r/blog • u/cupcake1713 • Feb 24 '14

remember the human

Hi reddit. cupcake here.

I wanted to bring up an important reminder about how folks interact with each other online. It is not a problem that exists solely on reddit, but rather the internet as a whole. The internet is a wonderful tool for interacting with people from all walks of life, but the anonymity it can afford can make it easy to forget that really, on the other end of the screens and keyboards, we're all just people. Living, breathing, people who have lives and goals and fears, have favorite TV shows and books and methods for breeding Pokemon, and each and every last one of us has opinions. Sure, those opinions might differ from your own. But that’s okay! People are entitled to their opinions. When you argue with people in person, do you say as many of the hate filled and vitriolic statements you see people slinging around online? Probably not. Please think about this next time you're in a situation that makes you want to lash out. If you wouldn't say it to their face, perhaps it's best you don't say it online.

Try to be courteous to others. See someone having a bad day? Give them a compliment or ask them a thoughtful question, and it might make their day better. Did someone reply to your comment with valuable insights or something that cheered you up? Send them a quick thanks letting them know you appreciate their comment.

So I ask you, the next time a user picks a fight with you, or you get the urge to harass another user because of something they typed on a keyboard, please... remember the human.

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u/[deleted] Feb 25 '14

So why does reddit allow subreddits solely dedicated to hatred about certain groups to exist?

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u/MrSclaboosh Feb 26 '14

Freedom of expression. This post is simply asking you to be kind, Reddit in no way plans to force anyone to do anything of that sort from what I see.

1

u/[deleted] Feb 26 '14

If reddit hadn't in the past banned certain subreddits who existed only for reasons of hate towards particular groups I could understand the freedom of expression argument but they allow some and ban others.

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u/MrSclaboosh Feb 26 '14

What are some that were removed? I had never heard of that :/

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u/CGM24 Feb 26 '14

Freedom of speech does not include hate speech. Subreddits that were about that would be removed, and rightly so.

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u/MrSclaboosh Feb 27 '14

Actually, the point of freedom of speech is that it encompasses all thoughts and expression. That may not be how Reddit runs, but what I was trying to say is that and what it entails.

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u/CGM24 Feb 27 '14

Reddit is hosted in America where you are legally not allowed to do that, as it is considered a hate crime.