I’ve just realized that the aliens in the Star Trek: TNG episode “Darmok” essentially communicate through reference jokes.

[trekthehalls]

I wonder, did they used to be like us? Maybe the story of Darmok and Jilad wasn’t an ancient myth, but a popular movie. Maybe “Shakaa when the walls fell” references an episode of a TV show in which Shakaa really screws up and lets some walls fall. Maybe there was a reaction gif on their alien Tumblrs of Shakka’s face that became the unoversal symbol of FAIL. 

Maybe that’s where our society is headed…

[iseefearinyoureyeshuman]

OH MY GOD THIS IS ACTUALLY PERFECT.

HEADCANON ACCEPTED.