Memes are part of the fabric of internet culture. But at a time when there’s such a disparity between reality and social media perfection, the subversion of the classic meme format reflects a shift in how people express themselves digitally. How do nihilist memes show the silver lining of sadness?

As male depression gains broader public attention and young women adopt a ‘sad aesthetic’ online, brands are being challenged to consider how they communicate to an emotionally charged society. How can they help people in their quest for inner happiness and free expression?

You can’t move for being told how to be happy. It’s a choice, claims Coca-Cola in its Choose Happiness campaign. It’s the truth, croons Pharrell in Happy. We can redesign our lives to achieve it, says Paul Dolan inHappiness by Design.But what does ‘being happy’ mean, and how do we achieve it?

For decades, rappers had to seem tough to maintain respect. But Drake, one of today’s most influential pop icons, is the antithesis of macho, connecting with fans through emotional openness and providing younger generations with a figure whose identity is as multifaceted as their own.