What Has Been Seen Cannot Be Unseen

What Has Been Seen Cannot Be Unseen

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Updated Oct 17, 2023 at 11:42AM EDT by Don.

Added Nov 05, 2009 at 08:32PM EST by Jostin Asuncion.

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WHAT HAS BEEN SEEN CAN'T BE UNSEEN


About

(What Has Been Seen) Cannot Be Unseen is an Internet axiom which states that one literally cannot get rid of the mental image that becomes part of the memory after looking at a disturbing photo or a video. The phrase is commonly used as incredulous reaction to a shock sites or a surprising revelation of anomalies in an unsuspecting image, similar to the usage of the phrase "when you see it, you'll shat brix."

Origin

The vividness of mental images[17] in human brain has been studied by philosophers for centuries. While it is likely similar notions[6] about our visual memory had been made before, the earliest known usage of the phrase "cannot be unseen" on the web can be found in an inspiring quote by Canadian cartoonist David Sim[14], which read:

"Once a profound truth has been seen, it cannot be 'unseen'."

Sim's quote was cited in a number of blog posts[15] and essays throughout the early 2000s. However, its first iteration in the context of describing a traumatic experience can be attributed to a personal blog post about Goatse titled "Some Images, Once Seen, Cannot Be Unseen,"[16] written by Joey devIlla on December 15th, 2004.

Spread

Beginning in 2004, the phrase soon became associated with one's reaction to seeing shock sites that were trending at the time. On November 3rd, 2005, the phrase appeared in a Tribe Magazine forums[4] thread in describing the infamous Tubgirl. On September 24th, 2006, the phrase appeared in an eBaum's World forum[5] thread in which the OP asked other users to share some disturbing images that cannot be erased from their memories. The usage of the phrase became increasingly common in 2007[13], fueled by the creation of a demotivational poster featuring a picture of a wide-eyed cat and the phrase in caption.


WHAT HAS BEEN SEEN Cannot be un-seen.

On September 17th, 2007, it was mentioned in an inCrysis gaming forum[1] thread to describe one's first impression of 4chan. Later that same month, the phrase re-appeared on Neatorama as a comment[2] in reference to the Tubgirl and in October 2007, the adage was brought up on the Internet humor blog Blame it on the Voices.[3] The single topic blog Can't Be Unseen[7] was registered in September 2009, which focused on curating pairs of juxtapositional images to bring out a design flaw or a hidden imagery.


CANT BE UNSEEN COM

In 2010, several blogs began using the phrase as a tag for visually striking or odd images including the Daily What[8], Geekologie[9] and Blame It On The Voices,[10] not to mention the tag #cannot be unseen on Tumblr.[11] In 2011, Buzzfeed[12] also highlighted a series of images with the description "cannot be unseen."

Notable Examples

Hidden Imageries


DODGE VIPER DAFFY DUCK? CANT BE UNSEEN.COM its a tooth NEW esquik
CANT BE UNSEEN.COM See the bear? Look closer!

Reaction Images


CANNOT UNSEE WHAT I HAVE SEEN WHAT HAS BEEN SEEN CANNOT BE UNSEEN WHAT HAS BEEN SEEN cannot be unseern lol MotivatedPhotos.com
AAAAAA!!!MAKE ME UNSEE IT!!!!!! What has been seen cannot he unseen THAT WHICH HAS BEEN SEEN CANNOT BE UNSEEN.

Search Interest

Search for the phrase began in October 2007, with "cannot be unseen" overtaking in popularity in November 2009. However, they both have similar search patterns, with matching peaks and drops.

External References

[1] inCrysis – 4chan is full of terrorists!!!!!!!!!!!!111

[2] Neatorama – Comment using "what has been seen…"

[3] Blame It On The Voices – Elvis Camel Toe

[4] Tribe Forums – Cannot be unseen

[5] eBaum's World Forum – Things that you can't unsay

[6] Third World Traveler – Excerpts from Power Politics, 2001

[7] Can't Be Unseen – Home

[8] Geekologie – Posts tagged "cannot be unseen"

[9] The Daily What – Posts tagged "cannot be unseen"

[10] Blame It On The Voices – Posts tagged "cannot be unseen"

[11] Tumblr – Posts tagged "cannot be unseen"

[12] Buzzfeed – 21 Things That Cannot Be Unseen

[13] GenMay Forums – post requesting "Cannot be Unseen cat

[14] BrainyQuote – David Sim's Quote

[15] Discover Magazine – Einstein and Gödel=

[16] Joey deVilla's Personal Blog – Some Images, Once Seen, Cannot Be Unseen

[17] Wikipedia – Mental Image

[18] Online Slang Dictionary – Definition of CNBU

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