Computers are the reason that the world works in the way that it does today, and by that logic, programmers are some of the people with the most power to influence our day-to-day lives. However, for those who work in a role that involves coding, it often doesn’t seem that way. Just like any other job, it is mired in the kinds of setbacks and frustrations that make it difficult to have some perspective on the matter. When your focus is on one pesky error you just can’t seem to fix, it is hard to look at the bigger picture.

This is one of the unexpected ways in which programming memes can have a purpose beyond a refreshing distraction and form of entertainment. They offer a means to see how others look at the powerful yet frustrating world of learning how to code. It is a meaty topic, whether we’re taking it seriously or not.