From Abstract Satire to Cute Memes: Understanding Online Group Exclusion Psychology

In internet culture, memes are more than just a few words, an image, or a fixed sentence pattern. They often carry group identity, emotional expression, and social rules. Some people are accustomed to sharp, sarcastic, ironic, or even self-deprecating expressions, believing that the more offensive and absurd the content, the better the humor. Others prefer cute, soft, and highly repetitive expressions, gaining closeness and a sense of security through “cute-ified” language.

When these two cultures collide, the conflict is usually not caused by a specific meme itself, but is triggered by long-established expression habits, identity recognition, and group boundaries. The so-called “dislike of the Big Fat Fish type of meme”—where “Big Fat Fish” refers to a category of internet expression characterized by cuteness, anthropomorphism, collective repetition, and low-aggression humor—can be understood as a strong rejection of a specific online style.

1. Why Expression Styles Affect Emotional Responses

Human emotional judgments depend not only on content but also on the tone, rhythm, and social context of that content.

For those long exposed to satirical and deconstructive expressions, aggressiveness in language may have become a “default background.” This type of expression usually has several characteristics: first, creating punchlines through exaggeration and belittling; second, emphasizing seeing through the surface and refusing to express sincerity directly; third, using irony to protect oneself and avoid exposing true emotions; fourth, confirming mutual understanding within the group by collectively mocking a target.

In such an environment, overly straightforward cute expressions may be experienced as “unnatural,” “childish,” or “deliberate.” This does not mean there is an inherent problem with cute culture; rather, it shows that different groups decode linguistic signals differently. What one person sees as relaxation and intimacy in a certain context, another might see as out-of-control repetition, fake enthusiasm, or collective emotional coercion.

From a cognitive perspective, this is a “style mismatch.” When external information differs too much from the expression templates an individual is accustomed to, the brain may prioritize generating alertness and rejection rather than patiently analyzing its specific meaning.

2. From Aesthetic Discomfort to Attack Impulses

“Disliking” something is normal, but dislike does not necessarily lead to attack. There are usually several psychological processes between the two.

1. Interpreting Group Style as an Identity Threat

Online groups often distinguish “insiders” from “outsiders” through linguistic style. When a person has already regarded sarcasm, coldness, and sharpness as part of their cultural identity, the emergence of another style might be misinterpreted as a denial of their own values.

Thus, the problem gradually shifts from “I don’t like this meme” to “The people who use this meme are ridiculous.” This step means the object of evaluation shifts from content to people, and the conflict escalates accordingly.

2. Misinterpreting Unfamiliarity as Malice

Cute expressions usually have high repetitiveness and strong imitability. People unfamiliar with their background might interpret this collective repetition as deliberate posturing, emotional pollution, or occupation of public space.

However, unfamiliarity does not equal malice. The main function of many group memes is to establish intimacy, not to attack external members. Without explicit insults, harassment, or exclusionary behavior, one should not infer hostility solely based on stylistic differences.

3. Restoring Control Through Attacks

When a certain expression makes people feel they are losing familiar order, attacking may bring a brief sense of control. Mockery, deconstruction, and denial can quickly transform complex discomfort into simple conclusions: it is stupid, they are annoying, I must fight back.

This reaction can jokingly be called a “Domineering Impulse,” but behaviorally, it is closer to an impulsive confrontation driven by discomfort. It does not necessarily mean a person truly has a sustained desire to harm others, but it shows that emotion has begun to replace judgment.

3. Distinguishing Aesthetic Boundaries from Bullying Behavior

Expressing “I don’t like it” is a personal preference; requesting that others not spam in a specific space is reasonable community management; while sieging, insulting, exposing privacy, and inciting group exclusion may constitute substantive online harm.

To judge whether behavior crosses the line, three questions can be referenced:

First, is it targeting a specific person, rather than just discussing content?
Criticizing the spread effect of a meme is not the same as belittling the intelligence, personality, or appearance of its users.

