Penguins, Memes, and the Secret to Stronger Bonds: You Might Be “Pebbling” More Than You Think

To read the full article, head here.

“‘Pebbling’ doesn’t actually involve any pebbles (if you’re human, at least). The term is drawn from the mating practices of some birds, like penguins, who gather small, eye-catching objects–like stones, beads, and bits of colorful trash–and bring them to their partners as a sign of their affection.”

Image from: Pam Ivey - Unsplash

“Memes are a love language these days… [Exchanging small digital offerings is] a form of creating a connection with people.”

— Gigi Engle, relationship expert

Leading Psychologist Adam Grant Agrees on “Pebbling”

Sending memes, links, and videos to others isn't trivial. It signals that you're thinking of them and want them to share your joy.

It's known as pebbling, based on penguins gifting pebbles to potential partners.

Pebbling is an act of care. Every pebble is a bid for connection. https://t.co/8YAJ2hLAEl

— Adam Grant (@AdamMGrant) June 18, 2024

“Sending small digital gifts not just to those you’re dating, but also to friends and colleagues, is an effective way to strengthen relationships because it shows both that the person is in your thoughts, and that you have paid close enough attention to know just what meme or YouTube video will tickle their fancy.”

Source: Inc.com, “Star Psychologist Adam Grant Says Pebbling Is the Secret to Stronger Relationships” written by Jessica Stillman