Is That Really a Word?

October 2, 2012 4:41 PM

Live-Giffing the 2012 Debates — October 3rd marks the first presidential debate for the 2012 American elections. There will be literally hundreds of live blogs offering differing perspectives and blow-by-blow accounts. Elevating the discourse as only they can though, Tumblr will have a crack team of GIF artists cranking out instant animations of the best debate moments, from zingers to gaffes to awkward silences. The place to take it all in will be the purpose-built Gifwich live-GIFfing blog.

In the mean time, while you're waiting, here are a few animated GIF Tumblrs to get you in the mood:

Made by ABVM
it's no biggie
BryJin's

posted by netbros (25 comments total)

Appropriate, because the first hour of the debate is going to be about the pronounciation of "gif". Conservatives are originalists and say the developers pronounced it with a soft G so we should abide by that. Progressives point out that it was developed by CompuServe, who weren't right about anything ever.
posted by Gary at 4:51 PM on October 2, 2012 [15 favorites]

romneystandingatpodium.gif
obamastandingatpodium.gif
obamascratchesnose.gif
romneycoughs.gif
romneycoughs2.gif

ENDLESS HILARITY
posted by mightygodking at 4:52 PM on October 2, 2012 [3 favorites]

The gif that launched a thousand ships created on a Mac by some user named Eris who wanted to know who was fairest.
posted by humanfont at 4:55 PM on October 2, 2012

Two dudes standing behind a podium for an hour and a half. Should be some thrilling gifs.
posted by 2bucksplus at 4:56 PM on October 2, 2012

I firmly believe that there should be a .gaf format specifically for political animations.

Until this concern is addressed, I shall boycott the election.
posted by sarastro at 4:58 PM on October 2, 2012 [5 favorites]

Come on, you know that another Zombie McCain moment would be priceless.
posted by ShutterBun at 4:59 PM on October 2, 2012 [2 favorites]

Put me out to the pasture.

Or take me out back at shoot me.

Either way, old-feeling is what even looking at the word Gifwich does to me.

But why does my Chrome hate it while Firefox does not?
posted by MCMikeNamara at 5:00 PM on October 2, 2012 [1 favorite]

I took a browse thru the example gifs they posted already. Wow those are some unremarkable gifs.
I'm calling it: The Internet has run out of ideas
posted by Bwithh at 5:00 PM on October 2, 2012

They'll never top McCain in general.
posted by mullingitover at 5:13 PM on October 2, 2012

Award to the first newspaper who turns around debate GIFs into those motion-holograms in next day's print edition.
posted by asterisk at 6:23 PM on October 2, 2012

The animated gif fad dutifully straps on water skis and heads for the jump...
posted by indubitable at 6:28 PM on October 2, 2012 [1 favorite]

Two dudes standing behind a podium for an hour and a half. Should be some thrilling gifs

This happened at the end of the 3rd Presidential debate in 2008. Could we see something that bizarre this year? We can only hope and pray to the Gods of Gif.

GODDAMNIT. I really want to edit this, but I won't.
posted by longdaysjourney at 6:29 PM on October 2, 2012

I'm calling it: The Internet has run out of ideas

If the internet is the PR department of major corporates, then why yes! I'm sure Reddit and possibly even 4chan will continue to turn out stuff that isn't complete dreck.
posted by jaduncan at 7:44 PM on October 2, 2012

MCMikeNamara: "Either way, old-feeling is what even looking at the word Gifwich does to me. "

Ah, that's just the Gifwich Horror.
posted by Joakim Ziegler at 9:35 PM on October 2, 2012

Ah, that's just the Gifwich Horror.

Choosy moms choose Yog-Sothoth!
posted by JHarris at 10:59 PM on October 2, 2012 [1 favorite]

Two hours of soundbitesDebates tonight?
Sounds like a good night to watch some movies. Helloooo TCM!
posted by Thorzdad at 6:29 AM on October 3, 2012 [1 favorite]

Two dudes standing behind a podium for an hour and a half. Should be some thrilling gifs.

It's a hard g then because this won't be over in a jiffy.
posted by ersatz at 7:38 AM on October 3, 2012

Choosy moms choose Yog-Sothoth!

bzzzt.

Sorry, Contestant Number 5, but the correct answer was "Choosy Moms Choose Yith."

I'd ask more questions, but I'm afraid we're out of time! Thanks for playing The Price Stars Are Right!
posted by zamboni at 8:09 AM on October 3, 2012 [2 favorites]

I wonder what color Romney will be this time.
posted by The Whelk at 8:51 AM on October 3, 2012 [1 favorite]

October Surprise: blackface.
posted by jaduncan at 10:04 AM on October 3, 2012

You naysayers will proven wrong when both candidates walk on to the stage, simultaneously faceplant, and proceed to debate with blood trickling down their noses.
posted by Theta States at 10:07 AM on October 3, 2012 [1 favorite]

Choosy moms choose Yog-Sothoth!
bzzzt.
Sorry, Contestant Number 5, but the correct answer was "Choosy Moms Choose Yith."

No: the original joke was off of Gifwich, which already played off of the commercial for Jif peanut butter. And the choosy mom in question is Lavinia Whateley.
posted by JHarris at 12:43 PM on October 3, 2012

Yeah, I got that - I mostly just wanted to make the Price/Stars are right joke.
posted by zamboni at 12:49 PM on October 3, 2012 [1 favorite]

Some of these are pretty good.
posted by NoraReed at 7:35 PM on October 3, 2012

So how'd that work then?
posted by scalefree at 7:35 PM on October 3, 2012