The Big Cat Came—and So Did the Memes

A mania swung through my hometown, Rochester, New York.

Someone's Ring doorbell camera caught what looked like a big cat. It was dark, and we think it was maybe a panther or a mountain lion or a jaguar—but who knows, really?

Cops and the DEC are still looking for it.

It was scary at first. The idea of a big cat on our city streets. Something powerful where it doesn't belong. That’ll catch your attention.

But then came the memes.

The zoo says all their animals are accounted for. The car dealerships leaned in. And bad Photoshops of big cats were everywhere.

All for laughs.

But what struck me was the speed of it all. We went from fear to funny in no time flat.

Half a day is all it took.

But it is how we cope in America, after all. Some things feel so awful, so weird, so uncomfortable, that you can’t help but laugh at it—not because it’s real, but because it might be.

And we don’t know.

So what do you think? What was the last uncomfortable thing you laughed at?

Let me know in the comments and check out more at jamesabrown.net.

That’s jamesabrown.net.

On that note, I’m James A. Brown.

And as always, be well.