In the ever-evolving landscape of internet culture, certain personalities capture the collective online imagination, often for reasons that are as perplexing as they are captivating. One such figure is Cybersmith, more widely recognized as the Human Pet Guy. This individual has carved a unique niche in the digital realm, primarily known for his controversial views on “human pets” and a series of online interactions that have solidified his status as a prominent “lolcow” – an internet personality who is observed and sometimes mocked for their eccentric or controversial behavior. Cybersmith’s journey from relative obscurity to internet notoriety offers a fascinating case study in online virality, meme culture, and the sometimes bizarre corners of the internet.
The Genesis of an Online Persona: Tumblr and the Bowler Hat Debate
Cybersmith’s initial foray into internet fame can be traced back to a 2017 Tumblr post, a platform known for fostering niche communities and viral content. The spark that ignited his online presence was seemingly innocuous: a debate about headwear. It began when a Tumblr user posted a humorous scenario involving a “manfriend” in a trench coat and fedora, walking a partner on a leash like a dog. Cybersmith, under the handle @thecybersmith, swiftly interjected, vehemently correcting the perceived fashion faux pas: “IT’S NOT A FL*PPING FEDORA, IT’S A BOWLER HAT!!!!!!” This seemingly minor correction was the catalyst for a much larger, and far more controversial, online discussion.
The bowler hat defense quickly escalated into a hypothetical scenario that would define Cybersmith’s online persona. He proposed the idea of bringing a “forcibly disabled human pet” to a restaurant. His assertion was that such an act would not impinge upon the personal liberties of others, further arguing that opposition to this hypothetical “human pet” concept was rooted in irrational prejudice. This post, outlining his unconventional and ethically questionable views on “human pets,” garnered significant attention, amassing over 45,000 notes within six years. It was this moment that the concept of the “Human Pet Guy” truly began to take root in the online consciousness.
Screenshots of this Tumblr exchange rapidly spread across various online platforms, including Reddit communities like r/insanepeoplefacebook and r/tumblr, further amplifying Cybersmith’s visibility and solidifying his image as an eccentric internet figure. Even the Tumblr blog @mosticonicposts, dedicated to showcasing noteworthy online content, featured the thread in 2020, demonstrating its lasting impact on internet culture.
Adding another layer to his peculiar online presence, Cybersmith, in a now-deleted Reddit post, lamented the online reception to his ideas. He compared his attempts to “impregnate” Tumblr with his “wisdom” to a failed endeavor, claiming the “womb” of Tumblr had only produced “out-of-context mockeries” of his persona. He concluded with the dramatic statement that he found the “uterus of the internet barren,” further cementing his image as a somewhat grandiose and misunderstood online figure.
Resurgence on X (Twitter): Selfies and Renewed Virality
While Cybersmith’s initial fame stemmed from Tumblr, it was his activity on X (formerly Twitter) that led to a significant resurgence in his online notoriety in August 2023. This renewed virality was sparked by a combination of his continued online pronouncements and, perhaps unexpectedly, his selfies.
Cybersmith engaged in online discussions on X, sometimes expressing controversial opinions, such as his assertion that the apartheid state of Rhodesia was “awesome.” These interactions, coupled with users discovering his past internet history, reignited interest in his online persona.
However, it was arguably a series of selfies posted by Cybersmith that truly propelled him back into the viral spotlight. These selfies, often perceived as unconventional or unusual, became fodder for internet commentary and memes. X user @GeebMinister, for instance, quote-tweeted a collection of Cybersmith’s selfies with the humorous caption, “Crying tears of joy because someone actually looks like this.” This tweet resonated widely, garnering over 38,000 likes in just two weeks and introducing Cybersmith to a new wave of internet users.
The unexpected virality of these posts led to a surge of online users discovering, or rediscovering, the “Human Pet Guy” and his associated internet lore. Many expressed disbelief and amusement at his online presence and pronouncements. X user @JUNlPER aptly noted this phenomenon, commenting on the influx of users “learning for the first time who this guy is and cannot believe what they” are discovering.
The Enduring Appeal (and Mockery) of the Human Pet Guy
Cybersmith, the Human Pet Guy, embodies a particular type of internet phenomenon – the lolcow. These figures, often unintentionally, provide online communities with a source of amusement, fascination, and sometimes, derision. Cybersmith’s blend of eccentric views, online drama, and distinctive personal presentation has made him a recurring subject of online discussion and meme creation.
His initial virality on Tumblr, fueled by the bizarre “human pet” hypothetical, established his core identity. His subsequent activity on X, particularly the circulation of his selfies and further controversial statements, solidified his position in the internet lolcow pantheon. The ongoing online fascination with Cybersmith highlights the internet’s capacity to amplify unconventional personalities and transform them into enduring, if sometimes perplexing, figures in digital culture. Whether viewed with amusement, bewilderment, or a combination of both, the Human Pet Guy remains a curious and noteworthy case study in the ever-evolving world of online memes and internet personalities.
External References:
[1] Internet Archive – Tumblr / thecybersmith
[2] Reddit – /r/insanepeoplefacebook
[3] Reddit – /r/Tumblr
[4] X – I_Am_CyberSmith
[5] Tumblr – mosticonicposts
[6] Reddit – /r/iamverysmart
[7] Reddit – /r/justneckbeardthings
[8] Reddit – /r/Tumblr
[9] X – SAMOYEDCORE
[10] X – SAMOYEDCORE
[11] X – midsmoker34
[12] X – JUNlPER
[13] X – pizzamentals
[14] X – bethbourdon
[15] X – GeebMinister
[16] X – the-cybersmith
