Who is Greta Thunberg—And Why Does She Matter?
Greta Thunberg is a Swedish climate and political activist who gained global prominence after initiating the “Fridays for Future” school strikes in 2018. At just 16, she addressed the UN, demanding real climate action with her now-famous line, “How dare you!”
Since then, she’s been a lightning rod for global attention, earning titles like Time’s Person of the Year (2019), being nominated multiple times for the Nobel Peace Prize, and earning a place in Forbes’ Most Powerful Women lists. Her activism now spans beyond climate—she’s lent her voice to conflicts in Ukraine, Palestine, Armenia, and Western Sahara.
Thunberg is widely seen as a defining figure of a new generation of political and climate activism.
(Photo By Kike Rincon/Europa Press via Getty Images)
The New Hairdo That Broke the Internet
Breaking with her usual understated style, Thunberg debuted a dramatic new cut: blunt, shoulder-length hair with straight-across bangs. And the internet did not hold back. Within hours, memes and commentary were everywhere:
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On X (formerly Twitter), users staged a side-by-side of Thunberg's haircut and the classic 1980s bob from He-Man and the Masters of the Universe—and the resemblance was uncanny.
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Conservative commentator Meghan McCain, now facing backlash, called it “Lord Farquaad hair” (a jab at the villain from Shrek)—and promptly deleted the post amid criticism.
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Social media buzzed with both admiration for her new look and playful ridicule, with posts like “Greta Thunberg’s new haircut is taking the internet by storm” becoming common.
The Power—and Peril—of Political Parody
Greta Thunberg isn’t just any public figure—she’s a lightning rod. That same cultural presence that amplifies her message makes her a frequent target for satire and humor.
Here’s the real takeaway: Public figures, especially in politics, are inherently open to parody. Whether the commentary feels mean-spirited or lighthearted, it’s part of the terrain.
To those who leap to defend Thunberg’s dignity at every turn, I say: grow a thicker skin. She can handle herself. It's paternalistic and patronizing to try to give her a special exemption from public mockery. Everyone in the public sphere gets mocked, and nobody is too fragile to escape it.
In public life, levity—whether compassionate, irreverent, or even a bit snarky—is both common and often harmless unless you choose to be offended.
Everyone Gets Mocked—Greta is No Exception
From presidents to pop stars, everyone in the public sphere gets lampooned. Donald Trump’s hair has been a late-night punchline for decades. Joe Biden’s age and general perversion gets endless parody. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s dance video once went viral not for policy, but for mockery. Even celebrities outside of politics—think Britney Spears and Tay Tay—find themselves on the receiving end of constant jokes and memes. Who gives a shit?
Why? Because that’s the cost of cultural relevance. The more visible you are, the more the world feels licensed to poke fun. Greta gets no free pass. Her activism, her speeches, and now her haircut all fall into the same arena where exaggeration, satire, and parody thrive.
Mockery doesn’t erase her influence. If people are comparing you to He-Man or Lord Farquaad, it means you’ve crossed into pop culture territory, where humor and criticism coexist. And in that world, nobody is immune.
Whether you're picking on someone's external features or you think they look awesome, it doesn't prove anything. It doesn't refute their claims or defeat their arguments. So relax, there are plenty of more important things to get upset about. Is this your first day on the internet?
Think, it's not illegal yet! Wear your ideas with pride! 👇