Splendid and more adventure than expected.
Facebook, 11th May 2025.
The illustration features a black-and-white, hand-drawn style reminiscent of Victorian-era etchings or woodcuts, set against a sepia-toned background. The central figure is a man with a moustache and spectacles, wearing a suit, a bow tie, and a high-collared shirt. He is holding an unfolded map, looking at it with a calm, slightly amused expression.
The background is a dramatic scene. A large volcano is erupting, spewing smoke, rocks, and an array of gears and cogs into the air. Several small dirigibles are flying nearby, one of which is positioned close to the volcano’s peak. To the right of the man’s head, there is a small, mechanical device with pipes and a pressure gauge.
The text at the top, in a large, capitalised font, reads “MAP INACCURATE BY 300 MILES”. The text at the bottom, in the same bold, capitalised font, reads “SPLENDID. MORE ADVENTURE THAN EXPECTED”.
The meaning of the meme is to reframe a difficult or challenging situation as a positive opportunity. The man’s calm and enthusiastic reaction to the realisation that his map is wildly inaccurate and he is in a dangerous, volcanic area is a humorous subversion of what would be a stressful moment for most people. The meme suggests an attitude of embracing unexpected problems as exciting adventures, rather than obstacles, and is often used to convey a sense of unflappable optimism or a love for chaotic situations.
