If you’re a Very Online science nerd like me, you’ve probably heard of Wild Green Memes- I called it “Pure Joy for Biology Geeks” in a 2019 American Scientist article. In addition to daily silly-but-smart humor, this huge science meme group has an annual conservation fundraiser challenge. People support their favorite meme “team” by donating to it, and for donations of at least $10 you get a sticker featuring that meme. It’s raised staggering sums for a variety of conservation causes around the world.
This is the story about how my meme team, “at least 74 currently practicing shark researchers,” came to be.
In 2017, webcomic artist Branson Reese posted the following comic:
Source: Branson Reese.
Notably, sharks are…not smooth. Ask any shark scientist about our “sharkburn” from their skin. And apparently a lot of people pointed this out to Branson. And because he’s hilarious, he continued to insist that sharks are smooth, including posting himself reading this “Book.”
Fast forward a few years, and in summer 2020, Wild Green Memes started a “sharks are smooth as hell” meme trend. And on July 8th, 2020, I posted the following comment.
“It is important to me that you monsters are aware that there are at least 74 practicing shark researchers who are members of this group, and that you are cracking us all up with this smooth skin nonsense.”
Whether it was the admitedly unusual phrasing, or the apparently weirdly specific number*, it stuck, and a meme trend was born.
*I noted that lots of people asked me where the number came from, and I replied:
“Y’all know how you can see a list of your Facebook friends in a group? I used a secret shark science technique called ‘counting’ and noted that 73 of my Facebook friends who are shark scientists are in this group, plus me. There are very likely shark scientists in this group that I’m not friends with. So, at least 74.”
“At least 74 practicing shark researchers” has become a meme team every year since- check out our awesome stickers!
As of February 15, 2025, we have raised $28,828 for rainforest conservation in the WIld Green Meme rundraiser- an amazing sum!
WGM moderator Rhett Barker told me “I find it really inspiring how the Wild Green Community has shown up for the Charity Battle year after year. It’s made a lot of good conservation work possible, and At Least 74 Currently Practicing Shark Researchers has been a big part of that both in terms of the money raised and in its contribution to the fun, weird, festive vibe of the battle overall.”
Note that there are exactly 74 divers here.
The meme also became an original song, featuring guest vocals by me.
And I can’t write a post about this without noting that earlier this year, someone supporting team “at least 74 practicing shark researchers” turned this story into a sea shanty!
Meme by Ernő Vincze.
So there’s the story of how a weirdly phrased silly thing I said raised nearly $30,000 for rainforest conservation, because my life is ridiculous.
You can donate to the meme contest here. Just be sure to support team at least 74 practicing shark researchers!
Learn more: I was interview on the Wild Green Memes podcast here