“I Feel Personally Attacked”: 30 ‘Starter Pack’ Memes That Didn’t Need To Be That Accurate (New Pics)
Interview With ExpertReddit has a lot of communities dedicated to internet memery. Funny memes, dank memes, history memes – the site caters to all tastes. Eternal optimists can find their community as well, in r/wholesomememes. There's even a place for director Sam Raimi and his wonderfully campy movie moments that people love to meme.
But this time, we're covering the r/starterpacks subreddit. The place where no thing, place, subculture, or fandom can escape roasting. Yes, it's pointless stereotyping, but if it's for a quick chuckle – why not?
For some expertise on the matter, Bored Panda reached out to Roisin Kiberd. She's the author of a collection of essays about life online titled The Disconnect: A Personal Journey Through the Internet. Roisin has also written about technology and culture for the Guardian, the Outline, and Vice UK.
So scroll away, dear pandas, and don't get startled if you recognize yourself in one or more of these starter packs. Remember: self-awareness is the path to self-confidence.
More info: Reddit
This post may include affiliate links.
That One Sketchy Download Site Starter Pack
Starter pack memes are tongue-in-cheek ways of “sorting” the internet and our identities, according to Roisin Kiberd. She unpacked the meaning of the starter pack meme in her 2018 Vice article.
"Sociologists study material culture, exploring the meaning we invest in physical objects," she wrote back then. "The starter pack takes a similar, if less nuanced, approach, and repackages it as clickbait: each meme is a list of references the viewer ticks off, congratulating themselves if they recognise every item on the list."
Growing Up With Undiagnosed Adhd Starterpack
"Generic Teenage Boy In 2023" Starterpack
This also happens to be the "Crotchety Old Person" starter pack. Every generation has both...
Apparently, some memes never die. Even in 2023, starter pack memes are still here. Know Your Meme dates the first starter pack to September 2014, so it's getting close to its 10-year anniversary next year.
Bored Panda asked Roisin what's the secret to this meme's longevity. She names the qualities that make most things go viral on the internet. "Starter packs have a certain genius to them. They’re sharable, funny, extremely concise, easy to replicate. They often include details that are instantly familiar."
Relatability is a huge factor as well. "You are the person in the meme, or you know them, or you’ve at least seen them around,” Roisin explains. The starter pack meme therefore satisfies our tendency to categorize ourselves into certain groups.
Movie Scientist About To Explain Wormholes Starter Pack
"National Stereotypes In Action Movies" Starterpack
I’m sure the French and English appreciate being lumped together. They’ve always been such tight friends as countries and have such similar cultures.
How To Get On Forbes 30 Under 30 List Starter Pack
I hope Elizabeth Theranos enjoys her time in jail, she's really earned it :-)
Roisin likens the starter pack meme to high school cliques. "I find it comforting that starter pack memes imply that subcultures still exist. I grew up with goths and rockers and the Irish equivalent to jocks (rugby guys, mostly) and 'mean girls'. They had flat-ironed hair, and wore a lot of Abercrombie and Juicy Couture," Roisin reminisces.
Woman In An Advert For Incontinence Pads Starter Pack
Yes, these products always seem to cause laughing with friends
Load More Replies...Or the alternative is that they're period pad adverts, where they're also inexplicably wearing white and running around as if blood isn't constantly gushing from their nether regions with intense pains. e_e
If you can't run through a field while urinating, what is the point of A) running, B) field.
... and the ads make it appear as if some thin pad would take a workday's load. No, it won't. If it's actually that bad, consider a diaper that looks like one your best option. Usually, even the thicker ones aren't THAT visible, but then again, usually you can't make them invisible, even from the outside, just not too obvious. But ... according to ads, I have no reason to know any of it, because only women have issues with that subsystem of the human body.
"Riding A Bike In The Us" Starter Pack
Guy Who Lives In A Swamp Portrayed By Movies/Video Games Starter Pack
Roisin points out that starter packs highlight new kinds of cultural groups. "It feels like the internet brought the era of subcultures to an end, but the starter pack meme says otherwise."
"So many of them are about micro-trends. Maybe not full subcultures, with any longevity, but something faster-moving and smaller. It's sometimes a whole lot stranger, responding to the internet age," the writer observes.
