The Evolution Of The "Wait, It's All... Always Has Been" Meme: A Deep Dive Into Internet Nihilism
The "Always Has Been" meme, often referred to by the phrase "It always was," represents one of the most enduring and adaptable templates in modern internet culture. Featuring two astronauts in space—one discovering a shocking truth about Earth and the other preparing to silence him with a handgun—the meme has transcended simple humor to become a commentary on conspiracy theories, regional rivalries, and the nature of objective reality. Its visual storytelling is so efficient that it requires almost no context to convey a sense of betrayal, revelation, and inevitable conclusion.
The brilliance of the "Always Has Been" format lies in its flexibility. While it began with a joke about the state of Ohio, it quickly evolved into a vehicle for fandom-specific inside jokes, political commentary, and existential dread. By replacing the image of the Earth with literally anything else, creators can imply that a specific entity or idea secretly dominates the entire world. This "revelation" is then met with the cold, hard confirmation of the second astronaut: "Always has been."
Understanding the staying power of this meme requires a look at how visual media propagates on platforms like Reddit, Twitter (X), and TikTok. It isn't just a funny picture; it is a linguistic tool used to express the feeling of finally seeing the "man behind the curtain." Whether the topic is corporate monopolies, video game mechanics, or historical revisions, the meme provides a cinematic framework for the "aha!" moment that defines digital discourse.
The Genesis and Historical Context of the Astronaut Meme
The roots of the "Wait, It’s All..." meme can be traced back to 2016 on various image boards, but its most recognizable iteration surfaced in 2018. The original image was an MS Paint-style drawing of two astronauts looking at a globe that consisted entirely of the state of Ohio. This version, titled "Wait, it’s all Ohio?", established the template: the first astronaut expresses shock at a fundamental truth, and the second astronaut confirms that this truth has been the status quo all along. This absurdist take on regional dominance struck a chord with users who enjoyed the "Ohio vs. The World" trope that was popular at the time.
As the image spread to Reddit and 4chan, the crude drawing was replaced by high-resolution 3D renders, often created using assets from the game Kerbal Space Program or generic space stock photos. This shift in quality added a layer of cinematic gravitas to the meme, making the "execution" of the first astronaut feel more dramatic. By 2020, the meme reached its peak popularity during the global pandemic, a time when many felt that the world as they knew it was being revealed as something entirely different.
The historical trajectory of this meme mirrors the evolution of "deep-fried" humor and the shift toward surrealism in Gen Z and Millennial comedy. It isn't enough for a joke to have a punchline; it must have an atmosphere. The "Always Has Been" meme provides this atmosphere through its silent, vacuum-sealed setting of outer space, where the stakes feel cosmically high, even if the subject matter is as trivial as a brand of breakfast cereal or a specific Pokémon.
Deconstructing the Anatomy of the Reveal
The success of the "Always Has Been" meme is found in its perfect three-act structure contained within a single frame. The first act is the "Victim Astronaut" looking at the Earth. This character represents the audience—the person who has lived their life under a delusion. The second act is the "Revelation," where the Earth is replaced by a surprising image. This is the "Wait, it's all..." moment. The third act is the "Executioner Astronaut," who holds the gun and delivers the iconic line. This character represents the "Truth" or the powers that be, ensuring the secret remains hidden.
Psychologically, the meme taps into our collective fascination with conspiracy theories. It mimics the "red pill" moment from The Matrix, where the protagonist realizes that reality is a simulation. However, instead of a serious philosophical debate, the meme uses this tension for comedic subversion. The gun is a crucial element; it signifies that the truth is dangerous and that the status quo will be defended at any cost. This adds a layer of dark humor that is highly effective in online spaces.
Furthermore, the dialogue is minimalist. The lack of complex sentence structures makes it instantly translatable across different languages and cultures. The phrase "Always has been" has become a shorthand for any situation where a person realizes they have been late to a trend or have misunderstood a fundamental fact for a long time. It is a linguistic meme as much as it is a visual one, allowing it to survive in text-only formats on platforms like Discord or Twitter.
