomchallenge pic.twitter.com/v8OV9I1mbG
— Lexie May Hudson (@LexieMayHudson) February 11, 2020
7. Walmarts were ruined
8. The 1% sneered at us
9. Salem was unimpressed
10. People were distracted
11. Judgement was passed
12. Some good came of it all
13. Contrarians talked about how they weren’t talking about it
14. Classics were invoked
15. Reality peeked back in
Where does the #BroomstickChallenge rank in the great memes of history?
Tell us your scholarly opinion in the comments.