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[BPoole]

I would think any reasonable person would be offended by a site that allowed child porn, at any point in time.

Reddit is a huge site with all sorts of content on it. If I enjoy numerous other subreddits that don't involve illegal activities, I'm not going to abandon the entire site just because sick things occur elsewhere on the site that I never visit.

I've read some straight up deplorable content on GAF as well but I don't abandon this place either.

 

[TommyTosser]

i must be in the small minority that's never been on reddit.

 

[Ikuu]

Fixed. Their threads are nightmare-ish to read. I rarely able to figure out who responded to whom.

Don't see how it's hard to read, think this says more about you than Reddit.

 

[FyreWulff]

Oh, come the fuck on. I use reddit to keep up with my hobbies, international news and photographs of places I'll never visit. This is clearly analogous to ignoring institutional racism. Reddit is a billion sites under one URL. The entire point is to customize it what you like, or want to keep informed on. I don't "hide" the racist subreddits, I just don't subscribe to them. Might as well call people racist for not visiting Stormfront. And no, I'm not saying those sites are analogous. That's so fucking absurd.

Reddit is one site under one URL. It doesn't matter if you don't subscribe to a subreddit, all threads and posts appear under one central feed at http://www.reddit.com/r/all/

Most any site can be filtered down, using either site or browser functionality. I don't think any other site has tried to float the idea that they aren't a single site. Whether they're going to delete or not, they have to own up the fact that they allow it to be there.

 

[-duskdoll-]

I've been using Reddit for almost a year and i don't know what you guys are talking about. Yes there are some disgusting subreddits, but 90% of the posts on the front page are memes and gifs. Remember that Reddit is an open platform, so you can post pretty much anything unless it's against the law.

 

[WanderingWind]

Reddit is one site under one URL. It doesn't matter if you don't subscribe to a subreddit, all threads and posts appear under one central feed at http://www.reddit.com/r/all/

Most any site can be filtered down, using either site or browser functionality. I don't think any other site has tried to float the idea that they aren't a single site. Whether they're going to delete or not, they have to own up the fact that they allow it to be there.

The fact is that you're not "hiding racist subreddits," you're simply not subscribing to them. When you make an account, you pick stuff you're interested in and that becomes your version of Reddit. Unless you specifically seek out racist subreddits, they won't appear. That doesn't mean you will never be exposed to racism/sexism or whatever else offends you, but the suggestion that people are "hiding" those subreddits is blatantly incorrect. You could say you're ignoring them, but I watch videos on YouTube despite the users seemingly being 100 percent racist. I "ignore" those comments when I'm watching a music video or whatever. That's in no way analogous to pretending racism doesn't exist.

 

[Acorn]

Until something fucks with their money or dirt comes to light.

Sounds like a libertarian to me

 

[diggmcbadass]

I mostly read /r/pcmasterrace. They're only racist towards consoles.

 

[Florida Man]

Every time I go to reddit I leave before I bother trying to navigate.

 

[MrBadger]

Reddit is one site under one URL. It doesn't matter if you don't subscribe to a subreddit, all threads and posts appear under one central feed at http://www.reddit.com/r/all/

Most any site can be filtered down, using either site or browser functionality. I don't think any other site has tried to float the idea that they aren't a single site. Whether they're going to delete or not, they have to own up the fact that they allow it to be there.

Clicking on /r/all won't take you to all the messed up, outright disgusting parts of Reddit like that corpses thing someone mentioned, though. Mostly you just see the default subs with some NSFW ones that understandably can't be default mixed in. It's like seeing what's currently popular on Youtube with comment sections to match. And when I'm on Youtube I only view my subscriptions.

 

[Nozem]

Fixed. Their threads are nightmare-ish to read. I rarely able to figure out who responded to whom.

Windows explorer must be very hard for you.

 

[Acorn]

Windows explorer must be very hard for you.

They fucked up the standard reply structure that's existed since the Internet began. Shit looks as comprehensible as Aramaic to me.

 

[Nozem]

They fucked up the standard reply structure that's existed since the Internet began. Shit looks as comprehensible as Aramaic to me.

It's just a basic tree structure. How can you not understand how that works? I really think the problem in this case is you, not Reddit.

