Humor on the internet has undergone significant changes in recent years, with platforms allowing users to create and share viral content. In 2018, Capture Bizarre, an Argentine website, launched its meme generator, making it easier for users to create humorous images that could be shared both within the platform and on social networks. This dynamic encouraged user participation and contributed to the site’s growth.
Over time, Capture Bizarre adopted a more controlled approach by introducing content curation, where user-generated creations are reviewed before publication. This shift reflects the need to moderate content and ensure a certain level of quality. This is a phenomenon also seen on other global platforms like Imgflip and Meme Generator, which offer similar tools. However, sites like 9gag maintain a more open dynamic, allowing posts without prior filters.
These changes in the production and moderation of online humor are being studied in academic settings. In Argentina, the National University of Río Negro has recently explored these phenomena in ongoing research. The institution has become a space not only for academic analysis of digital humor but also for connecting academia with popular culture. Recently, they held a gastronomic and academic event that combined discussions about digital culture with culinary activities, showcasing how humor, technology, and academia can intersect in public spaces.
This growing interest in the cultural and social impact of online humor reinforces the idea that, beyond mere entertainment, digital humor acts as a reflection of contemporary societies, influencing the way we communicate and consume content.