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I'm Gonna Pretend I Didn't See That

I'm Gonna Pretend I Didn't See That

Part of a series on Reaction Images. [View Related Entries]

Updated Nov 22, 2023 at 03:02PM EST by Zach.

Added Nov 30, 2018 at 03:16PM EST by Matt.

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About

I'm Gonna Pretend I Didn't See That refers to a series of reaction image macros of featuring a photograph of musician and recording artist Ray Charles, who was visually impaired, and the phrase. The image is used as the punchline to jokes about one's willful ignorance.

Origin

The image of Ray Charles at a piano has been used on album covers, books and other materials featuring or about Charles's work since 1960, when the photograph was reportedly taken.[1]

On November 24th, 2018, Redditor LeftyOnenut submitted posted the image with the phrase "I'm gonna pretend I didn't see that." Above the image is the caption "When Saudi Arabia executes a journalist but gas drops below $2 a gallon…" Within five days, the post received more than 31,000 points (95% upvoted) and 335 comments on /r/memes[5] (shown below).


When Saudi Arabia executes a journalist but gas drops below $2 a gallon. I'm gonna pretend I didn't see that

Spread

On November 25th, 2018, Redditor EverythingTittysBoil reposted the image to /r/dankmemes.[2]

The following day, more Redditors began posting the image with a variety of captions. Redditor[3] HamimMostafa posted the image with a joke about the Bible ignoring the existence of dinosaurs. The post received more than 16,000 points (91% upvoted) and 300 comments (shown below, left).

On November 27th, Redditor[4] Archie_B16 posted a version about the flat earth conspiracy theory in the /r/MemeEconomy subreddit. Within three days, the post received more than 20,000 points (94% upvoted) and 635 comments (shown below, center).

Over the next three days, Redditors continued to post images in /r/me_irl and /r/dankmemes (example below).


Dinosaurs: exists for millions of years before going extinct* The Bible: I'm gonna pretend I didn't see that Scientists: years of research proving the earth isn't flat Flat earthers: I'm gonna pretend I didn't see that. radio: *Something about PCs being bad for us* they are bad for your ath radio: "Something about PCs being good for us* Parent: I'm gonna pretend I didn't hear that.

Various Examples


When Saudi Arabia executes a journalist but gas drops below $2 a gallon... 'm gonna Dretend I didn't see that. Assad government: *bombs civilians with chlorine gas for the 2186232nd time* Assad supporters: mgonna pretend I didntsee that Switzerland every time there's a World War going on I'm onna Dretend I didn't see that.
Hitler: *invades Czechoslovakia* Chamberlain: I'm gonna pretend I didn't see that Romans: kill Jesus, then later convert to Christianity Jesus: I'm gonna pretend I didn't see that. My 5 year old self when I visit the ocean. 0 I D se nSe

Search Interest

External References

[1] Alamy – RAY CHARLES – Photo Courtesy Granamour Weems Collection Editorial Use Only

[2] Reddit – Who takes the W on that one?

[3] Reddit – Humans: Nice place N-word

[4] Reddit – Versatile format with many applications. Invest!

[5] Reddit – /r/memes

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