Edit: it's exactly the same as this:

 

[Riposte]

I don't spend much time on Reddit (except for... reasons) and kind of resent it because I was trained to hate 4chan succesors, but seemingly every other person I know does. I assume it's because lolcats don't discriminate. GAF comes off as a little sheltered here.

Anyway, why don't the arguments for what Reddit shouldn't allow also apply to server hosting and Internet providers (the people behind these services)? If anything that sounds like a more effective route.

 

[Puruzi]

I'm black and I go on reddit all the time, the racism doesn't affect me because I avoid it. All I do is go on the smash, Chaika, Dandy, and other various anime subreddits though, so I probably wouldn't see the racism.

 

[Nozem]

The reason Reddit doesn't remove the horrible subreddits is, in their own words:

We uphold the ideal of free speech on reddit as much as possible not because we are legally bound to, but because we believe that you - the user - has the right to choose between right and wrong, good and evil, and that it is your responsibility to do so. When you know something is right, you should choose to do it. But as much as possible, we will not force you to do it.

You choose what to post. You choose what to read. You choose what kind of subreddit to create and what kind of rules you will enforce. We will try not to interfere - not because we don’t care, but because we care that you make your choices between right and wrong.

Virtuous behavior is only virtuous if it is not arrived at by compulsion. This is a central idea of the community we are trying to create.

The obvious result of this is that the percentage of fucked up subreddits is roughly the same as the percentage of fucked up Reddit users.

 

[Bricky]

I find it kind of ironic that we laugh when some people on the internet act like GAF is nothing but a bunch of pretentious assholes yet alot of members generalize places like Reddit the exact same way.

It is unfair to act like Reddit is just one big awful community. It should be seen as a collection of thousands and thousands of individually moderated communities. Once you accept that Reddit, besides the default subreddits, is nothing but a neutral host to many little forums it becomes easier to see why they 'allow' alot of shit. The only forum Reddit itselfs somewhat moderates is the frontpage.

That is the double-edged sword that is the internet: it is a place where everyone can speak their mind, for better or worse. If you think net neutrality is important you should find it equally important for places like Reddit to exist.

The only big issue all of Reddit has is that the way it works; its structure does wonders for entertainment subreddits since you can always quickly find the best content, but it doesn't promote fair discussion. Popular opinions rise to the top and unpopular ones are downvoted to oblivion. Places like r/atheism consist of nothing but people reinforcing their own opinion. Just compare r/Israel and r/Palestine to see what dangerously one-sided views this can result in. Even the people of Reddit themself realize it is nothing but a big circlejerk sometimes. It is the last place you should go to form a well-educated opinion on something.

 

[Acorn]

It's just a basic tree structure. How can you not understand how that works? I really think the problem in this case is you, not Reddit.

Edit: it's exactly the same as this:

It's a mess for anything that is more than a sentence.

 

[FyreWulff]

I don't spend much time on Reddit (except for... reasons) and kind of resent it because I was trained to hate 4chan succesors, but seemingly every other person I know does. I assume it's because lolcats don't discriminate. GAF comes off as a little sheltered here.

Anyway, why don't the arguments for what Reddit shouldn't allow also apply to server hosting and Internet providers (the people behind these services)? If anything that sounds like a more effective route.

ISPs are just infrastructure and should be common carriers.

Server hosters can host what they want to, but they also can still be criticized for hosting certain content, much like Reddit is. Half the time we spend chasing around 'parts of reddit aren't actually a part of reddit' distraction, however. Freedom of speech does not freedom from criticism of said speech.

 

[Mammoth Jones]

Hence why I pretty much stopped fucking with reddit. The fact that they allow the Ferguson subreddit to be modded by white supremacists is enough for me to say fuck that place.

 

[richiek]

I've noticed that r/news has been dominated by racist posters who post bullshit stats from Stormfront. But ever since the Ferguson decision, all the racists have really come out of the woodwork.

Reading r/shitredditsays has been an eyeopener on all the crap reddit allows.

 

[Aurongel]

I've noticed that r/news has been dominated by racist posters who post bullshit stats from Stormfront. But ever since the Ferguson decision, all the racists have really come out of the woodwork.

