The "Expanding Brain" meme, with its four-panel transition from a simple brain to an intensely illuminated cosmic brain, captures the essence of escalating thought processes. This meme format originated from a series of images that humorously depict increasing levels of enlightenment or understanding, often poking fun at how people perceive intelligence. It plays off the notion of 'galaxy brain', where ideas become progressively more complex or absurd. The visual representation of the brain lighting up in different stages became a perfect metaphor for illustrating both genuine and ironic intellectual growth. It has since gained popularity for its versatility in applying to any topic where a seemingly simple idea is taken to an exaggerated extreme.