Attacking The Three Gorges Dam

2016catchphraseactive

Attacking the Three Gorges Dam is a military meme and geopolitical joke about the United States targeting China's massive hydroelectric dam in a hypothetical conflict. The meme originated on 4chan's weapons board in the mid-2010s and gained traction on Reddit's r/NonCredibleDefense, becoming especially prominent during U.S.-China trade tensions in 2025.

military memes4chan memesdark humor memesreddit memes

Overview

Attacking the Three Gorges Dam refers to memes and online jokes about the United States military targeting China's Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest hydroelectric power station, in a hypothetical future conflict2. The dam, located on the Yangtze River in Hubei province, was completed in 2012 after nearly two decades of construction and holds over 39 billion cubic meters of water1. Its destruction would theoretically cause catastrophic flooding downstream, making it a subject of dark military humor.

The meme typically features images of American stealth bombers, particularly the B-2 Spirit and B-21 Raider, paired with captions expressing eagerness to strike the dam. The phrase "Feed me the Three Gorges Dam" became a popular variant, personifying the bomber as hungry for the target4. Chinese officials have repeatedly stated the dam can withstand attacks and that any attempt would provoke nuclear retaliation1.

These jokes are especially common on 4chan's /k/ weapons board and Reddit's r/NonCredibleDefense, a subreddit dedicated to satirical defense commentary2. The meme walks a fine line between genuine military speculation and absurdist humor about geopolitical tensions.

How It Spread

The meme crossed over to Reddit on January 10th, 2022, when user /u/Thotslayer4447 posted to r/NonCredibleDefense about a rogue pilot attacking the dam, earning over 3,500 upvotes2. The subreddit became a primary hub for Three Gorges Dam content, blending ironic military enthusiasm with genuine defense discussion.

On January 25th, 2023, Redditor /u/M4nd4l0r3_zo15 shared the B-2 "Feed me" screenshot to r/greentext, gathering over 500 upvotes4. X user @DaOfficialVigil posted a video on November 11th, 2023 showing people looking skyward as the American national anthem plays, captioned "Three Gorges Dam workers watching a fleet of B-21's and F-35's approach," which received over 1,000 likes5. In March 2024, user /u/HistorianSlayer contributed a Trolley Problem meme about attacking the dam to r/NonCredibleDefense, gaining over 1,800 upvotes6.

The meme saw a major resurgence in early April 2025 during escalating U.S.-China trade tensions. On April 8th, 2025, X user @cimmerian_v posted a photo of the dam that gathered over 8,000 likes7. This prompted criticism from @Triggeredal, who called it "a uniquely American culture trait" to threaten civilian infrastructure, a post that received over 29,000 likes8. The controversy only amplified the meme's visibility.

How to Use This Meme

The meme typically uses images of American stealth bombers, especially the B-2 Spirit or B-21 Raider, paired with captions expressing enthusiasm for targeting the dam. The phrase "Feed me the Three Gorges Dam" is often used as if the aircraft itself is speaking. Variations include fake scenario descriptions of dam workers reacting to incoming bombers, Trolley Problem edits weighing ethical dilemmas about civilian casualties, and image macros suggesting the dam as a solution to U.S.-China disputes. The tone is usually ironic military enthusiasm rather than genuine advocacy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Attacking The Three Gorges Dam

2016catchphraseactive

Attacking the Three Gorges Dam is a military meme and geopolitical joke about the United States targeting China's massive hydroelectric dam in a hypothetical conflict. The meme originated on 4chan's weapons board in the mid-2010s and gained traction on Reddit's r/NonCredibleDefense, becoming especially prominent during U.S.-China trade tensions in 2025.

military memes 4chan memes dark humor memes reddit memes

Overview

Attacking the Three Gorges Dam refers to memes and online jokes about the United States military targeting China's Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest hydroelectric power station, in a hypothetical future conflict2. The dam, located on the Yangtze River in Hubei province, was completed in 2012 after nearly two decades of construction and holds over 39 billion cubic meters of water1. Its destruction would theoretically cause catastrophic flooding downstream, making it a subject of dark military humor.

The meme typically features images of American stealth bombers, particularly the B-2 Spirit and B-21 Raider, paired with captions expressing eagerness to strike the dam. The phrase "Feed me the Three Gorges Dam" became a popular variant, personifying the bomber as hungry for the target4. Chinese officials have repeatedly stated the dam can withstand attacks and that any attempt would provoke nuclear retaliation1.

These jokes are especially common on 4chan's /k/ weapons board and Reddit's r/NonCredibleDefense, a subreddit dedicated to satirical defense commentary2. The meme walks a fine line between genuine military speculation and absurdist humor about geopolitical tensions.

How It Spread

The meme crossed over to Reddit on January 10th, 2022, when user /u/Thotslayer4447 posted to r/NonCredibleDefense about a rogue pilot attacking the dam, earning over 3,500 upvotes2. The subreddit became a primary hub for Three Gorges Dam content, blending ironic military enthusiasm with genuine defense discussion.

On January 25th, 2023, Redditor /u/M4nd4l0r3_zo15 shared the B-2 "Feed me" screenshot to r/greentext, gathering over 500 upvotes4. X user @DaOfficialVigil posted a video on November 11th, 2023 showing people looking skyward as the American national anthem plays, captioned "Three Gorges Dam workers watching a fleet of B-21's and F-35's approach," which received over 1,000 likes5. In March 2024, user /u/HistorianSlayer contributed a Trolley Problem meme about attacking the dam to r/NonCredibleDefense, gaining over 1,800 upvotes6.

The meme saw a major resurgence in early April 2025 during escalating U.S.-China trade tensions. On April 8th, 2025, X user @cimmerian_v posted a photo of the dam that gathered over 8,000 likes7. This prompted criticism from @Triggeredal, who called it "a uniquely American culture trait" to threaten civilian infrastructure, a post that received over 29,000 likes8. The controversy only amplified the meme's visibility.

How to Use This Meme

The meme typically uses images of American stealth bombers, especially the B-2 Spirit or B-21 Raider, paired with captions expressing enthusiasm for targeting the dam. The phrase "Feed me the Three Gorges Dam" is often used as if the aircraft itself is speaking. Variations include fake scenario descriptions of dam workers reacting to incoming bombers, Trolley Problem edits weighing ethical dilemmas about civilian casualties, and image macros suggesting the dam as a solution to U.S.-China disputes. The tone is usually ironic military enthusiasm rather than genuine advocacy.

Frequently Asked Questions