25 Best "Change My Mind" Meme for Your Boldest Hot Takes
What is the "Change My Mind" Meme?
The "Change My Mind" meme (often searched as "Prove Me Wrong") features a photograph of podcaster Steven Crowder seated behind a sign at a university campus. While it started as a political stunt, it has evolved into a universal visual shorthand for defending controversial "hot takes" on everything from food to pop culture.
Timeline and Sourcing
The meme's spread is well-documented via Know Your Meme and community-led wikis:
- February 15, 2018: Crowder tweeted the original photo at Texas Christian University (TCU).
- February 16, 2018: The first non-political edit surfaced on Reddit’s r/MemeEconomy, replacing the sign with a joke about cake.
- Mainstream Adoption: By mid-2018, Wikipedia and various fan communities noted the meme's shift toward lighthearted debates. Unlike ephemeral fads, its exploitable nature—allowing for endless niche variations—has ensured its long-term relevance.
Core Usage Scenarios
Today, the template is a staple for driving engagement through three main styles:
- Hyperbolic Opinions: Stating a personal preference as an objective truth (e.g., "Shrek 2 is the peak of cinema / Change My Mind").
- Semantic Arguments: Intentionally misclassifying common items to spark low-stakes debates (e.g., "Cereal is cold breakfast soup / Change My Mind").
- Engagement Bait: Creators on X (Twitter) and Threads use the visual to prompt comments and boost algorithm visibility.
Related Memes
If your content focuses on "delivering a message" rather than "inviting debate," consider using the Lisa Simpson's Presentation or Spider-Man's Presentation templates. These serve as direct announcements without the confrontational element of the Crowder sign.