War Movie Starter Pack
Giving Birth In A Movie Starter Pack
They forgot the one that angers me the most, it's not 9 months! It's 9 and a half months! There's a whole 'nother two weeks you gotta carry your little succubus around. I evicted mine on his due date. People said your first is always late, but I ate spicy food, ate a whole pineapple, took a hot bath...and half hour before midnight I succeeded in my eviction on his due date.
Longest And Best Starter Packs No. 2
They forgot the coming down from some form of hallucinogenic part...
Roisin says there’s something sociological, almost academic about starter pack memes. She notes that there's an attempt "to pin down and study the way trends and identity and consumption all work and intersect".
That's evident by the meme going meta: starter pack memes about starter pack memes. It's almost as if the culture is observing and studying itself. Roisin recalls the words of her editor at Vice, Emanuel Maiberg. He said starter pack memes are what sociologist of subcultures Dick Hebdige would be if he was an algorithm.
Every Youtuber Apology Starter Pack
Living In An American Suburb Without A Car Starterpack
The inevitable consequence of letting big oil run your political system.
Dads When It Rains Starter Pack
But even starter pack memes can't avoid controversy. With stereotyping and generalizations, it's hard not to step over the line of being offensive. "It would definitely be possible to take starter packs in a mean, bullying direction," Roisin agrees.
"They could also be used to label people and insult them. Even to make someone else feel like they don’t belong if they don’t own the right clothes, or know the right references," the author points out.
35 Year Old Veteran Starterpack
In my D&D group when I lived in Utah, 4 out of the 6 players were veterans. I'm so glad that they didn't fit this stereotype. One was Navy, one was Air Force, and the other two were Army.
Home Design In 2023 Starter Pack
That Guy Who Plays A Girl In D&d Starterpack
Yet, Roisin also gives the internet credit where credit is due. "The fundamental idea that you can reduce someone’s entire existence down to a collection of stock imagery is ridiculous enough that I don’t think anyone is taking them too seriously."
Airport Starterpack
The Entire Population Of Australian Men Aged 23-32 Starter Pack
... So.... Nobody's gonna comment on the 2 ft (65 cm) d*ldo in the first photo? OK then. Lol
Waking Up At 3am With The TV Still On In The 2000s Starter Pack
"Also, so many of the memes are about weirdly particular things," she adds. She gives the 'you can beat me up but my dad will sue' starter pack as an example. Other examples are the 'franchises going through an edgy phase’ or the 'old computer science professor' starter packs.
An Episode Of House Starter Pack
Celebrity Who Denies Having Work Done Starter Pack
The “Reformed” High School Bully Starter Pack, Manly Man Edition
"The joke is on the meme maker as much as their subject," Kiberd explains, "because who on earth would bother to create a guide to something like this? At its best, this meme really celebrates internet culture’s ability to find universal humor in the highly particular."
A Villain Who "Has A Point" Starterpack
The best villain is the one with an understandable cause but completely wrong ways to archieve it.
Self-Diagnosed Autistic Starter Pack
there are so many people who do this and it’s annoying . autism comes in many different ways but you can’t just decide it
Disney Mom Starterpack
"It's a really important memory for the kids" (1 year and in tummy, for ex) Also, the finansing: Borrow-Mon...x528-1.jpg
We also asked Roisin to share some of her favorite starter pack memes. As the creative writing teacher at the University of Galway, she says the Math Professor starter pack is the most relatable to her.
"This meme is completely demented. It includes pictures of Dr. Emmett from Back to the Future, and that guy from Dune with the overgrown eyebrows."
"This imaginary math professor drives a twenty-year-old Volvo and wears Birkenstocks to casual Friday," Roisin describes the meme. "My favorite detail is that he ‘skips several critical steps because you should know this by now’."
A Former "Gifted" Student Starterpack
Food You Hated As A Child But Love As An Adult Starterpack
I loved pickles, radishes, mustard and fish as a child. I did hate spinach and brussel sprouts.
Roisin says she's far more friendly than the professor in the meme, "but can only aspire to his collection of tweed jackets, and the blind terror he strikes into his students' hearts."
If you want more insights from Roisin Kiberd, check her out on X. She writes about technology and the internet culture regularly. And for a longer read, don't forget to check out her book The Disconnect: A Personal Journey Through the Internet.
