Thanks to Tom Conti’s appearance in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer as celebrated theoretical physicist Albert Einstein, good ol’ Al is having something of a resurgence in popular culture. Capitalizing on the Oppenheimer fever, the official Albert Einstein Twitter account, managed on behalf of Einstein’s estate, tweeted an incredible throwback photo of Einstein at the beach. Meme shenanigans quickly ensued.
With his crossed legs, short shorts and open-toed shoes, everyone decided that Einstein was serving in the throwback photo, displaying a side of himself most people were unfamiliar with. Who knew he got both books and looks?
and why did he decide on an open toed kitten heel pic.twitter.com/7SMlmxxzeV
— Маделейн . (@normalmadeline) July 27, 2023
As one user asked, “Why did he decide on an open toed kitten heel?” While RuPaul wouldn’t approve of kitten heels, even he would have to give props to Einstein for the legwork on display in the photo.
The memes, of course, continued from there, with many drawing on aspects of queer, ballroom and Black cultures to make their point.
him: you better not be cunty einstein when i get there
— mariana (@pastapilled) July 27, 2023
me: https://t.co/XTtEtzwSpw
“not me discovering the theory of relativity ” https://t.co/mFmFiRU6K7
— Drew Landry (@MrDrewLandry) July 27, 2023
Others managed to work Einstein’s own work into their jokes, with one user tweeting, “when he developed the theory of servativity”; another produced what is potentially the best equation known to man, “E=m(other)c(unty)².” Slay.
when he developed the theory of servativity https://t.co/K7zlpTO6bH
— Ali (@ethnic_trash) July 27, 2023
E=m(other)c(unty)² https://t.co/t36HvDEc5l
— Mike T (@rhymeswithbeg) July 27, 2023
At least one person remembered the reason for the season (Barbenheimer) and managed to work a Barbie joke into the mix. He’s just Ken!
his job is just beach https://t.co/AfRNDFOoqS
— annie (@incepthion) July 27, 2023
Ultimately, everyone was in agreement that Einstein was indeed serving cunt.
if ur serving cunt and im serving cunt then whos splitting the atom ??? https://t.co/Gt0ZCLYQZP
— Dan (@DELREYHOUR) July 27, 2023
Conti’s appearance as Einstein in Oppenheimer itself has prompted many jokes online, with viewers loving how human the film made Einstein, who has always felt like a larger-than-life figure, seem. Others just found his scenes in the film hilarious, which is understandable.
Dude what did you say to Einstein. His hat flew off
— Brooks Otterlake (@i_zzzzzz) July 24, 2023
every time einstein came onscreen during oppenheimer i was laffin. i know they knew each other but. it feels like putting santa in the Serious Movie
— jamie loftus (@jamieloftusHELP) July 22, 2023
no one more relatable than einstein just walking around in nature looking tired as hell
— jourdain (@judysquirrels) July 22, 2023
The official Einstein account hasn’t commented on Einstein’s newfound status as a queer icon, but hopefully, they have even more instantly iconic photos of the acclaimed scientist that we, his adoring public, can enjoy. Work!
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