In class, we listened to the Podcast by wbur, Turning Hate on the Internet Into Humor, which explores the idea that many Reddit threads carry hostility. The online spaces would target certain groups such as the transgender community, expression of racism, and many other negative or inappropriate commentary towards certain groups. There was however certain people who would step in, as subreddit heroes, and stop the negativity in these posts by expressing humor. The podcast refers to these negative threads as "dumpster fires," and the heroes who show humor as the "firefighters." The shift in tone in the conversations added light, and also showed that the negativity of these users didn't need to be expressed online, or at all.
In our course, we can use Reddit to show us what is happening in the world around us. We can use Reddit as a tool for evaluating social issues, and attitudes of people on social media. I do not use Reddit, as I believe it has become less popular throughout time, but through. the influence of other platforms I do understand the ideas. Regardless, we all use social media content in one form or another.
After listening to this podcast, Reddit seems to show the public opinion and what's going on in the world right now. It captures unfiltered sentiments about the world, and what is happening daily. This podcast showed us that it is our job to go out and diffuse those dumpster fires, use humor, and be a decent person, especially when you're going to be posting on the internet.
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