A Message to the "Meme Purists" & Fill-In Haters (such as Matkiko)
"I’m posting this to clear up the confusion regarding fill-in memes (also known as DeviantArt-style memes).
They ARE Memes: Just because they don’t fit your specific definition of a 'captioned image' doesn't mean they aren't part of internet culture. A meme is any idea, style, or behavior that spreads from person to person within a culture. Fill-in templates have been a cornerstone of creativity and community-building on DeviantArt and beyond for over a decade.
Different Doesn’t Mean Bad: Just because a format seems 'different' or 'low-effort' to you doesn't give you the right to harass the creators. Art and humor are subjective. If you don’t like a specific style, the 'Ignore' and 'Block' buttons exist for a reason.
Harassment is Never the Answer: Calling people names like 'manchild' or 'disgrace,' or making targeted 'call-out' posts, is a violation of community standards and basic decency. It doesn't make your point stronger; it just makes the community toxic.
I enjoy this format, and many others do too. Let’s go back to actually making content instead of policing what others choose to create."
