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“Modern problems require modern solutions.” Those are the words of American stand-up comedian Dave Chappelle. Though he said the phrase in a skit during an episode of Chappelle’s Show, jokingly advocating for the use of fake Canadian ID cards for free healthcare, people are using this format to post about real-life problems that need creative solutions. Some of these jokes are hilariously on-point while others tell us all about the sad state of society.

There are a lot of problems in the 21st century. From life on the streets being worse than life in prison to the invasion of privacy via facial recognition technology, and much, much more. Bored Panda has collected some of the saddest and funniest 'modern problem' posts that make you think, so scroll down, have a look, and let us know what modern problems you personally think are the biggest, dear Pandas. Remember to upvote the stories that left the biggest impact on you and read on for Bored Panda's interview with redditor Imthatguy25 who is very proud that they created the joke format in the first place.

Redditor Imthatguy25 told us all about what inspired them to create the 'modern problems' meme. "I've watched Chappelle's Show since I was a kid so the 'modern problems’ quote has always been something I'd regularly quote to myself or to some others. I basically treated it like it was a motto,” they said.

“But even then, I honestly didn't expect the format to pick up much traction. Until I saw a bunch of other redditors hit the homepage from using the format and making their own.”

Imthatguy25 has some ideas about why the ‘modern problems’ joke format gained so much popularity so quickly. “Other than the obvious ‘Dave Chappelle is a comedic genius and everything he says is meme gold,’ redditors can be pretty clever when they see a meme that they believe has potential,” they explained.

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ML
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why 420? is this something special? I'd think 404 would be more stoleable

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“The meme alone was a pretty cut and dry, simple to understand. But like I've said, redditors have their own vernacular way with memes. I've seen this dude rage war with Instagram using my format and managed 100k upvotes out of it. I honestly owe it to Reddit and Instagram for making the meme so shareable,” the redditor shared.

According to Imthatguy25, they don’t have any problem with others using the ‘modern problems’ format for social or political commentary, however—they have to be funny.

“I'd at least like to see it with a bit of wit behind it,” they said. “Really, as long as it's funny I could stand behind it.”

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Vic
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is an innovative solution.. must be applied to TP as well..

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Izzy_
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hahaha I've actually had to do that. I was over 1lb on my checked luggage (yep, 1 measly pound) and I had no room in my carry-on. All I had was a small backpack. So I wore 5 shirts and two sweaters. Luckily I didn't look too puffed up haha Once I passed TSA, I asked for a shopping bag at a store and carried my clothes in there since I was allowed one more item as carry-on XD

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The ‘modern problems’ meme first popped up in December 2018. Redditor Imthatguy25 posted some dark humor and attached Chappelle’s photo with the catchphrase alongside it. The meme spread.

Since then, other people have been changing the purpose of the meme to suit their needs. While some are going for pure comedy, others are taking things a bit more seriously, using the format for social commentary and to show how dystopian some parts of our society have become.

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In both cases, the meme tends to talk about current topics. So when it first showed up, you could see a lot of talks about Thanos, Fortnite, and Article 13. How things have changed since then!

You can watch the original ‘modern problems’ video clip starring Chappelle right here. The skit was shown in the first episode of the second season of Chappelle’s Show which first aired on January 21, 2004.

The critically acclaimed comedy TV series premiered on January 22, 2003, and ran for 28 episodes until July 23, 2006. Chappelle’s Show found success not just in the United States but elsewhere, too, including in Germany, Brazil, Canada, Australia, and the UK.

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According to the United Nations Foundation’s post in January, some of the main issues to look out for in 2020 included the acceleration of climate change, the continued presence of inequality and exclusion, as well as the humanitarian crises in Syria, Yemen, Venezuela, and elsewhere.

What we got this year was pretty much on-point with the UN’s prediction. The bushfires that ravaged Australia were linked to climate change. The Covid-19 pandemic and rising unemployment showed the stark differences between the haves and the have-nots. While the humanitarian problems abroad haven’t gone away. So, yes, modern problems do require modern solutions. Permanent ones—not just temporary band-aids.

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Shelp
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But that's a fellony. Plus, it does not only harm the teacher, but his whole family aswell.

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Monday
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also sending them homework probably wasn't even his idea, but just a job requirement. These little shits need to be punished.

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ThatGuv
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

*Takes out phone... Turns on Hotspot... Sends homework*

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Giovanni
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You could buy or build a signal jammer for anything between 10 and 90 usd (depending on the range and what signals you want to block) throw it somewhere near the teacher house and they will be cut off until they find it or the battery runs off.

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elk
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a fake post but put here for humor fitting the post just so's you know guys. Made an account just now just to let you see this pic is false. Its funny but don't let it spur your RL thoughts.

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Fred and George Weasley
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

obviously theyre kids but they shouldnt do that and theyll probably still get homework anyway

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elk
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Heya :) its a fake post but people are taking it seriously in the comments..have a look!

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Electric Ed
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WiFi. A.k.a. WLAN, or WIRELESS LAN. I bet the wires they cut was something else.

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Kelly
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, they can be ignorant people. No school, no education. It's their parents' fault.

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Nicola Roberts
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't think you can do that it the UK? Correct me if I'm wrong (and I know you will) its either an underground cable or through the phone line.

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Lydia Interiano Dalton
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

bro @Helddj Gosfarot what the f**k is wrong with your brain. someone find this psycho and put him in a f*****g mental asylum or some s**t.

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Alina
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A bad title for a bad deed...how do you cut WiFi? I understand unplug internet cable from router or something, but cutting waves, now that's something.

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mph seti
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3 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

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Azure Adams
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hope those dumbasses got charged and now their situation is much worse

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Maria Hermida
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Charged for this??? Jesus Christ! What else? Capital punishment? They need dome kind of punishment to learn a lesson, but there are adults that get away with much more serious stuff. You can't charge a nine year old kid for something like this.

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Brendan
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3 years ago

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That's ingenious! If I were their Dad, I don't whether I'd punish them or reward them.

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Pamela24
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Punish them. Of course. Come on. They're smart but I really don't find this as funny as others. They evaded someone's privacy for one thing. Damaged something that wasn't theirs for another. Nope.

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Angela
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What? Get a job you say Vanky?? Wow, none of us would ever have thought of that!

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