this post was submitted on 23 Jul 2023
590 points (86.8% liked)
Showerthoughts
29793 readers
793 users here now
A "Showerthought" is a simple term used to describe the thoughts that pop into your head while you're doing everyday things like taking a shower, driving, or just daydreaming. A showerthought should offer a unique perspective on an ordinary part of life.
Rules
- All posts must be showerthoughts
- The entire showerthought must be in the title
- Avoid politics
- 3.1) NEW RULE as of 5 Nov 2024, trying it out
- 3.2) Political posts often end up being circle jerks (not offering unique perspective) or enflaming (too much work for mods).
- 3.3) Try c/politicaldiscussion, volunteer as a mod here, or start your own community.
- Posts must be original/unique
- Adhere to Lemmy's Code of Conduct
founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
view the rest of the comments
reddit had given into the "work the refs" strategy of the American right wing. That artificially elevated the voices of the right and suppressed the voices of the left. It's actually the case when you look at surveys and voting behaviors that right wing ideas are abysmally unpopular.
So when we're on an actually free platform that doesn't have an "engagement" based algorithm driving anger and division, with no one putting their thumb on the scale (or people who try getting defederated), "leftist" ideas come up.
The confusion reflected in the OP is the obvious outcome of the post Fairness Doctrine "both sides" media landscape. There really aren't as many right wing people as left wing. We are legion.
Reddit has banned most right wing subs and clearly has a pro left bias from the top. The userbase was more right wing before most right wing users were pushed off the platform.
They didn't exist before the 2016 election. They were mostly astroturf. The original Donald sub was entirely bashing him and intentionally killed off.
They very much existed and were active. The donald wasn't the first or the only one.
Cite your sources.
How? Reddit is mostly left wing apart from a few remaining right wing subs
Conservatives also adopt new technology less willingly and more slowly. Which is to their credit, I think. I like having people who move slower and less willingly.
Nevertheless, political alignment and technological adoption are generally correlated. And it is a new platform. It's not like taking up smart phones, but it's a change, and those that are reticent to change do it more slowly.
I'm pretty sure reddit is fairly nuteral but it could be considered left leaning
That's just not true in the slightest, reddit mod and admin actions clearly support a left-wing slant and ban accordingly. Most subs removed over the past few years have overwhelmingly been on the far right side of things. Admins regularly ban people for transphobia. How are you seeing otherwise?
what lol
With America's public school system? (sabotaged by the right, of course) Not a chance.