I think otherwise: the memes have grown to adulthood like us. When we were teens, we were full of hope that those damn jetpacks, electric cars and real waifus would be available by now. Oh, and peace and prosperity for the world. However, we found that reality is a real bitch and (like Agent K said), the human as a mob is a dumb creature, so we screw ourselves. Therefore the memes have reflected that sad reality.

Instead of escapism humor, now we have the edgiest gallows humor since Bocaccio. Morty was right.