In 1993, cartoonist Peter Steiner created a joke that became a cultural icon. Steiner, who worked at the New Yorker magazine, drew two dogs sitting in front of a computer. One of them, in a chair, looked at the screen and said: "On the Internet, no one knows that you are a dog." At that time it was just another comic strip in a newspaper; Today, it can be considered the first meme in the history of the Internet. And it can cost a fortune.
The original cartoon is about to change hands 30 years later. Heritage Auctions plans to auction off this iconic piece at its illustration art event on October 6, with the first bid set at $50,000. This sale marks a milestone in the history of memes and Internet culture.
Even though in 1993 most people had not experienced the Internet, this cartoon has stood the test of time. Bob Mankoff, former cartoon editor of the New Yorker, reflected on his success at a gathering that also included Steiner himself for Heritage Auctions, saying: "Most people hadn't even used the Internet in 1993. I certainly "It had no connection. But I think part of its success comes from the fact that we all live in a world that that cartoon foreshadowed."
Steiner, the creator of the joke, commented on his own creation: "I would love to be able to say I saw this coming, but that's how it was. It just became more relevant. Now we're looking at artificial intelligence. AI is like the top dog on the Internet." , he joked. Ultimately, what makes this joke work is the simple, timeless formula of a dog saying something a normal person would say.
The joke "No one on the Internet knows you're a dog" resonates today more than ever because of the power of anonymity in the Internet age. Online anonymity gives people a voice they would never otherwise have, and this vignette captures this fundamental aspect of online culture.
The historical context and prophetic nature of the joke also contribute to its longevity. As society evolves and technology advances, Steiner's observation remains relevant. Even though the Internet world has changed drastically since then, the message that "no one knows who you are online" is still true in many ways.
