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In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “Series of Tubes” is a rare card of the Memes World series 71, number 21178 of the collection, and the 125th best-known meme of its 300 cards. Here is what the meme means, where it comes from, and how to get its card.
What does the “Series of Tubes” meme mean?
This phrase mocks simplistic or clumsy technical explanations given by political figures. It highlights the gap between complex digital reality and inadequate physical metaphors. The humor stems from the perceived absurdity of this comparison, turning a communication error into a timeless cultural icon.
Where does the “Series of Tubes” meme come from?
The origin traces back to June 28, 2006, during a US Senate hearing. Republican Ted Stevens, opposing net regulation, uses this image. He claims the internet is not a truck, but a series of pipes. This phrase aims to illustrate that networks can be clogged by data. An activist group named Public Knowledge shares the audio clip on July 11, 2006. This online sharing catalyzes virality. A techno remix appears quickly, uploaded on July 14, 2006. YouTube later hosts subtitled versions starting in 2008. The blunder becomes a global symbol of political technological misunderstanding.
- 2006Ted Stevens delivers his phrase during the Senate hearing on June 28.
- 2006Public Knowledge releases the audio recording on July 11.
- 2006A musical remix is uploaded on July 14.
How to use the “Series of Tubes” meme
- Use this reference to criticize an expert who oversimplifies a technical subject.
- Employ it in a humorous context to highlight a decision-maker's ignorance regarding digital issues.
- Cite it to remind us that technology often exceeds traditional physical metaphors.
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The “Series of Tubes” card in MyMemeCards
| Number | No. 21178 |
|---|---|
| Rarity | Rare |
| Collection | Memes World series 71 |
| Fame | 72/100 · #125 of 300 |
| Recycle value | 10 MemeCoins (30 in Shiny) |
How to get the “Series of Tubes” card
Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; Series of Tubes comes out of the Memes World series 71 as a rare card. The pack odds say what each rarity weighs.
Your first pack is free and needs no account. After that a new free pack lands every 10 minutes, up to 3 waiting for you. You can also buy the card with MemeCoins on the market, bid for it at auction, or trade it — and a double recycles into 10 MemeCoins.
Open your free pack
5 meme cards, one of them at least Rare. One free pack per person.
Free · no account needed
Odds per card, averaged over a pack: Common 72%, Rare 23.9%, Epic 3.2%, Legendary 0.56%, Mythic 0.3%, Full Art ≤ 0.1%, Shiny 0.2%. Cards 1 to 3 are always Common, cards 4 and 5 climb the rarities. Rates drop for cards that circulate a lot. Details
Memes like “Series of Tubes”
More cards of the Memes World series 71
Frequently asked questions
Series of tubes meme meaning?
It is a mocking critique of political explanations deemed naive about the internet. The original phrase compares the web to simple physical infrastructure.
Who is ted Stevens series of tubes?
Ted Stevens is a former US senator from Alaska. He popularized this expression during a 2006 legislative debate on net regulation.
Series of tubes meme origin?
The source is a real intervention on June 28, 2006, before the Senate. Virality comes from audio sharing by digital activists in early July 2006.
How do I get the Series of Tubes meme card?
Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “Series of Tubes” is a rare card of the Memes World series 71. Your first pack is free, with no account, and you can also buy, trade or win the card at auction.
How rare is the Series of Tubes card?
It is a Rare card. Rarity decides which pack slot can deal it, and what it is worth on the market.
Sources: The Internet: A Series Of 'Tubes' (And Then Some) · Series of tubes - Wikipedia · Series of Tubes | Know Your Meme · checked on October 12, 2026.
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