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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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ebony1k124 touch
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Great advice from someone who has never had to work for ANYTHING.

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

And now her dear old dad wants to postpone the election. Legally, they need to have a new president at the determined due date. And I thought this year could not get worse... Well, let's hope Karma exists and is coming for a reckoning.

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

Even if it exists that's not how it works - consequences are in the next life.

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

Don't want to be homeless? Buy a house. I see the daughter really is a child of her father, No DNA testing required. Even though the father would "gladly do her" as he said.

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

Hes unreal. Totally unreal. My husband met my daughter at 6. I knew him for 3 years prior. Shes now 14. And beautiful..and my hubby is too. I have never ever seen anything but protective daddy. He prefers older woman cuz he can't see himself with "a child". Right!? That's a child to him! His flesh and blood and he looks at her like a piece of meat too. She is a meat head...but anywayz

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Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Too bad that there aren’t enough jobs for everyone to work. In Australia (just before Covid-19) there was approx 500,000 unemployed people and only 200,000 jobs available. Now with Covid the unemployment rate is even higher and is just getting worse. So yeah telling someone to just get a job like it is easy is just ridiculous.

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Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

AlphaPuck Pretty much everywhere worldwide have the same issues with unemployment and lack of jobs, not just Australia. And superpower, pfft at least we aren’t crashing and burning like the US has been of late. US is the laughing stock of the world.

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

A few months ago, Emmanuel Macron, the president of France was discussing with a young man who told him he could find a job in horticulture (for which he studied) despite being registered in the employment agency and sending his CV to everybody who could have a job for him including in public service. Macron answered something like "You can work in a café or an hotel. Just cross the street and you will find a job."

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Catlady6000
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is the cafe or hotel hiring, or have they cut back due to loss of business to Covid? Politicians are so out of touch

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

"Why don't you all just ask daddy for a six figure+ desk job that requires no actual work?" -Ivanka Trump

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

Doesn't she have one already? She certainly hangs around Daddy enough. She is as sociopathic as he is; not even a single molecule of empathy exists in any Trump body, except Mary Trump and her father who died already. (I might have, too, to escape that revolting crew.) Ivanka is Daddy's little feel-good girl; he feels her all over and that makes him feel good. Which he's been doing since she was about 10 years old. Look at the old pictures if you don't believe me. He's been at least groping her since she was barely pubescent. And he accuses Democrats of being pedophiles?

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

Has that same feeling as Marie Antoinette's advice "let them eat cake".

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

Reminds me of the huge push to end teen pregnancy by telling all teens to just not have sex. Yeah that worked out well.

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

Bright idea. Now go back to social economics for beginners class.

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

She and her husband have both screwed up every job they were assigned to in the White House. I wish they had both found othe jobs back in 2016,

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

She hasn’t been laid off before. Over the years, I have had hundreds of job interviews. I am currently working in the best job I have ever had but I thank God for that. There was no nepotism involved.

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

"I mean just look at me. When I wanted a job I just went out and started looking. And when I found daddy I asked 'Daddy, can I have a job?' See how easy is that!"

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

She only telling you that because she's having a hard time finding help that is willing to die for $8/hr

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

Our government's answer to ill health when they destroyed our public health service? "Don't get sick".

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

ah yes i see stupidity runs in the family. man barron's life was over as soon as he was born a trump.

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

So says the woman who has NEVER had to "look" for a job. Awful.

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

Says the princess who has all her merchandise and her dad's re-election gear made in CHINA. If you don't believe me you can easily find that it is true on any news show, including PBS, NPR and other non profit shows. That's really creating jobs and putting America first!

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

Omigawd! Hello, Marie-Antoinette! I see your reincarnation has finally occurred. 8/

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

We will happily say the same to you after the election.

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

I mean come on guys, it’s simple, if you’re sad, just be happy, tired? Just be awake, it’s not that hard. Seriously though, they need to be removed from the public eye forever

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

"I mean look at me. When I wanted a job I went out and looked! And when I found daddy I said "Daddy, can I have a job?" See, how easy is that!"

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

Job advice from someone born rich who's only ever played at having a job. Hilarious.

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

wanna drown yourself withought a something keeping you under? just hold your breath! oh wait...

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

I could have done without her...let’s all create tump-free zones! Or no tumps for a month, his last month!

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

yeah. i mean. why invest in renewable energy and create thousands of new jobs, if you could rely on oil of saudi arabians, could ignore kyoto protocolls and could safe jobs of only 1000 mine workers ... XD

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

Do you want to be rich, influential, and with a nose that is the exact same model as your stepmother's? It is so simple, just choose the right parents before you are born.

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

Very nice example of ripping something completely out of context, thanks. She actually did not say that, she did a campaign named "Find something new" for unemployed people. Regardless if the campaign is useful or not, this feels like classic lefties anti-Trump babbling and nitpicking.

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

This from a woman who doesn't even know what a job is. Only her father, in effect her "sugar daddy," would give her a "job."

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