Reddit

I don't actually have a Reddit account or post anything there ever, but this is my little promotion of that site. I used to turn to Twitter to see if there were other people out there who may have had the same opinions or observations as me, but Twitter has changed and I rarely go on there.  Instead I have found that Reddit is my go-to for my desire for confirmation bias.  

There are a few subreddits that I check in on on a regular basis - for various podcasts or blogs that I frequent.  But I also find that a lot of reliable information can be found on a Reddit post found through a Google search.  Things like "best restaurants in France" or "how to bid on an Air Canada upgrade" (those are some recent ones).  If there are current events, you can find threads of comments on Reddit, even if the online news outlet has closed comments.  This has been true for the world junior hockey sexual assault trial or the missing kids in NS. Those sensitive topics that a mainstream news outlet want to limit comments on are fair game on Reddit.  

Now, I used the term "confirmation bias" above and I do fall victim to that at times.  I also love gossip and speculation, which I know isn't always the most honourable path to follow, and that you can find in spades on Reddit.  Despite my love for the trashy stuff at times, I am still a discerning person and can pick out those comments that are just there for spite and may not necessarily align with my thinking. It's easy to go down a rabbit hole, so it's necessary to remain thoughtful about what you're reading.

That all being said, if you want to come down into the gutter with me, there is something I found recently that is currently getting a lot of my attention.  There is a certain blogger that many of us follow and link up with that has their own Subreddit under their name paired with "snark" and also a thread on Gossip Bakery.  This is the prime example where I have been forming opinions of this person for awhile but thought I'm sure I'm just being petty and no one else is probably thinking these things.  I was wrong though, there are lots of people who have had the same observations and post about them online.  It helps to make me feel validated that I'm not alone, but I am still cautious that the comments can get a little out of hand and people have a bit of a complex about this person.  Still, I can't look away!!

This all to say, Reddit is a great source of information, a great place to find gossip, but should also be taken with a grain of salt.  Those people are still "internet people" and they can get a bit out of control :)