"All of reddit is a cesspool".

[thistlechaser]

On a regular basis, I hear people saying reddit is a horrible place, there's nothing of value there, nothing but trolls, etc. And yet, again and again, I find wonderful subreddits that enrich my life (or at least entertain me through boring periods).

Today I found /r/AskScienceFiction/ -- Ask Science Fiction. People ask a question about a fictional world, and all the answers have to be either in character for that world or answered based on only information that can be found by characters in that world. Even for themes I don't know (so many of them!), it's really, really interesting reading.

Examples based on just the very first page of threads.

There are thoughtful questions: "[Star Trek] What do Ferengi think about theft?" or "[Batman] How would Batman react to the Joker's murder?"

Silly ones: "[Friends] What causes all the nipples in the Friends universe to poke out of shirts" or "[Marvel/DC] can superheroes donate their seed?"

Very IC ones that I wish I knew more about the theme, because then I'd enjoy reading it even more: "[40k]I've been captured by strange looking Eldar. What happens now?"

I subscribe to a number of subreddits (/r/ffxiv, /r/askreddit, /r/ThePhenomenon, and /r/mildlyinteresting are the ones I spend the most time on), and trolls are few and very far between. Mostly it's just good, entertaining reading.

I guess hating reddit is about the same as people who say all TV sucks or there are no good movies made anymore...

Comments

[socksofjello.livejournal.com]

A lot of the reputation comes from the previous acceptance of subreddits like /r/jailbait and /r/creepshots, the removal of which the administration dragged their feet on because they were close with the creators. It's also been the community center for a multitude of hate groups that're so pervasive on the site that they've permanently impacted much of the internet's perception of Reddit.

It's pretty much like any other forum so long as you stick to the safe subreddits, though.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, I'm sure there are awful parts of it, just that 100% of it isn't awful.

Wow, I hadn't heard of either of those subs! And while I haven't encountered a hate one, I'm not in the least bit surprised they exist.

[orangerful.livejournal.com]

I've peeked into reddit a few times but it is just SO big that I freak out and run away. You know the saying, if you can think of it, there is a porn of it? I think that also applies to subreddits. But as I can barely keep up with my Livejournal, I can't find the time to get sucked into that site.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Ha, very true! I'm always surprised what there's a subreddit for. It is a good way to kill time, but you're right, it's all too easy to get sucked in and have a hard time escaping to do other things.

[wow-hazmat.livejournal.com]

Most of the worst of Reddit (apart from the real cesspits listed above, also places like r/TheRedPill) is in the set of default subreddits that one is subscribed to when one makes an account. I, too, have had a lot of good content from Reddit; you just have to be selective.

AskReddit often has some cool discussions, and TheWayWeWere always has come cool old photos. For example.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

I've been on reddit for a year or so now, but I didn't even look at subscriptions until a week or two back. I just bookmarked my various subreddits, and that was that. Once I did look into how they worked, I was surprised at all the odd things I was listed as subscribing to.

Seems like there should be a whole lot fewer you get by default, and some kind of suggestion or tip page for finding more.

[changeling72.livejournal.com]

Sweeping generalisations often say more about the person making the statement than the reality of the situation. However, their perception is their reality.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Wise words, very true!

[mousewings.livejournal.com]

I've gone on reddit to lurk and read threads. The only thread I've sometimes participated in is /r/indiemakeupandmore

I've discovered new companies through it and learned useful info and about which places to stay away from. There have been unnecessarily rude people I've observed but for the most part, people are civil.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Yep! You just have to find the good subreddits -- ones that interest you and have a good mod team to keep trolls at bay.

I lurk more than I post, I think most folks do.

[adam-0oo.livejournal.com]

Love all of this, a place to spend time worth people with your interests, many of whom might be smarter than you.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Yep exactly! Potentially smarter, more creative, and more interesting. It all too easily fills my free time.