How bad luck Brian became a meme

The Internet is a strange place where unimportance can suddenly turn into fame, and seemingly random moments can solidify one's place in meme history....

The Internet is a strange place where unimportance can suddenly turn into fame, and seemingly random moments can solidify one's place in meme history. One such story is that of "Bad Luck Brian," a meme that has become synonymous with unfortunate yet humorous events. But how did a yearbook photo of a boy from Ohio don a sweater vest and transcend into the "Bad Luck Brian meme"? Let's dig into its origin.

Humble beginnings in Ohio

In Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, a high school student named Kyle Craven was gearing up for picture day. Little did he know that this school photo would soon make him an Internet sensation. Dressed in a plaid sweater vest, Craven intentionally made a silly face, inspired partly by the ridiculousness of the event and partly by the wish to make his friends laugh.

His friend, Ian Davies, who witnessed the whole spectacle, was amused, but the school authorities were less impressed. Deeming it too disruptive, they asked Craven to retake the picture. The original photo, however, was safely tucked away, waiting for its moment in the limelight.

From yearbook to internet fame

Years later, in January 2012, Davies uploaded the old yearbook photo to the subreddit r/AdviceAnimals, a hotspot for meme enthusiasts, with the caption "Takes driving test. . . gets DUI." The template was set, and the "Bad Luck Brian" meme was born.

Quickly amassing upvotes, the meme caught the attention of BuzzFeed and even The Washington Post, pushing it further into the public eye. Social media platforms saw a surge of "Bad Luck Brian" instances, each with a new twist on his unfortunate events.

The man behind the meme

Meanwhile, Kyle Craven wasn't oblivious to his newfound fame. As people became more interested in the face behind the meme, it was revealed that the "Bad Luck Brian" meme depicted Craven's younger self. A construction company owner by profession, Craven embraced the meme, going as far as starting a YouTube channel and doing an "Ask Me Anything" (AMA) on Reddit.

The AMA was an instant hit, with Redditors eager to get insights into 'being Bad Luck Brian.' They learned about his friend Ian, the creation of the meme, and even some amusing story, like an unfortunate fart during class. It wasn't all fun and games, though. Craven also discussed the downsides, like being recognized at Walmart or strangers approaching him with their rendition of "Bad Luck Brian" situations.

Expanding the brand of this meme

Seeing the meme's potential, Craven started merchandising. T-shirts depicting his yearbook photo were soon available in stores like Hot Topic. Alongside these ventures, he even minted the original yearbook photo as an NFT (Non-Fungible Token), embracing the modern digital era's potential.

The legacy of Bad Luck Brian and beyond

"Bad Luck Brian" wasn't just a passing trend. It became a significant part of meme culture, standing alongside other iconic memes like "Overly Attached Girlfriend" and "College Freshman." Know Your Meme, an online meme encyclopedia, featured it prominently, detailing its evolution and impact.

Craven's "Bad Luck Brian" also saw numerous collaborations. He once appeared in a YouTube video alongside the "Overly Attached Girlfriend" herself, and another time in a skit featuring the infamous "Scumbag Steve." Even media companies wanted a piece of the action; he was once a part of a promotional video for a college.

A symbol of the internet age

"Bad Luck Brian," with its roots in a genuine high school memory and its expansive reach on social media, embody the power of the Internet. A simple yearbook photo from Cuyahoga Falls became a template for countless jokes, stories, and reflections on life's unpredictable turns.

Craven's humorous yet authentic approach, be it during his Reddit AMA or his YouTube channel, endeared him to many. His ability to laugh at himself, wear a sweater vest without any regrets, and share stories about his friend Ian, and the subsequent meme's creation, makes "Bad Luck Brian" a story worth revisiting.

The meme's success story also showcases the collaborative nature of the Internet. Sites like Reddit provided the initial platform, while platforms like BuzzFeed and The Washington Post amplified its reach. The communal joy in creating, sharing, and reshaping the meme, from the first "takes driving test" joke to more recent iterations, paints a vivid picture of our connected world.

The "Bad Luck Brian" meme is more than just a meme. It's a testament to the Internet's unpredictability and the shared experiences that bind us. For Kyle Craven, what started as a goofy yearbook photo on a random school day in Ohio transformed into an iconic digital legacy.

From the halls of Cuyahoga Falls High School to the huge expanses of the World Wide Web, Bad Luck Brian has journeyed far. And while he may have been coined as the dude with perpetual misfortune, in the world of memes, he's anything but unlucky.

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FAQs:

1. What happened to Bad Luck Brian?

- After achieving meme fame, Bad Luck Brian, whose real name is Kyle Craven, embraced his newfound celebrity. He capitalized on his image, participated in various online interactions, and even ventured into merchandising. While the meme was his claim to fame, Craven continued with his life, becoming a construction company owner and occasionally surfacing in media related to meme culture.

2. Why is he called Bad Luck Brian?

- The name "Bad Luck Brian" is tied to the meme's humor and context. Each meme iteration describes an unfortunate or unlucky event, hence the moniker "Bad Luck." The name "Brian" was chosen as it paired well with the image of the young boy in the meme, creating a memorable and catchy title for the meme.

3. Who plays Bad Luck Brian?

- Bad Luck Brian is not a character played by an actor. The meme is based on a genuine yearbook photo of Kyle Craven, who later became known as Bad Luck Brian due to the meme's popularity.