Polyene 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.