Second, is it persistent and collective?
A one-time impolite complaint is completely different in severity from long-term tracking, repeated harassment, and gathering others to attack.

Third, does it deprive the other party of normal participation in the space?
If a person merely uses their preferred expression without violating community rules, yet is collectively expelled because the style doesn’t fit, the conflict has evolved from an aesthetic disagreement into group bullying.

Therefore, mature internet participants need to establish a clear boundary: one can reject, block, exit, or propose rule suggestions, but should not automatically upgrade “I feel uncomfortable” to “the other party should be humiliated.”

4. How to Reduce Conflict in Actual Communication

1. Describe Your Own Reaction Instead of Defining Others

“This kind of repetitive expression makes me a bit uncomfortable” is easier for the other party to understand than “You are all disgusting.” The former describes personal feelings, while the latter labels the group.

You can adopt the “Observation-Feeling-Need” structure:

• Observation: A large number of repetitive cute expressions have appeared in the current discussion;
• Feeling: This makes it difficult for me to concentrate on reading and causes noticeable irritation;
• Need: I hope to reduce spamming in the technical discussion area or concentrate related content into a dedicated channel.

This kind of expression preserves boundaries and reduces antagonism.

2. Use Blocking and Zoning Instead of Forcing Change

Online environments usually provide mechanisms such as mute, block, keyword filtering, channel categorization, and content folding. Rationally using these features can transform “everyone must change” into “I choose an information environment suitable for myself.”

This does not mean running away from problems, but acknowledging that different groups can have different expression spaces. As long as boundaries are clear and rules are transparent, cultural coexistence is usually more effective than mutual transformation.

3. Prioritize Discussing Rules in Public Spaces

If a certain type of meme indeed affects the reading experience, the most effective method is not to attack users one by one, but to discuss executable community rules, such as limiting spam frequency, separating topic channels, prohibiting personal insults, and clarifying reporting and appeal processes.

Rules should target behavior, not a certain aesthetic. This protects discussion quality and avoids turning management into cultural discrimination.

4. Set a Delay for Emotional Responses

When a strong impulse to “rush up and mock” arises, you can pause for a few minutes and not reply immediately. A brief delay can reduce the impact of emotional peaks on judgment.

You can also write down three questions first:

• What do I really dislike: the content, the frequency, or the group identity of the participants?
• Did the other party actually harm me, or just break my aesthetic habits?
• If I send this sentence, will the problem get smaller, or will it only expand the conflict?

If the answer is just “I want to make the other party feel bad,” then it is best not to send it.

5. Understanding “Cute” vs. “Satirical” Memes from a Group Culture Perspective

Cute memes are not necessarily shallow, and satirical memes are not necessarily advanced. They simply serve different social functions.

Cute expressions are often used to reduce distance, express dependence, and create a relaxed atmosphere; satirical expressions are often used to release pressure, dismantle authority, and protect self-esteem. The former emphasizes connection, while the latter emphasizes defense. If a person relies on the latter for a long time, they may gradually lose the ability to directly express liking, vulnerability, and closeness, so their first reaction when facing sincere or soft content is to debunk and mock.

Being aware of this does not require anyone to force themselves to like memes like “Big Fat Fish,” but helps people understand: their aversion may come not only from the content itself but also from unfamiliarity with another way of expressing emotion.

Conclusion

There is nothing wrong with disliking a certain type of internet meme; what truly needs vigilance is transforming personal discomfort into sustained attacks on others. Mature internet expression is not about eliminating all differences, but about being able to distinguish content from personality, boundaries from bullying, and criticism from humiliation when differences exist.

The so-called “Domineering Impulse” can serve as self-deprecation regarding one’s impulses, but should not become an excuse to harm others. Facing unfamiliar group cultures, the safest approach is to first identify the source of your own emotions, and then choose to block, exit, communicate, or propose rules. Retaining sharpness does not mean having to hurt others; possessing judgment also means knowing when it is unnecessary to strike.