Scientists have discovered that on occasion an octopus will
The image displays a humorous meme format that includes a text overlay at the top and a caption underneath. The top text relays a faux scientific discovery stating, "Scientists have discovered that, on occasion, an octopus will 'punch' a fish for no reason other than spite." This statement sets up the comedic premise by attributing human-like motivations—specifically pettiness or spite—to the behavior of an octopus, an animal known for its intelligence but not for its emotional grudges against fish.
Below the top text, there is a close-up photo of what appears to be an octopus tucked into a crevice or nestled against a surface underwater. The visible part of the octopus has a textured skin, which highlights its ability to camouflage in its environment. The physical posture of the creature is non-threatening and rather passive, contrasting with the violent act of "punching" described in the text.
Adding to the absurdity is the caption that is superimposed over the body of the octopus, which reads, “Fuck them fish.” This caption is intentionally ungrammatical and crude, mimicking internet slang and a casual, humorous disregard for proper syntax. It also personifies the octopus by suggesting it possesses a kind of rebellious or indifferent attitude towards the fish, amplifying the comedic effect by using language typically not associated with scientific findings.
The font and the style of the text are reminiscent of image memes that are often shared on social media, which tend to combine image and text to create a punchline or a joke. This meme layout is familiar to many internet users, who might find humor in the juxtaposition of an academic-sounding statement with street-wise language seen in the caption.
What might contribute to the amusement of the audience is the unexpectedness of the concept. The idea of an octopus engaging in behavior purely for the reason of spite upends our usual scientific understanding of animal behavior, which is often discussed in terms of survival, instinct, or learned responses. This "discovery" is thus a playful and anthropomorphic fabrication.
The humor in this image is subjective and would likely appeal to those who appreciate absurdist or anthropomorphic comedy. The meme plays on the juxtaposition of intellectual language and informal, humorous slang as well as the surprise factor stemming from attributing very human-like, negative motivations to an animal like an octopus, which is generally not considered to act out of spite. This blending of different contexts and the overall silliness of the concept contribute to why people might find this image funny. Scientists have discovered that on occasion an octopus will punch a fish for no reason other than spite Fuck them fish
