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[Komo]

Yeah, this is a bit of an odd forum post ... Not even sure if it's allowed on here, but hey if it gets locked, it gets locked

Spoiler

please don't kill me

I only browse three websites daily, for the most part. Facebook, NeoGAF and reddit. I'm okay with the first two, obviously. I'm kinda proud to say that I love GAF. I can't say the same about Facebook, and I definitely can't say the same about reddit.

I first started browsing reddit a few years ago, when my high school friend told me about it. He kind of begged me not to 'tell anyone about it' because it was so secretive and 'cool' lol. ... Yeah, uh. I liked it at first, and I thought it was pretty neat, but I started to notice that the community was just this massive hivemind, and I seriously don't agree with the majority of their opinions or ideas, but you'll never really be able to escape it unless you unsub from practically every subreddit.

It's a hivemind, and if you dare have an opinion different from that, you're going to be 'downvoted' to oblivion. Like America? Oh dear, don't ever mention that. Didn't you know that it's literally hell on earth? Have an interest in guns? You might as well be Satan. Don't think Valve is the best company in the world? Well, there's clearly something wrong with you! It's just a massive circlejerk. I've gotten to the point where I see all users of that site as snotty, smug-ass, edgy teens instead of actual individual people, and I just have an irrational hatred towards them all.

I'll admit, reddit can be cool, but the negatives have always outweighed the positives for me on that site. I just can't really fit in with that community, and I just want to go elsewhere.

So uh. Apart from GAF, where else can I go to get my news and other things?

 

[Sesuadra]

*subscribed*

I face the same problem. 80% of my online time I'm on gaf, reddit sometimes but people there really changed in the last time. Like, really rude in tone. (and some people here can be rude too, but not like that)

so, give me alternatives! and no. not 4chan.

 

[wetwired]

downvote

 

[ggnoobIGN]

Like America? Oh dear, don't ever mention that. Didn't you know that it's literally hell on earth? Have an interest in guns? You might as well be Satan. Don't think Valve is the best company in the world? Well, there's clearly something wrong with you!

That sounds like gaf

 

[Divius]

/r/neogaf

best of both worlds!

 

[Komo]

That sounds like gaf

I'unno, GAF's a lot more tame when it comes to stuff like that. At least there's no upvote/downvote system, so you'll see both views on the matter

 

[Deleted member 1235]

use the subreddits for things that interest you. they have the opposite problem so everyone will agree with you!

in short, the comment system is broken and the reddit community seem like a bunch of cunts. But let's not pretend it's an amazing website anyway. there is very useful info on very specific things there.

 

[Bboy AJ]

I'unno, GAF's a lot more tame when it comes to stuff like that. At least there's no upvote/downvote system, so you'll see both views on the matter

The difference on gaf is that you get banned instead of down voted for having a minority opinion. It's why I try to avoid controversial opinions here. At least I can continually make a case on Reddit.

 

[Wolf Akela]

Just go to specific subreddits.

Default and ex default subreddits aren't good except pics and aww.

 

[ConstructMe]

The difference on gaf is that you get banned instead of down voted for having a minority opinion. It's why I try to avoid controversial opinions here. At least I can continually make a case on Reddit.

True that

 

[MaddenNFL64]

The difference on gaf is that you get banned instead of down voted for having a minority opinion. It's why I try to avoid controversial opinions here. At least I can continually make a case on Reddit.

That's me too, no controversy. I just read & comment in a general tone that I hope will not offend someone & get me banned.

 

[TriangleOfCorruption]

lmao at those being the reasons you find reddit's community objectionable.

 

[ZombiePlatypus]

I dunno why so many users here are repulsed by reddit. I love both GAF and Reddit.

OP, where are you getting this hivemind treatment? As recommended by another user, find subreddits on topics that interest you. I think the more niche ones have more of a sense of community to them. But hell even some of the bigger staples are nice.

 

[Twilight Gap]

i find that forums where content can be "downvoted" or otherwise hidden from view if users disagree with it to be flawed. interesting, helpful content and discussion should rightfully rise to the front lines, but the reverse only breeds that "circlejerk" mentality. it makes it difficult for new users to integrate when established members can control the flow of discussion. this is true for every forum i've seen these systems on.

i guess it's the only way for places with large communities to function though. the rate at which new threads are posted outweighs the pace that users can follow old discussion.

 

[sfedai0]

More often than not, I find content on Reddit regurgitated on Gaf, but Gaf has amusing anecdotal situations from various members that makes me stay.

 

[ZombiePlatypus]

i find that forums where content can be "downvoted" or otherwise hidden from view if users disagree with it to be flawed. interesting, helpful content and discussion should rightfully rise to the front lines, but the reverse only breeds that "circlejerk" mentality. it makes it difficult for new users to integrate when established members can control the flow of discussion. this is true for every forum i've seen these systems on.

i guess it's the only way for places with large communities to function though. the rate at which new threads are posted outweighs the pace that users can follow old discussion.

