Conjugation Memes

The meme shows two chemical structures - one is a conjugated polyene (left) trying to become a fully conjugated system, while the other (right) is a non-conjugated diene. It's the molecular equivalent of trying your hardest but still failing! In chemistry, conjugated systems (where double bonds alternate with single bonds) are more stable and often desired. The left molecule is almost there with its series of alternating double bonds, but the right one has its double bonds separated - hence "trying its best but still dying inside." Organic chemists everywhere are silently nodding in sympathetic pain.

The brilliance of this meme lies in the dual meaning of "conjugation." In the top panel, we see a grammar table showing verb conjugation (be, become, begin...) with a disappointed face. But the bottom panel shows a chemical conjugation in benzene with its resonance structures—and suddenly there's pure joy! Chemistry nerds know that conjugated systems with their delocalized electrons are basically the rockstars of organic chemistry. The face transformation perfectly captures how linguists and chemists experience entirely different emotions from the same word. The benzene resonance structures are basically electron party time!