Conspiracy Meme Always Sunny - Captions Quotes
Comparison: "Always Has Been" vs. Other Existential Memes
To understand the niche this meme occupies, it is helpful to compare it to other popular "revelation" or existential templates. While many memes deal with shock or changing perspectives, the "Always Has Been" meme is unique in its focus on the inevitability of the truth.
| Meme Template | Core Theme | Key Visual Element | Primary Emotion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Always Has Been | Hidden Reality | Astronaut with a gun | Cynical Acceptance |
| Distracted Boyfriend | Sudden Change/Infidelity | Man looking at another woman | Regret/Betrayal |
| Two Buttons | Difficult Choice | A man sweating over buttons | Anxiety/Indecision |
| Expanding Brain | Escalating Intelligence | Brain glowing with energy | Absurdist Logic |
| Is This a Pigeon? | Misinterpretation | Anime character pointing at a butterfly | Confusion/Ignorance |
Unlike the "Distracted Boyfriend" meme, which is about a temporary lapse in judgment or a sudden shift in interest, "Always Has Been" suggests that there was never a choice to begin with. It implies a static, unchangeable reality that the protagonist was simply too blind to see. This makes it more "final" than the "Two Buttons" meme, where there is still an illusion of agency. In the world of the astronaut meme, the decision has already been made, and the truth has always existed in the background.
How to Craft the Perfect "It Always Was" Meme: A Practical Guide
Creating a version of this meme requires a balance of topical relevance and visual clarity. If you are looking to engage an audience or participate in a specific community’s discourse, following a structured process will ensure your meme resonates. The first step is identifying the "Lie." What is something that people generally believe, but your community "knows" is actually something else? For example, in a gaming community, you might suggest that a certain character is actually a different one in disguise.
Once you have the concept, you need to select your background image. While the standard Earth-view is the most common, you can customize the planet to fit your theme. If the meme is about a specific country, replace the Earth with that country's map. If it's about a brand, use the brand's logo. The key is that the image on the planet must be immediately recognizable. Use high-contrast images so that even on a small mobile screen, the "revelation" is clear.
The final step is the dialogue. While "Wait, it's all [X]?" and "Always has been" are the standard, you can tweak them slightly to fit the persona of the characters. However, straying too far from the original phrasing can sometimes weaken the meme's impact. Use a bold, sans-serif font like Impact or Arial, and ensure the text does not obscure the gun or the faces of the astronauts. Tools like Canva, Adobe Express, or dedicated meme generators like Kapwing are excellent for this purpose.
The Role of Ohio and Regional Power in Digital Humor
It is impossible to discuss the "Always Has Been" meme without acknowledging the "Ohio" phenomenon. For reasons that are still debated by internet sociologists, Ohio became the subject of an intense wave of "doom-posting" and absurdist humor in the late 2010s. The idea that Ohio is a global superpower, or perhaps an eldritch horror masquerading as a Midwestern state, provided the perfect fuel for the astronaut template.
This regional context is important because it shows how memes can create "lore" out of thin air. There is no real-world reason for Ohio to be the focus of such a meme, but because the community collectively agreed it was funny, it became a self-sustaining joke. This "Internal Logic" is what keeps memes alive. When someone posts an "Always Has Been" meme about Ohio today, they are referencing years of digital history, making the viewer feel like part of an "in-group" that understands the joke.
This also applies to other "territorial" versions of the meme. Whether it's "Wait, it's all Brazil?" or "Wait, it's all Texas?", the meme allows people to play with the stereotypes and perceived dominance of specific locations. It turns geography into a conspiracy theory, which is a highly engaging form of content for social media algorithms that prioritize regional engagement and "us vs. them" dynamics.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the origin of the "Always Has Been" meme?
The meme originated from a MS Paint drawing posted on 4chan in 2016, which depicted the Earth as being entirely composed of Ohio. It later evolved into a high-quality 3D render using astronauts, which became the standard template used today.
Why does the astronaut have a gun?
The gun represents the "silencing" of the truth. It adds a dramatic, cinematic layer to the joke, suggesting that the revelation of the secret is so monumental that it requires the observer to be eliminated to maintain the status quo.
Is this meme still popular in 2024?
While it peaked in 2020, the meme has become a "legacy" template. This means it is still frequently used for news events, new movie releases, and corporate acquisitions, as the "Wait, it's all [X]" structure is evergreen for any situation involving a surprise revelation.
How do I use this meme for business or marketing?
In a marketing context, this meme can be used to highlight a "hidden" benefit of a product or to poke fun at a common industry misconception. For example, a software company might use it to show that their product is "always the solution" to a common problem.
What is the font used in the meme?
The most common font used in the "Always Has Been" meme is Impact, which is the traditional font for "image macro" memes. However, modern versions often use Arial or Helvetica for a cleaner, more cinematic look.
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