I don’t mean in a retro way. I mean do you think it still works to use older meme formats where they perform the role you need? Or do you think this is like trying to use “groovy” or “tubular?”

A related discussion is about what I call “meta memes”, but there are probably better names for them. Essentially core meme format structures that communicate the same idea even if the images are swapped out. (Although they may have subtly different connotations depending on the pictures.) For example there is the “Not A, B” structure which you can see in things like the Drake meme as one of the more common versions of this, but with many variations using different images. Perhaps some older meme formats simply underwent this transition and still exist, just in an updated form. In which case, I wonder what those newer versions are. Perhaps there are some that never got a modern equivalent, but were left behind anyway.

There are also some memes which by their nature kind of can’t be updated. Like a Rick Roll has to be “Never Gonna Give You Up” because the joke is the very act of being tricked into specifically watching that video again. Are there other examples that fit this category?