Reading r/shitredditsays has been an eyeopener on all the crap reddit allows.

This is definitely true. Even worse was that a lot of the anti-Fergusson protester news stories made it to the front of r/all last week.

Reddit has banned subreddits in the past though on the grounds of racially inflammatory content. r/niggers for example was shutdown in 2013 for manipulating votes.

 

[SquiddyCracker]

Do a search for "nigger" on NeoGAF and you might find yourself a surprising number of casual drops of the n-word.

 

[diamount]

Sub-reddit can be setup by anyone for any particular reason. Unless their output is obviously illegal like how to make bombs, child pornography then it's fair game. It's why Stormfront has not been shut down.

Free speech and all that. If they aren't the default sub-reddit then it isn't a problem unless you go actively looking for them.

 

[Massive Duck. C.M.]

Do a search for "nigger" on NeoGAF and you might find yourself a surprising number of casual drops of the n-word.

Somehow I don't think it's the same

Unless there are some shady community threads...

 

[SpacePirate Ridley]

It's just a basic tree structure. How can you not understand how that works? I really think the problem in this case is you, not Reddit.

Edit: it's exactly the same as this:

That system doesn't work well for full messages IMO though.

 

[Moral Panic]

Sub-reddit can be setup by anyone for any particular reason. Unless their output is obviously illegal like how to make bombs, child pornography then it's fair game. It's why Stormfront has not been shut down.

Free speech and all that. If they aren't the default sub-reddit then it isn't a problem unless you go actively looking for them.

It spills over. When you have an environment which allows perverse things to flourish you are kidding yourself if you don't think that poison will spread to unrelated areas.

 

[vityaz]

Sub-reddit can be setup by anyone for any particular reason. Unless their output is obviously illegal like how to make bombs, child pornography then it's fair game. It's why Stormfront has not been shut down.

Free speech and all that. If they aren't the default sub-reddit then it isn't a problem unless you go actively looking for them.

You should really take another look at /r/stormfront

 

[Two Words]

Weird. I never see this stuff on reddit. But I mainly stick to subreddits about sports, tech, games, and language learning.

 

[PlayALLtheGames]

Do a search for "nigger" on NeoGAF and you might find yourself a surprising number of casual drops of the n-word.

If by casual you mean people using it in the context of discussing racism or the term itself, then yes. Otherwise, no.

As for Reddit: still never been except clicking on a link to an image someone sent me or something like that.

 

[DoktorEvil]

Sub-reddit can be setup by anyone for any particular reason. Unless their output is obviously illegal like how to make bombs, child pornography then it's fair game. It's why Stormfront has not been shut down.

Free speech and all that. If they aren't the default sub-reddit then it isn't a problem unless you go actively looking for them.

The Anarchist's Cookbook isn't illegal though.

 

[Beelzebufo]

Yeah, I try not to get too involved with reddit, and don't even visit the chans, for that reason. It's like a breeding ground for racists, sexists, and homophobes. I mean not everyone is that way of course, but I'd still rather just sorta stay clear.

 

[JasonS]

Are you serious?

Quit looking to be offended.

 

[leadbelly]

You know, I haven't visited Stormfront or any of these racist subreddits, but the funny thing is, I've noticed I have become reluctant to look. I can imagine Stormfront for instance would be considered an 'extreme' website. Maybe GCHQ/NSA secretly have it under surveillance, I don't know.

 

[BPoole]

Quit looking to be offended.

Do I need to ask your permission to take moderate offense to a blatantly racist generalization/dismissal?

 

[vityaz]

You know, I haven't visited Stormfront or any of these racist subreddits, but the funny thing is, I've noticed I have become reluctant to look. I can imagine Stormfront for instance would be considered an 'extreme' website. Maybe GCHQ/NSA secretly have it under surveillance, I don't know.

I asked somebody here to check for themselves, but I can't hold it in. Somebody non-stormfront owns it and it's a sub about actual weather. Pretty funny, seeing the topbanner

 

[Alo81]

Damn, is the latter true? What the hell?

It wasn't exactly child porn. It was "jail bait". Which is still fucked up, but it wasn't like, explicit naked children.

