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21 People Post The Best ‘Modern Problems Require Modern Solutions’ Jokes They’ve Stumbled Upon
“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.
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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.
#5
Ami Temi 5 years ago
Came here to say the same: the system's so messed up.
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Sathe Wesker 5 years ago
Thats America for you. Glad I'm Canadian. Don't get me wrong, we have our own problems but I legit called an ambulance for our local homeless man (who I've known for years) very recently and he was properly taken care of. No charge.
Demongrrrrl 5 years ago
In America, hospitals have to treat you if you are brought in an ambulance. So people without insurance call an EMS unit so they can get basic healthcare. Ambulances are expensive but EMS cannot NOT answer a call. This is one reason why healthcare.Ambulance costs are so high and the wait for an ambulance can take so long.
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Foxxy (The Original) 5 years ago
That is just f****d up. I remember hearing a story where a CEO stole millions of dollars through fraud and got a slap on the wrist, a homeless guy robbed a shop or bank for about $5 and is facing years in prison. Whether that is true or not I don’t know but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was true.
Vicky Zar 5 years ago
Wouldn't be surprised as well. The amount of corruption in that country is unbelievable.
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Courtney Christelle 5 years ago
How messed up is the system when you have to be a criminal to receive medical treatment?
ebony1k124 touch 5 years ago
Desperate times call for desperate measures. It was twistedly smart in a way.
Nadine Khazaka 5 years ago
In Florida the prison system is the biggest mental health care provider.
K.Kobayashi 5 years ago
The key is to commit a federal crime, that way you end up in federal prison rather than state. I know someone who always says if he got a serious illness, he'd rob a post office.
Popcorn Colonel 5 years ago
Dang, that is depressing. My heart goes out to all people in that position.
Allison B. 5 years ago
My dad was born in the early 70s and at some point in his 30s, he had to rip out his own teeth due to excruciating pain, because of proper knowledge of care for teeth back in his time/family... and then s****y health care in america. Hes been at his job for 17 years and still doesn't get dental coverage to fix his mouth. Hes on a keto diet due to health issues (hes not over weight) and he sees the positive side to it. BASICALLY THIS ISNT SHOCKING BECAUSE AMERICA SUCKS.
Wade Evans 5 years ago
So when are you moving to a paradise? And where is it?
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Billy The Kid 5 years ago
This sort of stuff happens all the time. Not only health care but all sorts of support apart from drug rehab because there is more chance getting drugs inside than out side
Rose Brien Harrington 5 years ago
This happens here all the time, homeless people committing minor crimes in November in the hopes of being in prison for Christmas. It's appalling.
Anthony Murphy 5 years ago
It just shows the desperation some people have in this country because of our terrible healthcare system. Sadly, the people who argue we can't afford free healthcare don't seem to realize that even more of their tax dollars will be spent on the man while he's in prison.
⚞ Katniss Everdeen ⚟ 5 years ago
This shouldn't even be a thing?! Why is healthcare so inacessible??
Marc Lauzon 5 years ago
I'm curious if he actually did get health care considering this happened in US where both poor people and prisoners are considered trash, healthcare a luxury, and prisons are businesses.
Tyler Wentzel 5 years ago
All that you want but can't afford on the outside is free in prison I guess.
Patrick O'Harris 5 years ago
That is very sad but also very smart. If you have absolutely nothing, prison might be a better idea (depending on the country. I wouldnt want to be in an american prison tbh).
Captain Legible 5 years ago
When I was a kid in a Scottish village, we had a "tramp" (as we then called them) who lived in the woods. Every winter when it got too cold for him he'd cone down to the village and break a window so he could spend the night in the village jail. (As for why a small village needed a jail... I don't know, it didn't seem odd then but it does now).
ISAAC HARVEY 5 years ago
If I were working in a bank and saw this happening, I would let him take some money. Humanity.
StealTheFruit 5 years ago
He stole $1. That's it. All he wanted was to heal.
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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.”
#8
Izzy_ 5 years ago
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
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.
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.
#13
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.
#17
#20
ebony1k124 touch 5 years ago
Just wait for a gust of wind. I was going to tell a wall joke but it blows.
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What do you think ?
A Jones 5 years ago
Seems like a nice modern solution if someone wants to save and share the meme. :)
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blugeagua 5 years ago
It would have been better without Chappelle's picture on EVERY SINGLE ONE. The first couple are fine of course and gets the point across. But every one of them when we already get it? Come on
Billy The Kid 5 years ago
loved this. most of them were so funny they seemed unreal. more of this please
A Jones 5 years ago
Seems like a nice modern solution if someone wants to save and share the meme. :)
Load More Replies... blugeagua 5 years ago
It would have been better without Chappelle's picture on EVERY SINGLE ONE. The first couple are fine of course and gets the point across. But every one of them when we already get it? Come on
Billy The Kid 5 years ago
loved this. most of them were so funny they seemed unreal. more of this please
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