The image presented is a humorous meme that features a photoshopped picture of a man popping his head and part of his upper body out of a sewer manhole, with a cheeky smile on his face. Around the manhole, there is smoke which creates a dramatic effect, as if he emerged swiftly or mysteriously. The caption above the image reads, "that one facebook friend that only pops up to disagree with you…" and is attributed to "costamemebureau."
The humor in this image lies primarily in the metaphorical comparison suggested by the caption. The man emerging from the sewer manhole represents the type of Facebook friend who rarely makes an appearance on one's timeline or in conversations but makes a point of showing up only to express a contradictory opinion. This comparison exaggerates the sporadic yet impactful nature of such interactions on social media.
The juxtaposition of the everyday scenario of checking Facebook and the unusual sight of a person coming out of a manhole adds to the comedic value of the image. The surreal image of a man emerging from underground infrastructure in the middle of a cityscape is an unexpected and exaggerated visual representation of a common social media experience.
The choice of a smiling face on the man coupled with the smoke also suggests a sense of mischief, as if the person relishes the act of popping up unexpectedly to challenge others' views. This contributes to the portrayal of these individuals as somewhat antagonistic but in a light-hearted, almost cartoonish way.
The photography and photoshop manipulation assist in delivering the joke by creating a seamless integration of the man with the urban environment, reinforcing the unrealistic yet amusing scenario. The clarity and focus on the man's expression capture the audience's attention and emphasize the personified stereotype of the argumentative Facebook friend.
Lastly, the meme resonates with people's experiences on social media, where diverse and often conflicting opinions are common. The comedic element stems from the audience's ability to relate to the experience of having a friend who behaves in a similar manner, making the idea of them comically appearing from a manhole solely to disagree a universally funny concept for anyone familiar with social networking dynamics. that one facebook friend that only pops up to disagree with you costamemebureau