A clip from the 2007 documentary "Encounters at the End of the World" by filmmaker Werner Herzog is currently viral on social media, featuring a penguin that leaves its colony to walk towards distant mountains. Narrator Werner Herzog observes in the film that the penguin heads towards the mountains, approximately 70 kilometers away, even if attempts are made to return it to its colony. The clip, which has been edited into numerous videos, has taken on a philosophical meaning, with social media users finding the penguin's solitary journey relatable and inspirational.
Many viral videos incorporate instrumental music and overlay text reflecting on the penguin's departure, with one popular TikTok video stating, "and he may not survive, but he lived." Users express empathy, commenting on the penguin's actions as a response to overstimulation or a desire for solitude, drawing parallels to human feelings of wanting to escape overwhelming situations. One TikTok user, @candacce, with a video boasting 2.2 million likes, stated, "I already understand little dude. Maybe he's just an introvert. Maybe he just wants to be alone. Maybe it was too much noise, he was having sensory overload. Who are we to judge him for that?"
The meme originates from a segment in Herzog's documentary about Antarctica, where he explores the lives of scientists there and discusses "penguin insanity." During the observed moment, Herzog and accompanying ecologists note a penguin moving away from its group, with an ecologist explaining that the bird would persist in its movement towards the mountains even if intercepted. Herzog concludes in the documentary that the penguin is heading towards certain death after abandoning its colony. The full documentary was uploaded to YouTube in 2020.