As a text-based platform, Twitter’s always been a hotbed for ASCII art, but this month it seems like its users have gone into overdrive. First people started serving the tea in images of tea. Then last year’s bunnies came back buffer than ever, not to ask if “u want this” or broadcast hot takes on signs but to protect a very smol bun.
Now users are spicing up a boring old textual meme with literal sparkles —along with every emoji under the sun.
https://twitter.com/jeaIousguy/status/1100850818536886272
https://twitter.com/fosterlovelyy/status/1100804692433649664
https://twitter.com/xoxokatiejo/status/1100414081574547456
Earlier this month, users began posting the same formula on Twitter without all the flare, detailing how their favorite song lyrics, pets, or movies perked them up. Most of the time, remembering a celebrity or loved one simply existed was enough to turn that frown upside-down.
While a few Twitter users began being extra af with the format early last week, it took a call out to all astrology lovers for the meme to really pick up steam.
me: :(
— Elon Musk's baby mama who he don't claim (@AcridAmora) February 20, 2019
the moon:
* * . * . * . *
. * . * . .
* * . * 🌙 *. *. . *. .
* . * * . *. * .
. * . * . .
me: :)
Many users intersperse the ASCII sparkles with names of their favorite fictional character or celebrity, while others showcase song lyrics they adore.
https://twitter.com/pinkdere/status/1100950458401738754
me: :(
— sarah 🦋 (@xkatycatsarah) February 28, 2019
Katy Perry:
* * . * . * . *
. * . * . .
* * . you’re a firework! *. . *.
* . * * . *. * .
. * . * . .
me: :)
me: :(
— freddie 🎭 (@freddiemyqueen) February 27, 2019
Freddie :
* * . * . * . *
. * . * . .
* * is shinning here *. *. . *.
* . * * . *. * .
. * . * . .
me: :)
https://twitter.com/slut4rog/status/1100878077075308544
Others…well, let’s just say things got dark pretty fast, even by Twitter standards.
https://twitter.com/shoogerr/status/1100882358947975171
me: :(
— jonny sun (@jonnysun) February 28, 2019
yorick:
* * . * . * . *
. * . * . .
* * . * 💀 *. *. . *. .
* . * * . *. * .
. * . * . .
me: :◖
But of course, Twitter memes can never be contained in one formula. They mutate and branch off into endless variations, taking on a life of their own. Recently, users have begun building elaborate scenery between their mood shifts.
me: :(
— kp 🎪 (@fatcherhorowitz) February 26, 2019
the local preschool out for a walk:
☀️ ☁️
☁️ ✈️
🚶♀️〰️👫〰️👭〰️👫〰️👬〰️🚶♀️
me: :)
Me: :(
— animal crossing 🎈 (@acuteleaf) February 25, 2019
The snow in animal crossing: 🌨 🌨🌨 ❄️
❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️
❄️ ❄️
❄️ *cRuNCHHH, ❄️ crunchh..*
❄️ ⛄️⛄️ ❄️⛄️
Me: :)
me: :(
— eric curtin (@dubstep4dads) February 25, 2019
a duck at the park:
☀️
☁️ ☁️ ☁️ ☁️
ǫᴜᴀᴀᴀᴄᴋ!!
🚴♂️🌳 🌳 🦆 🌳 ⛲️🌳
me: :)
Does this mean all of Twitter’s text memes are going to be blessed with ASCII art iterations? One can only hope.