What Has Science Done

2007Image macro / reaction phraseclassic

Also known as: WHSD · What Hath Science Wrought

What Has Science Done? is a 2007 image-macro reaction phrase expressing mock horror at bizarre, unnatural creations, typically captioned over strange animals, cursed Photoshop edits, and surreal DIY inventions.

"What Has Science Done?" is an image macro and reaction phrase used online to express mock horror at bizarre, unnatural, or absurdly creative creations. The phrase took off in the mid-to-late 2000s across imageboards and forums, typically captioned over images of strange animals, cursed Photoshop edits, or weird DIY inventions that look like they shouldn't exist.

catchphrase memesimage macro memesreaction memesabsurdist humor memes

Overview

"What Has Science Done?" follows a simple formula: pair the phrase with an image of something that looks wrong, unnatural, or bizarrely inventive. The joke frames the subject as if it were the result of some reckless scientific experiment gone sideways. Common targets include photoshopped animal hybrids, cursed taxidermy, strange food combinations, and oddly engineered gadgets3.

The phrase works as both a caption on image macros and a standalone reaction comment. Someone posts a picture of a cat-fish hybrid or a hot dog stuffed inside a pizza stuffed inside a burrito, and the reply is just: "WHAT HAS SCIENCE DONE?"

The exact first use is difficult to pin down, but "What Has Science Done?" emerged from imageboard culture in the mid-2000s. The phrase gained traction on 4chan and similar communities where users frequently shared bizarre Photoshop creations and cursed images. Urban Dictionary's earliest entry for the phrase defines it as an internet meme "often used to describe something extraordinary, commonly a rare creativity which has a relation to science as a whole"3.

The meme's format drew from the broader tradition of imageboard reaction phrases and image macros popular during that era, sitting alongside formats like "DO NOT WANT" and "WHAT IS THIS I DON'T EVEN."

Origin & Background

Platform
4chan (early spread), forums and imageboards
Creator
Unknown
Date
~2007–2008

The exact first use is difficult to pin down, but "What Has Science Done?" emerged from imageboard culture in the mid-2000s. The phrase gained traction on 4chan and similar communities where users frequently shared bizarre Photoshop creations and cursed images. Urban Dictionary's earliest entry for the phrase defines it as an internet meme "often used to describe something extraordinary, commonly a rare creativity which has a relation to science as a whole".

The meme's format drew from the broader tradition of imageboard reaction phrases and image macros popular during that era, sitting alongside formats like "DO NOT WANT" and "WHAT IS THIS I DON'T EVEN."

How It Spread

The phrase spread quickly across forums, DeviantArt, and early social media. On DeviantArt, artists created original illustrations riffing on the concept. One notable example is DashMartin's 2010 piece titled "What has science done???" depicting a creature spliced from cat, possum, fish, and human DNA, described by the artist as something that "seemed like a good idea at the time".

Urban Dictionary entries documented the phrase's use as a reaction to inventions and creations that push the boundaries of common sense. The meme found natural homes on Reddit, Tumblr, and Imgur where users regularly posted images of animal hybrids, cursed food experiments, and strange scientific discoveries.

The phrase also overlapped with related communities like Something Awful's forums, where absurdist humor and bizarre image sharing were already well-established traditions.

How to Use This Meme

The format is flexible. The most common approaches:

1

Find or create an image of something that looks unnervingly wrong or bizarrely inventive

2

Caption it with "WHAT HAS SCIENCE DONE" in large text, typically in Impact font for the classic image macro look

3

Alternatively, drop the phrase as a comment reply to someone else's cursed image or weird creation

Fun Facts

Urban Dictionary's definition specifically highlights the meme's connection to "rare creativity," not just horror. The phrase can express genuine awe alongside mock dismay.

The DashMartin DeviantArt illustration was made using Manga Studio EX 4.0 and Adobe Photoshop CS3, tools typical of the late 2000s digital art scene.

The meme's staying power comes from its versatility. Any era's weird creation, from early Photoshop disasters to modern AI art glitches, fits the format.

Derivatives & Variations

Spliced animal art

— Artists on DeviantArt and other platforms created original works depicting DNA-spliced hybrid creatures as intentional riffs on the meme's premise[2].

Science fair parodies

— Users applied the caption to images of questionable school science projects and amateur chemistry experiments[3].

