What Is the Two Buttons Meme? Meaning, Origin & More

The Two Buttons Meme is an excellent example of how the feelings of panic that come from making a hard decision – and especially when both options are equally absurd, contradictory, or funny – are universal. The comic that captures the essence of this panic, and has become one of the internet’s great expressions of indecision, features a sweating character who looks to be deciding between two red buttons.

That meme has persisted in an evidence and features one of the most popular internet meme formats, and collectors to take a look at the overall context of this meme. So where does the Two Buttons Meme come from, and what is the deal with it being everywhere 10 years later? We at Grumpysharks get into the meaning, the origin, the trajectory, and the durability of the Two Buttons meme – and how it finds relevance not only in personal anxieties, but also a collective internet humor.

#1 What Is the Two Buttons Meme?

The Two Buttons meme is a well-known internet phenomenon that illustrates the discomfort of indecision in the most humorous and relatable way possible. At the core of the meme is a cartoon showing a man sweating profusely as he tries to decide between two red buttons with opposing, often contradictory, statements labelled on each button. Whether the indecision is political, personal, or absurdly trivial, the humor is showcased in the character’s plight, which is something we have likely all experienced in our daily lives.

The format became very popular specifically for how flexible it is. Meme creators use it for everything from placing a spotlight on double standards to hypocritical attitudes to just mental overthinking. The visual style speciifcally – of a panicked, wide-eyed character, making a “truth” decision – adds to the comedic effect. The meme became a well-trusted template for anyone referencing contradictions, or making jokes about difficult decisions with an intentionally exaggerated amount of satire.

#2 What is The The Origin of the Two Buttons Meme?

The meme initially appeared on October 25, 2014, when animator Jake Clark uploaded the original comic to his Tumblr. In it the character is sweating while he contemplates which button to press: “BE A DICK” or “DON’T BE A DICK.” Later, Clark stated that he was inspired by the popular “Sweating Towel Guy” image and Hank Nova from the game Timesplitters 2.

The comic gained real traction when it was shared on Imgur on February 1, 2015, by user Robban39, labelled “Daily Struggle”. This upload alone already reached 1.2 million views, and within hours it reached the front page of r/funny on Reddit with thousands and thousands of upvotes and comments. Naturally, a GIF followed, this time featuring the character simply pressing the “BE A DICK” button repeatedly to illustrate how delightfully honest internet humor could be.

After that, the meme spread to become a full fledged template. Reddit users on various subreddits, including r/funny, r/Libertarian, and r/dankmemes, commentated on everything from gender identity to police reform with their versions of the original image. Each modified version tackled a new question or perspective of the initial comic, ultimately recognizing the “Two Buttons” comic as an entire genre.

#3 Why the Meme Is So Relatable?

What has allowed the Two Buttons meme to have such longevity and relevance is its universal nature. The reality is that everyone has been stuck between two opposing thoughts or options, and especially so today, in an extremely polarized and over opined digital landscape. Whether trying to decide what to post online, wresting with the pros and cons of political ideologies, or just trying to figure out what to eat for dinner, the character’s exaggerated panic is relatable to pretty much everyone.

And while it can be funny, it also reflects a societal willingness to contradict ourselves. For example, some iterations have recognized the irony of being a person who believes that “all cops are evil” while also believing that they can count on police for protection, and also recognizing the hypocrisy of being a pro- free speech person, but intolerant of a view or opinion that is different than our own. So in addition to standing on its own as humor, the “Two Buttons” approach can also serve as oblique social commentary.

And it fits into the psychology of making a decision. Researchers have coined the term “decision paralysis” in the environment of having two equally strong but conflicting options and not being able to navigate through the feelings that come with making a decision. The “Two Buttons” meme surrounds the discomfort of decision making in a funny way, which is probably why it strikes a chord with so many for such a long period of time.

#4 How to Create Your Own Two Buttons Meme?

If you want to join the “Two Buttons” hype yourself, it’s super easy to get started. You can find blank templates of the original comic on popular meme generator sites like Imgflip or Kapwing. Simple upload the image, label the buttons with two opposing (or just downright hilarious) captions, and give the caption some relevant or outrageous context.

The trick with a good “two buttons” meme is the contrast. The more absurd or relatable the contrast is, the better. Some creators like to add their inner conflict with text while others appreciate the dark humor and keep it dry.

If you’re more graphically inclined, you can always use Photoshop or even Canva to create your own personal spin on it. We can change the character’s expression, redraw the buttons or take the panel to a new level – like the version where the character pushes both buttons at the same time!

#5 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who is the sweating guy in the meme?

The sweating man in the comic is an original character created by artist Jakes Clark. He created the sweating man sparked by Hank Nova from the Timesplitters 2 video game. But specifically, the sweating man, is based on the “Sweating Towel Guy” meme.

2. Is the Two Buttons meme popular today?

Yes, it is still used across Reddit, Twitter and Instagram. The meme’s adaptability to different topics means people can still use the meme as it factors in the evolving online conversations happening today.

3. Can the format be used with serious or educational topics?

Yes! Although the format is mostly used for comedic purposes, the format is clarified with a visual metaphor and the two buttons allow it to easily represent complex or ironic dilemmas, even in educational or advocacy material.

#6 Conclusion

The Two Buttons meme is not just a funny comic; it is a visual pun and metaphor for contradictory inner conversations. The “Two Buttons” meme form started on Tumblr and has since been picked up and modified on Reddit and Twitter. The longevity of this meme, like many internet memes, is because this meme continues to be relatable, flexible to all kinds of situations, and endlessly remixable. Whether you are addressing a political issue, a pop culture reference, or just a difficult question in your day-to-day life, there is a button for everyone.

The power of the “Two Buttons” meme is the simplicity of it; one cartoon frame to depict an image, two buttons to choose from, and thousands of possible situations to navigate. This is something that makes internet culture special; we take something simple and make it personal, creative, and humorous. So the next time you are facing a difficult decision in life, just remember – there is likely a “Two Buttons” meme that sums it up better than you can express in words.