He looks like he just calculated his taxes, realized his favorite wet food was discontinued, and saw a ghost—all in the same second. In a chaotic digital landscape, the 2000 Yard Stare Cat serves a vital psychological function: relatability.

So the next time life feels overwhelming, just remember: You are not alone. Somewhere out there, a cat is staring at nothing, and he understands.

If you have scrolled through social media in the last year, you have seen him. He isn't dancing, eating a gourmet meal, or wearing a tiny hat. Instead, he is simply sitting there—usually in a car, on a couch, or against a beige wall—staring directly into the void with eyes that have witnessed the birth and death of the universe.