Frequently Asked Questions

What Has Science Done

2007Image macro / reaction phraseclassic

Also known as: WHSD · What Hath Science Wrought

What Has Science Done? is a 2007 image-macro reaction phrase expressing mock horror at bizarre, unnatural creations, typically captioned over strange animals, cursed Photoshop edits, and surreal DIY inventions.

"What Has Science Done?" is an image macro and reaction phrase used online to express mock horror at bizarre, unnatural, or absurdly creative creations. The phrase took off in the mid-to-late 2000s across imageboards and forums, typically captioned over images of strange animals, cursed Photoshop edits, or weird DIY inventions that look like they shouldn't exist.

catchphrase memes image macro memes reaction memes absurdist humor memes

Overview

"What Has Science Done?" follows a simple formula: pair the phrase with an image of something that looks wrong, unnatural, or bizarrely inventive. The joke frames the subject as if it were the result of some reckless scientific experiment gone sideways. Common targets include photoshopped animal hybrids, cursed taxidermy, strange food combinations, and oddly engineered gadgets.

The phrase works as both a caption on image macros and a standalone reaction comment. Someone posts a picture of a cat-fish hybrid or a hot dog stuffed inside a pizza stuffed inside a burrito, and the reply is just: "WHAT HAS SCIENCE DONE?"

The exact first use is difficult to pin down, but "What Has Science Done?" emerged from imageboard culture in the mid-2000s. The phrase gained traction on 4chan and similar communities where users frequently shared bizarre Photoshop creations and cursed images. Urban Dictionary's earliest entry for the phrase defines it as an internet meme "often used to describe something extraordinary, commonly a rare creativity which has a relation to science as a whole".

The meme's format drew from the broader tradition of imageboard reaction phrases and image macros popular during that era, sitting alongside formats like "DO NOT WANT" and "WHAT IS THIS I DON'T EVEN."

Origin & Background

Platform
4chan (early spread), forums and imageboards
Creator
Unknown
Date
~2007–2008

The exact first use is difficult to pin down, but "What Has Science Done?" emerged from imageboard culture in the mid-2000s. The phrase gained traction on 4chan and similar communities where users frequently shared bizarre Photoshop creations and cursed images. Urban Dictionary's earliest entry for the phrase defines it as an internet meme "often used to describe something extraordinary, commonly a rare creativity which has a relation to science as a whole".

The meme's format drew from the broader tradition of imageboard reaction phrases and image macros popular during that era, sitting alongside formats like "DO NOT WANT" and "WHAT IS THIS I DON'T EVEN."

How It Spread

The phrase spread quickly across forums, DeviantArt, and early social media. On DeviantArt, artists created original illustrations riffing on the concept. One notable example is DashMartin's 2010 piece titled "What has science done???" depicting a creature spliced from cat, possum, fish, and human DNA, described by the artist as something that "seemed like a good idea at the time".

Urban Dictionary entries documented the phrase's use as a reaction to inventions and creations that push the boundaries of common sense. The meme found natural homes on Reddit, Tumblr, and Imgur where users regularly posted images of animal hybrids, cursed food experiments, and strange scientific discoveries.

The phrase also overlapped with related communities like Something Awful's forums, where absurdist humor and bizarre image sharing were already well-established traditions.

How to Use This Meme

The format is flexible. The most common approaches:

1

Find or create an image of something that looks unnervingly wrong or bizarrely inventive

2

Caption it with "WHAT HAS SCIENCE DONE" in large text, typically in Impact font for the classic image macro look

3

Alternatively, drop the phrase as a comment reply to someone else's cursed image or weird creation

Fun Facts

Urban Dictionary's definition specifically highlights the meme's connection to "rare creativity," not just horror. The phrase can express genuine awe alongside mock dismay.

The DashMartin DeviantArt illustration was made using Manga Studio EX 4.0 and Adobe Photoshop CS3, tools typical of the late 2000s digital art scene.

The meme's staying power comes from its versatility. Any era's weird creation, from early Photoshop disasters to modern AI art glitches, fits the format.

Derivatives & Variations

Spliced animal art

— Artists on DeviantArt and other platforms created original works depicting DNA-spliced hybrid creatures as intentional riffs on the meme's premise[2].

Science fair parodies

— Users applied the caption to images of questionable school science projects and amateur chemistry experiments[3].

Frequently Asked Questions