 

[BigDug13]

It's definitely not good, it gives these clowns a place to get together, rile each other up and pat each other on the back.

That's a problem for any extremist groups and the internet. Extreme right or left wing nuts, extreme religious nuts, extreme racist nuts. All kinds of echo chambers where like-minded individuals can rile each other up. It's why we are seeing more domestic terrorists, more division and lack of cooperation in politics, "the war on Christianity" being paraded around as a real thing, etc.

 

[JasonS]

Do I need to ask your permission to take moderate offense to a blatantly racist generalization/dismissal?

In your first post in this thread, you agreed with jediyoshi, who claimed that people who encounter racism online only do so because they are actively seeking it out. It's the victim's fault, you see.

You then proceed to complain about a supposedly "racist" comment in this thread.

 

[Glass Shark]

It's not just sequestered to those subreddits. A lot of the stuff that gets voted up to the front page of /r/all is thinly veiled racist and sexist propaganda.

 

[Blackstarhat]

A lot of subreddits are like that but not focused on that entirely. One in particular comes to mind... It isn't just Reddit. There are racist parts of all sorts of sites if you look for it honestly.

not neogaf

 

[BPoole]

In your first post in this thread, you agreed with jediyoshi, who claimed that people who encounter racism online only do so because they are actively seeking it out. It's the victim's fault, you see.

You then proceed to complain about a supposedly "racist" comment in this thread.

I was not actively seeking it out in this thread (or ever, really). I also hold this forum to a higher standard than I would reddit or YouTube since it's heavily moderated and and racist stuff doesn't racist stuff is struck down pretty hard. His comment was completely uncalled for and out of line. I was not the only one who thought so whether since other users responded to it as well.

Next time I see something I don't like on the GAF, I'll make sure to shoot you a PM to make sure I have the green light to be offended.

 

[studyguy]

This is definitely true. Even worse was that a lot of the anti-Fergusson protester news stories made it to the front of r/all last week.

Absolutely.
She at least 4chan I have the benefit of knowing people will be overtly racist with their opinions instead of all the lowkey racism that dropped that week. Jesus Christ.

 

[samn]

I asked somebody here to check for themselves, but I can't hold it in. Somebody non-stormfront owns it and it's a sub about actual weather. Pretty funny, seeing the topbanner

I did a double take walking past this store in my town.

http://www.stormfront.co.uk/

 

[News Bot]

You're talking about a site with a subreddit called "SexWithDogs." Are you really that surprised?

 

[akira28]

nuke it from orbit.

along with half of the rest of the internet. we will rebuild. we'll get it right this time.

 

[bengraven]

Reddit is the worst place for discussion on topics.

Let's Discuss the Doctor Who Christmas trailer - 120 upvotes
Look what my girlfriend made me! (a Dr. Who tie) - 3920 upvotes
Look who I ran into! (selfie taken with former companion during Davies run Who) - 2048 upvotes
I have a theory about the last episode - 92 upvotes
My girlfriend made me Dr. Who cupcakes! - 3200 upvotes

 

[Wreav]

Plenty of racist posts on Twitter, you probably still use that. Same with Facebook.

Hell, extend the argument to the internet itself.

No one's making you read racist subreddits, not sure why you'd care much at all.

 

[JasonS]

I was not actively seeking it out in this thread (or ever, really). I also hold this forum to a higher standard than I would reddit or YouTube since it's heavily moderated and and racist stuff doesn't racist stuff is struck down pretty hard. His comment was completely uncalled for and out of line. I was not the only one who thought so whether since other users responded to it as well.

Of course you weren't actively seeking out racism. Nobody does, why the hell would they? That's the point many people here are trying to make. Bigotry regularly spills over into places where it doesn't belong, or isn't even expected. That should include NeoGAF, but it should also include the large default subs on Reddit, or the comments sections on the websites of major media outlets at the very least, but that isn't the case. That's a problem.

Why shouldn't those places also be held to a higher standard?

 

[nynt9]

not neogaf

You might wanna look at the "Racists getting fired" thread or some other racially charged topics. Also topics on Islam.

I mean, they usually get banned eventually, but they last quite a bit before getting banned sometimes.