About

The "Everyone is 12 Now" Theory and Of Course You Do, You're 12, also written "Everyone is Twelve Now" Theory and Of Course You Do, You're Twelve, refers to an internet theory about American politics and society that's based on the belief that everyone in the country has the worldview and opinions of a 12-year-old child. The theory was coined by Bluesky user Patrick Cosmos (@veryimportant.lawyer) in early September 2025.

In the following weeks, the theory led to jokes and memes on Twitter / X and other social media sites, as it was commonly referenced in quote-tweets and replies when real-world examples supposedly proved the theory right. The catchphrase, "Of course you do, you're 12," was routinely used in viral posts referencing the theory, preceded by the action, opinion or hobby deemed immature by the poster.

Origin

On September 7th, 2025, Bluesky^[1] user Patrick Cosmos (@veryimportant.lawyer) shared a skeet, reading, "Working on a new unified theory of American reality I'm calling 'everyone is twelve now,'" gaining over 13,000 likes in a month.

A few minutes later, Patrick Cosmos replied to the post on Bluesky^[2] and listed examples of the theory, reading, "'I'm strong and I want to have like fifty kids and a farm.' Of course you do. You're twelve. 'I don't want to eat vegetables. I think steak and French fries is the only meal.' Hell yeah, homie, you're twelve. 'Maybe if there's crime we should just send the army.' Bless your heart my twelve-year-old buddy." The reply gained over 11,000 likes in a month.

Spread

On October 3rd, 2025, X^[2] user @gnawbone_ replied to a post about "challenge coins" (a small coin or medallion that bears an organization's emblem that is carried by members, given as awards or exchanged with others) being handed out by FBI Director Kash Patel, which resembled the Punisher Skull. The reply was a screenshot of the original "Everyone is 12 Now" post on Bluesky, gaining over 6,300 likes in 20 days.

Later on October 3rd, X^[3] user @LinkofSunshine quote-tweeted the same post, attaching the Everyone is 12 Now post screenshot, gaining over 3,200 likes in 20 days.

Also that day, Tumblr^[6] user depsidase shared a screenshot of the original post, gaining over 6,700 notes in a similar timeframe.

On October 4th, 2025, X^[4] user @JoshEakle tweeted the same screenshot of the original Bluesky post, captioning it, "This is the most accurate descriptor of the new American reality that I've seen to date," receiving over 3,600 likes in 19 days.

On October 5th, X^[5] user @jjellisart tweeted a screenshot of the original Everyone is 12 Now post and two more screenshots of them referencing the theory in an Instagram comment section argument with another user. @jjellisart wrote, "This is so devastating and effective. It feels like using napalm on an ant hill. The game is forever changed," receiving over 63,000 likes in 18 days.

On October 22nd, 2025, X^[7] user @NopeSignal quote-tweeted the Oregon State 67 Guys Interrupting Female Reporter Olivia Cleary viral video, writing, "'Everyone is Twelve now' theory remains undefeated," gaining over 64,000 likes in a day.

Also on October 22nd, Bluesky^[8] user @kattenbarge called the original Everyone is 12 Now post a Load-Bearing Post of the app, gaining over 2,600 likes in a day.

On that same day, X^[9] user @jjellisart quote-tweeted a video posted by the DOW Rapid Response account, showing U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth riding in the backseat of a fighter jet. @jjellisart wrote, "You wanna do a ride-along in the backseat of a big plane and cosplay being a pilot? Of course you do, you're twelve," gaining over 89,000 likes in a day.

Various Examples

Search Interest

External References