Philip Banks drew a brown dog with a smile on its face wearing a gray sweater, rolled up jeans and red shoes. Standing beside the man with his hands in his pockets, the dog lay down as well, pretending not to be interested in anything at all and you could see that was all an act. Banks posted it on October 4, 2023, and labeled it, “My new character. He’s the chill guy who lowkey doesn’t give a f**k.” It spread fast—viral fast. That look, that attitude was grabbed by people, some even comparing him to Kevin James. Soon, the internet was full of it, a deluge of videos and images, each joking on Banks’ nonchalant dog.
The Meme’s Surprising Role in Cryptocurrency and Branding
The Chill Guy has infiltrated the crypto space, and now he is here, too. A token known as CHILLGUY reaches astronomical $405 million market cap, all due to the popularity of that smirk. Brands profit, too—Sprite Europe, March Madness, NFL on CBS—all making use of that relaxed aesthetic for their promos.
Philip Banks’s Fight to Protect the Integrity of His Creation
But Philip Banks isn’t impressed. He goes on record to announce he will not allow his art to swim in the crypto pool. ‘I’ll never give permission to use my art for anything crypto-related,’ he says to TOI. Banks is not just posturing; he suggests copyright, a method of protecting Chill Guy from the get-rich-quick bunch and other poachers.
Conclusion
The ‘Chill Guy’ started as a small-time sketch by Philip Banks, a quick flash of humor barely meant to last the night. But the internet had other plans. Before long, the guy was everywhere—social media, ad spots, even whispering his way through the crypto underworld. The joke caught on, and so did the money, until Banks realized he was sitting on something people were all too eager to cash in on. Trouble was, copyright’s a thin shield in the wilds of the web, and Banks knew it. His fight to keep hold of his own creation laid bare the hard truth: once you let go, control is a slippery thing to get back.
FAQs
Q1: What is the “Chill Guy” meme, and why has it gained such popularity?
The “Chill Guy” meme is a picture of a dog wearing everyday clothes and appearing to be very unmoved by everything. The funniest thing about it is that it does not require any effort to be applied to political satire, workplace humor, and much more. Founded by Philip Banks in October 2023, it has resonated well with the audience on every platform of the internet.
Q2: Who is the creator of the “Chill Guy” meme?
The character was designed by Philip Banks, whom art lovers associate with bright paintings. He introduced it as a new character free from anxieties and full of quiet irony, which, in his words, would be called “lowkey doesn’t give a f**k.”
Q3: How has the meme influenced industries beyond the internet?
The “Chill Guy” meme has not only taken over social media platforms but has also taken over advertising and cryptocurrency.
Q4: What steps has Philip Banks taken to protect his work?
Banks has, at some point, said he wants to protect the use of his invention, stating that it irritates him to see people use his invention in business and cryptocurrency. He has had to go to court to guaranteeing that the use of the character does not go to areas he is against.
Alen John is a Sports writer at USAWireMagazine. He is an Sports writer with 10+ years of overall experience. Basketball, MMA, Football has been John’ss lifelong passion since age 12, and hailing from Brantford, Ontario.