Our Brains Are Shrinking meme exploded across social media in 2025, becoming one of the most widely used reaction images and exploitable memes of the year. It’s used to humorously comment on moments of perceived stupidity, bad decisions, or general cultural decline online.
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What Is It?
The meme originates from a YouTube video thumbnail for a video titled “Humans Are Actually DEVOLVING?” created by streamer and YouTuber Joe Bartolozzi. The thumbnail shows Bartolozzi with a shocked expression next to an image of a skull and an arrow pointing at it with the caption: Our BRAINS are SHRINKING. This image was later repurposed and circulated independently on social platforms.
Often, the cropped image featuring just the skull and text is used as a reaction meme especially on platforms like TikTok, X (formerly Twitter) and in TikTok comment sections, to respond to posts or events that seem foolish or senseless.
| Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Meme Name | Our Brains Are Shrinking |
| Origin | YouTube thumbnail from “Humans Are Actually DEVOLVING?” by Joe Bartolozzi |
| Format | Reaction image / exploitable |
| Year of Popularity | 2025 |
| Common Use | Humorous commentary on perceived lack of intelligence or foolish behavior |
| Platforms | TikTok, X, Reddit, comment threads |
| Meme Category | Reaction meme, exploitable image |
| Connected Concept | “Brain rot” — slang for trivial or low-quality content |
Why It Became Popular
The appeal of the meme lies in its relatable, self-deprecating humor. Rather than mock individuals, many users post it to playfully suggest that something “makes people dumber” like absurd internet trends or social media habits. Its versatility means it can be applied to nearly any example of online silliness.
Also Read: Dawn of the Final Day Meme Meaning and Origin Explained
It is typically used sarcastically to comment on foolish decisions, absurd online trends, or low-quality content. It suggests jokingly that exposure to certain things is causing “brain shrinkage.”
“Brain rot” is internet slang used to describe trivial, repetitive, or low-effort content that people believe negatively affects attention spans. The meme aligns closely with this concept and is often used in similar contexts.
