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> One thing to ask is, what problem does Reddit solve? Possibly more interesting to ask: what problems might Reddit plausibly create? My first instinct for an
by mistermann 5y ago
> One thing to ask is, what problem does Reddit solve?
Possibly more interesting to ask: what problems might Reddit plausibly create?
My first instinct for answers: social polarization and mass distortion of reality perception.
- sjg007 5y agoWell it certainly amplifies it but apart from comments it’s not an original content producer. Polarization in the US is manufactured by politicians and monetized by big business donors. This is why it’s Fox News entertainment. In the past we had yellow journalism etc…. It has certainly reduced the cost and effort to reach a lot of people and achieve critical mass. But any community has this. My local school board meetings are filled with covid deniers, anti maskers. These are akin to book banners and the whole critical race theory conspiracy. It’s all manufactured for political aim.
- mistermann 5y agoThere's no doubt that the media are thought leaders and I think for the most part set the narratives for the public to divide itself over, but I really think the Reddit hivemind is the base for the emergence of novel phenomena, the stuff your read on there certainly isn't all manufactured by the media.