Reddit used to be a great platform to discuss some topic and get different points of few in a friendly but factual manner. However, slowly it seems like the platform has become a lot more like Facebook, where it’s been invaded by toxic people that are constantly looking for opportunities to shit and hate on others.

The change has been gradual so I really didn’t notice it creep up on me. It’s become super evident now having used Kbin and others for a week or so where people generally seem to be more friendly again and willing to actually discuss things in a usually civil way.

The difference is stark too. Today I replied to a comment saying that I hope things turn out better for them and wound up in a weird comment chain about how people were apparently insensitive for wanting to get a basic haircut that they for some reason couldn’t afford themselves. Meanwhile, Kbin and the Fediverse feels like a refreshing place to actually converse with people once you get past the clunk and figure it out.

I think Reddit may well have reached that main stream social media saturation point where it very objectively now sucks. It happened originally with the internet itself thanks to the rise of the smartphone and this is just another iteration of it. I feel like Spez might as well get that bag at this point because they’ve ruined what used to be the platform people went to for social media without the bullshit, without algorithms to drive “engagement” and to avoid the toxic culture that has prevailed.

Thanks for reading my rant.

  • cannache@slrpnk.net
    1·
    1 year ago

    Nah, it’s people and algorithms. The algorithms we see today in certain social media apps etc encourage certain behaviours and patterns of use.

    Not all algorithms or systems necessarily encourage productive and rational discussion or “information hunting” for practice and forward thinking.

    Consider that brainwashing and warmongering propaganda is still alive and well used today in many parts of the world, the reality is that nobody is immune, but we can at least make ourselves aware of the “drug” that these systems give our brains and avoid allowing ourselves to become a victim to the system by being aware of someone else’s dogma or agendas.