{"slug":"tom-reading-newspaper","name":"Tom Reading Newspaper","url":"/templates/tom-reading-newspaper.jpg","w":640,"h":295,"top":"OBVIOUS PROBLEM","bottom":"ME IGNORING IT","description":"Tom Reading Newspaper meme maker. Tom from Tom and Jerry sits back, reading his paper, completely unbothered. For willfully ignoring problems that are on fire around you.","keywords":"tom reading newspaper meme, tom and jerry newspaper, ignoring problems meme, tom cat newspaper, willful ignorance meme","year":2019,"origin":"A screenshot from Tom and Jerry showing Tom the cat casually reading a newspaper, typically while chaos unfolds around him. The image gained meme traction around 2019 as a reaction image for willful ignorance. Tom knows things are falling apart. He simply does not intend to acknowledge them. The format differs from This Is Fine (where the dog is in denial about danger) because Tom is choosing not to engage, not pretending the problem doesn't exist. For active denial, see This Is Fine (burning room). For watching drama unfold, see Squidward Folding Chair.","format":"classic","howToMake":["Tom and his newspaper are ready. He will not be reading your problems","Top text describes the obvious issue everyone can see. Bottom text labels you or whoever has decided that ignoring it is the correct strategy","The meme works best when the problem is clearly urgent and Tom's disengagement is clearly intentional. He's not oblivious. He just has a newspaper and priorities","White Impact with a thick black outline pops against the cartoon background. Keep text brief so Tom's relaxed posture stays the focal point","Ignorance is bliss. Download the PNG, or Share it whenever someone asks why you haven't dealt with something you clearly know about"],"exampleCaptions":["THE PILE OF LAUNDRY THAT HAS BECOME A SECOND COUCH","ME READING MY PHONE ON THE ACTUAL COUCH"],"exampleAltText":"Tom Reading Newspaper meme about ignoring a massive pile of laundry while scrolling on the phone","exampleRefreshDate":"2026-03-05","seo":{"aliases":["Tom Newspaper Meme","Tom Ignoring Meme","Tom And Jerry Newspaper","Unbothered Tom","Tom Cat Reading"],"description":"Tom reclines with a newspaper open, legs crossed, fully committed to not acknowledging whatever is happening around him. The chaos could be mild or catastrophic. Tom's posture suggests it makes no difference. He has found a comfortable seat, he has his paper, and the situation, whatever it may be, will have to solve itself.","definition":"Tom from Tom and Jerry reading a newspaper while ignoring his surroundings. Used for any moment where a person is aware of a growing problem and has consciously decided to pretend it isn't there.","useCases":[{"category":"Chores & Household Denial","examples":["The sink full of dishes / Me deciding that's a problem for tomorrow's version of me","The check engine light that's been on for three months / Me turning up the radio","My overflowing email inbox / Me opening a new tab","The dripping faucet / Me adjusting the pillow to muffle the sound","Cobwebs forming in the corner / Me deciding I'm now pro-spider"]},{"category":"Financial Avoidance","examples":["My credit card statement / Me swiping for another purchase","Three overdue bills on the counter / Me reorganizing my Spotify playlists","My bank account after a weekend trip / Me checking the balance next week instead","Subscription charges I forgot about / Me scrolling past the email notifications","Tax season approaching / Me acting like April is still months away in March"]},{"category":"Work & Career Ostrich Mode","examples":["The Slack message from my boss / Me going back to reading the article I was already reading","The project deadline on Friday / Me on Thursday deciding it's actually a \"soft deadline\"","Three meetings I haven't prepared for / Me organizing my desk instead","The error in production / Me logging off because it's technically past 5pm","A coworker's passive-aggressive email / Me responding tomorrow, or possibly never"]},{"category":"Health & Wellness Denial","examples":["The weird noise my knee has been making / Me walking it off forever","The expiration date on the milk / Me doing the smell test and choosing hope","My screen time report / Me turning off the notification for screen time reports","The treadmill I bought in January / Me draping clothes over it by February"]},{"category":"Relationship & Social Avoidance","examples":["A text from someone I owe a favor / Me reading it and closing the app","The group chat making plans I don't want to attend / Me muting it for 8 hours","My friend asking to help them move / Me pretending I didn't see the message until after they finished","An argument brewing on social media / Me scrolling past with Tom's exact energy","Voicemail notification / Me deciding that if it were important, they'd text"]}]}}