Let People Enjoy Things

Let people enjoy things refers to a series of reaction image macros, originating from a comic by Adam Ellis.

The expression, as well as the reaction images are used online to counter negative criticism.

Let People Enjoy Things

The original webcomic was published by Adam Ellis on Facebook on February 3^rd, 2016, with the title “shhh”.

The three-panel comic depicts two friends, one of whom is mocking the other one, for taking interest in “sportsball”.

In the final panel, the other person counters by shutting his friend’s mouth and saying “Shhh. Let people enjoy things”.

“Let people enjoy things” would see spread as a reaction image meme by the summer of 2016, appearing in tweets and posts on Reddit, 9GAG and me.me.

In May, 2019, it would also spawn an essay, published by Esther Rosenfield in Medium, making an argument for the fact that criticism is necessary and that it shouldn’t spoil anyone’s enjoyment, rather explore the weak spots of the matter at hand.

Adam Ellis tweeted a comic on October 28^th, 2019, which depicted him executing the “Let people enjoy things” reaction image.

• Vox.com – How “let people enjoy things” became a fight against criticism
• Medium.com – On Letting People Enjoy Things
• Thebaffler.com – Don’t Let People Enjoy Things