Brent Rambo

In 1997, Apple filmed a promotional video featuring young users demonstrating the Apple IIe's capabilities. Among them was a kid named Brent Rambo, who delivered an approving thumbs-up with the unearned confidence only a child of the 90s could muster.

Fifteen years later, someone excavated the clip and turned that thumbs-up into the internet's go-to seal of approval. The GIF spread across forums, comment sections, and social media as the universal "nice work" response. No words needed—just Brent's unwavering endorsement.

What makes it work is the earnestness. This isn't ironic approval. Brent genuinely thinks whatever you did was rad. In an internet drowning in sarcasm, his thumbs-up is refreshingly sincere. You want Brent Rambo to approve of your work.

The real Brent Rambo was eventually tracked down and confirmed the meme with good humor. Nearly three decades after filming a computer ad, his moment of childhood enthusiasm lives on as digital validation. Some things age better than Apple IIe software.