What Does 'Nothing Ever Happens' Mean? The Discourse Stagnation Meme Explained

The Governor of Texas issues a statement arguing the Constitution allows states to nullify federal law, a case that was last made at the time of the Civil War. Meme accounts and people on TikTok talk about 'serious situations' and 'crisis.' Other Republican states mobilize their national guards and promise to send them south to the border and support Texas. It seems like something might be happening.

However, according to many online, nothing ever happens. It looks like the world is about to change, but then it doesn't: recent history seems to be more about stability than transformation. Let's explain this catchphrase, where it comes from, and why it's getting thrown around more and more lately.

Where Does 'Nothing Ever Happens' Come From?

The catchphrase first popped up on 4chan's /pol/ board around 2016. It was used throughout the next few years by close watchers of world politics and events who expected major events to result in major changes, but saw over and over again that it didn't happen. They observed that, despite protests, wars, conspiracies, and dire warnings online, "nothing ever happens."

The catchphrase is the opposite of "It's happening," another, older 4chan catchphrase that posters used to signal their excitement or dread at world-changing events. From its beginnings there, the catchphrase spread to the broader internet. The catchphrase is often associated with Chudjak.

What Does 'Nothing Ever Happens' Mean?

The catchphrase expresses a skepticism about the possibility of change, positive or negative. It's the rallying cry of people who are both unwilling to engage in conspiratorial thinking and unwilling to imagine a transformation in the world. It seems to express bitterness and acceptance at the same time: nothing ever happens, regardless of how much some part of you wants things to happen.

Why Do People Post That 'Nothing Ever Happens'?

After the Wagner Group's closely-watched rebellion against the Russian military in June of 2023 resulted in what appeared to be a return to the status quo, posters employed the "Nothing Ever Happens" catchphrase.

"Nothing Ever Happens" keeps cropping up every time that something doesn't happen in politics or world affairs, which is pretty often. Often, the meme is accompanied by posts about doomsday prepping for a cataclysm that never happens.

The catchphrase could be seen as a criticism of sensationalized responses to world events in the media and online. At the same time, the catchphrase seems to express a kind of detachment: people are watching the world online as if it were a show and they're awaiting some apocalyptic event, some series or season finale.

For the full history of Nothing Ever Happens, be sure to check out Know Your Meme's encyclopedia entry for more information.