Lecture Notes: Chill Guy Meme Phenomenon

Introduction

• New character created by Philip Banks
• Uploaded on October 4th with caption "My New Character"
• Character: Chill Guy – a relaxed persona that seems indifferent

Popularity and Exploitation

• The Chill Guy became widely popular and exploited in memes
• Trend peaked in August 2024, continuing into September
• Memes easily adapt the character for various narratives

Character Analysis

• Many edits feature Chill Guy with quotes from Dexter
• Suggests he has calm exterior but inner turmoil
• Similar to other fan art trends (e.g., Brazilian Hatsune Miku)
• Chill Guy is an anti-special character, not a celebrity

Creator's Perspective

• Philip Banks acknowledges but feels sad about misrepresentation
• Chill Guy's name is often misquoted as "My New Character"
• Banks understands meme culture but highlights the distance from original intent

Cultural Impact

• Chill Guy's image adopted by organizations (e.g., Atlanta Hawks) without crediting Banks
• Cosplay of Chill Guy has become common
• Represents a blank canvas for projection of ideas and fantasies

Conclusion

• Chill Guy's phenomenon illustrates how art can evolve beyond creator's control
• Original intent often lost in meme culture
• Discussion prompt: What meme should be covered next?

Call to Action

• Encouragement to comment and subscribe
• Humor in closing remarks