As you read these words and look at funny pictures online, our planet is likely engulfed by a world of problems building up across many walks of life.

Like the dog in this iconic webcomic, drinking his cup of nice coffee as the apartment around him bursts into flames, we all wonder how to live well in a time of disasters and turmoil. "This is fine," we say to ourselves, because sometimes the best thing to do is to enjoy the coffee.

Anyone who's spent any fair amount of time perusing the internet has likely come across this image or the quote itself, but perhaps you've never taken the time to actually look into where it came from, who made it, why it's so prevalent, etc.

We're assuming one of these or another question is on your mind, and that's why you're here, so let's explain the origins and history behind the undeniably classic meme "This Is Fine."

Where Does 'This Is Fine' Come From?

The meme was originally two panels in a webcomic drawn by artist KC Green, who has notably been responsible for many other famous memes over the years, like Staredad. The webcomic, called Gunshow, was drawn in 2013 and depicts the dog eventually melting under the flames.

From there, the comic was reposted to 4chan and Reddit. It then started to take off in 2014, often being used in relatable situations in which a person might be in denial about a bad situation.

Often, it was used by students to describe university and school stress, or by those merely feeling overwhelmed by everything.

Why Are Politicians Posting 'This Is Fine' Memes?

Numerous politicians and political groups began adapting the meme in 2016 to mock the opposing political party.

In 2018, North Carolina Senator Richard Burr appeared to reference the meme when discussing political controversies surrounding the election, saying, "Some feel that we as a society are sitting in a burning room, calmly drinking a cup of coffee, telling ourselves 'this is fine.' That’s not fine. And that’s not the case."

After hearing this, many argued that Burr was referring to the meme, which he may have been familiar with because of how often it had been posted in political circles and discussed by journalists.

Why Do People Post 'This Is Fine' and Why Is It So Prevalent?

"This is fine" continues to be used to describe situations where things are not fine, but people are pretending that they are. Often, these situations are political, but not always.

One of the biggest boons to the longevity of this meme's lifespan is its simple relatability. Since the feeling is one that's almost universal, it's a popular choice to express one's feelings about a wide range of situations.

Given its virality and long relevance, the meme has become so recognizable that it is also memed about itself in a meta context, with people twisting the form around to make new shapes and jokes.

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For more details and memes about "This is fine," be sure to check out Know Your Meme's encyclopedia entry for more information. You can also watch our interview with the meme's original creator, KC Green, below to hear what he makes of his comic's online fame.