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Rule 34 is an Internet meme which claims that Internet pornography exists concerning every possible topic. The concept is commonly depicted as fan art of normally non-erotic subjects engaging in sexual activity.[1] It can also include writings, animations, images, GIFs and any other form of media to which the internet provides opportunities for proliferation and redistribution.
The phrase Rule 34 was coined from an August 13, 2003, webcomic captioned, "Rule #34 There is porn of it. No exceptions." The comic was drawn by TangoStari (Peter Morley-Souter) to depict his shock at seeing Calvin and Hobbes parody porn.[1][2] Although the comic faded into obscurity, the caption instantly became popular on the Internet. Since then, the phrase has been adapted into different syntactic versions and has even been used as a verb.[3] A list of "rules of the Internet", created on the website 4chan, includes Rule 34 within a list of similar tongue-in-cheek maxims, such as Rule 63.[4]
In 2008, users on 4chan posted numerous sexually explicit parodies and cartoons illustrating Rule 34; in 4chan slang, pornography may be referred to as "rule 34" or "pr0nz".[5] The Dictionary of Modern Proverbs claims that Rule 34 "began appearing on Internet postings in 2008".[6]
As Rule 34 continued spreading throughout the Internet, some traditional media began reporting on it. A 2009 Daily Telegraph article listed Rule 34 as the third of the "Top 10" Internet rules and laws.[7] A 2013 CNN story said Rule 34 was "likely the most famous" Internet rule that has become part of mainstream culture.[4] On November 14, 2018, a Twitch streamer nicknamed "Drypiss" celebrated his 18th birthday by posting a video to Twitter in which he looked up Rule 34 pictures; afterwards, the video and its responses were covered by The Daily Dot.[8]
Fan fiction has parodied events such as the 2016 United States presidential election,[9] the 2021 Suez Canal obstruction,[10] and Brexit.[11]
According to researchers Ogi Ogas and Sai Gaddam, the maxim resonated with so many people because of its apparent truth to anyone who has browsed the Internet.[2] Ogas said that following the 2009–2010 study, the consolidation of the porn industry onto large market share video aggregators has reduced the visibility of the niche market videos. The sites favor mainstream content directly by steering users towards it and indirectly by disadvantaging small producers who cannot afford strong anti-piracy measures, bringing into doubt the ability of the rule being able to keep up with market.[1]
Cory Doctorow concludes, "Rule 34 can be thought of as a kind of indictment of the Web as a cesspit of freaks, geeks, and weirdos, but seen through the lens of cosmopolitanism, bespeaks a certain sophistication—a gourmet approach to life."[12]
John Paul Stadler concluded that Rule 34 reflects the codification of paraphilias into social identity structures.[13]
The original rule was rephrased and reiterated as it went viral on the Web. Some common permutations omit the original "No exceptions."
- Cartoon pornography – Cartoon characters in sexual situations
- Clop – A slang term for pornography based on the animated children's television series My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic
- Hentai
- List of Internet phenomena
- Not safe for work, also known as NSFW – NSFW: Internet slang term
- Overwatch and pornography – A notable case of pornography inspired by the video game Overwatch
- Pokémon and pornography – Another notable case of pornography inspired by the Pokémon media franchise
- Pornographic parody film – Subgenre of pornographic films
- Rule 34 – A novel by Charles Stross referencing this rule
- Rule 34 – A film by Julia Murat referencing this rule
- Rule 63 – Another internet meme that claims every character has a gender flipped version
- Yiff – Slang term used in the furry fandom
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