You can always change the sort filter on reddit to "controversial" to get the more "against the grain" comments in the spot-light.

Honestly from what I've seen though, comments that are downvoted to being hidden are usually ones that are offensive or really antagonistic.

 

[Donos]

The difference on gaf is that you get banned instead of down voted for having a minority opinion. It's why I try to avoid controversial opinions here. At least I can continually make a case on Reddit.

Sorry bboy but i don't agree that you get banned on gaf for a minority opinion. Other thing is going into a halo thread like *halo sucks lol, cod is betta* or constantly pestering an android thread with how superior ios is.

Sure, there are very thin lines in some threads about racism, feminism, pedophilia/sex with young people etc where people get sometimes banned for their "opinion" but overall? Gaf is moderated quite well in my eyes. That's why i prefer gaf over other sites.

 

[Wolf Akela]

More often than not, I find content on Reddit regurgitated on Gaf, but Gaf has amusing anecdotal situations from various members that makes me stay.

More than half of the posts in the pics that make you laugh topic on GAF is just taken from r/funny... the previous day.

 

[Jintor]

Basically, the really general reddits kind of suck, but the specific ones are better but tend to have less activity.

I still like askreddit though, even if 60% of NSFW bs and 20% is idiotic hypotheticalsor whatever. The occasional interesting life story thread is fantastic, especially for ones about certain professions or situations.

 

[Massive Duck. C.M.]

The difference on gaf is that you get banned instead of down voted for having a minority opinion. It's why I try to avoid controversial opinions here. At least I can continually make a case on Reddit.

You don't get banned for having a minority opinion, you get banned for failing to express opinions in a semi-intelligent manner, or for expressing opinions that are relatively objectively reprehensible.

 

[Ember Spirit]

I like hackernews

 

[daycru]

for expressing opinions that are relatively objectively reprehensible.

... as seen through the eyes of the mods. They were banning people for eating the wrong chicken.

 

[Rimon-hanit]

The difference on gaf is that you get banned instead of down voted for having a minority opinion. It's why I try to avoid controversial opinions here. At least I can continually make a case on Reddit.

That is not true at all people don't get banned here even if they have some very extremist views as long as they stay respectful to other members, honestly the moderation here is top notch.

and op reddit is only good if you are after a specific subject/interest, and even for that it isn't great.

 

[Massive Duck. C.M.]

... as seen through the eyes of the mods. They were banning people for eating the wrong chicken.

No idea what that reference is

And yeah through the eyes of the mods, this isn't a democracy

 

[Bboy AJ]

You don't get banned for having a minority opinion, you get banned for failing to express opinions in a semi-intelligent manner, or for expressing opinions that are relatively objectively reprehensible.

That's a nice way to tout the party line but in many cases, it isn't true. A controversial opinion garners a lot of ire and rage from others who twist your words and pile on you. Then you get blamed for derailing and then banned. Cue the successive ban.pic celebratory posts. I've seen it time and time again. It may not be the majority of bans but it happens.

 

[Jintor]

I dunno. Most bannings I've seen are generally people who are stirring up shit as opposed to trying to genuinely argue a controversial opinion. then again I don't go looking for bannings

 

[TrumanBurbank]

Just don't read the comments and subscribe to the news subreddits you want. Like youtube.

 

[PetriP-TNT]

Just don't read the comments and subscribe to the news subreddits you want. Like youtube.

Exactomundo

 

[RedShift]

It's a hivemind, and if you dare have an opinion different from that, you're going to be 'downvoted' to oblivion. Like America? Oh dear, don't ever mention that. Didn't you know that it's literally hell on earth? Have an interest in guns? You might as well be Satan. Don't think Valve is the best company in the world? Well, there's clearly something wrong with you! It's just a massive circlejerk. I've gotten to the point where I see all users of that site as snotty, smug-ass, edgy teens instead of actual individual people, and I just have an irrational hatred towards them all.

I don't know what website you're visiting, but I'm pretty sure it isn't Reddit. Reddit is massively pro guns, it has been for ages. I'd question the example about Reddit being anti US as well, though not to the same extent. Both were true about 3 years ago, but definitely not now.

But yeah Reddit does suck, but there's not really anything that can replace it terms of amount of content.

 

[Whitechocolatekrispies]

Reddit ain't a place for discussion. It's for learning new things.

 

[Darklord]

You might not realize but Reddit isn't open and free at all. The subreddit Technology would censor and delete topics related to Net Neutrality, SOPA, PIPA, the NSA, Edward Snowden. When they finally allowed these topics it was suddenly removed from the front page as a default reddit. Same with the politics sections. The mods have their own agenda, whether paid to do it or not I don't know.
There are also a lot of propaganda accounts that get made. Microsoft was caught creating lots of accounts praising the XB1 when it had always-on. However there seems to be even stranger accounts made like heavily pro-Russian accounts that filled up topics when they invaded Ukraine.

It's hard to believe a lot of things on there because on the way it's run.

