Title:
End of the World
Meme Creator:
Jason Windsor (username: Fluid)
Media Creator:
Jason Windsor
Meme Creation Year:
2003
Media Year:
2003
Height of Popularity:
2003-2005
Era:
Goldent Age of Memes
Platform:
Albino Blacksheep
Animated Meme
Type:
Tags:
flash animation, viral video, nuclear war, albino blacksheep, jason windsor, end of ze world, missiles, political satire
History:
"End of the World," also known as "End of Ze World," stands as one of the internet's earliest viral sensations and a cornerstone of early 2000s flash animation culture. Created by Jason Windsor (username "Fluid"), this crude but captivating animated short transformed teenage late-night conversations about global politics into a defining moment of pre-YouTube viral content.
The animation originated from a spontaneous discussion among friends in 2003. According to Windsor, he and his friends were "hanging out late at night and talking about the state of the world" at a park, where they began "drawing pictures of missiles flying from one side to another with tanbark on the sidewalk" (Mic, 2015). This impromptu brainstorming session occurred during a politically charged period, as the United States had recently invaded Iraq, leading to widespread discussions about nuclear weapons and global security among young Americans.
Windsor, who had just graduated high school, created the animation using basic Flash software and provided all voice work himself. The video was first uploaded to Albino Blacksheep on October 30, 2003, where it was credited to user "Fluid" (Know Your Meme, 2009). The timing proved fortuitous, as this was the height of what Windsor described as "that period in time when really crappy flash videos were the thing" (Mic, 2015).
The animation's immediate viral spread was remarkable for the pre-YouTube era. It quickly appeared on other major humor sites including eBaum's World and Funnyjunk, where it remained atop trending video charts for several weeks (Know Your Meme, 2009). The video's script was preserved and shared on Roosterteeth in 2005, demonstrating its cultural staying power (Know Your Meme, 2009).
The meme's enduring popularity stems from its memorable catchphrases and distinctive narration style. Lines such as "Hokay. So. Here's the earth," "But I am le tired," "Well then have a nap, THEN FIRE ZE MISSILES!" and "WTF, mate?" became widely quoted expressions that transcended the original animation (Mic, 2015). The video's combination of crude animation, political commentary, and absurdist humor resonated with an entire generation of early internet users.
When YouTube emerged, "End of the World" found new life and audiences. A copy uploaded by Albino Blacksheep in 2008 accumulated approximately 14 million views before being replaced with a higher-resolution version (Wikipedia, 2025). The animation has been cited by several news publications as "the first viral video," cementing its historical significance in internet culture (Know Your Meme, 2009).
The cultural impact extended beyond mere entertainment. The animation captured the zeitgeist of post-9/11 anxiety about nuclear warfare and international tensions, providing a cathartic outlet through humor. Windsor noted that the creation process helped him and his peers "comprehend that [the possession of nuclear weapons by foreign countries]" for the first time (Wikipedia, 2025).
In 2018, fifteen years after the original, Windsor created a politically-charged sequel focusing on contemporary politics, demonstrating the original's lasting relevance and his continued engagement with global events through animation (Tubefilter, 2018).
Notes about the Creator/s:
Creator (Media and Meme):
Jason Windsor created both the original Flash animation and inadvertently launched one of the internet's first major viral memes. Working under the username "Fluid," Windsor was a recent high school graduate when he created the animation that would define his early career and influence his subsequent work in animation and advertising.
Following the unexpected success of "End of the World," Windsor transitioned into commercial animation work, including projects for major brands like Nike. However, he noted that these commercial attempts to replicate his viral style were met with skepticism from audiences who could "tell what's going on here — this is a Nike ad that's trying to look like this other thing" (Mic, 2015). This experience highlighted the challenge of translating organic viral content into commercial success.
Windsor's creation occurred during what he retrospectively identified as "a bit more of an innocent time" in viral content creation, when videos weren't primarily "about making money" or "selling things" (Mic, 2015). His work represents the pure, non-commercial origins of viral video culture that would later become increasingly monetized and strategic.
Notes about the years:
Media Creation Year (2003):
"End of the World" was created in 2003, during a particularly tense period in international relations. The United States had invaded Iraq in March 2003, leading to widespread public discourse about weapons of mass destruction and nuclear threats (Mic, 2015). This political climate directly influenced the animation's content and resonated with audiences grappling with similar concerns about global security.
Meme Creation Year (2003):
The transformation from animation to viral meme occurred almost immediately upon the video's release on October 30, 2003. The rapid spread across multiple platforms and the immediate adoption of its catchphrases into internet vernacular demonstrates how quickly content could achieve meme status in the early internet era, even without the amplification mechanisms available on later platforms like YouTube.
Height of Popularity (2003-2005):
The animation reached peak popularity between 2003 and 2005, during the golden age of Flash animation websites. This period coincided with the peak years of sites like Albino Blacksheep, eBaum's World, and Newgrounds, which served as the primary distribution networks for viral content before YouTube's 2005 launch. The meme's longevity during this period demonstrates its cultural significance and the strength of early viral distribution networks.
Sources and additional information:
Know Your Meme. (2009, July 28). The End of the World. Retrieved May 31, 2025, from https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/the-end-of-the-world
Mic. (2015, November 17). 12 Years Later, Here's What Happened to the Viral Mastermind Behind 'The End of the World'. Retrieved May 31, 2025, from https://www.mic.com/articles/128676/hokay-so-heres-the-earth-the-story-of-jason-windsors-the-end-of-the-world
Tubefilter. (2018, January 23). 15 Years Later, Legendary Viral Video 'End Of Ze World' Gets A Politically-Charged Sequel. Retrieved May 31, 2025, from https://www.tubefilter.com/2018/01/23/end-of-ze-world-sequel/
Wikipedia Contributors. (2025, April 14). The End of the World (video). Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved May 31, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_End_of_the_World_(video)