Social Media Digest

Life as a game

A new type of joke is taking social media by storm — one that playfully mocks a fictional game called Earth Online. The twist? Earth Online isn't a real game, but an internet meme that frames real life as a massive multiplayer online role-playing game.

Young people are adopting this metaphor, describing life as a hyper-realistic, mandatory game you can't log off from. The core idea is to deconstruct reality using gaming lingo, all delivered with a dose of humor and self-deprecation.

For instance, you'll find comments like: "This game has over 8 billion active players worldwide" or "No save points or restarts — you're speedrunning it with just one life" and "Too many pay-to-win players are ruining the standard experience".

The Earth Online meme first appeared around 2015 on niche forums and message boards. It gradually gained popularity thanks to its endless potential for creative reinterpretation.

Some fans have even created social media accounts pretending to be the official Earth Online system, posting mock updates and in-game "announcements" for real-world holidays and events.

For many young people, framing real-life challenges as part of a game not only helps them make sense of their experiences but also provides a humorous way to cope with stress and anxiety.