 

[whatsinaname]

Eh, Reddit is what you make of it. At a certain threshold of subscribers, a subreddit usually goes to shit. But there are still some great ones for learning (r/AskScience, r/HistoryPorn), good discussion (r/programming), wasting time (r/talesfromTechSupport) or help with more niche hobbies. Think of it as a collection of forums with a single login, instead of one forum.

 

[sca2511]

Replace reedit with 4chan and that's me. No worries here though. /g/ and /co/ are pretty varied and what I'm usually on.

And if you like tech stuff, Hacker News is great.

 

[Dorsal Axe]

Yeah reddit is pretty shit compared to a few years ago. Too many people manipulating that site nowadays

Occasionally I delve into less popular subreddits, but mostly I just try to cut it out completely. Don't really miss it.

 

[Massive Duck. C.M.]

That's a nice way to tout the party line but in many cases, it isn't true. A controversial opinion garners a lot of ire and rage from others who twist your words and pile on you. Then you get blamed for derailing and then banned. Cue the successive ban.pic celebratory posts. I've seen it time and time again. It may not be the majority of bans but it happens.

What are these "controversial opinions"

Because if it's just dumbass racism, sexism, or other assorted ignorance then no one gives a fuck

 

[Mexen]

OP, I don't know any alternatives but may I suggest sticking to only subreddits that interest you. I only ever go to /r/metalgearsolid. Generally, folks are cool over there and it's quite well done. But whatever interests you, interests you.

 

[Sou Da]

The only direct alternative would be 8chan which uses reddit's system of users being able to make their own boards but uses an imageboard system instead of reddits weird comment based up/downvote thing. However it's even worse than reddit in how easy it is for people to control opinions by continually passing around certain images and how you'll get shit on hard for going against that opinion.

 

[br0ken_shad0w]

The less popular/niche subreddits are pretty good. I avoid the more popular ones though because like someone mentioned, some of the mods have an agenda and basically run them as they see fit.

You can give SA a try if you want something similar to GAF but it costs money and has even stricter posting rules.

 

[dinazimmerman]

You can give SA a try if you want something similar to GAF but it costs money and has even stricter posting rules.

Isn't it slowly dying, too? I bought an account a while ago, but haven't used it at all...

 

[Don't Laugh]

the science and medicine/dentistry related subreddits are ace

the default subreddits are trash

 

[Volimar]

I only go to reddit if it's a slow day on GAF and I've exhausted all my other entertainment sources.

 

[br0ken_shad0w]

Isn't it slowly dying, too? I bought an account a while ago, but haven't used it at all...

Its relevancy to the internet is dying and the community is a fraction of what it was in its heyday, but the interest boards are still very active. GBS turning into BYOB lite was pretty bad though.

 

[kamorra]

What are these "controversial opinions"

Any opinion that isn't 100% aligned with yours.

 

[ZeroX03]

What are these "controversial opinions"

Wasn't there an issue in this thread with people going against the cop hatred by saying "lets wait until we have both sides of the story" getting banned, and then it came out the cops weren't at fault?

I do feel that on any website, including GAF, going against popular opinion is a risky move. Hell, just for my own sanity I avoid getting into discussions over Uncharted 3 or Skyward Sword now.

 

[Alpende]

Every forum / message board has some sort of hivemind, even GAF has one (can't come up with examples). I still like reddit, my most visited subreddits are r/soccer, movies and television. Reddit is what you make of it, if you only subscribe to the default or very popular subreddits then yes, the comments suck and there is no discussion. If you subscribe to more specific subreddits you get more interesting content.

 

[LProtag]

I basically just browse a few specific subreddits and also look at the front page for interesting links and stuff.

I only venture into the comments if it's in a subreddit I'm using for info (like /r/malefashionadvice) or I want more information on something.

 

[tycoonheart]

There are tons and tons of smaller subreddits that don't display that mindset. Majority of the shit you see on frontpage can be pointless but i have found so many awesome subreddits, esp related to tech - htpc, buildapc, buildapcsales, homeserver.

 

[The Mule]

stay away from the defaults and you will be fine. a couple of friends and i have curated aggregate of subreddits that we share.

 

[Massive Duck. C.M.]

Wasn't there an issue in this thread with people going against the cop hatred by saying "lets wait until we have both sides of the story" getting banned, and then it came out the cops weren't at fault?.

I knew that thread would come up lol

"Wait for the facts" isn't a controversial opinion; it's actually a reasonable sentiment especially when there aren't many facts available about a situation initially

HOWEVER

Due to certain posters predictably expressing this sentiment in situations involving race or gender related issues in order to downplay any influence race or gender might have in those situations (or in society at all), it's become something of a warning light.

In the thread you mentioned several posters (including myself) apologized for being quick to discount the sentiment when the audio came out, but we still have the initial problem.

Ultimately, it's not general posters who give bans, it's the mods.

 

[Mesousa]

Reddit is shit.

Free speech on harassing minorities, but post some nude celeb pics and shit is about "Having your own soul" absolute rubbish.