“I’m So Ocd” Starter Pack
Shoving A Cactus Up Your Butt Starter Pack
Crippling Depression Starter Pack
Um... is it bad that i relate to this? (Edit: spelling)
"You Admitted You're Childfree As A Woman" Starter Pack
ugh yes I hate this. idc if its "my purpose on this planet" we're already overpopulated and kids cost a lot of money that I likely don't have. im good.
Playing Videogames In 2023 Starter Pack
Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares Starter Pack
Ordering Fajitas Starterpack
Last Week Of Summer Vacation As A Teen Starter Pack
My school experiances have not been this bad, but the back to school ads are DEFINITELY annoying as f**k.
You Know The Food Is Bomb Starter Pack
The Unsolicited Advice On Reddit Starter Pack
“Contact gaslighting”. Fezzik: “ You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.”
00s Cartoon That Does Things Just A Liiiiiitle Bit Different Starter Pack
"Right Before Covid" Era Starterpack
Cost Of Living Increasing Starterpack
The Absolute Worst Type Of Teacher Starter Pack
I had a teacher like this once. I have stories, ill tell em if anyone wants
Nerdy Hobbies That Will Financially Devastate You Starterpack
Early 2020s Starter Pack
Last Day Of Beach Vacation Starter Pack
Somethings Off About Them But You’re Not Sure What It Is Starter Pack
Main Street In A Small (American) Town Starter Pack
Being Hispanic And Being Invited Over To Have Dinner At Your White Friends House As A Kid Starterpack
Kids Writing Stories With Plot Twist For The First Time Starterpack
Writers have to start somewhere. IMHO, young kids who have a good enough grasp of writing to include plot twists are ahead of their years.
“I’ll Get Coffee And Gas On The Way” Starterpack
The “How Did That One Rapper Die? Starterpack
Introvert Grocery Shopping Starterpack
Contactless delivery became your new best friend. If they don't have the option to tip the driver at checkout, you just tape a 20 to the door or just deal with the 20 seconds of human interaction.
Local Mexican Restaurant Starterpack
Prom Starter Pack. (Good Luck, Zoomers)
Slowly Losing Your Childhood Friends Starterpack
Kid In A Brewery Starterpack
I like when the parents try to keep other people from swearing because "my kid is here!". And the other person goes, "What? You have a f***ing kid in a f***ing bar? No f***ing way!" Yeah, that other person would be me, straight up. It's a BAR, honey.
Modern Day Suburban Granola Kid Starter Pack
Franchises Going Through An Edgy Phase Starter Pack
OK, but Twilight Princess and Force Awakened were actually quite good.
Your First Months At The Gym Starter Pack
Lost Episodes Starter Pack
Forgotten 2000s Cgi Animated Movie Starter Pack
Streamer Is Clearly Burning Out And Needs Some Therapy Starter Pack
Some of these are just legitimate reactions to bullying and trolling.
Introducing The ‘95 Zoomer Starter Pack
Person Selling Overpriced Junk At A Yard Sale Starterpack
Someone Introducing The Place They're From Starter Pack
Raise your hand if your country's traditional horrible dishes contain blood or organs. liver casserole with raisins and blood pancakes. Yuck.
Flying In Economy Starter Pack
Reddit On June 7th 2023 Starterpack
Gofundme Starter Pack
"Asian" Countries In Fiction Starter Pack
"People Were So Much Better Off In The 50s" Starterpack
"Pickme Girls" Starter Pack
Congrats! We Made Your Neighborhood Better (And 300% More Expensive) Starterpack
Foreign Vloggers In India Starter Pack
I mean, cows are everywhere. Just wander around the streets for an hour and you’ll find them. We don’t call it a tuk tuk here, we can it auto rickshaw
Mechanical Pencil Purist Starterpack
Shit Food Starter Pack
"Living With Roommates For The First Time" Starter Pack
Teenage Boys Calling Themselves A “History Nerd” Starter Pack
Pooping At School Starter Pack
Girl Who Played With Your Hair In Grade School Starterpack
and also the 'massages' and 'manicures', but only from that one person. only her and if its from anyone else it would feel annoying
“Yeah I’ve Been Trying To Branch Out With My Music Taste” Starter Pack
Asking Someone Who Does Martial Arts How To Best Defend Themselves Starterpack
The "Popular Everywhere Except America" Starter Pack
Brazilian Anime Convention Starter Pack
"30yo Weirdo Bitter About Being Single"-Starterpack
You Lost The Funny Friend Starterpack
Mid-Level Celebrity Starts A Podcast Starter Pack
Rat/Mouse Main Character In Movies Starterpack
Ren and Stimpy never get the respect they deserve. Kids if you wanna find out how it all started watch some Ren and Stimpy.
