So, I’ve mentioned before that I’ve kinda bailed on most social media platforms (though recently, I’ve discovered BlueSky and I’m semi-obsessed). You might remember me ranting about the endless scrolling, the algorithm doom spiral, and the fact that I was basically stalking people I haven’t seen since middle school. But Roger, you might be thinking, isn’t Reddit social media? And honestly, maybe? Or maybe not? It’s like Schrödinger’s cat of internet platforms. Reddit’s technically a massive collection of forums, and really, that feels more like chilling in a library with a bunch of different club meetings happening around you than anything else.
I think the best part is that there’s a forum (or subreddit, if we wanna be fancy about it) for literally any interest you might have. Seriously, if you love Labradors, there’s a subreddit full of people posting pics of chonky lab pups living their best lives. Into playing cards? Yup, you got your r/playingcards subreddit ready with people discussing rare decks like they’re sports cars. Obsessed with credit card rewards? You bet there’s a group of folks in r/creditcards, plotting how to max out those sweet cashback points. It’s a little wild how niche it gets. Like the other day, I stumbled upon a subreddit all about sharpening knives. Knives! (Apparently, it’s a whole vibe.) And beyond that, you can even find local communities—cities like Milwaukee or Chicago have their own subreddits, and heck, even whole states do. It’s like the internet’s equivalent of a community potluck; everyone brings something to the table, even if it’s just memes.
So, I’m not hanging out on r/pics waiting for someone to “like” my selfie (because, shockingly, I’m way past my selfie phase—I think). No, I’m over here searching things like, “Kobo ereader Reddit” or “Best post-shave balm Reddit” because seriously, when Google throws up nothing but sponsored reviewers trying to sell me stuff, Reddit is like a breath of fresh, unsponsored air. I just want to know if that Kobo is gonna feel like holding a tiny paperback in my hands or if it’s gonna make me long for the smell of bookshop dust. Is that too much to ask? And I’ll tell you what: Reddit doesn’t try to sell me $1,000 headphones I didn’t ask for, so it’s already earned major points with me.
It’s wild how Reddit has actually become part of how I search for things. Try it. Google anything—anything at all—and slap “Reddit” at the end of your search. Boom. You’ve unlocked a portal to real people’s real experiences, with zero immediate pop-ups asking you to subscribe to insert tech blog that you’ve never heard of. Honestly, it’s kinda refreshing not having an algorithm shove carefully curated (and sometimes suspiciously sponsored) content down your throat. You just wade into whatever topic you’re curious about and see what other folks have to say. Does it require an occasional grain of salt? Sure. But hey, Reddit’s kinda like scouring the world’s most eccentric public library—some days you find treasure, other days… well, let’s just say r/conspiracy theories exists for better or worse.
But okay, disclaimer: I get dangerously sucked in sometimes. Like, you’ll think you’re just dipping your toe in on a quick search, and suddenly it’s three hours later, and you’re on page 7 of a thread about whatever niche thing you’d never even thought about till now. One moment you’re reading honest reviews of an e-reader, next you’re 60 comments deep in some dude’s account of how his Roomba staged an uprising. Time? What is time on Reddit? So yeah, just saying, proceed with caution—Reddit is both the savior of your Google searches and the black hole you never see coming until it’s already eaten your afternoon. Yup, sounds fun, right?
I guess the “secret sauce” is that Reddit is this mishmash of education and entertainment. You’re learning stuff (the other day I learned that sloths actually poop only once a week, and admittedly that’s a weird thing to know), but it’s also, let’s be real—like super binge-able. One second you’re the responsible adult, researching real estate advice, then wham, you’re laughing at a meme about capybaras in hats. Seriously… capybaras! Why are they so chill all the time?
This whole “subscription” thing is genius, too. Not in the money-sucking, algorithm-feeding, soul-draining way that other platforms do. Nope. On Reddit, you subscribe to forums—or subreddits—that actually interest you, and suddenly your feed is filled with discussions, links, memes, and rants all tailored to whatever niche you’re vibing with at the moment. Checking out a new city? There are subreddits for that. I’m not even kidding, r/Milwaukee is a legit community where locals talk about my fair city’s best spots or complain about the weather (classic, right?). Add in a subreddit for Chicago, Wisconsin as a whole, heck even Lasagna probably has its own corner. There’s legit space for everything here.
Anyway, if you haven’t tried appending “Reddit” to your searches, I low-key challenge you to give it a go. It changes the game! Plus, there’s something unique about knowing you’re digging into thoughts from fellow internet adventurers, rather than getting spoon-fed by SEO-optimized, commercially-driven content. I’m forever grateful to those random humans typing away on long threads, especially at 3 AM when I’m deciding between two air fryers.
And hey, maybe the next time you get “lost” in Reddit-land, you’ll discover something that’s unexpectedly useful! Or at least get hot takes on the latest mediocre Netflix show. We can dream.
Until next time (maybe tomorrow?)…safe scrolling… and, uh, don’t blame me when the hours disappear.