New Cars In 2023 Starter Pack
I hate LED low beams. They use PWM to reduce the full beam brightness and it hurts my eyes. Bring back halogens!
Brazilian Household Starter Pack
Those Pesky Kids At The Gym Starter Pack
Driving Your Parents Around Starter Pack
My brother driving. Me: "Turn left..." Brother whiplashes left across 4 lanes of traffic. Me: "...at the next light. Dumbass."
The Annoying Hispanic Family (I’m Hispanic) Out In Public Starter Pack
"Girls Get So Many Compliments, How Come No One Compliments Me On My Appearance?" Starter Pack
Aging Urban Millennial Starter Pack
The "You Knew You Stayed Up Too Late As A Child" Starterpack
Comment Section Of Literally Every Single Post Involving A Tall/Muscular Woman Starter Pack
Yes, we get it! Death by snu snu. Would you stop saying it? It does not sound like a word now. /s
R/Foundthemobileuser Starterpack
My "Country's" Boyfriend On Youtube Starterpack
Billionaire Motivation For Insta Teenagers Starter Pack
Driving Anxiety Starter Pack
World Traveler Starterpack
Modern Reddit User Experience Starter Pack
Reddit Api Protest Starter Pack
Suburban Pickup Truck Starter Pack
Dink (Dual Income, No Kids) Starter Pack
The Comment Section On A Video About Porch Pirates Starter Pack
Popular Girl Who Would Treat You Like A Pet Because You Were Quiet Starterpack
Seeing Former High School Classmates At Work Starter Pack
Early 2000s Comedy Starter Pack Part 2
Annoying Youtube Video Starterpack
College Gym Starter Pack
Welding Is Now My Entire Personality Starter Pack
R/Applyingtocollege Starter Pack
Male Millennial High School Teacher Starter Pack
2015 Queer Girl With Undiagnosed Autism Starter Pack
Quarter-Life Crisis Depression Starter Pack
Pokynesian Boys At Your High School Starter Pack
The Realistic “Why I’m Still Single And Virgin” Starter Pack
Apartment Living Starter Pack
Don't forget the kids running and screaming from 6am to 3am. I shared ONE WALL once with a family with ONE KID and the THUMP THUMP THUMP as she ran through the apartment never stopped. I left most of my stuff in boxes and when my 6 month lease was up, I was out.
Female Character Gets Kidnapped Starter Pack
Discord E-Dating Starter Pack
R/Cringetopiarm Starter Pack
Being Afraid To Go To The Gym Starter Pack
The "Early-Mid 2000s Fuccgurl" Starter Pack
Polyamorous Couple Starterpack
Your Parents Found Out You Self-Harm Starterpack
The Actually Annoying Millennial Starter Pack
Bulking Phase Starter Pack
Loosing Weight Starterpack
Gay Bar Starterpack
Once I can read the article, I'll change to an upvote. Down voting all the articles I can't view.
Me too. I seem to be giving many more downvotes than upvotes recently
Load More Replies...The OCD self-diagnosis trend seems to be calming down some, but is being replaced by the autism, sensory, and trypophobia self-diagnoses. When I was in my 20s, everyone was calling themselves bipolar, and in my teens it was sociopathic or schizophrenic. It really trivialize the struggles those who do have it face, and it's insulting. We all have issues we have to deal with, don't beg for attention and pity by claiming to be something you're not.
So many of these are USA specific that they make no sense at all to anyone else
Once I can read the article, I'll change to an upvote. Down voting all the articles I can't view.
Me too. I seem to be giving many more downvotes than upvotes recently
Load More Replies...The OCD self-diagnosis trend seems to be calming down some, but is being replaced by the autism, sensory, and trypophobia self-diagnoses. When I was in my 20s, everyone was calling themselves bipolar, and in my teens it was sociopathic or schizophrenic. It really trivialize the struggles those who do have it face, and it's insulting. We all have issues we have to deal with, don't beg for attention and pity by claiming to be something you're not.
So many of these are USA specific that they make no sense at all to anyone else